Thank you to all who review, especially to those who left longer reviews with some thought put in (you know who you are.) Once again, I own nothing. Oh, Solitare, I promise I don't plan to rush the romance. One of my pet peeves too.

Chapter 2

Rogue woke up with a groan to her alarm clock. She really hated Mondays. Having to get up early and get ready for school. School itself just made the day that much worse. She stared blearily out her window at the cheery morning sunlight filtering through her curtains. Disgusting. Why couldn't she just sleep a few more minutes? She contemplated it for another moment or so, then realized that it just wasn't going to be possible. In a few more minutes Kitty was going to be up and puttering around their room, listening to her horribly cheerful music. With that thought to motivate her she struggled out of bed and took her clothes into the bathroom to wash up and put on her customary makeup.

By the time she was finished it was time for breakfast. Making her way into the kitchen she was enveloped in the noise and commotion of the institute on a school morning. She waved half-heartedly in response to the hails from her fellow X-Men and some of the other students who had already made it to the table as she stacked her plate with sausage and pancakes.

"Aggh!!! Kurt, watch it," she yelled, waving away a cloud of brimstone as the perpetrator smiled sheepishly at her.

"Sorry Rogue," he apologized before dashing off to the table.

Rogue quickly suppressed a smile as she watched the closest thing she had to a brother talking animatedly around a mouthful of food. Her smile changed abruptly as she saw Scott and Jean sitting next to each other. Jean was laughing at some joke or other and Scott was leaning towards her, his eyes bugged out comically. It irked Rogue that Jean was the only one who seemed to be able to make Scott crack a genuine joke. Ah could make him laugh and joke if ah had a chance, she thought bitterly.

The professor rolled into the kitchen then, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. "As you are no doubt aware by now, there is a new mutant in Bayville." He paused for a moment but there was no surprised reaction at this news. "However, what you may not have heard is that I have as yet been unable to pinpoint their location, nor have I been able to determine what their mutation may be. Until we know more about this person I would like all of you to be careful. It is possible that this is merely a mutant who is just coming into their powers and so I cannot get a fix on them. If, however, they are in full control and wish to harm us, this person will no doubt be very dangerous to us. If anything unusual occurs please let either myself or one of the other teachers know immediately."

"Unusual for us, Prof," Evan asked, "or for your average high schooler?"

The professor smiled tolerantly at this. "Your point is well taken. Use your discretion on the matter, but please be careful and stay together." With this he wheeled up to the table and started eating.

Breakfast started to break up at that point as they all headed to school. The X-Men piled into Scott's car, all except Evan, who took off on his skateboard. Jean and Scott of course sat in front, with Kurt and Rogue and Kitty taking up the back seat.

Rogue.

She was distracted from her glaring at the back of Jean's red hair by the voice in her head. At first she thought that it was the professor calling her, but after a moment she realized that it was Goku.

Hello. She thought back rather timidly. She had never before talked to any of the people in her head, so this was a new and rather disturbing experience for her. How are yah? She immediately cursed herself for an idiot as she realized she had just asked someone who had been ripped from their body and was living in someone else's mind how they were doing.

She felt a mental chuckle coming from him and relaxed a little. I'm fine, all things considered. I thought we might get started with a little of your training. I think we can skip the whole 'getting to know you' stage.

Rogue almost smiled back. It didn't seem like it would be that bad after all. She already knew that he was a good and decent man, and now she knew that he didn't hold anything against her. They continued talking for the rest of the rather short trip to school. He described to her how to do many of the amazing things that she had seen him do in his memories. They agreed to do a little practical test of those powers that evening in the danger room. Hopefully she could get professor Xavier to let her use it alone for an hour or two.

"Rogue?" Kurt asked, waving his hand in front of his "sister's" face. They had arrived at school and had all hopped out of the car and headed to class when he had noticed that she was still sitting there looking off into space.

Rogue jerked back to reality and scowled fiercely at Kurt. "What?" Immediately she felt sorry for her harsh tone and apologized to him.

"Think nothing of eet." He responded with a smile and jaunty wave. "You better hurry though, or you'll be late for class." With that he turned and ran of to the school doors.

Quickly following suit Rogue made it to her first class just as the bell was ringing. She slunk to her usual seat in the back of the class and waited for the teacher to stand up and introduce today's lesson. English was not her favorite class to say the least. Today promised to be different, however. As soon as the morning announcements were over (Oh joy, another pep assembly) the teacher stood up. This time, instead of turning to the blackboard, she raised her hands to get their attention and stop the excited chattering over the impending assembly.

"Class, today we have a special treat. We are receiving an exchange student from France. He should be arriving any minute now and I want you all to give him a warm Bayville greeting. Please try to include him in your activities and groups and to make this a positive experience for all of us."

Rogue looked around at the reactions of her classmates to this unexpected announcement. While she may not be the star student, she was by no means stupid. She knew that it was somewhat unusual for an exchange student to arrive in the middle of the school year like this. While she was busy trying to figure out why this may have happened she missed the door opening. She started as someone walked by her to the front of the class and handed the teacher a note. He was dressed in comfortable black cotton pants and a loose fitting gray t-shirt. The teacher stood once again and addressed the students. "Boys and girls, this is Remy Lebeau, our exchange student. Remy, why don't you tell us a little about yourself." At this the young man turned to face them all and several of the girls in the class burst out with almost identical giggles.

Rogue had to stifle a gag at this. How incredibly stupid could you be? She wouldn't be caught dead giggling at a cute boy. This boy, she had to admit, was considerably more than cute. He was absolutely gorgeous. He had the kind of chiseled features and athletic body that would make most of the twittering girls at this school swoon, and the sunglasses he wore accented his features and added a bit of mystery by hiding his eyes. She immediately disliked him. He looked almost like some pretty boy, and worse yet, he knew it. She couldn't help a morbid curiosity in him though. Yah nevah know, his personality may be able to make up for his looks.

Remy smiled at the students arrayed before him like some king surveying his subjects. Dis is gonna be easier than I thought he said to himself. To his classmates he said "Je'mappelle Remy. My name is Remy," he translated with an apologetic smile. His smile broadened as several of the girls giggled again.

Rogue glared at him fixedly. Blasted snake charmer, she thought. He knows exactly what he's doin', playin' all o' them like a fiddle. Disgusting. His gaze swept the classroom once again and Rogue looked down at her notebook before he could see her glare. She looked up again in consternation when he walked down the row and slid into the seat beside her.

"Bonjour," he greeted her in a friendly tone, holding out his hand for hers. When she grabbed his hand to shake it politely however, he brought the back of her glove to his lips. She shot him a quick, startled look and almost jerked her hand away. He smiled at her and turned back to the teacher.

Rogue did the same, feeling slightly flushed in the cool classroom. Must be comin' down with somethin'. Hope I can shake it by tomorrow. She caught herself glancing from time to time at the exchange student and quickly jerked her mind back to the lesson. She probably listened to more of that English lesson than she had to any in her life. When the class was finally over she hurriedly gathered her bags and almost bolted for the door.

She reached her locker in record time and only slowed when she had opened the lock and unloaded her English books into it. Luckily they didn't have any homework, much of the time being taken up by their teacher's question and answer session with the Lebeau kid. His English was surprisingly good, but his accent was straight out of a movie. Most of the girls had been practically drooling over him the whole time. She felt an unaccountable surge of anger and practically slammed her locker shut. She turned down the hall and gave a small shriek of surprise. Standing two lockers down from her was HIM!

He looked up in surprise to see her staring at him. "Hello again chere," he said. Then his face took on a slightly shy expression. "I do not suppose that you would be able to help me find my next class. I do not know anyone here and a new place is always confusing to me." His eyes suddenly twinkled slyly. "I would not bother you, but I think if I ask any of the other girls they may try to kidnap me." His shy smile grew into a real one at her snort of laughter.

She smirked up at him for a moment. "Alright, but just this once. Don't expect me to escort ya from class to class. I ain't you're bodyguard." She privately agreed with him on his assessment of the dangers of asking any of the other girls for directions. From the predatory looks some of them had been giving him he may be underestimating his danger.

"You are very kind, chere," he said with a smile. Once again he took up her hand and placed it to her lips. Several of the girls passing in the hall glared at her and she started to blush. Angrily she glared back and then at Remy, her blush fading into anger.. Jerking her hand away, she snatched his schedule from his other hand and perused it closely.

"Follow me," she said shortly, stalking down the hallway with the snake charmer in tow. She was halfway to her destination before she realized that his class was directly across the hall from hers. "Here ya are."

"Thank you chere. I apologize for taking up your time. Perhaps someday I will be able to return your favor." He smiled at her again, earning her more glared from passing girls, then disappeared through the classroom doorway.

Rogue shook her head irritably. He seemed nice enough but she was sure he'd be nothing but trouble. I'll just stay away from him. That'll be for the best. She didn't notice the bitter smile on her face as she entered her next class, glancing back involuntarily at the door he had disappeared through.

Remy felt the eyes of the entire class on him as he spoke to the teacher. He surveyed the students closely as he was introduced to the class. Excellent, his plan was coming together perfectly. He had used the French student cover before, and he knew no one would recognize him. His contact with the first of the X-Men had gone well. She was unusually resistant to his charm, but that only meant a challenge, and a sweeter victory when he was done. He may have to rethink his approach to her, perhaps do a little more research, but it shouldn't hamper his operation. After making his own, admittedly cheesy but effective for his purposes, introduction he took his seat.

"Hello chere," he greeted the redhead next to him, flashing her a devastating smile and turning on his charm full force. If the X-Men were able to resistant his normal charisma, he would have to augment it. Hopefully neither of the resident telepaths would notice.

Jean Grey turned to face the new student seated next to her. She flushed slightly as he smiled and took her hand, touching the back to his lips. Her blush climbed higher when he waited a second before releasing it.

No, he thought to himself, this won't be too hard at all. And it might even be fun. Behind his sunglasses his red eyes glowed mischievously. This could be lots of fun.