Disclaimer: I do not own any form of X-men. I do not speak French. I am recommending a book below that I have not written. AND I WROTE THIS STUFF ANYWAY! So there! (mutters) Stupid disclaimer...

Written place shortly after Shadowed Past.

Dear Remy,

I can not believe that you had the Ace of Clubs in the hole. If I didn't know it was impossible, I would swear that you cheated. If we ever do play a game in real life, you're playing shirtless.

And thanks for the generous offer, Remy. (Rolls eyes) But I don't believe in throwing myself at guys. If they don't see something worth pursuing in me, then they're not worth my time. Besides, it's a little more complicated than that. I do live with these people, after all. And I don't have any other place to go. I've got it pretty good here, three square meals a day, a comfy bed, people who…well…annoy me, but who also really seem to care. I'm still getting used to that…and…I think…well, I think some of them could really use me around.

There's this kid, Kurt. He was one of the Incredibly Brilliant Pranksters from the Wonderful Wilderness Wonderland. He's adopted, like me. He just went through some real hard stuff finding out some real disturbing information about his birth mother. A few other kids here have been adopted, like Scott, but he's an orphan. He doesn't understand what it's like to have that aching feeling of abandonment in you whenever you think about your folks. He can't relate to that sort of sickened hope and disgust that you have for them--hope that whatever it was that made them leave you, that it wasn't your fault--disgust that they left you in the first place. That feeling of wanting and hating at the same time. I can relate to that. And somehow, even though I never talk about it with any of them, Kurt knew that.

He came to me after all this crap with his mom. He thinks that the guy who runs the school isn't telling him everything about his mom. He's probably right. But from what I was able to see about his mom, Kurt's better off without her. Much better off. But I can also relate to the need to know the answers to your past, to what went on around you, to why you are the way you are. So I told him we'd find out the answers together. And you can be damn sure I'll take any advantage and opportunity I have to do it.

Why do I like Scott? Well, he's cute. And sweet. Kind of straight-laced (OK, so he's a regular boy-scout. But it's cute.), but he's just waiting to be coaxed over to the wild side. He's actually genuinely concerned for the other kids, he really tries to look out for them. He really tries to set a good example--you know, walk the talk--and be there for the kids--when he's not drooling over his red convertible, that is. And…he was there for me when I needed it.

I'm glad that you're having fun prepping for your job. It's nice to see a man who loves his work. ;)

I can't believe you're afraid of spiders. At least you realize that you're bigger than they are. Ah-ha! That must be why you play so much online poker! You're really a weasely little old man who's too scared of spiders to risk the great outdoors! And whenever you're not playing poker you're obsessively vacuuming the dark corners of your home.

Later,

Anna

PS. You are incorrigible.

XxXxXxXxXxXxX

Dear Anna,

Play shirtless? Mais oui, chere, I'll be happy to oblige as long as you do as well. ;)

Besides, I don't need to cheat at cards. I told you, I'm just that good.

On the other hand, I'm having a wonderful time. Belles femmes, bonne nourriture, abondance à boire…(1) What more could un homme ask for? Yes, there are definitely worse places to work.

I'm not surprised that you didn't take me up on my offer. You seem like you'd want to handle relationships your own way. It's interesting to me that you refuse to change--or even seem to change--who you are in order to get what you want. That takes a strong person. Perhaps you just haven't run into something you've wanted badly enough yet?

I have to say, I'm not that impressed with Scotty-boy. I'm glad he was there when you needed him, chere, mais a boy-scout? Just how straight-laced are we talking here? Can you name a single time when l'homme has cut loose? Still, I trust your judgment. Mais, a red convertible? You're breaking my heart, chere, I took you for a Harley girl. Tell me at least that it goes fast--and that it's dark red, none of that cherry-with-white-stripes bubble gum colors. But like I said, if you want him he can't be that bad.

You're adopted too, chere? Well the world just be full of us abandoned kids, non? That's part of the reason why I feel like I owe mon pere so much. He didn't have to take me in, make me his own son, but he did. And he never rubbed it in my face either. It was just like I had always been there. I owe him so much. I would do almost anything for him.

I'm glad that it seems that you're finding a place to belong in the boarding school. Mais, don't forget what I told you. You should have worked up at least to an hour by now, chere, how's it coming?

It's not nice to make fun of a man's secrets, chere. What are you, some failed psychologist who violated his patient/client confidentiality so now you stay inside all day and play poker? Bet you have beer belly from drinking all your time away.

I should finish up my job here sometime in the next week. Most of the ground work is all set. Now--to decide--who do I take out for dinner? The redhead, the blonde, the brunnette…

Mais, don't look to me for relationship advice, chere. Les filles know what they're getting--a good time--but it ain't never serious. I don't do relationships.

You're talkin' to the king of hearts, chere. I collect 'em, but no fille's ever had her hand on mine.

Merde, I don't know why I'm telling you this.

It'll be the brunette. I like brunettes.

Until the next game, try not to take it so hard. I told you, I'm the best. But you're a worthy challenge, Anna, and I look forward to playing you again.

Remy

Translation: Beautiful women, good food, plenty to drink…

AN: And--here we go! Playing off the whole 'Rogue gets flashes of Mystique throwing Kurt off a waterfall' theme. What she can and can't say. Do you know how hard it was for me to figure out any reason at all for Rogue to like Scott? Really, what were the writers thinking? And Remy--well, poor boy's a bit melancholy. He's two steps away from letting his father trade him in exchange for peace for the guilds--by official engagement to Bella Donna. He doesn't love her. Thus his little rant at the end. He doesn't see any way out though--so he's a bit depressed. But he's trying real hard to play it off--I wonder if it fooled Rogue?

Hey, if anybody reading this just flat out enjoys reading a story in letter format, check out Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. It's really quite fun, and I guarantee that you won't be disappointed.

Review Responses: I'm glad you guys are enjoy this! Go ahead and push that lil' button and let me know what you thought of this one! Please?

Ishandahalf: You're right, everyone DOES sound smarter in letters…Glad you're enjoying the wit. I'm having a lot of fun with this as you can tell by my ridiculously quick updates…can't expect that to last long, so I'm enjoying it…hope you do too! And go rest those feet:0)
Dragonwitch66: I'm glad you're enjoying the letter form! It's really fun to write this way. Hope you don't get bored of it. Enjoy!
Dannonspring: Glad you love it. Sadly, they can't 'meet' until the Day of Reckoning. And even then, will they know who they met? Can't really do longer chaps, (at least until they meet, then who knows?) but I hope the quick updates will make up for it.
Cat: Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't even realized I had killed a squirrel until…well…you said it. It just sort of popped out. Sorry Ralph! Your comrade died for a good cause! I'm glad you liked the tongue-rip-out line. I thought it was fun. I think agoraphobic means 'fear of outdoors' (looks up word) Yup! Though I get freaked out in crowds too. And dude, you're safe from TMITPWC--cause it wasn't that kind of doctor. I don't hate Jean. (Don't hurt me!) :) But I don't particularily like her either--she's gonna get a harder time in this fic than she will (eventually...you know...when I write it) in Stolen Hearts. Well, good luck finding your MEV--hope you hunt her down SOON 'cause I wanna read that fic.
Punkrogue :Don't worry, I'll be writing in Shall We Dance too. I've already got a good idea how the next chapter's gonna go.
toxic-touch: Enjoy!
Sheisbeautiful-sheisnotme: go you for getting the reference!
Seductress-Librarian: Glad you enjoyed. Thanks:)
Deaira: Really? Wow! I'm so glad that you're enjoying it! Remy's pulling a job in France. He can't tell Rogue because--let's face it--he doesn't really know who she is and can't risk it. I haven't decided yet if it's gonna be the Cheating Star delima…probably not, I think he's got enough stress in his life right now. Heh, I am SO looking forward to posting how they meet. I've already got it written. Hope you continue to enjoy!
Wildcardrose: Thanks much! It's pretty straight-forward compared to your stories (which are amazingly intricate), but I'm so glad that you read and enjoyed! I'm having fun with it, anyway! Hope you do too!
Guarded Secrets: Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it! Hope you continue to! (And reading your review was what prompted my little recommendation on the top. Really, it's a great book, I recommend it.)
Bored247: your reviews make me smile. I'm so glad you're enjoying it! Glad you appreciated Rogue's Revenge--I'm not a prankster by nature, so it actually took some effort:)