Work of Art
Chapter Three: Green Eyes
By DamageCtrl

All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own the X-Men or anything associated with it.

"Once again, don't forget to mark your calendars. Next Monday, we'll be meeting with Professor Xavier at his Academy to get a tour of the area we'll be working in," Pietro told the group that had gathered in one of the many conference rooms of the building. "Anna Marie, since you are unfamiliar with the process, Wanda will be be taking you along the ropes."

At her seat at the far end of the table, Rogue nodded. She wanted to ask Pietro to refer to her as Rogue, but hadn't had a chance to speak to him yet. Beside her, a woman about her age nodded and smiled warmly at Rogue.

"Keep with your sub-teams through out the door, make sure to take plenty of notes. At the end of the month, we'll have a main branch meeting to discuss the ideas we have for Charles," Eric Magnus said. He sat at the front of the room, leaning back calmly against a black leather seat as his son, Pietro, stood by the project screen. "He requests some samples by the end of next month."

"Money is no issue, people," Pietro reminded them. "However, let's try to come up with a reasonable budget."

"We'll also be introduced to the interior designer and an artist Charles has contracted to work on the art house in the third level of the garden and on the green house on the fourth," Eric reminded them. "Wanda and Pietro's sub-teams will be in charge of those two buildings specifically."

"I think that's about it for today," Pietro said as he looked at his watch. He looked up at the group and frowned tiredly. "All right, team, let's get out there and make this happen. Meeting adjourned."

Immediately, a series of mumblings and low conversations broke out amongst the group as they shuffled around the table and gathered their things. Rogue began to stack her papers together as Wanda leaned over.

"You up for going out to grab a bite?" Wanda asked.

"Sure, sugah, where to?" Rogue smiled back as Wanda looked pleased that she had a dinner buddy.

"How do you feel about sushi?" Wanda asked with a questioning frown. Rogue chuckled.

"God, Wanda, can't you be more original? What is it with you and sushi?" Pietro grumbled. He fell into the seat next to his twin sister.

Wanda tossed a few shocks of dark red brown hair over her shoulder and glared at Pietro. "Says you...you could never stomach it," Wanda retorted. She glanced back at Rogue. "What about French?"

Rogue's amused smile suddenly dropped and Wanda suddenly felt as if she had said something wrong. Pietro shook his head. "Look what you did, Wanda. You broke Anna Marie's face."

"She didn't break mah face," Rogue sighed. "And Pietro, Ah prefer ta be called Rogue."

He nodded. "But you hate French food apparently."

"No, Ah don't hate it..." Rogue trailed off. Ah just recently found mahself having horrible mental associations with it. "French sounds good."

"Not after that reaction," Wanda insisted. "Back to sushi. You coming, oh wonderful brother of mine?" Wanda glanced over at him as she made a disgusted face. Pietro rolled his eyes.

"I've got better things to do," the white haired lawyer said. He ran documents for city permits between his father's company and the city. "Luna's ballet recital."

"Ah...that is more important," Wanda said. She bit her lip and looked over at her brother cautiously. "Is...is SHE going to be there?"

Rogue suddenly felt as if she had stumbled upon an intimate family moment. Wanda, a civil engineer, was in the cubicle across from her and the two of them with often talk. Wanda filled Rogue in on all the office gossip, including who her father and brother were.

Pietro immediately frowned. "You just had to ask, didn't you?" he grumbled. He stood up quickly from his seat and rushed out the door of the now vacant conference room.

"Pietro, wait a sec...sorry..." Wanda sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "Great...now I have to apologize..."

"Ah can understand," Rogue said as she stood up and stretched. "His ex-wife, right? Must be uncomfortable."

"I'll say," Wanda sighed. She stood up and brought her folders up to her chest. "So? Sushi? If you're not up to it, there is a Singapore cuisine place I've been dying to try out."

"Sounds tasty...oh no..." Rogue's face dropped and she groaned. She nearly dropped her things "Ah can't believe Ah forgot!"

"Forgot what?"

"One of mah friends...It's Petey's gallery opening tonight! Sorry, sugah, Ah completely forgot. Yah mind if we reschedule?" Rogue asked pitifully as she looked over at Wanda.

"No prob, Rogue," Wanda laughed. "So...this Petey...?" She trailed off, a questioning look on her face.

"Mah college buddy and nothing more," Rogue sighed as they walked out of the office. "Besides, he's seeing Kitty and ain't nothing gonna break those two up."

Wanda chuckled. "Well...maybe you'll meet someone at the gallery tonight."

"Ah just moved back here and got a job, sugh...Ah don't have time to worry about a man right now. Still settling down." Rogue insisted.

"Right," Wanda rolled her eyes as they split down the hallway. "Never hurts to have someone waiting." Wanda winked.

Rogue snorted indignantly. "Whatever...oh, and don't forget about mah house warming thingy tomorrow!"

"I'll bring you a nice crystal vase for your place, don't worry," Wanda laughed. "See you tomorrow!"

Rogue shook her head and waved good-bye to her co-worker as she headed down the hall. As soon as she arrived at her desk, she glanced over at the clock on her laptop screen. "Oh no..." She frowned a she grabbed her bag and stuffed it filled with papers. "Ah'm gonna be late!"

"Remy, I love you!" Jean Paul gushed as he struggled to keep himself from running around the room he had immediately cleared out to house a few of Remy's selected pieces. He was doing a final check of the gallery before it opened to patrons when he passed by Remy's exhibit and saw the tall Cajun man standing in the middle of the room.

A few feet away from him, the artist in question let out a low chuckle. He was allowed in early to over see any final aspects of his exhibit and was now alone in the room, staring up at large oil on canvas painting in front of him. Black clothes, clean and pressed, adorned his body, purposely highlighting all his favorite physical features. Which happened to everything.

He lifted one hand up and rubbed his freshly shaved chin as he studied the piece. "JP, y' think dis is enough work?"

"Well, you allowed me to have ten pieces," Jean Paul replied. "I wanted more, but you didn't want to be bothered and wouldn't answer your phone."

"I was busy," Remy replied. He lowered his hand and turned around. He waved for Jean Paul to enter. "What do y' think about dis one?"

The white haired man walked into the white washed room and lifted his head up at the portrait. "Its...different."

Remy arched an eyebrow. "Different as in ugly?"

"No, no!" Jean Paul immediately told him. He took a cautious step back as he noticed the look of annoyance on Remy's face. "Just...I've never seen you paint with so much...um...it's a lot of green."

Remy laughed and shook his head. "Green's her color, mon ami."

"Her?" Jean Paul looked intrigued as he took a step closer. "Is that why you didn't answer your phone? Too busy having an affair with some poor married slob's gorgeous wife?"

"If only," Remy chuckled. He looked up at the eyes in front of him wistfully. "Tres belle, non?"

Jean Paul smiled slightly and looked up at the painting. "Oui...tres belle, mon ami," He raised his hand and patted Remy's shoulder. "Good luck with her."

Remy merely cracked a smile and lifted up his arm. He tugged back the black sleeves of his coat and moved back the cuffs of his blood red dress shirt to look at his watch. "Almost time to open," He said, trying to quell the sudden rise of excitement in his stomach. "Let's get dis show on de road, JP."

Rogue looked at herself in the mirror once more and swept a few strands of her white bangs behind her ear. She studied the clothes she had chosen for the occasion; a black skirt that went below her knees and black strapped heels. A sleeveless, loose necked dark green silk top was partially hidden behind a thick, knit black scarf.

The door bell rang and Rogue looked at the time. "Barely made it!" she breathed as she snatched a dark green bag she had deposited her possessions in as soon as she got home. She raced out of her bedroom just as another ring rang through her apartment. "Ah'll be right there! Hold yer horses!"

She reached the door and quickly opened it, revealing an equally rushed Jean. "We're late, aren't we?" she gasped as she nervously looked at her watch. "Jeez, Piotr's going to wonder if we're even coming!"

"Less talking, more driving!" Rogue said as she slammed the door behind her and locked it. The two women raced down the stairs, ignoring the miracle that allowed them to get to the first floor at record speeds while wearing heels.

Jean's beamer was parked right in front of the apartment and the two quickly got in. "You know how to get there?"

"Ah thought yah knew!" Rogue gasped as she stared at Jean with wide eyes. "Yah volunteered ta drive us!"

"I thought that you knew!" Jean's green eyes were wide with panic now. "You went to all those museums when we were in school!"

"That was years ago!" Rogue exclaimed. "Ah don't know how ta get there from mah apartment now!"

"I'll call Scott," Jean said. She grabbed her bag and fumbled with it's contents. "Maybe he can get the directions online for us."

"Good ideah, but hurry, sugh," Rogue sighed as she looked at her watch. "We were supposed to be there an hour ago."

"He'll understand, we have jobs!" Jean insisted. She grabbed her silver phone and quickly pressed the numbers to her husband's cell phone. "Ugh! He's not answering!"

"Where is he?"

"At work! He had some papers to submit last minute to their mother company in London," Jean explained. She pressed in his work number and impatiently tapped her foot on the gas as they sat in the unmoving car. "He's not answering."

"Maybe he went home?" Rogue suggested. "Forget it, Ah'll call Kurt!"

Jean nodded, but called her house phone just in case. After a few rings, a man picked up the phone. "Scott! Good, you're home! I need a favor-"

"I can't talk right now, honey. I have to get back to work," Scott said quickly. "I'll call you later, okay? Love you, bye!" He hung up quickly and Jean stared at the phone with narrowed eyes.

"What has gotten in to him lately...?" she mumbled.

"Shhh!" Rogue said as she turned to her friend, her own phone pressed against her ear. "Kurt? Hi, can yah give me the directions to somewhere?" Jean looked at Rogue eagerly and the brunette let out a relieved sigh and nodded.

"Piotr, calm down," Kitty chuckled as the tall Russian fumbled with his hands as he stood nervously by some of his work. "There's nothing to be worried about."

"What if they don't like it, Katya?" Piotr asked nervously. "What if they think it's horrible and-"

"Excuse me, are you the artist?" Instantly, the man who had her arm in hers steeled up, as if preparing to be criticized. Kitty rolled her eyes and offered a smile at woman.

"Y...yah..." Piotr stammered.

My God, he's terrified... Kitty thought with some amusement. A big guy like Piotr suddenly looked like he was about to be eaten by the beautiful blond woman smiling in front of him.

"I just wanted to commend you on your work. Exquisite, absolutely exquisite," the woman smiled. She extended her hand and Piotr nervously shook it. "I was wondering if you were willing to sell? I was asking Jean Paul and he told me to speak directly to you about it."

"Sell?" Piotr asked, his voice nearly gone. Kitty suppressed her snicker. "Of course! I mean...I...I just never thought that someone would want to...which one? Ah...where are my manners!" Piotr nearly slapped himself as he spewed out barely comprehensible sentences. "What was your name, mam?"

"Danvers," the woman said as she handed him a business card. "Carol Danvers."

Kitty smiled, pleased that people were enjoying her boyfriend's work. She ushered him to follow Miss Danvers to the work in question and let out a relieved breath. She'd been having to baby him for the last hour and a half. She glanced around the room, looking for Betsy.

The woman was wearing a dark purple dress and heels and had vanished to look at the other exhibits after she greeted them and congratulated Piotr. Kitty decided to take this opportunity before Piotr returned to look at the other work. She had take all but two steps outside Piotr's exhibit, when a male voice called to her.

"Y' be Kitten, non?" a male voice asked. Kitty lifted her head up and was startled to find blazing red on black eyes looking at her.

"That's Kitty." she corrected him proudly as she stood up.

"I heard," he chuckled. He walked closer to her and Kitty noticed how the sharply dressed man walked through the crowds. It seemed as if they parted of him. "Y'r boyfriend's work be pretty amazing. Nice, modest guy, too."

Kitty raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, well, he's mine," Kitty told him. "So you will have to look else where."

Remy's look of calm confidence momentarily broke. "Non, it ain't like dat," he insisted. "Just saying dat he does good work."

Kitty nodded. "Are you another artist?"

"Oui, Remy LeBeau, at y'r service, petite." He gave her a small bow and a winning smile before reaching for her hand. Before he could take it, Kitty was suddenly pulled aside.

"Kitty, you HAVE to come with me and see this!" Betsy said earnestly as she tugged Kitty's arm.

"See what?" Kitty asked curiously.

"Y'r friend, petite?" Remy asked. The two women were brought out of their conversation by the male voice. Betsy straightened up and narrowed her eyes as she gave him a once over.

"French?" Betsy asked in her English accented voice. Remy shook his head as a sly smirk crossed his face.

"Non...Cajun."

Betsy's face had a brief look of surprise before a slight knowing smile crossed her face. "You wouldn't by any chance be Monsieur REMY LeBeau, would you?"

"Oui, dat I am," Remy reached for her hand and Betsy, through years of practice, allowed him to kiss the back of her gloved hand. "And you are, mon chere?"

"Elizabeth Braddock," Betsy told him. "But please, call me Betsy."

"A pleasure," Remy said, giving her a disarming grin. "A friend of Piotr's as well?" Betsy nodded. "He is a very lucky homme, den."

"Yes..." Betsy nodded. She glanced over at Kitty, who watched suspiciously. "Shame that our other friends couldn't make it as well?"

A split second look of disappointed flashed through his face before he quickly recovered. Betsy figured out all she needed to know. "Dat's...dat's too bad..."

"Well, Monsieur LeBeau," Betsy said as she hooked arms with Kitty and began to proceed down the hall. "It was an honor meeting you." Remy gave them a nod as Betsy dragged Kitty off.

The Cajun artist nearly stumbled back as his mind reeled. He had been preparing all week since he over heard Piotr invite the divine voiced Southern belle to the gallery. He had ignored all of his commissioned works in order to focus on one particular painting that entire week. And now, it was all for nothing.

He mentally swore. If the painting wasn't going to get her attention, nothing would.

"Holy crap!" His head jerked up as he heard a female voice ring through the moderately loud gallery. He frowned as he realized it was from his exhibition hall.

Upon the realization, a few patrons looked over at him and he casually laughed and ran his hand through his unruly hair. "Common reaction, non?" he chuckled half heartedly. "Must've blown her away." A few people chuckled before continuing with what they were doing.

Remy ran a hand down his face and headed towards the balcony. He suddenly needed a smoke.

As he pushed the glass doors open, a worried looking Kitty in her dark red dress was grabbing Betsy's hand tightly. "She's going to go completely berserk when she sees the painting," Kitty said, wide eyed and horrified. "I just know it!"

"We just can't let her see it," Betsy insisted. "You, me, and Jean will steer her clear of LeBeau's gallery."

"But what about LeBeau himself?" Kitty nearly shrieked. "If Rogue finds out that she's in the same room as him, she'll run out of here without a second thought!"

"Or worse," Betsy frowned. "Over react and cause a scene."

"Oh, God, what are we going to do?" Kitty groaned.

"So you were able to make it!" Piotr's hearty voice echoed in their ears and both Kitty and Betsy paled. Jean and Rogue walked through the main doors, each holding a pamphlet they had gotten from the foyer.

"Of course, sugah! Like we'd ever miss the opening ta yer very first gallery!" Rogue gushed as she gave him a tight hug. "Ah'm so proud of yah, sugh!"

Piotr merely laughed as he hugged her back. As soon as Rogue released him, Jean gave him a big hug as well. "We all knew you could do it, Piotr."

"Well?" Rogue said as she beamed him an ecstatic smile. "Where are they? Take us to 'em!" She urged. Piotr nodded and offered both his arms to the two new comers, who casually looped their arms around them.

"Remember," Betsy said in a low voice as she and Kitty approached them. "We CAN'T let her see it. I'll get Jean and show her the picture. You and Piotr occupy Rogue."

"Got it!" Kitty nodded as she went over the plan in her head. They entered the section where Piotr was showing Jean and Rogue one of his paintings. "There you guys are!" Kitty said, louder than usual. Betsy rolled her eyes.

"Hey, there, sugh," Rogue gave them a warm smile. "How's everything else here? Pale in comparison to Petey's stuff?"

Piotr blushed and shook his head. "Rogue, the other artists are here." he reminded her.

"Ah don' care," Rogue told them as she shrugged. "Ah ain't here ta see their work."

As Rogue was distracted with conversation from Kitty, Betsy pulled Jean aside and dragged her to the other exhibit. There, Jean's mouth dropped as wide green eyes stared at equally vibrant green ones spread across a dark canvas. "This is going to drive her stalker theory into over drive," Jean mumbled dumbly as she and Betsy stumbled out of the room. "And in truth, I'm starting to agree."

"I don't think he's a stalker, Jean," Betsy said. "But he is here."

"He's WHAT?" Jean exclaimed. "Oh, God...Rogue!"

"Shh!" Betsy hissed. "We can't tell her!"

"But we have to!" Jean insisted. "She'll completely go off the deep end if Remy is here. Are you SURE its him?"

"Like Rogue said, I can recognize those red eyes anywhere," Betsy repeated. "Besides, how many red eyed Cajuns with names like Remy can you possibly have?"

"I don't know, I'm not Cajun!" Jean groaned. "Then what do you propose? We just steer her clear of him all night? What if he approaches her?"

"Then we drag her out." Betsy elaborated.

"I still think we should tell her." Jean frowned.

"She'd storm out of here and it would ruin both her and Piotr's nights," Betsy reminded her. "Besides, it's a rather large gallery...they might not even see each other!"

Jean sighed and gave in. "Fine..." They walked back towards Piotr's exhibition just as Rogue was walking out. "Rogue! Where are you going?" Jean asked nervously.

Rogue lifted an eyebrow. "Restroom." Rogue answered as she swept past them. The two women exchanged looks, but before they had a chance to accompany her, Rogue had disappeared into the crowd.

As she walked through the halls, she began to notice the looks people were giving her. She frowned slightly as people whispered as she passed. Even as she entered the restroom, she felt their eyes on her. Maybe they've never seen a woman with white bangs before? She shook her head and went to wash her hands.

As she pumped soap into her hand, the young woman at the sink next to her dropped her mouth. "Oh my goodness! It's you!"

Rogue raised an eyebrow as she slowly rinsed her hands under the warm water, looking slightly concerned as she drew back a bit from the petite Asian girl. "Um...hi?"

"I didn't think you'd actually be here...wow, your eyes really are green!" she said, pleased with herself.

"Thank yah...sugh..." Rogue quickly dried her hands and tossed the towels into the trash bin. "Well...Ah gotta go." She gave the girl a bright smile and slipped out of the restroom door. She sighed heavily as she shook her head tiredly.

"Rogue! There you are!" Betsy said as she weaved through the crowds. "You know, I was thinking that since you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow-"

"Of which yah'll will be helping me with." Rogue reminded her, still annoyed at Jean for making her throw a house warming party at her place.

"Right, right," Betsy nodded. She walked along side of Rogue, glancing around nervously every so often. "I think that we should head back."

"But Ah just got here and Ah want to see the rest of the exhibits," Rogue said. "Hey, Bets, did yah notice anythang weird about meh, lately? There was some girl in the restroom that kept looking at meh and was acting really weird."

"Uh...no..." Betsy smiled brightly. "You seem fine to me. Now, about leaving early-"

"Yah'll can leave early if yah want, sugh, but Ah'm gonna loiter around a bit longer," Rogue grinned. "Petey said there was some artist here that was pretty popular. Ah wanted to see for mahself."

Before Betsy could protest, Rogue headed towards one of the halls and mixed in with the other patrons. Betsy called out, but Rogue ignored her. "Well?" Jean asked as she appeared behind Betsy.

"She insisted on looking around." Betsy grumbled.

"Oh, boy..." Jean sighed. "This isn't going to be pretty..."

It had been half an hour and Rogue had barely gotten through the first three exhibits, excluding Piotr's. She was just about to make her way to the last one before heading back to her friends, when she finally grew fed up with all the stares she was receiving.

She glared at the next person who actually dared make eye contact with her. She had gotten used to being looked at since she had those white bangs, but now people were whispering amongst themselves.

"Rogue, want to meet the gallery's owner?" Jean asked in a feeble attempt to stop her as Rogue walked past by her quickly.

"Maybe later, sugh...Ah suddenly need some air." Rogue sighed. She gave Jean a small smile before heading towards the balcony doors.

Remy stood to the side of the glass and iron balcony as he over looked the Pacific Ocean. His cigarette had long died out as a chill autumn breeze swept through his hair. He didn't know how long he'd been standing out there. In the back of his mind, he knew that Jean Paul was probably looking for him in order to introduce him to some Bay Area socialites.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons why he choose to hang around the all but forgotten balcony instead. Suddenly, the sound of the door being shoved open caught his attention and on instinct, he slipped into the shadows against the wall.

Mid back length brown hair tumbled over her shoulders as she pushed some strands of snow white bangs behind her ear. She frowned at the sudden chill in the air and dug into her purse for dark green cloves.

Remy watched silently as Rogue tugged on the gloves and leaned over the railing. She closed her eyes as she relished the cold breeze caressing her skin. His eyes wandered down her body, a smirk tugging at his lips. Rogue didn't seem to even notice that another person was there.

He wanted to walk up to her and casually start up a conversation, however he knew she'd probably just glare at him and return to the gallery. Just be content watchin' her for now... Her hands rose up and rubbed her arms briskly as she shivered. Remy shook his head as ran a hand down his face. Y' be a weak man, Remy LeBeau.

Rogue was just about to return to the warmth of the gallery when she felt a heavy material drape across her shoulders. Her eyes widened as she stiffened and looked down at the sleeves that hung limply at her sides.

"Y' looked cold, chere."

Rogue felt her heart stop as her hands gripped the railing tightly. "Yah have got ta be kiddig' meh..." she mumbled. A few swears slipped past her lips as she finally forced herself to turn around. "Yah dang stalker! Why are yah following meh around-"

"Calm down! Calm down, chere! It ain't like dat!" Remy insisted as he held his hands up to fend her off. Rogue grabbed his coat off her shoulders and flung it at his feet.

"Ah don't need yer disgusting coat, swamp rat! Ah thought Ah told yah ta leave meh alone!" Rogue growled as she threw him a furious glare. "And instead of being left nice and peaceful like, Ah have ta deal with you following meh every step Ah take!"

Remy frowned as he stood a few steps from her. A look of frustration flashed across his glowing red eyes and Rogue wondered if she had gone over board with the accusation. He didn't bother picking up his jacket was he stood there. "I happen to be displaying some work in dere," Remy told her in a low voice. "I'm an artist."

"Psh...right," Rogue snorted as she crossed her arms over her chest. "And Ah'm invulnerable."

"Invulnerable femmes don't get cold," Remy said. He bent down and lifted his coat off the floor, his eyes never leaving hers. "Though a southern girl like y' would appreciate de action. Guess I was wrong about y'."

Rogue felt a wave of disappointment course through her as she heard those words and she took a step back against the railing. "Yah don't know nuthin' bout meh, swamp rat."

Remy narrowed his eyes and studied her once more before taking a step forward. "I know y'r cold, cher" He said as he lifted his jacket. Rogue tried to take another step back and gasped as she felt the cold metal railing against her back. She turned around and glared at the railing as a warm jacket wrapped around the front of her body, effectively covering her shoulders.

"Ah told yah..." she began weakly as two arms locked her in place. Her eyes lowered, trying to avoid his gaze and instead falling on to the top open buttons of his shirt. She tried to ignore the gnawing curiosity that wanted her to take a quick peek at the rest of him. "Get off og meh..."

"Y' still didn't answer de question, chere," Rogue closed her eyes as his warm breath swept past her ear and tickled her exposed neck. Remy smiled as he felt her shiver against him. He moved in closer. "What kind of man da y' think I am?"

"Ah..." Rogue cringed as she heard the nervous crack in her voice. "Ah think yah'r arrogant and self absorbed..."

She turned her head away from him as she felt a two soft lips brush against the side of her head. "Really? What else?"

Gawd, make him stop... Rogue silently prayed. A warm hand gently placed itself against the small of her back and Rogue nearly leapt into the air. Her head flew up and immediately locked on to hypnotic red orbs. "Ah...Ah... hate...yah..." It was the most pathetic lie she had ever produced and they both knew it.

A deeply amused chuckle echoed in his throat and Rogue felt every single vibration as her body pressed against his reluctantly. "Den why y' holding on to me so tight?"

Her eyes squinted in confusion. "Wha...?"

"Hey, Rogue! You out here?" The door burst open and a wave of warm air swept through the balcony. A smiling brunette immediately turned red as Remy turned around and shot him a glare. "Oh, dude, sorry..." his voice trailed off as he caught sight of the woman the red eyed man was holding. "Rogue?"

"Hey, Bobby..." Rogue said nervously.

She wouldn't meet his eyes and Bobby frowned. He straightened up, his hand gripping the door handle tightly. "Rogue, you okay?"

"Ah...Ah'm fine, sugah..." Rogue said. Her hands, which had been clenching Remy's shirt, released the fabric and pushed him away. She stumbled to the side and Bobby quickly ran to Rogue's side. He put an arm around her as Remy's coat fell silently to the floor.

"Let's get you back inside." Bobby said. He immediately shrugged off his own gray coat and placed it around Rogue's shaking shoulders. He looked up and shot an icy glare at Remy as he lead Rogue inside.

"Bobby, Ah want ta go home." Rogue whispered.

"Sure thing, Rogue. I'll bring my car around, okay?" Bobby asked. Rogue nodded.

"Rogue, what happened to you?" Jean gasped she ran to meet Bobby. Rogue opened her mouth to answer, but Bobby cut in.

"Some guy was out there all over her-"

"Oh no! You saw Remy!" Jean gasped. Rogue stiffened in her arms and she looked up to glare at Jean accusingly.

"What da yah mean?" Rogue growled in a low voice. She stood up straight had a cold look on her face as Jean tried to look away. "Yah knew he was here? And yah didn't tell meh?"

"We didn't know it was even him until Betsy figured it out!" Jean gasped. "And what we were supposed to tell you? You were enjoying yourself and we're supposed to be here for Piotr-"

"But yah didn't tell meh? Especially after Ah told yah about that stalker?" Rogue shouted. Jean held her hands up to try to quiet her down.

"Stalker?" Bobby frowned. "That guy out there? You want me to knock some sense into him, Rogue?" Bobby asked seriously as he cracked his knuckles.

"No, sugh, if anyone's going ta knock some sense into him, its gonna be me!" Rogue growled. She whirled back to look at an ashamed Jean. "How could yah?"

"It's a big gallery and we thought that there was a chance he wouldn't see you and so long as we kept you out of his exhibit and the painting-"

"Painting?" Rogue's eyes narrowed. "WHAT painting?"

"Didn't you see it?" Bobby asked, confused. "Anyone can tell it's you."

"Where is it?" Rogue demanded dangerously. Bobby swallowed and pointed into the opposite room. Rogue shrugged off Bobby's jacket and shoved it back at him as she stomped across the fine wood paneled floor. As she approached the last exhibition room, she prepared herself.

She hadn't taken a single step into the room before looking up at a large painting of a woman's face. White bangs stood out from flowing brown hair as two emerald green eyes stared back at her thoughtfully.

"It's her!" someone's voice said as Rogue's eyes widened. "It's The Rogue!"

A.N. - Thanks for reading! Logon and Ororo will appearn soon...I'm sorry if this is moving by so slow. :( So please be patient and thank you again for reading!