Disclaimer: I did not create them…but I may have played with their age. I'm not sure Jubilee, Kitty and Rogue are the same age. But it fit my story well so I took some liberties.

Author's babble: Thank you, thank you, thank you. For all of those who read and those who reviewed. It's really great to see how you're following me through this.

Season's Greetings!! My wish to you is that all your wishes come true! I'm leaving for a few days, visiting family all around but I should be able to post again before the New Year! So have a great one!!

The right thing for the right reasons…. chapter seven

She found Kitty and Jubilee easily enough, but regretted coming pretty soon after that. The topic of the day was…The Prom. Of Course. She hadn't thought about that! This was their last year in Bayville High and since they were graduating, there was that dreaded night…Rogue wasn't very big on such events and had already made up her mind that she wasn't going. Not like she could find a date anyway. The 'Normal' kids in school pretty much avoided her, with her gothic look and general attitude. As for the mutants at the Institute, either she wouldn't be caught dead on a date with them, or they were too young. She would have thought about Scott not long ago, but she had come to reason about her feelings for him. He was just a crush and now she was over him. So, she dragged her feet behind the two other girls and sighed as they were looking at dresses and gossiping on who would wear what with who and how…

"Come on Rogue, aren't you like, gonna look at anything?" Kitty asked

"No. I'm not gonna waste my money on some dress. Besides, I'm not going."

"What?! But Prom night is like, a big thing."

"No it's not! It's just an excuse for a big party! It's useless and expensive. I don't need to look like a dork in a stupid dress to know that I graduated." She left the two girls there and walked away, stopping a bit further away, her back turned to them

Kitty and Jubilee were a little dumbfounded by her reaction.

"I think you struck a very sensible cord." Jubilee said.

"Wow! You think! But I don't get it. Why is she making such a big deal out of it?"

"I don't know. Listen; let's just drop the subject. Maybe we can get her to talk, later on."

They both walked up to Rogue and made small talk, as if nothing happened. She eventually relaxed and the rest of the afternoon went pretty smoothly. Kitty and Jubilee avoided the subject of the Prom. For now. They met up with Scott and Jean later on and made their way back to the Mansion.

XxxxX

Back at the Institute, Wolverine was having a meeting with Professor Xavier.

"How was the training session with our new recruit this morning" asked the Professor.

"Good."

"Logan, please…"

"All right, all right," said Logan with a little smile. "I have to say, he's good. He's got a lot of agility, but nothing mutant like. Just that he's been well trained."

"Well, the Guilds do have the reputation of thoroughly training their members. I would even say that he did not demonstrate all the range of his abilities yet."

"That's the feeling I got. That he was holding back or something. But he did good. He's in full control of his mutant power. Probably still testing his limits but he fully understands what he can do."

"Yes, it's rather rare to meet such a young mutant who has such full control. I wonder who trained him. I guess that's one of the many things we will have to learn from him."

"Yeah well, whatever. I still think he's trouble."

"Logan, for you, even an innocent child is trouble," replied the Professor with a smile.

"Hey! Let five of those so called innocent kids loose in a house and you'll see what I mean."

XxxxX

Back in their room, Kitty and Rogue were putting their stuff away. Jubilee was doing the same in her own room; they planned to meet for dinner later on.

"Rogue?"

"Mmmm…"

"Please don't get mad at me," Kitty pleaded, before anything else. Rogue turned around and looked at Kitty, raising an eyebrow.

"Why did you react like that back at the Mall? I know you're not big on socials and stuff but that was a bit harsh, no?"

Rogue sighed and sat on her bed. "I know. I'm sorry I snapped at you like that. I guess I owe an apology to Jubilee too."

Kitty brushed it off. "That's ok. But…why?"

"You know…Prom night is something so…NORMAL! It's something you prepare along with your mom. Shopping for the dress, the hair." She raised her shoulders. "I don't know, I don't do normal. I just don't want to go."

"I think you're more worried about getting a date" Kitty teased her.

"Oh yeah! Lots of guys lined up at my door. Me! The girl who literally knocks you out with a kiss!"

"Well, I know of at least one guy who's asking a lot about you lately."

"Huh? Who?"

"Oh! I'm not sure I'm gonna tell you"

"Kitty Pryde!!"

Rogue picked up her pillow and slowly started to make her way to her roommate, raising the pillow above her head.

"Ok! Ok!" Kitty giggled. Rogue dropped the pillow and sat on the bed, next to Kitty.

"Come on," kitty continued. "You've got to know who I'm talking about. Tall, handsome, great smile…and very sexy Cajun accent!"

"Gambit! What do you mean he's been asking about me?"

"Well, I have to say he's been very subtle about it. A little question here and another there but I've been keeping track. He's definitely gathering info about you."

"Oh…and what do I care?" Rogue tried to take an indifferent tone.

"Oh you do care!"

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, the colour of you cheeks right now." Rogue laughed at that and hid her face in her hands. "Plus, the fact that you still have that card he gave you, what was it? The Queen of Hearts?"

Rogue's head snapped back up. "How did you know that?"

"I've seen you get up sometimes and pick it up. I never touched it and I haven't told anyone either, but I know it's in the top drawer of you nightstand. Admit it Rogue, you like him!"

"That might be a big word yet. But I don't know, there IS something about him."

"Pllllllease!! It's EVERYTHING about him!" Kitty said. "Why don't you ask HIM to the prom, he could be your date."

"First of all, I don't do the dating thing. Come on Kitty, you know what my powers do. I can't risk it. Hurting someone else 'by accident'."

"Rogue, you come on! He knows about your powers. From what I gather, he's been victim to it more than once. And yet, here he is, interested in you! YOU, Rogue. Not anyone else. He could have any girl he wants."

"Exactly! If he could have anyone, why bother with the untouchable?"

"I don't have all the answers. You'll have to ask him." Kitty put a hand on her friend's arm. "I promise I won't bother you with the Prom thing again if you promise to think about it. Forget the whole 'NORMAL' thing. It's just going to be a bunch of us, all dressed up and having fun. That's really all there is to it."

"I promise."

They walked out of their room, met up with Jubilee and went downstairs to get some dinner.

XxxxX

Rogue was sitting in the library after dinner. She was trying to catch up on history. The final weeks were coming in fast and she really wanted to make sure she got good grades. A few years back she wouldn't have cared about petty little things such as a history grade, but that's the influence that Charles Xavier had had on her. He'd made her realise there were more important things than being a terrorist!!

"Need help, petite?"

She raised her eyes, only to meet two deep red pools, staring right back at her. "Man! Those eyes" Realising she was just staring at him, mouth open and not saying anything, she flushed and said the most original thing in the world; "What?"

He laughed and sat next to her. "Gambit was asking if you need help."

"Hum? Oh ! You mean study! Uhh…no, I'm fine. Thanks. I mean for asking…" And on with the babble fest! He just looked at her, his eyes laughing.

"I know, I know, I used to be a bit more articulate!" She said, rolling her eyes. "Thanks for the offer," she said in a firmer tone, "but I'll be fine. Just got to get through this chapter."

"Pas de probleme (no problem), just call on me if you need anything." He started to get up and leave. A flash went through her mind. "Just a bunch of us, all dressed up and having fun. Let's see,I tried shutting myself from the world and that didn't work. Let's try something different, " she thought. "Gambit" she called out loud, before she changed her mind.

He turned around. "Oui?"

She got up and walked to him. "I'm gonna ask you something, but be very comfortable saying no if you don't feel like it ok?" He could see she was nervous, more than when he walked in. "See, I'm graduating this year and, well…there's the Prom and…" she trailed off.

He gently took her gloved hand in his and raised it. He placed a soft kiss on her knuckles and said; "Je serai honoré de t'accompagner, ma Belle du Sud." (I'd be honored to accompany you, my Southern Belle)

She sat back at her table, and her book, after he left. Obviously, studying was now going to be near impossible! She didn't quite understand all he said, but she figured it meant yes.