Title: Escape From the Abyss

Author: Zannna aka Lizzie on roswellfanatics . net

Pairing: Liz/Logan

Rating: Mature: Language, violence, and mild smoochies. Here is where the language warning comes in. There is a very bad word in this chapter, one that I have never even spoken out loud, but I couldn't find a satisfactory replacement. You are warned.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Roswell belongs to Jason Katims et al. X-Men belongs to Marvel et al. I don't even own the idea for this fic as it is a challenge: Crossover Challenge # 16 by Jezebel Jinx on roswellfanatics . net.

Additional Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I like this one because it thoroughly covers my ass.

AN: Timeline: As far as X-Men goes we are between the first and the second movie. When Logan shows up we will be approximately at the beginning of the second movie, but he is going to hang around for awhile before anything from the movie happens. Cheers!

(Liz pov)

I was stuck in the infirmary for five days. I was allowed some visitors, and Rogue came down to visit several times a day. She was very worried about me, and missed my company. Storm brought me my school work, and I finished it fairly quickly. It was extremely boring in the infirmary, and I was glad for the busy work.

On the fifth day Dr. Grey and Professor Xavier agreed that I could move back up to my room, as long as I took it easy. I hadn't had any more symptoms, and I was recovering nicely. I was still very tired, but that was to be expected. I hadn't had any of the dreams while I was in the infirmary, so it came as a great surprise to be pulled into one the night I returned to my room.

This dream I didn't remember. All I could tell you about it is that I woke up screaming and crying, feeling like my heart had been ripped in two. After I finally caught my breath I looked around to find Rogue stuck to the wall above the couch next to the door. She looked like she had gotten caught in fly paper. "Rogue?" I asked. "What the hell?"

She looked at me with wide eyes. "I just tried to wake you up from your nightmare," she said in her soft southern accent. "I shook your shoulder, and the next thing I know, I'm slamming into the wall."

In a flash I realized that I must be pinning her to the wall with some power or other. As soon as I realized this, I blinked, and Rogue fell to the couch below her with an audible "Oomph!"

I got out of my bed as quickly as I could and hobbled over to Rogue. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" She righted herself on the couch, then stood up.

"I'm fine," she said. "I should know better than to try to wake someone up from a nightmare by touching them by now." I raised an eyebrow. "Long story. I'll tell you later." Rogue said. I nodded.

Rogue sighed and sat on her bed. "From now on I'll just chuck couch pillows, or random objects at you from across the room. Then hopefully I'll be out of the line of fire."

I giggled at this. "Just try not to throw anything too heavy." I said. I took a deep breath. "Thank you for waking me up Rogue. I don't remember what the dream was about, but I know it was something awful."

"Sure thing, Sug. What are friends for?" said Rogue. We smiled at each other dopily, and cuddled back down in our beds to sleep.

A few days later I walked into Professor Xavier's office for a meeting with him and Dr. Grey. We were going to discuss my test results, and the working theory they had come up with to explain what was happening to me.

After this latest incident, seeing as how Dr. Grey was the main one treating me, Professor X had gotten my permission to work with her on my case. After being under her care, I was starting to like her a bit more. There was still that niggling doubt in the back of my mind that said she couldn't be trusted, but she hadn't given me a reason to doubt her so far.

The three of us settled in for the meeting. "Liz," Professor Xavier began. "While we have reached some conclusions regarding your condition, I must say that we have never seen anything like it. Neither have we found anything similar in our research. For now, we are going to go by what we know, the laws of medicine and physics, to figure out a way for you to cope with these changes."

"Liz," Dr. Grey took over. "While your genetic markers initially showed the X-gene with the variations in the DNA that would lead to a Psy class mutation, the latest results were significantly altered. The magnitude of your mutation has increased, and there are now genetic markers indicative of a low level feral mutation. You can expect to see additional powers begin to manifest. Better senses: hearing, sight, smell. Increased strength, agility, and speed. Also a healing factor component may manifest. The genetic testing shows these additions to be weak, so they shouldn't effect you too much."

I sat there biting my bottom lip to keep from laughing hysterically. Feral? Seriously? Unbelievable. I looked at the ceiling. "Well, Fuck you too universe!" I thought at it strongly. I saw the Professors' eyebrows raise in censure. "Sorry Professor." I said. "Please continue. I feel we should get it all out in the open before I start to asks questions or react. Otherwise I'm libel to lose it early and ruin the meeting."

The corner of Professor Xavier's mouth quirked up softly. "Very well." He said. "The other major find, out of the multitude of test we ran, is that your brain is working above normal parameters. You are using nearly 20% of your brain, which is one of those things that is unheard of."

I sat there shocked. Naesedo had said something about their powers being human. How their powers were just a leap foreword in evolution, and that someday humans would evolve to that point also. Since humans only normally use 10% of their brain, it would make sense that the Pod Squad's brain's were more active. Too bad she had never seen an EEG taken from one of them. The results could be very enlightening.

Dr. Grey spoke next, "It is theorized that humans will eventually evolve to the point of using more than 10% of their brain. Some people believe this will unlock the potential for powers in humans. Which is ironic seeing as how we are the next step in evolution, and we have powers, and it is the X-gene and not more active brain's that cause this. Of course we have to take into account that every mutation is different, and some mutations may well tap into the unused potential of the brain." She took a breath and looked to the professor. He nodded for her to continue.

"We believe that whatever you encountered jump started the evolutionary process in your DNA. Since you are a mutant, your mutant gene is pushing forward, and you are gaining new types of mutations. Your brain is the other thing that is evolving. In the natural world the size of the brain has made the difference in who is at the top of the food chain, as it were. The size and functionality of the brain is a distinct evolutionary marker in the progress of a species.

"We don't know how far you are going to evolve, or even how far you can evolve before problems arise. It seems that these changes and mutations happen when you have one of these episodes. You had one before you got here, and our initial tests showed anomalies that we wouldn't expect to find in a mutant. This latest episode altered you even more, but outside of these episodes you are perfectly healthy and stable. We can't predict what another episode would do to you, and we're hoping to come up with a way to stop them from happening again."

I sat in silence for a minute, absorbing this information. I thought I was a freak before? Now I was like the Queen of Freaks and Freakiness. How was I supposed to deal with new mutations popping out of the woodwork all the time? I wouldn't even have time to get used to one before another popped up. That is if I kept having these 'episodes.' Looking down at my hand, I saw a few streaks of Green Lightning. It would be best to assume it would happen again, and plan accordingly.

And I didn't even know where to start on this brain thing. If I classified it as a 'Czechoslovakian' problem, then that meant I was turning into to one of them on top of the problems with my mutation. If I developed the powers they had, they would be coming from a different place. And how many would I get? When you added together all of the different powers the Pod Squad had, and then all the different kind of mutations out there, I was looking at serious issues here. Getting a couple new powers might be useful, and even cool. But how many could I get before I went insane?

I turned to look at the professor. "We have to find a way to stop this." I pleaded. "There will be nothing left of me if this goes too far." Even though Dr. Grey and Professor Xavier thought all this was to do with her mutation, and had no clue about the other factor, the results were the same. Developing too many powers, maybe even some opposing powers, would end up destroying me.

Professor X, as I learned some of the students called him, rolled out from behind his desk, and steered his chair over next to mine. He put a gentle hand on my shoulder, and looked at me earnestly. "We will do everything we can to help you, Elizabeth. You have my word." He said.

"Thank you, Professor." I said.

"Now then," said Professor X. "I believe it's time for supper, and Rogue is very eager to see you." He backed up his char and motioned to the door. I stood, and nodded to them both, before heading out to dinner.

(Xavier pov)

I watched as Liz left my office, and waited until I was sure she was out of hearing range. "Jean," I said worriedly. "I don't know why exactly, maybe it's the fact that some form of radiation caused both Liz and Senator Kelly's uncontrolled mutations, but I keep seeing the last moments of his life. You know Storm shared the memory with me? It was as if his body came undone. Like it was reduced to it's base components, and lost molecular cohesion. I fear the same thing could happen to Miss Parker if we don't find some way to stop this. The human body, or mutant body as the case may be, is not meant to be able to adapt to such drastic physical and genetic changes. And especially not all in such a short period of time."

"I know Charles," said Jean. "We'll figure it out. We'll do everything in our power to help her."

But will it be enough? I thought. Only time would tell.

(Liz pov)

One week later.

I lay on a lounge chair next to the gargantuan pool in the back of the mansion. Rogue had finally convinced me to have a 'pool day.' I was glad that she did. It was beautiful out. The sun was shining down on us warming our skin as we lounged side by side. There was a little metal table in between our chairs with two glasses of iced down lemonade. We had fashionable sunglasses on, and were slathered in sun block. I had stolen some gloves from the infirmary, so I could get lotion on Rogue's back for her, and so she could do mine. We weren't laying out to tan, especially since we would both burn horribly. People as pale as us didn't tan. We were just enjoying the relaxing warmth of the sunshine.

Everyone else out today had either found something else to do, or were on the far side of the pool, and giving us a wide berth. We were both in bikini's you see. Normally this wouldn't repel people, but apparently the sight of so much of Rogue's skin on display was as good as a twelve foot neon flashing 'Danger Biohazard' sign hung over our heads. Even Ice Man and Pyro had made themselves scarce on what was a prime ogling opportunity. I had a feeling they were out there somewhere, in the trees, maybe at a window in the mansion, with binoculars and leers out in full force.

I didn't know what Rogue saw in Bobby. He seemed bland to me. Flavorless like a piece of gum you chewed too long. He was just there, nothing about him drew me in. He was nice, and a good friend, but I wouldn't want him for a boyfriend. Maybe I was prejudiced since Max had been such a boy scout goody goody himself. Sure he seems sweet and caring, but he was a teenage boy. Like Max, if he wasn't getting it from his girlfriend I had a feeling he was getting it somewhere else. Or maybe it was just how boring Bobby seemed to me that made me disregard him as boyfriend material. Rogue said she liked him in part because he was brave enough to be her boyfriend. Everyone else shied away from her like she was a leper. She had told me the story behind why she should have known not to wake me up from a nightmare like that, so I couldn't blame them. Too much at least. You would think that after awhile they would get used to her, and be more polite. After all they weren't at this school because they were all John and Jane Normal.

Of course I had discussed my feelings on Bobby with Rogue. That was the kind of friends we were. We didn't sugar coat things, and we gave each other our honest opinions. Alex was the only one I had this sort of relationship with before. I missed him terribly. I always had to be careful around Maria, because certain things just set her off, and not in a good way. To preserve my ability to hear I had to edit some things out of our conversations.

While it was a relief to speak so frankly with Rogue, it was also difficult to lie to her about some things. We had finally come to an agreement that anything we didn't want to tell the other, or couldn't tell the other, we would just say 'That's one of those things,' and move on. The other person didn't learn those things they shouldn't, or things that were dangerous, and we didn't lie to each other.

I was just about dying to tell Rogue about the abyss though. Just to have someone to talk to about it.

I reached out for my glass of lemonade, and took a sip through the pink twisty straw. Hmm. That's the stuff.

"Enjoying your drink there Liz?" Rogue's amused voice floated over the space between us.

I turned to her and raised an eyebrow in question.

"You have a blissed out expression on your face, and you were moanin,' Sug." She said.

I blushed. "It's just nice to relax that's all," I replied.

"Amen, sister!" she said. We giggled, and I put my drink back down.

I breathed in deeply, and the smell of coconut oil, and suntan lotion was heavy in the air. I could also vaguely smell fresh cut grass, and pine sap. I could hear the mower going all the way out in the front yard, and the woods were about 500 yards from where we were laying. Well damn! Here come those feral senses Professor Xavier and Dr. Grey were talking about.

I blinked and turned my head towards the mansion. There was a reflection off of something in the third floor window closest to the pool. I squinted. My eyes focused rapidly, like a good telephoto lens on a camera. It made me dizzy, and I had to close my eyes for a moment before opening them and trying again. Sure enough there was a large telescope pointing out the window, and the end of it was moving around like there was a fight going on. I closed my eyes and focused my ears in the same direction.

"Dammit, Pyro! It's my turn! Give over!" I heard from whom I thought must be Bobby.

"Chill out Ice Man! You'll get your turn in a minute!" came Pyro's witty reply.

There were some banging sounds, and the noise of moving fabric, followed by various grunts and curses. Then there was the sound of whooshing air, and a loud CRASH! I turned to look. The telescope had fallen to it's death. As I looked closer at it I noticed it was the one from Professor Xavier's office. That thing had to of cost thousands of dollars. Those boys were in deep shit.

"Robert Drake, St. John Allerdyce? What are you boys doin' hanging out the window with the Professor's telescope?" raged Rogue, jumping up from her lounge chair, and spinning in the direction of the mansion. "You better not be Peepin' Tom! If you wanna' look at us girls then put on some swimsuits, get yer asses down here an' look! Don't skulk around like a couple of lowlife cowardly perves! Getting' what you want a look at from the shadows, without payin' us our due in return!" she screamed at them. I was standing next to her now with my arms folded, and a glare on my face. We saw them step back from the window and take off into the mansion.

"Yeah, you better run," I called after them. "If we catch you before the staff there will be hell to pay!" We continued standing there for a minute. We looked at each other, shook our heads and went back to our lounge chairs. "That should keep them busy for awhile. No need to waste energy chasing them, when we could be out here relaxing."

"That's right Liz," said Rogue. "Let those fool boys chase their tails for awhile, burn off some of that stupid from their brains." Her southern accent came out more when she was relaxed. Also when she was mad. Huh, maybe just when she was emotional?

"Rogue?" I asked. She hmmmd at me. "What did you mean by 'our due in return?'"

She chuckled. "If they're gonna ogle us in our bikini's, we should get to ogle them in their swim trunks. It's the rules of the beach, and only fair."

"True that." I said back with a chuckle of my own. "Swim?" I asked.

"Sure!" said Rogue.

We set down our sunglasses on our little table, and jumped into the pool. We swam around, and goofed off for awhile. We were careful not to get too close, and avoid skin contact. But we could still splash at each other and have a good time.

After half an hour we decided to get out, dry off, and put on another layer of sun screen. Hard learned fact: Even if your sun block is water proof, in order to avoid a sunburn, you must re-apply after toweling off. I got the sunburn from Hell when my family went to a lake when I was six, and I eventually figured out that this was the reason behind it. All I can say is: Never Again. Rogue laughed good naturedly with me as I told her this when we were drying off.

A girl I didn't know walked up to me and Rogue. She had white blond hair, cropped close to her head, and watery grey eyes. I looked at Rogue questioningly. She shrugged. She didn't know her either.

"You know," the strange girl began. "You shouldn't run around in a bikini Rogue. Not only are you putting the rest of us in danger, but your pudge is hanging out." She finished meanly.

Rogue looked taken aback. She looked down to her perfectly toned stomach. True she wasn't stick thin like an anorexic supermodel, but there was no 'pudge' anywhere on her body.

"I'd watch myself if I were you Rosemary," I said. I had finally remembered what the cut of her hair reminded me of. It was just like Mia Farrow's in 'Rosemary's Baby.' "I tend to do strange things when you piss me off." I finished.

'Rosemary' scoffed. "Whatever! I don't know why you hang out with her anyway! She's just a dumb attempted murderer! I bet you didn't know that before you agreed to room with her did you? She's almost killed someone. Twice! The same person! And now you follow this loser around like a lost puppy! It makes me wonder if there is more to it. You're girlfriends aren't you? Just a couple of dykes contaminating this school by your mere presence."

Green Lightning had started to spark along my skin. Even though I was as straight as the day is long, I could not abide by someone using such derogatory words about anyone. It brought all of us down closer to the muck whenever anyone used such filthy words. Who was this bitch to judge people who were different anyways? She was so obviously a mutant, after all. I tried to take deep breaths to calm myself down before I had another episode.

Rogue noticed me struggling, and stepped forward. "So what if we are bitch?" she said derisively. Nice tack Rogue. Turn the insult around, acknowledge it and apply it to yourself, and you take away it's power. "Liz is my soul mate, and I don't care who knows. I'll scream it from the rooftops if you want me to!" Rogue dramatically threw her arms wide and tipped her head back to yell at the sky. "I love Elizabeth Parker! We're lovers! She does things to me that are so pleasurable that I cannot even explain! She makes my heart sing, and my soul dance in fields of poppies!" here I had to snort. Could souls really do that? Rogue was slowly twirling as she professed her undying love, and praised my sexual prowess. But it did the trick, I burst out laughing as the anger melted away to nothing. The GL slowly faded away, and I was in control of myself once more.

"Rogue is my bitch, and I'm sticking by her. So, I would get my homophobic ineffectual ass out of here if I were you." I said stepping between Rogue and the interloper.

'Rosemary's' face was a bright mottled red by this point. "If you love Rogue so much why don't you touch her!" she snarled. Then before Rogue or I could do anything, Rosemary charged at me like a linebacker, and tackled me toward the pool. It seemed like slow motion. The crazy bitch's shoulder rammed into my stomach making the air whoosh out of me. She kept pushing me and running until I ran into Rogue, and then she pushed us both into the pool. I felt a strong burning sensation, and then the cold of the water as it closed over us. Then everything went dark.