AN: Sorry this chapter took so long. I was stuck and had no idea what I wanted to write. But thanks to certain people and their nagging abilities, I sat down and started typing again. That person knows who she is, and I thank her for it. I probably wouldn't have as much written if it wasn't for her. So anyway, here's the new chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 25

I'm not sure, but as time goes on, I don't know what I'm feeling anymore. My feeling are just starting to mesh with each other, and I can't make sense out of any of them. But while I'm going through this, it seems some of my friends are trying to straighten out their own feelings and relationships. Like take Tal for example. I wish I could be like her and go chase after the one I want. But what do I want now? Or Mara, who has the courage to try and bring her guy back here. I chased mine away because he was on the evil side. But he just doesn't seem evil… not to me at least.

"Tal, are you sure this is okay?" Gambit asked as Tal dragged him down to the institute.

"As sure as I will ever be." Tal stormed into the institute, and everyone watched as she dragged Gambit up to Xavier's office. "Professor Xavier!"

"Well hello Tal, how can I… Is that Gambit?" Xavier stood from his seat.

"Gambit has turned. He would like to join the X-Men," Tal explained. "Please Professor. You have to let him join. He really has changed."

"I have every intention of letting him join us. Everyone deserves a chance. Welcome to the team Gambit." Tal let out a deep breath not even realizing that she had been holding it. She glanced up at Gambit.

"Thank you sir," Gambit got out. "It's an honor to be with the X-Men."

"Now… you realize that since you left White Queen she will want to kill you. My suggestion is to be careful when you're not at the institute. Another is though not many students here know you were an enemy from Emma's school, some do and they won't be as willing to accept you as I have."

"Gambit's well aware of that, and prepared for it. Gambit actually doesn't deserve to be accepted here, but thank you Professor."

Mara lay outside on a bench gazing up at the sky. A tear fell down her cheek. She should have known better. John had been here before and he hated this school. He had left to go work for Magneto. Why did Mara expect him to come back to the school he hated?

"Mara? Is everything alright?" Lily made Mara sit up so that she could take a seat next to her.

"Yeah…"

Lily arched her head back to look up at the clouds. "Have you ever wondered 'What have I done wrong? Why can't things ever work out my way?' I do. I lost Morion and granted it's because I broke up with him, but I just want to know why I can't be with anyone I care for."

"You're talking about Duo, aren't you?" Mara rested her hand on Lily's. "It's not your fault though. Mara heard he died to save you."

"No… Why don't I feel saved then? After that I closed my heart. I didn't let even my friends in. And then one day, Duo appeared before me." Lily let up a small smile. "He told me I should go on living and that he wasn't happy with me. If I died he'd never speak to me again." She started laughing. "I couldn't believe a spirit was threatening me." Tears fell as she continued to laugh. "But I was happy. I was amazed at Duo's ability to be able to still convince me to live on. He'd always been there for me. Even now he's still here. But I hurt." Lily's laugh faded and she just continued to cry. "And I tried to move on. I let someone in, and that someone betrayed me. What am I doing wrong? Why can't I be happy? Mara, you have a chance. At least John never betrayed you. He told you from the beginning that he was enemy and you still accepted him. At the same time he accepted you, knowing very well that you also were an enemy. I think there's still a chance for the two of you. Don't give up." Lily wiped away her tears and smiled at her friend. "I don't want to see anyone else suffer."

"Lily…" Mara smiled and nodded. "Mara understands. Mara will try again." She gave Lily a hug and stood up. "Oh, and about the mission to protect Earth… Mara's finally decided to help as well."

"Welcome to the team Gambit," Micki greeted the newcomer. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"About time you two worked things out," Jen pointed out. "I was about to knock the two of you to your senses."

Gambit laughed and wrapped his arm around Tal's waist, pulling her close. "Gambit's glad to be on the team. Gambit missed everyone."

"Ha! No, I bet the only person you missed was Tal," Jen accused. Gambit only laughed.

"Oh, Micki, there you are." Wolverine walked up to Micki. "I thought that we were supposed to help with the training today."

"Oh, I completely forgot." Micki shook her head. "Sorry guys but I've got to go."

"Bye Micki." Jen waved as her friend walked away with Wolverine. "I bet the only reason she really agreed to that was to spend time with Wolverine."

"What's with those two anyway?" Tal asked.

"Micki has a thing for Wolverine and vice versa," Lily said as she walked up to her friends. "Hello Gambit. Good to see you're doing well."

"Lily!" Bobby ran up to the group. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Oh, Bobby… I'm sorry. I completely forgot." Lily smacked herself on the forehead. "Well we still have time. I'll help you study. Bye everyone." Lily then ran off with Bobby.

"That said, Gambit has somewhere to be as well." Gambit said his goodbyes to everyone and then left the institute.

"John!" Mara ran up to her boyfriend. John stopped walking and looked down at Mara. She stopped and was breathing deeply as she tried to catch her breath. "Mara… Mara needs to talk to you."

"What now Mara? I'm busy."

"Busy doing what?" she practically shouted at him. "Running stupid little meaningless errands for Magneto? What's so special about him anyway?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"No! Mara does understand. John what you're doing is stupid. Mara loves you, but she isn't happy with what you're doing."

"Stop lecturing me," John yelled back at her.

Mara stumbled back, surprised that John had raised his voice at her. "John… What did Mara do so wrong that you don't want to be with her?" A tear streamed down her face. "Mara finally finds someone that she wants to be with, someone that acknowledges her. And now he doesn't want her anymore."

"Mara… that's not it."

"Back in Mara's hometown, Mara had no home. She wandered the streets. She had no friends. Mara was hated. But now Mara has finally found a home and someone to love. Why won't you be with Mara?"

"Mara…" John pulled Mara into his embrace. "I'm sorry. But I can't just leave Magneto. He accepts me."

Mara pushed away from John and smacked him. "So does the institute. Mara gives up. Do what you want John. Mara promised herself that this would be the last time she comes after you. Goodbye."

"Oh, Gambit, you're back." Emma smiled. "How did things go?"

"Gambit is part of the X-Men now."

"Good… good. You always were my favorite student. Good job Gambit." Emma started laughing. "They'll never see this coming." Gambit only stood by her smiling.