Hey, thanks for reading… no one reviewed my last chapter… but that's okay. A little bit of Romyness, finally!!! Only a taste of what's to come. Alrighty, here you go!

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            Rogue sat straight up in bed and started smacking herself in the head. When the sound grew quite loud, she cut it out, fearing she might wake Kitty. She grabbed the notebook off her nightstand and quietly, but quickly, crept out of the room. She went down to the kitchen and flipped on the light switch, reeling at the strain on her eyes, but adjusting rapidly. She grabbed a soda from the fridge, popped the tab, and sat down at the table. She flipped open the filled pages of the notebook, dented with frenetic writing. She looked through the pages, wondering if some of the memories might be her own. She could tell whose they were when they were X-Men memories, she knew just about everyone's background. She could guess with the brotherhood pretty well too. She was left, though, with a heap of Acolyte memories, a lot of which seemed shrouded in sadness, or hate, or fear or regret. Every now and then, there was a flash of Irene she couldn't tell if I was hers, or Mystique's. A loving gaze at Scott that made her cringe, thinking she may have something in common with Jean. She focused now on the memory that had roused her from her sleep. She flipped to the first page with empty space and wrote what she saw. It was Pietro's memory this time.

            The world went in slow motion. He was standing in the kitchen. His father, Django, had just told him and his twin sister, Wanda, the truth about their parents. Their real father had scared their real mother with his dream, and died giving birth to them. The children had been lied to their whole lives. HE hunched his shoulders meagerly while Wanda screamed in anger. Pietro felt betrayed, but he could understand why his father… or Mr. Maximoff… no, father. Django Maximoff had always been his father and always would be. Pietro watched as Wanda's face turned red. The house began to rumble. Pietro knew what was going on, and he was afraid.

            Pietro was only 11, his powers had just manifested, but he didn't tell anyone. He didn't who, or what, why. All he knew was that this is the way it is, and he can't change it. But he could control himself. Wanda on the other hand, was always ruled by her emotions. The rumbling caused bits and pieces of the house to begin to fall. The rest of his family seemed blind to what was going on around them, as Wanda continued to cry and scream, and his mother and father tried in vain to comfort her, disregarding their own safety. Pietro stepped in. He grabbed his mother and threw her over his shoulder. She was heavy, but he was tall for his age, lanky, but tall. And he wouldn't be carrying her long anyway. In a silver streak, he raced his mother out side, ran back in the house for his father, and before they knew it, they were both standing outside in the front lawn. As they marveled at how they got outside, Pietro had raced back into the house, dodging piece after piece of falling debris.

            He snatched Wanda and brought her outside, still screaming, not knowing what was happening to the house. She did manage to realize that she was being taken against her will. In an attempt to escape, she flailed her arms. The house behind then was suddenly consumed in flames. Reaching the end of the driveway, he sat Wanda down, her crying caused by the exhaustion it took to expend her powers for the first time. Pietro looked p to see the Maximoffs, as well as the whole neighborhood, sanding outside, staring at the two children. Pietro didn't know what to do until someone broke the silence.

            "Did you see what they did?" a random neighbor yelled.

            "He ran, fast as lightning." Said another.

            "Like quicksilver!"

            "And the little girl destroyed that house!"

            "Rocked its very foundation, set it on fire!" They all yelled.

            "She's a witch!!" was final call that rang out before everyone began yelling all at once. Wanda sat on the ground, stunned by the event that had just taken place. Her mind was two steps behind her.

            "No!" the Maximoff's pleaded. "They are our children!"

            "What's to stop 'em from doing that to my house?" Someone from the crowed yelled. Cheers arose, as the crowd approached Wanda and Pietro. People blew past the Maximoffs without notice. Sirens from fire engines could be heard in the distance. Pietro picked up his sister and ran, as fast as he could. He ran straight into the woods and didn't look back until he could see for sure they had lost the mob. He sat Wanda down, still struggling for a grip on the moment. He sat next to her, propped up against a tree. Wanda slowly looked over at him as he ran a hand through his white hair, thinking about what to do next.

            "Pietro…" Wanda asked, fear in her voice. "What are we?" Her eyes were wide, tired and scared. So were his, as he didn't have an answer… but then, he didn't need one.

            "You, my children, would be Homo Superior… mutants."

            That is where the film in Rogue's mind ended. She knew the mysterious voice was Magneto's, but she never realized Wanda and Pietro's struggle, or devotion to each other. She had always assumed that Pietro cared for no one but himself, but in his heart, she felt only fear for his sister, not a single, egocentric thought.

            Rogue closed the notebook and tossed the soda can in the recycling bin. She looked at the clock, 4:10. She would have to get up soon for her private session with Logan. She decided to get some sleep while she still could. She was stopped as an alarm in the room went off. A red blinking light buzzed on the security pad next to the light switch. She tried to figure out which button would give her a visual of the intruder, but she was too tired to do much of anything. A few seconds later, Scott and Logan jumped in the room, uniformed.

            "What is it Rogue?" Scott commanded.

            "Ah don' know. Ah can't fahnd the stupid button."

            "Hurry up and shut off the buzzer." Logan growled. Scott leaned in over Rogue's shoulder to find the button. She could smell the toothpaste on his breath from before he went to bed. She quickly backed away, as his face was too close for comfort. Then Jean and the professor entered the room.

*BAMF!*

            Kurt ported in. Rogue took three steps from Scott after Jean threw her and evil glare.

            "Ah'm gonna go get mah uniform." She ran upstairs as Kitty phased through the ceiling, yawning.

            "Like, what's the big deal?" Kitty said, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

            "Magneto." Scott said. The monitor showed a metal orb, hurling through the air. The many weapons on the premises were firing at the sphere to no avail.

            "Cerebro, disarm security protection grid." The professor announced to the computer that controlled the weapons. The guns stopped firing. "Everyone, go outside, but be careful. The orb is flying too erratically for it to be Magneto in his right mind. We mustn't be hostile." With that, the team moved out. They stood out on the front steps, watching the sphere grow closer to them. It had no grace in the way it sliced through the night sky, like a drunken butcher having a seizure. Rogue and the professor joined them outside, watching the metal transport fall to the ground. It crashed with the sound of a meteor, throwing dirt and grass up from the lawn and into the air like a tidal wave. Jean quickly threw up a telekinetic shield to protect them all. The orb skidded closer, but finally came to a complete stop. The team waited as nothing happened for a minute or so… eerily.

            Suddenly, the sound of air escaping could be heard as the doors of the orb retracted. Once again, a frightening silence filled the air. Two hands appeared on each side of the opening. The occupant hoisted himself out and one foot on each side of the opening, standing, straightening himself out. Wolverine unsheathed his claws, and Cyclops placed a hand on his visor. The boy looked up at the team in front of him, preparing for war.

            "Whoa… Whoa…" He put his hands in the air, showing he was unarmed. The darkness and position of the moon light kept his identity hidden until his eyes flashed.

            "You!" Rogue blurted out, unconsciously, at the sight of red eyes.

            "Aw, chère, you so happy to see Gambit again, you brought him the welcomin' committee…" Remy said, still perched on the doors of the sphere. Rogue scoffed, crossed her arms, and turned her body away from him. Remy dropped the cocky smile that had crept over his lips.

            "Acolyte…" Wolverine growled through his teeth. Remy jumped down from the sphere, and moved aside, as Peter made his entrance. He stood up, his upper body visible in the opening. He began to change his body into organic steel, growing to twice his original height. He stepped out of the orb, gingerly and silently.

            "Aw man…" Kurt whined. "If another Acolyte comes out of zere, we're in trouble." Peter stood aside, allowing the third passenger to get out. She placed her hands on the opening, just like Remy had. She lifted herself out and jumped gracefully on the ground.

            "Oh man," she grumbled, avoiding looking at the team assembled in front of her. "Who was flying that thing?"

            "From the parking job, it appears to have been Remy." Peter said with no expression.

            "Was that a joke?" Betsy asked honestly, as there was no way for her to be sure. Peter couldn't help himself as a small smile drew itself across his metal face. "Petey pure heart just made fun of you, Remy!" Remy looked slightly offended. "It was a good one, too!" Peter began to blush, ever so slightly as she made a fuss over him. The three bantered as they were not interrupted by anyone. The X-Men stood there, shocked at the company in front of them, and their demeanor.

            "Betsy?" Scott's jaw dropped. At hearing her name, she was forced to confront the X-Men, a bunch of tired, angry, confused teenagers, all waiting to attack her.

            "Uh, hi Scott, how's it going?"

*          *          *

            "Betsy… Wh- What are you do--… I mean… you're an… an … an Acolyte?" Scott stuttered in disbelief. Betsy didn't realize the impact she'd had on Scott, and vice versa. She felt guilty for betraying him. Scott just felt stupid. All this time he'd been worrying over her and thinking of the X-Man she could make, only to find she'd refused their help, their trust, their love, to join their worst enemies. Betsy could feel Scott's hidden eyes piercing her very core, so she looked at the ground to avoid it. Her vulnerability mixed with the air to draw a chill up her spine. She grabbed her bare shoulders.

            "It's a bit drafty out, d'you think we might be able to come inside?"

            "Of course." The professor answered for the group.

            "As long as ya don' blow up the house." Rogue continued, aiming her glib comment directly at Remy.

            "Yeah, or punch through a wall." Kitty spoke up, blushing at Peter.

            "Gambit do anyt'ing for a femme… so long as she ask nicely." They walked in to the house, calmly and suspiciously watching each other.

            When they reconvened in the professor's study, Peter, Betsy, and Remy all sat, shoulders slumped on the sofa. Betsy was now wearing Remy's trench coat, and a pair of Xavier's Institute scrubs.

            "So you kids just planned on waltzing right in here and joining the X-Men?" Logan grumbled, chastising them.

            "It's not like that at all…" Betsy pleaded, as she had been the past hour explaining their journey.

            "Remy t'ink de Wolverine need to go for a walk, if he gonna make Betsy feel bad." Remy mumbled, hoping to reach Logan's super hearing. He knew he'd succeeded when Logan threw him a glare of death.

            "Betsy, Remy…" The professor attempted to change the subject. "school is starting back up soon, and due to our age, I expect you both to be in attendance." Betsy nodded, Remy grumbled. She elbowed him in the ribs, and he nodded in kind. "Rogue… will you take our newest recruits for a tour of their new home?" Rogue sighed in acceptance. Remy and Peter got up to follow her when Betsy yanked at Peter's arm.

            "Uh, Peter and I were hoping to speak to the professor some more. You two go ahead." Peter looked down at Betsy, still holding his hand. The professor nodded at Rogue and Remy. Kurt, feeling extremely protective, began to follow them out.

            "Kurt, you Jean and Scott should go prepare your rooms for your new roommates." The professor stopped him dead in his tracks. Remy and Rogue were already out of the room.

            "But professor… I don't trust zat one… not with mein sister."

            "Get outta here, elf." Logan answered back for Xavier. Kurt waved his tail around sighed, then ported out

*BAMF!*

            Scott and Jean left the room.

            "What can I help you with Miss Braddock, Mr. Rasputin?" The professor wheeled himself behind his desk.

            "We were hoping to speak with you alone." Betsy answered, looking up at Logan. He was offended that she would find him the slightest bit too untrustworthy for what they had to say… especially after what she had just done. The professor merely nodded at him. Logan growled again as he stormed out of the room.

            "Alright now, what's on your minds?"

            "You've done so much for us already." Peter responded, graciously.

            "So long as you promise to fight along side us for peace Peter, you're welcome." The professor replied. He waited for Peter to continue. Peter felt greedy asking for more from the generous man, but Betsy egged him on.

            "Tell him." She said.

            "What is it, Peter?" The professor asked again.

            "It is my sister, Illyana." Peter finally admitted. "Magneto has held her captive to keep me in his service. Betsy says she knows where."

            "Oh, right." Betsy began to wrack her brain. "Hmmm…" She closed her eyes to focus. "Uh… Scotland, I think… a MacTaggart Island…" She said, unsure. Peter's face grew worried at Betsy's uncertainty.

            "Just a minute…" The professor interrupted. "Do you mean Dr. MacTaggart, on Muir Island?"

            "Yes! That's it!" Betsy exclaimed.

            "Peter, your sister is a mutant as well?" Peter nodded. "Is she sick?" the professor continued. Peter nodded again.

            "I fear for her health." He murmured. The professor wheeled himself to Peter's side.

            "I can promise you, Peter that your sister is in good hands, receiving the best medical care for mutants on the planet." Peter forced out a smile once again in appreciation for the man's kindness. "I will make arrangements for us to go there as soon as possible."

            "I will see Illyana?" Peter's face lit up.

            "As soon as I contact Moira. I'll have Kitty show you to your rooms so you two can get some rest." Betsy looked at Peter and smiled warmly.

            "I told you so." She said as she threw her arms around him and hugged him.

*          *          *

            Rogue walked down the hallway, with her arms crossed, unfolding them every once in a while to point out various places of interest. Remy followed closely behind, paying more attention to her than to what she was saying. He found himself fixated on the way her hips swung when she walked. He wasn't particularly involved with her butt, but the movement of her hips and waist was mesmerizing.

            "Are you listenin' to me?" She finally snapped around she quit hearing glazed over "uh-huh"s. She of course noticed the draw of his attention. "What're you starin'at?"

            "Oh, uh… just a work of art, chère…" He was caught off guard. No girl had ever been able to do that to him, to make him feel that way. She threw an evil look at him, and then turned back around. She smiled and blushed to herself as she started walking again. No guy had ever stared at her like that. She watched as guys swooned over Jean, and in some cases, wished it was her. But he was staring at her. She didn't realize it, but she stood up straighter for him now. She felt his gaze on her ass once again and snapped back around.

             "Listen, uh… swamp rat, you wanna keep those creepy eyes 'a yer's, then keep 'em offa me." She barked at him. He smiled a cocky smile at her and walked to her side.

            "Jus' too temptin' back dere." He whispered to her. She looked up to his eyes and for a moment she saw honesty, but then a memory flashed in her mind, a blonde chick with purple eyes. She shook her head to focus on her task.

            "Ah guess Ah'll show you the lower levels now." They stopped at an elevator. She pressed the button and waited. Neither of them said anything at first. For the first time in his life, Remy didn't know what to say to a girl.

            "So… where ya from, chère?" Rogue winced. She didn't know why he wouldn't use her name.

            "Mississippi." She said curtly. He just looked at her, waiting for her to elaborate. He figured she would ask back. She wanted to make him sweat, so she waited to see how he would react.

            "I'm from New Orleans." He said finally. His accent slurred together the name of the city into one word. She made him so nervous. His empathy couldn't pick up on what she was feeling. He never would openly come out and say anything about his past. It's not that he's ashamed of it, in fact, he's quite proud of his southern roots, even if they aren't proud of him. He's always been used to bubbly blonde girls swooning at his feet, always breaking the ice by asking him about his accent, always. He tried once again to read her emotions, but came up with scrambled feelings. "Le vieux carre…" he finally said. "Well, de backwoods, anyhow."

            "The bayous of Louisiana?" she asked, seeming genuinely interested. He nodded proudly. She looked back at the elevator and smiled. "Lahk Ah said, swamp rat." The elevator took an interminably long time, but finally arrived, and they got on. Remy was afraid he was losing her… if he ever had her.

            "D'you smell that?" he said randomly. He began sniffing the air. Desperate times called for desperate measures. "Smells like vanilla." He was moving all over the cramped elevator. He would put his gloved hand on her shoulder to sniff around her without bumping into her. Finally, she was getting annoyed and frustrated.

            "Ah use vanilla shampoo." She said, trying to make him calm down. HE sniffed her hair, brushing his chin against her right shoulder. She could feel his breath on her ear.

            "Smells good." He finally whispered. She reveled in the closeness for a second, losing her self in the rhythm of her quickening heartbeat. It had been a long time since she had any real indication she was actually alive. She knew she wasn't dead, but only because she continued to walk around, day to day. But this made his closeness made her feel alive. She quickly put a hand on his chest and pushed him hard against the other side of the elevator two or three feet away. He banged his shoulder blades against the metal wall.

            "Une petite merci woulda been enough, chère."

            "You got too close." She yelled, folding back up in the corner. He felt bad. He never realized how fragile she was. Her powers made her so vulnerable. Her walls were thick. It made Remy think to himself, there was no fortress he couldn't penetrate.

            "Desolé, Roguey… Sorry." She snarled at that name.

            "That musta' been the stupidest pick up line Ah've ever heard."

            "Forgive me, chère. You make Remy weak." Rogue looked at him. He blushed, smiled, and then looked at the floor, still smiling. Her eyes widened at his exposed honesty. She knew it was true because she would have done the same thing. She looked at the corner of the floor and smiled to herself. Just then, the elevator doors opened.

*          *          *

            "So, like, where are you guys from?" Kitty said, being openly friendly despite her exhaustion at 5:30 in the morning. She walked through the mansion like a tour guide.

            "I am from Siberia, in Russia." Peter said.

            "Just outside of London." Betsy answered.

            "Wow, those are some pretty exciting places." Kitty replied. "Oh, right there's the kitchen." She pointed.

            "What about you, Katya?" Kitty looked back at Peter, and arched an eyebrow.

            "What did you call me?"

            "I'm sorry." Peter blushed. "I meant no offense."

            "No, I like it… it sounds… I dunno, but I like it." She smiled and he responded in kind. They continued on with the tour. "I'm from a suburb of Chicago." She continued.

            "I've never been there. Chicago sounds pretty exciting." Betsy said.

            "Sure, Chicago is, but I'm from outside it…" Kitty trailed off. "Oh, there's Kurt's room… and I guess Remy's now too. And here's Scott's roo—Yours and Scott's room." She corrected herself.

            "I thank you for the tour. I will see you both in the morning. Good night Betsy, good night Katya." Peter said, disappearing into the room.

            "Good night." The girls responded in unison.

            "Actually, it should be good morning…" Betsy said to herself.

            "Yeah…" Kitty yawned. "It's already light out. I'm so glad it's summer."

            "Right." Betsy replied solemnly. It had been a long time since summer meant school or not.

            "Well, Jean's room is right there." Kitty pointed to the room across the hall.

            "You know, Kitty, I haven't got any clothes. Do you think maybe we could go shopping tomorrow or something?" Kitty's eyes brightened at the prospect of the mall.

            "Sure! You mean later today though, right?" Betsy chuckled.

            "Right. I'll get Remy to go; you see if Rogue'll come?"

            "Yeah."

            "Great. We can finish the tour some other time, I guess."

            "Yeah."

            "Yeah, well, thanks."

            "See ya later, Betsy." Betsy watched as Kitty walked down the hallway and phased into her room. She felt at home.