Using our powers, Gambit's thief abilities and Danger Room training, we were able to "borrow" the X-men's vehicles. Two hummers and-

"No way, he'll kill you!" Robert warned as I got on Scott's motorcycle.

Yeah, this was probably the stupidest thing I could do, but I really didn't care. I gave a wolfish grin at my friends.

Everyone looked at each other, sharing the same look. Everyone had noticed my change in clothing, Peter nearly fainted! While they discussed how they thought I wouldn't want to go on our little adventure, I soaked in their shock. It was the exalt reaction that I wanted. No more Miss Nice and Innocent tonight! I was going to get hammered, I was going to party hard, and I was gonna ride this bike!

"Do you even know how ta ride one of those?" Paige asked suspiciously.

"No," I admitted leaned forward on the bike. "Do any of you guys?"

Nearly everyone shook their heads, either at my foolishness or because they didn't know how. They didn't know what had gotten into me and they were a little afraid. I could feel it. But they didn't want t say anything to ruin tonight. The crazier, the better.

"I do cher." Gambit stepped forward. "But yah sure yah wanna do this? It's pretty risky. Both the drive and getting on Granny Summers' bad size don't seem to smart to Gambit."

"So? He won't catch me." I defended. And, if he does, I'll just erase it from his mind. I hope Jean can't tell when that's happened. "So are you going to help me out or do I have to figure this thing out by myself?"

Gambit grimaced and stepped forward. "Okay petite, if yah say so. First, this clutch-"

"Ugh, I don't want a lesson, I just want to go!" I gave the Cajun a mischievous smile. "Can we just do this the fast way?"

"What do yah mean by-" Suddenly it dawned in those black and red eyes. "Oh."

"Just the skills and know how." I promised. "No memories, thoughts, or private stuff. I swear."

"Come on Gambit!" John called from the Hummer's roof where he had decided to sit. "It'll take forever otherwise."

"All right petite," Gambit said warily. "Uh, you can do this?"

I nodded eagerly while thinking, well, we're about to find out, aren't we?

The others quieted down as I put my hand up to Remy's forehead, connecting our minds. Swimming in the Bayou, robbing some rich guys house, Rogue dreams, Rogue moments blab la bla, ah! Here it is!

It was like I down loaded his skills and knowledge of motorcycles into my mind.

Opening my eyes and smiling, I said. "Let's ride."

"Finally! I call driving." John slipped off the roof and dove into the driver's seat. The group descended onto him, arguing about driving.

Zipping up my leather jacket, I noticed someone was beside me. I looked up (way up) to see Peter looking at me oddly.

"Yes?" I asked coolly.

"Are you alright?" Peter asked, trying to make our eyes meet. "You're acting-"

"Moronically? Childish? Recklessly? Yeah, I know." I tried to smirk, to make him think that I thought I was being cool, but it looked more like a grimace. Yeah, you're defiantly Ms. Cool and Rebellious, I thought shrewdly. Can't even pull off a poker face.

"You're stealing-"

"Borrowing." I corrected.

"No, you're stealing a teacher's bike to go get drunk!" Peter's voice was raised now, the others looked our way. "What is wrong?"

Looking into his beautiful blue eyes, I wanted so badly to just give up the attitude. To admit all my fears and what's been happening to me. To just stop this stupid "adventure" before it got out of hand. To have someone else bare my burdens. To have someone as amazing as Peter to comfort me.

I looked away, "I'm fine. Nothing is wrong. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go get smashed."

Peter shook his head, throwing his arms up in defeat. "Fine. I'm going in."

With that he marched back inside, not even giving us a second look.

Now I really wanted to cry. Putting on the stolen helmet I grabbed in the garage, and pulling down the shield. Now, they can't see me cry. That's almost like not crying at all.

"Lets go!" Sam called, trying to get everyone into the same mood as before.

The stolen hummers rolled out of the garage and onto the driveway. Starting up the bike as if I had done it a hundred times before (like Gambit had), I revved after the hummers.

Note to self, you love riding motorcycles! I laughed as I sped ahead of the hummer with Bobby, Kitty, Robert, John and Rahn in it. Kitty phased through the window to smile and wave at me. Pulling a papa-wheelie, I waved back.

Eventually, we got to the town and found the club Gambit was talking about. We got in easily, thanks to the fake IDs and my powers.

We divided up, depending on our character. Sam, Jubilee, John, Paige and Robert rushed onto the dance floor and joined in with the dancers easily. Me, Rogue and Rahn found an empty booth where we could watch our friends. Bobby and Gambit followed.

"How 'bout I get you filles some drinks." Remy offered, sliding in beside Rogue. At first she edged away, but then relaxed and leaned on him. I felt the anger and sadness radiating off Bobby.

"We're under aged." Even being an Iceman, Bobby sounded cold.

"Then you shouldn't be in here, little boy." Gambit tried to sound like he was kidding, but he sounded more like he was trying to make Bobby sound like an idiot. "Big kids only. How abou you, petite? I know I heard you say before you wanted somethang a petite stronger than a lemonade, no?"

"Uh, right." I said, trying to sound confident. "Sure. What do you suggest?"

"I'll bring yah back somethang good." The Cajun gave me a smile.

After talking with the other girls, Remy went to get our drinks. Bobby tired to take Remy's spot beside Rogue, but she moved away from him. He was so hurt that I actually felt it. Poor Bobby, its not his fault that Rogue found someone else. But she still shouldn't be treating him like this. Or showing favour of Remy.

"I'm going to get something to." Bobby got up. "Your illusion will work on the bartender too, right Shad?"

I nodded and he left. I knew his plans, to get as drunk as possible so he couldn't feel what Rogue is doing to him. I had the same plans, just bigger gaols. Drink so much that I couldn't feel my life.

"So are you and Petey alright?" Kitty asked softly. "I heard you two fighting…"

"Um, well I am. I'm just fine. And Peter is okay too, I think." I answered, pretending to not understand her question.

Kitty let the question drop because Remy was back with our drinks.

"Here yah go, belle petites." He gave us his charming smile as he once again took a seat next to Rogue. "Where Frosty get to?"

"Get a drink." Rahn answered. She didn't like Remy, or the spell he was casting over Rogue.

Rogue on the other hand put up no fight. Now that Bobby wasn't here, he was openly leaning on Gambit and sipping her drink. I felt her happiness but knowing it was not mine didn't make me truly feel it.

Oh Rogue girl, I thought, don't loose your heart to a smooth talking Cajun just yet.

"So you wanna dance, Marie?" Remy cooed to her, making Rogue swoon.

Kitty, Rahn and I spat out our drinks. "Marie!"

Remy gave us an confused look, "Uh yeah, dat her name, isn't it?"

Rogue blushed a little. She never told her friends her true name, but the Cajun knew it. I felt the hurt and anger off of Kitty and Rahn.

"So, dance?" Remy asked again.

"Sure." Rogue gave him a smile. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Don't be keep'n Remy waiting, cher." Remy said, oozing with charm. He kissed Rogue's gloved hand before making his way out to the dance floor.

"You both sicken me." Rahn murmured, going off to sit with a lonesome Bobby.

"Ah know Ah shouldn't but…" Rogue got a far off look in her eyes. "He makes meh so happy, Ah can't help mah self."

"Do what you want Marie, just don't hurt Bobby more than you have." Kitty went after Rahn.

Rogue looked at me. "Ah've really screwed things up, huh?"

"They'll get over it. They're just worried about you. You're already in the palm of Gambit's hands. Not to mention he's a lot older than you." Since I was the only remaining girlfriend, I was required to give her this speech. "You've told him much more than them and opened up to him. I think they're a little upset by that."

"But he makes meh feel so-"

"I know, I know. Telepath, remember? And I'll tell you now, he feels the exact same way. But don't loose yourself, alright? Or your friends."

"Thanks Shad, yah're a good friend." Rogue smiled. "Uh, I hate to ask this but-"

"Your shield is on and ready to go." All of a sudden, I felt very old and tired. "Just remember what I said."

"Thank yah!" Rogue reached over and gave me a hug before running off after Gambit.

Now, sitting here alone, drinking this awful tonic, I realized how much I didn't want to be here. Some of my friends were drinking, under age. The others were trying to "pick up" older people for kicks. And the rest were depressed and confused about their teenage relationships.

This stupid drink wasn't making anything better. The music seemed louder, and I could hear pretty much everyone's minds. I wasn't any more free, just a headache to add to everything else.

Going back out to the parking lot, I mounted the bike and took off for the School. Driving drunk was stupid of me. Sneaking out in the first place was stupid. I know that now (probably then too, but of course I had to be a rebel).

I was about half a mile from the Institute when I felt the dart pierce my skin and I felt worse than I did before. Loosing control of the bike, I crashed in the ditch. My leg was killing me, but I had bigger problems.

Standing in front of me was Sabretooth, my family's murderer.

I tried to use my powers, but I was in too much pain and the world was getting darker.

"Hello Cathleen." He practically purred.

Then the world went back.