Title: Falling Slowly
Fandom: X-Men: Evolution
Pairings: Scott/Rogue, mentions of others
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Spoilers: Season 1 & 2. Slightly AU -> alternate/deleted scenes. Some language.
Artist: sukiyakiya (Art/Fanmix here)
Summary: How Scott and Rogue slowly fell for each other...
Notes: Written for xmenbigbang. I will be making a sequel, rewriting/adding to Seasons 3 & 4.

"Kitty told me about what happened," Rogue said as she joined him in his room. He looked over at her from his desk and nodded. He figured Kitty would since she and Rogue didn't exactly keep secrets or hid anything from each other. Even if Kitty hadn't said anything, he would have mentioned it to her sooner or later. "How are you dealing?"

"Mostly conflicted," Scott admitted, not even going to fake a 'I'm fine' speech. Rogue lifted an eyebrow in interest and leaned against his desk. "I know I did the right thing but shooting at the car, but I hate how I hesitated. If I had waited any longer, those kids would've been injured or worse."

"You saved them in time, in either case, Scott. That's what counts. Yeah you hesitated but I know you. You weren't going to let anything happen to those kids. And that is what is important. And if you had been caught like the professor thought you could've been? That doesn't really matter either. Someday, sooner or later, everyone will find out about mutants." Rogue said and Scott sighed in exhaustion as he leaned back in his chair.

"I know, I know. They'll find out someday, but I can't help but feel guilty - I almost alerted everyone to who we are - before we were ready, before the world is ready for us." Scott admitted and Rogue shook her head in disagreement.

"Even if you had alerted everyone to who and what we are, Scott, I wouldn't blame you. You did what you had to do to protect those children. I understand that and I know everyone one else would too. And the truth is, the world will never be truly ready to find out what we really are, Scott - no matter what the professor says."

He knew that, of course, he wasn't disillusioned to believe that one day everyone in the world would accept mutants, but he could hope and wish for it to happen. "Thanks Rogue," Scott stated softly, a small sad smile graced his lips causing her own to turn up as well.

-

"I noticed you were hanging out with the new girl today," Scott started as she joined him for their weekly late night Danger Room session. The others sometimes joined them, usually when prompted by the Professor or Logan, but for the most part these sessions were mostly just them. Rogue preferred it that way - it gave her a chance to watch and work with Scott one-on-one, and besides that it helped her learn how to fight and protect herself better during battles. Scott liked it because it gave him extra hours blowing off steam from dealing with the Duncan and Jean situation and the fact that it gave him more time with Rogue, which something he preferred to have. He didn't quite understand why but he enjoyed her company as much as Jean, and he knew he could count on her for anything. A few months ago he had admitted out loud to her that he trusted her with his life, and he wasn't kidding. No one besides Jean did he trust with his life more than her.

"Yeah... she's pretty cool, and she shares a lot of my classes." Rogue answered as she pulled her hair back so it was out of her face. "So what's the session about today?"

"After everything that's happened at school, I figured we can do an easy session. You still have Blob's strength?" Scott questioned and at Rogue's nod, he grinned. "Good, let's see how tough you really are with his powers."

Rogue stared at him in amusement. "Are you looking for a beating?"

"Hey, for your knowledge the Danger Room will pick our opponent - no way am I going to fight you," He teased, letting out a chuckle as she rolled her eyes at him. "Ready?"

"Ready."

At her word, the room transformed around them and suddenly they were in an abandoned warehouse. Before they could even take in anything around them, Scott was hit by a large metal tentacle which knocked him across the room and away from Rogue.

"Of course it'll be you're definition of easy!" Rogue shouted as she ran towards Scott, who groaned and sat up. She dodged the tentacle and when it came back around to hit her, Rogue smashed it with all of her strength. It broke and immediately depowered the tentacle, allowing her to move away from it and toward Scott.

Scott noticed that she was coming closer to him but before she could reach him, she was pulled by another tentacle, this time, much larger than the other one and stronger. He shouted in anger as it grabbed her pulling her away from him. Preying that he doesn't accidently hurt Rogue, he blasted the tentacle, causing it to be split in half. The half that held Rogue crashed on the floor, and Rogue was able to break free of the grip it still held on her. She rolled away from it and towards him before getting back on her feet - ready to fight off another one incase it attacked yet again.

"You alright?" He questioned, as he joined her side. He studied the room which was way too quiet for his liking at the moment. It was always a sign that something worse was about to happen.

"I'm fine, Blob's strength is really helping though. I hope it will last though. So going to bet who will be the first down?" Rogue questioned, smirking up at him. Scott chuckled and shook his head.

"Never - let's get through this and I'll buy you a pizza and movie." Scott stated before several razors flew towards them. He shot each one down, and Rogue immediately pushed him out of the way as several lasers blasted the spot he was standing upon.

"It's a date if we get through this!" She shouted to him as several guards appeared - large men, at least seven feet if not taller and looked to be as tough as Blob and any Wrestling guy on the planet. Scott hesitated for half a second at her words before his attention was brought back by several more machines appearing and blasted them to pieces before they could attack them.

Rogue ran at the larger men, and with Blob's strength she was able to take down several of them before they started to pile on top of her and grab her from behind. At her scream, Scott quickly turned and shot at the remaining ones - enough to knock them out.

As they briefly recovered from the attack, Rogue swore loudly as several razors shot at her from behind - a few hitting her enough to slice open at her side and upper arm. Scott quickly turned to destroy the machine shooting them, but a tentacle came at him - and wrapped it tightly around his arms and body, keeping him from activating his visor.

Ignoring the pain slicing through her body at the cuts, Rogue threw herself at the tentacle that wrapped Scott inside, and tore at it. The strength she had acquired allowed her to rip it apart, and with her help Scott managed to get loose enough to finish it off with an optic blast.

-

" Why would you invite Risty to the mansion without the Professor's permission?" Scott questioned, leaning against her bedroom door frame.

"I didn't think it would hurt anyone, and most of the younger kids were gone for the night anyway. You and Jean were at the party, and it's not like I put anyone in danger. " Rogue stated, walking away to her balcony.

"Rogue," Scott started, and walked right up behind her.

"I'm sick and tired of being the freak at school, Scott." Rogue said finally. "Jean's Ms. Popularity and even you have more friends than just us. You fit in at that party more than I ever could. And with Risty I finally found a friend that isn't afraid of me and a friend who is normal and understands who I am."

"Rogue, Risty isn't the only friend you have that isn't afraid of you or understands who you are." Scott stated firmly. He hated knowing she was hurting. "You have friends here at the mansion that aren't afraid of you... who like you for being you. And you have me, I understand you and I'll never be afraid of you. We might not be normal, but I'd never treat you any different."

She nodded softly, knowing it was true - or at least on his part. She wasn't too sure about the others, Kitty and Kurt probably, but she was still a person who could hurt them and neither of them got close enough to her as Scott has.

-

Rogue watched Jean walk away from Scott and sighed. It hurt her to know that one day Jean will finally stop the denying the fact that she likes Scott, and when that happens Rogue wouldn't stand a chance.

Being inside her mind - and having her thoughts and abilities - changed her feelings for the redhead. She understood her better, and she might even like her now... but in the end, she just can't stop the pain at the thought of losing Scott to Jean. Scott was her best friend and Rogue couldn't lose that even if she has to pretend.

-

"So I heard the festival was eventful," Rogue stated in greeting as Scott walked into the kitchen. He nodded, moving towards the fridge.

"A lot more eventful than I think any of us expected," Scott said as he grabbed a water bottle and turned around to face her.

"How's Kurt taking it?" Rogue questioned softly - she felt bad for the fuzzy guy. She knew he really liked Tabitha and for her to decide X-Men wasn't the right fit had to hurt him. Although in truth, she understood the reason why Tabitha left. One of the reasons she hadn't joined even after she realized the X-Men weren't so bad. She didn't think she deserved to be there. Not after what she did, what her powers did.

"Not exactly well, which can be expected and he'll be bummed for a few weeks. However, I think he'll be alright." Scott stated, sliding into the chair beside her. Rogue let out a sigh and smiled sadly.

"Well at least we have one less person to worry about blowing up the mansion."

Scott snorted as he let out a laugh. Shaking his head, he rolled his eyes at Rogue who quirked an eyebrow at him.

"You know it's true."

"Yes, but it's sad - Boom Boom has a lot of potential, and I hate to see that go to waste." Scott admitted. At first he had some doubts - she had always been the more troublemaker out of the new group of mutants, but he knew she had a lot of potential to do better. Now, without them, she might not get those chances.

"She does, and eventually she'll come back." Rogue agreed, she knew from experience that if Tabitha didn't get distracted and showed off in front of the others she would be really good. She could only hope that she'll realize it eventually and come back.

"You really think so?" Scott questioned before taking a gulp of water. Rogue nodded and a small smile formed at her lips as Scott spilled some water down his chin and onto his shirt.

"Wanna bet on it?" Rogue questioned, the smile quickly turning into a grin. Scott chuckled and shook his head.

"Never going to do that again," Scott promised. The last few times they betted on something together, he always lost and she always won. He wasn't exactly sure how she did it, but he wasn't going to chance anything else.

-

Rogue studied him as he studied. They were no longer in the same English class this year, but over the last few months since she joined the X-Men, she had gotten used to doing her homework here or in her room with him beside her. They weren't in the same grade nor most of the classes, but that didn't really matter to either of them. However, she feared that might change now.

Taryn Fujioka had set her sight on Scott, and there was going to be no stopping her until she had what she wanted.

She could almost believe that with Scott's crush on Jean, he wouldn't go for it, but why would that stop him? To him he had no chance in hell to be anything but platonic with Jean Grey - at least with Duncan Matthews in the way.

Soon enough he'll be hanging out with Taryn - a girl who liked him and a girl who could touch him without hurting him.

It hurt her to know this, to know that they'll end up dating and that he'll have a chance to kiss someone without hurting them. She wanted to confront him, wanted to ask him to say no to her. But she wouldn't, because that's not something she could do to him.

Why should he stay alone just because she wanted him for herself but too afraid to say anything to him about it?

-

"It's a good thing he didn't realize everything was real and that the party had no idea what was going on." Scott stated as he fell back against his bed. Rogue nodded softly.

"I'm sorry Scott," Rogue said as she sat down beside him. Scott shook his head.

"It's not like you were the one to plan the party Rogue and no one at the party got seriously hurt due to Arcade, so you have nothing to be sorry for."

"Yeah, but I should have told you about it, I shouldn't have gone with Kitty's or Kurt's plan. Maybe if you were there, this wouldn't have happened." Rogue admitted, and Scott leaned foreword so he could sit up and face Rogue.

"And maybe it still would have happened the same way, we don't know that and now everyone knows to not set up a party with the Professor away and without me and Jean to supervise." Scott said, gently, "Rogue, I don't blame you."

She smiled softly at him as he leaned back again. "Thanks, I guess... I better go and help the others with the clean up."

Scott chuckled, "Yeah you better, or I fear Kurt might capture you any moment now and it won't be pretty."

Rogue smirked, "You mean it won't be pretty for him." She stood up and stretched before walking towards the door.

"Danger Room session tomorrow?" Scott questioned before she could leave, she turned around to face him. Her eyebrows were lifted in amusement and Scott let out a laugh.

"Maybe another day, Scott. I think I had enough Danger Room sessions tonight for at least a week."

"Yeah, well, Logan will be back in a few days, so you should probably rest up until then, because I have a feeling we'll all be grounded for the next few weeks."

Rogue winced at the thought and nodded before leaving the room.

-

"Have you seen Evan?" Rogue questioned, folding her arms across her chest. Scott glanced towards the doors.

"Not since this morning at school, but he knows we have a group danger room session today, he won't miss it."

"Yeah right, he's missed ones before and I haven't seen him before he and Kurt went to chemistry class. I highly doubt he'll make it in the next two minutes."

"It's gonna be alright, Rogue, if anything happens I got your back."

Rogue smirked. "Shouldn't I be more worried about you? You're the one that got his ass kicked last night."

Scott shook his head and frowned before glancing over to the others and made sure they weren't paying attention. Fortunately they weren't paying attention to them. "It came out of no where and if I remember correctly, I was trying to protect you from that giant axe that was about to slice you in half."

Rogue grinned at him. "Thanks, by the way. Really appreciate not being sliced up for dinner."

Scott laughed, "Your welcome."

-

"You were lucky you left early," Rogue said in greeting, causing him to chuckle into the phone.

"Yeah, Kurt told me it snowed there after I left. You guys having fun?"

"I guess, thankfully Logan left for Thanksgiving too, or I'm sure we'd be doing extra danger room sessions. McCoy challenged the younger kids with a game of snow ball fight for later today. I'm sure he'll end up regretting that."

Scott chuckled at the thought, "I'm sure he will. You'll have to let me know what happens."

"Oh I will, but I'll be behind the safety of the mansion windows. I watched the news earlier, make sure you two are safe out there. They're saying the storm is going to be really bad." Rogue stated, she knew that despite what Scott might want, Alex would be out and surfing through the storm and Scott would let him, if only for a short amount of time. However, that could be just enough time to cause trouble. And the last thing she wanted was something to happen to Scott and Alex.

"I will, I'm keeping tract of the storm already, we might have a few hours before things get really ugly. Now go and have fun, I'll call again tonight."

Rogue smiled at the thought, "Good, tell Alex I said hi and to be safe."

"I will, talk to you later!" Scott shouted and she said a quick goodbye and hung up.

'Please be safe, Scott.'

-

When he arrived at the mansion finally, hours after he dropped Alex off with his parents, he was greeted by everyone. Kitty and Kurt ran and hugged him while Evan bumped fists with Scott before leaving the room. Even some of the younger kids greeted him before running off. Rogue stood there with her arms folded over her chest.

He knew that look, she was angry, but she had another look to her that he wasn't quite sure how to describe it. He smiled softly at her, hoping it would coax one out of her as well. Instead she frowned further.

With the others leaving the room, and the professor telling him to head to the medlab as soon as possible before he too left the two of them alone in the main entrance. He barely acknowledged Jean touching him to coax him to head to the medlab, before she finally left when she realized he wasn't going to budge from the spot.

"Rogue?" He moved closer to her, until he stood right in front of her. "I'm alright and Alex is alright, what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Rogue questioned, before punching him in the shoulder. He grunted at the pain it caused but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. She could hit harder than that, so he was relieved that she didn't. "You two nearly got yourselves killed!"

"Hey, we're fine though, aren't we. We're safe, Rogue." He was a little shocked at how hard she took this, if he knew anything about Rogue and he did, he knew she hid her emotions. So for her to actually yell at him like this, and for him to actually see how her eyes glistened with a few tears - everything must be taking its toll on her.

He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms tightly around her, and leaned his head against her hair. Despite the awkwardness of the blanket covering him, he didn't let go of her. If he could somehow comfort her this way then he would continue to do so.

"I told you to be careful," She mumbled against his chest. She was probably going to feel embarrassment if anyone besides them sees this, but she couldn't let go of him yet. She hated not being able to go on the rescue, and she hated not knowing if he was alive or dead out there in the sea.

The only thing comforting her at the moment and keeping her from blowing up completely was the fact that Scott had his arms wrapped around her, and she could feel his heat warming her and could hear his heart beat against his chest.

It was the only thing keeping her from believing she was dreaming and he was still lost at sea.

-

"Wake up sleepyhead," Scott said as he gently shook Rogue awake. At her groan of annoyance, he grinned. "Merry Christmas!"

"Scott," Rogue mumbled as she turned around to face him and glanced over to her alarm clock. It was barely eight o'clock and he woke her up already. She could have at least slept in until ten.

"Come on Rogue, there are Christmas presents ready to be opened!" He grinned as he tore off her covers to get her to hurry up.

"You weren't nearly this hyper last night, what did you eat?" Rogue asked causing him to chuckle.

"Last night wasn't Christmas, although I did have a few of Ororo's cookies before I came in here. Besides, I finally got your present."

Rogue lifted her eyebrow in amusement. "Waited for the last minute for my gift?"

"Hey, you know I hate to shop," Scott stated with a small smile. It was half true, the full truth would be he couldn't decide on what would be a good gift for her. He didn't to get the generic matching hat and gloves he gave to everyone else this Christmas. Its the first Christmas she was part of the X-Men and she deserved something special, something more than just a sweater or a pair of new gloves. He hoped she liked what he picked out.

"Alright, alright, I'm up - just let me get changed," Rogue said as she stretched. Scott grinned and jumped up off the bed.

"Excellent! I'll see you downstairs, don't take too long!" Scott shouted before leaving the room. Rogue sighed softly and shook her head in amusement at his antics. She liked when he was able to let loose and relax. It's a rare feat on Scott Summers, but she didn't mind.

-

"Merry Christmas Rogue," Professor Xavier said with a smile. She returned it with one of her own as she passed the two older men.

"Merry Christmas Professor," Rogue greeted, "Mr. McCoy."

"And a Merry Christmas to you Rogue. Although," Beast started with a smirk. "You better get over to Scott before he opens your presents as well." Rogue glanced over towards the Christmas tree and sure enough Scott sat underneath it and opening some of the presents.

Despite being anxious to find out what Scott got her for Christmas, she deliberately walked slowly over to him. "I hope you're not touching anyone else's presents," Rogue said causing Scott to look up at her.

"Of course not, hurry up and sit down. You have a lot of presents ready to be opened."

"A lot?" Rogue questioned in disbelief, however as Scott pushed a giant pile over toward her she realized he wasn't kidding. And from what she could see, her name was on each one. "This can't be for all me."

"Of course it could, you have one from each of us, the professor, Ororo, Logan, Mr. McCoy, a few of the newer students and I'm pretty sure one of them is from the Brotherhood."

"The Brotherhood?" Rogue asked and Scott nodded, gesturing to the oddly shaped one. A small smile appeared at her lips as she stared at it. The only other person at the X-Mansion that would probably receive a present from the Brotherhood would be Kitty due to Lance's crush. She hadn't expected one from them, but she'll just have to remember to stop by and give them a gift as well.

"I have to say I was shocked to see it as well." Scott stated as she kneeled down beside him underneath the tree.

"Alright, where's my present?" Rogue questioned softly as she studied her pile of presents. Scott shook his head.

"You have to open everyone else's presents first. You know what they say - save the best for last." Scott smirked causing Rogue to laugh at him.

"How do you even know I'll even like what you got me?"

"Wow, cold, Rogue. Real cold." Scott joked, grabbing his chest as if his heart hurt at her sarcastic question. "Now seriously, go on and open the rest of them first."

"Fine, but only to shut you up," Rogue said before grabbing the first one she saw.

-

Scott appeared just as she tried to figure out who would have mentioned Ororo's fear in front of Risty at the mansion. She couldn't think of one student that would, and not in a million years would she reveal something that damaging about someone to someone else - not even to Risty. That wasn't important though, not right now.

"You worried too?" Scott questioned as he studied Rogue. She nodded as she shut her locker. "Ororo is pretty strong, I think she can handle whatever is going on right now."

"I know, just it's just been a weird few days and with Ororo off lately makes me feel uneasy." Rogue admitted softly, as to not have anyone nearby overhear them. "The fog hasn't lifted yet, and I can't help but feel that it's connected."

Scott shook his head, "I don't think the weather has anything to do with it."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Maybe not directly, but Ororo might be behind it. I think whatever she thinks she sees is the reason behind the odd weather, her emotions at least is probably affecting it."

Scott raised an eyebrow in interest. He hadn't really thought about that, but now that Rogue mentioned it, it did - in a way - make sense. Ororo had been very emotional the last few days, it's quite possible that her powers would be affected by the change.

-

"I don't get it!" Scott shouted collapsing on the bed. "How can the professor just let Lance join the team just like that?'

Rogue leaned back against the headboard and folded her arms against her chest. "Because the professor believes Lance could be part of the team. And why shouldn't here? If he's here on his own will, why should we condone him? Lance really isn't all that bad, you know."

Scott shook his head, "Maybe not, but I don't trust him. Who knows what Mystique is planing."

"Mystique disappeared Scott, and she definitely hasn't had any contact with the Brotherhood. It's not some plan Mystique cooked up to have Lance join the X-Men."

"How can you be so sure about this?" Scott questioned in defeat.

"I'm not sure, but I think I know Lance and the Brotherhood a little more than you, Scott. And Lance really likes Kitty - always has, but these past few weeks I think confirmed it for real. Haven't you seen them interact since the gym fire?"

"Alright fine, they've been making eyes at each other for months and now he wants to join the X-Men. I still think there is something more behind the reason than just Lance's interest in Kitty." Scott stated firmly.

Rogue nodded, "And you will."

Scott stared at her in wonder, "You think I'm wrong?"

Rogue shook head slowly, "Not what I said, Scott. I just know that you'll keep your guard up around Lance because you think he's going to endanger us. And that's alright... sort of. I'm glad that you want to protect us, but I just don't think we'll need you to protect us from Lance."

-

"Last time I play victim, got that Summers?" Rogue stated as walked towards the kitchen.

"Hey, I wasn't the one that let you drown - pretend to drown anyway - that would be your buddy Lance." Scott said as he opened the kitchen door for her.

"Seriously, are we going to have that discussion again?" Rogue asked, rolling her eyes as she passed him. Scott sighed and shook his head as he joined her in the kitchen.

"No, I know when to stop arguing with you Rogue. We agreed to disagree on this case, remember?" Scott asked grabbing an apple to eat on the way to school. With a small smile, Rogue bumped him as she headed towards the fridge. "Are you coming with me and Kurt?"

"To school?" Rogue asked as she turned back to look at him, at his nod she shook her head. "No, Risty already asked if she could drive me - she should be here in a few minutes."

Scott frowned, he missed the mornings when she had rode in his car to school. Lately, all she seemed to do was take Risty on her offers to drive her to school.

-

"Don't say it," Scott said as he leaned against her door frame. Rogue glanced up from her book and smirked.

"Say what?"

"The hated saying of 'I told you so' that I'm sure you're dying to say." Scott said moving away from the door way and towards her computer desk.

"Hmm, actually I wasn't going to say anything. Although to be fair, I was right and you were wrong about Lance." Rogue stated causing Scott to chuckle and shake his head in amusement.

"Yeah, well, I had a lot of reasons to feel and think the way that I did. Of course, I regret it now though. Lance hadn't really done anything seriously wrong while he was here - the others let him be blamed for their actions."

"Yes they did, so what do you think about Lance now?" Rogue asked, setting the book she had been reading on the night table. Scott sighed in defeat but a small smile appeared on his lips as he thought it over.

"He isn't so bad, I guess. He actually risked a lot to keep the kids safe and protect them, and it wasn't even to impress Kitty in the end. He would've made a good X-Man." Scott admitted finally causing Rogue to grin.

"Oh really? I'm surprised, Scott. Really I am... for you to admit such a thing," Rogue joked and Scott rolled his eyes.

"Just promise you won't tell anyone?"

Rogue chuckled at Scott's embarrassment. "I promise - my lips are sealed."



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