Another day, another chapter, another chance to review! But first, for those who need no urging…

IvyZoe: Scott knows how to prioritize. He may not like Remy much, but that's so not the biggest problem at the moment, you know? As for Joseph's origin… I can't say too much, except that I hope in the end you aren't disappointed. Thanks for the review!

Chica De Los Ojos Café: It is indeed Rogue that Joe was talking about. Ha ha! Thanks for the review and come again!

Sangofanatic, Kairi-heartilly, Gina, NameBilly: Hiya, all! Loved the reviews and I've been thinking about passing out treats to you, but I don't know what to give. Any suggestions? The sky's the limit! Provided, of course, that you come and review again!

Sweety8587: Please refrain from killing the main characters. The author, while giggling at the thought, would have a lot of explaining to do. Thanks!

Oh, and thanks for letting me know about the weird chapter mix-up. For that, you get an extra treat: cookies!

Ishandahalf: Now that the truth about Carol has been revealed, I must say that of everyone, you were the most stubborn in your suspicion of her. I tried to make her seem innocent and a lot of people grudgingly gave in. But not you, Ishy. I don't know if it's because you know me too well or just happen to be paranoid by nature or both? Anyway, congrats.

ColossusR: So…I'm guessing you are most assuredly not in the Pro Joe Camp. It is a bit convenient that he's there, but who knows, it could be just a weird twist of fate. Of course it's me, so it could also be a key factor in the story. Glad you like it so far! Hope to see you again!

Emi13: It wasn't a line you've been waiting to hear, but a line I've been waiting to write, actually. I'm glad you liked the story. Can't believe you read it all in one sitting! Cool beans, my friend.

Katya: You can't stay mad at me? Awwww. I still feel bad. So bad. Grr. Carol, while maybe not flat out evil, is certainly cold-hearted. Hee.

Betrayed Daughters: Seems weird referring to you like this. I forgot you liked KP too! I must mention this in our next discussion! Thanks!

Lady Godiva: Joseph actually is more or less around Rogue's age. He does have silvery hair, but in the manner of Pietro. It would indeed be strange if he were Remy's father, but keep in mind that while I don't follow the comic continuity exactly here, it's still loosely based around it. Hee. Love your reviews! Thanks!

MWRulesC: Glad you like the story. Some times I feel like there are so many threads I have to tie together that I won't be able to tie them all in. But, we take a huge step in linking things together in this chapter. Hope you like it!

Wanted: Originally, I wanted this to be a one-shot, but a group of reviewers –and one in particular- convinced me to continue. Thanks so much!

Goddess Evie: You LIVE! Thank goodness! I've missed you around here! You used the word dastardly, which is oh, so fun as far as words go.

I agree that Bella needs to go away. Far, far away. Maybe, now that she's thrown a wrench in the Rogue/Remy machine, she will? We can hope.

Neurotic Temptress: Yay! Long time no see! Well, in the review column anyway. I'm glad you didn't see the Carol thing coming. Ha ha! I delight in my surprises. Glad you like the tying in of Joseph, as well! I'm trying to keep him from being too bland, but he is definitely the safer choice for Rogue. I just have to figure out who she's going to choose.

RandiRogue: Thank you so much, it pleases me that you're pleased. Honestly, I look forward to the chance to write Joe a little more. He will play an increasingly important role in this story, I think. Hope to see you again! Love to hear what you think.

Chapter 12

"Everything we've worked for will be lost if you keep pacing like that instead of acting."

Upon hearing the strained urgency in the voice speaking to him, Pietro did something unusual and rather uncharacteristic. He paused. Hands sunk deep in baggy jeans, hair unkempt; he stood motionless watching his visitor watch him. The seconds passed like shooting stars, faint and removed flickers that were gone as soon as they came. At last, he bowed his head and asked, "What's going on?"

Carol floated two inches or so in the air, just enough to make her hair bob dramatically, as though she were swimming in the air. "The X-Men have found out about Rogue and Gambit."

His eyes widened. "But she was supposed to come here after that. Not you."

His comment earned him a sneer. "Really? I'd completely forgotten."

"The deal-"

"I know." Carol sighed. "That is why you have to act now."

"You expect me to use my father's teams to attack the X-Men, just spur of the moment like this?"

The blonde furrowed her brow. "If you don't, they're going to go after her and resolve their issues before she's ever had the chance to consider you. Is that what you want? And don't forget, this is all I've asked of you. I help you win over Rogue and in exchange you use your influence over the teams for me just one little time."

"That's the deal," Pietro conceded. But… "Why did you propose that, anyway? Where is your gain?"

"That's my business. You just do what you have to. Arrange for a-"

"Rumble in the park?" Pietro teased. "What is this, West Side Story?"

"Just arrange for it. Today. Soon," Carol stressed.

Pietro rolled his eyes. "You're telling me to hurry up?"


"Survey says…Rogue went to…Timbuktu." Scott turned a skeptical gaze to Jean, who shrugged. "She might've for all we know. For someone traveling in such a hurry, she covered up her tracks remarkably well. I've called airports, cab services, train stations… nada. How are we supposed to find her?"

"Maybe we won't start with her just yet. She may need time alone." Scott said, "Let's theorize for a minute here. Pietro was the one leaving messages for us, right? It's probably a safe assumption to say that Carol was the one helping him out –but why? What would a black ops agent want with Pietro and us? And why does the doctor disappear in the moments after Carol and Rogue leave?"

"Maybe a soda run?" Kitty offered quietly from her bed. She turned away from the looks her teammates gave her. "Right. Not the time for jokes."

"Since we can't find Rogue, we should shift the focus of our search to Danvers. Her piece in this puzzle is huge."

"According to security cameras, she just…flew away."

"What direction?"

"You're thinking maybe she went to see Pietro."

"She doesn't know that we know about his involvement." Scott reminded them.

"So what?" Gambit wondered, "Y' gon' storm da place?"

"No," Came the firm answer. "We're not going to storm ze place." Kurt looked cross. Understandable.

Scott scratched his chin. "Actually, I was considering it-" the blaring of the security alarm interrupted him. "Jean?"

"It's…" She furrowed her brow, and then lightened in surprise. "Pietro."

"He's here?"

"I'll talk t' him." Gambit said, motioning to stand. A hand on his shoulder held him down.

"No. Wait. Maybe- whatever he wants, we can use this to our advantage." Scott let out a breath. "I've got an idea."


Fifteen Minutes Later…

A phone rang.

Someone answered it.

"Okay. It's done."

"Done?"

"They don't know where Rogue is either, but I told them I did. They think she needs time to calm down, so we're going to meet tomorrow. I promised I'd give them a nudge in the right direction. Gambit was there."

"I expected as much. They were dating."

"You knew? You didn't say anything."

"It won't matter soon enough, all right?"

"Carol…"

"You're not your father, Quicksilver. That voice isn't very intimidating. You're sure the Brotherhood knows where to be and what to do."

"My father isn't going to like this."

"No." Carol agreed. "But he can't be any harsher on you than he already was on Gambit, right?"

"Tomorrow at ten. You'll be there, too?"

"I suppose."


The Next Day…

Rogue was up to watch the dawn. By the time the sun peeked over the eastern hills, she'd showered, dressed, and found a comfortable perch on a large, curved tree branch in the backyard of the house. She rested her back up against the hard bark, allowed her head, covered in damp ringlets, to loll sideways, and watched the brilliant sun ascend. It felt good.

Suddenly, there was a crunch. She craned her neck to get a better view, peering below the twisted branches and above the fallen leaves. "Joe?"

He looked at her, but almost in surprise. "Rogue. I didn't know you were out here. Honest," he added, quickly. "I usually come out here early in the mornings just to kind of… look around. But then, you're probably out here for some privacy. I'll go."

"Wait." Rogue didn't know why she said it. He was right; she was after privacy, but the word had to have come from her mouth, because he was frozen in place by the sticky glue of uncertainty, watching her carefully like a child used to being teased. Why, he seemed to ask. She still didn't know, though it might've had something to do with Remy and how utterly unlike the Cajun Joe was.

They were so different. Remy was scruffy, rough around the edges, and intense. Joe was…softer, somehow, safer, nicer. Accepting, rather than searching. Like cool salve for the places in her Remy had burned to the core. And she really could use someone to talk to.

"Wait," she repeated slowly, so she could make sure that they words really were coming out of her mouth. "Ah don't… Ah don't want ta be mean."

"You're not-"

"No, Ah mean always. When Ah was little, me an' the other girls never got on. Ah never fit in. Ah didn't dress like the other girls, Ah didn't listen ta their music, idolize the same boys. Ah just kind o' learned ta stay away from 'em, ya know? When you're ten, it doesn't really occur ta you that people with different interests can be friends. Figured, they got their world an' Ah got mine. Never the 'tween shall meet. When my powers manifested, things got worse. There were just a million an' one reasons for me ta keep ta myself. It took a while before Ah started feelin' at home in New York."

She sighed. "Ah went ta bed last night feelin' like crap because Ah trusted the wrong guy, made a bigger mess o' my family life, an' it just felt like everything inside o' me was spiralin' out o' control. Must've slept miserably for two hours before Ah realized the problem."

"What is it?"

"It's me. Ah had this –Ah guess it was a dream 'fore Ah left Bayville. Ah was sort o' yellin' at myself. Didn't completely understand what it wanted o' me. Not until last night."

"What do you want of yourself, Rogue?"

She smiled, just barely. "Personal responsibility. Ah made the choice ta trust Remy, should've stayed after for the consequences. Ah told my friends that they didn't trust me after Ah put my faith in 'em, but Ah didn't, not really. If Ah'd a' trusted 'em, Ah would've told 'em about Remy a long time ago. An' honestly, all this time o' runnin' away from Mystique an' denyin' her…that was a mistake, because in the end she is my mother an' Ah do love her, even if the sight o' her makes me sick sometimes."

Joseph crossed his arms. "You're not the same person you were last night."

"No." Rogue shook her head. "Ah'm better."

He narrowed his eyes. "Now that you've had this revelation, you're not going home."

"Joe," Rogue said, jumping down to land neatly on the floor. She brushed off her pants and placed a hand on his arm. "Ah am home."


Elsewhere…

Carol Danvers met Quicksilver outside a warehouse. The abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. She looked it over. "Isn't this a little cliché?"

He crossed his arms and gave a short shrug. "I like it here."

She kicked a stone, sending it skidding across the warm black pavement. It ended up embedded in a metal pole. "Figures."

Pietro glanced over her. "New clothes?" She wore a simple black cat suit, her hair pulled back in a severe bun. Like nothing he'd ever seen her wear before, yet somehow more fitting than all her other looks. There had always been a cold, calculating quality to her; now, it was on open display.

"It's nearly ten."

"I know."

"And the Brotherhood is-"

"In the warehouse, hiding, waiting for the ambush."

"Good," she said. She started walking.

"Hey," Pietro called after her, "Where are you going?"

Carol blinked. "Inside the warehouse. You don't expect me to wait outside with you? They'll know."

"Oh. Right." Pietro waved her off. "Fine, fine. Go inside where it's safe." He remained facing the horizon, but turned at the last minute to smile at her shrinking figure. He could be cold and calculating, too.


The minute she stepped inside, Carol felt the betrayal. She tried to step back, but something was holding her in place. Shutting her eyes, she tried to concentrate, to break whatever mental hold someone –not someone, Jean Grey- had over her, but it was too strong. After a minute of struggled, she felt herself lift off the ground and float towards the back of the warehouse where, sure enough, the X-Men were waiting.

She studied them. "I don't suppose you'd believe that Quicksilver forced me into this?"

"Carol," Scott said.

"Just checking."

He folded his arms. "We have some questions."

"I hate to rain on your parade, but just about everyone has a few of those."

"She's annoying as hell, isn't she?" The cocky voice came from behind her. She narrowed her eyes. "Quicksilver."

"Don't say I betrayed you, Carol. You were using me the whole time. BoythatPietroisreallystupid, huh?" He zipped around and took up a stance between Nightcrawler and Cyclops. "A black ops division? What are you doing around here? I want to know, they want to know…it seemed only natural that we team-up together. For a few minutes, anyway."

"Cyclops, if you really think that I'm going to tell you anything, you're crazier than-"

"Actually," Jean Grey cleared her throat. "I'll be handling the interrogation today. If you just follow me this way…" She flicked her wrist, and Carol was moving again. They traveled outside the back door of the warehouse, into the bright open space until Jean found a place she liked.

Bouncing in midair, as though suspended by an invisible cord, Carol struggled for her freedom. But the redhead controlling her movement was unperturbed. "You're not going to get away, so I suggest you start talking."

"Okay," Carol laughed. "What's your favorite baseball team?"

"I want to know what you've been doing here with us, with Quicksilver."

"What? My cupid story isn't holding up? He wanted Rogue, so I-"

"I want to know-"

"Or what?" Carol rolled her eyes. "You'll hurt me? Doesn't that go against your little X-Men code of ethics? Rule number seven thousand, six hundred, and ninety five?"

Jean cocked her head. "Carol," she said, in a voice that made the blonde frown, because it was coming from somewhere foreign and strange. "You put one of my very good friends in a coma and chased another away to who knows where. Now, technically, you're right. I am an X-Man, and that's why I won't kill you, or even hurt you like you hurt Kitty. But Carol? Sweetie?" She gestured with her palm, and the blonde levitated closer.

"I can break you in ways that won't leave a scar."

"You're not that-"

"Strong?" Jean shrugged. "Your files need updating. I'm stronger than you imagine."

Twisted, Carol had been about to say, but again, she got the distinct feeling that there was something else at work behind those angry eyes than just the mind of Jean Grey, and maybe she was that twisted after all. She tried a different approach. "I work for a black-ops division. Are you really stupid enough to think that I'd share information, our greatest tool, sharpest knife, etc, with you? I've been trained to withstand more than this."

"I don't need your cooperation, Danvers. If I so choose, I can take by force. But right now, I'm only asking questions specific to this situation, nothing else. If I have to go inside your head, I'm taking it all. Every secret you've learned, every detail, every mission, every plan. The choice is yours."

"I'll be compromised," Carol said. "What you're suggesting is grounds for immediate dismissal. They'll fire me."

"But if I do it my way…"

"They'll probably want to kill me. You're right. Our files do need updating."

Jean folded her arms. "Start already."

"My name is Carol Danvers. I was recruited by Professor Char-" She stopped abruptly, and her words morphed into a gasp as something inside of her burned. She leaned forward, arms wrapping around her stomach, but truthfully the pain wasn't located anywhere normal. Not in her head, her arms, her chest, her legs… it just was.

"Try again." That was Jean's earnest suggestion, when Carol looked up and their eyes met. "It gets progressively worse, so you might want to consider how many times you're going to do that."

"My name is Carol Danvers. I was recruited by Professor Cha- ah, damn it!" Her eyes were blurry, but she couldn't move to wipe them. The feeling had indeed grown more intense.

"Either silence or the truth. I don't accept anything else."

"My name is Carol Danvers. Professor Xavier invited me- hell! I'm gonna freakin' kill you!" She wrapped her hands up in her hair and nearly swallowed her tongue in biting down the scream. Another curse was lost in the effort.

"Again?" Jean wondered.

"My name is Carol Danvers." The blonde repeated. She quickly went on. "I- I'm two years older than I claim to be. My powers manifested four years ago and I was taken in by the Falcon Four division and trained. I did…random missions, until the names Xavier and Lensherr became mentioned more and more frequently. We, or rather, my superiors, don't want mutants getting the kind of wide spread attention you bring, so I was instructed to infiltrate both bases and tear them apart. I prepared for two years, mostly building up mental defenses so that none of the telepaths around would pick up on anything unless they searched.

After reviewing, I decided that Rogue and Pietro would aid me, however unwittingly. I hoped to use Rogue's record as a former terrorist to create conflict within your team. I convinced Pietro that I could help him drive a wedge between the X-Men and Rogue, thus making it easier for her to return back to her former allegiance. Once you all turned on each other, I was going to reveal myself to the other teams. Imagine: Magneto's own son working for a homo Sapien cause. He'd throw the boy out or keep him. Didn't matter. His loyalty or his judgment would be put in question."

Jean narrowed her eyes. "What about Rogue's power. Your contact. Was that real?"

"Yes. After extensive research, my superiors believed that I'd have a reaction similar. There was a chance I'd be absorbed completely, as has been confirmed by your doctors, but often, missions are dangerous. I didn't question the orders when they told me to touch her. Learning about her affair with Remy sped things up. A lot. Unfortunately, Katherine Pryde woke up too soon."

"Is that everything?"

"Almost."

"Except what?" Jean wondered.

Finally, Carol had a reason to smirk. Not quite the upper hand, but close enough. "Your trusted friend, Dr. Johan Franklin, or Clark, if I'm still feigning ignorance… he's involved with the Society of Good Men."

Jean blinked, looking more like her old goody-goody self. "The what?"


"The Society of Good Men," Carol explained to the group, "is a collection of scientists, not unlike GenCo, who operate outside of the world governments. No one knows where they're located, and most people –even informed agency people- don't know they exist at all. They believe in advancing science at any and all costs. It was not until yesterday when Franklin stepped beside me that I recognized the insignia on his ring: a thorny, petal-less stem."

"A stem?" Kurt repeated.

"Symbolizing the sacrifice of beauty in favor of knowledge." She said.

"Great."

"I don't know what they wanted at your mansion, but you can be certain that I never was your greatest threat."

Scott rubbed Jean's arm, asked quietly, "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, just a little winded. The Ph-"

"Isn't real," he said, firmly. "There's only you and your power."

"Okay." She said. "Well, me and my power got carried away a few minutes ago and I'll need a few more minutes to recover."

He nodded and turned back to Carol. "Why should we believe you? You've done nothing but lie."

The blonde scoffed. "Please, I was almost burned alive from the outside in a few minutes ago, all right? I'm not in a mood for your crap. I'm doing this for money: enough to make up this year's paycheck, which I won't be getting since someone ruined my career."

"How will they know?"

"They'll know. The how is insignificant."

Kurt folded his arms. "So now we have another evil organization to combat? I thought finding Carol was supposed to clear up ze mess."

"Clark said something to Rogue, before they both vanished. Maybe she's the one they're after."

"But how are we going to find her?"

"Da necklace!" Remy said, suddenly. He'd been strangely silent for most of the day, but he came alive with those two words.

"I have no idea what that means," Jean said.

"Don't worry 'bout it, Chere. I'll explain." He reached into his pockets. "Rogue has a necklace wit' a microphone inside. I got da other end. Don't start askin' questions 'bout dat now just…let me finish, oui? If I activate it, we'll be able t' hear what she's sayin' an' what's bein' said around her."

He showed them a small box in his palm. Silently, he pressed the button.

One second passed…

Two seconds passed…

There was a crackle…

No one was quite sure what to expect, but-

"Joseph! Don't get so flustered. Act like y' never been on a bed with a girl before."

that wasn't it.


"Ah used ta sleep here," Rogue said, as she sat on the edge of the plain bed Joe used as his own. "On some nights, when Mystique an' Irene were both away, Ah'd come in this room, just in case the monsters tried ta find me, they wouldn't know where ta look."

He shook his head. "It's behind those doors," he said, gesturing towards two large doors that she knew opened into a walk in closet.

"Well go on an' open 'em, then."

"The key is my bed."

"Ah." Rogue nodded and stood up, allowing him to search for the key. He accidentally hit the wall, though, and one of the decorative porcelain dolls –the expensive ones Mystique was once given as thanks for something- tumbled off the wall and landed on the sheet beside Joe. He winced, as if afraid he'd broken it.

Rogue just shook her head. "Joseph! Don't get so flustered. Act like y' never been on a bed with a girl before."


To be continued…some more.

A few post-story notes: So you know, there's nothing wrong with Rogue. She wasn't brainwashed or poisoned and she certainly isn't Stepford Rogue. She hit rock bottom last chapter, and now she's just trying to claw her way back up instead of wallowing in self-pity. Rogue and Remy weren't the big feature of this chapter, but they've been scene hogs for a while now and sharing is caring. Hey, I bought a month of just to try it out (I get a picture in profile now!) and I've realized for the first time that there are a lot more hits to this story than reviews. So, if you're one who reads but doesn't review… allow me to offer you this nice, shiny treasure in return for breaking that bad habit. No peeking until after the review!

All reviews will be donated to the Comfort Writers Approaching Midterms Foundation. Don't wait; act now, before it's too late. Together, you can make a difference in one little writer's life!

Questions? Comments? Coconuts? I'm Eileen Blazer at Yahoo. I love to talk!

P.S. Read Alara's Xanadu.