Still Holding Out For You
By Lady Trunks
Part 25
Lucky439- Well, in her way she is dead... Well, right now she's taking up residence in Rogue's mind, but she's not in her own body, so I guess in a way... *shrugs* The technicalities escape me. Anyway, I really hope that you do, and it's very nice of you to help your bro out like that.
Oracale- Ah, but she does have her purpose. A very important one in this story. And one is that she has given Rogue the ability to touch, which is a good thing... At least for Pietro ;) Actually Lucky wants her dead too... Such blood thirsty people you are... ^_^ We'll see.
ladyofdarkness- Well, I happen to think that's a very good review. I love it when people agree with me. ^_^ And I'm not good at reviews either, I'm just glad to know your reading it, and I'm glad that you think it's cool.
Christina- Glad you love it. ^^
Snow queen- Glad you love it. And I'm glad that you thought Jean was funny. That's what I was trying to do. I wonder how come when you wake someone up by laughing at a fanfic (which I have done a couple times) they never seem to find it amusing?? ^_^ But anyways, here's more like you wanted.
Kat Xcelmen- I'm glad someone knows. I hope you won't be disappointed if it doesn't go like that, because honestly, I'm making it up as I go along. But I figure at least I get to be surprised to. ^^
Untouchableheart- Very soon we will get to the very, totally, without a doubt, undisputedly, extremely fluffy (think downy fluffy) Rietro-ness... I hope. (And I know that makes no sense, I'm hyper right now). And if I hold Rogue's life in jeopardy and threaten to off her until you update, would it force you to get over your writers block? Because, I'll do it. I'm a loose cannon, don't tempt me... Ah, who am I trying to kid. I couldn't do that... Unless it would work. ^_^
Ellen- I think that could make an extremely angsty, hilarious, or romantic fic, however you played it out. I had a thought kind of similar, if your not wanting it to be strictly angst. It involves an imaginary (boy)friend... In the form of Pietro. Only not really imaginary, if you know what I'm saying.
Nightshade- Thanks Chica. I didn't get Pietro though. What kind of birthday is it without Pietro, I would like to know? I have been completely delusioned when it comes to the birthday fairy.
DragonBlond- Obviously, I don't understand the whole cliffhanger thing, cause I seriously thought that wasn't one. Whoa is me. Now I have to live with the Stigma of you branding a liar. ^_^ And I'm glad you liked that line, it was very inspired... Or not, I don't really remember these things. ^^ So, when's your birthday? And I don't care who tells you differently, the birthday fairy will not deliver fictional characters, no matter how good you are... wait, there's the catch, darn it. You have to be good. Stupid clauses! So, not P.C... But still Romy, I'm guessing, right? Now if you were to write a Rietro... ^_^ I feel like an army recruiter trying to bring people over to my side. But I like Romy. I just happen to be rather obsessive about Rietro. My only problem though, is that I'm majorly possessive and can't stand to see Pietro or Remy paired with anyone besides Rogue. It's rather strange, in it's way. Anyways, can't wait to read it. ^^
Bazzer- our dear Pietro is up to... I don't think I should tell, because I want you to be surprised. Just know that he is one heck of a knight in shining armor figuratively speaking. ^^ I want one!! And thanks... I still don't think that asking for Pietro should have been so unreasonable for my birthday. ^_^
X-DarkHorizon-X- Glad your feeling better. And I read the chapter. It's going great, BTW. I think it's definitely leaning towards Rietro now (YAY!). So, did you like the song? I didn't the first time I heard it, but my friend made me listen to it again. And since I am a rather vindictive person, I enjoyed it. ^_^ And thanks for the serenade... Of course now I feel majorly old, not because of the song, but because I am old.
HoneyBug16- Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to leave everyone hanging. I actually thought this was a better ending than I usually do... It wasn't a life or death moment... Well, kind of but... Better than some other chapters, I'm sure. ^^
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Pietro rushed out of the room and straight to the Professor's office, an idea now firmly planted in his mind thanks to Kitty. It wasn't going to be easy, but if he could get the professor to agree to it, he knew it would work. It just had to.
He arrived at the door to his office a second later and knocked on the door. "Come in, Pietro." The professor's smooth voice called from inside. Pietro opened the door and entered the room. "Have a seat." The professor offered, waving an arm at the chairs before him. He took a seat, trying to sit still. "And what brings you here?"
"I have an idea, Professor. That could help save Rogue." Pietro blurted out quickly. In response, the professor only arched an eyebrow at him, silently urging him to continue. "Well, you said you couldn't enter Rogue's mind without causing damage, because she wouldn't let you in." A nod greeted that statement. "But what if you were to, um, astrally project?, my mind into hers. I know that she would let me in."
The professor got a thoughtful look on his face, considering the idea. Pietro let out a silent sigh of relief. He would be able to help save Rogue, and soon she would be awake and everything would go back to normal. Well, maybe not exactly the same if he had any say about it.
These hopes were dashed, however, as the professor shook his head, regret on his face. "I'm sorry Pietro, I can't do that."
Pietro felt like a huge lump had formed in his stomach at the words. "But why not? Can you not do that? I thought that you were supposed to be the strongest telepath in the world."
"It's not that I can't do it, just that I won't." Pietro started to protest, but Xavier cut him off. "If I were to do that, I would in essence be linking your mind with her. With her in her critical condition, if something was to happen to her and she was to pass away, it would kill you as well. I can't in good conscience put one of my student's lives at risk like that."
Pietro was silent for several seconds, then he spoke, voice laden with unshed tears. "Do you honestly think that if she dies, I'll still be alive?" Professor Xavier was going to attempt to comfort the boy, but right before his eyes his emotions changed and his face hardened until it resembled someone oddly familiar. It only took Xavier a second to recognize the cold look as one that he had in fact seen on his old friend's face whenever his mind was made up. At that moment, the resemblance between Pietro and his father, Magneto, was unmistakable.
"If you don't help me, I'll go to my father. He'll know someone who will do that." Pietro spoke in a cold yet determined voice.
"Pietro," The professor spoke in soothing tones, "don't be foolish. You know that if you do that, you'll never be able to get away from his control again."
Pietro stood up and began pacing the room and rapid strides. "You think I don't know that?! Of course he'll try to use it to get me back under his influence again. But," he stopped his pacing and turned to face Xavier, and when the spoke there wasn't a second of hesitation, "that's a price I'm willing to pay. If it will save her, I'll do it."
Professor Xavier sighed in defeat. It was obvious that Pietro was determined to go through with this plan of his, despite the personal risk. And on one hand he was even proud that the boy was willing to put his life on the line for one of his teammates (even if he was sure that it had more to do with this particular person). On the other hand, he hated the thought of willingly putting a child in danger, which is what this amounted to. If there was any other way at all…
"Go to sleep Pietro." The professor told him. "You're going to need to be alert tomorrow when we do this."
Realizing that the professor was agreeing to help him with his plan (even if it was under duress) the boy smiled widely for the first time in a long while. He was going to help her. If everything went according to plan, by tomorrow Rogue would be awake, and life would be good again.
The boy exited the office and rushed back to the medical ward and to Rogue's bedside. Everything was still normal, which was a relief. With the knowledge that he would be able to actually do something instead of wait (one of the few things that he was no good at), it felt like a huge weight lifted off his shoulders He relaxed into his chair, and for the first time in weeks fell into a deep sleep.
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Next chapter: Reunited and if feels so good. At least that's what the bunnies say. Remember though, the bunnies lie sometimes. I'll do my best.