So, the next chapter is here. This chapter is more of a building one. It kind of links stuff. The next chapter will be longer and exciting, I promise.

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Chapter Six

One Debt Paid

I opened my eyes, blinking a couple of times. They felt like lead. I wanted to shut them and fall back to sleep again, but I felt that I already had slept much. Plus, my back ached. Sometimes, when I over-slept, I used to get these back-aches. It was one of those.

I yawned deeply, stretching my arms, looking around. Gosh, everything was so clean and white.

Maybe I was dead.

Was it… heaven?

But then, why did heaven have this weird hospital-like smell — a smell which I detested and feared. Plus, I heard machines beeping and buzzing all around me.

Shit, I was in a hospital.

I looked around, taking in everything. There was a door close to my feet and I was lying in a clean white bed. A window in the left wall showed a corridor by which several nurses, doctors and patients were passing.

I looked at the tall IV stand near me. I was being given some transparent liquid, probably glucose, I think.

I tried remembering something that would tell me what was I doing in a hospital.

Nothing.

God, had I lost my memory or something?

The last thing I remember. What was the last thing that I did?

Nothing.

Blank.

Shit, why don't I remember anything?

God, I was panicking. Panic isn't good. Relax. Just relax.

Maybe I should start from the beginning.

Okay, my name. I'm Marie D'Ancanto.

I like to be called Rogue, as a mutant.

Oh, yes, I'm a mutant. And I left my home because of it. I found Logan. And then, the X-Mansion. There was Professor Xavier, Storm, Jubilee, Kitty, Bobby. I smiled. I remembered things.

No, my memory was perfectly fine.

I couldn't really remember the reason I was at the hospital though.

Maybe going forward helped. Magneto. I fingered the white streaks of my hair at the memory. The Alkali Lake. Stryker. The fight. Jean, dying — no, sacrificing her life to save us. Then, the cure. I gulped. I took it.

And it failed.

Bobby and Kitty — they were a couple now. I breathed deeply. It was for the best. Bobby and I were never meant to be. He wasn't the right guy for me anyway.

Logan was the right guy. I sighed. Shut up, Rogue. Logan doesn't love you. He just thinks you are some kid that he saved. Some kind of an act of compassion.

Because he loved Jean.

Jean — The Phoenix. Then, Logan left me. He didn't love me. People who love you don't leave you alone.

Then, there was The Billy's. Remy. Logan coming back and the way he ditched me.

All over again.

Then, it struck me. Of course! I got hit by Juggernaut! Magneto tried to kill me!

But I should probably be very badly hurt. That Juggernaut person did hit me, right? I mean, I heard crunching of bones. I felt numb and pain all over.

That information made me check around, looking at myself. Shit, I felt well in intact. Why was I at a hospital then?

And not even at the infirmary in the X-Mansion but here in an ordinary human hospital. I mean, there were ordinary people passing by that window. Or at least they seemed ordinary. But I never really heard of a mutant hospital. This should obviously be an ordinary one.

And if it was, then how come the normal doctors touched me in order to cure me? Really, I couldn't get anything.

I moved my hands around a bit. Next, I checked my legs. Were they hurt? Slowly, I raised my right leg up to see it, moving my toes. They felt fine. The other leg. Well, I looked fine. Really. What was I doing in a hospital then?

My face, damn! I forgot my face! And my head! Maybe I had sustained a very bad head or face injury.

I raised my hand to my face, feeling everything, which looked fine. Then, I touched my head.

Nope. No bandage what-so-ever.

Yet, I was tied with glucose and all the beeping machines.

Then, I realized.

Logan.

Maybe, I had touched Logan and absorbed his healing. Maybe, I was already fine now.

Only, where was everybody? Logan, Remy, Mystique?

Not that I wanted to see Logan after he did so much to me. But where was he?

And what was I doing in a normal human hospital? Did they already know I was a mutant, then?

I looked around, still finding nobody.

I stayed in my bed for what felt like an eternity, before a nurse, finally, came in.

"Oh my God, you are awake!" She said, smiling. No, laughing.

Yes, the nurse was already sick of me being her patient. No wonder she was so happy that I was leaving.

But the more important question was that that did she know I was a mutant? Or was she a mutant too?

God, all these questions would kill me.

"Hi," I said smiling. "Um, yes, I'm leaving. Yay."

"What?" She asked, coming to me, checking the buzzing machines. "What are you talking about?"

"What are you smiling for? I mean, am I such a pain in the ass?" She still looked confused, so I explained further, "Are you happy that I'm leaving?"

"No, seriously, no. I'm happy that you are awake at last!"

"How long have I been out?" I asked, smiling. A day? A couple of days maybe. Seriously, she looked really glad.

She consulted her clipboard, turning all serious and then looked back at me. "Three months and four days."

My mouth fell open as I stared at the nurse. "Okay, what?"

She moved towards me, suddenly dropping a hand on my forehead.

I almost shrieked at the unexpected touch.

"What?" She said, confused and worried.

"You can touch me," I muttered, looking up at her. Was it her power then? She could touch the cursed ones like me?

She heard me nevertheless. "I was checking your body temperature. But I think you are in shock. Why won't I be able to touch you?"

Really, what was happening? What was I doing at a normal hospital, with a nurse, who was probably a mutant but was pretending that she knew nothing?

Or, maybe she was a human and I could…

I could touch.

No, that was ridiculous. How could I touch? Never once in my life, after the mutation was triggered could I touch, except for the short duration for which the cure lasted. No. I couldn't really be normal.

Or could I?

The nurse was a mutant capable of touching me was a rather reasonable justification.

But I hoped it was the former nonetheless. That I could… touch.

"Really, it's been long," The nurse continued. I looked at her, taking in her details. She had pale white skin and full lips and looked pretty in her uniform. "But you are finally awake. I'll tell the doctor and inform your family."

My family?

Right.

"Wait," I said, stopping her. I had to get this right. "What happened to me?"

How much did she actually know? I had to know that at least.

"You were in… coma."

I nodded my head. "Oka… y," I said, taking it in, "But happened to me? Why did I go into coma?"

The nurse gave me a tight smile, "Head trauma. You had practically no injuries at all. But you were still in coma. Your friend — he said you fell down the stairs."

"Whoa," I said, recalling nothing as such.

Was it a cover?

But why didn't I have any injuries? It was probably Logan. He probably made me touch him so that I healed.

"Which friend?"

"A guy named Logan. He left in the morning, a couple hours ago. If only he knew you were to wake up today, I don't think he would have left your side. But he was really tired, you see. Pretty loyal friend you've got there. Came here everyday. The whole of these three months and four days."

"Oh," I said, gulping. God, all this was too much to take, really.

"And… I am fine now?" I asked, just as she reached the door.

"Absolutely!" She said, beaming. "You had totally no injury to begin with. We may conduct a few tests, but I think you'll be allowed to leave today. Or tomorrow at most."

I nodded, still reeling from the shock from the fact that I was in coma for three months now.

"And did I have any visitors?" I asked, imagining Jubilee, sitting with a still me, wearing a sad face. "Apart from Logan, I mean?"

"Oh, many!" She said. "A whole lot of them, actually."

I nodded.

"Any more questions?" She asked, smiling, still on the door.

"Yeah," I said. "What's your name?"

"Deborah," she said. "But you can call me Debbie."

I smiled. "Have you been taking care of me all the while?" I asked.

"Yes," she nodded her head.

"Thanks, Debbie."

"Well, it's my duty," she replied, glowing.

I nodded, and then, she left me staring at the ceiling wondering what was I doing here? Because really, there was nothing that actually made sense.

Still.

And I was really starting to worry now.

I didn't know when I dozed off to sleep. But when I woke up, I saw the same hospital around me again.

I looked around to find Logan sleeping on a chair, his head on my bed. The next thing I knew, I heard Remy's voice.

"God, you really are awake!" Remy cried, startling Logan. He got up immediately, looking at me. Our eyes met and I saw Logan smile.

"How are you darlin'?" Logan asked, his hand reaching for my face. He touched my cheek, caressing my skin.

Yes, he could touch me too. I licked my lips, thinking of a possible reaction to Logan. I really could think of nothing. "I'm fine," I said, curtly, dropping Logan's hand away from my cheek. "How can you touch me?" I asked, in a firm voice.

Logan nodded, "The Professor is on his way. We'll get to the bottom of it."

I nodded. "I was knocked out for so… long."

"Really, chère!" Remy said, still laughing. I think he was going hysterical. "And with no valid reason at all! I mean, you were perfectly healed."

"Whoa, you really are awake," I heard Mystique's voice. Only, the woman standing leaning against the door frame wasn't Mystique.

I mean it was her. Only she looked… different. I mean, her skin was pale white and here eyes were a bright shade of topaz. And she wore clothes — a pale pink shirt and blue pants. "How are you honey?"

"I'm fine. And… you look different," I commented.

She nodded. "You can't expect me to come looking like I usually do."

"Of course," I said. "This is… the real you?" I asked, nodding to her.

"Well, yes. I looked like this before the mutation was triggered."

"You were beautiful," I said, smiling. "You are beautiful."

I saw Mystique gulp and she crossed the distance from the door swiftly, sitting down beside me, clutching my hand. I gasped, but she didn't mind. "I'm sorry for what happened, Rogue. I really am."

I nodded. "I know." A moment later, Mystique dropped my hand and took her position by the door again. Then, I asked, remembering, "Anyway, what happened to Juggernaut?"

"You killed him," Mystique replied, smiling. "I thought you had it in you. Always did tell Eric the same thing. You had it in you."

"I…" I asked, in a hesitant voice, "I did?"

"Yes," she said, "It's a wonder you don't remember — since you were supposed to absorb his memories along with his power. But then again, it's been three months since."

I pondered along her thought. I had no memory of Juggernaut. Except that his name…

"Cain Marko," I said. "It was his name. I still have bits of his memory."

She smiled in a wicked way. "Eric would have been furious. You got one of his best soldiers."

"Two of his best soldiers," Logan supplied.

Mystique smiled at him, then at me.

"And you did as I suggested?" I asked her.

"Yes. Actually, I did," she replied, giving me a tight smile.

"And did Professor do as I expected?"

"Mostly," she replied.

"And… what am I doing here?" I asked, looking at her. "I mean, why am I at normal hospital? And… how could that nurse… Debbie… touch me? How could you and" —I looked at Logan— "Logan, touch me?"

"We have enough time for that," Logan answered instead of the Mystique, "Right now, you have visitors."

"Visitors?" I asked, confused, as suddenly, I heard a lot of noise outside my room. Excited noise. Mystique smiled at me and left us alone, as I looked at the door expectantly.

Next, I heard a startling shriek, "Hey Roguey!"

I groaned as a storm hit me. Really it was Jubilee but it felt like a storm. "It took you so bloody long!" She cried.

I laughed. "But I am back, see?"

She gave way to others then, who hugged me just like Jubilee.

"Good to see you're back," Storm said, hugging me. "We missed you."

"And I missed you," I replied.

"Rogue," Warren hugged me, followed by others — Hank, Kurt and even Kitty.

And then, there were greetings from Bobby.

I smiled at everybody as finally, Professor Xavier stepped ahead.

I looked at Mystique, who smiled at me guiltily again and then back at Professor Xavier, as I greeted him kindly. I remembered what she had said about Professor. I remembered it too well, actually.

Professor Xavier gave me a knowing smile, as if he did know what I was thinking about. Maybe he could answer me? I mean, he knew everything that there was to know about mutants. At least for me. He was the man with most knowledge about mutants.

Before I could ask though, he answered himself. "We intend to resolve all your queries. And mine too."

He could read my thoughts. It was a little… weird. I really preferred that he did not know what all went through my mind, really. But then, it was what he did. He read thoughts. I couldn't exactly ask him to not to do that.

"Yes, you can," Professor Xavier replied. "I grant privacy to everyone who asks for it. Or feels the need to have it."

"Thanks, Professor," I smiled.

And then, it suddenly struck me, "Oh, I'm sorry about the car that I took. I think it must be in a bad condition. But I promise, I'll pay—"

"But you already have, Rogue," Professor said, smiling.

"I have?" I asked, doubtfully.

He nodded. "You brought Mystique to us."

"Oh," I said, gulping. "But—"

"It is enough. More than enough, actually. Your debt is paid."

I smiled, as Jubilee crashed into my bed. "Really Rogue," Jubilee said, "Time for some answers now. I have been meaning to get them. Why did you leave us all? We are a family, right?"

I smiled. I never really told Jubilee all that. Sure we talked even when I left. But I never really gave her the details. "Jubes, I uh…"

"Jubilee, I think we really should let Rogue have some rest now," Professor cut me, giving me a meaningful eye.

Jubilee smiled. "Yeah. Of course Professor. After all, Rogue gets discharged tomorrow. She would be coming back, right Rogue?"

I looked from Jubilee to Professor and then, back at Storm. "Uh, I…"

Jubilee's smile disappeared. This time, she repeated in a strong voice with a hint of anger and disappointment, "You're coming back, right Rogue?"

"Jubes, I'm not promising anything to you. I don't want to build false hopes."

"But Rogue, you can't leave us all over again! How can you even think about—"

"Jubilee, I think we should leave Rogue alone now," Storm interrupted. "It's really Rogue's decision and we should accept whatever she chooses. Although, of course, we'd all like her to come back."

I smiled at Storm gratefully.

"But Storm," Jubilee turned to her, "Rogue just can't—"

"Jubilee, let Rogue make her own decision," Kitty interrupted. "But Rogue," She turned to me, "Really. We all want you to come back."

"Whatever happened," Bobby continued, "Has happened. It's past. So, don't let it decide whatever you do decide."

I nodded, smiling again.

"I think we should leave now," Storm said, nodding at me and ushering everybody out. "Rogue should really have her rest."

"Rogue? Can we have a word?" Bobby said to me, suddenly, nodding at Kitty.

"What? I, um, yeah. Of course."

I knew what he would ask and really, I was more than happy to give it now. Logan gave me a look and then left me alone with Bobby and Kitty.

"Look," Bobby began, "I know that you have a right to be angry. And you're right to be feeling so too. But I feel I must say this. If you are hesitating to return to the Mansion because of us, then—"

"Bobby," I said, interrupting him, "It's not because of you guys. Really. And uh… I think, its time that we get past this. All this break-up and make-up drama. I think it's been stretched too long now. If you guys want to be together, I have no objection. Really. You guys actually look very cute together."

"Really?" Kitty squeaked.

I nodded and smiled at her excitement about it.

She hugged me. "Rogue, I'm really sorry about what happened. Please return to the Mansion. We miss you."

"Kitty, I said it before and I'll say it now. I'm not making any false promises."

Kitty nodded, standing up straight. She muttered a quick 'Get well soon', as did Bobby.

Then, they both left me, a smile on their faces.

I only got a moment alone though. Remy came in next, followed by Mystique, Logan and Professor.

Then, Professor looked at us all, one by one. "Although, I have much of the story," He said, in his soothing voice, "I guess we should all hear it once more."

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