A/N: I've had the majority of this story on my computer for... a long time. And I was thinking about it yesterday and figured "why not". So here it is.
(Not mentioned in the story description... there is a lurv triangle... eyebrow wag.)
After You
Chapter 1
She stepped out of the cab, a frown gracing her features subconsciously at the sight of the mansion before her. Its sturdy brick outer walls laced with creeper vines that climbed their way to the top, so high that she had to crane her neck to see. It had been so long since she stood here, staring at the mansion, admiring any part about it. She'd lived there for so long that after awhile; she'd begun to take for granted the natural beauty she'd been surrounded by every day. She was brought out of her trance by the sound of the cab driver clearing his throat.
Back to reality.
She quickly paid the man before gathering her belongings from the trunk of his cab. With a deep breath, she took one last look at the building, as if to decide if this was truly what she wanted. As if she could turn back right now and no one would ever know she'd been there. Which wasn't too far from the truth; the only person who had been expecting her was the Professor. And surely he would understand.
Her suitcase in hand, she exhaled the breath she'd been holding and shook her head. On any other day, the building would not provoke such thoughts of fear. In fact, quite the opposite; she had nothing but fond memories of this place… for the most part at least. She sucked in her lower lip, willing herself to take the first step.
She squared her jaw before tearing her eyes away from the mansion, glancing at the cab from over her shoulder as it drove away. The image of her chasing after it, dragging her suitcase behind her in a desperate attempt to escape flashed in her mind. As the cab reached the gates and rounded the corner, leaving her line of sight, she let out another deep sigh. So much for that idea.
She hoisted her duffle bag over her shoulder and grabbed the handle of her suitcase, extending it until it clicked before dragging it along behind her up the steps less than gracefully.
Coming to a stop before the dual oak doors she clenched her jaw a few times before sucking in a breath. No use prolonging the inevitable.
She gave the door a few firm knocks. "Here goes nothin'..."
---
"Settle down half pint." Logan rolled his eyes at the giddy young woman as she skidded into the foyer. "You'll run out steam before the party's together."
"I don't think zat is possible." Kurt smiled. "I saw her drinking her third cup of coffee..."
Logan dramatically threw his hands up in the air. "Someone hide the caffeine."
Kitty laughed at an alarming pitch. "Gimme a break guys, I gotta keep goin'... gotta keep up... keep up, keep up, keep goin'..." She snapped her fingers as she spoke prompting Logan to give Kurt a look that screamed that he hadn't been kidding with his prior comment.
Kurt smiled silently, finding it best if he remained silent while Kitty was so spun.
"And it's not a party y'know." She tittered. "Better not let Jean hear you call it that..."
"She might go all Bridezilla on you!" Kurt smiled.
"Ah... red couldn't pull of the whole psycho thing. Not her style." Logan waved their comments off with a grin. "My point is-"
He stopped mid sentence, his attention turning to the large front door.
"Vhat?" Kurt frowned. "Vhat is your point?"
The knock at the door caused the other two to look along with him.
"Oh don't worry everyone..." Storm rolled her eyes with a smile as she glided down the steps. "I will get it..."
"Who is it 'Ro?" Logan frowned.
"I don't know. I just control the weather." She winked before tapping her nose "You on the other hand, should be able to pick up a scent." She came to a graceful stop in front of the door, tugging it open in one fluid motion, the smile on her face instantly turning into pure shock.
"Honey... ah'm home."
Kitty gasped, throwing her hands over her mouth before squealing. "Rogue!!"
"Come here child!" Storm pulled Rogue in to a careful embrace.
Rogue hugged her back, grinning from ear to ear. Storm pulled away, holding her at arms length "You look amazing!"
"Likewise sugah." She looked past Storm at her foster brother who simply stood with a look of sheer shock written all over his fuzzy blue features.
"Ain'tcha gunna give y'sister a hug or are y'just gunna stand there lookin' like a fool?"
Kurt simply shook his head. "Rogue..?"
Rogue braced herself as Kitty hurled herself at her.
"Kitty..." Rogue patted the young woman's back. "Aww Kit... don't cry..."
Kitty pulled away, smacking Rogue's arm as she sniffled, wiping her bleary eyes with a frown. "Don't cry?! Nu uh... you can't tell me that... Where have you been?!"
"Ah've been..." Rogue looked from her friends hazel eyes to the set of cobalt eyes that burned into her. "... around."
This was what she had been worried about. The angry reaction she'd get for coming back. No, not for coming back... for leaving in the first place. At least what she was worried about today...
"Vhy... vhat..." Kurt shook his head, the same shocked expression on his face. "six years Rogue."
She looked at her feet, pressing her lips together. "Ah know."
Professor Xavier wheeled into the foyer with a smile "Ah there you are. Did you have a safe trip?"
Rogue nodded at him, adjusting the strap on her shoulder with a wince. "Yeah. Pretty straight forward."
"We have a room set up for you upstairs... I trust you still remember your way around?"
She nodded again with a smile. "'Course."
"Hang on there Chuck. You mean you knew she was comin'?" Logan frowned.
"Yes. She contacted me some time ago." Xavier nodded at Logan with a grin.
She smiled at Kitty who grew more and more excited with every word the older man spoke.
"Ah wish you woulda told everyone ah was comin'."
"Vhy, you didn't tell anyone you vere leaving." Kurt shot. Before Rogue could respond Kitty grabbed her arm and jumped up and down.
"So you're really back?!" Kitty squealed.
"Ah'm back." Rogue said with a shrug, adjusting the strap on her shoulder again.
"Marrow, would you please show Rogue to her room?" Xavier asked the tall fair-haired woman with a grin.
"Sure!" She stepped towards Rogue, extending her hand. "My name's Sarah."
"Anna." Rogue shook her hand. "Nice t'meet you."
"Rogue?"
Her head snapped around at the sound of his familiar voice, catching sight of his light blue eyes that crinkled in the corners with his wide smile.
She gasped "Joseph?!"
She let the bag drop off her shoulder, hitting the ground with a thwock. Kitty smiled, looking between the two before tugging Kurt's arm to pull him away from his estranged foster sister.
"Wh… ah thought you left t'… for good." She waved a gloved hand in the air as she said the last two words.
"Well y'know, you can only stay away from here for so long…"
She moved over to him and gave him a friendly hug "Ah didn't expect t'see you again!"
Rogue stepped back from Joseph and shook her head. "It's… good t'see you."
"You too."
"You'll have plenty a'time t'catch up later." Logan grunted, looking at Marrow. "Take her up to her room Kid."
"Aye aye Captain." Sarah saluted the stocky mutant, hoisting her duffel bag up off the ground with an easy grin.
"Thanks." Rogue tugged her suitcase along behind her.
Logan watched the two in silence as they walked up the steps. No one had ever really known the truth, himself included, as to why she'd just up and left. Everyone had their suspicions, but they were all nothing more than rumors without hard fact to back them up.
Now, it was time for the hard facts. He crossed his arms with a frown as she looked at him from over her shoulder. Judging by the look on her face, she knew what was coming. And she wasn't looking forward to it one bit.