Chapter Two: Like Mother, Unlike Daughter

"Alright, Chuck. What's the diagnosis on the elf?"

As soon as they arrived at the Xavier Institute, Scott took Kurt to the infirmary while Jean contacted Professor Charles Xavier telepathically. It did not take long for the professor to appear in the infirmary as well with Ororo and Hank right behind him. Logan joined them shortly afterwards once he returned to the institute from a morning ride on his motorcycle. As soon as he heard about Kurt's condition, Logan rushed to the teen's side. He would never admit it, but Logan loved the X-Men kids like they were his own.

"Kurt's mind seems to be in turmoil. So many thoughts, so many memories clashing into one another."

After seeing that Kurt had not received any physical injuries, Professor Xavier assumed that the elf's problem was psychological. So, he decided to use his telepathy to find out what was going on, but he found himself having more questions than answers. Maybe if they gave him some time, Kurt's mind would begin to repair itself. But after the ordeal at the school, it may be a while before the teen's mental state is more stable.

"All we can do now is wait. Let Kurt rest for now, and when he is well enough…we will talk."

"And how long could that be? Until he wakes up, I mean?"

Xavier turned to Jean, who was sitting by Kurt's bedside with Scott holding her hand. The professor shook his head.

"I am not sure. It could be days, or weeks, or—"

As if rising from the dead, Kurt jolted awake and sat up in his bed. He took in deep breaths and frantically looked around the room. He was relieved to find himself back at the institute.

"Kurt!"

Kurt was then pulled into a bear hug by Jean. She smiled as she did so.

"I'm so glad you're okay! You really scared us."

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"We know, Kurt."

Kurt looked over Jean's shoulder and saw Scott smiling behind her. He forced himself to smile back, but it was clear to the professor that it was a fake smile. He moved his wheelchair to the side of Kurt's bed and folded his hands in his lap.

"How are you feeling, Kurt? Any pain?"

Kurt placed his hand on his forehead.

"My body…it feels like it's on fire. But I…I'll be fine."

Professor Xavier nodded.

"Understandable. You had a high fever when Scott and Jean brought you here. It is fortunate that it seems to be going down. Do you need anything? A glass of water, perhaps?"

"Water would be good. Thank you."

"Very well, Kurt."

Ororo smiled at Kurt briefly before going to the kitchen to get him some water. While she did that, the professor took the time to ask the elf a few questions.

"I do apologize, Kurt, but I need to ask you about what happened today. While it is still fresh in your memory, hopefully."

"Yeah. I know."

Kurt looked down at his image inducer, just now realizing that it had been turned off. He then looked at his three-fingered hand and sighed.

"That wasn't a dream. I was there."

Xavier frowned.

"You were where, Kurt?"

"That other world. You know, the dimension I go through whenever I teleport?"

"You mean, the BRIMSTONE DIMENSION?"

Everyone turned to the entrance and saw Forge standing there. When he got no reply, the inventor nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry. I just thought the place needed a name. For future reference."

Still, no one said anything. Forge took that as his cue to leave.

"Yeah, I'm gonna…I'm gonna go now. Hope you feel better, Kurt."

And then Forge disappeared without another word. Scott let out a chuckle.

"Well, he does have a point. It does need a name."

Scott turned back to Kurt.

"But this is about you, Kurt. Please, tell us everything that happened."

"That's the thing. I don't know what happened! I was just in the bathroom and then this…shadow appeared in the mirror—"

"A shadow?"

Jean stood up and placed her hand on Kurt's shoulder.

"Kurt, Scott and I…did you see us as the shadow?"

"Yes. I mean, no. I mean…ugh! This is too confusing!"

Kurt pulled his legs up so he could bury his head on his knees. Professor Xavier could see that his student was distressed, so he patted Kurt on the back to comfort him.

"It is alright, Kurt. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all this, then maybe we should talk at another time—"

"NO!"

Charles was a bit surprised when Kurt raised his voice. Kurt was even shocked that he dared to do so.

"S-Sorry, professor. I just…I want to talk about it. I NEED to talk about it. Something's wrong. I can feel it."

"What do you mean, Kurt?"

"These visions. Or…dreams. Whatever they are. I'm not only seeing them at night, but in the day now. I think these are warnings. Like something bad is coming and…I'm a part of it!"

Silence fell in the infirmary after Kurt said that last sentence. Ororo had then returned with the water, and she handed the glass to the elf. He took the glass of water and guzzled it down like his life depended on it.

"Alright, Kurt. Let us start from the beginning then."

Kurt put the glass down on his lap and looked to the professor.

"Okay. So…I haven't really been able to sleep lately."

"That's an understatement."

Logan, who had been quiet for some time, finally spoke up. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the wall.

"What? You didn't think no one would notice you sneaking out of the mansion almost every night? You must've been seriously out of it if you hadn't noticed me following you. Or maybe I'm just that good at trailing someone without being seen."

Logan was right. How could Kurt think that no one would notice? Even Scott and Jean agreed with the man. Kurt sighed.

"Yeah, well…it's because…it's because I've been having these terrible nightmares. There was one where I was buried alive, and no one could hear me calling out. I've even dreamt about losing one of you in…very horrible ways. It's pure torture whenever I close my eyes."

Still holding his shoulder, Jean could feel Kurt beginning to shake underneath her touch. She gave him a gentle squeeze and smiled.

"Don't worry. We're all here, Kurt. No one's dying on our watch, okay?"

"I know that. But those nightmares…they all felt so real."

"So why didn't you tell us about your nightmares earlier?"

Kurt looked away in shame and his grip around his glass cup grew tighter.

"I didn't want to worry you guys. It just seemed stupid having you worry about me over a nightmare. We all get nightmares every once in a while, right?"

Logan scoffed.

"Yeah, but you got to understand, elf. If nightmares are keeping you up every night, then there's seriously a problem."

"Logan is right."

Professor Xavier took the empty glass from Kurt's hands and set it on the table beside him.

"No matter how trivial the problem seemed to you, it is obvious that these dreams of yours were bothering you. You should have talked to someone about it, then maybe an episode like you had today could have been prevented."

"Okay. I'm sorry."

"There is no need to apologize, Kurt. I am not angry with you. I just wished I had discussed this with you sooner. I knew something was wrong, but…I wanted to wait for you to come to me voluntarily. Not by force. Do you understand?"

"I understand, professor. And you're right. I should have talked to you."

"Well, you are talking to me now. That is all that matters."

Xavier smiled at Kurt and then turned to Scott and Jean.

"I think it would be best that we let Kurt rest for now. We can continued our discussion later. Scott, Jean, let us go."

Scott and Jean nodded and stood up from their seats. They both smiled reassuringly at Kurt before walking out of the room. Ororo and Hank was behind them, and Logan left shortly after he ruffled Kurt's hair. The teen chuckled and watched his friends leave, which left only the professor. Professor Xavier turned to leave, but Kurt stopped him.

"Wait, professor."

Xavier glanced over his shoulder.

"Yes, Kurt?"

"Ummm…could you…could you stay for a while? Just until I fall asleep. I'd feel…much safer with you around."

Professor Xavier chuckled and went back to Kurt's beside.

"I am here for as long as you need me, Kurt. I promise, I am not going anywhere."

The last school bell rang signaling the end of classes for today. All of Bayville High's students rushed out of its doors and were either waiting for their rides or walking home. Rogue was doing the latter, was just walking out of the school's front doors when she spotted a familiar face among the flood of students. A face she hoped she would never see again. Rogue immediately turned in the opposite direction, but she was eventually caught by her former friend, "Risty". She smiled at Rogue.

"Hello, girl. It seems like years since we last saw each other."

Rogue scoffed, pulling strands of white and brown hair away from her face.

"Would've been nice if that were true."

"Don't be like that, Rogue. I just want to talk."

"Yeah, yeah. I ain't fallin' for your tricks again."

"No tricks, I promise. Please."

Risty grabbed Rogue's arm to pull her to a stop.

"I just want to ask how you and Kurt are doing. That's all."

"Really?"

Rogue turned to Risty and scowled at her.

"Kurt and I don't want nothin' to do with you. Don't try acting all concerned about us now. And would ya please shapeshift? Just lookin' at you like that makes me wanna to puke."

Knowing that it was dangerous for her to shapeshift out in the open, Risty pulled Rogue into a nearby alley and looked around to make sure no one was watching. She then began to transform, her hair turning from purple to red and her skin turning to a dark blue. Before Rogue stood not Risty, but Mystique. Although she was not exactly an enemy anymore, Rogue refused to consider her as an ally. After all she has done to the X-Men, it would be a while before anyone forgave her. Mystique's expression saddened as she looked at Rogue.

"I saw Kurt being taken out of school earlier by Cyclops and his girlfriend. He looked awful and…I just wanted to know if he was okay."

Rogue's eyes widened.

"What!? I didn't know anythin' about that! I gotta get home!"

Rogue took a step forward, but Mystique stopped her.

"Rogue, I need to know. Has Kurt been acting…unusual recently?"

"What are you talkin' about?"

"Has he had trouble sleeping? Hallucinations?"

"…You know somethin', don't cha Mystique?"

Mystique fell silent and looked at the ground. That irritated Rogue even more than she already was.

"Look, I'm takin' time outta my day to listen to you, so the least you could do is answer my question. Do you know what's goin' on with Kurt?"

"I…No. Not exactly."

"Then I guess we're done here."

"Wait, Rogue!"

Mystique sighed and shook her head.

"I don't know what's wrong with Kurt, but I just…I just know something is wrong."

"Let me guess. A mother's intuition?"

"Something like that, yes."

Rogue let out a dry laugh and crossed her arms.

"You got some nerve. Listen, Mystique. You're not our mother, okay? You will never be our mother. All you've done for us is cause us pain. How can we even look at you without bein' reminded of the terrible things you've done to us and those we care about?"

"Rogue, I know you may never forgive me. I understand. But as your mother—"

"What did I just say!? You ain't no ma of mine! And I'm sure Kurt would say the same thing if he were here!"

The two women stood in silence for a moment. She would not let it show, but Mystique was hurt by Rogue's words. She was used to it by now, but that did not make hearing what her daughter truly thinks of her any better.

"Rogue…you can hate me all you want, okay? I don't blame you. But I can't…I just want to be a part of your life. Yours and Kurt's."

"Why? So you can use us for your own personal gain? I won't let you use Kurt like you used me! He deserves better than that. Better than YOU. You who allowed someone to experiment on your own baby!"

That comment must have struck a nerve in Mystique. She growled and grabbed Rogue by the collar of her shirt, surprising the teen.

"Now you listen here, young lady! I never agreed to let Magneto experiment on Kurt! He did that without my knowledge! I was too late to stop him, but I tried! I tried so hard to reach him before he could hurt my son, but I just wasn't fast enough! And then…and then…"

Mystique trailed off and her grip on Rogue loosened. He voiced cracked when she found the strength to speak again.

"I couldn't save Kurt. I couldn't save either of you. How could I? I can't even save myself!"

Falling to her knees, Mystique looked down at the ground and refused to look back at Rogue. She was too ashamed. How could she think there was a chance that her children would want anything to do with her now? Thinking about it just made Mystique want to cry. But she would never do that. Not publicly.

"You're…crying."

Mystique jerked her head up upon hearing Rogue speak, and she saw the girl raise a shaky hand to point at her. The redhead felt something wet dripping down her cheek, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand, just now realizing that they were tears. Mystique's eyes widened.

"What? I…I didn't…"

"You know—"

Mystique turned back to Rogue but was surprised to see that the teen was not scowling at her anymore. She just looked…sad.

"In all the time I've know you, even durin' the time that you raised me that I remember, I can't recall you ever cryin'. Ever. For a while, I thought you couldn't."

Mystique stayed silent, so Rogue continued.

"Those were real tears, weren't they? Don't try to deny it."

"…Why does it matter? Do you think me shedding a few tears is something to gloat about?"

"I think it shows you got a heart in there somewhere! Jeez, don't get so defensive."

Mystique wiped away the rest of her tears and stood up, regaining her composure.

"…Sorry."

"And apologizin'? I'm two for two."

"I mean it, Rogue. I'm just not used to being so…you know…"

"Human?"

Mystique glared at Rogue and the girl immediately threw her hands up.

"I know, I know! We ain't human, but…I couldn't think of any other word to use."

Mystique's face softened and to Rogue's surprise, the woman let out a chuckle. It was so strange for Rogue to see Mystique so relaxed. So normal. Maybe if Mystique was not such a human-hating, psychotic megalomaniac, Rogue believed the two of them could be friends. For real, this time.

"So…there really isn't no messed up motives behind this? You're not going to stab us in the back, right?"

"I give you my word."

"Sorry that I don't really trust that."

"Then what can I say to get you to trust me?"

"You gotta point there, gal. Guess I have no choice but to trust you. Or do I?"

"Rogue—"

"Alright, I'll bite. Why are you really here? What do you want?"

Mystique then pulled something out of one of the pockets of her skirt and handed it to Rogue. It was a flyer for a new restaurant that opened downtown. Some place called Jay's Café. Rogue frowned and looked up at Mystique.

"What's this about?"

"The restaurant has open shows on weekends. I managed to get a job as a singer there."

"You singin'?"

"Technically, Risty is singing. The job pays well and it's nothing illegal."

"Now that's a surprise."

"I would love it if you and Kurt came to see me perform this weekend."

Rogue suddenly went quiet. She looked at the paper again and then back to Mystique.

"I…I don't know."

Mystique nodded.

"I understand. You don't have to decide right now. In fact, it doesn't have to be this weekend. It can be next weekend or—"

"No, it's not that. I don't know…about this. You and me. And Kurt, of course. I don't know if this will ever work."

"Rogue, it's just a show. It's not like you're committing to marriage or anything."

Rogue chuckled, much to Mystique's delight. But the teen quickly stopped and cleared her throat.

"Y-Yeah. I guess you're right. But I'll have to think about it."

"Take all the time you need."

Rogue watched as Mystique shifted back into Risty. She threw her purple hair back and smiled at Rogue.

"You better head home now, love. It was so nice talking with you."

Risty waved and waked out of the alley disappearing into the crowd of people in the bustling city. Rogue actually waved back and then she folded the flyer so she could put it in her pants pocket. She even smiled and thought about how nice it was to talk to her adoptive mother about something so casual like singing at a restaurant. No mention of the X-Men or the Brotherhood. Just a normal talk between a mother and her daughter.

"Yeah. I hope we can talk like that more often. Maybe…there is some hope for you after all, Mama."