Disclaimer—Unfortunately, I still don't own this stuff.
11—Food Fight
Rogue found Scott pacing back and forth in front of her locker. His face was strained with worry for her. Watching him, Rogue decided he deserved any and all guilt. Lance too. She didn't like being fought over, it brought too much attention to her.
"Looking for me?" she demanded startling Scott from his thoughts.
"Rogue! I was worried about you! Where have you been?"
"Ask Kurt."
Scott grabbed Rogue by her shoulders, forcing her to look in his eyes. "What happened?" asked Scott with a serious tone of voice.
"Speedy and Toad grabbed Blue and I saved him. Though I don't think the kid was in any real danger. Until Whiskers showed up."
"Whiskers?"
"Sabertooth."
"Jesus Christ! And that's not a big deal?"
Rogue shrugged helplessly. "There wasn't much you could have done, Scott."
Frowning, Scott lowered his voice. "Promise me that from now on you'll come to me for help. I'm here for you, Rogue. I'm on your side. I always will be—no matter what."
"Are you sure? Because a lot can happen in the future." Rogue bit her lip as she tried to read Scott's eyes from within his ruby lenses.
"Of course!"
"Then I'll come to you next time I need help. I promise." Rogue wrapped her arms around Scott's waist and was reassured as he held onto her tightly. Everything was going to be okay.
Jean frowned. Why was she so jealous of Rogue? She already had a great boyfriend. Though, glancing at Duncan she could fathom a few reasons why her emotions were going haywire. Duncan wasn't the brightest kid on the block. Especially when compared to Scott.
"C'mon, Jean. The movie's gonna start soon," grumbled Duncan. Jean merely nodded and took her boyfriend's arm. Passing Rogue and Scott she caught Rogue's eye; she gave the southerner a genuine smile. Rogue returned it with a small one of her own as she snuggled into Scott's arms. For now Jean wasn't much of a threat. But eventually the two would have to come to terms with Scott and his relationship with both of them.
Later On
Pietro was ranting and raving to Lance when Rogue came through the front door. Rolling her eyes in amusement, she leaned against the doorframe and listened to the Speedster.
"I'm telling you, Lance, Sabby showed up and wanted to eat me! He attacked, but I dodge him left and right until he was dizzy. Poor cat fell to the ground. No one can mess with the Speedmeister, no siree." Pietro proudly placed his hands on his hips and struck a pose. Lance caught Rogue's wink and nodded in awe of Pietro's story.
"That's kind of funny, Speedy. I don't remember it going down like that." For every step Rogue took into the room, Pietro took one backwards. He gulped and tugged at the hem of his shirt nervously. She didn't need any weapons, one look and the other teen was ready to cry mercy. He couldn't quite put a finger on the reason why she seemed so intimidating, and unlike the girl he had first met not so very long ago. She had changed in such a short time, and Pietro wasn't sure it was for the better.
"R…really?" he stammered.
"Really. From what I can recall, you left me and Toad with the little blue guy. Ihad to make the fellow transport us out of there. You were long gone by then. Sabby never had a chance to even growl at you."
Pietro gave a nervous chuckle. "Oh yeah. Now that I think of it, yeah, it did kind of happen that way. Huh, funny thing about my mind, isn't it?" Before either Rogue of Lance could say anything, Pietro took off for his room. Lance snorted and stretched his arms above his head. Rogue grinned and sat next to him as he settled back down.
"So, you saved the X-Kid and Toad, huh?" asked Lance casually.
"Uh-huh. If you want to call it that. The blue boy did most of the work, I just made sure he got both me and Toad out too. No big deal. Why? Concerned?"
"Maybe." Lance took a deep breath. "Alright, you know I'm concerned about you. Sabertooth isn't very nice to the Brotherhood. He has a killing streak in him."
"I know, but I also know how to take care of myself."
"So you say. I haven't seen you in action yet."
Rogue made a face. "If I have my way then you won't see me 'in action' for a while longer."
"You can't hide forever, Rogue. No mutant can," said Lance quietly. "The world's changing."
"I know, but I can always hope, can't I?" Rogue turned to look her housemate in the eyes. Both knew that hope was useless. Then a knock at the door broke their reverie. Rogue got to her feet and went to open the door. All she found was a piece of paper on the ground. Picking it up, she noticed that it was addressed to her. She flipped it open and found a place and time written in shaky handwriting. No name.
"Who is it?" called Lance from the other room.
"Pranksters," called back Rogue shoving the paper in her pocket. "I'm going to take a walk, alright?"
"Need some company?"
Rogue felt herself smile at his heartfelt offer "Maybe tomorrow."
"It's a date!"
Rogue shut the door behind her, choosing not to comment on Lance's words. She pulled a cigarette from her coat pocket and lit it up as she headed towards the park. Along the way, she mused over her emerging relationship with Scott. After the whole Cody incident, Rogue had thought she would never love again. Of course, she wasn't certain that this was love. Whatever it was though, she trusted Scott with all her heart.
Emerging from the shadows, Caliban shifted Rogue's thoughts to the reason she had come to the park. Her seeker had called for her.
"Nice to hear from you again, Caliban. I thought you had fallen down on the job," murmured Rogue wryly.
"I have been waiting to be sure my senses were not misleading me. The new mutant has finally arrived in town."
"That kid you talked about the other day?"
"Yes. He will be in your premises tomorrow."
"You mean school, right?"
Caliban nodded. "He is confused…and perhaps, scared. He has not been accepted by peers for who he is?"
"A mutant?"
"His physical features."
"Oh yeah. So how big is this guy?"
"He is quite large. Intimidating, but his heart is pure. Tomorrow will be a test for his temper when he is set amongst others his age. I fear that if he is not received well by the students he will snap."
"Thanks for the warning, then. You're a good guy, Caliban, helping me out and all."
"You are my friend, Rogue, even if you are being misled down a dangerous path."
Rogue grinned. "Some things just can't be helped."
"Apparently you and I see things differently," observed Caliban turning back towards the woods. "I will talk to you later."
"Bye." Rogue watched the pale mutant disappear before putting out her lingering cigarette. She wasn't altogether certain what to do with this vital piece of information. God only knew when she would talk to Magneto again to let him know the new mutant was here.
For the time being Rogue was torn. The mutant sounded like a ticking time bomb. She wasn't sure how he would handle the chaos at Bayville high. Gossip was the main food source, and not all of it was healthy. But what could she do? Send him to the X-Men with Scott or take him in to the Brotherhood with Lance?
"This is not turning out to be a good day," she muttered to herself.
"Suit yourself," growled Sabertooth dropping down from a nearby tree. Rogue barely gave him a second glance.
"Do you always do that?" she demanded bitterly.
"Magneto wants the kid on our side."
"Then you get him."
"He wants you to convince the boy."
Rogue tilted her head to one side thoughtfully. Nobody pushed her around. "That's funny. If I did that then it would mean I was working for the Brotherhood. Since I'm not on their side, why the hell should I ask this guy to join them?"
"Boss's orders."
"Then you can tell Magneto to go screw himself." Rogue turned on her heels and stalked back in the direction of the boarding house. Behind her Sabertooth was grinding his teeth in anger.
The Next Day
The moment Rogue stepped out of Lance's jeep; she was on the lookout for the oversized teen mutant. So far, all she could see was Scott headed her way.
"Morning," she said with a small smile. Scott flashed a grin as he wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Ready for school?" he asked. Rogue shrugged and ignored the look Lance was shooting her way. The couple walked into the school and stopped short at the scene before them. Standing in the middle of the hallway was a very large teen with a blonde Mohawk. He was intimidating on first sight, but Rogue caught a glimpse of fear in his eyes. They softened in relief as a single girl stepped forward to introduce herself.
"Hi, I'm Jean Grey."
"Fred Dukes." The boy shook her hand and Rogue bit her lip to keep from grinning.
Way to go, Jeanie, she thought to herself. Maybe there was hope for the red head after all.
"That's great of Jean, isn't it?" murmured Scott as he and Rogue walked towards her homeroom. Rogue rolled her eyes as Scott babbled on. "I mean, she's really something. No one else would try and befriend someone like that Fred guy—but Jean…she's just a sweet person. Always thinking of others. You know—"
"Scott," cut in Rogue with very little regret, "I've got to get to class, okay?"
"Oh yeah. I'll catch you later." Scott gave Rogue a quick hug and jogged down the hall to his homeroom. Rogue dropped her messenger bag to the ground and dragged it on the floor behind her as she went to take a seat beside Lance.
"Don't even start," she threatened. Lance simply shut his mouth with a knowing smirk.
Rogue propped her chin in her hands and watched as Jean entered class with Fred right behind her. Frowning, the southerner noticed the adoring glint in his eyes. He was head over heels smitten. Turning her gaze to Duncan, Rogue's frown deepened. Nothing good could come of Fred's growing crush.
Jean was thinking along the same lines as Rogue. She had befriended Fred, knowing very well he was a mutant, but she hadn't anticipated the extent of his gratitude towards her. Unfortunately, his gratitude was turning into something deeper, and unwanted.
"Um, Jean," started Fred shyly. "Are you any good at math?"
"Uh-huh, why?" replied Jean with a smile.
"I might need some tutoring. I have basic math, but…numbers confuse me."
"So drop out," hissed Duncan from his seat behind Jean. The red head shot her boyfriend a death glare as Fred's face fell.
"Fred, I'd love to help you. We can work at the library after school. Is that all right with you?"
"Yeah, thanks, Jean. You're the best!"
Jean nodded with another smile and turned away as Fred set about doodling in his notebook. With a grim face, she wondered how she would be able to get out of the mess she had just gotten into.
Lunch didn't come early enough for Jean. Somehow, she had managed to get through her morning classes…each one with Fred following her around like a lost puppy. And his adoration was beginning to scare her. Balancing her tray in one hand, Jean took a seat beside Duncan. Fred was right behind her. Across the room, she caught sight of Scott and Rogue leaving the cafeteria. Her heart grew heavy at unbidden thoughts just as Fred sat next to her. She had a horrible gut feeling now—and she wasn't sure how she would get through it in one piece.
Duncan had jumped to his feet the second Fred sat down. He was tired of the fat kid stalking his girlfriend. "Hey, fatso, why don't you get lost, huh? No one wants you here!"
"Jean does," murmured Fred stoically.
"Look, buddy, Jean is my girlfriend. I don't like the way you're hanging all over her. It's not right!"
Fred looked up at the footballer with an ominous look. "Then maybe you should get lost. Jean likes me, so I'm sticking around."
"Either get lost or be sorry." Duncan let his threat hang in the air. Fred took a deep breath before getting to his feet.
"No. You're the one that's gonna be sorry. Jean is mine."
"You're fucked up, kid."
"Leave now and maybe you won't get hurt!"
Jean took a timid stance between the feuding teens. "Stop it! This isn't getting us anywhere! Fred, Duncan is my boyfriend! Duncan, Fred is my friend! Can't we all get along?"
Duncan grabbed Jean by the elbow. "Babe, this freak show is stalking you! Why the hell should I stand by and let him think you're with him?"
"Now I'm getting mad!" stated Fred clenching his giant fists into balls. Duncan snorted as he pushed Jean aside gently.
"Look, asshole, I'm sick and tired of your yapping! Get lost!"
Fred simply shook his head and shoved Duncan to the ground. Students shrieked and fled the area around Fred and Duncan. The quarterback jumped back to his feet and tried to rush Fred. The large teen was immobile. Jean caught her breath as Duncan was thrown into the wall. She had to do something, but what? With no hesitation, she hurried out of the cafeteria. Jean needed some serious back up.
During the ensuing chaos in the cafeteria, Rogue and Scott were outside sitting beneath a large oak tree. Gloved fingers entwined with Scott's, Rogue was oblivious to the world.
"So traveling the world? I wouldn't mind that," murmured Scott.
"What about your position as an X-Man? Wouldn't you need some sort of permission to leave?"
Scott shrugged. "Only if I intend to stay an X-Man after high school."
"Will you?" Rogue held her breath for his response.
"Depends. I might want to go see the world with you after graduation."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really." Scott looked into Rogue's eyes and smiled. He adored her, and he knew the feeling was mutual. Leaning closer, he heard her catch her breath. "Trust me," he whispered. Rogue barely nodded and closed her eyes in anticipation.
The kiss never came.
Jean burst outside in torrents of tears. Scott and Rogue broke apart in surprise at the intrusion. Within seconds, Scott was on his feet and at Jean's side. Rogue followed at a much slower pace. By the time she reached Scott and Jean, the red head was speaking coherently.
"Fred won't leave me alone and now he's trying to hurt Duncan!" sobbed Jean clutching Scott's shirt.
Rogue frowned. "Maybe if your boyfriend would play nice, then Fred wouldn't be so pissed."
Jean shot Rogue a dark look. "The freak is stalking me. Every time I turn around, there he is!"
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you made friends with him. Fred is scared! He hasn't had friends before—look at him, the poor guy's a bit intimidating! You turn on him now and you're screwing yourself out of an ally."
Scott made a face. "Any mutant who uses his powers against innocents is no ally."
"Any mutant who isolates a fellow mutant is no hero," shot back Rogue acerbically.
"Rogue, listen to me. Fred is a bully—he needs to be taught a lesson. All I'm going to do is show him how this school works!"
"Please, Rogue," pleaded Jean, her eyes wild with fear. "He's not good at heart! Scott's the only one who can deal with him without giving away our mutant status!"
Rogue shook her head angrily and turned to Scott. "Don't do it! The poor guy just needs a friend. Don't make him the enemy! If you do this, Scott, then you're no better than the people you preach against."
"Sometimes rules have to be broken in order to keep the peace," Scott reasoned matter-of-factly. With those words he led Jean by the crook of her elbow back inside the school. Rogue felt hot tears running down her cheeks. Betrayal had never hurt so much, but Rogue had learned to steel her heart since Louisiana. And she had also gained a few things by secretly working for Magneto.
Running through the halls, she spotted Lance, Pietro, and Toad hanging around under the stairs. Lance looked up in astonishment as Rogue catapulted herself into his arms, letting the tears fall freely.
"Rogue, what's wrong? Did Scott do something to you?" demanded Lance clutching her close to his chest. Pietro and Toad watched with total concern for their female housemate.
Rogue continued to cry. "They're going to hurt him! He only needs a friend! Scott's following Jean's orders to teach Fred a lesson! He's just like us! He's one of us!"
Pietro shook his head in frustration. "Those X-Freaks are always trying to run the show. If we don't play by their rules, we're the enemy."
"I say we teach them a lesson, yo. Get Fred on our side," agreed Toad patting Rogue on the back consolingly.
Lance nodded in agreement. "It's high time Summers learned who really runs this school!"
Inside the cafeteria, Duncan was being tended to by a hysterical Jean. Scott stood between them and Fred Dukes. "Lay off them, Fred," ordered Scott. "There's no need to be a bully here."
"I haven't done anything wrong," retorted Fred.
"And Duncan just got a black eye by magic, right?"
Fred shrugged with a smirk. "Don't give a damn how he got it. Maybe he got too close to my fist."
"Maybe you did it on purpose."
"So what if I did? Duncan Doughnut here asked for it."
Scott set his lips in a firm line. He pushed up his sleeves and took a deep breath. Looking at Fred he could hear Rogue's words echoing in his ear. He'd make it up to her later. Scott grabbed the nearest tray and flung it at Fred's large gut. It bounced to the floor.
"See, that was stupid." Fred cracked his knuckles and picked Scott up by the shirt.
"Stop it!" screeched Jean. Nearby, Evan and Bobby exchanged a look. Scott needed some serious help. Evan picked up a couple of trays and launched them across the floor, knocking Fred off balance. The large boy fell to the ground, dropping Scott as he did so. Bobby looked over at Scott and gave a tiny nod that went unnoticed by the other students. He bent down on the floor, acting as though he was about to launch another tray at Fred; in actuality, Bobby placed two fingertips in a direct path towards Fred, icing it up before sending the tray straight for the bully. Fred tried to get back on his feet, but slipped on the ice. Students laughed and Fred became flustered. Each time he moved he would slip and fall once more. Finally, Fred gave up and stared at the small circle of students surrounding him. He recognized them as Jean's friends.
Scott, Bobby, Evan, Jean, Kitty, and Kurt stared down at Fred with unreadable looks. Scott took a step forward to say something, but his words were drowned out by the cafeteria doors flying open. In the doorway stood Rogue, Lance, Pietro, and Toad.
Rogue led the Brotherhood over to Fred and the circle of X-Men. She pushed Jean aside and gazed down at Fred. Without a word she offered him her hand. Lance shoved Bobby to the ground as Fred took Rogue's gloved hand.
"Thank-you," he murmured, managing to get on his feet without dragging the brunette to the ground.
"No problem, sugar. That's what friends are for."
Scott tensed as Rogue's words hit him. "Rogue—" he started.
"Don't start with me," she snapped turning to face him. "I can't believe you would do something like this. Torturing a poor kid because he isn't like you?"
"It's not like that, Rogue," said Jean coming to Scott's aide.
Rouge lashed out at Jean. "Save it for someone who really cares, Jeanie. I don't give a damn. Fred may not be popular like your Duncan boy, but he's human too. And hedoes have a good heart. Don't play games, Jeanie, if you can't be a real sport about it."
Lance chuckled. "See, here's the difference between you morons and us." He gestured to himself and the rest of the Brotherhood. "We take anybody in if they want to join. We aren't picky."
"Rogue, listen. I'm sorry!" said Scott stepping towards Rogue. He stopped as he felt a large hand on his shoulder. Looking up he saw Fred glaring down at him.
"Take another step towards my friend and I'll sit on you," he threatened menacingly. Scott gulped and Rogue smiled.
"Sorry, Scott, I just don't think it's working out between us. We're too different. Maybe in some alternate reality, huh?"
"Yo, this place sucks. Lets boogie," moaned Toad heading towards the doorway.
"No kidding," agreed Pietro wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Too many losers here for my taste."
Lance thrust an arm around Rogue's shoulders and they too turned to leave.
"Oh, Fred sugar, you're more than welcome to join us," called back Rouge. Fred grinned and joined the group.
"Hey, are you any good at math?" he questioned.
"Pietro's a whiz," replied Rogue with a bright smile. Fred returned it with a large one of his own. He finally felt welcome.
As the cafeteria doors swung shut, the X-Men looked at each other with worried looks. Scott brushed Jean away as he dropped to his knees. If Rogue had just joined the Brotherhood, it was all his doing.
In chemistry class, Rogue was smiling shyly as Lance tried to comfort her broken heart.
"You know, Roguey, you and Scott weren't meant to be," mused Lance softly.
"How so?"
"Romeo and Juliet. Would've been a bitch if you died for Summers."
Rogue giggled at the crude compliment. "No worries, Lance. I've learned my lesson."
"Alright," conceded Lance. "You still owe me a date."
"Really now? Says who?"
"You promised me one."
Fred spoke up from behind the couple. "I think you should keep that promise, Rogue," he whispered loudly. Lance grinned as Rogue blushed.
She sighed in defeat. "Okay, one date and then we take it from there."
"You've got a deal!" Lance's smile got bigger as Scott walked into the room. The X-Man locked his jaw and took his seat beside Jean. Rogue gave a wave and turned back to Lance. Fred snickered at the obvious cold shoulder snub. Rogue knew how to play the betrayal game very well now. She wouldn't let some boy get her down, especially the enemy. Magneto would be proud.
A/N—As of July 18, 2007 this chapter has been revised.
