Searching For a Solution
"So, Mr. McCoy, like have you given much thought to how we can help Rogue?" Kitty asked.
The big blue man turned to stare at the trio who had just entered his lab and he arched a suspicious brow.
"What are you all up to now?"
"Nozhing bad. Ve jus vant to help Rogue. She is meine schwester [translation = 'my sister'] and I vant her to be happy. It iz not fair zhat she cannot touch," Kurt said.
"Yeah, man. She deserves to be happy, but can't with all that dangerous skin and we need to help her," Tabitha seconded.
"Seriously, Mr. McCoy, she's getting like major depressed over not being able to touch or be touched. We know you and Professor X have been trying to think of ways to help her. We just want to know what you've come up with and how we can help."
Kitty's eyes were shining with sincerity so Hank shrugged away any misgivings and decided to share with them his theories.
"In my studies I've found that there are basically two ways in which the X gene manifests itself into a physical mutation. First there is natural evolution and that is where the mutation is obvious at birth or begins developing naturally as the mutant grows. Kurt, you are a prime example of a natural evolution.
"The second way powers manifest is via a trigger. Something - puberty or some trauma or just a little something - awakens the X gene that has been lying dormant in the mutant and the powers suddenly manifest themselves. Jean's telepathy is a good example of triggered mutation, as her powers manifested themselves after watching a friend die tragically in an accident when she was young.
"It is our belief that Rogue's powers were also triggered. The Professor and I can't quite agree on how or why they manifested themselves as they did, though. It is Charles' opinion that some trauma in her life flipped her powers on and they will stay that way until she faces the trauma and exorcises her demons, so to speak. I am of the belief that hormones triggered it.
"If the Professor's theory is true, then he can help Rogue control her mutation with therapy. If my theory is correct it becomes much more complicated. There is a possibility that her powers will naturally lessen over time to a controllable level. It is also possible that they will grow more potent and powerful as she continues to grow and develop. I have tried developing serums and injections for her that may help if her mutation is connected to her hormone level, but if my theory is incorrect they might would harm her if she took them.
"To be completely honest, kids, we've come to the conclusion that time and patience is what's needed most in dealing with Rogue's mutation."
His audience of three took in all he'd said then gaped at Hank.
"You mean you're like not even trying anymore?!" Kitty cried.
"Man, I thought you guys were here to help us all with our mutations. You gotta do something for Rogue!" Tabitha huffed.
"Can't zhere be anozher vay? Vhat about zomething like mein image inducer? Couldn't ve vork on a device zhat can control Rogue's skin?" Kurt nearly shouted.
"Easy, easy, everyone," Hank rose and waved them into silence. "No one here is giving up on trying to help Rogue. We simply must weigh the pros and cons of each possibility carefully so as not to harm her or do any permanent damage. Her mutation is extremely rare and potent, we can't just rush to any conclusions."
"Fine. Vhat can ve do to help you vith your studies?" Kurt asked.
Sighing, Hank accepted that he now had three eager and very pushy lab assistants who were determined to cure Rogue yesterday. Thinking it was probably a good thing, he pulled out all the materials and experiments he'd been working on with the hope of helping Rogue. He then assigned each teen a chore to read or test or study something and they all settled in for a long day's work.
~*~*~
"Sorry to just barge in on you, Professor, but Brian and I feel this to be very important," Betsy said as she and her twin settled into the chairs in front of the Professor's desk in his office.
"It is fine this once, Betsy. You wish to discuss Rogue, I believe?"
Betsy had been expecting the man to know why they were there, but Brian jumped nervously and Betsy could sense him wondering just how much the Professor knew.
"As a secret group, you're not very secret," the Professor smiled and revealed that he knew everything. "I overheard Kitty and Tabitha discussing your matchmaking plans for Logan and Rogue."
Silently cursing those two girls, Betsy and Brian both sighed and sank down in their chairs.
"I think it's a wonderful idea, you two," Charles surprised them both by saying.
"You do," the twins both asked.
"Absolutely. I'm not oblivious to what is happening in the relationships around me. Logan and I have been friends for years now. It has been impossible for me not to notice the changes in his behavior toward Rogue. His feelings for her have been obvious to me since he so devotedly cared for her after her little power surge. The change in Rogue's feelings has been just as apparent since that event, as well. I think they will make a delightful couple."
Jolly good, Betsy cheered silently, getting a laugh from the Professor who had picked up the thought.
"What can be done about her mutation though? Rogue is so fixated on worrying about the effect her skin has on others that she'll never risk a relationship – no matter how much the little luv wants one – unless she can control it," Brian leant forward to say.
All traces of laughter left the bald man's expression as Brian's words reminded him of the seriousness of Rogue's situation.
"To say it's complicated is an understatement. I've never come across a mutation as … determined, almost … as Rogue's. The strain placed upon her when all those she'd absorbed fought for control was extreme. After the personalities in her had been subdued, I feared she would be left permanently damaged. That her powers remain and stronger than ever after all she has been through of late has given me a great deal to think about. Unfortunately, those thoughts have circled around the realization that her skin may never be controllable."
"You've got to be joshing us, Professor!" Betsy exclaimed.
"I'm afraid I am not, Elizabeth. This matter is far to grave for me to ever joke about, even in passing."
"You've found some way to help everyone else here with their mutation, there has got to be something we can do for Rogue!"
For a moment the Professor was quiet after Brian's outburst and both the Braddock's could see the man was deep in thought by the way his brow furrowed.
"You're quite right, Brian. I detect Hank and the rest of your crew in the lab working on what they believe may help her. Brian, go ready the Velocity, I believe we should go on a little trip to research my theory about her mutation," the Professor declared as he wheeled around his desk to leave the office.
"Where are we going, luv?" Betsy asked.
"Caldecott County, Mississippi. I believe there is someone there who can help us."
~*~*~
Destiny, Rogue's foster mother also known as Irene Addler, was expecting them when they arrived at her home in Mississippi.
"There is not much that I can tell you, Professor," the woman declared as the trio she'd just welcomed into her living room sat down.
"Perhaps that is true, Irene, but there is also a possibility that you know exactly what information I need to help Rogue and don't even realize it yourself," the Professor replied.
Betsy and Brian simply remained quiet to observe the conversation between the two adults.
"You wish to probe my memories, then?" the blind woman asked, clutching her cane.
"I'd rather not go that far. I am hoping that your feelings for Rogue, genuine as I know your concern for the girl to be, will allow you to forget any agreements you've had in the past with Mystique and assist me."
The woman sighed and nodded her agreement.
"I will tell you everything that I know."
"Excellent. I'd like to begin with your visions. I am aware that you foresaw how Rogue's mutation would develop, could you elaborate on what exactly you saw please?"
"It's all rather vague now, but I shall try," Irene focused her mind on the memories. "They began just before Mystique brought Rogue to me when the girl was just five years old. I … I sensed an incredible power sleeping within the child. Something like I had never seen or even imagined before. It became clear to me that her skin was the key to that mutation and as I raised her I made sure that that skin was never touched. My visions were never specific, simply images of some poor fool touching Rogue and she absorbing them – their memories, abilities and if she were to hold on long enough, their very lives."
"You did not predict the events in which her powers would manifest themselves?"
"No," the woman sighed sadly, "it was not until that fool Cody touched her that we knew for sure her powers were active."
"So you are saying that her mutation may have manifested itself before that dance and you would not even have known it?"
"I had to be careful, Xavier. It was my duty to protect her, those around her and myself from any contact. I do regret to admit that from the age of five until that incident there was no accidental touching of her flesh to know for sure how long her powers have been present."
"You mean she went without any kind of touch, even the most innocent contact from a loved one, her entire childhood?" Betsy exclaimed, horrified at the thought.
Irene didn't answer verbally, but the way her body slouched down in it's chair spoke volumes.
~~ Let us not dwell on the harsher aspects of Rogue's childhood, Betsy. We're here to learn all we can from Destiny about what may have sparked the manifestation of Rogue's mutation, nothing more. ~~
~~ You don't think the 'harsher aspects' of her childhood could have done just that? ~~
~~ We'll discuss it later, young lady. ~~
Betsy sank back in her own chair at that to allow the Professor to continue his questioning of Irene.
She only partially listened to their conversation though, because a theory was coming to life in her head, just from what she'd learned so far, and she felt it had some true merit.
~*~*~
"Just hear me out, Professor," Betsy implored of the man as they returned to Bayville and his office.
"Betsy, it is a very good theory, but I think the source of Rogue's mutation is a little more complicated than a self-fulfilled prophecy or physical manifestation of some long held belief," the man responded, having heard the Betsy's argument on the journey home.
"Baloney, guv! How can believe that Rogue's mutation was triggered by a trauma and not even consider that the way she was raised was just the trauma needed for her mutation to develop? Think about it, Prof.. Irene has visions that Rogue's skin will be the key to this powerful mutation that has yet to manifest, but Mystique already wishes to control. To protect everyone involved Irene than makes sure that Rogue is never touched. Children need touch growing up. We have to have hugs and pats on the back and kisses on the cheek and even a slap on the wrist to know someone cares that much about us.
"Rogue never had any of that. That is why she's so solitary and defensive. That is why she thinks of herself as poison. Do you honestly think that way of thinking is new to her? The realization that her skin really is dangerous only confirmed what I'm sure Rogue always grew up believing. That she was untouchable…unlovable.
"If her X gene was developed and triggered by something mentally, I tell you Professor, that has to have been just the thing that did it!"
"Very well, I will concede that it is possible, but how do you suggest we proceed with trying to help her if that is the case?"
"Simple, luv. We touch her."
