An Old Friend

Serena was just getting settled back into her old room in the Tower. It was only May but it was already quite warm out and she wore a pair of shorts and an MIT tee-shirt. She had excelled her first year at the school, which had made her parents extremely proud, especially her father who was a graduate of the school himself. Serena had managed to convince her parents to let her live on campus that year, though her father wanted her to be flown in each day and stay in the Tower. Serena wanted the experience of living on campus and having roommates and everything college life had to offer. She was already at the top of her class and making a name for herself apart from her father. The other reason she had wanted to live on campus was because the Tower still reminded her of Peter. She and Peter had broken up two and a half years ago, but she still thought about him. For a while she had thought that perhaps they were still meant to be together and things would work out, but now she was starting to believe that perhaps that had just been childish thoughts. She hadn't talked to him since their graduation day from high school, but she hoped he was doing well. She still talked to his Aunt May and had learned that he was studying abroad in Europe.

The Avengers team was still growing and changing. Natalya had been made an official member of the team shortly after her breakup with Peter. But theirs wasn't the only breakup that happened. Serena had been shocked to learn that Kate and Steve had broken up as well. Steve hadn't been the same since Kate had packed up her things and left. She had learned that Kate had returned to SHIELD and was still working for them. The team was lucky to have Natalya though. Natalya was the best fighter in the group and also the best shot. Not only that she could pilot the jet and speak multiple languages. Natalya had promised Serena that she would continue her hand to hand combat training this summer.

As Serena was putting away a few things in her closet something suddenly fell down onto her. When she picked it up she slowly realized that it was Gambit's hat. He had never come back for it and she now feared that he had not survived that fight. A few tears came to her eyes as she thought about him. The hat was still in prefect condition and even still smelled like him. She stepped out of her closet and stood in front of her full length mirror. She put the hat on her own head and adjusted it like she remembered him wearing it. It made her smile to see herself wearing the hat but then she sighed and took it off...

Gambit no longer used the name Remy LeBeau he was just Gambit and always would be from now on. He had managed to give those mutants the slip and he also remembered seeing Serena make it inside the tower. It was raining cats and dogs as he sat in a dingy yellow cab. He wore a gray pinstripe suit with a blue and violet fringe on the lapels. He wore no hat right then and a black cane with an ivory top shaped into the head of a serpent with one eye made out of a ruby and shaped like a diamond. It had been years since he had been in new york but something...luck he presumed had bid him to return. To return and see if Serena had his hat and to see what she’d been up to in the last couple of years. For himself he had traveled. Boston, Atlanta, and back home to New Orleans. He gambled and he fought but Serena had always been there in the back of his mind that made it difficult for him to enjoy the woman who had taken him to their beds.

If it was indeed luck that led him back here and not just a pretty face he needed to speak to Captain America. A woman named Ophelia Sarkissian aka Madame Hydra had been following him but he gave her the slip in Chicago. Something big was brewing and if his luck led him here than whatever was going to happen, would be here. Tower security knew who he was by their facial recognition system but they still spoke to Logan who told them to let him up. The elevator opened just as he moved up toward it. He didn’t know where everyone else was but he suspected Natalya was either in the pool or the gym and Steve was likely in his room reading or watching tv. Gambit exited the elevator, flourished his cane and then clasped hands with Logan who patted him on the back.

“Gambit! My god man, what hole did you come out from under, word has it that you might have been dead. But I never thought so. Not unless someone saw your corpse,” he said and chuckled. “Come on in, want a beer?” Logan asked. “Something harder if you have it,” Gambit said in his thick, creole accent. “Oh hell yeah, bourbon...whiskey?” Logan asked as he led him to the kitchen. “Bourbon, neat,” he said and Logan got out 2 glasses and filled them a few fingers worth of liquor. He slid the glass across the island and Gambit retrieved it smoothly and gestured to him as they drank together.

Natalya had spent the afternoon in the gym training. She trained everyday. She wasn't one who could just sit around and do nothing all day. She needed to be active otherwise she would go crazy. The exercise also helped her to sleep a little better at night, although she still wasn't sleeping great. She was still plagued by nightmares and on more than one occasion Logan had ended up being awoken by her yelling in Russian in her sleep. He was the only one who could awake her up when she was having such nightmares. Tony had tried once and Natalya had sprung up from the bed like a cat and had attacked him until she fully woke up and realized who it was. From that night on there was a 'Logan deals with Natalya's nightmares' rule because Natalya wouldn't attack him.

She had beaten the crap out of a punching bag for the last hour and decided she needed to rest. She was dressed in a pair of tight black leggings and a black sports bra that showed off her incredible body. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She thought she heard Logan's voice along with another she didn't recognize coming from the kitchen. She walked in and saw Logan drinking bourbon with a very well dressed and incredibly handsome man.

"Who's your friend?" she asked Logan as she walked over to get some water.

It was both a surprise and a delight to see Gambit again. There had been speculation that he might have died as reported by Serena who had said that Gambit had sacrificed himself so that she could get to the tower. It sounded like something Gambit would do, especially for a young woman or more correctly, a pretty face. Gambit was somewhat of a ladies man in that he liked women and that most women noticed him when either they or he stepped into a room. He emanated sexual prowess which he often help up to in actual practice. For the most part though Gambit had become a drifter after he had left the X-men. He still fought for people who could not fight for themselves but he never seemed to remain in any one place very long. His primary income was gambling. Something he was extremely good at. He had won several high stakes poker tournaments but besides his estate in New Orleans in the French quarter on Bourbon Street, he lived in and out of hotels or the residences of friends he visited.

Gambit stood at her approach, his long brown hair was just below his shoulders now. "She's off limits," Logan said under his breath but Gambit showed no signs of hearing him though he had. His eyes were a burning red in color and often they actually glowed in broad daylight. He took her hand in greeting then bent over and kissed her knuckles formally. “Hmm, a beauty, charmed im sure,” he said in a thick. seductive drall. His eyes spoke volumes as to how he saw her. A tantalizing beauty with large dark eyes and a physique that promised an unparalleled aggressiveness. Likely a tigress in the sack as well. He smiled at her then gestured politely to a stool next to him. Logan had seen the exchange and just shook his head slightly. He knew who and what Gambit was afterall.

Logan got out another glass and poured for Natalya. “Gambit is well known in the mutant community and not necessarily in a good light. Of that we all have something in common,” Logan said and took a sip of his drink. Gambit smiled, gestured to him with his glass and did the same. “Bah, I’m little more than a card player these days Logan. But it is good to see you my friend,” he said once more. It was good to see him. He had missed the old man.  

“So, you were saying about this...Madame Hydra?” Logan said.

Natalya found Gambit quite attractive and his accent only enhanced that attraction, but his tricks weren't going to work on her because she knew all the tricks having used many of them herself on men. However, she did give him a little smile and then accepted the glass of bourbon from Logan. She then stood near Logan, but did not want to intrude on their conversation. She took a sip from her glass, but her interested was piqued when Logan mentioned Madame Hydra.

"You mean Viper? Is she still with Hydra at this point?"

Gambit’s eyebrows drew up at the mention of Viper. “So you know of her?” he asked but it was obvious that she did. “Aye, she’s...looking for me and I’m not certain why,” he lied though he did know why. He had ‘been’ with her for a while. Not a long while but long enough that she had fallen for him. Gambit had stolen a lab journal that belonged to Professor Abraham Erskine for his former employer. That and her heart and she wanted them both back. The latter though she would have him pay back in his blood.

Logan hadn’t noticed the inflection but Natalya did and though she couldn’t know why, she knew he had just lied. That and Gambit touched the left side of his suit coat. With a slight glance she saw a slight bulge as if something rectangular and fairly flat wa son the inside of his coat, possibly in an inner pocket.

“In any case, I was wondering if I could hole up here for a while and stay under the radar...so to speak,” he said. Logan nodded as he listened and flashed Natalya a neutral but concerned look. “Possibly, the Starks should be back this afternoon,” Logan said. “In the meantime you can use that guestroom and perhaps you’d like to...relax and freshen up?” He asked. Gambit chuckled as he finished his drink. “When did you become so...personable?” he asked and Logan grinned. “Yes, I have manner now, who’d a thunk it?” Logan joked and Gambit laughed out loud. In the large, open space his laugh carried and Steve decided to check out what was happening and stepped out of his room.

Natalya had only known Gambit now for a minute or two but she already knew that he had lied to Logan about not knowing why Viper was after him. Clearly he did not know who she was and that she was a well trained spy who knew when other people were lying. She decided not to say anything though. He was a friend of Logan’s and they had just met back up. She didn’t want to cause any trouble. However, at the same time this was her home and everyone here her family and she didn’t want this guy bringing trouble to them.

Serena had been in her room when she suddenly heard a loud laugh that sounded familiar. She stepped out of her room and into the kitchen and was surprised and shocked to see Gambit!

“Gambit?”

Gambit turned around to the voice who called his name and he smiled when he saw Serena. “How ya doin darlin?” He said as he stood up. “Even more off limits,” Logan whispered though he was looking at Natalya when he said it. The moment Gambit had pivoted on his stool to look at Serena Logan gave an exasperated look at Natalya. Gambit got up to go hug her but Steve had moved up to them by then. When Steve saw who it was Logan could tell that Steve had wanted to actually hit the man. Natalya saw that to ofcourse and Gambit moved up to Serena and hugged her. He spun her around then let her go as he smiled and laughed with her.

“Well you’re lookin well sher, Do ya still have my hat?” He asked though he wasn’t really concerned about that. “You get more lovely each time I see ya,” he said and couldn’t stop smiling at her. He had worried about her and thought about her alot in the last couple years. “You must tell me what you’ve been up to besides makin all those college boys hearts flutter,” he said trying to make her blush. Steve frowned at the exchange and then gave a concerned look to Logan and Natalya. Remy Lebueau was far from savory as superhero’s went and Steve had heard and read several reports of his exploits. Those were several years old, most about his early years but it still didn’t sit well with him. He accepted Logan and Natalya mainly because of what had been done to them against their will. That and their willingness to try and be better people. He respected them to a degree but not Remy. And he certainly did not like what was happening right now with Serena. Serena was still very young and he hoped that it was just the excitement of the reunion that prompted the warmth in their exchange.

Serena’s surprised expression quickly changed to one of happiness and excitement at seeing Gambit alive and well. When he picked her up and spun her around she wrapped her around his neck. She could smell his cologne and she was surprised by how much she loved the scent. Seeing him again was overwhelming but he was still incredibly handsome and that accent made her knees weak. She blushed at his comments about driving the college boys crazy and laughed.

“I do still have your hat. But what happened to you? I thought you were dead. You never came back for it. I didn’t know what happened to you.”

His demeanor changed when she asked what had happened. His fiery red eyes looked into her brown thoughtfully. “They harried me for miles and miles. Once I thought I had lost them they found me again and I had to run again. I felt that if you were home free my return there might change that. So I kept going and stayed away,” he said. True if a bit cryptic. “I was in Chicago when I heard what all had happened,” he added but it was more of what he didn’t say that was probably more the reason he didn’t let her know he was alright. At the time he didn’t think he was very important to the whole scheme of things. He did a good deed and thought their connection ended right then and there. She was a Stark and he doubted she’d even remember him in time. Obviously he had miscalculated on that. He regretted it now, he did not mean for her to worry about him. ‘Gambit, thinkin so low of yourself? Now that’s a switch!’ He thought. But it was the honest truth.

“So, you must tell me what you’ve been up to. Uh, college? If you’re a Stark I’m certain you’re goin ta college yea?” He asked with a smile. He didn’t realize that they were still holding hands. It seemed perfectly natural to him right then. Steve folded his arms across his chest and grunted as he watched them. “If anyone needs me, i’ll be in my room,” he said then stepped away from them.

“We need to talk Steve...later,” Logan said. Anytime the word ‘Hydra’ came up. It involved Steve or soon would. Logan watched them like a hawk as they acquainted themselves with one another. “Nat...what’s...going on here,” He asked in a low tone. He knew Gambit but didn’t understand what Serena was doing. He couldn’t read people like Natalya could so he relied on her expertise in that regard.

Serena had a suspicion that Gambit wasn't telling her everything, but she didn't want to ruin their reunion by questioning him about what had happened to him. What mattered to her was that he was alive and well and back now. She had only dated one other guy since she and Peter broke up, but that had ended over six months ago. She didn't know what might happen between Gambit and herself, if anything, but she knew that she felt something for him. She didn't even realize he was holding her hand. Everything just felt so natural between them. She didn't feel any awkwardness.

"Well, there's not much to tell really," she said about her first year at college. "I've just been studying like crazy. Ended my first year at the top of my class though which was incredible."

Natalya watched Steve and could tell that Steve was not happy about Gambit's presence. She didn't know if it was mostly because he didn't like him, or because of what was clearly happening between he and Serena. Steve was rather protective of Serena, especially when her parents weren't around. He had known Serena most of her life and was like an uncle to her. She watched Steve as he left and then looked at Logan.

"Well, I would say that there is something happening between them," Nat whispered back to Logan. "They clearly are attracted to one another."

Logan as well felt a certain...responsibility for Serena. He supposed everyone in the tower did. However unlike Steve he let her go her own way...most of the time. He didn’t call her down for sneaking a beer and he was the one that gave her a shot of whiskey. And laughed the hardest when she all but fell off her stool to get a drink of water to put out the fire in her throat. How long ago had that been a year? Two? He couldn’t recall but he was quite fond of Serena. And would fight to the death to keep her safe. But they all would for that which made Serena, while she was in the tower. The safest woman on the planet. “He’ll break your heart girl,” he murmured to himself but Natalya’s keen ears picked it up. He looked over at her and then sniffed the air and rubbed at his nose. “Eww, you need a shower, How bout some pool after? Say best 3 out of 5 and the loser gives the other a backrub?” he said with a grin as he stepped away from her to go practice a few shots beforehand. Natalya was very good at pool.

“Somehow being at the top of your class does not surprise me at all,” Gambit said and before he knew it they were suddenly alone. With the sudden absence of others he suddenly realized what he was doing and let go of Serena’s hand. He had never met Tony or Isabella but he doubted that they’d like it much if he were putting moves down on their daughter. For him they were almost like habits or instincts and he tried to attract women as a matter of course. ‘If half of the room you’re in wants to have sex with you, you’re doing something right,’ his old mentor used to say and he abandoned those thoughts as quickly as he could.

“How bout a tour sher? I’ve always wanted to see the tower,” he asked.

Natalya had known Tony and Isabella long enough at this point to know that they were not going to like Gambit sniffing around their daughter, even if Serena was technically an adult. Everyone at the Tower was extremely protective of her and Gambit was older than her and no one, a part from Logan, really knew him all that well. It would be interesting to see what happened. She glanced over at Logan when he muttered under his breath that Gambit was going to break her heart. That choice would ultimately be Serena's and she had a feeling that if everyone told her to stay away from this guy it was only going to drive her to him. She was stubborn that way...like her parents.

Natalya left with Logan to go shower and then to play some pool with him, leaving Serena and Gambit alone. Serena finally realized that Gambit was holding her hand and blushed a little as he released it. However, she had to admit that it had felt good. Serena smiled a little when Gambit asked her to show him around the Tower.

She took him on a tour of the Tower and while they walked around they talked. Gambit continued to avoid going into detail about what he had been up to during these past few years, but once again she decided not to push him to tell her. She didn't really have any right to know and if he wanted to tell her he would.

"Peter and I broke up not long after the battle with Magneto and Loki," she told him. "He's studying abroad in Europe right now."

Gambit didn’t really know who ‘Peter’ was but he guessed that it must have been someone she was very close to. A boyfriend, a fairly serious one by the sound of it. “Well, if he let you go sher, I’d say he’s not as smart as everyone thinks he is, this Peter,” he said musingly. He enjoyed Serena’s company and he liked how she explained things. She had one of those voices that was pleasing to listen to and her enthusiasm, especially when it came to her father’s labs perked up his own interest though he didn’t much like laboratories. Bad things had happened to him in laboratories like this one but he didn’t say anything and let her show him what she would.

Logan was creamed on the first game and though he put up a fight on the second she creamed him again on the third. “Pool is ‘supposed’ to be a man’s game,” He grumbled as Natalya made the symbol of an ‘L’ on her forehead toward him. “I’m guessing that’s not for my name, is it?” he said with a scowl. He would have really liked a backrub but a bet was a bet and putting his hands on her wasn’t the worst thing he could think of doing. For them it was a way to release at least a little sexual tension that continued to build and exist between them without really giving into it.

Logan was deeply in love with Natalya but to maintain their friendship and status quo that love came in the form of friendship, loyalty and devotion. They never lied to one another, backed one another up and helped one another when it was needed.

As they left the lab Steve was suddenly there, tall and broad of shoulder he loomed over them and gave her a decidedly disapproving look. “I’m not certain you should be showing...your guest,” he said then shifted his gaze briefly to Gambit. “Your father’s labs Serena,” he said. Gambit smiled and looked up at the man. “Your...Steve Rogers?” Gambit said then extended his hand out to him. Steve crossed his arms over his broad chest and responded by only a slight shift of his eyebrows. Gambit didn’t really know Captain America either but he knew him to be a goody two shoes who was as straight laced as Scott Summers was if not moreso. Seeing how Steve would not shake his hand Gambit lowered his. “Your parents should be home soon,” Steve said as he gave them both a level look.

Serena sighed a little as she thought about Peter. She still loved him, but wasn’t sure if he still loved her or even would want to talk to her. She had tried texting him once, but he had never responded. She hadn’t just lost her boyfriend with Peter, but her best friend and that made the loss that much worse.

“Our break up was...complicated,” she explained. “Peter really is a great guy, I just think we needed some space.”

Suddenly, Steve walked into the lab and from the scowl on his face she could only assume he still wasn’t happy about Gambit being in the Tower. Ever since Steve and Kate had broken up Steve’s attitude had gotten worse. He always seemed unhappy and angry and she figured it was because he still loved Kate and missed her. He hadn’t dated anyone since her or shown any interest in dating other women.

“We’re just looking around,” she told Steve when he questioned them being in her father’s lab. “We haven’t touched anything.” She became angry when Steve refused to shake Gambit’s hand. She finally just looked at Gambit. “Are you hungry? There’s a great diner just down the block.”

Natalya had been taught pool by Logan and had quickly excelled at it. She loved playing and quite often beat Logan, like today. They always made friendly bets and today it was a back rub. Natalya could use one after her work out. She loved Logan...deeply but their friendship meant so much to her. She couldn’t lose that. It was her reason for living at this point. Her nightmares had gotten worse as more memories came to the surface from where they had been deeply buried. If she didn’t have Logan there to rely on and have as a comfort then she knew she would have killed herself by now.

She grinned as she won another game. “Want to try again?”

“Pfft!” was Logan’s response to that and he tossed the pool cue onto the table. Logan as well as Natalya had heightened reflexes but she also had a heightened focus as well which made her extremely good with anything to do with accuracy. Logan often became frustrated with having to concentration so much. He was very good at pinball though which had alot to do with instinct and knowing the game but he wouldn’t bargain with that. No, he had lost fair and square. “Tonight then during Big Brother,” He grumbled but they both knew he liked doing it though. Anything he could do to help her relax he would do just short of having sex with her. His room was next to hers and he knew about her nightmares.

Rocco’s was one of Peter’s favorite places and recently it had gotten a facelift. It was mostly artdeco now, styled like a 1950s diner though there was no outside service with cars. Inside and takeout only and though the burgers were greasy they were decidedly addictive. Rocco, an older, balding italian man waved to Serena. “Hey there Serena, it’s been a while,” he said. There were a few patrons at the booths and some up at the bar. The few women that were there, all of them looked at them enter and she saw their faces as they all goggled at Gambit who stopped to shake Rocco’s hand. There was an empty booth and Gambit followed her and waited for her to sit first then he sat across from her.

The waitress, there was only ever one, Marcy came over to take their order. Marcy was middle-aged with curly red hair that bordered on crazy and dull blue eyes. She always chewed gum and smiled at seeing Serena. “Hey, haven’t seen ya in a while,” she said. She would have asked after Peter but seeing how Serena had sat with someone else, she decided not to say anything. “Whatya havin curtie, the usual?” she asked then gazed at Gambit. “And you sir?” she asked without her usual flippant remarks she usually made toward everyone. Gambit had never been here and he only shrugged and looked at Serena. ‘Whatever the lady is having...is fine,” he said in his thick creole drall. Serena heard Marcy clear her throat suddenly and only then realized that she had mistakenly swallowed her gum. Gambit appeared completely oblivious to what was happening. Likely because he was used to it by now.

It had been a while since Serena had been in Rocco's. She and Peter used to go all the time. So much so that she was known there by name. She preferred it because it wasn't a touristy diner and was only frequented by locals. She walked in with Gambit, glad to be away from the prying eyes in the Tower. She hoped Gambit would like it. She wasn't entirely sure what he liked to eat, but a diner seemed like a safe bet. She smiled at Rocco and waved back to him. "Hi Rocco. I've been at MIT, but I'm back for the summer so you'll be seeing a lot more of me again."

She and Gambit sat down at an empty booth. She took notice that he waited for her to sit before sitting down himself. She saw that as the sign of a gentleman. She didn't even pick up a menu. She always ordered the same thing, a deluxe cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate malt. She smiled at Marcy and nodded when she asked if she was having her usual. She had tried other things on the menu, but always went back to the cheeseburger. She had never tasted one as good as the ones they made here. They were always made with fresh beef and local ingredients and they were seared on a flat-top griddle. She looked over at Gambit to see what he was going to order and grinned a little when he said he would just have what she was having. It was the first time Gambit had spoken since entering the restaurant and she held back a laugh at Marcy's reaction. He seemed oblivious to the attention he was getting. She waited until Marcy left before looking at Gambit.

"You seem to make an impression wherever you go," she said with a playful grin.

Gambit smiled and his glowing, red eyes looked at her. “Interesting since you are the only one here I care to impress,” Gambit said in response though as he thought about it, his smile slid away. ‘I need to watch my tongue!’ He thought. He was responding and reacting by his instincts. And that could lead to disaster if he found himself in Serena’s arms or worse, in her bed! It has happened in the past but he doubted she was anything like… ‘No, that’s just history you fool!’ And Gambit let those thoughts melt away. Gambit sighed and half chuckled as he shook his head. Even in embarrassment the man was gorgeous. “I’m sorry, I say what comes to me. I did not come, I do not mean to flirt and make a pass at you Serena. I actually wanted to talk to your father, Tony Stark,” He said as he took a cursory look around the diner.

Inwardly he winced at that. Sometimes women could get prickly about not being the center of attention but it was the honest truth and unconsciously he touched his left breast where the ledger was. He had risked life and limb to get it and stupidly he had not made presence of it before he left the tower. Logan could have locked it up until the Starks came back but he was distracted by a beautiful face, Serena’s face. He was older than she by 6 years but she was most definitely a woman. Fighting against himself he struggled to think of something to talk about that did not lead back to him flirting or making more passes at her. Things that came almost natural to him.

“So at this MIT, a college? You are studying...what science? What kind? I know something about ...electronics,” He said. ‘You mean surveillance and alarm systems, don’t you!’ He thought to himself. ‘Remy’ had been raised into a world of thieving and violence and rarely was there one without the other. That man no longer existed but he shared his memories. He was only Gambit now and he was out from under that life.

Serena actually smiled when Gambit flirted with her. She felt an attraction to him and liked the fact that he felt the same way towards her. It made her feel quite good about herself since Gambit was so handsome. A few years ago she would have been more cautious about starting up something with him, but she was older now and though she knew it wouldn’t be anything that would last that didn’t seem to matter to her. She had been in a serious relationship with Peter and also with the guy she more recently dated, but she had never had a relationship based solely on physical attraction. She wanted to experience such a relationship, one without the seriousness like her other relationships.

She was not offended to hear that he had actually come to talk to her father. She just liked that he was back. “I’m studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering. What I really want to do though is be on the Avengers team. Logan said you were on the X-Men team. Why did you leave?”

Gambit’s eyes drew down to look at the table and then he leaned in toward Serena and slowly his eyes shifted up to look at her face. “I didn’t...leave, exactly. I was...kicked out,” he said in a hushed tone. He looked to see if anyone was close enough to hear them and saw that no one was really that close. Nor did anyone look as if they were trying to listen in. “You might say that I did a very bad thing without knowing I did it,” He said. Another true but cryptic response. “In the end however, what I did became known and my ‘association’ with them was over,” He said.

“Only a certain few, Storm, a friend and X-man herself, Logan...a few others...know the whole truth. But most people only concern themselves with the ends. Perhaps me as well, to a degree and I did not dispute my separation,” Gambit said. Marcy brought their food and as she set it down Serena noticed that the woman did something to her hair. It was much more subdued and kept. She smiled at Gambit as she set the food down. “Ya need anything else honey, well you just...let me know,” She said suggestively. “Thank you sher,” Gambit said without even really looking at her as much as the food. Marcy left and Gambit eyed those tall, chocolate shakes.

“Looks good, I’m starving,” he said and set to with a will.

After their burgers were half eaten and a good deal of fries as well Gambit settled back into the booth. He sucked on his shake and allowed his eyes to linger on Serena’s eyes for a time without speaking. “Do you like to dance Serena?” He asked all of a sudden. “I know of a place nearby I’d like to take you to,” He said. “Perhaps after I meet with your father,” He said. He had pulled a red poker chip out from...somewhere and he flipped it deftly across the knuckles of his left hand as he sat there looking at her. Effortless it seemed, what he was doing with the chip. As if it was doing it on its own and yet she would be certain all of his attention was on her right then. His mouth had that ‘almost grin’ to it that gave him that loose, sultry look as if he were thinking about what she might look at without clothes on or it could just be her imagination.

Serena leaned in close to Gambit as he leaned towards her and listened as he told her that he had been kicked out. She silently wondered what he had done, but once again she let it be. It was in the past and did not matter. She didn’t care if Steve didn’t trust him, he had saved her life. She would always be in debt to him because him because of that.

As Marcy returned with their food she did a double take and saw that she had actually changed her hair. That made Serena grin a little. After Marcy left Serena and Gambit began to eat and they continued to talk. After a while Gambit sat back and looked over at her. She found herself looking into his eyes. She thought she could look into them all day. Just having him look at her caused feelings of desire to spread through her body, especially when he asked if she liked to dance. “I do like to dance,” she told him. “I think I would love it with you,” she added in a soft, sultry tone.

Her eyes watched as suddenly a red poker chip appeared from almost nowhere and he began to effortlessly flip it across his knuckles. As he did she noticed him looking at her in such a way that made her cheeks burn hot. She kept her eyes on his as she leaned forward. “We will have to make sure you get your hat back when we return to the Tower. It’s in my room...”

Gambit nearly chuckled at her last comment but he felt his own desire for her grow as the looks they shared began to gain heat. ‘So not so innocent,’ He decided and had silently made a decision about that. “Excellent perhaps we can go then...whatever night your free ofcourse,” he said. “Do you...own a dress?” he asked and that same almost smirk appeared on his face.

“I’ve missed that hat it will be nice to be reunited with it,” he said and then stood as he dropped a fifty dollar bill onto the table. Where the chip had gone she did not know. “Shall we?” he asked and extended his left hand to her. When he did she noticed he had a cane in his right hand. Where it had been she did not know that either. When he helped her up he leaned in and kissed the knuckles of her hand. “You are a delight sher,” He said softly to her and stepped aside and allowed her to move past him and exit first.

It was a short walk to the tower and when they arrived the security guards seemed more alert than before to his presence. “Hello miss Stark, Your parents are upstairs,” the man said as he looked over Gambit. “Do you know him Miss?” the guard asked obviously not liking Gambit’s look. When she said she did they let them into the elevator. In the penthouse everyone but Pharaoh was there and they were in some kind of disagreement though it was cut off abruptly as they saw them come off the elevator.

Serena caught Isabella’s gesture that mean she wanted to talk to her and she did not look very happy. Her father flashed her also a very displeased look though he tried to mask it with a smile. Natalya and Steve both looked at Gambit and Logan was facing Tony and Steve as if he were on an opposing side of whatever disagreement they had. Gambit’s eyebrows drew up and he took a deliberate step away from Serena’s side as they closed the distance.

Serena continued to hold hands with Gambit as they walked back to the Tower. She felt happy around him. It was the first time she had felt happy in a long time. She couldn't wait to go dancing with him. She had several dresses, but she had already decided on the red one, which she had matching high heels for. She was glad that she had just turned 21 and would be able to have a few drinks with him.

As they entered the Tower Serena took notice that the security guards seemed to really scrutinize Gambit. She didn't understand where all of this dislike for him was coming from. As they stepped off the elevator at the penthouse she immediately saw her parents, Steve, Natalya, and Logan all grouped together. It was obvious to her that Steve and Logan were arguing from the way they stood. Natalya was separated from the group a little, wanting to stay out of this. Gambit had let go of Serena's hand the moment they stepped off the elevator and saw her parents disapproving looks. She sighed when she saw her mother's look but walked off to talk with her in her room.

Isabella knew that she was going to have to handle this delicately. Serena wasn’t a girl anymore and was coming into her own besides. She and Tony both knew about Gambit and the fact that he was the main person responsible for the deaths of several mutants at the hands of assassins that he had gathered himself. True there was no evidence that he knew beforehand what the assassins were for and also true he took no part in the killing but the X-men had left him for dead in the Antarctic of all places. In hopes that they’d never set eyes on him again.

“I missed you daughter, I don’t like long away trips while you’re home at all,” She said and gave Serena a hug. “I see Gambit is here, is...everything alright? Steve said you left with him. “He’s...not exactly a popular person among mutants. I know what he did for you but as a personal favor to me, don’t...get close to him,” She finally said diplomatically. She saw how they were holding hands.

“Tony..Stark...I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time,” Gambit said and extended his hand to him. “Gambit, it is certainly a surprise. If you need to meet with me we certainly could have arranged it,” Tony said. “I needed to come I...have something important to show you. You and Steve Rogers,” he said plainly but gave a scrutinizing look back at Natalya. He didn’t know her but he sensed that she knew how to handle herself. That and her muscle tone made him suspicious that perhaps this might be important to her as well. “And possibly Miss Sokolova as well,” He said and shot Logan a glance. “Alright, we can meet in my office,” Tony said now curious about what Gambit had to show them. Serena noticed that everyone but Logan disappeared from outside the door.

Serena sighed as she already knew what her mother was going to say before she said it. She sat down on the edge of her bed with one leg tucked up under her body and looked at her mother. "Yes, everything's fine. He said he needed to meet with Dad about something and he came back for his hat," she said as she gestured to the hat which was sitting on her dresser. She was quiet a moment before speaking again. She spoke gently and without any anger in her voice. "I know that you and Dad are only trying to protect me, but I'm an adult now and I need to be able to make decisions for myself. If they are the wrong ones then I will only have myself to blame. I...I really like Gambit and I think he likes me. I'm happy when I'm around him and I haven't felt that way since Peter. Please don't push me away from him. Let me decide for myself if he's right or wrong for me...just let me decide."

Natalya had been standing off to the side listening to the conversation. She was curious as to why Gambit wanted to meet with Tony and even more curious when he mentioned needing to show him something. She didn't figure she would be apart of that conversation and thus she was surprised to hear him ask for her to come as well as Steve. He didn't mention Logan and Natalya glanced at him and gave a little shrug as if to say she didn't know why he was wanting to meet with her too but she followed Tony, Gambit, and Steve to Tony's office.