A/N: First off beginning with this chapter I would like to issue a very special thank you to sunnygirl1404 and CaptMacKenzie for sending Untitled Story it's very first reviews .

Capt - At this time, I am still working on the plot. I don't want to give too much away and I'm sorry you're a little disgusted right now. But I assure you that red headed hoe will eventually get what's coming to her. I can't stand Jean Grey either!

Updated: [1-14-10 ]


In The Shadows: Three.

By the glint of the sun out of the window and her closed eye lids she knew it had to be sometime in the late afternoon. Marie hadn't realized just how tired she was until she pried her eye lids open and looked around outside the window. Glancing down at her watch it was 2:25 PM and the bus was making a pit stop, filling up on gas, letting passengers got off and stretch there legs, use the bathrooms and grab something to eat.

Outside it was stifling hot but she didn't dare take off the long sleeved shirt she wore. Instead she stepped into the gas station asking for the bathroom. The attendant handed her a dingy key and pointed towards the back of the store. Marie couldn't comment to herself on the conditions of the bathroom but let's just say they were pretty gross. Relieving herself she washed her hands quickly before slipping her gloves back on and left the restroom checking to see if she hadn't missed her bus she grabbed a soda pop and a bag of chips and paid before loading back up onto the bus. The rest of the passengers including the driver were all outside sitting around a picnic area eating they're food and talking. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and she longed to be a part of that little group. Heck she would have loved to been part of any group right now, maybe once she got to New York to talk to this Xavier guy she would be accepted. Martha had told her all kinds of different mutants lived there at the Institute for Gifted Youngsters. Sighing she missed home, the smell of her mom and aunts cooking. Laughing at herself she even missed the way that her dad screamed at the TV set when his team was loosing.

Fifteen minuets later they were back on the road, hearing the bus driver telling a few of the passengers closer to the front of the bus that within a few more hours they would be passing through Washington D.C. That seemed to thrill a few people that asked if they would be able to stop in the Capital. The bus driver snorted slightly.

"Lady this ain't no pleasure cruise."

That seemed to make people go quiet again going back to they're individual conversations with the other passengers.


Scott had been home since about ten o'clock that morning. With him he had brought a young girl. That had been the mission he was on, it was only supposed to be an in and out job but the girl was scared to death and he'd spent the week chasing her down and explaining to her who he was and where he was from. The girl was still skittish but under Jubilee's influence little Kitty Pryde would soon be a roaring tigress.

That day Jean had taken particular caution to keep Scott away from Logan, but that was sure not to last very long. It was inevitable that sooner or later Scott and Logan would be alone together and then the stuff was really going to hit the fan. Jean's only conceivable thought was to convince Scott that it wasn't true. That while he'd been gone Logan had made a pass on her and when she turned him down, he said he would tell Scott that they had been sleeping together.

Pretty lame I know some red heads just don't know the difference from a believable lie or a really old cliché.


Apparently to they're bus driver a few hours was more like nine hours. They'd had an hour lay over somewhere in Virgina where thankfully everyone was allowed to get off and use the bathrooms because it was safe to say everyone was about to burst. It reminded Marie of her mother always telling her to use the bathroom before she left the house. For a second or two she lingered on that thought and wished that she could forget all those sweet little bits of advice that no one really thinks about until they are practicing them but then she decided that she wouldn't want to forget those memories for anything in the world, they were all she had now.

"Traveling alone?"

Marie flinched slightly realizing that the question was being directed to her not long after the driver had taken his seat behind the wheel again. Glancing up at the empty seat next to her a tall statuesque blonde stood before it holding onto the back of the seat to keep her balance.

"Yeah." she admitted. "But someone is waiting to meet me where I am going." Marie quickly added once again remembering advice that was given to every child by they're mother. 'Never talk to strangers if you can help it Marie, and you certainly don't let them know where you are going.'

The blonde quickly sat down in the seat next to her folding her arms loosely over her stomach before crossing her mile long legs. "Me, too. Headed to New York on business."

Turning in her seat slightly Marie tilted her head observing the woman who was now sitting dangerously close to her. She was dressed impeccably, a summer suit the lightest shade of peach and comfortable traveling loafers adorned her feet. There was nothing about this woman that told Marie she had to take a bus, she could have just as easily taken a plane and gotten to New York much quicker.

"I'm just going to visit some family." Marie said trying to make it sound very clear that people would be expecting her to get off of this bus in New York unscathed. And actually there were people waiting for her in New York. Martha had spoken to Xavier early that morning before they had left for the bus station explaining everything that had happened including Marie's ability. Martha had also copiously apologized for waking Xavier and such an early hour.

"Valerie Cooper." She announced thrusting her hand out towards Marie as a friendly gesture. Valerie Cooper? Where had Marie heard that name before? It sounded so familiar to her but she just couldn't match the face and name to her memory.

"I'm-" She stalled for a moment not sure she should tell this woman her real name. "I'm Rogue…just Rogue." she said taking the woman's hand and shaking it. Valerie had a very strong grip for a woman Marie noted before laying her gloved hand back down into her lap.

"So just Rogue." Valerie laughed softly. "Is this a special family event?"

Marie thought it was rather nosy of the woman but she sighed softly, as much as she was telling herself to just be polite and shun the woman Marie really wanted someone to talk to.

"It's my grand-daddy's birthday and we've always be really close so my parents and me thought it would be nice if I could surprise him for his birthday. My Uncle's picking me up at the bus station and is going to sneak me into the house without papi's knowing it."

For a second Marie was surprised at herself, she was getting pretty good at this lying stuff.

"Oh that's very nice." Valerie said seeming to begin to loose interest as she clear her throat. "Well, it was very nice to meet you Rogue." she said holding out her hand again to shake before she left going back to her original seat.

Nodding Marie turned in her seat and watched as the blonde made her way back to the back of the bus. That was just weird but she was happy to be alone again. The less she talked to people the less of a chance there was that someone would become suspicious of her.


Taking her cellular phone from her bag Valerie went through the digital read out of contacts before pressing 'Call' and placing the phone next to her ear.

"Target confirmed."


"Yes, Professor? You wanted to see me?" Scott Summers asked as he stepped into the spacious office, his hands reforming behind his back standing at attention.

"That is correct Scott. Please take a seat." Xavier said gesturing towards any one seat that took up space in his office. Waiting until Scott was seated, he pursed his lips softly looking at the young man that sat before him today. Scott had come a long way from the time that Xavier had found him, brought him here to his home and taught him how to control his powers.

"I realize that you must be exhausted but I have another mission for you and the delicacy in which you handled Miss Pryde I feel encouraged that you are the best man for this. On a bus even as we speak is a young woman coming here to New York. It is from an old contact that I was notified of this young woman, her powers." Xavier paused gently pressing his hands together and resting them just under his chin. "Are rather extreme. Now we will not be able to range these powers of hers until she reaches the mansion but from what I have been told her powers manifested somehow in her skin…anything she touches she seems to take they're life force."

Scott sat up on the edge of his seat listening. "Professor, that's amazing." he said lowly.

Xavier nodded gravely before continuing. "Yes, Scott it is. But it is how she chooses to use these powers that worries me. She could be a huge danger to herself as well as those around her. Now, she has already decided to come here of her own will and I have no doubt that we will be able to help her. But as you know a young girl at this confusing stage of her life can be confused even more should she land in the wrong hands."

Scott was already beginning to understand. "So you're afraid that the Brotherhood could possibly be looking for her as well?" Scott asked. His expression shifting however at times it was rather hard to read his expressions behind those ruby quartz lenses.

"Not only the Brotherhood, Scott but the Acolytes as well. I have spoken to Erik about this young girl as well and it is our express wish to keep this girl away from the Acolytes. The Brotherhood is one thing, but they are something else altogether."

For a moment Scott's brows screwed up his forehead wrinkling gently at the motives of his most looked up to idol. "Professor do you honestly think that safe?" He asked standing up beginning to slowly pace the room.

"At this time Scott, I have no other choice but to love my enemy and garner them a certain amount of trust. Erik would never willingly hurt another mutant that he felt could contribute to his cause. It is through him, I have been trying to keep tabs on the girl."

"But you really think you can trust him?" Scott turned looking at the Professor.

This questioned was answered by a low chuckling in Xavier's throat. "I have no doubt Scott that Erik will try to sway the decision the girl has made. I'm no old fool as some might like to believe. But the sooner she is in New York the safer she will be and for now that is all I am hoping for. If the time should come, and I know it will, we will deal with the Brotherhood directly."


A/N: That concludes chapter three. I hope that you have enjoyed it so far. Please leave me your reviews.