* I screwed with the Marvel universe a little, allowing Remy and Storm to be friends since they were teenagers. It's not so far off the mark that it's unbelievable, but I figured I'd mention it. P.S. I obviously don't own any of the Marvel characters; this story is purely for the enjoyment of the other X-Men addicts like myself!

Right Now Is All That Matters

"Come on, 'Ro, it's girls' night out! It wouldn't be the same without you…" Jubilee wheedled one summer afternoon.

"Child, there is nothing I can do about it. I must catch up on these reports…I have never been this behind on records before." Ororo was the leader of the X-Men, and felt great responsibility for the people that she led. She strived to do everything in her power to be prepared for each mission, and she wrote out in full detail what had transpired during each of their interventions. Unfortunately, lately she had been so stressed out with dealing with the Sentinels, Magneto, and the seemingly ever-growing groups of mutant-haters that she had forgotten to live her own life.

"Storm, one night of fun isn't going to make or break you. You need this. I've seen how tired you've been lately. Not physically tired, but emotionally drained. We are just going to go to a club and chill out for the night – no psycho terrorists to deal with, no team debriefings, just you, and me, Jean, Kitty, Domino, Sage, Psylocke, and Rogue. We'll have some drinks, we'll meet some guys…come on, it won't be as fun without you there!"

Ororo knew that the newly 21-year-old Jubilee was excited to finally be able to "go out with the girls." She had always been the one left at home before because she had been too young. Well, what harm can it do? Storm thought to herself. "Fine, Jubilee. But if I am going, you need to find me something to wear."

Jubilee squealed in delight. "YES! Alright, that I can do. I'll be back soon. Take a shower, get ready, and I'll find the perfect thing for you." She raced out of the room, knowing exactly who she would enlist to help her find the perfect outfit for Storm.

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Gambit was still in the midst of slumber when he began to hear the insistent tapping on his door. Mon dieu, who is thinkin' to bother Remy on a Saturday? Even though it was well past three o'clock, he had not quite managed to drag himself out of bed yet. The last few weeks had been rough on everyone in the mansion, what with almost nightly battles and caring for the younger students at the school. Gambit's body seemed to ache more and more each day, reminding him that he was getting older. And yet still…KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! Some other people in Xavier's school seemed to be feeling mighty perky today. Remy stood up, stretched, raked a hand through his hair, pulled on a pair of jeans and opened the door. He was more than a little surprised to see Jubilee standing in front of him. "Mornin', chere." He mumbled. "What you wakin' me up for?"

"Can I come in?" The overexcited Jubilee pushed past him and closed the door, then snapped on the light, causing poor Gambit to wince. "Well, all of us girls are going out tonight, and I managed to talk Storm into coming too, but she needs something to wear. I figured as her best friend, you might have some good ideas on what I could get her." She beamed at him brightly, knowing he couldn't pass up the chance to force his oldest friend into having some fun.

Gambit did indeed enjoy the idea of Storm dressing up to go out, and he chuckled to himself. "Mon petit, Remy will gladly help you. Give him a half hour to wake up, and den we go to da store."

Jubilee's face split into a smile. She rushed past Remy, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and hurried upstairs to get ready. Sweet kid,Remy thought to himself, shutting the door and heading into his bathroom. He stripped off his pants and looked into the mirror at himself. His hair was a mess and the lines of the mattress were etched into his face. His bare chest had some minor bruising on it from a tussle he'd had with Magneto's thugs earlier in the week, and right along his ribcage there was a single scar that he'd had since he could remember. He recalled when Storm had first found it as they lay in bed together when they were kids, and how she had traced it with the tip of her finger, causing shivers to run up and down his spine. What an unlikely pair they had been back then; two chance soul mates whose friendship would last a lifetime.

They had originally met while pulling a thieving job for a boss when they were fourteen. Ororo had been living on the streets of New Orleans just like Remy at that time; she had illegally hopped a ship from Cairo to the states when she was twelve, tired of being haunted by the memories of her parents' deaths, and wanting to start a new life. On her own, she stole for anyone who would pay well, and protected herself with her newly manifesting powers. When she and Gambit met on the job, they realized their shared gifts and decided to run a joint operation of their own. They stopped working for other people and lived wherever the wind blew them, always together, always free. When Xavier found them, the pair were in their early twenties and living in New Orleans again. Storm accepted his invitation to live in Westchester immediately, ready for something new and exciting, but it took Gambit a few more years to come around. Though they kept in touch, nothing made her happier than the day he finally arrived at the mansion. There was no one else in the world that she trusted more than him, and both knew that they had a bond that few others could understand.

Gambit shook his head, jerking himself out of his reverie. Even the moment when he had come to Xavier's place was many years past now. Where does da time go? He reflected silently. With one last glance in the mirror as he turned on the hot water, he noticed how being close to thirty had really changed him. Though there was still an unmistakable sparkle in his eyes, he had subtle lines in his forehead and a weary look on his face. Maybe Stormy's not da only one who should be goin' out tonight to reclaim some youth. He sighed and let the water cascade over his body, enjoying the warmth on his skin.