She had been in Westchester for exactly twelve days, fourteen hours and seventeen minutes - not that the time was dragging, far from it in fact. If anything it hadn't been long enough and Rogue and Kurt were mercilessly torturing themselves by counting down the minutes until Rogue had to leave.
It had been a happy reunion, much to Rogue's relief and had even eased away some of the guilt that had been eating away at her inside. She had worried so much that Kurt would give her the cold shoulder and that she would be the cause of more pain for him, but how wrong could she have been.
If anything, Kurt's mood had been elevated erratically by her arrival and despite his fragile appearance he seemed more like himself to Rogue than he had done long before she had left their former home in Mississippi.
Due to the circumstances and the effect that Rogue's presence had on Kurt, Professor Xavier had granted her special permission to stay in the mansion. Rogue was eternally grateful to the kindly man and was determined not to let one pointless second pass during her stay.
They were currently sat beneath a very old chestnut tree with some of the other residents that Kurt had become friendly with. It was a beautiful day, the sun was high in the sky and not a cloud was evident, only a slight breeze disturbed the leaves of the trees around them. Rogue couldn't think of a seeing a more glorious day in her life, than the one she was seeing right before her. But it wasn't just the weather that made the day so wonderful, it was the combination of being in good company and not having to worry about anything, that made it all the more better.
"So what do you think Rogue?" came the sound of Kurt's voice, snapping Rogue out of her daydream. Her eyes instantly flitting to Kurt in surprise.
"Ah'm sorry, what?" Kurt snickered at his sister's pensive demeanor. He had never seen her so relaxed and unaware of what was going on around her, she seemed so free of emotional turmoil that he was beginning to feel that perhaps her running away had been a good thing for her. He had never been angry at her for leaving. Deep down, he knew it was something she obviously felt she had to do and at this moment, he could only be grateful that she had not forgotten him and had returned to him when he most needed her.
"Jeez Rogue! Are you on another planet today? We was talking about Kitty's boyfriend Lance and whether or not she should break up with him," He explained to her. Rogue slowly took what he said in and then turned her head to face the pretty girl sat on the other side of her brother.
"Why do ya want ta break up with him?" She asked the small-framed girl, trying to focus her attention solely on the conversation at hand.
"Well, we've been seeing each other for like a year now and I don't know, these last few months it's like I can't get hold of him and when I can he won't talk to me and it's like I have no idea what's going on with him. I mean, I know he's in Chicago and I'm in New York but if you really love someone then distance shouldn't get in the way right?" The girl asked, seeking the approval of her peers. Kurt giggled at Kitty's idealistic views on love causing the other girl to look at him indignantly.
"I'm sorry Kitty. But come on, you're in juvenile rehab. You're not exactly the most stable girl to date" Kurt explained. Kitty looked at him almost shocked at the insensitivity.
"Well I'm loads better now! Even the Professor said I could go home soon" she defended herself.
"If ya ask meh, ah think yoah better of without him. If he loves you then being heah shouldn't make any difference ta yoah relationship. Sorry Kit, but he sounds lahke a jerk" was Rogue's opinion, giving her a sorry smile to soften the blow.
"Yeah, I guess you guys are right" The girl agreed down-heartedly, crossing her legs and resting her elbows on her knees so that she could rest her head in her hands.
"Hey, don't stress about it Kitty. Like you said, at least your getting out of here soon. Man! I've got another two months to go yet," said the final person in their small group known as Bobby. Kitty gave him a small smile and continued to sit as before. A game of some sorts looked to be about to start in the area of grass in front of the mansion, directly in their line of view.
"Hey, You wanna go play Kurt?" Bobby asked with Kurt giving a short 'yeah' and running off with the other teen to join the game. Kitty and Rogue watched in silence as a game of classic touchdown football began.
"He really missed you, y' know" Kitty observed quietly. Rogue gave a small smile as she watched her younger brother running with the ball and then being tackled to the ground.
"Ah know. Ah'm kinda worried leavin' him again" she replied still not taking her eyes off Kurt. She felt Kitty scoot across the grass closer to her.
"I think he's gonna be okay, now that he knows where you are and I promise I'll look after him while your gone" the younger girl promised with a smile. Rogue looked at her and returned the smile warmly.
"So do you like want a soda or anything?" Kitty asked as she stood up. Rogue shook her head no and after promising that she would be back in a few minutes, Kitty walked off towards the mansion.
Rogue continued to watch the game ensuing on the grass in front of her. She thought back over the last twelve days, from her reunion with Kurt - how they had talked about their mother. The general feeling from the letter that Rogue had received regarding Kurt, led her to believe that her mother was no longer concerned over her welfare and she wasn't wrong. According to Kurt, very little was said about Rogue after she left and her mother hadn't even attempted to find her. The only reason she knew how to contact her was from the letter Rogue had written to Kurt in which she had a left a return address.
Rogue couldn't help but feel incredibly hurt, it was selfish on her part, she knew that. She had wanted out of her old life, out of her mother's life but the feeling of being cast aside so easily by her own parent was hurtful and sickening. For the first time in her life she felt truly alone, with no-one to fall back on - no-one to act as her safety net as most parents do for their children, Rogue realized that she was on her own now and that there was no turning back.
Deep in thought she failed to notice Kurt jogging towards her and collapsing on his back next to her, panting loudly. Rogue smiled at him in amusement as he lie there on the cool grass, arms spread out, sweating as though he had been running miles.
"Wh-what . . . hap . .penned . . to . . Kitty?" He asked between breaths.
"She went ta get a drink. Ah think she lahkes you" Rogue replied slyly. Kurt looked up at her confused.
"Who?" He asked curiously.
"Y'know the valley girl with th' biggest, sapphire lahke eyes in th' world" She teased, fluttering her eyes for effect and then having to stop herself from falling sideways onto the grass with her arm as her brother pushed her for embarrassing him.
"Whatever Rogue. What makes you say that?" He asked as he sat up.
"Hey what's going on?" Came the chirpy voice that instantly stopped Rogue from replying.
"Oh, uh . . . nothing" Was all Kurt could supply her with. Why did Rogue have to do that 'It must be some inbred rule in older sisters heads that they have to humiliate they're younger brothers" Kurt thought vehemently, though the thought quickly passed.
The afternoon passed quietly, the occasional chatter between Rogue, Kurt and Kitty filling the comfortable silence of the hours until eventually the time that had been dreaded all day arrived. The sight of Scott Summers walking over towards the small group of people under the chestnut tree was not a welcome one to Kurt and Rogue.
"Hey. So are you ready to go?" Scott asked as he arrived, directing the question at Rogue.
"Yeah" She replied gently as she, Kurt and Kitty stood up.
"Okay, I'll meet you outside the front" Scott told her and then turned and began retracing his steps.
Rogue and Kurt looked at each other, the familiar stinging of tears threatening to spill from her eyes once again. Kurt pulled her into a hug and they stood there for what seemed like minutes not uttering a single word.
"Oh shit Kurt, Ah'm gonna miss ya" Rogue squeezed out quietly so only Kurt could hear. He held her tighter.
"I'm gonna miss you too Rogue" He replied, similarly quiet.
"Maybe ah shouldn't go" Rogue pondered aloud, feeling that perhaps her leaving would be all wrong. Kurt pulled back from her and looked her straight in the eye.
"No Rogue. You have to go. I'm going to be okay now, you have your own life to lead and once I'm outta here I'm going to come and see you in New Orleans and everything is going to be okay" He assured her firmly, receiving a feeble smile from Rogue, he let her go as Kitty stepped forward.
"It's been really nice meeting you Rogue, I hope we can like stay friends or something," The girl said as she gave Rogue a hug.
"Ah'd lahke that Kitty" Rogue replied before the other girl released her.
"And you like totally don't have to worry about Kurt, I'll make sure he stays in line" Kitty reassured her. The sound of a cars engine revving from afar startled them and the trio walked soundlessly across the grass, into the mansion and up to the main foyer where Rogue and Kurt embraced one last time before Rogue opened the large door and closed it behind her.
Sat in the passenger seat of Scott's red convertible driving slowly away, Rogue dared not turn her head back to the grand house behind her, case she began to cry. There was no need, this wasn't goodbye. Kurt would get better and they would be reunited properly, away from Westchester.
The Trip into New York City was silent save for Scott asking Rogue a few questions on how she was holding up and where she was going. Rogue answered politely as she watched the scenery change from rural to cityscape and the unnerving amount of people increasing. They arrived at the train station just an hour later and Scott being a gentleman, made sure Rogue got to the right platform.
"So are you going to be okay?" He asked carefully. Rogue nodded in reply.
"Yeah, ah'm gonna be fahne" She stated glumly.
"Don't worry about Kurt. We'll take care of him in Westchester, Professor Xavier has some of the best rehabilitation results in the country and I really don't think you know just how much you've helped Kurt by being here" Scott reassured her. At that moment the train arrived and Rogue and Scott said their goodbyes.
The train pulled slowly out of the station and Scott Summers face drifted into the distance as the vehicle picked up speed. The tall buildings and sky scrapers gave way to empty countryside and busy highways, the scenery always changing 'Jus' lahke life' Rogue reflected.
It was a long journey back to New Orleans, but at least one thing in her life was sorted. She felt confident that Kurt would get better, but she could only wonder in unison with the ever-changing landscape, what life had in store for her next.