Author's Note: Drama ahead!

French translations:

Merde—Shit

Desole—Sorry

Pourquoi—Why

He and Mystique have been in the lab for what seems like hours and even though it's only been an hour since Rogue stopped Remy from being gutted, Hank still feels like he's out of time. Every tick that the clock makes has him feeling more and more worried about the fate of Rogue. He wondered if Mystique was feeling the same kind of pressure he was feeling now and how she was dealing with it. If Rogue's foster mother did feel any fear, she didn't voice it. She worked diligently beside Hank and was currently analyzing one of the nano-bots under a microscope.

"Dr. McCoy," She called to him and Hank was instantly at his side. "I've seen this type of nano-bot before."

"Where?" Hank asked urgently. She twisted rotating top to change the magnification of the lens.

"When I posed as one of Senator Kelley's assistants, they had me identify weaknesses in the different models of nano-bots so that they could improve them and then let them loose on mutants," She explained, looking up from the microscope. "I fed them false info, of course, but I remember all of the original designs and this looks like one of them." She pursed her lips and Hank felt like she was holding back something.

"But?" He questioned.

"While this is somewhat similar to the model, it's been improved upon significantly," She sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I can let you know what the factory the original came from, but that's all I know."

"Well, it's a start," Hank said with a frown. "I'll go tell Remy and Logan."

"Come and get me when they're ready and I'll let them know all the info that I know." She then returned to her work as Hank exited the lab and headed to Rogue's infirmary room to check up on his patient. He was surprised to see her sitting up in bed.

"Rogue," He addressed her, astonished. "I hadn't expected you to be up so soon." The resident southern bell met his gaze and smiled weakly. She was in pretty bad shape, anyone could see that. "How do you feel?"

"Muh head hurts," She whispered. "But, other than that, ah'm fahne." Hank pulled her chart out and began reading over the latest blood work. He grimaced as he saw the devastating results. The nano-bots had begun to damage her immune system and it looked like her kidneys were their next target. They needed a cure and fast because in two weeks Rogue . . . she would be dead.

"That was an incredibly stupid thing you did," Hank informed her. "Risking your life to prevent Logan from hurting—"

"Yah mean "killin" Remy," She corrected. "Cause that's what Logan was gonna do." She then grinned though Hank could tell it was strained. "What's the sayin'? 'People always do crazy things when they're in love?' Well, ah love Remy an' there was no way in Hell that ah was gonna let Logan kill him." Hank could see there would be no arguing with her and simply settled for a menacing glare that told her if she ever tried to pull that stunt again, he would personally make her pay for it. "By the way, where's the Professor?"

"Off at conference in New York," Hank replied immediately. "He left as soon as you and Gambit did." All of a sudden there was a knock at the door. The doctor and his patient turned to see Jean standing in the door frame. She waved shyly and then entered the room.

"Hey, Jean," Rogue greeted as Jean sat down on her bed. "Haven't seen you in awhile."

"I haven't had a chance to," The telepath confessed. "I had to run some of your blood work to some doctors that I know to see if they could figure out what was going on with you." Jean looked at Rogue with serious concern in her eyes. "Are you alright? Can I get you anything?"

"Besides gettin' meh outta here?" That earned her a glare from Hank to which Rogue chuckled at. "No Jean, ah'm fahne." In truth though, Rogue wasn't fine. Yeah, her body was killing her, but what she really wanted was to be with Remy. She was scared and whenever she had been scared before, he had been with her. Knowing that he couldn't be was worse than knowing that she was going to die in two weeks. She wanted Remy and nothing else.

There was another knock on the door as Logan quickly stepped into the room.

"Heya Stripes," He greeted her with a guilty tone. Logan then looked at Hank. "Heard you got a lead for Gumbo and me."

"Yes, I do," Hank replied as he stood up. "Come with me." The two left as Jean was beginning to talk to Rogue about random things—a way to keep her from worrying too much. "Damn, she looks horrible." Hank nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Rogue's condition has worsened and I can only hope that it doesn't worsen anymore than it already has." Mystique was waiting for them outside of the lab where she was talking to Gambit. Seeing Logan and Hank come down the hall, he quickly asked:

"'Ow is she?" The lack of response confirmed his fears. "Merde!" He shouted as he punched the wall.

"Gambit, enough!" Hank admonished. He pulled the thief back and Gambit let his head fall in shame.

"Désolé," He mumbled. Hank frowned and then turned towards Mystique. Hopefully, this was the lead that they needed.

"You two are not going to like this," She muttered.

"Pourquoi?" Gambit questioned.

"The factory that the original nano-bots came from was in Caldecott County and . . ." She hesistated, unsure if she wanted to divulge the next piece of information.

"And?" Hank prompted.

"It was made at a factory where Rogue's father works."

Shocked silence.

Author's Note: Now was that a twist or what? Review please!