Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 13

Author: Goddess Evie

Date: 09/12/04

Genre: Romance (Remy/Rogue, Scott/Jean, Lance/Kitty), Action, Drama, Angst, AU, heck, it's got it all…just not all in one chapter.

Rating: G, and I really don't think this'll get above PG. SOME LANGUAGE USE IN THIS CHAPTER (but only towards the end).

Disclaimer: I do NOT own X-Men of any incarnation. I am but a poor, fanatical, poor, college graduate who much enjoys a show so that she writes extensive (and hopefully intriguing, enjoyable, and highly popular) fanfiction to feed her insatiable hunger for anything X-Men and is poor, if I haven't mentioned that already. Also, the song lyric I used as the title doesn't belong to me either. I'm quoting Sarah McLachlan's "Black and White" from her album "Surfacing". This is actually the second time I have used a quote from that song. But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I need all my money for my mission!

Summary: Scott has another encounter with Andrew. Xavier confronts Carol directly. And Rogue and Remy mushie. YEAH!

Author's notes: Concerning the first scene with Scott, all I want to say is that there are bigger things going on there than Scott and Andrew's near-fight. Can you guess what it is? And we find out something about Xavier and Carol when he goes in to talk to her. Yes, expect more about this later on in the story. As I have warned before, I have big plans for Carol, yet. And then I thought up this scene between Rogue and Remy, because I really wanted to have a small scene to show that they both are feeling towards one another, not just Remy towards Rogue, which has been what I have mostly included. Unfortunately, she still pushes him away in the end. But I hope the Remy and Rogue mushie is up to par!

Review Responses:

Rogue4787 – Well, I'm glad that the summary helped, as vague as it was. And yes, I even feel bad for Kitty, and I'm the one who wrote the story and planned it out that way. I wanted her to feel torn about one of her best friends and the first guy she's ever loved. It won't stop here, I am going to continue it through out more, and I'm not sure what the final outcome will be. Next chapter we will have some more, I've already got it planned out, but past that what will happen to them is vague even to me. I also was glad that I fit Tabby in somewhere. I like her as a character, very interesting, and fun to write!

LoneWolf422 – Thank you for verifying that song title for me. I appreciate it. My friends and I tell each other they aren't allowed to die, all the time. It makes waiting to see who will actually die first kind of suspenseful, heheh. And yes, poor Kitty. She needs a hug.

Ishandahalf – You are updating at such a great pace that it has been an inspiration to me and voila, another update. So, now it's your turn. beams I'm glad I'm not the only who thinks Kitty and Rogue's relationship is more than Rogue tolerating Kitty and Kitty being an airhead. And I can actually picture Kitty smacking some of the people up side the head. It's quite fun, really. Teehee. It's too bad Kitty had to be slapped with reality herself, finding out about Lance and all. Then again, what kind of story would I have if I didn't include any conflict. Why, none at all, that's what. Oh, and if you liked the mush from last chapter, you'll love what I included in here. You can just eat it all up like soft, warm, fruitfilled muffin.

Eileen Blazer – You give that Carol Danvers what for. I don't make my fans like her just because I do. And I have to admit that mostly what I have planned with her isn't good stuff, if that makes you feel better. You know, I never thought about including Piotr and making a Kitty Lance Piotr triangle, but I might have to debate it, now. You know, I'm pretty sure everyone is going to hate me when I finally get to when Rogue finds out about Remy's true reason for being at the mansion. That's one scene I've had planned out in my head since the beginning of the story. I might have to find some extra protection when that chapter comes out. And I'm not helping myself warning everybody hides

Chapter 13: And all I feel is black and white. And I'm wound up small and tight. And I don't know who I am.

Scott rather enjoyed how college semesters started later than those for high school. He knew that everyone back at the Institute had returned to Bayville High, slaving their way through class after class, coming home every afternoon with homework, and then of course there was all the training and Danger Room sessions. Those Scott certainly didn't miss.

Okay, so he did miss them, at least a little. He agreed with everyone else that Logan could be harsh, but he knew the sessions had their purpose. That was why Scott went to the gym every morning. He may not be on active X-Men duty, but that was no excuse for not staying in shape. He'd be back for holidays and random week-ends and what not, and he had a feeling Logan would test him, just to make sure he was keeping up with everyone else.

Scott was also ready for all his classes already. He had read at least the first couple of chapters of every text book he'd had to buy for his classes, if not more. The first two chapters of every book were definitely lined out neatly in notes and all the important parts highlighted. Scott knew the importance of being prepared and that was exactly what he was.

Brad and Nathan made fun of him for being such a nerd, but Scott didn't mind. He was used to being made fun of thanks to Evan, Kurt and plenty of others from the Institute. And he knew they really didn't mean it. They were just giving him a hard time because that's what friends did. He just politely reminded them that he'd have more time to play football or go to the movies or whatever he felt like doing when classes started the next week. That got them to quiet up, for a bit at least.

At the moment, Scott was on his way to meet his two friends for lunch. They always ate together, and then spent the afternoon goofing off. Brad and Nathan's idea, or else, according to them, Scott would never have any fun. Scott shook his head and smiled at the two young men who had so quickly become his friends. He hated to admit that they were probably true, so he didn't and just laughed instead.

Scott was almost to the cafeteria, just past the campus bookstore when Andrew's voice calling out his name made him cringe internally. He would have just kept walking if Andrew himself hadn't stepped into his path, smiling sinisterly and with a holier than thou look on his face. Scott suppressed a groan.

"You know, we never finished what we started the other day," Andrew noted, the wheels in his mind turning, no doubt as he tried to decide what torture to inflict upon Scott.

"Let's not," Scott requested, looking past Andrew where he could see Nathan and Brad waiting for him.

"But it'll be so much fun," Andrew assured, taking a step towards Scott.

Scott stepped back, putting up his hands defensively. "Don't."

He'd been having such a great day up to this point. He'd talked with his brother Alex earlier that morning, finished his notes for Chemistry, reached a new weight record for his chest presses. Why did Andrew have to step in and ruin it?

"Or what, you're gonna beat me up," Andrew mocked, laughing at the thought.

"If I really have to," Scott's tone was serious.

"Woah, big words from the little man," Andrew chuckled, catching the severity of Scott's words and sizing him up.

"Hey, Scott," Nathan called advancing on the two.

"You know, my friends are waiting for me. I really shouldn't keep them waiting," Scott excused, attempting to get by Andrew.

Andrew stopped him with a hand on his chest, lightly pushing him back. "This isn't finished until I say it is. And I'm not done with you."

Scott stared Andrew right in the eyes through his ruby sunglasses. Foot for foot he was every bit as tall as the football player, and although he was leaner than Andrew, Scott knew his training was more refined than just tackling somebody on the football field. He had been serious when he had told Brad and Nathan that he could take Andrew after their last encounter, and he was serious about it now, despite Andrew's attempt to be intimidating.

"You know, I really wouldn't want you to get kicked off the football team and lose your scholarship," Scott gave his opponent one more chance to back down.

"I'd worry more about yourself than me," Andrew assured.

Scott's body tensed at the challenge, mind running over several different strategies to counter attack whatever Andrew threw at him. Not once was he tempted to use his real weapon against his out classed opponent. Too many risks to worry about with that one. Besides, Andrew wasn't worth an optic blast. Scott figured he'd barely break a sweat taking care of this chump.

The punch never came. Scott realized something else had caught Andrew's attention. Something behind Scott, and Andrew was watching whatever it was intently, a smile creeping across his face. Scott risked turning his head, still ready for a sneak attack in case it was a trick, just in time to see a gorgeous blonde walk by, smiling stupidly at Andrew. She paused for a moment right next to him, communicating to the star of the college football team with a simple wink and wave. Then she walked on.

Andrew's neck craned in order to keep watching the blonde strut away. Her hips swayed seductively in a pair of tight jeans, and when she looked over her shoulder right at Andrew with a flip of her hair, the outline of a very nice breast came into view. Scott feared Andrew would start drooling, and all over him, anytime.

The blonde headed into the book store and disappeared behind the first set of bookshelves and the spell was finally broken. At least partially. Andrew patted Scott on the shoulder as he began to walk away. "Another time," he promised, already halfway to the bookstore entrance. "Right now I have a more important meeting on my agenda."

The air rushed out of Scott's lungs in a relieved sigh. He really wished he knew why Andrew had it out for him. It was really so silly and immature.

"You got lucky," Nathan whistled, catching Scott's attention.

"Me, nothing. It was lucky for Andrew," Scott corrected, as he walked with Nathan towards the cafeteria. "That girl just saved his pride."

Nathan looked at Scott unsurely. "You are so sure of yourself. You just almost got pulverized!"

Scott shook his head. "How many times do I have to tell you? I can handle Andrew. Easily."

Nathan still looked unbelieving.

"You know, I might have to fight the guy in order to prove to you that I can take him," Scott exclaimed.

Nathan just shrugged. "All I know is that Andrew is one lucky guy. That girl was hot and she made it pretty obvious that she wanted him."

"Anh, she was alright," Scott replied nonchalantly.

He glanced at Brad at just that moment, and noticed the third party member was leaning up against the wall with his eyes closed.

"Hey Brad, you okay?" Scott asked, concerned.

Brad opened first one eye, then the other, looking around as if checking to see that things were safe. "You're still alive? You mean Andrew didn't turn you into hamburger?"

Scott smacked his forehead with a palm. "Seriously, you two. Andrew is a pushover. All talk and no way to back it up."

"I still say that bombshell blonde saved your pretty face," Nathan returned skeptically.

"She was gorgeous, wasn't she?" Brad mused in agreement.

"Yeah, unless, of course, your name is Scott and you prefer red heads," Nathan commented, chuckling and looking at Scott sidelong.

Scott groaned. "Ah, man!"

Rogue sat in Professor Xavier's office with her eyes closed, trying to clear her mind, as he had instructed, and concentrate only on imagining a force field, a mental shield within her mind. One that separated her own identity from the dozens of psyches she acquired since the surfacing of her Mutant curse. But all the only image she was able to call up was of Remy. Those beautiful eyes, the gorgeous well-toned body, the hair she longed to run her fingers through. The silky Cajun voice he found every opportunity to speak to her with, whisper in her ear with, compliment and joke and tease her with.

It just wasn't fair. How was she supposed to concentrate on what was important with that pesky Swamp Rat always interfering? And the worst part was he wasn't even really here to interfere. Somehow he managed to invade her thoughts more than the various psyches who actually resided there. It was infuriating.

"Ah'm sorry, Professor, Ah jus' can't concentrate. Ah've had kinda a long day," Rogue excused, opening her eyes again for the fifth time in the last forty five minutes.

She really did feel bad. She knew this was important. Carol had already attacked her multiple times and Rogue could still feel her muffled presence behind the mind shield Xavier had placed in her brain. A mind shield he'd only had time to check this morning because Rogue had overslept after her late night, causing her to run late this morning.

Xavier pursed his lips and looked at Rogue with an expression that Rogue knew meant he was making a decision. She sat under that gaze, waiting for him to tell her what that decision was. She hoped he was disappointed with her. She really was trying her best to do what Xavier wanted of her.

"Perhaps we should try something else, instead," Xavier suggested.

Rogue nodded.

"Tell me about what happened. How you attained this new, powerful psyche, and had the powers permanently imprinted in your genetic code," the Professor requested.

Rogue flinched, visibly. Even though she'd already given Logan the short version, and weeped out the long version to Kitty the night before, she still feared telling the story to Xavier. Despite having a pretty strong suspicion that he already knew what she had told Logan. Still, sitting here in front of the man who had such lofty dreams and goals, who opened his house and great wealth to any Mutant willing to share his vision, Rogue couldn't help feeling that somehow she might still disappoint him.

But looking into Xavier's patient, assuring gaze gave Rogue a boost of confidence. The understanding smile he wore helped her to take a deep breath and tell her story. She kept it strictly to the event at the military air field, detailing her part in the plan to steal the plane. Slowly, painfully, though it didn't seem as hard to say as it had the night before, she revealed her story, her secret. Not many people knew the truth, yet, though talk of her new powers had spread throughout the student body.

Still, she knew what she said here in this office to Xavier was confidential, and that gave her strength. Her story would remain hers until the time she chose to share it. It was a comfort to Rogue, and she didn't get many of those.

When she finished speaking, Xavier remained silent. Rogue knew he was mulling over what she had told him. Processing the details and giving her traumatic experience deep thought. Although Rogue knew that it was only Xavier being thorough, and choosing his next words carefully, Rogue still couldn't help feeling intimidated in the daunting silence.

"You never said who it was you absorbed," Xavier finally spoke in hushed tones.

Rogue squeezed her eyes shut. She had hoped Xavier wouldn't pick up on that small detail. She should have known better. Xavier never missed anything.

"Her name was…is…Carol Danvers," Rogue replied meekly. "Her alias was Miss Marvel."

Rogue glanced at the Professor, who was once again silent. Was that a spark of recognition in his eyes? She wouldn't allow herself to think such thoughts. Xavier wasn't the kind of person you second guessed, because usually you guessed wrong.

"Carol, she talks to you?" Xavier inquired.

Rogue nodded again, keeping her gaze low so she didn't have to actually look at him.

"What does she usually say?"

"She tends ta insult muh. She's not very happy 'bout th'situation," Rogue answered truthfully.

"No, I suppose she wouldn't be," Xavier mused, taking a deep breath. "And the attacks? What are they like?"

"Like Carol's drivin' an eighteen wheeler through muh head," Rogue's comment was sarcastic.

"What do they usually entail?" Xavier continued, ignoring Rogue's impudent tone.

"Mostly she blasts muh thoughts with her own memories an' a lot of anger. Ah know it doesn't sound lahke much, but she really packs a wallop," Rogue assured.

"Yes, I did see the affects of one of the attacks," Xavier reminded. "Do you know why she attacks you so violently?"

"Because she hates me and wants revenge?" Rogue answered with a shrug. "That's muh best guess, but ya could always ask her yourself."

Xavier nodded. "Actually, I would like to do just that, if you would allow me to."

Rogue licked her lips and looked at Xavier for the first time in a few minutes. She trusted him, and knew he was sure in his telepathic powers, but she also didn't want to make Carol any angrier than she already was. Then again, what did she have to lose?

"Okay," she agreed. "Go ahead."

"Just relax," Xavier instructed, his voice soothing. "Close your eyes and lean back and just relax."

Xavier assumed the usual position, following his own advice and relaxing in his wheelchair, his eyes shutting and his fingers steepling together. He reached out with his mind, gently touching upon Rogue's in initial contact. Most people, non-telepaths, assumed that the process was much quicker, simply entering a persons mind. And sometimes that was what it took, when a forceful entry was needed. But here, Xavier knew a gradual entry was the safer bet, especially with a mind like Rogue's.

He'd been in it before, to quiet the voices that threatened to take over from being so numerous and loud. And only a couple of days before when the new psyche had so vehemently attacked Rogue, in a coupe to take control. That was one time when Xavier had needed to forcefully enter her mind in order to force the psyche back, but now he could be more gentle.

He sensed other psyches as he made his way towards the one that was kept behind psychic lock and key. Sabretooth "growled" at him, though it was more of a feeling than a sound, Kitty and Kurt and Jean all emitted warm emotions, as they always did, Mystique was an uneasy presence, oozing distrust, and Logan balanced her out with an overwhelming sense of protection. Other psyches came and went, giving off their own unique auras, but everyone was overlaid with Rogue's unique personality, first and foremost. Despite the young girl's fear of losing her own identity, Xavier never worried unless he entered her mind and felt that personality diminishing and out-balanced by the others. But the Professor knew Rogue was still in control.

Reaching the mental wall erected about this new psyche, Xavier stopped for a moment in order to read it. He reached out a telepathic tendril toward the shield and was rocked by the waves of anger and violence that seeped through the shielding. Certainly, Rogue was feeling and being affected by this. Xavier hoped he could lessen some of this.

He crossed the barrier with a thought, manipulating his own shielding with ease. He sensed the attack before it hit, and threw up a shield to block it. The attack dissipated harmlessly, but Xavier knew Ms. Danvers was around waiting to attack again.

Please, Carol, he called out with his psychic voice, I'm here to help.

You mean you're here to help her, Carol's voice called back, simmering with red hot emotion.

I want to help both of you, Charles replied, attempting to exude serenity in order to calm Ms. Danvers.

Have you forgotten me, Charles? Carol demanded angrily, lashing out again.

Of course not, Xavier assured, parlaying the second attack with as much ease as the first. I simply did not know it was you until just now.

But she's one of your precious students, Charles. You prefer her over one who rejected your offer, Carol was bitter, referring to their history.

You know that does not matter to me, Charles reminded gently, knowing he needed to regain the trust of this psyche.

And yet you help her, protect her, and lock me away, Carol threw back.

Because I could not let you hurt her, no matter what happened. You know you are being unreasonable, Xavier chided, keeping his town gentle.

No! I am the victim, here. She is dangerous and you let her run around free, with no consequence for her actions, Carol yelled, her reply as forceful as her two attacks had been.

She is a victim of her own powers, Carol. She is as much held prisoner by them as you are. You must look at it from her point of view. Listen to her. She wishes she hadn't done this to you, as much as you do. And you would know that if you would just give her a chance.

Carol's answer was another attack as she unleashed her full blown anger on Xavier like she had done before on Rogue. Although his shielding protected himself and Rogue, Xavier could feel the strain on them. He wished to say more, to continue the conversation, but he knew at this point it was useless. Carol was still refusing to see past her own self-pity, and until she had time to settle down and think clearly, Xavier knew he wasn't going to get through to her.

He withdrew himself, retracing his mental steps. Exiting was always easier than entering. He took only a moment to assure that Rogue's mind was stable and to make sure she suffered no ill effects from his journey through it before receding fully. He opened his eyes at the same time Rogue did, and saw that she was flinching a bit. Not from a headache, he could sense, but from the amount of emotion roiling from the other side of the barrier.

"I'm afraid I wasn't very helpful," Xavier sighed apologetically. "But we will keep trying."

Rogue nodded, not really focused on Xavier, but then how could she be when he had just re-ignited Carol's fiery hate.

"You should go get some food. Everyone else is already gathered and eating. I will see you in the morning," Xavier suggested in fatherly overtones.

Rogue merely nodded again and rose, leaving a very concerned Xavier pondering her plight.

Remy slipped out of his room, after the last of the hungry teenagers had stampeded downstairs to have dinner. He found that it was easier to wait until after everyone else had mobbed to the dining room before heading down there himself. And since no one seemed to mind that he moseyed in a little bit later than everyone else, he figured there was no harm in it. The only downfall was that everyone else got their pick of the food first, and you had to pick over what was left. But Remy always found enough and Jean, Kitty and the others always saved him a seat.

Remy secured his room to make sure it was locked then headed down the hall. He smiled when he saw Rogue heading down toward the girl's dorm…except, wasn't she supposed to be heading to dinner as well? He couldn't see her face when she turned into her room, but something told him that she wasn't feeling very well.

Remy passed the staircase that led to the main floor and headed down towards the room Rogue and Kitty shared. The promise of food forgotten, he crept silently towards the door through which Rogue had disappeared. He figured she would just push him away as she always did, but he would still try.

The door hadn't shut all the way when Rogue had pushed it closed. Remy could see Rogue sitting on the edge of her bed, through the crack, facing away from him, her head buried in her hands. That was definitely not the look of a well person. His heart overruling his head, Remy pushed the door open and then closed again behind himself. She didn't even realize he was there until he sat down on the bed at her.

Startled, she looked up at him with eyes red from strain. What kid of strain? He couldn't say, but the pain he saw in her face made his own fill even more with concern. She looked away after a moment, burying her face in her hands again.

"You should go eat," she mumbled.

"If yo'll come with me," he replied easily, hoping to cheer her up with an easy tone.

She shook her head. "M'not hungry."

"What's wrong?" he asked, gently placing his hand on the small of her back. He was glad when she didn't flinch away.

She shrugged at him, giving him a non-answer. "S'hard t'explain."

"C'mon, yo can tell Remy," he reassured her softly.

"Ah don't want t'tell anyone," she admitted.

Remy didn't know what to say to that. She had effectively shut him out with that line. He had to find a way back in.

"Yo' know yo' have dis Cajun worried," he told her truthfully.

"Ah'm sorry. Ah don't mean t'concern ya," she apologized, and the way her voice sounded, Remy could tell she was sincere.

"Yo don' have t'apologize, Rogue. Remy jus' wanna help," he slipped his arm around her waist now, and she leaned against him.

"That mean ya want me t'spill muh guts t'ya?" Rogue asked a little bitterly, hiding her face in his shoulder.

"No, yo' jus' tell Remy what he can do fo' yo'," he pressed a kiss into her hair and then rested his cheek against the spot.

She didn't say anything to that, but she did snuggle up to him completely, her arms wrapped around his torso, legs curled up on his lap. He wrapped his other arm around her and nuzzled his cheek against her hair a bit. She kept her face pressed into his shoulder and Remy wondered if she would cry. Usually when a woman cried around him he felt helpless and would joke and compliment and do anything to make them smile again. But somehow he felt comfortable with the idea of Rogue crying and was ready to just hold her until she stopped, however long that would be.

She didn't cry, though. She barely moved, though he could sense that she was still awake. Perhaps all she needed was a comforting presence and a warm embrace. Remy was more than willing to provide that for her. He had only imagined before this what holding her would be like. It was better than he could have ever hoped. She was warm and firm, and her soft curves fit against his own body like two halves of a jigsaw puzzle. He couldn't ever remember holding Bella and feeling like he did now with Rogue.

It didn't last long. Where one moment he was contently holding the Southern Belle, the next he found her pushing him away. She was mumbling at him, and she seemed upset again. She didn't understand about what. She had seemed perfectly happy to be in his arms while it had lasted, what had changed her mind?

It didn't matter. If she was pushing him away again, he would comply for the moment. For some reason he found it easier to let Rogue have her way then try to wheedle his way back into her embrace. Another difference in behavior he found himself making for Rogue. This love stuff was crazy.

"M'sorry," he told her genuinely as they stood in her doorway, "if I did anyt'ing wrong."

The door shut softly in his face.

Despite Xavier's efforts to ease any discomfort he may have left behind, Rogue still felt a headache burning, spurred by Carol banging away at her mental cage. She had never been this determined, even during her attacks. But Rogue could feel the hatred and anger and hunger for revenge seeping through like a flood breaking a damn. The woman's determination was so strong.

Rogue wasn't sure how she made it to her room, wasn't really aware of anything until she was startled by the weight of someone settling next to her. She looked up to see she was sitting on her bed in her own room, and that Remy had joined her. She hadn't even heard him come in, but she was somehow comforted by the expression of worry etched onto his face.

Rogue hung her head in her hands, part of her not wanting to look at him. She couldn't really understand what they were saying, only that he was speaking and she was responding. She certainly didn't miss the hand at her back, she was always aware of physical contact, but she was too tired to push him away. And for once she didn't want to push him away. She wanted to be held, in her pain, just like everybody, something she didn't let herself admit very often.

So, when his arm snaked around her waist, she let herself fall over and lean against him, burying her face into his strong shoulder. His spicy scent filled her nostrils, and she breathed it in welcomingly.

"Remy jus' wanna help," he cooed to her.

"That mean ya want me t'spill muh guts t'ya?" she bit back uncontrollably, thinking of Xavier and Logan and Kitty.

"No, yo' jus' tell Remy what he can do fo' yo'," his reply came comforting and soft.

It relieved her so much that she wrapped her body around him, snuggling into his sturdy frame. She'd never had anyone offer to help only how she wanted. Usually people wanted you to talk and tell them exactly what was bothering you, thinking that once they knew the problem they would hand you the perfect solution and then everything would be better. But Rogue knew there was no solution to her problem.

Remy's arms around her, however, made the problem seem less severe. They made the outside world melt away and all the extra noise dissipate. She felt almost as if she could easily forget all her problems is she only stayed in his embrace long enough. He gave off the warmest feeling, like a fire burned in that body of his.

Almost wasn't good enough, and Carol must have sensed her attack wasn't good enough if Rogue could still find comfort and happiness. Although the barrier kept her from speaking to Rogue anymore, she managed to slip one thought through, sending it on waves of her anger and hatred.

Go ahead and kill him like you killed me.

It was enough to shake Rogue from her illusion of safety. She began to untangle herself from Remy, pushing him away. Mumbling any excuse she could think of to get him to leave. She didn't care what she said, as long as he went away from her.

She ushered him all the way out the door, standing for one last moment to look at what she was giving up. He apologized to her, for whatever he thought he had done wrong. He didn't realize that he had done nothing wrong. That it was all her. That fate had cursed her forever for something she had done, perhaps in an earlier life, though she didn't really believe in that stuff.

The apology stung, because Rogue knew she didn't deserve it, and that there was no need it. And that truthfully she should be the one apologizing to him. But Carol's words still stung her heart and she gently closed the door.