Author's Note: Okay… it's been a while. I haven't forgotten y'all. I made a promise that I would update by today and I'm keeping good on that promise. Between cheerleading, my birthday, schoolwork, college applications, caring for a sick relative… let's just say finding time to write has been difficult. I will definitely be constantly updating. I promise. I love this chappy!! Lots of romance/angst. Gotta love it!! Hehe.

Best Friends?

By, Caliente

Chapter 5 – Heightened Tension

"What are you wearing tonight luv?" Betsy prodded her roommate.

"Ah dunno," Rogue answered honestly. "Ah was thankin' 'bout wearin' mah sandblasted boot cut jeans an' mah favorite combat boots. Ah'd wear mah black long sleeved V-neck shirt with mah regular black gloves. What do ya thank?"

"Sounds good," Betsy told her friend. "Just add your forest green cashmere scarf and you'll knock his socks off, luv!"

"Ah hope so," Rogue said skeptically. She smirked and added, "Ya know how Ah hate socks on mah men."

"Your men?" Betsy inquired with a smirk of her own. "Have you been secretly dating somebody?"

"Oh yeah," Rogue stated sarcastically. "That's me. The untouchable hunk magnet."

Betsy snorted. "Don't sell yourself short luv. I happen to know at least two blokes think you're quite the catch."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Please tell me we are not back to the "Remy likes me" thing."

"He does. It's a fact. Everybody knows it," Betsy argued. "Even Joseph knows it."

"Sure, sure," Rogue waved her friend's opinion aside. "Whatever you say."

Rogue changed into her outfit and went to Betsy's vanity mirror. Betsy smiled at her roommate. "You look stunning luv."

"Do ya have ta say "luv" sugah?" Rogue teased.

"Do you have to say "sugah" luv?" Betsy shot back. The two girls grinned at each other. They loved to tease each other about their accents and it usually ended in a pillow fight.

"Sorry ta cut our befo' the pillow fight but Ah have a date," Rogue said as she hit Betsy with a pillow and then scurried out of the room to avoid being hit back. Rogue bounced down the stairs excitedly and ran out the front door, strait into Gambit. "Remy, Ah'm sorry," she apologized breathlessly.

"No problem chere," Gambit replied with a charming smile. He noticed her outfit and raised his eyebrows. "Wan' t' catch dat movie now? Y' look ready t' go out."

"Uh, Rem, Ah-" Rogue started but she was caught off guard by Joseph coming up behind her.

"Ready to go?" Joseph asked, completely ignoring Remy. Remy felt his heart sink as he realized she dressed up for Joseph. How he hated that name. Joseph. Ugh.

Rogue looked up at Remy and he shrugged slightly. "It's fine petite. We'll get t'gether another time."

"But, Remy… Ah hoped… Ah mean… Ah thought…" Rogue tried to find a way to explain. She hated the hurt she saw in his eyes, though she wasn't sure she understood why it was there. "Ya could come with," she offered, silently pleading that the hurt would go away.

Remy offered her a small smile. "Merci anyway chere. 'Sides, Rogue… Poppa always taught Remy dat 'three's a crowd…'"

Rogue couldn't find the words and settled for staring at her Cajun friend. There was so much tension; it could practically be cut with a knife. Joseph became uncomfortable and cleared his throat to get Rogue's attention. "Ahem!" [1]

"Right, we should go sugah," Rogue said, finally tearing her eyes away from Remy.

Joseph smiled at her and she offered him a small smile in return. Rogue gave Remy a final glance as Joseph led her to his convertible.

'That fille be breaking my heart and she doesn't have a clue," Gambit thought sadly as he watched Rogue and Joseph ride off, ironically into the sunset. 'Maybe Remy should just move on.' He closed his eyes and the first thing that came to mind was Rogue's face. 'Easier said than done.' Remy turned back inside and immediately ran into Lorna.

"Hey Remy," the green haired beauty gushed. "Wanna do something tonight?"

Gambit flashed her a grin that didn't quite reach his demon eyes. "Sure t'ing petite. Remy knows we'll find somet'ing t' do t' pass de time." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her up the stairs. 'Unfortunately, that's all it'll be,' Remy thought sadly. 'Just passing the time until I can be with Rogue again. Until I can make her see how much I care for her.'

[1] I stole the little passage from Uncanny X-Men #341. The actual passage is:

Rogue: But, Remy… Ah hoped… Ah mean… Ah thought…

Remy: Merci anyway chere. 'Sides, Rogue… Poppa always taught me "three's a crowd…"

Rogue: …

Joseph: *Ahem*

F.Y.I. – My Evo fic is on hiatus… I don't have time to write both. Sorry.

So, tell me what you think. I love your reviews!! They sustain me!! I NEED THEM!! DON'T DENY ME!! Hehe.