Title: Chances

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em, (with the exception of Chasm) so please don't sue!

Rating: PG-13 for violence, language, and adult situations

A/N: Here's Chapter 4. Hope ya like it! Please review!





Rogue woke up to complete darkness. She couldn't see anything. And when she tried to move she found that she was bound to a cold metal table. The iciness of the table swept through her skin, chilling her to the bone.... It was her dream, she was dreaming she had to be. There was no way that this could actually be happening. She couldn't be living her dream. Things like this didn't happen. But then she remembered that her dreams were actually Logan's memories, and things like this have actually happened. Panic made her strain against her bonds. But now as in her dream she couldn't budge them and hurt herself trying to. Even with her super-human strength, the adamantium holding her down would not move. She started breathing exercises to calm herself. She had been in worse situations then this. She was an X-man now. She was not the child that Magneto had tried to use as a lamb going to slaughter. At the moment the only thing that calmed her was the feel of Logan's dog tags against her neck. They had not taken it away from her. Relief mingled with fear.

Her mind started working furiously to put together what had happened. She knew that Magneto had sent his cronies to get her. He had even showed up himself. Her head still hurt like hell from the blow they had dealt her. She was sure she had a goose-egg to show for it. What did Magneto want with her again? He surely knew by now that his machine failed to turn humans into mutants. It killed them. Their DNA could not take the pressure of the change. Which was exactly what had happened to the senator. So why did he want her again? Was it chance? Did he just happen to be there while she was walking? She didn't think so. Magneto was not the type to go on a midnight stroll. No there was an ulterior motive in this. She just couldn't think of what it might be. Had he modified the machine? Did he get it to work? If so, then why was she here? What plans did he have for her this time?

Suddenly, Rogue heard footsteps coming down the hall. The click-clacking of shoes. Fear seized her quickly with it's icy grip. This was exactly like her dream. Only she didn't hear anyone humming. Maybe Hummer was no longer alive. She had no idea how long ago this had happened to Logan. He didn't even know how long ago. The footsteps were coming ever closer. Then they stopped. Right outside her door. She swallowed audibly, trying to force the fear away. There was no jangle of keys, no nothing. For a few minutes at least. Then the door started groaning and squealing. As if some force was bending it to it's will. Then she realized that it was probably Magneto. With his mutation he was able to control metal; he would be a good guess. With the noises that door was making, it was another good guess that it was metal. She didn't know for sure though, because it was pitch black. Then there was light.

The door flew right over her, slamming into the far wall. Light filled the room, blinding her. But she already had known that would happen. She paid attention to her dreams. The only thing wrong with this picture was Magneto. Where did he come in?

"Always good with a grand entrance, right Magnet boy?" Rogue couldn't see him, but she knew he was there. She was deliberately baiting him. If she got him riled enough, he might let something slip. But then again this is the cold, and formal Magneto. Not an ordinary human.

She felt him stand over by her. All she could see was a dark silhouette, against the painfully bright light. "You have changed haven't you, little one? Isn't that a pity. I do believe that I liked you better when you were begging for mercy. Now you think that you are invincible because you are apart of Charles' X-men? Please, spare me. I have no time for such antics. We will see who turns out invincible." Magneto's chillingly cultured voice was soft but there was force behind the words. So he was still determined to rid the earth of humans? She may not like all humans for having a prejudice against her. Hating her and her kind, in fact for being different. But she could not forget that her parents were human and some of the people she had loved most were humans. They didn't deserve to die for something they did not understand. She decided to change the subject.

"So how did ya manage to break out of your little bubble?" Rogue questioned as if asking if he would like another cup of tea.

"Ah. A change in attitude? How diplomatic. Well just to amuse you, my associates got me out. Not that you need to hear the details. But as you can imagine, Mystique's unique ability did help." Rogue could only imagine how many guards had died at Mystique's hand, in order to free a menace.

"Well, now that ah know that, ah just have one other tiny question to ask ya." Rogue's vision was clearing. She could now see Magneto, and he looked amused at her question.

"And what might that be?"

"What the hell do you want with me?" She hadn't meant to shout the question out, but 'shit happens' she figured. She was annoyed that he looked even more amused now.

"Now, now. There's no need to start shrieking like a banshee," he stated calmly. "You know very well that I cannot tell you that. Then there would be no surprise. No, I think that I will let you stew in your own doubts. Let's see what your imagination conjures up shall we?" With that he turned around to face the hall. "Chasm!" Magneto bellowed into the hall. "Ah, here you are. Please make Ms. Rogue, a bit more comfortable. As she will be here for quite some time." He seemed to be talking to thin air, but he turned and walked away leaving Rogue waiting in anticipation of what was to come. As she gazed out into the hallway, she noticed that the air rippled near the doorway. The ripple seemed to come closer to the edge of the table. Then she heard it. Humming. Someone or something was humming. A tuneless repetitious song, for her benefit. All of her defenses seemed to shatter. This was it. Her nightmare, with a twist. For Hummer, now "Chasm" was here. And she had no idea what to do about it. Her eyes traveled to the table next to her. A syringe was suddenly lifted by invisible hands. As it was racing towards her she closed her eyes. She silently cried out to the professor, Storm, Jean, Cyclops, Jubilee, Kitty, Logan, anyone to hear her, to help her. The needle was jabbed into her arm. As everything faded to black for the second time she made her plea again. Desperately this time. Just before the drug took affect she heard laughter. The Chasm was laughing.







* * *

Professor Xavier had used Cerebro many nights now, searching for some trace of Rogue. There was none to be had. She seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. But Professor X was strong of heart. He would not let one of his own be lost. Especially to Magneto. Charles Xavier stared up at his ceiling, still searching with his telepathic ability to find Rogue. Jean and Storm had literally forced him into bed. He was exhausted after using Cerebro for so long, but he had wanted to go on again. He couldn't stand the thought of Rogue being used in another one of Magneto's schemes. He knew she could take care of herself. But Magneto was a brilliant deviant. She didn't stand much of a chance pitted against him.

Charles' thoughts turned toward his crew. Jean, Scott and Oruro were all doing everything in their powers to find Rogue. Even some of the younger students, like Jubilee, Kitty and Gambit were all helping as much as possible. Jubilee, Kitty and Gambit were all next in line to become X-men if they so chose. Their schooling would be finished this semester. After that it was up to them. Finally his thoughts rested on Logan. He in a deep despondency at the moment. He thought that this was all his fault. That he should have been there to protect her. He still thought of her as the child he left behind. No longer was she that. But no amount of convincing could make Logan believe it. He meant to get Rogue back. As soon as possible. And had the will-power to achieve that goal. Charles greatly admired Logan for that will-power after having been through so much. He hoped that Logan would stay on with them, but he had no way of knowing. Especially with this crisis on hand.

Making up his mind to try Cerebro one last time, he sat himself up and got into his wheelchair. He made his way through the corridors without sound. As he reached Cerebro, he went through the doors. Putting on the helmet, he closed his eyes to concentrate. Voices, thoughts, feelings all reached his mind. Then he felt it. Rather heard it. Rogue's voice, coming from the north. He couldn't see her. But that could mean she was being held in a lightless room. "Professor, Storm, Jean, Cyclops, Jubilee, Kitty, Logan anyone, please help me. Ah need help. Oh please come...." Her cry came from somewhere to the north. "Canada." He thought. Then as her world faded, his did as well. Someone must have given her something to knock her out because as she fell into the abyss of nothingness, she almost dragged him with her. He pulled himself out of it as quickly as he could. Then he opened his eyes and was staring at Cerebro's massive interior. Xavier quickly pulled his wits together and started from the room. He headed to the meeting room, mentally waking everyone up to let them know the news.













End chapter 4. More to come.... please review! (A/n: thanks for all the reviews!)