Summary: Retelling of the episode Lock and Key, with a Rogue/Angel twist.
Rogue sat up from where she'd been laying on the couch. The professor had just telepathically called all X-Men to his library. He'd done so in such a (mental) voice that it brooked no arguments and sounded serious. She stood up and started for the door, only to stop when Kurt suddenly teleported in front of her.
"I don't think he meant for you to come, Rogue," Kurt said in his heavy German accent. Kurt may have been her brother, but that didn't mean she understood what he was saying in his big accent...though others had the same problem with her (her accent, not being her brother).
"Of course he did, or else he wouldn't have said it in mah head, too."
"Vell, at least let me teleport you there," Rogue began to protest but Kurt grabbed her arm and then they were in the library. They were the first to arrive so Rogue walked over to get the chair seat. Kurt moved as if to help her but she gave him one of her patented 'death glares'.
"Ah'm fine Kurt. Ah am not tired, and there is no damage to mah mind. If ya don't believe me, ask Logan, that danger room session was tough as he...llo professor." Kurt turned to see Xavier wheel himself into the library from the main hall.
"She's quite right, Kurt. All physical and mental tests have been passed. She is fine. That is why I wanted you here, Rogue. Since you absorbed Logan a day ago, and had no physical or mental problems because of it, I believe that you're ready for a mission."
"Hell yeah!"
"I need you to be with the X-Men on this one, we'll need the team factor here, and you are an important member of the team." Xavier stopped here and watched as the rest of the X-Men filled in. Bobby was at the door, but didn't come in. Jean shut the door with her telepathy and turned to the professor.
"This morning, as you all know, Angel came to see me." At these words Angel stepped from the hallway into the library. Bobby was still standing right outside the door. Angel, a.k.a. Warren Wellington III, nodded to everyone but his eyes focused on Rogue automatically. Hard not to, he thought, she's so beautiful.
"As of last night, Magneto has both the first part of the second key to the doors of Apocalypse, and he has Mesmero. I have Mr. McCoy working on locating the second part of the key. Angel, would you tell them everything you told me?"
Rogue looked at Angel while he spoke. She would never tell anyone but when they had been soaring above the New York skyline last Christmas, she had felt something she had never felt before. When she got back to the manor, she had dismissed it as a fleeting thing, but it was back again. It was subtle, a light clenching of the stomach. She felt slightly lightheaded, too. He was gorgeous though. He had light blonde hair, steely blue eyes that delved right into your soul. He was, literally, the image of what an angel should look like. But as everyone knows, Ah'm no angel, not even close, Rogue thought to herself.
Looking around the room she saw both Kitty and Jean giving Angel the same appraising looks she had just given him, and felt foolish. He would never be interested in someone like her. Ah can't even touch for God's sake. Rogue looked away, to the Professor, to make sure that he hadn't caught the thoughts in her head. It wasn't likely but it had happened before.
"Okay, X-Men, let's be on your way, Mr. McCoy has found where the second part is. Its in London and it'll take us at least an hour to get there." Scott told the group after a subtle signal (and telepathic message from the Professor), automatically taking over as usual. Rogue didn't mind though. She'd used to have a crush on Scott, but after last Christmas, after meeting Angel it had all seemed childish, so the crush had dissipated and eventually it felt like it had never existed.
Rogue got up from the couch and followed the others out the door. She never noticed that as Angel stood to follow, his eyes never left her walking form.
