A/N: Yes, I realize that I'm not getting a lot of readers for this fanfic, but that's okay. I like writing this and that's enough to keep me going. Besides, I do have a few devoted readers, hehe. So anyway, I thought I'd get started on this chapter before my computer dies.


Rogue left the Caraways' apartment at four in the afternoon. She didn't have to meet Hakan for three more hours so she decided to go home. Evan was most likely there, but she was a little tired and needed a nap. Hopefully she could sneak in without facing him; it would save them both the inevitable awkwardness.

After she parked Hakan's bike in the garage, she went up to her apartment and quietly went in. As she shut the door behind her, she saw Evan sprawled on the couch, asleep with an icepack on his head. Maternal instincts took over and she went to him to adjust the icepack and drape a blanket over his sleeping form. Then she tiptoed to her room to take her own nap.


Eyrie was noticeably in better spirits after Rogue's visit. His mother smiled when she saw the lightness in his step, as if some of the emotional weight he'd been carrying for so long had disappeared. Now he had hope that someday he could touch again. Even if it was only a possibility, it was better than wallowing in despair.

Mrs. Caraway turned back to the dishes and thought about Rogue. There was an unmistakable aura of sadness surrounding the girl. She'd been polite enough, even timid, during her visit. Yet Mrs. Caraway sensed a deep feeling of sorrow, anger and fear within her. It was easy to detect the strong emotions, for they had been in Eyrie at one point in his life. But his brother had been there to protect and cheer him. Somehow, she believed that Rogue didn't have anyone to comfort her when she needed it most. She could easily be observed as lonely; her quiet nature and neutral expression verified that. But she also seemed to yearn a friend, or at least a companion she could turn to when she needed a shoulder to cry on.

The woman sighed, but a second later a smile lit her face. Hakan himself needed someone to belong with. The man was good-hearted, but he didn't believe in everlasting love for a soul mate. It was time that he was proven wrong.

Mrs. Caraway's smile grew wider as matchmaking daydreams that included her older son and Rogue filled her head. Never mind that Rogue was incapable of skin-to-skin contact. Hakan was afraid of touching girls anyway, the shy boy. He would probably be horrified to find out that his mother was thinking of pairing him up with Rogue. Well, maybe not horrified. He may actually be happy.


Two hours later, Evan woke up. He was surprised to find a blanket covering him and the icepack firmly on his head. Was Rogue home? He sat up and listened. The apartment was quiet. Pushing the blanket and icepack away from him, he stood and went toward Rogue's room. The door was closed so he slowly turned the doorknob and looked in. She was sleeping on her side at the edge of the bed. She'd taken down her hair, and the white and auburn tresses were fanned out behind her on the pillow. Her expression had transformed to a peaceful one, not the indifferent or scowling expression that he was used to seeing.

Evan slipped inside and soundlessly walked over to her and gently shifted her body toward the center of the bed. She made a small sound in her sleep and unknowingly changed her position to one that suddenly caused her to look rather alluring. He started to sweat as he stared down at her figure, back arched upward and strands of hair draped over her neck. He bit his lip, tempted to reach out and touch her. But he knew what would happen if he did so he tore his gaze away from her and left the room.

What had happened just then? Rogue was his friend; he wasn't supposed to see her the way he did. But then…he was a guy. He couldn't help it. Just like he couldn't help being bothered about where she'd been last night and possibly what she'd done. He didn't like thinking of her with another guy. Was he overprotective or was he…jealous?

Evan shook his head viciously. I can't be jealous! If I were, then that would mean that I had feelings for her, which I don't. Right? Jeez, if I did Kurt would attack me. But then, I could always take him on. He isn't that tough and if it means defending my right to feel for Rogue, then – Whoa! What am I thinking?

He ran to his room and thumped his forehead on the wall several times, bringing his headache back to life and sending several spikes flying in every direction. Crap. I need the icepack again. And a pair of pliers.


Hakan was once again walking the streets (it seemed to be a favorite pastime of his). Only one more hour till he saw her pretty face again. Hopefully her "friend" wouldn't pose as a problem. He had a feeling that Evan was seeing her as more than just a friend. Well Hakan Caraway always welcomed challenges…even if this was his first one over a girl.

He was thinking of making dinner reservations at a nearby restaurant when a man dressed in a trench coat stepped into his path. In his hands was a deck of cards, which he shuffled loudly as he watched Hakan with abnormal black and red eyes.

Hakan eyed him warily. "May I help you?"

"Maybe. Depends," the stranger replied, his voice thick with a Cajun accent.

There was no one else around so Hakan crossed his arms, keeping his guard up. He was an expert street fighter and a brown belt in karate, but something about the other man gave him the feeling that his fighting skills wouldn't be enough if he had to engage in combat.

"Yeah, well when you figure it out, let me know," Hakan said and took one cautious step forward.

The stranger stopped shuffling his deck and let out a mysterious smile. "Name's Remy LeBeau, known as Gambit to many. You know someone Remy's been keepin his eye on."

"And who may that be?"

"My chere. Rogue. You gettin too close to Remy's territory, monsieur."

Hakan glared at the Cajun. Rogue never mentioned another boy in her life besides Evan. And just as he would fight Evan for her, he'd fight this insolent man with demonic eyes.

"I think 'Remy' oughtta back off and find another 'chere,'" he said, a deep warning in his voice. "Rogue's with me."

"Not wise to get Remy mad. Keep away from Rogue and Remy won't have to hurt you."

"And why should I keep away from Rogue?"

"You have no claim on her."

"And neither do you."

"Touché, monsieur," Remy said, amused. This one's interesting.

Hakan frowned. What game was this Remy LeBeau playing?

"But Remy be placin his claim on the chere soon. Don't need no rivals in his way. He eliminate anyone who comes between him and Rogue."

"Don't count on it. It'll be harder to get rid of me than you seem to think. Besides, Rogue told me herself that she'd unsure of where she stands when it comes to guys right now."

"On contraire," Remy said, "the chere's just in denial. She come around to Remy soon enough. And when she do, you better be out of the picture, hear?"

Hakan's glower only amused the Cajun farther. "If you want me out of the picture so badly, maybe you'd better show me you've got what it takes to remove me."

Remy heard the challenge in his voice and grinned. He don't know what he doing, challenging me. Fool human. "Remy would gladly, but time's up. Remember what he said. Till next time."

Hakan watched as he flipped backwards and disappeared in the late afternoon shadows, leaving a glowing card floating down toward the ground. It suddenly exploded, sending Hakan into the wall behind him.

Ow…so the Cajun's a mutant, huh? He'll have to do better if he wants me gone.


Rogue's eyes popped open as her instincts told her that she was going to be late. The clock sitting beside her confirmed that. 6:45. She shot out of bed and ran to the mirror to check her appearance. Her hair was disheveled and her clothes were wrinkled. She straightened her hair and clothes and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Then she tied her hair back up in a ponytail. When she looked presentable, she rushed out of the room.

Evan was nearly road kill as Rogue flew past him and out the front door in a flash of green. He stared after her, eyes wide. Now where was she going? Probably to meet that guy again. Evan tried to convince himself that he didn't care, but he really did. He cared about her.

He walked to the table where his keys sat. After debating whether or not to go after her, he grabbed the keys and left the apartment just as the sound of a motorcycle split through the early evening air.


Remy shuffled his deck impatiently as he waited for the moron to show up. He was leaning against a tree in front of the new boarding house. If he stayed too long, people would get suspicious. His attire didn't exactly let him blend in and his red-on-black eyes were enough to make someone think that he was the devil. After his little talk with the human man who was making moves on his chere, he was feeling rather pissed. And if he had to wait one more minute, he was going to charge the whole house.

But luckily, the front door opened and the boy appeared. He was about to retrieve something from the jeep when the figure leaning against the tree watching him intently caught his eye.

"Hey," he called out, sounding annoyed. "You need something?"

Remy grinned to himself and slipped his cards into his coat pocket. "Maybe. Depends."


Evan had lost sight of Rogue. After all, he'd gone after her on his skateboard instead of Scott's car. His legs were starting to cramp so he decided to rest on a nearby bench. Just as he sat down, he heard something that made his blood freeze.

"That's him!" a raspy old voice screeched from behind him. "That's the cursed young whippersnapper who nearly sent me to an early grave!"

Evan turned in horror and found the old lady he'd almost ran over this morning standing a few feet away. And behind her were several other hags carrying rolling pins, pots, brooms, canes, and even a pitchfork. Some adjusted their stockings and aprons as they glared at him.

"Get him!"

The next moment, Evan found himself being chased by a mob of murderous old ladies intent on beating him to a pulp. The crones could really run! He had to hop on his skateboard and grind down a stair rail to slow them down. They had to lift their skirts and hobble down the steps carefully, for fear of falling and breaking a hip. Evan rode full speed toward home, leaving a few spikes behind him. A while later, he heard a howl of agony and winced.

If whoever stepped on that bleeds to death, it's gonna be TOTALLY my fault! Damn!


Remy saw the boy's fury written clearly over his face. He could tell that his presence was unwelcome and his words were even more uncalled for, especially the discussion he'd presented.

He sent the boy a smirk and a small salute. "Don't forget what Remy said, mon ami. Good bye."

Pietro watched the Acolyte leave. He glared daggers at the back of the Cajun's head as he curled his hands tightly, forcing his nails to dig into his palms.


A/N: Bleh, another short chapter, and even shorter sections. Sorry everyone…I just didn't feel like writing in specific details. Well, I added Remy in this chapter (first time I included him in a fic) but I didn't bother with his accent. He should be in later chapters since I've decided to give him a main role. If I don't get too many reviews after I post this one up, I may pause with this fanfic and start writing the upcoming ones (people are still waiting for My Patience's End ").