Battle Lines
Chapter 2: Trouble
Rogue's POV
School was never my favorite place to be. I liked to learn, but I could do without a majority of the student body. Everyone seemed so quick to judge, and rumors spread across the campus like wildfires. The day wouldn't be complete if some poor sap's image wasn't destroyed. Even worst were school days after large events on the news, in this case the attack on Peace. Everyone had an opinion of their own, and no one kept their opinions to themselves. You couldn't walk into a room without hearing the words, "Did you hear what happened?" immediately followed by a whole spiel on what they thought about it. Of course, my pals at the institute and I were the only ones who really knew what happened. The rest were just filled in by whatever propaganda the media put forth.
Propaganda is a horrible thing, and the media is great at spreading it. The day after the attack I was shocked to find exactly how much the story had been twisted to make it look like it was the mutants' fault. I wanted to waltz right up to the news station and give them a nice handshake, with my gloves off of course. Somehow I didn't think that would go over well with the Prof. and it would just give the media yet another excuse to talk down on mutants. What was the story? Law enforcement officials (since when?) entered the community to arrest a few mutants who weren't following the strict code of conduct. The mutants resisted and the community fought against their arrest. There was no mention of the FoH anywhere in the report. But of course there wouldn't be. The officials in charge of the organization most likely paid off the police to leave them out of it. According to everyone else the Friends of Humanity only sought peaceful relations with mutants in order to protect humans from possibly dangerous power. Oh yeah, and I'm Jean Grey!
I groaned inwardly as the bell rang, signaling the end of break. I hadn't wanted to go to school in the first place. I'd even gone so far as asking if I could stay home, but the Prof. insisted I go since I wasn't ill and I'd already missed one day of school that week. I prayed that my grades wouldn't come into play during the argument, but dear old Mr. McCoy had to point out that my weekly progress report was showing a drop in my already wavering C average. I argued that Irene still hadn't come too, and she would be confused as to her whereabouts without me there, but Ororo promised she would come and pick me up if there were any change in her condition. All and all, I was stuck.
My next class was speech and debate, and I had no doubts about what the topic of discussion would be. It had been the topic of discussion in almost all of my classes, including French. At least in French the discussion was marred by poor knowledge of the language. Unfortunately, I'd spent enough time with the Cajuns as a child to pick up the language. I only took French because it would be am easy A, or so I thought. I might have known how to speak the language, but writing it was a different story. I glanced down the hallway where my class awaited me, and then to my right where a door led to the field. I made a snap decision and walked out the door before anyone on my team had a chance to see me.
I wasn't the best ditcher in the world. To a lot of people I looked like a troublemaker, but I always tried to stay out of trouble. I'd only ditched class once before, and that was when I was 14. The school called Irene when I didn't show up, and at three thirty when I walked through the front door I was met with the lecture of my life. Never again had I tried to ditch school, but I felt at that moment that a lecture would be preferable to an hour of holding back my emotions lest I try and strangle someone.
I wasn't going to go home, though. With the day being so warm and me covered from head to toe in clothing there was no way I could walk five miles. In one corner of the old field, the one the band and lesser sports practiced on, there was an abandoned storage shed practically hidden behind the trees and other foliage. That was where I would go. I knew it well. It was my spot to be alone at lunchtime when I didn't feel like sitting with the group, or listening to Miss. Perfect and her perfect friends. I was almost sure regular ditchers used the place since it was kept generally clean on the inside and had other signs of use, and I hoped that it wouldn't be in use this period. The last thing I wanted to do was spend the period with some troublemakers who had no excuse for ditching other than just not feeling like attending class.
The walk felt longer than usual, but I brushed it off as subconscious worry over being caught out of class. It didn't take me any longer than usual because just as I arrived the tardy bell sounded off five minutes. I sighed, taking one last look at the large school building, and pushed the weeping willow branches to the side, revealing a door. I grasped the knob and turned it. The door creaked open, and a small gasp caught my attention. I recoiled slightly and looked down, finding the last person anyone would have expected to be out of class.
Kitty Pryde was sitting in the corner of the small shack, an astrophysics book lying open and forgotten on her lap. Her chocolate brown eyes were wide with fear of being caught, and once she'd registered who I was, guilt. She was afraid I would tell the professor. I didn't say anything, but rather closed the door and took a seat opposite of her, showing that there was no threat. She eyed me for a moment. I didn't ask her why she was there, or begin to lecture her on why she shouldn't be ditching. Not only would it be hypocritical, but also Kitty didn't break the rules unless she had a good reason to.
Kitty was probably the most innocent person I knew. She was the last person anyone would suspect of wrongdoing. And even when you did catch her in the act you couldn't look into her eyes and punish her without first asking for an explanation. She had her faults, like her nasty temper, but her whole disposition made you forget about them. In a lot of ways she was like Jean. She was beautiful, and rarely got into any sort of trouble. She was a super genius, and passed all her classes with a 4.36 GPA. She was nice to almost everyone, and everyone liked her. But I didn't dislike her like I detested Jean. At first I wasn't too fond of the girl, at least when we first started sharing a room, but I got to know her and found that she was a really good friend, and she was wise beyond her years, despite her usual ditzy valley girl manner. If I got to know Jean maybe I would have liked her better, but I didn't want to get to know Jean. Miss. Popularity had enough friends.
"You're ditching class." Kitty observed. Her voice was soft and her tone serious.
"So're you." I pointed out. She nodded simply, and closed her astrophysics book. I sighed. Leave it to Kitty to study when she was ditching. Of course, it was her idea of pleasure reading since Bayville High didn't exactly offer a science course as advanced as astrophysics. Kitty didn't have any classes most of us would consider electives. In place of her two electives she took chemistry and advanced computer sciences, along with all freshmen honors classes, earth science, and P.E. How she managed all her homework, her social life, and X-Men training was beyond me.
"I just couldn't stay in school. Everyone was making me so mad with the way they talked. No one understands." Her fist hit the dust covered wood floor hard. I winced.
"I know how you feel. I was about ready to strangle someone. When did you come out here?"
"At the beginning of break. Lance told me about this place once. He cleaned it up after school one day so whenever he felt like shaking things up in the school he could come out and be alone to cool down."
"So that's where he went when he ditched school. Mystique used to yell mercilessly about his skipping class, saying that it was a bad reflection on her to be both principal and have her boarding students breaking the rules." My voice held a lot of disdain at the mention of Mystique. I never meant to say her name like that because I really had loved and cared for the woman, but it happened. Whenever I thought about my time at the brotherhood and the way she'd used me and lied to me… It was a dark time in my life. I had been angry at the whole world for her betrayal, even Irene for letting her do that to me. My mind shifted to Irene. For a while after I moved into the institute I didn't talk to or write to Irene. I blamed her for going along with Mystique. But after the issue with Kurt's past I realized that I had considered Irene my mother and I couldn't just live without her.
"Rogue, you blanked out on me. What's wrong?" Kitty asked. I shook my head.
"It's nothing." I replied.
"All right, but you know, I am always there if you need someone to talk to. We like only sleep five feet away you know."
"I know." I replied. We fell silent. It wasn't exactly an uncomfortable silence, but it wasn't one hundred percent comfortable either. She picked up her book and opened it to the page she left off on. I sighed and opened my backpack, pulling out Shakespeare's Macbeth. It was taken out of Mr. McCoy's personal collection of Shakespeare's plays and other classical novels, and poetry. I was bored one Saturday afternoon and he told me to take a look and pick out what I thought I would enjoy. There were so many great selections, but I opted for Macbeth since I'd always wanted to read it.
I hadn't read more than three pages when the ground shaking roughly beneath me interrupted my reading. Kitty yelped and her book crashed to the ground. I closed Mr. McCoy's book and set it on the ground, looking over at Kitty. The old storage shed was old and I wasn't exactly sure how well it would hold up in an earthquake, and at the moment being crushed under tin and wood didn't sound to pleasant. My hand grabbed hold of Kitty's wrist and I jumped up, pulling her outside with me. It instantly became clear that the earthquake was anything but natural.
"Lance, stop!" Kitty cried. The sun outlined the figure of her boyfriend, and his hands were outstretched. At the sound of Kitty's voice he dropped them and stared in our general direction. Shock registered on his face and he came rushing towards us. Moment's later Kitty was in his embrace and I silently observed from the side.
"I didn't know you were in there. I am so sorry!" He exclaimed. They'd been going out for two months now and I was still one of the few at the Xavier Institute that accepted their relationship. A lot of the others still saw Lance as a member of the brotherhood who couldn't cut it in the X-Men. He was a double traitor, and someone not to be trusted. But Kitty didn't see that in him. She saw the ruggedly handsome rebel who was really sweet and charming. I saw Lance as a good friend who didn't judge me for leaving the brotherhood, or for being on the other side. He and Kitty separated after a short kiss, but his arm remained protectively around her shoulders.
"I wasn't expecting anyone to be out here. It's my secret spot. You two are the only people I know who knows about it and you're the last two I would expect to be out her. You," He said pointing at me "don't like to get in trouble, and you just aren't the type to ditch class." On the last part he squeezed Kitty's shoulders. I felt a pang of jealousy. Whenever people showed public displays of affection around me, whether they be boyfriend and girlfriend, or mother and child, I couldn't help but be jealous because they could, and I couldn't.
"Yeah, well, I'll get in less trouble ditchin' than I would if I laid someone out." I replied.
"My image would be totally ruined if I socked the next person who quoted the news." Kitty stated, "Not to mention I would be cleaning the X-Jet for, like, ever."
"That's why I'm out here. Duncan Matthews is in my class and he couldn't say enough about 'mutant freaks' and how they should be exterminated. I didn't even tell the teacher I was leaving. It's better to be suspended for walking out than to bring the entire school crashing down around everyone's head." Lance explained.
"Good choice." Kitty commended. I looked over at the school and realized how much of the school day was left. It was going to be awfully hard to keep all three of us in the small shack for the next four periods.
"Listen, how about I give you guys a lift home?" Lance asked as if he'd read my mind. It always creeped me out when someone said what I was thinking or answered a problem I was trying to work out in my head, especially since at the mansion two people really could see what was going on in my mind.
"I don't know what the professor would say." Kitty whispered.
"If Baldy can't understand what's going on here than he's a lot more ignorant than I thought." Lance stated seriously. I snickered at the way he's nonchalantly called the Professor Baldy. It was a brotherhood thing, and sometimes I still had to catch myself before I used the nickname. Kitty laughed and playfully punched Lance's side.
"His name is not Baldy, it's Xavier. And you're right. Besides, we'd probably get in less trouble by going home where the adults know where we are than we would for staying out here with no one knowing where we are." Kitty's logic was impeccable.
"Okay, come on." We followed Lance to his Jeep, trusting that everyone would be in class and we wouldn't be seen. I could just imaging Evan skating by or Jean running an errand for her teacher just at the right time to bust us. It was bad enough we weren't in class, worst that we were climbing into Lance's car. I buckled the seatbelt around my waist and Lance started the Jeep. He backed out of the parking lot and started on the road to the institute. After a couple moments of silence he turned the radio on and turned it up. Kitty's nose wrinkled in distaste. She liked country, and divas, and Lance's rock certainly wasn't that. "My car, my music." He told her simply.
It didn't take us long to arrive at the manor, and Lance let us off at the gate. I entered security code and the gate slid open. Together we walked down the well-known path to the front door. Through the glass door I could see that no one was in the foyer. I unconsciously sighed in relief. Kitty looked at me nervously and then phased through the door. I opened it and followed her inside. Everything was silent, and it didn't seem like anyone was home. The both of us started up the stairs to out bedroom when we heard footsteps behind us.
"I thought I heard the front door open." Mr. McCoy stated calmly. I bit my lip and turned around, brushing my bangs away from my face. No sooner did my hand leave did they fall back into the same position.
"We… uh." I started.
"We were having trouble at school." Kitty declared. From the corner of my eyes I could see her eyes widen innocently. That's right, use those big brown eyes of yours, I thought. She'd melted my anger before by using her eyes, and she'd gotten out of trouble with Logan on more than one occasion. Of course, he really had a soft spot for her. "All the kids were talking about what happened, and I…"
"It's all right Kitty. I'm not going to lecture you. We actually figured some of you would cut class today, though I must say I'm surprised that the two of you came home. Not only because neither one of you drive yet, but not many people would come home during the school day and readily admit that they ditched."
"Lance gave us a ride home. We figured there was less chance of getting in ta trouble if ya knew where we were." I explained.
"I thank you for the courtesy. I'll have the professor call the school and have notes sent to the others so they don't expect you to be there after school." He dismissed us, and Kitty disappeared through our bedroom door.
"Um, Mr. McCoy, do you think I could go an' see Irene?" I asked as he turned to leave. He stopped and nodded. I dropped my bag at the top of the stairwell and climbed back down. We walked to the elevator and it carried us to the more technological area of the mansion. There were all sorts of neat things down there. Cerebro, the Danger Room, the entrance to the jet hanger… But also down there was the highly advanced infirmary where Irene was being kept. We stopped in front of the infirmary door just as it opened. Ororo stepped through, practically bumping into me. She looked surprised for a moment, and then said,
"Rogue! I was just going to call you. She's waking up." I didn't say anything. I bounded into the infirmary, pushing past Ororo. Just before the doors shut behind me I heard a motherly laugh, the kind a mother uses when admiring her children's energy. I shivered once inside, realizing how much I hated being alone in hospitals. Before Jean destroyed the infirmary with her telekinesis it had been all cold metal. Now it was a bit friendlier with a little color and a softer looking examining table, but the air of doom medical facilities held still hung heavily in the air, making it difficult to breath. Everything was so sterile, too sterile.
I slowly walked towards the examining table, the sound of my boots hitting the floor echoing off the walls. There was already a chair set by the table. I took a seat and took Irene's bare hand into my gloved one. Scanning equipment was connected to her, along with an IV to keep her from dehydrating. She didn't look sick, and the only indication anything was wrong was a bandage wrapped round her head. The fluttering of her eyelids told me that she would soon be awake.
As I watched her sleeping my mind raced. There were so many things I wanted to tell her, so many things I wanted to ask. I was a little nervous. It was the first time I'd been close to her in a little over a year. How would she react to my taking her to Bayville with me? Especially since she was a member of the Brotherhood. Would she be angry? I didn't know what I would do if she was. I wanted her to be at the institute with me. It wasn't as if I was trying to convert her into an X-Man. That would be impossible given her disability. I only wanted to keep an eye on her like I did when I was younger.
Her eyes fluttered open and I smiled. She couldn't see my smile, of course, but she could feel my hand in hers, and smell my perfume. It was the very same kind she'd given me for Christmas years before. She blinked her eyes a couple of times and took a deep breath.
"Where am I?" She asked after a moment of silence. I swallowed a lump that had just formed in my throat. Come on Rogue, pull yourself together, I chanted in my mind.
"You're in Bayville at the Xavier Institute." I informed her in a weak voice.
"Rogue?" She squeezed my hand.
"Yeah, it's me. I brought you here 'cause you were hurt. They didn't have enough room at the local hospital, and I didn't really trust 'em. I hope ya don't mind. The professor said it was all right." I replied a bit nervously.
"No, I don't mind. I understand completely." Her voice was comforting. It always was to me. With my free hand I smoothed a bit of her hair down and gave her hand a squeeze with the other.
"How're ya feelin'?"
"I've felt better. What time is it?"
"It's about 11:30a.m. Thursday." Her mouth turned down in a slight frown.
"Why aren't you in school child?" I almost laughed. Here she was, just waking up after a horrible trauma, and she was worried about why I wasn't in school, once a mother, always a mother. It didn't even take her very long to realize that I was there and she could re-establish her role as my caregiver.
"I was at school this morning, but I couldn't stay. The media has changed to whole story around and now everyone is talking badly about mutants, especially the mutants from Peace. The adults know I am home."
"I can only imagine. How did you come to Peace?"
"One of the Professor's friends called him and asked for our help. I was so scared for you. It was a war zone out there. I searched Miss. Molly's house and…" I trailed off, realizing that Irene hadn't the faintest idea of everything that went on. I had been told that she was out of the house before the FoH arrived.
"How was Molly?" I looked down at my lap and bit my lip, and then I looked back at Irene. I took a deep heaving breath.
"She was dead when I found her. Shot." My voice cracked. "I was so scared for you. She put up a fight. Your things were everywhere." I suddenly remembered what I had found. I unhooked the locket from around my neck and opened her hand, dropping it in gently. "I found this on the ground."
"My locket." She fingered it lovingly, "I thought I had lost it." I took it from her and bid her to lift up slightly. I hooked it around her neck.
"I had to fix the chain last night so it would hook." I took a deep breath, feeling the biggest question in my heart rise. "What happened to you?" I asked.
"I am not exactly sure of everything that happened. I was reading quietly while Molly slept when there was a great hullabaloo outside. I wasn't sure of what was going on so I woke Molly. She was quite ill. A few minutes later Tyler, Molly's neighbor, rushed into the house with his son to get us out. He led me out of the house though with much confusion. Just as we left I heard a commotion arise in Molly's house. Tyler was hit by something and I was left alone in the street with neither my cane, nor Piper." Piper was Irene's Seeing Eye dog. She was the kindest, most loyal dog I knew. She was my best friend and loved me, but when she was on duty she wouldn't even acknowledge I was there.
"Where was Piper?" I asked.
"I left her with Ally and her family. Thank goodness." She said, "After Tyler was hit I tried to walk, sticking to the road I knew was there. Someone grabbed me and when I struggled he hit me over the head, and that's the last thing I remember."
"I shoulda been there ta help you." I said guiltily. Irene took my hand into both of hers.
"No. You are a lot safer here with the professor and the others." She told me, "Things are getting dodgy for mutants. It's not safe out there, you need to be here where you can be protected."
"So do you." I replied. She remained silent, "Irene, you need to be here where it's safe. I know you're strong and you can take care of yourself. You did before I came to you, and after, but I don't feel comfortable with you living alone now that things are starting to happen."
"Rogue…"
"I'm not asking you to convert to Xavier's dream. He will let you stay whether you believe in it or not. I already asked him. Please. You could become part of the family." She was silent for a moment, and I waited with my heart in my throat. The thought even crossed my mind that I would go home with her if she said no. I just couldn't rightly allow her to live alone. Sometimes her visions came without warning, and if the public saw her double over in one of her spells it would put her in immense danger.
"All right. I will stay, for you." I smiled brightly and very carefully hugged her. I wished right then that I could kiss her on the cheek like I did when I was younger, but I refrained.
"You rest and I'll have Mr. McCoy check on you. I'm gonna ask the professor if we can bring Piper to the mansion." I squeezed her hand and bounced out of the room, happier than I'd felt all day.
I yawned softly as I gently lay Mr. McCoy's collection of Edgar Allen Poe on the nightstand. I took a sip of water and at my sudden movement Piper lifted her head lazily, watching me with her large brown eyes. When she saw that I didn't need anything she put her head down once again. My eyes shifted to the clock, 1:30 am. I sighed contentedly and pulled the light chain. The room was suddenly bathed in darkness. It was a strange feeling, having Piper sleeping on the foot of my bed, but it was also a familiar one. I would always let her back home in Mississippi, and when she'd come to live at the institute with Irene and me she'd resumed the habit.
The professor didn't even think to say no when I asked if Piper could come and live with us. He even had Logan prep the X-Jet to take us to Caldecott county where I could retrieve the special dog, and pick up Irene's belongings. I was filled with nostalgia when I set foot on the bank of the Mississippi river where we parked the X-Jet, but I was also afraid. I hadn't been home since I touched Cody at the school dance, and I wasn't sure what would happen if I met up with him there. Even worst, I had to face my former best friend, Ally. She was the daughter of a doctor, and extremely well off. We were from two different worlds, but we were best friends. When she opened the door to let me in I suddenly realized why I had taken such a liking to Kitty. She was so much like Ally.
It was hard to leave Caldecott County and come back to Bayville. I'd always complained about how small the backwater town was, and how the townsfolk were to simpleminded, but I was faced with a truth I never accepted. It was home. But home is also where your family is and mine was back in Bayville, and Piper would be what made it complete. I closed my eyes and listened to her panting, letting it lure me to sleep. I was almost lost in a sleepy haze when the small phone in our bedroom rang. Piper lifted her head, her ears alert, and I just about jumped out of my skin. Kitty stirred in her sleep, but didn't wake up. I quickly picked up the receiver in an attempt to keep it that way.
"Hello?" I asked, my voice a bit grumpy.
"Kitty?" Lance asked. I rolled my eyes.
"Does Kitty have a southern accent?" I snapped.
"Rogue! Is Kitty awake?"
"She's asleep right now like everyone else in the mansion. It's 1:30 in the mornin' why the hell are ya calling?" There was a momentary silence on the other side.
"I guess I can tell you. It's not like your one of the X-Men who doesn't trust me." His voice was serious.
"What is it?" I asked, starting to worry.
"Listen, I'm not telling you this because I believe in your dream, or because I want to protect you X-Geeks. I just don't want Kitty to get hurt. I have to make this quick before anyone finds out I'm on the phone."
"Lance, your worryin' me." I hadn't ever heard him speak so seriously, "What's going on?"
"Magneto's back. He showed up this afternoon with new recruits, ready to make the humans pay for what they did in Peace. He said that only one thing is standing in his way, the X-Men. Tell Baldy to keep eyes out. I don't know when Magneto's going to attack, but I know he will." I gasped, my heart starting to beat faster. Magneto had been a great looming presence during my stay with the Brotherhood, and had almost killed me twice when I switched over to the X-Men.
"I don't believe it." I whispered.
"Believe it. I don't want Kitty to get hurt. I have to go." The line went dead and I let the phone fall against the dresser. Kitty groaned and lifted her head. Piper jumped off the bed, suddenly alert.
"Wa's the matter?" She asked, voice slurred with sleep. I stared blankly at the phone, and then shifted my gaze to her.
"Trouble." I stated simply, climbing out of my own bed. I rushed out of the bedroom into the dark hallway. They seemed much more ominous with the knowledge that the X-Men's greatest foe was back and looking for a way to destroy them. Mechanically my body made it's way to the professor's room. I slammed the door opened shouting his name.
"What is it Rogue?" I took a deep breath.
"Magneto. He's back with the brotherhood. He wants ta make the humans pay, an' he wants ta get ridda us." I said quickly. I felt a presence behind me, and then Ororo's hand on my shoulder. A moment later growling and mumbling told me that Logan was also on his way down the hall. They'd heard the door slam, and then my frantic voice.
"Calm down Rogue. Where did you get this information?" He asked me calmly. It was a logical question.
"Lance. He called for Kitty, but she wasn't awake. He told me instead and he sounded real serious." Logan growled.
"Sure it ain't one of the Brotherhood's tricks?" I nodded my head.
"He wouldn't do that ta Kitty, he cares about her. He doesn't want her to get hurt." I explained, trying to make them see. I trusted Lance. He was my friend. He cared about Kitty and if the need be he would turn against his leader to protect her. I understood that, so why couldn't they.
"Lance's feelings for Kitty are genuine. I trust that he's telling the truth." Ororo supplied.
"Yes, so do I. Magneto has no doubt heard about Peace, and what better time to build up his army to show humans the superiority of mutants." The professor said. I let out my breath. I hadn't even realized I was holding it. My hand unconsciously began to play with the fur on Piper's head. She'd followed me out of the room, sensing something was wrong.
"So what are we gonna do?" I inquired. Logan looked at me harshly.
"You are going back to bed kid, and we are going to start a plan. Charles, we should wake the other staff members." I frowned, but looked down at Piper. I patted her head to get her attention. She looked up to me, awaiting my command.
"Go wake up Irene, go on." The dog turned and walked out the door, heading to the room she knew her master was in.
"Go on to bed Rogue, we will discuss this all in the morning." Ororo told me calmly. I nodded a goodnight to them and headed off to bed. I didn't like being left out, but I also knew better than to push my luck with Logan. He might not formally punish you, but you knew you crossed his path when your training sessions were suddenly a lot harder.
Kitty was sitting on her bed waiting for me to explain when I walked into the room. Down the hall I could hear the murmur of the adults voices, and Piper's rich bark waking Irene up. She didn't have to say a word because her eyes said it all. 'What's going on?' they asked. I climbed into my own bed and pulled my knees up to my chest. She'd already put the phone back on its hook.
"Lance called while you were sleeping with bad news. Magneto's back." I told her. She gasped and pulled her small stuffed dragon Lockheed close to her chest.
"What are we going to do?"
"I don't know. Logan made me come ta bed, but all the adults are talkin' about it."
"If Magneto is the leader of the Brotherhood, why did Lance call and tell us he was back?" Kitty asked curiously. I smiled slightly.
"Because of you. I think you chose a winner." She smiled and lay back down on her bed, pulling the comforter up to her chin.
"I'm scared." She whispered. I turned off the light, letting shadows fill the room.
"So'm I." I yawned, "But I think Logan might have been right. I really am tired."
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight." After a few minutes of silence the adults passed our room on their way downstairs. I rolled over, hugging my pillow close, and it wasn't long until I fell asleep.
**********
"Rogue, wake up. The alarm went off like five minutes ago." Kitty's voice broke through the comfortable, foggy silence of sleep. I yawned and forced my eyes open. The room was still dark since at 5:30 in the morning the sun had yet to rise. I groaned, wishing that I hadn't stayed up to finish my book. Then, of course, I might not have been awake when Lance called. I almost wished I hadn't. All through the night I'd awakened from nightmares that I couldn't remember.
Nightmares weren't anything new to me. Since my power developed I'd had at least one a week. Sometimes they would be my own, but oftentimes they would be awful memories from the people I'd absorbed. Mystique's memories were particularly frightening, and Magneto's filled me with terror. I had to train myself not to scream when I awoke. It always resulted in awakening half the institute, and one time I frightened Kitty out of a deep sleep. She ended up on the kitchen table. These nightmares had been different, though. Instead of forgetting about them when I slept, they kept replaying themselves. I couldn't remember what they were about, just that I'd awakened searching the room fearfully for anything out of place that might warn me of an enemy. I had a feeling that they weren't anyone's memories, only my own fears.
"I don't want to get up." I mumbled into my pillow, pulling my comforter over my head.
"You know what. I'm not going to deal with you this morning. I'm too tired. If I can't get you up, I'll get someone who can." Kitty huffed as she stalked out the bedroom door. I closed my eyes, turning over. I would just close my eyes and get up in a little while.
"Marie, it's time to get up. If you're that tired than we can cancel your driving test today." I opened my eyes and pushed my comforter off my bed with a groan. It was Irene. Only she called me Marie, she was the only one who even knew my real name. I almost wished Kitty had gotten Logan. At least he wouldn't threaten to cancel my behind the wheel test. It was my chance at freedom. If I could drive then I could get away from the mansion and go where I wanted without relying on someone else.
"I'm getting up." I barked, glaring at Kitty.
"I'd take it kindly if you changed your tone."
"Yeah, yeah." I muttered, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "I'm up." Irene nodded, and walked out of the room, but not before saying,
"Get dressed quickly. Your professor wants to speak with all of you rather than run a danger room session today." Kitty looked at me quizzically.
"Marie?" I rolled my eyes.
"It's my real name. You don't need ta be usin' it." She hushed up and walked over to her wardrobe where she pulled out a pair of jean capris and a pink baby-t. I shuffled slowly over to my own wardrobe and pulled open the second drawer. The selection was mostly black and green with only a few softer colors. I decided on black leather pants with my usual undershirt and my favorite green over shirt. I took my clothes out of the room to the bathroom, allowing Kitty to get dressed in the bedroom. I was dressed in five minutes and I opened my make-up bag, which was sitting next to Jubilation's and Amara's. I covered my pale face with cover-up and then lined my eyes with black liner and mascara. I painted on dark purple eye shadow and spread black lipstick over my lips. Once I was satisfied with my image I left the room, carrying my pajamas with me.
Kitty was still putting on her make-up when I entered the room. It took her forever to get ready on school days. I dropped my pajamas on my bed and plopped down next to them, picking up my boots. I slipped my feet into them and tied the laces, then left Kitty to finish making herself beautiful. Celest was just coming out of her room down the hall. We were in a couple of classes together, and we lived under the same roof, but we still hadn't had much chance to talk. She and her friend Kendra were always together. It was easy to see that they were the best of friends.
I really did want to get to know her. I didn't know of to many other mutants with an inability to touch, and it was something we shared in common. She knew the frustration I felt over having to isolate myself from the others. She knew what it was like to be alone in a crowd of friends. It wasn't only the similarity in our powers that attracted me to her, though. She had an outgoing personality and wasn't afraid to let her opinions show. I just about spit out my soda when she called Jean 'Miss. Perfect' to her face, and not many people had enough courage to tell Logan to lighten up. Of course, when she first saw him she attempted to run the other direction. I couldn't blame the girl. Big scary guy with retractable metal claws chasing after a bunch of teenagers… Who wouldn't be scared?
"Morning." I called. She caught up with me.
"Ohayou-gozaimasu." She yawned in Japanese. It was common for our foreign students to sometimes use their native languages. When Kurt became overly excited it was all I could do to understand a few words he was speaking to me. I had to tell him to slow down and speak English or French, that way I could understand him. She looked tired, but through virtue of make-up the bags under her eyes were lessened from what they might have been.
She was dressed very nicely with a pair of black jeans and a black shirt with long lace sleeves and a very colorful picture of butterflies on the front. Covering her hands were a pair of light blue gloves that matched the largest butterfly, and around her neck she had tied a chiffon scarf of the same color. Her hair was pulled into a half ponytail with a barrette holding it back. Her style was unique, but at the same time it didn't seem strange. She could have easily infiltrated Jean's crowd without seeming out of place, but somehow I knew she wouldn't want to. She despised the upper cliques and the jocks, that much was clear.
"So, you were told that there was no danger room this morning?"
"Yeah, Miss. Perfect came in and told me. She was still in her pajamas and yet she looked as if she woke up with every hair in place and her make-up already on. How does she do that?" I laughed.
"Beats me, it's part of the mystery that is Jean Grey. The other part of the mystery is why as seemingly smart girl would be going out with Duncan Matthews." I replied with a smile. No one else shared my sentiments on Jean; it was nice to know someone who did.
"It's a typical scheme to become more popular. It's found all over the world in high schools. The most popular girl dates the most popular boy for image. The other, even bigger, mystery is how a telepath can't tell when a boy is constantly fawning over her." I mentally winced when she referred to Scott. I knew nothing would happen between us, he only had eyes for Jean, but I still couldn't help but have a crush on him. He was just strong, perfect, and sweet… He was the first person to really try and connect with me. I admired that.
"It's Xavier's moral code. No going into people's minds without their permission. Of course, if her powers are out of control she can't stop going into people's minds, and in my opinion she has selective control over her powers." Celest laughed.
"Oh yeah, we all do. Of course, my control, and yours, is artificial so we can't say we just momentarily forgot not to use them." We climbed down the staircase and into the front room where everyone was starting to gather. Jean and Scott were already there, of course. They were never late for a meeting. Kendra was curled up on the couch looking as if she were ready to take a literal catnap. On the small loveseat Irene sat sipping a hot cup of mystery liquid. Piper lay at her feet. I took a seat next to her while Celest took a seat next to her best friend.
Over the past two weeks I'd gotten used to having her around. She immediately resumed her task of being my mother, and it was refreshing. Of course, the moment the professor read her my grades I was in trouble. In Mississippi I was required to keep a B average or lose privileges until my grades were brought back up. I promised her I would work on bringing them up, and so far I was making every attempt to actually pay more attention in my classes and put a little more than just a little effort into my assignments.
"What're ya drinking?" I asked.
"Coffee."
"Can I have a drink?" I asked. She nodded and handed me the mug. I took a sip of the hot brew. I always liked the way Irene fixed hers. She put in just the right amount of sugar and milk. I handed back the mug and leaned back against the couch, willing the others to arrive so we could get the talk started. Kitty phased through the wall a moment later, and Evan skated through the door, earning him a scolding look from Ororo who'd given him countless lectures on skating in the house. Bobby, Jubilee, and Amara walked in next, followed by Jaime, Jaime, Jaime, and Jaime. I silently wondered who'd bumped the poor kid this time.
"You weren't seriously thinking about canceling my drive test?" I asked Irene. She smiled slightly.
"Not really, but it did get you out of bed. You really should try and sleep more. I know you were awake and reading when that boy called."
"No I wasn't." I defended, "I had just turned off the light. I finished my book."
"Turning off the light never stopped you at home."
"That's because I had your books and I didn't need a light to read those." Irene laughed softly. I fell silent, listening to the chatter of the others. Whenever she brought up home it made me a little homesick.
"I had a vision last night." She murmured softly. I looked up at her suddenly.
"What was it about?" I inquired.
"There are going to be hard times for mutants, my Rogue. I saw another community being attacked. I have already warned your professor and he has warned the community. I want you to be more careful than usual when around normal people. Their eyes have been opened to mutants and they are searching for anyone that fits the description."
"I will." I replied, just as Kurt ported in. Rahne walked in muttering something to herself in her own language, not looking too happy. Sam and Ray walked in behind her laughing smugly to themselves. There was no doubt in my mind that they were the guilty party responsible for her mood. I almost felt sorry for them, because you never cross a wolf without getting paid back in some way. Once we were all gathered the professor wheeled into the center of the semi-circle we'd created.
"I'm sure you all are wondering why I have cancelled the Danger Room sessions this morning and called you all here instead." There was a murmur of yeses throughout the students. "Last night some news of consequence was given to us from an anonymous member of the brotherhood. Magneto is back, and as my older x-men will tell you he is a very powerful mutant." You couldn't even hear the sound of breathing at the mention of Magneto. The new recruits had come in after his time, but horror stories spread quickly through the mansion, and many of them heard from Kitty or Jean about my near death experience at his hands in New York. Whether they'd battled him before or not, they knew he was not a force to be reckoned with.
"Isn't this Magneto guy the scary one everyone has told me about?" Kendra asked, "The one who thinks he's better than humans?"
"The one and only." Logan growled.
"His mission is to annihilate humans before they have a chance to annihilate us." Scott stated.
"It's like the basic mission of the brotherhood, but not everyone there agrees with it." Kitty added. I knew she was talking about Lance. He didn't fully agree with Magneto's dream, but he didn't agree with ours either.
"With Magneto's return comes a new problem. According to our source he's started recruiting again as well."
"Creating an army." Jean commented.
"Does that mean we are going to start recruiting again?" Kurt asked, looking over at Kendra and Celest.
"We have no choice. We can't protect everyone, but the mutants in need of the most guidance in how to use their powers will be invited to stay at the institute. With Cerebro we just be able to get to them before Magneto does, but we must be on our toes. Our source also says that we are, nor surprisingly, one of his targets." I'd never seen so many wide-eyed stares in my life. The magnitude of what we were being told was off the scale. Most of the students hadn't even been in an actual battle, much less been told that they might be faced with one sometime soon.
We left the sitting room with heavy hearts, and a lot more on our minds than schoolwork. The adults pulled me off to the side. I couldn't think of anything I'd done wrong recently so I couldn't imagine why I would be singled out.
"Rogue, you have your behind the wheel driving test this afternoon, do you not?" The professor asked, motioning for me to follow. My heart started to beat faster. He was going to cancel it after I worked so hard to get enough hours in on my permit to take the test. He was going to cancel it because of everything that had happened. I didn't want him to I wanted my license.
"Yeah." I replied nervously. Logan opened the door to the garage and stepped inside. I followed, not sure where they were leading me. Ororo turned on the light and I gasped. A brand new car sat between the X-Van and Scott's read convertible. A shiny black convertible bug exactly like the one I'd been admiring earlier.
"I…" I didn't know what to say, was it mine?
"It's all yours. Irene and us worked together to get it for ya." Logan explained. "Think you could take your test in it?" I nodded my head vigorously, taking a step closer; almost afraid that if I blinked it would disappear.
"Mine? I thought I was gonna buy my own." I managed to breath out.
"You've worked very hard Rogue, and after discussing things with Irene we decided that you deserved a car of your own."
"I should pay ya back. I will when I get a job." I said. Mr. McCoy shook his head.
"This car is a gift, you don't have to pay us back."
"I'd put away money to help you purchase a car a long time ago. I couldn't drive, but I knew one day you would be able to." Irene explained.
"Thank you so much!" I exclaimed to all of them. I was deeply touched. I didn't think they would ever do something like that for me. I knew Scott's car was a gift from the professor. Scott had to restore it and when he did it was his, but Scott was Scott, and I was me.
"How about you drive her to school and I'll take her home. That way you get a feel for her." I smiled, loving the suggestion. It wasn't long before I was in the driver's seat of my new car. Celest and Kendra were in the back seat, and Logan in the passengers seat. The drive to school ended all to soon, and I stepped out to face another torturous day at school.
"That is such an awesome car. Mine isn't that neat!" Celest exclaimed.
"You have a car?" I asked. Kendra laughed.
"Yeah, but her mom is currently borrowing it until she has a chance to bring it up to New York. Which is going to be a while since there aren't any mutant communities around here, only the Brotherhood and the Xavier Institute."
"The plight of having a mutant activist as a mother."
"Speaking of the Brotherhood, I wonder who their new recruits are." I thought out loud. The two shrugged their shoulders as we stepped inside of the school building. Celest stopped dead in her tracks, staring straight ahead. I followed her gaze to a raven-haired girl who looked surprisingly a lot like Kendra.
"Kurohyou…" She whispered venomously. Kendra was soon staring at the girl as well, a deep frown on her face.
"I can't believe she followed me here. I think I know who one of the newest members of the Brotherhood is."
"Who is she?" I asked.
"My older sister. Most people say their sisters are evil, but mine really is. She has the same mutant power as I do; only she turns into a black cat. She and I split from each other when our parents kicked us out for our abilities. She and I didn't get along. I just wanted to live quietly amongst the normal people, but she wanted to force humanity to accept her." Kendra explained. The dark haired girl caught our glances and smiled at Kendra, a strange glint in her eye. Things had just gotten a lot more interesting.
*********
Next: Chapter Three, Kurt's POV
Summary: When the X-Men begin to have reason to believe that Mystique is still alive Rogue and Kurt start getting edgy. Irene, though, might have the answers they are looking for. The FoH starts to grow in power and Magneto's group starts to stir up trouble, while the X-Men take on the responsibility of training and protecting a new group of teenage mutants.
A/N: There are going to be many original characters in this story, but they are used as a device to thicken the plot, rather than be the focus of the story. The main story will remain in the X-Men, and possibly the Brotherhood's POV.