It was late at night when he found himself tossing and turning before waking up in cold sweat after yet another one of his regular nightmares. Giving up on the idea he decided to get up and walk around the mansion since he had nothing better to do. Aimlessly roaming around the place, he stopped when he made it outside breathing in the fresh cool air. It wasn't like he was freezing but given that he wasn't used to the weather up north he found himself slightly shivering with only a pair of black sweatpants and light white shirt on cursing under his breath at not bringing his trench coat and forgetting his sunglasses.

He continued walking along the lawn hoping not to run into anyone, having the freedom to at least look around the place without the constant need to hide his eyes right now. When he stopped to glance up at the many stars that could be seen above, he lightly smiled when he saw a large oak tree nearby, intent on climbing it to get a better view.

Effortlessly hoisting himself up on one of the branches, he climbed a little higher until he found a good spot and sat himself comfortably down while leaning back against the tree. This was supposedly a good place for mutants to be or so he kept hearing. A place to be safe and feel accepted from the world outside.

He remembered wishing so many times he could've had something like this when he was younger. And it's not like he didn't grow up with people that cared about him because he did. But he always felt like there was something missing, something that wouldn't allow him to be free the way he wanted to be and now couldn't help but think back of how much he missed home. The irony of it all didn't go unnoticed by him as he began patting the pockets of his sweatpants.

He was glad he at least managed to bring a cigarette before cautiously looking around and quickly tapping the end of it with his index finger before letting the long-awaited taste of it fill his lungs. Exhaling loudly, he continued to stare at the darkened sky silently wishing he knew how everyone back home was doing. After the hectic days he's had since getting here this seemed like the only real time he's had to truly think about his strange situation, with no hopes of finding a way back home yet. But regardless he would find a way no matter what.

About to take another drag he stopped midway when he heard ruffling sound coming from down below and curiously glanced down to see two people he could vaguely remember walking through the wall before laughing and running off to turn the corner towards the water fountain. "Guess I'm not de only one dat don't sleep in dis place." He amusingly murmured right as another figure stepped out that he recognized all too well.

Stepping out the back door Logan stopped to look both left then right before stepping further out and patting his pocket for one of his cigars. Smiling, he cautiously looked around once more before frowning when he realized he forgot his lighter and picked up a scent he rather not. "Oh hell, what are you doing here?" He irritably looked up to see a dark figure a few feet above sitting on one of the branches waving. "Isn't it passed your bedtime?" He frowned when he saw two red eyes cautiously watching him.

"Could say de same 'bout you Logan." Remy smirked down. "What'd you do? Piss Stormy off?"

"Kid I swear if you don't get your ass outta that tree-"

"Den you'll what? Climb up yourself?" He raised his brows as he chuckled. "Never thought I'd see de day Wolverine climbin' a tree…." He mussed out loud. "Nah you know what, t'ink I'll pass an' stay right here."

"Gambit…" Logan impatiently growled, and Remy knew that if he didn't do so, he would drag him back down himself even if he had to cut down that tree himself as flashes of memories flooded his mind about his first meeting with the man in the alleyway.

Scoffing, he only nodded before dropping down as gracefully and quietly as a cat.

"Show off. What the hell where you even doing up there?" Logan quirked a suspicious brow.

"What, a man can't climb trees here?" he mocked as he took another drag of his cigarette.

"Not that tree you can't." Logan pointed his finger at the large oak tree.

"Sorry Logan." He couldn't help but laugh out as he continued to avert his eyes. "Didn't know you could call dips on a tree."

"Again, with the smart mouth. And what the hell you think you're doing here smoking?"

"Isn't dat why you're out here?" Remy finally looked up by reflex, finding it unsurprising that he didn't mind Logan seeing his eyes especially since the man didn't even flinch at the sight of death.

Eyeing him carefully, Logan couldn't remember if his eyes looked the way they did when he last saw him on the Island, but decided not to ask about it since the kid looked apprehensive about it as it is. Even if he didn't quite trust the guy, he knew an unwanted mutation when he saw one.

"What?"

"Nothing." Shaking his head, Logan replaced his stunt expression with the same annoyed one he had since this kid first showed up. "Besides you're lucky I don't wake up the whole damn mansion to let them know that you're up this late at night sneaking around."

"Not sneaking. Just needed a smoke." He lifted his cigarette to prove his point.

Begrudgingly Logan continued to pat his jean pockets in the hopes of finding his damn lighter when Remy lightly tapped the end of his cigar. "What the…" Removing the cigar from his mouth he raised a questioning brow when he saw the foot of the cigar glow reddish purple for the briefest of seconds before he glanced over at a smug looking Remy. "That's handy."

Silently nodding Remy turned back to look at the sky as he continued to smoke.

"So, what, you can't sleep or something?" Logan reluctantly asked after a good five minutes of silence.

"Somethin' like dat." He mumbled glancing sideways at a stoic Logan. "Not afraid monsieur telepath will find out?"

"I think Chuck always knows more then he lets on." Logan took a big puff of his cigar before exhaling. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

"Right."

"You on the other hand I wouldn't have a problem kicking out myself." He rudely admitted. "But since you're their guest for the time being… guess I'll just have to wait and see."

"Guess so." Remy thoughtfully frowned at a question that's been nagging him since he got here yet had a chance to get an answer to. "Logan…what happened back on Strykers Island?"

"Thought you knew." He glanced down at his hand before stumbling out his cigar with a painful wince he tried to hide from the young mutant who was carefully watching. "Or was that a lie too?"

Ignoring the hard jab, he gave a shake of his head. "I know parts of it."

"Oh yeah? Which parts would that be?"

"I know why you wanted to go back dere." Remy frowned carefully choosing his words least he wanted to be shredded right here.

"Back there huh?" Logan slowly sneered. "Care to explain why all I remember is nothing but a broken building and bodies around me?"

Repeatedly parting his mouth, Remy tried to come up with an answer he didn't have since he didn't know everything that had happened inside.

"Didn't think so." Logan bitterly smiled removing the cigarette from his hands and clenching it in his fists, taking pleasure at watching Remy gape in protest. "All I know is that I don't remember a damn thing before that day and the only person that I remember seeing was you."

"So you t'ink dat makes me responsible for what happened to you." Remy coldly stated realizing that this man was still dealing with the aftermath of what he had lost and was still trying to find out any outlet for his pain.

"Just find it convenient that someone like you was there too. Next thing you're going to stand there and tell me that you were the one that brought me to that place." When he saw him avert his eyes Logan already got his answer. "I knew I didn't trust you for a reason Gambit, and everyday you just keep proving me right."

"Well now it won't really matter what I say now will it?" He glared back. "You already made up your mind 'bout me an' it's nothin' I never heard before. You don't want me in your home an' I can respect dat Logan." He gave a curt nod. "Rest assured dat as soon as I find a way back to my time, you won't ever see me again."

"And if we don't?" He couldn't help but catch the uneasiness in his red eyes.

"I'll still leave."

"Good." He firmly nodded before turning to leave.

"Hey Logan…dat woman on de Island…." He frowned when he saw Logan glancing over his shoulder. "Who was she?"

"Don't know." He frowned more to himself thinking back on all the times he tried to remember but couldn't.

Catching the apprehension in his gaze Remy knew that look all too well. "Well, when you're ready, you'll know where to find me." He met Logans eyes before the Wolverine disappeared back inside.

X

The next morning Rogue found her way wandering the hallways of the Xavier institute while on her way to the Rec room where her friends were waiting. She passed by a few students who were busy enjoying the day as she carefully maneuvered past them in an effort to make as minimal contact as possible and pulling down on her long black sleeves to the point you could barely see her fingertips poking out. She had been staring at the familiar gloves inside her drawer for a good half hour before she swiftly slammed it shut.

"This is stupid." She frustratingly muttered as she turned the corner to see a familiar dark trench coat draped over the staircase leading to the steps. Quietly halting in her steps, she could see Remy hunched over one of the security monitors now hanging open against one of the walls.

She was about to ask him what he had broken now when she saw how serious he seemed to be as he worked. Anytime she had seen him he had never looked this focused, usually he would wear his cocky smile that even now still had most of the female population around the mansion gossiping over. Even as his hands continued to work his eyes from what she could tell through the sunglasses never left their mark, even if his mouth turned up a fraction of an inch at that moment.

She continued to frown at herself for momentarily forgetting what she was on her way to do until she remembered and continued to briskly walk past him.

"It's rude you know to stare at someone while dey work." His accent was low and thick as his smile grew. "Perhaps a good mornin' will do?"

Scoffing she hallway turned to see him screwing the monitor back into the wall without looking at her. "What are you doin'?"

"Just doin' what de boss wants." He shrugged nonchalantly while inspecting his work.

Rogue had heard something about them upgrading their new security outside and inside the mansion, but she didn't think he'd be the one doing it. Without another word she quickly continued speed walking down the stairs hoping to be as far away from him as she could.

Chuckling, he quickly grabbed his coat with every intention of following her and set his teasing game in motion. "What's de hurry Chere?" he asked as he took the steps two at a time next to her while putting on his coat.

"Ain't ya supposed to be workin'?" she said between her teeth without looking at him.

"Nothin' wrong with takin' a little break every now an' den." He smiles at some of the girls walking by.

"Well take it somewhere else will ya." She tiredly exhaled.

"Woah now, hold on a minute." He swiftly jumped in front of her with his brows raised in disbelief. "Don't tell me you're still upset about our first meetin'? Thought we worked passed all dat."

"When did we say that?"

"D'accord, s'pose you're right." He thoughtfully nodded before dramatically exhaling. "Alright Chere I s'pose dis one will forgive you dis one time."

"Forgive me?" her eyes widened indignantly, not believing her own ears. "You're the one who should apologize!"

"An' why's dat?"

"Because…you're the one who was rude and arrogant a-and and…" she felt her pulse quicken in anger the longer she tried to remember why she was still upset and the longer she took the harder it became not to glare at his awaiting expression. "And you could've said something instead of embarrassing us like that."

"Ahh…" unable to keep the amusement from his face he let out a loud chuckle when she brushed passed him and he once again began walking next to her as they made it down the stairs. "As much as I would like to, I'm not gonna apologize for bein' stared at Chere."

"Well neither am I."

"Fine." He shrugged, shoving his hands in his coat pockets.

"Fine." She lifted her chin thankful to be a few steps from the Rec room now. "So why are you still following me?"

"Need I remind you dat you were de one who was tryin' to get close an' personal on our first meetin'?"

"Ah…" whirling around she could've sworn he found amusement in her anger by the way he continued smiling at her. "Ah was not."

"T'ink you were." He drawled letting his eyes give her a once over. "But tell you what, since I'm a gentleman I'll apologize regardless of whose fault it may have been."

"That would be more convincin' if you weren't staring at my chest." She folded her arms over her chest, finding his smile turning impressed that she had caught him even with his eyes hidden.

"Desolé, couldn't help myself."

"Urgh." Turning her lip up in disgust, she made to walk away when an overly chipper voice cut in right next to her.

"Hey guys hope I'm not interrupting." Jubilee grinned at Rogue's obvious attempt to get away from him again.

"Not at all petite."

"Well, we were just about to play some pool if you want to join us." she pointed her thumb behind here were Kitty, Piotr and Bobby were busy setting up a game.

"Actually Jubes, ah think he's rather busy at the moment." Rogue sweetly smiled at her friend.

"Never in my life turned down a game of pool." He nodded at the others who were watching them.

"Ain't ya supposed to finish up with the mansions security?" she slowly began to glare his way.

"Chere, don't you remember I'm on break." He meets her gaze with a challenging one of his own.

"Well Ah'm sure Ms. Munroe is around here somewhere-"

"I'm afraid she's busy tending to her gardening if I ain't mistaken."

"Well, I'm sure there's other places you rather be, so we wouldn't want to keep you."

"Dats alright I'm right where I wanna be." He watched the way her eyes continued to blaze with furry as he seductively smiled back at her.

Bouncing her eyes between the two Jubilee continued to chew on her gum before letting out a small pop successfully getting their attention. "O…k…"

"Lead de way." Remy finally looked back at Jubilee who began to happily smile.

"Great! let's go."

Rolling her eyes, Rogue watched as he gave her a triumphant smirk before gesturing for her to go first knowing he was SO doing this on purpose. 'He better not be looking at my ass.' She inwardly growled.

Once they joined the rest of the group, she didn't waste time in moving closer to the tables and in between Bobby and Piotr.

"Hey, it's good you decided to join us." Bobby walked over to him to hand him a pool stick. "That way we finally get to hang out. I'm Bobby in case you forgot since I know it's probably been a hectic week for you. And you're Gambit right?" he raised a questioning brow receiving a confirming nod in return.

"Dat I am." He said suavely.

"And you've already meet Pete, Kitty and Rogue." He gestured around them.

"Oui, I have." He smiled at everyone making it a point to stop at Rogue who continued to think of the many ways she could wipe that smile off his face.

"Great so now that we're all friends here." Jubilee clapped her hands before her cheerful smile turned serious. "You owe me a jacket."

X

After finishing working on the security cameras that he managed to fry, he found himself lazily wandering the halls of the Xavier institute. He had offered to pay for the damages since he knew he still had a good amount of money saved up from his family inheritance as well as all his years as a thief that no one but him knew about but found himself interested in upgrading their security instead since obviously it was seriously lacking in that department. After talking it over with the professor he had allowed him to do so with the exception of working in the lower levels.

So logically it piqued his interest as it would with anyone. He had been down in the infirmary many times with Hank and never once was he allowed to go by himself so he couldn't deny that the thief in him thought maybe it was something valuable the professor kept hidden that he didn't want anyone to know about.

When he was sure the coast was clear and there were not many students walking around, he casually walked inside the elevator and frowned when he saw that the button to the lower levels didn't light up. He remembered the many times Hank would block his view with his rather larger physique and enter in a code before moving aside and pressing for the lower levels.

Luckily for him he was a master thief and breaking into anything restricted was an everyday occurrence for him. So, when he finally managed to get the elevator working, he proudly grinned at himself once he heard the DING of the elevator's doors opening. Poking his head out, he glanced both left then right before waltzing into the corridor. He continued walking passed the infirmary, medical lab, and what looked to be men and women's locker rooms. He found his shoulders slump at the thought of not finding anything interesting down here.

When he began walking in the opposite direction of the corridor, he began whistling to keep himself entertained as his feet continued to lead him forward, passing by a door that said Gym then another that said Danger Room which made him lift a curious brow. Stepping closer he jolted when the doors suddenly slid open to reveal a large empty room.

Stepping back, he let the doors slide shut when he realized there was nothing of interest there. "Some Danger Room dat turned out to be." He snickered and found himself curiously stopping in front of another door that had a huge 'X' on it. "Well if dat don't mean do not enter den I don't know what does." He smirked, realizing this might be what they were trying to hide from him all along. But before he was able to get any closer another door slid open to reveal a rather large dark room.

When he stepped closer the lights suddenly began turning on one after another revealing a large hangar with a circular door right above for take-offs no doubt and he was pretty sure it was right below the basketball court. There was a good-sized black helicopter inside but what drew his attention was the rather large black jet that was situated in the middle of the room.

Carefully walking closer he could see the front windows slowly become transparent with three figures eyeing him from inside the jet.

"Oh dear." Hank gasped along with Ororo and Logan who were looking over some repairs.

"Merde." Remy breathed out with his wide eyes taking in the modern sleek design of the Blackbird. Now he knew why this level was definitely off limits.