Author Note: Um. Yeah, so, I am aware that in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie, Gambit's eyes are brown unless he uses his power. However, I'm choosing to ignore that. Gambit's eyes are red on black, dammit. In my personal universe, Remy was wearing brown contacts when Wolverine meets him in the bar. Just. . . go with that, ok?

I'm trying to allow the four POV characters interact with other people, because quite frankly, no relationship exists in a vacuum. Yes, Rogue and Remy are the focus. Their relationship is what got me reading fanfiction again, and therefore, what got me writing fanfiction again. I mean it, last time I dealt in fanfic, I was a hardcore Sailor Moon fan with an obsession for Haruka and Michiru. Think about that for a minute. Mhmm. That was over ten years ago. No, you may not see any of the junk I wrote back then – I don't think it even exists anymore.

This entire chapter exists for one, specific plot point. Maybe that's why it was so hard to write, and therefore so short.

If I had ownership of these characters, I would love them and feed them and pet them and call them George.

. . .

I don't own Bugs Bunny either.

Dieu. His head ached. Remy didn't even want to attempt opening his eyes, knowing with a time sense developed from a life of questionable dealings, that late morning sunlight filled his room. Late morning on a Saturday meant the kitchen would be filled by the student body and their habitual weekend grab and go brunch. That meant dealing with loud teenagers if he wanted to reach the coffee pot.

One day, he would learn not to gauge his own alcohol tolerance against a man in possession of regenerative capabilities of Logan's caliber. Until that day, drinking with the Canadian was the only time Remy suffered from a hang over, the cure for which, he was certain, resided in the afore mentioned coffee pot.

Groaning, he sits, sheets a tangled mess around his legs. Experimentally, he cracks open his eyes, almost immediately slamming them shut again. A hand gropes blindly for darkened sunglasses on his bedside table.

Once the glasses are in place, he's able to open his eyes, pain a tolerable level. Movements slow, Remy struggles with his dresser for clean clothing, finally settling on a thin t shirt and worn jeans before adding fingerless leather gloves.

Miserable, he almost misses the envelopes stuck under his door. When he does see them, he has to read the enclosed letter twice before the meaning of it sinks in.

Remy,

Part of an instructor's task is to formulate and supervise fitting punishment for the misbehavior of students. In light of this, and your interest in joining the ranks of our teachers, I have scheduled you to be in charge of the Danger Room session of two delinquent students this afternoon at two. Details can be found in the DR schedule on the administrator's computer. I'm sure you already know the password.

Think of it as a qualifying test.

Ororo

Maudit tabernaque. What a perfect day for one of Stormy's little games. Two o'clock, that gave him what, three hours to be human?

The second envelope, large, document sized, is postmarked from New Orleans. Recognizing the flowing, feminine script, he leaves it on his dresser before locking his door.

Muttering to himself, Remy stalks, slowly, towards the kitchen, coffee, and aspirin.

At five minutes after two, he enters the Danger Room, coffee cup steaming in his hands. His sixth since waking. The only concession to the official training room of the X-men is retrieving his leather duster before entering. He waves to Dr. McCoy up in the observation deck before considering the two people in the bare room.

The 'delinquent' students are already waiting for him, in uniform. Remy rolls his eyes, but feels relieved that he recognizes one of them. Bobby's watching him curiously, the Asian girl's gaze is nearly hostile.

"What are you in for?" She snaps her bubblegum, arms crossed over her chest.

"Displeased Stormy. An' you, petite?"

"Tried to swipe Mr. Summers' glasses, but Dr. Grey kinda caught me."

He raises an expectant eyebrow at Bobby, surprised when the younger man colors.

"Um. Not entirely sure."

"How do you not know what got you in trouble, Bobby?" The girl scowls, shaking her head.

"Well, Ms. Munroe mentioned the peppermint bombs, but I used them as cover for a few different pranks, and I don't know which one in particular's got me the Danger Room." The boy examines his uniform boots, steadfastly not meeting anyone's eyes. "Kinda figure whenever the teacher gets here, they'll let me know which one I'm in for."

"I wonder who's coming in? They're late, so you know it's not Mr. Summers." Ignoring Remy entirely, she glances slyly at Bobby. "Have you heard there's already a new math teacher?"

Remy hides a smile behind his coffee cup, catching the way Bobby glances in his direction before answering. The boy knows.

"Heard something to that effect. Not really a shock though, there's only a couple weeks before the term begins."

"Yeah, well. Who's in charge of the pool this year?"

"I am, but you're not going to bet before knowing who it is are you?"

"Well. . ." the girl trails off, frustrated.

"You bet on the math teachers?" Intrigued, Remy aims his question at the boy.

Bobby's face heats, gaze darting between the girl and himself. It's a moment before he brings himself to answer.

"On how long they'll stay. For some reason, the position's been difficult to keep filled." Eyes wide, he continues "Not that it's a particularly hard teaching job or anything."

An audible snort from the girl and Bobby rolls his eyes.

"The longest to keep it was a non mutant who stayed for one term. Jubilee here won the pool for that."

"You got any bets yet?" Jubilee asks, and Remy can't help but be amused at the excitement in her tone. Bobby refuses to look at him.

"One." He does meet Remy's eyes now, and he can see both determination and warning in ice blue eyes. "It's a long shot, but Rogue bet the new one will stay the year."

"Both terms?" Jubilee sounds shocked. "No way anyone's gonna stay that long!"

Rogue bet on him. A smile twists his lips and he reaches to an inside pocket in his duster, a fifty dollar bill in his grasp when he extends his hand to Bobby.

"My bet, homme."

Bobby hesitates, but a notebook appears in his hand when he takes the money. Remy sips his cooling coffee while the boy records the information. Jubilee watches them both, eyes wide.

"For how long?" The kid's tone is suspicious, Remy's grin widens.

"Bot'terms, an' back next year."

Jubilee makes a choked, shocked sound. But Bobby nods, relaxing, writing it down with a smile on his features.

"Now, am I to understan' you'bot' here because you got caught?"

Jubilee stutters at the topic change.

"Well, duh. Wouldn't be in trouble if we got away with it, would we?"

"Good point, petite." Another sip of coffee before he raises his voice. "Computer, run simulation: Gambit: Stealth, subdirectory : mansion. Difficulty level two. Access code: Marie."

The girl's name was a perfect password for this run. Aside from the school telepaths who couldn't help but lift the information, Logan was the only other inhabitant of the mansion to have been trusted with it. The significance was lost on everyone else, but this particular simulation was what helped him find the quickest, easiest route to her window and roof.

The room changes, in a matter of moments the trio find themselves standing in the mansion's foyer.

"Voice Recognition Complete. Running Simulation: Gambit, Stealth. Subdurectory : Mansion. Difficulty Level: Two. Subjects: Gambit, Iceman, Jubilee. Last Run Difficulty Level: Ten. Subject: Gambit."

"T'ink the computer's a little put out wit'lowerin the difficulty." A final swallow of coffee before he places the mug on a table.

"You're our detention warden?" The scowl has returned to Jubilee's face. "And what exactly do you teach?"

"Mathematics, petite." A pleased smile at her surprise before he continues. "Mon pere used to say if you're dumb enough to get caught, you deserving t'be caught."

"Maybe, but we don't have your training in general sneakitude." Bobby cocks his head to the side, willing to go along with whatever Remy's planning.

"Dis is a shame, an' about t'be remedied." How in the hell the kids were expected to save the world without some stealth training was beyond Remy. Though it explains how things had been handled on missions. Instead of voicing his disapproval, he lays out the task for his charges.

"From here, travel to Stormy's room an' bring back somethin' shiny. Work t'gether or alone, descision's yours. But you'll be marked on bot'speed an' style. Anytime either o' you' spotted, the session will reset, an' you'll begin again. I'll be tailin, and there's bonus points if you can spot me. Doubt it'll happen, but double if you lose m'tail."

Both adolescents look at each other. Finally, Bobby grabs Jubilee's hand and the two disappear up the staircase. Remy grins.

Rogue had bet on him.