Sneaking into the mansion through one of the lesser used side doors by the classrooms seemed like a good idea to Rogue. She completely bypassed the Rec Rooms and most of the teachers' offices. Voices reached her down the hall and she recognized the new acting 'head master' of the Institute, Scott Summers, speaking with one of the other X-Men though she couldn't discern his voice from this far away. She ducked into her own office just as they were rounding the corner hoping that she had gotten out of sight before she had been caught.
Looking around she reflected on why she even had an office at Xavier's. After getting a degree in Literature Charles had asked her if she would be willing to teach American classics to the younger students while focusing on World texts and prose with the high school Juniors and Seniors. Unsure of her abilities it had only taken a little coaxing from just about all her friends and everyone on staff for her to accept.
Turning her thoughts back to the situation at hand she released a breath she didn't even realize she had been holding when she heard the voices continue down the hall. Rogue figured the coast was clear and was just about to open the door when a gentle knocking startled her more than she liked. Letting out a huff of breath she turned the knob to see who wanted her attention this time. Scott greeted her upon the opening of the door.
"Am I interrupting anything, Marie?"
"No, no. Come on in, Scott."
He shut the door behind him while she took a seat in her large wing back behind her desk. Sitting in one of the English styled arm chairs on the other side he continued nonchalantly with his off topic excuse to speak with her.
"I just wanted to talk to you about the latest quarterly tests we're going to undertake in a few weeks. I know the new process can be a little confusing and I've been checking with everyone to make sure the understand it."
"Ah got is Scott. Thanks for askin'."
An uncomfortable silence fell between them. Things had stopped being easy with them about the time she got back from college. Before, they had had a friendly relationship, almost like a joking, best buds kind of companionship. Scott stopped laughing when Jean died and Rogue heard it only got worse as some of his closer students, his friends, left for university studies. She could even sense it a little when she came home during semester breaks. However, his mood had drastically improved for the better when she graduated and moved back in to the mansion. For some reason a sibling like bond formed between them and when either one of them couldn't handle what each kept pent up inside one sought the other out to confide.
Taking on the role of a teacher instead of a student meant that they worked even more closely than they ever had in the past. At first, everything was the same between them. Then, without either one of them realizing it an uncomfortable tension grew. Seeing their friendship affected by it caused them both to back away. As much as they didn't think it ruined their connection it actually devastated the companionship beyond the point from which either one knew how to recover.
Now they had weird pauses in their conversations, clumsy encounters, and uneasy meetings. Rogue desperately tried to think of something to say that wouldn't end yet another silence. Scott beat her to it, though not in the way she had hoped.
"You've been acting a little depressed lately, Marie. Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"Ya know, ya're thah second person ta ask meh that today. Am Ah wearin' a sign or somethin'? Some flashin' neon light?"
She laughed lightly as she spoke. It was the first light in their interaction for months. He smiled brightly as he chuckled and she knew if his sunglasses didn't hide his eyes they would be sparkling.
"No, I just am observant I guess. It's important to know what's going on with your friends when you're the field leader of-"
"-Of thah mighty X-Men. Ah know, Ah know."
Their mirth grew as she finished a mini speech he had repeated plenty of times over. As their laughter faded the dreaded stillness fell between them. However, the last few exchanges seemed to heal six months worth of damage. The smiles never left either of their faces. At least, not until she realized she was going to have to give some excuse for her dark musings.
"No, just thah usual. Guess no matter what comes mah way mah skin just won't let meh be happy."
"You know it's not your skin that stops you from being happy."
Rogue sighed as the seriousness decided to come back into their conversation. She was grateful to have her confidant back but really didn't want to get in depth with her own mental demons at the moment.
"Scott…"
"I've been thinking a lot lately. Since we haven't soul searched together much recently my thoughts have been bouncing around in my head. Our mutations are very similar in the sense that neither one of us will have full control. The only difference is I have something to give me that control. Now we just need to find the same for you."
"That's sweet, but d'ya really think that's possible with meh?"
Rising from his chair Scott walked around the desk only to lean on her side of the large piece of furniture. He closed the distance between them and put a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"Of course. Anything is possible. We're so similar. We could learn a lot from each other. I'm willing to spend the rest of my life learning everything there is to know about you, Marie."
Flabbergasted was no where near the proper word to describe the immense shock flowing through her. First, Bobby and now Scott. Maybe that invisible neon sign she was obviously wearing didn't say 'ask me why I'm so down because I desperately want to talk about it'. Instead, it must have been blinking 'Hey, you! Ask me if I'll marry you!'. Coming back to her senses she realized he couldn't possibly mean it. However, right in front of her face was a dark silver Gucci ring box with a simple fancy yellow diamond solitaire sitting in the center.
"Are ya askin' what Ah think ya are? 'Cause if ya're serious Ah think-"
"-Since Jean…since that day in Canada I haven't been much of who I used to be. Just when I thought a whole part of me had died you came back and brought a sunshine with you I hadn't had in a long time. The last six months have been killing me and I don't want to let go of that brightness."
"Ah'm flattered. Really, Scott, Ah am, but-"
"-I know there isn't a passionate love between us, but I also know our relationship harbors a kind of love that would make a successful marriage. And for all we know our friendship could blossom into something much more than either of us could imagine."
Rogue just sat there with her jaw dropped open. One of her best friends was in front of her, pouring his heart out to her, and all she could think of was how she didn't want to hurt him with a rejection. Maybe if things had turned out different, vastly different, she wouldn't have any qualms about accepting, but that was for another reality, another dimension. Fortunately, she didn't have the opportunity to answer as Jubilee burst into Rogue's office.
"There you are! I've been looking all over for you! Wolvie called for you, like, an hour ago. He says he'll be back, well, any minute now. Come on, let's go wait for him!"
Taking a chance to look at Scott's face Rogue could see he already knew what his answer would be. Anytime Logan was around no one else was able to capture her attention. That wasn't entirely true. She and Remy had been together during his last visit home and as much time as she spent with Logan she spent twice as much with Remy. Her focus was drawn back when Scott stood to leave the room. Jubilee just now noticed the intimate proximity they had been sharing.
"Ooops! Did I interrupt something?"
"No, Jubilee, I was just about to leave anyway."
Shrugging off his somewhat defunct mood Jubilee rushed into the room to grab Rogue by her hand and drag her out to the front porch. It looked like she wouldn't be getting that time to herself for quite a while still.
R/R: Thanks to everyone who's reading! Since I don't really know if you are liking it or just passing the time drop a note with the blue button! Shout outs as always-
PrexistenceIf you hate Joseph now just wait till later evil, maniacal grin. But really he's not such a bad guy. Trust me, you'll see. As for Bobby and Scott, well, they've both popped the question now - who's she gonna pick? Thanks for the review!
ishandahalfSo glad you're loving it so far. It only gets better! And a little hint: I don't like Bobby with Rogue either. As for Remy, well, you'll have to come back for the other chapters. And when there are options on whom to marry, well, she just doesn't have any idea whatsoever who will be her groom innocent, know-nothing smirk Thanks for the review!