Time seemed relative that evening. For some of the young mutants, the sun couldn't set fast enough, to others the day ended way too soon. It was one of those calm and quiet autumn nights; not too hot, not too cold. The wind was blowing gently outside, blowing the already browning leaves that had fallen from the trees. The sky was cloudy but the moon was full, brightening the otherwise dark sky. It set the stage for a beautiful evening.

That is to say, it would be for most, if whether was the only criteria that people considered. For the two known as Rogue and Jean Grey, the evening brought two opposing revelations. For Rogue, it was the possibly of awakening new feelings and possibilities. For Jean, it was the first time that one of her worst fears was manifesting itself. The rest of youths at the X-Mansion remained divided but altogether curious about what was to come. The adults kept to themselves but kept their minds eye on the situation at hand. They all were uncertain of how this evening might turn out. And for Scott, it seemed that tonight was going to be a beautiful evening.

Jean was sitting by the sill of the large window in her bedroom, looking at the evening and reflecting her thoughts against the darkness of the sky. Her feelings were a combination of rage, anguish and depression. Jean didn't think that things between her and Rogue could get this bad. It was clear now what was going on. Both she and Rogue had feelings for Scott. Jean could not determine how deep Rogue's feelings went. But a date with Scott was what she asked for; over anything else. She could have had Jean humiliated and make her a slave for a day. Any other request, no matter how degrading, would have seemed more preferable than watching her boyfriend go out with a beautiful girl. And Rogue was beautiful. Darkly beautiful and mysterious. Wild and passionate. All guts and glory. Guys would love to be with a girl like that. The only thing that stood in the way was Rogue's absorbing powers. Intimacy would never be a factor because neither Rogue or whatever boy she was with could act on what they felt. Her powers, so powerful in the face of their enemies, so pivotal in defeating Apocalypse and saving the world, left Rogue completely powerless in the beauty of touching another.

"Why does she want this?" Jean thought. She ran the problem over and over in her head as if it were caught in a loop. There seemed to be something missing in the equation that would even things out so thing would be clear for once. Everything that Jean once took at face value suddenly came into question.

"What is she going to get out of this?" Jean wondered. "She can't touch him at all. She can't kiss him. Not even for a peck on the cheek. Scott isn't interested in her. He's never looked at her like that at all. I've never sensed that in him. He's never said otherwise. But he was awfully easy-going about it. It didn't even cross his mind that she might be setting her sights on him. And what does she hope to accomplish? I don't know. I just don't know. Maybe, she just needs to feel normal. Go out on date or something close to it. She couldn't do anything with him even if she wanted to. Unless she isn't telling her something. Maybe things aren't what they seemed. Maybe Rogue's powers are evolving. Maybe now, she can touch people without hurting them. Maybe that's it. She could have her way with Scott and nobody would be the wiser. She's a slick one. She could have us all fooled. I'm a big fool. She can just lie and lie and lie and I would by into it, thinking she's all innocent. Poor innocent Rogue. Nothing's going to happen. You think you're so smart..."

"Can ah talk to you?" asked a voice from the doorway.

Jean turned to see Rogue standing just inside the doorway of her room. Apparently Rogue had opened Jean's door without Jean noticing.

"Ah knocked on the door but no one wus answerin' so ah just let myself in." explained Rogue. Rogue stepped with trepidation into Jean's room. She wasn't sure if Jean was going to throw her out of window this time or not. Nonetheless, Rogue was willing to risk further bodily harm to try and make whatever amends she could. Jean simply turned back to look at the view from her room, appearing disinterested in whatever Rogue had to say. Rogue was determined to speak to Jean despite her ignoring what she had to say.

"Ah just came to say ah'm sorry," Rogue stated.

"Really?" asked Jean, in a rather disinterested tone. "About what exactly?"

"You know what!" Rogue remarked in irritation. She then restrained her snippiness and centered herself. "What ah mean is, ah'm sorry for bein' so mean to you, an' ridin' you like that back at the wood. Ah didn't mean it, any of it."

Jean looked passively at Rogue, not even meeting her eyes. Then she turned back to the window.

"Whatever," Jean uttered in disbelief.

"Alright," Rogue said. "Ah deserve that. Whatever words you want to use, it whatever way you choose is fine by me. Ah deserve all of it. But before you get ready to do all that, ah'm gonna say what ah'm gonna say. Ah know ah didn't give you any chance at all. But you can show the world once again why yer better than me an' just listen."

Rogue's words caused Jean's eyes to stir long enough to look her in the face. Jean remained expressionless.

"Go on," Jean said simply.

"Ah just want you know," Rogue began to say. "That tonight, you have nothin' to worry about. Nothin's gonna happen. Nothin' could happen. Even if..."

"Even if you wanted it to," interrupted Jean, finishing Rogue's sentence.

"Yeah," Rogue said sadly, as she gazed down at the floor. "Yeah."

A small moment of silence was shared between both girls. As Rogue expressed self-pity in front of Jean, Jean studied the sad expression on Rogue's face. She didn't interrupt Rogue's self-reflection, she simply waited for more words to follow.

"Anyway," Rogue continued, breaking out of her trance. "Ah want things to be clear with us, is all."

"I thought we already did," Jean said sarcastically.

"No Jean," Rogue retorted. "Ya don't know. Ya don't know me. Ah don't think we could ever be close or anythin', but ah don't hate you. An' ah don't want to hurt you."

"Too late," Jean said, continuing to respond in her sarcasm.

"Okay," lamented Rogue, becoming more despondent. "Ah know we've pretty much squashed any civility between us. But ah'm not yer enemy. Ah don't want to be your enemy. An' ah think deep down, you don't want to be my enemy."

Jean first instinct was to strike back with more derogatory comments. But she saw the sincerity in Rogue's face and the regret that she exuded in her voice. As much as she wanted to make Rogue feel bad about everything, Jean couldn't bring herself to continue being indignant.

"You're right, Rogue," Jean confirmed. "I don't want to be enemies. I never wanted us to be enemies. I mean, we're not enemies are we?" Jean asked weakly, breaking her aggressive façade, almost regretting her behaviour.

"No," Rogue answered. "Even though ah've been actin' like we were. Ah don't want to feel that way about you. You've done nothing to deserve it."

"I want to apologize too," Jean said. "I'm sorry I threw you into that tree. Are you hurt?"

"Just my pride," Rogue joked, cracking a small smile. "Ya could've wiped the floor with me."

Jean smiled back. "Maybe, but I don't think I could take in you in straight fight."

Rogue joked again. "Yeah."

The girls shared a moment of levity, which was a rare thing. The girls suddenly realized that they were actually connecting on some level. It was a little disconcerting for both of them. But the presence of genuine good feelings between was pleasant. But they both knew they had to get back to the problem facing them both.

"Will you answer my question?" Jean asked.

"Which question?" Rogue asked, responding with a question.

"Why?"

"It's personal Jean," Rogue sighed. "It's something between me and Scott."

"You like him don't you?" Jean asked, showing eyes widening with concern.

Jean smiled a bittersweet smile as she turned away from Jean. She crossed her arms in discomfort at the line of questioning.

"Does it matter?" Rogue asked.

"I think it does," Jean answered, rising to her feet and making her way to Rogue. "Do you like him?"

Rogue hesitated with her answer. She knew Jean deserved an explanation, but the words seemed harder as Jean pressed for an answer. Maybe it was as confusing to Rogue as it was to Jean. Or maybe it was all too clear.

"It's hard, Jean," said Rogue as she began to pace uncomfortably around the room. "Ah feel so many things about it. Everything gets lost. There's what you want for yerself and what you can actually get. You feel it in your heart, but yer head says no, it ain't gonna happen. You fight it, but you can't kill it, cause it's deep down inside of you. It becomes part of who ya are. An' it's clear that you don't stand a chance, that it's never gonna happen. But you still want it. You want the other person to at least, realize that this is how they make you feel. There's no happy ending or anything. But at least it's out there. You want to know what ah feel? Ah got pain. Ah'm getting nothing but pain. Cause ah already have the answers laid up all in front of me. You think ah'm goin' out of my way to hurt you? In the end ah'm just hurtin' myself. There's nothin' for you to get bent out of shape about. You got 'em. Ah can't compete. Ah could never be good enough in any way shape or form. So this is all this is. Just one shot, an' it's gonna miss and burn out. But ah got to let go of it cause ah can't go on like this..."

Rogue slowly moved towards the door, trying to pull herself together. Jean became more concerned and began to empathize with Rogue. She wanted to comfort her but couldn't help but think in the back of her mind that she was admitting that she had strong feelings for Scott. She started to think how she would feel if the shoe was on the other foot. She at least wanted to make it clear that she understood.

"Thank you Rogue," Jean stated. "I think I understand."

"No, you don't understand," Rogue uttered bitterly. "Nobody understands. How can you of all people, know what it is like to have what ah have? Everybody else, no matter what they look like, can hold hands, touch one another, be all intimate with each other. They don't understand. You don't understand what it is to be me. So don't tell me you understand cause you don't."

"You're right," Jean admitted empathetically. "I can't understand what it's like. I can only understand it when you share it with me. I know it's not the same as having that problem but it's a start at least."

"Ah know yer tryin' Jean," Rogue responded in sadness. "But it don't change a thing. But ah'm letting you know that ah'm still goin' on this date. And ah'm still gonna have a good time while it lasts."

"I understand," Jean answered. "Have a good time."

As she made her way out of Jean's room, Rogue paused.

"This all seemed more fun when you were all jealous," she said.

"I am still jealous," Jean answered.

"Thanks"

"Don't mention it."

And with that Rogue left Jean alone in her room. The antagonism between Rogue and Jean seemed to have repaired itself somewhat. Despite what was said, Jean could still sense that Rogue still resented her, perhaps for beating her to the punch. Maybe on how deep Jean and Scott's relationship was and that she never got a chance to see what was possible. But she didn't think it was her fault. Rogue had plenty of chances. Rogue was going to tell Scott how she felt and she knew that he was going to say know. How could she be so sure? How could Jean be so sure? Everybody thinks they know everybody else but people still cheat on one another without a second thought. Was she the exception? But Scott's a good guy. But he's still a guy. Rogue opened up to her. But it could be a con. Maybe she still hopes Scott feels the same way. Does he feel that way? Could he?

Jean's insecurity was beginning to muddle her thoughts. Everything had already been set into motion. Jean could only wait and see where it rolled.

Rogue was busy preparing her clothes for the evening. Kitty, reclining on her bed, hung around like an unwanted presence watching Rogue move from her closet to her dresser and back again, searching for the right outfit. Kitty's eyes were piercing through her as she moved about. Her expression was a strange mix of concern and confusion. Rogue understood Kitty's attitude somewhat. But her constant staring made Rogue feel guiltier than she already felt. Rogue did her best to ignore Kitty.

"Rogue?" questioned Kitty, looking at Rogue with her hound dog expression.

"Yes?" responded Rogue, rolling her eyes, anticipating the nature of the questioning.

"Why are you doing this?" Kitty asked plainly, without hesitation.

"Ah've already been through this with y'all," Rogue answered. "It's something ah have to do for myself, that's all." She was looking in the mirror while superimposing potential outfits over her person.

"Like, I know the reasons you're giving me and all that," Kitty reiterated. "I just think, y'know, that, like, better ways to get over someone than break up the relationship they're in."

"How many times do have to git it through your thick skull that ah'm not breaking up anything?" Rogue roared in frustration.

"I know better than that," Kitty snapped back. "I think you're, like, looking for something more than a simple date."

"Oh really," Rogue stated crossly. "And what do you think that is?"

"I think you're hoping that Scott might have feelings for you." Kitty answered.

Rogue looked right at Kitty with a frown. Kitty had hit a nerve. But rather than feeling angry, Rogue looked as if she were in total dismay.

"And what would be wrong with that?" she asked Kitty accusingly. "Is it so strange that he might? Am ah not good enough for him to even notice me? Maybe it might be nice to know that he knew that someone else might have a thing for 'em? Maybe ah am not as perfect as a certain someone but ah am somebody. Somebody with passion, with emotions..." Rogue paused and collected her thoughts. Kitty stayed motionless in stunned silence, anticipating more revelations. Rogue clenched her fist and closed her eyes tightly as if to compress her thoughts into a solid point. "Ah just need him to know. Whatever happens, well, happens."

Rogue continued to sort through her things, though she was still lost in her thoughts and emotions. Kitty quietly observed her roommate and friend prepare herself for the evening's festivities. Rogue seemed to looking for outfits that were a little more risqué than her usual Gothic look. Heeled boots, fishnets, tight dresses, even a push-up bra were present. Kitty's shocked expressions were getting on Rogue's nerves.

"Don't you have somethin' better to do?" inquired Rogue, hoping that there was.

"Nope," Kitty responded sheepishly.

"Well could ya do nothin' important somewhere else?"

"Nope."

"Why not?" Rogue asked in annoyance.

"Logan's orders. All X-men are confined to their rooms for tonight only."

"Why..?"

Rogue paused in mid-sentence. Logan was doing this for her benefit, even if he didn't approve. She was relieved that she didn't have to contend with her peer gawking and analyzing her every move. But it was disconcerting that everyone seemed to know what was going on (except Scott of course). Rogue decided to go with an outfit similar to her regular fashion choices. She wore some provocative fishnet stocking that wouldn't meet with the adult's approval. Rogue also put on some new high heeled boots that seemed to accentuate her lower body in the very suggestive manner. She liked the feeling of the boots, making her feel tall and statuesque. The fishnets added a little more danger to her look and made her feel more attractive. Rogue kept her regular Gothic makeup, only softening it up a little to bit create a more natural look while staying true to her style. Rogue reached into her dresser and took out a bottle of perfume and began to drown herself with it. Kitty recognized the scent immediately as she smelt it many times before. It caused to unwisely make a statement.

"Is that new?" Kitty asked about the perfume, knowing the answer quite plainly.

"Yeah," grunted Rogue. "So?"

"I like that kind." Kitty replied. "Do you know who else likes it?"

"Who Kitty?" Rogue asked, knowing that she would get an answer even against her will.

"Scott," Kitty answered cheerfully.

Rogue was perplexed.

"How do you know that?" she asked.

"Cause Jean wears that same brand." Kitty answered, cracking a smile.

Rogue groaned out loud at this new bit of information. It's just what she needed. She smelled just like Jean. Served her right for shopping in the same mall that Jean frequented. Now all Rogue was going to do all night is remind Scott that he wasn't with Jean. Unfortunately she had already sprayed herself with the perfume and it was almost time for her to go. She had wasted too much time already. Rogue quickly grabbed her jacket and purse and was ready to race out the door when Kitty posed a final question.

"Rogue?" Kitty asked.

Rogue paused in the middle of the doorway and responded without looking back.

"Yes, Kitty?" she growled.

"This might sound, like, weird," Kitty said stammering. "But I hope, like, what I mean is..."

"Kitty," Rogue interrupted. "Ah don't have a lot of time here."

"I just want to say, I hope you find what you're looking for."

Rogue turned slightly to make eye contact with her roommate and friend. She then turned and seemed to stare into space as she pushed herself out of the doorway.

"So do ah," Rogue muttered to herself. "So do ah."

Rogue's boots echoed and clicked down the hallway as she hurried down the stairwell. The new footwear altered the way she walked. They almost made her move in a sensual way whether she wanted to or not. Although they were doing what she initially wanted them to do, they weren't exactly what she would call practical. Rogue was making her way as quick as she could down the stairwell when she saw Scott at the end of the stair waiting. He seemed to be dressed in his usual shirt, pants and sweater combination. He was actually wearing the sweater that Rogue bought for him for Christmas. This excited Rogue to no end. She tried to contain her composure as she made her way down the stairs. Rogue suddenly found herself sauntering down the steps in a seductive way. She looked directly at Scott as she was doing this, giving him the biggest smile that she could muster. Scott didn't seem to react one way or the other but Rogue maintained her smile and seductive glance. This proved nearly fatal because Rogue was not watching her step in high heeled boots and nearly stumbled. She grasped the railing with catlike reflexes, trying to regain her balance. Scott reacted by lunging towards Rogue to catch her, but Rogue managed to keep herself from falling.

"You alright," Scott asked with concern.

"Yeah," Rogue answered. "Ah guess ah ruined the illusion."

"What?" Scott asked, confused.

Rogue was disappointed with Scott's apparent indifference to her altered look, so she felt that the direct approach might bring it to his attention.

"Well?" Rogue asked as she made her way down the rest of the stairs to meet Scott. "How do I look?"

"Great," said Scott. "Wow, you smell good! What is that scent you're wearing?"

Rogue grumbled inaudibly to herself. She grabbed Scott by the arm and dragged him towards the door.

"Let's go." she said gruffly.

And off they went.