Destiny Always Finds A Way

A/N- I don't own anything here but the doctor/mutant Michele Tanner, who I added just to explain things and be there for Rogue

Chapter Four-Discoveries

  After an only somewhat soothing bath, she lay in what the Cajun assured her was their room in 'her' pajamas (after she made Gambit promise they wouldn't be sharing the room, and he laughed, agreeing 'Not Yet'). "Feeling any better Rogue?" An unfamiliar voice asked from the doorway. She turned her head slightly and saw an African American woman in a white lab coat and light blue scrubs. Brow wrinkled, she asked, "Who are you?" The woman only cocked her head contemplatively, "No, I don't suppose you would remember me, would you?" she mused hypothetically. "I am Doctor Michele Tanner, also called Gaea because I can control the four elements of nature- fire, water, earth, and air." Rogue nodded to the African American woman with the name of a goddess. "Thank you then, Michele. I'm feeling a lot better. I assume you're the one who's been taking care me while I was out?" The woman nodded. "So, do you think I'm crazy too? Or can you help me with this amnesia?" Michele Tanner came closer, shutting the door behind her. "Actually, I think you were right before- you just convinced yourself of the others' ideas since the concept was too hard for you."

  Rogue frowned, "What do you mean?" "I studied you before and after you woke up that first morning and took some tests. I also knew the other Rogue since I joined with Magneto four years ago. You are Rogue, just not our Rogue. At least not yet, if my theory is correct. Even amnesia or craziness wouldn't change the readings, your mind patterns so much- not like a six years distance can. I believe your incident, the one you were mumbling about in your first sleep here, coincided with the one our Rogue went through at practically the same instant, on the same level, in a different reality-this one." Rogue, who'd been so sure before and yet not daring to hope this was not her life, was stunned at the idea- a reasonable explanation.

  The stripe- haired girl laughed, "It sounds like something outta one of Kurt's books." Michele smiled, "It does, doesn't it? But this is real, Rogue. It actually matches to the theory that time really occurs in a loop, or several loops, and one person can in a rare instant jump backwards or forwards in that loop. Though every choice can change the course or a human's life." The friendly doctor said consideringly, "Something must have severely altered the future or thrown a kink into the time stream." Rogue cried out softly, asking hoarsely, "Are you saying that this isn't some alternate universe, this is my future? Is this my life now?" Michele hesitated a bit before answering, "That I am afraid I'm not sure of. The transference effect is theoretically temporary, though in some recorded cases it is permanent. But the future is what you make of it."

  She ignored the last part, an overwhelming tide of grief sweeping over her. "Is it really such a bad life chére?" Rogue's gaze shot to the door where her 'husband' now stood. "How much did you hear?" she asked, heart pounding against her ribcage. "Just that the span of the amnesia is usually brief, but sometimes not." She felt an odd relief in her heart, he heard only the last part, and confused the message. But he thought she didn't want to remember (assuming she could), didn't want to stay. She bit her lip. Did she want to go? "You didn' answer my question, chére." He said softly. Rogue looked down, confused/ conflicted tears in her eyes. This Gambit has been so nice to her and, if she was true to herself, a real pleasure to be near. But she missed her friends, her life- the real sense it made, even if she couldn't touch.

  Rogue didn't know what to say to tell him, didn't know what to say to this man. So she said nothing. But what could she say anyway? It was her life too and she had resolved to get back to the one she mysteriously left. This would be changed when she did anyway, so what difference would a few words, a few actions, make? Not needing an answer now, Gambit slowly turned on his heel and left the room as quickly as he had appeared, hurt radiating from him. The former teen Goth fought back the unexpected tears. "Were you and… me friends before?" she asked Doctor Tanner. The woman nodded, "I like to think so." Rogue gave a sigh as she pulled her legs up under her chin. "Good. Because right now I could use a friend."

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  Next chapter: Rogue grows closer to her new friends, conquers a fear or two, and spends some time with baby Chase.