Chapter Title: Watching Gigi

Series: Rogue's Journey

Author: Lil-fleur

Chapter Summary: Rogue watches a movie…… or does she?

Chapter Pairings: too many to list down! But basically, mild Warren/Betsy, mild Scott/Rogue, Jean/Logan, Jean/Scott

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.

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Jubilee was just about to start the engine of the car when she noticed someone madly waving at her to stop.

'Oh no', she grumbled, rolling her eyes, 'Look who is here- the fearless leader himself. What does he want? Some new curfew we are unaware of?'

Seeing the dark haired Scott approaching the car, Rogue was conscious of blushing deeply for no apparent reason and was aware of a violent dance being started by too many butterflies in her stomach. She deliberately looked anywhere but at him and felt her palms becoming rather cold! It was a blessing that she had her gloves! She managed to stutter to Jubilee, 'Maybe something is wrong?'

Turning to Rogue, Jubilee narrowed her eyes and complained peevishly, 'You might be the reason for this hold-up'.

'Me? What did I do?', asked Rogue confused.

'Oh yeah, yeah, yeah', murmured Jubilee, not quite pleased.

Instead of approaching Rogue, Scott knocked at the car window near Jubilee, upon which she rolled down the window.

'What's the matter, Mr Summers?', she asked exasperated, blowing a gum. Jubilee used to consider Scott as the handsomest man on the Estate until Logan came along, but then Jubilee was still Jubilee. She considered him as someone to be worshipped from a distance but definitely not at close quarters since she couldn't stand him and his authoritative manners. He also had the audacity to shower her with too many negative comments during her Danger Room sessions which were calculated to please him, and of course, Logan, and of course, Kurt, and of course……….

'No specific reason. Saw you girls getting into the car, and so thought of asking where you are heading to?', asked Scott casting a cursory glance at the other occupant of the car.

'To watch a movie and before you ask, no, you are not invited', retorted Jubilee.

In the meantime, Rogue was quite sullen. Why isn't Scott speaking to me? And why can't I even look at him? Me and my hyperactive thinking! Now, I can't even see him as a friend. Wait. What am I thinking? I am so confused. Scott. Friend. Scott.

Suddenly Betsy appeared, followed by Warren dressed in some expensive designer wear.

'Yoohoo Jubes, going out for a party?', she shouted waving at her.

'Hey Bets! Party is in the agenda….', started Jubilee

'But?', asked Betsy laughing

'Rogue and I are watching a movie first', completed Jubilee giggling.

'Oh, which one, if I may ask?', asked Warren in his poshest accent.

Ok, he might be angelic but posh accents are a turn off, thought Jubilee who said, 'An old movie called Gigi'.

'Oh, Gigi? I have seen it several times and I shan't be watching it again. If you ask me, it doesn't warrant spending 2 hours in a cinema', Warren said superciliously, removing an unseen fleck from his pressed and tailored shirt.

Anyone could now see Jubilee fuming. 'Fine', she spat, 'I didn't invite you anyway. It is just for me and Rogue, unless Betsy wants to come along'.

"Nah, I don't want to but thanks Jubes. Warren and I are heading out to play squash', interrupted Betsy knowing that the firecracker can be volatile but not before two individuals exchanged a mutually venomous glare.

'Bye then', spat Jubilee again.

'Have fun Rogue and Jubilee', interjected Scott with traces of a smile around his lips.

Rogue, who till then was feeling quite neglected, could not help but smile brilliantly and waved at him while the car left the garage.

'Can you believe it? He is a jerk', shrieked Jubilee, clenching the steering wheel.

'Who? Scott?', asked Rogue

'No, Rogue. Scott used to be but this Warren Blabington or Worthlesston III or IVth. He is totally irritating me. B. What does he think he is? God's gift to women?', she said narrowing her eyes.

Rogue could literally see some energy sparks flying around.

'You certainly liked him much once', reminded Rogue cautiously

'Who wouldn't? He has the gorgeous angel wings and blue eyes. And he is sooooooo fit', drooled Jubilee. But the drooling was soon overcome by anger, 'But nothing can deny the proven fact that he is a jerk'

'I am so looking forward to the movie. Have you seen it before?', Rogue asked, wisely changing the subject.

'No, but I have been reading some reviews. Do you want to know the spoilers?', Jubilee asked excitedly

'No, I don't want to. Would kill the suspense', said Rogue knowing well that Jubilee would spill all the beans.

'Yeah, but it has this young girl who …..', trailed Jubilee.

'Jubes! No spoilers', laughed Rogue, playfully hitting her on the arm.

'Ouch. Ok ok', said Jubilee laughing while the car sped towards the cinema.

!Later!

It has been 1 hour since the movie started and Jubilee was still saucer-eyed in excitement, often spilling the pop corn and making all kinds of exclamations. On the other hand, Rogue couldn't help yawning. She didn't expect the musical to be so boring. She loved My fair Lady but perhaps that was due to the fact that it was an adaptation of her favourite plays Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. However, Gigi reeked of pedophilia and the idea of a young girl being trained to be a courtesan… yuck. She stretched herself comfortably on the seat and allowed herself to drift away to her journey of introspections.

She recollected her first impressions of Scott. Arriving at the school with Logan, she saw him as an authority figure but she couldn't help but respect him. He was calm and collected, never loosing his cool, thinking practically and effectively. She could see why Xavier was fond of him- he had all the true qualities of a leader and of course, he had a beautiful telepath supporting him. Rogue often envied the relationship of Scott and Jean. They behaved like an adorable old married couple, the example which everyone else wanted to follow but find impossible. Moreover, Scott was the typical faithful boyfriend, never looking at another woman despite whoever threw herself over him.

Unfortunately, their arrival upset the balance of the relationship. Jean fell for the ruggedly handsome Logan and everyone admitted that it wasn't unnatural but yet was unexpected from someone in a long term committed relationship. Scott withdrew into a peevish and repressed individual, physically and verbally sparring with Logan whenever he got the chance. Rogue doubted if Scott ever talked to anyone about his personal life, in fact, even with Jean. Maybe Scott felt that Jean might understand him being a telepath. In any case, the disaster at Alkali Lake saw Scott spiraling down to depression. Of course, no one else noticed it, and possibly the only ones who knew were Ororo, Logan, Xavier and herself. In fact, it was a torture to see him on missions, trying to behave as if nothing was wrong… but she saw through him. She saw that he had clumsily patched himself up with bandages which were bound to come off soon. Like a wound, he wasn't healing properly since he wasn't allowing himself to. After some deliberation, she went to Xavier's well-kept office.

'Professor, may I talk with you for a second?', she asked stepping into his office, timidly.

Xavier looked up from the file he was reading and mildly asked, 'Sure Rogue, what is it about?'.

'I am doing a project on Geomorphology and so have to conduct some research in Alaska. I heard that Scott has some relatives there and I figured that he might like a change of air. I mean, do you think that he can come along with me if there isn't anything important for him here? It would take only 3 days', she asked tensed, scared that Xavier would veto her plans or maybe even suggest that she should take Bobby (her then boyfriend) along. Of course, she didn't add that she chose the project in Alaska for specific reasons or why she thought of taking Scott along. Xavier being a telepath might have probably divined her intentions.

Xavier smiled benevolently and commented, 'That's an excellent idea Rogue. I am sure that Scott would love it. I'll talk to him, isn't that what you want?'.

'Thanks Professor', said Rogue beaming.

The trip was only for 3 days and the project was relatively easy since Rogue only had to analyse rock samples. After being persuaded by Xavier, Scott had accompanied her. The first day saw him being very withdrawn but after a while, he started emerging from his cocoon thanks to her perseverant efforts. She was well aware of the problems when you are in a shell, and she didn't want it to happen to him.

By the end of the 3rd day, she and Scott became good friends and confidantes. Scott took time in divulging anything and while they were standing together by the bank of the river watching the melted water raging past, Rogue realised that every minor disclosure was a major admission as far as Scott was concerned.

During the course of months, Scott finally talked of Jean- how much he missed her though he did feel cheated by the affection she had for Logan, his insecurities, his past, his family and interestingly, each and every mistake he committed in various missions. Rogue couldn't offer him any solutions, but she provided a willing ear whenever he wanted to talk. Soon, they started to have lunches and dinners together (and with Bobby until they broke up), in fact, even had an odd picnic on the grounds. Somewhere along the line, she comprehended that no one else knew Scott as much as she did- she knew him inside and out. Oddly, she realised that she simply didn't want to know any one else as much as she knew Scott. In fact, she wanted to know Scott better.

Upon this insight, Rogue found it hard to play the role of a confidante, let alone that of a friend. Seeing Scott meant a sudden over activity of butterflies in the tummy, as well as profuse blushing (maybe Xavier should teach her now to control blushing) and her knees always went weak. If Scott noticed her change in friendliness, he didn't comment on it.

In the meantime, Phoenix had returned and Rogue was determined to quell her feelings for Scott and started implementing her game plan of withdrawing from the friendship with Scott. It was her defense mechanism of protecting herself from the impending heartache. However, Scott had moved on with his life as if Phoenix was a stranger, if not an enemy. In fact, Rogue was well aware that Scott went out on some dates with the English teacher Emma Frost but thankfully (ouch, did I say thankfully? thought Rogue) nothing materialized out of it.

It was surprising when Rogue found herself listed in Scott's team. Enraged, she had stormed off to Prof. Xavier for an explanation.

'Indeed Rogue. Scott had requested me to enroll you into his team. I found it to be very plausible', said the Professor calmly, ignoring Rogue's reddened face.

'Can't you move me into the other team?', she had asked.

'No. I believe that Cyclops is the best person to oversee your training and missions. Furthermore, he has volunteered to instruct you to fly Blackbird. The team would very much be strengthened if there is a back-up pilot', he countered.

And that's exactly what happened. Rogue's skill in maneuvering the Blackbird surprised everyone and came short only to the expertise of Storm. And finally, Rogue taught herself to look upon Scott as a friend at least on the exterior. He was always there for her whenever she needed to talk and it was amazing as to how much he could understand her. Prof. Xavier also appointed her and Scott to overlook the students between the ages of 7 – 12, on certain evenings. In simple terms, it accounted as a baby sitting activity but incredibly, the students were well-behaved. Rogue was often asked to narrate Fairy Tales and everything was fine until the week before, when the kids insisted on enacting the tale of 'Snow White' but with Rogue as Snow White and Scott as the Prince. Rogue declined and requested Betsy to play the role of Snow White. This also reminded her of the how a kiss from the Prince brought Snow White back to life, but if the Prince every kissed Rogue, he would be dispatched to an endless sleep. Oh yes, she is very romantic!

The closing credits were now rolling in and Jubilee, who was dabbing her face with a tissue, turned to look at her with a mischievous smirk. All the years of being Jubilee's friend meant that she could now read her easily- that expression just meant, 'It's now the time for parting!'.

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Thanks so much for all the reviews and comments. I am so glad that you all liked it  I'm afraid that I'll be away on a holiday for the next 2 weeks, so I'll update the series once I return.