Dear X-Men fans

We all know they're not mine

Please read on and review…

Chapter 1

Antarctica was a cold place, Gambit mused as he looked out the window of the boathouse. Snow had been falling for the past few days now, and he was trapped inside. But dis is definitely worse. He sighed once more as he turned to the fire he'd managed to make, in spite of the snow falling down the chimney. It was his first winter back from exile, but somehow he didn't feel quite welcomed.

Wrapping himself the bed sheets tighter around himself, he picked up his forgotten book. He was grateful that Hank was still talking to him as though nothing had happened. No, not like notin happened. He's actually worried about me, what I went through. Gambit shook his head and tried to concentrate on his reading.

He was trapped inside. He'd been trapped in the boathouse since the storm that previous night, and he thought it might have had something to do with Storm. She'd been rather upset lately, and Gambit figured it must have had something to do about him. At least the snow that had settled around the windows stopped the cold air from drifting in.

Suddenly, ice started to rush in from the chimney, killing the fire. "Hey, Thief!" It was Bobby's voice, Rogue's new boyfriend. "I thought you might like some water. Oops, did it freeze on you?" Bobby's laugh was finally covered through the thickness of the ice.

Gambit looked outside once more, not mustering the strength to care. Night was settling in and he was trapped to freeze away. He sighed. At least he was still good for something, even if it was at his expense.

His head nodded, sleep getting the best of him. He knew he had to keep warm, had to give Hank back his book, but he was so tired…

He heard something crack in the distance. Wood. Cold air was rushing in. Gambit moaned as someone picked him up in his blankets and took him outside. Guess dis is de end, he thought as the cold bit him to the bone. He could hear someone talking, but it was so far away, so soft to his ears. He drifted back to sleep.

He felt warm, warmer than he'd felt in a long time. The air was warm, the sheets were warm and the bed was warm. Wait, bed? Gambit rose with a start. Looking around, he realised he wasn't in the boathouse anymore. In fact, he was in Logan's room. "Shit. Dat homme will kill me when he finds out. How'd I get here anyway?"

Getting out of bed, he put on his boots and coat which had be placed by a chair. He was worried. He knew Logan would be back soon to celebrate the New Year and didn't want to be caught in his room.

Looking out the window, Gambit decided against going back to the boathouse. At least, not so soon. He opted instead to go see Hank, maybe ask if they could eat together. He hadn't eaten a warm meal in weeks, the stove having broken down.

Passing in front of the meeting room, he stopped as he heard voices arguing. The snicks' made him realise Logan was already back. Too late, Gambit thought dropping his head. As he turned around, Logan's yell stopped him.

"What, you didn't think I'd like to know he was back, Cyke? And you stuff him in my boathouse? You got any idea how freezing it is in there? There's no insulation in that place yet!"

"I don't see what you're making such a big deal about, Logan?" Bobby's voice sounded bored.

"Shut-up Bobby." It was a growl, a fierce growl. "I'll deal with you later."

There was a pause. Gambit knew no one in their right mind should stay around when Logan was becoming feral. Curiosity kept him where he was. Why would dat homme care? Wait, dat was his boathouse? Shit, now he's really going to kill poor Remy.

Logan's voice cut through his musings, much calmer. "I brought him back to the mansion, he's in my room. No one goes in without permission, got that? Kid needs warmth and sleep. Anyone got a problem with that?" Logan growled again, the snick of his blades once again sounding.

Next was Scott's voice, and Gambit knew nothing good would come of it. "Don't you talk to me like that, Logan. Have you forgotten what that thief did?"

Logan growled. "We all got dark pasts, Cyke, and sometimes they come back to kick us. You really think the Professor would be proud of you right now? Treating one of our own like that?"

Gambit startled at the force the door was wrenched open. Before he could say something, Logan grabbed his arm and directed him back to the rooms. "You're supposed to be in bed, kid." His tone was gentler than Gambit could remember it being.