Xavier surveyed Rogue as she nibbled absently on a chocolate chip cookie Ororo had left behind. The tall window panes of his study let the noon light filter through unimpeded and cast shadows against the heavy wood furniture that decorated the room. It also highlighted the almost gaunt appearance of the girl in front of him, causing a dull thread of pain in his heart.

'So you are saying that Apocalypse has created replicas of the psyches in your head?' Xavier finally said. Although faint, the Professor could sense Remy's presence nearby. And it was almost hard to ignore the blatant existence of Kurt and Kitty lurking somewhere behind the door.

Rogue nodded. 'They said somethin' about a key. Once Ah get tha key, Ah can let tha originals out.'

He contemplated this. How had Apocalypse managed to achieve something this substantial without his knowledge? It frightened him, somewhat, the power that this mutant seemed to possess. Xavier turned his attention to the girl before him, his eyes narrowing in thought.

'Did they happen to mention what this key might be? Or where it is located?' He asked.

'No! It's lahke they expectmeh to know that already!' Rogue exclaimed and raked a hand viciously through her two toned hair. 'All Ah know is that they're in some kind of room, an' that ya psyche tol' 'em that Ah needed ta let 'em out.'

'It is strange that Cody appeared with you, did it not?' Xavier asked, referring to the vision that she had described to him. He had detected a note of wistfulness and anguish whenever Rogue had said the name, and a part of him was curious as to the boy's impact upon Rogue's childhood. He saw Rogue pause in her chewing, and then swallow slowly, staring at her skin.

'Perhaps your mind manifested the most trusted person you knew,' Xavier replied kindly. Rogue let out a bitter laugh, the sound marred by scars too deep for someone her age. No words were exchanged as Rogue begun mechanically finishing her cookie, and Xavier stared out the window into the clear blue sky. The appearance of Cody in her vision tickled the edge of his understanding, giving him another piece of the puzzle that he had to fit neatly somewhere to make the picture more coherent. But perhaps it was best not to push Rogue any further today.

'If ya don' mind Professah, Ah'm goin' ta mah room.'

'Of course Rogue,' Xavier responded with understanding. He faintly heard the faint sound of Kurt teleporting and Kitty's slight shriek of surprise before the pungent smell of brimstone creeped into the study. Subtlety was not Nightcrawler's strength unless called for, it seemed. The Professor saw Rogue glance hesitantly at him, as if wanting to say something. Xavier slanted the girl an encouraging look.

'If Apocalypse really does plan ta use meh as some kind of vessel, maybe ya need ta start thinkin' of ways ta permenantly remove meh from tha problem,' Rogue said, schooling her face to show no emotion. Xavier let the statement hang in the air.

'You know that I cannot do that Rogue.'

Without a word, Rogue folded herself out of the chair. Xavier heard the solid thud of the door as it closed behind the Goth, and his gaze returned to the sky, the dull ache that had been in his heart intensified.

---

Rogue tried in vain to regain her composure as she made her way past the deserted corridor outside the Professor's study. The pungent smell that Kurt had left behind lingered the air and a part of her felt that she should be angry that they had invaded what small bubble of privacy that she had managed to keep. Distantly, she wondered if Irene was still somewhere in the mansion.

It had indeed been strange that Cody had appeared alongside a young Marie in her vision. Rogue wondered if he had ever gotten out of the coma she had put him in. She had never asked Irene, and Destiny had never told her. A small smile graced her lips as she remembered a time when everything had seemed simple, when her mutation had been nothing but a rare skin condition that had needed to be covered up.

Rogue's feet sunk into the plush carpet as she bypassed the main hub of activity within the mansion. The kitchen was always filled with teenage mutants trying to sate their appetite, and she didn't feel like being stared at again. The whispers would start and no matter how hard she tried to ignore them, sooner or later those words would crawl under her skin and start to affect her. She was actually surprised that she hadn't run into anyone, especially Remy. Whenever she got hurt on a mission, he had an annoying habit of treating her like some kind of frail glass doll.

'Bonjour chere.'

Gambit's smooth voice almost made Rogue jump out of her skin. Drawing in a deep breath to calm her racing heart, Rogue's mind cast around for something to say that wouldn't seem awkward. After all, the last time she had seen him she had broken down like some weak, pathetic helpless girl.

'Do ya always have ta slink aroun' lahke some goddam' cat, Swamp Rat?' Anger was always her default emotion. He was behind her so she kept walking, hoping that that would throw him off. She quickened her pace when she heard his footsteps behind her, now loud and deliberate so that she could hear them. Sighing in defeat, Rogue turned around to face him, her eyes closed. After everything that had happened, she just wanted to sit down somewhere and think.

'What Remy?' She opened her eyes and found the Acadian regarding her without his usual smile. Instead, an expression she had never seen before was plastered across his features.

'Y'okay?' He simply asked, standing there and looking at her intently as he waited for her reply.

'Look, Ah already know ya were outside tha Professah's study lurkin' abou'.'

'T'at ain' w'at Remy was askin' abou' chere.'

Rogue found herself growing frustrated again.

'How d'ya think Ah feel Swamp Rat? Ah've jus' had someone tell meh that some psychopathic mutant wants ta use mah body ta wipe out humankind. Ah don' know,' Rogue said sarcastically. 'Maybe Ah feel…'

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Remy's hands reach for hers. Instinctively, she found herself taking a step back. Cody had touched her, and she had seen the veins protrude through his skin and his eyes roll back. No one should ever touch her.

'I ain' gonna hurt y',' she heard Remy whisper to her as his fingers lingered closer to her wrists. Numbly, Rogue watched as he encircled both her hands. And then, her mind registered that she wasn't wearing her gloves. She jerked back, trying to escape his grasp.

'It's alrigh' petite. I got gloves on, see?' He wiggled his leather covered digits in front of her. Seeing the leather, Rogue relaxed.

'Remy?' Rogue found herself saying.

'Oui?'

It was as if she couldn't control herself. A small part of her reminded her that she had already cried in front of him, what was the harm in doing it again? Another part inhaled the familiar smell that Remy carried around and sought the comfort that the Cajun seemed to bring her. Tears tracked down her cheeks as she looked at him, his face blurring around the edges. She saw that same unreadable expression on his face and then Rogue felt her head being pressed against his chest and his fingers running soothingly through her hair.

'C'mon chere. Y'room jus' be round the corner. Remy don' t'ink y'want t' see the others yet, non?'

She let him lead her to her room. Still not letting go of her, Remy jiggled the door open and poked his head inside. Grinning broadly to show that there was no one inside, he tugged her in.

Rogue followed him obediently, a small part of her taking in the solace that her room offered. The deep emerald green that she and Kitty had agreed upon reminded Rogue of a lush oasis. Of course, she noted dryly, the effect was somewhat hampered by the explosion of pink and riot of soft toys scattered around Kitty's half of the room.

Collapsing against her bed, Rogue snuggled deeper into the soft pillows and felt her tired muscles sigh in relief. Ignoring the Cajun's soft chuckle, Rogue shimmied out of her combat boots to lay spread eagled on the bed.

'Ya can go now.' Rogue hadn't meant to sound so rude, but she could still feel Remy's stare burning through her skin. It felt like someone had sent electricity zinging through her body, making her toes curl and her body shiver with delight.

'Remy ain' gonna let y'die Rogue.'

That did it. Her eyes snapped open and she jotled upright. 'What? What are ya talkin' abou'?'

'Heard y'speakin' t'de Professor.'

Rogue swallowed. She didn't want to have this conversation now, not yet. 'It ain' your decision Cajun. It's mine. Ah ain' gonna loose control again. Too many people got hurt because of meh. Ah don' wan' that ta happen again.'

Remy's eyes narrowed and something flickered across his eyes. It was something that called to her and made her uneasy and excited at the same time.

'D'ya know what its lahke, Rem?' Rogue began. She saw him start at the affectionate nickname. 'Ah know everyone says that it ain' mah fault, that ya'll can help meh find a way outta this mess. Ya can'. It's all up here,' she continued, tapping her temple. 'If tha Professor can' help meh, Ah sure as hell can'. No matter what Cody said.' The last part was said in a whisper, not meant for Remy's ears.

'Dis here matyr charade ain' workin' chere,' Remy said softly. Rogue's anger snapped.

'Ah ain' tryna be some kinda saint. If it's a choice between hundreds of lives bein' spared, or mine-'

'Y'life is jus' as important!' Remy yelled, loosing all pretence of calm. 'I ain' gonna sit by an' watch some bâtard derange sacrifice y'!'

Rogue stared at him as he focused those eyes unwaveringly upon her. Instinctively, almost by its own accord, his hand reached out to cup her cheek. She leaned in to his touch, suddenly hungry for what comfort he could offer. Her cheeks were still sticky with tears and she was horrified to learn that her eyes were misting over again.

'Ya done nothing but make meh cry Remy,' Rogue whispered. The Acadian bestowed a soft smile upon her, a finger rubbing her face tenderly.

Marie felt Cody slip his fingers through hers, their palms touching.

'Jus' sleep mon chéri. Remy will be here when y'wake up.'

'Do ya trust me Marie?'

Clasping his hand, Rogue gently tugged Remy towards her. She knew he would be careful. Heedlessly, Remy doffed his own boots and lay down next to Rogue. Dragging the comforter to wrap her up, he wound his arms around the sheets and tucked her head under his chin.

'Always, Cody, always.'