23 January

Home.-v.1. a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household 2. the place in which one's domestic affections are centered 3. an institution for the homeless, sick, etc. 4. the dwelling place or retreat of an animal 5. the place or region where something is native or most common 6. any place of residence or refuge 7.a person's native place or own country8. the destination of goal 9. a principle base of operations or activities 10. home place 11. one of three attack positions nearest the opposing goal -adj.12.of, pertaining to, or connected with one's home or country; domestic 13. principal or main 14.played in a ball park, arena, or the like, that is or is assumed to be the center of operations of a team -adv.16.to, toward, or at home 17. deep; to the heart 18. to the mark or point aimed at 19. a. into the position desired; perfectly or to the greatest possible extent b. in the proper, stowed position c. toward its vessel -v. (without object)20. to go or return home 21. to proceed, especially under control of an automatic aiming mechanism, toward a specified target, as a plane, missile, or location 22. to navigate toward a point by means of coordinates other than those given by altitudes 23. to have a home where specified; reside -v. (with object)24.to bring or send home 25. to provide with a home 26. to direct, especially under control of an automatic aiming device, toward an airport, target, etc.idioms27. at home a. in one's own house or place of residence b. in one's own town or country c. prepared or willing to receive social visits d. in a situation familiar to one; at ease e. well-informed; proficient f. played in one's hometown or on one's own grounds 28. to bring home. to make evident to; clarify or emphasize for 29. home and dry. having safely achieved one's goal 30. home free a. assured of finishing, accomplishing, succeeding, etc. b. certain to be successfully finished, accomplished, secured, etc. 31. write home about. to comment especially on; remark on

"I don't understand our study hall," Veronica commented to Rogue. Rogue had kept a steady relationship with her since she and her boyfriend offered to help Rogue home weeks ago, but it had never extended outside of school. Now, for the first time, the girls took a trip through town to go window shopping. The wind was biting, but Rogue's jacket warded it away, and it wasn't uncomfortable when the gusts slowed.

"What's there t' understand?" Rogue asked. "Ya get a free hour t' do homework b'fore goin' home."

"Well, yeah, if you're a good child. But I can't concentrate with the group of girls always chattering in the corner. I never get anything done. And you're always working on something."

"Ah gotta figure out what Ah don't know before Ah go t' Hank for help. Can't ya move away from them?"

"No, I can't." Veronica paused in front of a small, bright shop. "Oh! That's cute!"

"Wanna go in?"

"Nah," Veronica said. "I've been in there before. It's expensive."

"Too bad," Rogue sympathized. "That would'a looked cute on you." Noting Veronica's slight frown, Rogue continued her walk.

"No kidding, right?" Veronica fell back into step beside Rogue. Looking over, her frown quickly transformed into a smile. "So ... who's Hank?"

Rogue shrugged. "Big guy we go t' school with. Real smart. Senior. He helps me out with homework almost every night."

"Sounds like a nice guy."

"Yeah, definitely. Ah dunno how he finds the time t' help me, get his homework done, train, and do all his side projects he has."

"What kind of side projects?"

Again, Rogue shrugged. "Bunch o' chemistry an' sciency stuff Ah don't understand."

Veronica moved in closer, grin still in place, and nudged Rogue with her elbow. "Ever think maybe he likes you?"

"Hank?" Rogue exclaimed. "Naw. He'd do the same for anyone."

"You sure?" Rogue nodded. "Hey, what about that other guy?"

Rogue scrunched her eyebrows together. "Who?"

"Y'know, that hot guy that picked you up when we first met," Veronica pressed.

"Oh Gawd," Rogue sighed. Before she could continue, her shoe caught on uneven pavement at the mouth of an alley. She reached out for balance, didn't catch anything, but also managed to stay on her feet.

"You okay?" Veronica asked. She turned around, ready to help Rogue out.

"Ah'm fine," Rogue assured her.

Veronica turned back around, and Rogue went to follow, but strong arms caught her around the waist and mouth. At first Rogue feared that she'd suck in the man's life force, but he was wearing thick black gloves. Once she was over concern for his safety, Rogue's thoughts flashed to her own well-being.

"Rogue!" Veronica screamed. Rogue saw her hesitate, debating whether or not to physically help. Any decision she made didn't happen to quickly, because the man pulled Rogue into the graffiti-covered alley. A few yards into the alley, it transformed into a tunnel, making a much darker and dingier atmosphere.

Hoping to free herself at nearly any expense, Rogue grabbed at his arms with her hands. She fought to sink her teeth into his fingers. He took his hand away and threw her against a rough, brick wall. After the initial shock of impact, Rogue took a moment to turn around and open her mouth to scream.

His hand went to her throat, his thumb pressing under her jawline to cut off her airways. Panic building in her chest, her hands grasped at his fingers, his arm, but his remaining hand held both of hers at the wrist and pinned them back against the brick.

She couldn't get the oxygen her body required. She couldn't use her knee to knock him away. She was weakening.

Then, as quickly as he attacked, he let go. Despite her fuzzy mind, despite her burning throat, Rogue couldn't allow herself to collapse to the ground and take his retreat as a blessing. Instead, she regained her footing and prepared to run. She hadn't enough training to deal with him, to be the superhero.

"Rogue." The voice belonged to Remy.

Rogue turned around to face him, her mouth agape. Before, she couldn't place him. He had moved too quick, and not to mention had worn a ski mask. Now the mask was in his hand, his hair long mussed up in a crazy fashion.

"What the hell!" Rogue screeched. Taking a couple steps forward, she sent the hardest punch she could at him. To her surprise, he took the punch, though he did brace himself.

Rubbing his face at the impact point, Remy straightened himself out. "Now dis ... dis wa'n't my idea."

"You did it!"

"Oui ..." Remy conceded. "Look, lower ya voice, chere. I take ya home, I explain."

"No," Rogue rejected firmly.

"Rogue?"

"No! Ah don't wanna be near you. Ah need my space, an' t' find my friend Ah was with." Rogue turned on her heel, stalking out of the alley.

"Please! Listen t' me!"

"Why, Remy?" Rogue asked. She didn't turn to face him, but she did stop in her tracks. "You don't talk t' me for a few days - disappear even - an' then attack me. Ambush me where Ah live."

"Chere, call it your lesson f'r da day. Take your issue up wit' head hancho. Hate me if ya need t', but I doin' my job. We X-Men, chere. Not jus' me. You ain't never safe, not even at home. Comprenez?"

Rogue slowly turned around, her green eyes burning. "Why you?"

"Because you trust me. An' 'Crawler can't do it himself." He took a tentative step forward, but didn't push his luck.

"Storm?"

"Dead giveaway wit' her fightin' style. 'Sides, we t'ought a man would make a bigger impact." He reached out to her, but she pulled away.

"No, Remy, Ah need my space. Now leave me be. Ah need t' find Veronica."