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, I figure that there are probably going to be about three more chapters, possibly four, left in this story. I am already figuring how to end it and working my way to it. Obviously, that means winding down the romance options, as always. So, though it may not seem like it right now, rest assured that there will be some sort of, hopefully, satisfying conclusion.
Chapter 14 – Second Thoughts
It was only expected that Rogue would do whatever she could to avoid Kurt the following day. Granted, she had to get to school somehow, but at least she was surrounded by other people. It would only be if they were alone that he would dare to breach the subject of yesterday's attempted kiss. So, she ensured that they never found themselves alone.
Luckily, Kitty knew the whole story and aided in her attempts to avoid Kurt. But, eventually they had to go their separate ways, as well.
Rogue couldn't wait to return to her own body. She was already so over being Kitty. She wasn't used to all of this attention, nor did she enjoy it. She thought that perhaps it was something she had been yearning for, but now, she could clearly see that she had been mistaken. She had looked on it from an outsider's point of view. She had glorified the attention. But, now she could rightly tell Kitty that she didn't envy this aspect of her life.
She had to admit, though, that Kitty did manage to help her in some way. After all, Rogue could never have otherwise known about Remy. She hardly trusted her own feelings for him, let alone any suspicions might have had. She still hated to admit it to herself, but he had somehow gotten in. She just never dreamed that she would ever be worthy of him, or that her dark demeanor would ever catch his fancy.
She smiled to herself.
But, then realization dawned on her, and that smile faded.
Once she was back in her own body, things would be different. It wasn't as if she would suddenly be able to touch people without hurting them. She was starting to feel self-conscious. There was that same notion creeping in again telling her that it wasn't such a good idea.
"What kind of life would I be able to offer?" she muttered to herself.
"Kitty," the teacher at the head of the classroom called out, "did you have something to add?"
All eyes turned to her and she glanced about in embarrassment. She even managed to sink down a bit in her seat, as if attempting to hide.
"No," Rogue answered apologetically, at which point the rest of the students snickered in response.
xXx
School couldn't end fast enough for Kitty. She couldn't concentrate. All she could think about was Professor Xavier and finding a solution to their current predicament. If he wasn't able to provide an answer then she truly believed that they would be stuck forever.
At lunchtime, the only thing that could distract her from these thoughts was the sight of Lance. She watched him pass by with his friends in The Brotherhood seemingly without a second thought about her or their situation. The only thing she could really note was that he appeared to be a bit more dismissive and uncaring than usual.
She felt a heavy emptiness rest on her heart when she looked at Lance. She wanted to cry, but refused to do so, especially considering Rogue would probably murder her if she did. She was still in Rogue's body, after all. So if she cried, Rogue cried. And, nobody ever saw Rogue cry.
Kitty was heartbroken. While she had blamed Rogue, she knew that it wasn't just because Lance and Rogue couldn't get along. Though that did create tension, there had to be something else troubling him that led him to break things off. That hurt her more than anything—to think that Lance had the intention of ending their relationship that only had to do with her.
It was a simple enough answer to why she hurt so much.
Kitty sighed, shifting so that she could stare out the window. Dwelling on Lance was exhausting. She didn't know what she would do after they returned to their own bodies. She didn't know how she could fix things between her and Lance. She could always try the truth, but it still seemed ridiculous to her.
She began to blink more often and slower, as if her lids were growing heavy. She knew better than to sleep in class, but she had long since stopped listening to the lecture at the front of the classroom. One moment she saw that tree that had become so familiar. Then darkness as she blinked. The next moment she saw Remy loitering by said tree. Then darkness as she blinked again.
She suddenly felt a surge of energy, and sat up straight in her seat. She rubbed her eyes, disbelieving what they had just captured. She glanced out the window again. Sure enough, Remy still loitered where she had spied him at.
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion and disgust. His presence just made things worse, and knowing that he would seek her out much against her will was already frustrating. He was going to make things complicated, that was for sure. She couldn't expect anything less.
At that final bell, releasing the students from their prison, she was already anticipating what would occur. She retrieved what books Rogue would need to finish any homework, since she sure as hell wouldn't be doing any of it after that evening.
Jean found her as she was making her way to the front doors, her backpack secured over both shoulders. It wasn't unexpected that Jean should have sought her out that day.
"Are you ready?" Jean asked under her breath, not wanting any of the other students all headed in the same direction to overhear.
"Since this thing first happened," Kitty replied casually.
They managed to exit with the crowd. And, that was when she saw him. He wasn't terribly far off, but just enough to separate himself from the students.
"I've got something I need to take care of first," Kitty added, looking at Jean.
Jean caught sight of Remy and immediately understood what Kitty was referring to. She furrowed her brow, concerned. "Are you sure? Do you want me to come with you?"
Kitty shook her head. "No. I can handle this on my own."
Jean touched her arm consolingly. "We'll be waiting for you just over there."
Kitty walked over to Remy, who smiled at her approach. Unfortunately, it was difficult for her to do the same.
"Rogue," he greeted. "I didn't know if I'd ever see you again."
She shrugged. "What can I say? I'm, like, a busy person."
His weight shifted uncomfortably. She didn't know if she had ever seen him so self-conscious. "I thought it might have something to do with-"
"About that," Kitty interrupted. "There's something I need to tell you."
"Anything," he breathed.
She hesitated. "I'm…I'm not who you think I am."
When she paused, he immediately took the opportunity to console her. "You mean lately? Rogue, despite very different behavior, I count it as part of your charm. You caught my interest long before the last couple weeks."
Kitty was rendered silent momentarily. She smiled at him, pleased to hear him say such a thing. To her, that meant that he genuinely cared for Rogue. It hadn't been something she did. It wasn't her particular behavior or style. Perhaps she had pushed him enough to confess, but that was all she could claim to have done.
"Better be careful with this one, Remy," a voice interrupted cruelly, "you never know which personality you're going to get."
Lance walked right in between them, making both Remy and Kitty back up a step, and leaving them both rather bewildered at his comment. He had a spark of anger and resentment in his eye, which was noticeable as he passed.
"There's no need to be jealous, Lance," Remy replied almost immediately. He was always able to react on the spur of the moment.
"Jealous, right," he said sarcastically.
Kitty stared at him with tears welling up in her eyes. Though she knew she probably shouldn't take that comment personally, she couldn't help it. She still had feelings for Lance and was sensitive to his criticisms, even if she currently was supposed to be someone else.
"Lance," she called after him, rather pathetically. He didn't even acknowledge her. "Lance, please."
Remy glanced between her and Lance, trying to understand. "What was that all about?" he asked as nonchalantly as he could. She didn't respond. His brow crinkled as his annoyance grew. "Wait, is there something going on between you two?"
Kitty turned slowly back to Remy, but she no longer looked at him. Her head was bowed as she contemplated Lance. She hardly even recognized Remy's presence anymore. She just yearned for Lance, for his understanding, for his forgiveness. But, she knew she couldn't obtain that by being Rogue or by continuing to lie to him.
"Rogue," Remy demanded, "I think I deserve an explanation."
"I'm not Rogue!" Kitty confessed.
Remy shook his head, confused. "What?"
Staring him straight in the eyes, she said again, "I am not Rogue."
He chuckled incredulously.
"I know. I sound ridiculous, but I am not Rogue."
Remy sighed impatiently. "Then who are you?"
"Kitty."
He raised an eyebrow. "You really expect me to believe this excuse?"
"That pink scrunchy. The ponytail. Do you honestly think Rogue would ever be caught dead with something like that in her hair? Especially in front of you."
"Of course not, but I thought we had already discussed that?"
Kitty shook her head. Apparently, this was harder than she had expected it to be. "Then ask me a question that, like, only Rogue would know the answer to. Ask me about that black sweater. Ask me about that meeting in the park."
He sighed, obviously unconvinced. "Fine. If you want to play this game then let's do it. What did I say was my one weakness?"
After a brief pause, she said, "I have no idea. Southern food? Honestly, I couldn't even say what you two had, like, spoken about."
Remy hesitated, suspicious and wary. "You," he said quietly and simply. "My one weakness is you, Rogue."
Kitty had to rethink her approach. That confession threw her off of her guard. She swallowed, taking a small step forward. "Remy, listen to me, please. I am not Rogue. The one you said that to, the girl you…you…I am not her."
Remy studied her pleading eyes. "That kiss," he whispered, sounding convinced.
Kitty smirked, one side of her mouth rising. "If you, like, call that a kiss."
Remy laughed. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Who knew you had a sense of humor, Kitty."
So relieved, Kitty threw her arms around Remy, hugging him. She felt him stiffen then ease into her embrace.
Remy took a step backward once she had released him. "So if you are in Rogue's body then Rogue is in…"
"She's in mine. She currently is me," Kitty confirmed. "So, I guess you know what to look for now. But," she pointed an accusatory finger at him, "keep in mind I'll be watching. That is my body, after all."
Kitty walked away from him and to the area Jean and Kurt occupied with the other mutants waiting to return to the mansion. She still had a small smile plastered on her face, which was a combination of relief and gratitude.
However, the others didn't take it that way.
"You two looked awfully cozy over there," Kurt teased. "No wonder you have a smile on your face, Rogue."
Kitty frowned, which was rather difficult given her mood. "Shouldn't you be concentrating on getting us back to the mansion?" she reminded.
"I was waiting for Kitty. She's not here yet."
"Wait, what?"
"Kitty, she's still coming," Kurt said with a shrug.
Kitty looked back to the school building and sighed.