A/N: We own nothing but our characters. All else belongs to Marvel! Co-written with Sky Sholtz. Be sure to check out our Armageddon story under her account!

Darkness Gathers

Part One of the Darkness Trilogy

Chapter Six

The next morning Kat made sure she was up long before anyone else was, leaving her room and the mansion just after she heard Renegade and Logan leave for their morning work-out ritual. Silently she slipped down the stairs and into the kitchen dressed in jeans, black hooded sweater and riding boots. She grabbed granola bars and a couple bottles of Coke along with some apples and oranges as she waited on toast, stuffing everything that was logical into a bag to take out to the stables with her. With toast and a thermos of coffee in hand she disappeared from the mansion, deciding to take the day to finally get some theory papers marked and catch up on some paperwork. That way she always had an escape if she needed one…there was always something that had to be done around the barn.

Renegade woke up that morning feeling happy and no longer annoyed at being surrounded by so many people all the time. Looking forward to the day she was getting ready for her usual morning routine with Wolverine despite the fact that he was generally a pain in the ass and could throw her further than he trusted her. Still it was easy to see that he protected those he loved with everything he had and was and that was endearing; not to mention that he was pretty easy on the eyes so she didn't mind him tagging along for her workouts though she was surprised he was still going after so long.

As her mind went through the her hopes for the day, like that she was kind of hoping the Cajun was cooking breakfast again and she was looking forward to a chance at a second round against Wolverine, an uneasy feeling washed over her as she realized she was starting to like living at the mansion. Shaking the thought from her head, she headed out to meet Logan for their morning workout and after a quick shower upon returning heading to the kitchen, disappointed when it wasn't Gambit cooking. Wolverine, however, was already seated at the table wearing jeans and white tank top and she tried not to let her jaw hit the ground unable to stop herself from checking out his finely sculpted physique. When Wolverine pushed to his feet not long after she was finished eating, she followed him from the room and caught up to him just outside the mansion. He was planning on catching up to Kat and having a chat about her choice of company the previous night.

"Hey! Wanna fight?"

"Not right now but if you want we can start sparring on the days we don't rock climb," he offered.

"Yay!" Renegade was unable to contain her joy at the prospect. "Are we still on for this afternoon too?"

"I wouldn't miss it, Darlin'."

Kat's plan to remain hidden in the barns lasted through the morning and into the early afternoon. She was leaning back in her chair behind her desk in the office nibbling her way through a granola bar when Logan finally caught up with her. She knew it was him before he even laid a hand on the door to open it and she sighed to herself. The one person she wouldn't be able to avoid by doing menial tasks around the barn.

"What the hell did you think you were doing last night?!" he snapped as he slammed the door closed behind himself and crossed his arms over his chest in front of it, blocking the only exit from the room.

"Trying to have a life?" she suggested not the least intimidated by him.

"So you take off all night with that damn Swamp Rat? I thought you had better taste than that, Kat!"

"We weren't gone all night! Hell we were back by twelve thirty; besides I happen to like the Cajun. It's not like he drug me to some hotel room for the night."

"Maybe not but he did make you miss team training which I got drug into!"

"What team training? I didn't hear anything about it."

"Well, expect a reaming from Scott too when he catches up to you," he turned to leave but stopped as he pulled the door open and glanced back at her over his shoulder. "Just don't fall too hard or too fast for that Cajun; he may not be there to catch you and I'll be the one to pick up the pieces."

On that comment he left, leaving Kat staring after him and wondering just how much truth might be in his words. Yet Gambit had done everything right the night before; he'd been as much of a perfect gentleman as it was capable for him to be. Then again it could just be part of his game…Kat shook her head violently at herself and growled under her breath. If anyone other than Logan had said any of that she wouldn't have thought twice about it but now she really didn't know what to think. Granted she had her empathy to rely on but she wasn't about to go around reading her teammates without permission…or at all if she could help it. It was always hard to keep the emotions of others and her own separated and there were some things she really didn't need to be feeling when it came to her friends. Not to mention trying to focus in on one specific person in a mansion full of people was more than a little difficult.

Rolling her eyes at her own self-doubt she pushed to her feet slowly and headed into the barn aisle and down to the feed room to check on the amount of feed they had on hand in the barn since her mind was not going to focus on anything major for a while until she sorted herself out a bit. Once again she found herself caught in a room with only one escape as she went through the grains that were on hand.

"Kat," Scott's voice made her pause and she sighed recognizing his tone when he was annoyed.

"Yes, Scott, I already know that I missed a training session. Really though, you should give us some kind of advance warning. You just assume I'm going to be around and that I'm not going to have a life, but occasionally I do go out."

Scott lifted an eyebrow at her straight to the point comments and sighed, "I know and it's not fair to you that we do assume that but you usually let us know where you're going and when."

Kat shrugged, "It was a last minute thing."

"That has Logan royally pissed. Just be careful in dealing with Gambit."

"Why is everyone insisting on telling me this? I've been around him as long as the rest of you…I know what he's usually like. Besides…I'm the empath here. I'll just keep a closer gauge on that than I usually would alright?"

Scott nodded, "Right…well…I'll let you know when the next team session will be and don't forget to get in some solo time as well this week."

Kat turned back to her task and rolled her eyes as Scott headed back out and to the mansion. This was turning into a bloody soap opera already and she'd only gone into town with the Cajun once. She couldn't even say that it was really a date though Renegade definitely seemed to think that it had been. She was just considering heading back inside when she caught the sound of footfalls coming towards her position once again and she groaned only to bit it off when the whiff of Gambit filtered into her mind.

"Afternoon, Cher," Gambit greeted from the doorway and Kat glanced over her shoulder from where she was pretending to be busy in time to catch the grin he sent her way.

"Hey, Gambit; I'm a little busy right now. Did you need something?"

Gambit looked a little taken aback by her dismissive tone and shook his head a little as the grin faltered, "I jus' thought we could talk."

Kat cringed a little when she turned away from him again and mentally beat herself over the head at the crestfallen expression she'd brought about in the Cajun, "I can track you down in a while when I'm done out here."

"Sure, Huntress, I be around," he muttered before he disappeared from the doorway and headed back through the barn and finally back outside.

Once outside, Gambit pulled a cigarette from his pocket and once again lit it using one of his playing cards before tossing the card away. What he didn't realize as he took his time walking across the lawn to the mansion was that Renegade, having found herself bored with everyone either in class or busy for the day, was wandering the grounds aimlessly and wasn't far off behind him. Finally spotting someone who didn't appear to be too busy to offer a little company and a few details from the previous night, she snatched a rock from the grass at her feet, took aim and let fly hitting the Cajun with enough force that he'd feel it through the leather of his trench coat.

Gambit glanced up, pulling the cigarette from his lips as he finally noticed Renegade walking towards him and he attempted a grin though it fell flat, "Hey, Cher."

"Who kicked your puppy?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You look like someone kicked your puppy."

"That suggests I have a puppy…which I don't that I know of," he attempted a grin again.

Renegade shook her head, "Aw, Gumbo that half-hearted smile isn't fooling anyone.'

Gambit sighed and shrugged a shoulder as he took a drag from his smoke, "Guess I better practice up before I head back in to deal wit' da masses den."

"Might be a good idea; but why so glum, chum?"

"Guess I jus' not used to Kat being so…dismissive of anyone for any reason."

"What did you do to set her off?"

Gambit shook his head flicking ash from the end of his smoke as he answered, "Nothing, she said she had fun…and den ducked into her room. Den today I try to go talk ta her an' she didn' have time for me."

Renegade shook her head with a sigh, "God she's bad at this."

"Or maybe she jus' not as interested as you thought," Gambit pointed out though the idea of it seemed to depress him more.

"I don't have to be psychic to know I'm right but there are two inside if you want a second opinion."

"Dey don't read people without permission an' I don't think she'd give it, Cher."

"You people have no idea how exhausting it is to give advice that isn't asked for," she sighed in exasperation. "I'll go talk to her."

"Have fun wit' dat," Gambit shot back at her before heading back into the mansion after finishing his cigarette.

Renegade shook her head and turned towards the barn after taking a deep, calming breath. She was going to get the other side of this story; maybe Gambit had just misinterpreted the way she said things. Rolling her eyes, Renegade strode through the barn aisle running into Kat who was just heading out of the office deciding it was time to get something more to eat than just granola bars…and it was Storm's night to cook.

"Hey, Renegade. What are you doing here?"

"Wandering aimlessly but since I ran into you…how was your date?"

"How many times do I have to tell you it wasn't a date?"

"At least once more," Renegade grinned and Kat rolled her eyes. "Come on…details."

"It was…fine."

"Really? Because fine is what you use to describe dinner with estranged family."

"What do you want me to say?" Kat growled narrowing her eyes.

Renegade sighed, "What did he do?"

"Nothing, he was as much the perfect gentleman as it is possible for Gambit to be. It was fun, he played poker, we ate, we shared chocolate cake, we came home," Kat snapped

"So why did you hide out here all day?"

"I had things to do," Kat snarled before brushing past Renegade and heading out of the barn.

"The tall, dark handsome Cajun should have been at the top of that list!" Renegade called after her but received only a growl in reply before door closed. "She really needs to stop hanging out with Logan all the time."

Shaking her head Renegade followed after the feral deciding that dinner sounded like a very good idea and it should be interesting to watch the irritated feral in a group of people and especially in the same room as Gambit. Not that she got to witness any such event for dinner entertainment as she nearly collided with the caramel haired feral at the doorway to the dining room.

Kat stalked through the doors of the mansion, stomach growling at the scent of Storm's cooking. That, however wasn't enough to keep her in the dining room when she stepped inside only to realize the only seats left at the table were on either side of the very Cajun she was avoiding. Biting off a snarl she spun back out the doorway, narrowly avoiding a head on collision with Renegade before disappearing up the stairs and to her favorite small library not far from her room. Renegade only shrugged; she could deal with the feral later but food needed to come now.

Once dinner was completed, Renegade caught Gambit just as they were leaving the dining room deciding she was dealing with them both at the same time since individually didn't seem to be working, "Come with me." When Gambit opened his mouth to argue not doubt she held up a finger, "Don't argue with me."

Gambit shrugged, he didn't really have anything better to do at the moment and he was curious what she had planned. Without comment he trailed after Renegade up the stairs where she checked Kat's room first. Not finding the feral there, she continued down the hall stopping at the next likely place; the library. Sticking her head inside and ensuring Gambit couldn't be seen from inside, she spotted Kat sitting with her legs curled under her in one of the overstuffed leather armchairs in the room full of bookshelves and a few chairs. Only one door existed to leave the room, a bonus in Renegade's favor since it would be easier to keep the feral inside and she doubted the girl would jump out the window.

Kat was nibbling on a granola bar, not that it was doing much to ease her hunger but it was better than nothing. Besides she could always grab some leftovers later that night when no one else was around. She didn't even glance up when the door opened; very few people ever used the room and she continued to read the leather bound book in her hand. Renegade shook her head, grabbed Gambit by the arm and pulled him into the room before she closed the door and leaned back against it; the sound of the door closing the scent of the two others in the room finally brought Kat's head up.

"Listen up, Kitty Kat. It's time for Couple's Therapy," Renegade announced and barely ducked out of the way of the heavy leather book that Kat threw at her head though the feral remained seated with her legs curled under her body.

"Don't call me that," Kat growled, refusing to even acknowledge the fact that Gambit was there as well, despite being surrounded by his scent.

"So here's what's going to happen…" Renegade started.

"And after locking a feral in a small room you start giving orders?" Kat interrupted narrowing her eyes which she carefully made sure never landed on the Cajun.

"Dis is a bad idea," Gambit muttered.

"Maybe so but there's no turning back now; so here's what's going to happen: you two are going to tell each other how you feel."

"I feel like maiming Renegade," Kat snarled.

"Well that covers me but how about Gambit?"

Gambit shook his head but decided to play the game anyway since Kat only growled and seemed to grow tenser in her position in her chair, nails digging into the leather arms, "Gambit play dis game for now. Gambit like to know what he did to piss you off."

"I'm not pissed off at you," Kat growled finally acknowledging his presence though her demeanour seemed to get more aggressive when she did.

"You could have fooled me, Cher."

"Well since Kat doesn't seem to want to cooperate, Gambit why don't you start. How do you feel about her…well…other than hurt?"

Kat's gaze finally flickered to Gambit and there was more than a touch of fear in her gaze though she quickly looked away and the Cajun missed it; Renegade however did not as Gambit shrugged a shoulder, "I like you…as more than jus' a friend, Cher."

"Only until you get what you want."

Gambit shook his head and closed the distance between where he was standing and her chair, crouching in front of her, his hands on the arms of the chair and she seemed to pull back away from him as much as she could without getting up, "There's more to it den dat. Give me a chance and I'll prove it."

"I don't give chances easily…not anymore," Kat muttered refusing to look at him even though his gaze never left her face.

Renegade groaned and shook her head, "Sorry, Gambit. I was really pulling for you; I know she likes you but apparently she's just too much of a scaredy cat to do anything about it."

Kat shot Renegade a briefly shocked look before outright anger took its place and she snarled. She couldn't argue though and Renegade knew it. She had no idea why the feral was so terrified to do anything about the way she felt but she knew fear and the act of distancing oneself when she saw it. Gambit quirked a brow and glanced over his shoulder at Renegade, though now that she pointed it out he was beginning to notice it to. She was hiding fear with aggression.

Gambit turned his attention back to Kat, "Dat true, Kat?"

Kat turned her gaze to Gambit's, eyes wide but she didn't say anything. The look on her face was more than enough to tell him that Renegade had it all too right but she didn't say it and she uncurled her legs and scooted her back up the back of the chair until she was sitting on top of it, her bare feet on the seat. She knew that by getting into a relationship with anyone meant that eventually they'd learn about her past and there were things that even she couldn't accept about it, never mind that she'd be able to voice and explain.

Renegade tapped a foot and crossed her arms over her chest, still leaning back against the door as Gambit stood but didn't move away from the chair when Renegade finally spoke again, "Come on, Kat. It's not hard, you open your mouth and words come out."

Kat's eyes hardened instantly as she looked over Gambit's shoulder and caught Renegade with a fierce, predatory glare until Gambit leaned forward, hands braced on either side of her hips on the back of the chair and spoke, "What is it dat you're so afraid of? I've watched you face down things that most would consider nightmares without batting an eye."

Kat's gaze flickered back to Gambit's, the glare fading and she shook her head wanting to slide further back away from him but not wanting to fall off the chair as she muttered, "It's complicated and personal."

"Come on, Cher. You trust me ta watch your back in a fight but not ta talk ta me?"

"It's not that…I don't trust myself or my empathic control. My past isn't exactly sunshine and roses, Remy."

"Whose is, Kat? I don't care about your past."

"You should; it's dangerous, Remy and one day it's going to come back and bite me in the ass. I don't want you hurt in the crossfire. Besides…my past made me what I am."

"Maybe it be worth it, no?"

"No because I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you because of me."

Renegade was getting more and more annoyed at the way the two were dancing around each other and finally snapped in annoyance, "Oh my God! What is wrong with you? You two like each other; you're already in constant danger all the time anyway! Just…be together!"

Kat jerked at Renegade's sudden outburst and swayed on the back of the chair, instinctively reaching out and catching Gambit by the collar of his coat even as he moved and set a steadying hand over the back of her hip fingers brushing against skin where her shirt didn't quite meet the hem of her low rise jeans. The instant she was balanced, Gambit closed the distance between them, not giving her the chance to speak or move away before his lips were pressed against hers and she stiffened in shock momentarily. Sighing internally, he started to pull away only to have her pull him back to her by the hand still fisted in the collar of his coat as his lips left hers.

As soon as his tongue touched her lips all thought fled her mind and she leaned into him a little more, her free hand that had been on the back of the chair moved to slide up his neck and into his shoulder length hair that he'd left loose for the day.

Unbeknownst to the two of them as they both tuned out the world around them, Renegade grinned and before she slipped out the door muttered to herself, "My work here is done."

Kat melted against Gambit as he continued to kiss her. Completely forgetting the precarious position they were in, he brought his free hand that had been balancing him against the back of the chair by her hip to the back of her neck, nudging her head to a slightly different angle just before his weight sent the chair, and the two mutants, crashing backwards to the floor. Gambit attempted to shift his own body enough that he didn't land completely on top of Kat as she landed flat on her back with a grunt.

"Ouch," she muttered a little breathless from both the kiss and the fall.

Gambit chuckled and lifted his upper body up on one elbow as he looked down at her, "Well, dat's one way to end a kiss."

Kat rolled her eyes, "A painful one too. Remind me why I was avoiding that though?"

Gambit only continued to grin with a shrug, "You tell me, Cher. One good thing came from this fall though." Kat gave him a confused look and he continued in a teasing tone. "At least I got you on your back."

Gambit chuckled and Kat rolled her eyes before shoving him to the side and rolling away from him with her own grin watching as he got to his feet and offered a hand to pull her to hers before she spoke again, "Remind to kill Renegade…and then thank her."

A/N: Alrighty! There it is. Another chapter for your enjoyment! Until next time…stay frosty!