Disclaimer: Obviously I have absolutely no rights whatsoever over this material.

Chapter 25-Trouble in the Making

Rogue was woken by a loud crash coming from downstairs. She blinked a few times before her alarm clock came into focus. It was barely eight in the morning. Rogue stretched her arms over her head and tried to think who would be up so early. Logan, maybe—but he was usually pretty quiet. It couldn't be either Scott or Warren seeing as how the earliest they had been waking up during Christmas break was noon. And it definitely couldn't be the Professor. He never made a sound that would disturb the rest of the mansion.

Another crash echoed throughout the mansion, followed by a childish laugh. Oh no, thought Rogue to herself glancing at the calendar on the wall. Today was the day the rest of the X-Men returned for the remainder of the school year. With a groan Rogue got out of bed as yet another crash resounded from the downstairs, followed by a chorus of cries. It seemed Bobby and Evan were in trouble already.

"Ah'm gonna kill those guys for comin' back so early," vowed Rogue to herself as she pulled on a pair of jeans, a long sleeved green shirt, brown gloves, black steel toed shoes, and a black sweater. She grabbed a scarf that matched her shirt, winding it around her throat as she made her way out of her room. Rouge glanced down the hall in time to see both Scott and Warren making their way out of the bedroom they shared. Neither one looked very awake at the moment.

"I call dibs on killing Bobby and Evan," muttered Scott as the trio made their way downstairs.

"Only if ya cahn catch 'em first," replied Rogue darkly. Warren chuckled. The three teens stopped at the bottom of the staircase and studied the returning students. They weren't alone it seemed. New faces stood around nervously looking about the mansion hallway.

"Welcome," announced the Professor wheeling into the room with Logan at his heels. "I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a safe trip back. I'm glad you have returned so…energetic."

"Better hope you have enough energy for the Danger Room later today," growled Logan fiercely. Evan and Bobby paused long enough to gulp in fear.

"Hey now," started Bobby, "it's not like we woke anyone up."

"Wanna bet?" demanded Rogue, her green eyes flashing dangerously.

Evan squeaked. "Bobby started it."

Rogue narrowed her eyes. "If Ah was you boys Ah'd stay as far away from meh as possible."

"How long?" asked Bobby scratching his head anxiously.

"How about for the next couple of months?" shot back Rogue acerbically.

"Told ya she had a temper," whispered Kurt to one of the newer kids standing around.

"Are these new recruits, Professor?" asked Scott indicating the group of kids standing behind Jean and Ororo.

"I believe so. Why don't you kids introduce yourselves to us?" The Professor turned to look at the new students patiently.

A boy with shortly cropped blondish orange hair and dark blue eyes stepped forward. "The name's Ray Crisp, but you can call me Bezerker."

Another boy stepped forward as well. He had pale blonde hair down to the nape of his neck and pale blue eyes. "Uh, my name is Samuel Guthrie. You can call me Sam or, I guess Cannonball. That's my nickname," drawled out the teen shyly in a country twang.

"I am Amara Aquilla, and I am the Princess of Nova Roma. My people have given me the alias Magma after I…after I almost destroyed our village with a fountain of lava." The doe eyed brunette shifted her feet nervously as she toyed with the long strands of her hair.

"I am Roberto Da Costa and I am from Brazil," spoke up a boy with black hair that curled at the ends and dark brown eyes. His accent was light, but unmistakable. "Sometimes I go by the name of Sunspot for my powers."

Then a girl with short blonde hair and blue grey eyes came forward with a yawn. "I'm Tabitha Smith—and I don't have a cute little nickname for you to call me by. Guess you'll have to come up with one all by yourself. Nice place you got here, though. Do we get to ride in limos to school too?" She chuckled at her own joke, ignoring the looks that Kitty and Amara gave her.

"Don't be so rude," hissed another girl. She had reddish brown hair pulled back in pigtails and grey eyes. She spoke with a Scottish brogue. "I'm Rahne Sinclair, I come from Scotland. You can call me Wolfsbane if you want."

"Yeah yeah, Shelia, I think they get the idea, doncha, mates?" interrupted the last new teen there. This one spoke with a heavy Australian accent. He had sandy brown hair and brown eyes. In one of his hands he absently flipped the top of a Zippo lighter. "I'm St. John Allerdyce; some call me Pyro. Betcha can't guess why."

"Bet Ah could," muttered Rogue under her breath to Warren. The older teen stifled his laugh as St. John issued them a glare.

Professor Xavier cleared his throat, gaining the attention of all students, old and new. "Welcome to my institute for gifted children. I have already talked to many of your parents, and trust me when I say that you are not making a mistake by coming here. If you please, Ororo and Jean will show you around the mansion and then help you settle into your new bedrooms."

Within seconds the new students were gone along with Ororo and Jean, leaving Scott, Warren, Rogue, Kitty, Kurt, Bobby, Evan, Jamie, and Jubilee alone with the Professor and Logan.

"I trust you will make the newer students feel welcome for as long as they are here," stated Xavier before wheeling himself back towards his office.

Logan narrowed his eyes at Bobby and Evan warningly as he spoke, "I'll be seeing you two in the danger room in two hours, got it?"

"Yes sir!" chorused the two teens sharply.

"Rogue, I want you there too. It's high time we learned what you're made of—without your powers."

Rogue shrugged nonchalantly. "Have it your way, sugah."

"Don't get cheeky with me."

"Ah don't get cheeky, Wolvie, that's not who Ah am."

"We'll see about that. You three have two hours, and then its playtime." Logan turned on his heels and stalked off down the hallway.

"Like is it just me or did he get grouchier during the break?" asked Kitty after a minute.

"I think he got grouchier," agreed Kurt with a nod of his head. "Oh well, I better call Amanda and let her know I'm home."

"Man, he's got it bad for her," groaned Evan as Kurt teleported away, more than likely to his bedroom.

"Roguey!" Jamie squealed in delight and wrapped his tiny arms around Rogue's waist, catching the southern belle off guard. "I missed you while I was gone. Oo! I got you a present too, Roguey!"

"A present?" murmured Rogue trying to peel the small boy off of her. "But Ah didn't get ya anythin'."

"It's okay, I made it at home. It's a picture of me and you fighting the bad guys! Remember?"

Rogue frowned. "Ah thought that was meh ahn Blue."

"He's in the picture too, but I kinda messed up coloring him. So he's a bit squiggly. Come on, the suitcase is in my room—you have to see the picture!" Jamie grabbed Rogue's gloved hand and pulled her up the stairs after him.

Warren watched in disbelief as Rogue gave him a pleading look. "I take it that little squirt is my competition, huh?" he questioned Scott.

Scott nodded his head slowly. "The kid seems to think that Rogue's his best friend and future wife all in one. He told me I couldn't date her anymore—at least not without his permission."

"Great, first I have to go through big and grouchy, and now I have to go through the little shrimp. How the hell am I supposed to compete with him? He's one of those adorable kids—no one steals something—let alone someone—from them!"

"Have fun." Scott patted Warren on the back soothingly.

"Who are you?" demanded Bobby after a while. Warren and Scott exchanged knowing glances. They had forgotten the others were still there.

Meanwhile, upstairs in the room Jamie shared with Kurt, Rogue and Jamie were sitting side by side on the floor studying the picture the younger boy had drawn for Rogue. Basically, it was two stick people holding more stick people over their heads. There was also a blue line with a furry tail to represent Kurt.

"Do you like it?" asked Jamie anxiously.

Rogue gave him a warm smile. "Ah love it. Ya draw real nice, Jamie. Ah think you have a career as an artist waitin' for ya."

"Really? I hope so, and then I can make lots of money, huh?"

"Sure, sugah. You'll be rich ahn famous one day. Just don't forget about meh, ya hear?"

"I promise, Roguey. You and me are gonna be best friends forever."

"Alright."

"Promise?" Jamie looked up at Rogue with puppy dog eyes, awaiting her answer with baited breath.

"Promise," murmured Rogue carefully giving the boy a small hug.

"Would you keep it down?" hissed Kurt looking down from the top bunk. "I am having an important phone call—sheesh, you two are louder than Bobby and Evan!"

"Keep it up, Blue, ahn you're gonna wish you were a girl," replied Rogue smoothly.

Kurt stared at Rogue with an open mouth. "Uh, Amanda, can I call you back later? I don't have any privacy at the moment…and I think my life is in danger if I stay in this room any longer. Okay, I'll meet you in the park in ten minutes." Kurt hung up the phone and turned his image inducer back on. "Fine, I'll go elsewhere."

As Jamie and Rogue watched the German teen saunter out of the room Jamie quipped, "Did his momma drop him on the head when he was a baby? 'Cause he's weird."

"No kiddin'," agreed Rogue with a frown. There was something odd about Kurt, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The Danger Room:

Rogue tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the door of the Danger Room to open and let her out. The last hour and a half she had been fighting make believe thugs with Bobby and Evan—and Rogue was disgusted. The boys had tired after only twenty minutes; Rogue had been left to take care of most of the thugs on her own. Soon the door opened and Logan walked in with a shake of his head.

"You boys were pitiful out there. Leavin' a poor helpless girl to fend for herself…what's the matter with you?" he asked gruffly.

"Poor?" panted Evan.

"Helpless?" added Bobby. "Rogue kicked ass! She's one hell of a fighter!"

"And I haven't even trained her!" snapped Logan. "I've trained you two! Did you forget what you've learned over Christmas break?"

"You can't blame us, can you? I mean, really, Logan, we weren't training every day for two hours over the break," said Evan with a weary sigh.

"Then get ready for tomorrow. First session is at five in the morning—for everyone in the mansion!"

"Are we done here?" demanded Rogue finally. "Ah need ta take a shower."

Logan turned to Rogue and studied her carefully. He waved a hand at Evan and Bobby letting them know they were dismissed. The two boys sprinted out of the danger room, leaving Rogue and Logan alone. "Mystique teach you to fight like that?"

"A bit."

"The bitch knew what she was doing, I'll give her that much," acknowledged the older man grudgingly.

Rogue sighed. "Do ya hafta keep callin' her that? Isn't it a bit crude?"

"I could call her worse."

"Gawd, ya really do hold grudges, doncha? What did she ever do ta ya?"

"Why are you still protecting her?"

"What?" Rogue bit her lip, partially stunned at the comment. Logan was right. She was still protecting Mystique. "It's nothin', really. Ah just…Ah did live with her for a while. Ah can't help it—it's kinda hard to break the habit."

Logan nodded along, not believing a word she said. "If you wanna tell me the truth I'll be here, okay. I don't like lies."

"Ah ain't ready yet." With that Rogue brushed past Logan and made her way down the hallway of the subbasement. She headed for the elevator and pushed the button for the second floor the second she was inside. The ride up was quick and silent, and the doors opened to an empty hallway. Rogue breathed in relief as she made her way towards the room she shared with Kitty. She was almost to the door when another one nearby opened up.

"Hey, you're Rogue, aren't you?" asked Tabitha shutting her door behind her. Rogue nodded without speaking.

Tabitha continued. "I heard you were the enemy for a while, is that true?"

"For a while," replied Rogue cautiously.

"That must have been fun. What's it like fighting with these geeks now? I mean, you don't actually buy all their mumbo jumbo, do you?"

Rogue smiled. "Not really. How 'bout you?"

Tabitha snorted. "Are you kidding? My old man just wanted to get me out of the way. Said I was too much trouble with my powers. I can make pyrokinetically charged balls. It's a great way to blow things up."

"Ah'm sure ya already heard about mah little curse."

"Yeah, man, but that has gotta suck. You're like the Grim Reaper."

"Ah never really thought about it that way," mused Rogue leaning against her own door.

"Dude, you're the only one here who isn't preaching right from wrong. I don't know how you can stand to be with these old fogies—though, I did see that Warren guy. Man, he's a total hottie. I hear he's hung up on you…you're pretty damn lucky."

"Ah guess. So you aren't interested in the X-Men motto?"

Tabitha shook her head vigorously. "Hell no. I don't follow anyone's rules but my own."

Rogue felt a genuine grin spread across her face. "Ah think we're gonna get along just fine."

"Good, because you have totally got to dish on how you've managed to keep track of all these guys. The ultimate town bad boy to the ultimate prep to the ultimate rich boy? I have to know how you do it!" Tabitha linked arms with Rogue and followed her into her room with Rogue explaining how she was more of a magnet for trouble rather than one for boys.

School:

The next day was the first day back to school for the spring semester. Scott gave Jean, Kitty, Kurt, and Amara a ride in his car while Logan drove the minivan with Rahne, Ray, Roberto, Jubilee, Bobby, Evan, St. John and Sam. Rogue and Tabitha opted to walk Jamie to school before heading towards the high school.

By the time they made it to school the first bell was ringing.

"We don't actually have to sit with the geeks at lunch do we?" asked Tabitha as she and Rogue made their way up the front steps.

"Gawd, Ah hope not. Ah cahn't stand Kitty ahn Amara. Ah sat between them for supper last night—Ah felt like a fuckin' invisible person. They kept goin' ohn ahn ohn about the mall ahn how many stores they could shop in an hour," groaned Rogue opening her locker and tossing her school books inside.

Tabitha smirked. "I think they're afraid of me. I tossed a few fireballs into Amara's bathwater and some in the snow. It scared the crap outta the Kitty-cat."

Rogue shook her head in amusement as she shut her locker. She turned to walk towards homeroom when she bumped into a large gut. Looking up she saw Fred staring down at her. "Freddy?" she murmured in confusion.

Fred stared at her for another moment as the late bell rang throughout the halls. Then he wrapped his chubby arms around Rogue and lifted her up in a bear hug. "We missed you," he rumbled, his voice cracking emotionally.

"We?" repeated Rogue in a daze as she was set back down on the ground.

"Yeah we," snapped Toad protectively. The blonde-green teen gave Rogue a quick hug as well.

"These your old teammates?" questioned Tabitha.

"Uh—" Before Rogue could reply Lance appeared from behind Fred. Rogue swallowed hard as she stared at Lance quizzically.

"I'm glad you're alright," he said softly. He placed a hand on Rogue's shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly before turning around to head for homeroom. "Come on, you don't wanna be late, do you?" he called over his shoulder.

"He the ex-boyfriend?" Tabitha shook her head and pushed Rogue to follow after Lance when the southern girl didn't answer.

"Yo," stated Toad as he and Fred trailed after the other three. "I think there's something different about Rogue."

"Like what?" asked Fred rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Like a new hair-do or something."

"Oh yeah…maybe."

Lunch time arrived none too quickly for Rogue and Tabitha. The morning had dragged by slowly, more so for Rogue as she and Lance struggled to make small talk. Both wanted to say things to the other, but neither one knew how to say it. For the time being it was awkward, especially with Kitty in the picture.

Rogue sighed and took a seat at an empty lunch table in the cafeteria. Tabitha joined her with a tray of food.

"I think my sandwich just moved," muttered Tabitha in disgust. She glanced at Rogue who had no food in front of her. "I take it that's why you aren't eating?"

"Not really hungry," answered Rogue truthfully. Tabitha raised her eyebrows, but didn't push the subject. Minutes later Toad and Fred joined the duo with their own trays of food.

"You want that sandwich?" asked Fred pointing at the item Tabitha was fiercely stabbing with her fork. For a reply the blonde girl handed the oversized teen her main part of the meal. No one spoke as Lance took a seat on the other side of Toad, across from Rogue and Tabitha.

"Well well, what have we hear?" came a silky voice. Rogue glanced up at Pietro who glared down at her with unreadable eyes. "Trying to make amends, Rogue?"

"Fuck off, Speedy. Ah don't have time for your shit," mumbled Rogue rolling her eyes. The white haired teen ignored her comment and took the available spot beside her.

"Why don't you go sit with your own kind?"

"Why don't you staple your mouth shut?" shot back Rogue darkly.

"We aren't your friends anymore, Rogue."

"Speak for yourself, Maximoff," cut in Lance sharply. "Rogue will always be welcome with us. If you don't like it then go screw yourself. You're not the one in charge anyway—I am."

Pietro sent Lance an icy glare but didn't budge from his spot beside Rogue. "She betrayed us. Sent my father to jail."

"Yo, man, your old man tried to kill her," replied Toad with a groan.

"It would have been worth—" Pietro never got to finish his sentence as Rogue pushed him off the bench and to the ground.

"Don't say things ya cahn't take back, sugah," she murmured smoothly. "Ya haven't forgotten 'bout mah temper have ya? Ah don't give anyone special treatment…Ah'll kick your ass, Speedy, same as every one else who dares to double cross meh."

"Damn bitch."

"As long as ya know Ah mean business." Rogue got to her feet along with Tabitha and the two girls made their way out of the cafeteria. Pietro watched Rogue go, scowling the entire time.

After school Rogue and Tabitha found themselves walking through the park with Toad and Fred. The foursome were laughing about how horrible drama rehearsal had gone with Pietro trying to stab Scott every time the X-Man had tried to recite his lines.

"Man," sighed Toad wiping tears from his eyes. "I don't know what's wrong with Pietro. The guy's off his rocker now."

"He's definitely got some issues. Why do all the hot ones have to be terminally insane?" asked Tabitha.

Rogue shook her head. "Forget it, Tabby. The guy's a real charmer. 'Sides, he knows you're mah friend—he probably hates ya too."

"Good point. I don't wanna date some loser. Now Lance on the other hand—god, he's perfect."

"And taken," pointed out Fred.

Tabitha paused thoughtfully. "Oh yeah. Aw well, I'm sure I can get him to forget about the Kitty-cat. Only if it's alright with you, Rogue."

"Go ahead. Ah don't think Ah cahn handle Lance a third time round. Ah'm better off convincin' Logan that Warren really isn't that bad of a guy," replied Rogue with a small smile.

"I heard Logan was taking your rich boy through the Danger Room today," whispered Tabitha conspiratorially. Rogue chuckled at the thought. Logan had developed over thirty different rules and quests for Warren to overcome for just one night out with Rogue. Truth be told, the southern girl found the whole situation endearing, as well as flattering considering the fact that Warren did everything Logan said without question. Warren was definitely determined, and that made him all the more attractive to Rogue.

"This Warren guy, is he alright?" asked Toad suspiciously. For added effect Fred planted a fist into his palm.

"He's fine. Trust meh, okay. He's nothin' like Lance," soothed Rogue. Toad opened his mouth to ask another question when six men stepped onto the path in front of the four teens.

"Who are they?" hissed Tabitha under her breath.

"Ah don't know, but they look like trouble," returned Rogue narrowing her eyes.

One of the men stepped forward, pulling his jacket back far enough to reveal a pistol at his waist. "Now I hope you muties will be good and just come along without a real fuss," he said calmly. "We've got a lot of money staked out on you."

"How do you know we're mutants?" demanded Fred darkly.

"Now, now, you didn't think you would be able to keep it a secret, did you? A lot of people in know all about you kids…and trust me when I say you've got a lot coming."

"Ah don't think so, buddy. Ah ain't goin' anywhere with you."

The man shrugged as though he heard that phrase every day. "Have it your way."

As if on cue the six men launched themselves at the teenagers with ominous looks. They meant business. Two of the men struggled to keep Fred's arms pinned to his sides as Fred tried to shake them off. Toad started his own version of leap frog with his thug by jumping on the man's back and knocking him to the ground.

"Yo man, chew this." Toad hocked out some acid onto the man's face. The man screeched in pain, wiping off the spit as fast as he could.

Tabitha eyed the man in front of her without fear. In the palm of her hand she had three small charged fireballs. "I got two words for you—boom, boom." She giggled and tossed the balls behind the man who took a step back just as Tabitha took a step forward. With a grin Tabitha bent over backwards in a back-flip as the balls exploded, sending the man face first into the ground.

Rogue on the other hand was doing her best to keep the man after her as far away as possible. So far he was a match for her martial arts. Rogue swung a fist at the man, only to have him tug on her arm and pull her back into his chest. Within seconds Rogue could barely breathe as the man pulled out a metal rod that had been strapped to his chest and placed it at Rogue's throat, blocking all movement. Rogue wheezed as she tried to push the rod away from her airflow, but the man only pulled harder.

The next thing that Rogue realized was she was on the ground gasping for breath as the man behind her was knocked to the ground. Looking up she saw Pietro picking up the metal rod and knocking the man out with it.

"Pietro?" croaked Rogue, her hands still at her throat as she gulped in large breaths of air.

"This doesn't mean I hate you any less," interrupted Pietro with a deep frown.

"Don't worry, sugah, the feelin' is mutual." Rogue got to her feet with some help from the speed demon just as Tabitha and Toad backed up into them.

"Hey, I think we have a real problem here. These guys aren't exactly backing off," stated Tabitha as some of the men stumbled back onto their feet.

"If they wanted our money all they had to do was ask," moaned Toad watching as Fred tossed the two men on his arm down to the ground.

"I don't think that's what they want," murmured Pietro taking a stance in front of Rogue. "They look like bounty hunters to me."

"Bounty hunters?" gasped Rogue in surprise. "Ya mean someone is goin' to all this trouble just ta hunt us down?"

"Not if I can help it!" cried out a voice from the sky. The teens looked up as Warren swooped down and picked up one of the men. The man screamed a high pitched scream the second Warren let him go, down into the branches of a large oak tree. By the time the man hit the ground he was barely conscious.

"Anyone else want to go for a ride?" queried Warren planting his feet on the ground. The six men growled but began to back away. They took one last look at the teenagers they had been after before turning on their heels and running. Two of the men even managed to grab their fallen comrade.

Pietro snorted and walked over to the tree where the man had fallen out of. He picked up a black wallet from the ground and tossed it towards Rogue. "Think fast," he said. Rogue blinked in astonishment as Kurt popped into the fray in time to catch the flying wallet.

"What is going on here?" demanded the blue teen waving the wallet around in the air. "I heard a commotion! I—is that a bruise on your neck, Rogue?"

"Huh?" Rogue's hands flew up to her throat, fingering the fast growing bruise. "Maybe we betta get back ta the mansion."

"I think that's a great idea," smirked Pietro. "You chumps go back to your place and I'll take my boys back to the boarding house."

"Yeah, let's go, Freddy," agreed Toad rubbing his hands together. "It's startin' to get a little chilly out here."

Rogue watched the three boys walk away before turning to follow her new friends back home.

Hours Later:

With barely a word of acknowledgement Rogue watched cautiously as Logan took a seat beside her on the bench out in the back yard. She took a long drag of her cigarette, waiting for the older man to speak up.

"Smoking is bad for you," said Logan after a while.

"Look who's talkin'…cigars ain't any better," retorted Rogue blowing out the smoke.

"The Professor examined that wallet you kids brought back. Ole whitey was right, they were bounty hunters. There's a lot of money out on mutants these days. We aren't safe anymore."

"Were we ever safe?" Rogue snorted at the thought and continued to stare out at the vast grounds covered in snow. "Ah think Ah figured somethin' out today."

"Oh yeah? What's that?" asked Logan leaning back on the bench.

"Pietro ahn Ah are a lot a like."

"You're kiddin' right? You and Mr. Ego? Alike?"

Rogue nodded slowly. "Yeah. Speedy's mad at meh 'cause Ah sent his father ta jail. Mags doesn't even like Speedy half the time, but it doesn't change the fact that they're father and son. It's kinda like meh ahn Mystique."

"What are you talking about?" Logan sat up and peered at Rogue closely. The young girl didn't even bother looking at him as she spoke.

"Ah never knew mah family. Jack ahn Lena took meh in when Ah was just a babe. They had found meh ohn their doorstep ahn never asked any questions 'bout mah birth parents. When Ah first got mah curse they sold meh out…Ah didn't think Ah would ever feel whole again, you know? Ahn then Ah met Mystique. Ah knew she was bad from the start, it's not like she tried ta hide it. But…there was something about her, something that made meh want ta trust her.

"A few months ago Ah finally got a hold of that mutant Destiny. Boy, she's really out there, isn't she? She went ohn ahn ohn 'bout mah future, ahn in the end she was way off. She ain't very good at her powers. But she did know a bit 'bout mah past. She knew mah birth mother. Ah was thrown for a loop when she told meh. Mystique hadn't said anythin' about it…never mentioned havin' a daughter. Just some son she gave up long ago. Ah guess Ah was hopin' that she meant meh…that she wished she had never given meh up at birth. But when Mags made meh his prisoner, Mystique just watched. She didn't try ta help meh. Only the ole Senator tried ta help meh.

"Ah guess Ah was hopin' for too much from her. Mystique doesn't know how ta be a mother. She knows how ta be a terrorist." Rogue sniffed back some tears, as Logan stared at her in shock.

"Are you trying to tell me that Mystique—that blue, shape shifting whore, is your mother? Your birth mother?" he choked out. Rogue nodded.

Logan shook his head, trying to comprehend what this meant. "That's why you stuck around with them for so long?"

"Ah guess."

"What do you mean you guess? Don't you know Mystique doesn't give a damn about anyone but herself?"

Rogue's eyes hardened as she turned to face the gruff X-Man. "Don't you think Ah already know that. But it won't change the fact that she's mah mother. Ah stuck around partly 'cause Ah was confused ahn hoped she would let me know Ah was her daughter, ahn partly 'cause Ah hoped Ah could find out about mah father. Ah know nothin' 'bout mah family. Everyone else here knows who their family is…meh, Ah know nothin'! Mystique wants nothin' ta do with meh!"

"Hey now, don't cry…someone lookin' out here is gonna think it's my fault." Logan patted Rogue awkwardly on the back as she wiped away her tears.

"Ah just wanna know who he is. Maybe he wants ta know meh, maybe he's dead. Ah don't care really, Ah just want ta know. Ah wouldn't mind a picture all that much either. Just somethin' ta let meh know that Ah'm not alone…ahn that Ah'm not gonna be as crazy as Mystique one day. She ain't exactly a great role model."

"Tell me about it." Logan heaved a heavy sigh and leaned forward with his arms on his knees. "Mystique might have her reasons for not telling you about your dad. Maybe he never knew about you. That woman is good at keeping secrets. If she don't want you to know then you won't."

"All she's told meh is that Ah'm a lot like him. That doesn't tell meh much. Only that Ah'm not the same person Ah used ta be." Rogue became silent as she dropped the butt of her cigarette to the ground. "Ah'm gonna head in. You ain't gonna tell anyone, are ya? 'Bout Mystique. Only Warren knows ahn he ain't gonna say anythin'. It's bad enough that Ah worked with the Brotherhood for a while, but if everyone found out that Ah was related to Mystique. Ah don't think that would go over very well."

Logan raised his hands up. "Your secret's safe with me."

"Thanks…for listenin'."

"No problem, Stripes. Just as long as we don't do this kinda crap again."

Rogue nodded in agreement as she got up out of her seat. Logan watched her head back into the house with a sigh. Mystique had screwed up big time. Rogue craved a family more than anything else, and Logan had a bad feeling that if Rogue ever found out the truth she'd flip. Logan sat back and stared out at the snow. There was a chance, a small one albeit, that he could be Rogue's father. It had been a long time since his relationship with Mystique, but he wouldn't put it past her to try and get pregnant so she could raise a fighting machine to go against him for joining Xavier's side.

"Is something the matter, Logan?" asked Ororo joining him on the bench. "I saw that you were talking with Rogue. How is she? That bruise on her neck is hard to look at without flinching."

"The kid's as tough as nails. Just a little screwed up in the head. Mystique messed with her," replied Logan sourly.

"It is unfortunate that Rogue believed in Mystique for so long as a mentor. But I think Rogue will get by just fine. She's quite a girl." Ororo smiled as Logan chuckled. "Come on, Logan, I made biscuits and gravy for you. You had better eat it before one of the students gets a hold of it."

Logan growled at the thought. "Any of those punks so much as looks at my food and I'll be barbecuing tonight." Logan didn't protest as Ororo tugged on his hand to follow her back to the kitchen. Now wasn't the time to worry about Rogue's parentage. It could wait until things were clearer.

A/N—I know, I'm late. I sincerely apologize for the delay, but I was able to go home for Thanksgiving sooner than I had anticipated. But, I tried to make this chapter a little bit longer for those of you who were disappointed that I took so long to get it out. Thanks for waiting. Enjoy.