A/N-Woah, it's been a quite a while. I was reading some fics and I'd forgotten how much fun it is to write so I figured I'd better update. Incase you've forgotten, Rogue, Kitty, Jubilee, Bobby, John, and Peter are at the café and this chapter is taking off where the last one ended.

Calm Before the Storm

"Rogue?" John pulled on her sleeve to get her attention.

"Huh?" Rogue cleared her throat as the waiter handed her her coffee. "Oh, thanks. Sorry about that."

"You want cream?" John offered her the cup of half & halfs.

"Yeah, thanks," she replied, grabbing five.

"So you like coffee with you cream or what?" Bobby remarked, with a bemused expression on his face.

Rogue smiled. "Hey, just cause I don't like my coffee dark doesn't mean you have to make fun of me."

Bobby shook his head, "Whatever does it for ya."

Rogue proceeded to empty the tiny containers when Kitty and Jubilee rejoined their table, grinning broadly.

"So, what did you two do in there?" Peter asked, casually draping his arm around Jubilee, who giggled and turned a dark shade of red.

"Oh you know, we just...freshened up," Kitty gave Bobby a sideways smile and then looked back at Jubilee.

Jubilee tried to shift into Peter's arms more comfortably when he removed them to accept his plate from the waiter who was setting their meals in front of them.

She furrowed her brows together and coughed quietly. Rogue suppressed a slight smile. She wasn't being malicious or anything, Kitty was fighting a smirk too. Peter seemed completely oblivious to the ruffled Jubilee, which made her situation slightly more humorous.

When the others started talking again, John leaned over to Rogue, "Hey, I'm gonna go out for some fresh air, you wanna come with?"

Rogue looked down at her full coffee cup before answering, "Yeah, sure. Fresh air sounds good. Er, you're not going to eat first?" she asked, nodding towards his plate.

"I'll tackle it when we get back," then speaking to the rest of the group, "Rogue and I are gonna go outside for a little bit," John said while standing up.

"You know I told you that smoking wasn't good for you, John," Bobby said, looking up to his friend. "You really shouldn't get Rogue hooked on it either. It does horrible stuff to your lungs-"he made gestures to towards his chest before bracing himself against John's friendly punch.

Rogue smiled and shook her head while she followed John's lead out the door.

Once they were outside John stuffed his hands deep into his pockets, while slightly hunching his back. Rogue had begun to notice he did this when he was uncomfortable, or didn't know what to say.

"So what's up?" inquired Rogue when John didn't say anything.

"Rogue, look just hear me out okay?"

"You haven't even said anything yet," Rogue said with a small laugh.

"Well, I know. It's just you tend to get a little...I don't know. Touchy. In the mornings, er, well when you just wake up at least. And I just don't want you getting upset about this. I mean, what I'm about to say."

Rogue furrowed her brows slightly. A small knot tightened in her stomach. "What are you about to say?"

"It's just...Rogue, you know I care about you," he took her hands in his as he spoke. "I love you, I do. It's just I worry. I mean, it seems like I haven't even seen you for the past 4 weeks."

Rogue dropped his hands. "You've seen me."

"You know what I mean." John shoved his hands back into his pockets. "Look, Rogue, it's just..." he shrugged, took his eyes off her face for a moment, searching for words. "It's like I don't even know you anymore. This isn't... it's not a relationship. At least not one that's going anywhere."

"What, so you're breaking up with me?" Rogue swallowed hard, she didn't remember her throat being so dry.

"No, not exactly."

"Then what? Exactly."

"I just think we need to take a break. So you can get it together, or whatever it is that's bothering you. I mean, it's not like I haven't tried talking to you about it, but it just doesn't seem like something you can discuss with me," he threw his hands in the air. "I don't know, maybe you'd feel better talking to Bobby, but whatever it is, just do it. Please."

Rogue shifted uncomfortably, refusing to make contact with John's eyes. Instead she just concentrated on how the ground looked; how warm it was getting.

"Rogue-" John brought his hand close to her face and stopped, forgetting and remembering too quickly how he couldn't touch her. "Please, will ya look at me?"

Rogue briefly brought her eyes to meet his, like looking at them for too long would burn.

"I'm here, okay? When you need me."

Rogue turned away and shifted her gaze to the cars sitting in the parking lot. She was staring at them as if her life depended on it, but she couldn't really see them. Rogue heard John sigh softly, just loud enough for her to notice, and begin to walk away.

She looked back just in time to see John walk through the door. Rogue uttered a barely audible "Thanks," as the door shut firmly after him.

A/N-So did you like it? Hate it? Please review, it really does help a ton. They inspire us writers you know.