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October Skies

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Author's Note: First (writing-order-wise) in a someday-extensive series. I hope :-} Oh, and obviously, I don't own Rogue, Gambit, or any other character mentioned within that is owned by Marvel. (Although, with their money troubles lately....). The line that makes up the second paragraph is taken from a poem, though unfortuantely I can't remember which one!

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Rogue stared up into the sky, where it was right above the tops of the trees. It was a perfect October day, the sky a pretty pale blue at the horizon and becoming a deeper, darker, richer blue the further back she craned her neck. The trees had turned to fire-colors, and a few had lost their leaves, giving beautiful, colored lace to edge the dome above her.

And then, she let loose the bounds and shackles of Earth, launching her body up into the air as easily as breathing.

Rogue regretted everything that she had done to Carol Danvers, taking her life and powers with her. But flying—ah, to be able to swim and move in the air, this she loved. She continued to climb higher and higher, until the atmosphere became too cold, and then she descended again, to a height where the figure watching in the bushes could just make her out.

The wild, chestnut-haired, skunk-streaked woman let out a screeching, Southern whoop as she continued to thrill in her place, between sky and earth, looping and diving through the air as though it were water. She exulted in moving gracefully, powerfully, with none of the tomboy-awkwardness she still bore on earth. Up here, there was no one else, she didn't have to worry about touching anyone, possibly sucking away their being. Here, she could move as she wished, and did not have to worry about fighting anyone. Here, she was finally free.

And now she was free on Earth as well, since Professor X had finally lived up to his end of the bargain, teaching her how to control her powers. This flight was one of rejoicing—she could touch again, could walk amongst other people and not be afraid, could dress like a normal human being in the summer and not be afraid. She was FREE, finally, at last, and she celebrated this with every nerve, every muscle in her body, twisting and twining through the air until she was dizzy.

The figure in the bushes rose, and moved to the clearing, keeping his eyes on the woman in the sky. She dipped and glided through that glorious blueness with an amazing grace and flexibility. Though she was not wearing her uniform, her clothing was such that he could see her muscles rippling and moving.

She continued to fly, and he continued to watch for what seemed like forever, but was only a few minutes. Finally, Rogue descended to meet the shadowy figure, landing lightly, and with a little tug of disappointment at being on the earth again.

The two figures faced each other, uncertain for a few seconds. Then, Remy smiled and brushed back a lock of his ladylove's hair. This was the charm to break the magic spell as Rogue catapaulted across the foot or so separating them, flying into his arms and finally, finally giving him a good, strong kiss. Not through a gloved hand, or her hair, or with either of them watching their bare skin, but fully, with bare arms wrapped around his neck and lips touching lips.

Together, they rose into the sky, flying, celebrating, being free together.

It's amazing what you can do at three thousand feet.

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