Rogue's eyes slowly opened, and she began to take in her surroundings. She was in a dark room; the only light was that of the moon shinning in through the open window. There was a wet towel on her forehead, and she was tucked into silk sheets. She felt hot and kicked off the sheets, pulling the compress off her head. The bed and pillows were so soft she was sinking into them. She tried to sit up, but her body felt heavy. Where was she? She knew she wasn't at the institute. The room was too big to be hers, and the room was huge. Not to mention, there wasn't an X-man in sight. She rolled onto her side, and with a groan, lifted herself. She realized she was only wearing her underwear, and a T-shirt way too big to be hers. Her head was throbbing; and so far everything she had accomplished was solely based on effort. Rogue wondered if she could stand. She draped her legs over the side of the bed and began an argument with her body. Her body won, and she fell back on the bed. She realized she was thirsty. And more than anything she wanted some kind of pain killers. Her whole body hurt, but her head hurt most of all. She rolled onto her side again and dragged her legs up to her chest. What had happened? She couldn't remember anything. And when she tried, all she saw was white light, a result of the pain; her new best friend. She crawled to the middle of the bed, and ran out of strength. She sighed. She didn't know anything, because she couldn't remember anything; but wherever she was she felt safe. She thought it was a good start. She'd rather feel safe and confused, than have another thing to worry about.

The door opened, and Rogue squinted, the light painful. "Rogue, you awake?" came a voice. It sounded so far away. She groaned in reply. The door closed and she could hear footsteps approach her. She turned as they stopped. "What're you doing in the middle of the bed?" a male voice asked. "Sweating like crazy…wants to catch pneumonia." she heard him mumble. A weight fell on the bed. Hands grabbed her shoulder and waist, and dragged her back over to the side of the bed. Rogue didn't protest. The voice hadn't registered yet, but the tone was familiar. Still mumbling, he tucked her back in, and applied a new cold compress to her forehead. "How're ya feeling?" he asked. "Thirsty," Rogue said softly. "Well, I can fix that," he said. Carefully putting an arm under her shoulders, he lifted her. Rogue pulled back instinctively. "It's okay," he replied, "I'm wearing long sleeves and gloves." Rogue relaxed. He brought a cup to her lips, and she drank from it. He held it until she wouldn't drink anymore, then put it down, before lowering her back on the bed.

Rogue groaned. "Where am ah?" she asked weakly. "Home," he replied. "Home? But ah- this isn't the institute." "No, your real home." "Mah what? Where?" "You're in the Brotherhood house." "Ah am?" "Yeah." She relaxed. No wonder she felt safe. "What time is it?" "About 8:30. Why?" "Ah hafta be home before ten," she said. "I already told you-" "Ya don't understand. If ah'm not home bah ten, they'll send Wolverine afta me. Do ya really want ta be put in that bad a situation?" Silence. "Look," she said, rolling over to face him, the compress falling off her head. He replaced it. The coolness felt good against her skin. She was so hot, it was suffocating. "Tha Professor doesn't know where ya'll are. Ah don't want ta be tha reason why he does." Still no answer. "Please?" she whispered. She unconsciously reached out and touched his arm. She realized what she'd done when his gloved hand covered hers. She flinched and tried to pull away, but his hand tightened over hers. She couldn't see it, but he smiled. "I knew you still loved us Rogue," he said softly. Rogue smiled. "Ya'll are still mah family," she replied, "And now that ya know, don't share it with tha othas. Or tha next time ah see ya, ah'll drop ya." She wasn't sure who she was talking to yet, but she was sure it wasn't Toad or Blob. He laughed softly. "Hold on," he said, getting up. "Wait!" "What?" "Ah have a few questions…" "You passed out at school and we brought you home. Pietro undressed you, because he could do it the fastest; under Tabby's watchful eye, of course. The T-shirt is mine, the room is Tabby's, and your clothes are in the corner. Mystique is still missing, but her room was just the way she left it, locked. Until Tabby came, of course, she blew it open. And I'm in charge now." 'Lance. Okay.'

Logan paced angrily in Professor Xavier's office. He wouldn't admit it, but he was worried about Rogue; and to put it frankly, he was pissed. With everything that was going on, he couldn't believe Scott's judgement. When Rogue hadn't shown up, they'd left for home, assuming she'd taken off or something. True, Rogue had a tendency to take off without warning, that's just the way she was, spontaneous, a free spirit. And Logan understood that. But she knew better than not to call, especially with things as they were now. What made the whole situation worse was that the Professor had agreed with Scott. He believed Rogue was feeling "a bit too stressed" and "needed some time to herself." He wouldn't let Logan leave to search for her until curfew. He wouldn't even scan the city for her. Wolverine was furious, and when he was finally allowed to go after her… well, everyone better watch out.

Between Tabitha, Pietro, and herself, Rogue was able to get dressed. Her fever was worse and she was less coherent than before. Lance changed his mind, opting to face Wolverine, rather than cause Rogue's death. The others were quick to agree. But Rogue had argued with them, protesting, and going so far as to threaten them; which they all knew she didn't mean. In the end Rogue won out, only because Lance didn't want to upset her any more, and Pietro was chosen to take her home.

In the safety of Pietro's arms Rogue was swiftly carried toward the mansion. She had gone this fast before, having done so after absorbing his powers, but he'd never carried her before. In her heightened sense of consciousness brought on by the fever, Rogue reveled in the feeling. She wrapped her arms around his neck tighter. It was amazing. The experience was almost sexual. Rogue closed her eyes, her head against his chest, and concentrated on the sound of his thudding heart, as the feelings washed over her.

Pietro's mind was racing almost as quickly as his body. Today had to be the most confusing day of his life. First, Rogue calls out to him, before collapsing and slipping into unconsciousness. Then she's sick; how and why is still a mystery. She wakes up, with no memory of what's happened at all, demanding she be taken back to the institute, and Lance agrees with her. And now, here he is running all the way across Bayville to the one place he'd rather not be, with Rogue, who was currently making him feel something completely opposite from confusion.

They made it to the mansion just in time. Pietro deposited Rogue on the doorstep, steadying her. Then he smiled, and took off in the direction they'd just came. Rogue suddenly wished she hadn't made him promise to leave her there. She had absolutely no strength, and it took everything she had to hold onto the doorframe.

Logan growled as the clock chimed ten. Finally. Now he could go out and find her. He knew something was wrong, he could feel it. He charged down the now suddenly crowded hall. Everyone was worried. "Don't worry Chuck. I'll find 'er," he said, passing the Professor. He pulled his mask on and opened the front door, catching Rogue as she collapsed into him. There was a rush of noises; shrieks, gasps, and the like. Logan lifted Rogue and turned to face the Professor. Rogue lay limp in his arms. "And you weren't worried," Logan snarled as he ran down the hall to the infirmary.