Disclaimer: I own nothing. If I did, I'd be making sweet love to Remy, not writing fanfiction :P
Rogue smiled thoughtfully to herself as she sipped yet another cup of coffee, watching the sun set from the window of the Xavier Institute. How many cups would that be? It didn't seem to matter to the young mutant, the days seemed to run together. How long had she been here? It had to be over a full day by now, she could remember watching the sunset from the previous day without a healthy dose of sleep in between. She was sure that Kurt would show up any second to lecture her. It didn't matter that she was twenty-three, or that she was a teacher at the Institute, or anything else about her life for that matter. Her brother would always worry. She smiled a bit at the thought, running a gloved hand along the tips of her now long, wavy auburn hair.
Life had changed drastically after Mystique had destroyed the Institute all those years ago. After all the violence towards mutant kind, the professor had built the Institute to use as a school as well. After Rogue had graduated, she decided that teaching was best suited for her. Her fiery attitude helped to keep her students in check.
"Rogue, child, how long have you been here?" Ororo Munroe's voice glided through the room majestically as the weather witch came up behind the untouchable woman.
Rogue smiled slightly, turning to face her white haired teammate. "Around 26 hours, Ah'm guessin'. Tha work nevah ends, yah know that."
Storm sighed. "Kurt and Wolverine would have a fit."
"Ah know." Rogue sighed softly to herself. As the X-Men grew up, their desire to have their own lives as well as to continue with Xavier's dream led some of them away from the mansion. Rogue had a small apartment not far from the Institute, as did Scott and Jean. They were the first to depart, after their wedding. However, most of their lives were still spent at the home of Professor Xavier.
"You'll need to get home to rest if you're ever going to meet that friend of mine." Storm's eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Ah told ya already 'Ro, Ah ain't meetin' no man! Yah know as well as Ah do that it won't do a lick a' good for me ta go meetin' men I can nevah have a relationship with."
Storm was a strong woman, not willing to back down easily. She had one of her "feelings" about this one. She was wise enough, however, not to push the issue. "Give it some thought, my dear. Either way, you must go home and rest. I hate to tell you, but no amount of makeup in the world will cover up those dark circles under your eyes." She winked playfully at the younger woman, who simply rolled her eyes.
"You're gonna start soundin' lahke Kitty if yah aren't careful, 'Ro. Ah may have ditched the pale makeup and black clothing, but that don't mean that Ah'm some kinda girlie girl." She returned the smile, placing her cup of coffee on her desk. "Ah suppose Ah can grade these tests in the comfort of mah own home. Jus' don't tell Wolvie you convinced me tah leave, he'll think Ah've gone soft."
"I wouldn't dream of it, dear." Storm turned and walked out of the room, undoubtedly to go and tend to her beloved plants.
Rogue pulled her long locks back into a tight ponytail, leaving the two white streaks hanging loose. She grabbed her black leather jacket from the hallway and headed to the garage to find her one and only true love.
Her bike.
Technically, it had been Logan's bike, but after many stolen rides and punishments, Rogue had found it in her room with a red bow on her twenty-first birthday. It was her most beloved possession. She adjusted the straps on her backpack, filled with hours of paperwork, and donned her helmet before heading out.
As soon as the wind was rushing past her, she found herself getting lost in her thoughts, as she often did. The psyches were usually quiet; the Professor had helped her create some truly astounding mental shields. Ah really do owe the man. Ah may not be able to touch, but at least tha only thought in head is mah own. She smiled to herself, turning down a street at a speed that definitely would've invoked the wrath of a few law officials. Every time she rode anywhere, her thoughts consumed her. She didn't really mind, it wasn't nearly as bad as when she had dozens of voices overpowering her. She thought of her friends and fellow X-Men most of all. Kitty, the cute and bubbly super genius (who had thankfully dropped the word "like" from her vocabulary); Kurt, her playful brother, the one person to never abandon her; Logan, the one person who could come close to understanding her; heck, even Scott and Jean, a pair to which she had grown quite close. A calm sense of maturity had seemed to find Rogue when she least expected it. The only thing that really sent her into a state of depression was the one thing that would never be fixed. She would be alone forever. Not completely alone, she knew that, but she would never know the sensation of skin against skin…
She began to dwell on the idea, something that always made her turn to the dark, desolate side of herself. A single tear fell down her cheek as she looked up suddenly and her eyes went wide, as they took in the sight of bright, white lights.
So there you have it! The first chapter! I have this mapped out pretty well in my brain, I just need some encouragement. I am stealing the plot from the adorable movie Just Like Heaven, so don't you worry about our dear Rogue. Review! I need some feedback, please, or else I shall perish!