Title: "When Roses Speak"
Author: Pirate Turner
Dedicated To: Pirate Sparrow
Rating: G
Summary: Sometimes, a single rose can say it all.
Disclaimer: Joseph; Rogue; and the X-Men are © & TM Marvel comics and are used without permission. Everything else is © & TM Pirate Turner. The author makes absolutely no profit from this story.

"Ya know, shugah, Ah sure am glad ya don't mind comin' shoppin' wit' me. Ya're 'bout the only guy Ah know of that actually likes ta shop."

Joseph smiled at Rogue as she handed the cashier the money for the items she had just purchased. "My favorite place to be, my dear, is with you," he told her honestly, his blue eyes sparkling with his love for the gorgeous woman before him, "no matter what you are doing or where you are doing it at."

Rogue sighed softly as she looked up at him and felt herself becoming lost in his blue eyes even as she took the change from the cashier. "Ah swear, Joseph, ya're a complete gentleman, but that silver tongue o' yours . . ." She grinned up at him, and her green eyes twinkled.

He had to fight to keep from becoming lost in her eyes as she had in his even as he repeated, "Silver tongue? I thought only liars had those, and the words I speak, my beloved, are only and entirely the truth." Even as he spoke, Joseph's hand passed over the desk as he slipped the cashier a special item and exactly the amount of money it cost.

Rogue shook her head and chuckled, the musical sound thrilling his ears. "Ah swear, Joseph, sometimes Ah just don't know what to do with ya!" she exclaimed.

"Love me," he requested softly.

"Ah do, Joseph. Ya know that, honey," she told him, her voice thick with emotion. Wondering how much time they had left, Rogue finally managed to tear her eyes away from his to give her watch a quick glance. She bit back a sigh of disappointment as that glanced forced her to realize that their down time was already about to end. "Come on, dahlin'," she said, turning on the heel of her right boot, "we gotta get outta here an' get back home 'fore the session starts."

"Wherever you go, I'll always follow," he told her as he took the small bag the cashier handed him and followed her out. As he walked, he found that he was unable to keep his blue eyes from admiring the luscious body of the woman he loved. "Rogue, let me . . . " he started to say even as she opened the door for herself. " . . . get that for you," he finished with a sigh under his breath.

"Ah can perfectly well handle a little ole door, sweetheart, but thank ya," she told him with a smile.

Once outside, he was careful to keep the small bag behind his back even as his fingers worked to remove the price tag of the item inside. She was so content just to be walking with him that Rogue did not even notice that he kept both of his hands behind his back. "Ah wish we had more time," she said with a soft sigh as they reached her Jeep. She tossed her packages into the back of her Jeep and turned to get in only to find Joseph standing before her door. "Joseph?" she asked softly, her green eyes studying his handsome face. "What is it, shugah?"

Joseph's eyes met and locked with Rogue's as she took a few steps forward to close the distance between them. His blue eyes were full of love as he gazed down into her enchanting, green eyes. He smiled adoringly down at her as he brought his hands out from behind his back to reveal to her a single red rose with a tiny, white teddy bear at the front of the bouquet. The bear wore a red bouquet and held an even tinier heart with words printed on it. Rogue was barely able to read the words, but she already knew what they said -- "I love you". Joseph then lowered his head and touched his lips gently to hers in a soft kiss. No words needed to be spoken between the two as their love completely enveloped the couple for they both knew what the other was thinking and how much they loved and were loved by each other.

The End