Disclaimer: No, I do not own the X-men. Although, I really want to be one…
Other: Set just after X2. Only the slightest of , but don't let that put you off. It's not too bad. However, don't say I didn't warn you. Would really appreciate comments, seeing as this is only my second fic. NOTE: Jean is not dead… I like her too much. The chapters are short… but who really cares? I like to change some events. So if some don't tie in with the movies, just go with the flow :)
Chapter One
The silence had been the worst part about everything. It wasn't the fact that there was no longer someone to talk to, hell, even someone to argue with… It was the silence at night, the silence during lessons. The silence. That was what upset Bobby Drake the most. And he didn't know if he could take it much longer.
He sat on his bed, alone, his gaze firmly fixed on the bed across to him. It was empty, although it was apparent that it hadn't always been like that. Clothes lay flung on the floor, hanging out of the cupboards… if a stranger would've walked in, they would've probably simply guessed that the 'other person' had simply gone out – that they were going to come back. But Bobby knew different. The 'other person' wasn't going to come back… at least, not for a long time yet. He couldn't deny it; he didn't want to pretend, to hope and wish for something he knew was never going to happen. He knew John much better than anyone else – and he knew that he wouldn't come back.
A soft knock came from the door, causing Bobby to jump. His clear blue eyes moved to latch onto the door, wondering who it was that had come to disturb him… The door opened slowly, without a word coming from Bobby, and he slowly registered the figure of Rogue.
Rogue gave a soft smile as she saw Bobby, although her worry could clearly be seen in her eyes. "Bobby," she said softly, stepping into the room, and quietly closing the door behind her. The room was cold, and Rogue was glad that she had a long-sleeved t-shirt on, for once in her life. It was obvious where this temperature drop had come from, given the occupant – after all, Bobby's codename was Iceman. Her gaze travelled around the room for a moment, taking in all that had been changed – or rather not changed. She had expected for the room to be clean… or at least, she expected it to have changed, at least a little. After all, it had been two weeks by now, since John had left.
Rogue returned her gaze to Bobby, forcing her smile to grow wider. The pain on his face was evident, the fear, even. It hurt her to seem him hurting, but she didn't know what to do about it anymore. Nothing seemed to be able to reach him… However, Rogue hoped she had an answer, at least for a little while.
She moved to take his hand, to at least try and comfort him through the little touch she dared to take… but she couldn't pretend not to see him flinch. Rogue's brow creased, the anger rising inside of her. And nothing was helped by the simple words of; "Go away Rogue."
"He's not dead!" The words slipped out of Rogue's mind, the words that had been at the forefront of her mind for the weeks since John had gone… And as soon as they were gone, she wished she could've snatched them back. The hardening of Bobby's expression only increased her knowledge that saying what she just had, really wasn't such a good idea. The words seemed to hang between the two mutants for a mere moment, the silence stifling. Rogue daren't open her mouth, for fear of something else unwanted slipping out. Instead, it was Bobby who broke the silence.
"Get out…" Bobby said softly, although the venom in his voice was easily heard. Rogue frowned slightly, edging away from the other mutant, flinching as his voice rose; "Get out!" She quickly got to her feet, a deep frown present on her face.
"A letter came for you," Rogue said, her words suddenly harsh, revealing a white envelope from her pocket. The scrawl on the front of the envelope was barely readable, and it only made it more obvious who it had come from – John had decided to write. Rogue simply threw it down beside Bobby, and with one final glare, hurried away, slamming the door behind her.
Once Rogue had gone, Bobby slowly let out the breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding. He glanced down to the letter, slowly taking it into his hands. He had prayed for this, and now it was here – but what would it say?
'Iceboy.
10 am sharp.
By the river.
Alone.'
And finally, a slow smile spread across Bobby's face. John was coming.