Once again the room would have sat in silence, if St. John had not been cackling madly from his perch at the window. Everyone stared at him like he was insane…which he was. Rogue rose up from her seat and stepped over Remy who was lying on the floor smoking a cigarette. He ignored the glares sent his way by the Prof, who preached the cons of smoking to all the students, day in and out.
"St. John, sugah?" Rogue asked stopping scant foot away. "If you were in love with meh ya should have said. Ah'd have been nicer."
St. John stopped laughing (finally) and stared at Rogue stoically. Then standing up he bent Rogue backwards and plastered his mouth to her's. In the few seconds that they actually touched, Remy jumped up from the floor and stomped towards them. He, however, was not the one to rip them apart. Sean was.
Grabbing St. John by the back of his neck he threw him to the wall. Flailing a minute, St. John sighed a soft wow before slumping down unconscious. Sean bared his teeth and basically growled as he turned to make sure Rogue was all right. She was laughing her ass off along with most of the people in the room. The few exceptions (Scott, Jean, Remy, Amara, Storm, and the Prof, though he was smiling even if he was hiding it) were not happy.
Remy in particular was unhappy. Sean had protected Rogue (in a manner of speaking) when he hadn't. Maybe this was a sign. Remy hadn't protected Rogue in the future, and couldn't protect her now. But Sean could.
Remy shook his head and grasped Rogue's hand. He drew her close and told himself that it was for her benefit…not his (which it actually was). Sean watched all this with cool amusement. The Cajun thought himself Rogue's true love. But she was his! She had been his before and would be again. Nothing would get in the way of that.
Sean left the teen couple where they stood, along with a smiling St. John, who having woke up was promising Amara that it had been a joke (Roberto looking majorly pissed by the way). He strode over to where Sage stood stiffly. She, in turn, looked to the tall man behind her…Bishop. Pulling a chain attached to whoever it was under the long cape he walked over to the other two.
"Rogue is almost here. We need to hurry and tell them what they need." Sage confided in the two. The teenagers and adults did not even notice that the time travelers were conversing in private, possibly plotting.
Bishop shook his head. "We need to watch what we tell them. They might not want to help."
"Doesn't matter. We need them period. We couldn't transport our entire team."
Sage looked at Sean blankly. "Your excuse was that it would damage the timeline but our being here at all is damaging it."
"She is my wife. I watched her die once. I won't do it again. If she continues on this fool's errand then I'll use force to stop her. But I can't stand by while she undoes everything in the future."
"Don't let your feelings get in the way of the job, Sean. Sage and I can handle Rogue if need be. And I'm not afraid of having to take you out as well."
Sean gave Bishop a cold glare. He knew the man meant it. Bishop was cold as diamonds and twice as hard. You did not mess with the bulky black mutant, nor his skinny, cunning partner.
Turning back to the group, who had finally calmed down, Sean smiled. "Now comes my personal favorite tale. My wife's, Rogue's." Signaling Sage, she cast out, one last time, a psychic net and began to play the memories she had taken from the mutants closest to Rogue. That was how she portrayed the events she'd previously shown and was showing. She invaded the minds of other mutants and compiled database of info in her mind. Once there she formatted the best design of what had actually happened. Thanks to her computer like mind and removed disposition, none of Sage's feelings got in the way.
One Month From Now
Rogue smiled as Jaime ran past her and into the large ballroom at the Marriott. She preferred to focus on Jaime instead of the man glaring down at her from inches away.
"You don' call, write, not'in'!" Remy used his gloved finger to tilt Rogue's face towards his. "Don' need me no more amoureux?"
At that very moment, when Remy was leaning down to brush his lips with her's, Kitty popped out of no where and dragged Rogue down the hall. Frustrated, Remy shouted after them.
"What, bébé? Remy not good enough company?"
Rogue flashed her rare 100-watt smile at him. "Go find someone else to dance with, sugah! Got girl problems!" Remy shook his head and decided that he'd try to get the volatile Wanda to dance. He never did have the knack for self-preservation.
Rogue followed Kitty around the corner and was staggered when the petite brunette threw herself into her arms. Sinking to the floor under the surprising weight of the mutant, Rogue tried to comfort her friend. "Awww, baby." Rogue immediately knew it had something to do with Lance. That bastard had hurt Kitty before and she'd warned her that it would only happen again. "It's not that bad. There are plenty of guys. Hell, if you want you can have Remy. Ah know Ah don't want him."
Kitty stopped sobbing long enough to giggle. "I just like can't stand him. Two years Rogue. That dog." Rogue nodded her head and rocked Kitty back and forth.
"It's alright, sugah. We'll get him back. There's nothin' bettah than some nice old fashioned warfare." Rogue whispered, hoping to get another laugh, which she did.
Rising from where they'd fallen Rogue handed Kitty a tissue from the box on a side table. Looking into the shadows Rogue felt someone moving along the hall towards them.
A recent, extremely recent as in last week, advance of her powers had enabled her to be able to sense when people she had absorbed were near her. Rogue knew Kurt was transporting into her room before he was there, when Kitty was phasing through the walls near her (though it was almost as difficult to get a "read" on Kitty as it was the Prof and Jean). Rogue even knew when Logan was patrolling near her room, which came in handy (like three days ago when she snuck out to meet Remy).
Sure enough, Rogue was right. St. John walked into the light, insane grin ever-present on his face. "Hey sheilas! Want some beer?" St. John asked, with a goading lilt to his voice.
"What happened to your eyebrows?"
Handing them each a beer, St. John smiled sheepishly. "Amara didn't like my sense of humor." The girls cocked their eyebrows. "You catch one table on fire and everyone's upset."
They all cracked up and shared a toast but as they lifted the beers to their mouths a large tremor shook the building. Bracing herself on the wall Kitty asked the question they were all thinking. "What the hell was that?"
Rogue didn't even try to answer the question; she was all ready running for the ballroom…the place where the tremor had come from. Slamming through the doors Rogue almost fell in her effort to not hit a large inferno of a fire. She could see all her friends (and not so friends) fighting with people or this thing. Remy! Oh, gawd! Remy is so close!
Rogue was about to yell out to him when she noticed something. She felt the fire, not like she was burning or anything. No, she felt it like she'd felt Sean. Inside her head, a steady beat kind of feeling. Squinting her eyes Rogue could see a lone figure within the fire. At first she thought that maybe St. John had gotten in before her but he was right next to her… looking in shock at the scene before her as well. Rogue watched as Remy and Colossus took on this living, breathing god of a mutant (because surely that's all it could be) by themselves. Then in slow motion Rogue watched as Remy was attacked from behind by one of the many commandos running around. Screaming Rogue stood almost like a statue as a sliver of silver appeared on his chest, or rather protruding from his chest. As Remy fell to the ground Rogue ran towards him. The commando who had attacked her love was already retreating with the rest of them. In that moment Rogue vowed revenge. She would find him, for his face was permanently burned into her head.
"Remy!" Rogue gasped (coming out of her shocked reverie). "Oh, gawd. Baby, hold on. We'll get ya help. Ah promise!" Rogue was so caught up in taking care of Remy that she didn't notice that she was weeping.
Remy, however, did. "Rogue, is all right. I be fine. Take care of dat t'ing. For me?"
Rogue nodded. She started to step up, but Remy grabbed her hand. His bare hand in her's. Then he said one more thing before relaxing into unconsciousness. "I love you Rogue. Don' fo'get dat, bebe. Never fo'get dat."
Rogue watched as Remy slipped into unconsciousness. Then, slipping his cards out of his jacket pocket, Rogue turned with a determined look on her face. This bitch is going down.
Charging up several cards Rogue began to attack the large flames, to no result. The cards just burned up as they hit. Looking around Rogue saw that Colossus had finally fallen. Reaching down for a sweep of the fingers up his arms as she continued to run (to avoid the spikes of flames that reach out and singed everyone and thing), Rogue absorbed his abilities and "armored" up. Glistening in the light of the flames, Rogue looked around again. The enemy had regrouped and was attacking again. They were winning.
Pushing through the flames that surrounded the mutant, Rogue started towards her. Through the bright red haze Rogue could see she had surprised whoever it was. Grimacing, as she was hit harder and harder by the flames, Rogue reached out. She was within a few feet of the mutant when an equally large flame surrounded the current flame. The new flame was burning everyone but the mutants. When all the commandos were dead it turned towards this flame.
Still pushing towards the now definitely female mutant, Rogue got her chance when the outside flames began to compress the ones already emitted. Sweating now Rogue had almost reached the mutant when she took to the air and disappeared. Rogue fell to her knees and let the armor recede. She was exhausted. Didn't think she could move at all. But then she remembered Remy.
Rogue crawled to where he lay oh so still. Smiling she began to whisper to him that it was over. She was still whispering when Jean came and pulled her away.
"He's dead, Rogue."
Rogue put her face into her hands and began to cry as Jean kneeled there and held her. When the X Jet arrived it was Jean who picked her up and carried her on, and when they finally arrived home it was Jean who put her to bed and held her hand as her sobbing gave way to sleep.
The Next DayRemy's duster. That was all that was left. His body had been claimed by his family hours ago. All she had was the jacket he'd left on his bike outside. She'd yelled at him because she hadn't wanted to ride to the party on it and ruin her hair. So they'd rode with Scott and Jean, leaving his bike and coat behind.
Hugging the duster to her chest Rogue began to cry quietly. She had thought that she couldn't cry anymore after last night but she was wrong. Behind her Logan came into the garage.
"Rogue, Professor Xavier wants us down in the lab." Rogue heard her but ignored her. The jacket smelled like him. She couldn't leave it here. What if something happened to it?
Deciding on the spot, Rogue slowly put on the jacket. It almost, but not quite, touched the floor. Turning, Rogue followed Jean down to the bowels of the school, to the recently built conference room. All the chairs at the table were taken up when Rogue and Jean sat down.
"The events of yesterday were tragic and sudden. Storm and I have been looking for answers but they are not quickly coming. I will tell you, my X Men, the second I get any wind o f the cause of this tragedy. Now I just want to know the status of the issues I put you all to work on. Scott?"
"The death toll is now five. Gambit's father and brother have come to get his body…" Rogue cringed at that. She remembered very clearly just what Remy's father thought of him. "…as well as Sunspot's and Berserker's. Toad doesn't have any family that we can find a trace of." Scott began to turn red in an effort not to cry. "I'm going to take Alex back to Hawaii for burial tomorrow." Scott stopped speaking and just stared into space. Having just found out she herself had a brother a while ago, Rogue sympathized.
Storm spoke up from where she had just walked in the door. "It is confirmed. Shadowcat, Avalanche, Wolverine, Beast, and Blob are missing. I checked the cameras at the hotel but they didn't catch anything. One second they were there, the next gone. Also several of the cameras went down due to electrical interference. I'm checking it out with the security at the hotel. Also, I checked the Brotherhood home but it appears to be quite deserted." Storm looked weary, and Rogue was not the only person to see it.
"Take a few hours to get some sleep, Ororo. You look tired." The prof soothed her. Storm looked grateful for the reprieve. This was especially wearing for the white haired mutant. She had always been more in tune to the emotions of others.
"Um…the new recruits are all being sent home. Jaime has been picked up and the rest's parents are coming tomorrow. Beast will be meeting us at Muir Island."
"Muir Island? What are y'all talkin' about?"
"Rogue you were indisposed last night so you didn't hear. I'm sending you all to a safe place for a while. With no clue to what set off this disturbance, I feel it would be best for everyone to get away. Muir Island is a mutant owned medical facility, so anyone who is hurt can get care. Also I feel it would be best to get away from a place filled with memories such as this." The prof looked heartbroken as he continued. "I never wanted you all to feel this way. My dream wasn't supposed to be tainted with blood like this! It was supposed to be peaceful! And happy!" The prof slammed his hand on the table. As one everyone jumped. He quickly gained control again. "I'm sorry. Perhaps this is getting to me. I think I'll go and rest." The Prof was wheeled off by Storm. He looks so old, Rogue thought.
"Yes he does. This has hurt him too." Jean replied to the unspoken comment of Rogue's. "I think that it's a good idea. This Muir Island will help us to get over this. And we must. In order to go on with the X Men."
Kurt gaped at Jean (first for the stern and strong voice, second because of what she'd said). "Jean, most our team is dead. Ve cannot go on. Vhere would ve go?"
Jean looked Kurt straight in the eye. "We will go on with defending the world from mutants and mutants from the world. At any cost."
Whoa, that was intense, Rogue thought as she stood to follow Jean out of the room.
Three Days Later
Home. No, a house. That's all it was. Given, a rather large house filled with family and friends. But in the end, just a house. Nonetheless, she'd miss it. Staring out the window Rogue shook her head. She may have only stayed there for less than two years but it had been more of a home than any of the houses she and Irene had stayed in.
"Mein Schwester, it is alvight. The prof said ve might return soon."
"Yeah, but it's not likely…little brothah!" Rogue said as she ruffled the mop of blue hair on Kurt's hair.
"Ahh! She's never going to let me live it down!" It was good to joke with Kurt. To let him get his mind off of Amanda. If her parents didn't want her to date Kurt, there had been no way they would want her to go to Muir Island with him.
"Don't make me turn this plane around kids." Storm called back. She was driving the Blackbird across the Atlantic, farther from home and closer to this Muir Island place.
Up ahead of Kurt and Rogue's seats sat Scott and Jean. With his brother freshly interred yesterday, the handsome X Men and his beautiful girlfriend spent much of their time comforting each other (if you know what I mean). Jean had surprised Rogue in the past couple of days. They'd never gotten along really; their relationship was more of a grudging respect for each other. After Rogue had gotten over her new recruit syndrome (so dubbed by her and Kitty, it was the crush every female recruit developed on Scott, it usually went away in two to three months, but antibiotics are available…in Rogue's case it had been a cherubic Warren Worthington III), she had to admit that Scott and Jean were a good couple. This stemming from the fact that they were deeply in lust/love with each other.
Just ahead of them sat the pilot/co-pilot seat. Next to Storm sat Bobby, the only new recruit (who survived) to remain with the X Men. The simple fact behind that is that his parents hadn't wanted him back. Rogue had been subject to Kitty gossiping about it several weeks ago. With Spring Break coming up Bobby had called his parents, who in turn told him he should stay at the mansion…forever. Completely sympathetic Kitty had told Rogue, and basically everyone else.
They were all heading for the only place, supposedly, that was safe right now. What Rogue wanted to know was why weren't they looking for the others? Why were they forced to leave, but the Prof and Storm staying behind? Why did they get attacked? Why did they kill her friends? Who were they? Why did Remy have to die?
Oh, gawd. Ah'm not supposed to think of that. He's gone. Ah get it. Ah'm over it. Ah don't care. He was just some dude to play with for a while. Ah don't need him, or miss him. Rogue repeated that mantra to herself but nothing could stop the thoughts in her head.
You do love him and miss him. You miss the way he would brush you bangs out of your face. The way he always brought you flowers with the Queen of Hearts in it for a card. Not to mention the way he would always lean over and steal a kiss when least expected. Give it up, cry. Cry, damn you, cry! That little voice screamed over Rogue thoughts.
Rogue did not cry though. She had not cried since that first night. She wouldn't cry again. It was over and done. Nothing would change anything.
"We'll be landing in a few minutes. Children, buckle up." Storm yelled back. Rogue peered out the window as she put on the seat belt. Muir Island rose out of the mists, bright green in the early morning light, revealing oddly T-shaped buildings and a group of people near the landing strip.
Speeding towards the little island Rogue had a sense of foreboding. This island would affect them all. She was sure of that. But for some reason Rogue wasn't sure it would be all good. Or all bad for that matter.
Two Weeks Later
"Ah cannot stand that man! Does he not understand that Ah'm grieving! Ahh!" Rogue screamed at her teammates. They were having an impromptu meeting in the kitchen of the underground facility they were staying in.
"Grieving?" Kurt asked in a skeptical tone.
"Yes, grieving." Rogue glared at him.
"More like avoiding him. Just tell him to go avay. Want me to tell him?"
"No! That'll make it worse!" Rogue huffed as she plopped down in the seat across from him. The other teammates looked at the two in confusion, obviously with no idea who they were talking about.
Kurt, sensing this, supplied the info. "A veek ago this mutant named Banshee showed up here. He vas very upset vith Dr. McTaggert. They'd broken up the veek before. To make her jealous he kissed Rogue. He has been trying to get her to go out vith him since."
Scott, not as angry as he should have been, smiled. "Another bites the dust to the alluring Rogue. Whose kiss is killer."
Jean, not amused, smacked him upside his head. It was good to be getting back to normal but no so good to hit on a fellow teammate in front of your girlfriend. The two glared at each other before unspokenly (telepathic or otherwise) decided to let it go.
"Yeah, well Ah'm not amused. I wish he'd just go away."
"Really, love? 'Cause if that's the case then I've got a proposition for you." Banshee said as he walked into the room, followed by a grinning Iceman.
"Ah've heard enough of your propositions, boy."
Banshee smiled. "This I think you'll want to hear. I'll leave you alone, if, and only if, you beat Iceman in a game of Mortal Kombat on the X Box."
Rogue stared at him in shock. "Sugah, ya're like 30 and ya play Mortal Kombat?"
"No, but Bobby does. And I'm only 23."
Rogue turned her death glare onto the now shaking Bobby. "Iceboy! Ya're in league with this…this…idiot!"
"No, well, yes. But he twisted my arm."
Rogue visibly calmed and turned to the grinning Banshee. "If Ah win ya leave me alone, but what do ya get if ya win?"
"A date, at a place of my choice."
"Okay, but ya're warned. Ah kick ass at Mortal Kombat."
Two Days Later"Stupid idiot…cheats…gawddamn dress won't zip…"
Rogue turned to look in the mirror and had to smile. Though she grumbled she had managed to make herself as hot as ever. The dress was short, deep burgundy, and tight. She hadn't been able to leave her shoulders bare so she'd added a bolero jacket that stopped just under her breasts. On her legs she wore black thigh highs. Unfortunately, while looking in the mirror Rogue realized that if she moved the wrong way she'd flash their lacy edge. Stepping into her stiletto heals (borrowed from Jean) Rogue had to admit that DAMN! She looked good. Smirking to herself she silently hoped that Banshee suffered.
At a knock on the door Rogue turned. When Banshee stepped in he held in his hands two dozen pink roses. Rogue let out a little gasp. Pink roses were her favorite though she'd never admit that (pink was so…Kitty). Rogue wilted a little at that thought. Kitty still hadn't been found. Neither had any of the others.
"What's wrong, love? You look sad."
"Nothin', lassie. Let's just get this ovah with."
"Sure thing, Rogue." It was the first time he had called her by her name, usually preferring to call her love or lass or even babe (a recently acquired word from Bobby).
Together they walked out of the complex and to the pier. "We're goin' off shore?"
"Yeah. Can't really have a good date at my ex's digs right?" Banshee shrugged as if to say whatever but Rogue finally picked up on something.
"Ya're nervous."
Banshee shook his head. "Nah."
"Yeah, ya are. Ya're nervous. Why?"
Helping Rogue into the small speedboat tied to the pier he answered. "Not everyday you get to take out the girl of your dreams is it?"
Rogue opened and closed her mouth. Then she actually spoke. "Ya shouldn't say things like that."
Banshee looked at her confused as he started the boat and moved away from the pier. Rogue filled him in. "Ya'll make a girl think ya like her."
Banshee smiled at her. "Well, that gel should because I do. Now, love, I have been told by an anonymous source…"
"Kurt," Rogue snorted. She'd known for a fact that the two of them have been plotting this date since she'd lost to that damn Iceboy Bobby. That rat had used cheats to win. Stupid boy.
"…that one of your favorite bands is Wheatus. So I wrangled us some tickets."
"To Wheatus?" Rogue asked in shock, as she was temporarily deaf, blind, and dumb. The band Wheatus had been her fave since she's gone and seen that stupid movie "Loser". The movie had been stupid. The song stuck in her head. Then she'd gone and bought the CD and it had rocked. From the songs on the first CD to the second they were the ultimate great not really rock, not really not band.
"Yeah, figured we'd do something you wanna do, then what I want." Banshee sent her a very lascivious look as he said that last bit, but Rogue wasn't as offended as she should have been. This man wasn't as…annoying as he seemed before.
"Cool." Rogue said as she could think of nothing else.
They arrived at a small club a little late seeing as they had had to boat over to the main island, but it was worth it. Wheatus played all their really good singles, from "Dirtbag" (her absolute fave) to "A Little Respect" (another fave). The entire time Banshee had held her hand and Rogue found that that wasn't as bad as she thought. She was more at ease with this man in two weeks than she had been with her teammates after two months.
The crowd came to a roaring applause as the band left off with a particular good version f "Sunshine." As one, Banshee and Rogue left the club and walked down the street. The concert had ran a little long and it was now coming up on eleven o'clock at night. The streets of this small town were empty except for other members of the audience and even they were few and far between. Most had stayed behind to linger and mellow out in the club.
"So, where are we goin'?"
"It's a surprise."
"Ah don't like surprises."
"You'll like this one." Taking her hand Banshee pulled her into a lone, long building. It as dark inside and Rogue felt a touch of fear when Banshee let go of her hand and went into the darkness.
"Banshee?"
Suddenly a blaze of lights came up. They revealed…a bowling alley. "Bowling? This is ya surprise?"
"Yes. I like to bowl."
"Well, me too, but on a date?"
Banshee finally came back into her line of sight. He was carrying two sets of bowling shoes and was grinning. "So this is a date? I thought it was just a bet gone bad, love?"
Rogue blushed. "Well, not really…if you think…Ah thought…"
Banshee shushed her and handed her a pair of shoes. "Let's bowl."
Out of three games Rogue won two times, but she had the distinct impression that he'd allowed her to win. Sweating and happy for the first time in a month Rogue sat down next to Banshee to take off her shoes.
"Ya know, Banshee, this was fun."
"Good. And Rogue you can call me by my name."
"Ya never told me it."
Leaning towards her Banshee whispered in her ear, "Sean Cassidy be my name."
Turning so that they looked each other in the eye Rogue smiled, her first genuine smile in a long time. "Sean Cassidy."
"Yeah, that'll work." Sean touched his lips to her's and sealed their fates together.
One Month Later
"Rogue, this isn't right. It's only been two months since Gambit died! I don't think you're ready." Rogue ignored Scott's tirade as she tried to choose between different veils. In less than a month she would become Rogue Cassidy. Underneath the excitement of that statement was a warm anxiety slowly eating at her. What if he reasons for this weren't enough? What if her plan to have a good and happy and safe life failed? She wasn't the only one who would suffer.
"Are you listening to me?"
Rogue sighed. "Not if ya're only going to repeat ya-self again and again. Ah know what Ah'm doin' and nothin's gonna stop me now." Scott stomped out of the shop and left Rogue standing there. When she got back to Muir Island she would get Jean to talk to him. Rogue had to have what remained of her family there, it wouldn't be right to get married without them.
"Do you need any help, Rogue?" The saleslady asked as she walked up.
"Nah, Ah think Ah got it picked out…wait, how'd ya know my name?"
The saleslady eyes flashed yellow for a second before changing back to baby blue. "I only want to be here for you Rogue." Yep, that was her mother's voice all right. "This is an important time for you, I only want to be there. I have that right. As your mother."
Rogue studied Mystique's face. Despite the fact that she was a shape shifter, Mystique had never been able to keep her emotions from showing on her face. She was sincere. She truly just wanted to be with Rogue.
Rogue felt something inside her melt. "Sure. What do ya think? Long or short?"
Mystique relaxed at her daughter's words. "Long. It will go better with your dress."
"How do ya…no, Ah don' wanna know. Okay, so what color? White, ecru, off white…the choices go on…"
One Month Later
Cheers came up from the tables as the bride and groom walked into the room. Rogue smiled as she took her seat at the head table. Sean sat beside her and grasped her hand under the table. He leaned over and whispered, "It'll be over soon. Grin and bear it darling."
Rogue's answer to that was a pinch to his arm. He jumped and tickled her side. The best man, Kurt, stood in one lithe motion. He rose up a champagne class and spoke. "To zhe happy couple, you hurt mein schwester and I vill hurt you. Rogue, you vant an annulment you call me." The crowd laughed at that; there would be no annulment for these two; they were obviously in love. "No, veally. I hope you find zhe happiness you've searched for, and Sean is a very lucky man." The tables rang with applause. Kurt drank down all his champagne in one gulp and sat back down.
Rogue smiled as she looked at her new husband, Sean Cassidy. She was Mrs. Sean Cassidy. Rogue and Banshee. Who would have thought it? The music started up and Rogue and Sean rose from their seats. Rogue's wedding gown was beautiful. Storm had picked it up in New York before coming to Scotland for the wedding. Sean pulled her into his arms as they began to waltz.
"Ah thought we decided that waltzing was stupid."
"Love, you just can't dance it well."
"Mah music comes more under the genre of headbanger."
"I love you anyways." Sean gave that smile, the smile of his that melted her knees and made her stomach flutter. It was devastating. She had been the recipient of that smile for two months, ever since she had left the institute. At the thought of the institute Rogue's features darkened. Sean of course knew immediately what she was thinking about. "You wish they were here."
"Yes, but I also wish that I had been strong enough to help."
"Rogue, you couldn't have helped. No one even really knows what happened yet. Besides, it brought you to me." Sean smiled again. Not as bright as before, more of an echo. He stopped dancing and pulled her veil back over her face. Leaning down he kissed her through it. Rogue laughed. Sean had been the only person she had ever known who had known about her mutation and not really cared. He had grabbed her from behind and taken her swimming, almost as if she was normal. It was because of that that she had fell in love with him so deeply. Sean was her life. Rogue truly believed that she would not be alive today without him.
Sean, sensing that her mind was miles away, gave a signal to the D.J. A slow tune started up that immediately caught Rogue's attention. She laughed, a loud infectious laugh that came out easier that it should have. Wheatus's "Teenage Dirtbag." They had listened to that song on their first date. Rogue had claimed that she knew what Sean was, a teenage dirtbag, though of course he was twenty-three. Sean had from then claimed that this was their song. Sean began to swing Rogue around in a circle. Then pulling her toward him he lifted her off her feet. Pulling her close he whispered so that only she would hear. "Told you I'd sweep you off your feet."
Four Months Later
It had happened again. Another great love lost to Rogue. It was horrible to think of it, that she had let it happen. Her husband, who would have been father to her child, was dead. And those bastards had captured her who'd had her before.
It had started right after they'd dropped St. John in Australia. They'd been heading back to Muir Island when an SOS signal had come up on their radar. Though it was close to Genosha they'd decided to answer it. It might be mutants escaping the tyrannical government there. They had to help.
Upon landing on the shores of Africa, off which Genosha was located, they were ambushed…by Logan. Rogue had been in such shock that she hadn't been able to do anything when she was attacked from behind. She'd been tied up with some kind of special handcuffs because she hadn't been able to use her powers. She'd had to watch as these half-robot freaks shot down her Sean. She'd had to watch as Logan and some Asian bitch began to cut him up where he fell. Then they'd turned to her and Bobby. Nightcrawler had teleported away and she and Bobby had been left to try and hold them off. Nightcrawler was to go for help, but he didn't get far. As she and Bobby were put onto a helicopter nearby she saw that he too was captured. Together they were all taken to a Genoshan military base where they were confined in cages. Rogue watched scientists bustle about and realize that she recognized these people. A lot were from the military base where the Sentinel had taken her.
Soon they identified who she was and started the experiments. They didn't care that the good size of her stomach indicated she was pregnant. After all, she was just a no-good mutie.
Two Months Later
Rogue is lying alone in a cell. It's clean and well lit. The guards don't want the prisoner to be able to do any funny stuff. Rogue is cradling her swollen belly, the only remainders of her short-lived marriage. Feeling her child inside her made her smile. That scared the guards. To be able to smile after all the things they'd done to her. They had started to beat her more frequently. This last time they'd almost caused her to lose the baby. That was unforgivable. So Rogue decided to leave. It was simple enough after all. She was invincible. Nothing could hurt her.
Unknown to the scientists and the guards Rogue had begun to call up the powers she had absorbed. Rogue smiled as she stood and walked to the bars of her cell.
"Sit back down mutie." The lone guard shouted from behind his magazine.
Rogue just smiled. And raised her hand at the same time she released Alex's, Scott's brother, powers. Using her abilities she decimated the base and took great pleasure in doing so.
Walking away from the building that had held her for two long months, Rogue smiled and laughed. The guards were dead. The scientists…dead. Everyone was dead and what mutants had been there were free. She on the other hand would never be free. Her husband taken just months after her family was lost. Someone would pay.
"Hey, you!" Rogue turned to see a black haired female mutant coming towards her. "My name is Sage, and my boss is Sebastian Shaw. I'm a telepath and I overheard you thoughts. I think we can all help each other."
One Month Later
Rogue, one month after the escape from prison and two years before she goes back in time, walks toward a lone building in the middle of the desert. Behind her, in a white leather mini and corset, is Emma Frost, the White Queen. In one month's time Rogue had already become deeply entrenched in the sometimes shady club to which Sage had belonged. He had learned that Sage was right-hand man(sorta) to Sebastian Shaw, the most powerful man on Earth. Rogue had made it her mission to become his left hand. So far, nothin' doin' though.
"Why did Sebastian call us here?"
Rogue turned to look at Emma. "I don't know. He said he's done something phenomenal. I think it has something to do with the Black Queen."
Emma turned to look at Rogue. "Why would he deal with Selene? She took over the New York Hellfire Club and forced him into Japan."
"I don't know that's why I'm worried." Emma walked over to the tall mutant and petted her white streaks.
"Don't worry, Black Knight. We'll protect each other. We always do." Emma had been the one their for Rogue when she's had her child, less than two weeks ago. She was also the only one Rogue truly trusted in the Hellfire Club. Despite all her attempts Rogue had been unable to locate any of her old comrades…save one. Amanda Sefton, her brother's girlfriend. All the article she'd found had said was that Amanda had been killed in an anti-mutant demonstration.
Together the two mutants walked towards the building and entered. In the center of a vast room stood an iron box, six feet high, by six feet wide, by six feet deep.
Rogue cocked her head. "666? Is this a joke? 'Bastion? Have you summoned a demon again?"
"'Bastion" walked from a curtain across the room. "No, lesson was learned that time. I've actually found a friend of yours Rogue. Well two actually." He gestured toward the box.
Cautiously Rogue walked to the iron box and looked through the small window. She had learned quickly to always be careful when any Hellfire Club member was happy. But this surprise worked for Rogue. Looking in she gasped, "Kitty!"
Rogue turned around and looked for an opening. "What happened to her? The last time I saw her was… at the party. That was a year ago though!" Rogue began to beat on the box. Sebastian walked over and grasped her hands.
"She's in there willingly. We found her in a Trask facility in Genosha. They had experimented on her. The best our scientists can understand is that they overloaded her power and caused her to lose control. She hasn't been able to reconstitute herself in corporeal form since. We've tried electricity, magnetism, hydropower…Nothing."
"How long?"
"We've had her here for one month. We told her you were here and she wanted to see you. But, Rogue, be careful. She killed every person in that facility. Just floated through them and stopped all brain functions. She's dangerous."
Rogue laughed. "She could never be dangerous to me! She's like a sister. Now open the door."
The second the door was open Rogue rushed in, only to stop in shock at what she saw. Kitty floated there, completely transparent. Without form and very little shape.
"Oh, Kitty! Mah poor baby!" Rogue instinctively reached out to hold Kitty but Shaw's warning remained in her head. She stopped just before touching and instead smiled. "Been a while sugah. How ya been?"
Kitty smiled back and twirled in the air before shrugging.
"Ah know the feelin'." Behind Rogue Shaw stepped into the box.
"My love, I knew you'd be happy. Now, Miss Pryde. If you'd follow me? You, too, Rogue." Rogue wondered where that "my love" remark came from but kept her mouth shut.
Wordlessly they both followed the man. As they walked through the maze of halls Rogue studied her friend. Kitty hadn't age at all, but looked tired if you concentrated enough o actually discern her face from her chest or other body part. It was like her body was everywhere and nowhere. Kitty looked at Rogue and inclined her eyebrow (or was that an ear?) at Sebastian.
"Ah work for 'Bastion now. I'm the Black Knight. It's not perfect but it keeps me safe."
Up ahead Shaw had reached a large metal door with a window. Outside standing sentry was Emma, who had conspicuously disappeared during Kitty and Rogue's heartfelt reunion.
"Emma, how's it going?" Shaw asked nodding towards the room.
"Jason has almost completed the procedure. She'll be ready soon." Rogue felt the slightest hint o f betrayal at that. Emma had known about the reason they were hear and hadn't told her which meant she'd lied.
Moving to the side Emma made room for them to look in. Inside Jason Wyngarde was casting an illusion into the mind of a redhead.
Rogue stared hard and finally recognized her. That redhead was Jean! And she was dressed to kill in the outfit reserved for Black Queens. Suddenly Rogue felt very cool inside. Black Queens were renowned for being the most beautiful, most cruel, and most evil members of the Hellfire Club.
"Sebastian, what's going on?" Rogue asked in a trembling voice.
"Roguey dear, I want you to meet our new Black Queen, Phoenix!"
Staring into the room, Rogue began to shake. This was bad…very bad.
Six Months Later
They'd finally done it! Rogue and the scientists at the Hellfire Base in Japan had been able to create the perfect device to give Kitty control over her powers. While the rest of the Club was happy because now they had a girl who could walk through walls, Rogue was just happy to have Kitty back. Starting tonight they would do everything together. But first Rogue had to deal with the fact that Kitty was not happy.
After the scientists had placed the necklace around Kitty's neck (with Rogue holding her neck on corporeal form), Kitty had resubstantiated. Everyone began to celebrate and it was only Rogue who noticed Kitty walked to the window and feel it with her fingertips. She as crying.
"Kitty, honey. What's wrong?"
"Rogue…"Kitty croaked out and stopped, surprised at her own voice.
"Yeah?"
"It hurts."
"Kitty, where? Ah'll get the doctor…"
"No," Kitty interrupted. "Not physically. Mentally. I was numb for so long and now all these thoughts and emotions are just…there. Everything I've done and oh! It's just so much!"
"It's okay. You'll adjust. You're strong, like me. And together we can deal with anything."
Kitty turned to look at Rogue. She raised her hand to touch her cheek and jumped when she felt it. "I need to be alone. It's just…everything is so…"
"It's alright. Ah get it." Rogue turned to the still celebrating scientists. "Clear out boys! We need some peace and quiet. Now, Kitty. Get some rest. Right now I have to go get my baby boy and I'll bring him when I return to check on you. How do you feel about being an aunt?"
Kitty smiled as Rogue left. An aunt, can you imagine?
Rogue hurried home so that she could tuck her baby to bed. More often than not it was her maid, Sun, who did it. But tonight was her night. She would play with him and then give him his bath. No, wait. She'd feed him and then give him his bath. Then she'd rock him to sleep like she did right after he'd been born. She used to just rock and watch him as sleep slowly lowered his eyes and then she'd…
A sound from the alley she'd just walked past. Not a normal alley sound. Different like rushing wind. The sound made when a certain shape shifter changed shape. The last time she'd seen Mystique though had been at her wedding. Rogue tried to rub away the slight pain in her heart at that thought.
"Marie."
The quiet whisper startled Rogue, even though she'd been on the lookout. Peering into the dark of the alley Rogue realized that she was right. It was Mystique.
"Mother? What are you…"
"No! Shhh. Be quiet. Make sure no one sees you talking to me."
"Okay." Rogue bent down so that it seemed she was tying her shoe.
"We can't speak here. I'll meet you at your apartment. Hurry, we must speak." With only minimal sound her mother walked off and became a bird. Rogue did as she was told (a habit picked up from working with Sebastian who hated repeating himself). The second she reached her building she ran through the lobby to the elevators. She was almost frantic by the time she ran through the door.
"Sun? Where are you?"
"I'm right here, Marie." Rogue had turned to look at the woman who was maid and friend and knew instantly that it was her mother. She may have looked like Sun but she was not.
"Tell me, Sun. Why are you here?" Rogue wasn't dense enough o not realize that her mother was hiding who she was for a reason.
"Working." Mystique/Sun walked towards Rogue's bedroom and helplessly Rogue followed.
Once inside, Mystique changed back and started to speak very fast. "I'm sorry to have to fool you but I've tangled with the Hellfire Club before and they must not know we are connected in any way. It was imperative to talk to you. Though I must say I am very disappointed in you. The Hellfire Club is shady and evil, not becoming of an X Man like yourself."
"Ya just said ya-self that ya've tangled with 'em."
"That was years ago, when you were safe and I needed cash. I impersonated Mr. Shaw for several months but was caught by that bitch Selene. Back to the point daughter. Would you give anything to have back the perfect life you wanted?"
"What are ya talkin' about?"
Mystique began to pace angrily. "I've been speaking with another mutant who has also come off badly with the Hellfire Club. According to him, do you remember the attack that killed your friends and (sneer) boyfriend?" Rogue nodded. "Well, according to Fitzroy, that was the Hellfire Club's fault. They did something to Jean Grey and then sold her to Apocalypse to use and together they went back in time and destroyed the time line creating an alternate dimension. My plan is to use Fitzroy to go back and change history." Mystique grabbed Rogue by the shoulders. "I'm dying. I have Legacy virus, another gift from the Hellfire Club. I don't have long to live. I want to do one last thing for my children and this is it."
Rogue stared at her mother in shock. "Ya have Legacy? When?"
"Several months before the attack at that party. The Hellfire Club does not forgive. I was one the of the first to be infected. I've last this long because of my abilities but there's no clue to how long more I will last." Mystique began to cry. "I will never earn Kurt's forgiveness but by doing this I may save him heartbreak."
"Ya know where Kurt is? Tell me."
Mystique began to pace again. "No longer, a year ago he was in Boston. There was a demonstration and he went with that human of his to help stop it and I worried so I went to get him and then they got that girl and I held him back so he didn't get caught too and now he blames me and it's just all messed up." Mystique turned to look Rogue straight in the eye. "If I go back and change the past, you will both be happy. You will both know that I did this for you and that I love you both. I've lost Irene and Kurt, I don't want you to hate me like he does. I want to help."
Rogue simply stood there in shock. Her mind was all caught up in possibilities and consequences. Mystique grabbed her attention again. "I must go. Your maid is in that closet. The cameras in here will come back on five minutes from now." Mystique turned to look at Rogue's son who was sleeping on her big Queen size bed. "What's his name?"
"Elias, Elias James Darkholme. I wanted him to have my family name."
"Oh, Rogue. That's so…I'm a grandmother." Mystique visibly stiffened. "I must go. They're coming." Mystique left the same way she came in, secretly. Rogue stood there looking at her son, her maid, and her apartment that was truly a cell. It could work. Heaven help her but Mystique's idea could work.
Three Months Later
Rogue was hurrying back to her building after a meeting with Mystique. They were always meeting in places where a tracer could be seen easily. Nowadays Rogue always had a tracer on her back (tracers being agents specially trained for following members of the Hellfire Club and were members themselves). The meeting had not brought good news. Fitzroy, putz that he was had gotten himself killed. Now their plan was shot to hell. Or maybe not. It was in the files Mystique had stolen from the Genoshan government, all made during the one month that Kurt had remained in Genosha, that Kurt could time travel. It all had to do with portals and radiation and geometric distortions. But the big picture was that he could do it. The problem was they didn't know where he was, he wouldn't work with Mystique(who was insistent upon going), and the fact that he couldn't go to a specific point in time. The biggest problem of all was the fact that while in Genoshan care a nullifier had been installed in his brain making it impossible to use his powers. That and that only was the reason he was released into the public. Mystique was even now searching for him. When he was found they would send Rogue to talk him into it. They were doing this.
The thing about nullifiers was that the Hellfire Club didn't like them. Right now the lab was working on a way to short them out and give back the powers to the mutants. SO far they'd only managed to be able to do it for a short time. After several minutes it reboot and came online again. In several cases, it'd come online while the mutant was using their powers and had caused massive brain hemorrhaging.
Just as Rogue turned to enter her building, a tingling at the back of her neck warned her someone she had absorbed was near. She hadn't felt that for a long time. Kitty no longer made her do it because after they'd given her back corporeal form she'd registered 'different' in Rogue's sensors. Right now Kitty was upstairs sulking over the fact that the scientists had jacked her solidifier the day before. They were running tests on it because it had started to blink out on Kitty.
Rogue looked around out side her building and finally recognized her old enemy ST. John Allerdyce. It was hard though because physically he had changed. Where he had once been long and lanky, he was now well built and tight. There was a scar on his face that only added to the illusion of danger. It was all Rogue could do not to sweat into a puddle on the side walk.
Instead she screamed. "St. John!"
Looking up John focused on the figure running towards him. He laughed as Rogue threw herself into his arms. "Just John, love. Just John."
"Ah seem ta remember you bein' very adamant about that St. part!" Rogue said as John began to spin her around.
"A year in Genosha makes ya grow up, sheila. But look at you!"
"Don't Ah? Ya're not the only one who spent a little time in Genosha. Looks like ya got off worse though." Rogue ran her bare hand down the rough scar on his cheek…completely spooking John.
"Geez sheila! You got control."
Smiling stiffly she replied. "In a manner of speaking. Ohmagawd! Ya've gotta come see Kitty. They just released her from the hospital but Ah'm sure she'd love to see ya agin!"
Rogue began to pull John towards her building. Kitty had to see this. When they reached her penthouse, Kitty was by the window doing exactly as Rogue had speculated…sulking. John was in shock at seeing her like that. Then Rogue remembered. John had probably not seen Kitty like this.
At their opening the door Kitty turned to them. Of course she didn't say anything. Kitty did not speak to strangers, well basically not to anyone but Rogue. It was distrust. Underneath all her stony silence was a fear that someone would take away her control…which they had last night. No wonder Kitty sulked.
Rogue leaned up and whispered in John's ear. "Ah guess it could be said she came off worse than we did, ey? Kitty, come say hi to St. John…" Rogue started to walk towards the bedroom where her son was probably resting.
"John."
Rogue stopped to look at him in a mild version of her "death glare". "John!" Rogue watched Kitty smile at John and felt the need to explain. "Since we returned from tha desert, she hasn't spoken. The doctors don't think she can in this state. But we've gotten her stable a couple times and she hasn't then either. She's just bein' a bitch." Kitty stuck out her tongue at Rogue then grinned evilly.
Behind John Rogue saw that Sun was bringing Elias out for his afternoon feeding. John turned and asked, "And who's this little bugger?" He then reached for her son. Who would have guessed that the fire freak liked kids?
"That, JOHN," Rogue stressed his new name, "is my baby boy. Elias James Darkholme."
"Rogue! Have you been keepin' secrets? This is no babe, this is a toddler!"
Rogue reached for her son and smiled gently as she blew across his temple. His already long hairs shifted as Elias instinctively cuddle his mama. "He's only fifteen months old."
Doing the math quickly in his head, John smiled. "Tut-tut-tut. Bad girl."
Rogue looked sharply at him. "I don't know what you're talking about." Rogue reached down for the combined powers of Jean, Mastermind, and Xavier. Using them she wiped the idea in John's head away. No one can know her secret, even if they figured it out on their own. They could not know what she'd hidden from the world.
Despite the fact that John had almost deduced her secret he was still hot. It wouldn't hurt to keep him around a while. "Ya know John. We need some help here at the Hellfire Club. Ya should stay awhile."
"Nah, sheila. I'm on my way home. But I wouldn't mind stayin' a bit." Rogue smiled at his reply. Oh, Lord he looked like fun.
One Month LaterJohn had to leave. She could see into his head, and he was falling in love with her. That was bad. Every man who loved her died, and she did not want him to die. It was like God cursed her. First she couldn't touch, and then when she did touch and find love, physically and emotionally, they died. God's little practical joke on Rogue.
John was cute but she didn't love him. She also didn't want to hurt him. Underneath his gruff, hot, muscular, sweaty, virile…wait, where was she? Oh yeah, he was vulnerable. Genosha had fucked him up royally and he saw Rogue as a healing agent in his life. But love is not meant for Rogue. And she could feel herself falling in love with him. Not only that, the atmosphere around her was becoming unstable. With Kitty finally back into the action and fully in control, Rogue needed her to watch over Elias. John, on the other hand, had no purpose. He needed to get somewhere safe. Already significant others were being threatened by Sebastian. Under the circumstances her's would be John.
John came in her room at midnight. Rogue could smell the alcohol on his breath and knew he'd had a night of fun at the Hellfire Club. When he came in he saw the suitcase of clothes on the bed and sobered up fast.
"Marie, goin' somewhere?" Oh, gawd, don't say my name! It's too intimate. I won't be able to do this!
"John, no. Ya are." John sat down on the bed and looked confused. "Ah said ya're leaving. Get out."
"But why…"
"Because Ah said." Rogue kneeled in front of him. "Ya need to be safe. Things are goin' down, babe. Ah need to have somewhere to go if things get rough."
"But I can help you here…"
"No!" Rogue interrupted. "You can't. You are no longer a mutant and those are the only people who can fight with me." John winced at that verbal slap but didn't speak. "You are not safe here. I need you to go… for me."
John looked sad but he nodded anyway. Then he strode over to the desk and wrote something down. "I'm going home to Australia. If you need anything, help, money, good sex…call here." John handed Rogue a piece of paper. Then he cupped her face and gave her a kiss to end all kisses. "If you need me, don't hesitate to call." Damn him.
Love sprinkled through Rogue, turning her gooey inside. She watched as John picked up his suitcase and left. She hoped it would be the last time she saw him. This love stuff hurts.
One Week Later
Still sore from John's leaving, Rogue entered the meeting room with trepidation. The entire club knew that Sebastian had been plotting for weeks and this meeting was the result of that plotting. There was no telling what Sebastian was up to, much less his queen. After the mind game with Jason Wyngarde Jean had become someone else completely. They called her the Dark Phoenix and she was a force to be reckoned with. Just last month she had used her abnormally strong telekinetic powers to strip a disobedient servant of his skin. Rogue had been unfortunate enough to have seen it.
Sitting next to Emma, Rogue calmed and strengthened herself. She would need to be ready for anything.
Gesturing for quiet, Sebastian stood. "My colleagues, friends, and inferiors. I have an announcement to make. This will make us the most powerful people in the world, if not the galaxy. I have negotiated with Apocalypse (gasps all around), and we are now allied with him. We will use the current war between mutants and humans to take over and rule. Then we take the galaxy. My queen will accompany Apocalypse on his campaigns all over the world and we will prosper. I will be emperor of Earth, so be nice. A lot of power is a dangerous thing." Sebastian smiled as he said that last bit and everyone cringed. Sebastian was a power enough on his own but with Apocalypse it would be death to defy him.
From behind him, through a hidden door stepped Dark Phoenix and Apocalypse. Casting out a psychic wave everyone could feel the Black Queen pick through their minds. Then she turned and whispered to Apocalypse.
"Worthless. All of you." He said in his loud booming, blood curdling voice. "Destroy them my Phoenix, my equal. Destroy the unworthy ones. Destroy them all!"
Dark Phoenix began to one by one use her telekinesis to rip the "unworthy ones" apart. But the rest were not going to sit by idly to be killed. They fought like the mutants they were. Nothing was enough though. After half of her fellow Hellfire Club members were dead Rogue realized there was no winning. She did the thing you should do in a losing battle. She ran like hell.
Once back at the apartment, Rogue knew they could not stay. She could hear Dark Phoenix destroy Kawasaki, a city in its prime. Everyone apparently was inferior to her. She called out for Kitty, already fearing that the Hellfire Club had gotten to them.
"I thought you had a meeting with Shaw and Phoenix."
Running around the room Rogue began to pack Elias's things, as well as Kitty's and her's.
"What are you doing?"
Rogue turned to Kitty. "We have to get out of here!"
Kitty looked at her in curiosity. "Why?"
"Shaw has done something. He's sided with Apocalypse and is starting a war! And Jean, something's wrong with her. She keeps attacking people. I think it has to do with Apocalypse. He called her his equal. And we know that is always bad."
Above their heads came a loud rending. The ceiling of the room (which included the roof as they lived on the top floor. Dark Phoenix appeared, floating in the sky, a huge inferno. She had one arm raised as she levitated the large hunk of building above their heads. Out of the corner of Rogue's eye she could see Kitty grab her son and back away, though where she thought she was going Rogue had no idea. After all, you can't run from a god.
On the other hand, running is good. Rogue looked at Kitty and decided that running, while futile, would make them feel hope.
Rogue edged towards Kitty and the door. Phoenix, noticing, shouted to them. "Do not run from me mortals! I am Dark Phoenix! I am your god!"
Rogue heard Kitty snort with a derisive look and turned to look at her. Grabbing her hand they took off running. Surprisingly, Dark Phoenix did not follow.
One Month Later
Cassidy Keep. The one place she had not wanted to return to. She would have run anywhere but here. Too many memories echoed in these halls. She had wanted to forget this time of her life, it was much too painful.
"Rogue?" A deeply brogued voice called behind her. Without turning she knew who it was. Black Tom. The bane of Sean's life. Or had been. "I've been speaking with the family and we want you to stay."
"Ya know Ah can't. They'll be lookin' for meh. Ah can't stand to have anythin' happen to yas."
"We want you to. It is not safe anywhere else. Besides, my nephew wants to stay."
Black Tom remained in the doorway, not coming any closer, seemingly at ease. His stressed words, my nephew, told a different story. He didn't like her, that was obvious. Black Tom had been the heir to the Cassidy fortune. Gambling and whoring had led for his and Sean's grandfather to make Sean heir. Sean gone, Elias heir now. Added to that the fact that soon after Rogue and the team arrived at Muir Island they'd defeated Black Tom and his partner, the ever-recurring Juggernaut. Honestly, he'd gotten his ass kicked.
"Ya nephew is mah son, and Ah will decide what to do." Rogue ground out through her clenched teeth.
Wordlessly Black Tom turned and left. Rogue pondered what to do. If they stayed her son would not be safe. But so far, they had nowhere else to go. Last time she'd checked Xavier was dead and Storm had gone back to rule her tribe in Africa. Other than Kitty, she had not seen other X Men in years. They literally had run out of allies.
Walking through the castle Rogue returned to her room. Don't mistake it though. Despite the fact that Black Tom and family, including Syrin, her husband's daughter, wanted to place her in her and Sean's old room, Rogue had insisted she be placed elsewhere. Like before, just too many memories.
"You know I've figured something out." Kitty's voice called out from the darkness of the room. She'd holed herself up in here after Black Tom wouldn't leave her alone. For some odd reason the fact that Kitty wouldn't talk to him drove him wild. He had to hear her voice, or so he claimed.
"And what would that be sugah?"
"You were your heart on your sleeve. You fall in love instantly and have no qualms about committing to that person. Look at Sean." Kitty paused, making sure Rogue knew that she was still upset that in the six months she and Rogue had been physically reunited Rogue had not mentioned a word of her husband until they were on the train to Cassidy Keep. Rogue didn't get what Kitty didn't understand. Sean had been in her life only a few months, but she had loved him with everything inside her for that short time. He had done things for her no one else would ever have done. "You met him and married him within two months. You fell in love with Gambit…"
"NO!" Rogue screamed. "Do not mention him! Never mention him!" Rogue came and got right in Kitty's face. "He is gone and that's that! There is no need to talk of him or anything. Ah don't want ya to speak of him to anyone. Please?" Rogue was so quiet in that last statement that Kitty could only nod. She didn't want to talk about him then fine, they wouldn't talk about him.
"I put Elias down. I think I'll go to my room. 'Kay?"
Rogue nodded and Kitty left. Soundlessly Rogue walked to the small side room where her son Elias slept. Already growing big, she thought. Almost two years old. Rogue walked over and brushed her hand down her son's swiftly darkening hair. Soon it would be the same dark auburn/brown of his father's, except for the distinctive white streaks that were purely her. Despite the fact that he was so old his eyes were only now darkening to the same shades of his father's. Rogue studied him then leaned down to touch the small necklace that always remained around his neck. It held a circular pendent. Pressing the button Rogue activated the small imager, which once on turned the babe's eyes blue and his hair all brown. Rogue smiled. Her child must look normal; no one could ever know his secret.
Three Months Later
Rogue ran through the forest, grateful her child was asleep. To save his life he must remain quiet at all costs. One week ago, Mystique had contacted Rogue with a typical "good news/bad news" message. Good news was that she'd found Nightcrawler. He was in Cambodia. Her little brother had become a monk. Not surprising, Kurt had always had a passion for religion, he'd attended church every Sunday, sometimes talking Logan into attending as well.
The bad news was that the Hellfire Club had found out where Rogue was. Mystique, in disguise, had learned that they were planning an assault tonight. They were aiming to capture Rogue and Kitty but kill anyone else. Rogue had known that it would be safest if they believed they'd succeeded.
Using her keen intelligence, Rogue came up with a plan, one that involved keeping her son as far away from her as possible for a few months. On the premise of this, Rogue had contacted her old foe and current wife to Captain Britain, the Scarlet Witch. Though, surprised Wanda had soon realized the problem. Rogue didn't have anyone else to trust. The Hellfire Club knew of anyone else she would entrust her son to. So, Rogue turned to someone they had no idea she had ever known. Wanda Maximoff.
Then came the next problem, how does she get her son to Wanda without tipping the Hellfire Club off? Using a telepathical conference Wanda and Rogue decided it would be best to use John. He was out of her life and could slip over to London without attracting attention. The decided tonight was good because it was an easy bet that the Hellfire Club would be focusing on Cassidy Keep.
Up ahead, Rogue could see a form in the fog. She felt the slight buzz in the back of her head telling her it was John.
"John!" She whispered furtively. Even if they were alone, there was no reason to not be careful.
He turned to her with a question in his eyes. ""Marie, what's going on?" He nodded towards the small bundle in her arms.
"Ah need a favor. A big favor. Ya have to take Elias…"
"Take him! What do you mean take him! I can't…You can't expect me to…" John stammered loudly.
"Shhh! Please John." Rogue reached out and touched his arm. "If you love me you will do this. If you love me you will help me save my son's life!"
John looked undecided. He had to understand what was at stake. Mystique's plan, while dangerous, could change the future. It would save countless lives. Including the father of her child's.
Rogue forced tears to her eyes. She needed sympathy now to turn him to her side. Apparently the faux tears were enough.
"Alright. What do you want me to do?"
"I've contacted the Scarlet Witch in England. She'll take him when you get there. She knows what to do." Rogue handed John her son and a bag of essentials. She also gave him a piece of paper. "Give this to her. Her address is on the paper. When you get done you can join me and Kitty in Cambodia. We have a plan and you can play a part if you want." Rogue leaned over and kissed John passionately. "Please be careful. I do this all for him."
Rogue hurried away before her resolve dissolved (heehee). This was necessary, she repeated to herself. This was necessary.
By the time she was back at Cassidy Keep, the Hellfire Club had already attacked. Hurrying past the gaggles of faceless expendables employed by Sebastian, she quickly levitated herself to her bedroom window. Dropping in she hurried to the door at the very moment Kitty came running in. She was upset, clearly as she kept phasing out seemingly uncontrollably. "Rogue! What's going on?"
"The Hellfire Club is attacking. Let's go."
"But Elias! We have to get him!" Kitty turned to the small room that Elias had slept in and saw only a wall of stone. During the attack the wall had collapsed inside and buried the few baby things Rogue had left behind. Kitty began to scream and run towards the wall.
"No Kitty, it's too late! Let's go!" Rogue pulled Kitty back, knowing that even if Kitty phased through there was nothing to find. "He's gone!"
Kitty turned to Rogue and finally stopped screaming. In a daze she followed her, through the castle, past the attackers, and finally to the forest.
"Why?" Kitty asked as she plopped down on a fallen log.
"Why what?"
"Why did they have to kill him?" Rogue looked at Kitty confused for a moment. Kitty thought Elias was dead? Rogue had said he was gone, not dead. She started to correct herself but stopped. Perhaps it was best if Kitty believed Elias was dead. With little or no barriers in her mind, any common telepath could pick the info about him form Kitty's head.
"The world is a hard place Kitty. Its time we learned that there's no place for weakness here."
Three Months Later
Cambodia was a dismal place. Or at least so it seemed to Rogue. Not only was she separated from her son for months, but also Kurt was resistant to the plan. He didn't want to use his powers. He was afraid. It was time to get tough.
Rogue knocked on the door to Kurt's room. At his yell to come in Rogue entered the sparse room. A bed, a lamp, and a few books were all Kurt supposedly needed in life.
"Hurt, honeh? We need to talk."
"I've alveady spoken to you Rogue. I cannot do zis!"
Rogue felt herself grow angry. "We have to do this! We could save everybody Kurt! Everybody! Including Amanda!"
Without warning Kurt exploded. "I don't care! I won't do zis! I won't"
"Ya have to! There is no other way! IF we don't go now it will be too late! Only Mystique will be…."
"Mystique? Our beloved mother? What does she have to do with zis?"
Rogue realized her slip and covered her tracks. "The only reason ya won't do this is because ya don't think ya can."
Kurt wilted beneath her steely gaze. "What if I fail? Like with Amanda? What if I send you to ze vong time or I do vong and you die? I can't go t'rough zis again."
"Ya won't. Wanda will be there to keep the odds on our side. Nothing will go wrong. Ah won't let it. Trust me Kurt. We all have people we wanna save, do it for them."
"I vill try. Now please, tell me vhat Mystique has to do vith zis."
"Ah saw her a couple mont's ago. Ah got to talkin' and Ah realized how much Ah missed ya, so Ah started lookin'. She's the one who told meh where ya were." Lies come easily to Rogue now. She barely even thinks about them. "Let's tell Kitty and John your answer. We got planning to do."
Two and A Half Months Later
"Alright, Wanda. We'll meet at the old site of the mansion."
"I'll be leaving Elias with my husband but as soon as you have been sent through the portal he'll bring him to me and we'll complete the next phase. How ya doin' Rogue?"
Rogue sank down into the downy comfort of the bed in the Motel 6 room she had rented just outside of Bayville. For once she was alone. Kitty had removed herself from the room to reacquaint herself with being non-corporeal. Rogue would have loved to allow Kitty to keep her nullifier, but unfortunately the electric waves emitted would screw up the time portal.
"Ah'm fine. Ah'm nervous though. What if Ah screw up and ruin the timeline more?"
"Rogue, my husband always tells me that you cannot allow 'what if's' to rule your life. I agree. Without Brian in my life I would still be chasing the memories of my imprisonment at that mental ward. I would be hating my father and still be that self-destructive teen you knew. I wouldn't be alive actually."
"Ya know, that's how Ah feel Sean. He was my life."
"Then go save him Rogue. Do it for him. I can't imagine living another day with Brian; I don't think I could do what you did. Go on like that? Nah, I'd have killed myself."
Rogue sighed. "Maybe not, but Ah had my son to think about. How's Nightcrawler?" Rogue asked about her brother, who had gone to stay with Wanda for the weeks heading up to THE day.
"He's okay. His nightmares are still there, but I think I'm helping him get over it."
"And about that othah thing we talked about?"
"The nullifier on his spinal cord is deactivated, but if his power surges while we're controlling it then there is a chance of bleed out. Are you willing to take that chance Rogue?"
"Well, Ah most certainly can't call up his power and do it myself. Ah don't have the control to. Besides, the next phase we need him to do it again. Do ya think he'll be ready?"
"Yes. Look, Brian is in his lab, I think I'll go help him with his latest project. Something about a hyper-sentient techno-organic super-computer called Mastermind."
Rogue didn't even try to pretend that she knew what the other mutant was talking about. "Alright. See you in a few weeks." Rogue hung up the phone and waited for her next call. She knew her mother would call. Too much was at stake.
Until then Rogue would get some sleep, she was exhausted. Outside the door she heard footsteps, they slowed at her door but kept walking. She knew it was John. He was upset at the plan. He didn't understand that there was no other way. Dark Phoenix must be stopped.
The phone beside the bed rang, jolting Rogue from the slight sleep she'd been in. "Yeah?" She asked groggily.
"It is me."
"How are the preparations?"
"Going well, my daughter. On your end?"
"John is resistant but he'll give in. What'd ya find out?"
"Fitzroy was right. This morning the mutant I was with felt the disturbance. Apocalypse has sent the Phoenix into the past, just as Irene predicted, and Fitzroy told us."
"Then we're doing it. We're going back. Ready ya-self. Ah don't want any team members lost. There is no failure." Rogue hung up the phone and looked in the mirror over the dresser. In her eyes burned a determination that Apocalypse would regret invoking.
Two weeks to write this one. Damn! Props to Chico for liking my story, seeing as apparently no one else does. IF you love me...you will love The Killers's song "Smile Like You Mean It." It's all I listened to as I wrote this.