Disclaimer: Again, I only own this story, but not it's characters and the source material. Don't sue me, Marvel.
Author's Notes: I love you guys. Especially Post. And I hope I didn't go overboard with the accents (Randi, shut up).
-----------------------------
Teetering
Chapter Five
"So...how are you?"
She sighed. "Haven't we been through this already? Many times, 'Ah recall."
I grinned. I couldn't help it. Her wry wit was something I always liked about her. Not to mention the accent.
"Hmm. You must be feeling better. You're becoming more and more like your cheerful old self." I kept the grin going so she wouldn't take offense to that.
"Ha ha, Kurt. When did yah become such a comedian, huh?"
"Oh, didn't you know? I've always been funny."
"If your idea of funny is Danger Room sessions first thing in the mornin', then Ah take back what Ah said befo'."
"Touchè."
We laughed, and for that moment, I was in my ideal world with Rogue: the two of us talking, laughing, enjoying one another's company. I knew that I had to find a way to make that permanent, make it lasting.
"You need to hurry up and get better. Place isn't the same without you."
"Shh-yeah right. Ah'm sure no one noticed Ah'm even gone."
"Oh, what makes you think that? Everyone misses you, especially with Evan gone gone, and some of the younger students, too. Not to mention this whole 'Mesmero and the three keys' thing going on. Seeing another friendly face is also good on a burdened spirit."
"Friendly face?"
I wished she wasn't so self-deprecating. She was far too good of a person to do so all the time. But still, to keep up the facade of mere friendliness going, I laughed. Subtlety was the key.
"Fine, fine. How's 'familiar' work?"
She rolled her eyes, but her small smile meant that I had gotten away with not offending her...again.
"And you actually expect meh ta believe all that?"
Again, I wasn't sure whether to frown at her pessimism or laugh at her wit. So I did neither. I changed the subject.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're not missing anything by not going to school."
"That's fo' sure."
I shrugged. "Maybe you're better off not coming back. I figure you could stay here and get tutored like the Brotherhood boys."
"Ugh. School sounds lahke paradise compared to that."
We both laughed, easily seeing the humor in that, while knowing it was far from the truth. And then...
"Scott, can Ah ask ya somethin'?"
Whoa. Weren't we just laughing?
That caught my attention, cutting off her laughter like a hot knife through butter, or so I think the saying goes. It came out of nowhere, that's for sure. Laughing one moment, and the next...she sounded so serious. Something seemed to be up.
"Uh, sure. Anything. What is it?"
"Well...Ah want ta know...why do yah keep comin' down here to see meh?"
I froze. That was the question I'd been dreading from her. A million thoughts rumbled through my head and I fought the surge of emotions for the right thing to say; 'right' being neutral and friendly, not overly compassionate and not overly stand-offish.
"Uh...well...to see you, of course."
Doh. Wrong thing to say, Scott. Stupidity: 1, Logic: 0.
Her face showed no expression.
If my body were just a hollow vessel, piloted by a crew of Lilliputians, then sirens would be wailing, klaxons blaring, and a miniature, but obese, Scotsman would be saying, "She's goin' into overload! I just can't control her, Captain! I just don't have the power!"
I had to think of something fast.
"Well, as lame as it sounds, it's true. We're a team, a family, and we take care of each other as best we can. I care about you, and I care for everyone here."
Yes, it was very lame. But it needed to be said until the right time, when she could know how I felt. Stupidity: 1, Logic: 1. I wasn't going to lose this one, oh no.
"Oh. Well...uh...thanks, 'Ah guess." Her tone sounded as if she were disappointed in something I said. Which meant that she might potentially reciprocate the sentiment. Which was good for me.
Very good.
We sat in an uncomfortable silence for a moment, neither of us quite knowing what to say. I sure as hell didn't, at least. And so, on impulse, I did the first thing that clearly came to mind.
"C'mon. Let's go." I grabbed one of her gloved hands and started to pull her up out of the bed.
"What are yah doin', Scott?!?"
"I'm getting you some fresh air," I told her, but she broke free of my grasp.
"Yah know that Ah'm not s'posed to leave this room, raht?"
"But that hasn't stopped you before, has it?"
"Ah don't know what yah're talkin' about," she said, narrowing her eyes.
I smiled. "Don't lie to me. I know you wouldn't still be sane if you were stuck down here all day. Now come on." Again, I took her gloved hand and pulled her forward...
...and promptly let it go.
Why?
Well...
She squeaked.
I almost couldn't believe it.
Never in my life did I expect to hear Rogue squeak.
It...well...caught me off guard.
Because for whatever stupid reason, I expected her to be in her typical green mesh shirt-black top-black skirt get-up. I guess it was the gloves that threw me off. Stupidity: 2, Logic: 1. The score wasn't looking too good.
At least I had enough fortune for her to be wearing something instead of nothing.
Not that I could blame her for whatever girlish noises she made. If I were clad in only a flimsy hospital gown, I'd probably act the same if someone tried to yank me out of my bed.
Well, not squeak. More like a grunt. I'd kill myself if I ever squeaked.
"Sorry," I said, blushing. "Do you have any clothes in here?"
"Nothin' that's clean."
"Then I'll go to your room and get some for you."
This time, she glared. Hard.
"Touch mah stuff, and you die." I was beginning to wonder if there was still a little bit of me left inside her head. The way she was glaring, I was almost afraid something would shoot out from her eyes. I didn't want a repeat of the night that her powers went nuts. Not that it hurt...in fact, I barely felt it. It was mostly a blow to my pride, like the time the Brotherhood pummeled us in the mall.
I sighed. "You aren't going to make this easy, are you?"
It was her turn to sigh, letting out a long, slow breath. "Fahne. Give me five minutes, and Ah'm sure 'Ah can find somethin'."
I smiled. "Good. I'm glad."
A few seconds passed before she angrily blew a lock of hair out of her face. "Well don't just stand there lahke a bump on a log. Git, so 'Ah can change!"
I wasn't one to argue with that.
"Oh, er, uh....sorry." I laughed sheepishly and back-pedaled out the room.
~~~
I was again in my element. Only this time, it was with one of the most important people in my life.
I was glad I knew the layout of the mansion like the back of my hand. It made it so much easier for the two of us to slip out unnoticed. It was almost guaranteed that Rogue would be sent back down to the infirmary if caught by an adult.
But then technically, I was an adult. So it shouldn't have mattered.
But it did, anyway.
"Where are we goin'?" Rogue had asked as I started the engine.
"Nowhere really. Just out."
She seemed a little frustrated at my reply, but easily took it all in stride once she allowed herself to relax.
And so I found myself in the same place I was that morning, the same two-lane coastline-hugging stretch of highway, the forest still stretching out beside me, only the circumstances were much different. I was, safe to say, in better company. God bless Kurt and all his blue fur and humor, but I'd take Rogue any day.
I was out because I wanted to be out, even though I still had to be cautious about being in public. I was out with the person I wanted to be with.
Was I in love? I'm not sure. Love is a strong word, one you should only use when you feel this amazing feeling about another person. It wasn't lust. Lust would be horribly pointless with this girl. So it must be love. But what about Jean? I once thought I was in love with her...
It was just something I'd have to work out in time.
But I did know one thing, one glorious thing: with the wind blowing her hair back, and the white lock flailing about in front of her face, Rogue had never looked more beautiful. I had to sneak glances however, since driving down winding, coastal roads takes much concentration, and, of course, I didn't want her to notice and get weirded out.
It was calm and serene, cruising down the two-lane highway along the rugged coastline. A great view, cheesily-romantic, and soothing to the spirit. I loved being on the open road.
I glanced into the rear-view mirror to see a car rapidly approaching from behind. It was only a split second later that the car's horn began to blare.
"Geez, what's that guy's problem?"
"Took the words right out of my mouth, Rogue."
As the car began to close the distance between it and us, I was able to get a better look it.
It was a car, a sedan of some sort, or maybe a coupe. It was a light shade of red, meaning it was probably white, or some silvery metallic color. I can do a pretty good job of discerning what a color is based off it's shade, and from the few memories from my childhood.
I could make out a handful of people inside...around three or four. They all looked to be male. I could immediately tell that this wouldn't be good.
I muttered a string of colorful language, but the wind carried it away despite my pitch and volume.
Besides, it's not like I could have been heard with the horn still honking as if there were no tomorrow.
The car slowed down enough so as to not ram into my bumper, but kept up enough speed to stay right on my tail. A quick glance to the mirror revealed a quartet of laughing teenagers inside the other car.
"Why don't ya'll get off our ass? The road's big 'nough fer us both!" I half expected Rogue to shake her fist at the car as she continued to verbally chastise them.
I sped up, but so did our harassers. Inwardly, I groaned. Granted, I could have easily ended their game with a simple look in their direction, but 'Renegade Mutant Kills Four' was the last thing I wanted to see headlining the newspaper.
As was the norm as of late, a million questions ran through my head, first and foremost, why were they doing this, and how would I get them to stop.
Dumb kids out looking for a good time. And their idea of a good time was persecuting a pair of local, and known mutants.
Well, maybe 'persecuting' is too strong a word.
Harass. Annoy. Bother. Anger. Disturb.
Those, and countless other verbs work just as well in it's place.
But tailgating and the horn was just the first phase of their 'game', their 'plan', their 'fun'.
The blaring stopped, and they backed off. But just far enough to give them enough distance to pass me. Or so I presumed.
Never, ever presume. Stupidity: 3, Logic: 1. And this was the point that tipped the balance far from my favor.
Moving into the lane for oncoming traffic, the car pulled up right beside mine, a person hanging out from the front passenger side window, and one from the right rear window. And they held objects in their hands.
"Get down!" I shouted to Rogue, motioning her to duck her head.
"Huh? Why?" She was shouting as well.
"Just do it!"
No sooner than I breathed those words that I heard a smash and a crash as an empty bottle, probably once containing beer, shattered across the hood. The motion forced a few shards up and over the windshield.
Rogue screamed, and ducked as I told her. Me, I had less of a reaction time. I needlessly shut my eyes and looked down, feeling a few scant pieces zoom alongside my head.
"Stay down!" I shouted to Rogue as I tried to focus on the road again.
SMASH! CRASH!
A bottle flew past my head, luckily missing the car. A second was overthrown, smashing in the road in front of us. But the third...the third hit it's mark, smashing right on the top of my driver-side door, exploding into several airborne shards.
A jagged piece of glass pierced the skin, and I screamed out in pain. It scraped across the top of my hand, and blood quickly began to pour out. It hit hard and fast, and cut deep. I involuntarily jerked my hand away and shook it in a vain effort to soothe the pain.
But a cut hand was the least of my worries.
One hand on the steering wheel, one on the gear shift. When either one of those becomes disabled, the whole system of operation fails.
With no way to navigate itself, the car was unable to follow the curve in the road.
It smashed through the metal guard rails and plunged headlong into the tree line running parallel to the ocean.
Tires screamed.
The engine screamed.
Rogue screamed.
I screamed.
The last thing I remember thinking was if I had buckled my seat belt, and if Rogue would be okay...
...
...
...
...
********
Author's Notes: I love you guys. Especially Post. And I hope I didn't go overboard with the accents (Randi, shut up).
-----------------------------
Teetering
Chapter Five
"So...how are you?"
She sighed. "Haven't we been through this already? Many times, 'Ah recall."
I grinned. I couldn't help it. Her wry wit was something I always liked about her. Not to mention the accent.
"Hmm. You must be feeling better. You're becoming more and more like your cheerful old self." I kept the grin going so she wouldn't take offense to that.
"Ha ha, Kurt. When did yah become such a comedian, huh?"
"Oh, didn't you know? I've always been funny."
"If your idea of funny is Danger Room sessions first thing in the mornin', then Ah take back what Ah said befo'."
"Touchè."
We laughed, and for that moment, I was in my ideal world with Rogue: the two of us talking, laughing, enjoying one another's company. I knew that I had to find a way to make that permanent, make it lasting.
"You need to hurry up and get better. Place isn't the same without you."
"Shh-yeah right. Ah'm sure no one noticed Ah'm even gone."
"Oh, what makes you think that? Everyone misses you, especially with Evan gone gone, and some of the younger students, too. Not to mention this whole 'Mesmero and the three keys' thing going on. Seeing another friendly face is also good on a burdened spirit."
"Friendly face?"
I wished she wasn't so self-deprecating. She was far too good of a person to do so all the time. But still, to keep up the facade of mere friendliness going, I laughed. Subtlety was the key.
"Fine, fine. How's 'familiar' work?"
She rolled her eyes, but her small smile meant that I had gotten away with not offending her...again.
"And you actually expect meh ta believe all that?"
Again, I wasn't sure whether to frown at her pessimism or laugh at her wit. So I did neither. I changed the subject.
"If it makes you feel any better, you're not missing anything by not going to school."
"That's fo' sure."
I shrugged. "Maybe you're better off not coming back. I figure you could stay here and get tutored like the Brotherhood boys."
"Ugh. School sounds lahke paradise compared to that."
We both laughed, easily seeing the humor in that, while knowing it was far from the truth. And then...
"Scott, can Ah ask ya somethin'?"
Whoa. Weren't we just laughing?
That caught my attention, cutting off her laughter like a hot knife through butter, or so I think the saying goes. It came out of nowhere, that's for sure. Laughing one moment, and the next...she sounded so serious. Something seemed to be up.
"Uh, sure. Anything. What is it?"
"Well...Ah want ta know...why do yah keep comin' down here to see meh?"
I froze. That was the question I'd been dreading from her. A million thoughts rumbled through my head and I fought the surge of emotions for the right thing to say; 'right' being neutral and friendly, not overly compassionate and not overly stand-offish.
"Uh...well...to see you, of course."
Doh. Wrong thing to say, Scott. Stupidity: 1, Logic: 0.
Her face showed no expression.
If my body were just a hollow vessel, piloted by a crew of Lilliputians, then sirens would be wailing, klaxons blaring, and a miniature, but obese, Scotsman would be saying, "She's goin' into overload! I just can't control her, Captain! I just don't have the power!"
I had to think of something fast.
"Well, as lame as it sounds, it's true. We're a team, a family, and we take care of each other as best we can. I care about you, and I care for everyone here."
Yes, it was very lame. But it needed to be said until the right time, when she could know how I felt. Stupidity: 1, Logic: 1. I wasn't going to lose this one, oh no.
"Oh. Well...uh...thanks, 'Ah guess." Her tone sounded as if she were disappointed in something I said. Which meant that she might potentially reciprocate the sentiment. Which was good for me.
Very good.
We sat in an uncomfortable silence for a moment, neither of us quite knowing what to say. I sure as hell didn't, at least. And so, on impulse, I did the first thing that clearly came to mind.
"C'mon. Let's go." I grabbed one of her gloved hands and started to pull her up out of the bed.
"What are yah doin', Scott?!?"
"I'm getting you some fresh air," I told her, but she broke free of my grasp.
"Yah know that Ah'm not s'posed to leave this room, raht?"
"But that hasn't stopped you before, has it?"
"Ah don't know what yah're talkin' about," she said, narrowing her eyes.
I smiled. "Don't lie to me. I know you wouldn't still be sane if you were stuck down here all day. Now come on." Again, I took her gloved hand and pulled her forward...
...and promptly let it go.
Why?
Well...
She squeaked.
I almost couldn't believe it.
Never in my life did I expect to hear Rogue squeak.
It...well...caught me off guard.
Because for whatever stupid reason, I expected her to be in her typical green mesh shirt-black top-black skirt get-up. I guess it was the gloves that threw me off. Stupidity: 2, Logic: 1. The score wasn't looking too good.
At least I had enough fortune for her to be wearing something instead of nothing.
Not that I could blame her for whatever girlish noises she made. If I were clad in only a flimsy hospital gown, I'd probably act the same if someone tried to yank me out of my bed.
Well, not squeak. More like a grunt. I'd kill myself if I ever squeaked.
"Sorry," I said, blushing. "Do you have any clothes in here?"
"Nothin' that's clean."
"Then I'll go to your room and get some for you."
This time, she glared. Hard.
"Touch mah stuff, and you die." I was beginning to wonder if there was still a little bit of me left inside her head. The way she was glaring, I was almost afraid something would shoot out from her eyes. I didn't want a repeat of the night that her powers went nuts. Not that it hurt...in fact, I barely felt it. It was mostly a blow to my pride, like the time the Brotherhood pummeled us in the mall.
I sighed. "You aren't going to make this easy, are you?"
It was her turn to sigh, letting out a long, slow breath. "Fahne. Give me five minutes, and Ah'm sure 'Ah can find somethin'."
I smiled. "Good. I'm glad."
A few seconds passed before she angrily blew a lock of hair out of her face. "Well don't just stand there lahke a bump on a log. Git, so 'Ah can change!"
I wasn't one to argue with that.
"Oh, er, uh....sorry." I laughed sheepishly and back-pedaled out the room.
~~~
I was again in my element. Only this time, it was with one of the most important people in my life.
I was glad I knew the layout of the mansion like the back of my hand. It made it so much easier for the two of us to slip out unnoticed. It was almost guaranteed that Rogue would be sent back down to the infirmary if caught by an adult.
But then technically, I was an adult. So it shouldn't have mattered.
But it did, anyway.
"Where are we goin'?" Rogue had asked as I started the engine.
"Nowhere really. Just out."
She seemed a little frustrated at my reply, but easily took it all in stride once she allowed herself to relax.
And so I found myself in the same place I was that morning, the same two-lane coastline-hugging stretch of highway, the forest still stretching out beside me, only the circumstances were much different. I was, safe to say, in better company. God bless Kurt and all his blue fur and humor, but I'd take Rogue any day.
I was out because I wanted to be out, even though I still had to be cautious about being in public. I was out with the person I wanted to be with.
Was I in love? I'm not sure. Love is a strong word, one you should only use when you feel this amazing feeling about another person. It wasn't lust. Lust would be horribly pointless with this girl. So it must be love. But what about Jean? I once thought I was in love with her...
It was just something I'd have to work out in time.
But I did know one thing, one glorious thing: with the wind blowing her hair back, and the white lock flailing about in front of her face, Rogue had never looked more beautiful. I had to sneak glances however, since driving down winding, coastal roads takes much concentration, and, of course, I didn't want her to notice and get weirded out.
It was calm and serene, cruising down the two-lane highway along the rugged coastline. A great view, cheesily-romantic, and soothing to the spirit. I loved being on the open road.
I glanced into the rear-view mirror to see a car rapidly approaching from behind. It was only a split second later that the car's horn began to blare.
"Geez, what's that guy's problem?"
"Took the words right out of my mouth, Rogue."
As the car began to close the distance between it and us, I was able to get a better look it.
It was a car, a sedan of some sort, or maybe a coupe. It was a light shade of red, meaning it was probably white, or some silvery metallic color. I can do a pretty good job of discerning what a color is based off it's shade, and from the few memories from my childhood.
I could make out a handful of people inside...around three or four. They all looked to be male. I could immediately tell that this wouldn't be good.
I muttered a string of colorful language, but the wind carried it away despite my pitch and volume.
Besides, it's not like I could have been heard with the horn still honking as if there were no tomorrow.
The car slowed down enough so as to not ram into my bumper, but kept up enough speed to stay right on my tail. A quick glance to the mirror revealed a quartet of laughing teenagers inside the other car.
"Why don't ya'll get off our ass? The road's big 'nough fer us both!" I half expected Rogue to shake her fist at the car as she continued to verbally chastise them.
I sped up, but so did our harassers. Inwardly, I groaned. Granted, I could have easily ended their game with a simple look in their direction, but 'Renegade Mutant Kills Four' was the last thing I wanted to see headlining the newspaper.
As was the norm as of late, a million questions ran through my head, first and foremost, why were they doing this, and how would I get them to stop.
Dumb kids out looking for a good time. And their idea of a good time was persecuting a pair of local, and known mutants.
Well, maybe 'persecuting' is too strong a word.
Harass. Annoy. Bother. Anger. Disturb.
Those, and countless other verbs work just as well in it's place.
But tailgating and the horn was just the first phase of their 'game', their 'plan', their 'fun'.
The blaring stopped, and they backed off. But just far enough to give them enough distance to pass me. Or so I presumed.
Never, ever presume. Stupidity: 3, Logic: 1. And this was the point that tipped the balance far from my favor.
Moving into the lane for oncoming traffic, the car pulled up right beside mine, a person hanging out from the front passenger side window, and one from the right rear window. And they held objects in their hands.
"Get down!" I shouted to Rogue, motioning her to duck her head.
"Huh? Why?" She was shouting as well.
"Just do it!"
No sooner than I breathed those words that I heard a smash and a crash as an empty bottle, probably once containing beer, shattered across the hood. The motion forced a few shards up and over the windshield.
Rogue screamed, and ducked as I told her. Me, I had less of a reaction time. I needlessly shut my eyes and looked down, feeling a few scant pieces zoom alongside my head.
"Stay down!" I shouted to Rogue as I tried to focus on the road again.
SMASH! CRASH!
A bottle flew past my head, luckily missing the car. A second was overthrown, smashing in the road in front of us. But the third...the third hit it's mark, smashing right on the top of my driver-side door, exploding into several airborne shards.
A jagged piece of glass pierced the skin, and I screamed out in pain. It scraped across the top of my hand, and blood quickly began to pour out. It hit hard and fast, and cut deep. I involuntarily jerked my hand away and shook it in a vain effort to soothe the pain.
But a cut hand was the least of my worries.
One hand on the steering wheel, one on the gear shift. When either one of those becomes disabled, the whole system of operation fails.
With no way to navigate itself, the car was unable to follow the curve in the road.
It smashed through the metal guard rails and plunged headlong into the tree line running parallel to the ocean.
Tires screamed.
The engine screamed.
Rogue screamed.
I screamed.
The last thing I remember thinking was if I had buckled my seat belt, and if Rogue would be okay...
...
...
...
...
********