Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own this stuff.
23-Aftermath
The mansion was deathly quiet. Outside beneath the moonlit sky, crickets could be heard chirping against a soft breeze. From somewhere deep inside the giant house a grandfather clock chimed three times indicating that it was still too early for a living soul to be awake. And yet, in the infirmary Rogue clutched the covers around her thin shoulders as she sat beside a window looking outside.
It had been four days since the Liberty Island incident, and Rogue was still awake. She feared sleep. Every time she closed her eyes unbidden images from life in a Polish concentration camp during the Nazi regime would haunt her soul. Other times, all Rogue could see or hear, even when she was awake, was the horrible machine whirling overhead.
And then there were other images—ones she didn't want to relive. Rogue could still feel the metal beneath her skin; she could still feel it draining the life right out of her; and for one tiny moment, Rogue had felt death—and then just as quickly she had been brought back to reality. Rogue had returned to solitude and fear…and a broken heart that left her lost more than anything else.
All that Rogue could really remember after she had regained consciousness was seeing Logan on the ground. Then she had been pulled into Scott's reassuring arms, whispering that everything would be okay. Then Jean was hugging her and helping her back inside the Statue of Liberty as Scott and Ororo lugged Logan after them. And then just as quickly Rogue was at Xavier's Mansion being greeted by the bald headed leader. Since that moment she had been in the infirmary. The first day she had ignored her own needs to watch as Logan healed himself. It was because of him that she was alive.
But after Logan had been cleared as normal, Rogue had retreated back into her shell. She refused to speak to anyone. She hardly ate any of the food that was brought down to her. And she never slept.
In the immediate days after the "incident" Rogue had learned a few details on the whereabouts of her former team. Magneto had been captured and was now locked up in a cell with no metal whatsoever. Mystique had shifted into a human form in order to be treated at a local hospital—and then she had simply vanished into thin air. Sabertooth was also missing, but more than likely alive as no body had been found in the ocean. And as for the Brotherhood, well, they were at the boarding house reeling in shock from the latest turn of events.
And then yesterday the late Senator Edward Kelly had been confirmed dead by "anonymous" sources. A memorial service was currently in the works by his son, Edward Kelly Jr., the newly appointed Principal of Bayville High School. Rogue wasn't sure if life could get any worse.
With a sigh Rogue leaned her forehead against the cool window pane. Her breath fogged up the glass as she studied the stars in the sky. "This place is turning my head to mush," she muttered to herself. "There has got to be another way to live."
"Can't sleep either?" came a voice from the shadows. Rogue rolled her eyes and turned to watch as Kurt stepped into view.
"Checkin' up ohn meh, blue?" she countered bitterly.
Kurt smiled sheepishly. "Just concerned. Everyone knows that you haven't slept since you got here. Are you alright?"
Rogue raised an eyebrow and snorted in derision. "'Course Ah am. It's not everyday Ah'm used as a metal conductor in an attempt ta destroy the human race. Ah'm doin' great. How 'bout you?"
"Sorry I asked," murmured Kurt flinching at Rogue's intended sarcasm.
"Did ya want somethin'?"
"I…no. We're worried about you—especially Bobby. I think he's going to make a hole in the floor with all the pacing he does these days."
"Then put him in the freezer," replied Rogue making a face. She didn't want to deal with anymore boys and their crushes…she was still reeling from the whole Lance fiasco.
"Why don't you sleep, Rogue?"
"Why do you sleep?"
"Rogue," Kurt shook his head, waiting for an answer. "Something's wrong, and I don't think that it has anything to do with what happened on Liberty Island. You've been acting strange for over a month now."
"Ah don't think that it's any of your business." Rogue turned her back on Kurt to stare outside once more. Kurt gave a frustrated sigh and then teleported out of the infirmary. Rogue wiped away a tear, refusing to let any more fall. She was so tired of this...helpless feeling. She had been betrayed by her boss, her boyfriend, her mother—it was more than she could handle. But Rogue knew one thing for sure.
She wanted revenge.
Later That Morning:
"And how are we feeling this morning?" questioned Ororo cheerfully as she entered the infirmary. Rogue glanced up from her spot by the window. She hadn't moved since her talk with Kurt earlier. Ororo mentally noted the dark bags under Rogue's eyes. The child still wasn't sleeping.
"Cahn Ah leave yet?" asked Rogue dully. Her mind was beginning to feel the effects of staying awake for so many days. She ran a hand through her hair, tugging at a white strand absently. The color was starting to grow on her.
"I think you should take a shower, get dressed, and have some breakfast today," replied Ororo placing a towel and change of clothing on top of Rogue's bed.
Rogue glanced at the items. "Then cahn Ah leave?"
"Where will you go?"
"Ah dunno, somewhere—anywhere. Bayville isn't mah cup of tea. You know what Ah mean?"
"What are you afraid of, Rogue? Magneto is behind bars, and both Mystique and Sabertooth have gone into hiding. You've broken away from the Brotherhood, everything will be okay now," murmured Storm trying to catch the southern girl's eye. Rogue looked down at the floor.
"Ah ain't afraid of anythin'. Ah just want ta control mah life again. But not here," said Rogue after a moment of silence. Ororo nodded slowly before retreating from the room. Rogue waited until the older woman was gone before walking over to the bed. She knew the X-Men wouldn't let her go that easily. Rogue still had powers making her the most wanted mutant around.
"Damn freaks," she growled to herself as she clutched the towel and clothing to her chest. With a dark glare at her surroundings, Rogue made her way to the adjourning bathroom. Maybe the water would straighten out her mind. Maybe it would wash away her fears.
It was thirty-five minutes later when Rogue emerged from the bathroom. But she didn't feel any better. Her head ached, but mostly from the lack of sleep and food. Rogue grabbed her black coat off the bed and pulled it on just as Logan stepped into the infirmary.
"Glad to see you're up," acknowledged the gruff X-Man with a sharp nod.
Rogue frowned. "Playin' babysitter too? Ah ain't gonna run out ohn y'all. Ah ain't exactly in the best shape at the moment, in case ya forgot."
"Hard not to notice, kid. I came to make sure you got to breakfast safe and sound. Now let's go, there's a whole pack of hungry teens upstairs getting ready to eat my food."
"Ah'm not hungry," protested Rogue softly. She really didn't want to face the others. These were the people she had fought against, people she had tormented and one in particular who had stolen Lance from her. Considering her foul mood, Rogue figured it would be better if she stayed as far away from the X-Men as possible.
"I don't take no for an answer," snapped Logan taking Rogue by the arm and dragging her after him.
"Hey! Let go of meh! Ah don't want ta eat! Are you even listenin' ta meh? Don't you get it?" shrieked Rogue pulling free from Logan's grasp and halting both mutants in their tracks. "Ah'm the enemy! Ah've done things that cahn never be forgivin'! Ah cahn't face them! Ah cahn't handle the looks…the awkward silence…Ah'm not…Ah'm not ready." The last of her words her caught up in a quiet sob as Rogue pressed a gloved hand to her mouth.
Logan sighed and waited patiently for Rogue to pull herself together. There was a bond between them now. Rogue trusted him more than anyone else in the mansion, and he was probably the only one who knew what she was going through. Being alone for so long, whether voluntary or involuntary would get to a person once they were forced to come to terms with a whole new lifestyle—one with people the direct opposite of themselves.
After a few more minutes of silence Logan spoke up. "Just give it a try, would ya? That's all I'm askin'. If you can't handle it then you can leave. I won't push it—Chuck won't push it—no one will."
"Chuck?" asked Rogue in confusion, wiping her tears away.
"Yeah, the Professor. You know, the baldy?" replied Logan with a grin. Rogue gave a small chuckle. Her green eyes darted around the hall way with mild interest, taking in the famous paintings and various plants decorating the narrow way.
"Ah'll…Ah'll try it," started Rogue quietly, glancing up at Logan. "But Ah'm not makin' any promises."
Logan held up his hands in agreement and then motioned for Rogue to follow him. They boarded an elevator and journeyed up to the main floor. As they stepped out Rogue studied the circular room with wonder. There was so much light streaming in from the windows and front door, giving it a cozy feel. Rogue hurried to catch up with Logan who was heading down another hallway that led towards the dining room. As they neared the dining room chatter could be heard echoing off the walls. Rogue gulped as Logan pushed the door open for them.
The second Rogue entered the room it became silent. All eyes were on her as she nervously twirled a white strand of hair around a gloved finger. Her stomach did a flip flop, letting her know that coming to breakfast upstairs probably hadn't been the smartest move of the day.
Kurt and Bobby both jumped out of their seats, pulling out the empty chair between them. "Rogue," called out Kurt, "we saved you a seat!"
Rogue glanced at the empty seat and found her eyes glancing at the rest of the table. The looks she got were no longer filled with fear…they were filled with something else.
Pity.
She could see it in Jean's eyes. In Kitty's—in the Professor's.
"Roguey! Sit by me!" pleaded Jamie bouncing up and down in his seat. Roguey. It reminded her of Lance. It reminded her of another time in her life, one that seemed so distant rather than barely four days ago.
Behind her, Rogue could feel Logan giving her an encouraging nudge in the back to move. But Rogue couldn't move. She was frozen with fear and anxiety. She could feel bile rising up in her mouth. Rogue took a step backwards, bumping into Logan. She barely comprehended the confused looks that the rest of the table gave her as she turned and fled out of the dining room. She wasn't ready for this yet.
Bobby was ready to run after Rogue when Logan pushed him down into his seat. "I don't think Rogue should be by herself," argued the blonde boy as Logan plopped himself down in the chair that had been meant for Rogue.
"Leave her alone. This is a big change for her," replied Logan gruffly, using a single claw to spear some ham of a large platter.
"But—"
"No buts. Just pretend I'm Rogue until she's ready to join us."
Kitty made a face. "Like, no offense, Mr. Logan, but Rogue is so much prettier than you."
"No kiddin'? Pipe down and eat your goddamn food!" ordered Logan.
"Well," started Kurt with an injured pride. "You certainly sound like Rogue."
Meanwhile, Rogue ran down the hallway and to the large front door. She pulled it open and stumbled outside and down the front steps, leaving the door open behind her. Rogue continued to run down the driveway until she finally slowed, and dropped to the ground. She crawled over to a nearby bush and relieved her stomach of the few contents within. When she was done, Rogue moved away from the bush, wiping her mouth and sobbing at the same time. Her hands dug through her pockets until she pulled out her faithful pack of cigarettes and lighter. She tore one of the slim smokes out of the pack, returning her pack to her pockets. Rogue placed the cigarette in her mouth and fumbled with the lighter. Her hands were shaking, but somehow she got the cigarette lit. Rogue took a deep breath of the toxic smoke, instantly feeling her body relax.
Somehow, Rogue got back to her feet and made her way over to the large wrought iron fence. She slung her arms through the bars and studied the street outside the mansion grounds. Out there was freedom, something Rogue didn't think she would ever be able to taste again.
"Well, well, well," mocked a voice. Rogue glanced up warily in time to see Pietro stand before her, clutching the bars from the other side.
"Whaddya want?" muttered Rogue taking another puff of her cigarette.
"My father is in jail because of you."
"He tried to kill me."
"Like that means anything to me?" snapped the white haired teen acerbically. His blue eyes glowed with an intense hatred for Rogue as he stared at her. "He's my father! You sent him to jail. He lets you in on one simple plan and you go and screw it all up!"
Rogue narrowed her eyes. "Ah thought we were friends. What the hell is your problem?"
"What's my problem? You're the reason my dad is in jail! God, Rogue! How stupid can you be? All you had to do was start up the damn machine—but you sent the dead Senator to get help from the X-Freaks…and now look where you are! With the enemy!" Pietro snorted and shook his head in disappointment as Rogue stared at him in shock.
"You knew about the plan?" she asked, disbelief evident in her voice.
"Of course I knew the plan! I'm Magneto's son. I'm the heir to his throne," retorted Pietro icily.
Rogue chuckled darkly. "God, Ah really am stupid. Ah believed in all your bullshit! Ah should have seen right through you! You're nothin' like your old man, Speedy. You don't even know the half of who he is! Ah'll let ya in ohn a little secret, Mags doesn't have much confidence in ya. He thinks you're a screw up!"
"You're lying!" charged Pietro glaring at Rogue. The southern girl shrugged nonchalantly and tossed the butt of her cigarette at Pietro's shirt. Both watched as it fell to the ground by his feet.
Then Rogue spoke up through gritted teeth. "Ya know what, Speedy. Ah was supposed ta die the other day—but somehow Ah lived. If Ah was you, Ah'd watch mah back from now ohn. Ah'm not a very forgivin' person, ahn you know it. Don't piss meh off, Pietro. Mystique is gone, so Ah might want ta take all mah anger out ohn you. Get mah drift?"
Pietro nodded in understanding, his eyebrows furrowed in anger. He wasn't afraid. "I'll be waiting for you, Rogue. From now on, we're mortal enemies."
"You don't know who you're messin' with, sugah."
"Fuck you." Pietro turned to leave, but twirled around with a sinister smile on his face. "Just so you know, Lance and Kitty are officially a couple now."
"Ain't that sweet of you, tryin' to twist the knife in mah back? Ah don't give a damn anymore. The only thing that matters is certain people getting their just desserts."
Pietro's lips set into a firm line and then he was gone like the wind. Rogue stared in the direction he had gone, her mind going over this new piece of evidence. How many people had known what had laid in store for her when she had come to Bayville?
Back inside the mansion the students and adults were gathering around the large screened television in the living room. Principal Kelly was about to give a statement regarding his father's unfortunate demise.
"It is with a saddened heart that I stand before you today. My father was a great man. He was a brilliant man. He had dreams for the people of America. He knew of the growing mutant danger out there, threatening the very lives of the people of this nation.
"Mutants are the reason he is gone. They are murderers! They abducted my father because of what he believed in! But they will not get away with this monstrosity! From this day forward I vow to continue the fight my father started. The Mutant Registration Act is our only hope for peace in the United States of America! I will not rest until every mutant is locked up for good!"
Ororo turned down the volume as the reporter returned to the screen. "This is a terrible outcome from the Senator's death. Kelly Jr. is the high school principal. The students will have to be extra careful from now on."
"I'm afraid that I have to agree," sighed Xavier placing his hands in his lap. "The prospect of peace is growing farther and farther away by the moment."
"We just have to prove that not all mutants are bad," pointed out Jean.
Scott shook his head. "Yeah, but who's going to listen? We're not living in safe times."
"Do you think she's alright?" asked Bobby suddenly. Everyone turned to look at Bobby who was standing in the open doorway staring out after Rogue.
Logan rolled his eyes. "She's a big girl. She weighs like what, one hundred pounds, and she can kick my ass. Rogue's tougher than she looks. Twenty bucks says the girl is working out a death plan for Mystique and Sabertooth. She's on our side now."
Rogue took one last look beyond the looming gates overhead and turned to walk back towards the mansion. She didn't have much of a choice anymore.
"One chance. Y'all get one chance," she muttered under her breath noticing Bobby and Logan in the doorway of the mansion. As she said this one gloved hand clutched the beeper sitting within her coat pocket.
Rogue still had options.
A/N—Sorry, this one took a little bit longer than I had planned, but here it is. Okay, so here's the deal with Gambit: he's much closer to arriving. I can't just rush him in here. I have to set up the story in such a way that his relationship with Rogue is natural and NOT forced. Okay? I promise, he's coming…just work with me until then. Thanks!