Warning: There are some romantic developments here and it's more of a filler chapter.

Of course, the news spread around the mansion. How their arrangement was discovered, neither Scott nor Rogue could say but Rogue was already over the questions the first time.

It started with Kitty.

"So, like I hear you and Scott are going out."

"What?"

Surely she had dreamed the question? After all, she had been minutes from deep sleep, now thanks to Kitty, she was wide awake.

Still, the girl persisted. "You're going out, aren't you?"

"We're going for a burger on Saturday but it doesn't mean anything." Rogue turned away, indicating the conversation was over.

Kitty scoffed. "Sure."

Rogue turned to face her roommate, grinning maliciously. "Shut up and go to sleep, or I'll tell Logan you're planning on meeting Lance to do the deed."

Kitty's shriek was very satisfying. Not that that's what she was thinking that but if Logan caught a whiff of teenage intimacy, he'd lock Kitty up for years.

XxX

The next set of questioning came from Kurt over breakfast. In an effort to encourage more fruit intake, Ororo had been growing some in her roof-top garden. Today, they were finally ripe enough for consumption.

Kurt offered one of the fruits to Rogue.

"Vould you like one?"

Rogue turned her nose up at the overgrown raisin. "No thanks."

"Oh come on, maybe you could share one? A date? Vith Scott?"

She rolled her eyes as Scott blushed. Luckily Logan told Kurt to "Pipe down, elf" in his usual gruff manner.

XxX

When Saturday finally arrived, every moment dragged until it felt like an hour. Logan had never gone easy on them and today was no exception. It was a team of exhausted mutants that ran the course and dealt with the feedback. Rogue was dreading going up the stairs when she realised Scott was beside her.

"Hey, are we still on for that burger?"

"Sure, just give me an hour to get upstairs and showered. You'd think Logan would lighten up once in a while."

Scott laughed nervously. "He only wants us to be prepared."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Ah know, Ah was joking. I'll see you soon okay?"

"Yeah, I'll meet you in the lobby."

After a welcoming shower, Rogue returned to her room to find Kitty going though her clothes. Correction, her clothes.

"What are you doing?"

"Girl, you need to add some colour into your life. All this black is depressing."

"Ah wear colour."

"Sure but why not jazz up the selection a bit? I bet pastels would look great on you."

Rogue had the sensation that someone had mentioned that before. She couldn't quite remember who though and it wasn't a pleasant memory.

Her voice was slightly shaky as she replied, "Ah don't wear pastels."

"Well why don't we go and get some new things at the Mall. I'm sure there's a sale going on."

"Listen Kitty, Ah'm going to tell you this once. Ah don't do mainstream fashion. Nor do Ah do pastels. If you're looking for a cosy girls trip to the Mall, why don't you ask Jean? Now Ah'm not telling you this to be a bitch, but if my own mother couldn't enforce her choices on me, what hope does that give you?"

XxX

Scott offered to drive and she accepted. She wasn't in the mood to drive. Besides, they both lived at the same place so there was little risk. Some of Kitty's comments had bothered her more than they should.

Scott was equally quiet. He'd caught some of the slack from their team about their so-called 'date'.

This wasn't a date. It was two friends going out for a burger. If anything, he was only doing his duty as Team Leader to get to know the latest addition to his team.

So why did that answer not sit right?

Was it because she was so closed off and he was used to an easier banter? Was it because she was the Professor's long-lost daughter? Was it because even when she was closed off, there was something blatantly attractive about her? Was it because he could finally admit to himself that he was a regular guy after all? Was it because he could finally admit to himself that Jean was happy with Duncan and...

They arrived at their chosen location and Rogue was out of the car already. He followed quickly, joining the queue, debating whether to insist on paying for her share...

"And a chocolate shake as well please?"

What? When did she order hers?

"Next please?"

He mumbled his own order, choosing a soda to complement the meal. Rogue had collected her tray and was heading to one of the booths near the back.

"Do you mind? These are the better seats."

"No, not at all. Is that what you always do? Go for the best seats?"

She eyed him cautiously before answering. "If they're available. Why wouldn't Ah?"

"No reason."

They were half-way through their meal when he was conscious he should talk to her.

"So, how are you getting on with everything?"

She gave him a look, which he would later assume meant, 'Really, that's what you're asking?'

"Things are good, mostly. Schools pretty much the same place wherever you are, right?"

"Pretty much. "

Both teens were feeling the brunt of awkwardness. More than that, Rogue hated the feeling of nerves, especially when she was with someone she knew and trusted. Or was meant to trust.

"Look Scott, Ah think we need to sort this out once and for all."

"What do you mean?"

"You know when we go back, everyone is going to be on our case about whether this was a date or not."

"Oh."

"As far as Ah'm concerned, we're just friends, grabbing lunch. The point is, do you want to do this again?"

"You mean grab lunch?"

She shook her head. "Not necessarily. We can hang out. We've got no ties. There's no-one who would be hurt if we did decide to date. At the same time, we both have our reasons for not dating. Mine is to the last time I got close to a guy, my powers manifested and I was chased through the streets by a psychotic bitch masquerading as one of a team of mutant vigilantes." She paused. "I don't know why you're not dating."

"Well, there's a lot to focus on. Between school, missions and the team, there's very little spare time."

"But don't you ever get tired of being Mr. Responsible? Don't you ever want to say, Screw it, I need a life. Well, a social life."

Scott didn't answer straight away and Rogue's words were something he considered over the next few days.

The others had questioned them but both gave mutually non-committal answers. He had always prided himself on his work ethic but had to admit that outside school and the team, he had very little interests. He knew the others considered him uptight and while he understood, he didn't necessary appreciate the role. After a week of stress, he was weary and ready to break out. It was after one of their regular Danger Room sessions. He'd done well but he wasn't filled with the same exhilaration. He couldn't wait for debrief to be over and instead of discussing tactics with Jean, zoned in on another team-mate.

"Rogue, wait up."

It took a moment for Jean to realise she'd been zoned out.

Rogue turned back to face Scott. "What's up?"

"Are you doing anything now? Do you want to hang out?"

"Yeah, sure."

For Rogue, it was the best possible outcome. All she had been thinking of doing was going for a drive. Now she had company.

The day continued with Rogue driving. They called in at one of her new favourite cafes in Bayville and followed that by driving around the city.

"Is there somewhere you want to go?"

"Don't you ever decide to drive aimlessly? I've got a full tank. Relax Scott, I won't let you get hurt." She grinned, knowing that Scott hated not being in control. He really was uptight, but he had good looks, so that made it easy to deal with.

As they were approaching the edge of town, they came across an exhibition centre, advertising their annual 'Animecon'.

Rogue took one look and informed Scott, "We're going!"

XxX

It was almost dinner time and Scott and Rogue hadn't returned. Normally this would cause the others to ponder on what was keeping them, but thanks to Rogue's limitations, the issue was moot.

Logan and the Professor had received various updates from the pair, meaning they weren't so worried. For the Professor, he knew Scott was a respectful man and that he needn't worry. Even so, he was interested in what kept them out late.

When they eventually arrived, it was to see Scott carrying a huge stuffed panda, whilst Rogue was laden down with other bags. Charles wheeled himself out into the hall.

"You've been busy?"

Rogue grinned. "I know I went a bit mad but I couldn't help it."

Logan eyed the panda. "Whose your friend?"

"Oh that's Percy. I won him."

"Percy Panda?"

"It was a good guess. Now he can join Leo." Leo was the name given to the large stuffed lion she had been given by the Zoo when one of the lions had become over-friendly. That was when she was with Mystique and still antagonistic towards the X-Men. The lion had decided to sit on the only available seat on the safari cart that so happened to be next to Rogue. He hadn't done anything but nestle up to the girl, still it was an unexpected experience.

"Well make sure they stay on your side of the room, please."

"Don't worry Kitty, I won't let my stuff violate yours." Rogue took great lengths to keep her belongings on her side of the room, so why Kitty was making a thing of this, she had no idea. Perhaps she was still het up from earlier?

"Here, I'll help you get these up." Scott began his ascent of the stairs.

"Well be quick, dinner is being served."

"Oh Ah'm not hungry. Scott will eat though." Rogue had made full use of the food on offer, whereas Scott had only snacked.

XxX

Rogue joined them anyway, to be polite. In good spirits from the day, she didn't realise she was smiling, which surprised everyone around the table. They were both fielding questions about the convention.

"It was really great, they had geisha make-up tutorials, loads of food and sumo-wrestling workshops."

"It sounds like it's something most here would enjoy."

"Yes, you could have let us know it was on." There was an edge to Jean's voice. Still smarting from Scott's earlier ghosting, she had looked out for his return periodically through out the day. Envy had tinged her voice, knowing she would have appreciated attending the convention.

Rogue gave a distracted grin. A part of her felt pleased that she had got to see the place with Scott and not Jean. "We only found out by chance. But Ah'll make sure Ah use my crystal ball nest time."

"Was today the last day?"

"Ah think it's still on tomorrow."

Noises were made about giving the convention a go. Rogue found herself zoning out and as soon as dinner was over, she was back upstairs. Scott had said about doing some extra training tomorrow to compensate for today's inactivity. If the others decided to head out to the convention, leaving them alone, well, that was all the better...

XxX

Dear Scarlett,

Ah'm sorry it's been a while but things have been good. Really good. Scott and Ah have been hanging out most weekends. We're not labelling what we are at the moment, apart from friends.

The rest of the team aren't sure what to make of us, which annoys Scott but not me. Let them think what they want. I learned a long time ago that some people just can't stand for others to be happy, if it doesn't 'make sense'. Yes, Ah may have my limitations, but even if Ah didn't, Ah wouldn't be jumping straight into bed with him. Y'all know I was with Cody for almost a year before we took the next step. Neither of us wanted to face charges of 'statutory rape'. Talk about killing the mood.

Ah'm pretty sure he's a virgin anyhow. Scott, not Cody.

Things at the institute have been quiet, which means Ah can get caught up with mah schoolwork. Ah'm still getting the tutoring with Hank and meditation with Logan. Scott's still Team Leader. We work well together, which pisses some people off, but Ah don't care.

Though there are times when Scott yells at me because Ah take a gamble, but Ah say it's a 'calculated risk'. They don't always pay off, but that's what we're here for, right? To learn control? To adapt?

The alarm sounded, forcing Rogue to pause and prepare for the mission. She slid her diary under her mattress and dressed before joining the others, who were en-route to the X-Jet, ready for whatever mission they were about to face...