This is the sequel to "Lady Macbeth". Please, please, please, PLEASE, if you haven't done so already read (and PLEASE review!!) "Lady Macbeth" before reading this. For your convenience, here's the link to "Lady Macbeth": http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=778640

Author's Ramble: This is going to be a 2-part sequel, with each part being 4 chapters. There will be lots and lots of drama, and story may be somewhat depressing at some points. Please please review!!! I want to know what you think. And once again, sorry, there will no Rietro, or any romances for that matter (as I said, it's not part of the story and I can't write romances). Thanks for reading and PLEASE REVIEW!!! The more reviews, the faster the updates!! Criticism is WELCOME, as long as it's constructive (don't just tell me it stinks, tell me why it stinks). Thank you.



Guilty Conscience, Part 1

It had been several weeks since Rogue's encounter with Carol Danvers, the "super-powered" mutant that she, Jean, Storm and Kitty had gone to recruit. The fight between Carol and Rogue had left Rogue with Carol's powers and personality, permanently, and had left Carol in a coma. Rogue now had the abilities of flight, super strength, invulnerability and even a seventh sense that warned her of danger (which she had discovered in a Danger Room session when she dodged a hit from behind). Unfortunately, these new powers had come with a price. Carol was now a part of Rogue, forever. Professor Xavier had worked with Rogue throughout those weeks to silence Carol's exiting presence in Rogue's mind. But all his work could not erase the guilt that consumed Rogue. Rogue had placed a great shame upon herself; she saw herself as Carol's murderer. Carol lay lifeless in the hospital and would stay that way for perhaps her whole life, while Rogue lived on with her powers.

The guilt she carried had a great effect on Rogue. She had become more antisocial and distant, as impossible as that might seem to those who hardly knew her. She was doing poorly in school; her grades had dropped dramatically. She hardly spoke a word to any of her teammates, and even the person who seemed to be her only true friend, Risty, had been hit hard by Rogue's isolation. Risty had seen and felt the change in Rogue. She hardly talked to Risty anymore, and even when she would, it would be short and uneventful one-liners. Risty had tried endlessly to cheer her up. She had tried to get her to go out and have fun, and to find out what was wrong in order to make her feel better, but it was no use. Rogue was an island drifting away from everyone around her.

Her teammates had grown increasingly worried as the weeks had gone by. Kitty, who shared a room with Rogue, had hardly spoken to her and had seen first hand what Rogue's guilt-founded depression was doing to her. All she would do was lie in bed all day while listening to her melancholy music and crying. She hardly ate and hardly slept, except when cried herself to sleep. Kitty was overwhelmed and could not deal with Rogue's condition. She would have asked to move to another room for her own sanity if she wasn't afraid that that would harm Rogue more.

Rogue was hardly even an X-Man, or X-Woman, anymore. She went to very few Danger Room sessions in the first few weeks after the incident. When she actually made it, she would either stand there not doing anything, or, if she did participate, would lose her concentration in the midst of the workout. Luckily her invulnerability saved her whenever she got hit in those situations. Xavier decided it would be best to excuse her from any more Danger Room sessions, even though he had wanted to test out her new powers and to see just how strong she was. He had asked Rogue about that, but she had vehemently objected, saying that they were not her powers to test out or use.

Finally, the X-Men had had enough. They could not stand by any longer and watch Rogue wither away into nothingness. They had to do something. They all agreed to meet up with Professor Xavier to discuss the situation and a possible solution. They entered his office, just before his weekly session with Rogue, to talk with him about her. Scott, as the leader, was the first to speak out.

"Professor, we're really worried about Rogue. It's been so long since that incident with Carol and she hasn't gotten over it. There has to be something we can do...something YOU can do."

"I know and I understand your concern," replied Xavier. "I have, of course, noticed her behavior and the changes that occurred in her and I have been thinking of a solution. I could find only one, but it's a bit of an ethical dilemma."

"What is it?" Spyke asked in return. "We're desperate at this point. We'll try anything."

"I've been working with Rogue for several weeks now and though it's been primarily to quiet and help her control Carol's presence, I've also been trying to help her with her guilt. I've tried explaining to her that it wasn't her fault, but she refuses to acknowledge or accept it."

"Right, we've tried that too," said Jean.

"So, since she can't forgive herself for what she's done, the only way to rid her of her guilt would be to make her forget what she's done."

"How?" asked Kurt. "You don't mean - ?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I do. The only way would be to erase the memory of meeting and fighting Carol; to permanently remove it from her mind. She will have no recollection of it and she will believe that the powers she possesses now were always there, since her mutant powers surfaced."

"I think we should do it," Kitty said. "No matter if it is unethical or whatever."

"I'm afraid it's not our choice to make. Because of the moral ambiguity of it, the only fair way would be to ask Rogue for permission. It would not be right to do it without her knowledge."

"What?!" cried Scott. "No, Professor, you can't mean that! You know she would say no."

"If that is her decision then we must respect it. She has the right to decide the fate of her mind."

"But, Professor, she's not in a proper mental state to make ANY decisions, let along GOOD ones," Scott said.

"I know. Believe me, I wish there was another way."

"You know what, I think she likes her guilt," Kitty responded. "It's become a crutch for her now. For her own good, can't we just-"

"Kitty, please. The answer is no, and that's final. I'm sure none of you would want me to erase any of your memories without your consent. Just ask Wolverine."

"So...ven do ve ask her then?" Kurt asked.

"Right about...now."

Rogue opened the door to the office to find everyone inside. They all stopped talking as soon as they saw her, and she did not seem too happy to see them there, talking to the Professor.

"What's going on here? Ya'll having a private meeting without telling me?"

"No..we were just..." Scott replied nervously.

"Please Rogue, sit down. Your teammates...and I...have something we want to ask you."

Rogue sat down. "What? What do you want to ask me?"

"We're worried about you, Rogue," Jean said caringly. "You haven't been yourself at all since...since that day. We want to help you."

"Is this what this is about? Listen, Ah told you, Ah'm fine! Ah don't need anyone's help. Ah just need to be left alone."

"Please, Rogue, calm down," Kitty said to her. "You know you're not fine. Your remorse about what happened with Carol has taken over your life. You know it wasn't your fault. You were defending yourself. She was attacking you. She could have hurt you. I mean, like, remember what she did to Storm? You couldn't have known what was going to happen."

"Ah...Ah don't know what you're-" Rogue said angrily. She stood up and was about to walk out the door, not wanting to hear anymore.

"Just hear us out, will you?" Jean said as she telekinetically closed the door.

"I have a proposition for you. I've talked it out with your teammates and they're in favor of it. But, because of the nature of it, I want to make sure you are in agreement as well."

Rogue sat down again. "All right, Ah'm listening"