First Sight (X-Men - Romy)

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

"This was great," Rogue said as they walked out of the restaurant.

"No need to sound so surprised, cher," Remy teased.

"No, I didn't-" She smiled when she realised he was joking.

Rogue hadn't felt this relaxed in months. Gambit had kept the conversation light and neutral, away from any topics that might upset her. In the end they had discussed movies, music, books, argued over whose favourites were the best, and reminisced about life in the South.

"So, can I walk you home?" he asked. When she hesitated he held his hands up. "I'll be on my best behaviour. Scout's honour."

"It's not that, it's… I'm not going straight home."

"Then I'll walk you wherever you need to go."

Rogue was indecisive, part of her wanted the company and wanted to share her curse but at the same time, she didn't want to see the fear in his eyes when he realised what she was capable of.

Still, it was probably best to do this now, before she grew to like him anymore. It was like ripping off a band aid, she told herself, she just had to do it fast.

"I'm going to see my boyfriend, Bobby."

"Boyfriend?" Remy was surprised she hadn't said anything sooner. "Cher?" He took her hands and turned her to face him. He looked confused.

"Just come with me, you'll understand."

Rogue hailed a cab and directed it to Westland.

"What is this place?" Remy asked as they got out of the cab.

"It's a care facility."

"Where are we going?" he asked, as she headed around the side of the building rather than through the front door. Rogue just held a finger up to signal patience.

He followed her around to the back and watched as she picked the lock on the fire escape. He could have done it much faster but this was her show.

"Come on," she whispered and he followed her inside. They headed up to the third floor and she opened the door from the stairwell slowly, checking to see that the way was clear. Satisfied, she darted into the hall and into the room opposite, Gambit close on her heels.

Rogue closed the door behind them but the bedside lamp was still burning, allowing Gambit to see that there was only one occupant in the room, a boy probably about Rogue's age, lying in a hospital style bed.

"Remy, this is Bobby, my boyfriend."

Remy walked up to the bed. "How long has he been like this, cher?"

"Nearly three months." She pulled a chair up to the head of the bed and took Bobby's hand in her gloved ones. She longed to be able to kiss his brow or something but she couldn't, she had done enough damage already.

"What happened?"

"Sometimes the cure wears off gradually but sometimes in moments of extreme emotional stress, it just all comes back at once." She was silent a moment, organising her thoughts. "Bobby had been missing, he'd been on a…" she didn't want to drag the X-men into her tale. "He'd been away and we didn't get news of him for a week. I was so worried, all the worst case scenario's kept going through my head. Plus I hated myself for taking the cure because if I'd still had my powers, I could have gone with him, I could have kept him safe."

"You don't know that," Remy reasoned, gently.

"No, but it would have been better than sitting on my hands at home. Anyway, when he did come back he was injured and weak. He'd been alone in the wilds of Canada during winter, it was a miracle he survived at all… I just didn't think, I was so pleased to see him. I kissed him, then suddenly I'm draining the life out of him. By the time I broke away…"