Chapter 18: Come Here Tiger

Henri stared at Gambit as if he was a stranger. Gambit looked up, his empathy picking up his brother's befuddlement.

"What?" Gambit asked.

"Yo' are aware she was hitting on yo'?"

"Oui."

"And? Tall, blonde, good looking, hitting on yo'? Since when did yo' ever blow dat type off?"

Gambit gave him a wry smile.

"I've gone and done somet'ing very stupid, mon frere. I've fallen in love."

"It's about time," Henri replied smartly. "Dat X-men fille? The one who drew the rat picture?"

"Oui," Gambit sighed.

"So?"

"So... what?"

"What are yo' going t' do?"

"I'm going t' see her again, I know dat much. After dat... I haven't completely decided yet."

"I can tell yo' one t'ing you're going t' do."

"Ouias? What's dat?"

"Bring her down here so we can meet the fille who finally got yo' wrapped around her little finger."

Gambit laughed. The night progressed and finally they decided to depart.

"Henri?" Gambit asked as they made their way outside.

"Oui?"

"How did yo' know yo' wanted t' marry Mercy?"

Gambit stared, completely dumbfounded at the man sitting across from him. His share of the red and brown crystals laid on the desk between them.

"Remy?" the man asked.

It took Gambit a moment longer before he could reply: "I thought it was quartz."

"Well, I can give yo' the quartz prices, if yo' want," the man replied with a chuckle.

"Nice try. Talk t' me; what kind of pieces are we looking at here?"

"Say, Roguey," Gambit said on the phone later that night. "Have yo' or Bobby or Kitty thought t' have the crystals appraised?"

"No. Ah keep meaning to though. Why?"

"Yo' might want t' get it checked out."

"What is it?" Rogue asked curiously.

Gambit debated, wondering if he should tell her or let her find out for herself, and decided on the former.

"I was wrong about it being quartz," he said. "It's diamond."

Rogue was silent.

"Chere?"

"Diamond?"

"Oui."

"And we... and they... and... The most expensive Christmas tree decorations ever!"

Gambit laughed.

"Dey were, weren't dey?"

"And we've got brown stuff -"

"And red."

"Red's the rarest, isn't it?"

"Oui."

"Ah hadn't even heard of it until just now - your psyche's telling me all about it."

Gambit chuckled.

"Kitty's going to freak," Rogue added, shaking her head.

"Probably. Y'know, chere, if the X-men play their cards right, yo' might not have t' worry about insurance next time the mansion gets destroyed."

"Don't tempt the irony gods."

Gambit laughed.

"Will it make yo' feel better if I say dat Kitty and Bobby probably got all the stuff dat's easy t' get and you'll have t' work fo' the rest of it?"

"Somehow, Ah can't imagine us getting into the mining business, but you never know. Besides, you were the one who landed on the island first."

"Kitty was the one who spotted it though. Had it been me, I wouldn't have paid it any attention. And frankly, if yo' hadn't been there, I wouldn't have returned t' the ravine at all."

"Ah'm sorry, is the thief not interested in a diamond mine?"

"Nah, too much effort, not enough stealing."

Rogue laughed.

"By the way, I'm t'inking I might come up next week," Gambit went on. "I believe I promised some decent venison and crab dishes."

"Ah believe ya did too. As long as there's no fish."

"Hell no. I really don't t'ink I could stomach eating fish again any time soon, no matter how it was cooked."

"Oh that's what I've been meaning to tell you. Bobby's taken to pointing to bananas and shouting 'evil'."

"Note t' self: bring bananas."

"You would."

A week later, Gambit pulled up on his motorcycle outside the gates of the X-Mansion. He pressed the button on the gate posts and smiled to himself as he saw the camera shift and focus on him.

"Hello, how can I help you?" came a voice over the intercom.

"Aww, Chaton," Gambit replied cheerfully. "I'm hurt yo' don't recognise me."

The fact that he was wearing a motorcycle helmet that hid his face was completely besides the point.

"Remy!" Kitty practically squealed. "I'm opening the gates. Come on in! I've got to tell Rogue!"

Gambit chuckled to himself as he heard the click of the intercom shutting off and the gates swung open. He cruised down the driveway and just finished parking his motorcycle as the front door opened and Rogue came flying out. Gambit caught her in his arms, swung her around and kissed her thoroughly. They were lip-locked long enough for the rest of the X-men to come outside.

"And there they go again," Kitty sighed. "I'd tell them to get a room, but they probably would."

Bobby chuckled.

"Ah missed you," Rogue said as they finally pulled away.

"I missed yo' too, ma chere," Gambit replied softly.

They looked up then and Rogue took Gambit's hand in hers to meet the others.

"Gambit," Logan said.

"Wolverine," Gambit replied.

"Rogue says you plan on doing some cooking while you're here."

"I happen to be very good at it and I figured since I planned on doing a proper job of it for myself, I may as well share, no?"

"Try not to poison anyone," Scott piped up.

"Scott!" Jean said, frowning at him.

"Rest assured One-Eye," Gambit replied cheerfully. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't do it by ruining perfectly good food."

"A pleasure to see you again, Remy," Jean said.

Gambit took her hand and kissed her knuckles gently.

"The pleasure is all mine, mam'selle," he replied, then turn to the woman next to her.

"Emma Frost," she said.

"Charmed."

"I'm sure."

"Remy!" Kitty exclaimed and gave him a hug.

"Bonjour, Chaton," he said.

"This is Piotr," Kitty said.

"I've heard much about you," Piotr said, extending his hand.

"And I about yo', mon ami," Gambit replied, shaking his hand. "Perhaps later we can compare notes and find out how much is true."

Piotr laughed and agreed.

"Good to see you again Remy," Bobby said.

"Likewise."

"Remy," Storm nodded.

"Stormy," Gambit replied.

"Storm, not 'Stormy'."

"Okay Stormy."

"And this is Hank," Rogue said.

"Yo' would be the one who's psyche wants to get me down into the med lab," Gambit said, grinning at him.

"Ahh, yes..." Hank said slowly. "From what Rogue has told me you have a most fascinating mutation, but if you're not comfortable, please don't let me pressure you."

"Oh, I won't."

"And Forge," Rogue said.

"So you're Forge," Gambit said, shaking his hand. "I've been meaning to thank you."

"Thank me?" Forge asked, taken aback.

"O' course! If yo' hadn't gotten yourself abducted, I never would have met the love of my life."

"Uhh, well, you're welcome."

Gambit grinned, amusing himself with the amount of discomfort he was sensing from those around him. This was going to be fun.

"And of course, you know Kurt," Rogue said.

Kurt and Gambit looked at each other.

"Nice to see you got away from Genosha unscathed," Gambit said.

"Make no mistake, Gambit," Kurt replied quietly. "I don't like you. But you looked after my friends and you make my sister happy."

"So, it's not quite water under the bridge just yet?"

"The bridge needs to be rebuilt after you destroyed it."

"I have a habit o' doing dat."

"So I noticed," Kurt replied and teleported away.

"Well, dat went as well as could be expected," Gambit said to Rogue cheerfully and went on, eagerly anticipating the empathic response to his next words. "So, ma chere, how's about yo' show me t' your room?"

The various reactions of horror, disgust, amusement, resignation, envy and anger were well worth the 'snikt' that followed.

And thus it was that the following day the X-men were all but locked out of their own kitchen and taunted with the smell of mouth-watering food. Gambit didn't even let Rogue in, much to her amusement. Bobby got threatened with bananas every attempt he made to get in. Gambit was amused no end by Bobby yelling "Evil!" every time he pointed a banana at him.

It was with mixed feelings that the X-men gathered at the table that nigth for dinner. Some, of course, were still dubious about Gambit's motives, but all were curious about Gambit's cooking expertise. Kitty was dubious about the crab and venison, feeling that there was no way he could make either of them taste better. Nevertheless, they were all impressed with the feast that Gambit presented before them.

"Well, this is... thank you very much Remy," Storm said as she took a seat. "This is most impressive, and it smells wonderful."

"Merci," Gambit replied smugly.

Kitty and Rogue sat either side of Gambit, with Bobby on Rogue's right and Piotr on Kitty's left. Storm was the first to thank Gambit for his efforts but she certainly wasn't the last and Gambit was well pleased with the empathic feedback he got from everyone - especially those who enjoyed the meal but didn't want to say so. Kitty just about freaked out when she dubiously tasted the crab and venison dishes.

"It doesn't taste a thing like what we were eating on the island," she exclaimed. "Omigod, Remy this is sooooooo good."

"See? Didn't I tell yo'? Dat island was an Insult t' my palate," Gambit said. "An Insult. Wit' a capital I."

Rogue giggled.

"Needs more salt," Scott said.

Ahh, if Cyclops thought he could insult Gambit with that bold-faced lie... Times like this, Gambit loved being an empath.

"By all means," Gambit replied with a smirk. "Pour on as much as yo' like. Would yo' like the pepper too? Mebbe some cheese and a dash o' seasoning?"

"Uhh, no."

Gambit just chuckled knowingly. By the end of the meal everyone was stuffed silly and suitably impressed.

That evening saw Rogue and Gambit on the balcony of her room. Gambit half sat on the rail while Rogue leaned against it and together they looked into the dark, the stars lighting up the clear night sky. Rogue's hands were glove free.

"Thanks again for dinner, Remy. It was wonderful."

"See? I knew it would be."

Rogue smiled and Gambit ran a finger slowly down the side of her face.

"Y'know Roguey," he said. "Being on the island... gives a homme a lot of time t' put t'ings int' perspective. Y'know, starts him t' t'inking all the t'ings he would do and change about himself, given the chance."

Rogue nodded.

"It does," she agreed.

"T'ing is chere, dere is somet'ing I decided I wanted t' do, dat I thought mebbe would take me a few years t' accomplish once I got back. But den I met yo' and... Rogue fo' almost trois months we were in each others company 24/7, and if mebbe yo' t'ink dis is a little soon, I'll understand but I t'ink dat if we can spend dat much time wit' each other, seeing each other at our best and worst and still want t' be wit' each other after it's over, den I honestly believe we can make dis work," Gambit said.

He took Rogue's hands and felt her startled apprehension/hope/love as he knelt down on one knee before her.

"Anna Marie," he said softly. "Will yo' marry me?"

A huge smile crossed Rogue's face.

"Yes," she replied. "In a heart beat."

Gambit couldn't stop his grin, nor did he want to. He stood and kissed her thoroughly before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a jewellery box.

"If yo' want somet'ing else we can go shopping," he said. "But I was t'inking o' yo' when I had dis made..."

He opened the jewellery box, revealing a red diamond engagement ring. Rogue caught her breath at the size of the gemstone.

"No, it's perfect," Rogue replied. "It's beautiful and appropriate, given that it came from the same place we met and fell in love."

"See, dat's what I thought," Gambit nodded as he slipped the ring on her finger. "But dere's Mercy trying t' tell me dat I'm being cheap by having one made wit' a diamond I already had."

"Didn't Henri give her his mother's engagement ring?" she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Oui," then Gambit sighed. "I should have thrown dat in her face."

Rogue giggled and Gambit wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"So, I was t'inking, ma chere, mebbe we should tell your family, and while they're reeling from the shock, we should go down t' N'Awlins - because my family's dying t' meet yo' - and tell dem. Den mebbe, when we come back... I was t'inking o' joining the X-men."

"You... you were?"

"Sure why not? I can retire from crime and get int' law enforcement. Or political activisim anyway."

Rogue laughed.

"Ah thought you said that it was a pipe dream?" she teased.

"I'll be happy t' be proved wrong if it means I get t' spend the rest o' my life wit' yo' Roguey."

"Ah'm just happy being with you," Rogue replied. "No matter who's right or wrong about what."

Their lips met once more, their tongue intermingled and then just because she had an urge, Rogue pushed Gambit up against the wall, pressing herself against him even as she moved one hand to open the sliding door. His fingers dugs into her as he kissed her back deeply.

"Mmm," he murmered. "Like this."

Rogue chuckled and tugged him into the bedroom.

"Go on," she said as she closed the door. "You know you want ta say it."

"Come here, Tiger," Gambit said with a chuckle as he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.

Joke ending:

The X-men ended up taking over "X-Island" and not only did they open a diamond mine, but they also turned X-Island into a luxury holiday destination, especially popular with tourists from Genosha and people fond of the letter 'X'. One of the prime attractions is that it never rains during the day except at specifically scheduled hours and on designated nights all scheduled at least two weeks in advance.

Scott and Emma took over management of the X-Diamond Mine, which is mostly worked by mutants with abilities particularly suited to working under ground. Hank runs the X-Hospital. Bobby operates the X-Icepenguin which specialises in ice cold treats for those hot days (which is pretty much every day, so business is good). When Forge isn't busy looking after the machinery he's busy with his latest invention in the X-Workshop (tours available on booking). Piotr spends his time painting and there are a number of his pieces on display throughout the island. His work is available for sale and some tourists even commission pieces from him, much to his delight.

Jean manages the X-Resort. Logan used to help but he kept getting frustrated with all the tourists being annoying and nowadays goes around doing what he pleases. It's become a favourite hobby of the tourists to "Spot Wolverine" and take a photo without him noticing. Of course, he usually does notice and ends up slicing and dicing their cameras. Oddly enough, the tourists seem just as happy with a sliced and diced camera as they do with a photo of Wolverine. In fact, the X-Souvenir store (operated by Kitty) has even started stocking "genuine Wolverine sliced and diced cameras".

Rogue and Gambit married and now run the X-Bar and Casino. It took a few years, but Gambit eventually got a world-class annual poker tournament started at the casino. Rogue learned how to control her powers with Gambit's help when she discovered that she could choose how much energy she siphoned from him. In time she was able to touch other people as well and they now have four children with white streaks in their hair and a tendency to rip off tourists.

End!

The Joke Ending can be the actual ending if you want, hehe.

Hope you all enjoyed the story. I know I had a great time writing it. Thanks to everyone who took the time to review; your feedback means a great deal to me.