Chapter Title: Introspection on a corridor and a room
Series: Rogue's Journey
Author: Lil-fleur
Chapter Summary: Rogue continues looking into her life and men
Chapter Pairings: too many to list down!
Disclaimer: The X-Men and the characters do not belong to me. They are just being used for harmless fun which does not contribute monetarily.
Notes:
This is my very first venture into writing fan fiction. So I would appreciate any reviews & comments. I am also looking for a beta reader
The spelling is in the British style. My knowledge of Southern US (or in fact, any other) accents are limited, therefore, I haven't played with the pronunciations.
The universe is semi-alternative and semi-X Men movie world. However, I have made some changes irrespective of the X-Men movie plots.
I am not sure where exactly the plot is heading to, apart from a rough idea. It is very much a spontaneous series.
For more info, notes and disclaimers, please click on my profile.
Chapter specifics: I have changed the series title and am quite alarmed that my plot is taking on a boring soap-opera style!
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Rogue finally finished marking the essays. There still remained the task of preparing tutorial notes for the class but it could be postponed to tomorrow since it wasn't a matter of life and death. Moreover, it was already past five and Jubilee had already wrangled out a promise from her to watch one of the classic movies. Knowing Jubilee so well, Rogue mentally prepared herself for the weekly night of 'Fun- Jubilee style', which was inevitably crashing into some party and then heading for clubbing. Not that she wanted to, but when Jubilee has a will, Jubilee would find a way. Parties and clubs meant that Rogue should take care in dressing up, making sure that there wouldn't be any accidental (or possibly mortal) touches. This meant dressing up in winter clothes for a summer party, but given the nature of her mutation, did she really have any other choice?
After clearing the clutter on her desk, Rogue got up from her chair and stretched her back….Phew! This is exactly the problem of sitting in the same position for such a long time. When will I ever learn, she berated herself.
Rogue emerged from the room and locked the door, not wanting any of the students to get into their hormonal related mischief. Walking along the corridor, she submerged herself in her introspective thinking. Suddenly, she could hear voices approaching down the corridor and identified it as Lianne and Monica, two students who seldom turned up for her classes. Lianne was developing her telepathic abilities while Monica had the power of flight and telekinesis. She didn't mean to overhear their conversation, but you can't really help it if they are shouting at the top of the voices, can you?
'This is the advantage of summer! I get to wear far less', bubbled Lianne
'Well, you have an excellent figure as well. Flaunt it baby!', laughed Monica
'Did you see that new tank top I bought from Gap?', asked Lianne who was wearing another of her numerous red tank tops and denim shorts.
'No… wait, are you talking about the lemon green one?', said Monica literally scratching her forehead
'Yes! I am buying 4 more of the same type. Betsy said that it suited me well, so why not?', queried Lianne
'Why not, indeed! Especially with all the guys, baby!'
'Yes, the guys', laughed Lianne
'You would want to impress Sam, don't you?', teased Monica
'No, I am aiming for the stars'
'Who is that? Someone I don't know or is it someone with wings?', laughed Monica
'Oh yeah, any woman's ultimate dream machine- Wolverine!', announced Lianne
'Ewww…. He is old enough to be your dad', said Monica wrinkling her nose in disgust.
'Who cares?'
'Well, I am buying that $54 sun dress which I pointed at the mall last weekend', continued Monica
'Isn't it a barely there sun dress?', said Lianne, raising a finely shaped eye brow
'Hmm'
'Actually is it even a sun dress?'
Tossing her sun blonde hair, Monica laughed, 'Of course'.
'I see the way your brain works- it's summer and guys love girls wearing less'
'You should become a shrink Lianne'.
'Aren't you too focused on guys Mon?'
'Am I?', questioned Monica and the girls burst out laughing.
The laughter stopped once they saw Rogue walking down the corridor. The chattering stopped instantly and their faces became serious and after a soft 'Good afternoon' and it was only after a long time that they commenced their chattering on the latest fashion. This wasn't surprising to Rogue… firstly, conversations usually stopped when she entered a room as if she was a vase which could crack if not handled properly…. and aren't such vases supposed to be carefully packed in bubbled wrappers? Secondly, the girls were just around 3 or 4 years younger to you and were like any other normal girls. It was summer, the temperatures were soaring and people sported their barest minimum. Everyone except her. She was wearing a white collared shirt and a dark blue cardigan, apart from black jeans and it was so stuffy that she could feel her skin melting!
After entering her room, Rogue systematically got ready. Unlike Jubilee, her 'getting ready' routine comprised of a 10 minute time slot. She heard Jubilee's sing-song voice outside her corridor which meant that Jubilee had just arrived then and so it could take another 45 minutes to leave the mansion. Jubilee was one of the most effervescent flirts and their usual outings saw them return with Jubilee being richer by at least 5 phone numbers! They used to be an odd trio- the effervescent Jubilee, the sweet Kitty and the sullen Rogue. Well, now it was reduced to a duo… i.e, unless Ororo or Betsy joined them.
Suddenly the phone rang. That definitely rules out the possibility of Prof. Xavier, thought Rogue taking up the handset.
'Hello'
'Rogue, it is Hank', said a cheerful voice which undoubtedly belonged to the mansion's new furry resident doctor Hank McCoy.
'Hi Hank, what's up?'
'How are you, my dear?'
'Things have never been better. I'm getting ready for watching a movie with Jubilee'
'Hah, which one is it?'
'Gigi. Are you planning on joining us?'
'As much as I would love to, dear, I cannot. But thanks for the invite anyway. However, when you have spare time, can you visit me in the lab?', asked Hank
'Sure. Is something wrong?'
'No, just for a little chat over some tea and biscuits'
Rogue laughed and commented, 'You sure know how to charm a girl, don't you, Hank?'.
'Definitely. Have fun at the movie'
Hank was one of the people with whom Rogue could get along well. He was definitely her favourite doctor and her sojourns in the Med lab were far better than staying in any resort. Maybe it was because he was the typical concerned doctor but he kept her at a distance and was always hopeful that a solution could be found. Rogue definitely wasn't that optimistic though. She had resigned herself to her mutation even though it was going to be a lonely life.
After a refreshing yet quick shower, Rogue wore a full sleeved dark blue V- necked blouse and black jeans. She applied minimal make up and packed her little bag with everything that usually went into a lady's bag- cash, credit card, keys, id etc. Jubilee still had 30 minutes to get ready, so Rogue switched on her computer so that she could start preparing the tutorial notes. She just couldn't stop thinking… why is it that on some days you tend to think more, as if all the rusted parts of your brain are working with a frenzied vengeance?
The men in her life…..woah, a confusing mess! Apart from Prof. Xavier, Logan stood foremost. She still hasn't a clue as to what might have happened to her hadn't it been for Logan. He was there for her even before Bobby and Hank, never shying away from her touch and providing an ample shoulder for her to cry on. In fact, he didn't mind giving up his life for her existence. Of course, she had a crush on him- after all, he was the very knight in shining admantium. He still saw her as a kid and her relationship with him was complex being a combination of a mentor-protégée and brother-sister relationship. Matters were quite fine between them, apart from his obsession over Jean. Nah, admantium or none, Logan was just like all other men.
What of Bobby? He was the typical supportive boyfriend- the one who would woo your parents when introduced. He was a gem, and you realise the worth of something only when you lose it. Her very first daunting day at school saw him going out of the way to make her feel not only comfortable but also admired. That simple action of presenting the iced rose saw her falling in love with him. It was great while it lasted- her skin was a minor obstacle albeit the mote in the eye which finally claimed their relationship. She was well aware of Kitty's malicious rumours that Rogue was still pining for Bobby, and it wasn't exactly true but not exactly false either. She still loved Bobby - she was after all a girl and not a stone.
She fancied other men as well, admiring everyone from a distance. The billionaire Warren Worthington III was one of them. Warren wasn't keen on being a full-time X-man considering that his father was keen on him taking on the reins of his Worthington Inc. But Warren was a regular visitor at the estate, arriving stylishly in his chauffeured limousine. It was also common to see most girls swoon over his blonde locks and angel wings. He probably didn't know of her existence and if he did, he might have possibly categorized her as 'untouchable'. As for the hunky Remy Lebleau, he was always trying his Southern charm on her without fail. She bantered on lightly knowing well that he was the estate's resident girl magnet trying his charm on every thing which wore a skirt!
Scott was an exception. Upon arriving at Xavier's School, Rogue decided that she liked Scott who was reserved, meticulous and systematic. She had also seen the happy Scott Summers enjoying many a picnic with his beautiful steady girlfriend Jean Grey. But the events which occurred since her arrival saw him change gradually into a repressed and withdrawn individual. Maybe it was because his dreams were shattering and possibly made him feel confused like a little village boy standing in the middle of New York City. She knew more about Scott because of the time she spent with him. He was perceptive and always cared to listen to her whenever she was feeling down. Sometimes she couldn't understand Scott- with Jean back, should he be happy forever after? Isn't that how all stories are meant to end?
Then there was Jean-Paul, Longshot and Sam Gunthrie but they possibly weren't aware of her existence. In any case, Jean-Paul certainly wouldn't be interested in her. And who would have any eyes for her given that there were the likes of Kitty, Paige Gunthrie, Emma, Heather, Lorna, Alison, Jean and Betsy running around in skimpy summer wear? It might have been even better for her to be like Mystique- that would have been too cool!
A series of impatient knocks on the door woke her up from the reverie and she realised that her tutorial note didn't have even a single alphabet on!
'Roguey, are you ready for the movie?', screamed Jubilee in all excitement.
Oh yes, Jubilee is definitely excited about the outing and failure to open the door now might result in the door being subjected to her energy sparks or kicks.
Clicking the 'Shut down computer' option, Rogue said, 'Wait a sec Jubes, let me switch off the computer!'
Jubilee was exasperated. 'Girl now is very not the time to type nonsense on your computer. I thought you knew about tonight', she complained when the door was opened
Rogue wisely restrained herself from commenting about her 30 minute wait for Jubilee to get ready and asked, 'Is Ororo coming along?'
"No, she has a dinner date with Alex'
'Lucky her'
Moaning, Jubilee added, 'And poor me'.
'What about Kurt?', said Rogue raising an eyebrow. A week ago, Jubilee had finally accepted Kurt's offer of a dinner date and Rogue was very aware that they also watched a movie together.
'Girl, this is a girly night. And what is that prehistoric outfit you are wearing?', said Jubilee exasperated.
'Something I want to wear'
'We need to go for shopping. You are so outdated', laughed Jubilee
'Aren't you coming along? I am ready. Just need to get my bag and keys', said Rogue grabbing the items
'La! Just can't wait for the movie'
Laughing, Rogue quipped, 'Jubes, knowing you, it's probably the clubbing which is more attractive'.
'Hey, I'm human, humans love clubbing', said Jubilee self consciously checking her own yellow and black cocktail dress which bared the major part of her thighs.
Rogue rolled her eyes and hopped into Jubilee's yellow Volvo S40. It's going to be a long night!
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Thanks a million for the reviews and comments. I am so glad that you all liked it I have to admit that the plot is heading in a Scogue direction (irrespective of the movies), but I might change the plot.
