Yeah... so here's chapter twelve... not sure why it's not still chapter eleven cause... well... I guess then it's just chapter eleven part two... but then that would just be chapter 11.5... and I don't think there's much point in that... so we'll just round it up. :)

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If you were a poor Indian with no weapons, and a bunch of conquistadors came up to you and asked where the gold was, I don't think it would be a good idea to say, "I swallowed it. So sue me." - Deep Thoughts.

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12

The phone's light ring caused AJ to sit upright and yank her cell phone out of the pocket of her jeans that sat next to her bed. She ripped it open instinctively and held it up to her ear.

"Hello?" She smacked a hand to her forehead after the action, knowing full well who would be on the other end.

"So y'do get reception out there. I was startin' t'wonder if maybe you were ignoring me." Logan rumbled on the other end.

"Right. What's up?" She whispered, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed as she rubbed the back of her neck. He knew her well. Well enough to know that the only time he'd be able to catch her off guard was when she was asleep.

"What's up? That's all you say to me? Who the hell do you think you are?" Logan growled. "You take off halfway across the states, eggin' on the younger ones… takin' Scotts car and wife…"

"Please Logan… we both know she offered to come. And that she talks to Scott at least once a day." She let out a short breath "And you'll be happy to know that my efforts didn't go to vein. I… yes me… managed to save Gambit."

"What makes you think I'd be happy to know that? I'd be happy to know when you girls are back here in one piece."

" Logan, they were going to kill him."

"Don't care. I told you not to go after 'em."

"Kill! Kill him! Like kill him dead?" She started to raise her voice. "I can't believe you."

"Look kid-"

"Don't call me kid you stubborn bastard."

Rogue and Gambit exchanged a tired look as AJ stood up and stomped out of the hotel room.

"You got a lot a nerve you know that!"

He snorted. "Sure I do."

After a beat AJ sucked in a breath. "What's the real reason you're so pissed off at me? Huh? Because I acted like a responsible member of a team… offering help when another team mate was in trouble? Just because Gambit's not there any more doesn't make him any less of a member. And you know it. You know I'm right. That's why you're pissed off."

"You couldn't be more wrong." He grunted "Yer less of a member of this team then he is."

Her jaw dropped as she listened to the sound of him slamming the phone down in her ear. She looked at the cell phone in slight shock. Did he just hang up on her? She clenched her jaw tightly before hurling her cell phone over the balcony with as much force as she could muster.

She seethed silently on the balcony before running a hand through her now completely dry blonde hair.

Her mind raced wildly as she replayed the conversation over. He was a jerk! Had he always been such an ass?

He's just protective. She thought to herself He didn't mean what he said. She pressed her lips together with a frown. Right? She crossed her arms tightly, leaning against the banister.

Her mind was so distracted, by the time she realized what was going on it was too late. He'd come up from behind her grabbing her blonde hair and slamming her against the wooden post that supported the balcony above them. He kept her pushed up against the post, moving up to her ear.

"Nice hair." He hissed. "Y' really t'ink y'could hide from me?"

He yanked her hair before she could answer, slamming her head against the post again.

"Y'don' know who y'messin with do ya?" He pushed the hair away from her ear as he spoke. "Who hired you?"

She ran her tongue along her lower lip, tasting the blood that trickled from the cut he'd caused. "You don't understand…"

He spun her around, slamming her against the pole, whacking her head with a sickening thud.

His hand was firmly wrapped around her neck, holding her head against the pole. "Ah understand y'killed mah brother. Did y'really t'ink ah wouldn't figure it out?"

"No… you don't…" She gasped, he took both of her hands with his free hand, tightening the grip he had on her neck.

"Y'got three seconds t'tell me who hired you t'kill Remy."

"He…" She sucked in a small breath. "He's not…"

"One." Henri pulled her backwards, slamming her against the wall of the hotel.

"Henri… I didn't-"

"Two." He hissed through clenched teeth.

"He's not-"

"Three."

Before Henri had a chance to follow through with his threat, the door swung open. "AJ?" Rogue froze.

"Gambit!" AJ shouted in Herni's lapse of concentration.

Remy came to a stop behind Rogue with a frown. "Everyt'in alright out…"

Henri's hand dropped as he stared at his younger brother, AJ slid to the ground, gripping her neck with a gasp.

"Remy? Dat you!" He shook his head "You… you were dead."

"Non!" Gambit smiled, hugging his brother. "Dese Remy's friends. Dey saved me."

Henri looked at Rogue, pressing his lips together.

"Non… non Henri. We all sharin' dis room… three beds." He shook his head. "It ain't like dat."

Henri looked at AJ, offering his hand to help her up with a small apologetic smile. "Sorry chère."

AJ touched her cut lip with a frown, taking his hand and pulling herself back onto her feet. "Yeah."

"Dey found out d'assassins were set t'kill me. Came up wit' a plan t'get me outta dere."

Henri frowned. "Y'should be gone by now."

"Gone?" Rogue furrowed her brow.

"It ain't safe fo'yo friends here. If ah could track y'down…" He looked at AJ "Dey can't be far behind."

She pressed her lips together with a small nod. "We're gone first thing in the morning."

Henri looked at his younger bother again with a small smile. "Don' come back frère. Dey find out… dey kill y'fo real. M'sure père wouldn' hesitate t'do d'same either…"

Gambit pursed his lips before nodding slowly.

"Ah'll do mah best to throw 'em off yo'friend's scent." He looked at AJ. "She's pretty good..."

"Trust me. They don't know." AJ crossed her arms and looked at Gambit.

He looked at Henri with a grin "She got talent Henri. Don' t'ink dey know at all."

"Y'better hope dey don't. An' dat dey don' find out."

His brother held out a hand that Gambit took firmly, giving it a shake before Henri pulled him in for a hug.

"Take care Remy."

Gambit hugged him back, nodding silently before pulling back. "You too Henri."

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Why didn't I just make that one really long chapter you ask? I'll tell you why... "I don't really know." LOL! meh. makes it easier to read or... stuff... (shrug) stop asking questions and review! Geeze... :) I'm kidding! I heart you all!