Southern Cookin

38

Change

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Club Vulgar exploded into a burst of red and black flames. Jean covered everyone with her shield from the initial blast while Payton used her powers to sooth the fire. Storm who had just recently entered the area used a gust of wind to clear the smoke accompanied by rain to get rid of the rest of the fire.

Colossus sat kitty down by Scott before running into the remains of the building to look for his fallen comrade. After lifting up everything from cement blocks to copper pipes he found a dirt covered body. The body looked distorted. The right leg was bent at an strange angle, the left arm was obviously broken, and the right arm hung limp over what could had once been a velvet booth.

"Logan?" Pete asked the figure. He picked him up barely resisting the urge to just fling him somewhere. Instead he checked to see if he was still breathing.

"Pete vwhere is my sister!" Kurt asked desperately poised on a broken window ledge besides him, "An vwhat happened to Logan!"

"He is … alive. Take him back to the jet and I shall search for Gambit and your sister."

"But she's my sister!"

"Do not argue with me my blue friend!" Pete's authoritative voice and stature instantly made him obey. Kurt teleported back into the Blackbird to put Logan on a stretcher. He noticed Kitty was sitting in it with tears running down her face.

"Like Kurt I have to like tell you something …" Kitty sobbed. Kurt wanted to go back for Rogue, but he couldn't just leave Kitty on her lonesome looking like that so he decided to humor her for a little while.

"Have you found them yet?" Payton asked Pete.

"No I have not."

"They may be dead. Payton let him look for them you look a mess. You should be on the jet with Kitty." Eric told his girlfriend. In truth he didn't want her to be around if a second explosion was to occur. She ignored his pleas again and again until finally he decided to use force and received a nasty burn for it.

The others were also helping by moving objects out of the way. Well everyone except for Jean and the Professor. She wanted to explain to him what had happened. Jean was quite livid and the Professor feared if she were to stay angry much longer they were going to have to deal with a lot more than two maybe dead X-Men.

"Eric how about you make yourself useful and shine a little more light on the situation!" Payton yelled at him.

"But, Pay …"

"That was an order not a request."

He did as he was told. Payton flew up higher to get a good view when she swore she could had seen something glow red under a huge chunk of ruble.

"Pete look there!" Payton called pointing. He moved the mass happy to see his friends, but they were a little bit more stuck then he had hoped. Thankfully Kitty had pulled herself together enough to help out. She fazed them from the rocks.

Beast instantly entered with his first aid kit. He was surprised that neither of the two really looked hurt from the explosion, but it was clear as day that they had both been stabbed by the same pair of claws.

Pete picked them both up and put them on the jet. Halfway home Logan awoke to a lot of evil glares, swares, and other what knots that he deserved. The only person on his side was Tabatha.

He stood then instantly fell to the ground. His leg was far to bent to even consider walking on so he did his best to crawl over to Rogue. He needed to know that she wasn't hurt. Everyone watched him gently get on his knees to look at her.

Happy that she wasn't dead and was spared from Gumbo's rage he tried to lean back when Rogue's hands shot out and grabbed his head. The pain made him want to back away. It felt like she was literally trying to steal the life away from him. He tried backing up but felt his body permanently glued to her hands.

When she had healed fully she let Logan go. His body once again showed signs of his previous battle scars and wounds. Now fully pissed and also well she turned to Gambit.

"Remy can ya here me?" she asked seven times in a row before he began to stir.

"I'm jus really … really tired. Are ya ok Ann …a?" he mumbled to her with his eyes closed.

"Im fine. Are ya ok. Ya aint dying on me are you?"

"Ya can't get rid … of …me …jus yet," He mumbled again "I'm sorry I aint … protect ya … again."

"It wasn't yer fault."

"Should had … protec …. Protect … ed …ya." He mumbled before his breath then slowed and snores could be heard within the jet.

Hospital bed

Gambit was awake, but refused to move or open his eyes. He was still trying to take in what had happened. He failed Rogue again and used a power he hadn't had since before he let Sinister take it away. In truth a part of him still felt rather fatigued. He wanted to open his eyes and at the same time pull the covers back over his head and go to sleep again.

"Remy?" Rogue asked.

Unable to deny her he quickly opened his eyes, "Good morning."

"It's te afternoon are ya feeling ok and AWWWWWWWW!" she screamed looking at him.

"It was jus a scratch it'll heal." He said.

"No look at yer eyes."

"An how im spossed ta do tat?" he asked looking down at his arms connected to thin plastic tubes.

Rogue quickly found the nearest reflective object he could and handed it to him. Rolling his eyes at her strange behavior he looked at the metal cup. His reflection did not return his black and red eyes. Thourally scared now he ripped the tubes out of his arms and went for the mirror above the sink.

"AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" He screamed nearly loud enough for even his father to hear him down in Louisiana.

Thinking he was attacked everyone ran for the room to see Rogue holding a recently fainted Gambit in her arms.

"Payton hand me some water." Rogue said. It was now her turn to role her eyes. She splashed the cold water on his face. He instantly shot up and ran top the Professor and asked him what was wrong with his eyes.

Everyone behind the professor bent to see his red and black eyes were now hazel. He had hazel eyes?

The Professor smiled at him, "The explosion you caused at that club drained your powers. It is common for mutants who overuse their powers to go through … dry spells."

"I'll be like tis faever!"

"No no no, your powers are just trying to recharge their selves. Give it a week or two provided that you don't try to charge anything, eat right, and get plenty of rest and you will be as good as new."

"Two weeks!"

"Stop being so dramatic Rems." Payton told him. He noticed Payton had power limitar handcuffs on.

"What ya do now Paypay."

"Don't call me that! And I was a little mad at Logan."

"A little …" everyone said sarcastically.

"Let's just say at the moment he looks more like Kenta Kuntay than Hugh Jackman." Payton told him.

"Why ya try ta kill 'em for. That's my job."

"No one is killing Logan … yet." Rogue said aloud.

"So since I CANT be trusted to not kill him I have to be temporarily subdued. I'll be off of punishment in about an hour or two though!" she smiled at him.

"What is wrong wit people who can control fire. They all got issues!" Gambit told her.

"What was that carrot top?" Payton asked in a halfhearted way.

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Why is she called Rogue again?

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Tabatha was it it yet again and Rogue was sick of it. Today Tabatha thought it would be a good idea to corner him in the hospital wing. So Rogue pushed her a little hard against the wall.

"What is wrong with you, that hurt!" Tabatha hissed.

"Fuck off Tabatha. Touch my man again and it'll be the last thing you do!" Rogue glared at her as she left.

"I love it when ya get all possessive petite." Gambit smiled at her.

"I aint possessive hazel." She leered at him before crossing her arms. Strangely she missed those red and black eyes. Without them it just felt like something was missing. Looking at the still unconscious Logan Rogue felt betrayed. She had a little one on one time with her and he practically gave her the middle finger by going behind her back.

That angered her, but not as much as she was angry at herself for feeling sorry for him. None of the other students would ever trust him again after they heard what he did. She had to do something she felt. She did not want Logan to be all on his own. She knew what being lonely truly felt like and as much as he deserved to suffer he was still her father in her eyes.

The next week…

Rogue had taken it upon herself to take Logan's place in the danger room. Many of the kids almost missed Logan after just one day with her. Scott decided to lighten up the mood that they do the Xmen version of a mutant Olympics where one mutant would go against the next, and if they win, they go onto the next level.

She liked the idea since it gave her some more personal time with Remy without the others snooping around.

In the danger room …

Tabatha had won two rounds against Jamie and Jubilee and she was bored. Why did she get to fight the suckie people? They were all (minus Rogue & Remy) in the DR area when the doors opened and a mostly healed Logan came in.

"Hey Scott how come I'm getting all the losers to fight! Let me take on someone else."

Slightly glaring at Logan, "Sure Tabatha , pick whoever else you want."

The Professor decided that Logan should get a fair chance to tell his side of the story so no one was allowed to hurt/damage/kill him before he got to do so otherwise. Logan stood across from Tabatha as he gave a small wave to everyone else.

Tabatha looked around at everyone before she made her choice, "Hmm well I want to go against Rogue."

"She's not here Tabatha. Anyone else?" Scott asked when the door opened again.

"Tat's ok Scott. I'll fight 'er … hi Logan."

Tabatha smiled she was ready for this. Rogue was deciding if she should really hurt Tabatha or really really hurt Tabatha.

The girls went to the middle of the danger room. Scott blew the whistle giving them five minutes to fight. When time is called the winner will either be the last one standing or the one who is less harmed or has the advantage over the other.

Yet Scott had the feeling that there would only be one person left standing after the five minute mark elapsed.

Tabatha knew Rogue's powers so she figured all she had to do was avoid direct contact and aim her little fire bombs at her. Rogue knew Tabatha would attack from afar so once Tabs started her assault she simply dodged the attack.

Thirty seconds passed and Tabatha was upset that she had only managed to hit Rogue twice. Smirking inwardly she spat tons of them all around her Rogue wouldn't be able to dodge them all.

Rogue knew she wouldn't be able to dodge them all. Thinking quickly she decided to take the hit where she felt it would do the least damage. She jumped a little to Tabatha's right, taking a few 'meatballs' and fell to the floor.

Tabatha knew Rogue was hurting even though she pulled herself up fast to her feet. Rogue tackled Tabatha as if she were an NFL player. Rogue would not let tabs have the advantage. She was going to force Tabatha to stay close to her.

One minute in a half in; punches, kicks, and knees flew left, right, up, and down. Tabatha did not have as much experience as Rogue with hand to hand combat, finding it difficult to keep up. Rogue was wearing her out.

Two minutes passed Rogue was tired of dealing with Tabatha any longer than she had to. So she faked a miss punch. She knew Tabatha would take the opportunity to punch her. Tabs extended her arm meaning to connect her fist with Rogue's face. Instead all she hit was air.

Rogue's avoided the hit and landed one against Tabs right eye. Tabatha's hands instantly grabbed her hurt eye. Upset she grabbed at Rogue's hair while her back was turned and held on tight.

Feeling her hair being torn out of her sockets she did a few aimless swipes then a backwards kick to knock Tabatha over. Tabatha fell backwards still holding on to hair. With Tabatha on the ground Rogue damaged her other eye forcing Tabatha to once again pull both hands to her face, freeing her.

Three minutes and counting Tabatha was upset. It was her time to charge Rogue. Rogue back flipped over her, a move she had often scene Gambit do, and land behind her. From behind her she waited for Tabatha to make the next move.

Tabatha ran to the other end before sending some more of her blasts at Rogue. Rogue ran towards her dodging them and jumping in the air, pulled her leg back, and landed a kick against Tabatha's head that sent her flying. Rogue thought of how mystique had taught her that. She seemed to be using a collection of moves today.

Tabatha tried to stand. Her head was ringing, her eyes puffy, and her body soar. There was no moving for her. Sensing her victory Rogue stood beside Scott waiting for time to be called.

"I hate you!" Tabatha spat. At least her mouth still worked. Rogue decided to ignore her.

"You you red headed bitch. I hate you!" Tabatha continued.

"You may have defeated me but you and him will never be together! Logan's gonna stop you! And you know why? You're to weak to do a damn thing about Logan. So … I … win!" Tabatha finished.

Rogue was about to leave but that last part made her turn around. She quickly ran to Tabatha and kicked her hard against her gut sending her against the adjacent wall.

"Rogue that was unnecessary." Logan told her softly.

"Don't tell me what is and what isn't unnecessary Logan. Or have you forgotten what happened that night." She told him coolly before heading back to Remy.

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The Office

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"What is it Rogue?" the Professor asked.

"No one will ever trust Logan again after what he did."

"I know."

"I talked ta te others."

"Others?"

"Scott, Jean, Storm, Remy, and Payton."

"But?"

"But I thank its better if they forgot or at least believed Logan gently scratched me. Not nearly killed me."

"You want me to adjust their memories."

"Yes, but not for my sake. For Logan's. I know how much he needs tis an I don want him ta be sleepin wit te wolves in Canada."

"Adjusting their memories is not fair."

"I know. But I also know tat ya gave Logan a chance jus like he gave me a chance. We all make mistakes. He shouldn't have te suffer tat bad. I mean he should, but he's like a dad ta me. An I would appreciate it if ya could gently alter everyone, but te people I mentioned memories. Logan will suffer enough cause he knows tat I'll never trust him again. Tat punishment might not seem like much, but it will be more than enough fer him."

"Very well, but if the students remember …"

"I will take responsibility." Rogue told him before leaving. Logan was on the other side. He wanted to talk to her.

She didn't even look up at him as she went off to her room to get a good night's rest.

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…xxxXXXxxx…

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