Disclaimer: X-Men belongs to Marvel and 20th Century Fox, not me

Disclaimer: X-Men belongs to Marvel and 20th Century Fox, not me. Anything that has been changed is most likely on purpose.

Chapter Four

Rogue glanced at her watch and sped up. It was her unfortunate luck that she was having Beast's class for the first time and his classroom was at the opposite end of the building. For the second time that day, she wished she had different powers. If she were Kitty, she could simply walk through a wall and be right there. But she wasn't, so she had to go all around. And since this was her first class with him, she had no idea how he'd react if she were late. The other teachers' opinions varied on that. Cyclops was a stickler for punctuality, while Jean gave a couple chances before getting in trouble. She hoped Beast was like that.

She turned a corner, something she'd been doing rather frequently (considering there weren't many in the building) and screeched to a halt before she bumped into Remy.

"Hey, what's up, chere?" he asked with a grin.

"I'm late." She walked around him. He followed her.

"Who do you have now?"

"Beast's class," she replied, not stopping. She walked faster.

"Me too. I'll walk with you. We still have time."

"Um, I have to talk to him before class," she lied. She would have liked to walk with him, but was afraid the conversation would lead back to her powers. "I'll see you later." She hurried away before he had a chance to say anything.

He frowned. "Hmm. That girl is a strange one," he said to himself. He didn't mind that. Not many girls refused him, he'd noticed, but that's what made it a challenge. He liked challenges. And there was something else about her that he liked too. She was someone he could settle for. He wasn't the type of person who would settle for just one girl. Although Belle might have thought otherwise, he thought to himself. But he didn't want to think about her or anyone from his past. He'd rather think about Rogue. He just wished she wasn't so closed off. What was she hiding?

He was so deep in thought; he began to walk in the opposite direction. It took him a few minutes to realize his mistake and turn back. But, before he did, the same shadowy figure that had followed Rogue inside had slinked down the hall after her.

* * * * * *

Rogue quickened her pace. She was almost there, with a few seconds to spare. Any moment now, the measly little bell that they used would ring, declaring her either safe or out. Or, rather, in, as in: in detention. That was how it worked in her old school anyway. She'd never really been late her before and never knew anyone who had either. Perhaps, it would be different. Maybe she'd only get a warning. The thought calmed her and slowed her heart, which was pounding from the exercise. But it cranked up a notch only a moment later, when she heard the squeaking of wheels behind her.

"Rogue. Interesting to find you here."

She turned around. "I'm sorry, Professor, I…" She was about to explain her lateness, but he simply brushed off the apology.

"I have much more important matters to discuss," he said seriously.

Rogue gulped. "Um, what?"

"I have a mission that requires your gift."
She gaped at him. "A mission?" she squeaked. With her gift? How could that curse possibly be needed? And she was still a student, not a trained X-Man. The professor would never send a student to do such a thing, at least that was what she thought. "What mission?"

"It's a highly important one," he continued, "and we have little time to waste. Can I count on you?"
"Well, I… Rogue was torn. Now was the chance to prove her usefulness. But she was scared. What if she failed? Or worse?

"The team needs you greatly. I thought you'd jump at the chance to help us. You wouldn't want to let us down, would you? We figured we could trust you with such a dangerous mission like this. We need you greatly," he repeated.

Rogue felt a swell of pride within her. They needed her. She was wanted. And the last thing she wanted to do was let them down. "Okay, I'll do it. What do I have to do?"

"I'll explain on the way. We must leave at once."

She nodded. "Right." He pressed a button on the molding, revealing a hidden passageway. She set off down it, with the professor close behind. His eyes glinted triumphantly. Had Rogue turned around then, she would have noticed that they were an eerie yellow.

* * * * * *

Kurt popped up in a puff of smoke just as the door came down behind them. He glanced at it, puzzled. What are they up to? He wondered. He shrugged and teleported to his classroom.

* * * * * *

Remy rushed into the classroom and slid into an empty seat. Beast's back was turned and he was writing on the board. Remy looked up at the clock. He was five minutes late. After he had redirected himself, he'd managed to get lost about three more times. He just hoped Beast wouldn't notice. No such luck.

"Ah, Remy, so nice to finally see you."
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. He braced himself for a lecture.

"Normally, I'm fond of punctuality, but, since you're new here, I'll make an exception. I remember how much trouble I had getting around when I first went here." Beast smiled. Remy relaxed. This guy may have been a beast, but he wasn't an ogre.

"Is everyone else here?" Beast surveyed the room. "Hmm, it seems that one rogue is missing. Have you seen her on your way?"

Remy glanced around. Sure enough, Rogue wasn't there. "I saw her in the hall, but she went ahead of me. I thought she'd be here already."

"Hmm." His bushy eyes furrowed in a frown. "That's odd."

Remy half expected him to paraphrase Shakespeare or something (Rogue, Rogue, where art thou Rogue?). He seemed like the type to be into that sort of thing. But he didn't. He looked utterly serious.

"I think I'd best discuss this with the professor. Normally, I wouldn't be so worried, but, given the information I know about her…"

"What information?" Remy asked. Beast didn't acknowledge his question.

"Was she acting a bit strange today, you think? I know you don't really know her that well, but… anyone, for that matter?"

"Strange for Rogue, or strange for a normal person?" Jubilee called out. Kitty elbowed her. "I didn't mean it in a mean way. I just wanted to clarify…"
"Shut up. Remember the last time something like this happened?"

"I'm not an idiot, Kitty. Or what is it, Sprite, now?"

"It's Ariel," Kitty said defensively.

"Oh, first a soda, now a mermaid."
"For your information…"

Beast shook his head, unaware of their arguing. He seemed extremely upset. That only made Remy worry more. He was as confused as ever.

"I'm going to Professor Xavier's office. Hopefully, I'll be back soon."

Remy stood up. "I'll come with you."
To his surprise, the Beast didn't object at all. "Yes, perhaps that is best," he said wearily, half talking to himself, "since you saw her last." His words were not at all comforting. Something was wrong with Rogue. He could feel it.