Remy stood outside the mansion in the shadows. He didn't know why he was
doing this to himself. He should just go back to where he'd been staying
before someone spotted him. But he couldn't leave. Instead, he found
himself moving closer, looking in the window at the activity inside.

Jean and Scott were curled up on the couch smiling and laughing at
whatever story Bobby was telling them. Warren was next to Bobby, an
impatient scowl on his face. Hank was sitting on the floor, hording a
pile of Twinkies. Storm was sitting to the side, a soft smile on her
face while she watched her friends.

Remy closed his eyes against the pain in his chest. It hurt more then he
thought it would. He knew that they had moved on without him, but he
wasn't expecting them to look so happy. How long had it been since he'd
seen Storm smile? Maybe leaving had been the best thing he could've
done. It was obvious that they were better off without him.

"This is a surprise."

Remy's hands tensed as he turned to see the last person he'd wanted to
see. "Wolverine."

The use of his codename made Logan raise an eyebrow as he moved closer.
Remy stood tensed, waiting for a moment to make a run for it. "You
back?"

"Non. Jus' passing through."

"Liar. Think you miss this place."

Remy shook his head as he tried to move away. "Dis isn't Gambit's home
no more."

"Don't recall anyone saying that. You're still an X-Man, kid."

"Non."

Logan stepped closer. "Ya made a mistake, kid. It won't be the first or
the last. We deal with it and move on."

Remy looked back towards the window. "Dey're all better off."

"They all miss you, kid. Nothing's the same without you."

"No one misses dis thief."

Logan grabbed Remy by the arm. "We all do, even Warren."

Seeing the disbelief in Remy's eyes, Logan laughed. "Yeah, even Wings.
He don't got no one to spar with. Trading insults with you made his day.
It took a while, but he realized that he didn't hate you anymore.
Picking on you was more of a habit then anything else, and he enjoyed
seeing how far he could push you. No one else lets him get away with
that shit."

Remy shook his head and tried to pull away, but Logan wasn't letting him
go. "And Storm misses you a lot. Jeannie misses you flirting with her
and Scott just misses your cookin'."

"What 'bout you, mon ami?"

"Me? I miss having this gorgeous body in my bed." Logan said then kissed
his lover. "And I miss talkin' to ya, I miss havin' you watch my back.
Hell, kid, I just miss ya."

Remy wiped at the tears in his eyes. He wanted to believe Logan's words,
but he wasn't sure he could. "Come on, Gumbo. Stay and......"

"Logan, we're waiting for......."

Storm's words caught in her throat and her eyes widened. "Remy?"

Remy panicked then. He didn't want to see the pain and disgust in
Storm's eyes again. He took advantage of Logan's distraction, pulled
himself away, and ran. He ignored their calls.
 

"Damnit!"

"Logan, what.......?"

"Not now, Storm. I gotta go after him. If he gets away, he ain't coming
back."

Storm watched as Logan took off after the younger man. She prayed he
would catch him and bring her brother home where he belonged.
 
 

Several days later, Jean answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, Jeannie, it's me."

"Logan, did you find him?"

"Not yet, but I'm close. I ain't comin' back till I got the Cajun with
me."

"I understand. Logan, make him believe that we want him back. Storm is
worried sick about him."

"I will. I'll be in touch."

Jean hung up the phone. She had faith that Remy would be back home soon.
He didn't stand a chance against a determined Wolverine. With a smile on
her face, she turned to go get Remy's room freshened up.
THE END