Sorry that it's been so long since the last update folks. I went out of town for the holiday weekend and I've been working a lot. This chapter focuses on the growing closeness between Cecilia and Rogue. I know many of you think that the two of them have nothing in common, but this is the first time (for both of them) that they are able to bond with someone that has the same 'curse' as themself. Feel free to review.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

"Cecilia," he murmured as he dipped his face towards mine and caught my lips with his passionately, demanding entrance and receiving it instantly, plundering my mouth greedily as I pressed my hands against his chest weakly, praying only that it would never end. I mumbled against his lips as he continued to ravish me restlessly, his hand roaming over my back while the other cupped my face gently.

I don't know how much time passed, but I spent every single moment of it in ecstasy. My mind was completely blank, and I didn't realize what was happening until it was almost too late. The pull grew stronger as I managed to pull my lips away from his. He staggered backwards slightly, his breathing a bit erratic as he shook his head. "I'm sorry Scott," I said softly as I pressed my hand to my chest. "I-"

"It's not your fault," his lips found mine again and this time I put everything I had into the long, drawn-out kiss. He pulled away sooner than I would have liked, however. "Cecilia," his voice was rough as he skimmed my cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

I nodded as I cupped his hands in mine. "I know Scott," tears brimmed in my eyes. "I know..."

He pulled away from me slowly and I fought the urge to flip on the light. I wanted to very badly to see his face, to see how he was feeling at the moment. But I didn't.

"I don't know what just happened," he said softly as he backed away from me a bit more. "I keep telling myself that I'm with Jean but-"

I bit my lip in frustration. "You are with Jean, Scott," I crossed my arms over my chest and fought back the tears. "I'm going to make this easier on both of us, okay? This," I paused for effect. "This never happened. None of it. I'm going to bed now, and I suggest that you do the same thing."

I drifted quickly out of the room, stumbling slightly on the stairs but quickly making my way up them and into my room. I slumped against the door and waited until I heard his footsteps outside of the door before I even inhaled. I sighed when I heard his door open and shut.

"Goodnight," I whispered softly as I climbed under my covers and willed myself to sleep.

Oh, the agony.

The next day I awoke rather late with a migraine and a heavy heart. I showered and dressed for the day quietly, my heart filled with despair. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and frowned. I looked completely normal physically, but I felt so distraught emotionally. I slid on a pair of blue gloves that matched my short sleeved blue blouse perfectly and sighed.

"Life goes on," I muttered as I pulled my hair back into a French twist and slid on my combat boots with a snarl. "Here goes nothing." At least I didn't look like I'd cried myself to sleep the night before. I decided to at least attempt to take on the world with a determined stride. I walked slowly to the door, my eyes narrowed and my heart pounding. I could hear a lot of noise in the hallway, but that wasn't too surprising. It was a Friday morning and students were already in class or on their way. I opened the door and stepped out into the hall calmly, even managing to nod politely to a small group of students that I passed as I walked down the hall.

"Cecilia," someone called out from behind me. I turned to find Ororo smiling brightly at me. "How are you this morning child? Charles asked me to come and check on you."

I shrugged my shoulders and managed a small smile. "Just fine 'Ro. Just fine," though part of me wanted to ask exactly how Xavier had known that I was up and moving, even though I already knew the answer. "I was thinking about grabbing a muffin or two before going to see him actually."

She nodded as she walked with me through the hallway. "We were all worried when you didn't come to lunch or dinner yesterday. But, Charles said that you were doing fine, but you needed some time alone."

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," I shrugged my shoulders as we approached the stairs. "I've just had a lot of things on my mind. I'm still trying to adjust to this place, and it's hard to settle down right now."

She nodded in understanding and we walked slowly down the stairs. "You know Cecilia, if you ever need somebody to talk to I'm always a very willing listener."

"Thanks Ororo," I squeezed her arm gently. "Well, you better get back to your class. I'll probably see you at dinner."

She waved as we parted ways at the foot of the stairs. Out of all the people in the school, Ororo seemed to be the most approachable. She and I didn't appear to have much in common, but she was genuinely nice. Which was something that made me feel comfortable around her. She wasn't exactly my idea of a possible best friend, but she was genuinely kind. I grabbed a muffin from the kitchen and walked back out, and nibbled on it as I approached the Professor's study. A bell rang loudly, signaling that class had begun, so the halls were completely empty.

"Come in," his kind voice ordered as I lifted my hand to knock on the door. I sighed inaudibly as I opened the door and smiled hesitantly at him. "Ah Cecilia, it's good to see you this morning. I missed you last night at dinner. Not to mention our scheduled meeting yesterday afternoon."

I sat down in the straight-backed chair in front of his desk and managed another smile. "I'd like to apologize for missing our meeting yesterday, Mr. Xavier. It's just-" I paused and searched my mind for the right words. "The session in the Danger Room yesterday didn't go quite as smoothly as I'd hoped. I was a bit rattled, if you must know the truth."

"I see," he pressed his palms together as he looked over my face. "I talked to John yesterday at dinner and he informed me that you visited him yesterday morning in the infirmary."

I nodded. "I did visit him. I only wanted to make sure that he was doing okay after what had happened. I'm sorry. I know that I wasn't supposed to be in there but-"

He chuckled and cut me off mid-apology. "You're not being reprimanded Cecilia. I was simply attempting to make a bit of small talk," I mumbled a bit under my breath as he cleared his throat. "Would you like to discuss why the Danger Room session went poorly? I'm aware that this time you were training with only Scott..." he trailed off, looking at me expectantly.

After years of practice, I was sure that I'd managed the innocent smile, so I threw it at him. "To be perfectly honest Professor, Scott and I just don't mix well. He gets under my skin and I've refused to train with him any further."

"My dear," he rested his elbows on his desk. "There are many that do not understand Scott's personality and his rather strict training, but surely-"

"It's not that," I said softly as I rubbed my palms together. "Professor, to be perfectly honest, I think that you should ask Scott what happened. If he wishes to talk about it, then more power to him. I, on the other hand, feel no need to explain my actions."

He nodded his head slowly. "I see. Well, in that case, shall we discuss another, less angering topic?" his eyes twinkled at me knowingly.

"Please," I fought the urge to slam my head on his desk. He knew. Somehow the old man knew. "Are we going to have another session today? I mean right now?" I asked him meekly.

He shook his head slowly. "Actually, there's something I wanted to discuss with you," he paused as he looked out the large window and appeared to be gathering his thoughts. "I have spoken to a few of my associates about your situation- vaguely, of course- and a colleague of mine brought up a rather interesting detail," he clasped his hands together. "Dr. Henry McCoy, yes- the Ambassador- suggested a few things that I feel should at least be considered."

"Okay," I drew the word out. "What did he suggest?"

He smiled slightly before he continued. "These psyches in your mind can only surface when you are at your most vulnerable, yes?" I nodded slowly, not sure where he was going. "These psyches have simply imbedded themselves in your mind, and they are somewhat like split personalities. Instead of resisting them, what would happen if your mind accepted them and the three became one?"

"What?" I was completely devastated. "That doesn't sound good to me..."

He nodded his head. "That's exactly what I said to Dr. McCoy. But, you see, he believes that since the psyches are only part of the person- not their entire essence- you will be able to control them. He feels that once you stop resisting their strong attacks, you will have complete control. They would," he scrunched his eyes slightly. "They would join-fuse- but they wouldn't be in control. There would be no more crazed episodes, and you would have complete access to their powers."

"But," I fumbled for words. "But what will happen to everything that isn't part of their mutation? Will it simply disappear?" confusion swept over me.

He appeared to be startled by my question. "There is no sure way, of course, of knowing what will indeed happen if the two psyches fused with your own. This is all theory, I'm afraid. We can only hypothesize as to the outcome of such a process. But we strongly believe that it would work out successfully."

"And if it doesn't?" my voice rose slightly. "What if I have split personalities forever? Or what if the strongest psyche takes over, and I'm left living my life as Miguel or as my grandfather? What then?" I nearly shouted.

"I-" he closed his eyes and sighed. "My dear, I think that I have enough power to ensure that something as dreadful as that would never happen, should you wish to follow through with Dr. McCoy's educated advice."

I only nodded my head as I stared down at my gloved hands. "What would happen to my powers? I mean, if I accepted them fully, would their powers take over? Would I be a pyrokinetic, a telepath, an absorber?"

"I believe that the most powerful mutation would take control," he smiled wanly at me. "In your particular case I think that the pyrokinesis is the most powerful. After all, it is the one that keeps surfacing now."

I couldn't believe my ears. He was telling me that I would be a pyro. I wouldn't be an absorber. "I could touch," I whispered softly as I glanced down at my hands guiltily. "I could be free from this curse..."

"I believe so," he nodded his head slowly. "I feel that there is an excellent chance that it will go as I've described."

I nodded my head fiercely. "Then I want to do it, Professor. There's a chance that I can actually live, and I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't at least try. I'm willing to take the risk."

"I understand," he sighed again. "There are a lot of risks, but if you're willing..."

"What do we have to do?" I stoop up and began pacing the room. "When can we get this done and over with?"

He chuckled heartily as he moved out from behind his desk and smiled up at me. "We could do it Wednesday, if you'd like. The field trip is on Friday so-"

"Perfect!" I felt a tear run down my cheek as I leaned down and brushed a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you...so much."

He nodded as he patted my hand softly. "I'm glad that I could help. Your case is so unusual..." his eyes glazed over slightly. "I sincerely wish that everyone could be helped as easily."

"Rogue," I muttered softly as I nodded my head. All of the hope and elated happiness deflated like a balloon. "It doesn't seem fair now," I thought of her intense desire last night and her already noticeable improvement. "Speaking of Rogue," I sighed softly. "I need to talk to Jean, but-"

"She has class right now," he interrupted me. "Everyone has class until three today, I'm afraid. I suppose you will be able to talk to her after classes are finished for the day."

I nodded. It sounded like a plan. It wasn't like I wanted to see Jean any sooner than absolutely necessary anyways. I still wasn't sure how she was going to take the fact that I was going to attempt to help Rogue. "Guess I don't really have any other choice. Um Professor," he looked up and waited for me to continue. "Is Dr. McCoy going to be here next Wednesday? I'd like to talk to him a bit more about his theory before we go through with it."

"I think that would be an excellent idea, my dear," he motioned to the phone. "How would you like it if I were to call and arrange for you to have lunch early next week with the kind doctor?"

I grinned and nodded my head. "I think that's an excellent idea, Professor. Boy, you are smart."

"Why thank you Ms. Frankton," he chuckled. "I will call his secretary this afternoon and I should know his decision by dinner. Now, I have a Genetics class in about twenty minutes..."

"Say no more," I approached the door quickly. "Thanks again Mr. Xavier," he waved as I left the room quickly. For the first time I was truly glad that I was at the Mansion. There was a significant chance that I could be somewhat normal again. And I knew in my heart that it would truly be my only opportunity.

Bored, I found my way to the massive library and wandered about for a bit. There were gorgeous sculptures and paintings all of the place, and I felt drawn to them somehow. I furrowed my brow as I sat down in a large brown leather chair with my legs draped over the side. I only dabbled in art, sketching every now and then, so I didn't consider myself an expert on artwork. But I did know that all of the paintings and sculptures were done by the same hands. Out of all of the touching work in the room, however, I felt the most drawn to a painting hanging on the wall just opposite of the chair I was occupying.

"It's so beautiful," I sighed to myself as I stared at it, completely engrossed. It was a landscape; the most beautiful landscape. It appeared to be a small house on a farm. It looked like spring. It looked like somebody's home.

Transfixed, I admired the beautiful oil-based painting for over an hour. I lost track of time until a bell rang that drew me out of my daze. I glanced at a clock to find that it was nearly noon. So much time had passed.

"Cecilia?" I jumped a bit at the voice and looked to my left to see the large Peter Rasputin watching me with a worried expression. "What are you doing just sitting there?"

I shrugged my shoulders as I pointed at the painting. "Out of all of the beautiful artwork in the room, this one's easily my favorite. I guess I just lost track of time."

He followed my gaze and nodded his head slowly. "Why is this one your favorite?"

"Because," I struggled to find the words to describe the tremendous wave of thoughts and emotions that the painting drew out of me. "It's home," I whispered. "It's hope and love, reassurance and faith. It's like the anchor of a beautiful memory in a shattered heart..."

His gaze was strong as he walked closer to me, his stride deliberate and slow. "Why-" he paused. "Why would you think that?"

"It's not really what I think," I bit my lower lip and shrugged my shoulders. "IT's what I feel when I look at it. It fills me with sadness and leaves me clinging onto hope."

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He grabbed me by the arms and jerked me to my feet, embracing me tightly in his large arms, his face buried and pressed against my neck. My eyes widened in surprise but I simply held him. His body shook slightly and I realized when I felt something warm on my shoulder that he was crying. Just as quickly as he'd pulled me to him, he pushed me away and slipped out of the room altogether.

I furrowed my brow in confusion as I brushed my palms over my cheeks and discovered that I too had shed a few tears. Never would I have expected Peter of all people to be so sensitive. I left the room slowly, my gaze still lingering on the painting that had caused it all. I walked down the hall and found myself in the cafeteria. I grabbed a bottle of water and a bag of pretzels and looked around for somebody to sit with.

"Cecilia!" I glanced over and saw Rogue waving at me from a table across the room. She was sitting with Jubilee and John. Bobby and Kitty were nowhere to be seen. I smiled at her as I walked towards the table and sat down with them. "We were wonderin' if yah were going tah make it tah lunch tahday. Yah weren't at breakfast."

I took a sip of my water and ate a pretzel as I shrugged my shoulders. "I was up late, but here I am," I chuckled. "What's up with you guys?"

"Nothing," Jubilee shoved a Ho-Ho in her mouth. "Ust underwing ear oo ure."

I chuckled and shook my head as I glanced over at John. "Is she always like this?"

"Unfortunately," he sighed as he played with his ever-present lighter. "You'd think that we'd be used to it by now."

Jubilee managed to make a face as she continued to eat. It was quite amazing.

"So are yah still goin' tah talk tah Ms. Grey today?" Rogue took a sip of her soda as she re-adjusted her scarf.

I nodded and sighed inaudibly. "Yes Rogue. I plan on speaking with her this afternoon, as soon as she is through with class. Have no fear."

A/N: According to my Psychology teacher, in psychopsychology...sometimes physicians use this sort of theory to help patients with multiple personalities. Apparently there have been cases where patients have been 'forced' into the strongest and usually safest personality. That's basically where I got the idea. I'm sure it's never really happened in Marvel history, but theoretically it seems to be a viable solution. Therefore, I suppose it could be used on Rogue too. (Assuming she has absorbed Ms. Marvel's powers) Thanks for reading. Feel free to review.