Innocent Meetings



Love doesn't ask why It speaks from the heart And never explains

She wasn't sure when the hate turned to friendship, then to love. But it happened, despite what she wanted. She'd always dreamed about finding love, maybe not in the way a cheerleader pounced on it with flowers and chocolate, but still wished. What girl wouldn't?

They met secretly in the park, talking and laughing for hours, not telling either of their teams about the meetings. It was ethically wrong, she figured, to stare lovingly at the man you were supposed to kill everyday in battle.

On that particular day, the mutant known as Rogue in battle, but as Kate in private, smiled as she stared into the sun. She was waiting for him, waiting for the reason she came to the park day after day.

It had been nearly a year; a year of change, betrayal, and love. The latter was do to their English teacher. Hank McCoy had seen a spark between the pair and convinced them to join the drama club, which began the long trial of questioning what they felt for one another... that ended in their daily visits.

Don't you know that Love doesn't think twice It can come all at once Or whisper from a distance

Scott Summers trudged up the path, smiling once he caught the glimmer of his lady love's white streaked mane. He ran a hand through his mop of brown hair as he silently jogged the small distance to her.

Smiling, and slightly out of breath, he managed a "hey."

Rogue glanced up, then her smile brightened.

"Hey you," she responded. She moved over in the bench, making room for him to sit beside her. As he sat, she nestled herself into his arms as they stared in silence into the trees surrounding the park.

"What's today’s plans?" Scott asked, conversationally. She shrugged.

"Ah don' know," Rogue shrugged. "Want to catch a movie?" She smiled wickedly, "Ah heard the dolla theater is playin' the Romeo and Juliet movie again..."

Scott chuckled, and thought back the previous year, reflecting on the start of the rocky path that had led them to the current situation...

Rogue blew a strand of her striped hair from her eyes, staring stonily at the chalkboard in the classroom. Scott stood next to her, an equally agitated expression drawn across his hidden face. The teacher, a big, burly man known as Hank McCoy, stood with his back to them, writing across the board.

"What did y' want?" Rogue finally broke the silence. The teacher turned slowly, staring at her through wire rimmed glasses.

"Rogue, Scott," Hank began, wrinkling his forehead as he observed the two students. Brushing their attitudes off as a fight, he continued, "I would like the two of you to try out for the lead roles in the next play."

"A play with HIM?" Rogue blurted, staring wide-eyed at the teacher. "Ya gotta be kiddin'!"

"I'm quite serious, my favorite Southern actress," Hank replied, eyes twinkling as he observed the two. "I think you would do a marvelous job as Juliet. And you as Romeo," he added to Scott.

"Romeo and Juliet?!" they both cried in unison. They exchanged looks before turning to face other directions.

Hank sighed, "I wish you two would take this seriously... I'm in great need of two actors, and you two fell right in my lap..."

"That ONE scene was four months ago," Scott pointed out, desperately. "Who says we'll have the same chemistry now?"

"I have quite good judgement," Hank said dryly, "I think you would do quite fine together."

"But," Rogue started. She was cut off at Hank's frown.

"Let's put it this way," Hank said, "If you both do this, I'll give you the extra credit for the both of you to PASS this class."

"I--" Scott stopped, and nodded miserably. He needed to pass the class, and with recent scuttles they'd been having with Mystique's clan...

"Alright," Rogue said, obviously relenting to the same fate's torture. "We'll do it, Ah guess."

Don't ask me if this feeling's right or wrong It doesn't have to make much sense It just has to be this strong 'Cause when you're in my arms I understand

"Romeo and Juliet, huh?" Scott chuckled, shaking his head. The play had been their downfall, and perhaps, maybe... their best mistake yet. "Alright, Ms. Kate, let's go see us a movie."

Untangling herself from his arms, she held out her gloved hand to him. He gladly accepted the hand in his own gloved hand and they hurried down the gravel walkway.

We don't try to have a voice When our hearts make the choices There's no plan It's in our hands Love doesn't ask why It speaks from the heart And never explains

Rogue floated into her bedroom later that night, and quite literally at that. Nearly three months ago she'd had a run-in with a mutant known as Ms. Marvel. Unknown to her, it had been a set-up by Mystique, which resulted in Rogue's gaining the ability to fly and super strength.

"Where were you all night?" A harsh voice demanded. Rogue started, dropping down into a fighting stance. She came face to face with a furious Mystique.

"Ah was... Ah was studin'," Rogue stuttered quickly.

"Don't lie to me!" Mystique frowned, glaring down at the mutant girl, "I know you were out with that... that... Cyclops! How dare you betray us like this!"

"Ah wasn' betrayin' ya," Rogue cried, "Ah was jus'... out."

"With. The. Enemy." Mystique gritted, "WHAT do you have to say for yourself?" Rogue opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by Mystique, who waved her hand in disgust. "I don't want to hear about you seeing him again, do I make myself CLEAR?"

"Ah... yes," Rogue nodded, turning away. Her eyes hardened as Mystique nodded her approval, patted her back, and left.

Don't you know that Love doesn't think twice It can come all at once Or whisper from a distance
***
Scott waited next to the tree, their usual meeting place. He kept glancing uneasily at his watch every few seconds, then back to the path where she should come from. Minute by minute passed, and still no Kate.

"Where are you," he murmured, nervously.

"Here," Rogue said, lightly. Scott turned, like lightning, to greet her. "Ah came ta say goodbye."

"Goodbye?" Scott repeated dumbly. He glanced to her hands, where a red suitcase was held tightly by her hands. "Where... are ya goin'?"

"Away."

"Oh," he said. There was silence for several seconds, before he exploded with "Why are you leaving me? I thought you.. you cared, like I care for you."

"Ah do care," Rogue replied evenly. "Ah LOVE ya, but it wont work. We're on opposite sides," she laughed nervously, "Plus there's the fact ya can' touch me."

"It's her, isn't it." Scott stated, not questioning. "Mystique won't let you near me, will she?"

Rogue nodded mutely. "Yes. She... she's right. We don' belong together, though."

Now I can feel what you're afraid to say If you give your soul to me Will you give too much away

"How can you say that," Scott demanded. "We...we..."

"We have lust," Rogue grinned ruefully, "Not love. We can never have LOVE. Ah'm too...too..."

"You're perfect," Scott glared at her, "and if it wasn't love, would I do this?" He lurched forward, grabbing her right arm tightly, pulling her the distance between them. He stared deeply into her jade eyes before pressing his lips to hers. He felt the effects of the draining before it happened, and managed to whisper, "See."

Rogue staggered backwards, caught off guard by his actions. His thoughts, his feelings, his memories invaded her.

"You're cute," Scott grinned, staring at her.

Rogue blushed, playfully shoving him in the arm. He feigned hurt, then smirked as she replied, "So are you."

"Can I call you Kate?"

"Ah... Ah guess so," Rogue replied, swallowing hard at his question. "Why?"

"I keep remembering how you looked," Scott confessed, "when we did that scene in English class. You really did remind me of an angel." His eyes grew distant as he recalled the moment in class when she had said the lines perfectly. Her face had looked so beautiful as the light bounced off her eyes.

"I really do like her," Scott told the trees in the back of the Xavier Mansion. "She's so perfect, but what would she see in me? I can't even get JEAN to go out with me..."

"Ah'm sorry," she whispered to his fallen form. She lifted him easily into her arms and flew in the direction Scott's memories told her to go.

We can't let this moment pass us by Can't question this chance Or expect any answers We can try But love doesn't ask you why

She didn't know what to do anymore. Her brain screamed to go, get away from Mystique and Scott and all her problems, but her heart said stay. If it wasn't love, Scott wouldn't risk himself for that kiss.

"Don't give up on me," part of Scott pleaded to her. "I do love you..."

Rogue didn't say anything at first, then awkwardly agreed with the inner voice. She wouldn't give up. Not yet, not until the day they could touch freely. Maybe, by then, he'd realize the mistake and the hold she had on him would crumble. After all, that's what happened to every other person.