Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men or Evolution. I don't own the group REM
or any of their lyrics.
This story takes place right after the events of the "On Angels Wings" episode. It's a friendship story between Rogue and Scott. Not my first story written but it is my first posted one.
Author's notes
:denotes private thoughts:
I 'm sorry - I can't do accents real well so I decided not to butcher Rogue's thoughts and speech
Secret Santa
Chapter Three - Party gift
They made it the orphanage at 5:43am and saw a couple of volunteers waiting at the main hall doorway. After some quick introductions, the crew unloaded the contents of the X-Van into a large hall already decorated for the day's activities. A long buffet table with various breakfast items lined one side of the room; tables with seats occupied the other wall. Rogue heard a commotion starting outside a pair of double doors on the far wall as they were placing the last set of presents. "What's with the ribbon around the stack?" Scott asked Rogue looking at one of her wrappings. She answered, "You don't have to mark each one and resort them later - just wrap the three together and you're done." He smiled and said, "I'll have to remember that for next year.."
The doors at the far wall burst open and a surge of children rushed forward. Rogue scrambled to get out of the way but she was still tired and stumbled into Scott as he was sidestepping the stampede. They locked arms in an effort to regain their balance.
Time suddenly crawled to a standstill for Rogue as she drank in the details of the moment. The look of joy on Scott's face warmed her inside as wrapping paper flew around them. She felt his arms relax as she gazed at his features - the determined eyebrows above his red shades, the strong chin, the quirky way the right side of his mouth creeped higher when he smiled, his broad shoulders. Here was the person she was drawn to and had fallen in love with - the caring man who thought of others before himself.
One thought crept into her mind :This made it all worth it.:
The flash of a digital camera caught her by surprise and time resumed its natural pacing. An older woman smiled as she approached Scott declaring, "I got an award winning action shot of the two of you." She introduced herself to Rogue as Gloria Winger, director of the orphanage - she recognized the name as the author of the email sent to Scott.
Rogue turned to Scott and heard his jaw pop loudly as he fought off a might yawn. "I'd better get Sleeping Beauty home so he don't fall asleep at the wheel." Ms. Winger thanked Rogue for her help and tried to get them to stay but could see the teens were exhausted. She told Scott to watch for pictures of the party in his email later as she continued to take candid shots of the kids.
As they walked outside to the X-van, Scott asked, "How can I ever repay you for helping me with this? I'd never forgive myself if the party hadn't been pulled off as flawlessly as this." Rogue met his gaze and said, "I got my thanks from seeing those kids happy like that." He closed the passenger door after she got in then walked around getting in the driver side. She had worked up the courage to ask, "Was it hard for you before you came to the Institute?"
This was a subject that Kitty, Kurt and Rogue had often wondered about. Scott mentioned an orphanage in passing but never in any detail. Ororo and Jean were tight lipped about anything they knew and Logan merely muttered, "Yer better off in the dark 'bout that."
He seemed to withdraw for a moment as he started the van. She regretted asking the question and was about to apologize when Scott answered softly, "Yes." He put the van in gear and after pulling out into traffic he continued, "There are many things I'd rather not remember but my last year in an orphanage, we had a small holiday party like this one. To the counselors and staff, it was just a day to get paid double overtime but it meant a lot to the other orphans. For a fleeting moment, you were just like any other kid on this day - all wrapped up in the fury of opening a present." He smirked at his unintended pun. To himself he remembered after the wrapping paper was cleaned up you realized there was no family to share the moment with in a picture for this year's album, the food was as awful as any other day and the bullies began to circle scoping out the better presents. Those times were gone now. "But I swore that day if I could recreate that moment for other orphans..even a small group." He let the thought trail off.
Scott pulled off the main streets and headed towards the mansion. He turned to Rogue and asked "Why did you come with me this morning?" He half expected one of her smart comebacks but waited as he saw her hang her head.
"My mom. I mean Irene, not... Anyway she taught me something when I was younger. I was in a really bad mood since we weren't rich and couldn't afford all the things I saw other kids with the first day of school - new clothes, top notch backpacks, the whole scene. I gave her a really hard time about being dirt poor and disadvantaged. She told me that no matter how bad you think you have it, there is someone else out there worse off then you. I mean here she was blind and one step away from being homeless but she had her pride. She said it was okay to be sad when bad things happened but not to let it rule your life. I found out whenever I had a pity party for myself, in about a day or so I'd run into someone else who had it worse then me."
Scott thought to himself, :What about now and in the future? He knew she really hated her power - he had heard her call it a curse. Where would she find solace now- who had it worse then her? Who could help her see the team mate he and the others depended on?: She had saved Jean from a really bad nightmare date with Blob and saved Scott from Mystique's plans for certain death. She kept to herself socially but when the fight was on she proved herself an invaluable member of the X-men.
She changed the subject and looked at Scott. "So how is this going to work next year if you're away at college somewhere else?" He went rigid for a second. He had not thought out that far. All this recent craziness with Magneto and the Brotherhood had Scott thinking primarily in a day-to-day mode. Any long range planning he did revolved around college. He answered, "I don't know. I still have money from my inheritance to pay for stuff, but I'm not sure I'll have time to get the shopping done as early as I'd like. I guess I'll just hit the mall as soon as I get back."
Rogue grabbed his arm in an excited fashion. "Let me help you like I did today. I could get the shopping and wrapping done but YOU have to write the cheesy notes." Scott mulled this over - Rogue shopping for the orphans. Visions of kids opening presents like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer- the pop up book', combat boots and 'Gothic Barbie makeup kits' filled his head. "Uh..erm.", he stammered.
She shook his arm again, "I mean I'm sure Kitty and Kurt would love to help out. Nobody can sniff out bargains like Kitty and your fashion sense for little girls leaves a little to be desired. Maybe the newbies could help out too."
Scott answered, "I couldn't ask everyone else to give up family time for my little pet cause. It wouldn't be fair." Rogue countered, "They just need to help with the shopping and wrapping beforehand. It would be a great team project. I'll still be here to make sure they get delivered on time. If you've been a good boy, maybe I'll let you tag along. Please Scott let me help you with this."
Scott could sense this meant a lot to Rogue for some reason. He just wasn't sure what it could be - this didn't fit his idea of something she would do. Then he remembered asking his father why he was a soldier as he was tucked young Scott in one night. "Deep down, everyone wants to leave their mark on this Earth, to make a difference somehow. Defending our country is my way of doing that. You need to find your own way, Scott."
Scott's Secret Santa project in Smithtown had been his own personal mark on the world - one that didn't even depend on his mutant abilities. Maybe he needed to let go of this and let Rogue make it hers.
She was waiting patiently for his answer and then he agreed. "Ok, it's a deal. I still get to write the notes and you handle the rest under one condition - no publicity. I don't want the press to twist this into a 'mutants bribe orphans for love' headline." She smiled in a way he did not see often - Whoever would steal her heart was going to be one lucky guy, he thought.
Rogue let him drop her off at the front entrance for the second time in a 12 hour period only after he promised to meet her in the kitchen. She discovered Mr. McCoy was whipping up some breakfast and he quickly ramped up the portions to include Scott and Rogue. Xavier had sensed something different, a new bond joining Scott and Rogue this morning, but decided to inquire about it later when their eyes and minds were more awake.
After eating the two teens headed up to their rooms and Rogue could tell Scott was up to something by the smirk he had on his face. "Seeya later Santa", she teased him and she heard his laughter as he walked towards his room. Rogue was too tired to push him any further about it and decided to catch up on some major z's. She thought to herself as she got ready to lie down, :Anyone with half a brain knows you'll win Jean over soon, but I'll always have this day, that moment as mine to keep. I'll always think of you with each present I wrap as a token of my love for you, my first crush.:
Scott went to his PC and sure enough Ms. Winger had made good use of the camera the Professor gave Scott for Christmas. The infamous action shot caught his eye and he was glad he had bought the package of picture paper on a whim on his last shopping trip.
He opened the picture saved it on his PC, resized it the way he wanted then printed it out. It was a great shot of him and Rogue arm in arm surrounded by happy children. He signed the picture 'To the angel who watches over the lonely child in me - Always in your debt, Love Scott' He put in a spare frame he had and walked down the hallway to her room. She was sound asleep so he left the frame on her bed and gently kissed her hair. She stirred a little and again he saw that smile.
Please read and review: Send any and all grammar corrections please. That's the last of it - hope you liked it
This story takes place right after the events of the "On Angels Wings" episode. It's a friendship story between Rogue and Scott. Not my first story written but it is my first posted one.
Author's notes
:denotes private thoughts:
I 'm sorry - I can't do accents real well so I decided not to butcher Rogue's thoughts and speech
Secret Santa
Chapter Three - Party gift
They made it the orphanage at 5:43am and saw a couple of volunteers waiting at the main hall doorway. After some quick introductions, the crew unloaded the contents of the X-Van into a large hall already decorated for the day's activities. A long buffet table with various breakfast items lined one side of the room; tables with seats occupied the other wall. Rogue heard a commotion starting outside a pair of double doors on the far wall as they were placing the last set of presents. "What's with the ribbon around the stack?" Scott asked Rogue looking at one of her wrappings. She answered, "You don't have to mark each one and resort them later - just wrap the three together and you're done." He smiled and said, "I'll have to remember that for next year.."
The doors at the far wall burst open and a surge of children rushed forward. Rogue scrambled to get out of the way but she was still tired and stumbled into Scott as he was sidestepping the stampede. They locked arms in an effort to regain their balance.
Time suddenly crawled to a standstill for Rogue as she drank in the details of the moment. The look of joy on Scott's face warmed her inside as wrapping paper flew around them. She felt his arms relax as she gazed at his features - the determined eyebrows above his red shades, the strong chin, the quirky way the right side of his mouth creeped higher when he smiled, his broad shoulders. Here was the person she was drawn to and had fallen in love with - the caring man who thought of others before himself.
One thought crept into her mind :This made it all worth it.:
The flash of a digital camera caught her by surprise and time resumed its natural pacing. An older woman smiled as she approached Scott declaring, "I got an award winning action shot of the two of you." She introduced herself to Rogue as Gloria Winger, director of the orphanage - she recognized the name as the author of the email sent to Scott.
Rogue turned to Scott and heard his jaw pop loudly as he fought off a might yawn. "I'd better get Sleeping Beauty home so he don't fall asleep at the wheel." Ms. Winger thanked Rogue for her help and tried to get them to stay but could see the teens were exhausted. She told Scott to watch for pictures of the party in his email later as she continued to take candid shots of the kids.
As they walked outside to the X-van, Scott asked, "How can I ever repay you for helping me with this? I'd never forgive myself if the party hadn't been pulled off as flawlessly as this." Rogue met his gaze and said, "I got my thanks from seeing those kids happy like that." He closed the passenger door after she got in then walked around getting in the driver side. She had worked up the courage to ask, "Was it hard for you before you came to the Institute?"
This was a subject that Kitty, Kurt and Rogue had often wondered about. Scott mentioned an orphanage in passing but never in any detail. Ororo and Jean were tight lipped about anything they knew and Logan merely muttered, "Yer better off in the dark 'bout that."
He seemed to withdraw for a moment as he started the van. She regretted asking the question and was about to apologize when Scott answered softly, "Yes." He put the van in gear and after pulling out into traffic he continued, "There are many things I'd rather not remember but my last year in an orphanage, we had a small holiday party like this one. To the counselors and staff, it was just a day to get paid double overtime but it meant a lot to the other orphans. For a fleeting moment, you were just like any other kid on this day - all wrapped up in the fury of opening a present." He smirked at his unintended pun. To himself he remembered after the wrapping paper was cleaned up you realized there was no family to share the moment with in a picture for this year's album, the food was as awful as any other day and the bullies began to circle scoping out the better presents. Those times were gone now. "But I swore that day if I could recreate that moment for other orphans..even a small group." He let the thought trail off.
Scott pulled off the main streets and headed towards the mansion. He turned to Rogue and asked "Why did you come with me this morning?" He half expected one of her smart comebacks but waited as he saw her hang her head.
"My mom. I mean Irene, not... Anyway she taught me something when I was younger. I was in a really bad mood since we weren't rich and couldn't afford all the things I saw other kids with the first day of school - new clothes, top notch backpacks, the whole scene. I gave her a really hard time about being dirt poor and disadvantaged. She told me that no matter how bad you think you have it, there is someone else out there worse off then you. I mean here she was blind and one step away from being homeless but she had her pride. She said it was okay to be sad when bad things happened but not to let it rule your life. I found out whenever I had a pity party for myself, in about a day or so I'd run into someone else who had it worse then me."
Scott thought to himself, :What about now and in the future? He knew she really hated her power - he had heard her call it a curse. Where would she find solace now- who had it worse then her? Who could help her see the team mate he and the others depended on?: She had saved Jean from a really bad nightmare date with Blob and saved Scott from Mystique's plans for certain death. She kept to herself socially but when the fight was on she proved herself an invaluable member of the X-men.
She changed the subject and looked at Scott. "So how is this going to work next year if you're away at college somewhere else?" He went rigid for a second. He had not thought out that far. All this recent craziness with Magneto and the Brotherhood had Scott thinking primarily in a day-to-day mode. Any long range planning he did revolved around college. He answered, "I don't know. I still have money from my inheritance to pay for stuff, but I'm not sure I'll have time to get the shopping done as early as I'd like. I guess I'll just hit the mall as soon as I get back."
Rogue grabbed his arm in an excited fashion. "Let me help you like I did today. I could get the shopping and wrapping done but YOU have to write the cheesy notes." Scott mulled this over - Rogue shopping for the orphans. Visions of kids opening presents like 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer- the pop up book', combat boots and 'Gothic Barbie makeup kits' filled his head. "Uh..erm.", he stammered.
She shook his arm again, "I mean I'm sure Kitty and Kurt would love to help out. Nobody can sniff out bargains like Kitty and your fashion sense for little girls leaves a little to be desired. Maybe the newbies could help out too."
Scott answered, "I couldn't ask everyone else to give up family time for my little pet cause. It wouldn't be fair." Rogue countered, "They just need to help with the shopping and wrapping beforehand. It would be a great team project. I'll still be here to make sure they get delivered on time. If you've been a good boy, maybe I'll let you tag along. Please Scott let me help you with this."
Scott could sense this meant a lot to Rogue for some reason. He just wasn't sure what it could be - this didn't fit his idea of something she would do. Then he remembered asking his father why he was a soldier as he was tucked young Scott in one night. "Deep down, everyone wants to leave their mark on this Earth, to make a difference somehow. Defending our country is my way of doing that. You need to find your own way, Scott."
Scott's Secret Santa project in Smithtown had been his own personal mark on the world - one that didn't even depend on his mutant abilities. Maybe he needed to let go of this and let Rogue make it hers.
She was waiting patiently for his answer and then he agreed. "Ok, it's a deal. I still get to write the notes and you handle the rest under one condition - no publicity. I don't want the press to twist this into a 'mutants bribe orphans for love' headline." She smiled in a way he did not see often - Whoever would steal her heart was going to be one lucky guy, he thought.
Rogue let him drop her off at the front entrance for the second time in a 12 hour period only after he promised to meet her in the kitchen. She discovered Mr. McCoy was whipping up some breakfast and he quickly ramped up the portions to include Scott and Rogue. Xavier had sensed something different, a new bond joining Scott and Rogue this morning, but decided to inquire about it later when their eyes and minds were more awake.
After eating the two teens headed up to their rooms and Rogue could tell Scott was up to something by the smirk he had on his face. "Seeya later Santa", she teased him and she heard his laughter as he walked towards his room. Rogue was too tired to push him any further about it and decided to catch up on some major z's. She thought to herself as she got ready to lie down, :Anyone with half a brain knows you'll win Jean over soon, but I'll always have this day, that moment as mine to keep. I'll always think of you with each present I wrap as a token of my love for you, my first crush.:
Scott went to his PC and sure enough Ms. Winger had made good use of the camera the Professor gave Scott for Christmas. The infamous action shot caught his eye and he was glad he had bought the package of picture paper on a whim on his last shopping trip.
He opened the picture saved it on his PC, resized it the way he wanted then printed it out. It was a great shot of him and Rogue arm in arm surrounded by happy children. He signed the picture 'To the angel who watches over the lonely child in me - Always in your debt, Love Scott' He put in a spare frame he had and walked down the hallway to her room. She was sound asleep so he left the frame on her bed and gently kissed her hair. She stirred a little and again he saw that smile.
Please read and review: Send any and all grammar corrections please. That's the last of it - hope you liked it