The More Things Change - Chapter Two

"Hey, Chere."

"Gosh, ya scared me Remy!" Rogue looked up from the book she was reading.

"Sorry," He moved to sit next to her on the bench, "Whatcha readin'?"

"Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol," she said in a no-nonsense voice.

"Dat interestin', huh?"

"Oh, yea. Ah gotta read it and then do a stupid oral report based on how Ah felt about it."

Remy smiled, "Sounds fun."

"So what's up?"

"Nothin'...Jus' puttin' off goin' to class," He thought for a moment, "Hey, Rogue. T'ink I'm gonna skip my next class. Wanna come?"

"You're a bad influence on me, Swamp-boy," Rogue smiled, "Thanks, Sugar, but Ah cain't skip class or Logan'll come lookin' for me."

Remy smiled, "Okay, Chere. Dat's fine wit' me. Guess I'll jus' go to Tracy's all by my lonesome."

"You're goin' ta Tracy's?"

"Knew dat would get your attention," he said smugly.

"Ah cain't, Remy. What if Ah miss somethin' important?"

"An' since when is school more important dan some o' Tracy's famous Cinnamon rolls?"

"Ah shoulda never told you mah weakness," Rogue put her book in her backpack and zipped it up, "Ah'm still gonna have to pass."

"Come on, Rogue. You been goin' to dis here school for how long now?"

"Almost three years."

"An' how many times have you skipped class?"

"Twice."

"Really?"

"Yea. Ah had a cold."

"You're kiddin', right?"

She shook her head. Remy exhaled.

"Dat's it," he stood up.

"What?" she stood with him, pulling her book bag on.

"I'm kidnappin' you. Let's go." He took her gloved hand in his and pulled her toward the garage.

xxxx

"Where ya goin' Rogue?"

Instantly, she and Remy stopped.

"Damnit," she whispered.

"Watch yer mouth, dalrin'," Logan made his way over to the pair, "Where ya goin' in such a hurry?"

"Nowhere," she offered quietly.

"I forgot my book. Rogue was jus' comin' wit' me to get it," Remy smiled at the older man. Rogue watched Logan's face, nervously, chewing on her bottom lip.

Logan almost laughed out loud. Marie was terrible at this juvenile delinquent thing. She kept her eyes turned away from him and squirmed anxiously under his paternal gaze. The Cajun, on the other hand, was the definition of cool. Logan knew he was lying. He had watched this kid sneak off campus many times since his arrival a few weeks ago and he had let it slide. Boys will be boys, and even though he was technically an instructor at Xavier's, he believed that kids needed to burn off a little steam from time to time. Besides, the new kid was Storm's protégé and she had insisted that he be given a little leniency. He had it rough back home.

Well that ain't no reason to go and drag Rogue down with him, Wolverine thought.

"Rogue," Instantly her gaze shot up to meet his. He could smell the fear coming off her. Before he had revealed himself to them, she had smelled so excited and happy. Even now he could sense a small part of her that was enjoying the danger, "Why don't you go on to class. I'll go with Gumbo and makes sure he gets to class on time."

"T'anks mon ami, but I really don't t'ink--"

Logan held up a hand to silence him, "I'll see ya at dinner, Rogue."

"'Kay, Logan," she gave Remy one more nervous glance before hurrying in the direction of her classroom, "Bye, Remy," she called over her shoulder.

"See ya, petite," He watched her walk away, his eyes focused solely on her jean-clad bottom. He smiled as she turned a corner and out of his view. Vaguely, Logan caught himself thanking God that he wasn't a mind-reader like Jean. If he had seen the thoughts going through Gambit's head at that moment...

"Well," Remy interrupted his thoughts, "If it's all de same to you, homme, I'll be on my way now."

Logan placed a large hand on the boy's chest and held him in place.

"Alright, Gumbo. I know Storm said we're supposed to take it easy on you, and I have been. Trust me. I've seen you sneakin' off campus, skippin' class. But I've let it slide. If you wanna be a bad-ass, you go right ahead. But if I catch you trying to drag that girl down with you again---" he released the claws from his right hand and held them up for Gambit to get a good look, "She's worked real hard to fit in here. She makes good grades, she's got good friends. She don't need you to screw up all that hard work. We clear?"

"Oui, mon ami," Gambit smiled at the threat, "Jus' as clear as clear can be. Now, if you'll 'scuse me, I have a class to get to."