I could say the earth moved or there were fireworks or any other number of clichés but it wouldn't really describe what happened last night. I feel different. I feel better about myself. I feel healed.

She kissed each one of my scars. It was like each of my sins being forgiven.

I think she's my conscience. Or maybe she just helped me find that I have one. Either way last night was the best night of my life.

What about today?

It didn't get off to the most auspicious start. The younger X-men arrived for a training session at the Danger Room but I think it turned out to be more of a lesson about the birds and the bees. And from the way my mind was bombarded by the telepathic squeals of adolescent girls I think Rogue may have a few new rivals for my affections.

Luckily for her they don't stand a chance.

Sorry petite, I'm already spoken for. Never thought I'd like the sound of those words until now.

My inevitable punishment: repair Wolverine's bike. I'd say it was a small price to pay but having to spend the day in close proximity to Logan means I'm constantly aware of the ways he's planning to torture and kill me for deflowering his precious Stripes. After the bike is fixed of course. Sort of a Catch-22: the longer I take the longer I have to live but the longer I have to spend with the overprotective father from hell. And the longer I have to spend apart form Rogue.

I'd say Logan's inadvertently found a pretty effective form of torture for this poor Cajun.

"Gumbo, you sure that bolt's tight enough? I'd hate for the wheel to come off while you give my girl a test ride."

I think that may have been the most unfortunate choice of words I've heard for a while. Well besides those of, "I already gave your girl a ride last night and it certainly was no test."

"You'd let me ride your bike? I'm touched."

"Only if I was certain you'd sabotaged it or just done the half-assed job I'm looking at right now."

"Like I said, I'm touched."

Behind me I hear a distinctive 'snikt' followed by:

"You will be bub."

"Jeez Wolvie, all this passive-aggressive behaviour of yours isn't healthy. Why don't you just come out with it and tell me what you mean?"

"Cute. Real cute. I think I'm going to head out for a few beers before I puke."

"Can I come too?"

"Does Xavier have a head of flowing golden locks?"

Ah, yet again my favourite; let's hear it for the rhetorical question.

"Please go easy on the guy Logan. He did save all our lives."

Jean enters the garage as Wolverine leaves with a mumbled, "He didn't save my bike."

"Bonjour Jeannie and to what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"Hey Remy. Just thought I'd see how you were doing."

"Fine. As you can see me and Logan are getting along like a house on fire."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know."

"So?"

"So? You don't mean to say the incredible gossip powers of Kitty have failed to spread the joyous news?"

"Please. From what I've heard there's never been such enthusiasm amongst the new recruits for early morning training sessions. Provided you and Rogue are present of course."

"It's going to be hard to disappoint them."

Jean leans against the counter and switches on the radio. She avoids eye contact. It looks like her mind is somewhere else.

"Dieu, I hate this song."

"Sorry?"

"This manufactured crap. Can't stand it."

My empathy plays up and I realise I may have said the wrong thing.

"Let me guess. This is yours and Cyke's song."

"Was."

"Was? Trouble in paradise?"

"It's just that. Look, this is hard to say. I. It doesn't matter."

"Come on. Try me."

"Well, let's just say that my efforts last night were not quite as successful as yours."

Just as I always suspected: Cyclops has no penis.

"Remy!"

"Sorry chere. Was I projecting accidentally on purpose?"

"Oh God. What am I going to do? I completely embarrassed myself."

She hides her face in her hands. I walk up to her and pull them away.

"Come on. Spit it out."

"Well Scott came out of the Med Bay last night and I thought that since I nearly lost him I should show him how I really feel so I tried to seduce him and he stopped me. He asked me if I'd done anything like this before and I told him I'd slept with Duncan and it was the biggest mistake of my life and that I loved him and he just looked so disappointed. I felt like a total slut."

"Look. You know Cyke ain't my favourite person but don't think so badly of him. He's a guy and when it comes to sex we're all chauvinistic pigs in the end, even me. Basically he just wanted his first time to be your first time as well and his pride's hurt. Plus you may have fallen a few feet off that extremely tall pedestal he has you placed on, but trust me, that is no bad thing."

"Maybe you're right. It's just that he rejected me and it hurt. It made me feel like I wasn't attractive."

"Merde chere, that is not the problem. You're stunning. Every man starts drooling every time you enter a room, especially Cyke."

"But not you."

"Sorry to have to tell you this but when you enter a room my attention is focused else where."

"Rogue's lucky to have found you."

"She may have found me but I'm the one that's lucky."

"And don't you forget it swamp rat."

***

I've been eavesdropping for a while. I think Remy probably knew I was around but I've absorbed enough telepaths to know how to keep my psyche hidden from Jean. Not the Professor; he's too powerful. I can't say I'm not slightly pleased that I, the untouchable goth, have a more fulfilling sex life than Miss Jean Grey. But my schadenfreude (God, I love that word) is short lived. Because Jean helped Remy and in doing so she helped me and I'll always be grateful for that.

"Rogue!"

Jean looks like I've caught her trying to jump Remy, while Remy acts as if I've simply found him brushing his teeth or something. Cocky, ain't he?

"Hey Jean. How's Scott?"

"He's doing really well. He's out of the Med Bay now and just recuperating in his room."

"That's great news."

"Yeah, it is."

"Look, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. I know how much you've helped Remy and without that I wouldn't have someone I could touch and that means the world to me."

She looks surprised, in a good way I think. Well she better be prepared to be surprised some more as I step forward and, for the first time ever, hug Jean. When I pull back she smiles shakily at me and I can see she's on the verge of tears. Without another word she leaves.

"What did you do chere? Break a rib?"

You'd never guess he can read minds and is an empath.

***

"Jeez Remy, since when did you decide to use your powers for stupidity instead of evil?"

"Evil? That's not how I remember you describing last night's events."

Ha. Got her. Before she can open her mouth a blush spreads over her cheeks and she just resorts to folding her arms across her chest and giving me her patented death glare.

"Hmm. It seems to me you require something of a reminder."

I close the gap between us and press my lips to hers. She responds by tangling her fingers in my hair and pulling my face closer. I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her off the ground, placing her on the work bench. I'm about to charge the buttons off her shirt when I sense the return of Logan.

"Look decent chere. We're about to have company."

"Man, are you the male equivalent of a prick tease."

"The mark of a talented lover is to leave you wanting more."

"Well let's hope you don't disappoint yourself in the bedroom because you're going to spend tonight alone."

She storms off down the drive just as Logan is returning, two black oily hand prints visible on her jean-clad ass.

She'll be back.