Disclaimer: All characters belong to Marvel, I'm just borrowing them.
Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Every Path Leads to Nowhere
The cure lasted a grand total of four weeks, two days and nine hours.
The first week she kept her gloves on. She checked herself into a dingy motel – far from the clinic, farther from prying eyes. The man at the front desk didn't ask questions, didn't glance twice at her heavy wardrobe, and didn't shy from her hand as she passed him the bills and small change. Briefly, she had considered removing a glove, offering a hand in thanks. But he had turned his attention away and she wasn't ready to believe she couldn't harm him.
Taking her key she walked to her room. She stopped long enough to deem the contents of a nearby vending machine unfit for human consumption, then spent the next moments scrambling to fit the key in her door so she could breakdown in the relative comfort of an unfamiliar room. The bed sagged beneath her weight and a spring came dangerously close to an eye but she choked out the sobs caught in her throat and then fell asleep without removing her shoes.
By the second week she had returned to Xavier's. She no longer wore the gloves, but she kept the layers just in case.
Her reunion had been what she expected. Logan was brief, Ororo was dismissive, and Jean was gone. She informed Bobby she was going by just Marie now and the ensuing hug reaffirmed her decision. Most of the other students kept their distance, though she could often feel their accusing glares tickling the back of her neck. The ones who were too young to understand cast curious glances her way, but the older students made sure they stayed clear of the skunk haired former mutant.
Bobby kissed her for the first time that week. No stolen memories and no frozen lips between them. When asked by Jubilee to describe it she decided on "sweet." Kitty Pryde didn't comment and spent the rest of the week in her room.
Kitty emerged in the third week with a resolved smile and a shopping trip in mind. The two girls spent the day talking about everything trivial and gently sidestepped sorer subjects. Despite her laidback demeanor Marie kept a watchful eye on the woman with ebony hair and piercing eyes. Kitty, if she saw her, kept silent on the matter.
Marie returned to the mansion with a skimpy bikini but decided not to wear it until she could visit a tanning salon. She retired the long sleeves to the back of her wardrobe in favor of tank tops and spring prints. It was November in New York, but she figured the cold would be something new. She considered burning the gloves but instead folded them neatly and hid them in a physics textbook at the bottom of her drawer.
In the fourth week she heard Logan's voice. Bobby reminded her that the feral mutant had left just days prior and then playfully asked if his own company wasn't enjoyable. She kissed him rather than reply. That night she dreamt of snow.
When Hank left for D.C. she snuck into his office on the pretense of stealing her own medical file. Instead she found his research on the long-term effects of the cure. She took both. The blue furred doctor said nothing upon his return, but Marie sensed pity in his knowing gaze.
Rogue left the mansion in the fifth week. She wore her gloves.