Disclaimer: I don't own them!

Addtothenoise: Thanks for the kind words. I know the chapters are on the short side, but I am sorry to say, the explanation for that is I'm just not a prolific writer. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to get this much going.Maybe that will improve with time. I was planning on actually getting some work done, but now that you've asked for more, I have no choice but to overlook my responsibilities and give you what you want. I hope you're pleased with yourself. :)

ColossusR: I could just tell you now, but that would ruin the surprise.

Musagirl15: Thank you.

Chapter 3.

Anna was almost enjoying herself. The group of five was assembled in the hotel restaurant. Although the way Kitty and Piotr were blushing and whispering to each other, they didn't really count as part of the group. They actually made a cute couple. Rogue had a hard time imagining the two in an intimate position, little Kitty and the Giant. She stifled a laugh, and made a silent vow never to be that obvious. Make that don't fall in love period.

Remy and Scott were surprisingly good company. Their casual banter and obvious comfort with each other spoke to a deep friendship. Both had a way of talking that made one feel immediately at ease, without actually giving out personal information. Luckily, she had done her homework.

Scott Summers, aka Cyclops, protégé of Charles Xavier, head of the Resistance. He had the bearing of a natural leader, obviously intelligent, articulate, and good looking. His mutant power was the ability to shoot optic blasts through his eyes. That certainly explained the ruby quartz glasses he wore continuously. Married to his high school sweetheart, Jean Grey, Phoenix, a powerful telepath, and a red-haired beauty, if the photographs in the electronic files she had were any indication. They had no children, yet. Everything pointed to him as an honest and scrupulous man who had earned the respect and loyalty of his followers; rare traits to possess when trying to win a war.

Remy LeBeau was the very antithesis of Scott Summers. A master thief, he was secretive where Scott was open, charming where Scott was sincere, a loner where Scott was a team player. There was very little information available about him, and with her connections, that was saying a lot. The only background she had was that he was from New Orleans (as if she couldn't figure that out on her own), raised by the head of the mysterious and apparently quite successful Thieves Guild, and he had an ex-wife (what a surprise?), Belladonna Boudreaux of the rivalling Assassins Guild. His aliases were numerous, Gambit, Prince of Thieves, Le Diable Blanc – probably the most fitting, she thought looking at his red on black eyes. They were somewhat disquieting, though if she were honest, she had to admit that the colour did not bother her at all. What scared her was the feeling she had whenever she looked into those beautiful eyes, like he could see beyond her facade and read all her secrets. Back up. Did I just say beautiful? I'm obviously more tired than I realised. Consequently she avoided looking him in the eyes, and kept her gaze directed at Scott, her meal, Kitty, Piotr, everything but him.

After dinner, Scott excused himself early to make a phone call in his room. Kitty cleared her throat. "Rogue, Remy, I hope you don't mind, but Piotr and I are going to take a walk."

"A walk? Outside?" Rogue had a look of disbelief on her face.

Kitty nodded.

"Kitty, it's freezing out." She pointed out matter-of-factly. "What are you thinking?"

What are you thinking leaving me here with this no-good lying sonofabitch while you go gallivanting about? Rogue wanted to scream at her. She settled instead for trying to signal to Kitty with her eyes. This went largely unnoticed by Kitty who was too busy making goo-goo eyes with the Colossus, but not by Remy who was watching with barely contained amusement.

"Duh, we're totally going to get our jackets first. Don't worry Rogue. It's a beautiful, clear sky. Piotr is going to teach me all about the stars" she concluded dreamily. "Don't wait up."

Rogue rolled her eyes as she watched the retreating figures.

Damn Kitty for leaving me alone. See, this, this right here, is why the good guys never prosper. I bet if it was Scott and Remy, this would never have happened. You don't ditch your team mate for some idiotic romantic gesture. We've got to have a serious talk about this. ASAP.

"Dimwits" She muttered under her breath.

Remy laughed out loud this time.

She looked at him as if he had just lost his mind. "Did I miss something?"

He continued to laugh before finally getting out "Not really the romantic type, are you chère?"

"Haven't I asked you repeatedly, not to call me that?"

"Oui, chère."

Oh, he was having way too much fun at her expense.

"Mais, what should I call you instead?"

"I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest something novel and exciting. How about my name?"

"Tres bien. How about we make a deal? You tell me your real name, and I'll try not to offend you any more than I already have?" He actually believed that was possible.

"You already know my name"

He gave her a strange look. "If you say so. Do you have a surname, Rogue?"

"Well, sugar, I'm afraid I do have a policy against giving out that kind of personal information to strange men. That could be dangerous. Why, I hardly know you." She smiled sweetly.

"Oh come now, chère, does Remy look dangerous to you? If it's a simple matter of not knowing me well enough, I have a few ideas about how to rectify that problem." He leaned forward and winked suggestively.

"Are you always this obnoxious, or is this just for my benefit?" Rogue had had enough. The only reason, she was still sitting here was the hope that she could get more information about where Remy was headed tomorrow morning. She had no problem with the others, and didn't want to see them captured or hurt in any way. But as that old expression goes, you can't play a player. Remy was the consummate professional. The only thing she had succeeded in getting from him all day was irritated. Pushing her chair back, loudly, she rose to leave.

He was faster than she was, and was now blocking her exit from the table. "Rogue, s'il te plait, attends!" He looked contrite. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded."

She scoffed in disbelief, hands akimbo.

"Actually I did mean what you think. But I really do want to get to know you. I know taking a walk is out of the question, but we can talk, n'est-ce pas?" He grabbed both of her hands in his and looked at her. "Stay!" He seemed so sincere, she felt herself relaxing. Noticing for the first time they way his longish auburn hair fell across his cheek, his handsome face, and those eyes. Breaking out of her reverie, she withdrew from his grasp and reclaimed her seat. Focus. You may be able to salvage this evening yet.

Remy was still looking at Rogue as he sat in front of her. She averted her eyes and concentrated on her menu. "I can't leave until I've had dessert anyway."

She was smiling slightly. He wanted to reach over and touch her. Make her look at him, instead of hiding behind her menu. Remy couldn't figure out whether she detested him or was afraid of him. He was slightly put off by the fact that she seemed to like Scott and Piotr, while her reactions to him varied from overt hostility to coolly ignoring him. He was attracted to her: she was beautiful and sexy, witty and smart, and wanted nothing to do with him. Mais, he lived for challenges, and with only a few short hours to change her mind, Rogue definitely qualified as a treasure worth winning. Normally, he wouldn't bother. He didn't have to. Women liked him, and he rarely had to exert any effort for the company of one. Then again, women like Rogue were rare. He had been toying with her earlier, seeing how far he could push her. It was a game he enjoyed playing. But he realised when she was about to walk out that while he liked the intrigue, mostly he liked her company. He liked her.

Remy made a mental note to contact Lapin for information. A woman who is almost as good at keeping secrets as I am. I need to find out who she is.

Remy made a concerted effort to keep the conversation neutral. He didn't mention anything that would scare her off. No questions about her family or what she did for a living, until she was ready. They discussed her favourite dessert, basically anything of the chocolate variety, music, movies.

"Can I ask you a personal question? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Rogue surprised him with her response. "Shoot."

"Why are you going to Mississippi?"

"Well… I haven't been back in years. I miss it, you know. The weather, the people, Oh God, southern cooking, everything. I don't know. I'm just tired of being up here. I woke up the other day with a craving for fried chicken and mashed potatoes and sweet potato pudding and I realised I had to go…home. And there was nothing keeping me in Washington, anymore."

He raised an eyebrow, "Anymore." She said it so softly, he almost missed it. Hmmm. Ex-boyfriend? Husband? He was dying to ask, but he managed to stop the questions from spilling out. Almost.

"You and Kitty?"

"Yep. We're inseparable." She laughed. "Well, when she isn't ditching me for large Russian artists."

"I can't complain, chère. We would never have had this opportunity otherwise."

She played with her fork for a minute before looking up. "What about you? Where are you guys headed?

It was only fair, he reasoned. She had answered his questions. "I'm going home too. Just for a couple days. I rarely get the time away from work to visit." He was partially honest.

"Do you have a large family?" She wasn't sure why she asked. It's not like she cared. Oh yeah, information is power.

"Oui. They're great, but it can be a bit much, sometimes."

"Et toi?"

"No, only child. I always wished I had a large family though."

What am I doing? How did he make me do that? I all but told him my life story.

"Remy, I'm sorry, but I'm feeling rather tired. I have to go now."

Despite her efforts to extricate herself quickly, Remy had insisted on walking her to her door. Playing the gentleman. Anna wasn't impressed. She opened her door, said a quick good night, and made to shut it. Remy placed a hand on the door, holding it open. "Rogue?"

She looked questioningly at him, reluctantly taking the card he handed her.

"The queen of hearts? Umm, thanks, I guess."

"Turn it over"

On the other side, he had scribbled his first name and a telephone number. He could not read her expression. "How many of these do you give out in a typical week?"

"Only a few dozen" He joked. He was a little scared by the expression on her face; she looked as though she might slam the door on his hand at any moment. "I'm just kidding, Rogue. It's my cell number. Few people have it. I would like to see you again. I have to leave tomorrow, but maybe after that…If you want to." He trailed off.

He was so close to her she could feel the warmth of his body, his breath. He was looking at her, and she realised he was about to kiss her. She stepped back hastily. "Good night Remy." He pulled back, and nodded. In the shadow of the lobby, his face was inscrutable.

Finally. The safe and reassuring click as the lock turned in the door. She leaned against the door and looked at the card she still clutched in her hand. Conflicting emotions swirled through her mind, but mostly she felt anger. She was angry that she lost the wonderful caring man she planned on spending the rest of her life with, angry that she found Remy likeable, angry that for a fraction of a second she was tempted by his offer, the very man who hadtaken her life away. She was so angry she wanted to scream forever, or cry forever. Her eyes glistening with unshed tears, shestretched a trembling hand to her cell phone and dialled the number. Its time to end this.

-----------------------------

I'm sorry if it's too short, but it has to end here. I promise to be consistent though. Does that help?