Rogue ran quickly, pulling Warren behind her in the sled. He was sitting upright and holding onto the edges. She was amazed at how much strength he had. From only that one kiss she was able to run at full speed all the way back to the mansion. She supposed he needed a lot of strength to be able to fly and carry things and grinned as she thought of how his muscles were so perfect, so big. He could carry her with ease and she felt at home in his arms. Rogue had to stop herself from screaming with excitement. She, Rogue, had a boyfriend! Any thought she had ever had about Scott seemed to be pushed right out of her head. All she could think about was her Angel, Warren.
All Warren could think about was one thing as well. Rogue's cute tight ss. Hey, can't be an angel all the time right? He was so relieved that she agreed to try having a relationship with him. Rogue was so special, he didn't know what he would have done if she hadn't felt the same way. Warren knew it wouldn't be easy. Especially if one long passionate kiss landed him in a coma. If only there were a way to somehow neutralize her powers. Warren shrugged and continued to enjoy the ride, and the exquisite view.
Rogue couldn't have been happier. She was planning out in her head the wonderful night in store for her and Warren. She'd make them both hot chocolate, take a shower, get dressed and they'd go out to eat. Like a normal couple would. Not mutants, just a normal couple. Rogue snapped out of her train of thought when they got close to the X-mansion. Scott was standing outside staring at them, arms crossed against his chest. He didn't look happy at all. Rogue was so surprised that she stopped short and the sled ended up hitting her ankles and sending her flying backwards. Warren, as usual, reacted quickly. He ended up catching her in his arms as she slammed into him, knocking him over backwards.
"Warren, I'd like to speak to you in private if your not busy." Scott requested sternly.
Warren and Rogue both gave each other a look. Scott sounded like he meant business. "Of course Scott, Rogue, if you'll excuse me." Warren replied, helping Rogue up and getting up himself. He gave Rogue a nod and went inside the mansion with Scott Rogue was left outside to put the sled away. She wondered what had made Scott so angry. Was he jealous that she was with Warren? Rogue shook her head. Scott had never wanted her; he'd only had eyes for Jean. As she returned the sled and locked the shed door, Rogue went back inside. She was still bitterly cold and went into the kitchen to put on the hot water for the hot chocolate when she overheard a bit of Warren and Scott's conversation. Rogue pressed herself into the corner of the wall and strained to hear more.
"What did you two think you were doing?" Scott asked sternly.
"What do you mean? Outside having fun like a normal couple?" Warren asked calmly.
"A couple? You two are a couple now! You both are going about this way too fast Warren." Scott said, losing a bit more of his control.
"Scott, I don't think it's any of your business." Warren answered him, still calm but with a hint of anger lacing his voice.
"It is my business when a member of my team has white feathers all over her bed!" Scott shouted, angrily gesturing to Warren's wings. "Or was Wolverine wrong Warren? Was he just lying for no reason when he told me to talk to you about it? If he was then I'll apologize. Tell me I'm wrong Warren."
Warren shook his head. "No Scott, I don't know why Wolverine decided to barge into Rogue's room but if he did, yes, I did leave feathers. I'm sorry for the inconvenience and I'll clean them up if you like."
"That's not the point and you know it Warren!" Scott shouted. "What were you two doing in there? You didn't…how could you?"
"First of all, no we didn't Scott. Secondly, no I didn't harm Rogue in any way. We were just having a little bit of fun, like you and Jean." Warren answered, feeling his own anger start to ebb away. What right did Scott have to tell him or Rogue what to do?
"But you're not like Jean and I." Scott pointed out. "We're responsible about each other and we're careful. We can touch Warren. How can you have a safe relationship with Rogue? I'm trying to help you out here. A word of advice, the pain your going to get from her isn't worth it. You two should stop this right now before this gets out of hand."
Now Warren was angry. He stood up and glared at Scott full in the face. "Your treating Rogue like she's some kind of virus to be feared and avoided! She's a living person Scott. And I happen to be in love with her. So although I appreciate the advice, it's up to Rogue whether or not we'll stay together. Because I know that I'm not letting her go without a fight."
Rogue had heard enough. She slammed down the cup she had been holding and it shattered loudly in the sink. Scott and Warren both ran into the kitchen to see Rogue walking away, sobbing loudly. "Rogue!" Scott called out placing a hand on her shoulder. "How much did you overhear?"
Rogue whirled around and glared at him, pushing him into the wall. "Ah heard enough Scott! Is that what yah always thought? That ah wasn't worth it? How could yah Scott? Warren makes me happy and would nevah hurt me! Ah thought it was the same with yah!"
"I didn't mean to make you upset Rogue I just don't want to see either of you hurt over this." Scott answered, stepping away from the wall.
"It's too late fa that now Scott ya'll hurt me real bad!" Rogue screamed through tears of rage. "Do me a favor and leave Warren and me alone! He wants me, powers and all. He likes me for who ah am and is gonna at least try ta be with me, which is more than yah eva did!" She slapped him across the face and ran toward her room!
"Rogue!" Scott called after her but made no move to follow.
Warren ran after her, furious at Scott for hurting her and saying the things he had. But Warren was more concerned now with comforting Rogue. He caught her midway to her room and grabbed her arm. She whirled around and prepared to punch him but stopped her arm inches away from his face as she recognized him. Rogue was hyperventilating, breathing so quickly because she was so upset. She looked at Warren with tears streaming down her face, unable to speak.
"Shhh, I'm here now Rogue." Warren crooned to her softly. He took Rogue into his arms and wrapped his wings around her. "Don't you worry about anything he said Rogue. I'm not going to leave you. Not when we've just found each other. Not when we make each other so happy." He began gently massaging her back and rocking her. Rogue needed to calm down and Warren was doing the best he could.
Rogue slowly began to get her breath back and her chest rose up and down normally. She felt safe and sheltered in Warren's arms. "Warren, ah…" She began to say.
"Why don't you take a break for a bit Rogue? Calm down, take a nap, relax, and I'll come by your room around six and we'll go out, sound good?" Rogue nodded and the two parted ways.
"Nice going bub." Logan sneered as he entered the kitchen. Scott had been sitting at the table, downing his hot coffee like a shot of something much stronger. Scott sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "You heard huh?" He asked Logan.
Logan nodded and pointed at his ear. "I think the whole mansion heard yah kid. I heard you from all the way outside. And personally, I think you screwed up big time."
"What do you mean screwed up? You were the one muttering angrily about him in her room Logan."
Logan sat opposite Scott and helped himself to coffee. "Yeah, I was pretty mad about the whole thing. Went outside for a cigar and to blow off some steam. Got me thinking. Rogue's happy when she's with this Angel guy right?"
Scott nodded and brushed his hand over the spot where Rogue had slapped him. It was still red and stung him a bit.
Logan shrugged. "Then I'll be damned if I'm gonna try to take that away from her."
"But what about her power Logan? She could seriously hurt him." Scott protested.
Logan leaned back in the chair, finishing his coffee slowly. "She's old enough now to make her own decisions Cyke, good or not. Your not her father, she's gotta learn on her own. That Angel kid understands what he's getting into. Yah just gotta hope that it ends up alright. And, I'd wait for a while to talk to her again, before she pops yah another time."
"Oh right." Scott chuckled and got up. "Thanks for the advice Logan. Guess, I kinda deserved that huh." He said, gesturing to the red hand mark on his face.
"Big time kid." Logan answered, grabbing another cigar and walking outside.
Rogue took a shower, relaxing and feeling the warm water caress her skin. She had almost forgotten the argument she had earlier with Scott and was looking forward to a wonderful evening. An evening with Warren, just the two of them. No interruptions, no one telling them they shouldn't be together…
She dried off and began picking out a suitable outfit for the evening. Rogue picked out a beautiful dark purple tanktop with stitching up the middle and an elegant black floor length gothic skirt. She brushed her hair and pinned it back with elegant black butterfly clips. Then, Rogue opened a drawer in her dresser and took out a special box. She opened it and slipped on her silk black arm length gloves. She only saved those for a special occasion. Rogue looked in the mirror and smiled as she did her makeup.
Rogue heard a knocking coming from her door and she glanced at the clock on the dresser. It was way too early for it to be Warren. She frowned and hoped it wasn't Scott as she opened the door.
"Rogue you look very stunning." Jean flashed her a bright smile as she entered the room.
"Let me guess, yah here ta tell me not ta go out with Warren right?" Rogue sneered, folding her arms across her chest.
"Not exactly Rogue." Jean said as they both sat on Rogue's bed. Rogue hastily brushed the white feathers onto the floor. Jean ignored them and continued. "Are you sure you're doing the right thing Rogue? I mean are you sure Warren's right for you?"
Rogue nodded without even hesitating a single second. "It's what ah want Jean. Why can't ya'll see that?"
"We care about you Rogue, we just don't want to see you get hurt, or hurt Warren. He does seem like a nice guy."
"Ah appreciate it Jean, but ahd appreciate it even more if ya'll just let me and Warren be." Rogue replied, hugging her knees to her chest. "Warren makes me feel special, ahd like ta think ah deserve that."
Jean thought for a moment and smiled at her friend. "Your right Rogue. If you really like this guy then go for it. You do deserve to have someone special."
Rogue took a double take and stared at Jean. "Yah mean it Jean?" Rogue asked her in disbelief.
Jean nodded. "I wish you both the best of luck. By the way, I have some shoes that would go great with your outfit and you can borrow them if you want." Rogue nodded eagerly and Jean headed back to her room to get a nice pair of black mary jane style shoes with a silver butterfly buckled on the side of each. Jean had thought about it and put herself in Rogue's place. She couldn't think of anything worse than being kept away from Scott. So why would she wish for Rogue to be kept away from Warren? Jean gave Rogue the shoes then went back to her room so that Rogue could wait for Warren alone.
Rogue felt almost queasy with anticipation. This was the first date she had gone on for who knows how long. Would everything go all right? Would she start babbling nonsense out of nervousness? Rogue bit her lip and looked over at the clock. Five minutes to six. She began pacing around the room, making sure she had everything. "Purse, makeup, jacket, ah think that's all ah need." Rogue said to herself. She glanced on her bed and noticed the gold locket that Warren had given her. She quickly fastened it around her neck. The knocking on her door almost gave her a heart attack. She fussed with her hair for one final time before walking over to the door. Rogue took a deep breath and opened it slowly.
Warren stood outside her door smiling that warm angelic smile of his. A dozen long stemmed red roses in his hand as he greeted her.
Rogue gasped and took the flowers. "Warren! Yah shouldn't have ah…they're so beautiful!" She exclaimed, surprised and delighted. The roses were tied together with a long golden ribbon and the stems were enclosed inside a hard plastic water case. Rogue set them on the bed and took a long look at Warren.
Warren was dressed in a really nice dark red sweater with light kaki pants with brown shoes. His golden hair was combed and gelled back. He wore his long trench coat over his wings and stood there stunned by her beauty.
Rogue blushed and again cursed herself for it. He was so hot she couldn't believe it. "Warren, yah look so handsome." She complimented, feeling all the butterflies in her stomach float happily away.
"And you look like a goddess." Warren replied, taking her gloved hand in his and kissing it lightly. Rogue giggled as he held out his arm. She got her coat on quickly and took his arm in hers.
They passed Beast and Professor Xavier playing chess in the living room.
"Ah Rogue, Warren, have a wonderful evening." Professor Xavier greeted them with a warm smile. "And be sure to take good care of her Warren."
Warren had been bracing himself for another lecture and looked at the Professor with puzzlement.
Have fun but don't stay out too late. The Professor's voice came inside Warrens head. It's about time someone gave you two a little encouragement. I don't have to be psychic to know you've had a hard time convincing the others of the right thing.
Warren nodded and watched as Rogue went over to Beast. "My stars and garters Rogue, you look positively radiant."
"Thank yah Mr. McCoy." Rogue said, shaking Beasts hand. "Be sure to go easy on him tonight." He said with a wink.
"Oh don't worry ah will." Rogue laughed.
"We better hurry Rogue, the limo's waiting." Warren told her.
"Limo? Ya called a limo!" Rogue shouted excitedly, half not believing it till she went over to the window and saw a long white limo parked outside the gate.
"You two kids have fun and stay safe." Beast called out as Rogue grabbed Warrens arm and hurried with him outside. "And I believe my friend that that is check." Beast said, moving his queen across the board.
Professor Xavier took a moment, then moved his only remaining knight across the board as well. "Checkmate." He grinned.
"Wow Warren, this so excitin! Ahv neva been in a real limo before!" Rogue exclaimed, sitting next to Warren and buckling her seatbelt.
"I wanted to make you feel special tonight. So whatever we do tonight is up to you and on me." Warren replied, wrapping his arm around her.
Rogue leaned up against Warren and felt so excited and happy. "Ah feel kinda bad that yah payin a lot of money because ah me."
Warren shook his head and raised an eyebrow. "My family's got a lot of money Rogue, this is like, finding a dollar missing from a wallet. So no worries, if you see anything at all you like, just tell me and its yours."
"Where to Mr. Worthington?" The limo driver asked.
"To Bistro Madeleine on 43rd street in Manhatten." Warren replied.
"That sounds really fancy." Rogue commented dreamily.
"It's a nice French restaurant with really good food." Warren replied. "Went there once with my parents. I hope you like it."
After a bit of a drive they came upon a fairly decent sized restaurant. It was jazz night and it was slightly crowded but Warren had made reservations and no one in New York would turn down the name Worthington. Rogue felt like a glamorous celebrity, stepping out of the limo with Warren, catching the envious eyes of the people inside the restaurant. The waiter led them to their table inside an enclosed room with a beautiful garden inside. The room was cleared for people who wished to dance to the sweet Jazz music filtering in. While they were waiting for their food to arrive Warren asked Rogue if she would like to dance.
"Ah don't know Warren, ah just kinda rock out. Ah don't know how ta dance fancy."
"Don't worry about it Rogue, just follow my lead." Warren said as they both got up and answered the dance floor. A slow soft romantic song was being played in the background. Rogue instinctively placed her arms around Warren's neck as his slid down to her waist. Warren swayed and danced slowly with Rogue following his movements.
"This ain't so bad." Rogue said breathing a sigh of relief.
"No, not bad at all." Warren agreed, pulling her slender frame closer to his. They danced together and Rogue forgot about everything she was worried about. Forgot that she was a mutant, forgot she couldn't touch anyone. All she could think about was Warren. Her angel. Tonight he was all hers.
"Warren ah really enjoy being with yah." Rogue smiled, looking into his kind brown eyes. He stared back into her sparkling green ones.
"I'm glad you're having a good time Rogue. You make me feel so good." He said, pulling her into a hug. He resisted the urge to wrap his wings around her. They spent some more time on the dance floor until their food arrived.
"So have you thought about what you'd like to do as a career Rogue?" Warren asked as they dined.
"Ah hadn't thought about it." Rogue answered truthfully and shrugged. "Maybe own mah own rock club. Thad be cool. What about what yah wanna do Warren?"
"Father wants me to learn the business. That wouldn't be so bad I guess. Which reminds me. Rogue, I'd like for you to meet my parents." Warren answered, taking her gloved hand in his.
"Warren ah don't know…" Rogue began. "What if they don't like me?"
"I'm sure they'll love you." Warren answered. "It would mean a lot to me if you did."
Rogue couldn't say no. He'd done so much for her; the least she could do was do this for him. "Ah will Warren, whenever yah want."
"Good." Warren said happily as he paid for their dinner. They walked out of the restaurant. "Well, where would you like to go?" He asked, wrapping his arm around Rogue's waist.
"Well…there's this really cool club ah go to sometimes." She said grinning. It's called the Black Rose." Then she looked around and saw that they were alone on the street. "Can yah fly us there? Sam Guthrie once showed me a secret way in from the roof.
"We don't have to sneak in I can just…" Warren began before Rogue cut him off.
"Where's the fun in that?" She said and winked.
Against Warren's better judgment, he nodded, took off his coat, handed it to Rogue, spread his wings, scooped up Rogue in his arms and flew into the night sky. In a dark alleyway unknown to anyone, Lance stood drinking a soda. He looked up into the sky and then spoke quietly into a walkie talkie.
"Gotcha, The Black Rose." Boom Boom said over the other line as Quicksilver super speeded her down the street. Quicksilver looked over at her and nodded, zooming down another street.
Meanwhile, a car driving insanely fast with its radio tuned up very loudly screeched to a halt in front of the alley where Lance had been hiding. "Man I was born to drive!" Toad grinned as he beeped the horn.
Lance rolled his eyes and pushed Toad into the passenger seat. "Discreet Toad, does that mean anything to you?"
Toad shrugged and sat back.
Lance rolled his eyes again. "Remind me never to let you drive ever again." They drove off in the directions of the club.
Rogue and Warren had indeed been able to easily sneak into the club. Warren had showed her his world of elegance and glamour. Now it was time to show him her world of rocking out and freedom. The club was big but not too crowded tonight. Strobe lights and loud rock music played inside. Posters of her favorite bands hung on the walls and there was a bar, which every now and then had a dazzling display of fire on top of it. There were wild looking couples on the dance floor as well as some same sex couples. Warren really felt like he didn't fit in but decided to try to have fun anyway.
Rogue immediately felt right at home as she danced wildly and let her hair down. She began singing along with the songs and dancing so incredibly that Warren couldn't keep her eyes off of her. She was so excited that she grabbed Warren by the hands and began spinning with him in a high fast ring around the rosy type of dancing. They both had a rush from it and ended up almost careening into a guy and a girl with a Mohawk. They both were laughing and holding each other. Then, to Warren's relief, a slow song began to play. It was Iris, by the Goo Goo Dolls.
"And I'd give up forever to touch you,
Cause I know you can feel me somehow,
You're the closest to Heaven that I'll ever be,
And I don't want to go home right now."
Rogue tensed at the lyrics as she slow danced with Warren. They seemed to fit her situation perfectly. Rogue knew she would give up anything to be able to touch anyone. Not just anyone. She knew she would give anything to touch Warren. She began singing along with it, almost to Warren himself.
Warren held Rogue by the shoulders and looked her right in the eyes. "Rogue, let me kiss you." He pleaded. He was listening to the song too and found it's meaning as well.
Rogue looked away. "Not in here Warren, ah wouldn't know what ahd do if yah got hurt."
"Just this once, we'll keep it short and sweet." Warren promised. They held each other close and Rogue couldn't deny herself from Warren any longer. She wanted to kiss him, needed to kiss him. They leaned in and both closed their eyes. Warren braced himself for what was to come.
All of a sudden, Rogue was pushed away from him right into the bar! Glass shattered and Rogue cried out in pain and anger as she saw who had pushed her. Boom Boom had pushed her then grabbed Warren and forced a kiss upon him. "You don't want that trash honey, take it from a real woman." She said slyly sliding her free hand from his knee to his thigh.
"YAH SLIMY HUSSY GET YAH RAUNCHY HANDS OFFA HIM!" Rogue screamed as she ran at Boom Boom and tackled her to the ground. She was so mad she didn't know what she was doing except for she was punching Boom Boom repeatedly.
Warren stood stunned as he watched the two girls fight. The entire room was shouting and jeering the two on. Boom Boom held her own until Rogue accidently lurched forward and touched her cheek to cheek for longer than she should have. Boom Boom managed to push Rogue across the room. She shuddered, then fainted as her powers and memories were transferred to Rogue. Rogue slumped backwards and held her head. Then, realization dawned on her face and she looked terrified as she turned to Warren. "Warren it's a trap!" She cried.
Just then, Quicksilver dashed in, grabbed Rogue and ran out. The crowd had moved over to Boom Boom and he hadn't seen her. He had given her five minutes to do what she needed to then he'd grab Rogue. Quicksilver hadn't seen the fight and thought that Boom Boom had gotten out and he hadn't left her behind. Quicksilver ran outside to the waiting car. Lance was near it with the trunk open. Quicksilver dumped Rogue into it and Lance slammed it shut. "For the last time Toad you're not driving home!" Lance said, aggravated as he pushed Toad out of the drivers seat yet again. They ignored Rogue's fists beating on the inside of the trunk and her muffled cries for help as they drove away really fast.
Warren had seen someone zip off with Rogue and knew he had to act quickly. He grabbed the unconscious Boom Boom and ran out of the club with her. By the time he had gotten outside, the car was gone but Quicksilver was there looking around for Boom Boom. Warren recognized him as Rogue's abductor and immediately yelled to him.
"What have you done with Rogue? Where was she taken and who are you?" He said, angrily. He shed his coat and began flying high into the air, to gain the advantage.
"Think I'll be taking that away from you too." Quicksilver said with a smirk as he noticed Boom Boom in Warren's arms. He immediately ran along the side of the building. Warren had just enough time to fly too high for him to reach. Quicksilver swore in agitation and began running back to the meeting place to tell the others that Boom Boom had been compromised. He hated doing it, but knew Warren couldn't keep up with him and figure out where he was going.
It was true, as fast as Warren could fly, he still couldn't keep up with Quicksilver. Warren was so scared for Rogue. He was so mad at himself for not taking better care of her. Warren knew he needed help. So he flew as fast as he could, with Boom Boom held tightly in his arms, still unconscious. He needed the help of the X-men.
End of chapter, see you guys around for the next one. Evil cliffhanger hehehe. FYI the French restaurant was a real place I found online and as a disclaimer, im putting that im in no way connected to it, or the Goo Goo dolls song or themselves. The nightclub name I did make up. Oh well, stay tuned for the next chapter.