Note: To G, sorry I didn't really explain who Morth is. In the animated series of X-Men created by Disney, Morth is one of the main X-Men there for a few episodes. Morth is a guy who's tall and lanky with dark hair and he can shape shift like Mystique. I know he's also in the comics, but I found it easier just to go with the Disney character, and in TAS of X-Men, Morth sort of betrays the X-Men, and is working for their enemy. He is known to be a trouble causer and in one of the episodes, he tricks Gambit into thinking he can kiss rogue, which knocks him out for a while, and gives rogue gambits powers which she can't control (which I think is stupid, because she's absorbed gambits memories too, so she should know how to control them from that). So Morth is a slippery character quite a lot like Mystique, only he's more of a lapdog where Mystique thinks for herself, hope this helps.
Recap - Gambit and Joseph argue over Gambit staying. Joseph reveals he knows about Gambit's power and mental issues, which scares Gambit, but he doesn't back down. Instead the topic changes to Joseph wanting to win Rogue's heart and Joseph accusing Gambit being in love with Rogue. While arguing about love and Rogue, Kitty overhears them. Joseph tries to prove that she doesn't love Gambit back and that she loves him for being there for her, but Gambit says that he's the one making her ill. When Kitty enters, Joseph leaves giving Gambit till midnight to leave. Kitty and Gambit talk about him liking Rogue, but Gambit avoiding saying he does. He also makes Kitty promise not to tell Rogue anything. Kitty tries to make Gambit stay. Later, Logan enters the medical lab, finding Gambit's bed empty and Rogue asleep. He has finished putting up defences and lends Rogue his healing powers. Before he falls asleep because of Rogue's powers, he notices movement in a dark corner. Gambit is leaving the mansion, when he is stopped by a man named Morth who gives him a phone and message telling him to drive to 7 Ever street and to earn the X-Men's trust. Having no choice he leaves for the house. Rogue wakes up having a nightmare, and having Logan's claws. She finds Joseph in her room. He makes Rogue a coffee which she doesn't drink. Joseph questions Rogue on her powers and how long she keeps them for. When Rogue asks where Gambit is noticing his empty bed, Joseph says he left. Rogue takes off looking for Logan and accusing him of scaring Gambit away. Rogue almost lets a secret slip to Logan when she is defending Gambit to him. She has a memory of New Orleans and how she had opened up to Gambit about not only her feeling bad about killing Mystique, and blaming herself for awaking Apocalypse, but she also blames herself for hurting everyone and everything she touches and that sometimes she thinks of just ending things so she wouldn't be used. Gambit talks her out of it saying that he's been used too and that she just has to keep going because she does more good than bad. He feels guilty though about going to use her powers. After the memory, Rogue runs back to her normal room, not only missing Gambit but feeling as if she's losing the hope he gave her, but then she finds the old queen of heart's card he gave her on her pillow and realises that there's still hope.
Chapter 7
Kitty knocked on Rogue's door before she phased through the door. She saw Rogue trying to hid something under her pillow, but Kitty had already seen what it was. Kitty gave a small smile.
"What?" Rogue said in her normal bitter voice.
"I just like came to see if you're alright. Guess you're missing him huh?"
"What? Missing who?"
"Remy."
"Remy? What you're on first name basis now?"
"Hay, don't like get snappy with me just 'cause your mad he left. I'm only trying to be nice and see your like alright."
"...Sorry." Rogue looked down at her hands. Was it really that obvious that she missed Gambit? Remy? That made her smile a little inside. The name suited him. But then it made her sad that he never told her and told Kitty instead of her. Did he really care for her? She was prettier than her and kinder and more likable. And he could touch her. Rogue looked away from Kitty, sad of the thoughts. Kitty entered the room and sat on the edge of Rogue's bed seeing that she looked upset.
"Hey, don't be so glum. I'm sure he'll like be back soon."
"Ah don't care Kit."
"Course you do. It's like written all over your face."
"Ah don't care Kitty. He can leave whenever he wants to. Not like there's any reason for him to stay anyway." Rogue curled up into a ball, starting to believe what she was saying.
"That's not true. Like it doesn't seem true anyway after what he told me last night."
"You spoke to him before he left? What did he say?"
"Well, he made me like promise not to tell you... But he didn't say I couldn't tell you what happened between him and Joseph the other night."
"Joseph? What-"Just as Rogue was about to ask what happened there was a knock at the door and Joseph entered. He looked between the two girls who looked at him wide eyed. Joseph looked from Rogue to Kitty and held her gaze for a while. A moment passed and Kitty seemed to slip away with her tail in-between her legs. "Well, I errr better like be going. Jean errr asked me to like help out with the errr washing."
"Kitty wait-"But she was gone before Rogue could stop her. She looked to Joseph puzzled. So something had happened between Joseph and Gambit the other night. What? Before Rogue could question him on it, Kurt POOFED into her room right besides her. "Hi Rogue. Logan's calling a meeting dovn stairs. Ve better go."
Before Rogue could protest Kurt had transported them away, leaving Joseph looking into Rogue's now empty room annoyed.
XXXXX
"What? Do ya know what t'me dis is? What's so important it cun't wait t'll mornin'?"
"Same as always Henri."
"Remy." Henri sat straight up in his bed, disturbing his wife Merci, but she fell back to sleep at his stroking hand. Herni got out of his bed and walked outside to his balcony. "Where you at boy? Dis family's been worried 'bout ya." He now whispered.
"Ya missin me Herni? Awww, Ah'm touched."
"Shut it, 'fore ah find where ever ya are and give ya a fat lip. Now, where is you moi frère (brother) and when ya comin' home?"
"Ya know I can't come home Henri. Listen, ah need a favour. I need to know if there's any information you can find out 'bout a guy named Joseph. He's got white hair dat reach's his shoulder blades, steal grey eyes, slim, but built and height 'bout six foot."
"This guy got a second name?"
"None dat I know of, but he knows 'bout the experiment. He might just be workin' for de guy that did it. See if ya can find any info on 'im please Henri. Ah don't like dis guy one bit. He's threatened moi ta stay 'way from dis..."
"To what moi fere?" Gambit pause thinking that he couldn't tell his brother anything about the horrible things that he was being forced to do. It would make him look down on him with disgust and might just get people into trouble. "Tell moi Remy. I can help better if i know what dis is 'bout."
"I can't say much Henri, but he's threatened ta tell... People. People who I really don't want ta find out 'bout..."
"...Ya talkin 'bout dat fillie who saved ya 'n' Jean-Luc?" Gambit was quiet. "Dis fillie really has you hooked den, huh? You goin' ta all dis trouble just for one-"
"Dis guy is watchin' her Herni."
"What ya mean?"
"Joseph. I think he's workin' for him. I think dey want Rogue. I went ta see da fillie, but as I was leavin' these people were tryin' ta kidnap 'er. They were stopped, but der's somethin' funny 'bout all dis, 'n' I think it involves Joseph and him. Just as I was leavin' Rogue again... He got in contact with moi."
The other side of the phone seemed to freeze. "What did he want?"
"...Don't know yet. Got me goin' to dis address ta pick somethin' up. Says it'll get me on de X-Men's good side."
"So he wants ya ta join de X-Men?"
"Oui... I think he's got plans for de X-Men..." Gambit let go of a breath, thinking he'd told his brother this much without meaning to, he might as well open up a little more. "I don't want dem hurt Henri, but I don't know what to do."
"Remy ya been with 'im now for three mouths. Ya paid ya worth by now. Tell 'im dat dis is the last job. Put ya foot down."
"It ain't up ta moi Henri... I need 'im ta get the thin' out."
"I still don't understand why ya didn't let me take it out for ya."
"'cause der's an explosive in ma neck Henri. It's the only reason I'm doin' what he tell moi to. If ya accidentally cut it with a knife, it might go off. He's got the control ta turn it off. I need dat control Henri, but thin' is ya know how much he moves. He's sneaky Henri. I've tried trackin' 'im, but all I get is the hired muscle... I'll try tellin 'im dis is the last, but Henri... I'm scared... I don't want ta hurt anymore people." Especially not her, he thought to himself.
"Remy, ya can do more bein' close ta her den outta the way. Ya can keep Joseph away from 'er."
"No. He's told moi not ta interfere or he'll tell."
"I doubt he'll tell if he is workin' for him. But play ya cards right Remy. Ya good at dat. 'n' do what ya were born ta do. Cause trouble without gettin' caught." Gambit smiled at this. He always knew his family would be there for him. Nodding his head he felt better being in his situation.
"Oui... Thank you Henri."
"No problems moi fere, but i'm gonna have ta met dis girl if she's stolen ya heart dis much. I'll get back to ya when I find sumthin'."
The conversation ended and Gambit could see the house come into view. It was on a run down neighbourhood. Gambit picked out the phone he'd received and looked at the message. This was the place. He stopped outside a door with a broken gate and red paint fading off the door. Gambit entered.
XXXXX
"Kurt." Rogue said brushing herself off from having fallen on her bum from the transport. She stood up so she could look into Kurt's eyes. "Joseph was in the doorway."
"He was. Oh, I didn't see him. Rogue listen-"
"Why we outside? Ah thought you said there was a meetin'?" Rogue looked down at herself seeing she was still in the hospital gown and a little happier about not being in a meeting.
"There is, but I've gotta talk to you about someving." Rogue saw for the first time how nervous Kurt looked. He was rubbing the back of his neck and not meeting her eye. There was something troubling him.
"What's up Kurt?"
"Hmmm, vell, first you and, hmmm, do you, errr, like Gambit."
"No! Why does everyone think that?"
"'Cause you were yelling at Logan vor him being gone."
"Ah was yellin' at him 'cause ah thought he'd kicked him out in the night when ah was asleep when all he'd tried ta do was help mah. It wasn't right... But he took off. Ah don't care."
There was an awkward silence between the two as Rogue turned away folding her arms and Kurt rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry Rogue. I just need ta know. You are my sister after all, and you know all I do is care about you."
Rogue let go of a sigh. "Yeah. Ah know." She gave a small smile.
"Hmmm, there's two more questions." Rogue frowned, but Kurt ignored it knowing he best get on with it before she shut him out. "Hmmm, do you like...Joseph?"
"No. We're just friends."
"Right. Well it doesn't seem that vay to me or the others. I think he's really into you Rogue."
"Well ah ain't really into him. Not that way any way. Ah can't touch remember Kurt. So no. Ah don't like Gambit. Ah don't like Joseph. Ah don't like anyone...Ah can't."
"Sure you can. You can still be in love but not do anyving." Rogue just blew hair out of her face.
"That's easy for you to say. How is Amanda anyway?"
"She's vine..." Kurt began rubbing the back of his neck again feeling awkward. Rogue breathed out a sigh again, not liking arguing with her brother.
"You said you had one more question for mah. What was it?" She attempted to smile at him, which made Kurt seem even more on edge. Maybe he should ask her when she was in a better mood, but something told him that he didn't have time so he had to do this now. Looking Rogue in the eye he began.
"Listen, I don't want you mad at me, but please hear me out. Yesterday...I met Mystique-"
"You meet up with Mystique? Kurt why? After everything she's done to us, why'd-"
"Wait, don't get mad. Hear me out please." Rogue felt overcome with anger and hurt as if her brother had betrayed her. She turned away folding her arms again. "Rogue please."
"Ya got five seconds Kurt."
"Look, I vent to see Mystique 'cause there vas a note on my pillow."
"Four."
"I met her at the mall when the fight broke out."
"Three."
"She wants to build a relationship vith us agin Rogue. She feels really bad-"
"Two."
"She said that Destiny had a vision of you dying and I don't vant you to die Rogue."
She was quiet before she turned around to face her brother her facial features soft. "Irene?" He nodded. "...She's had a vision 'bout...mah?" He nodded. "...Did Mystique tell ya what it was? Was it the kidnapping?"
"No. She didn't. She wants to met vith you herself."
"Ha, yeah right. Sounds like a trap to me. If she was really that worried 'bout me dyin' why didn't she just tell you then and there?"
"I don't know...I vink it's 'cause she wants to try and make a relationship vith us. I think after...Apocolypse... She's change. Realised what she did was vrong. Please Rogue can ve give her a chance."
"We?"
"Yeah. I ain't gonna give her a chance if you don't. I don't vanna hurt or lose your trust Rogue." That touched her heart. Kurt looked sad and Rogue knew he really wanted to try again. She didn't understand why when he had a good foster mother and father already, but if it was for him...
"Alright. Ah'll meet her. Once. Not for long and she best talk fast 'bout these visions. But ah think we should tell someone."
"No. Mystique vants it to be just us. I think ve'll frighten her if Logan comes."
"Huh, figures...Alright, but it's gotta be somewhere close ta the X-Men. Somewhere on our turfs. Ah don't wanna walk inta a trap."
"You mean it?"
"Yes Kurt ah mean it. Now can we get to this meeting?"
"Course, but Rogue. The meeting ain't till later. I mean I still have to go vith Logan, Emma and Scott to pick up Storm in a vhile, but yeah. The meeting isn't till later" Rogue looked at him puzzled. He sighed "I saw you vith Joseph and I needed an excuse so used the meeting ta talk to you in private."
"Why would you need an excuse ta talk to mah?"
"...Hmmm, well, he's always around you and...That's the reason why everyone thinks...You's two are...together."
"What?"
"Please, don't shoot the messenger." Rogue frowned at this. She'd wondered why'd Gambit had questioned them in the med lad. Guess now she knew. She just didn't realise that he was interested in her. Aright that was a lie. She knew, but she just didn't want to have to deal with it. Her anger came down to disappointment. She guessed she'd just have to make it clear to him that they were just friends. But she couldn't do it like this.
"Kurt."
"Yeah."
"Can you drop me of in ma room? Ah need ta change." He smiled and teleported them back to her room.
XXXXX
Logan had taken Emma, Scott and Kurt again. They jumped down into the sewers and began walking around, waiting for Evan to find them.
"Hey, Logan." Logan looked up to a tunnel, spotting Evan. He was motioning them to follow him. Kurt POOFED up behind Evan and Logan was fast at climbing up. Emma however frowned at the walls that smelled and were stained.
"You want a hand?" Scott asked. Emma smiled at him kindly and accepted his leg up. Once she was up she reached down and lent her hand to Scott. He came up and accidently landed on top of Emma, pinning her below him. "Oh, sorry."
"Don't be." Emma said and as Scott looked into those light blue eyes, her lips caught his attention on how they parted and seemed to lust for him. He wanted to kiss them, but instead he pulled away fast, getting hold of his senses. He dust himself down, and helped Emma up who had held out her hand waiting for him to be a gentleman and help her up. She brushed herself off too, then they hurried to follow Evan and the others. They slipped through the loose bars and into the Morlock base. All the X-Men were shocked to see a home partially built under the city. It was large and full of mutants.
Colisto frowned as she approached with two other mutants. "Evan, I thought I told you to stop bringing people down here."
"Sorry Colisto, but they used to be my family. They're cool. Logan's already offered to lean us some more medical equipment and food so we won't have to worry about going up top."
Colisto looked to the grouch man how nodded in response to her. "Thank you for the offer, but we are fine as we are. The one you call Storm is almost ready. Our medic is just finishing bandaging her up."
"Thank for taking care of her for us." Coliso nodded at Logan as a mutual allie was made. When Storm came out of a hole in the hall that was only covered by a large red curtain, the X-Men smiled. Evan Logan let his smile slip as she approached with that warm hearted smile she usually had. "Hello Logan." Storm greeted, but Logan was focused on her check and neck and had began growling quietly.
"Hay Storm. You alright?"
"Yes. The Morlocks have bandaged me up well. Are we ready to go?" Logan nodded.
"Auntie O." Storm looked to Evan. He looked a little upset to see her go, but out of his pocket he pulled out a small black cell phone. "Here. It's got my number in it, and I have that one's. If you or the others ever need the Morlocks help then call." Storm nodded and gave a light smile as she took it.
"And if any of you" Storm looked out to the Morlocks who were standing below and watching them. "need the X-Men's help, we are only a phone call away."
"We appreciate it." Said Colisto. Evan showed the X-Men back out. As Storm was leaving she got a lot of the Morlocks wave goodbye Storm to her and she waved back. As Logan and Storm walked behind Evan, Kurt, Emma and Scott, Logan turned to Scott and said,
"Looks like you got quite a crowd of people gonna miss you there Storm."
"Yes, while I was down there I learned how they lived and accepted each other. And how they are a family, just like us. And I am proud of Evan for finding and creating himself a home even though I still miss him dearly."
"You know Storm... I'm really glad you're alright. And... I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop these parasites from attacking you." Storm smiled sweetly at Logan.
"There is no need to be sorry Logan. I felt on my own, without telling anybody and going against the rules I set for the students. If anything, I desired this attack if just to prove a point. However, something tells me there is a lot more going on than we thought. Has the Professor returned yet."
"No. Storm, I really think we should have Emma and red search for the Professor using cerebro."
"I have come to agree with you Logan, but we will discuss this as a family once we return home. The students have a right to know what is happening too."
XXXXX
Back at the institute, Rogue had taken a shower, being on guard when she came out of it, and changed into a black jumper, with a emerald green top on underneath that and leggings. She left her hair to curl; now that it was longer it looked alright with little curls. She applied her normal Goth make-up, and hid her feelings under a mask of bitterness again. She still felt sad about Gambit leaving even though she would never admit it, but somehow she felt reassured by his card, but she didn't know why. Maybe she believed he'd come back for it. Come back for...her. As she finished applying the purple eyeliner, she looked at herself in the mirror and her mouth dropped. She hadn't put on any foundation, but looked like she had painted her skin white. Her eyes were now two large purple circles hiding Rogue's eyes. Her lips weren't that bad, but the purple colour added to the eye colour. She couldn't go out looking white and purple. So moving over to her sink she washed off all the make-up and thought about what make-up she could wear. She felt like she needed a mask today. Breathing out a heavy sigh, Rogue looked at the bottom of her make-up bag. There she found some old make-up which wasn't even open. She pulled out red lipstick, nude eye shadow and found her black eyeliner pencil. Shrugging her shoulders, she applied the make-up, trying to give her eyes a smoky effect like she did with her purple eye shadow and shaped her eye with the eye liner.
"Wow." Rogue gasped as she stepped back and looked at herself in the mirror. She still looked ill having those purple bags under her eyes and pale skin, but she looked...good. More than good. She looked somewhat like a model. The light colours softened her facial features, and the dark little curls around her face made her skin look fairer with the white curls just adding to the softens of her skin. Her lips were bold and fuller, making them look juice. Rogue thought she looked too good to go out. She frowned at herself, hating how she couldn't dress up like the other pretty girls in the mansion and get complements of all the boys. She had to wear that Goth make-up to stop people from feeling attracted to her. Just as Rogue was about to wipe it off, she got stopped by Joseph.
"Don't." He said, his cold hand gripping her wrist. "You look lovely." Rogue looked up to Joseph in her mirror. She didn't hear him knock or see him come in through the door. She blushed at the comment and he smiled at seeing red come into her checks. But when she turned around to face him the red blush was gone and she was looking at him quite madly.
"Ah didn't hear you knock."
"I came in through the window."
"That's rude. You should knock."
"My apologises. You do look amazing though Rogue." She blushed again, wondering what she was doing. She was supposed to be telling this guy to back off because she wasn't dating him like everyone thought they were. She'd done alright so far, but Rogue just felt that she couldn't be mean to Joseph. They were still friends and she didn't really want to lose his friendship. "Would you like to have lunch with me?"
"Hmmm, ah...sure." Rogue said thinking that if she was going to break up with Joseph then it had to at least be somewhere public where people will know it happened. Joseph's smile was sincere and his gesture was kind as he held out his arm. Feeling a little awkward Rogue took it, glad they didn't bump into anyone as they made their way to the kitchen. Joseph sat Rogue down at the table and went to start preparing them food. "Where is everyone?" Rogue asked.
"Mr. McCoy took them downstairs to the danger room. He wanted everyone to take part in a few games to boost people's spirits up."
"Why?"
"Having happiness when all there seems to be is badness can sometimes determine coming out on top."
"Why aren't mah 'n' you down there?"
"He asked me to ask you if you wanted to join, but I told him no."
"Why. Ah'd take part. Ah mean ah'm fully held after using Logan's powers."
"Not fully. You're still weak and haven't eaten." Just then Joseph placed a cup of coffee in front of her and sat down in the chair next to her with his coffee in hand. "You've been harsh on yourself by having that extra danger room session and taking on those kidnappers all in one evening. I still don't understand why you beat yourself up so badly."
"Ah didn't Logan was there...You're not talkin' 'bout that one are ya..." His eyes met hers and seemed to have the same warning in them as Logan would have if he was trying to catch out a student that had done something wrong. But, "Joseph... How did you know 'bout that extra danger room session?"
His eyes never left her. They studied her eyes that were widening slightly. He put his cup down. "I saw the cuts and burses on you before Logan gave you his healing factor. I noticed they wasn't from the kidnappers, so I just assumed that you continued with the danger room session while we were out. I believe I was right." Rogue had listened and watched him answer. He stayed so calm all the time, even in situations like they were in now. Was he always like this?
"Joseph." Rogue said, breaking the silence. "Are you alright?" Joseph seemed a little surprised at Rogue's question as he but his coffee down, and let his silver eyebrow return to its normal position.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Ya always checkin' up on mah. Lookin' out for mah and stuff. Ah just wondered if you were alright. Seems like we're always talkin' 'bout me and never you. So... how come ya never talk 'bout your past or upbringing?" Rogue asked. Joseph still had a confused look in his eye which soon turned white as he stared down into his mug.
"My past isn't a nice one."
"Oh. Do ya wanna talk 'bout it?"
"No."
"...Ya know, ah don't like talkin' 'bout ma past either. Don't think anybody does. But ah'm tellin' ya from personal experience Joseph. It might be good to get a few things offa ya chest." She said taking a slip of her coffee. He looked to her seeing the care and worry in her eyes. Rogue wasn't sure what she was doing. She knew she was suppose to be distancing this guy and giving him the message that there was nothing between them, but here they were again, alone having a coffee and just talking. It was nice when they had little talks like this. It's what Rogue liked about Joseph the most. He just seemed so experienced and willing to help her that she'd just opened up to him a little while later after meeting him. She remembered the first time she met him.
Rogue had taken a break from the institute and went to a small cafe that was quiet and peaceful. She bought herself a coffee and sat quietly in the corner massaging her temples. The voices were at their worst and starting to yell at her that there was something seriously wrong. It had gotten so bad that the half empty cafe seemed like a rock concert. Dizziness was overtaking her and the coffee wasn't doing any good keeping her from falling into darkness.
Just then a hand placed a coffee in front of Rogue. Black with two sugars in it, just how she liked it. She looked up finding the gorgeous man with his silvery white hair tied back in, and his grey eyes soft. He was dressed casually in a blue jumper where you could see how strong his abs were and jeans. "You look like you've had a rough day. Here. It'll help." Joseph pushed the coffee towards her. Of course Rogue knew not to take drinks from strangers and not to talk to strangers at all. But something just happened when he sat down opposite her. Maybe it was the physics in her head making it hard to contract, but they just began talking about the small cafe, and if she went there often. Then they got onto Bayville and how he was new to town. By this time Rogue had begun drinking the coffee he offered and felt the physics melt away as she listened to his thoughts on what he thought of Bayville so far. Rogue blushed when he commented about the female around here being fake and full of it, until he met a decent girl. They talked about the institute, Rogue making sure she didn't mention she was from there, but then Joseph revealed his powers over magnetism. He started to use his powers of metal to cause havoc, which later got them chased out of the cafe by mutant haters. One of the waiters had caught Rogue by the wrist, making Rogue think she was in big trouble, but Joseph came with a right hook and helped Rogue out. She smiled as she jumped into his car. After driving around for a bit, Rogue finally gave in admitting she was a mutant too, and that she went to the institute. Joseph dropped her off, and one thing led to another and the same night the Professor had recruited Joseph to join the X-Men.
Since then Rogue's physics just seemed to calm down a lot more, especially with Joseph's coffees'. They had talked like this, watched movies and just been kind to each other. Joseph had only been with the X-Men a few weeks, but it just seemed that he had been in Rogue's life all along. It was strange thinking about how she had come to expect his visits even when she didn't want them. She'd grown used to his grey eyes and omniscient speech. There late night movie night on Fridays and regular coffees. Rogue couldn't think of a day that had gone by where Joseph hadn't been a part of it. It made Rogue question herself again. Wasn't the way they acted couple? Maybe Kurt did have a point. Maybe Joseph had a point yesterday. Rogue looked down into her coffee, wondering what to do.
Joseph watched her face gloom a little. He wondered what she was thinking about. What she truly thought of him. What she would think if she knew. No, she'd turn from his and he'd lose everything. He too looked down to his coffee in wonderment. Looking at her made it all harder. Made that tingling feeling at the bottom of his heart start to grow. He'd been feeling it for a while now. He took a sip of his coffee hoping to burn it way, but the warmth just seemed to merge with it and make it grow. He looked over to Rogue again. She was still looking down in wonderment. He didn't like the growing silence. But then he didn't know what to say. He knew he couldn't tell her the truth, but he didn't want to lie to her. Not again. She was honest with him and all he could do was lie to her or avoid her questions. Perhaps telling her some truths, might just give him some truths.
"I can't really remember much of my past. I woke up on a hospital bed one day, not knowing much about myself, but knowing about the world. I'd even forgotten my name and the doctor had to give me one. I set off, not looking back and ended up here, in Bayville. I met you and everything just fell in place from there."
Rogue had watched him while he told his story. After a moment she smiled at him. He wondered why she was smiling. Did she find his story perfetic or-
"You're story sounds a little like Logan's there...And...Someone else's...ah know... Ah think the doctor gave ya a nice name there Joseph."Stunned silent for a moment, he began to smile. She was so kind and pretty when she smiled. He wished he could see her smile more often. "So, the doc didn't say what had happened to ya?" His face darkened.
"He didn't know either. I turned up there one day and the hospital took me in and looked after me..."
"You think something bad happened to ya don't ya...? We're you attacked?"
"No. I was just out cold. No marks or anything. I was just in a coma." It was Rogue's turn to feel bad now. Whenever the word coma came up she remembered Cody. The first boy she'd ever touched in her teen years, and how she'd put him in a coma. She wondered if he was still in a coma. Silence grew again. "...Do you believe in destiny?" Joseph asked.
"Yeah. Ah guess ah do believe in destiny a bit. Well, a woman who used to take care of me, she could see the future. But things changed. People changed. It was the decisions people made that made the visions she saw. Ah guess ah like ta believe that ah have control over ma own destiny...Well... At least that's what ah've always wanted anyway."
"Control over your powers."
"Yeah, ah guess... Ah mean... if ah had control over ma powers bad things wouldn't happen as often. Don't ya think?" She looked to him a friendly smile on her face, but Joseph's had gotten icier. Rogue became confused by him. When he looked away from her and back into his coffee he said, "Sometimes, control isn't always best."
"What do ya mean Joseph?" He looked up to her, seriousness in his eyes.
"Maybe you should go see this woman."
"Yeah...Well me and Kurt were plannin' to, but with everythin' goin' on. We might need a little help seekin' off the grounds. Could you help with that?"
Joseph nodded his head and looked back at his coffee, sad. "You know...If this woman can see the future...Then she'll be able to tell you that people change...Do you believe that people can have a change of heart."
"Ha, yeah right...Sorrah, ah just... Kurt was talkin' 'bout someone this mornin' who he wants mah to forgive, but ah know ah can nevah fogive then." Joseph became stiff.
"Who?"
"Her names Mystique...She used ta be ma foster mother. Let's just say that she's been usin' me since ah was a child 'n' the thin's she's done... it's unforgivable for a mother."
"...But...What if she hadn't made these plans intentionally to hurt you. What if it was only for apart of your life instead of she the rest of you knowing her."
"Ya tryin' ta support her now? Why does everyone think ah should give her a chance. She set me 'n' the X-Men up too many times for me ta trust her."
"Alright, then what if it wasn't her. Someone different. Someone who just made a few mistakes...But owned up to them. Told you the truth. Tried to protect you after they realised they were wrong for hurting you. What then? Would you give them another chance." Rogue's mind drifted to one person as he said that. Gambit. She thought about how he had been her enemy, then how he'd lied to her, and now a days he was telling her about the life debt he and his family were willing to give her. Yeah, Gambit had hurt her by lying and had made mistakes, but she was sure he was trying to make up for it now and not trying to hurt her.
"Yeah...Guess, ah'd try to forgive them." She smiled. "Kinda reminds me of me there. Ah didn't join the X-Men without a stuggle first. Mystique had me pretty messed up so ah was the X-Men's enemy at one point. Ah was with the brotherhood for a short time, till ah realised what Mystique was playin' at. Guess ah needed forgiveness from the X-Men to even be here. Alive today...Why'd you ask anyway?"
Joseph felt slightly happier knowing that there was a chance she could forgive him, but he still wasn't one hundred percent positive. Looking back down to his coffee, he finished it. "If you did have control over your power. All of it... You'd be one very powerful and very dangerous mutant. The more control, the more power, the more struggle to keep that control when others want that power... Do you understand?"
"...No. Not really. Ya've gone all cryptic on mah here. Why don't you just say what ya mean?"
"...I can't... I don't understand fully myself what..." He stopped himself. "I know that sometimes secrets can be a good thing. Keeping something, like what we're talking about a secret from even the closest of friends can be best. At least that way it's less likely that that secret will fall into the wrong hands."
"OK, Joseph, you're starting to freak me out a little here. What are ya talkin' about? All ah was sayin' was it would be nice ta have control over ma powers, then ya just went off into talkin' 'bout me visitin' ma foster mothers, 'n' forgiveness and now how dangerous control over power is. Joseph, how is bein' able to touch dangerous. If anythin' it'll be less dangerous for everyone."
"It wasn't fully what I meant."
"Then what do ya mean Joseph? 'cause ah'm pretty confused"
"...I don't know."
"Don't know or just not tellin'." He looked up to Rogue now. He couldn't believe what he had been saying. Why was he telling her things like this? Giving her advice on how to avoid... He let his head down again, losing sight of Rogue's eyes that were getting mad about not understand him. Maybe "Joseph?" She enforced. He looked to her, but couldn't say anymore than he had. He stood up and left the Rogue hearing Rogue call after him, but not chase after him. He was glad as he swiftly moved from room to room, till he was out and able to fly around to clear his head. What was wrong with him? He was giving tips to someone he shouldn't be. Taking in a deep breath of fresh air he was truthful to himself. In all his years of living he had never come across someone like Rogue... And he was falling for her