Still Holding Out For You
By Lady Trunks
Part 17

J.Dax- Is the suspense driving you crazy?? Well then I'm sure your just going to love this chapter.

X-DarkHorizon-X- You hate cliff hangers, well then I know your going to hate this chapter. A very big, very imprtant one.

Ellen - Now that is the million dollar question, isn't it. Unfortunatly, we have to wait to find out.

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It was next to impossible to discern where the source of the screams were coming from, but the sudden exodus of people from the upper levels of the mall were a good indication. The three hurried to the escalators and began racing up them, brushing past the people that were forcing there way down. Jean sent a distress call to the professor, hoping that he would pick it up despite the distance between them.

They finally arrived at the second level and saw what was causing such a disturbance. Before them stood a tall brown-haired woman of undeterminable years who seemed to be randomly attacking people, a smile on her face attested to a decided lack of sanity. Normally in a case such as this it wouldn't be too difficult to deal with, but this was no ordinary woman. This was a mutant, and a strong one at that, which Jean found out as she tried to use her telepathy to render her unconscious. The woman blocked her with ease and using what had to be telekinesis lifted up a shopper off the floor and threw her at the three girls. As the woman hurtled threw the air, Jean raised a hand to her head and with a look of concentration used her telekinesis to catch the unfortunate shopper and sat her back out of the way.

By this time most of the people had fled, and it was only the four of them plus several other customers that had been either knocked unconscious or were to injured to get away, so the woman's full concentration was on the three mutant girls. She lifted up a mannequin that was on display and flung it directly at Kitty. The freshman, quickly phased and it went straight through her before hitting the floor with a crash. This only served to farther anger the woman and she began levitating items all around the area they were in.

The girls stood side-by-side facing the woman who for now wasn't attacking. "Kitty, do you think that you can phase the other shoppers to the lower levels so they'll be safe if me and Jean can distract her long enough?" The Valley girl nodded, and they set off trying to distract her, each of the girls going in separate directions.

"Hey, freak!" Rogue called out to the woman, drawing her attention away from Kitty as the girl began phasing the other shoppers away from the fight. Her distraction worked, and the woman responded to the taunting by picking up a nearby chair and tossing it at the Goth. Rogue dived out of the way just in time and it crashed into the wall behind her. After missing she immediately began flinging other items at the girl.

Rogue cautiously made her way over to Jean's side, dodging objects the whole time. "Any idea how we can take psycho chick out?" She asked, slightly breathless.

"I could try another psychic attack. But I'm not sure if it will work. I think her telepathy is stronger than mine. Probably her telekinesis too." The Redhead said with a frown.

"Well, there's not much we can do but try. Go for it, I'll distract her again." Rogue said. Jean gave a nod, and they separated once again.

Rogue ran to the left, dodging a folding chair that was forcefully flung at her. Meanwhile Jean began trying to get through the woman's mental blocks without much luck. It required all of her concentration, so she missed the large potted plant sailing in her direction. It wasn't until a body slammed hard into hers knocking her into the ground that she became aware of her surroundings. Just in time to see the plant hit where she had been standing seconds before with enough force that if it had hit her, would have done considerable damage to her person.

"Umm, thanks." Jean said, wide-eyed at the close call.

"Don't mention it," Rogue said wryly, as they both stood up before they could be hit with something else. "Any luck?"

"Her mental shields are really strong. I'll try again but I'm not sure it would do any good. Do you think that you could absorb her?"

Rogue shrugged. "Right now I don't think I can get close enough. Did you notice how she's not letting us get anywhere near her? Maybe when Kitty gets back, but..." Another shrug finished the sentence.

Jean nodded in understanding. "I'll try again." She closed her eyes and once again began to concentrate, this time focusing all of her ability on breaking through the shields. And this time it actually seemed to be having some effect, as the items around the woman began to slowly lower back to the ground.

As if suddenly realizing that her mind was being messed with, the woman turned and shot a psychic blast straight at Jean. Not being prepared for that, the girl had no defense and crumpled to the ground unconscious. Rogue let out at a string of curses as she tried to shelter Jean's unconscious body, realizing that now it was only her and the woman.

Luckily Kitty took that time to show up. "Get Jean out of here. I'm going to take care of the psychotic nut job over there."

"Are you sure?" Kitty said, not wanting to leave her friend there fighting alone.

"Yes, now go!" Rogue ordered. Without waiting to see if she listened Rogue began making her way towards the woman. Seeing her advance, the woman slowly began backing up. She directed a chair at the Goth, which she avoided, maintaining her forward advance.

The other woman backed away until her back was pressed up against the short wall that protected people from falling. A quick glance over showed that nothing but a 50-foot drop was on the other side. With a snarl of rage she turned back around to face the Goth. Rogue dodged as once again an object was thrown at her, and with a leap landed on the woman.

She pressed her hand against her face and both let out screams as Rogue's power kicked in and started absorbing the woman. In defense, the woman rose up off the ground, frantically clawing at Rogue's arm, trying desperately to get away from the lethal hand pressed against her face. Rogue held on tightly, knowing that she wouldn't have another chance, and both hovered above the ground.

Suddenly something changed, and the other woman grabbed a hold of Rogue and started to move away from the floor and towards where there was nothing solid for the girl to land on. Sensing this, Rogue tried to get away, but the other woman held on tight. With a quick glance down, Rogue saw that there was nothing but a 50-foot drop before the floor of the mall. With it came the realization that to let go would mean her death, and to remain holding on the other woman would eventually pass out, and they would both fall. Neither option seemed particularly satisfactory.

She looked up into the eyes of the other woman and saw that she realized the same thing but didn't care. With a start Rogue realized that she had never intended to live after this, and it was in fact some kind of twisted suicide attack. Anyone else would have already passed out from her absorption by now, and Rogue could tell that the woman was getting weaker, but somehow she remained floating.

The woman gave a last twisted smile, and closed her eyes. Then they were falling from the sky; Rogue's shrill scream echoing through the mall as she plummeted towards the ground. The screams of Kitty, who was standing helpless on the side joined in.

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That was so hard to write, my muse would have nothing to do with it. But reading back it wasn't as awful as I first thought it would be. Not as long either... So, can we all say cliff hanger?