Here we go again... I don't own the x-men k?

"...You're toxic, I'm slippin' under..."

1

"The search continues for the mutant terrorists responsible for the terrible attacks against mutant research institutions. It has been four months since the last attack and there are speculations that the terrorists are planning something on a grand scale. All possible precautions have been taken." The TV in the kitchen announced while the group of mutants munched on their breakfast.

"You think he vill?" Kurt asked, sitting on the counter, using his tail as a springy chair.

"Turn that crap off." AJ tossed a hand in the air as she walked in the kitchen, grabbing a bright red box from the cupboard. Logan stopped behind her, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

"Turn it up. I wanna hear what they have t'say about those jerks."

Rogue laughed. "Ah don't think they're bright enough t'plan something like that."

"Shhh!" Kitty shushed them, staring intently at the screen.

AJ smiled discreetly at Logan as she munched on her colorful breakfast. He smirked at her, drinking his orange juice as he walked by.

Rogue watched the subtle exhibit took place. Neither one of them was prone to public displays of affection, so it was quite a spectacle if you were fortunate enough to catch one. She pressed her lips together to suppress her smile.

"Seriously, turn that off." AJ repeated.

"Y'know, I heard that the Acolytes have a new member. Clearly a replacement for the Black Fox." Bobby said with a smile.

"No one could ever replace me." She chuckled, tucking her short black hair behind her ear.

Kitty giggled "Yeah."

"Seriously though, I hear she's quite the blonde fox." Bobby grinned, looking at Gambit with a nudge.

Rogue laughed "You boys need t'get a hobby."

Later that afternoon, Rogue sat sprawled out under her favorite tree on the mansion grounds. It sat nestled out of the way, giving her a nice view of everything going on. She liked to people watch. Especially with other mutants. A smile played on her face while she watched a few of the younger mutants playing basketball with Wolverine and Jubilee. She leaned against the trunk of the tree, letting out a light as she crossed her arms. Jubilee was very competitive. Those little mutants would have no idea what was heading their way.

"What's so funny chère?" Gambit grinned, leaning against the tree she was sitting under.

Rogue looked up with a smile. "Just watchin' those poor suckers playin' basketball with Jubes an' Wolvie. They got no idea…"

He chuckled, sitting down next to her in the grass, pulling out a card and twirling it between his fingers as he watched them begin their game.

"Look, y'can see d'bloodthirsty look in her eyes from here." He pointed at Jubilee.

Rogue laughed before looking at him. He was wearing a black top hat, causing her to furrow her brow.

"Where's the ball Fred Astare?"

He smiled, flipping the hat off his head and tossing it. It landed a few feet away, upside down.

"Fo' practice." He flicked a card that drifted directly into the hat.

She furrowed her brow "How did y'do that?"

"Practice. It's all in d'wrist." He flicked another one, watching it hit the center of the hat, dead on. "Y'wanna try?"

She nodded, holding her hand out for a card.

"Alright." She flicked the card, missing horribly and letting out a short laugh "Harder then it looks."

He smiled "Told y'it took practice."

She held out her hand "Lemme try again."

Gambit handed her another card "Don' force it chère… just flip y'wrist."

She nodded and tried it again. The card fell on the grass and this time she let out a full laugh "Dammit!"

"Don' worry 'bout it, no one get's it right away."

"Well now… y'have t'know ah'm too stubborn t'settle with reasonin' like that."

He laughed. "Dat's true." He held out another card for her to flip. She took it between her two fingers, looking him in the eye. They sat for a moment in that position, before he let go of the card, moving his hand to her jaw, running his gloved thumb along her cheek.

Over the past three months, neither one of them had mentioned anything about that night. The night Rogue shared her secret.

He figured she'd say something when she was ready.

Rogue put her hand over his before clearing her throat. "So how… um, what am ah doin' wrong?"

She whispered, turning her head to look at the hat.

He grinned. "Ain' doin' anythin' wrong chère. Jus' takes time."

Rogue nodded silently, flicking another card and missing terribly.

"Here fleur." He handed her the rest of the deck as he stood up. "You keep practicin' wit dem cards." He winked, heading back into the institute.