A/N: I'm back from Nice with a new chap! It was an amazing trip. We've seen the whole Cote d'Azur and also Monaco and Italy! I'm so inspired now :) Okay, have you seen X-men Origins: Wolverine trailer on YouTube? Check it out, girls are screaming when they see Gambit! Oh, and take a look at Steven E. Gordon's blog, he has some sweet Romy comissions! Well go on with the story!

Disclaimer: If I owned Marvel, you would all know that "scott" means "farm animals" in Russian.

Chapter 7.

When he holds you close, when he pulls you near
When he says the words you've been needing to hear
I'll wish I was him 'cause those words are mine
To say to you till the end of time

Jon Bon Jovi “Always”

We all hate mornings. But the X-men hate them even more because nearly every morning of an X-man began with a Danger Room session. Rogue cursed her alarm for waking her up at seven thirty AM on weekend. While getting herself ready, she remembered that apart from training the Acolytes she had to find herself something to wear for tonight’s prom. Hell, you don’t need to save the world to get a busy day.

“Like, who are you going with tonight?” Kitty asked innocently, combing her now short hair.

“Ummm… tell you later” the older girl replied grabbing her gloves and opening the door to leave. But Kitty followed her out.

“Do I know him?”

“Maybe” she wondered if anyone truly knew him.

“Must be totally hot” Shadowcat giggled. “Oh, hi Remy”.

“Hi Kitty” Gambit said politely, popping out of the room he shared with Pyro and joining them. “Rogue” he greeted.

“Remy” he smirked, noticing her tired face.

“You lookin’ sleepy, girl” she yawned in reply.

“Yeah, like, where have you been till midnight?” Kitty asked suspiciously.

“Ummm… watching Star Wars in the rec room” she murmured sending a killing look at Remy for bringing up the subject and hinting on them spending the evening chatting in the garden.

“Oh reeeeaaally?” Kitty narrowed her eyes. “Alone?”

“Yep”.

“What episode was it?”

“All of them”.

“On TV?”

“Uh-ha”.

“How did you--”

“Rogue, Kitty, hi” Scott yelled from the end of the boys wing and catching up with them. He, however, completely ignored Gambit. Not nice. Rogue would frown at that if Scott didn’t save her from Kitty. She hasn’t seen Star Wars. The other two Acolytes soon joined them, like Gambit wearing X-men uniforms.

Colossus had a sleeveless spandex one, an X across his chest, completed by knee high silver boots. Pyro was wearing a black spy costume brightened by dark orange gloves, goggles, boots and flamethrowers that, designed by the Beast, were made smaller and easier to use. Gambit had a simple black base costume like New Mutants did, without that stupid head-sock but with his silver knee high combat boots and a grey trenchcoat, a more elegant version of his own one. Fingerless gloves and silver belt with numerous pockets were new, too.

Rogue designed a very simple training session to test each Acolytes’ fighting skills. She paired the three boys with different X-men. The task was to get a red ribbon tied on the opponent: on arm, leg, neck or on belt. The first round was unarmed combat, second included powers. She had to say they were incredibly good fighters. Especially Gambit. Natural, Rogue thought, he was brought up this way. Pyro lost against her, Colossus – against Kurt and only Gambit got the ribbon from Jean’s wrist which made Cyclops boil.

“He’s good, isn’t he?” Kitty whispered to Scott.

“Yeah” the first leader of the X-men replied through gritted teeth.

“And Rogue seems to like him” she nodded at Rogue.

“Does she?”

“I’m almost certain”.

“Aaaand he?”

“I think so” Shadowcat giggled happily “This is totally sweet, isn’t it?”

“Just perfect” he admitted venomously.

Second round brought three draws as Rogue expected when she put Pyro against Iceman, Colossus against Shadowcat and Gambit against Cyclops. Due to their powers they could fight endlessly.

“Okay team, good work everyone” she then turned to her mentors who watched the whole training from the DR Command Center. “I hope you agree that Gambit, Pyro and Colossus might be included in the main team of X-men”. Xavier nodded, ignoring Wolverine’s grumbling.

“Congrats, X-men” she told her new teammates with an assuring smile.

When everybody headed to the door she found Gambit’s arm around her shoulders.

“You were impressive today” Rogue complimented.

“So were you, hon” he commented back, pulling her closer and whispering “You remember our perfect plan?” with the-don’t-tell-anyone grin.

“Sure I do. Can I take your bike, please? I needa get to the mall somehow”.

“Oh you’re not buying a dress without me”.

“What makes you think so, Cajun?”

“Just trust me, I used to be my sister in law’s personal stylist”.

“Didn’t know you have a brother”.

“Adoptive”.

“Oh”.

They didn’t notice Cyclops approaching them.

“Gambit” he called “For a minute please”.

“Sure” the older mutant raised his eyebrows “I’ll meet you at breakfast” he told Rogue.

“Okay” she freed herself from Remy’s embrace and headed downstairs.

They seemed to be the only ones left in Danger Room.

“Problem?” Gambit asked as nicely as he could.

“Not yet” Cyclops replied rudely and went up to him “But will surely be if you don’t leave Rogue alone!”

Creole sniffed in reply.

“And what if I don’t?”

“You’ll fly out of this school” Scott pointed at his rival with the index finger “What do you want from her?!”

“What a guy wants from a girl?” he teased.

Scott grabbed him by the trenchcoat and pressed against the wall.

“She’s not for you”.

“She’s for you, then?”

“What do you mean?” Scott sounded like he didn’t expect the question.

“C’mon, Cyclops, who are you kiddin’?” Remy laughed quietly while shaking Scott off. “You’re looking at her like you’ve just seen a celebrity. I bet you never treated her the way she deserves. I’m also pretty sure she used to look at you the way you look at her now. But now, that she’s changed, that so many people admire her and that she ignores you like you ignored her…you try to claim what never belonged to you”.

Rogue has noticed Scott’s sullen face at breakfast. Gambit was, on the contrary, relaxed. Kitty beside her looked if she was about to blow up with some news.

“What did he want from you?” she asked Remy.

“Nothing”.

“And what did you say to him?”

“Nothing” Kitty squeaked at his last words.

“Ooookay, whatever you say” she frowned still. He stood up.

“I’m waiting for you in the foyer”.

“Like, Lance, you won’t believe what I saw! Like, Cyclops threatened Gambit ‘cause Gambit likes Rogue, but Scott likes her too, and Gambit said--”

“What Gambit said?” Kitty looked up from her bed at a very angry Rogue. She had the murder machine in her hand – a phone.

“Ugh-- I’ll call you later, Lancey-Dancey”.

Lancey-Dancey?

“Rogue! I thought you’re in the mall already!”

“Forgot my jacket” she said lifting her eyebrow.

“Forgive meeeee!” Kitty whined, falling to her knees “I just couldn’t help myself! The were talking and I half-phased myself through the door!”

“’Kay, relax, I’m not gonna eat you” she helped her stand up. “What actually happened between those two?”

“Well Scott…” the girl retold the conversation without dropping a single detail. “’But now, that she’s changed, that so many people admire her and that she ignores you like you ignored her you try to claim what never belonged to you’ Isn’t it sweet?”

“Totally. I’m gonna talk with them tomorrow. Gotta go, Rem’s waiting for me”.

“I called a friend of mine who’s a huge Star Wars fan and he said there was no translation yesterday night and he never misses any!” Kitty blurted out fastly. Rogue was speechless. Part at her was mad at Kitty while the other tried hard no to laugh at the young detective. “I’ve seen you stare at him when we played Twister yesterday and this sweater’s totally not yours!” she pointed on Remy’s blue sweater on Rogue’s bed.

“Look, I--”

“You like him, don’t you?”

“He’s my teammate, of course I--”

“You know what I mean! Do you like him as a guy?”

Here it was. She had to say something. Couldn’t escape the question. Kitty froze with a winning look on her face that clearly said ‘gotcha’.

“Look, Kit. I don’t know. Honestly. He’s nice and stuff. I certainly like him as a friend because yesterday I didn’t watch Star Wars. We were talking in the garden… you happy now?”

“Awww, Rogue” Kitty hugged her friend carefully. “I like it so much when you’re sincere!”

“I think I can choose myself a dress”.

“This is what you think”.

“Pardon me, maestro”.

“You may be forgiven”.

They were in a pretty casual shop. Among the line of nothing outstanding Remy pulled out a simple but elegant tankless black dress with a Marilyn Monroe style light skirt.

“You try this” he gave her the dress “And I’ll be right back”.

The dress fit perfectly. It was short and stylish, although opened too much skin. I need gloves.

“You look stunning” Remy returned with a present – a pair of long and thin golden gloves. “Happy belated birthday, by the way”.

Rogue smiled warmly. She decided to save her claims for later. Why spoil a good evening?

“You look stunning!” Kitty breathed out as she finished Rogue’s make-up.

“Thanks” Two people: stunning.

Most inhabitants of Xavier’s Institute were in the rec room watching some movie when Rogue entered. Scott’s jaw dropped. Bobby whistled. Jean seemed to be impressed.

Dressed in a short black dress with golden gloves and heeled shoes. She had two colorful peacock’s feathers in her ears and one more as a necklace, the Rogue gave an impression of an Eqyptian princess, especially with long straightened auburn hair and white fringe.

“Rogue!.. You’re amazing!” Scott managed to murmur. One person: amazing.

“Damn hot” John agreed with a smirk. One person: hot.

“Bon soir ” Gambit walked in the room after her and took her gloved hand in his. Dressed loose style, he was wearing a designer black leather tuxedo with a golden tie that matched her accessories. He shaved off his beard to appear younger. “Pardonez-nous, we’re gonna be late”.

“But… you can’t go with him!” Jean objected.

“Why not? The deal was to get a date, no matter if it’s my teammate or schoolmate” Rogue said cockily.

“I’m not giving you money!” Rogue shrugged her shoulders.

“Whatever”.

And they left the room as if Jean was unworthy of their priceless time.

“Did I mention that you look sweeter than ever tonight?” He opened the front door for her.

“You’re not bad yourself, Remy”.

Remy: sweeter than ever.

A/N: Well, I've spent all day on it. See? It's long! BUT that doesn't mean it's better! Flame me and blame me! R&R please, I know it's not perfect, but you can help it! And thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I'll try to update before I leave to the US.