Author's Note: Set 6 years after Anything Goes which makes Anna 23 and Remy 24, for those who don't like math. Anna is working as a reporter at The Daily Bugle in NYC. In case you guys forgot, this is a Powerless AU. Rogue goes by the name Anna Raven (like in the XXM Comics) and Gambit of course is Remy LeBeau. They have no powers and Gambit's eyes are dark brown instead of his trademark demon eyes. Thanks SOSOSO much to all the people that reviewed!! I LOVE YOU ALL!! Hehe. Enjoy the sequel!!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Except my doggy Sampson, but he's not even in this story. Marvel owns both X-Men and Spider Man.

Rated R for swearing and implied sex

'thinking'

"talking"

foreign languages (translations)/voice mail/written words

So We Meet Again

by, Caliente

Anna Raven was late. She hated being tardy, yet somehow she could never manage to be on time to anything. 'Shit, shit, SHIT,' she thought angrily as she raced through the streets. 'Why am I always late for work? No wonder my boss hates me!' Anna reached the Daily Bugle office and quickly greeted the doorman before racing inside. 'At least I'm out of the cold New York air.' She greeted the receptionist before racing into her office and jumping into her seat. She pulled out her papers and began to work diligently. Her boss, J.J. Jamison, entered her office at precisely 9:15, just like he did every morning. "Report," he barked at her.

"The article on the Madison case is finished, ready for print. The interviews with the victims o' the bridge accident have been completed, so meetin' the deadline isn't a problem. Uhmm…" Anna trailed off as she shuffled through her papers. "Oh! An' Ah got the scoop on the court scandal. That's breakin' news an' should be completed by the end o' today."

"Good, good," J.J. commented, brushing off her words. "I would like you to meet a representative of the famous art collector, Jean-Luc LeBeau, tomorrow for lunch in the Oak Room," Anna's ears perked up at the name LeBeau but she quickly pushed those memories away. "He's recently acquired some works from the Louvre and there has been quite the political uproar about it. Do some research and meet his representative tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." Anna glanced through her notes and asked, "Will Ah need ta have any photos taken?"

"Yeah, bring Parker with you," J.J. ordered. "I expect the article by Thursday."

"Right," Anna muttered as J.J. left. "Great. So much for my date tomorrow night. Ah'm gonna be stuck writin' this stupid article all night." Anna noticed Parker walking by and called for him to come in. "Peter. Could Ah speak with ya for a moment?"

Peter was a decent looking guy in his mid-twenties. He had sandy brown hair and gorgeous blue eyes. His smile seemed to light up a room and Anna knew that if not for his girlfriend, Mary Jane, he would be a coveted prize. "What's up Anna?" the handsome man asked the reporter. He noticed Anna looking longingly at his coffee and his smile grew. "Here, take it," he told her handing her the cup of black sludge.

"You're a lifesaver," Anna complimented, taking a big sip of the strong substance. "And, the slave driver wants me ta interview an art collector's representative an' you're the lucky photographer who's been selected ta accompany me," Anna told him with a smile.

"Yeah," he replied dryly. "Good thing that's MJ's half-birthday."

"Half-birthday?" Anna questioned with a teasing grin. "Does that mean ya give her half a present?"

Peter laughed at her strange sense of humor. He leaned on her desk and dropped his voice to a conspirator whisper, "So, think we could take him?"

"Probly not," Anna answered, fighting another smile. "Be fun ta try though." Anna glanced at the clock. "As much fun as it is shootin' the breeze with ya, Ah got work ta do sugah."

"You and me both, Anna," Peter agreed. "So are you and, what-his-name, still meeting MJ and me for drinks on Friday?"

"Yes, Joseph an' Ah are meetin' y'all," Rogue responded dryly. "Ya know, Ah took the time ta learn you're girlfriend's name. Be nice if ya did the same for me."

Peter smiled as he walked out the door. "It's hard when you seem to get a new one every month. First it was Cody, then Bobby, then Logan, then Warren, then Piotr, now Joseph. I swear, you're love life is so confusing. And see, I am capable of remembering your boyfriends."

"Whatever," Anna retorted. "Ya just jealous 'cause yer always off an' on with the same gal."

Peter's laughter could be heard as he walked towards J.J.'s office. Anna rolled her eyes, suppressing a grin. She shifted through the papers on her desk and sighed. 'Looks like I'm going to be here all night finishing articles and doing research. You don't pay me enough J.J.' Anna drained the rest of her coffee, grimaced, and set to work.

~*~*~*~*~

Remy LeBeau was having an awful day. First his father had chewed him out for not working hard enough. Then his mother had complained to him about how she wasn't getting any younger and she wanted some grandchildren A.S.A.P. Talk about a scary thought. Now, his father's representative had called in sick so Remy was forced to take over for him and meet with some reporter to talk about his father's recent art deal. Oh, and he was late. Remy's cell phone rang and he glared at it for a moment. "Remy LeBeau," he answered shortly, his voice betraying his rotten mood.

"Bonjour, mon garcon," the voice greeted cheerfully.

"What y'want papa? I'm running late," Remy announced, glancing at his watch as he looked for a parking space.

"Just wanted to remind you t'be on your best behavior, dat's all," Jean-Luc replied, maintaining his jovial tone. "Don't forget what I told you."

"I know, I know," Remy sighed. "'Only answer de questions dat are asked' an' 'Don't reveal anyt'ing dat shouldn't be revealed'. Merde, you only told me a hundred times today."

"Dat's my boy," his father complimented in a condescending tone. "Good luck, mon fils. Au revoir."

"Adieu," Remy said, hanging up his phone. He made his way into the restaurant where he was meeting this reporter, silently cursing the day he agreed to work for his father. He knew he was late, so he flagged down the hostess to direct him. "Pardon chere, could you tell me where de Daily Bugle reporter be waiting?"

The raven haired girl practically melted into a puddle at his feet. She giggled stupidly and chirped, "Follow me, sir." The girl led him to a booth in the corner of the legendary restaurant/bar. She gestured to a sandy-haired man and the back of a brunette and he flashed him a charming grin.

"Merci, p'tite," Remy practically purred. As she turned away, he grabbed her arm and placed a sweet kiss on the back of her hand.

The girl dissolved in giggles again and blushed furiously. "Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything," she managed to stammer out. He flashed her another smile and she added, "Just ask for Lila." He winked at her as she walked away. Remy watched her hips shake for a moment before he turned back to the reporter and what he assumed was a photographer.

Anna took a sip of her white wine spritzer; hey it was a business expense, as she and Peter patiently waited for the art collector's representative to show up. She was listening to Peter talk about his science class at the University. Eventually, Anna had enough. "Ya know Petey," Peter glared at the use of his nickname, "if ya really love science so much, why the heck are ya workin' for a slime ball like J.J.?"

Before Peter could respond, a new voice interrupted their conversation, "Bonjour, please excuse my tardiness, somet'ing came up." Anna turned to the man, who was addressing Peter, not herself, and felt her heart stop. Remy LeBeau. The boy she had spent all of high school hating. The boy she had spent her last night of high school with. She wanted to die. She studied him as his back was turned to her. She saw he was wearing a dark grey Armani suit that didn't betray his well built physique. His once long and disheveled hair was now cut and stylishly spiked.

Peter Parker plastered a smile on his face as he rose and shook hands with the man in front of him. "Hi. I'm Peter Parker, photographer for The Daily Bugle," he told the man.

"Remy LeBeau," he responded swiftly in a no-nonsense tone. Anna almost snorted at the seriousness in his voice. 'What had happened to the fun-loving womanizer she had known in high school?' she wondered idly. 'Why do you care?' her inner voiced asked her. 'Just interview him and leave. You don't have to see him again after today.' 'Right,' Anna agreed with herself. 'Just get through the interview.'

Peter gestured to his companion and introduced her, "And this is the reporter, Anna Raven."

Remy's whole body tensed for a moment as he turned to see the somewhat familiar face of a girl he hadn't seen for six years. She had lost the remainder of her baby fat and the City seemed to have given her a great fashion sense. She was wearing a long bell sleeved white button-up shirt, unbuttoned enough to accentuate her cleavage and her toned stomach with a pair of black pinstriped pants. She accessorized with a pair of black strappy sandals, large hoop earrings, silver rings though he noted no wedding band, and silver necklace that plunged with her neckline. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant twist allowing her white stripes to frame her face and she wore light make up to accentuate her deep green eyes. He studied her for a moment, allowing a slight smirk to grace his features for a moment.

Anna met his gaze, letting his deep brown eyes swallow her for a moment before she snapped back to reality. She offered her hand to him and continued with the pleasantries. "It's a pleasure ta make yer acquaintance, Mr. LeBeau was it?" She made no moves to acknowledge the fact that she knew him, keeping up her stony exterior.

"Oui. But please call me, Remy. Enchante Mademoiselle Raven," he responded, taking her hand and placing a soft kiss on the back, though his eyes never left hers. He smirked to himself, deciding that if she wasn't going to acknowledge him, why would he acknowledge her?

Anna broke his intense gaze and glanced down at her notes. She took a deep breathe and looked back up at him with a smile. "Well, Mr. LeBeau, thank ya so much for meetin' us," she stated blandly. "Peter an' Ah had hoped that we could get some pictures of the art collection after the interview, Ah mean, if ya have time."

"Well, I t'ink dat it might be better if M'sieu Parker went t'get de pictures now." Anna looked skeptical and he clarified. "Because dey're in a warehouse an' dere is only access 'til 3 pm. It be," he checked his watch, "1:20 now. I can call ahead now. Besides, M'sieu Parker doesn't need us to take photos."

"Ah guess that makes sense," Anna agreed hesitantly. "Ah mean if ya don't mind Peter…"

"Of course not," Peter assured her with a grin. "As long as I have my camera, I'm a happy camper."

"If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna call M'sieu Lapin an' let him know dat you're gonna come photograph de new paintings," Remy told them, standing and walking towards a quiet area to call.

Anna dropped the poker face as soon as Remy left and shot Peter a desperate look. Peter noticed and immediately asked, "What's wrong?"

"He- He-" Anna couldn't bring herself to say the words. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard before trying again. "Ah know him. He went ta my high school."

"So?" Peter asked carefully.

"Let's just say we didn't get along," Anna told him bluntly. "Well, at least not 'til the last night. Then we got along real well."

"How well is 'real well'?" Peter inquired, still not getting the full picture.

"Uhmm… Ah plead the fifth," was Anna's cryptic answer.

"Oh, now I see," Peter said, slapping himself on the head. "You had a one night stand, right?"

"Somethin' like that," Anna muttered in response.

"So who left who in the morning?" Peter continued his investigation.

"Ah left him 'cause we were in his room," Anna defended.

"And?" Peter continued to pry.

"Ah wanted ta forget him befo' he forgot me," she admitted. "That's what he does. He pleases women an' then he drops 'em. Plain an' simple. An' Ah knew that goin' into it. So Ah let myself go, knowin' Ah would never have ta face him again. Only problem is, now Ah have ta interview him."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Peter comforted his friend. "I mean, neither of you made any moves to acknowledge what happened before. So just don't bring it up and I'm sure everything will go smoothly."

"Yer pullin' stuff out of yer ass, aren't ya?" Anna asked with a laugh.

Peter laughed too. "Yeah, but it's working right?"

"Sure is sugah," Anna agreed. "Thanks."

"Anytime," Peter told her totally seriously.

Remy chose this convenient moment to return, with a drink in hand. "It's all set up, mon ami. Here's the address." He handed Peter a piece of paper. "You should probably leave now, homme. It's all de way across town an' dere's an accident on 3rd Street."

"Right," Peter agreed, standing and shaking Remy's hand. "It was very nice to meet you Mr. LeBeau." He squeezed Remy's hand slightly tighter than necessary and leaned a little closer. "Don't mess with her, mon ami," Peter hissed, mimicking his accent. "She doesn't deserve any crap."

Remy just smiled at the photographer and left him with the parting words, "It was a pleasure t'meet you too, M'sieu Parker." Peter waved to Anna and made his way out of the restaurant. For a moment Anna considered bolting, just scrapping the story, telling J.J. that the representative was late so they left. Remy slid into Peter's seat and lit a cigarette. He smirked at Anna and announced in a husky voice, "Now it's just you an' me, chere."

Anna tensed at the remark and felt a million butterflies dancing in her stomach. Butterflies in combat boots. Anna refused to meet his gaze as she nodded her head lightly. "Yes. Now Mr. LeBeau, would ya like ta order somethin' ta drink or get right ta the interview?"

"You gonna keep up dis façade f'r de rest of de afternoon or you gonna admit y'know me?" Remy countered.

"Don't ya remember? It's forgotten," Anna replied stiffly. "Now Mr. LeBeau, Ah really think-"

"Dis be stupid, chere," Remy interrupted. "Cut the 'Mr. LeBeau' crap. I'm willing t'put all my cards on de table. Will y'do de same f'r me?"

Anna stared intently into Remy's eyes and saw it completely void of any playfulness or cockiness. "What happened to ya, LeBeau?" Anna asked with slight concern in her voice. "The boy Ah remember was so cocky an' full o' life. He would have never taken a boring job with his father." She smirked. "Or grown that dorky goatee."

"What about you?" Remy shot back. "The girl I knew was independent an' stubborn; she would have never taken a job doing scud work f'r a prick like Jamison."

"Not all o' us have rich daddies," Anna snapped. "Ah have a rent ta pay an' Ah always wanted ta be a journalist. Ah had ta grow up." She glared angrily at the boy sitting across the table.

"Well sometimes it's hard to escape your family," Remy responded quickly. "I wanted to open a Cajun restaurant with my ami but mon père t'reatened t'cut us off."

"How sad for you," Anna remarked sarcastically. Her tone returned to one of cold professionalism. "Mr. LeBeau, Ah would really like ta get this interview over with."

"Fine," Remy stated sharply. "Let's do this."

Anna proceeded to shoot off her well thought out questions to receive short, direct answers. Remy kept his eyes on his drink, constantly stirring it, watching the ice move. Anna took notes and recorded the conversation. Once she finished plowing through her work, she snapped her notebook shut and clicked the recorder off. "Well, Ah think that's all Ah need," Anna told him with a small smile.

"Great," Remy muttered, downing the rest of his whisky. He rose and she mirrored his actions. "Pleasure t'see you 'gain, chere."

"Thank ya fo' meetin' with me, Mr. LeBeau," Anna repeated her earlier words to him.

"No problem," Remy assured her. "See you 'round." Remy placed a quick kiss on the back of her hand and walked swiftly out of Oak Room.

Anna sighed, watching him go. "That went well," she stated sarcastically under her breath.

So, there's your first taste. The second part should be up soon. Maybe Saturday or Sunday. Please Review and tell me if you like it, hate it, whatever. Love you all!! Adios.