Two years, she had lovingly gazed into those eyes. Two years…One spent hating the feelings that were growing inside her, and next spent reveling in them. Showing the world that love was a powerful and potent drug. One year, Eleven months, and three weeks; she'd struggled in secret to gain control of her powers, and one week she'd been hiding a secret from the man she loved. The secret that would change her life forever, she could touch. She'd wanted the moment to be just right, but nature had a cruel way about her. She'd told him, in whispered lusty words that she loved him and wanted to show him. Instead of wrapping her in his arms, he'd pushed her away, and those deep smoldering eyes that she'd secretly and openly loved, grew shallow and cold. He'd laughed her off and told her that the ruse was up. That he didn't love her, it was all about making her love him, after all he was the King of Hearts, and no one dared resist him. He walked away from her, taking with him all of the good things in her life and all of the hope she had for the future.

I am ready for love
Why are you hiding from me
I'd quickly give my freedom
To be held in your captivity

She tried to call out to him, but he kept walking. Why was she such a fool? She'd fallen in love with the one man that she shouldn't have. The one man who could never love her back and who she could never be with. Remy LeBeau was a known player, a devote womanizer and he's succeed more thoroughly then she thought possible. Rouge, the untouchable unfeeling Goth, was in love with him. She felt the reality of it all crush her.

"Remy! Please stop!" He paused with his back to her and waited for her to explain herself. She inhaled convulsively.

"Please don't leave me! I love you." Her voice was soft and just loud enough to carry to him. She wasn't surprised when he started to laugh.

"What can I say the ladies they love me." His voice was light, hiding the pain that was cutting away at his chest. He knew deep in his heart that he loved this girl more then anyone who had ever come into his life, but he wouldn't destroy her innocence with his filth. He knew he would never be good enough for her.

I am ready for love
All of the joy and the pain
And all the time that it takes
Just to stay in your good grace
Lately I've been thinking
Maybe you're not ready for me
Maybe you think I need to learn maturity
They say watch what you ask for
Cause you might receive
But if you ask me tomorrow
I'll say the same thing

Rouge felt her heart die, she felt it fall from the stars where he'd hung it and shatter on the earth. From her lips escaped a small moan of pain. It hit him like ton of bricks, but he didn't turn back to face her, with a few words he killed her.

"Get up, Rouge. You know I never cared; It would take a better woman than you to make me stay. Pitiful…such a strong smart girl…thinking that she could tame Le Diable Blanc." He continued forward leaving Rouge sobbing on the grass. He knew that the other X-men would be here shortly to collect their friend. He had to be gone before then. He glanced back once, and the sight would haunt him forever. Rouge's hands were clenched into first over her heart, trying to stop it from breaking. Her mouth trembled and her body was hunched forward, trying to make herself as small as possible, but it was her eyes that stuck with him. They were hallow and empty the eyes of a soulless shell.

I am ready for love
Would you please lend me your ear?
I promise I won't complain
I just need you to acknowledge I am here

'Leave Remy, before you hurt her more.' His conscious screamed at him and heeding its advice he walked away.


If you give me half a chance
I'll prove this to you
I will be patient, kind, faithful and true
To a man who loves music
A man who loves art
Respect's the spirit world
And thinks with his heart

Rouge watched him walk away. She knew she had nothing left. One chance at love and she'd blown it. After all who wanted to be with a girl with so many different people running around in her head, a girl who was so afraid of herself that she pushed everyone out of her life? Logan hadn't been the same since the Apocalypse incident; Kitty was always to busy to worry about her, Kurt talked to her sometimes but only when she was with the group-never alone. The muscles in her thighs tightened, pulling lifeless body upward, toward heaven.

I am ready for love
If you'll take me in your hands
I will learn what you teach
And do the best that I can

She stood for a moment taking it all in, then ran. With no direction or plan, she simply went. Taking with her; a broken heart but smarter heart, a deep ache that would never heal, and all of her shattered dreams.

I am ready for love
Here with an offering of
My voice
My Eyes
My soul
My mind

With the sun sinking into the night and the stars conquering the clear blue of the day, she set out into the world, to find a place for herself.

Tell me what is enough
To prove I am ready for love

She needed a place where no one knew her. Where she could let her endless sorrow roll off of her in waves, where the sun and moon where he bed fellows and confidants, where she could mend away from prying eyes.

I am ready