Disclaimer: I do not own X-Men: Evolution or any of its characters.
Title: The Differences Between Us
Summary: Kitty doesn't understand Rogue, and Rogue doesn't understand Kitty. But when they are suddenly thrown into the other's body, they'll have to learn to cope quickly.
Author's Note: So, while finishing the last chapter I had this one in mind, which is how I was able to put it out so quickly. I wanted to move things along a little. Hopefully this still seems in character, while still evolving a bit. Anyway, please feel free to leave any comments or reviews. Thanks.
Chapter 11 – Joyride
Kitty and Rogue didn't talk to each other for the rest of the weekend. In fact, their silence rolled over into the week. Neither was budging, which wasn't a complete shock, since both were known to be stubborn. Noticing the tension, Jean sought help from Professor Xavier, who had yet to return with Scott, but he didn't have an answer just yet. His best advice, still, was to keep a close eye on them.
Her anger actually seemed to fuel Rogue to do better at school. Though her mind would randomly wander to Kitty, she found herself buried in schoolwork as a distraction. Not only that, but due to whatever had occurred at the party, it seemed that she was even more sought after than usual. Granted she didn't have to necessarily deal with the chatty friend, who must have taken offense to being ignored over the weekend, but instead she had to deal with the rest of the school that had been present at Duncan Matthews' party.
It wasn't even halfway through the day when she found herself yearning for the solitude that her old body provided. Clearly, it wasn't something that Kitty could easily find, not if she didn't want to upset people that is.
Several times throughout the school day Rogue caught sight of Lance Alvers and actually found herself staring. She couldn't help immediately blaming him for all of her problems, but after a moment or two she would rethink her initial reaction. The guilt that Kitty placed on her, however, was unbearable. After hearing what Lance had said, she felt solely responsible for their problems and now their break up.
Kitty, on the other hand, couldn't stay focused. Her attention was everywhere, but she really wasn't concerned about school the way she might have been in her own body. She was still fuming about Rogue's audacity and selfishness.
In the last class of the day, she found herself paying more attention to the scenery outside of the window than what was written on the board in the front of the classroom. At least that allowed her to dwell unhealthily on her last encounter with Rogue. And, each minute she spent thinking about it, the more frustrated she grew.
She couldn't grasp why Rogue would have thought it at all acceptable to break up with Lance. All she had to do was wait this thing out until the Professor could find a way of reversing it. But, instead, very much like her character, Rogue went and spoiled everything. She had to be right—she always did! That was what had started that terrible fight with Lance just days prior.
Part of her wanted to retaliate, seek revenge. But, another part of her wanted to break down and cry. It was draining living the life of another person. It almost didn't seem real that Rogue could have severed the ties that Lance and Kitty had with just one little conversation. And, thinking on that note, she wondered if those tears she wanted to shed so badly were actually for her realization that perhaps their relationship hadn't been strong enough to begin with. Perhaps she was just fooling herself.
As soon as that final bell rang, Kitty was up and out. She stopped by Rogue's locker to exchange textbooks before slinging the backpack over her shoulder and headed out of the front doors. Immediately she spied Kurt and Rogue gathering just off to the side on the front lawn, probably discussing plans to teleport back home. She wasn't completely thrilled to have to join them.
She had barely made it down the front steps when a new opportunity presented itself.
"Rogue," the suave deep voice called.
Kitty stopped and turned. It couldn't have been anyone other than Remy LeBeau, resting on the bannister. She narrowed her eyes, suspicious. Besides, his presence was adding to her frustration. Though he appeared welcoming and friendly enough, she wasn't sure she wanted to see him at that time.
"What do you want?" she said quietly in a tone close to a growl.
He stood and shrugged, appearing slightly uncomfortable. "I thought about what you had said the last time we had met."
Kitty had forgotten in all of her anger. But now, it came flooding back. She had been attempting to bring Rogue and Remy together, thinking that perhaps that would change things. However, now, she wasn't so sure. She wanted to abandon the project altogether, finding herself bitter to the idea of romance.
"Just forget about it," she said, intent on walking away from him. "Forget I said anything."
Remy was quick, though. He put himself in front of her, blocking her path. It was only natural that he should assume that she was mad at him. Especially, after the way she had left him at the café. Initially she had done that in order to get his attention. Now she didn't want it.
She sighed. "Remy, get out of my way."
He held up his hands, palms facing her, as if to stop her more so than she already was. "Now, just hold on a moment. I realized that there are things I need to say to you."
Kitty rolled her eyes.
"Rogue!" Kurt stood on his tiptoes and waved in her direction, as if she couldn't see him. "Rogue, over here!"
As he waved in Kitty's direction, grabbing her attention, Rogue turned and looked at them. As soon as she spotted Remy talking with Kitty, a flush filled her face, forcing her to pivot back around to hide it.
Kitty let out a sound of disgust, which Remy instantly picked up on.
He glanced between their two groups, his eyes eventually landing back onto Kitty and staying there. "Something wrong?"
Kitty shook her head, turning her back in Rogue's direction. "I just can't deal with her right now."
Remy paused. "Do you wanna get out of here?"
She perked up at that, looking at him wide-eyed. "Can we?"
He jabbed a thumb toward the street. "I've got a bike just over there."
Kitty took another look over at Rogue, who was glaring at her now. She grabbed Remy by the front of his trench coat and began pulling him in the direction of his motorcycle. "Let's go."
xXx
Kitty enjoyed the wind rushing through her hair as they flew down the road away from everyone she knew. Remy was in front, steering the motorcycle deftly and professionally, while she maintained a sturdy grip on him from behind. At first, she had been rather nervous, but it took only minutes for her to relax and trust in Remy. Well, not so much trust in him as simply leave all of her cares on the pavement behind them.
It was freeing to be able to forget about everything, if even for just a little while. She was always so tense, so concerned. Well, not anymore.
Remy slowed down and pulled off into a little park. While there were people present, enjoying the outdoors, Remy still managed to locate an empty bench for them. Kitty led the procession, a smile stretching out her lips. Her hands rested atop her head, making her appear like she was stretching after a rigorous exercise.
"That was amazing," she exclaimed, whirling around to face him, once they were at the bench.
Remy lowered himself into the seat first, unable to keep from smiling himself. He lounged back, balancing his arms on the backrest of the bench. "I figured a girl like you would already be used to motorcycles," he mused.
Her arms dropped, and her hands came to rest on her hips. Her grin turned into a sly smirk. "And what kind of girl am I, exactly?"
He shrugged. "I don't know if I should answer that."
They both chuckled.
Kitty finally fell back into the seat next to him, sighing as she did so. After a brief pause, she said sincerely, "Thank you for this. I really needed to clear my head."
"You seemed a bit stressed out. I take it that Kitty isn't making things easy for you."
"What?" she breathed, confused. But then she remembered. She had forgotten that she was actually Rogue at the moment, not herself. She had been so caught up in a whirlwind that she had managed to forget who she was. Or, who she was supposed to be.
Her gaze dropped to the ground, rather saddened. "Oh, right. Yeah, she is." She sighed. "To be honest, she just screwed up my entire life in a matter of minutes without giving a second thought to the consequences." She shook her head. "She's so selfish sometimes."
It was Remy's turn to look confused. "She did that? That doesn't really sound like something Kitty would do. From all of the things you complain about her, she still never comes off as being so careless that way."
Kitty sat up straight and peered at him with a new perspective. She hadn't expected him to say something like that. "You know what, you're right. Kitty," and she emphasized her own name here, in hopes of defending herself, "isn't bad at all. She really only has the best intentions at heart. I should cut her some slack."
Remy chuckled to himself. "Well you changed your mind awfully quick."
"Yeah, well, I guess you helped me clear my head and put things into perspective." Kitty smiled. "Thank you."
Remy hesitated for a couple of seconds. "To tell you the truth, I brought you out here for rather selfish reasons, Rogue. I wanted to talk to you about what you said the other day."
Kitty felt a fluttering of butterflies in her stomach, recalling what she had said to him and her intentions at the time. "Like I said," she muttered, "just forget about the whole thing."
"That's the problem, though," he responded, a bit more animated, "I can't."
He reached out and grabbed her hand. It caused Kitty to start physically, but luckily she had on the usual leather gloves to prevent against any skin-to-skin contact. Ever since Kurt, though, she was a bit more cautious and jumpy in close quarters.
"You were so honest and open," he continued, "I guess I just wasn't prepared for that. I mean, you aren't really the type to share her feelings. Maybe part of me wasn't completely sure how you felt. Maybe part of me was scared that you didn't feel the same way."
Suddenly, Kitty didn't really know how to continue. She thought that she would have this completely under control, but, she could not say why, she felt nervous and light-headed. It was like the first time Lance had confessed his feelings toward her—the first time they kissed.
"Remy-," Kitty started, a blush creeping to her cheeks.
"No," he interrupted. "I don't know what's come over you the past couple of days, but I figure I might as well take advantage of it. If you are being so honest with me, I better return the favor before you change your mind."
"Please, you don't-" she tried, but was interrupted again.
"Rogue, ever since I first met you, there's been this unbelievable attraction between us. You know that, as well as I do." He scoffed, shaking his head. "Who are we fooling?"
Kitty swallowed, her nerves starting to overcome her. Her eyes darted about, searching for a way out. She had ultimately caused this to happen, though. But, at the time, she had been secure in her place with Lance. Now, though, she didn't know where she stood, emotionally. And, this was all happening too fast.
"Rogue, I-"
But Remy didn't get a chance to confess. Kitty abruptly and quickly moved in. In less than the blink of an eye, her lips were on his. It was a sloppy, rushed kiss, but it worked just as she had hoped. For just a second, or even less than that, there was a look of pleasant surprise on his face. But then, his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his lids fluttered closed.
It was at that time that she released him and watched him curl up, unconscious. Kitty glanced about her, making sure that nobody had seen her use her powers. Reassured, she stood up and adjusted her outfit.
"Now," she mumbled to herself, "how do I get home?"