Note: This is a what if. It does not fit in our normal time line. It asks the question what would have happened if Heather hadn't joined the X-Men. Gambit and Rogue are Marvel characters . They are being used without permission. We aren't making money off of this.If you wish to archive this story or to use our characters Heather or John please e-mail us xmenfan@hotmail.com
An End of Pain
"Remind me again why we wrote this story."
"To prove that Heather was important to the relationship of Gambit and Rogue."
"Anyone whose read our other stories knows this."
"Because you know how much I enjoy killing our characters."
"I still think its rude."
"When did you opinion become important?"
"Is this that day of the month or what?"
"Al right your toast"
"Please don't kill me I want to be in all our sequels."
"I'm going to kill him. You go ahead and read."
"And if I die before I wake dear Lord, I pray thee that I have a soul left to take."
- Mr. Bagby
She stood in front of him. She had become very thin. He was afraid if he touched her she would break. Her make-up was thicker than normal covering scars and bruises. Her eyes looked almost blank. Like her soul was no longer there. Her voice made it obvious she hadn't slept in days.
"I have to leave. Sorry there isn't much in the fridge but business has been slow." Heather said quietly.
"What time will you be home?" John asked.
"Whenever I am finished."
Heather arrived at the pub. It looked as it always had. Smoke filled the room and only three or four people sat at the bar.
There wouldn't be much work here tonight. She didn't like selling her goods on the street corners but tonight she would have no choice.
She was the only girl on the corner that night. About four cars passed by in an hour but no one was interested. Finally a red Ford escort pulled up.
"Lookin'' for a hot date?" Heather asked.
"Hop in little lady." A man with short blond hair and beady green eyes. Something inside her told her not to go but she needed the money. She was already behind in rent and in two weeks she would be evicted.
John woke up with a start. Inside he felt as if someone was screaming. He threw on his jacket over his clothes and he ran out to his car. He didn't know where he was headed only that he had to get there. The car seemed to go by itself ending up in a dark alleyway.
He took a deep breath and stepped outside. It took him only a second to find the blood covered body lieing on the ground beside a dumpster.
She'd been beaten badly. she was black and blue all over. He was no doctor but from the was she was breathing he guessed her lung was punctured. The puncture was probably from her ribs which had been broken.
She looked up at him. She tried to speak but couldn't. She started coughing and blood began to flow from her mouth.
He knew he had to move her. Maybe if he could get her to a hospital they could save her. He carefully lifted her up. She would have screamed if she was able. He felt her pain through their connection and his heart went out to her.
He layed her gently in the back seat. It was only a few minutes drive but he didn't think they'd make it in time.
When they finally arrived he lifted her out of the car. Blood covered the seat. She continued to cough up blood. Her body was hot and she was trembling. She lost consciousness before they got inside.
"This woman needs immediate medical attention!" John shouted
"Does she have insurance?" The receptionist asked.
"This woman is dying!" John yelled. As if proving his point blood started flowing from her nose as well.
"We don't treat her kind here." A doctor who was walking through the waiting room informed him.
"Her kind?"
"Whores. The less there are the better. Besides there's to much a risk of AIDS or other diseases. Plus this one looks beyond help."
"You won't even try?"
"Who are you? Her pimp? You can find another one. A new girl would probably make more anyway. This one isn't very beautiful."
"First of all I am not her pimp. Second of all what am I supposed to do? Just let her die?"
"There's a dumpster out back. The cops won't care. She got what scum like her deserve."
"You people are sick." John said as he exited. There was nowhere else to go. She'd be gone in a few minutes. She couldn't be saved now. She was suffering.
"Forgive me Heather." he whispered as he pulled a knife from his pocket. He'd finish her quickly. End her pain.
He put the knife to her throat but felt her slip away without his help.
"Thanks little bird." he whispered.
***
"Leave me be Gambit!!" Rogue told him.
"Chere we can still love each other without touching"
"No, I'm leaving. You can find a girl you can kiss and have sex with."
"But I want you!"
"That can never be." She said as she climbed into the taxi.
"I love you chere." Gambit whispered. "This isn't how it was supposed to be."
THE END