Title: The House of the Rising Sun, Chapter 17

Author: Goddess Evie

Date: 10/20/06

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.

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 Staind's "Outside." But, sadly, I own nothing but the plot so don't sue me cause I need all my money for my mission!

Summary: The truth is revealed. gasp And how everyone reacts to it. That's all I'm gonna say. Just read the durn thing.

Author's notes: For all who think I've dropped off the face of the earth and exploded…or do you implode in space? Ah well, here is proof, finally, that I haven't. I was just in Nevada for 18 months. And why would that stop me from updating? Well, I was on a mission and couldn't even work on this. So, I finally have the chance to work on it and give you all my humble offerings. I only hope you haven't forgotten me and that you'll forgive me. Oh, and sorry that I left Scott in kind of the middle a story line. I think/hope things should pick up more from here. And sorry if the grammar/spelling/wording is poor. I was determined to get another chapter out, I didn't want to take too much time. And it's late and I'm lazy. whines

Review Responses: I know it's been a year and a half since the last chapter came out and nobody can probably remember what they wrote in their review, but I'm still going to do review responses so that people feel…acknowledged?

tinuviel-telcontar: Sorry I didn't include any Lance stuff to help you figure out his psyche. In fact, as this point, the brotherhood is completely left out. Who knows how they are taking this? I certainly don't. Heheh. No, I have some plans for them. I have LOTS of plans cackles And as for Brad, well, once again, I have plans for him. So, there is definitely more than meets the eye.

Eileen Blazer: I don't think this chapter answers any of the burning questions you left in your review. What is it about Brad? What's happening to Rogue? Why is one of Scott's friends name Nathan? Well, that last one I can answer. No, he will not end up being Cable, Jean and Scott's child from the future. That was purely coincidence. But the two former questions you'll just have to keep reading to find your answers to. Ah suspense. How else am I supposed to keep you coming back for more and leaving me lovely reviews?

Randirogue: I am so proud of you for remembering the fortune given Remy by the fortune teller in the, what, second prologue? (By the way, only I would have three prologues. ) You have so many questions that I am just dieing to answer, but as you said, they will be answered within the context of the story. So read on, and sorry this chapter doesn't give more answers to all your questions…but at least I updated!

Kitrazzle Fayn: laughs Oh, thank you for your lovely review. It makes my heart sing to hear such praise of my humble fic. I do hope you keep reading it!

Ishandahalf: "Quick like a bunny on crack!" How I missed hearing those words while I was on my 18 month hiatus. And how I missed reading Ishie's reviews! I missed you Ishie! Please forgive for being away for so long. I hope this update helps and I hope I can make this into an updating streak. I know you have tons of questions, but like everyone else's, none of them are probably going to be answered in this chapter. I'm just creating more angst for the poor guys. And even though there is minimal (and by minimal I mean scandously low, especially for me) Remy/Rogueness, I do hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 17: I'm on the outside. I'm looking in. I can see through you. See your true colors. Cause inside you're ugly-ugly like me. I can see through you. See to the real you.

They'd always remember where they were when it happened. Some would even remember something like what song was playing on the radio when it was interrupted, or what they had been doing at the exact moment the news hit their ears. Others would remember other things, like how scared it made them feel, or the way all hope was rocketed right out of them. One or two would remember the tears they shed. It was like Kennedy being assassinated all over again, only worse.

Rogue and Remy had been in the small dining room working on the French project that was due in a couple of days. They hadn't worked on it before that afternoon, despite having received the assignment two weeks ago. It seemed like the end of the world if they didn't get it finished on time. Research a major event in French History to present to the class. They'd spent most of the two weeks arguing over what event they should do, before finally settling on the French presenting the Statue of Liberty to the United States of America.

Logan had been there as well, reading the paper and listening to the five o'clock news. It was the only reason they'd had the chance to see the whole broadcast in all its horrifying glory. Rogue could remember how quickly her and Remy's quibbling had ceased when the news had suddenly been replaced by the commanding image of Erik Lensherr.

Logan's paper had dropped from his hands to the floor and Remy and Rogue completely forgot about the project that had been so important thirty seconds ago. All attention was given to the tiny TV screen, Magneto's glare impressive even transmitted via radio waves. Logan suddenly stepped forward to flip up the volume in time to hear Erik's first words.

"Homo sapiens of the world. Your dominion over this earth is coming to an end. Soon, you will become as the rest of the animals on this planet. Evolution has created its new rulers. Homo superior walk among you. We are stronger, better, more powerful. You will learn to kneel before us and call us master."

Erik's visage left the screen, to be replaced by footage of the very Homo superiors he had been talking about. He continued to talk as the recordings played, showing scenes of Brotherhood and X-Men using their awesome powers. Rogue recognized many of the fights, the battles being submitted for public viewing. She watched as the faces of the X-Men-Kitty, Kurt, Evan, Jean, Scott, even herself, flashed across the screen.

"What you see now is no trick of the camera. These events have actually happened. These people are real. And so is the power they wield. For so long we have lived in secret, walking among you, pretending to be like you. But we will cloister ourselves no more."

The Brotherhood was not forgotten in the show. Lance, Pietro, Wanda, Todd and Fred were also shown, using their mutant powers. Rogue could feel her face pale, watching how terrible they all looked. Like monsters waging war with each other. Was this what Magneto had had in mind the entire time? Did he mean for them all to look so cruel?

"We are everywhere. We go to your schools. Jean and Scott walking into the high school. Lance and Kitty laughing by the flag pole. Rogue and Evan and Kurt talking about something in the school halls. Todd and Fred arguing with Tabitha by school busses. We live in your neighborhoods. Mystique, shifting from Principal Darkholme to her true form. We shop with you, Ororo and Logan strolling downtown, discussing something between themselves. Work with you, The Professor sitting in a luxurious restaurant with some important looking men. Live with you, Warren spreading his angelic wings and lifting from the roof of a mansion to soar into the sunset. You cannot escape us.

"We have power you cannot even begin to imagine."

He was silent as the next scene played out. Rogue felt dizzy as she watched. She closed her eyes for a moment. But it didn't help. The scene continued behind her eyelids.

A lone tree in the Louisiana country. A supposedly top secret airbase. A silvery plane coming in for a landing. Lance. Pietro. Fred and Todd. And herself. Three men taken out cleanly. She opened her eyes to watch herself in the television touch the pilot in Fred's arms. Climb into the plane.

She didn't want to watch anymore. She had to turn off the TV. She couldn't make herself move. Couldn't avert her eyes, or make Logan and Remy stop watching. She felt as helpless as if she were back with Mystique and the Brotherhood, forced to do their dirty work.

Right on cue, a blonde woman flew in. She swiped at Rogue once, then grabbed her and took off with her. Rogue watched herself squirming in Carol's arms. Watched her own hesitation as she heard those words whispered in her ear again.

Rogue, touch her.

She pressed her hands to her ears as if they could halt that voice. She should have pressed them to her eyes. She gave a silent scream as her miniature self placed her unprotected hand on poor, unaware Carol Danvers. Rogue was surprised at how quickly the recording showed them hitting the ground together. She remembered it lasting so much longer.

The scene continued to play out. The Brotherhood surrounded her again as she lay on the ground next to her unconscious victim. Lance's swift kick. Fred hauling her to her feet. In no time she was ripping the collar from her neck to the astonishment of the four boys around her. She turned and began to run away.

Pietro was a blur as he caught up to her. Zipped around her. Taunted and played with her. It didn't last long as Rogue watched her own first solo flight. The boys were once again struck dumb with amazement as they watched her floating in the sky. They didn't even react when she came back their way to retrieve the still unconscious Carol.

The scene came to a halt, Magneto's intimidating visage fading in, overlaying the view. "Do not resist. It would be futile. You would never be able to defeat us. This is not a warning. This is a promise. Homo superior will rule as the new Gods. The earth will be ours. Your time is limited."

The broadcast ended. Rogue stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor. The sound broke the trance Logan and Remy had been in and they both looked to her. She didn't even try to fight the tears that welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Nor did she allow Remy to comfort her, the worry in his voice sounding like pity to her. She was acutely aware of her Mutant power, pulling away violently when he tried to touch her.

"Chère," he called to her softly.

She turned away.

"Rogue," Logan's usually gruff voice was low, almost a whisper.

She couldn't face them. They'd witnessed her nightmare. They'd seen what she'd done. The truth was bared before them and the evidence was overwhelming.

Even as she heard Xavier's voice in her head, calling her to join him for a school wide conference, she ran from them. From all of them. The confused and scared students roaming the hall. Ororo, trying to regain order and calm. She could pick out those who had seen the broadcast. They were the ones who gave her the widest berth.

Once she was out the doors, she didn't stop running. The Mansion grounds were expansive. She could hide anywhere. They wouldn't find her for a very long time. Not until she wanted to be found.

Remy stood at the back of a very crowded room. A large table surrounded by high backed, black leather chairs took up most of the space and gave it a business conference room feel. Ororo and Hank sat in the two chairs closest to the head of the table, where there was no chair. Next to them was the official X-Men team, excluding himself and Rogue. Filling up the rest of the table were the younger mutants. Remy had a feeling there was some sort of rank that decided who got a seat and who didn't. But he didn't care enough to try to figure it out.

Anybody who had not arrived in time to snag a chair stood around the edges of the room. The chattering was loud as everyone waited for Xavier himself to arrive, especially among the younger students. The six Mutants at the head of the table spoke softly to each other randomly, but mostly stayed quiet.

Remy tried not to eavesdrop on the younger students' conversations. He could sense the all over anxiety in the room. He wanted to just believe it was due to the public announcement that Mutants existed. He didn't want to hear one bad thing about Rogue.

The door opened, and every head turned towards it. A blonde man wearing a light brown trench coat entered. Most of the occupants turned away when it wasn't Xavier. One of the younger mutants was ousted form his seat to make room for the new comer next to Evan.

This man's presence made the room much quieter, though Remy couldn't begin to guess why. He greeted the elder X-Men with a nod of his head. Jean began a conversation with him, quietly so that nobody would overhear. Kitty, Evan and Kurt listened, but didn't offer much input. Remy knew how they felt. He didn't know what to say at a moment like this, either. And his name hadn't even been broadcast across national TV, maybe even worldwide.

Finally the door opened and Xavier wheeled in. He looked calm, but he always did. He greeted the blonde man, thanking him for coming. What little noise there had been following the blonde man's entrance quieted immediately. Every face, even Remy's, turned to their mentor to see what he had to say.

Xavier didn't begin to speak immediately. First he looked over the gathering of his students, fingers steepled in front of his lips. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Remy was surprised. It seemed even Xavier was at a loss of words. At least for a few moments. Finally he pulled his hands away from his face. The room seemed to breathe in simultaneously, waiting for what Xavier would say.

"Magneto has made a bold move and we are no longer a secret. What exact repercussions this will have, I cannot say. I know you all realize the gravity of the situation and that I don't need to impress such a thing upon you. What I do feel I need to mention is how we react. We must stay calm. We cannot spiral out of control, no matter how others react to us."

There was a moment of silence before everyone began talking, wanting to ask their question or get their word in. Remy turned his face away from the scene, closing his eyes and trying to block out the noise. As he did so individual sounds became more distinct and he realized someone was crying. Out of habit he looked around, to see, amid the commotion, the young boy, Jamie, crying to himself as he leaned against the wall. Remy only had to move a couple of inches to reach the boy, putting his arm around the kid's shoulder and pulling him into his side. Jamie didn't fight him, letting his tears go unchecked, now. No one else seemed to notice.

Breathing once deeply to calm his own nerves, Remy watched as Xavier silenced the room again merely by catching everyone's gaze.

"Please, I know you are all scared, but this is exactly what I meant. What we need more than anything right now is to remain calm…and to stick together," Xavier met eyes with everyone again in the next few silent moments.

"What about school?" that was Evan.

"Do you think they'll let us back in ?" Jean added on. Remy hated to hear the unsurety even in her usually confident voice.

"We will just have to see. I expect you all, for now, to live day to day as normally as possible. We will have to cross every bridge, " he paused for another deep breath and Remy knew he was hating to use the old cliché, "as we come to it."

If Jamie hadn't still been crying into his trench coat, Remy probably would have left at the moment. Even though he had followed Logan's directions and come to this meeting when he'd wanted to go after Rogue, the desire to do so hadn't lessened. Xavier continued to field questions from the students, but Remy didn't pay much attention.

He slid to a crouching position and faced the youngest mutant whose face was all blotchy and red from crying. He wiped his nose on his sleeve.

"Ev'ryt'ing gonna be okay," Remy said softly.

Jamie didn't look like he really believed that. "I only heard about what they showed on TV," he admitted, "but everyone's really worried. And I'm scared."

"I'm too," Remy told him. "I t'ink ev'ryone here is. But like Xavier said, we stick togeder and we be okay."

"How do ya know that?" Jamie still sounded unsure.

Remy decided the truth would be the best answer. "I don'. I can only hope, but dere are a lot o' great people in dis room an' dey all want t'make sure yo' safe."

Jamie looked around, his face returning to normal color. He sniffled and nodded his head as he looked over the people he had come to know and trust. If only Rogue could be this easy. Remy stood up again and ruffled the kid's hair. Jamie grabbed a bunch of Remy's trench coat in a tight fist and the Cajun knew he was stuck for a little longer.

For a moment, he wondered where Rogue might be, but since he was stuck here at least until the meeting lasted, he might as well pay attention.

Scott sat in his room studying for biology-he had a feeling there was a pop quiz coming up-when he heard the familiar voice in his head. Smaller and farther away sounding than he was used to, but Xavier none the less. Alarmed as he was that Xavier would make the effort to speak with him telepathically, he stayed calm and listened to what the Professor had to say.

I suggest you check out what's on the news, then be careful and stay out of sight. I will contact you later.

Scott had a million questions to ask, but as he was not himself, psychic, and he had a feeling Xavier wasn't listening for a reply, he rose from his desk and headed out to the den area where a big screen TV was available for the general use of the students in the dormitory.

The six o' clock news was already on and more students than usual were gathered around the TV. Scott had a feeling that he should hang back and not draw attention to himself, but this meant that he was having a hard time hearing what was being said.

"Hey, turn it up!" somebody requested and as the volume on the TV rose, Scott silently thanked the person.

"…only half an hour ago a self-proclaimed 'Homo Superior' broadcast a message that claims a new evolutions of humans have secretly been living among the rest of us 'normal' people. There is no certainty to whether or not the footage shown has been doctored or not, though Mr. Lensherr assured that it wasn't. We have the footage, now."

Scott could barely breathe as the newscaster was replaced by the face of none other than Magneto, declaring the existence of mutants as well as their so called superiority. As soon as he saw his own face among his fellow mutants, Scott new he should have headed back to his room, but he was strangely transfixed by the TV. Every word, every image more firmly rooting him to the floor.

And last but not least, silently playing before him, without even any commentary from Magneto himself, was what unmistakably must have happened to Rogue that summer. His first thoughts were in the direction of, "How could she-?" but as the footage continued, they turned more to "Oh Rogue. What did they make you do?"

Finally the scene ended, and the news reporter came back with more comments on the video and Magneto's message. There was a half-excited, half-nervous hum amongst the students who had gathered to watch that only partially registered with Scott. His mind was reeling. For the X-Men. For Mutants. For Rogue.

It grew almost completely silent before Scott realized that his presence had been discovered among the rest of the students present. He looked at them as they all stared at him, those who had been closest scooting away from him. He realized that what the professor had told him was correct. He did need to be careful and he most certainly needed to stay out of sight.

As he turned away from the crowd and headed back to his room as quickly as he could without running, he heard the whispering begin again. He didn't have to look back to see the pointing fingers, the rumors whispered behind cupped hands. He could only breathe again when he had locked himself in his room.

As soon as the meeting was adjourned Ororo grabbed Remy and pulled him aside. She had noticed Rogue was the only one missing from the meeting because she had specifically looked for the troubled young woman. Ororo wasn't surprised to her absent and didn't blame her. She probably would have reacted the same way after seeing what had been displayed across TV screens world wide.

"I know you want to go look for Rogue, but I don't think that's a good idea," Ororo whispered, keeping the conversation private.

Remy gave her a burning scowl. "Da girl's hurtin'. Whatever dat was dey showed happened, it hurt her."

"I know and I will go looking for her. I have a feeling she would only push you away," Ororo replied, trying to sound empathetic.

Remy had a reply to this, but Ororo cut him off before he could say anything. "Please, trust me. I know you care for her. We all do. But I…we…have a little more experience with Rogue. We've known her a little longer."

Ororo stopped. She could tell by the look on Remy's face that he had given in. She smiled gently although the young man wasn't looking at her to see it. "Besides," she added lightly, "Xavier has already told me Rogue's exact whereabouts and I'll have an easier time getting there than anyone else."

He was looking at her now and she gave him a wink before heading out after the girl in question. Most of the students had redistributed themselves among the mansion, so her path to the front doors was mostly clear. One throng of the younger students tried to stop her on her way out, wanting to ask more questions, find more comfort. She made an apologetic excuse and moved on.

Once outside she broke into a jog, heading around the mansion to the vast acreage behind the massive building. She passed by a couple of basketball courts, the swimming pool and into the open fields. At the back of the rolling green grass hills the trees got thicker and there were a few benches scattered here as there were among the rest of the estate.

But Rogue was not sitting somewhere so conspicuous as the benches. Ororo moved her gaze up toward the trees where the green leaves were beginning to turn the golden shades of autumn. It took a little bit of searching, but Ororo finally spotted her prey. Not that she had her target in sight, she called upon the winds to carry her up to light upon a branch close to the one Rogue had chosen as her own perch.

The girl didn't run…or fly…away, but she didn't acknowledge Ororo, either. But since Ororo knew the young woman before her, she was relieved at this behavior. She had been afraid that Rogue would run away from her as she had predicted she would have from Remy.

"Rogue, why are you hiding?"

Ororo knew it probably wasn't the best question, but her goal at the moment was to get Rogue talking. She seemed to be in a talkative mood because she answered immediately. Though Ororo didn't have a clear view of Rogue's face, she could tell the young woman had already been crying.

Rogue snorted, "Ain't it obvious with what Magneto just revealed t'the whole world."

"We all were exposed in that footage," Ororo replied softly.

"But yo' have nothing t'really be ashamed of," Rogue yelled angrily to the leaves. She refused to look at Ororo.

"Neither do you, Rogue."

"How can they trust muh? After what they say muh do? How could they evah accept muh?"

"You haven't even given them the chance to accept you; to show they trust you. Don't jump to conclusions," Ororo gently chided.

Rogue sniffled, "But what Ah did was so evil. My," she gulped, "my sins were displayed fah all t'see."

"You're judging yourself through everyone's eyes before you've given them a chance to judge for themselves," Ororo kept her voice low and soft. She hoped Rogue could hear her sincerity.

"What do you think?" Rogue asked, a little contemptuously, surprising Ororo with the question.

She hesitated, regaining her composure before she answered, and taking a little time to think about how she wanted to answer. "I think you were cruelly used by uncaring people. I think you were made to do things against your will that you would never have conceived of doing had you been able to act of your choice. What was that thing…that collar you tore from around your neck at the very end?"

"Mystique's way of gettin' muh t'do whatevah she wanted," Rogue's voice was filled with disgust and once again Ororo couldn't blame her.

"You wouldn't have touched that woman if Mystique had not told you to do so, would you?" Ororo asked.

Rogue shook her head. "An' Ah wouldn't've held on fah so long, either." She finally turned to look at Ororo, her already bloodshot eyes welling up with more tears. "I wouldn't've done any of that stuff if Ah'd had a choice."

"I know, Rogue," Ororo assured, placing a hand on Rogue's shoulder.

She cried silently as Ororo put her Mutant powers to use again and floated herself to Rogue, pulling the girl against herself and riding the winds back down to the ground. Rogue held onto her for just a moment longer before pulling away and wiping at her face. Ororo allowed her a moment of composure before they began the walk back to the mansion.

They walked slowly, so that Rogue had time to try to erase the signs of tears and insecurities from her face. They didn't talk. Ororo knew that what needed to be said had been said, and now Rogue just needed a little silence to let Ororo's words really sink into her. The walk was long, but Rogue paused before the front doors. She looked at Ororo again.

"Ya really don't think Ah'm a horrible person fah all the things Ah did?"

Ororo smiled and shook her head. "I've gotten to know you, Rogue, as has everyone else. And I know you better than to think you would do such a thing on your own."

Rogue gave Ororo a rare smile and offered a soft "Thanks" before they entered the mansion together. Ororo wanted to stay with the girl, protect her in case someone here was cruel enough to accuse her. But she knew she needed to let Rogue face them on her own and find out for herself how strong the bonds of friendship had grown.

Although not a very religious person, Rogue said a little prayer, for Ororo and herself, as she headed down the halls of the mansion without Ororo's presence. She didn't quite know where she was going, but somehow she knew if she just let her feet wander they'd take her to her friends. She hoped they were still her friends. Sure enough she could hear a bevy of voices coming from a rec room and as she grew closer could pick out Jean and Kitty and Kurt and Evan.

She hesitated and peered in at them through the slightly cracked door. The whole team was there, even Remy-what am Ah gonna say t'him?-and quite a few of the younger students. Getting the sense of déjà vu, Rogue pulled away from the door for a moment and checked her reflection in a mirror hung next to the door. Unless they were really looking at her, they shouldn't be able to tell she'd been crying. She resisted the urge to rub her eyes and nose again, put on a defiant expression, and pushed the door open.

She was quiet and the group was involved in their conversation, no doubt discussing Magneto's confession to the world of the existence of Mutants. Kitty noticed her first, standing up and calling out her name in a surprised voice. Did that mean they were talking about her?

We were worried about you the expression on Jean's face said as Rogue plopped herself down on the arm of the sofa next to the red head. There was an awkward silence for a moment before Evan piped up.

"So what do you think, Rogue?"

"About which part?" maybe her voice had been too biting. Evan winced as if she'd slapped him.

"About any of it," Kitty jumped in.

"Ah-" she shrugged and shook her head. She realized she hadn't thought about it much past the footage that showed her terrible summer.

"Were you really hanging out with the Brotherhood this summer?"

The question came from one of the younger students, Jubilee, and Rogue could see everyone else was as surprised by the question as she was. "Yeah, but, not that Ah wanted t'be," Rogue answered when her shock wore off a little.

The one question, and probably Rogue actually answering it contributed some, helped the rest of the group find their courage to ask Rogue questions about what they'd seen. She looked at them all a little bewildered as they got a little out of control, firing one question at her after another without giving her chance to respond. Of course they would be curious, but…

"Leave her alone, you guys," Jean's voice cut through the barrage of questions sharply, "Rogue's one of us. It doesn't matter what happened. She's back now. Safe with us. There's no need to question her about anything."

The defense came at the right time, just as Rogue was about to get up and leave the room again. She felt Remy's touch on her knee from where he was lounging in a chair set next to the couch. A comforting gesture and he was wise enough not to let it linger too long. Those younger students who had been asking the questions looked around at each other sheepishly, and a little disappointedly. Somehow without speaking they decided as a group to make their exit, leaving the core members of the X-Men alone.

More silence as Rogue hung her head down low, not wanting to look at anyone. Finally she spoke, "Weren't y'all dieing to ask the same questions."

Kitty, the only one Rogue had confided any of the details to, and even then very little, rushed to deny and assure Rogue, but her words died as Jean spoke again, her tone just as strong and confident as when she had scolded the younger mutants.

"Of course, but we're smart enough to know that you'll talk when you're ready. And we hope you're smart enough to know that we're here for you to confide in when you are ready."

Rogue lifted her head to find Remy directly in her line of sight. He grabbed her gaze immediately and she was actually glad that he didn't give a smile of comfort. Instead, he let his eyes do the talking, showing her all the concern and care he had for her through them. She let herself be held by them for a moment before turning to look at the four bunched onto the couch.

"Ah'm sorry…Ah shouldn't have…"

"Like don't worry about it, Rogue," Kitty stopped her.

"Jah, we are used to it by now," Kurt assured.

"We just wished you'd realize what it means when we say we're your friends," Evan added.

"And we are your friends," Jean emphasized, raising her eyebrows at Rogue.

Rogue finally smiled and gave a little laugh. "Thanks, ya'll."