The few minutes Rogue had to herself while changing out of short sleeved tee and jeans and into breezy sundress were blissful, but like the rest of her day the time didn't last. As she was slipping the cotton spaghetti strapped dress over her head there was a heavy knock at her door.

"Uhhh! Who is it now?"

Walking over she pulled open the door before whoever it was had a chance to answer. When she saw Joseph standing there she let her irritation fade to give her boyfriend the benefit of the doubt in her unusual day. Stepping away she let him gain entrance while she finished getting ready to go out.

"Are you all right, Rogue?"

"Yeah. Ah just have had a day ya wouldn't even believe if Ah told ya, Joe."

Having spent enough time with his girlfriend to know when she wanted to talk about something and when she didn't he let the matter drop. Now was not the time to ask her what had happened to her so far. Anyway he had more important things on his mind.

"Are you going out somewhere?"

"Ah just need some time away from the mansion for a few hours. Figured thah shopping mall was as good a place as any."

"I could come along if you want some company."

Rogue turned away from her mirror where she was applying some powder foundation long enough to give Joseph the courtesy of her attention.

"No, that's okay. 'Sides, Ah know how much ya hate thah place."

"You'll be back before six though, right?"

"Prob'ly. Why, ya got somethin' planned?"

Silently praying and holding her breath that he wasn't about to ask her to marry him also she returned her attention to the vanity and her array of lipstick colors. Fortunately her pleas were unnecessary.

"Just thought I'd take my favorite lady out to dinner tonight. Is Miyako's okay with you?"

"Sounds delicious. I could really go for some Sushi and Sake after today."

Thoughts of fresh fish wrapped up in sticky white rice and accented with avocado, cucumber, or cream cheese made her mouth water. It didn't sound like much, but for a Sushi bar it actually was pretty formal. She'd have to wear something elegant. Maybe she'd look for a new dress when she was out.

"Good. I'll come get you at seven so you have a chance to get ready."

Joseph was just about to leave her room, dancing on cloud nine, when he spun around to ask her one last thing.

"And could you wear that royal blue velvet gown you wore to Katherine and Piotr's anniversary? You looked absolutely resplendent in it."

Or maybe, instead of buying a dress she would just wear her royal blue velvet ankle length halter neck formal that was way too hot for this time of year. Nodding her head in agreement she sighed as she watched his reflection in her mirror turn to leave. As usual Rogue managed to turn a simple date with her boyfriend into something she was dreading. She finished her makeup and headed down to the garage.

(X)---(X)---(X)---(X)---(X)

The one thing that happened to go her way today was the fact that Rogue was able to get to her black Nissan Altima and make it to the mall before anyone else had a chance to stop her. She had already spent three hours going through all the sales racks and looking at the designer displays before blowing about two hundred dollars on items ranging from lingerie to body wash. Now she was sitting back relaxing at a sidewalk bistro style coffee shop enjoying a double iced chocolate mocha with a dash of vanilla.

Closing her eyes she let the smooth, rich flavor trickle down her throat delighting in the bitter sugary taste. It was pretty quiet throughout the café giving her the perfect opportunity to reflect on her day. Three men had managed to come to her for marriage. Was the world going crazy or something? No, just the men in her little world. Speaking of a small world a voice from her past called out to her from the order bar. She opened her eyes to a very surprising discovery.

"Marie? Marie D'Ancanto? Hey! It's meh, David Jacobs! Long time no see. Ah heard ya came up here."

"Oh mah gawd! David! Ah thought Ah killed ya."

"No, just put meh inna coma for three weeks. But hey, no harm done, right?"

"Yeah, Ah guess."

He took the other seat at her two person table sipping on his own coffee as he looked her over. She returned the favor noticing that his young features had angled out and his dark hair was even wavier than she remembered. By the drape of his clothes she could tell he kept himself in tip top shape.

"Listen, Ah understand what happened, even if people back home don't. Trust meh, when Ah die Ah can't imagine goin' any othah way. So how've ya been?"

"Pretty good. Ah came up here ta go ta a special school for mutants. Are ya wearin' Zegna Z cologne?"

"What? Ah haven't evah even heard of that."

The clean, lively spark of the warm earthy men's fragrance wafted through the air. It was a scent Rogue knew very intimately. If David didn't have it on then maybe someone else in the café was wearing it.

"-So why didn't ya come back home aftah high school?"

"After Ah graduated Ah went ta New York University an' now Ah teach Literature at thah same school that helped meh when Ah needed it thah most."

"Yeah, what was that all about? Ah mean Ah figured ya're a mutant, but what exactly happened?"

Rogue sighed as she took a sip from her coffee. At least he didn't loath and hate her like she thought he did all these years. What harm could it be to tell him now. He just watched her intently like it was Christmas morning and he could tell he got the present he wanted the most.

"Mah skin is deadly. Even thah slightest touch puts anyone inna coma. Ah even killed someone once, but that was an accident. But enough about meh, how're ya?"

"Actually, if ya won't think Ah'm a stalkah Ah came up here lookin' for ya."

"Why?"

A pause settled between them. He realized the whole reason for coming was sitting right in front of him. It was now or never. David took another sip just to calm the nerves that had risen up in his stomach.

"Ya remembah that summah night when we were catchin' lightnin' bugs? Said we'd always be together. Ah remembah makin' a promise that night. Do you?"

Wracking her brain frantically for what could possibly bring her childhood sweetheart all the way here so many years after they had last seen each other Rogue found the answer and it hit her like a ton of bricks. Groaning inwardly she closed her eyes as she spoke. David just took the gesture as remembering a fond memory. He also jumped on the opportunity to put a red with gold accent Cartier box in front of her.

"We said that if neither one of us was married by thah time we were twenty-five that we'd marry each other. An' yo birthday is in two months."

"Hey, ya do remembah! So, how 'bout it? Ya married, seein' somebody, what?"

"Yeah, David, Ah'm kinda seein' someone."

It was funny how she used Joseph as an excuse today. First, she decided she was going to break up with him tonight. Now, with yet another man asking her to marry him she was suddenly back together with the silver haired man and not planning on leaving him any time soon. Rogue hated to see the look crossing his face. There had been a time in her life, before her mutation, that she thought without a doubt she would be the wife of the man before her. With her life as dramatically different as it was she could see that his hadn't changed a bit.

"Oh. Ah see."

"Ah'm real sor-"

"-No. No, it's okay. Silly meh for thinkin' ya hadn't moved on. It was great catchin' up with ya, Marie. Maybe we'll do it again soon."

She was shocked at his abrupt reaction. Before she had a chance to stop him David had collected his things along with the still unopened Cartier box and moved away from her. That was by far the oddest interaction she had had with anyone today. No, strike that. Four wedded bliss invitations directed toward her was the oddest thing that happened to her today. Glancing at the clock on the wall she noticed it was already quarter till six. Rogue collected her things before rushing out to her car. The world was definitely going crazy and was slowly taking her with it.

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R/R: Thanks again to everyone who's reading. As usual, if you'd like a shout out just drop a review. Special Thanks to:

Prexistence: Thank you so much for the Prof X reference. I so agree - ew! And as you guessed, Joseph is not Mags in this fic. I'll explain a little later, but he's an old acquaintance of X's. Thanks for the review!lalala: Yeah, the whole thing's supposed to be awkward. It's setting up for something later. Thanks for the review.

4Rogue: The point of the fic is that the setup is supposed to be absurd. It's actually not a case of "my favorite character" because there is an explanation to all these guys asking her. In fact, by the time the fic is over you'll see, to quote Shakespeare, there is a method to the madness. As for the humor, I stated at the beginning that it didn't come out comical as I had hoped it would. The more I got into the later chapters the more I realized humor just didn't fit what I had planned. Plus, comedy is not my strong suit. The reason I had all these specific guys in it is because they have been alternatives to Gambit/Wolverine depending on which shipper verse you read and ones with which I don't particularly or whole heartedly agree. Sorry if that wasn't as clear as I thought it was. Thanks for the review.

ishandahalf: Yeah, another proposal and still more to come! What is it with Xavier? Again, ew: b As for Logan, don't feel bad for him. Rogue's not the real reason he came back. Well, yes she is, just not how you think. But you are right about his spontaneous nature. It was imperative she recognized that and, yay Rogue, she did. Even with all her choices I don't think some of them are really plausible, though it won't matter later. And I guess if they all were it would be a love enneagon, or nine sided polygon, by the last chapter since some of the guys aren't as avail…well, you'll just have to see. Just a tease, the mysterious person is not really an eavesdropper. He's been around since the first chapter. In all fairness to Remy and Rogue's previous relationship, he didn't tell her about his marriage because it wasn't worth mentioning… No real reminiscing about it, but there will be an explanation. That's about it, since I've already given you a ton of secret hints. Thanks for the review!

MJK: Yes, Rogue's refusal is critical. But you'll just have to keep reading to see why : ) And I think Bobby and Scott's next visit with Rogue will go smoother than you think. Thanks for the review!