Disclaimer: Marvel owns Remy, Rogue, Storm, and any other x-character I decide to use.

This story is AU, and it takes place at a college designed for mutants (not Xavier's Mansion). The X-Men do not exist in this timeline.

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When ah was sixteen ah worked in a mental health clinic in New York. The how's and why's of me workin' there ain't important. In fact, there was only one important factor of mah job to note, only one important moment. It was the nigh' he was brought in. His broken frame dragged slowly beside o' the nurse on duty. His head hung low, messy twists of auburn hair shrouded his face. Nothin' ah hadn't seen before, that is until he looked up at meh. Red on black eyes swam with defeat, anger, but most o'all, fatigue. They met meh own emerald ones, and for a split second ah saw the shell of someone once filled with life. Ah heard my clipboard clatter on the ground before ah felt it slip from mah fingers. Mah reaction seemed to fill his face with shame, as he quickly looked tah the ground once more. Ah wanted to reach out and apologize for mah mistake and for all the other wrongs done to him in his life. But the time that had felt so slow, sped up, and in a flash he was gone, taken to the men's ward I suppos'. Two days later mah own hell developed

Mah powers emerged, and mah life began to feel as empty as that boy's eyes looked.

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4 Years LaterÉ.

"Whaddya think about this one Ro'?" Rogue asked her roomate, slipping on a skin tight, knee length, black halter dress, the back scooping down to a nearly undecent level.

"I think you look beautiful Rogue," replied an ever-calm Ororo. "However, might I suggest an outfit less likely to harm your date?

"Ro, this college is specially designed for mutants. Everyon' here knows my power. Bobby won't touch meh, I just want tah tease him a little," with that Rogue gave Ororo a wink, and began to apply her makeup. Ever since her powers had developed, Rogue had been searching for a way to forget about them. She hid them behind her flirtatious attitude and scantily clad figure. Her gloves were the only reminder that she couldn't touch, but she held her head high, dating often, but never expecting much to happen. Love was not an option in her book.

"I see," Ororo gave a short laugh, and began to gather her things. "Well I am off to Club 9 with Jean, have a nice date Rogue.

"I will sugah, and have fun dancing. Maybe if the date slows down, ah'll head over and join the two o' you." With that, Ororo headed out the door, leaving Rogue to her own thoughts. Strangely enough, Rogue's thoughts drifted back to the red eyed boy she had seen four years ago. She hadn't thought of him in awhile, and she wondered what prompted the vision. Before she could delve further though, a knock sounded on her door.

"Ah'm coming Bobby!

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He didn't really want to be here, however, he felt it was the only place safe for the moment. It also gave him an opportunity to bulk up his powers, to learn how to deal with them on his own, without the sinister debt over his head. His body craved revenge, yet his mind, still weak, wanted nothing more than to slink into the shadows and hide.

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It wasn't that Rogue didn't like Bobby, he was a funny guy, however, he seemed to be just as flirtatious as Rogue, already hitting on the other women present at the bar. Rogue sighed, picked up her drink, and headed towards the bathroom. On the way there, a figure caught her eye, a man playing pool by himself in the corner. She was immediately drawn to his lean, muscular figure, his tight black shirt and jeans clinging in all the right places. The smoke of his cigarette fluttered around his face, obstructing it from view. His hand moved to wipe his long bangs from his face, and he paused for a second, as if he realized he was being watched. Placing the cigarette in an ashtray, he reached for the pool stick and leaned over to take his next shot, ignoring whatever it was that made him pause. Silently, she noticed he was wearing sunglasses indoors.

Normally Rogue wasn't shy when it came to approaching men. But this man created a new stir within her, one she could not shake off. She sat at a nearby stool, intent on watching him awhile longer. Within the next hour, she watched as several women approached him, looking to dance, or just to flirt. He rejected them all, intent on his own privacy. Rogue turned around to order another drink, and in an instant felt his warm breath behind her.

"Somethin' I can do for y'chere?" His tone was neither threatening nor flirtatious, it rang at a neutral decibel, choked of emotion.

Rogue froze for a second before answering. "Why sugah, whatevah gave yah that impression?

"Y'been watchin' me all night chere. I don' take kindly to bein' spied on, even by a beautiful lady such as y'self," He replied, still maintaining his closeness.

Before Rogue could answer, Bobby appeared, trying to look threatening. "Is this guy bothering you Rogue?" he inquired.

Rogue rolled her eyes, and as she turned around and met the stranger's eyes, his breath hitched, but he quickly recovered, and replied, "Non mon ami, nothin' for y'to worry about." And with one seemingly last look at Rogue (it was hard to tell with the glasses on) he turned around and left.

Rogue began to feel angry that Bobby had interfered, watching the stranger's retreating form. "Are you okay Rogue? Man, I'm sorry I wasn't around, I couldn't find you anywhere and

"Shut up Bobby. Why dontcha go back and flirt some more with that blonde haired bimbo, and leave meh be." With that Rogue downed the rest of her drink, eyes glued to the stranger, watching him head out the back door. Surprisingly Bobby didn't question her, and headed right back to the aforementioned blonde. Rogue stepped off her stool, intent on learning more about her stranger.

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Running out the back door, and into the alley Rogue looked both ways, but he was nowhere in sight. She began to walk down the alleyway towards the street, hopeful to find him. Suddenly a gloved hand wrapped around her mouth, while another shoved her against the wall. At first she thought it was her stranger, but on second evaluation, she noticed him to be a burly, ugly man, tangled hair going every which way, and beady eyes.

"That's a nice dress you have on girly. Betcha you would look better with out though." Rogue once again rolled her eyes, and twisting the mans wrist, she snapped his arm, placing pressure by pulling his wrist slightly up, his body hunched towards the ground, and a scream emitting his lips. "That's nothing yah're ever going to find out creep!

Suddenly she heard a small explosion beneath the man, just as his form became limp under her grasp. Looking up, Rogue once again was face to face with her stranger.

"What did yah do to him? Ah had it under control!" Rogue nearly screamed.

"Is that so petit? As it happens, I just saved y'life. The homme was pullin' out a knife, and I exploded it for y'. Y' lucky I was around. Or that y'were once again stalking me. Either way." His face appeared stone cold upon saying this.

Rogue's eyes narrowed. "Yah're mighty full o' yourself swamprat! Ah was not looking for yah, Ah

"Alright chere, no need t'get angry, a simple thanks would be enough." With that he gave a little smirk, his first sign of emotion, and removed his sunglasses. "Besides, I never forget eyes like yours chere, even if it's been nearly four years.

And for the second time in her life, Rogue's emerald eyes met red on black.