It was a beautiful day for a Saturday morning, but unlike everyone who was still fast asleep or in the process of waking up from a good night's rest, Remy LeBeau found himself yet again in the company of one severely pissed off Wolverine as he continued to watch him like a hawk as the boy thoroughly cleaned the motorcycle with various parts displayed next to him.

''Give me one good reason why I shouldn't make shish kabob out of your pretty face right now gumbo.'" Logan angrily tapped his fingers against his forearm as he remained leaning against the garage wall with his arms folded over his broad chest, observing the young mutant still working as his long trench coat lay resting on one of the work tables nearby.

"You t'ink I'm pretty?" Remy grinned as he looked back at the burly man and wiped his arm over his sweaty and dirt covered forehead.

"Remy… now's not the time." Ororo quickly shook her head from her position next to a growling Logan. Any other time she would try and reason with the man, but she couldn't deny that she was somewhat disappointed and surprised that Remy would pull something like that. Well not so much as surprise more like found it amusing that out of all people, he decided to pick the bike that belonged to the person you didn't want to be on the bad side on.

Turning his attention back to his work, Remy did feel a twinge of guilt about taking the Harley, but that was only short lived after he was told his punishment.

"And after putting her back together make sure you give her a nice clean waxing too." He couldn't stop smirking when he saw the boys' shoulders drop.

Typically, this wouldn't be a problem for Remy since he didn't mind getting his hands dirty as well as working on his own bike which he dearly missed. But the way Logan had him working felt more and more like his own personal game.

"Will dat be all monsieur claws? Or would you rather dis one also wear a black tie an' white button shirt with a tailcoat-you know somethin' a servant would wear." He scoffed.

Not taking too kindly to his sarcastic remark Logan pushed himself off the wall before Ororo could even react. "Oh no-Logan!"

Already having expected nothing less Remy didn't even flinch when he was roughly pulled up by the front of his black shirt, only sighing in annoyance. "Dere a problem?"

"Watch yourself bub you're lucky to still be alive after that damn stunt you pulled yesterday."

"An' dat I am Logan. Very thankful." He empathized with amusement in his voice until Logan tightened his hold. "You know what mon ami I do believe we got off on de wrong foot again." He said as images of their first meeting came to mind.

"And yet I seriously doubt you have a problem with it."

"Well, I do enjoy our closeness." He sarcastically grinned. "Almost like old times."

"I find it very hard to believe that I let you live in the first place."

"Funny how things turn out." He smugly grinned. "We we're practically de best friends dere ever was, almost like brothers."

Growling Logan pulled him closer until Remy could see the danger lurking in the man's eyes. "You smell like her."

"Dat nose of yours is pretty sharp as always." he says casually. "But dis one has no idea who you're referrin' to."

"Yeah, you do…" Logan snarled.

"Logan." Rogue's voice stopped the man from doing anything else as all eyes turned to her as she stood by the doorway. Furrowing her brows she could see that they were in the middle of another argument but nevertheless was thankful when Logan released his hold on him.

"Just keep your eyes on your work." Logans glare sharpened when he caught Remy's eyes briefly flicker over to her. "And if I find the paint so much as scratched, they'll be hell to pay got it?" He shot over his shoulder as he made his way over to the brunette.

Saluting Remy frustratingly shook his head before turning back and crouching down to continue working on Logans bike.

"Logan." Rogue took quick steps to follow him once he left the garage. "Logan why did he get in trouble and not me?"

"Consider yourself lucky kid."

"What?" When she saw him finally stop to stare at her she could see the anger in his demeanor slowly dissipate.

"And I thought I told you to stay away from him."

"Ah did." She said before correcting herself. "Ah mean ah was but-what does that have to do with him bein' the only one in trouble?"

"That punk told me what happened that's why."

"He did?" she cautiously asked.

"Said he forced you to go with him." He curiously watched the way her face held a mixture of confusion and anger. "Why, is there something I should know?"

"That's not what happened." She admitted, and quickly began following him again when he started walking. "Logan, he didn't force me to go. Ah don't know why he'd even say that."

"I do." He waited for her to catch up to him before he explained. "Guys like that always lie. That's what they do Rogue. They lie."

"Either way ah don't think it's fair."

"You wanna know why he's over there working and you're not?"

"Yes."

"Because I trust you Rogue ok. I trust you enough to know what you're doing." Taking a deep breath he lowered his voice. "I'm not your father I've told you that before. I'm your friend and as your friend I advise you to stay as far away from that kid as you can before he drags you down with him."

"Logan…" guilt didn't even begin to cover how she felt as she looked up to see the eyes of someone she cared about. "It's not like that…"

"For your sake Rogue let it stay that way." Without another word she watched him walk away while she remained where she stood unsure of what he meant by that. If she had to sum up her and Remy's relationship, then the closes word she could come up with was acquaintance…classmate…teammate nothing more. She understood why Logan was so upset; they had taken his motorcycle, something that was precious to him and without his permission no less.

So, keeping in mind that she had a whole lot of groveling to do, she briskly turned in the opposite direction.

-X-

Exhaling loudly and wiping his hands on the nearby rag, he could already sense the words wanting to tumble out of the weather witch's mouth as she remained in the same spot as before. "What is it Stormy?"

"Believe it or not Remy, Logan IS going easy on you."

"Pardon me fo' t'inkin' otherwise."

Frowning at the snide tone in his voice she took a calm breath. "Remy what's going on?"

"Listen Stormy with all due respect I ain't in de mood fo' small talk right now." He tiredly looked over at her gesturing over to the door Logan had just existed out of. "An' I appreciate you tryin' to talk to your man fo' me but-"

"W-what? No. Logan's not…" desperately trying to ignore the slow growing blush on her cheeks, Ororo knew he was only trying to move on from this conversation. "We're friends that's all."

"Friends?" He raised a disbelieving brow.

"Yes friends Remy. There are such things you know. But regardless…you know what you did was wrong." When she saw him irritatingly looking away, she continued to speak hoping he'd listen. "And reckless as well."

"Spare me de same lecture Storm. I've heard it all before. From you, from Tante, from Henri, from père, Logan, hell even Monsieur Summers tells me dat everyday durin' my first class den again durin' my class after lunch."

"Maybe it's because you keep applauding him after every class." she sternly said.

"Well I'm sorry if I'm just tryin' to congratulate him on a job well done." He huffed as he returned to cleaning the bike.

She knew he was doing this on purpose to get her to leave, and she knew that the way he addressed her was part of that. However, that didn't stop the hurt look on her face. "Remy-"

"Have you talked to de professor?" he quickly cut in.

"I have."

Bitterly smiling to himself he could tell the way her voice dropped that it wasn't going to be the answer he wanted to hear. He had been patiently waiting like it was asked of him, but with every passing day he felt like the walls began to close in on him, which was why he needed to get out the other day.

And yet he still found himself coming back here out of respect for Storm and the professor, but if he couldn't even go check on his own family for fear of something coming after him, then what good was it even being here? He could take care of himself, always has. But he still decided to do the right thing and check with the professor but with the way he could see things going he doubted it would be anytime soon.

"Just give it time Remy."

"Seems like dat's all I have right now anyhow." He kept his back turned as he continued working. "Best let me finish dis before Logan gets back.

"Alright." Pressing her lips together she gave him one final look before silently excusing herself.

Clutching the cloth in his hand he frustratingly glared at the motorcycle. Taking it out on someone else was never ideal, especially with someone who you cared about like a sister. He knew he was wrong and knew he should apologize, but right now the only thing that kept him going was his anger. Anger at being here. Anger at not being able to go back. Anger at not knowing anything about your previous life and anger at just having to sit here like a small child being told what to do. Wasn't that the same thing that kept him from ever being close with his father? The same thing that made him constantly sneak out of his home in the first place.

Cursing under his breath he began furiously wiping the vehicle unaware of the door opening until the sound of heels clacking against the floor echoed though the garage. Shoving his feelings aside for the time being, he decided that if he was going to apologize to Storm this would be as good a time as any to do so. "Stormy…about what I said…"

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were expecting someone else."

Confusingly knitting his brows together he looked over his shoulder before getting to his feet. She was definitely not someone he had expected to see, least of all here. "Emma Frost." He chuckled as he grabbed the rag and began wiping his hands. "To what do I owe de pleasure?"

"Just decided to have a little look around." She innocently smiled as she let her fingertips graze against one of the tables. "Been meaning to tell you when we briefly spoke in the gym that I heard you had an accent to die for…and they sure weren't lying."

"Well, I'm glad I could deliver."

"I also heard about what happened. Can't exactly fault you for wanting to get out of this place once in a while. I know I do. Which was one of the reasons I left in the first place."

"Yeah, well not everyone would agree." Clenching his jaw he gazed back at the door.

"Storm?" she raised a knowing brow. "Heard that little squabble between you two too. Kind of hard not to seeing as I was on my way down here anyways."

"Stormy…she means well." He frowned thinking back on their conversation.

"Darling they all do." She gave him a pointed look as she moved over to Logans bike. "But that only lasts until you do something they don't like. And before you know if you're out here cleaning after them." She let her eyes trail along the visible ridges of his abs through his black shirt and up his broad chest as she bit her lip. "Although I must say… hard labor never looked quite this good."

Smirking he briefly glanced down at the rag in his hands. "Is dat so?"

"Mm-hmm." Slowly nodding she walked around him until she languidly leaned against the motorcycle as he carefully let his eyes follow her movements.

He had to admit that she wasn't completely unwelcome and could quite possibly be the distraction he needed at the moment, but something about her still puzzled him. "Not dat I mind a visit from a beautiful woman, but one must wonder what it is you're really lookin' for."

"Plenty actually that I'm sure you could provide."

"An' dis one be more den happy to oblige." Licking his lips he found himself oddly enjoying the way she teasingly dragged her nail up and down his arm.

"How old are you Remy?" she settled her eyes on his red on black ones finding them intriguing. "I mean your real age."

"You heard 'bout dat too I wager." He nodded to himself. Of course she knew, everyone else pretty much did by this point.

"You'd be correct in assuming that." She giggled and leaned forward tapping her head. "Helps having telepathy." Upon seeing his expression darken she amusingly shook her head. "I don't use it without consent, the mind after all is something we hold very dear to our hearts." She tiredly exhaled before continuing. "Besides, trying to get into teenagers minds is something I really have no interest in."

"Yet I believe you didn't hesitate tryin' to get in here." He repeated her gesture from earlier as he tapped the side of his head.

"Interesting indeed. How did you know?"

"I s'pose you don't know everythin'." He confidently smiled.

"You'd be surprised of what I do know Remy LeBeau."

"Enlighten me den."

"Well as you know I know that you're not from here. And when I say here I mean not this time. Which I believe put's you older than me..." The surprise on his face wasn't lost to her and used this time to give him another once over. "And to be perfectly honest who needs age when experience is all that matters."

"I believe not." He slowly grinned as he placed one hand against the seat of the bike. He could have easily closed the small distance between them and knew by the eager look in her blue eyes that she was counting on it. So when he abruptly moved away he was surprised to see her smile remain in place. "An' as much as I'd love to finish dis conversation, I'm afraid I have prior arrangements. Wouldn't wanna be on Logans bad side anymore den I have to."

"Of course." She pushed off the motorcycle tilting her head to allow him to get a good view of her chest as she moved her blond hair out of the way. "Perhaps we could pick up this little conversation another time then."

Nodding he watched her eyeing him with hungry eyes as she walked around him and towards the door.

"Are you a betting man Gambit?"

"Depends on de game." He curiously replied. "An' who I'm playin' with."

"Good to know." A smile spread slowly across Emma Frost's face.

The moment she was out the door he agitatedly clenched the rag in his hands pressing it to his forehead before leaning on the vehicle. What the hell was wrong with him? Here he was taking his anger out on someone who always had his back, while another beautiful and able woman was practically begging him to take her here after not having felt that type of intimacy since he arrived, yet he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"I really need to get out of here."

-X-

Storming down the hall she ignored all the questioning gazes shooting her way after almost interrupting another one of Remy's random escapades. She was so fixating on what she just saw that she didn't hear the first time her name was being called out until Bobby hurriedly ran down the stairs after spotting her. "Rogue. Rogue!"

"Bobby hey." Inhaling calmly, she briefly looked away before giving him her outmost attention.

"What happened? I thought we were supposed to meet yesterday but you never showed." He uneasily smiled. "Then I tried to look for you in your room but couldn't find you."

"Oh yeah about that…" Frowning she began inwardly scolding herself for being a bad girlfriend. How could she have forgotten to tell him where she had disappeared off too? But then again, she had fallen asleep right after they got back to the mansion. "Sorry ah was out and forgot about our meeting." She half lied remembering having seen him and Kitty talking but decided to chose her battles carefully since there's nothing wrong with talking with a friend.

"Out?" he confusingly frowned while shaking his head. "Where'd you go?" He was assuming she probably went out with Logan or something but what she said next completely caught him by surprise.

"Gambit and ah-"

"Gambit?"

"Yes." She firmly said already watching the way his expression hardened. "We just grabbed somethin' to eat Bobby that's all."

"Is this about the other day?" He tried to remain the calm and understanding boyfriend but the more time he saw her spending with Gambit the more his patience began to waver. "Because I already told you I'm sorry Rogue. I honestly was just trying to welcome a new teacher nothing else."

Folding her arms over her chest she couldn't deny the honesty in his eyes as he apologized. She knew Bobby was an honest and good guy and that he had been nothing but understanding and patient throughout all this so the least she could do was do the same. "Alright." She slowly smiled which seemed to ease the nervousness in his posture. "Ah suppose ah can let it slide this time..."

"You mean it?" Relief filled him instantly as he tugged her towards him in a small hug before grabbing her hand and began their slow walk towards the kitchen in need of a good breakfast. "Rogue…I've been meaning to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Now don't get me wrong here… but I'm worried." When he felt her slow her steps just a few feet before the entrance he turned to look at her.

"Worried? About what exactly?"

"Gambit."

At the sound of his name, she couldn't help but snap her head around to see if anyone could overhear them. "Bobby ah already told you there's nothin-'"

"You think there something going on between him and Kitty?"

Doing a double take she gave him an unsure smile hoping he was just joking, but when she saw the seriousness in his blue eyes, she felt another familiar emotion try and rear its ugly head. "Gambit and Kitty?"

"Yeah, I mean I'd hope she'd have better taste than that…and after what Jubilee said-"

"Ya'll seriously think there's something goin' on between them?" Instead of getting angry she couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her which just seemed to throw her boyfriend off. "Ah'm sorry Bobby, but ah just thought you wanted to talk about us some more."

"What?"

"You know since Ah'm your girlfriend and everythin'." She sarcastically squinted her eyes. "Call me crazy or whatever, but ah was just hopin' we could concentrate on us for a change and stop worryin' about everyone else."

"But you just said everything was fine." He pointed out. "What's this really about Rogue?"

"Really about?" she disbelievingly repeated. Didn't he just hear anything she'd said not but a few seconds ago?

"Hey love birds. Miss anything good?" Jubilee, Kitty and Piotr were just leaving the kitchen when they came upon the couple. Bouncing their eyes between Rogues irritated face and Bobbys clueless ones they awkwardly shared a look. "Or not."

-X-

After a much-needed shower and quick breakfast Remy found himself standing in Henry 'Hank' McCoys lab with a man he'd never met along with Professor Xavier.

The professor could tell by his posture that Remy was wary of the newcomer. "It's alright Gambit, he's an old friend of ours.' He reassured the young mutant. "He is the master inventor and engineer we told you about."

"Now I wouldn't call me a master inventor Professor." The man grinned before extending his hand out. "Forge's the name and I'd be happy to help in any way I can."

"He is also the reason I was able to provide you with an upgraded version of your weaponry…your bo staff." Hank grinned.

Shaking his hand Remy couldn't stop watching the man with cautious eyes due to old habits. But from what he could tell the man didn't seem overly suspicious - taking away his cybernetic left hand and right leg which he seemed to notice.

Patting his leg, Forge only smiled knowing that sympathetic look in Gambits eyes all too well. "Don't worry about it kid. Seen many wars in my time, just grateful everyday for giving me a chance to live another day. Tilting his head, he saw the boy silently nodding before curiosity got the better of him. "Your eyes…that part of your mutation?"

"Had dem fo' as long as I can remember." He quietly admitted letting his eyes distractingly look around the place he was already familiar with.

"Extraordinary." Forge hummed as he continued to thoughtfully rub his chin. "Xavier here also tells me your somewhat of a time traveler?"

"Seems dat way."

"Time travel…" Forge nodded before excitingly clapping Remy on the back startling the boy. "I knew that that would eventually become a thing, just didn't thing someone had already beaten me to it!" Smiling Forge let out a hearty laugh when Remy continued to questioningly stare at him. "My mutation…it's in my mind." He explained. "That's my superpower. Being able to intuitively understand and design any technology I want. People often fear things they don't understand including tech. But I see. I see it all. I see things before they are real. I see them in my mind. It always starts with a problem. An impractical, unattainable, unworkable problem that needs to be solved in a way. Then... I solve it. I work it. I attain it. I move and shift and reshape. Make something out of nothing. That's what I do."

"Dat's some mutation you go dere Monsieur Forge."

"Call me Forge." His smile widened before clapping him on the back again this time successfully watching the way Remy's smile instantly grew good naturally. "I'm going to enjoy working with you kid. Now I'm not saying that this won't take a while, but I'll give it my best shot and together we'll find a way to get you back."

Nodding Remy suddenly felt a small weight off his shoulders and by the look on everyones faces could tell Hank and the professor were happy for him as well.

-X-

After the small meeting they had Remy patiently waited until he saw the Professor leaving and quickly made to follow. "Professor!"

Turning his head in time to see the young mutant walk next to him, Professor Charles Xavier gave him a warm smile. "Yes Remy? Is everything alright?"

Nodding he followed the older man down the pristine metal hallway. "Not dat I ain't grateful fo' all you've done because I am but…was just wonderin' if it would be alright to visit home."

Usually this wasn't something he would even bother asking since with the last conversation he had with Storm she pretty much made it clear that it wasn't going to happen soon, but he was assured that he could come and go as he pleased-not that this place could stop him. But after his time here he did feel respect for the man known by the world as Charles Xavier and that no matter how much his views on mutant-human relationships didn't quite mingle with the mans ideals, he could at least respect what he was doing for mutants like him.

"Of course." Halting in front of a large door with a giant 'X' on it, the professor turned to him. "But if you'll allow me some time, then perhaps-"

"No offense but it's been weeks already." He tried not to let his impatience and frustration get to him but after his conversation with Storm and still not finding anything useful with Kitty's research he couldn't stand waiting anymore. All he wanted was to go home and see his family, which seemed like a perfect respectable thing for anyone to want.

"I understand the need to check on those we love." Feeling compassion for the young man, the professor simply didn't want to risk whoever was responsible for all this to get their hands on him and finish what they started when they stumbled upon an injured Gambit.

"No, I don't think you do." Shaking his head Remy began walking down the hall in the opposite direction.

Inhaling deeply Xavier returned his attention back to the locked door in front of him. He had spent countless hours working with Cerebro but had yet to find any trace of whoever had attacked his young pupil, hoping that they would get a break soon.

-X-

Ear piercing screams echoed all around him as faces of those no longer living stared back at him with arms outstretched. Snapping his eyes shut he continued to feel the painful thumping in his chest as he kneeled down on the ground covered in blood. "No!"

"We really wouldn't have been able to find these people without your help Gambit." Creeds wild laughter could be heard all around him as the blood continued to rise.

"Desolé…what have I done?"

"You killed them." Creed suddenly stepped out holding the body of a lifeless little pink-haired girl. "This is all your fault."

"No." Shaking his head he tried to get to his feet before various hands shot out to try and hold him down. "I didn't!"

"You did this." The little girls' lifeless eyes stared back at him.

"No!" Jolting out of bed he desperately clutched his chest trying to even his breathing. With frightened eyes, he let them roam around the darkness that was his room before stumbling over to his bathroom. He knew what this was and continued to fight the nauseating feeling that quickly tried to follow as he clutched the sink.

Their voices, screams and cries continued to haunt him and would always haunt him anytime he'd close his eyes. Mentally counting backwards, he waited a good minute before splashing cold water on his sweat dripping face. He knew he deserved this and more, and no matter what, the truth of it all was that he did kill all those people. And there was nothing that could change that.

-X-

The next day during class he had barely managed to listen in to any of his teachers' lectures, instead opting to just let the day drag on until he finally heard the sweet sound of freedom when it was over. Without so much as a word he dragged his tired feet out of the classroom and towards his locker.

"Hey." Rogue's voice briefly made him snap his eyes to the right to see her and Jubilee approaching. They found it odd that today he wasn't his typical self without so much as two words to anyone today. And with the way he constantly continued to rub his eyes knew something wasn't right. "Didn't get much sleep?"

"What gave me away?" He tiredly smiled but still wouldn't look at them as he stuffed the rest of his books into his locker.

"I know what you mean. Mr. Summers test had me up all night too." Jubilee nodded as she placed a piece of gum into her mouth.

"All night?" Rogue raised a disbelieving brow.

"Ok so I played some video games." The girl guilty admitted thinking that that probably wasn't the best idea. "I couldn't help it!"

"Jubes…" Shaking her head Rogue was about to say something when they saw him silently excuse himself and walk off.

"What's with him?"

"Not sure." Rogue was equally puzzled as they watched him leave before placing a light hand on her friend's arm. "You know what I'll catch up with you later."

"Oh um…ok." Jubilee's eyes followed the brunette down the hall before shrugging her shoulders and continuing on her way to her room.

"Hey!" The smile on her face only lasted so long when he didn't make an attempt to slow his pace.

"What you want Chere?"

"Is everythin' alright?"

"Course it is." He chuckled but still wouldn't face her.

"Don't seem like it." Frowning she took the hint that maybe he didn't want to talk so she stopped following him. She was about to turn back around when he stopped too upon realizing that she was no longer next to him.

"It's fine Rogue, like dis one had said just didn't get much sleep is all."

"And yet somethin' tells me otherwise." She saw the way his tired eyes looked anywhere else but her before he turned to leave. "Ah've been meanin' to ask you…why'd you lie for me?" When she saw him making no move to leave, she quickly walked closer. "When we left the other day."

"Didn't see de point of both of us gettin' in trouble." Shrugging his shoulder, he shoved his hands in his coat pocket before turning and finally meeting her eyes.

"Ah would say thank you."

"But?"

She gave him a small smile before her expression turned stern. "But ah don't need you protectin' me. Especially since ah was just as much to blame as you."

Keeping his gaze on her he saw the determination in her eyes before letting a genuine smile graze his lips when she turned on her hell. "You're welcome by de way!" He shouted, receiving a small glare from the girl.

'Complicated fille dat one.' He chuckled to himself before walking into the main lobby and into the elevator. He quickly punched in the lower levels before carefully letting his trained eyes search the place to make sure no one would be around. Since this was the end of the school day, he knew the schedule of all the teachers, therefore he knew they were busy with some of the other students, and he had a good thirty minutes before anyone would come down here.

Casually letting his feet lead the way to the first room he accidentally stumbled upon on his way down here the other day, he waited until the SWISH of the door opened and closed before jogging over to the impressive looking plane.

If they weren't going to let him leave like they had promised, then he was sure they wouldn't mind if he took the Blackbird out for a little test drive… preferable down south.

He had no problem getting into the Blackbird as he hurriedly rushed over to the controls while proudly grinning. "Still got it…"

"I wouldn't count on it."

"You've got to be kiddin' me…" No way. There was no way in hell this was happening! He checked then rechecked to make sure no one was down here right now. Cursing his luck he very slowly turned to see Scott and Logan along with Hank and Forge both holding two large toolboxes who probably were doing some last-minute repairs staring back at him. "Don't s'pose you'd believe me when I say I was here to give you fellas a hand?"

Exchanging annoyed looks, both Scott and Logan shook their heads.

"Welcome to our school." Hank embarrassingly saw Forge raise a curious brow.