The silence of the milky stars was pierced by a shrill cry. Even from outside on the stone patio, Logan winced at the unmistakable pleasure in her scream. Nursing his fourth whiskey, he squeezed his eyes shut, clenching his teeth. She'd never shrieked like that for him. He never gave her a reason to thrash on the sheets in ecstasy. They'd worked around her mutation the best they could, learning the creative art of alternate sex. Yet, his bare hands had never caressed the creamy skin beneath her satin nightgown. His lips had never tasted those secretive, seductive places of her body. He'd never slid between her legs.

He'd never done any of the things that Scott was doing to her now.

If he had known he had perched himself beneath their window, he would have instantly sought solitude elsewhere. Yet, it wasn't until his second bottle that he'd been sweetly assaulted by the smell of her arousal. It had been addictive. Had been until his sensitive ears twitched at the noises drifting down from the open window. Now he was sickened, the acid churning in his stomach at the image of another man making love to his wife.

Yet, just as he was gathering up his stuff to seek sanctuary in the tomb of the X-men lair, everything went still. He paused, listening intently, sighing with relief. They were finished.

He leaned back against the mansion's bricks, bringing the rim to his mouth.

"Logan," a voice gasped.

Logan's eyes darted over, jerking upward at her voice. "Rogue! I…how'd you…" His eyes narrowed, suspicious and confused. How had she gotten down here so fast, especially without him seeing her? The door was to his right. She was standing in one of Scott's long shirts to his left. There was no way she could've snuck passed him.

Rogue inhaled deeply, cleansing her mind. She had to be focused and calm if she were going to deal with this. She gingerly padded over, her bare feet whispering against the stone as she moved almost weightlessly. She sunk down beside him, tugging on the hem of the Oxford shirt, covering her thighs as best as possible. "You planning on showing up to the funeral smashed," she accused more darkly than she meant to.

"I can't get drunk. Not long enough anyway."

"Right. Rapid healing."

Logan stared at her, taking her all in, making his heart sore with the vision of her tranquil beauty. He brushed passed it, sweeping in for a deeper scrutiny. There were other differences than to just her hair and color-changing eyes. She was more solid, a stiff statue carrying the burden of her own soul as stoically as she could pretend to be. Yet, he saw beyond her strong persona, peering into her sacred abyss and feeling her misery radiating off her in waves. Something terrible had happened. Something that haunted her. Clung to her. Changed her.

It was then he was hit with the force of truth. He didn't know this woman. Astounded, he murmured: "Who are you?"

Rogue turned her gaze to his face, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Now you see," she spoke softly.

"See what," he inquired, mystified. "That you've changed? That you're no longer…you." He searched her jade eyes, hunting for clues. What he saw broke his heart. "Marie doesn't exist anymore, does she?"

"Not as you knew her. She's there, but…It's Rogue now. A blend of two."

"I don't understand. Who else is here?"

Rogue looked away, staring off into the darkness. "She'd held on too tightly."

Logan leaned forward, trying to capture her attention. "Tell me. Please."

"She fully absorbed another mutant, permanently stealing powers never meant to be hers. At first, she was unable to contain the power and she went crazy. That's when Scott entered our lives, taking care of us with such love and devotion. It was innocent at first, but…a bond wrapped around us and through my despair I found something to hang onto. I fell in love."

He was mildly disturbed by her constant change of "she", "us", and "I". It was though there really were two people creating a third and depending on when events occurred, changed whom the story belonged to. "Who fell in love with Scott? Marie? Or the one she absorbed? Or the mix of the two: Rogue?"

"Carol Danvers felt it first, but Marie, feeling safe and loved, slowly accepted it."

"Carol Danvers is the one she absorbed," Logan stated, gradually understanding. "So Marie was pushed aside. Carol took over. What then? Marie tried fighting back?"

"Yes. She did. For a little while. But then she accepted it. Just like she accepted Scott's love. So Carol and Marie coexist. Together, they are me: Rogue."

"Your eyes," Logan whispered, astonished. "It's why they change. When Carol's personality is overpowering, they change blue. When Marie steps forth, they're green. When both are content, they're sea green."

Rogue smiled. "Carol was a much more bitter person. Her violent anger is now apart of me."

"It's how you got your strength."

"Yes. And my ability to touch. I still have poisonous skin, but with Carol, I can touch."

Logan shook his head, everything she was telling him ringing honesty, but still so surreal. "Can one personality completely banish the other?"

"No. I'm usually an even blend. Sometimes one is more stronger, but none can fully take over this body. Carol tried at first, but thanks to Scott, she never succeeded. I owe him my life."

"And you love him."

"More than anything."

REVIWER RESPONSES

Empathy: How crazy did you get?

Roguechere: I've lost count to how many times I've been called evil. Hahaha!

Trunks: That's confidential information. Top Secret. Sorry. rolls eyes at myself

Vegeta: Ok then…you're wrong. Besides, silly, there isn't any beer at the school, remember? Yet, it was a very good guess. Anyone who has read Cradle My Heart knows that the kitchen is the spot to be.

Princess: Ok, I guess I'll take the praise verses the money. I suppose it'll do. Haha.

Kam: I was quite honestly shocked to receive this review. I did a double take on your name, thinking that I must've read it wrong. I never even knew you liked X-men! Anyway, thanks for stopping by. You know I love your writing to pieces!

Sparkling: To be honest, I do read Songfics sometimes. I just skip the lyrics. In fact, I read one of yours. I think it was called It Could Have Been Me. I loved it.

Blix: I love moody songs. I love up-beat ones, too, but sometimes I just need to listen to a good, depressing song. Know what I mean?

Jaws: Nope. No Jean in this story. And I didn't know about all that dead stuff. Interesting. I only watched the cartoons…never read any of the comics.

Wapps: Thanks for forgiving me! Oh, how would I have lived! Honestly, thanks. I know a lot of people – myself included – groan at Songfics.

Gimpy: I'm glad you aren't being entirely biased. I know that if Rogue decides to stay with Scott, then a lot of people will be upset. Yet, they aren't seeing the whole picture. Yes, Logan is sexy as hell and obviously extremely repentant, but he did cheat on her. And Scott does love her in this unique way (which I will get more into later). Anyway, I always look forward to your reviews. You're an intellectual sweetheart. (Does that even make sense?)

Pink: Did my homework? I'm confused!

Cold Star: You're right about whom Rogue absorbed. (Bravo!) You're wrong about who Logan slept with. (But good guess). In fact, to me, Jean is still gone. She won't even be in this story.

Jackia: Thanks! Sorry for the long wait.

Sapphire: Carol's eyes were green. Rogue's were blue. Yet…I prefer Rogue's eyes being naturally green. hint, hint Anyway, if you don't like angst…then why are you reading this, silly?