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The day was bright and warm with a soft breeze blowing across the city. It ruffled the flags that flew in numerous places around the city, adding their snapping to the melody of sounds that floated between the buildings. Along with this melody came the smell of the sea, the breeze carrying it to the inner parts of the city as if it simply wished to share the pleasant odder with those who seldom got to experience it.
As the breeze blew, it moved past the inner city and into the outskirts. It still carried with it the smell of the sea, but the sounds of the city had dissipated enough by now that all one could hear was the rustling of the trees that stood tall and proud around an old park. In the center of that park stood an old playground. True, the equipment was worn and rusted, but it still held a universe of fun for the young children who still chose to create worlds spawned from their imaginations there. On this particular wind swept day no children created their worlds of wonder at the playground. In fact, the park had only one occupant, a young woman who sat silently on the swings and started out at the horizon. She swayed slightly back and forth in the swing, her unbound blonde hair billowing softly as the breeze blew past her and further into the country unobstructed by anything or anyone.
For a short time she wished she was like the wind...unbridled by anyone and free to make her own decisions on where she would go. However, she had learned long ago that her life was not her own and it possibly never would be. At first it had been her father who had controlled her. Then when he was gone the Weapon X Project replaced him and became her master. With great difficulty she got away from that and for a short time knew what freedom felt like, then her brother became her master...and now Magneto. She was not free to do as she wished, she was not even free to love who she chose. That was what hurt more than anything.
Every night in the club she would watch the lovers as they danced, sharing kisses and small secrets with each other as they moved about the floor with not a care in the world. How she wished she could be like that, not caring who she was seen with or who knew what was in her heart...but she had been trapped into this life she lived by her own decisions and now she had to live with it.
She continued to swing back and forth, her mind lost in thought as she stared out at the clouds that floated softly through the azure sky. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn�t even hear him approach until he spoke.
�Aren�t you a lill old ta be playin on swings, mon chere?�
The voice was gentle with a hint of curiosity, which did nothing to soften the thick Cajun accent that it carried. She turned to her left to find a young man with red hair and red on black eyes setting in the swing next to her. It took her a moment to place him, but once she did she breathed a silent sigh of relief.
�I could say the same for you,� she said with a soft smile.
He returned her smile, then looked out in the direction she had been staring.
�Penny for ya thoughts, chere?� he said, again turning his unusual eyes on her.
She shrugged, debating on what to tell him. It was true, she needed to talk but she wasn�t sure he was the right one to be talking to. Still, maybe she could say what she needed to without giving too much away.
�Life is strange,� she said softly, �Sometimes you feel free as a bird, but then there are other times when no matter how far you run you never truly feel like you�ve gotten away.�
�Could be you not runnin far enough,� he said.
�Could be,� she said softly, �But I very highly doubt that anywhere on this earth would be far enough.�
He nodded, then looked down at the ground for a moment.
�What if ya didn need ta run?� he asked, �What if ya had someone to protec ya. There are people like dat ya know.�
She couldn�t help but smile.
�Yeah, I know� she said, �But that doesn�t make it any easier. Then, instead of just me being in trouble I get others involved too. The last thing I want is to bring others into it...to cause other to suffer because of me.�
He looked at her, his eyes studying her soft features. She was quite beautiful. It was no wonder Logan was fond of her. Just how fond exactly Remy wasn�t sure...but everyone in the Mansion knew that he cared for her, that much had been evident by the way he had acted the night she had come to them with bruises.
�Maybe they take dose risks for you,� he said, �Because dey want to. You ever tink of dat? If dey choose ta take dose risks for you ya can�t tell dem not too. It dere choice.�
She smiled, her emerald green eyes sparkling just a bit in the light from the setting sun.
�I just don�t want anyone getting hurt because of me,� she said, �Like I told Logan...If someone else gets hurt it�ll haunt me for the rest of my life. If I stay I�m the only one who gets hurt. I can live with that.�
�Maybe so Chere,� he said, �But he can�t...and after the last time I saw you I don tink I can eider. I don�t know you, but I do know you in trouble and you a friend to Logan. Dat all dat matter ta me.�
He reached over and took her chin in his hand, turning her face so she had to look into his eyes. They were unusual eyes, but they held no less emotion because of their color. In fact, she might have said that the emotions there were more accentuated because of the color.
�Please chere,� he said softly, �Let us help you. We know what we doin. We been doin it long enough.�
�If there was anyone else who could get you the information you need I would gladly agree, Cajun,� she said softly, �But as it is I�m the only one who can. You need that information. Magneto is a dangerous man. You know that just as well as I do. I can�t let him do whatever it is he�s planning.�
�Den join us and help us stop im,� he said.
�I can�t,� she said, shaking her head, �What if you don�t find out what he�s planning in time? Then what? How many lives will be lost because I gave up when it got to tough?�
�No one fault ya for bein smart,� he said, �What Remy hear you been trough enough already. Ya don need no mo�.�
�Maybe not,� she said, �But that still doesn�t mean I give up. I was trained not to...no matter what. Logan knows that.�
Remy just looked at her, trying to decide whether it was wise to push the issue or not. In the end, he figured it was best to just let it go. She was stubborn, that much was for sure he just hoped it wouldn�t get her killed. He was looking forward to getting to know her better.
�How�d you find me?� she asked.
He shrugged, a mischievous smile creasing his handsome features.
�Remy not really plan on findin ya,� he said, �Jus kinda stumble onta ya. Life funny dat way.�
She chuckled at that, a bit of her old humor coming back. She liked him. She wasn�t sure why, she just did. He seemed to have a gentle and laid back nature about him, one that made her feel at ease. Only Logan could make her feel that at ease, and it wasn�t because of his nature, or maybe it was.
�So,� she said, changing the subject, �Why Gambit?�
�Huh?� he asked, giving her a strange look.
�Why did you choose Gambit,� she asked again, �Why not something else that fit better with your powers?�
He shrugged.
�Just liked Gambit better,� he said, �Why you choose Vengence?�
She smiled. She had known that was coming.
�The first codename I was given was Sonic,� she said softly, �But that name had too many bad memories associated with it. Once I got away from the cause of those memories I spent most of my time trying to find a way to get revenge on those who had taken everything away from me. I spent so much time immersed in that, I almost forgot who I was. At one point it seemed that I had become my own vengeance. When I finally looked back and realized what I was doing I was ashamed and a bit upset at what I had become. I thought they had made me into it and it took me a while to realize that I had done it to myself. So I named myself Vengence, without the �A� so that every time I say it I am reminded that it isn�t just about me. That and I kinda like the way it sounds when someone asks who I am.�
Gambit looked at her, a smile creasing his lips.
�Good reason,� he said.
They lapsed into silence, each one lost in their own thoughts as they stared out at the receding sunlight. Gambit truly hadn�t been looking for her, but now he was glad he had chosen to come out here today. He had been looking for an old friend, but hadn�t found him where he thought he would. He had started back home then, taking a shortcut through the old park when he saw her. A glance into the parking lot verified his suspicions of who it was and he couldn�t pass up the opportunity to talk to her.
�Who are you?� he asked softly, �Nobody know your name but Logan, and he choose not to share. Remy figure he ask you, instead of prying it outa Logan.�
Regina doubted that he could pry anything out of Logan, but just the thought almost made her laugh.
�My name is Regina,� she said softly, �Regina Creed. Now you know the reason Logan didn�t tell anyone who I was.�
He looked at her calmly, his eyes betraying no emotion.
�What you to Sabretooth?� he asked casually.
�Right now just a thorn in his side that he would rather have dead,� she said softly, �But at one time long ago I was his sister.�
Now Remy understood. He didn�t understand everything, but he understood allot more than he had before. It didn�t really make sense to him, but then Logan never did make sense to anyone.
Abruptly she stood up, then turned to look at him.
�It�s getting late,� she said with a sigh, �I need to get going. I gotta open the club in a few hours. You wanna ride home?�
He looked up at her, a smile once more gracing his face.
�Remy like dat,� he said.
* * * * * * * *
About an hour later the jet black Dodge Viper drove up the driveway to the Xavier School for the Gifted and stopped in front of the entrance. Rogue was setting on the roof watching the sun set when she heard the Cajun�s voice as he bid the driver goodbye. She flew down from the roof to land softly beside him, a curious look on her face. Before she could say anything though, the woman in the driver�s seat handed Remy a small sheet of paper.
�Could you give this to Logan for me?� she asked, her voice soft and level, �He�ll know what it is.�
�Sure chere,� Remy replied, then closed the door.
Rogue watched as the black car turned and made it�s way back down the driveway and onto the main road.
�And just who was that, sugha�?� she asked, her tone a bit accusing.
Remy stood there silently for a moment, then turned to Rogue.
�A friend,� he said with a smile, then turned and entered the Mansion. Chapter 5
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