Chapter Twelve A Motive Beyond

Toad had been at the mansion for five weeks now- two of those had been spent recovedring in the in infirmary. Marie went down for her daily chat (whilst skipping science) to see that Mortimer's fever had dropped. She sighed with relief, and sat down beside him.

"Rogue?" he asked as she came near. "What're you doing here?" It seemed as if his vision had cleared once more.

"Just paying a visit." She said, sitting down next to him, holding his green hand in hers.

"What're you doing?" he asked, confused.

"I'm holding your hand." She said, smiling.

"Why?" he asked. He obviously didn't remember any of their earlier conversations. She felt as if she went through this procedure every day with him.

"Because I care about you." She said confidently. It was getting easier to say each time she did it.

"Nobody ever…"

"Nobody ever tried." She said, stroking a gloved hand across his brow. "Get some rest."

"You deserve something." He said this as if he weren't anything- a response she had grown used to. He then nodded off again, breathing softly.

Marie watched his green chest rise and fall, not leaving his side for the longest time. She understood how he felt- he was afraid of acceptance, because it would eventually end in rejection.

That was how he had lead his life- regarded as a freak, a nuisance, an animal. Because of his skin, no one even bothered to really look at him. He was quite handsome- and his eyes were breathtaking, not frightening.

His life was as much of a curse as hers. They were both untouchable.

Mort woke, restrained, at full health, and with Xavier bearing down on him.

"Where's Rogue?" he asked, used to her presence.

"In class. Your fever has finally broken- we almost lost you, Mortimer."

"So are you going to let me up?" he asked hopefully.

"Yes. For the last few weeks I have pondered why so many groups have wanted you in their circles." he said, releasing the man. Mortimer wrestled on a shirt, and sat on the edge of the bed, surveying the professor with a blank and penetrating stare.

The listless gold eyes mad Xavier's skin crawl. There was almost no life inside of those otherwise brilliant eyes. The shirt provided to the prisoner was a t-shirt, which showed off several thin, jagged black scars, souvenirs from Liberty Island.

"I'm all ears."

" You are an admirable fighter, but that is no real reason to cause deep rifts between groups such as the Brotherhood, IEP, and…even Muir Islanders. I have not found the answer yet."

"So are you keeping me here?" he asked, his tone showing he already knew the answer.

"I am afraid so. But you will no longer be in need of restraints around the mansion, unless your behavior proves otherwise. Feel free to wander the grounds- but I have put up a psychic perimeter around the campus. If you leave, I shall know."

"You still haven't explained why you tried to kill me back there." He said, his glare intensifying.

"I didn't try to kill you- it was an accident."

"Then why didn't you stop?" he asked coldly.

"I couldn't- it was almost like my powers had too much…forward momentum. A powerful psychic has put up walls around your mind- almost indestructible ones. Not even an empathist could read your strongest emotion."

"Well, that's a plus." He muttered.

"Are you going to be staying down here for a few more days?" asked the professor.

"No. I'm not sick, I'll just go up to my room, thanks." He muttered, seeking the solace of solitude.