Two hours later, Rogue pushed her dessert plate aside and smiled at the waiter as he quickly moved it out of her way. Sitting back slightly in her chair she took a sip of her drink before dabbing at her mouth with her napkin.
She liked the Monroes, and she liked the silent Mr. Mustelidae… however she could clearly do without Cherie. With a soft nod she rose only to glance at her dining companion who rose with her, “I believe I’ve had enough socializing for this evening. If you’ll excuse me I think...” she paused at the gentle touch on her arm.
Turning her head she noticed Mr. Mustelidae smiling and raised an eyebrow. When he merely offered her his arm she smiled softly and nodded, gracefully taking it and following his lead. When he led her out of the dining area and up to the library she wondered if he wanted to just relax or if he wanted something else.
Seated next to the massive bookshelf, Rogue watched him settle into a chair next to her and touch his mouth then his chest then gesture to her. Chuckling softly, she shrugged as she realized she did in fact understand what he was saying.
“There ain’t that much to tell,” Rogue admitted softly as she stared at him. “I’m originally from Mississippi, but now I live in New York via Canada.”
The wave of a hand indicated he wanted her to continue and she nodded slightly, “I, uh, just graduated high school and after this cruise I’m gonna start taking advanced college preparation classes. I want to teach, art mainly. Logan thinks I’m pretty good, says I have talent.”
At the mention of the male name her companion frowned slightly and gestured for her to explain, “Oh, sorry. I’m so used to everyone knowing who Logan is that I don’t really think about it anymore. Logan’s my best friend, my guardian angel, and my conscience. He’s risked his life for me more than once and I know he’ll just keep doing it. Logan loves me, loves the way I see him. He just doesn’t love me like a man loves the woman he wants,” Rogue admitted sadly before smiling brightly, “That’s okay though. I love him enough for both of us.”
A silent nod and the expression of interest encouraged her to continue.
Hours later the booming of a grandfather clock had Rogue glancing up to stare at the clock, “Goodness look at the time!” she rose quickly and turned to Mr. Mustelidae, “I am so sorry. I didn’t realize it had gotten so late. I’ve just been prattling on.”
Rising to stand opposite her, he shook his head and waved off her protests before offering a smile and a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. A warm hand at her lower back had her moving toward the door as she bid him goodnight and slipped off to her stateroom.
Kicking her shoes off Rogue peeled off her dress and draped it over a chair even as she moved to the bed. A glance at the clock revealed it was nearly three in the morning and she was slightly amazed at that. She rarely stayed up so late, but it had been nice to talk to someone who was willing to listen to her talk about her life, her dreams. Of course she knew that it helped that he wasn’t Logan, that he wouldn’t understand what she meant about living with Logan forever… but then who would. Not many people even knew how she felt about the gruff man who’d risked his life for her more than once.
Pulling the blankets back, Rogue slipped under the blankets and snuggled down into the silk sheets. Pulling a pillow down to her she clung to it as she stared out the window for a moment.
“Good night, Logan, I love you,” she whispered closing her eyes and letting sleep claim her.
The silent curl of cigar smoke drifted above his head on the soft ocean breeze even as the dark figured moved through the night until he was leaning against the railing on a private deck not his own. Hazel eyes scanned the area, settling on the sleeping woman inside the adjoining cabin with warmth, affection, and longing. “Sleep well, my love, sleep well.”
The dark suit was tossed aside as he stalked back into his own cabin and into the shower, a slight smirk on his face. Tilting his face up to the pounding water he raked his hands through his hair, his fingers scratching at the dark strands, scrubbing at the absurd amounts of gel it took to tame it into an unfamiliar style.
No one knew of his little deceit and he wouldn’t reveal it just yet. He had too much at stake, too many loose ends to tie up before he and Marie got back to New York. After all he never gave up on something he wanted, and what he wanted was within his grasp, he just had to reel it in.
With the wide brimmed sun hat perched atop her head Rogue moved down the row of vendors, her gaze searching. Pausing before an older woman who sat beading what appeared to be an elegant necklace, Rogue smiled softly.
“Hello,” she spoke easily, warmly, and was reward with a kind smile.
“Hello, what can I get you?” the old woman asked softly, her fingers not stopping in their never ending movements.
“I’m looking for something special, a gift for a very close friend.”
“Oh? What kind of gift are you looking for?”
“She likes yellow a lot,” Rogue chuckled, “I was kinda hoping for something that would be sparkly, flamboyant, and yellow.”
The old woman cackled in mirth and reached to her left. She pulled out a long string of what appeared to be yellow stones. Each stone was cut into a unique shape, and none were any larger than one square inch. “How about this? It is not too much..”
“Perfect, I’ll take it,” Rogue said handing over some cash and taking the item. Tucking it into her bag she moved away from the old woman with a smile and a wave. Catching sight of her fellow cruisers she nodded briefly in their direction before following the cobblestone road toward the beach.
The sea breeze had her hair flying in all directions and she laughed softly but didn’t attempt to contain it. Taking off her sandals, she walked through the warm, white sand, her eyes on the rolling blue of the ocean. She knew Logan would love the scenery, love the openness of it all – even if he wasn’t too fond of water.
With a sigh she bent to pick up a piece of wood as she thought of the man who’d suddenly dropped off the face of the Earth. She loved him, loved the way he looked at her, talked to her, and protected her. She just wanted more than to be his friend and she knew it bothered him because he wasn’t comfortable with anyone caring about him.
The sudden shadow on the sand had her whipping around to stare at the now familiar figure that was walking along, his shoes in one hand, a white top rolled up over well muscled forearms.
“You startled me,” Rogue gasped and smiled softly. “I wasn’t expecting anyone to join me.”
*You seemed pensive,* he replied quickly, *And someone as pretty as you should never be alone, especially in such a romantic place.*
Rogue flushed slightly and shrugged suddenly glad that she’d taken the time to learn sign language the year before – back when she was still a girl, “Just thinking of someone back home.”
Mr. Mustelidae nodded, an expression of understanding on his face. With a slight smile he gestured down the beach and Rogue turned to walk with him down the warm sand, the waves slowly lapping at her feet.
Dusk found her in her cabin, piling the gifts she’d picked out along one wall. Changing from her shorts and t-shirt into the usual floral print summer dress, Rogue headed for dinner.
“I see you brought a lot of rubbish with you,” Cherie drawled as she settled next to Mr. Mustelidae and smiled at him sweetly, leaning forward slightly to show more than a hint of cleavage.
“Rubbish?” Rogue asked softly, lethally.
“You brought a stick and a bunch of rocks polished by some old woman on back with you. You don’t consider those rubbish?”
“No, I don’t,” Rogue replied. “Because they happen to be personal items, gifts for special people.”
“Oh, I forgot you mutants do things in odd ways. So the exchange of drift wood is considered proper etiquette amongst the freaks, is it?” Cherie snapped taking a long sip of her wine. “And here I thought you were trying to develop your wealth and status.”
“No,” Rogue replied stiffly. “I’d rather be myself than some stuck up snob who spends all her time chasing after every man on board.”
Rising she glared at the other woman a moment before she turned to address the rest of those gathered, “Excuse me, please. I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.” Tossing her napkin on the table she turned and stalked out of the dining area. That damn woman was purposely trying to ruin this cruise for her and she was determined not to let her.
Tapping her feet to the sultry beat of a saxophone Rogue watched a pod of dolphins playing as she listened to the phone ringing on the other end. They were into week two and somewhere in the middle of the ocean after a two day stay on the St. Thomas Islands.
Several packages sat atop her desk, too small to be with the rest of them, too delicate to just leave lying about, indications of Rogue’s penchant for hunting down something for everyone. Granted most of the gifts were not purchased in any store but still, they each held some meaning.
“Hello, Xavier’s Institute for Gifted Youngsters,” the familiar voice sounded more professional than usual and Rogue grinned.
“Hey, Jubes,” Rogue giggled at the tone of her friend’s voice. “You practicing to be a receptionist?”
“Very funny, Miss Thang,” Jubilee replied with laughter in her voice, the echo of her cracking her gum filling Rogue’s ear. “How’s the boat?”
“Great,” Rogue chuckled and exhaled as she lounged on her deck chair. “I think they got me mixed up with someone else though.”
“Oh, why? They stick you in one of those sardine can bedrooms?”
“No, actually my stateroom is, well, huge. I have a queen bed, a full bathroom, desk and chair, full sized closet,” Rogue chuckled. “Actually it’s just a smaller ship than I thought it would be. I asked the captain, and he said this is a seventy-five foot yacht.”
“Wow, so any cuties on board?” Jubilee cracked her gum.
Rogue laughed at the question. How like Jubilee to immediately bypass everything and focus on the whole ‘boys’ scene, “No, actually, there aren’t. At least none besides the two lounge workers and Mr. Mustelidae.”
“Who?” Jubes asked, “And why does that name sound so familiar?”
“There are only four other passengers besides me, this nice older couple the Monroe’s, and Cherie,” Rogue shuddered at the name, “and this guy who is well, really nice. He’s got dark hair, lean hips, and a mouth that’s so kissable. He’s got the muscles of a god, even if he never reveals them. You see him in a suit all the time,” she elaborated quickly. “Really quiet, never says a word.”
“Why not? Something wrong with him?”
“I think he’s mute,” Rogue shrugged and glanced behind her at the soft knock on her stateroom door, “Yes?”
“I have an invitation for you,” the familiar voice of one of the crew members had Rogue sighing.
“Hang on a second, Jubilee, I have to get the door,” Rogue said padding over to open the door and take the note from the young woman who held it out. She smiled gratefully and closed the door before heading back for her lounging area. “So what’s up with you and the mansion crew?”
“Kitty and Bobby are going at it like mink. Scott and ‘Ro are dating lightly. I don’t think either of them wants to rush into anything. Hank’s working on something in the lab, and driving everyone nuts with it so far.”
“That’s just Hank,” Rogue stated calmly, a smile crossing her face at the thought of the big, furry, blue guy everyone knew and loved.
“I know, but it would be nice if he’d just, you know, come out of hiding once in the odd while,” Jubilee pouted.
“Someone likes him a little more than just as a friend,” Rogue giggled at Jubes’ indignant gasp. “Relax Jubes; things will work out in the end. I know Hank likes you; all you have to do is build on it. Go down and spend time with him, take him lunch or something.”
“Okay, but if he bites my head off I’m gonna haunt you for the remainder of your life.”
“Deal,” Rogue laughed softly. “So I guess I should get off this phone and make myself useful. I’ve got some serious lounging to do you know.”
“Yeah,” Jubilee paused and sighed, “Logan ain’t called since you left.”
Rogue sighed softly, her smile fading as she remembered what had been said during the last call between her and Logan, “I didn’t think he would. I told him I was going on a cruise for a few months.”
“He didn’t take it well, did he?”
Rogue laughed sadly, “No, but then we’ve never done things the easy way. I guess it’s the side effect of having shared the same mind for a while. I gotta go, Jubilee, I’ll call back soon.”
Sinking onto the edge of the bed Rogue stared at the ocean, barely aware of the tears in her eyes as she realized that Logan had taken her words at face value. When she’d told him she was going be out of touch for a while, that she needed to get away from everyone, he’d obviously assumed she meant him too.
Shivering as she remembered the coldness in his tone when he’d said he’d touch base in a few months if he remembered, she swallowed painfully. Loving him had never been easy, never been painless, but the fact that *she’d* hurt *him* this time weighed on her.
“Please, God, let him call. Let him still care enough to remember his promise, his obligation, if nothing else,” she prayed before glancing down at the envelope still clasped in her hand and pulling the card out.
Shaking her head at the invitation for drinks from the only other single guest on the cruise, she tossed it aside and curled up on her bed. She didn’t want to get involved with anyone, her heart belonged to someone who didn’t realize he held it, and she wasn’t ready to let anyone else tromp all over it. It was hard enough dealing with someone who appeared so secure with himself, but was really the opposite!
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