Thank you so much to all my reviewers! I think this chapter is one of my best written so far...although I'm not sure if it's true. I hope you enjoy!
She was crying. Walking out of the large mansion, she had held an impassive face. One of confidence. Now, however, as she sat on a bench waiting for a bus, she was overcome with fear.
He was following her, had been for hours. As he had stood outside her bedroom window, watching every move, he had witnessed her scramble to pack all of her belongings into a bag. Yet even as she made her way through the front door, a resolute expression on her face, he knew she was regretting the mistake she was about to make.
"Rogue," he greeted in a monotone voice. She didn't even turn to look at him, nor did she look shocked as he had expected. Only a nod was exchanged, a mere acknowledgement of his presence.
Deciding to make the first move, seeing as he was the only one with a purpose for the conversation, he took a step towards her, keeping his gaze at the road ahead. "I know why you're here."
Now glancing down at her, he found himself blinking in amazement. No longer was she crying. She was laughing.
"I'm impressed," she stated matter-of-factly, although there was a hint of mock in her voice. Exchanging the look with amusement spread across her features, she continued. "Because I'm not even sure what I'm doing here, myself. Way to be on top, Johnny, I didn't know that you had it in you."
Not exactly sure how to react to her comment, John pulled a smirk onto his face and took another step towards her. Sensing somehow that she didn't exactly plan on being hostile, he moved to sit down next to her, not even bothering to ask her permission.
"Don't do it."
An accusing look spreading across her features, Rogue glared at him. "Why not?"
"Why do it in the first place?"
Pausing, Rogue prepared a speech in her head. One like she had just given to Logan. Yet as she searched for some explanation to give, she realized that he had taken her hesitation to mean that she really had no idea. She was just doing it for nothing.
"I have my reasons," was all she could answer, the lame response sounding even stupider out loud than it had in her head.
Raising an eyebrow, John stared intently at her. "And they are…"
"Well, they're...they're none of your business!" Rogue stated in exasperation, shaking her head and standing up. "I don't have to explain myself to you. If anything, it should be the other way around. Do you seem to have some false beliefs that you actually have a right to an opinion in this matter? Because you don't. It's my decision."
"I know that," he nodded, although he didn't look as if he cared one bit. "But decisions can change and it's not smart to go off and do something rash before you've thoroughly thought it out."
Her mind flipping back to the night before, when she had witnessed how close Bobby and Kitty were, she nodded furiously. Rogue's response was almost given with insane-like sincerity. "Oh, believe me. I've thought this puppy through."
"Then you'll know that it's a stupid idea."
Noticing that she didn't buy that, John laughed and shook his head. Feeling slightly brave, he suddenly gestured down the sidewalk. "Walk with me?"
With an expression that stated she would rather do anything but, John rolled his eyes. "I promise I won't try and burn you or anything. Scouts honor. You can even touch me and find out," he offered, spreading out his arms as if to show she was welcome.
Snorting, Rogue shook her head. "Tempting, but no," she sighed as she started to walk with him, not noticing his look off pride that he had gotten her to actually talk to him. If only she knew his plan. "Like I really need you in my head, anyways."
"Touché," he declared, giving her comment slight appreciation. Not that he could actually blame her. He had a hell of a time with himself in his own head, like she needed to deal with it either. John was relieved, however, that she had passed on the offer. If she knew what was brewing inside between him and Magneto, she wouldn't exactly be thrilled.
The two walked in silence for a while before Rogue actually spoke, choosing that she'd rather talk rather than just going in circles. "What are you doing here?"
John froze suddenly. How could he be so stupid? He had been so prepared for this, to manipulate Rogue. And yet he hadn't come up with a valid excuse for showing up. As if he could really say he had been in the neighborhood.
"Well…" trailing off, he sighed. "Let's just say that a little birdie told me you were about to make a huge mistake. I couldn't let you do something stupid. So, I'm kind of here to change your mind."
Freezing as well, Rogue blinked before turning on him. "What? Who told you? I made the decision less than twelve hours ago…" she trailed off. Was someone watching her…was John watching her? She couldn't help but feel as if it had been a bad idea in the first place, but not because of her want to be 'cured'. But now it seemed as if she had a bigger threat. "What are you doing here, John?"
"Uh…" stammering, John found his whole plan blowing up in his face. And the usually suave pyrokinetic was panicking. Magneto would be furious if he screwed this up.
And before he had a chance to make up some wild excuse, anything to get her to come along with him, Rogue was hit across the head from behind. Not realizing what was going on, John quickly lit a steam of fire in his hand with use of the gas tank strapped to his hand. In seconds, however, he realized who was behind it and he shook his hand, causing the flame to die out.
"What are you doing here?" he asked accusingly.
A smirk crossed the face of the attacker before Callisto shrugged. "I figured you could use a hand."
Well, there it is! Did you like it! Drop me a note, I love to hear from readers. And as someone asked, yes...this is going to be a Ryro fic.