A/N: This chapter's a little shorter, but I hope you still enjoy!

Rogue sighed as she leaned back in her chair. She stretched her hands above her head as she completed the final section of her paper for Storm's physics class. She was struggling in the class so Storm had given her the chance for extra credit. She was therefore spending her night completing a paper on the history of the subject.

It annoyed Rogue to no end that she was doing so badly. She had always made sure to do well in her classes here, especially since she had missed so much school for the time she had been on the road before she met Logan.

It also didn't help that both Bobby and Kitty were in all of her classes.

And that Kitty was essentially a genius, already in an upper-level science class when she was over a year younger than both her and Bobby. Of course, Kitty was acing the class. And already helping Bobby study to ensure his success in the class.

While Rogue received no help whatsoever.

"Hey Rogue."

She turned and smiled as she saw the familiar form standing in her doorway. "Hey Jimmy," She said, "What's up?" She felt her annoyance fade away as she talked to the eager 14 year old.

"I'm going to watch a movie with some of the others, you wanna come?"

Rogue glanced at the clock on her nightstand, holding back a cringe when she saw it said 9:30 PM. All the X-Men had left an hour ago to try to contain yet another riot near Philadelphia, and she had been left here to baby sit.

"Sure, Jimmy," She sighed, standing. Might as well so something to take up my time, she thought. She slung her arm around his shoulder as they walked downstairs. She was surprised how tall he gotten in just about a year, he was almost taller than her. And he was years younger! She didn't notice his smile as she put her arm around him; she was too distracted by the thrill that ran through her as she felt her arm connect with his skin. She was glad this feeling hadn't faded yet. It was still liberating every day. Suddenly, she felt better about not being out with the X-team tonight and she grinned down at Jimmy, chatting with him as they walked.

When they entered the TV room, though, they were met by a group of the younger students gathered around the big screen TV, watching the news.

"Earlier today, the leader of the apparent anti-mutant group was seen making a speech in New York City." The anchorwoman was saying, "Their leader, Graydon Creed, called this group the Friends of Humanity. Creed announced two months ago that he will be running for the Governor of New York and will be using a very anti-mutant platform. " A clip was shown of a middle-aged graying man with glasses, speaking to a large group of people.

"Even with the cure," Graydon Creed was saying, "there are still mutants around us--everywhere we go! They are proud of their disease and only wish to infect all of you. Just you wait--soon, they'll be coming to your homes, stealing your children to infect them with their mutant filth--"

Rogue scoffed and grabbed the remote from the boy on the couch, clicking a button to change the channel to cartoons. "That's enough of that," She snapped. All the heads turned toward her. "That crap will rot your brains," She said spitefully, shaking her head.

There was a beat of silence before she heard one of the boys on the floor mumble. "What was that?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I said, you're one to talk." She saw one of the younger boys, probably about 11 or 12 stand up. "You're the one who actually went and got the cure!"

She felt Jimmy stiffen next to her and felt her stomach tighten. "Yes, but that was my own choice wasn't it?" She said, after a beat, trying to keep her voice calm. "And I'm still here, aren't I?"

Another boy stood, "But you shouldn't be! You're not even one of us anymore!" He said, his fists clenched at his sides. The first boy nodded and stuck his tongue out at her in a ridiculously childish move. He blinked, though, when he saw a regular pink tongue under his nose--not his usual long, blue one. His eyes immediately shot to Jimmy and his face contorted in fury.

"Get out of here!" He shouted, making everyone jump.

"Hey," Rogue said, trying to cut in. "I think everyone just needs to calm down and--"

"You're the whole reason mutants are in this mess anyways!" The boy said, ignoring Rogue. "You should just leave with her--now that she's human."

"Hey!" Jimmy retorted. "I didn't choose to have this power!"

"You aren't like the rest of us." The boy spat out, not listening. "You don't deserve to be here."

"Enough!" Rogue yelled as loud as she could, and the room quieted. She put her hand on Jimmy's arm. "I cannot believe you," She said, her voice angry. "Are you even listening to yourselves?" She looked around the room at the guilty and angry faces surrounding her. "Do you realize how much you sound like Magneto and his Brotherhood?" She waited a beat, letting that sink in. She turned to leave, but paused before moving. "The Professor would be ashamed of you." She said quietly, shaking her head. "This is supposed to be a haven for mutants--a safe place." She made eye contact with the outspoken boy, "For all mutants, even former ones."

With that, she turned and walked towards the kitchen, leaving Jimmy to follow if he pleased. She leaned against the counter and forced herself to take deep breaths. Her heart had been racing during that entire event.

It had taken months, but someone had finally said something to her. Finally confronted her. It was different than dealing with the quiet dissapointment from Strorm, or the unspoken awkwardness from the other X-Men. But she had handled it, she had been able to deal with it.She pressed a hand to her fluttering stomach and let the feeling of queasiness pass. After a few minutes, she heard Jimmy walk in behind her.

"Thanks, Rogue." He said, coming up next to her.

"That was for both of us." She replied, taking another breath. "Jimmy, you have to know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with you." She glanced over at him. "I want you to know that. You have a gift. A particularly amazing gift."

Jimmy frowned and was about to speak, but Rogue cut him off. "I know I kind of sound like a hypocrite, but you really do. I chose to give up my gift. That was the right choice for

He looked down at his feet and Rogue nudged his shoulder. "Hey." He glanced at her. "You know Warren? He decided not to give up his gift. That was his own choice, and that was right for him." He nodded, moving his gaze to the floor.

"Do you regret it ever?" He asked, his voice quiet.

"No." She smiled, her answer swift. "Because of you, because of the cure, I can actually touch people. You ended up giving me the best gift I could have ever gotten."

His face lit up, "Really?"

"Mmm-hmm." His smile grew and he nudged her arm.

"You know, it's you and me in this place." His voice was serious, even though he seemed relaxed and nonchalant.

"Don't worry," She said, trying to be just as nonchalant. "They'll come around. After all, you're actually a mutant."

There was a pause before Jimmy galnced in the direction of the doorway. "You know, most of them left. They went to their rooms."

"Well, let's go watch some movies, then." She pushed herself away from the counter, leading them towards the TV room.

Hours later, Rogue woke to chattering voices in the hallway. She craned her neck over the back of the couch to see some figures walk towards the kitchen. She figured the others must be back and tried to sit up, feeling a kink in her neck.

She and Jimmy had watched a couple movies and he had ended up falling asleep with his head on her shoulder. She edged away, making sure to rest his head on the back of the couch before walking away.

The rest of the house was quiet and dark as she made her way into the brightly lit kitchen, which made her blink and rub her eyes.

"Rogue?" Kitty asked, glancing up from looking in the fridge. "What are you doing up?" Rogue blinked at the fact that Kitty was directly addressing her, and it took her a second to answer, flustered.

"Uh, I was watching some movies with Jimmy." She noticed that everyone was in here--Warren, Kitty, Bobby, Peter, Logan, Storm--and ran her fingers through her probably tangled and messy hair.

"Oooh, Jimmy." Warren taunted, biting into a sandwich.

"Oh, come on, Warren." She replied, rolling her eyes. "He's 14."

"That kid has a little crush on you, I think," Pete said, chuckling.

"Little? He practically hangs off her everywhere she goes," Logan scoffed.

Rogue rolled her eyes again. "Yeah, ok." She said sarcastically. "We just understand each other. I mean, we're both the outsiders in the whole school."

"You're not an outsider," Kitty said, looking confused, and Rogue could have bitten her lip at her slip. Way to make sure to hide how out-of-place you feel, Rogue. She thought to herself.

"We just connect, that's all." She lamely tried to explain. She could feel Bobby's eyes burning into her at her slip up, and she could also see Logan glance at her for a moment before focusing on his beer. "Well, anyways," She continued, desperately trying to change the subject, "something happened earlier you guys should know about."

"An attack?" Pete asked, suddenly worried.

"What? No." She looked at him, confused. "Why would anyone attack here?"

Everyone but Storm and Logan looked angrily at Pete, and he flushed. "Uh, no reason, I guess." He mumbled.

"Go on," Storm said, keeping her gaze on Rogue.

"Uh…'kay." She said, confused. Something was going on that they weren't going to tell her, so she continued. "Well, a bunch of the kids were watching the news and it had some clips of the guy from Friends of Humanity. He, uh, brought up the cure and the mutant 'disease'." She saw Bobby glance at her. "When I turned it off and told the kids it was crap, they turned on me and Jimmy. Two of the boys in particular."

"Who?"

"Ryan and Joey."

"What'd they say?" Kitty asked, standing next to Rogue now.

Rogue glanced at her, surprised at another bold move. "That Jimmy's the reason for all the mutant problem right now and that Jimmy and I don't belong here." She brought her eyes up to meet Logan's. "He said 'You aren't one of us anymore'."

"What?" Kitty shot in, "That's ridiculous! He sounds just like Magneto."

"That's what I said, and I added that the Professor would be ashamed of them." Rogue shrugged. "I knew that would hit a nerve."

"What about the others?" Storm asked, her voice calm even though her face looked angry.

"They just sat there." A voice said from the doorway, making everyone turn.

"Jimmy," Rogue said in surprise, wondering how long he had been listening.

"They all just sat there and let it happen," He repeated in a disgusted voice, walking into the room. "What are you going to do?" He asked, looking at Storm.

"We'll take care of it," She answered, after a beat. "That kind of behavior is unacceptable here." She stood and walked over to him. "You should get to bed, though. It's late and I know for a fact that you have a lot of work to do before our field trip in a week."

He glanced at the group and rolled his eyes, "Alright." He mumbled a goodnight and sighed, knowing it was just a sign to get him out of the room for the adult talk.

Everyone called a goodnight and he glanced at Rogue quickly before leaving, which made Warren and Peter snicker. "He really does have the hots for you." Peter said.

Rogue frowned, wondering if they were really onto something. "Oh, leave him alone," She said, feeling embarrassed for herself and for Jimmy. She knew what it was like to have a crush on someone who made a big difference in your life. As she remembered this, she glanced up at Logan, the one person who had always understood her best. "I mean, he's just a kid."

"Well, come on, Rogue, you should come with us to check out the security tape." Bobby sighed, making Rogue blink in surprise. First, he was actually speaking to her, and second, security cameras?

"We have cameras here?"

"Only on this level and the sub-basement. And outside." Pete shrugged.

"Oh."

"Ever since Stryker's attack," Storm clarified. "we keep records."

"I didn't know that." Rogue said, looking around.

"Only X-Men know, for security purposes." Pete said, shrugging again.

"Oh. Right." For some reason, she felt a deep sense of disappointment. "Makes sense." But what about when she was an X-Man? She had been one for about a year, was she just not included in these little information sessions even then? She could feel Logan's eyes on her but refused to look at him. He could always see right through her and she really didn't want to be transparent right now.

"Come on, let's go downstairs and check it out." There was a long groan from all the kids and Storm looked at them. "Well fine, then, whoever wants to should, then." At this, everyone looked at each other and sighed, knowing they should all go anyways.

As they walked towards the elevator, Kitty hopped next to Rogue and said quietly, "Hey, we just found out about this, like, a month ago. You weren't totally out of the loop." Rogue gave a small smile, getting used to the idea of speaking to Kitty again, but felt annoyed at herself at the same time. So much for hiding her feelings. Again.