Learning To Live Again
Revised Edition
Chapter 20, "In The End"


A/N: This is the FINAL chapter of Learning To Live Again folks! WOW! I started this thing 2, almost 3 years ago now, and its finally finished. I hope you've enjoyed it! This chapter is pretty long, but there are more than a few loose ends to tie up. *wink*


"NO!"
The shout that the X-men heard in their minds proceeded what seemed to be an explosion, but as the dust cleared, Rogue was no where in sight, and Professor Xavier was knocked over in his chair, completely in one piece, but dazed. The window behind the professor's desk was broken, and papers that had once been on his desk were floating around aimlessly on the breeze blowing in from outside.
Bounding over to the window, Beast looked down, and what he saw was nothing short of horrific. He had thought the damages Joseph had suffered from the mansion's collapse were harsh, but in comparison to those he was seeing on Rogue from 2 stories up, they were nothing but a few minor cuts and bruises. It took him no time at all to race out the door, quite a few X-men in tow, wondering what had caused him to react so hurridly. Once the professor was righted in his chair, Jean, Scott and the professor all joined the others on the front lawn.
Jean almost immeadiatly fainted into the arms of Scott at the sight, and even the fearless leader was having a hard time not turning his head. Ororo quite literally screamed, and huddled close to Logan, who was, despite his many near-death expieriances, near vomiting. Remy collapsed to the ground on his knees, sobbing. He couldn't bare the sight, but his eyes wouldn't move. The other X-men were in similar states, and Beast didn't bother checking for a pulse, for with the way her body was mangled, there was no way she could have survived.
The professor spoke, his tone soft as he looked down, near tears himself at the sight of her. "It was the Shadow King. He did this. He caused all of this pain." His tone was almost unhearable, but the others knew what he said next none the less. "He killed her."
Rogue's body lay there, blood staining the grass around her, and staining the white streak in her hair. Her eyes were thankfully closed, but that was little consolation. Bones were broken and pushed through the skin at odd angles, causing little rivers of blood along wherever a bone had gotten through. There was no way of telling what kind of internal damage she had suffered, but it was no doubt great. Where the optic blast had hit her, there was a good sized hole in her uniform.
Beast was about to order Bobby to go and get a gurney when a horrifying crack caught their attention. The bones that had broken through the skin slowly returned to her body in the proper places, making the cracking sound over and over as they repaired themselves. The X-men watched in mixed horror and facination as her body worked slowly to heal every wound on her externally. Finally, they could bare no more of the sight and turned away, flinching at every sound Rogue's body made.
Finally, softly, a southern accent spoke, causing all to spin around. "Professah?"
Looking down at the one who's body had been used to try and take his life, but at the same time, had saved it, Charles Xavier smiled as best he could. "I'm here Rogue, and quite alright thanks to you."
Rogue's eyes searched, and fell upon Gambit. Weakly, her hand reached out to him, and he was by her side immeadiatly. "Sugah..."
Gambit tried to smile, but failed. "Oui mon couer?"
Wetting her lips, Rogue smiled slightly. "Ya nevah gave up sugah..."
Gambit tilted his head, unsure of what she meant.
"Vous jamais n'avez vers le haut donné sur moi." (*)."
This time, most of the X-men looked at her in shock. Amoungst them, she had played the fool, acting as if she never understood a word of Gambit's french, yet here she spoke it quite plainly, and quite easily.
Gambit did smile this time, and shook his head. "J'ai su mieux."(*)


*2 weeks later, the gardens*
Rogue smiled slightly when she spotted the one she had been looking for. He just sat there on the bench, looking around him as if it was the most magnificant sight in the world. Taking a glance around herself, Rogue had to admit it was beautiful out here. Finally, she walked towards him, only to be startled when he spoke to her.
"Afraid I'll bite, Rogue?"
Rogue laughed softly and took a seat next to him. "Na. Ah know ya well enough t' know ya wouldn't do that t' me sugah."
He looked at her, an eyebrow raised. "Are you really so sure?"
She nodded and smiled softly. "Yeah. 'Sides, its kinda hard t' bite someone who's invunerable."
He laughed himself, but only for a moment. "Speaking of which, did Hank ever find out why that fall was able to hurt you?"
Sighing, she nods. "When Ah used so many powers in a short period o' time, still bein' weak an' all, mah body shut mah powers down. Invunerability included."
"How did you get to him so quickly? That blast was pretty fast."
"Ah've absorbed Quicksilver...Ah mean Pietro, once or twice, so his power just kinda showed up at the raght time. Thank Gawd."
He nodded in agreement. "Thank God is right." Seeing her hurt look, he put his arm around her shoulders. "I didn't mean that the way it came out Rogue. I just know how guilty you would have felt, and I would have felt horrible having to see you like that. Much less having to see what it would do to the rest of the team as well."
Rogue nodded and smiled slightly. "Ah know. It just kinda makes me feel weak knowin' he could take ovah again if he wanted. Its scary..."
"To a strong woman like you, I can imagine it is. You're used to being the one making people fear you, but fear is the last emotion you want to feel yourself."
Rogue nodded again, then noticed movement in the bushes not far away. Sending out a slight telepathic wave, she smiled. "Come on out Remy, Ah know its you."
Gambit laughed and walked out of his hiding spot, not caring that Joseph had his arm around Rogue. "Mind if I steal mon couer away from you?"
Joseph shook his head in the negative and released Rogue, squeezing her hand as she rose. "Everything will turn out fine Rogue."
Rogue laughed. "You're turnin kinda optimistic on meh there sugah, should Ah be worried?"
Joseph laughed too, "No. I just think you're rubbing off on me a bit."
Rogue smiled. "Good. Ya need t' lighten up some."
"Bien sur! But Roguey, de man be in 'is 20's an' have white hair. I don' t'ink it gonna be an easy job."
Joseph just shook his head and motioned them to leave. "Get out of here before I hurt you Remy." The comment could have been interpreted as a threat if not for the joking tone Joseph added to it.
"Oui, oui. We be gone Joe, mais, Henre (Beast) told me to ask ya t' see 'im ASAP mon ami."
Joseph nodded. "I'll go and see him soon."
Both Rogue and Gambit waved as they walked off, not hearing the soft sigh from Joseph behind them.

THE END!!!!!


"Learning To Live Again"
By: Garth Brooks
CD: The Chase

I burned my hand, and I cut my face
Heaven knows how long its been
Since I've felt so out of place
I'm wonderin' if I'll fit in

Debbie and Charley said they'd be here by nine
And Deb said she might bring a friend
Just my luck, they're right on time
So here I go again

-CHORUS-
I'm gonna smile my best smile
And I'm gonna laugh like its goin' out of style
Look into her eyes and pray that she don't see
That learning to live again is killing me

Little cafe, table for four
But there's just conversation for three
I like the way she let me get the door
And I wonder what she thinks of me

Debbie just whispered, "You're doin' fine"
And I wish that I felt the same
She's asked me to dance, now her hand's in mine
Oh, my god, I've forgotten her name

But I'm gonna smile my best smile
And I'm gonna laugh like its goin' out of style
Look into her eyes and pray that she don't see
That learning to live again is killing me.

Now here we are beneath her porch light
And I say what a great time its been
A kiss on the cheek, a whisper goodnight
And I say "can I see you again"

And she just smiles her best smile
And she laughs like its goin' out of style
Looks into my eyes and says "We'll see"
Oh this learning to live again is killing me
God this learning to live again is killing me...


* "Vous jamais n'avez vers le haut donné sur moi."= "You never gave up on me."
* "J'ai su mieux."= "I knew better."