It was a long time before anyone spoke again. When the silence was broken, it was Taliz who spoke, addressing the girl across the room from him. "So what happened?"

Rogue's frantic eyes fell on Taliz. The fear was evident in her gaze, but Taliz did not look away. He expected an answer from her. "W-Whah?"

Taliz's tone wasn't demanding, only questioning. "What really happened the day…you know…" he trailed off. "Tell me everything."

Rogue swallowed the lump in her throat. Reliving the moments her mutation had first come to her was the last thing she wanted to do, especially now that she knew David had died from her cursed touch. But not obeying Taliz would be an even stupider idea, as proved by his recent display of violence to Risty. For now, he seemed somewhat resigned. It was best that he stay in that mood. Still, it was not easy for Rogue. "David an' Ah-" A stab of pain spiked through her chest at mere mention of his name. Rogue kept her gaze straight forward, unable to look Taliz in the eye. "We were in mah room when I' 'appened." Rogue's jaw ached terribly with every word, but the memories hurt her more than the physical pain. "We were jus' h'alking on mah bed when he wen'a kiss meh." Rogue nearly choked on the next words. "Ah didn' know whah was happenin', Ah suddenly had allah his doughts an' memories an'-an' his strength-everyt'ang jus' jumped inta meh an' then he-" Rogue buried her face in her legs, unable to continue. David had died from her-she had killed him! She was a murderess.

Thankfully, Taliz must have had some compassion in his heart. He didn't ask her to continue with the story. He could assume the rest. But his curiosity had been sparked. After giving Marie a few minutes to gather herself, he asked another question. "All of him went into you?" He mused over this. "Like, David's in you? Even now?"

Rogue meekly nodded her head, still with her face buried in her knees.

Taliz rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What does David think of all this?"

"Ah-Ah don' know." Rogue answered truthfully, raising her head slightly, but turned in the opposite direction so that Taliz wouldn't see her cry. "Ah haven' called upon his psyche since it 'appened."

Taliz's eyes drilled into her. "Wait! You can call him up? Do you mean you could bring up David's essence? Like…could I…talk? To him?" Rogue shuddered, still turned away. "You can!" Taliz stood and walked over to Rogue. Rogue flinched back as his shadow fell over her. Taliz squatted in front of her and held out his hand, gently lifting her chin with his finger so that her tear-stained gaze fell on him. "Please Marie?"

Rogue winced and fell back as far as she could from his grasp. He wasn't demanding, he was asking…pleading, rather. Rogue closed her eyes, trying in vain to get away from her current situation. She had never purposely tried to draw out a psyche before. Yes, she had communicated with her psyches, but past initial absorption, she never purposely called one forth. Even if she could manage to let David's psyche temporarily take over, she didn't want to. What if David was resentful to her and chose to stay in control of her body and mind? It wasn't just fear for herself that held Rogue back, but fear of what else could happen if she tried to pull out one psyche. What if they all came out? What if she couldn't get control back? Unconsciously, by hiding her past and burying all thoughts of the south, she had buried David and all memories of the South deep in her subconscious. She did not want to go retrieve them and re-open that sore wound.

At her silence, Taliz sighed and stepped away, turning his back to her. Rogue's heart sunk. Tightly clamping her eyes shut, she receded back into the far recesses of her mind. "David?" the words weren't spoken aloud, but in her mind. She was calling out to him. "David, are ya here?" Her voice was small and timid, barely escaping through her lips. Rogue cleared her throat a little more and raised her voice. "David?"

"Marie." Rogue's psychic projection of herself jumped and she nearly went back to her own body at the sound of his voice. Slowly turning, she caught a glimpse of the boy she had liked so long ago. His fluffy hair was just as she remembered it. His light smile was unchanged, happy and carefree. He walked over to her and his movements caught her eye, making her stare at the way his muscular arms swayed with his sturdy walk. He came within touching distance and reached out his hand. Rogue would have recoiled, but she was frozen to the spot, crying, even in her mind.

David's outstretched arm touched her face gently and brushed away her tears. He gave her a sad smile that didn't quite reach his light eyes. "Ah nevah blamed ya, Marie, and Ah still don'." His accent was thicker than her northern-tamed one and it brought back more memories of the South she missed so much. His arms wrapped around her shaking frame and pulled her into a comforting hug. Rogue could feel the heat of his chest through his shirt and hear his heart thumping. "It's goin' ta be alrigh'. Everythin's gunna be okay, Marie."

After holding her for a minute, David pulled back and looked her in the eye. "Cahn Ah talk ta Taliz? Ah won't, if ya don't want meh to." Rogue's lower lip trembled. "Ah won' hurt yah Marie, Ah promise."

Rogue shut her eyes and laid her head against his chest. "Okay."

David gave her a reassuring smile that she felt, rather than saw, and then he was gone. Rogue huddled on the floor of her own mind, watching through her eyes as David controlled her motions.

"Taliz." Taliz turned back towards Marie. Her tone had changed. It was deeper, thicker, more male. Did that mean…?

"David?" Taliz asked, almost daring not to hope. "Is that you?"

"Taliz, yah have ta stop. Ah know yah better than anyone, but right now, Ah have no idea what yah've been thinkin'. How could yah do this?" David glanced at himself, emphasizing Rogue's bruises and cuts, her beaten form. Being bound, he couldn't gesture or stand, but the point was conveyed. "How could yah even think this's what Ah wouldah wanted?"

"I thought she killed you! I thought she meant to do it, David! Oh shit, man…"

David shook his head sadly. "The deeds not done yet. Yah still have time ta redeem yahself. Protect mah girl, okay? Ah'm not in a position ta do that anymore, so Ah'm trustin' yah. Keep her safe, alrigh'?"

Taliz nodded. "Yeah, I promise man. I-"

David stopped him. "That's all Ah gotta hear. Ah have ta go now Taliz."

"But…" Taliz was at a loss for words. What do you say in parting to a friend who's actually dead already? "I miss you, David." David gave him a sad smile, the same one he'd given to Rogue.

"We'll see each other again. Ah'm jus' waitin' fohr yah. So keep yah nose clean, huh?" With that said, Rogue's eyes rolled up into the back of her head as David left control of her body. She tilted precariously in her balled up position, but it wasn't enough to make her body sway to the floor.

In her mind, David reappeared next to her and grinned at her the way he used to back home. "Don' worry Marie, ya've got more people lookin' out fohr yah than yah think." Around her, faded reflections of the people she absorbed started to appear. Logan, Remy, Wanda, John, Bobby, Peter, even Erik was there.

"Were all behind ya, chere." Remy winked at her.

"An' we ain't gunna leave ya alone, darlin'." Logan drawled, smiling warmly at her.

"You've got a lot to live for, child." Erik encouraged her.

John spoke up. "And we all care about you, Rogue."

"Better get going, you're being missed." Bobby nudged her.

Rogue stared at all of them in awe, feeling as if her heart were about to burst. Wanda held out a hand and helped her to her feet. "Go on, Rogue. We'll be watching, we're with you, Rogue.

David gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "And Ah'm sure Ah'm watchin' from above too. Yah've got protectors all over, lookin' out fohr yah."

Remy was at her side, suddenly, and his hand grasped hers tightly. "See y' on de other side, Roguey."

With that, Rogue blinked and found herself unbound, on the bed of the motel room. Taliz was knocking at the bathroom door. "Come on Risty, we're going back."

The door creaked open and Risty's lower lip trembled as she gazed out at Taliz, trying to judge him. Taliz tried to smile reassuringly for her. "It's over, Risty. Let's go home."

Risty opened the door enough to come out and Taliz held out his arms. "I'm sorry Risty. Never again, I promise."

Sniffling, Risty melted into his arms and he held her securely, kissing the top of her head. After a moment, they mutually fell apart and Taliz held out his hand for her, which she took in silence. Taliz glanced over to Marie and gave her the best smile he could manage. "Come on, Marie."

Rogue had just clamored off the bed and started towards the door when it burst open of its own volition. Behind it stood a sweating and frustrated Zalen. Zalen took one look into the room, saw Rogue unbound and jumped at her. Rogue was so shocked at his sudden appearance that she didn't register his presence quick enough. With his weight thrown on top of her, Rogue fell face first to the ground and bashed her head harshly against the hardwood flooring.

Taliz dropped Risty's hand and dashed forward. "Zalen, no!"

There was murder in Zalen's eyes as he looked up from pinning Rogue's arms at her sides. "She's manipulated you too! You've fallen under her spell, Taliz!" Holding Rogue's hands together behind her back with only one hand, Zalen reached out and pushed Taliz's shoulder while simultaneously kicking him in the knee. Taliz crashed to the ground and Risty squeaked, running to his side. "We need to go! That girl got away, no doubt she's calling in help." Zalen reached into his back pocket and pulled out a long pocket knife. He held the sharp blade up to Rogue's throat. "If I sense you trying to do anything or even if you struggle, I will kill you immediately. Got it?" He didn't wait for an answer, but rather, pulled Rogue back up to a standing position and kept the blade at her throat.

The door behind Zalen burst open again and hit Zalen in the back, throwing him forward. The knife was torn to the side, cutting into Rogue's shoulder as Zalen fell ontop of her, once again pinning her to the ground. In the doorway stood Bobby Drake, completely iced over as Iceman. Not only that, but Bobby had found a thick, sturdy walking staff on his way over and iced it over completely so it appeared the Iceman had an ice staff as well. He looked very heroic, standing in the doorway. Bobby immediately spotted Rogue under Zalen and raised his staff to strike Zalen's exposed back. Zalen was quick though and by the time the staff came down to hit him, he had already rolled over to the side and was in a crouched, fighting position. Bobby stopped just in time to prevent the staff from hitting Rogue.

He was put on the defense as Zalen, still tightly clutching the knife, swung wildly in a wide arc. The edge of Bobby's ice staff caught the blow and several ice shards went flying, turning his staff into a spear. Zalen attacked again, throwing himself at Bobby and it was all Bobby could do to hold the staff up to block the next blow. This time, the knife didn't cut through the staff, but sent a jarring vibration through Zalen. Frustrated, Zalen grabbed the middle of the staff with both hands and dropped the knife, trying to yank the offensive weapon from Bobby's hands.

While the two boys fought over the spear-ended staff, Taliz was dragging Rogue to the other end of the room to avoid the conflict. He sat her against the far wall and told Risty to watch her before turning back to the fight.

With an inhumane shout, Zalen kicked Bobby in the stomach and gained possession of the ice spear. At the same moment, he turned and saw Taliz dragging Rogue away to safety. To see his friend assuring the safety of his brother's killer opened up an animalistic rage in Zalen's heart. Heaving back, Zalen thrust the spear towards Taliz's back with as much strength as he had.

Taliz had just turned to help stop the battle when the icy weapon landed. It struck his soft chest and pierced the skin, sinking deep into his soft organs and lodging into his heart. Taliz eyes had just enough time to see Zalen's malicious, hateful expression before his legs gave out.

A horrible, gut wrenching scream was ripped from Risty's throat as she flew to the side of her beloved. "TALIZ!" She crumpled to her knees at his side, eyes wide in incredulous disbelief. Taliz gaze fell upon Risty at his side and he reached out a trembling hand for her. Risty clutched his shaking hand and Taliz pulled her close to him. Their mouths met in a desperate, passionate, loving kiss before Taliz pulled back slightly, winded and sucking in air heavily.

"Risty…" His voice was soft and cracked; the last of his energy was fading him. His heart was giving up. "…thank you." It was softer than a whisper. Taliz gave her a brave smile. "You always were…too good for me."

Risty shook her head violently, her hands started to shake in his. "No, no Taliz. I love you! Please!"

Taliz gave her a brave smile. "And I…" It was an effort just to speak, but he wouldn't give up until it was said. "I love you, too, Risty." His hand went limp in her own. Risty burst into tears and clung to his body, hugging him close and refusing to let go.

"No! No! Taliz, no! We're supposed to go to Jersey together and have a family! No-o." Her voice cracked and she sat, sobbing into Taliz's cold shoulder, clinging to his body, refusing to let go.

Meanwhile, Bobby stood back up and dove for the knife at Zalen's feet, but Zalen was too quick. He swiped up the blade and drove it into Bobby's shoulder as Bobby dived for it. Bobby's ice took most of the blow, but the blade cut slightly into his skin and stuck in his armor. Taliz kicked Bobby's legs out from under him and the icy mutant crashed to the ground.

Zalen took his chance and ran across the room. He picked up Rogue's beaten body, despite her futile struggles, and shoved her to the nearby window. Tucking his head into her shoulder, Zalen charged them both out through the glass. It shattered under their combined weight and both were suddenly freefalling from the two-story window. Rogue screamed and wildly flung her arms out, but was hindered from grabbing anything by Zalen's mass above her. In that second, Rogue realized she had completely neglected one very important aspect that could help her. Only a second after the realization hit, Rogue's fingers twitched instinctively and a weak red shield flickered to life below both her and Zalen.

Then, they struck. It was a good thing Rogue remembered her 'barrowed' mutation in that last second, because it would have been instant death of her otherwise. Even so, the crash was not comfortable and hurt like hell. Instead of falling onto soft, cushiony grass, they hit down hard on the roof of a car.

The feeble shield Rogue had managed to produce stopped initial snapping of her spine as it bent down into their fall and the roof gave way under the pressure. Glass tinkled, metal crushed, and Zalen's body struck down on top of hers, cushioned by her body. But poor Rogue was not a willing safety and Zalen's weight on top of hers; thrust down from such a height was a painful encounter with the laws of gravity.

Zalen's mass primarily fell upon her stomach and as he hit there was a terrible cracking sound as her ribs broke under his weight. Her shoulder scraped down against a sharp metal edge on the way through the roof and left deep, bloody scratches. Rogue's head had jounced back on impact, and although her last-second shield bent to lighten the shock, it was still a jarring hit that sent stars through her vision. Rogue moaned as fire scorched through her body; she was having trouble breathing. Blood trickled out the side of her mouth as she fought to draw in another breath. It felt like something had punctured her lungs.

After the initial jolt, Zalen, being entirely cushioned in his fall and receiving only a few scratches from sharp car parts, was the first to recover. Even as Rogue heard voices call her name as if from a distance, she wouldn't have been able to answer if she tried. Zalen's upper half peered out of the hole on top of the ruined car. As it was, it appeared to Zalen as if he were surrounded. Three separate people crowded around the car, about to jump him. Judging that the odds were not in his favor, Zalen grabbed up Rogue's limp, helpless form and held her in front of him like a shield. "Don't move or she's dead." The three mutants froze. Rogue's head lolled forward, so spent was she that she could not even hold her head up. One hand supporting her around her stomach (which sent more fire racing through her body, almost causing Rogue to black out) and one arm wrapped around her neck, Zalen stood in a position of power on that ruined car. More blood dribbled out of the side of her mouth, dripping down her chin in an unpleasant fashion.

Mah lungs must be punctured. It occurred to Rogue. She was still having immense difficulty breathing and she could taste the blood from her throat. That explained both problems. And then, a further thought occurred to her. Ah'm going ta die. It was the most depressing thought she'd ever had. After surviving all the way through her first and second kidnappings, then nearly to the end of her third, this is how she was going to go. Rogue didn't have the strength to struggle or call upon Wanda's powers. Her energy was sapped to the bone; the act of breathing alone was causing dark spots to blossom in front of her vision. She couldn't resist at all. Rogue forced her eyes to focus enough to look up at her friends one last time.

Kitty was standing stock still, staring at Rogue in abject horror. Ah forgive ya. Rogue thought to herself. And it was true. Kitty, despite everything, was her friend, her roommate. She wouldn't hold anything against her in her death's hour. Rogue's eyes roamed over to John who stood frozen behind Kitty, his features holding worry and sorrow, his fingers twitching. Ya always were someone Ah could depend on John. Ah'm glad ya came back ta us. Thank ya...fohr coming back fohr meh. She couldn't voice the words that she wanted to say, but just thinking them was enough. At least she got to see her friends before she died. That ought to be more than she deserved. Rogue's eyes rolled slightly until they fell upon Remy. Remy. The smallest twitch of her lips indicated the effort of a smile. Remy was frozen to the spot, eyes transfixed on Rogue's trembling form. His expression held nothing short of an utterly lost child, a wistful longing to save her shone forth through his eyes. It's okay Remy. Rogue silently parted him. Ah think…Ah think Ah've fallen fohr ya, Cajun. Ah jus' wish Ah coulda been more… more brave 'bout it…But it's alrigh', we had some good times Remy. Ah'm gunna miss ya.

Above her, Zalen was saying something. She couldn't concentrate enough to make out the words. Everything was going fuzzy. Her eyes started to blur over again and Rogue was having a hard time fighting off the darkness while trying to breathe at the same time. Her vision was steadily growing dimmer as the last vestiges of Rogue's strength left her. Helpless against the darkness, Rogue tried to smile as she addressed one of her psyches. Guess Ah'll be seein' ya pretty soon, David.

Oblivious to Rogue's silent last goodbyes, a nasty plan was forming in Zalen's mind. He knew that Rogue wouldn't last long as a hostage; he was surprised she was still alive thus far. He had seen something red flicker below her before impact, but it was obvious that it hadn't been enough to save her. Even if Rogue did live, it would be very difficult to escape with her in tow.

Zalen tried to focus on what the doctors had said so long ago when David had been dying. "Absorbed. Emptied. Emotionless. Drained." All had been words used to describe his condition. Zalen knew that Rogue's mutant ability was activated through her sense of touch. He also knew, through Taliz's skillful hacking, all about the incident that had occurred on Liberty Island two years ago. Rogue had unwillingly absorbed that metal-crazy mutant (his name escaped Zalen at the moment) and nearly been killed. She went through a lot of therapy after that, calming the 'voices' in her head. Did Rogue absorb the person she touched? Their essence?

It was a long shot, but Zalen didn't have a lot of options. Even if Rogue lasted the next few hours, which, judging from her leaning increased weight against him, was unlikely, it would be even more far fetched to assume he could escape. And even if he could, the X-Men would surely hunt him down. Rogue was well liked. Zalen knew that Rogue despised her ability, that much he had learned from the kids at the mansion, and that she desperately wanted control to stop absorbing others. So why not go out with a bang? It would surely hurt her as well.

Remy's hand moved towards his pocket, but Zalen had already decided. "Hey!" He called. "Don't move!" Zalen lowered his head and bit the end of his glove, tearing the material off with his teeth. With a menacing smile, Zalen wrapped his bare hand around Rogue's throat. For a breathtaking instant, nothing happened and Zalen was slightly disappointed to see that she must already have died. But after those few seconds, Zalen started to feel a tug.

It was as if someone were sapping him dry of everything he was. Zalen couldn't stop the scream of pain that was torn from his throat, but he also didn't miss the whimper Marie made and he felt the wetness on her cheeks. So, despite the anguish that Rogue's touch was bringing him, he held on tight.

Rogue had just lost every last vestige of strength when she felt the cold, wet flesh against the side of her face. Alarmed, Rogue tried to brush off the offending appendage, but she was still too weak. An all too familiar sensation crawled over her as the hand tightened around her throat. She could feel renewed energy, stolen energy begin to pour into her body, rekindling her dying strength. Along with this energy came alien thoughts and desires, memories and experiences. Hatred poured into Rogue and she was unable to stop the connection or reject the raw emotion. Rogue felt an intense, burning desire to hurt herself, cut, burn, anything that she could to harm herself. She hated herself; desired nothing more than her own demise.

Rogue couldn't breathe. The hand around her neck was efficiently cutting off what little air she had been able to draw in. As the connection continued longer, Rogue felt the hand around her throat losing its strength. As energy poured into Rogue, she gave a jolt and the hand fell away from her throat as Zalen fell backwards, unconscious. Without his support in holding her up, Rogue collapsed.

The expected impact against the ruined car never happened. Before she hit the ground, arms extended outwards and clutched her under her arms, grabbing her in a hug. Rogue's eyes lazily glanced behind her to see that John had actually pulled Zalen off of her. In front of her, Remy clutched her in his secure arms. Rogue's arms wrapped around his reassuring frame as her tears and blood stained his thin t-shirt. Remy held her for a time; Rogue couldn't have told you how long she stayed in his embrace, but she never wanted it to end. Every haggard breath was filled with his scent; the warm overflow of spices overwhelmed her senses and brought about a sort of calm.

After holding her, Remy reached down and scooped her up into his arms, cradling her. He carefully stepped out of the ruined car, making sure that she didn't hit anything on the way out. Rogue relaxed into his arms and laid back her head, nuzzled into his shoulder, closing her eyes. Remy shook her gently. "Chere, keep dose pretty emeralds visible huh? Y' worry Remy."

Rogue murmured something that made Remy's heart skip a beat. "Ah deserve ta die…Ah'm scum." She rolled slightly in his arms. Remy knew the comment came straight from that dirtbag Zalen, but it still scarred him to hear out of Rogue's lips.

Remy shook her a little more. "Come on, Roguey. We didn' make it this far t' lose y'."

Rogue's eyes remained shut and she sagged a little further in Remy's arms. Remy started to panic. "No, Rogue! I won' let y' give up!" Rogue was completely unresponsive, the trickle of blood out of her mouth slowed as her breathing came more and more gradual. Remy did the only thing he could think of. He bent over and pressed Rogue's lips firmly to his own and breathed into her, desperately trying to keep her going. He quickly withdrew and watched Rogue for a response.

Rouge stirred at the touch and her eyes creaked open. "Ah'm tired Remy."

"Don' go closin' dose eyes chere." He gave her a half-forced, lopsided smile that warmed her insides. "Remember, Remy has…persuasive methods."

The edges of Rogue's mouth turned upward as she fought to recall the memory amongst the confusion in her mind. She was too tired to separate Zalen and her thoughts, but…the process seemed to be taking care of itself. Her memories were becoming more obvious by the second. "Ya bettah not be thinkin'a takin' advantage'a meh, Swamp Rat."

"Who, moi? Chere, Remy never does nothin' without consent o' de fille."

Kitty appeared above Rogue and tentatively held her hand out above Rogue's head. "Is she—" she stepped back when she saw Rogue's eyes were open. "she's alive?"

"Kitty, reach in Remy's pocket an' grab de cell phone. Call Stormy an' get her over here." Rogue blinked again and her eyes started to drift shut again. Even with Zalen's strength, her body wouldn't hold on for long if she had internal bleeding. "An' tell her t' step on it."