I do not own X-Men: Evolution or Marvel in any way, shape, or form. All I own is my idea. Please do not sue me, for it will just be a waste of time and money in trying to find a suitable lawyer. Thank you.

Gift

The voices were coming for her again, each bickering with another about who would rule over her character. She barreled and bustled, not exactly knowing where she was headed---as if she cared. All she wanted to do was get away. Her thoughts were a war zone; she couldn't sort hers from the other psyches' she had lingering in her mind. She darted behind a shady, circular object in the lifeless void that was her mind. Footsteps came close and she ducked. This had to have been the worst personality attack she ever had.

A cry sounded. 'Why is there crying? Ah never absorbed a baby.'

Will someone shut them up? a voice asked.

You shut up.

Why don't you make me?

"Won't someone help meh?" she whispered through all the madness that surrounded her. She looked down at her left hand that was beginning to disappear. The voices were tracking her by the scent of her fear. As they came closer, she continued to fade away into nonexistence. Soon, there would be no more Rogue. The different psyches would fight over her until they destroyed her, and she knew that. They had tried before and failed, but this time, Rogue was certain there was no hope. She brought her legs up to her chest and rocked back and forth while softly saying to herself "Ah'm gonna die" repeatedly.

((( Rogue, where are you? )))

She could've sworn she heard something or someone calling her name. Her eyes flitted around frantically. "Who's there?" she called out into the obscurity.

Hey. The scent is stronger over here!

This way! She's this way!

I get her first!

No, I do!

The Professor's face materialized in front of her. He put a hand to his temple and furrowed his brow. ((( Rogue, you must concentrate. Concentrate on the babies, on me... anything else but this fear you hold inside. You cannot think about the voices. All they will do is consume you. )))

She sobbed uncontrollably. "Ah can't, Professor. There's too many."

((( Concentrate, Rogue, ))) he said quite harshly.

The tears from her face formed a puddle on the muddy ground she kneeled on. "I can't!"

((( You must try, or you will perish. )))

She covered her ears and focused on a warm, sunny day at the beach. Kurt and Kitty were splashing each other with the warm water from the ocean, while Jean and Scott sat on a beach towel, embracing each other. She laid on a towel with an umbrella over her to keep from getting a tan. And Remy...

The voices were leaving. ((( That's it, ))) she heard the Professor saying, trying to soothe her. ((( You are doing it. ))) She looked up and saw her savior reaching out a hand. She grabbed it and smiled as he gently pulled her back into reality.

---------------------------------

Rogue jolted into an upright position on her hospital bed and tried to catch her breath. She pressed a hand to her forehead and was surprised at the amount of sweat left on her palm. "What happened?" She looked over to her right were the Professor sat. His beaming face comforted her.

Beast walked over and gently pushed her down. He covered her with a warm blanket and checked her pulse. "Lay down Rogue. You've had a hard day."

She did as he said and laid there for a moment. Trying to recall the past day's events left her mind in a total jumble. All she could remember was yelling... there was lots of that. Wolverine stomped out of the dining room before she fell. She remembered feeling betrayal. Her guilt surfaced again.

Rogue decided to think on something else to keep herself from crying again. She studied her surroundings. Currently, she was laying a blank, white washed room with a blue curtain hanging around her space to provide privacy. Her own attire only consisted of a long, huge, green hospital dress that accommodated her growing stomach. An IV was hooked up to her arm, while a few sensors stuck to her tummy and chest. "Why did Ah faint?" she asked.

"Often, women with multiples become anemic. In your case, the three fetuses are taking up so much of your protein that there isn't enough for you. I'm going to provide you an iron supplement that I want you to take twice a day, morning and night," he said, scribbling down a prescription on his notepad. "I also noticed that you haven't been eating much lately. Not only is eating more good for the babies, but for you too. I will take over preparing your meals since they require more attention that the other students'."

She nodded. "Ah just feel so... big and bloated."

"That is normal. You are carrying three babies, which means you'll be eating for four of you. Now, I want you to rest. If you need anything, just buzz me."

He left the room.

Rogue turned back to the Professor. "What about the voices? Why is it this time, they're worse?" she asked.

The old, balding man folded his hands in his lap and got a far away look in his eyes. "According to Cerebro, the babies' mutations are beginning to manifest during pregnancy. Somehow, they are unleashing the voices you locked away. It appears that they have the power to worsen certain features of a mutation in a one inch radius... so far."

"So, that's why the voices were so hard ta get rid of today?"

"Yes. But you will be fine." He patted her hands. "Get some rest, Rogue."

"Professor?"

He turned around. "Where's Remy?" she asked.

"He sat with you all day yesterday. We sent him home after he started dozing off. He reluctantly left, but said he'd be back later when you were awake."

The Professor wheeled himself out of the room. Rogue was left all alone.

---------------------------------

Rogue looked out her window and watched the rusty brown leaves fall from the trees in Storm's beloved garden. It had been hours now that she had been sitting in that stuffy room, and she was bored out of her skull. Kitty and Jean had come down to visit her, but had left shortly after. Everyone else was still shocked or angered about what happened between her and Remy.

She plucked the IV line from her arm and stood up. Making sure no one was around to see her escape, she walked out the back doors of the infirmary. She made her way through the maze of hedges and sat down in the gazebo. Being outdoors helped her sort out her thoughts.

She rubbed her stomach and sighed. 'How am Ah gonna raise three kids?'

---------------------------------

Remy balanced himself on a tree branch and watched Rogue. 'Poor chère. Being cursed t' never touch a soul. Remy feels 'er pain. Maybe it's time.'

He climbed down and sauntered over to her. "'Ello, chère," he greeted.

She raised her head and glared. "Go away, Swamp Rat," she muttered.

Remy shook his head. "Y' and yer name callin'. It wounds Remy, Rogue," he said, using her code name instead of his usual pet name. He sat down next to her and grabbed her hand.

Alarmed at his direct actions, she asked, "What are ya doin'?" She tried to pull her hand back, but his tight grip wouldn't allow it.

"Remy has a surprise for y'. T'ought it might cheer y' up after yesterday." She looked at him doubtfully. "Just trust Remy. Remy's been watchin' y', chère. He sees ya. Always frowning. Never smiling. Remy's noticed that every time y' absorb someone, y' always thinking about y' mutation. Remy has a theory. This time, Remy wants y' to concentrate on anything... anything but y' mutation, chère. T'ink y' can do that?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Ya gonna get hurt."

"Chère, Remy will be fine. Focus."

She nodded her head. He slowly peeled her glove and she fought the urge to think about her deadly power. He placed the pale hand on his cheek.

Her eyes slowly opened. Nothing was happening. He wasn't being drained of his life force. She was amazed. She was cured! She ran her hand up and down his face, fingering his smooth skin. It felt so good to touch someone else. How long had it been? She brought her hand back to her lap and screamed joyously. "How did Ah do that?"

Remy smiled. "Some things are self-conscious. Y' didn't believe in y'self, chère. Y' gave up hope. Y' forgot a very important thing... your outlook on life controls y' fate."

Rogue jumped up with glee and hugged Remy tightly.

He wheezed. "Remy loves y' too, chère."

Her embrace was cut short and he wished he had waited later to tell her. Rogue scowled and wiped the imaginary germs that Remy had left on her clothing off. "Ah never said Ah loved ya, Swamp Rat."

Remy pouted.

Soon, the southern girl's anger faded. "Ah just wanna say... thanks."

He stood up and bowed. "Y' most welcome, chère. Remy must go now."

She watched him walk away before looking down at her hands. She looked up towards the sky and shrilled in delight. 'Ah can touch!'

- Before I get on with the usual, this comment is directed to EmeraldKatsEye. I'm not trying to be mean or anything, mind you. In your review, you said I overdid it with triplets. I research this pregnancy stuff thoroughly and make sure that it is realistic. A girl about Rogue's age in real life has been pregnant with triplets before---actually, she had two sets. So, before you go accusing me of overdoing it, please understand that I know what I am talking about. Thanks for reviewing, everyone. Now you see that Rogue knows how to control her power? Will she tell everyone? Maybe, maybe not. See you next time. xmengirlzrule -