This story does contain spanking of a minor – If this offends you or if you have a problem with this subject matter, then please give this story a miss.

This story will also include rebelling, swearing and a thirteen-year-old Rogue without any powers (yet), but a whole lot of attitude. It's an AU.

The Hard Way:

Reacquainted

If you'd gone and asked me a year ago who my favourite person in the world was I couldn't have given you a straight answer, 'cause there were two: My mama and my older brother, Kurt. But I was twelve back then and a real different person. Twelve-years-olds ain't just dumb, they have a real easy life too, and they're loved and cared for no matter what they go and do. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and feel my Mama's love again before she started to hate me, but you know, I ain't magic and I'm not about to pummel her head with my tears.

I'm thirteen, now. Thirteen years and two months to be real precise. My Mama don't like me no more, Kurt says I have a bad issue with folks who chew on authority, and he thinks this is all for the best. All I know is I never want to see either of them again 'cause they're dead to me. Families are supposed to stick together and this sure as heck ain't nothing like sticking close. We ain't like a flapjack, all gooey and bound together, we're scattered about everywhere and I hate it. They're just sending me away, hating on me, and it's hurting.

I wanna scream till all the pain and anger has balled up and been kicked away because it was only another argument, that was all. Okay, I'd run off again and fallen into a whole heap of stinking trouble, but I'd gone and done that before. She'd never acted this way when I skipped a whole week of school, or when I sold her diamond ring to the fella across the street - so why'd she stuff her stubbornness away and get in contact him now? He don't care about me, I don't care about him, and that's all there is to it.

"I've had enough, Anna. I can't do this any more."

You see what she said to me? Heck, I didn't care what she had to say 'cause we yelled at each other and I ran out of there like I was high on drugs. Spending time with my friends, hanging around the mall with Cody and taking stuff from the thrift stores was fun - Better then staying in that house with her. We got caught by mall security, they called her, ranting and raving, and she sent Kurt to pick me up. She couldn't even be bothered to do it herself, you know, swing by to pick her own kid up when I was real close to be being hauled into mall jail.

"You're only thirteen, you can't keep acting like this! It's making me ill."

Yeah, she always said that. I didn't care how old I was, it had nothing to do with what was happening and the way I thought about her. How could she make this all about her wrinkly ass, huh? She was my goddamn mama and she was never there for me. All she cared about was when the next guy in her life would come around and flash her a diamond necklace or a ticket to a cruise around the Caribbean.

"You need a fresh start, we both do. Anna, sweetheart, I'm sending you to live with your father."

That was the moment when my hating grew green balls of damn steel. I smashed up my room real good, even tore down all the posters that I'd spent over a year collecting and taping to my walls. I threw every gift she'd gone and bought me out the window and I went and kicked everything that reminded me of her, and still it weren't good enough - I hated her - I hated them.

"I talked to him last night and he agrees with me. You're leaving on the first train tomorrow, he'll pick you up from the station."

That all seems like years ago, but it all went and happened over the past two days. I have no family now, they sold me out and I hate them for it. Yeah, I hate them. I'm gonna keep hating them till your eyes are spitting tears 'cause you're real fed up of catching the word 'hate' on this page. I hate him, y'hear? They can go walk the plank of hate 'cause the gator of hating hatred is waiting on them for his hate hating damn lunch!

Heck, I wouldn't talk to her after that so Kurt dropped me off at the station and waited with me. I might even miss him, you know. He weren't a bad big brother, but he's starting college in the fall. He's packing up and moving out just like I am, except he hasn't been kicked out by a lady that couldn't bring up phlegm, let alone a kid with attitude.

Huffing, I chuck a glare out the window at the passing buildings, ugly folks, real hooker-like cars, slabs of concrete, and then it happens, my lip starts to tremble. The train slows, crossing a bridge, and I look out over the city, watching a real smartly dressed lady walking with her little girl down a sidewalk close to the tracks. There the kid goes, waving at the train as it passes her fool brain by and my tears respond by throwing a pity party down my pale cheeks.

Damn it, I'm being a wuss and even the guy with the laptop and grey suit is thinking that as he looks my way. I didn't stare at him when he kept chuckling at his screen, so why is he interested in my wall of cracked emotions, huh? Ain't he ever seen a girl cry before? "Take a damn photo, it'll last longer," I tell him, making his weedy ass blush like a rotten tomato.

I glare at him until he looks away and feel a little better about wiping the tears when nobody is watching me. Shit, I don't cry, I never cry. I need to pull myself together real quick 'cause this ain't going to happen. The Rogue don't cry: she's tough and has no time for tears in her shitty life. This out sucks even the time I had to stay with Destiny! Damn it, I don't wanna see, let alone live with the guy who has the paternal instincts of a banana. It's just that I don't really remember my Da... I mean, Logan. He visited a couple of times, then just blew me off like I weren't worth the time or effort. I ain't his kid, not no more. He can go to hell if he thinks I'm gonna bow down and kiss his useless ass. He ain't been in my life and sure as hell ain't becoming part of it now. My family ain't worth the tears and I'm real sure neither of them have cried over me.

You know what? Kurt's lucky Logan ain't his daddy. His dad lives in Germany and he visits his half-brothers and sisters each summer. I'm just wishing the German guy was my kin, too. But no, my mama had to go ahead and pick some dead-beat to hook up with so I could be born. Yeah, you get it now don't you? I don't like my life much right now.

After another hour of crying, glaring at the man in the grey suit and scowling at anybody that even looked my way, the train begins to slow down again causing folks to stand. I'm guessing this dump is Bayville and I want the world to come to an end right this minute and everything. There's no point in carrying on with the tears 'cause I'm wasting my energy. I could be plotting against my so-called family instead of flooding my shirt with hurt. That's what he'll be doing as soon as he sees me; he'll be plotting. Yeah, him and Raven have probably been spending most of the time talking about everything bad I've done anyway. Why the heck should I crush his expectations?

I stepped off the train an hour and thirty eight minutes ago and Logan ain't here none. That don't surprise me, he's always forgotten about my skinny, white ass. So, why wouldn't he carry on the tradition of not giving a damn, huh? I bet he's tucked up in bed, eating a banana and beating his ape chest 'cause he's gone and smashed his goal of hurting me real bad again.

Though, spring time's in the air and stuff, so it's not that cold and the sun's shining, but I'm guessing it's gonna rain here any minute now. If God does spit at me, I'm not moving my butt from this bench 'cause I'm now a train spotter. Yeah, I am. You see what my daddy's gone and drove me too? Damn it, I hate everything right now and I don't have the energy to move from this place I now call home. I wanna lock myself in the restrooms and cry, but what would be the point? I want to go back to Mississippi and hang out with Cody and the gang, instead.

You know what me and the gang do? We all wear something green and stand around the strip malls and local playgrounds until somebody calls the cops and we all have to run. Sometimes we even start fights - At least they do, and me and Cody watch. We're the youngest and we were picked to join them. It's supposed to be an honour, and looked at me, I've crapped all over that by boarding the train and coming to Sucksville. It's like a rule to wear some green clothing. Some of the older boys wear bandanas and I'm wearing my green hooded sweatshirt today. Even if I ain't there and not an active member; I'm still in gang colours. They recruit folks at the age of thirteen and I've been with them two months now. I told you it's an honour and a privilege - I feel both. Stealing is a real big part involved in the initiation thing, and the more expensive the object you steal, the better you're treated by everybody.

I took a CD from a store in the mall and ran like hell. Our leader, Caleb, gave me extra points for outrunning the fat security guard and getting away. I'm a real genuine member and proud of it. My Mama don't know about it. She just thinks I'm going through a stage and Logan's the only one who can handle me. That's a serious crock of shit if ever I've heard it. Nobody can handle me. Raven's boyfriends always tried and they failed.

I suppose I'm just not in the mood to vanish today, that's why I'm sitting here like a brainless fool and waiting for somebody who doesn't give a crap about me. I don't know what's worse than being forgotten about by a giant ape, really. My cluttered thoughts and scruffy bags are the only company I have until two geeks clear their throats in my direction. I glance at them, my eyes switching from one freak to the other. Geeks, freaks, strangers, whatever - I don't give a damn and I really don't wanna discuss the finer points of living in Geekville with them.

"Ya blockin' mah light," I tell the cocky looking redhead, scowling at her and her choice of fashion. Heck, I wouldn't be seen dead in what she calls clothing. It looks like a ten foot yeti has chucked up on her. "Ah love mah light, so get outta the way."

She nudges the one with the dorky haircut and red glasses beside her. I'm still thinking nobody knows how to dress in New York. Yep, the whole state don't know what it's doing. "I think we've found her, Scott. Logan said she'd probably have an attitude."

My mighty scowl deepens when I hear his name. "Ah'm still sittin' here, ya know, an' Ah ain't the only one here with an attitude." I don't like her none and knowing she's been sent by Logan makes me hate her even more. "Ya still blockin' mah light, too."

"So, you're Anna-Marie then?" The dork with the dick asks, frowning away at my words.

"Nah, that ain't mah name no more: it's Rogue. An' what, can't Logan tell the time or somethin'? Don't tell meh, he sent a welcome party 'cause he's too scared tah face meh after what he's done," I grumble grouchily, slouching on the bench and stretching my legs out.

"No, not exactly, he was called away on some urgent business."

Of course the redhead answered, the dork is still frowning away the best years of his life. Wait until he hits an age where he sprouts grey hair, he'll be all wrinkles and no personality. I'm doubting he has any personality to shake his ass with now, and he looks like he fell into Baby Gap. Anybody willing to walk out their house and be seen dressed that way needs a real good kick in the balls.

"More 'urgent' than meh, huh? Yeah, course it was. No need tah be replyin', Ah weren't talkin' tah either of ya. Mah imaginary friend is just over there, standin' right behind ya both. He's flippin' ya off, too." I smirk as I stand up, throwing my backpack over my shoulder. I can't believe they fell for that, they must be even more stupid then they both look. Damn geeks, Cody would have a field day with them. Walking to the exit, I chuck a real long look their way. "One of ya will have tah carry mah case, mah imaginary friend hurt his back way back when."

"Ah ain't gonna ask ya'll again! Where is he?!" I holler darkly, folding my arms and eyeing the bald English sounding guy with a whole heap of suspicion. His legs don't work, but it don't mean I'm gonna be polite or nothing. His mouth works, he already said hi to me. And folks with mouths don't like me much, so yeah, I'm back to being suspicious again.

The geek and the dork drove me to this real fancy looking mansion and all the damn way they play this pop music. Yeah, you heard me right, it was poppy pop stuff. Then they lead me to this office while my ears carry on bleeding onto the carpet. They're both still here now, grinning to each other and seem to be proud of their lack of taste in music. I'd have shot myself if I was them. Heck, if I had a shotgun right about now, I'd go outside and shoot their radio right out the car! Those grins of theirs are real unhealthy too, not to mention creepy, and I'm back to being suspicious again.

This day has gone from bad to even worse. I've been shipped off, abandoned, forgotten and now I'm out my comfort zone. Why are those geeks standing there flashing their perfect, white teeth at me? And if Logan lives here, why ain't he paying more cash to my Mama? If he lives in a mansion, I should be getting loads of money sent to me and everything. And this is a mansion. An actual mansion like out of the movies with creaking wooden floor boards, flowery wallpaper, fireplaces and damn chandeliers. I ain't never seen an honest to God crystal chandelier before, and it makes me wanna throw rocks at it to see if it'll break. I'll tell you something, this place is real crazy and every object I see looks like it's worth a fortune. That vase on the mantle piece over there probably cost more than my mama makes and breaks in a year.

The Professor gazes at me, I suppose how a diabetic stares at a tub of chocolate ice cream. He clasps his hands together and smiles. I get the strange feeling I might have said some of that out loud or something. "You're very much like your father, extremely direct when asking a question. You will find skills like that will come in handy while living here."

"Yeah, that's great , but Ah'm not gonna be livin' here. This is just one of those things where Ah can't label it as a visit, but more of some mighty fight that's about to happen. A couple of days here an' Ah'll be goin' back home."

"That wasn't what Logan said," the dork says, his dumb looking glasses making me snort.

I'm up on my feet before I know it, leaving the comfy chair behind my behind. "Ah don't care what he said an' what's this gotta do with ya anyway? Ya might be Logan's lapdog but it don't give ya the right tah interfere in mah life none."

He opens his mouth to reply but stops when the Professor clears his throat, asking for calm. "Jean will show you to your room, Anna."

I snatch my army green backpack up, saving it from the ugly carpet, and turn a hostile glare on the Professor. "It's Rogue. Mah name ain't Anna, 'cause it's Rogue. Rogue, Rogue, Rogue, but never Anna."

The Professor's rewards my chewing out with a smile and a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, of course. I apologise, Rogue. Your father should return later tonight, in the meantime if you need anything please don't hesitate to find me."

"Fat chance of that happenin'," I mumble, leaving the study behind. "Ah won't be seekin' ya ass out or seein' Logan, neither. Ah'm leavin' before then."

I didn't talk to the damn redhead when she led me to my room. At least it's safe to say the dislike is mutual. I'm also thinking the dork is her boyfriend or something. There weren't many other people about when I came up here earlier and I was thankful for that. I've gone and met enough losers to last me a lifetime. I bet Logan fits in here perfectly. Yeah, they must love all his deadbeat dad qualities and I don't give a shit about my own kid attitude.

It's near on midnight and I haven't left this room since I first arrived here. It's real grand in a way, the bathroom is even bigger then our kitchen at home. I even have a fuckin' double bed, but it just ain't me. This place makes me nervous and I really don't want to hang around here waiting for him to return. He can't be back yet, he ain't shown himself and it pleases me real bad 'cause I'm all out of bananas.

Heck, I've waited long enough now, only until I'm sure everybody's asleep. I'm going make a run for it. I have it all planned out, right down to the hitchhiking and what pair of sneakers to wear. Nobody can ever accuse me of not being damn organised. Sure, I can't take my case with me, but I've sorted through the important stuff. I left most of the useless crap like clothes and my toothbrush, and brought my discman, CD's - You know, stuff like that.

Now, here I am, creeping through the kitchen, while the whole mansion sits in darkness, and I don't dare switch a light on. I'm gonna use the moonlight to guide me around the table, and I do just that, shifting the backpack nervously on my shoulder. It's real quiet except for that mighty clock in the entrance hall, but my heartbeat sounds louder than that will ever be. I'm near on eating a heart attack, too. Slipping out the back door, I'm kinda surprised to see that it's unlocked, but take it as a sign to run. If folks leave doors unlocked, then they were born stupid and you've gotta love them for it a million times over.

Picking up my pace in the garage, my heart's now thundering in my throat, and I spot the garage doors, thankful they're already open. This almost seems too easy for me, but I brush off that suspicious feeling again and with a squint of my greenish-grey eyes, I can just make out the gates at the end of the long, gravelled driveway. I can climb the wall, maybe a tree and leap over to freedom. If I don't twist an ankle or break a bone, I'll sprint to the end of the road and wave down a passing car or something. That sounds like a plan and to celebrate it, I wipe my clammy hands on my jeans. I'm acting like a pansy again and I wonder if I inherited that from Logan. Smirking, I walk out the garage, nearing the holy grail of freedom, when a gruff voice to my right makes me close in on my heart attack.

"You going somewhere, darlin'?"

My hand strangles the strap of my backpack and I gulp because I recognise the voice and I ain't heard it in six years. It's been a real long time and I'm refusing to even look at him, let alone form the words to answer his question.

Logan steps out the inky black darkness, the moonlight casting shadows over his face, and I just had to look, damn it. I'm curious and this is a guy I ain't seen since I was seven, but he doesn't seem a day older. Everything is the same about him; the smell of the smoke, his lack of style. He's probably even wearing the same clothes!

He stops in front of me, smoking a cigar and he casts a dark look over my face. I ain't got a clue what he's searching for but I glare back 'cause I can. I can't believe I got caught sneaking around by him. My Mama never catches me when I'm sneaking out, and I thought he was supposed to be away doing more important things, huh? If he's back why don't he come and say hi or something? I was only upstairs on my lonesome, not the other side of the world or nothing.

Anyway, this is the moment I decide to stop acting like I'm scared and I scowl instead. I need to leave and even he can't stop me from going back to Mississippi. "Get outta mah way," I demand, close to stamping my foot and my voice sounding stronger then I feel.

"I don't know what it was like back in Hicksville, but we got rules here," he growls lowly over his cigar.

My eyes widen slightly at the insult, but I brush it off. I've been called worse and my best friend Cody is the king of the put downs. He taught me real well and I ain't got no problem with dishing the insults out where Logan's concerned. "Ya name might be on mah birth certificate, but that's all it is: A piece of paper and a name. Ya nothin' to meh, ya hear? One quick fumble in the back of a truck with mah mama don't make ya nothin' in mah life!"

Logan raises his eyebrow and plucks his cigar out of his mouth, pointing at me. "You might want to watch your mouth when you're around me, kid. Take that whichever way you want, but it's your first warning."

I glare back at him, the anger rising and my grip tightening on my backpack. Heck, I wanna throw it at his head, too. "Who the hell are ya to be warnin' meh?" I snort, rolling my eyes. "Ya ain't mah daddy, not really. They shoulda just printed the word 'dick' on the birth certificate, 'cause that's all ya were an' ya still ain't nothin' but a dick. Ya were nothin' but a sperm donor neither, an' now ya just actin' like a some bigger dick tah meh!"

He shakes his head with a sigh and crushes the cigar under his boot. "Whether you like it or not, I'm your dad and you-" Logan grabs hold of my upper arm and swings me around. Before I get some chance to ask him what the hell he's doing, his hand bounces off my butt with another four hard cracks landing on the exact same spot. He's damn well leaving a set of ape-like hand prints on my ass, too. "Are going to learn some respect, kid." He turns me back around and puts both his hands on my shoulders. "That counts as your second warning. I catch you sneaking out or hear you talk like that again, I'll throw you over my knee and let my hand do the talking on your bare backside."

My free hand, meanwhile, finds its way to my butt as I try to rub the sting away. The United States of Suck is a messed up country if this is legal and what the fuck are his hands made of, metal or something? Damn it, I forgot how much it hurts when he hits out at my attitude. I ain't been spanked since I last saw him and I threw some tantrum he weren't tickled over. My mama was never too fond of Logan when he walloped me good and proper. She don't believe in beating her kids and I'm starting to hate her a little less now. I blink away the angry tears and stare back at him. "Ah hate ya," I whisper hatefully, wanting him to now all about how I'm feeling right now.

He straightens up and stares down at me with a real menacing look. "You've got two minutes to get back upstairs to bed and hate me there. You set foot outside your room again tonight and you're going to hate me a hell of a lot more."

I don't move, but he takes one threatening step towards me and my stubbornness crashes. "Ah hate ya, Logan!" I snarl, running for my room. "Ah hate ya!"