Virago
Chapter Twelve
26 April 2001
She was…different.
Scott could think of no other word to describe her. She was unlike anything he had ever encountered before. Of course, he didn't mean that in a bad way. Not at all.
She was just…different.
She was also extremely powerful. Potent. Incredibly dangerous.
She was supposed to have been their new recruit. Professor Xavier had called her a "rogue". It was the perfect word for her.
She was a rogue.
And if Scott had his way, she would be the X-Men's rogue. But it wasn't to be.
'Come on, Scott,' Professor Xavier said, leading the way back towards the X-Jet. 'I have a feeling this is not the end of it yet.'
Scott followed the older man. 'I hope not.'
*
27 May 2001
'How's Rogue?'
The question was unexpected, and Kitty looked at Lance with surprise. 'Huh?'
Lance looked into the distance, shrugging lightly. 'Just wondering how she's fitting in with you X-Geeks.'
Rogue had arrived at the mansion only a few days previously. So far, it was not an easy transition. For any of them. Not really.
Kitty bit her lower lip, looking down at the ground. 'Uh, okay, I guess. I mean, she doesn't really talk to anyone, except for maybe, like, Scott sometimes. I think it's really weird for her, you know.'
When he didn't reply, she looked back up at him. He seemed lost in thought, but then he turned back to her, and he grinned. 'We'll have to do this again, Pretty Kitty.'
All thoughts of Rogue fled her mind. She giggled, both pleased and flattered at the attention Lance continued to shower on her. He had organised a crude PBJ-sandwiches-and-soda picnic for the two of them. Out of town, of course.
How much she really, really, really liked – because "love" is too strong, anyway, she wasn't "in love" with him, at all, not really – him.
Kitty gazed up at him. 'I'm having the best time, Lance.'
*
17 November 2001
'What are you doin' here with the X-Men, Lance?' The accented voice was familiar. 'Really.'
He turned, and smiled at her. 'Rogue.'
She narrowed her eyes. 'And don't tell me it's because you want to spend more time with your girlfriend. Ah know you better than that.'
Lance lost his smile. He knew better than to tell her the whole truth. She would never believe him, mainly because he, too, knew her. She wouldn't want to believe him. 'There a rule that says you're the only one allowed to change sides?'
'Ah didn't change sides,' she said defensively, crossing her arms. 'Ah just opened mah eyes.'
'So did I. Look, Rogue, I just…' He sighed. 'I just want a chance, all right?'
'A chance for what? To get closer to Kitty?'
'To be something more, something better.' Lance looked at her. To be with you.
Rogue lowered her arms to her side. She softened visibly, a slight smile forming on her dark lips. For a moment he entertained the thought that she had heard his silent words. 'Ah hope it works out, Lance.' He could only watch as she turned and walked away.
She didn't hear him.
*
26 December 2001
It couldn't be any more perfect. It was a Christmas straight from a fairytale. That is, if fairytales actually had Christmases.
Scott glanced over at Rogue. The Professor and Dr McCoy had gone to bed early and the two of them had spent most of the night watching old, Christmas-themed movies. He couldn't remember the last time he had ever felt such peace before.
'Ya know, this is the first time Ah've ever seen that movie,' Rogue said, leaning forward to grab the remote on the coffee table.
He was surprised. 'Really? They play it every Christmas on TV.'
She shrugged. 'Well, all this, it's a whole new kind of Christmas for me. It wasn't that Irene deprived me or anythin', but Ah just never got into the holiday before, you know?' She turned to him, her eyes shining. 'Ah mean, we had a New York Christmas, complete with a real angel and a miracle and snow and everything!'
Scott had never seen her so animated, so excited. So alive.
'Which reminds me, I almost forgot to give you your present.' He reached over the side of the sofa, feeling around until his fingers closed upon a small box. He presented the colourfully wrapped gift to her. 'Here you go.'
Rogue had suddenly grown shy, a pink tinge visible underneath her makeup. 'Oh. Ah was just kidding…you didn't have to get me anythin'…'
'Sure I did, and I wanted to.' Scott smiled at her. 'Take it.'
She reached out hesitantly, her gloved fingers brushing against his as she took it. He watched as she gently untied the ribbon and pulled off the top of the box. He knew that she would like it, but he had never imagined that her face would light up the way it did.
'Oh, Scott,' she breathed out, reaching inside and pulling out gift. 'It's beautiful!'
A shiver raced up spine at the breathless sound of his name from her lips. He swallowed hard. 'Merry Christmas, Rogue.'
Rogue looked up at him. She looked like an angel. 'Merry Christmas, Scott.'
Unnerved by complex emotions her added depthless gaze was having on him, Scott surreptitiously looked away. His eyes fell on the clock, and he forced out a light laugh. 'It's a few minutes past midnight. Christmas is actually officially over.'
'Well…it's still the best Christmas present Ah've ever gotten.'
Scott looked back at her, and smiled softly. 'You're welcome, Rogue.'
He could stay like this forever.
*
02 January 2002
Diary,
My New Year's resolution – stop hiding.
I'm in love with Lance Alvers. I love him.
And I'll tell the others. I'll tell them that I don't care that he's with the Brotherhood and we're not supposed to like them. I'll tell them. Just not yet. But I will.
With a sigh, Kitty closed and locked her diary. She was tired of hiding, of the secret dates, and the pretending. She would make sure the whole world knew how she felt about Lance.
Eventually.
Kitty glanced over at the sleeping Rogue, hoping that she hadn't disturbed her friend, before reaching out to turn off the bedside lamp.
*
08 January 2002
'Lance.'
He looked up, and then froze at the sight of her. He had expected never to see her again. 'Mystique?'
The woman looked severe. 'I have a proposition for you.'
Lance grew instantly apprehensive. Although he was no longer under her control, Mystique continued to exude a sense of power. 'And if I say no?'
'Believe me, you won't.'
Then and there, his answer was an instant "No". He refused to play under her rules, not anymore. 'Try me,' he challenged.
A smirk played across Mystique's features. 'It's about Rogue.'
Lance straightened. 'What about Rogue?'
'She left the mansion. She left the X-Men.'
It couldn't be true. Could it? Trying to keep his emotions under control – joy mixing with fear – he frowned. 'How do you know?'
'Leave Bayville,' she said, ignoring his question. 'Follow Rogue.'
Still trying to wrap his mind around the idea that Rogue had left the X-Men, Lance just looked at her in confusion. 'What?'
Mystique had softened noticeably. 'Keep her safe.'
*
17 March 2002
He opened the front door. The figure looked despondent, haggard.
Warren smiled warmly at her. 'Hello, Rogue.'
She hesitated. 'Ah didn't know where else to go.'
He took a step back, allowing her access into his apartment. 'I've been waiting for you.'
A look of surprise crossed her face. 'You have?'
'Over two months, actually. Charles called me. I hope you don't mind.'
Rogue looked down at the floor, still not having moved from where she stood. 'No, Ah don't mind. Ah thought Ah could do it mahself, but…'
Warren reached out, gently tilting her face back up. Her eyes were tired, old. 'Rogue, sometimes asking for, and accepting, help is the hardest thing anyone can do. I'm here to help. You're not alone, okay?'
She finally focused on him. 'Thank you.'
*
07 April 2004
She was falling into darkness. She tried to claw her way back towards the light, but it was futile. She wasn't ready, not yet. Not when she was starting to finally feel alive.
'Rogue!'
The name jolted her. She was Rogue. With all strength that was left in her, she forced her eyes to flutter open. A face – familiar? – gazed down at her. But she couldn't focus properly. The face was fuzzy, blurred. She couldn't make out any features.
'Hang in there! It'll be okay, I promise.'
That voice. She'd heard it before, years ago. She had loved it. Once. Had cared.
Who was he?
He screamed then, in pain. And he swore. She'd only ever heard one person swear like that before. A shaggy haired boy who had been a little too cocky and confident for his own good. If only it wasn't so dark, she could remember. If only she could keep her eyes open a little longer.
'Rogue? Come on, Rogue, stay awake!'
'Okay,' she answered. Or did she?
Nothing.
*
01 February 2006
He could hardly believe that this was the same girl who had knocked on his front door four years previously. But she wasn't a girl, not anymore.
Before him stood a woman – poised, optimistic, intelligent. Happy. And so beautiful.
She turned, then, and looked at him, a large smile on her face. 'Warren, I want one!'
Unable to resist, Warren walked towards where she played with the twin panda cubs. 'I doubt they'd let it through customs, Rogue,' he said wryly. He reached out, and almost immediately one of the cubs pounced on his fingers.
She laughed. 'Let's smuggle him home anyway!'
'Hey, I heard that!' Jiang, the pandas' caretaker, said loudly as he returned into the nursery pen. He spoke in Chinese.
'But, Jiang, they're so gorgeous,' Rogue replied, also in Chinese. 'And you have so many here. Surely you can spare me one?'
'And where would you keep him?' Jiang asked, raising an eyebrow.
Although Warren tuned out of their conversation, he found it suddenly impossible to keep his eyes from her. Her eyes, her lips, her smile, her laugh.
Her.
Rogue turned to look at him once more. She smiled. She was stunning.
Warren fell in love.
*
31 January 2009
She was dying. She had taken the "miracle" drug, and it was slowly killing her.
'You did this to me!' Mystique hissed, grabbing the doctor by the front of the shirt. 'You!'
To his credit, Garrison didn't look intimidated. But she could smell his fear nonetheless. 'The formula is unstable, and I had warned you there could be side effects,' he replied, only the slightest shake to his voice.
'Death is not a side effect!' She released him, her arms falling tiredly to her side. 'It's a consequence. And now I need you to fix it.'
Garrison looked bitterly back at her. 'With what? I have nothing left. The lab, all the equipment and supplies are destroyed.'
'Then I will get you more.' Mystique turned her back on him. 'I will not be responsible for my daughter's death.'
end chapter twelve.
Author's notes: As always, thank you for all your encouragements. Believe it or not, they actually made me work on this instead of studying for my exams! Also, this chapter is what I call my "Flashbacks Chapter" - little snippets of "history" between the characters. I hope (*cross fingers*) that they were able to answer a few questions. :)