AN: And, folks, here is the last chapter!

Reveiwers:

Sakamoto Ayumi; Fading Background: Here you go! Thanks!
CrazygirlHaley5555; paprika90; yaya witchy fish: Thanks!

Disclaimer:

The final chapter
Is here at last
I don't own X-men
But I own some pants!

Chapter 15

As she came in sight of the diner, she smiled. "One last thing to do."

She went in, finding Marv behind the counter trying desperately to read a newspaper as Aggie chewed him out.

"I'm tellin' ya, Marv, if you don't get that stupid, stinkin' blender fixed, I'm quitin'!"

"Yeah, sure, Aggie."

"I mean it! Dernit, Marv, I've had it with that thing. I'm not makin' anymore o' them shakes by hand! I want a good blender!"

"Alright, Aggie, all right! I'll get a new one!"

"You better, if ya know what's good 'fer 'ya!"

Marv looked at his watch. "It's past midnight, Aggie, won't you please go home? I promise I'll fix it!"

"Fine. I'll see you in the mornin'."

As she turned around to leave, she finally noticed Rose.

"Oh! Hello, Rose." She leaned over to whisper to her before she left. "I swear, if 'ya want somethin' done 'ya gotta nag 'n nag...G'night, hon." Then she left.

Marv looked at her, eyebrow arched. "I don't need to know where ya been, Rose…but I really wish ya wouldn't make me wait up like this… I was worried. Ya didn't even show up after school today. Are ya okay?"

Rose smiled. "I'm…better than okay, Marv."

When Rose returned to the mansion, the gates were open. She walked up the path, trying to absorb all that had happened.

"Who would have thought." She smiled to herself, "That I would actually belong somewhere!"

Jean, smiling at her, opened the door for her and she stepped in. "Welcome back, Rose. The professor said to expect you any moment."

"Thanks. Here I am."

"Well, follow me, please. The professor wants you to meet the others who live here."

"Right." Following Jean, she was lead up the stairs to the professor's study once again. Jean opened the door, and they walked in. Rose noticed Kitty first, sitting on a couch, and to her amazement, there was her friend Rogue, as well, looking tired and grumpy.

"Rouge? You're a-"

"Yep. Mutant."

Barely having time to process this information, she noticed Evan and Amara in the room as well. "You guys are all mutants?"

"Yes, we are." The professor answered. "Allow me to introduce you. Kitty, or Shadowcat, as her codename is, you are familiar with, I'm sure."

"Codename?"

"Yes. We find it helpful when on mission or wanting to conceal to others of whom we speak to use codenames. Rogue and Jean are the exceptions to the rule, since Rogue goes by her codename, and Jean has declined from using one."

"I see."

"Hello. I am Ororo Munroe. You may call me Storm." The beautiful black woman extended her hand to Rose, who shook it. She was tall and thin, with flowing white hair and a kind face.

"Hello."

"And I'm Scott." The teenager now addressing her waved a hand in greeting.

"Why is he wearing sunglasses indoors…at night?" Rose found herself wondering. The tall teen had dark brown hair that he now pushed away from his face as he smiled.

"Hi."

"And you know me already, but my codename is Nightcrawler." Rose looked up to find Kurt sitting on the top of a bookshelf. She looked at him, wondering also why he would choose such a place to sit.

"My codename is Magma." Amara said, shyly.

"Alright, alright, I'm here."

Rose turned to face the voice behind her. A muscular man dressed mostly in leather stood before her with a scowl. His eyes were dark and cold, matching his hair. "You must be the new kid, huh?"

Rose gulped. "Yes, sir."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Sir? Huh, I like this kid already. Just don't get on my nerves, okay?"

"O-Okay."

"They call me Wolverine. And this is Beast…finally."

"I'm here…sorry for being tardy. I'm afraid Logan had a bit of trouble finding me…and I had trouble leaving my experiment."

Rose gasped at who- or what was in front of her. A massive blue furry creature, resembling a cross between an ape and a bear, wore small glasses on a huge head. He extended a gargantuan hand to her in greeting.

Not sensing any fear in the least from anyone else in the room, she cautiously extended a hand to meet his. To her pleasant surprise, he shook her hand very lightly, and smiled.

"I'm aware that I'm not the epitome of normal or gentlemanly features, however, I promise I don't bite. My name is Hank, but as Logan" whom he gestured to, "so kindly explained, I am called Beast."

"Rose. Nice to meet you."

"And I, you."

"And," The professor continued, "of course, you remember Jean."

"Yes."

"Well, then, these are the occupants of the manor. We are all, like you, mutants. Instead of explaining more specifically now what our powers are, I believe it would be wise to leave that for another day in order to be able to get to bed sooner, if you have no objection?"

"No, I guess not."

"Well, then, I guess that is all. I will have to get some information about you later, but of course that can wait. I advise we all adjourn to bed. But, if I could have just a moment with you, please, Rose."

"Sure Professor Xavier."

"Oh, please, just call me professor."

"Sure."

The others filed out of the room.

"Goodnight" Said Beast, Storm, Jean, Scott, and Amara.

"'Nite." Kurt smiled.

Rogue grunted, and Wolverine walked out without a word.

"See you upstairs, Rose!" Kitty said, closing the door.

Rose turned to the professor.

"Rose, I know this will be a…transitional period for you, but I know you will come to be very happy here with the X-men and I."

"X-men?"

"Yes. In a nutshell, all mutants, to our knowledge, contain the X-gene. It is with this information that we were able to find you."

"I see."

"Pertaining to this, we refer to ourselves here as the X-men. And you are now a part of the team."

"Okay, cool."

"Anyway, I want you to know that all the people who live here understand very much what you are going through. Many of them, as I have mentioned before, come from similar backgrounds. Some worse. Some…smoother. But I think it is important that you know that while they know some things about you, the story you told me earlier tonight about what happened after your parents death I have kept confidential. I will not disclose it without your permission, unless the very unlikely event arises which makes it necessary to disclose the information for your safety."

Rose nodded.

"Now then," He smiled. "I have arranged for you to share a room with Kitty and Rogue until you are used to things here. The many hallways and rooms of the mansion can be a bit daunting at first."

"Thank you. For…everything. I can't…there aren't words to express myself well enough. You saved me, professor."

He smiled. "Perhaps. Or perhaps it was you who saved yourself." He paused, thinking. "You remind me of a bird, you know."

"A bird?"

"Yes. Are you familiar with the mockingbird?"

"Not really."

"It is able to extremely closely mimic the noises it hears, whether it be the natural sounds around them, other bird calls, or distinctly human noises. However, it has a very distinct song that is unique to its species as well. You, Rose, are able to mimic the abilities of other mutants, but you have a skill of your own as well. Interesting, similarity, don't you think?"

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe…maybe that should be my codename."

"A insightful decision. Goodnight, Mockingbird. Sleep sound."

"Goodnight, Professor."

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AN: Ta-da! Aaand that's how Rose became one of the X-men! I'll be posting a sequal soon- of course, reveiws get me going faster! Thanks for reading, reveiwing, and checking out my other stories. Happy fanfic-ing!

-RR