To Touch Is To Heal
by: QuasiAngel

Disclaimer: Evo belong to Marvel, Trading Spaces belongs to TLC... I'm just using them in an evil plot to make animated character and television personalities do what I please... -and I'm not making any money off of it, so HA!

Note: Ok, this fic is coming together very well in the mixed up thing i call my head...

Chapter 4- (You're skin is very sensitive.)



Um, Ah left mah towel on the towel rack, is that okay?

Lance looked up at Rogue. Her hair was still wet, but not dirty and her face was clean of any impurities. She was wearing one of Mystique's silk pajama sets, a pair of white socks, and she held a pair of black silk gloves in her left hand. Lance was about to say something when Tabitha walked in.

That's fine. Here, you sit down. Freddy'll bring your soup in, she said, guiding Rogue to the sofa opposite of Lance.

Ok, but why did ya leave me gloves, Tabitha? she asked, holding up the pair.

Tabitha was cut off by Pietro, who had just made an entrance.

You have a skin condition Rogue. You're skin is very sensitive.

Lance and Tabby sighed, nodding to thank their quick-witted friend.

Oh, then Ah guess Ah should be putting these on, then. Thank God Ah ended up here. You guys really seem to know me, she smiled and pulled the elbow length gloves on each hand, quickly passing over the hand print and reminding herself to tell Lance about it later.

Here's your soup, yo, Todd spoke up, struggling to get the bowl of hot, steamy liquid to their guest without spilling it.

Yeah, it's hot, added The Blob.

Thank'ya kindly, she said, sliding off the couch and landing on the floor between the couch and the coffee table that held her soup. She rolled up her sleeves, picked up the spoon and was about to start eating when she stopped, Why is every body staring at meh?

Pietro spoke up, It's just good to have you home, Roguey. That's all.

She smiled, Well, Ah'm glad! But go about your business, nothing to see here, she smiled and started to eat.

It was almost 12 o'clock by the time she finished. She was too enthralled with the show they were watching.

Why is she crying? Ah think it looks nice!

I guess some people just don't like lime green walls, Lance said to her, a smile coming to his lips.

Todd stood and turned off the television, Well, that's it for the Trading Spaces' marathon, yo. Next was the Heart Transplant' show. I'm sorry, but that's just sick.

Where do you have room to talk, Toad? You eat- Tabitha was stopped by a hand on her mouth.

-Liver and onions! Pietro spoke up, the rest of the room sighed.

Ah hope Ah never ate liver and onions! she piped in, a yawn following her comment.

You tired, girl? Tabitha asked.

Yeah, Ah guess so.

It's been a long day, Freddy added.

Yeah, between the Paige-a-thon' and Rogue coming to visit, you've had a long day yourself, Freddy. Pietro said.

The room laughed, all but Rogue. She just sighed and stood up.

What's the matter, Rogue? Lance asked his visitor.

Nothing, Ah'm just tired. Can some one show me to my room, please?

Lance, you go. We'll clean up, Pietro said, knowing full well he'd be up most of the night.

That's not fair, man! Why do we gotta- Todd was stopped mid-sentence by Freddy's hand making contact with the back of his head.

Uh, ok, the leader turned to his guest, Let's go.

They walked up the long staircase in silence.

What was the matter downstairs? he stopped her by grabbing her elbow.

Ah guess Ah was kinda disappointed. You told me that you were gonna tell me about my past.

He struggled for an answer. He did promise her he would. She had a right to know, Ok, I can tell you now, if you want. While you go to sleep, and I'll tell you the rest when you get up.

Ok, but are you sure you're not tired?

Nah, I'm okay.

Being satisfied with his answer, she used her other hand to tug on his sleeve, Well, come one then. Ah haven't got all night, she said with a playful smile.

They walked into her room, both smiling, her hand still clutching the material of his sleeve. She stopped when Lance turned on a dim light next to the door.

Lance spoke up, Hey Rogue? What's the matter?

She turned to him, a beaming smile played on her lips, It's huge!

He smiled, Yeah, they're all like this- big I mean. Kinda shabby, I know, but we don't have much money around here.

Ah don't understand why Ah ever left you guys!

Lance didn't speak. He just pulled his shirt loose from her grasp and pulled up a chair beside her bed, turning the chair backwards and straddling the front. Rogue looked at him, realizing he seemed upset. She didn't want to upset him tonight so she changed the subject.

Where are your parents? she asked while making her way to her bed, slipping off the covers and sitting down.

Lance sighed, We're all orphans.

So, Ah'm an orphan too?

He nodded.

How old am Ah?

Fifteen. You're a sophomore at Bayville High. We all go there, he paused, observing her dazed expression, Are you sure you wanna know more?

She blinked and looked up at him, Yeah, please, was her response, finally laying down and covering herself with the blanket.

Is there anything you want to know before I start?

She was quiet for sometime. Her eyes were fixated on her brow while she thought, Where do Ah live now?

He didn't answer her right away. He just sat there staring at her. He didn't want to tell her the truth. He wanted her to stay with him, with his family. He wanted to protect her, but he didn't want to keep things from her. He knew Xavier would come looking for her so he told her, Xavier's Institute for Gifted Youngsters.

She crocked her head,

Yeah, but that's a long story. I'm sure it'll come to you, he answered, not sure if he should tell her about her mutation just yet, Anything else?

Who's Mystique?

She's our guardian. She's not around right now, though.

she yawned, Wait, do Ah have school tomorrow?

He laughed at her urgency, No, we're on spring break. It actually began today. We have a whole week left.

Oh, that's a relief. Ah hope Ah remember everything before it's time to go back.

I hope so too, he stopped, looking at the girl before him. She was so much the same, but also different. He watched as her eyelids began to fall and her lips began to form into a pout, Okay, I think it's time for me to go.

She jumped slightly and looked up at him, Yeah, Ah guess. You promise to help me remember more?

Of course. And if you need anything during the night, my room is to the right of yours, he said, getting up and pushing the chair back where it was and he slowly walked backwards towards the door.

Ah will, was muffled as she nuzzled her cheek into her pillow.

Night, Roguey.



It's the nickname I called you sometimes. You never liked it much. I can stop if you want, he said, pausing with his hand under the lamp shade.

Nah, Ah like it.

He smiled and turned out the light, Good night, Roguey.

Night, Lancey, she smiled and closed her eyes.

He slowly crept out of the room and made his way downstairs.


To be continued-