Author's Note: I know sorry dorry about not getting this out yesterday night. I just needed to edit this a bit. Hopefully next time I'll be on time. But hey a day off ain't that bad!
Anarchy-lust: The sentence "No wonduh ya don't 'ave any hair on that 'ead a yoah's." Says "No wonder you don't have any hair on that head of yours." I find that the accent tends to drop the h's that are the beginning of words. I'm not trying to be stereotypical and if I have offended you in any way, I am deeply sorry. Pyro's personality is meant as comedy relief. I am not trying to make fun of Australians. I do know you guys speak perfectly good English. However southerns of America also speak perfectly good English. I tend to like to put in accents because I think it adds a little flavor to the writing and makes it easier to distinguish characters without actually having to point out their names all the time. I'm sorry if it's confusing you. Also, I am not trying to bash Gambit. Please bear in mind some of the narrative is written so that it reflects Rogue's thoughts. She is the one that thinks he's some crazy sex pervert. As for his actions, I think Gambit loves to push people's buttons. I think he enjoys watching people in general and will instigate chaos just to see what will happen and then smile about it because he has this power over you to make you react any way he pleases. Anyway, thank you for reviewing, I hope you do read more, I'd love to hear what you think.
MorriganFearn: Oh my gosh super thanks for everything. Your review set me up right on the track as to exactly what I needed to get off on my creativity block. I can't thank you enough. So if anyone other than her is reading this, you have her to thank for this update. Thank her by reviewing some of her stories! ^_~! She writes beautifully and simply doesn't receive enough feed back.
Special thanks to all of those that reviewed!
Veins of GlassBy Raven the Dark Angel
Chapter 4: Atonement Drum's Grief
Rogue's throat tightened as she watched him. She swallowed the hard lump lodged in her esophagus causing a sudden nausea to pit deep in her stomach. Her lungs burned with every struggled jagged breath she took.
Her training instructor, her mentor, her father figure was thought to be invincible by his fellow team mates. He was fast. He was strong. He was smart. Because of his extraordinary abilities he was chosen to teach the team about combat and tactics. He had been the one to volunteer to guard the institute at night so the others could rest easy. Rest easy because the man only known to them as Logan was guarding them. Protecting them. But not anymore…
Rogue bit down on her lip. The taste of blood flooded her tongue smothering her senses, yet the pain never registered. She was a murder. A traitor to all her team mates. A sick twisted being that doesn't deserve to live. Why couldn't she have died that day? She should have slit her wrists deeper. She should have stolen a gun from the supply closet and blown her goddamn brains out and made sure the job was done right. No one here would do themselves a favor and let her die or kill her off like she deserved. They were sympathetic… but sympathy kills. Logan, who had saved her from taking her own life, if he were walking, would have learned that lesson well.
Closing her eyes for a brief second she shook her head and walked out of the infirmary. It had been three days now and he still hadn't woken up, gotten better, or changed in the slightest, just like Dorian had. The professor was right, she realized. Her powers definitely had grown considerably. The length of the comma she induced now lasted weeks instead of mere moments.
Rogue sighed still feeling the power of Logan's healing factor flow through her veins as she paused in the middle of the hall. Taking off her long black gloves, she stared down at the bandages that concealed her once slit wrists now fully healed. She ripped the gauze off.
The professor hadn't asked her to stay in the infirmary any longer after the incident. He hadn't asked her to engage in anymore psychiatric sessions either. For the most part he avoided her… everyone seemed to be avoiding her unable to think of anything to say to her. What words could they tell her? Everyone had lost control or had problems with their powers before, but none of them nearly cost the life of a fellow team mate.
Sure Kitty and Kurt had given her glances of concern, but the others weren't so sympathetic. The underclassmen at the institute when they passed her by in the halls or bumped into her in the kitchen vanished their smiles replacing them with clamped shut mouths and dilated pupils. They flinched more visibly when they touched her through clothing on accident. They wouldn't even stay in the same room as her. She couldn't blame them either. She'd be scared too. She could understand the terror that shot through them at the sight of the girl who nearly murdered the strongest and toughest of the X-men without even doing much more than lifting a finger.
Jean of course would saunter by her with that perfect way of walking and that perfect control she held and give her a look of unabridged disgust. As if Rogue could control what she had done… like she had done it on purpose. She didn't want to hurt anyone but miss little perfect couldn't seem to grasp that fact. Had she not remembered who had saved her from her power surge?
Rogue bit her lip remembering that moment… that moment Jean's soul collided with her own…Jean taking control of her and talking through her temporarily… At that very moment Scott had gripped her forearms without fear… he didn't hesitate. He wanted to touch her… but only because she harbored that girl's perfect untainted psyche.
She wanted to believe he wanted to hold onto her… console her because she had to touch yet again another person… but that hadn't been the case at all. He didn't even show the least bit of concern for her. It was all for Jean. And it would always be for Jean.
Even now when she just needed a little encouragement from the leader of the X-men he didn't go out of his way and part with his perfect girlfriend for just one second and ask how she was. He didn't even do it to set an example for the rest of the team to let them know she wasn't going to hurt anyone, that it was okay and that she wasn't going to flip out and kill them all… But then again she really could do just that.
Rogue held her breath. She had to get out of here. How could she stay in this place when she endangered each and every one of their lives? She was going to snap again. She could feel it. The psyches tugged at her consciousness.
"Leave meh alone," she whispered pushing them deep inside of her mind with the help of Logan's psyche. He was still freshly absorbed and under her control. That is until he woke back up from his comma.
Rogue opened her eyes looking straight into little Jamie's. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing uttered from his throat. He just stared breathing hard as the girl before him frowned. She frowned…. Because she could hear the boy's heart beating in his chest faster and faster… she could smell his fear…all because of Logan's powers.
"Jamie…" she began but he suddenly backed up a step, "It's alright… Ah'm not gonna hurt ya."
He didn't seem so convinced as he robotically nodded and sprinted off to his room as fast as his legs could carry him.
That was it. This wasn't the first time she had lost it to the psyches and she doubted this would be the last. She should be able to control her powers! She was only endangering everyone if she stuck around. If the psyches ever accidentally killed any one of them she'd never be able to forgive herself. She couldn't take it anymore! She couldn't take looking into all their innocent faces. She would surly murder each and every one of them! Moisture welled as she swung open the mansion's entrance doors, padded down the steps and smacked into something hard.
Rogue fell over backwards onto her butt causing her skirt to fly up. She instantly shoved the cloth downwards to conceal herself as her face streaked with pink at the predicament. How embarrassing. She shifted her gaze upward.
"Purple today, chère?" Remy commented extending a hand to her, "It matches y'r scarf."
The pink shading her cheeks suddenly darkened to a very angry red. "What the hell are ya doin' here ya goddamn pervert?!"
"Enjoyin' de view." he remarked as a corner of his lips tilted upward.
Rogue shoved her gloves on and smacked his hand away. "Ah don't need yo' help thank ya very much!" She huffed folding her arms as she stood. "So get the hell outta mah way!"
Gambit blinked side stepping in front of the new path she chose and instantly smirked at her scowl. "Where y' headed off t' in such a hurry, petit?"
"None o' yo' business!" She snapped and shoved his chest yet the man firmly stood his ground unchanging as if she hadn't done so at all.
"Do Remy here a favor chère," he stated more than asked as he slipped his sunglasses off his face. His demon eyes sparked the flame that burned down her forest green ones causing her to advert her gaze to his tank top clad chest. She blinked for a moment at how tight the cloth clung to his muscles that seemed to ripple out of every inch of his body. Okay so he worked out. Anyone could exercise and be that good looking if they gave it time, but it was nothing new. All of the team members of the X-men resembled that athletic toned shapeliness… but not to such perfection. His body was almost like a work of art. Unlike the usual straight rectangle of a man's chest his curved like an upside-down triangle with broadened shoulders slimming down to lithe long legs.
"An' tell meh why should Ah do anythang for yo' sorry ass?" she snapped planting her hands onto her hips.
"Jus' take Remy to de prof', non?" He tilted his head and slithered his best pity-this-gorgeous-creature smile across his face. It always won the ladies over.
"Screw you!" Well most times.
"Oui? Bien, Merci!" Gambit exclaimed gripping her wrist as he dragged the girl back inside.
Rogue halted swearing and struggling once she felt her silk gloves slipping off of her arm. That was all she needed, she mused noticing the fingerless cloth worn on his hands. What was the point of those things anyways? It's not like they kept him warm or anything to that extent. Probably for looks. Rogue shot him her dark narrowed eyed gaze as he smirked with obvious feigned innocence. Yes it had to be for looks with a man that arrogant.
"Why do y'all wanna see the professah anyways?" she questioned trying to pry his fingers off her with her free hand.
"You'll see chère," he responded gesturing for her to move ahead of him.
"Don't stare at mah ass, Cajun," she warned taking him into the hall to the right of the stairs, "Or Ah'll be sure that's the last thang ya ever see!"
"No problem since Remy prefer t' see it in dose mignon petit panties o' y's."
Rogue stopped dead in her tracks.
"Dat's twice now, non?"
The girl whirled around. "Do ya want ta make it to his office without being castrated or what?"
Gambit merely motioned his hand across his lips as if he were zipping it shut and flashed her another one of his impish smirks.
He had no idea what he was dealing with. Rogue had built up so much pent up frustration in the last few days since the Danger Room was off limits due to repairs, not to mention no sparring sessions of any sort because Logan wasn't there to lead them. Mr. McCoy as a substitute for training activities had the students play no-powers sports, however Rogue never liked to attend those. It was far too dangerous for her as they heightened the chances of her coming in skin-to-skin contact with others. She basically spent her days inside of her room practically throwing Kitty out except to sleep. Rogue occasionally dragged her feet to the infirmary to check on Logan, or when everyone was asleep she padded down into the kitchen for a little something to keep her alive.
"This is it," the Goth pointed out, "You can let go of mommy's hand now."
"Would y' discipline Remy if he refused?" he questioned staring down at her.
Rogue ripped her arm away from him sneering in utter disgust. "Is sex ever not on yo' mind?"
"Y' overwhelm, Remy, chère. Can't help it when y' so belle like a fallen angel coming to steal dis t'ief's heart away." She folded her arms seemingly unconvinced causing him to quickly add, "Not t' mention y' always flashin' y'r unmentionables at Remy."
"WHAT?!" she screamed slapping him across the face, "You sick fucking pervert! Ah was not –"
The professor telepathically cleared his throat at the two outside his door and mentally projected to them, "Please if you would step inside my office."
"Now look what ya did ya stupid Cajun," Rogue mumbled grabbing the handle to the door, opened it, and took a seat before Xavier's desk.
Gambit settled into the one beside her with nothing short of the Cherisher-cat grin displayed across his features, which caused her to want to beat that pretty little face of his into a pulp. Wait…pretty little face? Rogue held her head. Yeah so what this was twice now she was admiring his looks. Big deal a girl can look. He was a sight to see until he opened that stupid mouth of his. Rogue folded her arms trying to think of anything but the man beside her. All she needed was her thoughts to be over heard by the professor. How embarrassing that would be…
"I was expecting you," Xavier addressed to him as he leaned his elbows on the wooden desk, "Have you had enough time to come to a decision?"
Rogue blinked. What was going on? Oh no… All of that discussion on recruiting the Acolytes Mr. McCoy ranted on about suddenly came back to haut her. Her worst nightmare was about to happen…
"Oui," Gambit responded, "Me an' de boys talked it over an' decided it would be best not to join."
Rogue immediately relaxed as she slumped down in her chair. Oh thank god!
"But," he continued, "We t'ink it'd be best in de mean time t' call a truce between de two teams. Don't want Magneto t' get upset when he comes back home an' finds no help waitin' for 'em."
"Alright Gambit," the professor nodded as he placed his finger tips together, "That seems fair. But I do want to let you know that you are free to come on the premises, if you need food, shelter, or training."
"WHAT?!" Rogue shouted unable to just sit back and watch her mentor make such a horrible mistake, "Are y'all crazy?! They're the enemy! Ya can't just let them waltz ovah here anytime they want! What if they try ta hack the file systems an' steal secrets on our security? Especially while he just sat here an' said he's still workin' for Mags!"
"Please calm yourself Rogue," Xavier soothed leaning back in his wheelchair, "I want to make it clear to the students that we are to treat everyone with fairness and kindness, both fellow mutant and human alike. Having them train here or use any other part of the property will also benefit us in future battles with them. We will know their strengths and weaknesses." The professor held his hand up to cut off her near interruption, "And yes I do know that would mean they would learn ours as well, but as a result it would increase both team's fighting skills and everyone will have better control over their powers. And isn't that what this school is all about? Learning to accept others and overcome the obstacles of our gifts?"
Rogue folded her arms and closed her eyes to avoid the swamp rat's smug smirk of triumph. The little bastard had somehow managed to slither his way into the professor's ever bountiful pool of sympathy, but little did her teacher know he was going to coil around that weakness and strangle him for all his secrets. Rogue was so sure of it.
"Looks like y' goin' t' be seein' more of dis ragin' Cajun, chère," Remy purred draping an arm around her shoulders.
"Gawd damn it!"
Magneto. Eric Magnus Lehnsherr. Ability to harness the power of magnetism. One weakness and one weakness only. Age.
No one can be timeless. One can only prevent the inevitable process of growing old. However, Magnus has never believed in never. He obsesses to the point of madness. Obsesses over this passion second to his will to save mutants from the tyranny of human kind. Perhaps it goes hand in hand. Maybe he thinks if he were to grow too old or die he wouldn't be able to stop them from hunting them down. Maybe he has always been afraid of losing power. Afraid that when he grows old and frail he won't be able to defend himself like he once had.
Fear.
Such an emotion can drive a person to do drastic desperate things. Drive them to do things they normally wouldn't. Dive them to things they wished they never had. That is if they could remember…
Authors Note: Okay what do you guys think? Did I get you to believe in those first few paragraphs that I killed off Logan? Hehe. So how about Remy and the Acolytes hanging around the mansion without actually joining them. I needed Remy to hang around Rogue a little more and figured that would be a better way of doing it then having Rogue run away. Even though I could definitely see her doing that… it's always done and I wanted to try something a little new. The other choice was having them join… and that's always done a lot or at least just Remy joining anyways. I'm all about that pop and fresh feel. Haha. I dunno. And no that last little section about Magneto isn't written for no reason. It has meaning. Bwhahaha. But wouldn't you like to know what! Please review it makes me happy!