Chapter One: Bar Talk

It was just after midnight, and Remy Lebeau had just ordered another drink from the bar. His old friend and colleague Piotr Rasputin had just arrived. He looked happier than he had ever been in his life and had just returned from Russia with his family. After being held prisoners over a number of years, Logan made good on his promise to help free them.

Remy looked upon his old friend and knew that he was truly at peace. "So, Remy, at the bar as usual," Poitr said, but his attempt at wit was surely lacking.

"It ain't de drinks I'm interested in," Remy said as the bartender sent another beer in front of him.

"Then it is company you seek," Piotr said, sitting down next to him.

Remy gave a chuckle. "Can I get a vodka for mon friend here?" Remy said. He was hiding the fact that he was truly lonely and took a big gulp of his beer. "For some reason none a dese filles seem appealin' tonight."

"Ah, my friend, perhaps it is one woman in particular you seek," Piotr said with a twinkle in his eye.

Remy knew exactly who he was talking about, but he wasn't going to admit it. True, he slept with more women he could count, but none of them ever stuck in his mind. Most he couldn't even remember the names of, but there was one woman, one he never got the chance to even touch, and one who could never touch him, not physically anyway. It seemed ridiculous to him to be pining over a woman he could never have, but every woman he made contact with since, he would subconsciously compare to her. He was sorry to say that none of them came close.

"You don't know what you're talkin' 'bout," Remy said, finishing his drink. "Bartender, bring me another!"

"Alcohol won't make you forget her," Piotr said. Remy wondered if his old friend took training as a shrink, and even though he didn't want to admit it, Colossus was right, but what was he to do. Show up at her door with a bouquet of flowers admitting his undying love.

Even if she did accept that, there was a certain clawed mutant who dawned himself as her protector. That same man almost killed him in New Orleans if she hadn't stepped in and stopped him. Damn, he was stupid that night. How could he have let her go? He should have begged her to stay with him, or gone back to Bayville with her. Either way he still could never have her.

"I've been invited to join the X-Men, and I'd like it very much if you would come along," Piotr said, like it was the most natural think in the world.

Remy laughed at that. "What? To fight to good fight, not my style, mon ami." He thought for a moment. "Den again dare could be a few perks."

"You can show her who you really are," Piotr said, which made Remy's head turn. Somehow, his old friend knew exactly what was on his mind. "You are a good man, Remy LeBeau, and it's time you show the world."

At that moment Remy heard a familiar voice. He looked to his left to see his friend John sitting at the bar stool next to him. "Hey, Mates. So what's the story tonight?"

"Well, John, we losin' our homme tonight," Remy said. "Tin man he joinin' de X-Men."

"I may not be the only one," Piotr saidand looked back over at Remy. "Will you at least think about what I said?"

"Yeah, sure," Remy said and Piotr stood up to leave.

"If you do make the right decision, meet me tomorrow at the coffee house at seven." Poitr walked off and out of the bar as Remy sat there nursing his drink. "So what was that all about, Mate?"

"You haven't heard," Remy said, shocked at Pyro's lack on information. Usually, he had that dirt on everyone right when it happened. "Tin man t'inks it's good idea for ole Remy t'join de X-Men."

John laughed hysterically which made Remy role his eyes. "Oh, Mate, that's a good one, the infamous Gambit, a hero."

"What so funny 'bout dat? Don' you t'ink Gambit can be hero?" he asked as his played with his drink. "Besides, dem X-girls are tres belle."

"Oh, I get it mate, but you're thinkin' of one particular," John said with a gleam in his eye. "Yeah, she's hot. I'd nail her in second if..."

"Shut your filthy mouth," Remy shouted at him. He had a card in his hand, having fished it out on instinct.

"Yeah, yeah, mate, calm down," John said raising his hands in front of him in an attempt to quell Remy's anger. "It was just a joke, and besides ole Pyro is strictly a one-woman mutant now."

Remy quickly uncharged the card and looked at his friend with intrigue. "Oh, yeah, never t'ought I'd see de day."

"Well, it happened," John said as Remy had a confused look on his face. "Wanda and I are goin' domestic. Got us a place in your building, a cozy little love nest."

"Happy for you, mon ami," Remy said with a small smile. At the moment, he thought about what Poitr's suggestion would mean. It was a chance to prove himself, and prove himself to her. That was it. He had made his decision, not that there was even a question where Rogue was concerned.

Next up.... Afraid to touch