Neb: Sorry for being gone a long time. I do not own X Men Evolution.

Ricky had a lot on his mind as he sat back watching the clock tick. Tomorrow will be graduation where he'd finally move on to the real world outside of high school. It excited yet unnerved him, because he didn't feel like he, the Brotherhood mutants, or the X Men were ready to face reality. Sure there were more humans coming around to their side every day, but the world still just wasn't ready. Not to mention he wasn't sure what kind of job he'd get after graduating. What work was there for some mutant young adult? Would he become one of the teachers in the institute. That sounded nice, but he still wasn't sure about it. After all he use to be a Brotherhood mutant, and while Summers and Storm had come to accept him among some of the other X Men, he could help but feel like not everyone was on board with him being a full member. His sister Jessica wanted him to be an X Man, but that just didn't seem right to him.

"Hey," a voice spoke up and he turned his head to see Rogue.

"Having trouble sleeping?" Ricky smiled at her. She nodded as she sat next to him in the living room and laid her head on his shoulder, far enough that their skin didn't touch, but close enough he could feel her warmth.

"You really do have a messed up past," Rogue sighed and Ricky chuckled. She had spent so much time in his head. Ever since she first made contact with him he had been slowly coming out of his shell. Did he have romantic feelings for Rogue, or did he just like her because she could understand him.

"I might skip out on the graduation ceremony," he spoke up. "I talked to the principle about it. Asked if there was a way I could graduate and get my diploma without having to see anyone. He was thrilled with not having to deal with another mutant at his ceremony he accepted. He even asked me to convince the rest of you to skip out, what a slimeball." She removed her head from his shoulder and nodded.

"Ricky," She spoke up, but said nothing. He waited for her to get comfortable and say what she needed to say, but she didn't. She stayed silent.

"It's okay," he reasoned. "You don't have to say anything." He grabbed her by the shoulder and faced her towards himself.

"Ricky you can't," she spoke up. "Mah powers."

"I don't care if you hurt me," Ricky sighed. "For too long my past has haunted both of us. Ever since you first touched me. I would like for us to fully walk through it so... so I can finally move forward and not keep dragging you along through my suffering. We both have powers that hurt us and I think having that much in common is enough."

"Ricky," Rogue spoke up. "I like you. Like, I really like you, but..."

"But you don't think you can be with me," Ricky sighed, still smiling. It was a smile, but a sad smile.

"You will find someone one day," Rogue smiled. "But I see you like a big brother. You just have that vibe to me, I can't help it."

"I don't blame you," he sighed. "Growing up with a sister and then two little brothers... that's just who I am right now. That's why I can't stay with the X Men forever. I love Jessica, I like having a family, but..."

"But you want to see how you grow by yourself," Rogue finished.

"You always did understand me," He chuckled once more. "I'm sorry, I know you didn't have a choice when getting to know me. But, I still would like to give you that choice. For the first time, I'll let you absorb my powers and my memories. You can know everything about me and it won't be because you accidentally fell on me or you've been influenced by someone to attack me. It's a real choice."

"I don't want to hurt you though," Rogue spoke up. "Can't we just talk." Ricky shook his head.

"As far as talking goes," he began. "I'm afraid I'd just put up my emotional barrier. With smiling, jokes, and sarcasm. I can't help it, but it's just who I am now."

"I understand," she sighed. A few tears falling from her eyes. "I've been you after all." She moved in and kissed his cheek and felt his powers and memories draining from him. He held on through the pain and then held her gloved hand.

"Thank you," he thanked before passing out with that smile on his face still showing.