A/N: Good question, FW Wandering. I didn't really think about how Pyro gets Rogue's letters and I'm usually a stickler for those types of holes. PO Box?

In Your Blood

Chapter 3

Rogue's Reaction/Response

Reaction

Rogue was handed a thin white envelope. There was no return address; however, she recognized the chicken-scratch handwriting instantaneously. Frankly, she was amazed she received a response—a quick one at that. She went into the bathroom, locked the door, closed the lid to the toilet, and sat down. Rogue stared at the envelope, pondering why she was being so secretive. Turning it over, she slid her finger into the corner of the envelope and tore through it like Wolverine would flesh. Rogue unfolded the letter slowly and carefully like it was a delicate document.

Does flipping the birdie count as showing emotion? Because I do that a lot.

She rolled her eyes as she recalled him using that gesture often. That finger always got John into trouble.

Why do I have to tell you how I'm feeling? Or show it, for that matter. Why do you even care? Oh, I know! -light bulb- This is coming from when you stole my memories. Now you think you know me. HA! Can you honestly say that you tell Bobby everything? I mean everything. Did you even tell Bobby you were going to write me? I'm laughing my ass off in my chair as I type this. You're a goddamn hypocrite.

Rogue paused and slightly smiled to herself because he was right about the second half. Sometimes it's beneficial to keep things from the ones you care about. On the other hand, getting something out in the open took the weight off your shoulders and John was carrying a lot of it. None of his memories were pleasant. She lifted her gaze off the letter for a few moments and then read on.

Erik … or as you like to call him 'Magneto' is straightforward. He doesn't lie to you like you're a dumb fuck. He tells it like it is, and I respect that. Nothing is going to happen to me. I can watch my own back, I'm used to it. However, getting stabbed in the back hurts every time.

Is he implying that I stabbed him in the back? Rogue pondered. Putting a stop to his wrath on Bobby's front porch was a decision she made with no hesitation. He was getting out of control; she felt it and acted accordingly. She thought after his snide look, he would get over it. Apparently, it still stung. Perhaps he always felt held back, and that precise moment was a hurdle of opportunities until once again he was hastily shut down.

You said that I don't care about anyone. I care about myself . . . you forgot to mention that part.

She didn't because it was obvious.

To tell you the truth, I feel pretty damn good about being a traitor. I don't lose sleep over it if that's what you want to hear, or in this case… read.

~ Pyro

PS: What's with the obsolete hand-written letter, Rogue? Afraid I'll send a virus to you through cyberspace?

She laughed quietly and inadvertently said out loud, "No, you idiot. A letter is more personal."

Response

Penmanship is going to hell thanks to the Internet. To be honest, I kind of miss writing an old traditional letter. Can't you see the frustration in my scripture? If not, it's there.

I can't believe you're still harping about what happened in Boston like a bitch. Yes, I called you a bitch. Deal with it! Hell, like I really wanted to add your memories and thoughts to the others I've gathered. It's getting crowded in there and I'm not sure how to handle it. I thought about crossing out the previous sentence, but I've decided against it because it's therapeutic for me and nothing else. Go ahead and scoff. You don't know what it's like. No one does.

Xavier wants what Magneto wants; they're just going about it differently. It's human nature to be fearful of the unknown and Magneto is justifying their fears. The Brotherhood is inadvertently speeding up ideas on how to fix the mutant problem. The group you are a part of gives the public reason to believe that ALL mutants are terrorists. You know . . . it all boils down to that one bad seed effect.

Power is a drug and you're high on it. You use yours often. The reason you give is short and to the point: because you can. I was amused by it at first since most mutants don't, but then I realized . . . they don't because they don't feel like they have anything to prove.

You do.