Title: Forgiveness
Author: Jenny11
Disclaimer: Characters and some lines are property of Marvel. Not me.
Archive Rights: I'm flattered, just ask.
Feedback: I'll love you forever. Could also mean advance snippets between long updates.
Rating: R
Notes: Alternate Universe. Elements of comics, cartoon, and movies.
Okay, first a thanks to everyone who reviewed:
The Little Dragon() - Thank you
K. Lynn Smith - Mojo is a villain from the comics. You don't really need know too much about Mojo, aside from what I said in the story. His powers and abilities include enhanced strength, mind control, the ability to increase his power through television ratings, and a tail stinger. Basically, he's a fat yellow blob with a metal scorpion-like tail stinger and legs. He's an alien and he captures people and makes television shows out of them which he projects to the other aliens. The more they watch it, the more powerful he gets. Thus, he's rather sadistic.
Arin Ross() - Wow, thanks. I appreciate the praise. I gotta say, I've had the idea for this story for a while, and I'm really excited to finally be writing it. Still, it is a different idea so I would appreciate all the help I can get. You're the fans, I trust you to point out any inconsistencies and let me know if something doesn't make sense. You keep reading/reviewing, I'll keep writing.
Shelaweena - Thank you for the review. I was starting to think I wouldn't get any more for a while and my drive to keep writing was waning. Then I found your review in my mailbox and I'm almost done with the second chapter!
Rogue grunted as someone barreled into her side. Hitting the floor, she rolled out from under her attacker and came up in battle stance, arms raised. She watched as Wolverine's motions mimicked her own. His eyes were grim as he released two sets of wicked looking blades from his hands and waited for her next move. Thoughts raced through her mind and she gritted her teeth against their onslaught. She could sense the Professor off to the side, his hand on his temple, eyes closed in concentration. Keeping her eyes on the big man in front of her, Rogue tried desperately to focus. A horrible feeling of familiarity held her in an icy grip. There was something about this man with the claws. Something bad. Rogue felt panic seize her heart. The memories were new, unlike any she'd absorbed before, yet they screeched at her as though she should remember them. Subconsciously she shook her head. She had to get rid of these memories. Had to replace them with something, anything. Her eyes darted back to Xavier.
Her moment of distraction cost her. Wolverine snarled and leapt at her again. She three herself out of the way, but was a split second too late. Wolverine's foot caught her in the shoulder, spinning her around. Dropping to the floor to regain her balance, she was ready for him when he adjusted his attack.
Xavier dropped his hand away from his head as he waited for Cyclops and Jean to arrive. He watched in fascination as Wolverine and Rogue battled one another. Never in his time training the team of renegade mutants had he ever seen two combatants so evenly matched. Wolverine leapt around the room, careful not to let Rogue touch him with her draining skin. Rogue, likewise, was careful to stay out of reach of Wolverine's claws as they swiped at her. Reduced to basic physical combat, they swung and dodged one another's blows. Their movements seemed to reflect one another as they moved in almost perfect sync.
Before Xavier could ponder the situation any further, Cyclops and Jean burst into the room. Cyclops immediately took stock of the situation.
"Jean, form a TK bubble around Rogue! I don't want to damage the lab!"
Jean reached a hand forward to guide her concentration, Cyclops standing beside her with one hand ready on his visor. A light blue bubble began to shine around Rogue. Caught up in the heat of her battle with Wolverine, Rogue hadn't seen it coming. Eyes widening in surprise, she pounded a fist against the force field. When nothing happened, she raised her bare hand and laid it against the wall of her glowing prison. Rogue watched with a sinking feeling in her stomach as the others in the room moved to stand together. Standing there within the telekinetic bubble, she felt like an insect under a magnifying glass. Backing up, she stared sullenly at her captors. Her mental shields were back in place, the disturbing memories locked away. Her head felt strangely empty and Rogue didn't know why. Overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness and confusion, Rogue could do nothing but wait.
"Are you all right, Professor?" Cyclops asked, never taking his eyes off of Rogue.
Xavier nodded. "I am fine, Scott." He turned to Jean. "It's all right now, Jean. Let her go."
Jean looked doubtful, but she complied. She almost sighed in relief as she dropped the telekinetic shield. Her telekinesis wasn't strong enough to hold a shield like that for very long.
Rogue held still as her prison disappeared. Her eyes darted to Wolverine. His steely gaze held her own. Neither seemed to want to back down. The fight was over, but they weren't finished yet.
Xavier broke into the staring contest with a soothing voice. "Rogue, allow me to make some introductions. I am Professor Xavier. This is Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine," he said, gesturing to each one in turn. He turned back to Rogue with a kind smile. "I realize you would probably like to rest. Jean will show you to a room where you can take some time to relax and, if it's all right with you, I would like to speak with you later."
Rogue was silent for a few moments. Her mind worked furiously to take in her situation. She was tired and confused. Getting some time to herself in a room where she could think sounded very appealing. Finally, she nodded.
"All right," she said softly. Her sudden change in demeanor and the southern lilt in her voice seemed to surprise the others. They looked at her curiously, as though wondering how a mutant who only moments ago had been locked in combat with Wolverine could now seem so timid.
"Come with me, Rogue," Jean said, gesturing towards the door. Rogue followed her, careful not to get too close to anyone. Wolverine watched her go.
"Are you sure it's wise to leave her alone, Professor? She could still be dangerous," Cyclops pointed out.
Xavier shook his head. "I don't believe we have anything to fear from Rogue right now, Cyclops. She is disoriented and confused, she didn't attack out of malicious intent. We musn't forget that she is the victim. Mojo held her for five years, I want her to realize that unlike her previous lodgings, this mansion is not a prison."
Cyclops nodded, but didn't seem entirely convinced. Still, he let the topic drop and left the room to update Storm and Colossus. As Cyclops disappeared down the hallway, Xavier turned to Wolverine. "Logan, may I ask you a question?"
Wolverine nodded, his mind still on the green-eyed mutant with the deadly touch. "Shoot, Wheels."
Xavier smiled slightly at Wolverine's use of the infernal nickname. Then his face grew serious.
"Wolverine, did you recognize that young mutant?"
Wolverine frowned. "No. Why?"
Xavier seemed to choose his words carefully before responding. "Wolverine, when Rogue woke up, I sensed a wave of emotions rush over her."
"I thought Jeannie said you can't read Rogue's mind," Wolverine interrupted.
Xavier sighed. "That is true to a point. Rogue's mind is very confusing. Still, although I don't know exactly what she was thinking, I believe, somehow, it was all connected with you. She seemed to recognize you from somewhere, and I believe that is what frightened her."
"You don't think she was just scared because she woke up in the med lab with two strangers staring down at her?" Wolverine asked, dubiously.
Xavier was silent for a moment, lost in thought. Finally, he nodded, slowly.
"Perhaps," he agreed. Straightening up, he smiled at Wolverine. "Thank you for your help, Logan."
Wolverine held back. "Look, Wheels, I don't even remember anything before the last fifteen years. Unless she's part of the past I've forgotten, I don't know her."
"I understand," Xavier nodded. "Thank you, Logan."
Wolverine grit his teeth. There was something the Professor wasn't telling him. Something that had to do with him. He nodded shortly and left, walking towards the Danger Room. He was suddenly in the mood to destroy something.
* * *
"This room is yours as long as you want it," Jean said, motioning for Rogue to walk into the room ahead of her. Rogue hesitated outside the door, hanging back until Jean finally gave up and walked in ahead of her. Rogue noticed a light blue glow in the air behind Jean. She quirked an eyebrow. The redhead must not trust her.
"There's a bathroom in there with clean towels," Jean pointed out. "There should be a clean outfit in the drawer over there, as well, if you'd like to get a shower." She turned around and looked at Rogue. "If you need anything, just ask. Professor Xavier will check in with you later."
Rogue nodded. She peeked into the bathroom, mentally taking note of the small window against the wall. No bars. Looking back at Jean, she waited expectantly.
Jean took the hint. "Well, I guess I'll see you later." She turned to leave, and then suddenly she stopped. Turning back to Rogue, she looked at her curiously.
"You know, I feel kind of silly and I'm not sure if anyone's asked you yet, but . . . what's your name?"
Rogue looked surprised. The question caught her off guard and she was disturbed to find her mind was a complete blank. She took several moments before she answered.
"Rogue," she said carefully. "Just call me Rogue."
Jean looked as though she wanted to say more, but then seemed to think better of it. Nodding to Rogue with a smile, she turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Rogue listened, waiting for the other woman's footsteps to fade away down the hall. Turning back to her new room, she walked over to the window. She looked out over the grounds at a group of mutants playing basketball. Jean's words played back in her mind.
"Mah name," she whispered. "What is mah name?"
Concentrating, Rogue tried to remember. She had to have a name. Searching her mind, she came up against a strong set of mental blocks. These, at least, she knew. The solid psychic walls were as familiar to her as her own deadly skin. These were what kept the bad memories away. Still, something was different. Rogue frowned. She felt . . . empty. Alone.
"Who am Ah?" she wondered out loud.
Tentatively, she reached out towards the mental block. Maybe her name had gotten lost—
Suddenly, Rogue screeched as a sharp pain lanced through her head. Clasping her head in her hands, she waited for the pain to pass. It dulled to a faint throb and slowly Rogue straightened up. Taking a deep breath, she stumbled towards the bathroom. Wolverine must have landed a glancing blow on mah temple she thought. Ah probably just need a hot shower.
Stripping down as she went, Rogue turned on the water as hot as she could stand it and stepped inside. The steaming water pounded into her back as she propped her head up on her arms, leaning against the wall of the shower. She felt so tired. So very tired. Her mind felt sluggish. She couldn't seem to remember anything before waking up here.
An image of Wolverine floated into her mind. Somehow, Rogue felt like she knew him. She'd felt it when he touched her, a rush of memories so familiar and yet so foreign. They'd scared her for some reason. Then, when they'd fought, he'd seemed to anticipate her every move. They'd moved almost as one. Rogue bit her lip. Where had she learned to fight? Was it possible that they had learned together? Had he taught her? She sighed. Her mind offered her no answers, only the silence of the looming mental blocks. Their presence seemed to intimidate her even as they comforted her.
Closing her eyes, Rogue took a deep breath. She would have to get some answers another way. And right now, Wolverine looked like her only lead . . .
* * *
Wolverine snarled as his claws sliced through the last robot. Its circuitry fizzled and died, the hologram of Magneto fading to reveal the robot's true form. Wolverine stared down at the destroyed machine. Nothing. He'd been tearing things apart for nearly an hour now, and he didn't feel any better than he had when he started. He sighed and turned around, giving the command for the Danger Room to end his simulation.
"Why me?" he wondered out loud. His voice was low enough to avoid the echo one usually got in the lower level hallways. He still couldn't figure out why Xavier had been so sure Rogue recognized him. So she panicked. Who wouldn't? Hell, Wolverine could remember the first time he'd woken up in the lab. He'd torn the place apart before Jean calmed him down. Why should this new mutant be any different?
Wolverine headed up the stairs to the ground floor and then walked outside. Striding towards the woods surrounding the mansion, Wolverine's mind turned back to the X-Men's latest guest. Jean had said Mojo held Rogue prisoner for five years, during which he kept her powers constantly active. Why? Knowing Mojo, Wolverine was sure it had something to do with his damnable television ratings. He wondered if Kitty would be able to find anything on the Internet.
Suddenly, Wolverine heard someone approaching. Stepping behind a tree, he sniffed the air. Rogue. Wolverine tensed and lifted himself into the tree to look through the branches. About twenty feet away, Rogue was approaching the forest, heading right for him. Her hair was wet and she was dressed in one of the standard-issue gray jogging suits, the X-Men seemed so ready to provide. Wolverine smirked. She had decided to wear the white sleeveless undershirt instead of the sweatshirt. Technically, it was a man's tank top, but Wolverine wasn't complaining. Rogue filled it out all right at the top, and the large armholes were dangerously close to revealing her Victoria's secrets. Still, the straps were a little loose at the shoulders and the sweatpants were too baggy, hanging low on her hips. All in all, she looked like a little girl who'd gotten into daddy's clothing. Staying quiet up in his hiding place, Wolverine watched as she approached, waiting to see what she'd do. They hadn't spoken since the fight in the med lab, and he wondered if she was here to finish it.
To his surprise, she walked right up to the tree he was in and peered up into the branches. He waited for her to speak, but several minutes passed and she just continued to stare up at him.
"Can I help you?" he asked finally. He was starting to feel a little silly sitting in a tree under Rogue's unwavering gaze.
She started, and suddenly appeared very nervous. Feeling a little better, Wolverine gracefully leapt off of his branch, landing a few feet in front of her.
"You come out here to find me?" he asked.
Rogue shifted uncomfortably.
"Well?" Wolverine asked after she didn't answer right away. "You come here to fight?"
That got her attention. She snapped her head up, her body relaxing into a defensive stance.
"Ah didn't come here to fight. Ah'm sorry about what happened back in the mansion."
Wolverine watched her for a moment before nodding.
"All right, you're not here to fight. So what do you want?"
Again, Rogue shifted uncomfortably.
"Do you know me?" she asked finally, looking him in the eye. Her voice trembled ever so slightly, as if she wasn't sure she really wanted an answer to her question.
"Should I know you?" Wolverine countered.
Rogue narrowed her eyes. "God Ah hope not."
"Excuse me?" Wolverine asked, taken aback.
"Ah came out here and asked ya a perfectly simple question and you gotta go and be all weird about it. If you're gonna be an asshole, maybe Ah don't want to know you."
Now it was Wolverine's turn to narrow his eyes. "Well, excuse me. I didn't realize I was your personal magic eight ball." He looked down at her. "What the hell would make you think I know you, anyway? You obviously don't know me."
"Ah can't remember!" Rogue yelled.
Her eyes were bright with anger now. Underneath the anger, though, Wolverine could smell fear. Maybe the Professor was right. Maybe she did recognize him. So now the question was, recognized him from where? He sighed, and threw up his hands.
"Look, I didn't mean to piss you off. But in all honestly, no, I don't know you." To the best of my knowledge, anyway, he added to himself.
Rogue stared at him intently and Wolverine could almost see the wheels turning around in her head. Finally, she seemed to snap out of it.
"Wanna get a beer?" she asked.
"A beer?" Wolverine asked, caught off guard. This was a new turn.
Rogue nodded. "Yeah. Ah could really use a beer and Ah have no idea where to get one. Ah'm guessing ya'll don't keep beer here, considerin' it's a school an all."
Wolverine frowned. "How did you know this was a school?" he asked suspiciously.
Rogue turned to walk back towards the mansion. "You mean besides all the bells goin' off, heraldin' a stampede of kids moving from one room to another?"
Wolverine stared at her retreating back for a moment. She certainly was a smartass. He tilted his head. Huh. He liked her.
* * *
"Where did she go?" Cyclops demanded.
"Scott, relax. She wasn't quarantined, you know," Jean said smoothly. She reached a hand out to her husband's shoulder.
"She should have been," Cyclops muttered. "She attacks the Professor and then just goes running off." He turned to Jean. "Maybe we should call the kids inside and then search the grounds."
Jean sighed. "Scott, you're blowing this out of proportion. I'm sure if anything happened we'd hear it. Besides, if the Professor were really concerned, I'm sure he could use Cerebro to find her."
Cyclops shook his head. "If you and he can't even read her mind when she's here, how are you going to use Cerebro to find her?"
"Well, I'm sure we could find Wolverine—"
"WOLVERINE'S WITH HER?!" Cyclops gasped. "Jesus, Jean, what if she's dead?"
Jean stared at him. "Scott Summers, if you don't take a deep breath and calm down, so help me I'll shoot you so full of Thorozine you'll be able to see the humor in Crank Yankers."
Cyclops raised an eyebrow at that. "But what about her meeting with the Professor?"
"Rogue will meet with the Professor when she's ready," Jean said firmly. "Until then, we wait."
Cyclops nodded, but didn't look convinced. He didn't trust the Southern vampire and he wasn't about to any time soon.
* * *
"Nice shot," Wolverine commented.
Rogue smiled and lined up her next shot. She was having a good time. The beer was cold, Wolverine was a formidable pool opponent, and her head didn't hurt anymore. Life was good, even if she could only remember a day.
Wolverine watched her carefully. "Mind if I ask you a question?"
Rogue kept her eye on her shot. "Your risk."
"You said you couldn't remember if you knew me or not. What did you mean?" he asked seriously.
Rogue looked up at him. "Why should Ah discuss personal matters with you? You don't even like me."
Wolverine shrugged. "I like you as much as I like any strange broad who tries to kill a friend of mine."
Rogue looked away. "Ah wasn't tryin' to kill him," she said softly.
"So what were you doin'?"
There was a faraway look in Rogue's eyes as her mind played back over the scene. "The memories hurt. Ah had to make them stop."
Wolverine furrowed his eyebrows. The memories hurt? What memories? Suddenly, he winced as he remembered Xavier's idea. He'd touched her in the lab to wake her up and she'd absorbed him. She must be talking about his memories. Steeling himself, he forced his tone to be light. Rogue was attractive, and she didn't seem all that dangerous anymore, but he didn't discuss his memories with anyone.
"You gonna take your shot, or what?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
Rogue glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. He wasn't much of a talker. Getting to know him wasn't going to be easy . . .
Author's Note: So what do you think so far? Specifically, do you think everyone was written in character? Was anything confusing? Do I need to explain anything more, or develop any of the scenes further?