A/N: This part is a fluffy interlude with a little plot thrown in. Also, a big thank you for the feedback. This is my first try at an Xmen fic and I really appreciate it.
Part 9
Willow rubbed her tired eyes. She had been sitting in front of the computer and microscope for hours helping Hank. She jumped when a hand lightly fell on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Willow. I didn't mean to scare you."
She smiled at Buffy. "You didn't. I just didn't hear you, must be that stealthy Slayer training. What's up?"
"Just seein' how it's goin'. Finding anything?"
Willow looked at Buffy like she was an alien, "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Buffy?"
"Oh ha ha. I saw Tara earlier and she seems to be adjusting well."
"Yeah, I think she'll have a tough decision when Hank finds the cure. I'm not sure she wants to reverse it."
"I kinda know how she feels. For a long time I wanted my Slayerness to just go away so I could be normal but when it came right down to it I don't think I'd give it up if I had a chance. It's who I am."
Willow sadly nodded, "I think she feels at home for the first time. She doesn't talk about her family much but I think she felt like she didn't belong. She seems to be happy here. Happier here than I've seen her."
"Okay enough of the serious talk. Let's get to why I'm really here."
Willow smiled. "I knew there had to be something for you to voluntarily come into the lab."
Buffy shuddered. "Well it is a MedLab and it's as close to a hospital as I ever hope to get again." Buffy looked at Willow through her lashes, "I heard a rumor that there was some Cajun kissin' goin' on before the Professor called for a meeting."
Willow blushed a soft pink, "And just how would you know that?"
"Ah ha! So it is true. Spill."
Willow smiled, "I take the fifth."
Buffy playfully nudged Willow's shoulder with her own and whined, "Come on, Will. I have to get my smoochies vicariously now. You have to tell me everything." Buffy wiggled her eyebrows at Willow, "Is he as good as he looks like he'd be?"
Willow smiled her Mona Lisa smile, "Better."
"Oh, you are so gonna tell me everything. I have Slayer strength you know. I could make you talk."
Willow's eyes widened, "Why Buffy Summers, are you threatening me?"
Buffy grinned, "Yep. Is it workin'?"
"Nope."
Remy LeBeau took the stairs two at a time and at a dead run. For the first time he wished he had Stormy's gift of flight. He'd heard a high-pitched scream coming from the lab where he knew Willow was helping Hank. He charged up a card preparing himself for an attack.
He skidded to a stop in the doorway when he saw that Buffy had Willow on the ground and was tickling her. Leaning up against the doorframe he watched the two friends.
"You know, Remy t'ink dat if you let him join you he'd be one happy Cajun."
Both girls stopped dead when they heard his voice. Willow closed her eyes and whispered to Buffy, "You think if I keep my eyes closed he won't be able to see me?"
Buffy snickered, "I think that only works when you're drunk."
"I was afraid of that."
"Why you two belle femmes wrestling around and not invitin' poor Gambit to join in?"
Buffy opened her mouth but before she could answer Gambit, Willow's hand stopped her. Buffy's eyes twinkled as she winked at Remy.
"N-nothing. Really. Just, you know, letting off steam after a long day in front of the computer."
"Remy can t'ink of another way for you to let off steam, chere."
Willow rolled her eyes and took her hand away from Buffy's mouth.
"Sheesh you're almost as bad as Anya."
Gambit grinned and then mock frowned at her, "Tsk, tsk, chere. I only meant the Danger Room is free and we could have a good workout. You know, you should really get your mind out of the gutter."
Buffy didn't even bother to hide her laugh. She liked Remy and thought he was a good influence on Willow. She seemed to be coming out of her shell more and Oz seemed to be a thing of the past, which was definitely of the good.
"Well, that sounds like my cue to exit. Logan around?"
Willow looked over at Buffy. Was that interest she detected in that question? Oh someone definitely had some splainin' to do.
"If he's not in the mansion he's probably at Hardcase's place."
"What's Hardcase's place?"
"A dive that Logan likes to go to when he's in the mood to play pool or for a fight."
Sounded interesting.
Buffy leaned in to Willow before whispering, "We are so going to finish this conversation, missy."
Willow smirked and whispered back, "Darn tootin'. I think I got some questions regarding your intentions toward Logan."
Buffy put on her best innocent face but Willow wasn't buying it.
"Go. Have fun."
Buffy glanced at Remy before getting up, "Back at ya."
Remy watched Buffy leave before turning back to Willow and holding out his hand to help her up.
Willow placed her hand in his and felt a tug. With a surprised 'oof' she found herself in Remy's arms.
"What Gambit gotta do for you to tell him what you two femmes discussin'?"
Willow snaked her arms up his chest and curved around his neck, "Well if you must know, I was telling her that not all Cajun's kissed alike."
Gambit raised an eyebrow, "Dat so? You got experience kissin' Cajuns?"
Willow grinned up at him, "One or two."
"And jes where is ole Gambit on this list of yours?"
Willow pretended to think about it. "Well, I'd say near the top."
Remy pulled her closer into his embrace before lowering his head, "Well, let's see if Remy can move up into the number one spot."
"I thought we were going to the Danger Room."
He nipped at her lower lip and placed butterfly kisses on either side of her mouth before whispering, "Oh I t'ink we can make any room a Danger Room."
He kissed her smiling lips.
~~~~
It took a minute for Buffy's eyes to adjust to the dark smoke filled bar. Glancing around she saw Jubilee and John on the small dance floor, Rogue and Bobby in a corner booth. It looked like a bar that as long as you didn't wear a 'do me now' outfit you'd be left alone.
So this is where Logan liked to hang out. Not her typical bar but it didn't look like there was much to choose from in Salem. She finally spotted Logan in the corner cueing up a table.
He'd noticed her when she first came in of course with his heightened senses. This didn't seem like the type of place she'd have hung out in, not that there was much choice here.
He grunted a greeting when she walked by his table, "You play?"
She put her most innocent look on, "I've played a little." Conveniently not mentioning the many hours she, Xander and Willow played at the Bronze. Even Giles showed her the finer points of Snooker.
She had too much of an innocent look for Logan to believe her. Well if she thought she could con him, more power to her.
"Grab at stick and let's play."
Jubilee and John wandered over to the pool table when they saw Buffy and Wolverine begin to play.
"Ten bucks says Buffy wins."
"Pft, easy money. You're on John." There was no way Buffy could beat Wolverine Jubilee thought. She didn't think she'd ever seen him lose. He came close playing Gambit but Wolverine still won.
An hour and a half later Buffy and John were counting their winnings while Jubilee grumbled. "I still don't think it's fair. She distracted him."
Logan lit his cigar, "All's fair, kid. Now I know her tricks it won't happen again."
Buffy put the money in her purse and winked at him, "You think so? Willow and I were unbeatable team."
Wolverine pictured them luring dupes into a game of pool, "I just bet you were, darlin'."
Jubilee's cell phone went off before Buffy could respond.
"Jean and the Professor have finished the mind thing. They want us back at the mansion."
