FYI:

~Personal Thoughts~

~"Inner Voices"~

ESP

%The Written Word%

[Flashback]

"Normal Conversation (Duh)"

* Com Link or Telephone *

*Sound Effects (usually just Kurt's bamfing)

{Background noise--music, crowds, etc.}

GAMBIT

I sighed as I dropped down int' a chair, straddlin' de back of it. Tante Mattie looked at me disapprovingly as I crossed mon arms over de back and put mon chin down on dem. "Remy don' know what t' do anymore." She scoffed as she set a plate of food down in front of me den walked back int' de kitchen t' start runnin' water.

"Can' t'ink on an empty stomach, now eat up, boy."

"Dat's y' answer f' evert'in'." She stood in de kitchen and smiled at me.

"Y' ready f' t'night?" She was up t' her elbows in soapy water and wasn' even lookin' at me as she talked. I pushed de grits 'round de plate not feelin' very hungry at de moment. ~Not every day y' see y' wife and y' girlfriend tryin' t' kill each ot'er.~

"Somet'in' dat Remy f'get?" She shook her head as she pulled out several clean plates and placed dem in a rack t' dry.

'Y' already f'got de party de guild's t'rowin' y'." Mon mout' formed a li'l 'o'. ~Of course, de most embaressin' event of mon entire life--les Guild festivals.~ (A/N: The Guild parties) I buried mon head int' mon hands and groaned out loud at de t'ought of de grande festival (A/N: large party) dat would be t'rown at de bar t'night.

"Y' know dat Remy hates dese t'ings. Jus' a bunch of people tellin' embarressin' stories 'bout Remy."

"Woulda t'ought y' of all people would like de attention." I rolled mon eyes as she came bustlin' back in t' take de plate wit' all de grits still untouched. She frowned but took it away anyhow. "Y' be hungry later, but don' come cryin' t' me."

"Remy won'."

"Y' tryin' t' kill y'self wit' heat exhaustion? Why y' dressed like it's winter?" I glanced down at de quicksilver long sleeve t-shirt and jeans I was wearin' 'long wit' gloves.

"'Cause, Remy feels like dressin' dis way."

"And I feel like tellin' y' t' go change. Go on now!"

"Non."

"Y' arguin' wit' me, boy?"

"Non, Remy jus' has t' dress dis way."

"An' pray tell me why."

"'Cause Remy might actually want t' spend time wit' Marie t'day and would like t' remember it." She gave me a strange look but didn' ask any more questions. Ah continued t' sit dere f' a while tryin' t' come up wit' a reason not t' go t' mon own birt'day party. "Do y' t'ink dey'd let Remy out of it, if he were sick?"

"Doubt it."

"Unconscious? 'Cause Remy could arrange dat. All he gotta do is change clot'es." She rolled her eyes.

"Boy, y' can' get out of it, so start dealin' wit' it." I put on mon best pout as she looked up at me from dryin' de dishes.

"But Remy don' wan' t'."

"Ugh, when will y' ever grow up?" She was smilin' t'ough as she finished and started t' put dem back int' de cupboards. "Don' y' have someplace t' be or somet'in' ot'er den bot'erin' an old woman like me?"

"Non, Remy like bot'erin' de belle femme."

"Do Ah ever know that." Ah turned ta see Marie walk int' de room wit' her makeup now on and a fresh change of clot'es. She winked at Tante Mattie b'hind me.

"Y' look belle, Chére."

"Ah think ya missed a spot ya brown noser." She walked over and started t' rub de side of mon nose. "Damn, it just won't come off." She den narrowed her eyes as she looked at me. "What'd ya do that for?"

"What?" She crossed her arms over her chest angily.

"Why'd ya kiss meh?" Ah heard Tante Mattie start laughing at de conversation. She den coughed a few times as she tried t' calm down. (A/N: You know the type of cough, like: cough, ha ha, cough.)

"Dat's what he does, Child."

"Ah know, an' he's gonna get himself killed." Marie was glarin' straight at me as if tryin' t' burn a hole t'rough mon head. I glanced back at Tante Mattie who still looked slightly confused by the reason we never seemed t' touch.

"Maybe someday, I'll get an answer outta de two of y'." She t'rew her hands up in disgust and went t' leave.

"Hold on." Mon words stopped her in her tracks as she looked back at de two of us wit' curiosity.

"Now, y' start talkin'. Takes a t'reat of leavin' t' get y' t' do it." I rolled mon eyes at her sarcasm as she sat down in a chair 'cross from me.

"Marie's a mutant…and her powers are a li'l different." I watched Tante Mattie f' any sign of disturbance but remembered dat de woman raised a mutant f' God's sake. "She can' touch people wit'out absorbing dem, dat's why she's a li'l touchy on de touchin' subject." I smiled up at Marie and kept doin' so even after she hit me hard 'cross de back of de head. "What was dat f'?"

"Ya know what it was for." Tante Mattie smiled as she nodded understandingly.

"Well, Child, if y' gonna stay wit' us f' a while, y' need some decent clot'es. Especially f' t'night."

"Non!" I clapped mon hands over Marie's ears knowin' that she'd insist on goin' if she heard.

"What's tanight?" She shoved me back as she listened t' Tante Mattie

"Why Remy's birt'day party dat de guild's t'rowin' him."

"They're throwin' ya a party? Why didn't ya tell meh?" She placed her hands on her hips and looked at me accusingly.

"'Cause Remy's not goin' and neit'er are y'."

"Wrong, boy. Y' goin' and she can go as well if she likes." Marie smiled evilly at me as she sat down in mon lap. ~Okay, dis is wrong. She don' do t'ings like dis.~ I raised an eyebrow as she poked me in de chest gently.

"Ah think it would be fun ta go an' hear all the stories 'bout the li'l diable blanc."

"Non, it's a bore and y' don' want t' go t' dat, Chére."

"Sure Ah do, an' that's final." She stood up an' walked over t' de window and looked out. "Um…why's the mailman actin' like a paranoid?" I jumped up t' look out and saw dat she was right. De mailman was walking up t' de mailbox cautiously and kept glancin' 'round him as if he expected somet'in' t' happen.

"Dat might be 'cause Remy used t' stake out de mailbox." She looked back at me and laughed.

"Ya kiddin' right? Ya actually sat 'round waitin' for mah letters?"

"Non, Remy sat 'round waitin' f' de letters from his girlfriend." She elbowed me hard in de ribs wit' an evil glint in her eyes. "De une who doesn' abuse him." She pouted at me as glanced back out de window as de mailman scurried back off 'gain.

"Ah'll see ya later, Sugah." She turned and walked outta de room.

"Where y' t'ink y' goin'?"

"Shoppin'. Gotta go get somet'in' decent ta wear ta this big shindig of yas."

"Non, y' don'. Y' aren' goin'." I grabbed her 'round de waist and pulled back inside de house b'fore she got out de door.

"Remy…let meh go." I spun her 'round but she refused t' look up at me and stared obstinately at mon chest.

"Why y' wanna go an' hear silly stories 'bout me?"

"'Cause then Ah'll have somethin' ta hold over ya when ya pull stunts like these. Come on, ya want meh ta wear mah crappy hoodie an' jeans ta this thin'?"

"Y' know I t'ink y' look belle in anyt'in'." She rolled her eyes as she tried t' squirm loose.

"Ya so corny." She sighed as she gave up de struggle and leaned back int' me. "Don't ask meh why Ah like it though."

"Y' jus' can' get enough of dis handsome Cajun." She rolled her head back and looked up at me and smiled as she patted mon cheek wit' a gloved hand.

"Ya just keep thinkin' that." She ran out de door quickly and when she was half way down de walk she turned 'round and waved a wallet in de air. "Thanks, Sugah." ~Merde! Dat's de second time dis week.~

ROGUE

I found a decent lookin' shoppin' mall an' began a very large shoppin' spree, courtesy of Remy LeBeau's wallet. The place had so many shoe stores it would have made Kitty scream. Unfortunately psyche Kitty had the same reaction. ~"Like oh my god! Look at those shoes! They're like perfect!"~

~For what? Ah ain't got anythin' ta wear 'em with.~

~"You're like totally right. Like you're going to need like everything! A dress, makeup, shoes, everything! Why didn't you like pack more?"~

~Ah don't know, maybe 'cause Ah was ridin' on mah bike.~

~"And like what's your point?"~

~Forget it.~

~"What about that, luv?"~ Ah was walkin' past a store when Betsy's comment interrupted mah mental argument with Kitty. "Huh?" Ah stopped an' stared at a green dress that hung on a model in the window.

~That would never look good on meh.~

~"And like why not?"~

~"It's perfect for you, luv. It's green to start with, then it would accentuate all the right curves…"~

~"Remy's startin' t' like dis one already."~

~Just shut up. All of ya.~ Ah examined the green dress tickin' off all the reasons it was wrong. ~Ta much skin, ta short, ta much cleavage, looks like it's Mexican as well, Ah don't like it.~

~"Oh, like stop being such a spoil sport and at least try it on."~ Ah sighed as Ah entered the store an' searched the racks for the dress in mah size. Once in mah hands Ah took a closer look at the black ruffles along the bottom of the skirt that dipped upwards on a slant. The neckline seemed ta dip down rather low an' was also ruffled in black. It was sleeveless which was why it made meh nervous ta begin with.

~Ah don't know…~

~"Just try it on already, luv."~

~Ya that anxious for company in there?~ All Ah got was silence as Ah growled in disgust an' went ta try it on. Ah stood in front of the mirror nervously pluckin' at the ruffles.

~"Dat make Remy's heart go boom."~ Ah rolled mah eyes as he started hummin' in mah head. ~"Boom, Boom, Boom, Let's go back t' mon room."~ Ah changed back inta mah street clothes tryin' ta ignore him.

~If Ah'm gonna wear that, Ah'm gonna need gloves that nearly go up ta mah shoulders an' nylons, an'…ta much stuff. It's N' Awlins in the dead of summer, Ah'm gonna die of heat!~

~"Remy'll cool y' down."~

~Cut it out.~ Ah handed the cashier cash ta pay for the dress as Ah tried mah hardest not ta roll mah eyes at seemingly nothin'. Ah walked away from the story anyhow an' headed ta the nearest makeup counter ta begin gatherin' the rest of the thin's Ah would need ta be ready for tonight. ~Maybe Ah should just get a professional ta do everythin'.~ Ah glanced 'round meh an' saw a small beauty salon. ~The smaller, the better. Those big commercial places always make ya look like ya one of those mass produced types.~

Ah walked inta the salon an' was greeted by a cheerful red head. "Can I help you, Miss?" ~Can someone say Jean Grey?~

~"Like she's definitely like Jean."~ "Um…yeah. I have a party ta go ta tanight, an' Ah need mah hair styled." She flashed meh a smile an' pushed meh tawards the back an' down inta a chair.

"I've been absolutely dying to try this on a girl with curls." Ah gave her a nervous look as she laughed a tinny laugh. "Don't worry, it'll be gorgeous. So…you've got some big date, huh?" She pulled out a pick an' began combin' out mah hair. When she saw that Ah was more interested in watchin' her in the mirror rather than talk she spun the chair 'round.

"No, it ain't a date."

"Oh, so then you're going to find some guy to sweep off his feet."

"No, he's already swept off." Ah smiled as she leaned down in front of meh with a confused look.

"So why isn't it a date?"

"It just ain't a date when the guy's whole extended family is there."

"Oooh…meeting the folks then."

"Yeah, Ah'm kinda nervous."

"Well I wouldn't worry about it. It always seems worse then it really is. The father is always the easiest to get on the good side especially if you're a pretty one. It's the mothers you have to watch out for. With them, you've got to be an angel that's good enough for their son. Siblings are pretty easy as well. Sisters however, can get a little catty, but brothers are teasers."

"Um…thanks. Owww!"

"Sorry, didn't mean to pull so tight."

"Pull? Why are ya pullin'?"

She laughed 'gain as she answered. "You'll see. Have a little faith in me. Ooo, this is looking really cool with your white streaks. Okay, you can look now." She spun the chair back 'round with some flair as Ah stared inta the mirror. She'd done the front half of mah head in short corn rows so that all the hair was pulled back from mah face. The bold white streaks were no more as they mixed in with the rest of mah hair creating a more subtle streaked effect.

"Wow, Ah like it. Thanks." She grinned broadly as she led meh back ta the front of the salon.

Ah walked back inta the LeBeau home 'round five ta find it eerily quiet. "Remy! Tante Mattie! Anyone?" Ah sighed when there wasn't any answer as Ah walked back up the stairs ta use Remy's room ta get ready. Ah was almost half afraid that Remy's father might be there an' Ah'd have ta try an' explain who Ah was without any back up. ~Musta all left already.~

Two hours later, Ah was ready an' completely creeped out by the continued silence in the house. Ah picked up the shoulder length green opera gloves Ah had bought an' tucked 'em inta mah belt. ~It's ta hot ta wear these quite yet. Ah'll wait 'til b'fore Ah go inside the bar ta put 'em on.~ As Ah reached the bottom of the stairs, Ah heard a door shut softly an' quiet footsteps approachin'. ~Mah God, a burglar! That ain't right, this is a Guild home, ain't nobody dumb enough ta try an' steal from the Thieves' Guild leader. Then who is here?~ Mah feet were frozen ta the bottom step as Ah slowly turned ta look back up the stairs. A well-dressed man in his mid-20s appeared at the top an' he stopped short when he saw meh.

"Who are y' and what are y' doing in my home?"

"This ain't ya home, this is Remy's house." Ah don't know why Ah said that. Ah guess Ah wanted ta sound like Ah belonged there somewhat.

He cocked his head ta the side an' watched meh for a minute. "What's y' name?"

Ah was scared completely shitless. ~Who's this guy? Why'd he say this is his house?~ "Umm…Marie."

"Got a last name 'Marie'?" He didn't sound like he b'lieved meh in the slightest.

"D' Ancanto."

"Well, Marie D' Ancanto, how would y' know my brot'er?" ~Brother! This is Henri?~

"Err…we're friends." He smirked as he came down the steps an' went ta put an arm 'round mah shoulder. Ah ducked away from him an' he frowned.

"I won' hurt y'."

"Ah'm sure ya won't, but Ah wouldn't want ta hurt ya. Remy might not forgive meh." He smiled as he walked tawards the front door. "Hey! Where ya goin'?"

"T' de party…aren't y'?"

"Um…well…yeah."

"Den I'll walk y' dere, Marie." He stressed mah name as if he still didn't believe that was really it. "Den we'll find Remy f' y'."

"Okay." He held the door open for meh an' as Ah walked out Ah began ta pull on the gloves. ~Might as well now. Ah wasn't expectin' company for the walk.~ "So ya Henri."

"Dat's right." We walked almost two blocks before either of us said anythin' else. "Where'd y' meet Remy?" He glanced at meh suspiciously as Ah tried ta keep up with his quick pace. He was tall an' lean like Remy with incredibly long legs that gave 'em both naturally quick paces. ~A thief's build.~

"New York." He nodded as he continued to look like he was in deep thought.

"You worked f' Magneto den t'?"

"Oh no, no, no. Can't stand the guy."

"Den how would y' have met Remy?"

"We kinda had ta fight one another."

"And y' friends? Doesn' make much sense."

"Nothin' usually does. Um…how's Mercy?"

"What? Oh, she's good." ~Guess it caught him off guard that Ah knew his wife's name.~

"Is she gonna be there?" He responded with only a nod this time. ~Maybe Ah should stop askin' questions. Ah know so much that it's probably freakin' him out a li'l right now.~ We finally reached the bar ta mah relief. It was nerve rackin' talkin' ta Henri. ~Don't care what the girl at the salon said. Brothers are worse then mothers.~

"Ladies first." He held the door for meh an' Ah walked inside ta find the bar completely transformed. The atmosphere had really changed the most as well as the fact that it was much more crowded now. Ah didn't see Remy anywhere an' b'gan ta panic thinkin' that maybe he had skipped an' Ah was now gonna have ta face everyone here alone. ~He wouldn't do that ta meh, would he?~ "Let's find dat brother of mine." Henri took meh by the elbow an' b'gan pullin' meh through the hordes of people crammed inta the small bar. Once tawards the back Ah saw that the pool tables had been cleared away as people danced ta the live band that was set up on the same stage as b'fore. Ah glanced 'round quickly tryin' ta spot Remy but it was nearly impossible ta tell these people apart. Everyone was Cajun, 'round six feet tall, an' dressed in dark clothin'. "Remy! Found a friend of y's back at de house." Remy turned ta see the two of us with a blonde girl clingin' possessively ta him. ~Well so much for him bein' a good for nothin' husband ta her.~ She scowled at the sight of meh but Ah only smiled.

"Chére, wondered when y'd get here."

"Well, Ah'm here an' Ah wouldn't miss this for the world." Henri looked at his brother quizzically who was openly callin' another girl other than his wife 'dear'. "'Sides, ya promised meh a dance." Ah winked at Bella who looked ready ta blow a gasket. Remy only grinned broader at mah obvious dislike for his wife.

It was actually very comical ta see the two of 'em. He was standin' there while she had her arms wrapped 'round him protectively. He hardly noticed her existence while he watched meh turn an' walk back ta the bar.

As Ah left Ah could hear Bella complainin' 'bout mah invitation. "Y' kiddin' me! She's invited, dat whore's invited? Remy, I t'ought y' were jus' messin' wit' her."

"Non, Remy be very serious wit' dat une."

"I honestly can' believe y'." Ah turned just in time ta see Bella storm away as Remy only winked at meh 'cross the room.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Next chapter's gonna be kinda like a song fic with the party music going on in the background. Sorry, but I'm not planning on a fight next chapter but if it seems to go with the flow I start, maybe. No guarantees. On to my loving critics:

Sakuru Cherry Blossoms: 40oz of soda, yeesh, I thought I was the only person who did that kind of stuff. Tuesday I drank two liters in like only 5 hours. Lets, just say, I was worse than a drug addict. Caffeine highs are real uppers then really bad let downs after a while. Wednesday was spent in a half-dead state. Not much good writing going on that way.

Lid'l Rogue: The best? I don't know about that. Maybe Aro deserves that title more than I do, but I guess everyone has their opinion. I'll take it as one big womping compliment.

Lightspeed Suzuku: He he, you're so funny. *Rolls around floor laughing next to the expectant toddler.

Rogue4787: So modest.

A.M.bookworm287: Know what you mean, I've got a tweaking teacher every time I stray to fanfic.

Ishandahalf: Ok, I'm trying to update quickly but I was in D.C. Tuesday, so that was kind of impossible. Why don't they install the internet on charter buses? I'm gonna do it then I can be a millionaire like Bill Gates or something! Then I can afford to cut school and work and spend all my time writing! Woo hoo! *Does silly dance move with the little arm circle thingys.