F.Y.I. – This entry is 1 day later, or 3 days after Entry 9. Check the date from Ororo's entry. Warren's up now. He's kinda like Tessa, not exactly proactive, ya know?? But he does pay close attention to what he has a vested interest in.

Disclaimer: I'd like to say I own the X-Men, but Tabby the klepto took 'em. Bummer dude.

"talking" - 'thinking' - *telepathy* - foreign languages/written words

Mutant Chronicles: The Xavier Institute Diaries

by, Caliente

Worthington Enterprises – Mr. Warren Kenneth Worthington the Third's Files: Personal Notes

November 26, 2003

            Sometimes I want to laugh at the thought that I actually write in these damn files. I have to wonder if someday, someone will actually read them or if they will just continue to gather dust. I mean, who would read them? The inner demons of the Angel. How ironic. It probably would seem more ironic if the Worthington's were a more religious bunch. Luckily, we're not. Sure, we have the required company Christmas party or whatever but that's about it. It's not like I needed a holiday to get everything I ever wanted when I was a child. But that's a whole other story, one I could pay a therapist thousands of dollars to analyze, only to find that I was another rich, spoiled playboy. Hell, I could tell them that. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together. No doubt, if not for my mutation, I would just be another "mutie hating" piece of shit. I'd like to delude myself and believe that I'm better than that. That I am a stronger person than that. But I'm not. I know I'm not. Simple as that. I was raised to believe that I was better than the average Joe, and if a mutant is lower on the evolutionary chain than a cockroach… well, I think I've made my point. I suppose if I was a religious person, or even someone who believed in karma, I would have to say that this was just desserts. To have the good Lord or whoever decide to give me a painfully obvious physical mutation. But, I think I'm a better person for it. After all, it brought me down to Earth. More irony, I know. What can I say? I'm just an ironic kind of guy.

            When I first found my mutation, I was able to hide it. I was finished with boarding school, and in college. Yes, I went to boarding school. Actually, my parents tried to get me stuck in military school but I managed to get myself kicked out. Impressive, huh? I think so. Anyway, I was only in my second year of college, and imagine my surprise when one day, after a shower, I notice these two small wings growing on my back. I practically had a heart attack. At first I could hide them, and so Cameron and Candy, my best friend and girlfriend respectively, had no clue. But eventually they became suspicious. Why wouldn't I go swimming anymore? Or hot tubing? Or do anything with Candy? She was suspicious. Probably thought I was cheating on her. That was, after all, my rep. Actually, I was quite taken with Candy, but I decided to let her believe what she wanted. It made it easier when I decided to leave school. Told them I was heading home to take over the family company. Screw everything else to hell, I was gonna be CEO of a prestigious company at age 21. What more could a guy want? The illusion was complete, and the bought it hook, line, and sinker. Part of me wished they had seen the truth. Or at least had enough faith in me to look deeper. I guess I was a little too convincing. So I packed up and left. The end.

            I began my illustrious career with Worthington Enterprises and everything was fine. Oh yeah, except the wings on my back that seemed to grow larger daily. That was fun. Not. So I hid. And drank. Drank and hid. Hid from my family, from my former life. Hid from everything. Everything but my work. I drowned in my work because it was the only thing left for me. I was becoming a shell of a person, a work-a-holic with no friends or family. And it was my own fault. I pushed them all away. I hid from them, afraid of what I was, of what they'd think of me. Warren the freak. The freak with wings. That wasn't exactly what I had in mind. One day, I saw a man being robbed. Wouldn't really have thought anything of it but for some reason I felt inspired to help. Maybe because it was so close to Christmas, maybe I was starved for attention, maybe I just wanted to help. I'm not sure why I did it, but I did. I started to help people. And I loved it. The rush of adrenaline, the hope in their eyes, the human contact. It felt good. I hadn't felt good for a long time. I still missed my family, my old life, but at least I had something. I was helping. Until the day that I didn't help. The day I hurt. A little girl. It was an accident, I swear it was. I accidentally knocked a little girl off of a bridge. And into the freezing cold water. The people turned on me, called me a freak, wanted to hurt me. I tried to save her, and in the end she was fine, but they had confirmed what I always feared. They confirmed that I wasn't any better, as I had always believed I was. What a harsh blow to my ego. Even worse, I had hurt somebody innocent. Sure, I had been a bit of a bully as a child, but it wasn't the same thing. I never picked on the smaller kids, in fact I stood up for Cameron at the boarding school. It's how we became best friends. I was a jerk, sure, but I never hurt anybody. Not until that day. It was too much. I did something that I had never done before. I turned to God. I went to a church and prayed. Because I, Warren Kenneth Worthington the Third, was completely helpless. For the first time in my life. And I had no idea how to stand it.

            That's when my life got a lot more complicated. The X-Men, Magneto… people wanting me to join their groups. Hang out with other freaks. Be a "team". I didn't scoff at them, like I would have years before, because truthfully I did want to belong. What person in their right mind doesn't? But it was all too much. Too confusing. And I felt consumed by my guilt. I had hurt that poor little girl. It was my fault that she was in the hospital. So, I hung up my mask and went back to hiding. It was what I was good at after all. I split my time between the penthouse and our family estate in Westchester. But things were getting worse for the mutant community. The X-Men were exposed as mutants and the world feared and hated them. Talk about incentive not to join up. But when that stupid thief stole my family artifact, I knew exactly who to turn to. Xavier. There was nobody else. I knew I wasn't ready to leave my hidden life behind; however, I knew something big was coming. Anybody who calls themselves Apocalypse has to be trouble. And, when the time came for the big battle, I knew what I had to do. I had to help stop Apocalypse. And we succeeded. For the time being at least. I also noticed the Cajun didn't show his face during the whole thing. Yet she wants him.

            Who is she? She would be the Rogue. When I met her, over a year ago, she was a scrawny Goth kid. Cute in her own way, sure, but I never gave her a second glance. I suppose one could say she wasn't up to my "standard". I know it sounds jerky, but when a person can have any girl he wants, why would he want the one that blends in with the woodwork? Made sense to me then… now I know I was an idiot. She toned down the make-up, somehow got over her awkward stage, and is possibly the hottest girl, no woman, I have ever seen. And she doesn't give me a second thought. As more than a friend. Like I said, if I believed in karma, there you go. And, unfair as I would like to believe it is, I know it is not undeserved. But I won't give up. I know she is going on a date with the swamp trash tonight, but I'll be damned if I just lay down and let him win. No. Warren Kenneth Worthington the Third does not sit by idly and lose. That just doesn't happen. I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something. He doesn't deserve her. I wish I could say I did, but… not yet. Someday maybe. But I do know he doesn't.

            God it felt good to just let loose. Write the way my English teachers never wanted me to. Oh well, back to the grindstone. No rest for the weary.

Warren Kenneth Worthington III: CEO of Worthington Enterprises

Warren pressed save on his notebook computer and snapped it shut. He placed it back on his desk and tidied up his room a bit. A habit his mother had engrained into him. She would always say, "Sloppiness is laziness, and Worthington's aren't lazy." Just thinking of his mother brought a smile to his face. He missed them. His parents. But, after his mutation manifested, he found that he couldn't face them. Still, he should really call them. Glancing at the clock, he decided now was as good a time as any to go down for a snack. Opening his door, he was surprised to find Elisabeth Braddock poised to knock.

"Uh, hello Warren," she said, flashing him a bright smile.

"Hi Bets," he replied in kind. "Can I help you with something?"

"Actually luv, I think we can help each other," she responded ominously, with a faint smirk on her lips.

Raising his eyebrows in interest, he gestured for her to enter. She sauntered inside and sat lightly on his bed. Instead of joining her, he sat facing her on his desk. "In what way?"

"Well, I happen to know you like Rogue," she started, her smirk falling into a slight grimace.

"How?" he cut in sharply. "Have you looked in my head? Because if you did…"

"Geez, nobody trusts a telepath," she complained with a pout. Seeing his serious expression she let out a small sigh. "Please, anybody with at least one working eye could see you have a thing for our saucy Southerner. Except for her of course. The girl is bloody oblivious."

"Your point?" he prodded. Betsy wasn't the type to do something for nothing. She always seemed to have some kind of ulterior motive. Sure, they had bonded over mutual hate for the Hellfire Club, but that didn't mean he trusted her. She seemed sort of shady. After dealing with many lawyers, Warren had developed a sort of sixth sense about people.

"My point is, I have a little grudge against the Cajun," she told him, her eyes practically glowing with anger. "And, if I can ruin his little date night, I'll be happy camper. There are a few things about him, I'm sure she'd be interested to know."

"What does this have to do with me?" Warren pressed. So far, there was nothing wrong with what she was saying. He didn't like the boy from the Bayou anymore than Betsy. Less in fact. Stupid swamp trash. But still, what did she want from him?

"I was just trying to be friendly. Let you know, in case you wanted to comfort her," was all the Brit said on the matter. She shrugged. "Nothing more, nothing less."

"I'm so sure," he replied dryly. "What's you're angle Bets? What do you get out of 'helping' me?"

"Nothing," she assured him. 'Except you waking up to the fact that she doesn't want you as anything more than a friend,' she added silently. "I swear. Just trying to be helpful." 'To both of us.'

"Okay," he agreed, still suspicious. "Thanks for the heads up then."

"No problem luv," Betsy stated with a smile. She rose and walked with him out of the room. "Go down to the den and I'll be down in a little bit to have my little chat with her."

"Right." He watched her warily for a moment before walking down to the television room. Already present were Kitty, Kurt, and Rogue. The trio was watching the Matrix, taking turns talking for the different characters. Angel watched them curiously, entertained by their exuberant love for what they were doing.

Eventually Kurt noticed him and grinned, fanged teeth and all, at the older boy. "Gutten tag Varren. Care to join us?"

"Uh, sure," he concurred with a bit of uncertainty. "I like this movie."

"'Like'?" Kitty squeaked in disbelief. "Just, 'like'? It's, like, a total cult classic. How can you just 'like' it?"

"Yeah sugah," Rogue said with a playful smirk. "Nobody just likes the Matrix. It's obsession or nothin'. So are ya in or what?"

"I'm in," he replied with more certainty. "After all, I'm obsessed with the leather Trinity wears." He stressed the word obsessed, and soon found himself covered in pillows.

.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.

After the movie ended, the foursome chatted amiably about this and that. At least, they did until a certain purple haired telepath joined them.

"You don't waste any time do you luv?" Betsy commented to Rogue the moment she entered the room, the last word coming out more than a bit sarcastic. She briefly caught Warren's eye and winked at him. Suddenly, and inexplicably, he felt his stomach drop. It was then he decided that maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

Rogue's attention immediately snapped to the British woman, wondering what her angle was. Evan after fighting along side with her, the Southern belle just couldn't trust the ninja. Something about her… she hadn't earned it. "What are ya talkin' 'bout sugah?" she asked, bewildered and confused, but managing to her last word sound just as sarcastic.

"Just that the second the Cajun woke up from his coma, you were practically out the door on a date," she replied with a shrug. "When before he fell unconscious you barely talked to him. Let alone dating him."

"What Remy an' Ah do is our business," the Southerner stated coldly. "An' no one else's." 'Nope, not a good idea at all,' he berated himself silently.

"Did it, like, just get colder in here or is it just me?" Kitty whispered to Kurt. The blue boy just nodded, his attention fixated on the two women in front of him. For their part, neither seemed at all aware of their audience.

The Asian woman sighed with an eye roll. "I was just saying –"

"Well don't," Rogue interrupted. "Ah know y'all dated, but Ah know who ya really liked." She tapped her head for emphasis as she stated, *Warren* telepathically. "An' Scott but that's another story…"

Betsy's face became an unhealthy red color as Rogue spoke. After a few deep breaths, her face became strangely calm. "Well, we all know you really like Remy, so why don't you just cut the crap?" Rogue moved to respond but the other woman cut her off. 'Oh yeah, was this a bad idea,' Warren thought anxiously. "What was it you said? 'I would never be enough.' Something like that. Why do you think the first words he said to you were, 'You're enough. You're more than enough.'? Thought that was random mumblings? Wrong. He knew. We all knew. Everything."

"Wait. Ya– Ya heard me? Ya heard… everythin'?" Tears filled her green eyes as she looked away from Betsy. Warren saw this with his advanced sight and gritted his teeth. 'A really, really bad idea.'

"That's not all he said," she continued. "When I asked him why he liked you, do you know what he said? 'Rogue was the ultimate challenge.' What do you think he's going to do now that he's won?" Tears rolled down her face as Rogue met her eyes for confirmation. Seeing it, Rogue wordlessly teleported away, the pain on her face evident. Immediately Betsy felt like a heel. Why did she tell her? And in such a cruel way. To know that not only Betsy and Remy, but also Tessa and the Professor had heard her deepest confessions. And if that wasn't bad enough, Betsy had told her that Remy thought she was a challenge. It wasn't a lie, since he did, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

"Vhy did you do zat?" Kurt all but growled at the purple haired telepath. "She vas out of line, but you– you just… vhy?" Not waiting for a response, he too teleported away.

Kitty was seething as she approached the ninja. "How dare you?" she questioned, her tone dangerously low and devoid of its usual perkiness. She raised her hand as if she were going to slap the girl before her, then dropped it. "You're not even worth it. I hope you're happy. Now that nobody else is. I guess the saying is true. 'Misery loves company.'" She let out a hollow laugh. "Congratulations. Company, you have."

Betsy felt her own eyes become wet as Kitty spoke to her. "I didn't mean–"

"Yes you did," Shadowcat accused angrily. "That was goal your goal from the start. You baited her, don't try to deny it." Without another word, the younger girl phased through Betsy, not a comfortable experience, and out of the room.

"Well that was interesting," Warren commented, from his seat on the couch. "Not exactly what I expected…"

"Oh stuff it ya bloody wanker," Betsy barked out, glaring at him, tears still in her eyes. "You're just like the rest. I can't believe I…"

"You what?" Angel inquired, still completely clueless to her affections.

"Nothing, just forget I ever said anything," she replied with a sigh. "I'm going to go try to… somehow fix this. Or something. I don't even know."

Warren watched her walk off, still feeling confused. Really, he never wanted Rogue to be hurt, and he had no idea what Betsy was going to say. He felt bad, really bad actually, so he decided to go apologize. 'At least that way I can speak with her. Maybe even comfort her. Now, if I was Rogue, where would I go?' he pondered internally. 'The roof or the gardens. So, I guess I should go stretch my wings over the estate to find her. Simple.' Resigning himself to his fate, he headed outside and removed his brace, allowing his wings free for the first time that day. Wow did it feel good. He effortlessly glided up to the roof, but when he arrived, there was already somebody talking with Rogue. And her companion didn't seem to be too happy.

*So now that yer realize your little boy toy isn't all yer thought he was, yer want ter talk with me?* a brown haired telepath asked sarcastically, projecting his thoughts a bit stronger than he meant to in his anger. Warren had to wonder if his going to school for control was such a bad thing. He was sure the boy hadn't meant for anybody else to hear his part of the conversation.

"What? No, not at all," Rogue replied immediately, the confusion evident on her tear streaked face. "Ah thought we were friends."

*Friends* Jono repeated with a dry laugh. *Right. Of course. Jono the friend. I should 'ave known.*

"Huh?" Suddenly understanding of what the younger boy was saying dawned on Rogue, and she changed tactics. "Jono, I –"

*I know, I know,* he cut in, his eyes filled with sadness. *There's a man who could actually kiss, not just rub noses. An' he likes yer. I get it.*

"Ah told ya befo' sugah, that stuff don't matter ta me," the Southerner argued, moving closer to her companion. Warren felt a bit like a voyeur, watching the scene in front of him, but he couldn't turn away. "Even if Remy can touch, Ah can't. An' even if Ah could, that don't mean Ah'm gonna go knockin' boots with every Sam, Joe, an' Larry that comes 'round."

*I understand that* was his disappointed reply. *But just once, I'd like ter be Sam or Joe or whoever gets the girl in the end. I was handsome once-upon-a-time. Even had a girlfriend who loved "knockin' boots" with me. I just wish somebody could like me like that again.* He rose his honey eyes to meet her pale green ones, cupping her cheek slightly. *I wish yer could like me like that.*

"But sugah, Ah do like ya," Rogue assured him, using her gloved hand to cup the side of his cheek in return. "A lot. A lot mo' than Ah should. But there are so many thin's standin' in our way. Neither of us can be intimate in the normal ways. An'… even if we could… there are laws 'gainst that kinda stuff. Ah'm almost nineteen an' you're not even sixteen. It's wrong." She pulled him into a quick but careful hug. "An', even after all he's done, Ah still have feelin's fo' Remy. Ah don't know where we're goin', any of us, but Ah do know that we won't work. 'Least, not right now. In fact, Ah think that the untouchable will remain that fo' a while longer. Untouchable. By the hand of man at least."

Jono still looked disappointed, but less so. *I understand, I guess. You're a good person Rogue.*

"Aw, thanks sugah," she responded. Then she smiled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, just short enough to prevent any absorption. "An' Ah'm sure ya'll have a blast at the Massachusetts Academy. When do ya leave?"

*In a couple of days* the younger boy told her. *I guess Dr. McCoy is goin' ter take me back with him. After he checks me over again.*

"What a blast," Rogue remarked dryly. "Ah can never get enough o' the Med Lab. Just ask the other X-Men 'bout the amount o' time Ah've spent in there."

*Yeah, I –* Suddenly Jono stopped and whipped around. *Don't look now, but I think we have company.*

Rogue turned and immediately frowned. "Warren, what are ya doin' up here? An' it better be good."

"Well, I… uhm…" For some reason the Angel was having difficulty forming complete thoughts.

*Well, as entertaining as this is, I'm guessing yer want ter be alone. Besides I need time ter brood about my broken heart.* Rogue shot him a sympathetic look and gave his hand a quick squeeze. *Good luck mate* the telepath added to Warren. *I think you'll need it.*

"Uh, thanks," the older man responded. "I think." He landed gracefully on the roof and watched Rogue as she watched the younger boy leave. After he was gone, she still didn't turn to her new companion, opting to look out at the large estate instead. Finally Warren broke the uncomfortable silence. "Rogue, I wanted to –"

"No," she interrupted in a soft but strong tone. "Ah'm gonna talk an' you're gonna listen." There was another long pause before she picked up the conversation. "I know… 'bout yer affections."
"But –" Warren tried to interject.

"Ah'm talkin'," Rogue told him, her voice still quite. "Ah'm only gonna say this once. So maybe ya ought ta listen." It was not a suggestion. He nodded at her words, assuring her he wouldn't interrupt again. He knew better than to incur the wrath of the Rogue. "Ah know what ya were like." Seeing his confusion, she elaborated. "Before your mutation." That said it all to Warren. "See, the thin' is, ya were… a jerk. A big one. An' the type o' guy who would always go fo' what he couldn't have. What he wasn't s'posed ta have. Ah've known many guys like ya. Yer all the same. Always wantin' what ya can't have. Other men's women. The best o' everythin'. An' in all honesty, who could blame ya? It's how ya were raised. An' even after ya became a mutant, ya still had that ingrained in ya. Ah know it because Ah see what ya see. Ah have absorbed ya, after all. An', although ya don't see it, Ah do. The reason ya think ya want me is because Ah am the untouchable. My mutant powers make me truly unattainable. But Warren, we are nothin' alike. Yer a New York playboy an' Ah'm… well, Ah'm not. Ya don't like me. Not like that anyway. Not really. Ah'm yer friend. An' that's all Ah'll ever be. That's all Ah could ever be. Ya need somebody on yer level. Not ta say that Ah'm somehow less o' a person than you 'cause that's not it. But ya'll always be caviar ta my hushpuppies. Do ya get ut?"

And just like that, the Southern belle broke another heart. She was two for two. Unfortunately, somewhere inside of him, Warren knew she was right. Because of the way he was raised, what he believed, he wanted her. And because of his mutation he didn't actively pursue her. Both were aspects in his so-called crush, but neither were real emotions. She was right. "Yes," Warren said somewhat listlessly. "I understand."

A ghost of a smile made its way onto Rogue's face as she gave the Yankee a pat on the back. "Don't get me wrong Warren. Ya are a really great guy. A real, man's man if ya will. Ya have money, drive, personality… you're handsome an' unassumin'… you are the ideal American man."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," the older man joked weakly.

"It's not," the stripe haired girl assured him. "You're a really good man. An' someday ya'll find a good girl ta go with ya. But not today. Not me."

"But we're still friends?" he checked in a slightly worried tone.

"Yeah, we're still friends," Rogue agreed with a small nod.

"Good," Warren said, the relief evident in his voice.

"Ah'm headin' back inside," she informed him after a few moments of silence. "Ah've got a Swamp Rat ta kill an' Ah kinda wanna check on Jono."

"Hey Rogue?" he called after her.

"Yeah sugah?" was her simple reply as she paused at the edge of the roof, preparing to drop down to her balcony.

"Never mind," he muttered. She shrugged and hopped down. He wanted to tell her about what Betsy had said. The "plan" or whatever. How it might be true but probably not the whole truth. However, his ego wouldn't allow it. Something inside of him just couldn't quite let it go. He'd accepted what she said. Even agreed with it somewhat. But that didn't mean he was going to help out his former competition. He wasn't quite that big of a man. Sighing slightly, he decided to take flight. It would be nice to stretch his wings some. It felt like he hadn't had a decent flight in days. Soaring and gliding always lifted his worries. And his heart. With that as his last fleeting thought, he began flapping, enjoying the sheer bliss of flight.

.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.·°¤°·.

When Warren arrived back at the mansion, maybe half an hour later, he was immediately greeted by shouting. Distinctively British and Southern accents were heard in the thick of it. He found Piotr, Kitty, Kurt, Logan, Bishop, Ororo, and Scott watching them in a mixture of fear and entertainment. More fear though. He noted that Remy was suspiciously absent. Probably the reason for their fight in the first place. "What's going on?" he whispered to the once fearless leader.

"We're not sure. They're mixing telepathy with shouting, so we're a bit lost. All we've managed to get is that something happened with Betsy and Jono that has Rogue throwing a fit," he replied calmly, his eyes never leaving the two women.

"…a real woman can do," the purple haired telepath was yelling as Warren picked up the conversation.

"A real whore ya mean," the Southerner hissed back angrily. "He's only fifteen ya know." *Ah'm pretty sure there are laws against doin' that!* she told them both with a glare.

"You're just jealous luv," the Brit stated, her voice dripping with superiority. *Because you can't please a man* she taunted telepathically.

"Ah am not!" Rogue cried indignantly. "An' even if Ah could, Ah have mo' class than that. Ya don't even like him like that."

For his part Jono, who Warren had not noticed initially, looked both hurt and angry by this statement. *Yer have no right ter say that* Jono cried telepathically, causing all the mutants to wince at his intrusion. *Just because yer don't like me like that doesn't mean all women everywhere are incapable o' having feelings fer me.*

"Jono, Ah didn't mean it like that an' ya know it," Rogue argued with a glare. "Ah thought Ah already explained how Ah feel 'bout ya. An' yer one ta talk anyway." *Hookin' up with her only minutes after ya said ya wanted ta be with me* she added pointedly. "An' you're not exactly innocent either. It takes two ta tango, ya know."

*Well… still* though he seemed more guilty than angry.

"Whatever," she stated, her glare not pointed towards Betsy. "Ah shoulda known ya picked up some thin's while ya were with Hellfire. Ms. Frost must have taught ya well."

"How dare you?!" Betsy raged, her eyes practically glowing with anger. "I ought to –"

"Ta what?" *Give my underage crush a blow job?* she told the two exclusively. The others didn't need to know the whole story. "Ah'm pretty sure ya already did that," she snapped. "Ah'm outta here." And with a BAMF, she was gone.

Betsy sighed and rubbed her temples. This was not what the Asian ninja had in mind when she went seeking Rogue out. Instead, she found a heartbroken Jono. She had listened to him pour out his heart about Rogue. Rogue. They all wanted Rogue. And, seeing as he was feeling particularly vulnerable, she had decided to find comfort in him as well. She had her heart broken too. She decided to show him how he could still "experience" some aspects of physical love. Even if he couldn't kiss. Unfortunately, Rogue had wanted to talk with Jono and walked in on Jono with his pants down. Literally. She looked at her upset teammates and sighed again. What a mess. The other X-Men had the good grace to quietly leave the hallway, and go about their business, though most did shoot Betsy odd looks. Turning to Jono, she let out yet another sigh. What a mess. *I'm sorry* she told him telepathically.

*Fer what exactly?* he asked suspiciously. *The random hook up or gettin' caught?*

*I'm just… sorry* she stated, tears in her eyes.

*Yeah, yer are* he agreed with angry eyes. *I'm sick o' being used. I'm glad ter be leaving this fucked up place.*

*I didn't mean to hurt you* she confided, struggling to hold the tears back. *I was just trying to make you feel better. Make me feel better.*

*Hey, whatever makes yer sleep better at night* Jono replied with a shrug. He went back into his room and slammed the door shut.

After she returned to her own room, the telepath collapsed on her bed. Betsy let out the tears she had been holding in. "What a mess," she mumbled into her hands as more tears fell. "God, have I done?" But, unfortunately for the young woman, she didn't receive any answers. So she just cried herself to sleep.

Author's Note: Okay, so I know that Warren's like a big time business guy and all, but I figured he'd probly have to let loose some way. Might as well be in his "personal files", right?? Not like anybody ever reads that stuff anyway… just thought it would be fun after all of Tessa's uptight stuff. Some of his past was cannon, the boarding school and all, but some was altered to fit my twisted needs. ^_~ Alright, about the ROMY… PLEASE DON'T HATE ME!! *cowers in fear* I promise from the bottom of my heart, they WILL be together. Just not QUITE yet. There will be some, er, interesting arguing next chappy. And now, the Warren/Rogue stuff is dead. Gone. Finito. Same with the Rogue/Jono stuff. Two birds, one stone. Aren't ya happy about that?? Anyway, I'm sure there will be many unhappy fans. So, lemme just apologize. And look out for Entry 12… Remy just might make a comeback. Alright, Betsy was kinda a bitch. I know. But… well, it was mostly 'cause she's hurting too. The Scott thing is sorta cannon, also her liking a younger man was s'posed to be reminiscent of the Doug thing back in the New Mutants series. Just random stuff thrown in to make it more interesting. As a side note, I know that in the Gen X series, when Paige kissed Jono he blew up half the school or something, but I figured that might be part of his evolution. Just a thought. *grins like the cat that ate the canary* Next up (I think), Piotr Rasputin. The man behind the metal. Just so ya know.

Review Responses: Y'all are UBER sweet!! Thank you SOSOSO much!! :^D I feel warm an' fuzzy inside. That'll teach me to eat sweaters. *readers deadpan* Tough crowd. Anyway, thanks y'all. Adios. - Aro: My brain was asleep as I finished the last chappy, so don't feel bad. :^D And, you UPDATED "Changes"!! SCORE!! Aw, glad ya liked it. *grins like a loon* Tessa doesn't talk much, but she's very observant… at least, in my story. Giddy for Rogue and Remy… guess I should apologize for this chappy tho. Jono's an angsty li'l boy, I'm just fueling the fire. ^_^ Glad you like the ROMY. YAY!! And I PROMISE you it WILL return. SOON!! Astral Plane goodness!! YAY!! Fag… cigarette… the English are just bloody strange, ain't they?? :P I was inspired by my mom when she asked me that very question the other day. So, glad you liked it. You're UBER sweet to review!! - RahneMan: Yep, wake-y wake-y for the 'paths. Poor sap says it all. :P Paige will come in, at some point, but not for a while. I'm milking this "crush" thing for a while. Even after Jono leaves for Massachusetts. Which will be soon, by the way. NO CRUSH ON WARREN!! EW!! *barfs* Did you read "She Lies With Angels"?? When they made up and she drops her nightgown… EWEWEW!! Illyana won't be Magik for a li'l while. She stayed at the Institute as a child first anyway. FF won't be for a li'l while either. Cameo, then they make the "discovery". No poker night in the foreseeable future. Sorry. The Brotherhood will be playing a good sized part in the first few chappies of the next part of the Mutant Chronicles series. It's called "Mutant Chronicles: Dreams to Reality". I won't say more… for now. *grins evilly* No Freedom Force plans yet. *shrugs* I don't know much 'bout 'em. Thank you for the fun filled review, and the fun Deadpool emails. BTW, did you read NM #10?? EWEWEW!! Rhane kissed a student. How OOC!! I wanted to cry. *sigh* That REALLY sucks!! - Remy's ange: Quite the coincidink, eh?? :P Happy birthday!! Aw, you liked it. YAY!! Jono is petty loveable in that self-deprecating, angsty sorta way. *shrugs* It works for him. Glad you enjoyed the ROMY. How surprising. *reader deadpans* I had to say it, sorry. ^_^ You're UBER random, but it's okay 'cause I like it. :^D There was some Jono/Rogue hinting this chappy but Remy didn't die. And it's OBVIOUSLY not going anywhere. Aw, Warren hater?? Not cool. Tho I kinda figured from your fic, "The Wedding". *sigh* I hate him for dating Paige but love him in all other aspects. Tessa and Bishop had some fun chemistry didn't they?? Hehe. But anyway, I just wanted to say the ROMY will RETURN!! Thanks for the HELLA tight review!! - Star-of-Chaos: Wake up call a long time comin', I know. Betsy will be getting a bit of revenge. He has been kinda a dickhead. *sigh* When will Gumbo learn?? Never cross a British Asian ninja telepath. :P Thanks!! - Kazzeh Sodapop: Don't feel bad for Jono. He's nothing without his angst. Well, they were going to go on a date… see how well that turned out?? *runs away from angry readers* I'm sorry!! The ROMY will come back. I PROMISE!! Thanks for the review, and the Jono lovin'!! - Katrina5: No worries. Ya really don't have to read all my stuff. It's all good. Plus I'm using an OC (the horror) as a main character so… yeah. She doesn't know he heard her speech, as evident by this chappy. She just didn't know what to make of what he said. Clearly, she got over it… Tho now… who knows?? Oh, I do. *grins evilly* Well, you'll have to wait and see what happens next. I'm intimidated (just like you!!) by the unknowns in Tessa's past and character, so I just kept it REALLY vague. What can I say, apparently it worked. YAY!! :^D That is in her character, to observe and comment occasionally. She's just like that, IMHO. I always thought li'l Illyana was UBER loveable, while big Illyana was kinda, well, a frigid bitch. Sad truth. But, more on that later. The "pretty light man", or Jono, needs a li'l lovin' every now and then. Well, Betsy likes Warren, but he doesn't really like her back. And now everything's gone to hell in a handbasket. But ROMY will RETURN!! Promise. Thanks!! - DemonRogue13: That's what I say… better late than never!! Jono was sad 'cause he has a crush on Rogue, hopefully this chappy cleared it up. ^_^ - Jukebox: Tessa, rightfully IMHO, doesn't trust Remy. She recognizes that he is hiding something, seeing that she too is hiding things. She (and Bishop) see that he never reveals things about himself, while prompting others to share. He is loveable but shady. *reader deadpans* Her opinion shows the other side. Okay, I'm rationalizing. So sue me. Not everybody can love Remy. Well, Jono's gonna be stuck on Rogue for a while longer… tho, Betsy did cheer him up a bit. Well, the date didn't really happen, but they're not over yet. Promise. I know. *wipes sweat off of own brow* I was worried myself, and I'm writing the damn thing. Hehe. - Peace215: Yes, poor Jono. We all pity him. Poor faceless boy. On the upside, he doesn't have to breathe. Must be nice to be able to swim without coming up for air. *reader looks at authoress funny* Sorry, randomness, I know. Hope ya don't hate me for messing up their date. Sorry. *cowers in fear* I think Chamber is likable, despite the fact that he has issues. After all, who doesn't?? Tessa and Bishop are strange, aren't they?? Don't cry!! Glad you like the story… despite the angst. ^_^ - GreenFairyGirl88: Yep, Jono did like Rogue. Still does a bit, in fact. Tho he may have moved on to Bets… still, he's chasing too many older women. Bad Jono, bad!! :P - PomegranateQueen: *watches dancing/crying reviewer with interest* Hmm… interesting. :P Glad you liked Sage's character, not one of the easier ones, let me tell you. Thanks tho!! - Leishy: Yes, poor Jono indeed. Tho, as evident by this chappy, it only fueled his self-hating angst which is so large a part of his character. So, uh, yeah. Rationalizing. Paige'll be around in a li'l while. Okay, longer than a li'l while. My thing about the New Mutants is that the younger ones are mostly being shoved in the background with the exception of a few spotlights and cameos and such. As the New Mutants (who as far as cannon goes and such are mostly older) reach 16 and 17, they will be moving into their own more. Jono's a li'l young and outta control for that. As Paige will be when I bring her in. Yes, three long weeks stuck without their bodies. What fun. *reader deadpans* Maybe not. Tessa's not a Remy fan, that's cannon. Not everybody can love the ragin' Cajun… Bishop and Tessa are two main ones. Go them!! - Crazyspaceystracey: Again with the amazingness?? Dude. Cool alliteration. *blushes* Thanks!! I like to Evolutionize characters 'cause it makes the Evo-verse so much larger, ya know?? Crystal's cool, I'm trying to figure out how to include her in my story. Kinda difficult tho. *shrugs* I'm still trying tho. By the way, you're REALLY good for my ego. ^_^ And UBER sweet. So, thanks again!! - GambitsRogue: Aw, thanks. You're TOO kind. Date. Right. Sorry 'bout that. Don't hate me. *cowers in fear* PROMISE it will return!! Thanks tho!! - Risty: New Mutants are fun, aren't they?? The older New Mutants (mostly the ones who were ACTUALLY New Mutants once-upon-a-time) will move into the spotlight more in the next story. There'll be Illyana's transformation, Demon Bear Saga (my way), Amara and a new addition vs. Selene (think about it, it's cannon stuff), and just loads of fun stuff. ^_^ It'll be called "Mutant Chronicles: Dreams to Reality" and yeah. Tessa is fun, I agree. Glad you liked my take on her, I was a li'l nervous. So, YAY!! :^D - Rogue4787: Tessa the human computer. Always helpful when you want to know a fact or memory… or just about anything else. :P Uh, yeah. Glad you liked the ROMY and such. So hopefully you don't hate me now. *runs away fearfully* They will end up together. I promise!! - Shockgoddess: Sage is like that. Observant but not always saying things. Taking mental notes and figuring the X-Men out. At least, she is in my story. ^_^ Hehe. Go on and feel smart. :P The R&R stuff is a li'l messed up right now, but it will be straitened out. Soon. Promise. Thanks for the fun review!! Dude, '80s rock is my hero. Rock on baby!! - Ishandahalf: I'm happy you're happy. :^D Though, now you probly aren't so happy. Yeah. *sighs* I promise it will get better. I'll see if I can endear Tessa to you yet. Or maybe not. But either way, I like her!! :) Trekkie fun. My dad… yeah. Let's not go there. Tessa doesn't like Remy 'cause, well, he's kinda shady. C'mon, you know it's the truth. BUT, I still LOVE him. And he WILL get the girl!! I SWEAR!! *checks over shoulder randomly for angry reviewers* You're psychic. Actually, I'm probly predictable. Yep, badness ensued. Jono is fun. He saved the day, reluctantly and bitter as always. YAY!! A gold star!! SCORE!! Price is Right is just one of those shows that you must love. It's, like, the law. Whoa, Kitty moment. :P Sexual tension ahoy. Hmm… that said it all. Uhm, yeah. Sweet ROMY. That it was. Sorry I totally ruined it. IT WILL GET BETTER!! I PROMISE!! *sighs again* Thank you for reviewing. 'Twas fun to read. - SickmindedSucker: Well, Jono sorta got over it. Well, he's s'posed to be angsty anyway. *shrugs* I'm rationalizing. Sue me. Actually don't. I have no money. Yeah, ROMYness was good while it lasted. Short. But it WILL return. I PROMISE!! No worries about not reviewing. I'm glad you're back tho!! YAY!! - Reality Dreamer: Thanks!! You're a sweetie!! :^D I'm glad you like my stuff. Good to have support, ya know?? :) - Lady Farevay: Well, YAY!! New reviewier!! FUN!! I'm glad you like the story so far. Awesome blossom!! Aw, you like Tessa!! Cool dude. She's fun, IMHO. Aw, and Jono love too!! He's a fun guy too. You're from England. I'm jealous. I'm from Cali and we don't get cool accents. We get crappy accents where we say "like" and "dude" a lot. Unfair. And you like the fag joke. YAY!! Score!! ^_^ - The Sphinx Minx: It's all good Erica. I'm just glad you reviewed. *grins* He's sad 'cause he liked (likes??) Rogue. Well, both really. How observant of you. *claps* You're the only one who thought of the mutation factor. Fag fun. :P As for the ROMY… it WILL return!! I PROMISE!! Hey, I like Sage. She's entitled to her opinion… IMHO. Glad you reviewed!! - Beaubier: You're forgiven. Instantly. Especially if you update. *hint hint* Good. Another Sage fan!! I love her!! She makes me grin. :^D Aw, you're TOO kind. *blushes* Uh, hope ya don't hate me for making Betsy kind of a bitch. 'Cause I wanted to detach her slightly from the X-Men. Uhm, yeah. I LOVE her too. Honest. *cowers slightly* Bogan won't show up for a LONG time. That much is for sure. Bishop and Tessa NEED to hook up. IMHO!! 'Cause DAMN do they need to get laid. ^_~ As for Warren… well… I think you know where I stand. Thanks for the support!! You're UBER sweet!! - Lady Sir Henry Morgan: Well, Ish is helpful like that. Example wise. ^_~ They won't last forever because, well, they're teenagers. That never really seems to last. I think this chappy had ENOUGH drama, wouldn't you say?? ROMY… right… uh, I PROMISE it will return. I SWEAR!! Tessa deserves a chappy. I like her too much to deny her. Bishop and Tessa NEED to hook up in the comics. NOW!! Grr… :P Betsy and Warren didn't REALLY have a confrontation per say… but, yeah. Thanks, you're UBER sweet!! - Steph Silverstar: Maddie is Jean's clone. Yes. Made by Sinister (ew, hate him) and married to Scott. Before Inferno. Thanks!! - Klinoa: No worries. I'm just glad you reviewed. Period. I feel you. I can't review and it's pissing the hell out of me. Grrr… *beats own computer* Favorite chappy?! AWESOME!! I'm glad you like Tessa. If you're happy, I'm happy. *grins like a loon* Dude, you rock. Thanks!! - Khay: I love Jono too!! Yes, Rogue is why his heart broke. But, no, that's obviously not gonna happen now. ROMY. Yeah. 'Bout that, it WILL return. I PROMISE!! Awakeness is goodness!! :P *reads reader's rant* Damn strait girl!! More Jono? Check. More Bishop?? Wolvie's chappy. Which is after Piotr's. ROMY, some interaction next chappy, more Wolvie's chappy.