Disclaimer: Unfortunately, this belongs to Marvel, so everything's a bit screwed up.

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"Gambit, there you are!" Kurt panted.

Gambit spun around, a look of panic in his eyes which softened when he saw Kurt.

"I've been looking all over...What is wrong mein Freund?"

"Oh, not'in', jus' t'ought you might be Andrea."

Kurt grinned, "Last time I checked I was not so well endowed and not as obnoxious."

"Yeah, good t'ing too, else we woulda kicked you out a long time ago."

"Well, serves you right for flirting."

"Hey now, dat's not fair."

"Oh yes it is. You're going to break poor Rogue's heart if your not careful."

"I know, mon ami, I know. You had somet'in' to talk t' me about?"

"Yes, I did. The other day, during Communion, I noticed something on Donnie's wrists."

Gambit raised an eyebrow.

"On her right wrist, she had a black diamond and on her left was a cross with an eye above it. I've asked everyone in the mansion if they know what it is and they know nothing. I was about to start looking through the books, but then I remembered the diamond and thought maybe you might know something."

"Hmmm, it sounds familiar alright, but I don' know why. I call Poppa t'night, see if he know anything, non?"

"Sounds good to me. I will go to the library and see what I can find."

Gambit nodded and turned to leave when he suddenly felt a telepathic call from the Professor.

"Oui, Professor?"

' Gambit, since you and the other members of Storm's team are grounded due to Rogue's condition, how would you like to teach some of the students?'

"What would I be teaching?" he asked skeptically.

'You speak French do you not?'

"Oui, a little. It's not good, but it could pass. You wan' me t' teach the little ones French?"

'Yes,' the Professor chuckled.

"I dunno, I t'ink maybe some of dem scared o' me now."

'And why would that be, Gambit?' he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Well, I been tellin' 'em off fo' not sayin' nice t'ings 'bout Rogue."

'I see, well hopefully you won't have any problems getting their attention.'

"I really don' t'ink dis a good idea Professor, but since it be you askin', I do it. Jus' don' s'pect many people to be takin' my class."

'Oh, I suspect several people to take your class, considering I just made foreign language a requirement this semester. The students must take two in fact.'

Gambit scowled, "Now dat jus' evil Professor."

'Do you really think so?'

"Oui."

The Professor just chuckled and Gambit could feel his mind leave.

"Dese kids gonna hate me," he said to no one in particular, "Gambit don' know de first t'ing 'bout teachin'. Cept maybe t'ievin'."

"Ah think you'll do just fine, Swamp Rat."

Gambit jerked around, a huge goofy grin on his face. "Rogue! You remembered dat I here in dis big 'ol mansion too, non?"

Rogue smiled a little sheepishly, "Sorry, Remy. Ah just been a little preoccupied."

"S'okay, chere. I understand. You just tryin' to sort t'ings out."

"Yeah, Ah guess you could say that. Umm, Donnie an' Logan are goin' out t' the bar tonight, so I was thinkin' maybe you an' me could watch a movie or sumthin'?"

If it were possible, Gambit's grin would have gotten bigger, "Dat sound like a great idea t' me."

A huge smile spread across Rogue's face, "Ah was hopin' you'd say that."

Gambit held out his arm, and Rogue took it without hesitation. From her hiding place down the hall, Andrea scowled.





Donnie stared down the length of the pool cue, a clove cigarette hanging out of her mouth and a Schmirnoff Ice by her right hand. She had been drinking and smoking since Logan had started bringing her to the bar. It felt very familiar to her, that and once she was around all the cigarette smoke, she had started having a nic fit. She knew that Logan didn't bring many people with him to play pool so she felt honored. They rarely spoke to each other while they were here, they just played. He had brought her because he thought that it might jar something in her, considering they got along so well in the first place. She had settled right in the first day.

"Eight ball, left corner pocket." She struck the pool cue and sank the ball.

"That's three outta five, D. Whadya say we call it a night?"

She nodded, "Lemme finish my drink and we can go."

He had to hand it to her, she could hold her liquor pretty well. She had downed three beers and could still form a coherent sentence and play pool like a shark. He wasn't gonna let her dive though, no way. Touch empathy or not. He didn't even know if she had a liscence. The bartender let her get drinks because Logan vouched for her and he had a hunch that she was older than 21. She finished her drink and ground out her cigarette.

"Alright, let's go. Think Rogue took the opportunity to talk to the Cajun?"

"I don't doubt it, Darlin'. This is the first night she really could and I think we have you to thank for that. Whatever yer doin', keep it up."

"Yeah, sure."

"Say, you touched that instrument since you got it?"

"Instrument?" he opened her car door for her, "Oh, the violin, no hadn't really thought about it. Been to busy I guess."

"Why don't you give it a go tonight? Yer not doin' anything else tonight are ya?"

"Don't think so. I'll take a look at it at least."

"Sounds good. I think the Prof wants to give ya some trainin' in the danger room soon, just t' keep ya fit."

"I'd like that."

They drove the rest of the way home in silence, not because it was awkward, but neither had anything else to say. They both liked it that way, they could here the world around them better and the world sounded marvelous.




Donnie stared at the package containing the violin. Did she really know how to play? Would she make a fool of her self? She reached down to pick up the package and started to open the box. She held it as if it were a bomb about to explode. The box lid lifted to reveal the bow and the black case of the violin. She pulled out the bow and set it gently on the bed and undid the latches of the violin case. It was a simple instrument, made from cheap materials for the clumsy hands of a beginner. She picked it up and felt its weight in her hands. She brought it up to her chin and set it comfortably on her shoulder and tucked her head down to hold it. She picked up the bow and placed it against the strings, prepared to play the first note. What would happen, would she fail, would she succeed? Could she find an answer in this little piece of wood? With great anxiety, she pulled at the strings, revealing the first note...





Gambit and Rogue sat on the couch in the Lounge. They had been watching movies all night, talking. They hadn't paid much attention to the movies at all, just talking, like they used to, before...everything. They had seen most of the films a dozen times and it didn't matter whether or not they paid attention, it was just good background noise.

Gambit was happy, it was good to have his little Southern Belle back, even if for a little while. He thought about the last three weeks. They had been good for Rogue, but so hard on him. He tried to keep his distance, waiting for her to come to him first, but it was difficult. Sometimes he would find himself sitting in the shadows by whatever room she was in, listening to her talk and laugh and be happy. He couldn't help it, he loved her. But finally, his patience had paid off and she had come to him. Now he considered what he was about to do. He played with the lump in his jacket pocket again.

"Rogue, dere's sumthin' I..." but he never finished, the mansion was filled with an ear piercing shriek. Both Gambit and Rogue turned to each other and exclaimed at once, "Donnie!"

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Yes, another cliff hanger, what can I say? I'm evil. Muahahahaaaa!!! Go review, another chapter will be up on Wednesday.