Chapter Five

…

Rogue leaned against the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and Kurt beside her. He was telling some sort of joke Crystal guessed because Rogue was smiling and he was laughing. Kurt always laughed before he even finished telling a joke. If you were funny, you wouldn’t feel the need to laugh at your own joke. Crystal frowned at the two of them and walked over to the fridge. Ignoring the eyes she felt glaring at her back, she bent down and picked out a coke from the bottom shelf. Popping the top, she kicked the door shut and turned to the back door.

“Hey Sparks. Can I talk to ya alone?” Crystal mentally slapped herself for even going around Rogue, but stopped and turned to look at her.

“Why? What do you want?”

“I’ll explain if you’ll talk with me.” She frowned and Crystal guessed her own look matched Rogue’s. It wasn’t like either tried to hide they didn’t like each other. Crystal took a drink of the coke, shrugged, and walked out the back. When Rogue’s boots stopped, she turned to face her.

“I want you ta stay away from Gambit.”

Crystal about chocked on the coke and starred wide eyed up at her. “You want me to WHAT?”

Rogue glared at her, crossing her gloved arms across her chest. “Ya heard me. I don’t like you bein’ aroun’ him.”

“Yeah? And who are you to decide who he does and doesn’t hang around?”

“Well for starters his lover.”

Crystal scoffed at this. “Some ‘lover’! You left him for dead in that frozen hell! Happy you weren’t his wife or God only knows what would have become of him!”

The two girls were silent, just starring the other down. Crystal was going to stop talking to Gambit a little, just because she didn’t want to be around Rogue. But if the girl WANTED that, no way in hell Crystal was gonna give it to her!

“Look Frizzy. You don’t know what happened up there. All you are doin’ is hurtin’ the boy. So just stay away.”

“If I’m ‘hurtin’ Remy, I’ll stay away when he asks me to.” Crystal turned away from her and went back toward the backdoor. “And don’t even assume I’m hurting him. If anything is, you are.” She slammed the door hard, probably too hard, because the curtain on the window fell, and she marched up to her room.

Stupid Rogue. Thinks she can come home and act like she can control everything Remy does and says and- “Oompf!” Crystal fell back as she ran into something hard, almost like a brick wall.

“Darlin’ ya should watch where yer goin’.” Logan’s hand reached down and she took it, pulling her up to her feet again. He had apparently been training she guessed. His usual flannel shirt was missing leaving only a pair of over-worn Blue-Jeans. A towel was draped across his shoulders and the thick black hair was down, a little wet.

“Sorry about that. I was thinking about something.”

“What have I told ya about doin’ that?” Logan grinned and put a hand on her head. “It only ever gets ya inta trouble.”

Crystal frowned and pushed his hand away. “Yeah-Yeah.” She got this talk a lot when she would run into something/one. Logan only ever said it to tease her, but now and then she thought it would be better if she took the words to heart. “Oh yeah! Did you put me in bed last night?”

Logan’s smile vanished into his usual look and he walked past her into the kitchen. “Yeah. Ya were asleep on the Rec. Room couch.” He pushed open the swinging door and went over to the fridge as Crystal had minutes ago.

She followed him in and pressed her back against a wall so she could still see him. “I know. I slept there on purpose.”

“And why would ya do that when ya have a perfectly decent bed in yer room?” He stood back up and twisted the lid off a bottle of water.

Crystal waited until he took a drink before she answered. “I don’t like sleeping on the same floor as… Someone.”

Logan chuckled at that. “That’s the only reason? Darlin’ ya have been sleepin’ on that floor with her before she left and it never bothered ya.”

“That’s what you think…” Crystal mumbled this, but Logan probably heard it anyhow. He took another swig of the water, tossing the now empty bottle into the trash, and wiped his face with the towel around his neck.

“I dunno what yer problem is with each other, but that couch is gonna give ya a pain in yer back. Then One-Eye is gonna make ya work even more because he’s gonna think yer getting’ lazy.” Logan smirked at her. Crystal met his eyes, but quickly turned and left when Rogue walked in.

…

Gambit lay back on his bed, tossing his cards up and sticking them to the ceiling. It was a trick he learned back when he was a child from a magician at Mardi Gras. He was only 8 at the time and had tried to steal his wallet. Finding only a deck of cards, he gave it back to the man and thinking Remy had found it, taught him a few tricks. By now Gambit guessed he knew more card tricks then that man ever would, but still thanked the man for sparking his interest in cards.

As the last card in his hand stuck up, he brought his hand down behind his head. The entire ceiling was covered with them and the one he had just stuck up was the Queen of Hearts. His personal lucky card. It had saved him more times than once, hence why it was the last one to toss up. The woman on the card held a rose and in this particular deck, was quite beautiful.

“Remy Sugah’. You in there?” Rogue’s voice shook him out of his trance and he sat up, pushing the dark glasses further up his nose.

“Yeah Gambit’s here. Come in chéri.” The door opened and Rogue walked in. She sat on his bed next to him, but not close. Remy guessed it was because she didn’t want to accidently touch him.

She took in Gambit’s room and sighed looking at her black shoes. “We need to talk Sugah’.”

…

Crystal leaned back against the wall catching her breath. It was 4 hours into Logan’s ‘training session’ and he was making the girl run laps around the estate as she had pointed out earlier. Logan smirked and tossed the kid a water bottle. He wasn’t trying to make her die of exhaustion. After she shocked the Danger Room’s controls and fried it, Cyke hadn’t wanted her in there anymore. So Logan went back to training her.

“Jeez your almost as bad Scott, Logan!” She twisted the cap off the water bottle and drained half of it in one drink.

“Don’t ya dare loop me in with one eye.” Logan smirked and grabbed his flannel shirt from its perch on a tree branch. “I’m much worse.”

“Ya got that right.” Crystal mumbled, but Logan’s ears caught it and he let out a laugh. Crystal had been getting better, he’d give her that. More aggressive at fighting to. Like some undefined hatred fueled each attack she threw at him. Which he didn’t mind. Made a more interesting fight! Trying to doge fist’s that could easily paralyze someone without a healing factor was always fun.

Regardless, Logan couldn’t help but think he knew the reason for his ‘daughters’ new raged fighting style. It had a southern accent, white streaks, and wore a lot of green. With a sigh for the bitter rivalry both girls had, Logan walked past Crystal. “Tomorrow it’s supposed ta rain. So no practice.”

Crystal eyed him, taking in the fact he didn’t look directly at her. “SUPPOSED to rain or IS going to rain?” With his nose, there should be no ‘supposed’ to be anything.

Logan smirked back at her. “I meant what I said. Don’t question it.” With that he walked deeper into the forest and Crystal into the house. She wiped her head with the back of her glove and started walking up to her room. She was thinking about dinner. Seeing as it was dark, Crystal figured the others had already eaten so she would be on her own.

She was looking down at her shoes, seeing the small rip Logan’s claws sliced last fighting session they had, so when the smell of cigarette smoke hit her, she perked her head up. When her feet were firmly on the ground, she looked for cause of the smell. And there at the end of the hallway, the balcony doors were open, and a figure was hunched over the railing. Crystal smiled and started toward it. She hadn’t seen the Cajun all day! And if she was lucky, Rouge would happen to walk by and make this little chat all the more worth it.

“Hey Remy! Haven’t seen you all day.” She walked next to him and leaned her back against the rail. Gambit didn’t show any sign that he heard her. The cigarette between his lips glowed faintly and he took it out with delicate fingers to let out a puff of smoke. He put it back and still hadn’t acknowledged Crystal leaning next to him. “Are you alright?”

Gambit took the cigarette out to blow out more smoke then flicked it out. “Gambit fine.” She eyed him carefully. He hadn’t looked at her yet and his demon eyes were focused on something far in the distance. She turned around so they were both facing the woods behind the house. Neither spoke for a while, Crystal hoping he would say what was wrong without her having to ask.

Remy let out a small sigh and closed his eyes. Whatever he was thinking about obviously had the thief’s full attention. He stood up straight and finally looked at her. “Crystal, Gambit has t’ tell y’ somethin’.”

Crystal stood smiled an engcourageing smile at him, hoping it would make whatever he had to tell her easier to get out. “Go ahead! You can tell me anything.”

He looked at her, and sighed again. His red on black eyes couldn’t seem to focus on her properly, because when he opened his mouth to speak again, the avoided her glance at all costs. “Gambit tink’ it be best if y’ don’… be aroun’ him no more.”

Crystal’s eyes went wide. “You don’t want me to… what?”

“Don’ want y’ t’ talk t’ Gambit no mor. Don’ hang around him no mor. Cher, Gambit’s kows y’ are jus’ tryin’ t’ help, but…”

“But what?”

Remy sighed. “But y’ are doin’ any good for either of us. Not Gambit or y’. So jus'… Jus' stay away from him like de others do.” Remy whispered the last part and turned back into the house before Crystal could say anything else to him.

She watched him leave; shoulders slumped and trench coat waving at his feet. This wasn’t Gambit. Not the Gambit who flirted and gambled. Not the Gambit she has almost brought out of his shell. No, he wasn’t Gambit at all. Crystal’s vision blurred as the retreating person open and shut its door. He was somebody else entirely. Like he had been when he arrived from Antarctica; cold, alone, and lost.

…

It was late. Probably too late, Logan thought. He’s lost track of time in the woods as he usually did. Not having anyone around and nothing to bother you made one forget to mind the time. He shut the back door and put his shirt over his shoulders. He was going to go take a nice hot shower then maybe grab a beer and watch TV until his body decided sleep was in order.

Logan yawned, walking up to his room when something caught his attention. It was a smell. A salty scent and he jogged up the stairs looking for the source. The hallway was dark, with the only light being given off from the balcony doors open at the end. Also where the smell was coming from and Logan knew what and who was the source before he even walked out.

“Darlin’?” Crystal jumped up and her cheeks were stained with tears. Logan felt a building anger rising at nothing inpitulcar as the girl quickly wiped at her face.

“Oh hey Logan. Thought everyone would be asleep by now.” She didn’t meet his eyes and continued to wipe at her face. She never did like to show she was weak around Logan. Even as a child she had never really shown any point or pain of fear. Well, other than the thunderstorm fear. But after how he found her, could anyone blame the girl?

Logan turned his attention away from the past memories and to the quiet girl in front of him. “What are ya doin’ out here cryn’ anyway?” He ment for it to sound gentle, but with his voice, whatever did?

Crystal crossed her arms and held onto herself, a posture Logan knew well. “I just… Just had a bad day is all.” Her glance took in his face and she quickly walked back into the house.

“Ya know ya can tell me stuff Crystal.” Logan was still standing outside, but he turned to watch the girl walk toward her room.

“I know.” She smiled at him, one he could see was forced, and opened her door. “Night Logan.” With that, she went in, shutting the door behind her.

Logan sighed and turned back around to stare off into the night. Then he saw something that caught his attention. A Cigarette butt that was on the ground and by the looks of it had only been abanded a little bit ago. He sniffed the air, his enhanced nose taking in 2 scents that sent him snarling back into the house.

Cajun.

…

The TV was on but Remy wasn’t paying any attention to it. He didn’t know what time it was, wasn’t all aware as to where he was, and didn’t care for that matter. He felt worse than he had in a long time. Even the bottle of alcohol he was attempting to drown himself in wasn’t taking the pain away. Pain… Pain from what? What did he have left to feel pain with? There shouldn’t be anything left of him.

Gambit draped an arm across his eyes. Crystal. He had hurt her for no reason. No, he had a reason. Rogue. She told him to. Said Crystal didn’t truly care about him. That she only pitied him and he was a selfish shell of a man if he let her keep it up. That she didn’t care… But that didn’t make any sense.

Nothing made any sense and Remy frowned at the thought. This past few days had made no sense once so ever. It made him wish he had died back in his personal frozen hell. It would have been better then these confusing thoughts and emotions threating his very being! Gambit was having a hard enough time trying to figure out if he had any emotions of his own left. All these hate and painful ones weren’t helping him much.

Something in his head told him he was being treated wrong but the others. That he just hurt the only TRUE person who cared for him. But that didn’t add up. Rogue… She was the only one who cared about him, right? She came back just for him, to help him because she loved him. Remy frowned and starred up at the ceiling.

Then the door opened and shut. Remy didn’t move. Whoever it was wouldn’t acknowledge him unless needed so may as well stay quiet. That’s when all too familiar hands jerked him up by the sides of his trench coat. “What the hell is yer problem?!” Logan’s blue eyes were tinted yellow and Remy instantly realized he might not live much longer.

“W-What did Gambit do ‘dis time?” Logan growled, hands still clenching Remy’s jacket.

“Ya know DAMN well what ya did! Ya made that girl cry over yer Cajun-Ass again! The only person in this place who gives a damn about ya and what do ya do?! Tell her ta stay away from ya?! God yer an idiot Remy!!”

Gambit flinched at Logan’s words. Crystal must have told him what he said… He should have known better then to think telling the adopted daughter of The Wolverine something like that wouldn’t end well for him. “Look Mon Ami-“

“I ain’t yer ‘Mon Ami’ Swamp Rat!”

“Fair ‘nuff. Gambit don’ mean no harm t’ anyone. Jus’ tink’ it be best for us all if Crystal didn’ stay around Gambit.” Logan growled at him and Remy slid the glasses off his face to watch the feral man’s eyes for any sign of danger. “Gambit jus’ … Don’ want anyone else hurt s’all.”

“Oh is that all? Because if that’s the case,” He snarled and pushed Remy up against the wall, still clutching the trench coat in his hands. “Ya don’t have ta worry about Crystal bein’ the one to wind up hurt Swamp Rat…”

Remy felt panic rising as Logan’s eyes were nearly completely taken over by the animal-like yellow. “Logan, Gambit jus’ don’ it fo’ Crystal’s own good. Not tryn’ t’ hurt her on purpose.”

Logan Smirked and moved one hand away. “Oh I know.” With a grunt, Logan let the claws in his hand out. “I’m about ta hurt ya on purpose. Then ya will know what that truly means.”

A dark growl erupted from Logan and Remy tensed himself for the kill. Something he wanted for years now. So why was he so afraid of it? Somewhere deep within him the urge to live overpowered the want to die and Remy panicked. “Now Logan… Dis’ ain’t no way t' solve y’ problems.”

“Shut it Cajun!!” He moved his claws to his neck and left them there. “Give me one good god damn reason why I shouldn’t just gut ya here and now?!”

“How about because I would never be able to forgive you if you did…”

Logan and Remy both looked toward the door where Crystal stood, not looking at either of them directly. Logan starred at the girl and growled at Remy one more time, letting his claws back in. “Ya got lucky Swamp Rat.” He shoved Remy harder against the wall before letting go of his coat and walking out, past Crystal.

Crystal lowered her eyes to the floor as Remy stood back up to his feet. He glanced in her direction and fixed the collar of his coat. “Thank y'… Fo’ savin’ Gambit.”

“Don’t thank me.” Crystal looked up at him, hurt written across her face and Remy flinched knowing he caused it. “I didn’t do it for you.” With that, she turned and left Remy alone in the Rec. Room, thinking about what he had just done to the few people who stuck up for him.