Ok – don't get all strange on me – I had to attempt it at least once – a pure NO OC story had to be done – I don't own them not a damned one – this time – I hope – maybe – nope not yet. (looks at the blank page in front of her – can I really do this?)
Ten years after X3 a heartbroken and much changed Marie comes home to the mansion – Can she handle the changes she finds – especially in the one person she counted on to never change.
Chapter 2 Grieving
She picked up her bag and started walking up the long drive – and stopped. Sitting in a golf cart grinning like a loon was someone she recognized – who didn't seem to have changed a bit – the yellow overcoat and sunglasses a little worn – but still Jubilee.
She couldn't help it – she returned the infectious smile.
"Get in – Chica – no need ta walk." She threw her bag on the back of the cart and climbed in next to the oriental girl.
"How you been?" She asked – not missing the underlying sadness behind the smile.
"We've been better." She said.
"What's going on – what's with all the secrecy?"
"I'll let the Professor tell you." Marie was surprised at how serious the once bouncy 'Firecracker' had become.
"How's Kitty and Pete?" She asked – thinking it would be a safe subject. The wince told her otherwise.
"Kitty's off in New York somewhere – Pete died three years ago."
"What?"
"Long story – let the Professor tell you that one too." Marie sat in stunned silence the rest of the trip. They'd known where she was – she always made sure of that – and they hadn't told her – hadn't told her that one of her best friends was dead. Okay – he'd been a good friend a long time ago – maybe they thought she just didn't care anymore.
"That's not it." Jubilee said suddenly.
"What?"
"Sorry – damned telepathy acts up from time to time."
"Telepathy?"
"Yeah – as my powers evolved – it developed – I don't have much control – but we didn't tell you – well frankly – because we forgot. You were gone – and with so much going on around here – we just thought you knew. I'm sorry."
"Anyone else dead I should know about but don't?" She snapped – and immediately regretted it at the look across Jube's face.
"I'll let the…"
"Professor tell me that, too." She finished for her as they pulled up to the front door. Storm was standing there – a smile of welcome on her face, and seated next to her – with a face she didn't recognize but a smile she did – was Professor Xavier.
"Welcome Home." Storm said with feeling, giving her a hug – something the woman had never done before.
"I'm beginning to wonder." She said.
"Let's take this into my office." The Professor said – as he took her gloved hand in his. "We have much to tell you – much you've missed. She looked back over her shoulder as Jubilee drove off on the cart. She thought she saw a shadow move just inside the tree line of the forest – a very familiar shadow.
"Where's Logan?" She asked.
"Around." Storm replied. She didn't like the vagueness of the answer.
She sat down in one of the chairs in front of the Professor's desk as he settled himself behind it, Storm taking the seat next to her.
"This won't be easy for any of us – Rogue – so I am just going to start at the beginning." He said softly. "After you left for school – things were quiet. Logan kept to himself – but he functioned – eventually getting back to his usual self – even regaining many of his memories. He would take off – but we expected that – especially as he tried to tie up loose ends in his life. He was somewhere in the South Pacific when we found out about your power's reemergence – and we were too late in reaching you – and I do apologize for that."
"Logan came back – quiet – and didn't tell us for several months that he'd married a woman by the name of Viper. He became more and more involved in the politics and machinations of his wife and the organization she ran that we didn't see much of him for several years – he'd come when we needed him – but disappear not long after. They divorced four years ago. Not long after that – there was a disaster in Russia – Piotr, Logan, Bobby, and Kitty went to help – Piotr found out his sister, Illiana was killed in the accident – and he and Logan took off on their own to get revenge – Piotr was killed – and Logan nearly was. Kitty and Bobby managed to bring them back."
"Logan returned to his teaching position after that – with Jubilation as his assistant – and things seemed to be going well – until he snapped – nearly hurt Jubilee in a Danger Room – he left – again – and found a way to settle himself – we honestly thought everything was going to be fine – until nine months ago – he sent Jubilee a letter – asked her to come to Japan for a surprise. She went – but when they returned – it was worse than we'd ever seen him. Jubilee only told us once what happened – and she refuses to speak about parts of it even to me – but it was a terrible tragedy."
"What happened?"
"He'd sent for Jubilation – to attend his wedding – to a woman by the name of Mariko. The wedding went well – but the bride was killed at the wedding feast afterward. Logan went berserk – according to Jubilee – and went after the men that killed her. It was a bloodbath. When it was over – he tried to kill himself – not once but several times – twice with Jubilee witnessing it. She managed to get him to come home – but he's not spoken – not even been seen – since. He haunts the grounds a night – refusing to come out of his room during the day."
"So why send for me? Why now?"
"Last week I heard him yelling from his room – a nightmare – I think he was reliving the Statue of Liberty – he kept calling your name – and since – it's the only thing he's said. I hear him muttering as he roams the halls – or the grounds at night – "Marie, where's Marie?'" Storm said quietly.
"Where is he?"
"Roaming the grounds – he wasn't in his room. I tried to tell him you were coming home – but I don't think he heard me. I think you should try to talk to Jubilee – find out exactly what happened in Japan – and then try to talk to him." She could see the tears in Storm's eyes.
"It's that bad?"
"Rogue – I cannot reach him telepathically – he is almost completely feral – his mind more like an animal than a human's right now. Please be careful – I don't think he'll try to hurt you – and I am afraid he's looking for you – because you are the only person that might be able to end his life." The Professor said solemnly.
She sat there stunned. She'd abandoned him – left him alone – because she was afraid he'd be disappointed in her – she'd never called – never let him know she was alright – and now when he seemed to need her – her first instinct was to run – fast and far – because she somehow knew – she wouldn't escape again.