Giving It All Away (June 2012)

Gambit moved up to her and kissed Charlotte on the lips. I loved that thing you did...It was crazy,” He said and then continued to get dressed. “I really need to see Elemir,” he said. Her being The Envoy, she could see anyone in the Guild or the council, It was her job in a way to make introductions. Gambit was trying to groom Charlotte for this. He needed her to take him to see him. “If Cassian won’t stand up for me then I’ll need Elemir to guide the council’s vote,” He said. “I know you want me back Charlotte but either way, I need to get back the leadership so I can advocate to Belor,” He said. It was completely logical. Cassian was going to be difficult and the council was Gambit’s only hope at this point.

Charlotte didn’t know if she believed Gambit, not completely but she did remember being in his arms when she woke up. All of those warm memories flooded back to her and she needed to make him hers again.

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Belor came into Serena’s room and found her asleep. It was very early and he could see that she didn’t sleep well. While she slept he sat lightly on the bed next to her. He fished his hand under the covers and touched her leg. He saw her lips curl up into a smile and he shifted his hand up toward her middle, then she woke up.

Charlotte wanted to pull Gambit back into bed with her and have him make love to her again (this time so she could fully remember it), but she could tell that he was stuck on the idea of seeing Elemir. In her mind, Gambit was hers again. There was just this little matter of letting Gambit step aside. If that was what he truly wanted then she would make it happen. Then, she would just get rid of Serena so she and Gambit could truly be together.

"Alright...I'll see what I can do with Elemir."


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Serena had not slept well that night. She kept having dreams about this place and Gambit. She missed him and desperately hoped that he was alright. Finally, closer towards morning, she fell asleep. She was dreaming of Gambit and of him touching her and the way he always made her feel. But suddenly, she realized that it was a dream and that she was being touched in real life. She woke up and quickly sat up and pulled her legs away from Belor.

"Where is Gambit?"

Belor pulled his hand away and smirked at her. He noticed she was no longer in the clothes that he had her wear. Annoyedly he pulled her back town toward him by her leg then put his hand onto her throat. “Why are you so resistant? Is my touch that offensive to you? So far, I’ve gotten nothing from you that even remotely squares you with what I paid. You kill 2 men Serena, Cyris’s men. Just because you ‘thought’ you were acting in self defense doesn’t make what happened right. I paid for your mistake, I think it’s time that you paid me back. But I’m not going to force you. Your honor is your own. Just know this, Gambit’s fate is tied to you and you to his. Think about that when you spurn my hand,” Belor said dangerously and then let her go.

“I’m going to see the council. Charlotte is going to bring Gambit to them. The thing is, I’m not certain if he’s an enemy or an ally. My enemies do not live long Serena, something else to think on,” He said and stood. “Are you my enemy, Serena?” he asked softly. Soft like a knife being drawn from leather soft. It was then that she saw that he was completely naked. His body was a mass of muscle, as if he were some kind of body builder. He could of snapped her neck like a twig if he wanted. But so far, he hadn’t really hurt her.

Serena was relieved to at least know where Gambit was going to be. At least that meant that he was alive. She glanced over at Belor as she was forced to lie next to him and as he stood she saw that he was completely naked. She looked away from him and then sat up.

"No, I don't want to be your enemy Belor, but I cannot give myself to you...not willingly. I'm in love with Gambit and I won't betray him. I need you to understand this...please. If it is repayment you want, I have money. I will repay you whatever it was you paid Cyris and even a little extra. Please...just don't make me do this."

Belor turned and faced her, unashamed of his nakedness. He had his phone in his hand but otherwise nothing. “Cyris cares about money...I do not. Value is determined by the payee, not the payer. It is not your place to set the value. But perhaps we can come to an accommodation,” he said as he rubbed his chin.

“You have a powerful family. In the future I may need a favor. I will trade your blood debt for this favor. A favor that you will agree to fulfill when I come to call it due. Do you agree?” he asked. This was an open ended favor, a dangerous concept.

Serena hesitated at what Belor was suggesting. She didn't like not knowing what the favor could be, especially when this man worked for a very dangerous organization. However, she didn't see any other option. She wasn't going to sleep with him...she just wasn't.

"Ok...I agree."

Belor smiled and it only grew when Serena’s look took on a worried caste. Before he could say more his phone rang. He stepped away from the bed and answered it, it was Charlotte.

“Is everything arranged?” he asked. “Excellent,” he replied and stepped a little bit further away and turned toward the door. “Well, he won’t find out you were involved with her abduction, not from me,” Belor said. “We’ve come to an accomodation, so I have no plans to kill her,” Belor said. “Well that is not my problem, if you want her dead then you’ll have to take that matter into your own hands. I did my part, I kept her out of your way and paid Cyris for those deaths. I expect things to move forward as we’ve outlined. Unless you intend on going back on our agreement?” he asked dangerously. “No? Good, I’d hate to have to break that pretty little neck of yours,” Belor said. “If you want Gambit, you can have him but he must advocate. If he does not…” Belor said warningly and Charlotte would know that he’d kill him. What Charlotte didn’t know was that he was going to kill Gambit anyway. Cassian and he had an agreement, a plot for this to happen and he’d to his part. Once Gambit was dead, Cassian would advocate to Belor and the council would stand for him and then he’d be the guild leader without opposition. A perfect little plot with only a bit more blood to spill.

Serena heard enough of the conversation to get a good idea that Charlotte had arranged all of this. That and her Gambit was in danger. She did not convince Belor to seek a nonviolent solution either though. It was ironic that being faithful to him might cause his death. Belor hung up and turned to face her. “Was there anything you’d like to say Serena?” He asked when he heard her stir.

Serena sat quietly as Belor spoke on the phone. From the call she could tell it was Charlotte he was speaking to. It angered her to learn that she had been the one to arrange her kidnapping. She could only assume that Gambit did not know about that. Belor seemed very comfortable talking about everything in front of her. Clearly Belor had some kind of agreement with Charlotte and, though Belor didn’t say anything, she began to believe he must be plotting to harm Gambit...perhaps even kill him.

She looked at Belor as he hung up. “Please don’t kill Gambit. He doesn’t want the leadership of the Guild. He will not stand in your way.”

Belor looked back at her and tilted his head as if trying to figure her out. He also did not look happy either.

“Gambit did alot of damage to us, to me when he left. And he hasn’t paid for that. You defend him because you love him. I can understand that but love is blind in this case. You’re blind because you do not know all that has happened. I can only assume you’ve come here because you wanted to know about him. He was never one to open himself up to anyone. Much like his father. And now that he has, and that you’re here, all you want is to take him away with you, back to wherever it is that you came from. Well, how nice for you if the rest of us must deal with the aftermath. I have a right to my anger toward him. People I care about have died Serena. And you want to escape and pay as little as you can. Well, obviously our pain, my pain has little or no value to you. And this is why the payee sets that cost, not the payer,” Belor explained.

Serena grew angry and upset as she listened to Belor. “I don’t understand you or this world you live in, but I know enough about it now to understand why Gambit wanted to leave. There are actual terrible things happening in the world and people who truly need help and you all could be trying to better the world we live in but instead you live in a fantasy world of assassins and blood prices. I do not know the old Gambit who came from this world, but I know the new one. He’s the man I love and he is ten times the man you or anyone else in this ‘Gud’ could be.”

Belor chuckled at what Serena said. ‘The world does know us, they use us all the time,’ He thought but did not say that. “You will attend me during this meeting and wear my colors. And remember you gave your oath of obedience. You will be of ‘MY’ camp or you will remain behind. Do you understand?” he asked. When she just looked at him he gave a curt nod. “Good,” he said and stepped away from her and into the hall.

Elemir’s place was quite spread out. Almost like a small compound. Men in black trained together and sparred in an area covered in sawdust. They attacked dummies and threw knives and shurikens at targets. Elemir was of Indian descent and he wore a silky, blue robe that shined in the sunlight. He wasn’t tall and thin compared to the others. Yet he walked and held himself with an uncanny grace.

Belor had his guardsmen of 5 and his 6th was Serena. He had even given her weapons including a ceremonial knife that he gave to her as a gift. Together they stepped around the trainees until they met in the middle with Cassian and his host. Cassian had his guard of 6 and then there was Gambit and Charlotte who stood apart from the others. Elemir, the voice of the council stepped toward them and a man in a gold suit came up and set down an ornate looking chair. Elemir stopped and immediately sat into the chair.

“I will hear from those in the Guild who wish to address the council,” He said. Gambit looked at Serena and was suddenly hit with a wave of relief when he saw that she was alright. He didn’t like that she was in Belor’s colors but there was little he could do about it now. Her eyes met his and her expression was worried but he didn’t know why. ‘Did she know something he did not?’ He couldn’t say. But he did know that what he was about to do was going to shock everyone.

“I Remy Labeau, Gambit, wish to address the council,” Gambit said. “You may speak Gambit,” Elemir said.

“First, I demand a formal censure upon Belor. He unlawfully kidnapped my woman without cause. I demand blood price for her abduction,” he said and a low, murmur came from several mouths. Belor looked poleaxed for he could not speak in denial of the allegation, Serena was in his camp after all. Charlotte’s lips curled up into a grin. As if she knew Gambit would do this.

“Does anyone challenge this charge?” Elemir asked and looked around. Finally Charlotte stepped forward. “I challenge it. I am Gambit’s woman. He has lain with me as of last night and I have been promised to him since Jean Luc Labeau had commanded it. Debts have been exchanged on her behalf based on her lies about her attachment to him. I ask that I be allowed to refute her claim on my man,” she said. Gambit paled at hearing that but if he spoke out of turn Elemir would not hear him. Charlotte drew her knife. “I see she had a blade. Let her stand forth and prove herself true in the eyes of this council,” she said. Dark hatred was all that Serena saw in Charlotte’s eyes.

“Gambit, since you are the subject of this contest, do you have anything to add?” Elemir said. “I do but my words are for Serena alone,” he said. He could not stop what was happening without a fight and there were just too many. But if this was the last time he saw her, he would clear the air between them. What Charlotte said seemed to really upset her.

Serena was given some clothes in Belor's colors that she was forced to wear. She sighed as she put them on, but wasn't going to argue. She just wanted to see Gambit and ensure that he was alright. Belor had five other men with him that acted as his guards. Serena was given a knife, although she had tried to refuse it.

The group drove to Elemir's compound, which was quite extensive. Serena walked quietly and kept her eyes down. Finally, Belor stopped walking and Serena glanced up. She saw a man of Indian descent wearing a silky, dark blue robe. There was an air about him that commanded respect. It was then that Serena saw Gambit standing with Charlotte nearby. She was relieved to see he was alright, but she knew that Belor was planning something. However, she could not communicate that to Gambit.

All she could do was stand there and listen as Gambit began to speak. When he demanded a blood price for her kidnapping she looked at him. But Charlotte moved forward and spoke up as a challenge to his statement. What Charlotte said shocked Serena. He had slept with this woman the night before? How could he have done that to her? After all she had done for him, how could he betray her like this? She became angry and upset and looked away from Gambit. Her cheeks flushed from her anger and her fists tightened.

Gambit was allowed to speak to her and they stepped away from the rest of the group. Serena didn't even look Gambit in the eye.

"How could you do that to me?"

Gambit saw Serena’s face and when he tried to put an arm around her she shrugged it off. Her face looked upset and her words were filled with outrage and anger toward him.

“Well if you’d shut up for a moment, I can explain!” he said angrily in a hushed tone and looked at the others. “I didn’t ‘sleep’ with Charlotte. I got her drunk and...did things to make her think like we did. I’m with you and only you Serena. I appreciate the ‘trust’ though,” he said dryly.

“She’s gone completely off the deep end Serena. I told you how fucked up everyone is. You understand it now, don’t you?” he said.

“Charlotte is no push over Serena. She’s good with a knife and you two will be in a very closed in area to fight. Its a good bet that using your powers will not help you all that much in this. Her left forearm is armored and she’ll use it to block. However it also slows her down a little on that side. If you focus on her left side, try to make her bleed as much as possible. I believe Logan and Natalya would have showed you where,” he said and looked worried. “Everyone here is against us but I have a plan,” he said then put his hands on her again and pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you Serena, I’ve always loved you,” he said as she looked up at him. She would see how worried he was for her. And the love in his eyes as well.

Serena felt a wave of relief come over her when Gambit admitted that he hadn't actually slept with Charlotte. She didn't want to fight Charlotte, but it looked as though she didn't have a chance. She couldn't back out of this. Good thing she had been taught some moves by Natalya, Logan, and Kate, as well as Gambit. She was going to have to fight to kill and she was not going to second guess this time. There was no going back. She was going to kill to stay alive.

She fought back a few tears as Gambit placed his forehead against hers. "I love you too Gambit...so much."

She pulled back slightly and wiped away the tears from her eyes before whispering something to him. "I overheard Belor talking to Charlotte earlier. She is the reason I was kidnapped and Belor is planning to kill you."

Charlotte moved to the small circle in the middle of the green where everyone was. She pranced around, limbered up and cracked her neck and arms and waited for Serena to join her.

Gambit kissed Serena and desperately hoped it would not be their last. He found her and didn’t want to lose her. He had lost too much already and wasnt certain if he could handle that. Not again. Not her.

He gave Charlotte an angry look and she blew a kiss at him. SHe was going to force him to take his rightful place. Sure he’d be angry with her at first, but that would fade and she’d have him then. Have him forever. “C’mon Serena, It’s been too long since I’ve seen someone bleed out. I think I will enjoy it this time though,” Charlotte said. Gambit gave Serena one last kiss and then stepped away from her and stood beside Belor.

“I’m so going to kill you Belor for bringing Serena into this,” He said. “For each wound she takes, you will suffer,” He said coldly. “Oh, I’m just getting started Gambit. There will be 2 corpses here today, Belor said confidently and obviously amused.

The moment Serena entered into the circle Charlotte attacked.

Serena kissed Gambit back and after he stepped away she took a deep breath and steadied herself. One thing that Natalya had told her was very important was to steady your nerves before a fight and clear your mind. If you were distracted then you were going to lose the fight. Natalya pulled out the knife and felt the weight in her hand. Natalya had showed her how to fight with one using a fake blade. This one was all too real, but the moves would be exactly the same. She silently hoped that all of Natalya's training wouldn't go to waste.

As she stepped into the circle she was prepared for Charlotte's immediate attack. She blocked her with her arm, and though the blade bit at her flesh, it wasn't a life threatening wound. Charlotte seemed quite surprised at Serena's block and Serena took that opportunity to sweep her legs, throwing Charlotte onto her back.

Before Serena could capitalize on CHarlotte’s fall Charlette kipped up and slashed at her. If it wasn’t for the leather jerkin, both of her breasts would be badly damaged. The leather deflected the blade, this time. The two women stabbed and slashed. Blocked and parried as the fight drew on. Charlotte wasn’t as fast as Serena but she was stronger. Twice now they’d grappled and she nearly forced Serena onto her knees. Serena bled from 3 cuts and Charlotte had 2 but one was along her thigh. Serena had focused on her thighs as Natalya had taught her. THis time though, the blood was real and the pain in her arm was real and her jerkin had 2 dark spots along her right arm and 1 on her left shoulder.

“Do you think he wants children? Maybe I’ll name our daughter after you,” Charlotte said. As they held one another’s arms. Charlotte’s blade was above her and hers was not really in a position to harm Charlotte. Charlotte grunted as she plied her strength down on her knife and Serena struggled to keep it away from her flesh. Slowly though it drew close to her neck and she saw Charlotte begin to smile. Serena knew it was only a matter of time before Charlotte’s knife pierced into her neck. In a desperate move she suddenly dropped.

Charlotte’s blade stabbed into Serena’s forearm. At the same time though Serena’s blade pierced deep into Charlotte’s thigh. Charlotte pushed her away desperately and Serena drew her knife out at the same time Charlotte staggered back to the edge of the circle. Charlotte’s thigh would bled profusely, Serena had hit an artery and Charlotte wasn’t smiling anymore. In desperation she lunge at Serena and Serena shifted to the side then stabbed her in the stomach up to the hilt. For a moment the two women were face to face. Charlotte looked angry and determined even though Serena had stabbed her but then her features began to fade ad Serena drew out her knife and stabbed into her again, brutally. She followed Charlotte down to the ground, blood seeped out quickly from her wounds. Serena’s hands were covered in blood as she knelt beside Charlotte, as the woman slowly died in her grasp.

Belor looked both surprised and horrified. All of his careful planning was imploding before his eyes. Gambit ran up quickly with bandages and slapped them onto Serena as he began to untie her jerkin to get it off of her so he could properly tend to her wounds. Cassian looked...thoughtful to what had happened. And he looked at Gambit and Serena.

“This one’s not so bad,” Gambit said as he tested the cut. “This one though...you’ll need stitches,” He said.

Serena was not happy in her victory over Charlotte. A woman lay dead who should not have had to die. Serena had been forced to kill her though and she had done what she needed to do. Her adrenaline slowed and as it did Serena began to feel the pain from the wounds Charlotte had inflicted upon her. She was trembling slightly as Gambit rushed over to her side and she allowed him to remove her jerkin to properly tend to her wounds.

"I didn't want to kill her Gambit. I'm sorry," she told him. She knew that Charlotte had once been his friend and he had just watched her die.

“I’m so sorry Serena...this is all my fault,” Gambit whispered. “I need to get out of this mess,” He siad as he continued to press the bandage against her worst wound. The others appeared to be slowing and he set her bloody hand on top of his. “Keep pressure on this,” he said and moved over toward Elemir.

“Elemir, as you know I have no interest in running the guild. I never did. But I feel Belor is ill-suited for the position. I have decided to stand for Ishan, Cassian’s eldest son,” Gambit said. Belor’s eyes wanted to pop out of his head as well as Cassian’s.

“He can be guided into this post, both Cassian and Belor do not deserve it,” He said. Belor looked as if he wanted to murder Gambit. And then he just decided to stop this farce. Belor grabbed the weapon that the man behind him held and pointed it at Gambit.

“Belor, NO!” Elemir shouted but Belor began to shoot at Gambit. Gambit dodged in front of Cassian and Belor shor Cassian in the head. Cassian fell to the ground but Belor didn’t stop. Gambit charged two cards and he tossed them right at Belor. Beor dodged the first one but the second landed where he dodged to. Belor exploded in a mass of bone, muscle and flesh. Elemir’s guardians flung themselves over him and Gambit was held down by some of the trainees. After the dust settled he was allowed up and Elemir stood.

“I’m through Elemir, done. I’ve proven that I am a Labeau only by name. I do not want this life. I never wanted it,” He said as he looked at Serena. “My path is leading me elsewhere my friend,” He said and Elemir looked at him and nodded. “As you wish, Gambit,” he said. Gambit stepped up to Serena then picked up her up into his arms. “Lets go baby,” He murmured and he did not look back.

In their hotel room, Gambit knelt beside Serena as she soaked in the bathtub. They had been to the hospital and she had stitches from her cuts. The warm water seemed to relax her as he had her submerge her head so he could rinse out her hair She had glorious, thick, dark hair. And the shampoo escaped into the water in a hazy cloud and then she sat up. He squeezed her hair gently as she settled and then he leaned over and kissed her lips.

“It’s done Serena, It’s all done,” Gambit said as he looked at her. “I want to look forward. I want to be able to love you,” He said as he looked at her.