The Institute was chaotic with excitement. The front hallway was decorated with flowers and ribbon. Tables of food were set up in the lounge. A bar stood in the corner and music sang throughout the mansion. It seemed like everyone who had ever been an x-man had come back for the wedding. People sat and chatted with old friends regaling each other about their new lives and past adventures. Ororo and Logan stood happily in the front hall hand in hand greeting everyone as they arrived. It was a happy day. The woman once called Storm smiled. It was exactly how she wanted it. She wore a form fitting sweater and a pair of black jeans. He white hair was pulled into a pony-tail, which swayed as she talked to her guests. She sipped gin and tonic while Logan gulped down a beer in his faded jeans and partially buttoned shirt. They where opposites but somehow they made it work.

Scott scurried around the house talking with everyone and generally nitpicking about the cleanliness of the institute. A blonde woman grabbed his arm as he passed by and pulled his close to her.

"Won't you just calm down. This is a party, loosen up." She passionately kissed him. Logan raised his eyebrows, catching the act out of the corner of his eye.

"Emma, not here."

"Why not? I think this is a perfect place."

"The children could be watching?"

"The children are upstairs with the nanny. I think you're really afraid that all these people will see you as the sexual man that you are. Oh well, I guess…"

Scott pulled her close to him and took her face in his hands and forcefully pressed his lips to hers. When they pulled apart she was smiling.

"I knew you had it in you darling. Who said romance was dead."

Logan laughed out loud and called to the man that had been his rival for so many years, "Hey, slim, looks like Emma finally pulled that stick out of your ass."

"Just loosened it I assure you," Emma called back grabbing her husband's behind in the process.

Just loosened it I assure you," Emma called back grabbing her husband's behind in the process.

Scott stood tall, not allowing Logan to get the best of him. Ororo looked down trying to hide the laughter in her eyes. Emma fiddled with her husband's hair and whispered something to him, making him smile and the two of them walked away to great more guests. Ororo turned to her fiancé..

"That wasn't very nice Logan."

"I ain't a nice guy Ro. 'sides Summers knows I'm only kiddin', mostly."

Ororo kissed Logan as more people arrived. The happy couple looked past the crowds to see Kitty and Peter hang up their coats.

"Well I'll be…" Logan stammered as the younger couple made their way over to them, "Rooskie, what the hell have you done to my Kitty."

Kate smiled widely, "Surprise!," and hugged Logan tightly.

"Surprise indeed," Storm said warmly, "You said nothing of this when we spoke on the phone."

"Katya wished to tell you in person."

Logan grinned at the younger man and held out his hand. The man formerly known as Colossus took it and shook it forcefully.

"How've you been Petey."

The big man looked at his wife, "How could I not be happy?"

Wolverine patted his friend's back, "Guess that makes two of us."

Soon it seemed like the entire mansion surrounded the expectant couple to congratulate them. Talk turned from new cars to new babies as they made their way around the room to share their good fortune with old friends. The room was bustling with so much noise barely anyone noticed the woman with white streaks walk into the party.

Rogue looked around speechless. Everything was just as she had remembered, except for the Congratulations signs and the decorations. Nothing had changed in all the years they had been gone yet everything had changed. She sighed as she stared at the crowd of people she had once known better than herself.

"Good ta see you darling."

Rogue turned to see Logan walking towards her. She smiled, forcing all of the uneasiness out of her voice. She had made it this far, now all she had to do was play the part.

"Logan, ya'll made this place shine."

"Thank Ro for that. How've ya been?"

"Not as good as you, Ah can see that for a fact. Ah'm so happy for the both ah you."

"We're glad you could come."

"Wouldn't miss it fer the world."

Logan pointed to the other room, "Most are in there. The bar's in the corner, which I think the elf is manning at this point and there are sheets on the walls with room assignments and that kinda thing."

"Room assignments?"

"Ya, couldn't move out all the student's things so there ain't enough room here. Ev'nthough Warren couldn't be here he's letting us use his hotel."

"Warren's got a hotel now?"

"Seems that way. Make yourself at home," He said walking away, "and have fun."

Rogue shook her head. This was going to me harder than she expected. She took a deep breath and headed for the other room. Here goes nothing. Her legs trembled as she saw all of the familiar faces smiling and greeting one another. At first she didn't see him but soon she heard a familiar sound.

"Heya Chere." The deep sound of his voice stunned her for a moment before she could find the source of it.

There he was, lazily stretched out on an over-stuffed chair. He wore blue jeans and a tight white t-shirt which showed off every ripple of his well tones chest. A trench coat was draped over the arm of the chair and he sipped hard liquor from a glass in his right hand. He still wore his long cinnamon hair pulled back into a pony-tail and that cocky grin on his face.

"Remy." She said calmly, not moving a step closer to him, "It's been awhile."

"Dat is has Chere, dat it has, He grinned sitting up straighter, "Where you been all dis time? Remy missed ya." He took her hand but she pulled it away before he could bring it to his lips. He looked hurt, "Remy only wants to make you feel welcome Chere."

"Well don't," She was annoyed by his arrogance. How could he pretend that nothing had changed? "Ah don't want dat from you."

Remy stood, confused by the way she was acting, "you sure chere? You sure Remy can't give you what you want?"

He had meant to push her buttons but was shocked at her reaction. She truly became angry with him. He had forgotten what that felt like.

"You ain't never gonna change are you Cajun?" She yelled, "Well some of us do. Some of us grow up." She angrily stormed away from him, not caring that all the eyes in the room where on her. It was a mistake to have come. Hank watched her leave the room.

"It was just a joke Chere. Remy didn't mean anything by it," He called after her but it was no use. She wouldn't hear a word of it.

Hank walked up behind Remy and patted him on the shoulder.

"What I do wrong hank? Why she have ta be like dat."

Hank gave him a sad smile, "Anna seems to be dealing with other things Remy. Time changes people."

"You know somet'ing I don't."

"I know she needs some space. Don't push her too hard."

With that the blue doctor walked away leaving Remy alone with his drink. He took a long gulp to clear his head. Things hadn't started well. He sighed and collapsed back onto the over-stuffed chair. This was going to be a long week.