Chapter three

Let's Give Them Something To Talk About

Kitty sat Indian style on Jean's bed, her eyes moving from Jean, who was sitting on the floor, to Tabitha who was leaning against the door, to Amara who was also sitting in the floor, along with Jubilee, and finally to Betsy. Each girl glanced from one another before glancing at the door. There was only one girl missing from this little meeting, and all the girls wanted to keep it that way. Rogue didn't need to know about anything until they had figured things out first.

People are talking, talking bout people

"Alright," Jean started and all eyes turned to her. She glanced at everyone and took a deep breath. "This is what I think. I think I'm sick and tired of seeing Rogue all alone." All heads nodded in unison. "So…I think we should do something about it."

"Like what?" Kitty asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not like Rogue can have a boyfriend, love," Betsy added.

"Yea," Amara joined in. "She can't touch anyone. Remember?"

Jean huffed. "We all know that. But the thing is, she's so worried about hurting people she won't let anyone, not even Kurt, near her. Now we all know we can touch Rogue, as long as she's clothed. But everyone still flinches away from her and tries to avoid contact. Even me." Everyone looked down.

"But…there's someone who doesn't." All eyes looked up and Kitty giggled.

"Gambit!" she cried. Jean shushed her and glanced toward the door.

& & &

Remy LeBeau had his mind made up. One way or another, he was going to get Rogue to pay attention to him. She had been avoiding him since the Truth or Dare game and, frankly, he'd had enough. She was proving to be more of a challenge than he had originally thought though, because for the moment, after two hours of searching, he still couldn't find her.

He huffed and mumbled to himself as he headed down the hall. "How hard's it to find one little femme in dis place?"

That's when he heard it. "GAMBIT!" His head jerked around and he stared at the closed door. That sounded like Kitty. Why was she shrieking his name? And why was she in Jean's room? He walked silently toward that door and pressed his ear against it.

I hear them whisper, you won't believe it.

& & &

"But Rogue can't touch anybody!" Amara announced for the second time. Jean rolled her eyes.

"Look, Gambit is the only guy in the entire institute who doesn't shy away from her powers. And honestly, he's the only guy, other than Bobby, who's really even giving her any attention. Besides, they're perfect for each other."

"How's that?" Jubilee asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"Think about it, she's untouchable. Because of that, she draws into herself and closes the rest of us out. She needs someone…someone like Gambit. But he's a player who's use to jumping into bed with whatever walks by. He wouldn't be able to with Rogue…so they'd cure each other, so to speak."

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Remy gawked at that. He did not jump into bed with whatever walked by! He glared at the door and debated on whether or not he should turn away, but he was too interested to leave, no matter what they were saying about him.

"So why not just let them figure it out for themselves?" Betsy asked.

"Yeah, for all we know, they already have a relationship." Jubilee stated.

Remy grinned at that.

They think were lovers, kept under covers.

"That's like, not possible. Rogue can't stand him." Remy frowned at that. Why not? What had he done to deserve her mistrust? He ignored it and continued listening.

I just ignore it, but they keep saying

"If Rogue doesn't like him, then why are we even doing this?"

"Because," Jean sounded irritated. "She does like him."

"How do you know?"

"Just look at them. How many people do you know that can make her laugh…at all?"

Kitty's voice echoed in the room, "Yeah, she totally laughs when I tell her about Gambit and Bobby and their stupid bets."

Stupid? He frowned.

We laugh just a little too loud.

"And…"Jean continued, "Who else does she let get near her like that? She barely even flinches anymore around him, only when he tries something. Otherwise, she doesn't flinch when he moves around her. She even flinches near Logan. Remember this morning? All he did was reach for some butter and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Watch her sometime. She moves away from people unconsciously. But not Gambit. They were standing beside each other this morning, getting coffee, and she didn't move at all."

We stand just a little too close.

"Oh…" Amara interrupted. "Did you see them at the breakfast table?"

"Yeah, totally. Rogue was, like, completely ignoring me. I had to call her name, like three times before she'd look away from him. But when I asked, she blew it off."

We stare just a little too long.

Remy smiled as he listened. So maybe chere did like him. Maybe all of his efforts weren't being wasted. Besides, they did know her better than he did. That was something he definitely wanted to change.

Maybe they're seeing, something we don't, darlin.

& & &

"So what's the plan?" Jubilee asked, leaning forward a little. Jean frowned at that.

"Well first we have to get Gambit to see how much Rogue really likes him, that way he won't give up. Then we have to get Rogue to start trusting Gambit. I guess we'll work from there."

She turned to Kitty. "You have to talk to Rogue, take Betsy and see what you can find out. Watch her and him for a while before you pounce though. Get some ammo before you go accusing her of liking him. Convince her to give him a shot."

Then she turned to Jubilee and Amara, "You two have to talk to Bobby. Ask him what he knows about Gambit, and how much he actually likes Rogue. If this is just a game, God help him cause God's gona be the only one that can help him when I get done with him. Talk to Kurt to, since they are roommates."

& & &

Gambit was grinning from ear to ear. He heard the girls leaping to their feet so he jumped back and took four steps backwards before pretending to start walking. The door opened and he glanced at it. All girls froze in the doorway and he raised an eyebrow. "Bonjour, petites." He greeted and continued on down the hall, he hid the grin that wanted to spread over his face when he heard, "Do you think he heard us?"

"No, he was just passing through."

The grin found its way to his face though as he turned down the second corridor and caught a glimpse of Rogue heading into the rec room. He gracefully swung around the corner and leaned against the doorframe. She was just sitting down in the large lounge chair, sinking into it, and opening her book. For a brief moment he debated on whether or not he wanted to interrupt her book. Giving in, he sauntered toward her chair, as silently as he could, and leaned over the back to read the first line of her book.

"What you reading, chere?"

Rogue jumped and leapt out of the chair. She spun toward him, hands on hips, and glared at him. Remy fought the urge to laugh. "Jesus, Remy, tryin ta give me a heart attack?" she demanded. He shook his head and leaned forward, crossing his arms on the top of the chair.

"Non, just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat" she informed him. He shook his head.

"Good ting Remy's not a cat, den."

She huffed and crossed her arms. "What da ya want, swamp rat?" Remy raised an eyebrow at the nickname but chose to ignore it.

"Just passing through, chere. Noticed you were in here so I thought I'd drop in."

"Ya dropped in. Now can ya leave?"

He frowned. "Why de hostility, chere?"

She didn't reply for a moment and then glared at him. "You interrupted my reading!" She accused. He grinned. She couldn't come up with a good excuse why she didn't like him. So it was just a front.

He rose slowly and moved around the chair toward her, expecting her to adjust to the distance by backing up. She didn't, and his grin widened. "Remy tink you like him, chere."

Lets give them something to talk about

She gawked at him. "What the hell makes ya think that, swamp rat?"

Remy moved closer to her, she didn't move away. Maybe the girls were right. "In fact, Remy knows you like him."

Lets give them something to talk about

"Remy needs to have his brain checked." She mocked but he continued grinning. He moved forward again, so that he could reach out for her, and this time she did back up. They continued walking slowly until she was back against the wall and he was leaning forward on his hands which were on ether side of her.

Lets give them something to talk about

"Remy, don't make me drop ya." She warned. Remy grinned down at her.

"Come on, chere. Just admit it."

She rolled her eyes. "I was taught never to lie, swamp rat. Now move or I'll drop ya where ya stand." He ignored her and, huffing, she pulled the glove off her hand and raised her hand to eye level with his face. His eyes widened and he took a step back, freeing her enough so that she could leave, but standing in her way so she couldn't.

Storm cleared her throat behind them and both jumped. "Lunch is ready." She informed them, raising her eyebrows. Both watched as she disappeared, mumbling something about teenage love.

How about love?

Rogue moved around him and, still grinning, Remy followed. Together they entered the dinning room, where all of the conspirators glanced up at them, then at each other, passing silent messages.

Remy grabbed his plate and sat down between Kurt and Bobby. Rogue sat down across from her brother and was picking at her food. Remy shook his head. "It's not dat bad." He promised, eating a spoonful of his own food. She rolled her eyes.

"Rogue barely eats anything." Kurt whispered. Remy frowned. That's not good. He turned his attention away from her and talked to Bobby.

"I believe you owe moi some money, Ice cube." Bobby frowned.

"For what?" he demanded. Remy pointed with his fork toward Jean and Scott, who were both grinning at each other and then blushing. Kurt's eyes widened.

"You bet on Jean and Scott sleeping together?"

Remy nodded, and held out his hand to Bobby.

"Aw man" he mumbled as he fished in his pocket for the money. Gambit caught a held in laugh and glanced toward Rogue, who was grinning but looking down at her food.

I feel so foolish, I never noticed.

She seemed to sense that he was staring at her because she kept shifting in her chair and tucking the white strand of hair behind her head.

You'd act so nervous; could you be falling for me?

Remy took the money from Bobby and grinned. He glanced down the table at Jubilee and Kitty who glanced at Rogue, and then back at him. He would pay to know what they were thinking, and he would pay even more to hear what they were going to tell Rogue. He grinned. He might get a date out of this after all.

It took a rumor, to make me wonder.

Besides, it wasn't like he didn't like Rogue. She was more than a challenge now…wasn't she? He shrugged. Well no turning back now that the girls were involved.

Now I'm convinced, I'm going under.

Maybe if she agreed to go on a date, he could get it over with and stop thinking about her every waking minute. It was bad enough that she lived with him, but he just couldn't get her off his mind, no matter what he tried. Maybe if they went on a date his conscience would move on to another girl and he could go one day without thinking about her.

Thinking bout you every day

And if that wasn't bad enough, he'd been dreaming about her as well. Her beautiful voice, the way her clothes showed off her curves, what that beautiful skin felt like. He'd woken many nights and glanced next to him in bed, expecting to see Rogue curled up under the covers with him. Maybe if they went on a date, he'd get some peaceful sleep.

Dreaming bout you every night

He glanced across the table at her and her gaze moved to Kurt. She'd been watching him. He grinned and then a thought hit him. What if the girls were wrong, what if she didn't like him, or want to date him. What if she really couldn't stand him? But that didn't seem right. They'd given reasons why she liked him. And they had been right, he'd tested them. So why was he doubtful?

Hoping that you feel the same way

Well she knew that he liked her, and he was almost positive she liked him, so what was left to figure out? All he had to do was get her to agree to go on one date. One little date. And then everything would be fine.

Now that we know it, let's really show it, darlin.

Lunch ended quickly and Remy followed Rogue out of the dinning room. After a few moments of ignoring him she spun around to face him and once again put her hands on her hips. "Can I help you?" She demanded. He grinned.

Let's give them something to talk about

"Oui, chere. You could go on a date wit moi."

She gawked at him. "What in God's green earth makes you think I want to go on a date with you, swamp rat?"

Remy grinned at her. "Remy has his sources."

"Well then Remy needs to get new ones cause they aren't very good." She spun away from him and started up the stairs. He glanced around and noticed Jamie and Sam sending them curious glances and whispering.

A little mystery to figure out.

"Come on, chere! What do you have to lose?"

Rogue stopped at the top of the stairs and spun around toward him. "A lot…everything!" she defended, then frowned. "Go find someone else ta bother."

Remy stepped up a few more stairs and shook his head. "Don't want anyone else. I want you, chere."

Her eyes seemed to widen and for the first time Remy caught a glimpse of the frail, yet hopeful, girl that Rogue kept locked inside. She was there alright, but gone just as quickly as she had appeared.

"I'll think about it," she answered. Remy had already opened his mouth to make a come back and promptly shut it.

"What?" he asked, as did two other people behind him. He didn't dare glanced back to see who it was.

Let's give them something to talk about.

"I said I'd think about it. Now back off!" And with that she spun away from him and stormed up the stairs. For a moment he stood rooted where he was, still trying to wrap his brain around her answer. She hadn't said no…although she hadn't said yes either. Still…it was a start. He grinned and headed up the stairs to his own room. He had a lot of planning to do.

How about love, love, love, love?

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Alright ya'll, next chapter should be up quick. Sorry this one took so long. I was running low on inspiration. SO read and Review please! Hoped you enjoyed!