Queen of Hearts

Chapter Eleven: Escape

*    ~    *

    The Professor turned to the bed she was sitting on. "Now Rogue..."

    She groaned, looking down at her robe. "Can't Ah at least get dressed first?"

    "That seems fair enough," Xavier agreed. "Please come down to the study when you are done and ready to talk about what happened and the consequences of your actions."

    "His actions," she snapped bitterly. "Ah don't remember givin' him an invitation t' just come up without a warnin'."

    "Very well," he replied. "We shall await your arrival."

    Storm and Wolverine nodded and followed the professor out of the room. Rogue didn't miss the accusing glare she received from Logan and the wordless declaration of disappointment Ororo projected with an arched brow. Storm closed the door behind her and Rogue collapsed on her bed with a loud thud.

    "Just mah luck," she said with a heavy sigh. She smiled, though, despite her anger at the present situation and, more importantly, Gambit. "Stupid Cajun..."

*    ~    *

    "Table for two, Rasputin," Piotr, or Peter as Kitty had found the American variation of his Russian name easier to pronounce, supplied the host.

    The balding man checked his list and smiled. "Ah, yes, Mr-" The man frowned, obviously trying to remember how Peter pronounced his surname. Sighing, he continued on, butchering it. "Rassputtin... right this way."

    Kitty smiled to Peter as the man shuffled two menus together in his hands and led them to a table by the fireplace. "This is sure romantic," she admitted with a blush as the two took their seats. "I have no idea how you got reservations here and, like, on such short notice, too..."

    He flashed her a goofy grin in return. "It was no trouble, Katherine. I'm glad you like this place. Remy suggested it to me."

    She rolled her eyes. He could've at least humored me into thinking that he was this romantic- naturally, she thought annoyed. She looked over at her date and smiled warmly. "Well, I'm glad you asked me," she said flirtatiously, causing Peter to blush slightly. Peter Pure Heart, she thought with an inward laugh.

    "Yeah, well, I'm just glad you accepted," he replied shyly. An awkward pause hung between the two, and Peter cleared his throat. "Um, we should decide our orders, shouldn't we?"

    Kitty nodded, suddenly aware of his awkwardness. Aww... he's nervous, she thought as a smile slowly crept on her lips. He's so different than Lance... so sweet and insightful. She absentmindedly reached for a menu, but she caught Peter's hand instead, who grabbed for the menu at the same time. He jerked it back a little, and immediately grabbed a menu to hide under.

    "You don't have to be, like, so nervous," she said.

    He looked up from his menu, startled. "I'm not nervous..."

    "Oh please," she said stubbornly. Kitty locked eyes with him, but he looked away. Her hazel eyes searched for him again. She giggled and he averted his gaze, embarrassed. "I think it's sweet."

    Peter smiled. "I think you're sweet."

    She giggled again. "Aww... is Petey coming out of his shell?" Kitty teased.

    He rolled his eyes, but smiled in spite of her mocking. He looked back at his menu. He had no clue what most of the food was- it was all in Italian. Kitty, likewise, was absolutely clueless.

    "Where's the normal stuff, like Spaghetti or Fettuccini Alfredo?" she scratched her head, and Peter had to stifle a laugh at the action. "I guess this isn't the Olive Garden."

    "That it is not," he agreed with a grin.

    The waiter came to take their orders, and Peter opened his mouth to ask for the special. Something, however, interrupted him. Kitty paled considerably at the ordeal.

    "Lance, this is soooo romantic," a busty blonde gushed, practically dragging a brown and shaggy haired boy to the table across from Kitty and Piotr. "You're so getting something in return for this," she told him seductively.

    "I hope so, Michelle, after a-" he replied with a grin, but he stopped talking when he turned to face the neighboring table. Lance's smile faded. "Kitty."

    She blinked. "Lance."

*    ~    *

    Xavier folded his hands across his lap. "Since you are here, I feel I must get straight to the point. I cannot ignore another mess caused by this boy you seem so fond of. We have ignored this problem for far too long. I should have stepped in from day one and stated my opinion about this relationship of yours."

    "Which is?” Rogue asked sourly.

    He paused, thinking of the best way to put it without upsetting her. "I do not think it is healthy to befriend a member of the team which we oppose. It did not work out for Kitty and I do not think it will work for you. Logan has already received a bad impression of your Cajun friend, and tonight’s fiasco did not help to counter that notion. Gambit is part of Magneto's team, and his presence here is a threat to our security."

    Rogue narrowed her eyes. "'It didn't work f'r Kitty? That's a lie an you know it! Lance an her were just fine! An now she's datin' Colossus, who happens t' be on the same Gambit's on, an you haven't lifted one Gawd damned finger in protest!"

    "Rogue!" Ororo gasped, shocked at the girl's outburst.

    "Why is it so different with Gambit an me?" she demanded.

   Logan growled. "I'll tell ya why ya can't see him," he snapped. "I can smell his type a mile away. He's nothing but trouble an he ain't gonna put you in any more of the situations he's put ya in if I have anything t' say about it."

    Storm put a hand on Rogue's shoulder. The girl only shrugged it away. "Look, child, we understand that you like this boy, and we are not punishing you for that fact. It is just that... well... why did you not tell us that you were seeing him?"

    "Who the hell gave ya any right t' carry around like mah mother?"

    Ororo blinked in surprise, obviously hurt. She sighed. Rogue opened her mouth to apologize for the rude comment, but she cut her off. "Whether you like it or not, we are the only family you have," Storm replied coldly. "And now we are only concerned about your well fare."

    She made a face. "We were just friends!"

    "And now you've grown to be something more," Xavier concluded. "Which is not a good thing."

    "Why?" she asked stubbornly. “'Cause ah like him? Or 'cause he may be a danger t' the team? None of it makes any sense! Why didn't ya say somethin' before if ya thought it was a bad idea?"

    Hank cleared his throat. "We theorized, based on your former disagreeable manner, that the topic of question would be boast the preeminent product if we did not comprise ourselves in it. Though as of late we concluded to mediate in order to cease your lackadaisical behavior."

    Ororo nodded, having some how understood every word of gibberish Beast just spoke. "Yes, a week or so ago, you were gone all night and came back at six in the morning. It was also quite obvious to most of the students that you had been drinking. Gambit led you to completely ignore the institute rules, not to mention U.S. laws, and although Logan may have believed you the rest of us knew the truth."

    "You mean you all knew Stripes was seeing this creep and ya didn't tell me?" Wolverine shouted.

    "My esteemed colleagues and I didn't wish to cause you dismay," Hank replied.

    He growled and manifested his adamantium claws. "What?!"

    The beast gulped. "Well... you do have the tendency to get angry," he said carefully.

    Rogue glared at him. "Don't get get all protective on me, Mr. Logan. It's mah life, an Ah don't remember adoptin' you as mah body guard, or worse- mah father."

    Wolverine sheathed his weapons and gave her a stern look. "Look, kid, here's the deal: You stay under this roof, ya gotta abide by the rules. Plain and simple."

    Xavier cupped his hands into a steeple, thinking. "I'm afraid Logan is right, Rogue. We have certain rules here, and if you break them, you must suffer the consequences. Most of the adults believed it best to leave your late arrival alone, but I cannot turn my head to another misbehavior. Unannounced visitors, especially ones of the opposite sex, are not allowed in the institute, and above all not in your quarters."

    "But it wasn't mah fault-" Rogue protested.

    Ororo locked eyes with the gothic beauty. "If you story is correct, no it was not, but the fact remains. He broke the rules and you let him, so you must suffer the consequences, and that is final." She paused. "We all talked about it, and agreed that you are sentenced to one month of kitchen detail and Logan sessions. You will also not be allowed to leave for your date tonight."

    Rogue's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits. "WHAT?!" she screamed. "THAT'S CRAZY!"

    Hank jumped back a bit. "I do not believe our sanity is the one on trial at the present moment."

    "Ah don' even do anythin', an ya base mah punishment on somethin' that happened a long time ago?"  she accused. "Sorry, but that just doesn't sound fair t' me."

    Xavier sighed. "It is your current lack of judgment and rebellious behavior that caused this mess, not just the predicament in the past. I am sorry you are upset at your punishment, but you must learn your lesson."

    Rogue opened her mouth to argue further on her behalf, about how she was more than upset, but her mind had just given birth to the most wonderful idea.

    “Yeah, great lesson, Xavier,” she said dryly. “If ya’ll are through ruinin’ mah life, Ah’m goin’ back t’ mah room.”

    The Professor ignored her obvious disrespect. “Very well, you are dismissed."

    "And don’t forget, 7:00 o’clock tomorrow, Danger Room,” Logan called as Rogue padded down the hallway.

    She frowned. Ah don't care what they say, she thought. Ah'm goin' out with Gambit whether they like it or not. Ah just hope Remy'll still be up f'r the date.

*    ~    *

    "Lance, what are you doing here?" she asked. Her hazel eyes blazed with a mix of anger and hurt. She was still trying to get over their breakup, and it didn't help that he just had to come to that restaurant and flaunt some blonde (the color was obviously fake, as were some other things) floozy in her face.

    "Last time I checked, it's a free country," he snapped defensively. He looked at a bewildered Piotr. "And I see you haven't wasted time in realizing that."

    Michelle draped her arms across Lance's shoulders, smiling smugly. "Who's that, babe?"

    Kitty glared at the snobbish sneer the girl gave her. She found it down right punchable. However, she decided to ignore her. "Well can't you, like, get a different table or something?" She looked down at Peter who was trying to explain to the waiter that they weren't ready to order. Her gaze darted back to Lance. "Me and my date are, like, trying to eat. We don't want to deal with the disgusting prospect of you and that cheap date, like, all over each other all night!"

    Lance rolled his eyes. "Too bad. We can sit wherever we want, Pryde. If you don't like it, why don't you and Tin Man over there move?"

    "Because, Alvers," she huffed, growing even more upset by the second, "we were here first!"

    Peter started to rise from his seat. He put a comforting hand on Kitty's shoulder. "Kitty, it's okay. If you would like, we could just go somewhere else," he said quietly.

    "Like, no way!" she exclaimed, shrugging him off. "We don't have to do anything for this jerk!"

    By now, every person in the restaurant was staring at the four teenagers. Michelle sat down, wide-eyed at the spectacle, and Piotr, likewise, watched in fear. Kitty and Lance, not phased, continued their bickering.

     "What's the deal with you?" Lance asked.

    "The deal," she retorted while folding her arms across her chest, "is you, like, coming around here expecting nothing to change between us! We're over! Don't act like everything's roses, because it's totally not! I don't ever want to see you again, Lance! Not here, not ever, and, like, especially not here with some one else! I'm trying to move on, and you're, like, totally being an inconsiderate jerk!"

    "I'm not the one who started this!" he yelled back.

    "Well some one needs to finish this. Because we're finished!"

    "Kitty, damn it! Why are you being such a bitch?"

    "Because of you! I thought I loved you, but you were, like, a complete asshole to me and everyone else! You were a hood, and I only realized that a couple months ago! And now I see your face around here and it's, like, hard! And you're definitely not making it any easier!"

    "Well, maybe I'm doing this because... because I still love you," he admitted. 

    She blinked, stunned. Michelle and Peter watched in fear. Lance paused, and suddenly got down on one knee. He grabbed her hand and held it in his. "Will you marry me, Kitty Pryde?"

    The restaurant was completely silent, and the patrons were in shock. Kitty jerked her hand away. Her cheeks were a flaming red. She was furious at Lance for pulling such a stupid stunt. "What is wrong with you?" she asked. "You don't love me, and I don't love you. Not anymore."

    He froze, still crouched to the ground. "Kitty-"

    She wheeled around, and took Peter's hand. "Come on, Peter, let's, like, go get some burgers or something," she said quietly. He nodded and followed her out of the building. Everyone watched the couple leave and whispered amongst themselves.

    Lance rose from his position and walked over to where Michelle was sitting. "Hey, baby, it was all just a joke," he said smoothly. She raised an eyebrow, obviously not buying it. "Seriously, she was just some ex I wanted to piss off. You're still the only that matters."

    "Is that right?"

    "Yeah," he replied, smiling.

    Without warning, Michelle's right fist collided with his jaw, causing his head to snap back from the force. "Jerk!" she yelled. She turned to leave.

    "Uh, can I take your orders?" the waiter asked nervously.

    "Come on, cutie," Michelle said with a wink as grabbed him by the arm. "No point in letting my Valentine's day go to waste."

    "Hey, Miss, um-" he protested, but was promptly dragged out of the door anyway.

    Lance rubbed his jaw sourly. "Damn, no one can take a joke."

*    ~    *

    Ororo Munroe always enjoyed the night sky in winter. The stars had an icy and surreal sparkle to them that seemed to hypnotize the woman. Her cool breath snaked around the February air as she admired the many galaxies splashed across the sapphire palette. She leaned against a tall oak tree and sighed, enjoying the scenery around her.

    In spite of the distraction, Storm couldn't help but think about Rogue's recent behavior. It is so unlike her, she though worriedly. She is too frightened to let people in. Then suddenly this boy gets into her life, and she makes all the wrong decisions. A star sparkled as though responding to her silent musings, and she smiled. Love? The weather witch almost laughed at the idea. Rogue would never, ever allow herself to fall in love with anyone. Her power just wouldn't permit it, so the young mutant gave up hope. Unless... this boy brought hope into that closed heart of hers.

    "Beautiful night, ain't it, chere?"

    The voice brought Storm back to earth, and she turned to the speaker with an icy gaze. "Trespassing twice in row," she said. "I thought you would have learned your lesson by now."

    Remy threw his hands up in the air, as though a guilty bank robber. "Didn't mean t' break de rules  'round here. Just needed t' talk t' someone."

    "Why me?"

    He smiled. "You know Roguey. You  be one o' de adult figures at de mansion. Figured ya'd at least hear me out, non?"

    She crossed her arms and gave him a look. "Give me one good reason why I should not escort you off the premises this very instant," she challenged.

    "'Cause, J'aime elle<I love her>," he replied simply. "Want t' spend time wit her. An definitely not have her get int' trouble cause o' my mistakes."

    "What are you saying?" Ororo questioned with a penetrating glare. "That I should just forget the fact that she has broken the rules? Ignore that you are causing her to make bad decisions? And forgive me, Mr. LeBeau, but I find it hard to believe that you care for a girl such as Rogue."

    "Ouch," Remy whistled with a chuckle. "You don' waste yo' breath, do ya, Stormy?"

    "Storm," she corrected without missing a beat. "Miss Munroe will also suffice."

    He smiled. "Look, Mam'selle Munroe, we both know it ain't Rogue's fault fo' what Gambit did, an de punishment, wit all due respect, it ain't exactly fair. An fo' de carin' t'ing, how do you know dat Gambit don' love her? You got de same stupid negative attitude towards me an Roguey bein' t'gether as everyone else?"

    She gave him a cross look. "Do not presume anything about me, young man. My 'negative attitude' is not without cause. I do care for Rogue. She is one of my beloved students, and I do wish for her to be happy. You, however, have shown me nothing but the negative side of your accompanying her. The bad decisions she made, thanks to your guidance, is the reason for her punishment. She brought it upon herself. And I know, Mr. LeBeau, that you do not love her, because men such as yourself would never be tempted by a woman you could never be intimate with."

    He blinked, surprised at her severe and harsh words. He let them sink in before he replied, slowly saying, "I don' know why you get de impression dat bein' 'intimate' wit a woman is de only t'ing dat I care about in a relationship. Rogue est une femme spéciale. <Rogue is a special woman.> She deserves better dan what you t'ink Gambit be givin' her. You t'ink the only t'ing I have t' give her is my hormones. Truth is, de only t'ing Remy can give her is mon coeur <my heart>." Pausing to look Ororo straight in the eye, he continued. "Dat is, if she'll have it."

    "You are only saying that because you know it will make me think better of you," she said softly. "And that I will forget about Rogue's punishment."

    "Non," Gambit replied with a small smile. "I only sayin' it 'cause it be de truth."

    Ororo looked away from the Cajun. She was, quite simply, stunned. Remy's words were beautiful, and she felt that they had been completely sincere. A sudden wave of self-disgust washed over the woman. How could I be so horrible? she asked herself. Here this boy is pouring his heart out to me, and I am just as stubborn as Logan... Why can I not see that they like each other? Should I just...

    A loud thud and rustling was heard, and both Storm and Remy jerked their heads towards the bush underneath Rogue's balcony window. The Southern beauty managed a fake smile, rose from the hedges, and dusted the dirt off of her ball-gown dress. "Ummm... sorry guys. Ah was just... so swept away bah the beautiful night..." she trailed off. Red cheeks branded her guilty like an orange jumper would brand a prisoner.

    Remy sighed with relief, and rushed to her side. "You okay, chere? Je suis très désolé. <I'm very sorry> Didn' mean t' get ya in trouble." He grinned mock-evilly. "Mais <but>, Gambit, he gotta admit dat you look absolutely stunnin' in black lace."

    Rogue rolled her eyes and shoved him playfully. "Pervert!"

    Storm watched the exchange with an amused expression and cleared her throat. "I did not see you."

    Green eyes widened in surprise. "Storm, but why-?"

    "If you do get caught, I had nothing to do with it," she continued as though she hadn't heard Rogue. "You will be on your own. Understood?"

    "Yes," she said in a tone Ororo hadn't heard her use in a long time. Her tone was happy- animated. "Thank you, Storm. Ah definitely owe ya one."

    Remy nodded a silent thanks as he wrapped an arm around Rogue.

    Storm smirked and turned to leave. "Oh, Logan Sessions tomorrow. Not to mention kitchen detail."

    Rogue watched her retreat into the mansion. She groaned. "Damn. That was cool an all, but Ah really had hoped that she'd let me off the hook completely."

    "Don' worry, p'tite," Gambit said with a sly smile. "I might stop by an help ya wit de kitchen."

    "An get me in more trouble?" she asked. She pulled away from him. "What are ya tryin' t' do, Swamp Rat, get me disowned?"

    He pouted. "Den you could move in wit me."

    She rolled her eyes. "Y'r hopeless."

*    ~    *

I've got one thing to say: Thanks to everyone who have an ounce of patience. I haven't got the pictures on my website yet, but I do have a couple cute sketches done and I'll put a link to them on the next chapter. And to everyone who kept bitching... I'm sorry but I actually have a life this year and can't dedicate my entire life to writing fan fiction. While I am quite flattered that you enjoy my story that much, I must say that I have absolutely no time to update as regularly as I did when I first started this. I'm balancing school, work, newspaper, and drama all in one. The few spare minutes I do have to myself I certainly don't want to waste sitting in front of a computer for five hours trying to come up with coherent sentences for this fan fiction. I will make an honest effort to update this story, and I do have some more stories that I'd like to write, but at the moment all I can say is that you might not be seeing them for a while.

 

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