Rogue and Mystique weren't known for their healthy relationship, together. Mystique had had her eye on the young mutant for years since Destiny could see the future. And ever since she lost her to the X-Men, she'd been plotting to get her back. Scheming. Toiling. She's been impersonating, influencing, and changing Rogue's future since she was little more than a child. Making her this person who didn't believe they would ever have anybody. This fostered a deep resentment and mistrust of the shapeshifter, and rightly so.

But it seemed, deep down, Rogue would accept any maternal affection thrown at her. The girl had always ached for real parents, a real family. In this compromised state, she trusted her. Though she had impersonated Scott, Rogue was no more startled when she quickly turned into her mother figure. She only watched her curiously. "Come darling, we must go." Without a peep, Rogue plodded along side her.

Moments later, moments too late, the X-Men would realize the stealthy bait and switch she had made. But it was more than enough time for her to make her getaway.

She'd finally gotten it, what she'd always wanted. And, Rogue put up barely a fight. If she felt any better, she would've returned to the institute to gloat. She was finally out of their clutches, she couldn't help but grin. And,she was never going back. Before even the X-Men could start tracking her, somebody was already on her tail. He had left but that didn't mean he stopped looking over her, not by a long shot.

Gambit was tracking the blacked out limo, Mystique none the wiser as she hurried far from the institute.

He had been banking on her trying something like this, the selfish woman couldn't help herself. All she wanted was for Rogue to love her, adore her. This was her only chance. The limo headed towards Hell's Kitchen, making it to an inconspicuous house. One Remy could be sure had Destiny inside. Moving quickly, shrouded in all black instead of his trench coat and most of his face covered by dark cloths.

Only his eyes were visible, and in them he had blue contacts he used to for had thief jobs. He hoped it had been his eyes that had scared the sensitive girl, he didn't want her to struggle against him. But, he knew she wasn't safe with the likes of Mystique. 'Hope she safe wit me.' He thought grimly.

The limo parked outside of the house and she spoke briefly with the driver, Rogue anchored affectionately on her arm. Once the car was out of sight, he pounced. Mystique knew the gas the second it hit her nostril. 'No-' She thought, trying to shove Rogue out of the way before she was knocked out. The gas was potent and fast working, her body became sluggish as Rogue got drowsy herself.

"No..." She croaked, Remy moving seamlessly from the shadows. Mystique fell to the ground as he caught Rogue's limp body, the hooded cloak falling from around her. He stared, running his fingers over the fabric of it. 'I gotta do dis for her...' He'd been missing her for so long. He felt terrible, but this reminded him why he'd sold his soul to the devil. Because he wouldn't watch the girl he loved like this any longer.

Holding her tight, he took off to where he knew Nathaniel Essex was waiting.

Logan was barking orders the second he stepped foot back in the mansion, mostly consisting of 'Get in the jet' and 'Help get the jet ready'.

'Lucky for us I, always assume the worst,' Logan growled mentally to Charles. 'Hank and Forge got together and made that bracelet idea I bugged them about. I got her a discreet tracking device. Undetectable. They won't know we're comin' hot.' He cracked his knuckles, hoping he could restrain himself around Mystique with Kurt around.

Charles nodded in his office. 'Awesome thinking. We need to spare Rogue as much trauma as possible, Logan. This is imperative. This could be the difference between her recovering and staying as she is,' He felt dread swirling in his chest. He knew the shapeshifter was banking on them being light handed and careful about her. They would get her back and delicately as well. He had all but been anticipating this.

When it came to Rogue, there were many who could not leave her well enough alone. 'Trust me, I know. You don't have to worry about that. That bracelet doesn't just track her, it'll tell us the mutations of the X-Gene carriers around her. That way, we'll know exactly what we should be expecting. Make this as painless as possible.'

'Perfect. And Logan, good thinking.' He sent a grunt back in response, pleased slightly to find the whole team already in the hangar. Even better, Kitty had begun tracking the I.D in Rogue's bracelet. The whole team was huddled around the plane's console, scratching their heads. Bobby looked around quizzically, but nobody seemed to want to speak. "Alright, we aren't goin' far yet, are we Half-Pint?" Jean turned to face him first, unsurely. Then Scott.

"Uh..." Kitty spoke up first. "Not far, but..."

Scott folded his arms impatiently. "She isn't with Mystique anymore." He reported, his hands jittery. Logan's face darkened. 'Then, who is she with?'

"Oh? What does that thing say?" He approached quickly, leaning over Kitty to get the coordinates and information. The description of the mutant wasn't a shapeshifter, it said abilities to kinetically charge things. And signature black and red eyes. A growl rattled out of the man's throat, this was weird. If Mystique took her, why was he involved at all? It didn't add up.

"Gambit's got her?" Kurt said finally, scratching his head. He was reading the passage about the mutant over and over again. "But... Vhy, how-"

"He must've seen Mystique and intercepted her before they got off." Jean reasoned, wishing Logan would calm down. He was really angry, so angry his face was just blank. Jean especially was familiar with this mood. It was close to a point of no return, for him. "This is good, she's safe with him!"

"Then, why is he moving away from the institute?" Scott continued, his voice rising. Kitty hadn't even wanted to say it, she knew everyone would see what had her so uneasy. She trusted Remy, at least she liked to think so. But she couldn't understand why he'd take her anywhere but the school, especially with her so fragile. Even if he had good intentions, he could do a lot of damage to her.

Jean watched the GPS footage carefully. It was true.

"What if he's working for her? Or worse, someone else?" Logan snarled. He hadn't want to assume the worst of the former Acolyte but he had no choice, now. This was all too ruthless and incriminating. And, if he was off seeking madness to restore the girl before she was ready, he'd handle the situation himself. He wasn't feeling patient or kind.

"Okay, we've got the coordinates. Maybe, Remy just isn't thinking straight... We intercept them and bring them both-" Jean tried, hoping to keep everyone calm.

"If he's kidnapped Rogue in the state she's in, he's not coming back to the school." Scott stomped his foot for emphasis. Logan growled, again. "It would be reckless, not to mention selfish..."

"Seconded." He added, his eyes glinting with malice.

"Let's just wait and see what's going on before we carve somebody, please." Jean held her hands up defensively as Kitty whimpered. 'He loves her, whatever he's doing... He believes it's the best thing to do. Whatever he's doing...' She sighed as the jet pulled, Scott siting silently in the pilot's seat. Remy would never take advantage of Rogue like this, would he? Even the telepath was beginning to feel unsure.

Whatever the case, hopefully this wouldn't make her situation any worse than it already had been. Because if so, there would be hell to pay.