The Rogue

Author's Note: I just want to thank all of you who voted and reviewed my story! Although I would love to thank you all individually, I think I will leave that for the last chapter of this story so that I can focus more on the task at hand.

For those of you who wish for me to add characters from the cartoon to the story: I MAY add them, but I'm not positive, because I plan on writing another X-Men story, but it will be under X-Men: Evolution. And for those of you who think Rogue should just be independent… its kind of… depressing cuz… she'll be like… alone… and well… alone…

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Scott watched intently, fascinated as Rogue sat perfectly still in the small room beyond the mirror. Professor Xavier had informed them both that the first step in controlling Rogue's powers would be to sort out the memories she had absorbed over the past few months. So there she was, sitting in the middle of the white interrogation room, sorting out the psyches in her mind.

" How is she holding up?" Scott asked Jean, who was sitting beside him watching the computer monitors closely.

"She's been better," Jean replied with a worried sigh.

Scott picked up a microphone from the table and turned it on.

" Rogue, that's great hon. I think you should stop before you over exert yourself."

Rogue had managed to convince Scott not to call her 'Marie' in public. It had just been a month since his engagement had been broken, and Rogue knew that Jean would still be hurting.

" Ah…I…think…I can…stand it…" she whispered through clenched teeth, trying to keep her concentration as she filed through Logan's memories.

She blinked as tears began to sting her eyes, reliving his memories. Every fragment of the experiment that he had been conscious in was now permanently imbedded in Rogue's memories. Previously, she had sorted and deleted Magneto's memories but kept his 'talent'.

Scott clenched his jaws tight knowing Rogue was near exhaustion. They had been through the sorting process for nearly six hours now. He knew she had found a way to delete most of the things she reads, since she had not received a nightmare from Magneto's memories… but would Logan's be the same?

Suddenly, Jean gasped, horrified at the memories that Rogue was unconsciously projecting. 'Dear Lord… what did they do to Logan?' she thought. Tears streamed down her face as she watched Rogue's calm expression. Something was wrong.

"Scott…" Jean warned.

"I'm getting her out now!"

Scott panicked as he saw Rogue's posture waver. Jean watched as he ran to the room Rogue was in, catching the teen before she hit the floor.

He fell on his knees, Rogue's limp form in his arms. He had seen Jean, and knowing her for more than half of his life, he knew when she was in pain. Looking back at the ethereal form in his arms, he wondered how she could handle such a feat.

Rogue's eyelids fluttered open and she smiled apologetically.

" Let's get you to bed," Scott said soothingly, stroking her auburn hair, not caring if his hands where gloved or not.

Jean witnessed her ex-fiancé carry Rogue bridal style, making his way through the Medbay and up the stairs towards the bedrooms. She blinked away the remnants of her tears and used her chair to balance herself. The pain that she had felt from the girl… no woman was incredible.

Yes, that's what she was… a woman. Rogue's eyes held within them knowledge that would put Einstein to shame. They held the pain that only came with age, and the wisdom that was gained through experiences.

Jean sat down, trying to gather her thoughts. She had to admit that she had peeked through Rogue's mind, but only managed to see the memories that she had surfaced. But anything past that was always hidden in what seemed like unbreakable barrier that kept Rogue's mind from wandering telepaths.

* Jean, is everything alright? *

* Yes Professor, everything is fine now… * Jean replied.

* That is good. By the way Jean, remember, we will have a guest arriving soon. *

*Yes Professor… Dr. Hank McCoy, am I correct? * she asked, rubbing her temples.

*That is correct. Anyway, he shall be arriving noon tomorrow *

Jean sighed and cleaned the mess that they had made. The scattered cups of coffee, which Scott drank had surprised her. Usually he would be so neat and tidy. As she walked by the chair Rogue sat in, she noticed a dark red splotch on the floor. Kneeling down to examine the fluid, she concluded that it was blood.

'…Rogue?' she wondered. Then she noticed that it was trailing out the door. 'Dear God…'

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Logan drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, growling once or twice. He had found out about Jean and Scott's situation from his 'bond' with Marie. He even went and crossed the line, talking to Jean in Rogue's form. Telling her that he hoped she and Scooter would patch things up.

Turning his attention towards the road signs, he found that New York was not that far away, still far, but it would take him a few hours if he sped up enough.

Logan really had no clue how or when the bond between him and Marie had formed. All he knew was that when she needed him the most, he would feel it.

He slammed on the breaks as he felt an incredible pain shoot up his spine. He ended up on the shoulder of the road, reliving most of his nightmares.

'Shit! Marie!' he thought. She was somehow trying to organize his memories and it was hurting her. Growling at the thought of her alone and in pain made him start the truck again and sped off.

He barely noticed the cuts that were healing underneath his palms.

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Author's Note: Haha! Thought that the last sentence in the last chapter was Marie?! Haha! Sorry, I had an outline of what to write and I'm still going through it… although… the pairings are still foggy…

Votes so far:

Scott: 21

Logan: 18

Thanks for voting!