Title: First Sight

Author: Cat Chester

Rating: K

Paring: Rogue/Gambit

Word Count: 1,300

Disclaimer: Not mine. Please don't sue as all I own are 3 dogs. Actually, you're welcome to the dogs.

Spoilers: For all the X-men movies

Summary: The first time Gambit and Rogue meet

AN: Gambit and Rogue are a sadly neglected paring in the recent X-men franchises (films and cartoons). Cyclops and Jean are always together yet they are just a basic, boring, run of the mill couple. Rogue and Gambit on the other hand are complex. Rogue has the cruellest of all powers of all because while she has a lot of love to give, she's unable to know the touch of another without hurting them. Gambit is a charmer and a ladies man yet he falls for the one woman he can never fully be with. Why on earth is this couple so overlooked? Well here is my idea of their first meeting. Set 18 months after the end of X3 (The Last Stand). Gambit also has a healthy dose of 90's cartoon Gambit, just because I love that incarnation of him.

Right now this is just a one shot but I may continue it if the muse insists. She's a persistent bugger when she gets something into her head.

III

He spotted her as soon as she came in. He had an eye for the ladies, he was well known for it in fact, and this beauty had most definitely caught his eye.

But there was something else about her that intrigued him. Beautiful women didn't come to crowded bars and sit alone, at least not in his world. Yet he had watched her as she ignored or turned away suitor after suitor. She never looked at her watch so he knew she wasn't waiting for anyone. Right now she looked like she was regretting her decision to come here so he'd have to move fast.

He looked at the last player in the game. "So are you in or not?" he asked. The man wavered, then placed his cards face down.

"I fold."

Remy grinned. "Good choice," he said, collecting his winnings. "Now, if you fellas will excuse me, I'm going to call it a night."

"You can't do that!" "You gotta give us another chance to win our money back!" The chorus rose from the other players.

Remy grinned, "You'll get your chance, boys, just not tonight."

"Same time tomorrow?"

"I never play on a Sunday."

"Why not?"

"Because Sunday is the Lords day," he answered, deadpan. He left before they could question if he was serious or not.

She was still sitting at the bar and he took the seat next to her. "You look like you could use some company, cher." Actually she looked like her puppy had just died, but Remy knew that wasn't the best opening line.

She ignored him, just as she had done to the other men.

"Cat got your tongue? I know you can hear me."

"Go away," she snapped, looking straight ahead.

"I like it here," he answered smoothly. "The view's real nice."

"I don't want any company. Please leave me alone."

Southern manners dictated that he leave now, just as the others had done, but Remy wasn't giving up quite so easily.

"I know you're lonely, cher."

Finally she turned to face him; she looked surprised and perhaps a little frightened.

"If you come to a crowded bar on a Saturday night, you ain't looking to be alone. Plus," he pointed at the mirror behind the bar, "you keep looking at the couples in here."

Her expression became haunted and he almost regretted his words.

"Look, mister-"

"The name's Remy LeBeau but they call me Gambit.

"Well, Gambit, if you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from me."

"Oh, cher," he grinned. "I never did like doing what was good for me."

"I'm not like other people. I'm dangerous."

"You ain't one of them mutants, are ya?"

She looked away again. "Leave me alone."

Remy leaned closer. "Can I let you in on a little secret, cher?" he retrieved a card from his pocket.

She looked fearful at his proximity but she did turn to face him. His irises flashed red as the card glowed and her gaze flickered between his face and the playing card.

He tossed the card into the air where it exploded into tiny sparks, like a thanksgiving sparkler. Only a few people even noticed in the crowded bar.

"I ain't exactly normal either," he told her.

"That's pretty," she said.

Remy grinned. "So what do you say, can I buy you a drink?"

She looked indecisive for a second before answering, "No, thank you, I have to leave soon."

"No, you don't. You're scared, I can see that, but you're safe with me." He reached out and took one of her gloved hands.

"It's not my safety I'm worried about," said softly.

"You think you can hurt Gambit?" he asked.

"No. I know I can."

Remy considered her for a moment. She looked so serious he almost believed her.

"Everybody needs a friend, cher, even you."

She gestured over to the table he'd been playing at earlier. "Looks like you already have plenty of friends."

Remy grinned, pleased she had noticed him. "That wasn't socialising."

"Then what was it?"

Remy shrugged, "Work."

"You actually make a living playing cards?"

"I get by." He got by very well in fact, but he knew bragging never won a woman's heart. He pulled out a deck of cards. "Can I show you a trick?"

Her hesitation was brief this time. "Sure."

He fanned out the deck, face down. "Pick one." He told her. "Remember it and put it back."

She chose a card then slid it back into the deck. He handed her the cards. "Now shuffle them." She took the cards and did as he said.

"Now here's the deal, cher. If I guess your card, you'll tell me your name and let me buy you dinner, sound fair?"

"And if you don't get it right?" she asked.

He grinned. "I always get it right."

"For arguments sake, then."

"Okay, if I don't guess your card, you have to buy me dinner."

"How is that an incentive? Dinner is what you want, not me," she told him, still shuffling the cards. He was pleased that she was starting to engage him in conversation but not surprised. Few people could resist his charm.

"Why not?" he asked. "You eat don't you?"

"Sure I do, but who said I wanted company?"

Remy grinned. "Don't worry, cher, I never lose." He took the cards back and looked through them. "I think this was your card?" he held up the ace of spades.

She smiled. "Sorry, no."

He looked back at the pack. "Okay, one more try," he cut the deck and held up a random card, the five of clubs. "This one?"

"Nope."

"Okay, okay, one more try, I'll get it this time." He looked through the cards. "It isn't here. Did you keep it?"

"No," she sounded slightly offended.

"No? Then what's that?" he reached towards her face but she grabbed his wrist, looking like a deer caught in the headlights again. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you." He pulled his hand back with the queen of hearts clasped between his first two fingers. "Is this your card?" he asked.

"Yeah." Her enthusiasm seemed to have gone, in reaching towards her he had scared her off and he was sorry now.

He always had to go for flash, never just keep things simple. Usually Remy would say that was one of his best qualities but right now he regretted his actions.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

"No, it's…it's not your fault."

"Then what is it?"

"Bad things happen when people touch my skin."

"What kind of bad things?" he asked.

"Well, I've put two boys in coma's."

He was surprised. He of all people should know that looks could be deceptive, but he just couldn't picture this woman harming anyone. "That must be difficult."

She smiled sadly. "I even took that cure they made. They said it was permanent but…"

"I heard its effects began to wear off after a few months." He finished for her and suddenly he understood that she was running from herself, the one person she could never escape. She was frightened of her own powers and Remy could certainly sympathise with that.

"So, will you tell me your name?"

She looked into his eyes then, almost as though she was searching for something, an answer. Maybe how trustworthy he was.

"Rogue," she finally told him.

"And your real name?"

"Marie."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Marie," he held out his hand and when she took it he raised it to his lips and kissed it. "Now, I do believe I owe you one dinner so where would you like to go?"

"I don't know, I haven't been in town long."

"Then if you'll allow me to choose, I know a lovely family run restaurant not far from here."

He held his elbow out for her and finally she slipped a gloved hand around his arm. "Then lead on, kind sir."