MAKINGT'INGSGOBOOM
I'm sorry you had the flu. That's definitely not a fun thing. As I'm writing this, I too have come down with something nasty. I'm glad that this made you feel happy, despite the state you were in. I think Gambit and Rogue need a vacation after these events! I appreciate your continued support and comment!
MARIA FABRICIA
My Thanksgiving was wonderful, thank you! You'll see Gabby is a good person and that she truly just wants to be a friend to Remy. I'm also working on something else so you can see her character! Don't tell! *wink, wink*
The hours had ticked by and it was after eight that evening. Leila was still unconscious and both Jean and Psylocke stopped by every now and then to check on her and her parents that sat by her side.
Letting out a big sigh, Gambit leaned back in the chair and rubbed his face. This had been the longest day of his life and he'd never been so emotionally drained than he was at that moment. Looking to his left, he watched as Rogue looked back at him and gave a loving smile.
"What's up?" She asked, reaching out and taking his left hand.
"I'ma go get a shower." He said, smiling back at her. "T'ink I feel better gettin' all dis grime off, no?"
"It'll do good, for sure, lover." She said, giving his hand a little squeeze as she watched him stand and then walk off, their hands staying together until the very last moment.
Getting upstairs and into their room, Gambit kicked off his shoes before walking into the bathroom and starting up the water. Pulling his shirt up, he felt the shirt slowly pull away from his skin as if it were glued to him. He grunted as he looked into the mirror to see a nice sized five inch gash on his torso. It was caked with dried blood, but when he pulled his shirt off the wound opened back up. Grabbing the hand towel, he placed it on the wound before he checked the water temperature before stepping inside. Immediately cleaning out the wound, he then washed himself and his hair before looking down at the gash. It was still bleeding, so he washed it once more before killing the water and drying off before getting out. Placing the towel on the gash, he walked into the bedroom and slipped on some sweats before he head back down to the lab.
Walking into the entrance, he saw Rogue leaning forward and holding Leila's hand. There hadn't been much change.
"Henri." Gambit called out to get the big, blue man's attention. "Got a nice cut, mon ami."
Looking at Gambit, Beast's eyes looked at the towel that was being held against his abdomen. "My goodness. Let's take a look." He said as he took the towel from Gambit.
"Ya alright, hun?" Rogue asked, looking at the two men.
"Oui." He said, giving her a wink as Beast pressed gauze against it. "Ah!"
"By the way, this will sting a little." Beast said with a smile as he began to lightly scrub the area.
"T'anks fo' de warnin'." Gambit said as he watched his blue friend disinfect the area and clean it all up before placing a large make-shift bandage over the gash. "Zut."
"Ya got bruises all over ya body." Rogue said, standing up and walking toward the two men.
"Yeah, t'ey hurt, too. Gonna feel dis in de mornin' fo' sho'." He said, watching as Rogue lifted her hand and placed it on the wound Beast just bandaged. "Ain' bad, chere."
"Ya sure? 'Cause it's already bleedin' through tha bandage." She said, seeing a red tinge coming through.
Taking her hand, he kissed it before he placed his hand on the side of her face and gave her a loving smile. "I be fine, Anna. Croyez-moi."
"Would you two like some dinner? I know Ororo was going to make a casserole of some sorts. I'm sure it is already done, considering the time." Beast said looking at his watch.
Shaking his head, Gambit looked down at Leila. "Non. Ain' hungry." He said as he felt Rogue hug him.
"Ya need ta eat something, Remy." She said. "Ya haven't eaten since breakfast."
He looked at her and saw her worried expression. "I know." He said, brushing the stray hairs from her face. "I jus' ain' hungry righ' now."
"Well, ya better eat when ya are." She said as Beast walked up to them.
"Here, put this on." He said, handing Gambit a scrub top. "You are a teacher. We can't have you walking around like that."
Chuckling, he took the scrub top and pulled it over his head. "T'anks." He said, noticing the shirt swallowing him. "Fit like a glove, homme."
"Yes, well, it's for modesty." Beast said as he walked over and check Leila's oxygen and pulse.
Watching him, Gambit and Rogue suddenly fell silent as they waited for any news. "Any change?" Rogue beat Gambit to the question.
"I'm afraid not." He said, placing his hand on her forehead. "She's still unconscious."
"How y' know she ain' in a coma?" Gambit asked.
"The brainwave activity would be different." Beast said, pointing to the machines that were attached to her head. "Don't worry, she'll be fine. She just needs time to recover."
"How is she?" They looked to the entrance of the lab to see the professor.
"She's resting." Beast said, checking the machines once more.
Sighing, Charles shook his head. "I'm terribly sorry this happened." He said, reaching out and taking Rogue's hand. "Please let me know if there is anything I can do."
"Can y' get in her mind an' make sure she be fine?" Gambit asked. "Please."
Charles smiled and nodded as he walked to the head of the bed and placed his hand on Leila's forehead and closed his eyes. They watched as he concentrated for a few minutes before he opened his eyes and looked up at the two of them with a smile.
"She's resting comfortably." Charles said. "She's fine."
"Thanks, professor." Rogue said, wrapping her arm around Gambit.
"Of course." Charles said. "Let me know if there is anything else I can do for the both of you."
"Thank you." Rogue said as they watched him leave.
Opening her eyes, Rogue noticed she had fallen asleep in the chair beside Leila's bed. Sitting up, her back protested in the movement as she looked to her right to see Gambit asleep, leaning against the bed holding Leila's hand. His head was resting on its side on the edge of the bed and his right arm was a support for it. She smiled as she stood up, stretching her back before she kissed Leila's forehead.
"Remy." She softly said, gently shaking his shoulder. "Hun, wake up."
Shooting awake, he looked at Leila before he looked to his left at Rogue. "Wha's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothin's wrong, sugah. Ah think we need ta go ta bed." She said, looking at her watch. "It's a quarter passed one."
"I don' wanna leave her." He said, looking at Leila.
"Ah know, neither do ah, but Hank is here. We need proper sleep if we're gonna take care of her." She said, placing her hand on his left shoulder.
"Guess yo' right." He said, standing and kissing her forehead as they walked out of the lab and head for the staircase.
Heading up the stairs, Rogue slipped her hand in his and felt him give it a light squeeze. They were both exhausted and he was banged up. When they reached the third floor and came to their door, Rogue opened it and they walked inside. Walking around to the left side, Gambit kicked his shoes off and got undressed before he climbed into the bed. Doing the same, Rogue turned the light out and got under the covers.
"G'night, hun." She said softly as she reached out for him.
"Night." He replied quietly as he rolled on to his right side, his back facing her.
She knew she shouldn't take it personally, but it hurt. This was the first time they went to bed and he didn't interact with her. There was usually a kiss or a hug or cuddling. Tonight there was nothing. She started to wonder if it was from earlier when she accused him of cheating on her. Quickly shaking that from her mind, she moved closer and propped herself on her right elbow.
Taking a breath to say something, she suddenly couldn't. She knew his new deminor was because of Leila. She was all they had and it was extremely hard on him, since they weren't able to have any more children. Rogue felt a wave of emotion wash over her. Today was one that she wanted to forget and never relive. Lying down, she kept her distance from Gambit as she closed her eyes and tried to fall asleep.
Opening her eyes, the sunlight filled the room and Gambit was gone. Sitting up, Rogue looked at the clock and saw it was almost eight. Getting out of bed, she took a quick shower before she got dressed and head down to the lab where she found Gambit sitting beside Leila's bed.
"How's she doin'?" She asked, seeing him look back at her and give a small smile.
"De same." He said, feeling Rogue's hand on his upper back.
"Did ya get any sleep, lover?" She asked, combing the back of his hair with her fingers.
"Non. Kept t'inkin' 'bout dis one." He said, looking up at her. "Did you?"
She nodded. "Surprisingly." She said as she continued to comb through his hair. "Ya feelin' it today? All the bruises?"
A real smile formed on his face. "Got de shit knocked outta me." He said, looking up at her and seeing her smile. "Feelin' it all over."
Sitting down, she looked over his face and focused on his lips before she met his eyes. "Do ya need ta get checked out?" She asked.
He shook his head and smiled at her. "Nah." He said. "Ain' not'in' t' be worried 'bout. Had worse."
Placing her left hand on the side of his face, she smiled at him again before leaning in and placing a soft kiss on his lips. "Ah'm gonna get some coffee. Ya want some?" She asked as she stood up.
"Sure." He said.
Leaving the lab, Rogue hugged herself as she made it to the kitchen to see Jean and Scott talking with Psylocke. "How's she doing?" Cyclops asked.
Rogue shook her head. "Tha same." She said as she walked over and grabbed two mugs from the cupboard. "Ah feel like she ain't ever gonna wake up."
Jean walked over and placed her hand on Rogue's back. "She'll wake up. She's trying to." She said. "Just give her body more time to recover. She'll wake up sooner than you think."
"Morning." They looked to the entrance to see Gabby and Dani.
"Good morning." Jean said with a smile.
"Gabby, hun." Rogue said, setting the coffee down and turning to her. "Ah just want ya ta know, ah'm sorry. Ah've been actin' like a total bitch and ah hate that. Ah'm sorry."
Gabby shook her head. "Don't apologize." She said.
"No, ah want to." Rogue said, walking over and placing her hand on Gabby's shoulder. "Ah'm sorry."
Smiling Gabby nodded. "It's alright." She said looking at Dani.
"How's Leila?" Dani asked, stuffing her hands in her pockets.
Rogue sighed. "She's still unconscious, but we're told she's fine, so that's all that matters." She said, walking back over and putting cream and sugar in her coffee before pouring the second for Gambit, leaving it black. "Ah just want her ta wake up."
"How's Remy?" Dani asked.
"Call him Mr. LeBeau. He's your teacher." Gabby said.
Cracking a smile, Rogue took the coffee mugs and turned to them. "It's alright." She said. "He's sore, but it ain't anything he hasn't felt before."
"Just keep us informed." Gabby said with a smile as Rogue walked by them and out of the kitchen.
Letting out a big sigh, Gambit leaned over and looked over Leila's face. The wounds were gone, but the damage was there. Inside. Taking her hand, he smiled as he thought about how happy she was at the zoo before it all went to shit. He still blamed himself for not paying more attention to the road. He could've stopped.
"Le passé est dans le passé." He quietly said. "Can' change dat now."
Leaning against the bed on his elbows, he placed his hand on her forehead.
"Leila? Petit?" He asked, looking at her face before he kissed her forehead softly. "J'espère que tu sais combien je t'aime."
Hearing footsteps, he looked behind him to see Rogue with the coffees. "Here ya go, hun." She said, giving him a warm smile as she handed him the mug.
He forced a smile back as he took a sip and wrapped his arm around Rogue's shoulders. She smiled at the interaction.
"How's she doin'?" They looked back to see Wolverine.
"Still out col', homme." Gambit said, taking another sip of coffee. "But she be a'right."
"One thing that little girl is," Logan paused as he looked at Gambit and Rogue. "Strong like her parents."
Rogue smiled as she gave Wolverine a hug. "Thanks, sugah." She said, kissing his cheek.
"Oh my god." They looked to see Sam walk in and over to them. "I just heard. I'm so sorry."
"T'anks, mon ami." Gambit said as Sam placed his hand on Rogue's shoulder. "She be fine, accordin' t' Jean, Betsy an' Charles."
"Poor little princess." Sam said as he walked to her bedside and placed his hand on her forehead. "Guys, I don't care what time it is. If you need anything you come and get me."
"Thank ya, Sam." Rogue said as she walked beside him and put her hand on his back. "We will."
The sound of buzzing broke their conversation. Looking around at each other, they watched as Gambit took his phone out and looked at who was calling.
"Merde." He said as he answered it. "Bonjour, Henri."
Rogue made eye contact with Gambit and smiled as she watched him walk to the far end of the lab.
"Je ne peux pas parler maintenant." He said, lowering his voice as he listened to his brother on the other end.
"Wha' y' mean y' can' talk now?" Henri asked.
Rubbing his face with his left hand Gambit sighed. "We was in a accident yeste'day." He said. "It's Leila."
"Mon Dieu! She a'right?" Henri asked, the worry apparent in his voice.
"Oui, she be fine. Jus'...unconscious." He said, looking back at Rogue, Logan and Sam who were watching Leila. "Not'in's broke."
"Well shit, son." Henri said. "Don' t'ink y' want us in yo' hair den."
"Que voulez-vous dire?" Gambit asked.
"We's on our way t' come visit." Henri said. "Don' worry, Jean-Luc is stayin' b'hind. He gots t'ings t' take care of. It be just me and Mercy."
Pinching his forehead he sighed. "Non, dat be fine." He said, rubbing the left side of his face. "Haven' seen y' in years. I be lookin' fo'ward t' it. Où es-tu?"
"We's 'bout a hour away." Henri said.
"A'right. Jus' give me a call when y' here." Gambit said.
"Will do, petit frère." Henri said as he hung up.
Pocketing his phone, he turned to his friends and walked back to Rogue's side. "Dat was Henri." He said.
"Ya brother?" Rogue asked, running her hand up Gambit's back. "What's goin' on? Everythin' alright?"
He nodded. "Dey be 'bout a hour away. Dey's comin' t' visit." He said.
"Is that somethin' ya wanna deal with right now?" Rogue asked, looking over his face.
"Haven' seen m' brot'er in t'ree an' a half years." Gambit said. "Righ' now, need all de support I can get."
Giving him a warm smiled, she hugged him. "Same." She said as she felt him wrap his arm around her.
An hour passed by quicker than they had realized and Gambit got the call his brother was here. Heading to the front door of the mansion, they watched as Henri and Mercy got out of the car and walked up to them.
"Oh, Rem." Mercy said hugging Gambit tight and placing her hand on the back of his head. "I'm so sorry. Henri to'd me 'bout Leila." Breaking the hug, she went and hugged Rogue just as tight.
"I'm sorry we's visitin' on such somber terms." Henri said, giving his younger brother a hug.
Clearing his throat, Gambit hugged him tight. "Glad y' here, regar'less." He said, pulling away and wiping his eyes. "Been hard, no? Seein' her lying t'ere. No expression."
Rogue wrapped her arm around him. "There ain' been any change." She said, seeing a tear roll down his left cheek.
"Well, we's here fo' support. Anyt'in' y' need, y' let us know." Henri said, giving Rogue a hug and kissing her cheek.
"Thanks, y'all." She said as they grabbed the luggage and head inside.
After taking them to their rooms, they went down and paid a visit to Leila. They were quiet as they stood there watching her.
"Y' said she a'right?" Henri asked, looking to his left at Gambit.
"Oui." He replied. "Tel'pat'ically, she sayin' she be fine."
"Jean-Luc say somet'in' 'bout her havin' powers." Henri said. "She talk wit' ya?"
"Non." Gambit shook his head. "Her powers don' work dat way. She be talkin' wit' de ot'ers here dat can get in her mind."
"Guess dat be good, den." Henri said, placing his hand on Leila's head before giving a small smile. "I 'member she wasn' but deux las' time we seen her."
"Mm hmm." Mercy said. "She grown fas'."
"That she did." Rogue said, hugging herself.
"Dat's wha' dey do." Mercy said, smiling at Rogue. "She'll be fine, chere."
"Ah know." Rogue said, smiling back at Mercy. "It's just hard."
Letting out a big sigh, Gambit turned to Henri. "Need'a talk t' y', homme." He said, seeing Henri nod.
Heading out of the lab, they walked to the front doors of the mansion and walked outside. Taking a seat on the steps, Henri followed and waited for Gambit to start.
"Need'a favor." Gambit said.
"Absolument." Henri said, placing his hand on his brother's back. "Anyt'in'."
"I wan'cha t' help me find de mot'er fucker dat did dat t' Leila." He said, feeling the anger and rage boil inside him. "I wanna make him suffer."
Henri dipped his eyebrows in concern. "Tu ne peux pas être sérieux." It wasn't a question. "Remy, wha' y' askin' me t' do-"
"I know what I be askin', Henri." He said, cutting him off, his voice deep and almost growling. "I want him t' suffer. I wanna make him feel wha' I be feelin'. Hurt. Pain. Sadness. All o' it."
"Je suis désolé." Henri said. "I ain' no assassin an' y' ain' one eit'er, Remy."
Gambit, chuckled. "I ain' talkin' 'bout killin' him, but if he dies, tant pis." He said, nonchalantly.
"Remy." Henri said. "I know y' be hurtin' somet'in' bad, but dis ain' gonna make dat li'l girl wake up faster. T'ink 'bout wha' y' sayin'."
"Oh, I have." Gambit said.
Shaking his head, Henri let out a deep breath. "Y' don' wanna do dis, Remy. Y' ain' t'inking ration'lly." He said, trying his best to talk sense into him. "Y' get caught, it be jail time fo' ya. Don' t'ink y' wanna do dat while yo' petite fille be layin' in a bed. Revenge ain' gonna solve not'in'." Gambit looked at his feet as Henry went on. "I know y' be hurtin' an' angry an' full o' rage, but wha' will dat do? Make y' feel better? Oui, fo' a moment, but Leila still be in dat bed." Grabbing his shirt, Henri made him look in his direction. "Y' look at me when I'm talkin' t' you, boy." He slightly paused before looking Gambit in the eye. "Don' do it. S'il vous plaît."
Roughly breaking the hold Henri had on him, Gambit looked down at him. "Can' promise dat." He said as he walked back inside.
"Where's Remy?" Rogue asked, seeing Henri walk back into the lab.
"Need some time alone." Henri said, looking at Mercy before he looked back at Rogue. "Écoutez, mon chere, y'... need t' talk t' yo' husband. He got some dark démons inside 'im dat want out bad."
"What?" Rogue asked, her face full of worry.
"He be plannin' on findin' de homme dat did dis. Wanna put dem in some real pain and he don' care if it kills de man." He said, placing his hand on Rogue's arm. "I tried t' talk 'im outta it, but he ignored me. He might listen t' ya."
Looking at Mercy, she looked back at Henri. "Where is he?" She asked.
"Je ne sais pas." Henri said, looking at Mercy before looking down at Leila.
"Ah'll try and find him." Rogue said, feeling Mercy place her hand on her shoulder.
"We'll stay wit' her." She said with a smile.
"Thank ya." Rogue said as she left the lab and head toward Jean's office, hoping she'd be in there.
Walking into Jean's office, she saw her talking with Cyclops, but turned to Rogue knowing she needed to talk. "What's wrong?" Jean asked.
"Ah need ya ta try and find Remy." Rogue said.
Jean shook her head. "He's dropped off my radar." She said. "Why? What's wrong?"
Rogue sighed. "Ah just need ta talk ta him." She said, hugging herself. "Tha man's broken, Jean. He's beside himself."
"What's going on?" Cyclops asked, turning to Rogue and leaning on the crutches.
'He wants ta find tha man that hit us.' It was all Rogue said once Jean entered her mind.
"Scott, I'm going to chat with Anna for a bit. How about dinner tonight?" Jean asked as she walked him to the door.
"Sure, sounds good." He said, giving her a kiss before he left and Jean shut the door to her office.
"Why does he want to do that?" Jean asked. "What does he think that will accomplish?"
Rogue shook her head. "Jean, ah'm worried he's gonna go out and murder that man." She said, feeling her eyes grow hot. "He's a mess right now and ah think he just might do it."
"Anna, listen to yourself." Jean said, walking closer and placing her hands on Rogue's shoulders. "Has he ever done anything like that the whole time you two have been together?"
"Well, no, but,"
"You just need to talk to him. Logan's in the entertainment room if you want him to sniff him out." Jean winked at Rogue before she hugged her. "Everything will be fine. Trust me. Remy's not a murderer."
"Ah surly hope not." Rogue said as she left Jean's office.
She didn't find him until later that afternoon back in the lab. Walking up behind him, he looked over his shoulder and she gave him a smile as she ran her hand up his back.
"Hey." She said, softly. "How are ya? Henri said ya needed some time alone."
Chuckling sarcastically under his breath, he shrugged. "I guess." He said, feeling Rogue start to run her fingers through his hair.
"He's worried 'bout ya, hun." She said, seeing him look at her out of the corner of his eye. "He told me what y'all talked about."
"An' I suppose y' here t' stop me?" He asked, finally looking at her.
"Am ah angry? Am ah hurt? Ya bet ya ass ah am, but ya don't see me goin' off and wantin' ta hurt anyone." Rogue said, taking his hand. "Ain't gonna change a thing. Don't ya dare go off and do anything stupid. Please."
She watched as his eyes looked over her face. "I can' promise dat, chere." He said, freezing as she brought her hands up and cupped his face.
"Ya promise me, Remy." She said as he stayed quiet. "God dammit!" She raised her voice.
"I..." He stumbled as she grabbed his shirt roughly.
"Ya bastard!" She lightly pounded her fists on his chest. "Ah want ya ta fucking promise me!" She said, seeing him look like he was numb before he hugged her tight and buried his head on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry." He said as he started to cry. "I hurt so bad."
"Ah know." She said, the tears coming down her face as well as she hugged him tight. "Ah do too and ah'm running out of strength for tha both of us. Ya gotta meet me half way, sugah. Ya ain't alone. Please remember that. Ah'm here and ah want ya ta come ta me."
Letting out a deep sigh, Gambit lifted his head and saw Rogue smiling up at him as she wiped the tears from his cheeks. "Mommy?" Their eyes flew open as they looked down to see Leila looking up at them.
"Leila!" Rogue said as they leaned over and kissed her. "Leila baby, ah'm so glad ya alright!"
"How y' feelin'? Y' a'right?" Gambit asked.
Looking around, Leila started to cry. "Where am I?" She asked.
"Shh, baby, it's alright." Rogue said, leaning over and kissing her forehead before she placed her hand on it. "Ya in Uncle Hank's lab. It's alright. Daddy and ah are here."
"I see she's awake." Beast said as he entered the lab.
Gambit and Rogue smiled at him as he walked over and examined the machines.
"I'll run a few simple tests to make sure she's well." He said as he smiled down at Leila. "Well, good afternoon."
Leila smiled as Beast went about reading the machines and writing things down before he went with a physical exam, making sure she could use her arms and legs.
"Do you feel any pain?" He asked.
"No." Leila answered as she took his index fingers and stood up on the step stool he provided for her.
"This is quite a miracle, indeed." Beast said. "I've never witnessed Rikki's powers first hand. Fascinating."
Rogue smiled when she felt Gambit hug her tight. "She gonna be a'righ', Henri?" Gambit asked.
"She appears to be quite that." Beast said. "Her recovery is remarkable."
Hopping off the bed, Leila hugged Gambit's legs before hugging Rogue's. "Missed y', petit." Gambit said, picking her up and kissing her cheek multiple times, making her giggle.
"I didn't go anywhere." She responded, confused.
He smiled as he kissed her forehead. "Y' was here, but y' was asleep." He said.
"I told Jeanie I was ok." Leila said, touching the cuts on his face. "Is this from the car?"
She obviously remembered. "Oui." He said. "Got more cuts and bruises, but dat don' matter."
"Guess who's here ta see ya?" Rogue asked Leila with a smile.
Looking into her mom's eyes, she saw who it was and she gasped with excitement.