Disclaimer—I don't own this…which is too bad.
Chapter 12-Tumble
Rogue studied herself in the mirror nervously. Truth be told, she was dreading her upcoming date with Lance. But dreading in a good way. Every time she thought about him her stomach did flip flops and she found herself smiling like a love struck fool. Lance was a typical bad boy…but Rogue found his rugged looks and reckless spirit all that more attractive. And now here she was contemplating whether to put on make-up for once, or just getting their date over with. Rogue jumped as she heard a crash come from the kitchen downstairs.
"Ah need a new life," she sighed to herself as she left her room and took the stairs two at a time. Rogue cautiously approached the kitchen where Lance was already leaning against the doorframe with a knowing smirk on his face. Peering in, Rogue shook her head at the scene.
"I think I broke somethin', yo," muttered Toad sitting up and clutching his head.
Pietro snickered. "Yeah, Mystique's favorite china set."
"Look at my sandwich," moaned Fred eyeing his destroyed meal displayed about the room.
"Y'all betta clean up before Mystique gets here," said Rogue with an amused smile.
"No shit," agreed Lance. "And as much as I wanna help—me and Rogue have a date. I'll catch you guys later."
"Not so fast there, Rockman," called out Pietro jumping to his feet. "You mean to say that you guys are actually coming back here tonight? That's a first for you, isn't it?"
Lance steeled his face and looked ready to attack the speedster, but Rogue quickly jumped in. "He has ta bring meh back, sugah—or he'll find himself unable to have kids in the future."
"Alright, Roguey!" cheered Fred licking mustard off his chubby fingers.
"See? Nothing to worry about," murmured Lance leading Rogue towards the doorway. Rogue grinned and waved bye to her housemates. As soon as the couple had gone, the remaining teen boys eyed each other warily.
"We still spyin' on 'em?" asked Toad.
" 'Course we are," replied Pietro. "What else are we gonna do tonight?"
Outside the Movie Theater:
Lance shoved his hands in his front pockets and avoided Rogue's eyes as the two waited in line to get tickets. For the first time in his life, Lance Alvers had absolutely no clue what to say to a girl.
Rogue tilted her head to one side as she studied her date carefully. There was more to him than met the eye. "Ah do believe this is the first time Ah've seen ya so quiet. Speechless, sugah?"
"Nervous."
"What for? We're already friends."
"I know." Lance looked up shyly, trying to find the right words to say. "You're different from all the other girls, Rogue. You don't take shit from no one, not even me—it's kinda…"
"Intimidatin'?" supplied Rogue helpfully.
Lance nodded. "Yeah. I've never felt this way before."
"Meh neither," replied Rogue softly.
"I don't know what to say to you half the time, Rogue. Whenever I think of somethin', I think it'll make me sound like an ass…and that's not how I want you to think of me."
"Lance, Ah don't need ya to sound smart or anythin'. Ah just want ya to be yourself."
"But what if you don't like who I really am?"
Rogue chuckled. "Ah wouldn't have come here tonight if Ah didn't like ya, silly."
"You promise?"
"Ah promise." Rogue boldly wrapped her arms around Lance's waist and snuggled against his chest. Lance felt a warm smile tug at his lips as he wrapped his own arms around her protectively. He was definitely a better person with Rogue around.
Hidden behind the side of the theater, Pietro, Fred and Toad were snickering at the sight of their fearless leader going soft for a girl.
"Yo, aren't those the Chump-Men?" Toad pointed down the line where Scott, Kurt, Kitty, Bobby, and Evan were standing in a small group.
"Well now," whistled Pietro, "this oughtta be interesting."
"Think they'll ruin Rogue's date with Lance?" questioned Fred, narrowing his eyes at the X-Men.
"Only if they see 'em. Come on, boys, let's have some fun." Pietro didn't bother to wait and see if Fred or Toad would follow as he made his way over to the enemy.
"Oh boy, like here comes trouble," said Kitty. Her friends turned just in time to see part of the Brotherhood blocking their way.
"Man, don't we ever get a break?" groaned Kurt.
Scott frowned. "Look, guys, we're just here to see a movie? We're not here to fight."
"Sure," said Pietro coldly. "Too bad we have other plans for ya."
"Buzz off, Maximoff," warned Evan dropping his skateboard to the ground and placing a foot on it.
"I'd like to, Daniels, but I'm afraid I have a schedule to keep. And you freaks are first on the list." With those words Pietro shot out a fist and hit Evan squarely in the eye. The skateboarder was momentarily stunned as he toppled to the ground.
"That's it, I'm sick and tired of this bullshit," snarled Bobby icing up. Fred cracked his knuckles and easily lifted the ice teen up, tossing him into the crowd. People shrieked and began to flee the theater area the second they saw Bobby in his ice form. Bobby groaned and barely registered the fact that Scott was now shooting red beams at Fred. Kitty screamed as Toad launched himself at Kurt and tackled the German, knocking Kitty down as well. She phased through the teens as they wrestled and looked around for someone to help her. Instead she caught sight of Lance and Rouge standing up ahead in line.
By now Rogue was beginning to notice the widespread panic taking over the people surrounding her and Lance. They had just reached the ticket booth, when the seller shut the window on them.
"What the fuck?" demanded Lance trying to see what all the commotion was about. Rogue glanced back down the line and noticed the battle going on.
"That's what!" she cried tugging at Lance's sleeve. Lance looked towards the street and groaned. This wasn't how he had planned his first date with Rogue would go.
"Goddammit!"
"Ah think the boys need some help." Rogue eyed Lance hopefully.
"Oh, they need help all right—and they're gonna need a hell of a lot more when I get through with them." Lance left Rogue's side and strode purposefully towards the street. He was pissed. Rogue shook her head and pulled out a cigarette as she leaned against the ticket booth. This wasn't her fight.
"I'm gonna teach you losers a lesson once and for all!" shouted Lance angrily. He clenched his hands into fists and let loose a tremor that sent both sides to the ground.
"That's it; I'm tired of playing fair!" Scott yelled out. He jumped to his feet and charged towards Lance, his fists flying through the air. Evan took the cue and jumped aboard his skateboard, rolling towards Pietro hurling wooden stakes left and right. Pietro barely blinked as he calmly dodged each and every stake headed his way. Meanwhile, Toad was trying not to retch as Kitty phased through him every time Kurt pushed the green boy her way. Bobby was grinning at his own creativity as he iced Fred frozen to the spot the overgrown teen stood.
Rogue frowned and puffed on her cigarette thoughtfully as she watched the battle. The X-Men seemed to have the upper hand over the Brotherhood. But judging by their tactics, it was obvious the X-Men were team players. "Someone needs to teach Lance ahn them how ta fight," she muttered to herself darkly. The only one making any progress was Pietro—and that was only due to the fact that he was faster than light. She turned her attention back to Lance and Scott as they continued to pummel each other with their fists. Lance finally was able to knock Scott to the ground, but it turned out to be a mistake. Scott took the chance to send a powerful optic blast at Lance, sending the dark haired teen flying through the air and to the ground lifelessly.
Time seemed to freeze for Rogue as she dropped her cigarette in horror. "Lance!" she screamed hoarsely, tears falling down her face. Within seconds she was at his side, as well as the rest of the Brotherhood. Lance blinked, but all he saw were black spots trying to gain control. He knew he was down for the count this time around.
"Aw man," said Pietro rubbing the back of his neck. "The X-Men never hit us hard."
"What d'ya mean?" demanded Rogue trying to keep Lance awake.
Toad flinched at the sound of her voice. "Usually we just keep each other on our toes—we don't actually try to kill 'em."
"They went too far," murmured Fred solemnly, noting the evil glint in Pietro's eyes.
"They won't get away with it," vowed Rogue hardening her face. She glanced down at Lance who was desperately trying to speak.
"Sar—bout…date…Ro…ee. Wan…ki…oo."
"Huh?" asked Pietro making a face. Rogue ignored them and leaned closer to Lance.
"Do you trust meh, sugah?" she questioned with a whisper.
" 'Cor…"
Rogue nodded in bittersweet triumph as she readied herself for what she was about to do. Lance vaguely noticed the fact that Rogue was now just inches away from his face. Without a word Rogue softly captured his lips with her own. Lance struggled to revive himself enough to return her kiss. He felt his soul open up to hers…and the last of his energy disappeared. Lance succumbed to the darkness as a strange and horrible sensation racked his body.
"What the—" Toad stepped back with Fred and Pietro as gold lines etched across Lance's body and into Rogue's. They backed away even further as Rogue slowly got to her feet. She stumbled for a second before pulling herself up straight and tall. She eyed the small X-Men group with cold eyes.
"Ah'm gonna show y'all what it's like ta mess with the Rogue," she said coolly. Rogue closed her eyes and allowed the part of Lance she had drained to take control of her mind. Rogue was barely aware of everyone around her as she struggled to summon Lance's powers. The tremor that resulted started out small, but soon it felt like an earthquake.
"Ahhh!" screeched Kitty dropping to the ground and feeling Kurt cover her body with his own. Everyone else toppled to the ground, each trying to protect themselves from the falling debris. Parts of buildings chipped away and fell to the ground—others collapsed inside out. Trees were uprooted, and cars bounced, knocking the car alarms into motion. Scott scrambled over to Bobby and pulled the blonde out of the way as the street began to open up down the middle. And then, as quickly as it had begun, the tremor came to a sudden halt.
Rogue shook her head as she gained control of her mind again would have collapsed to the ground had it not been for Pietro zipping to her side and holding her up. She didn't protest as Pietro picked her up into his arms and turned away from the X-Men. She glanced over his shoulder and smiled in relief as Fred threw Lance over his shoulder.
Toad looked back at the X-Men and stuck out his tongue before following his friends away from the disaster area. Scott and his team studied the place with sinking feelings. Car alarms still sounded through the air, as well as various chunks of earth and brick falling to the ground with the calm of the aftermath.
"Man, we are so screwed," murmured Kurt as he stood to help Kitty to her feet. The petite brunette shivered and snuggled into Kurt's arms as the others got to their feet.
Scott let out a deep sigh. "C'mon, we better get back to the mansion and let the Professor know what happened."
"Great, how the hell do we tell the Professor that Rogue just joined the Brotherhood because we tried to teach her boyfriend a lesson?" Evan's voice was shrill as he trailed behind the team and over to Scott's car.
"We'll think of something," whispered Bobby half to himself.
The X-Men Mansion:
Professor Xavier stared out his window thoughtfully. He wasn't surprised by the news that Rogue had joined the ranks of the Brotherhood…what did surprise him was how long it had taken. She was cunning alright…and dangerous. The Professor had sent Ororo and Logan out to inspect the damaged area, and their report hadn't been good. Rogue was a quick learner. She had mastered Lance's powers better than he ever had—and that wasn't a comforting thought to Xavier.
"She's a weapon, Chuck," said Logan gruffly from his seat beside Ororo. Xavier turned to his colleagues with a serious face.
"She's also protective," replied Ororo defensively.
Logan growled. "You don't even know the kid, and here you are protecting her. Rogue is a walking time bomb. If she can do that much damage with Alvers' powers, just think what it would be like if she had someone else's—like yours. We've got problems now."
"I'm afraid Logan is right, Ororo. Rogue has proven herself a worthy opponent. What happened today cannot be easily forgotten."
"Charles, there is little we can do to prepare the students to be on guard the next time they encounter Rogue in a battle. She has a most unique power that enables her to be as strong as the one she fights. Rogue is more than a worthy opponent—"
"She's a goddamn weapon," repeated Logan. "Now I'm gonna have to train the brats how to fight their own powers."
Xavier nodded. "I'm afraid that Rogue has only begun to comprehend the extent of her gift. Mystique will use her to the advantage of the Brotherhood in our fight for peace with mankind. But I do believe that Rogue is not a lost cause. We have yet to see how loyal she is to Eric and Mystique."
Logan snorted derisively. "Ol' Tin Can is probably laughing his ass off as we speak—he's got one hell of a mutant on his side."
The Next Morning:
Rogue shifted in her seat beside Lance's bedside. She was still worried about him despite Mystique's assurances that the teen would be fine as soon as he woke up. She remembered it had taken Cody about a week before he came around—although this time she hadn't touched Lance as long as she had Cody.
"You betta be alright, Rocky, or Ah'm gonna kick your ass," murmured Rogue softly. The only good thing about this whole mess was the fact that the Brotherhood still accepted her as one of their own. In fact, they were in awe of her power and how little effort she took down the X-Men. They were now referring to her as a one woman army.
"Hey," grumbled Lance sleepily as he groggily opened his eyes. Rogue instantly sat forward.
"Hey yourself. You had meh worried."
"How long was I out?"
"Since yesterday. Are you alright?"
"Fine." Lance struggled to a sitting position and leaned back against the headboard of his bed. "How about you?"
Rogue shrugged nonchalantly. "Tired."
"What happened?"
"Ah kinda borrowed your powers ta get even with the X-Men."
Lance frowned as he tried to recollect the past day's events. "The kiss—was that for real?"
"Yeah. When Ah touch another mutant—like real skin contact—Ah'm able ta drain them and use their powers like they're mah own. If Ah hold ohn for too long Ah cahn kill 'em—not that Ah ever plan ohn doin' that."
"What about regular people?"
"That's ten times worse. Last regular fella Ah touched was in a coma for a week. That's why Ah don't touch people. It's why Ah'm afraid ta get close ta anyone."
Lance tugged Rogue down onto the bed and into his arms in reassurance. "Don't be. I'm not letting you go that easily. Your power is just one lame excuse for you to be the Ice Queen."
Rogue sniffed back tears of relief as she surrendered to the security she felt with Lance. "Thank-you," she whispered.
"No problem, Roguey. Oh, and just so you know, we're definitely gonna have to try that kiss again. Twenty bucks says I won't pass out next time."
"Ya got yourself a deal." Rogue smiled as Lance tightened his grip about her and the two drifted into a comfortable silence. They both knew that they were falling head over heels in love. And the feeling was one they wanted to keep forever.
A/N—Alright, alright…I feel horrible that I haven't written in ages. I knew months ago what this chapter would be about, but I wasn't sure how to go about writing it. So I finally just made myself sit down and get it over with. So if you're a tad bit upset this one took so long, I'm extremely sorry. I'm already working on the next one so maybe I won't take so long. To all those who're still reading…thank-you, and enjoy!