***

         Disclaimer – I don't own X-Men: Evolution

         __

         Rogue was a trained fighter; she was supposed to gallop gracefully down the front stairs of the institute, ready to attack whoever dared threaten the institute. The key word is supposed to. She phased through the front door, lost her balance as she quickly ran down the steps and stumbled down the last few.

         "We just want to know where Magneto is." Gambit flipped cards from one hand to the other. "We can do this the easy way—" He charged up the cards "Or the hard way." He uncharged the deck, a smirk was planted on his face.

         Magneto? Rogue asked herself as she walked over behind Cyclops, Hank and Wolverine.

         "That a threat, Gumbo?" With a snickt sound, six claws ejected themselves out from Wolverine's hands. He didn't trust any of them. Especially the pyromaniac.

         "What makes you think we know anything about Magneto?" Hank suddenly quipped up. "Don't you three work for him?"

         They were all startled when Rogue, out of nowhere, laughed. "They lost Magneto!" She subconsciously avoided eye contact with Gambit as she walked toward. "Why don't y'all blow a dog whistle o' somethin'? Maybe he'll come runnin' home."

         "Haha." Pyro rolled his eyes. "Ain't she a comedian?" The flames in his hands got higher.

         "Well, sorry that I'm not Magneto's bitch."

         Remy felt the sudden anger that passed through Pyro. The Pyromaniac then released his flames at the four X-Men. Remy grabbed him roughly by the shoulder.

         "You hurt 'er and I'll kill you." His eyes glowed brightly, showing he was serious.

         "She's the enemy, mate." He growled, not happy at the threat. "Get over her."

         ***

         Rogue walked around the back of the mansion, carefully looking around her surroundings cautiously. Sabretooth had showed up, occupying Wolverine, and Pyro and Colossus kept Cyclops and the Beast busy.

         "Bonjour chérie." Before she had a chance to react, a force knocked across into feet, making her fall on her bottom. Wincing at the pain, she glanced up to see Gambit standing there, smirking proudly with his bo staff clutched in his hand. "This better than the phone, no?" He stared at her, and the second when she tried to move, he moved down, pinning her to the ground. "What's the matter? Haven't you missed Gambit?"

         "Bite me."

         "Sure thing." He purred in his thick Cajun accent as he let go of his grip on her wrists and slid down her. She let out a cry of surprise when she felt his teeth sink into her hip.

       "Gross!" She snapped pushing him away from her. She couldn't believe he did that. "What the hell are you? A vampire?"

         "Like you didn't enjoy it."

         "Before you know it, you're goin' to be eatin' me alive."

         "A dream come true for both of us, no?" He smirked and wiggled his brows suggestively at her.

         "Dream on."

         "With you? Any time, chérie." He said, winking at her.

         ***

         "Hey look, it's a birdie!" Pyro kept himself amused by the sculptures he made with fire. "Now, watch the birdie eat you!" One of Cyclops's optic blasts shot through the bird, making Pyro's face fall. The young Australian frowned but suddenly, Colossus stumbled back, accidentally hitting Cyclops and knocking him out cold. "And that's what you get for shootin' my birdie!"

         ***

         "You take one step closer to me and I'm gonna send ya right into dream land, buddy."

         Remy frowned, ever so slightly. "What's the matter, Ro'? You no trust Remy anymore?"

         "No."

         "That hurts."

         "Good!" She crossed her arms over her chest. "What are ya doin' here, Gambit?"

         "Long answer? To find out Mags' whereabouts. Short answer? To give you this.." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small wrapped box. With it set on his palm, he reached out his arm so she would take it but she just stared at him. "Don't worry, it ain't goin' to blow up." He waited for her to take it. She just continued to stare at him. "You don't trust me that much? Now that hurts." He bent down and placed the box on the ground and took a few steps back. "Now will you take it?"

         "Remy, I—" Her heart fluttered as she began to speak only to be interrupted by Wolverine, who sneaked up behind Gambit and grabbed him by his collar.

         "Don't come 'ere attacking us for no reason, Gumbo. If you ask nicely I bet Chuck would try to help." Wolverine glanced over at Rogue who looked paler than usual. "You alright, Stripes?"

         Rogue just touched the part of her hip where Gambit had bitten her and she slowly nodded her head. "I'm fine. He ain't nothin' I can't handle."

         "Monsieur, would you remove your hands from my coat?" Gambit stared awkwardly down at the short Canadian.

         Wolverine did let go of him, but gave him his dangerous glare. "Why don't you kids get out of here?"

         Logan, please send everyone to my office. Xavier's voice suddenly cut through his thoughts.

         Chuck—

         Now, please.

         ***

         "This place looks like it got bigger." Remy commented as he walked into the mansion.

         "Crikey! This place is more gigantic'er than Australia!" The Australian half joked as he looked around. His flamethrower was in his hands, cut up thanks to a certain short-tempered short-standing Canadian. "This means ye brutes are replacin' my Sheila here."

         "It's a flamethrower." Colossus said, looking down at him.

         "My flamethrower!"

         "Just keep walkin' and don't try anythin' funny." Wolverine warned as they reached Xavier's office.

         "Why do I have a feelin' we're walkin' right into our own deathtrap?" St. John asked, after receiving another growl from Wolverine.

         "Because we are." Gambit smirked and glanced over at Rogue, giving her a wink.

         ***

         "Destiny and Mystique called me."

         "If they called ya, why did they send us here?"

         "Destiny knew you three would muddle things up."

         "What does this have to do with mud?"

         Gambit stepped in. "'John?"

         "Yeah?"

         "Shut up."

         "Shutting up!" The pyromaniac declared chirpily.

         The Professor went on, "She explained to be that Magneto has gone missing. Mystique had just proclaimed he had been kidnapped."

         "Who would kidnap that fool?" Logan mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. He was simply ignored.

         "I understand you three are considered our enemies, but Magnus is an old friend of mine and it is important that we find him."

         "Isn't Mags a big boy? Can't he take care of 'imself? The guy can control metal for cryin' out loud. Where ever he is has to have some sort of metal somewhere." Rogue rolled her eyes. "Plus, it's Christmas. Maybe.. he went on vacation." Everyone just stared at her. "You know what? I'm goin' to go help Hank with Cyke."

         Gambit just smirked as she hurried out of the room.

         ***

         "I'm fine." Was the first thing Rogue heard when she reached the medical wing of the institute.

         Sure sounds like Cyke is up. She stated obviously as she entered the room, her hands placed on her hips. "Have a good nap, eh boy?"

         Cyclops just glared at her from the other side of his visor. "Not funny Rogue. I'll have you know I had a concussion."

         "Yeah, from when ya walked into Colossus." She smirked, trying not to laugh. "I bet you're sad Jean isn't here to kiss your head and make it all better."

         "I bet you're sad Berzerker isn't here to stalk you."

         "You know it. Him not bein' here.." She placed her hand mockingly over her heart. "Just breaks me apart."

         "I bet."

         "Now, now you too!" Hank appeared in the room. "If you're not going to get along, someone has to leave." Both males looked over at Rogue.

         "Geez, a girl can take a hint."

         ***

         "So, who's Ray?" Rogue was startled when she walked into the privacy of her bedroom to see two red orbs staring back at her in the darkness from inside her room. She flipped on the light switch to see Remy sitting on her bed, holding a piece of paper of some sort. "'Rogue, try not to miss me too much. I'll be thinking of you. Love, Ray.'" He read out loud. "Found it on your pillow." He dropped the paper, not showing too much interest.

         "Get out of my room, ya dirty Swamp rat!" But, he just leaned back, supporting himself on his elbows. "What, do ya not understand English? Hors d'ici!" He just smirked at her in return. "Why aren't ya with the Prof?"

         "'Rene and Mystique showed up. They're all talkin' in 'is office now."

         She stared at him, deadpanned. "Irene is here?"

         "Oui cherie." He bolted up off the bed the minute she turned around and grabbed her by her gloved wrists. "Where you goin' Ro'?"

         "I'm goin' to go kick some ass!" She tried to pull herself out of his grip, but ended up making herself fall against the wall across from her room. "She has no right to be here!" She groaned, still struggling. "And for all I know, you're Mystique!"

         "Why the hell would I be that fille?" He asked, grunting softly as he pressed his body against hers. She was turned to the side, so her shoulder dug into his chest.

         "Let go of me!" And with those words, she phased through his grip and he fell through her, hitting his face on the wall. He mumbled a few cuss words in French and rubbed the sore flesh on his face. "Sorry." Rogue mumbled, not sounding apologetic at all. "You alright?" He looked up at her. The second his eyes met hers, her stomach went into a flutter.

         "No, but I will be if you kiss me all better.."

         "I already have enough of you in my head, thanks."

         ***

         "Are you sure it's a good idea to let the Aussie wander around out there alone?" Logan pointed out, towards the door.

         "He is powerless without fire." Irene stated, sitting down. "He can only control flames, not make them."

         "Well, doesn't that make me feel so much better." Logan mumbled dryly, only to receive a look from Xavier.

         ***

         "I can't believe they trust us in this place!"

         "The Professor is a telepath." Colossus reminded him as he followed the younger male down the hall.

         "So what? Does that make him see all and now all?"

         "Yes."

         Pyro turned around and gave him a small wave with his hand. "You're no fun!"

         "What are you two doin'?" Rogue stood at the end of the hallway, glaring at the two males. Gambit stood next to her, smirking at both of them. "I swear, if you guys try anythin' remotely funny—" She thought about who she was dealing with. "O' stupid, both of your heads are mine."

         "What about him?" St. John pointed at the Cajun, who's smirk suddenly dropped. "Lemme guess, the Sheila still has you whipped!"

         "I don't trust 'im any farther than I can throw 'im."

         "Sure." Gambit smirked, brushing his fingers up against her lower back. He exhaled sharply when she elbowed him hard in the stomach.

         "Don't touch me." She warned, glaring at him sideways. "And if you bite me again I'm going to make sure you need dentures before you're twenty."       

         Pyro winked and nudged Colossus, which only made him wince in pain since the Russian was in his metal form. "Hear that mate? Gammie bit 'er."

         "I need to get out of here." Rogue mumbled, shaking her head.

         Rogue, please escort the Acolytes to my office. Xavier sent telepathically to her.

         That's when Rogue remembered Irene was still here. Irene, the woman who had all the answers she needed to know.

         "C'mon!" She broke out into a run, leaving the three males clueless.

         ***

         "Where is she?" Rogue demanded as she barged into Xavier's office to find the room empty, except for Xavier who was still sitting behind his desk. "You let her go? That woman lied to me for eighteen years, Professor!"

         "Did the floor just shake?" Pyro asked, half-joking as he looked down at the ground.

         "I have to go find her—" The furious Southerner turned on her heel to go after Irene but Gambit grabbed her arm in attempt to stop her.

         "Her intentions were good, petit'." He stared into her grey green eyes until she didn't remain tense in his grip. "C'mon mes amis." He gestured his two teammates. "Lets go enjoy our free time while we have it." He winked at the Professor.

         And within a minute later, the Acolytes were gone.

         ***

         Rogue walked back into her room, a few hours later, after eating dinner with Hank, The Professor and a cranky Scott. She was beat tired, especially after only getting a few short hours of sleep. When she got into her room, and flipped on the light switch, one thing caught her eye; the small wrapped box Gambit had been trying to give her was set neatly on her pillow. A small smile crossed her face.

         __

         Part three completed – December 27, 2003       

         Part three revised – December 29, 2003

         A big thanks to my editor, hnh.

        

         Also, Kagii, you are correct. There will be more about Pyro's past in future episodes. Ish, Pyro likes to throw in puns where ever possible ;). Danfred, yes I am aware Kit is Jewish, which is why I made her try to get Christmas over with so she could spend some time with her family. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas, or Hanukah, or Kwanzaa.. whatever..

         HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LOVELYLADY WHO SHARES THE SAME BIRTHDAY WITH ME! WOO! 12-29! Happy birthday to us! (You see, Love, we have a special bond now; we know what it's like to get gypped because of our birthday and Christmas being so close together.)

            And because I'm so caring (and have half of the next chapter completed) here is a clippet from the next chap:

           "How the hell are you gettin' back to Russia?" A non-happy looking Pyro asked. "Are you goin' to walk there o' somethin'?"

         "Charles Xavier said he would provide transportation for me."

         "You're going to trust our enemy? He's gonna drop you in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!"

         "He is a kind man."

         "He's a bald, crippled old guy! Of course he's gonna be kind to ya, mate!"

         That's all you're going to get.

         Until next time,

         -- Aro