A/N: I forgot to update... heh, sorry! Please review!
Storm watched as the young girl walked in the garden, her long hair swaying from side to side. It was nearing a month that she'd been here and things had certainly changed for the better. Storm had watched fondly as the relationship between her master and this young girl grew. They ate their meals, sitting side by side. They took walks in the garden together and just the other day the master had taken her horse riding. Smiling to herself Storm concentrated and lifted her hands. The clouds rolled in and a light snow fell. Looking down she watched Rogue twirl, catching snowflakes on her gloved hand. A moment later she heard the door carefully open and close, and felt someone standing next to her. Chuckling lightly she glanced sideways and marvelled at the look of affection on her usually brusque masters face.
"She loves the snow." Storm remarked.
"Hm."
"She's happy, you know?"
"Has... does she... has she spoken to you?"
"No. But I can tell."
"How?"
"She used to cry... a lot... but now... now she hums while she gets dressed, smiles a lot and asks if you're okay."
"She asks about me?"
"It's strange... on the nights when you're locked in the west wing, though she can't hear you, she knows something's wrong. She feels your pain."
"What have you told her?!"
"Nothing. She just knows-"
"Her power."
"Well, yes but something deeper to. She always knew that something was happening but lately she channels your pain."
"I feel better... when I'm with her."
"You should tell her."
"She's just so... and I'm... I want to do something nice for her... but what?"
Storm and started to think. As she thought she looked down and watched as played with a fox. The little thing was chasing her skirt as Rogue ran in circles. She looks stunning, thought Storm, her eyes running over the pale green dress, smiling at the way her long hair was decorated with snow.
"What does she like?" asked Storm.
She waited for an answer but was met with silence. Afraid she'd asked the wrong question she tore her gaze away from Rogue to look at her master. Her eyes widened at the soft expression that graced his features.
"She loves touch. Whenever she touches something her eyes light up and a small smile forms on her lips. It has to be something and not someone. If she touches anything that's living, she shies away in fear. But when its paper, cloth, water, snow... the sleeve of my shirt..."
His eyes became out of focus and his gazed dropped to the girl below. Storm watched in amazement as he smiled fully, looking more handsome than she'd ever known her master to be. Realising he was being watched, the smile dropped and he coughed to hide the blush creeping on his cheeks. Storm looked away for a moment before returning her gaze to him, waiting for him to continue.
"She has that look in her eyes that make the world seem like a better place." He whispered.
Storm smiled and then looked down. Rogue hand now taken off one glove and was carefully stroking the fox. There was a look of amazement in her eyes and a small smile on her face. The fox sniffed and then scampered away as the snow became heavier. Storm groaned inwardly but gave up trying to control the weather. On good days she could but it took too much out of her to try. Rogue was now sitting in the snow, her hands idly touching the snow, a smile still on her lips. She looked up suddenly and her smile grew. She waved and Storm waved back, eyes darting to the side. Her master didn't wave, but there was a smile on her face that Storm knew was just for the young girl below.
"I have an idea." Whispered Storm.
Rogue sighed, her arms in front of her. She couldn't see and that made her tense. If she couldn't see, she couldn't make sure her skin was covered. If her skin wasn't covered then someone could get hurt. Namely Logan who had an arm wrapped around hers as he guided her to some unknown destination. Why was she blindfolded? Because Logan had come into her room when she'd gone up after breakfast, taken a piece of cloth at her and blindfolded her. She'd almost tripped her long green gown, Logan seemed to insist she wear green, but he still wouldn't take the blindfold off.
"Logan-"
"Almost there."
Huffing, she grudgingly allowed him to lead her to only god knows where. He'd been acting strange since yesterday. He was very... affectionate almost. He held her hand at breakfast and kissed the top of her head when he said goodnight. He waited for her by her door when she woke up in the morning and followed her everywhere. Last night when they'd sat in front of the fire talking, he'd pulled her into his arms and let her snuggle there. The little voice in her head growled and protested, 'The Wolverine doesn't snuggle!', but she ignored it. She fumbled blindly with her left hand to locate the arm wrapped around her right arm. Her fingers came across something hard but warm and she knew she'd found his claws. She slowly ran her hand up his, feeling the claws, then the point where they came out of his hand and finally his strong hands. She ran her gloved hand slowly over his hand, trying to soothe the tension that having the claws out all the time had caused. They came to a stop and she heard the unmistakeable sound of a door opening. They walked again for a few seconds before they stopped and he let go of her arm. As he moved away she felt a little colder and wished he was back by her side. She heard sounds of shuffling and the room seemed to be getting lighter, though it was hard to tell through the blindfold. Then she felt him behind her and her blindfold was carefully sliced away. As she slowly opened her eyes, she gasped in surprise. It was a huge library filled with books, books and more books. There were great big windows, leather seats and in the corner a tea-tray filled with cakes and sandwiches.
"It's wonderful." She whispered.
"Take off your gloves."
She froze and turned to him slowly. He smiled and gestured around the room.
"This room is yours now. You can touch everything in here. It's safe for you. You can be normal Marie."
"Thank you."
"There's one more thing."
He lifted his hands to his neck and pulled off the tags that lay there. He then gently put them in her hand and smiled.
"I want you to keep them."
"Okay."
She put the tags around her neck and then carefully pulled off her gloves, placing them on a nearby table. She walked over to one of the shelves and pulled out a book. The hard cover made her skin tingle with a beautiful sensation. She sat on one of the leather chairs, fingers running over the smooth leather. As she opened the book she let her fingers run over the smooth glossy paper. She looked up in time to see Logan walking out.
"Wait!"
He stopped by the door and turned to face her. She gestured to the seat beside her.
"Sit with me?"
"I'd get bored and distract you."
"You could read." she suggested.
He sighed and shook his head, holding up his claws.
"I used to read all day but now with these it's difficult."
"Oh."
She looked away for a moment before smiling and turning her head towards him again.
"You can listen to me read, I mean, I know my voice is terrible but-"
"Your voice is beautiful."
"Is that a yes?"
He smiled and closed the door before moving forward to sit next to her. She waited until he was comfortably seated before turning the first page and reading.
Scott Summers rubbed his hands together gleefully before entering the tavern. It was quite, not many villagers were out at midnight. In the corner he could see a single candle lit as an old man sat in the corner, looking at some papers behind him. Scott smiled and hung his cloak by the door before moving towards the table. He sat opposite the old man. Erik Magnus Lenksher was feared and respected by all mutants. He ran what was known as the local asylum where he himself controlled the walls with his power over metal. It was a place for mutants who used their powers for their own selfish needs and those with extreme powers that were a threat to the peace of the village. He'd once taken Rogue when she was six but returned her two her family two years later when she became severely ill and near death.
As he sat down the waitress brought him a beer and walked off. Erik chuckled evilly and sipped his own drink.
"I see young Emma is still quite taken with you."
Scott shrugged and looked at the busty blonde. She noticed she had his attention and waved. He merely turned back to his drink and shook his head. Erik's expression grew grim and he stroked his silver beard.
"I don't usually leave the asylum in the middle of the night, but he said you'd make it worth my while"
"You see it's like this. I've got my heart set on marrying Marie, but she needs a little... persuasion."
"I'm listening."
"Everyone knows her father's a lunatic. I was at his home the other day, listening to him ramble on about some mansion she's trapped in."
"Xavier is harmless."
"Yes, but if Marie were to hear something had happened to her father she'd be back in a heartbeat."
"So you want me to lock-up her father in order to force her to marry you... that is despicable."
Scott raised an eyebrow at Erik's disgusted expression and eventually the old man smirked and chuckled again.
"Oh I like it."
"Perfect."
"Very well, I'll go make the arrangements. You know where to find me when you're ready." Said Erik.
"Agreed."
Erik nodded and then stood up, put on his cloak and walked out of the bar. Scott drank his beer and waited a few seconds. Within minutes his trustful friend Mortimer Toynbee or Toad, sat next to him. They called him Toad because of his amphibious mutation and also his slick and oily ways. Toad wrapped the table and within in minutes Emma brought him a beer. She threw him a look of disgust and then looked at Scott lovingly before walking away.
"Well?" asked Scott.
"Nothing, I've asked around but no-one has seen her. Also, her family have not left the house in weeks."
"Damn... anything else?"
"There are rumours that the Gambit is back."
"LeBeau? Impossible, I watched him walk into that forest myself."
"Nu-uh. Miss Braddock told me she saw him and young Jubilee in the garden at their house."
"Did she read their minds?"
"No sir, they have them strong mental barriers because they're daughters o' telepaths."
Scott shook his head and banged his fist on the table.
"Toad you are to stay near the house and not leave no matter what. Understood?"
"Aw come on-"
Scott reached forward and placed his hands tightly around Toad's neck.
"Understood?" he hissed.
"Why yes Mr Summers sir."
"Good, no get out of my sight and don't come back until Marie comes home."
Toad nodded and scampered off. Scott sighed and threw his beer across the room, causing it to fly into the opposite wall. Within minutes another appeared and he looked up and gave Emma a grateful smile.
"Thank you Miss Frost."
"It's a pleasure Mr Summers. Anything for you."
He smirked as the busty blonde flipped back her hair and bent forward to show her cleavage. She squeezed his bicep before leaving. He drank his beer quickly and sighed. When Marie was his wife she would have a lot to make up for.
Rogue sighed and pulled nervously at her silver gloves. She was wearing a floor length ball gown, gloves and shoes, which were all silver. Her auburn hair was done in a bun on top of her head and her white bangs framed her face. She stood at the top of the stairs of the grand ballroom staring at how beautiful it looked. Everything was blue and covered in ice and snow thanks to Iceman and Storm. By the windows were purple roses that were now growing abundantly in the back grove.
Hearing someone clear his or her throat she looked up just in time to see Logan enter the ballroom. He was looking around and pointing to things while muttering to Iceman who was standing next to him. Logan looked amazing in a specially fitted tuxedo, his beard trimmed and hair looking less wild. Storm nudged her forward and Rogue took a deep breath before stepping out into the ballroom. She thought about how oddly quiet it was as she descended the stairs. As she reached the last step, Logan was there with a charming smile on his face.
"Marie." He breathed, his eyes wondering over her.
She blushed and reached to take his hand. He pulled his hand back but she was faster and clutched his hand, mindful of his claws.
"I trust you." She whispered.
He nodded and led her to the dance floor. Music started and Rogue looked around to see Pyro with a microphone and Iceman by a piano. The music started and Rogue placed one of Logan's hands on her waist and the other in her hand.
And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cause sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight
And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything seems like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know your alive
And I don't want the world to see me
Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
Rogue looked up as she felt herself being moved. Logan led her through the doors of the balcony and onto the veranda. She blushed having not realised that while dancing she had put her head on his chest to listen to his heart. Sighing sadly she sat on the bench and gazed over the garden.
"Marie… are... are you happy here?"
"Of course I am but…"
"But?"
"I miss my family. I wonder where they are… if they're okay. If only I could see them."
She sighed again and looked at her gloves. The silver shone in the moonlight.
"There is a way." Whispered Logan.
"How?"
Logan sighed and handed her something from his pocket.
"What is it?" she asked.
"It's a magic mirror. It'll show you anything you want, just ask."
Marie nodded and looked into the small mirror.
"I want to see my family… please."
The mirror shone red before a picture was revealed to her. She gasped as she saw the authorities drag Remy and Jubilee away.
"You can't do this! You can't. Leave my father alone!" came Jubilee's voice from within the mirror.
"Oh no." She whispered.
"What?"
"My family, something's happening! They need me…"
She stood up and was about to rush to her room when she remembered where she was. She turned slowly and looked at Logan. But he was looking over the balcony.
"You should go." He whispered.
"But-"
"You no longer have to abide by the terms of your imprisonment. You're free."
"Thank you, thank so much."
She reached around her neck to give back the tags but he shook his head and stilled her hands.
"Keep it... so you'll always remember us and your time here."
She nodded and ran upstairs. Hurrying into her room she tore off her dress and donned her normal one that she'd came here in and her green travelling cloak. She then hurried to the front door where a black horse was waiting for her. She climbed on after putting some things in the saddle bag and pulled at the reins. The horse broke into a run and as she sped through the gates she could hear a pained roar coming from inside the castle.
I just want you to know who I am