Oddisee: Again, thank you for getting me back on track with this story! It was cool that you found music to match with it. That happened to me before in a previous story! Some really fitting music came on as I wrote a scene! Great that you liked it, thanks!
Projecteve1: Yeah, it was short. I need to get back into the swing of things.
Tamazi: Hey, I'm glad you liked the chapter! And 'The Lethal Love' is still going strong, don't worry.
FanfictionFanatic: Lol, yes, it was quick, but this one has been a bit delayed I'm afraid. But at least it got up eventually!
Blix: Lol, yup, another cliffy. Not had any of those for a while in my other stories. Damn, better start introducing some! Hehe.
Chapter 6The hours drifted closer to midnight. There was a dull murky fog outside that clung to the air sluggishly. It was densely thick and hung over Xavier's lawns like some swamp. It also seemed to bring some unfathomable plague of insecurity to the girl who was looking out of one of the misted windows. She gently wiped a small uneven circle on the glass with a faint squeak of her gloved hand, and dropped the limb to then peer out into the darkness. There was something in the air that made Rogue worry, or rather, worry that there was something bad going to happen. It was a very sombre setting, the dull moonless gloom of the outdoors, and it did nothing to help ease Rogue's unsure fears.
She knew she should be in her room now, tucked up in the dark listening to the sleeping sounds of her roommates. But she felt no need to worry. She had been staying in the mansion well into the 'lights-out' hours. Normally, a student out after 'lights-out' would be reprimanded heavily if caught. But Rogue had been caught so often the teachers had given up lecturing her. She was often found with Logan however, and no one ever reproached her in front of the snarling Wolverine, who often had plenty to say about the matter, "She's with me, now get lost."
Rogue turned away from the window to peer down across the dark lower floor corridor. She noticed that the door to the recreational room was partly open, and no lights were on inside. She stared at it for a moment, frowning. You may wonder why she found this worrying, but the reason was, was that for the past few months she saw Logan sat in there every night without fail. And also, without fail, she would go downstairs after the student's 'lights-out' to join him and discuss the happenings of life and generally anything.. including Jean. Logan would sit, brooding over a bottle of whiskey that he always managed to consume in huge amounts, much to Scott's horror the next morning. Coming down for their next meeting, Rogue gently hurried down the last few steps of the staircase she was upon, hurrying towards the room. She pushed open the door quietly and slipped inside, turning on the light with a gentle, "Logan?" she expected to find him sitting silently in the dark.
Her eyes spun around the room slowly, sweeping across their usual chairs to the right of the room, which sat bare and still. A frown pressed down her forehead as she backed out of the room, the light being turned off. This really did worry her. He was always here, even sat in the same body position of a slouch, eyes staring at the floor. Rogue then pondered over whether he may be in the kitchen. He could be getting a bottle of beer from his special stash.
Her footsteps rang quietly as she ran across the wooden floorboards towards the kitchen at the end of the corridor. Upon reaching the door, she repeated the actions for quietly entering and moving to turn on the light. But she found the light already on as it slowly spilt into her vision. Temporarily blinded, she questioned to the light, "Logan?" She squinted and blinked her eyes, soon focusing and stopping upon somebody sat at the breakfast bar.
A pair of icy blue eyes stared across at her, "No," came the answer rather coolly, "This isn't Logan."
"Bobby.." said Rogue softly, watching him for an unsure moment. She swallowed and asked the dreaded question, "Have you seen Logan?"
She saw Bobby's face tighten but he calmly looked down to the notorious ice cream tub sat in front of it. He calmly dug in his spoon, calmly pulled it out, and calmly licked it off the said metal spoon. You guessed it, he looked calm. But this peaceful composure was oddly eerie. Then, to her surprise, Bobby spoke, "No," he answered, his eyes flashing back over to her, "Why would I?"
Rogue made a quiet sigh, "He's normally in the Rec room, but he ain't there.." she pushed the white strands from her face, looking across to Bobby steadily.
"Maybe he wanted a change of scenery," offered Bobby, deciding to at least try and be helpful, no matter how much the friendship of Logan and Rogue uneased him, "Gone for a walk or something."
"You think?" murmured Rogue, looking behind her and out into the corridor as if expecting him to walk past at any minute.
"Well, you know Logan," said Bobby with an exaggerated sigh, "he has a habit of impulsive decisions and never letting anyone know." He licked some ice cream from his spoon, eyes watching the action before he looked over to Rogue. He sighed again, this time real, "Look, I'm sure he's fine, if that's what you're worried about."
With a sigh, Rogue gave Bobby once last look before she backed out of the kitchen, "I hope so.." she muttered, turning out onto the corridor. She passed the recreational room again, watching the darkness inside for a sad moment. She was missing their usual talk already. They may not always been about the most cheerful of subjects, but Logan's company was enough. She pulled her eyes from the door and slowly proceeded to wander through the corridor. Her eyes swept over the dimly lit corridor, a few lamps left on so the teachers could seize any students that were up late. But for poor Rogue, it was nagging her as to where he could be. He hadn't said that he wasn't going to be in there..
However, something caught her attention as she turned the corner at the end of the long corridor. It was Xavier's office. There was a light on in the room. Becoming curious, Rogue softly walked towards the door, giving a quick glance to her watch as she did. It was 12.35 in the morning; surely the Professor wouldn't be up now? Unless.. something was wrong.
She stopped softly outside the double doors, leaning against the wood to listen in. She hmmed quietly to herself before knocking a knuckle upon the door quietly.
"Yes?" came a gentle voice from the other side of the door.
Rogue took this cue to walk in, and nudged forward into the room, slipping in through the door, "Professor?" she asked, her eyes drifting towards where the wheel-chaired man was sat.
The man watched Rogue as she entered, giving her an unmoving stare for a short few moments, "It's after lights-out," he informed quietly, "You should be in your room, asleep."
"I know, I know.." dismissed Rogue, shaking her head, "I'm sorry about that Professor."
"Is there something the matter?" asked Charles, continuing to watch the younger mutant. Even though his telepathic powers were unstable at the moment, he could certainly tell there was something uneasy about the girl.
Rogue twitched her lips uncertainly before shaking her head, "No, I'm fine Professor.. But are you? I mean, you're up late too.." she gave a sheepish smile.
The Professor gave her a kind smile, "Well noticed," he responded with a gentle bow of his head. "However, as much as I would like to also say I am well, I can't.." he sighed quietly, turning to look out of his window and across the dark and still foggy lawns.
"Professor?" questioned Rogue quietly, walking closer to his desk and watching him concernedly, "What is it?"
"I cannot quite place my finger on what is wrong," he answered quietly, looking up to Rogue slowly, "But I know something bad has happened.."
Rogue shifted uncomfortably before speaking, "Really?"
"And not only that, I can sense some great danger is heading our way.. but with my mind still relatively weak from Stryker's neural inhibitor, I can't decipher these worrying doubts."
"There's nothing we can do, Professor. We can't tell the future, we just to have to make sure we're ready for what may come."
"You are correct," answered Charles with a warm smile spreading, "I will call a meeting tomorrow to see if anyone has any news from the outside media. Magneto could be up to something.." he sighed quietly, "But it doesn't feel like Magneto.. there's something there.." He looked back upon Rogue, shaking his head again, "Do not worry for the moment, my dear. We shall be prepared should the need occur."
Rogue stared down at him. Don't worry? She was already worrying. She was worrying about a lot of things right now. "I know.. but still.." she let her words drift away, just watching him before she straightened from the desk and turned away quietly.
"Oh, and Rogue?"
The girl stopped in front of the doors before cautiously looked over her shoulder, "Yes, Professor?"
"Tonight's adventures finish now. Please return to your room."
She studied him for a few lingering seconds with a slight frown before ultimately she bowed her head in acknowledgement and turned out of the room. She hurried back up the staircase, taking heed on Charles's wishes. However, as she was climbing the soft-carpeted stairs, she suddenly realised something. Coming to a slow halt at the top of the stairs her face fell with sudden frown. Charles was thinking something bad had happened.. and she couldn't find Logan. She shook her head scoldingly. She shouldn't be so rash by putting two and two together so easily. Logan was probably in some other room, or even asleep. Habits could break; perhaps the Wolverine had decided to leave the whiskey for once.
Rogue crept quietly into her room, shutting it softly behind her as she entered. She crept towards her bed, sitting down upon the covers, the base emitting a faint creak. At the noise, somebody in the next bed made a faint grunt in their sleep. "What-yeh doin'?" came a sleepy voice from under the duvet of the awakening mutant.
"Sorry Jubilee," murmured Rogue quietly, "Just go back to sleep."
"No," Jubilee declared, poking her head out of the duvets and observing Rogue suspiciously. Her eyes swam over to her beside clock before back upon Rogue, "Rogue, it's five to one in the morning, what are you up to, girl?" A devious smirk came upon the black haired female, "Spill."
Rogue made a sheepish chuckle, "I was talking to the Professor."
"Oh.. it's not as risqué as I thought.." sighed Jubilee, flopping her head back down onto the pillow. "Unless.. " her eyes widened as she stared across at Rogue. She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively making Rogue give a mock gasp of hurt.
"Jubilee!" Rogue then made a laugh, swatting her nightdress at her friend, "Shut up you!" she cried.
"Yeah, shut up.." came a grumpy voice from the other side of the room. Kitty was trying to sleep and she turned over in the bed noisily to show how disturbed she was, "I gotta get up early tomorrow.. so.. so.." she broke into a sleepy yawn, "so.. " her words faltered as she fell back to sleep.
Rogue cast Jubilee a knowing grin before she stood up off the bed. Jubilee chuckled quietly before she turned over in her covers, settling back down to sleep. As Rogue entered the room's bathroom, she felt herself sigh again, the temporarily relief of her worry was all but well, but it didn't stop it returning with a sickening lurch in the pit of her stomach.
She just hoped the bad events that could have happened didn't involve Logan..
An update! Hurrah! Hehe. Now, you clever people know what to do. Make me happy with lots of reviews. Pretend I'm a machine. Feed me with reviews to make me haveenough energy to provide you with more to read!