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Love conquers all. - Sleeping Beauty

"Finally a good story." "Yes,This is my favorite so far." "Tell me honestly. Is the guy in the library your dream man?" "Mabey. You are my best friend but I do have secrets." "What secrets?" "A secret is something you don't tell you." "Is one of your secrets that guy romm the pet store?" "How do you know about that?" "All of the United States knows." "Overstatement." "Alright how about the entire neighborhood." "I hate small towns."

Against the odds By Beth and Adam

The day was unusually warm for a spring day in Westchester New York. The sun was shining brightly and itÕs shimmering reflection on the lake looked like a miracle in itself . Only a few fluffy clouds hung angelically in the sky. Heather Nightengale was sitting quietly in one of the many large trees surrounding the mansions lake. She was reading The Bell Jar. She contemplaited the authors life and had been saved but still ended up destroying herself in the end. Could this be her fate? She was there because of the serenity the lake offered. She needed time to get away from the stresses of being an x-man. Heather was in her early twenties. She had reddish brown hair and brown eyes. She always wore dark clothes that unremittingly matched her demeaner. The shadows of her past were sure to catch up with her eventually. Although being an x-man had itÕs problems but never a day went by that she wasnÕt greatful to John for bringing her here. She had only arrived at the x-mansion a few weeks ago but it already felt like home. Suddenly she heard two voices. She crawled a little further out on the branch so she could get a better look. It was Gambit and Rogue. Remy Lebeau a.k.a. Gambit was a tall man who was in his late had hair about the same shade as HeatherÕs. His eyes were red on had a slight cajun accent. Nightengale had met Gambit the day she arrived at the mansion. She hadnÕt liked him to begin with but she liked him even less when DNA tests proved that he was her biological brother. Rogue was a young woman in her mid twenties. She had long red hair with a skunktail through it. Her eyes were emerald green. She was without question the saddest of the x-men because her mutant ability prevented her from ever having physical contact with liked Rogue alright. She was friendly. Gambit had his arm around Rogues waist. They stood staring into the lake just gazing at the reflection. It brilliantly reflected the surrounding forest. Finally he turned to gloved fingers caressed her kissed his fingers and then touched them to her lips. Rogue smiled at this but her eyes shown saddness. The saddness of a woman who wanted to touch his face,his fingers,and his lips. Heather marveled at her had always been able to read people accurately. However she realized she had misjudged her brother. She had never yet met a man, with the exeption of John,who didnÕt want a woman for her seemed to love Rogue though he had no hope of ever kissing her let alone having sex with her. What really amazed her was how much of a gentleman he was. His eyes and hands never left her couldnÕt believe any man was that had certainly never met any. HeatherÕs attention turned to obviously loved this also trusted him. Heather had never loved a man but she had resented trust a man was irrational. Men are snakes who slither into your lives and take all you course Heather had always had very negative experiences in the men department. She continued to watch as Gambit and Rogue talked. She couldnÕt really hear what they were saying but she could tell it was about Rogues powers. Rogue had always felt she was a lousey girlfriend because she couldnÕt give Gambit the pleasures every man told her not to worry about it and that he didnÕt need what the other men needed. He only needed her love. Her heart. Rogue began to cry. This is the test. Heather thought. Gambit will probly get annoyed with her like any man might even hit her. Heather had been hit before by men annoyed with her emotions. Gambit pulled Rogue close and held her. He stood silently with her in his arms for a few wished he could take the pain away from her. As much as he longed to kiss her,to touch her,he could live without that. He needed only her. Gambit then proceeded to crack a laughed. He took her hand and they went back into the house. Heather attempted to continue reading however she found it increasingly difficult as her thoughts drifted back to what she had just couldnÕt get them out of her mind.A strange thought crossed her mind. Perhaps she could help maybe she could save their love and fix RogueÕs knew she had to speak to Xavier.

ÒMay I speak with you?Ó Heather asked. ÒWhat can I do for you child?Ó Professor Xavier answered. ÒIÕd like to read RogueÕs file.Ó ÒThatÕs confidential information.Ó ÒPlease let me. I think I can help her.I donÕt know how but I just have this feeling.Ó ÒI do believe your right.IÕll get the file.Ó

ÒJohn I need your help with something.Ó ÒWho did you kill? Gambit? Warren? Please say it wasnÕt Cyclopse.ÓJohn joked. ÒAs much as I would like to I have thus far refrained from killing any of them.Ó ÒAlright ,what can I do for you?Ó ÒI need your help in the danger room. I need to find something out.Ó ÒYou want help from the guy who couldnÕt figure out how to use the tracker on his computer.Ó ÒYou trust my cooking and I trust your use of electronics.Ó ÒNeed I remind you when the last time you cooked for me was?Ó ÒPlease.ÓShe said bringing her hands to his shoulders giving him a seductive her puppy dog voice. ÒHeather,please knock it off. I hate when you do that.Ó ÒSorry,old habits die help me.Ó ÒDo I get an explanation?Ó ÒCan we recreate powers in the danger room?Ó ÒYes. Whose power do I need to recreate?Ó ÒRogueÕs. Intensify it at least by half. More if you can.Ó ÒWhy.Ó ÒI think I can figure out how to help her.Ó ÒYour gonna try and see if you can become imune to her powers. That is could get killed. The danger room isnÕt a game.Ó ÒJohn, you have to trust me.ÓShe said gently. ÒI know how to do that.ÓJohn sighed. He never could say no to her. Ò it up. You got time now.Ó ÒSuppose I have plans?ÓJohn joked. ÒRemember that IÕve held a knife to your throat once before. IÕm not afraid to do it again.ÓHeather teased.

Heather walked slowly down the long hallway towards the rec had been right. She knew how to make RogueÕs powers unaffective. In the rec room Wolverine and Gambit were playing a game of pool. The short little man had just shot the eight ball into the left side had made a twenty dollar bet. At this point Wolverine was winning. ÒI need to steal my brother for a moment.Ó ÒYou ready to quit yet cajun?Ó ÒIÕll be returning in a minute to beat your sorry...Ó ÒCome on. I need to talk to you.ÓHeather said. She pulled Gambit out of the room and into the hallway. ÒYou can touch Rogue.Ó Heather whispered. ÒI knew you were a little crazy since you came here but now I think your nuts.Ó ÒListen to me.I recreated her powers in the danger had no effect on me.I wishI could teach Rogue but I only know how to work as the toucher not the one being touched..Do you want my help or not?Ó ÒThis might look bad. My sister teaching me to touch my girlfriend.Ó ÒEveryone knows we hate eachother.Ó ÒThen how are you going to be able to stand training canÕt even stand to be in the same room IÕm in.Ó ÒIf you donÕt want to learn just tell me. I do have better things to do.Ó ÒI do want to learn. If youÕll teach me.Ó ÒFirst I need you to understand some things and agree to a few simple rules.Ó ÒSuch as?Ó ÒYou canÕt tell her until youÕve completed training to my level of approval.Ó ÒWhat is your level of approval?Ó ÒWhen the second you see her you unconciously block her powers. When you can do this without thinking you can tell her.Ó ÒI can live with that. Anything else.Ó ÒThis is actually more of a request is for that Rogue is a human being. She can her in the highest respect. Never ask her to do anything youÕll both regret. A man can destroy a woman.Ó Heather said wiping the tears from her eyes. ÒWhat was done to you?Ó Gambit asked tenderly taking her hand. ÒI canÕt tell you. IÕm sorry.ÓShe cried. ÒTell me when your ready. IÕm here for you. IÕm your big brother.Ó ÒI will tell you. You should know I have many things you canÕt ever know about me.Ó ÒI know a man hurt you. I know you were brought here so you could heal.I know you donÕt trust me or any other man. If I knew who he was I would kill him for hurting you.Ó ÒThank you.Ó She said giving him a hug. ÒFriends?Ó ÒFamily.Ó

*** Gambit and Nightengale had been working long hours every day. TheyÕd been working now for three times Gambit had felt his work was good enough but Heather had forced him to the next level. Though she wasnÕt known for her patience she made a good times Gambit had been glad Jedi was would get frusterated with him but Jedi seemed to always have a calming effect,like a hot bubble bath at the end of a difficult day. It was almost September. They had finished working for the day. Heather had gone outside to swim. John had decided to join her. Gambit planned to spend the whole day with Rogue. He invited her for a picnic. The day was warm with a gentle breeze blowing. Rogue was absolutely beautiful. She was wearing blue jeans and long sleeved robin egg blue shirt. Her hair was pulled back into a pony tail. Gambit wished he could reach out and touch knew he couldnÕt or his sister would kill him but it took great strength to fight the urge. ÒYouÕve been busy. IÕve missed you.ÓRogue told him. ÒOui ,tres occupe.Ó ÒYouÕve been in the danger room.Ó ÒOuiÓ ÒYou werenÕt working with Wolverine. What have you been doing?Ó ÒIÕve been working on a little project. IÕm sorry but I canÕt tell you anything else.Ó ÒWhy.Ó ÒI just canÕt. ItÕs a secret.Ó ÒHavenÕt we learned yet what secrets can do to relationships?Ó ÒTrust me on this. IÕll tell as soon as I can.Ó ÒNot if I can find out first.Ó

That evening John and Heather sat,in his room, discussing the project. She was seated on his bed. He was stretching beside her. He kicked off his shoes. ÒYour feet smell.Ó ÒIÕm not putting the shoes back on.Ó ÒAlright,you got any better suggestions?Ó ÒTake off your shoes and it will even out the smell.Ó ÒRight IÕm just gonna take off...Ó Heather was cut off by Iceman entering. ÒCan I watch.ÓBobby joked. Heather took a deep breath so she wouldnÕt rip his throat out. ÒWhat do you want?ÓJohn said asked ignoring Icemans comment to Heather. ÒSome of the guys are going out. You want to join us Jedi?Ó ÒWhere you going?Ó ÒIÕd rather not say in front of know women. They get upset about every little thing.Ó ÒHeather,will you step outside for a moment?Ó ÒI should probably go back to my room. See you whan you get back.ÓHeather said slamming the door behind her.

Heather was seated on the floor. She leaned against the bed as she read The Honorable Imposter. ÒHeather,can I come in?Ó John was the only person brave enough to come to her room without backup. ÒItÕs unlocked.Ó John entered wasnÕt really afraid that Heather would cause him physical harm. He had just learned to be cautious in her vicinity. Especially when she was mad at him. ÒYou okay?Ó ÒWhy do you ask?Ó ÒYou seemed upset when you left.Ó ÒWhere are the guys going?Ó Heather asked coldly. ÒIÕm not going with them.Ó ÒGo,have fun.Ó ÒYou know where they are going,donÕt you.Ó ÒÕs alright. You should go and enjoy yourself.Ó ÒHeather,IÕm not going.ÓJohn sat down beside her. ÒDonÕt let me hold you back.ÓShe stared at her feet . She felt so guilty. ÒHeather.ÓHe said lifting her chin with his finger so she would look him in the eye.ÓI donÕt want to arenÕt holding me taught me something girls at that place are being hurt just like youÕve been hurt.I wonÕt be responsible for that. Men like Bobby donÕt have any respect for themselves let alone anyone else.I know what youÕve been through and I can never look at a woman in the way they do.Ó ÒSometimes I just worry IÕm to dependant on you.I worry that by being here I may ruin your life.Ó ÒI could never be happier to have you here. Someone has to keep me in line.Ó ÒI donÕt keep you from hanging with the guys?Ó ÒNo more than I keep you from the girls. Besides,Iceman wouldnÕt be my first choice to hang out with.Ó He said then kissed her forehead gently. ÒIÕm sorry.Ó ÒYou never would have forgiven me if IÕd gone.Ó ÒProbly not.Ó Heather laughed.

Nightengale was reading in the living walked in. ÒNightengale. What is this top secret danger room project you and Gambit are working on.Ó ÒHeÕs been helping me with something. If you promise not to tell anyone IÕll show you.Ó Heather telepathically called to John. She instucted him to put in the decoy they had decided to use. They entered the danger room and the door locked. The room appeared to be an ordinary street corner.A men wearing a blue cardigan headed towards them. Heather reached out and touched the mans face. Her hands glowed black as did the mans colapsed. Laying on the floor unmoving. Dead. Rogue took a deep breath. She wasnÕt sure what to think of this.Ó ÒI still canÕt effect alpha mutants. IÕm not sure why.ÓHeather said turned around quickly and left the room.

It was now December. Christmas was only a weeks away. It still hadnÕt snowed. The weather was only slightly cold. This was partially due to Storm who was in a very good mood. When asked what was so great she claimed her and Forge had had a wonderful weekend. That may be true but great sex only lasts so long. Gambit and Heather worked harder than ever. They had been in the danger room for hours every day. Finally the day theyÕd all been waiting for arrived. ÒYouÕve done great. Your training is you want to tell her you can.ÓHeather told him. ÒI have to makeit a perfect has to be special.Ó Gambit said quietly.

Christmas preparations were made. Stockings were hung. The tree was decorated. Shopping lists were made. The smell of baking food saturated the girls were busy cooking. The guys sneaking into the kitchen for a taste before dinner. Two years ago John had visited Heather at Christmas. She had never celebrated it before. He wasnÕt much of a holiday person but he still managed to light up her life at that very special time of had decorated cookies and he had taught her Christmas she could again share Christmas with him.

Xavier was in the library showing the newest x-man Hawk was a young man. Only about had short brown hair and grey eyes. HeÕd chosen the codename Apollo because of his great love for mythology. ÒWeÕre glad you could be here with us this holiday.ÓXavier told the young man. Heather entered. She went over to a shelf on the far end and took an old blue hard covered she exited. She aparently hadnÕt seen them. Apollo had been watching in amusement the whole time. Apollo turned to Xavier. ÒWho was that radiant creature?Ó ÒHer name is Heather Nightengale.Ó ÒWho does she belong to?Ó ÒShe doesnÕt have a boyfriend.Ó ÒThis Aphrodite has no love? How can this be?Ó ÒHer big brother is Gambit. Her very protective best friend is the man acurately known as men find her beauty not worth the risk of life and reproductive organs. Not to mention she is a bit fiesty.Ó ÒI live dangerously.Ó ÒYou want me to introduce you?Ó ÒWould you.Ó ÒYou can work with her in the danger room. From there your on your own.Ó

Christmas eve lights had been turned off in the parlor so that the brilliantly lit tree could illuminate the room. The rest of that floor was illuminated soley by candles. Gambit and Rogue entered the parlor. He stopped in the doorway. When he saw her questioning look he looked toward the mistletoe hanging above took a step away. ÒYou know I canÕt.Ó Rogue whispered. Gambit took her gloved hand and kissed it. She smiled. He led her over to the couch.

Christmas was a very new experience for were exchanged. A large dinner was guys had offered to do dishes which was imediately exepted. Nightengale decided the only way sheÕd get any peace and quiet was to go outside. She climbed into the tree overlooking the planned to watch the was no more serene thing. As the sky turned itÕs brillant colors HeatherÕs attention turned toward the two people who appeared. ÒRogue,I need to show you something. Close your eyes. DonÕt open them until I tell you.Ó Gambit whispered. Rogue closed her eyes. Gambit brought his lips to hers and he put his arms around her tried to pull away but he held her to him she realized not one of his memories had crept into her mind she relaxed and began to passionately kiss him brought her arms around his neck. This was a sensation Rogue had desired for as long as she could Gambit it was a chance to give the woman he loved what no one else could. Finally their lips was smiling. Tears ran down her didnÕt know what to say. Gambit watched her face. Her took his finger and brushed away her tears. He took off her glove dropping it to the ground. He ran his hand over closed her eyes to get the whole sensation of his touch. ÒMerry Christmas Rogue.Ó ÒHow?Ó ÒMy sister taught me actually. Thats what we were doing in the danger room. ThatÕs why I couldnÕt tell you.I donÕt know how she knew what to do but she taught me.Ó ÒIÕll have to thank her when I see her.Ó At that moment John came out and yelled. ÒHey Heather, Xavier wants to talk to you.Ó Nightengale blushing for having invaded such a private moment climbed down from the really felt embaressed. However of all the moments she could have witnessed she was glad sheÕd seen this one.

THE END

Now that Gambit and Heather have become close will she find that an older brother isn't all it's cracked up to be. How will Gambit and John react when Heather begins to show interest in a if anyone has any suggestions for Apollos powers we can use the help.