Chapter Six      

Rogue: first off, I have to get this out of my system. Don't bother flaming me cos hey I don't care. Flamers annoy the hell out of me so if you ain't got nothing nice to say don't say anything. I will take advice but not flames. Someone saying, hey you could improve it by doing… is ok but someone saying that's a load of crap is just sad. So don't bother Chris! (Inside joke.)

    His devilish red on black eyes flickering open, Gambit sat up in sickbay with a foolish grin plastered onto his confused face. He clutched his head in pain.

"Oh why Gambit dey one wif dey big bangs on da noggin? … Wait, my name's Remy LeBeau and I be a mutant, I live at dey Xavier's school and women love me. Phew, I still remember!" He laughed.

Remy sighed and got up, his head still shooting bolts of intense pain, the loss of Rogue was devastating but the humiliation of getting pounded by Pietro was just plain embarrassing! He pulled on a dressing gown and walked out of sickbay, oblivious to the fact that Rogue was upstairs and beating the crap out of Wolverine.

**~~**

    "Jesus Rogue! It's me! Logan, you know, the guy who was playing cards with Remy!" Logan refused to pull out his claws against the rampaging Rogue.

"Liar! I know of no Remy!" Rogue screamed, her mind scattered.

Logan felt his blood boiling but calmed down, remembering that Rogue couldn't help her memory loss. His claws just begging to be set free, Logan decided there was only one thing for it, he had to run. And that was exactly what he did.

"Coward." Rogue pouted in mid air.

**~~**

    Mystique stalked up to Xavier and stroked the back of his wheelchair.

"So helpless, so lost, so foolish!" Mystique picked up a vase and flung it across the room, " your dream is a waste of time! Do you think people would feel safe with some one like Nightcrawler, my son Charles, or me walking about the streets! Do you?"

"Do not bring your son into this. I took him away from you for his own good." Xavier stated calmly.

"My son is the reason I hate you so Charles! You took him from me, took away the one thing I loved the most! Well you'll never take Rogue from me! I'll raise her as my own and one day Charles, one day, I'll be back for my son." Mystique said soulfully. She turned her back on Xavier and walked away, leaving a dumbstruck Xavier calling out to his mutants, fearing for their lives.

X-Men! Mystique is loose and immune to my psychic holds! Be careful!

**~~**

    Ororo walked down to the sickbay and ran a shaky hand through her snow-white hair. She was going to check on Gambit and if he was awake, give him a good beating for being so stupid. Gambit staggered past Ororo and gave her a wobbly smile.

"Hey 'Ro." He said lowly.

"Hey Remy. Just going to check on you."

"'K." he answered.

Ororo walked away but stopped sharply. She spun around and saw Gambit shaking his head.

"Well duh!" he giggled like a child.

"Oooh Remy you selfish little Frenchman you are dead!" Ororo laughed.

Just as she moved forward, Xavier's message ran through their minds. Gambit cursed and ran up to his room, Ororo following suit.

    Ororo flew ahead and changed into her skin-tight purple shorts and halter-top. Scanning for Mystique Ororo headed outside, her blue eyes sighting Logan running like hell from Rogue.

"By the goddess!" Ororo flew to Logan's aid.

She summoned a massive lightening bolt from the sky and shot down Rogue with it.

"No! Storm! Rogue can't help it, her minds all messed up!" Logan scolded with a hint of a smile on his face.

"Well thanks for telling me!"

"Hey, I've got a metal skeleton and you've got lightening. Didn't want to anger ya."

Ororo shook her head and looked over the limp Rogue, her frown deepening.

**~~**

    Scott and Jubilee ran through the halls, rounding up all of the other mutants. Bobby was well again and willing to forgive and forget and Kurt had blanched at the mention of his mother.

"The Brotherhood are here so come on, get off yer butts and help!" Jubilee blew a few fireworks for a warning.

    Soon all of the mutants besides Xavier and Gambit (who was with the Professor) were outside and leaning over Rogue. Wanda and Pietro had been seen running like two year olds but Mystique's whereabouts were still unknown. Kurt was growing even more edgy. His mother hadn't been the best of parents, what with her thirst for bloodshed and always attempting to force his mind from priesthood, something he was intent on doing.

    Scott looked at his other teammates, searching for his beloved wife Jean.

"Where's Jean?" he questioned.

"I'm here." A feminine voice growled from behind.

Everyone spun around and gasped at the wondrous yet terrifying sight before them.

    Jean was floating in mid air, her hair fanned out and her eyes glowing a fiery red. Fire surrounded her body and a large bird of fire swooped down to the ground, carrying Jean with it. Bobby's mouth hung open.

"I think I speak for us all when I say, oh crap." He whispered.

"Hey icicle, shut up." Logan growled.

**~~**

    Jean sat in the midst of her mind, her energy drained and her heart weak. Rogue had taken more energy and life than she had intended from Jean. Just as the darkness threatened to consume Jean, a beautiful bird nestled on her lap. Gold and red feathers seemed to melt into each other and large, oval black eyes stared up at Jean with innocence. Song notes of the deepest splendour echoed from the bird's mouth and Jean felt her soul grow strong along with her heart. Fire from the birds wings seeped into Jean and new energy, such fierce energy, became a part of Jean's life. Green eyes opened sharply with fire looming in them.

    Enter Phoenix.

**~~**

    Gambit sat next to Xavier and sighed.

"So Rogue's dey big bad now non?" Gambit feared the answer.

"I'm afraid she… Jean!" Xavier closed his eyes in concentration.

Gambit stood up and watched the Professor closely.

"We must see Jean, something has happened.

**~~**

    Rogue narrowed her eyes as Jean rose and fire grew around her. She closed her eyes in focus. Jean's mind was… complicated. Obviously not the best mind for the novice Rogue to have obtained. Jean's mind was going through changes and Rogue could sure as hell feel it. Pietro and Wanda had run away with bags of treasures. Mystique however was now behind Rogue. She placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Go back to the house dear, I wish to speak with my son."

Rogue gave her a confused look but followed the order obediently.

"Now my son, let's see if you're ready to come home."

**~~**

    Rogue flew to the house with confused feelings. "Raven" had called someone son. Now that was confusing. She had a son? Rogue shook it off and guilt soon replaced her confusion. The woman she had fought looked perfectly nice so why did she hurt her? Rogue sighed and landed through the window. Wanda gave her a warm smile and Pietro winked at her. Rogue smiled back at Wanda but stuck her tongue out at Pietro. These gestures were simply an attempt to try and divert Rogue from the pounding headaches and screaming torturing voices.  

    Oh if only it were simpler.

**~~**

Rogue: read and review please!