Wash Away Those Years Chapter 7: The Letter, a x-men: the movie fanfic

Story Title: Wash Away Those Years
Chapter Title: The Letter
Pairing: Pyro/Rogue (of course) but for a while, might be Bobby/Kitty/Rogue/Pyro love square
Part: 7/?
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Set during X-Men: The Last Stand, and loosely based off the video footage from X-Men: The Last Stand.
Disclaimer: I just own the idea.
Summary: Rogue runs into Pyro while seeking the cure. Some unexpected things arise from their encounter. Now, their both struggling to find themselves, and to find one another as they try to hold onto what used to be, and what could've been. But can they re-write the past and present all together and find something worthwhile?...

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Previously on Wash Away Those Years:

She reluctantly phases through the door, unlocking it swiftly. She turns around, and freezes in shock at the sight before her. A deafening silence overtook the room as she stared, wide eyed, feeling herself begin to tremble. Her unsteady breaths echoing in the all too silent, cold room, was the only thing to be heard besides the mockingly gentle sound of smoothly flowing water as it seeped over the edge of the porcelain tub, pooling on the cold, harshly stark tile floor.

She pressed two fingers against the pale, cold skin of her throat, swallowing worriedly as she waited for a pulse to appear.

"Storm…?" Logan asked, panic concealed poorly in his tone.

She ignored him, creasing her brow as she concentrated solely on Rogue and her current task. That was all she could do at the moment to keep some semblance of calm. She watched the girl's chest intently, waiting for it to rise... there was nothing but stillness.

Pyro knew what he had to do. He couldn't risk this woman narcing on them, witnessing the presence of both him and Mystique at the labs. He grips onto the woman tighter, sparking his wrist igniter, and creating a fireball. He brings it close to her, and she starts struggling, squealing a little. Pyro snarls, keeping his solid grip on her, but with more effort than before.

"Please don't… I have a husband, and two children at home. My god, I don't want them to hear on the news that I've died!" She pleaded. Pyro rolled his eyes, not caring to hear about her life story, ignoring her pleading. It wasn't what he wanted to do, but he had no choice. In the long run, it'd either be her or him.

"Please," she calmed down, silencing her cries long enough to rationally plead him. "Don't you have someone you care about?"

Her eyes widened slightly as she realized it was a suicide note. Tears immediately started flowing down her face as she read it. She paid careful attention when she came across the fore mentioned name 'John'. She repeated the name over and over again in her mind, trying to figure out why it was so familiar. Then it hit her, like the crackle of her power when she gets excited, like fireworks, it suddenly all fell into place, and everything suddenly became so clear to her… 'John Allerdyce…'

The X-Men would kill her if they knew where she was. Not only had she sneaked into Xavier's office to get the directions she had needed, but now she was actually there, in enemy territory. She stood there, looking into the woods through dozens of tents and a few people sitting by the campfire eating, others honing their powers, practicing combat with one another. She'll admit, she was a little scared. She didn't really know what to expect. She took in a deep breath, exhaling nervously as she glanced down at the letter in her hand. She needed to do this… for Rogue.

She gasps suddenly as a hand grabs a hold of her shoulder.

"Can I help you?" The man said in a ruggedly tough tone, not very pleased to see an uninvited guest. She turned around, trying to look calm and collected. Her eye caught the man's wooden daggers which dropped down from inside his sleeves, reminding her of Wolverine.

She looked back up as she started to speak. "I… I need to drop off a letter to someone." She replied.

"Right this way." He said, walking towards The Brotherhood's campsite, all the while keeping a suspicious eye on her. They reached The Brotherhood's campsite, and she looked around, hoping to find Pyro and give him the letter in person.

She approached a mean looking man covered in tattoos. "Is there a John Allerdyce here?" she asked him, still holding the letter in an anxious death grip.

"I'm not really sure who that is, but most of them are out on a mission at the moment. I'll hold it here and make sure he gets it." He assured, not really knowing who in The Brotherhood to give it to, since they all went by their mutant names.

She nodded slowly. "Oh, could you tell him that I'm her friend, and that I wanted him to have it in case she didn't make it?" He nodded in approval, and she handed him the letter and then started making her way back to the mansion.

Meanwhile, Pyro and the others gathered around their leader.

"I found the boy. He's being kept in a heavily guarded holding cell." Mystique said. Magneto smiles evilly, eyes sparkling with pleasure at this new information.

"They have reached an agreement, and we are right. They're waiting for all mutants to let their guard down before they attack, forcing the cure on us regardless of 'free will' like they have convinced the X-Men and many others." Pyro explained all that he had heard while eavesdropping on the two doctors earlier.

Magneto nods at him. "Very good work, both of you." He said, right before turning, and they all started making their way back to The Brotherhood's location.

Jean had finally stabilized Rogue's heart-rate. She was now resting, but she wasn't out of the woods just yet…

Storm and Logan approach Jean beside Rogue's hospital bed.

"How's she doing?" Storm asked with sincerity and concern in her voice.

"Well, at the moment her heart-rate is as it should be… But since her brain was without oxygen for so long, we don't know when she'll wake up at this point…" Jean replied remorsefully. Storm looked over towards Rogue's unconscious form lying in the hospital bed, and took a deep breath. They were all at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, the incident is all anyone at the school could talk about. Some talked of how nice and sweet she used to be, and how much of a shock it was… Others frowned upon her, disowning her and her constant 'bad choices' they thought. But Kitty and Bobby held the most guilt, along with other students who had been belittling her ever since she got the cure.

"Bobby, this is our fault." Kitty confessed with regret, remembering the horrifying sight of Rogue in the bathtub. Bobby's conscience didn't wanna believe it, but everything else did.

"I mean, did you have to tell her like you did?" Kitty asked, making Bobby feel worse.

"Oh, and what was I supposed to do? You were the one who thought it'd be best for her to know!" Bobby raised his voice a little in frustration. He looked at her regretfully, seeing the guilt etched into her face.

He then began to speak again, this time in a softer tone. "It doesn't matter who's at fault. It was her choice." He looked at the ground, and then back up to Kitty. Her eyes were wet. Funny… She felt no remorse over her and Bobby's affair before, but she's reaping the guilt now that Rogue had almost died.

Bobby moves closer to Kitty, and pulls her into a hug, reconciling all that has happened. A part of Bobby wondered if he should have just stayed with Rogue for the chance that none of this would've happened.

Pyro and the others had just gotten back to The Brotherhood's location. He was exhausted and famished. He went over to the campsite, where all the food was kept. He grabbed a plate from the earlier meal, grimacing when he realized it had gone stale cold. He carried his plate over to the outskirts of the site, plopping down into a vacant folding chair. He flicked the pilot on his wrist igniter on, and flamed the food to warm it. She'd always smile when he'd do stuff like that at the mansion. She'd love it when he'd flame food for her to warm it when it'd get cold. He loved seeing her face light up when he'd do things with his power. She used to be the one who'd encourage him to do something they both knew he'd get in trouble for. The curtain accidentally catching fire in her room was a joy. As he ate, he had gotten lost in the memories like he always does.

That was, until someone shouted, catching his attention. "Hey, anyone here named John Allerdyce?" Kid Omega asked, holding a letter up.

'John Allerdyce...' He repeated in his mind, a little dumbfounded that someone would know his human name here. Ever since Magneto had told him his real name was his mutant name, he had never liked going by anything other than Pyro. He believed much like the others in The Brotherhood did. And that was that their mutant names were their God-given names, nothing else. He finished swallowing the remains of his food, tossing the plate aside, and standing up to approach the new Brotherhood recruit. He got closer to the man and motioned his head upwards, signaling to the guy that he was the name mentioned.

Omega extended his arm out with the note, but remembered to add. "The girl who dropped it off wanted me to tell you that 'she was her friend and that she wanted to give it to you in case she didn't make it.' " He said dully, not interested himself in what was going on in the fire-wielder's life.

Pyro nervously narrowed his glare at the man, curious as he swallowed anxiously, hoping it wasn't who he thought it was. He grabbed the letter from him, and curiously looked the envelope over while he walked back to his tent, obviously wanting privacy to read it. He sat down and closed his eyes while taking in a deep breath. Even before he read it, his mind kept replaying what the man had said to him about 'in case she didn't make it.'… What does that mean? He opened the envelope and took the folded piece of paper out, then started to read it, sunlight shining through his tent, giving him good light to read.

I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for the things I've done. I never wanted any of this. I wish things were different...

He read slowly, dread sinking in the pit of his stomach as he reluctantly confirmed what he had already known to be true with every sentence he read. Bits and pieces of the letter had been water-stained. Thankfully not many of the words had gotten distorted, but mostly just the corners of the paper.

I know I'm being weak, and I'm sorry... but I have to. If there's no way to make things right, then the best thing to do is just end it.

His heart stopped when he read that. He wanted time to re-read what he had already seen, but he kept reading.

There are so many things I'll miss. Like you're smile when you would try your best to get on my nerves, and the way you'd hold nothing back when around me, as if my power never existed. Just the way you'd look at me as if I mattered. As I've found out, that's no longer the case.

Pyro had to admit, even reading this felt so weird. Never had Rogue talked like this to him. It scared him, the desperation that the letter spilled out of it.

I'm too weak. Pathetic isn't it? I'm pathetic...

He had read that line with such guilt, remembering what he had said to her at the cure center. He grew angrier with himself, but shoved it aside as he continued.

... I'm so sorry for everything, and just know that I've always loved you...

So much heartbreak and emotion built up within Pyro from hearing that sentence. 'I've always loved you' he repeated to himself. He felt such comfort that he had never gotten before, just by hearing that. But he also knew the silent message he had been getting from the letter, and he didn't like it.

He re-read it again and his hands began to shake when he read 'the best thing to do is just end it.'

'No…' His mind pleaded in disbelief while shaking his head a little. His lower lip began to tremble. Blinking back the tears that had been slowly building, he stiffened himself, controlling the emotion within. It was obviously apparent what she had done. His finger shook in fear as it trailed over the paper where he had found, what looked to him as a fallen and dried mascara tear stained into the paper.

Pyro was frozen. How could he have let this happen? After all he said to her at the cure center… How much of an asshole he now realized he was, and how he was so self centered. Pyro's worst fear had come true. Questions kept plaguing his mind, haunting him as quickly as it took him to rip open the letter.

Pyro couldn't go on like this, not knowing what has happened to her. So many things he needs to stand up for. He needs to see if she's alright. The horrible scenarios of how she ended it played through Pyro's mind, causing him to become so numb to his surroundings as he fell farther into the emotional landslide that he'd been falling down ever since he read the note.

Pyro blinked, making sure no tears were present. He folded the piece of paper up, and put it in his pocket while stepping outside of his tent. Just like Pyro always does, he ignores the painful emotion and turns it into nothing fiery rage. He begins to walk out of The Brotherhood's location, when someone notices him leaving.

He quickly caught up with the flame-thrower, and started walking alongside him.

"Hey, we have a meeting coming up in a few." He said, taking in Pyro's despondent appearance.

"I'll be back later." Was really all Pyro could muster up, his mind obviously not set on The Brotherhood's missions or thoughts. The guy stopped following Pyro, letting him go.

"But it's important you be there!" The guy shouted after him. Pyro ignored him as he quickened his pace, leaving The Brotherhood behind. He was praying he still remembered the correct directions on how to get there. It had been a while…

' "Johnny? That you?" Rogue asks, inching closer to the edge of the woods cautiously. The bad boy with chocolate brown hair which it had always been sleeked back with hair gel in his signature look, appeared out from behind a large tree trunk, smirking playfully at her. The darkness spread out around them, blanketing the school's grounds collectively. She hadn't planned on finding herself out in the creepy forest surrounding the institute in the middle of the night, but plans change. She had actually just planned on curling up in bed with ice cream and a movie for the night, but a note on her door from a certain pyromaniac, telling her to meet him at the southeast tree line, had intercepted those plans. The last time they had sneaked out after curfew, the night ended with them both assigned to two weeks of kitchen duty... something Rogue wasn't very happy about. So, why on earth she had responded to his newest request... well, she had no clue. But, none the less, here she was, leaning against a tree in the dark, holding herself closely, fighting off the goosebumps the cold weather was coaxing out of her. She stared at him from the other side of the tree expectantly, waiting for him to explain why exactly she was out here. When he stayed silent, she took a step forward, nudging him with her shoulder, pushing him aside as she walked further into the dark woods. She heard twigs and leafs ruffling behind her, letting her know that he was following close behind. He was eerily quiet that night, rising her suspicions as to what was going on with him. They walked for probably hours, getting lost in the woods of Westchester. When they had finally made it back to the dorms, not a word had been exchanged from either yet. She turned towards him with concern in her eyes. She wanted to ask what was wrong, but she held her tongue, knowing that he would have said something if he wanted her to know. So, she simply stepped closer, wrapping her arms around him tentatively... they didn't exactly have a 'hugging' kind of relationship. She held onto him for a moment, feeling his arms encircle her waist. John took a deep breath, stepping back from her. She whispered before turning towards her door, retreating into the girls dormitory as he made his way down the hall. She never fell asleep that night,just laid in bed, wondering what was going on with him. Bobby had asked the next day, why she was so exhausted, but she just murmured something about insomnia before returning to her studies. She had stayed quiet that night, knowing that he didn't want to talk. She had stayed quiet because she assumed there'd be another chance. But, that chance never came when only the next week, the mansion was attacked, and they returned home without him. Once again, she was reminded of how wrong she was, always thinking she'd have another chance. Once again, she had been slapped to her senses by fate, or karma maybe, whatever it was, once again, Rogue's 'another chance' had been ripped away from her.'

He finally reached the mansion. A whirlwind of memories flooded his mind as he looked at the 'Xaviers School for The Gifted Youngster's' sign. 'Shit…' he murmured to himself, remembering that Xavier's school had quite the security system. Thankfully, he had combat skills on his side, thanks to The Brotherhood. But that didn't mean he was invincible, or invisible. He needed to see Rogue, and fast. He needs to know if she's okay. He quickly scaled the tall fence that secured the mansion, rushing as fast as he could, knowing that his detection of being on X-Men grounds would for sure go noticed by their security system.

At this point, he didn't think of any swift moves to help be discreet. He didn't care who saw him. He was a man set for determination, and he'd be damned if anyone tried to stop him. He quickly runs towards the big wooden doors, leading into the mansion. He was a little unprepared, not knowing how much their security had changed since he'd been here. He obviously realized that if he knocked on the door, that they wouldn't particularly greet him with open arms. He was aware of what he was getting into, and what he'd have to face. None of it mattered when he thought of Rogue, not knowing what has happened to her…

He ignited his wrist igniter, sparking a flame inside his palm preparing to burn down the door. That was, until the door was quickly opened by Wolverine, who was not at all happy to see the firebug.

"What's the matter bub, you lookin' for a welcoming party?" Wolverine asked sarcastically, immediately contracting his claws.

Pyro glared at the older mutant, wanting nothing more than to flame him and the annoying ass metal that was the man's only defense, which Pyro found to be quite pathetic. Oh how bad Pyro wanted to berate him further and fight him. But, he had something much more important on his mind, persuading him to forcefully will away the intense need to fight.

"Where's Rogue?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

Wolverine gave him a sarcastic laugh, obviously not taking him seriously.

"She's none of your business," Wolverine spat with anger, then continued. "I think its best you leave, boy." He sent a fierce and angry glare at the pyromaniac while tightening his fists, making his claws extend to the fullest. Who the hell was he to tell him that Rogue was none of his business? Pyro was becoming too pissed to shove this aside. He manifests a ball of fire, clenching his other fist in anger. Walking up closer to the door way, he clinched his jaw in pure anger, sizing up the Wolverine.

"You gonna get outta my way, or am I gonna have to make you?" Pyro challenged, fiery rage collecting in his palm.

Before Logan could reply, other students and teachers had crowded into the lobby where both headstrong men stood. Jean being the first to pull Logan back, causing Logan to resign his standoff with Pyro before it got too out of hand. Other teachers crowded the doorway with suspicion and curiosity, but never let their guard down.

"What do you want?" Cyclops asked, trying to be nice to the former X-Men student. At this point, Pyro was getting extremely irritated because time was wasting.

"Look, I'm not here to cause any trouble… I wanna see Rogue, and so help me God if any of you get in my way, I'll roast all of you." Pyro said coldly, not caring if they bought his story. Either way, he would see Rogue. That was one thing Pyro was sure of. All of the students stood from a distance within the doorway, and most knew who he was.

"Let him in…" a wise voice spoke from inside the mansion, rolling closer and closer towards the doorway where everyone stood. They all stepped aside and looked at him with confusion.

"He's not here to cause any harm." Xavier said. After all, he could read minds.

Wolverine instantly refused. "Are you serious? He could have a whole army out there, and we're just gonna sit back and let it--" he said, but was interrupted as Pyro mockingly laughed.

"If I had an 'army' out here, why the fuck would I put myself in harm's way instead of just attacking with them?" He challenged Wolverine's excuse with incredulity Wolverine arched his lip in anger as he shook his head and looked away, still furious for Xavier's decision with agreeing to this.

"Please, come in." Xavier invited, holding no grudge against his choice in leaving them.

The teachers parted from within the doorway, hoping to God that Xavier knew what he was doing. But, that didn't mean they would all swap phone numbers with the Brotherhood member.

The fire within his palm dies down. He stepped inside the mansion, feeling the eyes of what seemed to be everyone present in the mansion. He gave a fierce glare at everyone in the building. Bobby had been so shocked to have seen his former old friend come back here, he just stood idly by as Pyro made his way through the throng of students. Everyone was confused on what he was doing here, but none of them asked anything.

He looks back at Xavier. "Where's Rogue?" he asked, everyone present in the room hearing him.

Xavier gave him a sympathetic look "She…had an accident." He said making Pyro's heart stop with panic, but trying very hard to look as if he didn't feel about ready to drop to his knees with such weakness. He stood as strong as he possibly could, and listened to Xavier as he continued.

"Thankfully, she's alive, but she's in a comatose state at the moment. Could take days, could take months…maybe even years for her to wake up. Nothing is certain. We haven't been able to gage the extent of damage." He said, looking at Pyro, and then continued with such sincerity, already feeling what the boy wanted to know. "She tried to drown herself, Pyro." After that was said, the room was completely silent.

Pyro tightened his lips and nervously swallowed. "Where is she?" he asked, trying really hard to steel his shaky, emotional voice.

"She's in the medical wing, in the recovery room." He answered as he gave Pyro a nod, signaling he could go see her. Pyro didn't take any time standing around. He slowly started walking, already remembering where the room was located from old memories of this place. Everyone watched Pyro walk past them. They all whispered things to one another as he passed by them. "Is he joining the X-Men again? Why is he here? Why does he want to see Rogue?" They all continued to gossip, as everyone became uneasy at the unexpected visitor.

Pyro walked down the stairs, and into the medical wing. He looked around the room where the medical equipment and hospital table was, and had horrible thoughts of what had happened recently on it. Tears slowly building in his eyes, fearing what he would've felt if she had really been gone. He took in a deep breath to try and calm himself down while blinking back the tears.

He had looked in the direction of the recovery rooms, and saw only one occupied at the moment. He closed his eyes, thinking thoughts of Rogue and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes, exhaling calmly, slowly walking towards the door. He twisted the doorknob, preparing to open it.

Magneto looked to Mystique, so much respect and loyalty shining through. "Get the troops ready for our attack on the mansion." He said boldly, ignoring her surprised expression. After a moment, she digested this new information, and just smiled, nodded, and left his underground lair, heading out to tell the others.

A/N: Special thanks to sarahroseserena for being my beta and helping me with my grammar as well as guide me through some of the tough scenes i couldn't figure out how to create. Thanks girl!

A/N2: More chapters coming soon! Please review! I really appreciate every comment i get, and it never goes unnoticed. I always reply back to each and every one. I really hate begging, as i kinda want things to come naturally. Plus, i has pride! But i really need to hear y'alls thoughts. Please review