Never in a million years would Lauren have hitchhiked and jumped into strangers' vehicles for a ride. Having Gambit with her and knowing he was a capable fighter helped her uncertainty. Him being immediately likable and charming to the drivers who picked them up helped ease everyone. All gave his strange eyes a look, but once he started talking with them—and probably using his ability of charisma—they seemed to forget about his uniqueness as the vehicles filled with laughter.

The drivers that would pick them up dropped them off at gas stations or towns where they could find food, a motel, and another ride. Their first night staying in a motel was uncomfortable on Lauren: the cheap wallpapered walls were thin, allowing them to hear the sexual pleasures of the couple next door, the threadbare carpet smelled of mold and she didn't want to imagine what caused it to be stained, and there was only one lumpy bed. On seeing her discomfort, Gambit offered to sleep on the floor, but she didn't like the idea of him laying down there—she cringed when walking across it and heard a squishing sound—so they shared the bed.

To throw off pursuit, they first headed south on I-57 to Kanakee; once there, Lauren withdrew all the money in her debit card—138 dollars—then continued down for Gilman. There, they turned straight east and headed for Indianapolis.

Within three days, they had traveled 104 miles. They planned to either reach Maine or, if they felt uneasy, attempt to cross the border into Canada.

The night in Lafayette, Illinois, Lauren jolted upright at the movement in the bed; her eyes struggled to make out Gambit moving toward the window lit up with strobing blue lights—police. Did Nitall find them?

"Remy?" she whispered, fear making her question barely louder than a puff of air.

He didn't respond as he lifted the thin curtains with a finger to look. Blinding light spilled into the room and highlighted his face. Gambit watched for a second before his alarmed posture relaxed as he sighed with relief.

"A drug bust; they're not after us."

She, too, released a heavy breath as he let the curtain fall back into place and returned to the bed.

"God, that scared me."

"Don't worry so, chérie; I can blow the wall so you can escape." He slid back under the scratchy covers. "I'm sure the proud owners of this fine establishment will understand."

She laughed, helping to calm her shaking. "They'd be too mad to try to understand at you blowing up their questionable business here." She looked at him, hoping he could see the gratefulness in her eyes. "I don't know how far I would make it without you."

"And why do you think I'd let you go alone? I'd be running with you; I'm not staying behind. Don't make me out to be a hero, amour."

"I think you are. I owe you a lot, Remy."

Gambit was quiet for a while. She couldn't tell what emotions played in his eyes, for they blended in with the darkness. The charming mutant covered whatever he felt by smiling.

"You don't owe me anything, amour."

"Yes, I do; you saved me from Nitall and you're continuing to save me by taking me with you. So, what do you want?"

He denied her again; she continued to ask what he wanted. She wasn't going to give in.

"Well, since you're so adamant about paying me back, and I'm not one to resist cashing-in, I'll let you." He lay back down, ending the discussion. "But give me some time to come up with your payment."

A small victory, but still. Lauren lay back down with a smile on her lips, not concerned about the possibilities of her payment—she'd gladly fulfill it, especially if it was a kiss.

***

It took a few days for her to get used to their routine; once she did, she had to admit that it was quite an adventure. If they weren't running for their lives, Lauren might have enjoyed it.

Right now, they were taking a break at a gas station to stretch their legs, use the bathroom, and get gas. Their newest drivers were a friendly married man and woman—he was inside paying for the gas and probably picking up snacks; she had gone to the restroom before Lauren and had joined her husband.

Finished tending to her own needs, Lauren headed outside to stand beside Gambit, propped against a yellow bollard, playing with some cards as he waited for the couple to return. She watched his fingers deftly flip the cards around, better than any cardistry she had seen before.

"You're gonna have to teach me some tricks," she said.

He looked at her with a grin. "Not hoping to pass the master, are you?"

She scoffed. "I doubt I'll get that good."

"Now insulting my teaching skills? I'm hurt, chérie."

"Your ego's too proud to be hurt." She tried to swipe a card, but he made it jump out of her reach. She tried again but with a quick twist of his hand, the card flipped over hers in taunt; he was laughing. "Give me one!"

Lauren was able to grab one for something distracted him. When she looked up to boast of her catch, she noticed Gambit was worried as he watched something behind her—the smile gone.

"What?" she asked as she turned around to see the married couple hurrying to their car, casting wary glances at them. Before she could react, they got into the vehicle, cranked it, and sped off.

"Wait—" Lauren had started after the car to stop them. She stared at the frantic vehicle as it turned back onto the highway faster than what was safe—there went their ride. She turned to look back at Gambit. "What's going on?"

His head turned to look into the gas station: the full glass windows and the still shutting door allowed them a view of the cashier on the phone and gesturing at them. Realizing that he now had their attention, he quickly dropped to hide behind the counter.

Gambit grabbed her hand. "We have to go, amour."

He pulled her along with him as they ran away from the gas station.

***

Their hitchhiking adventures were over; Gambit had figured Avaleyn had sent out a wanted poster of them and the married couple had seen it. With the cashier presumably calling the police to report them, they had to get out of there.

So now they walked through the forests lining the highways; only when farmlands or open areas forced them out would they be visible. Keeping the road in sight helped them navigate. They planned on avoiding public places like gas stations from now on. For food, Lauren ventured into fast-food joints or diners alone—Gambit's eyes would draw too much attention. The same came to when they found a motel: she'd get them a room while he waited out of view. Most of the time, though, they slept within a group of trees.

Lauren's feet ached after a week of straight walking. Their ability to quickly eat up the miles to Maine had greatly diminished. They really needed their own car.

As usual, when they camped outside, Gambit charged some twigs to make a small fire to keep them warm and to heat up the Vienna sausages he taught her to steal when they couldn't go buy dinner. At first, she had felt terrible at stealing, but they were desperate now—with both of their money running low, they now lived on Poptarts, granola bars, water, and anything small she could swipe.

Lauren perked up as an idea began forming in her head. If she was right, they were close to entering Ohio and her parents lived in New Paris—nearly on the border. They'd surely help them out: give them food, a much-needed bath, a place to sleep, and possibly even a vehicle...Why hadn't she thought of them before?

"Remy," she began, and he looked up at her, "we're close to Ohio, right?"

"Oui; the road signs say twenty miles to Eaton. Why?"

"My parents live in New Paris, about thirteen miles before there and close to Interstate 70; I'm sure they'll give us help, like a car."

He sat back. "Don't you think Nitall would be having them watched, in case you went to them? Should we chance it?"

She hadn't thought of that; she considered how much of a risk they'd be taking by going there, then nodded.

"Are you sure?" he asked after a while of the fire crackling and insects making any noise.

"It's our only shot. If we feel like we're being watched, we'll leave. I hope me being spoiled by the convenience of a car doesn't get us into trouble," she joked.

Gambit chuckled. "You're not alone in being spoiled... but I hope it doesn't get us into trouble, too."