Disclaimer: I do not own.

A/N: The Golgotha story line comes into play in this chapter. For those of you unfamiliar with the comics, this alien creature tried to destroy the world. It began as an isolated incident that the X-Men brought into their HQ for investigation. The alien life force worked by playing off people's deepest fears and secrets. In the canon, Gambit and Rogue were forced to face some tough issues about their relationship, and Wolverine had this odd little love-confessional to her. Obviously, that would not have worked in a world where G&R are already married with kids. It was a good story (I think), so I took what I liked and tweaked it a little to make it work in a different scenario. Enjoy!

Broken Chains

Chapter Five: Crazy

My heroes had the heart
To lose their lives out on a limb.
And all I remember is thinking:
'I wanna be like them.'

-Crazy, Gnarles Barkley

Storm knew they closed the North Pole case prematurely.

Six scientists were dead, along with the alien virus that drove them insane. A team from NASA spent the winter months in Antarctica researching extraterrestrial life forms that fell to earth eons ago and remained frozen. Upon thawing, the virus revived and took the residents as hosts. Video messages documented their growing paranoia. People disappeared. The survivors grew hostile and aggressive. Some hours after the last victim expired, the virus perished, too. Apparently, it required some other life to support its own. What more could be done?

And yet, Storm knew the case was unresolved.

Gambit had been sleeping terribly the entire trip. She worried for him. Their last night in the North Pole, she made him tea with sleeping herbs. He awoke just a few hours later, hysterical over Rogue and her unborn children. He held Storm at gunpoint, insisting she calm the blizzard so they could all return home immediately. Shamefully, she doubted her friend's sanity. Only when Wolverine received a telegram verifying Gambit's dream did she believe him. Was this the woman she had become? A woman who trusted machines over a father's instincts?

Once the blizzard cleared, the team boarded the jet for New York.

If she had tried to hinder Gambit, he was not above stealing the jet and leaving them behind. He could have crashed, leaving them all to a frozen grave. And honestly, it would not have been more punishment than they deserved.

.::.

I was waiting in the hanger when the Blackbird returned. The platform lowered, and Papa was the first one off.

I shouted: "Papa's home!" and ran to greet him.

Like a little girl, I hugged his neck, and he swept me up.

"Oh, ma cherie tite fille," he said while carrying me like a small child. "My sweet little girl. How I missed you."

His grasp was firm while he held me, but I instinctively knew he was walking to Rogue. When I felt her close by, I dropped from his grasp. They had a very tender reunion with little kisses and tears. It reminded me that behind all the fights and pride, they loved each other. I was too young to appreciate how rare love is. Tante Ro surprised me with a hug. Her arms were firm and warm.

"Rogue looks well. I assume much has changed since our last transmission?"

"Nate saved her."

I hoped my Auntie understood because I could elaborate no further.

"The Goddess's ways are unknown to us."

I noticed Logan standing nearby. He never asked, but I knew he was worried about Rogue, too. I smiled and gave him a hug that he didn't return.

"I ain't yer Papa, pep."

"Hooray! Logan's back! And just in time for try-outs!"

Everyone had a laugh at Logan's expense. He grumbled and left me in the cold, but the gruff was part of his charm. Truthfully, the students both feared and adored Logan's power over their lives. He alone would assign everyone to a squad. All year long (and sometimes longer), he was petitioned by pupils and teachers alike: 'Please put me here!' or 'You have to give me that student!'

Everyone knew Logan was above bribes, threats or pleas, but no one quite knew how to persuade him. Unfortunately, try-outs happened alongside finals. Most students were distracted or weary at try-outs, but Logan knew that. No doubt, he had been watching the students all year, and already had a team in mind for each of them.

This year in particular, exams and try-outs also aligned with Rogue's due date. My stepmother already had a sub handy. Should she go into labor early or be placed on bed rest, Ms. Coy Manh was prepared to administer exams or finish out the school year. Meanwhile, Rogue was the envy of everyone. She taught from a wide chair with her feet elevated. She ate constantly. It'd be a lie to say she maintained a cute figure, but you'd never know it from my father's behavior. He only had eyes for her.

Was he making a conscious effort to be oblivious? Was he really so preoccupied? Or had he really changed?

I didn't know.

Rogue and Papa were so happy that they moved back in together. However, my family was far from saved. Momma decided to move forward with seeking sole custody of me. He was still trying to please her diplomatically, but she had moved beyond promises and resolutions. She used Dr. MacTaggert to create her entire offense. Momma and the Scottish doctor believed Papa's behavior had some direct influence on our unusual bond. Since he refused to submit to testing, he was only making the situation that much more difficult. As a result, private investigators had infiltrated the student body looking for evidence. If they discovered my father's interest in Foxx, Momma would have all the evidence she needed. Naturally, the school was pressuring my father to quickly resolve the matter. If word got out about Foxx – and the media picked it up – the school would have more lawsuits and investigations than they could handle. It would be the end of Xavier Academy.

"A little late for a custody battle," Nate said about it one afternoon. "Jesus, they've been divorced for a decade."

"Because there's a child involved, the divorce is ongoing. Nothing's final until Honor turns eighteen." Tess spoke from behind a book.

"At least your parents want you," Renegade said, picking at his sad little lunch.

"Hey, anyone get Wagner's study guide?" Uri asked, boldly changing the subject.

We digressed into exam talks until I was interrupted by Foxx.

"Hey, 'On, can I talk to you?"

She looked terrible.

I lead her away from my friends before I spoke with her. I'd never told them about my secret sessions with her, per her request. Our meetings lessened from daily to weekly, but lately I'd had endless excuses to blow her off. I assumed that was the motivation behind her visit, but I knew how this looked to Tess. I knew she watched us leave, and I hated Foxx for creating so much trouble. My girlfriend was jealous enough over flirty Ethan.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be dere," I started.

"Oh, I don't care about that!"

"Okay…"

Foxx was pale, her hair un-brushed and poorly washed. I realized too late what she wanted to tell me.

"I'm sure you know Gambit and I were seeing each other. He said he didn't want say anything until the twins were born, but you must've known. That's why you asked me for lessons, isn't it?" Her voice was slightly hysterical, and she gripped my shoulders. "I'm fine with that, really. I can see the stress Rogue's under. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to Gambit's babies! But he can call me or something!"

I kept silent, but gracefully escaped her grasp.

"He listens to you!" She continued, giving me crazy eyes. "Just mention me. Ask him when he spoke to me last. Yeah! That'll remind him, and he'll call me after class or something. I just want to talk to him, 'On. I miss him."

At the time, I believed her, but I still didn't sympathize with her. I kept silent.

"Honor!" she whined. "He said he loved me!"

"Den you're as stupid as all de others! You won't get my help or my pity! Want my advice? Drop it before you get more den a broken heart!"

I left mad as hell. Not with my father. No, somehow I'd come to expect this sort of behavior from him. But what kind of girl hooks up with a married man, knowing he's got two kids on the way? And then she gladly agrees to keep quiet! How much stupidity is required to buy that old alibi? He would break Rogue's heart, violate her trust, and humiliate her time and again. But he would never abandon her.

I wanted to silence Foxx forever before she caused more trouble for Rogue. Momma would've been my best ally, but she was currently trying to destroy my father, too. If she had anything more than rumors concerning Foxx, I'd never see Papa again.

I felt so overwhelmed.

.::.

At 3:34 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Wolverine attacked Professor Xavier. The aggressor was apprehended before any serious damage was completed. When questioned, he insisted that the Professor was an imposter. Following an investigation, Dr. McCoy concluded that the virus in Antarctica returned with the team. The school was immediately quarantined, and the government alerted. The staff was pulled from their classes, and the school was searched. The students were kept in their rooms with strict instructions not to leave under any circumstances.

At the time, I was locked in my room with Julie. Due to the nature of the quarantine, I had no idea if my family was safe. I didn't even know if Momma was on the grounds. She might return in the evening, only to meet the government barricade. She would be worried out of her mind, and demand to know where I was. The guards would direct her to a make-shift waiting area. How long would she have to wait and worry? She'd work herself into hysterics. I was even more concerned about Rogue. Where was she? Was she okay? Papa could have been carrying the virus, too, and none of us even knew. He could have infected her, too!

If other X-Men were indeed infected, would they target the students?

I wasn't worried about myself, but for my friends. They were no match for our instructors. If Tess had no weapon or assistant, she was pretty much useless. She needed me. Once I found her, we could wait as long as we had to.

"Where are you going?" Julie asked me.

"Something's wrong. I have t' find Tess."

"You can't just leave me here!"

The two of us crept down a dim hallway, and through a silent staircase. The lights were out except for the glowing red signs labeling the exits. The air felt tense and suspicious.

"You were instructed to stay in your rooms!" A man bellowed.

Julie and I trembled like kittens. I saw Bishop's outline at the other end of the hall. He was the shadow of death, come to crumble my bones. One massive leg moved in front of the other, and I bolted back down the stairs. While out of sight, Julie and I darted into a utility closet. I held the knob tightly while she rummaged through rolls of toilet paper and cleaning products. Hidden in this closet was a tiny getaway door that led to a tunnel and eventually led to the sewers. It was a panic room of sorts for the school. Would the government have it locked, too?

We crawled through the little door and fell. The hatch immediately dropped into a steep slide – to deter intruders, I suppose. Following the slide, there was a brief drop, and we landed on top of each other. The landing wasn't hard, but was a surprise. I heard the little door shut and disappear from sight. We would not be able to exit that way.

Julie and I held hands as we ventured down the tunnel.

I once over-heard Professor Xavier saying the tunnels were originally built for the servants. The help used the system to move around the grounds without being seen. During the renovation of the mansion, the tunnels were a secure form of transportation. Now, they were just a secret exit. At least, that's what the students had been told. The tunnels were brick, much like the house, but a cheaper sort of stone with sloppier workmanship. It was poorly lit: barely visible, really. Fortunately, the ground was cemented smooth. Aside from the occasional rat, we had no problems.

"Do you know where we're going?" Julie asked me. Her soft voice echoed through the darkness.

"Hello?" an invisible voice beckoned us.

I unraveled my mother's prayer beads from my belt and charged it just enough to pierce the darkness. A familiar woman came into view.

"Momma?"

"Merci, Jesu! Dis way leads out."

My mother looked very old, but her eyes sparkled at the sight of me. Her clothes had been oddly re-assembled.

"Momma… how'd you get here?"

"Lucas once told me de school's only weakness was de tunnels." She took my hand and started back.

"His name's Bishop. And what happened t' your shoes?"

"If you must know, I was checkin' for motion detectors."

"And your shirt?"

"Mind your tone, young lady."

Momma and Julie continued down the tunnel, but I stopped. Only when shadows eclipsed the blue illumination of my rosary did they notice I'd fallen behind.

"Chere?"

"You said we wouldn't leave wit'out Papa," I said. "You said we were a family." I gripped the beads tightly. I'd never challenged my mother so directly before, but I knew there was much at stake. My family depended on me.

"You wanna have dis talk here?"

"On Muir Island, my opinion mattered. What changed? You never even asked me what I wanted."

"'Cause dis ain't about want, Honor Julien. Dis is about keepin' you safe. Dr. MacTaggert was right… Twelve times a year, dat man goes off t' play cowboy. You get kidnapped or hurt. At de least, you're up all night worryin' over 'm and fail a test. He ain't never put you first. Dat's what dis is about."

"I got hurt and failed tests in Nawlins, too. De only reason nothin' worse happened is on account a' Jean-Luc. How many times did you leave me alone at night? Sneak int' some smoky bar t' take a contract on someone's life?"

"Don't you speak dat man's name t' me!" Momma shouted. Her voice shook loose little stones from place. "Dat man's been de cause of all my problems! You t'ink he's so great? He's de one who sent your father away. He's de reason you got left alone. He tried t' kill me, too, so he could have you all t' himself!"

"LIES!" I shouted back. "It wasn't Jean-Luc's fault! It was Oncle Julien's!" I crossed a line with those words. Although I hadn't put much thought into saying that, I immediately expected to be backhanded. The blasphemy tainted my soul, and – in my mother's mind – was proof of my father's corruption. "But Papa never spoke unkindly of Oncle Julien! He never blamed anyone but himself-!"

"Easy for him t' do," My mother spoke with her eyes downcast. Her voice held strong, but somehow I knew she was crying. "He got t' walk away. Dat would've been easier. He wasn't de one left wit' a little one and no father. De looks I got… De things I did t' keep a roof over our heads… He wasn't de one checking de obituaries for his spouse! Or fightin' for his birthright! Dat's how he's always been! Even now! Dat man ain't never tended t' you when you're sick. He just t'rows money my way and expects me t' do all de work. Momma's always gettin' de shit end a' de horse."

"I'm sorry you hate your life, Momma, but I won't take the blame for it! Not anymore!"

I lowered the rosary and our light source disappeared. I fled into the shadows, my heart pounding with my footfalls. Momma was right behind me, and I was instantly filled with guilt. What if she tripped and got hurt? It would be my fault. Would I stop and help her? Or would I go on for Papa? I couldn't do both. I couldn't have both. (For some reason, I thought of Vaughn and how his little choices added up to a big impact. I was at a similar precipice. Something was about to happen… I just didn't know what.) Before I was forced to confront my mother, there was another light in the tunnel. In the distance shone a charged playing card held by my father. The neon pink card flashed at the sound of us, and I quickly lit my rosary as an olive branch. My pace slowed as my blue light turned purple.

"What de hell are you doin' here?" He asked of us.

Momma and I launched into our stories – I was worried about Tess, and Bishop chased me. She was trying to find out what happened, but no one would tell her anything. Julie and I found the trap door. Momma knew how to access the tunnels without being seen. Speaking of Julie… I glanced behind me, and saw she was behind Momma. She was short of breath and irritated.

"Can it!" My father snapped. "We've got bigger problems."

He continued down another tunnel. Not knowing what else to do, we followed him. His voice filled the darkness while relaying to us recent events: an alien virus that encouraged aggression had contaminated the school. My father was sent with Rogue and Logan into the tunnels to determine the security. Words were exchanged, and the team separated.

"Genius, LeBeau," Momma said. "Dere's a homicidal frenzy, and you leave your pregnant wife alone?"

"I didn't leave her. She t'ought I was infected."

Momma pulled me and Julie away from him. "Mais, are you?"

He smiled wickedly. "Lookin' for any excuse, non?"

He couldn't have known about the argument just minutes earlier, but his comment provoked her.

"Contrary t' popular belief, I don't live t' hurt you! I'm only lookin' out for Honor! Someone has to!"

"Belle, why you t'ink I'm here? Why you t'ink I built dat house and bought dat car and helped you move here? You t'ink I did dat for me?"

I wanted to evaporate. Poor Julie was being exposed to my family's most intimate conversations, which meant the entire school would soon know our business.

"Oh, would you two just kiss and get it over wit'?" I bellowed.

They immediately stopped talking and gave me a funny look.

Julie giggled.

"How long you two gonna shout before you start listenin'?" I continued. "Everyone's mad at each other, and no one t'inks dey done anything wrong. Really comes down t' dis: Momma's afraid of gettin' left behind, and Papa's afraid of bein' tied down."

"Why you say dat, catin?"

"Why else would Momma work so hard at bein' a part of your life, and den try t' force you out? And why else would Papa marry Rogue and den treat her so bad?" They continued to look puzzled. "Don't play dumb!" I said. "Momma, I heard you tellin' Foxx dat you hate Papa. But den in de same breath, said you envied Rogue. And Papa, you're runnin' around wit' Foxx while poor Rogue is big as a house! Why'd you marry her if you don't want her?"

Momma looked flushed, but Papa was quick to respond.

"I asked you not t' spread dat rumor, 'On."

"Papa, Foxx told me you two were seein' each other!"

"I'm tellin' you she lied. Is dat what got Rogue so upset? She overheard Foxx tellin' you about somethin' from a Nabokov novel, and decided t' set my stuff on fire?"

"She actually started a fire?" Momma asked, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. "Bravo."

"I – I had a dream," I said. "A vision. I saw you and Foxx in de shower."

"I had de same dream, too, chere; but it was just a dream. I wouldn't lie t' you."

My mind was reeling. The relief was actually palpable. My father was the man I knew him to be, and not the man others thought he was. How could I let some air-head convince me otherwise? I had never trusted her, and yet… I had trusted her.

Papa turned to my mother and asked: "Got anyt'ing you wanna t'row in?"

She took a deep breath. I knew my mother was a very proud woman, and accepting blame was a challenge.

"I'm sorry you over heard dat, petite…" The words were forced out. "I didn't mean de t'ings I say t' dat girl. I been goin' t'rough a lot dat nobody knows about… When t'ings get too upsettin', it's easy t' blame your father or Rogue because dat's what people expect me t' say. But de truth…" She took another breath and wrung her hands.

"Jeez, Belle," said Papa, "You're sweatin' like a whore in church! Lie much?"

"Go t' hell, LeBeau! De truth is: de doctor told me I couldn't have any more children. Happy? I don't wanna talk about it, and I don't need anyone's pity! Just somet'ing I gotta deal wit', and I'm sorry if it turns me ugly sometimes."

"Decrepit old crone like you shouldn't be makin' babies t' start wit."

Momma shot him a very nasty word, but Papa laughed it off. I didn't know what to say. I was sure both my parents were wrong to pretend like this revelation was trivial, but the correct course of action was beyond my scope. Fortunately, I was spared the awkwardness of a direct response.

"Gambit," my father's collar said, "Do you read?"

"Oui, fearless leader."

"The virus has been contained. Return to the War Room."

"Rodger. Come on, femmes, let's get you back t' de surface."

"Yeah," I muttered, "Wouldn't want Lucas t' get worried."

.::.

The X-Men were in the War Room for a long time. When they finally emerged, they immediately left on the Blackbird. I had no idea when or if my father would ever come home. Since Tante Ro was on the away team, astronomy class for the evening was cancelled. But I went anyway. Alone on the roof, I looked up at the diamond speckle stars and wondered if one of them carried my father. He'd broken a date with me. My mother was right: it hurt to love him. But that was something I was willing to live with.

"Chere? You didn't know dere was no class t'night?"

I heard my mother's voice as she climbed the staircase. Her presence made me nervous. Unlike Papa, she wouldn't hesitate to confront an issue the moment she saw one. Our conversation in the tunnels was unfinished, and I'd been avoiding her all day.

"Hello? Earth to Honor. Anyone home?"

I looked at her, my lips sealed.

"Oh, I see. Mais, I said I was sorry. What're you all quiet for?"

I thought for a moment. "Did you even want another baby?"

"I did. Not so much for me. I loved Julien unlike anyone else in de entire world. He was de only person who'd lived my life wit' me. When my Papa died, he was dere wit' me. When Momma made a fool of herself, he was wit' me. He and I had a kinship… Dere's a connection between siblin's dat just can't be imitated. I wanted you t' have dat."

"Well, dere's de twins," I offered.

"Oui. Dere is de twins." She strolled around the rooftop aimlessly. "Dere was always some excuse. Dere was always a reason not to. Those t'ings don't seem so important now."

The silence between us built and became too intense.

"Who would you even have a baby wit'?" I asked lightly. "You never had any boyfriends."

"Details, details, my love! Look, dat ain't what I came t' talk t' you about. Come inside and have some tea wit' me and Rogue."

I obliged, feeling greatly relieved. I followed my mother to Rogue's room, where my stepmother was located. As we entered, I heard the toilet flush and the Mississippian waddled out.

"Honor! Hey, sugah, how ya take your tea?"

"Lots of sugar, thanks. Gettin' a little too hot for tea, ain't it? Needs some ice."

"Needs some vodka," my mother said, "Can't wait for Rogue to drop dese youngin's. I need a drink!"

"Who you talkin' to?" Rogue asked. "If you need a drink, Ah need the whole dang bar!"

"Not till you're done nursin'," I reminded her. "We don't want a couple of drunk infants."

The three of us settled in, and entertained ourselves with conversation. I'd always enjoyed very liberal conversations with my parents. It sort of boggled my mind that Nate had only discussed sex once with his parents; that Uri was forbidden from questioning his religious upbringing; and that some kids were embarrassed just to be mutants. Although I was naturally uncomfortable with my ever-changing powers and body, I was never ashamed of who I was. This acceptance of the corporeal made it easy to discuss all things physical. Rogue and I would complain about outgrowing our bras while Momma lamented her dead sex life .

My parents were unusual in many ways. Obviously.

In the exclusive company of women, we had our favorite topics of conversation. We soon tossed around Foxx's name, being the recent and most exciting subject. Thankfully, I was spared apologizing to Rogue. Papa already told her about our revelations in the tunnels.

"Oh, Ah don't care about that," Rogue said carelessly, "Heck, Ah took 'm back not knowin' that much. But what was Ah suppose to think? Ah mean, he wakes me up in the middle of the night with some nightmare. Then he clams up, not tellin' me a thing! He gets a shower while Ah'm feedin' his babies, and consolin' his kid in the middle of the night! Ah love you, Honor, but that shoulda been your father there!"

While Rogue let off her steam, my mother nodded as if receiving the Gospel. I half expected her to raise her hands and shout 'Hallelujah!'

"And Ah get this memory from Honor," Rogue said, "Poor Honor! Who'd never speak a word against the man! But there's more than ya'll know. See, during one of our telepathic sessions with Emma, he kissed me, thinkin' Ah was Foxx. So then Ah thought he lied about spendin' all that time at the house. And that Ah was a fool to believe him for so long. And why did he really need to shower at three a.m.? That little Lolita's got no idea how much heartache she's brought me!"

"People keep callin' her dat," I said. "She's less of a 'Lolita' and more of a 'Delilah'. I think she's been playin' us all along."

They both leaned towards me.

"I can't prove it," I began with a disclaimer, but it was wasted. I knew they would believe every word I said. That's the power of a precog. "It's just a vibe I get from her. From de first night she arrived, she's been pushin' us away from Papa. She somehow shows up at all de right times in all de right places. You ever notice dat? First she gets his attention, weasels her way ont' his squad… She pretends t' be our friend, but de whole time, she's tryin' t' get Momma t' fall in love wit' him again. She's spreadin' rumors about seein' him on de side. And she said she'd help me wit' my powers, but I know she just sits dere and listens t' me rant. She's just waitin' t' get somet'ing juicy on Pop."

"Why're you takin' lessons from her?" Rogue asked.

"She said she knew a precog, and that she'd be able t' help me," I answered, "Also, I… Thought it was a good idea t' keep her close. I think she means t' destroy us."

"I t'ink you're right," Momma said seriously.

"But why?" asked Rogue.

Momma's eyes sparkled. "I know how t' find out."

…

We asked Foxx to return to our house in Poughkeepsie with us. More security tests, Momma lied casually. Foxx bought it, and the three of us were on our way. But the snake in our mists caught the scent of deception. Why were we going so late? Where was Bishop's van? What did Momma expect Foxx to do differently?

"Oh, Gawd, my back!" Rogue complained, and Foxx suddenly forgot her suspicions. The younger girl told Rogue to lay her seat back, and began timing my stepmother's contractions. She inquired about dizziness and nausea.

"You done dis before, Momma Foxx?" My mother asked lightly. Then, she asked Rogue: "You wanna turn around, chere? We do dis another time."

"No, don't be silly," Rogue said, taking a few deep breaths. "Hank said false labors aren't uncommon. And anyways, we're not too far from the hospital."

So we pressed on with Foxx tending to Rogue's every sigh. I wondered if Rogue had staged the whole thing, and why Foxx cared so much. A few minutes later, the four of us proceeded into the house. Momma turned off the security system and turned on the lights. Rogue looked around for a place to sit, but of course the furniture hadn't been brought in yet. Her options were the floor or the staircase: both uncomfortable.

Foxx quickly scanned the room and saw a two-step ladder left behind by a painter. She crossed the room and lifted it without a thought. As soon as she grabbed it, a laser beam blasted her into a quiet heap.

"My Gawd!" Rogue gasped.

"She's okay. Just stunned." Momma jumped into action, instructing me how to restrain her hands and feet. We rigged up a device from handcuffs, rope, and the stair railing that would hold Foxx in mid-air. Once lifted, she would be upside down, but we refrained from that position until she was conscious. Meanwhile, Momma carefully duct taped her mouth.

"How're we s'post to find out anything if she can't talk?" my stepmother asked.

"Mais, I imagine when she first comes to, she'll try t' scream for help. We scare her a bit, ask some questions, and den de tape comes off. Chere, cut de lights. Don't want somebody t' see a shadow and get de wrong idea."

What idea would that be? I wondered. Wouldn't want someone to think we trapped a girl, held her against her will, and tortured her for making eyes with the wrong man.

Despite what Momma told Rogue, I knew we wouldn't be asking any questions. The time for words had passed. Foxx's reasons were irrelevant. This was the proverbial door on the rear end. Foxx should've known my mother and I don't make ideal threats.

..

The older girl came to like a kitten. One eye opened, and then the other. She began to tug at her restraints, and panicked once she felt her mouth taped shut. Momma pulled the rope, and Foxx was lifted like a shark on the docks. She squirmed back and forth, but the rope held and she had no help. Finally, she stilled herself and waited for the inevitable. She looked quite silly, really. Long blue hair standing on end like a troll doll, face flushed, and eyes burning. And she was spinning helplessly, slowly – with a murderous glare.

"You shoulda known you wouldn't get int' my home uninvited," Momma said as she tied off the rope. "You lied t' my daughter," said Momma, "Soiled her father's name, and tried to break up my family. You are guilty of dishonor, deception, and conspiracy. In another life, I might've offered you a job… But you made a big mistake targetin' my family."

"You had it all set up," I said, pushing her so that she spun one way and then the other. "You made sure Roxy saw you go int' de teachers' showers, but Gambit wasn't even in dere. He was on de field still talkin' t' me. Then you made yourself look guilty… And my father, too. You pretended t' be my friend so you could see just how powerful I really am. Does dis answer your question?"

My mother turned to Rogue and said: "I never told you how I found out about Antarctica. She told me. I found out about Joseph, too, and what Remy had t' do t' get back. She was right t' t'ink I'd hold it against you forever. You can't ever make dat right, but I ain't gonna let her use my anger t' get her way."

"Belle, Ah-"

"Save your breath, chere. I use t' wonder what you saw in him… Now I wonder what he sees in you."

Foxx was shouting something, but her mouth was still taped.

Rogue approached her and spoke very quietly. "Ah believed the rumors. The things Ah said to that man… The things Ah did… It's a wonder he ever forgave me. And all for nothin'. You know I almost miscarried because of you? You didn't have to hurt us like this. Why couldn't you just let us be happy?"

Momma ripped the tape from Foxx's mouth. Immediately, our captive spit in my mother's face, and received punch.

Foxx spun like a caterpillar.

I grabbed a handful of her blue hair and she came to a painful stop. My other arm wrapped around her neck and squeezed. She squirmed again, attempting to head butt my diaphragm.

"Stop it!" Rogue cried. "No matter what she's done, she doesn't deserve this!"

"I was afraid you'd turn yellow," said Momma.

With very little effort, my mother was able to lock a Genoshan collar on Rogue. The device was typically used to neutralize mutant powers, but could also be used to inflict pain. Rogue was no stranger to hurt, but too much would endanger her babies.

"You don't wanna cause your children t' suffer for dis harlot," Momma said. "Trust me, mine's suffered enough. You just have a seat, and let me do what I came t' do."

"Don't do it!" Foxx yelled breathlessly. "You hurt her, and I'll rip your eyes out!"

I adjusted the rope so that Foxx was now at least six feet from the floor. Then I gathered random trash left by the construction workers: papers, tape, disposable paint tins and the like. I piled the trash under Foxx.

"Please help me, Rogue!" cried Foxx. "I'm sorry, all right? If you wanna know the truth, your husband's stepped out before. Maybe not with me, but he has! You had a right to know! Belle has a tape of-"

"Oh, shut up!" Momma shouted. She found a broom, and slammed it against Foxx's spine. It broke in half, throwing wooden splinters across the floor.

Foxx cried out in pain, and tears trickled up her brow.

"Stop it! Please!" Rogue pleaded.

Momma turned the broken broom handle on her.

I picked up a playing card that had been left on the floor: either by the workers or my father, I didn't know. The card was the Queen of Diamonds. I showed it to Foxx.

"You said we were just gonna ask her some questions," Rogue pleaded with my mother.

"I've got a question for her," I said. "Are you ready t' die?" The card between my index and middle finger caught fire. I tossed the card into the trash pile, and a small fire began to build. It was no funeral pyre, but the flames easily incinerated her long hair and singed her scalp.

Finally, Foxx decided she'd suffered enough. Her orange eyes burned into my soul, seething acid and contempt. "You fucking little cunt," she snarled, her voice lower than I'd ever heard it. "I'm going to enjoy killing you." Her body sort of melted, and she slipped from her restraints. The next few seconds were a blur. I never saw her stand or move. There was a flash, and I was struck hard across the jaw. Momma fired her plasma gun but missed. I heard the crack of small bones and she groaned pitifully.

While I struggled to pull myself up again, Rogue had blocked Foxx's escape. For some reason, Foxx didn't attack Rogue.

My stepmother looked angry – much more so than I'd ever seen her. She wept and shook with fury. But she wasn't upset with Momma and me. Her green eyes were set on Foxx, burning through the younger girl. "Momma, how could you?"

I crawled over to my mother. She was conscious, but unmoving. Her neck had been sprained: possibly fractured. I didn't know what to do.

"I did it because I love you, Rogue," Foxx said.

Momma asked me if I was badly hurt. I couldn't help but laugh, and when I did, tears fell. I shook my head and asked her if she could move. She joked about putting her out to pasture; that she'd never play the violin again. I helped her sit up very slowly. I glanced over at Foxx, wondering why she hadn't attacked Rogue to escape. To my surprise, Foxx had morphed into a curvy, blue-skinned woman with bright red hair. This persona was even more dangerous than Foxx, but she held her hands up patiently.

"That man doesn't deserve you, baby," the blue woman told Rogue. "If Belle would tell you half the things he's done, you'd know he doesn't deserve you! I know you only married him because of the twins. You've seen how well-adjusted his first child turned out, and you think a ring on his finger will ensure the best for your children. You don't need him, baby. You don't need a man at all. I didn't."

"For the first time in mah life," Rogue whispered, "Ah'm happy… Ah'm normal. And you tried to destroy that. Ah will never forgive you."

We decided to return to Xavier Academy. Due to the change in events, I drove. My hands were moist the entire time, but we arrived safely. Mystique, Rogue's mother, willingly returned with us. I felt like an idiot for being the last to learn her true identity. Of course, Rogue had told Momma everything long ago. Momma already knew that Mystique had taken Rogue in as a child, and trained her to be a modern ronin. Some people might have called her a terrorist. Rogue ran away to join the X-Men, and became an adversary to Mystique's work. Some might have taken the betrayal personally, but not Mystique. She had caused her daughter a great deal of pain, but her intentions were always pure. Even now, she sought to make amends.

If she loved Rogue so much, why couldn't she just let her be happy with someone else?