A/N: Wow…an update was due for this fic! Enjoy!

Snow and Fire Don't Mix

Ch. 10

Alone Time

Rogue was waiting for John in the lobby. She was wondering what was taking him so long. He's not the type to stare at the mirror preening for half an hour…

"Hey, Rogue."

Rouge turned around to see a grinning Pyro. But this grin was different than the rest of his grins. Yes, he's a man of many, many grins.

"You look different but I can't tell what it is."

She looked him over some more. Same old clothes, same slicked-back hair, same smile…wait John doesn't smile often. "What did you do?" She could easily visualize devil horns on top of John's head and him holding a pitched fork.

"Why do you always ask that?" John walked over and gave Rogue a hug.

"Because you're always doing something and most of the time…it's mischievous."

John's hands were inching lower and they eventually reached their destination…Rogue's ass. He squeezed. "I thought you liked that quality of mine. Anyway, what I did was for both of us. You can thank me later."

"Whatever. I don't know. I can't be blamed for or tempted to fix it so I'll leave it at that." Rogue grinned. John had a firm grip.

"Like, get a room!"

He shot her a pinched gaze. "Don't go all sour grapes on us just because you're alone, Kitty."

She ignored his comment and asked, "Where's Bobby?"

"Tied up." John made it sound like he was joking but turned it around quickly. "I don't know…lurking around somewhere I'm sure."

"Fine, I know when I'm not wanted. I'll see you two later." Kitty Phased through the floor since no one was around.

Once Kitty was fully through and out of sight, Rogue turned to John. "I'm guessing you don't want to hang out in the lobby all night."

John flashed a grin. "You know what I want to do."

"Oh yea…that."

"Come on, you know I don't like surprises."

"Have you been good today?" Rogue asked.

John snorted and then laughed, sarcastically. "Of course not."

"That's the answer I love to hear."

'Where the hell are you John! I have to take a shit!'

Still in the closet, Bobby was still trying to get his hands free. It's been over an hour since John left the room. 'Damn, he tied these tight. I can't believe I'm still in here! As God as my witness, I will get revenge!'

"I hope you're hungry."

Slightly puzzled, John said, "I am but what does that have to do with anything?"

Rogue led John downstairs. She opened the swinging doors to reveal a medium-sized room. In the middle of the room stood an intimate table for two with two long and lit candles a foot apart from eachother in the center of the table.

"John, when was the last time it was just you and me alone having a normal conversation?" Rogue asked.

He was thinking about her question…

She interrupted his thoughts. "My point exactly. So do you want to eat or would you prefer to stare at the lit candles from afar?"

"Stare at the lit candles."

Rogue rolled her eyes.

John smiled. "I'm just kidding let's eat because I rather stare at your face from across the table." John pulled out the chair for Rogue.

"Thanks," she said as she sat down unable to stifle her smile. John pushed her chair in and he sat in the chair across from her.

"So are you enjoying your vacation?" she asked.

"Some parts. This part and especially the part when we were in the hot tub alone."

"It felt good," she agreed. "feeling a little bit normal"

"You are normal, unlike Bobby. Now...he's a different story altogether!"

Softy, Rogue laughed because he was right.

With eyes scanning the menu, Rogue decided to change the conversation. "What are you in the mood to eat?"

"I'm not sure yet. What about you?"

"Probably just a salad."

"Rogue, you can have that anytime! Besides, salads are gross!"

"They are not! Anyway, you've changed my mind. I'll have the stuffed flounder."

John made a face in disgust. "Yuck! I don't know which is worse. Salad or fish!"

Rogue sighed and shook her head, putting the single laminated menu on the table. "You're a pain."

"Don't blame me…blame my picky taste buds."

"Fine but that won't change the fact that you're a pain no matter what."

"Fair enough."

A/N: The best place to cut this chapter was here since I started to write Ch. 11 so that's what I did. I'm planning to update this story before the New Year or on New Years Day so hopefully I'm able. Don't forget to review cause…cause…it's important!