A/N: Takes place two years after.

Dear Marie

I'm really sorry but I'm not coming back this year. I realise you've been waiting for me but I need to put myself first. My powers need to be in control before I can be in a relationship. But don't wait around, just move on. There are people who care for you and tons of fish in the water. It's been great babe, but I'm no good.

Bye,

Warren

[Comparisons are easily done
once you've had a taste of perfection
like an apple hanging from a tree
I pick the ripest on I still got the seed]

She ripped the letter to shreds and hovelled into her room. She couldn't believe it. He was gone. Probably scared her mutation would make his worse. And if his mutation was worse his mother wouldn't allow him to come home and the school would kick him out. So maybe it was best. She should have never come to this mansion. Being back here meant stares and points. She thought if she passed the time here soon she'd see him again. Professor Xavier was now in contact with the school and they were arranging to help any teens with their powers. But what did it matter now.

[You said move on where do I go
I guess second best is all I will know]

She sat in the rec room staring into the depths of the fire. It was midnight and she was cold, inside and out. Suddenly she felt someone next to her.

'Hey Roguey!'

'Go away John.'

'Sorry, just making conversation. Why are you up so late?'

'Thinking.'

'Look your boyfriend has been gone for three months. Are you really still waiting for him?'

'No.'

His face lit up. She sighed and looked into the fire.

'Rogue, I've always liked you.'

She looked up at him. Something popped into her brain. John was Pyro. Pyro meaning flame. She needed to move on. Who said you can't have second best. She smiled and shifted closer. His hands snaked around her waist and he crushed her lips on his. He was smoky but there was no fire. That's because Pyro couldn't manipulate the fire, only control it. But it was close enough, she just had to pretend.

[cause when I'm with him i am thinking of you, thinking of you
what you would do if
you were the one who was spending the night
oh i wish that I was looking into your eye]

She wanted to call Warren's name out but knew if John knew he'd leave. So she just moaned thinking, pretending. He carefully moved his hands underneath her shirt. But it was too soon, yet…

'Not yet.' she murmured.

John broke their kiss and nodded, breathing heavily. She lay on the couch and he lay with her, wrapping his arms around her.

'Thank you for giving me a chance.' he whispered.

She nodded but her head was screaming out for someone else.

[You're like an Indian summer in the middle of winter
like a hard candy with a surprise centre
how do I get better once I've had the best
you said there's tons of fish in the waters
so the waters I will test]

She sat in the kitchen, John across from her. They were just hanging out. You know girlfriend and boyfriend stuff. But she couldn't help think back to all the fun times she been with Warren. Their days just lying around talking about powers and past lives. She'd never met anyone like him. And now she'd lost him. Forever, it seemed. All because she was so imperfect. She should have jus never agreed to walk with him that day.

'Babe?'

She looked up and smiled at John.

[he kissed my lips I taste your mouth
he pulled me in, I was disgusted with myself]

John leaned forward and captured her lips. She kissed him then pulled back. He was on her side of the table in seconds. She wanted to back away but wanted the taste of smoke on her lips again.

'babe, come here.'

She hesitated then let him sweep her off her feet. He carried her to his bedroom and shut the door behind him. She lay on his bed, scared but wanting. He moved over her and pulled her shirt off, ripping a few buttons. She gasped as his hands ran up her naked torso. His head buried there kissing softly. She took his hands but he looked at her with pleading eyes. So she let go. It was quick and painless. But left her empty and disgusted. They lay together panting on his bed, bodies covered in sweat. Vomit rose to her throat and she shivered and ran towards his bathroom.

[the best and oh I do regret
how could I let myself let you go
and now, now the lessons learned
I touched and I was burned
oh I think you should know]

'Rogue, are you okay?' he asked.

He came in and sat on the floor next to her putting his arm around her. She still felt sick. She was betraying Warren and using John.

'Call me Marie, just call me Marie.'

'Is that your real name?'

'Yeah, it is.'

'It's beautiful.'

She shrugged. She was still sitting on the bathroom floor. She'd flushed the toilet and brushed her teeth. She didn't want John to think she was pregnant. He was a guy after all; he didn't really pay attention to mechanics. He stroked her hair. She didn't run her hands through his hair. It was too short and didn't have the streaks. No! She had to stop this, just because the best had left didn't mean Johnny didn't deserve a chance.

'Marie?'

'Yeah?'

'I love you.'

-xXx-