ooOoo

Nightmares

ooOoo

Ariel, still barefoot, padded after Ororo and Logan as they ran through the halls. She called ahead to them, trying to keep her voice level. "Do we need the first aid kit?" Hell, she thought briefly, unable to concentrate her mind well enough to know what was going on. "Do we need paramedics?"

"No." That was all Oro said as she turned a corner and they skidded to a stop near Rogue's door. Ariel took a deep breath as the door was opened, trying to clear her mind.

Bobby was sitting on the floor, inches from the bed where Rogue was curled into a fetal position and weeping quietly. His hand was reaching toward her, but frozen in space, afraid to move. Logan spoke first, sounding more angry than Ariel would have liked.

"What happened?"

"She… I don't know. She's scared…" Bobby clenched his hands together, although it was clear what he really wanted to do was take the girl in his arms. "She screamed, and told me to get away from her. I don't know how to help." His eyes searched the adults in the room. "We were just lying there, I swear, I didn't do anything to -"

Ariel pushed past Oro and Logan as they stood, dropping to her knees next to the youngsters. "It'll be okay, Bobby. She's going to be okay."

"How do you know?"

She shot him a tight grin. "I know she's a tough cookie and I believe she'll be okay. I don't really know about anything else yet." She settled onto the floor and crossed her legs, closing her eyes and reaching out with her feelings toward the girl who was curled nearby. "Just give me a few minutes." Leaning close, she softly murmured, "Marie, it's Dr. Waters. Can I visit with you?"

The girl sobbed again, but nodded.

Just don't touch me!

I won't do a thing you don't want, Marie. What happened?

I just… I don't know. I feel horrible.

Are you sick?

No, I mean, maybe, I just…

Marie… can you show me what happened to upset you so?

I'll try…

Ariel settled in, and watched chaotic shapes swirling around her, settling into a more calm image of lying in bed, Bobby at her side, resting her head on his shoulder as they slept. It was warm and comforting, and she felt the romantic ease the couple was establishing. Rather abruptly a strange sensation pulled first at her stomach, then her head. She felt Bobby at her side, and felt… more. A strange sense of his energy, his powers. Then her hands felt cold. Incredibly cold. Like ice. With a memory of a shriek she felt an awakening as Rogue pulled away from Bobby, curled up on herself and felt any fragile sense of security crumble away.

Ariel took a few deep breaths before she chanced to open her eyes. "Bobby?"

The boy, still looking stricken, swallowed hard. "Yes?"

"I'm still not sure what happened here. Did you feel anything before she woke you?"

He frowned. "Feel anything? Like what?"

"Like…" she paused, choosing her words carefully. "Did you feel... different? Weak?"

His eyes widened. "No. I - no. I was sound asleep, I felt fine, and I still felt fine when I woke up." He looked down at Marie, who was still curled up on the floor. "I'm fine, Marie. Nothing happened."

Ariel nodded and closed her eyes again.

Marie.

Everyone should just go away!

Marie… I think you had a nightmare.

No! It was real!

Bobby is fine. Nothing happened. You had the sensation of stealing his power, but he didn't . He's -

But I did feel it. Like this!

A wave swept over Ariel as she connected with the girl. A strange, uniquely powerful feeling of absorbing an ability. Ariel gasped as she found herself taken with the sensation. A curious and thought-provoking controlled chill spread from her hands up into her chest - but there was more than that. There was a feeling of guilt behind it all. Feeling like a sponge that was soaking up everything she touched, whether she wanted to or not. Ariel pulled herself into line, and strengthened her presence in Marie's mind.

Listen, I understand, Marie. It was real for you. But he's fine. He didn't share the experience. Do you understand me? He's fine.

There was a long pause, as Ariel kept breathing deeply and the girl struggled to calm down.

Dr. Waters, it was more than a nightmare. I swear. Something… something was happening.

Alright, Marie. I believe you. But come back now. Whatever is going on, I'll need you to help figure it out. Just take a few breaths and come back. And remember, he's fine. He's only worried about you. We all are.

A few moments passed before the girl brought her hands to her face, sobbing openly. Bobby reached toward her, and her flinch faded quickly as she sat and threw her arms around him. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, 'Ree," he responded just as softly. "I'm glad you're okay, that's all." He stroked her hair gently, and looked over at Ariel. "Is she okay?"

Ariel didn't answer right away, as she watched the girl carefully. "I think she might sleep better tonight if you both are in your own rooms." She lifted a hand against his protest. "She dreamt she might have hurt you. If you stay here, she'll keep worrying about it. She needs to sleep. Especially if I'm going to work with her tonight." Bobby frowned at her for a few seconds, then buried his face in Rogue's hair.

"Yeah. She needs rest." He turned his head and kissed the side of her head before pulling away. "Marie. Do you want me to go?"

She blinked at him and then smiled, her eyes watery. Her voice was a whisper as she said, "Please. I'm afraid, Bobby. Please."

He nodded and gave her a long, hard hug before releasing her and standing. He looked at Ororo and Logan, his expression more adult than they had ever seen before. "You'll take care of her?"

Logan nodded curtly, and Ororo reached out more gently to put a hand on his shoulder. "Of course, Bobby. We'll let you know if anything changes."

Ariel looked up at him, from where she still sat with Marie. "She'll be able to talk with you when she's had some rest, Bobby. When she's fully conscious of what's happened. Right now, she's out of sorts." The counselor smiled. "We'll all meet after lunch. Alright?"

The boy stared at her, then nodded. Reluctantly, he turned toward the door, but turned back almost instantly. "Marie. I'll see you then?"

The girl nodded weakly, her eyes wet. "I'm so sorry."

He managed a smile. "It'll be okay," he whispered. Then he left, quickly.

Ariel found herself breathing easier with one less mass of tension in the room. "Okay, young lady. Let's get you back to sleep." Marie looked at her, and nodded. "And I'll stay here with you, if you like."

"I can do that." Logan spoke quietly, but Marie jumped nonetheless. Ariel bit her tongue and smiled gently at the girl.

"Would you rather, Marie?" Working from a distance wouldn't be quite as easy, but the girl needed to be comfortable.

"No… no, I think I'd rather have Dr. Waters here. You know, just to… But thanks, Logan."

Waters glanced at Logan and nodded quietly. "We'll be fine. Thank you, Logan."

The Wolverine frowned, but contained himself admirably. "If you need anything, just yell, Marie. I'm only down the hall."

She smiled up at him gratefully. "Thanks."

Ariel and Ororo shared a look and a nod before the leaders of the school left the room. For a few moments after the door closed, Ariel just stood with her eyes shut, breathing slowly. Then she turned to Marie with a smile.

"Okay, missy, get some sleep."

"You'll stay, though, right?"

Dr. Waters smiled. "Of course. Would you like me to keep an eye on your dreams?"

Marie looked at her seriously. "I think that's a good idea."

"Okay." The counselor took a deep breath and pulled a chair near the girl's bed. "Do I have your permission?"

"I just said -"

"You know my rules." Although her tone was serious, Ariel's eyes were smiling. Marie smiled back at her.

"Yes. You have my permission to come in, whenever it seems sensible and therapeutic, for the next twelve hours."

"Well done. Thank you. Now let's just take a few breaths and relax…" She laid a hand gently on the girl's arm, and closed her eyes.

Forty-five minutes later, Ariel found herself absorbed in a dream. Not her own dream, mind you. In Marie's dream. Or more truthfully, Rogue's dream.

oOo

She was standing in a mountaintop meadow, large and green and peaceful. Tall trees surrounded the perimeter, creating an idyllic setting.

Abruptly clouds poured into the sky and grew dark, flashes of lightning illuminating a sky of colors angry as a bruise.

Ariel looked across the field and saw Rogue, dressed in her fighting uniform, a true X-man. She was striding toward a group led by none other than Magneto himself, but there was no fear in her eyes.

"Traitor!" she yelled, and suddenly was on him, her hands wrapped around his neck. "You could have killed us all!"

The older man gasped as he fell back, the light fading from his eyes. She dropped him, turned to the others in the group and lifted her hands.

Every bit of metal in their outfits suddenly became powerfully magnetic, and drew them all together, writhing to get away. The girl laughed, and waved a hand. Suddenly cars were flying in from nowhere, trapping them all, crushing them in an expanding ball of metal. The lightning that threaded through the clouds wove into a thicker rope and speared down, striking the ball of compacted metal and causing an awe-inspiring explosion.

Rogue stood, untouched by the fury.

Ariel watched.

A familiar voice called out, "Good job, kid."

Rogue turned and saw Logan, and Ariel had to smile. In Marie's mind, he was a bit taller, a bit younger - and of course, he didn't see Ariel. It threw her for only a moment as she watched their interaction.

"I did it! I saved everyone!"

Logan laughed and hugged her, and suddenly everything changed again. His eyes grew wide, and he gulped for air.

"Logan?" The girl tried to pull away, but his arms were locked around her. Slowly he collapsed backward, still clutching her to his chest. "No!"

Ariel was running toward her now. "Marie, stop!" The girl was screaming in terror as the man began to shrink beneath her. "Marie!" She got close enough to put a hand on her arm. "Rogue!"

That seemed to catch her attention, although in the dream, the wind was howling like a tornado. "Dr. Waters! I can't! I'm killing him!"

"No, you're not. You need to stop, Marie. Just stop. You know if I'm here, you're dreaming!"

"But I can't!"

Ariel took a deep breath. Nightmares were always tough, and night terrors were even worse. "Rogue! It's your power. Stop using it!"

"But -"

Ariel waved an arm violently upward, and the wind stopped. The clouds rolled back and the sun shone down on them. In the sudden silence, Marie gasped. "How -"

"You invited me in. I can't change you, but I can certainly change the atmosphere if you won't."

In the moment of distraction, Ariel felt something change. Logan, the carnage of the explosion - all vanished. Marie was on her hands and knees, blinking hard. She sat heavily on the ground and looked around. "I felt like I was killing him."

"And you stopped."

"Only because -"

"You stopped, Marie. I told you, I can't change what you do."

The girl shook her head, and lie back in the grass. Ariel spoke softly. "Shall we go back?" Marie closed her eyes and nodded.

Her eyes opened.

"I'm so tired…"

"Rest, then. We'll talk in the morning."

The girl reached out and Ariel took her hand, a little surprised. "Thank you. Please stay, Doctor."

"Of course."

Ariel sat and held her hand until even in her dreams, she slept.

oOo