Rogue didn't quite know what to do.

She had recently come into possession of some knowledge, and she wasn't sure what to do with it. It was an alien feeling. She always knew what to do, even if it wasn't always right.

It concerned her relationship with Bobby.

It also concerned her friendship with John.

The problem was that when she touched someone, she absorbed their memories, desires, secrets, and in the case of mutants, their powers. This is what had happened at Boston, when the three of them went to see Bobby's parents with Wolverine. Bobby's little snot of a brother had called the police, and the situation had ended with Rogue absorbing Pyro's powers, both to take him out of the fight and control the fires he had started on the four or more patrol cars. Logan hadn't been much help, but then again he'd been knocked unconscious by the force of a bullet hitting his Adamantium skull. Bobby had hit the ground like the police told him, as had Rogue, but when Pyro had seen Wolverine shot, he had gone slightly crazy. The Blackbird had set down on the road about five seconds after the fires were put out.

But it was the knowledge she had absorbed when she grabbed John's ankle that was giving her food for thought at the moment. She could feel him inside her head, and she was conducting a discussion with him.

You never said, she accused.

You never asked, he replied.

Smartass. It wasn't any of my business. But why didn't you just tell him?

Tell him what? "Oh, by the way, Bobby? I'm madly in love with you. You're really cool?" How well do you think that would have gone over?

Better than you think, she mentally muttered to herself, forcing John to the back of her mind. Bobby stepped forward, seeking, yet again, to explain himself. One benefit of having so many voices in her head was that she could have debates and conversations all day long, and not get bored. It was also fortunate that the voices couldn't hear one another.

I didn't mean for you to find out… this way, he amended, quickly. He felt her disapproval. I was going to tell you, but… there was never a right time.

Six months! There were six months between when Logan left and his return, and you had to freeze his hand and claim me as your girlfriend. I have to say, this is a classic case of being hoisted on your own petard. If we hadn't have kissed a second time at your parents' house I'd never have known.

Marie! Please! I didn't want to hurt you! It's just – people were saying that we got on so well that we were practically together just before Liberty Island.

He knew all about that, having told him when they lay curled up on one of the Rec Room sofas, being extremely careful not to let skin contact occur. Looking back, she could see that he was secretly relieved.

I did love you, he said, remorsefully.

It's just that your heart belongs to another, and that person isn't even aware of it. Who is it?

Marie!

Relax, it's not like I can go and tell Bobby, is it?

It's John.

"Jean? Can I speak to you?"

"Sure, Rogue, what's the problem?"

"Well, it's like this. Can I be blunt?"

"So long as it doesn't concern the sex lives of the students, sure." She saw Rogue's expression, and giggled. "Relax, I was joking."

"Ummmm. It's like this. You know when I touch someone, I absorb their memories, desires, all that crap?"

Jean looked sympathetic. "I know."

"Ok, well, I recently touched two people, and now I have their thoughts, but it's their thoughts that have me really confused and I just don't know what to do!"

"Woah, slow down, Rogue. Who did you touch, and why?"

"Well, Bobby and I kissed at his house, before the incident with the patrol cars, and John when I absorbed his pyrokinesis to put out the fires he started. The first one was by choice, the second by necessity."

Jean frowned. "What knowledge are we talking about here?"

Rogue hung her head. "That's just it. I don't feel comfortable telling anyone else, but if I don't get someone's advice, I'm gonna go crazy." She paused, then looked up at Jean.

"Bobby and John are both gay, and in love, but neither know about the other."

Jean just nodded. Marie looked outraged. "You know?"

She laughed. "I happen to be telepathic. Even with shields, some of the thoughts and fantasies still get through. I've known ever since they first laid eyes on each other. It's actually rather sweet."

"But I thought he loved me!" cried Rogue.

"He does, Rogue, he does. He sees himself as your protector when Logan's not around, and he cares for you deeply. You are both obviously far more than best friends, unfortunately, he's just not interested in you in that way."

"But what about all his attempts to kiss me?"

"He had to appear one of the guys, Rogue. And as I said, he genuinely feels affection for you. However, he is extremely torn up inside over what he feels is a betrayal of your trust. My advice is to let him know that you know, and give him a chance to explain his side."

It was exactly what Rogue had expected Jean to say, and she felt slightly better about it. "So… do I break up with him?"

"I'd say that you need to let it be known that you are no longer a couple, but that you're still friends. And please, for Pity's sake, don't tell Kitty or Jubilee. It'll be all over the school in an hour."

Rogue laughed, in spite of what she was about to do. "Thanks Jean."

She walked to the door, and paused, hand on the handle.

"How do you know all these things?"

Jean smiled. "I have shields to keep people out. Other people don't. Sometimes, I just let the school's consciousness flow. It's also how I keep on top of the gossip."

Rogue smiled, then left the room.