::Cries:: EXAMS SUCK HARDCORE!Rawr I hate them . Anyways… yeah… this chapter didn't deal with much but with my past few weeks I felt to drained to jump into anything…

Quote of the Day:

Tara: ::Slams on breaks and nearly plows into back of car:: What the Fuk? Why did he STOP?

Me: Maybe cause there's a STOP SIGN!

Tara: Well who the hell pays attention to them?

Me: People who follow the LAW!

Tara: Well I'm not one of them damnit!

YAY REVIEWERS!!!

Ldypebsaby: Whee yes Kurt is adorable ::snuggles him::. Thanks for the compliments!

Prophet-Song: Really? A Mary-Sue? Whoopsie XD… Oh well, at least ya like the story!

Agent-G: Awww I'm sorry i forgot you!! I can't believe I did… you've been with the story since chapter 1! ::Tackles:: Woot! Well… hehe I think you're gonna like Tabitha and Mary rooming together… is de mischievous.

Mourning Star under the Moon: Thanks for the tips with the accents! I was getting a little confused at times XD. I plan on there being some Kurt memories in the next chapter …

Eyes of Brown: Whee thanks EB I really like that line too hehe

Brandy Lebeau: Hehe thanks! I like Brandy… your stories are pretty good!

&&&& Chapter 8 &&&&

Mary hesitantly walked down the plank and into the hangar. She gaped in awe at the machines that were there; these were definitely top of the line technology. "Rogue, why don't you show Mary to her room while Logan gets the bags." Xavier's voice echoed in her head. Mary shuddered and rubbed her temples.

"Does that not creep you out?" She asked as they headed for the elevators.

"Not so much anymore... besides mah psyches have helped me put up a mental shield so Ah don't feel him deep in mah head, just on tha edges." She explained.

"Psyches? You mean voices right?"

"Sorta... but not really. Its really hard tah explain." Rogue paused. "Ok... did yah feel anything after yah absorbed Tommy or Kurt?" She asked.

"Yeah... like... a presence." Mary paused and tried to explain, but Rogue halted her.

"Ah have them too. At first yah can't really feel them, its just like a dream that yah barely remember...it doesn't bother yah. But after yah absorb more and more people that presence becomes more solid. If yah have too many they can start talkin' tah yah and they'll push for control over your body." The mutant explained as she tapped her head.

"So... absorbing is really worse than we first thought?" Mary pushed as the elevator started to rise

"Not exactly...Yah can build up mental blocks against them; its like putting them in a cage. And like Ah told yah on tha plane Ah've gotten better control of mah powers than Ah once did, as soon as you're able tah gain a little control yah don't have tah worry so much about absorbing someone." Rogue explained as the doors opened to reveal a huge foyer.

Mary looked around wide-eyed at the mansion. From what she could see there was a spacious living room just ahead, with leather furniture that looked extremely comfortable. "How can he pay for all this?" Mary pondered as she heard the TV click off.

"Shades give me back the remote!" An annoyed female voice demanded in the next room.

"The new student is here, we need to say hello." Another female voice chastised.

"Yeah, its Ok Boom-Boom, it's being taped anyway." A male voice broke in.

Someone scowled, most likely the one who wanted to watch TV, and moments later the trio was standing in the foyer to greet Mary. "Hello. I'm Jean Grey." A cheery redhead greeted as she extended her hand. Mary was about to accept it when she realized she still wasn't wearing any gloves; the entire night she had just been pulling her sleeves down over her hands, and she didn't think her sleeves would stretch to allow a handshake. Mary gave a small smile that signaled she wasn't planning on shaking hands anytime soon.

"I'm Scott Summers... I guess I'm the team leader." The teenager broke in. Mary nodded.

"Lets see if Rogue's description of the students here was right. I guess Jean is Ok, but I don't think I could room with the cheeriness. Scott is a little proud so far... but I think I can live with it. If I can't well I can always be rebellious to get his boxers in a knot."

"Hey babe! Welcome to mutant manor, where there's a blast 24-7... most of the time caused by me. I'm Tabitha Smith." A blonde winked as she made a fist and opened it to reveal four small glowing orbs. "Heads up Shades!" She warned with a maniacal giggle as she tossed the spheres towards the teen. Scott jumped just in time to avoid the explosion. Mary couldn't help but laugh as she saw the older boy scramble. After a moment she realized why they name seemed familiar: Tabitha Smith was to be her roommate. She went wide-eyed in alarm, but then considered this fact for a moment and shrugged; she knew she was going to have to room with someone, and at least Tabitha had an interesting personality.

"She can't be that bad…right? At least she'll keep the place interesting." She hoped.

"Tabitha." Jean fumed, her red tresses making it seem as if her hair was on fire from anger.

"Chill Jean." The blonde rolled her eyes as she slung an arm over Mary's shoulder. The younger girl winced and ducked out of it and scooted closer to Rogue. "So Roguey's sister is just as social as Rogue is." Tabitha joked as she became preoccupied with her manicure.

"Well considering she has the same power as her sister I believe I would be quite nervous about human contact as well." Charles broke in as the elevators opened again to reveal Logan and himself. "Tabitha I'm sure you recall being absorbed; it is not a pleasant experience. Hopefully you will keep that in mind while you're rooming with Mary." He added with a smirk.

"Yeah yeah," Tabitha waved carelessly. "So... Minigoth, wanna see your room?" She asked. Mary nodded and Logan set down Mary's bags. Tabitha pouted, but when she saw she wasn't getting Logan to tote the luggage upstairs she rolled her eyes and grabbed a few bags. Mary snorted, grabbed the remaining bags and followed the blonde up the stairs.

"So, this is it." Tabitha declared as she kicked open a door. It flew back to reveal a large light blue room, one side of which was covered with posters. "I tried to clean it up... but yeah that didn't work out so well. It's pretty nice; the French doors open out onto a balcony over the grounds. There's a big oak tree right near it too so you can sneak out easier." The blonde winked as she lumbered over to Mary's double-sized bed and dropped her bags.

"What about security? I hear this place has an insane system." Mary spoke up.

"But I know the code." The blonde smirked in response as she flopped down on her unmade bed.

Mary raised her eyebrow in amusement. "Are you gonna tell it to me?"

"Maybe. Depends on how much I like you." Tabitha snorted, her amusement apparent.

"I could just absorb you and find out." Mary reminded as she waved her fingers.

"Do you really want me in you head? Rogue's told me I'm one of the voices that doesn't shut up." Tabitha giggled.

"…Good point." Mary agreed after a moment as she unzipped one of her bags and began to pull out clothes. Tabitha watched the other girl unpack for a few moments before her attention waned and she grabbed a magazine. Mary rolled her eyes and dumped the contents of her bags out onto her bed and tossed the empty suitcases in her closet. She spent the next few minutes trying to keep her clothes folded neatly, but gave up and began tossing everything in the drawers messily.

"Oh thank God. I was hoping you weren't a neat freak." Tabitha breathed a sigh of relief as she rolled off her mattress and sauntered over. She picked through the pile of clothing carelessly dumped and a glint shone in her eyes. "Babe! These rock!" Tabitha squealed in delight as she pulled out a black and red halter-top. "How the hell did you get out of the house with these?" She demanded as she pulled out a black miniskirt to match.

"You're not the only one who knows how to sneak out." Mary snickered as she rolled up her sleeves and popped her neck. "Man… unpacking sucks." She muttered as she grabbed another pair of jeans and tossed them in the drawer.

"Whoa there, watch the skin." Tabitha said as Mary nearly bumped into her uncovered arm. The last time she had been absorbed, she had been unconscious for a few hours and had to deal with her own personality in Rogue's body. It goes without saying that it was an experience she didn't want to relive anytime soon. Mary shrugged as she closed the drawer.

The two continued to unpack and chat about each other, and Mary learned that Tabitha had once been with the X-Men, had left to join the Brotherhood, had gotten kicked out of that house, and had shortly after returned to the X-Men. Tabitha's reasoning was that she knew she couldn't go home, and she realized the X-Men and Xavier would be better for her. Mary was trying to listen to Tabitha, but found it difficult seeing as she was exhausted. She checked the clock and knew why; it was 3 AM. She hadn't had any sleep for hours save that hour's nap after her powers emerged. She tried to stifle a yawn, but failed and flopped down on her bed. She shoved the few remaining clothes on the floor and stared up at Tabitha.

"What? You're tired? Come on! I thought we could finish up and hit the town!" Tabitha explained, her eyes shining with mischief.

"No way. I'm exhausted…" Mary muttered as she rubbed her eyes and winced as she hit her tender bruise. She kicked off her shoes and rolled off her bed to grab her Pj's that lay on the ground. "I'm gonna get a shower and get to bed…what time do I need to get up in the morning?"

"Nah don't worry about it Kid, sleep as late as you want tomorrow… I'll keep back the wave of students that wanna meet ya." Tabitha assured as she showed Mary the way to the bathroom. Mary smiled thankfully and shut the bathroom door.

She stripped out of her dirt and sweat covered clothes and stepped into the steaming shower, relishing the hot water on her sore muscles. She washed the grime out of her two-toned hair and went over the events of the day. "Now I just hope I don't wake up in the morning to find it's a dream." She muttered as she rinsed the soap off her body and stood under the spray for another few minutes. Mary decided it would be best for her to get back to her room before she passed out in the water; that would definitely not be the best first impression.

She tiptoed through the dark hallways, wondering what kind of people were behind the doors she passed. When she arrived in her room she found Tabitha sitting on the edge of her bed flipping through a few of Mary's books. "Kinda creepy Kid." She chuckled as she tossed it back to Mary's side of the room. Mary rolled her eyes and fell into bed, not bothering to cover up. "Geez… you are tired aren't you." Tabitha said incredulously.

"Mmmhmm." Mary mumbled, her eyes already closed.

Tabitha did something very unlike herself; she left Mary be. She smiled warmly to the younger girl and clicked off the lights in the room. "Goodnight Kid…" The blonde whispered from the door as she shut it quietly and headed back down to the recroom to finish her movie.