Dear Readers,

Thank you to Sparkle, Rising Goddess, lunafan, Mrs. St. John Allerdyce, Electra de Lioncourt, gatermage, and vik for reveiwing. I really appreciate all of your encouragement! Please read and rate. I do not own any part of X-Men and I am not associated with Marvel Comics. I got my editor back!

Sincerely,

Serafimo's Pretense

P.S. Now, the most-loved Rouge!

I spent most days in my room crying or just staring out the window once I found out the Cure didn't work. I was devastated. I thought that I would finally be able to be normal again, to be able to do the things I wanted to do. Now, I couldn't, again! It was so frustrating and I felt hopeless. When I first came, Professor Xavier had mentioned that I might be able to control my mutation, but I would have to wait until it fully matured. Who knew how long that would be from now? I couldn't bear it anymore. My mutation was more of a curse than a blessing to me. Miss Monroe didn't understand; she could touch people without being afraid of killing them. It was too heavy a burden. I just couldn't deal with it. With any of it: Professor Xavier, Scoot, Jean, and the pain in everyone's eyes. So, I broke up with Bobby and isolated myself. I didn't want anything to do with anyone.

I thought all was lost. Then, Miss Monroe knocked on my door one night. At first I screamed for her to leave me alone. I didn't want to talk to anyone. But, Logan's voice calmed me and he said I should just listen to what "Ororo has to say". So I did. She explained to me that the Cure might have matured my mutation and I was now able to learn how to control it. I thought it was a ploy to get me out, until I saw the lab tests on another mutant who took the Cure. There was hope!

"Concentrate on yourself. Do not think of Logan's powers," Miss Monroe instructed me.

I nodded and took my gloves off.

"Are you ready, Logan?" Miss Monroe asked.

Logan grunted and walked up to me. What if I kill him accidentally? I nervously put a hand on his shoulder and concentrated on myself and nothing else.

"That's it. Good," Miss Monroe encouraged.

I didn't know how long I was standing there; it was amazing. I was touching Logan without draining him. I did it! Suddenly I felt a familiar flow of energy travel into me. A vision of Miss Monroe only in a towel flashed before my eyes. I was too shocked to pull away. Another vision of Miss Monroe, this time she was just sitting at her desk grading papers. Then another vision; this one of her sleeping in my arms. Wait! Those aren't my arms! I realized that these were Logan's memories and not mine. I instantly pulled away; probably just in time.

Logan swayed from the sudden drain of energy. I stood still stunned from what I had just seen. Miss Monroe hurried to his side and supported him.

"Logan, are you ok?" she asked, concerned.

He nodded dumbly at first, then turned to her and cracked a smile. She punched his shoulder playfully. How had I not seen this before? Their affection towards each other was quite apparent now. I felt guilty learning about their relationship this way; like I had intruded on their privacy. I hung my head in guilt and shame from hurting him and breaking their privacy.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"It's all right, Rogue. Just remember: Don't lose concentration," Miss Monroe said.

This is going to be stinking hard!

"Don't worry," Miss Monroe comforted, reading my face. "Once you practiced on not absorbing others, it will come naturally."

I smiled. Miss Monroe has been so nice. I can't believe I haven't tried to become closer friends with her. I glanced at Logan, who I caught gazing at Miss Monroe. Once I caught his eye, he winked at me and said, "No worries kid. I'm a lot tougher than I look. And I look damn tough already."

I rolled my eyes and said, "Git ova yourself."

Miss Monroe and I both laughed whole-heartedly, but Logan just stood there frowning.

"Thanks again. Both uh yous," I said sincerely.

"Anytime," Miss Monroe replied sweetly.

I smiled once more and walked out of the room.

I woke up feeling refreshed from a good night's sleep and yesterday's achievement. I bounded down stairs, giddily. I managed to bump into Bobby on my way to the kitchen. I collided into him, causing both of us to fall flat on our buts. I started laughing hysterically for no apparent reason.

"Are you feeling all right, Rogue?" Bobby asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Yup. I'm feeling just fine," I replied joyfully. "En fact, I'm feeling just great!"

"Ok, then," Bobby said, still confused.

"See y'all later!" I yelled back at him as I jogged away.

"Good morning' y'all!" I exclaimed as I entered the kitchen.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to give me an odd look. Miss Monroe gave me a knowing smile and patted the chair next to her. I walked over to her with a bounce in my step and plopped down on the seat.

"So, what's fo' breakie?" I asked Dr. McCoy.

"Well, there's some pancakes or I could make you some eggs," he said eyeing me with concern.

"I'll bey taykin them scrumptious lookin' pancakes, please," I requested.

"Sure thing," Dr. McCoy said and handed me a heaping plate of pancakes.

I poured syrup on my plate greedily and scarfed down.

I didn't care that everyone was looking at me weird; nothing could kill my very good mood.