Professor Xavier leaned back in his wheelchair, rubbing his temples. "So she's not alone in there?" Logan asked. Xavier sighed. "Since the manifestation of her powers, and her absorption of Cody, Rogue has not been alone in her mind. However, the entities of Cody, Kurt, and anyone else Rogue has come into contact with leave slight residual traces of themselves. So, Rogue has a sort of compilation of personalities. Yet, these are relatively safe, as they are merely after affects of her power. But, this man, this self proclaimed ruler of Rogue's mind, he has me worried. It appears he is an ever present reality, though I don't believe she is quite conscious of the fact." "What about those kids?" "They are simply manifestations. She has created them as decoys for her own safety." "I'm not sure that is entirely the truth Professor," Hank said, speaking for the first time in ten minutes. His statement was greeted by two sets of eyes.
Kurt ported into the kitchen, his stomach growling loudly. "Man, vas is 'rong vith me lately? Hungry. Hungry. Hungry." He began to rifle through the refrigerator. "Hmm…vas to eat?" As his search continued, a very nervous Jubilee entered the kitchen. She was wringing her hands and pacing, mumbling to herself. Kurt looked up from a half-eaten sandwich. "Jubes?" She didn't seem to notice. "Jubilee?" *Bamf* Jubilee's eyes widened in surprise. Kurt stood before her, hands on her shoulders. "Jubilee, are you alright? Vas is ze matter?"
*Bamf* Kurt and Jubilee appeared in the group surrounding the infirmary doors. Kurt pushed his way through the others until he reached the front of the group. He looked in and saw Rogue unconscious on a bed. The Professor, Ororo, and Logan were listening to something Hank was saying. The Professor looked on calmly, with interest, his hands folded in front of his face. Ororo sat on the bed, gently stroking Rogue's hair, and listening with deep concern. Logan was leaning against one of the consoles, arms folded across his chest. His face was set in a careful mask of indifference, though his anger was evident; his body slightly trembling, his hands in tight fists.
"So she's got multiple personalities?" Logan asked, tightly. "It is a possibility, yes," Hank replied, "Though Charles may still be right. They may be manifestations, however not in the traditional sense. This entity, the sole reflection with a common reality, may very rightly be the center of these figurative beings. Rogue is merely a pawn in a game within her own mind. The only way to revive her is by extricating the negative material to the most perfunctory level." Logan raised an eyebrow. "An' that would mean?" "Simply put, Charles must erase her mind." Logan stood up stiffly, his jaw tight. "What?" "If Charles can induce an amnesiatic state, Rogue ought to return to normal." "What is the safety rate?" Logan glared at the Professor. "The same with most cases," Hank replied, "There is a 10% chance it won't work. There is also a 5% chance that a few minor problems may occur." "Such as?" "Well, nothing too serious, just a few motor problems. She may develop a lisp. Or her preferences may change. Left handed instead of right. Classical music instead of rock…" "In other words, yer makin' a whole new kid!" Logan growled. "We are not 'creating a new kid,' we are simply correcting some minor systematic occurrences. Rogue should be fine." "What about her powers? Will this affect them Hank?" Ororo asked softly. "There's only a 3% chance of that happening," he replied. "That's relatively small," the Professor said. "It's still a chance," Logan said, "Ya ain't doin' this Charles. I ain't lettin' ya do it." Xavier sighed. "Hank, is there no other way?" asked Ororo. "I'm not exactly sure," he replied, "There are so many unknown conditions here." She turned to the Professor. "Charles, is there nothing more you can do?" He shook his head slowly. "I can think of nothing more than what I have tried. Rogue will not even allow me in her mind now; she seems to have quite a strong will. If I can not even enter her mind, I can't do anything for her." The defeat hung thick in the air. Logan growled. The sudden silence amplified the presence of the other students in the doorway.
Ororo sighed and stood, walking over to the doorway. She began to make motions with her hands. "Come now children," she said, beginning to usher them out, "Let us go now. Hank and the Professor need time to work everything out." She put her hand on Kurt's shoulder. He sighed and turned around, following her out. Rogue groaned. The Professor caught a quick image of a young Kurt playing with a young Rogue, a baby's cry in the background. "Ororo wait," he said, opening his eyes. She stopped in the middle of the hall, all of the students stopping around her. "Yes Professor?" "Kurt, come in here please." Kurt looked at Ororo then slowly entered the room. He walked over to the Professor and stood beside him, his eyes focussed on Rogue. "Kurt may I ask you a personal question?" Kurt nodded, his eyes never leaving Rogue. Ororo and the students crowded in the doorway. "How much do you care for Rogue?" "A lot Professor, very much." "Do you care enough to risk something for her safety?" "Ja." "What?" "Anyzing." "Anything?" Kurt nodded. "Even you're life?" "Ja. Even my life," Kurt replied, not skipping a beat. "Well then Kurt, I believe-" The Professor picked up Pietro's brainwave patterns. He was interested in what he read and decided he'd recruit Pietro as well. "Quicksilver is here. Scott would you please go upstairs and let him in?" "What? Professor I-" "Now Scott, please." Scott groaned, but turned and left to open the door anyway.
Everyone fixed the Professor with confused stares. "Ya got somethin' in mind there Chuck?" Logan asked. The Professor didn't answer him. Instead he said, "Good Afternoon Pietro." Pietro stopped with an unusual snap, looking rather comically like the roadrunner. His eyes were fixed on Rogue. 'What's going on?' was clearly written all over his face.
Professor Xavier leaned forward in his chair. *Pietro* Pietro's head whipped to the side to glance at the Professor. *You love her, don't you?* Pietro's eyes narrowed. *That's none of your business and get the fuck outta my head!* The Professor leaned back. "Honestly Pietro, vulgarity won't get you anywhere." Pietro continued to glare at him. The room seemed to shift uncomfortably. Scott entered the room then, slightly out of breath. "I was thinking perhaps you would like to join Kurt and I." Pietro quirked an eyebrow. "We are going to try and help Rogue." At this comment Pietro visibly softened, and he turned tear brimmed eyes on her. 'How?!' Pietro thought. "Perhaps you would join us and find out?" the Professor responded. Pietro simply nodded. "Good," Xavier replied, "Come here both of you." Kurt and Pietro walked over to where the Professor sat. Jean telekinetically deposited two chairs for them. *Thank you Jean* She nodded.
Kurt sat to the Professor's left, by Rogue's head, and Pietro sat on his right, by Rogue's legs. Professor Xavier held out a hand to each boy, which they instantly took. *Now each of you place a hand on Rogue please* They did as they were told. Kurt's hand rested on top of Rogue's head and Pietro lay a hand against her hip. "Bobby." Bobby started. "Y-yes Professor?" "Do you remember what we talked about?" Bobby nodded. "Then come sit on the other side of Rogue." Bobby did and took her hand between his without even being asked. Xavier nodded and motioned for Kurt and Pietro to close their eyes. A moment later both of their bodies slumped over in their chairs.
Bobby held Rogue's hand tightly. "Well what now?" Scott asked. "We pray Scott," Jean replied, "We pray."
