Disclaimer: I dont own X-Men Evolution, not the characters, plotlines, or designs. This story has been written for fun only and there is not profit being gained from its publication

Reviews: I love reviews, please review. Any questions asked in previous views will be reviewed at the end of the chapter.

One quick note. This story takes place after the events of the cartoon show and I haven't seen the later seasons of X-Men Evolution. I don't know for sure if Pietro was ever actually an Acolyte but in my story he's going to be one. I hope this doesn't upset anyone.

Now on with the new chapter.

Rogue threaded her way through the small crowds of people as she took in the club. The place was a lot bigger on the inside then it appeared on the outside and she wanted to get a general lay of the building before she got too comfortable. As she walked she took mental notes about where the fire exits were and the best ways to reach them if something did happen. She blamed her actions on the survival training that Logan had drilled into all the kids that passed through Xavier's Institute. In a way she was glad that she had those skills but she also realized that they were things that most normal teenagers didn't have to worry about.

/But then I'm not normal am I? I was born a mutant and that will always mark me as special./ with an angry sigh she pushed the thoughts of her mutation from the forefront of her mind. She was leaving that part of her life behind for a night and she fully planned to enjoy her first evening of freedom without such thoughts.

By the time she finished her circuit of the club she found herself near the bar that stood against the wall opposite the entrance. The dance floor was several feet away and small knots of young adults were joking and talking loudly along the edge.

Rogue surveyed the bar with a practiced eye and smiled to herself. She had chosen well when she chose this club because the bars appeared fully stocked. She dug into her pocket and pulled out her fake ID and a small amount of cash. She mentally counted the money in her hand and approached the bar.

She found a relatively open spot and flagged one of the bar tenders who was standing down at the other end. The guy nodded briefly to her in indication that he had seen her and finished up with the customer he was currently serving. After bringing the girl the change and accepting the tip he made his way over to Rogue.

"What can Ah do for ya Chere?" He asked politely. Rogue couldn't help but smile at him.

"Ah'd like ah kamikaze. The guy nodded and started pulling the appropriate bottles up onto the bar. With practiced ease he measured out the alcohol and slid the glass down to her. Rogue stopped the glass with the palm of her hand and was satisfied to see that none of it splashed over the edge."

"That'll beh $3.50 Chere." Rogue handed him the money for the drink and pulled out an extra dollar for the tip.

"Thanh ya sugah." The guy smiled at her as he accepted the money.

"Na problem Chere. Enjoy ya evenin here at da Blue Haven." Rogue smiled at him again before leaving the bar and making her way over toward the tables.

She was in luck. Just as she reached the area where the tables had been set up a couple was taking that moment to evacuate their table. Once they were gone Rogue slid into the small booth and leaned against the padded back of the chair. She sat her drink on the table and relaxed. The hum of club music surrounded her and she started scanning the dance floor.

It was packed and with the shifting lights of the club it was almost impossible to make out the features of any of the club goers. She took a sip of her drink and sighed contentedly as the alcohol slid down in her throat and a jolt of warmth shot through her as it settled in her stomach. She hadn't had a drink this good in ages

She considered going out onto the dance floor but the thoughts of the crowd and the crush of people made her think twice. She wanted to enjoy herself but she didn't want to cause an incident either. /For now I'll just enjoy being here and not back at the Institute./ She took another sip of her drink and decided that once she had finished it she would go out on the floor for a while. If she got uncomfortable she would find a new table and just enjoy the music.

She was about halfway through her drink when she noticed a guy who seemed familiar. The lights of the club kept hitting on his silvery white hair and Rogue instantly realized why the guy looked so familiar.

/Pietro, I haven't seen him in ages. Not since he left to join his father and the Acolytes a few months after the defeat of Apocalypse./ She had been a little angry when he had decided to leave. When she had been with the brotherhood she had gotten really close to Pietro and Lance. Pietro, in many ways had been like a little brother to her. He had been hyper and always ready to tease her about something. She had missed him terribly when she had moved to the X Mansion. Lance on the other hand had always been a big brother figure. She may have seemed like a bad apple and he definitely rubbed Scott the wrong way but he was very loyal to the people he cared about and was always willing to come to the defense of his friends.

That was why when Kitty had first informed her that she and Lance had a thing for each other Rogue had offered her complete support. Even if Lance acted like a jerk he really did care a lot about Kitty and as long as the younger girl was happy than Rogue was happy for her. She had also made sure that Lance knew that if he ever hurt Kitty than he would have Rogue to deal with and Lance had not wanted to be on the receiving end of her wrath.

Rogue took another sip of her drink as she watched Pietro. He had changed a lot since she had last seen him. He had grown slightly taller and she could see quite a bit more of his father in him. He had also gained weight to match is taller frame. He was not nearly as tall as the master of magnetism but his new body seemed to fit him. He had also let his hair grow slightly.

He was currently dancing with a dark haired twenty something girl that he was obviously not interested in. You couldn't tell that he was disinterested unless you knew him well and Rogue liked to think that she knew Pietro well enough to judge some of his emotions.

Reluctantly Rogue pulled her gaze away from the speedster to see if she could spot any of his fellow Acolytes. Almost instantly she caught sight of Remy who was dancing a few feet away from Pietro. Despite never admitting it out loud she held a certain respect for the Cajun. He was someone that she thought about almost daily and at times she missed his witty Southern banter and thick Cajun accent.

She knew that even though Remy tried to put up a playboy front and nonchalant manner that he was actually very alert, caring, and well mannered. He had surprised her in more ways than one throughout the encounters they had had with each other and when he had finally left her alone she had found herself missing his presence. It also didn't help that part of him was in her head.

Like all the other people she had touched Remy had left a small piece of himself embedded in her mind. When her powers had first manifested itself she had expected every personality she absorbed to try and take over her body as its own. For the most part this was exactly what happened. She would absorb someone and then she would have to battle their psyche for control. It hadn't been that way with a few people. There were a few people with whom she had very little difficulty controlling.

That group was very small and only included 5 individuals: Remy, Logan, Pietro, Lance, and most surprising of all Magneto. Those five personalities remained remarkable quiet and when they did speak up it was to offer softly worded advice or warnings.

Rogue lifted her glass to take another sip of her drink as she scanned the bar. As she took in the tables she noticed St. John and Piotr sitting in one of the large booths. John was clearly trying to get Piotr to come with him but the large Russian wasn't budging. With a smile Rogue finished off her drink and stood.

She had promised herself that when she finished the drink she would go out on the dance floor and now that she knew someone she could approach she felt better about going out there. She took a deep breath and made her way over to Pietro. He was standing with his back to her and she reached out with her gloved hand to tap his shoulder.

The sudden touch startled him and he turned around to stare at her. At that moment Rogue wished that she had a camera because the look on his face had been priceless. He hadn't seen her in a couple of years and just like him she had also changed. She had grown at least an inch and a half and she had let her hair grow out. Her dark red hair had gained a slight wave to it and currently hung in a loose ponytail with the white streaks framing her face. She knew she looked pretty good and so did Pietro because he was gaping at her like a fish out of water.

"Hey Speedy." At the sound of her voice a huge grin spread across his face and he pulled her into a hug.

"Rogue,wow,its,been,years,you,look,amazing!What,are,you,doing,here,in,New,Orleans?" Rogue grinned at him. She had known him long enough to easily understand his rapid speech.

"Ah left." She said simply. "And ya don't look half bad ya self speedy. Ah like what ya did wit ya hair. It suits ya." For the second time in less than five minutes Pietro was struck speechless.

"You left? You actually left the institute?" She normal pace of his words proved just how shocked he was and Rogue nodded.

"Ah wanted mah own life and Ah wasn't goin ta get it if Ah stayed there."

"You should have stayed with the Brotherhood Rogue. I know you hated Mystique but we loved you. Lance and I missed you, it hurt when you switched sides. Not that we didn't understand why because we understood perfectly. We just missed you." Rogue felt a pang of guilt nestle its way into her stomach.

"I'm sorry" Pietro immediately reached down, grasped her gloved hand and squeezed it tightly.

"Don't be, we understood."

"Thahks Speedy." Sometime during their conversation the girl Pietro had been dancing with had stormed off in a huff. Rogue couldn't help but smile at the thought that she had pissed the girl off.

"So where are you staying?"

"A hotel, Ah just got into Naw Orleans this aftanoon."

"Are you going to stay in the city?"

"If ah can fiand a job Ah'll definitely stay. Ah won't go back ta the Institute though." As she finished speaking Remy walked up to the pair.

"Who's ya friend Speedy?" Rogue turned towards him and glared. For about two seconds Remy was silent before he started grinning.

"Chere it's been a while since Remy has had da pleasure of seein you."

"Yah, it has been a while hasn't it?" She said sarcastically.

"Ya wound Remy Chere. He was tryin ta be nice ta ya but ya have ta go and und shoot him down." He turned serious. "Remy is really glad ta see ya Rogue. It's been way too long." A small smile crossed Rogue's face and Remy's grinned returned.

"Remy's happy ta see ya Rogue. Ah hope ya plan to hang around fer a while." He turned to Pietro. "Where are Petey and Johnny hidin?" Pietro waved toward the table they had claimed earlier.

"Over there, I think John is trying to get Piotr to dance."

"Dat won't happen Homme, that Piotr is set in his ways and there aint' no changin em." Pietro reached down and grasped Rogue's hand before she started pulling her towards the table.

"Come on Rogue. Let's go catch up for a while." With a sigh Rogue allowed herself to be pulled along. As they approached the table John saw them and stood up.

"What's the Sheila doin here? Ain't she with the X-Men?" Rogue shook her head and pulled her hand from Pietro's.

"Ah left em behind. They were holdin meh back." A grin spread across the Aussie's face.

"Good ta hear." He sat back down and moved over. "Have a seat Sheila, what kind of gentlemen would we be with we made you stand?" Rogue felt herself relaxing and smirked at him.

"Tha four of yah all, gentlemen? Don't kid mah Johnny." She noticed a small smirk on Piotr's face as the grin on John's face fell away and she smiled. "Ah was jokin Johnny, Ah'm gonna grab mah a drink from the bar then ah'll be back." Before any of the boys could protest she had turned and walked away. Pietro and Remy took their seats and watched her. Piotr watched them watch her and couldn't help but smirk at them.

"Somebody's addicted don't you agree John?" The Aussie surveyed Pietro and Remy and nodded.

"Yeah, looks like."

As Rogue made her way to the bar she could tell that Pietro and Remy were watching her every move. The idea that she was being watched by two of her former enemies unnerved her a little bit but since she had officially decided to quit the X-Team she wasn't going to let their stares bother her. She had missed Remy and Pietro and if she got to spend some time with them while she was in the city than she was going to enjoy it.

She reached the bar and flagged the bartender. As she waited she was aware of the two men that stood on either side of her and they made her a little uncomfortable. As the bartender approached her she removed her money from her pocket and gave him her drink order. After she had paid he want to make her drink. It took a couple minutes and while she was waiting the guy on her right tapped her shoulder. She had not been expecting the contact and spun to face him.

"Hi my name's Brian, what's yours?"

"Ah don't give my name out ta people Ah jus met."

"Oh come on. I'm just tryin ta be polite miss, no need ta get snappy." Rogue sighed.

"Sarry. Ah just don't like people touchin mah shouldah without mah permission." She was directing all her attention to the guy on her right that she failed to see the bartender approaching with her drink and setting it on the counter. She also failed to see the guy on her left drop something into the drink.

"If y'all will excuse me Ah need to go. She turned and noticed her drink. She picked it up quickly and took a drink to calm herself as she walked away. She took a couple steps and almost immediately felt dizzy. She stood still until the room stopped spinning and cursed for taking such a large drink so quickly. She didn't see the two guys from the bar watching her as she tried to take another step and stumbled again.

She reached out and grabbed the back of a barstool which she used to support herself. Suddenly someone a shadow fell over her and she looked up to see the guy from the bar standing over her.

"Ya shouldn't drink so fast. It ain't good fer ya." Rogue suddenly felt afraid and tried to back away from the guy. By this time her head was spinning and was starting to see double. After taking only a couple steps back she suddenly bumped into something. She spun and came face to face with the guy that had been on her left. The sudden movement had caused the pounding of her head to worsen and she realized that her hands were shaking. The first guy reached out and tightly gripped her arm. She tried to pull free but in her weakened state it was useless.

The guy pulled her to him and smiled her at her. "Ya are very pretty young lady. Can I get yah name now?" Rogue shook her head and tried to pull away again. "Don't fight me, ya'll just make this harder on yahself." He leaned down and before Rogue could stop him he kissed her. Almost immediately she felt her powers activate but before she could absorb anything more than a few surface memories a fist met the guy's face and sent him stumbling back.

When the guy let go of her arm Rogue stumbled and could she could felt the jolt as someone caught her before she could hit the floor. By this point she was terrified and looked up to see who had caught her. She expected to see the face of the other guy from the bar but instead she saw Pietro's concerned face.

"Roguey?" His voice was full of concern and she could feel him gently lifting her into his arms as they moved back towards the table. As they moved away Rogue caught sight of Remy, Piotr, and John standing in front of the two men who had tried to attack her.

At the sight relief flooded through her and she relaxed against Pietro. He pulled her closer and slid her into the booth. The next thing she knew he had grabbed a handful of ice from an empty glass and a handful of napkins which he made into a makeshift ice pack. He handed the bundle to Rogue but she was unable to make her fingers stop shaking long enough to hold it.

She could hear Pietro sigh in frustration before he placed the ice on her forehead. She mumbled something about being careful and he nodded. "I know Roguey, but you are my friend and I'm going to help you. I'm not afraid to help you." Rogue felt warmth flood through her at his words and nodded before she fell unconscious.

When she suddenly fell unconscious Pietro felt panic rise in his chest. Whatever they had slipped she was fast acting. He looked up and was relieved to see that the others were making their way over to the table. Remy got there first and looked her over.

"Is she going to be alright?" Remy studied her for a few more seconds before speaking.

"Ya it looks dat way. Dey probably just slipped her a knock out drug dat will wear off in ah few hours. Let's get her outa here doh." Pietro nodded.

"Are we taking her back to base?"

"Da ya have a betta idea homme?" Pietro shook his head and stood. Before he could lift Rogue into his arms Remy scooped her up.

"Ah got her Homme. Ah've got her and Ah'm not gonna let her go."

Reviews:

kyo-kitty: You asked when I'm starting this story. It doesn't take place during any of the seasons. It takes place shortly before Rogue is about to turn 21. Long after the events of the series. I don't think I'm really changing a whole lot of stuff except how Rogue relates to characters such as Logan and the Acolytes. I would write Betsy in but I honestly don't know much about her character. I haven't seen the last couple seasons of X-Men Evolution and I don't read the comic book so if I get anything majorly wrong you guys need to tell me. If you want to send me a personality background for Psylocke I will consider adding her in because I have read some stories that she is in and I definitly liked the character.

bored247: I don't mind that you review after every chapter. My short term memory is probably worse than yours so I can perfectly understand. I'm glad that you agree with my opinion that Jean is bitchy. I hope you keep reading.

tillallareone: I'm glad you like this story. I'm trying to be accurate to the characters so let me know if I stop doing so. Keep reading I'm hoping for new reviews.

To everyone who reviewed and offered encouragement: Thank for your support. I hope you all keep reading.