The Summer's Cabin (Closed Thread)

~Gambit stepped over the seat of the Harley and balanced it before taking the key from his pocket and slipping it into the ignition. A twist of the key and the engine came to life. He then held out his hand to Rogue who took a hold of it and then stepped over the seat herself. Rogue slipped her arms around Gambit's waist and rested her chin on his shoulder as he eased the bike out of the garage and headed down the Mansion's driveway. Once they passed the front gates, Gambit opened the bike up and they headed down the road heading towards the outskirts of the city.

The ride itself was uneventful, just fast and loud as the Harley's engine roared. They had only stopped once to pick up cigarettes, then were off again. Finally Gambit pulled the bike onto a dirt road and eased the bike down the rocky road until they came to a clearing. Three sides of the clearing were wooded, being late summer and early fall, some of them had started to change to their fall colors of reds and golds. The other side of the clearing butted against a long lake.

Gambit killed the engine of the Harley and put the kick-stand down. Rogue stepped off and then he followed. His hands instantly went into his pocket to retrieve a cigarette and his lighter. Soon he was rewarded for that rush of nicotine he had needed since going to the War Room.~

Was it just me or was it a bit tense back dere, P'tite? If I'd had known dat dis is what I would be returning to, I'm not so sure if I would have followed you back, Cher.

Rogue

I shook my head at Gambit with a sigh. "If Ah had known we'da be walking into that idiocy, I woulda never asked you to come back to the Institute with meh. I woulda had you meet me here, instead, Remy."

The bike ride, the lake, the cabin, it soothed me, took away some of the tension in my shoulders as I breathed deeply, moving up to stand beside Gambit. "Never thought Shadowcat would get in my face like that over Wizard."

Throwing an arm around his waist, I pulled Remy closer to my body, snuggling against him. "But enough of that crap. I believe we came here to be together, destress and figure out what's between us, Remy. Not acknowledge just how hotheaded some of our 'fellow' Xmen are."

The word fellow fell from my lips dripping in sarcasm. I was still not happy over Shadowcat's overreaction and it had taken more then I care to admit to walk away from her without starting a physical fight.

~Gambit slipped his arm around Rogue and pulled her to him so that he could rest his chin atop her head, her hair covering any skin so that she wouldn't drain him.~

Ah well, we've a week away and everyt'ing should be smoothed over by den. If not den we can deal with it den...

~His thoughts then moved to how to even begin to start a conversation about what had happened between them starting at the "trial" on Antarctica and finishing at their meeting in Germany. He didn't blame her for leaving him in the frozen wasteland, she was forced to touch himand when she absorbed his memories she also absorbed his self loathing which made her act irrationally.~

Rogue, I just want you to know dat I don't blame you for leaving me in Antarctica... It wasn't your fault, P'tite, when Eric the Red forced you to kiss me, you not only absorbed my memories of Sinister and da Massacre, you also absorbed my own self hatred....

~He caressed her back with his hand as he spoke, trying to explain it without pointing fingers or laying blame.~

I hated myself at dat time, hated da fact dat I had hidden so many secrets from you...

Rouge

I pulled back to look at his face, at those eyes that held and often hid so much. I ran my tongue over my lips, wetting them before I spoke.

"I don't want secrets between us, Remy. I love you," I said, pausing as I found the words to say what needed saying. "But I have to be able to trust you. I can understand hating oneself."

I hung my head saddly. "I know what its like to ruin someone else's life, knowingly steal everything they have, even thier memories.
"But I don't want to 'steal' your memories, Remy. We have a week here- talk to me, tell me. Share with me and I'll share with you."

I shivered, despite his nearness, despite the warmth of the day. "I don't want to be alone anymore, Remy. I... I was so lost after we left you... after I left you. No matter what Eric did... I... I should have... oh hell, I don't know what I should have done. Leaving you there wasn't right, but I was so hurt... and why do you hate yourself?
"Can you really love me while hating yourself like that?"

The question hurt to ask, made me unaware of the tears that trailed over my cheeks as I whispered it. But I had to say it, I had to know. If he could not love me, really love me, then this was all for nothing.
And if he could love me, if we could find a way to open up things between us and work them out, then anything was possible.
Anything...

~His eyes held hers as she spoke to him. Her words though true struck him like he was hit head on by the Juggernaut and he forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat that was growing the more she spoke of trust and love.~

I'm ready to tell you whatever you want to know, Rogue. I told myself dat I was going to tell you even before being transported to da spaceship and meeting Deathbird. I wanted you to know da truth in Seattle, but I wasn't sure how to tell you about my past dealings with Sinister. I offered for you to touch me and take da memories, but it didn't happen.

~He wouldn't let her go and his hands continues to touch her back as they talked. He wasn't going to lose her again.~

I hated myself den, I don't anymore and I'm ready to start dis all over and do it right. I don't want to have to hide anyt'ing from you anymore. My past is out dere for da world to know now and I'm being judged by every mutant on da planet dat has heard of what I helped happen. I dont care what anyone else t'inks of me. I only care what you t'ink...I love you, Marie.

Rogue

He used my real name... no one uses my real name anymore. Years of being Rogue, the untouchable one, flash before me at the words "I love you, Marie."

"I love you too, Remy," I whisper, voice rough with emotion. "Ah want to know what you've been up to, the things I didn't know about. What you've got going on with Sinister. And I want to know what you want for us... for our future. Do you want to stay with the Institute or build a house on the Gulf Coast for just us? Or build a big house, a mini-haven for those mutants who may have pasts as colorful as ours?
"Who may have a love as different from the 'norm' as ours?"

Without thinking, I ran my lips lightly across his, enough to arch power between us, but nothing else, no memories unless he choose to deepen the kiss. Part of me wanted him to, wanted to make him kiss me because ever since that one night I'd longed for his touch again.
The scent of his skin, the feel of his hands on my back, his voice as he said my name, all of it pulled me, drops of love and lust in a lake that filled my heart.

I want to....

~His words were lost as their lips met and he could feel the soft twinge of her powers as they kicked in and started to draw from him. At that moment though he didn't care and kissed her deeply and passionatly. The guards that he kept up to hide his thoughts and memories were tore down at that moment and flashes of memories passed through him and into her.

Thier first night together spent in the catacombs of Antarctica where, under the watch of Nanny, they got to experience what it would be like for them if they were normal people. *Blur*

Gambit stealing the Cross of Redemption, his breaking into the warehouse museum and taking it with the skills he'd honned for years...*Blur*

Watching as a doctor walked through the heaped up bodies in the small German Town. Walking over to the Doctor and being given the vial of the cure for Storm and Wizard. looking back at the Doctor who turned into Sinister and something about a price that Gambit would have to pay...*Blur*

Suddenly Gambits knees gave and he found himself on the ground, weakened but nowhere near as bad as their last kiss. His breaths game in gasps and his eyes lost their focus. Slowly he regained himself and sat up shaking his head to clear the cobwebs.~

You still the best kiss I ever had, P'tite. Can never get over da effect you have on me.

~Drained for now, yes, but his charm and wit still were as good as always.~

Rogue

I caught him in my arms, easing him to his knees as he said, "You still the best kiss I ever had, P'tite. Can never get over da effect you have on me."

The memories I saw were just that, memories. It wasn't like living them, wasn't like being emersed in a pit of hell from where there is no escape. Even in stealing the cross there was a seeking of something better.

"Ever the thief," I whispered, kneeling on the ground with him, running a gloved hand gently over his cheek. "You can't steal redemption, Remy. Nor do you have to."

I pulled him close to me, wishing I knew a way to turn off or reverse my powers, something, anything. "Now that we've played in the grass, Remy, want to go inside with me?"

I stood, slipping an arm under his shoulders to bring him with me. My other arm round his waist and we were standing, him not quite so steadily. Had been one hell of kiss.

"I took the liberty of having food and such delivered," I said with a grin. "Even the fixin's for jambalya."

~He smiled up at her as she caressed his cheek, his eyes still glassy as if he just went a few rounds with a prize fighter and lost via knockout. He tried to help her as she helped him to his feet but found that he was still a bit weak.~

Yeah, I t'ink it would be best to get inside da cabin for now...

~He finally got his feet beneath him and got his berings so that he could walk. Step by step they headed upto the cabin, then within it.~

Always t'inking ahead aren't you? Jumbalya sounds wonderful, P'tite. We still have to work out sleeping arrangements though. Not sure if I wanna have you sleeping in da same bed with me...

~Always teasing, always ready for a one liner, that's what everyone liked about him and wily cajun liked to always have something to say no matter how bad things got. With Rogue's help, they finally got him onto the couch and laid him down. His body was attempting to get him back into the swing of things, but it was a loosing battle.~

Rogue

I perched on an overstuffed chair next to the couch as Remy recovered, leaning my face on one hand. "If a kiss, wonderful as it was, drains you this much, I'm not sure sleeping next to you in my normal fashion would be wise."

I watched the mental image of me nude and asleep flash through him and smiled wickedly. "However, I've got a couple of these, " I gestured to the body suit I wore, "some in a light silky cotten that's comfy to sleep in. Long as you're willing to take the risk of possibly touching my face, I'm okay with sharing a bed. Can't do much more though- having to take you to the Institute for an energy transfusion would not look good, you know?"

I stood, stretching, knowing it pulled the line of my body tight. "I'll let you rest up a bit while I go make dinner, sugah. Which you like better, cornbread or biscuits with jambalya? I've got the fixins for both."

~He pulled himself up so he could sit up on the couch and looked at Rogue as he absorbed what she was saying. His eyes light up hearing about how she normally slept , but agreed with her that they couldn't chance them coming into contact while they slept. He looked her suit up and down. The suit really did look great on her. It hugged her body in all of the right places and left little to the imagination as far as her shape. He then gave a fake sigh.~

oh... I guess if dat is what we'll have to do den it will have to do. I'll be alright in a few more minutes, Cherie. Den we can both get into da kitchen and cook. 'Sides I look good in an apron.

~Gambit watched as Rogue got up, stretched then walked towards the kitchen, stopping only to ask what he wanted biscuits or cornbread. He moved to the edge of the couch and started to stand.~

Now what type of southern boy would I be if I didn't have da cornbread?

~Finally getting over the energy drain, he was able to function again and followed her into the kitchen.~

Rogue

I smiled as Remy walked in, setting a cutting board and a pile of veggies in front of him.

I already had a pound of sausage and another of chicken cut up, ready to be added to the pot of chicken stock, seasonings and such I had on the stove. I worked, humming under my breath, just letting myself, happy in the moment.

Remy was back by my side, there was no war to fight at the moment. Things were peaceful, we were safe and I was going to enjoy it.

As I mixed together flour and corn meal to make the corn bread, I looked up to watch Remy as he moved through the kitchen. We moved around each other naturally, as if we knew where the other would step, a dance that I didn't know I knew the steps to.

"Did I always know you were so handy in the kitchen, Remy?" I asked rhetorically as I checked the heat on the oven.

~He took the knife and sliced and or diced the veggies she had set before him. He smiled hearing her hum the tune. They had never had much time to just relax with on another and attempt to be like normal people. Usually by now there was a crisis that needed taken care of and of course only the X-men could fix it. A smile crossed his face as he thouight about what it may be like to be a family.

When she was busy with one task, he would just pick up the next. They both knew their way around the kitchen, on of those little known facts about the Cajun, and they always worked well with one another. When they weren't fighting of course.~

Come now, Cherie, we both know dat Tante Mattie would have tanned my hide if I didn't learn how to cook when I was little. Dat woman was da mother I never had.

~After helping Rogue get the stuff onto the stove and in the oven, he started to clean up the mess they made and started the dishes. Ah a normal life with suds, scouring pads and dishpan hands.~

Rogue

I gave the pot on the stove a stir, watching Remy do dishes, placing them in a dish rack. Watching him move, just being near him made me happy, releasing a tension I'd felt since I'd woken from whatever haze I'd been under when I left him.

I took a taste of the jambalya (which someday I'll learn to spell) and tossed in a dash more seasoning til I got the right mix of kick and spice I wanted. I felt him move behind me rather then saw him and leaned back with a happy sigh.

"So, other then recovering from our most recent adventures, did you have any plans this week, Remy?" I asked, voice a little on the husky side. "I wanted to go swimming tommorow but other then that, I'm open for ideas."

I cuddled into him, part of my mind keeping an eye on the food so I'd know when to add the rice but the rest was caught in a cozy safe feeling that I'd missed.

~He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her back against him holding her tightly to his body. He pressed his nose into her hair and inhaled her scent, something he always loved about her.~

I didn't make any plans. Didn't know what was going to happen when we got back to da mansion.

~He reached and took the spoon from her and moved his body to the side so he could taste the fruits of their labor. It had a nice kick of spice, so he stirred it once more then added the rice, stirring the post a few more passes.~

A swim sounds like fun though. We've a lot to catch up on as well.

~He returned to standing behind her and gave her a squeeze before walking to the fridge to see what they had to drink. He knew that at some point on this little vacation they would have to talk about what had happened and he would spill everything he ever hid from her about his past. Not to mention the truth that led him to Germany to find her.~

Rogue

It wasn't until we had dinner on the table that I finely asked, "So are we going to have the 'talk' tonight, Remy?"

I watched him, head tilted to one side as I waited. Part of me wanted to get it done and over with, out in the open. Another part was afraid, fearful that this would bring something bigger then I expected.

I continued to eat while wating for his answer, green eyes watching his body language like a hawk.

~He had just put a bite of the Jumbalya into his mouth when she asked him if he was up for the talk and he almost swallowed the bite whole and ended up caughing and choking on the bite. He patted his chest with a fist clearing the food that was lodged in there -Well not entirely lodged- then took a drink to clear his throat.~

We can have dat talk whenever you are ready, P'tite, but why don't we wait until after dinner. We can light a fire in da fireplace, settle down on the skin rug and make a night of it.

~He wasn't necessarily ducking the talk, he just didnt want to do it over dinner. He figured he better enjoy this mean because if things went bad...very bad.. It could be the last he would get to enjoy alone with her.~

Rogue

"Oh Mah God, Remy, breath," I said, trying not to laugh. "Despite what I may say, I don't wanna kill you, certainly not with my cooking."

After Remy returned to his normal color, I nodded. "I didn't think we'd have ye ole talk over dinner, Remy. In front of the fire sounds good."

Or as good as can be.

Instead of fretting, I proceeded to fill Remy in on all the gossip and some of the drama that he'd missed, ending with a rumor that I'd heard of Shadowcat hanging around with Spiderman in New York.

"Though from the way she got her panties in a twist over Wizard, I guess that's not serious," I said, mopping up the last juices in my bowl with some cornbread. "Figure I'll drag her porting little butt into the danger room in a simulation of Germany. See how well Miss high and mighty does then."

~He nodded to her then listened and ate as she filled him in the the gossip floating around the Mansion. Having not been a part of the mansion or the Xmen in quite some time, it kinda felt good that he was being involved again. He'd missed it no matter how much he denied it to himself.~

Dat is a good Idea, Cherie, maybe I can talk with Storm and get Havoc into dat session too. Would be good to put dem in our shoes and see how dey would have reacted. Would be good for some of da students as well.

~He tucked that thought into his mind as something to bring up to Storm when he returned to the mansion for the talk she wanted to have with him as well.~

In fact Storm asked to see me sometime dis week to talk. Maybe I'll bring it up to her den.

~He finished the last of his meal and stood up. Then he took her bowl and walked them over to the sink and washed them up. After cleaning up the rest of the dinner dishes, Gambit took two glasses from the cupboard and took a bottle of Southern Comfort and walked into the den.~

Rogue

I watched him grab the bottle of Southern Comfort with a smile, shaking my head. Something are predicable as the sun rising.

After a stop by the fridge to grab a can of coke, I followed Remy into the living room. I took a seat on the overstuffed couch, setting my soda on the coffee table, careful to use a coaster. Old habits die hard, I guess.

Watching Remy mess with the fire, get the logs burning brougth my attention to the fact it was getting rather cold in the cabin. I moved through it, closing windows and locking doors as I went. Grabbing a fluffy throw blanket off the foot of the bed, I returned the living room, plopping back down on the couch, laying across the full length of it, the blanket twined beside me.

~He set a few logs on the fire as he light it with some kindling, then grabbed the protable phone and called the mansion. After a few rings, the call was switched to the messenger service.~

Stormy, Rogue and I were just talking about what happened earlier today with Havok and Kitty and she had an idea I though would help da others see what we had to go through in Germany. I'll come up in a few days to have dat talk you wanted to have with me. Seems like everyone wants to have a heart to heart with da Cajun since I've been back. Talk with you soon.

~He stoked the fire with the iron poker, and it came to life casting it flickering glow over everything in the cabin. Soon after, the warmth started to filter into the room. He looked over his shoulder and saw her return with a blanket and smirked.~

A nice fire in the fireplace and a southern gentleman to keep you warm and you go find a blanket.

~He laughed softly and sat on the floor leaning back against the chair. he opened the bottom of Southern Comfort and poured a bit in each of the glasses before sliding hers over to her. he took a sip and swirled it into his mouth before swallowing it, then he looked up at her.~

My powers were growing out of control. I could barely touch anyt'ing without dem going off and everything around me was exploding. So I went to a Surgeon by the name of Essex and he removed a part of my brain where my powers stem from. It wasn't until after da surgery that I found out da truth and what I would have to do to repay him....

Rogue

I took a sip of the southern comfort, wrinkling my nose at the taste. "I'm not a big drinker, Remy. Hell, I'm not even a little one."

I listened as he spoke, leaning against the back of the couch, legs curled up under me. I laid a hand on his when he spoke of surgury and being unable to control his powers.

"You're not the first one to loose control," I said, voice gentle. "I don't know anyone who hasn't lost control of thier powers. But why surgury? And what truth?"

~He looked at her, taking her hand in his, and searched her eyes. He then started to talk again.~

Essex and Sinister are one and da same. My powers were growing so uncontrolable dat I thought I needed it. Sinister told me dat to pay him back I needed to recruit a band of mutants. Sabretooth was one of dem. After forming da band dat he later called da Mauraders, he gave me da silver canaster he stored da piece of my brain in and said dat if I took dem to da Morloks I would be paid up.

~He downed the rest of the drink in a gulp and refilled his glass from the bottle. He hated what had happened even though he didnt truthfully know what would happen.~

I led dem to da Morlok's tunnel, but I didn't know what dey were going to do. I thought dat Sinister wanted dem to do some reconosence on da Morlocks for his genetic studies. I never thought dat he would have dem attack and kill dem all.

~He swallowed hard as the flood of memories came crashing over him and one could even see a tear be shed though he would never admit to it.~

I tried to stop them, but Sabretooth fought back and almost killed me. I was broken up and unconsious, but when I came to I grabbed da first person I found, a little girl with bones sticking out of her face, and I made for da surface. She was da only one dat lived.

Rogue

I knew all this, had seen it from his mind, but hearing Remy speak the words, the grief in his voice, I knew he was truely sorry.

I scooched closer to him, bumping my way under his arm to lean my head on his shoulder. "Remy, I don't hold it against you, what you did that day. I've hurt and destroyed lives too. I know what kind of burden it is."

After giving him a moment to calm down from that revelation, I asked for another. "So how... why'd you come to Germany? Not that I'm complaining, sugah, but you showed up at just the right moment."

~He calmed down and looked over at her head as she rested it on his shoulder. Now was the real moment of truth. he took advantage of how she was and kissed the top of her head, then continued.~

I was in New Orleans. I had gone home after getting off of Antarctica. Figured I would rest there, den head abroad. To get some money I had gone back to what brought me to da dance and chose a few grab and go hits. Of course we both know how well Im loved by my fellow guild memebers and da Assassins. Well after a bit of a reunion and after showing dem why da name of Remy Lebeau should still be respected, Sinister showed up again. He told me about Fantomex and da disc he was suppost to have and told me dat you were da main target. If anyone was going to get their hands on you dey were going to have to wait in line and it would have to be over my dead body. So I went to find you.

~He took and drink and figured that it was now or never so he laid it all out on the table.~

After da battle, I had a funny feeling dat SInister would be around, so when I left you and da rest of da team in dat field I went back to da town. I found Sinister dere, in his Essex disquise, wading among da bodies of da dead zombies. I got da cure to da disease dat Storm and Wizard had gotten.