Voices, she could hear voices. The voices were soft, and as she slowly regained consciousness she could understand them. "It's like I said before," said a male voice, "Physically, she is fine, the picture of health. I don't know where the fever came from. Perhaps it is a side effect of her surfacing memories." "And how 'd ya get that?" said a gruff male voice. "Rogue is fighting herself. Her powers and her memories are battling for control." "And that's supposed to mean what exactly?" "I'm not certain." "Well I suggest you get certain," the second male voice said, angrily. Rogue could her a familiar *SNIK*. "Calm down Logan," said a woman's voice softly, "Hank is trying his best." "Well he ain't try'n hard enough," the voice replied. And then Rogue could hear another *SNIK* as Logan's claws retracted. So she was home in the institute. She mentally smiled, and felt herself lighten up happily. "Logan, we all know how you feel about Rogue, and the children," Ororo said. Logan grunted. "However, it is no reason to get angry at Hank. He is trying his best. Aren't you Hank?" "Of course," he replied, "These children are important to me as well." Logan sniffed loudly.
Listening to their conversation had caused Rogue to fully awaken, at least mentally. Rogue tried to open her eyes, and realized they felt very heavy. She tried to move, but her body objected. Angrily, Rogue groaned, finally accomplishing some movement. She heard footsteps approaching her. "Rogue?" Ororo asked softly. Rogue groaned again. She fought her rebellious body, and finally gained some control. Rogue's eyelids fluttered open, and she saw three very worried, very relieved faces looking down at her. She licked her lips. "Where am ah?" she asked. She knew she was home, but this definitely wasn't her room. "You're in the infirmary, at the institute," Hank replied. Rogue groaned, that's what she thought. She struggled to get up, but four hands gently pushed her back down. She looked up at Hank and Ororo, a deep child whimper escaping her. She hated hospitals; they knew that. So the infirmary wasn't exactly a hospital, but it was damn close enough, and she sure as hell wasn't gonna stay there.
"Rogue you must lay back," Hank said as she began to fight them, "You need rest." Fine. But why couldn't she rest in her room? She looked up at him, hurt evident on her face. She looked to Ororo, her eyes glazing over. "It is for your own good Rogue," Ororo said, leaning over to run her hand through Rogue's hair, "You are ill, and we are only trying to help." "But-" her voice cracked. "I know dear, it is only for a few days," Ororo replied. Rogue appeared to be thinking it over. However, she was really gathering her strength. 'If ah could jus' make it t' tha door...' Rogue waited until they both stood away from her. Logan was at the end of the bed, his arms folded across his chest. She doubted she could get passed him, but she had to try. The fear was overpowering. Ororo was claustrophobic, why couldn't she understand?
Rogue surprised them by suddenly shooting up. She almost got off the bed, almost. Hank caught her just before her feet hit the ground. He placed her back on the bed and she began to cry, surprising all three adults. "Can't ah jus' go ta mah room n rest?" she asked between sobs. Hank shook his head. "I'm sorry Rogue..." She began to cry harder, bringing her legs up to her chest and gently rocking herself. Hank was at a loss for words. He hadn't been at the institute for very long, and though he didn't know the students well, he knew enough about them. And he knew Rogue was never this emotional.
Logan growled low before walking to the head of the bed, pushing Hank out of the way in the process. He pulled the sheets off the bed and wrapped them around Rogue. Then he lifted her off the bed gently. "It's okay kiddo," he said softly into her hair. "Logan where-" "I'm takin' her to her room. You got a problem with that?" Hank shook his head as he recognized the dangerous gleam in Logan's eyes.
As Logan left Hank stared. Ororo sighed, and then laughed softly. "He loves them so much. He's just too afraid to show it," she said. Hank turned to her, a question written on his face. "Rogue is Nosocomephobic." "Oh," Hank replied. That explained everything, and he suddenly felt guilty. "Don't worry. She will forgive you," Ororo said, understanding. Hank sighed. He hoped so.

Logan stopped in front of the door. Of course it would be closed. It was three in the morning, but he still wouldn't barge right in there. He kicked the door with his foot a few times. He could hear Kitty moving around in her room. She was mumbling. "Half pint open the door," he said. A few moments later the door opened. Kitty was instantly awake as Logan passed her and walked over to Rogue's bed, depositing her there. She had stopped sobbing, but she was still crying softly. Logan stood staring down at her, unsure of what to do. As Kitty slowly came over, he realized he'd just leave the comforting to the professionals. He turned, giving Kitty's shoulder a squeeze before walking to the door. He saw Kitty crawl onto the bed as he closed the door. He sighed, trying to decide what to do. He finally decided to go to the kitchen and make some coffee. Sleep wasn't even an option.
Kitty crawled over to face Rogue, and sat down beside her. Rogue was crying and staring into space. "Rogue?" Rogue looked at her. "Are you okay?" Rogue shook her head and began to cry harder. "Oh Kitty! Ah don't know what's happen'n ta me. Ah'm so lost! Ah don't even know who ah am anymore." Kitty sighed. What do you say to that? She looked around, as if for an answer, and spotted Rogue's pillow. She pulled at the covers, getting under them, and crawled to the head of the bed. She picked up the pillow and placed it in her lap, shifting over to Rogue. Rogue looked up at her, an unreadable expression on her face. Kitty smiled and patted the pillow. She had to do it twice before Rogue finally gave in, resting her head on the pillow.
"You know Rogue, it's not always, like, easy, being a mutant and all," Kitty said, looking across the room, "But, what makes everything better is having people who understand you. It wouldn't be so hard if you'd, like, let someone get close to you now an' then." Rogue sighed. "Yeah, an have 'em pass out soon as they do. N ah get stuck with another mind for the rest of mah life," Rogue replied bitterly. "There are lots of ways to get close to people Rogue. It won't kill you to try." "No, but it might kill them." Kitty sighed. Self pity was not a good fit for Rogue. "You're, like, so afraid of getting close to people that you soo push them away." Rogue didn't respond. "Bobby likes you, you know." "He's not mah type." "Oh?" Kitty asked slyly, "Like, what is your type? And don't say it doesn't matter, or I'll hit you!" Rogue laughed. "Well," she began.

Ororo stood outside of Kitty and Rogue's bedroom door. It was 7:30 in the morning. Breakfast was being served. She had gone upstairs to check on them when she'd heard laughing and stopped. She was trying to decide what to do when Logan walked over to her and leaned on the doorframe. "They been doin' that all mornin'," Logan said, carefully hiding his smile. Ororo smiled at him, happily, and knocked on the door. "Like, come in," came Kitty's voice. She did, and had to fight her growing smile as she saw them.
Rogue and Kitty sat on Rogue's bed relatively close to each other. They were both still in their pajamas, and had large smiles on their faces. 'Rogue looks good with a smile. She ought to smile more often,' Ororo thought, momentarily saddened by the fact that she'd only ever seen Rogue smile three times since she'd met her. She realized neither girl seemed to mind being so close to each other, with so little protection from Rogue's powers; Rogue wasn't even wearing her gloves. They seemed to be enjoying each other's company, and seeing Rogue happy gave Ororo a very warm, happy feeling. "Good morning girls," she said warmly. "Good morning," Kitty said, cheerily. "Mornin'," Rogue replied. "Kitty we are serving breakfast. Perhaps you would join us?" "What about Rogue?" Ororo shook her head. "I'm sorry, but Rogue is restricted to bed rest. She will be eating breakfast in the room today." Rogue frowned. "Well, then I'll be eating breakfast in bed today too!" Rogue looked at her. "Kitty, ya don't have ta-" "Are you kidding? I'm not letting you eat breakfast alone! We're family, remember?" Rogue smiled. "Besides," she continued, hopping off the bed, "You were getting to the best part. And I, like, so have to find out what happens." She skipped over to her bed and put on her slippers. "So what do you want?" she asked from the doorway. "Ah'm not really hungry-" "I'll surprise you!" Kitty said before skipping out of the room.
Ororo and Rogue watched her leave. Then they turned to look at each other. "She's got a big heart," Rogue said, absently. "So do you," Ororo replied. Rogue looked away, caught. Then she surprised the older woman by laughing. "Ah guess ah do," she said, "But don't tell anyone, okay? Ah don't want them ta go all mushy on me." Ororo laughed, and nodded her head. "It will be our little secret," she replied.


Well, Rogue had to admit that being under house arrest wasn't really that bad. The bed rest had been annoying, but she hadn't longed for company; she didn't have to, no one ever left the room long enough. It had been awkward for Rogue at first; she wasn't used to being the center of attention. Now however, she realized not only didn't she mind, but she had actually come to crave the attention. Ironic, isn't it? The one person on the planet who couldn't touch people wanted their attention. Rogue usually shrugged these feelings off now, she was happy, and that was something she couldn't ever remember being.
She still wasn't allowed to go to school, but that was okay, because Jean could, which meant more attention for Rogue at home. She had taken Kitty's advice, letting her guard down and letting her "family" in slowly. She found she actually liked these people more than she thought, and that they were actually a lot of fun; well, most of them anyway. She found herself drawn most especially to Kurt, though she couldn't understand why. Something deep inside told her that they deserved a deep, intimate relationship; that everything would end up fine if they could learn to love each other unconditionally. It just felt right, and so, taking Logan's advice, she trusted the feeling. Logan, another perk. Rogue got her own personal Logan sessions, with a twist. As everyone else had to work hard, training and honing their powers, Rogue was learning how to relax. Well, meditate actually. Logan had finally convinced the Professor to stop screwing with her head long enough to give him a chance to work with her. In all honesty, Rogue preferred Logan's technique. Not only did it calm her down and help her focus, she was able to sleep now, peacefully, and her appetite had returned. 'Thank you Logan.' She couldn't say she felt normal again, no, she felt better. She didn't ever want to feel normal again.


"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming, and now, without further adieu, your little angels." The crowd applauded, and a nervous group of children began to dance across the stage. They were followed by toddlers with rubber duckies and tutus. The audience clapped and laughed. It continued one group after another, for an hour and a half. Then it was time. A soft, heavenly melody began, and a single dancer appeared on stage. She was completely terrified, but no one could tell, she was marvelous at keeping her cool. The music began to get louder and louder, and the dancer stood in place. As the song hit a crescendo, the dancer began to move about the stage gracefully, angelically. The crowd watched in silent amazement. When the dance ended the girl bowed and received a standing ovation. She had never been so happy in her life. She looked at her mother in the crowd, who smiled at her, proud. The girl smiled back, and gently pushed away a lock of white hair.

"Rogue! Hello, Earth to Rogue!" Rogue blinked, banishing the stray thought, to see Evan waving his arms in her face. "What?" she asked, sharply. Evan stood back. "Pepperoni or Extra Cheese? You have to cast the deciding vote." Rogue turned to see the others hopping around, waving their arms. Some were saying "Pepperoni," the others "Extra cheese." Rogue shrugged. "Why not get both?" All the kids groaned, that was always her answer; well, that was always the new Rogue's answer, the old Rogue would have said she didn't care. The students decided they liked the new Rogue a lot better. "Aww, come on you have to pick one!" Bobby whined. "Yeah Rogue, the whole point is to pick one," Evan replied. "Fhine, extra cheese," she said. A few of the students did a little dance, Evan included, and began to pick on those who'd lost. Those who'd lost were scowling, pretending to be angrier than they actually were. Rogue laughed. "Ah'm goin' ta mah room. Call me when tha pizza's here," she said. Evan gave her the thumbs up sign from the phone. "Hello? I'd like to order three large pizzas with extra cheese..." she heard him say as she left the room.

Rogue sat on her bed with a sigh. 'Okay. Let's hope this works.' Logan had been instructing her on controlling the flow of her memories. He'd learned "from personal experience" so Rogue trusted him. So far, they had only worked on stopping them from bothering her. She'd never used it to try and recall them before. 'Oh well, there's a first time fer everything.' Rogue closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began to concentrate. The first thing she could hear was clapping. Then she could see the audience clearly. A man, a woman, and a boy stood in a group looking around. She ran over to them. "Pietro! Pietro! Did you see? Was it good?" He smiled at her and handed her a small bouquet of roses. "Yes, I think you were great." He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Wasn't she dad?" A man with silver hair like Pietro's smiled and leaned down to pat her on the head. "Yes she was. You looked beautiful Victoria." Rogue stiffened. "Come on Vicky," Pietro said, grabbing her hand. 'Wait this isn't right.' The name sounded wrong, as if it were her name, and yet it wasn't. No, it couldn't be. 'Somethin' else. Ah remember him callin' me somethin' else.' Rogue concentrated hard. For some reason, she wasn't surprised at finding Pietro in her memories. She knew there had to be more. "Sammy!" he called. She turned around. Pietro walked up to her. "Your mom's here. Come on!" He grabbed her hand. Sammy...Samantha...That was it, not Victoria, but Samantha...Or was it Chelsea? Wait then who was Maddie? Rogue's brow furrowed as she tried to clear the overwhelming confusion. Crying, she was crying. Pietro had his arms around her. "They're really sending you away?" She nodded. He sighed. "Well, then I guess I got you the right present." He took out a small box and handed it to her. She wiped at her tears and took the box. "Happy Birthday," he said softly. For some reason, Rogue knew it was September 25; but she had always celebrated her birthday May 4. Opening the box, she saw a small gold heart on a delicate chain. She looked up at him. He took it out of the box and put it around her neck. "It's so you'll always remember us. It's the middle heart." "Middle heart?" He nodded. "Wanda has the right side and I have the left." He pulled out his own identical chain. "They fit together. See?" He snapped the hearts together and they became one necklace. She smiled. "You like it?" "I love it!" 'Wait, ah don't have an accent?...Pietro gave that ta me?'
Rogue's eyes snapped open and she jumped off her bed. She ran to her dresser and began to dig. She always hid it, but she never understood why. Finding the box, Rogue opened it, pulling out the gold chain with the heart strung on it. Her stomach dropped, and she stood there, staring at the necklace. They were memories, her memories! They really were. Rogue felt half-excited, and half-sick. The necklace proved that at least one of those memories was hers, and that Pietro knew something about her past. With a sudden burst of energy, Rogue grabbed the phone and dialed a very familiar number.
By the third ring, she was nearing impatience. 'Please somebody be there. Please anybody.' Two rings later. "Hello?" Toad. "Hello, can ah speak ta Pietro?" "Sure hang on yo" Toad put down the phone. "Yo! Pietro! Phone!" A few seconds later Pietro zipped into the living room. "Who is it?" he asked. Toad shrugged. "Some chick." He tossed Pietro the phone. Rogue rolled her eyes. Some chick! "Hello?" "Hi Pietro. It's Rogue." Pietro froze. He never thought she'd actually call him. It took him a while to recover. "Hello? Pietro?" "Oh, uh, hey Rogue. Sorry. What's up?" "Um..." She bit her lip. She hadn't thought about what she was going to say to him. 'Well Pietro, lately ah've been havin' these dreams about mah past, an yer in 'em. Guess what? We've known each other longer than we thought. So, how's life been fer ya?' She sighed. "Well, ah sorta need ta talk ta ya. Do ya mind comin ovah? Ah can't leave the institute." ~Click~ "Hello? Hello?" She looked at the receiver. Well, what did she expect? She sighed and hung up the phone.
Kitty walked into the room. "Hey Rogue," she said cheerily. Rogue looked at her sadly. "Like, what's wrong?" Kitty asked, walking over and sitting next to Rogue on the bed. "Nuthin'." Kitty looked at her sternly. She sighed. "It's jus that ah need ta speak ta Pietro." "So, why don't you like, give him a call?" "Ah jus did," Rogue said dejectedly. "And?" "He hung up." "Oh." Kitty put a hand on Rogue's shoulder. Rogue was fiddling with the necklace. "What's that?" she asked. Rogue looked down. "Somethin' Pietro gave ta me." "Oh really? Can I see?" Rogue handed it to Kitty. "Oh it's pretty," she said. "Yeah it is," Rogue replied. "When did he like, give it to you?" Kitty asked, handing it back. "Ah long time ahgo." "Before you joined the X-men?" "Yeah." Rogue looked away. Kitty sighed. "Well, if it's that important to you," Kitty said, getting up and picking up the phone, "I can like, call Lance and have him talk to Pietro. He can so make him come over here." "Thanks Kitty, but ah want him ta come of his own free will." Kitty shrugged and put the phone down. "Okay, but, like, don't hold your breath." Rogue groaned. The doorbell rang. "Hey Rogue, pizza's here!" Evan called from the foyer. Rogue got up slowly. Kitty patted her shoulder, and they began walking. Before they reached their bedroom door they heard Evan screech, "Maximoff!" They looked at each other and bolted out the door.
They found Evan and Pietro staring each other down. "What're you doing here Pietro?!" "Hey, I got a right to be here. I was invited." "Oh yeah? By who?" "By me," Rogue replied, coming down the stairs. They turned to watch her approach them. "Rogue, how could you-?" "Aw, can it Spyke," she replied. Rogue walked over and slipped her arm through Pietro's, surprising both boys. Pietro turned and they walked out the door. "Rogue-" "Jus call me when tha pizza gets here, alright?!" She saw Kitty approach Evan. 'Ah owe ya one Kitty', Rogue's face seemed to say. 'Yeah you do', Kitty thought. Evan was furious, and a furious Evan was not a good thing. Kitty laid a hand on Evan's shoulder. He was staring at the retreating backs of his teammate and rival. "She's gonna hear it from the prof again. Man that girl won't listen." "Evan, there's nothing wrong with what Rogue did." Evan glared at her. Kitty began to count off the rules Rogue didn't break. "She's still on school grounds. She invited over another mutant, we don't need permission for that. She told another student about it." "Who?" "Me. She informed a fellow X-man-" "You." "Me." "I don't think you count twice Kitty." "It's one or the other, and you know it Evan!" He frowned, slamming the door. He retracted the spikes that had sprouted, and rubbed his arms. Well there went his nice day.

Rogue and Pietro walked along the grass slowly. Pietro had already forgotten about Evan, and was concentrating on Rogue. She was staring down at the ground, and her arm was linked around his tightly. The rate they were moving would normally drive Pietro insane. It was completely uncomfortable, but for some strange reason he didn't even mind. His mind was racing with millions of questions, but none of them would make it to his mouth. He mentally shrugged. 'Could be worse', he thought. What really seemed to confuse him was the familiar feeling he was experiencing. Which was weird, seeing as how he'd only met Rogue last year. Another shrug. Well he did live with the girl for a while, maybe that counted. And maybe not. They had never spent any real time together, and when they were together, they usually fought. Still, it had been nice, homey while Rogue lived with them. He hadn't said anything, but he'd been utterly devastated when she left; he wasn't the only one.
At a loss for words, and anything for that matter, he cleared his throat. She sighed. "Pietro?" she asked hesitantly. "Yeah?" "Do ya mind if ah ask ya somethin'?" "Ask away." "How much 'd ya remember about yer childhood?" She inwardly winced. 'What kinda stupid question was that? Everythin' of course.' But then why didn't he remember her? 'Maybe he doesn't want ta remember ya. Ever think about that?' Oh, she was really tired of arguing with herself. Pietro was silent for a moment, thinking it over. "Not much I guess," he replied, "The most I remember is me 'n Daniels always at each others throats." "That's all?" "That's about it, yeah." He looked down at her. "Why?" "No real reason," she replied, not looking at him. 'Oh stupid! Jus tell 'im. Yer never gonna get anywhere if ya don't ask! Pull yerself together.' She took a deep breath, sighing again, and then she stopped walking and faced him. Surprised, he stopped and stared down at her. "Pietro 'd ya know what this is?" she asked, opening her palm, the necklace in her hand. He stared at the necklace, then shook his head. "Are ya sure?" she asked, her voice a bit shaky, and her eyes glazing over. Pietro decided to take a better look. He took it from her, turning it over in his hand. "Rogue, does this have anything to do with what happened that day at school?" "Huh?...uh, yeah, sorta." "Sorry," he replied, angry at himself as he put the necklace back in her open palm, "But, I'm not getting anything." Rogue looked away from him with a sniff. She clasped her hand into a fist and wiped at a tear. This wasn't easy at all. Pietro gripped her shoulders, turning her to face him again. "Rogue." He waited for to look up at him. "Should I?" he asked, looking into her eyes. She nodded, miserably. "Why?" She opened her mouth to say something when a voice interrupted them. "Hey Rogue! This time the pizza's really here!" She didn't move, "Rogue!" "Ah'm comin'!" she called, turning away from Pietro. "Rogue?" "Ah'm comin'!" "Get lost Evan!" Pietro growled. "This is where I live!" Evan shot back, "Don't like my attitude? Leave!" The front door slammed closed.
Rogue turned to leave, but Pietro grabbed her wrist. "Rogue?" "Ah'm sorry ah wasted yer time." "You didn't waste my time, I got lots of it. Now what were you going to say?" Rogue looked back at him. She took one of his hands in her gloved ones. Opening his hand, she placed the necklace in it. "Here. Maybe this'll help." "Help what?" "Pietro, will ya promise me somethin'?" "Yeah" 'Wait, where did that come from?' "Jus promise me ya'll take care a this, okay? It's real important ta me." He nodded. "Pietro try for me, please." "Try to what?" She put her fingers to his lips. "Jus promise me ya'll try." He nodded. She smiled and left a very confused Pietro. Recovering, Pietro clamped his fist around the necklace and took off. She wanted him to do something for her. He was more than willing to do anything for her right now. Why couldn't she just tell him what it was? He was more confused now then ever.


"Rogue?" Rogue looked up at Kitty who'd phased halfway through the door. "You wanna eat? I got pizza," she sang the last part, making Rogue smile. Kitty phased through the door with their dinners and strolled over to Rogue's bed. "So how'd it go?" "Terribly." Kitty winced. "Ah well, you gonna try again?" "Ah don't know," Rogue replied, opening her soda, "maybe it's not worth it." She took a sip. "The truth is always worth it," Kitty said with a smile. Rogue smiled back. When had they gotten so close? Rogue shrugged mentally. What did it matter, she finally had someone to talk to. "So what 'd ah owe ya?" "For Evan?" Rogue nodded, taking a bite of her pizza. 'Mmmm, ah love extra cheese.' "Well," Kitty replied, taking another bite as she thought about it. "I know!" "What?" "You could go on a date!" "No!" "Oh, come on Rogue, loosen up." "No." "Okay, fine." Kitty's face bunched as she thought, then suddenly brightened. "I know! You can tell Bobby what's really going on." "Why?" "'Cause I'm like, so tired of him bugging me about it." They began to laugh.
*KNOCK**KNOCK* "Yeah?" they asked in unison. "Uh guys, it's Jubilee, can I come in?" "Sure," they replied. Jubilee opened the door, pizza and soda in hand; Amara and Rahne behind her. "So, do you mind if we join the party?" Everyone looked at Rogue. She smiled. "Why not?" Hell, she enjoyed this kind of stuff now. Besides they were the perfect cure, just what Professor X would order.






A/N: Nosocomephobia is a fear of hospitals


P.S.: For all of you who are dedicated to this story, and for those of you who may have just stumbled onto this, you have Rio to thank for this installment. Rio, I hope you're happy, I took time from my brand new story, and two very important papers, to post this for you. And I hope you enjoy all the Pietro. By the way, just in case anyone's wondering, I do intend on finishing this. In fact, it's actually a trilogy. Yup, I got it all planned out. Now if only I could get off my bum and type it up. {I really hate to type}

Oh! And Rio, if you still want to use Rogue's flashbacks for your story, knock yourself out. I don't mind.

Toodles!!!