The first impression Bethany had toward New Orleans was Hot, with a capital 'h'. As we exited the terminal Remy took a deep breath of air.

"Ah, smell that New 'Rleans air!" Logan sniffed and replied

"Yup, cheap tobacco and bad shrimp." Anna gawfed at him loudly.

"How would you know Logan, with that cigar, how can you smoke that in this heat?" Logan shrugged un-caringly. Storm was on a phone to check on the kids, again, and Remy was looking for their ride. Bethany was just counting her blessings that she choose the light cotton sundress that was blowing around her legs. Looking around she was startled out of thought when Kurt gently took her bag.

"Zhe car is here Liebien."So numbly she followed and then stopped in shock when she saw the 'car' was actually a limo. One by one they all climbed in enjoying the fresh blast of air-conditioning.

"What the Hell cajun." Logan stated simply as he helped himself to bottled water in the fridge. Remy just smirked as he replied.

"Wait till you see da hotel Remy booked." Anna raised an eyebrow.

"Really Remy this does seem like a bit much." Remy's smirk widened. Bethany was chewing her lip nervously staring into space. Storm patted her knee comfortingly.

"They'll be fine Bethany, we've taken every possible precaution." Of course they were talking about Jim and the Institute. The older kids had been briefed and drilled continuously until the moment they left, on what to do if the world went to crap.

Remy wasn't kidding about the Hotel and really it warranted a capital H. It was ridiculously glamorous, all marble and classic elegance. Bethany even spied Logan sniffing a complementary cigar that was offered to him at the door. Sneaking up to Remy's shoulder she whispered.

"Seriously this is a bit much, even for you." With his omnipresent smirk he replied.

"No such thing darlin."

The next few days were like a whirl wind to Bethany. Jumping back and forth between sight seeing, shopping, bar hopping, and music listening. When she got a moment to breathe Bethany began to wonder when Remy was finally going to propose. Then on their last day in the city Remy pulled Bethany aside.

"Okay, tonight the night, you went otta ya way to spoil the surprise so ya might as well help out." Stunned to silence Bethany just nodded.

"Alright tonight I'm treatin everyone to dinner and drinks at this high end jazz club. Before hand you'll keep Ann in her room, make yourselves real pretty. Keep her there till I come get ya." Bethany nodded and reassured the normally cool and collected thief she would keep mum about the whole plot.

Meanwhile

Anna, Logan, Ororro and Kurt were in one of the hotels private lounges playing two on two pool. Since things were quite and and they were down by two Anna decided to shake things up. As Kurt was lining up his shot Anna suddenly blurted.

"So when are finally going to ask out Bethany."

"Vhat!" with that Kurts stick swung wide and scratched. Logan and Anna high-five d as she lined up her next shot.

"S'hat vas not fair Anna!" As the girl sunk another ball in the corner pocket she winked at Kurt over her que.

"All's fair in love and war. Although I am genuinely curious." Ororro patted Kurt on the shoulder as he turned away sheepishly. Then he spoke in a quiet tone as though he was afraid the wall really did have ears.

"Bethany is a wonderful woman with a kind heart. She is a wonderful person, but she deserves far better than me." Logan took another drag off his cigar looking at Anna with an amused eyebrow.

"Leave the man alone Anna. Old Kurt is shy around women."

"Vhat!" Kurt looked at Logan indigently. "I'll 'ave you know s'hat I can be quite s'he charmer!" Logan looked sideways at him with a half cocked smile.

"Then what's stopping ya elfie?" Kurt straightened his back proudly and said.

"Not'sing" With that he turned to put away the que and walk out the door. Anna turned to Logan with a raised eyebrow and a droll smile.

"And you accuse telepaths of Jedi mind tricks." The normally composed Ororro let out a burst of laughter.

Walking with his head up high and shoulders back, Kurt was radiating an air of confidence. Then Smack!

"Oh Kurt I'm so sorry!" Bethany said dusting herself off. Kurt stood there for a moment getting his bearings before he blushed and offered his sincere apologies. Bethany shrugged off the unnecessary apology and peeked around the corner to spy the other three of their group in the adjoining room

"Good your all here. I've been instructed to steal all ladies away to freshen up for tonight. Remy says we're going somewhere nice." The blond gave a pointed look at Logan and added on. "That means you have to wear a jacket Logan." With that she ran back down the hall, not hearing Logan snap back.

"You wear a jacket." Kurt stood in the hall looking after Bethany somehow managing to look relieved and disappointed at the same time. Storm went to stand beside him with a sympathetic smile on her face.

"Your right, that is the charm that would steal a princess." Kurt shot her a half way wounded look and walked toward the lobby. Storm followed and observed drily.

"You were right you know, Bethany is a sweet woman. However you were wrong to say you didn't deserve her." Kurt looked down at his feet looking shame faced.

"Vhat kind of relationship could ve have. Vhere one of us must always hide there face? Vhere if the vrong person saw us together she vould be hated and feared as I am. S'en vhat of s'he future, vhat vould Bethany feel trying to build a family with a face like mine?" Stepping back Storm held up her hands in surprise.

"Whoa there Kurt, take it easy. We're not saying you should get down on one knee. Just ask her for a date and see how it goes." Kurt sighed and started to walk away before Storm caught his elbow.

"Kurt, your a good and decent man. When I say Bethany deserves you, its the highest complement that I can give her." At that Kurts camouflaged face actually cracked a sheepish grin, and with that he left her to go to his room.

Back in the Game Room

Remy wandered into the room to make sure everyone was where they needed to be, and of course the answer was no. Logan stood there in the room still puffing at his cigar seemingly lost in thought.

"Hey Wolvie, you betta get yourself dress'd. We go reservations to meet." Logan barely acknowledged that Remy had spoke. After a minute he flicked some ash off his sleeve and spoke evenly.

"So your gonna try to make an honest woman of her huh?" Remy froze before his face grew just a touch indigent.

"What about it huh? You gonna tell me that I need your blessin', Papa Wolf?" Logan gave him a pointed look and replied smartly.

"It might help ya down the road, but no." Taking a moment to gather his thoughts he pressed forward.

"Anna's a big girl, she can decide what she wants for herself. You make her happy for some reason. As long as you take care of her I don't have an issue." Remy nodded and felt a bit embarrassed that he was close to feeling touched by Logan's words. Then Logan continued.

"On that note, I still think she deserves better." Remy smirked and nodded his head.

"Yep that is true. That woman deserves better. At the same time, no man out there is gonna love her more than me. So I guess she'll have to settle." Logan smirked back at Remy that took a moment, then seeing there conversation was over left the room. After a moment though he stuck his head back in the room.

"Hey, one more thing. How in the world did you know about me proposin'?" Logan's smirk morphed into a full fledged grin. Popping his cigar in his mouth he walked past Remy and down the hall without one word.

I'm back, and eager to start writing again. Sorry about the long hiatus, I just couldn't get myself motivated to write. Now though I have new ideas for stories that need finishing, and new stories in the works. Please Read and Review. God love you all!