Series: The Rogue Journey

Author: Lil-fleur

Chapter Title: A summer afternoon

Chapter Summary: Rogue's introspection on her life and mutation.

Chapter Pairings: Rogue/Bobby, Kitty/Bobby

Disclaimer: The X-Men, and the characters do not belong to me. They are just being used for harmless fun which does not contribute monetarily.

Notes:

This is my very first venture into writing fan fiction. So I would appreciate any reviews & comments. I am also looking for a beta reader

The spelling is in the British style. My knowledge of Southern US accents are limited, therefore, I haven't played with the pronunciations.

The universe is semi-alternate and semi-X Men movie world. However, I have made some changes irrespective of the X-Men movie plots.

I am not sure where exactly the plot is heading to, apart from a rough idea. It is very much a spontaneous series.

For more info, notes and disclaimers, please click on my profile.

Chapter 1

A tiny bird fluttered outside a classroom window. This wasn't odd considering that it was summer, the time when nature is invigorated due to the sun's rays and increase in temperature. The bird was obviously trying to drink nectar from the magenta flowers of Storm's exotic climber which had spread itself on the walls of the homely school. But had the bird looked into the classroom instead of focusing on the flower, it would have seen a pretty young woman sitting at her desk marking essays. Hearing the bird's tweets, she looked up. It was Rogue.

Rogue brushed a strand of platinum white hair from her face, the errant bangs in an otherwise predominantly dark hair, which was the permanent reminder of her encounter with Magneto. So many things had happened in the past four years, and she didn't want to re-live every memory. After all, memories are bitter-sweet and in her case, it was more tinged with bitterness. She continued with assessing the essays and making the critical yet supportive comments which her students found most encouraging.

A year ago, Prof. Xavier offered her a teaching position at the Xavier's School for Gifted Students in upstate New York. Well, 'gifted' actually meant 'mutants' and there was a time when she doubted whether she was gifted or cursed. Hers was a mutation which didn't make her feel cool or particularly useful… after all, how would it feel if you have to spend the rest of your life with every part of your skin covered and knowing that a single touch of her skin was enough to rob a human of his/her life and a mutant of their powers? Moreover, she didn't have a home to return to, a family who would welcome with wide open arms (probably, they would be ready with shot guns) or a profession in the big world to involve herself in (considering that her mutation didn't exactly facilitate that), so she was happy to accept the position in a place which she finally accepted as home. Xavier considered her to be a valuable and talented member of the X-Men, one who had seen so much with them. And considering that she was strong in academics, it was just right that he should offer the position on the day of her graduation, just as she was about to pack her belongings. This is how she started teaching Geography.

Rogue was happy to teach the subject since it was her favorite, one on which she could talk on for hours. Her classes were popular and most students were attentive… well, every class would have certain troublemakers. But students generally loved her style of teaching, the way she managed to get important details across with a placid smile…. and her enigmatic personality.

The enigmatic personality was very much due to her mutation, in which a contact with skin could rob a human of his life, and a mutant of his powers- not to mention having the absorbed individual's personas running around in her mind. As a result, she had to dress carefully and make sure that there wouldn't be any accidental touches. The external change in fashion had an internal effect… she wove a shell around her and withdrew into it, becoming the sullen introvert, the one who seldom talked except with her long time friends; the one who didn't smile often, except when her male students did something outrageous in a mad attempt to try and make her smile; the one who resigned herself to her fate- one in which she couldn't possibly have any physical relationship with a man. In fact, she couldn't even hold hands, palm to palm, with anyone! Perhaps that is why her long term relationship with Bobby failed. She couldn't blame Bobby- he was, after all, a man and he deserved better than a girl who couldn't even kiss him properly. He stood by her for a long time, but it was then clear that he started looking at other couples with a longing. It didn't need a telepath to read his mind… he was the type who needed hugs and kisses and girls were chasing him. He loved her but eventually it became an engine which cannot work any more. That was when he told her that the relationship was going nowhere.

Rogue happened to be sitting by the lake, lost in her thoughts, when Bobby approached her to drop the bombshell. Well, it wasn't exactly a bombshell, and she wondered what took him such a long time. She faced him stoically, but once he left, her tears mingled with the waters of the lake. She loved him, truly and deeply. But how could she deny him the happiness he would get if he was with someone who could physically demonstrate her love? Moreover, how would she react when she sees him every day? Poor Rogue, her heart felt too heavy and soon she cried herself to sleep.

It was Logan who found her… she had been missing for over 6 hours and everyone was worried. It wasn't like Rogue to not turn up for the staff meeting, even though she was labeled as unsocial. But somehow (probably due to his acute senses) Logan found her, after scouring around the massive compound for 3 hours. She woke up to see his big brown eyes wide in concern.

'Bobby and I have broke up', were the first words which she mumbled sadly, a tear running down her porcelain cheek.

Oddly, Logan didn't utter a word. He just held her in a long hug, stroking her hair while she cried on his shoulder.

A year had gone on after the breakup. Bobby was currently in a relationship with Kitty. That wasn't hard to foresee. Kitty had been nursing a crush on Bobby for eons and once she heard of the breakup, she made her move into Bobby's bedroom and out of Rogue's friendship. Yes, Rogue was slightly jealous… it pained her to see Bobby and Kitty together or to find them making out in the couch- doing things which she and Bobby could never do. It was evident that Bobby still held a flame for her, but it might as well be quelled since it would never work out.

She became the introvert, socialising only with some of the manor's residents. Her close friend was Jubilee, and the weekends saw them spending time at the mall, shopping or playing bowling. Rogue was Jubilee's confidante and vice versa, and it was remarkable how Jubilee didn't manage to publish all of her secrets publicly….. given that she was the resident gossip! As for Ororo, she took Rogue under her beautiful wings, providing her a shoulder to cry on as well as involving her in all of her activities in the school ranging from gardening to decorating. It made Rogue feel useful. But the students saw only the introvert side of her. And what is more alluring than the beautiful yet expensive diamond ring on the shop shelf which you desire but can't have? This was Rogue… the diamond. But as for romance- Rogue had decided that there was no point in going out with someone, in fact, even falling in love with someone…. But fate had decided something else…………