CHAPTER 15
A.N.: I don't have a beta for this story, so if anyone is offering, let me know! Although, it's very much a back burner story (since I'm on a 'Getting Warmer' and 'Ensnared' hyperfixation kick). This just happened to already be written, so I figured a Thanksgiving holiday update would be fun for anyone still actually reading this one!
~X~X~X~X~X~
Sunlight filtered through a crack between the green-gray curtains of an eastern facing bedroom window, slanting in at just the right angle to illuminate the pale cheeks and slightly smeared purple eyeshadow of a girl asleep in her bed.
With a groggy moan, the young woman turned away from the offensive light and threw her arm over her eyes. Rogue, the resident 'goth' of the Xavier Institute of Higher Learning, was debating on whether to go back to sleep or drag herself out of the warm blankets when an unknown mass catapulted onto the foot of her bed.
"Agh!" Rogue shouted, instantly sitting up, fists raised in alarm.
Laying on his side at the foot of her bed was a familiar, cocky Cajun with a devil may care grin and a mischievous glint in his eyes. He was wearing his full magenta and gray uniform and duster, and his hair seemed to glisten - with either water or sweat she didn't know. The Cajun had his cheek propped up on his fist as he regarded her happily.
"What in the world?!" The Southern girl instinctively pulled her blankets up to her chin. She was still wearing her purple top and black pants from yesterday and could - again - barely remember how she got home, let alone in bed.
"Mornin' cherie!" Remy sing-songed in the most exuberantly uncharacteristic way possible. His grin was so wide, Rogue was a little alarmed as she watched him. "Merry Christmas Roguey!"
The X-Man blinked rapidly for a moment before screwing her eyes shut and rubbing them, not believing what she was actually seeing.
"Gambit!? Who - how - wha…? What do you think y'r doing?!" She finally spit out, managing a glare as she looked around the room for an explanation.
"Wakin' ya from y'r excessively long beauty sleep," the Cajun retorted as he turned over to lie on his back. Putting his hands under his head, he stared up at the ceiling with a contented smile.
Rogue watched him as if he'd grown a second head. "Which begs the question," she started as she scooted farther away, pressing her back fully against her headboard and moving as close to the edge of the mattress as possible. "WHY exactly are ya in MAH room?" Shouldn't you be HOME? In y'r OWN bed?" She let the cream colored duvet fall down to her waist and crossed her arms, still holding the edge of the covers close to her body as she pulled her knees up to her chest protectively.
"Non," he replied simply. "Xavier invited Gambit t' stay d' night after we brought ya home from de mall. It bein' Christmas an' all." The Cajun turned to smile at her and waggled his eyebrows.
"Y'all are lucky it IS Christmas, Cajun, or I'd be callin' Logan in here t' drag y'r sorry butt outta mah bed."
She was a bit surprised when Gambit groaned and scrubbed his face with his hands. "S'il vous plait, chere, Gambit's beggin' ya not t' do dat. He only just escaped d' Wolverine and dat Danger Room. Been in d'ere wit' him since b'fore dawn."
The slight whine in Gambit's voice made Rogue snort with laughter. "Oh, you poor baby." She couldn't keep the giggle out of her voice as the former Acolyte gave her the saddest puppy dog eyes he could muster.
Encouraged, Remy changed positions suddenly and flopped onto his stomach alongside her, his leg brushing against her covered one. He propped his chin up with his hand again and gave her a suggestive smile.
"Oui. You should nurse Gambit back t' health. Could definitely do wit' a good MASSAGE." His eyes positively flashed with mischief as he watched her react to his teasing.
"You could do with a good BATH, Cajun. You stink," Rogue exclaimed, rolling her eyes in disbelief, partial disgust, and a pinch of amusement. She pushed on his shoulder lightly, and was surprised as he rolled completely off the bed and onto the floor without a sound.
The Southerner started to peek over the side of the bed at him when the door burst open and she jumped, pulling the covers up again as she glared at the newest intruder.
"Where is he?" Wolverine growled. He was in his uniform - minus the mask - with his claws unsheathed. "I can smell the swamp water all over that little rat."
Rogue gave him a raised eyebrow in response, but smiled slightly. "Sorry Logan, no 'Swamp Rat' here. Why don't y' try the kitchen?"
Wolverine grunted in response and reached for the door handle. "Oh, and Rogue?"
"Yeah?" she bit her lip, sure he'd smelled her fib.
"Merry Christmas."
Rogue smiled widely. "Merry Christmas, Logan. Ah'll be down in a few."
The X-Man leader gave her a small smile and started to pull the door closed before he stopped suddenly and looked back, his eyes narrowed. "And tell your 'Swamp Rat' he'd better be outta y'r room before I come back. He's got 60 seconds and then I drag him back to the Danger Room."
Rogue blushed, but chuckled.
With another grunting growl, Wolverine looked at the door, over to where Gambit was hiding, and then opened the door wider before he left.
Once he was gone, Rogue face-palmed as she shook her head. Almost simultaneously, Remy peeked his head up from the side of the bed before standing up nonchalantly.
"Well, y' heard d' man, chere. Let's go." He held his hand out to her with a serious look.
"'Scuse me, but AH'M not the one who needs t' leave - YOU are." She pointed at him, then to the open door. If she was honest with herself, she didn't actually want him to go. His playful teasing kept her mind off all the craziness going on in her head. Despite his annoying penchant for invading her personal space, the Louisiana native had a way of lightening her mood.
"But y' can't leave Gambit alone wit' d' Wolverine! He don't much like moi, remember?" There was still the slightest whine to the Cajun's lilt as he sat down on the opposite edge of her bed, again encroaching on what she considered a 'safe' distance.
"Gee, ah wonder why?" Rogue carefully climbed out of her bed and walked to the closet, pulling out her old black spaghetti strap undershirt, and green see through cover up. As she placed them on the bed and headed to the dresser for pants, she heard Gambit rummaging through her clothes closet.
"Hey!" She protested as he put the shirts back and continued looking through her things.
"Hay is f'r horse petite," he smirked. Rogue raised an eyebrow at his uncharacteristic 'dad joke' and put her hands on her hips. She didn't have her gloves on and didn't want to risk absorbing him by dragging his butt out of her closet.
"Ain't no one here t' dress like dat for. 'Sides, it's Christmas." He pulled out a long sleeve hunter green sweater with a scoop neck - the gift from her secret admirer, then pulled out the brown boots.
"You should wear dis little number from d' other night. Can call it my Christmas present." He whistled appreciatively as he pulled out a skin tight mini skirt and bare midriff top. "Dis would do, too."
Remy smiled flirtatiously as Rogue glared murderously at him. Deciding she'd rather risk absorbing him than have him inspect her entire wardrobe, she yanked the provocative outfit out of his hands and shoved it back in the closet. Then she grabbed the sweater, and boots from him and headed to her private attached bathroom, closing the door and making sure to punctuate the sound of the lock clicking.
"How come y' get y'r own bathroom, chere?" he asked as he lounged on her bed once more, looking up at the ceiling. "De main one up here's huge."
"Well sure, it's great when ya don't have t' worry about bumpin int' someone and knockin' 'em unconscious. But once a few gals parade around in their towels and get zapped, folks suddenly don't care for sharing the space." Rogue's voice was muffled as she spoke through the door.
"So y' just ask and dey give you y'r own room with d' ensuite?" Remy propped himself up on his elbows and discretely sniffed himself. He'd freshened up after the long Danger Room session with Wolverine, but knew body spray and deodorant could only go so far to improve the smell of his uniform.
"Not exactly."
Remy could hear the faucet running for a moment before Rogue emerged, dressed and with a toothbrush in her hand. "Couple months ago Jubilee walked in on me when I was gettin' out of the shower. She was out cold for 3 days. Ah think that was the proverbial straw."
Rogue began brushing her teeth as she leaned against the dresser near her cuckoo clock. While she watched him, Gambit got up and started wandering around the room, inspecting everything closely.
"Well, if y'r gonna set up permanent residence in dis place, you need t' redecorate petite. De bland interior jus' doesn't suit ya."
With the toothbrush still in her mouth, she paused to give him a look.
"'M serious, Rogue. Dere's so much more t' you den y'r mutation. Y' just need t' stop bein' afraid of lettin' others see it."
With a glare, Rogue grabbed her gloves off the nightstand and walked back to the sink to finish brushing.
"Look," she began after she'd rinsed. "Ah don't need you or anyone else lecturin' me about mah powers, OR mah life. They're both mine t' live with how AH choose." Turning on her brown heeled boots, Rogue crossed her arms and stormed from the room with Gambit close behind her.
"Remy didn't mean t' make ya mad on Christmas, chere. But merde, y' tres belle when y' are. Can really see de green in y'r eyes."
The only outward sign of a reaction Remy saw from the girl was a slight turning of her head in his direction, but he failed to see the expression of bewilderment on her face.
He jogged forward a few steps and grabbed the hand she had let fall from her crossed arms. She still refused to face him though.
"All Gambit was tryin' t' say was I just - I wish you'd let others see you de way I do."
She turned finally, a look of disbelief and softness behind her eyes as Remy kissed the back of her hand.
When he released her, Rogue immediately put her hands on her hips, but gave him a tiny tilted smile. He stepped closer and Rogue's arms dropped to her sides, all irritation forgotten as she saw the sincerity in his eyes.
Her breath caught in her throat as Gambit reached up and gently swept her white bangs behind her ear. Even with his fingerless gloves he was careful not to brush her skin, but he was so close she could practically feel the ghost of a touch.
The Cajun smiled widely again as he took a small step back. "Now come on - got presents t' open!"
With that, he grabbed her gloved hand again and tugged her behind him, nearly pulling her off balance as he raced down the hall toward the staircase.
Rogue nearly giggled when he released her hand and playfully jumped on the banister, riding down on his backside.
She had to cover her mouth with her hand as Remy landed at the bottom at the same moment Ororo Munroe walked in the front door. The weather witch gave him a disapproving look when he bowed to her, taking her hand in his and kissing the back of it in his characteristic way.
"Morning Stormy!" he sing-songed again as Storm pulled her hand back and folded her arms.
"Gambit. Must I remind you that you are a GUEST here, and are expected to act accordingly? And you may call me STORM."
"Pah!" Gambit ran a hand through his hair as he smiled at the white haired woman and turned to watch Rogue come down the stairs. "Gambit knows you ladies can't resist his boyish charms."
"Emphasis on 'boy,'" a sweet, slightly high pitched voice teased from behind Ororo.
"Mandy!?" Rogue exclaimed as she alighted on the last few steps. "What are you doin' here gal? Ain't you supposed t' be with your family on Christmas?" she asked as the blonde came forward and gave Rogue a big hug.
Both Ororo and Remy looked slightly surprised to see Rogue carefully return the gesture with a smile.
"Oh yeah," Mandy replied as she grinned at the others' shocked expressions. "But we already did our thing. We get up at like, 5 am to do presents, breakfast, caroling, and sledding. Then everyone goes back to bed around noon."
"Except you, ah take it." Rogue looked surprised and quickly checked her watch to verify that it was, indeed, past noon.
"Except me!" Mandy repeated cheerfully. "I figured I'd come over here and we could do it all over again!" The perky blonde clapped and squealed despite the pessimistic look from Rogue and a quirky grin from the Cajun. "So, what are we waiting for?! Is it Christmas or what?!"
With a soft smile, Ororo gestured toward the main living area and Mandy grabbed both Remy and Rogue by the forearms, dragging them along. "Move it people! There's presents to open!"
"Ah hate t' burst y'r bubble, hon, but we aren't really doing …" Rogue trailed off as they came through the double doors into the once sparsely decorated living room. "Christmas…?"
Now, the entire room was decked with boughs of holly, mistletoe, ribbons, and baubles. The tiny table tree had been replaced with a seven-foot pine that was fully decorated with red, gold, and green (plus a few touches of pink). Under the sweet smelling tree was a slew of small gifts.
"Good afternoon everyone," Xavier called from the middle of the room. Next to him in the adjacent armchairs were Hank and Logan, both of whom were sipping steaming cups of coffee. "Merry Christmas." Surprisingly, Beast hadn't donned an image inducer, and Mandy didn't even bat an eye at his blue, furry appearance.
Rogue looked around the room in wonder. "What… What's going on?" She asked with a suspicious look at each individual. "Ah thought we weren't doing the whole Christmas thing this year?"
"Well of COURSE you are silly, it's CHRISTMAS! You can't celebrate properly without decorations and presents!"
"Um," Rogue was at a slight loss for words as she looked around the room that now looked as if Santa's workshop had thrown up everywhere. "Ah just - ah've been here five years now and this is… new."
"Yes, it is," Ororo agreed with a feminine chuckle. "And we must give most of the credit to your intriguing new friend Mandy. She took one look at our measly decorations yesterday afternoon and nearly went into a Tabitha-sized fit."
"Yikes," Rogue nodded in understanding as she took in the trimmings, trappings, and popcorn garland covering almost every surface of the room.
"I wanted to decorate the whole house, but they said no." Mandy pouted, but she quickly followed with a sheepish smile.
Mr. McCoy chuckled. "Ms. Fravashi is quite the planner. She managed to wrangle all of us into pitching in for a 'real' Christmas Day celebration in just a few hours. Your friend and the Professor collected presents, Gambit and Ororo prepared the food, and Logan and I decorated.
Rogue stared, bug-eyed, at Logan - who had changed back into his civilian clothes - with incredulity. "YOU did THIS?!" She nearly shouted.
"You tell anyone Stripes, and you'll never leave the Danger Room again." Logan growled.
The Southerner made a zipping motion against her lips and said nothing to him, turning instead to the weather witch. "Ororo, ain't you supposed t' be at your sister's though?"
Ororo smiled softly. "I merely postponed my trip by a few hours. I'll be leaving shortly and staying until New Years." Rogue smiled and nodded.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Mandy squealed, bouncing again as she squeezed Remy and Rogue's arms. "Now come on," the tiny blonde demanded. "Let's open some PRESENTS!"
Mr. McCoy and Xavier chuckled as the newcomers found seats around the brightly decorated tree.
Ororo sat opposite of Xavier and Hank on one of the two couches that had been pushed into an L-shape in front of the tree. Rogue sat on the larger couch, closest to Logan, and Remy took a timid seat on the same couch as Rogue, but on the end FARTHEST from Logan.
"Mine first, mine first!" Mandy cackled as she bounced over to the tree and grabbed an armload of small presents. The perky blonde handed each person their own gift - complete with red paper and green bows.
Rogue waited to open hers, watching with fascination to see what her new friend - who had never met the other X-Men before last night - had given to perfect strangers.
Ororo smiled, somewhat confused, as she opened a clear emergency rain coat. Mandy quickly explained. "All I really knew is that you control weather and like plants, so, like, a raincoat made sense to me. Make it rain on all the plants at once and still stay dry!"
The weather witch's smile grew brighter as she nodded. "Yes, that WOULD be beneficial, thank you child."
"You're welcome Ms. Munroe! You next Mr. Logan!" The bouncy blonde clapped her hands as everyone turned to watch Logan unwrap his gift. The attention clearly made the man uncomfortable as he shifted and grouched something indiscernible under his breath.
When Wolverine opened a pocket sized knife sharpener, he chuckled in amusement. Slowly extracting a claw, he immediately put the tiny device to use. "Thanks Cricket," he nodded at the young girl, and everyone in the room stared at the man quizzically.
"What?" The gruff Canadian asked. "Kid's always hoppin' around, happy and squeakin', and drivin' me nuts with her Christmas songs."
Rogue and the other X-Men raised an eyebrow at him, but Mandy clutched her hands to her chest and cooed. "Aww! You gave me a nickname already? I KNEW I'd win you over!"
Remy snickered and Wolverine unsheathed his other claws with a low growl. Wisely, the Cajun wiped the smile off his face, cleared his throat, and leaned forward to grab a cup of hot chocolate off the coffee table.
"How about you, M'sieur?" Gambit asked the Professor, nodding toward Xavier's unopened gift.
Carefully, Xavier opened up a small dollar store bottle of Tylenol and smiled. "Thank you, my dear. It's a very thoughtful gift."
"I just figured if I had to block out everyone's thoughts all day, I'd get a LOT of headaches." The blonde shrugged and smiled kindly.
"Ha!" Beast chortled from the armchair nearest to the tree as he held shredded red paper in one hand and a bottle of hair conditioner in the other. "A very astute observation. This IS something I use frequently!"
Mandy smiled widely again. "I actually wasn't sure if you technically have hair, or FUR, but I figured giving someone pet conditioner might not come off as well as it would have been intended."
"Ah yes," the blue-furred doctor tapped the side of his nose. "Again, very sharp-witted. And, just for the record, it has genetic similarity to that of a bear."
Mandy's eyebrows raised in surprise before she smiled again and gave him two thumbs up. "Cool! For the record, my favorite color is blue!"
Gambit chuckled as well when he opened a hand held fire extinguisher. Before he could say anything, Mandy gave him a look before turning to Rogue and pointing to him.
"SOMEONE tried to burn down the kitchen last night making dinner."
"Hey now, Gambit didn't know it was a GAS stove."
"Well maybe GAMBIT shouldn't go around playing with explosives in places where people COOK." The tiny retail worker gave the young man a pointed look. "Or talk in the third person."
While the blonde chastised Gambit, Rogue quickly opened her gift from the girl to find a bottle of lavender nail polish and a rose quartz face roller. When the southerner raised an eyebrow at the girl, Mandy explained.
"The nail polish is just for fun. I noticed you always have black polish and thought you might like to try something else that still matches your outfit. The rose quartz roller feels AMAZING on your skin. It helps blood circulation and lymphatic systems, and brightens your complexion. It's better for sensitive skin than jade. Plus, rose quartz is supposed to nourish your heart and bring love." Mandy smiled and leaned in to give Rogue another hug, this time surprising the three older men in the room when it was happily reciprocated.
Remy cleared his throat again and sat his hot chocolate down as he stood to gather a bag that was tucked away in the corner. He quickly pulled out a few packages and passed them around to everyone. "Gambit picked up a few last minute t'ings as well. Ain't as creative as 'Cricket' here's…"
Wolverine scowled at the former Acolyte.
"But *I* hope ya like dem." Remy finished, careful to punctuate his use of the first person.
The gifts were quickly unwrapped - a signed copy of "Activating Evolution" from Chandra Suresh* for the Professor, a biography from a geneticist in the 1900's for Mr. McCoy, a set of chakra stones and incense for Ororo, cigars for Logan (probably expensive from the appreciative nod Wolverine gave the young man), and a bubble bath kit from Bath and Body Works for Mandy. For Rogue, Remy had a thick leather belt with small pouches along the sides.
"It's like a tool belt, but still nice enough f'r everyday use," the Cajun explained. "Y' can put things in dere t' keep on hand dat don't fit in y'r uniform or street clothes.."
"What, like lip gloss?" Rogue asked sarcastically even as she admired the handiwork and buttons along the belt.
"Like smoke bombs, pocket knives, communicator, mace…" Gambit trailed off as he gave her a concerned look. "T'ings dat could help in case y' can't use y'r powers."
Rogue's face softened as she folded the belt into her lap. "Thanks Swamp Rat. It's real nice. Y'all didn't have t' get me anything else though. The gloves were more than enough."
Wolverine made a nondescript noise as he sliced the top off one of his new cigars.
The Cajun scrubbed a hand through his tousled locks above the head guard. "Well," he peeked sheepishly at Xavier and Logan. "Dat was more of an overdue 'apology' gift than a Christmas present."
"Ah'm sorry, but ah never got a chance t' get you -"
Mandy could barely keep a straight face at the tender moment, but immediately leaped into action when Rogue's face fell.
"YES YOU DID!" Mandy shouted, startling almost everyone. Logan nearly dropped his cigar, Remy flinched, both Rogue and Ororo visibly jumped, and Hank exclaimed, "My stars and garters!" Only Xavier did not react as he was the only one who anticipated the girl's growing excitement. He did, however, discreetly crack open the new bottle of Tylenol.
The young blonde giggled at everyone's reaction, but raced around to the back of the tree to pull out two gifts wrapped in shiny, deep red paper with black bows and ribbons. She handed the boxes to Rogue.
"Mandy!" The Southerner exclaimed in shock. "What did you do?"
"I knew you were feeling a little … under the weather yesterday, so I picked up that stuff you wanted to give him. I even wrapped it to look like his eyes since you've mentioned it once or twice." The blonde winked at her Southern friend, who immediately blushed and glared.
Waiting for her face to return to normal, Rogue played with the curly black ribbons for a moment and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Thank you," she finally replied and reached out to squeeze the blonde's hand.
Mandy smiled brightly. "You're welcome!" she sing-songed in a familiar Disney tune before bouncing over to the loveseat to sit next to Ororo. The girl practically wiggled with anticipation as she waited for Rogue to give her gifts to Remy.
"See," Logan interjected with a claw extended in Mandy's direction, an unlit cigar in the corner of his mouth. "Cricket."
Rogue chuckled, then cleared her throat nervously. "Don't uh, don't Ah see more presents under that tree?"
Hank nodded in understanding and gathered a few more gifts for the adults as well as one for Mandy. He handed her a small box and stated, "I know it isn't the most personal gift, but we thought that with as much magic as you've brought us on a shoe-string budget, perhaps you'd enjoy something you can use for yourself with a few extra funds."
Remy began opening his gift while Mandy tore open the paper on a gift card to Hobby Lobby, and Hank passed out gifts to the other adults.
"Merci beaucoup," he smiled as he pulled out the leather care kit. "Gambit's…" he paused as Mandy gave him a look. "MY coat is needin' a bit of TLC t' be sure."
Rogue said nothing, but nervously watched him open the second gift. Once he did so, he pulled out a folded piece of paper with a company logo, hours, contact info, and a gift card. He gave her a confused smile as he held it up.
"It's uh, it's a restaurant Mandy told me about," Rogue glanced at the blonde and chewed her bottom lip. "Ah guess they have Cajun nights with jazz music and gumbo and everything. Like a little slice of home right here in the city. Ah thought…" she shifted slightly and snuck a peek at Wolverine, who was opening a package of gum from Ororo. "Ah thought maybe you'd like t' go sometime. With me, or - or whoever." She shrugged nonchalantly, but couldn't stop her fingers from nervously fiddling with her gloves.
"Remy'd be honored ma chere," he said, leaning forward to take her hand and kiss the back of it. "C'est parfait. Merci."
The southerner shrugged again and gestured to the items in her lap. "Thank you, too..."
"That's not all!" Mandy sing-songed again, clearly eavesdropping. "You've got one more gift from you know who," she winked, handing Rogue the long green-wrapped box.
With a sideways glance at Gambit's quizzical expression, Rogue carefully untied the ribbon and bow before pulling off the top of the box. This gift had been wrapped in such a way that no paper had to be ripped in order to get to the contents inside.
First she pulled out a pair of black opera gloves - similar to those Remy had given her, but significantly less expensive - followed by a second pair in green. Finally, under the gloves was a carefully wrapped Mardi-Gras type mask.
The mask was made of green fabric for the base with a bit of green encircling the eye holes. The green fabric was overlaid with black lace that danced around the entire bottom of the mask and flitted halfway up the top half. Another fine webbing of lace dipped into a point that covered part of the nose. Simple elastic bands were sewn onto each end of the mask so it could be tied snugly around the back of the head.
Rogue looked up at Mandy for clarification as there was no note attached.
"I can't give you a lot of clues right now, but you'll definitely be needing it for a certain rendezvous VERY soon!" the perky blonde chirped happily as she clapped her hands.
The Southern girl blushed lightly and resisted the urge to check Gambit's reaction again. Instead she watched Mandy for any glances in the Cajun's direction that could give him away.
"Rendezvous, cheree?" the man in question asked, his interest piqued. "Gifts wit' no tag, cryptic messages, secret meetings? Does Gambit have some competition, ma petite?" He asked, his red eyes flashing darkly as he twirled a card between his gloved fingers.
Rogue desperately tried not to blush as she regarded him coolly. "Swamp Rat, 's far as I can tell, you ain't even got a horse in the race."
"Oh, burn!" Mandy commented gleefully from her seat on the small couch next to Ororo.
"D'at's 'cause Gambit's so smooth, mignon (sweetie), y' wont know his pony's winnin' til it's crossed d' finish line." The red-eyed former Acolyte flashed the Southern girl another charming smile as he leaned down and took her gloved hand in his, kissing the back of it again.
Rogue watched him, momentarily captivated, as her perky blonde friend fanned herself and chirped happily, "Whew boy, this is better than a soap opera. I could watch this ALLLL DAY!"
"Well I CAN'T," Wolverine stated gruffly and stood to retrieve one final present from inside the back of the tree. "Here Stripes. One more for ya if you can pry yer hand away from that greasy Cajun long enough t' open it."
This time Rogue DID blush as she hastily yanked her hand away from Remy's grip and caught the small jewelry sized box Logan tossed her.
"And for what it's worth, I'm puttin' my money on the OTHER guy," he muttered under his breath with a dark look at Gambit. Instead of returning to his chair, he went to stand just behind the card-thrower, his arms folded grumpily.
Xavier cleared his throat as Rogue checked the gift tag. "From all of y'all?"
"It occurred to us that because you are now 18, you may require certain 'freedoms.'" He gave Logan a pointed look as Rogue looked to each adult in the room. "So we all conspired to help give you a little more independence."
The Southerner raised an eyebrow at them. "What, like one of those fancy phones? Cause ah've gotta say, you sound an awful lot like Bobby's parents when they gave him that I-Phone just so they could keep tabs on him."
"Just open the box, kid," Wolverine growled impatiently. But he had a hint of a smile on his face as he looked at Mandy and winked.
Rogue nodded and carefully pulled off the paper, opening the box with an air of feigned surprise, followed by ACTUAL surprise as she pulled out a pair of car keys.
"Holy -"
"Ahem," Hank commented with a forced cough.
"Crap." Rogue finished carefully, looking to the Professor. "Is this…?"
"It is. In the driveway there," the Professor smiled.
The young woman vaulted over the back of the couch to throw open the curtains. She clasped her hand to her mouth as she took in the brand new SUV parked in front of the mansion.
"Oh mah God." She turned back to the Professor and the other teachers with tears in her eyes. "Professor, Ah, Ah can't accept this. It's too much. I don't have - Ah'm not…"
Xavier wheeled over to the window and took both her hands in his. "Rogue. You are a very special, very capable young woman. You're an important member of this team, and what's more - a part of this family. Please, accept it and know that we care deeply about you."
Sniffling, Rogue wiped a few tears away with the back of her gloved hands and leaned down to give the Professor a cautious hug. "Thank you," she whispered gratefully.
"And Stripes?" Wolverine interrupted the tender moment. The girl stood fully and wiped a few more tears before meeting his gaze.
"Yeah Logan?"
"Ya may be 18, but yer still expected t' follow the same rules. 'Freedoms' don't mean joyrides across the country."
"At least not without clearing it with one of us, first," Hank interjected, only to be quieted by a dirty look from Wolverine. Mandy had to cover her mouth with her hand to keep from giggling as she watched the exchange happily.
"Well!? Let's go check it out already!" The blonde shop girl announced excitedly as she jumped up and ran to the window, grabbing the sleeve of Rogue's green sweater to drag her outside.
Despite the bitter cold, neither girl bothered to grab their coats, and instead dashed straight outside. Mandy quickly ran around the back of the car to check out the make and model while Rogue trailed her gloved hand along the hood and driver's side door.
As she inspected the vehicle, Remy - followed by Logan, the Professor, Hank, and Ororo - came out carrying both girls' coats.
"Bahaha!" Mandy chortled as she checked out the rear of the vehicle. "It's perfect!"
"What? What is it?" Rogue asked as she came around to join her friend. From the porch, Xavier smiled coyly as he shared a knowing glance with Logan and Ororo.
"It's got your NAME on it!" the blonde giggled as she pointed out the back of the car.
"Huh?" Rogue asked as Remy came down the steps to check out the vehicle as well.
With a quick look from the Professor to Mandy, Rogue headed to the back of the car to see what her friend meant. "Oh, ha ha. Very funny," she said dryly as she read the back of the vehicle.
The Professor and Logan smiled widely and Ororo hid a giggle behind her hand.
"Nissan, 'ROGUE', eh?" Gambit announced with a chuckle as he checked it out. "C'est tres clever."
Logan smirked from the porch next to Xavier. "Didn't want ya getting CONFUSED about which one was yours."
"No kidding," Mandy nodded.
Beast smiled widely as he watched Rogue discreetly wipe her eyes. "Why don't you kids take it for a quick ride? Lunch won't be ready for another half hour at least."
"SHOTGUN!" Mandy cried, racing around to the front passenger side.
Remy groaned as he opened Rogue's door for her. "Well, chere, 'suppose de back's better dan hangin' here wit' Logan, huh?"
"Sugah," Rogue laughed as she stole a glance at a glowering Wolverine. "The ROOF's a better place for you than here with Logan!"
Mandy made no attempt to hide her giggle and threw her head back in raucous laughter. Remy raised an eyebrow at her. He couldn't help goading Logan a little though, and leaned into the front seat to wave at the gruff Canadian as Rogue slowly pulled out of the driveway.
The Southerner stopped for just a moment to roll down Mandy's window and wave to Ororo. "See ya later Storm - have a nice time at your sister's!"
Mandy smiled widely. "Bye Ms. Munroe! It was great seeing you again! Say hi to your sister for me!"
Everyone gave the peppy blonde a strange look as Rogue pulled away.
"What?" Mandy asked casually. "We talked last night when you know who tried to burn down the kitchen. Ms. Munroe was on the phone with her sister, but dropped it when the cabinets started to go up in flames. I just picked it up and chatted with Vivian while Ororo was busy putting it out and making Gambit clean up."
Rogue shook her head and smiled. "You could charm the rattler off'a snake, couldn't ya, gal?"
Meanwhile, Logan stood on the porch with the other three adults, his arms crossed. "I STILL say we shoulda got her that one seater bike," he grumbled.
Ororo smiled sympathetically as she retrieved her keys from her purse. "We are trying to encourage her to stick around Logan, not run off without notice."
"Gosh, but who DOES that remind me of?" Beast held his chin between his thumb and forefinger as he pretended to ponder the answer.
"Can it, furball." Wolverine glared.
Beast chortled and turned to Storm and gave her a friendly hug. "Ororo, enjoy your festivities with your dear family. I do hope your sister enjoys the communicator Forge and I created."
The weather witch smiled warmly as she returned his gesture. "I know she will. Being able to speak with Evan on Christmas will be the best gift of all. Thank you my friend."
"The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves," Beast quoted. "Helen Keller."
Xavier nodded and said his goodbyes to Ororo as well. Once she had left in her jeep, Beast slapped Logan on the back jovially.
"Come my friend - I could use your talents with carving the turkey."
~X~
"'S a pretty nice ride, chere, I mus' say."
Rogue nodded. "It's a lot smoother than Logan's bike, that's for sure. Not that I wouldn'ta have loved a motorcycle…" She shook her head. "Ah still can't believe this is really for me."
"I've gotta admit, Rogue, I'm a little jealous," Mandy smiled. "All we've got is the Ranger and it's been making some awful noises lately. Ever since mom quit her job as a lawyer, she and dad have been trying to learn how to fix everything themselves."
Rogue glanced at her blonde passenger. "Really? Maybe Logan could take a look at it later. He's real good with cars. He's fixed up the X-Van more times than ah can count."
"X-Van?" Mandy asked, her brows furrowed in confused curiosity.
"Oh," Rogue pursed her lips, trying to decide how much she divulge. "It's uh, it's the team vehicle. We use it for…" The southerner sighed and shot Remy a look in the rearview mirror. "Well, for missions."
"No way!" The bubbly blonde bounced. "You get to go on MISSIONS?!" She turned around in her seat to check Remy's reaction to the 'news'. The Cajun Acolyte was, of course, unfazed. He simply smirked at the girl's exuberance and chuckled.
"You have no idea, petite. D'ese X-Men are 'bout as heroic as it gets. Kinda annoying when y'r tryin' t' hatch a scheme." He winked at Rogue, who had once again snuck a peak at him through her rearview.
Mandy glanced from Remy to Rogue and back again.
"M' serious," he snorted. "Y' got no idea how many times Remy's old boss would cook up d'ese elaborate plans just t' have de X-Men ruin 'em."
"Oh please," Rogue retorted, scoffing as she rolled her eyes and continued up the winding road near the cliffs. "The first time we met you Acolytes in battle you wiped the floor with us." The southern girl narrowed her eyes at him in the mirror. "In fact, ah believe you tried t' blow me up!"
Mandy's eyes widened as she clapped both hands over her mouth in shock. Her eyes, however, twinkled with delighted mischief.
"Pah!" Remy scoffed, running his hand through his hair. "T'was just une peur charge. Woulda knocked ya on y'r butt s'all."
Rogue growled a little in her throat, oblivious to her blonde passenger's flurry of excitement over the pair's verbal repartee.
"Gee, that makes meh feel a WHOLE lot bettah, thanks."
"Hey, you took Gambit out with just a little kiss, so…"
"What?!" Mandy gasped, her eyes widening almost comically.
"WHAT?!" Rogue screeched and jerked the car onto the shoulder. Slamming on the brakes, she threw the vehicle into park.
"Oh my gosh, you guys have KISSED?!" Mandy squealed. Her excitement quickly died, however, as she realized this was news to Rogue as well.
"What in the Sam Hill are you talkin' about Swamp Rat?" Rogue growled, her eyes narrowed as she whirled around to look Gambit in the eyes.
Remy leaned back in his seat and pulled his cards out, twirling one through his fingers idly. "It was the Apocalypse thing," he muttered quietly, glancing up at Rogue nonchalantly. "When you broke into de Acolyte's base t' get our powers."
He sighed as Rogue continued to shoot daggers at him and Mandy tried to shrink back in her seat. The blonde stole glances at the red-eyed mutant in her vanity mirror, but knew she was intruding on what should have been a private conversation.
"You took out Pyro, Colossus, and Sabertooth quick as a wink, but we - you and I - " Remy finally gripped his card and held her gaze. "We fought, and you stole m' powers. Don't remember it m'self, but watched de security tapes. We were near deadlocked til you surprised me with a kiss."
Grinding her teeth and squaring her jaw, Rogue silently turned back around and stared out at the ocean ahead of them. Mandy caught Remy's guilty, almost haunted look in the rearview before he met the blonde's gaze and she quickly looked away.
Without a word, Rogue put the vehicle back into drive and flipped around on the highway, heading home.
"We -" her voice cracked once she dared speak again. "We best be headin' back. They'll be startin' supper soon."
The X-Man didn't say much during the drive home, but Mandy chatted away, practically regaling the two sullen mutants with what must have been her entire life story, as she tried to ease the tension.
"So then I helped Rogue try on these super cute clothes - which, didn't I TELL you you'd love?!" Mandy elbowed Rogue as she pulled up to the mansion's gates. The X-Man smiled slightly.
"Gambit sure did when he saw you in 'em at de club," he quipped from the back seat as he shuffled his cards. He fell silent again as Rogue glared at him in the rearview.
"Then this cute guy came in right after she left and bought the whole outfit. He asked me to write the note and wrap it up for him and said he'd have a courier pick it up and deliver it!"
"Wait, what 'cute guy?' Who?" Remy asked, his eyes darting back and forth between Rogue and Mandy as his cards suddenly stilled.
Mandy pursed her lips and looked at Rogue. "Sorry, can't say. He said it was a secret. Like a Secret Santa thing. And I'm VERY good at keeping secrets." The blonde pretended to zip her lips and throw away the key while Rogue pulled her new car into the mansion's oversized garage.
The three teens silently went inside only to find the foyer and living room empty. They could hear voices coming from the kitchen, and Mandy stopped suddenly.
"Oh shoot!" the blonde exclaimed. "I think I dropped my lip gloss in the car! Remy, would you be a peach and find it for me? I HATE spiders, and I'm pretty sure I saw one on the garage ceiling. There's no WAY I'm going in there just to let it fall on my head." She shuddered for good measure and gave the red-eyed Cajun her best pouty puppy eyes.
Remy chuckled. "Bien sur, petite." He turned back around and headed to locate her missing gloss.
Rogue shot her a look as Remy disappeared. "You're afraid of spiders?"
"Absolutely, yes," Mandy nodded eagerly, but then gave her a devilish grin as she held up a tube of bright pink gloss. "I just didn't drop my gloss."
Rogue's shoulders shook as she tried not to laugh.
"I just wanted to know if you're okay," the blonde's tone changed quickly as she put a careful hand on her southern friend's shoulder.
"Ah'm fine," Rogue deadpanned, resisting the urge to literally shrug the girl off.
"Uh huh," Mandy gave her a look. "Really, Rogue. Talk to me."
The southerner looked around nervously, and deflated slughtly when she knew they were alone. "Ah just… with mah powers ah never figured on kissin' anybody. Maybe ever. So now ah … ah find out ah've ALREADY kissed someone - and GAMBIT at that - an' ah don't even remember it."
The X-Man stared at the floor, her pale cheeks dusted pink. She refused to look the blonde in the eye as she felt tears prick at her own.
"Well," Mandy started, giving Rogue's shoulder a squeeze before finally letting go. "That could be okay, right? If you don't remember it, it's kinda like it never happened. I don't think it counts if you don't remember it." She giggled slightly, and Rogue couldn't help the slight upturn of her own lips.
"Ah suppose," she shrugged, finally looking up, "but now ah'll never even know what it was like. Ah've always been scared t' death 'bout what ah might accidentally do t' someone ah care about. Unless ah get control of mah powers, ah can never really touch anyone without hurtin' them."
Rogue rubbed her arms, shrinking into herself as she watched the door for Gambit to return. "Which means ah can't hold hands or go swimmin' or kiss, or even have a boyfriend without possibly killin' him. And that's something ah just can't risk."
She shuddered, her chin quivering slightly as she listened to Logan cursing and Beast cackling in the kitchen. "Ah shoulda shot this whole secret admirer thing down from the get-go." Rogue wouldn't meet Mandy's eyes as she folded her arms and glared at the floor. "Ah don't know what ah was thinking. Ah was so flattered, so …"
Rogue bit her lip as her voice waivered and a few tears spilled down her cheeks. She swiped them away angrily and took a few steps away from Mandy as Gambit returned.
"You're sweet as sugar, girl, but please - tell whoever this mystery guy is that I'm done. Enough's enough. Ah just… ah can't."
Before Gambit could say anything, Rogue turned and bolted up the stairs, leaving both Mandy and the Cajun speechless.
Remy turned to stare at Mandy, his brow furrowed in concern as he noted the tears shining in the blonde's eyes. "What's wrong? What happened?"
The small girl gave him a wistful smile. "I think she's sabotaging herself."
"Quoi?" Remy asked, glancing back at the stairs where Rogue had disappeared.
"She's -" Mandy stopped, unsure what she should tell the young man. She didn't want to breach Rogue's confidence, but she knew her friend was hurting and Remy might be able to help. "I think once she heard about kissing you, she realized she doesn't want to risk hurting someone else who might actually care about her."
"Not that you don't," Mandy backpedaled. "I mean, you clearly do. I just can't tell if it's as a friend, or something else. But this secret admirer guy - she knows he REALLY likes her. Even if he hasn't come out and said it directly; which he really needs to if you ask me."
She sighed as Remy raised an eyebrow at the blonde. "She doesn't want to hurt someone with her powers. And as long as she's always afraid of what might happen, she's not going to let herself be happy. No matter WHOSE pony was in the race."
Remy swallowed hard as he looked toward the stairs again, wishing he could take back the hurt he'd indirectly caused.
~X~
A few minutes later, Rogue had tossed everything from her secret admirer into a box, intent on giving it to Mandy to return to the mystery man. If she hurried, she might be able to catch the blonde on her way out. She felt bad for brushing off Mandy like that, but her friendship with the young blonde was linked to the entire secret admirer scheme. Mandy was bound to feel hurt and angry that Rogue had called everything off before the secret admirer had even revealed himself. Especially since Mandy had put in so much effort herself. Once the mystery man heard he'd been turned down, Rogue probably wouldn't hear from either of them again.
It was better for Mandy to leave now, relay the bad news to Rogue's would-be suitor, and forget she'd ever met the X-Man at the mall.
A knock on her door pulled her from her reverie, and Rogue checked her reflection in the mirror, making sure she'd washed away all evidence of her tears. The knock came again, more urgently this time.
"Ah AIN'T in the mood for your nonsense, Gambit. Why don't you get…"
She opened the door, taken aback by Mandy wrapping her in a huge hug.
"Gone?"
Rogue was frozen, confused and shocked by the girl's presence. "Mandy? Ah thought…"
Mandy pulled back, smiling compassionately. "Thought what? That I'd run off because you told me how you feel? Because you aren't all rainbows and sunshine?" The young blonde put her hands on her hips and gave Rogue a pointed look. "I get that we haven't known each other very long, but I thought you at least knew me better than that. I told you, I'm VERY persistent."
Rogue gave the girl a watery smile, even as she folded her arms over her chest defensively.
"You're allowed to have your own feelings and opinions, you know? Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean we can't be friends. And I know you're scared. I would be too if I were you. But if you want to tell this guy you aren't interested, you're doing it yourself. To his face. He knows about your powers and he doesn't care, Rogue. If helping him is going to cost me my friendship with you, then I won't help him any more. He can just come ask you out like a normal person. THEN you can shoot him down. But you can't get rid of ME so easily. Now come on, dinner's ready!"
The perky blonde grabbed Rogue by the elbow, dragging her out of her bedroom without so much as a glance at the box of gifts. Rogue still wasn't in much of a festive mood, but knowing she had a real friend - not one who would turn her back when the southerner was in a bad mood, or run away at the first sign of trouble - made her much happier than any silly holiday ever could.
~X~
In the formal dining room, the table was covered with a sparkling red cloth and adorned with sprigs of holly and mistletoe. Turkey, rolls, potatoes and gravy, candied yams, and glazed carrots filled festive ceramic dishes. White candles stood tall inside long golden candlesticks even though they weren't lit (on account of Mr. McCoy's rather flammable fur).
Mandy had carefully picked places for everyone to sit, and even made place cards out of napkins with Rogue on her left, Remy on the blonde's right, and Logan seated directly across from the Cajun. Mandy had put Mr. McCoy across from her, and Xavier at the head of the table adjacent to Logan and Gambit. The blonde figured that by boxing the trouble making card player between the two older men, he might be less inclined to harass Rogue during dinner.
She was wrong.
Remy had started by impressing everyone with his napkin folding skills, first a tree, then a star, and finally a rose, which he presented to Rogue with a flourish. When the young woman blushed and shifted uncomfortably, Remy suddenly yelped and dropped the napkin.
"Ow!" the Cajun picked up the unfolded napkin off the table and sat back in his chair again.
"Whoops!" Mandy singsonged, "Sorry Remy! I got so excited I couldn't control my feet!"
The former Acolyte gave her a dubious look, but sat quietly as he waited for Xavier to pass the turkey.
Logan snickered under his breath as Mandy gave the gruff Canadian a mischievous wink.
"So Rogue," Professor Xavier asked later as everyone was eating. "How was the car?"
The southerner swallowed her mouthful of potatoes and gravy and politely wiped her mouth before answering. "It was great, Professor. Tbank you again. I'm real grateful to all of you."
"'S got a big backseat, too, chere." Remy leaned forward and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
"Ow!"
"Oops," Wolverine grinned maliciously at the Cajun as the young man leaned down to rub his sore shin.
"You know, Gambit," Mandy teased. "We can always put you at the kids table if you're having trouble sitting with the adults."
Hank snorted into his sparkling cider, and even Rogue giggled quietly.
"Hey, at least I pass the height requirement for de grown up table, petite." Remy teased back, giving the blonde a playful wink from his seat next to her.
"Silly boy, that's just because you've got a big head,"
"Glad you t'ink so, mignon, but maybe just slightly above average." He grinned mischievously into his glass of cider.
Xavier closed his eyes, Hank dropped his fork, Rogue covered her face with a gloved hand, and Logan wiped his mouth as he tried to hide his own laughter.
Mandy, however, screwed up her face in confusion as she took in the various reactions from the mutants around the table. Remy looked completely pleased with himself while everyone else ranged from disgusted to amused.
"What does that even…" the girl's eyes widened suddenly. "Oh. Oh! EW!" The blonde used her cloth napkin to smack the card wielder repeatedly.
Rogue couldn't hold back any longer and buried her face in both hands as she shook with laughter. Logan was grinning from ear to ear, Hank was giggling, and even Xavier looked amused.
"Dirty boy! Go wash your mouth out with soap!" Mandy chastised as she brandished her napkin at him.
"Hey now, I ain't the one who said it! Can't set up d' line so perfect and expect me not t' bite."
Finally, Xavier cleared his throat and the laughter, smacking, and grinning died down. "Be that as it may, please TRY to control yourself, Mr. LeBeau. It may be a day of merriment, but this IS a school. Try to keep it PG."
Remy shrugged. "Can't make no promises, but t'ink dis one can stick wit' PG-13 at least." He grinned at Xavier for a moment before leaning in to check Rogue's reaction. She was desperately trying not to laugh again as she chewed her turkey a little longer than necessary.
Mandy stole a glance at the young X-Man as well, happy to see her friend in a better mood. Despite trying to beat Gambit up with the bright green linen a moment ago, she grinned at him, winking.
While Rogue said she didn't want a secret admirer, Mandy realized that what her friend NEEDED was a little more of Gambit.
~X~
Once dinner was over, the three youths volunteered to clear the table and wash the dishes. Seizing her opportunity, Mandy sent Rogue and Remy into the kitchen with stacks of plates while she busied herself gathering napkins and 'organizing'.
Then, when the two started back, the young blonde suddenly dashed into the doorway with a handful of plates, stepping in front of Rogue, then Remy, and causing a sort of traffic jam under the doorway.
"Oh look," Mandy cried with feigned surprise as she looked up. "Mistletoe!" With that, she ducked between the two teens and scampered off to the kitchen to start washing dishes. She had set the scene; the next step was up to them.
Rogue blushed and started to turn away when Remy put his hand gently on her green sweater sleeve.
"Can't say no to tradition, chere. 'S bad luck." He smiled down at her quietly, his voice and demeanor calm and relaxed, but hopeful.
"Are you crazy?" Rogue barked at him loudly. "Or do you WANT me to put you in a coma?"
He leaned in, his red on black eyes transfixing her in much the same way they had when they first met. "Mebbe it's worth it, non?" Never taking his eyes from hers, he tucked a piece of white hair behind her ear and simultaneously slid his hand from her elbow to her waist, pulling her in gently.
Her retort caught in her throat, her mouth suddenly dry as she felt her body responding instantaneously to the huskiness of his voice, his featherlight touch, and his captivating gaze.
Before she could come to her senses, his lips were on hers, soft and chaste, and Rogue gasped slightly as her eyes fell closed. The kiss was light, barely even a ghost on her lips, but it nearly made her knees buckle. She hardly registered what was happening when she felt the tug of her powers and quickly pulled away.
Remy straightened slowly, a big, goofy smile on his face for a moment before he started to stumble and sway on his feet.
"Remy!" Rogue screeched in fright, jumping forward to steady him. Her expression was full of fear and concern, yet a blush of pleasure still dusted her cheeks.
Thankfully, Hank had heard Rogue chastising Remy just moments ago and had stepped into the room to investigate, thereby witnessing their private exchange. He crossed the room in a few steps, pulling Remy's arm over his furry blue shoulders.
The young man's feet gave out on him and he stumbled as if drunk as Mandy snuck in to check on the commotion. She wisely said nothing, however, as Rogue teetered between fear, delight, and fury.
"Wasss righ',"' the Cajun slurred, a lopsided smile decorating his face as he locked eyes with Rogue. "Worth it." He giggled. "Y' got m' eyes."
"You're a FOOL, Remy LeBeau! A crazy, stubborn, fool!" Rogue shook her head, tucking her glowing hands under her armpits as she tried to reign in his powers.
"A fool who'll be running the Danger Room as soon as he can stand up straight," Logan growled from the other side of the room.
Even though Mr. McCoy was holding him up, Remy tried to shrug. "Still wort' it."
"You're lucky you're not in a coma! Let alone unconscious." Rogue narrowed her eyes at him as Hank dragged him out of the dining room and into the living area.
"Would STILL be worth it," Remy tossed over his shoulder as he tried to make his feet work to no avail.
"No kiss is worth a COMA, Remy!" Rogue yelled at him as Hank deposited the boneless Cajun onto the long couch across from the Christmas tree.
"Ah, but a kiss from YOU 'd be worth a hun'red comas, cherie," he slurred.
Mandy raised an eyebrow from the doorway and looked up.
"In that case, we should probably start hiding the mistletoe."
"Aw, don' do dat," Gambit whined as he tried to make his arms work. "Remy wass jus' havin' a lil fun."
"Remy was just tryin' t' get SLAPPED s' more like." Rogue snarled as she kept her arms folded tightly and glared down at him.
"'M confused," Remy stated as he lifted his head slightly. "Are y' mad a' Remy f'r kissin' ya, or f'r riskin' a coma t' do it?"
"Both!" Rogue threw her hands up and circled behind the couch, pacing. Her hands were itching to shuffle a deck of cards.
Or blow something up. Preferably his "big head".
"Mah powers are DANGEROUS, Remy. You don't know what one little kiss might do to ya! And you sure as hell don't know what AH go through when you wanna risk your life. Takin' powers and memories from people is like trying t' suck a strawberry through a coffee straw! Sometimes ah can't even remember who ah am."
She continued pacing, walking between Gambit and the coffee table, oblivious to the fact that Mandy had left the room with Hank and Logan - presumably to start taking down the mistletoe.
"Then you add a KISS t' boot! Ah barely even KNOW you, Cajun. A kiss is somethin' you give when you have feelings for someone - not because of some stupid Christmas 'tradition'. Riskin' your life like that just for show is …"
"You got me in your head, Rogue, d'en you know d'at wasn't just f'r show." Remy's gaze was serious as he stared her down, his eyes piercing her very soul and making her gasp yet again.
Rogue's eyes widened as he reached up to take her hand, and she shied away from him, her chin quivering.
"I, I can't. Ah just can't." Without another word, Rogue rushed from the room as Gambit flopped back on the couch and closed his eyes, sighing.
~X~X~X~X~X~
Hope you all enjoyed the ROMY and Mandy/Remy goodness! Mandy is very much a 'whomever is good for Rogue' fan - be it the secret admirer or anyone else her friend seems interested in. ;)