Hello X-Fans! Welcome to my new project. Just to clear this up, this is NOT my sequel to my movie-verse fic "A Chance Encounter" that is still coming. I'm having slight issues with what is still canon. In an attempt to free my mind and just have a bit of fun, I decided to write something with comic/cartoon X-Men with bright colourful costumes. So TAS 90's Roster (because it is still the most amazing roster) - Cyclops, Wolverine, Rogue, Storm, Beast, Gambit, Jubilee, Jean Grey & Prof X.

*Rated T for language and adult themes. *I do not own the X-Men. *I also do not own Gambit (unfortunately)

I can't promise that this will be a large project...but as usual lets just see what happens.

R&R (Read&Review) Please & Enjoy :-D

Awakening

Any Other Day

It began like any other day at the Xavier Institute. The X-Men woke in the morning, suited up, and then ate breakfast together. Breakfast was always a similar routine. Wolverine would be in and out early, although occasionally he would stay to have a coffee with Storm or Gambit. Jubilee was always upbeat and excited, ready for a new day with her adoptive family. Hank would always be found propped up against the kitchen counter; pouring over the morning newspaper. Storm would be relaxed and contented, happily chatting with whomever came to the breakfast table. Gambit would always sit next to Rogue. He often found new excuses to touch her or brush up against her; with Jubilee frequently telling them to "get a room" when he would playfully pull her onto his lap.

In stark contrast however, were Scott and Jean. Something had not been right with them for the last few weeks. Scott was very distant towards his wife and people had started to notice. There had been whispers that the tension was because Professor Xavier had invited Emma Frost to stay at the Institute while the two of them collaborated on a groundbreaking study on mutant genetics. Emma was one of the worlds most powerful psychic mutants, and together with Xavier the two of them could study places in the mutant psyche others could only dream of. However Emma had made it obvious since she arrived that she was very interested in the married man.

Scott assured Jean that nothing had happened between the two of them, but it was only partly true. As powerful as Emma was, she was quite easily able to play in peoples minds without being caught, even by Jean or Xavier. During the night she would enter the astral plane with Scott. The astral plane was the space between spaces. A dreamlike state within your mind that was all too real. At first the relationship forming between Scott and Emma had been tame; but the more control she gained the more she was able to seduce him.

That morning, Scott had woken feeling physically ill. He had slept with Emma in the Astral Plane and had promised to leave Jean for her. Their psychic affair had gone too far. The deeper Emma dug her claws into him, the less control Scott had over the situation.

After breakfast the team trained in the Danger Room as normal before going about their daily routines. The afternoons were usually very quiet, allowing for a lot of recreational time.

Ororo would tend to the mansion's vast gardens. Logan would often be out in the yard building something. Hank would be working in the Infirmary while everyone else usually hung out in the Rec Room or the Library. Today was no different.

Jubilee and Gambit were watching tv while Rogue lay on the sofa; her head in Gambit's lap while she read her book.

Their relationship was as serious as it could be. They had made a commitment to each other. She had promised not to overthink the consequences of the restrictions they faced, while he promised her they would move at her speed. They kept it simple. They were best friends more than anything else, but having that bond was all the more important as they couldn't show the depth they care for each other in more traditional ways. But if there had ever been any doubt, it was squashed when Remy would firmly tell any admirers that he was already spoken for when they would be out together.

Their peace and tranquility was shattered when Xavier alerted his team that they were all needed urgently out in the front grounds. The sight that greeted them was unexpected to say the least.

Scott had confronted Emma, calling off whatever was between them. She was visibly upset and when Scott did his best to console her; Jean had walked in on their conversation. After demanding to know what was going on, Jean used her telepathy and found out everything. The two women were screaming at one another while Scott was helpless to defuse the situation.

Rogue, Gambit and Jubilee had assembled with Wolverine, Storm and Beast.

"What in the world?" Rogue asked, while Gambit just shook his head.

"Don't know 'bout the rest of you but Gambit ain't getting in the middle of that."

"The White Queen is one of the most powerful psychic mutants alive..." Hank warned before Logan jumped in.

"Yeah, so don't piss her off."

"I believe we may be past that point; Logan." Storm replied.

They approached the trio with caution.

"You can't do this to me Scott, you said you loved me!" Emma was distraught.

Jean was furious. "Scott! how long has this been going on?"

"No, Jean! This is not what you think." Scott tried to mediate.

"I want that woman out of my home!" Jean's voice was raised. "Now!"

"You dare to tell me what to do?" Emma retaliated. "Do not push me; Red. Because I will push back."

"Jean...go inside. Please. I'll talk to you soon." Scott had to separate them.

"Oh I'm not going anywhere." Jean assumed an offensive stance, one hand raised to her temple while the other was outstretched. She was preparing to attack Emma Frost, but the White Queen was too quick, sending out a mental blast that forced Jean to the floor.

The X-Men stepped in front of Jean, ready to defend her.

"This does not concern any of you, now step aside." Emma warned.

"It concerned us the moment you attacked Jean." Storm told her.

"You X-Men are more foolish than I thought if you think you can stand against me." Within seconds Emma Frost had the team on their knees by using crippling mental techniques.

"Emma...please. Stop." Scott was the only one still standing, which was by Emma's design, but her attention was now focussed back on Jean.

"We will see how much you still love your wife when she can't remember who you are!"

Emma's plan was to lodge a mental block into Jean's mind. It would be enough to wreak havoc but stop short of turning her into a drooling vegetable. Whilst her attention was firmly fixed on her rival, Emma did not see Wolverine lunge at her from behind. Crying out as he tackled her, Emma tried to keep control of her powers; but when she rolled out from underneath him; she couldn't help but smirk.

Wolverine looked panicked as he stumbled to his feet.

"Who are you people? Where the hell am I?

The X-Men stared in shock.

"Well that can't be good." Rogue said; hand on her hip.

Emma casually leant back against the side of the mansion; arms folded.

"You're lucky Jean. You've got someone that loves you enough to try and protect you. Seeing Wolverine lose his mind is almost as entertaining as what I was planning for you."

Scott was not impressed. "Emma, fix this now. You can't do this to people."

"I have no intention of doing that, Scott. Maybe this should have occurred to you before you broke my heart."

"Dat crazy bitch." Gambit observed.

Meanwhile, Logan was still freaking out. Jubilee made to move closer to him but Storm halted her with a hand on her arm. "No Jubilee. He is not himself. He is too unpredictable; even for Logan."

Gambit moved toward him slowly. "Logan...mon ami...you got to calm down my friend."

Wolverine lunged forward with his claws, causing Gambit to leap backward.

"I'm not your friend! I've never seen any of you before!"

"This is not good." Hank mused.

"Why are you keeping me here?" Logan growled again.

"This is definitely not good." Beast emphasised.

Storm tried this time. "Logan, please. You need to calm down. We will find a way to help you." She turned to Jean. "Can you get through; Jean?"

Jean had been trying to catch a glimpse of what Emma had done to his mind. "It's no use. It's a mental block too powerful for me to remove."

Emma was still smirking up against the wall.

Gambit turned to her. "You think this is funny?"

Rogue stepped towards Emma. "You better do something to fix this, Sugah. Else you're in for a world of hurting."

"This is all too amusing. You think you can threaten me when I can control everything you do?" Emma placed a hand to her temple and within seconds Rogue had turned to face Gambit. She sauntered towards him, removing a glove as she did so. He realised what was happening and began to step back.

"Whoa, Rogue; take it easy." He had to sidestep her outstretched palm. There was only so much Remy could do, he knew Rogue would easily overpower him. "Emma, cut it out." He threw over his shoulder. Rogue was grasping at his trenchcoat now; pulling him in closer. All the while he struggled to keep her at arms length. "Rogue...Chère; please..."

Just as she was about to kiss him; Emma relinquished her hold. Rogue fell into him and he caught her just in time. Her head lulled into his shoulder for a moment before regaining consciousness.

As nice as it was for Gambit to be holding her so closely, Rogue found her feet and stepped back.

She blushed. "Remy...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Not your fault Chère. But Gambit don't think we going to make Frost change her mind."

"We have to do something. We can't just leave him like this." Jubilee said.

Rogue sighed. "No we can't. But maybe if Emma put something into his mind, maybe I can take it out." She held up her ungloved hand.

Gambit was quick to protest. "Non. Rogue absolutely not. There's no way to know what that will do to you."

Hank backed him up. "I believe Gambit may be correct Rogue. It's very dangerous."

Storm was also concerned. "What about his claws? I do not think Logan will let anyone approach him, he is frightened."

"All the more reason for me to be the one to try and help him." Rogue argued. "I'm the only one here who's invulnerable remember."

"Gambit don't like this." He told her again.

She smiled. "I'll be careful Cajun. Promise." She squeezed his hand briefly before jogging over towards Wolverine.

Jean approached Logan from one side in an effort to try and calm him while Rogue approached from the back to take him by surprise. Jean was able to keep his attention quite well, he seemed to remember her...or was trying to at least.

When the time was right Rogue leapt on him, her bare hand connecting with his face. The pull brought Wolverine down to one knee; although due to his healing factor the absorption was not as quick as what would have been preferable. Rogue felt everything that was going on in Logan's mind including the block Emma had embedded deep within his psyche. Then like a punch to the face, Rogue felt it hit her. It was the strangest sensation...almost like time had slowed. She didn't let go of Logan, she couldn't; and he was still conscious. It was then she felt it. Her skin tearing and ripping as the sharp cold metal tore through her abdomen. It shouldn't have been possible, and yet here it was. She began choking then, and gasping for breath.

Logan had been brought back to reality in the worst way possible. As he saw his claws impaling his friend he immediately retracted them. Still in shock he caught her as she fell forward into his arms, her blood staining his uniform. Gambit rushed forward, in his anger he pushed Logan out of the way, cradling Rogue into his arms. She was still breathing but barely, her eyes still open.

Rogue's hands were pressed against her wounds, trying to stem the neverending flow of blood.

She looked up at Remy, saw the tears falling down his cheeks, she knew he was trying to be brave for her and so she tried to speak...but everything hurt. He hushed her, begged her not to give up on him, and told her that everything was going to be alright. He kissed her head, whispering that he loves her and that's when Rogue felt like she could close her eyes. That she would be at peace if she were to never wake up.

Logan looked over at Jean helplessly. He had no idea what had just happened. "Jean...I've killed her, what have I done?"

Jean hugged him. "It wasn't your fault it was an accident."

Hank had rushed over and immediately began doing anything he could. He instructed Gambit to press his hands down on Rogue's wounds while he lifted her. They rushed her to the Infirmary where Beast wasted no time in getting a drip into her arm and a blood transfusion started. There was no point in trying to suture the wounds as Logan's healing factor would take care of that. However Hank was more concerned that the healing factor was the only thing keeping her alive. They needed to give Rogue the best fighting chance possible for when the effects would inevitably wear off.

Gambit was standing at the back of the Infirmary, pale as a ghost and covered in blood.

Scott pulled him out into the hallway.

"Gambit; you don't want to be in there. If anything goes wrong; this is not how you want to remember her."

Remy's eyes burned. "If she dies Cyclops...It's on you. You and the crazy bitch you've had on the side. Now get out of my way."

Ororo stepped between them, placing a calming hand on Gambit's shoulder.

"My friend, Scott is right. You are no good to her like this. Come we will get you cleaned up and into a change of clothes. There is nothing you can do for Rogue right now."

Reluctantly, Remy let Ororo take him back upstairs. It took only half an hour for him to shower and find some clothes to put on. When he returned to Rogue's side Hank updated him on her progress.

"Logan's healing abilities have done the trick. Rogue's wounds are fully closed, however that is where the good news runs out. She has lost a lot of blood. I am unsure at this stage if she can breathe on her own. Logan's abilities will be wearing off soon I fear, and Gambit; I won't lie to you. There is a chance we might lose her."

"What can we do?" Gambit had never looked so lost before.

"Pray."

Wolverine came in. "I could touch her. She could take some more of my healing. Would that help her Hank?"

"It would only buy her time. But I fear unless she resumes breathing unaided..."

"Do it." Remy said without hesitation. But when Logan pressed his hand to her skin; nothing happened.

"It is possible that Rogue is just too weak Logan." Hank looked solemnly at Gambit. "I'm sorry my friend, we all love her."

On what began the same as any other day; it had easily become the worst day of Remy's life.

It was not long before Rogue began to flatline and Gambit lost all hope.

Just a couple of notes because I just know people are going to pull me up in the reviews :-D (sorry to spoil your fun)

*Yes I am well aware that Rogue with Ms Marvel powers should not be able to be stabbed. She is supposed to be invulnerable. (supposed to be)

This also applies to Hank being able to insert the needle for the drip.

*Yes I know that Wolverine should have been knocked out cold after she absorbed him.

For all of the above - these will be explained.

*Whilst researching I discovered that Logan has developed a high level of resistance towards psychic attacks..."mental scar tissue" from all the trauma of his life. - This one...well ok you got me. My reasoning is his resistance is still developing - hey I'm an author, I can do that :-D