"You cannot be serious."

"It'll only be a while."

"What for?"

"Not much. Jus' some trouble back home."

Rogue raised an eyebrow. "Just?"

"Would I lie t'you?" She sent him a skeptical look, and Gambit came forward and rested an arm on his knee, smiling.

Leaning back, she glanced up at the clear sky before turning her attention to the rippling water beside them. The two months since he had come back had flown by quicker than Rogue had imagined possible. The other inhabitants of the Institute had finally accepted his common presence, and if they spotted him talking with her in the foyer, they didn't question. Even Logan had given in and allowed him around.

The two of them were taking advantage of this by wasting away an afternoon on the mansion's grounds, content to just sit and watch the younger mutants goof around. They had seated themselves on the fountain's edge in the front lawn, not wanting to completely toss away such a clear day. That, and because no amount of pleading or force could get Gambit to go further than the entrance hall. Even at the invitation of the Professor himself, the Cajun had politely refused the offer. He hadn't spoken of his ties with the Acolytes since asking Rogue her opinion, and she only figured he was still with them in some way, a link that kept him from getting too comfortable in unfamiliar territory. But if she had learned anything in her life, it was that some people needed time.

"If it's nothin, why're you tellin' me?" she insisted.

"Didn' want you t'worry when I didn' show up for a while." She said nothing for a moment. Rogue knew enough of his manner to know he wasn't telling her everything. After a brief meeting with the enemies he'd known his whole life, she would never see any trouble involving the Rippers' Guild of Louisiana as anything less than hectic.

"What's the matter this time?"

Gambit waved a dismissing hand. "The usual. I'm the last defense they call in when desperate times call for desperate measures."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Don't you know by now that lyin' to me doesn't work anymore? Spill it." He sat up straight and hesitated.

"Honestly?" She nodded, and he sighed. "You remember Julien." He took her scowl as a yes. "Well…apparently, he fin'lly figured out that he'd seen your face on some a' the news reports."

"So?"

"So…it didn' take his guys long t'figure out who you are. Where you live." She didn't respond. "An' he's not as stupid as he seems. He knows you came back for me for a reason." His unique eyes flashed with reminiscence, but he said nothing of it. "The man'll do anythin' he can t'hurt me, even if it means takin' down someone else along the way."

"You're sayin' he's usin' me to blackmail you?" Gambit nodded and watched for a reaction.

He had barely gotten past the friendship marker, and his damned past was already interfering…. Their intimacy had certainly bloomed over the past few weeks, but he knew from experience that a piece of his history could easily sever that progress like thread. Nonetheless, it was his fault the Rogue was caught up in his troubles, and he wasn't the man to leave her to suffer because of it. He had doubted even telling her the news, but with someone like Julien Boudreaux as a threat, she had a right to know her danger.

Rogue got to her feet and rubbed her arms, wanting something to do rather than because she was afraid. Even if she didn't look at him, her anger at being used yet again was evident. "So what exactly is he makin' you do?"

"Apparently, I have t'meet 'im in some deserted place outside a' town late at night." He actually sounded amused.

"An' you're gonna do it?"

"Do I have a choice?"

She scoffed. "Even if you do go, what're you gonna do?"

"Would you prefer me t'take the chance of him takin' you down on the street one day?" Rogue stared. She knew they were friends by this point, but that he would willingly walk into an ambush for her—what did that say?

Nothin', she told herself. He just knows he wouldn't be standin' here today if it weren't for me. "Even if he did try somethin', at least ah stand a chance a' livin'. You go, an' he'll just shoot you on the spot—"

"No." Gambit shook his head. "He's been waitin' too long for this…he'd take his time t'brag first."

She scoffed. "So that buys you a few minutes." Her eyes met his. "You know ah'm comin' with you."

"They'll be expectin' it."

"Let 'em," she snapped. "If you think ah'm gonna let you face the punks who tried to turn us into gator food alone, you're outta your mind." Gambit fell silent. His face was impassive, as usual, giving little indication as to what he was really thinking, but she could tell he was reluctant about her coming.

"I've endangered you enough." He shook his head again and stood up. "I already owe you my life. Gettin' you killed would put another one on my hands."

"So what're you gonna do? Go, an' hope he's a little friendlier than last time?" Rogue grabbed his arm so that he looked at her. "You are not goin' without me. If ah have to touch you right now to find out where you're goin', so be it."

"This is more dangerous than you're thinkin'. They'll be on their guard now—"

She put her hands on her hips defiantly. "Don't talk to me about not knowin' mah danger. You weren't the only one gettin' shot at back there." She stood erect, daring him to challenge her decision, her expression fierce and final. Gambit studied her for a while, and then at last pocketed his hands.

"You're really that worried about me."

She caught the look he was giving her and frowned. "Ah just don't wanna see you get killed knowin' ah could've done somethin' about it." Her features softened, and he caught a brief look of concern in her green eyes. She really was worried, behind her less-than-gentle words, and he knew she would just follow anyway if he tried to turn her down. It was too much like when she wanted to help him rescue his adopted father; even then, she had insisted on helping him through a mine-infested bayou, despite the enemies they were supposed to be at the time. Just as doubtful, he had at first rejected her coming, not liking the idea of dragging her further into the matter. But now, after they had come to know the other so much more since then, not to mention any—dare he say it—feelings they had developed for each other…. If she was half as anxious about his well being as he was of hers, he knew she wouldn't stand to be left behind.

He exhaled heavily. "Do I have a choice?" Rogue smiled.

"Alright, a man can only pretend not to be listenin' for so long." Startled, they both turned to see Logan; neither of them had heard his approach. He came up and looked from Gambit to Rogue, and then back to Gambit expectantly. "So what's this about danger?"

"Logan," she tried, knowing he wasn't on the best terms with the Acolyte, "Gambit…he needs mah help. He's just in some trouble back south, an' part of it's mah fault—" She silenced Gambit's protest with a fleeting glance.

Logan crossed his arms. "So ya thought ya'd just hop on another train an' head on down." Rogue shrugged sheepishly, and Logan turned his stern gaze to Gambit. "That true?"

"Pretty much."

Rogue watched, unmoving, as the two men stared each other down, wondering which way this would go, but already guessing the answer. To their surprise, Logan stepped down and remarked flatly, "In that case, count me in."

"What—?" they said simultaneously, looking uncertainly at one another.

"Count me in," he repeated, and turned to Rogue. "I know I can't stop ya unless I tie ya down, but I think taggin' along'll be less effort. Besides, I don't think they'll be expectin' me." He grinned, and Rogue felt her spirits rise immediately. "An' if I go, we can get there faster, at least." He looked at Gambit again. "That okay with ya, bub?"

There was a pause in which Gambit observed him wordlessly; then with a shadow of a smile he pulled a hand from his pocket and extended it. "This mean we're startin' over?"

Logan glimpsed indifferently at the offer, and then gave a sarcastic laugh. "Right. We'll see if that happens." He turned back to Rogue. "I'll see who else I can round up—"

"No," Gambit interrupted, letting his hand fall to his side. "I don' like the idea of you two comin'…I don' want anyone else pulled into this." Understanding, Logan nodded, and with a last glance at Rogue shouldered past Gambit to make his way across the yard.

"Don't take it personally," she assured him, coming to Gambit's side. "But ah have to admit, he's been nicer to you than ah expected."

:xXxXx:

"Nice," Gambit admitted. Logan seized his hand an inch above the Blackbird's control panel.

"Look. Don't touch," he growled, releasing him. Gambit chose to obey and took a few steps back. He busied himself with taking in the rest of the jet's sleek interior until Rogue entered, dressed in her uniform.

"Ain't seen that one for a while, chérie." He tossed her a quality grin, making her mouth turn up at the corners slightly before she turned away.

"Siddown," Logan ordered. Gambit smirked and took the copilot's seat, and Rogue buckled herself in behind him. Logan made a few more adjustments before starting up the engine.

It had been easier than Gambit had been predicting: he had offered to let the Professor read his mind to make sure he was sincere, but the old man had said it wasn't necessary. Several other X-Men had protested crossly that they should go as well; luckily, when they discovered Logan would be going along, they had backed off, convinced nothing could happen to Rogue while he was around. It was the first time Gambit had actually entered the Institute in terms of going beyond the lobby, and in return he had immediately received a heavy reminder of why he had never done so: disapproving, even fearful, looks had been cast more than once in his direction, as well as speakers making no effort to conceal their comments. He doubted whether Shades would have stayed where he was if Rogue hadn't happened to be standing between the two of them. But Gambit had grown used to this by now, and so didn't take it to heart.

Not like I expected anythin' less, he thought, his eyes settling on the landscape before them as the jet took off. It wasn't like they had a reason to trust him—he had aimed a card or two at more than one of them, and he knew none of them had yet forgotten. But there had been some exceptions: even if she didn't say much, Kitty had been somewhat polite, although it was obvious she wasn't about to trust him as easily as Rogue. And Colossus had been there, so Gambit wasn't a complete stranger. It almost made him smile at how his Russian teammate had been so welcomingly invited into their home, when he himself was looked down on like something that had crept out from under a rug.

Not that any of this mattered. He wasn't looking for welcome, and he wasn't about to get all sentimental regarding his feelings when there were some Rippers to deal with. Gambit gripped the arms of his seat as his mood shifted.

He just hoped whatever Wolverine was planning would work.

:xXxXx:

Gambit took his time in stepping through the underbrush. Just ahead, the trees parted to allow a large dose of moonlight to fall through and illuminate the clearing. It was in the middle of this that he stopped, waiting. Right on cue, a gun cocked a few yards away.

"Hands in de air," barked a voice. Gambit raised his hands as Julien stepped out of the shadows, accompanied by at least a dozen other thugs, each armed to the teeth. Gambit didn't resist as two of them came up behind him and seized his arms, and he allowed them to draw his coat sleeves over his hands before binding him. They searched his pockets briefly, confiscating several card decks and his staff. "Well, well. I don' know what surprises me more: dat you actually came, or dat you didn' bring your latest catch witcha." Gambit met his rival's glare of hate coolly.

"I'm not so heartless that I'd let a lady suffer b'cause a' me."

Julien gave a cold laugh. "Dat'd be a firs'." One of the Rippers holding Gambit struck him in the back with a gun hilt, forcing him to his knees as Julien drew up his revolver.

"I see you haven' tired a' the trade," Gambit commented, looking nonchalantly into the gun's barrel, barely a foot from his nose.

"What, dis? Nah, I been savin' dis shot for somedin' special." Julien looked eagerly from the weapon to his prisoner, and then thinking it over looked at his men and jerked his head. "Take 'im back t'de house," he ordered. Gambit was dragged back to his feet roughly and shoved along. "But jus' in case you were countin' on any reinforcements…" Julien nodded, and several Rippers stepped forward, brought up their cannon-size bazookas, and started firing wildly at the trees around them. Not until they had torn apart every plant within a fifty-foot radius did Julien tell them to stop. He looked at Gambit for a sign, but the thief's face remained indecipherable.

:xXxXx:

Inside the Rippers' hideout, Gambit was once again struck down from behind, but he denied his enemies the satisfaction in hearing him complain. He crouched silently on the carpet, its red coloring an abrupt reminder of what could happen if anything went wrong.

"Y'know, it's almos' a shame." Julien resumed his place before Gambit, looking down at him exultantly. "All dese years, an' it ends t'night, jus' like dat. But I t'ink I'll let you humor me firs'." Shifting his gun to his left hand, he squatted down until his eyes were at the same level as Gambit's. "I know you enough t'tell you don' give a damn 'bout your women. You'd trade deir lives for yours in a heartbeat." He saw old memories flicker across his opponent's gaze as he locked eyes with him. "So den why'd you bother wit' dis one? 'Cause she's a freak like you?"

Gambit didn't answer, but made the worst mistake possible in the situation he was in: he turned his mind aside from Julien to think.

Why was he here?

He remembered asking himself that very question two months ago, when he had returned to Bayville and sought out Rogue. He hadn't given a direct answer then, and he doubted he would get one now.

You'd trade deir lives for yours in a heartbeat.

Once upon a time, maybe, but now…now, he had gladly walked straight into the hands of his enemies to protect Rogue. Why? Because he owed her his life? That's what he had told himself for the past few weeks, even when it had gotten to the point where he knew it wasn't true.

Before he could raise himself from these thoughts, a solid blow landed on the right side of Gambit's face. He caught himself just in time and managed to stay upright, and braced himself for another assault. But Julien stood up, running a finger over the butt of his gun.

"You got no idea how good dat felt," he sneered. "But enough playin'." He aimed at the space between Gambit's eyes. "Dis opportunity really belongs t'someone else," he said thoughtfully, hesitating. For a moment, Gambit thought he might actually pass off the chance, and could guess to whom it would go. Julien shrugged. "What de hell?" His grip on the trigger tightened.

Several things happened at once. The two biggest Rippers in the group fell with a groan, while from the opposite side of the room a black shape leapt out from behind a column. But Julien had been expecting something like this, and with a practiced precision he whirled around, aimed, and fired, hitting the attacker square in the chest. A usually fatal shot. The attacker slowed temporarily, but kept coming. Startled, Julien fired again.

No use.

By the time he realized he should be running, the figure reached him with a snarl. A second later, his gun fell to his feet in four neatly sliced pieces.

Gambit watched as Julien was lifted off the floor and thrown over his head. He turned to Wolverine with a smile. "Cut it pretty close, don' you think?" The X-Man frowned.

"Be thankful I came at all." He thrust Gambit aside as more gunshots went off, and then bounded off towards another group of Rippers, claws out. Two hands seized Gambit's shoulders from behind and pulled him into a sitting position, and once his own hands were uncovered, he felt his bo-staff and a deck of cards pushed into them. Rogue finished freeing him at the same time she was grabbed from behind.

"Hey—!"

"Rogue, down!" She ducked, and Gambit's heel connected solidly with her captor's nose.

"Look out!" She tackled him, and he saw several shots whiz by where his head had been a moment before. "Where's Logan?" They looked over to see Wolverine fending off what remained of his foes, the rest out cold around him. Gambit and Rogue were on their feet in a blink, and without hesitation ran over to help. Gambit clicked the hidden button on his staff as Rogue removed a glove; by the time they reached their comrade, the Acolyte's weapon was long enough to catch two advancing guys in the stomach and fling them back. Another rushed him, and only by quick reflexes and even quicker footwork did Gambit slip around him and give him a firm shove in the opposite direction.

"Rogue!" She turned and caught the man's bare arm, and almost immediately he fell to the floor.

"Fall back!" Logan commanded. From the tone of his voice, they knew better than to argue. They followed as he retreated down the nearest corridor and slipped behind a large pillar; Gambit and Rogue leapt after him, just avoiding more gunfire, and landed on hands and knees beside him. Rogue collided into Gambit, her face coming dangerously close to his, but he caught and steadied her. Logan chanced a glimpse around the column. "So what do they want?"

"Jus' like I told you: my head." Gambit drew Rogue closer as several shots ricocheted off the nearby wall. "So how's your plan fit into this?" He shot Wolverine an inquiring look as Rogue pushed his hands away. Logan scowled, but sheathed his claws.

"Ya sure ya can't just trash the place?"

"I could, but I can't guarantee we'd live t'see if it works."

Logan's eyes darted around as his mind worked furiously. To their astonishment, he grinned. "They want ya dead, right? I say we give 'em what they want."

:xXxXx:

"You don' have t'do this."

Rogue looked at him incredulously and whispered, "You think ah've come this far to let you get your butt kicked without me? Come on, Logan can't hold 'em forever." Gambit smiled and stole across the floor at her side, as stealthily as his thieving skills would allow, while trying to listen for any sound of movement. "Here," said Rogue softly, jerking her head. He followed her gaze and nodded. Reaching inside his belt, he withdrew several small metal pieces and proceeded to attach them to various places on his staff. When he was finished, they crept as close as they dared to the balcony before them; looking over, they saw several armed Rippers standing guard a floor down in another den. They drew back quickly, and Gambit raised the staff horizontally above his head, allowing plenty of room for Rogue to wrap her arms around his torso.

"Ready?" he said in a low voice.

"Let's do it." He linked his right arm about her waist, stood up, and aimed the tip of his staff towards the ceiling. It fired, and the pointed end struck deep into a wooden beam. Not waiting for their enemies to realize what was happening, Gambit leapt up onto the railing, and he felt Rogue's grip tighten as he hurled the two of them over it. As soon as his feet struck the ground, his hand left Rogue and flew inside his coat, brought forth and charged several cards, and let them fly. The Rippers, trying to catch up with what was happening, jumped into action, only to leap out of the way to avoid the mutant's flaming projectiles.

The element of surprise was their main weapon, made possible only by Logan's position as decoy; but the Rippers were prepared for some type of ambush, and it didn't take them long to respond. Soon, Gambit and Rogue were doing as much running and dodging as fighting, although Gambit was the only one able to actually fight: their enemies had learned to stay away from Rogue until they discerned exactly what her power was, and as a result she had to stay near Gambit to keep from being uselessly shot. There was a temporary dilemma in which someone managed to sneak up behind them, but just as soon as he knocked Gambit to the ground, his adversary brought his legs around and flung him back off.

Rogue looked around, attempting to see through the chaos as Gambit fired a whole deck around the room. "Wait…" She put a hand on his arm, and they both paused, thinking the same thing.

"Where's Juli—?" He gave a cry of surprise as something searing nicked his arm from behind. He gripped it and whirled around, and sure enough, there was Julien, smirking, a gun leveled with Gambit's heart. More Rippers filed in behind him.

"Good try, LeBeau. But not good enough." He gave a small wave with his free hand. "Au revoir."

Suddenly, Rogue jumped aside. Julien fired at her and missed, and then deciding to deal with Gambit first, he went to turn back, but something struck him, hard. He hit the floor and slid several feet, and before he could get up, Rogue was on him. However, he had also guessed this strategy, and reaching up he snatched Rogue's wrist, catching her off guard, and knocked her feet out from under her. He jumped up, and twisting her arm behind her he pulled the girl against him, ignoring her protests, and placed his gun against her chin.

Logan froze, his claws poised in the air for attack; Gambit did the same, gripping a blazing card in his right hand tightly. Rogue struggled, and Julien pressed the weapon harder against her. His hand was too low to touch her exposed neck, and he was taking care to keep his face away from hers.

"Calm down, now, girl, I won't hurt ya, 's long as your boyfriend does what I tell 'im to." Julien's eyes flashed as he looked at Gambit, who still hadn't lowered his card. "What's it gonna be, LeBeau?"

Gambit's expression was difficult to read. "This is b'tween you an' me. Let her go. Both of 'em."

"Put de card down. Now!"

Gambit moved to obey immediately, de-charging the card and dropping it to the floor for it to lie harmlessly at his feet. No one budged. "Let her go, firs'."

Julien laughed. "You t'ink I'm dat stupid?"

"If you shoot her, I get away anyway."

"I don' necessarily want t'kill ya. I jus' want you t'suffer—" He prodded Rogue threateningly.

"Leave her out a' this!"

"—An' what better way dan t'leave you wit' de girl's blood on your hands?"

"You don' want her," said Gambit firmly. "You want me."

Logan, keeping an anxious eye on Rogue, didn't even resist when two more guys came up to try and hold him. Julien shifted his grip as he looked between his hostage and Gambit.

"Soon as ah get loose, ah'm kickin' your ass," Rogue hissed.

"We'll jus' see 'bout dat, chérie."

"Don't call me that." She fought against his grip, but he held.

"Don' be countin' on Gambit t'be sayin' it again." He cocked the gun. "Guess LeBeau wasn't de man you t'ought. Too bad we didn' meet sooner, or I coulda warned you 'bout dat little flaw." Rogue felt her stomach sink as the gun dug deeper into her flesh. "Coulda warned you 'bout a lot a' t'ings, actually…."

"Don'!"

She held Gambit's dread-filled eyes with hers as everything seemed to slow. Rogue fancied she could hear the heartbeat of everyone in the room, save her own, which already seemed to have ceased beating. She looked away, reluctant for Gambit to watch.

Part of Rogue was disappointed, while the other was irritated. He had dragged her through not only the physical strains such as this, but also the confusion as to what he had meant to her. She had tried to convince herself that it stood for nothing, despite that that bridge had been crossed a long time ago.

She tried to look at Logan, but she had been turned away from him.

Now she would never know.

Rogue didn't close her eyes: she kept them open, wanting her killer to remember her face in the time he had before Logan and Gambit tore him to shreds.

She gritted her teeth.

She hated to leave this way; she would gladly make up for everything she had ever done, or neglected to do, if given the chance. Yet of all her present concerns, Gambit continued to be the foremost, along with all of their past experiences and exchanged words together, which flew by in less than a second to remind her of why she was here. But Rogue wasn't going to die pushing the blame on someone else.

She had chosen to come. Not Gambit. He had been the one trying to protect her. If anyone was to blame besides Julien, it was herself.

All of these thoughts raced through her head almost dizzyingly, forming a haze before her eyes until the Ripper fired.

Rogue blinked.

He fired again, and she realized that she was still alive. She flexed her fingers carefully, just to make sure. She was alive. In fact, the gun wasn't even pointed at her anymore: Julien was aiming at a shadow near the doorway. Bewildered, Rogue watched as she thought she could make out a dark shape move swiftly up Gambit's bo-staff, which was still hanging from the rafters above. Julien fired like mad at the near-invisible outline as it traveled smoothly about on the beams; but a bullet must have eventually found a mark, for the figure suddenly plunged downward, hit the carpet, and didn't move. It took Rogue nearly half a minute to comprehend that the figure was Gambit.

Julien didn't object as she tore away from him and flew towards the fallen form.

Don't be dead, don't be dead. Rogue hit the floor next to the motionless Cajun, searching his face for a sign. It didn't come, and she thrust aside his coat and sought frantically for a wound. Was he stupid?

She nearly cried out in surprise as his hand grabbed hers. His eyes remained shut, but a minute hint of a smile told her that he was definitely living. She glanced behind her to see if Julien had noticed. He and his guys were busy with Logan, who, sensing that Gambit wasn't dead, had begun to pull as much attention to himself as he could by yelling and threatening them without causing too much of a fight. He caught Rogue's gaze for a split second. It was all she needed.

She turned back to Gambit as he gave her hand a squeeze, and she caught the message easily enough. Making sure no one was looking, Rogue slid off her glove, unsure if it was part of his plan but out of options. "Sorry, but ah'm gonna have to borrow this." She brushed her bare fingers against his lightly. Gambit jerked, then didn't move. Right away, Rogue saw what he was planning: he had faked getting shot, and now he wanted them to pretend he was dead and get out. Whether or not he meant for himself to escape as well, she didn't know, and didn't care. They weren't leaving without him, dead or alive.

Not exactly the plan we were aimin' for, but as long as it gets us out— She pulled her other glove off and carefully reached inside his right pocket; her hand found a deck, and drawing it out she held up the topmost card, charged it, and stood up, being careful to hide her new power from her enemies' view. Now she would have to act like she had never acted before.

With a final snarl at Julien, Logan rushed to her side. "How is he?"

Rogue gave him a momentary look she prayed he could interpret. "…Dead," she said in a shaking voice, so that everyone in the room could hear. There was a surprised silence. After a moment, she heard Julien step forward.

"Don' feel too bad, girl. You'll be joinin' 'im soon." Not skipping a beat, Rogue turned and skillfully delivered three cards in his direction. Julien yelled in disbelief as he fell backwards, his gun flying from his hand.

"Get his body outta here!" Rogue cried to Logan. "Ah'll deal with 'em!" She spread out another handful of cards as Logan hurried forward and slung Gambit over his shoulder.

"What de—?" Julien rose, staring in amazement at Rogue's flaming hand, and then overcoming his shock he seized the weapon from the nearest Ripper. "Don' let 'em get away! I ain't takin' any chances!" Logan sprung, ready to rumble, but stalled as he realized that Gambit could be caught in the crossfire. He looked at Rogue.

"Go!" she repeated, and back flipped as shots glanced off the carpet around her. The second she was back on her feet, she released the cards, one hand at the advancing attackers, another at those blocking Wolverine's exit. He leapt over their bodies and disappeared out the door, but not before sending a worried glance in Rogue's direction.

Before she could draw more cards, strong hands clutched her arms as two guys came up on either side. "Watch it!" she snapped.

"I don' know how you got LeBeau's power, but you're 'bout t'meet de same end as him." Julien raised his gun.

:xXxXx:

Logan tore down the hallway he'd come, the claws on his free hand extended and at the ready. "If you don't turn out to be worth it, I'll kill ya myself," he growled. Gambit didn't respond.

"Dere he is!" Logan dodged several blasts and rounded the corner sharply, painfully aware that every step was taking him further away from Rogue. As soon as he found somewhere to set the Cajun, he was going back for her, even if she would hate him for doing it. He risked stopping to try a nearby door. Locked. He cursed and took off again; it required three more tries before he decided his efforts weren't getting him anywhere. Up ahead and to the left was a dark doorway, and it was into this that he threw himself and Gambit. He froze as his pursuers flew by, and not until they had all passed did he let out the breath he had been holding. Logan was about to start moving again when the sound of more footsteps reached his sharp ears. He hung back, ready to spear the follower, but retracted his claws as he recognized the scent. His hand shot out and pulled Rogue beside him.

"What—! Logan!" she breathed, sighing in relief. Her hands were still bare, and he thought he detected an out-of-place irritation in her tone. "He okay?" She nodded at Gambit.

"Since five minutes ago? Pretty sure. How much of 'im didja take, anyway?"

"Not much. He should be up soon."

"Think ya can find the way out?"

Rogue nodded again and gestured for him to follow. "Come on." As silent as they could move, they crept hastily through the halls with Rogue in the lead, who now knew each door and corridor as if she had lived there her whole life. They made their way along without interruption, and finally hung back at the corner turning onto the main room as voices were heard close by. Carefully, Rogue went to peer around it when Logan pushed her forward.

"Get down!" She hit the floor as gunfire was heard behind them. "Now get movin'!" Rogue scrambled to her feet as Logan half-hauled her up and started to run. They entered the lobby, where about thirty feet and half as many Rippers still stood between them and the door. "Rogue, take 'em out!"

"Ah can't—Ah'm all out—" Logan released Gambit, and bending down he seized the long grey rug and tugged. Several Rippers lost their footing with frustrated curses and yells. "Cards ain't the only things the kid can charge! Find somethin'!" he replied, unsheathing all six claws. Rogue leapt behind a column, looking urgently for something that could work.

Think Gambit, she advised herself. What would he…She spotted a vase a few feet away on a small stand; without thinking twice she took it in her hands and concentrated. "Logan!" she warned. The man jumped aside as the pot went flying, and it was then that both he and Rogue learned why Gambit carried something as small as playing cards for ammunition. The floor split asunder under the impact, wiping out any Rippers Logan hadn't already taken care of. "Let's go!" Rogue bent down to help lift Gambit, but the Acolyte was already stirring. Before they could stop him, he groaned.

"What…happened?" he asked unsteadily, a hand to his head.

"He's alive!" They turned: Julien had just rounded the corner.

Logan took Gambit by the collar and heaved him up. "Move!" The three of them took off again as Julien fired, Gambit slightly slower than usual but nonetheless moving. They burst through the doors and into the night air. "Don't stop!" Logan instructed. "Just keep movin'!" They cut across the yard, bullets at their heels, and just made it under the cover of the trees. Julien wasn't about to be defeated so easily.

"Split up!" they heard him yell. "No one comes back 'til one a' dem's dead!" Logan gave Gambit a rough push to get him moving again, and soon the two younger mutants found themselves at the mercy of his tracking skills: they had lost any sense of direction whatsoever, Gambit more so due to his slight drowsiness. But he forced himself to stumble along after them, ignoring the dull pain in his right side. How long they trudged through the marsh, he lost track, and later remembered the whole expedition based solely on when Julien suddenly came through the trees on their right. He didn't waste any time in raising his weapon and shooting; it hit Gambit square in the chest, but luckily it was only a stunner. There were more yells as he fell, a sharp, stinging sensation, then darkness.

:xXxXx:

Gambit shifted, and then stopped as small pains shot through several of his muscles. "Don't," said a soft voice. "Try an' relax." Gambit opened his eyes, and it took him a full minute to adjust to the bright, fluorescent lighting overhead. Slowly, Rogue's face came into focus, and he could see anxiety written over her features as she watched him. He conceived that he was lying on his back, and a low hum told him that they were back in the Blackbird.

"What…?" he started. He tried to sit up, but she held him down, and he decided not to argue. Instead, he put a hand to his side, only to find that his shirt had been sliced open down the middle. A small wound had been bandaged securely, and any cuts he had sustained on his hands in those last few moments of consciousness had been cleaned up.

"Close call." Rogue smiled encouragingly. "But Logan says you're okay. He fixed you up until we can get some real help."

"What, this? I've gotten worse beatin's and walked away fine." Gambit returned the smile, and winced slightly as he felt his bottom lip split.

Rogue sighed. "Here—" She bent out of sight and came back up with a tissue. He reached for it, but she didn't give it to him. "Move," she snapped. She pressed it against his mouth delicately, and he let his hand fall to his side where it brushed against hers. She showed no sign. "Took me forever to stop the bleedin', then you gotta go an' pull some more crap, even after you almost—" She hit him as he grinned. "Is this all a game to you?" she demanded. "You had me half scared to death, you—"

"Now you can't say you don' care about me."

"Care about you? The second you're on two legs again, ah'm knockin' you out—"

"You know you like me." Rogue narrowed her eyes, and then grudgingly supported him as he tried again to sit up, knowing he would be stubborn about it until she let him. When he was up and leaning against the wall behind him, she continued to dab carefully at his lip in silence. "…Is it any use askin' what happened?" he questioned finally.

She took her time before answering. "Long story short, ah don't think you'll have to worry 'bout the Rippers for a while. After Julien knocked you out, Logan finally went ballistic on 'em. Said he'd tear 'em to shreds if they so much as looked at me or you without him knowin'." She smiled, and Gambit raised an eyebrow.

"You're tellin' me he stuck up for me after all I put you through t'night?" he said skeptically. Rogue gave him a serious look.

"That so hard to believe?"

"Comin' from the man who threatens t'take my head off every time I smile at you? Jus' a little."

"Can you blame him?" she muttered. Catching his gaze, she looked away quickly as he cocked his head at her comment.

"Guess I owe you again," he said after a while, changing the subject.

"You know you do." The way she said it indicated a light sarcasm.

Finishing up, Rogue went to pull her hand away, but Gambit caught her wrist and held it. She stared as he raised it back, and not once breaking eye contact he kissed her gloved fingertips gently. He watched her eyes as he lowered her hand, waiting to see what she would do, and was pleased to see puzzlement written over her face as he released her. She remained where she was, seated on the small, foldout cot by his side, and Gambit chose to take a chance. Slowly, he reached up, but she recoiled quickly as his hand neared her face. He paused, and when she didn't move any further, he reached again. He could feel her warm breath on his fingers two seconds before she turned away.

Without another word to him, Rogue stood and made her way through to the cockpit, closing the door behind her before taking the copilot's seat. She avoided Logan's glance by fixing her own on the window.

"Everythin' okay?"

"Yeah." Detecting the sharpness in her voice, Logan decided to let it drop. He understood more than most when to leave people to themselves, and he sensed this was one of those times. He doubted he could find any words for her situation, anyway; he wasn't a hundred percent sure what was going on between Rogue and the Acolyte, but he had caught words and looks between them that suggested a possibility he wasn't particularly fond of.

Her life, he told himself, looking over at her briefly. Besides, since when did you know a thing about relationships?

Rogue shifted in her seat. "Logan…"

"Yeah?" He did his best to look curious, despite that he could guess the upcoming topic.

She looked behind her at the door, but it would be impossible for Gambit to hear them over the engine, especially at the level of quiet in which she was speaking. "What if ah said that Gambit…tried to touch me?"

"As in?"

She started. "Ah mean he tried to touch mah face," she said hurriedly, plainly offended.

"Did he actually—?"

"No…ah moved before he could…" Sighing, Logan flicked on the autopilot and turned his seat around to hers. "Ah understand if you don't wanna talk about it," she went on, just as quickly. "Ah know you—"

"Long as we're sittin' here, we might as well." He saw surprised gratitude flash across her face as he leaned back. "So…looks like you two mean somethin' to each other."

Rogue shrugged. "Yeah…ah guess."

"Enough for him to get shot helpin' ya, when he could just as easily run off."

She shook her head. "He wouldn't…"

It was clear this conversation was moving at a snail's pace, but Logan had acquired enough patience in what he could remember of his life to let the discussion progress in her own time. She brought her legs up onto the seat and tucked a strand of white hair behind her ear, thinking.

"…Listen, kid," he began, hoping to give her the boost she needed to say what she wanted to, "I know the past ain't the easiest thing to get over sometimes." He couldn't believe what he was about to say. "But this guy…he seems to really care about ya. An' in the way that he does, that's a rare thing…for people like us." Rogue looked at him. She knew his "us" meant, not mutants in general, but just Logan and herself. They were different from the others of the Institute; they had sensed that about each other not long after she first joined. They were almost isolated from their friends in their natures, which were both individual and the same…they understood one another.

But Gambit had shown a coloring similar to theirs, if not Rogue's alone. His perception of her wasn't much different than Logan's, except that it seemed…full of possibilities.

Rogue smiled thankfully. "Yeah…ah guess so."

:xXxXx:

The End

:xXxXx:

A/N: yes, I borrowed Logan's "people like us" line from the movie. I couldn't resist. And I know I'm gonna get some complaints for ending it like this, but I've got other series I need to worry about. Long live Romy!