Rogue watched out the window as the last car pulled away leaving her the only one at the mansion, a very rare occasion indeed. When the professor first announced his plans to take the others on an overnight trip into the city, she had thought that she would be stuck going as well. It had taken some fast talking on her part, and a few mentions of close proximities with poison skin and numerous mentions of absolutely no desire to go, that had allowed her to remain at home. And even more fast-talking, not to mention a lot of luck, to get Logan to go as well, and not remain behind as babysitter. She was still surprised that they had agreed to it.

When she realized she was completely alone, she let out a sigh of relief and seemed to have a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She smiled, a true smile, and anyone who was watching would hardly have recognized her as the same girl who was often referred to as the Ice Queen behind her back. She ran, practically skipping, up the stairs and into the bathroom that she shared with Kitty and took a quick shower, when she was finished she looked into the mirror and combed her hair.

Normally she would put on her heavy Goth makeup but since there was no one else around she skipped it and slipped on a pair of shorts and a tank top. Even though it was the middle of August and therefore hot outside, it was an outfit she wouldn't normally wear, but since there was no real risk now she put them on. She exited the bathroom with a smile on her face, which faded as she was grabbed from behind.

She spun around ready to attack but pulled up short when she saw who it was. "Pietro, and what do you think your doing?" There was a frown on her face when she said it, which caused him to pout at her. At his look the frown was replaced by a grin and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. After a few seconds of enjoyment she pulled back, "And what took you so long?" She arched a brow at him, and he smirked and pulled a bouquet of flowers out that she had failed to notice earlier.

At the site she couldn’t resist kissing him again. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.”

“So,” he asked her wrapping his arms casually around her, “what do you want to do first?”

She thought for about half a second and then grinned a sly grin. He saw the look on her face and fought to hide a matching expression instead trying to look hurt. “Oh, I see how you are. You just want me for my body.”

This caused her to laugh at him, before quickly deciding to play back. “Of course not. If you don’t want to, we can go watch a movie.” It was said with an innocent expression as she started to walk away towards the living room. Before she had a chance to take more then two steps she found herself swept up into his arms.

“I wouldn’t want to disappoint you or anything.” He teased her. “So which one of these rooms is yours anyways?”

Rogue giggled and pointed to a door and he strode towards it. “You’re to kind,” she told him wryly, the smile still on her lips.

“I know,” he said, his voice self-sacrificing. “It’s a weakness. I‘m always putting the welfare of others before myself.” He pushed open her door and lowered her on the bed that he assumed to be hers. He immediately followed her onto the bed, kissing her.

“Poor baby.” She sighed into his mouth. “It must be so hard.”

“Oh it is,” the last was said on a moan as she lightly scraped his jaw with her teeth then soothed it with her tongue.

“Anything I can do to make it up to you?” She asked, obvious invitation in her voice.

“Oh, I can think of a few. Why don’t I show you, “ he told her with a grin. And then proceeded to do just that.

“So why is it that they took off and left you here all alone?” Pietro asked her, pushing her hair tenderly back from her face.

“Everyone started panicking that they didn’t have everything for when school starts on Monday, so the professor decided that they needed to go into the city to finish all their shopping. I think he was probably grateful for the chance to get out of the house with that many teenagers all cooped up. I told them that I already have everything I need and didn’t want to go shopping anymore than I have to.” He grinned at that very Rogue statement.

“So, what did you have in mind for today?”

“Hmm, I’m open for suggestions. Whatever you want to do. One of our last free days before school starts back up.”

“Can you believe that schools going to be starting in a three days?” He sighed in disgust at the thought. “The only good thing about it is that we got into all the same classes.”

“I meant to ask you how you managed to do that.” She looked at him questioningly, but he only smirked and remained silent. In response, she yanked her pillow out from under him and smacked him with it.

“Hey.“ He said, trying to block it. “You know Roguey, you’ve got a hell of a temper on you.”

She swung the pillow at him again. “I do not,” she vehemently denied.

“Do too.” He said picking up the other pillow and swinging it at her.

“Do not.” Another swing, this one actually managed to glance of his shoulders.

“Too.” He said, tossing aside the pillow and tackling her back onto the bed.

“Not.” she flipped him over so he was the one on his back.

“Too.” he leaned towards her until there was only a few inches separating their faces.

“Not,” this last one was whispered right before there lips met and both completely forgot what they had been arguing over.

After a few minutes Rogue pulled away. “You never did tell me what you wanted to do today.”

He thought about it for a minute then suggested, “How about we go swimming then watch a movie or something and order dinner.”

“Sounds good to me,” she agreed, “except how about I cook dinner instead.”

“Your Spaghetti?” he asked, an excited gleam in his eyes. It had been one of his favorite foods that she cooked back when they both lived in the ‘hood.

“Of course. Wow, this almost sounds like a real date.” There was a wistful look in her eyes as she said this, and Pietro sighed. He knew that she longed to behave like a normal couple, but because of who they were that was impossible. He wished that he could give her what she wanted and it tore him apart inside to know that he couldn’t. But, he silently vowed, I will make it up to her somehow. He felt a wave of emotion sweep over him and he held her close and kissed her tenderly on her forehead.

She looked at him questioningly, sensing the strange mood he was in. Instead of explaining, he just asked her, “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“Not nearly enough.” They laid in silence for a bit, just enjoying having the other close.

“Okay, then. Let’s go swimming. I wonder wear my suit is?” She didn’t have much opportunity to wear it, since she preferred to stay covered most of the time. She got up and searched through her dresser. She finally pulled it out of the bottom drawer. “Ah ha. Found it!”

“Do you really think you’ll need that?” Pietro asked, grinning at her wickedly.

“Yes. I’ve never had the chance to wear it before.” With that she disappeared into the bathroom.

She reappeared a soon after and Pietro felt his jaw drop to the floor. He hadn’t paid attention to the suit before and now saw that it was a jade green bikini that matched her eyes and showed off her figure. “Do you like it?” she asked, posing in the door.

He found his voice finally, “You are never, ever to wear that in front of any of the guys that live here!”

“I take it you like it then, sugar,” she stated with a smile, choosing to ignore the possessiveness of his statement.

“Oh, yeah.” She smiled at him and then disappeared for a minute. She reappeared and tossed him a pair of black swimming trunks that were covered with green frogs. He looked at her questioningly.

“They’re Kurt’s. He’ll never know.”

“Should have guessed.” She just laughed and headed for the pool.

It was later that evening and Pietro was in the kitchen watching as Rogue cooked over the stove. He couldn’t help but smile at how cute she looked in a pink apron. She noticed his expression and looked up from where she was adding spaghetti to a pot of boiling water.

“What?” she asked him.

“I never realized how sexy cooking could be.” He told her with a lecherous grin. She blushed at his words but couldn’t help from smiling at the flattery.

“I’ll remember that when were in Home Ec class.” she teased him.

At her words he groaned. “I still can’t believe I let you talk me into that. I can hardly boil water without burning it.”

“Well, then I’ll just have to help you.” she said with another smile and checked the pan of sauce that was simmering.

There was a companionable silence as Rogue went back to her cooking and Pietro gazed thoughtfully at her in deep thought. He watched as she moved around the kitchen competently with a smile, humming a soft tune.

“You’re not happy very often, are you?” His words halted her in her tracks.

“Of course. I’m always happy when I’m with you.” He smiled at her answer, but wasn’t side tracked.

“And I’m happy when I’m with you. But that’s not what I meant. You’re not happy just living her, with being an X-Man.”

She continued her tasks, but was contemplating what he had just asked. He waited patiently, knowing that when she was ready she would talk. And after a couple of minutes she did.

“It’s not that I don’t like living here, it’s a great house. And with a few exceptions the people are nice. But…” her voice trailed off and she thought about what she wanted to explain and her eyes got a distant look to them. “But I don’t really feel like I belong here. I’ve never really had the typical family. First there was Irene, then the Brotherhood, and now the X-Men, and though they were all kind of like family, they all wanted something from me. I always felt that I constantly had to prove myself worthy of belonging, and that’s not the way a family should be.” She looked at him to see if he understood what she was trying to explain and saw by his eyes that he did.

“I always felt the same way. I doubt that Magneto would want anything to do with me if I wasn’t a mutant. Did you know that I have a sister?” She looked surprised, but didn’t interrupt. “A twin actually, Wanda. She was powerful even when she was young, but he couldn’t control her, so he had her committed. I can still see her as they led her away, tears running down her face. God, how I hated him then. And I was powerless to stop them, I was too scared to even try.” She went over to comfort him, feeling how upset the memory made him. “After that I did what he wanted, afraid that if I didn’t he’d have me locked up too. When he sent me to live with the brotherhood I was happy to get away.”

They stood in silence, both offering the other silent support, wishing they could make up for the pain that both had experienced in the past, and silently vowing to make sure the future was different.

“Do you smell something burning?” Pietro asked her, after a few minutes.

“My Rolls!“ Rogue ran over to the oven and through it open. A big cloud of dark smoke rolled out. She grabbed some hot pads and yanked out a black mass that had once been rolls. “Dang it!” she tossed them onto the counter in frustration.

“And you were going to teach me how to cook?” Pietro asked her smirking. Her only response was to pick up one of the burnt rolls and throw it at him.

He wasn’t a person that opened up easily, but with Rogue it was different. They understood each other, more than he had thought possible. It was as if with her, he had found another part of himself. Which brought up the current problem. He knew that having found her, he couldn’t stand to lose her. Which put them in a precarious position considering that they were supposed to be enemies.

When their teammates found out that they were a couple, there was going to be trouble. The Brotherhood would probably be more open to it since at one time Rogue had been one of them, but the X-Men’s reaction would be a lot worse. They would question her already questionable loyalties for the same reason.

He knew that they would try to split them up, but he couldn’t stand that. They belonged together. He was almost to the point of sleep when he felt a wave of panic sweep over him and his heart speed up and his skin turned clammy and covered with a slight sweat. He was perplexed, since he didn’t know what would have caused the reaction when he heard Rogue’s voice, “No! Stop!” The words echoed in the silent mansion. He thought that she might have woken up, but on closer inspection saw that she was still asleep, and having a nightmare.

He shook her gently to wake her up, and when her eyes blinked open he was saw that they were glistening with tears. Seeing this, he wrapped his arms around her, comforting her. “You okay?” he asked gently, she nodded in response.

“Just a nightmare.”

“Want to talk about it?”

She thought for a second and then recounted her dream. “It was all of us, The Brotherhood and the X-Men, and we were fighting this mutant that was so strong. We finally managed to beat him. Somehow everyone found out that we are a couple and they told me that I had to choose. We argued and then Scott tried to attack you. I was so scared that you were going to get hurt.” She started sobbing.

He pulled her tighter; brushing light kisses on her forehead as murmuring soothingly. Eventually her sobs faded. “You know I’m not going anywhere. If it comes down to it I’ll just have to kick Summers’ ass.” She laughed at his smug comment, which was what he was striving for. “Now why don’t I take you to bed?” He swept her up in his arms and carried her to her bedroom. Soon both were deeply asleep, this time with no nightmares to trouble them.

She took the opportunity to study Pietro’s features as he slept; his expression was relaxed so he had a look of vulnerability about him and to her eyes appeared absolutely beautiful. She found the fact that this breathtaking person could love her awe-inspiring, she acknowledged her faults (she was very guarded and overly defensive, to name a few) but he had managed to look past that and see the person underneath. It was something very few people would take the time and effort to do and she was fortunate that he was one of them.

She positioned her head so that it was resting lightly on his chest as he continued to sleep. The sound of his heart beating as his chest rose and fell with each breath brought her a feeling of contentment. At that moment in time there was nowhere else that she would rather be. Touch was something she had been denied for to long, and she cherished the opportunity to just experience it.

She wasn’t sure when exactly he woke up, but he just lay there, apparently feeling the same sensation she was. “Morning, sugar.”

“Good morning, love.” He responded with a kiss. He pulled back and told her “Close your eyes.” She gave him a glance before doing what he had asked. “Ok, open them.”

When her eyes open she saw a white-gold heart-shaped necklace hanging from his hand. She gasped; it was so beautiful. He gently brushed her hair back, and fastened it around her neck. When he was done she threw her arms around his neck. “Oh Pietro. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“Your welcome.”

With a glance at the clock she reluctantly separated herself from him and rose out of the bed. “Time to get up. Got to dress before all the others get here and you have to go.”

He pouted at her. “I don’t want to get up.” Then a mischievous grin appeared on his face, “Why don’t you come back to bed? I’ll make it worth you‘re while.” He said it suggestively, leaving no doubt to his meaning.

She hid a smile trying not to laugh, “Fine you stay in bed. I’m going to go take a shower. I was going to ask you to join me…” Before she could even finish the sentence he was out of the bed and at her side.

“Have I ever mentioned that I’m the best at water sports?” She no longer bothered to hold back her laughter.

Bottles topped the counter of the sink of assorted shapes and sizes. Rogue reached for one, but a hand halted her. “Why do you wear that stuff?” Pietro asked studying the bottle for a second before releasing her hand.

“I like it.” She said; her eyes sparkled as she smiled at him in the mirror. “Besides you should be happy that I do. Otherwise I would have a tough time explaining these marks.” She said gesturing to the marks he had left on her neck pointedly.

Instead of looking ashamed he just grinned at her unrepentantly. “You don’t hear me complaining about the ones you left on me.” She blushed at that reminder.

“That’s different. On you nobody will be surprised, however they will wonder how someone “untouchable” happened to get hickeys.”

“Well, they should be gone by when school starts on Monday. Will you stop wearing it then? You look beautiful without out it.” He cajoled her.

“Tell you what sugar. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll stop wearing my Goth makeup and you do something for me.”

There was a cautious look in his eyes. “And what would that be?”

“You have to apologize to Evan.”

He looked at her in shock. There was no way that he was going to apologize to Daniels. He was his nemesis. “No way. I could never live with myself if I apologized to that chump. He actually has the nerve to think he can compete with me. And what do I have to apologize to that dupe for?”

She rolled her eyes at his pompous attitude. “For having him thrown in jail,” she remarked dryly. His only reply was a snort but he looked a bit embarrassed. “You know I love you, but to others you do have this tendency to act like an ass.”

He pouted at her words. “I’m hurt, Rogue.” Though he said it lightly she knew him well enough to see that the words actually had hurt him a little. Seeing this, she turned around and hugged him.

“I said to others, love.” A light kiss emphasized her words. “I know that it’s just an act. Besides,” she smirked slightly, “I happen to think it’s kinda cute.”

He grinned at that, the damage repaired. “Cute, huh?”

“Adorable. Like a puppy.”

“What?!” She laughed outright at his feigned indignation. He muttered under his breath something that sounded suspiciously like I ain’t no damn puppy.

“So do we have a deal?” She asked him, causing him to stop his muttering.

“One little addition, though. I think me apologizing to the porcupine deserves more than just you quit wearing that god-awful makeup. Which, by the way you should be thanking me for. Let’s add a little something to it. You owe me a favor, which will be mentioned later and you can‘t argue with me about it. Deal?”

“Deal.” He then grinned at her, a look so full of naughtiness that she couldn’t help but groan.

“What on earth did I just agree to?”

Jamie rushed up to her excitedly. Though she didn’t like to admit it to anyone (she did have a rep to protect after all) she had a soft spot for the youngest member of the team, an affection that he returned. “Hi Rogue. You wanna see what I got?”

“Sure.” The lowering her voice so only he could hear, “What did Bobby do this time?”

Using the same low volume as her, he replied, “He froze all of Jeans clothes while she was taking a shower. She had to spend hours waiting for them to thaw out, before she realized that Amara could have melted it. Boy was she mad.” Rogue laughed at that.

She looked at Bobby again and he grinned at her and winked before his face returned to the same expression as before. Rogue was still laughing at the thought as Jamie eagerly pulled herself into the common room and began emptying his bags. Though they sometimes drove her crazy, she would miss those two if it turned out she had to leave.

It was a thought that had been troubling her a lot lately. If, actually when, the others found out about her and Pietro it would be a major dispute. And even though she liked living at the mansion she would not stay there if it came down to a choice between them or Pietro. The only problem was she had nowhere else to go.

Pushing those thoughts aside she turned her attention back to Jamie, who was on his last bag. “And I got this for you!” he told her, handing her the bag. She looked at him surprised. With the exception of Pietro’s gift earlier (which she was currently wearing under her shirt) she couldn’t remember the last time someone had given her a present. She accepted the bag and opened it. She took out what was inside, a red see-through shirt similar to her other. Red wasn’t a color she wore often, but she appreciated his giving it to her that she decided right then and there that she would wear it to school on Monday.

“Thank you, Jamie! I love it!” she told him with a huge grin and impulsively hugged him, a gesture that he returned.

With those final thoughts she walked down the stairs and entered the dining room. The chatter that was flowing around the room died as they got a good look at her. She was dressed in black jeans and a tight black tank top with the shirt that Jamie had given her on over it. She also had on her customary boots and gloves and the necklace that Pietro had given her. But the thing that caused the silence wasn’t what she was wearing but rather what she wasn’t. It was the first time that they had ever seen her without her Goth makeup.

Ignoring their gaping looks she grabbed an apple and went over and took a seat by Jamie, who seemed the least effected by her appearance. “You look great.” He told her with a grin, happy that she was wearing his present.

“Thanks, sugar.”

Everyone seemed to come to terms with the less-goth Rogue, and the talking began up again. Breakfast continued on in the normal manner, but every once in a while Rogue would catch people glancing at her. She sighed to herself; this was going to be a long day.