****** AUTHORS NOTE: Before you continue on to read the first chapter of this story I would just like to thank everyone who takes precious time out of their day to add reviews, it means a lot to me, and when I see reviews, it inspires me even more to write more. Nothing else on earth makes me grin as much when I check my email in box and see a shit-load of notifications telling me I have reviews, and nothing makes me happier than to read everyone's kind words – and funny remarks - I look forward to them, they are the highlight of my day.
Thanks to those who also emailed me with encouraging words, and who added me as number one to their favourite authors list or added my stories to their favourite lists – it touched my heart in such a way you wouldn't believe – sounds corny, but it's true.
Thank you so much, everyone.
(Ps. Don't worry, Dismal Angel is FAAAAAAAAR from over : this authors note is not a final message to end the series.) ******
Suggested Song to listen to while reading:
"This Years Love" – by David Gray
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Chapter 1: Punishment
A beam of light hit the girl known as Rogue's lightly closed eyes, arousing her from a deep slumber. She yawned and turned away from the window which was on the left side of her room, and she curled up, trying to go back to sleep.
Again, a beam of light seemed to hit her, directly in the eyes again, and she frowned, closing her eyes even more tightly trying to block the light – whatever it might be – out. She shifted position, but still felt it, and finally, realising the chance of her getting much more sleep was pretty small, she opened her eyes, finding a familiar face grinning at her like a Cheshire cat.
Jared Rickman was kneeling by the side of Rogue's bed, with a compact mirror in his hand, reflecting the suns light from the window directly at her eyes.
"Jared…what the fuck are you doing?" Rogue put a hand over her eyes and sat up.
Jared Rickman was a reasonably good looking seventeen year old with dyed blue hair – which was worn in an intricate display of spikes - wide green eyes and a tendency to wear eyeliner. He was the newest addition to the student body of the institute, and although he was slightly older than the other new recruits, he'd been dropped instantly into their ranks. Rogue didn't understand the nature of Jared's powers yet, all she knew was, there was something about his powers that prohibited other people from touching him. That, she could most definitely understand. And she felt a strange connection when she looked at him, almost as if she'd known him her whole life.
He gave a chirpy laugh, and closed the compact mirror, he got up, "sorry, I was told to get you up – Professor Xavier wants to see you in his office."
Glancing to the clock to see it was only seven-fifty-five am, Rogue groaned, "I only got to bed at five am!" she whined, falling back down to her pillows, eyes closed tightly.
"Not my problem," Jared, pulled her covers off her.
"Where's Kitty?" Rogue sighed, rubbing her head, she sat up, she was still in the clothes from the previous day, and her makeup still remained on her face, although rather a smudged shadow of its former self.
"Up already, and she's in his office – her and your 'boyfriend' are in there," Jared put a very strong emphasis on the word boyfriend, Rogue wasn't sure why.
"Tell Professor Xavier I'll be down in twenty minutes," Rogue climbed out of the bed, rubbing her eyes, making her make up situation worsen three times more. She wondered if she tried to make a run for it, would anyone stop her. She had a very good idea of why Professor Xavier would be in a bad mood with her, Kitty and Remy. It didn't even bear thinking about.
"Uh-uh. No way. I haven't known the man more than two days but I can tell he's in a bad mood, Rogue, I'm not going back in there again just to put up with that sneery attitude of his…" Jared made a face. "You better go," Jared said, then left the room.
Rogue sighed, and without even having the time to get ready, she grabbed a couple of makeup removing wipes from the dresser, and wiped her face as she hurried down the stairs, and to Professor Xavier's office. The door hung open, Remy LeBeau standing firmly, his hands behind his back. Kitty stood with an awkward stance, and seemed to have trouble knowing where to look without seeming too guilty. Rogue sighed and entered, and closed the door.
Rogue glanced at the clock on the desk, it was eight am precisely, she felt a small groan escape her lips, and she stood in between Remy and Kitty, folding her arms apprehensively. "You wanted to see me…?"
Professor Xavier tossed a newspaper on the desk, it unrolled itself, photos of the damaged nightclub spread all over the first page, Rogue leaned forward a bit to read the headline. MUTANT TERRORISTS ATTACK NIGHTCLUB PATRONS.
Kitty reached out and picked the newspaper up, she began to read out, "Patrons of the Nightclub Asylum were stunned yesterday when three unidentified mutants caused a brawl with one of the local customers. More on page three…" Kitty glanced over to Rogue and Remy questioningly, wondering what they were making of this.
Rogue almost laughed, nothing but lies, that had not been the case at all. She held her tongue, and glanced from the corner of her eyes to Remy, who was looking away, she glanced towards Kitty, Kitty was the same.
"I'll save you having to read page three," Charles stated, "three Mutants, a girl who could 'walk through walls', a girl with white streaks in her hair, and a man who wielded a metal pole - accurately fitting your description, would you not say? - were seen attacking a man last night for no reason, caused a very large explosion – would you care to explain. A man is lying in hospital with a broken arm and leg, and several head injuries. He's lucky you didn't kill him!"
Rogue swallowed nervously, "will he live?"
"Yes," The professor threw her a strange look.
Remy glanced to Rogue, Rogue realised he hadn't even slept, he looked a wreck, tired and pasty, his stubble darkening his chin, the same clothes from yesterday still donning him. Remy's eyes pleaded with Rogue to tell the Professor of what happened, but she froze, almost like a deer in the headlights, not knowing what to say.
"It wasn't an act of terrorism, like they're saying in that tabloid piece of garbage," Kitty rolled her eyes, "they're being so dramatic."
"Tell me what it was…" Professor Xavier's voice was stern.
Rogue looked to Kitty with pleading eyes, begging her mentally not to tell the Professor what had happened. She knew it meant detention, she knew it meant chores and being grounded for the rest of their lives, but she didn't want him knowing.
"I can't…" Kitty sighed she glanced towards Remy, "and they can't either…"
Remy sighed, "Professor, I'll admit – it was all me…the guy owed me money…a shitload of money…I was trying to frighten him, I accidentally caused an explosion, I don't know what else to say about it…" he trailed off, he glanced back to Rogue and Kitty for a moment, "what the newspaper says is a pack of lies, because Kitty and Rogue NEVER attacked anyone."
Kitty looked at Remy, as if to ask if there was something more he had to say. "Ahem," she gave a fake cough into her hand.
"They tried to stop me…I wasn't having any of it, they didn't do anything, they were just there. If Kitty hadn't grabbed onto me at the last minute, I'd probably be dead…" Remy reacted.
Kitty gave a little smile, thankful at least he was acknowledging she had indeed, saved his life. Most men didn't like to admit a girl was capable of saving them.
Rogue looked at Remy, while it was part of the truth – except the money part – she couldn't believe Remy was taking the responsibility. Yes, it had been his fault, yes, he'd lost his head, but they had all gotten involved.
"We are trying to get the people of Bayville – and the world – to accept mutants! With acts of violence such as this how will this be possible?!" Professor Xavier raised his voice.
Remy winced at the voice, his head throbbing after a night of no sleep, loud noise didn't exactly ease the pain. "I'm sorry."
"Kitty, Rogue, your punishments will be arranged my Ororo…" Professor Xavier snapped.
Kitty made a face, she didn't understand why they should be punished, if only Rogue would tell the truth it would make him understand. But Rogue didn't tell the truth, she stayed quiet. "Yes, Professor," Kitty looked down to the floor sheepishly.
"Remy, a word if you please…in private," Professor Xavier frowned, "Rogue, Kitty, get ready for lessons," he instructed, waving the girls off angrily.
Rogue looked helplessly at Remy, he looked back at her, his eyes full of concern, unsure of what the Professor would say to him.
Rogue brushed her gloved hand against Remy's bare arm as she passed, and she and Kitty left together. Kitty squealed at Rogue the moment they were out of the earshot of the office, "Rogue, you should have told him!"
"Kitty, you know I can't," Rogue shivered, thinking about the truth, "even if I do…" Rogue headed towards the stairs, "You know that Remy would be accused of attempted murder – or possibly murder. The professor is kind hearted but you know he'd have him arrested – or would imprison him."
Kitty sighed, "I guess you're right…I just don't see why we should have to suffer because Remy cracked…"
Rogue looked at her, "I owe you my life, and more than I can ever repay, but please, go along with this, for now…" Rogue pleaded of her.
"Fine," Kitty sighed.
Rogue felt so guilty, how could she have let Remy take the blame in that way, knowing some of this had been her own fault. Kitty had been right, she should have told the Professor. The thoughts of what had happened to almost a week ago were eating at her, building up, like bombs, about to explode in her head. She didn't want Kitty and Remy to be victims of the wreckage of when it did.