Disclaimer: I still don't own them. All rights belong to Sam Lee, Marvel, and whomever else own right, which sadly doesn't include myself.

Thanks to SharkGurl, Stampiej, Hotgirlow, Scryer59, DulceDulce Deleche, and last but not least, awh1202a. All your kind words means a lot. I hope all you continue to read and enjoy.

Chapter 5

"Alright everybody, you've got a ten minute break, then we'll be starting on a simulation." Scott alerted the group.

Rogue followed the group over to the cooler, that held bottles of water for them.

"Here Chica." Jubilee said handing Rogue a bottle.

"Thanks." Rogue said taking the bottle, breaking the seal and taking a long pull on the bottle.

"That was one show of strength Chica. How did you learn that move?"

Frowning as she thought of the best way to answer Jubilee's question honestly, while not giving the true answer away, Rogue finally answered with "Someone showed it to me."

"Cool, could you teach it to me too?"

"Sure, if you want, but there isn't much to it. What you saw me do, is pretty much all there is to it. There isn't any special moves. Just latch on, and squeeze with everything you've got. Sometimes it works, and sometime is doesn't." Rogue explained.

Ten minutes later everyone was standing in large circle as they listened to Scott give details of the next test.

"This simulation is to see how you work in teams. You'll be split into two teams. There is a flag hidden somewhere in the simulation. Your teams job is to find the flag, and capture it. The first team to capture the flag wins. Any questions?"

"Yeah, can we use our powers now?" Bobby asked.

"Yes. Any other questions?"

"I have one." Kitty said looking nervous and uncomfortable.

"What is it Kitty?" Scott asked as everyone looked over at her.

"Hmm, Dr. Grey said something about Rogue's mutation being her skin, and it being deadly. If she is allowed to use her mutation, does that mean she gets to touch us?" Kitty asked avoiding Rogue's eyes, but was extremely nervous.

"Oh," Scott said with a frown not knowing what to say. He hadn't thought about Rogue's skin.

"Perhaps, Rogue should sit this simulation out." Jean voiced an uncomfortable edge to her voice as she glanced at Rogue. "We could always test her separately." Jean suggested to Scott.

"Maybe that would be for the best." Scott stated trying to thing of what was best and safest for everyone. He looked over to Rogue, and saw the hard frown on her face. She reminded him of when she first agreed to think of joining the team.

"So much for fitting in." Rogue told Marie sarcastically.

"Give them a chance, killer skin is scary." Marie told herself.

"I say let her try out." Logan spoke up, smelling Rogue's resentment, but bitter acceptance at not being included. It was as if she had expected it.

"I don't think that's such a good idea, Logan. One of the kids could get hurt." Jean frowned upset, while working to keep her tone calm.

"If they're going to join the team, they're going to come up against a lot of mutants with mutations that could hurt them. Are they not going to fight because there's a chance of getting hurt. I thought this test was to see how well they could defend themselves." Logan threw back, his arms crossed against his chest as he challenge them.

Rogue was shocked at Logan's determination for her to be able to continue with the others. Wondering why he wasn't agreeing with Jean and Scott about her not doing the simulation. He had been blatant about his disagreeing with her joining or even trying out for the team. 'Maybe now that he knows I can fight, he's changed his mind.' Rogue reasoned to herself.

"It's just to dangerous." Jean stated firmly, glaring back at Logan.

"Fine, I won't touch them. I wasn't planning on touching anyone, anyway." Rogue snapped out. It wasn't like she wanted anyone of them stuck in her head. She had enough people along for the ride.

"I'm sorry Rogue, but an accident could happen. It's best if we test you ourselves." Jean stated trying to ease her tone, knowing how Charles wanted the girl to stay.

"Whatever, makes no difference to me." Rogue stated indifferent as crossing her own arms over her chest.

Charles sighed disappointed. This was not helping to make Rogue feel welcome, and want to stay and join them. He understood both Scott's and Jean's concern for the children against Rogue's skin, however Logan was also correct. If the children did join the team, they would face many dangerous mutants who wouldn't not attack them, just because they could get hurt.

Scott finished giving out the instructions about what was expected, then assigned the teams when Logan only thrust the clip board at him with a deep frown.

"Team A will be, Colossus, Pyro, and Jubilee. Team B will be, Gambit, Shadow Cat, and Iceman. The simulation will automatically start once we get to the observation deck, so be ready." Scott explained. Hank grabbed the cooler, and then everyone not participating in the simulation left to head upstairs.

Charles couldn't read Rogue as she entered the room with the others, but he could tell by her expression and the hardened eyes, that they had lost ground with her. She was upset, but it was also obvious, at least to him, that this was normal for her. That once people learned of her mutation, she was someone to be scared of. An outcast, one could say. Now he understood better why she had claimed that she wasn't a team player, about her mutation not being one that leans toward team building. She was use to being on her own, because everyone was scared of her, and stayed away from her. Charles's was distressed at this error on their part, but hoped they could make up for it.

Logan smelt Chuck's sadness, and distress as he looked at Rogue as she entered the room. Logan was right behind her, and he had saw the discouragement in the old man's gaze. Logan knew that Chuck was upset about them not letting Rogue join in on the simulation too. The more Logan thought about it, the more he was starting to suspect that Chuck knew there was more to Rogue, than meet the eye. That was why he was willing to let her join the team. He knew she had known how to fight. Logan wondered if there was more to Rogue's mutation too. He figured he find out soon enough. He was more curious about her now. He wanted to see her in action. Even knowing that there was more to her than they assumed, he still didn't like the thought of her in danger. He planned on make sure, that before she ever saw a real battle, she could defend herself against someone meaning to kill her. He didn't understand why he was feeling so protective of her, but his gut was never wrong. So he was going to do everything he could to make sure she knew how to protect herself.

Rogue stayed in the back, while the older adults stood near the glass; so they could see down below to the simulation, and the kids. Plopping down in a metal chair, she used another one to put her feet up in. While the others were distracted she worked on trying to focus on centering herself. She was trying to regain control of her skin. Ever since the lab, control was just out of her reach. She knew it was because of what she had suffered. Her body and mind were still in fight mode. It was so frustrating that she could control all her stolen mutations, but she couldn't control her very own. Sighing with irritation at not being able to reach the switch, she gave up and just tried to relax. Knowing things were going to be rough enough when it was her turn. After watching the X-men fight, the only one she knew who could best her in a fight was Logan. It would only be with the use of her powers that she would be able to beat him. She was going to have to be very careful and on her toes, when she went up against him. He seemed determined to make sure she could fight, which meant he would mostly likely push her to her limits.

Bring up all the memories of the trained fighters in her mind, she occupied herself in reviewing moves that she had learned from routine practice and because the ones she had touched knew them. Feeling eyes on her sometime later, Rogue opened her eyes to see Logan watching her with an intense gaze. She returned his gaze unflinchingly, even going so far as quirking a curious brow at him. He only quirked one back, before having to turn his attention to something Ro was saying to him.

Rogue studied the people around her, and questioned herself again if staying was really the smart thing to do. 'I've got some money stashed away. I can go get it, and start over some where again. I don't need these people.' Rogue told herself. They would only be a nuisance to her.

"We do need them too." Marie argued back.

"Why, they don't care about us." Rogue argued with herself.

"Scott cares, and you know it."

"He's scared of our skin."

"Who isn't? At least they're not running away in terror, or scream for us to get away from them." Marie replied.

"Jean doesn't like me." Rogue growled upset.

"She doesn't trust us, because she can't read us like she can with everyone else. Ro, and Hank seem nice. They like us." Marie replied easily.

"They do seem nice. I don't trust the Blue dude, though. He's a doctor, a genius too." Rogue growled out not happy, shivers racing through just at the though of what a genius doctor could do.

"He doesn't seem like all the other doctors at the labs." Marie said, but sounded nervous and hesitate as well.

"Charles only wants us for our powers. We'd make the perfect weapon for his little team. Especially if there is a war coming, like everyone is talking about." Rogue smarted coolly.

Marie sighed distressed, "I don't want to be a weapon. I want a normal life. I want to be loved, and love someone in return. I want a family of my own. He said we didn't have to join his team to have a place here."

"I wouldn't hold my breath. This Logan guy is hard to figure out. One minute he's demanding that we can't join, then the next he's defending our right to participate with the others. I thought Jean, and Charles would be the one to be a challenge. I'm starting to think, this guy might be our biggest challenge. You know who he's related too." Rogue growled.

"Yeah, but he doesn't remember, plus he hated his guts." Marie said quickly.

"You like him. You're attracted to him." Rogue started.

"So. He's good looking. A lot better than that Gambit guy. It's not like he's ever going to want us. I can at least enjoy the view." Marie purred.

Rogue let her eyes linger on Logan's form. Her eyes traveling up from his feet, up to study his rugged and strong profile.

"You win." Rogue smirked to herself.

Rogue's attention was taken off of Logan, when she heard Scott speak into the loud speaker. "Good job Team B. Excellent planning and execution. Alright guys, go get lunch. We'll meet back in the Danger room in two hours." Scott addressed the group in the danger room, then turned to look at the Professor. "What did you think Professor?" Scott asked.

"I think they all have potential. They still need more training. I'm sure Logan has already marked where they could use some improvements. I want for the two of you to come up with a personal workout schedule for each of them, that will concentrate on strengthening those weakness." Charles instructed.

"Rogue are you ready, or would you like to get lunch first?" Scott asked turning to address. Causing everyone to turn to look at her.

"Might as well get it over with. Since I couldn't play with the kiddies because ya'll were scared I'd hurt one of them, does that mean I get to use my skin on ya'll?" Rogue asked playing with her gloved hands.

"No." Jean replied immediately, nervousness evident in her voice.

"Uhmm?" Scott hemmed and hauled, unsure what to say.

"Relax Summers," Rogue said coming to her feet, a cool and hard look coming into her eyes as she looked at the team. "I don't need my skin to defeat you." Rogue stated confidently, then turned and walked from the room.

Logan smirked amused at Scott shocked and uncertain look.

"Looks like the kid's got your number Scooter."

"Shut up, Logan." Scott hissed out upset. He hadn't meant to upset Rogue. He just didn't know what to do about her skin. If her skin was deadly, a simple touch could hurt or kill one of them.

"That's enough gentlemen. I do believe you still have a simulation to do. Rogue is already waiting downstairs for you." Charles stated upset himself.

This was not going as he had hoped. They were losing Rogue already. 'Perhaps asking her to join the team so soon was a mistake.' Charles thought to himself.

It was obvious that even his seasoned X-men were scared of her skin. Charles watched as the team filed out of the room heading downstairs. "Perhaps I should have let them get to know Rogue better, before having her join the team. It would have let them get used to her powers. However, I cannot undo what is already done. Let us hope she will not hold this against them." Charles sighed distressed as the team entered the Danger room below.