Warning: (Italics for past events.) Teen angst and heartache with canon events.

While Rogue went to great lengths to give the impression that all was well, there were other incidents occurring.

Jean went missing and was tracked down in another city, stealing from a museum. The following night, Kitty and Kurt were roped into 'helping' before Spyke became involved afterwards.

Then, one of the Acolytes, Gambit, was caught stealing artefacts from the Worthington estate. He, like the others, had no idea they had been used in this way and had no recollection of what or why they were after.

Things were tense in the mansion, as there was limited space and everything was set to rotated turns. Those that could spend as much time away, although that was not always a welcome break given how wary the public were of them.

It was during such a time that Scott noticed Rogue and slunk up to her.

"There you are. It feels like I haven't seen you in ages."

She gave a short smile. "Well, Ah've been here."

He gave an awkward laugh. "Listen, I've been thinking, we haven't hung out in a while. Do you fancy grabbing a burger?"

She stared at him for a while, but there was no sign of false emotions, so not having much else to do, she replied. "Sure, why not."

In some ways, it felt like old times but there was a new awareness about her now. When she may have thought Scott was thinking of things to say, she saw he was enjoying the solitude. Whereas he'd been a potential partner for her, for him, she was a habit. Something to take for granted and easily forgotten when something new and shiny came along.

She was quiet on the way back and eager to be by herself again. Both escaped the car and when he returned to the house, she made her way down to her mom's memorial.

"Hi mom, Ah'm sorry Ah haven't been around."

She lowered herself to the ground, lying on her stomach, as though she had found her mom in her own room, getting ready for a night out, while she lay on the bed to talk.

Only they couldn't talk, not in the way she wanted to. Instead she lay there, taking in the peace and tranquillity, organising her thoughts.

XxX

It was dark out and most of the team had been captured or defeated, leaving only three viable members.

They each went their separate ways, communicating when necessary. Until two of them came across a stumbling block. A hazard blocking their path. One was fire; the other was a crumbling cliff and a steep drop into the water below...

There was only enough time to save one. Scott went for his instincts. If he rescued Jean from the flames, she would be able to telepathically lift Rogue from danger. Only it didn't happen that way. The fire proved stronger than Scott had anticipated and in the time it took to rescue Jean, Rogue's foothold had given way and she'd been plunged deep into the water below.

"Activity incomplete. All lives lost."

Rogue lingered long enough for the critique before slipping away to wash and maybe have a cry. It was finally over. It didn't matter that Scott had made the logical decision. He'd still chosen Jean over her. Everything seemed torrid and painful now.

XxX

Dear Scarlett,

Things aren't going so well. That's an understatement. Let me explain.

After the last training session where Scott chose to save Jean, they spent ages talking 'at me.' Not to me. They said Ah needed to understand, it wasn't personal, it was tactics.

"You know we have to consider what's best for the team."

Fayne, Ah understand but my thinking is, if you have to get so defensive about your decision, then there's something else in the making.

Jean just kept looking at me, hurt that Ah'd think of her as anything less than perfect. All the while, Ah wanted to tell them both to shut the hell up and leave me the hell alone.

They finally got the message, sure that Ah'd come round to their way of thinking.

Ah couldn't set my mind to anything. Ah was all caught up with my homework, Ah'd done mah chores and despite all mah best efforts, Ah didn't want to talk to mah mom. So Ah left. Took mah car and drove into town, parking up and then, just wondering. Ah didn't need anything and nothing grabbed me. Mah usual cafe was full, so Ah wondered around the old movie theatre, where Ah'd last seen Piotr, prior to one of our 'run-ins'. Scott had ruined that day for me, when he spoke like Ah was an idiot and had to be treated lak a child. He's so drunk on himself, all the power's gone to his head and he only sees people as enemies or friends. It's probably a good thing he has Jean to kiss his butt and soothe his ego.

They deserve each other.

Mah stomach was empty by the time Ah reached the steakhouse, and Ah thought, why not. They weren't busy and there was the waiter from before.

Ah ordered something, ignoring the burgers for their previous association and settled in for mah meal.

"Where are your friends today?"

Ah looked up at the waiter, confused. "What?"

He grinned. "You know the guys from before?"

"Oh. They're not here."

He smiled softly. "Yeah."

A few more customers came in then, calling him away. Ah still wasn't ready to leave, so Ah ordered a milkshake, taking small sips at a time.

He came back after a while. "Can I get you anything else?"

Ah looked up and shook mah head.

When it came to pay the bill, he was quick to come over. "I hope you enjoyed your meal."

"Thanks." Ah turned to leave, ready to go home.

"Hey, listen, I'm about finished my shift now. Do you maybe want to hang out for a bit?"

Ah stared at him. He started back. There was no sign of jest. He was completely serious. "Erm, Ah really don't think, look, you're a nice guy but..."

"It's not you, it's me, right?" He said evenly.

"It's not that. Ah've spent the last few weeks trying to get close to someone and, he decided he didn't want me."

"Then he's an idiot. Look, no pressure. Let me give you my number and if you want to hang out, then we can."

He scribbled onto a piece of paper and handed it to me.

Ah glimpsed the name. Once. Twice. "Augustus?"

"People call me Gus." He pointed to the nametag.

"Well, Gus, it was nice to meet y'all."

"You could tell me your name? Unless it's some state secret?"

Ah shook my head. "It's Rogue."

He pulled a face. "Someone actually called you that?"

Ah shrugged. "It's kind of a code name."

"Well then, Rogue, I hope to hear from you soon."

XxX

Rogue didn't contact him right away. She thought about it but most days it was tough enough getting through the day as an all-out mutant, attending a school where the principal made no attempt to hide his contempt and the other students feared and hated you.

It was like being back in middle school, only this time, there was no Annie demonising you.

Then there was the living in close quarters deal. The mansion couldn't be rebuilt soon enough! It was tough living in the lower levels. Her 'den' was still to be rebuilt and her mother's graveside was one of the few places she could find peace.

It was only when Scott had a run-in with Mystique, who had masqueraded as his brother, lured him out to Mexico, only to leave him alone and vulnerable without his shades and needed rescuing that she was finally able to move on physically and emotionally.

She hadn't been around when Jean had discovered the subterfuge and led the rescue mission, finding him and bringing him home. By the time she heard, he was back and the two were all loved up in the med-bay, laughing at Kurt who'd been caught messing around with his image inducer. It was all too clear that they had made up their minds to be together and wouldn't waste any more time.

It was with a deep loss and sadness that she pulled out the scrap of paper and sent the message:

"Hey Gus, its Rogue. Do you still want to hang out?"

It only took a few moments before her phone sounded in response.

"Sure. Are you free now? Shift just finished."

They arranged to meet in the cafe. He was already there. They ordered and took a seat.

"So what changed your mind?"

"Honestly? Ah needed some time away from home."

"What about the guy you spoke off?"

"We live together; well we live in the same place. We all do."

"Ah, I see. Was it getting a little crowded?"

"Yes, something like that."

Someone nudged her as she went to take a sip of her drink, knocking the beverage all over her clothes. She swore she had heard them say "Mutant scum" and hoped Gus hadn't heard. She ran for the bathroom.

It took a few moments to gather her thoughts. The drink had been hot enough to scold her and she felt a weird sensation, not of pleasure, she wasn't a masochist, but a vague feeling of being alive.

Gus was still there when she re-emerged, with a fresh drink.

"I thought you could do with another."

"Gus, Ah, Ah really think..."

"No, don't say this was a mistake, that you're not ready and don't want to lead me on. Just, please stay? Have your drink and then, I want to talk to you about something. When I've had my say, we can go our separate ways, if that's what you want? Just please, give me some time?"

Rogue would be lying if she said she wasn't intrigued. So she reclaimed her seat, finished her drink and waited for him to talk.

XxX

It was late by the time she got back to the mansion and all she wanted was to get to her bed so she could think over everything Gus had told her.

What it meant for her.

Could she really take the risk? Or was it too good to be true?

She was too distracted to notice Logan call out to her as she passed him, something he almost took offence over, until he saw that look on her face. The instructors weren't blind to the tension between Scott, Jean and Rogue, nor were they insensitive to either parties' feelings. They were well aware that things had changed but were unsure how to interfere, or whether they should.

Logan would much rather handle any training issues than delving into the realms of the teenage psyche. He sympathised with Scott and Jean but also felt they had let their happiness overshadow their actions and blind them to the feelings of their teammate.

The instructors were on alert for any outbursts or tantrums. They watched Rogue only to find her attention and dedication continued to be on point. She continued to carry her weight in and out of training sessions and with school. The only time her control slipped was if the 'feedback' was being dragged out or Scott and Jean were being overly solicitous.

Unless she was needed for training or had made plans with one of the others, she was a difficult girl to track down.

Charles spoke to her about it one afternoon, when she returned in a giddy mood from an unplanned shopping trip.

"Rogue, can I have a moment of your time?"

Even Rogue could tell by that tone it was a thinly veiled order, not a request. She entered his office moments later. Yes, the renovations were finally complete and everyone was back in their original rooms and assigned roommates.

"I feel as though we haven't spoken in a while."

He expected a semi-defensive, "You've been busy" or words to that effect. Instead all he received was a shrug.

He cleared his throat. "I know you're doing well at school and your therapist tells me your sessions have demonstrated positive results, but I would still like to hear from you. We never did get to discuss what happened prior to the grand reveal."

She frowned, thinking back to when the world were still in the dark about their identity. Then it came to her. Magneto's orbs in the abandoned construction site. Only to be grabbed from behind by the mysterious Nick Fury as a favour to some 'friend'. The identity of which was still unknown. "Oh that?"

"Yes that." He waited for further communication and it didn't arrive. "Well?"

"Fayne, Ah was about to blow the whistle on Magneto's Acolyte's when someone grabbed me from behind. Ah woke up in a small room. No-one touched me or harmed me. The guy, Fury, said he was repaying a favour to a friend. Ah don't know what friend, Ah thought it might be Logan, because Ah know they've had dealings but neither of us can be sure. He didn't give any further indication and he hasn't been in contact since, has he?"

"No."

"Look, he gave us what we needed to get the others out and he hasn't asked for any kind of recompense. Can't we leave it at that?"

"If you wish. What of Juggernaut. I know you were involved with his recapture. I'm sure they were difficult memories for you to cope with."

"Nothing that a little meditation couldn't solve. Look, Ah know he's your brother and despite all the pain he's caused, you still can't give up on him. But Ah don't have that strength of attachment. He orchestrated your accident, threatened mah mother and is really nothing more than a glorified bully on steroids." She paused. "Can Ah go now? Ah feel if Ah say any more Ah won't be able to take it back."

"Yes, perhaps that would be best. I have some paperwork to get on with, but I wondered if you would like to go to dinner one evening? You're out so often these days, I feel I have to book an appointment." He gave an awkward smile.

"Dinner would be nice. Thank-you."

There was a pause. "I hope you're being careful when you're out. These are tricky times for us all."

"You don't have to worry about me, dad. Ah can take care of myself."

"Even so, whoever your new friend is, you are always welcome to bring them over. These days there isn't much of a need for anonymity."

"You mean since Magneto decided to reveal our existence to the world?" She scoffed. "Ah will think about it but don't be offended if it doesn't happen. There's some things that are better kept private, you know?"

'Not everything is about the X-Men or mutants vs. the world,' was the thought she let slip.

Charles nodded although he later admitted to himself that the notion left him feeling a sense of hurt.

XxX

Kitty was on her way back to the room she shared with Rogue. She'd been distant lately, spending more and more time outside the mansion. She never explained where she was going. Any time they did spend together was brief and Kitty hated to admit, even to herself, that it hurt. It hurt to receive the cold shoulder. It hurt to be shut out.

She was thinking this as she stepped into the room, unaware that Rogue was taking advantage of the privacy to try on her new purchase.

It was a dress.

Sleeveless and tight around the chest area, tapering in at the waist and billowing out slightly at the waist. The bodice outlined her figure perfectly, showing off her toned body to perfection.

Red, in colour, it was a significant style to attract attention.

She heard the almost breathless-whisper. "Rogue", before realising she was no longer alone.

"You look stunning." Came the awed response.

Rogue had taken the time to curl her hair, making it seem more voluminous than ever. Still trying to grow her hair, it was a constant struggle for the girl. She'd taken to wearing it in a ballerina bun and the rare times she did leave it in a ponytail or a plait, something inevitably happened to it.

Why less than a month ago, someone had taken a pair of scissors to it, cutting it awkwardly. The Professor had talked to the principal, but he had limited compassion and there was no way to prove who was the guilty party without his or Jean's telepathy.

Rogue had been remarkably calm when he reported the principal's words. "Well, what did you expect? If it had been the other way around, Ah'd have been kicked out of the school and my crimes condemned as a 'hate crime'. It doesn't matter that we're the ones that are the victims. Because our powers make us something to be feared and hated. As it is, they probably see it as 'kids being kids', right?"

Her accuracy was succinct.

Charles had taken Rogue to a private dinner mere days before this incident and while they did talk, it was all surface level. There was nothing tangible to be obtained from their conversation. They were as far from each other emotionally than ever and it worried him.