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"Don't you dare feed any chocolate to Summer," Serene said, laughing. She and Remy were in the kitchen, where he was attempting to feed Summer chocolate when the SkyDancer wasn't looking, while she was making lunch for the three of them. "She's already had too much chocolate as it is."

"Chere, a woman can never have too much chocolate," Remy answered with a grin.

"That one can," Serene answered as she turned back to the stove. "She gets wild when she has chocolate, and I can't deal with it."

"Can' or won'?"

"Both. If you feed her your chocolate," she glanced over her shoulder, glaring at him, "or your coffee, you can baby-sit her for the rest of the month."

"De p'tite is no' as bad as y' say, chere. Remy ¡¦ Summer great friends. De p'tite know dat Remy give chocolate, ¡¦ Summer no' give Remy trouble. Righ', p'tite?" He bounced the toddler on his knee playfully, then glanced up to look at Serene again.

She was still beautiful, still trim. Ever since accepting the Professor's offer to stay, she had gone out with the team several times, using her powers sparingly but with proper accord. And despite her sudden mood swings that came from trying to control Jaden, she never scared him. Not in the same way that made Cyclops uneasy around her.

"Remy!" Serene interrupted his musings. He looked down to see that Summer had managed to grab a hold of a large chunk of his chocolate bar and was devouring it quickly.

"Ah well," he said with a sigh, "Remy never could resis' a woman."

"Remy LeBeau," Serene said with a stern look, "that child has had too much chocolate. If her stomach rejects the chocolate bar that you are still feeding her," he gave her an amused look, "not only will you clean up the mess, but I sincerely hope she gets sick all over you. That will be a lesson you won't forget."

Remy laughed. Serene worried too much. "Summer never do dat t' Remy, chere." He grinned down at the toddler. "Righ', p'tite?"

Summer looked up at him innocently. Then she was sick all over him.

*****

A knock sounded on his bedroom door. "Remy?"

"De door be open, chere," he called from the bed, watching Summer sleep next to him. Serene opened the door and peeked in cautiously. "Come t' tease Remy more?"

Serene laughed. "Depends. Have you learned your lesson about Summer and chocolate?" She pushed the door open and slipped inside. "I put your lunch in the refrigerator for later, LeBeau."

"T'ank y', SkyDancer." The two of them had fallen into the habit of addressing one another by their last names on occasion. He shifted slightly, giving her room to sit. "I don' bite, chere."

"Thank the Goddess for small favors," she teased. "I'd wonder how you managed to get all of your ladyloves if you bit them." Taking his unspoken invitation, she sat on the edge of the bed, watching her daughter. "I can put her in her own bed, if you want a nap."

"Nah. Remy no' tired. ¡¦ we have naps together sometimes anyway."

When Serene laughed, he glanced at her. She gave him a wide grin in return. "I can just see this. She kicks you while you snore. Or maybe because you snore."

"Remy no' snore, chere," he said, offended. "Remy a quie' sleeper."

"If it makes you happy to believe that, mon ami," she replied, still laughing.

That infuriating woman. She absolutely drove him crazy sometimes. No matter how often he thought he had her beat in a verbal contest, she would always dig up a barb that would make him laugh. And she still drove him crazy!

He snaked his arm out and caught her around the waist, pulling her down on the bed next to him. She struggled and almost got away, but she was no match for his strength. "Remy, let me go¡¦ she said in a warning tone, trying not to laugh.

"No way, chere. You gonna take a nap with Remy ¡¦ Summer. Den you find ou' dat Remy no' snore."

"How am I supposed to reach this oh so brilliant conclusion if I'm safely nestled in the embrace of slumber?" she retorted tartly.

"¡¦ause you no' wake up from Remy's snores. ¡¦ause Remy no' snore."

"I have a better idea. You let me up so I can go explain to Scott why the kitchen is a place to be avoided, and you take the nap with Summer. And don't come crying to me if she kicks you for snoring."

Remy chuckled and wrapped both arms around her slender waist, holding her tightly. She squirmed and managed to twist around to face him. "Let go, LeBeau. Do you really want to hear Scott's lecture?"

He gave her a look, then told her, in French, exactly what Scott Summers could do with himself and his lecture. Serene struggled to retain her laughter, but her grey eyes were sparkling with mischief. "That's not a nice thing to say about your team leader, Cajun."

He shrugged. "So?"

"You're incorrigible." Serene sighed and relaxed in his embrace. It had taken her almost a year before she felt comfortable enough around him to accept his touch, and it had taken her almost as long to accept that her daughter adored the charming Cajun thief.

"Dat I be, chere, dat I be."

"And don't call me chere."

"Sure t'ing, chere." Remy laughed when she hit him in the ribs with her fists. "Be nice t' Remy, or I not tell y' what Remy ¡¦ Jubilee have planned f'r tomorrow."

Serene arched a brow. "And why should I be overly concerned?"

"¡¦ause Remy be takin' Serene out f'r de night, ¡¦ Jubilee be takin' Logan out f'r de night."

"A double date, is it?"

"Oui."

"Where to, might I inquire?"

"We be goin' t' New York, chere. We go t' dinner, den we dance."

A look of panic flashed across Serene's features. "Dance? I don't dance, Remy. I won't dance."

"Why no'? Y'r de SkyDancer, non?"

"That's a name, not an occupation!"

"Den you dance, chere. Time f'r you t' go out ¡¦ have fun, non?"

"Nooooo¡¦ she sighed, and managed to squirm free. "The Professor wants to see me."

"Den go see Jubilee, chere," he called after her. Her only response was sticking her tongue out at him.

*****

How in the name of the Goddess had he done it? Serene glared at Remy, who was returning her look innocently. Somehow, he had managed to convince everyone to conspire against her. Which was why she was sitting in a limousine with him, Jubilee, and Logan.

Jean and Ororo had promised to take care of Summer while she was gone, and Rogue had insisted on taking her clothes shopping. Even the Professor had insisted she go out for the night. She, in turn, had told Logan that if she was to suffer a night of looking like a fool on the dance floor, so would he.

They had already had dinner at the Four Seasons, much to Serene's dismay. She was a country born, city bred girl. But her city had never boasted anything like the Four Seasons. And now, they were going off to spend the night dancing.

Remy smiled innocently at Serene. She looked absolutely adorable in her peach silk dress, the plunging neckline showing a tantalising amount of skin and cleavage, and the material clinging to her body. The diagonal hemline emphasised her shapely legs, smart strappy sandals finishing the outfit. Rogue had pulled Serene's hair up off her neck, several curls falling to frame her face.

Jubilee's purple dress was made of silk as well, though it was deceptively demure looking. The hem reached her knees, and the neckline was modest. The back, however, plunged to her waist, showing a smooth expanse of silky skin. Logan had choked when he'd seen his partner dressed like a woman. Her hair simply fell around her features, and unlike Serene, she wore makeup to emphasise her features. Not that Serene needed makeup, Remy mused.

When the limo finally pulled up to the dance club, Remy pulled Serene out, ignoring her subtle protests. Jubilee and Logan followed suit, with Logan giving Serene a sympathetic glare. He knew better than anyone that Serene was incredibly uncomfortable among so many people; but he would never forgive her for talking him into a monkey suit and keeping her miserable company. As close as Serene and Remy were, Serene and Logan were a bit closer.

It wasn't long before they were inside and on the dance floor. Logan managed to relax and enjoy himself, although he would never admit it. Serene looked embarrassed, despite her graceful movements, as though she were unused to dancing.

"What's wrong, chere?" Remy whispered, his arms around her.

Serene glanced up at him, then gave him a wry grin. "When I was in school, no one ever asked me to dance. I never went to any dance either - I was the plain bookworm who never went out. And now I'm out in New York City with the most handsome guy in the world. I'm not sure what's wrong here."

"You? A plain boo'worm?"

"Mmm."

"Remy t'ink dat mebbe de guys were afraid of Serene SkyDancer."

Serene didn't answer, her gaze fixated on another woman. Her face had gone chalk white at seeing the other woman. Remy turned to study Serene's newfound interest.

The other woman was dark haired and dark eyed, slightly taller and not quite as slender as the Priestess. She was dressed in a demure black dress, her pretty features laughing up at her date.

"Who dat, chere?"

"April¡¦" Serene seemed to be in another world. "April would never have come to New York."

Her words were shattered when April turned around, and spotted Serene, suddenly dashing over in an undignified fashion. "Maya? Is that really you, Maya?" April said breathlessly, a hint of a Mexican accent colouring her words.

"April," Serene said, regaining her composure. "How are you and Thomas?" She nodded politely at April's date.

"Fine," April said impatiently. "Where the hell did you go? You dropped off the face of the planet, Maya, and you never told me!"

Remy sensed the sudden guilt in Serene, and broke in smoothly. "I am Remy LeBeau, chere," he said, bending over April's hand. "And you are¡¦"

"April Gallegos de Marion. This is my husband, Thomas Marion." April was perfectly cordial, but she continued to glare at Serene. "What is going on here, Maya Nakamura?"

"Nothing is going on here, April Gallegos de Marion," Serene retorted. "I'm in New York City, dancing."

"You missed my wedding, Maya, and you promised to be my maid of honour. You promised, and you weren't there."

"It couldn't be helped, April."

"Couldn't be helped, my foot." She suddenly gave Remy a scrutinising look, then looked back at Serene. "And when did you get married anyway?"

Serene turned red. "I'm not married, April. Remy is my friend, not my husband."

"Oh." That one word seemed to carry so much meaning, and the look April gave Remy was akin to, What kind of idiot are you anyway?

Remy was almost enjoying himself, watching Serene be thrown off balance. But he sensed that her friend's presence was distressing her, and he glanced back at Jubilee and Logan. One look confirmed that they were ready to go, and he turned back, sliding a hand underneath Serene's elbow. "We should be goin', chere. Remy t'ink dat Logan ¡¦ Jubes wan' some sleep dis evening."

"Yes, of course." Serene hesitated, then embraced her friend. "Goodbye, April, Thomas."

"Hey, it's been five years since we saw each other! You can't just leave again, Maya!" April threw a desperate look at Remy.

"I'll be in touch, April," Serene said, then slipped away.

April sighed, and watched her friend leave. Remy almost called her back, but shrugged and looked at April and Thomas. "De chere jes' no' ready f'r her past yet, mon ami. She be in touch, ¡¦ soon." With a faint smile, he nodded and turned and walked away, joining the others.

*****

"Maya Nakamura?"

"Not anymore, Cajun," Serene answered, sighing wearily. She had vanished when they had returned, and it had taken him over an hour to find her. She was sitting down on the dock, her feet dangling in the water. Her dress had been abandoned for a blue tank top and cut off demin shorts.

"Oh?"

She turned and glared at him. "Come out and say it, Remy."

"Why you no' stay in touch with April ¡¦ Thomas, chere?"

Serene shrugged. "April Gallegos and Thomas Marion belong to Maya Nakamura, Cajun. So do Maya's family. I'm not Maya, not anymore. So I left Maya's past in the past, and decided to take care of Serene's future."

"Dat no way t' keep friends," Remy said, sitting next to her and lighting a cigarette.

"When I discovered my talents, I knew that they would never be welcome in my hometown. So I left, and changed my name in Oregon. That's where Maya Nakamura died, and Serene SkyDancer was born." She sighed again, looking exhausted. "I never imagined I would ever see April or Thomas in New York."

Remy slid an arm around her shoulders, and pulled her against him. She rested her head on his shoulder, a strange sorrow flitting across her features. "April was Maya's best friend, Remy. They knew each other since third grade, and they graduated at the top of their class. Maya was the valedictorian, and April was the salutatorian." A smile lit her features briefly. "April was mad at me because I beat her by one percent. But she was happy for me too. She and I were accepted into Harvard, where we graduated. But my talents had manifested themselves by the time we returned to our hometown, so I left again."

"Did y' miss her, chere?"

"I never realised how much until I saw her tonight. I wanted to tell her about Summer, about who I really am, about everything. But I couldn't do it." She closed her eyes, content to let the night air soak into her.

After a several minutes of silence, Remy finally stood and picked her up in his arms. "Y' need t' sleep, Maya Nakamura," he said softly. "Den y' need t' t'ink ¡¦out whether y' wan' t' see April Gallegos again. Or Thomas Marion."

Serene shrugged. "I'm fine out here, Remy LeBeau. Besides, ¡¦o crashed on my bed with Summer."

"Den y' sleep with Remy."

"I said I'm fine out here."

He gave her a look of fond annoyance. "Don' argue with dis thief, chere." Over her protests, he carried her inside and up to his room.

Serene gave up when he laid her on his bed gently and stretched out next to her. "Just don't snore, Cajun, or I'll kick you."

Remy laughed and wrapped his arms around her. "Remy no' snore, chere." He gave her a mischievous smile when she snorted in a very unladylike fashion, and tucked her against him. "G'night, Maya."

"Serene."

"Chere."

"Good night, Remy. And don't call me chere."

*****

A persistent ringing woke Remy out of his slumber, and he reached for the telephone blindly. "¡¦llo?" he muttered sleepily.

"May I speak to Remy LeBeau, please?" the caller asked, definitely female and young.

"Dis be LeBeau."

"This is April Gallegos de Marion, Mr LeBeau. I need a favor from you." April hesitated, twisting her phone cord nervously. "I need Maya's phone number."

Remy opened his eyes to find Serene still sleeping in his arms. "Why?"

"Because we were friends in school, Mr LeBeau. And even if I'm furious with her for disappearing without a trace, I'm still her friend."

He knew that Serene would kill him if he told April everything. But at the same time, he had sensed a certain loneliness in the Priestess, a loneliness he suspected that April could fill. "Chere, Remy tell y' why y' no' find Maya Nakamura. Bu' y' need t' come to de address Remy give y'."

"What's the address?"

"1407 Greymalkin Lane, in Wes'ches'er. It be de Xavier Institute."

"Got it. What's the story?"

"Maya Nakamura changed her name in Oregon af'er she lef' de hometown. She be Serene SkyDancer now."

"Maya changed her name?" April was stunned. "Why did she do something like that? And why didn't she tell me?"

"Come t' de Xavier Institute. Den you see de truth." Remy sighed softly. "Wha' de parents of Serene like?"

"Mr and Mrs Jonssen? Maya got on well with her mother, and her brothers. She didn't really know Mr Nakamura, and she hated her stepfather. Why?"

"Wha' her bro'ers names?"

"Her younger brother is Michael. Her twin brother is Eric." April continued to twist her phone cord nervously. "Eric disappeared a year after Maya did. When Michael turned eighteen, he left too. A year ago, Mr and Mrs Jonssen divorced, and Mr Nakamura died."

"De whole family does one big disappearing act, non?"

April laughed. "Mrs Jonssen was devastated when Maya left, and so was Eric. Michael became angry at everything. It worsened after Eric left as well. And when Michael vanished, Mrs Jonssen was even more devastated. Some say she couldn't handle her children's disappearance, and those same say that Mr Nakamura died when he realised he'd never get to really know Maya or Eric."

Serene began to stir, and Remy lowered his voice. "Be here a' noon, mon ami. See y' den." He hung up before April could affirm or protest. "Mornin', chere. Remy no' snore, see?"

Serene turned her coldest gaze on him, her eyes a brilliant violet, and he was stunned. "Why did you tell April everything, Gambit?" She pulled away from him, and sat up.

"Because April tell Remy dat she still y'r friend, Maya. ¡¦ Maya need her friend now."

"I. Don't. Need. Anyone." With that, she stood and strode out of his room, slamming his door.

Remy fell back against his pillows with a sigh. "Mon Dieu."

*****

Logan found Serene in her usual place, throwing fireballs and iceballs at the brick wall with more strength than accuracy. She glanced at him briefly, then returned her attention to her task. "Did he send you out here?"

"Gumbo? Nah." Logan pulled a cigar out and lit it. "But he's been mopin' around like you told him he's Cyke's identical twin."

He was rewarded with a soft laugh. "Why does everyone treat Scott Summers like he's a plague carrier? Just because he's a bit stiff and formal, and a little too protocol oriented doesn't mean he's a bad guy."

"Don't care ¡¦out Cyke, Serene. What'd ya do ta Gambit?"

"Nothing."

"Hm." After a long inhale, he let the smoke out slowly. "Ya also got a visitor out front. Name's April Gallegos. She's playin' with Summer an' talkin' ta Gambit right now."

Serene paused. "I know April's here, Logan. Gambit invited her."

Her use of her friend's code name didn't escape Logan's notice. Nor did the fact that her tone was cold. "What's wrong with this April woman?"

"Nothing. She's simply a part of my past."

"Huh." Logan grasped her arm and began to literally drag her back to the mansion. "Don't wash, darlin'. Gumbo invited your friend here, not knowing how she would react to being with us, and he also got ripped into by you."

Serene struggled against his grip, but gave up as he dragged her into the mansion. "Damnit, Logan, that was his error."

Logan released her so fast she almost fell, and backed her against a wall. "Listen to me, Serene SkyDancer, and listen well. I don't know what kinda blinders you got on where the Cajun's concerned, but I'll tell you this much: he sure as hell didn't invite your friend here just to make your life hell. He did it because he wants you to be happy, SkyDancer, and he knows that having an old friend around will make you happy. You will go in there," he pointed to the recreation room, "and you will be happy to see April Gallegos, and you will apologise to LeBeau for being such a self-centered bitch, do you understand me?"

Serene visibly blanched at his evident anger. She considered telling him what he could do with himself and his lecture, but thought better of it. And a part of her did want to see April anyway. Instead, she gave him her dirtiest look, and stalked past him, into the recreation room.

April was sitting on a couch, playing with Summer, while Remy idly watched the television. Serene glanced at Remy briefly, then decided to leave him be, and headed directly towards April. "I'm surprised you actually showed up, mi amiga," she said casually.

April glanced up with a smile. "And you're a fool of the utmost degree, chica," she answered with equal casualness. "Mr LeBeau was explaining what the Xavier Institute really is when I finally understood."

"Really."

"Really." The other woman stood and rolled her wrist around, producing a bright fireball easily. "Did you think you were the only one with talents, Priestess?"

Serene's eyes grew wide in shock. "You?"

"Me." April almost collapsed in laughter at Serene's expression. "I'm also known as Fire Hazard, and Thomas is Frostbite."

Serene began to laugh, a genuinely happy laugh. "Frostbite? Tommy is Frostbite?" She fell onto the couch, still laughing, causing Remy to turn around and look at her strangely. "Tommy can't be Frostbite, April. He should be Tommy the Kid."

April started to laugh too. "So he's a big kid at heart. But he's Frostbite." She gave her friend a slant eyed look. "He didn't think Polar Bear was too intimidating. ¡¦are the wrath of Frostbite' has a better ring than ¡¦are the wrath of Polar Bear!'"

"Polar Bear?" Serene slid off the couch, giggling. "Tommy was almost named Polar Bear? Now there's an intimidating thought!"

April was laughing as hard as Serene, then managed to gasp out two words. "Incoherent noises!"

"Hey! That's my line, missy!" Serene giggled. "You're the one who makes incoherent noises!"

Remy smiled a bit, listening to Serene laugh as he'd never heard her laugh before. But there was also a certain sadness in his eyes, and he simply stood and walked out, shutting the door behind him.

April watched the Cajun go, and stopped laughing. "Maya, what kind of moron are you?"

"Excuse me?"

"You are so blind!" April sighed in exasperation. "And you're the biggest idiot I know!"

"What in the name of the Maiden are you talking about, April?"

"Remy LeBeau." She dropped the name casually, but hid a smile at her friend's blush. "That's what I thought."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Makes things interesting, anyway. The guy's in love with you, and you're in love with him. And neither of you will admit it."

"April!"

"Deny it. I dare you to deny it."

Serene briefly toyed with the possibility of denying her friend's statement, out of sheer spite. But she discarded that possibility, and sighed, keeping her comments to herself.

"Thought so," April declared after a minute. "What I don't get is how the two of you managed to have a kid and not admit your feelings." She picked Summer up and tickled the cooing toddler.

Serene's demeanor instantly changed. "Remy's not her natural father."

"Ah." April tilted her head slightly, studying the little girl. "But Remy adores her?"

"As much as she adores him."

April Gallegos de Marion sighed. She'd always known that Maya Nakamura had an inherent distrust of men, from the days of her bastard stepfather abusing her when her mother wasn't looking. Not that he'd touched her sexually or anything. He'd tried once, and she'd stabbed him in the hand with her mother's butcher knife, pinning his hand to the cutting board. He'd learned real fast, especially since Eric had threatened the older man's life if he tried to touch Maya.

But that lesson had soured Maya on men. And if April was reading her friend correctly, Summer hadn't been conceived in love. Those were two strikes the male gender had, as far as Maya Nakamura was concerned. And those two strikes evidently couldn't be overcome by Maya's feelings for the Cajun.

"Maya," April began. "Is Remy anything like your stepfather? Or Summer's natural father?"

Serene stiffened so much, April began to hurt just looking at her. "No," Serene finally said, her voice soft. "No, Remy's nothing like them."

"Then go out there and talk to him." April smiled. "Besides, Professor Xavier asked me and Tommy to stay here for awhile. We'll have plenty of time to talk."

*****

"Remy?"

"Oui, chere?"

"Can I talk to you?"

"Oui."

Serene sat next to him on the dock, dangling her bare feet into the water. "Why did you ask April to come out here?"

He shrugged. "Don' know, chere. ¡¦ause Remy be an idiot."

"Thank you."

"For wha'?"

She gave him a slant eyed look. "For being an idiot. I did miss April, and now I wish I hadn't lost touch with her. Or with Tommy." She shrugged and looked away. "Our hometown was so¡¦ntolerant of those with talents. A boy I knew got killed by human supremacists when he accidentally revealed his talents. It was on the news, and it was so hateful. I knew I couldn't stay, and I never imagined April or Tommy being like me."

Remy raised a brow, then lit a cigarette. "Even t'ough you so tolerant and openminded about others, you run from intolerance?"

She shot him a dark look. "Yes. I did. I was the only one who tried to save that boy's life, and I failed. Everyone else was trying to finish the kill, or screaming at me to let the ¡¦utie' die. That he was an aberration, and a freak of nature. April and Tommy were out of town, otherwise, they'd have been there. So were Eric and Michael."

"I hear dey be stayin' here wit' us."

"Fire Hazard and Frostbite? Yes."

"An' y'?"

"Me? Of course I'm staying." She leaned towards him, her grey eyes fixed on his red ones. "Why did you invite April out here, Remy?"

He shrugged again. "Tol' y'. Remy an idiot."

A flash of anger sparked in her eyes, and without a word she took his cigarette from him. She started to toss it away, but thought better and simply took a long drag off it before handing it back to him. "Those things will kill you," she said before she stood and walked away.

Remy stared after her retreating figure. He wasn't sure why she had approached him, but he suspected that he had said something she didn't like. "Mon Dieu," he muttered, giving up. Serene SkyDancer was a woman he would never figure out.

*****

April sighed as she casually strolled into Remy's room without knocking. The Cajun thief looked up at her with surprise, then narrowed his red eyes. Before he could say a word, however, she leaned over him, put her nose to his, and dropped two words in an ice cold tone. "Maya Nakamura."

He raised an eyebrow, his whole attitude changing to one of indifference. "Oui?"

"Y'know, I told Maya she's a moron for not telling you how she feels. Maybe you're the moron, and I owe her an apology."

"Why Remy a moron?"

"That woman is in love with you and you treat her like dirt!" April shouted. "She's very uncomfortable around men, in case you hadn't noticed, and you expect her to act like a woman with years of experience behind her!" She clamped a hand over his mouth before he could protest. "Shut up, LeBeau. I'm going to tell you this only once; your decision is yours. But if you break my friend's heart, I'll kill you. Do you understand me?"

Remy sighed. "Oui."

"Good. Now then, as I'm sure you know, Summer's natural father is an ass. What Maya probably hasn't told you is that her stepfather was an ass as well. She could depend on only two males in her immediate family; her twin Eric, and her younger brother Michael. When Mr Jonssen tried to sexually abuse Maya in the fourth grade, Maya retaliated. She grabbed her mother's prized butcher knife, and stabbed the old man in the hand. And she pinned that hand to her mother's equally prized cutting board. I heard about it the next day; Maya - and Eric - were taken away to juvenile hall.

"She came back two days later, and she told me what happened. Eric had apparently threatened the old man if he ever tried to touch Maya like that again. And Maya and Eric had made an agreement with the old man; he would not keep them in juvy, would placate their mother and Michael, and they would never tell Mrs Jonssen or Michael what happened. I don't know what story Mr Jonssen told their mother, but they never went to juvy again, and he was never stabbed in the hand again.

"That never stopped him from beating the two of them, Maya more than Eric. Apparently, he was pissed that Maya had stabbed him, and turned him down. And he told their mother that they obviously needed more discipline; that's how he explained the bruises. When they turned sixteen, though, he was forced to stop. Eric was bigger than he was, and he defended the hot tempered Maya. He continued with the verbal abuse, usually until Maya or Eric punched him.

"School was no better for her. All of the boys saw her as an ice queen, and I heard several of them make wagers as to who would get her in bed first. She graduated top of our class; most of the boys wanted her for the brains, so they could maintain their dismal averages and stay in their extracurricular activities. Fortunately for her, she was wary around them, and never fell into their honey sweet traps.

"College saw her with one steady boyfriend, one everyone thought loved her. Until he told her that if she really loved him, she wouldn't wait until marriage before they had sex. She dropped him faster than a hot potato, and never spoke to him again. He committed suicide two months later, and she blamed herself for it.

"Then there was Victor Creed. And now, you." April glared at Remy. "How do you plead, Remy LeBeau?"

Remy was pale and shaking. "Mon Dieu," he whispered. "Dat ¡¦plain so much ¡¦out de chere." He started to rise from his seat, but was forcibly shoved back by April. "Wha' now?"

"Do you or don't you love her?"

"Oui, Fire Hazard. I love de chere."

"Then quit being an ass. She tolerates no man who can't see her for who she really is. If you want her, then stop trying to drive her away. And if she pushes you away, don't let her. That's her self defense mechanism." April straightened up, and sauntered to the door. "Oh, and LeBeau," she glanced over her shoulder at him. "Don't call her chere." With that, she walked out, pulling the door shut behind her.

*****

The night air was still and cool, lit only by the sliver of the moon overhead. Remy found Serene in her usual workout area, slumped on the ground, breathing heavily. As he crept up on her silently, he saw her try to lift her right arm, but drop it with a pained grimace.

Serene yelped in surprise when he slid his long fingers over her shoulders, and silently began to massage the tension out of her muscles. "What do you want now, Cajun?" she asked wearily, rubbing her temples.

"T' be y'r friend, Maya."

"I'm not Maya."

"Yes, y' are. If y' no' Maya, den y' no' act like Maya."

"Ah. April spilled the beans, and now you're going to psychoanalyse me."

"Non. Remy be Maya's friend."

"And how does Serene figure into this, pray tell?"

Remy leaned forward until his lips brushed her ear. "Remy wan' t' be Serene's lover, but Remy patient. Wha' does Serene wan'?"

She jerked around to stare at him in surprise, a strange look crossing her face. "You shouldn't be Serene's lover, Gambit," she said, her voice suddenly taking on a strange dual tone, her eyes a brilliant violet. "All of Serene's lovers eventually find themselves being left out in the cold. She shouldn't be Priestess; she should be Ice Queen." The violet faded, leaving her confused grey eyes in its place.

Remy stared back at her, confusion on his face. "Since when d' y' talk ¡¦out y'rself in t'ird person, chere?"

She stared at him oddly. "I don't, Remy."

He finally shrugged and settled under a tree, settling her between his legs. "Gonna answer Remy's question?" When she looked at him oddly, he sighed. "Wha' does Serene wan' from Remy?" He began to massage her shoulders gently, subtly coaxing her to lean back against him.

She squirmed under his gaze, keeping her eyes fixed on her hands. "I don't know how you can ask me that question," she muttered.

He smiled at her back, struggling to retain his snicker. "With style, chere. With style."

Serene laughed softly, some of the tension in her body going out. "You're incorrigible."

"Dat I be, chere, dat I be."

"Don't call me chere."

Remy smiled at her back again, then twisted her around until she was facing him. "Non, chere, y' no' play dis game. Answer de question."

Serene turned scarlet in the moonlight. "How am I supposed to answer such a loaded question?" she asked, raising her hands helplessly.

"With hones'y, chere."

She sighed, then met his gaze unflinchingly. "Alright. Maya wants to be Remy's friend. Priestess wants to be Gambit's colleague. And Serene wants to be Remy's lover. Except that I just don't know how¡¦ she trailed off, dropping her gaze.

"Serene, I wan' an hones' answer. Who be y'r firs'?"

She had turned an interesting shade of red, so bright that scarlet was an insufficient term. "Willingly? No one."

Remy swore softly. "Sabretooth be y'r firs' man?"

"Yes."

He swore again, resting his forehead against hers. She was so small and fragile beneath his hands, and yet, he could feel a strength that belied that fragility. And she was strong enough to admit what she really wanted, even having had a bad experience with the same.

She raised her hand lightly, brushing her hand over his cheek. "What's wrong?"

Oh, yes. Serene SkyDancer was tough. "Not'ing, chere." He slowly pulled away, and stood, picking her up. "Remy be tired, chere. Time f'r bed."

Serene didn't answer, simply twining her arms around his neck silently. For the first time, she suddenly realised why she always felt safe with him. And now, she trusted him to not push things, to simply take it a day at a time.

Which was why she never protested when he carried her into his room, and gently set her on his bed. Nor did she protest when he stretched out next to her, pulling her into his arms. And when she finally thought to protest, he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back, all of her longings and yearnings filling her.

*****

Jaden Blacktouch watched with a mixture of jealous envy and lust. He was deep in Serene's mind, where she couldn't hurt him. Where she couldn't dominate him. But where he could still feel her. And where he could still watch her.

By rights, Serene should have been in his bed, not that of some lowly Cajun thief. By rights, Serene should have been making love to him, not to some lowly Cajun womaniser. But Serene had always had a weakness for those with good hearts, those who ¡¦lways saw the light at the end of the black tunnel,' as the Priestess had put it.

Remy LeBeau would suffer for his indiscretion. But Jaden could do nothing until he'd regained strength. Once he did, he would kill Remy LeBeau. Then he would deal with that whoring counterpart of his. In the depths of the Priestess's mind, Jaden sat back and watched, his violet eyes burning with rage.

*****

The sunlight filtered through the curtains when Serene woke, nestled against Remy. She yawned, and glanced at his clock. Six forty five in the morning. Far too early to be awake. But Serene could feel the tension in the mansion, a hammering at her mind that was irritating. And she suspected it had to do with her.

(Jean?)

(Yes, Serene?)

(Why does the mansion feel like fireworks are about to go off?)

(Because Fire Hazard, Frostbite, Wolverine, and Jubilee are all staunchly defending you, Priestess.)

Serene raised an eyebrow. (Defending me? From what?)

(Come down here. You'll find out soon enough.) Jean paused. (And bring Gambit.)

"Uh oh," Serene muttered as Jean cut the connection.

"Wha'?" Remy asked sleepily, holding her tightly.

"The mansion is filled with so much tension, and apparently four people are defending me. And I'm supposed to bring you downstairs."

"Uh oh," Remy said darkly.

Serene laughed and yawned. "Should we heed Jean's advice, or just ignore the whole lot of them?"

"Ignore dem all," he answered promptly.

(Priestess, come down to the kitchen now. And bring Gambit with you.) Professor Xavier's voice resounded in her mind, and Serene sighed.

"Chere?"

"No longer have we been advised by Jean Grey-Summers, Remy. We have now been summoned by Charles Xavier."

"Uh oh," Remy said with a sigh.

(We'll be down shortly, Professor. I want a shower first.) Serene could almost see the Professor's scowl. (Unless you want to hear Logan grumble about lack of personal hygiene?) She laughed when Xavier cut the mental connection abruptly.

"We get shower time first, Cajun." Serene stretched leisurely and finally climbed out of bed, completely at ease with her state of undress. She eyed her clothes with a measure of distaste, then dressed hastily and tossed him a wink. "But you better hurry before I let Scott come looking for you." With that, she was out the door.

*****

The scene in the kitchen was tense when Serene and Remy finally made their way downstairs. Jubilee was leaning against the counter next to Logan, who was watching Fire Hazard with a measure of some indefinable emotion; April was studiously looking at the floor. She was on the other side of Jubilee, standing next to Frostbite. Only Thomas tossed Serene a wry smile and thumbs up.

Scott was next to Xavier, looking grim and disappointed. Jean and Ororo were standing with Rogue in a third corner. Beast was nowhere in sight.

Scott started to say something, but Serene held a hand up, getting herself a cup of coffee, and passing one to Gambit. After drinking half her cup in silence, she finally fixed the team leader with a steely glare. "Is there a problem, Cyclops?"

"You know that fraternization among team members is not allowed, Priestess," he said coldly.

"You and Jean were fraternizing before you married."

"That's not the point," Cyclops said coolly. "And leave Jean out of this."

"I haven't said a single thing bad about Jeannie. I was merely making my point. And your defensiveness proves it. Besides, you're still fraternizing."

"We're also married now."

"Ah." Serene glanced at April with a mischievous look, then tossed Remy a sunny smile. "Feel like eloping, Cajun? Methinks that's the only way Cyke will stop with his conniption fit."

"Sure t'ing, chere. When we leave?" Remy had to hide his smile behind his mug. Scott was nearly hyperventilating.

"That's not funny, Priestess. Feelings could get in the way of battle, and as team leader, I forbid this to continue."

Serene carefully placed her mug on the counter, and fixed her grey gaze on a cabinet.

April and Thomas winced. Scott Summers was no longer talking to Serene SkyDancer. He was dealing with Maya Nakamura.

"Let me understand this, Cyclops," Serene began slowly, with a dangerous calm. "Feelings can get in the way of battle, and yet, you and Jeannie are married. Does this mean that neither of you will allow your feelings to get in the way? As team leader, you forbid ¡¦his' to continue. Does this mean that the Professor can demand you two divorce, and you'll obey, because of hierarchy?"

"Yes, we can, and no, it doesn't."

"Hypocrite."

Scott sighed. "Serene, if this fraternization continues, I will place both of you on probation. Indefinitely."

Serene slowly turned around. "Do that, Cyclops, and I'll walk out. There is a lot I have tolerated from you, but I will not allow you to intrude on my happiness. And my relationship with Gambit. Is. None. Of. Your. Business."

"De chere leave, Gambit be leavin', mon ami."

"I'll leave with Maya, too."

"I certainly wouldn't allow my wife or Maya to be without me," Thomas chimed in, looking at both April and Serene.

Logan considered the newfound development, then shrugged. "I'm tossin' m'lot in with th' SkyDancer and th' Cajun, Cyke."

"Me too," Jubilee piped up, moving closer to Logan.

Scott was taken aback. Six people were willing to leave; five were because of one woman. "You don't under-"

"I understand all too well, Scott Summers," Serene interrupted. "And while they're valid reasons, they're also reasons that you'll just have to ignore. You can't have it both ways. Either you're a hypocrite or not. But I will not allow you to destroy my happiness. Do you understand me?"

Jean looked up, then looked back down. Rogue raised a brow, watching as Storm moved forward. "Serene is right," Storm began. "Her relationship with Gambit is not any of our business, and we have no right to be asking them to break it off."

"Fine," Cyclops bit out. "Do whatever you want." He stalked out, with the Professor looking at Serene and Gambit disapprovingly.

"Your threat to leave was completely unnecessary, Priestess," he said sternly.

"That was no threat, Professor," she retorted. "Just try me."

He gave her another disapproving look, then turned and floated out. Jean and Rogue gave Serene and Gambit sympathetic looks, and Storm looked as though she wasn't sure whether to laugh or shout. Instead, the trio simply left, leaving the six others behind.

"Whew," Jubilee finally said, breaking the silence. "Man, Serene, you know how to put someone in their place. Telling Cyke that he was a hypocrite¡¦

Logan chuckled. "That was funny, SkyDancer. Thought you liked Cyke."

Serene raised a brow. "Just because he's not a bad guy doesn't mean I'm blind, Logan. If he had followed through with his threat of probation, not only would he have been a hypocrite, but I would have walked out." She leaned against Remy comfortably as he slid an arm around her waist. "Besides, I don't recall ever losing a debate in high school or college."

"She didn't," April laughed, tension fleeing her body. "She's a bright chica, and she doesn't lose."

"She did too lose a debate," Thomas broke in. "Remember when we were arguing about handguns?"

Serene and April groaned in unison, causing Gambit, Wolverine, and Jubilee to laugh. "That wasn't a loss, Tommy," Serene said. "That was me throwing in the towel. I'd have better luck trying to teach Logan the finer points of ballet than winning an argument when you have an illegal idea stuck inside of your thick skull."

"I resent that," Logan said mildly, a twinkle in his eyes.

"It's not an illegal idea, Maya," Thomas protested.

"Is so. It's unconstitutional, and that makes it illegal." She stuck her tongue out at him when he threw his hands up in defeat and aggravation. "So typical, Tommy. You've become predictable in your old age." With that, she grinned and slipped out into the sunshine.

April laughed at her husband, then followed her friend out. "You guys stay here. I want to talk to Maya in private."

*****

"Maya?"

Serene looked up and smiled. "Yes, April?"

"Can I ask you a question, and get an honest answer?"

"Sure."

April sat next to her childhood friend. "What's Remy like in bed?"

Serene turned a bright scarlet. "What?" she sputtered in disbelief.

April was obviously enjoying her friend's discomfiture. "You heard me, Maya Nakamura. Answer the question."

"If you want to know so badly, you find out yourself," Priestess retorted, still scarlet.

"Oh, you're willing to share? How kind."

"Shut up, April. I changed my mind. You can't have him." Serene made a face at her. "And why do you care anyway?"

"Me? I don't. But you're a lovely shade of red."

Serene glared at her. "Go jump off the roof, would you? You're so annoying in the mornings."

"Oh, thank you. You're too kind." April laughed when Serene stuck her tongue out at her. "Answer the question."

Serene raised a brow. "Have I ever asked you how Tommy is in bed?"

"He's great. Wonderful. I'm happy with him, and him alone."

Serene threw her hands up in disgust. "I give up."

April laughed again. It was too much fun teasing her friend. "Answer the question."

"Remy is everything I'd hoped for in a man. Happy?"

"Gonna marry him?"

"April Gallegos!"

"Hmm?"

"That's none of your business, for one. And for another, that subject hasn't even come up. Nor do I think it will." She suddenly looked up in the air, then over to one side. "You two don't have a prayer of sneaking up on me. Show yourselves."

Gambit and Wolverine sauntered into view nonchalantly. April tried to not laugh at the way the two men glared at Priestess. "C'mon, chere," Remy said, grabbing Serene and pulling her upright. Before she could protest, he'd dragged her off, leaving Logan and April by themselves.

"Remy, what do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"Not'ing, chere." He stopped and kissed her fully. "But Remy wan' t' spend time with de p'tite ¡¦ Serene."

Serene didn't bother to try and argue.

*****

"Never thought I'd see ya here, darlin'," Logan said casually, taking Serene's spot next to April.

"Never thought I'd see you here, Logan," April said softly. "Then again, I never thought to see you ever again."

Logan was watching where Remy and Serene had disappeared, though he heard Serene's happy laughter. "Would I be correct in guessin' that the friend ya told me ¡¦out is Serene?"

"Yes, that friend is Maya."

"She's a lovely gal, April. She's innocent, but she's tough." Logan turned an inquisitive gaze on her. "An' that Thomas guy is the one ya were mopin' over?"

"Yes."

Logan didn't want to ask her any more questions, but he couldn't help himself. "An' yer happy with the galoot?"

"Yes." April finally turned and looked at her old lover. "Logan, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. But I had to be honest with you."

"I know, darlin'. I know." With that, Logan picked himself up and started to walk away. "April, I'll tell ya this much. If that fool husband of yours don't treat ya good, I'm gonna skin him alive."

April smiled slightly, watching as Logan vanished.

*****

The team had settled in the recreation room, watching The Matrix at Serene's and April's insistence. Summer had already been put to bed, and Remy had already told her a bedtime story.

The movie was interrupted when the intruder alarms sounded. But everyone's attention was riveted on Serene when she straightened upright, her eyes wide.

"Chere?" Remy looked at her, startled. He held her tighter when she struggled, but soon found himself on the floor. She'd pulled him off the couch and was out the door. Swearing, he pushed himself upright and chased after her, April and Thomas hot on his heels.

Serene dashed out the front doors recklessly, skidding to a stop near a small grove of trees. "I can sense you there," she called. "And I can sense you trying to use my domain against me."

A tall and slender figure emerged from the trees slowly, a bright smile on his handsome features. "Never doubted you for a moment, Maya," he said, his voice smooth and low. His eyes were a bright blue, his black hair long and tousled. He had strong features, and a build that indicated that he wasn't a person to mess with.

Remy was instantly jealous, especially when Serene let out a surprised cry and ran into the other man's arms. The other man enclosed Priestess in a tight hug, burying his face in her hair. Remy couldn't hear what she said, but he understood the loving tone that coloured her muffled words.

"Don't be crying, mi hermana," he said softly, wiping her tears from her face.

Serene sniffed and rubbed her hand over her features. "I'm not crying, mi hermano," she denied.

"Of course not," he chuckled. "And who are your protectors?" He motioned to the team that had assembled behind her. "April? Thomas?" he suddenly asked, raising a brow.

Serene grasped his hand and began tugging him towards the others. "Come meet my friends." When they were close enough, another surge of jealousy shot through Remy. The man and Serene were holding hands, their fingers entwined. Behind him, April and Thomas gasped in surprise.

"I don't believe it," Thomas muttered.

"What?" Remy demanded softly.

Serene interrupted Thomas's reply. "Everyone, this is Eric Nakamura, my twin."

April stepped forward and hugged Serene's twin tightly. "Glad to see you found your way here, bro," she said with sisterly affection. "Maya needs you more than anyone else."

Eric smiled and returned the hug, then clapped Thomas on the shoulder. "Don't look so overjoyed, Tommy," he said dryly.

Thomas laughed softly. "How did you find Maya? April and I found her by pure chance."

Eric shrugged and draped an arm around his sister's shoulders. "She got careless. I found the court papers in Oregon, and traced her by her new name."

Serene grimaced. "I hate you, Eric," she said lightly. "You aren't supposed to be that smart."

Eric chuckled, looking over the others speculatively. Serene caught his gaze, and sighed. "Are they all bad people, sis?" Eric asked her lightly.

"Only if you hate those with talents."

"Since I'm one of them, that'd be pretty stupid." When Serene tilted her head inquisitively, he grinned. "I know all about you, Serene SkyDancer. I know that you're the Priestess of Life and of Earth Mother, that you were with the Marauders for two years before abandoning them, that your domain is like a Wiccan pentagram: The spirit, the earth, the fire, the water, and the air. And I know my own talents: I have the exact same ones as you."

"Ah." Serene smiled. "Since we're twins, it makes sense, non?"

Eric laughed. "Picking up someone's accent, mi hermana?"

Serene shrugged, and gestured to the others. "That's Scott Summers. He's the team leader here, and he's known as Cyclops. Ororo Munroe is known as Storm, and she's the other team leader. Professor Xavier is the one we affectionately call God, and he's telepathic. So is Jean Grey-Summers, who's not only known as Phoenix, she's also Scott's wife. Logan over there is a nameless grease monkey we call Wolverine. Jubilation Lee is actually Jubilee, and she's a firecracker. Warren Worthingon is the one we call Angel. Hank McCoy is our doctor, and we call him Beast, which is not indicative of his personality. Rogue is simply Rogue, and she's not someone you want to mess with in a fight. You know April and Tommy and me. And that is Remy LeBeau, the Cajun known as Gambit."

"Cyclops. Storm. God. Phoenix. Wolverine. Jubilee. Angel. Beast. Rogue. Fire Hazard. Frostbite. Priestess. And Gambit."

"Got it." Serene smiled up at her brother. "And who might you be?"

"We never picked any."

"We?"

Eric smiled. "You didn't think I was the only one who chased you down, did you?" He turned her around so she was facing the trees again.

Serene cried out in surprise when a small Japanese woman emerged from the trees, followed by a young man who was similar in appearance to Eric. "Okaa-san! Mikey!" She flew down the steps to embrace her mother and younger brother with joy.

Remy wasn't surprised when April and Thomas followed their friend; he had figured that they had been close as teens. But he found it disconcerting when he realised that Eric was watching him closely. "Oui?"

"So that's why she sounds like she's got an accent," Eric said. "Hanging around you too much." He sounded innocent enough.

Which was why Remy spun around to face him head-on. "Dere a problem with dat, mon ami?"

"For the love of the gods, do you two have to display your alpha male superiority already?" Serene broke in, sounding aggrieved. She had walked back to the group, one hand tucked into Michael's elbow, her arm around her mother's slender shoulders.

"Oui," Remy answered promptly.

"Hai," Eric answered with equal promptness.

April and Thomas muted their snickers. Michael openly grinned. Serene's mother was looking at Remy thoughtfully, then back at her daughter. And Serene just sighed, shaking her head. "Impossible. You two are impossible."

"T'ank y', chere. Y' do know how t' flatter me."

"Don't flatter yourself, pretty boy," she retorted. "That wasn't a compliment."

"You get the feeling that Maya's in love with the guy, Mikey?" Eric asked his younger brother. He got jabbed in the stomach with his twin's elbow for that.

"Don't you dare pass judgment on Remy before you get to know who he really is," Serene said, a warning note in her voice. "I'll tear you up if you do."

"She's in love," Michael said with a laugh. "In fact, I'll bet they're married."

Serene rolled her eyes. "How did you know? I finally figured out why I was so late returning from senior prom; I eloped with him."

"We knew that," Eric laughed. "Didn't figure you had a taste for Cajuns is all." He was rewarded with another sharp jab in the stomach.

"Mama," Serene said, pointedly ignoring her brothers, "I'm so glad you came. Will you stay and talk with me for awhile?"

The older woman studied her rebellious daughter for a long time, then began to speak in Japanese. Only Eric, Michael, April, and Logan understood what Serene's mother was asking.

"I'm sure I want you to stay, Mama," Serene said quietly. "I want you to come in and meet my daughter, and I want you to stay here for as long as you want to stay."

"Then I will stay," Miyako Jonssen said quietly, a Japanese accent colouring her words. "I stay for my daughter."

*****

Miyako and Serene had stayed up late, talking quietly into the night. It had turned out that not only did Eric have talents, but so did their mother and Michael. Hank had theorised that the three siblings had inherited it from their mother, a theory that Miyako had confirmed when she said that her mother had also had talents.

Michael Jonssen possessed telepathy and telekinesis, apparently a throwback to his grandmother. The tests had confirmed that his psi rating ranked as high as his elder siblings, though he possessed a bit more finesse in use. And he had chosen the name of Falcon.

As Eric Nakamura had said, his powers were almost identical to his twin's. He had the same abilities as her, from the Earth Mother domain to the realm of the psi. He wasn't the Priest; his powers were slightly weaker than Serene's. But still dangerous enough. The name he had chosen, Cougar, had been an obvious reflection of that danger.

And Miyako Jonssen had confessed to her healing factor and heightened senses. Which had explained why she had never looked as though Robert Jonssen had abused her. When, in fact, he had. And when Logan had discovered that she was also the daughter of an ancient ninja clan and an even older samurai clan, he had deduced that she had been the one to teach her children the martial arts. So he had claimed her for himself, saying he wanted to test the woman's ability. Miyako had bristled at that, and had accepted his challenge, simply choosing Shadow as a name.

Serene, April, and Thomas had all just smiled. They knew exactly what Logan was up to, especially Serene.

The Professor had run April, Thomas, Miyako, and Michael all through Danger Room sessions. He had sent Eric outside, telling him to try to not kill Gambit. Serene had glared at Xavier for that, and had pushed her twin to the limits. He had been able to defeat everyone, except her. She had pushed him as hard as she could, and he had matched her, for the most part. He had had to give up when she used her strength against him; he wasn't quite that strong.

Serene's mother and brothers had been surprised to see Summer. And even more surprised when she had called Remy ¡¦addy.' Except Eric. He had glared daggers at the Cajun thief, forcing Serene to tell her twin the truth.

Eventually, things had settled down, despite the friction between Eric and Remy. And the aggravation that came from Serene.

"Things are working out just fine," April said to no one in particular, laughter in her voice.

*****

Sabretooth dreamt restlessly, tossing and turning. He saw a white blonde man with violet eyes approach him, a man dressed in all black. He saw the Priest; he saw Jaden Blacktouch.

"Creed," Jaden said amicably, greeting his former comrade. "Finally got over SkyDancer?"

"Shut up, boy," Sabretooth growled. "I ain't forgot the frail."

"Do you want revenge?"

"You know I do." Sabretooth suddenly glared at Jaden. "How did ya get outta the frail's head?"

"I didn't. She's sleeping, and she has no control over me during her sleep. I figured I'd help you even an old score. But if you don't want help¡¦ Jaden shrugged and turned away.

"What d'ya have in mind, boy?"

"SkyDancer has a young daughter named Summer. Summer calls Gambit ¡¦addy.'" Jaden smiled meaningfully. "I don't care what you do with the girl, Creed, but make the two of them suffer."

Sabretooth smiled, a plan forming in his mind.

And he woke with a start.