Nobody knew what was in the letter that Rogue got two days later. She had been pretty distant since her encounter with John and no one had seen her in the cafeteria. Jubilee said that Rogue only left her bed to go to bathroom. She hadn't seen her eat or drink anything, but judging by the many used Dixie cups Jubilee found in the trashcan, she knew at least she was hydrated.

That's why it surprised everyone to see Rogue stumble up to Professor Xavier's office and run out five minutes later clutching papers in her hands.

Within the hour Rouge was packed. Her hair was down and it looked like someone had attempted to brush it. She threw on blue jeans, a black tee, black gloves, and a black jean over coat. Where she was going, nobody knew. Nobody dared to ask. The adults knew, of course, but they kept the information to themselves. Bobby was upstairs with his family so he didn't see Rogue leave.

Rogue hopped in the first car she saw. A black convertible. It wasn't anything special. It had its fair share of dings. Nothing that would draw too many heads. It was perfect. She put her bag in the trunk and headed out to grab the keys when she knew she wasn't alone any more.

"You're not going alone, kid."

Rogue turned to face Logan, car keys clenched in her hand.

"You're not coming with me. I can do this alone."

"No, you can't."

Rogue looked hurt, but she knew he was right. "So what, you're coming along to protect me?"

"These are the people who drove you out of town nearly killing you. I'm not about to take any chances."

She stood there, mouth open. "How did you know?'

"Something that Jean told me."

"Of course." She said exasperated. She stomped over to the car and looked at Logan.

"You driving?"

*~*~*

The drive down to Mississippi wasn't bad. After Logan had practically force fed her, she finally loosened up and started to act some-what human again. They took turns driving, she during the day and he at night. They only stopped for gas and food. They made good time, and before they both knew it the sign saying "Welcome to Meridian." Was dead ahead.

Rogue clenched her fists trying to forget all of the horrible memories that began to flood back to her, but wasn't succeeding. The funeral wasn't until the next day so, they decided to head over to the motel.

"I'm so sorry Sir, but we only have one room open." The clerk said in his most apologetic voice. Truth was he had three rooms open, but he wasn't going to say it to Her. In fact, he had just the room for Her and Her friend.

"It's ok." Rogue said trying to defuse the situation, "We'll take it."

She gave Logan's arm a harsh squeeze telling him to calm down. He took the hint and silently followed her to Room 21. The room was decked out with old green shag carpet, retro looking chairs, cracked mirrored walls, and the smell of smoke and cheep perfume gagged them both. Then they spotted the bed. The only bed in the room.

"I'll take the floor." Logan said, making a mental note that if he ever got the chance, he would gut that damn clerk.

"I need to use the phone real quick." Rogue mumbled as she walked over to the nightstand.

"Who are you going to call?" Logan asked as he checked out the rusted over bathroom.

"Scott."

"Scott?"

"He told me to call as soon as we got here."

Logan snorted as he made sure that the shower worked. Now this was a conversation he had to hear.

"Hey, Scott?" [pause] "Yeah, we made it here ok. We're at the motel." [pause] "Yes, he's behaving himself." [pause] "Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind."

Logan couldn't help but wonder what that dick had told her. Satisfied that the shower worked, not well, but it worked., he headed over to the toilet.

"How are the Drakes?" [pause] "I'll talk to them as soon as I get back. How's Bobby?" [pause] "I'll have to talk to him too." [pause] "I'm fine, Scott. Tell Jean I say hello." [pause] "Yes, I'm sure I'm fine." [pause] "I'll call you later." [pause] "Bye."

She sighed heavily as she hung up the phone.

"Logan." She called walking over to the bathroom.

"Yes?" He asked stepping out of the sorry excuse of a bathroom.

"We need to stop over at my aunt's house."

*~*~*

Rogue paused before ringing the doorbell.

"It's ok, darlin', I'm here." Logan said wrapping his arm around her waist.

With that added strength she pressed the small button. The big oak door opened to reveal a tall slender lady who appeared to be in her mid-forties. She had short, brown curly hair and dull gray eyes. Her face was set in a stern expression.

"Well, well, well, look who the fates dragged in."

"Hello, Aunt Anne."

"That's Mrs. Peters to you. What are you doing here? The funeral isn't until tomorrow."

"Your letter told me to come here."

"Oh, well you're not wanted-needed anymore. Now if you will excuse me I have things left to do. Your sister is due to arrive at any moment."

Rogue felt as if she had been slapped.

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow, Mrs. Peters."

Rogue's aunt then slammed the door shut and Rogue pushed away from Logan.

"Charming family, huh?" Rogue asked trying to force down the tears that were threatening to come.

"Rogue-" Logan started to say but was cut of by the sound of a car pulling into the driveway.

He walked up to Rogue and automatically knew who it was.

"Marie? Is that you?" a high-pitched voice asked from the sporty, green car.

Even though she was Rogue's sister, the woman who stepped out of the car looked nothing like Rogue he knew. She was tall and slender with an obvious pair surgically enhanced breasts. Her tight black dress showed off her long legs and her honey brown hair bounced perfectly. She took off her sunglasses to reveal light blue eyes. Logan couldn't help but stare.

"Flesh and blood." Rogue replied icily.

"Come now, is that anyway to treat your own dear sister?"

"I don't know. You tell me."

"I should be the one mad at you. You totally missed my graduation."

"I'm so sorry, Amanda," Rogue said with fake sympathy, "I was totally busy, nearly dieing on several occasions and all."

"Hmm, now I know why I wasn't so sad when you abandoned us."

"Abandoned?!?!!"

Logan grabbed the now furious Rouge as she lunged at Amanda.

"I think it's best we leave now." He said making eye contact with the Barbie-like woman in front of him.

"You'll have to introduce me to your friend next time. He's kinda cute."

This time Logan considered letting Rogue go, but he still shoved her into the direction of the car.

The two ate a silent meal from what they had bought from a gas station and quietly got ready for bed.

Rogue was already under the covers when Logan tried to figure out what was the most comfortable way to sleep on the itchy carpet.

"You can sleep up here, you know. As long as I stay under the covers and you stay on top we'll be fine." She grumbled.

"You sure?" he asked cautiously.

"Positive."

He slowly walked and sat on the bed making sure she wasn't about to change her mind. She didn't even flinch when his weight made the bed sink a bit.

Ten minutes passed before Rogue suddenly spoke.

"We weren't always like this, Amanda and I."

Logan turned on his side to face her, but she kept her back to him.

"The biggest fight we ever had was over the bathroom. But she was perfect. Always perfect. All my life it was 'Why can't you be more like Amanda?' or 'Amanda would have never done that.' I was always being compared to her. I never hated her for it. It wasn't my fault I was never interested in wearing mini skirts and being head cheerleader. If it had been up to me I would have never gone to any school dances."

She rolled over and looked him straight in the eyes.

"It was an accident, I didn't know. We were just up I my room hanging out, having a good time, acting like normal teens. David was the star quarterback, the kind of a guy that the cheerleaders drooled over. He was on the A honor role and all of the college scouts flocked here to see him. I was just the girl next door, the computer geek; the complete joke. How could such a popular girl have such a loser as a sister? So imagine everyone's shock when right after football practice David asked me to go with him to the homecoming dance as apposed to all of those preppy cheerleaders that she should have gone with. After that we went on dates, held hands......"

Rogue paused almost living in the moment. Logan understood. It was the one thing of her past she did not want to let go of. All of those happy memories before.....

"Then there was they day he came over. I told him my top-secret plan to travel around Canada and I made him swear not to tell a soul. My parents would not have approved. I remember the exact moment. My first kiss. The moment I'd been dreaming about since I was a little girl. As soon as our lips met I knew something was wrong. I suddenly knew everything about him. His memories mixed with mine and for a moment I didn't know who I was."

"I hated it, seeing him convulse on the floor like that, like I've seen you do so many times. They took him to the hospital and he was in a coma for three weeks. Nobody knew what was wrong with him. All anyone knew was that it was somehow my fault. They didn't know I was a mutant until I accidentally touched Amanda and she ended up in the same state, only she recovered the next day. When she came home my parents called me down to the living room to 'talk'. They said that I only had two hours to pack my things and leave. If I was still around they'd call the cops."

"So I packed only what I needed, furious that when I needed my family the most they just turned their backs on me. I had just taken a step outside when I saw them. Practically the whole town was outside ready to kill me. Apparently I had ruined David's chance of a football scholarship. I mean, he was the one thing that this stupid town ever had and I had just ruined him. I was lucky to make it out alive."

"And now my parents are dead. My family hates me. I don't want to face them tomorrow, Logan. I can't." She finished, sitting up.

Logan sat up too and pulled her into a tight hug. She cried on his shoulder and he soothingly ran his had up and down her back.

"You're the toughest person I know, Rogue, tougher than me. You've had more near death experiences than anyone should in a lifetime, and yet, you move on. You get over it and carry on with your life. Don't let these people get the better of you, they just don't realize who you are and they're afraid of you. Afraid of us. These jerks are not your family, Rogue. Your real family is waiting for you back at the mansion. Besides, you shouldn't fear these people. We could take them."

Rogue looked up at him after hearing his last sentence and gave him a skeptical look.

"Ok, fine. We'd probably need Cyke's help too."

She smiled a pained smile and sighed.

"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, you know that, right?" He asked her, "I will always take care of you. I never break my promises."

Rogue settled back in bed and in a matter of minutes Logan could hear her drift of to sleep.

"No," she mumbled.

Logan looked at her. She was sound asleep.

"I can't. I have to."

Logan strained to hear what she said. She kept trailing off.

"I must tell him."

She turned a bit violently in her sleep and Logan grabbed her hand trying to calm her down. She frowned and in an even quieter voice she finished her nightmare.

"I have to. He means too much to me."

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. It's been a weird couple of weeks. Rogue's whole past is something I completely made up. Nothing factual. Actually in the old comics and cartoons the boy she kissed was named Cody, but oh well. In the movie they called him David, so David he shall remain.

I hoped you liked this I promise that I wont make you wait so long next time.