Know
By: Kryptonite
A/N: The song is 'Too Bad' by Nickleback. I do not own it, though it is a great song. Enjoy.
*****
*Two Weeks After*
Rogue's eyes closed as the music came on pounding into her head. Her fingers slipped over the dial, turning the volume up as loud as possible. Her lips moved to the words, unaware she was being watched.
Father's hand were lined with dirt
From long days in the field
Rogue's eyes opened and turned on her open math book. Scott stood calmly in the open door.
And all I hear about is
How it's so bad, it's so bad
She picked up her pencil, trying to concentrate, forget what had happened that day. Pulling the Algebra II book closer, she flipped to the right page.
It's too bad that we had no time to rewind
Let's walk, let's talk
Let's talk
Scott silently nudged the door shut and sat patiently in the chair waiting there.
You left without saying goodbye
Although I'm sure you tried
You call and ask from time to time
To make sure we're alive
"But you weren't there" She muttered, lips moving constantly with the words, eraser drumming on the book as she worked out the problem. Rogue took a deep breath and closed her eyes again, losing herself in the music.
It's too bad, it's too bad
Too late, so wrong, so long
Rogue resumed staring at her math book. Eventually, and Scott could tell when, Rogue's anger go the best of her. Picking up her math book she hurled it across the room where it fell, the pages wrinkling. Scott could also see the quilt wash over her as she realized what she had done.
Rogue rushed over to the book and tried to straighten out the pages.
" I can't. It'll never work." The tears choked her voice, building in the back of her throat.
" If you need to scream go ahead." Rogue turned around, unspilt tears shining in her eyes.
" No matter how much a scream builds in the back of your throat the only thing that will happen if you let it out is a sore throat." She muttered, trying to hide her Algebra book behind her back.
" I already saw you throw it." He spoke, not unkindly.
" Oh." With that Rogue dropped the book altogether.
" Well I'm glad you're at least expressing your feelings." But that was when Scott started to panic. It had been a long while since Rogue had 'pretended' with him. He could tell she was getting ready to lie since her eyes glossed over and this fake cheesy grin fell into place.
" I lost my temper. That's all. I'll do something to fix the book-"
" I'm not worried about the book Rogue, I'm worried about you. Don't shut me out. Not now. You've come to far to shut me out now." Scott said, striding over to where she stood and gripping her shoulders. He saw her façade start to falter. " What happened?"
*****
*Four Hours Earlier*
" Oh by the way Rogue?" Rogue turned, more than a little suspicious of the girl speaking to her. Jubilee hadn't been very nice for a while.
" Yeah?"
" One stop giving me that look. Two, I'm glad you're back in class. Even though they should have kicked your little butt out of school after all the times you've put this place in danger. And three, Wolverine called. I asked if he wanted to speak with you but he said it wasn't worth his time. Have a nice day."
" Logan called?" Rogue asked, voice confused, hoping Jubilee would turn around smiling saying that it was all just one big joke.
" Yep. Wanted to talk to the Professor about another lead he might follow up. Going to keep him away even longer. Didn't ask once about you though." Jubilee smirked and turned to walk out of the deserted room.
*****
" Just… something Jubilee said. It's nothing." Her voice pitched higher than normal and Scott knew she was lying. One tear slipped from her eyes and rolled down her face. Cyclops moved faster than she did and wiped it away.
" What did she say?" Cyclops looked her straight in the eyes and it seemed as if Rogue did the same, despite the visor.
" That Logan had called…" She paused, breath hitching in her throat. " I mean, I know I don't mean anything to him. I'm just some dumb kid he picked up off the side of the road out of pity."
" Rogue, Logan gave his life twice to save you. He wouldn't do that if he didn't feel something for you."
" Then why didn't he want to talk to me?" She asked angrily, struggling to get out of Scott's tight grip.
" He was probably using a pay phone and really needed to tell the Professor something important. You know Logan, doesn't pay more than he has to. Including on phone calls."
" I know, I just-" Rogue's ability to speak was impaired as the tears fell thick and fast. Her head tilted down as she tried to keep the sobs to a minimum.
" I know." Cyclops muttered, pulling the girl into a hug. Rogue's arms wrapped around his waist as they stood there, swaying back and forth. " I know."
Just knowing something is not enough. You have to do something with that knowledge. But sometimes, knowing that thing is all we can do or are willing to do.
*****
A/N: Hello again. I've updated, yay! I've started to notice a trend. I'm depressed on Friday's a lot. Weird huh? Well that's the reason you're getting this. And Rogue's throwing of the math book? I've wanted to do something like that a lot (thrown my portable c.d. player at the wall once) but I'm always so afraid of what'll happen or I know how bad I'll feel once I do that I don't.
Thanks to Angel LeeAnn for reviewing. 'Bout time :P