Savage DiscoverySavage Discovery – Finding the Change
Based on the 1990's X-Men cartoon and takes place during and after the second 'Reunion' episode. A discovery in the Savage Lands changes Rouge's life forever.
Rouge was terrified; more scared than she had ever been in her entire life. She had seen and done things that normal people would never survive; experienced emotions so intense and powerful it brought her to her knees time and time again. Her head was spinning from Vertigo's attack, holding onto Gambit to stay upright. Nausea built in her throat, stomach revolting at the sensations confusing her.
"Da whole room be spinnin'." Gambit moaned and Rouge lost her grip and fell to the floor, Gambit right behind her.
Several minutes later the woman stopped her attack and the world slowly came into focus. Blinking rapidly Rogue found that she was in Gambit's arms, cradled gently. It was his demon eyes however, that ripped at her heart. She had never seen Remy let his guard down so far as to where she could read his true thoughts. She could always read his lightheartedness, his humor, and occasionally his seriousness, but the concern, uncertainty and fear she could see added to her own fear.
"Remy, I'm scared." She was surprised her voice was no more than a whisper, shaking with tears and effort. "I don't know how to fight them without my powers."
"Shush, chere." He ran a gloved hand though her hair softly. Rouge leaned into him, taking comfort from his touch. "Gambit never say dis to anyone, but … Remy loves you Rouge."
"Remy …" Bending his head Gambit kisses her softly, tenderly and with more love than Rouge could have ever imagined. His hand cupped the back of her head, surrounding her with his presence. It was a dream come true, getting to touch the man she loved.
A dream than was shattered as she was ripped out of his arms by one of Sinister's henchmen.
"Remy!" She scrambled to grab him, reaching for him even as he raced to hold onto her. "Let me go you glob of goop!"
"No! Rogue!" Rouge winced as he was shoved back into the cage, slamming into the far side of the cage.
Gambit watched in horror as Rouge was hug up on the wall beside Magneto. He had never felt so helpless in his life; even back in the bayou as a child. He had his brother and was drafted into the guild as soon as it was deemed he was old enough. But now, he was stripped of the power he had come to depend on, unable to save the woman that meant the world to him. On top of the despair there was a fire of hatred for Sinister and his plan to basically play God with their powers.
"What da plan Cyclops?" He asked gripping the bars of the cell, aching to charge them and make them blow.
"I'm not - "
The doors leading to the balcony burst open, revealing a typically pissed off Wolverine. Gambit tried to keep his head on the battle and plan what moves he would make as soon as they escaped, but he couldn't take his eyes off Rouge. Even from across the room he could feel the fear radiating off of her.
"Be strong, mon chere, Gambit will save you." He murmured to himself even as a walking Xavier and Morph destroyed the machines suppressing their powers. The burning tingle of his kinetic powers flashed though his veins and using his full power he charged the bars holding him and the others even as Scott blasted the door open with his optics. Both parts of the steel exploded outwards, causing damage to Sinister's people.
Soon he was fighting to survive and lost visual track of Rogue; but with his other senses he knew she was giving as good as she got. It was like a sixth sense, always connected to his southern belle. Gambit didn't question it and never mentioned it to her either, although he knows she suspects something.
"Da name is Gambit. Remember it."
Rogue felt whole again as she flew over the Savage Lands, a couple of trees in her hands. She had her powers back, the two she wanted and the one she detested; the one that kept her apart from all she loved. She took solace in the fact that her powers were a benefit, helping the natives rebuild in the aftermath of the battle that took place.
Magneto also stayed behind, surprising her. And yet, even though she didn't have Jean's empathic powers, she sensed that Magneto was a deeply proud and steadfast man, who once his word is given, it is not easily broken. It also spoke much to his character than even after everything he put Professor Xavier through, he was still considered a friend by the psychic. If only he didn't want civil war.
Touching down Rogue laid out the trees for Wolverine to cut down to size, accepting a cup of water from one of the women from the village.
"Thank you."
"Chere!" Gambit called waving at her as he strode up. In a flash, the kiss that shared seared across her mind. It would be the only kiss they would ever share, and the pain of the knowledge ripped at her heart.
"What's wrong Cajun?" She asked, pushing her pain back.
"Gambit has somethin' to show you." He held out his hand to her, demon eyes warm and smiling, glowing with a secret.
"Gambit, we're sup'osed to be workin'."
"Go on Rogue." Logan growled in an almost pleasant tone. "It won't slow things down here of you take a little while off."
"If you're sure." She said even as she slipped her gloved hand into Gambit's, wishing for the countless time that she could feel his palm against hers.
"Go on." The Canadian waved them off.
"Where we goin'?" Rogue asked as Gambit led her into the woods, looking around at the gorgeous, exotic and ancient foliage.
"Trust Remy, chere, you'll like da surprise." He laced his fingers through hers and led her deeper into the lushness. Silence fell between them as she followed him, soaking up the rightness of being in his presence. Suddenly the forest opened before them, revealing a cave.
"Okay Cajun, spill." Rogue said as they stepped into the cave. "Why'd ya make me hike through the jungle with ya?"
"Do you feel it?" He asked instead, turning to face her, stepping dangerously close. She tried to step back, but his arms snaked around her, pulling her closer to his warm body.
"Remy!? What are you doin' you fool?" She pressed her hands against his broad, strong chest. "Do ya want me to put you in a coma?"
"Do you feel it Rogue?" Gambit's voice dropped, turning dark and smoky, going straight to her head just like a good bourbon. "Do you feel the change?"
"I don't - "
Remy's lips claimed hers, melting her instantly even as instinctively she raised her hands to push him away. But, there was no drain, just an increasingly passionate kiss. His mouth was hot on hers, making her knees weak. Rouge's hands clutched his shoulders feeling one of his hands cup her head and the other slip lower down her back to press her even closer. Soon they had to break apart to breathe, but Gambit wasn't done.
His wicked lips moved down to her neck, spawning and shiver to run down Rogue's spine, prompting her to tilt her head to give him access. She almost came out of her skin when his tongue licked at her, causing everything inside of her to clench tight.
"Remy?" She was gasping for air, feeling herself spiraling out of control. "What's happening?"
"Dunno chere." Gambit raised his head to look her in the eye and Rogue gasped. His normal red and black eyes were all red and glowing. "Dis is the seventh cave Gambit enter today. Sometin' has to be diff'rent."
"We should …" Rogue took a deep breath as Gambit returned to kissing her neck, teasing her. "Have Hank come and scan the cave."
Goddess, Rogue tasted even better than yesterday when they shared their kiss. Sweet, savory and everything Gambit had ever craved. It was destiny that he walked into the cave, feeling his powers numb. He knew he had to bring Rogue here, to explore more of what they could have; greedy for all of her. Slowly, reality seeped into their paradise.
"Dat be a good idea chere." He loved how mussed she looked, lips red and swollen from his kisses, eyes glazed from passion.
"But Gambit says we wait until Magneto is gone from da Savage Lands." He smoothed her beautiful white and auburn tresses lovingly. "I don't want him to know this cave."
Rogue's gaze sharpened, noticing the change in his speech, sensing how important the matter was to him. How important she was to him.
"Did ya really mean what ya said back in Sinister's lair?" Her voice was soft and shy, and Gambit wanted to desperately take her doubts away.
"I meant every word chere." He rested his forehead against hers. "I love you Rogue, notin' is eva gonna change dat."