"I can do it my damn self." Rogue snapped at Logan as she eased into a seat, her head bobbing around as she tried to follow any shadows in her sight. All she saw were varying shades of gray. This was, in fact, an improvement to the pitch black she had woken up to in the middle of a mission.
Jaime was missing. Jaime was missing. He had gotten tranquilized during a previous excursion and captured. He was stored on a base for future experiments. He had to be rescued...
xxXXxx
Scott and Logan together had created over a hundred Danger Room drills about evacuations and recon missions. It was something the administrators in the institute were always worried about. Everyone knew if there were a time when members were left behind, Scott would be leading the mission to get them back. And for a time that was correct.
There was the Scott that existed before Jean winked out of existence. Then, there was the Scott after. This was true of everybody. Her sudden, rapid ascent to godhood then insanity was etched in all of their brains permanently. Wedding displays were marred with blood and singe. It was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.
Jean had lost control (during her wedding kiss, no less). This was unlike the other times. Everyone could feel it. This was world ending, either literally or figuratively. From the moment they all looked upon the cold, merciless eyes that suddenly saw through Jean they knew they were at the mercy of something that could not be comprehended. Her own family members disappeared into ash at random, despite everyone's terrified screams.
"Jean! Focus on me!" Scott screamed. It had saved her so many times. She didn't hear him now. Drunk with power. Drunk with emotion (something the latent Phoenix Force inside her clearly could not handle).
Logan stared up in shock, his tuxedo hanging off in tatters. He was shocked somehow but he wasn't sure why.
They'd been carrying on a telepathic and physical affair for the better part of a year that had kept increasing in intensity. That was the first sign that something, slowly but surely, was taking a hold of Jean. It didn't matter. He didn't know if he'd always loved her or if this sudden revelation of her animalistic side to made him fall in love. But from that moment forward everything changed.
He rabidly screamed as Rogue took off her glove and took to the sky against multiple protests. It had worked once, years ago, it had to work again. Jean was glowing with an unearthly light that gave Rogue chills. Rogue grabbed on to the skin on her shoulder. She shined so bright in response that Rogue lost the eye she didn't shield. She only touched her for a tenth of a second but she felt such a strong psychic presence in her she started to faint.
"Rogue!"
Logan studied her curiously since she couldn't see he was for right now. She couldn't see out of her good, green eye and the other had been covered with an eyepatch for over a year. She huffed in exasperation as a silence hung between them. He knew how incredibly hard this was for her. Adjusting to the change in her depth perception on the battlefield had been earth-shattering enough.
"Listen," He growled. "Ya ain't got nothing to prove. Definitely not to me, so just take my help and heal faster." He said, his voice a bit anxious. She sighed but stopped being combative towards his help. He slid a cup of steaming tea over to her.
She inhaled once. "Honey lemon green tea." She said, sniffing again. He smirked at her. "Thank you."
"Drink it." He ordered. She hesitantly lifted the cup to plump lips. The tea tasted that much sweeter without being able to see. She took a long sip. "You worked with Betsy, yet?" He asked gruffly. A frown pulled at Rogue's mouth.
"Soon, Logan. I-"
"Marie." That was his finishing move in their conversations. She pressed her mouth into a grim line. "You need to keep working with her and make sure your health hasn't compromised your resistance to psyches." He said sternly, steely grey eyes glowering at her with concern.
"I know but it's such a drag. I'm so sleepy after!" He shook his head at her.
"Maybe ya need that rest, darlin'." He leaned in close to her. "I need you back on the field with me recruitin'. We both been in this mansion for too long." She nodded in agreement. Had she not lost her vision they would've been taken off from the oppressive atmosphere. She couldn't see and they couldn't risk having her on missions.
Rogue huffed in frustration. Normally, Charles would do a familiar routine through her mind to encourage her senses back. Hank had concluded that the damage wasn't permanent, but a date of her sight's return was anyone's guess. Neither Logan nor Rogue were patient. So, the weeks that passed were already nightmarish to them.
But Charles didn't last much longer after his star pupil's tragic death/rebirth. She literally grew too powerful to exist in their dimension and went to a plane of higher existence (and almost certainly never to return again). You could get philosophical about life and death and whether Jean was 'dead' or 'alive'. But none of that mattered. Once it actually dawned on Scott that he was never going to see Jean again (and even if he did it would probably mean his slow and painful death or the end of the world) everyone's consciousness shifted. Something changed and it would never be the same.
The team, his ideals, his morals; It turns out they were all held together by one certain thing. Having Jean ripped away with no warning and no real explanation left Scott a shell of the former person and leader he was behind.
Scott was screaming. It'd felt like an hour of a loop of the same scream. The fabric of reality was fraying like a cheap top from the mall. Jean was disintegrating humans at random. His glasses had broken a long time ago. For now, his eyes were shut. But he had spent several agonizing minutes screaming and shooting his blasts towards the heavens until he thought his eyes might burst.
Now he was crumpled over weakly, just panting and occasionally sobbing. Rogue couldn't really see with all the blood on her face but she hadn't heard Scott's voice in what she counted as about seven minutes. Her hand covering her eye she began yelling orders, Logan supporting her weight as her body shook. They couldn't tell but it was Rogue's lack of control that had begun levitating pews and flinging them everywhere. She started screaming. "Mutants in attendance!" She shouted. "Do NOT engage with Jean, whatever you do. Take and form shelter!" She tripped over her own feet and Logan steadied her as she kept going, blood dribbling down her chin. "If you can manipulate or create something that can block Jean's powers, do so! Shield humans! HURRY!" She screamed.
Even after a traumatic injury. Even fighting against their beloved and quite unstoppable teammate. Even his voice had faltered, taking in the scene of chaos and fell into a leadership role the second the team needed one. Logan was always amazed by her ability to do that. He called it one of her mutant powers when she wasn't around. He had really strong, fucked up feelings for Jean himself so he gave Scott a pass in the wedding aftermath.
It was when the old reliable, trustworthy, protective Scott didn't return Logan had a serious problem. Logan knew how to walk the fine line between prickly and asshole. Once Scott stopped crying over Jean (which took a long time), he turned the dial up to Magneto levels of asshole-ness. He started ditching Danger Room sessions and showing up hung over. His reprimanding skills had far surpassed Logan's with new recruits, it made even him feel bad.
He was reckless on missions, seeming to have a death wish. His self destructive behavior made Logan sick. The first time they faced the Brotherhood without the professor Kitty and Rogue had had to pull him off of Lance. They all needed Jean, especially now more than ever. They knew she was the reason he got up every morning. But they knew Jean would want Scott to shoulder on without her and to keep being the leader and role model she fell in love with. He just refused to. A light went out when Jean disappeared. For some reason she took Scott's integrity with her.
And it was what he did to Rogue. Logan felt a little guilty that this was what bothered him the most, by far, but he couldn't help it. He knew. Scott knew. Everyone knew. Rogue would be the support beam to hold him up until he was better. She would support the institute with her newly acquired inhuman strength if she had to. Once Scott started throwing Rogue under the bus he crossed a point of no return with Logan. It took a little longer for everyone else but they were forced to interpret the professor's cryptic words:
"But I have some seen some who were our enemies become friends."
Piotr had, he was practically engaged to Kitty now who's warmth and light melted his metal heart with ease. Magneto had, left amnesiac after the strain of fighting Apocalypse. His new, forming identity was called 'Joseph', who was kind, soft, and patient (and who got on well with Rogue and Kurt, to Logan's chagrin). Even Remy who's codename was Gambit. It might've been a certain two-tone haired mutant which convinced him to stay but he was an X-Men now.
"And with a heavy heart, I saw the dearest of friends, become enemies."
Logan stared in awe at Jean as she was consumed by fire. He had loved her, perhaps the most, but he didn't move. He didn't try to stop her. He just held on to Rogue and tried to keep her from getting killed. As soon as he understood what was happening Xavier's words rang through his head. He could see it in his face and hear it in his words when he said it. Nobody knew just how terrible his vision had been. Now they did.
Nobody had realized that, maybe, he'd meant Scott too. He seemed to be trying to hold it together after Jean's death but once the Professor was attacked at a mutant rally and sustained terminal injuries, it seemed all his compassion disappeared over night. He was ruthless and cruel to students, nearly abusive in training sessions, and a dictator to his teammates. Soon, the team started looking to Rogue for real direction.
Scott would demand an immediate action that could or would cause civilian peril or casualties. Rogue would frown and remember to verbally castrate Scott at a later time. She would face the team and basically say "Let him have his damn tantrum! Kurt and Kitty, y'all port the people in cars to safety. Colossus, you head to areas of fire- It won't hurt you! Bobby, try to ice things that are gonna fall down out of the way! Ah'm gonna make sure parts of the bridge don't fall on people!" She looked back at Scott with an exasperated look. 'Let him get fucking battered by the sentinel if he wants. We have to help these people!' They did not have time for Scott's melodrama today, a sentinel was attacking.
As Scott's attitude only got worse it finally came to blows between he and Logan. Once Scott crossed the threshold from child to adult his connection with Logan disappeared. He still doted on the girls the same way, especially Jean. Scott always resented that and he had reached his breaking point.
Kitty was crying shrilly like an alarm, scrambling in Piotr's arms. She was too freaked by watching her team leader and her mentor throwing fists at each other to phase through his giant arms. "Scott! Logan!" She screamed. Logan had taken Scott down relatively easily, punching him hard in the face with his adamantium fists.
"You bastard!" He snarled ferally. He punched him again before Scott flipped him over, blood streaming down his chin.
"Guys..." Piotr tried helplessly. Jubilee, Rahne, Tabitha, Bobby, and Jaime all just watched. They had secretly been betting when their teacher and the leader were gonna start brawling. The institute had become an emotional pressure cooker as of late. Anything was game.
One of Scott's hands was around Logan's throat and he prepared to move his sunglasses. "Fuck you, Logan-" In a flash too fast to see, Rogue was standing in front of everybody holding both mutants above her head with a snarl on her face. She had an apron on and powered sugar on her face. She was trying to bake something for the younger students and new recruits. The past few months had been hellish for her so she couldn't imagine for the children. She was only nineteen, but ever since Jean died she felt she lived a lifetime.
"You vermin." She roared, shoving them in front of the students watching. "They're sitting right there, watchin'!" Scott stared unapologetically ahead, his face blank. Logan curled a bit in shame. He had never been a 'do as I say and not as I do' kind of person but he wasn't setting a good example. Especially going after Scott, he didn't need the team splitting any way because he wasn't leading a separate team. He huffed in defeat and Rogue shakily lowered them down. "Behave." She said, her voice more tired. Logan looked at his scuffed boots.
"Sorry," He began but Scott interrupted, trying to launch himself over Rogue's arm.
"Marie, control your lapdog before I give his healing factor something to do." Scott warned, his eyes seething behind his glasses. Rogue sent him a look that forced him to back down, at least a little. Logan's eyes flashed black. He had been pushed far past his limits lately.
"You," He sneered. "Want to talk to me about control?" He growled angrily. His claws finally came out, prompting some of the young mutant girls to exit the common area. "We all died on your wedding day, damn it!" Logan roared, his fangs bared desperately. Scott lashed out again, trying to reach his face.
"Don't you DARE talk about Jean!" Scott screamed, his lips curled in a rage. The mention of her name sent a blearing pain shooting through Rogue's head. It was peculiar. She had hardly brushed Jean's skin but she left the largest impression in her mind. The version of her self in Rogue's mind was the most powerful and the most fully realized. The curse Rogue bore for trying to help that day was always being at risk of losing control. Losing control to time's most powerful psychic.
She stumbled and clutched her temple, finally catching the mens' attention. Logan clutched her shoulder worriedly. God knew she was under and insurmountable amount of stress lately.
"Stripes?" He uttered worriedly. He hardly ever called her that anymore. She wasn't a kid anymore, and hard as times had been there weren't a lot of nicknames flying around. Scott tipped her chin with his gloved hand to look in her face with stoic concern.
"Are you okay?" He asked, the ghost of his former self flashing in Rogue's mind. She dropped her gaze. She had no time to fall for this again.
"Yeah, Scott. I just,"
"She get's loud in there, doesn't she?" Logan finished, understanding more than Scott did about having memories interrupt him. Rogue nodded with a small smile. He placed his hand on her back, catching a pinched glare from Scott.
"Scott, why don't we run a few drills in the Danger Room. I still need to tweak my aim." He didn't react to her sweet smile as he finally pulled away.
"Okay. See you down there." He glared at Logan as he turned around and stomped there, the older mutant watching the whole time.
"Rogue-" He started, holding up a clawed hand.
"No, damn it! You know better!" She said, pointing an angry and strong finger in his face. He groaned as Kitty finally phased through Piotr over to him, her face red in anger.
"Mr. Logan! What were you guys doing?!" He sighed, taking out a cigarette that Kitty promptly took and phased into the ground.
"Sorry, Kitty-Kat. Scott's been really overdue for a punch to the face and I couldn't expect anyone else to take that upon themselves." Both girls sighed.
"Logan, really! You know what he's,"
"No, no!" Logan stalked past her angrily. Kitty knew from the look on his face she shouldn't follow, even if she wanted to. She watched her take off after him with a sigh.
"Come, Kitty-Kat. Let them work on it." Piotr said, his colossal hand covering her back. She nodded with him in agreement and followed him outside. These days, some stressful situations were optional.
Rogue followed Logan into the other room in a huff. 'Since when the fuck did I become the voice of reason and a mediator!' She thought angrily. 'I used to be a combative goth for Christ's sake! I don't know what I'm doing so why the fuck is everyone looking at me?!' "Logan!" She barked. "Logan, I am not in the mood for this!" She screamed out. He turned to face her, his nose inches for her face.
"I'm not gonna listen to you, of all people, make excuses for Scott." Rogue glared at him. She hadn't had the time to have favorites on the team or in the school. Except maybe him.
"I'm not making excuses, damn it! We don't all have healing factors." She regretted the comment as soon as she uttered it, catching the surprised look in his eye. She would never imply the mutant didn't feel things or he healed from them faster than others. It was quite the opposite. He had been feeling more things for longer than any of them could even imagine. Whether or not he showed that was another story. She shut her eyes and sighed. "I didn't mean,"
"Sure ya did." He answered cooly. He took out a cigarette and lit it without any protests. "You've touched me before. It's in you. You know how it works." He looked at her sadly and just studied her for a while. She still wore too much dark makeup on her remaining eye. Her eyepatch was plain and she'd accepted having one quickly. He was always tickled to realize that under purple lipstick lived soft, pink lips. Maybe sometimes red.
Ever since she met the Cajun mutant she adopted green. Green had always been a theme, a current in how she dressed. But now she always had something green on. He didn't know if Gambit encouraged it or influenced it by how he made Rogue feel. He was gone, for right now. He came and he went just as Logan always had. So now Rogue had on a deep green hoodie with black gloves and tight, black pants (that were actually dark, dark green). Her hair was past her shoulders now. She had no time to trim her hair for vanity or straighten it any longer.
She stared at him past a field of indignant freckles on her nose. "But then, you also know that even if you're fine physically, you ain't healin' from none of that other shit that's been happening." He looked at her seriously. "I'll never try to describe what I felt and what I saw that day. And I know you won't. You haven't." Her gaze finally dropped to the floor. She hated when he exposed her and saw right through that brave, dedicated facade she put up. Rogue, was perhaps, the most afraid of all.
"Logan..." She tried.
"You were back on the field three days after losing your eye and being put out by Jean." He said, the frown on his face deep. She stared back at him unflinchingly.
"The professor fixed my head,"
"He said you'd be lucky to be up in a week!" He barked. "You were out fighting sentinels coming to seize the institute." He narrowed his eyes.
"So I should'a let them destroy the institute while I got my beauty sleep? What do you want me to say, Logan?" Rogue said in exasperation. She was tired of being backed into a corner verbally. "Scott was mad with grief! He couldn't do anything! He couldn't stand and the government had detected Jean's signature hours before." She threw her hands up desperately. "What was I supposed to do? Let the new recruits fend for themselves? Kurt and Kitty... They can't lead their way out of a bag, they have supportive abilities." Logan stared at her with an unreadable expression.
"You took the jet and the team to Russia two days after Jean busted out of your head." He said with a hard stare, his arms crossed. The memories were violent and terrifying. Logan had lost count of how many times he'd thought Rogue was gonna die in the past year.
"You were following the Friends Of Humanity in Canada." He sniffed angrily.
"I was on my way back when Betsy told me what had happened." He said seriously. "That bastard asked you..."
"I said yes." Rogue snapped. "Don't hold it against him. He wasn't ready to lead a mission and be responsible for everyone. I could handle it." Logan shook his head.
"Yeah, ya could. But darlin', should you have to?" He asked her earnestly. "Right after Gumbo left-"
"Stop it." She breathed, shocked he would bring up Remy to make a point. Logan couldn't stand him at first. He worked for Magneto. He was older than Rogue and he had always kept his eye on her. Then, of course, the kidnapping. Just the thought of his face could make Logan's blood boil. But, he went on the back burner when Scott's heel personality emerged. Both he and Remy hated this new Scottt and how he treated Rogue. So an uneasy alliance gave way to a tentative friendship.
"You walked out here and briefed all of us on the next mission we needed to go on. But he's our leader?!" He said, his voice steadily rising. She shook her head.
"That's not fair, Logan." She said quietly, breathing in a staccato fashion to fight her tears. Logan could already smell them, though. He hated that smell. He had her though. He grabbed her gloved wrist and stepped closer.
"You know I followed him." She looked into the older man's scarred face. "I hunted him down like fuckin' prey and demanded an answer. I needed to know why he bugged you just to leave. If it was a good one I was gonna ride back here and tell it to you." Rogue's gaze fell.
"Well. Ya never told me." He sighed.
"He said he left before he had to watch you die. For Xavier's dream. For the person Scott used to be. Hell, for these kids! He couldn't stand to watch you go down on this ship." Rogue was crying now, grabbing Logan's wrist painfully tight. "And I'm telling you kid, I let him go because damn if I don't feel the same way sometimes."
"Logan-"
"He's right. If you don't allow yourself to be okay with or without all this," Logan looked around him. "You're not gonna make it." With a grimace, he forced the young girl's forehead on his chest and she didn't try to move. "You're worth more than trying to make him do the right thing." He said, his eyes serious. In some ways, he was pleased that Summers had validated his biased dislike of the X-Men leader, even if it started with Jean.
"I don't know what to do," She admitted, for the first time since they'd lost Jean and the Professor. He sighed, rubbing her back. "I thought he'd be a lot better by now. I know," She looked up helplessly. "I know I can't keep going like this. But that doesn't mean the kids don't need somebody! Kit and Kurt still need me." He nodded sympathetically.
"Scott's not a bad person for being fucked up by what happened." Logan said after a while. "But he needs to feel the peril. The danger. That these kids are doomed without him and he has no choice but to be the leader he used to be. With you around he don't feel like that." Part of her knew he was right. But they didn't have enough support in this dark time without Charles. "He's gonna keep indulging that darkness and that anger because you're here to make sure everything else is alright." His face screwed up in rage. "And fuck him for that, Rogue. I know you care about him-"
"He's the reason I became an X-Man to begin with!" She cried, pulling away from Logan and standing near a window. She looked out and watched the younger X-Kids play mutant ball. "I can't just,"
"You need to." Logan finished seriously, he wasn't gonna let Scott drag her down. "For your sake and theirs. If he doesn't start acting like a leader he isn't going to be one anymore. I've already been talking to Ororo, and Hank. I'll be talkin' to Betsy." Rogue turned and stared out the window, signaling that the conversation was over. Logan sighed. He hated not getting along with Rogue, especially now. But he couldn't let it go without being said.
Rogue twiddled her thumbs uncomfortably. "I like Betsy 'n all I just..." She sighed. The sophisticated, British psychic was no Charles. "I was just more comfortable with the Professor." She said, her face falling. Rogue didn't reflect much. They had all experienced such great trauma in a short period of time. Nobody had fully dealt with the repercussions of the past few months. As a general rule, Rogue didn't reflect or lament. Too much was riding on her now. She was like a feather balancing on the edge and one memory might tip her over.
Logan sensed the silent struggle she was going through. She didn't mention Charles often. He leaned in with a grimace. "I know, darlin'. Betsy's good people, I've worked with her. Just give her a chance." He urged. Rogue sighed, her hand twitching over her mug. She frowned as she heard Logan slide his chair out from the table, sniffing violently.
"Logan?" She rose slowly in confusion. "Logan!"
"Don't move." He ordered with a threatening glare, hoping she could feel it if she couldn't see it. "I mean that." He added before tearing to the front door.
"Logan, wait!" Rogue cried out. She was rarely apart from Logan since she had no sight. He was as faithful as a seeing eye dog, and if he didn't help Rogue get to somewhere he didn't want her to be there. 'God damn it!' She thought. "Kurt!" She screamed. Within a moment he had teleported beside her, peering worriedly in his adopted sibling's face.
"Hey! You okay?" She nodded, following his voice.
"Yeah, port me wherever Logan's going please." He rolled his eyes but complied. 'Here we go...' He thought.
Logan stalked menacingly through the hall, not returning a wave or a greeting to any of the students around him. 'I recognize this terrible stench.' He thought bitingly to himself. Ororo smiled at him but slowed down when he didn't return it. "Everything alright, Logan?" He grunted and she turned to follow him. "Logan..."
"About to not be, 'Ro." She picked up her gate as he approached the door.
"Logan." She chastised as he swung the door open. There, stood none other than Scott Summers. Logan lifted his fist to punch at him but Ororo caught his arm and held it back. Scott didn't react, looking around to see who was nearby.
"Storm." He said softly, stepping inside.
"Scott..." She said as Logan wriggled out of her grasp.
"Why are you here?!" Logan growled at him, fighting the urge to cut him. Scott ignored him.
"Where is everybody?" He asked as though Logan hadn't spoken.
"Scott? Oh my god." Kitty nearly phased through the steps as she flew down the stairs. She knew by most accounts, Scott was a horrible person now. But he used to be the guy she ran to when she was bullied. Who helped her with her homework and who was extra patient with her in the Danger Room. He wasn't that person anymore but Kitty couldn't bring herself to hate him.
By the time she crashed into him she was already crying, Piotr watching helplessly from the steps. He seemed kind of uncomfortable by their proximity but after a while he wrapped a big arm around her. He stared down at her with an expression that seemed reflective.
"Katherine..." He said as though he just remembered. She looked up and around, avoiding Logan's seething stare. Scott's face soured. "Where's Rogue?" He demanded. Everyone looked around when she ported beside Ororo, clutching onto Kurt.
"Logan!" She hissed. Scott's jaw dropped as he watched her look around for him, blind. He dropped his arm from around Kitty and moved to her, his brow knit in concern.
"Rogue, what..." He clenched his hand in a fist. "What happened?" Logan growled audibly when he he crushed her to him in an embrace. She hadn't expected to hear his voice in the mansion. She surrendered herself to his hug hanging limply for a moment.
"We had a few hiccups getting Jaime back. He's okay." She placed a hand on his arm. "I'll be fine. My vision will be back soon." She tried to smile at him but it didn't make him feel any better. He tucked some of her hair behind her ear.
"Kurt." Scott said, mustering a nod to one of his closest friends. Kurt smiled uneasily, wishing Scott would just come back home. Scott turned his attention to Logan with a scowl. "You," He began, crossing the space toward Logan who unsheathed his claws. "Why didn't you protect her?" He accused, jabbing Logan in the chest.
"Scott, please!" Ororo cried, tugging back on the man.
"Says the guy who abandoned this institute and lives off the grid?" Logan began, a dark smile on his face.
"You guys!" Rogue drawled. "Please,"
"Everyone." Everyone's attention turned to the staircase where a beautiful, purple-haired woman stood. Everyone became quiet, even Logan, as she descended gracefully down the stairs, her cape billowing behind her. Her smile was was calming as she approached them.
"Scott. You got my message." She smiled at him as she placed herself between him and Logan.
"So you're why he's here..." Logan grumbled.
'Please. Just try not to be difficult. He cares about Rogue too.' Betsy answered telepathically without skipping a beat. Logan cut the psychic conversation shut short with a wall.
"Thanks for contacting me. How is she doing?" He asked her as though Rogue weren't right there. She was too tense to pick that battle, though.
"She's well. We're hoping her vision will be back any day now." She looked around at the gathering crowd of mutants. "Rogue, have we had our session for today?" Rogue sighed, still clutching tightly on to Kurt.
"Um..." Logan sneered, taking the opportunity to bother Scott without harming him. He went to Rogue's other side and hooked her arm carefully in his.
"I'll escort ya." She saw no point in arguing, going along with Logan without a word. Ororo sighed.
"Come, Scott. I'll make you some coffee." She offered wearily. He pressed his mouth in a line and followed after her.
"You and Rogue can keep catching up when I am done fortifying her mental shields." Betsy explained, smoothing the crinkles in her sensible, black a-line dress. He nodded as she disappeared back up the steps.
Jean looked down on top of Scott as she rode him. Well, Rogue saw it because it was Jean's memory. But Jean did it. She levitated the bed and screamed in pleasure as she dragged her nails across his well-defined chest. She moaned, grabbing her own massive breast as Scott stared up in her in wonder. How was this the same Jean he knew all his life? She was the same but she had changed.
'I love her so much.' He thought as they both rocked.
'I could extinguish him in a blink.' She thought, looking down at him with her canines bared.
"I love you!" Jean exclaimed like a banshee. 'Do you like this, Rogue? Being able to see? It wasn't like this for you, was it? A cold metal collar slapped around your neck and you bent over in the X-Jet. He didn't even look in your eyes or kiss you, did he-'
Both Rogue and Betsy jumped a bit as the memory ended. It caught Logan's attention as he read the paper in the corner of the room. Rogue took in a shaky breath and then sat up straight. Betsy tucked some strands of hair behind her ear and cleared her throat.
"Sorry..." Rogue apologized. "It's been getting a little intense in there." Betsy nodded sympathetically.
"Never apologize. Trust me, I've taken darker mental trips than your mind." She said reassuringly. She looked off for a moment, her face a bit disturbed.
"But..." Logan pressed.
"But, there's something about Jean's psyche. Every time I go in to strengthen the shields the professor made..." She sighed. "She does something more impossible. It's like a real, living, breathing flash copy of Jean in there." Logan frowned, very aware of how larger than life she was towards the end.
"It must be impossible to keep her subdued." She wondered. Rogue nodded.
"Yes..." Betsy sighed.
"You didn't tell me you still had telepathic/telekinetic abilities, Rogue." Logan set the paper down and stood up.
"What?" Rogue shrank under their stares.
"I've been too scared to use 'em because I don't want her to take control." She admitted. Betsy nodded.
"She controlled my trip into Rogue's memories this time. But the blocks the professor put up are holding up well. As far as I can tell Jean isn't any closer to breaking free, but..."
"She's driving me crazy." Rogue said, rubbing her head. "She has moods. She's like she was when I touched her, and she's gotten stronger since I couldn't see." Rogue explained thoughtfully.
"Then sometimes, she's like she was before?" Logan questioned. Rogue nodded with a small smile.
"Yeah. She's quiet. And encouraging, even helpful. Problem is I can't control whatever mood she's in. I don't know if I only have her powers when she's the Phoenix... I don't really understand any of it." Betsy wrote down on a clipboard as Rogue nodded.
"In any event, I'll give over my findings to Hank and have him look into it." She smiled at Rogue and then remembered she couldn't see. "For now just focus on resting and getting better. Your shields are doing fine. I'm a little hesitant to try and speed up your healing, though." Rogue nodded glumly.
"I understand." Logan helped her stand and gave her his arm.
"C'mon. Bet ya wanna keep catching up with Scott." He grumbled, provoking Rogue's temper. She huffed.
"Logan, please. He might see that he's needed here and-" Logan growled.
"We don't need him. You just need to stop trying to be super woman and pick." He said to her. She pressed her mouth shut. "Hop on a bike and ride off with me. Be a member of the X-Men. An administrator at the school. Or the whole leader of the X-Men." He helped her down the stairs safely. "You can't do it all, Rogue. Especially because he's not here." He stole a look down at her. 'It will kill you.'
She sighed, trying to put on a smile as she made it to the kitchen. "Rogue," Scott began, standing from the table he sat at with Storm and Jubilee. He watched as Logan helped her into a seat. 'She needs that much help...' He thought bitterly. 'I should've been here.' "If you're tired after your session,"
"I'm fine, really. How are you?" Scott chuckled roughly.
"You would ask. How did this happen?" He asked, his face growing serious. Rogue sighed.
"It came out of nowhere."