AN: As promised, here is the next chap. Thanks for being so patient! One thing I must warn you of: sadly, as I wrote this a very long time ago (read: in my "newbie" stage), this chapter reaks of Mary-sue-ism. I posted it because I want to continue the story in the future, but please, all I'm asking is, don't flame me for it: I'm well aware of the over-dramatics in this chapter. Who knows, you might even like it! ;)

Disclaimer:

Too sob a story,

Is Rose's, true,

And I don't own the X-men,

But, neither do you!

Chapter 14

Rose woke up, bewildered at her surroundings. "Where am I?" Her confusion quickly turned to panic as she tried to open the doors to the room. They were locked.

"I shouldnt've told him! Now something horrible is going to happen...!" She began to circle the room, her eyes blurring as she franticly tried to find a way out.

"Help! Help me!"

She screamed, praying that someone in the street could hear her. Suddenly, she turned again, and ran abruptly into a tall, red-headed teen-age girl. She seemed to have a calming affect- Rose felt her panic drain away, and the girl smiled.

"Are you okay?"

Rose put her hand up to hold her head, and she came back to her senses.

"Yeah, I think so. Ugh, except for this splitting headache." The girl motioned for Rose to sit. "Where am I? Who are you?" The girl took a deep breath.

"There's a lot to be explained; on both sides. The professor will come in a minute, and I'm sure he'll be able to answer your questions better than I could."

"The professor?"

"You're at Xavier Institute. Professor Charles Xavier runs it."

"I see..." Rose said, more of a question than a remark.

"I know you're very confused, but bear with us. As Jean said, there is much to tell on both sides." said the Professor, as he wheeled in.

Rose and Jean looked up at his sudden entrance. "Hi, Professor."

He nodded to her. "Jean." As he wheeled over to face Rose, Jean rose and stood behind him.

"I am Professor Xavier. And you...you must be the one I have heard so much about. Hello, Rose Redd. I imagine you are overflowing with questions. So am I. Where should we begin?"

Rose looked around at the bookcases that surrounded the cot she had slept in. "Why am I here? Where am I, really? How did I get here, and-"

"Let's just start with those. If I answer your questions, will you answer mine?"

Rose looked him over suspiciously. "How do I know I can trust you?"

The man nodded, in deep thought. "I see you are a careful person. That's good. As to your question...well, I, too have secrets to keep. That is the reason for this place. A place where people can come to...tell and keep secrets. Kurt, Kitty, you, and I, among many, many others, are different. And yet, here... we are the same. That is the only answer I can give for now."

Rose got up and walked over to the window on the other side of the room. She looked out into the darkness, thinking. She forced a smile. "I guess I have nothing to lose."

"Very well. Then, I will address your questions. First of all, you are here because after you teleported Kurt, you blacked out from the strain. He brought you here. This institute, from the outside, at least, is a place for privileged children; a boarding house if you will. In reality, it is a safe haven for mutants, people who are vastly different from the so-called 'normal' humans that populate the world. Here, mutants are helped and trained to develop their powers safely, and to become united as a sort of protection. Those who live here...cannot fit totally into the outside society. So, here, they find equality and acceptance among others who can know who they really are. And, they are still able to maintain the outside appearance, as far as the world is concerned, of total normality."

Rose turned to face him. "And where's the cloud in all this silver lining?"

"Pardon?"

"What's the catch? I don't have money.."

He waved his hand to cut her off. "Don't even think of it. I didn't found this place to make money."

"Then why did you do all this?"

The professor wheeled over to the window. "I, too, am a mutant. I wanted to find others like me, and eventually I did. You see, I have found that there are three groups of mutants in the world. One group, mine, and others like it, that only seek to live in peace with the world. To find a place to fit in, to unite the 'normal' and the 'mutant'. Another group, I'm afraid.." He closed his eyes, shaking his head. "..mistakenly believes that being mutant gives them a right to rule the rest of humanity. They believe that those 'normal' people exist to serve the 'mutants'. And yet another group, like yourself, either have no loyalties, or do not know of this at all. I founded this place for this other purpose: to thwart the efforts of the destructive group. And so, I seek out those, like you, who do not know of these divisions some have created."

"You mean, you fight them?"

"Only in defense of ourselves or innocent ones. I do not intend on starting any kind of trouble. In fact, I do what I can to prevent it at all costs. But, at the institute, those who live here are training so as to be prepared, for anything." He looked up at her again. "Or anyone."

"I see. And you expect nothing in return? Forgive me for being suspicious..."

"I understand. It is good you are suspicious. It shows that you think before you act. But, you are incorrect. There is some things I expect."

Rose squinted at him. "What is it?"

"Loyalty. If you are to join us here, and you are quite welcome to, you are expected to become part of the team. That means that you will help to protect the others here, and their secrets." He looked out the window again. "The choice is a important one to make, but you are not rushed into making it. You are welcome to stay here, on trial."

Rose looked surprised at first, then began to cry. The professor looked at her, very concerned, and turned to Jean. "I think it is best if you leave us now."

"Okay. See you later, Rose..." Jean, too, looked concerned as she left them, closing the door behind them.

"What is the matter, Rose?" he asked, as he put his arm on her shoulder. She was sobbing, sitting on the bed, her hands over her face.

"This is all wrong..."

He looked at her intently, studying her. "What do you mean?"

"I found it, what I was looking for, and I can't... I just can't..."

"Can't what?"

"I can't stay here."

"Why do you say that?"

"I didn't expect to find something like this at all...I was looking for maybe just one other...person like me...someone who could explain…why I'm like this… and..." Her voice dropped off.

"I think you have something you need to tell. Am I right?"

"...Yes."

"Why don't you start from the beginning?"

"I...I always knew about my powers...I was born on a farm, secluded from most people. My father and mother were farmers, and we rarely saw anyone, or went anywhere, until I was older. But... my parents..." She tried to control the sobbing, a the professor handed her a tissue box.

"Go on."

"My parents are- um, were mutants. Ever since I was a small child, they knew that I was probably going to be like them, and when I was 5, they found out they were right. I was able to use their powers, and as I got older, they taught me how to control and use them. I was very good at it, and I used my parent's abilities regularly. And then, when I was 13..." She looked up, dazedly, toward the window. "They…They were going to go to get supplies for the farm, like they did once a month. I didn't go, I liked it on the farm better, and I had chores anyway…They never made it back. They... it was snowing. Hard. They never saw the detour sign. The bridge was out. They...never knew. I hope...I hope they didn't have to suffer.." she began crying hard again, as she finished her sentence.

"I see." He waited again, until she was somewhat calm. "I'm not rushing you; take your time."

Rose nodded, and closed her eyes. "I was alone...for the first time in my life, I didn't have them to lean on. They taught me well, scholastically, and in other ways, too, but... I was still a kid... I was so scared. The police came to tell me, and that was the first night I ever knew true pain. After they... after they were buried, I was to be put in a foster home...but, I couldn't stand the thought of living there! No one except my parents had ever known about my powers, and I didn't think my new 'parents' were going to take it lightly. So, I ran. I took a few things, my parents savings, and the clothes on my back, and I ran." She was unable to continue as she held back her tears.

"Rose, this has no doubt troubled you very much. It will take much time to heal you, and even time will not heal you completely, as you no doubt know. But, we can help. Being a part a team, a team that knows the real you, and truly wants to help you, will help you to heal. Your past... well, many of the students here have pasts similar to yours. You are still welcome to-" the professor was cut short.

"You don't understand! I can't live here! I'm... you don't know... I'm..."

"Yes?"

"... a murderer." She said, voice barely audible.

"What do you mean?"

"That's what... I was trying to tell you. That first night, I was so alone and scared. But, before my mom and dad left, as they were kissing me good bye, I... I re-copied my dad's power. Electricity."

"Your father's power was electricity?"

"Yeah, he could...well, he could manipulate the magnetic field around him to produce a bolt of electricity, or just a spark. I never... really was able to use more than a small shock, just a little more than static... or, at least that's what I thought. Now I know how wrong I was.."

"What do you mean?"

"I never really knew where I was going that first night, I just knew I had to get away from those social workers...and those people who wanted to make me their 'daughter'. It was the middle of winter, it was cold, and I was hungry and scared. I had taken a blanket with me, though. And, at the time, I really didn't worry about my health, I just... I just was trying to deal with my pain."

"And then?"

"Then... everything changed. I was walking through a town, staying in the shadows, away from the street lights. It was night, around midnight, I think... this... guy..." She began to cry hard as she told her story. "He came at me with a knife... he was drunk... he backed me into a near by trailer, and told me that I had to... listen to him and nothing bad would happen... he came closer to me, and I yelled that he should leave me alone... but, he just kept coming closer... when he grabbed me, I ..." She swallowed, and looked up through her blurry tears. "...I never knew how much power I was capable of... but... I had to stop him. So I let it all out... I couldn't even stop it... all the pain, fear... I drained it all into that bolt. The trailer's light shorted out, but I could still see him... he was... barely breathing... I panicked... and I ran. He... probably died, and I'm a murderer."

The professor took all this in.

"Now do you see? I can't live here, with Kitty, and Kurt, and whoever else is here... I.. I'm dangerous..."

"If you knew this, why did you seek us out?"

"I don't know what I was looking for. I think I was looking for another 'mutant'. Someone who could help me... someone who could.. hide me away...or at least help me understand why I have to be this way."

The professor wheeled back a bit, sitting back and folding his hands together. He watched her for a moment, and when she was done crying, she brushed her hair out of her red eyes and sat there, waiting.

"Rose, your journey was a long one. It was scary, and draining for you. But: I want to tell you this: you are still welcome to stay here. What you were looking for, you may have found. We will not 'hide you away', but we can help you to control your powers, and understand your emotions. You are among friends, now."

Rose shook her head. "How can you say that?"

The professor considered this, and answered slowly. "Well, concerning that, there are some things to consider: one, that this man was attacking you, putting your life in danger. You have a right to self-defense. Two, he was armed. This gives you a further right to self-defense. Three, as far as I can see, you did not intend to kill him. You were afraid, and did just what a scared thirteen-year old would do. Protect herself as well as possible. Four, you may not have killed him. And, finally, you, again, did not intend to kill, as your distressed state now testifies to. You show remorse, and sadness, not vengeful satisfaction. That shows that you probably will not kill again. I do not believe you are a threat. Especially with more training."

Rose bit her lip to keep from crying.

"You...trust me? Knowing…what I am?"

The professor looked at her again.

"Yes. I do."

Rose sat in wonderment at this statement.

"Rose, will you join us?"

"I.." Rose contemplated this. "I so afraid that I won't be able to trust myself..." As Rose started to give in to fear, a voice rose within her again, strong and clear, reminding her of the difference between fear and courage. Again and again these words repeated in her mind, voiced by the memory of her father. "...but, fear isn't important right now." She stood, and extended her hand to him. "Professor Xavier, I do want to stay, if you'll have me."

The professor took her hand, and smiled knowingly. "Very good. You are indeed, welcome for as long as you like."

"Thank you." One last tear rolled down her face as she smiled back. "Thank you."

"Now, you had better get some sleep, it's almost 12:30 in the morning. We will get you settled in tomorrow, in the morning. I have already called the school to cancel your classes for tomorrow."

"Thanks, but I have something I have to attend to first. You see, I've been staying at the diner down the street, and Marv must be very worried. I have to go and tell him... well, I guess I'll tell him I'm going to be staying with friends from now on."

"Does he... know about your powers?"

"No. He's a 'normal' human, and as far as he knows, I am too. But, he was so nice to me, and I don't want to just disappear..."

He nodded. "I understand completely. I will wait up for you tonight, and open the gate when you return."

"Thanks." Rose began to get her things, and Jean walked in again.

"(yawn) you called, professor?"

"Yes, Jean. Please show Rose to the door."

"Are you sure?" Jean looked confused, but he nodded assuringly.

"Okay. This way, Rose." She smiled comfortingly, and Rose followed her out of the room, down a hallway and staircase, to the door. "Um, this is it."

"Thanks, um, Jean, was it?"

"Yes, Jean Gray."

"Well, I'll see you later!" Jean watched her curiously as she walked toward the sidewalk. She opened the tall steel gates, that locked behind her. She looked back at the building, and saw the professor in one of the windows, a small lamp shining behind him. She took a deep breath, and walked down the sidewalk, thinking about all the things that had happened.