Recap- Rogue falls asleep with Gambit cuddling her and his empathy keeping her calm. In her dream she gains courage and enters the cloud in her head which scares her. In her head she calls out to her psychs and finds the Professor's. She touch's his hand and is teleported to the Professor's mind. The Professor has to convince her that she is actually visiting his mind inside of being inside her own. She looks out of the Professor's eyes, seeing he's locked up in a dungeon with a beaten up Magneto. They have been kidnapped. The Professor and Rogue talk. Rogue tells the Professor about the cloud in her head and how she doesn't know how she's in his head. The Professor puts it to evolution of her powers. Rogue tells him she doesn't trust the cloud and the Professor says he'll help her as soon as he gets out of the prison, but they don't know where he is. The Professor tells Rogue that he and Magneto were tricked out to a meeting point and jumped by mutants and are now being held and experimented on by an evil mutant. He says he left a note with his co-ordinates, but Rogue says it must have been taken because they're was no note when she came to talk to him a little later on. Rogue tells the Professor about the Friends of Humanity attacking the X-Men and becoming public, and her kidnappers and Gambit coming to her rescue and now staying with them, and the creatures, which Rogue believes to be mutants attacking Storm and trying to kidnap her. Rogue tells the Professor she and the X-Men don't know what to do. The Professor and Rogue established that there is no relation to the Professor's kidnappers, Rogue's kidnappers and Storm's kidnappers. The Professor reveals that he has been trying to contact the X-Men mentally or anyone really, but hasn't been able to because of the collars around his and Magneto's throats which stop their powers. He says not even Cerebro can get through because of the technology, n he's bewildered how rogue got into his mind. Rogue starts to fade away and tells her to stay strong and positive, keep the team together, help those who need it, trust herself and others she trusts, and tells her to try and find him again. Gambit is awakened by rogue nightmare and wakes her up. They run out of her room and they tell Logan that Kitty and Pete are being attacked and are at the Brotherhood house. The xmen suit up and set out.

Chapter 12

As soon as the X-Men heard that Kitty and Pete were in danger, they changed fast and hurried to the X van. Only there was a little commotion between certain couples which held things up. It resulted in a pissed off Logan yelling at two guys. Of course those two were Joseph and Remy arguing quietly amoung themselves, but firestly. Rogue took a seat next to here brother Kurt and they both watched wide eyed at the two boys, although neither could hear what was being said. And another couple who were arguing, well, sending unspoken daggers at each other were Jean and Emma. Scott was stood outside the x van staring at the two in horror and confusion. Finally Emma gave a little smile back to Scott, and acting like the civilied person as Logan yelled at Gambit and Joesph to shut up argueing and just get in the van, because two of their team were out their alone and vulnerable and possibly hurt, and if anything bad happened to them because of their stupid arguing then he'd kill both of them. They watched as Emma slid past them and sat besides rogue. Rogue looked almost bewildered at Emma, not sure wheather she liked the girl or not, but at the moment she was thankful to have someone other than a guy sit next to her. Gambit got in first followed by Jean then Scott who ended up directly facing Emma, then Joseph.

In the front as Logan drove, Storm could see and sensed Logan's anger and rage at not only the children arguing, but also knew he felt responsible for Kitty and Pete and guilty for letting them face whatever trouble they were facing on their own. Uncertain she reached out her hand, and placed it on top of Logans. His anger died away as he looked at storm confused, then attempted a grim smile.

"You should, errr, call Evan. He'll be there faster than us."

Storm took her hand back, gathering her phone and dialing Evan. Logan missed the warmth of the rather slim hand on his.

XXXXX

When they arrived, dawn was approaching. The Brotherhood house was a bigger wreck than usual and their were signs of a struggle. Logan tracked scents in all different directions. The team was slip up in twos to search the area inside and outside, in the forest area. Inside, Jean and Bobby searched. Jean had frowned at Logan splitings though, as Emma got to go with Scott in the forest. Jean wasn't the only one upset at the choices. Logan had made Joseph tag along with him and Gambit tag along with Storm. That left Kurt to tag along with Rogue. Rogue and Kurt were walking far away from the house into the forest.

"Zo," Kurt began."Looks like mien sister has admires." He joked.

Rogue let out a breath and said, "Ah don't know what ta do with em both. The idea of slammin both their heads tagether comes ta mind though."

"Hmmm, I'm sure Logan thinks the zame."

"Yeah, difference is ah wouldn't kill em. Logan would. I like em both Kurt, even though. They drive meh crazy, but really ah wouldn't want anythin bad ta happen ta either of them... Not like ah let Kitty..."Kurt looked at his sister puzzled at what she said."Ah... Kitty was in mah room before she n Pete came here. if ah hadn't of kicked her out for pesterin meh bout Remy n Joseph then-"

"Kitty still voulda left. Ya can't blame your self Rogue. Kitty and Pete left cause they vanted to leave. There was nothin you could have done to stop them sneaking off. and if anything, we vouldn't even be here if it waznt for you Rogue. ve hava chance of finding and helping them now Rogue. Thanks to you."

Rogue let go of a breath and turned back to smile lightly at her brother. "Ya know Kurt. ya know just whatta say ta make a girl feel betta. Thank ya."

"Anytime sister." Kurt said, and she shared a little hug.

"Rogue, Kurt." Both rogue and Kurt jumped into defensive stands as they heard the voice, but couldn't spot the body. "I'm sorry to interrupt this moment your having as brother and sister, my children." Just then a blue figure dropped down and out of a tree. "But I need to talk to you both."

XXXXX

Else where Scott and Emma had fallen silent while hiking through the woods.

"So, does Jean always have that much of an attitude around people sitting next to you, or is it just me?"

"Errr, I'm sure, Jean didn't mean anything by it." His voice whispered off. "And besides. She is my girlfriend. I'm sure that girlfriends are aloud to want to sit next to their boyfriends, right?"

"Whatever you say Scott." Was Emma's reply, then Scott turned around hearing Emma struggling. "Errr, this... Damned mud. It ruining my heels and... I think I'm stuck." Emma said as she knelt over, leaning against a tree and trying to pull her boat out of mud.

Scott being the gentleman, reached out a hand, which she took and he pulled her out. "Whoa. That is pretty stuck, isn't it?"

"Just help me outta here, Scott." Emma said, now gripping Scott's arms with both of hers. Scott pulled and pulled then finally he managed to pull Emma out of the mud, but she came flying out of the mud with such force it knocked both of them down, so Emma feel on top of Scott, again. They stared into each other's eyes for that moment, then Emma moved down and kissed Scott Summers on the lips.

"Wow, awkward." Came a child like voice.

Both Scott and Emma looked up to see Bobby and a pissed off Jean who had her arms crossed and a rather red face which seemed to come from more anger than embarrassment stood close enough to see them kissing. "Jean?" Scott said.

Jean took off into the forest in a humf and Scott, pushing Emma off him, went after her.

XXXXX

Elsewhere, Storm talked to Gambit about what happened between him and Joseph outside.

"Oh it was nothin' Stormy. Just don't like the creep is all. Especially not round Rogue."

"Firstly, don't call me Stormy, and I see. So you were just expressing your feelings were you?"

"If ya mean tellin the creep ta stay the hell away from Rogue, then Oui. I did."

"I see, so how did you get to Rogue faster than the rest of us?"

"Errr."

Then speck of the devil, Rogue herself popped up out of no where from behind a bush, apparently not hearing there current topic. "Rogue?"

"Oh, hi Storm. Have ya seen Logan. Ah was just, errr, lookin for him."

"Why, have ya found sumthin'?" Gambit asked.

"Where's Kurt?" Storm asked, and then as if he heard his name Kurt popped up behind rogue. Rogue moved to come and stand closer to Gambit as Kurt went to tell Storm some thing. Gambit picked up on rogues feelings through his empathy straight away.

"Are you alright, cher? What's happened?"

Rogue snuck a peek at Kurt who was telling Storm about what they'd found, then looked back to Gambit. "Ah'll tell ya later." She said. Gambit nodded his head.

"A scratch?" Storm voice.

Both Gambit and Rogue turned to storm and Kurt. "Yeah. It was strange. It didn't seem like an animal scratch."

"That's because it wasn't." Rogue chipped in. "There ain't any animals round here that could cause that sorta markin on the tree." Rogue said. Storm and Kurt nodded knowing that once rogue had lived here and knew a lot more of the area then they did.

"What's this?" Came a gruff voice. Logan and Joseph approach. Joseph throw need at seeing Rogue and Gambit stood so closely together. Rogue began stroking her arm and looking away to the ground, whereas gambit just glared at Joseph.

Kurt explained what they had found and then they were joined by Jean, Scott, Bobby and Emma in that order. They all reported that they couldn't find anything else. Logan frowned feeling he'd failed two of his students under his protection. Then hope sprung as storm answered her phone.

"Evan...really...oh, how bad...? Anyone else hurt...? Alright, were on our way." storm hung up then turned to the X-Men. "That was Evan. They have Kitty and Pete." Faces fell with relief and happiness they were ok. " but they're in pretty bad condition according to Evan. They need the mansion's medication. I told him well come and collect them, but I'm sure you'll want to check out that mark." Logan nodded. "Then well split up in two teams. As Emma and Scott have already been down there they can come with me and so can Gambit and Kurt. Rogue will be able to show you were the claw mark is and Jean and Emma can communicate telepathicly if there is any problems from either team. Joseph and Bobby, you should go with Logan. It might be hard to refind this mark and they'll need all the eyes they can get."

"Hold on Storm." Logan said growling. "I don't think it's a good idea you takin the Cajun along with ya."

"Logan, he is part of us now. Was his helping save Rogue from her kidnappers and bringing one of them back not enough loyalty to you?"

Logan growled. "No, it's suspisous. Suspisous where the guy came from and how gumbo here was suddenly in the right place at the right time."

"Logan, enough. It will be hard for Scott and Kurt to move Pete's body alone. Gambit will be able to help them, and besides, how would the professor feel if he were here?"

All looked down, but Rogue felt even more guilt as she didn't say anything about connecting with the Professor. Logan growled, but agreed and they set off into teams. Storms team taking the x van and sending a message to one of the younger mutants at the mansion to drive another van out to the Brotherhood house and wait there for Logan and the others. As Storm's team left their was a sence of divide and lost, as Gambit looked back longingl. To rogue, seeing Joseph approach close behind her which made him made, and Jean stood watching Emma walk off side by side with her boyfriend. She felt anger towards both of them and could no longer look.

"Alright stripes. Where's the mark?"

Rogue led the way, with Logan back tracking her scent and making it easier for her to find it. Joseph walked close by, but didn't crowd her as much like she was used to by him when he was around her. She spared a look at him. His eyes flickered from her to where they were going. Until finally they found it. while Logan sniffed the mark the others walked around the area to see if there were any more clues. this was when Joseph came to speak to Rogue.

"Are you alright my dear? You look a little more paler than usual and upset."They had moved out of ear and eye shot. Rogue was still rubbing, both her arms now while walking and not looking up from the ground. "Rogue," Joseph said,taking her chin in his hand, stoping them both and turning her head to look at him. His features were soft. "Please my darling, what is it that's bothering you?"

Rogue swollowed hard, then remembered two things,more rather two people at the same time. She remembered Gambit to be sneaky, well they both were but in different ways. Gambit was a thief and knew how to get his information no matter what, where Joseph was more like creep sneaky. He'd be there one minute then after another minute of looking for him, he'll be in the same place he first was and you wouldn't have noticed him come and go. Both were taller than her and good looking. Both were old school, she thought, what with gambit always kissing her hand and Joseph's sentences. Then Rogue realised she wasn't telling the difference. Were Gambit was some kind of hot head, Joseph could be a little tempered, but otherwise was calm and wise, whereas Gambit was more cunning. She wondered who would be the best to open to about what had happened in the woods?

"Ah, errr... Meh n Kurt... Before we found it, we had a visitor."

"A visitor?" Joseph asked.

"Yeah... It was our mother, Mystique. Well Kurt's mother, ma foster mother, but ah don't even consider her that." They began walking again.

"I see. I remember you telling me about her. did she cause trouble between you and your brother."

"No... Well, yes... Well, ya know like ah told ya bout Irene. Her bein able to see the future n all." Joseph nodded. "Well, mystique came with a prediction of the future apparently."

"You don't trust Irene's predictions?" Joseph said, feeling a little wereey.

"Well, it hard ta explain. Ah defently don't trust Mystique. Ah do trust Irene somewhat, but with 'er bein' round mystique 'n' all, but kinda hard ta see if she's tellin' meh the full truth or guidin' meh on a path that she wants meh ta go down, but ah might wanna go down the other path that she hasn't told meh bout cause she wants meh goin' down that path. Am ah makin' any sense?"

"Yes, your saying they both wish to control you through predicting your future."

"Yes."

"What was the prediction?"

"Well, Mystique just out of a tree at both meh 'n' Kurt. Ah started yellin' 'n' tellin' 'er ta go way, but she insisted that she wanted ta make amends with her children. But when ah brought up the Brotherhood she was lookin' after n how they've all disappeared n she let em be attacked she didn't look so determined then. Ah told er ah could neva trust 'er. Ah wasn't gonna play er games. So ah didn't wanna hear the perdition of ma death."

Joseph stopped Rogue, turning her round to face his wide eyes. "Your death?" Joseph repeated.

Rogue felt a little uneasy under Joseph's touch and gaze. It must have been the anger he had in those eyes of his. Anger rogue didn't understand, but anger she misunderstood. "Errr, yeah. She, errr, she said Irene... Seen mah death."

"How? When?" Joseph said gripping her shoulders harshly.

"Ah-Ah don't know. Ah was mad 'n' didn't wanna know. Ah walked away while she was tryi. Ta tell meh bout it."

"What did she say? What exactly did she say?"

"Joseph, ya hurtin' meh."

Joseph glared at her, but then realising he was hurting her and scaring her, he shaking lay removed his hands. "Sorry... I just, I just lost it. Rogue I don't want to see you hurt. I don't-..." Joseph dropped his gaze, away from Rogue.

Rogue felt bad for Joseph. She thought she understood that he was angry because he cared. Rogue didn't want to give him mixed signals, bug she couldn't leave him like this. It hurt Rogue as she saw the lock in his jaw and the sadness rounding the anger in his eyes. "Joseph." Rogue stepped forwards. He didn't look at her. Rogue, unsurely, took his hand in hers, keeping the touch small. When he still didn't look at her, she hezeantly placed a soft finger under his jaw, guarding him to face her. "Joseph, it's alright. look see, ah'm see here. It was just one fate. Ah told ya Joseph, we can change destiny."

"But what if destiny cannot be changed? What if... Horrible things happen? Horrible things that we don't want or think will happen, but do? What then?"

"Joseph, no one can force us ta do anything. Not one can force you ta do anythin' ya don't want. Not even destiny. we make our own choices in this world. Bad ones 'n' good ones, 'n' yes, sometimes they go wrong. But we've just gotta deal with em the best we can... Were X-Men Joseph. Part of our job is riskin our lifes. We risk em everyday for strangers, for friends, for each other. We can die right here n now, or fifty years inta the future. who knows. Ah'll be alright Joseph. Ah'll just be more careful. Just try 'n' stay outta the fire a bit more. Ah t'ink Kurt's gonna try 'n' keep meh safe too. We may have had a fall out cause of Mystique bein in the woods n her seein' Kurt behind ma back n him goin' ta met er too, but ah still love em. 'N' ah'm sure he still loves meh as his sister... If... Ya wanna keep meh safe too, if it'll make ya feel betta, then ya can. Just don't go bargain in on meh while ah'm in tha shower, or storkin' meh anymore than ya already do. Oh 'n' please don't tell anyone bout Mystique n Kurt n the perdition, please."

Joseph studied Rogue's soft features, then gave a soft smile saved only for her eyes back at her. "I promise Rogue. I won't tell."

Rogue smiled back thinking what a good and caring friend Joseph was. She couldn't blame him for acting this way. She'd probably be the same if this was the other way round. It was nice having someone watch out for her. Having Joseph look out for her ever since he meet her. Rogue wondered what luck in the world gave her Joseph. She wondered the same about Logan and Kurt and Kitty and the X-Men, but she wouldn't say it. Not that often. So maybe she should say it now. Appreciate what she had so she didn't lose it. No, she didn't want to lose Joseph. She might not have been in love with him, but that didn't mean it wouldn't pain her if he left. "Ya a real good friend ya know. Ah don't know what ahd do without ya."

Joseph gave a little chuckle, looking down at where they stood, and Rogue was sure he blushed. Rogue smiled back, then blushed at how mushy she sounded and as she realised how close he was. Then Joseph did something so unexpected. He leaned in and kissed Rogue. Rogue froze at the sudden movement, her eyes wide with shock as she watched Joseph kiss her passionately. Rogue pushed at his chest, and Joseph broke away. He looked down dreamily lost into her eyes. Rogue never looked away from him as she remained shocked, watching, waiting for him to collapse. But he did not. Joseph touch a step in closer to rogue, one arm snaking around her back and the other bringing her chin up so his lips found her lips easily. He kissed her deep and passionately. It took rogue by surprise again. She let Joseph kiss her for the moment as she was wondering what had happened to her powers. At one point she closed her eyes and breathed in deep through her was so tempted to kiss him back, but she opened her eyes realising who it was she was kissing and who she was, with her posinious skin.

Finally Rogue pushed away, not staying in his arms. She backed away breathing stayed where he was. "How-how did you do that?" Rogue breathed. Joseph went to take a step forward, but Rogue put out her arm, "No. Tell meh! Tell meh how ya were able ta kiss meh n not be absorbed by mah powers."

Joseph held up his arms as in surrender. "I can explain." He simply said to the growingly angry Rogue.

"Well ya betta start now!" Rogue snapped.

"It's a magnetic force field I made to surround myself. It is thin, but thin enough to feel you through it. I thought for a long time and thought of this idea, and apparently it works." Joseph raspiest his hand slowly towards rogues check. Rogue watched his hand carefully."I can touch you rogue. We can truly be together."

"Don't touch me!" Rogue snapped stepping back. Joseph stepped forwards, looking hurt by her rejection. "Don't come near me! Joseph this isn't- it isn't-grrr." Rogue growled, turning away from facing Joseph and covering her face. She was so confused. So confused. She could TOUCH Joseph. She could touch Joseph. And he could touch her. But... She was the untouchable. She couldn't touch. But now she could. No! HE could touch HER. It wasn't her controlling her powers. She wanted to be able to control them. To have the chose who she was with. She didn't want to be forced to be with someone just because they could touch her. No. No it was all wrong. She liked Joseph, but as a friend. She liked his as a friend. She liked him as a friend before, she didn't feel any different now. But he wanted more. Rogue found herself freaking out unreasonably. She was pasting and muttering no to herself and couldn't met Joseph's eyes. And how he repeated her name over and over to catch her attraction, it just made it worse.

"Rogue I'm sorry. But I cannot help the way I feel about you."

"Ah don't feel the same way." Rogue said, placing her hands upon her ears.

Joseph was there though and pulling at her arms. "Joseph please. Don't do this. Don't do this. Please."

"Joseph just leave meh alone please."

"Rogue-"

"Please."

"Rogue. Joseph." Logan growled. Both heard him, and both met each other's eyes. They felt each other fading away and then Rogue moved away and Logan approach. "Rogue, there yous two are." Logan looked between the two, feeling the awkwardness. "You alright?" Logan asked rogue. She nodded her head. Logan raised an eyebrow to this. "Alright. I couldn't find anything. We should head back. now where's that cannonball?" Rogue nodded and followed after Logan. Joseph not far behind her.