Still Holding Out For You
By Lady Trunks
Part 13

UntouchableHeart- ^_^ Thanks. It's a shame that I don't have your skill for angst... Since that is what this is supposed to be. Where did the angsty-ness go? The monkey's stole it.

Roguechere- Well, I'm trying to update once a day. I wish someone else I could mention would update. *hint, hint* ^_^

X-DarkHorizon-X- I'm glad you liked that. I thought about making Pietro the bad driver, but that was to predictable. He is a speed freak after all.

Gothic Rogue- Well, even if it is alright for me to be nice to her, I don't like it. Jean's just so... I know that you know what I mean. I'll have to torture her in a fic soon. Just to even things out. I should hurry and write the next chapter of Goth Talk just so I can fry her.

Ellen- Thanks for the tip. I checked it out and it totally rocks. It's hard to find Evo sites that are still being kept up.

Lucky439- You are my bestest reviewer, chica!! I love making Rogue sarcastic. She's just so perfect for it. Normally I would have her insult Jean... They're like oil and water. I miss it already.

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"He only asked me so that he wouldn't have to go with Cherry. I mean, can you blame him?"

Rogue, Kitty, and Jean were situated in various positions around Kitty and Rogue's room: Rogue sitting on her bed, Jean lying across Kitty's, and Kitty sitting on the floor. After her forced trip to the mall, the three girls had retired to discuss the recent development with Cherry and Pietro's subsequent invitation to the dance.

"I think that it's a bit more complicated than that." Jean said, a knowing look on her face.

"And why exactly do you think that?" Rogue asked, slightly annoyed at the patronizing attitude.

"Well, word around the school is that he was asked by several girls, most of which are considered popular, to the dance."

"So, all that means is that he has taste enough to turn them down. It doesn't mean anything." Rogue said defensively.

"Or," Kitty added jumping in, "it could mean that he meant to ask you the whole time and just used this as an excuse."

"I think that you two are seeing a conspiracy when there isn't any reason. You have a cupid syndrome or something."

"Or maybe you just don't want to see it. Why are you so sure that he can't be interested in you that way?" Kitty asked her.

Silence met the question. Both of the other girls turned to look directly at the Goth, whose response was to shrug. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try us." Jean suggested compassionately, sensing that there was something more than what the girl was telling them.

Rogue struggled to explain things to them. "Pietro is... We have a pretty unique relationship. It's as if..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to find a way to phrase it. "Have you ever felt that there was something wrong with you? Like your defective or something?"

"Broken?" Jean asked softly, nodding understandingly. Rogue shot a surprised look at the red-headed, she wouldn't have figured that Jean would ever feel inadequate. She always seemed so totally together.

"Exactly. I've felt that way as long as I can remember. So alone and scared. But when I'm with him, that feeling just disappears. Like he heals what's wrong with me. He can see everything that's wrong with me, everything that I hide from everyone else, and it doesn't bother him. He's the only one that I can let in, and I know that he'll accept me. And I know that he's not perfect, but at he same time he is."

"Sounds complicated," Jean said softly but there was a soft smile on her face.

"Sounds like love." Kitty said, with a great deal less restraint, a dreamy expression on her face.

"God I hope not!" Rogue said vehemently. Once again both girls were focused on her unusual reaction, and stared at her with perplexed expressions on their faces.

"But why not?" Kitty asked the girl.

"Even if I do love him, that doesn't mean that he loves me back. And even if by some miracle he did, what does that entail with me? Remember," She waved her gloved hands to emphasize, "no touching. And if things didn't work out between us… Where would I be then? I would have lost my best friend. It's just to big of a risk."

"But if you love each other…" Kitty interjected.

"Sometimes…" Her voice fell so soft they had to strain to hear. "Sometimes love just isn't enough."

Silence greeted that statement as all three mutant girls contemplated it, each questioning it's truth.

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Okay, normally I'm kind of restrained anti-Jean. For this particular fic I've omitted that little quirk of mine, because she has her purpose in the story. Besides, it is three girls in a house full of guys so even if they aren't the best of friends they'd stick together just because. Another little thing, if Rogue's explanation of her relationship with Pietro sounds a little confused it's because she doesn't understand it herself.