Alone
By: Dani Royer (aquariusfire@aol.com)
Rating: PG
Summary: More sugar. Bobby is stuck at the mansion finishing up his homework while Rogue runs into trouble at a local mall. X2 Spoilers.
A/N: Thanks to Jodie, Cristin, and Zara for looking over this for me and to Talia for giving me evil ideas. I swear, y'all are worse than muses! My thanks also goes out to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. Hopefully, my future installments will live up to your expectations. *grins*
Completed Date: May 7, 2003
Bobby Drake circled over the period key before triumphantly hitting it. He grinned when the word count told him he was five words over the requirement. The essay wasn't hard really, just dull. 'Doesn't Miss Monroe realize how boring some parts of history can get?' he wondered. It was hard enough to write the chapter summaries the week before, then Ororo hit them with the 1,500 word essay as part of their mid-term. Bobby knew he had to do it, but he just kept putting it off until tonight - the day before it was due. Glancing at the clock, he cursed when he saw how early it was. "Damn, I could have went out with them."
Rogue, Kitty, Theresa, and a few other friends had went out to an early movie, leaving him behind. Jubilee, who was down with "the cold from hell", at least had a good reason to stay home. Bobby grumbled some more while proof reading his essay. It'd taken him less than an hour of actual writing once he sat down and did it. He was sure Rogue would nag him endlessly over that. A "told you so" was very much coming his way later that night. But that wouldn't come for two, maybe three hours yet.
Bobby sent his document to the printer, thankful that the nasty thing was done. The printer loudly came to life, startling him slightly. It just now hit him how quiet the room was. It'd been a long time since he'd been by himself. It felt so weird to be alone like this and the location in an very old mansion didn't help the eerie feeling go away. Bobby decided to head downstairs to find something to do and, more importantly, someone to do it with.
*****
Rogue looked around the small shop before looking at her watch. She had fifteen minutes before she had to meet back at the theater for the movie. She'd been to five shops already and couldn't find anything worth getting. She just wanted to get Bobby something. This was the last store she was going to try before just heading into Sears and getting him a shirt. This was one of those Hallmark-y gift stores, so she had hope that she wouldn't have to fall back on that
She walked around the store awwing at the sweet gifts, laughing at the humorous cards, and sometimes gagging at the overly sappy items. Stopping at the card stand, she found a very appropriate get well card for Jubilee. It showed a girl trying to blow her nose and finally doing so surrounded by fireworks, all done in a comic strip style. Rogue smiled and imagine what reaction the card would get as she grabbed a blank card with a picture of a polar bear on it for Bobby.
She was almost ready to head for Sears by the time she made it to the clearance section. Most of the items there were left over holiday stuff, but a medium sized magnet with a poem on it caught her eye.
Me
Alone, but never lonely
For I know
It's you beside me
Wherever I go
I will never be lonely
Alone, but never without
Walking with you
Hand in hand, no doubt
Can't believe it's true
Alone, but never without
You
"Sappy, but very true." Rogue said as she grabbed the magnet and heading to pay for everything. She quickly made her way towards the movie theater, but ran into a very upset Kitty half way there.
"Janie slipped and people saw her," Kitty explained quickly before grabbing Rogue's gloved hand, "We need to get out of here quick. Professor Xavier is on his way and Pete's in the van with the rest." Rogue was worried about Janie. Janie, a low-level telekinetic, was one of the younger students. Her powers weren't very strong, but when she slipped, the results were very obvious. Strangely enough, the slips were much stronger than when Janie actually tried to focus her powers. Dr. Grey had been working with her, but noone had moved in to fill that void in the short time since Jean's death.
Kitty and Rogue moved through the mall crowd trying not to make any fuss. Their efforts were in vain as mall security began to close in.
*****
Bobby had just let Artie win a game of checkers when a loud sneeze announced Jubilee's entrance. Both boys looked up at the pitiful sight all wrapped in a blanket with a ruby red nose. Jubilee tried to glare at them, but another sneeze kept her from focusing more than a second. Bobby chuckled a second before turning to Artie. "Hey big guy, could you please get Jubes some orange juice?"
Artie nodded before running off in the direction of the kitchen. Bobby turned to face the smaller Asian girl as she collapsed on the couch with a grunt. "Don't even start on me, Bobby. If I hear another person telling me to stay in bed..." she mumbled with a very stuffed up voice. Bobby walked towards her, but kept a safe distance by sitting in a nearby chair. Jubilee grabbed for a fresh tissue before talking again. "So, why are you here and not being all cutesy with your girl, Frost Boy?"
Bobby started to answer, but Jubilee cut him off. "Let me guess. The essay for History?" Bobby nodded sheepishly. "I lucked out and got an extension for being sick. Once I can breath through my nose, it's due," she tried to say with a laugh, but it turned into a small coughing fit. Artie arrived with the orange juice just as the fit subsided. Jubilee croaked out a thanks as she took her glass, slowly sipping to re-wet her sore throat. Bobby took his glass and ruffled Artie's hair. "Thanks for brining me a glass too."
The kids talked for a few more minutes before Logan walked in and informed them of the incident at the mall.
*****
Rogue was the first to notice the guards moving in. "Kitty, I think they've noticed us." Kitty cursed before stopping in front of a small high-end clothing boutique. "Professor Xavier should be here soon. Stay close in case and look interested in the clothes," she whispered before raising her voice, "My GOD! How can they call that fashion?" Rogue caught on, adding, "I know. It seems like the higher the price tag, the lower the taste."
Glancing around, the girls realized that their ploy wasn't working in the least. "Kitty, can you phase both of us?" Rogue asked while formulating a plan. "I think so," Kitty's voice wavered, "but it's about all I can think of until the Professor gets here...unless you -." Rogue shook her head 'no' before Kitty could even get the idea out of her mouth.
The girls carried on their fake ranting about the clothes while they prepared to make their move. Kitty was shaking a little, as she heard the guards communicating on their radios. She couldn't hear much, but the words "mutants" and "apprehend" were unmistakable. The game plan was to phase into the boutique and then just run down the line of stores until they reached the garage. It wasn't much, but it was all they could come up with.
The guards were now within ten feet of Rogue and Kitty. Kitty, still shaking, squeezed Rogue's hand tight as she took a deep breath before phasing. Just as she began to initiate her powers...the mall stopped. The only sound the girls heard, besides their own sighs of relief, was the light whir of the Professor's motorized wheel chair. The mall patrons and the security guards were both frozen in mid-movement. As Kitty and Rogue turned around, their relief was plastered all over their face.
*****
"Sit down kid. Nothing really happened."
Bobby ignored Logan as he kept looking out the kitchen door. Logan and Bobby had taken over the kitchen after Artie and Jubilee headed to bed. Logan was concerned, but not overly worried. Bobby, on the other hand, took the situation a little more seriously. "Anything could have happened, Logan."
Logan shook his head as he patted his pocket for a lighter. "Kid, this shit is going to happen from time to time. You've got bigger things to really worry about." Bobby didn't turn from his watch post.
Logan smiled a bit as he lit his cigar. He couldn't blame the boy for acting the way he was. After the raid and the events that followed, everyone was on edge. A few months ago, the professor might not have even left the mansion for this. But times being the times they are, no chances could be taken. Bobby would learn in time that caution wasn't a reason to think that a situation was always worse than it was. Logan knew this was something he'd have to gain on his own.
A few sodas later, Logan heard the Professor and the students return back to the school. He'd barely got the words out of his mouth before Bobby was on his way to the garage.
*****
Bobby and Rogue stayed out in the garage talking long after the rest had gone inside. She filled him in on the details from the mall incident first and foremost. She had to state that she was fine a few times before Bobby would quit asking her. They'd fallen into their typical joking banter once they'd both calmed down, complete with the same careful touches and the latest addition to their moments, ice kisses.
"So, did you get the essay for History done?" Rogue finally asked. Bobby had hoped she'd forgotten the reason he'd stayed behind. "Yeah, actually, it was pretty easy once I got started," he answered while bracing for it. "Told you so," they both said in unison, then fell into laughter. "You know," Bobby got out between laughs, "I'm surprised no one has told us to come in yet." "It's not as if we could do anything to get us into trouble," she answered. He got a mischievous look in his eye. "Well, they do make full body con-" A strong punch to the arm shut him up right away. He looked over at Rogue while rubbing his sore arm. She was blushing bright red. Taking the high road, he quickly changed the subject.
"So, did you manage to get anything done before you had to leave the mall?"
Rogue's face, still a little pink from blushing, lit up with a realization. "Actually, I'd totally forgotten about this." She reached into her pocket and only pulled out the card for Jubilee. "Here, sign this for Jubes. I'm going to give it to her on my way to bed," she requested as she handed the card over to Bobby. He smiled at the card before signing it. "Babe, she's either going to love it or kill you."
"Kill us," Rogue corrected. "Your name is on the card too."
Bobby waved his hand in a dismissive manner. "Let her bring it. I'll cure that fever of hers."
To prove his point, he reached out and froze a nearby tool box. Rogue just shook her head at the display. "Bobby, you're awful." "Isn't it great?" he asked as he iced up his lips to give her a peck on the cheek. The moment turned a little more serious as they found themselves looking in each others eyes. Bobby could swear his heart was slowing down as he leaned in.
The door to the garage swung open with a loud thud as it hit a wall. "Why aren't you two in bed? Don't you have tests in the morning?" Logan interrupted. He wasn't in a good mood and just wanted to be alone. Bobby and Rogue didn't move for a moment, then quickly got up and walked towards the open door. "Logan, what's wrong?" Rogue asked as she passed him. The Canadian just growled and lit up his cigar. She could swear she could see the beginnings of a braid in his hair, but wrote it off as an illusion.
She and Bobby had almost made it to the dorm area when she remembered the magnet. "I didn't just get Jubilee something." Bobby raised an eyebrow. "What did you get me?"
"Always about you?" she laughed before pulling the small plastic bag with the magnet in it out of her pocket and tossing it to Bobby. She started to tell him that she hoped he liked it, but a yawn caught her off guard. "I need to get going, hon. I'll never make tomorrow if I don't get some sleep," her voice sounded with regret. "Beauties need their beauty rest," he replied as he kissed her gloved hand. "I'll open this in my room."
Rogue smiled before heading towards her room.
*****
Bobby kept reading over the words on the magnet. Carefully, he placed it on his metal alarm clock so it would be the first thing he saw every morning.