"What?" Ashley looked at her friend with concern. "Redd, what's wrong?" Jean's jaw hung wide open. Ashley started to turn around to see what had her friend so shocked.

"No," Jean said a little loud, frowning when a couple at a nearby table glance her way. "Shel's brother is here and he looks real familiar."
Jean nodded and Ashley turned to see Sheldon working his way across the room carrying a tray laden with food. She looked past him to see.

"No way, Jean?" She asked not taking her eyes off what she felt must be her imagination.

"It's him." Jean said smiling.

A moment later Sheldon was unloading their meal in front of them. He grinned in amusement at the way Ashley stared at his brother, he was used to the ladies looking that way at Adam.

"Jean, this is my brother, Adam.  Adam this is Jean. She and her friend here are gon' to be kind 'nough to share der table. I'll have to let Redd introduce her friend though. I have to get back to work." With that he scurried off to the kitchen.

"Bring me some of what you laid here." Adam called as his brother walked away. "I'll have to be extra nice to Sheldon for restin' me wit' two beauties for the show tonight."

"Ashley and I are happy to have your company, Ga-, Adam" Jean caught herself quickly.v"Like Shel said, I am Nean, or Reff, whichever you want to call me, and this is Ashley."

"A pleasure to meet you chere." He said smiling, staring a little longer than needed.

When her friend made no move to respond, Jean kicked her under the table. "Oh" Ashley shot her friend an annoyed look then smiled at Adam,
"We're glad you could join us."

It was Adam's turn to stare as he realized that the young lady before him seemed familiar. "Do O know you, chere?"

"Well, I kinda ran into you earlier today." She blushed slightly.

Adam looked puzzled for a moment, thinking to himself how beautiful she was when she blushed, and then he grinned broadly as he remembered. "You make it a habit of sweeping men off their feet, chere?"

"Only comic book characters!" Jean said impishly. In response Ashley threw an ice cube at her friend.

Adam burst out laughing. "I'm sittin' wit' de opening act."

"I'm really sorry about running you down earlier, I was trying to get Miss Slower than molasses here to pick up the pace so we could make the book signing."

Adam looked from Ashley to Jean obviously waiting her serve in the verbal match. "Co.e on Redd, dont stop now."

"What can I say, she is right, I am slow."

Ashley hit her with another piece of ice, then explained to Adam, Its almost impossible to start an argument with her."

"Yep, and her, she could argue with a stop sign," Jran paused for a sip of water, "and win."

As Adam laughed yet again, Sheldon approached with his order, Tante say you bes' eat it all."

" If Tante had her way, I'd be as big as de house, ney?"

"That's Tante," agreed Sheldon. "Hey Redd, you feel up to a game of softball, tomorrow?"

" Who are you playing?"

"Le Peep."

"I'm in, what time and where."

" Two, at City Park."

"Sheldon!" He left for the kitchen, for he knew who was yelling at him and it's not good to keep Tante waiting.

"Your aunt is a slave driver." Jean commented.

"Yeah, you gotta love her though."

"True, Rogue are you okay?" Jean asked as she noticed Ashley eyes starting water and then started to fan her mouth. She was not expecting that much heat from the gumbo.

"Yeah," Ashley croaked S she poured water from the carafe into her empty glass.

"Your first taste of real cajun food, chere? Don't worry after the first few bites, you get used to it."

Jean have the most unlady like snort as she bit into her own burger.vvFor the next few minutes the three concentrated on their meals. Adam couldn't help but watch Ashley as she ate. The way her nostrils flared as she bit into the spicy food, how her cheeks would turn the slightest red with he heat. Listening to the littles moans she would make as she enjoyed her meal. He couldn't help but imagine the moans she would as she writhed underneath him as he made love to her. He had to tell himself to stop. He needed to be a gentleman, or this would be the last time he ever saw her and this just wasn't enough. Why did he have to see her now? He was leaving in a few days and didn't k own if he would return. This woman was getting under her skin and he was drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

After a few moments she looked at her and asked." She called you Rogue?"

"Yeah" she asked blushing slightly.

"Dat make us a perfect pair, neh?"
Ashley ducked her head, blushing furiously now. She was saved from making a response when a startling beautiful older woman, with a thick silver streaked braid, was assisted into a stool by Sheldon.

"Bonjour mes amis, and welcome. I am pleased to see so many new faces, along with all the familiar ones. Tonight, a special treat, my way of saying merci to all of you for making my venture here in A'lanta such a wonderful success, an' so Beauseleil!"

The small restaurant filled with thunderous applause and whistles as the Louisiana band came out from the kitchen and took the make-shift stage and launched into song. Adam was one of the last to stop applauding. When he took his seat again he grinned sheepishly. "Pardon my gettin' carried away, but it's been a long time since I've been home.:

Halfway through the first rousing number Sheldon approached grinning."I am officially on break. Come dance with me Jean, let's show these city folk how its done."

Ashley burst out laughing as Jean took Seldin's hand telling him as she stood. "You are going to be sorry, I have two left feet."

"Yeah, she does."Ashley said to Adam smiling.

"How about you cheer, you like t' dance?" Adam asked as he stood up and offered a hand.

"Love to!"

"Well vote, come dance wit' me, and we show how tis done." He pulled her out of her chair and onto the dance floor. She felt the electricity in his touch. She had never felt this before and her heart began to beat faster. His cologne filled nostrils as they began to dance and she thought she was going to melt right there on the dancefloor. They cruised around the dance floor with a two step and he could smell her scent. She smelled of coconut and pineapple. Everytime she spun around he could smell her again and it was amazing. He was enjoying being with her.

Several songs later " You dance well, petite."

"So do you," Ashley returned. "I'm just glad I spent all those Sunday evenings at Cowboys taking all those dance lessons."

"Redd seems t' be enjoyin' herself in spite of the problems she has with the steps."

"She tends to make up for lack of skill with enthusiasm.

Just then a slow song began to play as the band took a break. He pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. Laying his chin atop her head for a moment, enjoying the warmth between them. She laid her head against his chest as she felt his heart beat heavily in his chest.

" You two have been friends for along time." It was more of a statement than a question.

"All our lives, our mom's met in the doctor's office when they were both pregnant, and became friends. Jean's parents died when she was young, and she came to live with us. She's my sister as much as if she were born to my parents."

"True friendship, it's a great thing. So of you're Rogue, let's see, her name is Jean and she answers to Redd, she has got to be Jean Grey, the Pheonix."

"From the day she was born."

"Personalities match that closely?"

"She never really had a choice. It was kind of her parents idea. They met in a comic book shop. Both being huge fans, they named her Jean."

"Dat's very interesting. They mus' be huge fans ah de X-men."

"Yeah, I guess they were."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." He said noticing the far away look I. Her eyes.

' Oh, it's okay. I just feel bad about Jean not really gettin to know her real parents." After a few more songs, Ashley said she wanted to sit down and rest. "Dont you ever stop?"

"Neh, I can go all night. I am charged with an Energizer battery." He said with a smirk.

The rest of the night they danced and talked. They even got Jean out on the floor a few more times after Sheldin went back to work. After the last song Tante came back on stage.

"I AM HAPPY DAY EVRYONE HAS ENJOYED DE SHOW AND I hope dat I'll see some ah de new faces again. You have a safe ride home and come back to see us soon." She said and left the stage.

"Good bye, Shel!" Jean called as they headed for the door.

"Hey, dont forget about the game tomorrow!"Sheldon called back.

"I won't!"

"Sheldon, I'll be back, tell Tante not to worry. Adam said as he rushed after the girls. "May I walk two beautiful ladies to deir car?"

"Sure, why not." They both said in unison.

" I really had a good time tonight. I know this is probably a stupid question, but are goin' to the game tomorrow, Ashley?" He asked.

"Yes of course I'll be there, and ah had a great ti.e too. I'm glad Jean made me come here."

"Adam!"

"Well, I better get back before Tante gets really mad, and come out after me! It's not pretty if she gets mad. See you tomorrow, den?"

"Tomorrow, then!" Ashley returned with a smile.

He turned around and ran back into the restaurant, as Ashlwy watched him run inside. As she thought to herself what was she getting herself into. This handsome man is only here for a short time. Did he have the same feelings as she did? She was slowly falling for this man and wondered if she was serving herself up for heartbreak, but she just couldn't tell herself to stay away. Why did she always fall so quickly. She had just met him today and she already was starting to really like him......she was in so much trouble.