Disclaimer: Rogue, Gambit and other mentioned X-men characters are property
                of Marvel. The crazy Gallianos are mine. I've said what I
should, so y'all      can't sue me. I'm clean! :)

Note: Just another no-strings attached story/parody about Rogue. Thanks to
all who responded to my pleas to be put on their wunnerful websites, big
hugz to y'all!

Comments to rogue79@mbox3.singnet.com.sg





NORMALITY


Vicki Lew
June 1997



Her breath formed fluffy little clouds before her face as she walked
briskly down the cement sidewalk. Stopping occasionally to glance into the
display windows, Rogue was relatively on her own this wintry afternoon; she
liked to refer it as her day off.

The sunlight bounced off the snow in an annoying glare, causing her to
squint every once so often. Other than that, she wasn't bothered by much,
considering how her powers made the meteorlogical temperature the least of
her grievances. Rogue could, however, feel, to a minimum extent, the frost
in the wind that caressed her rosy cheeks. Not so much as to make her
shiver, but enough to remind her that she was alive and human.

Stuffing her gloved hands into the pockets of her bomber jacket, she walked
on, trying to mingle with the people in the streets, trying to pretend that
her life was as normal as the person who had just rudely bumped into her
without apologising. She didn't even mind. She was getting away with it,
and even those few occasional stares from passers-by; it was because of
that unusual streak in her hair.

Yes, today was her day to be free of her duties as an X-woman, and a day to
indulge in simple normalities.

Kids played with the slush along the sidewalks, only to get reprimanded by
their parents for playing so close to the road. Friends stood outside their
doors, talking about just everything under the sun. Lovers strolling
towards the park nearby, with their hands entwined together.

Her footsteps slowed to a stop as she stared wistfully at the couple. She
wished she could've shared this day with Remy -- it would taken the
pretense a step further. Unfortunately, he was away on a mission. As like
other occasions, he would be free from duties, but she would have hers to
see to and vice-versa. Come to think of it, she found that she really
didn't mind that much. Remy would've probably laughed at
her silliness.

There weren't many people at the park today, thanks to the weather. Rogue
was about to settle on a bench when a loud yapping startled her. She
grinned when she saw that she had nearly squished a chihuahua pancake-flat
with her butt. The little critter stared doefully at her with its big,
brown eyes, wagging tail a blur and tiny forefeet up in a begging stance.

"Hi there, ya cute l'il thing," Rogue gushed as she picked the dog up into
her arms. "You must be freezin' out here!"

There was a shiny little tag around its neck, so it definately wasn't a
stray. Rogue looked around, hoping to find the chihuahua's owner.

"Well, looks like your master's not here, sugar. Let's just take a look-see
at your tag here..."

E-101, SE 177th Street.

That was just on the other side of the park. Not far...If she flew there.
"Now listen here, Frankie. We gotta have a mutual understandin' here, okay?
Ah don't like bein' licked 'cos ah don't fancy getting your doggie powers
and growin' fur in funny places, y'hear?" She looked sternly into the dog's
eyes. "So don't touch me, Frankie. Or ah'm gonna have to whupp your butt.
You got all that?"

Rogue didn't really expect an answer, but to her surprise (or imagination),
Frankie actually nodded. With a smug look on her face, Rogue smoothed the
dog's coat and decided to walk instead.


                
**************************************************************

"Ah used ta have a doggie too, Frankie. A silky terrier, we called her
Mudpie 'cos she was a gorgeous chocolate all over...Then she ran away an'
ah never saw her again," A trace of sadness lingered in her voice as she
spoke quietly to the chihuahua, in an attempt to keep him entertained.
"Y'know, ah haven't thought of Mudpie in years. Ah still miss her,"

Rogue stopped and looked at her surroundings. The sidewalks were free of
litter, the walls clean and void of graffiti. The blocks of apartments
showed little signs of wear and tear; they were well-maintained. This was
definately the upper-class residential area.

She winked at Frankie and commented, "You, sir, are one lucky dog!" Jogging
lightly to the door labelled E-101, Rogue knocked on the door and waited
for a response.

"FRANKIE!!!!!" The feminine shriek of joy resounded in Rogue's ears, and
left
her a little stunned. "My baby!! I was so worried!!"

Watching in amusement, Rogue smiled as Frankie's owner, a lady in her early
forties, pranced and danced around with her precious dog in her chubby
arms. It felt good to have helped; and she didn't even use her powers!

The bubbly woman looked up at Rogue with tears in her eyes. "Bonjourno,
bambino! You are so kind to bring my baby home...Come in, come in!!!" Rogue
found herself scurried into the cozy hall of the luxury apartment, where a
whole horde of people were gushing over the formerly-lost chihuahua. "You
must stay for dinner, call home, call home! I must thank you much, my
friend!"

"Uhm, yes ma'am..." The overwhelmed X-woman picked up the receiver off the
phone that had been pushed to her and dialled back to the mansion. "Hello?
Remy? You're back early, sugar...Uhm, ah'm not comin' back for dinner,
ah--"

"You must be her amore!! Come, come and have dinner with us, I insist!" The
lady prattled enthusiastically into the phone. "Tell him to come, girl,
come!"

A little shudder escaped Rogue as she glanced at all the people who were
staring at her eagerly.

Oooh boy...


*****************************************************

While waiting for Remy to show up, Rogue was patted on the back and
showered with praises for her good deed. These Italians here were indeed
scary; Southern hospitality didn't even begin to tip their scales. There
were easily about fifteen people in the big apartment, all talking at the
same time.

Rogue began to fear for her hearing.

Oh, but they were lovely people. They didn't stare, they didn't pry. All in
all, they were practically worshipping her for the simple act of bringing
their lost chihuahua back. Freda, as Frankie's owner was called, had
brought her round to everyone, introducing her as 'The Angel'. How she
wanted to giggle at all the
attention she was getting!

"Now, dear, you've been here for ten minutes, and we forgot to ask for your
name, and you forgot to tell us. But now we remember, so..." prompted an
old man called Antonio. Everyone turned and stared at her again. They
seemed to like doing that.

Her name?

Rogue faltered a bit; she couldn't say, "Hi, ah'm Rogue,"; that would freak
them out and spoil everything.

"...."

'Heck, just use your name, girl. It's a nice name, 'cept that you wanted to
forget everything that was from the past...' she cursed inwardly.

"Sabine. Ah'm Sabine, and y'all are just too kind t'me, thank you," she
smiled winningly.

There was a huge chorus of her name after that, comments on how pretty it
was and everything. It wasn't that bad after all.

Until the doorbell rang.

"Oh no...Remy!" Rogue was momentarily mortified.

"Ah, the bella's man has come!!" Freda rushed to the door, pulled Remy in
and dragged him into the hall like a rag doll, all in one smooth action.
Rogue sniggered at the shock on the Cajun's face; he was about to suffer
the same fate of overwhelming hospitality as she was! "Eh, we must see a
kiss!!"

'Uh oh,' The two mutants thought simultaneously.

The next thing she knew, the handsome man scooped her gloved hand up, his
thumb moving in a seductive caress, and kissed the back of it. Rogue wanted
to burn up in spontaneous combustion with embarassment; Remy just smiled
knowingly and put his arm around her waist.

"Everyone, this is Remy LeBeau, my...Uh...boyfriend," The infuriating man
smirked and held her all the closer. Not that she was complaining, mind
you.

"Bravo, Sabine...Very nice!" Freda gushed as Remy kissed her hand too.
"Lucky girl, no? Come, dinner!"

As the others flocked to the dining area, the two X-men lingered back,
hands entwined, broad smiles on their faces. The Gallianos knew enough to
see that they were mutants, but they didn't even mind. It was as if they'd
been neighbours for years or something. The acceptance was so comforting,
and for Rogue and Remy, the presence together as a couple was sheer heaven.


For now, this was their little bit of normality for the day.

          ~~Finis~~