Disclaimer: I don't own no character, no singer, no song used in this fic.

A/N:

A lot of hint of other pairings!

RockStar

Chapter 8: Insensitive

"Maybe if you put red streaks in," Kitty suggested as she scrutinized the face in the mirror.

Rogue rolled her eyes, but then her hair slowly turned from all-black to black streaked with red. She already looked like Scarlett.

"That's better." Kitty nodded. "Ooh! I've got the perfect outfit. I went to the mall with Jean a while back and I saw this perfect, perfect outfit for the gig tonight," she ran to her closet and started rooting around. "Ta-da!" She held out a black leather miniskirt and a grayish-blue tank top.

Rogue wrinkled her nose. "Uh, Kit, that's kinda a whole lot less conservative than I usually have to wear,"

Kitty rolled her eyes. "Come on, Rogue. You're always covered up. I mean, it's just us on stage, you know. Like, we know better than to touch you. Why don't you show some skin,"

That statement reminded Rogue of a certain Cajun. And was the clincher. She hesitantly reached out a hand to the outfit.

Kitty squealed in delight. "Wait, now we're on the topic of make-overs, maybe the shade of your lipstick should be a little lighter,"

Thankfully, they were interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell.

"That's probably Forge," Rogue said as she immediately ran to the window to see who it is. Forge and Scarlett had agreed to arrive together in the Institute half-an hour before the interview with Miss Trish Tilby.

"Wait!" Kitty cried out. "We haven't done your—" Rogue ported out of the room. "Aw, nuts,"

"Hey, Rogue," the not-so-teenager wasn't even fazed when Rogue ported beside him. He was wearing his usual stuff of a loose shirt and bell-bottom pants, but he was also clutching a bouquet of flowers.

Rogue grinned. "For Miss O?"

Forge nodded enthusiastically.

Rogue grinned. She knew that Forge had a crush on Miss Munroe. When asked about the age gap between them, he would shrug then reply that had he not been trapped in the middleverse, he and the weather witch would've been perfect for each other.

Forge rang the doorbell again.

It was Ororo Monroe who answered the door.

"Ororo!" Forge grinned as he thrust the flowers at her.

"Oh!" Rogue/Scarlett could've sworn that she saw Miss Monroe blush. "Thank you,"

Forge, encouraged by the response, grinned flirtatiously.

"Oh, man," Rogue muttered. "I think I'm gonna be sick,"

"I'll get it, I'll get it." Hank McCoy grumbled, a little irritated that the place was crawling with teens and yet not one of them could open the door so he had to be interrupted from his reading of a scientific magazine.

He opened the door and all thoughts promptly left his head.

"My name is Trish Tilby from The Bayville Inquier. I'm looking for a Miss Pryde or a Mr. Drake," a raven-haired woman asked.

Hank had to try a few times before he found his voice. "Ah, yes quite." He then realized that the woman wasn't even surprised at his monstrous appearance. He shifted uncomfortably.

Trish Tilby grinned, trained to read people as a journalist to read people's body language. "I know about this Institute," she replied. "I'm open-minded about mutants," she smiled.

Hank shyly smiled back. "I'm Hank McCoy," he extended his hand.

Trish took it. "Nice to meet you, Mr. McCoy,"

"Please, call me Hank," he said as he stepped aside to let her in. "Follow me, and I'll call the kids."

Rogue was exhausted. Between school, shape shifting, the interview, and the band's last minute meeting about their line-up, she was exhausted. And her night's just beginning.

Learning that she had fifteen minutes to spare before they leave for the gig (Kitty was still hogging the bathroom), she was trying to relax, humming a tune, looking out the window.

Satisfied, she turned her back to the view and walked a few steps forward, humming the tune of their opening song.

Suddenly, strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist and a head was placed on her shoulder.

Rogue stiffened and tried to struggle.

But the hold of the arms around her was pretty strong. "Miss me, chere?" A familiar voice whispered in her ear.

She immediately stopped struggling, tilting her head to the left instead to keep her cheek from touching the Acolyte's. "Do you have a death wish, Gumbo?"

"I only wish to steal a kiss from ma chere," he replied huskily.

"Right. And right after, I'm going to steal your soul," Rogue replied.

Remy chuckled. "It's a price Remy's willing to pay,"

"You can let go now,"

"Non. Remy's too comfortable right now to move,"

Rogue rolled her eyes. She then crouched down a bit, grabbed one of his arm, and pulled Remy over her shoulder, and slammed him down on the floor.

"Ouch," Remy grinned from the ground where he was lying down. "Why don't you join me down here, chere?"

Rogue merely shook her head and glared down at him.

"Going out tonight?" Remy asked as lay on his side and rested his head on his raised hand.

"Maybe,"

Remy's grin widened. "If you're gonna change your clothes or anything, don't let this Cajun stop you,"

"Hey! It's your turn to use the bathroom now, Rogue, but you gotta hurry or else Jean might beat you to it," Kitty walked into the room wearing only a towel. She froze when she saw who was on the floor.

"And this," Remy said lazily. "Is why I love to come visit here,"

Kitty screamed in horror.

"Thank you!" Scarlett returned the mike to the stand as the chords of their final song faded.

The crowd began chanting the name Scarlett.

"They love us!" Bobby grinned as he placed down his guitar.

"They love Scarlett, you mean." Kitty giggled, still on an adrenaline high.

Kurt simply grinned as he tucked his drum sticks in the back pocket of his jeans.

They walked down the stage.

Almost immediately, a crowd had formed themselves around Scarlett. Scarlett who was wearing only a tank top and a miniskirt. She was immediately separated from the rest of her bandmates who were also surrounded with people asking for autographs.

"Oh, no!" Kitty cried out.

"Scarlett!" Kurt called out in worry as he ignored the pieces of paper thrust at him and tried to fight his way to his sister.

Scarlett looked desperately around, praying that nobody get too close. She can't make a break for it for fear that she would touch a bare skin.

Suddenly, something warm was wrapped around her.

"Sorry guys," a lazy voice drawled. "But the fille's got a date she must keep."

Rogue heard the opening chords of the next band as she left herself be led away.

How do you cool your lips
After a summer's kiss
How do you rid the sweat
After the body bliss
How do you turn your eyes
From the romantic glare
How do you block the sound of a voice
You'd know anywhere

Scarlett then found herself being led away from the crowd. They didn't stop until they were outside, in the parking lot, standing in front of an oh-so-familiar motorcycle.

"Thanks," Scarlett turned to her rescuer gratefully.

"It's OK," he grinned. "Remy's into rescuing damsels-in-distress,"

Scarlett's eyes narrowed. Technically, it was Scarlett's first meeting with Gambit. "Remy? Who's Remy?"

 
Oh I really should have known
By the time you drove me home
By the vagueness in your eyes
Your casual good-byes
By the chill in your embrace
The expression on your face
That told me you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive

His red on black eyes sparkled in amusement. "The name's Remy, Remy leBeau," he bowed, took her gloved hand in his and kissed it.

"Scarlett," she said as she snatched her hand back. Then, an idea struck her.

"So, chere, wanna ride off to the sunset with your knight-in-shining armor?" He asked, motioning to his motorcycle.

Scarlett had to remind herself that it was so Rogue to roll her eyes and tell him how corny she though his lines were. So she simply smiled sweetly at him. "Are you hitting on me?" She asked flirtatiously.

"Sure am," he replied. "Can't resist the pretty ladies," he stepped closer to her and placed his hands possessively on her hips.

Scarlett's heart constricted painfully in her chest. There must be some mistake. Remy was just playing, right? He likes Rogue, right? Right?

How do you numb your skin
After the warmest touch
How do you slow your blood
After the body rush
How do you free your soul
After you've found a friend
How do you teach your heart it's a crime
To fall in love again

"Chere," he whispered huskily as he tilted his head closer to her. His eyes seem captivate her own.

Scarlett closed her eyes in confusion. He's going to kiss me, she thought. No! He's going to kiss Scarlett, not the Rouge! She desperately pushed against him. "No!" She cried out as she ran away from him.

She left him there chuckling to himself.

Oh you probably won't remember me
It's probably ancient history
I'm one of the chosen few
Who went ahead and fell for you
I'm out of vogue, I'm out of touch
I fell too fast, I feel too much
I thought that you might have some advice to give
On how to be insensitive

Tears were for the weak.

Lightning lined the sky.

He doesn't like you.

She didn't even like him.

The lamp posts in her paths flickered on and off.

You must think you're special, but you're not. He's just after you 'cause he thinks you're a challenge.

He can flirt with all the women in the world.

Objects around her started levitating.

Nobody could like you like that. That's like insanity. Who would like a girl you couldn't touch?

She didn't give a damn.

The earth suddenly rumbled.

You're stupid for even believing for a moment that he liked you.

"Stripes,"

Scarlett, now back as Rogue, continued walking.

A guy like that could never like you.

"Stripes," the Wolverined repeated. "Darlin', the professor noticed a disturbance through Cerebro. He sent me to check it out,"

Rogue stopped.

He's just playing with you.

"Stripes?" Wolverine placed his hand on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. "Stripes?" He stepped back in shock. There was nobody home.

Why don't you come with me instead? I'll help you…

Wolverine grabbed her shoulder and shook her, almost violently. "Stripes!"

Give in to me. I'll make all the hurt go away.

The Rogue fell unconscious in the Wolverine's arms.

"Rogue!" Kitty cried worriedly as she, Bobby, Kurt, and Forge burst through the medbay doors.

They saw Rogue lying in the bed, her eyes open but uncomprehending.

On a chair beside the bed was Logan, once again keeping virgil.

"What happened?" Kurt asked Mr. McCoy desperately.

Hank shook his head. "I'm sorry,"

The professor looked at his Gothic charge in worry. "It's like there's nobody in there right now," he sighed.

"What happened?" Bobby asked.

Kurt was starting to pace the room and hyperventilate.

"Bobby, I suggest you take Kurt in his room,"

"But professor!" Kurt protested.

The professor shook his head firmly. "Rogue has access to telepathy right now, Kurt. And you're projecting quite loudly. If she hears it, it would only add to her distress more."

"Right," he sighed as Bobby led him away.

"I better be going home, too," Forge said as he followed the two.

"Can you believe it? Did you see Gambit walk off with Scarlett? And I thought he was after Rogue." A voice outside which Kitty recognized as Amara. She and Roberto entered the medlab.

"How's Rogue?" Roberto asked.

"We don't know as of yet." Hank replied truthfully. "But I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask everyone to clear out. Rogue needs her rest,"

"That means you, too, Logan," the professor said kindly.

Logan growled but he dutifully stood up. "You saw Gumbo with another girl, you say?" He asked Amara.

Amara nodded, a bit intimidated by the elder man.

Wolverine stalked off, muttering something about an open season for Cajuns. The rest followed after giving Rogue one last worried glance.

"Rogue?" A tiny, uncertain voice called out.

It was pass midnight when the door to the medbay opened.

Rogue was still there in the position they left her. Lying down, her eyes open, blinking occasionally, but nothing that would indicate that there was someone home.

"Rogue?" The voice repeated.

A tiny body climbed the bed and sat down beside Rogue, careful not to touch any exposed skin.

"Hey, Rogue." Jaime said. "I heard about Gambit and Scarlett." He pounded his hand. "If I get my hands on that guy," his threat lay in the air. "Anyway, they wouldn't let me in earlier, so I had to sneak in just to see you." He sighed. "I saw Scarlett this afternoon when they were interviewed by Miss Tilby. You're right, she's overrated. I like you more than I like her. You're way better than her."

I like you more than I like her.

You're way better than her.

A tear fell down one creamy cheek. Rogue blinked. Once. Twice. "Jaime?"

Jaime was the man of the hour. He was the guy who woke up The Rogue.

Rogue was now up and about, not remembering anything in her ordeal. The last thing she remembered was singing the end song in their gig. Anything and everything after that was a complete blank.

The professor sighed as he turned in his bed. There was something wrong with his Rogue. And he had to act fast to learn what it is.

But moments later, the professor fell into a deep sleep, thinking about his problem student.

Later still, the door to his bedroom opened. Someone entered his room. The next moment, there was a moan.

~tbc

P.S.

Thanks to Phnx (Thanks. I hope this is soon enough for ya!), michelle (ask and it shall be given unto you.), Holy-Psychic-Vulpix (OK. Duly noted. Thanks), Anime addicted (aka Barbara Ruiz; changed your penname huh? I'm also tempted to change it several times, but I figured it'll get me and the readers confused. Right. That and the fact that I can't think of a decent pen name specially now that ff.net doesn't allow same names anymore. And yeah. Insane people rocks!), Wizardess gal (Oh! Oh! Chocolate pudding! Me want chocolate pudding! *sighs* But I'm on a diet. Grade school reunion coming up and all. *blinks* You have a muse for reviews? Wow. I can't even get my muse to behave for this story. Kept confusing me and leading me to the strangest of directions), ishandahalf (and all of Remy's efforts go tumbling down…hehe. Don't blame me. I'm on caffeine too.), Weeble Wobble Chic (*sings* ~Ask for more!~ Do you remember that old commercial. Well, here's more!), j-skullguy/jskullguy (Well, I don't think Rogue is her real name. Remember the part in the comics where Rogue and Remy were having a Romy moment and Rogue was about to offer her real name to Remy, only Remy said that it wasn't important at all. Rogue's just an alias. And I think that the Destiny-Mystique relationship in the comics was only implied, but yes, I am aware of that fact. Though I don't know about evolution. Mystique treats Destiny more of an employee in the cartoons than anything else. I kinda have to make Rogue sad and sighy in last chapter because I wanna show that she's starting to open herself up to Remy as a prelude to this chapter. Plus, this is a romance fic. If Rogue doesn't fall, then there wouldn't be much of a story would there? But I still don't understand Rogue being the masculine one in their relationship. Can you elaborate on that a bit?), Yumiko (there's something weird going on in ff.net yet again. Your review appeared in the review board but it wasn't sent to my email. Me in happy mood too. The caffeine's gone straight to my brain), epona (I'm really flattered. My ego can't fit into my room anymore. *shakes head* but it did encourage me to write faster), Rogue Warrior Spirit (and because of you, Kurt exit stage left, and Jaime enter stage right. Hope you enjoy the tiny Jaime moment!), The Flying Pen (Hmm…a kidnapping you say *brain cells desperately tries to process plot bunny* but I can't write Rogue without Remy coming into the rescue, and that would be a direct violation of their contract. I mean, I can't let him wait three days, can I? Anyway, you're right. I did went overboard with the like. *snickers* I changed that in this chap already. Lookie! Kitty only said like twice or thrice. Thanks for the feedback!), Caliente (ooh! Your streak was broken! But that's OK, second reviewer is not that bad ^^. And now, not only did Remy crack Rogue's shell, he cracked her heart as well. I'm soo gonna pay for that, I just know it!), and The Untouchable (Hmm…Yup. Elaborate on the bear. Got that. Thanks for the plot bunny. And the web page. I was actually trying to find out stuff about Apocalypse and that was a great help. And the focus on Rogue was such a brain candy).