Christien barely glanced up from his book when he heard a Southern accented voice shyly say, "Hi."
"Hello." His answer was polite if a bit clipped. He had never been one for socializing with the females, much to his parent's dismay. Christien wanted to be able to speak to them but they were less than interested in his studies and he found it hard to maintain interest in them.
"I'm Rogue." She smiled at him, approaching the table slowly and smoothing a palm over the wooden top as she walked.
"Christien. It's a pleasure to meet you." Christien noticed the way she blushed lightly when he spoke and discreetly watched her as she walked around the laboratory, examining all the vials and beakers on the tables, careful not to touch anything. While she was looking at the equipment on the table, he studied her features. Her complexion reminded him of cream with two deep brown eyes that seemed to look into his very core when she glanced at him. Dark brown hair with odd white bangs framed her perfect features, the perfect cheekbones and full rose red lips. When her tongue darted out to lick her lips and he thought of what it would feel like to have to tongue against his, he cleared his throat and said, "Can I help you with something?"
"No. Charlie's meetin' with her grandfather and I-" Her voice trailed off awkardly. She was clearly under the impression she had upset him. "I can go, if ya'd like."
For some reason he found himself shaking his head, "No. You can stay. I won't be very good company, I'm afraid."
"What are you reading?" Rogue asked curiously, walking around the table to stand beside him to see what what the book was. At the last moment, she pulled back, realizing that her action may be over stepping her boundries a little. Christien smiled a small smile and pushed the book toward her slightly, allowing her a better view of the book. She brushed her hair behind her ear and skimmed the words. It was a text covering the functions of the heart. Or rather the functions of the heart of a mutant. Apparently there was a difference. "This looks...complicated."
Christien chuckled and a hint of roses tickled his nose. "It is. I've been studying for several years and have yet to completely get the knack of it. On the simulations I've practiced on, I've lost most of the 'patients'."
"When will you be working on real patients?" Rogue asked.
"Soon. With our healing abilities, it's hard to find a feral who has heart issues. Mostly it's just practicing in the skills lab." Christien replied. The smell of roses coming from her neck practically had him purring. He bit his tongue as he mentally chastised himself. He was not a pup anymore and there was no need to be drooling over his sister's friend. He stood up and decided to change the subject and get out of close quarters. "Would you like to get something to eat? Chef makes a fantastic cheesecake."
"Sure. I like cheesecake."
The walk to the kitchen was quiet but it was a comfortable silence. Once they arrived, the chef bowed to Christien and pressed a kiss to the back of Rogue's gloved hand. Christien raised an eyebrow at the gloves and made a mental note to ask about that later. Chef placed a plate of cheesecake in front of each of them and bowed once more before leaving the two of them alone.
"Why do you wear the gloves?" Christien asked. By the way Rogue stiffened, he had asked a sensitive question.
"It's my mutation." She licked the tongs of her fork before speaking again. "If somebody touches my skin, it drains them and if it's a mutant, I absorb their powers temporarily."
"If it's a human?" Christien said softly.
Rogue swallowed hard and said, "Charlie's helping me control it, though. I'm getting better at it."
"Lottie's always been a good teacher." He smiled. "How has she been doing?"
"You're her brother. Don't you ever call her?"
"It's...complicated, Rogue." Noting that her plate was clean, he said, "You should go back to your room and get some rest. Charlotte will be waiting for you."
There was a flash of disappointment in her eyes but she just nodded and excused herself from the kitchen. Christien scrubbed his eyes with his palms and sighed. That was a prime example as to why he doesn't interact with women. Heading back to his lab, his sanctuary, he caught the distinct smell of roses mixed with a hint of disappointment. Rogue had been the first woman he connected with and he had destroyed their first meeting. One thing he knew for sure was that this girl with the special skin had soothed the feral and that had never happened before.
A/N: I know this chapter is short but I wanted the reunion of mother and daughter to be its own chapter. Thanks to Brigid for leaving a review. Thanks to everyone who reads/follows/favorites/reviews this story. Please leave a review on your way out. :)