Chapter One

...

Logan sat with his boots up on the lake side coffee table while the moon shown across the lake. He had a half empty beer in his left hand and a cigar clinched between his teeth. It was a full moon out and not a cloud in the sky. If he hadn’t gotten home 3 days earlier, these were the kind of day’s he liked to go out on his own on. As he looked back up at the moon, his internal clock told him it was around nine thirty and he had about five minutes to put out the cigar before she showed up.

Right as he guessed, the second after he put the end of the cigar out, none other than Crystal came down the trail to the dock and sat herself down by his chair. He glanced down at the girl from the corner of his eyes and realized she had once again dyed the ends of her hair. “Are we going for a record now, Krys?” He asked before he took a swig from the almost empty bottle.

Crystal smiled at him noticing and started running her fingers through a chunk of her bangs. “Naw. I just get bored of one color.” She twirled the purple tip around her finger a few times before letting it fall back to her chin with the rest of her bangs.

Logan lightly smirked at that and turned his attention back up at the sky. “Ya have already done Purple. Come to think of it, ya have had purple longer and right after all the others.” Crystal only giggled at starred up at the moon with him. Obviously the girl liked purple more. Her entire wardrobe was full of the color.

“Why weren’t you at dinner, hm? This is the second time you have skipped out on us!” She rested her head agents the side of Logan’s chair, her light brown hair brushing ageist his arm.

Logan snorted and took the last drink of his beer before answering. “I’ve already told ya. That shit Bobby makes ain’t food.” He got another giggle out of the girl and they both starred up at the sky without another word. Crystal always knew where to find him. No matter where he was on the estate or grounds, she would know where he was. Not that it bothered him any. After all, he raised the girl. At the thought, he smiled and Crystal stood to her feet.

She hesitated long enough to pick up something the size of a Frisbee and that smelled of charcoal and seasoning. Logan wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Takin’ that to Gumbo?”

Crystal nodded and starred over at the boat house that had a slow rise of smoke coming from the chimney. “I know he has a kitchen in there, but I don’t think he uses it.” She turned back to face the shack and walked towards the door. Logan watched as she quietly knocked and waited for an answer they both knew wouldn’t come.

Ever since he came home after they thought him to be dead, Remy LeBeau hadn’t been the same. Gambit hadn’t talked to anyone but Ororo and even she had to force it out of the boy. He only showed at meals when dragged once again by the Weather Goddess and only pushed the food around with his fork. It didn’t go without Logan’s attention to his rapid weight-loss and lack of all that was… well all that was Remy!

Yet still Crystal tried so hard to get the boy some food. Normally someone would catch her and lecture her about trying to feed the thief. This morning at lunch flashed into his head where she was trying to sneak out with a sandwhich and was caught by Warren. She later was forced up to her room when she started a fight with the fearless leader himself and he proclaimed “If he is hungry enough, he can get his own food”.

He was brought back to reality as Crystal lightly knocked on Remy’s door once more, so quiet that his enhanced ears almost didn’t pick up the sound. “Rem-Er… Gambit. I brought you something to eat.”

No answer.

“It’s not as bad as it smells. Honest.”

Still no answer.

“Gambit, could you please let me in?” A soft click was heard and Crystal disappeared into the boathouse. She went on talking, but as far as Logan could tell, she wasn’t getting anything out of the Cajun and reappeared, closing the door lightly behind her. The sad look in her eyes almost made Logan jump up and hug the girl. She looked over at him and then quickly back down at the ground. “Night Logan.” She whispered, turning and going back up to the Mansion.

“G’Night Krys.” He said as her back was blocked by the thick branches of the trees. He mentally growled at the Cajun for making her so sad and got to his feet. Logan set the empty beer bottle on the table and walked the few feet to Remy’s door. He hadn’t treated the thief any different than he had before the massacre. Other then no longer drinking and playing poker all night that is. But that was Remy’s doing, not his own.

Once the old door was in sight, he knocked only once, as the force of it swung the door open with a light bang. The damn thing never was really shut unless locked and obviously Remy hadn’t moved since Crystal came in.

Logon took in the boy sitting huddled in about three blankets, starring deeply into the fire place as flames and sparks danced in the hearth. One look around the old dusty room hinted as to why the boy hadn’t been getting any better. It was old, small, dusty, and downright depressing. The only furniture was a old couch for two, a wooden table whose leg was propped up with a book, and a chair next to the table. A door to the left he figured lead to the bathroom seeing how the so called ‘kitchen’ was in the same room and the boathouse had not room.

He took his attention away from the depressing room and back to the even sadder Cajun hunched over on the floor. “How long do ya think yer gonna let that food sit there? She went through a lot of trouble getting it here and it would hurt her feelings if she saw ya hadn’t even touched it.” Gambit didn’t move. He still sat there starring into the flames and sparks, thinking about something Logon couldn’t tell. A minute went by and Logon sighed and leaned his back ageist the wall. “Are ya even gonna talk to me, Kid?”

“If dat’s wat y’ want Logon. Gambit jus’ don have much to say…” He shivred deeper into his blankets and Logon snarled in his head.

“Fine. Don’t talk to me. Just eat that damn food! Your cheek bones have gotten to the point where I can see ‘em!” Remy still said nothing. He shifted further into the blankets covering him, either uncareing to the raising anger in Logon or oblivious to it. “I said get of yer ass and eat.” He half snarled through clenched teeth.

At this, Remy finally turned to face him, dark shades covering his demon eyes. “Why do y’ all a sudden’ care, Logon? Remy gotta go somehow, non?” he turned back to the fire and his voice dropped low. “Unless y’ tryin’ to rid of him quicka’. Like poisin’ t’ food.”

Before he could even finish the next thought, Logon had the front of his shirt cluched in a fist and 3 sharp al claws dangerously close to the Cajun’s neck. “One more disrespectful world outta yer mouth and it’ll be yer last brat!” Logon snarled as Remy finally smirked a bit.

“Go ahead Mon Ami. Y’ be doin’ t’ world a favor.” He pulled down further on the neck of his shirt, exposing the pale tender skin that had hid underneath. “Save Gambit the torture and do it.” Logan gazed into the dark shades of the kid. He was practically begging to have his head chopped off. He growled and threw the thief into the chair by the table. The adamantium claws retracted back into his fist and he shoved the plate of chicken at him. “Eat.”

Remy starred wide-eyed up at Logan a second longer before turning back down to the black lump on the plate. It literally looked liked a chunk of charcol covered in seasonings. It started to make him think poison sounded a little more appatising. But, with fear of Logan shoving the thing down his throught, Remy picked off a small piece between delicate fingers and pushed it into his mouth.

As foul as the ‘chicken’ tasted, his stomach growled with delight as something solid hit his stomach and he all to eagerly took in more. Logan plopped down on the old couch and it just about gave in from his age and his adamantium body. Remy didn’t even glance at him as he ate the rest of the chicken. With a smirk to nothing in particular, Logan rested his hands behind his head.

A while later, Remy stood up and sat down on the couch next to Logan. “Tell her… Merci please Logan.”

“Ya can tell ‘er yer self, bub.” He felt Remy pick up a blanket he was jerked out of earlier and curled it around himself. As Logan was about to apologise for the incident, the wind outside picked up fast and he sniffed the air. The sent of rain filled his nostrils and he peered up at the ceiling. The thing had a whole every few spaces! How could they have let him stay out here in this kind of condition?

The little bit of moon light shimmering in from outside was slowly vanishing and Logan saw Remy slouch back down to the fireplace, charge another piece of wood, and chunked it into the harth. With a burst of sparks and flames, the fire reignited and Logan got to his feet. “Looks like there’s a nasty storm brewin’ kid.” He once again got no answer as Remy’s gaze never left the flames in front of him.

God this brat was pissing him off! Logan closed the small distance between them with two steps and wrenched the Cajun up by his arm with such force it caused the black shades to clatter to the floor along with the blanket. Gambit starred at Wolverine, his red on black eyes full of shock and fear. “Get yer shit together now. Yer not sleepin’ out here with that storm.” With that being said, he pushed Remy away and walked outside to stand by the door. Remy starred wide-eyed at the door, but the invation back into the home and warmth he missed was to tempting. He would worry about the consequences later. He quickly snached up his glasses from the floor and s change of clothes he had draped over the couch. Then with one graceful turn, he was out the door with Logan, had managing to grab his trench coat as he did so.

...

“No… Unng!” Crystal gripped the covers tight then sprang up panting as a boom of thunder shook her room. Her quiet voice was not even autobil over the roar erupting outside and the crash of lightning. She shivered out of her freezing cold bed and with another burst of thunder, crept out of her room.

As the door shut silently behind her, the dark hall was lit up by another bolt of outside light and she made her way to the door that read ‘The Wolverine’ in Kitty’s handwriting. She knocked once, barely enough for her hand to even register she had when the gruff voice from inside beckoned her in. “Yea I hear ya. Get in here.”

Crystal flung the door open and somehow managed to close it as she basically dove into Logan’s protective arms. “I wondered how long until ya decided to come knockin’.” Crystal didn’t even say something smart back. She just cringed closer to him as another roll of thunder shook the house.

“I’m sorry.” He stroked the back of her hair down with one hand while the other held her protectively as she mumbled apologies into his shoulder. Logan let out a sarcastic laugh and pulled the blankets up to her chin. Crystal knew she didn’t have to apologise. Logan had always done this. When thare was a storm, he let her curl up in his bed.

“Gumbo ate the food you brought him.” Logan said trying to take the shaking girl’s mind off the raging storm outside. He felt her body loosen up a little and could tell she was smiling. “Every last bit of the charcoal.”

“Oh thank you so much Logan!!” She nuzzled her face into his shoulder again and he could feel her smiling. “How did you manage to get him to eat it all?”

He didn’t answer this right away. She wouldn’t be happy if he said he scared the kid into it. So he shrugged and grinned. “My powers of persuasion.”

She smiled again, but was quickly back to shivering ageist him as thunder rocked the house. Logan held her tight and went back to stroking the light brown hair of the girl. “Thank you so much. For everything…. Dad.” With that Crystal fell fast asleep and Logan stopped breathing for a second. He smiled as the last word sank in and gently kissed the top of her head.

“Don’t mention it Darlin’.”

...

Remy was woken up by a bright light that stung his eyes and flinched covering his head with the blanket. “Merde. Where did dat come from?” Finding his glasses on a nearby table, he slid them on his nose and relecntly climbed out of the soft warm bed to close the drapes that were streaming in painful amounts of sunlight.

Gambit stretched his muscles and smiled in delight as his body rejoiced from a good night sleep. Then it sank in. He had a goodnight sleep and was actually refreshed when he woke up! The master thief took in his soundings and felt a weight fall in the pit of his stomach. Merde!

Yanking on his worn jeans and hi shirt, he draped his arms through the trench and yanked on his boots. Making sure his old room was in the same condition it had always been he, Remy slid out the door and into the grand hallway. Normally, he would have easily gone out the window he crept like a cat back to the safety of his boathouse. But one night’s good rest didn’t make up for the few months he hadn’t had any and lack of nutrition in his lanky body.

Luckily for him, the only people who shared the third floor with him were Logan, Crystal, His Sister, and Rouge. He wasn’t to thrilled on the last person, but knowing she was away on a mission made him relax a bit as he made his way to the stairs.

Running down the second flight, he froze and flung his body into a closet as Kitty and Nightcrawler walked by, laughing at some joke. Remy opened the door and silently slipped back out. This was turning out to be to easy. All he had to do was make it to the back door on the side of the house and-

“Gambit?” Interj! Someone grabbed his arm and before they could even think, he had a card in his hand, charged and ready. “Whoa I’m sorry! I didn’t meant to startle you!” Crystal flew her hands up to show she didn’t mean to and Gambit chunked the card out the door where it exploded. He let out a sigh and turned to see Crystal’s smiling face. He got lucky that Crystal had caught him and not someone else. Damn Logan for talking him into sleeping in the mansion!

“Umm… Gambit want t’ th—“

“I’m so happy you’re here Gambit! I can’t believe you decided to join us for breakfast!” He opened his mouth to tell her he was just leaving when she grabbed his arm and pulled him into the dinning room. “Ororo is making pancakes so you picked a good day to join us!” Not really protesting, Remy was pushed into a chairs by Crystal who then sat in the one to his left. “So what made you change your mind about eating with us?”

Gambit looked up at Crystal’s green eyes and saw how overjoyed she was with him for some reason. “Actually Gambit was jus tryn’ t’ go back t’ de boathouse when got m’.” She tilted her head to the side and kept her eyes fixed on his face.

“So… Then why were you in the mansion?”

“Gambit slept in his ol’ room. Was tryn’ t’ ge—“

“Oh brother? I am delighted to see you have joined us once again.” Before Gambit could finish trying to explain to Crystal, Storm walked in pushing a cart with Pancakes, syrup, fruits, and all kinds of breakfast items on it. Remy looked at his ‘sister’ and then back down at the plate in front of him. The Weather Goddess had the same look of joy in her eyes that reflected in Crystal’s emerald ones.

“Just like old times, right Storm?” Crystal stood and helped her unload the cart for the rest of their mismatched family.

Storm smiled and glanced at Remy. “I can only assume you had something to do with this, Crystal Parks?” Not waiting for a reply, she turned and pushed the cart out as Crystal returned to her seat at Remy’s side.

“Gambit it’s so great that your staying in here with us again.” Crystal smiled and reached for a strawberry. Remy watched as she took a bite and chewed it slowly, her eyes seeing something he couldn’t. Gambit didn’t know why, but seeing her happy made him less tense and he almost smiled back at her.

Almost.

“What? The little thief is BACK under our roof?!” Warren’s outraged voice rung out, causing Remy to stick his hand into his coat pocket and Crystal to dropped her strawberry. He scoffed and crossed his arms across his chest. “I don’t know what makes me feel worse. Bobby’s cooking or this.”

“Hey! At least my cooking can’t stab you in the back!” Bobby chimed in as he stepped beside Warren and smirked staging at Remy and Crystal. Gambit seems to sink further into his chair. Feeling bad for taking the happy look form Crystal’s face.

“Oh just shut-up Warren. Your just pissed because you lost your wings.” Crystal turned back around to face Remy and tried to smile a encouraging smile.

Warren frowned and Bobby took a step forward. “Hey! Why are you defending the thief? Crystal you of all people should be on our side!!”

“Well I’m not! I apparently have a better sense of right and wrong then you idiots. Who are you to pass judgment on Gambit?! Nobody knows what honestly went on down there!” Crystal was on her feet and no Remy was wishing a whole would have just ate him alive. Damn Logan! Why did he let him drag him into the mansion?

Warren glared at her. “I get it now. The little Mutant whore slept with her. That’s why she’s defending him!” Warren smirked when Crystal fell silent, face flushed a little. “Well now that explains it all!”

“Shut up Warren! He did not!”

“Well you didn’t protest much!” Bubby smiled as Warren thought he had the upper hand. Remy was cursing both Warren and Logan in his head. He wanted to stand and defend the only person who had showed him any kindness, but the fear of being beat again kept him glued to the chair, his back to the scene behind him.

“Wait until Scott hears this Bobby! Our resident Whore is sleeping with the Resident reject! How sweet.” Gambit clenched his teeth and was about to stand to leave when the fork by his plate began to shake. He glanced around the table and saw all of the metal appliances were violently rocking back and forth.

“You obviously have a death wish.” Crystal’s usually sweet voice was now cold and each word was spat out. Her purple tips stuck out more than normal and Remy turned to see blue electric current flowing down her arms to her clenched fists.

“Ooo, scary. Bobby, looks like Sparky here wants a fight.” Warren smirked and looked down at Bobby. “How about you give her one?” Bobby mired Warren’s smirk and let ice creep from his fingertips to his shoulders.

Crystal clinched her fist and the blue static fizzled down to her right hand. Soon, a Blue orb of electricity lay in her hand and she ran at Bobby with it as he ran tword her. She pointed to fingers at him and the lightning shot from her fingers into Bobby. He dogged it easily and lept back into his run and flew a punch at her face. Crystal raised her arm to block his punch and raised her leg. The blue current had went to her raised foot now and with a yell, she slammed it into Bobby’s chest. A split second before, a layer of ice appeared over his chest. As it all shattered to the floor, Bobby was flung back. He frowned and held out his hand, making a spear of ice appear and he ran at her, throwing it as soon as she had recovered her stance from the kick. She wasn’t going to be able to doge in time.

Remy was on his feet, charged card between two skilled fingers when metal rang through the dinning room and glass fell to the floor. “Ya might wanna watch where you chunk your ice, bub.” Logan stood in front of Crystal, his claws out and ice surrounding his feet. He growled as the claws retracted back into his hand.

“What in the world is going on in here?!” The double doors flew open and Scott stood between them, the rest of the house gazing into the room behind him. He took in Wolverine standing in front of Crystal in a protective stance with Warren and Bobby across from them. Behind Crystal stood Gambit who had shoved the card back into his pocket. “Well now. So Gambit has decided to rejoin us. I’m going to guess this is all your fault and-“

“Leave him alone Scott! He didn’t do anything. Warren started it all.” Crystal glared from Scott back to Warren who look shocked at the remark.

“What? Don’t blame this on me!” He pointed a finger at Crystal and frowned. “You’re the one who charged at us!”

“Only because you wouldn’t shut up for your own good!”

“Crystal stop blameing Warren! I know good and well it was Gambit’s fault.” He turned his ruby sunglasses. “I think it was better when you were in the boathouse Remy.”

“Stop it Scott!” Crystal stepped out from behind Logan and blocked Scott’s view of the Cajun who looked like he would rather be back in the Artic then here. “He’s just as welcome here as you are!”

At this, Scott scoffed. “You’re defending him Crystal? Do you not remember all the trouble he has caused? Or did it slip your mind that HE IS the reason Rouge left?” His voice was rising without his knowing as he lectured the girl. “I always thought you to be a smart girl. Sad to know I was wrong!”

“Listen slim!” Logan snarled at him, walking closer t him and grabbing the front of his robe with one hand. “I’m the one who forced Gumbo to sleep in here, NOT the girl. So you got a problem with that, take it up with me. Your just pissed because Chuck won’t let ya kick him out by the curb.” He snarled again and Scott glared at him through his glasses.

As if summoned, the Professor rolled past the crowd by the door and into the dinning room. “Logan and Crystal both have a point Scott.” He eyed the two men and sighed a bit. “Logan do let Scott down.” With another snarl, Logan let go of the team leaders robe and Scott stumbled to his feet.

“Professor! You can’t possible take their side! Gambit has betrayed us all!” Scott glared over at Gambit. Crystal was standing beside him, starring down at her shoes and Wolverine growled at him, mobbing protectively in front of them both.

“I know you are not happy Scott, but Crystal is right. We do not know exactly what went on. We therefore can not pass judgment on Gambit. He has chosen our side and X-men do not turn their backs on others in need.” He turned to face Gambit who looked slightly shocked. “Now then Gambit. You are more than welcome to move back into your old room. Or you may stay in the boathouse if you wish. It is up to you.” He eyed the thief and saw Gambit glance around the room under his dark glasses. “The choice is yours.”

“But Professor!”

“Not another word Scott. If Remy would rather have his old bed over the boathouse, then who are we to make that choice form him?” Xavior once again turned from Scott to look at Gambit as best he could behind Logan’s bulk.

Remy eyes wondered around the room. Trying desperately to find a way out, a way to take all those eyes and thoughts off of him. He wanted desperately to stay in the house. With people and the warmth the put off. Even if the words and feelings they had were as cold as the Artic ice. Being with people made him feel a little safe. Reminded him he was human. His eyes finally found Crystal’s face. She was biting her lower lip and he could tell she was thinking about something. Her Emerald eyes flickered across his face and Remy soon wished he hadn’t met her eyes.

“He’ll move back in with us!” Crystal wrapped her arms aound Gambit’s right arm and almost pulled him down ontop of her.” Remy looked terrified as she proclaimed the anser he had wanted to say but was not. When he didn’t argue, the crowd behind Scott groned.

“Well Gambit. Is that what you wish?” Remy didn’t say anything, but then again he didn’t have to. “Then that settles it. Remy LeBeau is allowed back into the house.” The Professor smiled at them before he turned and rolled out of the room.

“And if any of ya have a problem with that,” Logan held a fist in front of his face the claws burst out from it. “Then ya can take it up with me.” The crowd shuffled past and into the dining room, hitting their shoulders against Remy each time and a few hit Crystal’s as well. Logan snarled and motioned for Remy and Crystal to follow him out.

...

The three were silent as Logan led them into the living room. He stopped and sat down in a plush chair, propping his feet up on the coffee table. “Krys, ya would be wise to stay away form Warren and Bobby for a while.” He glared at Remy as the Cajun straitened up. “That doubles for you bub. As much as I would love to slash that bird-brain open, I don’t want to deal with the others.” Remy nodded and Crystal turned suddenly and smiled at him.

“Come on Gambit! Let’s go get your things from the boat house!” He was about to tell her she didn’t need to help him. All he had was a few articles of clothing and a drawer full of stuff, but her hand slid into his and she pulled him toward the door. He caught Logan glairing at them as the door shut behind him.

...

Crystal still had a hold of Gambit’s hand as she towed him toward the docks. “I’m really glad your moving back in Re-Gambit!” She blushed a bit almost calling him by his real name. Remy tilted his head a little confused as to why, but his attention was brought back to his hand. The world around him seemed to go black. All sounds vanished and he cringed ageist the feeling. Non! Non not a’gn!

Remy’s hand grabbed hers and Crystal turned wide eyed to see the Cajun thief lightly panting, pain written across his face. “Gambit…?” She took a step closer to him and put a hand on his pale face. “Are you okay? Gambit?” She was about to call for help when he let her hand go and fell down to his knees.

“Je me demande pardon, Crystal.” Crystal crouched down next to him and pushed the aburn strands of hair the fall form his face back behind his ear.

“It’s okay Gambit. What happened?” He looked at her, the world around him still dark and cold, but a warm feeling coming off of Crystal. He wanted to gling to her. To hold her warm body agenst him. Remy frowned at the thought and got to his feet again. “Gambit jus’ ain’t used to bein’ out in de sunlight s’all.”

Crystal looked up at the sun a frowned. “Gambit I’m so sorry!” She took his hand in hers again and ran to the boathouse. Remy about tripped trying to run along behind her. Crystal being shorter than him was rather fast, but his long legged strides could easily outrun her. “I forgot your eyes are sensitive to the sun! I’m so sorry!”

Que? Remy thought as he had to duck a branch Crystal had pushed out of her way. He glanced up at the sun and flinched away as his eyes stung. Oh. She t’nks it’s de sun dat made Remy fall. He smiled a little as Crystal pulled him through to the boathouse and pulling the door open. She shoved him inside and closed the door behind her.

“You should have said something Gambit! I would have waited until it got darker if I jad known your eyes were that bad!” Crystal fell on the couch and leaned her head back taking in breaths as Remy stood looking at her.

It wasn’t a secret that he liked attention. Especiallyfrom pretty girls. And Crystal was defiantly pretty. He never really noticed her much before, probably because of Rouge, but she was always trying to help him or talk to him. Gambit wondered how all her efforts were in vain. Before Antarctica, he would have flirted with the girl who Wolverine had on such a pedestal. Crystal broke his thoughts by getting to her feet and walking over to the table. “Guess we better take this to, huh?”

“Oui. Gambit dosen’t wanna cause mor’ troubal.” Crystal’s eyes lit up at the sound of his voice and she smiled at him.

“I really am glad your back Gambit.” She had set the plate back on the table and was moving towards Remy slowly. “It wasn’t the same without you. Boring at un eventful.” She was only a few inches away now and Remy felt his urge to take her in his hands and kiss her hard. “Seemed like it was the same here.” He swallowed and starred down into Crystal’s to Emerald eyes.

“What the heck is takin’ ya so long?” Logan voice made Remy jump back at Crystal turned to go pick back up the plate. He silently thanked the man, but at the same time cursed him from taking Crystal away. With one quick glared at Remy, Logan settled himself down on the old couch as Remy sighed and got a duffle bag and put his clothes and the few things he owned inside.

Crystal sat herself down beside Logan and he put his arm around the back or the couch, just watching as Remy heaved the bag onto his lean shoulders. “Alright then! Let’s head home boy’s!” She smiled as Logan got up and walked over to the door. He pulled it open and Crystal and Remy both walked through. “This looks like it’s gonna’ turn out fun, Huh?”

Logan grunted and Remy looked away. The tables had turned for the worst and now it was three agenst the Estate. Remy felt bad he had dragged Crystal and Logan into his problem. It wasn’t there fault he screwed up. He had managed to fall a few paces behind Logan and Crystal. He smiled lightly to himself as she held out a few flowers she picked from the side of the path. She moved it closer to Logan’s face and laughed when he sneezed and the petals danced around her face.

Yeah. He could used to this.