AN: Okay since many people are getting wrong what I'm doing with Rogue here's the deal. She's been physically enhanced but not to the super level. Her physical abilities are more in line with Captain America then with Peter, Juggernaut or Miss Marvel. There will no NO Miss Marvel like powers for her. Basically she can easily lift her own body weight but she can't pick up a car over her head.

THE RETURN OF SPIDER-X

CHAPTER 23: BACK HOME

Peter had said goodbye to Harry and the others it had to be quick since Harry wanted to see his dad some more and Peter had to get back since he had school the next day. He hugged his friends good bye and even got some information on how to get in touch with Liz since she was now part of their little circle.

MJ had hated to see him go and he hated leaving them behind, it was too bad they weren't mutants or mutates like he was. He had come up with this term with Hank and Xavier last month given that someone with powers without and x-gene was a mutate as in mutated human, while those with the mutant gene since birth were more 'natural' mutants.

He wondered if they were still making modifications to Cerebro, they were using his data and from what little they got of Max Dillion to help expand its ability to sense more then just humans and mutants but he put that aside. He was sad to leave but he really wanted to get back and see the others especially see how Rogue was doing. He called back but she had been busy with some testing Ray had told him who had picked up the phone.

He didn't have to wait long for Aunt May to come pick him up and he jumped into the front seat, "Well how were things Peter?" She asked him pulling out and heading back to Bayville.

"Pretty good, Harry's dad did wake up so he's great now. Oh and apparently he's dating this Liz girl that he's been crushing on for awhile." He grinned at that last part happy for his friend.

May smiled at that, she had met Harry a few times and he seemed nice to her, "Well that's good. So anything major happen?"

Peter paused thinking of the Hobgoblin and of that guy the cop was chasing, "Uh…Well not really just a typical day."

May nodded and then turned on the radio as they drove looking for a decent station. Peter was looking for his walkman since their taste in music was radically different when May hit a news station in the middle of a report, "-And it has been confirmed that the serial killer that has been terrorizing the New York area has been caught today."

"Well good riddance," May said out loud as Peter nodded it was about time that guy had been caught. "At least with him off the streets people won't have to worry so much."

"It is also confirmed from video footage from a news chopper that the masked man known only as Spider-Man who some call a hero, helped the police in capturing this dangerous criminal."

Peter froze at that, 'When the hell did THAT happen? The only guy I helped with the police with the news watching was that…oh crap…That freak was a serial killer?'

"Peter," He flinched at the tone of his aunt who gaze him a look.

"Uh…well…I did say normal day and well…isn't this 'normal' for me?" He asked her with an innocent look on his face and a shrug. The car ride back home that day was the longest one of his life and not just because it was over an hour drive back either. He hadn't been lectured this much since that accident in science class a couple of years ago when he accidentally burned down part of a lab table.

Wasn't his fault either, Flash had pushed him and the wrong chemicals got mixed in because of it. This was another reasons he missed his Uncle Ben he was the only one that could temper the wrath of his aunt and he really wished he was here now. By the time they finally got back Peter was tempted to kiss the ground thankful that this was over.

He pulled out his stuff and headed to the front door as she parked the car in the garage. He had only just made it to the stairs when suddenly something jumped onto his back. He must have really been tired not to have felt this coming.

"Yay! You're back, what did you bring me?" Spyder asked in joy hugging his neck. She had noticed the car and had decided to get the drop on him.

Peter had to smile for a bit, "Get off me and I'll give you a present."

She quickly jumped off him looking expectantly at him as others were filing in. "Hey Peter we heard that you had some excitement in New York," Bobby grinned as he, Jubilee, Kurt and Jamie who came in running since he had been studying with Spyder when she had looked out the window and bolted. He wanted to know what was going on and he should have known.

Peter just groaned at what Bobby said, "Oh man…Don't tell me you guys heard about that."

"It's all over the news Peter," Jubilee told him with a small grin, "I mean you help catch a serial killer and that's major news."

"I didn't know he was," He said in his defense, "I mean I already got an earful about this with my aunt all the way here."

"Ouch," Kurt winced and the others had to agree. May was a very warm and kind person but kind of scary in a way when she was angry. "Grounded?" He asked wondering about that Peter thankfully shook his head.

"Hey! Remember me?" Spyder said hands on her hips looking at him.

"Oh sorry just a sec," Peter dug through his things and pulled out a T-shirt and handed it to her. She looked happy until she read it and then frowned.

"Hey what is this?" She demanded from him.

Bobby looked at the shirt and read it out loud, "My friend went to New York and all I got was this stupid T-Shirt. Oh man that's a good one," Bobby laughed earning him a glare from the gray skinned girl who was tempted to either stomp on his foot or give an electrical webbing attack.

"Peter that's not much of a gift," Jubilee sighed folding her arms together. She wasn't sure who was worse Peter or Bobby with their sense of humor although Kurt wasn't far behind.

Peter smiled and pulled out another shirt, "Here that was just a gag gift." Spyder's eyes lit up at a red shirt with black web designs and a large black spider on the front and back.

"Cool!" She grabbed it and hugged Peter, "This is awesome I'm going to put it on!" She ran off holding it to her chest as the others had on amused looks.

Bobby looked at Peter now, "Hey shouldn't you get royalties for stuff like that? I mean aren't they kind of ripping off your image and getting money from it?"

"Hey yeah that's not really fair is it?" Jubilee asked him, he went out there doing some good and people were making money off of that. To her that was kind of low, after all Peter got hurt a few times and given how he put his life on the line he should get something out of it.

"Vell how?" Kurt asked her wondering about that, "Not like he can go into a bank and cash a check vith his Spider-Man ID." Bobby and Jubilee thought about that, given that a secret identity meant that he couldn't just let people know who he was.

Peter just shrugged it off, "Yeah well…I learned my lesson about wanting to use my powers for money anyway." He said in a lightly hurt tone. The others by now all knew the story and didn't comment any further. There really wasn't much you could comment on with that.

-Elsewhere in the Mansion-

Lance was working on this homework win the library with Kitty helping him. He was glad she was way smarter then he was and at least this semester he was looking at improving his grades, it was still weird living here though. The place was big and there were a lot of people that not too long ago he was enemies with. Okay so Bobby pranking him a few times didn't make it any easier but after he made the mistake of pulling one on Wanda that ended pretty fast.

He still smiled at that, he never knew that Wanda could be that creative when she put her mind to it. It was also weird being on the New Mutant team, but there was no way in hell he was taking order from Summers all the time. Besides the New Mutants weren't so bad kind of like the Brotherhood in a way except they actually would train and put some effort into things.

It was still odd being on that team but he was getting used to it at the moment anyway. "Lance are you paying attention?" Kitty asked him as he was lost a bit in thought.

"Huh? Oh sorry just wondered off there for a minute," He said looking back at his stuff.

"Well don't let it happen too often I mean finals are coming up soon and if you want a passing grade you totally have to study hard this semester," She was a bit worried that he may fail this term he had let his grades really go downhill this year and she was doing her best to make sure he got at least passing marks. If not he might be held back, although he said he hadn't seen the point at the time back at the Brotherhood they hadn't been that keen on education.

Still it was no excuse for not studying, if he did still want to be a mechanic he still needed good grades and she really wanted to help him out. She closed her books at that point, "Okay then let's take a few minutes to break then."

He grinned as he put an arm around her, "Now you're talking."

She placed a finger on his mouth as he was about to kiss her, "Lance you know our deal. Homework first then we have fun." She said with a hint of a smile.

Lance slumped in his chair, "Oh come on Kitty," He whined he was wondering why he had agreed to that but then again he needed his grade improved and she was the only one he trusted here to help him.

"Come on Lance we made a deal," She then moved a bit close to him and smiled, "Besides you remember the reward you get when you do good right?"

He sighed he did admit the 'reward' part was nice although he felt like a dog gaining a treat sometimes. That wasn't too far in fact, Kitty had been trying to find a way to help Lance out and had figured out that positive reinforcement would be the best approach to help him to focus more. She had to admit that it was working he was doing better in school now because of it at least.

"So are you going to come with a few of us later tonight?" Kitty asked him, a few had made plans and maybe with Lance they could take his jeep then the van. "Kurt is bringing Amanda by as well and I think Tabby, Amara and Wanda are going out as is Ray."

Lance was a bit uncomfortable around Amanda he had barely met her after all she didn't seem bad it was just that he was still getting used to the fact that humans were friends to a few of the students here. "I don't know…"

"Why Lance?" She asked him giving him the puppy dog eyes. He hated it when she used that against him those big blue eyes looking sad at him. Well she wasn't using the pout at least that was his saving grace when Kitty turned it on full force it was hard to say no to her.

"I don't know…" he shrugged hoping that would be enough but it wasn't. Then the pout was put into play, 'oh god I hate it when she uses this.' He tried to look away but found he couldn't turn away from it. He finally palmed his face and groaned. "Look I'm just not used to being around humans in a…friendly manner."

"Lance there's nothing wrong with Amanda just give her a chance, I mean you like gave May a change and you seem to get along with her."

"Yeah but that's different she's old and…well…I don't know you just can't help but like her." He said and Kitty had to admit May Parker did have this way about her, kind of like a cross between what Ororo and Xavier seemed to have. This calming aura about her and something that made you think May was nice and friendly which she was.

"Well you need to give her a chance not all humans are like as bad as you've been led to believe," Kitty said to him she really didn't want him to start alienating people because of this he was having a hard enough time settling in. "I mean look at Paul and Taryn they're doing well in fact Scott and Jean want them to come over for dinner with us for a night."

"If that doesn't send them running nothing will," That earned Lance a playful smack against his arm, "What you've seen how it can get here."

Kitty sighed table manners weren't always the best at times, "Well then there's Amanda and how she liked Kurt even after she found out what he looked like. I mean I was freaked out and I'm a mutant." Lance couldn't really come up with an argument against that. He had to admit most people got unnerved around Nightcrawler at first but Amanda hadn't freaked out as bad as most.

"Then there are the Connors, he's totally cool with us and him and Beast talk for hours with science stuff. Ororo and his wife Martha are getting to be good friends and their son Billy hangs out with Jamie and Spyder all the time. They even had that sleepover here once just before you showed up."

"Okay I get it not all humans are bad, it's just…Kind of hard to get that drilled out of you." He sighed and he guess he could at least try to get to know them a bit. "Look I'll try but I don't promise anything."

She smiled and kissed his cheek he looked at her with surprise, "What was that for?"

"A reward for trying to be a nice guy," She smiled at him.

-Peter's Room-

Peter had finally unpacked and put everything away well except for the clothing in his hamper he'd have to clean those sooner of later. Plus there was one person he had been dying to see and opened his door and nearly walked right into Rogue. "Whoa, Rogue I was just going to try and find you."

"Hey, ah heard ya were back and came ta see ya," She smiled seeing him it was good she had actually missed him over the past few days. It had been kind of strange actually not having him around for once. "By tha way look what ah got?"

He saw her raise he hand and smiled seeing a new silver bracelet on her hand he took a look at it. It looked like the same design as the original only a new casing, "I see they finished it, kind of hoped the old one could have been salvaged."

Rogue nodded she would have liked to have kept the old one mainly since it was Peter's gift to her it meant a lot but Forge and Hank had to take it apart to see what went wrong and all of its insides had been pulled out. She got to keep the old on but not it was just a normal bracelet, although she did keep it in her drawer next to her bed now. Mainly just for sentimental reasons.

"Yeah they told meh that this new one is a bit more improved and if that damn surge thing happens again-by tha way ah never want ta go through that again- this will help meh out more."

Peter smiled glad to hear that, "And I see they finally let you out of the infirmary or did you bust out and looking for a place to hide?"

Rogue got a small smile, "No they finally let meh out, although it seems that ah got a few permanent changes."

"Really, what?" He asked letting her inside. She walked in and went to sit on his bed, so he closed the door and sat with her. "So what's up?"

"Well…Basically because of that Venom thing not only triggered that power burst but also left meh alter. Don't ask meh for details it was kind of over mah head. Anyway basically it made meh stronger and faster but not like you are. Also…" She had thought about if she shouldn't put his hopes up like herself.

Even she didn't know if this was going to be possible but she had to try and it was best not to keep this from him. "They said that with some trainin' ah might beh able to fully control mah powers after this."

Peter's face lit up and grabbed her by the waist spinning her in the air. "Rogue that's great news."

"Peter!" Rogue said although she was trying not to laugh she was also trying to scorn him for pulling this on her, surprising her like this. But she was glad that he was happy for her she just wasn't used to this type of thing.

"Sorry but I just know how long you've wanted this," He said putting her down gently the fact that she may learn to touch all on her own was something she had wanted for years and to be close to that without something helping her he knew was something to get excited about.

"Ah know but ah don't want ta get mah hopes up," He began to ring her hands a little nervously. This had been a dream for her for so long that she was afraid to jinx it. Although she was hoping, sure the device on her wrist was a god sent but she really wanted to do this on her own.

Rogue was brought out of her thoughts as Peter placed his hands on her shoulders gently looking into her eyes, "Rogue you are an incredible woman, strong, independent, you have one hell of a good heart in your despite all that life has thrown at you. You deserve this and if anyone can make it happen you can, I believe in you Rogue."

She had no idea of what to say to touching words like that, he always seemed to touch her deeply like this and she thanked god that he came into her life. She just pulled him into a close hug and felt him hug her back. "Thank ya Peter."

He hugged her back missing this feeling, feeling her touch, the scent of her hair. Then he noticed something else, "Rogue…Are you wearing perfume?"

She pulled out of it hiding her face a bit to cover a blush. She had been thinking of trying to be a bit more attractive and Kitty had suggested perfume. She smelled a few and had picked one that Jean used sometimes, "Maybe a little…"

"Well…It smells nice," Peter said scratching the back of his head. It was kind of odd to him telling her how she smelt but she did smell good.

"Thanks," She said slightly quiet and made a mental note to go out and get some more for herself later. "So I hear ya went out and captured a major criminal." She teased and Peter groaned falling back onto his bed.

"It's all over the mansion now isn't it?"

"Oh yeah," She smirked seeing him cover his face. She sat down next to him and then laid out on his bed next to him. She played with his hair a bit knowing full well he didn't like to have his actions broadcasted like this he just wanted to do what he felt was right with his powers.

"Don't worry ah heard Xavier tellin' tha others not to bother ya with it," She told him and he relaxed a bit. But he got the idea he would have to have a talk with him about this little event that was for sure.

He pulled his hands away and looked up at her face and smile reaching up to caress her cheek, "I missed you."

She gave him a small smile, "Ah did too." See told him leaning down to kiss him on the lips. She really missed this part as well.

Peter felt her soft lips on his and the rest of the world just melted away. He reached up to behind her head gently stroking it as they continued on to kiss. He could feel the softness of her skin on his face and he couldn't believe how much he missed it just after two days. His tongue ran out over her lips and she opened them to deepen the kiss.

He felt her shift and get on top of him so she had a more comfortable spot and he didn't mind at all. He ran another hand over her back feeling the mesh there she ware and he felt her moan out. He could smell the perfume and the taste of her lips, this was even better then that dream because this was real.

Rogue felt her heart racing as she ran her hands over his chest despite the loose clothing he wore he was very fit. She felt his hands on her body and it felt like electricity on her skin although he was keeping his hands from certain parts of her body. He was still a gentleman even at when they were like this.

Peter then moved his lips from her mouth to her neck, "Oh god Peter," She moaned out feeling him kiss her neck like this. She reached up and gripped his hair slightly feeling both his hands running over her back. Her breathing was more labored and was starting to feel very hot.

After several more minutes of making out and catching up for lost time they ended up just resting against each other. Rogue had her head on his shoulder smiling as one of his hands was stroking her hair. Both of them just resting and enjoying the moment. Peter liked this, just her and him not even having to say anything. He felt at home in this moment and he was glad he was living here now.

He had so many friends, people that understood him and for the first time in his life he was in love with a great girl. Sure there was the occasional thing like evil mutants, villains, and other things like that. But he didn't mind at all times like this made it all worthwhile.

There was a knock on his door, "Yeah come in." He called out as Kurt came in.

"Hey dinner vill be ready soon," He told them and then smiled seeing them like this. Sure Rogue was his sister but Peter had been good for her. She smiled more and was a bit more upbeat thanks to him and she was good for Peter too. Although given how long it had taken for them to just admit their feelings was nearly on par with Jean and Scott.

"Thanks Kurt," Peter said feeling a bit embarrassed.

Kurt nodded and was about to turn when he stopped and looked hard, "Rogue…Is zhat a hicky on your neck?"

Rogue's eyes widened and placed a hand where Peter had been kissing her. "Uh…Ah think ah need to take care of somethin'" She said quickly running off to her room to find some concealer for her she really didn't want to go to dinner with a hicky on her neck.

Kurt grinned and looked at Peter, "Should I have zhe typical brother asking you vant your intentions are to mein sister talk?"

Peter winced, "Do we really have to? We already got The Talk together from my Aunt." Kurt grinned and nodded he had suffered enough with that and he really didn't think he could do any worse then May had with that talk.

NEXT UP CHAPTER 24: JOKERS IN THE DECK