SINISTER PLANS

The three made it out to the garage without speaking a word. This was not something any of them wanted to deal with. Logan handed Rogue keys, which innocently ended up being that of Scott's car, as he gruffly told her that he would miss her. She quickly pulled in him for a quick hug, replying the same. They quickly finished their good-byes, but not before Logan gave Gambit a look that meant not to hurt her as his claws shot from his hand. Gambit merely smirked in reply.

Rogue then jumped into the driver's side and started the car. They drove out of the gates at a high speed, but then slammed hard on the brakes as Mystique jumped out of nowhere. For a moment, Rogue wondered what it would feel like just to keep going, but reminded herself that she was not that person. She was no longer that person Mystique had raised her to be.

Mystique stared into the eyes of her daughter, smirking, as if knowing something that she shouldn't. Rogue refused to let her view any emotions that she was feeling, as Gambit calmly charged a card that he was holding in his pocket, ready to throw it out of the window, if need be. Then Rogue let the car scoot up just a little bit to show the blue woman before her that she was not afraid of her, but Mystique did not even flinch. So, instead, Rogue backed up slightly, just as Logan came running onto the scene, tackling Mystique. Both were quickly on there feet, in attacking positions, as Logan smiled and waved Rogue on, getting ready to have the fight he had been waiting for since Mystique had walked onto the mansion grounds.

Rogue peeled out, and sped off through the open gates. Neither one knew where they were going, and had been driving for hours without saying a word to each other. Noticing that they needed gas, Rogue finally made a stop. But just as she pulled into the gas station, she looked over at Gambit, suddenly unsure of herself.

"What are we suppose ta do? We don't even have any money. Ah left everythin' back there." But Gambit just smirked.

"Everythin's fine chere. Got everythin' figured out." With that Gambit opened the door and stepped out, going to the trunk of the car and opening it. Rogue followed, wondering what it was that he was up to. He had already had her bags packed and in the trunk. He handed her a small bag that had everything that she needed to change and clean up. She looked up at him in awe, but he quickly closed the trunk and went to the backseat of the car. Slowly he pulled out a pet carrier. He opened it, to pull out an orange, sleepy cat that quickly began to stretch its muscles from the closed quarters and the long trip. Rogue quickly rushed over to the cat, hugging it gently as she scratched it behind the ear, the way it loved so much.

"Fido!" she called out in joy. She then heard Gambit's slight chuckle. Rogue looked him over wanting to know what was so amusing.

"What?" she demanded.

"You be a very strange femme Marie." Rogue sighed.

"Ah told ya not ta-" he quickly put a finger against her lips to hush her, and dragged it down to her chin, making her look into his eyes.

"Dat you don't want Remy to call you dat? Oui, mais, it suits you chere. We made some good memories wit dat name, and we could make even more, non?" The look in her eyes softened, as she lightly smiled and nodded. She slowly brought one hand up, behind his neck and pulled him closer, into a warm embrace, just before she kissed him.

ELSEWHERE…

A mutant that most do not see, unless they want to be scene rushed through the darkness of the night, trying desperately to cover their tracks, just as they reached their destination. The tall, muscular figure came out of the shadows and it walked into a base that is unknown to everyone, especially the X-men. He walked in confident strides, knowing how easy his current mission would be very easy, as long as he kept away from the mutant known as Sabertooth.

Knowing exactly where he was heading, he entered his code into the keypad and entered the lab, as another man stood in the shadows.

"I trust that everything went according to plan?" the figure spoke as he turned so that the man before him could only see his red, glowing eyes.

"Oui, monsieur. Everythin' be perfect." The sinister figure smiled a toothy grin, giving a small chuckle at his achievement.

"Good, then we will move onto phase two then. Go and alert Vertigo. She will be pleased to have something to do with her time." The man turned around to do as he was ordered, also smiling knowingly. However, no one, but one animalistic man noticed, as he stood in another corner of the lab, sneering at the figures before him, that the man known as Gambit's eyes had changed from the unusual red and black, to pure yellow, and back. Not that it mattered, since he would know that smell from a mile away.

X-MANSION…

There was a knock on the Professor's door. Although he knew who it was, and why they were there, he chose to wait for that knock before he told them to enter. Logan walked over to his desk, and sat down.

"Mystique's gone." He stated plainly.

"Yes, Logan, I know. Everything seems to be working out accordingly." Logan merely nodded in reply, as he pulled out a cigar.

"Are you still sure that we shouldn't have told her?" he asked.

"It is better for everyone that she not know just yet. I have already explained this in great detail. Rogue is a very capable woman, however, we need to be sure that she could not be compromised. It needed to look real. She will understand." Just as Logan was about to lite his cigar, Xavier gave him a knowing look.

"What?" Logan shrugged, knowing that Xavier hated him smoking that in his office. So, Logan stood up to make his exit.

"Besides, Logan," the Professor began just as Logan had opened the door, "I trust that Remy can keep his word."