Chapter Two

Rogue felt a surge of panic wash over her like a cresting wave, and she thought for a minute that she might throw up. Quicksilver, carrying Rogue in his arms, didn't slow down. His feet pumped against the pavement too fast for poor Rogue to even register the beat of his legs. It was as if she were on a zip line without the vest, or surfing atop the blackbird without feet. It was scary as hell, and watching the Mansion shrink into the distance within a matter of seconds didn't help quell her rising tides of fear.

She knew he would take her away and the X-Men wouldn't be able to rescue her. They'd simply never catch up in time. It was solely up to her, so she kicked and bucked against his hold…that is, until he almost dropped her.

She realized something in that instant. Hitting the pavement at their current speeds equaled death.

It'd be like jumping off a rocket ship. Good luck sister!

Okay, new tactic, she thought. Taking her right hand- the one she'd de-gloved before with Cyclops- she pressed a smooth palm against the surface of his gaunt cheek and slammed the switch to her mutation back 'on'. The effect was instantaneous. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and his veins swelled black. She could see the way his energy pooled beneath her touch, where it surged through her fingertips into her body.

And then the world around her seemed to dim as if it were suspended in molasses. The roaring in her ears muffled and died and she no longer felt the slap of rushing wind against her face.

Things had transformed into slow-motion around her. Darting her head left to right, she took in her surroundings. The little two lane street he'd been carrying her past seemed quaint and vaguely familiar, like someplace she might have visited once with Kitty of Jubilee.

That's good, she thought. That means I can find my way back.

But Quicksilver's body hadn't given out yet, and he was still stubbornly placing one foot in front of the other, although her eyes could track the movement now. Gradually, after another ten steps or so his walk faltered and his legs wobbled, until he dropped into a crawl. But still the guy kept on going! When he finally collapsed Rogue let out a relived sigh. He's held on so long, she'd almost begun to doubt whether or not her mutation could outlast him.

She shrugged out of his arms and rose to her feet. The sensation felt weird. Just by standing a ripple of her motion coasted like a current in a stream. And she could see it! She tested the sensation once more by waving her hand in front of her face. The reaction was beautiful, like being suspended in phantom water. Rogue actually laughed.

That's about when she felt Quicksilver's presence stirring from within her mind. She'd deal with him later. Right now she had to find her way back to the mansion. She picked the direction he'd been running from, the direction she'd hoped would lead her back, and set off running.

She was gone within the blink of an eye.

Rouge broke the sound barrier on her way back to the mansion. The total time lapse since Quicksilver snagged her to her re-appearance before Cyclops and Emma Frost took the total time of three minutes, eighteen seconds. That was funny though, `cause it'd seemed a lot longer to Rogue.

Her teammates jumped when as she tumbled to the floor before them. How Quicksilver'd managed to stop himself so fast now impressed her. Rogue had worried about being able to slow her roll so she'd quit pumping her legs as soon as she recognized the outline of Frost's bright white suit rapidly coming up in the distance. She'd skidded the rest of the way. Damned if there weren't several new bruisy surprises covering her body by morning. And her tennis shoes had a hole in em'. She had to wonder how many shoes he'd gone through in a single week.

Cyclops flinched when she appeared before him so suddenly. Both he and Emma looked wore equal expressions of shock on their faces, that's how she realized they hadn't even know what happened. She actually had to tell them that Quicksilver abducted her briefly. How he'd swept her away but she'd managed to knock him on his ass and drain his power, and how he'd be down for the count. After all, that first boy, Cody, was in a coma for three weeks after their touch, and even Logan had slept for two whole days. And that was with his healing factor!

Cyclops felt incredibly guilty for not noticing in time what'd happened. The way he described it was she was there, talking with them, until she wasn't. He kept cursing under his breath and repeating these apologies. Both mutants implicitly trusted her now about the whole love-stalker thing. Emma instantly racked her brain for logical possibilities to explain her powers and how they'd managed to morph so exponentially. She worked at the mystery like it were great, inconvenient puzzle, but at least she'd stopped giving Rogue lip.

Rogue could concede that the situation did seem ludicrous, but that didn't make it any less true. While Emma thought, Cyclops fawned over Rogue, demanding to see her scrapes and bruises and cooing over every spec of blood. Rogue found it a bit unsetting, even if he was team leader. He'd never given her so much attention before. Ever. And he'd certainly never treated her like a china doll, so what gave? He was being really, really annoying and she couldn't figure out why.

Maybe it's the love-bug, she worried briefly before dismissing the thought. It was to preposterous to consider. There was just no way. Cyclops was a one great love sorta' guy; he'd never get over Jean.

Eventually Forge emerged from the bowels of the Mansion and Scott assigned him to babysit the frazzled students milling about the blackbird while they went looking for Ororo.

The weather witch was easy to locate as she'd stayed in much the same place since their split up. They caught up to her just outside the Mansion's front grounds with one boot placed firmly atop Avalanche's sizzling chest. He looked… purple, but not quite dead. Emma knelt beside him and placed her hand over his swollen eyes, erasing his memories. She took anything that would lead him back to the Mansion, ensuring the continued safety of other X-Men, the students, and Rogue.

They'd go back for Quicksilver and do the same, then dump their bodies somewhere for Magneto to find. Maybe on the MRD's front doorstep. Muwahaha!

With the baddies taken care of and no immediate danger threatening anyone they moved their conference into the kitchen. It was a bit surreal, having official X-Man business in such a memory-filled, domestic place. But the mansion might still be compromised and Ororo wasn't willing to leave her students out of ear shot. They'd make do.

As soon as they'd closed themselves off Emma spun around and leveled a haughty look at Rogue. Her posture oozed Queen Bee authority with the way her arms folded crossly against her chest and the inconvenienced grimace distorting her otherwise pretty features. Even though Cyclops was team leader and `Ro was headmistress, she projected an air of authority by with her stance alone.

"I think I can explain this phenomenon you're experiencing," she announced. "It's all based on the way your mutation has evolved. You have always manifested a peculiar hybrid of physical and telepathic qualities, but I think what's happening is your borrowed consciousnesses are acting as a beacon to their originators. I think Magneto is subconsciously sensing himself within you, and it's driving him to this irrational behavior."

"Ya think so?" Rogue gasped.

"Trust me; this is the best explanation I can come up with. Now all we need is a list of everyone you've 'picked up' since this whole mess started happening and any other psyches you might have used lately."

"What? Seriously?" That's a freakin' long list!

"I'm dead serious."

Rogue sighed. "Okay, well there was Magneto, but like I said he ain't gonna be walkin' anytime soon. An' there was that Toad guy, plus Quicksilver just a little while ago, and…. Oh shit."

"What? Who else?" Cyclops worried.

"Creed." Rogue said, or more like whimpered.

Creed had somehow been in the thick of it when all her troubles started and she'd been forced to Ah, 'borrow' from him a little bit… His memories were intense and difficult to decipher, almost animal in their ferocity, but she'd understood enough of it to know he wasn't working for with Magneto. He'd been after something very specific, a type of metal maybe… She couldn't know for sure since the thoughts were so clouded. It was almost like he'd been in a drug-induced haze when she'd taken them.

"Is Creed gonna' come lookin' for me too?" she whispered. The bone-chilling thought caused the baby hairs to rise on the back of her neck, as well as a tingling pool of heat to well together between her thighs…

Was she a little bit turned on?

Maybe…

Hey! It's not like that was a crime! She just happened to find him very attractive in a sexy, dangerous sort of way. It didn't mean anything, Stop judging her already!

"I think at this point anything is possible," said Emma. "But for now I think we can assume Magneto was attracted by your use of his 'essence', as it were. I strongly caution that you refrain from focusing too heavily upon another's memories or you might trigger this behavior again. At least until we learn how to fix it."

"But what if it can't be fixed? I mean, do you realize how hard it is to simply ignore the other ghosts up there? I can remember all their lives as if they were my own. In a way they've become a part of me." She felt her panic levels rising. "What happens if this doesn't end? I don't want to be a beacon! I don't want Magneto attracted to me!"

Rogue was working herself into a fit. She'd gone to the X-Men looking for an insta-answer; a fix-all solution to end her problems. But sadly, all they seemed to have for her was theories without solutions. It was… it was…

Frustrating.

"Rogue," Cyclops eased in, "don't worry. We'll find a way." He took her small hands in his own and stroked a thumb across her knuckles. A little red flag shook wildly in her head, since when had he been touchy-feely?

"Stop it," she cussed at him while snatching her hand away. "I at least need a better answer then to 'just-ignore-them'. I've already tried that before, an' honey, it doesn't work. The only way to suppress em' like you're talking about is ta' literally cage em' like the Professor did to Jean."

Cyclops paled at the mention of his dead wife. Ororo frowned. They remembered how it was with Jean, they remembered the migraines she suffered through.

"It's worth a try." Emma resolutely declared.

Rogue gaped at her. Was she serious? "No! I'm not doin' that! At least not until we've explored a few other options."

Emma threw up her hands in exasperation. "There might not be another option! And while we're all just sitting here arguing about it Magneto could be devising another assault on our school! Just let me-"

"Hell no! You ain't touchin' my head!"

"Emma," Ororo warned. "Respect the Rogue's decision. She has told you no."

Emma scowled. "Fine, but since she won't DO anything about this I'm going to have to insist she leave the school grounds. She's a safety hazard to our students here."

Rogue didn't speak. She couldn't, because she didn't know what to say. Emma had unwittingly struck a chord and boy did it sting.

She cleared her throat and put a lid on the brimming emotion Emma momentarily caused to well up within her. "Ya' know what Emma, they said the same damn thing when I showed up here the first time."

Ororo and Cyclops exchanged looks of guilt at her quiet reminder. They'd still remembered all-too well the taunting Rogue endured from other students. She'd made them nervous. It was no secret that the Brotherhood wanted Rogue. They'd kidnapped her and X-Men had gotten hurt during the rescue mission. To them she was like a ticking time bomb. How long would it take before she turned sides? Because according to the other students, she would turn. It was inevitable; the girl had Magneto whispering inside her head. In their eyes, she was tainted.

But that wasn't even the root of their distrust. She scared them on a deeper, more intimate level: she could take their powers. Despite the flack mutants got, their abilities were unique and the Professor has taught them to take pride in their individuality. Rogue threatened that. She had the power to rob them of what made them special, and that didn't sit well with the other students.

"Rogue is one of our own," the weather witch pronounced with so much authority the air crackled with static. "-And we do not abandon our own. Charles wouldn't have stood for it."

"I agree," Cyclops chimed in. "The Professor would have kept Rogue safe at all costs, and so will we. I swear Rogue, I wouldn't let them get to you."

Ever the knight in shining armor, she thought dryly. Cyclops' had adjusted to stand next to her in a sort of shield between the two women. His eyes however, or rather his visor, were trained on Rogue and not Emma. It confirmed her fifty-percent suspicion that he was acting weird. She wasn't just imagining it… right?

While Rogue overwhelmingly touched by the support of her teammates, she had to coincide with the tela-bitch on this one. "I think we ought to follow Emma's advice for once," she stated tonelessly. "Besides, she's right. I've done enough damage already."

"No!" Cyclops interjected. "You shouldn't think that!"

"Well it's true! I shouldn't have come here in the first place! I wrecked the Mansion and put everyone in danger!"

"That's coming out of your allotment by the way." Emma pointed out.

"Emma!" `Ro exclaimed, horrified at her women's bluntness.

Rogue settled the budding argument with a loud sigh. "Actually, she's right about that too `Ro. I ought to pay for the damages."

"I can't in good conscious-"

"Don't worry about it. Honest, just take it outta' my next couple paychecks."

"Oh, I plan to."

"Shut up Emma!"

They all spared a glare for Frost, who shifted uncomfortably in her shoes. Who knows if she was actually embarrassed though, I mean, she was wearing stiletto's after all. She could've just been fidgeting because her feet hurt.

"Look," Rogue sighed. "If I stay someone else will end up hurt- speaking of which, did anyone ever go back for Syrin?"

Blank expression told her No, no they did not.

Oops.

Cyclops was on it. "Don't worry girls, I'll go get her." He offered.

"Okay thanks Scott, she's next to the massive hole in the wall!" Rogue called after his retreating form. Hmmm…. Butt, she thought, until she caught Emma glarin' at her from the corner of her eye. Shit. Telepath!

With Cyclops gone, Rogue spoke directly to Ororo, not sure who she was trying to reassure the weather witch or herself.

"I'll be fine on my own," she said, although the words rang hollow. "I'll leave in the morning if that's alright."

`Ro sighed. "If you think that's best." She seemed sad, and weary, and mildly relived. And Rogue knew she was doing the right thing.

"I'm sure." Rogue decided, the firmness of her own conviction startling her. At least now there'd be two less badies to worry about. Runnin' back to this place hadn't been a total waste of time.

She sighed, feeling the weight of her predicament come crushing down. She thought faintly that she might start crying again. This experience, it was all so overwhelming! She felt helpless, and she craved the one person who made her feel strong.

"I wish Logan were here," she admitted as the first salty tear cam sliding down her cheek.

She didn't expect to hear his low grunt respond from the doorway. She didn't expact him to be there at all.

"Good thing I made it then, darlin'."

Rogue launched herself onto his neck, hugging and clinging to him for dear life. Too many emotions swirled through her head. There was relief and comfort, surprise and embarrassment, joy and… joy.

Lots and lots of joy.

Before she knew it, she'd convulsed into bitter sobs against his shirt. His arms came around her and just held her there, tightly nestled against his body. If she could have melted into him, she probably would have. He put laid a soothing hand against the back of her head, brushing his fingers through the long mahogany strands of her hair. She shivered at the touch.

"Shhh, it's okay babe, I'm here now." He whispered awkwardly in her ear. But Rogue didn't even care. Him being there was like opening a window and letting the sunshine in. It was weight lifted off her shoulders, or a breath of fresh air, or that deep, resounding calm of the woods. He made everything so much better.

"Tell me what's the matter," he grunted. So she did. She told him all about the past couple days: how Magneto had confronted her and how he'd sicced his goons on her. She admitted to the anxiety she'd felt because she didn't think Magneto was going to stop and because Emma hinted at it happening again with other people- maybe someone worse than Magneto. She cried a lot, letting loose the pent up pressure and was glad she had his shoulder to lean on. She missed him so much. She wanted to hug his shirt and never let em' go again.

Logan, for his part, cooed at her in the most calming, soothing tone he could muster. But underneath it she could feel his body tense and tremble in outrage. She could sense him fighting for control over his claws, clenching his fists so they didn't accidently pop out of their own accord. She knew- in that special way that she knew him, that his animal was already sniffing out Magneto. It didn't take his voice in her head to tell her he wanted blood. He wanted to sink his claws into that old man's gut and twist.

But he couldn't.

Not yet.

So instead he held her close and told her it would be alright. Because he was there now, wasn't he?

And he'd stick around for a while.

After the worst of her sobbing was over and she'd settled against him in exhaustion, he acknowledged Ororo and Emma Frost, who watched with fascination as the hardened, grizzly man comforted the girl with a tenderness neither of them knew he had. Logan must have realized what they were thinking, and he had to save face.

"Yer' front doors are missing," he taunted Ororo with a chuckle. "Might want to call the handy man 'bout that."

The Headmistress groaned. She looked wearily, like she was ready to curl up under a blanket and sleep. "Yes, I noticed that," she grumped. "Maybe you should give Rogue a few lessons in parking, that was her car she drove through the wall."

"It was a Pruis" Rogue corrected between sniffles.

"A Pruis?" Logan repeated, his nose wrinkling in distaste. "That's a pansy vehicle! Hell, that ain't even a real car!"

"I know that's what I've been sayin'."

"And you actually drove that? Rogue! Don't you know that's like driving around in a va-"

"OhmyGod! Can you two not do this right now?" Emma interrupted. "I'll have you know that I drive a Prius!"

"Yeah well, go figure." The cozy couple both snorted and laughed.

Emma didn't even bother with a retort; she just shot them a withering glare. "It's time to get back to business," she bitched. "Logan, Rogue has begun exhibiting a unique form of mind control. I've never seen anything like it, but I think she's actually managed to project a unique type of 'signal' to the victims of her power absorption. These individuals are finding themselves inexplicitly drawn to her."

Frost observed him critically. "I think you're caught in it." She pronounced.

Logan blinked. Then laughed.

"You think Rogue mind controlled me into coming here? That's gotta' be the dumbest shit I've heard in a while." He chortled, however even as he mocked his chin had come to rest atop her head while his arms subconsciously squeezed her tighter than before.

Emma smiled predatorily, like a spider with a fly caught in her web. "You are!" she crowed. "You're just like Magneto."

"What? That's bullshit, I'm just checkin' in on the kid is all." His body shifted ever so subtly. He didn't even realize it, but he was responding to her as a threat, placing himself between Frost and his girl.

No, not a girl. Not anymore...

"Logan, she affecting you!"

"That's crazy I just—wait a minute! Holy Shit! Rogue! We're touchin'!" How could he have missed it? How could he have forgotten? Idiot! He'd just zeroed in on his favorite girl and the smell of her sorrow, he'd completely forgotten how upset she'd be if he accidently... if he…

No pain!

Nothing!

Not even a prickle! The was a tingling he felt alright, but that sure as hell wasn't her power's working on him, that was the novelty of feeling her skin! His blood pounded in his ears and the room swayed a little. They were actually touching! And it felt fan-fucking-tastic!

"When did this happen?" He asked in wonderment, disbelieving what he could already see and feel to be true. For him it was surreal, like this reality would prove to be a pretty dream. The kind you wake up from thinking, hmm, that was swell.

"Apparently Rogue has leaned to control it," Ororo informed him. "We just learned of this ourselves a few hours ago."

So it was real, Logan thought. He stared wide eyed at the women he'd found the X-Men with not long ago, the anchor that kept him around even after the good Professor had passed away. She was the only 'friend' he admitted to having and the only other person besides the professor that's he'd cared about in a long time.

Carefully, as if she'd break if he touched her to hard, he rubbed his knuckles against the swell of her cheek. She felt soft and good and right. He laughed to keep himself from doing anything else embarrassing. Rouge shared in his laughter, wiping her eyes of their previous sadness and rewarding him with a stunning smile.

"I've been able to control for a while now." She admitted. "I was plannin' on waitin' for you before I said anythin' about it though, so I guess that all worked out. Pretty crazy, ain't it?"

"Aw, Rogue it's wonderful!" he exclaimed, brushing a white lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm so proud of you Marie."

Hearing her name like that pushed her over the edge once again, and another tear—this time happy—brimmed over her eyes. A breathy laughter escaped her and she squeezed her dear friend's neck once again for good measure.

Just because she could.

AN: Has anyone else here seen movie The Other Guys? "I'm a peacock you gotta' let me fly!"