Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men or Evolution. I don't own the group REM or any of their lyrics.

This story takes place right after the events of the "On Angels Wings" episode. It's a friendship story between Rogue and Scott. Not my first story written but it is my first posted one.

Author's notes

:denotes private thoughts:

I'm sorry - I can't do accents real well so I decided not to butcher Rogue's thoughts and speech

Secret Santa - Chapter One - Time's a ticking away

"I don't believe it! We missed the it!" Scott shouted as he and Rogue arrived at the track where the train from New York City to Bayville should have been.

"Don't worry. I know another train we can jump on if we hurry," Rogue said as she grabbed his hand and ran back into the train terminal hallway. "It's not the express train we were hoping for, but a local train that will make a lot of extra stops. We'll still get back to the Institute tonight." Rogue had been taking weekend trips to the city on her own over the last couple of months to check out what was all the fuss about this great city. Logan allowed it only when she could recite the train schedule from memory.

Scott had become increasing agitated since the pair left Warren Worthington's apartment. Rogue couldn't figure out what was the cause - Scott seemed to be ok with Warren asking for time to think before visiting the Professor. Her fellow X-Man seemed very determined to get back to Bayville tonight. :Maybe it was the idea of spending the night in a room with me that irked him: she thought.

"Here's the track we need and it looks like we're just in time," Rogue panted as they turned the corner into the track corridor. The conductors were inside the train doorways watching the rest of the last minute holiday shoppers running to catch a ride back home. "Thanks Rogue. You're a life saver," Scott said as he tried to catch his breath. The tension in his shoulders had eased quite a bit now that they were on the train. Rogue noticed he looked at his watch and was calculating something as the train began to pull from the terminal.

"Got a hot date with one of Santa's elves?," she teased Scott. He smirked back at her and answered, "Something like that." It was a vague response but Rogue was glad to see his spirits improving. The redhead wasn't due back to the Institute till after the weekend was over, so it wasn't that he was rushing back to sit at Jean's feet.

They chatted about the remaining school year and the conversation turned to Scott's plans after graduating Bayville High. "I'm glad my guidance counselor pushed me back in September to get my college applications in. With the way things have been heating up with the team and school, I just don't have time now. I'm still waiting to hear from a few schools about being accepted or placed on the wait list yet. Of course this all could be wishful thinking if things go badly for those like us." Rogue was glad to get the view of someone she trusted on the whole 'getting into college' process as she hadn't decided yet what she had planned after graduation the following year. She let the thought that Scott might not be at the Institute next year sink in. He originally talked about picking a college nearby the Institute so he could still join the team if the need arose. But then his good grades and record had opened a lot of opportunities for him he had not realized were available to him before. He seemed really excited about colleges that were not within commuting distance of the Institute. :Where am I going to get my daily dose of hunky Vitamin X-Men now?: she wondered.

The train had arrived at Bayville Station and Scott's apprehension suddenly returned. He was tight lipped as they walked towards his car after he checked his watch again. "Want to stop somewhere for a bite on the way home?", Rogue suggested as they pulled out of the parking lot. Scott's hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, then he asked, "Would it be okay if we went right back to the Institute?" Rogue was disappointed but smiled and said, "No problem. If looks like most the food joints are closing up anyway - being Christmas Eve and all."

She pulled out her cell phone and called the mansion to let Mr. McCoy and the Professor know they were back in town and would be home shortly. Rogue wondered if Scott was supposed to meet Jean somewhere and this mission to recruit Warren had made him late for it. She was tired from the long day in the city and had planned sacking out after grabbing a bite to eat.

Scott dropped Rogue off at the front entrance to the Institute and went to park his car in the garage. Professor Xavier greeted her at the door and motioned for her to join him in the kitchen where Mr. McCoy had prepared a light dinner for the four of them. Rogue reviewed the details of the meeting with Warren. She stressed that Scott had handled it well with a soft touch, leaving Angel curious about the Institute rather then trying the hard sell technique that had backfired on Magneto.

Hank looked at Scott's plate and asked aloud, "Speaking of our young lad, where is he?" Rogue answered, "Scott's got something he needs to do and is probably getting ready to go out." She had heard the water running for the shower while the three of them reviewed the mission. "That's funny", Xavier noted. "Scott usually spends Christmas Eve here and then disappears early Christmas morning." The professor's eyebrows knit together as he telepathically searched for Scott in his room. "He says he has an important project he is working on and will see us tomorrow."

A major yawn hit Rogue and she realized that she was not winning the battle against her exhaustion. She grabbed his plate and said, "I'll take this up to Scott and turn in for the night." She prepped a tray for him and carried it upstairs to the boys' side of the dormitory. She could hear Scott's favorite REM CD playing - whenever he had a big test it was his good luck charm to listen to it while he reviewed his notes the night before. She knocked on the door with her foot and shouted "Room service!"

Scott appeared at the door suddenly and took the tray from Rogue. "Hey thanks for bringing this up, tell Dr McCoy I'll bring the dishes down in the morning." He quickly closed the door - she frowned to herself. :He's like a little kid hiding something.:

She shouted through the door, "Good night and you're welcome". She went to her room and got ready to take a long hot shower - no worries about anyone banging on the door screaming about how late they were going to be for school. After she was done she put on her pajamas and cleaned off her makeup. Her eyelids were really drooping as she made her way back from the bathroom to her room as the same songs of that CD filled the hallway. Scott was in a major groove of some sort. She thought it was unusual how he hadn't complained about any school project before. Rogue turned off the room light, laid down on her bed and quickly fell asleep.

Please read and review: Send any and all grammar corrections please. Story is complete - other chapters to follow soon