Thank You:

Light Derived from Darkness-I try to keep them all in character…though it's tempting sometimes stray off and make them all my pawns of destruction. Since you gave me three notes overall, I'll make your thank you the longest…lol

Maiden Genisis- Now I know she's called X-23 after all you helped me so much…

Mischifmaker- Your hope is my command…

hollypotter5253- Take a deep breath…and release…thanks for your note!

Blackrosethorn- Why so against Romy? I don't know what pairing I'll do yet, but hopefully it will be to everyone's tastes…

Rogue-87- Your note made me feel…purple...thanks!

Xavier's Study

"WHAT!" the unified shout rang clearly throughout the study, but none bothered to laugh at the absurdity of it all--they were all shocked into wide eyed stupors, unable to even scratch up the simplest thought.

"Yes, I am afraid in this was a unanimous decision on the faculties part. You see…" The professor began only to be interrupted by a very angry Scott.

"No! Maybe, just maybe, we could stomach having to work with them…but have them live here?!" Cyclopes seethed " Those little jerks have caused us more trouble then they could ever be worth! Don't you remember all the times they attacked us, or how they always try and reveal us to the normal world! I for one refuse to trust them, they will never be a member of my team!" Many heads nodded in agreement at the end statement.

"We understand" Ororo's firm, yet somehow gentle voice drifted over them. "But you must understand this from our point of view. This new enemy of ours, who we will call The Mutant, is very strong…so strong that even Mistique has admitted defeat. The Mutant cannot be defeated by any of us on our own, we must stick together as a team now more than ever! Please, we are not asking for you to give up anything you believe in, or even to befriend the Brotherhood--but we are asking you to at least work together with them to save our world."

Every set of eyes in the room were glazed over in deep thought, the weather witch's speech had been a thought provoking one in the least. Hank shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot waiting for someone to speak up, for he knew that if one of them didn't speak in agreement with Ororo that none of them would assist in the fight.

"Vell" Kurt murmured thoughtfully "If zey promise not to eat all mienz snacks, zen I guess zey could stay for a little bit?"

"Like, that's Kurt for you, always thinking with his stomach" Kittle giggled.

"I guess they could join us, but they have to behave themselves." Bobby said pointedly, sticking his nose into the air.

"Yea! And they can't pick on me!" came Jamie's soft but solid voice .

The professors quickly exchanged amused and relieved glances, it seemed the kids were coming around. But they knew that this wave of acceptance was fragile, and the final decision rested on the shoulders of the older students… if one of them said no, then younger kids would quickly change their tunes.

Scott fixed his glasses and squared his shoulders, as if to prepare himself for a treacherous task. "I just want you all to know I don't like this, and don't agree." he started off in tight lipped leader mode "But it is our duty as X-men to assure the safety of our people, and if we can only accomplish that by joining forces with the brotherhood (he spat out the latter as if something foul had just entered his mouth) then we will just have to suck it up and make the best of the situation"

"Scott is Right" Jean concurred, taking her usual spot by his side "We are the X-men, hero's of our kind, sticking together through thick and thin. I for one wont stand by and let 'The Mutant' wreak havoc on mankind."

"Here here!" Ray cried out, punching his fists into the air "All for one and one for all!"

"What do you think on the situation Rogue?" Hank enquired, centering the attention on the quiet goth.

"Ah" she began uncertainly "Ah think it's a great idea, we can easily take down this thing with their help. But like Scott said, Ah don't trust them at all, and Ah don't plahn on trustin them any time soon. What Ah think is we'll be fahine as long as we watch our backs, yah know? Just don't let um outta our sight"

"Nobody's trying to make you trust them, we just want to get this thing over with as soon as possible." said Logan "We all agree that we can't trust them just yet, but we also all agree we need them to take down Mutant-X, so lets just do this thing right the first time"

"Now that we have that resolved, why don't you all take the rest of the day off as a accolade for being so understanding of the situation." Xavier announced, waving them out of his study with a smile, only to stop suddenly and wonder why Rogue hadn't stayed behind to finish their talk. If she wants to speak with me she knows where I am and that my door is always open he reassured himself as he wheeled out to the gardens.

Rogue and Kitty's Room

"Please Rouge, just like consider coming with us to the mall?" Kitty pleaded once again to her sullen and unresponsive roommate.

"Kitty!" Rogue shouted, rounding on the poor girl "Like Ah've said ten times before, Ah-Wont-Go-With-Yah-To-Tha-Mall! Do yah undahstand anythang Ah'm sayin!"

"Did you like know your accent gets thicker as you get angry?"

Rogue couldn't decided weather to laugh at the girls non-existent attention span, or to scream and rip out her hair in frustration. In the end she just decided on sending the valley girl her best I-will-skin-you-alive glare. Seeing the deadly look, Kitty decided it would be best to leave as fast as she could without looking back, and quickly fazed through the door and out of the room.

Sighing in relief, the now undisturbed girl reached under her mattress and pulled out the thick, leather bound journal on German translations, where she had taken down notes on the odd dream. I wonder she thought, flipping through the worn pages Is the 'Man in Red' Magneto? Or maybe he's Mutant-X…Can we really trust Mag's or the Brothahood to help us out, this has to be some evil plot!

The sun's rays grew dimmer as the giant sphere descended down towards the west, allowing the once banished shadows to slowly creep their way back into the corners of every room. All the students of the institute made their sluggish ways back into their designated rooms, intent on crawling under the covers of their well made beds and drifting into the land of dreams. Even the ever alert Wolverine's movements were slightly heavy, tiredness settling into his bones, the humid air making every breath press heavily on his ribcage. Up the flight of stairs and down the hall a noise could be heard if listened for, slightly labored breathing of a person trapped in a fitful sleep.

Rogue was dreaming again of her dragon.

End of Chap

You all should read my other story…I posted it just after this chapter…Here's the Title Summary of my other one!

Mechanical Animals

X-23 has escaped from Trask and joined the X-men. But what will happen when an old enemy from her past comes back for revenge…What if that enemy was named Rogue? AU, Romy or Rietro.

Oh ho, just go into my author directory and find the link!…

At least R&R this one!