Tabula Rasa Risty
by Princess Alexandria


Risty noticed Rogue was still holding her hand and the darkness of the theater covered their actions. A slightly mischievious smile came to her lips as she moved her hand out of the firm grasp and started to caress her fingers over the back of Rogue's gloves, slowly caressing Rogue's fingers as well, before letting her hand rest over Rogue's motionlessly while turning to watch the movie. She could hear the slight catch in Rogue's breath as she did all that and Risty couldn't deny that it felt good to give Rogue that human contact she so craved. Risty never said it, but Rogue's power was truly tragic. The way people that knew about her powers flinched if Rogue got too close made Risty angry. They might be children, but still it hurt. Risty could tell it hurt Rogue.

"Luv, do you want some of my candy?" She leaned closer to Rogue to offer and her eyes trailed over her date. How was she going to do more than hold hands? Her mind circled around the problem as Rogue thanked her but didn't take the proffered sweet. If this went somewhere, Risty should know how to do more than this.

The movie was barely worth paying attention to, as Rogue's facial expression to Risty's occassional caresses, and the effect Risty had on Rogue when she leaned closer to make some comment about the film was so incredibly unguarded. Risty had never seen Rogue like this. So vulnerable in her desire to have someone. "You are so beautiful." Risty whispered and watched the way Rogue seemed to bloom under the attention. It had been so long since Risty had felt a woman's touch and Rogue looked so touchable. It was very deceptive.

Risty blinked and turned her eyes to the screen again. When had she felt a woman's touch? As far as she knew she was a virgin. Why would she think...? She shook her head and pushed the strange thoughts aside, like she'd been doing for weeks.

This wasn't like a regular date, where they were supposed to get to know each other. They already knew they got along. Risty felt a bit lost in what was expected. If this was someone else, someone she could touch, would she be planning to be with them tonight? Part of her really believed that she would.
********

Rogue barely noticed the movie ending. The lights coming up actually surprised her. Her fair skin blushed as she noticed Risty staring at her. "Ah guess we should go. The reservations..." She felt awkward in talking with Risty, and it was new, but not completely bad. Risty's hand pulled off of her and Rogue missed the contact. As she got up she made up her mind to not care about the looks they might get and she reached out for Risty's hand, while giving her a searching look to see if this was okay when people could see them. The soft squeeze Risty gave her hand made her smile.

Dinner became less tense and they fell into their familiar friendship, but occassionally Rogue would notice a searching look in Risty's eyes and just blush, or she'd see an expression on Risty's face and barely be able to stop from staring at how beautiful her friend really was.

They ate dinner at a very leisurely pace. Rogue wasn't eager for the night to be over, even though they'd be staying in the same room once they got back. There was just something so very intimate going on here, something so very datelike and private. It was hard to point out what was different, but it was.

When they pulled into the garage Rogue just sat there for a moment before turning to see Risty waiting for her to talk. "Ah had a great time."

"You're dropping me off at the door, luv?" Risty grinned at her and Rogue felt a little foolish, but she felt the date had to end here, outside, at least this first time. "Oh, well... I had a great time too. I hope I'll see you again?" Risty was moving for a second date. Rogue had hoped that this wouldn't be a one time experiment to see if they could. Risty's teasing like they wouldn't see each other inside made Rogue blush, but she was going for that second date.

"I was thinking maybe tomorrow night?" Risty didn't leave the mansion this often, but they hadn't run into any problems with it and Rogue didn't want to go a week. She couldn't date with the curfew the Professor had on them for school nights.

"I'd love to. I have just the plans." Risty gave Rogue a flirtatious look. "Well, I best be going. My roommate is a real overbearing type. She'll grumble if I'm out all night."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Rogue smirked as she played along. "As long as you tell her all the details. You know how girls are."

"I don't kiss and tell love." Risty smiled but Rogue felt her own smile falter at that. Kiss, well it wasn't like that would be happening anytime soon.

"Well," She tried to smile and noticed Risty's widening eyes as the girl realized what she'd said. "Better get going."

"No, not just yet." The teasing tone of voice was gone as Risty stared at her with a serious expression. "I had a nice time Rogue." Rogue noticed Risty pulling something out of her purse. A small silk red scarf. "There's always a way luv." Risty spoke softly and Rogue felt the scarf being placed over her face, her lips. Her mouth opened in shock, and then Risty's lips met hers for a brief gentle kiss. Rogue's eyes blinked when Risty pulled back. "Always a way." Risty whispered and then jumped out of the car. Rogue's hand moved to her lips as she touched them while watching Risty go inside first.

"Oh mah..." She whispered before pulling the keys out of the ignition and getting out herself. A smile started to grow as she realized that she'd been kissed. That Risty cared enough to bring that scarf with her so she could.

"You look like you had a good night." Jean's teasing voice caught her as soon as she got in the door. It didn't even bother her.

"Yeah, Ah did."
********

"You going out again?" Kitty asked and Rogue pretended to not hear her. It wasn't really aimed at her, just said in her direction anyhow. This time it was Risty that was driving, and Risty told her to meet her at nine by the car. Rogue wasn't sure what was planned for tonight.

"Well, luv." Risty stood on the drivers side of the car. "I believe you look even more incredible than normal."

"Thank you." Rogue felt more feminine than she had in a long time, even though she wasn't dressed the part. Risty's attention made her feel attractive.

"Let's get going before anyone of your friends decides it's a chance to come with us." Risty glanced over Rogue's shoulder and Rogue noticed Kitty coming their way. She got in quickly and they were on their way out the gate before her old roommate tried to invite herself. Maybe Rogue would tell them soon so that they wouldn't feel like they were being left out. If things went well with Risty tonight, maybe Rogue would say something. Kitty was her friend in a way, but she'd be oblivious to the fact she was interrupting a date if Rogue didn't tell her.
********

"Professor, I've just heard something interesting." Charles watched Ororo close the door behind her as she came in. Ororo's voice dropped as if keeping the matter private. "I overheard Kitty talking, and apparently Rogue told her that she was dating Risty."

"Yes, I'm aware of that." Charles gave Ororo a small smile but he noticed she was a little confused by his admission. He did arrange for the girls to have the cars and allowed flexible curfews.

"Aren't you concerned that they are roommates?"

"Under normal circumstances I might be." Charles sighed as he rested his elbows on his desk, "but you and I know that Rogue isn't going to be doing anything inappropriate." The unspoken words were that Rogue couldn't. "Risty still needs Rogue. She's still plagued by nightmares. I'm not inclined to separate them anytime soon."

"Are you sure about this Charles?" Ororo sat on the chair in front of the desk. "Is this healthy for either of them? I'm not talking about the fact that they are both girls, I'm talking about the fact that Risty is still recovering." Ororo sighed. "Is this a Nightengale romance or are they truly..."

"We have to let them decide."

"And if Rogue gets hurt?" Charles could see Ororo was already hurting for the girl's potential pain in this.

"Other girls Rogue's age have been dating for awhile now. Rogue's mutation kept her from really believing she could. This relationship..." He went quiet as he tried to formulate his answer. Rogue didn't have to be alone, and Risty was teaching Rogue that. Risty was also learning that she had someone she could turn to because one thing the Professor did learn in the sessions she had with Risty was that Risty didn't trust many people, but she did trust Rogue. "I believe this is good for both of them. How many times have you seen either of those girl's honestly smile?"

"A lot more often lately." Ororo bow her head just a little to indicate she understood.
********

Ororo walked past the t.v. room and glanced in at the teenagers watching something. She watched how Rogue was laying her head in Risty's lap. Ororo leaned against the doorway unseen as she watched Risty gaze down with such a tender look on her face as she carefully took the risk to move Rogue's hair out of her face. Their uncovered skin coming so incredibly close. For both girls sakes she hoped this went well, but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she had.

"Luv, let's go upstairs. I'm not interested in this show." Ororo moved when Risty spoke. As she walked to her own rooms the hint of promise in Risty's words made her doubt Charles' words earlier. If the girls really wanted to be together, they'd find a way. Rogue was still a minor in their care and Ororo wasn't sure she felt comfortable allowing them to explore their relationship in their dorm like that.

"I hope you know what you're doing Charles." She muttered softly to herself as she let nature take its course in a way she had no control over.
********

Rogue woke up to the restless tossing and turning of her roommate yet again. The nightmares came nightly, even after Risty had been safe at the mansion for a couple months.

"Risty?" Rogue tossed her sheets off of her and moved to the other side of the room. "Risty?" She called out as she started putting her gloves back on, while hating the delay they caused.

"No, please no more." Risty's tearful voice pleaded with her tormentors. "No more." Hearing the strong girl beg for mercy again in the night tore at Rogue's heart. If she ever ran across the people that did this to Risty. Her fists clenched as she imagined all the things she wished she could do to them.

"Risty?" She reached out to shake Risty's shoulder, while preparing her heart to deal with the inevitable flinching away and the cowering in the corner in fear she knew was going to happen.

"NO" Risty cried out and scrambled away from her.

"Baby, it's okay." Rogue spoke softly.

"Rogue?" It was the same thing every night. Rogue just nodded and her eyes widened when Risty changed things. Risty's arms opened up and the girl moved closer, obviously needing a hug.

"Careful." Rogue's voice got louder in her shock and concern, stopping Risty from making a mistake. The lost look on Risty's face had Rogue's eyes staring down at Risty's sheet as she yanked it violently off the bed and pulled it to her body making this safe. Risty kneeled on the bed in front of Rogue and pulled her into a desperately strong hug. "Ah got you, and Ah'll never let anyone hurt you like that again. Never." Rogue clung to Risty and rocked gently like her mother used to do when she woke up from a bad dream. Tears travelled down her own cheeks as she held on tightly.

"Rogue?" Risty's voice was shaky, vulnerable. Rogue tightened her hug and rested her head carefully on Risty's hair.

"Ah love you." Rogue whispered it out. She always felt so helpless at night, and this was hardly the most romantic way to tell Risty, but she had to tell her. "Ah love you so much." Risty pulled back to look at her and Rogue reluctantly let her go so that she could. Risty studied Rogue as if she were trying to see if that were true just from looking at her.

"I love you too." Risty leaned closer, and before Rogue could warn her, took the sheet and pulled it up enough to cover the lips that she covered with her own. Kissing like this was painfully inadequate, but Rogue leaned into it while pulling Risty closer anyhow. "I want to sleep in your bed." Risty whispered her request while staring.

"What? How?" Rogue for a brief moment entertained the idea that it could be. That she could sleep with someone in her arms, but reality hit her again and her eyes fell to the ground. Risty needed human contact and Rogue would never be able to give her that. The pain of that thought made her breathing ache, her chest constrict.

"Get in first. Under the sheets, and I'll sleep above them." Risty reached out to caress her hair and Rogue tried to find a problem with the plan. She wouldn't risk Risty, but it would feel so nice. "I promise luv, I won't move much. It'll be okay." Risty's voice tried to sound less serious, "No risk no gain. Come on luv."
*********

"Okay." Rogue whispered her acceptance and Risty swallow her nervousness away enough to let go so that Rogue could get into bed. Tonights dream was worse. She remembered the laughing as they cut her. She'd seen the scars, but to know she'd been awake for that. That they didn't want to waste drugs on her, they said that even though they drugged her endlessly, just not when she needed it. Once Rogue was in place Risty moved to lay on top of the sheets. She put her arms around Rogue, draped a leg over Rogue's legs and nestled her head on Rogue's chest.

They laid in silence. Risty listened the the slow breathing and Rogue's heartbeat, rather than risk sleep again. The subtle movements of her girlfriend moved Rogue's thigh between Risty's own and suddenly Risty's heart started to move faster. "Rogue." Her voice came out in a croak as she pressed down. "Rogue." Her teeth gritted as her body started to move. She needed this relief from the pain, and Rogue stared up at her with wide eyes as she moved to hover over her, pressing down harder on the leg between her own. Risty's head fell back as she rested with her arms on either side of Rogue's head and started the dance her body seemed to know only too well. "Rogue, oh God... Please."

"Risty." Rogue moaned out her name and Risty's head dropped forward, just stopping before kissing her. Oh god she wanted to. Needed to. Risty moved her thigh higher.

"Always a way luv." She groaned out as she pressed herself harder and felt Rogue's body move to meet her. "Always a way." Rogue's moans grew louder and Risty held on as long as she could, waiting until Rogue shook with release before pressing harder for her own pleasure. "Yes... luv... Yes." Tears trailed down her cheeks as she pulled her head up and cried out her lovers name.

"Oh Gawd... Oh Risty." Rogue was crying. It pulled Risty up from where she'd collapsed on Rogue so she could see if she'd hurt her. "Risty." Rogue was staring at her like she'd created the sun. Risty finally realized what she'd done in her need. She took Rogue's innocence in the only way they could.

"Rogue, baby." Risty ached to kiss her, to prove it meant something. Rogue was always there for her. Always. Risty laid down carefully, hugging Rogue to her. She didn't know how to deal with Rogue's tears, although it seemed to be more of relief and happiness than shame or pain, thank god. Rogue held her tightly for the rest of the night.
********

In the morning Charles checked his answering machine. The message that Logan was coming back with some information made him feel like maybe now they'd finally get somewhere. Logan didn't sound very happy on the machine, and he was pretty adament that Risty should stay until he got there. As far as Charles knew the girls didn't plan to leave today, but he'd find them and make sure they knew to stay.

Hopefully this wasn't going to be too painful for them, but they had each other. And they could find a way to help Risty with her powers, which worked only half the time. They may be able to find a way to stop these people that did those horrible things to that poor girl. Charles didn't want to hear of another innocent young mutant going through that hell.


tbc in
Fraudulentus Persona Risty