Chapter One

Bobby Drake woke with a start.

Beside him, his girlfriend Marie, once known as Rogue, opened her eyes, gazing anxiously at him. Bobby realised that he was shaking, drenched in a cold sweat.

"What's wrong?" Marie frowned, stroking his hair. "Did you have another nightmare?"

Bobby nodded numbly. Ever since that last face-off against Magneto & Co he'd been having flashbacks. Tonight was just as bad as always.

Marie pulled herself upright, kissing his forehead tenderly and holding his head in her palms. Instinctively, Bobby pulled her closer. He needed her at times like this.

"You know," she murmured softly, "You need to talk to Storm about this."

Bobby stiffened, pushing her away. He didn't want an argument.

"I don't want to worry anyone. I'm just being stupid."

"No, Bobby, you're not! You need to talk to somebody about this. Storm, or a psychiatrist maybe."

"No!"

"Fine, talk to me then," Marie challenged. "I'm worried about you Bobby. You hardly sleep, and when you do you're tormented. It's not healthy, even the Iceman can't run on empty sweetie." She pressed her lips to his neck. "Talk to me Bobby. Tell me what's wrong."

He couldn't help it. He caved. He'd been doing so well, shutting her out. But the feel of her lips against his skin, reassuringly warm and comforting, was too much to withstand. For a moment he forgot all his issues and lost himself in the pure ecstasy of Marie. In that instant, he knew she had him. He would have to tell her. Bobby took a deep breath, lacing his fingers through hers for solace.

"It's John," he sighed, ignoring her alarmed expression. "I keep dreaming about him, nightmares. His face when I froze him….. it haunts me Marie. Did I kill him? And even if I didn't, did I seal his fate anyway?" His voice broke, shook and died.

Marie wrapped herself around him, holding him as he sobbed. "They never found a body Bobby," she whispered into his hair. "Don't lose hope."

"It doesn't matter," Bobby muttered hoarsely. "Even if he was alive, I'd be dead to him anyway. The John I knew is gone, dead or alive." He leaned into Marie's chest, letting the tears tumble freely.

A hunred miles away, the boy named John opened his eyes and screamed.