Disclaimer: The Mighty Marvel Mutants (a.k.a. The X-Men). Do Not Belong to me. No money blah blah blah I need a job blah blah blah. This story is based on The Ultimate X-Men but is not strictly cannon. (That means I will make-up some things so please don't say "but so-in-so is dead" or "so-in-so can't do that".) I will try and stick to the Ultimate X-Verse as much as possible. But this is fan fiction so I might have a surprise or two up my sleeve!

"Speech"

Thought

-Journal entry-

In the Beginning I Was Fourteen
By: Rogue Marie LeBeau
Chapter 2: November 14th

"Magneto's target is here" Professor Charles Xavier sat before his students pointing at the large screen in the center of the war room. "This hydroelectric power plant and dam provide electricity and water for over eighty-thousand people in three communities. They also provide power to this weapons factory."

The picture of the dam and power plant faded and a large factory full of workers appeared on the screen.

"The weapons here are used strictly for military defense purposes. However, Eric believes that the government is secretly using this facility to reestablish the Sentinel program. He plans on destroying the dam and thereby cutting power to the factory. Without power it would be nearly impossible for the factory to protect themselves. It would shut down the security system. Then Magneto could take control of the factory as well as all of the weapons inside."

Cyclops brought his clenched fist down upon the table. "Professor if he destroys that dam not only will he have control of the weapons, but who knows how many lives he will put in danger. That would flood the entire valley!"

"Precisely. That's why I want to break you up into three groups. Shadowcat, Beast, and Nightcrawler are in charge of evacuating the town. Storm, Jean, and Iceman, I need you to guard the dam and to provide containment if necessary. You will also provide a diversion so are third team can gain access to the factory, Magneto and the Brotherhood."

Rogue sat on the edge of her seat, anticipating being on that third team, the team that took Magneto head on. Finally ah'll have a purpose..be a part of a team. And on the front lines too. The butterflies in her stomach caused her to smile in nervous anticipation.

Xavier continued, "Cyclops, Wolverine, and Colossus will be on the third team. The team will be solely responsible for stopping Magneto and the Brotherhood."

Scott's jaw dropped as he eyed a very smug Logan. "But Professor" he protested, "Do you think that's such a good idea?"

"What's wrong Scottie?" Wolverine growled " 'Fraid I'll show ya up?"

"No!" Scott yelled back leaning forward as if to challenge him. "I'm afraid your hotheaded temper will get us all killed!"

"You wanna see hotheaded temper boy scout," Wolverine snarled.

"Bring it on" Cyclops taunted coolly.

"Stop" the Professor's tone assured them he meant business. "You need to learn to work together or you will put not only the mission in jeopardy but all of your lives and the lives of countless civilians as well!"

Rogue heard none of the arguments, none of the shouting. She saw none of the silent choosing of sides of the others. All she knew is once again she had been rejected left out. And why? Logan has a criminal past. So do Nightcrawler and Colossus. Heck just 'bout everybody here has somethin' t' hide! It must be a mistake maybe he just forgot me or somethin'?

"Um... Professor?" Rogue interrupted the arguing.

"Yes, Rogue?" the Professor turned to her grateful for a distraction from the bickering.

"Ah..uh..ah really think ah can be useful t' y'all on this mission." She swallowed hard as she realized all eyes were on her, their looks uncomfortable. "Ah know Magneto and the Brotherhood. Ah know how they work. That an' ah can take 'em out quick."

Xavier shook his head. "No, I'm sorry Rogue. First you are still on probation and my responsibility is to make sure you keep the terms of that probation. Secondly there are those in the Brotherhood who hold a serious grudge against you for joining the X-Men."

Rogue's heart sank as the others prepared to leave. Shadowcat and Iceman are the same age as me. There they go. They're important, needed. She wished she knew how they felt to be a part of that, to be a part of a team, friends who had each other's backs. What she wouldn't give for a friend like that. As the team headed off together, Rogue headed off to her room alone.

-Nov 14-

-They say I can't go...again. Well, at least the professor did. He gave me his reasons. Probation. The Brotherhood. But I know the truth I saw it when they looked at me. They don't trust me.-

Rogue wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. She felt so alone as she finished the last lines in the journal entry.

-Worse yet these people I have to live with for God knows how long...... are afraid of me.-

Rogue shut her journal and shoved it under her mattress. She flopped down on the bed, grabbed her stuffed bear to her chest and tried to cry away the pain and loneliness gnawing at her heart.