Author Rant: First off, I would like to start out with an apology. I'm sorry this chapter took awhile to update. I've in the moving process and at the moment I don't have any of my stuff unpacked aside from the phone and the computer. So there will be some delays in this fic as a result. Due to the growing positive responses, I will press forward, and I will attempt to make these chapters much longer, which is so far, the major complaint. But once again, thank you for the reviews, I really appreciate them. Well, here's an important note that I forgot to add in the first fic, this story is taking place before Self-Possessed, and that'll come into play later ^_^.

[Rogue Star] Hehe.. That's the only reason to have 52 pairs of socks. I won't deny it!
[ishandahalf] Nice incorporation of the pun there. Hehe. Rogue is a very lucky girl to be carried around by Remy. Wish I had one of those, who needs a car.
[Yumiko] I hope you're happy now that I've updated ^_^
[Riah Yaps] Embarassment + anger = EVILNESS
[Carla] lols. I'm glad you like the disclaimers. I'm trying to keep them funny, but I don't want to kill the Ritz joke too much.
[Lady Godiva] As in Godiva chocolates?!?! Share the wealth man, lady.. umm.. person. lols. Anyways, yes, I liked the fight between Logan and Remy, expect a rematch.
[Rogue31] hehe. I tried to incorporate some sap here. Not too much though. I want to build up their relationship first. But enjoy what we have here. BTW, see the Hulk?
[DaughterofDeath] Behold, it is here.
[cool-chick-rae] hehe.. That's why I had Scott and Kurt block him, they're quite stubborn.
[jiana weasley] -_- please don't kill me, here *hands red box* have a ritz cracker!
[ChaosCat] Remy's a real playboy all right. I'd love to go crashing through a window at 4 in the morning with a southerner who refers to himself in third person.
[Andi] Here you go Andi ^_^
[me] helloOooo, get the email?
[rita] Thank you!
[Rogue Worrior Spirit] Quite the meanie Remy is, I'm trying to make him more like comic Remy… Esp. Uncanny X-men Remy… Oh, the memories of my youth…
[girl4chat86] What are you talking about, coffee is both addicting and amusing ^_^ Especially Brownie Frappacinos from Starbucks..Yummy..
[Yasumine] Oh, trust me, there will be plenty of spice to go around
[Barbara Ruiz] Thank you ^_^
[buffyangelus] Thank you for the compliement and the XO's ^_^
[Catt] Just read ahead and you'll find out ^_^
[lil old me] Everyone is loving this Rogue being thrown over his shoulder thing.. hehehe…
[roguewanderer] hehe.. There's just a little bit of everything here. And there will be more to come, I assure you.
[Vinter] Right now ^_^

Disclaimer: -looks around blankly- I know I packed up my disclaimer here somewhere. -kicks away a few empty boxes while proceeding to ravage through a couple of unpacked ones- Ummm… This may take awhile, you get the basic premise though… blah blah blah… Ritz crackers… blah blah blah.. Don't own any of this… blah blah blah… RITZ CRACKERS!

The scene seemed like any generic shoot-out segment in the old western movies. The two heros had now cornered the lawless bandit and now they were just waiting to see who would make the first move. They silently stared each other down in attempt to figure out the other's next move. The tension grew thick as the seconds ticked away. The sound of the wind was the only thing that could be heard over the high-pitched whining emitted from the three cards. Scott Summers and Kurt Wagner were merely a couple of yards away from their objective--Rogue; however, it seemed as if they were miles away. Her fate as well as theirs now relied on what they were going to do next.

Although he tried best to keep cool under the heated situation, inwardly Scott was in a panic on what action to take. "Professor? What am I going to do? We can't let him get away, he might hurt Rogue whether or not we let him go." He thought to himself as he quickly ran the consequences of each action in his mind. He just hoped that his mentor had heard him as he looked over at his teammate thrown over the intruder's shoulder. His visor hid the desperation in his eyes, but from the calm, collected look on his opponent's face seemed to indicate that he knew exactly what was going through the younger man's mind.

Poor Kurt. The young man was not able to keep his composure as well as his older teammate. He had grown quite close to the gothic X-man throughout the past year. They had this unique bond stemming from the darkness and pain that they alone could relate to because of their mutations and their tragic pasts--the isolation, the loneliness, the confusion about where they had come from and where their lives were going. Whenever he was around her, he felt more relaxed like he could truly be himself, and not hide behind the illusions that his inducer provided or his prankster persona. Both had worn masks around others, but behind it all, there was nothing but emptiness. It was a strange relationship--purely platonic, but more than that, almost brotherly and sisterly. He had always viewed the older mutant as a pillar of strength. Now here she was, at the mercy of this sleazeball. "Vhat are ve going to do Scott," he said outloud. "I don't vant Rogue getting hurt."

"Neither do I," Scott said in an annoyed tone. As much as he didn't want to let his enemy get away, he need to give a little time to come up with a plan that wouldn't get any of them killed.

"Running out of time here, homme," Gambit snorted as small burst of pink energy started to spark from the cards. "Gambit doan think ya should be spending all dis time standing dere smirking. So ya best move aside."

All the meanwhile, the young woman tossed over the mysterious trespasser's shoulder was desperately trying to find any exposed skin. Rogue hated it when she was forced to absorb the psyche of other mutants. It was painful for her on both physically and mentally. She had already absorbed so many in such a short period of time; it was beginning to get a little crowded in her head and she didn't know how long she could deal with the voices. But this was a matter of life or death. She honestly did not believe that Gambit was willing to destroy himself or hurt her in order to escape, but she was tired of this game. He had to be taken out--at least in theory. She let out of sign of disbelief and frustration. He was completely covered, with the exception of his face. Unfortunately she wasn't in a position to take advantage of that. Not yet anyway…

Scott let out an exasperated sigh as he slowly moved his hand away from the visor and brought it down to his side where they were formed into fists. Gambit cocky grin seemed to broadened as he watch his opponent yield to his demand. "Dat's a good boy," the cajun retorted as he slowly made a few steps forward. All the while he kept an eye on the blue-haired mutant who was eyeing him suspiciously.

"This isn't over," Scott muttered in a low voice. He usually was the stoic leader of the group, but he hated losing with a passion. Every movement that Magneto's Acolyte seemed to make was a method of taunting the X-men of his weakness. Because that's what it was, afterall, weakness. At least in the young man's mind it was. "You hurt her, I'll come after you personally and I'll make sure to finish the job."

"Promettrez? [Promise?]" the crimson-eyed mutant grinned as he slowly walked past them, holding the cards in front of the two X-men in one hand, and gripping the young girl's waist with his other. "And don't worry, Remy take good care of de girl. Remy always good to the ladies." With that said he released more energy into the charge and tossed it at the two boys before making a mad dash to the forest for cover.

"No!" Rogue screamed as she saw the cards fly towards her friends. The first one landed a few feet before them, but the large explosion that it caused could have easily taken them out. Rogue was unsure if she saw Kurt reach Scott in time, however, by the time the second and third card landed the impact of the cards sent the two Southerner's flying. When they landed, Remy was laying on top of her, as if to cover her from the blast. Whether or not it was intentional, Rogue took advantage of it as the debris came flying towards them, grabbing his trenchcoat as the smoke and flames carried by the wind danced around them. Her eyes slowly fluttered open as she felt a hand on her back pulling her closer and looked up at her captor. Once again their eyes were locked on each other. His smirk softened a little as he looked at the frightened, confused young girl. "Yer awfully beautiful, cherie," he whispered as he lowered his face towards hers. "Shame about de rivalry between de old men, non?"

"Quite a shame," Rogue spat as she brought her good leg up and kneed his groin causing him to topple off her. She winced as she attempted to stand up and stagger her way towards the other mutant. Her ankle was beginning to swell up more. The fall from the blast had made her injury much worse. She tried her best to keep a straight face as she addressed her opponent, unfortunately her voice did give hint to her handicap. "But Ah bet ya say that to all the girls who's friends ya just attacked."

"What in de hell is wrong wit you?" Remy shouted as he pulled himself up. He was completely caught off-guard by her sudden actions. He was completely caught off-guard with how she was acting period. Lebeau had grown quite accustomed to girls reciprocating his affections in some way, even when in the heat of battle. He had to admit though, he admired her determination; and her obstinate attitude was strangely appealing. This enigma that stood before him, the Rogue as the files Magneto had given to each of his Acolytes, was a challenge. And Remy was always up to a challenge. He grinned as he slowly moved towards the girl. "Calm down now, cherie. Remy not out to hurt ya, really."

The girl lunged forward with all her might to punch the Acolyte; however, her injury weighed down her agility and reflexes. Remy simply dodge the attacked and grabbed her wrist and waist and pulled her towards him. She was caught in his arms, her head resting on his chest. "Cherie, calm down, please," he cooed in her ear as he slowly turned her around to face her. "Calm down, okay?" he continued pressing his finger on her lips. "Remy not gonna hurt ya, got dat?" The X-man nodded in reply as she looked up at him angrily. "But yer hurt, so Remy not gonna just leave ya here, okay?" Once again the young girl nodded in compliance. "So Remy gonna take his fingers off yer lips now, and bring ya someplace to get ya fixed up, den bring ya home." He slowly pulled away his fingers from her lips, tracing her jaw before moving a strand of white hair from her eyes. "Dere, nothing ta worry about."

But just as soon as he finished his statement Rogue quickly moved towards him. Their lips locked as Gambit released his grip on the girl. A strange felling took over the theif as he felt something tugging at his lips--a strange sensation as a feeling of exhaustion took over. He could feel her hands on the back of his neck, pulling him in closer as he tried desperately to pull away. Before he knew it though, the world went black…