Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men: Evolution or any of its characters.

Title: Kissing Frogs

Summary: Fed up with Kitty's choices in men, Rogue decides to play matchmaker. The only problem is that she isn't exactly an expert herself. So, she decides to go to the one person who might be able to help. But, she may have just gotten herself into more than she bargained for.

Author's Note: To be completely honest, this chapter started out going one way then completely switched to go in a different direction. I hope this works. Also, as a note, "ma petite boulette" translates to "my little dumpling" according to google translate.

Chapter 7 – Truth?

"So, are you guys going to, like, explain what exactly you're doing here?" Kitty urged, angry and annoyed. Her arms were crossed haughtily over her chest and her foot continued to tap impatiently.

Rogue wasn't at all surprised that her roommate expected some sort of answer. After all, it appeared quite suspicious. What had seemed to be a good time had suddenly turned when Lance Alvers had shown up unannounced. Then, Rogue and Remy had fallen out of a bush across the street. No wonder she's curious, Rogue admitted to herself. This whole thing was one giant freakshow.

Despite completely understanding Kitty's demands for the truth, Rogue was still at a loss on how to proceed. There was still potential for Kurt and Kitty and she didn't want to ruin that. Even so, any other excuse that popped into her head seemed dumb and unbelievable.

"Um," she prolonged, trying desperately to think of something, anything.

"We were on a date," Remy replied quickly. He wrapped his arm somewhat awkwardly around her shoulders and pulled her in close. She fell against his chest.

The expression on Kitty's face revealed how impossible the idea seemed. Her sapphire eyes darted from one to the other, attempting to comprehend the information she was just given. Rogue tried to play it as convincing as possible. She smiled from ear to ear and leaned her head against his torso. She was pretty sure she looked more ridiculous than convincing.

But, after a few more scrutinizing moments, Kitty grinned and clapped her hands together excitedly. "That's, like, perfect."

Rogue frowned. "It is?"

"Yes." Kitty nodded enthusiastically. "I, like, always thought that you two would somehow end up together."

"You did?" Rogue questioned again.

"Of course she did, ma petite boulette," Remy corrected swiftly. He was always coming to the rescue.

She rolled her eyes. With no choice but to play along, she added with the most strained smile, "And why wouldn't she, my buttered baguette?" She slapped him a couple times on the cheek in an affectionate manner, but just hard enough to make it sting. Then she turned her attention back to Kitty. "Can I talk to you for a minute alone?" She looped her arm through the other girl's and they strode off together, leaving Remy behind to comfort his cheek.

"You two are, like, so good together, Rogue," Kitty told once they were out of earshot.

"Just forget about that." Rogue shook her head to dismiss the whole idea. "Are you okay? I mean, with Lance suddenly appearing." Then she added quickly, "We saw the whole thing from across the street. He looked really mad."

Kitty shrugged. It was evident she didn't care to even think about the incident. "I'm, like, fine. And you don't have to, like, worry about Lance. That is so over."

"And you're okay with that?"

"Well…no, I suppose not. But, of course, I'll have to be," Kitty concluded eventually. "Besides, there may be someone else now." She wore a mischievous grin.

"Oh," Rogue attempted to play dumb, "who would that be?"

Kitty grew a little self-conscious. "You can't, like, judge me, Rogue. But, there's, like, Kurt."

Rogue paused for a moment, pretending to be shocked and amazed. "Well I think that is a terrific idea, Kitty."

"You do?" It was Kitty's turn to be disconcerted.

"Yes. I mean, you two get along great," Rogue convinced. "It's, like, perfect."

"I suppose," Kitty responded, unsure. "Anyway, we were, like, on a date, I guess, and that's why Lance, like, went ballistic." There was just a moment where she appeared slightly hurt. Rogue came to the rescue as quickly as possible, pushing her in the direction she wanted her to go.

"He'll be much better for you than Lance was," she insisted.

Kitty nodded half-heartedly. "Let's go back. I don't think we should, like, leave the boys alone too long."

Rogue chuckled in agreement and they started back. She was surprised at how relieved she was suddenly feeling. She could almost say that she had succeeded, but just needed a few more days for reassurance. And in those few days, Remy would be ready to claim his reward, too.

Her face fell. She suddenly felt slightly sick. She had other plans for that kiss of his that he wanted so badly, but she wasn't quite sure anymore if the kiss itself was what turned her stomach so. It almost seemed that it was the idea of betraying Remy.

She watched him casually conversing with Kurt. He was always so effortless in everything he did. Suddenly, she felt her stomach tighten and a weight of sorrow fall on her. She wanted to be comforted by him—be held in his strong embrace. But soon, very soon, she wouldn't be subject to his presence anymore. They would go back to being enemies and not allies. Instead of the idea making her feel better, it actually pained her more.

Kitty skipped forward and linked her arm in Kurt's. The boys had stopped their conversation when they had seen the girls approaching. "Come on, Kurt. Let's, like, leave these two alone," she insisted, almost dragging him off.

"O-Okay, Kitty," he stammered. It seemed that he was almost trying to catch up to what was going on. Kitty whispered something in his ear, which made a wave of understanding wash over him. "Oh, right." He winked at them over his shoulder.

"That was odd," Remy concluded once they were far enough down the sidewalk.

"Tell me about it," Rogue agreed. She brushed some hair nervously behind one ear. Suddenly, she felt self-conscious around him. She didn't know what came over her, but she didn't like it one bit. "Thank you, by the way, for what you did."

"What I did?" He seemed genuinely perplexed. "What did I do?"

"Y'know, stopping Lance," she reminded.

Remy shrugged. "Don't mention it."

She paused, though, clearly not finished. "And, I guess, for helping me out back there with Kitty, too."

He grinned. "My pleasure, chérie." It didn't bother her as much as it used to, and they began to walk.

"So, what's next?" She glanced up at him, blinking from the radiant sunlight.

"Next, I suppose, we have to seal the deal."

"What?" Rogue blushed profusely.

He chuckled. "We just have to make sure that Kitty and Kurt become official."

"Oh, right, yeah." She attempted to find distraction in their trail. "And how would we do that?"

"While you two ladies were gossiping, I casually dropped word of a rather fantastic restaurant to Kurt," he explained.

"First of all we weren't gossiping," Rogue insisted, pointing at him accusingly. "And second of all, how are you so sure he picked up on your little hint?"

"Okay, so maybe it wasn't as casual as I let on. After I assured him it had worked for me in the past, he assured me that he would take me up on that." Remy appeared mighty proud of himself.

Rogue let out a sound of disgust. "Just tell me where we are meeting."

"Well that's the thing," Remy approached cautiously. "Make sure you wear your best outfit."

She stopped bluntly. "Why would I have to find my best outfit?" When he didn't answer right away she attempted to coax more information from him. "Remy?" She didn't sound enticed at all. Instead, she sounded quite disturbed and upset.

"We'll have to actually get a table to be able to monitor them." By the expression forming on Rogue's face, he knew exactly how she was about to react. He tried to cut her off. "Now, Rogue, before you overreact, hear me out. It will be quite impossible to interfere or even know what is happening unless we are inside. And in order to remain inside of the restaurant without drawing too much attention to ourselves, we need to pretend like we are actually there to enjoy ourselves. Understand?"

"Of course I understand, but that doesn't mean I have to like it," Rogue pouted. She walked past him, but was very aware that he was still just one step behind her. "So where is this place?"

"I'll just pick you up at the mansion."

She turned on him. "No way. This is just another attempt of yours to get me to go on a date with you."

He held his hands up innocently. "Why would I do that when I have a kiss waiting for me at the finish line?"

She clenched her teeth in order to maintain her composure. She could feel a flush steadily creeping up her neck to her cheeks, though. She began stalking ahead of him again. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't get your hopes up."

He grinned. She could tell he was just by the tone of his voice. "You just need to keep your eye on the prize, Rogue. We're nearly there."

"Good. Then I won't have to listen to you anymore."

"After that kiss, I'll do whatever you want me to do."

"How about disappear?"

Remy chuckled. "I think you like me more than you let on, Rogue."

She faltered in her strong step, her cheeks burning. "Yeah right," she insisted, but even she didn't believe herself.