Warning: Poor mental health, friendships developing. Secrets breaking free. The facility I describe is pure fiction and is no reflection of how I think they are run. It's all for the fiction.

While the world continued to be ignorant of the mutants' existence and with Rogue under constant supervision, the packages continued to arrive, all with boxes of praline.

It had been fun with the first few but now, it was getting old. Clearly they had some significance and obviously someone wanted her to remember, but how could she remember what she'd forgotten? Or had that memory been deliberately removed? Was that even possible?

Charles looked into the deliveries. There was never any note accompanying the parcels. He'd quizzed all his students and they knew nothing. The purchase was never from the same retailer and it was ordered through a credit card. The buyer had opted to remain as a 'guest' rather than creating accounts and try as he might, he couldn't find out the identity.

It became as mysterious as the nightmares and their source.

XxX

Meanwhile Rogue was on 'light duties' with the younger X-Men kids. She'd caught some slack at first for being dropped but they soon learned that it wasn't due to a lack of skills.

Rogue's experience on the few missions she'd participated in caught the kids' attention. Her extra sessions with Logan soon became infiltrated with more kids. Logan's meditation classes were filling up. The kids knew Logan didn't offer them to everyone and it was only after a brief chat with Rogue that the idea was suggested.

One of the younger girls, Amara whose mutant name was Magma, thanks to her ability to control and replicate molten rock, was feeling exhausted after training. She'd taken longer, meaning the other girls had left the vicinity. She was dreading the journey to her room when she noted Rogue was still around. She watched as Rogue held out a gloved hand to pull her up.

"Thanks."

"No problem. You're doing really well you know."

"Am I?"

"Yes. It's not anyone that can melt walls with their hands alone, y'know."

"Do you really think that?"

"Yes, otherwise why would Ah say so?"

Amara shrugged.

"There is one thing though..."

"I knew it."

"Hear me out. You're doing well at controlling your power, but you don't seem to enjoy it."

"Why would I enjoy being able to control molten lava?"

"It's not so much about what you produce, it's all the things that go into it. You know, the angles you use, the amount? All those decisions ya have to make. Ah mean, it's not lak you just tell yourself today Ah'm gonna shoot lava out of my hands, do ya?"

"Ah hadn't really thought about it that way."

"Listen, Ah know a guy called Pyro, he can manipulate fire. The thing is, he embraces the fire ya know. He's not afraid of it. It's lak they're connected. Your powers are more than something you can do. They're apart of you and the sooner you understand that, the better you'll understand your gift. Listen, Ah've got to go now but if ya need to talk, or ya just wanna go chill, let me know."

"Rogue wait. Is it true that Logan gives you extra training?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because mah powers have consequences. Ya know, when Ah absorb someone, it's not just their power Ah get but some of their memories. Not all are pleasant. Some linger and meditating's the best way to distance maself from the nasties."

"What happens to the ones that linger?"

"Ah have to lock them away, or else they'll find ways to take me over, at least that's what d- the Professor says."

Amara looked at the gloves. "Do you ever get tired of wearing gloves?"

"Sure, but Ah know what could happen if Ah don't and it's not worth the risk. Well, Ah'll see ya later. "

"Hey Rogue, I've never tried meditating. Do you think Mr Logan will teach me?"

"You can ask."

Logan was bemused to see the other girl approach him, barely looking at him for longer than he had to. His reputation was a part of him but that didn't meant he wanted to appear less approachable, at least while he was an instructor at Xavier's.

He watched the younger girl imitate Rogue's posture and take her position as the silence and tranquility took over. Rogue was bemused to see that Amara had fallen asleep.

"Feel better?"

"Yeah, I can't believe I fell asleep though."

"Don't worry about it. Ah was the same. It wears off."

XxX

Amara found herself enjoying the time she spent with Rogue. When she spoke, she was direct. She knew what she liked and stuck to it. During danger room sessions, she was focused and knew how to get the best out of her teammates. Outside of the training room, she was dedicated to training, telling Amara,

"Most of the time Ah have to depend on getting close to the target before Ah use my powers on them. So Ah need to make sure the rest of me is in shape otherwise Ah won't be holding up my part of the team."

With Rogue help, Amara was building confidence. As a strategist, Rogue encouraged her to watch her teammates to observe their strengths and weaknesses.

"Look at Boom Boom, check her stance. She knows what she's capable of but at the same time she doesn't always focus. Now Roberto, your powers could really compliment each other. Maybe if you talk to him, see how he embodies his powers? Compare notes."

Often the instructors would catch the younger students seeking Rogue out for one-to-one talks. She would help them with their fighting stances, hear their gripes and occasionally even offer advice. It wasn't only their powers they spoke to her about, but school work.

Somehow she kept up with her own regime enough by taking residence in the library. Now there was competition to sit at her table. Sometimes Scott joined them but after a while found it too crowded.

Jean was shocked to see that Rogue had this effect on her teammates and felt slighted. For too long, she'd been the role model grade A student and Miss Popularity. Now her title had been re-homed and she wasn't sure she liked it.

Whenever she offered her help, most times it was rejected. She couldn't understand the shift and what's more, she didn't have the regular support from Scott.

He was too busy running errands for his girlfriend, came the bitter thought.

She wasn't used to having competition for Scott's attention. They had been friends for so long, it seemed only natural that one day they would bridge the gap between friends and something more. Instead, she had Duncan, who made her happy. Mostly. And Scott had Rogue.

It felt wrong, somehow. She saw how attentive he was, how caring and felt that she would be the better recipient. At least she'd be able to reciprocate. Instead, he was caught up in Rogue's drama, which was steadily ensnaring some of the others...

She shook her head, hating that she'd even allowed herself to think this way but more so, hating to admit that they were of her own making.

XxX

The woman was there again, talking to Professor Bones, keeping her away. There were whispers that the Professor would soon be leaving the facility and moving away.

There wasn't much time for action. She would have to d something, quick. The staff had been lulled into thinking she was doing better. They didn't realise that it was all the Professor's work and if the Professor left, well, there would be nothing to restrain her. Nothing to prevent her from laying waste to the entire place. There would be destruction. People would lose their lives. Why should they escape the suffering when she couldn't. Why should they have happiness?

XxX

Charles was in his office when he felt the anger and bitterness enshroud him. Silently, he followed the chain, until it grew cold and left him near the girls' rooms.

One name he did pick up in the myriad of hatred was the name, 'Professor Bones'. It was an odd choice of name for a misnomer, but it made him think. The reason he'd asked his daughter to befriend Wanda was due to their similarities.

He quickly returned to his office and pulled the files of both girls. Among the records, lay details of a lengthy stay at a facility not too far from Montana at approximately the same time.

He'd contact them in the morning and arrange a meeting.

XxX

"You'll find that most of the staff at the time have moved on to other facilities. We've also had extensive renovations. As I said on the phone, I doubt there's much I can help you with."

"I understand all that. I simply wanted to get a feel for the place and as Rogue's father, it's important to me to know as much as I can about her medical history in order to ensure that she receives the proper care and attention."

It took great patience to appear passive in the face of the employer's stonewalling. He'd done extensive research last night and found that shortly after Wanda's removal and subsequent relocation, Rogue was also relocated further south, to Mississippi. The facility was 'taken over', stripped of it's assets and most of the staff were given the option of receiving a pitiful redundancy package or a severe pay cut. Most had famillies and after took other jobs. The facility itself became infamously known as a place for neglect and maltreatment.

"Very well. If you step outside, someone will take you on a tour."

Not you then, Charles grimaced.

Logan wheeled him out of the room. It had been a deliberate ploy to not only allow Logan to keep in the loop but to downplay Charles's abilities in order to garner more information.

The carer provided the full tour, showcasing all the new technology and facilities on offer.

"This must have been a great improvement for you. Have you worked here long?"

"Just over a year now. But my uncle was here before. He was about ready to retire when the renovations started, so it made sense to leave."

"Would he be willing to talk to us? I have recently been reunited with my daughter, who was a patient here. She left around the time of the renovation."

The carer met his eye head on. "I can't promise anything. But I'll ask."

XxX

They were on their way to a more rural part of Montana. Outside the house in question, there was an elderly man sitting on his porch, with a fresh pitcher of lemonade. The ice was starting to melt.

"It ain't often I get visitors out here. You'll be wanting this, I reckon."

"Thank-you. My name is..."

"I know who you are and I know what you want. I'll tell you what I know. Sit yourselves down."

He lifted the jug and poured the glasses.

"It was about September that we first met our patient. The girl with no name. No memories. She'd arrived at the hospital with broken ribs, broken collar bone. She was practically emaciated. The hospital sent her to us because they couldn't provide the long term care. Not that we were in a better position. Understaffed and overworked. We did what we could. She was pretty receptive. She hated having to rely on people. Some patients get too used to that treatment. Not our Miss Rogue. She never caused us any trouble, unless she was having a nightmare. Night terrors. The therapist thought she was reliving trauma, anyone could have told her that. But there was nothing we could do to stop that."

"How did she get on with the others?"

"They liked her. She didn't judge them. They looked up to her. As a matter of fact, they called her Professor Bones. Yes, the name was given literally. The only time she really spoke was in therapy. Sometimes she riled the therapists up but it was all fine and dandy."

"What happened then?"

"One day, one of the carers was caught short transporting another patient between rooms. She left her charge in the quiet room, not knowing it was occupied. She asked the receptionist to keep an eye on her. She was surprised to see the two girls sitting quietly. We had to record in the log, even if there wasn't an incident. We all thought it was a fluke but she kept seeking out Rogue. And I guess we leaned on her a bit too much."

Logan started pacing. "How could us use another patient like that? She was meant to be in your care?"

"It was wrong, we know, but she'd never been that calm before. We didn't have to sedate her or restrain her. She could spend time with other people her own age."

"When did it all go wrong?"

"About November. This lady arrives and identifies Rogue as the daughter she's been looking for since May. She wants to take her home."

Charles surmised, "Let me guess, Wanda didn't like that."

He shook his head. "Yes. We wanted to contact her father. She'd been abandoned by him and we geared things would kick off with Rogue leaving. The boss wouldn't go for it though. He reckoned it wouldn't look too god on us if it became known we'd left a patient's care with another patient."

Logan snarled. "I wonder why?"

"Logan, please. Tell me, what happened?"

"Rogue had gone to say good-bye to Wanda. They were in the quiet room. The carer had gone to shut the door and found herself on the other side. The door locked. We heard yelling but couldn't reach the door. Rogue was yelling. Things were being moved around – tables, chairs. Lights were flickering. The other patients were riled. When it went quiet, we found Rogue on the floor, a cable around her neck. Wanda was hyperventilating in the corner. We sedated her and removed her. Rogue was rushed to hospital and her mother took her back down South soon after. Wanda's father removed her. We never heard where she was taken."

He took a pause.

"After that, there was an inquiry. We were offered to stay on at a much reduced rate or take a pitiful redundancy. Some corporation had the building demolished and re-built that fancy one. Any records we had were relocated. Us old timers weren't allowed to drop by anymore. It was a new regime, they said."

"Well, thank-you for your time. Before I leave, Rogue has been receiving boxes containing pralines. Can you tell me if there was some significance to that?"

The old man grinned. "It was one of the last therapy sessions the girls had. They were talking about triggers and stigmas. Rogue mentioned that it wouldn't be so different being in the outside world. The place was full of nuts. The only difference was that they'd been identified. The others started talking about the types of nuts. Rogue claimed she was praline. Her insanity was pretty much hidden and was therefore less obvious. I don't think Wanda assigned herself a nut."

XxX

They were on their way back to Bayville.

"It has to be Wanda sending the pralines. Initially they must have been sent as a way to prompt action? Trigger a memory? It was only after the incident at the Mall that Wanda asked to join us."

"Do you think there's any danger in her now?"

"Perhaps she feels remorse for her attack but she's still a very angry girl. I wouldn't want to put too much past her."

XXx

It hadn't been the best day for Wanda. Training had been cancelled due to Logan being called away and both Hank and Ororo were occupied. She'd gone down to the infirmary to collect her meds, a process she found irritating. Especially when she discovered she'd missed Rogue.

The girl had been avoiding her lately. She was too busy talking to the younger students these days to help out.

There was the usual rush to get to school and Wanda was sorely tempted to skip classes but where would she go if not school? While in the institutions, she had dreamed about the time when she would be free. Instead she had to follow different types of rules.

By lunchtime she had caught up with Rogue, who was in the library.

"You're still studying? Don't you do enough at home?"

She barely looked up. "Ah need to get as much done as possible. Who knows what we'll find at home."

"Are you mad at me?"

Rogue looked up, puzzled. "Why would Ah be mad?"

"You never hang out with me these days. You're too busy."

"Ah have a lot to catch up with. That's why Ah've been demoted. There's so many other people Wanda. Talk to them."

"They don't like me."

"How do you know? Have you tried to get to know them?"

Wanda didn't answer.

"You know it's not easy for me. You know I was locked away."

"Yes, Ah do. But let me tell you something. There is only so many times you can tell a person something before they lose interest. You're not in the institution now Wanda. You get to go to school, you have a good home. You're able to help others..."

"Why should I?"

"You wanted to join us Wanda. You're part of a team. You may not like everyone in that team, which is your prerogative, but sooner or later you're going to have to learn to deal with what's happened and move on. Otherwise you may as well be stuck in the institute."

XxX

Rogue had re-played the conversation in her head many times. Had she been overly harsh? Yes but it needed to be said. She'd always struggled with other people's baser emotions and as someone who'd spent too much time holding back, the sensory overload was strong.

She didn't want to head straight home, so she sought out Wanda.

"Look, Ah'm sorry for earlier. Ah get frustrated too. Lets grab a drink in town before we go back, okay?"

Wanda was happy to agree.

XxX

The girls made their way to Rogue's favourite cafe, ordering slices of cake with their drinks. They didn't talk about Xavier's, the team or school.

When Rogue went to order more drinks, Wanda snuck into her bag to switch off her mobile, before switching her own one off. It was nothing special, a basic model that the Professor provided her with, containing all the mobile numbers of the instructors. As if she'd call them.

The Mall was open for late night shopping and they had a quick look but there was nothing worth seeing.

"Why don't we go for a drive?"

"Ah'm not sure. It's been a while. We should be heading back. "

"Oh come on. Don't be such a goody-goody. The others would call if they needed us. And they haven't."

"Sure, but just for a bit."

Wanda grinned.

XxX

It was late by the time they returned to the mansion and Rogue had had enough. Wanda's definition of a 'drive' was more high-speed, intensity chase. There were a few close corners that were too close and she knew they'd run through at least one red light. She'd tried to slow down but something was going on with the breaks, preventing her from doing so.

Wanda had left the car without a word, leaving Rogue with her head resting on the wheel, her hands gripped either side.

'Rogue? Can you please join us in my office.'

She had to move?

'Ah'll be there soon.' She thought back.

When a few minutes passed without any sign, Ororo was sent to find her, still in the car resting over the wheel.

"Rogue are you well?"

She opened the door and crouched by the girl's side. She saw her body shaking as she went to lift her leg from the car.

"Take all the time you need. Can you tell me what happened?"

Shakily, she spoke. "The breaks wouldn't work. The car kept going too fast. Couldn't stop."

"Well we'll get Logan to look at it. Can you stand? Come now."

XxX

Storm arrived supporting Rogue, staying by her side as she lowered herself to her seat.

Rogue took a deep breath before raising her head to meet Charles' concerned expression. The door closed behind them, leaving them in the room.

"Logan has gone to look at your car."

She nodded.

"I wanted to discuss some thing we discovered today but we could not get hold of you."

She looked up at him. "No-one rang me though." She reached into her bag for her phone and noted it was off. "The battery might be dead."

She pressed the on button and it switched on automatically. "Oh." Who could have... "Wanda."

"What?"

"Ah never switch ma phone off. It must've been Wanda, while we were in the cafe. Or while we were on a drive. Ah don't know."

She saw a slight change in her father's expression before he shook his head.

"Why don't you tell me what happened?"

"We were just driving. Wanda wanted to go faster but I hit the limit. My foot slammed on the gas pedal and Ah couldn't move it. Wanda was laughing at me for being a baby but Ah wanted it ta stop."

"Rogue, I need you to listen to me. What happened, it was not your fault. I can't go into details now but I can assure you it will be investigated. Now, earlier today, Logan and I were in Montana. I've noticed from your records that you were once a patient there at the psychiatric hospital."

"Montana?"

"Yes, we don't know how or why you got there. Believe me, we'll get to the bottom of this. Now, once there, you became friendly with another patient. A young girl, called Wanda..."