~*~*~Update~*~*~

-0-0-

"Raven, Irene! So good of you two to come visit me, and with little Marie as well! Hello dear." A Twelve year old Rogue smiled a little at the man. He noticed that the white stripes that had appeared in the front of her hair after they extracted the mutant gene, were still there. "And such pretty hair you have!"

"Thank yah...." She smiled.

"Lieutenant, please go fetch Lauren for Marie to play with...." A few minutes later, a very tired looking, twelve year old Lauren appeared. She smiled a little when she looked at Marie, knowing that that was what HER reflection was supposed to look like.... without the white stripes. She hadn't had those growing up....

"Hello...." Marie whispered. Lauren took her hand and pulled her off to play.

"Are you sure this is wise Dr?"

"Absolutely Raven. There is no possible way for the Gene to get back into her. She's perfectly safe.... And She'll never be a mutant."

"Good."

-0-0-

~*~*~

"What if we're too late?" Scott finally asked.

"We wont be.... I can still sense them both." Jean half-snapped, half-whispered.

"Ya sure they're this way Sheilah?" St John frowned. "Don't seem like somewhere she'd go...."

"That's why she's sure." Summers finished for Jean, ignoring the sixteenth irritated glance she shot him. Resisting the urge to set his uniform on fire, John just flicked his lighter open and closed a few times, getting worried looks from Scott.

But if I set his uniform on fire 'e wont 'ave nowt t' wear.... BAD idea.... BAD.... Gross....

He also caught the small smile from Jean who had obviously caught his thoughts.

Thinking a little loud.... Although it might be funny.... Lets find her first eh? Oh, Congradulations by the way.

Thanks Sheilah.... Ill keep in mind ya said I could do that t' 'im.

"They're close." Jean finally said, having fought the smile off her lips. Silence ensued, until: "I cant pick up on Lauren any more.... I can only sense Rogue...."

John's eyes opened wide, and he set off at a run, ignoring the branches that whipped his clothes and face, one leaving a deep cut across his cheek.

~*~*~

-0-0-

Lauren had been experimented on and tested on, nearly every other day, and it was through the help of an operation called S.H.I.E.L.D. that she escaped, a Major Carol Danvers helping her. When Lauren touched her hand, there was a faint glow, and Carol smiled a little at her.

"What did you just do?" She asked her saviour.

"Nothing Lauren. You did that." Carol turned and punched the wall, leaving a massive hole in it. "And you just increased my powers. Thank you."

"Umm, you're welcome?"

-0-0-

As the last memory went into Rogue, and played through in both girl's heads, Lauren collapsed forward, breaking the contact.

"Lauren? Lore.....? Get up, please.... ya scarin meh...." Lauren moved slightly, frowning at Rogue.

"You've got it all...." she whispered, smiling a little. "Everything I am.... We're back now Marie.... like it should be...."

"Lauren, but, if ya mah X-Gene, why am Ah...." Lauren cringed as a wave of pain swept through her Body and Rogue held her tight.

"Just.... tell John I love him....." Lauren winced again as Pyro slid into the clearing, falling at his Fiancee's side.

"Lore, luv, please.... don't ya do this ta me...."

"I'm sorry.... Johnny.... Marie'll explain...." She whispered, as he took her hand in his, resting her head on his knees. Rogue moved back away from them a little. "You're bleedin'...."

"'S nothin' Luv. Ya cant go.... I love ya.... An' who else 's gonna keep me in line?"

"I know Johnny.... I'm sorry.... Don.... Don't forget...."

"I wont forget ya luv. One in a million."

"Don't forget, your other lighters in m' pocket." She smiled a little. John blinked back tears, as her grip on his hand slackened slightly, so his tightened.

"Don't ya dare leave me Sheilah...."

"I'm sorry Johnny.... I never meant for this...."

"C'mon Luv, we'll sort this out later, k? At 'ome."

"I'm sorry.." Her voice got fainter as her vision got poorer. She felt John's lips against her own briefly, before she didn't feel anything else.

Scott and Jean stepped into the clearing, and after a glare from John, they both backed away. Remy appeared next, behind Rogue, and just wrapped his arms around her, holding her as she turned into his shoulder and cried softly.

John just sat there, stroking Lauren's hair, and holding her hand, not about to put her down. Almost as if, if he put her down, she'd disappear, and he'd forget.

He eventually got up, when he felt Remy's hand on his shoulder.

"She's gone mate...."

"Remy knows. Elle adore Tu John." He finished, smiling a little at his team-mate and friend.

"I know mate.... I love 'er too." Slowly, he stood, not relinquishing his hold on her, picking her up as he had done so many times before, one arm around her back, and the other under her knees, and carried her somberly to his car, laying her in the backseat, before climbing in the front.

"John...." Rogues voice interrupted his thoughts, and he scowled when he looked up at her, especially when she laid her hand on his arm. "Take care...." She frowned, realising when she'd just said, before going back to Remy.

John frowned after her, puzzled. He'd been so mad, but something in her voice....

He shook his head. She had touched Lauren more than any other person, of course Rogue would be able to sound a little like her at times, and perhaps even have the same calming effect Lauren's voice had on him.

Turning around in the seat, he slid the lighter out of the breast pocket of her jacket, kissing the side of it, before sliding it back in. Maybe he'd burn something down later. Maybe. After the feeling returned to his body.

~*~*~

Remy stopped the car at the mansion, and followed Rogue upstairs to her room, half-helping her. They ignored everyone else in the mansion who was shooting them quizzical looks, and wanting to know what had happened with Lauren and Rogue. They had seen Scott and Jean return earlier, but neither said anything.

When she got back to her room, there was a note from Kitty attached to the pillow, saying she was spending the night at the Brotherhood. Rogue barely glanced at it, before throwing it towards the bin, hard. The paper left a tiny dent in the wall.

As thoughts of Lauren invaded her mind again, she started crying softly, Remy wrapping his arms around her, pulling her tight against his chest. Picking her up, he set her down on the bed, and pulled the covers over her, giving her a kiss to the forehead.

He looked down, surprised to see Rogue's fingers curling around his wrist.

"Stay, please? Ah dohnt want ta be ahlone...." He nodded.

"Anyt'in' Chere." Sliding off his trench-coat and draping it over a chair, he laid down next to her, pulling her close to him, and kissing her shoulder, as she drifted off to sleep, tears still silently sliding down her cheeks.

-Tomorrow.- Rogue sleepily decided. –I know everything, so I'll tell them all everything tomorrow....-

She snuggled closer to Remy as her last thoughts were of John, and how he must be feeling.

~*~*~

A/N: DON'T HATE ME! I had to do it! Fluff is always followed by sad, then angst, then fluff again! Honest! It's a rule..... I just normally start from Angst.....

ishandahalf – Aww, no exploding crack bunnies?... I guess I can forgive you anyway.... But only cos I believe you about evil crack bunnies.... Anywho.... Don't hate me for this chapter..... please..... I promise Ill make it all better for My Johnny. OH! Here! Ya get cookies for reviewing! I found some more money, so I got rewards for ya! I woulda made them, but my cooking's even worse than Kitty's.... Trust me, Its possible!