No matter how hard she tried Rogue couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something bad was going to happen. The hairs on the back of her neck were on end, her hands were shaking and she didn't know why but there was this unsettled anger burning within her. She had to find the Professor. Standing up slowly she put on her gloves. It was a ritual that she was so used to she could do it with her eyes closed. They were the only protection the world had. From her that is.
"Sorry Rogue, he just left. Anything I can help you with?" "No that's ok I'm fine. I just wanted to ask him about something." Storm looked at Rogue in a way that made her even angrier than before. "Look I said I'm fine, ok?" Storm looked at Logan and sighed as if to say see what I mean. "What!" Storm hesitated a moment then took a step towards Rogue. "It's just after we came out the danger room yesterday you seemed a little, well, upset." " Nothing's wrong ok? I was just not feeling to good." Storm wasn't convinced but as usual arguing with Rogue got her nowhere. If anyone could calm her down it was Logan. "I have a class to teach, excuse me." After giving Rogue one last sympathetic look she left. Rogue sat down and took a few slow deep breaths. She knew Logan was watching her, hoping she would open up to him. But this time it wasn't just some childish fear. "Logan I…" "Whatever you thought you saw was probably just your mind playing tricks on you." Rogue looked up and smiled. " You of all people should know Logan that the heart wants what it can't have." Satisfied by the look on his face Rogue stood up and headed towards the door. "Look kid, I'm not going to lie to you. The relationship you and Bobby have has never been normal but go talk to him." Rogue paused at the door. She felt for moment that she should tell him what's happening. But the moment passed as quickly as it had come. She looked him in the eyes and said, "Thanks, I guess" She left them the room but had no intention of finding Bobby.
"I've been thinking about cure." "Have you told Rogue?" "No I haven't had the chance, I don't' want it to seem like I'm asking her to get it." " Then why mention it? If she wants to be normal she'll find out by herself?" "It's not that easy, John. In the past I would of suggested it but lately any mention of 'normal' and Rogue and I get into a fight." " Maybe she doesn't want to be normal, why be normal when you can be great." "You don't know what it's like to not be able to touch." "Wait a minute, Bobby are you referring to you or Rogue. I mean you say you have no problem with her power, but maybe you do. Maybe you're the problem." "The problem is I can't touch my girlfriend because of her power, and to be honest I …Rogue I didn't see there. Rogue, what's wrong, let go…aaaahh!" "Rogue let go of him, your killing him stop." "I'm sorry Rogue this is for your own good." Aah! Rogue woke with a start. Was that a dream she thought. No wait it did happen. This afternoon, she went to look for Bobby; no for she went to look for Pyro. That's when she overheard the conversation. But then what. Bobby! 'Oh no he can't be' she whispered. Wait think. Storm, Storm sedated her. She must have let go then. A cure? That could solve all her problems. She'd be free from nightmares and flashbacks of her past. She had to find Bobby she owed him this.
"What did you see?" Rogue looked at Pyro. She wasn't sure if she could confide in him. Firstly he was Bobby's friend and secondly he wasn't exactly the ideal person to open up to. But now wasn't the time to judge him. "I wanted to see Bobby, to tell him that I wanted the cure, wait let me finish, so I walked to window because I heard a noise and saw him with Kitty. They were ice-skating." Rogue stopped. The anger in her rose like a beast. Her hands began to itch. Frustration began to pulsate through her veins. "Then they moved closer towards each other and they kissed. After everything Bobby and I have been through, I just don't understand!" How could they! It was like she meant nothing. "It was nothing, continue." "Rogue are you ok!" "I need to lie down…" "Keep her still!" "Rogue!" "Just for a minute, just for a minute…" "Gentlemen today is the day we perfect our mutant experiment. How is the sacrifice?" "She is being calmed down" "Well done! Today is a great day for today we will be giving young Marie a gift. What is the ability?" "Flight" "Thank you, flight. So today Marie you shall fly. Just remember; never let go." "We're ready" "Marie just lie still and hold this women's hand. She is your guardian angel and she'll protect you while we do a little operation. Remember what we said do this and you can go" The man scared her, where could she go since her home was destroyed. " Begin." A machine. The table's cold, so is the women's hand. Sparks fly. The woman begins to twitch. Just like all the others. It happens when they touch her. "Keep her still!" The woman starts to scream. Rogue soon realises she is screaming as well. "Don't let go Marie" She can't hold on. " Sir it's not working. Sir, they might both die." Rogue let go of the women's hand. "Turn off the machine." "Yes, sir." "Gentlemen this one is a failed experiment. True she will fly but for how long? She will contain memories of the late Mrs Basset but they to will fade. Take the sacrifice away; make it seem like an accident, the usual procedure. As for the girl, I doubt she will be able to ever really use a power." "Rogue!" Goodbye, Marie" "It's ok, I'm here."
Rogue opened her eyes. She saw Pyro leaning over her. "Bad dream" she mumbled. She sat up too quickly and swayed into Pyro. " Sorry." " It's ok, just take it slow." This is what it's be like, she thought. " Rogue, where've you been I've been…oh John what are you doing here." Rogue's whole body tensed. Pyro must of felt it because he began to stand up. Rogue took a slow breath, in and out, before looking Bobby straight in the eyes. There was no trace of guilt in his face. It was like it was nothing that he had kissed Kitty. Like he deserved it. "Bobby, I think you should leave now." "What! Why, why should I leave, look John you leave so that I can talk to Rogue." "Bobby I'm sorry." "No, Rogue I'm the one who should be sorry." Bobby held out his hand. Rogue closed her eyes she put her hands behind her back and began to slowly pull her glove off. She listened as Pyro began to play with his lighter. She heard the footsteps upstairs slow down- and suddenly her plan fell into place. "I'm sorry but I have to." In one swift movement she grabbed Pyro's arm with her ungloved hand. As she felt his power, life force and memories surge through her she focused until she felt the warmth of a flame in the palm of her hand. Concentrating hard, she opened her eyes and unleashed the flames allowing them to burn the walls, the floor, the furniture and most importantly Bobby. He tried to stop the flames from spreading by using his power but the flames were so immense that the ice began to melt. "Rogue stop this" He started to move her towards using an ice shield. But this is what Rogue had been waiting for. Her hand was so quick that Bobby barely noticed when she released Pyro and locked onto his elbow. Slowly Bobby began to lose his power and after his life. He turned to look at Rogue for one last time. But it wasn't the Rogue he knew, it was something dark and unnatural although for a moment it seemed like she was there for a second. "I love you" were the last words he could utter. Rogue began to loosen her grip. "Don't let go Marie." Her grip tightened. Soon she felt no pulse. She let go and sat in the middle of the room. She could here voices that seemed to be coming closer. Her head was spinning filled with memories that confused her. Slowly she put her glove on, lay on the floor, closed her eyes and let herself drift off.