Chapter Text
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Mansion, and Rogue was in full festive swing. She, Jubilee and Kitty had designated themselves the Holiday Elves yet again, decorating the Mansion and helping Xavier make sure that every kid in the house got something nice under the tree for Christmas, or their respective holiday observances seen to. Rogue's parents were good ol' Southern folk who took their Christmases seriously. There would be Christmas lights all over the house, more nog than any person ever needed for all their Christmases, stuffed fake reindeer and a Santa on the lawn, and her mother and aunts would cook up a storm for dinner. There was the Christmas Nativity set up on the porch as well, which they had the fun task of making sure their Jack Russell dog didn't hump the porcelain figurines. She missed those days, but she had a new family and she took on the role she had seen her mother take on so many times. Except she let the cooks do the cooking – Rogue was a terrible cook.
She'd been at the School for the Gifted for nearly eight years, and being in her mid-twenties, she was a full-fledged member of the X-Team. She and her friends were now donning the uniforms and going on patrols. Scott and Jean were married, much to Logan's chagrin, and had celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary that year. There had been a few relationships that bloomed and withered over the years. Rogue and Bobby had gone out for a year or two, but then something grew between he and Kitty. There had been some months of discomfort between herself and Kitty, but soon Rogue got over the indignity of Bobby's shifting affections. She even became glad of it after a while, as she got to enjoy some time where she wasn't worried about keeping a man despite her dangerous skin.
Her dangerous skin got her into trouble on more than one occasion. She had learnt self-defence from Logan and surprised herself by being very good at the martial arts. Logan seemed to know a little of everything, which meant that Rogue's approach to self-defence was broad and adaptable. Despite all that, she had gotten into a tussle with a particularly nasty mutant and had taken on their powers – permanently. It was no fun having yet another member of the Brotherhood rattling around in her head, and it made her a little more feisty than she had been previously, but she soon learned to incorporate them into her interesting and varied collection of personalities.
A couple of years ago a mutant by the name of Remy LeBeau had encountered them on a trip to New Orleans to help out some friends of Xavier. He had immediately been taken with Rogue, and after an exciting adventure in the world's jazz capital, decided to come back with them to New York and join the team. For Rogue, a passionate, tumultuous relationship with Remy followed, and Remy seemed to angst about her skin even more than Bobby had. Failed and successful experiments in intimacy did not seem to help the problem, and roughly two years later, the two agreed that it was better that they become friends. Rogue hadn't had a relationship since that time, so she had been pretty much single from that time on, roughly three and a half years now. She'd had the odd date, but her skin often became a problem. That and being a mutant.
She was far happier throwing herself into her work and enjoying her friendships at the Mansion. She spent plenty of time with Kitty and Jubilee, but her friendships with Jean and Storm had deepened considerably. She was one of the younger ones that had managed to crack into the Old Guard as they were called, particularly as she had initially had such a powerful mutation, which expanded her abilities tenfold when she permanently acquired the powers of flight and invulnerability. She was surrounded by love and support at the Mansion, and she felt very blessed. That was perhaps why she loved to celebrate Christmas so much. She wanted to let all the people there know how much they meant to her. Life outside the Mansion was cold, frightening, dangerous. Inside its wood-panelled walls, she was cosy, loved.
She just loved to give that feeling back to those she adored.
~~*~~
The main hall of the Mansion was getting the tinsel make-over. Of course, to save time, Rogue, Kitty and Jubilee had roped in a few friends to help them string up decorations. As a result, Piotr, Bobby, Remy LeBeau and Logan were unrolling large garlands of tinsel and hanging up giant baubles and glittering stars.
Rogue, thankfully, had the strength and the abilities to hang the larger decorations on the high-vaulted ceilings above. The helpers were required to hold up the tinsel and make sure it was hung to Jubilee's exacting standards. Like an artist eyeing a scene, she would squint and hold up her hands, visually measuring the height and width of the tinsel garlands. Needless to say, her helpers were getting rather impatient with her.
“At dis rate, we get de decorations up by next Christmas, non?”
“Don't you gimme none o' yo' sass, Gumbo,” growled Jubilee, utilising Logan's nickname for him. “We're nearly done!”
“Never, Petite,” he said, using his own nickname for her in return.
Jubilee scowled at him, but he just sent a charming grin in return, which made her roll her eyes and smile wryly.
Kitty strolled over to Rogue as the latter alighted from fastening a large hanging plastic glittering snowflake to the ceiling. She smiled tiredly at her.
“Looks like it's nearly done,” she said.
“What's the time?” asked Rogue. “We got that special meeting to go to today, right?”
“Yep,” said Kitty, looking at her watch. “It's 3:30. Any guesses as to what the Professor is announcing?”
“No idea,” said Rogue, shaking her head. “I gave up trying to predict the things he comes out with years ago.”
“I hope it's about the Christmas Party this year!” said Kitty. “I have managed to get a really awesome playlist lined up, and I got this software that programmes a laser light machine. If we can get that, oh man, I am so going to town.”
Rogue smirked. “All you need for Hanukkah is an empty check and access to Radio Shack, right?”
“Hey, I'm okay with being so predictable about something so awesome.”
The tinsel was finally up, and Logan loped over to Rogue and Kitty, seemingly amused by the entire spectacle.
“Well, ladies, is everything looking as you like it?”
Rogue looked about the room and nodded, folding her arms. “I'd say so, Sugah.”
The corner of Logan's mouth ticked up at the affectionate turn of phrase. Over the years they had nurtured a warm friendship. At first it had been a touch paternal, but Rogue soon grew out of her gawky teen years, and as she had become a formidable team member, Logan had abandoned the need to look after her, especially considering her additional powers. They were now comrades in arms, poker mates, drinking buddies. They shared a taste in bourbon and cigars, though that was likely due to Logan setting up shop in her head when she had barely been seventeen on the top of the Statue of Liberty.
Jubilee was up on a ladder, pointing to the wall above Remy's head. The taller fellow looked thoroughly put upon, and for the sake of heavenly peace, did what the Tinsel Godfather was asking him.
Kitty leant to Rogue, observing their friend. “Do you think-”
“Probably,” said Rogue, turning from facing Logan. “What are we talking about?”
“Jubilee-”
“Oh yes,” said Rogue, nodding. She didn't need to be told what Kitty was referring to. It was the talk of the mansion.
“How do you-”
“You're looking at them,” said Rogue, “And if it's anything to do with Remy and an attractive woman, then yes, yes I know he likes them.”
“Actually, I was going to ask if you thought that Jubilee would actually go there, but never mind.”
Rogue tilted her head. “I don't see why not. He's a good lookin' guy.”
“And it wouldn't bother you?” Kitty looked doubtful.
“Honey, you don't live with your ex-boyfriend in a mansion for as many years as I have without learnin' to deal with all that pertains. Honestly? If he and Jubes did get together and they actually made it work? I'd be thrilled. At least Jubilee won't take any of his shit.” She chuckled and looked to Logan, who nodded.
“Though I'd give Gumbo a word of warning to treat her right,” said Logan, voice edged with a growl. “She's a good Kid.”
Jubilee was one person in the Mansion that Logan persisted in being protective of. Jubilee had a certain vulnerability about her that was clear to those that knew her best. She was loud, confident and obnoxious to nearly everyone in the world, even Logan. Her brassy nature despite Logan's ferocity endeared her to him.
Logan stretched his neck, tilting his head as a vertebrae clicked. He looked about himself.
“Well, I'm gonna go pop a cold one in my room. Bar's open if anyone's interested.”
Alcohol was barred from the Mansion due to it doubling as a school, but Logan wasn't going to live anywhere long term where he couldn't have a beer after a long mission. As a result, he had managed to get Xavier to allow him a small bar fridge in his room, along with a liquor cabinet, both under hi-tech lock and key.
Rogue perked up. “I think I might take ya up on that one!”
“I would, but I gotta make some phone calls,” said Jubilee, groaning. “Making sure the technicians for the garden and outside Christmas lights come in when they should.”
The X-Men were more than capable of erecting garden decorations themselves, but Xavier preferred for his elite heroes to not be tied up and exhausted by the huge job of lighting the Mansion at Christmas.
Kitty winced sympathetically. “I have to go over the gift preparations for the students with Jean. Plus I'm organising the Hanukkah activities with the Jewish kids.”
“Sounds like you all busy,” said Remy, “N' I don' wanna be crampin' my l'il Riverrat's style with ol' Furry here...”
Rogue tilted her head, folding her arms and screwing her face up at Remy with playful irritation. He often liked to joke that Rogue had a huge crush on Logan. Granted, she did when she was younger and she did find him attractive, but it was most certainly not on her agenda now. For years the both of them had kept each other firmly in friend territory. Not that the rest of the Mansion seemed to know that. As far as they were concerned, Logan and Rogue were like two old ladies living together in their golden years, spending all their time together and doing everything a couple did except fucking.
Logan just shook his head, walking past Rogue and tipping his head at her. “Ya comin'?”
“Sure thing.” She hooked her arm around his and they were off.
~~*~~
Even though it was snowing outside, inside the Mansion was well heated so after decking the halls the cold beers were not unwelcome at all. Logan had a fine taste in beer, and Rogue happily accepted the crisp, cool bitter full-strength that he offered her, still in the bottle. She flumped down in a chair near his bed, and Logan just stretched out on the end of the bed, rubbing his eyes.
“It's not the actual hanging of the tinsel and the baubles that tires me,” he said. “I jump out of planes and beat the shit out of giant robots for a living. It's waiting around for Jubilee to make up her fucking mind about which colour she wants where and how high she wants it.”
Rogue chuckled, taking a gulp of her beer. “I don't think she really got to have many Christmases before she got here. Bein' homeless does a number on ya in a way.”
“I know it,” he said. He looked at her a moment, regarding her. “Did Gumbo get to you before?”
She let out a rattling sigh, hanging her head back. “I dunno. I just can't stand it when he acts like he knows my desires better than I do. He used to do it all the time and it just gets under my skin sommin' fierce. 'N' then he goes and tries to embarrass me in front 'a' you-”
“Hey, not happening,” said Logan.
Rogue lifted a brow, looking doubtful. “Really?”
“The day I look down on other people for caring about me is the day I'm a total asshole,” he said. He rolled over, grabbing a fresh cigar from his top bedside drawer and opening it with his teeth. “I knew you had a crush on me when you just got here. I didn't mind, it's a compliment. Your douchebag ex-boyfriend isn't gonna make me look down on you for somethin' like that.”
Rogue's features warmed in a smile, and she slipped over to him, embracing him around the middle tightly. “You're the best.”
“All right, all right, don't get soppy,” he rumbled, patting her head fondly.
Rogue knew when he uttered things like that that he was deeply touched by the moment, but didn't know how to express that fact. So she chuckled, giving him a final squeeze.
“We should finish off these and get our asses to Xavier's office,” said Rogue, standing up and working on her beer.
“God knows what he's going to get us doing this year for Christmas,” he said, shaking his head, “Always some grand damned party.”
“What would you prefer?”
Logan shrugged. “Warm drinks. Good company. A fresh box of Cubans.”
Rogue chuckled again and sighed. “This is why I love ya, Logan. You're a man of simple tastes.”
He winked at her as he took a good swig of his beer.
~~*~~
The key members of the team filled Xavier's office at 4pm that afternoon. Scott, Jean, Logan, Storm, Beast, Rogue, Jubilee, Kitty, Bobby, Piotr and Gambit all crowded into the room. Xavier smiled at them all, waiting for them to find somewhere to make themselves comfortable. He folded his hands.
“Well, you know why I've called you all here. I've been making preparations for this year's Christmas event. I have decided that we shall hold a Christmas Ball fundraiser.”
Brows went up around the room, and Jubilee and Kitty high-five'd each other. A week or so before Christmas every year, Xavier held some kind of event that invited people form outside the school, raising awareness and funds to run the school itself. Sometimes it was a grand garden party, other times it was dinner parties in lovely locations around New York. This was the first time in a few years that it had been a ball.
“Of course, every year I try to invite guests that will both add to the appeal of the event, and that you all will enjoy meeting.”
Logan snorted quietly and leant to Rogue. “Coulda fooled me. Remember that scientist guy he invited last year?”
“Shh!” hissed Rogue, nudging him.
“Yes, well, perhaps, Logan, you will enjoy this year's guests a little more,” said Xavier to Logan, a sparkle in his eye.
“Who have you got?” asked Jubilee, looking utterly desperate to know.
“Well, as you know, another group of rather remarkable individuals have been protecting the city from threats-”
“SHUT UP,” cried Jubilee, “YOU DID NOT!”
Xavier blinked and looked to Jubilee, rather amused. “I think I rather did, you know.”
“Who are we talking about?” asked Piotr.
“The Avengers,” said Xavier. “Well, as you know, their roster is always changing but we've managed to get a few of their more well-known members to attend.”
“Pleeaaase tell me Tony Stark is coming!” said Jubilee, hands clasped together as she begged.
“Indeed he is,” said Xavier. Jubilee and Kitty let out rapturous squeals and gave each other more high-fives.
“Will Dr. Bruce Banner be attending?” asked Beast with great interest.
“I have a complete list of guests on these invites,” he said, handing them out to the team.
Eager eyes scanned the fine heavy cotton papers as they got their hands on them. Six members of the Avengers were attending, and indeed they were the most well known. Bruce Banner was there on the list, as was Steve Rogers, Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff. Xavier had even managed to wangle his way to getting Thor to attend, which was quite the accomplishment given he split his time between Earth and Asgard. And especially since Thor didn't celebrate Christmas.
“This is going to be the BEST party EVER,” exclaimed Jubilee, growling with glee at the back of her throat.
“Where are we holding this bash?” asked Scott.
“Here at the Mansion,” said Xavier. “We have a perfectly serviceable ball room we haven't used in some time.”
“Well, you tell us what you need us to do,” said Jean.
“I will try not to burden you with too much,” said Xavier. “It is Christmas after all.”
“Eh, it's no big deal,” said Gambit. “Is the least we can do for all you do for us.”
Xavier smiled warmly at Remy. “You know very well I do not require repayment for your safe haven here. You show me your gratitude every time you render your services here at the school, and out in the world in your capacities as the X-Men.”
“That may be,” said Scott, folding his arms and grinning. “But I know I like to help, so you're gonna have me poking around to help whether you like it or not.”
The Professor seemed amused at this, and he lifted a brow. “Well, it seems some people will be having a very busy Christmas this year.”
There was a chuckle around the room. Rogue looked to Logan, and she leant towards him.
“You haven't said much,” she said quietly. “What's goin' on in your head?”
He shrugged a shoulder and met her look. “With the God of Thunder comin' to dinner, we're gonna need a lot of mead.”
~~*~~
It was roughly a month till the Christmas party, five weeks until Christmas itself. Xavier's events were usually well booked in advance, despite people not knowing exactly what they would entail. The Christmas Charity Gala had been spoken by word of mouth and discreet advertising for months, but now Xavier could be open about the guests, given he finally had word if they would be attending. The rush for tickets would be imminent.
Jubilee was in a state of panic.
“How am I supposed to find a good enough dress in a month? A single month?!”
Rogue rolled her eyes at her friend. They were helping Logan oversee an afternoon game of basketball with some of the students in the gym.
“You realise you live ridiculously close to the city of New York, right?” said Rogue. “You know, the city that never sleeps? The city that probably has more dress stores than most places could even dream of?”
“Exactly!” moaned Jubilee. “I have to trawl through them all to find the perfect dress!”
Rogue laughed. “Come on, Jubes. I didn't think you were into all that girly stuff.”
“Hey, I'm a woman of taste,” said Jubilee. “If I have to do the whole over-the-top dress and jewellry thing, I wanna do it right.”
“Fair enough.”
Jubilee looked to Rogue, who was watching Logan blow a whistle and point at some students wrestling over the ball.
“Who are you going to go with?” she asked.
“Me?” asked Rogue, turning to look at Jubilee.
“No, the bench.”
Rogue laughed again and shrugged. “Oh, who knows. I hadn't really thought about it.”
“Oh my God...”
“What?” Rogue looked to Jubilee with surprise.
“You really haven't thought about it!” She let out a gasp. “What the hell? Have you died below the waist? You're only in your mid-twenties, Rogue!”
“Girl, please!” said Rogue, rolling her eyes and chuckling. “Just 'cause other things are more important to me right now doesn't mean I'm givin' up on love entirely.”
Jubilee put her face in her hands, shaking her head. “Ohhhh, this isn't right. No girl as gorgeous as you should go to a big gala like this on your own!”
“Don't worry, I'll probably end up goin' stag with someone,” said Rogue, eyes back on the game. Logan blew the whistle again, and looked to Rogue for her opinion on the call. She shook her head, motioning for a foul. He waved at her in thanks and kept on with the job. Jubilee had one thing on her mind, and it wasn't the game.
“Maybe we can look outside the mutant dating pool,” she said.
“No!” exclaimed Rogue, finally paying attention to Jubilee. “Now you listen, woman. I have made my choice in my life. Right now, I'm all about the team, and about my friends, and bein' happy. I decided that for now, I don't need a man, or a woman, to complete me. One day I don't doubt I will meet someone, but I want it to happen organically and not be the result of some embarrassin' blind date or whatever.”
“But-”
“Jubes, if I didn't have this skin, I would be jumpin' on the train to Datetown right there with ya, but for me, dating is exposure, it's explainin' to someone why I can't kiss 'em at the end of the first date, and them havin' to get used to an entirely new set of problems. And if I date a non-mutant, there's a world of difficulty with my status in wider society, and heaven forbid, should I slip up and touch 'em, they're that much more likely to get hurt by my skin. No. It's just not a good idea.”
Jubilee sighed heavily, nodding. “All right, all right. You talk sense.”
“Thank you.”
“I still want you to buy a gorgeous dress, though,” said Jubilee, pointing at her. “If ya can't get a hot date, at least turn a few of the Avenger's heads, yeah? Make Captain America blush.”
Rogue smirked, folding her arms. “Honey, just you stop me from puttin' on a show.”
Before long the game ended, and Jubilee got up to start packing away the training markers that had been used for drills earlier. Logan walked over to Rogue, wiping some sweat off his neck and face with a small towel.
“Hey,” he said, tipping his head in her direction. “Jubilee getting' up your nose?”
“Oh, no more than usual,” she said. “She's all excited about the stupid Christmas shindig, wanted me to have a date for it. I was tryin' to explain to her that blind dates are problematic for me, particularly with normals.”
A dent of concern deepened in Logan's brow. He looked down to his shoe, testing the tread of his shoes by dragging the toe against the polished wood floor.
“Marie, it's not good for you to hide away in this Mansion-”
“Oh GOD, not you too!” sighed Rogue, looking away. “I was jus' tellin' Jubilee-”
“Yeah, I know, I could hear it from the other side of the court.” He tapped his ear. “I don't miss much.”
“I'll try not to find that creepy,” she said, frowning.
“Don't be melodramatic,” he said. “If you didn't want anyone overhearing, then don't argue loudly in an echoey gymnasium around mutants with heightened abilities.”
“Okay, okay,” she said. “Look, I'm not languishing in singledom here at the Mansion, and I'm not terrified to date people, it's just not somethin' I'm fussed over right now.”
“Fair enough,” he said, nodding. “And don't worry. If you don't want to go to the ball alone, I'll go with ya.” He shrugged and looked suddenly sheepish, toeing the ground again. “Ya know, if you wanna go with an old man.”
“Oh please,” said Rogue, smirking. “You barely look over thirty-five.”
“I make an easy forty,” he said, cocking a brow.
“A handsome forty.”
“Now you're just blowin' smoke up my ass,” he said, pointing at her.
“And a lovely ass it is, Sir.”
“You wanna go with me or not?” he said, actually starting to sound exasperated.
“I'd love to,” she said. “It'll save me from anyone's matchmakin', and I'll have a lovely date to boot.”
“Good,” he said, looking pleased.
“Isn't there someone you wanted to go with?” asked Rogue. “Storm? Stealin' dances with Jean?”
“Storm's apparently got her own date sorted out,” he said. “And I don't chase married women, Marie.”
Rogue felt a little guilty for needling him about Jean. Perhaps it was a childish weakness in her that made her mention it, but she regretted it. She got up, meeting his gaze.
“You know, this isn't a filler or a mercy date. I'm goin' with you cause I want to have a nice time with someone. I'm not sayin' it's anythin' serious-”
“I getcha,” he said, nodding. “An adult casual date. Two people spending time together as equals. No funny stuff.”
“Right,” said Rogue, nodding. “That sounds perfect.” Logan nodded back at her. “Look, I know ya like redheads. If you hit it off with Romanoff, I'll understand if you wanna skip out.” There was a twinkle in her eyes.
“You know you're evil?” he said, smirking.
“Aw, come on, you've seen photos of her. Curves goin' on forever and lips like pillows. She's damned near perfect.”
“She'd have my guts for garters.”
“And I wouldn't?” said Rogue, chuckling.
“You're having far too much fun with this entire situation,” he said, pointing at her. “I'm gonna go shower and get changed for lunch.” He turned away, walking towards the locker rooms.
“Soap it up good for me, Sugah,” she said, laughing.
He glared at her over his shoulder, shaking his head. He knew she was being mostly facetious in her flirtations, that it was the old game between them. She would make ridiculous jokes, sometimes rather adult ones, and he knew that she was doing it to get a rise out of him.
She felt a flush of relief as she walked out of the gymnasium. She didn't have to worry about any romantic entanglements at the ball. She would go with her handsome old friend, get dressed up to the nines and have a really lovely time, hopefully getting to have some interesting conversations with the members of the Avengers.