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.}

ROGUE

Ah shifted the duffel bag containing mah pathetic wardrobe on mah shoulder while clutchin' the teddy bear under mah other arm. Remy grinned as he opened the door ta the apartment. Ah stepped inside an' gasped at the sight b'fore meh. It was a furnished condo an' from what I could see there was a spacious kitchen with a dinin' table, stairs leadin' up, an' a livin' room complete with two arm chairs, a couch, coffee table, entertainment center, an' a glass door leadin' out ta a balcony overlookin' the street b'low. "What do y' t'ink, Chére?"

"Not what Ah expected." Ah laughed at his hurt expression as Ah walked inta the livin' room ta dump mah stuff onta the couch. Ah looked ta the side ta see a short hall endin' in a bedroom an' a bathroom. "Almost expected some grimy hell hole that was infested with cock roaches."

He set down his box of stuff an' placed a hand over his heart grimacin' in mock pain. "y' wound me real bad, Chére."

"Ah'll give ya a real wound ta complain about if ya don't watch it." Ah playfully punched him in the shoulder as Henri walked in carryin' another box an' followed by a slender blonde girl.

"Très gentil, petite frére." (A/N: very nice, little brother.)

"Remy ain't dat much younger." They exchanged grins as the blond girl looked around appraisingly.

"Not bad considerin' who picked de place. Could use a femme's touch t' get rid of de stale bachelor look."

Remy pouted playfully at her. "But, Mercy, dat what Remy be—a bachelor."

"Uh huh." She was lookin' at meh when she said this, causin' meh ta blush. "And I'm still a single femme."

"Better watch dat une, Henri." Henri only chuckled as Mercy crossed over ta meh an' picked up mah stuff from the couch.

She took mah arm an' led meh tawards the stairs. "Let's get y' settled int' de loft."

"Why does she get de loft?"

Ah laughed as Ah answered in a mimickin' voice. "'Cause Ah be the fille." Remy frowned as Henri an' Mercy joined in on the laughter.

Mercy bounded up the stairs ahead of meh an' Ah heard her gasp when she got ta the top. "Mon Dieu, 's merveilleux." (A/N: wonderful) Ah glanced 'round once mah head poked up above the top of the stairs an' took in the new surroundin's. It was an open bedroom with an attached walk in closet an' private bathroom. "Jus' look at de size of dis salle de bains." (A/N: bathroom) She came walkin' back out of the bathroom ta smile at meh. "Despite de fact dat mon brot'er-in-law is a knucklehead, he's got good taste." Ah couldn't help but smile as well.

Within minutes, Ah had the duffel bag unpacked inta a single dresser drawer. Out of curiosity, Ah walked over ta the loft's railin' an' leaned on it with mah head restin' in mah hands. Ah watched as Remy an' his brother talked b'low an' almost immediately he noticed mah appearance an' smiled. "See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!"

GAMBIT

I watched as Mercy and Rogue disappeared up de steps an' picked up une of de boxes an' started t' carry it back t' de downstairs bedroom. "Y' jus' gonna let her get her pick?"

"Femmes b'fore hommes."

Henri ran in front of me and placed a hand on mon forehead as if testin' f' a fever. "Well, y' ain't sick. Mus' be amour." (A/N: love) He was smirkin' as I pushed past him int' de room placin' de box int' de bottom of de closet. "I like her. She's de type of fille dat'll keep y' outta trouble."

"Remy don' need someone t' keep him outta trouble."

"So getting a bunch of assassins pissé was non trouble at all." (A/N:pissed) He snorted as I brushed past him again t' get de ot'er box. When I turned back, he had his arms crossed over his chest and was lookin' down at me disapprovingly.

"Didn' ask yo' opinion."

"Course not. Dat might mean dat y' need help." I came back out of de bedroom glarin' at him, but he remained unphased. "Jus' don' t'row evert'in' away on a fille."

"Y' don' know anyt'in'. She's different."

"How's dat?"

"I don' know! She jus' is." I t'rew mon hands up int' de air den let dem drop depressed. Dere was a wistful, knowin' smile playin' 'cross his face.

"So it is amour." A movement above me caught mon eye an' I looked up t' see Rogue leanin' over de railin' in de loft.

"See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand! O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek!"

She rolled her eyes as Mercy popped up at her elbow. "Where'd y' learn dat?"

"Dere's dis place dey call school, but den dey didn' have dose in de ice age did dey?" I smiled at Mercy's disgusted face as she sputtered f' some come back.

"Sugah, that's just mean." Dere was a snicker from Henri but I shot him a warnin' glare which jus' made it worse. "Could ya give meh a lift ta go get mah bike? Logan'll kill meh if it gets so much as a scratch on it."

"Den I'll get it f' y'." She disappeared from de loft and reappeared at de bottom of de stairs moments later.

"Ah'm quite capable of drivin' it mahself."

"Of course y' are, but…"

"I'm takin' y' shoppin'. We're gonna work on that wardrobe of yo's." Mercy shot me a wink as she dragged Rogue outta de condo. "We'll also get some curtains dat'll drive Remy up de wall while we're at it."

"Y' got it bad, mon frére."

"Beaucoup si." (A/N: Very much so)

PSYLOCKE

I found Kitty pouring over the stack of letters that she'd round up from all of the students. "Luv, are you still at it?"

"There's like something that I'm missing."

"What else could you be missing other than the fact that she's happy."

"Like the reason why she's not bringing him back here." I rolled my eyes as I peered over her shoulder. "Like what if she's gotten eloped or something!"

"I don't think Rogue's gonna do that."

"You like never know."

"What would be the point in it, luv?" Kitty looked up at me with a blank stare. "Remember, Rogue can't touch again. There'd be no point in marrying him."

"But marriage is about love…and it's like totally obvious that she loves him." I shook my head realizing that Kitty wasn't going to get the point anytime soon. She turned to continue reading the stack as she switched from my letter to the one she'd sent Kurt.

"Wow, she's still at it?" I turned to see Tabby enter and nodded my head. "Kit, Petey boy's getting worried about you."

"What? Oh, like I should probably talk to him, huh?"

"Of course. You're so wrapped up in this Rogue thing that you're forgetting that it's summer. Have some fun for once rather than worrying."

"I just can't help it. She's like so far away and now that she's with…" Her mouth stopped moving leaving it hanging open as she stared behind me. I turned to see Logan standing in the door way with his arms crossed over his chest.

"With who?"

"Um, nobody, luv. She meant to say with nobody."

"Right." He turned and walked away without saying another word.

"That was like totally too close."

"Nice save, girl." I completely ignored everything they said as I watched the man retreat. ~Dear Lord, he knows.~

GAMBIT

~Merde, trois in de mornin' all ready?~ (A/N: three) I opened de door t' de condo and stepped inside quietly hopin' t' not wake Marie. She wasn' a mornin' person and I knew better den t' wake her t' soon. I was about t' go down de hall int' mon own room when I noticed de couch was movin'. I quickly crossed de room t' find Marie fast asleep dere like a bébé holdin' ont' de bear I'd given her. (A/N: baby) I crouched down next t' de couch and it was all I could do not t' laugh as I tucked a strand of loose white hair back b'hind her ear. "Sweetest dreams, mon ange." (A/N: my angel)

Her eyes fluttered open and she let out a small gasp den sighed. "God, Ah thought ya were a burglar."

"Non, jus' a t'ief." She smiled as she pushed herself up int' a sittin' position.

"Allait-il comment votre soir?" (A/N: How was your night?) I chuckled as I sat down next t' her proppin' mon feet up ont' de table.

"De usual. Y' startin' t' sound like me, non?"

"God forbid that. Must be all the time Ah'm spendin' with Mercy." She leaned her head down on mon shoulder as she spoke. "She seems really nice."

"Oui, she is. She and Henri really like y'."

"Oh? Then Ah bet ya ready ta move on from meh then." She was smilin' up at me when she said dis so I knew she didn' mean it.

"Au contraire, Chére. I won' have seen enough of y' if I spend pour toujours wit' y'." (A/N: on the contrary; forever) She remained quiet and I t'ought she'd fallen back asleep. I glanced down at her and saw dat she was simply starin' int' space. "Penny f' y' t'oughts, Chére."

"Is that all they're worth ta ya?"

"De moon and de stars f' y' t'oughts, Cherie." She rolled her eyes b'fore answerin'.

"Ah was just thinkin' 'bout the institute. Ya know, what they're all doin'."

"I'm sure dey're all fine."

"Ah know, just can't help wonderin'."

"Y' can go back. Dere's not'in' holdin' y' here."

"Oh, but Ah think there is." She snuggled down int' me, bear f'gotten as she fell asleep. Wit'in a few minutes mon arm had gone t' sleep and was gettin' dat tinglin' sensation. I didn' want t' move and wake her so I did mon best t' get comfy f' de next several hours.

ROGUE

Ah rubbed the sleep outta mah eyes an' smiled at Remy whose head was rolled back an' emittin' gurglin' snores. Ah cautiously sat up an' moved away from him so as not ta wake him or accidentally absorb him. Ah moved inta the connected kitchen an' opened the fridge ta find breakfast. Ah pulled out eggs, bacon, milk, everythin' Ah could find. ~God am Ah hungry.~

~"Ja so am I."

~"That goes triple for me too."~

~Great, Ah've got the two biggest eaters in the world in mah head--Kurt an' Freddy.~

A few minutes later Ah heard Remy stirrin' on the couch as he woke up. "Mornin' Sugah."

"Bonjour." He stumbled int' de room lookin' extremely dazed an' out of it.

"God, ya look bad in the mornin'."

"And y' look like un ange." Ah smiled as Ah piled the bacon an' eggs onta a plate for mahself an' poured out a glass of milk. "Y' made breakfast?"

"Uh huh." Ah sat down an' started eatin' as he walked past meh ta find an empty skillet.

"And where's mine?"

"Didn't make ya any."

"Que! Dat's diabolique." (A/N: what; evil) Ah smiled as Ah kept eatin'. He eventually sighed in defeat an' got himself a bowl of cereal an' sat down across from meh. He watched meh for a few moments b'fore takin' a bite of his frosted flakes.

"Somethin' ya find interestin'?"

"More den jus' une somet'in'." He had a cocky smirk playin' 'cross his face. "But I ain't never seen a girl eat dat much in une sittin'."

"Ah ain't just any girl."

"I knew dat, but still, dat's a lot of food." Ah looked down at the four remain' eggs an' six left over strips of bacon an' realized he was right. Ah pushed it tawards him.

"Ya eat the rest. Ah think Ah just lost mah appetite."

"Mon Dieu, where'd ya get an appetite like dat t' start wit'?"

Ah stood up ta rinse out mah glass of milk an' muttered under mah breath. "Ya try eatin' with Freddy in ya head."

"Que!" He stood up, knockin' his chair over.

"It's nothin', really."

"Tell me, Chére." His eyes flickered worriedly, tiredness forgotten.

"It's no big deal. Ah absorbed all of the Brotherhood in a fight. That's what we do, remember?"

"Oui, I'm jus' worried dat it might be gettin' crowded in dere. Wouldn' want de lime light t' fall off Remy." His feeble attempt at humor failed as he frowned at meh.

Ah did mah best ta lighten the mood b'fore headin' inta the loft ta change. "Don't worry, there ain't nothin' that could do that."

GAMBIT

I pulled de bike int' de drive outside mon pere's home and glanced back at Rogue who had never looked so nervous. "Are y' okay?"

"Ah'm just a li'l nervous, that's all." She gave me a weak smile as she got of de back. "It's the classic meetin' the folks trauma." She laughed nervously as she waited f' me.

"Y' gonna be fine. Y' already know dem all. We jus' eatin' dinner."

"Ah know, Ah know." I took her hand and opened de door t' be greeted by Tante Mattie.

"Y' late boy."

"Je suis désolé." (A/N: I'm sorry)

"Come on in, Child." She took Rogue by de arm and lead her back t' de dinin' room as I followed a few paces b'hind. "I don' know how y' put up wit' de boy. Bound t' drive y' up de wall!"

"It's okay, really."

"Y' don' need t' make excuses f' him. If he needs straightenin' out, y' jus' gotta beat de sense int' him."

"Y' know dat Remy's right here?"

"Now if he ever gives y' any problems…"

"Tante Mattie, Remy ain't causin' problems." I smiled as Marie stood up f' me. "He's really a sweet heart."

"See what'd Remy tell y'? He's stayin' outta trouble an' outta y' hair."

"Now don' get smart wit' me now, boy." I ducked away from de swat she aimed at de back of mon head laughin' as Ah pulled Marie over in front of meh.

"Ah ain't ya human shield."

"Non, y' mon comfort blanket." I slid mon arms 'round her waist as Tante Mattie gave up and kept walkin'.

"Ya know it's really hard ta walk like this." I grinned as I saw mon chance t' embarrass her even more. I quickly scooped her up and carried her int' de room bridal style. "Put meh down, ya fou Swamp Rat!" (A/N: crazy) I put her down in a chair and grinned as she crossed her arms over her chest angrily. Mon pere and Henri bot' raised an eyebrow as Mercy broke down int' hysterics. Tante Mattie simply tsked as she brought out de food. I took mon seat 'cross from Rogue still smilin'. "Ah'm gonna wipe that smirk right off ya face if ya don't watch it." This caused de rest of dem t' start laughin' but I didn' mind in de least.

"I'd watch dis one. She'll end up killin' y' in y' sommeil." (A/N: sleep) Mon pere was wipin' tears from his eyes as he watched Rogue curiously. "She's got a vengeful side jus' like y' mere did." (A/N: mother)

I rubbed mon foot on her leg from under table causin' her t' jump. She frowned as she settled back down and kicked me as hard as she could. I winced slightly as her boot connected wit' mon shin but did good enough of a job not reactin' dat no one except her noticed. She smirked slightly as she turned t' look at de food. "It looks great, Tante Mattie."

"Merci, Child."

"So how do y' like N' Awlins, Marie?" Rogue shifted uncomfortably f' a moment b'fore answerin' mon pere.

"It's okay, a li'l borin' sometimes."

Henri smiled as he looked up at her. "Wouldn' be so borin' if y' worked a li'l." I groaned realizin' where dis conversation was now headed.

"Non, she ain't workin' as a t'ief."

"I t'ink dat's her decesion, mon fils." (A/N: son) Mon pere looked at Rogue expectantly as she glanced at me lookin' f' guidance.

"She ain't doin' it." I stood up t' emphasize mon point.

"Is that how y' feel, Marie?" He ignored mon outburst and kept a steady watch on her.

"Um…well…yes. Ah just don't think Ah'd be any good." She fidgeted in her seat. ~Wrong choice of words, mon pere can make anybody good at t'ievin'.~

He laughed at her excuse. "Is dat all? Y' got skills, Marie, y' should use dem." Marie looked flustered and I knew dat evert'in' dat de professor had taught her as right and wrong was flashin' t'rough her head.

"Jean-Luc, is it really appropriate t' harass the fille? Let her eat in peace." Tante Mattie placed a reasurin' hand on Rogue's shoulder an' ended de conversation right dere. ~Guess it's a good t'ing dat I moved her outta dis house.~ I sat back down frowning.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

All the world is but a stage, and the people merely actors. Unfortunately life's a Greek drama, so there are no second takes.

For all those who don't know, which is probably a lot, Greek Drama is as real as it gets, the people are really killed, etc.

I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time. Life's been really crazy lately. I've also developed a new idea for a new series of stories. They'll be about a character that I've made up. I'll post the story title with the next chapter.

Sorry, I'm crushed for time and can't respond to the reviews. But thank you. They're my inspiration to try and find time to keep writing.