Disclaimer: I do not own ANYTHING!!

Three months later

In the calm silence of a new morning, a young Mississipian bred (and New Orleanian by default) woman took the opportunity to spend some time alone. She softly padded from her room, down the hall, the stairs, and into the gigantic kitchen. Rogue looked through the window and stretched happily. Today was going to be a good day. She could feel it.

It wasn't anything particular that provoked her sudden happiness; on the contrary, she felt revived, alive. It was as if she had completed a period of mourning; she was like a phoenix, rising from the ashes.

Rogue began to whistle as she reached in various compartments, reflecting as she looked for the pancake mix. She felt happy, for th first time since Remy's death. Death, she mused, Ah can say it now...accept it now.

And in a new way she felt free, liberated. As she poured the first batch onto the griddle, she sighed, happy to have a weight off her shoulders.

Suddenly, she felt a prickling of tension behind her. Turning sharply, she came face to face with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resident badass, Nick Fury, who looked as if he was ready to toss her out.

And just like that, her good mood began to disintegrate. Dammit.

Rogue smiled mock-cheerily, and said in her best Paula Deen impersonation. "Hiya, Sugah. Mr. Fury, isn't it? How may Ah help you today?"

Fury looked even more pissed ( if that was even possible). Rogue sweetly continued, "Ah mean, Ah'm assuming you're here for a reason. Because obviously, you just wouldn't barge into our humble abode just for some pancakes. Although, you are welcome to have some, if you wish. Please sit down, can Ah get you a drink."

The man known as Nick Fury just adjusted himself to a more intimidating position, and countered. "No, I don't want any damn pancakes! Look, you look like you're a bright girl, so maybe you can tell me why I'm here. After your stint in Weapon X, which S.H.I.E.L.D. helped rescue you from, you were sent here. To the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning." He paused, as Rogue casually flipped over the pancakes.

"Nowhere did it say that you could run off with a thief, and rob rich businesspeople!!"

Rogue calmly sidestepped around him and reached for the syrup. Fury went on, "Now I know what you stole, and I want it back. Fenris is very charitable to us, and we'd hate to lose their sponsership. Andreas personally contacted me. They want the gem...or you. So give it back, or I swear to God I will drag you there and hand you over myself. Are we clear?"

Rogue shrugged noncommittedly as Nick readjusted his eyepatch and motioned to leave.

"You have a week."

She waved him off. Bastard.

Almost on cue, Fury walked back in and said, "Tell Wolverine to call me...and enjoy the pancakes."

Yep it was going to be a good day indeed.

Meanwhile in the Assassins headquarters

Belladonna Bordreaux was pissed.

She barked into her new cellphone, "Dammit, LaRue, I thought you said dat Remy LeBeau was dead!" She paused to hear her henchman's pitiful excuses, and became more irritated by the second.

"Well obviously you t'ought wrong. It was an easy mark. All you had to do was get de Juggernaut to start a fight and finish him." She pinched the bridge of her nose as she sank into her extravagent suede armchair.

"Well, where is he now. Vegas Memorial? OK, bien." With that, she snapped her phone shut, and began to pack. Her friend Sophie came in, fresh from a "job."

Sophie looked curiously back and forth between Belladonna and her Louis Vuitton suitcase on the bed.

"Where ya going, Belle?"

Belladonna looked up. "To finish the job. I swear you can't get any good help dese days." And with that she finished packing, and headed out.

A/N: I hate writer's block. Lemme know if you like the spin of this. It's something different. I have a plan (sorta), but your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys.