I ask that everyone bear with me on this one. I'm not very good at
capturing a Cajun accent, so if Remy sounds a little funny, well, I did my
best.
All characters belong to Marvel. I make no profit from this, blah, blah,
blah.
Note: This story takes place after the X-Men return from their
Shiar/Phalanx adventure in outer space. I am working under the assumption
that everyone survived the experience and returns home a little over a
month after they left.
Dear Valentine (Starring Rogue and Gambit)
Awakened by the cool breeze coming in through her partially opened window,
Rogue opened her eyes and stretched leisurely before getting out of bed.
Then she promptly proceeded to fully open her bedroom window and poke her
head out. Deeply she inhaled the cool, crisp morning air, noticing the
scent of pine carried on the wind. Tilting her head up slightly, she saw
Storm soaring above her and almost considered joining her, but decided
against it. Rogue had plans of her own for today, special plans. Today
was Valentine's Day and she had every intention of arranging a romantic
date for Remy and herself, one that neither of them would soon forget.
Slowly Rogue pulled herself away from the window and left her room,
heading for the shower down the hall. While she showered, Rogue turned
over and over in her head the events of the last month and her plans for
today. Her adventure in space and the battle against the Phalanx had
forced her to admit her feelings for Remy. She herself hadn't even
realized how strong her feelings were for him, how much she cared, until
that moment when the Phalanx was ready to absorb her and she found herself
saying she loved him. In that moment she realized how true that was and
that despite all their trials, despite all the problems, she loved Remy
LeBeau. Rogue hoped that what she had planned for today would show him
just how much she cared.
The only problem she could see was that she didn't know how willing Joseph
would be to help her and a large part of her plans depended on him. Her
and Remy's Valentine celebration would start this afternoon with a picnic
out in the woods surrounding the mansion. She had spent most of last
night in the kitchen preparing Remy's favorite foods and she was going to
finish the rest an hour or so before the picnic. Later that evening, the
two of them would enjoy a romantic meal at a little Italian place before
heading to see Cats on Broadway. After that, they would head home for the
big surprise - a goodnight kiss. That, unfortunately, was where Joseph
came into the picture. Rogue hadn't told a single person about the gift
Joseph had given her for Christmas, the gift of touch.
She felt badly using Joseph to get closer to Remy. She knew Joseph cared
for her and to be honest she felt something for him. He reminded her of
her short, but sweet time with Magneto in the Savage Land and she felt a
kinship with him in his struggles to be accepted by the other X-Men. She
remembered what it was like to always be watched and questioned and
mistrusted because the people around you remembered you only for the sins
of your past and not the good deeds of the present. It had taken quite
some time for Rogue to be accepted and she wanted to make Joseph's
transition easier. But despite all that, she had to admit that she didn't
really love him.
"Rogue, will you hurry up. Some of us would like to get our shower in
before noon," Betsy shouted through the bathroom door. Her voice broke
through Rogue's reverie and reminded her that she had to get going before
it got too late. Besides, she should have remembered that Betsy and
Warren were back for a visit and Betsy hated to wait for the shower.
Quickly Rogue finished up and threw on her towel. As she left the
bathroom, Rogue saw that Betsy was still standing there, foot tapping
impatiently. "And there better be some hot water left," Betsy admonished
before she headed inside.
A few moment later, Rogue emerged from her room dressed in her X-Men
uniform. She had a scheduled practice session in the Danger Room and she
wanted to get down there fast. The sooner she got started, the sooner she
could get on with the rest of her day. But first, she wanted to tell Remy
about her plans, after all it wouldn't do to keep him in the dark forever
and she figured he must be awake by now. Taking a quick detour through
the men's wing of the mansion she stopped in front of Gambit's door and
knocked.
"C'mon in."
Rogue pushed the door open and leaned against the door frame, striking
what she hoped was a sexy pose. "So sugah, you up for a little picnic
this afternoon and maybe a romantic dinner a little later tonight?"
"Can't chere, sorry, but I got somewhere to be today."
"Well, if ya got plans for the afternoon, we could cancel the picnic and
just go out later for a little Valentine dinner," Rogue said hopefully,
trying to salvage her plans for a romantic day with Remy.
"I'm sorry chere, but I don' t'ink so, I . . ." he hesitated for a moment
and turned toward her. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but
just shook his head and walked out of his room. "I'm sorry," he said
again.
Rogue watched, heart-broken as he walked down the hall and out of sight,
but she couldn't hear him as he whispered to no one in particular, "I wish
I could give ya what ya want for Valentine's Day Rogue, but instead I'm
gonna give ya what ya need."
*****
Rogue trudged slowly back to her room. She'd just had one of the worst
Danger Room workouts ever. She hadn't beaten a single one of the
computer's simulations. Heck, in all honesty, the computer had kicked her
butt good, mostly because she'd been preoccupied. All she could think
about was Remy walking away from her this morning. She told herself she
didn't have a right to be upset at him, after all she should have asked
him sooner. Even though that sounded like a perfectly reasonable
argument, she felt as if Remy had been doing more than attending to some
previous plans. She felt like he was walking out on her. As she walked
down the hall, turning the situation over and over again in her head, she
noticed Joseph hanging around outside her room.
"There you are Rogue. I have been looking for you. I thought perhaps we
might take in a movie this afternoon."
"Ah don't think so Joseph, ah . . ." Rogue stopped herself. She didn't
have any other plans, at least not anymore. Besides, if Remy didn't want
to be with her and Joseph did, well then, why not. "On the other hand,
why not, except lets make it a picnic instead."
Not long after, Joseph and Rogue were sitting near the lake behind the
mansion. Laid out before them was a huge spread of food. The two of them
were enjoying themselves, although Joseph couldn't help but notice that
the food had been prepared mostly cajun style and he thought he knew who
this picnic had been intended for. The question was why Gambit wasn't
here to share it.
"Rogue, I have been meaning to thank you for being there for me." Rogue
began to shake her head and brush it off, but Joseph continued, "No, I
truly want to show my appreciation. You have been very supportive of my
being here. I don't think I would have made it this far without you."
"It's been mah pleasure an' it ain't no big deal, so ah don't want ya
gettin' all mushy on me."
"I cannot help it," Joseph said, taking a deep breath to gather his
courage before he continued. "I have feeling for you Rogue, more than
simply friendship."
"That's sweet of ya, but ah have feelings for Remy, so ain't nothing but
friendship is all we can have right now. Ah hope ya understand."
"I do, but I do not believe that Gambit does. It is quite obvious to me
that this," and he gestured at the food spread out before them, "was
intended for Gambit, but I see that he isn't here to enjoy it."
"Remy had some other plans is all, something he arranged before ah invited
him," but even to Rogue this sounded like a pitiful excuse.
"If it had been me, I would have canceled everything to be with you.
Please Rogue, you must face the fact that Gambit just does not care for
you as I do."
"Joseph, please," but before Rogue could finish, the conversation was
interrupted by a loud noise. The two looked up just in time to see
Cannonball land a few feet away from them.
"There ya all are. Ah been looking for ya Rogue. Ya got a special
delivery waiting for ya back at the house." With that Sam took off and
glad for a reason to stop defending Remy to Joseph when she really didn't
feel like it, so did Rogue.
*****
Rogue entered the mansion and was greeted by Jean, who was wearing a
mischievous grin as she handed Rogue a bouquet of roses. There were
probably two dozen in varying shades of red, pink and yellow surrounded by
hints of baby's-breath. The scent they gave off was wonderful and Rogue
took a deep breath, inhaling the heavenly fragrance.
"It looks like you hit the jack-pot Rogue. After all, it looks like
you're the only one to receive a Valentine's Day gift," Jean said as she
gave Scott a sidelong glance. Scott squirmed a little and mumbled
something that sounded like an apology under his breath. Warren, who was
standing next to him, seemed a little nervous too, especially under the
withering gaze Betsy was giving him.
"Ah contraire, my dear Jean," Hank explained from where he was sitting in
his chair. "I did not forget the erstwhile pursuit of expressing one's
affection toward their significant other on this special day. I had the
foresight to send a box of chocolates to Trish at work."
This caused even sterner glares to be directed at Scott and Warren and
just when the two of them were about to run for cover, Joseph gave them a
reprieve by inquiring who the flowers were from. For this he received
grateful glances from the other two men, while all other eyes focused on
Rogue.
Carefully, Rogue removed the card from the bouquet and opened it. Inside
was a hand-written letter on pink paper in the shape of a heart and
another sheet of white paper that was folded and sealed. Glancing at the
bottom of the pink stationary, she noticed RemyUs name scrawled across the
bottom.
"It's from Gambit," she explained. This news produced a frown from
Joseph, but he quickly tried to hide it, although several people in the
room had already noticed.
"Ah'm gonna go put these in some water," Rogue said by way of an excuse as
she hurridly dashed from the room. Once she had found a vase and put the
roses in it, she went up to her room to read the letter.
Dear Rogue,
First off, I want you to know how much I love you. Even if things
just started out as me flirting with you because you were a
challenge, I can honestly say that now I love you more than the
world
and I would do anything for you. I can't stand to see you hurt
and I
know that all I'm doing when I'm with you is hurting you. You
deserve better than that Rogue, you deserve better than me. Now
I know you'll just say that's for you to decide and not me and
you're
right. So now I'm doing what I should have done a long time ago.
I'm going to tell you my secret, the one that drove you from me
when
you touched me all those months ago.
Now, I know you're going to think I'm a coward for telling you
this
and you're right. I am a coward Rogue. I tried a dozen times to
tell
you and everytime I couldn't for the same reason I couldn't tell
you
when we were in Seattle. You have to understand that the reason I
wanted you to touch me, to learn the truth that way was becuase I
don't think I could stand the look in your eyes when I you find
out
the truth. The truth is youUll hate me when you hear the things
I've
done and I wouldn't want to live if you ever looked at me that
way.
So I'm taken the cowards way out. When you're done reading the
letter I enclosed with this one, all you have to do is tie one of
the
yellow roses to the entrance gate and I'll know you don't want to
see
me ever again.
If there's any chance at all that after you learn the truth you
don't
hate me, though I hold no hope of that, tie a red rose to the gate
instead. I know I don't deserve it, but just maybe you'll give a
second chance to prove to you how much I really care.
Love,
Remy
Slowly, Rogue broke the seal on the second letter. Then she took a long,
deep breath to prepare herself before she began reading. What she read
was a horrible tale of death and pain. The details were graphic and
several times she had to stop and compose herself before she could
continue. At times, what Remy had done made her sick and at other times,
it tore at her heart with pity and sympathy. This wasn't just a set of
facts, detailing the things he had done, but he had set down on paper why
he had done them. It wasn't an explanation or an excuse, simply the truth
of the man he was, but Rogue also saw it as a testament of the man he is
now.
When she finished, Rogue's face was red, tears streaming down her face.
The papers she was holding was wet with her tears and without thinking she
began to dry them. She didn't think she would ever be able to forget or
completely forgive some of the things Remy had done, but of one thing she
was certain . . .
Digging in her drawer, Rogue pulled out a box of matches. Before she
could change her mind, she lit one, holding it under RemyUs letter until
there was nothing left but ash. Then she picked up a piece of string and
one of the roses from the bouquet and headed out to the front gate.
*****
"Are you certain you wish to do this Rogue?" Joseph asked with uncertainty
in his voice. "I do not want you to rush into this and then decide you
made a mistake."
"No Joseph, ah'm more certain about this now than ever. This is what ah
want and ah aim to get it." Rogue looked imploringly at Joseph before she
continued, "Please Joseph, ah'm askin' ya."
"As you wish Rogue, as you wish."
*****
Tentatively, Gambit entered the mansion. It was late and almost everyone
had gone to bed, if not to sleep. Clutched like a talisman in his right
hand was the single red rose that had been tied to the mansions entrance
gate. The deep red color had stood out clearly against the black gate,
even in the darkness of night and for Remy it had been like a beacon of
light showing him the way home. It meant Rogue didn't hate him. Maybe
she no longer loved him and perhaps they would never share the love he so
desperately wanted to share with her, but at least this meant she could
stand to be around him. Even if all it meant was that he could see her
face every morning, he would be satisfied with that for now.
Suddenly, he sensed someone behind him. Tensing for an attack, he whirled
around to face this unknown person. As he did he caught a glimpse of
auburn hair with an unmistakable white stripe down the middle. "Rogue?"
he whispered in both surprise and delight.
"Ah've been waitin' for ya Remy. Ah got somethin' to show ya." Without
waiting for a response, she lifted him in her arms and flew to the roof of
the mansion, just above Gambit's room. It was one of his favorite places
to sit and think when he wanted to be alone. Rogue knew that and she had
picked this place for a reason, she wanted Remy to know that he no longer
had to be alone, that she was the one he should turn to when he was
troubled and not his solitude.
"Rogue, I . . ."
"Shhh, Remy. I told ya ah got a surprise for ya. Joseph gave me a very
special gift for Christmas and now ah'm gonna share it with the man ah
love."
Remy was skeptical and elated at the same time. Rogue said she loved him.
Even after everything she knew about him, after all he had done, she still
loved him. But the other thing, her surprise? She said it came from
Joseph and that made him nervous. Remy was many things, but he wasn't
blind, he knew Joseph had feelings for Rogue and he also knew that she
shared at least some of them.
All this flashed through Remy's mind in the fraction of a second it took
for Rogue to lean in towards him. Before he knew what was happening, he
could feel her warm lips on his. At first, out of sheer shock he didn't
know how to react, but when he realized that he was still standing there,
unaffected by Rogue's powers a tingle raced down his spine. Taking Rogue
into his arms, he pulled her closer, returning her kiss with all the
passion he had for this woman. She was giving him the greatest gift he
could ever ask for, not her touch, but the trust that it signified.
Finally, regretfully pulling apart, Remy took a deep breath. The air had
never smelled so sweet to him and life had never looked so hopeful. He
gazed down into two beautiful green eyes and whispered softly as he leaned
in for another kiss, "Happy Valentine's Day Rogue. I love you."
The End
Author's note: I decided not to even try to guess at what dark secret
Gambit is hiding in his past and instead just focus on how I think Rogue
would react to the truth, whatever it might be. If you don't like that,
well tough.
Anyway, send comments to cborsuk@acme.csusb.edu
(
geocities.com/soho)