Scott and Rogue walked arm and arm through the city park. Although it was clear night, the park itself was virtually deserted. Both mutants were able to enjoy the serenity and the beauty of the setting. Although artificially constructed, the trees offered closeness to the natural world that was absent within the rest of the city. The smell of the foliage and the rustling sounds caused by the wind awakened the senses to more than the visual spectacle. Looking up, one could see the branches of a tree silhouetting against an even more imposing moon, sharpening each others respective beauty. The stars were also visible, but were dampened by the streetlights and the other artificial lights that make up the urbanized environment. Creation and human invention always seemed to be at odds, with humanity feeling the need to impose itself upon nature as opposed to living in harmony with it. The only place in this urban jungle full of asphalt and concrete that allowed flora and fauna to exist with some measure of freedom was the park. In a moment of introspection, many ideas and revelations could fixate themselves on the consciousness of those who observe the juxtaposition of man-made and natural structures. Perhaps one could celebrate of the achievements of humanity in its capacity to master and dominate their environment. Or perhaps it was a constant reminder of humanity's fragmentation from nature, of how far off humanity has strayed from it. Maybe it was a little of both, or if one were more optimistic about people's ability to change, the scene may act as a reminder of what we have lost, but also remind the world that paradise could be regained and humans could return and be in communion with the natural world. Within a simple moment of quiet contemplation, one could at once find transcendence from the mundane aspects of the world with all its shallow and petty concerns and find a universal beauty that would unravel the inner confusion of the human consciousness to find the self that is part of the universal truth of existence.

"Are you as bored as ah am?" asked Rogue.

"Yeah," Scott answered. "But this was your idea."

"Ah thought it would be romantic, but ah wasn't plannin' to walk all night. And you don't exactly seem all that into it."

"What are you talking about?"

"What ah mean is, you could lighten up a little."

"I'm fine."

"But you're more uptight than usual, if that's possible."

"Can you guess why?" Scott countered sarcastically.

"You can at least try to have a good time," Rogue replied, giving Scott a look of annoyance.

"Is that another rule?" Scott asked, continuing to be sarcastic.

"Cut it out, Scott," Rogue said seriously, feeling a bit hurt at Scott's attitude.

"Sorry," Scott said with a note of sheepishness. "I'm just not comfortable with this arrangement."

"You wanna back out?" Rogue asked, disappointingly.

"No," Scott said simply. "I said I was going to do this and I will."

"You're just not going to have a good time?" Rogue asked, glaring at Scott.

"Look, I'm not doing it on purpose. I'm just being honest with you, that's all."

"Exactly what ah asked for ah guess," Rogue sighed.

"Sorry."

"Ah don't want you to be sorry, ah want you to lighten up." Rogue stated in frustration.

"Sorry."

Rogue groaned, and proceeded to sulk, still fastened to the arm of her tormentor.

Scott looked over to the young female mutant on his arm and made an assessment of her mood. He gave the best response he could think of.

"Sorry." Scott repeated, cracking a smile.

Rogue turned to give Scott another angry glare, only to force back her laughter.

"You are not funny," Rogue said, forcing her best frown.

"Just having fun," Scott said, still grinning.

"At least you're lightening up," said Rogue with a shrug of her shoulders. "At my expense of course..."

Rogue felt that Scott was about to say something and thus she cut him off before he had the chance to say anything.

"And don't say 'sorry' again or ah swear ah'll knock yer block off."

Scott suppressed a laugh and said nothing. He simply gripped Rogue a little harder and pulled her off balance. Rogue responded by punching him in the shoulder. They proceeded to play fight a little until Rogue put a stop to it.

"Okay, okay, that's enough," Rogue said, unable to contain her laughter. "At least yer relaxing for a change."

"Alright," said Scott laughingly. "Let's do something. Uh, how about a movie?"

Rogue shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head in agreement.

"Cool. Let's head down to the multiplex and see what's playing."

"Y'have anythin' in mind?" Rogue asked.

"Not particularly," Scott answered. "Whatever's playing, I'm there."

"Mind if ah get to pick the movie?" Rogue asked innocently.

Scott raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "Sure, I guess."

"Don't look at me like that," Rogue snapped, disliking Scott's facial expression.

"Are you up to something?" Scott asked, right to the point.

"C'mon Scott," Rogue said dismissively.

"You didn't answer my question."

"No, ah don't have anythin' planned cause one, it was your idea, two, ah don't know what's playin' and three, ah don't know what the heck ah would have planned exactly for a public place."

Scott couldn't argue with that logic.

"Fair enough."

"Your gettin' awfully paranoid," Rogue said as she studied Scott's profile.

"Can you blame me?" he answered with a serious look on his face.

Rogue cast her eyes downward to coo borate Scott's reasoning.

"I guess not," Rogue sighed, feeling as if both she and Scott were back to square one.

Scott felt empathy for Rogue and sensed that she was remorseful for everything up to this point. At least it seemed so. Although their seemed to be a certain risk involved when offering up one's trust, Scott decided to give Rogue a chance.

"I'll trust you," stated Scott.

"W-What?" Rogue asked in shock, breaking her out of the funk of self-pity.

"I'll trust you. I'm taking your word, verbatim. I'm taking everything you say at face value. No past guilt required."

"Uh, thanks," Rogue said, bewildered. She was completely blown away by Scott's giving of trust. It was almost a sweet gesture, despite the fact that it implied that Rogue was up to something.

"Right. Let's hustle to the car and get downtown before any of the late movies start."

"Sure," answered Rogue, smiling in affirmation. She was starting to feel better about the whole thing, as she allowed herself to be dragged by Scott to the car.

Jean had just finished changing her clothes for the fifth time. She had to fix her make-up and hair. It just felt unnatural for her to go outside without doing that, despite the fact that it was the middle of the night. Her behavior became so ludicrous to the point that she started to change her top to match her shoes and then change her pants because they looked too casual. She changed her outfit again, and then decided on a casual but elegant look. The mid-drift seemed a bit much for this occasion but that was a judgment call.

Jean levitated herself from her bedroom window, carefully closing and shutting it behind her as she floated across the mansion grounds and over the gates to where Gambit had been waiting for some time. Jean gracefully landed on the back of the bike much to Gambit's delight.

"You look lovely, chere," Gambit said, giving Jean another once over.

"Shut up!" Jean growled, obviously not in the mood for flirting.

"No need to be rude, chere," said Gambit, acting all offended, yet he anticipated that Jean would be less than responsive.

Jean recognized immediately that she was lashing out at Gambit for no good reason. Her hard facial expression softened with this realization.

"I'm sorry," Jean said apologetically. "It's just…"

"No explanations needed, chere," interjected Gambit flippantly. "Gambit's a big boy an' he understands de circumstances. 'Course if ya feel bad 'nough, you can always make it up to Gambit." He then flashed Jean his most charming and beguiling smile.

Jean simply sighed and rolled her eyes as she adjusted herself on the backseat. She had to admit that Gambit did give a little bit of thrill with his 'bad-boy' persona. But he just seemed to lay it on too thick. What was even more maddening was that he was totally committed to the moment and was relentless in his pursuit. A girl could be easily flattered by his charm, but Jean perceived that Gambit enjoyed the chase more than the prize. This could be both a plus and a minus depending on what you wanted from a guy. Women like the chase too, to be the object of a boy's affection. But it had to be the right boy to be meaningful; otherwise, the thrill would vanish soon after the chase is finished. The romance of something and the reality are often divergent in nature, one being all pleasantries while the other being mostly unpalatable and painful. Gambit wasn't really interested in her at all. He was pursuing Rogue, which was obvious, but it was a force of habit perhaps. A need to prove to himself and others that he was desirable. Or perhaps that he was a full-blown womanizer could also be the reason. Whatever the case, she did not take him seriously at all. Jean was pursuing someone else entirely. Girls like to chase too.

"Do you have an extra helmet?" Jean asked, feeling a little apprehensive about riding without one.

"Gambit don't wear one," he answered, "but since Gambit knew you was comin' along for de ride, Gambit procured dis pour vous."

From under Gambit's overcoat, he produced a somewhat familiar motorcycle helmet that Jean couldn't help but recognize immediately.

"Hey, that's Logan's helmet," Jean exclaimed, looking at Gambit accusingly.

"Dis is Monsieur Logan's helmet?" Gambit asked with phony innocence. "Is but a coincidence, non?"

"Yeah, right," responded Jean in disbelief. She yanked the helmet from his hand and placed it on her head, although it fit rather loose.

Gambit proceeded to rev up his engine, all ready to burst out into the city streets.

"Hold on tight, chere," Gambit ordered. "Squeeze as hard as you like."

Jean, out of sense of self-preservation held on to Gambit's waist for dear life, marveling on how firm he actually was. Although she couldn't see his face, Jean knew that Gambit was grinning from ear to ear.

"You're liking this way too much for your own good." Jean remarked.

"Gambit's a complex man wid simple pleasures, chere." Gambit answered flippantly. "I tink de feelin's mutual, non?"

"Just get going," ordered Jean, who was having more than enough of Gambit's cavalier attitude.

Gambit silently complied and raced off into the night at blinding speed, leaving dust and smoke in their wake. With a flash they were away from the mansion within mere moments. Both mutants were indeed, racing against time and the moment.

"Two regular popcorn combos, please." Scott declared to the cashier at the concession stand.

"Ah dunno," Rogue said. "Aren't you full from before?"

Scott just shrugged his shoulders, which caused Rogue to look at him in disbelief.

"Where do you put all?" Rogue gasped.

"I don't know," Scott answered. "I'm just hungry, that's all. Anyway we have a whole two hours before this movie finishes."

"Ah guess," Rogue said, still apprehensive. "Look at the size of that soda! Who can drink that much soda?"

"Just throw it away if you can't finish it," Scott suggested.

"Ah don't want to throw food away," Rogue retorted. "That'd be wasteful."

"Wow," uttered Scott. "A regular 'Catch-22'."

"Well, ah'm sorry if ah'm being too difficult for you," Rogue announced sarcastically.

"You're not being difficult," Scott countered. "Just annoying."

"Cut the smart mouth 'four eyes'; before ah make ya a 'one eye!'" declared Rogue, pressing her gloved fist against Scott's nose.

"Okay, I'm sorry, geez," Scott proclaimed, backing away from an almost certain punch in the face. Rogue inched forward to shake her finger at Scott to admonish him.

"You're supposed to be nice to me," Rogue stated.

"I'm nice, "said Scott indignantly. "I'm just ribbing you. It's all in fun."

"Fun, huh?" reiterated Rogue. "How'd you like me to turn the tables?"

"Go ahead, I can take it," Scott replied in confidence as he picked up his popcorn and soda.

"Oh really?" Rogue inquired with a smug reassured ness. "Let's find out shall we?"

Rogue slowly circled Scott as she pondered on what would make him feel the most uncomfortable.

"Hmm, let's see. Oh, ah know! Remember that girl you were goin' out with, what's her name, hmmm….Taryn?"

"Uhhh….," mumbled Scott, not liking where this was going.

"Well, ah do. You know those times ah've absorbed yer powers? Well, sometimes ah pick up thoughts, memories, experiences, you know. Ah can remember some involvin' you and Taryn…"

"I'll be nice," Scott interrupted.

"That's what ah like to here," Rogue said, patting Scott on the cheek. "Now, compliment me."

"Rogue, c'mon now, you're pushing it." Scott protested.

"Do you know who would like to know about you and Taryn? Jean! Ah mean, she would be so interested in knowing…"

"I'm sorry…, beautiful."

"Beautiful," echoed Rogue with delight. "Ah like that."

"I only want your happiness, gorgeous."

"Now you're being sarcastic. Stick with beautiful an' we'll be fine."

"Sure thing 'vision of loveliness'," Scott said grinning.

"If only you meant it," Rogue said scornfully. "Anyway, save the sweet talk for later. Please."

Scott and Rogue, with snacks in hand, made their way to the appropriate theatre. As they went inside, they were surprised at how empty it was, especially on a weekend. The place was incredibly dirty. The floor stuck to their shoes as they walked down the main aisle. They sidestepped their way to the center of the middle row and sat down. The odour was overpowering, a hodgepodge of aromatic abominations plagued the air. It was hardly what either Scott or Rogue imagined.

"Ugh, what is that?" Rogue asked as she vainly attempted to wave the offending smells from her nose.

"I don't know," Scott replied, who was also reeling from the smell.

"Ah don't think ah could take two hours of this," Rogue suggested, not wanted to wallow any further in the filth of the theatre.

"I know this is a pretty lousy theatre, but we've paid for our tickets, and their not showing this movie anywhere else, so, lets try to grin and bear it. We're X-Men right? No theatre can beat us."

Rogue smiled and nodded in agreement. Scott could always find the right words to make her feel better. She was just beginning to forget about the unpleasantness of the scene. The lights began to fade as they began to show commercials and previews on the screen.

"Thanks for not picking a romantic comedy, Rogue," Scott said.

"No problem," Rogue replied and she settled into her seat. "Ah know how you guys at the mansion love action movies."

"I take you don't like them," Scott inquired.

"No," Rogue responded. "Ah love action movies."

"You know, I should have figured you would be a fan."

"You think that's weird?" Rogue asked self-consciously.

"No, no, of course not," Scott replied, sensing Rogue's vulnerability. "It's just that Jean would never sit through something like this. She'd drag me into some horrible romantic comedy."

"Ugh!" grunted Rogue in concurrence. "Those are the worst!"

"Yeah, they're never funny or romantic."

"And they're so phony. An' it's always a 'happily ever after' ending."

"And the actors are so bad," added Scott.

"Well, ya gotta blame the director more than anyone else. An' the screenwriter, ah mean, who could take pride in some of that junk they come up with."

"I'd take my name of the credits if I even wrote something like that."

"Well, at least we both hate the same type of movies," Rogue concluded.

"And love the same type of junk food," Scott quipped.

"Some of us more than others," Rogue retorted as she playfully patted Scott's stomach.

"Ha, ha," Scott said, smacking Rogue's hand away.

Rogue and Scott sat silent for a while watching the rest of the previews. Rogue was still a little bothered by Scott's comments about her liking action movies. He wasn't trying to slight her, but he was comparing her to Jean. Scott seemed to imply that Jean was more womanly than she was. It wasn't on purpose but it seemed that way. Rogue felt the need to justify herself. She didn't want Scott to perceive her as being unfeminine. Although, admittedly she knew deep down that she didn't exactly come across as all that womanly.

"Ah do like romantic movies, though," Rogue announced suddenly.

"What?" Scott asked, only half-listening while watching the previews

"Movies. Romantic movies. Ah like…romantic movies."

"Uh, okay," Scott replied, a little puzzled. "Like what?"

"Well, more the old black and white movies. The dialogue was a little cheesy but interesting. But the stories were original at least. An' they were honest, at least more honest than a lot of the stuff comin' down the line these days."

"I don't know," Scott said skeptically. "Most romantic films, even the old ones, are really cheesy."

"Well, ah don't expect a guy to know what's romantic."

Scott took offense to that remark and felt the need to debate the issue.

"Hey, guys can be romantic too you know."

"Present company accepted of course."

"Hey!"

"No offense Scott," Rogue said with frankness. "But you wouldn't know romance if it bit you in the butt."

"And how would you know?" Scott inquired accusingly.

"Well, ah know because the girls know. An' the girls know because Jean knows."

"What?" Scott exclaimed in surprise.

"Scott," Rogue said trying to keep the situation calm. "Girls always dish about their boyfriends to their girlfriends. It's a well established fact of life. They always compare notes with each other."

"Well, how come she hasn't said anything to me?"

Rogue couldn't help but laugh at Scott's naivety. Scott didn't like being laughed at, especially at the accusation of being unromantic.

"Oh Scott, Jean would never tell you that because you'd take it all personally, just like you are now."

Scott started to become obsessed with this eye-opener. He needed to know more about it.

"What is it that she doesn't find romantic about me?" Scott asked, wrought with feelings of inadequacy.

"Well," Rogue stammered tentatively. "She thinks you're a little boring."

"Boring!"

"Shh! Scott, take it easy!"

"What does she mean I'm boring?" Scott questioned, looking for a straight answer.

"Maybe boring was a little harsh. What she means is, you're a little too predictable. You never surprise her with anythin' new. No flowers, chocolates, love poems, romantic dinners, nothing new. It's always the same date over an' over again."

"Gee, I sorry to disappoint all of you," Scott sulked as he sunk into his chair.

"Don't be such a baby Scott," Rogue said, chastising him. "Jean accepts you for what you are, good an' bad. So you're not a romantic guy. So what? That fine with Jean."

Rogue put her hand on Scott's hand in reassurance.

"It's fine with me too."

Scott casually withdrew his hand, still a little preoccupied with all of this. He couldn't believe that Jean would say that about him.

"But how could you even know about any of these things?" Scott asked in confusion. "You and Jean never talk to each other, really."

"Like ah said before, if Jean talks to the girls and one of them is Kitty, it's only gonna take a few seconds before ah get all the details, whether ah wanna know or not. Plus, Kurt and Kitty spy on you two constantly."

"Good to know," Scott answered rolling his eyes at all this lunacy. "Don't they have anything better to do?"

"All signs point to 'no' " quipped Rogue.

"Well, at least I'm no longer out the loop," Scott sighed. "At least I hope not."

"Not entirely."

"One thing's been bugging me since this whole thing started."

"Oh," uttered Rogue, feeling a twinge of nervousness.

"How in the world did you convince Jean to get me to take you out on a date?"

Rogue paused, slinking into her seat and quietly sipped her soda. She waited a few moments, but she could feel Scott looking for her to answer his question. She finally broke her silence with the best answer she could think of.

"Ah made her an offer she couldn't refuse."

Gambit and Jean made great strides to reach the diner where Scott and Rogue were last seen. Despite her training and harrowing experiences as an X-Man, nothing could prepare Jean for the wild ride she experienced behind Gambit's motorcycle. When they finally reached their destination, Jean's heartbeat was in a panic. Her head was in a complete daze.

"How can you drive like that and not where a helmet," she gasped. "I can't believe you haven't killed yourself yet, or someone else for that matter."

"It's alright, chere," explained Gambit. "Gambit got the reflexes of a cat."

"And an ego the size of whale," Jean mused.

"Dat's confidence, chere," Gambit replied in earnest. "Confidence."

"Well can you tell me with 'confidence' where Scott and Rogue are?"

"Don't know," Gambit said with a shrug. "Last time I'd seen 'em day was walkin' out de diner to de park."

"A walk? Sounds romantic!" growled Jean.

Gambit became a little unnerved by Jean's somewhat erratic behaviour. He proceeded from that point on to 'walk on eggshells' when giving her bad news.

"Seems so, chere," Gambit replied. "But mebbee we can get things done faster. You is de psychic, why don't you just read his mind?"

"I can try sensing his presence, but I don't know how far away he is. We share a 'psychic bond' so to speak. We can sense it when one of us is near."

"Hmm?" Gambit pondered aloud. "A marriage of true minds, non?"

"Something like that," Jean answered, not willing to equate her relationship to something that melodramatic. "Let's see what I can find."

Jean attempted to focus her mind the best she could on Scott's thought patterns. Through the ethereal mess of other thoughts it was like looking for someone in a deep fog. With so many conscious minds running around in the same space, this made looking for Scott extra difficult. Suddenly, another collection of somewhat sordid thoughts seemed to be coming from nearby.

"Gambit, will you please stop doing that?" Jean yelled, sensing Gambit, once again, ogling her.

"Can't help it, chere, Gambit likes to stop and smell de roses."

"Turn around," ordered Jean. "And try to keep your thoughts quiet and clean for a second so I can concentrate."

"Dat's a bit of stretch but Gambit will try."

Gambit looked temporarily over his shoulder to get a last look.

"Gambit…"

"Sorry, chere, you don't know your own strength, whew!"

Jean didn't mind the attention as much as she made it out to be. A girl likes to feel attractive and it was somewhat flattering that another guy would find her interesting. But Jean had one boy on her mind and she wasn't going to let anything stop her. She went into her mind and focused intently, clearing her mind of all stray thoughts, attempting to hone in on Scott. She used her thoughts and feelings that concerned him as an amplifier, to boost her range in finding him. Jean started to get impressions of an awful smell, Scott's ex-girlfriend Taryn and the taste of something that he was eating.

"Anythin' chere?" Gambit asked. "You sense anythin'?"

Jean's eyes narrowed, she said one word, "Popcorn."

"Mmm, popcorn," mumbled Scott as he shoveled a handful of popcorn into his mouth.

"When is thing gonna start?" Rogue fussed. "Ah haven't seen so many previews in my life."

"Maybe we should show up late next time," Scott remarked.

"An' what's with all of these commercials. Ah mean the whole point of goin' to the movies is to avoid the commercials. An' now they're all ten minutes long and you can't change the channel or leave."

"I think that's the point, Rogue."

"Maybe we should go on covert mission to Hollywood to deal with the problem," Rogue said jokingly.

"Well, that might be the one thing that people will support us on," Scott added. "We'll make the Hollywood types sit through their own commercials."

Both Scott and Rogue laughed as they shared their disdain for the movie industry. Rogue enjoyed the fact that Scott was starting to relax around her more. She loved to see him so animated. It was such a contrast from his usually reserved demeanor. It was true that she had taken a number of liberties with Scott through coercion, but the fact was, now, he was having a good time with her. It made Rogue want to take further liberties, but she knew that it wasn't the right time as of yet. She glanced down and to her surprise she saw that Scott had almost finished his popcorn.

"Are you done all your popcorn already?" Rogue gasped.

"Umm, yeah," Scott answered, feeling a little embarrassed due to Rogue constantly questioning him on his eating habits.

"Ah'm gonna have to put a muzzle on you at some point. How can someone be so slim and eat like that? Ah can't get away with eatin' like that. Ah think that's a crime."

Scott was starting to feel a little guilty as he continued to munch on the remnants of his popcorn bucket. Rogue saw his reaction and felt a little guilty herself. She didn't want to be accused of killing the fun.

"Sorry, Scott. If you still feel hungry you can have the rest of mine."

"We'll share it, together."

Rogue smiled when Scott's generous offer.

"Thank you Scott," said Rogue. She then gave him a serious look. "Just don't chow it all down before ah get some."

"Scout's honor," Scott answered with a salute. Scott turned to face the screen as the feature presentation was about to start.

Rogue had rolled her eyes at Scott's goofiness but it made her smile too. Even though they were not completely alone in the theatre, it was dark enough to make it seem that way. It looked like her and Scott were alone once again. Scott was too into the movie to notice Rogue looking at him. She gazed at his face which was partially visible due to the light reflecting off the screen. Rogue studied the profile of his face which made her heart skip. She saw that Scott's arm reach over his arm rest and was partially on her own. Rogue cautiously moved her arm next to his, facing the screen but eyeing Scott through the corner of her eye. They both were touching arm to arm but Scott did not flinch or recoil. Rogue would love to have him wrap his arm around her or place her head on his shoulder but it was too farfetched a fantasy. So she settled for the next best thing. Rogue once again placed her gloved hand atop of Scott's. Scott again was too into the film to really notice what she was doing. She caressed his hand a few time, feeling the texture of his skin, admiring the strong masculine strength that seemed to be within his fingers. Rogue didn't mind too much that Scott was oblivious to her touching his hand. She decided to leave her hand on top of his, just to see how long it would take for Scott to notice. Just then, Scott pulled his hand away. Rogue looked to see if his reaction was disdainful. To her surprise, Scott was not even looking at her. He was reaching for the popcorn bucket in her lap.

"The story of my life," Rogue thought to herself.

Just then, another surprise; Scott had placed his hand right on top of hers. He didn't seem to notice this. Rogue was shocked, but then she calmed down. She was elated by this latest action even though Scott wasn't even paying attention. Rogue didn't mind at all, not one bit. She reached for her soda and reclined into her seat, enjoyed the picture and the company. It was the next best thing.