Running from the Past

Chapter Three: Bonding: Part Two

Here's part two of chapter three. There's more Amanda in this chapter. And Gambit shows up during their girl's day out. Enjoy.

Hanging out with Amanda wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. In fact, the girl was rather nice, and even if she weren't dating her brother she wouldn't have minded being friends with her. To her friends Rogue was hard as nails but deep down she had a soft heart. It was just that she didn't get a lot of opportunity to show it.

"I hope you don't mind shopping, Rogue," Amanda said and thought for a moment. "Is that your real name?"

"It's the only name ah go by," She said and Amanda smiled.

"Kurt said you weren't like anyone else," Amanda said as they entered the escalator.

"So is he," Rogue added and Amanda gave a big smile.

"That's why I like him so much," Amanda said, looking around like she had lost something. "My grandmother's favorite store is just over there." Amanda pointed to an antique shop. Rogue had gone in there a few times but never bought anything.

Once they reached the bottom of the escalator Amanda grabbed Rogue's gloved hand and excitedly pulled her towards the antique store. Amanda was almost as bad as Kitty when it came to shopping, but Rogue did her best to humor her.

She didn't mind this store very much. They had some nice things that coincided with her taste. "So what do you think your grandmother would like?" Rogue asked as Amanda continued to browse through the store. "Well, she loves angels," Amanda said as they reached an isle with some pretty mini statues.

"Look at these roses, Rogue," Amanda said and picked up one of the glass blown red trinket. "It's so beautiful." Amanda handed it to her and Rogue inspected it. It looked more like painted crystal which seemed to sparkle under the lights of the shop. She looked on the back to see the $150 price tag andimmediately put it back.

"Too expensive for my taste," she said and returned it to the glass vase it laid in. "Here's some angel statues."

"Wow! These are nice," Amanda said and picked up an angel statue in a light blue garment and white and gold wings. It's only $50. I think I'll get this one. What do you think?"

"It kind of looks like Warren," Rogue said without thinking.

"Who?" Amanda asked.

"Oh, just a guy ah know," Rogue said as Amanda perked up.

"A boyfriend?" she asked, but Rogue just rolled her eyes

"Dat's what I like to know."

Rogue gasped hearing that familiar voice. She turned around to see the figure of a certain Cajun she knew. "What are ya doin' here?"

"What? De mall is off limits?" he asked and she just looked annoyed.

"No, but it ain't nice to eavesdrop," she said scolding him.

"I think I'll go pay for this," Amanda said and walked past Gambit.

Once Amanda was gone, Gambit walked up closer to Rogue. She found herself suddenly nervous, and she was afraid she would turn into a klutz around all this glass.

"So who's dis Warren?" he asked while, holding one of his cards. It was a Joker card and he made a point of letting Rogue see it.

"Are you jealous or somethin'?" she asked but he didn't say anything. "He's just some guy ah met last year..." He was about to open his mouth to say something but Rogue shushed him. "No, ah never went out with him. In fact, he saved my life. That's all, not that it's any of your business."

"Dat's good to know," he said and put the card back in his pocket. "Den Gambit won't have to go fightin' any duels over you."

"You are somethin' else," Rogue said and looked over at the red rose. Somehow it reminded her of him. "Ah don't even know why I bother talkin' to ya?"

"Gambit knows," he said as she pushed past him trying desperately to get away from him. "Come on, Rogue, where you goin'?"

He chased after her and caught up with her right outside of the store. "What do ya want from me?"

"Just t'ask you somethin', since you won't answer my text," he said and suddenly a look a guilt entered Rogue's face. "Why are you avoidin' me?"

"Ah'm not," she said but even she didn't believe that lie. "Ah mean Amanda called right when you sent it and wanting me to come and help her pick out a birthday gift for her gran."

"Okay," he said and gave her a smirk.

"That's the truth," she said and tried to walk away. Gambit grabbed her hand and gently pulled her back. "I still have somethin' to ask you."

"What?" she asked but part of her didn't want to know.

"After your shoppin, meet me in the park," he said still holding onto her hand.

"Ah can't, Amanda asked me to a movie an' ah'm in for it as it is when ah get home." He looked at her intrigued. Something told Rogue she said too much and thought she better tell him before he got anymore fantasies in his head. "Ah kinda ditched trainin'."

Gambit's eyes perked up and he smiled. "Knew I had me a bad girl."

She jerked her hand back and gave him a scowl. "Ah ain't your girl."

"Not yet," he said and tried to take her hand again, and she folded both hands to her chest. "Now, why did you ditch trainin'?"

"Jus couldn't handle it t'day is all," she said and smoothed back a loose hair.

"Still can't sleep at night?" he asked and she wanted to slap him. "I can tell jus by lookin' at you. You don't look well, chere." She just turned away feeling embarrassed that he knew. "Dose bad dreams will go away if you jus talk about it."

"Ah can handle it, thank you very much," she said looking back at him. She glanced over at the corner of the antique store and noticed that Amada was almost done paying for her item.

"Obviously not, chere," he said and touched her arm. Even though she was covered it caught her off guard. "Meet me t'night, in the park at ten."

"Ah can't," she said demandingly.

"Yeah you can," he said giving her an intense stare. "Jus want to talk to you alone. I'd come by the mansion, but I don't think I'd be very welcome, especially by Claws."

"His name is Logan, and I have a curfew," she said, trying to say anything to get out of this, even though part of her didn't want to.

"I know, midnight," he said matter-a-factly which gave Rogue a confused look on her face.

"How do ya know that?" she asked demandingly.

"Remy got his ways," he said and she figured with all his other skills he may have been eavesdropping on all the X-kids and may even have broken into the mansion undetected. "The way I see it, dat gives us two hours," he said as Amanda approached them.

"So, you two make up?" Amanda asked, not knowing they were having a heated conversation.

"He was jus' leavin'," Rogue said, eying Gambit.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Remember 10 o' clock, Don't show an I'll just have to come and find you."

Something inside her told her he would. Gambit walked off towards the restroom while Rogue and Amanda made their way to the movie theater, but Gambit reappeared at the antique shop. Before he had made his presence known he watched her as she held that painted crystal rose. He walked down the aisle where she had picked it up and brought it to the register. He could have easily lifted it, but his Rogue was too good to receive stolen goods. He took it to the register and paid cash and was even given a gift box. He would give it to her, someday, when the time was right.

To Be Continued...

Part three coming soon. Rogue is going to sneak out to meet someone, but things won't end up as everyone would hope. Remember to vote and comment.