Disclaimer: I wish. But I don't, so with much hardship I admit I don't own anything remotely that I write about.

A/N: I know it's been a long time between updates and I sincerely apologize. No excuse really so I won't try. But here's the new chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter Twelve

"Why did you call her a cabbage?" John stared intently at Remy, confusion marring his face; "It was a pretty random thing to say."

Remy turned his gaze down at the table. "Remy t'ought it'd be better dan pumpkin."

Johns jaw dropped. "What's with all the vegetable name calling?"

"Remy likes stir-fry."

John froze. He moved his head slowly until he was looking at Remys wide-eyed gaze.

"Stir-fry?"

"Yeah."

John pressed his lips together. He didn't really know Remy that well. He'd only been here a couple of days. Maybe Remys mental shields had blocked the Professor and he was really a pschyopath. John shifted his eyes around nervously. Where were the exits? What was the fastest way out? Could he save Rogue in time and inform the others?

As John was sitting, conjuring up illusions of grandeur, Remy, sensing John's overactive imagination, tried to calm him.

"Is alright Johnny, Remy ain't planning on eatin' Rogue."

Johns widened eyes turned wild as that thought travelled through his synapses and penetrated his brain

"Well, not foh a main course anyways." Remy added, a thoughtful look sitting on his face.

Johns expression reached comic proportions, imitating a fish out of water. Remy turned his attention from de chere to John and shoved a story under his nose catching his attention.

"Here, read this an' forget Remy said anything."

Suitably distracted john obeyed and started to read. Peace and calm settled over the kitchen.



"Irene?"

"Hey Baby. Did I wake you up?"

"Mmmh."

"Sorry about that. The professor told me that you asked for me to ring you sometime."

"Yeah."

"So how are you?"

"Ahm ok."

"Has there been any side effects from Liberty Island?"

"No. Ahm still the same. Which is a good thing."

"That's right. I was so worried about you.." Irene trailed off; not wanting to think about the nightmare her little girl had been put through by that maniac, Magneto.

"It's over, Irene."

"I know Honey. You know Magneto is out now don't you?"

"Yeah. The Prof told me. Ah was gonna come back tah Mississippi, but Logan convinced me Ah'd be safer here."

"He's right. I would have loved for you to come home for a while but Mystique would have known if you had come here. And we don't know what Magnetos plans are."

"Ah jus' hope he doesn't come foh me," Rogue curled up under the covers, hugging her knees, "ah don' want anyone tah get hurt because of me."

"Rogue, you know Eric has been recruiting other mutants. I'm sure he knows you're with the X-Men and won't be turned. He won't make the same mistake twice."

Rogue relaxed slightly. "You're right. But what about Raven?"

There was a heavy silence over the phone. "She still thinks of you as her daughter, Rogue. If anybody she's the most dangerous for you. Keep your eyes open Use your senses. She should be busy training the new recruits so I don't think she'll be bothering you for a while, but still keep alert. You can never tell with her." There was sadness in her voice as she spoke about the women she had considered a sister.

When Rogue spoke her voice was filled with spite and anger.

"That woman nevah has and nevah will be mah mother. She's a monster who only uses people foh her own benefit. Ah never want tah see her again. And if Ah do, Ah'll try my damn hardest tah destroy her." A muffled sob travelled down the phone line. "Ahm sorry Irene, Ah didn't mean tah spout of at yah like that."

"It's alright child. I can understand your anger. But you must understand that Raven was not always like that. She once was a caring, loving woman who wanted the best for you. But power changed her for the worst."

"It doesn't really matter what she used tah be like. That didn't effect me. But the monster side of her, did affect me."

"I know Rogue. And I'm truly sorry."

"It's not your fault Irene. At least you still care foh me."

"Yes Rogue. And you must never forget that."

Rogue sat up. "Ah won't. It's been great talkin' yah Irene. Ah gotta go. Ah've got a class tah take foh Logan. Ah'll ring you tomorrow if that's ok?"

"That would be lovely. I'll talk to you then."

"Yeah. Bye Irene."

"Goodbye Rogue."

Rogue hung up the phone and stretched. Looking at the time she groaned. Only half and hour before Logans Danger Room class. It was the older students and she hadn't even looked at his plans yet.

Groaning she pulled herself out of her bed and got dressed in her combat gear. She'd go to the kitchen and get something to eat while she read over his plans. And she'd strike some more fear into those inconsiderate yobbos who were down there laughing at her. Oh yeah, she'd get hers back. She couldn't wait. Grinning maniacally she bounded out of her room and down the stairs. Revenge, here she came.



Meanwhile, aboard the Blackbird, Bobby was humming the Batman theme music. Logan was barely controlling the urge to turn around and violently dig out the boys' voicebox with his claws and then drop him out of the plane into the forest below.

He could only satisfy himself by imagining doing it and so had had a twisted grin on his have the entire trip, which was starting to scare the others. Well, all except for Bobby, who was sadly unaware of what was going through Logan's mind.

Just as he finished the theme for the 11th time and was gearing up to start the 12th, Scott spoke and asked for silence.

Logan growled low in his throat and sheathed his claws. The pipsqueak had no idea how much Scotts interruption had saved his life.

They were fast approaching the last known site of Magnetos operation. They would land the bird and continue on foot to see if they were anywhere in the vicinity. If they were, the team would split off and carry out their given objectives. If not then they would search a wider area and if nothing was indicated, then they would return home. Back to their classes, which they were sure were being butchered by the three left behind.

The Blackbird was soon safely landed and all had disembarked, ready to set out on foot. Scott was giving the usual safety lecture and as usual all but Logan were listening. He was staring at the forest, sniffing the air. Before the team could leave, Wolverine interrupted Scott; "They're in there."

"How do you know?" questioned Ororo in her deep soothing voice.

"I can smell em." Was Logans terse reply. He had unconsciously unsheathed his claws and had crouched into a defensive position. He spun on the toes of his feet, searching for danger.

The rest had copied his stance, their eyes wary.

Scott signalled for them to all move out. "See you in a week."

Scott, Logan and Jean melted into the forest and Ororo watched them go before herself, Kurt and Bobby did the same.

Magneto, here they come.