Chapter 5: Piotr

The deaths of Professor Xavier, Jean, and Scott had put a significant hole in the school's teaching capacity. Storm had managed to fill the hole, numbers wise, with Logan, her former classmate Morph, and a human friend of Hank's, Dr Ashley Ashton, who was as intelligent as she was fat. Between the three of them, they'd managed to cover the missing subjects, all but one: Art. For that, they ask Piotr to step in, making him the youngest of the teaching staff, and possibly the most overworked.

Piotr sighed as he put down a stack of papers on Gambit's desk.

"Alright, these are all the tests, and this is the key," he said, gesturing to the papers in turn. "Write down how many they got right," he pointed, "here and on the front of the test."

"No problem," Gambit said, picking up the first test.

"It's pretty easy, it's just time consuming," Piotr went on. "Thanks for this, Remy. I appreciate it."

Gambit waved a hand. "It's the least I can do. You've got enough on your plate without worrying about minutia like this.

Piotr sighed again as he headed over to his own desk. "When I agreed to this, I did not think it would be such a big juggling act."

"Well," Gambit said. "If there's anything else I can do to help, just let me know."

"I'll keep that in mind."

And in silent, mutual agreement, the two men began attending to their work.

Gambit attended the older high school students regular art class, though unlike them, he wasn't actually being graded. He liked it well enough, though he knew it would never be his hobby. He actually found he enjoyed the theory classes more than the practical ones. He even did the multi choice test Piotr had assigned just for kicks: but only because he intended to check the answers himself, not get Piotr to do it, which led to his marking all the tests now.

He supposed his interest in art theory came from his exposure to certain pieces in the LeBeau mansion, and past interactions with art thieves.

He checked each test with the key, and marked each one off as Piotr had instructed. The final test was his own, and he felt smug when the key indicated that he got every single answer right. He set the test aside separately, then stretched his arms above his head and looked at the clock. His eyes nearly bulged out.

"Wow, is that the time?" Gambit exclaimed.

Piotr looked up, then glanced at the clock, then looked back at Gambit with a small smile. "Yes, that is the time."

"Well, you did tell me it was time consuming," he said as he stood and gathered the students' tests. "These are all done."

"Great. Thank you again," Piotr replied as Gambit put the papers on his desk. "How'd you do? On your own one, I mean."

"Oh, 100%," Gambit said with a grin. "Go me."

"Go you."

"Anyway, I'll let you get on with it," Gambit said, and gave him a sly wink. "Unless of course, you want this interruption to go for longer?"

"It is tempting," Piotr admitted ruefully, and gestured to his work. "But I really need to get this done."

"Sure thing. Catcha later."

"See you."

Gambit headed out of the classroom, making sure to close the door on his way out. He liked Piotr. The Russian was a quiet, unassuming man, who would make anyone a good, reliable friend. Gambit had never met anyone so unlikely to stab someone in the back in his life. In some ways it seemed strange to Gambit that he could even become friends with someone who was the antithesis of almost everyone he'd ever known. On the other hand, almost everyone he'd ever known had kicked him out of their lives, so maybe it wasn't that surprising.

"Popcorn!"

Logan paused the simulation the moment Gambit's use of the safe word registered. The X-Men then heard his voice through the speakers: "Everybody out!"

Piotr looked over at Gambit, who was just nearby. Gambit's attention was entirely focused on the cheap staff in his hands, which was growing brightly. This was starting to become a regular occurrence at their once-a-week sessions with Gambit.

The X-Men hurriedly evacuated the Danger Room, and the moment the main doors were shut, Logan gave Gambit the all-clear. While most of the team hung around the doors, Piotr took the liberty of going down the hall to the uniform room.

The uniform room held the official X-Men uniforms, but it also held a large quantity of Xavier school tracksuits. Piotr took one of the suits, and a new pair of boxers from the underwear drawer.

When Piotr got back to the group, he found them chatting around the doorway, and stifled a sigh when he realised that none of them had bothered to draw the screen across. He put the clothes down just in front of the doors, then pulled across the privacy screen, so that when Gambit picked up his clothing he could do so without flashing everyone.

"Oh, whoops," Rogue said when she realised what he was doing. "Thanks Pete. At least one of us remembered."

He gave her a nod.

Piotr finished setting up the screen, and then joined the others in their conversation. Not that he said much: he was more inclined to listen while others talked.

The Danger Room doors opened again, then closed, and shortly opened again. Gambit emerged from behind the screen, looking frazzled, but no one commented on what happened. They'd learnt after the first time that commenting just embarrassed Gambit, which resulted in him needing a second change of clothes.

A minute later, Logan emerged from the control room.

"Alright kids, we're close enough to time that we're just going to finish here today," he said.

Before any of them could voice their approval, Logan barrelled on with giving them their feedback for the session. His critiques were strong, his compliments few, and not even Gambit was spared.

"I expect better next time," he finished up with. "You're dismissed."

And with those words, Logan turned on his heel and departed. The X-Men wisely didn't voice any of the things they would've liked to have said in response. They learnt that the hard way. Instead they began down the hall to the changerooms.

"You know, Remy," Rogue said as they walked together. "One of these days, we're going to have to find something different for you to change into. Don't get me wrong, no one rocks the school tracksuit like you do, but I think I'd like to see you in something different."

"Oh, I look good in anything, ma chere. I even look good in a potato sack," Gambit replied with a nod.

"Personal experience?" Bobby asked teasingly.

"Actually yes. What, you think this is the first time my clothes have been blown up?" The fact that the one time he'd dressed in a potato sack happened long before he was even capable of blowing things up was besides the point.

"I now have this image of Remy completely naked except for a potato sack," Kitty said, looking like she wasn't quite sure what to do with the image.

"Yeah, same," Rogue said musingly to her friend. "It's not a bad image actually. Maybe we should leave him a potato sack next time instead of the tracksuit and see it in person."

Gambit chuckled.

"Nah," Jubilee said as she walked backwards towards the ladies' changeroom. "I'm thinking we should go fancy: tailcoat, waistcoat, top hat, and ascot."

"And nothing else," Rogue said jokingly, the same time Kitty said: "And a cane."

The women looked at each other and chuckled as they reached the door of their changeroom.

"I also happen to know I look great in a designer silk shirt," Gambit said. "Has to be pink, though. And not some wimpy pink that can almost pass for white in the right light. A real pink, like magenta."

"Like your charges?" Bobby asked cheekily. "No, wait, not that pink. That is the pink of doom."

"No, better idea," Rogue cut in before anyone else could respond. "Cowboy outfit."

Kitty giggled as she headed inside the changeroom. "Noir style detective."

"Ooh, ohh," Jubilee said as she and Rogue followed Kitty inside. "Elvis."

There was more laughter, but any more suggestions couldn't be heard by the men, as they'd walked into their own changeroom.

Gambit was busy installing a new handle on one of the classroom doors (the previous one had been melted by one of the students), when Piotr came down the hall. Piotr walked with heavier than usual footfalls, and when Gambit glanced up, he got the impression that Piotr was doing so deliberately in order not to startle him. Gambit appreciated his thoughtfulness.

"Hey Pete," Gambit greeted him. "Whatcha doing in this neck of the woods this time of night?"

It wasn't at all unusual for Gambit to do the bulk of his maintenance work at night. Of course, some of it was noisy, or needed better light that could be acquired at that time, but most of it could be done without disturbing anyone's sleep. Except maybe Logan's.

"Looking for you, actually," Piotr said as he closed the distance between them. "I know you don't like to leave the school much, but they have a new exhibit open at the art museum, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."

Gambit blinked in surprise. "Me? Wouldn't you prefer to go with one of your college buddies?" Gambit then smiled slyly. "Or Kitty?"

Piotr's face switched from calm to bashful in record speed. "Uh…"

"I mean, I'm not one to pass up a trip to an art gallery," or the chance to check out their security system, "I just wouldn't have thought I'd be your first choice of company."

Piotr cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Well, um, that is… See the thing is…" he forced himself to take a deep breath. "Well, you would definitely appreciate the gallery more than Kitty. But ah, well, I actually wanted to talk to you about something. Um, away from potential eavesdroppers." If it was possible for Piotr to look more uncomfortable, he did.

"Oh?" and when Piotr only shuffled his feet in response, Gambit continued with: "Secret guys stuff, huh?"

"Uh, yeah," Piotr replied, looking relieved.

Gambit nodded, feeling mildly amused at the entire exchange. "Alright, count me in. When did you want to go?"

Gambit and Piotr walked around the art exhibit in companionable silence. Both would admire the pieces, but while Piotr would further contemplate each, Gambit would discreetly check out security. He had no particular interest in robbing the museum at this time, he just liked to stay in practice.

"So," Piotr said after contemplating a particular painting for a time. "What do you think of this one?"

"Hmm." Gambit reconsidered the painting. "It's a little loud for my tastes."

Piotr chuckled and Gambit grinned at him.

"If you were looking for something deep and meaningful, you invited the wrong person," Gambit said and glanced at the artist's name. "I haven't heard of this guy either."

"I haven't either," Piotr replied with a shrug. "As long as you're interested and not standing around bored, then I invited the right person."

"Heh. I like art, I just can't make it." Gambit winked slyly at Piotr. "Those who can't, critique?"

Piotr smiled and gestured towards the next painting. "So, there was something I wanted to ask you…"

"Ah, yes, the secret guy stuff," Gambit said musingly. "Ask away."

"Well, you've got a lot of experience with dating, right? I mean, that's the impression I got, plus you're always flirting with the girls…" he trailed off uncertainly.

"Yeah, I've got a lot of experience," Gambit replied cheerfully. "Probably a lot more than is, ah, appropriate, given that I'm not quite 19 yet." He grinned mischievously at Piotr. "This got something to do with Kitty?"

Piotr sighed as he stood in front of the next painting. "Am I that obvious?"

"Yep," Gambit said, then shrugged. "Well, to me anyway. Don't know if anyone else would've. Kitty wouldn't have though."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because that's the cliche."

"Oh. Right." Piotr frowned. "I was hoping you might have some advice for asking her out?"

"Don't have to do anything fancy, though it might help if you have an actual date in mind. Dinner somewhere. Somewhere nice, that is. Dates at takeaway places are for kids," Gambit replied. "You just say something like: hey Kitty, would you like to go on a date with me this Saturday."

"Ah. Right," Piotr said, sounding like someone who was trying not to be nervous.

"Of course, the hard part is actually working up the nerve to say the words in the first place," Gambit went on knowingly.

Piotr chuckled nervously. "Yes."

"I'm gonna help you out here, mon ami," Gambit said. "Now, when you ask her, would you rather it was just you and Kitty in the room? Or would you like me there for moral support?"

"Oh um." Piotr licked his lips. "I… I think I'd like some moral support."

"Alright, here's what we'll do. We'll wait until Kitty's hanging out with Rogue and/or Jubilee and we can reasonably expect not to be interrupted. I'll chat up her friends off to the side," Gambit said and caught the apprehensive look on Piotr's face. "That way she'll have moral support of her own."

"Ah."

"So," Gambit said, and gestured to the painting before them. "What do you think?"

"Huh?" Piotr looked at the painting as if only just seeing it for the first time. "Oh, um, it's peaceful, I think. Serene. I like the way the moon reflects on the surface. Yes, it is very peaceful, a little melancholy, but peaceful."

Gambit nodded and pointed. "I like the owl. It makes me thinks of Hedwig."

Two weeks passed without a good opportunity to ask Kitty out, much to Gambit's growing exasperation. To be fair, he supposed it was true enough that their schedules often conflicted: both had their own college classes and studies to attend to, plus their X-Men duties, and Piotr's teaching duties on top of that.

Gambit sat in art class, doing his own thing, while the other students focused on the art projects they were going to be assessed on. They had particular criteria they had to meet: Gambit was free to do whatever he wanted. The first couple of lessons on these projects, he had amused himself by following the assessment criteria, but today he just wasn't in the mood to deal with that, and was instead drawing with pencil and ruler on multiple large sheets of paper.

Piotr periodically walked around the room, checking on the student's progress and seeing if they wanted any help or advice with anything. During one trip around the room, he stopped at Gambit's desk and peered over his shoulder. He frowned.

"Are you drawing floor plans?" Piotr asked as he leaned in to study them further. "Of the school?"

Gambit grinned up at him. "Yep. I was in a mood."

Piotr tilted his head to the side. "These look like they may even be close to accurate." He picked up one of the other sheets, as Gambit had a different floor of the mansion on each sheet.

"Might be. I have been over ever inch of this school in the last five months," Gambit said. "And yes, that does include the ladies' only areas, although I've only gone in there in the middle of the night to do repairs."

Piotr shook his head. "Is this something you like? Floor plans? Architecture?"

Gambit shrugged. Most of his interest in the subject was professional. "A little, I suppose. Why? Gonna recommend a new hobby for me?"

"Sort of, I guess," Piotr replied, sounding a little embarrassed at having been called out. "My sister Illyana likes to play this game called The Sims."

"Yeah, I've heard of it."

"Different people get different things out of the game, I understand it. Illyana just likes to play with the sims themselves, but there are those who just like to make mods or," Piotr smiled, "build houses."

"Ahh, and you think I might be interested in that?"

Piotr shrugged. "It is only a thought. If you're not, you're not. I believe that Kitty will be demoing The Sims at the next Games Day."

Gambit grinned wickedly at Piotr. "Kitty likes it too, huh?"

"Ahem, yes," Piotr replied and looked up at the clock, then said out loud to the class: "Okay everyone, time to pack up."

Gambit chuckled to himself as Piotr headed back to his desk. The students were swift in their packing up, and were promptly out the door when the bell rang. Gambit, not being in any particular rush, ambled over to Piotr.

"When is the next Games Day anyway?" Gambit asked.

"Oh, um, next Saturday I think." Piotr paused and frowned. "Or maybe it's the week after?"

"Well, maybe we can ask Kitty tonight," Gambit suggested mischievously.

"Oh, maybe." Piotr sounded reluctant.

"Something wrong?"

"It's just that, well, there never seems to be a good time to ask her on a date," Piotr lamented. "Perhaps I shouldn't bother. All this is just showing me that even if we did find that one opportunity, I'm just too busy to have a girlfriend."

Gambit shrugged. "There's always time for what's important. You make time. And if you can't make time, then maybe it's not really all that important. Or your priorities need reevaluating."

"Maybe." Piotr sighed. "I keep thinking teaching would be so much easier if I had a partner. Well, it would be easier still if Storm can find a permanent art teacher, but I expect we cannot count on that happening any time soon."

"Hmm." Gambit considered for a moment. "Well, I could take over the theory classes."

Piotr blinked at him. "You?"

Gambit smiled at the shock in his friend's tone. "Sure, why not? Okay, I'm not an art expert, but I'm sure I can pass on the stuff in the curriculum. I handle the kids who are rostered onto kitchen duty with me just fine."

"I've found the kitchen is a lot different from the classroom," Piotr said hesitantly, but Gambit could tell he was considering the idea.

Gambit shrugged. "Probably. But I'm pretty sure that 'don't piss me off or stuff will blow up' will scare 'em into good behaviour."

"Or they will take it as a challenge," Piotr said with the voice of someone who has been there, done that.

Gambit opened his mouth to reply, paused to consider, then shrugged. "Alright, you might have a point there. I mean, sure, they might stop misbehaving when someone gets hurt, but I think I speak for us all when I say it's better if they don't get hurt in the first place."

Piotr smiled. "I appreciate the offer. I will think on it, and we can talk to Storm about it. But I am not convinced it is the wisest course of action right now."

"Maybe not. Hey, you're free tonight, right?"

"Yeah."

"Meet you in the rec room after dinner? Maybe we'll get lucky."

"Maybe." Piotr didn't look at all convinced, and a little like he hoped the opportunity wouldn't come up.

They soon parted ways after that, and Gambit immediately went looking for Rogue. If the chance for Piotr to ask Kitty out wasn't going to come naturally, then he was going to make it happen.

Gambit and Piotr were almost at the rec room when Bobby, Pyro, and Morph came rushing out.

"Whoa guys," Bobby said, holding up his hands at the sight of them. "You do not want to go int here right now. They're talking about periods."

Gambit, although pleased that Rogue had successfully managed to drive out the boys, was utterly disgusted at her method. He gave them a look of astonished contempt.

"Seriously? You guys discuss bodily functions all that time," he said. "You have farting contests and share toilet humour, but menstruation bothers you?"

"Well, yeah," Pyro said, turning up his nose. "It's gross."

"It's no more gross than defecation and urination, and I don't see any of you leaving the room when those subjects come up," Gambit insisted.

"I disagree."

"Why? Because women experience it and you don't?" Gambit asked. "If you were real men, you'd realise that menstruation is just another natural bodily function and you'd better support the women in your life by actually learning something about it." And because he didn't want to encourage them to return to the rec room when Rogue had gone to so much trouble to drive them out: "Now I want you to go to your rooms and think about what you've done. Come on, Pete."

Gambit dragged a little reluctant Piotr into the rec room, and pointedly shut the door.

"Hey guys," Rogue greeted them, looking positively gleeful as she leaned on the back of the lounge.

"Hello ladies. Did we miss the period discussion?"

"Yes. You're safe." Rogue smirked.

"Safe? From what?" Gambit asked, as he swaggered over to the lounge Rogue and Jubilee were on. "Is there something dangerous about discussing menstruation I don't know about?"

"No…" Rogue said slowly, and eyed him curiously as he sat down between her and Jubilee. "The topic doesn't bother you?"

"No, why should it?"

"Huh. You're about the only guy I know who it doesn't bother then," Rogue said, paused, and then added. "Except maybe Logan. I suspect it doesn't bother him either."

"Oh, it doesn't bother Logan at all," Kitty said. "It might have bothered him once, but not any more. Let's face it, the guy can probably smell it."

"The mansion must be filled with a lovely aroma that time of the month," Rogue said with a smirk.

Gambit caught Piotr's confused look. "When women live together, their cycles tend to sync up."

"Oh." A blush filled Piotr's face.

"Aww, we're making Petey uncomfortable," Kitty said. "Let's change the subject."

"Yes, let's," Rogue replied, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Which reminds me: Jubes, I've been meaning to ask you, where did you get that coat, and did they have it in green?"

While Rogue and Jubilee talked, Gambit gave Piotr a not-at-all subtle nod towards Kitty. Piotr looked at Kitty, then back at Gambit, who gave another nod. He swallowed hard, and looking positively terrified, walked slowly towards Kitty. Gambit turned back to the conversation.

"Oh, you know what we should do?" Jubilee said. "We should go shopping!"

"Ooh, yes we should," Rogue replied agreeably. "This Saturday?"

"Is the Games Day on this Saturday?" Gambit asked.

"No, next Saturday," Rogue said. "Gonna come with?"

"Well, I'd like to," Gambit said. "But I have a feeling I'm on kitchen duty."

"Oh yeah? What meal?" Rogue asked, then shook her head. "What am I saying? You're always on dinner."

"You must really hate Games Day," Jubilee said teasingly. "You have to get up before noon."

Gambit sighed dramatically. "We all have our cross to bear," he said with a quick glance past Jubilee to see Piotr nervously talking quietly to Kitty.

Rogue whacked him over the shoulder. "Dork. So, what's on the menu?"

He shrugged. "Haven't decided yet."

"I want your roast beef," Rogue informed him in no uncertain terms. "I love your roast beef."

He chuckled. "It's really not that great."

"It really is," Rogue insisted. "It's succulent and delicious, and even though you gave me the recipe, I still can't make roast beef like you."

"Yours is a little dry," Gambit said thoughtfully.

"There! You see! Yours is better," Rogue said. "I love it when you're on kitchen. You always make delicious stuff."

Gambit shook his head.

"No, it's true," Jubilee said, and Gambit took advantage of her speech to glance at Piotr and Kitty once again: they were talking, and Piotr had a particularly happy look on his face. "The standard of meals definitely has gone up since you started kitchen duty."

"Well, I can tell you why that is," Gambit said. "It's because I don't plan my meals around how much effort writing up the ingredient lists takes. I saw it the whole time I was sitting in on everyone else's kitchen duty: you let paperwork dictate your meal plans."

"And what do you plan your menus around?" Jubilee asked.

"Whatever I happen to feel like eating."

Jubilee laughed.

Rogue gave Gambit a nudge and called over to Kitty and Piotr. "Hey, what's with the goofy looks, you two? Sharing secrets?"

"Oh, um, no," Kitty replied while Piotr blushed. "Pete just asked me out on a date."

Jubilee squealed as she turned to face them. "Omigod, really? I'm so happy for you! When are you going? What are you doing? You have to tell me all about it!"

Rogue gave Gambit another nudge and held up her hand, palm out towards him.

"Heh, well, um, we're going to go out this Saturday, and that's all I'm saying for now," Kitty said. "You're just going to have to wait, along with the rest of us."

Gambit discreetly gave Rogue a high five.

"I have to wait?" Jubilee demanded dramatically. "In our instant gratification society? What an outrageous thing to say."

Kitty just laughed at her.