Learning to Live Again
Revised Edition
Chapter 13, "Pains of Friendship and Love"

Author Notes: This chapter is totally winged. I did have this entire story done on paper, but I lost everything past chapter 12. Figures doesn't it? But, hopefully you'll enjoy this as much as you seeminly have enjoyed the other chapters. :)


"So you think that perhaps something is manipulating her mind, correct?" Professor Xavier looked over at Rogue whom was still unresponsive and still unreachable with even telepathic contact.
"I'm afraid that's the only thing Hank, Moira and I can come up with. We've pooled our knowledge, and none of us can come up with anything that could possibly do this."
The professor sighed heavily. In all his years, he'd never met many who could get past Carol Danver's Kree mental shildig when she was awake, and Rogue had worked even harder on her shielding to keep herself sane. This was indeed a problem. He couldn't imagine anyone who could control Rogue's mind if she didn't want them too. He himself had tried to a time or two in order to keep her from hurting the others after she had absorbed another psyche, and it was a difficult undertaking even for the world's greatest telepath. "Jean, I'm afraid that I don't know of anyone powerful enough to control her mind. Even I have had trouble reaching her if she didn't want me to."
Jean's brow furrowed for a minute. "What if it was a collective group of telepaths?"
Xavier thought for a minute. That certainly would make some sense, but who?
"I know that doesn't answer much, but its all we can come up with professor."
"I understand Jean. I'll see what I can come up with."
Jean nodded and exited Xavier's office. After watching her leave, the professor sighed heavily. Who knew taking care of someone who needed it as badly as Rogue could cause such chaos at times?

Gambit looked up as Jean Grey-Summers rentered the room. "De prof got any ideas Jeannie?"
Jean looked at the normally vibrant Cajun. Gone was the usual facade, replacing it was a drawn face, showing vividly a lack of sleep and an excess of worry. "I'm sorry Remy. He has no better idea than the rest of us as to who could possible be doing this to her. But Scott did relent and take Logan to take a look around. Maybe we'll have some answers come this evening. Ok?"
Gambit knew Jean and Storm were worried about him for not sleeping like he should, but he couldn't help it. He sighed heavily. "Dat sounds ok chere. I jus' worried as hell 'bout dat femme. Ya know?" He looked up at the red-headed telepath who only nodded.
"I understand Gambit. We will try everything we can to help her. But Hank is insisting that we need to pay some attention to Joseph as well. His injuries are horrible..." Jean was obviously saddened to talk about the man who saved her life being hurt so badly.
Gambit stood and put an arm around her. "He knew what he was doin' chere. I owe dat man big as much as I don' wanna admit it. But if it wasn't fo' him, Rogue, mon amour, would be dead fo' sure."
Jean watched in amazement as tears formed in the Cajun's eyes as he thought about not being able to see Rogue ever again. "I understand Remy...More than you know..."