Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue. Thanx!
Spoilers: If you haven't seen X2, stop here. Otherwise, you're good to go.

--Dogtags--

If it weren't for the nightmares she never would have heard him. It was John this time, and Rogue found herself reliving family events that seemed better off forgotten. She woke up with a start, and after looking around for a moment to make sure that she was still at home in her own bed, safe, she heard the sound of something being dropped on the floor outside her room. Curious, she got up and opened the door, and squinting under the hallway's bright light was surprised to see Logan next to her. There was a stuffed bag at his feet.

"Did I wake you?"

"I was already up." She glanced at the bag. "You running again?" There it was, their routine line. But she seemed hurt this time, and Logan suddenly regretted stopping at all. He should have just called from the road.

"Not running, just taking a break. With summer coming, I won't be very useful around here anyhow."

Rogue nodded. In the months since Alkali Lake, Logan had stayed close to home, taking up a position as a self-defense and mechanics teacher. He was quieter now that Jean was gone, but he and Scott seemed to be doing better. They even got along. Sort of. It was actually a little relieving when their sarcastic banter started back up. Rogue felt that things were finally getting back to normal.

"I'll be back before you can miss me too much." He winked as he picked up his bag. "And tell that boyfriend of yours to behave or I'll slice and dice him."



She stood at the front door in her nightgown and waved goodbye as Logan sped out the front gate on Scott's bike. Just like old times. Rogue sighed at the thought as she headed inside. Even when things changed, they were still the same.