Yenta Opening Moves



With Storm back in the right body, Scott decided it was time to get to know her friend a bit better. He'd seen the man go toe to toe with Logan and not come out much worse for wear, so he wasn't worried about his fighting prowess. He hadn't complained about being put on the chore roster, but Scott knew he was still living out of his suitcase, er dufflebag. Not that he seemed to have any clothes that were harmed by the treatment. Despite Storm's reports, Scott had a funny feeling that Gambit didn't actually want the security of their family, or their help. To be honest, Storm had said he needed the help, not that he wanted it.

It was time to push. Gambit would be an asset to the team, if they could get control of him. He was an insolent little bastard, but he followed orders in the Danger Room. Rogue was taken with him. The Cajun had begun a siege of her defenses. He didn't back down when Scott'd matched them against one another, which boded well for his ability to separate his emotions from things. They were a good match, invulnerability versus quite adroit fighting. They'd be a good team together.

He mentally filled Jean in on his plan and she contacted Logan. //He'll do it,// she informed her husband.

*****

"Gambit, you play pool?" Scott asked over lunch the next day.

"Oui, Remy's played some."

"How about a game after lunch?"

"D'Accord," Gambit replied. Bobby hid a grin. It looked like Pool-shark Slim had set his sites on a new victim. He almost felt sorry for Gambit, almost.

*****

Scott set up the balls. Gambit was frowning at a piece of hair that had had the audacity to slip loose of his ponytail. He sighed and took out the band. "Here, let me," Scott offered. Red on black eyes blinked once, then twice. Remy held out the band and Scott suppressed a smile. He was finally going to get the Cajun to turn his back on him.

As he gathered up the hair that was longer than it had first appeared, he absently finger-combed out a tangle. "Stand still," he chastened the thief. Scott ignored Logan's grin. The Canadian had settled himself with a beer and the remote. From his vantage point he could watch the game as well as the television.

"Enough wit' de pettin', homme. Jus' tie it back." Gambit shifted position.

"No wonder it doesn't stay up. Faster isn't better. Jean's got detangler if you need to borrow it."

"Merci, I dink." Scott fastened the rubber band and pulled the tail tight.

"Good?"

"Oui."

"Since you're new, I'll even let you break." Remy rolled his eyes.

"Merci." Gambit broke and won solids. He studied the layout of the table. The match moved quickly into Scott's favor. Remy leaned against the wall and watched Scott line up a shot. "Y' should play pro." Scott shrugged. "Ain' talkin' trash. Y' better'n some of de ones dis boy seen."

"Thanks. Who taught you to play?"

"Snake Skalany." Scott glanced up. He'd heard the name before. "Y'?"

"Manhattan Jimmy."

"Gambit nodded. "T'ought dat jump looked familiar."

"Don't play with Jean, she cheats," Scott told him as his wife came in to the room.

"I cheat? Look who's talking."

"I don't cheat. I'm just that good," Scott defended. "Is that beer?"

"Yes, but not for you. Here, Remy. Logan, could you use a fresh beer?"

"Thanks, Darlin'." Logan took a swig from the new bottle.

"I'll see you later. And, Remy, ignore my husband." Remy shook his head. The affection between the two of them was so clear. He'd had no trouble figuring out their relationship. He wasn't quite sure what was going on between the two of them and Logan yet. The ties seemed just as strong, but they refused to get involved. At least according to the gossip. Remy semi-trusted Mystique's daughter on that note.

"Black. Center right." Scott sand the shot easily for the win. "Want me to show you that jump?"

"Please." Scott set up the table. He talked the younger man through the mechanics of it, pleased to finally have his full attention for something. He took a sip out of the bottle that Jean had given Gambit. The thief rolled his eyes, but let it slide. He lined up the shot.

He was slightly surprised when Scott settled a hand over his to adjust his grip. Remy glanced at Wolverine and was shocked that they were being watched so closely. Logan seemed to be nearly growling and his eyes were fixed on Scott.

Remy forced himself to pay attention to the shot and not to the jealously that floated through the room from Wolverine. Cyke was repositioning his other hand now. It felt awkward. "No wonder Snake never beat Jimmy," Scott muttered close to Remy's ear. "I know the other grip is more comfortable, but it's a bad habit to fall into. Okay, one smooth, fast stroke. Pull back." He guided Gambit's arm back. "Hit quickly. All the force focussed on one point right here." The sharp movement worked. "Good. Let's try that again." Scott patted Gambit's shoulder. He smiled blandly at Logan who was definitely not watching the television any longer.

Gambit ran a quick check over his shields. Only at eighty percent. He increased them to ninety. Physical contact always made his powers hyper-reactive. It didn't seem to help the situation. Logan still radiated jealously. Scott didn't move far enough away to keep Remy's charm from reacting. No, Gambit told himself. You will not flirt with Stormy's boss. Even though ticking off Logan might be fun. The boss's wife might be a possibility. But he hated spooks, even if he had been accused of being one himself.

The shot was set up. Scott settled gentle fingers on the back of Gambit's wrist. His skin was cold. Absently, Scott rubbed it with his thumb. "You need to loosen, just touch. That's better. Shoot from the wrist."

Scott watched the shot, his chin resting on Gambit's shoulder. He clucked at the positioning of the thief's other hand. "Bad habits, Gumbo. They'll be the death of you."

"Which bad habits?" The question startled Scott. It seemed like a serious question. Scott treated it as such.

"First, your wrist is too stiff. It's shortening your shot. And this hand isn't stable this way." He tapped the younger man's hand where it lay on the felt. Gambit obligingly changed position. "And you don't think before running into a battle."

"Y' wrong dere, cher. Gambit dinks. He jus' don' dink like y' do." Gambit popped the jump shot. Scott smiled.

"Good shot. Set it up again. You drink."

"Don' affect Gambit, homme. Dere's certain drinks dat do, of course." Remy shrugged as he gathered the balls.

"You flirt." Remy started to laugh.

"Y' de last person t' be lecturin' on dat one." Logan snorted. So the kid had noticed. Scott gave him a confused look. Remy shook his head and let it go.

"You smoke."

"And y' never did? Now Remy knows y'r shittin' him."

"Okay, okay, I'll concede that one." The shot was set up. Remy positioned his hand and Scott corrected the grip.

*****

Scott was in his office. His feet were up on his desk and there was a very slim folder in his hands. Storm was in the visitor's chair. "So, we know he's a thief. We know he restricts his thieving to bad guys. You think he has a past for the government, but you don't know that for sure. You think he was married, but you aren't sure. Is there anything you do know for sure?"

"His father is named Jean-Luc and he is from New Orleans."

"How old is he?"

"I don't know."

"Is he legal?"

"Possibly."

"Are you stonewalling me, Ro?"

"Scott, would I do that?"

"In a heartbeat. He saved your life. You think you owe him?"

"He adopted me. He is my brother." Storm shrugged elegant shoulders. Scott shook his head, smiling.

"You say he needs us. He says he doesn't."

"He has not left yet."

"He is staying to watch over you?"

"No, he knows he wants to stay here. He just can't admit it. He has been turned out of several places. He was not supposed to return to New Orleans. We could not go to certain parts of the city." She shrugged again. "I was a child. I did not question him."

"How good is he?"

"He's the best."

"Who was the last person he worked for?"

"He didn't say that he'd worked for anyone. But I know that some of the pictures and things we stole he sent to an Interpol investigator. He said he was returning things to their rightful place."

"So he may have been working for the government? Under the table?"

"Anything is possible."

"Do we have any hard information on him? Did he go to school?"

Storm hesitated. "I don't know. He can read. He can write. He enjoys reading. He likes French poetry. I think he pretends to be less than he is."

"Thank you, Storm, for that very salient point."

She raised a brow. He looked flatly back at her.

"Welcome back, Storm."

"I am glad to be back, Cyclops. Now, are we finished attempting to dissect my friend?"

"For today. Go get him off the roof please. I don't like people who can't fly perching up there."

"Who says he cannot fly?" Scott stared at her.

"Point to Storm," he announced. "Now, go on. I've got head games to plot."

"Don't turn him out, Slim."

"Would I do that?"

"Yes."

"I'll be careful of your friend, Storm."

"You best be careful." Scott smiled at her. She didn't buy it for a moment. She recalled seeing the same look on Remy's face a moment before he jumped out a third floor window with no net.

*****

Remy was feeling decidedly uneasy. Jean kept giving him secretive looks. Gambit was always a little on edge around telepaths. They grated on his nerves like a low-pitched buzz. And the woman had a nasty mean streak. He knew that from watching her reactions in the Danger Room. To top it all off, her husband was as changeable and unpredictable as the weather. And people claimed Logan was hard to read. Logan's emotions were bright and simple. Sure, he had a temper, but Gambit knew that. It was the jealously that knotted Remy's stomach.

Remy was trying hard to be good, but he couldn't help but respond in kind to teasing comments. What Gambit couldn't understand was why Logan was jealous, but Jean never was. To try to figure out the pattern, Remy had made himself a cup of tea and had curled up on the couch with the paper. The den was the warmest spot in the house. There was a gentle rainstorm falling against the windowpanes. Crimson eyes drifted over the pages of The Wall Street Journal.

Scott was surprised to receive only a curt nod in acknowledgment when he entered the den. Weapons check, Scott thought. Smile? Check. Remote? Check. Logan? Check. He settled down on the couch next to the new kid and turned on the television. With a calculatedly innocent preoccupation, Scott settled his free hand on Gambit's ankle. He didn't even chide the man about having his feet on the couch. It was like having a cat in the house according to Jean: irritatingly clingy one moment and spitting mad the next.

Gambit glanced at Summers out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't be sure, but he thought the move had been calculated. Part of the pattern that was messing up all of Gambit's theories was the way the man flirted when there was no one to watch. Maybe he was doing it for Jean, but that didn't seem to ring true. His emotions were too even, too calculating for that. He enjoyed the flirting. That was obvious, but it wasn't real. It didn't mean anything, not like when he sparked off of Logan or Jean. There was affection and a heavy dose of lust there. Gambit refused to be taken in again. He was sick of false relationships. Did he have some sign on his forehead that exclaimed "slut" or something? He wasn't some stray puppy that would cave in when given a few scraps of food and a kindly pat. What set his teeth so on edge about this though? It wasn't the first time he'd flirted or been flirted with, just for the hell of it. Scott finally settled on CNN. Gambit paid attention to it for a little while, trying to figure out how to gracefully get out of the situation. It was probably his fault, things like this usually were. Scott was curious. That had to be it. But damn it, the man had two people dancing in attendance to him. Gambit shifted and stretched. He settled his feet on the coffee table. He was sure he saw a smirk flicker across the boss-man's face.

Oh, no you don't, Remy thought to himself. I'll figure you out. The thought was followed by a flash of panic as Scott reached over him to get the guide. He managed to keep the tea from spilling all over the back of Scott's hand, but it wasn't as easy as it looked, the mug was hot. He had been lightly charging it to keep his drink warm, like he usually did. The problem was, that just like Iceman's frozen dinners, hot to him was a bit closer to scalding to everyone else. "Coulda handed it to y'."

Scott arched a brow.

Fuck, don't go Mr. Spock on me, Summers. Is that look required for leaders or something?

"Where's the fun in that?" Oh, yes, definitely a smirk there. Gambit ought to wipe that off of your face. Scott settled down after a little too much moving around. And they used to call me a brat. Does the man have no sense of personal space? Oh, Gambit's sure Logan's gonna take this out on him. No matter it ain't his fault. Non, he's not gonna think bad of Scott.

Scott slouched. He monitored the petulant frown on the younger man's face. He was glaring into his drink as if it held the answers to the universe or something. A flicker of interest. So Gambit wasn't oblivious at least. He'd been ignoring the flirting for the most part. Showing remarkable restraint actually. Scott was impressed. It obviously took self-control. Gambit flirted with everything that moved, even Jean and Bobby. Of course, he knew Jean was involved. And Bobby got terribly flustered. The Iceman always blushed well.

"'The Top Ten Heists of the Twentieth Century' is on. Want to pick apart techniques?" That startled the thief.

"Y' watch what y' want. Remy just gon' t' finish de paper." Remy couldn't help it, as the announcers started talking he had to look up. He folded the paper away and decided to admit that he was interested. Scott tried to stick to his plan, but it wasn't possible. By the time they'd reached number seven he was openly mocking the screen.

"You call that a heist? That's a fucking armed robbery you idiots."

"Y' don' need guns t' get inta a bank!" Gambit agreed. By number five Gambit was offering to write the protest letter himself.

"No, this will have to be a team effort. I can't believe that they named three bank robberies to this thing. What about finesse and style? What about the important ones? What about the files that went missing from the FBI last year?"

"Oui, or de Heart Crystal last year."

"Or the Cyprus museum haul."

By number two, the planned flirting had been completely forgotten. Scott carefully put the remote down. Gambit set his mug next to it. "If dey don' have a good one at number one, Gambit's gonna call dem on it. Dis is insane."

"Amen. What the fuck? No way."

"They call that a heist? He didn' even get out de door! He got shot leavin' de buildin'! He didn' even get on de road wit' his haul." Scott looked at Remy.

"Computer's upstairs. I've got the website."

*****

"Jeannie? What happened ta the plan?"

"It's changed. It seems they've bonded over the television and are writing to show to protest their selections."

"Yer kidding."

"Uh, no. They're up in the computer room right now." Jean looked bewildered.

"This I've gotta see." Logan stopped dead in the hallway. Somehow, knowing it wasn't calculated made the situation worse. The two men were in front of the computer. Remy was leaning against Scott's shoulder in order to see the screen better. He pointed at something and Scott nodded. His hair brushed against the younger man's cheek and Gambit settled it behind Scott's ear. The thief straightened and looked at Logan. He sat up straight, almost guiltily.

"Somet'ing y' need, homme?" The best defense was a good offense, Remy told himself Or at the very least, maybe if he struck first, he'd be able to control the conversation. He hadn't meant to get that comfortable around Summers. It was dangerous. The man could push his buttons on the first meeting better than anyone Gambit had ever met. He was worried that Summers would make a few too many leaps of logic and get behind his shields.

"Just wondered where ya got to. Ya still plannin' on heading in ta Harry's?" Logan asked. He couldn't quite keep himself from glaring at the thief. He relented when he saw the younger man shrug and wince.

"Yeah. I'll be down in a few. I want to get this written up first."

"I'll be watchin' tv with Jeannie."

"Okay. What about number six, Gambit?" The thief hesitated, but then leaned closer to read the screen. He ran a quick shield scan and realized they were holding at over ninety-five percent. I kannae do it, Cap'in, his mind screamed at him. The engines won't take it. Remy sighed. Even his mind was trying to rebel against this one. He forced them up to ninety-nine percent. He'd feel a bit stifled and it would reduce his alertness, but at least he'd know that it wasn't his fault. He could barely sense Scott's emotions at the moment. Which meant, oh shit, which meant that Logan's jealousy was obvious by senses that weren't enhanced by his powers. Scott didn't seem to notice Gambit's distraction. He was focussed on tearing down the producers of the show they'd just watched.

*****

Remy declined Logan's half-hearted offer to go with them to town. Scott frowned. He'd noted something was off, but he wasn't sure what it was. Luckily, Storm was coming down the hall and Gambit excused himself to catch up with her. "Stormy, wait up."

"Don't call me 'Stormy.'" Gambit smiled at her. It was slightly strained.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly, as she took his hand.

"Not'in', petite, jus' feelin' a lil out of dings is all." Storm nodded. She squeezed his hand. It was hard for him to accept that she was an adult. His world had just flipped. She was willing to humor his big brothering for a while. He tugged on her hand and pulled her towards the outdoors. "Need t' see de moon." The regal ex-goddess smiled like a little girl.

"Why do you watch the moon, Brother?"

"She's always dere. She's de one ding dat a t'ief can count on." Storm wondered what was so different about talking with him tonight. With a shock she realized she couldn't feel him. Her stomach tightened. He was tied up in knots. He was going to pull away. He was going to leave. She knew it with the sick certainty that accompanied prophecy. She didn't know what had been happening. She'd been so happy to be reunited with her family that she didn't know why he was so upset. He led her to the bridge over the lake and they stood watching the reflection of the moon in the water. "Y' ever wondered which one's de real moon, chere?" Storm blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"De one in de sky, or de one y' can catch in a mirror?" She looked at him. It didn't seem to be the start of a joke.

"The one in the sky." Remy shook his head.

"Non, chere. De one in de sky. Dat's just a reflection. De moon y' can catch in de water. Dat's where reality is. Watch." Remy dropped a petal in to the lake. The rippled dispelled the reflection. "Dat opens de gateways. T'rough de water y' find de trut'. De sky, dat ain' gon' t' tell y' what's goin' on. Don' matter how high y' fly on de wind, Stormy, y' ain' never gonna touch dat moon. So, de moon in de water dat y' can't touch be just as real as de sky y' can' touch. But water. Water is life. De water is death. De reflection is de reality.... Pah. Don' listen t' dis one, 'tite. He just feelin' a lil older dan he actually be. Prob'ly come from seein' y' get old so fast. Y' know Gambit loves y', oui?"

"Yes, Remy. I know."

"He don' ever want t' hurt his Stormy."

"What are you telling me?"

"Why do y' stay here?"

"These people are my family. Xavier taught me how to use my powers for something positive. To use my skills. They gave me a family, Remy. They gave me something I barely remembered. They gave me a place to be. Don't run before they have the chance to give you that too. I know you this well, my friend, I know your life has been mostly ripples. I know it's hard to see security and safety as anything but an illusion, but you are safe here." Remy gave her a small smile. He kissed her palm.

"Remy's got t' dink some, chere. He see y' tomorrow."

*****

"So, what's yer read on the kid?" Logan asked. He thought about his reactions to the young thief. He liked the kid. Thought he was a good fighter. He was a little too cocky but Logan thought that would fade when he relaxed a little more. He wanted to keep the thief around. But he didn't really like this game Scott seemed to be playing. It was more like he was playing with an open flame than a person. And if the kid lost it, he could probably take the mansion with him.

Scott shrugged. "He's not a team player, but that's more from being on his own more than anything else. I also wouldn't trust him with the silver, but he's got some restraint. He won't steal from the Mansion." Scott sipped his drink. He glanced at the pool table, but Logan stared at him. "He's a thief. What else do you want to know?"

"Is this game of yers doin' any good?"

"You mean besides keeping him thoroughly off balance?" Scott grinned. "Nope." The smile faded. "I get the feeling we're missing something. And it's something very important. It's itching in the back of my brain. It's something Storm told me about when he rescued her."

"Ya sure ya oughta be pushin' him so hard?"

"That's the only thing I'm sure of. I need to see how far I can push before he pushes back." Logan looked up.

"That wasn't the plan."

"You just weren't listening when I explained it. I wasn't sure how he'd react, but I'm pretty sure he'll bunk one of these days. It's a question of when. I think Storm's the only thing that's keeping him from leaving. And I need to know when he'll call me on it."

"Meaning?"

"When is he going to tell me to either back off or pay up. That's what I want to know."

Yenta Opening Moves Part 2



"Diablo?" Raven whispered to herself. "What is he doing in New York?" She decided to find out. The young man was currently, obviously, trying to drink himself into a stupor. She settled on the stool next to him. "Hey, sailor."

"Hello, Raven."

"Come on. I've got a room."

"I don't know. Y' see I've got dis reputation..."

"That can't get any worse. Come on." She put out her hand and he took it. She dropped some money on the bar and led the young man to her hotel. The young thief collapsed across her bed. He put a hand over his eyes. She shook her head and reverted to her normal form. He seemed to be more comfortable with blue.

"So, what's eating you?" She settled next to him. "You aren't still working for the Red-Eyed Bastard are you?"

"Non. Left about six mont's ago."

"So? Who are you working for?"

"Been wit' de X-punks for about a mont'. And dey scare de shit outta me." Raven patted his hair. "Dat leader of dere's..."

"Stick-boy?"

"Oui. He's playin' head games. Gambit don' like head games."

"You are a walking talking head game. And quit with the accent."

"You are no fun, chere."

"Did you think I would be?" She batted her eyes at him. He laughed and put an arm around her waist. "So, Cyclops is playing head games?"

"Oui. He's, well, it's not exactly him. I don't even know if he realizes what he's doin'. He's driving Logan crazy. And Remy too. He's flirting. His girl doesn't care. Logan is completely green though."

"Green?"

"Jealous. Green-yellow. He wants to put his claws through my throat. And his boy doesn't even seem to realize that Logan's head over heels for him."

"Wolverine and Cyclops? You're kidding me."

"Non. According to your daughter they ain't doing anything. Stick-boy probably doesn't even know that he's in love with Claws. I think Claws knows he's in love with Stick-boy, but he won't ever admit it. And he probably only admits it to himself in the dead of night, when it's too hard to lie anymore."

"You like Wolverine?"

"The enemy of my enemy and all that."

"It is so bizarre to hear you talk like an Englishman."

"Can't help it. One accent or the other. Can't have both."

"You try it. How is my daughter?"

"She's a pretty thing. All grown up."

"She's too old for you."

"Non, chere, you're too old for Gambit. That don't stop you though." She chucked him under the chin.

"Silly child. How is she?"

"She's okay. Lonely and horny though."

"Do you think you'll be staying?"

"I don't know. I need to think some."

"When you left, did you take your things?"

"Oui. Got a nice little room, me."

"Where?"

"The Ritz-Carlton. The last place that lot will look for me. Except for mon Stormy."

"Stormy? You get away with calling Ororo Monroe Stormy?"

"Oui. She loves it, but she'll never admit it. What is up between Xavier and his students though? They act like he's a god or something."

"They were young when he rescued them."

"Ah. Dat explains it."

"Accent, Diablo, Accent."

"Yes'm."

"Brat."

"Yes'm."

"Will you stay the night?"

"I'll go get my things. 'Less you want to come stay with me?" He raised a brow. She shook her head. "Okay. I'll get my things in the morning."

"Sounds like a plan. Are you registered under your name?"

"Non. Richard Essex."

"You live dangerously."

"Like the man doesn't know where I am."

"You think he's tracking you?" She frowned.

The thief shrugged. "He made it clear when I left that he'd be keeping an eye on me."

"And that doesn't worry you?"

"Can I stop him?"

"No."

"So why should I worry? Live for today, chere. Don't live in the past, it can only bring you pain." Raven kissed his forehead.

"Come on. I think you need some sleep."

"Yes'm, Tante." It wasn't the first time he'd curled up on her bed. It probably wouldn't be the last.

*****

"He's gone," Storm said. Thunder crashed and rain pounded as the weather goddess attempted to control her emotions. She stared directly at Scott. The field leader of the X-men took another aspirin and tried to figure out when he'd pushed too far. Logan winced internally. He'd figured out the one thing that Scott had not taken in to consideration. The kid knew that his jealousy wasn't a game. "I knew it. I knew it last night when he talked to me. I couldn't feel him. I knew he would leave. I warned you, Scott. I told you not to play games with him."

"I wasn't playing any games last night, Storm." She stopped and stared at him.

"Feel him?" Jean muttered. "Feel... Oh, no. He's an empath isn't he?" Storm spun on her heel.

"I never asked. The problem is, neither did any of you." She stalked out of the house, the door slamming behind her.

"What're we gonna do, Boss?"

"He'll be back." Jean and Logan stared at Scott.

"Right."

"He'll be back. There's a storm brewing. He'll come back because he'll know his Stormy is upset and he won't turn his back on her." Scott leaned back. "He just needed space to think. God knows this place gets claustrophobic. Excuse me." Jean's eyes narrowed.

"What's he up to, Jeannie?"

"I don't know. He's just gone unreadable, insufferable, enigmatic, irritating, unpredictable asshole on me." Logan couldn't help it. He started laughing. Jean glared at him, but couldn't hold the look. "So, a game of pool?"

"Sure, Jeannie."

*****

Gambit cocked his head to the side and perched on the window ledge outside the room he'd already started thinking of as "his." Sitting on his bed, reading what looked to be the security system manual that he was sure had been in his bag the day before yesterday, was the field leader of the X-men. The lights were on low. Scott moved the sticky-note he was using as a bookmark and looked at the window. There was no reason for Gambit to still be outside. Scott opened the window and settled on the window-seat. The thief tossed his dufflebag in and settled his tools on the floor. He lit up a cigarette. Scott sighed.

"I thought you'd be back."

"Couldn't leave Stormy. Just needed t' dink."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"F' what, homme?"

"For playing head games."

"Ain't no reason t' apologize f' dat. Y' don' have de... evil necessary t' bot'er dis one wit' head games. Y' were flirtin'. T'weren't y' dat worry moi," Remy said with a self-mocking smile.

"Logan?"

"And y' wife. Been caught out y' know. Never seems t' matter who start it, it be easier t' blame Remy." Scott thought about that.

"Jean's a telepath."

"Don' like spooks. Sorry."

Scott grinned. "Sounds like something Logan said to me once or twice. Right about the same time he told me he was in love with my girlfriend."

"And y'." That stopped Scott cold.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Not'ing. Probably just jealous about all de time y' started spendin' wit' de new kid," Remy glossed. He was not going to get into that discussion. Hell, he hadn't even been here a month and he was thinking of matchmaking? He must be insane. Maybe Sinister was right.

"You going to stay?"

"Don't know. Y' gonna keep playin' games?"

"Yep."

Remy laughed. "At least y' honest 'bout it. Dat de manual for C38D-L?"

"Yeah."

"T'ief."

Scott laughed. "Yep."

"Okay, okay. I'll stay. Better go talk t' Stormy 'fore she washes away de garden."

"Go through the house. I don't want to have to scrape you up off the pavement because you got blown down."

"Y'r concern touches me."

"You're touched all right. You're staying here aren't you? Welcome to the madness. By the way. You have a Danger Room session in about five hours."

"Merde." Scott just waved and tossed the book onto the bed.

"Don't lose my place."

"Oui, Scotty, y' can borrow de books anytime y' like. Merci, Gambit."
FINIS
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