I neeed more reviews! PLEASE!!! But thank you to all those who've already sent me feedback.

Oh yeah, sorry I haven't updated 'til like, now. I had a major History Assignment – still got bags under my eyes.

Chapter 4

She felt his life energy rush into her – his memories; emotions; history; everything. And it was these essences that finally dragged Marie out from the dark corner of her mind.

"Oh my god…f ", she stared at her hands, a look of stricken terror engulfing her features.

Her dark eyes helplessly followed Scott's limp body as it crumpled to the floor. She hadn't touched him long enough for him to be out cold, or absorb his powers – but nevertheless, he was still extremely groggy.

"I'm so sorry… Jesus, Scott… I am such an idiot," she sobbed, wet trails running down her face as they so often did these days.

Her initial panic ebbing away a little, she lifted his thin arm around her neck. Standing up, she willed herself to be strong, just for a moment. But her strength faltered again as she imagined the horror and loathing that would inevitably be directed at her when the other teachers and students found out.

"Jea…ean, mmm," he mumbled, his voice slurred.

Rogue felt a sharp stab of anger at the beautiful doctor. For turning Scott into this broken shell of a man, for leaving him with nothing, not even an explanation, and for being in love with her man.

Yeah, of course, your man – the man you killed.

But despite her silent rage, she needed Jean. Only Jean could give Scott the comfort he lived for. And she was a doctor.

The beautiful red-haired doctor. In comparison to you – the pathetic, dangerous child with nothing.

"Stop…stop," she begged, but she knew she could never win over the persistent voice in her head.

"Jean..?" she called as she knocked on the door, barely keeping her tone even.

The door swung open to reveal the slender doctor.

"Yes, Rogue?" she enquired, but her calm, placid facial mask shattered when she noticed Scott's lifeless form propped up by Rogue.

"Oh my god, Scott… what happened?" she asked, her voice on the verge of breaking. First Logan, now Scott as well…

"He's just passed out – I think he'll be fine, won't he?" Rogue whispered, hoping to God that he'd be alright.

"What happened? Rogue? Rogue?"

But Rogue had already withdrawn deep within herself.

Well, what happened? Go on, tell her. Or are you too ashamed of yourself. Even you know you're nothing but a low murderer. That's all you are: A COMMON KILLER!

At that, the dam controlling all her tears burst. She tried to cover her tears and sobs as she ran – from her life, from everyone. She ran, and stumbled, and ran, until she was outside. The freezing air cut through her throat as she inhaled, in short bursts of breath. Continuing to make her way down the track, she came to the edge of the forest. Staggering on, she finally sank to her feet, her head leaning against a tree. At last letting the racking sobs of grief take over her body, she cried. She cried and screamed and kicked and yelled, and still the pain and anger welled up inside her. All the hate and suffering she had endured threatened to burst, merciless, as it ran through her veins like liquid fire. It became so much to bear that she began to punch and tear at the bark of the trees around her, slamming her fragile body against the robust trunks, shrieking and screaming like a wild animal. Her cries filled the air and spread – causing disruption everywhere. The cuts and bruises were nothing to her as she continued with her rampage of self-destruction.

********

His eyes slowly opened, once again throwing him into the red world he was so accustomed to.

Infirmary? Jean…?

Memories of the events a few hours ago slowly returned to him.

Oh, god. Rogue. What has happened to you?

He knew that he had almost died, that she had almost killed him, deliberately, but he couldn't bring himself to hate her, to fear her, as it would have been so easy to. He understood that pain and frustration she was going through, that feeling that was beyond words… It had torn him up inside so many times before. You could feel your sanity just shatter, all your self-control break, as the pressure increased until it swallowed you.

But thank god Rogue had survived. The Marie in her had come back in the last, desperate moment. Christ, where was she now? She couldn't have taken this easily, it must have killed her to know what she'd done, it must've killed her…killed her…killed her…

The phrase echoed in his head, the hollow words repeating themselves again, and again…

Oh, shit. Scott, please tell me you are just jumping to conclusions here.

He needed to get out of here, to find Rogue. Dammit he felt like Logan right now, coming to her rescue.

He climbed out of stark white bed – letting a brief wave of nausea rush over him. His unhealthy weight was now even more evident with the loose hospital garments hanging off his bony frame. Quickly changing, he rushed out, only to be met by the empty stare of Jean. His heart wrenched itself with ache and longing – with memories of her lush hair tickling his chest, of those eyes that used to reflect his own passion and desire, and those beautiful, sensuous lips, roaming his body…

Get a grip on yourself, Scott! After all this time, you still can't resist her.

Oh god, not now. He didn't need that annoying voice right now, of all times! The familiar taste of agony rose up into his throat, choking him.

Look, you have a more important job here, remember? You've got to save Rogue from making the biggest mistake of her life, if she hasn't already done it, which means she has no life at all…

Jean saw the conflicting emotions inside him, and her soul withdrew into a little more guilt each time. God how she hated herself for hurting him, for killing the little joy in life he had.

Why us? Why us? she begged. We've already been through so much, too much…

"Have you seen Rogue?"

The question shook her out of her thoughts. His voice deep and slightly gravelly, the voice she had once found so arousing, was now so fragile, the underlying emotions barely concealed.

"Yeah, she left pretty soon after she brought you here", she replied, keeping her voice as even and neutral as possible. Looking up, she saw Scott had already left, and the fact that he couldn't bear to be around her squeezed her heart with an iron fist.

* * * * * * * *

He swung onto his motorcycle, glad of its familiar quality and comforting curves. Jean's cold tone had scared him, convinced him that she'd finally let go of him. Tears stung his eyes, he was surprised how much water he had in his system, considering the amount of food he'd been eating lately.

Focus on Rogue! he mentally screamed at himself. God, if he'd only had Logan's senses right now. Where was he supposed to look for her? At that moment, he noticed the blurred footprints in the dirt, zigzagging towards the forest.

"Please don't do anything stupid, Rogue," he softly pleaded as he raced off towards the thick trees.

* * * * * * * *

"Rogue. Rogue!" Scott called into the silence. He was tired. What little energy he'd had had been burnt up. But he wouldn't let the exhaustion envelop him, keeping it at bay constantly.

"Rogue! Where are you? Please, let you be OK…"

Still silence.

Then a soft sobbing sound filled his ears. A desolate, lonely, guilt-ridden sound. The soft cry tortured him, temporarily paralysing him. She was still so young, so young.

"Rogue! Where are you?" he yelled, as the quiet sobbing beckoned him to her, drawing him to her location.

And then he found her.

A small bundled heap, covered in blood, slowly rocking forwards and backwards. Her clothes were all mangled, her hair wild, and her body… It was pure horror. Her normally flawless skin was cursed with gashes and bruises. Cuts crisscrossed her face while her fingers were splashed with deep crimson.

"Oh, Rogue, who did this to you?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer.

And she looked up at him, with those dark, bottomless eyes, and said with a voice of shocking strength,

"I did."

That was when her body suddenly went slack, and she slumped into the dirt.

"Rogue! No! Rogue, don't do this to yourself! Rogue!!" Scott shouted, his tone edging on desperation.

Not this time. He wouldn't let her go. Not straight after Logan. Glassy eyes stared up at him, two never-ending pits.

So he did the unthinkable.

He touched her.

And her skin didn't respond.

Well, was that an OK cliffhanger? Or was it just plain weird? Anyway, I'm practically dying from exhaustion right now, staying up this late just to finish this chapter, so you'd better hurry up and REVIEW!