This was one of those, "What if?" fics that started with a plot bunny and became a rabbit infestation. Or something like that. Essentially starts after the last episode for X-Men Evolution—and has spoilers for "Self Possession" as well. Definite R/L, Rogan; whatever it's being called these days. Rogue's age is older, though—and has an explanation for that.

Elements of the movie, including the city Westchester and the use of Rogue's real name, are used.

Chapters shift between Logan and Rogue's POV.

Wasn't really planning on posting this, but I don't think I've ever actually finished a long story before so I was proud of this baby. Either way, thanks for reading!

(X-Men Evolution and related elements are copyright Warner Brothers and Marvel Comics. Used without permission, no intent to sell.)

TOUCHING INNOCENCE

It was finally over.

When Logan had first detailed her on her "special assignment," Rogue had been less than thrilled. She knew she had to take responsibility for bringing Apocalypse back to life, but to bring that poor small child into the fray?

But as Logan told her, she and Leech would be the last resort. Take his powers—which they hoped she would have better control over—long enough to shut down Apocalypse and re-entomb him as his cohorts did over 5,000 years ago.

Mission accomplished.

And as she and Kurt made their way out of the pyramid, they had told Mystique off. While Rogue didn't think she'd ever be able to consider Mystique her mother—after all, she hadn't even been raised by her—she was surprised to find Kurt turning his back on her.

Blood relations tended to make matters far more convoluted than they should be. The fact that Kurt had finally gotten passed that was a good sign, and Rogue was proud of him.

As he teleported them to catch them up with the others, Rogue began to think about Leech again, and wondered if he had woken up yet from her power-stealing.

She sighed. Like everyone else she'd ever touch, it'd probably take a couple hours or more. Maybe a lot more, if his age made him more vulnerable to her deadly touch.

"Rogue." Her name was stated with an urgency that caused her to stop. Rogue realized belatedly that her thoughts had made her fall behind the others in returning to the jet. Looking behind her to the source of the voice, she saw Logan hadn't boarded either.

He was walking toward her deliberately, and she briefly wondered if she had done something wrong. He seemed to be concentrating on her, and ... sniffing?

He stopped directly in front of her, but was looking beyond her as he smelled the air. She looked up at him expectantly, thinking that maybe he had sensed some danger in the air.

"What is it?" She looked around, already peeling a glove off in anticipation of putting Apocalypse down once and for all, if she had to.

"Your smell—it's different." His gaze guided down and looked over her like a slide in a microscope. She fidgeted under his intense stare.

"Excuse meh?" Her drawl kicked in to overdrive when she became nervous, and Logan looking at her intently was definitely making her hairs stand on end, for more than one reason.

She chastised herself and shook the thoughts away. She had no reason thinking about him in that manner.

Logan glanced down at her exposed, pale hand. Without a moment's hesitation, he grabbed it with his own gloved hand and placed it on his cheek.

Had she not been utterly shocked by this movement, she may have slapped him. "Logan! Dontcha think Ah got enough people floatin' around in my head?!" She felt her hand brush the stubble from his cheek as he held it there, sending a volt of electricity through her body.

But it was not the kind of electricity and power she was used to feeling. She pulled away quickly—out of instinct more than anything—but was keenly aware that Logan should have been sprawled out for the count.

She gripped her bare hand at the wrist with her gloved one, as if it was poisonous to her now. "How?" was all she could muster, looking up at Logan with hopeful eyes.

"I don't know. Maybe Leech's power is masking yours. Do you feel any different?"

Rogue studied the ground with her eyes, but concentrated on her body to see if she could sense any subtle differences. Other than feeling completely drained from the ordeal of Apocalypse, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. As her mind raced, she looked back up at Logan, took her bare hand and cupped his face before she realized what she was doing.

"Rogue," Logan said, sounding a bit shocked at her actions. His voice was soft, however, and he did nothing to stop her. Her eyes remained transfixed on the connection of their skin, fascinated by the foreign sensation of it without the coupled feeling of energy and thoughts and emotions that didn't belong to her.

Tears began to glisten at the corner of her eyes, and she realized she must look like a complete idiot to Logan, standing there admiring such a stupid little gesture. A smile nonetheless tugged at the corner of her lips, even has her mouth still lay agape at the sheer exhilaration that coursed through her body. Snapping out of her daydream, her eyes finally connected with Logan's and the smile that threatened to form exploded into an undeniable girly laugh as she threw herself into his arms for a tight embrace.

Logan caught himself before they both fell backward, but he returned the hug. Her laughter must have made him drop his guard somewhat, too, as he twirled her once before letting go. She looked back up at him before leaving his arms completely, and he smiled at her as he brushed a couple white strands out of her face. Their eyes remained locked for a moment too long, she guessed, because something snapped and Logan took a step back.

As if hiding his previous action, Logan cleared his throat and placed a hand at the small of her back, guiding them both to the jet. "Come on, maybe the Professor will know what's going on."

Despite the slight awkward end to their hug, a beam of a smile emerged on Rogue's lips again. She took off her other glove and admired her hands as if they were made of gold.

To her, the shackles of a forsaken life had been released from them.