Disclaimer: I own nothing…
Summary: After the defeat of Apocalypse, Rogue leaves the mansion for personal reasons and embarks on a quest of self-enlightenment. Three years later, she has found her true self and is now back in New York, hoping to make amends with her former teammates. Will they accept her back after she left with no word? And what new trials of the mind, soul, and heat await the young woman in her old home town…
Quixotic
-Prologue-
Z.P.
The difference between the air-conditioned terminal and the humid, blistering heat of the midday parking area was staggering. Her arm flew up to her face to block out the sun's harsh rays as she stepped through the automatic doors and looked for her ride.
Her bags were heavy and she tightened her sweaty grip on the metal handle of her suitcase nervously. A cool breeze swept by; a small relief that caused her lips to quirk up in a half-smile. She was home. After three long, tiresome years, she had finally arrived back where she began.
Moving over to one of the support-pillars of the building, she set down her bags and waited in the shade, fanning her warm face with her hand. From what she could see, the airport hadn't changed at all since she boarded her flight all those years ago. The automatic doors still stuck, the sidewalk still had far too many cracks in it, and the staff was still just as rude as ever.
She tugged at her tank-top when it began to ride up. She loved the silky green top, but sometimes it drove her nuts with its tendency to creep upwards when she least expected it. Unlike the airport, she had changed…in a good way.
Her wardrobe now had more colors than just black and green, and she even owned a few pairs of blue jeans. The old, goth-cakey makeup had been thrown out for a more natural look and she had let her hair grow out to the middle of her back. Her style was now more of a personal preference instead of a harsh attempt to drive people away. She was happy with how she looked.
That was the other change. She was confident. No longer was she the bitter, insecure girl that pushed people away before they had a chance to reject her. Now she was self-assured and confident in her personality and abilities…not to say that she didn't have flaws, those were still around. She just had a new outlook on life, a more positive way of seeing her situation.
A chuckle forced its way past her lips as she thought of how shocked everyone would be if she acted any thing less than pessimistic and broody. Kurt would probably fall over, Kitty would squeal like a little girl, and Logan would yell at everyone to get ready for the next danger-room session.
The chuckle died on her lips as she thought of her…friends? Would they still even consider her one of them? Or would they consider her a traitor and a coward…
A warm voice stopped her thoughts.
"Rogue…?"
Emerald shaded eyes connected warmly with deep blue ones.
"Bonjour de nouveau, Monsieur McCoy."
It was good to be home.
Bonjour de nouveau -- Hello (once) again
Monsieur -- Mister
A/N: My French is uber rusty, so you'll have to all forgive me if it's not 100 correct dialogue.
Next Chapter
Rogue is finally reunited with her old teammates after three long years…and as tension rises, so do the tempers. What will happen?
R&R