She didn't cry for very long; there was an ebb and flow to her emotions that she worried would someday come to be irritating for him, but she would try hard not to let it get that far.

Curling up next to him, listening to him read the story she had so loved and wanted to share with him, she found a spark of hope that she could maybe get back to where she had been before. That one day in the not so distant future, she could be Rogue again, strong and independent, whole and sane. With Todd's help, it might just be possible.

Eventually, she started to drift off, the day catching up with her. She shifted once, twice, trying to keep herself awake to hear more of the story, to have this moment between them for a little while longer.