The Impenetrable and Untouchable
Chapter Two
"Hold on kid," Wolverine called catching up to Rogue and laying a hand upon her shoulder.
"Why? There's no point in me thinking of falling into normal society, so I'm obviously not going anywhere," Rogue retorted sharply jerking out of his grasp.
"Look, I understand the difficulties you face with your powers. But you know that they make you incredibly strong and adaptable in a fight."
"And fighting is all that matters," Rogue snapped hurrying on to her room.
"No, but it certainly helped me earn a living during the past decade," Logan answered falling in step beside her. Rogue gave him a searching look and he shrugged. "It's how we crossed paths isn't it?"
"I don't think I'll be earning much money by knocking people unconscious." She opened her door and stood in the frame facing away from Wolverine. "Where are you going? We over heard you and Storm."
"I thought I'd get away from the school for a while. Maybe go to Japan and then see that Dr. MacTaggert in Muir Isle."
"Why Moira?" Rogue turned to ask him. She faintly remembered hearing a lesson over ethics involving a comatose man and whether or not to transfer the psych of a physically handicapped individual into one confined in eternal slumber. She never decided what the ethically right thing to do was either.
"If you come with me your powers will probably have resurfaced by the time we reach Muir Isle. According to the notes left behind by Xavier she'd be the best person to help you gain control of your powers. Find a way to flip the off switch." Wolverine sniffed and then turned back into the hallway. "I thought I told you to stay at the pool."
"I have hard head, is made of steel. Did you not know?" Colossus asked with a grin.
"Piotr, you didn't have to leave the pool just because I was throwing a hissy fit," Rogue protested.
"I come because I am your teammate and your friend." His grin grew wider. "You always throw hissy fits. This is nothing new."
"Oh shut up you tin man," Rogue said laughing.
"I wish to go with you," Colossus said.
"It's not a field trip Colossus," Wolverine protested reaching into his inner pocket and pulling out a cigar. He used a lighter to start its flame.
"I didn't think it was. My sister, Illyana, she is very ill."
"Doesn't she still live in Russia?" Rogue asked.
"Yes, but I was thinking that it would be best if she could see Dr. Moira. She is a mutant and this doctor is the expert in the field. The doctors in Moscow can not seem to help her."
"Does she turn into a tin woman?" Wolverine asked blowing smoke into Colossus' face.
Colossus transformed into his steel plated form and looked down at Wolverine from his seven foot and five inches height. "Would you like me to throw you all the way to Japan?"
"Nah, I think I'd rather fly the old fashioned way."
"Oh! I can fly the jet!" Rogue volunteered. Both Wolverine and Colossus exchanged weary expressions. "Don't look like that! Storm gave me lessons so I'm actually rather good at flying now."
"So you're coming with me then?" Wolverine asked extinguishing his cigar on the palm of his hand before tossing the remains into the nearest trash can.
"We're coming with you," Rogue answered with a smile aimed at Colossus. "I'll just pack some things. When did you want to leave?"
"I think it would be best if we take off in the morning," Wolverine suggested.
"Perhaps when we go to Japan we can see some Geisha?" Colossus asked.
Rogue and Wolverine looked at Colossus in surprise. Colossus shrugged. "You think I would not know about such things? I am a big fan of art."
OoOoOoOoO
After dinner Kitty and Rogue went for a walk in the courtyard outside the mansion. Their friendship had become strained for some time. Rogue knew that she had already lost Bobby to Shadowcat and it was time to face that it was the best thing for all the parties involved.
"Kitty, thanks for coming out with me," Rogue said as they sat on a bench to observe the sun setting in the West.
"No problem, we're friends after all," Kitty said.
"I haven't been much of a friend lately."
"You've been going through some rough times is all," Kitty hurried to make an excuse for her.
Rogue burst out laughing. "I'm always going through rough times. I think I'll be able to clear up our problem. Bobby is all yours."
Kitty sputtered at the statement. "Bobby? What are you talking about? There's nothing going on with Bobby and me!"
"Well now if something does go on you don't have to feel guilty about it," Rogue said. "It's over between me and him. I'm going away for a while and when I come back I'll be back on the team and hopefully it won't be awkward."
"Well I never really thought it was awkward before, but I would like to have you back on the team." Kitty leaned closer and whispered in Rogue's ear conspiratorially, "You know I think that Piotr is sweet on you."
Rogue laughed bitterly. "I feel pity for any man that is sweet on me. He'll never be able to get what he wants once my powers return."
"Maybe you'll learn to control your powers," Kitty suggested. She resisted the urge to ask whether or not Bobby ever got what he wanted from Rogue while her powers have been out of commission.
"Glad we had this little talk, Kitty. See you in a few weeks." Rogue rose from the bench and waited for Kitty to join her. They walked back towards the mansion together. "What do you suppose Magneto will do once he regains his powers?"
"Try and take over the world again?" Kitty guessed.
"Maybe. By the way, what do you think about Bobby when he goes all Iceman?"
"It's awesome! I love the way his entire body is encrusted in ice! It's so cool. It's just like when Colossus goes all metal man, you know?" Kitty paused, "Have you talked with Bobby about all this yet?"
Rogue coughed uncomfortably and looked away. "I, um, wrote him a letter."
"You wrote him a letter!" Kitty exclaimed. "You can't do that!"
"Why not? I've never had to break up with anyone before. Last guy I was with, Cody, he's still in a coma!"
"But you can't break up via a letter!" Kitty argued.
"Is there some sort of rule book about how to break up properly? It will be uncomfortable and he'll claim that nothing is wrong between us. It will be easier if I break up like this and then go away. Less room for argument."
Kitty shrugged. "Well I guess it doesn't really matter how you break up, the result is the same. But you and Bobby are going to be teammates."
"And we'll just have to get over the awkwardness," Rogue whispered when she noticed the icy mutant in question.
"You need to do it the proper way," Kitty argued. She waved, gaining Bobby's attention.
"What are you doing?"
"Helping you end things properly. Now go do it," Kitty said shoving Rogue towards her boyfriend.
"Hi Bobby, bye Bobby. See you later Rogue," Kitty called as she ran away leaving her two friends alone.
"Hi Marie," Bobby said with a smile as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I haven't seen you much this evening."
"That's because I've been avoiding you."
"Avoiding me?" Bobby echoed in disbelief reaching for Rogue's hand. "Why?"
"I'm leaving."
"Leaving? Why?"
"I'm going with Logan and Piotr to Japan, we'll be gone for a few weeks."
"Japan? What's in Japan?"
"Geisha apparently."
"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? What's going on Marie, you've been acting strange for the past few days."
"I think we need to break up Bobby."
"Come right to the point, don't you?"
"Yeah I do. And start calling me Rogue again."
Bobby blinked in confusion. "You're going too fast for me. Why are you breaking up with me and why are you going by Rogue again instead of Marie?"
"Because the mutant suppression is only temporary and it's not fair to keep you from exploring other relationships when you've got a girlfriend you can't touch."
Bobby reached out and cupped Rogue's cheek in his hand. "But I can touch you now. We've been touching each other for a while now. Are you just going to turn off your feelings for me so easily?"
Rogue reached up and held his hand against her face before turning to kiss his palm. "I can see the chemistry between you and Kitty even if you can't. I think the two of you should give it a try. She's a great girl and you're a great guy. If I can't have you I'd be glad to know at least someone who deserves you is making you happy." She pulled away from him and then gave him a sad smile.
"So this is it?" Bobby asked quietly.
"It's for the best. I'll see you in a few weeks."
Bobby watched as Rogue walked away from him realizing that for the past few weeks it had been he who had walked away from her. He didn't care for the reverse situation one bit.
On his way to his own bed room he passed Colossus' room. There was a duffle bag sitting on his bed and the Russian giant was busy tossing things out of his closet onto his bed. "Packing?" Bobby asked.
Piotr turned to face him. "Yes."
"Going to Japan?"
"And Russia to see my family."
Bobby leaned against the door frame. "Take care of her, will you? She's not as strong as she likes to think she is."
"I know and I will."
"Right, well see you guys in a few weeks. Send me a postcard or two."
