A/N2: Jan 6, 2013: Hey guys, I'm back. After putting this story on hold, I've decided to re-vamp the chapters and continue updating it. If you've already read the first two chapters, you're going to notice quite a few changes. They've been totally re-surfaced, new content has been added, and, in general, the quality is much better than before (I hope). So, I seriously suggest that you re-read the first two chapters.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this one and I hope you'll let me know what you think. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own X-men Evolution.

Chapter 1:

~ September 10, 2004 ~

Rogue sat in her room, working away on her math homework, silently. She wanted nothing more than to get it over with so she could go outside and enjoy the last remnants of summer before it finally faded into fall.

Glancing out her window, she saw that the sun was high in the sky, almost noon, it seemed. It was a bright and sunny day, with a slight breeze rustling the still green leaves of the trees. But, the cheery mood the weather should have provided did not run through the mansion.

The institute was about to lose yet another occupant. After the battle with Apocalypse, almost four months before, many of the student's—those with families, at least—had gone home. And much like Jubilee and Rahne's parents from the year before, some had decided to keep them at home. Now, they were also down Sam, Amara, and Roberto.

On top of that, Kurt and Kitty had decided to do their senior year in England, at some private school with a crazy name like Excalibur.

And today, Jean would be off to medical school.

The striped haired mutant let out a sigh. Jean had never been her best friend in the past, but in the last month or so, sans Kitty and her brother, the older girl had come close to filling the role. Without any words really, she, Jean, and Scott had fallen into a routine of hanging out together; it had been a strange, yet, enjoyable time.

But, Rogue had to remind herself that with all the changes happening around the mansion, not all were in the loss column. Apocalypse's attack had encouraged a few new mutants to join their cause. Warren had decided to join in an advisory sort of capacity. And Piotr Rasputin had also decided to stay to see what he could learn. But, probably the most surprising and disconcerting—at least to Rogue—addition to the X-men was that of Gambit, otherwise known as Remy Lebeau.

Her handful of run-ins with the Cajun pre-his-X-men-days had not prepared her for living under the same roof with him. He was frustrating and confusing and that he had set his sights on her had made it all the more aggravating. Rogue had no idea what to do about his advances.

"Time to go…" Rogue heard from down the hall, through her open door.

It was Jean. Rogue tossed aside her math textbook and notebook she'd been working in and climbed off her bed. She went for her door, only to come to a halt when Jean suddenly appeared, her purse in hand, clad in a short leather jacket, looking all ready to leave.

She gave her a small smile and Rogue suddenly felt a lump forming in her throat. It was ridiculous really; the two of them were so different. Jean was outgoing, while Rogue didn't mind spending night after night quietly at home alone. Still, they shared a bond, one that Rogue was sure had begun before her friends had left.

She realized now that they had at least come to some sort of understanding, first, after Jean's powers had gone haywire, and second, after her own had. The loss of control of one's body was something no other X-men had seemed to experience; except for maybe Scott, who, like Rogue, had to battle for control on a second by second basis.

"Ya're really going?" Rogue asked her slowly, as to hide the shake in her voice.

Jean nodded once. "Yeah," she said simply, putting the smile back on her face after it momentarily faltered.

"Come on, Jean," she heard Scott's gentle voice. "Logan's waiting."

It was then Rogue noticed the tall, young man standing off to the side. Their gazes met and they shared a commiserating sad look.

"Oh… all right," Jean replied reluctantly.

Rogue turned her attention back to the red-head. She noticed Jean hesitate in step. And then, the next thing Rogue knew, the taller girl was leaning down, embracing her. It took Rogue a moment to respond. She'd yet to become comfortable in close quarters, even though she'd gained control over her abilities.

She put her hands on Jean's back, giving her a light squeeze. She was surprised when the psychic mutant whispered in her ear, "Take care of him for me while I'm away?"

They pulled back from the hug and Rogue looked up into Jean's green eyes, seeing the same question there. She nodded her head in affirmation, making Jean's smile seem less sad.

"Well," Jean said happily.

Scott put a guiding hand on his girlfriend's shoulder, distracting her from Rogue. Rogue took the moment to study Scott. In the two years she'd come to live in the institute she'd watched him grow both physically and mentally. He was a leader in every sense of the word: decisive, productive, assertive, and yet, caring. And through the months and months of getting to know him, she'd seen that caring, compassionate side grow.

She'd probably always have feelings for him, she realized.

She unknowingly let out a sigh, drawing their attention back to her. Rogue caught Scott's gaze on her; she saw the question there on his face. A question she could never answer.

She gave a slight shake of her head; right now wasn't about her, she had to remind herself. It was about her friend, Jean.

"Ah'll uh… walk wit' ya guys ta tha door," Rogue said to cover up her brief moment of longing.

They moved together as the trio they'd come to be. When they reached the front door, Rogue hung back, standing in the doorframe to watch the good-bye unfold.

"That's the last of the bags, Red."

Jean gave Logan a grateful nod, letting him know that she'd heard. She started to move towards the passenger side door, feeling Scott's presence trailing after her. She paused at the closed door and turned to face the front façade of the institute. There, gathered on the steps and front lawn were the inhabitants of the mansion. In the front of the group was the Professor, flanked by Strom and Hank, watching her with pride. She'd already said her goodbyes to them. The younger mutants were there, as well, and even Warren, Piotr, and Remy had shown up for her send off.

And then there was Rogue. She stood back in the doorway, ever a loner, except for the past month. They'd really come to know each other more in those four weeks than over the span of the two years they'd lived together. Strange circumstances had thrown them together and they'd clung to each other, becoming close friends.

Jean frowned slightly, she hoped the younger girl would continue to grow and blossom even when she was gone. And she hoped she'd let love find her in the form of a certain suave Cajun man.

She held up a hand, waving at everyone, before Scott came to stand before her. He looked down at her with such love and adoration. She sometimes couldn't believe that he loved her. She wasn't anything special. She was just an ordinary girl, granted a mutant, but still ordinary. It sometimes overwhelmed her, knowing that she had his affections and that he thought she was perfect. It scared her to think that one day she'd do something less than perfect and that she'd fall from grace in his eyes. It was inevitable, really. She wasn't perfect, she had deep flaws and one day he'd come to realize that. She only hoped that they'd be together, still, after.

She gave her boyfriend of one-year a sad smile. "I can't believe this is actually happening…"

He reached out, putting a hand on either side of her shoulders. "Believe it," he answered, a fond smile on his face. "You deserve this. I'm so proud of you."

She beamed up at him, warmed by his sentiment. "Thank you, Scott."

"Time to go, Jean," Logan interrupted gruffly.

She saw Scott throw the older man a sour look. He seemed ready to give him an angry retort. She didn't know what was up with them. Lately, the one-time mentor-student relationship had become so strained that the two of them had been at each other's throats.

"I'm going to miss you," Jean announced quickly so as to regain her boyfriend's attention.

That did the trick. He tilted his head back to her, giving her his full attention. "I'll miss you, too. But, Albert Einstein College of Medicine is only three hours away, I'll visit you."

"Until you go off to college, too," she reminded a little dejectedly.

Of course she'd be happy when he figured out what he wanted in life, but the selfish part of her wanted him to remain close.

"That won't be for another year, at least, I still need to sort some things out, you know that…" He leaned into her, placing a tender kiss on her cheek. "Until then, we've always got the weekends."

"I'm still going to miss you," she said stubbornly; her pout giving way to a grin. "I love you, Scott."

The moment was interrupted when they heard Logan growl loudly and then slam the driver side door of the SUV. Their goodbye, it seemed, was getting cut short.

Jean wrapped her arms around Scott. His lips close to her ear, he whispered, "I love you, too."

She pulled back from his embrace, giving him one last look, before her hand went to the door handle. Opening it, she heard Logan say, "Come on, Jean. I don't have all day."

Letting out a reluctant sigh, she let her eyes roam over the place she called home one last time before climbing in.

"Finally," her driver said petulantly.

She turned her gaze on him. Logan had always been a bit of a mystery to her. He was a true loner, not like Rogue. And yet he still chose to live under the same roof as all of them. But not only live, he willingly chose to help the Professor help them. It went against his nature, clearly, and yet, he did it nonetheless. That's how she knew he was truly a good man.

"I'll miss you, too, Logan," she said giving him a smile.

He turned his gaze on her, it was apparent that she'd shocked him, but he didn't say anything. They drove on in a companionable silence, until an hour in, she heard him mumble, "I'll miss you, Jean."

She turned her green eyed gaze on him abruptly. He was staring straight ahead. For a minute, she thought she'd been hearing things, but when he turned his head briefly to smirk at her knowingly, she felt a flutter in her chest at the look.

Today, she somehow knew, would be the beginning of a new and great time in her life.

Well that's it for this first chapter. Originally, the first chapter included the one-year later part, but I've decided to make that a separate chapter.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this re-vamped chapter. Let me know what you think, thanks!