Early Morning Train- Dropping off

[The Creator]

Her alarm went off…<br>
Her hand reacted…<br>
The quiet beeping was silenced…<br>
6:00 AM and all’s well!

Slipping out of her bed at Xavier mansion, Rogue threw the sheets off herself revealing her black torn jeans and purple, of the shoulder sweater. Sliding her feet out of bed, she slipped the socked forms into her black sneakers before quietly bending and tightening the laces. Tip-toeing to her dresser, the Goth quickly brushed her skunk-stripped hair smooth and packed her brush in her bags.

Satisfied with her “Sneak-Out” so far, the young mutant silently slipped her black leather gloves and trench coat on. Picking up her backpack and slinging it over one shoulder, she grasped her duffle bag in the other and lifted it off the floor. Taking one last glancein her mirror, Rogue headed to her door, twisting the knob and slipping out a small opening she made for herself.

Heading to, and then down, the stairs, she kept close to the wall, as the flooring there wasn’t quite as creaky as it was near the railing. Thanksing herself for remembering to wear rubber soles, Rogue stole out the front entrence, passing the living room. However, she didn’t hear the soft breathing coming from the couch that sat in front of the TV.

Finding the cab she had called the night before outside and waiting, Rogue smiled and opened the back seat door, giving the driver a small wave. “Thanks,” she spoke sadly to the man in the front seat, slinging her things into the car before entering it herself.

“It’s my job miss!” he responded as he pulled away from the front stairs and sped out the front gate, leaving the mansion far behind.

Glancing back over her shoulder, Rogue felt a pang of guilt as she watched the building get smaller and smaller. It’s for your own good, Rogue. ~Mystique Giving a small and noiseless nod, Rogue curled up in her seat and waited for the end of the ride and the beginning of her extended leave of absence.

After what seemed like hours, the cab came to a final stop and the driver called back to her, “There ya go, miss. That’ll be 15 dollars.”<br>
Giving him a thin and pursed smile, Rogue took out some money for the driver before retrieving her bags and shutting the door. Turning her back on the car, she walked to the station and entered it, passing through two sets of double doors until she reached the other side. There stood a few trains, waiting for their passangers to board. Some leaving in 5 minutes, some in an hour. None of them were hers, however.

Heading to the ticket booth, Rogue waited in line, her mind drifting to the sleeping Cajun she had betrayed at home. A flood of emotions swept over her and she quickly brushed them aside. This trip was meant for her to collect herself… not lose control. Sighing deeply, a voice came to her ears that she hadn’t noticed before. The woman speaking was obviously annoyed as she spoke in a rather distainful tone.

“Do you want something, dear?”<br>
Looking up, Rogue gasped quietly, the woman’s harsh tone snapping her out of her thoughts. “Oh! Yes… One for…. Um…”

“Are you okay?” the greying lady asked, calmly.

“Uh… yeah. One for the… Magnolia please,” she whispered, not looking the woman in her wrinkled face.

“You leaving some charmin’ man behind, darlin?” she laughed, thought it was throaty and deep; not what Rogue would call a joyful sound. “I’ve seen that look before. Many a young woman come by here, lookin’ like you do. They sure tell nice heartbreakin’ stories though…”

Giving the old lady a curious look, Rogue slowly shook her head, “Nah… he thought he was charmin’… but not enough t’ keep me here.” The grin on her face grew as a wave of relief spread over her features. She was going home.

“Well, my child, that will be 5 dollars…” she paused. “I assume it’s a one way ticket?”<br>
“Yeah… ya assume correctly.”<br>
“Okay. The train leaves at 7:15.”<br>
“Thanks.”<br>
Passing her money under the window, Rogue quickly retrieved her ticket before slipping off to the side of the counter and finding an empty bench along the wall of a nearby building. Slowly padding her way over, Rogue collapsed onto the wooden seat and snuggled deep into her trench coat, trying to hide her prominating white streaks that shown so well in her dark red hair. Closing her eyes she listened to the whistling of the different engines. 7:15… 45 more minutes... Ah sure miss ya Irene…

[Gambit]

Remy had managed to grab a few hours of sleep during the night, but the openness of the room, and his jumbled thoughts had him uneasy. Even the slightest noise caused his eyes to shoot open, and his hand to involuntarily reach for something to charge. But it always turned out to be nothing, and he always managed to fall back asleep. Until now…<br>
Waking suddenly, Remy directed his eyes to the door, where the noise had originated. His eyes widened when he saw a very familiar form slip past the open doorway. Leaping from the sofa, he crossed the room, and peered out in time to see Rogue, complete with backpack and duffle bag, slip out the front door. Cursing the metal that blocked the windows, and his view, Remy turned back into the room. Quickly throwing on his coat and boots, he headed for the front door, before stopping in his tracks. Glancing down at the fingerless gloves he wore, he changed his destination, instead bounding up his stairs and to his damaged room.

It had been cleaned up slightly, and he was able to locate his own duffle bag. Searching through it, he pulled out a few items, including a full pair of gloves. Running back out the door, he decided to skip the stairs, and instead leapt over the railing, rolling as he hit the floor. Jumping to his feet, he went straight for the garage, quickly locating his Harley.

Revving the engine, he sped down the long drive, and to the open road. Only then did he allow his thoughts to catch up with him.

Well, I guess we know why de strange g’bye last night. She was tryin’ ta snow you. She didn’t want you ta see her off.

At that thought, he almost stopped the bike, and turned back. But his heart won out.

I can’t let her go wit’out sayin’ goodbye. Wit’out telling’ her how I feel.

He had only told her he loved her once, and so much had happened since then. He hoped she knew, but sometimes you just have to hear the words.

Pushing the motorbike to its limits, he swerved expertly in and out of the traffic, passing on the shoulder, and slipping through tight spaces. The early morning traffic was beginning to pile up, but he wasn’t going to let that stop him. Finally, the train station came into sight. Slowing to a stop, he cut the engine, and made a run for the building, stopping only momentarily to slip on the sunglasses he had almost forgotten. Pushing through the crowds, he frantically searched for the one familiar face among the hundreds of strangers.

Now I know what dey mean by needle in a haystack, he thought, growling in frustration. Finally, seeing how hopeless this search was, he made his way up to the ticket window.

“Excusez moi, Madame, but I’m lookin’ fo’ someone,” he said, trying to sounds suave, despite being out of breath.

“Oh yeah?” the woman said, looking him up and down, smiling. “I got a break in a few hours.”<br>
Remy sighed, rolling his eyes behind his shades. “Actually, I kinda had someone in mind. I need ta know what train she be gettin’ on. Dis femme, she tres belle, wit’ a white streak in de front o’ her hair,” he rattled off, glancing around the crowds the whole time.

“Oh, so you’re the heartbreaker! Take my advice, honey, and let her go,” the woman said, a strange smile on her face. Narrowing his burning red eyes, Remy leaned in closer to her.

“Look, I don’ wan’ your advice. Jus’ tell me where she be goin’,” he said, barely able to keep his voice smooth. The people behind him were starting to grow impatient, as he was holding up the line. “I got time, but dis crowd be gettin’ restless!”<br>
Scowling, the woman finally gave in. “Fine. She’s on the 7:15 to Magnolia. But from what I’ve seen, she deserves better than you.”<br>
Remy stood back, smirking. “Don’ I know it! Guess I jus’ be lucky she don’ wan’ better!”

And with that, he set off toward the proper platform.

[The Creator]

Trying to relax in her seat, Rogue found her mind drifting to thoughts of Remy once more. A slight burning sensation stung the corners of her eyes as she mentally realized that she couldn’t hold her emotions in anymore. She was going to cry; she just knew it. Standing up from her bench, the young woman glanced around the station, looking for the nearest bathroom. Or are you looking for someone? Rogue… you need to get over him. He’s not coming for you. You ditched him remember? ~Mystique

Finding the ladies room not to far away, she barely had time to slip inside before the first salty tear trickled down her cheek. It was the last however, as she felt one of her mental psychics grappling with her emotions and tying them down again. There… now get cleaned up… You have 20 minutes left… ~Mystique

Stepping up to the sink, she turned on the faucet and splashed her pale face with the soothing cold water… Cold… that was how ah have treated Remy… so many times…

Would you cut the guilt trips? ~M.

Opening the door and heading outside once more, Rogue saw that her train had pulled up into the station and was awaiting her presence. Running one gloved hand through her hair, she thought to herself (and whoever else inside her mind that was listening), Well… Here goes!

She returned to her past seat and looked down at her watch; sure enough, 20 minutes. Stooping to pick up her small pieces of luggage from the side of the bench, she slung her backpack over her shoulder and began to head for the compartment doors, flipping up the collar of her trench coat against the wind.

[Gambit]

Finally finding the right platform, Remy frantically searched the crowd. Running through the crowds, he ran into people left and right, receiving curses and insults with each turn. Then a familiar coat caught his eye, though he couldn’t see the face that it belonged to. Running forward, he stopped the person, only to find a very unfriendly woman. One that carried a very heavy purse that she proceeded to smack Remy in the head with.

“Désolé, I t’ought you were someone else,” he apologized, rubbing his head as he backed away.

Of course, he managed to back right into another person. Turning swiftly to catch her before she fell, the apology died on his lips. For, as fate would have it, he accidentally ran into the very person he was looking for.

“Fancy meetin’ you here, chere,” he drawled, trying to overcome his shock. He had this desperate need to find her, and now that he had, he couldn’t remember what he had wanted to say, as he got lost in her eyes.

[The Creator]

A look of fright came over Rogue’s face as a man in front of her stepped back and knocked her over. However, it quickly disappeared as he whirled around and caught her, his dark, red-on-black eyes catching her own, just as he had caught her. Oh god… Remy… Rogue’s mind spun circles as she let out a small gasp, expressing her shock of finding him here.

“Remy…” she couldn’t find the words. “What… what…? Ah thought…” Shaking her auburn head, the Goth couldn’t think of anything to say to him. Her already hoarse and emotion-filled voice caught in its box as Remy used his grip around her waist to help her back to her feet.

Staring silently at him, Rogue stared at her dropped duffel bag at her feet, feeling that the only weight that she would be able to hold, given the moment, would be her own. What is he doin’ here? Ya said he wouldn’t follow me… ~Rogue

Wow… I… huh! ~Mystique

Thanks, mother… Yet again! Now ah gotta pull mahself outta a bigga hole! ~Rogue

With a sigh, she bowed her head and began to speak again, “How did ya know?” It was all she could say. All she knew to say… and yet, she knew it was the opposite of what she should have said. But what was there to say?

[Gambit]

Remy frowned as Rogue adverted her eyes to the ground.

Okay, not de reaction I was hopin’ fo’, but what should I expect? She told me de wrong time fo’ a reason.

“It ain’t easy sneakin’ past a t’ief, chere,” he replied, keeping his arms in their position around her waist. “I t’ought you knew me better dan dat.”<br>
Reaching up with one gloved hand, he lifted her chin, trying to get her to meet her eyes.

“Leavin’ town. Tellin’ me de wrong time. I’m beginnin’ ta t’ink you tryin’ ta tell me somet’in’,” he joked, though the smile on his face was a carefully practised mask.

[The Creator]

Letting Remy guide her gaze to his face, Rogue couldn’t help but feel guilty for leaving the school like she had. He looked so carefree, so joking… maybe too much so. It wasn’t too hard to see that he was wearing one of his poker faces. There was just this… feeling… radiating off of him, and all she knew was that it wasn’t a happy one.

Noting his grip that still was wrapped about her waist, Rogue wasn’t sure whether to pull away or stay put. She didn’t want to hurt him, however, she was only hurting herself standing where she was. Finally, she decided on a response, something to cover up the unnerving silence that lingered between them.

“Didn’t think ah’d be able t’… t’ keep mah emotions in check. Sure, you may be good about pretending everythin’s alrigh’. You might be able to keep your feelin’s hidden where evah ya keep 'em, but ah’m not good with masks. Ah just… didn’t want t’ cause a scene when ah was leavin’… An’ ah’m sorry…” she told him, with a sigh, going back to her old habit of biting her lower lip.

[Gambit]

At her words, Remy let his mask dissolve.

“Non, I’m sorry, chere. I jus’ makin’ dis harder on you. I jus’… I couldn’t let you leave wit’out a proper g’bye,” he said, not even attempting to smile this time. He wished he could remove his sunglasses, but in a crowded train station, he didn’t want to take the chance.

Prolly better dis way, anyways. It be easier if she can’t read your eyes.

“Listen ta me! You’d t’ink you was leavin’ fo’ good de way I’m actin’!” he suddenly exclaimed, pulling away from her with an odd laugh. Turning away for a moment, he swallowed hard before turning back to her. “It’s not like I never gonna see you again… right?”<br>
Eit’er way, you gotta tell her, homme. Tell her what you came here ta say, an’ get de hell out before she changes her mind. She tol’ you she needs dis!

[The Creator]

Rogue hesitated before answering, “Honestly… Ah hope so. But ah can’t really give ya a definite answer.”<br>
God how ah wish ah could…

After a few painful seconds pause, Rogue decided that she had to at least give him some hope. “Look, Remy, ah’m sure ah’ll be back… ah just… What if ya have left for the Acolyte’s hide out again? Will things go back t’ the way they used t’ be? Before… everythin’?”<br>
“Cause… ah dunno if ah could do that…”

Looking at the ground again, the Goth couldn’t bare to look at the Cajun’s face while she spoke those words. This is so… so… classic… When did mah life become a movie? ~Rogue

My thoughts exactly. ~Mystique

[Gambit]

At Rogue’s answer, the Cajun’s face fell. A million thoughts ran through his head in the silence that followed, then main one being that he might not ever see her again. But finally, she spoke again, offering him a shred of hope.

“You can’t promise ta come back, jus’ like I can’t promise not ta go back ta de Acolytes,” he replied, his voice low. “But one t’ings fo’ sure. If you ain’t at de mansion, I got no reason ta stay.”<br>
Sighing, he seemed to follow her lead, and looked down at his feet. They were quite the sight, standing so close, yet both looking to the ground. And even though people rushed around them at all sides, the silence seemed to become deafening.

[The Creator]

“Just… Tell me ya won’t forget… Tell me you’ll be waitin’ when ah come back, no mattah where ya are. You don’t have to be here,” she gestured to the station around them. “But just say you’ll be waitin’ somewhere.”<br>
She needed the reassurance. She needed to know he’d miss her like she’d miss him.

Just then, the 5 minute warning whistle sounded for her train. What happens if it leaves without me… Ah need t’ wrapp this convo up… and soon…

Stepping closer to the Cajun, Rogue lifted a gloved hand to his shoulder and smiled reassuringly, “Ah’ll come back… Ah promise… And if ah don’t, you can… ah dunno… Rip up that card ah gave you a while back?”<br>
How lame… But then again… maybe he can think of something worse…

[Gambit]

Remy smiled, a genuine smile, at Rogue’s words. Reaching into one of his many pockets, he pulled out a familiar card.

“You mean dis one? Non, I be keepin’ dis one. Maybe it bring me luck,” he said, winking, before slipping the card from sight once again. Reaching up, he placed a hand on the side of her face.

“O’ course I wait fo’ you, mon chere. I…” he trailed off, meeting her eyes with his.

Jus’ spit it out! Merde, you be frustratin’!

“I love you, Rogue,” he said quietly.

[The Creator]

Gasping softly, if heard at all, with mild shock written all across her face, Rogue tried to take in what she had just heard. First she thought it was just a figment of her imagination, but then, when she realized how quiet the Cajun was being, and how he looked so sincerely into her eyes. It all hit her and hard. This was it. She knew now that leaving would never be the same, and she doubted that she would be able to go.

Mother… ah can’t do this… Ah can’t… ~Rogue

Yes, you can… And you have to. He’ll understand. ~Mystique

Lifting her gloved hand to his, she kept it held to her cheek. Moving forward, she let go at the right moment as to slip both of her arms about his neck and give him time to lower his arm. A small smile spreading across her face as she hugged Gambit, Rogue tried hard not to cry, for fear of upsetting him and the people around her.

“Of all the things I've believed in
I just want to get it over with
Tears form behind my eyes
But I do not cry
Counting the days that pass me by

I've been searching deep down in my soul
Words that I'm hearing are starting to get old
It feels like I'm starting all over again
The last three years were just pretend
And I said,

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems that I can't live a day without you
Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away
To a place where I am blinded by the light
But it's not right

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

And it hurts to want everything and nothing at the same time
I want what's yours and I want what's mine
I want you
But I'm not giving in this time

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

And when the stars fall
I will lie awake
You're my shooting star.”

[Gambit]

Pulling Rogue’s body flush with his own, Remy buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her. As she started to pull away, he was tempted to hold her tighter, and never let her go.

Just then, the whistle blew, signalling the last call for boarding the train. Reluctantly letting go, he forced a smile on his face, grateful for once for his dark shades.

“I guess dat be you,” he said, trying to keep his voice from cracking. Removing his arms from around her waist, he reached into his pocket. “I got you somet’in’.”<br>
At her questioning gaze, he placed a small box in her hand. Folding her fingers over it, he lifted her hand to his lips, and kissed it.

“Jus’ wait ta you get on de train ta open it, hein?” he said, lowering his head, and peering at her over his shades.

[The Creator]

As the Swamp Rat kissed her hand, Rogue almost broke down. Managing a small but very weak smile, the young woman struggled to breathe as the whistle blew again. “Ah… Ah have t’ go…” she whispered. “But…” biting her lower lip, Rogue’s conflicting emotions fought over whether to leave or not. She knew she had to go, but quite frankly, it seemed nearly impossible.

With a small sniff, Rogue began to back away. Her voice quiet and almost un-comprehensible, she spoke again running her hand down the side of his face one last time, “Ah… Ah’ll miss ya, sugah…”

You can do this, Rogue. ~Mystique

Bending down, she picked up her duffle bag and slung her backpack on her shoulder again. Turning to go, the lonely Goth girl sent one last smile the Cajun’s way before calling out, “Ah love ya, too, Remy LeBeau… and don’t ya forget it!”<br>
Sighing deeply, she boarded the train and found a window seat near where she and Gambit had stood together. Waving at him through the window, she could no longer hold back her tears. Satisfied that she had gone far enough to not effect the man standing on the platform, Rogue let the tears fall. They slid down her cheeks and fell to her sweater, staining it a darker purple.

Opening her fist, she looked at the small box, and slowly but curiously opened it. There pressed between a slit in the cushioning, was a ring with three stones: Red, clear and emerald. An Infinity Ring. Silently, she pulled it out of its case and slipped it onto her left-hand ring finger.

Rogue! What are you doing!?! *looks shocked* ~Mystique

What does it look like? Quit being such a mom… you’re terrible at it! ~Rogue

The southern belle’s heart was taken. And she wanted everyone to know. There would be no changing it.