Disclaimer: Several new characters are mine, including the plot. X-Men belongs to Marvel and Fox.

(If you want to know what the vehicle looks like, put on X-Men 2. When Logan, Rogue, Bobby and Pyro run into the garage after the attack from Stryker and his forces, it is the large black jeep-like car on the left of the screen. I don't know what make it is, so jeep will have to do x.x)

Angelica: I'm happy you liked the chase so much. I enjoyed it too! Writing and reading it! :D As the chapter later states, I think someone like Gambit is just what the story needs. He's such a great and enjoyable character. A joy to write and a joy to read.

Blix: I think he'd have effect on any lady he met. He's so charming and suave. Make it all the more amusing to see him and Wolvie disliking each other. A pair of badasses, woohoo!

Xcoolcomic: I think the line separation is working ok. At least it looks sorta neat.. Hehe, I can tell you now. Logan will be –very- pissed off. Just you wait my friend ;) Though that's not going to be the only person/reason he is pissed off about.

Chapter 25

Down the rocky slope, in an area sparse of trees, the moon-reflecting lake water illuminated the darkness. The frost of the climate had gathered upon the gentle leaves above, also across the terrain of dirt. The once ravaging storm had calmed, leaving dissipating cloud across the lavender heavens, a few enchanting stars sparkling wonderfully, the diamonds of the night. The surroundings were overwhelmingly beautiful, for rain continued to fall, but it had lost its anger, now dropping with such gentle care over the calm scene. The raging of the helicopters had blinded the beauty, and only once the offending machines left did the night come alive with its natural radiance, even around the crashed vehicle.

The soothing silence was gently destroyed by a soft hoot of a distant owl, which then made its presence know by sight only. For wings silently glided the silhouetted form down across the bright blush of the full moon before it soared elegantly across the tranquil lake water. The creature then disappeared in the tall grass beyond the darkness of trees. The surroundings were so quiet; it was as if the world had hushed as the witnesses watched the scene of the crash. Nothing was allowed to talk, the stars waited with bated breath for the outcome, even the very grass rarely rustled, the breeze pausing. The large black jeep rested on its side in the dirt of the lake's banking. The shadowy mound remained ever silent, like a giant creature bathing in the glow of the full moon. Then, like a whip crashing down upon the wilderness, a noise sounded from within..

Still strapped in by his seatbelt, Logan hung down to the right of the jeep. Gravity was desperately trying to drag him out of the suspension within the turned over vehicle. Another noise sounded, still incoherent. Logan lifted his head slowly, eyes opening for him to stare blearily out of the window; his head still drooped to the right by the very same lure from the inner earth. For a moment Logan was bewildered as to why he was viewing the world from a horizontal angle - until he turned his head to the left, his eyes now viewing with the correct perspective. Immediately a frown formed as he realised what had just happened. The frown deepened when he found himself feeling heavier that usual and looked down to earth to see the right of the car darkened by the broken window's impact to the soil. His eyes widened a little as he slowly gathered in the situation. A hand suddenly shot out to grab the left of the steering wheel, a boot pressing against the lower right seat to gain a foothold before he tried to navigate himself out of the vehicle. The window beside him was also smashed, and Logan had no intention of even attempting to scurry through it. He made a grab for the handle and threw the door open, trying to hold it upright to gravity as he tried to shuffle on out.

But just then he felt an excruciating pain launch in his gut. He made a suppressed groan, his hand dropping as he cowered over with painful sounds. A light gasp came from Logan, a hand feeling down his side to a horribly warm spot... sticky and wet. His eyes narrowed in discomfort. How could he have missed the stench? He was bleeding, badly. Gritting his teeth to avoid any more announcements of pain, Logan proceeded to try and lift himself free out of the jeep. He found himself being to heavy to lift, he couldn't move! Logan suddenly panicked a moment, blood running cold before he realised the seatbelt was still on. He made a faint sigh of relief, reminding himself to thank Rogue for her driving tips, even though she was younger. Head lifted to blink at the large area of cracked glass on the windscreen; he then felt a trickle of blood running down his nose. Ah, so that's what an adamantium skull does to glass. With a sigh he finally managed to pull himself free of the jeep, jumping out to land unsteadily on the dirt. Once more did Logan double over; wincing at the horrible pain that bullet was doing to his gut. He could feel it healing and being driven out, even after all these years, it was still an uncomfortable and nauseating sensation.

A noisy intake of breath came from Logan as he took in the fresh air the wilderness had to over. His eyes closed momentarily, his head was still spinning from the heavy hit to the window. He made a small step, and was instantly reminded why he had initially decided not to move. A loud groan came from him as he clutched his abdomen. Blood was still staining his shirt; the feel of the bullet was still shifting out of his flesh. Logan dropped back to lean on the still incorrectly positioned jeep, his back touched the underside, which was rather dirty, but he didn't really care, he just didn't want to collapse and not get back up. With his eyes tightly closed he finally felt the bullet being released from his side and heard a dull sound as it dropped to land upon the soil below. Breathing a sigh of relief, Logan looked down to wear the wound had been - now nothing more than a bloodstained area. Out came another heavy sigh as Logan turned to look at the large black vehicle - one of Charles' best. Pushing the guilt away he lifted his arms, grabbing hold of the base of the jeep and pulling it with a strained grunt. The very muscles in his arms stung with tension as he put all his strength into up righting the vehicle. Eyes were closed tight as he worked, face grimacing with the effort he was needing to put into this profound task.

Then with a gasp, he found the effort lowering as the jeep came towards him, gravity suddenly being cooperative, and finally making the vehicle return to its four wheels. Logan exhaled mightily, a gloved hand rising to wipe away the sweat created by his labour. He paused for a small moment to regain his breath before dragging open the door and hopping inside. Mutterings of a prayed sentence came from Logan as he reached his hand back to the ignition and turned the key gently. The engine spluttered before giving up. Again Logan tried. But the jeep seemed to have had enough of Logan's antics. Another try. The jeep growled angrily in reply before dying once more, "Come on!" snarled Logan, snatching the key once more to drive it into movement. At last the engine sustained it's growling, Logan giving it a few revs for good measure. His eyes glared ahead with solid determination before his foot was launched down to the pedal, and the jeep roared from the banking, driving up a more gentle slope that the one it was originally thrown down. The road was reached in good time, and Logan continued on his way.

The Blackbird was airborne! It had sleekly lifted from the opening mechanism of the basketball court and was now up amongst the stars, gliding along calmly albeit at a furiously fast pace. Storm and Scott were at the first two seats as usual, behind Michael and Aurora, and then in the final pair of seats were Siren and Gambit. All had a horribly solemn expression on their faces.. with the exception of Gambit's. Who's sly smirk never left his face as he eyed the ebony haired woman sat in front of him. He treated the whole situation as if he were off on a wonderful trip for the summer, the gleam of adventure thirst almost blinding in those blood-red eyes on his. But even with Gambit in his current mood, the air was still incredibly sombre, and Gambit was noticing, he looked around, brow raising, "Ah, why y'all so unhappy? This be an adventure!"

A few eyes glanced to him in major shock. "An adventure?" came Storm's voice as she stared out of the window before her, "There is nothing to enjoy when we are all risking our lives, Remy."

Gambit snorted, his eyes rolling and he flippantly tossed his head, "Oh, come on. This is de X-Men! We go fight and win in style! An' wi' Gambit wi' ya, it'll be da easiest yet."

"Don't get cocky LeBeau," snorted Scott from the front.

"Ain't cocky when it's true homme."

Aurora turned round in her seat to give him a questioning look; an eyebrow raised over one soft grey eye. In return Gambit grinned to her, a card suddenly shooting from his uniform sleeve and into his gloved palm, he turned the card round to face her - The King of Hearts. The expression on Aurora's face soon faded and she watched the card carefully a moment, trying to work out his silent reply. The brow then resumed its position once grasping and she made a light-hearted snort his way before turning again to face the front, resuming her grave silence. Gambit chuckled softly, leaning forward to gently tap her on the hair with the said card, "Ya ignorin' me, petite?" His voice was so low; it came out as a mere breath. None of the other X-Men flinched, but Aurora heard it clearly.

"No.." she murmured, glancing back to look at him, the noise of the engine drowned out her soft words to all except Gambit.

"Vous got a problem wi' talkin' to Remy?"

Again came her reply, "No?"

"Got a problem lookin' at Remy?"

Aurora made a soft chuckle then, now looking back round to him with a smile, "Of course not,"

Gambit grinned, leaning back in his seat, "Dat be better ta see a smile on ya petite face, one o' da jois de vivre."

"What does that mean?" asked Aurora quietly as she watched with.

Gambit replaced the card back down his sleeve, "It mean, ma chere, dat it's a joy o' life ta see a such smile on such lips."

Aurora lowered her chin to the cool metal of the chair, she continued to smile, "You're a very charming person, you know that?"

"I do," came the simple reply.

"You full of yourself, aren't you?"

"Hey, if a man 'as things to brag about, don't stop 'im, chere."

Aurora merely grinned at him, she found herself at such ease with this newcomer. He was one of those kinds she wished she could have met earlier on in life, so she could know him longer. This Remy Lebeau brought a certain zest to the solemn moods of Xavier's mansion. Aurora nodded her head gently at him, "I think you're just what this team needs, Remy."

"As long as ol' Remy enjoys it as much as y'all enjoy me. I don't think we will be havin' any problems, beb.."

Yes, I used a quote from the comics. I like doing that, linking them up. Feels like I'm paying homage to the comics and the wonderful writing skills.

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