Authors note: A VERY long chapter I'm afraid - you'll just have to trust
me that it's mostly conversation, so its not that tiring to read. I've
also got an appeal going on here. Does anybody know the title of a fan fic
that was started during the summer? It was about six teens that go from
our world into the Evolution world. I went on holiday, forgetting to make
a note of the author's name, and now I can't find it! I need to know if
she's updated, but I don't know what it is!! So if anyone can help me out
there, I'd be really grateful. Thanks!
The road was almost deserted as Scott Summers drove through Bayville. It was still pretty early, and the morning rush of kids going to school wouldn't start for another half an hour. For that he was thankful. It would make it easier to look for Kurt.
He peered watchfully through the fogged up windscreen. The rain had lessened somewhat - reduced to a light drizzle - but the heavy gray clouds overhead confirmed that it would return. Likely sooner rather than later.
He shivered and wiped at his nose, trying not to think about his friend being out there. He prayed silently that Kurt had found somewhere dry for the night.
He was still trying to get his head around it all. Kurt and Rogue ----- they were brother and sister? It didn't make any sense, no matter how he thought of it. They didn't look alike, they didn't sound alike ----- they couldn't have been more opposite if they had tried. Desperately, he thought back to every conversation he had ever had with either of them, but no matter how he reviewed and scrutinized his memories, they yielded no clues. There was nothing that could have hinted at their connection.
And now Kurt was gone. Disappeared into the night. Scott couldn't understand it. If Kurt had a problem, he could have helped him. They were friends ----- no matter what the trouble was, Scott would have supported him in anyway that he could.
So why run away?
The car cruised around a corner, a thick spray of mud plastering over the immaculate paint job. He ignored it and began to scan the empty street ahead. It was empty. He gave a grunt of frustration and banged his first against the steering wheel, teeth gritted. But then what had he been expecting? If Kurt had run away, it wasn't likely that he would be hanging out the streets of Bayville to be picked up. He was smarter than that, and if Scott wanted to find him, he would have to get smarter too.
He slowed the vehicle down to a slow crawl, frowning. Over the past year or so, he had gotten to know Kurt pretty well. When he had told Professor Xavier that he thought of Kurt as a brother, he hadn't been lying. There had always been a kind of connection between them ---- a bond. Neither had ever put it into words, but they both knew that it was there. If anyone was going to figure out where Kurt had gone, it was going to be him.
"Okay Scott," he muttered darkly to himself," Think. Where's he going to go?"
More to the point, where could he go? He had no money ----- no real friends outside the X Men ---- there was nowhere for him to run to.
The most obvious answer was that he would eventually return to the Institute on his own. That idea appealed to Scott for a number of reasons. This was not the first time that Kurt had gone AWOL. There was that incident with Forge - after he and Scott had had a bust up - he had snuck out with Tabby when he had been grounded ---- and of course there was the first time that Mystique had contacted him. How could he have forgotten that? But every time, he had always returned sooner or later. He had too. They were the only people that he knew in America. Maybe, if he gave it time, he would simply come back of his own accord?
Maybe, but Scott didn't like the idea of hanging around waiting. Jean and the Professor were happy to let Kurt take his time about things, but he wasn't. There was too much as stake, and he couldn't risk his friend being hurt. He was going to find him, and he was going to bring him home.
And that was when it hit him. The Institute wasn't the only home that Kurt Wagner had.
What if ----- what if he was trying to go back to Germany?
Scott trembled. If Kurt went back to Germany, he might never see him again. He would lose him forever.
He swallowed hard and looked down at his watch. Ten past eight. Kurt had been missing for almost ten hours. Okay, he didn't have any passports or luggage on him, but that wouldn't matter. He could just teleport on board any plane he wanted; no problem. There was no way of stopping him.
But Bayville didn't have an airport. If he was planning on leaving the country there was only one possible place that he could go.
The train station was less than ten minutes away. Maybe --- just maybe ---- he could find him before he did anything drastic.
It was his only shot.
Putting his foot down on the accelerator, the car roared down the road.
The platform was almost empty. A light veil of rain pattered against the glass ceiling, air cool and infused with damp. The place was neat and tidy, and - from Rogue's own brief experience with train stations - she guessed that that was unusual.
As if to compensate for this unnatural cleanliness, the candy machine behind her leant a drunken angle, metal front denatured by heavy blows.
Boy, she thought, someone must have REALY wanted that candy.
Normally such evident of violence would have made her nervous, but a quick glance up the platform confirmed that this was unnecessary. The only other people on the line were a mother and her young son, and even they were some distance away. The woman kept shooting her disproving looks.
Rogue realized that she must have looked like Hell. Her dark makeup was smudged and running in streams down her pale face, wet hair plastered lifelessly to her head. Suddenly self-conscious, the young girl tried to smooth out her rumpled skirt. With a sinking heart, she realized that she would probably attract a lot of attention on this trip. That was the last thing that she had wanted.
Her gray eyes lowered as she stared at the piece of paper in her hand. It was a ticket --- a one way ticket.
It only took her as far as Jackson, but Irene could pick her up from there. Then it would be over for her. No more Bayville---- no more X Men.
She swallowed and looked away, wiping fiercely at her eyes; a lump forming in her throat. The truth was that, for a short time, she had been happy here. Not true happiness ---- that was something that Rogue would never experience ---- but still, life had been good. She had made some friends -- - good friends. She had never been close to anyone in the same way that she had been with Risty and Kurt. It broke her heart to think that she was never going to see them again.
She wished that she could have told Risty that she was leaving. It felt wrong, just running away without saying a word. Heck, Risty would have probably wanted to come with her. But that wasn't possible, and she would have to leave her just the same as she was leaving Bayville.
She tried not to think of her friend in school that morning. She'd wait for her at the water fountain, same as she did everyday, only this time Rogue wasn't going to show. How long would it take before Risty realized that she was gone? A day? Two? She'd have to call her --- eventually ---- Rogue wouldn't be able to give her any explanations; any answers that she would be able to make sense of. She'd just be gone. End of story.
And Kurt?
Rogue still didn't know how she felt about Kurt. It hurt to think about him. No matter what had happened between them, he was still the best friend that she had ever had.
And she had loved him.
With all her heart she had loved him.
And it wasn't that she was attracted to him, or wanted to date him or anything like that ---- it was something deeper. She couldn't explain it, she had simply known. It was as natural as breathing. And now she knew why. Kurt was her brother.
She shivered and looked down the platform. The young mother looked away hurriedly, drawing her son protectively closer.
Sniffing, she folded her arms across her chest and waited for her train.
Scott wasn't having much luck.
"He's about sixteen years old. Dark hair ---- kind of skinny looking. Talks with a German accent. Are you sure that you haven't seen him?"
The kid in the ticket stand stared blankly at him. He didn't seem much older than Scott himself. His hair was lank and unkempt, skin blighted by acne. He shook his head. "Sorry. No."
Scott shook his head in frustration - it was like arguing with a brick wall. "Can't you ask someone? Maybe he came here before you started your shift?" He growled through gritted teeth. "This is really important."
The kid gave a weary sighed and tapped his pencil against his cheek. "Listen man, I run this stand from twelve to nine. Trust me; I ain't seen nobody like that."
The young mutant groaned and pressed his first against his forehead. This had been his last shot. It had been a very slim chance, but somehow he had hoped that if he just made it to the train station, them maybe he would find Kurt. Now that hope was gone - and he was loosing Kurt all over again.
Guilt made his gut twist painfully. He should have been there for him. He should have helped him. He simply would not accept that there was nothing that he could have done. If Kurt had run away, then that was his failing as team leader ---- and as a friend.
Frustration and anger burned through his veins, blinding him. He lashed out, bringing his clenched fists down on the glossy counter.
"GOD DAMN IT!"
The train station worker stared at him in disbelief. He rose from his chair and took a step backwards, hand groping for the telephone. "Dude, I don't want any trouble ---- "
Scott swayed on his feet, teeth clenched so tightly that his jaw ached. Slowly, he lifted his head. He saw the kid in shades of crimson ----- saw the look of fear on his face. Whatever else, Scott couldn't afford to lose it. Not now. Kurt was depending on him.
He raised a shaking hand to his head and let his fingers run through his hair. It was an old habit, and it helped to calm him. He stood straight.
"I-I'm sorry," he muttered, looking away. "But he's a friend, you know? I need to find him."
The kid in the ticket stand seemed a little relieved. He relaxed, hand setting the telephone receiver back in its cradle. He shrugged. "I'd help you if I could man, but there hasn't been anybody like that on the platform all night."
"Are you certain? I mean absolutely certain? He might have been wearing a big coat ---- maybe a hood to cover his face?"
"Nu-uh. No one like that. And unless you're friend can disguise himself as a chick, I don't think he's been this way."
Scott hesitated for a moment. With his image inducer, it was possible ----
He shook his head despairingly. It had to be worth a shot. Right now, he was desperate. "Don't suppose you could tell me what this girl looked like, can you?"
The kid blinked, surprised, and wiped a hand over his greasy chin. "I was just kidding. There ain't no way that she was a dude in drag."
Scott folded his arms across his chest. "Humor me. What did she look like?"
There was a confused pause. "About sixteen I guess. Kinda cute, if you're into the whole Goth thing. Weird hair though." He swung his arms uselessly by his side. "Brown, but the front bits were white. Sound like your friend?"
That last comment was meant as a joke, but Scott took it deadly serious. He was silent. The description could only match one person. But what was she doing out here? The Professor had said that she was still in her room. He didn't understand.
"Rogue?"
The kid frowned. "What'd you say?"
Scott looked up suddenly, jaw firm and resolute. Behind his red glasses, his stare was unwavering - the train station worker squirmed under his intense glare.
"This girl - where is she? Is she still here?"
He twitched. "Yeah. Her train doesn't leave for another ten minutes ---- she'll be on the platform waiting."
Without another word, Scott turned away. Resting one hand on the gate, he leaped easily over the metal barrier, landing with a light thud on the other side. Speeding up to a quick jog, he bounded up the stairs to the station platform.
The kid leaned out of his ticket booth. "Hey! You can't go in there without a ticket!"
But if Scott heard him, he didn't show it. The kid gave up and sat back down in his chair, smoothing his lank hair over his forehead. He briefly considered calling security, but decided against it. He remembered the other boy dimly from high school. What was his name? Scott Summers. He'd been in the year below him before he'd dropped out of school. Scott had creeped him out back then as well ---- and what was with those sun glasses? Didn't he look outside? It was raining cats and dogs.
Yup, defiantly something up with that.
Shaking his head incredulously, he sighed and returned to his copy of Playboy.
It wasn't hard to spot Rogue. Aside from her, there were only two other people on the platform. She stood apart from the others, dark and solitary, staring blankly into space. He approached quietly in slow, easy steps. Even from this distance, he could see that she was upset. Her hair was wet and disheveled, her slim shoulders shaking. He remembered what Jean had told him earlier --- about how she had behaved last night. He didn't want to scare her away.
He came to stand close beside her. Her grey eyes remained fixed ahead - she didn't turn to look at him.
"Nice weather we're having," he said quietly.
With a sudden intake of breath, Rogue whirled around. She blinked in surprise and took a step backwards.
"Scott."
The teenage boy smiled sadly. "I know that you want to avoid math class but don't you think that this is a little extreme?"
Regaining her composure, the gothic beauty folded her arms over her chest and looked away. Her dark lips drew downwards. "I'm not going back and you can't make me."
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, who said anything about making you go back?"
That caught her off guard. She frowned thoughtfully; shivering.
"Well ----- what are you doing here then?"
Scott shrugged. "I was just passing."
She snarled bitterly. "Is that you're idea of a joke?"
He sighed apologetically, suddenly tired. "Not really. Just making conversation."
"Yeah, well, you suck at it."
He nodded. "It's been said."
There was a tense silence. Scott watched Rogue mutely as she shifted her weight from one leg, to the other, and then back again. It didn't take a genius to figure out that something was wrong.
Rogue suddenly turned around to face him. Her chest rose and fell with haggard breathing, skin a deathly shade of white. She pressed her mouth into a grim line.
"Listen, I'm sure that you think that you're being a good little X Men and I'm sure that the Prof will be happy with you and everything, but you don't need to hang around. I'm not going back to the Institute. Not now, not ever. So why don't you do yourself a favor and get out of here, huh?"
He shook his head slowly, digging his hands further into his pockets. "Sorry. Can't do that."
She gave a groan of frustration. "Why not?"
"X Men don't walk out on each other."
Incredibly, she laughed. "Don't tell me you still believe in all that X Men bull?!"
He lifted an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"Wake up Scott! The X Men 'family' doesn't exist! They lie to us ---- they've always lied to us ---- kept the truth from us. Does that sound like a family to you? You know, for all of their lectures on teamwork and togetherness, they're all just as corrupt as the rest of them. No, wait --- they're worse. At least the Brotherhood were honest about what they did. They didn't hide behind false ethics."
There was a slight pause. "I guess you're talking about the Professor not telling you the truth about Kurt."
She sneered. "You think?"
There was a low whistle as the wind passed through the platform. A clammy tremor crept over Scott's exposed forearms - man, he wished that he'd remembered a sweater.
"The Prof did what he did because he cares about you. Both of you. He didn't want to see you get hurt."
Rogue ran a hand through her hair, allowing the silver strands to fall over her pale brow. "Keep telling yourself that. One day, you might even believe it."
He watched her closely, eyes hidden behind shades of red. "I do believe it, and deep down, I know that you do too."
"You don't know anything about me."
"I know enough. I know that you're feeling alone and confused right now, and I know that you think that running away is going to solve your problem. But it won't Rogue. You'll have to face it sooner or later, and I don't think that it's the Professor that you have a problem with."
She smiled bitterly, resting her hand on one hip. Her slender frame trembled - though whether that was due to the cold or something else he wasn't sure. "Gee," she murmured "With a shrink act like that, you could give Jean a real run for her money. Kindly turn off you're beam into my soul, Scott. It don't work with me."
Despite himself, the boy began to grow angry. "Why are you pushing me away?" he demanded, taking a step closer "I'm only trying to help you!"
She raised her chin defiantly. "Like the Professor tried to help me? Like Storm and Beast tried to help me?"
"They did what they thought was right."
"Yeah, for them! They don't care about me or Kurt. If Mystique hadn't told us the truth, we still wouldn't know!"
He nodded and began to pace the floor. "Okay, fine. No more lies. No more secrets. Why are you running away?"
"Because they lied to me!"
Scott grew frustrated. "Don't try and pull that crap with me Rogue. I don't buy it! Now something happened last night and I want to know what it is."
She stared at him in disbelief, mouth hanging open slightly. "What happened last night? I found out that I have a brother, that's what happened last night! Not only that, but it's my best friend! And I was the last one to find out about it! Dr McCoy knew about it before I did for God's sake!"
Her final words echoed in the still morning air, cold and accusing. Rogue stood motionless. Her breath came fast and shallow, body trembling. Glancing quickly down the platform, she saw that the mother was now staring fearfully at them, holding the small boy close beside her. Rogue pressed her lips together and stared intently at the ground.
Without warning, she felt two hands being placed on her shoulders. Looking up, she found Scott watching her closely. Despite the situation, she found herself momentarily weakened, a familiar tremor making her resolve wane. God she hated it when he looked at her like that.
"I'm sorry Rogue," he murmured quietly "I am. I'm only trying to help you."
She lowered her head. "I know."
There was a silence as they stood together. Rogue closed her eyes wearily, a heavy sigh escaping her darkly painted lips. She was suddenly tired ---- so very tired. She hadn't slept all night, and now the cold was making her feel drained. She didn't have the strength to fight anymore. She wanted was to collapse into his arms and forget everything.
"You're train will be along in a minute," he murmured.
She nodded, not looking up. "Yeah, I know."
"Come back to the Institute with me. I'll help you."
----- You can't help me. No one can help me--------
She sniffed and shrugged one shoulder, breaking away from him. "I can't go back there. Not now. Too much has happened."
Scott felt the growing distance between them as she pulled away. His hands hung uselessly by his side. He watched helpless as she began to move down the platform.
"What happened last night?" He called desperately after her "Why did Kurt run away?"
She halted mid step, remaining motionless for a moment. Slowly, she turned to face him. Her dark eyebrows were pulled together in a look of uncertainty, gloved fingers curling against her palms. She hesitated.
"Kurt ran away?"
Scott took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah. He took off late last night."
She stood silently, not saying anything but not walking away from him either. Scott scrutinized her carefully. Now he was getting somewhere. If he could just keep her talking until her train arrived -----
"The Professor says that he was in pretty bad shape, and I don't know about the rest of them, but I'm worried." He took a cautious step forward "He's all alone out there. Probably real frightened. Confused --- lost --- anything could happen to him."
She shook. "I-I didn't know ---- I thought that he was back at the Institute --- with you ---"
Scott stepped closer, increasing the pressure. Far behind him, he could hear the low whispering of the train moving down the tunnel. He didn't have much time ---
"No, he's not. We don't know where he is."
She closed her eyes and held her hand across her forehead. "Oh no," she breathed.
Scott glanced nervously over his shoulder. He had to hurry this along or he would lose her forever. He might not be able to help Kurt, but he could still help Rogue.
He was close enough to touch her now. "Is that what you're running from? Did you and Kurt fight? Is that why he ran away?"
From the dark tunnel opening, a dim glow began to emerge. The low whisper became a whooshing of air; a lone plastic bag caught in the updraft and sent spiraling towards the ceiling.
Rogue nodded. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"What happened?"
She looked up at him. Hey grey eyes glistened in the neon light, makeup streaked by long dried tears. It suddenly struck him just how young she looked.
"He told me that he was in love with me," she murmured quietly.
With a sudden breeze, the train roared into the station. The rush of air made Scott take a step backwards to steady himself. Reaching forward, he caught Rogue on the shoulder as she swayed. The train slowed quickly with a metallic screech of wheels. The young girl winced.
The train came to rest close by and a number of passengers stepped off. The mother and son boarded almost immediately, pausing only to throw Rogue suspicious glances. She made a quick mental note to get on a different carriage as them.
She turned her gaze back to Scott. His glasses made his expression almost impossible to read, but by his twitching eyebrows she could tell that he was shocked, no matter how he tried to disguise it.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "That err---wasn't quite what I was expecting."
Rogue studied her mud splattered boots intently. "I know. Me neither."
"He never was very good at timing."
She frowned. "Tell me about it. One minute he's my brother, the next he's kissing me. I ---- I just didn't know what to think."
The X Men team leader sighed and thought. After a moment, he continued.
"Listen Rogue, I'm not going to tell you that I know what he was thinking. I can't even imagine what was going through his head yesterday. But if I was in his position, I'd probably be pretty freaked out by the whole thing, and I'd probably be afraid of being alone." He looked up at her. "Maybe he was just desperate and he didn't want to lose you, so he reached out in the only way that he could think of."
The gothic painted beauty paused, biting her lower lip. She shut her eyes tightly. "Why did he have to ruin everything?" she snarled through gritted teeth. "Why couldn't he have just left things alone?"
Scott shook his head. "He did what he thought was right."
She trembled. "I hate him."
"You don't mean that."
Rogue met his gaze steadily. "Don't I?"
The nearby train let off a hiss of air. It was getting ready to depart.
Scott tried not to let his desperation show. He reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. "No, you don't. I know you Rogue, and I know how much you care about Kurt. You're hurting now but that's not going to last forever. You can't run away from this, please ---- let me help you."
Rogue hesitated, glancing first at his hand and then at the train behind her. He saw the uncertainty clouding her expression.
"Please Rogue."
She wavered. "When Mystique told him that I was his sister ---- he just ran. He didn't even look at me." She looked up at him suddenly, searching his eyes. "How can he be in love with me if he just ran and left me alone?"
Scott ran his thumb over her collarbone. "I'm not going to leave you. Come home with me."
She sighed and looked away. Then, slowly, she nodded sadly.
"Take me home Scott."
The train arrived in Bayville at nine o'clock exactly that morning, bound for Jackson. On it where twenty three passengers. Rogue was not amongst them.
It was almost an hour later when she received the call.
Picking up the receiver with an azure skinned hand, Mystique held the telephone close to her ear. She knew who it would be --- only one person in the world had her personal number.
"Irene?"
The voice on the other end on the line was comfortingly familiar. "Yes Raven, it's me."
Mystique didn't like to waste time on small talk. "Is the girl with you?"
There was a pause. "No."
Pale eyes narrowed menacingly, feline teeth gritting. "Why?" she demanded harshly "What went wrong?"
"She was intercepted by one of the X Men. I saw it, Raven. She is beyond our reach now --- at least for the time being."
Mystique snarled darkly and leaned against the wall, covering her eyes with a hand. "I can't accept that."
Irene was ever patient. "I've seen it in a vision. The time is not yet right for Rogue, but it will come --- I promise you."
The flame haired mutant sighed. "We shall see."
There was another pause.
"How is the boy?"
Mystique lifted her head heavenwards, eyelids half closed. "Irene, he is here. I can see him, I can hear him. After waiting so long ---- to finally have him ---- "
She fell into silence. Words could never fully describe how she felt.
Irene understood. She waited for a moment, allowing Mystique to have a moment with her thoughts.
"Has he woken up yet?"
Mystique shook her head. "No, not yet. He is a little feverish after last night --- I thought it best to let him sleep."
There was a slight hesitation on the other end of the line. Mystique noticed it. "What is it?" she asked sharply.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me, Irene. I've known you too long. What troubles you?"
There was the sound of a sigh, slow and sad. "Raven, I've seen the future. If you continue down this path, one of them will get hurt. Can you really risk that?"
Mystique stood still. "This is a discussion we have had before. Rogue and Kurt mean everything to me --- I will not allow them to be harmed."
"Raven-"
"I don't want to talk about it Irene!"
There was a heavy silence. The only sound was that of Mystique's own quiet breathing.
"Alright Raven. You must do what you must."
Mystique looked weary. "I will keep them safe, I promise you."
"I know."
There was another pause.
"I love you Raven."
Mystique didn't reply, but that was alright. Irene knew that some things hurt to much to say out loud. There was a whispered click, and then the line went dead.
The blue skinned woman held the receiver to her ear for a moment after Irene had gone, thinking. A familiar feeling of doubt crept across her stomach. She had known Irene long enough to trust in her gift of far sight - time and time again she had been proven right over the years. No matter what she had said on the phone, she feared for her children's safety. She didn't want to see them hurt --- that was the last thing that she wanted.
She half considered calling the whole thing off. It wouldn't be hard - if she told them that it had all been part of some evil plot she had concocted, they would probably believe her. Maybe that could keep them from harm ---
But she couldn't give up now. Not now. She was so close.
She put the telephone down and straightened her skirt. No, no matter what Irene saw, there was nothing that was going to keep her from her children. She had waited too long --- been through too much pain, to just simply give up. She had already claimed Kurt --- she was almost there.
Kurt.
Setting the tea cup straight, she picked up the tray and began to walk out of the room. Her son would be waking soon, and she planned to be there for him when he did. She pushed all thoughts of Irene and her predictions to the back of her head. Kurt was all that mattered now. He was her world, and nothing --- NOTHING ---- was going to take that away from her. Not now, not ever.
Mystique smiled. It was going to be a beautiful day.
The road was almost deserted as Scott Summers drove through Bayville. It was still pretty early, and the morning rush of kids going to school wouldn't start for another half an hour. For that he was thankful. It would make it easier to look for Kurt.
He peered watchfully through the fogged up windscreen. The rain had lessened somewhat - reduced to a light drizzle - but the heavy gray clouds overhead confirmed that it would return. Likely sooner rather than later.
He shivered and wiped at his nose, trying not to think about his friend being out there. He prayed silently that Kurt had found somewhere dry for the night.
He was still trying to get his head around it all. Kurt and Rogue ----- they were brother and sister? It didn't make any sense, no matter how he thought of it. They didn't look alike, they didn't sound alike ----- they couldn't have been more opposite if they had tried. Desperately, he thought back to every conversation he had ever had with either of them, but no matter how he reviewed and scrutinized his memories, they yielded no clues. There was nothing that could have hinted at their connection.
And now Kurt was gone. Disappeared into the night. Scott couldn't understand it. If Kurt had a problem, he could have helped him. They were friends ----- no matter what the trouble was, Scott would have supported him in anyway that he could.
So why run away?
The car cruised around a corner, a thick spray of mud plastering over the immaculate paint job. He ignored it and began to scan the empty street ahead. It was empty. He gave a grunt of frustration and banged his first against the steering wheel, teeth gritted. But then what had he been expecting? If Kurt had run away, it wasn't likely that he would be hanging out the streets of Bayville to be picked up. He was smarter than that, and if Scott wanted to find him, he would have to get smarter too.
He slowed the vehicle down to a slow crawl, frowning. Over the past year or so, he had gotten to know Kurt pretty well. When he had told Professor Xavier that he thought of Kurt as a brother, he hadn't been lying. There had always been a kind of connection between them ---- a bond. Neither had ever put it into words, but they both knew that it was there. If anyone was going to figure out where Kurt had gone, it was going to be him.
"Okay Scott," he muttered darkly to himself," Think. Where's he going to go?"
More to the point, where could he go? He had no money ----- no real friends outside the X Men ---- there was nowhere for him to run to.
The most obvious answer was that he would eventually return to the Institute on his own. That idea appealed to Scott for a number of reasons. This was not the first time that Kurt had gone AWOL. There was that incident with Forge - after he and Scott had had a bust up - he had snuck out with Tabby when he had been grounded ---- and of course there was the first time that Mystique had contacted him. How could he have forgotten that? But every time, he had always returned sooner or later. He had too. They were the only people that he knew in America. Maybe, if he gave it time, he would simply come back of his own accord?
Maybe, but Scott didn't like the idea of hanging around waiting. Jean and the Professor were happy to let Kurt take his time about things, but he wasn't. There was too much as stake, and he couldn't risk his friend being hurt. He was going to find him, and he was going to bring him home.
And that was when it hit him. The Institute wasn't the only home that Kurt Wagner had.
What if ----- what if he was trying to go back to Germany?
Scott trembled. If Kurt went back to Germany, he might never see him again. He would lose him forever.
He swallowed hard and looked down at his watch. Ten past eight. Kurt had been missing for almost ten hours. Okay, he didn't have any passports or luggage on him, but that wouldn't matter. He could just teleport on board any plane he wanted; no problem. There was no way of stopping him.
But Bayville didn't have an airport. If he was planning on leaving the country there was only one possible place that he could go.
The train station was less than ten minutes away. Maybe --- just maybe ---- he could find him before he did anything drastic.
It was his only shot.
Putting his foot down on the accelerator, the car roared down the road.
The platform was almost empty. A light veil of rain pattered against the glass ceiling, air cool and infused with damp. The place was neat and tidy, and - from Rogue's own brief experience with train stations - she guessed that that was unusual.
As if to compensate for this unnatural cleanliness, the candy machine behind her leant a drunken angle, metal front denatured by heavy blows.
Boy, she thought, someone must have REALY wanted that candy.
Normally such evident of violence would have made her nervous, but a quick glance up the platform confirmed that this was unnecessary. The only other people on the line were a mother and her young son, and even they were some distance away. The woman kept shooting her disproving looks.
Rogue realized that she must have looked like Hell. Her dark makeup was smudged and running in streams down her pale face, wet hair plastered lifelessly to her head. Suddenly self-conscious, the young girl tried to smooth out her rumpled skirt. With a sinking heart, she realized that she would probably attract a lot of attention on this trip. That was the last thing that she had wanted.
Her gray eyes lowered as she stared at the piece of paper in her hand. It was a ticket --- a one way ticket.
It only took her as far as Jackson, but Irene could pick her up from there. Then it would be over for her. No more Bayville---- no more X Men.
She swallowed and looked away, wiping fiercely at her eyes; a lump forming in her throat. The truth was that, for a short time, she had been happy here. Not true happiness ---- that was something that Rogue would never experience ---- but still, life had been good. She had made some friends -- - good friends. She had never been close to anyone in the same way that she had been with Risty and Kurt. It broke her heart to think that she was never going to see them again.
She wished that she could have told Risty that she was leaving. It felt wrong, just running away without saying a word. Heck, Risty would have probably wanted to come with her. But that wasn't possible, and she would have to leave her just the same as she was leaving Bayville.
She tried not to think of her friend in school that morning. She'd wait for her at the water fountain, same as she did everyday, only this time Rogue wasn't going to show. How long would it take before Risty realized that she was gone? A day? Two? She'd have to call her --- eventually ---- Rogue wouldn't be able to give her any explanations; any answers that she would be able to make sense of. She'd just be gone. End of story.
And Kurt?
Rogue still didn't know how she felt about Kurt. It hurt to think about him. No matter what had happened between them, he was still the best friend that she had ever had.
And she had loved him.
With all her heart she had loved him.
And it wasn't that she was attracted to him, or wanted to date him or anything like that ---- it was something deeper. She couldn't explain it, she had simply known. It was as natural as breathing. And now she knew why. Kurt was her brother.
She shivered and looked down the platform. The young mother looked away hurriedly, drawing her son protectively closer.
Sniffing, she folded her arms across her chest and waited for her train.
Scott wasn't having much luck.
"He's about sixteen years old. Dark hair ---- kind of skinny looking. Talks with a German accent. Are you sure that you haven't seen him?"
The kid in the ticket stand stared blankly at him. He didn't seem much older than Scott himself. His hair was lank and unkempt, skin blighted by acne. He shook his head. "Sorry. No."
Scott shook his head in frustration - it was like arguing with a brick wall. "Can't you ask someone? Maybe he came here before you started your shift?" He growled through gritted teeth. "This is really important."
The kid gave a weary sighed and tapped his pencil against his cheek. "Listen man, I run this stand from twelve to nine. Trust me; I ain't seen nobody like that."
The young mutant groaned and pressed his first against his forehead. This had been his last shot. It had been a very slim chance, but somehow he had hoped that if he just made it to the train station, them maybe he would find Kurt. Now that hope was gone - and he was loosing Kurt all over again.
Guilt made his gut twist painfully. He should have been there for him. He should have helped him. He simply would not accept that there was nothing that he could have done. If Kurt had run away, then that was his failing as team leader ---- and as a friend.
Frustration and anger burned through his veins, blinding him. He lashed out, bringing his clenched fists down on the glossy counter.
"GOD DAMN IT!"
The train station worker stared at him in disbelief. He rose from his chair and took a step backwards, hand groping for the telephone. "Dude, I don't want any trouble ---- "
Scott swayed on his feet, teeth clenched so tightly that his jaw ached. Slowly, he lifted his head. He saw the kid in shades of crimson ----- saw the look of fear on his face. Whatever else, Scott couldn't afford to lose it. Not now. Kurt was depending on him.
He raised a shaking hand to his head and let his fingers run through his hair. It was an old habit, and it helped to calm him. He stood straight.
"I-I'm sorry," he muttered, looking away. "But he's a friend, you know? I need to find him."
The kid in the ticket stand seemed a little relieved. He relaxed, hand setting the telephone receiver back in its cradle. He shrugged. "I'd help you if I could man, but there hasn't been anybody like that on the platform all night."
"Are you certain? I mean absolutely certain? He might have been wearing a big coat ---- maybe a hood to cover his face?"
"Nu-uh. No one like that. And unless you're friend can disguise himself as a chick, I don't think he's been this way."
Scott hesitated for a moment. With his image inducer, it was possible ----
He shook his head despairingly. It had to be worth a shot. Right now, he was desperate. "Don't suppose you could tell me what this girl looked like, can you?"
The kid blinked, surprised, and wiped a hand over his greasy chin. "I was just kidding. There ain't no way that she was a dude in drag."
Scott folded his arms across his chest. "Humor me. What did she look like?"
There was a confused pause. "About sixteen I guess. Kinda cute, if you're into the whole Goth thing. Weird hair though." He swung his arms uselessly by his side. "Brown, but the front bits were white. Sound like your friend?"
That last comment was meant as a joke, but Scott took it deadly serious. He was silent. The description could only match one person. But what was she doing out here? The Professor had said that she was still in her room. He didn't understand.
"Rogue?"
The kid frowned. "What'd you say?"
Scott looked up suddenly, jaw firm and resolute. Behind his red glasses, his stare was unwavering - the train station worker squirmed under his intense glare.
"This girl - where is she? Is she still here?"
He twitched. "Yeah. Her train doesn't leave for another ten minutes ---- she'll be on the platform waiting."
Without another word, Scott turned away. Resting one hand on the gate, he leaped easily over the metal barrier, landing with a light thud on the other side. Speeding up to a quick jog, he bounded up the stairs to the station platform.
The kid leaned out of his ticket booth. "Hey! You can't go in there without a ticket!"
But if Scott heard him, he didn't show it. The kid gave up and sat back down in his chair, smoothing his lank hair over his forehead. He briefly considered calling security, but decided against it. He remembered the other boy dimly from high school. What was his name? Scott Summers. He'd been in the year below him before he'd dropped out of school. Scott had creeped him out back then as well ---- and what was with those sun glasses? Didn't he look outside? It was raining cats and dogs.
Yup, defiantly something up with that.
Shaking his head incredulously, he sighed and returned to his copy of Playboy.
It wasn't hard to spot Rogue. Aside from her, there were only two other people on the platform. She stood apart from the others, dark and solitary, staring blankly into space. He approached quietly in slow, easy steps. Even from this distance, he could see that she was upset. Her hair was wet and disheveled, her slim shoulders shaking. He remembered what Jean had told him earlier --- about how she had behaved last night. He didn't want to scare her away.
He came to stand close beside her. Her grey eyes remained fixed ahead - she didn't turn to look at him.
"Nice weather we're having," he said quietly.
With a sudden intake of breath, Rogue whirled around. She blinked in surprise and took a step backwards.
"Scott."
The teenage boy smiled sadly. "I know that you want to avoid math class but don't you think that this is a little extreme?"
Regaining her composure, the gothic beauty folded her arms over her chest and looked away. Her dark lips drew downwards. "I'm not going back and you can't make me."
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, who said anything about making you go back?"
That caught her off guard. She frowned thoughtfully; shivering.
"Well ----- what are you doing here then?"
Scott shrugged. "I was just passing."
She snarled bitterly. "Is that you're idea of a joke?"
He sighed apologetically, suddenly tired. "Not really. Just making conversation."
"Yeah, well, you suck at it."
He nodded. "It's been said."
There was a tense silence. Scott watched Rogue mutely as she shifted her weight from one leg, to the other, and then back again. It didn't take a genius to figure out that something was wrong.
Rogue suddenly turned around to face him. Her chest rose and fell with haggard breathing, skin a deathly shade of white. She pressed her mouth into a grim line.
"Listen, I'm sure that you think that you're being a good little X Men and I'm sure that the Prof will be happy with you and everything, but you don't need to hang around. I'm not going back to the Institute. Not now, not ever. So why don't you do yourself a favor and get out of here, huh?"
He shook his head slowly, digging his hands further into his pockets. "Sorry. Can't do that."
She gave a groan of frustration. "Why not?"
"X Men don't walk out on each other."
Incredibly, she laughed. "Don't tell me you still believe in all that X Men bull?!"
He lifted an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.
"Wake up Scott! The X Men 'family' doesn't exist! They lie to us ---- they've always lied to us ---- kept the truth from us. Does that sound like a family to you? You know, for all of their lectures on teamwork and togetherness, they're all just as corrupt as the rest of them. No, wait --- they're worse. At least the Brotherhood were honest about what they did. They didn't hide behind false ethics."
There was a slight pause. "I guess you're talking about the Professor not telling you the truth about Kurt."
She sneered. "You think?"
There was a low whistle as the wind passed through the platform. A clammy tremor crept over Scott's exposed forearms - man, he wished that he'd remembered a sweater.
"The Prof did what he did because he cares about you. Both of you. He didn't want to see you get hurt."
Rogue ran a hand through her hair, allowing the silver strands to fall over her pale brow. "Keep telling yourself that. One day, you might even believe it."
He watched her closely, eyes hidden behind shades of red. "I do believe it, and deep down, I know that you do too."
"You don't know anything about me."
"I know enough. I know that you're feeling alone and confused right now, and I know that you think that running away is going to solve your problem. But it won't Rogue. You'll have to face it sooner or later, and I don't think that it's the Professor that you have a problem with."
She smiled bitterly, resting her hand on one hip. Her slender frame trembled - though whether that was due to the cold or something else he wasn't sure. "Gee," she murmured "With a shrink act like that, you could give Jean a real run for her money. Kindly turn off you're beam into my soul, Scott. It don't work with me."
Despite himself, the boy began to grow angry. "Why are you pushing me away?" he demanded, taking a step closer "I'm only trying to help you!"
She raised her chin defiantly. "Like the Professor tried to help me? Like Storm and Beast tried to help me?"
"They did what they thought was right."
"Yeah, for them! They don't care about me or Kurt. If Mystique hadn't told us the truth, we still wouldn't know!"
He nodded and began to pace the floor. "Okay, fine. No more lies. No more secrets. Why are you running away?"
"Because they lied to me!"
Scott grew frustrated. "Don't try and pull that crap with me Rogue. I don't buy it! Now something happened last night and I want to know what it is."
She stared at him in disbelief, mouth hanging open slightly. "What happened last night? I found out that I have a brother, that's what happened last night! Not only that, but it's my best friend! And I was the last one to find out about it! Dr McCoy knew about it before I did for God's sake!"
Her final words echoed in the still morning air, cold and accusing. Rogue stood motionless. Her breath came fast and shallow, body trembling. Glancing quickly down the platform, she saw that the mother was now staring fearfully at them, holding the small boy close beside her. Rogue pressed her lips together and stared intently at the ground.
Without warning, she felt two hands being placed on her shoulders. Looking up, she found Scott watching her closely. Despite the situation, she found herself momentarily weakened, a familiar tremor making her resolve wane. God she hated it when he looked at her like that.
"I'm sorry Rogue," he murmured quietly "I am. I'm only trying to help you."
She lowered her head. "I know."
There was a silence as they stood together. Rogue closed her eyes wearily, a heavy sigh escaping her darkly painted lips. She was suddenly tired ---- so very tired. She hadn't slept all night, and now the cold was making her feel drained. She didn't have the strength to fight anymore. She wanted was to collapse into his arms and forget everything.
"You're train will be along in a minute," he murmured.
She nodded, not looking up. "Yeah, I know."
"Come back to the Institute with me. I'll help you."
----- You can't help me. No one can help me--------
She sniffed and shrugged one shoulder, breaking away from him. "I can't go back there. Not now. Too much has happened."
Scott felt the growing distance between them as she pulled away. His hands hung uselessly by his side. He watched helpless as she began to move down the platform.
"What happened last night?" He called desperately after her "Why did Kurt run away?"
She halted mid step, remaining motionless for a moment. Slowly, she turned to face him. Her dark eyebrows were pulled together in a look of uncertainty, gloved fingers curling against her palms. She hesitated.
"Kurt ran away?"
Scott took a deep breath, nodding. "Yeah. He took off late last night."
She stood silently, not saying anything but not walking away from him either. Scott scrutinized her carefully. Now he was getting somewhere. If he could just keep her talking until her train arrived -----
"The Professor says that he was in pretty bad shape, and I don't know about the rest of them, but I'm worried." He took a cautious step forward "He's all alone out there. Probably real frightened. Confused --- lost --- anything could happen to him."
She shook. "I-I didn't know ---- I thought that he was back at the Institute --- with you ---"
Scott stepped closer, increasing the pressure. Far behind him, he could hear the low whispering of the train moving down the tunnel. He didn't have much time ---
"No, he's not. We don't know where he is."
She closed her eyes and held her hand across her forehead. "Oh no," she breathed.
Scott glanced nervously over his shoulder. He had to hurry this along or he would lose her forever. He might not be able to help Kurt, but he could still help Rogue.
He was close enough to touch her now. "Is that what you're running from? Did you and Kurt fight? Is that why he ran away?"
From the dark tunnel opening, a dim glow began to emerge. The low whisper became a whooshing of air; a lone plastic bag caught in the updraft and sent spiraling towards the ceiling.
Rogue nodded. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"What happened?"
She looked up at him. Hey grey eyes glistened in the neon light, makeup streaked by long dried tears. It suddenly struck him just how young she looked.
"He told me that he was in love with me," she murmured quietly.
With a sudden breeze, the train roared into the station. The rush of air made Scott take a step backwards to steady himself. Reaching forward, he caught Rogue on the shoulder as she swayed. The train slowed quickly with a metallic screech of wheels. The young girl winced.
The train came to rest close by and a number of passengers stepped off. The mother and son boarded almost immediately, pausing only to throw Rogue suspicious glances. She made a quick mental note to get on a different carriage as them.
She turned her gaze back to Scott. His glasses made his expression almost impossible to read, but by his twitching eyebrows she could tell that he was shocked, no matter how he tried to disguise it.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "That err---wasn't quite what I was expecting."
Rogue studied her mud splattered boots intently. "I know. Me neither."
"He never was very good at timing."
She frowned. "Tell me about it. One minute he's my brother, the next he's kissing me. I ---- I just didn't know what to think."
The X Men team leader sighed and thought. After a moment, he continued.
"Listen Rogue, I'm not going to tell you that I know what he was thinking. I can't even imagine what was going through his head yesterday. But if I was in his position, I'd probably be pretty freaked out by the whole thing, and I'd probably be afraid of being alone." He looked up at her. "Maybe he was just desperate and he didn't want to lose you, so he reached out in the only way that he could think of."
The gothic painted beauty paused, biting her lower lip. She shut her eyes tightly. "Why did he have to ruin everything?" she snarled through gritted teeth. "Why couldn't he have just left things alone?"
Scott shook his head. "He did what he thought was right."
She trembled. "I hate him."
"You don't mean that."
Rogue met his gaze steadily. "Don't I?"
The nearby train let off a hiss of air. It was getting ready to depart.
Scott tried not to let his desperation show. He reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. "No, you don't. I know you Rogue, and I know how much you care about Kurt. You're hurting now but that's not going to last forever. You can't run away from this, please ---- let me help you."
Rogue hesitated, glancing first at his hand and then at the train behind her. He saw the uncertainty clouding her expression.
"Please Rogue."
She wavered. "When Mystique told him that I was his sister ---- he just ran. He didn't even look at me." She looked up at him suddenly, searching his eyes. "How can he be in love with me if he just ran and left me alone?"
Scott ran his thumb over her collarbone. "I'm not going to leave you. Come home with me."
She sighed and looked away. Then, slowly, she nodded sadly.
"Take me home Scott."
The train arrived in Bayville at nine o'clock exactly that morning, bound for Jackson. On it where twenty three passengers. Rogue was not amongst them.
It was almost an hour later when she received the call.
Picking up the receiver with an azure skinned hand, Mystique held the telephone close to her ear. She knew who it would be --- only one person in the world had her personal number.
"Irene?"
The voice on the other end on the line was comfortingly familiar. "Yes Raven, it's me."
Mystique didn't like to waste time on small talk. "Is the girl with you?"
There was a pause. "No."
Pale eyes narrowed menacingly, feline teeth gritting. "Why?" she demanded harshly "What went wrong?"
"She was intercepted by one of the X Men. I saw it, Raven. She is beyond our reach now --- at least for the time being."
Mystique snarled darkly and leaned against the wall, covering her eyes with a hand. "I can't accept that."
Irene was ever patient. "I've seen it in a vision. The time is not yet right for Rogue, but it will come --- I promise you."
The flame haired mutant sighed. "We shall see."
There was another pause.
"How is the boy?"
Mystique lifted her head heavenwards, eyelids half closed. "Irene, he is here. I can see him, I can hear him. After waiting so long ---- to finally have him ---- "
She fell into silence. Words could never fully describe how she felt.
Irene understood. She waited for a moment, allowing Mystique to have a moment with her thoughts.
"Has he woken up yet?"
Mystique shook her head. "No, not yet. He is a little feverish after last night --- I thought it best to let him sleep."
There was a slight hesitation on the other end of the line. Mystique noticed it. "What is it?" she asked sharply.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me, Irene. I've known you too long. What troubles you?"
There was the sound of a sigh, slow and sad. "Raven, I've seen the future. If you continue down this path, one of them will get hurt. Can you really risk that?"
Mystique stood still. "This is a discussion we have had before. Rogue and Kurt mean everything to me --- I will not allow them to be harmed."
"Raven-"
"I don't want to talk about it Irene!"
There was a heavy silence. The only sound was that of Mystique's own quiet breathing.
"Alright Raven. You must do what you must."
Mystique looked weary. "I will keep them safe, I promise you."
"I know."
There was another pause.
"I love you Raven."
Mystique didn't reply, but that was alright. Irene knew that some things hurt to much to say out loud. There was a whispered click, and then the line went dead.
The blue skinned woman held the receiver to her ear for a moment after Irene had gone, thinking. A familiar feeling of doubt crept across her stomach. She had known Irene long enough to trust in her gift of far sight - time and time again she had been proven right over the years. No matter what she had said on the phone, she feared for her children's safety. She didn't want to see them hurt --- that was the last thing that she wanted.
She half considered calling the whole thing off. It wouldn't be hard - if she told them that it had all been part of some evil plot she had concocted, they would probably believe her. Maybe that could keep them from harm ---
But she couldn't give up now. Not now. She was so close.
She put the telephone down and straightened her skirt. No, no matter what Irene saw, there was nothing that was going to keep her from her children. She had waited too long --- been through too much pain, to just simply give up. She had already claimed Kurt --- she was almost there.
Kurt.
Setting the tea cup straight, she picked up the tray and began to walk out of the room. Her son would be waking soon, and she planned to be there for him when he did. She pushed all thoughts of Irene and her predictions to the back of her head. Kurt was all that mattered now. He was her world, and nothing --- NOTHING ---- was going to take that away from her. Not now, not ever.
Mystique smiled. It was going to be a beautiful day.