Warning: Some harsh language in this chapter.

Chapter 10:

"I thought you were never supposed to see him again."

"I wasn't. If I had my way, I wouldn't have. Laurel brought him here. I didn't know, and I wish she'd never called him."

Gambit stood just beside the door that would lead out to the upstairs deck, one hand braced on the door knob. He leaned his head against it for a moment, trying to get Jaleena's words to stop repeating themselves in his mind. "I wish she'd never called him."

They'd both changed, and he had his own life with the X Men now. He didn't want things to go back to the way they were fifteen years ago. He didn't expect them all to be one happy family. He hadn't even consciously thought about how that might work. Hell, he didn't even know if he still loved her—he was still too angry with her to follow that train of thought. Yet, the words still stung for some reason, much more than he wanted them to.

Gambit shook his head. He didn't have time to figure all of it out now. Turning the knob, he pushed the door open soundlessly. Jaleena was curled in the chair he had been sitting in hours earlier, her knees pulled to her chest. She had her arms wrapped around them and her chin rested on top. She stared out over the railing and seemed so lost in thought she didn't notice that he'd joined her. He stood for a moment, watching a stray lock of hair brush against her cheek in the breeze. Yes, she wasn't the same woman he'd married, but she was still beautiful, and in that moment, she looked tragically lonely with her arms wrapped around herself as if she had no one else to hold her. He took a step toward her, and the moment was gone. Her head jerked up when his foot brushed the decking. She seemed to relax, if only slightly, when she saw it was him; she leaned back in the chair but still held her knees to her chest.

"Hi," she gave a small, unsure smile.

He only nodded and moved over to the railing and angled his body so that his hip leaned against the railing, allowing him to look at her or, by turning his head the other way, to gaze out at the view. He pulled out his case, extracted a cigarette, and lit it, looking down at the expanse of lawn.

"I was concerned Jubilee would find me before you and I had the chance to talk," she explained as she pushed herself to her feet to stand next to him. "I'm glad you've come."

Giving her a sidelong glance, he smirked, "Dat was quite some show you put on wit loverboy back there." Jaleena groaned in response and leaned forward to cross her arms over the railing. He blew a plume of smoke up into the air and asked, "He seem quite taken wit you. Why not give da poor boy a chance?"

Jaleena rested her chin on her crossed arms, and gazed at the horizon. "I'm married," She said simply.

Gambit choked on the smoke he'd just inhaled, causing her to straighten and look at him in surprise. Frowning at the cigarette, he tossed it out over the railing as he tried to catch his breath, deciding he didn't want it after all. "Married, huh?" When she nodded, "So dat mean in fifteen years…you never…." His voice trailed off.

Leena shrugged and looked away. "I knew what I signed up for, Remy."

He took a step closer to her and slid one hand in front of her on the railing. She only turned her head to look up at him questioningly. Grinning, he lifted his other hand to cup her chin and flirtatiously asked, "So does dat mean I get de pleasure of performing my husbandly duties?"

To his surprise, she blushed, her lips parting on a surprised intake of breath. Her eyes flickered from his eyes down to his mouth. She raised one hand to his chest, and seemed to be leaning forward until she physically shook herself, taking an unsteady step away from him. He laughed, and her face became even redder. She returned to her seat and drew her knees up to her chest again, glaring at him this time. While he knew the flirtation hadn't been fair, he had always enjoyed riling her up.

As his humor died down to a chuckle, he turned around to face her fully, deciding to let that matter drop-at least for the time being. He leaned back against the balcony with his arms across his chest and crossed one foot over the other. "So what you want to talk about?"

She rested her head against the chair back and paused a moment to collect herself. "I wanted to discuss what we're going to do next about Jubilee. She can't go back with the others, of course, so we—"

"Pardon me, chere, but I don't tink I heard you correctly. Did you jus say dat Jubilee would not be going wit de X Men."

Jaleena looked up at him, surprise written on her features. "Of course not, Remy. She needs to be protected."

He gritted his teeth, "And you tink de X Men aren't able to protect her?"

She shook her head, "That's not what I'm saying, Remy, but—"

"No buts," He interrupted her again. "She goin'."

Jaleena sat up straight, her feet landing on the wooden deck with a cracking thump. "She certainly is not! Could you be any more stubborn? We left Harrison, Remy. Do you remember that? We thought he was safe, but we left his side, and now he is dead!" She emphasized every word. He flinched, but she kept speaking, her feet firmly planted on the floor, her back as stiff as steel. "I'm not going to let us make the same mistake with Jubilee. She will stay here with us." When he opened his mouth to respond, she cried, "Don't you think I have any right to decide the best way to keep her safe?"

Gambit's mouth snapped shut. Then, he slowly straightened and took the two steps forward that would have him towering over her seated figure. He was trembling with anger, and very slowly, he bent, placing one hand on either armrest of the chair, effectively caging her in. He leaned close, his features hard and his eyes narrowed in anger. She flinched back against the chair as he moved closer, but he continued to move close until their faces were merely inches apart. Quite clearly and firmly, he said, "No, I do not."

Before either of them realized what had happened, her hand shot up, slapping him hard across the face. The crack rang out loudly in the still air. He grabbed her arm and stood up, pulling her to her feet as well. Her other hand rose in a fist, as if to hit him again, but he grabbed it in mid-swing and angrily barked, "What da hell you doin, girl?"

She struggled against him, angry sounds coming from her throat. For one crazy moment, he fought the urge to kiss her again. She was right when he said he tended to fuel his anger in one direction. She looked beautiful, her anger bringing a flush of heat to her cheeks, her pale blue eyes lit up with anger, but based on how that had turned out the night before, he knew it was pure insanity. He tightened his grip on her arms, not enough to hurt, but enough to make a point.

"How dare you!" Jaleena finally bit out. "Who the hell do you think you are to tell me I don't have a fucking say in my own daughter's life?" She kicked him hard in the shin. Even though he wore his thick boots, it still stung, and he grunted in pain, but he didn't release her.

"Who do I tink I am? Who?" He yelled back at her. "I'm her fucking father, Leena." He shook her. "I'm da one who you left behind to take care of her without one damn word. I figure dat give me all of da rights over what be best for her and leaves nothin' for you!"

She opened her mouth to scream back at him, but there was sudden movement to their left, and both Gambit and Jaleena turned in time to see two figures slowly materialize on the deck. Jubilee and Keesha stood there, their arms linked, and from their shocked expressions, it was clear they'd heard every word of the conversation.