Betrayal - REVIEW THIS STORY

Written by Valerie Jones
Last updated: 01/02/2007 02:01:11 AM

Chapter 17

Rogue leaned her elbows on the edge of the sink, staring out the window. From there she could see the mansion's wide manicured lawn with the basketball court off to one side. Beyond that was a stand of trees. She remembered taking a walk that had ended up within the shady knot of maple and birch. How strange and exciting it had been to feel a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, and to sit in the dappled sunlight talking about nothing at all. It had been one of those rare, almost perfect days.

She raised her coffee mug to her lips and then made a face. Cold. She didn't know how long she had been standing there, staring at memories. Long enough for her elbows to go numb, certainly. She straightened and set her mug on the counter. Her elbows flashed into pain at the sudden return of bloodflow, and she rubbed them through the fabric of her sweatshirt.

*Serves ya right, gal* she told herself. *Since y'all are hidin' here instead of going in ta see him.* She had gone as far as the door, and then stood there, forehead pressed against the wood, listening to the murmur of voices. His and Ororo's. He had said something that made Ororo laugh her warm, gentle laugh. Rogue had retreated from the happy sounds. She told herself that it was just because she didn't want to interrupt, but the truth was that she simply couldn't face the inevetable questions in his eyes. The awkward silence. Why had she been there when he first woke, but never after? How did she feel about him? They were questions that Rogue had no answers for, and she was afraid she would only hurt him more by saying so.

With a sigh, she dumped the cold coffee in the sink. Then anger at herself got the best of her and she slammed the mug down on the counter, shattering it. *Coward! After all the things Remy's been through, an' ya cain't even be his friend when he needs ya!* She stared at the scattered fragments on the counter top. Tears burned her eyes and eventually found their way to her cheeks. Through her blurred vision, Rogue got out the trash can from under the sink and swept the remains of the mug off into it. She put the can back in its place, then leaned against the sink, crying quietly.

"Rogue?"

She looked up quickly and then turned away, wiping at her eyes.

"Go `way, Bobby."

"Sorry. No deal." His hand closed on her shoulder. "`Sides, if I didn't rent out my shoulder from time to time, I'd never have any beer money."

Rogue could imagine his goofy grin and smiled wanly. "Ah guess ah cain't let ya go without beer." She turned and wrapper her arms around his neck, resting her cheek on his shoulder. The tears continued to roll down her face.

"You want to tell me about it?" he asked after a while.

"Like ya gotta ask?"

Bobby sighed. "Do you still love him, Rogue?"

Did she? Was that the name for the pain inside her? Or was it just guilt because she thought she *ought* to love him, to be loyal despite the frightening, ugly thing she had inherited from his psyche when she kissed him that day in Israel.

"Oookay," Bobby said when she didn't answer. "Then I guess I'll have to tell you. Yes, Rogue, you are absolutely, completely, head-over-heels in love with the guy. And it's making you crazy."

Rogue drew back to stare at him in surprise.

"Well, it's obvious to everyone else in the house." He sounded a bit defensive now.

"What am ah going ta do?"

"I don't know. What do you *want* to do?"

Rogue released him entirely and leaned back against the sink, arms wrapped around herself. What did she want, really?

"Ah just want ta know that ah wouldn't be makin' a mistake," she finally answered. She sniffled and dabbed at her nose with the cuff of one sleeve.

"Well, I'm not exactly an expert, but I don't think there's any way to know that for sure. I mean, who *tries* to make a relationship fail? It just happens, sometimes. As long as you're both trying, I don't think you can really ask anything more." Bobby crossed his arms and studied her.

"You know, if you really want to know, maybe you should just ask him."

"Ask him?" Rogue stared at him in disbelief.

"Sure." Bobby shrugged. "Then the only catch is that you've got to believe what he tells you." He turned away, started to leave.

He threw her a glance over his shoulder. "Y'know, I didn't think I'd ever be telling you to take Gambit's word for anything."

"So why are ya? Ah thought ya didn't like him."

Bobby stopped and turned. "And I still don't. But I saw his face when you left. I guess I'm just convinced that he really does care about you, so if that's what'll make you happy. . . ." He shrugged again, turned, and left.

Rogue stared at the empty doorway for a long time. "Ask him. . . ." she repeated softly.