A/N: Sorry for the long delay, but I'm actually studying in Europe right now and have been very busy. So, as a reward for your patience--two updates at once! Remember to read and tell me what you think, it helps so much!


The commotion during the next 15 minutes could only be explained as absolute chaos. The amount of people that rushed into her room as soon as they heard her scream only added to her confusion and fear. The first one to arrive was Kitty, since she lived right next door and phased through the wall in a second.

Just as Kitty arrived, the figure had jumped out of the window and disappeared outside. Logan was next, crashing into the room with his claws already bared and his nostrils flared.

"He went outside," Rogue gasped, pointing towards the window. Kitty and Logan ran over to look outside the window as Peter, Bobby, Jubilee and Jimmy came running into the room. Rogue heard Logan utter a curse and practically growl as he jumped outside, despite Kitty's call to him. Jubilee came over to Rogue and began asking questions as more people arrived, standing outside her door, and as Storm finally arrived, running into the room.

"What happened?" The younger girl asked, glancing around. Someone, Rogue didn't know who, had flipped on the light, and everyone was able to see the full disarray of her bedroom. Her things, clothes, keepsakes, pictures, pillows, blankets, were all strewn about her room. Drawers were open and things were half-pulled out of her dresser.

Rogue felt her heart still pounding in her chest and she slumped onto her bed, looking around her room. "What happened? Who did you see?" People kept asking, and Rogue could barely hear who it was with all the commotion outside.

"Alright, Alright," Storm said. "Everyone, get back to bed." She said to the crowd in the hall, taking her position as headmaster. "Everything's fine, just a small scare." She kept her voice calm and immediately started handing out orders. She turned to look around the room and settled on Jubilee. "Jubilee, get them all to bed, make sure their rooms are all ok to be alone in."

The girl nodded and glowed with pride at the task given to her and ushered all of the younger students toward their own rooms. Rogue saw Jimmy ask Jubilee something as she was pushing him out the door, but she didn't really pay attention. Storm closed the door behind them, leaving her, Kitty, Peter and Bobby inside the room.

"What happened?" Storm asked, looking around.

"Um," Rogue said, still feeling very detached. "I just got here, after talking with Logan, and came in, laid on the bed without even turning the light on. I was just thinking for a second, when I noticed the window was open--I mean, it's February. And then I noticed the closet and the dresser, and when I looked back toward the window, I could see someone hiding behind the drapes…" She visibly shuddered. "That-that's when I screamed."

"I saw him jump out the window when I came in through the wall," Kitty offered, her hand on Rogue's back. "Logan could see him running away and went after him."

Storm made a sound of annoyance, but nodded. "Alright. I guess we can see if Logan found anything when he gets back."

"I'll go after him," Bobby offered, "Try to bring him back." Storm nodded and Bobby threw one look at Rogue and Kitty before hopping out the window and creating an ice slide to reach the ground.

"Ok, Rogue," Storm said, touching her shoulder. "You shouldn't stay in here tonight."

"But--"

"You can stay in my room," Kitty offered, nodding at her. Rogue eyed the younger girl for a second before forcing herself to nod. If Kitty suddenly wanted to be friends, then maybe she should try as well? Besides, she was being really nice about offering her room.

"Good." Storm said decisively. "Rogue, you're going to have to tell me everything you can remember about this guy. Height? Build? Could you see anything at all? Did he say anything?"

"I really don't remember seeing anything…"

"Well, come down to the kitchen and think about it. We'll talk there, alright?" Storm began to lead the girl to the door. "Is anything missing? Why don't you take a second to look around real quick, alright?" Rogue nodded without answering, feeling dazed. "Guys," Storm directed at Peter and Kitty, "look around, help her out. See if you guys can find anything."

The two nodded and glanced at each other, after watching Rogue for a moment. Kitty frowned, showing her worry, while Peter looked hesitant and unsure how to proceed.

"When you're all set, come on down to the kitchen, ok, honey?" Storm said comfortingly, placing a hand on Rogue's shoulder. "We'll try and go over it step by step, alright?"

"Ok." Rogue said, still standing in place.

Storm threw a meaningful glance at Kitty before walking out the door, and Kitty could tell that Storm had gone outside to look around for Wolverine and Bobby.

It only took about 20 minutes to clean up the entire room, and Rogue mentioned how nothing seemed to be missing. After rearranging the items on her small dresser, she glanced over at Kitty quickly before turning her head back to her dresser. "Uh, Kitty," She started hesitantly, "There was someone in here when you came in, right?"

"What? Of course, Rogue." Kitty said, looking over from her spot by the closet. "Logan and I both saw him jump out the window."

"I just feel so out of it…" Rogue mumbled. "I didn't sleep much last night with the whole tape-viewing stuff…and I worked, what, almost 12 hours today."

"There was defiantly someone in here," Kitty said with purpose. "And we're going to figure it out, don't worry." Rogue nodded and Kitty glanced over at Pete, who was standing by the window. He gave a nod and Kitty cleared her throat. "I think Storm's still waiting for you. We got everything cleared up, so you should go talk to her now."

"Right," Rogue said. "Thanks, you guys. Really." She walked out of the room as if in a daze, heading toward the staircase. She couldn't have imagined it. There had been somebody there in her room.

She was half afraid she was just overtired and wanted some attention. Or some adventure. And so maybe she had imagined it.

"Hey, have a seat, Kid."

Rogue felt herself smile just a little when she saw Logan sitting at the table with Storm, and the weight inside her belly relaxed slightly. It didn't even bother her that Bobby was in the room as well, pouring a cup of coffee by the counter. "So," She started, "Did you find him?"

"No, he got a head start on us," Logan muttered gruffly.

"He knew where he was going to get out of here." Bobby said, turning around. "I think he had the whole place mapped out." He meandered over as he spoke, and deposited the mug in front of Rogue, which made her glance at his face quickly before muttering a quiet 'Thank You.'

"We're going to step up security for tonight." Storm said, leaning forward. "Rogue, you're going to have to think really hard. Do you remember anything?"

Rogue frowned as she thought. "He was taller than Bobby, but shorter than Peter." She offered. "I didn't see any facial features or anything. He didn't seem to have any…special features or extremities or anything." She gave the tiniest of shrugs. "Maybe he wasn't even a mutant."

"Then how would he know how to get into this school?" Logan asked.

"And get passed our security?" Bobby sat at the table. "I mean, we do have a pretty advanced system."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Rogue agreed. "I just don't understand who would do this?" She wondered. "I mean, who would break into the Mansion, especially now? And why my room? I mean, I think I would be the last person anyone would be interested in that lives in this house."

She happened to see Bobby and Logan exchange a quick glance and she sighed, feeling the night's tension begin to build up inside of her. "Ok, what is that all about?" She was beginning to get very annoyed.

"What?" They both asked, forcing an innocent look on both of their faces. Rogue clenched her teeth and studied both of them.

"What is it that's got everyone so worried all of a sudden? What aren't you guys telling me? I mean, I'm not an idiot, I can tell." When no one answered, Rogue looked to Storm and raised her eyebrows, as if to say 'well?', but Storm only kept her voice calm and only gave her a noncommittal answer.

"Rogue, we're not hiding anything. We're just as surprised about tonight as you are."

She scoffed, "I told you, I can tell. I have lived here for over two years, practically three, and I've been on the team with all of you. I know how you work." When no one said anything, she sighed and stood from her chair, the stress of the past two evenings beginning to boil over. "Fine. Don't tell me. Doesn't matter, I guess. Don't need to share information with the human. I'm suddenly very tired. Good Night."

"Hey." She heard Logan say in a reproachful tone behind her and she halted as she made her way out of the doorway and turned back towards him.

"Of all people here," She said quietly, "I wouldn't expect you to treat me like this."

"Rogue--" She had already turned and was on her way out the door again.

"Screw you, Logan." She had kept it quiet, practically muttering to herself, but she knew that his sensitive ears would be able to pick it up. She marched up the stairs and into Kitty's room, desperately wanting to slam the door, or stamp her feet, but she knew how childish that was. And how late it was, with students trying to get back to sleep. So she settled for crossing her arms. She knew she needed to calm down. She would never be able to sleep if she were this angry.

As she stood there, the quiet room helped to calm her slightly and she relished in the silence for a moment, before she heard mumblings from the next room, which was her room, actually.

"Oh, thanks, Pete."

"Uh, well--No problem, Kitty." He sounded nervous, his usual sturdy voice slightly shaky. Rogue felt a smile tugging at the corner of her lip. She and Pete had connected in a small way in the past month, since she knew of his crush on Kitty. They had bonded over being miserable. He had been bumbling around Kitty for the past couple months, it was getting on the verge of ridiculous at this point.

"You know, I'm actually really worried about her."

"Well, she's had it hard this whole year." He still sounded nervous. "I mean, she's the only non-mutant in the entire school." Rogue realized who they were talking about and moved closer to the wall, practically laying the side of her face against the wall to listen.

"Yeah, and it's got to be hard to see all of us hang out and have all this time together training and going on missions while she sits around and baby-sits with Jubilee." Kitty sighed. "And the fact that I practically took her boyfriend away." Rogue raised an eyebrow, her interest fully piqued.

"Uh--"

"I mean, I didn't take him, per se, but I definitely didn't push him away when he and Rogue broke it off. And then, like, it was just too difficult to try to explain things to him."

"Wait, Kitty, you still haven't talked to him?"

"Well, I haven't had the chance!" She was getting defensive. "First riots all over the place and then this tonight. And then…I just feel so bad." She finished lamely. "I don't know how to break up with someone, I've never done it before. Every time I try to talk about it, I can't follow through."

There was a deep sigh and the creaking of the bed, as if two people had moved to sit on the edge of her bed. Pete's voice: "So you don't even really like him?"

"Well, I thought I did." She said quietly, guiltily. "But we're so different. I mean, I'd rather rebuild a computer than play actual computer games. I don't connect with him. Not on that level, at least."

"H-How do you think he feels?"

"I think the same way. I don't think he wants Rogue back, I mean, c'mon--they were a train wreck." There was a small chuckle from Kitty. "I think she needs someone who's going to actually fight back with her, if she wants to argue that much."

Rogue let out a small laugh, before she could cover her mouth. She was surprised none of this was really bothering her to listen in on. She was actually beginning to warm up to Kitty. How had this girl picked up on that one fact that Bobby hadn't noticed in the past year?

"Well, Kitty…I was thinking, that, if you wanted, maybe we could…go hang out sometime."

There was a short pause as both Rogue and Peter waited for the answer. "Really, Pete?"

"Yeah, if you wanted," He was getting flustered. "I mean, if you don't, then that's ok…"

"No. No, that'd be fun." There was a pause and Rogue heard the bed squeak, as if one of them were standing. "I'll see you around, Pete. Good night." Rogue could tell from the tone of Kitty's voice that she was smiling and Rogue felt herself smile for the both of them.

Even though she should probably be cursing Kitty right now for, first, aiding in taking Bobby from her, then ditching him for someone else, Rogue just felt happy for the two. Peter had always liked Kitty, ever since she had arrived here, and Rogue had always thought there was something between them. It was going to be interesting in seeing how Bobby would deal with all this. She couldn't hold back her smirk at that thought.

Suddenly, there were footsteps near the door and Rogue rushed to sit on the edge of the bed, trying to pretend she hadn't just listened in on Kitty and Peter's private exchange. She gave a small smile to Kitty as she phased through the door and forced herself to make light conversation.

"Uh--Thanks for letting me stay in here."

"Oh, no problem. You just gotta deal with sharing my bed." Kitty said, smiling at her. "I don't want that guy to come back here and find you in your room again. I don't even know how he got in!" Her face instantly looked a little angry, and that surprised Rogue.

"You alright?" She asked.

"Well, it just makes me so mad." Kitty said, her face pinched. "I mean, we're not a zoo and we're not a threat. We're actually trying to protect people!"

"Yeah, I know."

"I mean, remember how scary it was when Stryker came through here?" Kitty shuddered. "I just…never thought that people hated us that much, you know?"

"Yeah, I know." Rogue nodded. "But, then again, you had it easy."

"What?" Kitty sat on the bed next to Rogue. She sounded a little offended.

"Well, Xavier came right to your house." Rogue explained. "And your parents pretty much are ok with you going to school here with a bunch of classified freaks and learning to help save the world." She glanced out the window at the snow, her eyes guarded. "Some people aren't that lucky."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Kitty mused, climbing under the blankets. She paused for a second before shifting over on her side, facing Rogue. "You should go grab some sleep clothes quick. We've got class in the morning."

"Oh! Right." Rogue went and grabbed some clothes quickly, a small part of her excited that she didn't have to grab a long-sleeved shirt and thick pants. When she had changed and gotten back to Kitty's room, the light was dimmer and Rogue climbed into the bed. Kitty turned off the light and there was silence for a moment before Rogue heard Kitty's voice.

"Rogue?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry you had it so hard. People are really cruel."

Rogue felt her chest tighten at those words and took a second before she answered. "Thanks," She said wholeheartedly. "Night, Kitty."

"Good Night."


A/N: I hope this makes sense, I wanted to try to show their friendship actually beginning, and perhaps Rogue (or both of them) growing up just a little and learning to accept each other. Ergo--a little female bonding. Remember to read on, I've added another chapter!