"Professor!"

"Not good not good not good. Logan!" Ororo tried to catch up to a furious Logan where she had to take a few steps at a time to match his one as he practically sprinted down the stairs. "Logan calm down."

"Like hell I will." He growled jumping over the last step to continue on towards Professor Xaviers office.

"Logan-"

Whirling around he finally stopped long enough to shot her a small glare. "You told me to wait, and I did. And they're still not home, so what does that tell ya?"

"Logan I know how you're feeling because I'm angry too." She said quickly following close behind when he resumed speed walking down the hall.

"I'm not the one that let him in here."

"So you're saying this is my fault?"

When he realized she had stopped walking next to him he begrudgingly did too. "Storm that's not-"

"No, you did. You made it perfectly clear that you don't like him. That you would be willing to just throw him out on the street when he needed us."

"What that kid needs is a good kick in the ass. Which I'm glad to hand out."

"And what would you have me do? I can't turn my back on my family and believe it or not Logan he's the closest to a brother I have." Taking this moment to take a deep calm breath she lowered her voice to avoid any attention from the students they were already receiving. "But this right now is more than Remy taking off with Scott's car-which I'm sure you're fine with by the way." She only received a small nod in responds. "It's about Rogue, isn't it?"

"You're right, it is." He admitted letting his eyes flick over to an irritated Bobby who was heading in the same direction as them. "And once I get my hands on that punk, he'll wish he never crossed me."

"Hey, any word on where Rogue is?" Bobby asked, snapping his eyes to both teachers.

"Um Bobby why don't you get to class while we-"

"She's with him, isn't she?" He angrily frowned when he saw her take a deep breath. "No offense Ms. Munroe but she is my girlfriend who's missing. Then come to find out I hadn't seen Gambit anywhere since yesterday either. So it doesn't take a genius to figure it out." He scoffed before shaking his head. "I can't believe this."

"Listen kid we'll find her. But like Storm said leave this to us-"

"Professor!" Bobby whirled around practically jogging over to the door.

"Well way to go Storm." Logan disapprovingly shook his head before following.

"Me?"

"Professor!" Knocking once before swinging the door open, Bobby stopped short when he saw the man behind his desk talking with Cyclops. "Professor I need to talk to you."

"Well as I'm sure you know my doors always open to any one of you, I might need to explain that it means that manners are still appreciated Bobby Drake." The professor's gentle voice made Bobby apologetically nod at having interrupted them as Professor Xaviers eyes wander to the last two to arrive.

"We've got a problem." Logan raised his brows making sure the professor knew the gravity of the situation.

"Who is it? Is it Magneto?" Scott abruptly stood from his seat. "Friends of Humanity?

"No."

"Juggernaut?"

"No."

"Did Kitty get into the cookie jar again?" Scott frowned, finding it odd how that thought alone worried him more.

"No." Logan said a little more sternly. "I mean maybe she has; I don't know." He shook his head. "It's Gambit."

"And Rogue." Bobby said as he stepped forward.

"What about them?" Scott asked leaning back against the desk. "I haven't heard him doing anything wrong lately. Seems he got the message."

"That's because he wasn't here." Logan said between clenched teeth before turning to the professor. "And he took Rogue with him."

"What?"

"You don't say?" The professor raised an intrigued brow.

"Can't believe him." Bobby shook his head. "Or better yet I actually do believe it. It seems like that might be something he'd do."

"Wait, you can't seriously believe he'd do something like that?" Ororo's eyes widened in disbelief as she raised her hands to stop them from assuming something like that.

"That's exactly what I think." Logan said. "There's no way Rogue would willingly go with him."

"How can you be so sure?" she fired back.

"It's Rogue. I know her."

"You don't think she'd go with him?" Scott asked, hating to even ask that question about one of his students.

"She wouldn't."

"If I may?" The professor's voice cut in. "It's unreasonable to make assumptions especially from two of our students without definitive proof no matter who they are." When he was sure he had their attention, he carefully continued. "Although I don't condone this kind of behavior, I do believe he means her no harm."

"Well how can be so sure? Didn't you say you couldn't get in that kids' head?"

"I can't." The professor agreed allowing his thoughts to go elsewhere.

"You knew." Storm softly spoke her eyes shooting up to his knowing ones as realization dawned on her. "You knew this whole time, didn't you?"

"What?" Logans brows threw together. "Professor?"

"Now that would make me some kind of psychic now, wouldn't it?" The humor in his voice didn't go unnoticed. "I assure you I had not idea of these events nor had I any knowledge of Rogues involvement, and although I am unable to penetrate Gambit's mind…. Rogues on the other hand is easy to spot amongst the students." The professor wasn't going to go into detail about how despite being one of the more quitter students who liked to keep to herself, her mind always silently screamed out for help. And unless you were a telepath like he was, you would never have known the sadness that loomed inside the girl.

There were countless sessions he'd had with her while her mutation was still active. But after taking the cure she stopped going, reassuring him that she no longer needed it. That she was fine. And it wasn't like he made it a habit to pry into her mind without permission, it was just overwhelming at times knowing she was trying to reach out for help but didn't know how. And the last thing he wanted was to make her feel as if she couldn't trust him by invading her mind.

"And why's that?" Logan quizzically asked. Noticing the somber expression crossing the older mans face.

"Like fingerprints, the mind has its own set of imprints. And Rogues are rather unique in that aspect."

Nodding Logan could sense there was something more the Professor kept hidden but knew when to pry and when to back off, but right now he was having a hard time understanding what his reasoning behind all this was and what it had to do with Rogue.

"What I want to know is why you even let them leave in the first place?" Bobby asked, trying to keep his voice calm since he didn't necessarily want to lash out on his mentor who he respected. But right now, he couldn't make sense of why he would even allow this.

"I agree with Bobby." Scott nodded. "They are just kids after all Professor. How could you even think this was a good idea?"

"I happen to believe that despite the way they went about things, this is something that will help both of them in their own ways."

"You do?" Ororo's startled expression made him fondly smile.

"Gambit believes he is helping her when in fact… she is too."

"I find that really hard to believe that he would help anyone but himself." Bobby bitterly scoffed. "And besides, Rogue doesn't need any help. She's got all of us."

"I think I understand…" Ororo slowly said. "Wish you would've discussed this with us first though."

"Agreed."

"I understand everyone's reluctance in the matter."

"Try pissed off is more like it." Logan frustratingly leaned back against the wall.

"Logan." Scott's stern tone made him now turn to him. "Although I'm not on board with the professor's decision given that we are still responsible for what happens to our students. He's never lead us on the wrong path-"

"He took your car." Logan smugly grinned when he saw the leader of the X-men's jaw drop.

"Professor we need to go after them." Scott determinedly shook his head as he stared at the man.

"Look I know him." Ororo cut in. "I know Remy. Now I will admit that he's not without his faults…."

"Try untrustworthy." Logan snapped back.

"But…" she slowly enunciated. "I know that he'll watch her and knows that she can take care of herself, otherwise he wouldn't even have taken her along." Seeing his mouth open she quickly added. "He won't try anything. Even if you may not believe me, deep down he's a good guy if you'll just give him a chance."

"Kinda makes it hard 'Ro when he's taken Rogue."

"Yeah, and what if something happens and she can't get a hold of us." Bobby worriedly asked. "She doesn't have her mutation to fall back on."

'Charles…'

Pressing her lips together, Ororo had to push down her growing annoyance. "He won't let anything happen to her. And last I recall she was still an X-man, meaning she can very well hold her own. You of all people should know that." She shot Logan a pointed glare before turning to everyone else. "And if you still don't trust him, you should at least have the decency to trust her. Both of you." She made it a point to stare at Bobby and Logan a little longer before turning on her hell and storming off.

Too shocked to react, Logan slowly turned to see the professor deep in thought elsewhere.

'Professor…Professor Charles Xavier…' wincing he tried to keep control of his mind that right now didn't seem like his own. 'Now's the time…please…help us…please she must help us…'

"Professor?" Opening his eyes he could see Scott's concerned eyes as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you ok?"

"Not sure…" he responded barely above a whisper; he couldn't even force a comforting smile even if he wanted to. The voice continued to haunt him even as he spoke. "I suggest you settle this." The seriousness in his voice told them that this meeting was over, and it seemed so unlike him to seem this affected by anything.

Scott waited until it was just the two of them before asking. "What is it professor?"

"I'm sure it's nothing…." Rolling his wheelchair towards the window he could only hope it to be true.

-X-

Peeking her head outside her door she briskly walked out of the room before doing the same as she walked down the stairs, unsurprised to see Agnes and what she assumed to be her husband already downstairs.

"No need to do that here dearie. I have the ears of a fox." Anges proudly smiled as she continued to look over some papers.

"I can vouch for that." Her husband chuckled as he continued to read the paper before glancing up and smiling at her before he playfully frowned at his wife. "Except that friend of yours who managed to give her the slip if I'm not mistaken. Told you that hearing of yours was getting rusty sweetheart."

Playfully tapping her husband on the shoulder, Agnes turned her attention to the girl in now front of them. "Must be from all those years listening to your snoring. Must've messed with my eardrums more than I thought." She winked at Rogue who couldn't help but smile fondly when her husband began laughing again.

"Ah'm sorry, but did you say my friend already left?"

"I don't think so." Agnes frowned. "Didn't say much though. But I would suggest eating something before you go. Can't have you leaving without trying one of my famous omelets." Agnes offered, noticing the hesitation on the girl's face.

'That idiots goin' to leave me!' Inhaling deeply, Rogue forced a polite smile since it wasn't their fault her travel companion was a complete pain in the ass. "I should go."

Nodding Anges quickly fished out a couple of to go boxes, handing it to her. "Here take this."

Glancing down at the food Rogue shot her a grateful smile and couldn't help but wonder if she would be this nice if she knew she was a mutant. The feeling however, was still a welcome relief from the everyday persecution they faced outside the mansion grounds despite her not having her mutation at the moment.

"There's one for your friend too." Agnes said with a knowing smile. "And be sure to tell him that next time he won't evade me that easily since I hope to see the both of you again someday."

"Thank you."

-X-

Clutching the wheel with both hands Remy LeBeau continued to look over his options as he silently remained seated in Scott's car still parked in front of the small Bed & Breakfast. And based on all the options he had he was seriously leaning more towards just leaving Rogue here. These people seemed nice enough and that way she could use the phone, call up her boyfriend or one of the X-men to come and get her. Everyone would be happy, and he could get on with this trip.

But no. That damn little voice that Storm seems to have planted in his head while he wasn't paying attention told him that he shouldn't. That and also that he had a feeling once Rogue saw him again she would sure make swift work on kicking his ass if she knew he was planning on leaving her behind.

When he had woken up earlier that's exactly what he was planning on doing but then why the hell was he still sitting here waiting like an idiot. He should be long gone.

"Désolé Chere." Shaking his head and with his mind made up he made sure there was still no sign of her before putting the car on reverse only to stomp down hard on the break when he saw her standing in front of the car with one of angriest looks he'd ever seen on her and quite possibly the hottest too. "Shit…"

"You asshole! Ah can't believe you!"

"Mornin' Chere. Sleep well?" He winced at being caught as she furiously walked around to the passenger's side and slid in.

"You good for nothin' Swamp Rat Ah have half a mind to knock you from here all the way back to the swamps!"

"Didn't sleep well I wager…?" He shot her a hopeful smile before nervously swallowing it down when her blazing eyes landed on him. "Je suppose que non."

"Did you seriously think Ah'll let you drive outta this parkin' lot with Scott's car?" she indignantly asked.

"Unfortunately, no..." He tiredly leaned back. "I was waitin' fo' you you know.

"Oh really?" Her disbelieving laughter did something to his stomach that made his lips curl into a small smile. "You know what Ah think? Ah think you were tryin' to leave me."

"Now why would I do a thing like dat?" he smirked as he looked out the window and began pulling out of the parking lot.

"Don't care. But Ah'm sure the world would be a much better place with one less Cajun around."

"Empty threats will get you nowhere Chere." He gave her a sideways glance before looking at the road in front of them.

"Who said anythin' 'bout it being empty?" she scoffed back as she turned her attention to the window, refusing to give him any more of her time after pulling a stupid stunt like that. If her phone wasn't dead, she wouldn't hesitate to call Logan to tell them where they were since she was damn sure that Remy wouldn't allow her to use his if it meant planning his death.

Glancing back at her he waited a few minutes before daring to speak again. "I really wasn't goin' to leave you Chere." Not receiving a response, not even a short glare had him reluctantly sigh. "I said I'd take you back."

"What?" her voice came out small being caught off guard as she turned to him. "Why?"

"Told you I wouldn't make you come with me remember." Smiling to himself he briefly glanced at her before removing his gaze. Maybe he was wrong in assuming she needed a break from the mansion after all.

Warily observing him she wasn't sure whether to believe anything that came out of his mouth anymore.

"What's dat?" he nodded his head towards the small boxes she still held in her hand.

"Breakfast." She only said shoving one of the boxes towards him after taking her own.

-X-

It wasn't until after she had finished eating that she decided to talk, blaming it on Anges's delicious food that had now settled nicely in her stomach.

"Anyone ever tell you you're a horrible travel partner?"

'Or not.' Tilting her head she irritatingly stared back to find the corners of his lips raised as if sensing she was about to say something first and wanted to beat her to it.

"And here Ah thought you liked the sound of your own voice."

He regarded her for a moment before a small smile finally appeared. "Never said I didn't. Just always preferred de company of a beautiful femme."

"I bet." Rolling her eyes she returned to staring out the window.

"So, what kind of a name's Rogue?" he suddenly asked. "Never had de pleasure of hearin' dat one 'fore."

Secretly smiling to herself this only brought back memories of a time she had been hitchhiking in Canada. Right after her mutation manifested and she was lucky enough to run into Logan. So instead of answering him she decided to ask her own question. "Why Gambit? Ah mean it seems pretty self-explanatory and all." She shrugged. "Just curious why'd you pick that name."

"Answerin' a question with a question now?" He raised a brow.

When their eyes finally met, realizing that the other wasn't going to elaborate further, she quickly turned away. 'Great. So it's goin' to be one of those rides.'

Glancing up at the sky he figured it would stay that way for some time as the gray clouds continued to hover over them as if wanting to follow them the whole way there.

"So, you manage to talk to dat boyfriend of yours yet?" His voice came out calm and casual with an underlying hint of something she couldn't quite place, but it only made her purse her lips as she continued to stare outside.

"Not yet. Phone's still dead." She tilted her head far enough to see his phone was probably in one of his coat pockets. "Don't suppose you'll let me borrow it for an emergency call to let them know the whereabouts on my kidnaping?" Seeing him taking a deep breath she furiously shook her head. "Didn't think so. You're unbelievable you know that?"

"So, I've been told." He smirked and boy did she want to smack that smile right off his perfect face. "So, you an' dat Ice boy huh?"

"What about me and Bobby?" She didn't really like the way he said it, nor did she understand what his problem with Bobby was.

"Just curious how it happened is all."

"You wouldn't understand." She stubbornly raised her chin.

"Well den why don't you enlighten me Chere."

"Not that I owe you anythin'." And she really didn't, so she wasn't sure why she decided to entertain him anyways. "But he happens to be one of the first people Ah made friends with at the Institute. He's sweet, understandin' and didn't care about my…"

"You're what?" Raising a curious brow he patiently waited as his eyes remained on the road after he had to slow down due to the car in front of him.

Staring down at her gloved hands she tried to push away the dread of the day when everyone at the mansion had found out about her mutation after accidentally absorbing Logan. It took them some time to recover from that incident, but nevertheless Bobby stuck with her and helped her throughout everything that happened afterwards to the point they became more than friends. "He and Ah have been together for so long now that I honestly couldn't see myself with anyone else." She slowly forced out, wondering what someone like Remy must be thinking when all he offered was a silent nod in return.

She wasn't even sure if she believed that anymore herself since now they seemed to be going backwards instead of forward like she had hoped. But in some ways it was true, she really couldn't see herself with anyone else, nor did she really want to. And if her mutation was coming back like Hank said it would then she couldn't think of anyone crazy enough to want to stick around her.

Out of everyone she knew Bobby was the one who never left her side other than Logan and even though things seemed different between them now, part of her still hoped there was something worth salvaging.

"What about you?"

"What 'bout me?"

"You have anyone to come home to? Anyone special waitin' for you back in your time?"

"Everyone I know is back dere." Remy sighed softly before offering a rather cryptic reply much to her dismay. "Many people I care 'bout."

Nervously playing with her gloves she gave a half smile. "Sorry Ah didn't mean…"

"Is fine Chere. Try not to t'ink to much 'bout it."

She could fully relate, never wanting to give any thoughts on what she had left behind when she decided to get on the bus and leave home since it would be to painful, but then why was that exactly what she constantly found herself doing lately more than ever? Maybe it was because Remy did remind her a lot of home and was one of the few in the school that she could relate to in that aspect- not that she would ever admit it to him.

But unlike her, Remy didn't really have a choice in leaving as far as she knew. But she did. She chose to leave.

And if she had to be honest with herself, she did miss the long nights out, sitting in the back of a pickup truck, hearing the ongoing sounds of crickets as she rode her bike or ran through the fields with friends. A time long gone when all her worries were nowhere in sight. When she didn't feel like she needed to constantly hide who she really was.

"Gambit?"

"Hmm?"

"Are…aren't you worried. About whoever's after you?"

"People been tryin' to take me out more times den I can count Chere." That cocky smile was back and suddenly she preferred that over the previous somber one he had not but a moment ago.

"Because you're a thief?"

"Amongst other things." He absently began patting his pockets until he found what he was looking for. Raising the cigarette to his lips he stopped midway when he saw her frown.

"You shouldn't smoke you know."

"An' here I thought you wanted to punch dis handsome Cajun all de way back home non?" He lowly chuckled when he saw her dismissively wave her hand and that sound made cheeks heat up as he put the cigarette away.

"What makes you think Ah still won't?" she challenged a second before seeing the red and blue lights flicker on behind them right before her face paled, the sound of sirens being the only thing she heard next. "Gambit…"

"Relax Chere." He grinned knowing this wasn't the first time he'd ever seen lights such as those.

"How do you expect me to relax?!" she carefully peeked from behind her seat realizing that they were in fact being asked to pull over. "He's stopping us!"

"Oui Chere I can see dat."

"So pull over!" She screeches when she saw him only speed up a little. The last thing she wanted was to be on the news for being in a high-speed car chase with him! How was she going to explain this to the others?!

"Well, you see Chere…dere may be a slight problem." He slowly dragged out not even needed to explain further when her eyes grew ridiculously bigger. And if they weren't in this situation, he would think she looked like one of those hilarious cartoon characters as her eyes continued to bounce between him and the police car right behind them.

"You don't have a valid drivers license?!" she half yelled half questioned.

"Nah Chere I do, but I'm pretty sure it's expired by now." He casually grinned like none of this was bothering him in the least. But then again with his criminal background this probably was an everyday occurrence for him.

"Oh my gawd Ah'm so going to kill you!"

"Easy Chere." When he saw the police car right on their tail, he lightly began tapping his fingers against the wheel. "Dis could be worrisome."

"You think?!"

"Yellin' ain't helpin none Chere." He chuckled before turning to her. "What 'bout ma Cherie? You've got a license?"

"N-no not yet, but Ah will!"

Bristling Remy had the audacity to wiggle his finger in front of her face and she was tempted to bite it off. "Not a lot of help dere yourself now are we?"

"Ah can drive!"

"So can I." He flat out laughed now before tapping the wheel. "See dis is me drivin', but it don't do us a whole lot of good if neither of us have a valid license now does it?"

"Have Ah told you how much I hate you?" she dangerously narrowed her eyes before watching the cop car gesture them to pull over. "Scotts goin' to kill me." She frantically repeated over and when Remy finally slowed the car down and began moving it to the side of the road.

"Kinda romantic wouldn't you say Chere?" The smile on his face only widened.

"Ah fail to see how spendin' the night in jail has any romantic value to it."

"What? You ain't ever heard of Bonnie an' Clyde?"

"They were shot to death by the police Gambit." She deadpanned before shaking her head. "Ah can't believe this."

"An' you are an accomplice to a crime too." Snickering, he playfully shook his head as he turned the ignition off. "Why'd you make me drive Chere?" he casually began glancing back where he could see the police officer getting out of their car while Rogue stared back in pure shock.

Rolling the window down he nonchalantly waited until the police office walked up to them.

"License and Registration please."