Sorry I took so long to update. Had to study, study, study. Still do.

What the Future brings

Chapter 3 – So we meet again

I.

She was walking along the street, thinking of when was the last time she went outside. Her memory has failed her. Life hasn't been the same since she left the Institute. She didn't keep in touch with her 'family' since. Trapped inside, she spent all her time on the internet, playing on her guitar, writing poetry. Suddenly she felt a cold drop of rain on her cheek, and then another one, and another one. Before she noticed, she was in the middle of a Bayville storm. People were running for cover all around her, but she kept walking, deep in thought.

Hurry!

Taxi!

Come on, Jean, you're going to catch a cold.

It was a familiar voice. She looked and saw the face she was dreaming of for the past few months. His image was blurry in her mind, but still she could remember everything about him. "Scott!" She would've cried, but already he was gone. Looking right and left, she was searching for the long lost memory.

II.

They got home, only to notice that they have left the window open, and now the rain poured in onto the carpet. He hurried and closed it and then took off his coat and his boots, while she walked to the kitchen (it was her turn to cook dinner).

"Scott! Change your clothes in case they got wet."

"No, they're ok."

He walked towards the closet and took out a box. He sat down on the bed and opened it. It was filled with pictures, old and new. The very first one was of the X-Men. That was the last time they were all together. He hasn't seen any of them since. He was too preoccupied with his new life. He moved together with Jean, trying not to rush things. He was working as a reporter, and Jean was a photographer for the newspaper. They've always worked together. The more they were together, the more they got used to each other.

As he watched the photograph, he remembered the troubled teenage life he had then. Now he's grown up and Jean has made his life much easier.

"Hmm this food is delicious, Jean. You've really outdone yourself."

"Like always..." she said with a smile on her face. She hadn't changed much. She's the same redhead she was years ago. Beautiful, smart, popular. She was still perfect.

"Hey, look at this picture. Remember?"

"Yeah.. You used to look so handsome.." she said, teasingly with a smile.

"HEY!" he shouted, lips turning into a smile. She carried on with eating, but he was still looking at the picture, remembering those years spent at the Institute.

III.

Wet and cold she shut the door behind her, dropping her coat on the floor, she walked towards her bed, dropping herself on it, drifting away in thoughts and memories. Unwillingly her eyes closed shut as she fell asleep. She didn't sleep much lately. She didn't see a point in wasting so much time in a world that doesn't exist.

She was back at the Institute. It was Christmas. Everyone was gone, except the teachers, Scott, and herself. She's gained control over her powers, so Scott left Jean for her.

"Catch me if you can!" she said, running in the snow, not too fast. Scott wrapped his arms around her waist and span her as they fell down. They were laughing. They were so happy.

But then Scott suddenly turned into a monster, a smaller version of Godzilla, and she pushed away from it, started running. But it was faster then her. It grabbed her and started shaking her, screaming, shaking its head. She couldn't cry for help, she had lost her voice.

"NO!" she screamed and sat up in her bed. The window was open and the wind was waving the curtains. It was all a dream. A nightmare. She looked at her clock and realized it was already morning. She got dressed, grabbed her guitar and walked down the stairs. She started walking to find a good spot to settle down. She found her usual place empty, so she sat down under the tree, put out an empty box in front of her, took off her left glove and started singing on her guitar. She was good at it. Finally all her problems were gone, all she was concentrating on was her music.

IV.

They were driving along Bayville, working. Their current assignment was an article about the homeless. They knew the park was a place to find those kind of people, so they drove there. Jean Started taking some pictures, Scott was asking the homeless people questions about their past, their present and their possible future. Suddenly Jean spotted a familiar figure. It was a girl with brown hair with white stripes.

"Could it be?" she wondered, and walked over to her. "Rogue?" The girl looked up. It was her. It had been years since they last met. "Hey Jean. Long time no see."

"Well yes. But what are you doing here?" she asked as the guitarist stood up.

"I'm showing off my talents, do you mahnd?" She said, harsh as always. She hadn't changed at all. She was the same rogue she was before.

"No I'm just surprised to see you here. I always thought only homeless come here."

"Who said Ah ain't homeless? She picked up her box, grabbed her guitar and started walking. Jean followed her.

"Are you?"

"No, Ah'm not, but Ah can't see how that's any of your business." Her paces fastened but then she saw that face she often dreamt of. It was her first love. But that feeling has already disappeared. She continued walking, trying to get rid of the only person she detested from the Institute.

"Rogue please wait!" said Jean and grabbed her arm, forcing her to stop. "Please, after three years, can't we at least have a civilized conversation?" Her begging looks convinced Rogue to look her straight in the eyes.

"Ok. What do you wanna talk about?" She said, with a sarcastic smile that lasted two seconds.

"I just wanted to know how your life has been since you left the Institute. I just want to know how you are."

"Well thank you for your concern, mah life's as good as it can get."

"Hey, Jean I found... Oh. Rogue. Hi." He was very surprised to see someone so dear to him after such a long time. Rogue was much more beautiful then how he's remembered her, and this frightened him.

"Hi Scott. Sorry, Ah gotta go." And with that she walked away from the couple, leaving them confused. They looked at each other and shrugged. They returned to the park and continued their assignment.

V.

Next morning she read a newspaper article signed by Scott Summers about homeless people and beggars. There was a photo taken by Jean Grey. "So they're not married yet" she thought, and then took a look of the picture. She found herself in the middle of it, playing her guitar. Anger and hatred filled her heart. She was a beggar, but she didn't want her face in the newspapers. Jean should've known. "Ms Perfect.. whoevah figured that name out?? She's not perfect, she's just as stupid as the rest of us."

To be continued...