Everything Important
Chapter Sixteen: The Oath, One Regret and Other More Colorful Thoughts
Scott stood on the fine, trimmed lawn. The wind was gentle and playful. His hair danced in the breeze.
He couldn't sleep last night, so he got up early to watch the sun rise. But he was uncomfortable at the mansion and began wandering the grounds.
He was almost surprised to discover where his wanderings had taken him. Almost.
"Just make sure it's after I'm gone." Abair's words echoed through his mind as he stared down at the headstone.
You know? He thought. You sure don't make it easy.
Not to like you – not to respect you – and not to know you.
He grimaced and dropped his eyes from the headstone.
But, those things happened anyway. He admitted, staring at the large displays of flowers.
And suddenly – his thoughts were elsewhere.
You should have seen her, at the funeral, yesterday. He began.
Scott picked up one of the cut flowers and took in it's scent.
I have to admit it, I never looked at her like that before.
He smiled to himself. Because … I'm stupid..
And I guess I wouldn't have known exactly how stupid if you hadn't told me He thought while chuckling mentally
Don't worry. He thought. I'll look out for her – no strings attached.
But I had to let you know.
I see it now.
I know that you were thinking of … this … all along.
You were living every day – every moment – the best you could.
I get it.
He closed his eyes and felt his lids flutter under the pressure of his optic blasts.
And if it should ever happen – if I ever have the chance to make good on my word – I promise you – I would dedicate myself to giving her nothing less than my best.
I swear it.
He laid the flower back upon the grave, slowly, and respectfully. Scott's sorrow and grief felt clean and pure to him. There was nothing false within these emotions and nothing unsure.
But what he felt strongest as a sense of injustice. – For Rogue.
Because, some people don't deserve to be alone.
And now that he could see her through Abair's eyes, he felt for Abair too.
He had finally discovered the one thing they had in common.
They could both regret all that might have been.
Epilogue:
"So Ah guess it's been a hard couple of weeks since it all happened. And Ah see now that Ah've kind of buried mahself in school and all the work Ah had to make up for Xavier …
But that's not what he would have wanted. It's not what Ah want for mahself.
And it's not what he told me to do.
And … even now … Ah trust him.
He knew what he was doing, and he knew that I would hate it, but …
Ah hope he knew that … I understand too.
Ah don't like it. But Ah do understand.
But … sometimes, Ah wonder if …"
She stopped and swallowed. Come on girl, just finish it.
"Ah wonder if – if he would have gone ahead, and waited on the Professor to find a cure if …
Ah wonder if … Ah could have gone with him - in to the suspension unit.
If they could have frozen us together, holding each other … wrapped in silk … and waiting …
Because … Ah think … Ah would have done it.
And, Ah guess, that's mah real sore spot right now … that Ah never even … had the chance … to offer."
She wiped away a few last tears and was surprised to find that she felt better.
He wouldn't have let you. You know that. She told herself, feeling it was true.
She pushed the tablet in to a drawer, threw the pen in on top of it, and closed it all away. Then she stood up from the desk and wandered in to the hall.
Time to get back to living mah life …
Kitty and Storm were talking softly in the room across the hall.
"You ready Kitty?" Rogue asked, smiling shyly as she entered.
Kitty beamed. "Sure am."
"Do you mind if I accompany you?" Storm asked politely.
"No problem." Rogue assured her.
"The Professor gave her his gold card." Kitty smirked.
"You gonna make him regret it Storm?" Rogue asked, teasing.
"I'm picking up new bed linens." She said. "And nothing more."
Rogue snapped her fingers. "Shucks." She smiled softly.
Storm began to usher them out towards the car.
"What I was thinking … " Storm began, speaking conspiratorially with Rogue as they walked. "… was silk sheets, in every color of the rainbow."
"Are you serious?" Rogue looked at her sideways.
"Just for you." She said quickly. "If you're comfortable with the idea."
Rogue looked hesitantly to Kitty and them back to Storm.
She nodded twice in thought. "Alright." She said softly. "Just … No blue."
Storm gave her a compassionate look. "No shades of blue?" She asked, trying to be clear.
Rogue met her eyes. "Right. No blues. Not ever … well, not now." She said softly.
Storm smiled slyly, obviously understanding the implication.
"Did I miss something?" Kitty asked, semi-knowingly. "I always feel like I'm out of the loop."
Rogue just smiled at her. "Ah just happen to think Ah look better in black … or purple … When Ah'm naked."
"Am I going to have to start knocking on our door?" Kitty asked, catching on.
"We'll work out a signal." Rogue said sassily. "Ah'll leave his underwear on the door knob or something."
Storm shook her head, her eyes on the heavens.
"Whose underwear?" Kitty asked her suspiciously.
"Just … The next guy's." Rogue explained with a sudden flush, forcing Storm to smile wide.
As soon as Ah can live up to mah promise that is … The one to let him go …