Notes: Yep, this is it. The end. It's shorter than I intended, but it says everything I wanted to say. I've already started working on the sequel and I should begin posting quite soon. I just want to say a huge thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed, your encouragement stopped me from abandoning this fic long ago. So I hope you enjoy this short little ending, don't forget to review, and I'll see you at the sequel : )

Epilogue

Rogue stared down at the sprawling city beneath her. She leaned against the fence, feeling a light breeze brushing her skin and hearing it rustle the leaves of the tree next to her. That was her city down there, her home, the one place she ever felt remotely safe. She knew the streets, knew the people, and if that knowledge was often dark and violent, if she knew a person simply because she'd fought them, it was still knowledge, still her city. And she was its guardian. But she wasn't alone, she had her Roses with her, helping her keep her home safe. And now, apparently, she had the government helping her too.

The Roses had surprised her by agreeing to the President's offer. They'd been suspicious, naturally, and had poked at it all night, but had decided that the best thing to do would be play along and wait to see what happened. They liked the idea of not being hunted for what they did, of being free to investigate and act and protect the mutants as they saw fit. If it came with a couple of catches, they were willing to deal with them.

She was so proud of them for that. They'd all grown up so much since the time she first met them, they'd stopped being punk mutant kids and transformed into hard, logical people who were willing to do what they had to in order to protect others. They were her family, and they were every bit as good as the X-Men.

Rogue let out a deep breath and looked up at the clear summer sky. It was such a peaceful day, bright and cheerful. She hadn't been able to enjoy a day like this in years. For the first time since she left the X-Men, she felt like she could rest. And not rest like she'd intended. She knew now that she couldn't leave, couldn't die. She was still needed, her Roses and mutants she didn't even know needed her to lead them, protect them. She didn't want to fail them. And she was slowly realising that she didn't want to die, either.

With Michelle's help, she was gradually reawakening her humanity, dusting off her soul and giving it a little polish. She was learning that she didn't have to be a vicious, cold-hearted killer all the time. Sometimes, it was okay for her to relax, and be herself, and let her Roses handle things without her for a day or so. Even if it was just an hour spent relaxing in a bubble bath, it was still one hour where she could forget about her worries.

Rogue smiled, chuckling quietly to herself, and began walking back to the city. She still had work to do.

-End