Deceiving Impressions

By: Kryptonite

*****

*One Year One Month Four Days After*

" Is this the FrihetsHus?" Rogue stared up out of the depths of her hood, trying to make sure her face was blocked from the young man's view.

" All are welcome who value fred, velstand, likestilling."

" Only the righteous are blessed." Rogue answered, stepping into the building behind the man, keeping her eyes down and not pulling her hood back.

" Dr. Phelsung will be in in just a moment, young lady." The man announced, somewhat loudly. Everyone in the room ignored him. Stepping closer to Rogue he whispered, " Go to the bathroom, go to the last door at the very end of the hall and push the green button. Make sure the door is closed when you do this."

" God bless." Rogue muttered back before taking a seat, her duffel bag dropping at the foot of the chair. She looked around; noticing the five or six other people in the living room turned waiting room.

Standing up and taking her bag with her, Rogue followed the guy's instructions, going to the last door at the end of the hallway. Stepping in, she flipped the lock and pushed the green button that appeared.

Closing her eyes, Rogue felt as the floor started to recede into the ground, taking her with it.

" Took you long enough. This way."

The guy from before was standing in front of her as she opened her eyes, latching onto her arm before she could say anything. Looking back she noticed the ramp going back up the three stories into the closet.

" What's your name?" She asked, feet stumbling before she caught up again. He looked back at her.

" It's Cody DeSantos. Every one just calls me Doc."

" Rogue." She muttered, trying to make sure her concealing hood stayed in place. " Where are we going?"

" Right here. Dr. Langford will get everything set up for you. You'll probably be sharing a room with someone." Cody walked away after knocking abruptly on the door.

" Come in!" A female voice called and Rogue latched onto the door handle, pushing it open as she took a deep breath.

" Dr. Langford?" The woman looked up, pushing her glasses farther up her nose.

" Ah, you must be the new recruit. What's your name dear?"

" Rogue, ma'am." She smiled at Rogue before turning to a fresh sheet of paper.

" Fill this out and then we can get you all settled." Rogue didn't leave the door.

" Excuse me but I'm afraid I don't really know what this is all about. I mean, I read everything on your website, even managed to hack my way to the part to mutants' but-" Dr. Langford sat forward, excited.

" That was you? I've been wondering who did that. Everyone else here found their way randomly, depending on the topics they viewed. You, you're amazing."

Rogue blushed, looking down at the ground. " I figured unless you were real dumb and didn't know what you were writing, it had to be a site geared to help mutants. Just had to read between the lines a bit. I still don't understand what it is you do exactly."

" We take in mutants and try to help them harness their powers." Rogue sighed silently, thinking that it sounded just like Xavier. " We use advanced technology to give them a grip on their abilities, until they can control it at will." Rogue looked up at this.

" What do you mean, 'advanced technology'?" Dr. Langford frowned slightly before pushing a button on her desk.

" Mandy, can you come to my office please?"

" Yes ma'am." The voice answered, followed by an eleven-year old girl five minutes later. " You needed something?"

" This is Rogue, she might be joining us here. Tell her what you can do sweetheart." Mandy smiled up at Rogue.

" I'm a pyromaniac, quite literally. I can create fire, though I still have a hard time controlling." She blushed at this, looking down at the ground. " When Dr. Langford found me I had set our kitchen on fire. She brought me here and gave me this bracelet. I wear it until I can control my powers on my own."

Rogue smiled down at the girl, noticing the silver bracelet adorning her wrist.

" The people who come here have a choice of a bracelet, ring, earring, necklace or collar/choker. It depends on who you talk to with that last one. The metal doesn't stop your power completely, just harnesses it, giving you almost absolute control. Thank you Mandy." The girl smiled before walking out the door again.

" How big is this place?" Dr. Langford smiled at the question.

" I own the house above here and the houses on all sides for about a city block each way. This was all built recently, in fact, we're still adding to it. There is a school down here, a medical facility plus a kitchen, play room and everything anyone could want in a home."

" I'm prone to nightmares. Is there anyway I could get a room to myself?" Rogue asked, head inclined towards the floor slightly.

" It wouldn't be very big…" Dr. Langford started, worry in her voice.

" I don't care." Rogue's head shot up at the offer. She may have started gaining control but she still wasn't perfect. She couldn't completely stop her power. Rogue needed this. Pulling back her hood she smiled at Dr. Langford. " I can leave whenever I want, right?"

" Of course. Just fill this out and we'll try to find a place for you to stay." Dr. Langford pushed the sheet at Rogue, passing along a pen as well.

" Thank you."

Please and thank you will get you a long way in a good first impression. But first impressions can be deceiving.

*****

A/N: Okay, I had this idea and I just couldn't help myself. Obviously the anniversary of Rogue's attempted suicide has come and gone and she isn't running any more. In fact, she found the place she was running to. The underlined words are in Norwegian and mean Freedom House, peace, prosperity and equality respectively.

I know jjblazer already had the idea for a bracelet for Rogue in their story 'Sleep', which I might add is a good story. So please don't yell at me for that. It was the easiest way for Rogue to get a means to an end while she struggles. Enjoy.

Have a good life everyone, catch ya on tha flipside.