Quick Notes: sorry it's not been full of action lately. Or Romyness. I'm gonna try and get a romy scene in next, and I know I won't be able to do it in the next chapter, but there will be a lot of action scenes soon. For now I'm just getting the boring details of what's going on out of the way.

Note: exams are coming up, so I think I'll have to postpone the story for about three weeks or so. Might be able to up load over Easter, but I'm so sorry I can't promise anything.

Recap-Logan wants jean and Emma to check out rogues mind and see how she knew about storm being attacked. Rogue hates the idea and storm defends her, letting rogue tell her nightmare. The xmen try to figure out how rogue knew by coming up with reasons like she might have accident illy touched jean or Emma, but the idea of her powers evolving is accepted. Rogue thinks of her and Joseph's earlier conversation about her powers. Joseph is ignoring rogue. They discover storm and rogue kidnappers are different, and discous the professor possibly being kid appended which the xmen then make the decision to use cerebro to try and find him. The meeting is inturpupted by jubilee who tells them gambits here. Gambit has brought back a thug that tried kidnapping rogue. Gambit kind of gets welcomed back, but rogue ignores him as he tries to talk to her. She is still hurt by him leaving her again and is trying to stay distant so she doesn't get hurt again. Joseph tells gambit to play his roll and not to screw up. Logan interrogates the thug, but gets nothing of him. He argues with storm about having gambit stay, but loses. Scott breaks into the professors office looking at the files for the students, when Emma and Jean come in. Emma trying to get him to look at them, saying that the professor might be keeping secrets and Jean tells him no, he'll betray the professors visits rogue and she's angry at him and he's charming her. They talk about him leaving because he got a tip off and being able to stay a little longer, but don't know for how says he's been offered a place on the xmen team. They talk about the woman he's been with, and how rogue doesn't believe (trust) him when he says he doesn't use woman, but he explains his honest story. Rogue says he keeps thing from her like what happened after they left him in New Orleans and that's why she can't trust him. When gambit doesn't answer her question about New Orleans rogue tries growing him out, but he asks her if she truly trusts him even if he lies or doesn't tell her stuff. She says yes after some thought. Gambit admits he trusts rogue too, and that he can't tell her stuff here in the mansion. Then Joseph comes to rogues door and gambit and Joseph get into a large arguement over who rogue should go with. Logan comes in and breaks it up. He takes them down to the danger room and rogue locks herself in her room.

Chapter 9

Not long after the men had left, Rogue had a visitor. She ignored the knock, but the head came through the door and looked down at her. "Hey Rogue. Are you like ok?" Rogue let out another deep breath, stood up and went to sit on her bed while saying, "ain't anyone ever tell ya that if someone doesn't answer the door to ya then leave em alone?" Kitty phased all the way through the door and came to jump onto rogues bed next to her. "I heard Logan yelling at Remy and Joseph. Looks like you've got two guys after ya. This is so cool."

Rogue wanted to smile at how stupid and excited kitty was. Practacly world war three was happening, yet she still smiled at he little things. But she didn't smile. She kept her frown. Instead she turned to anger, "you were spyin on us? For how long?"

"Wow, like relax rogue. The whole mansion must have heard you guys shouting. So like it's not just me who was listening in. Anyway everyone knows like there's this love triangle between you guys."

"What? that's ridicules!" Rogue yelled, but she already knew from her brother Kurt that Kitty was right. That didn't mean that she should let it show that she was in a dilemma between gambit and Joseph. It would only make her look weak because she'd be showing emotion and it would be more annoying.

"But it's true."

"Ah don't like either of em kitty."

"Well that isn't what it looks like. Or what it is. I was like trying to tell you what happened in the medical lab when you were sleeping between Joseph and Remy. I came down like not expecting anything, then I overheard them arguing about you."

"Me? What did they say?"

"Well, Joseph was trying to like prove you didn't like Remy but like you liked him. And Remy was telling him he was wrong and stuff like that. It was awesome Rogue. I was like sure they were gonna break out into a fight for you. But then I like had to stop them, 'cause you wasn't like awake to see them fighting over you which would have been like completely pointless."

"'R' you nuts. Ya can't just stop someone from fightin so that they can fight another time. That's just stupid 'n' wrong. They shouldn't be fightin in the first place. One of em could get hurt, and second how would fightin solve anything?"

"Awww, that's like so cute that you like don't want them to get hurt. But come on rogue, if they were to fight who'd you think would like win?"

"Kitty! I ain't answering that. Ya had your say now go away." Rogue said as she threw her head into her pillow. Kitty saw how helpless she looked and decided that she'd have to try and find some kind of nicer way to get through to her.

"So...what are you like gonna do about them fighting over you then?"

"... Ah don't know kit... Ah really don't know."

XXXXX

Logan had kept to his word and made both men tired and hurt. They had hardly gotten a chance to fight each other, they were so busy minding everything else. When it was over, they both still eyed each other with danger roaming their eyes, nothing going their seperated ways. Of course, Logan had told hem not to go see Rogue, which of course both men wanted to do. Gambit to stop Joseph and keep Rogue safe and Joseph to see how much the Cajun had revealed and to make amends. It was a race to see who could get to Rogues room first. Of course gambit was quick, but Joseph was sneaky and knew the mansion better. Gambit watched from the corner of the wall as the door openned.

"Joseph?"

"I came to see if you were alright."

"Ah, fine, but it looks like you've been through world war three. How hard did Logan push you and Gambit?"

"There is no need to worry about me. As for that Gambit, well let's just say he survived with a few deep wounds to prove he was there."

"Oh gawd, is he alright?" Gambit smiled at this. His roguey did care about him. And he could see Joseph's eye flare white with anger.

"It was only a scratch by his side. Nothing seriously life threating. Besides, be deserves as good as he gets."

"Don't say that."

"It is the truth. The world will be better with less people like him in the-"

"Ah just said shut up Joseph. Ya don't even know him anyway-"

"I know his type."

"Ya know his stereotype, not him. There's a difference-"

"And you know his true colours, do you Rogue? He's playing you. Trust me Rogue, I don't want to argue with you, but you cannot trust him. You know you can't trust him, don't you?"

She was quiet a and gambit could hear his heart beat speeding up. Had she lied to him before about trusting him? He was sure she sounded, looked tru- "I want to."

"But you can't bring yourself to. Admit it rogue. You don't believe what he says-"

"No. No, ah don't believe what he tells me." Gambits heart stopped, Joseph grinned. "But ah trust that he lies to mah, doesn't tell me stuff, 'cause he thinks he's lookin out for mah. Ah trust him with ma life, 'n' if that ain't trust enough, ah don't know what trust is." Gambits heart burst to life and a grin crept on his face as Joseph frowned. When Joseph's arms shot out to grab rogues in a grip that looked harsh, gambit jumped and had to stop himself from launching himself at him.

"Don't you trust me rogue? Don't you trust me? You've known me longer. Known I've never lied to you, yet you trust a lying low life thief like him."

"Ah didn't say-"

"Do you trust me rogue?" He practically yelled.

"Y-yes-"

"Then trust me when I tell you not to trust him. He's-"

"Why don't you and everyone else leave mah ta make ma own dicitions." Rogue shoved him off her, and gambit smiled seeing her old angry self spark in her eyes. Joseph looked shocked, as if he hadn't seen this side of rogue before. "Ah don't like being pushed in any direction got it? All that stuff you said 'bout destiny 'n' stuff this afternoon, well we make our own destiny, 'n' ah chose ta just ignore all of ya 'cause all ya doin' is given me a headache. Now all of ya, go away 'n' leave me alone." Rogue yelled before slamming the door. The last message was clear it was addressed to the rest of the mansion and not just Joseph but Gambit smiled. Happy rogue had yelled at him. But he saw Joseph's maddening eyes as he floated off the other way down the corridor. Gambit was sure, Joseph wasn't going to leave rogue alone that easy and just as he was about to rush after him, he was stopped by a strong yet kind voice.

"Gambit. Are you to visit rogue too?" He turned to find the weather witch, he smiled at her kindly.

"Good evening Cherie. How may I help ya?"

"I don't believe I'm the one who needs the help. If you want some advice from me, leave rogue alone for a while. She has just had to sit through kitty's gossiping which usually ends in an argue ment as it has and now Joseph questioning her trust in people has irritated her more."

"You heard that too, non?"

"I think everyone hears when rogue is angry." Gambit laughter at that. Yes, that girl made the world hear when she was angry. He just loved to hear it. Then he heard the growls of Logan's voice. It didn't sound like it from coming from inside the corridor, but from outside. Maybe from an open window. Storm noticed it too and looked back down the corridor he had been hiding around. She was looking at a window and shaking her head. Gambit was pleased when he heard the name "Joseph" being called out in that growth voice.

"Looks like de wolverine can be heard too, non?"

"Yes, he and rogue have that in common. It is bad when either of them are mad, but when they are mad at each other, it's chaotic.

"I can believe it."

"So, Mr. LeBeau is it?"

"Oui, but I don't believe I've told you my name Cherie."

"Let's just say a little kitten likes to talk." Gambit eyed storm, but then realised he had revealed his name to Kitty the other night. "Is there a problem who me using your name?"

"Non, I was just wondering. So, what can I do for you stormy."

"Don't call me stormy."

"Alright stormy. So, how can I help?"

Storm eyed him warningly, but gambit simply smiled. "I have a few questions myself. Perhaps you would like to join me for a cup of tea and some food?" Gambit looked back to Rogue's door, happier now that Joseph was dealing with the wolverine and would leave Rogue alone. And he was sure she would slam the door in his face like stormy warned. So he shrunk his shoulders and followed storm to the kitchen. Storm sat him down at the table, and made him a cup of tea and began placing left over food on a plate, where she put it into the microwave to heat. Gambit noticed something. "Where is everyone stormy?"

"It is getting late, so most likely in their rooms, or in the wrech room finishing playing their games before curfew."

"Do I have a curfew?"

"We would prefer it if you went to sleep at the same time as everyone else. The younger students' curfew are eariler than the older, but the older students go to sleep easily so they can have enough sleep before their danger room session. The adults sleep at the same time as the older students for the same reasons, however because of new events arising, the adults are taking night shifts around the insitute. Hank is already sleeping and will be taking the next shift after wolverine. Then me after Hank. You don't mind sleeping in a guess room?"

"Non, not if you don't mind havin moi stay here"

"There is no problem with that ."

"Please. Call me Remy."

"Remy. I know the professor isn't here, but I am confined that the professor would have you stay. Logan has trouble trusting people, but once that trust is earned then it will never flounder. But he does understand that having you here now is reasonable what with current events."

"Oui. Keep your friends close and enemies closer."

"Well, I am hoping that you do not fall under the enimy line Remy. There seems to be this other side to you. One that not everyone has seen. Yet it appears the only acception is rogue. So, tell me, why did you come here in the first place?"

"Same reason I told every one else."

"Hmmm, over fake love letters." Storm said placing the cup of tea and plate of food in front of him. "I usually collect and give out the mail in the morning and rogue hasn't had a letter for all she's been here. Would you care to explain how else she would have gotten these messages. "

Gambit took a fork full of mash and ate it before saying "Trained doves. Trained em myself. So they'd fly right to rogue through her window."

A smile graced Stroms face as she shock her head at this, not believing him. "You really are quite the romantic when you want to be."

"I try."

"So, I know it is not my means to pri, but do you have romantic intentions towards rogue?" Gambit stopped eating and didn't look storm in the face.

"What makes ya say that stormy?"

"I'm not sure what happened between you and rogue back in New Orleans Gambit, but I am not blind. Although rogue never told me or anyone else what really happened, it was noticed in her attitude. She was concealed and everyone was worried about her, then once she gets back from New Orleans after being on an escapade with you she's plotting and making plans on how to take apocolypse down. Now, I believe what ever happened between you two was good even if I don't know what. But if that was how you effected rogue, then I wonder if she has effected you in someway. Away in which you may have wanted to come and see her."

"You believe dats why I came back in time to save her." Storm nodded, and waited for him to continue. "Oui. You can say that de rogue did have an effect on moi... I did come back to see her, but there are other reasons why I was...led here."

"Are these...bad reasons...? You can tell me Remy if you are having trouble. I will not turn you away. It will stay between us for now."

Gambit looked at her puzzled. "How can you say that when you don't know what's chasing me?"

"So you are in trouble. And just because you have a troubled past does not mean that the X-Men won't take you in. Do you believe that Logan has had the best of pasts?"

"Non."

"I doubt that his past is less worse than yours Remy, yet here he is looked upon as a friend and leader. On the outside he maybe a little rough and scary, but on the inside he is kind and a gentle creature."

Gambit raised his eyebrow as he saw storm looking dreamily into the mug. "You sure I ain't the only one with romantic intentions?"

"... Yes, I knew you would notice. There has been some tension between them for a while now."

"Them?"

"Rogue and Joseph."

"Oh." Gambit looked away, hating his name. He had to bite his tongue before letting his venom out about Joseph. Storm noticed this. "Remy, I do not believe they are together. True they are close and usually where ever you find rogue Joseph won't be too far away. But it is Joseph who goes to rogue."

"I know stormy. Joseph's a stoker."

"Oh?"

"Oui. Haven't you notice that maybe they're not together cause rogue doesn't wanna be with de creep? Maybe you find Joseph around rogue so often cause she's tryin ta get away from 'im, but he can't help but stoker her."

"Well, if I didn't know any better Remy, then I'd say you sounded jealous."

"Huh, me jealous of that stoker creep. Not on ya life stormy."

She nodded her head. "Logan didn't like Joseph when he first came either."

"From the looks 'n' sounds of it, he still doesn't. Just like moi ah?"

"Right there Cajun." Said Logan. Logan had come into the kitchen and was unlocking a cupbored that had beers behind it. He'd just got back from warning Joseph away from rogues window again. He'd have to walk around hers anfpd storms rooms often. He turned around opening a tin and drinking it in front of gambit and storm who looked disapproving. Gambit however had a smirk on his face. "What you smirkin at Cajun?" Gambit shuck his head and stood up, his plate of food and cup of tea empty. He began washing them in the sink, quickly, then placed them back in the draws were he'd seem storm get the cult leery from.

"Nothin'. I'll leave you two to it."

"Hold it jumbo. Where you goin?"

"Ma room, then in search for a shower."

"Scott has borrowed you some of his clothes. They are on your bed and you have a built in shower in your room."

"Merci. Good night."

XXXXX

As soon as Kitty had got kicked out of rogues room after being yelled at for interfering when she told Gambit to stay when rogue was unconscious, she went in search for Pete. She found him in the garden. Apparently it was his turn to be on guard. He had seemed happy though to have kitty for company. They talked about Rogue and storm and everything else. Pete was really supportive towards Kitty and he was really sweet. There quiet time in the yard under a tree was disterbed however, by Logan telling Pete his time was up and to go back to whatever he was doing before. As they left they was sure they heard Logan mumbled something able couples that didn't sound like a good thing.

"What's with him?"

"I do not know. Perhaps it has something to do with Rogue, Remy and-"

"JOSEPH! GET DOWN HERE NOW!"

Pete and Kitty turned around to see Logan stood outside rogues window and Joseph floating just in front of it. Logan looked angry, but so did Joseph. It was going to be a clash of metal and Pete was worried kitty might get hurt.

"Kayta, why don't you go inside?"

"And miss the show. No way. Besides, what if those two need splitting up. No offence Pete, but you are made a mental and I don't want Joseph to crush you like a tin can. I'm staying."

Pete smiled at Kitty as the two watched and listened to Logan yelling at Joseph to stay away from rogue and that he won't tell him again to stop stroking her window. Joseph seemed to ignore Logan and flew away high into the sky. Pete and Kitty looked at each other holding back a laugh, before walking off after Logan's grumpy voice called to them "what?"

Pete and Kitty had later gone to play with the other children in the wreck room. Well, Kitty was playing darts against jubilee, which didn't turn out so well, while Pete sat down in a comfy red sofa and draw kitty's face. Later Pete offered to walk kitty back to her room and she accepted with a blush. Now they stood at the front of kitty's door. It was late, but neither felt tired.

"So, like can I see the drawing."

Pete's smile dropped a little and his hand shuck as he handed kitty his sketch book. Kitty flipped throw it seeing picture after picture of her and a few of his younger sister back in russia, her smile growing at Pete's blush. "Wow, you're really good Pete. I mean like really really good. But why do you like keep drawing me?"

"I...errr...I like to draw beautiful things."

"You think I'm beautiful?"

Pete didn't met her eyes but he nodded his head. Kitty then stood on her tip toes, and kissed his check. He blushed even more and caresesed the spot where Kitty had kissed him. He looked to Kitty with a smile, who was blushing just as much as he was. Before either could say anything, they heard a phone ring from inside kitty's room. They were both quiet glad about the distraction. Kitty turned around, opening her door, and went in to her phone, leaving the door open.

"Like who could be calling at this time of the hour."