Title: Fears That Aren't Extinguished
Chapter 2: Metal
Metal began singing to her on the second day after Liberty Island. Everywhere Rogue turned, she could feel the hum and it was pleasing in a way she found fascinating. The metal grew warm, hot, red-hot as she reached toward it and stainless steel trashcans became malleable and yielding for her to crush.
She started practicing. Jubilee opened the door to their room one day and it wasn't difficult for her to notice that every object containing a sliver of metal was hovering in mid-air. The smaller things – chandelier earrings, two lamps, and a Mickey Mouse alarm clock – revolved slowly and Rogue sat indian-style on the floor as their sun.
Yep, she was definitely getting better.
Rogue found herself forcing Scott's spoon to tap against his glasses at dinner and she smiled to herself when soup exploded from laughing mouths (including Logan's). Of course, everyone stopped cracking up when their own utensils got a little...rowdy.
All the Professor did was frown at her and request, telepathically, that she'd meet him after the meal.
"Ah'm okay," she said the moment she entered his study. His wheelchair glinted, catching her attention and she pondered for a second about giving the old man a little push, but just for a second.
"Erik," the Professor said suddenly, randomly.
And she replied without thinking, "Charles."
No, the Professor had not been so random after all. Erik's thoughts, Erik's mind were part of her mind now.
"I'm sorry, Rogue," the Professor said.
"Don't be," she replied. "Ah kinda like it."