[A/N]: Okay, so I'm posting a bunch of chapters tonight for two reasons:

a) to get my mind off life stresses and also these two really depressing stories I'm writting

b) to motivate me to actually write the end to this darn story

Thanks to Jeanniebird for betaing!


Chapter 7: "A Friend in Need"

The woman practically jumps out of her green skin, "What did you say?"

I sniffle, "Someone died here, didn't they? Not long ago."

She lowers her head, "Yes. She was strong willed like you, but they broke her. They'll always break you."

I can't look up to meet his gaze, "Someone died in that bed not long before I got there. Two weeks, tops. I could smell that and – and everything. All her, all her rancid fear. It had soaked into the fibers."

He offers me the box of tissues, "Would you like a break?"

I dab my eyes with one and twist it in my fingers. Taking a break means I'll probably be alone for a while. I don't really wanna keep up with the story, but I really don't wanna be alone. But if I stay here either the subject will either be that place or my feelings, so…

Aw screw it, I'll just go- I don't know. I'll just do whatever.

"Yeah. Guess so," I glance at the clock. "Almost lunch time anyway."

Ain't like I'm hungry, though. The very thought of food twists my stomach in knots.

Xavier nods in agreement.

~ooOoo~

I'm sitting on the edge of the woods behind the mansion. Cloaked in shadows, I watch some of the students play volleyball.

I watch as a distraction from myself. So I can't let my thoughts consume me. Not sure I want to do this counseling shit again. In fact, I'm fairly certain I don't.

As if I needed help rememberin' the damn place that keeps taking my life from me no matter how hard I fight it. Haven't slept a full night in how long? It doesn't stop at stealing my rest: flashbacks and nauseating remembrances take my wakeful moments, too.

I want to scream, to howl. I don't have any fight left in me, my limbs feel like gelatin.

Instead of the agonized wail I expected, only a pitiful whimper escapes. My face feels heavy and I grip my arms around my knees just before the dam bursts.

The tears stop but my quiet sobs won't. I reflexively jerk my body towards the sound of a snapped twig. Sense of smell shot from the mucous plug my sobs created, fear hits me like a fucking truck. Tense up. Can't see; eyes burn. No no no no please don't let it be happening. Not again!

Snow coats the ground. In an open area, no place to run, hide. Even if I could get past the guards. Teeth gnash. Growls from everywhere. They didn't feed them in too long. The wolf lunges. I block the best I can and cry out when teeth sink into flesh. Blood spurts when I pry it off. I can't block myself from every angle at once. They attack however they can.

Restraints appear again, tighten. Monsters laugh as I writhe. Straps tear into flesh.

"Elise, yuh need ta calm down," a ghost whispers. I recognize the sound.

Rogue's voice snaps me back into reality. Her gloved hands hold my arms firmly against my body with superhuman strength so I can't hurt her or myself with my extended claws.

I regain control of myself and retract them. She lets go and offers me a wad of tissues.

"Thanks," I take them, shaking like an addict in withdrawal.

"Ah never told yuh what ah saw," she says sadly.

"Eh?" I ungracefully blow my nose.

"Whenever ah touch someone, even fuh a second, a piece uh them stays with me. Personality, powers fuh a shawt while, memories…" she trails off.

My stomach twists in yet more knots, "Whatcha talkin' 'bout?"

Get where this is goin'. Ain't mad at her. Feel naked, though. Don't want anyone else to see; don't even want to see it, myself. Wish I could toss it all in a closet and never open it again.

"That day in the danger room, when yuh hit ya head ah tried to check on yuh. Ah- ah saw some things ah shouldn't have."

Try to remember that, but all I can recall is getting punched in the face, hitting the wall, and passing out. Still, the way she's acting is confirmation enough that it happened and she knows.

"I'm sorry," I say. "Wish ya didn't hafta know that." 'Specially more'n a brief overview.

She pauses, "Ah know yuh don't like accepting help, but would yuh like a friend?"

Grateful, I nod. "A friend'd be good."

Haven't made too many strides in that area since I got here. Guess the moodiness turns 'em off.

She smiles, "Would yuh like ta play some something? Volleyball?"

I look down at the court and see the students have deserted it. "Eh… I guess. Been forever since I've played."

She chuckles, "Shuga, the X-men play by different rules, anyway. Let me show yuh."

I stand up and brush myself off. Not shaking anymore, I follow her to the volleyball court.

She hands me the ball, "We all have unique rules based on our powers. Fliers like me can neva touch the ground."

"So, uh, what do I do?"

Really, the only thing I can think of is just not wear padding, but I wasn't about to do that anyway.

Rogue shrugs and start floating a foot above the ground, "We can decide that after we play a few rounds."

I nod and we start playing.

"So how come you're the only one 'round here who always goes by their codeneame?" I ask a few minutes in.

She volleys the ball back, "Rogue's been my nickname since before ah could talk. It's like how no one calls Kitty 'Katherine'."

"Huh. Okay."

After a few more volleys, she returns with a question, "Have a codename in mind yet?"

"Workin' on that. But it seems all the fun ones are taken." I lob the ball back to her, "I wanted to be 'Puck' like the imp in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", but some other guy took it first and I ain't one to copy. B'sides, I already had a hand-me-down nickname from Logan once."

"Which one?"

"Patch," I groan. "I liked Witch Doctor better, but that kinda sucks, too."

"What type'a name yuh lookin' fuh?"

"Well, I really want something profound," I jump to spike the ball, failing miserably. "Like, at the mere mention of my name, the enemy is forced to rethink their entire life and in this existential trance, I'm able to take them out in one punch. Bam, done. That ain't about to happen, though, so I'll settle for something badass."

Rogue laughs and we're unable to continue our game. For the first time in a long time, I realize I'm smiling just as wide.

~ooOoo~

Scott doesn't like me. Really, I don't see what his problem is. Only picked fun at him once. And he totally left himself open for it.

So, most of the adults are hanging out in the kitchen. Most. Xavier ain't here.

"Just a reminder," Leader-boy says. "Danger-room exercise at 16:00."

The others nod and otherwise acknowledge him.

I scowl. How come this's the first time I'm hearing about this?!

Voice dripping sarcasm, I say "Thanks for the reminder," and take a sip of orange juice.

"Wasn't for you," He says.

Without whining I say, "But professor said I'm sp'osed to practice with you guys."

That's what sucks about being a junior member. Unless the world is literally ending, you stay put. No action 'till promotion.

"This one is for more experienced members."

Before anyone else can chime in, I blurt, "Experience? Ha! That's kinda ironic, doncha think? Considering I have years more field experience than you."

He looks me over, "Yeah right."

I take a few steps closer and cross my arms, "Wanna make a friendly wager? Bet I could beat ya in a one-on-one, easy."

He glares- I think. Hard to tell with those dorky shades of his.

"No."

I nudge his arm and grin, "Whaaat? 'Fraid I'd kick yer ass inta next week? I'll go easy on ya, scout's honor. Won't even use powers." I do a cheesy salute.

Now I'm sure he's glaring. He looks up at Logan, who's been watching from the corner, " Logan, would you mind getting Wolverette to chill?"

I grit my teeth and growl, hopefully too low for anyone to hear.

"I have a name, y'know. Logan and I ain't interchangeable."

Asshole. Somehow, I keep from saying that last part.

Logan looks at Scott and shrugs, "Can't you? Yer the leader'n all."

Ororo gets between them and diffuses the emotional bomb I apparently set off. Situation over, we all go about our days.

Could just be me but I swear Logan gives me half a second of a lopsided grin as he leaves.