Reasoning

By: Kryptonite

Two Years Two Months Three Days After

" Rogue?" Jean questioned when she walked into the room. Rogue was cradling a small child as she moved around the kitchen. Scott was sleeping on the counter and the boy was asleep in her arms.

" Yes?" Rogue whispered, not wanting to wake anyone in the room, especially herself.

" I was just… When did we get a kid?"

" It's not we Jean, it's 'When did I get a kid.' He's in my care for the duration of his stay." At that point Logan came in, concentrating on Jean. They had been gone for over a month when Jean had decided that it was time to come home. Suddenly her carefree attitude was gone and she was angry again.

" Come on Jean, let's go to sleep." Logan barely nodded at Rogue, shame causing him to avert his eyes. He had acted like the monster he was and he could barely stand to look at her.

" Yeah, let's go to sleep." Jean spared one last look for Rogue before she allowed Logan to lead her from the kitchen.

" That woman can never just stay peaceful." Rogue muttered, turning back to the slab of chicken that she was cooking in the pan.

" It's not in her nature." Scott murmured from behind her, sleepy hands circling her waist, just under Jase's body. His chin rested heavily on her shoulder with Jase's little head curled on her other shoulder.

" What am I a mattress?" Rogue questioned, resting her head briefly against Scott's before going back to preparing her food. Professor Xavier had sent her and Storm to pick up another recruit and they had gotten back no more than an hour ago at which point Rogue had been attacked.

Jase and Scott both held on for dear life and it was only through some collective bargaining, all of which would be negated tomorrow morning, that she was able to get into the kitchen to make something to eat at all.

" Yes dear, you are." He kissed her neck quickly before closing his eyes and trying to go back to sleep.

" You are going to make me burn my dinner." She whispered, wanting to let Jase sleep. Even unconscious the boy had a grip that would make any tug-of-war artist jealous. He never let go and Rogue had an idea of why the three and a half year old wouldn't.

" Do you really need to eat?" Scott mumbled into her ear.

" Yes now go sit in a chair." Rogue turned and pushed lightly against Scott's chest before turning back to place the chicken on her plate. She turned off the oven and went to pick up her plate. Scott beat her to it.

" Come on." Scott slid into a seat, placing the plate on the table.

" You're going to fall asleep and I won't be able to carry you to bed."

" I don't expect you too. Just nudged me or something when you're done." Scott's fingers wrapped around Rogue's, squeezing gently as he let sleep claim him. Rogue smiled, wondering what she had ever done to deserve someone like Scott.

&" Be quiet!" A harsh voice broke the silence and Rogue cowered where she was hiding. "Where is he?" The voice screamed again followed by the sound of a hand making contact with skin.

" Go to hell." Rogue's shaking paused for a moment as she recognized the voice. Her fear didn't stay away long as the footsteps walked closer to her. She tried to press her little body into the small dark space but it was to no avail.

" Leave him alone!" Van shouted as he dragged at the man's arm. He got backhanded for his troubles, nose and lip bleeding, as Rogue was dragged from her hiding place.

" The little brat needs to learn his place."&

Rogue woke with a start, Jase bundled in her arms on the bed she and Scott shared. Scott stirred behind her.

" Something wrong?" He mumbled reaching for her arm.

" Wogue?" Jase questioned sleepily a note of fear hidden in his child's voice.

" Scott I need you to hold Jase. Honey, just go back to sleep. Its okay." Rogue smoothed back Jase's hair and kissed his forehead. Rogue hurried out of bed, grabbing for a pair of long sleeved nightclothes and a pair of gloves.

Rogue was shaking as she stood in the bathroom staring into the mirror. Her collar was clearly visible in the bright light. 'How is this happening?' Rogue screamed in her mind, ready to break down again.

" Rogue?" Scott asked from the doorway, slipping in and closing it behind him. He reached for Rogue to have her shrink back.

" Don't touch me." She whispered a hand clasped over her mouth as she tried not to cry.

" Rogue what happened?" Scott knelt down getting as close to her as he could without touching her.

" My dream… it was Jase's memory. I- I shouldn't have-" She stopped as tears choked her breathing.

" Rogue." Scott reached for her, his heart breaking.

" Don't touch me!" Rogue shrieked backing up on the toilet out of range and nearly falling off the other side.

" Okay, okay. How do we know that it isn't Jase's power?"

All the reasoning in the world won't make someone feel better when they're scared for their life.

A/N: Cookies to everyone who reviewed, thank you! You know what's really annoying? When you go to try and figure out what day and month a chapter happens in and find out that you've screwed up numerous other dates. Welcome to my world. So I spent the better part of the morning working out every one of the dates. Only chapters 1-12, 14-15, and the last two dates of 34 were right.

TpolTucker, lets hope you haven't been checking everyday. I know that I leave this story on hiatus a lot but I've been real busy in school lately. I know, no excuse but I figured it might work considering. Ruthanne… OO wow is all I have to say. I've never been able to read stories above 10 chapters straight…

ThoseRainyDays I'm glad you like this story despite the pairing. Veronica uh… Rogue save Jean? From what? Again as the writer I am simply a tool for my sadistic muse to write through so maybe y'all see something I'm blind to. Stupid muse…

BrennaM thank you! I'm glad you liked my story, and that you said that my timeline makes sense because believe you me, it doesn't to me half the time. Especially when I'm sitting in front of the computer with my headphones on trying to figure out what date was when. And the italics at the end of the chapter? They come from me though I'm sure someone else has said them before.

Cookies to everyone who reviewed including Bluenose, Surf-soccer-staR, and gldfire. Have a good life everyone, best of luck to ya.