Kitty was reading over her journal when she should've been reading the diagnostic of the plane, but still thinking of Peter instead. She wrote the day's events, still trying to analyze what Peter had said and what he meant. She was sure there were discrepancies. Was he implying something? Or was his not implying something saying something else? She worried over it all as a girl would do. She didn't even hear the noise at the small balcony, though small, she was oblivious to the eyes that watched her.

"Gambit t'ink de place need betta' alarms."

The voice scared Kitty as she jumped in the air, her phasing enacting as she stood in the middle of her bed, her legs down through the mattress. She looked over to see one of the new X-men from a few days ago at her window. It was the seemingly quiet one none had seen on entering the room. He crouched back on his heels, his knees sticking out as he perched in place. He still had his trench coat, but the ripped jeans and band shirt had been replaced with fighting uniform, topped off with fighter boots.

Gambit, Kitty figured he was called as she remembered Cyclops's weak introduction and the man's reference to himself in the third person, stepped inside her room. As he walked through he eyed the girls' room, but stopped to speak to Kitty.

"Remy's sorry he scared y', chere" He sketched a bow to her. "Jus' check'n de systems. Dey be 'n desp'rate need o' work."

"Kitty," she offered her name stepping forward, phasing out of the bed. She reached and shook his hand.

"au revoir, kit" he nodded and left her room.

Gambit he looked over his shoulder to grin at the younger girl when he opened the door, unaware that the handle had turned before he touched it as well. In walked Rogue and straight into him, both knocked over.

"Ah," Rogue grunted, hitting her head against the man's headgear and falling on her ass. Gambit, more agile, maintained his balance and looked down at the girl, offering a hand to help her up.

Rogue looked up to see who she'd run into and only saw the unusual eyes that peered down at her. Struck, she just looked not thinking anything of getting up, just shocked by what she saw, not that she could read anything in the black-red eyes.

"Ah-I'm sorry," she stumbled getting to her feet, not ignoring his hand, but not aware of it.

" es nothin'" the man told her. "Gambit was 'n y' room."

"Why were you in there?" she asked him after a second, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Secur'ty?" he asked if it were a plausible excuse, teasing her because it was the truth.

"Sure," she replied skeptically, stepping past him to get into talk to Kitty, she was more concerned with what had just happened downstairs than strange men in her room with Kitty.

She walked in shutting the door behind her, unaware if the curious looking man still stood there, though he had read her brush off as she stepped inside and continued on his scan of the systems. Kitty was sitting on her bed, stunned, and her mouth hanging slightly open.

"Did you see those eyes?" Kitty asked Rogue seeing her enter, and having witnessed the run-in.

"Yeh, But—" Rogue tried to tell her but Kitty grinned at her.

"Guess what happened? Peter…"And Kitty launched into her latest story about her own run-in with a hottie, telling Rogue of what Peter said and wondering what she thought.

"But, shug," Rogue cut it, "listen. I over heard some talkin'," Rogue accent strong as she tried to talk over Kitty, "we need to be on form tomorrah."

Rogue had been beating the shit out of the punching bag when Logan had warned her to lighten up, that they were being watched. Training as junior members was going to be hard, and there was no room for major faults, like attitude. In addition, certain things had to be met, like piloting and navigating, hand-to-hand, analytical solving, etc. Training was going to step up tomorrow for those that had stayed.

"It's time to get serious." Rogue told her.

"Right." Kitty set aside her journal. "No more Peter-stalking?"

Rogue laughed. "Only on downtime."

"Can you go close that window, please?" Kitty eyed Gambit's entrance; with the openness she felt a draft. Turning back to her piloting book, she focused her attention.

"What was with our visitor?" Rogue laughed as she shut the window. The man had been unexpected and so had Kitty's story. Both laughed and couldn't wait to tell it over to Jubilee later.

The training did intensify in the following week and Rogue felt inadequate. She could do everything that was asked of her, but something was still holding her back. The Professor's therapy did little to help her, though she played along. She was back in her old sleepless rut. After her latest session, she tried her hardest to maintain her cover, quickly heading to the Gym to work out her frustrations.

Her head down she mumbled to herself, complaining and fighting with herself. Once again, she ran head long into trouble as she opened the door. Pushing the door open, she caught something in her peripheral vision and yanked her head up, remembering her last run-in when she was distracted. The man, the same man, jumped back, this time prepared as well.

"Gambit meets de fille ag'in, non?" he laughed seeing her, a crooked grin playing at his smug face.

"Sure, right, whateva," She brushed passed him. Not feeling like talking to anyone.

Not even waiting to see if he left, she yanked off her gloves and tossed them to their usual waiting place. She stretched out her arms and legs, running her hands down her bare arms, smiling bitterly at the thought.

Gambit watched the girl, the young woman in her own world as she warmed up her muscles for a work out. While his was over, he stayed to watch her for a moment. He hadn't seen anyone so displaced in the mansion, so angry. Especially since the one other time he'd seen this girl she was distracted, yes, but not livid as she was now. He saw her muscles hard under her razorback top, allowing her shoulder blades freedom, and the way her defined abs topped the leggings she had on. She knew her body, how to work off, and she showed it off.

"No name, chere?" He stopped in front of her as she was straightening the superior boxing bag.

"It's Rogue," She shot him a negligent gaze before decking the bag, more than hinting she was going on with her routine.

"Codename?" he guessed.

"It's all just Rogue." She tried to ignore him, but he seemed amused at her irritation.

"Gambit jus' Gambit den," he grinned, implying he wouldn't tell her his real name either.

"Fine," she danced to the side so she could continue and ignore him, but he caught the bag.

"Why's de Rogue bleed'n," he reached for her shoulder, and she yanked it out of his reach.

"Look Cajun," she snarled at him, also giving away that she knew he was as southern as she was, "you can't go touchin' whom ever you feel like 'round here."

"Touchin' off limits?" he grinned. "Gambit t'ink y' like t' give off de signals."

"I can show, you can't touch." She smiled sickeningly sweet at him. " 'less you like comas?"

"Gambit likes de challenge."

"Well, you've been warned." She pummeled the bag, tying to focus on that rather than the man messing with her.

"Y' hold'n back, chere." He told her rather than asked, but left it at that and walked out.

Gambit knew that she was holding back from what he saw, but also from what he had heard and read about this girl. He, like the rest of the newer acquisitions to the X-team, had been given the rundown on the former students. This one, Rogue, as she insisted on being called, he knew had the ability to absorb through touch. But he also knew that she had more powers. The dossier hadn't really been clear about the hows and whys, but Gambit had thought there was more to her. When he saw her coming in at the end of his work out, it had seemed like a beautiful distraction. But she lacked the control over her powers—any of them. Gambit now knew there was more.

He shrugged, he had nothing better to do in the mean time.

Rogue couldn't believe the nerve of the new member, Gambit. She scoffed at the name, the arrogance of it, but let it drop as soon as she realized the closeness to her own name. Then she began to wonder what his real name was.

She shook her head, whatever it was, he had no right to touch her. If he had touched her skin, or her blood? Good lord she didn't know what would have happened. She didn't even know what his mutation was, who knows what would have happened.

Who cares that he has hypnotic charm? She mumbled to herself in her head. Or the most interesting eyes I've ever seen.

She gave up on the punching bag and went to the treadmill, thinking a run would help forget what happened. It wasn't Gambit she was trying to forget, which proved difficult, but the anger she felt from her problems with her X-men training. She wasn't using her full ability she knew it, in power-sense, or mental ability. She was getting nervous as the senior members like Scott and Storm began to ride her more and expect more. She felt like she was falling short. And falling to her old back up, she came to beat herself up and exorcise her frustrations.

Bobby was doing great and she knew she shouldn't compare her own progress with his, but it was difficult. The worst part was that he was horribly nice about it all, wanting to help her and she kept pushing him away. Kitty and Jubes were doing well, but neither had the same pressure that she had from Logan. John and Peter fluctuated in how they did, but that was to be expected. Betsy was good under pressure and only needed the motivation…of a certain winged man. But Rogue was holding Rogue back. Dammit, she thought to herself. Maybe she was being stupid.

No, she was stupid she decided.

Finding the Treadmill falling short of her expectations, she decided for a run outside, far, far away. She knew she should let someone know she was going out, but wasn't in the mood for neither company nor conversations. She wiped her shoulder with a towel, padding the bloody scrape from her own nails digging into her due to her frustrations. She left the room.

"Good Psy," Cyclops told Betsy over the microphone. He pointed out Kitty to Jean from the control room where all the X-men watched the Junior members work as a team together.

"Easy Jubilee, The room isn't that big," Scott warned the younger girl from to big of actions.

"Gentle on the civilians, Pyro," Storm warned John to not attack the simulation crowd or to force them on to safety too strongly. "Be forceful, not frightening."

Storm and Cyclops made the general comments, not too many, but enough for the players to improve their game some for the test. The rest of the X-men watched, perhaps making a comment of two to Scott or Storm for improvement. Warren kept an eye on Besty, but said very little, as the girl was aware of his presence. Beast watched with more of an analytical eye, and for his own purposes, he was amused. Logan grunted when he saw one make a combat error that they should have known better, but he didn't say anything. Gambit watched but was less interested. It was like watching a movie and he would have preferred to be in on the action himself. Jean stood behind Scott with her hand on his shoulder, smirking every time Logan huffed, and pointing out the progress and telling him to give more encouragement.

"Stronger Iceman."

"Rogue!" Cyclops bellowed, not for the first time, nor the last he feared. "Pay attention!"

"Break!" he called wearily. He tried to keep his frustrations in tact, but was growing irritated and developing a headache. "Up here."

Everyone piled into the room, panting or stretching, Peter dropping his metal armor. Bobby felt plenty cool, and sprayed find mist over at Kitty, who shrieked. Rogue straightened her gloves, knowing what was coming and tried to stay in line. Jubilee reached over and rubbed on her shoulder, the spandex-like material making a funny noise.

"Okay," Scott started off, "Some things are better. Some. Are. Not."

"We are only being constructive," Storm reminded them, but moreover, Scott.

"Right," he continued. "So, take what we say, and use it.

"Iceman, very good, keep it up." Many rolled their eyes at the pet status Cyclops looked on Bobby.

"Pyro, Tone it down, this isn't a video game where you can blow everything up. I know you have the energy, but calm down."

"Colossus, Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Try to use more brain than brawn, but good on the cool, you're getting better. Maybe you could give John a lesson." He shot a look back to John.

"Rogue." He said with a pause. Obviously fighting with himself on what to say. Deciding not to embarrass her in front of her friends, he moved on.

He continued on with the rest, happy with Kitty today. Reminding Jubilee to use more control, and he let Betsy go with a well done, as she was the last one and he was tired. He dismissed them, holding Rogue back.

Rogue was already red from his lack of tact, saying her name in fury, then ignoring her. Not only had he made a fool of her in front of her friends, but the rest of the X-men as well, more of which to follow. Bobby shot her look and an encouraging smile as he left, and the rest tried not to make eye contact, one or two giving her hand a squeeze as they left. They knew what was in store as much as she did.

The rest of the X-men still stood in their same places, witness to the lashing Rogue was about to receive. Jean looked grave, Storm appeared in disagreement with Cyclops but maintaining neutrality for the sake of the team and leader, and the rest looked in bafflement why they were still there. Rogue shot Logan a look, fighting the desperation she felt, but held a poker face. Logan looked on at Jean and Scott, seeming to be thinking something else. Rogue couldn't really blame him, they hadn't been as close lately, so why should he stand up for her.

"Rogue," Scott tried to say calmly and rationally. "This isn't the first time you've been held back from the group."

She knew he wasn't really asking a question, but his tone suggested it. Something was fighting in her, and she just answered in her head. Guess not.

"Something just isn't right."

Ya think?

"Your progress isn't running as smooth as we'd like."

As you'd like? What about me?

"Everyone has ups and downs, but you're too much of a wild card right now."

Logan grunted, holding back laughter. If it were up to Cyclops even more than it already was, he would have no wildness at all in his ranks.

Riiight. Rogue resisted pointing out Logan and asking about his validity in the wildcard department.

"What do you think we should do?"

Rogue wasn't sure if he was being rhetorical or not, but she figured he was. She continued fighting what she really wanted to say. Maybe get off my back. Or criticize someone else for a change.

"We feel," Cyclops gestured to the rest of the X-men.

Yeah right 'we', You Scott.

"—That to improve, you must deal with your extra powers. You must stop fighting them and use them. Control them or they will control you."

"We all loved Carol too, but, its time to move on. She would—"

"What!" Rogue let out her inner monologue, furious that Cyclops was going to intrude on her personal pain and suffrage, moreover lecture her on what happened and should happen. "That's so easy to say, isn't it? Maybe if I just had her powers it'd be okay, but I have Carol in my head!"

"Rogue," Scott tried to tone her down with a subduing voice.

"No, don't shush me! I haven't said much these weeks while you rip me apart, now in front of everyone, but you think it's easy? I'm tryin' to be difficult?

"No, you don't right? You don't think. Only about your team. What about the people in your team? Fine, you know what, you saw what happened, or the Professor told you. But didja ask, did you care?"

"Rogue," Jean took a severe tone, "We have always been here. We have always asked after you."

"You've been pushing me away since I got back," Logan took Jean's side.

"Yeh, I wasn't ready. And y'all pushin me isn't helpin! Let's watch you kill your best friend and see how it goes for you!"

Storm said very little, she wanted to help Rogue out, but knew that this needed to come out. Scott had gone about it very poorly, but the sore subject needed to be straightened. She shot her friend Remy a look, knowing that this isn't what he signed up for. She hadn't warned him about stuff like this when she'd recruited him. Gambit just watched, shuffling his cards, blending into the background like usual…when he cared.

"Rogue, we are going to have to suspend your entry until this is resolved—"

"Fine," Rogue didn't even let him finish. She ripped the X patch off her jacket and slammed it down on the table, making the legs creak. She walked out while they were still stunned by her immature display. She knew she was being childish, but it was an intensely sensitive issue that they were manhandling she felt.

She saw some of the others as she was walking quickly through the house, but managed to avoid them. Bobby looked over to see her and then she was gone. Hopping off the couch, he figured she went up to the roof, and followed.

Back in the Conference room. Everyone sat stunned and quiet for a minute. Scott broke it. "That went well."

Gambit looked up from his pastime and looked at the strange man as if he were wearing clown glasses over his goggles. He wasn't sure if Cyclops was being sarcastic, or referred to the rest of the training session. He figured the latter. The man didn't know sarcasm.

Logan grunted a response, which Scott turned to him. "Any better ideas?"

"Hey, just because the kid let loose on you doesn't mean—"

"The kid was out of line—"

"Maybe you can't control everything—"

"I think we've established that 'the kid' is no longer a kid," Beast butted in. "Like any young woman she is just trying to figure out who she is. On top of a grueling schedule."

"You sound like Jean," Warren yawned.

"But the rest of them have the same issues as well." Scott pointed out. "Youth, training, X-men, etc. and they all have their own trauma."

"That's a laugh." Logan snarled. "So are we gonna separate everyone into categories now?"

"I'm just saying that they all needed to be treated the same." Scott tried to ignore Logan.

"But they can't," Storm spoke up. "I believe Logan is saying that everyone is in fact different."

"They are not the same…" Jean spoke more to herself, as if trailing an idea.

"Everyone else is managing," Cyclops continued, "just fine."

"It don' seem t' Gambit' dat y' treat dem all de same, mon ami" Gambit threw in there. He really liked to be the Devil's advocate, but saw it that way just the same.

"Excuse me?" Cyclops turned to the cocky man in the back.

Gambit shrugged.

"Iceman?" Logan suggested Cyclops pet.

"What about him?"

"It appears that you favor him," Warren now find the argument interesting.

"And it appears you favor Psylocke." Gambit said carefully, avoiding his accent, just trying to stir the pot of trouble more. He was bored.

Strong voices broke out in argument, not yelling but arguing still. Cyclops, trying to maintain leadership finally, raised his voice. "Enough!"

"As we are all on edge, and not getting anywhere, we will reconvene in the morning. Tempers better be siphoned by then. Dismissed."

He raised an eyebrow when they all just sat there staring at him. He turned to Jean after a minute as the walked on out. He heaved a weighty sigh.

On the roof, Rogue watched the sun set, ignoring the sun blinding her. She knew it would have no effect. The invulnerability she had taken/received from Carol made her immune. But it did create a blackness in her vision and she welcomed it for a bit. She knew Cyclops was right, that she needed to use her other powers to advance, but….but….she didn't know.

As it was, she avoided anything to do with them in front of other people. Or at least she tried. She stared at the sun right now, using the invulnerability, but she wouldn't use it other times. Her excessive strength came out when she was mad, but the rest of the time she kept it back. Scott had yelled at her for nearly getting a teammate killed in simulation because she could have done more, stopped the would-be killer by simply using that extra power she had. Scott had stopped Iceman from getting 'killed' and the physical pain he would have felt from getting blasted.

"Hey," she heard a voice behind her.

"I don't want company, Drake." She told him flat-out.

"When you're ready then." He simply told her before leaving.

When she heard the door shut, she kicked at the rocks and pebbles on the floor of the roof. 'When she was ready'. That's what everyone wanted. Push push push. They all claimed to wait, but everyone wanted her fixed right now. It was obvious. If they were really willing to wait, it would never be an issue. She wouldn't have people asking her every other day for confidence. Or lectures, via Scott.

"No, thank you." She hissed forcefully when she heard the door opening again, the sky long dark now, figuring Bobby worked up the nerve to brave her, or someone else, Jubes, Kitty, whoever wanted to see if she was all right.

"Pardon, petit, din' know de roof was taken."

"It is." She said with out turning around.

"Oh? De Rogue own de roof, eh?"

"It's Rogue, not the Rogue." She huffed at him.

"Je sais, Gambit t'inks it funny. Roguey don'?"

Whatever. Rogue decided to just ignore him. She wasn't going to leave just he came up. He could blend into the background when she was getting her ass chewed, so he could now too. She liked the peace that the location brought, above everything and far away from everyone else. But she couldn't just let her mind wander, nor could she think with that distractive noise…

"Could you stop?" Rogue looked over at the Cajun shuffling his cards around.

"Moi?" he looked over at her from across the roof.

She just glared at him as he flicked the cards off the roof. She walked over to see the mess he was making below, but found no cards. "What's your power?"

He demonstrated that he filled the card with just a trace of energy as it glowed crimson, he flicked it from him and it smoked and ash dropped from its place in air. He chose another card, filled it with more energy and flipped it far away and it blew up with a louder bang and display.

"Fill dem wit' kinetic energy," he told her offhand, as if it were nothing. "Gambit also posses de empathy and know how y' feel."

He laughed at her when she rolled her eyes and stomped away from him. But followed after, finding her temper entertaining. "Y' don' act like an X-men, why should dey treat y' like one?"

Rogue whipped around to see him standing right behind her, in front of her. He had a crooked grin tugging at his lips, and she couldn't tell if he was serious or not. Her green eyes set on his red and black eyes. She looked away, dropping her glare. Maybe he had a point, she considered, but she was still wounded over what had happened.

"What would you know about it?" she mumbled gloomily and turned back around, leaning over the rafter.

"Don' seem like a good way t' 'member y' friend," His tone was informal in his eternal laidback way, "dyin' in vain an' all dat."

Rogue stopped from her sulking and heard him but was caught in new thoughts and feelings. Was she really letting Carol die all over again by not using her powers. Was it a gift, the rest of Carol that she and everyone else had left? Instead of being ashamed, maybe Rogue could honor her memory by using her powers. She could see the girl in herself, her chopped off hair and Carol's bold personality, but she could fulfill the girl's dream of being an X-man. It is what Rogue wanted too, but she had been avoiding the pain and suffering that her power brought about. Maybe now she should use the rest. Like everyone was trying to push her to do.

She looked over at Gambit, not really seeing him, but appreciating what he said. She knew that someone had said something to her, and she thanked him before initiating her powers, and taking her first departure into flight. Biting her lip at the nervousness she felt, hovering, but grabbing the reins and taking control, she flew off wildly.

Gambit watched her timidly begin and then accelerated as she learned quickly how to control her 'new' power. He was impressed that she had taken what he said constructively but was slightly puzzled. Hadn't anyone said as much before? Probably not he figured. They seemed like the beating around the bush type to him. Maybe the girl needed directness. He smiled to himself as he left the roof. Chere has de most beautiful smile when she lets go.

Elsewhere, Cyclops was going over the schedule with some of the recruits when they heard the screaming and carrying on, opening the patio door in the rec room and onto the porch, all were shocked to see Rogue using her powers, flying by them. Smug Scott continued on as he told Iceman to form a team for a mystery faux-mission.

Bobby nodded, tossing a look to his superior, but grinning as he turned back to watch Rogue. Much like everyone else, and he suspected Cyclops, who walked away, he was proud of Rogue that she had taken what was said and was able to apply it.

When Rogue landed back on the roof, her hair was a mess and wind blown. But she felt great. It felt good to use something she had been holding back. To remember Carol without crying or beating something up. To develop the new Rogue she'd become.

Everyone bust through the door after a few peaceful seconds. Rogue was overwhelmed but smiled. Kitty ran up to hug her, carefully throwing her arms around the girls waist and avoiding her bare upper arms. Rogue set her gloved hands on the girl and gently pushed her off after her congratulations.

"Thanks," she tried to push everyone back to the house, not liking them up on her roof, her private place. "I'll tell you later, after dinner I'm starvin'!"

"Glad you could listen to Scott," Bobby told her as they ran down the steps.

Rogue stopped. "It wasn't Cyclops." She grimaced.

"What?" Bobby asked stopping himself, watching Rogue trail after John and Jubilee.

Bobby followed after his friends, trying to brush off what she'd said. But he wondered what had changed her mind, or affected her if it was not Cyclops. Putting it out of his mind, he hoped things would now get better for her. Not just for Rogue, but between them as well. Maybe it was the first step in getting her other power under control. Touch.

At supper, Rogue glossed over the details, just telling her friends that she wasn't going to let it hold her back anymore, and she'd keep Carol alive in this way. They seemed happy enough with her answer, because she looked happy enough as well. Peter joked that now he had competition in the strength department, and John said he'd take bets on an arm wrestling contest. It felt good to Rogue to laugh again, feeling free for once. But she also knew it would be short lived. Her other power still lurked underneath.

The next day, stretched out on the lawn, Rogue pulled a thread away from her cut off shorts, she fell back on to her blanket and smiled at the sun. Cyclops had given the team a few hours off while he, Jean, Storm and some others went after a new student. The kid was able transform into liquid, but still young. So Xavier had sent some X-men to recruit the child for the school, introduce him or her to a new world. Storm had hinted at bringing one of the new members, such as Kitty or John, but Scott had refused.

But Rogue was glad to have the precious little time off. Later would be another matter, so she took the time were she could. Humming to herself, wishing Jubilee hadn't broken the last walkmen, cd player, and ipod in the house. She barely noticed that her sun had been blocked out, but sat up in a start seeing someone above her.

"Hey," she smiled sheepishly, knowing she had been singing to herself. She tried to blow it off. "Um, thanks for the other night."

"It was nothin', chere," Gambit grinned at her, and she figured he was eyeing her behind those dark sunglasses. "Gambit jus' wanted t' know who was rockin' out in de courtyard."

He laughed when she turned red. "De belle fille's shy? De Rogue? Non."

"Well, I am an immature fool, remember?" she remembered what a brat she'd been.

He reached over to pull the grass from her hair, and she paused a moment as he came closer. She gazed into the dark glasses, trying to see his eyes, thinking she did, but pulled back when she heard a noise behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Bobby and John walking up. She quickly moved to the side, away from her fellow X-man.

"Hey Rogue," John called laughing. "Want to grab a burger?"

Rogue smiled, but shot a look to Bobby, who looked funny for a split second, but it was gone in a flash. He smiled warmly at her. "Jake's?"

Despite them taunting her with greasy food she declined. John had turned to ask the Cajun something but found him not there. Bobby looked behind him as well. "That guy…"

"What?" Rogue asked, unsure of her friend's tone.

"I don't trust him."

"Neither does Cyclops, that's why you don't," John laughed at Bobby, calling him Teacher's pet.

"Well, Scott's a good leader, I trust him—"

"Ooo, Scott?" Rogue joined John in teasing.

"Ah, Jean might get jealous."

"Yeh, shut up." Bobby didn't take them too seriously and headed out, going for food like he planned.

John gave Rogue a look over. "Nice shorts," he told her giving her a fake leer and a suggestive gesture before he turned and ran to catch up to his other friend. Rogue gave him a slight push with her sandaled foot, sending him faster than he wanted.

At the burger joint, Bobby brought up the newer X-men casually. "Worthington's a riot. Chasing after Betsy all subtle-like."

"Yeh, he's not bad when she's not around either. Not that much older than us." John agreed.

"Neither is Gambit." Bobby mentioned.

"But I guess Scott and Jean aren't really all that old either." John kept up on that line, missing the transition. "Sure act like it though. Logan's older I bet. Never guess about him. Or Beast."

"Or Storm."

"Yeh, she's beautiful though." John grinned a silly grin.

"She was turned into a kid once." Bobby told him as he bit into his burger. "Ever hear 'bout that?"

"Oh yeah," John grabbed some fries. "That's how that Cajun came around, heh, 'Gumbo' Wolverine calls him."

"What?" Bobby asked.

"Gumbo? Like the food?" John laughed.

"No, I mean how Storm met him?"

"Oh yeah," John talked with his mouth full. "He met her at that time, when the Shadowking changed her. She recommended that Cyclops recruit him, gave him all sorts of reasons."

"How do you know all this?" Bobby looked at him skeptically.

"I'm nosy?" John slit his eyes, shooting for a mischievous and sly look.

"Iiii," John's voice played as he took his burger and handled it under the table, burning it to extra-well-done, "was in Cyclops office for a conference a few weeks or months ago, and saw the papers when he left to take care of something."

"All his history?" Bobby asked carefully.

"Nah," John continued eating, "Just 'the good parts' if ya know what I mean. I mean the guy obviously has a history, but I don't think Storm wanted to let all the dirty details out. But apparently, like Storm, he's a master thief."

"Hence the security checks." Bobby nodded.

"Yeh," John stopped eating. "But why do you care?"

"Uh," Bobby tried to shrug it off. "No reason. Just curious I guess."

"Riight." John rolled his eyes. "So what's with this fake mission Cyke has going on?"

Bobby grinned. "You'll just have to see."

The mission Cyclops had recruited Iceman to team was more involved than Bobby first thought. Taking it entirely seriously, he wanted to have the best and most useful members onboard. However, sometimes those two qualities didn't mesh. In all truth, he didn't want Pyro on board, even though he was his best friend, because he was hotheaded. He didn't want Betsy because she was flaky, but her progress was phenomenal. Kitty had been doing well, but had come to a roadblock, one she didn't phase through so easily. He laughed when he came up with that joke. But he figured the mission might be the thing to get her going again. Peter was doing well too, but with Peter's strength, that canceled out Rogue's. So he'd have to choose between them. Rogue had other usefulness as well, but she could be wild as well. Some days they weren't sure which Rogue they were going to get still, even though with her development back on track, she was doing just as well as anyone else. He considered the rest, but found other problems, like Jubilee's youth interfering.

The actual mission he had no real idea about. He was given a brief hint that it would involve a new location, something they were probably not used to. In the end he chose three people to accompany him. He picked Psylocke for her abilities beyond her mutant talents, Rogue for her flight and strength, and Pyro for his offense power. John's flames also made a nice balance to Bobby's own ice. He wasn't thrilled with his choices, but he tried to think it out. He would have preferred to take everyone, for the vast power selection, but knew he couldn't. He let everyone know before their next danger room session, warning that changes could come.

"Good Pyro," Cyclops called from the control room. This time he was alone in watching them. Storm would be dropping by, but also had a class to teach.

Scott was pleased to see John controlling his powers more. The chance at a mission had really sharpened him up. He hoped it would do the same with the rest. Jubilee also seemed to be dropping her childishness when in x-man mode, which pleased Scott. He knew they were all great members, just young. It was good to see all the work paying off. He just wanted them to be the best they could. He was only hard on them because he knew what was out there. Why should he be easy on them when no one else would? Would Magneto?

"Move on, Kitty," He warned the girl not to spend so much time on one foe.

"Rogue, don't forget about your other powers." He told the girl in frustration. She was using her strength and flight too much, and not using her touch ability at all.

"Iceman, try something else," Cyclops recommended a new approach if the first wasn't working.

After awhile, he looked over at the clock and knew Storm wasn't coming. The time she had between classes was already over and she was into second period by now. As Scott turned back around, he heard the door opened and grinned, thinking it was Jean.

"Almost done, Babe."

"Right, Honeycakes," A gruff voice responded.

"Wolverine." Cyclops greeted the man without even turning around, his sarcastic tone hiding his slight embarrassment.

"Ororo sent me in her place. Told her I couldn't but she turned her eyes white…can't argue with that."

"We're about done. Another ten minutes or so."

"Piotr is being too soft now," Logan looked over Scott's shoulder, being deliberately rude.

"And he'll be too hard after I tell him that. He's working on it. Balance."

Logan made various grunts and smirks during the rest of the time, pointing a couple things out to Scott. Maybe mentioning their progress in hand-to-hand. He was being fairly constructive, despite irritating Cyclops at the same time. When Cyclops called them out of the session and up to the booth, Logan hung back in the corner, waiting to see how the leader would stick his foot in his mouth this time.

"Okay," Cyclops started, "everyone is doing well, but we need to fine tune. There is a precise balance that we are always striving for. You must use you powers with an equal amount of logic and skill as well.

"It is not just about strength," he shot a distinct look at Rogue.

"Or power," he turned to Bobby.

"Sometimes we must use what we know too. If you're having a problem, try switching with someone." He looked over to Colossus and Kitty.

"It isn't just about defeating with your power and abilities, but teamwork as well. Now that we are getting you guys toned, you must be able to come together."

He harped on for a bit more, but Logan smugly laughed to himself to see that everyone had lost interest. They were real X-men after all. One-eye bored them too. Logan cleared his throat loudly, alerting everyone he was there as well as moving Cyclops on. He finally finished up and left them to their own discussion. Logan lounged in his chair, not rushing to get up.

"Cyclops is right, ya know," Bobby spoke up. "We have to prove we can mesh."

"Well, we do," Kitty pointed out. "We all hang out and stuff."

"In combat." Bobby added.

"We're getting there," John shrugged.

"Well, I've rethought the mission." Iceman took Cyclops commanding tone. It got everyone's attention.

Logan's ears perked up at that as well, but gave no sign. He thought Bobby was a little too hot to be the next Cyclops. On occasion. Most of the time he was okay.

"Psy, Peter, Kit."

"What?" John and Rogue both stood up at the same time.

"Look, its just best for the team." He held his hands up. "Dismissed."

"OK—" Everyone started talking at once. "First off—" "Excuse me?" "What!"

"I think they're sayin' yer not in charge kid." Logan spoke up.

"Okay," Bobby stumbled, trying to rein them in again. "The only reason I'm acting as head is because Scott, Cyclops, asked me to gather a team for a mission."

"You acting as head and all big and important stops us becoming a team." Jubilee told him flat out.

"It's only—"

"Why are we off?" John and Rogue exchanged looks, settling a glare on their friend.

"Well, John, you need some finesse."

"Finesse?" John was irritated, but knew flying off the handle would only prove Bobby's point. So he held his anger in tact. "Right. Fine."

Bobby looked uncertain at his friend, but turned to his other. He stuttered a bit before selecting not to say anything. Rogue looked wide-eyed, waiting for an answer. "Well?"

"Scott's right, you need to control all your powers, not the ones you feel like dealing with."

Everyone got quiet. Bobby had spoken the truth but lacked the tact that Cyclops had. Rogue was just as furious as John, but didn't want to prove Iceman right by flying off the handle like expected.

"Okay." She said sweetly, forcing a smile at him. "I'll let you plan your mission, then." She stood up and walked carefully out.

After another minute or so, the rest not involved in said-mission also decided to leave, without waiting for another 'dismissal' or even saying anything. Logan took his opportunity as soon as Bobby cleared his throat and went on with whatever he had to say. Logan knew what the mission was, but knew Bobby couldn't prepare them without knowing what was involved. So, avoiding the inspirational speech, Logan left.

He caught the trail end of the conversations of those leaving but ignored the idle gossip. Like he cared what John had said and what he had meant the other night at the club. If he were Scott he might care if Kitty and Piotr were actually a couple or not yet, but as just another member, he had minor, very minor, interest in love lives. Most especially if and where Warren and Betsy were concerned. He was going to head out for the night, beginning a good night of drinking early, but felt the need to stop by his 'office' and straighten some things out.

He was thinking about the waitress at the bar while he was walking over. He also knew it would piss off Cyclops to know he was leaving early and for the night. The prick would have some sort of spiel about the team and the everything coming up, and training just as hard as usual, blah effin' blah. So, Logan was going to double check that all his junk was straight for the night and ready for an early start tomorrow.

As he walked up he heard the all too familiar noise of someone beating the shit out of the equipment. He hoped for one of the younger kids, keen on practice, but by the grunts and the force behind it, he knew who it was, and what she was doing. Couldn't really blame her after all that.

"Rogue." He said as he walked in, seeing her at her favorite place, the punching bag. "You should really try some cross training."

"Oh, I have." Rogue gestured, craning her neck at the broken treadmill. "The real thing's better anyways."

"Dammit." He grunted himself to see that she had broken the treadmill. Well, maybe not her, someone had. He would worry about it later.

"Eh," Logan waved his hand at it, walking over to her, "Don't let mini-Cyke drag you down."

She hit the bag harder at that, the chains groaning. "Guess he's right."

"Come off it," Logan tapped at the other bag, for lightweights, nearby. "He's just trying to secure his place on the team. It's not about you."

"I'd believe you if he weren't always followin' me around with big sad puppy dog eyes."

"So you think he's doin' it to get back at you?" Wolverine asked her skeptically.

"No." she continued beating the bloody hell out of the bag, tossing in a flying kick. "I think that I'm broken and will never be on the team."

She stopped and looked right at him, daring him to fight with her. He shrugged, and she picked her routine back up. "What do you want me to say?"

"Maybe if you think I'm wrong or right." She huffed. "Give a shit, ya know?"

"Last time I did that I nearly got my head handed to me."

"Yeh?" she tossed a cynical look his way. "Maybe you deserved it."

"Like now?"

"What?"

"C'mon," he taunted her, catching the swinging bag and making her stop. "You've wanted to beat the shit outta me since I got back. Let's go."

He stepped back and over to some space and mats, gesturing her towards him, showing he was ready. She stood with her hands on her hips, eyeing him suspiciously. He stood up from his slight crouch. "You mean to tell me you haven't want to come at me with all your force?"

"Didn't say that, did I?" she was getting cocky and he knew he had her.

She had been holding back on the very first day he had been back because she hadn't wanted to use her other powers. She was afraid of them. Now that it wasn't the case, she really could come show him how she felt. And be able to give him a decent fight for a change. Even in her practices lately she held back, saving the good stuff for the simulations and danger room. It was also why Cyclops was mad at her. That she was now using her strength and flight more than her touch. He didn't know that she was switching between the two, always having something to fear.

"So?" Wolverine waited for her, not at all in fighting stance, but tapping his foot impatiently.

"Why should I when you're the one achin' for a fight?"

"Ah, fine if yer gonna deny it some more and play the martyr…" he grabbed his jacket from the side. "I've got better things to do."

He was walking out the door, not knowing whether or not she was truly tempted by his partly goading her and partly serious. But when he heard the air shifting, that rustling sound, he knew better. Logan turned around in a spin, crouching down and seeing the woman fly at him, so the sparring began.

Rogue had been pissed off, and he had found the right thing to say. She leapt up, before she was even really aware, and flew straight for him. When he ducked she landed behind him and swung her leg at him. He caught it tossing it back at her. But she used the force and momentum to her advantage and flew up again as he flipped her. When she landed she abandoned the flight tactic and stuck with her force on the ground, dancing a fighter's step.

Logan grinned, he was fighter and loved it. It was a change to have someone really pissed trying to hurt him, even if she really did care for him, and really give him a good fight. He dodged her swings, not shooting back quite yet. He weaved in and out against her, making mental notes as to how she could really improve. But finally got tired of the games.

He let a metal claw out and reached over and cut her uniform, stabbing through the spandex at her the side of her waist. And ripping out so her side was exposed. That pissed her off and he laughed. He did it again with her opposite shoulder.

"Better get you that jacket back," he mocked her more, "or you'll be stripped 'fore too long."

She growled at him and brought her position back, taking a few seconds to reevaluate him. She dropped backwards, kicking a leg to the side, surprising him as she took a swing at his knee cap. He rolled to the side with the force and leapt up on top of her.

"Heh," he snarled happily, "Don't take that strength for granted. Gotta use yer wits too."

Rogue chose not to say anything and instead elevated off the ground, taking her Canadian captor with her. She brought her body upright when he jumped off her, calling her a cheat. So, she came back down, trying to think harder, not work harder. The good thing was, she had the strength just in case.

They circled each other slowly, grinning like fools for their own reasons. Rogue panting hard, and Logan enjoying a different workout for once, but hardly warm. Rogue decided that she could use her touch to win, that would be less strength, but she also didn't really want to touch and absorb him. She could however mess up that 'do of his.

"Wolvie," she laughed for the first time, Logan glaring at and yet grinning with her.

She knew he would be able to dodge whatever she did, so she kept up the act until she had him maneuvered against the wall. She knew that he was a leftie, and most often, though not guaranteed, would jump that way. With the wall to his left, she shot forward; not anticipating he would jump straight up and on to her back as she flew forward and then passed him. Taking the opportunity, he cut her other shoulder out of her uniform, both now exposed.

"You let too much loose, you won't be playin' anymore, shug," she warned him as she flew up to flip him off.

He hung onto her, as he knew she was strong enough to take it, and she laughed and kept it up, flying him out of the room and down the hall, not holding back. He wanted a ride, she would give him one.

The other students made noises of surprise, but neither paid attention. Rogue was still thinking of how to get him, and Logan was trying to anticipate her next move, and the one after. She finally spun as she flew and shook him off, Logan also choosing to jump off at that point, and landed on the stairs. Rogue landed at the bottom looking up.

"I am not charging up those steps to you." She told him cocking a hip.

"Ms. Flight-'n-Spite can't handle the uphill offensive?" he tsked.

"You," she grinned maliciously at him. She took a second to try to access the Logan part of her brain.

Doing her best, she flew up the steps carefully, but not slowly. When he jumped she was focused enough to follow. She grabbed for him and caught his hand in her gloved one, but his claws shot out, scratching more than just her clothes. When she dropped him they descended the steps slowly, eyes glued to each other. Fist to fist they let it out, coming to a draw quickly as Logan slipped his first and third claws around her neck gently pressing the middle one to her neck, Rogue had her hand positioned near his ear, a fist full of hair, and her wrist, open from his cut, millimeters from his skin.

"Draw?" They both asked, Logan beginning to pant a bit.

"I'll let you take it." Rogue said as she let go of him. They both knew she was having a hard time keeping up with him.

Logan brought his claws back in and gave her a mimic uppercut, popping her jaw shut. She bit at him in a fake manner for it. Then working her jaw again. She wiped her face and hands and took a look at the damage.

"Yeh, guess I win." He told her in all his arrogance.

"But you haven't had to work that hard since you've been back, slacker." She called him on his lazy form since Cyclops stepped them up.

"Maybe that you've seen." He brushed her off as they walked back to get their stuff from the workout room.

"Ah, you go get that hooker then." Rogue laughed as she left.

"She's a cocktail waitress!" he called after her jokingly.

Giving up on the bar for the night, Logan was stretched out his muscles. She had given him a good run through, one he hadn't had in a while, she was right. That waitress didn't matter anyway, he had been in jest when he said it just now. She wasn't redheaded. She wasn't even smart. She was just there. And it wasn't good enough right now.

Rogue walked along, trying to smooth her hair back into the ponytail it had fallen out of. She felt good from that, getting her frustrations out. Logan was right, she had wanted to do that for a long time. Maybe she could talk him into doing it again. There was something about sparing with him that was fun. There was nothing predictable.

"Hey," A voice called her. She knew who it was so kept walking.

"You look like a skunk with your hair pulled back." Bobby jogged and caught up to her. He referred to her white striped bangs pulled back with the rest of her hair.

"You are an ass when you're leader," she smiled just as sweetly at him.

"Right," He knew she was kidding. But was surprised to see that she had let it go already.

She turned and grinned at him, punching her friend lightly in the arm. She then hooked a finger through her hair, pulling her white locks out of the rest of her hair, the framed her face, falling down. "Better?"

"Sure," he shook his head at her, laughing that she had listened to him.

"We're, uh," Bobby spoke again, "leaving at dawn tomorrow, so, eh, I just wanted to tell you."

"Ok."

"You guys will probably have the day easy then."

"Just 'cause y'all are off playin'?" she asked him doubtfully. "I think we'll manage. There'll be something for the rest of us heathens to do."

She started to walk off and he apologized. She turned. "Don't worry 'bout it, hun."

The accents, I know. But hey, it is difficult. So deal, eh? There is a lot I could say about this chapter. But I won't heh. I am shocked, simply shocked by how fast Gambit got thru to R on the roftop. But that is how it goes. Didn't need to dwell, we all get it, yadda yadda yah. o, btw, sorry this is long, but it didn't seem the right spot to cut out in certain places.