New Beginnings
By: Krystopher
A/N: Extremely AU. First movie only (no Stryker, no Gambit, no Nightcrawler). Toad got hit by lightening but was then found and taken in by Robbie, he was contacted by the Professor, escaped Robbie. Rogue is no longer with Bobby. Toad is at the mansion and spending the large majority of his time in Rogue's company. The X-men don't like it. Rogue's father is dead. That's our story so far.
P.S. Please don't comment on the spelling in Rogue's sentences. It is done purposely as a way to imitate her southern accent.
" Professor?" Rogue knocked on the Professor's door some time the next day, when she knew he didn't have any classes.
" Rogue, come in." Xavier didn't mention how she was supposed to be in class at this time. He figured she would need a break from the daily activities. " Is Toad here?" Rogue shook her head. Xavier picked up on the memory of the argument over going to class.
" Ah was wonderin'…" Rogue trailed off trying to get her thoughts back together.
" Yes?" Xavier pushed lightly as she paused for a few minutes.
" Ah called mah mother las' night. She said tha funeral will be on tha seventeenth."
" You can go Rogue." It was odd for Xavier to hear Rogue's voice sounding so southern considering she'd lost all trace of an accent when she'd absorbed Magneto.
" Ah was wonderin'…" Rogue swallowed hard working around the sudden block in throat.
" Toad is allowed to go as well." Xavier smiled at the look of relief on the young girls' face. " Unfortunately we do need to send one of the senior X-men with you." Rogue grimaced before considering the possibilities.
" Mr. Summers please. Unless you have someone else you'd rather send?"
Xavier nodded having expected her to want Scott, the levelheaded and comforting X-men leader, to go with her. " You'll leave tomorrow morning. Now I suggest you go pull Toad from class. He's-"
" Ah know. He has Mr. Summers this period." Xavier nodded, sending Scott the go-ahead before Rogue even left.
" He's aware of your coming. Please explain what is going on to Toad. Thank you and I am sorry about this Rogue." Rogue paused at the door, turning to smile back at Xavier.
" It was goin' ta happen eventually, Prafessah."
&
" Toad?" Rogue questioned as Toad left the room, seconds before she was going to enter it.
" Summers told me you were coming. Come on." Toad wrapped an arm around Rogue's shoulder and directing her outside to their spot beneath the tree. Toad simply sat on the ground, pulling Rogue closer to him as she settled down.
" We're goin' ta leave tamorrah mornin'." Toad nodded stroking Rogue's hair as she settled her face into his shoulder. She breathed in the cinnamon smell and tried to ignore the burning sensation in her eyes.
" Are you sure you want to do this?"
" Ya and Mistah Summers are comin' with me." Rogue contemplated trying to get her accent to leave. For once the voices rumbling around in her head were silent, subdued by the tragedy that had struck her.
" I'm aware of that." Toad's voice was irritated just the slightest bit. " But just because we're gonna be there doesn't mean anything. Do you really want to go back to that town?"
Rogue turned hard eyes to meet Toad's. " Yes."