Still Holding Out For You
By Lady Trunks
Part 23

Carla- I tend to like Jean evil, because at least then she's got a little more character. Pefect is sooo boring. And as soon as (if) Rogue wakes up there will be plenty of Rietro action. Hmm, well I think 3 years would actually be a little extensive, so it won't be that long.

UntouchableHeart- Lots of people dislike Jean. I wonder why that is? Well, at least I'm not the only one. ^_^

X-DarkHorizon-X- I tend to like all music, and it is country. I used to not like them also, but I just love that song. You should download A Night To Remember too. You have to really listen to the words though. It's about revenge. ^_^

Lucky439- Yep, for someone who wants to be an outsider, suddenly becoming the center of attention... You know she would hate it. *evil grin* If you have the time, I hope you decide to write something. Anything Rietro is good with me. And I've been thinking about the fic I'm writing for you, and have some ideas. I think I'll even be able to work kids in.

Roguechere- Whoa, that brought me back. The other day I watched Return to the Batcave... Very strange movie. She'll wake up eventually, don't pressure me... I'll pull the plug!! I swear I will!! =P

Kat Xcelmen- It was funny? I was trying for angst. Only I could manage to do that... ^_^ I'm glad you like it.

Ellen- Do I like Bobby? Oh, let me count the ways. Actually my favorite X-Men are Rogue, Bobby, and Kurt. And I would definitly read it... *whispers* Iactually even like Rogue paired with Bobby (when she's not with Pietro) , just don't tell anyone. I'd feel like I betrayed Rietro. My only problem is I'm very possessive and hate for Pietro to be paired with anyone else.

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"I spy with my little eye… absolutely nothing!" Rogue growled in disgust as she continued on her path. Or at least what she hoped was her path, since there was no way of knowing because everything was completely dark. And if that wasn't bad enough, there was also the added 'bonus' of being utterly and completely bored out of her mind… Or in her mind as the case may be. You would think that it being her mind and all that she could imagine a change of scenery if nothing else. Anything to break up the monotony of it all. A slightly whimsical thought of tap-dancing bunnies and rapping squirrels crossed her mind. "Ugh, I'm definitely going insane!"

She tried to think of something a little more… un-crazy and her mind drifted to thoughts of Pietro… again. "I'm defiantly obsessed." she said out loud with a sigh. Despite that she continued to think about the boy, wondering what he was doing. She wasn't sure how long she had been out of it (her internal clock wasn't working), though it seemed like forever. "I guess I won't have to the homecoming dance after all." Though the thought should have been a joyous one considering how much she had wanted get out of it, instead she was rather surprised to feel regret. "It would have been nice. Dancing with Pietro. Okay, I have definitely got to stop talking to myself. I hear it's a sure sign of insanity."

"Only if you talk back." A voice said from somewhere in front of her. Unlike the previous voice, this one was more distinctive. There was also a rough quality to it, which let her know that the person was not exactly happy at the moment.

"Who are you?" Rogue demanded, dropping into a defensive crouch incase the person suddenly attacked.

"Why I'm you, dear." The voice said mockingly. "At least I am now. Now how could you forget me so quickly? After all, you did kill me!" The darkness disappeared and Rogue was able to make out the figure in front of her.

"You!" she said, recoiling slightly from the sight of the brown-haired woman from the mall.

"Yes, me. You may call me Linda. After all we are currently very close… But not for very much longer."

"What do you mean?" Rogue asked her suspiciously, backing away as the woman advanced towards her.

"I mean that I have been locked up enough! I'm ready to be free. When I was in my own body, I knew that it was only a matter of time until the cops found me. But, if my bodies dead…" She smirked then, and it was not a reassuring site. "And if I should happen to take control of your body, well then, no one will suspect."

"You'll never get away with it!! They'll know!"

Linda shrugged unconcernedly. "I don't think so. I've been looking through your memories. I don't think it will be that hard. After all, you were always a loner, never letting people close. I don't think they'll even notice a difference… And if they do, they'll chalk it up to post-traumatic stress from killing someone."

"Pietro will know." Rogue said, certainty in her voice. He was her best friend after all, and knew her better than anyone else. He would definitely know that something was wrong.

"Hmm." Linda looked thoughtful for half a second, before she smiled viciously. "Then I guess he'll just have to suffer a little 'accident'. Tragic really."

"I won't let you hurt him." Rogue said decisively, for the first time holding her ground.

"You think that you can stop me?" Linda smiled indulgently. "You're more than welcome to try little girl. But in the end it comes down to which one of us is the strongest. You don't stand a chance."

"Oh, is that a fact." It was Rogue's turn to mock. "I stopped you once before. And I'll do it again."

"You didn't do anything that I didn't let you do!" Linda hissed in response.

"Sure. Keep telling yourself that if it helps you feel better about losing!"

"I'm going to enjoy hurting you little girl!"

"Bring it on!"

With that, the two engaged in battle. But this was no ordinary battle, this was a battle of wills.

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