Still Holding Out For You
By Lady Trunks
Epilogue

Thanks to DragonBlond for pointing out how well the song that is used in this chapter fits the story. Anyway, the song is "Let's Give Them Something to Talk about by Stevie Raitt, which I do not own. I would have figured that you all knew by now that I own nothing… EXCEPT PIETRO!! HE'S MINE!! YOU HEAR ME ROGUECHERE!! MINE!! BWAHAHAHA!! (Even if technically he is TM & © of Marvel)

Also, I have some… suggestive? comments in this chapter (nothing explicit), and considered upping the rating. I'm really not good at judging that. If you think I should, say something in a review and I'll change it. Now, for the never ending author response (but hey, if you take the time to review, it's the least I can do to respond to them. Anyways...)

Tiamat- Well, thank you. ^_^ And I didn't think of them as a couple until reading some of the fics on here too. Of course I think I had seen like two episodes at that time. But I think it works, for me at least. ^^

Roguechere- No, no, no. You are all wrong. Pietro is totally mine! I guess the only thing left to do is fight to the death. ^_^ And of course I have something in the works, I always do. And one will definitly be Rietro, the other one is still undecided but is Rogue/Remy, Pietro, or Warren (which will in no way effect my overwhelming adoration for Rietro, no mattter how it turns out). It's also going to be (get this) serious! Can you believe it? Me? Of course I having these little insane ideas that will add some humor, but I think it might actually be a DRAMA (oooohhhhh). So you thought that I managed to keep them in character? Yay! I tried.
P.S. And I already had the epiloge planned out, but my next fic that I'm writing for Lucky, lets just say that anything is possible... Even a kid named (or possibly nicknamed) Roguechere or ShyMazta. ^_~

J.Dax- I'm glad you liked it. I tried not to make it stay in character, because there so much fun that way. Nice to know it was still fluffy enough. ^^ And I saw that you are now writing a Rietro too. Yay! I love what you have so far.

Oracale- She is definitly locked up tight. And I'm glad you thought it was sweet.

Christina- Thank you! I was afraid that it might not go over to well, but I'm very happy that people seem to like it.

Lunacat- ^_^ You really thought so. Well, I'm glad (even if it was odd). A highly emotional scene just didn't seem like it would fit in. To contrived.

Lucky439- Well, I'm glad you thought it was sweet, I tried. ^^ And now I'm going to go start yours. Hopefully it won't take me to long.

Ellen- I would if I could, but I just don't have the time right now. Something to think about if I ever get the fanfics that I've started finished.

Rogue Le Beau- I hadn't really thought of the others reaction, but after reading this, I had to put something in. ^_^ And no, Rogue can't kill Cherry. Personally I would have no problem if she did, but it wouldn't fit into the epilogue. And you know what I was thinking, I think they are going to pair Rogue and Remy together. They have already been together in two episodes (DoR and Stuff of Villians) and were flirting in a strange I would like nothing better than to kill you way. What I want to know is WHERE IS THE RIETRO TIME?!! How come those two are never together. It's just WRONG. So, until the people at Evo realise the error of there ways, I'm just going to have to keep writing those Rietros, and why I'm at it, force you to do it too! ^_^ Um, rant anyone?? Sorry, I just had to get that out.

X-DarkHorizon-X- Well, it was going to be fluffy, but I just didn't think it would fit. And I am equally happy that they are together. I was worried for a bit that they would never get there act together. ^^

DragonBlond- You poor girl. I think that definitly winds up under the 'Cruel and Unusual Punishment' which is illegal under our constitution. Point that out to her! It seems that there is only one thing to do, scan in your homework and email it to me. Then I'll print it out, finish it, then send it back. That way you can work on P.C. (but for some reason I don't think that solution would make your mom all that happy). ^_^ I wasn't sure what the response would be to that, it wasn't as fluffily emotional as I had planned (I was rather afraid that there would be a riot and I'm not to fond of tar and feathers). But this just seemed to fit. And it seems that people agree (thank god). I have other stuff lined up, so it shouldn't be that long before something else from me is posted. Good luck getting your laptop back. ^^ Oh, and I put the song in. It really does fit this story so well. ^_^

DisturbedRouge- Well, if there is a sequel, it won't be in the immeadiate future. I have so many fics lined up now that I need to get out of my head and onto the computer. ^^ Personally, I tend to like the BoM better than the X-Men simply because they're more fun. But since Rogue is my favorite character, and the only one I write about, the best way to get to the BoM is to pair them up with the X-Men. ^^ Glad to know that you like it. ^_^

HoneyBug16- Yep, she permanatly absorbed the powers (like Ms Marvel) and has them forever now, so she can continue to block her powers. Ah, the wonder of fandom. You can give and take away. ^_^

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Pietro tapped his foot impatiently as he waited at the bottom of the stairs. Was there some kind of secret rule that women always had to be late? Of course, it was for his Roguey, so despite his total abhorrence of waiting, he would bear it (maybe not with a grin, but he would bear it). The thought of her being his Roguey caused a smile to cross his face that some (those with suicidal tendencies, because it's never smart to annoy someone who can move faster than you can see) would call goofy.

They had officially been a couple for two weeks now (a record for him), and it was great. Not perfect, because perfect was boring. They still argued all the time, only now they had the added bonus of being able to kiss and make up. With that little addition to the relationship they actually fought a lot more, just to enjoy the end result.

The news that they were a couple had gone over well, most of other mutants they told just looked at them and rolled their eyes (and more often than not mumbled 'it's about time's). The exception of course being Mystique (who had threatened to do things that would make him scream in seven different languages if Pietro dared to hurt her little girl) and Kurt who had went all over-protective brother. It goes without saying that Pietro had a few nightmares involving blue people (and not even get into his reaction to a Smurfs episode that Jamie was watching).

But other than that, it was probably the happiest time in his life. Now that Rogue was awake, she was able to take down her telekinetic shield and absorb some of Logan's healing ability. As a result, she was completely healed, though still confined to the medical ward for observation. They had given her a clear bill of health that morning, and it was going to be her first day of freedom. And to make it even better, they had a surprise waiting for her.

The sound of a throat clearing above him caused him to look up, and what he saw took his breath away. Rogue stood there dressed in the black sleeveless silk dress that fastened behind her neck and hung straight down to her feet. The silk clung to her curves and when she took a step the splits in the side opened to reveal her long, graceful legs that were accented by the black heels she had on. She had also omitted her usual heavy gothic makeup and went with a slightly lighter look. In addition her hair was pulled up in a loose chignon with her bangs coming down to frame her face. A pair of black gloves that came up past her elbow completed the whole look. The overall effect was stunning, especially to the boy standing at the bottom of the steps who was doing his best not to completely loose his cool.

"So, what do you think?" She asked him with a smile as she continued down the stairs until she was standing beside him.

Finally managing to get himself under control, he gave her the familiar smirk. "Almost as good as me."

"Wow." she replied dryly, but her smile belied the tone. "What a compliment."

"Definitely the best looking couple in Bayville, probably all of New York for that matter."

"What, not all of America?" She asked arching a brow at him.

"More than likely." He said, conceding the point, causing her to roll her eyes.

"So, are you going to tell me why I had to get all dressed up?" She asked him.

"You'll find out soon enough." He said with a mischievous smile. "Now close your eyes." She gave him a doubtful look at that. "Ah, come on. You can trust me."

She complied, though not without a warning. "If you run me into a wall, or put anything disgusting anywhere in the immediate vicinity of me I will not hesitate to hurt you."

"Now Roguey, I find your lack of faith very hurtful." Despite the words, she could tell he was smiling even though her eyes were closed. He gave her a quick peck on the lips, before taking her hand and carefully guiding her down the hall. "Are you peeking?"

"No." They went a little farther.

"Are you peeking now?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Pietro."

"Just checking. I know that you like to cheat."

"That is a blatant lie! I'm not the one that cheats, you are."

"Ssssuuuuurrrrrreeee."

She continued to rant about cheaters, and it took her a while to realize that they were no longer moving. The realization caused her voice to trail off. "Pietro?"

"Yes honeydew?"

"Honeydew?" She sighed, "Never mind. Can I look now?"

"Yep."

Rogue opened her eyes and gasped in surprise. "Wow." She gazed out into the garden behind the mansion. It had been completely transformed, decorated with various party decorations complete with Chinese lanterns and a dance floor. In one corner Evan was surrounded by stereo equipment, apparently having been made DJ for the night. Another corner had tables laden with food. The other mutant teenagers were scattered around, dressed up as well.

She turned her attention back to Pietro, giving him a tender look. "You all did this for me?"

"Well, you didn't get to go to the homecoming dance, so we figured we could have our own." He shrugged it off, but she could tell that he was glad that she liked it.

"It's wonderful!" She exclaimed throwing her arms around him in an exuberant hug, which he happily returned. "All the fun and none of the annoying people."

"Shall we?" he asked, gesturing to the dance floor. She nodded and they walked out onto the dance floor.

Kitty, seeing this, went over to Evan and whispered something to him, which he nodded to. Evan then turned off the music that was playing and picked up the microphone. "This next song is dedicated to Rogue and Pietro, for finally 'getting a clue'. As if Jean and Scott weren't bad enough!" Both couples shot glares at him, which he just smiling shrugged off as music filled the air and they went back to dancing.

People are talkin'
Talkin' about people
I hear them whisper,
You won't believe it
They think we're lovers
Kept undercover
I just ignore it
But they keep sayin'
We laugh just a little to loud
Stand just a little to close
We stare just a little to long
Maybe they're seeing something we don't darling
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love
I feel so foolish
I never noticed
You act so nervous
Could you be falling for me
It took a rumor
To make me wonder
Now I'm convinced that I'm falling under
Thinking about you every day
Dreaming about you every night
I'm hopin' that you feel the same way
Now that we know it
Let's really show it
Darlin'
Let's give them something to talk about
A little mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love
Let's give them something to talk about babe
A little mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love, love, love.
Something to talk about
A mystery to figure out
Let's give them something to talk about
How about love
Love
Love
How about love, love, love

The final strains of the song fell away and a slow song began. Pietro pulled Rogue next to him and they continued to dance. "I never did ask you why you wore the gloves."

"I don't know. I like them. What, you don't?"

"Now I never said that." He replied with a grin. "In fact, since I first saw you in that outfit I was picturing you in those gloves and those shoes and nothing else."

"Yeah. Like that's going to happen." Lovely sarcasm hung on the words.

"Please?" He asked, giving her the patented puppy dog eyes.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"Yes."

"Plea…" He blinked for a second, before he responded. "You said yes?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "Pietro, have I ever, in our entire acquaintance, given you the idea that I was easy?" He shot her a considering look at that. Noticing it, she narrowed her eyes at him. "Think before you respond to that."

"If I say yes, will you do it?" He asked hopefully.

"Not a chance."

His expression looked completely crestfallen at that, causing her to laugh lightly. "I didn't say that we couldn't have any fun." She practically purred in his ear while shooting a seductive look at him from under lowered lids.

That caused his eyes to widen and his breathing to quicken. He gave an exaggerated yawn, "Well, I'm tired. Let's go to bed." Taking her hand, he made as if to pull her off the dance floor.

She laughed and pulled him back, "Not now, it's only 7 o'clock. Can you even imagine my mothers reaction?" He shuddered at that. The problem was that he could imagine and none of them were pretty.

"Hey, you never did tell me if you won homecoming king." She suddenly said.

"Oh, yeah. That I did." He said, desperately trying to think of some way to change the subject.

"So, who got queen? Cherry?" She almost spat the name.

"Um, no, not Cherry."

"Jean?"

"No. Lovely weather we're having. You think Storm had something to do with it?"

She noticed what he was trying to do, and narrowed her eyes at him. "Pietro, who got queen?"

"You know, things have really changed at school. You might notice people acting a bit different around you."

"Pietro. Who. Got. Queen." She ground out between clenched teeth.

He shot her a look, and she knew what it meant. "God no!" she shuddered. "Please, no."

"Hey, you were actually voted in by the students. After Jean announced that you saved all those people's lives..." She shuddered again. "Well, just don't be surprised if you go back to school and find yourself…" She silently begged him not to say it. "Popular." He said it.

She groaned aloud. "Please, kill me now."

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LT: Well, it's done. Finished. No more. *sigh*
Todd: It's about time.
LT: I want to think all the people that reviewed throughout the story. Your reviews really encouraged
Todd: You mean nagged?
LT: … ENCOURAGED me to keep updating. Couldn't have done it without you all.
Todd: And now we get a much needed vacation.
LT: Vacation? *laughs* We have 4 more fics lined up. There will be no breaks.
Todd: What are you kidding me? I need…
LT: You're wasting time. Don't make me get Gothic Rogue to come here again.
Todd: Fine. *mumbles under his breath*
LT: What was that?
Todd: Not a thing.
LT: Anyways, thanks again. Now we got work to do!