"Scott!" shouted Rogue, as she followed him out of the restaurant. As soon as the waitress came with the bill came, Scott had thrown his money on the table and stormed out the establishment without saying a word.
"Scott!" Rogue repeated. "Where are you going?"
"We are going back to the mansion," Scott answered.
"How come!" Rogue asked despondently.
"You know 'how come?'" answered Scott with a great deal of resentment. "You just told me 'how come?' This ends now."
"Scott," pleaded Rogue as he made his way to the car. "You don't understand…"
"I don't need to understand," Scott returned. "Because what I understand is this: I thought I was going out with a friend only to find out that I'm on a date."
Rogue's silence seemed to confirm Scott's assessment of the situation. Scott began to nod his head as if his statement was indeed fact.
"Ah ha!" Scott exclaimed. "That's what I thought. No wonder Jean was acting like she was hysterical. This is what you intended this to be all along. Geez, Rogue, why didn't you tell me the truth?"
Rogue cast her eyes down to the floor, like a young child being confronted by an accusing parent. Her very body language expressed a sense of shame at the deception.
"Ah was going to tell you," Rogue answered, her eyes still cast down, unable to look Scott in the eye. "But I needed to tell you how ah felt about you. That was the whole point of tonight."
Scott turned away from Rogue and leaned on the side of his car, trying to get his head around Rogue professing her true feelings. His primary concern was not that she had an interest in him, but rather Jean's feelings about Rogue were of greater interest. Scott looked out into the city street as he thought on this.
"Does Jean know?" Scott asked as his gaze wandered aimlessly across the horizon.
Rogue inched herself closer to the edge of the car, keeping her distance from Scott, respecting his personal space, but close enough to feel intimate. She folded her arms and leaned against the car as well. Taking in a deep breath, she sighed, closed her eyes and formed a simple and direct answer.
"Ah thinks she's suspects," Rogue confessed. "Ah think she's always been suspicious."
"How long have you felt this way?" Scott inquired, with a somber expression on his face.
"Ah guess it was when we were both paired off for that Shakespeare assignment," Rogue answered as she inched herself closer to Scott. "Even though you were all uptight, square and preppy, ah still thought you were kinda cute. As ah got to know in those earlier moments ah found out you were…genuine. There wasn't any pretense or anythin'. Ah didn't put much thought inta it at first. A small little crush and all that. Maybe it was something subconscious, y'know? Ah found myself just wantin' to spend more time with you. Even when ah was with the Brotherhood, part of me wanted to get closer to you. After a while, after we became teammates and friends. It grew inta somethin' more ah guess."
Rogue was on the verge of blushing as her thoughts became more provocative. She looked up to see Scott in a state of paralytic shock. It was as if he had heard the most disturbing news he had ever heard in his life. As if his entire worldview was suddenly shifted, and it was not for the better. Rogue was growing more despondent with each passing moment of Scott's silence. He struggled to find the words until regrettably the wrong ones spilled out.
"Oh boy," Scott sighed as his shoulders sunk and he slapped his hand to his head.
Scott's response was a decisive blow to Rogue's already fragile self-esteem.
"Do you find my feelings for you that repulsive!" cried Rogue, as she became more upset as well as angry.
Scott looked upon Rogue's face and observed how her eyes were beginning to tear up. He suddenly found his feelings in conflict. He didn't want to upset Rogue but he couldn't help but feel that he was doing something wrong. As long as this date continued, he felt was betraying Jean, whether it was unintentional or not.
"No Rogue," Scott answered weakly, as he tried to comfort her. "It's not about that. I just don't think any of this is right. Jean is my girlfriend. You're not. If I'm out with you, it's as if I'm cheating on her. If the situation was different and it was someone else, I'd still feel the same way."
"Who's askin' you to cheat on Jean!" Rogue asked, acting surprised.
"What do you mean…?" Scott responded in confusion.
"Can you even touch me physically?" Rogue elaborated. "Can you kiss me? Can I kiss you? What kind of cheatin' could you we actually do?"
"That's not the point," Scott retorted "I mean…"
Scott scratched his head as he tried to figure out what Rogue's motivation was. It was true; they couldn't touch each other at all. Hugging would be complicated affair. The dynamics concerning any physical infidelity between them both seemed virtually impossible. In his head, Scott knew that nothing could happen that would constitute the normal definition of cheating. But all of his feelings and intuition were telling him the opposite. This was wrong and inappropriate even if they couldn't touch. What was more perplexing to Scott was the fact that Jean approved of this date in the first place. Did she think that it was nothing more than two fellow teammates going out? Jean must have sensed what Rogue's intentions were. She might have read her mind. But Scott couldn't understand why he hadn't put it together. Both he and Rogue had spent so much time together and yet, after all this time he never sensed anything more than a simple friendship. How could he have been so dense? It was only now that things were beginning to coalesce for Scott. Rogue always displayed strange combination of boldness and coyness when they interacted. She was more personable and softer with him than with anyone else. Whenever they talked, Rogue listened intently, her attention unwavering. Rogue always suggested things for them to do together. All their conversations seemed to lead to that type of activity. She always volunteered to team up with him in the Danger Room and on missions. She always stood close to him whenever they talked or did anything together. There's always that buffer, that personal space that people generally don't cross. Maybe an acquaintance, maybe a friend, definitely a lover, but one thing was for sure, Rogue did stand awful close.
"Scott?" said Rogue, as she touched his shoulder. "You alright?"
Scott had lost his train of thought and had forgotten Rogue and their conversation in his vain attempt to make sense of this entire ordeal.
"Yeah," Scott responded, regaining his composure once more. "Sorry. It's just that…"
"It's okay," Rogue interrupted with a smile of reassurance. "You don't have to be sorry. Just let me explain everything and you'll see that you've got nothin' to worry about."
"Okay," Scott said with a hint of skepticism. "I'm listening."
"Thanks," Rogue said smiling as she touched Scott's shoulder again. She moved herself closer to him but stopped as she felt him tense up. Sensing his discomfort, Rogue removed her hand and stepped away from Scott in order to make him feel more comfortable. She did this reluctantly, as her attraction to him was powerful and unrelenting. And although Rogue was unable to act upon those feelings physically, that didn't mean she didn't want to. But it was more important to her that he was able to relax around her. If anything, she wanted any association that Scott had with her to be as pleasant and positive as possible. Soon after, Scott began to relax. Seeing this, Rogue began to explain herself and her actions in greater detail.
"You remember when we stopped Apocalypse?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah," answered Scott who uncharacteristically formed a wry smile on his face. "When a hyper-powerful mutant makes a stab at world domination, it tends to stick out in your memory as one of those unforgettable moments."
Rogue smiled as well in amusement. Scott was joking around, which was rare, but always a good sign. "Yeah, anyway, ah got to thinkin' 'We almost lost.' 'We almost died'. All of us, dead and gone. My life would've been over right then an' there."
"But it didn't end there," Scott added, feeling the need to promote the fact that the X-men were victorious.
"But it could've," returned Rogue. "And all ah could think about was that ah'd never get to do all the things that ah've always wanted to do. See the world, go to college, fall in love…"
Scott always grew nervous at the mention of the 'L' word, even though he wasn't involved in this particular context, at least he hoped so. His heart always turned to Jean, the object of his affection. But his mind was always full of reservations. Throughout his life, everyone that was ever important to him were suddenly ripped away from him. The X-Men were the most important people in his life. The students at the mansion were his like his little brothers and sisters. Logan and Storm were like his big brother and big sister respectively. Professor Xavier was the closest thing to a father he ever had. And Jean, Jean was…something beyond words. It was never easy for Scott to be happy. It seemed like whenever he allowed himself to enjoy his good fortune; something would come along and destroy it. It made him almost afraid to feel anything intensely, consciously numbing himself to the sensations in a vain attempt to ward off whatever forces might shatter his life again. He knew it was his way of protecting himself from the pain of loss. Presently, it was one the more serene periods in his life and he was enamored with a girl who surpassed any expectations that he might have had for himself. If he allowed himself to open up, without reservations and he lost her, how could he live with himself? The connotations of love, which would inspire most people, brought out Scott's greatest fears and a need to suppress it. The mention of it manifested itself in his nervousness. This was further amplified by the way Rogue's eyes seemed to change when she mentioned the word 'love'. How it seemed to be directed at him with her eyes and voice, full of desire and passion, as if she was attempting to penetrate his defenses, seeking the key to his heart and soul. Scott found that he was only half-listening, allowing his pondering to undermine the significance of Rogue's words. He uncluttered his mind as best he could and tried to focus in on what she was saying.
"But then ah thought, 'What about next time?' 'What about the next time some insane maniac wants to rule the world?' What then? You heard the Professor talk about the future. There's more in store for us than Apocalypse. Who knows what will happen? Ah hate to say it, but there may come a day that we don't make it…"
Scott was unable to handle Rogue's suppositions on their possible fates and was compelled to interrupt her.
"Never Rogue," Scott exclaimed. "I can never see the X-Men fail. We may have had our setbacks here and there, but in the end we've always come out on top and we always will."
Rogue simply smiled at Scott's combination of naivety and optimism. It was what made him a good leader. He had that 'never say die' attitude which allowed him to find the means in which to overcome nearly impossible odds. It made him act courageously in the face of adversity and rage, boldly against the fiercest of enemies. He would put himself on the line for any one of his teammates. It made Rogue admire him even more as she thought about it. People would probably dismiss Scott as overly serious and square. But that would be an injustice to him, as it would undermine some of his greatest qualities: his kindness, his nobility, his love for his friends and his mentors. Everyday people would never get to see that side of him, or get to understand the real Scott Summers. Admittedly, most of the X-Men don't fully understand him. Jean understands him. Rogue felt she understood him. Now all she wanted to do was have him understand the real her.
"You're a good leader Scott, an'you look out for everyone on the team and you'll use everythin' and anythin' to get the job done. But you can't predict the future. Even the Professor can't do that. In mah heart, ah believe there will always be X-Men fightin' the good fight. But that don't mean that none of us ain't gonna kick the bucket. Someday, on some mission, someone could take one of us out of action, permanently…"
Scott was about to interrupt again, but Rogue stopped him in his tracks.
"Let me finish what ah got say Scott, please?"
Scott stayed dourly silent as he looked upon Rogue visage. He felt so compelled to dismiss Rogue's fears as simple pessimism, feeling the need to reassure her that none of these things would come to pass; he was getting all bent of shape. In the back of his mind, he knew he was denying the validity of what she was saying. But to him, the thought of a teammate dying in the line of duty was too terrible to imagine. It would probably be harder to take if it actually did happen. As their leader, he would take the full blame, even it wasn't. But he knew Rogue was right; none of them could cheat fate, at least, not all the time as it seemed at present. Scott then nodded in response, allowing Rogue to continue.
"Thanks," said Rogue, continuing with her discourse. "So, after takin' all this in ah decided that ah was goin' to do as much livin' as ah possibly could, living out my dreams as much as ah could cause tomorrow, well...tomorrow never comes and all that. Ah started doin' small things here and there that ah always wanted to do and ah started building up to bigger and better things. Jus' so ah could say ah have no regrets whatsoever. Ah've been there, done that. Ah don't have to wonder 'bout that anymore. So eventually it all led to this, to you." Rogue stopped as she faced Scott, anticipating another negative reaction from him.
"Go on," implored Scott, anxious to get to the heart of the matter. Rogue was completely floored by the fact that for once, she seemed to have Scott's complete attention. Sensing that this could possibly be fleeting, she continued on with her explanation.
"Ah know how you feel about Jean," she said. "An' ah know that ah don't stand a chance of making you feel the way ah feel 'bout you. But it was important for me to tell you, to let you know. To tell you how much you mean to me. How grateful ah am for the time ah get to spend with you. In my weaker moments, ah get selfish and wish that things were different an' that you were mine and we could be together. But that's not reality. It ain't gonna happen. That's why ah'm settlin' for the next best thing."
"Which is?" asked Scott, hoping for some clarity.
"Ah arranged this whole thing so ah could have one big ol' night for just you an' me. Ah could have you all to myself and we'd go all around the city and do anythin' we wanted to do. In a way, ah could pretend a little bit that one of my dreams had come true. An' that maybe, ah could imagine that you might feel the same way, even though ah know you don't. Ah could be your girl for tonight an' you could be my boyfriend."
Scott didn't know what to make of this.
"So what you're saying is," Scott began. "Just for tonight, you want us to be a pretend to be a couple so you can live out one of your fantasies?"
"In a nutshell," Rogue answered. "Yep!"
Scott started to enter 'lecture mode' as he began to explain why Rogue's proposition was inappropriate, as well as hazardous to both their lives.
"Let focus on what we know, I'm in a relationship with Jean. You have admitted to having strong feelings for me. We are alone together on what could be construed as a date, as you have also admitted. Now, most women, and Jean is no exception in this, would find this totally unacceptable. And yes, I am aware that nothing physical could or would happen, as you have stated and I too have concurred with. But acting like a pretend couple makes all of this seem ten times worse. While I understand the need to tell me how you feel, and that you are no threat to Jean and my relationship with her, and that you just want to have a night of us acting as if we're a couple as the closest way to living out one of your dreams, I have to ask: why do want this? What would this do for you? What would a date with me give you that would give you cause to endanger our lives, due to the fact that my girlfriend will eventually find us and kill us in a jealous rage? Please Rogue, while I know this in no way helps me, how does this help you?"
Rogue thought about it and simply said, "In a word, closure."
"Closure?" echoed Scott, who was once again perplexed and exhausted by his diatribe.
"It's like ah said", explained Rogue. "Ah don't want spend the precious few moments of my life wondering 'what if?' Ah'm crazy about you Scott, but ah know the feelins' aren't mutual. An' ah know you'd never cheat on Jean because you're not a scumbag that'd do that sort of thing. An' if you were that type of guy, ah'd have nothin' to do with you anyway. But these feelings ah have are strong too, Scott. An' ah feel that ah got have somethin' to keep me from wonderin' about us. Ah know we'll never be together, but ah figure one night with you, hopefully a magical one, is better than a whole lot of nothin'. An' ah think that this is the best option ah've got. After tonight, ah think can move on, maybe ah could move on to someone else. But ah need to get past you Scott, otherwise the thought of you will always be in the way. All ah want is a wonderful memory of us spendin' time together; where we could share somethin' special that ah, and hopefully you, can look back on fondly . Ah don't think in hindsight that ah'm askin' for much. But in fairness, ah leave it up to you, Scott. If you say 'no', ah'll accept it and we can go on home. But ah want you to know Scott, that you are the only one who can do this for me. There's ain't nobody else. Would you do this for me, Scott? Will you make mah dream come true?"
Scott couldn't believe that Rogue's feelings towards him were on this level. This was more that a simple, misguided crush. It seemed like her affection for him affected her entire well being. It was also bittersweet since it would never be realized. So she went to all this trouble and deception just to spend time alone with him. Just to spend time with him. Scott found himself feeling almost flattered by all of this. But he also felt that something more important was at stake. Nothing controversial had to happen tonight. Rogue simply wanted to have good time with someone she had deep feelings for. It didn't have to mean anything to him really. Only to the extent that it would make Rogue happy. Just so she could have an incredible facsimile of what a relationship with him would be like. It would seem almost reasonable except for the fact that it was completely loopy. Scott was juxtaposing the idea of continuing on with date with Rogue for her personal well-being only and Jean's predictably explosive reaction to him going along with this. Scott knew that Jean would probably kill him. But the idea of going along with this ill-fated date began to grow on him. He couldn't touch her or kiss her and vice-versa. Rogue said she didn't want to break up his relationship with Jean. It could just be a fun evening without anything inappropriate happening. He was in control of himself. Rogue couldn't do much even if she wanted to. Nothing was going to happen, so, why worry? Just one night as a fake couple and Rogue could move on with her life and feel like she's fulfilled one of her dreams. Scott's ego began to inflate considerably as thought of the prospect of being someone's fantasy. It was an unfamiliar feeling since he never had cause to feel this way. His mind began to form a set of rules and regulations for Rogue's evening to progress from theory to reality.
"Okay, Rogue," Scott answered. "I'll do it."
Scott could feel the immensity of Rogue's jubilation as her entire being seemed to emanate her elation in reaction to his answer. Rogue wanted to hug him but she didn't want to make Scott second-guess his decision. She was almost jumping up and down as she clasped her hands to try and contain her excitement. Rogue's uncharacteristically joyful reaction compelled Scott to clear up any misunderstandings.
"But we're going have some ground rules for this evening that will not get either of us into trouble, especially me."
"Fair enough," replied Rogue, who was unfazed by Scott's need to regulate the evening since she was still smiling from ear to ear.
"Rule number one," Scott announced. "There is to be no inappropriate physical interaction between us all evening."
"Rule number two…" Rogue replied, in conjunction to Scott's previous announcement. "You…"
"Hey!" exclaimed Scott, taken off guard by Rogue's presumption that she had a say in what the rules were. "You don't get to make the rules."
"Of course ah do," Rogue countered. "It's mah evening, ah get to have an equal say in what's goin' on."
"I suppose that's fair," Scott grumbled, fearing that he was going to be on the losing end of this deal.
"It's what's ah'd expect from my boyfriend," said Rogue, giving Scott a wink. "A sense of fair play."
"Just tell me what the second rule of the night's going to be," said Scott, annoyed at Rogue's flirting.
"Rule number two is this," Rogue announced, continuing with her playful tone. "You have to hold mah hand and walk with me arm in arm at my convenience."
"Wait a minute," Scott said skeptically. "Doesn't that cancel 'Rule number one'?"
"Ah don't think holdin' hands and givin' your arm to a lady is inappropriate," Rogue responded. "It's the gentlemanly thing to do and you are a gentleman, aren't you?" Rogue seemed to revel in the fact that she was getting under Scott's skin. She grinned as she saw Scott squirm as he considered her rule. Rogue knew that he couldn't argue against it and he was going to have to accept it. And she in turn was going to take full advantage of it.
"Fine," Scott replied with reservation. He knew he wasn't going to like this.
"Oh it won't be so bad, "Rogue reassured him. "You might even like it. Ah know ah will." Rogue suggestive nature did more to annoy Scott than make him uncomfortable as usual. Situations like this one made him wish he wasn't such a good-natured sap. He began to formulate a new rule that would work to his advantage.
"Rule number three," proclaimed Scott. "I reserve the right to refuse a request that I feel is inappropriate." Scott felt particularly proud of that one.
Despite her disdain for Scott's new rule, Rogue saw that it was fair request, even though it looked like Scott trying to weasel his way out of her fun. She had to think of something good.
"Rule number four," uttered Rogue. "Since it's my night, whatever ah want to do we do, wherever ah want to go, we go."
"As long as I deem it appropriate," countered Scott.
"But if you can't explain how it's inappropriate, we're gonna do it," said Rogue with sense of satisfaction.
"Is that a rule?" asked Scott with sarcasm.
"Not yet!" replied Rogue, threatening to make it so.
"Oh wait," said Scott, feigning surprise. "It's my turn. Rule number five, I don't have to explain myself to you."
"Rule number six," retorted Rogue, who was getting annoyed by Scott's evasive tactics. "When ah ask you a question, you have to tell the truth. You have to answer 'yes' or 'no'"
"But that violates 'Rule Number Five'" disputed Scott.
"No it doesn't," argued Rogue. "You have to answer 'yes' or 'no'. You don't have to explain yerself." Rogue felt she had him on that one.
Scott also felt trapped by that rule. He had to think of something else.
"Rule number seven," declared Scott. "I don't have to answer any questions about me."
"No way," Rogue countered. "You're breaking 'Rule Number Seven'!"
"I don't think so," Scott replied. "I have to answer your questions with a 'yes' or 'no'. Just not questions about me."
"Mah rule was that ah get to ask you anythin' and you got to tell me the truth," argued Rogue. "Ah ask a question, you have to answer it truthfully. You don't get to veto the questions you don't like."
"Ah c'mon," moaned Scott, who was starting to get tired of all this rule-making. He knew his case was very weak. Scott seeing that Rogue would probably not let up on this, decided that maybe he should quit while he's ahead.
"I think we have enough rules for tonight," Scott alleged. "We don't have to make this too formal."
"But it's mah turn, an' ah'm making another rule," Rogue answered with glee. "An' since you're finished with you're turn…"
"But…" stammered Scott, but Rogue wasn't listening.
"Rule number seven," shouted Rogue with a smile on her face. "You, Scott Summers of sound, mind and body will give me your complete and total attention tonight. You will look at me eye to eye. You will listen to every word that comes outta mah mouth. You will be in my presence at all times so ah know that yer paying attention to me."
Scott had to stop all of this before it got out of hand. He felt the best way was to indulge Rogue up to this point and cut his losses.
"I will agree to this," declared Scott reluctantly. "If this is the last rule."
"Oh, you're no fun," stated Rogue, rubbing it in. "But alright, ah'll let you off because ah don't want you to get all sore. We're havin' fun tonight. Shake?" Rogue reached out her gloved hand as a gesture to make it all official.
"Shake!" replied Scott, with a sense of relief as reached out to grasp Rogue's hand.
Both young mutants shook hands, but just as Scott was about to pull his hand away, Rogue pulled him towards her with, to Scott's surprise, incredible strength. He immediately found himself arm and arm with Rogue, who had an incredibly tight grasp of his arm.
"Now Mr. Summers," said Rogue, who was getting into the spirit of the evening, more so that Scott. "You shall have the distinct pleasure of escortin' a southern belle on a walk thought the park."
"The pleasure is all mine, " Scott muttered sarcastically.
"Be nice!" ordered Rogue. "Ah want you to enjoy yerself too. "
"Alright," conceded Scott. "I'll try."
"Ah was hopin' for a little more enthusiasm," said Rogue. "But that'll do. Thank you, Scott. Let's move."
And with that, Scott was literally being pulled by Rogue towards the city park, completely overwhelmed by her focus and her vice-like grip. His mind was filled with a strange mix of anticipation and dread. He didn't know what the night held but somehow, he felt his troubles were just beginning. But for Rogue, it was the opposite. She felt that her fun was just beginning, and it was only going to get better.
Unbeknownst to both Rogue and Scott, there was someone in the diner who was watching the entire scenario unfold. The main window of the diner provided a living theatre of sorts for the patrons inside. While most were oblivious or disinterested with the affairs of two young people, there was one gentleman, familiar to both the young mutants, that was watching them intently all this time. He had ordered nothing from the and consumed nothing except the complimentary coffee and a dozen or so cigarettes, which were of course his own. The waitress, who was visibly annoyed by the flagrant loitering being done in her establishment, decided to make her feelings known.
"Excuse me, hon," said the venerable waitress. "Ya gotta order somethin' or else you gotta leave the premises."
" 'Course chere," replied the young man, still eyeing Scott and Rogue as they left his field of vision. "Gimmie a slice of cake to go, s'il vous plait. I've gotta get some information to a certain mademoiselle that she needs ta know now. An' I'm hoping, she get it in time jus' in case l'amour is in bloom."
The waitress merely shrugged and went on her way to get the dessert for the strange young man. He reached into his pocket to pull out a cigarette which he lit with his kinetically-charged finger. As he smoked, his thoughts were on the young couple that he witnessed and he became more and more concerned. He took out his trademark deck of cards and began to do card tricks to ease his mind. He drew the top card which ended up being the Jack of Hearts.
"How apropos," thought the young man. "So, ma chere, tonight Gambit's gonna make sure your soiree with monsieur Summers t is interrupted by da thief of hearts, dat bein', yours truly. An' o'course, a certain red-haired lady who might no like what's transpirin' ici. Your heart is mine t'steal. Only I be takin' what's rightfully mine, n'est pas?"
And with that, the young mutant known as Gambit used the reflection of napkin dispenser to gaze at his profile. His red eyes glittered with self-satisfaction. It seemed that Rogue's unforgettable night would indeed bring about the unexpected.