Disclaimer: Obviously this doesn't belong to me.
Chapter 29-Fragile
"Rogue! Like wake up, Rogue! Rogue!" Kitty gritted her teeth in annoyance as she tried to shake Rogue awake. The southern teen groaned as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Are you okay, Rogue? I've been trying to wake you up for the last twenty minutes!"
"Really?" Rogue sat up and winced in pain. Her head seemed to be worse this morning.
"What's wrong?" asked Kitty, her tone reflecting some concern for the other girl.
"Just a headache," mumbled Rogue.
Kitty's face brightened. This was something she could handle. "I know just the thing!" she said opening the drawer of the nightstand. Kitty quickly pulled out a small bottle of aspirin and handed it to Rogue.
"Uh, thanks." Rogue took the bottle and offered Kitty a small smile. Kitty grinned back at her before exiting their room. Rogue sighed as she opened the bottle and took out two aspirin.
It was unusual for her to get a headache for such a long period of time. It had been almost two days since Tabitha had moved into the boarding house with the Brotherhood, and Rogue's head was still aching. All she knew for sure was that it had to be a result of the last time she had used her powers. There was no other explanation. And now it was starting to grate on Rogue's nerves. She was tired of the pain, tired of being weak, and tired of feeling so off-center.
"What the hell does a girl hafta do ta feel normal these days?" moaned Rogue as she swallowed the aspirin.
It took Rogue almost thirty minutes to get ready for school. By the time she made it downstairs everyone had already left for school. Well, almost everyone.
"Hey, Rogue," murmured Evan as Rogue trudged towards the front door.
"Hey. What are you still doin' here?"
Evan made a face. "Jean's on a warpath. She left early to break things off with Duncan for good. Something about him making other plans on their next anniversary—without her."
"Ah see…she took off with Scott's car again, huh?"
"Yeah. Last I heard Scott was running after his car. He needs to get his keys back before his big date with Taryn tonight."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Go figure. Ah take it you're walkin' ta school?"
"I was gonna skateboard—but I left my board in my locker," replied Evan with a sheepish shrug. "Wanna walk with me?"
"Might as well." Rogue followed Evan out the door and the two teens began the walk to school. As they walked Evan struggled to keep his pace slow enough to match Rogue's.
"Uh, Rogue," he began after glancing at his watch for a third time, "we're gonna be late if we don't pick up the pace."
"Ah know, Ah just…" Rogue's voice trailed off as she felt her knees buckle beneath her, causing her to slump towards the ground. Evan's eyes widened in surprise as he leapt forward to catch her.
"Hey! What's wrong with you, Rogue?" he demanded as Rogue struggled to keep her eyes open.
"Sorry…Ah'm just weak…"
"Get your hands off her, you scumbag!" Pietro's order went unheeded as Evan lowered Rogue to the ground. Pietro shoved Evan aside and knelt beside Rogue whose head was slumped against her chest. Evan hit the ground hard and made a face as he felt himself sprout spikes all over his body.
"Nice one, Maximoff," muttered Evan as he pushed himself to his feet.
Pietro snickered as he snuck a peek at Evan who now resembled a dinosaur. Or at least that's how Pietro saw him as. "Looking good, Daniels. Think anyone at school will notice your new look?"
"Fuck you." Evan tried to retract his spikes, but to no avail. He groaned in disbelief as Pietro burst into laughter. Rogue's eyes fluttered open at the sound.
"Speedy?" she murmured in confusion.
Instantly Pietro was alert, his full attention back on Rogue. "I'm right here, Roguey. How are you feeling?"
"Like Ah got hit by a train." Rogue glanced over at Evan and furrowed her eyebrows. "What's wrong with Evan?"
"He's having a little mutation problem," replied Pietro with a shrug after another glance at Evan; the other teen was still trying to retract his spikes.
"That's one way of putting it," grumbled Evan giving up. He smacked Pietro in the back of the head as he knelt beside Rogue.
Rogue blinked sleep ridden eyes at Evan as she tried to understand what he was saying. "Rogue, what's wrong with you?"
"Ah don't really know. Mah head hurts ahn Ah feel real weak. Maybe Ah just need some more sleep."
"Maybe you should move back in with us, Roguey," suggested Pietro shooting Evan a dirty look.
"Only if she wants to die," snorted Evan. Rogue winced as their bickering made her head throb twice as hard.
"Guys, really, you're not helpin' any," she murmured rubbing her temples gingerly. Both Pietro and Evan lapsed into a temporary silence.
"Is there anythin we can do?" asked Evan after a while.
"How 'bout ya help meh back up?" replied Rogue. Pietro and Evan jumped back on their feet, each reaching a hand down to grasp Rogue and pull her into a standing position. Rogue stumbled briefly before Pietro slipped an arm around her waist.
"Don't worry, Roguey. Just stick with me and I'll take good care of you," said Pietro pasting another cocky grin on his face.
Evan rolled his eyes. "You probably shouldn't go to school in your condition. The teachers might get suspicious if you have Maximoff glued to you all day."
"Then what do we do?" demanded Rogue as she tried to ignore Pietro's arm around her waist.
"I dunno about you two but I'm gonna head over to the skate park—as soon as I can hide my spikes." Evan muttered the last part under his breath, inspecting his body at the same time.
"How original," murmured Pietro with a roll of his eyes.
"For your information, Maximoff, I'm supposed to be in a tournament today. Dammit, I can't compete looking like this!"
Rogue sighed. "Walk it off."
"Walk it off?" shrieked Evan incredulously. "Are you crazy?"
"I'd do more than that if I were you." The new voice came from the shadows of a nearby alley. Rogue, Pietro, and Evan turned anxiously as the figure stepped out of the alley.
At first glance the figure looked like a tall, gangly boy, but on closer inspection was really a girl. Her hair was short and dark, and she had a patch over one of her dark eyes.
"Who are you?" asked Evan suspiciously.
"Callisto of the Morlocks," answered the girl dryly. Both Rogue and Pietro stiffened at her words. With a small gulp Rogue clutched Pietro's shoulder tightly, praying that Callisto did not know exactly who she was. Rogue wasn't sure if Caliban had ever mentioned her to the rest of the Morlocks in the sewers.
"Yeah, well whaddya want?" growled Pietro.
Callisto chuckled. "You tell me. Are you three so comfortable with yourselves that you don't mind standing out in plain view of the rest of the world?"
Evan's eyes widened as he dashed into the shadows. Rogue gritted her teeth and tried to take a step forward, but felt her head swim as a result.
"Hop up," ordered Pietro stepping in front of Rogue. He crouched down low enough for Rogue to place her gloved hands on his shoulders. With a resigned sigh Rogue wrapped her arms around Pietro's neck and hoisted herself onto his back. Pietro straightened up and secured his hands under Rogue's legs before following Callisto further down the alley way.
"It's not everyday that I come across a mutant quite like you," murmured Callisto circling Evan. She tapped her chin thoughtfully as she studied Evan's spikes.
"Gee, thanks, I'll take that as a compliment," said Evan bitterly.
"How much longer do you think society will accept you? Look at you—you're losing control, aren't you?" asked Callisto smoothly. "Once a mutant loses control of their powers it's only a matter of time before they are forced to hide."
"Hide?" Rogue raised her eyebrows in disbelief. Callisto glanced at the southerner with a glint in her eye.
"Yes hide. Why do you think the Morlocks make their home in the sewers? It's because of how we look. Humans will never accept us for who we are—and neither will mutants like yourselves. We are outcasts." Callisto turned back to Evan.
"What? Don't look at me like that! This," Evan gestured at himself wildly, "isn't how I look normally."
"Your mutation is evolving," stated Callisto. "Pretty soon you won't be able to leave home. Will the X-Men still keep you as one of their own?"
"How do you know so much about him?" quipped Pietro in curiosity.
"We Morlocks know more than anyone else. Rumors, secrets, everything is exposed down below."
"Great," mumbled Pietro. "Remind me to stop talking to myself in the mirror."
Rogue giggled before addressing Callisto. "So why are you really here?"
"I'm offering Evan a place when the time is right. The Morlocks welcome all who seek their aid."
Evan shook his head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I'll be fine." With those words he was finally able to retract his spikes. "If you guys will excuse me, I'm late for class."
Callisto turned to Pietro and Rogue the second Evan had vanished from sight. "You two are the talk of the sewers. If I were loyal to anyone but myself I would unmask you for who you really are. But right now I wanna see you two try and pull off your deeds. I'll be watching…so don't try to involve my people."
Rogue and Pietro watched warily as Callisto turned her back and trudged down the alleyway.
"Is she for real?" whispered Pietro re-shifting Rogue on his back.
"Ah think so, sugah."
"Great. Life is starting to look up for us, Roguey. Next thing you know the Morlocks are gonna invite us down for a party."
"Yeah, well they probably wouldn't let us back up if we went."
"I'll keep that in mind." Pietro shook his head and shifted Rogue once more before returning to the sidewalk. "Where to now?"
School:
Tabitha threw open the cafeteria doors and narrowed her eyes as she searched the crowded lunchroom. Within minutes she found who she was looking for. Putting on a mischievous grin Tabitha made her way over to one particular table.
Kitty glanced up in annoyance at the small shadow that had been cast over her and Lance. Standing there was Tabitha. Lance grinned appreciatively at his new housemate and let go of Kitty's hands. He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms across his chest.
"Hey Tabs."
"Lance. Kitty-cat. Having a romantic lunch?" returned Tabitha wryly.
Kitty glowered. "Like what do you want?"
"Just wondering if either of you has seen Rogue today."
Lance frowned. "No. She wasn't in homeroom earlier, or chemistry. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Pietro either."
"Ew! Like Rogue would have to be crazy to be ditching with Pietro." Kitty shuddered at the thought.
"Oh, I dunno," murmured Tabitha with a chuckle, "I wouldn't mind being out and about with the speedster. He's pretty damn hot. 'Course, I think he might have a thing for Rogue…"
"Rogue's dating Warren," pointed out Kitty.
"Pietro better keep his hands off Rogue if he knows what's good for him," growled Lance darkly. Kitty made a face at her boyfriend's obvious jealousy.
"Hey Shelia," greeted St. John bounding over to Tabitha. "Have you seen Rogue? I've got somethin' juicy to tell her."
"If it like has anything to do with Bobby's crush on Rogue then forget it. I think she already knows," replied Kitty. St. John's face fell before he turned around to search for Bobby.
"Hey mate!" he shouted upon catching sight of the blonde teen. "If the Shelia already knows ya like her I don't know why you're tryin' to keep it a secret!" As St. John bounded after a red faced Bobby, Evan burst into the cafeteria. He paused to catch his breath just as Scott walked over to him.
"I wonder where he's been all morning," murmured Kitty. Tabitha glanced at her questioningly. Kitty rolled her eyes. "He wasn't in class this morning. I figured he was like ditching or something since he didn't get a ride to school with the rest of us."
"Huh." Tabitha pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I wonder if he saw Rogue today. "Oh, Evan! I've got a few questions for you!"
Park:
Rogue leaned back against the trunk of a tree, lazily plucking at dead grass. Beside her Pietro was lounging on the ground with his hands behind his head, and his eyes were closed. They had come to the unspoken agreement to spend the rest of the day at the park. With a content sigh Rogue closed her eyes in hopes for a break from her headache. But the moment her eyes closed whispers began to echo within her mind.
"Marie, ya know Ah wanted ta travel the world with ya…but not like this."
"Ja, the man has a point. Can we leave yet?"
"C'mon, Roguey—let me outta here!"
"This like totally sucks! What did I do to deserve this?"
"Man, the second I'm free form you I'm gonna light you up like the fourth of July!"
"Rogue, you're too dangerous for the rest of the world! One way or another I'm gong to put a stop to your evil ways!"
"Child, why have you hurt so many people? What could you possibly gain from it?"
"Look, kid, you let me go and I'll try and go easy on ya, huh?"
"Hey Roguey, I've run around your head hundreds of times now—there ain't enough thoughts about me in here. You need to work on that."
"Let me go! You can't trap me forever! No one can!"
"Aw, Rogue, what an intriguing gift you have. I do believe you will become my greatest asset in the war against mankind."
"No!" Rogue woke up with a start, beads of sweat rolling down her face. Pietro sat up just as quickly with a bewildered expression on his face.
"Rogue?"
Rogue turned to Pietro and burst into tears. This couldn't be happening to her…if it really was happening. Maybe she had only dreamed it up. There couldn't possibly be voices in her head…voices of the ones she had touched using her ever-present curse. It had to be the stress. Pietro pulled Rogue into his arms and made soothing noises as he rocked her back and forth.
"Is something wrong?" asked a female voice. Pietro and Rogue glanced up at a teenage girl with tufts of purple in her black hair, and a splash of freckles across her face. She blinked innocently at the two on the ground, awaiting an answer.
"Uh…" started Pietro trying to come up with a reasonable excuse.
"Ah'm havin' family problems," spoke up Rogue softly. "A screwed up mother, no father. It's all startin' ta hit meh now 'cause Ah'm, um, piecin' it all together."
"Don't you just hate that?" replied the girl with a knowing smile.
"Huh?"
"I've got the same kind of issues with my family. My parents split when I was three—I haven't seen my mom since, and my new step-mom is a total bitch."
Pietro frowned. "And you are?"
"Oh, sorry. The name's Risty. I just moved into town. I was supposed to be at school today…but I didn't feel like going. Are you guys in school?"
Rogue winced and pulled herself away from Pietro. Leaning back against the tree she said, "Ah didn't feel up ta it today. Ah've got this incredible headache…ahn it sure as hell ain't goin' away any time soon."
"That sucks." Risty sat down in front of Rogue and Pietro uninvited. But before Pietro could open his mouth and tell the girl to get lost, Rogue started talking again.
"Hey, is that your favorite band?" she asked pointing at Risty's shirt.
"You bet! Their latest album is like the soundtrack to my life."
"Really? Ah thought for sure Ah was the only one ohn the planet who liked them."
Pietro scrunched up his nose in disgust as the two girls began talking about their favorite songs and band members. He for one had never heard of the band, but that wasn't what was bothering him. There was something odd about Risty. Something familiar that he couldn't quite put a finger on. All he knew for sure was that he didn't like her, and judging by the glint in her dark eyes the feeling was mutual.
Minutes turned into hours and before long it was four o'clock.
Risty glanced down at her watch and groaned. "I gotta jet. I'm supposed to meet my dad at the library in fifteen minutes. I'll see you tomorrow, Rogue."
"Bye!" Rogue waved good-bye and watched Risty jog down the sidewalk. It was the first time in her life that she had really connected with someone her age.
"Kindred spirit," murmured Rogue.
"What?" asked Pietro making a face.
Rogue chuckled. "Nothin'. Just somethin' Ah read in a book once."
Pietro nodded along absently. "Right. C'mon, Roguey, I'll walk ya partway home. I've gotta get the guys in shape."
"Good luck." Rogue sighed and allowed Pietro to help her to her feet.
"Your head any better?" he whispered questioningly into her ear as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"Somewhat." Rogue gave her friend a reassuring smile as they walked through the park. She would worry about her dreams another time. About twenty minutes later the pair came across the small café where Mystique was secretly working. Rogue ground her teeth without thinking.
"What? Do I smell or something?" Pietro let go of Rogue and turned around to sniff and inspect himself.
Rogue shook her head trying to put a smile onto her face. "No…um, Ah just miss Warren. This is where he took meh ohn our first date."
"Are you still dating that doofus?" demanded Pietro.
"Of course Ah am, ahn he's not a doofus. He really cares about meh."
"I could name a few people here—within walking distance—who care about you, Roguey. I think you're wasting your time with that pansy ass rich boy."
"Oh, ahn Ah take it you have someone else in mind for meh, huh?" returned Rogue with raised eyebrows.
"I could name one…or two," mumbled Pietro under his breath. Rogue rolled her eyes and turned to peer through the café window. What she saw took her breath away—and not in a good way.
Sitting in the center of the café were Kurt and a blonde waitress. Mystique. Rogue couldn't tell what they were talking about, but from where she was standing they looked like they were getting along just fine.
"Hey!" started Pietro peering into the café as well. "Is that Kurt? What's he doing with that woman? She's twice his age! You know, Roguey, I think I've been underestimating those geeky teammates of yours."
"Trust meh, you're not," replied Rogue dryly.
"Then who's the lady?"
"No one important. C'mon, Speedy, Ah thought ya had ta teach the boys some teamwork or somethin'."
Pietro shot Rogue a grin as he slung his arm around her shoulder again. "I wouldn't miss a walk with you for anything."
"Don't push it, Speedy." The pair lapsed into silence until they came across the road leading towards the mansion.
"Catch ya later." Pietro gave Rogue a wink before heading towards the boarding house. Rogue stuck her gloved hands in her coat pockets and began her trek down the paved road. Her head still ached, but she pushed her concern aside when she entered the front door of the mansion.
Ororo was sobbing in Logan's arms, while Jean and Kitty tried to comfort her with soft pats on the back. Logan glanced up at Rogue with a trapped look in his eyes.
"What's goin' ohn?"
"Evan!" cried out Ororo turning to look at Rogue. Disappointment clouded her face just as Logan pulled her back into his embrace.
Jean sighed wearily. "Evan was ousted as mutant today. At the skateboarding tournament."
"Oh gawd—his mutation!" exclaimed Rogue thinking back to earlier that morning.
Scott nodded. "Yeah. He evolved…there's no hiding who he is. He turned down an image inducer—he said it wouldn't be right."
"I still don't like understand any of this," said Kitty. "He like never wanted to be a mutant. He hated his powers. Why wouldn't he want to hide it?"
Rogue swallowed before speaking. "This mornin' we met a Morlock…she gave us this whole spiel ohn bein' outcast…she, uh, made it clear who would be welcome ahn who wouldn't."
"The Morlocks?" Jean shook her head in disbelief.
"We have to get him back!" said Ororo. "We have to go after him."
"Fine. Let's suit up." Logan gave in and the X-Men set about getting ready for their latest mission. All but Rogue. She knew that there was probably nothing anyone could do or say now to help Evan. Not after Callisto's speech and offer to join the Morlocks. If Rogue had been put into that situation she knew that she would choose sewer life over one with humans and mutants always at each other's throats. It was ten times safer down below.
Instead Rogue made it upstairs and to her room. With a grateful sigh she shut the bedroom door and sank down onto her bed. He head had resorted to a dull ache, but she chose to go on ignoring it. She began preparing for bed, with every intention of skipping supper, when the phone rang.
"Please be Warren," murmured Rogue as she reached for the phone. "Hello?"
"Rogue—trouble is brewing! You are in grave danger!" Destiny's voice made Rogue wince. Why couldn't she be left alone?
"Stop callin' meh!" cried Rogue angrily.
Destiny ignored Rogue's warning. "Be careful, Rogue! Your powers are—"
Rogue hung up the phone with a satisfied smirk and unplugged the line. No more. She was tired of cryptic phone calls. All she wanted was to sleep in peace.
A/N—Well, my vacation is finally over and school starts up next week, so now I'll be able to pick up this story again. This past month with no writing has helped me come up with some more ideas for this story. I hope you like this chapter, despite the fact that I'm a little rusty.