Disclaimer: Marvel's, not mine.
Notes: Several of you asked me how long Rogue can control her powers for-well, this chapter should hopefully explain it. If it doesn't do a good job, send me a review and let me know! Oh, and some other things (these mainly answer ishandahalf's reviews.) Remy, as we all know, is late to everything, so just pretend he doesn't attend many meetings, and therefore missed the briefing about Rogue's power. As for me updating fast, yeah, I'm back home, in the country, in the middle of nowhere, and NONE of my friends returned home for the summer. So, for the next month, my updates should be nice and quick.
The song is Disconnected, by Veruca Salt.
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But you have trained me to watch my back and drop my standards.
Mystique had warned her. She had explicitly explained the unavoidable consequences handing your trust out provided you. But Mystique had obviously never met Remy. Upon waking up, he did not curse, complain, or stalk out of the room.
That was not the most surprising factor for Rogue, however. Rather, it was the fact that he remained by her side, still clutching her hand.
"Don' remember your kiss doin' dat de last time chere.
"Uh huh." Rogue slid off the bed then, releasing his hand. She walked close to the door, wrapping her arms around herself. "Maybe ya should go Remy.
Slowly, Remy moved off the bed, keeping eye contact the entire time. "Chere. I ain't leaving. Not until y'at least explain things t'me." Remy's eyes were dead set; a seriousness Rogue had never seen.
"It was just another one o'meh powers Remy. Meh curse." She paused, digging her toes into the carpet, her eyes downcast. "Ah can't touch Remy.
"Are y'lying t'me again girl? I've touched you plenty o'times." Remy began to inch closer to her, wishing she would just look up, back into his eyes.
"It only works for a shortened period o'time, a minute at the most and it takes a lota concentration on meh part. You could touch my skin by surprise and Ah still wouldn't absorb ya, as it takes a few seconds to kick in anyway. In that time, if Ah concentrate hard, Ah can hold it off for a few seconds more. After that, Ah absorb whoever Ah'm touching; their memories and their powers if they got em'.
A long silence ensued, in which Rogue waited for Remy to storm out, giving up on her, just like everyone did eventually.
"Well, you're strong chere. I think dat we can figure out a way t'deal wit it, or help y'control it better." Remy offered, placing a hand on her clothed shoulder.
Rogue looked up finally. "Not we Remy. This is meh problem. Y'all have the option ta just walk away. Anytime Remy.
"Chere, dis is gonna sound completely crazy cause I've only known y'three days, but-I can't. I can't walk away, and I ain't really sure why." He grabbed hold of her chin, bare skin touching bare skin. Rogue flinched, turning her head to the left to shake of his hand.
"It does sound crazy Remy." That was all she said, still refusing to look back at him, her body tense at his nearness.
Remy began to head for the door, believing himself foolish for his thoughts. "Chere, I guess I don' really understand. Y'seemed so confident de first day I saw y', as if y'didn' let your powers dictate y'. Hell, y'even kissed me wit'out a care." Remy paused.
"Y'know where I'll be if y'need me chere." With that, Remy slipped out the door, and Rogue crashed to the floor on her knees, her tears finally shedding, her emotions finally allowing themselves release.
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Disconnected it's the way that I wanted it to be.
The professor had asked to meet with Rogue the next morning once he had heard about her training session the day before. Rogue was now seated before him, her bare feet tucked beneath her, confidence again reigning on her features. Logan was also in the room, standing to the right of Rogue, arms crossed.
"Rogue, when I first met you in France I asked you to explain your power to me." The professor steepled his hands, pausing. "You informed me that you had a self absorbing power that was only effective upon skin to skin contact.
Rogue's eyes had not left the professors. "Yes professah, Ah did tell ya that.
"That was all you told me Rogue." The professor waited for Rogue's response. Several strained seconds passed without a word. Finally Logan spoke up.
"I think Chuck wants to know why ya lied Rogue.
Rogue spun to face Logan. "Ah didn' lie Logan. Ah just did' tell em'.
"Is there a reason for that Rogue?" The professor prompted.
"Yes. Professor there is, but it's meh own personal business, and Ah ain't comfortable talking about it. Yet.
Silence. Again.
"Alright Rogue. I will accept your need for privacy for the moment. You are new to this place, and I imagine you are not as comfortable here as you would like to be. Yet.
Rogue smiled. "Thanks Professah." Rogue uncurled her feet, moving to get up.
"Rogue.
"Yes Professah?
"Can you at least explain the extent of your powers? It would help greatly in battle, especially for your fellow X-Men.
Rogue rested a hand on her chair, while placing one finger to her chin. "Well, Ah can absorb people, fly, Ah have super strength. Oh, and Ah'm invulnerable." She looked back at the professah, who had arched one eyebrow. Then she looked to Logan who simply just blinked once.
"Alright. Well. Good day Rogue.
Rogue hurriedly left the room, a faint smile on her lips.
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But I can't say that when everyone is so judgmental.
As Rogue walked down the hall away from the Professor's office, she ran into Kitty and Jean heading for the kitchen. Another aura of awkwardness filled the air, but Rogue didn't back down.
Kitty was looking to the floor, while Jean simply glared in Rogue's direction.
Rogue looked right back. "Hey Kitty. Jean. How's Scott recovering?" Her voice was laced with un-bidding sarcasm.
"Aren't you going to at least try to get along with everyone?" Jean retorted back, green eyes narrowing.
Ah hell! Rogue thought. She didn't want these people as enemies. She just didn't like Scott. "Look." Rogue paused, sucking in her breath and her pride. "Ah don't wanna make anyone else angry. Truth be told, Ah like the two o'you. Scott just rubbed meh the wrong way.
Jean's expression lightened, and Kitty moved her eyes from the carpet. "Yeah. Scott can be kinda stiff sometimes. Sorry about that," Jean explained.
"Sugah, there ain't no need for you to apologize.
Jean sighed. "Yeah, I suppose. But, he is my boyfriend, so I feel responsible sometimes.
"Speaking of boyfriends," Kitty interjected, "Are you and Remy, like, together or something?" Kitty gave a little giggle.
"Uh, no. Ah've only been here four days Kitty.
"Four days is a year in Remy language Rogue. He's very, uh, fast.
What's that supposed ta mean Jean?" Rogue questioned.
Kitty cleared her throat. "It means our resident Cajun gets around Rogue. He's a bit of a ladies man.
"With the women here?" Rogue asked cautiously.
Jean looked to be contemplating something. "You know, he hasn't. I mean, he flirts with everyone, and the girls all love him, but he's never asked anyone here out. Until you that is.
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Don' Ah feel special. What about him and Storm?
Kitty laughed, slapping her hand to her mouth. Jean answered.
"Those two are like brother and sister practically. Storm was the one who brought him here, away from his life as a thief.
Before Rogue could reply, Kitty suddenly exclaimed, "Hey! Let's go to the mall! Get in some bonding time with our new resident gal pal.
Rogue and Jean grinned at Kitty's pure look of excitement.
"That sounds good sugah.
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And I have met a boy who makes you look so shallow.
Rogue had promised to meet Jean and Kitty downstairs in fifteen minutes, and as she headed back to her room, she couldn't help but sneak a peek through Remy's open doorway as she passed by.
He was standing only in a pair of jeans, brushing his teeth, eyes glued to something on his computer screen. He looked adorable scrubbing away at his perfect teeth, long bangs dangling near his eyes. His hair was partially pulled back, as it had been the first day she saw him.
Suddenly he stopped scrubbing, and turned in her direction. He gave a slight smirk, gracefully managing to not dribble toothpaste everywhere. He held a hand up, one finger extended towards her, signaling to give him one minute, as he headed for his bathroom.
Rogue walked into the room, eyeing the computer screen. She noticed it was an email, and quickly looked away despite her curiosity.
"How y'feeling dis morning chere?" Remy yelled from the bathroom over the sound of running water.
"Shouldn't Ah be asking y'all that Remy?
Remy exited the bathroom, leaning against the wall. "Chere," Remy's eyes were filled with confusion and worry. "I hate t'drudge up last night, but, well, why did y'let me kiss y'for so long if y'knew y'would knock me out?
It was an honest, non-accusing question. Unfortunately, Rogue didn't really know the answer. At least not one that wouldn't make her sound crazy. She decided on the reason that conveyed her intent with the most clarity.
"It was the quickest, best way ta get ya to understand Remy.
He looked at her thoughtfully. "Understand what Rogue?
"Understand meh power. Ta understand that Ah can't touch.
Remy pushed himself away from the wall's edge, and took a few steps towards Rogue. "Well chere, I think y'may have failed." He was inches from her now, his minty fresh breath warming her flesh.
She weakly smiled up at him. "And how did Ah fail?" She was very scared of his answer.
"Well, all dat kiss made me understand was dat your power can be controlled. Dat kiss shoulda given y'hope chere.
Suddenly Rogue felt a surge of happiness run through her. Happiness. Something her mother had long denied her. Rogue had even denied it to herself after leaving Mystique. But Rogue was 21 now, and at the present moment, she had one of the most incredibly handsome men she had ever met pledging confidence into her. And, he was willing to stand by her, see her through. Rogue swallowed hard.
She reached a gloved thumb up to his lips, tugging lightly on the bottom lip, before dragging her finger down his chin, reaching his bare chest. She stopped right before his beltline, teasing him slightly.
"Thanks sugah." That was all she said as she headed for his door. At the last second she turned around and winked, smiling brilliantly.
Remy was a flirt. But so was Rogue. And today, Rogue decided that she wasn't going to let her power get in the way of a little fun. Fuck Mystique and her rules. It was going to be a beautiful day.
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