Disclaimer: Marvel owns all X-Men related things, though I own this fic and the general concept for it.

Rating: Rated M for language and mature subject matter.

For ROMY AMV fans: If anyone is interested, go to YouTube and search for Rogue Gambit videos. Anything by "karebare89" was made by myself. I have made numerous videos for ROMY, a few anime, and even some of my editing projects from school are up there. Hope you guys check 'em out.

Enjoy the chapter!!

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Two and half weeks earlier…

Days on the road began to wear her down. Rogue had only made it through Kentucky three days after leaving the Institute. Stopping at the motel off the Interstate, she settled down for another night's sleep. It wasn't the Ritz, that was for sure. Ripped wallpaper, static for cable, she even feared some critters that called it home. Nonetheless, she brought in her satchels and rested on the semi-comfortable bed. It squeaked and creaked every time she moved. It was going to be one hell of a night.

The diner just outside, however, seemed determined to prevent her from doing just that. The diner was more active then usual, it seemed, the night she was there. Motorcycle gangs had crowded the place, keeping it company until the wee hours of the morning.

Initially, Rogue was highly annoyed by the disruption of her much needed sleep. But after an hour of trying to sleep through it, she ended up sitting by the window and staring out at the seemingly joyful group of people across the street. It wasn't a sight too particularly interesting, but she felt like it was the closest she would get late night company.

She decided to stay one extra night at the motel, though as much as she detested it, she needed to catch up on her sleep during the day before the next night was just as terrible as the last.

The next night, she was able to sleep without a single nightmare.

Rogue found it miraculous.

Though she had begun to fear Carol's presence more then the nightmares. The woman's constant badgering in her mind was taking its toll on Rogue. Flashes of the monster would appear briefly and would force her to stop at the side of the ride so she wouldn't swerve and hurt herself or other drivers.

As such, Remy's personality would calm her down, as would a few of the others, and she was able to continue on. That was until an hour later when Carol would act up again.

But despite herself, Rogue continued on, slowly, but she kept moving. The next morning, she packed up her bike and was back on the Interstate.

Rogue really didn't have a clear idea as to where she would go. A high school kid, barely old enough to drive the bike she was riding, leaving the only home she every really knew. Sure, she questioned herself numerous times, but in the end, her selfless nature to protect the people around her kept her moving farther from them.

Only after passing the border into Tennessee did Rogue decide on a location. The house she lived in with Irene back in Caldecott. It may not have been heaven, but it was all Rogue knew. Though she could only cringe at the thought of going back finding Irene still there, possibly with Mystique. However, until rogue was able to pitch camp somewhere and plan her ordeal out better, she would have to make due with whatever situation she would have to confront.

Two days later, Rogue finally arrived in Mississippi, in Caldecott. Just being in the same neighborhoods and smelling and seeing everything all over again, brought back so many memories. Some weren't as good as others, but they were her memories at least.

Rogue pulled up to the driveway, finding no signs of it being in use. The grass was raged and unkempt. A few of the front windows broken into. Limbs on the tree in the yard broken off and tossed around the lawn. Rogue knew that south wasn't the best at welcoming other "kinds". Since the mutant exposure, she only hoped that Irene hadn't gone through that turmoil. But by the looks of her old home, that may have just happened.

Rogue gently moved into the house, left unlocked and the doorknob busted in somewhat. Irene must have moved.

Not a single piece of furniture remained in the house. The living and kitchen were barren and her old bedroom not with a layer of dust covering the floors and walls.

The only room that had anything left in it was Irene's room, of which was also covered in dust, clearly unused.

It unnerved Rogue to a certain extent, wondering what could have happened to make Irene leave. As she moved back downstairs, past hallways that used to littered with portraits and photographs, now empty, Rogue only then noticed a large manila envelope taped to the back of the front door. No writing on it, no indication as to who it was for. But Rogue opened it all the same. It wasn't sealed.

She looked at the contents, confused at their purpose. There was a set of keys (two on one ring), a wade of hundred dollar bills, and a letter addressed to her. Rogue knew it must have been recent. If not, someone who had broken into the house would have stolen it long ago.

Rogue decided to read the letter before making any wild accusations.

She went into the kitchen, took of the duster and rested it on the island before she jumped up and sat on it as well. Picking up the letter, her eyes slowly grew wide.

x

My dearest Rogue,

Though our parting was one I regret, you must know that I have always loved you as if you were my own child. You must understand that I took it upon myself when you were still very young that I was to be your caretaker rather then Mystique. After foretelling when you would runaway from your home, I also read various fragments of your future to come. I knew that in order to prevent certain events, I would have to be there to teach you and protect you rather then Mystique. We both love you, and your brother very much.

However, I fear that my own life may soon be coming up short. I fear that may have predicted my own death. That being said, I know you question looking for me. I ask you not to. I have lived a long and healthy life, Rogue. I am doing what I can now to make sure I pass on with no regrets and I ask that you allow it to come to pass.

As such, I am taking precautions and I have decided to make amends for the shortcomings of your mother and myself.

When the time is needed, my diaries can always be accessed and can help you as if were still with you. But do not let them fall into the wrong hands. Keep them with you and the X-Men. Though I do know that you recently left your new home, you will return to them. For your sake and theirs, you will.

One of the keys I have given you will grant you access to the diaries. When you need them, you will know where to find them. No one else knows of these writings. As such, I am entrusting you with great knowledge of the future lives and lives of the people you love. Use them wisely, my dear.

The money I have given you should be enough to last you while you are back home. Yes, I know that you came back after the incident with Sinister. Mystique is currently working with numerous allies to track him down to make sure he cannot do anything like what he did in the Morlock tunnels again.

The second key I have given you is to my estate in New Orleans. I have no more use of it and I know that you have always loved going to Louisiana in time for Mardi Gras.

I know this is not enough to make up for our transgressions, but your mother and I are trying to rectify our mistakes. I only wish I could have 'seen' you again, my dear. However, I believe this will be as close as we get to one another before my time arrives.

And for one final telling (I know how much you always enjoyed my predictions), be sure to watch for the tricksters that will be coming to graffiti the house on your way out.

I am sorry, Rogue. I hope that you will not forsake your mother forever. She will attempt to make emends as I have. Please be open to her acts towards you and your brother.

And that is all I can tell you. I love you, my dear. Always remain strong, and remember all we have taught you and all I have told you.

Sincerely,

Irene Adler.

PS, Do not be so hard on yourself. I know it hurts now to see someone you love be taken from you, but you will see them again. Trust me.

x

Rogue let a few of her tears shed as she read the letter, realizing just how important it really was. It was Irene's final testament to her; her last chance to contact her and say she was sorry for the way Rogue's life had turned out.

And the gifts in her 'will' were more then rogue could have imagined. She wasn't expecting anything in any sense of the will and, yet again, was given shelter from the only woman to raise her. Rogue felt like she was blessed beyond comprehension.

She clutched the letter close to her chest as she sobbed a while longer at the prospect of never being able to see her surrogate mother ever again. It seemed to overwhelm the young woman to a certain extent.

Eventually, Rogue was able to calm herself, taking the appropriate time to mourn the loss, not knowing when Irene's life would end. Afterwards, Rogue looked down silently at the keys and the money. She contemplated numerous actions she could take.

One, she could look for the diaries Irene mentioned in her letter.

Two, she could take the money and the keys to house, run for the hills and never look back.

Three, she could go against Irene's wishes and try to find her, some how to prevent her death.

However, none of those situations seemed to work theoretically.

Rogue was unaware of what diaries Irene was talking about and had no clue where to start looking. She said that she would know where to find them when the time came, so she decided to let it be. Rogue wasn't selfish enough to take was Irene was giving her. Maybe the house, because she really did have no other option, but the money… she couldn't do it. And as for seeking her out… much like the diaries, Irene was illusive when she wanted to be. Rogue must have picked it up from her. When Destiny didn't want to be found, she didn't want to be found.

Rogue was stuck.

But after debating with herself and the numerous people inside her head, she stayed the night in the house. Despite the lack of safety with broken windows and doors, Rogue never felt safer then in the bed of her only real mother. It was such a peaceful sleep, Rogue thought she had died.

The next morning, packing up again and repairing the front door, Rogue looked over the letter one more time, then at the items given to her. With a heavy sigh and heavy heart, Rogue pocketed the keys and buried the wade of money deep into her baggage, deciding it only be used for emergencies. The best thing, she decided, was to head out to Louisiana and put to use the house given to her. She had never been to the house and wondered what it was like. Small and cozy? Big and spacious? She didn't really know what to expect.

As Rogue, locked the door to the house and walked down the path, she distinctly heard the laughs and cheers of a group pre-teen boys coming up the drive. Poised with spray cans, Rogue simply walked up to them in a strong, commanding stride, catching all the boy's attention immediately. And all they could think was, 'Oh shit…'

"Whatev'a ya'll think ya gonna do tah this house, ya'll better just march on back home, cause yah ain't puttin' a smudge of paint on here!"

The boys scrambled back down the street without a word to Rogue, who stayed still a statue, watching them retreat. Once out of sight, Rogue smirked to herself and silently laughed at Irene's prediction. That woman was always right.

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WOW!

This was the chapter I have been contemplating bout for weeks now! Seriously, I wasn't sure how to go about it. All I knew was that I wanted to get Rouge out to New Orleans at Irene's manor. (More comic book references) ^__^

Well, I was at least glad to get another one up. I'm in the middle of portfolio season for schools, but I finished my second last one yesterday and thought I'd celebrate by writing another chapter.

So please read, review, recommend, whatevah ya like! Just no flames, please and thank you! ^__^

Until next time…