Night Out

(4:30 P.M.)

Elisabeth Braddock had to do very little talking to get a group together to go out. Jean, Scott, Bobby, Beast, Storm, Serina and Warren all said they'd love to go. Shortly after, they were joined by Shatterstar.

For some reason, Gambit turned them down. He'd always enjoyed a night out, but tonight, he seemed a little melancholy.

(9:45 P.M.)

They found a little out-of-the-way Western bar, and began to cut loose. Serina had started with a beer, as did most of the others, but inside an hour she had had seven different drinks, the last one being a Screaming Purple Jesus. They all laughed, sang and danced. Serina was enlisted to pick the next selection on the jukebox.

(10:45 P.M.)

To the others' surprise, Gambit came through the door. Seeing his wife bent over the jukebox gave him an ample opportunity to tease her. He quietly strode up behind her, resting his hand on the top of her back pocket.

"Remove your hand from my ass before I remove it from your body," she said calmly in a drunken slur.

"Now, chere, were it anyone else, you'd have already done it," he replied, sliding it to her waist. "You've been drinkin' a little."

She stood, turning to face him. "Wrong," she replied, leaning into him. "I've been drinking a lot." She gave him a deep kiss, then walked seductively to her table. The others had gone to dance. She sat down, taking a drink of her concoction.

She was there only moments when a rather good-looking man approached her. "You are way too beautiful to be left alone," he said, taking her hand. "Let's you and met cut it on the dance floor."

"No, thank you," she replied. "And I'm never alone," she purred, trying to pull her hand away from him.

"Aww, come on, gal, no one could treat you to a good time like ol' Jackie here," his friend and his friend's girlfriend replied.

"An' I said 'no'," she repeated, one leg up on the seat of the booth, bent, the other on the ground under the table. Her left hand was also under the table and glowing.

"Problem, chere?" Gambit asked, sliding into the booth, leaning on her leg.

"Jus' someone who duenna take 'no' for an answer," she replied, dispensing the glow of her hand when he pulled it into his. She leaned on his shoulder, resting her head on it as she faced the man.

"Hey, I saw her first," Jack stated, getting angry.

"Au contraire, mon ami, she's my wife," Gambit announced, for the first time in public. He slid his arm around her possessively.

"As I tol' ya before, Lad, I ne'er be alone," she purred, the brogue extremely thick now. "I think ya best be leavin' now. Ta-ta," she said, knocking the chair out from under him.

He left with an embarrassed huff. Gambit turned to her. "Now you know why I don't come to places like dis."

"Duen know why you came then," she replied, taking a drink.

He picked up her glass after she set it down. "To talk to you," he replied. "So whatcha drinkin'?" he asked, taking a sip.

"Oh......" she waited till she knew he had a good mouthful. "Jus' a li'l sex on th' beach." He spewed it everywhere.

"Very funny," he said as she brought her other leg up and across his lap as she laughed.

"You asked," she chuckled, taking a napkin and cleaning up. "So what do you want t' be talkin' to mae aboot?"

"Let's go somewhere a little more quiet," he suggested, caressing her thigh, but held a lot of seriousness in his voice.

"Sure, love," she said, moving her leg so he could get up. She followed as Bobby walked up with a pretty blond. "Tell Beth that I went tae talk t' Remy....in private," she purred as she left on his arm.

She wore a pair of light blue jeans, and an off-the-shoulder top, deep green. Black three-inch pumps covered her feet. Her hair cascaded down her back, the front pulled into a white bow clip, the rest hanging in curls. Her full red lips were inviting to him, but this was not why he came.

He led her to a stone fence where she decided to sit, making her damn near his height. She put her arms around his neck. "OK, so talk tae mae, Remy."

He rested his hands on her waist. "I wanted t' take t' you before we go home."

"I don't plan tae go home real soon, Remy."

"Yes, you do," he replied, positioning himself between her legs. "Xavier has a job for us," he explained. "Before we go, though, I have t' know where we stand."

"What d' y' mean?" she asked innocently, completely sober.

"After what happened with Sinister......" He was stopped by two fingers gently laid on his lips.

"We promised each other ne'er ta bring that up again." She pulled him into a tight embrace. "It was'nae y'r fault. My feeling havnae changed, I'm jus' a little scared, that's all. I just need a little time ta trust again."

"How can you trust again, chere? We never be free of him," he replied. "He'll jus' keep poppin' up every now an' then to screw up our lives." His head dropped only slightly.

She gently lifted his face to hers, kissing him lightly. "I've been learnin' ta trust you again, now haven' I? It's been months since that happened, and I like ta think I've come a long way since then."

"You have, Re', you have, but I wonder if it'll ever be de same b'tween us."

"I can't say whether it will or will'nae, Remy. We never go that far before. It may haeve been a bit different had we done it on our own. Maybe sometime we will," she said in a flirtatious way, hoping to lighten the seriousness.

She flashed him a brilliant smile. "Don' get my hopes up," he smiled back.

She pulled him close, her face close to his. "When it come to de art of making love, amore, I never make light of it," she mocked him.

"Watch it, 'Renia, yu may not handle de fire you be startin' wit' me," he threatened.

"You sure aboot that, Remy?" She brought her lips close to his. "Maybe you always backed away because you cannae handle mae?" She kissed him with a passion that he ha only felt once before. When he was real young, he had stolen a kiss from her and later, in a rage, she kissed him back. Her kiss was one he'd never forget, and so far none could compare, save maybe Rogue, but even hers was different than what he felt with this.

She pulled slowly away, keeping her eyes lowered. He slowly moved his hands up her back, pulling her tightly into his embrace. He held her for a long time in silence, then remembered why he needed to find her.

"Chere, Xavier wants us to pose as newlyweds, along with Lil'beth and Warren. T'ink you can do it?"

She pulled away slightly. "Oh, I duenna know, Amore. Do we have t' sleep together?"

"Prob'ly share de same room, but not'ing will happen unless you want it to."

She leaned against him, holding him tighter than ever. "I think we'll manage. 'Sides, it'll give us a chance tae be together with jus' our friends."

"It's where we go that makes it hard, chere," he said, toying with her hair.

"Where, love?"

"New Orleans," he said softly.

She pulled away roughly. "Louisiana?! Are y' insane?!" She hopped down, walking away. "No. No. No. Never."

He caught up with her easily. "'Renia, wait."

She stopped, whirling on him. "You tell mae y' want tae work this out." She began stalking, causing him to backstep. "Then wae get nabbed by Sinister, and have tae start all over again." He continued to backstep, one step ahead of her. "Now you want mae tae portray y'r wife and go to the heart of where your ex-wife runs with her assassins?!" He had to stop due to the fence. "I am your wife and I'll kill her." She poked him in the chest.

"Now, chere, be reasonable," he began to plead. She had a nasty temper, just like Wolverine. "Xavier wants us t' go dere. Mutant couples are disappearing, and he wants de four of us to go check it out. I have no feelings for her anymore, honest."

"Too bad ya caenna say the same fer Rogue," she said, storming away.

"Where you goin', chere?"

"T' get Beth and Warren," she growled, ripping the door open.

As she stalked toward the table, Jackie stepped in front of her. She brought up her hand, stunning him as she passed by. She stopped at the table where the couple sat. "Talk. Outside. Now," she growled, storming out of the building.

"Whaaaa---?" Warren started, watching the girl leave.

"Bobby said that she and Gambit went to talk 'privately'," Betsy answered, rising to leave.

"Never mind," he said as he followed.

When they exited the building, they found her sitting on the hood of her car, smoking a cigarette and Gambit waiting a few feet from her. Neither of them were talking.

"OK," Psylocke began. "What's going on?"

Serina just looked away, her anger showing in her face.

"Xavier has a job for us to do," Gambit informed them.

"And Serina??" Archangel asked.

"She jus' don' like where we have ta go," Gambit replied. "Don' worry, she'll get over it."

Serina shot him a glare that stopped most in their tracks, got in her car and slammed the door.

"This should be an interesting trip," Psylocke stated, climbing into the car with her.

"What did you say to her to make her so angry?" Warren asked.

"I tol' her we'd have t' be public in our marriage, and that we have to go t' N'Orleans. She blew," Gambit replied, hopping onto his bike, watching his wife tear out of the parking lot. "I t'ink you need a ride home." He pointed toward Serina's break lights.

"Seems so," Angel agreed, sitting behind Gambit on the motorcycle. "Think we can catch them?"

"I won' even try," Gambit said, tearing down the road after them.

(At the mansion. 12:30 A.M......)

"Why Louisiana?" Serina had calmed. A little.

"Because that's where the disturbance is," Xavier stated, curious about her anger.

"Why mae?!" she asked, very irritated.

"Because you are available and married," he stated as Gambit and Angel entered the room. "What is the matter, Serina? You've never questioned a mission before."

"I'm not going," she stated, glaring at Gambit. "As for being married, that's a joke." She stormed from the room.

"Would someone care to fill me in?" Xavier requested.

"She' mad at me," Gambit replied. "She won' go to N'Orleans. She hates it there, bad blood ties."

"Why?" Xavier asked.

"She was hung there, by the Assassins' Guild," Psylocke stated. "If you read her disk you'd have known that. That's who Sinister was referring to, the one so zealous as to hang her in view of the church where Gambit was married to Belle."

"She won' go," Gambit stated flatly. "Short of revenge, not'ing can make her go," he said, leaving the room to find his wife.

"What's going on?" Xavier asked.

"Who knows," Beth stated. "She and Gambit had a private "little talk" before coming to us."

"I see. Well, they'll just have to work it out themselves. I need the four of you for this mission," Xavier stated. "Go and ready yourselves for you 'honeymoon', I will deal with Serina.

(Elsewhere in the mansion.....)

Serina's hair whipped behind her in the night breeze. Tears of frustration made their way down her cheek as she remembered the last twenty-four hours prior to her hanging on his wedding day. The torture, the gloating and the heartache. Why? Why did they have to go back there? She and Gambit were barely civil to each other, and now they had to go where memories and nightmares were too real. Where voodoo was a main religion and a wrong step was deadly.

Gambit watched her from a distance. If he had learned anything about his wife, it was that you never push her when she's angry. Right now, she was angry at him, Xavier, the whole world, and with good reason. He began to remember the little 'accidents' that started when he first began to date Belle.

'Renia was coming out of the club she'd been working in, and was nearly run down by a speeding car. The second incident was at the apartment. The stove caught fire when she lit it. This continued for over three years, then 'Renia disappeared the day of his wedding. She showed back up a year ago. Now she was his wife.

Going back there could ruin any hope he had of being happy with her, or anyone else, for that matter. He really wanted this marriage to work, his feelings for her ran so deep now. He couldn't stand to be without her. If was hard enough with what they'd already gone through, being separated now, the thought of losing her nearly sickened him.

He slowly approached her, his thoughts only of her and how he dreaded what they needed to do. "'Renia." He now stood directly behind her. "Can we talk?"

"Nothin' tae talk aboot, Remy. I'm not goin' t' Louisiana." She didn't face him. "Nothin' will make me go there."

"You once said you'd follow me to de ends of de earth," he replied.

"Only tae see ya dead," she replied.

"That's not what you used to say." He now stood close behind her, but did not touch her. She could feel his breath on her back. "Please, Petite, go home wit' me. I'll show you how much I love you, that she mean not'ing to me." He ran his hands down her arms slowly.

"I'm sure she doesn't, but there is still one who does, but I'm not her." Her eyes closed as she tried to control the effect his touch had on her. "Why?" She paused. "Why do you want me tae go?"

"Because we are needed." He took her hands in his, holding her from behind. "I want to show you t'ings dere dat no other has seen. But mostly, to be alone wit' you in a nice hotel. Spend time wit' you."

She turned to face him. "Oh, I'll go, but not for you." She began to pull away. "An' if I see her, I'll kill her an' not 'cause of how you feel for her, but 'cause of who an' what she is an' what she's done." She then walked back to the mansion.

"Tol' dem short of revenge, she won' go. Now she go for revenge alone," he muttered to himself as he followed her.

(Later, 1:45 A.M.)

Serina sat in the rec-room, straddling a chair while she stared at the TV (not that she could actually see it).

Xavier found her there. "Serina," he began, sitting behind her. "Tell me what troubles you. Since these disks arrived, you've been rather edgy. Can you tell me why?"

She didn't answer. She just glared blindly at the TV screen.

"Serina, please," he pleaded. "You know I won't enter your mind. It's too dangerous, but I will do whatever it takes to make you feel better, to find out what's wrong." He waited for a reply, but got none. "Does it have to do with your marriage to Gambit, or your abduction by Sinister?"

"Leave me alone, Charles. It's too crowded for you to interfere," she growled. "I tol' Gambit I'd go, but I duenna want tae. Leave it at that."

"Don't take that tone with...." Charles began.

"Leave de girl alone," Gambit demanded. "She need to cool down before we go to de Big Easy." He opened the door. "We talk outside." He waited for Xavier.

"This is far from over, Serina. We will talk about it later," he stated, preceding Gambit from the room.

"It is over, Xavier," Gambit stated, closing the door. "She can't take it anymore," he explained. "Every time she finds a little happiness, someone or somet'ing interferes. We try an' try to make t'ings work between us, an' now we back to square one on account of a mission to Louisiana. Jus' do us a favor, let it go. After we get back, I wan' to take her somewhere nice. Jus' de two of us."

"What is going on, Remy?" Xavier asked.

"T'ings we both wanna forget. De marriage was forced as were other t'ings. I only want to see her smile again, make her happy, but dat won' happen till after we get back from de Bayou," he said, reentering the rec-room. Serina hadn't moved, she just glared at the TV. "'Renia, we need to be goin' soon. You ready?"

She dropped her head, rising from the chair. She began to walk to the door, but turned at the last moment, leaning her head on his chest. He put his arms around her, holding her tight. "I duenna want tae go, Remy. I jus' duenna like the feel of it." She held him tight.

"I know. I don' like it, either. But after we get back, it be jus' you an' me, an' anywhere you want to go." He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "I promise, Petite." He kissed her again. "I promise."

She lifted her face so he could look into her eyes. "Alone? Just you and I? How caen you promise that when you know someone will destroy anything we do? How can we even try to work this out? You are still too wrapped up in Rogue. I'm just a substitute for what you caennae have."

"That's not entirely true, Petite. I have become quite attached to you. As I tol' you before, she means as much to me as you do. I can' wait forever for her, but I have you here an' now an' I don' wan' to lose you, not again." He kissed her nose. "I love you, Petite, my 'Renia, an' I'll do anythin' not to let you go." He kissed her passionately.

She kept her eyes closed for a few moments, relaxing with the feeling of his lovingly protective embrace. "We'll see." She tightened her embrace. "We'll see."

He tightened his hold on her. "Let's get dis over wit' so we can go back to getting our life together."

"Yeah," she replied, starting to pull away.

He pulled her close again. "Not so fast, 'Renia. I want to enjoy our solitude for a little longer." He lifted her off the ground, her arms around his neck. She lowered her head to kiss him, his arms holding her tight. "I love you, Petite. I honestly do," he said, kissing her deeply.

Xavier watched the two from the doorway. They seemed to be closer than ever, but he sensed a severe amount of doubt coming from them both. He hoped Gambit was right. "Your flight leaves tomorrow at 2 P.M. Please be ready to leave by 12:30, and dress appropriately. You are registered at the New Orleans Regent, and have been paid up for two weeks. Find out what you can, but most of all, try and be a happily married couple." He turned to leave. "I suggest you two rehearse tonight so that your performance will be flawless." So saying, he left the room.

Gambit gave him a doubtful frown. "Guess he t'ink practice makes perfect, Neh?"

"Hmmmm," she said, lost in her thoughts, toying with his hair.

"Xavier wants us to practice our performance for our two-week stay," he informed her, noticing that she wasn't paying any attention. "Never mind," he said, nuzzling her neck.

"I gotta go," she breathed. "Gotta make a mall run in the morning." She tried to get released from his hold.

"'Renia," he began, setting her down. "Xavier wants us to share a bed tonight so dere be no surprised in de Big Easy. T'ink you can do it?" He didn't release her.

"Can you behave?" She ran her hand slowly down his chest. "Promise nothin' will happen?" She rested her hand on his belt, her fingertips in the waistband of his pants. "Control the urges?"

He closed his eyes. Her touch was like fire to his body as her words were ice to his heart. "I can handle it, Petite," he half groaned. "But can you?" His thumb caressed the tender curve of her breast.

She took a sharp intake of breath at his touch. He could send shivers down her spine with but a glance, but his touch could make her do anything he wanted, anything he asked. "I think so," she breathed.

"Den I suggest we get to bed, as you said earlier. We got a lot to do tomorrow," he said softly, his other hand sliding to her hip. He kissed her lightly. Her hand remained in his waistband. "You need to pack a few t'ings, den come to my room. I'll meet you there."

"Yeah." She kissed him passionately. "OK. Be there in an hour," she said, pulling away.

"See you den," he said, running his fingers through her hair as she moved away.

She had a way about her that was alluring, almost enticing. He followed her to the door, watching her walk down the hall. He could get lost in the sway of her hips, her graceful stride and long legs. Although she was a good six inches shorter than him, she was all legs.

She slowly opened her bedroom door. Up until recently, she could trust him with everything. But now, as his wife, she didn't know if she felt the same. Could she ever trust him again?

She slowly began gathering her things for the impending trip.

(Elsewhere on the grounds....)

Gambit stood outside the front door of the Xavier Mansion, smoking a cigarette. Since he and Serina parted earlier, his thoughts were on the impending trip to the Big Easy, but more importantly tonight.

Could he lay beside her, feel her body close to his and not fulfill his latest dream? Hear her whisper his name, her hands intertwined in his hair? He still held the memory in his mind, cherishing it. Her, her emerald green chemise, her hair cascading behind her like a shimmering blanket of fiery onyx. Her eyes glittering in the candlelight, her lips in a full pout as she lay on ivory satin sheets. "Oh God, I'm doomed."

Sapphyre watched him from the doorway, studying his every move. Her newly acquired telepathy gone awry, she sensed several different things from him, but mostly fear. "Problems, Gambit?" she asked in all seriousness. Since his sudden marriage to her cousin, she'd been rather suspicious of their relationship. One minute they denied anything was going on between them, the next minute they acted like childhood lovers caught in the act.

He turned to see her. "Not'ing, Petite, just 'honeymoon jitters', dat's all." He paused for a moment.

"Really? I thought it might be more of a 'wifely' thing," she replied, lighting her cigarette.

"'Wifely' t'ing? An' jus' what is dat supposed to mean?"

"We all know how...umm....difficult she can be. I figured you may have to face her with something," she replied.

"Difficult? 'Renia? Oh please, Tessa, you have no concept of de word. 'Renia is far from difficult," he snarled. "She's deadly." He then headed for his bike for a long ride.

(2:55am)

Serina quietly knocked on the door. The lights were out in Remy's room. She slowly opened the door. "Remy?" she said softly, turning on a light. He was not there. She began turning off the lights and dressing for bed.

After she undressed, she opened a window, dousing all the lights, she lit a cigarette and waited for him to show. Cigarette after cigarette until she finally gave up, climbing into bed. She had been waiting for almost three hours. It was now 4:45 A.M., and Gambit was nowhere on the grounds. She slowly drifted off to sleep.

(5:51 A.M.....)

Remy LeBeau had finally cooled down enough to come home. He never agreed with Moryella, especially when it came to his wife.

He reached to open the odor to his room to find it locked. He easily opened it with his key, and quietly entered the room. At first glance, he didn't see her. The bed looked as though someone attempted to sleep in it, but now they were gone. He turned on the bathroom light, jumping to the defense when he heard someone move.

He turned, slowly scanning the room. Blankets and a pillow were missing from the bed and piled on the chaise lounge by the window. They moved only slightly. He slowly peeled back the covers, charging a card. He let out a sigh of relief. It was Serina, buried down in the chair.

He dissipated the card, putting it away. He chuckled to himself, putting the blankets back on the bed, then going to lift her up. She stirred only slightly. "Shhh, chere. It's only me," he said softly.

"Where'd you go?" she whispered softly, putting her arms around his neck sleepily.

"I went for a ride," he told her. "You gave me a start."

"You said tae meet you here in an hour." Her voice was soft, her lashes lowered. She sounded like a child; in fact, she felt like he was carrying a child. She laid her head on his shoulder, dozing off to sleep.

"I know, Petite, I know," he said softly, laying her down on the bed. He then undressed and climbed in beside her . To his surprise, she curled up to his back, her hands resting on his arm.

He awoke the next morning to find her tangled with him. Her legs intertwined with his, one of her hand lay entangled in his hair, the other lay on his chest. One of his hands rested, tangled in her hair on her back, the other on her hip. He looked down to see the top of her head. He gently dropped a kiss on it. "'Renia, it's time to get up. We have a lot to do before we go." {'Oh, how I wish dis would never end.'}

She slowly opened her eyes, her hand unconsciously toying with the hair on his chest. It took a few minutes for her to realize where she was. "Hmmm?" she said softly.

He looked at the clock. "It's 10:30, chere. We need to get going. Out flight's at 2 p.m., an' Xavier, he wan' us to be ready by 12:30. You say you need to go to de mall first," he said softly, untangling her hair with his hand. "But if you change your mind, I don' mind if we jus' stay here."

"Mmmmm, maybe for a few minutes more." She closed her eyes, his detangling gently pulling her hair, something she found rather arousing. She lightly touched her lips to his chest, near the edge of his nipple. As the tugging continued, she flicked her tongue, barely touching it to his nipple.

She damn near drove him insane. Her closeness, her body almost completely bare, pressing against him. Her hair cascading across them both, then there was her warm breath and the tantalizing touch of her tongue. He groaned softly at her touch. Her hand still toyed with the hair on his chest, only now it also would toy with the other nipple. He began to pull her hair a little harder, and she began to nip and groan. His free hand slid up her waist to her breast, his thumb gliding up under her shirt, lightly caressing her bare breast.

Serina closed her eyes as tight as she could at his sensual touch. His thumb was teasing the nipple. The hand she had in his hair slid down to his shoulder, and her nails began to dig softly as she ran her leg between his, rubbing it up and down his as her pelvis pressed closer to his, pressing into his thigh. She began to groan more loudly.

He ran his hand down from her breast to her hip, then down to her thigh, caressing her satiny soft flesh. She moaned softly, bringing her head up, kissing her way up to his face, shifting her body so she could reach his lips, causing his hand to slide to the edge of her underpant leg. His fingers glided under the elastic with ease, touching her in a place that had never been touched that way before, and where, until now, he had been afraid to tread.

He slowly began to glide them down from her hips to the top of her thighs. She shifted as they kissed passionately, helping them to slide down and off her legs. She found that she liked these new sensations that she was feeling. That they weren't that scary, and they didn't hurt.

She began to explore him as well, running her hands slowly over his body, feeling every curve, every muscle. To her surprise, he jumped and stiffened when she touched his inner thigh and hipbone. She began to glider her hand over his lower abdomen when he stopped her, grabbing her hand. She gasped. "Not yet, 'Renia," he said softly, bringing her hand to his lips. "We got all de time in de world."

She lowered her eyes, unable to look at him. "Maybe.....maybe not. Time will tell," she said, rolling away, putting her underwear back on. She got up, walking over to her bag, her hair swaying as she moved. She dressed quickly, pulling her hair away from her face with a headband, leaving it to hang down her back. "Then again....." She leaned to kiss him as he still lay in the bed. She backed away, walking to the door. "...we may never know," she purred seductively, closing the door behind her.

(12:25 p.m.....)

Gambit began to grow concerned. His wife had been gone since eleven, and now her bag was missing from his room. "Maybe she changed her mind," Warren stated.

"I don't know. Have you seen either of the two women since this morning?" Xavier asked.

"Not since Serina kidnapped Betsy this morning, around eleven," Warren replied.

"She be here," Remy stated. "'Renia always keep her word."

"How can you be so sure, Gambit?" Moryella asked.

"She never let de professor down before," he answered.

"There can always be a first," Serina purred from beside Psylocke.

They were breathtaking. Psylocke wore an off-the-shoulder, pale blue dress that looked to have been hand beaded and rather tight-fitting. Serina was in a pale-green gown, similar to Psylocke's, except that it wasn't off-the-shoulders. They were both tea-length and very elaborate, with matching shoes and purse.

Psylocke's hair was in a French twist, with ringlets cascading down in no particular order. Serina's hair cascaded down the left side of her head to her knees, held with a diamond comb, like her friend's, and intertwined with white rosebuds. From head to toe, they looked like two blushing brides, all the way down to their matching kid gloves.

Gambit made his way up the stair, offering them his arm. He began to lead them down. Halfway, he handed Betsy off to Warren. "Tol' you she be here," he said smugly, her bag on his shoulder now.

Serina held his arm tightly. "Said I would. Ne'er go back on my word."

Storm passed through the entryway with two small bouquets of flowers, one on an open fan, the other on an ornate dagger. She handed them to the women, giving Serina the dagger, Betsy the fan. They smiled, switching bouquets. "I'm sorry, I guess I just assumed the dagger was yours. You never leave unarmed," Storm apologized.

Serina chuckled. "It's all right, Ororo. I'm not." She clicked a button, releasing curved blades on the ends of her innocent-looking fan, now ten inches in radius.

"Clever," Xavier summized.

"Shall we get this over with?" Serina requested, retracting the blades of her fan. "I have a lot of work tae do when I get back."

Warren opened the door. "Our chariot awaits." He led Betsy to the car. Xavier stopped Serina and Remy. "Remember, your performance must be flawless. No fighting, please. You may be under surveillance from the moment you arrive."

"Relax, Charles, Drama was one of my best subjects," she purred, kissing him on the cheek, then walking to the car alone.

"Ouch, that had to hurt," Sapphyre summized, wincing.

"Don't worry, Remy, she'll come around," Storm supported, giving Sapphyre a threatening look.

"What?" Sapphyre asked. "All I meant was, she's a stubborn, pigheaded, hot-tempered....."

"That's enough, Moryella," Xavier scolded.

"....spoiled rotten, egotistical, cruel......" she continued.

"I best be catchin' up," Remy stated, giving Storm a hug.

"...cold hearted...." Sapphyre continued, coming down the stairs toward him.

"I'm sure everything will work out fine, Remy," Xavier began as Moryella stopped Gambit.

She turned him to face her. "But most of all, Remy, she's a lovesick fool who doesn't know when to give in to her feelings." She hugged him tightly. "Kick her butt, it may knock some sense into her."

"Thanks, Moryella." He hugged her back. "I really have to go," he said, seeing Serina grow irritated, standing by the car.

"Call if you need anything," Xavier stated, handing him an envelope as he walked out the door.

They were an hour early for their flight, so after checking their luggage in, Betsy and Warren decided to browse the gift shop while Remy and Serina went for a walk outside. "So," Remy began, his hands in his pockets. "Drama was one of your best subjects, was were de others?" he asked.

"Oh, well, you know," she answered flippantly. "Heartbreaking 101, Lying 210, Thieving 309; the usual."

He chuckled. "OK, I guess I deserve dat one. But seriously, what other classes were you good at?"

"Well, let's see." She sat down on a bench. "Astrology, Botany, Genetics, Physics, Ancient Artifacts, Ancient Literature. You know, the easy ones."

"Ha ha ha." He mocked a laugh. "Dey not be dat easy."

"No, I never said they were." She looked away from him. "I was jus' that bored, Remy. There's not much ta do when ya duenna have anywhere ta go on holidays an' break. I've worked very hard ta achieve my goals, thank you very much." She stood, walking away, trying to hide the hurt.

"I know dat, chere," he said to her retreating back. "But everyone need to have love in dere life, no matter how late it come." He then followed her back into the terminal, throwing his newly lit cigarette down.

She stayed in the ladies' room until the first call for their flight.

"I don' get it, Warren," Gambit complained. "Not'ing I say or do is cuttin' it wit' her." He shifted from one foot to the other, tapping and fidgeting.

"Damn, Remy, calm down! You haven't been this edgy since Scotland," Betsy observed. He had obviously had feelings for her for a long time, ones he kept buried far beneath those he'd been showing for everyone else. {'Why?'} she thought to herself. "Look, if it'll make you feel better, I'll go and check on her."

"Naw, it'll jus' piss her off all the more," he replied. "Thanks anyway." He turned to look at the bathroom door. "I jus' wish I could get through to her. She's even harder to talk to den Rogue, sometimes."

"That is one of the biggest problems right there, Remy," Warren stated. "She's not Rogue, and I'm sure she feels that you're comparing her to Rogue, and she won't compete. Remember, she tried to kill herself rather than marry you. I'm sure she feels cheated out of love."

"That's just it, Warren, I do love her, more than ever. I know I love her," Gambit stressed, glancing at the door once more.

Betsy let out a heavy sigh. "She feels responsible for you and Rogue," she finally told them. "She said that if she had never come to Xavier's, this would have never happened, and you'd be happily in love with Rogue. She blames herself mostly for Coney Island. That if she hadn't kissed you, Rogue would have never known that anything was still going on between you other than the marriage, and the two of you would have been divorced by now so you could be with Rogue."

"That's not true, though, an' you know it. Rogue an' I were t'rough long before she even arrive," Gambit stated heatedly.

"Flight 134 to New Orleans, now loading at gate 21," came over the intercom.

Serina removed all traces of sorrow, pain and tears, and walked quietly up to her husband, her hand gliding to hold onto his arm. She smiled her best smile, as if nothing was wrong. "That's our flight, shall we go?" she purred.

"Yeah," Warren replied, taking Betsy's hand.

"Go on ahead, we'll be there in a moment," Remy replied. He watched them leave, then lifted her face to his. "You all right, chere?" he asked.

She reached up her free hand, caressing his cheek. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? I have friends who care so much about mae that they inform my husband of my every thought, and a husband who is so confused that he must turn to them instead of asking mae what's wrong." She slid her arms around him, holding him close. "As I told you before, this is and always will be a marriage in name only. Until you quit apologizing to Rogue mentally for anything we do together such as—" she didn't finish, but kissed him deeply and passionately. "Then there will never be anything more between us." She moved back to just holding onto his arm. "Now, let's get going before we are missed."

He never said anything, how she knew was beyond him, but now wasn't the time to discuss it.

They boarded the plane as if nothing ever happened, sitting close to one another on their seat. Warren and Betsy sat in the first-class seats across the aisle from them, acting like perfect newlyweds, while Serina and Remy acted as if their reception had worn them out, cuddling close to one another and whispering to each other as the stewardess brought them a blanket. Gambit spread it over the two of them, holding her close. He looked out the window, thinking she was asleep.

His thoughts sifted through the past events leading up to now. Could they pull this off?

"Penny for your thoughts, me amore," she said softly, knowing that is she wanted to, she could easily read them as she had in the past.

"Jus' random, sweet. Not'in' in particular," he replied, kissing the top of her head. The largest hurdle he had to get past wasn't what most thought, which was his love for Rogue. That one he may never get completely over. No, it was the fact that his beautiful 'Renia, his wife, looked no older than sixteen. So young-looking, always breathtaking, and she never saw it, never accepted a compliment. {'To hold her close is almost like a dream. Oh, how I love her,'} he thought. { 'For her to realize it would be a dream come true.'}

"Would it really, Remy?" she asked softly. "If I were ta ever say 'I love you' again as I did before and mean it once again, would it really be a dream come true?"

"Readin' my thoughts again, Petite?" he growled softly. "You know how I feel about that."

"Yeah, the same way I feel when you ask my friends and family aboot how I feel or my actions. You never talk ta mae, but expect mae ta talk tae you. The only way I know what's on your mind is if I read it," she snapped in a whisper, pulling away from him.

He pulled her back to him. "No. I'm sorry." He laid her head back down. "You're right. Communication hasn't been one of de strongest parts of our relationship."

"Be honest, Remy. It left when we married, before then we talked aboot everything. You said nothing would change if we were married yet everything has changed. All but one thing."

"An' what's dat, chere?"

"You're still Remy LeBeau," she bit back bitterly, leaving him to go to the restroom.

Betsy looked past Warren. "Not again," she breathed. "You talk to him, I'll see about her," she said, kissing him before she left.

Warren moved to sit beside his friend. "OK, talk."

"I did it again. I couldn't jus' give her an answer. Oh no, I had to get angry at her, had to start a fight."

"What did she ask?" Warren inquired.

"It's not what she asked dat made me mad, it's the fact she read my mind," Gambit replied.

"Yeah, I kinda know how you feel about that, Betsy does it to me from time to time. That's why we spend a lot of time talking to each other. I feel comfortable enough to tell her how I feel, good or bad," Warren stated.

"We used to, but now, she's so hard to reach. Every time I open my mouth, I tick her off." Gambit shook his head. "I don' know how to talk to her anymore."

( The bathroom door....)

"Come on, Serina, open up," Betsy Braddock Worthington pleaded with her friend. "I know you're upset, I can feel it. Please, just let me in, and we'll talk it through."

"Why, so you can play relay to Remy?" came through the door. "No. I will be out in a moment."

{'Serina, please,'} Betsy said telepathically. {'Let's not make a scene. I know it's hard for both of you, but damnit, we're on a mission. Put your differences aside and act happy. That's an order!'}

Psylocke's mental yell could give a person a rather large headache. Serina's head was already pounding. Since the separation of her mind, she'd found it difficult to use her abilities. The symptoms varied, but right now she had one hell of a migraine. She found that it helped if she vented the pain. After cleaning up her mess, she recovered her wrist and opened the door. "I said I'd be out in a moment. Jeez, Beth, patience is not one of your better attributes," she stated with a purr, walking back to her seat. "Could I get a glass of water?" she asked the stewardess as she passed her.

"Sure, Mrs. LeBeau," the girl piped.

{'Gods, how I hate that,'} she thought to herself. {' I will never be good enough to him, so why go by LeBeau? '} She slowed only momentarily, using the back of a seat to steady herself as a wave of dizziness hit her. {' Gods, anyone seeing this must think I'm air sick or pregnant.'} She slowly made her trek toward her seat.

{'So that's it,' } Betsy thought to herself, catching her friend unaware of her entry into her mind. { 'She thinks she's not good enough to be his wife. But if you're not air sick or pregnant, my dear, then what is wrong with you?' } She became concerned as she watched Serina get into her purse, pull out a pill bottle (her back to the men), pop one in her mouth and drink the entire glass of water. {'OK, so what are you doing?' } she thought, heading for her seat. {'I hope it was only—}

{'Don't do that again, Beth, my head hurt right now and your intrusion doesn't make it feel any better. And yes, I took a pain reliever.'} "Warren, do you mind? I have a headache and need to sit down," she asked sweetly.

"Sure." He stood, helping her to her seat. "Hope you feel better," he replied. "We'll finish our talk later, Remy."

"Yeah, Warr, see ya," he said to Warren's retreating form. He then leaned near his wife, his concern in his eyes and voice. "Are you all right, 'Renia?" he asked softly, as to not agitate her anymore.

"Yeah, Remy. I'll be fine as soon as this headache goes away." She laid her head on his shoulder, his arm encircling her, making her feel secure once more. "How long is this particular flight, anyway?"

"Forty-five minutes more, then we'll be in our hotel room and you can rest," he replied, feeling her move closer, then suddenly relax. "Are you sure you're all right?" She didn't answer. He pulled the blanket up on her and shifted to make her more comfortable.

(50 minutes later...)

"'Renia?.....'Renia, come on, we're here." Gambit's voice sounded as thought it were coming through a tunnel. She slowly opened her eyes, they felt as though they were weighted. "Hello, sleeping beauty," he purred sweetly. "We're here."

"Oh....OK, I'm sorry," she apologized. "I must be a mess," she stated, checking her hair with her hands.

He caught them both in his, kissing each one. "You look beautiful, 'Renia. Not'ing out of place." She had slept so soundly, she didn't move once. "Let's get to the hotel and relax," he stated rather than suggested, leading her out of the plane. Most seemed to forget that she was legally blind, mostly because she used her telepathy to guide her. Today, however, she let him lead her around, giving herself a break. It almost felt good, the way he doted on her, guiding her from place to place, describing the sights to her, helping her out of the car...the works. He even went as far as to order her food for her.

In their room, he drew a bath for her. "De headache, Petite, did she go away?" he asked.

"Yes, Remy, thank you," she replied, putting a few of her clothes away. "It was gone shortly after my nap on the plane." She turned, shorts and a T-shirt in her hand. As she moved toward the water sound and his voice, she had to stop as a dizzy wave hit her again. She grabbed the desk to wait for it to pass.

He came out of the bathroom, drying his hands. "You know, Petite, dis may be de best t'ing.....'Renia!" He rushed to her side.

"I'm fine, Remy, jus' turned too fast, that's all," she assured him as he led her to the bed, making her sit.

"I don' like dis, 'Renia, first de bad headache, an' now de dizziness."

"And now I'm fine, see?" she said, standing up and walking around him. "Now," she began, throwing her arms around him, holding him tight (mostly to steady herself from the dizziness she felt), "You gonna help me into the bath or what?" She rested her chin on his chest, batting her lashes at him.

He chuckled. She could be so playful at times. "Bath," he replied, leading her to the bathroom.

She grabbed a garment bag from the doorway, hanging it behind the bathroom door. "I can manage from here, Remy."

"Aww, an' I thought I'd get to help you out of dem dere clothes." He sounded like a schoolboy.

"If you did," she laughed, "I'd never make it into the tub."

He chuckled at this. "Oh, so true, but den, I knew you didn' trust me."

"Who said I was referring ta you?" she said in a throaty seductive voice, walking seductively over to him as her dress slid to the floor. "I thought I was the one who was all hands this morn'." She pulled her hair free, roses falling from the curls, although most stayed as she unhooked her bra.

He just stood there, unable to believe what he saw. Here was a woman who, up till now, never did anything like this, rarely even kissed in public, and now she was walking toward him, completely nude, with the exception of a few scattered roses. "Now 'Renia, don' do dis to me. You know how shy I am."

At this she had to stop. She was laughing so hard at his remark that she had to lean against the sink for support. He joined in her laughter, scooping her up into his arms. "No!" She panicked for a moment. "Remy, put me down." She still laughed, even though this frightened her.

"Oh no. Now you're a dirty little woman, an' I have to clean you up," he said, dropping her gently into the water, splashing himself. "Now look what you done! You got me all wet!" he exclaimed jokingly, leaning over her, her arms still around his neck.

"Well, I'll jus' have ta rectify that, now won't I," she said, giving a devious giggle. She pulled him off balance and into the tub with her, water going everywhere.

His head briefly went under the water. He brought it up to be face to face with a very wet—drenched, in fact, from head to toe—Serina in the circular tub, she went under, too. Her eyes were still closed, lips full and slightly parted....God, was she inviting, her body nude beneath him. He couldn't resist. He kissed her deeply.

She pulled him closer, further deepening the kiss, but mostly showing him that she was ready for whatever this night involved. They took their time with this kiss, almost as if they were waiting to see who would back away first. Serina slowly brought her hands down to his chest, unbuttoning his shirt. Their kiss continued as she pulled it from his body, then she began on his pants. Once she began sliding them as far as she could, he took over, trying to peel them from his body. When they reached his ankles, she helped by using her feet to get them off. The kiss then moved from her lips to her neck, and she arched her back, pressing her bare breasts hard against his chest.

"Ahh, Remy?" she said breathlessly in his ear, her voice soft without her headset.

"Yeah, Petite?" he asked, equally as breathless in her ear.

"Your boots," she groaned as his mouth found her breast.

"Hmmm?"

"Ahhh, hmmmm, you, your, your boots," she tried to repeat.

"Huh?" He brought his head up, looking down at his feet. "Oh, sorry." He sat up, removing them.

She began to laugh again in earnest. "Oh Gods, Remy. You really should get a good look at yourself," she said, getting a mental picture of him in only his boots.

He removed them, pouring out the water, dropping them outside the tub. Moving as if he was stalking her. "No..." she mocked a gasp. "No!" she screamed, laughing and splashing him.

He ducked his head to the splashes, grabbing her foot. He brought it to his lips, kissing each tow, then the arch, then the top. Working his way around to the back once again and moving up her leg. She closed her eyes, enjoying this new sensation as he repeated his torture on the other leg. Then, he kissed his way, raising her up to rest just beneath the water, up her abdomen to her breast, never faltering, never missing an inch. He toyed with her breasts leisurely, tantalizing their every inch. Then, ever so slowly, he made his way up her shoulder, down one arm, up the other to her neck, taking a moment to gently suck each finger. His lips slowly glided up her neck, while his hands caressed all they could touch. He kissed every inch of her face, leaving her lips for last. He deepened the kiss, making it the longest, most passionate so far.

She slowly brought her leg up, wrapping it around his waist, locking it with the other, putting him in a familiar position. He brought his head up, looking deeply into her eyes. "Are you sure dis is what you want?" he asked softly.

"Hmmm?" she replied, kissing his neck as she slid her hips down, making him enter her ever so slightly.

"Renia, are you absolutely sure?" he asked as she worked her way back up to his face.

"Would you shut up and kiss me before I change my mind?" she said breathlessly, kissing him deeply as she pushed herself the rest of the way down.

They made love slowly, reacquainting themselves with each other's bodies, changing positions several times and ending with him on his back. She collapsed against him. "I know dis be a stupid question, Petite, but what bring dis on?"

"Mmmmm." She dismounted, and moved to lay her head on his shoulder, her hair fanning out in the water. "You just seem ta hit the right spots. I duenna know, Remy, what ask?" she said, getting out of the tub. "You're my husband, or so ya keep tellin' me. We're in a luxurious honeymoon suite, an' this is supposed ta be our wedding night. Maybe I thought it was appropriate. Hell," she said, getting dressed. "Xavier said to be sure it was believable an' this," she pointed at the tub, "was something you've wanted us to do for a long time. Why look a gift horse in the mouth?" She brushed her hair out, throwing it in a ponytail. "Hopefully I 'pleased' you," she snapped sarcastically, leaving the room.

"OK, so it was a stupid question," he muttered to himself, getting out and wrapping a towel around him. He walked out to see her putting her sneakers on. "Where're you goin'?"

She finished tying them. "For a jog," she stated, standing up.

"But Belle," he began. "It's not really safe for you out dere."

"Should've thought about that before you brought me here," she replied, walking out the door.

He grabbed the phone, dialing the Worthington's room. "Hey Beth, hope I didn' catch you at somet'ing, but Renia, she angry an' go for a jog; t'ink you could....?"

"Yeah, Remy. No problem," she replied, hanging up. "I'll be back in a few, Warren."

"Serina, right?" he asked.

"Yeah; I've got to catch her before she blows it for us."

She was easy to find; she sat on a cemetery fence overlooking a mausoleum. Betsy approached her carefully.

"You know, I sometimes envy them," Serina began.

"Why's that, Seri?" Betsy inquired, sitting beside her. "Why such a fascination with death lately?"

"Not lately, Beth; always," Serina replied. "As far back as I could remember, I've envied them. Guess it was all those times the 'family' locked me in the mausoleum. I envy the peace they have, the peace I long for."

"But what about the rest of us who'll miss you so much?" Betsy asked, hearing for the first time what she had feared as of late. All the books on death and suicide. They were losing her to whatever ate at her inside.

"You'll all go on as you did before I came," Serina replied. "You have Warren, Bre an' Moryella an' Onjya have a home, safety with Xavier an' the rest have each other. I have no one." She looked away.

"And Remy?"

"He has Belle, Rogue an' numerous others in his phone book. He'll survive without me," Serina replied, not looking back.

"But why?" Betsy asked, feeling that she'd once again try to kill herself.

"Every time we go into battle, I pray to Odin that someone'll finally finish me, kill me so I can peacefully join Freya." She lowered her head. "I tire of all this hunting an' hiding. All this pain." She looked at her friend. "Do you realize that I have no full memory of true happiness in my life? Not one moment came without some sort of pain." She looked away. "I'm tired of waiting."

"I thought you were happy here, with Remy, before he married Belle." Betsy knew she was treading somewhere she shouldn't.

"I was, when I wasnae dodging an attack. But even then he turned away from me, said I was too young, even though he knew my real age; he still questions it now."

"And at Xavier's?"

"Yeah, I guess, before this mess I was. But inside a year, I was abducted six times, permanently blinded, nearly permanently silenced, an' damn near burned at the stake. You weigh it out an' tell me which outweighs the other." She paused. "Hell, I was even raped by my own husband. So who do I trust?"

The last part shocked Elisabeth. "He what?!" she gasped, unable to believe it."Yeah. Sinister wanted ta be sure that this marriage would be hard ta dissolve, so he injected Remy with something, driving him wild, strapped me ta a table, gagged, unable ta move while Remy raped me brutally an' repeatedly," Serina explained, as if it meant nothing. "When he came off it, he was horrified, but by then the damage had been done. He wasn't exactly my first, persay. I was first raped in the forest behind the mansion by some of his guild, but Sinister seemed ta think he rectified it all by tampering with me. Trying to give me back my virginity, so ta speak, which Remy took a month after we returned as man an' wife. But I was willing then only ta have Sinister destroy it all the last time. Taking turns, knocking me around only ta piss Remy off." She paused, looking down. "Now, I go out of my way to make up for the fighting we've done lately by putting my fears aside an' making love to him in one of the most romantic bathtubs I've ever seen, an' he questions it. Before an' after." She shook her head. "Why do I even try anymore?"

Betsy's heart went out to her. She knew from her trip through Serina's mind that her life had been hard. "Because you still love him," she replied.

"More than ever, but he won't quit apologizing ta Rogue for what we do. Even what we did tonight, he apologized ta her for, for making love tae his wife. For being here in a hotel room wit' his wife, kissing his wife. I'm no more than a piece of paper an' something for him ta be sorry about. Nothin's changed, Beth; he still an' always will be ashamed of me," she said, hopping down and walking through the cemetery.

Betsy shook her head slowly as she followed her friend through the cemetery. "He does love you, you know."

"Yeah, I know, but I'm a disgrace ta him wit' my mere presence. So maybe I should do him a favor and disappear. Then he wouldnae have anything ta be ashamed of anymore," Serina replied, lying down on a grave, the headstone, ironically, labeled "LeBeau."

Betsy stood over her. This was too eerie. "But I don't think your death is the answer." She squatted beside her. "There's too many of us who feel differently. He's only one man. What about Logan?"

"My dad is gone. Who knows when he'll be back? He's a loner, he doesn't need me." She paused, rolling over, propping herself on her elbow as her other hand caressed the headstone. "He's the only man, Beth. Haven't you ever had someone in your life that meant all ta you, and when you were apart, you felt empty and lost inside?"

"Yeah." Betsy sat down. "I feel that way with Warren to some extent. But not enough to consider death as a solution."

"How would you feel ta see him kiss another woman?"

"Angry, jealous." She paused. "I'd want to tear out his heart."

"OK, now let's say, hypothetically, it was, oh, Moreylla?"

"Confused, hurt, stumped," she replied.

"And what if every time the two of you merely touched , you mentally hear him apologizing ta her fer touching you?"

"Devastated," Betsy replied. "OK, OK, enough with the hypo-pictures. I see your point and given your past.....I'd die inside," she finally admitted.

"So why should I only die slowly on the inside? Why not make it complete, grasp the peace I so long for?" Serina replied, laying her head on her folded arms, closing her eyes.

"Because there's so much more in life for you," Betsy replied. "Who'll help me hurt Warren during childbirth? Unlike you, I plan to have children."

"Your children aren't wanted by Sinister," Serina bit back. This topic hurt her. "I won't be a breeder for anyone!" She jumped up. "Therapy's over for tonight, Beth. Thanks for the invite, but don't be too disappointed if I decline." She turned away, beginning to walk. "You really know how ta make a girl feel better, Beth."

"Idiot," Betsy muttered to herself, watching Serina walk away, only to stop.

Serina turned back to her friend. "You comin' or what? I could really use a drink before I face him again," she smiled as Betsy paused. "Aww, come on; you know me better than that. I may be fascinated with it, but I won't do it. I can never get it ta go right. 'Sides, I can't in good conscience leave you bewildered, now can I? Orimata would kick my butt if I did."

"You buyin'?" Betsy asked, catching up to her friend.

"Naw, thought I'd let you get the first round, then I'd play you fer the second," Serina replied, throwing her arm around Betsy's shoulders.

"Me, play poker with Gambit's wife? Do you think I'm daft? No way," Betsy joked. "Double or nothing?"

"You got it," Serina smiled as they entered the bar.

(In the hotel room......)

"So," Warren began. "Tell me what happened.

"I was so stupid," Remy replied.

"OK, what did you do?" Warren asked, picking up the fallen garment bag. It was open.

"She come to me, Warren, we make passionate love, an' all I can do is question her motives," Remy replied.

"It seems to me she had a lot more in mind," Warren stated, removing a very romantic, very intimate bag of negligés. "She has one for nearly every night, and none are the same."

Remy took the first one that Warren had pulled out. It was of antique satin and very old lace. The robe matched the full-length chemise, and the lace trim on the sleeves would have hung over her hands. He pictures her in it, with the roses strewn through her hair. 'God, how stupid could I be? She planned to work it out, to surprise me. What a fool!' "Put dem back," he began. "We make her t'ink dat we don' know. Maybe she follow t'rough wit her plans."

"Good idea," Warren agreed, putting them back in the order he found them. "Now what?"

"Now I gotta find a way to apologize," he replied. "Some way special."

(At the bar downstairs......)

"OK.....OK....." Betsy slurred. "Dish be the last han'......hic.....Warren'sh godda be worried."

"Sure, Beth," Serina replied. "Whatever you say." She laid down her cards. "Straight."

"Damn!" Betsy exclaimed. "That'sh it—I quit," she stated.

"Want me ta walk you up?"

"Aren't you goin'?"

"No. Not yet," Serina replied. "I thought I'd stay down here fer a while longer."

"Den sho will I," Betsy said stubbornly.

"No, Beth," Serina replied. "I'm a big girl and your a good friend." She looked away. "I need to work this out on my own." She looked back. "I'll be fine," she said to the worried look on Betsy's face.

"But I promished."

"Promised who? Remy?" Seri asked, trying to control her anger.

"Yeah," Betsy replied. "He really lovesh shyou, shyou know. Never knows what to shay or what to do to make shyou believe him, make shyou happy," she stated. "He'd do anyshing for shyou, Seri, anyshing shyou wanted, as long ash shyou'd shtay wish him. Believe me, his feelings are true for shyou. He and Rogue fell apart long before shyou even came to Xavier'sh." She paused a moment. "It'sh been said I have no heart, or that it'sh made of ice. Shyou claim he hash none. Warren hash given me a chance to prove them wrong, maybe shyou should do the same for him."

"You're not apologizing for what ya do with Warren, and he's not a blind telepath," Seri bit back. "I'll try," she replied softly. "I promise you I'll try, Beth." She caressed the back of Betsy's hand. "You go an' rest an' I'll think about what ya said." Her hand moved to caress Betsy's cheek, drawing her closer. "Anyone says that you have no heart, I'll replace it with theirs," she whispered, kissing her passionately.

Betsy's eyes opened to find herself in her room. "Damn!" she muttered softly, walking back out her bedroom door.

(Remy's room.....)

"I hope Bets found her," Remy stated indirectly, looking out his window.

"I'm sure she has," Warren replied as a knock sounded from the door. "I'll get it."

"Where is she?!" Betsy snapped.

"Didn't you find her?" Warren asked, letting her in.

"Yeah, but she gave me the slip in the bar," she replied, completely sober. "Teleported me to my room."

"What do you mean, teleported you?" Remy asked. "I thought she could only teleport something or someone with her."

"So did I, with the exception of letters. But she did," Betsy replied.

"Did you check the bar?" Warren asked.

"Yeah, she's gone. Said she had some thinking to do."

"Then she could be anywhere," Warren stated.

"No," Remy replied. "I know where she is," he said, grabbing his coat. "I'll talk to you later. If you see her, tell her I left, don't tell her why or where. I'll be back when I get back," he stated leaving.

((Later that night))

Serina returned shortly after to find him gone. When he didn't show by sunrise, she asked the Worthington's and received his message. She spent the next few days in her room, taking her meals alone. She spent most of her nights on the balcony, waiting, watching for her husband to return.

She stood on the balcony, her nightgown moving slightly in the breeze. He'd been gone for two days now and she grew worried. { 'Maybe I pushed too hard,' } she thought, and a chill went down her spine. { 'I probably drove him right back to her arms.' } She looked toward the lights on the New Orleans waterfront, an area known as the French Quarter. { 'He's probably there.' } She leaned against the railing. { 'How stupid can you be, Serina? The one man who has the patience to wait for you, giving you time to heal from everything that has damaged this marriage so far......' } She looked back up to the French Quarter. { 'Love seems to be the one thing I failed at and he excelled. He could have any woman he wanted, but for some God awful reason he chose me,' } she thought as she took a drink of her wine. { 'Why? He attracts me like no other. I've never wanted anyone so bad in my life.' }

He raised the rose to his lips. He'd been sitting in front of his hotel now for over an hour. { 'I never wanted to hurt her,' } he thought to himself. { 'De way she acted when we got here, the passion we shared, de love we made.' } He remembered her nude form approaching him seductively, white roses cascading through her hair. { 'If I could only stop apologizing to Rogue for everyt'ing I do.' } He pressed the elevator button. { 'She's beautiful, fun and passionate, but most of all, she's my wife. Rogue walked away from me, she left, I didn't and Renia's here now.' } He got in to the elevator. { 'I know she loves me. She always has, no matter how bad I treat her, she still loves me.' } The door opened to his floor, he walked out. { 'I love her, guess I always have. She's my 'Renia, do anyt'ing for her. Never knew why,' } he thought, quietly sliding his key into the door, opening it. { 'till now,' }he thought as he quietly entered his room.

He could see her in the moonlight, standing on the balcony. She never had to work at being seductive, never even had to try. The moonlight on her hair, her lingerie shimmering in the breeze, the way she stood. So much about her was enticing. He quietly walked up behind her, running the bud of the rose down her bare arm.

She closed her eyes, she knew it was him. She slowly turned to face him, the rose caressing her throat and jaw line. She brought her hands to rest on his abdomen as the rose caressed her face. Her lips parted slightly as he ran the rose over them. She opened her eyes as her hands slid around him, pulling him close. "I'm sorry, Remy. I always seem ta do or say the wrong thing," she said softly, resting her head on his chest.

He set the rose down, holding her tightly in his arms. "No, Petite, I am as much to blame as you are," he replied softly.

Remy held his wife close for the first time in days. Sex was the farthest thing from their minds now; now it was only the need to be near. All differences aside, each other, hearts open and close.

The next day, Serina bounced happily to their friends' door. "Beth, Warren?" she knocked. Their door was open. "Hello?" She opened it farther. They were gone, lock, stock and barrel. All traces of them were gone. "Remy!" she hollered, running back to their room. "Remy! They're gone!"

(Later....)

"What do you mean, dey checked out?" Remy asked. "We were t'gether," he stated. "Joint honeymoons. They couldn't have just 'checked out'."

"Come on, Remy, we're on our own; he doesn't know anythin' about it." She gently tugged on his arm. "Let's go. Maybe we can catch them at the airport." She led him out the door.

"I doubt dey're dere," he muttered.

"Same here, love, but out here, I can try ta reach them psychically unhindered; also, we need ta let Xavier know."

"But what if her powers are somehow controlled?"

"If they're within a hundred-mile radius of me, I'll find them. But first, I need ta talk ta Xavier," she replied. { 'Charles..... Charles.... they've taken Beth and Warren. What do you want us to do?' }

{'Stay, I'll work from here, you two from there. I'll send help.' } came the telepathic reply.

"He wants us ta stay here," she informed him. "Work it from this end an' he's sending help."

"Ok, try her." He stated.

Serina concentrated as best she could on Betsy, but just as she got a grip on her, she blacked out.

"'Renia!" Gambit hollered, catching her as she fell.

(Later in their room....)

Hey eyes began to flutter slowly. "Remy?" she said softly.

"Righ' here, petite," he said softly from beside her. "Wha' happened?"

"Not sure," she replied, cuddling closer to him. "I started to get a fix, then woke up here."

"You passed out," he supplied, stroking her hair. "I really t'ink you should be checked, Renia. Dizziness, headaches and now dis. I don' like it."

"I know an' I will," she agreed. "As soon as we get them back safely."

"Let's get some rest," he suggested. "De others, dey be here soon." He pulled her closer to him, drifting off to sleep.

(Later....)

"What do you mean, they checked out?!" Scott Summers' not-so-subtle voice sliced the air. "They called us this morning and said to meet them here. Where'd they go?"

"I don't know, sir, they didn't say," the clerk replied shakily. "Said something about joining their friends and left, bags in hand. I'm sorry, I can't help you more."

"Let's go, darling," Jean began. "It's obvious that your brother changed his mind and joined his sister-in-law."

"If you like, we can put you up here, with your friends. Maybe they're return," the clerk offered.

"How kind of you," Jean purred. "Thank you, we'd appreciate that."

To Be Continued.................???????