'Ich soll aus dort suchend sie, hier die nicht sitzt, machend nichts sein
(I should be out there looking for her, not sitting here doing nothing),'
Kurt muttered to himself, his forked tail swaying back and forth as his
agitation mounted. He had heard the weighty double doors of the mansion
slam shut with such force, he had immediately equated that Rogue was in a
bad mood. He had been with Colussus then, hiding away from both his sister
and Kitty, knowing that it was wise to avoid getting entangled in any
fights those two engaged in. He had learnt the hard way of course.
'Not again,' Kurt had muttered to himself.
'Does this happen often?' The Russian had asked him, pausing in his sketch to question him as one of the framed pictures nearby had quivered slightly.
'You could say that. Ve try and stay away from them both afterwards,' Kurt responded, subtly warning Piotr.
'Da. I believe that is very sensible,' Piotr replied, returning to his work. Kurt stared at the towering Colussus, noting that this was the longest conversation the two had ever had since the Acolytes had moved in with the X-Men. Piotr generally tended to keep to himself, shying away from the rest and preferring to indulge in his artistic aspirations. Though Kurt had spotted Kitty and him together on several occasions, the valley girl chattering on endlessly as Piotr quietly listened to what she was saying.
It was only when he had finally deemed it safe enough to venture out unharmed did he come upon the scene in the foyer. A sobbing Shadowcat being comforted by an uncomfortable Amara, who was trying to not let the older girl's tears stain her designer shirt; an enraged Remy cursing a blue streak – or at least sounded like he was, considering that he didn't speak a word of French.
'Quand Remy obtient le sien transmet sur cette balle bleue au poil touffu, allant me charger son âne désolé en haut (When Remy get's his hands on that furry blue ball, me going to charge his sorry ass up)!'
'Gumbo, if ya ain' gonna speak proper English, shut the hell up,' Kurt heard Logan grind out.
'Vhat's going on?' Kurt asked. Only to have a very angry Cajun try and pounce on him.
'Where did y'take ma chere?' Remy practically bellowed out, as he struggled to get free from Logan's grip.
'Huh? Vhat are you talking about? I was up vith Piotr this whole time!' Kurt protested, noticing the heated glare Remy was sending his way.
'Remy saw de smoke, had t'breathe in de emanations méchantes (nasty fumes)! Y'callin' Remy a liar homme?'
'No, I'm just saying that there's something wrong vith you!' Kurt retorted, his eyes narrowing at the Acadian.
'What is going on?' Peter's baritone voice broke through any comment Remy would have made in response to Kurt's barb. The tall Russian stood beside Kurt, a look of confusion drawing his features.
'What is this? A goddamn session of Twenty Questions?' Logan barked out, still maintaining his hold on Gambit. 'Rogue's missing and Gumbo here thinks that you teleported her outta there when him and her were talking.'
'And you think *I* took her? Vhat are you, insane?' Kurt said. 'And vhy is she gone?'
A gut-wrenching sob from Kitty threw Kurt off momentarily, as did her actions. She extracted herself from Amara and bolted up the stairs to throw herself into Piotr, who looked like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. Finally, he decided on awkwardly patting Kitty's trembling frame. He did not miss the growl Logan gave at the sight. Anxious, Kurt ported beside Logan, though keeping a healthy distance away from the former Acolyte.
'Vhat happened?' The blue boy insisted.
'Lemme give it to you straight Elf,' Jubilee announced, cracking her gum. 'The Addams family dyed Kit's clothes black. Kit started her banshee fest. Rogue retaliated. Some words were exchanged, leaning towards the Rogue 'no touchy' variety. Emotions swelled. Rogue's gone. Got it?'
'Vhat?' Kurt whispered. No. The one person who he was tied to with the bonds of family, the one person he could truly be himself around...Rogue!
'That word seems to be his only exclamation of surprise,' Amara noted.
'What can I say blue-blood? Must be a foreign thing,' Jubilee said, before blowing and popping a small bubble.
'Warum ist jeder nur stehend hier? Wir müssen Fund sie gehen! (Why is everyone just standing here? We have to go find her!)' Kurt demanded.
'Doesn't anyone in this place speak English anymore?' Logan asked.
'Where is ma chere!' Remy exploded, once again regaining Kurt's focus.
'I did not take her,' Kurt replied menacingly, baring his canines and his yellow eyes flashing slightly.
'He was with me,' Piotr spoke up. His hands ceased stroking Kitty's back as Logan looked their way again.
'If it wasn' y', den how did de femme manage t'do de disappearin' act?' Remy said accusingly.
'It wasn't Kurt that made Rogue teleport Remy,' the Professor's smooth voice cut through. 'It was Rogue herself who did it.' Xavier rolled into the foyer, Ororo beside him.
Logan finally let go of Remy, who appeared less angry then before, taking in the Professor's words.
'But that's not possible Professor,' Kurt said, also distracted from his anger. 'Didn't ve managed to help her keep control?'
'I will discuss this later on. For now, Storm will go out and retrieve her.' Xavier nodded to the white-haired woman, who inclined her head and took off.
'Remy be goin' too.'
'Hold your horses Cajun. Ya ain' goin' nowhere.'
'Vhat about me?'
'Non! Dere is no way Grover is comin' wit m'! De las' t'ing Remy needs is blue fur givin' away 'is trail!'
Kurt growled menacingly.
'Trust me, one whiff of your body odour will send them packing,' Logan commented.
'Neither of you will go. I believe that you have a Danger Room session to prep for Logan,' Xavier told the instructor steadily, his tone carrying a sense of authority that even the Wolverine felt compelled to obey.
'Fine,' the Canadian said gruffly. A smirk played upon his face before he spoke again. 'Gumbo, Elf and Tin Can. Suit up and meet me in five minutes.' Logan cracked his knuckles eagerly.
'Merveilleux (Wonderful). De badger's so happy because he wants t'make m'death seem like an accident.'
'Ja kamerad (comrade). Whatever you said,' Kurt agreed. 'But I think ve should be even more worried for Piotr.'
'Why is that?' Piotr questioned calmly, attempting, along with Jubilee and Amara, to pry the still sobbing Shadowcat off.
'If he didn't like Lance touching Kitty, what makes you think he'll like you any better?' Kurt asked before porting up to his room to change.
'Yeah Petey,' Jubilee said as Amara all but dragged Kitty away. 'It was nice knowing ya. And remember,' she continued with a flirtatious wink, 'I'm still available if you need me.'
With that, she walked out, leaving behind a red-faced Russian, an amused Xavier and a slightly smirking Remy.
Rogue coughed as more of the toxic smoke went through her nose. She fiercely tried waving away the black cloud that surrounded her, rapidly dissipating as a soft breeze swept through.
'Kurt! Get down here before Ah really get mad!' She called, feeling the slow tide of anger begin to engulf her. 'Kurt!' She yelled herself hoarse. A frown marred her features as she studied where her so-called brother had brought her. The late afternoon sun burned less brightly, pale rays of light slicing through the leafy canopy that stretched endlessly over her head.
Great. Kurt had taken his Tarzan obsession a bit too far.
'If ya don' show ya'self by tha time Ah count ta three, they'll never find tha body parts,' she vowed. 'An' Ah've been spendin' way too much time with Wolverine.'
Her thoughts returned to her mentor, her father figure if she dared – after all, she wasn't sure what self-respecting dad would encourage his daughter to rip a certain cocky Cajun to bits if he got 'too fresh wit'cha'. She knew he had been trying to help but his words just seemed to push her further away from the possibility of her ever gaining control of her powers. It was almost as if she had formed an impenetrable barrier in her mind towards the likelihood of that eventually happening. A faint rustle broke her train of thought.
'Kurt?' She said uncertainly. 'This ain' funny anymore Elf.'
'I'm afraid that Kurt was forced to remain back at the mansion. Hopefully, I'll prove a viable substitute,' Ororo's voice responded instead. Rogue looked up, her attention held by the descending weather goddess. Her white hair streamed down behind her and her eyes faded from a crisp white to her striking blue eyes. Storm landed beside her with poise and grace, leaving little for others to question her once regal standing amongst the tribes in Africa.
'Ah bet he teleported back 'cause he knew wha' was gonna come at him,' Rogue mumbled, loud enough for Storm to hear.
'What are you talking about child? Kurt has not stepped foot out of the mansion. Though,' Storm added dryly, 'not for lack of trying on his part.'
'Then how did Ah get here? Ah couldn't have teleported here by mahself,' Rogue retorted. Storm's eyes revealed little, but Rogue saw a little pity somewhere in her look. She snorted mentally, wondering why she would ever want to feel sorry for herself when there were so many others ready to do the job for her.
'Young Remy did mention something about you teleporting when he returned back. But all the French he managed to slip in could have caused some discrepancies,' Storm replied evenly. Rogue rolled her eyes at the thought of Remy speaking in rapid fire French – something which he usually did when he was particularly upset or angry, and also because he believed no one in the mansion spoke the tongue. She smirked, thinking of his reaction if she let slip one day in the future that she spoke fluent français.
'He also assumed that Kurt was the one to have taken you away as you two were conversing. It turns out that his blame too, was misguided.'
No...it couldn't be. The Professor had assured her that day that he had managed to safely lock away all the psyches that had been floating around in her mind. She herself had seen him build the mental safeguard in her head during their many sessions together.
'Ya don' know what ya're talkin' about,' Rogue told the adult flatly. 'There ain' no way Ah could 'ave teleported when Kurt's psyche's been locked away by tha Professor.'
'My child,' Storm began tentatively. Rogue felt her blood turn icy in trepidation as Storm's tone of voice registered in her mind. It was exactly like the Professor's when he had told her of the torrid mess her mind was bound to become if she didn't exact enough control; like Logan's when he had been forced to confront her about Mystique's relationship with her – which she had stalwartly refused to divulge – and when Kurt had tearfully confessed to her that it had been their own mother who had abandoned them both. In retrospect, she didn't predict much enjoyment on her behalf from whatever Storm was about to say.
'When Xavier used Cerebro to try and locate you, he detected another's presence-'
Rogue had the sudden urge to lift her hand and drain Storm dry.
'In your mind,' Storm finished. 'He believes that there is someone else attempting to take over your-'
'Isn' there always someone? Ah mean, that's all Ah'm good for ain' it? Nothin' more then a tool for some megalomaniac ta use for world dominance!' The last words came out as decibel-evading shriek as the Goth struggled to keep her emotions in check.
'Rogue,' Storm begun soothingly, reaching out for the conflicted teen.
'Don' touch meh!' Rogue vehemently screeched. Small drops of water pelted them both and the surrounding area. Storm looked up and was shocked to see thick, grey rain clouds cluster together. Thunder rumbled ominously as the weather witch felt the raindrops become bigger, heavier.
'Child, calm yourself!' Storm said loudly as she herself tried to calm the growing unease Rogue was generating in the environement.
'Look at meh 'Ro. Ah ain' nothin' but a pawn. Nothin' more, nothin' less. Whoeva wants in up inta this,' Rogue's eyes flashed pearly white as she tapped her temple, 'don' know what they're gettin' themselves inta.'
'You can fight this Rogue,' Storm found herself pleading, finally managing to grab onto Rogue's shoulders. Storm couldn't feel the ice forming on her hands, slowing making their way up her wrists, but her eyes widened when she caught sight of the frost binding her hands to Rogue.
'It's funny ya know? Logan said tha same thin' ta meh but for some reason, Ah jus' can' make mahself believe it,' Rogue said softly, almost a whisper. But Storm heard it nonetheless.
'Rogue, you are one of the strongest people I know. Do not let this consume you!' Storm said loudly. The rain was now coming down in sheets, beating down mercilessly on the two of them. Trees swayed threateningly about. She saw Rogue look down at her ice-encased hands, a vacant glaze seeming to come over her eyes as she saw the water make rivets in the ice. Rogue's emerald eyes shifted – from green to white, from white to blue, and then to a haunting golden yellow.
'See this hole?' Rogue asked Storm, pointing to a coin-sized gap that had appeared in the crystalline structure. Storm vaguely noticed that the tempest Rogue had created was growing weaker as her interest became fixated on the opening, allowing for the older woman to restrain the sudden natural squall.
'Tha ice, it was once nice an' whole wasn' it? But all that water ate away at it, slowly eatin' away at it. An' this hole jus' made itself, even though it had all these layers.' Rogue trailed away, looking Storm straight in the eye. Ororo saw that same vacant look plastered on her face, and shivered slightly.
'Ah'm like that piece of ice 'Ro. Only thin' is, Ah've had more than enough rainwater to make that hole so big, it *did* consume meh. An' there ain' nothin' Ah've tried that can make it freeze over again,' Rogue said distantly. And Storm felt the ice melt away and the sun hit her back, warming the water dripping down her costume.
And Rogue fall limp in her arms, her face unmarred and peaceful.
A/N: Whew. I'm done with this chapter. I know...it's not up there plot or standard wise but I just had to let it all out! Please review...even flames are greatly appreciated. Constructive criticism is good.
'Not again,' Kurt had muttered to himself.
'Does this happen often?' The Russian had asked him, pausing in his sketch to question him as one of the framed pictures nearby had quivered slightly.
'You could say that. Ve try and stay away from them both afterwards,' Kurt responded, subtly warning Piotr.
'Da. I believe that is very sensible,' Piotr replied, returning to his work. Kurt stared at the towering Colussus, noting that this was the longest conversation the two had ever had since the Acolytes had moved in with the X-Men. Piotr generally tended to keep to himself, shying away from the rest and preferring to indulge in his artistic aspirations. Though Kurt had spotted Kitty and him together on several occasions, the valley girl chattering on endlessly as Piotr quietly listened to what she was saying.
It was only when he had finally deemed it safe enough to venture out unharmed did he come upon the scene in the foyer. A sobbing Shadowcat being comforted by an uncomfortable Amara, who was trying to not let the older girl's tears stain her designer shirt; an enraged Remy cursing a blue streak – or at least sounded like he was, considering that he didn't speak a word of French.
'Quand Remy obtient le sien transmet sur cette balle bleue au poil touffu, allant me charger son âne désolé en haut (When Remy get's his hands on that furry blue ball, me going to charge his sorry ass up)!'
'Gumbo, if ya ain' gonna speak proper English, shut the hell up,' Kurt heard Logan grind out.
'Vhat's going on?' Kurt asked. Only to have a very angry Cajun try and pounce on him.
'Where did y'take ma chere?' Remy practically bellowed out, as he struggled to get free from Logan's grip.
'Huh? Vhat are you talking about? I was up vith Piotr this whole time!' Kurt protested, noticing the heated glare Remy was sending his way.
'Remy saw de smoke, had t'breathe in de emanations méchantes (nasty fumes)! Y'callin' Remy a liar homme?'
'No, I'm just saying that there's something wrong vith you!' Kurt retorted, his eyes narrowing at the Acadian.
'What is going on?' Peter's baritone voice broke through any comment Remy would have made in response to Kurt's barb. The tall Russian stood beside Kurt, a look of confusion drawing his features.
'What is this? A goddamn session of Twenty Questions?' Logan barked out, still maintaining his hold on Gambit. 'Rogue's missing and Gumbo here thinks that you teleported her outta there when him and her were talking.'
'And you think *I* took her? Vhat are you, insane?' Kurt said. 'And vhy is she gone?'
A gut-wrenching sob from Kitty threw Kurt off momentarily, as did her actions. She extracted herself from Amara and bolted up the stairs to throw herself into Piotr, who looked like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. Finally, he decided on awkwardly patting Kitty's trembling frame. He did not miss the growl Logan gave at the sight. Anxious, Kurt ported beside Logan, though keeping a healthy distance away from the former Acolyte.
'Vhat happened?' The blue boy insisted.
'Lemme give it to you straight Elf,' Jubilee announced, cracking her gum. 'The Addams family dyed Kit's clothes black. Kit started her banshee fest. Rogue retaliated. Some words were exchanged, leaning towards the Rogue 'no touchy' variety. Emotions swelled. Rogue's gone. Got it?'
'Vhat?' Kurt whispered. No. The one person who he was tied to with the bonds of family, the one person he could truly be himself around...Rogue!
'That word seems to be his only exclamation of surprise,' Amara noted.
'What can I say blue-blood? Must be a foreign thing,' Jubilee said, before blowing and popping a small bubble.
'Warum ist jeder nur stehend hier? Wir müssen Fund sie gehen! (Why is everyone just standing here? We have to go find her!)' Kurt demanded.
'Doesn't anyone in this place speak English anymore?' Logan asked.
'Where is ma chere!' Remy exploded, once again regaining Kurt's focus.
'I did not take her,' Kurt replied menacingly, baring his canines and his yellow eyes flashing slightly.
'He was with me,' Piotr spoke up. His hands ceased stroking Kitty's back as Logan looked their way again.
'If it wasn' y', den how did de femme manage t'do de disappearin' act?' Remy said accusingly.
'It wasn't Kurt that made Rogue teleport Remy,' the Professor's smooth voice cut through. 'It was Rogue herself who did it.' Xavier rolled into the foyer, Ororo beside him.
Logan finally let go of Remy, who appeared less angry then before, taking in the Professor's words.
'But that's not possible Professor,' Kurt said, also distracted from his anger. 'Didn't ve managed to help her keep control?'
'I will discuss this later on. For now, Storm will go out and retrieve her.' Xavier nodded to the white-haired woman, who inclined her head and took off.
'Remy be goin' too.'
'Hold your horses Cajun. Ya ain' goin' nowhere.'
'Vhat about me?'
'Non! Dere is no way Grover is comin' wit m'! De las' t'ing Remy needs is blue fur givin' away 'is trail!'
Kurt growled menacingly.
'Trust me, one whiff of your body odour will send them packing,' Logan commented.
'Neither of you will go. I believe that you have a Danger Room session to prep for Logan,' Xavier told the instructor steadily, his tone carrying a sense of authority that even the Wolverine felt compelled to obey.
'Fine,' the Canadian said gruffly. A smirk played upon his face before he spoke again. 'Gumbo, Elf and Tin Can. Suit up and meet me in five minutes.' Logan cracked his knuckles eagerly.
'Merveilleux (Wonderful). De badger's so happy because he wants t'make m'death seem like an accident.'
'Ja kamerad (comrade). Whatever you said,' Kurt agreed. 'But I think ve should be even more worried for Piotr.'
'Why is that?' Piotr questioned calmly, attempting, along with Jubilee and Amara, to pry the still sobbing Shadowcat off.
'If he didn't like Lance touching Kitty, what makes you think he'll like you any better?' Kurt asked before porting up to his room to change.
'Yeah Petey,' Jubilee said as Amara all but dragged Kitty away. 'It was nice knowing ya. And remember,' she continued with a flirtatious wink, 'I'm still available if you need me.'
With that, she walked out, leaving behind a red-faced Russian, an amused Xavier and a slightly smirking Remy.
Rogue coughed as more of the toxic smoke went through her nose. She fiercely tried waving away the black cloud that surrounded her, rapidly dissipating as a soft breeze swept through.
'Kurt! Get down here before Ah really get mad!' She called, feeling the slow tide of anger begin to engulf her. 'Kurt!' She yelled herself hoarse. A frown marred her features as she studied where her so-called brother had brought her. The late afternoon sun burned less brightly, pale rays of light slicing through the leafy canopy that stretched endlessly over her head.
Great. Kurt had taken his Tarzan obsession a bit too far.
'If ya don' show ya'self by tha time Ah count ta three, they'll never find tha body parts,' she vowed. 'An' Ah've been spendin' way too much time with Wolverine.'
Her thoughts returned to her mentor, her father figure if she dared – after all, she wasn't sure what self-respecting dad would encourage his daughter to rip a certain cocky Cajun to bits if he got 'too fresh wit'cha'. She knew he had been trying to help but his words just seemed to push her further away from the possibility of her ever gaining control of her powers. It was almost as if she had formed an impenetrable barrier in her mind towards the likelihood of that eventually happening. A faint rustle broke her train of thought.
'Kurt?' She said uncertainly. 'This ain' funny anymore Elf.'
'I'm afraid that Kurt was forced to remain back at the mansion. Hopefully, I'll prove a viable substitute,' Ororo's voice responded instead. Rogue looked up, her attention held by the descending weather goddess. Her white hair streamed down behind her and her eyes faded from a crisp white to her striking blue eyes. Storm landed beside her with poise and grace, leaving little for others to question her once regal standing amongst the tribes in Africa.
'Ah bet he teleported back 'cause he knew wha' was gonna come at him,' Rogue mumbled, loud enough for Storm to hear.
'What are you talking about child? Kurt has not stepped foot out of the mansion. Though,' Storm added dryly, 'not for lack of trying on his part.'
'Then how did Ah get here? Ah couldn't have teleported here by mahself,' Rogue retorted. Storm's eyes revealed little, but Rogue saw a little pity somewhere in her look. She snorted mentally, wondering why she would ever want to feel sorry for herself when there were so many others ready to do the job for her.
'Young Remy did mention something about you teleporting when he returned back. But all the French he managed to slip in could have caused some discrepancies,' Storm replied evenly. Rogue rolled her eyes at the thought of Remy speaking in rapid fire French – something which he usually did when he was particularly upset or angry, and also because he believed no one in the mansion spoke the tongue. She smirked, thinking of his reaction if she let slip one day in the future that she spoke fluent français.
'He also assumed that Kurt was the one to have taken you away as you two were conversing. It turns out that his blame too, was misguided.'
No...it couldn't be. The Professor had assured her that day that he had managed to safely lock away all the psyches that had been floating around in her mind. She herself had seen him build the mental safeguard in her head during their many sessions together.
'Ya don' know what ya're talkin' about,' Rogue told the adult flatly. 'There ain' no way Ah could 'ave teleported when Kurt's psyche's been locked away by tha Professor.'
'My child,' Storm began tentatively. Rogue felt her blood turn icy in trepidation as Storm's tone of voice registered in her mind. It was exactly like the Professor's when he had told her of the torrid mess her mind was bound to become if she didn't exact enough control; like Logan's when he had been forced to confront her about Mystique's relationship with her – which she had stalwartly refused to divulge – and when Kurt had tearfully confessed to her that it had been their own mother who had abandoned them both. In retrospect, she didn't predict much enjoyment on her behalf from whatever Storm was about to say.
'When Xavier used Cerebro to try and locate you, he detected another's presence-'
Rogue had the sudden urge to lift her hand and drain Storm dry.
'In your mind,' Storm finished. 'He believes that there is someone else attempting to take over your-'
'Isn' there always someone? Ah mean, that's all Ah'm good for ain' it? Nothin' more then a tool for some megalomaniac ta use for world dominance!' The last words came out as decibel-evading shriek as the Goth struggled to keep her emotions in check.
'Rogue,' Storm begun soothingly, reaching out for the conflicted teen.
'Don' touch meh!' Rogue vehemently screeched. Small drops of water pelted them both and the surrounding area. Storm looked up and was shocked to see thick, grey rain clouds cluster together. Thunder rumbled ominously as the weather witch felt the raindrops become bigger, heavier.
'Child, calm yourself!' Storm said loudly as she herself tried to calm the growing unease Rogue was generating in the environement.
'Look at meh 'Ro. Ah ain' nothin' but a pawn. Nothin' more, nothin' less. Whoeva wants in up inta this,' Rogue's eyes flashed pearly white as she tapped her temple, 'don' know what they're gettin' themselves inta.'
'You can fight this Rogue,' Storm found herself pleading, finally managing to grab onto Rogue's shoulders. Storm couldn't feel the ice forming on her hands, slowing making their way up her wrists, but her eyes widened when she caught sight of the frost binding her hands to Rogue.
'It's funny ya know? Logan said tha same thin' ta meh but for some reason, Ah jus' can' make mahself believe it,' Rogue said softly, almost a whisper. But Storm heard it nonetheless.
'Rogue, you are one of the strongest people I know. Do not let this consume you!' Storm said loudly. The rain was now coming down in sheets, beating down mercilessly on the two of them. Trees swayed threateningly about. She saw Rogue look down at her ice-encased hands, a vacant glaze seeming to come over her eyes as she saw the water make rivets in the ice. Rogue's emerald eyes shifted – from green to white, from white to blue, and then to a haunting golden yellow.
'See this hole?' Rogue asked Storm, pointing to a coin-sized gap that had appeared in the crystalline structure. Storm vaguely noticed that the tempest Rogue had created was growing weaker as her interest became fixated on the opening, allowing for the older woman to restrain the sudden natural squall.
'Tha ice, it was once nice an' whole wasn' it? But all that water ate away at it, slowly eatin' away at it. An' this hole jus' made itself, even though it had all these layers.' Rogue trailed away, looking Storm straight in the eye. Ororo saw that same vacant look plastered on her face, and shivered slightly.
'Ah'm like that piece of ice 'Ro. Only thin' is, Ah've had more than enough rainwater to make that hole so big, it *did* consume meh. An' there ain' nothin' Ah've tried that can make it freeze over again,' Rogue said distantly. And Storm felt the ice melt away and the sun hit her back, warming the water dripping down her costume.
And Rogue fall limp in her arms, her face unmarred and peaceful.
A/N: Whew. I'm done with this chapter. I know...it's not up there plot or standard wise but I just had to let it all out! Please review...even flames are greatly appreciated. Constructive criticism is good.