Gahd! So, so, so, so, so, so sorry that took FOREVER to update! T.T; Reality suckeths muchin. Mehr.

Anyway... here is the new chapter, and I SWEAR I will be better about updating... I now have applications filled out, and the weekend to look forward to. I actually plan to get several chapters up in that time. .

Oh yes... the lemon has been written. To read it, simply email me for it... please don't review with your email. o.O;

Without any further adieu... THE LONG AWAITED CHAPTER! Cheers

Oh, by the by... Harvey the Rabbit? In this chapter? FULL credit goes to my friend Ziggy... I couldn't have come up with the little fellow. .;;

-

One month suspension.
Well, there wasn't much they could do... With money saved up by Piotr and John, both went to Russia to see Piotr's mother... John went along simply to accompany his friend, and to get out of New York.
With that, Rogue had been spending a few days in the abandoned Acolyte home with Remy... Who had yet to tell her of his little... Gift.

Then, when he realized they'd only have a few nights left to be alone, he took her into his room, and set her down.
She looked up at him curiously, cocking her head to the side.
"Remy... What's th'matter" he asked worriedly, staring at him. "Ya beginin' ta worry..."
"Rogue" he said, looking down. "Y'know I'd doo anyt'in' f'you, oui" She paused.

"Well... Ah, Ah do now" she replied. "Well..." He paused, licking his lips. "I found a way fo' us t'touch..." He walked to his dresser, and pulled a small bow from inside a drawer.
He handed it to her, licking his lips. She reached out cautiously, wrapping her fingers around it, and opening the top.
".. This looks like a dog-collar, Remy" she said, looking up at him, seemingly unimpressed. He smirked softly. "Non... Dat, be what'll help us..."

He took it from her.
"'Low me t'demonstrate..." He wrapped it around his neck carefully, and reached into his pocket for a card from his deck. He held it between his fingers, summoning the power to charge the object... Nothing happened.
"See what I tell you, chere" She stared in awe, turning her gaze downward. "Ah... Don't know what ta say..."
"Y'don' hafta say not'in', chere..." he whispered, crouching down beside her. "I can deff'netly understan' if y'don' wanna... Eh" he quirked a brow. "S'don' feel guilty." He placed the device back into the box, and set it in her lap.

"But, take it if y'fin someone ya'd ra'der find..." She looked up, eyes slightly glassy, but she nodded her head. ".. Alright." He seemed slightly pained at this, but smiled.
"Good. I'm... Gon' go fo' a ride... Y'stay here, 'right chere" She opened her mouth to reply, but stopped herself, nodding her head. "Right den. Be back in a bit."

-

He did return later. Much later.
Remy pulled in about 1:30 at night, or rather, in the morning, all the lights in the house off. Good. He didn't feel up to facing Rogue just yet. Not until morning.
He climbed up the stairs to his room, to find his bed empty. He sighed deeply... She'd probably decided to sleep away from him tonight. Well, probably for the best. He went into the bathroom, returning a few moments later in a pair of denim shorts as his sleep-wear.

He dropped down into his bed, and sighed, burying his face in the pillows.
His head shot up, however, as the door to his room creaked. Remy looked up to see Rogue standing there, the collar wrapped around her neck.
He licked his lips.
"Chere, don'..."
"Hush, Cajun" she murmured, closing the door behind her before walking in, and laying beside him...

-

The night would be within Rogue's mind for a very long time, she knew. Those three days she spent with Remy were the happiest in her meager life, and she wished it could go on forever. Unfortunately... reality awoke and slapped them over the head.
Piotr and John returned from their Russian vacation, Piotr much happier now that he knew his moth was doing better, and could take a turn for recovery sooner rather than later.

Professor Xavier informed her that she would be returning to the Institute the next day... after all, she was suspended, and would require a good stern talking-to. Great. Another ordeal for Scott to blow up on her.
"Dun' take it s'har', chere" Remy said with a small smile, leaning back against the wall as he watched her pack her backpack with the things she had brought with her to stay in the Acolyte house. ".. How c'n Ah not" he mumbled, sighing half-heartedly. "Ah was enjoyin' mahself..."
"Oh, trus' me, chere... so was I" Remy replied with a laugh, moving forward and giving her backside an affectionate slap.

Rogue looked up with a small smirk and a glare.
"Best be watchin' where y'lay yo' hands, Swamp Rat..."
"I slippe'" he replied innocently with a grin, arching his eyebrows. "I swear..."
"Yeah... an' Pyro'll sprou' wings an' fly off..."

"Dammit, why do ye always choose t'pick on tha poor, defenseless Aussie" John said sadly fromt he door, just begining to walk down the stairs before looking over his shoulder to them. "Ah done nothin' wrong..."
"Correction, mon ami... y'done ever't'in' wrong" Remy replied, lifting his index finger to point as he spoke matter-of-factly.
"Piss up a rope, Gambit" he muttered, walking down the stairs. Remy laughed loudly, shaking his head.
"Goodta seeya comin' up wit' new comebacks, John..."

-

"Provoked you or not... you do NOT pick fights in the middle of the CAFETERIA, Rogue" Scott spat, lifting his hands dramatically. "We don't need any more bad publicity than we already got"
"Have..."
"What"
"Have... more publicity than we already have... tha' subject verb agreement thing, or somethin'..."
"ROGUE"

Scott ran his hands through his hair in frustration, groaning slightly.
"Y'know, Ah c'n handle mahself, Scott... one day, Ah coul' jus' move away from the Institute, an' you won' be there t'boss me aroun', an' tell me wha' Ah did righ' or wrong..."
"I give up on this" Scott muttered softly, shaking his head. "I'm only trying to help you..."
"Ah know, Cyke" she muttered, patting his back slightly. "But y'need t'stop playin' dad, an'..."
"I'm leader of this team... that's just not going to happen" he replied sharply, turning to walk up to his room... perhaps to find Jean...

Rogue sighed deeply. The boy was just never going to loosen up. Get the pole out of his ass, as Remy so loved to say...

-

"What tha hell are we supposed to do for this long" John groaned, leaning against the back of the sofa as he spoke.
"Y'jus' nevah cease t'bitch, d'ya fireball" Remy murmured, leaning back in the recliner. "Nevah..."
"I figure' you'd b'happy dat we outta school..."
"Yeah, but now tha' Ah realize there's nothin' t'do... Ah'd rather throw paper balls at teacher's heads..." Remy rolled his eyes, and looked toward Piotr, intent on the book before him.

John groaned, and finally reached for his lighter, snapping it several times. He finally clicked it on, however, and began to play with a smallish fireball, rolling it between his fingers. Soon, however, he began to make shapes...
A large dragon... a mouse... and finally, a large rabbit, standing on its back legs.

".. Harveh" he exclaimed, grinning childishly. Remy stared, the 'Harvey' comment even bringing the gentle Russian from his book.
".. Harvey, John"
"No... jus' Harvey"

John continued to grin, and began to make the rabbit dance about the room, moving his fingers as he did.
"John, yo' one..." He stopped, and cocked his head to the side, looking toward the phone as it began to ring. "I shall..."
"Non, s'alrigh', Pete... I'll ge' it" Remy said, pushing himself and walking towards it... no doubt it was either Magneto... or Rogue. He hoped it was choice number two.
".. 'Lo" he said into the phone as he picked up the receiver, staring down at the floor intently.
".. Week's up, monsieur LeBeau... pay your debt." A click. Remy recognized the voice. Suddenly very serious, Remy walked into the living area, and to the door.

".. M'goin' out fo' a bit..."

"Awww... AWWW" John pouted, lifting his arms in frustration. "Take me with you"
".. Not only no... bu' hell no" Remy replied with a smirk, turning to the door.
".. Go... erm... I... GAH YOU SUCK"

-

Remy made his way into the now familiar hotel, looking about it cautiously before moving to walk inside.
"Don't bother. I've made my way to you." Gambit jumped as the voice of Doctor Essex filled his ears. "Dat's very kind o'ya" he murmured, turning to him slowly. "Dat lil' doohickey o'yo's... dat really worked. T'ank y'lots..." Essex smirked.
"Not a problem, monsiuer..."
".. Alrigh', Doctor... wha's m'assignment? What do I gotta steal"
"Steal? My, my, my... my dear boy, I ask you not to steal anything. I merely wish for you to lead a team into the sewers to communicate with a band of mutants beneath the surface..."

"I know 'bout dem... d'Morlocks, righ'" Essex nodded. "An'... wha' would d'info'mation be..."
"You needn't concern yourself over that, Cajun... just do as you're told" he replied simply. "Be here tomorrow at one in the afternoon... do not be late" he said, tipping his head politely before turning to walk back into the building and to his room.
Remy stared after him with an unreadable expression, sighing softly.

A deal was a deal. And he knew he could regret this, should he go through with it...

But then again... the man made it possible for him to touch Rogue...

Finally finished wrestling with his thoughts, Remy climbed onto his motorcycle, and began to drive down the road, revving the engine loudly.

-

Author's Note:

Cliff... HANGER! o.O; Sorry.
Right. Now you won't have to wait very long for the next chapter. I'll get to writing it tomorrow. It's like, 12:00 am here. I'm beat.
So, hope you enjoyed it. Please don't hurt me for taking so damned long. o.o;;