There is always a beginning and an end, but what about the things that happen in between?

Small Summary:

It has been a year since she saw him last. Trust had been the hardest thing for her. People always leave, things never change. Years of her life she had dealt with things beyond her control, even being 26 years old did not change that life was a bitch. Rogue is pushing everything away. Unwilling to tear open the sutures of her heart to let Remy in again, not after going through that hurt. Too much has happened and people don't change. And Remy? He is desperately trying to make her realize that he can't be anywhere but beside her. He was the one to break her…and he cannot be the one that does that to her again.

Welcome to the story readers. Thank you for checking this out, I do hope it interests you and keeps you reading. I will give a quick break down of some of the characters and their ages just so you have an idea.

Rogue (Anna Raven)- 26

Kitty Pryde-25

Remy Lebeau- 28

Jean and Scott Summers- 27 (married with a newborn)

Piotr Rasputin- 28

St. John Allerdyce- 27

Rachael Summers- 7 months old

Wanda Maximoff- 26

Kurt Wagner-25

Bobby Drake, Sam Guthrie, Ray Crisp, Jubilation Lee - 23

Amara- 22

Jamie- 20

Rahne Sinclair- 21.

Here we go people. Everything will fall into place soon, but here is the beginning. Aaand—action!

"The Pretense"

xXx

"When your tears are spent on your last pretense and your tired eyes refuse to close and sleep in your defense. When it's in your spine, like you've walked for miles and the only thing you want is just to be still for a while."

xXx

There was the small hum of music that floated softly throughout the room. It was a small room, but spacious to say the least. The walls were a shade of blue and the carpet a light color. Pushed up against the one side of the room was a bed, which was directly placed next to a window. The comforter was a teal color and the pillows held a lighter pearl hue. The room had all the essentials that made up a standard female's room. A desk was set not too far with a planner spread open. There were a variety of books and pages that could be seen. Some were sketch books and sketches, and many were articles, folders, and newspaper clippings. A book shelf held a somewhat extensive collection of books, the classics and the favorites. The room, though not a complete black hole, was slightly in disarray, different articles of clothing draped over furniture, shoes , bags and other personal items scattered on the floor, and a dresser that was home to a number of items. There were different hair products, perfume, accessories and a few other personal items that lay on top of the mahogany dresser. The mirror that was attached to the dresser displayed someone's personal life in the form of small photos that were placed on the edges of the mirrors frame. The photos were neatly placed and made their way around the edge of the mirror, leaving plenty of space for the viewer to see her reflection in the middle.

At a glance, the snapshots all seemed to be genuine moments that the people posed for. One had a young girl, early 20's with blue eyes, simple brown hair that was cut to be shoulder length with side bangs that swept across her face. Her arm was wrapped around another young girl who looked about the same age, if not older. Her hair was two toned, auburn with two white streaks that framed her face and went at least five inches past her shoulders. They both were smiling, the shorter girl looking more ecstatic than the other.

The resident of the room was on her bed, a few documents spread out and now underneath her sleeping form. She had fallen asleep on the work that lay before her out of exhaustion and most likely stress. Her brow was crinkled and her forehead was slightly shiny with sweat. She could not stop thinking about him… about what happened. It was racing through her head and she could feel the empty feeling returning to her stomach. Her breaths became shaky with the thoughts that plagued her mind.

xXx

"What are you saying?"

"That Remy made a mistake…an he ain't exactly in d' right. Chere—"

"Don't call meh that anymore, Ah don't want to hear it—"

"Please…Rogue—"

He could not bear the sight of her looking broken, knowing that he was the one who caused it made him ache. She was trying so hard to keep those tears back.

"Don't! Ah don't want to hear anymore!"

"Please, believe m-."

"Ah can't Remy, Ah can't believe this!"

"I know y'not ok, and neither am I Chere! 'Dis be killin' me… but I gotta take care of it. Remy's so sorry y' got mixed up in this."

"Do what you want, it's your life, who am Ah to tell y' what to do!" She pushed passed him wanting to leave it all behind…

xXx

She could not handle her uncontrollable subconscious; she awoke with a gasp, flaying her body around trying to figure out where she was, what time it was, and if he was there. She looked next to her, then around her bedroom, same as always, it was void of him and his possessions. He was not there. She knew better by now, but it still hurt. She knew she should not care, to just forget about it and continue to kick herself for ever caring in the first place. Everyone else has been moving along just fine in life, why hadn't she? Rogue looked all around her and saw her work spread out over her bed. She breathed out a dissatisfied "Damn it.", mentally kicking herself for falling asleep. She then rested her head in her hand and tried to take a few deep calming breaths.

After a few moments, Rogue ran a hand through the white pieces of hair that did not successfully stay in the messy bun that pulled the rest of her strands back into submission. She looked up when she heard the clinging of keys and a door opening, and a pair of footsteps eagerly making their way to the entrance of her room. No sooner was Kitty popping her petite form into the room, still in her dress clothes she had gone out in from earlier. The girl was completely beaming and holding a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Rogue mentally told herself to shake it off and suck it up. She gave Kitty a quick smile.

"Heya Kit, didn't think you'd be coming back tonight this late… and ever hear of knocking?"

"Um this is my apartment too Rogue, and plus I think you can make an exception considering your roommate is about to burst with good news!"

"Yeah, you look giddier than usual. Ah'm actually a little scared. But, you know, that's not too odd when living with you." Rogue stated, quickly wiping away the sweat from her forehead.

"Oh Pleas—wait, you are still working on this?" Kitty gestured to all the papers and folders on her roommate's bed and juggled the bottle and glasses as she shimmied off her pea coat.

"Uh, yeah. Work's just crazy. Had to finish writing mah piece, have to get it ready to edit and be prepped for critique. Then Ah just need to get a start on those outlines"

"Girl, I, like, swear they run you ragged. My job's absolutely insane too but you should be able to breathe. And you know what, they are lucky to have you at that place!"

"Kit, don't worry about it. It's no biggie." Rogue was quick to change the subject, not wanting to let the conversation linger on her work life, "C'mon what's with the champagne?"

Kitty began to smile from ear to ear again, and Rogue noticed that her eyes began to gloss over. Geez, this was apparently one of those 'big news' kinds of things.

"Rogue, I had to tell you first! I really wanted Jean and Wanda here too, but I am like so on cloud nine right now, I have a million butterflies in my stomach and I totally cannot stop smiling, Ah!" Kitty kicked off her shoes and jumped on Rogue's bed excitedly. Rogue, completely confused, but equally amused, just cocked a brow and gave kitty a prying look.

"What's goin' on Kitty?"

Kitty took a deep breath to calm herself down but only regained her high when she finally told her friend what had happened.

"Piotr proposed! Rogue, we're, like, engaged! I'm getting married!" she held up her hand, and there as plain as daylight was a classy engagement band with a diamond in the middle with small clusters on the side.

Rogue watched as her friend squealed out the words, a few tears making their way down her face. Kitty leaned in and hugged her friend, Rogue returned the hug and, after getting over her initial shock, was finally able to say, "Oh my God…Kitty, Congrats. Ah-Ah can't believe this." To be honest she could believe that Piotr would do it. The past few years both Kitty and Piotr had been inseparable. She guessed it was just a matter of time, but it still did not derail the shock that went through her body. She could not believe that another friend of hers was getting married.

"Rogue? Are you okay?"

Rogue did not even notice that she had starred off with a distant look of sadness spread across her features.

"Yeah, of course Kit…Ah'm just so happy for you."

Kitty's face softened, and wondered if her friend really was okay. She knew it would not be the easiest thing for Rogue to take considering the past circumstances.

"Are you sure, Rogue I, like, so did not want to make you hurt by bringing anything up. I totally could have held off I was just thinking that you are, like, my best friend I had to tell you first. I didn't mean to flaunt anything, I mean I know how sad you still get about—"

"Kit! Slow down, Ah'm fine." Rogue grabbed her friend by the shoulders and stopped her mid rant. Kitty looked slightly unconvinced and concerned. Rogue took a deep breath and looked at Kitty and gave her a genuine smile.

"Ah'm better Kitty, Ah am. This is not about meh, don't worry about it alright. This is your time, you're engaged. Piotr is amazing and so good to you and Ah'm so glad you told meh when you did. Relax, Ah'm really okay."

Kitty exhaled with relief.

"It's just…I know you've been going through stuff Rogue. I didn't want to, like, bring anything to the front of your mind that you don't want there—"

"So, how about that champagne?"

"Rogue—"

"Ah'll pour it."

"I'm sorry—"

"Don't be. Cheers?"

Rogue had poured the champagne into the glasses and held one out to Kitty while balancing her own in her hand. Kitty already knew that the certain subject was a touchy one for her friend. She wasn't going to try and push her, she would try to avoid bring up any painful memories tonight. They were going to relax and enjoy their time as roommates. She accepted the glass and both shared a light smile with the other.

"Yeah, Cheers." They clanked their glasses.

"So, how'd he do it Kit?"

That was enough to keep Kitty smiling and occupied for 45 minutes. Crisis adverted. Rogue could not handle any concerned looks, not anymore. Not from Logan, Kurt, Jean, Scott, and not from Kitty, not when she announces she is going to get married. She relaxed and zoned in on Kitty and her story, completely immersing herself in her friends night and she walked her through it step by step. Kitty was so happy, she could not stop talking. Rogue wondered when she would come up for air, but she just found a way to keep going, making oxygen itself seem obsolete.

About an hour later the two were in their living room both lounging and sharing stories back and forth about when they were younger and the past few years. They had gone through the bottle of champagne and now Rogue was working on her second beer while Kitty was still getting through her first.

"Remember the year Wanda lived here too?" Rogue said reminiscently

"Yeah, yeah, and John was like all over her and she was all like 'back off orange haired psycho!' They were over here all the time! I remember we all hung out. John always flirting with Wanda, Jean and Scott on Cinco de Mayo, totally wasted, we were at their place for that one! Well, Remy was the one that actually convinced them to drink that much."

"Yeah…" Rogue shifted her gaze uncomfortably. Kitty caught her own moment of stupidity and slapped her head.

"Ah, I'm sorry Rogue I feel like an idiot, it's just my memories are all of us, you know. I didn't mean—"

"You want another beer? Ah need another."

Kitty just shook her head and watched as Rogue tried to quickly finish the one she had.

"Rogue, you have no idea how much I am going to miss this." Kitty stated, referring to their times spent together. She was hesitant of bringing up the other part of the news she had yet to give about herself and Piotr.

"Kit Ah'm not going anywhere you act like you are moving across the country. We are still roommates." Rogue downed the rest of her beer and got up to make her way to the kitchen for another one.

"Right." Kitty said quietly and began to twirl around her necklace. "You know, him and John are good friends, Piotr too. Maybe he still talks to them?" She knew it was a sore topic but she thought at this point anything might just make Rogue feel the tiniest bit better. She watched her friend that she had known, all of 10 years now, shrug as she slammed her new bottle of beer against the counter to remove the bottle cap. Kitty was not even going to try to convince Rogue that she really didn't need another beer, Rogue was an adult and it's not like she was some crazy raging alcoholic. But Kitty knew that Rogue was going through a rough patch, and that she would have a few more drinks than she usually did.

Ten whole years had gone by since they met, Kitty had been fifteen and Rogue had been sixteen and they could not have been more opposite. Ten years later and here they were, having battled a number of problems, and then some, since then. 25 and 26 years old, they lived together without having murdered the other. A true accomplishment. They'd grown close, got to know each other a bit more and ended up getting through the past three years of living together in the apartment. Man, their apartment had memories written all over it due to the past three years. Their place was almost a new, more grown up version of home to them. Apart from the mansion, it truly served as their secondary home. Once Rogue had moved out of the Institute for classes and later, her career, Kitty was not far behind, begging Rogue to let her live in the two bedroom apartment, that it would be so great and so cool. Majority of the time it was pretty fun. The rest of the time, temperamental southerners and over emotional valley girls made for an interesting match, especially during PMS.

"Actually…I didn't wanna have to mention something tonight, but I don't think I can, like, hold off…"

"What?"

"I may have a little bad news."

"Bad news? Please Kit. It's your engagement night. You should not have any bad news" Rogue took her seat next to Kitty again. Rogue, having a few drinks in her system, had no control over how strong her facial barrier was. Kitty could tell, she was worn out and not as okay as she played it off to be.

"No your right, don't worry it's nothing like that. I guess more so sad news…about me living here."

Rogue sat up and gave her friend her full attention.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, no. Piotr and I have been talking for a while…about moving in together. And now that we are engaged it's the opportune time. We were talking about it and thought it might be good to make it happen as soon as we can. I would have to move out…of here, probably in a few short weeks."

The way her night was going Rogue should have probably seen another one of these "Oh." moments coming.

"Oh."

It was about all she could get out after three full glasses of wine and almost three beers. Truth be told, Kitty moving out was not a foreign concept for Rogue to grasp. Of course Kitty was going to move out sooner or later. But the moment actually came where they were having the conversation. Of course she was going to move in with him. It only made sense. She would never admit it…but she got pretty comfortable with Kitty being around. No matter how annoying she was, she still was a constant.

"I mean, Rogue, I told him I wanted to talk to you just because, well we have lived together for three years now and I don't want to just spring this on you and leave. You haven't really been the same since what happened with Re-"

"Kitty, it's okay. You are engaged, you guys should move in together. Ah will be okay, Ah promise." Rogue definitely did not want her friend to feel guilty about this one.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Kitty looked down and her beer and set it down on the coffee table. She ran a hand through her disheveled hair and gave Rogue a look.

"Rogue… I will, like, miss living with you so much. I don't want to leave you alone."

"Ah'm not alone. Ah will still see you all the time."

"I don't mean like that. I mean like…when you say you are okay, but then you still feel sad. I know that it's been different since it happened with him. Trust me, we were, like, friends too and everything. I don't want to leave you alone to deal with it all on your own."

"Kitty he left. Ah have been dealing with this on mah own for a long time."

"And maybe that's what worries me. That you never would, like, talk about it. It's not healthy for you Rogue."

"Ah'm an adult. Ah can handle mahself. You are a great friend and Ah know what you are getting at. And you are the best for wanting to always be there for me, but really, stop worrying."

Kitty felt defeated. Rogue was being evasive…again. After ten years of knowing the girl she should really be used to this by now but she wasn't. She was, however, used to letting it go.

"Alright, if you say you are good, then I believe you."

"Great. Now, moving on…" Rogue's eyes shifted away. Clearly they were done with talking about anything related to Rogue's personal life. They sat there a while longer until they both finished their beers, talking about near future plans for when Kitty would move out, what Rogue's plans were if she decided to rent out Kitty's room or not, and silly things that little baby Rachael did whenever either of them would babysit for Scott and Jean. Looking at the clock Kitty stretched and let out an exhausted sigh

"I'm like actually about to pass out. I'm heading to bed it's been such a long night. See ya tomorrow if you're not already out the door."

"You're right, Ah'm pretty beat too." Rogue stood up and grabbed all the bottles and glasses from the table, before Kitty was completely out of sight, Rogue caught her with a "Hey, Kitty?"

"Yeah?"

"Seriously, Congratulations." With that said she moved the bottles to the kitchen.

Kitty gave a nod and a smile and continued to her bedroom.

Once Rogue heard the door close, she leaned against the counter in the kitchen and stood there for a minute, jaw set together tightly and eyes fixated ahead of her. The tears that begged to fall were held back yet again. She wanted to move but found that her body was not going to listen. Instead, she slid down until she met the floor. Bringing her knees to her chest, Rogue rested her head on top of them and let the feeling of emptiness take over.

xXx

And that's the beginning folks. Hope you enjoyed. No Remy in this chapter, but many references to him were made.

So we enter the lives of these two residents. We get hints that something had clearly happened in the past with Remy and Rogue, but the question is what happened and why? Looks like Rogue is having a tough time with life post-everything that has happened in the past, and apparently her best friend getting engaged is a painful and emotional experience, we wonder if it has something to do with what happened with her in Remy maybe, hmm. We also get the reference to baby Rachael, Scott and Jeans daughter, and that Rogue can't believe that another one of her friends is getting married and moving forward in their life.

Hope you guys enjoy this, it will be a good fic. And there will be a good number of flashbacks soon enough and then you will be able to piece together the puzzle and have everything revealed. Thanks for reading! Thoughts, comments? Review and let me know :)

-Lebs.