Rogue, A Crowd Of Her Own

Author: Icy Flame
Chapter Two

Throwing a disgusted look at those gossiping in the rec. room Scott left frowning. After he'd come in from cleaning up his car, he'd stopped in, see if anyone was up for a game of basketball. The students had been avidly talking about last night, swapping details and gossiping about why Mystique had showed up. Two things he would give just about anything not to think about at the moment.

Scowling at all those he past, the elder X-Men made if to his own room, pacing in deep thought. His anger just kept rising, in his frustration he punched out blindly, connecting his fist with the wall, breathing heavily.

"Scott? What are you doing?" Jean asked, looking at bewildered at his actions. Scott was normally so controlled, he never let his emotions get away with him.

"I uh it's not what it…" he sighed deeply, taking his hand out of the wall, if there was anyone he could talk to it would be Jean, she'd understand. "I just can't understand. After all she's done to us… how can the professor just let her waltz right in to the Institute? Doesn't he care about what's Mystique's done? What she could do?"

"I'm just as highly informed on the situation as you do Scott. For right now we're just going to have to keep an eye on her and trust the Professor knows what he's doing."

Scott looked up at the red head and nodded, placing a hand on Jean shoulder. She looked shocked at the sudden contact, though not displeased.

"By the way, thanks for standing with me back there."

Jean didn't know how to respond, wasn't sure if she could. His hand was on her shoulder. HER shoulder, not Taryn's or Rogue's or anyone's. Scott Summer's hand was on Jean Grey's shoulder. Blushing as her thoughts rushed to where else she'd like his hand to touch.

"…Jean are you alright?"

"…Uh yea, sure. Just got lost in thought for a second." She stuttered, blushing a light pink.

"Right." Scott didn't look convinced but let it slide. "Like I said thanks for back me up."

"Anytime Scott."

Scene Change

Mystique shot forward as something tugged on her hand. Standing alert she took a fighting stance, only to relax when she realized it had been Kurt who had awaken her. He looked sheepish but was grinning at her. Taking it as a good sign that he was not displeased at her untimely rest she gently returned the smile. It took an effort but she did it. She wasn't use to having a reason to smile, really smile, not just a smirk or a grin.

"I did not mean to disturb you, but ve have dinner now." Raven nodded, understanding why he was practically bouncing in place now. He wished to eat but did not want to leave her unaware of his departure. She felt touched, giving him a small smile.

"Alright."

Again, he grinned and started walking out of the medical bay. Stopping he turned around and looked back at the blue woman giving her the most adorable confused face.

"Aren't coming?"

Taken back with his offer she just stared at him blankly. He couldn't mean that she was to dine with the X-Men. She had fought against more than half those sitting there, not to mention had blown up their home weeks before.

"I do not believe that to be a good idea Kurt."

His tail drooped as he nodded in understanding.

"Oh…of course not." He looked away from her, as his eyes got teary, not giving her a chance to explain. Disappearing in a cloud of brimstone, Mystique was left to ponder her children once more.

Scene Change

'There's gotta be a way outta here.'

'This girlie ain't tellin' us everything.'

'We must combine our forces to make any possible escape.'

'Ve could just party!'

'No, Charles must pay.'

'I-think-that-we-should-just-enjoy-the-lull.-Kinda-peaceful-really.'

'Let's rock this joint.'

'Dis is borin' yo, let's see some action!'

Scene Change

Rogue looked around, where was she? It was dark…and cold. This pace felt like an ally or a dungeon. It was so cold. Shivering she took a tentative step forward. There that was easy. Taking another she began to journey around the cell. It wasn't so large that the distance was massive but it wasn't so small either. It felt like the size of her bedroom.

Where had that come from? She had a bedroom…yes that was right with a roommate! Wasn't her name Cathy or Kitten? Felicity? Shaking her head as her thoughts tangled together. She was Rogue, but wasn't there more to it?

Feeling properly drained from even the sparse effort to explore her cavern …her room, she slipped unconscious.

Scene Change

"What should we do with her?" Lance groaned as they gathered into the jeep. Pressing the metal to the pedal he sped forward, barely missing some random cheerleader from their high school.

"We can't go to the hospital, they'll freak and think we attacked her."

"Are-you-crazy?-Where-else-could-we-take-her?"

"Uh Xavier's."

The jeep screeched to a halt, whining loudly at the misuse. Everyone in the car turned to stare at Fred like he'd lost any marbles he might have previously possessed. They knew he wasn't the brightest bulb in the bunch, quite the opposite, but going to the Institute was crazy.

"What are you suggesting Freddy?" Lance growled, grinding his teeth.

"Well they have to have some sorta healing place right? And they're all mutants too, so…"

"So they happen to be our enemies!"

"Yea well Pietro's dad isn't going to be showing up anytime soon, so what should we do yo?" Todd grumbled, ignoring Pietro's stiffening at the insult to his father. While he might not like it, it was true. He only ever showed up if they did something wrong or he needed one of them.

"He's-right-.Father-won't-come." Pietro acknowledged reluctantly, looking away from their glances.

"Not you too! Gees this is like mutiny." Lance groaned again.

"Listen-this-is-just-a-temporary-until-we-fix-up-Wanda."

Griping about the stupidity of the situation Lance U-turned and started towards the institute. Again almost hitting the still prone cheerleader.

"Get off the road dumbass!"

The cheerleader squealed in protest and curled up in a tight fetal position.

"So do you really think that they'll help us?" Todd asked Fred, supporting Scarlet Witch's body as Lance took a sharp turn.

"They have to." Fred answered shortly.

"How can you be so positive?"

His answer was short, sweet, and simple; and with childlike faith he told them. "They're the good guys, they can't say no."

Todd looked at Freddy funny. The good guys? But the Brotherhood was doing what was right, Magneto had thoroughly explained it to them when they joined, what they were doing was for the good of all mutants. Hell the only person who liked to talk more than Quicksilver was his father. After three grueling seminars about how his sacrifices would be for the good of Homo-superiors it was clear that they had been doing what was right…right? If they hadn't been doing good this whole time that would mean…shaking his head to clear his thoughts Toad almost didn't notice how close they were getting to Xavier's.

In fact, Lance didn't seem to notice either, because they were right at the gate…and he wasn't slowing down.

End Scene