Rogue shook hands with the older woman with a smile.
"Nice to see you again Rogue," she said.
"And you too, Joey," Rogue replied.
"You know, I did suspect that you might be a mutant," Joey went on. "I didn't imagine for a moment that you could take bullets without a stratch."
"Ah don't know," Rogue joked. "Those bullets sure didn't look very good after."
Joey laughed. It was easy to joke now that it had been over a month since the bank robbery, and this was Rogue's first meeting with Johnny's forthright daughter since then. Tonight was just supposed to be a casual get together (although Rogue had no doubt they'd end up talking shop).
"Yo' may not recruit my wife, Joey," Gambit said firmly, but with a smile to show her that he realised she wasn't trying to do that.
"Ha! You have to admit that she would make a most effective bodyguard," Joey grinned.
"But not a very reliable one," Rogue said quietly. "Invulnerability isn't muh... native power, and Ah'm not really sure how long Ah will retain it."
Joey looked at her thoughtfully.
"Then what is - no, don't answer that. I don't want to know," Joey looked at Gambit, then back at Rogue. "Whatever it is, I think it was smart of you not to go around telling everyone. Now they all think you're invulnerable, and hopefully that will curb any more attempts on your life. I've been recommending to most of my people that they hide their families away for the duration of this... this mess. I won't stoop to that level, but my brothers would."
"So we've noticed," Gambit said wryly.
"Indeed."
There was the sound of a door opening, and the three realised that others were arriving.
**********
"So, Rogue, to you play poker?" Joey asked as they headed out to the poker table.
"Ah'm married to Gambit, what do you think?" Rogue grinned.
Joey laughed.
"Ah don't play that often though, so..." Rogue shrugged. "Ah suspect Ah'm going ta have ta rely on Gambit to win all our money back."
Gambit chuckled softly as he held her seat out for her. Rogue smiled as she sat down, and took the seat next to her.
"Never trust anyone who says 'I don't play that often' or 'I don't know how to play' or "I'm not very good'," one of the men at the table grinned at her. "Or anyone who pretends they don't know how to hold a pool cue properly either."
Gambit grinned at him, and Joey dealt the cards.
The game progressed, the dealer changing with each round. Rogue was rather pleased with her card shuffling abilities - they sure had improved since she last shuffled cards. She didn't even have to resort to tossing them up in the air (not that she would do something so... unprofessional in this atomosphere). Gambit, as always, showed off. Most of what he did half the other people at the table could also do, but Rogue was convinced that he was using what telekinesis he had for a couple of his tricks.
"I hear Andy and Bella Donna had a falling out."
"What do you suppose they had to argue about? I raise 300."
"I heard the same, actually. Apparently she's joined forces with Donny now."
"Is she going to be a problem? I fold."
"There was a reason why Johnny had his little pet assassin."
"Yeah, masquarading as head of security. Call."
"Well, if anyone would know how to stop an assassin, it would be an assassin."
"Yet, Johnny was still assassinated."
"Assassins Guild sticks together."
"I call."
"De Assassins Guild honours deir contracts," Gambit replied grimly. "Dey're very strict about that kind of t'ing. Still... it may interest yo' to know that the different branches don' always know what another branch is doing, and Bella Donna officially transfered from de New Orleans branch to de New York branch, hmm, about dis time last year."
"Just what are you saying, Gambit?"
"Raise, 100."
"You're bluffing."
"Just an observation."
"You know an awlful lot about the Assassins Guild."
"Call," Gambit said mildly, ignoring the implied accusation.
"All I know is," Joey cut in then, "that my father is dead, and that bitch has been nothing but trouble since the day she walked into the bar. Quite frankly, I wish someone would take out a contract on her."
"Why don't you?"
"I fold."
"Right, like I'm going to do anything to attract Andy and Donny's attention on me," Joey dismissed. "The longer they forget about me, the easier it will be to end this ridiculous situation."
"And just how were you planning on doing that?"
Joey smiled mysteriously.
"You'll see."