Learning to Deal
I don't own X-Men Evolution (or X-Men for that matter) characters or anything concerning the show, comics, ect. No suing! Be civil in reviews (if there are any).
"Charles, we need to talk," Ororo stated as she entered the room where Professor Xavier sat in his wheel chair starring out the window at the activity-or lack therefore of-taking place below.
"About Rogue?" he assumed with a sigh. Xavier had been expecting Logan or Ororo to bring the topic up with him, but he had wished that he was more prepared for it than what he was.
"I feel that some of the students may be taking her disappearance harder than others…" she started but then paused for she didn't wish to point out names aloud.
"Ah yes, and you believe that we should have a sort of council session with them?" Xavier finished after having read Ororo's mind. "The one thing you remember Ororo is that not all the students are being affected by Rogue being gone. Granted, Kurt and Kitty are taking it very hard but the others are not taking it in the same way. Take Jean and Scott for example, they have continued on with their daily activities as though it was nothing…"
"That is what I'm afraid of Charles, is that they will all be so…" she paused to find the correct word, "comfortable without her around that when or if she does return they will no longer know how to handle her."
"Like they had any idea before," grunted Logan from the doorway. "Sorry to interrupting Prof. but I couldn't help overhearing the conversation."
Xavier nodded, spinning around in his chair to stare at his first two allies. "That is quite alright Logan; we would need your opinion and advice on this matter sooner or later anyways."
"All I'm trying to say is that most of these kids probably are better off without Rogue but as for half pint and the elf…they could need someone to talk. However, I personally don't think we should intervene unless we have information on Rogue," Logan replied and Ororo was about to make an argument. "Trust me Stormy, Charles here has been keeping up a search for Rogue on Cerebro so that the moment she used her powers we could know where she is."
The Weather Witch stared in shock at Wolverine then turned to her mentor and friend. "Is this true Professor?" she questioned.
"It is," sighed Professor Xavier looking a bit guilty. "I wished to know where she is so that in case we ever would need to call upon her assistance we could."
"Are you sure that's the only reason Charles?" Logan inquired scrutinizing the Professor and listening carefully for any irregularity in his pulse.
"Yes Logan, it is my only reason. As you had suggested the day we first discussed about her runaway, I plan to leave her be and let her sort out whatever it is. I will not interfere with her life unless we need her," he promised.
"So zat's vhat you plan to do? Jus' leave her out zere vithout our protection and help?!" Kurt demanded from the doorway, hanging upside down by his tail. "You've been tracking her and you didn't tell me?!"
Ororo approached the angered teen to calm him down so that he could listen to reason but Xavier mentally stopped her.
"Kurt, I did not wish to worry you any further by telling you that I do have Cerebro on a search for her should Rogue decide to use her powers," explained the Professor calmly.
"Zen vhy didn't you tell me earlier?" Kurt inquired, his anger simmering down slowly.
Logan took the head of the explanation. "Look here elf, Rogue obviously does not want us to go after her and as much as I know that she means a lot to you, you must respect that." Kurt nodded numbly. "Now, should Cerebro ever be found we will tell you as long as you promise not to chase after her on your own," bargained Logan only making Charles try to catch his thoughts.
Logan, what are you doing? Xavier demanded.
Giving the kid some assurance Charles, he needs it bad right now, answered Wolverine.
"Are you serious? You vill actually tell me vhen you find her vhere she is?" the German questioned in uncertainty.
"Promise," grinned Logan and that was enough to make Kurt feel comfortable with the situation and willingly leave for school, he was going to be late again.
Once the boy was gone Ororo glared sternly at Logan, but he just ignored her. "Was that a wise thing to do? Put the boy's hopes up only to disappoint him later?" she pointed out.
"He's not going to be disappointed because we are going to tell him, and I'll make sure he doesn't go after Rogue," Logan volunteered. "Charles, tell me where she is as soon as you know."
Knowing that it was pointless to argue with Logan when he had his mind set on something, Xavier agreed. "I will."
It was probably the first time in a long time that Rogue had ever woke up that early without having to press 'SNOOZE' on the alarm clock. She woke up, took a shower, changed into her other trademark clothes; dark purple, off the shoulders shirt and ripped pants.
When Rogue exited the bathroom she ran right into a tired Marian, who brightened at the sight of Rogue. They had exchanged simple morning Q&As before going on with their morning routines.
Timothy was seen off to school by Marian, kisses and hugs galore. It actually made Rogue a bit envious and only served to remind her how she can't be kissed by anyone, even hugging someone would have to be done with caution.
That was how the very early morning went, which brought Rogue up to the point where she was talking with Marian about the table numbers.
"Okay, there are very limited tables here as ya see," Marian explained. "So, ya shouldn't have too hard a time handling twelve tables." At Rogue's wide, fear-filled eyes Marian quickly added, "They are never all taken so ya shouldn't have to handle anymore than maybe seven or eight at one time."
Sighing in relief, Rogue wiped her brow to show just how relieved she was.
"Now the table numbering is very easy, just think of it as a snake. First number starts at the booth against the wall nearest to the bathrooms then continues all the way to the window an' comes back down. Easy right?" Marian continued.
"So," Rogue began, pointing at the first booth by the bathrooms, "this booth here would be table one then this table here would be table number eight?"
"Exactly," nodded the older woman. "Now, as for the menu, abbreviate as much as possible as long as it's still readable for Joe in the kitchen. As for the prices ya can jus' look up the prices in your free time while waiting to deliver the food, but if ya feel that ya can't do it, tell me and Ah'll take over your tables so that ya can finish up, okay?"
"Sure…Marian," Rogue spoke up, "are you always this kind to your employees?"
Marian chuckled a bit as she and Rogue began to set down the chairs. "Well, to be completely honest with ya," she started, "you're the first person Ah've ever hired. In the past it was just Timothy, my brother-in-law Joe, and Ah working this diner."
"Wow," was all Rogue found that she could say.
"Yeah, so this will be an interesting learning experience for the both of us," laughed Marian. "Now may Ah ask you something?"
With the comfort that Rogue felt around Marian she didn't feel the need to fear anything that the older woman would have to ask about.
"Go ahead."
"How did ya get that white stripe in your hair?"
It was a very good and valid question to inquire about but the problem was that Rogue could barely remember herself. All she knew was that she was thirteen when it happened and before she had ever known what a mutant was she had already encountered one. It was a young kid that lived across the street in an abusive family and his only form of retaliation was by projecting illusions of fear to his parents.
One day the screams were so horrible that Irene had sent Rogue into the house to retrieve the kid but only to find that it was parents who were screaming. Both husband and wife were cowering in corners of the living room with their child sitting calmly on the couch.
From the point that Rogue had entered the living room to waking up in a hospital bed was all a blank to Rogue. She couldn't remember anything except that now she had this thick streak of permanently white hair.
"Well, you know how the theory that if something happens to you where you are completely fear stricken and your hair can turn white?" Rogue questioned back.
"Yeah," assured Marian.
"Something happened to meh about five years ago where Ah got completely terrified that it turn a streak of mah hair completely white," she answered, keeping her head down as though in embarrassment.
Suddenly, Rogue sensed Marian read to reach out a hand to her shoulder and Rogue began to panic.
"Of course that was a long time ago and it no longer bothers meh too much," the teen reassured hurriedly, turning to Marian so that her bare hand didn't touch the mutant's skin.
"That's good to hear, it's never good to linger on things that are in the past and that ya could not prevent. Ya just have to learn to deal with all that comes your way," Marian smiled before leaving Rogue to check the food in the kitchen.
Deal with all that comes mah way? repeated Rogue in her mind. What have Ah actually took control of in mah life since the discovery of mah mutant curse? Have Ah actually dealt with anything?
Rogue seriously couldn't think of the last situation in her life that had affected her in any form that she had taken the time to sort out, unlike her white streak. That took a good month and a half out of her to just live with the memory and the significance of the stripe. So, what did she have to deal with in her life?