Replay: Slow Motion

Installment 8

Rogue looked out the window of her classroom, not looking at anything in particular, just staring. In her hand she held a copy of Romeo and Juliet. Several key scenes ran through her mind where the two main characters were replaced by the handsome Cajun and herself. Her mind continued to wander transporting her into a whole other world. A world where she could touch and be touched. However, she found herself slowly pulled out of her dreamy state by the sound of Pietro's voice.

"…and he really wants to be with Juliet, only he's not entirely sure why. And there's all these reasons why he shouldn't." Am Ah hearin' raght? Pietro's ACTUALLY takin' part in class discussion? And about romance?Rogue glanced over at the boy, and thought he was looking at her. Nah.Thas just sillyshe told herself as she noted he was looking up at the teacher.

"Very good Pietro. That is why Romeo and Juliet are said to be star-crossed lovers…,." the woman's voice drowned out in Rogue's ears as she continued to observe Pietro. His head was slumped down, his eyes seeming to look right through the desk. He looked up when he became aware of the emerald green eyes watching him. He looked at her, his eyes an ocean blue as he whispered to himself.

"Just thought it was sad is all" then quickly returned his attention to the desk, when he heard a snicker from in front of him."What'ssodamnedfunnyLance?" he asked angrily. The boy sitting in front of him turned around.

"You man" he said looking at him like he was crazy. "Since when have you started reading Shakespeare, or paying attention in CLASS for that matter?"

"Whatever." Pietro wasn't in the mood to put up with Lance, nor did he wish to explain his feelings. Lance gave him a skeptical look before giving out an exasperated sigh and turned back around.

"Ya…whatever." Pietro went to take a look at the girl looking out the window once again. Iwonderwhatshe'sthinkingabout?Truth was, Pietro was going crazy. He had wanted to talk to Rogue all day, but time seemed to be going agonizingly slow. More so than usual. That had been one of the reasons he decided to participate in the class discussion. He couldn't just keep looking at her. He looked at the clock to see that there was only five more minutes of class. DAMNIT!Can'tthisclassgoanyfaster!

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Rogue was looking out the window, silently hoping to catch a glimpse of Remy. She wondered if he'd be waiting for her after school. Or if he was off getting into trouble. Or whether or not she'd even see him again. And if so – when? Shaking her head, she turned to the front of the class. Only when she turned around she saw Pietro staring right back at her. "WhatyathinkinaboutRogueyroo?"

"AH!" she yelped falling backwards in her chair but found herself leaning in mid air before hitting the ground. She was promptly placed back facing the front of the room again looking at Pietro who looked a little embarrassed.

"Sorry,didn'tmeantoscareyou." She blinked, then took notice that no one else was in the room.

"Did Ah miss somethin'?" she asked him. He chuckled.

"Onlythebell…youmusthavebeenREALLYoutofit" He tilted his head, almost in a concerned manner.

"Ah was jus thinkin' is all" she said picking up her books and getting out of her chair.

"AbouthowincrediblyhotIamright?" he said giving one of his trademark smiles. Rogue sighed loudly and began walking away. "Rogue?" She slowly turned around to face the Speed Demon.

"What is it Speedy?" she asked, trying to look annoyed.

"I wanted to talk to you about the other day." Rogue looked at him.

"Ya all raght LET'S talk about the other day. WHY is it that Remy has a BLACK ah?" she questioned him with her arms on her hips tapping one of her feet and waiting for a response. Pietro didn't notice - he had too big a smile on his face.

"Really? A black eye?" he started chuckling. Rogue gave a cough and began tapping her foot louder. "Ermmmmm…" he started, not knowing what to say. Truth be known, Rogue already knew what happened, but she asked hoping to avoid Pietro bringing up the argument they had had.

"Ah mean Ah leave the guy with the brotherhood so he can rest up, an ya all go and tussle with him in his weakened condition!" she flailed her arms in the air. Pietro gave a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping.

"Roguey,theguydeserveditokay?" then slowing down he added "But that's not what I wanted to talk about…I want you to know I didn't lie to you.."

"Here we go again…" she added sarcastically.

"WouldyoujustLISTENalready!" he asked, his annoyance and anger becoming obvious. Rogue took a step backwards, surprised by the outburst. Pietro regretted having used that tone already. "Look, I'm sorry okay? But, you haven't even let me defend myself." Rogue could see he was being serious. Looks kinda hurt she noted. She nodded, indicating that he could continue. A small smile tugged at the side of his mouth, getting excited, he began talking at his normal fast pace. "Okay,theotherdaywhenIranintoyou,youhadyourglovesoff, andwhenyouswungyourarmourskintouchedandnothinghappened!ButthenyouwentandkissedthatsmellyCajunandyouendedupabsorbinhim." He looked up to see a slightly confused Rogue, and chose to slow down. "So I was thinking, maybe you can only touch certain people." Rogue was looking right through Pietro as if she were in deep thought. He watched her intently as she slowly began to focus again.

"Ah don't know Pietro," she said placing a hand on her forehead "Ah don't see how thas all possible."

"I don't know, all I know is that you touched me." He began moving closer to her and she found her hand fluttering up towards him. When she realized what she was doing, she pulled her hand back to her chest. "Go ahead" he said.

"No, Ah couldn't."

"Yes, you can. And then you can see I'm not lying." He grabbed her covered arm and moved his hand down to her gloves and began tugging at them, looking in her eyes the entire time. Looking right back Rogue became confused at what she saw.

"Why ya doin' this Speedy?" she asked. A smile played across his face as he dropped her gloved hand. At first, Rogue thought he had just been playing with her. The smile he wore was like a slap in the face. She went to look down at her gloved hand when she heard Pietro take in a deep breath.

"Because…"

Then his lips were on hers.

TBC>