Hi again! Thank you guys for the feedback. I'm having a lot of fun writing this.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, I'm not making money from them. I'm jealous of those who do.

Anna stepped out of the elevator onto the third floor of her building and mindlessly rummaged through her purse for her keys. She walked quickly towards her door carrying a small bag around her wrist. She was so focussed on getting home she didn't hear a woman calling her. Anna put her key into her door when she finally heard her name.

"Anna?"

Anna looked behind her to see a friendly-looking woman in her forties come up behind her.

"Anna Turner?"

"Yes?" Anna said turning around. She still hadn't gotten around to changing her name.

"My name is Annette Thomson. I live in room 313. I believe this mail is for you," The woman handed her an envelope. "They must have put it in the wrong box."

Anna took it and thanked her. Without looking back she pushed her door open and entered her small apartment. She threw her keys on the table and looked at the envelope. Great, a cable bill. She tossed it beside her keys and made a mental note to pay it before she left. Still carrying the bag she sat down on the futon. Gently she pulled a beautifully wrapped package from it. It had taken hours of wandering around stores to find a gift for Ororo and Logan. Anna had no idea if they would like it but it was the only thing she could think to buy. The light coloured package shone as light reflected on its metallic paper. She set it on the table. She was glad that Ororo had set aside a week for the old group to get together again but it meant leaving soon. It meant seeing him sooner. She laughed sadly as she fiddled with the white ribbon tied around the gift. How many times had she thought about marriage while she was at the institute? It was childish but she had imagined walking down the grand stair-case in a beautiful white gown into the arms of a thief. A tear left her eyes. Her own wedding had not been so magical. David had spared no expense and her gown was beautiful. They travelled Europe on their honeymoon, working around his work schedule, but it wasn't what she had imagined. It had been the happiest day of her life but soon tuned into a nightmare. She had been a prize to him, nothing more, only something to prove that her was better than everyone else. He wanted to prove he was the best doctor, that he could control her..., she should have seen it from the beginning but she was blinded by his promises. He proposed to her a normal life. Who wouldn't want that? It was normal for a while but soon nature took its course. If it's too good to be true it probably isn't. She knew that now and she would never forget it. Her tears of sadness became tears of anger when she thought of David. She could see his patronizing smile in his mind. She could hear his excuses rolling around in her head. Ororo and Logan were different. They would be happy together. They deserved it

Brushing away a tear, angrily Anna stood and walked to her bedroom. Her room was a mess. Dirty clothes covered the floor and empty bottles rolled across it as she made her way to the closet. She had to find clothes to bring with her. They couldn't see how run down she had gotten. She picked up a holey sweat-shit, then a stained sweater, a pair of worn pants, a wrinkled skirt and a ripped dress. Tears again fell down her face. It was a lost cause. She was nothing now. How could she go through with this and disappoint all of the people who had been her family? She had been the strong one. They had saved the world time and time again. Now she couldn't even save herself.

Kate shuffled her position in the passenger seat of her car. Her back was aching and her head was pounding. She took a sip from her watcher bottle and carefully placed it back into the cup-holder beside her. The water didn't help. She was still very uncomfortable. Peter glanced at her momentarily giving her a worried look before he turned his eyes back to the road.

"Are you alright Katya"

Kate smiles through her discomfort, "Next time I decide to drive across the country eight months pregnant tell me to think better of it okay hun?"

Peter smiled and took one hand off the steering wheel and places it on his wife's stomach, gently stroking it. She put her own hand on top of his and guided it around her belly. A kick from the child inside her made them both smile.

Kate sighed, "How much longer is it until be get to the mansion?"

"Katya, you are not one to complain, you are sure you are alright?"

She rubbed her stomach, "Just little uncomfortable. It's nothing to worry about Peter. Besides, I'm anxious to see everyone again. Logan was like a father to me and Ororo..." she trailed off, her words caught in her throat and Peter took her hand and squeezed it.

"I understand you wished them at our wedding Katya. I am sorry."

"I didn't mean that honey, our day was...perfect." She squeezed her husband's hand back, "I just miss the old days." She quickly changed the subject before her husband had time to respond, "That sign says rest stop at the next exit. I think it's time to stretch our legs."

Peter obeyed his wife even though there was only a twenty-five minute drive until they reached the institute. When they parked, like a gentleman, Peter opened the car door and helped his now extrememly pregnant wife to her feet. She wrapped her arm around him for support as she searched for a rest-room. Finding one she bolted to it as fast as a pregnant woman could run. While she was gone peter walked around the building. There were 2 fast food restaurants, a convenience store as well as a few gas pumps outside. He took the liberty of buying his wife and himself a sandwich before she returned. Kate was smiling when she walked towards him.

"Feeling better?"

"Much"

He handed her the sandwich and took it gratefully, she hadn't noticed how hungry she was before now. The couple wandered around aimlessly for a while, allowing Kate to work the kinks out of her back. They finally stopped in front of the continence store, when Kate had an idea. She walked in and started pulling items from the shelf.

"What may you be doing?" Peter asked coming up behind her.

"Buying snacks. I suddenly have a craving for marmalade and pickles."

"There will be food at the Institute."

"I know but my pregnancy cravings have gotten weirder and weirder and I'd rather buy my own then rely on them to have tapioca and chocolate sauce."

"I do not understand this woman," she said hugging Kate. They both laughed and Kate made her way to the checkout while Peter stared in awe of the combinations of food that she managed to find in a roadside convenience. Counting her change, Kate headed for the door. Peter could see the collision coming but could do nothing to stop it. Kate walked directly into another woman also not paying attention. The force pushed her backwards. She lost her balance and stumbled backwards for a few steps. The other woman watched in horror as the pregnant woman fell. Kate suddenly felt strong arms underneath her and held onto them. Her husband set her back on her feet and she grabbed his arm for support and kissed him.

"Oh mah God, Ah am so sorry. If there anythin' ah can do for yah. Ah wasn't paying attention. Ah..."

"It's okay," Kate reassured her straightening her dress, "I should be more careful myself." Kate blinked as she looked at the woman. Now it was her turn to look startled.

"Rogue? Is it really you?"

Peter finally took his eyes off of his wife and looked up in surprise. The other woman stared at the happy couple for a few minutes before realization set in.

"Kitty?"

The younger woman smiled and wrapped her arms around her old friend, careful not to touch her skin. Rogue's look of fear turned into a look of shock.

"Ah barely recognized you sugah. You've gotten so big."

Kitty laughed, "You haven't changed a bit. Are you on your way to the mansion?"

She nodded, "Just payin' for some gas. She looked up at the tall man now holing Kate's hand, "Well throw me down and call me stupid, the two'a you got hitched."

Peter smiled, "It is good to see you too Rogue."

Rogue, "Logan's gonna have a field day when he sees the two's you, or does he know you about ta be a momma?"

Kate smiled, "You're the first to know. We haven't told anyone yet."

"Well then, Ah feel special. The whole place is gonna go crazy when ya'll walk in."

Kate laughed and looked at her watch, "We should get going. I told Ororo we'd we there by six."

"Ah'll be right behind ya'll."

They parted ways and Rogue paid for her gas. She watched the happy couple drive away as she got into her own car. It was hard for her to admit, but she was jealous. Sighing she threw her purse into the back and took a bottle from under the seat. One swig wouldn't hurt.