The Beast walked through the door and glanced around the hallway. He inwardly sighed for no one else appeared to know he had been gone and he was happy for that. He really didn't want the others to know just yet with what he was doing.

"I only wish they would trust her more. At least give her a chance to prove herself. It's true she could have some part in the attacks but I don't understand why she would help me if she were," he muttered.

He began to head towards his room, taking his hat off along the way. Footsteps soon filled his ears and Rogue stepped into the hallway from her room. She didn't see him at first because of a book she was reading.

"Hello Rogue," he finally said.

Rogue glanced up from the book and a smile crossed her face.

"Oh, Hank. You startled me there. Didn't think you were going to be back in time for the meeting," she said.

"Oh, what makes you think I would've been longer?" he wondered.

"Logan told Storm and I where you were going darlin'. I really do hope that you made some sort of consolation with her," Rogue replied.

Hank gave a smile and Rogue swore she could see a hint of sadness in his face. He motioned for her to move and they headed towards the meeting together. Rogue couldn't help but think there was more going on than what he let on.

00000

Gambit walked through the mansion with relative ease, taking in every detail he could for he knew that he might bump into either the professor or Wolverine, which could jeopardize the entire situation.

'I'm glad Kat knows the risk I'm putting myself in for her,' he thought.

He soon came across Cyclops, who evidently had an upset look upon his face.

"Where have you been, Gambit? Have you forgotten about the meeting?" he demanded.

"Of course not, mon ami. I was just coming as we speak," Gambit replied.

Cyclops watched as the Cajun walked through the doors. Inside the room, he found everyone else, including the Beast.

'Now to see of this stuff actually works,' he thought.

He stood just inside the door and leaned against the wall, carefully eying the others. The two he was worried about the most right now were the professor and Wolverine. Charles Xavier was in the middle of the group about to talk to them while the diminutive Canadian stood on the other side of the room.

"Listen everyone, I know some of you are concerned about recent events with Magneto but hopefully, we'll be able to talk things through before he lands another assault on someone else," Xavier told them.

Gambit carefully watched the group, waiting for the moment of attack. He listened to what the professor had to say concerning Magneto and what he thought the mutant's plans were.

"Why are we even botherin' with Magneto anyway? We get nowhere every time we see 'im," he suddenly blurted out.

The entire group glanced in his direction, wondering what was going through his mind. Wolverine stepped forward, arms crossed.

"If Magneto ain't a threat, Gumbo, I'd like to hear why you suddenly think so," he snarled.

"Magneto always executes his plans, we foil dem, and then he start all over again with someting else. Wat's da point of it all? We'll never be able to stop 'im. Besides, how do we know he hasn't started anyting already?" he replied.

Gambit stepped up to Wolverine, the moment of truth now upon him. His claws emerged from their hiding spot and Wolverine simply stood there, an angry growl emitting from his throat.

"We'll deal with this later Cajun," Wolverine growled at him.

Gambit gave a sigh of relief as he retracted his claws and walked away. The Cajun retreated back to the door, away from the group and crossed his arms. He carefully listened in on the group and the topic slowly shifted.

"Hank, have you made any progress on who's behind the attacks?" Xavier asked the blue-furred mutant.

"Unfortunately, I've made no progress in finding the culprit. The attacks, as bizarre as they are in nature, have given me no leads as to who it might be," Hank replied.

"Are you certain your new girlfriend can't help you?" Wolverine smirked.

Hank blushed as the word 'girlfriend' popped up into the conversation. He looked around at the group to find odd looks on their faces before he landed on the professor, who patiently waited for an explanation.

"It's the young woman I told you about earlier. She lives around that area and she might have seen or heard something," Hank finally told them.

"Right, the one you wanted us to help. I still don't think we should trust anything she says just yet," Cyclops said.

Gambit took another chance by stepping forward. Wolverine carefully eyed him, wondering what kind of move the Cajun would pull now.

"I with da Beast. She could 'elp a lot wit dis if given da chance," Gambit smiled.

Rogue narrowed her eyes as she stepped up to his side, placing a hand on his shoulder. She carefully looked him over as if trying to find something wrong with his appearance.

"Wat's wrong chere? You no like me now?" he asked her.

She sighed before shaking her head and facing the others. She found they were not scrutinizing her and she hoped she would not regret what she was about to say.

"I have to agree with Gambit. Sure, we don't know her and all, but there also has to be a certain amount of trust involved. I'd like to meet her first and then decide whether or not she may be connected with these attacks," she told them.

The others glanced at each other, uncertain how to respond. No one else said a word for several longs moments before the professor moved his chair forward.

"If you feel you must do this, I would advise caution Rogue. If anything, I suggest you meet her and bring your opinion back to us and then from there, we may reconsider our position to help her but just remember that she may deceive you somehow," he warned her.

Rogue nodded, giving a sigh of relief knowing that not everyone was against her decision to voice her opinion. Cyclops had a stern look on his face, his arms crossed as he looked around at the trio. Storm appeared to be worried and she couldn't tell with Jean.

"We'll discuss this further once we have all the information. You're all dismissed," Xavier told them.

He watched as they walked out the room and once Wolverine reached the door, he heard his name being called out.

"Oh Wolverine, could you stay behind one last moment? I have a question for you," Xavier called out to him.

Wolverine stopped and watched the others leave completely before stepping back to the professor.

00000

Gambit went slack in his restraints. He found his arms ached from the prolonged time within them. He breathed deeply as the cat dropped her arm from his neck and backed away from him.

"My leader will be very happy when I deliver you to him. I shall prepare you for your upcoming questioning with him," she purred.

"Watever... you plan...to do...to me...get it over wit. I won't... tell you anyting," he gasped.

She forcibly grasped his shoulders and he could feel the claws even through his clothes. Gambit wouldn't be surprised if she did draw blood. Retracting her claws, she moved her hands down his chest before reaching his abdomen and punching him hard, sucked the air out of Gambit lungs for several long seconds.

"You and your friends will see the light for there is no place for us in this world as long as people exist who are repulsed by our mere existence," Kat told him.

She knelt down by his face and gave him a smile. Placing her fingers on his chin, she forced him to look at her.

"Listen to me well, X-man. I do not care about you or any of your friends. Most of you do not have to hide like I do and you will talk to me sooner or later," she quietly said.

Gambit carefully shook his head as he gritted his teeth. He wished he could use his powers, then he'd be long gone and tell the others what was going on. He watched as she reached down to the ground beside him and finally noticed the knife sitting within her hands.

"I really don't want to use this but if you do not cooperate, then I may have no choice in the matter," she told him. "It's up to you."

"It may be up to him but that doesn't mean they won't find us," came a familiar voice.

Kat looked to mouth of the cave to see Gambit's doppelganger standing there. As he walked into the cave, he slowly changed back into Mystique and she crossed her arms.

"They suspect something about me already, despite the fact that couldn't quite detect my presence. At least nothing that Wolverine or Xavier immediately let on," she sighed.

"At least we know that lotion masks your scent. We both know Wolverine at least would have jumped you the moment he realized it was you," Kat replied.

Mystique glanced at their prisoner, who appeared to be a bit worse for wear and snickered. She knew Kat was going to have fun with this one.

"By the way, the Beast mentioned he wants to talk to you again, only this time, he'll have Rogue with him. She somehow sided with him during the meeting," the shape shifter warned her.

"All the better. Shall we go find them?" Kat wondered.

TBC...