Standard disclaimer applies.

When Jubilee had established at the airport that she, and only she, would drive them to Westchester Remy had easily capitulated, it made no difference at that time to him. Now, however, he found that she used the driving as an excuse to avoid conversation. Apparently she had lost her ability to multi-task and also needed to concentrate in order to remember to remain on the right-hand side of the road, although how one could forget while on the freeway was beyond him. Thus he found himself chain-smoking in the passenger seat and noting, with melancholy, that she did not launch into a tirade against tobacco.

When he had left for that brief mission for Belladonna, he had merely left a note on the dining-room table. He was a coward, he knew that, but he could not bring himself to face Jubilee that morning. He did not want to speak to her while his determination to maintain their agreement was fragile, liable to falter at any moment. At that stage he was into damage control mode, and whatever action offered the least opportunity of pain and embarrassment would be quickly taken.

The planned two day mission somehow morphed into four during which he had one stilted phone conversation with Jubilee, informing her of his new return date and gave her permission to use one of his credit cards to book two tickets to New York. Two one-way tickets. She rarely asked for permission to do anything.

The mission had taken him to Luxembourg and when he returned to London he had literally taken a taxi from Heathrow to the apartment, filled another suitcase with random clothing, helped Jubilee bring her bags down, turned around and headed back to the airport again. No time for chitchat.

The in-flight movies were dull, at least to him they were but she apparently found them fascinating and remained glued to the screen during the entirety of the journey. The duty-free shopping catalogue attracted a long studious perusal. As did the safety instruction sheet. It was this that finally convinced him that she was avoiding any sort of discussion with him.

The sign for their exit appeared and Jubilee turned soon after, heading towards Westchester. They passed through the town reasonably quickly and within minutes were on Greymalkin Lane waiting before the high iron-wrought gates to be allowed in. Jubilee pressed the buzzer.

"kcch¡¦Welcome home¡¦" Jean's voice fizzled through the intercom, "come in¡¦kcc"

The gates began to gradually open and she drove through, along the tree-lined avenue and finally into the car park in front of the mansion. She moved to get out of the car immediately but Remy was faster and gently grasped her wrist. Her head whipped around, a gleam of panic flashed in her eyes but it faded into apathetic questioning.

"Yeah?"

He smiled wryly, sardonic amusement writ on his face, "You plan on talkin' to me sometime soon?"

She stuttered a little in her haste to deny, "I'm not¡¦not¡¦I mean¡¦I¡¦" but his steadfast gaze on her undermined her ability to think clearly and her shoulders slumped, "define soon?"

"Now," he replied firmly.

"Oh," she cast about for a possible method of distraction, but all her previously successful ones were no longer appropriate, "Sorry Gumbo¡¦just¡¦" she shrugged pathetically, "not sure what to say¡¦anymore."

He released her wrist, "Try p'tite. It's not easy fo' me either, you know."

"I know¡¦sorry."

He waited, watching her. Her face down-turned, eyes fixed on her hands. He was tempted to tilt her chin up, but the gesture was too personal and he let her be. Finally, when he realised that she was not going to speak, he opened the car door and stepped outside. She followed him quickly to the trunk as he began to pull the various bags out.

"Sorry¡¦"

"Think you mentioned dat already."

She began to heft bags onto her shoulders, "Umm¡¦you gonna stay long?"

"Depends," he slammed the trunk shut and picked up the remaining luggage, "depends on what Ororo's doing."

"Yeah¡¦right, ok."

They trudged to the front door, rang the bell.

She turned to him, making eye contact now, "Do you wanna¡¦"

Remy was not given the opportunity to hear the question as the door opened and the figure of Jean Grey filled the space before ushering them inside.

"Jubilee," she leaned over to hug the young woman, "how are you?"

"Good, thanks."

"Let me take those from you," she lifted a rucksack from one of Jubilee's shoulders, left it hovering in mid-air and turned to Remy.

"Welcome back," she planted a chaste kiss on his cheek, prompting a roguish grin to spread across his face.

"Ch¡¦e," he managed to lift an arm, despite the baggage hanging off him, and raise her hand to his lips, "if I was always guaranteed such a welcome, I would make it my business to return more often."

Jubilee snorted and rolled her eyes. Jean managed to look simultaneously pleased and sceptical through the device of a raised eyebrow to match her amused smile.

"I'm sure," their luggage began to lift itself off them and floated in a neat block beside them, "Charles is in his study, I'm sure he'd like to see you first." She turned and led them down the main corridor, baggage trailing obediently behind them, and into Xavier's office.

The Professor was clearly awaiting their arrival as he was seated behind his desk and greeted them as they entered.

"Remy, Jubilee¡¦take a seat," Two chairs began to edge their way forward, "I will only take a moment of your time."

"I'll just bring your bags to your rooms, all right?" Jean nodded brightly at the couple and then at the Professor before closing the door. The chairs ceased their helpful endeavours to seat the pair.

Jubilee signed in relief and sat down gingerly. Remy was already relaxing in an armchair, eyes trained on the man before him.

"First of all," Xavier pressed his fingertips together, "welcome back, to the both of you."

They murmured their thanks.

"Secondly, congratulations Jubilee on finishing your exams," he favoured her with a benevolent smile, "we are all very proud of you." She flushed a little but beamed at him.

"And thirdly," he inclined his head towards Remy, "I hope you will accept my compliments for your steadfast support of Jubilee throughout this¡¦ shall we say, trying period? Furthermore Ororo has informed me of the crucial role you have often played on her team missions for which I am also exceedingly grateful."

Remy blinked behind his sunglasses at this unexpected praise, but nodded to indicate his acceptance.

"Of course, as always, you are both welcome to stay as long as you wish, your rooms remain the same. I expect you'll want to meet the others. Several members of the staff are currently engaged in recruiting a student from Botswana, but I do believe they plan to be home for supper," he stopped and smiled at Jubilee, "however Logan is loitering somewhere on the grounds." She grinned and he continued, his attention now on Remy, "Ororo's team should be returning here soon for a brief respite, yes?"

The younger man nodded.

"Then I assume you will want to discuss with her the particulars of your role in the team. I would also like to have a longer discussion with both of you about¡¦" Xavier's gaze became distant and he straightened. He cast an apologetic look at the pair.

"I'm sorry but I must unfortunately bring our meeting to a close as it would seem that my four o' clock appointment has just arrived outside¡¦and he is making himself quite nervous. I expect you will want to settle into your rooms or meet with the others. If you wish to speak to me about any matter, I shall be at dinner." He tilted his head slightly, " I do believe he's afraid I am about to punish him for that lipstick he stole this morning."

Xavier chuckled, shaking his head and stood up. The others followed suit as he extended his hand to each. They shook his hand in turn, and had reached the door when he called them.

"Oh, and if you see a puddle in the corridor please do try and avoid stepping in it. It would most likely be Eleanor and she really does hate being stuck on people's shoes."

He gave them a brief wave before re-seating himself and Remy guided a bemused Jubilee out. A fair-haired boy was sitting on one of the chairs next to the door, although his features were so androgynous that any gender classification they made was based solely on Xavier's choice of pronouns. The boy was visibly shaking and appeared to be ready to bolt at any moment.

"Err¡¦" he glanced up at Jubilee, wide-eyed, "I think he's ready to see you now."

"Th¡¦thanks," he stuttered, staring at the door in fear before apparently screwing up his courage and moving with surprising speed through it. Once the door had shut behind him, Jubilee turned to Remy.

"The Academy is seeming more like frickin' Mallory Towers every second," she smile, waving a hand at their surroundings, "I love this place."

"Yeah, good to be back¡¦"

They had begun to walk aimlessly back along the corridor, shoulder to shoulder both keeping an eye out for the mysterious Eleanor. When they reached the entrance hall they paused, each regarding the other uncertainly.

"So are¡¦"

"I'm gonna¡¦"

"Sorry."

"No, me. I'm sorry."

They stared at each other.

"I'm just gonna go," Jubilee pointed up the stairs, "unpack and stuff."

"I will accompany you to your room then," he said graciously and offered her his arm.

She hesitated but noticed the mocking gleam of his eyes and took the arm, sticking out her tongue, "Stop tryin' to wind me up."

They began to ascend the staircase and Remy looked down at her, realising that their public setting constrained them to innocuous remarks, and his silence prompted her to meet his gaze.

"What?"

They came to the second floor girls' corridor, which was deathly quiet in comparison to their last visit. With the arrival of the summer, many of the students had returned home. Only a few, who were unable to leave for various reasons, remained at the school. Thus, this time, Remy's foray into the female wing did not prompt any shrieks or squeals. He found he quite missed it.

They halted outside Jubilee's bedroom door and she was still waiting for him to speak, eyebrows raised comically high in expectation. He released her arm and took a step back.

"Just trying t'make the best of a difficult situation, ch¡¦e."

Her face softened, "I know. Me too," she wrinkled her nose and smiled a little wryly, "well, I'm trying to anyway."

He hovered for a moment, unsure of the new farewell protocol. He could not kiss her on the lips, would the cheek or forehead be acceptable? Shaking hands was too formal, he thought, at least he hoped so. A hug? No, too much opportunity for confusion and wandering hands.

She solved his dilemma, "I'll see you later? At dinner?"

"Oui."

She touched his shoulder briefly before disappearing into her room, leaving him to stand alone in the corridor. A scowl descended on his face and he suddenly felt unbelievably frustrated. He began to walk towards the staircase, hands sandwiched into the pockets of his jeans, head hunched forward.

He was not sure whether this was a reflection of how thoroughly screwed up he was, but he found himself wanting Jubilee more than ever at that moment. The thought that he could not touch her, kiss her or hold her both angered and pained him. He found it difficult to reconcile the memory of her easily kindled desire for him with the reality of their separation.

He began to walk faster and instead of stopping at the first landing he continued his descent.

In his honest moments, he realised the logic of her arguments. The maintenance of a long distance relationship over such a protracted period of time would have been difficult.

But not impossible, he had argued.

However the effort would apparently have been too much for her.

'No point', he remembered her saying.

He was so completely and utterly stupid. Third time lucky¡¦bullshit. She was different from Rogue, just as Rogue had been different from Belladonna. His first mistake had been to trust.

'But Jubilee would never hurt him.'

That was what he had thought of the others.

He clenched and unclenched his fists spasmodically, rapidly approaching the lower levels of the mansion. He would use the conventional entrance this time, he did not trust his concentration.

He hated himself for being so weak.

*** *** ***

Nearly a week passed before Ororo and her team arrived at the mansion, battle weary and eager for some rest and relaxation. In the interim Remy had already pledged his services as a full time member of her team. All that remained was informing Ororo, which he dreaded due to the inevitable interrogation that would follow.

Not for the first time did he regret telling her of his relationship with Jubilee.

While he waited for Ororo he divided his days between sessions in the Danger Room, solo expeditions to New York and nights in Harry's Hideaway where he fruitfully whiled away the time flirting with women while their boyfriends glowered in the background. That particular past time had led to several satisfying bar fights and bruises. A few single girls attracted his attention, but he somehow always left the bar alone. Broken hearts and broken barstools, that was how he filled his evenings.

He rang Belladonna directly after the talk with Xavier about his future with the X-Men. He expected her to be angry with him, once more neglecting his duties as patriarch of the united Guild, and she did not disappoint.

"Remy LeBeau! You leave all the responsibility of runnin' this guild to me! Ce n'est pas juste!"

"Ch¡¦e¡¦" he began in that silky undertone that had always served him well.

"No!"

Well, almost always.

"Do not use that voice on me, you connard. Do not call me to tell me you are about to fuck off to Europe or somethin' with that¡¦that salope."

"Who¡¦?" Remy frowned in confusion then his brow cleared, "oh, ya mean Rogue?"

"Pute¡¦" she hissed and he rolled his eyes.

"Now Belle¡¦"

"And you spent the last year in London. This is too much¡¦"

"Hey," he protested, "I did plen'y of work for you this last year. I just finished a job fo' you."

"Not good enough, if you don't want the position LeBeau, there are others willin' to take it¡¦"

He was tempted to take the offer, he had never liked being involved in Guild politics. But no¡¦he knew Jean-Luc would want him to continue to play a part in the maintenance of the union between the Thieves and the Assassins. A sharp exhalation escaped him.

"Listen Belle," he tried again, "how 'bout I go back to you for awhile after I've done some more work with de X-Men?"

"When?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well, these things can take time. What would you say to¡¦" he made a quick estimate, "September?"

"LeBeau!"

"That's the best I can give you Boudreaux," he responded acidly, "take it or leave it."

There was silence from the other end of the connection. He knew she wanted him in the Guild, but didn't want to lose face by relenting.

"A day past September first¡¦" she finally threatened.

"You can put out a contract yourself."

"I don' want you killing my people."

Remy laughed.

"How long'll you stay?"

He had not planned ahead for this, his thoughts had previously been centred on proximity to Jubilee.

"A few months, maybe more."

"I suppose that'll 'ave to do," he could hear the satisfaction underlying her words.

"If I can, I'll do a quick visit before then, d'accord?"

"All right."

"Au revoir, Belle."

"Au revoir."

He saw little of Jubilee during that period. She had been at dinner the first night, attention focused solely on Logan, but since then she had been closeted away with the telepaths, latent power now awoken. There were times when he was sure he sensed her presence, just around the corner¡¦at his shoulder. But then he looked and he was alone.

The number of students on the grounds was small in comparison to term-time. They could usually be found in small clusters outdoors, gathered around the swimming pool or the lake.

Before he realised that the pool area was their territory he had settled himself on a lounger one evening, after dinner, to enjoy a solitary smoke. After awhile he began to wonder why several male students were milling around, shooting him filthy looks. Initially, he attributed it to jealousy of the attention he was attracting from the girls, until he realised that some of the girls were not wearing the dreamy expression that usually accompanied his presence. In some confusion he had retreated to the billiards' room.

It was there that he had his first conversation with a member of staff.

The day he and Jubilee had arrived, Frost, Summers, Drake and Guthrie had been out on a recruiting mission. The others had been around the mansion. He had studiously avoided them all. However he would surface for dinner, telling himself that he had to eat and ignoring the fact that there was a fully functioning kitchen open to him. He looked for her every night, tried not to, and when he realised her absence he would slink away as quickly as possible.

He could not explain it, the intense feeling of humiliation that dominated his mind whenever he was around the others. As though they knew of his relationship with Jubilee, knew of his easy fall, knew of his rejection. He realised they didn't, he realised his paranoia and he continued to avoid them.

Thus, when he entered the billiards' room, and found himself face to face with the one man he thought perceptive enough to guess the truth, he very nearly panicked. Very nearly. But as his very nature rebelled at the thought of an emotion so unbecoming as panic, especially as a result of this particular person's presence, he instead greeted the other with his usual vaguely mocking grin.

"Bonsoir, mon ami."

Logan, who seemed to have been born with a cigar in his mouth and a can of beer in his hand, was surveying the table critically. The only response he vouchsafed was a grunt.

Remy ambled over to the small pile of beer cans on the leather chair in the corner, dug around for a moment, and finally retrieved a full can. The matching armchair was clear of rubbish and he settled himself there.

Logan paid him no attention, circling the table, pausing occasionally to lean over and take aim, snooker balls scattering with the resulting blow. Once he had sunk the black ball he finally looked at his audience.

"Want a game?"

They did not talk, not much. They simply played a game of snooker. There were no undertones, none that Remy was aware of. Jubilee was not mentioned, neither were the X-Men. They did touch on sport, although Logan preferred ice hockey and Remy basketball, they managed to settle on football.

Naturally Remy won the game, any other result would have been an insult to his acute hand-eye co-ordination. But it was by a slim margin, despite the amount of beer Logan continued to consume throughout. Often did Remy covet such a convenient mutant ability, if only for hangover relief.

The relaxed evening left Remy absurdly grateful to Logan for the company he had given him. Living with Jubilee had accustomed him to another's presence, he was finding it difficult to readjust to being alone. It also left him in a better mood since his arrival at the mansion. An attitude that carried onto the following day when Ororo and her team returned.

They arrived in two cars, practically tumbling out of them in their weariness. Half the team seemed to be missing. Ororo stepped out of one car, hand raised to shade her eyes, lips curved in a wan smile. Rogue got out of the other side of the car and he momentarily froze. But then Bishop and Tessa began to unload their car and he was given an excuse to move from her line of vision.

He helped them bring some luggage to the reception hall where Jean greeted them and performed her handy-dandy luggage-sorting trick and soon all the bags were zooming up the staircase, some detaching on the first floor while others continued upwards. Jean gave a pleased smile before linking arms with Sage and drawing her off towards the kitchen, while Bishop murmured something to Ororo about meeting with Xavier and disappeared down another hallway.

Remy grimaced to himself and turned to face the remaining pair. A blur in the corner of his eye indicated that Rogue had just stomped past him and he could not help a sigh of relief. He now focused on his best friend and found her regarding him with a raised eyebrow.

"Did I miss something Remy?"

He grinned ruefully and waited for her to walk abreast of him to sling an arm around her shoulders.

"Long, long story ch¡¦e," Ororo wrapped an arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder, "Tired?"

"Mmhmm," she murmured and he examined her face. There were deep shadows under her eyes, her complexion seemed drained and of course there was the vivid bruise on her temple with assorted scratches.

"Good mission?"

"What?" her eyes looked suspiciously close to flickering shut, "oh, sorry, nothing out of the ordinary." She raised her head and gave a delicate yawn, "I'm sorry, Remy, I'm really not very good company at the moment."

He gave her shoulders a little squeeze, "Never mind, padnat. I'll take you upstairs and," he grinned, "put you to bed."

She slapped at him half-heartedly before letting her head flop onto his shoulder again, "Do shut up Gambit."

"Ooh, I t'ink Stormy's mad, she's usin' my codename," he teased but began to guide her towards the stairs.

"I know an interesting topic for discussion," Ororo replied lightly, "Jubilee and Rogue. You start."

Remy muttered to himself before responding, "Fine¡¦" he glanced at her with concern, "no offence, ch¡¦e but you look terrible. You all right?"

"With such compliments, how could I be otherwise?" she said, then sighed at his frown, "merely tired, my friend. I am not sure if I was made for life on the road."

Remy scoffed and gently steered her along the second floor corridor, "You're a born road warrior, mon amie."

"Please refrain from the Mad Max comparisons," she requested, "I'm not quite sure if my ego could take the battering at the moment."

He laughed, stopping as they reached the door to the attic, "Need my help from here on in?" he waggled his eyebrows playfully.

Ororo groaned and stepped out from under his arm, "I shall manage, somehow," she turned to face him, "thank you for the escort."

"My pleasure," he bowed dramatically, "mademoiselle."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed and half-turned to open the door, "I realise we have much to discuss, Remy," she stared at him meaningfully but sagged a little against the doorframe, "but I really am quite tired."

He regarded her anxiously, "Perhaps you should go to the medilab, ch¡¦e?" he reached out and rested a supportive hand on her shoulder.

She shook her head and smiled reassuringly, "No, no. I'm fine, my friend, it is only tiredness," she raised a hand to pat the arm reached out to her, "but can I postpone our chat until tomorrow?"

"Bien s¡¦," he hastened to agree, not at all comfortable with her evident exhaustion. He released her shoulder but raised her hand to his lips, "Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow," she smiled warmly and squeezed his hand briefly before releasing it and closing the door to the attic behind her.

Remy turned and began to walk back towards the main staircase. Although he could not help but be worried about Ororo, he was also glad to have his best friend with him. One out of two wasn't bad.

He shook his head and descended the stairs to the first floor, heading down the boys' corridor towards his bedroom. He planned to change into workout clothes and do some training in the Danger Room.

As he passed Drake's room the low murmur of voices penetrated through the door. A surprised grin split Remy's face as he entered his own bedroom.

Drake was with a woman. In his bedroom. That was certainly one for the books.

*** *** ***

Ororo sought him out the following afternoon.

He was in the garage, working on his bike and contemplating a brief trip into Westchester when she appeared at the doorway.

"Remy?"

He turned around at the sound of her voice and was pleased to see a marked improvement in her appearance. While the minor abrasions and bruises remained, her face had regained some of its healthy glow and the shadows beneath her eyes were less pronounced. Her bright smile did no harm either.

"Hey," he wiped his hands on a cloth then on his jeans and approached her, "feelin' better?"

"Much," she moved to his side and hooked an arm through his, "do you have time for a walk?"

He returned her smile and threw the oily cloth onto a shelf, "Course."

She led him out into the gardens and beyond, into the woods. They chatted about inconsequential matters as they walked; the particulars of her most recent mission, Remy's last mission with the Guild and he recounted to her his telephone conversation with Belladonna. However when he told her of his semi full-time commitment to the X-Men, she stopped in her tracks.

"Full-time? I don't understand," she searched his face for an explanation and he felt compelled to detach himself from her and walk a little distance away.

"Well, as full-time as Belladonna'll allow," he shrugged, "a few months with you, a few months in New Orleans. Dat's prob'ly how it'll go," he glanced at her, "you don' mind, do you?"

She shook her head determinedly, "No, of course not. That's not what I meant at all. It's just that, well¡¦" she closed the distance between them and stared suspiciously up at him, "what does Jubilee think of this?"

Remy glanced around furtively and unable to see anyone else, he replied, "It was practically her idea, ch¡¦e."

Ororo's eyes widened and she lowered herself onto the grass, "I think you should sit down and explain this to me."

He rubbed wearily at his forehead with the back of his hand but sat down opposite her.

"Tell me."

He pulled at the blades of grass between his legs, "Not much t'tell. Jubilee and me¡¦we reached an understanding."

"What sort of understanding?" Ororo demanded then frowned as something occurred to her, "Where is Jubilee these days? I haven't seen her since I arrived."

"Telepaths took her off the day after we came here," Remy told her, "I t'ink they're activating her telepathy."

"Oh, I see," she pursed her lips thoughtfully and asked again, "What sort of understanding, Remy?"

"She's going to college in Ireland," he answered absently, tugging at the daisies that peppered the grass before eventually plucking one and systematically removing its petals.

"Ireland?"

"Yeah, Trinity College."

"I'm sorry Remy, I still don't understand. What happened between you two?"

"Was like you said, Stormy," he said evenly, "wouldn't work out. We just finally realised it."

"I see," Ororo clasped her hands together in her lap, "and this was a joint decision?"

"Yeah."

Ororo regarded him coolly.

"Yes," he reiterated.

She raised an eyebrow.

"Not really."

She extended a hand to him and he took it, "Talk to me Remy."

He looked at their joined hands, allowed his gaze to follow her hand, up her arm and shoulder to her face. Ororo¡¦his friend, his lifeline.

"You were right," he repeated.

"How was I right, Remy?" she asked softly.

He shrugged, "About everythin'. Her feelings for me, my feelings for her, my feelings for¡¦"

"Rogue?"

His head dropped.

"Remy?" her voice was sharp, "Did something happen with Rogue? Is that what happened?"

His head snapped up again, "No! No, Jubilee doesn't know about dat."

"About what exactly?"

Remy disengaged his hand from hers and ran it through his hair. Ororo had her eyes trained on him, an expression of keen cognisance on her face but she maintained her silence.

"I¡¦I haven't told Jubilee dis," he started, uncharacteristically hesitant, "and I don't want her to know, all right? I don't think she'd, well¡¦" he clenched his jaw, "I don't s'pose it matters now but I don't want her to know. Ok?"

"All right."

"Right," Remy exhaled slowly, "that last night in Riga, after we'd finished the job and celebrating and gone to bed¡¦"

Ororo nodded encouragingly.

"Rogue came to my room," now that he had said it, he rushed on to explain himself, "I didn't invite her. I was asleep, you understand, and I woke up and she was just dere." He gestured sharply at his lap to emphasise his point.

Ororo's mouth opened slightly in shock, "Why?"

"Well," he began, a little forcefully, "she heard our conversation in the kitchen earlier that day¡¦" he could not help but give her a vaguely accusing look and Ororo responded with suitable chagrin.

"Oh no Remy. Will she tell the others?"

"About me and Jubilee?"

She nodded.

Remy had a faint desire to torment her for a little longer but he eventually replied, "No. She only heard de end of our talk. When you were talkin' 'bout her."

"So she¡¦"

"Thought from what she heard dat I was still in love with her."

"And, naturally, you corrected this misapprehension immediately," Ororo said casually.

He cleared his throat and stared at the ground, "Well¡¦"

"Remy!"

"It was dark," he protested, "I was half-asleep and I didn't realise it was her straight away."

"Remy," Ororo said, in a dangerously low voice, "you had better tell me that you didn't sleep with Rogue. I know I might not have been supportive of your relationship with Jubilee but that does not mean I think it was permissible for you to cheat on her."

"Hey," Remy protested indignantly, "who do you t'ink I am? I would never be unfaithful to the petite."

"But you¡¦"

"D'accord," he broke in, slightly miffed at her persistence, "things went further with Rogue than dey should have."

Ororo closed her eyes wearily and raised a hand to smooth over her brow, "I assume you're going to be more specific."

"She was sittin' on me!" Remy exclaimed, as though he was confused by her lack of understanding, "And she wasn't exactly staying still either."

"Oh dear¡¦" an expression of acute distress passed over Ororo's face.

"But when she said that she knew that I was still in love with her, well¡¦I knew I had to set her straight," he sent her a desperate look, "but you have no idea how persistent dat woman can be."

Ororo's head drooped.

"All right," he admitted, "I let her stay on me longer than was really¡¦necessary. But," he rushed on, "I didn't sleep with her," his eyes dropped to the petal-free daisy in his hand, "despite how temptin' it was."

"What does Rogue know?"

"Just dat I'm in a new relationship, and that you don't approve."

"That's all?"

"And that I'm not in love with her anymore."

Ororo regarded him sceptically but refrained from comment, "And this has nothing to do with your separation from Jubilee?"

"I told you, she doesn't know about it."

"Then you'll have to explain this to me Remy," she ordered, "because the last time I spoke to you, you were fully convinced of the durability of your relationship."

"I know ch¡¦e, I know. I wasn't expecting it either," he admitted.

"What happened?"

He shrugged, "She just decided it wasn't goin' to work. The distance, my responsibilities, her inability to be honest with me," his smile was so bitter that Ororo's heart experienced a painful pang of sympathy, "I know how stupid it seems now, mon amie. I go shootin' my mouth off about how devoted Jubilee and I are to each other and within a month I've had another woman in my bed and Jubilee has dismissed our relationship as pointless. Believe me, I see the irony."

"Oh Remy," she reached out and touched his arm gently.

"It's nothing, Stormy. It's my own fault for not seein' it coming," he seemed determined to shake off his dejection and smiled charmingly at her, "Now, we've talked about my woes for long enough, ne c'est pas?"

"But Remy¡¦"

"No," he said firmly, "I don't think I can take much more discussion and reflection on my pathetic love life. Not if you wish me to retain my will to live," he added warningly.

"All right," she relented reluctantly.

"So, how are you Stormy? You seem very tired lately."

"Do not call me by that ridiculous name."

"I'm sorry," he grinned roguishly, "would you prefer 'Your Majesty' or 'Most High and Mighty Queen'?"

"I think I prefer the second, actually," she smiled.

"Seriously, ch¡¦e, is anything wrong? You're not as uppity as you usually are," he teased.

She raised a quelling eyebrow in response.

"Ororo¡¦"

"I'm just worn out, my friend, " she replied, dismissing his concerns, "I feel as though I've been travelling the world in search of those damned diaries for years."

"Are you not enjoying it anymore?"

"No¡¦I mean, of course I am¡¦" her shoulders slumped slightly, "I'm just tired. Really Remy, that's all."

"I don' think so," he shook his head in admonishment, "you dragged all the details of my depressin' life from me, there's no way you're getting away with givin' me anything less than de total truth in return."

Ororo sniffed, "I really don't see the need - "

"Talk ch¡¦e."

She glared rebelliously at him.

"Talk."

"Oh all right," she surrendered, "I might possibly, possibly," she emphasised," be growing tired of my nomadic existence."

"And¡¦" he prodded.

She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself, "It's not as easy as it used to be."

"How so?"

"Leading my friends¡¦my family into danger, on a regular basis," she explained quietly, "I do not feel the same confidence I used to."

"We all have bad days¡¦" he attempted to reassure her.

"Bad days I understand," she raised her weary eyes to meet his, "but bad weeks? Months? Recently, every time I send one of you on a mission or bring you into a battle, I feel a twinge," she spread a hand over her heart, "right here."

"Ro," he stood up and walked the short distance between them, sitting down next to her and placed an arm around her shoulders, "have you talked about this with anyone?"

"Besides you?" she sighed and leaned against him, "No. It would not be fair to burden the others with my insecurities."

"And who is the first person they would turn to if they had a problem?" he pointed out.

"It would undermine their confidence in me as their leader," she insisted.

"What about Charles? You talk with him 'bout it?"

"I am most likely only tired, there's no need to talk about this with him."

"Ororo¡¦"

"I'm sorry Remy¡¦I just couldn't bear to let him down."

He laughed softly, squeezing her shoulders gently, "Anyone ever tell you dat you've got failure issues?"

She 'hmphed' to herself.

"You could always take some leave, some time for yourself¡¦" he trailed off when she pulled away, looking at him in agitation.

"I can't leave, my responsibility now is to the team. We almost have a definite fix on the fourth diary."

"But if you're - "

"No Remy," she interjected firmly, "I knew I should not have burdened you with this," she said, more to herself than to him.

"Hey, hey," he draped his arm across her shoulders again and urged her back towards him, "I'm not saying you should stop leading the team. I'm not. All right?"

She nodded but remained tensed.

"An' I'm not goin' to tell the others, so don't worry. All right?" he grasped her free hand and raised it to his lips, "I'm just here if you want to talk, ch¡¦e. That's all. Whatever you want to do, I'm behind you. We clear?"

"Yes Remy," she responded meekly, the corners of her mouth quivering.

"But you will talk to me, yes? You will tell me when you feel things are gettin' on top of you?" he looked at her seriously, "promise me now, ch¡¦e."

She tilted her head back to meet his gaze, "I promise Remy. And you, you promise me that you will talk to me. About Jubilee or Rogue, anything," she smiled, "are we clear?"

He grinned, "Yes ma'am."

She nodded and turned her head back, "Good."

"Do you want to go back to de mansion now?"

"No let's¡¦let's stay here," her left hand searched for his and grasped it, "just for a little while."

*** *** ***

Ororo, Bishop, Tessa and Rogue were taking a break from their travels for a week and so Remy too had no choice but to remain in the mansion with them. Heather and Davis Cameron were spending their time in Australia, while Neal and Betsy were in England visiting Braddock manor. He understood their need to rest, although the time passed interminably slow for him.

Of Jubilee there was little sign.

Halfway through his second week there he asked Jean how Jubilee was faring. She said that the younger woman was still too sensitive to be around people. He did not question any further, although his thoughts often focused on her.

This visit to the mansion was not nearly so trying as the previous one. Most of the inhabitants had now been fully convinced of the purity of Remy's motives in helping Jubilee. Not that Emma Frost acted any differently towards him, but he liked to think that she treated all men with the same consideration one would give pond scum.

Eventually the week did pass, but on his second last day in the mansion he saw Jubilee from his bedroom window. She was sitting, alone, on a bench in the garden, reading a magazine. He watched her, undecided as to whether to open the window and call her, or leave her be. The decision was made for him when Jean strolled into view and sat down beside her. They talked for a moment before rising to leave. But as they walked out of view, Jubilee raised her head and seemed to look directly at him before disappearing from sight.

He stayed in his room for over an hour and a half, expecting her to visit him. But when she didn't, he felt inordinately stupid and angry with himself. He should not care anymore, but he did. He decided to skip dinner, grabbed a bottle of bourbon from his own private stash, a packet of cigarettes and headed out to the dock. And that was where Jubilee found him.

"I thought you'd be here."

He had heard her approach but had chosen to ignore it.

She walked closer and sat down beside him, "You shouldn't smoke so much," she gestured towards the empty cigarette box and the last cigarette in his mouth.

He was tempted to say something snide but merely replied, "I know."

"Or drink."

"I know."

He dipped the remains of the cigarette in the water, listened to it fizzle before placing the butt in the box. He turned to face her.

Her hair was in a single braid down her back and she wore shorts and a sleeveless tee-shirt, with 'Mind the Gap' printed on it, knotted under her ribs. Her feet were bare and she dangled them in the water.

"How are you?"

"Me? I'm fine, how're you?"

"Good."

"You all hooked up with Storm?"

"Yeah."

She glanced up at him, "So you're leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah," he looked away towards the water, "how's your head?"

She laughed softly, "Strange."

That made him look at her, "Strange how?"

She shook her head, "I don't know how to describe it," she smiled, "today's my first day out of the lower levels. I still have to stay away from groups."

"Why? Do you¡¦"

"No, I don't get sucked in. I just," she shrugged, "just can't be around a crowd."

He waited for a further explanation but none was forthcoming.

"It's okay to be around you though," she added cheerfully, "or Wolvie. Your shields are so good I can't really sense you."

"That's good."

"Yeah," she replied quietly, "it is."

Silence fell between them and he returned his attention to the water, although he glanced covertly at her profile from the corner of his eye. A few strands of hair obscured her face, but he could see that her nose was doing that strange twitchy thing it did when she was nervous. Her left hand was playing with the pendant around her neck and he realised what it was.

"I remember when you got dat," he said, startling her by breaking the silence and reaching across to finger the pendant himself.

"Yeah¡¦" she hesitated then put out her hand to pull the matching pendant out from under his collar and grinned happily, "you still have yours."

"Course," he sighed and released the necklace, "seems a long time ago, doesn't it?"

She tucked his necklace back beneath his tee-shirt, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and dropped her hand into her lap, "Yeah it does." She drew in a breath as if to speak but stopped and looked away, then tried again, "Are we¡¦do you think we can be¡¦" she shook her head briskly, "never mind." She stood up, "I should get back to the mansion," she began to walk away.

He sat there, motionless, for a minute before making a decision and standing up, calling her, "Jubilee, wait." She halted and turned around questioningly. He strode towards her, "What were you gonna say, ch¡¦e?" He stopped in front of her, a little too close perhaps as she crossed her arms across her chest defensively.

"I just¡¦" her right hand came up trace the pendant on her chest again, "I just wondered if you thought if¡¦that maybe it's possible we could still be," her gaze dropped to the ground, "like, best friends again."

He took a step closer and her eyes flew up to his face, pupils dilated. He placed a hand over hers, "I hope so."

"Me¡¦" she swallowed, "me too." She took a step backward and blinked rapidly as though to throw off whatever effect he was having on her, "I want things to be like they were," she pressed her hand against the pendant, "when I gave you this."

He smiled wryly but agreed, "We can be like that again."

"Good," her innate confidence re-asserted itself and she smiled at him, "Good luck with Ororo," she moved closer quickly to kiss him on the cheek, and he caught a brief whiff of her citrus scented shampoo, before she reaffirmed her distance, "I need to go back. Logan's waiting for me."

"All right," he dug his hands into his pockets.

"Goodnight Remy," she turned and began to walk away, long braid bouncing with every step.

"Night petite," he replied and looked at the barely touched bourbon bottle with a sigh. Drinking alone didn't seem so appealing anymore.

(End Chapter 16)

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Many thanks to those who sent feedback on the previous chapters. Further feedback/constructive criticism would be much appreciated. It does facilitate the writing of future chapters!