Disclaimer: Wolverine, Rogue, and any other X-Men characters are the property of Marvel. I do not claim ownership of them. I simply like to pretend that they're my little pets and I manipulate the hell out of them.
Nothing Else Matters- Rogue has nothing left at the Institute, except for Logan. But, he pushes her away and she finds herself torn and broken. What's a girl to do? She leaves, knowing that she can never return once she leaves the safe walls that have caged her in. Broken and lost, a battered and soul searching Rogue returns to her roots against her true wishes to find that leaving was her only option, but not necessarily the best.
A/N: Everyone has been wondering what happened to Rogue after she left the Mansion, right? Well, this chapter jumps into that, so pay close attention. There are a number of hints in this chapter alone, so I'd like to see you all pick them up. Thanks to my wonderful beta, Stef! She got this back to me quickly considering that I kidnapped her yesterday and she had to do in between classes today. And a huge thanks my reviewers: ChiBi BluEStaR, PyroWhore, dulcesweet, Nicki-hunny, CaptMacKenzie, cindy, piratearrow, noro, nevermindthebuttocks, and La Mariposa3795I'm simply amazed by the positive feedback that I continue to get for this story!
Super special thanks to JC Roberts for her input on the way this story will unfold! If you haven't checked out her stories yet, you should! She's mah literary hero!
-Nothing Else Matters-
CHAPTER TEN
Leaving the Mansion during the beginning of a snowstorm, turned out to be the only bit of luck that I had over the next few days. The trucker that I'd managed to flag down took me as far as the city before kindly kicking me out into the frigid air. Of course I had seen New York City a number of times since joining the Institute, but I must admit that it loses a lot of its grandeur when you're walking through a back alley on the lower east side. My savings didn't amount to much, and I knew that I'd have to find someway to find gainful employment.
My first night away from the only home I'd ever really known was spent huddled on a bench near a small, rundown park. I woke up to the prod of an aggravated police officer.
"You do realize that you're sleeping outside and it's not even ten degrees out, right, girly?" slightly portly, the cop reminded me of an old friend of my Daddy's back in Mississippi. "You should be getting on home before your folks get worried. Hear?"
Barely managing a nod, I hugged the duffel close to my chest and stood on shaky legs. "Sorry," I mumbled as I walked away, my head hung low as I stared pointedly at the snow-covered ground. I shuffled along, thankful that I'd thought to wear my favorite brown boots. I didn't look up again until the draw of something delicious made me sniff the air curiously. Glancing around, I found that I was standing in the middle of a slow intersection, facing what appeared to be a diner. "Willie's, eh?" my stomach began to rumble as I picked up the pace and walked toward the slightly rundown building.
A bell jingled overhead as I pushed the door opened and stepped into the comfortably warm interior of the diner. I felt more at ease as a few heads turned to look at me and I received only smiles. It seemed that the place was a warm and welcome one. I eased my cold body into a booth farthest away from the door and sat the bag next to me. I rubbed my gloved fingers together anxiously, trying to get warm as I took in the sights.
"Can I get ya something, honey?" I jerked slightly as I looked up into the smiling face of a tired looking woman. Her dark crimson uniform looked too large for her frame, but was too short for a woman of her age. "You look like ya momma aint' fed ya in weeks," she smiled as she pulled a pen and a pad out of the apron around her hips.
"Ah don't know actually," I glanced over the scarred tabletop and fingered the glossy menu slowly. Opening it, I found myself wanting everything that it boasted. It all sounded so good for some reason, and I couldn't help but wonder if I could sample everything without having to be rolled out of the place. "Everything sounds good," I looked up at her name tag and smiled, "Anna."
Her bright pink lips parted in a smile as she leaned forward and pointed at the breakfast display. "As a professional in this sort've thing, I'm going to insist that you have the Waffles Blast," she nodded her head decisively as she wrote the order down on her pad. The meal, it seemed, came with a side of 'your choice' of meat, home fries, toast, coffee, and juice. "You'll be wantin' the bacon, no doubt," she muttered to herself as she continued. "But hold the onions and gravy on the home fries. No coffee, but maybe some cocoa afterwards. Orange juice, it is," she placed the pen in her apron before glancing back down at me. "Now you make yourself comfortable, honey. I'll go put this in and see if Ol' Willie'll push it through, hear?" she winked at me over her shoulder as she walked toward the counter. She went to the small serving window and placed the order on the the rack and spun it around. Her hair, obviously a dyed blonde, was short and piled up on top of her head like Dolly Parton's. For some reason, I found her warm and inviting.
I entertained myself by glancing around at the other diners and workers, receiving nothing but smiles in return. There were at least two other waitresses working the tables, a busboy, and an older man standing behind the counter just serving coffee and talking to everyone and anyone. Unlike all of the other places in New York, I was surprised to see smoke swirling through the air. I wasn't quite sure about the law, but I was almost certain that you had to obtain a special ordinance waiver to have smoking in your facility. The smell of cigars only added to the atmosphere.
Logan'd like it here, I smiled to myself as Anna suddenly whisked back over to me and placed a large platter in front of me. My eyes went wide at the huge servings as she sat down my glass and handed me a roll of silverware. "Honey, trust me, yer eyes and stomach are gonna agree on this one," she chuckled aloud at her own little joke before slipping away, leaving me to my breakfast.
I giggled quietly to myself as I glanced over the delicious spread. Fresh strawberries were spread atop the three homemade waffles and a small bottle of strawberry syrup sat in front of me. How'd she know that it's mah favorite? I pulled the dark gloves off and sat them on the booth next to me. I couldn't help but grin as I took that first delectable bite. Before I knew it, I had completely cleaned my plate and downed the large glass of orange juice. "Ah can't believe Ah ate all that," my eyes went wide as I pushed the platter away and shook my head.
"Didn't I tell you that you'd be able to finish it all?" I smiled as Anna slid into the booth, placing herself just across from me. She pulled an ashtray toward here with a quirk of her brow, as if she were asking if she could light up. When I said nothing, she pulled a wrinkled pack of Marlboros out of her apron and lit up one. She took a few drags before smiling at me again. "The old man doesn't mind if I take my break in here, and I figured y' could use someone to talk to," she took another drag from her cigarette. Her nails were long and painted a bubble gum pink. It was far too young of a color for her, but it made her look festive instead of old and outdated.
"It was great, thanks," I looked down and felt jolted to realize that I wasn't wearing any gloves. Of course yah ain't, I berated myself for being so stupid. I tapped my fingers on the scarred tabletop before meeting her deep brown eyes. "It was really good and I'm really glad Ah trusted yah judgment." We were quiet for a few moments as she continued to smoke her cigarette and I continued to watch her. I still hadn't gotten used to the fact that I didn't have to be so cold and distant, as touch was not a problem anymore. But somewhere along the line, I think I lost my people skills. "Do yah know any cheap places round here fah uh girl, Anna?"
The question was sudden and unexpected enough to cause her brows to dip in thought. She crushed out her cigarette in the glass ashtray. "I reckon I know of a few places 'round here that could help a girl like you out. But there ain't too many of 'em, ya know. Seems like there's always some poor soul lost in this city and lookin' for a place to just slip into the cracks for a bit. That what you tryin' to do?" she eyed me silently for a moment as I met her gaze evenly. When I said nothing, she only nodded her head. "Just so happens the old man has a few rooms 'cross the alley, sugar."
My chest swelled up as I sucked in a deep breath and stared at her in awe. "Really? Ah mean, that would be a Godsend, Anna. It don't even have tah be fah a long time. Just till Ah get back on mah feet," I had to fight the urge to keep my hands still, or else I knew I would be clenching them together in a worried fashion. It took a few moments before a genuine smile crossed her features, letting me know that the place was mine. "Ah can't thank yah a'nough, Anna!" I gushed as true relief flooded through me. I'd never considered what I would actually do once I left the Mansion, so it was good to know that there were at least a few options out there for me.
"No problem, sweets," she smiled broadly, her slightly yellowed teeth almost glinting in the light that shone down from the bright fluorescents. She glanced over her shoulder toward the kitchen and nodded her head at the man that poked his head through. He disappeared quickly, however, when he caught my gaze. When she turned her eyes back toward me, she gave me a calculating glance. "Now honey, it ain't usual for Ol' Willie t' take in strays like yourself. He usually rents 'em out, so you'll understand if he charges y' rent, right?"
Deflated, my hopes seemed to disappear into thin air as my shoulders slumped and I nodded my head slowly. I had taken a bit of money with me when I'd left the Institute, but I knew that it was nowhere near enough to support myself for more than a few days. Why don't Ah ever think ahead? I berated myself mentally as I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. "Ah understand, Anna. Ah just don't know how Ah'm gonna pay fah somethin' with no job."
"Well, I don't suppose workin' tables is your sort'a thing, but I bet Ol' Willie'd be glad to give ya a chance. After all, a sweet looking girl like you'd be able to pull in the tips," the knot in my chest slowly went away as I nodded my head quickly. "Or better yet, I bet Willie could get ya a job pouring drafts next door."
My brows arched tightly together as I wracked my memory for the building next to the diner, but I was coming up empty. "There's a bar next door?" I asked, my voice soft with confusion and intrigue as I thought about the prospect of having an actual job. So maybe bar tending wasn't exactly the most glamorous job in the world, but it paid.
"Well, it's more o' a club-like place, sweets," she pursed her lips together for a moment. "Now, I can set ya up a meeting with Clark, he runs the joint, but that's about all I can do, honey. Ol' Willie's willin' t' put in a good word f' you, providin' that you're gonna rent one of his places out, 'kay?" her eyes stared deep into mine as I slowly nodded my head. With a satisfied smile, she pursed her lips together and leaned back against the leathery booth. "You go ahead and finish up here then head on over there. Don't worry 'bout the breakfast," she slid out of the booth and slid the package of cigarettes back into her apron before looking back down at me. "It's on me."
I watched as she strutted toward the kitchen and disappeared inside, presumably to wash her hands. Smiling to myself, I slowly finished the rest of my orange juice and took one last look at the diner itself. With a self-satisfied feeling, I slowly slipped on my gloves and picked up the duffel. I pulled the hood of the dark green jacket over my head before I walked out and out of the door. The bell tinkered overhead, causing me to smile even more. The moment I was outside and on the street, however, apprehension filled me. My eyes roamed over the buildings next to the diner, but nothing screamed bar to me. In fact, they looked abandoned.
My eyes widened in surprise as the door of the building to the left of the diner suddenly opened. The doorway was completely dark, and I could see no further inside. It was eerie, and for a moment I considered turning around and walking away, pretending that I'd never been offered the job in the first place. But, something drew me inside of that door and inside of that building.
It was pitch black inside, and I jumped a foot off of the ground when the door was slammed shut behind me. I heard what sounded like locks being turned behind me as I clutched the duffel tightly in front of me, prepared to wield it as a weapon if necessary. But, it wasn't.
My eyes blinked quickly as light suddenly filled the room, momentarily blinding me. "Least Anna was smart 'nough t' give me a call this time. Else ya'd been standing outside all mornin' looking like a lamb lookin' for its shepherd, girl," I turned to find myself face to face with a shadowed figure. The glowing tip of a cigarette was the only thing that I could make out, until he stepped forward. He was a tall, gangly man, of probably thirty-years of age. He had a stubbled beard, bloodshot eyes, and blond hair that was just long enough to curl over his ears. Bad boy alert, I thought to myself as he gave me a quick glance over.
"Are yah Clark?" I asked, surprised by the calm that was evident in my voice. He only stared at me for a full minute while I shuffled my feet and did my best to keep his gaze. He finally nodded his head and gave a gruff affirmation. "Anna said that yah had a job bartendin'."
His dark blond brows rose slightly as he nodded his head. "How old are ya, girl?"
"Old enough," I retorted quickly, squaring my shoulders and looking him dead in the eyes. "Ah ain't gonna be drinkin' the stuff, just servin' it, Clark."
He considered me for a moment before he ran his left hand over his chin in thought. "Not sure this is the type of job you're looking for, sweet cakes. Once ya sign up, there's no turning back. You understand?" it was more of a statement than a question, so I found myself a bit confused.
"Yah act like Ah'm joinin' the mob, Clark," I shook my head and let out a forced chuckle as my eyes met his. "Wait, yah tellin' meh this is tha mob?" When he only continued to stare at me, I found my grip on the duffel loosening. "Oh mah Gawd," it fell to the floor with a dull thump as I shook my head. "Ah ain't lookin' fah no trouble. The mob ain't mah thing."
Clark stared at me with his head cocked to the side slightly before he pulled the cigarette out of his mouth and held it between his forefinger and his thumb. "No, it ain't the mob, girl. This look like the type o' place the mob be hanging out?" I shook my head quickly. "I'll give ya a trial run tonight. What ya want me callin, ya, girl?"
"Rogue," I replied immediately, not sure why I didn't feel comfortable giving him my real name. Anna didn't even ask meh mah name, I realized with a frown. "Mah name's Rogue."
Nodding to himself in approval, he took another pull from his cigarette. "This is just a front, Rogue. Ain't no one gonna come up in here expectin' to be served. You meet me here at ten tonight and I'll take yah to the location. Ya gotta a problem with that?" I shook my head quickly. It didn't really matter if I did have one, did it? "Good. Now, you better be wearin' somethin' other than those. It's a classy place, but you'll be expected to look at least attractive."
Am Ah supposed tah be offended? I raised a brow in his direction. "Got a suggestion on the uniform, boss?"
"Tighter jeans, skimpy shirt, and pull your hair back," he unlocked the door and flicked off the light before opening the door a few inches. "Oh, you get paid in tips, but they're good. Just think of it this way: more skin showin' means more spendin' money," he pulled it open a few more inches and I quickly walked out.
The moment that the sunlight hit my face, a surge of relief coursed through me. The door clicked shut behind me, and I didn't bother to look back at it as I walked quickly over to the diner and into its warm comforting interior. Anna immediately rushed over, placing the coffee pot that she had in her hand on the counter before reaching me. "How'd it go?" her voice was full of hope as she beamed at me.
"Ah got the job, fah now," I beamed at her as I felt a feeling of satisfaction slip into my veins. "Ah think it's on a trial basis, but it's uh start!" I felt like shouting at the top of my lungs, but knew it would seem too childish.
"I knew you'd get the gig, sweets!" she clapped her hands together once before reaching into her apron and pulling out a key that dangled from a fuzzy troll keychain. "I already got things sorted with Willie and you're good to go," she pressed the key into my hand and closed my fist around it. "Now, I know that it ain't gonna look like much, but it's safe and it's clean. You just go right outside and go around to the alley and follow it back to the wooden stairs. They'll take ya on up to your new place," she seemed more excited by the prospect than I felt. "He said he'd come up on his break and talk t' you about things, alright?"
I nodded quickly and let out a short huff of breath. "Anna, Ah can't thank yah enough fah this," I began, but was cut off when she shook her head.
"I can tell that you're a good girl, sweets. Now you just prove me right and come back down here before your shift tonight and get ya some grub before headin' on over there," she grabbed my left shoulder and nudged me toward the door. "Oh, and ya might wanna take a good long nap, honey. No tellin' what time you'll be getting' back from your first shift!" she called out after me as the door tinkered shut behind me.
Dazed, I made my way around the backside of the row of buildings and walked down the deserted alley until I found myself at the base of a wooden staircase. The building was blue, though the base was brick and it looked old. I stepped onto the staircase hesitantly, worried that it would collapse any second. But, when I'd made it halfway up and it hadn't swayed, I deemed it safe enough. I made it to the top and stood on the landing for a full minute as I examined the worn door that had a faded 4 on the front of it. I slowly inserted the key and turned it, pushing the door open when I heard an audible click.
Sure is small, I thought as I bit my lip and stepped into the dimly lit apartment.
But, for the moment, it was home.
A/N: Huh, Huh? Anybody pick anything strange up in this chapter? I hope that it doesn't seem like a major waste of time since it's not as filled with action and interesting facts as the chapters usually are. The reasoning behind the way this story is written will be revealed soon, I promise! Just read and digest the lovely facts. Please, review and let me know your thoughts on the story as a whole!