Names are abbreviated

Blix:  I considered it, but…shrug…it just didn't work out.

Vegeta:  I know!  I don't think I want her to get "cured".

Hip-Ban:  Lol.  And I thought it was an American tradition.  Lol.

K. Lynn:  Yeah, she's a nutcase.  Lol.  Yet, that's what makes her so fun to play around with.  Lol.

Brynn:  Well thank you very much.  I truly appreciate it.

Pine:  Well I'm glad you think so because we'll be seeing those "fascinating" battles again.

Chapter Fourteen

Into the Mouth of Darkness

Part One

The eerily silent wilderness penetrated deep into Rogue's veins as she trekked behind Jabilo, his robe flapping in the warm breeze.  He was a loyal and courageous man.  It wasn't difficult to understand why Xavier had spoken so highly of him.  Rogue couldn't help but feel sympathy for him and his generous people.  If the professor was right, bloodthirsty men would be coming, hunting for the mutants who now hid in the rocky hills.  They would raid Jabilo's village like locus, devouring the peaceful serenity of Jabilo's village.  Would they kill the innocent in order to eradicate "the mutant problem"?

Rogue gasped as she tripped over a rock, losing her balance for only a moment: an arm wrapping around her and catching her fall.  She smiled thinly up at Logan as a why of thanks.  He winked at her and then refocused his attention on Jabilo.  It gave Rogue a chance to study his profile, finding the man to be more attractive than she'd ever given him credit for.

Granted, she had always been aware that he was sexy with his dangerous bad boy attitude, dark hair, intense amberish-hazel eyes, and protectiveness.  Yet, sexiness was different from attractiveness.  She no longer held that girlish crush on the man who had taken her under his wing, saving her life on the Statue of Liberty.  She was beyond the high school romance. 

She was a woman falling madly in love. 

And in the light of love, a person becomes defined by more than just their sex appeal.  They become so handsome to you that even if they were to lose their hair, grow a pouch, and become as wrinkly as a raisin, you would find them just as handsome and endearing: the physical appearance no longer mattering to you.

'Enough, you're making me nauseated,' Magneto griped.

Carol crackled lightly, highly amused.  'Don't listen to him, sugar, he's just a grumpy, old man.  Come on, why don't you and I heat things up.'

Carol licked her lips, arching her back.  "Logan," she crooned, using Rogue's voice.  "Let Storm and Jabilo get ahead.  I want to talk to you, sugar."

Logan froze, peering at Rogue with uncertainty.  "What is it, kid?"

She kept her eyes low, seemingly embarrassed or nervous about something.  "I was just wondering…do you…I mean, how do you feel about me?"

Storm glanced back from her position up front with Jabilo.  She sensed something wrong, but continued walking.  If there was trouble, Logan would warn her.

Logan eyed Rogue peculiarly.  "What do you mean?"

"Well, I want to know…do you have strong feelings for me?  I mean do you care about me?  Truly care about me?" 

"Yeah," Logan answered hesitantly.  "You know I do."

"I know this isn't the best timing, but I don't want to waste another moment.  I couldn't live with myself knowing that I never told you."  She took a deep breath.  "Logan…I love you."

She had said it with such sincerity and soft conviction that for a brief moment Logan was dumbstruck.  Snapping out of his daze, he jabbed a finger under her chin and lifted her head up, but she refused to meet his gaze.  "Look at me," he ordered gruffly.

A sassy smile spread across her lips and then vanished in a blink of an eye.

Rogue yanked away from Logan's touch, mortified by what Carol had done.  Her green, stunned eyes flashed up to Logan's.  "It wasn't me," she defended, desperate for him to believe her.

Logan nodded his head.  "I know.  I knew it wasn't you the moment you – she – had called me 'sugar.'"

Rogue grinded her teeth, furious with Carol.  "I'm sorry, Logan.  We're such a nuisance."

"You say that as though you're all one person."

"We are one person," Rogue screamed.  "There is no Magneto, or Carol, or Logan, or Marie…it's just us – we all contribute to Rogue's personality.  We are one inside her head."

"Stop referring to yourself in third person," Logan barked, his concern causing him to lash out.  "You are Rogue: just you."

"We are separate people, but the same.  We create her."

Logan grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her.  "Snap out of it, Marie!  Damn it, we don't have time for this!"

Unnoticed until then, Storm and Jabilo stepped closer.  The village leader glanced between the two, perplexed and worried.  "I am sorry, but I go no further.  I must return to my people.  Storm knows the way.  I showed her."  He peered at Rogue.  "Is she ill?"

I wish it were that simple, Logan thought, despairing over Rogue's slow spiral into the mouth of darkness.

Part Two

The day was sipping behind a mask of stars when they finally reached the cave Jabilo had directed them to.  Logan kept a watchful eye on Rogue as they disappeared into the giant rock.  It was a system of tunnels, leading to God knew where.  Storm took the path third from the left as Jabilo had told her to do.  Logan and Rogue followed.

They were led down a narrow, winding trail, which finally opened up into a spacious cavern.  Instantly, they saw the children, huddled around fire pits.  In one of the groups sat Kurt.  He glanced up, shocked at seeing his comrades.  He transported over to them, throwing his arms around Storm.  "Tis good ta see you again," his thick German accent music to the weather goddess's ears.

Moments later, they were joined by Bobby and Xavier.

"I feared for your lives," Xavier spoke, his voice hollow and weary.  "I couldn't seem to get a lock on either of you."

"Well, we're alive," Logan replied.  "Now what the hell is going on here?"

End Chapter Fourteen

Yah!  They finally made it!  But things always get worse before they get better.  HAHAHA!!!