Disclaimer: I still don't own this.
Chapter 40-Moving On
"Hey, has anyone seen Piotr?" asked Tabitha suddenly. Rogue glanced up from the pile of rubble she was shifting through to make a face.
"Ya really hafta ask?" retorted the southerner shortly.
"You think he really went over to Mags' side?"
"He's been gone for three days now, Tabs. The boy's a walkin' tin can. It's not like the bears ate him or somethin'."
Tabitha sighed as she plopped herself down beside Rogue. "Man, what's the deal with all the hotties joining the enemy?"
"Asks the girl who left them ta be with the geeks," murmured Rogue with a roll of her eyes.
"Hey, in my defense I have to say that as much as I liked living with Lance and them—it gets a little old having to share the damn bathroom with a bunch of males. Toad still hasn't learned personal hygiene. It's gross just thinking about it." Tabitha shivered, making Rogue laugh.
It had been a hard three days. The X-Men were barely keeping it together. They had been camping out on the mansion grounds, with the army surrounding the gates to protect the mutants from any anti-mutant attacks.
Since the memorial service for Jean the teens had been clearing out rubble from the mansion to see how bad the damage really was. Of course, Rogue had a feeling it was already a lost cause. She felt the Professor was just trying to keep everyone busy so they wouldn't mope around planning revenge. Like that would really do anyone any good.
Scott worked the hardest out of everyone. Every morning he would get up before the crack of dawn and undergo intense work out sessions with Logan. The teen barely talked to anyone, and if he did his words were clipped and polished to push everyone away.
Logan had resorted to frequenting bars again, only this time Ororo tagged along to keep an eye on him. He had returned back to the grounds, drunk for the first time in his life and out of hand. Rogue had been the one to throw a bucket of water on his face and then refuse to talk to him for a whole day. Logan had since then began to drink more soft drinks and return sober with Ororo at his side.
Kurt on the other hand seemed to be spending more and more time at the local church. He prayed every morning and every night, asking God for forgiveness and to show him his path in life. Kitty would accompany him every once in a while, simply because she didn't want to lose Kurt to his misery. The German teen was still repenting for his actions against the President, even though the President had already forgiven him. Rumors were now swirling, however that Kurt's body was slowly becoming covered in scarred versions of angelic symbols passed down from the Archangel Gabriel. Rogue had yet to get herself to talk to Kurt and see how he was doing. She simply didn't know what to say to him.
The rest of the team seemed to be getting along fairly well. Amara and Roberto had become inseparable; Ray had taken Rahne under his wing, teaching her the ropes of sewer life whenever he went to visit the Morlocks; Jamie had begun following Jubilee and Sam around since Rogue was busy working. The young mutant always seemed to get his two new friends in trouble with Logan early in the mornings. Angel and Dr. McCoy were working together to salvage anything that could be of use to the X-Men in the future.
Bobby kept close to Rogue, worried over her well being, and partly afraid that she would vanish like Piotr had. Piotr had gone off for a walk one day and then never returned. Rogue had confided into the Professor later that Magneto had once wanted Piotr on his side, and that had seemed to close the case. The Professor had yet to make a formal announcement on the manner, but that was simply because it would dampen the small hope the X-Men had left.
The Morlocks would appear every once in a while to deliver items or gossip from the streets. Usually the ones to show up were Callisto, Evan, or Caliban. Caliban usually only spoke to Rogue, whereas Callisto would converse with Ororo; Evan talked to whoever was available at the time. All in all the two groups were forming a strong alliance.
Rogue sighed as she plopped herself down on the ground beside Tabitha. "This is gettin' ta be tedious. Why cahn't the Professor just get us a bulldozer so we cahn clear up the yard ahn start over?"
"Who'd rent us one?" teased Bobby joining the girls. "Last I heard Principal Kelly had banned us from school—and Bayville's taking their cues from him. As of yesterday, we're no longer welcome citizens in Bayville."
"Big deal," said Tabitha with a yawn. "This town's a bore anyway. Maybe someone should suggest moving somewhere with a little more razzle dazzle or something."
"Sure, 'cause we're gonna be welcome everywhere else," muttered Rogue.
"Being pessimistic won't get you anywhere, Rogue. You know what we need?"
Bobby snorted. "A new secret hideout?"
"Besides that. We need a vacation!" announced Tabitha. Professor Xavier paused at the announcement to stare at the three teens thoughtfully. The idea was actually quite appealing—especially considering the news he had just received from an old friend via snail mail.
An Hour Later:
"A vacation?" repeated Ororo with a slight frown on her face. "Do you think that's wise right now?"
"Are you sure you're not drunk?" demanded Logan eyeing the bald leader carefully.
"The students have been working very hard the last few days. They deserve some time off. What else can we do? Bayville has closed its doors on us…it's time to move on," replied the Professor calmly.
Hank pushed the glasses up on the bridge of his nose. "It's not a bad idea. The children deserve a break from the psychological duress they have endured this past week. Losing the mansion and Jean has hit them pretty hard. A vacation might do them some good."
"But where? People will notice if a large group of students show up in one area," pointed out Ororo.
Xavier smiled at the white haired woman. "Not if we split the students up into groups. Hank can take Rahne, Jubilee, Ray, Sam, Jamie, and Tabitha camping in a National Park. Ororo, you can take Scott, Amara, Kitty, Roberto, and Kurt to Hawaii. I think the sun will do them some good. Which leaves Warren, Rogue, and Bobby with Logan. I have a special mission planned for you four, Logan. We need a new home, and I know just the place—although it could probably use some tidying up."
"That's not a vacation," growled Logan. "That's more work."
"Yes, well I don't think Rogue, Bobby, and Warren would handle an actual vacation very well right now. Rogue doesn't do well in public settings, and both Bobby and Warren are hurting from the sudden loss of communication with their families. I think the three of them would much rather do something productive for the team."
"What about you, Professor? Where are you planning on going during this reprieve from reality?" questioned Hank curiously.
"Actually, I just received word from an old friend of mine on Muir Island. It seems she and her fiancé need my assistance in a mutant matter."
Logan made a face. "So that's it, take a vacation?"
"You know me too well, Logan. Scott will find a reason to live in Hawaii. He will become connected to reality again—and he desperately needs that if he is to one day lead the X-Men. As for the students going on the camping trip, I believe a little bonding time will do them some good. That and I believe they will return with two new friends to join our side. Sam has a sister finally coming into her own powers. She is currently spending time with a friend she met at camp—another mutant in need of our assistance."
Ororo smiled. "It sounds like you have been planning this for a while, Charles."
"Sam's parents wrote me before the Stryker incidence. I have been watching Paige Guthrie's friend for quite some time, I knew her grandfather very well when I was younger. As for Scott, I have had a feeling for many years now that he isn't as alone as he thinks he is. Only recently was I able to pinpoint that feeling in Hawaii.
"As for my going to Muir Island…I have been considering it for a few days now. Principal Kelly has pointed out that our children cannot continue their educations in Bayville—or any public school for that matter. If Moira MacTaggert and Sean Cassidy agree, I think it is time to start up our own school for mutants. A School for the Gifted, if you will. With six adults, I believe that will be more than enough to start up our own school. Given some time we may even gather more students in the future," said Xavier with a small smile.
"As long as I ain't teachin' art," grumbled Logan.
"I wouldn't dream of it," responded the Professor with a twinkle in his eye.
Meanwhile:
Rogue looked up from her spot and glanced around the mansion ruins. She stood up when she noticed Caliban headed her way. With pursed lips Rogue walked over to the pale Morlock.
"More news, sugah?" she asked curiously.
Caliban shook his head. "You and I must talk alone, Rogue."
Nodding, Rogue followed Caliban to an isolated spot on the grounds where they would both be able to notice if anyone headed their way. Rogue waited for Caliban to speak. She had a feeling she knew what was coming.
"The Brotherhood is growing stronger every day. They are sore that you have left them. But I must know, are you really done with the Brotherhood? Does you allegiance truly lie with the X-Men?" questioned Caliban softly.
"No."
"Then you still work with Magneto?"
"No."
Caliban sighed. "Rogue you once asked if we were friends—I am loyal to you through and through. I thought you knew that."
"Ah do, ahn Ah appreciate everythin' you've done for meh, sugah."
"Then why won't you tell me what you have planned?"
Rogue let out a deep breath. "Because ya ain't gonna like it."
"I will aid you no matter what plans you have, Rogue. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. I work for you," stated Caliban.
"Ah've been told ohn a number of occasions that Ah have the potential ta be one of the most powerful mutants in the world." Rogue snorted. "Ahn if that's true, then it means that Ah'm only a vessel ta be used. Mags wants meh ohn his side 'cause of mah powers. The X-Men are the same way. They're both afraid to go up against meh—especially after Ah lost control of my powers that one day. But Ah won't be used."
"Then you are still out for revenge?"
"Ah—yes—Ah dunno. That seems ta be mah life's work these days, don't it? See, when Jean sacrificed herself for the X-Men Ah thought maybe revenge wasn't all it was cracked up ta be. Ah hated Jean for so long—but it turns out she was a lot like meh. She couldn't control who she was…just like Ah cahn barely control who Ah am. Mah head's been spinnin' lately, Caliban. The voices have been talkin' again…but this time Ah'm not lettin' 'em call the shots."
Caliban scrunched up his forehead as he tried to understand what Rogue meant. "Are you saying that you can control the powers you have borrowed before?"
Rogue grinned. "Let's just say that Ah'm workin' ohn it—the most Ah cahn do is keep the voices from botherin' meh durin' the day. At night Ah have dreams—ahn they don't even belong ta meh. Ya wanna know which dreams haunt meh the most? Jean Grey's. There was more ta her than she ever let ohn…she thinks she's dangerous, but she really ain't. Her mind cahn't handle the potential she has in her. Her mind will never be able ta exact revenge ohn others—it's not in her ta do that."
"But Jean's gone now, Rogue. Her mind shouldn't be plaguing yours any longer."
"That's not how mah powers work, Caliban. Ah think there's a good chance that even dead people will be a part of meh for as long as Ah'm alive."
"What kind of dreams are you having then?" questioned the pale faced Morlock suspiciously.
"There's trouble comin', Caliban. Destiny talked about a prophecy—Jeanie is part of that prophecy, just like Ah am. Ahn Mystique was the one who said that maybe the prophecy would change if Ah kept too close ta Jean. Ah think she was right 'bout that one. Ah don't know what the prophecy is, but you cahn bet it requires some serious power."
"I do not see why you should be concerned with this prophecy anymore, Rogue. Jean Grey is gone—the prophecy will not work without her."
"That's where you're wrong, sugah. Jean ain't dead. She's alive. Ah cahn feel her waitin', bidin' her time. She ain't the same Jean we used ta know—she's not in control of her mind anymore. Ahn that's what Ah want."
Caliban frowned. "I still don't understand."
Rogue shrugged. "It's simple really. Ah'm gonna kill three birds with one stone. Ah'm gonna get even with Mags ahn mah mother for usin' meh, Ah'm gonna show the X-Men exactly what Ah am, ahn Ah'm gonna repay Jean for believin' in meh. Ah want respect for who Ah am. The X-Men don't know who Ah am, they have no fuckin' idea. Ah'm not good like them…but Ah'm not like Mags either. Ah ain't evil.
"Ah think this is the first time in mah life that mah powers are a blessin' in disguise. Whenever Jeanie decides ta show her face again, Ah'm gonna make her newfound powers mahne. Jean has powers that cahn do everythin' Ah ever wanted. Revenge is only the beginnin', Caliban. Ah'm gonna take fate ahn twist it around ta suit mah needs. Ah won't be used by anyone—Ah'm gonna use them."
"It is a dangerous game you play, Rogue!" hissed Caliban with wide eyes. "What you plan—you don't know the half of what that prophecy is!"
"Do you?" shot back Rogue acerbically.
Caliban lapsed into silence, fear and anger evident in his eyes. "The part I know is of a powerful mutant returning to earth and destroying and all who live here. They call him the Apocalypse. He will bring a judgment day unlike any other. He craves ultimate power and the deaths of any and all that stand in his way. But only one soul can release him—and that soul is you, Rogue. That mutant has been locked away for eons—his followers will stop at nothing until he is set loose once more."
"Well then, he better get in line, 'cause Ah ain't workin' for anyone but mahself from now ohn. No big bad asshole by the name of Apocalypse is gonna boss meh around—Ah don't have time for that shit. Ah just want Jean's hidden powers—that's the only way Ah'll be able to control the rest of the powers swirlin' around in mah head. Ahn just so ya know, this stays between you ahn meh, Caliban. No one must know that Jeanie ain't dead. Not yet anyway."
"What—you can't—I won't—of course." Caliban hung his head in defeat. "I know very little of the other prophecy—the one that deals with Jean Grey. What I do know is that defeating the darkness within her will require more skills than you could ever possess. Rogue, you can't beat her on your own."
"Ah never said Ah was plannin' ohn doin' it ohn mah own, now did Ah? Juggernaut owes meh a few favors—ahn Wanda thinks we're workin' together too. If Ah'm really desperate Ah'll just borrow the Brotherhood—no matter what side Ah fight ohn, those boys aren't gonna just forget their loyalty ta meh. Don't worry so much, Caliban. Ah have this one all figured out."
"And what of the X-Men? What of the obligation you owe them for everything they have done for you?" demanded Caliban forcibly.
Rogue raised an eyebrow slyly. "Ah think givin' them back Jean Grey oughtta be enough, don't you agree?"
"You are playing a dangerous game, Rogue."
"Yeah, ahn that's just how Ah like it."
Hawaii:
Scott blew out a frustrated breath of air. "This is a waste of time. We should be back at the mansion clearing out the rubble. We don't need a vacation!"
"Like speak for yourself," muttered Kitty as she slipped on a pair of sunglasses. "I could totally use a vacation right about now."
"No kidding," agreed Kurt basking in the warm rays of the sun, "a little sun never hurt anybody."
"I agree with Kitty. We need a break from reality," added Amara adjusting the straps of her swimsuit. "Hawaii is a nice change from Bayville—no one knows who we are here. It's kinda nice to be anonymous."
Roberto chuckled as he plopped his dripping wet body beside Amara's. "Would it really kill you to just chill out, Scott? The mansion will still be in pieces when we get back. I don't think it's going anywhere."
Making a face, Scott got to his feet and thrust his hands in his pockets before heading down the beach in an aimless amble. Ororo sighed as she watched the tall teen walk away. It was more than evident that he was still hurting from the loss of Jean.
"Did we push it with him?" Kitty asked the weather witch nervously.
Ororo smiled a reassuring smile. "It's going to take Scott a while before he can stop mourning Jean. He may not realize it yet, but this vacation is going to heal some of his pain. Just give him some space…he'll come around."
Meanwhile, Scott continued to walk down the beach with his eyes directed at the sand below his feet. It wasn't supposed to hurt this much—losing the one he loved. It wasn't as though he and Jean had been official—or even gone on any dates…and yet, Scott couldn't seem to get her last words to him out of his head. She had loved him. Jean Grey had loved him, Scott Summers, and now she was gone. It was a bittersweet victory in Scott's eyes—losing the girl he had been trying to woo for over a year.
"'Scuse me," apologized a male voice after bumping into Scott. "My bad—I wasn't watching where I was going."
"No, it's my fault," started Scott, moving his head upwards to glance at the teen he had bumped into. Any other words that Scott was going to say vanished as he stared into the eyes of a blonde haired, blue eyed boy only a couple of years younger than himself. It was like looking at the face of his late mother all over again.
The Camping Trip:
"Aw, this is the life, isn't it?" asked Hank after breathing in a deep breath of fresh air.
Tabitha eyed the blue mutant dubiously. "You're kidding, right? The others got to go to Hawaii, and where do we end up? In bug city. This place sucks. You need to turn up the fun level now, doc, or else I'm boycotting the rest of the trip."
"You could have gone with Logan to clean up a new hideout," suggested Jubilee with a wry grin on her face.
"Did I mention that I like bugs?" murmured Tabitha looking around the woods once more.
Jamie yawned loudly. "Is it time for marshmallows yet?"
"Marshmallows come after the hiking and cooking," replied Hank raising a finger in the air.
"You're telling this to a starving kid? How the heck did you get your teaching license? You have to feed kids like Jamie ten times a day!" exclaimed Ray indignantly.
Rahne giggled. "At least just the guys—girls are good eating only a couple of times a day."
"Huh, you're joking, right?" demanded Tabitha raising an eyebrow. "Because I feel like I could eat an elephant right about now."
"I'm starting to think that perhaps I didn't pack enough food," said Hank scratching his head with a frown on his face.
"Then you're in luck!" called out a female voice. "'Cause we brought delivery!"
"You mean we stole the delivery," corrected another female sternly.
"Well, yeah, that too."
"Ma's gonna kill me," groaned Sam as he and two teenage girls came into view. One girl had blonde hair pulled back into a pony-tail and blue eyes. The other girl had loose black hair and brown eyes, her skin a darker color than her friend's pale form. In the blonde's hands however, was a pizza box.
"Now that girl knows how to camp," stated Tabitha appreciatively.
Westchester:
"Please tell me this isn't the mansion the Professor was talking about," said Bobby staring glumly through a pair of wrought iron gates. "This place looks like it hasn't seen the light of day in centuries."
Logan shrugged. "Hey, I don't pick 'em, I just do what Chuck tells me to do. And he said to fix this baby up and make into our new home."
Rogue snorted as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "Apparently the Professor hasn't seen the place in a while; otherwise he would have just bought us a new mansion instead. Ah don't care if this one has Cerebro in it or not—it looks like crap."
"I have to agree," murmured Warren, "it's going to take a miracle to get this place back into shape."
The group lapsed into silence, each one busy staring at the three story mansion looming in the center of a large estate. The brick wall surrounding the mansion extended two miles on each side. The mansion itself was a shabby tan color, with dark shutters closed tight on the windows. The front portion of the mansion was covered with ivy, and various large tree branches seemed to brush up against the eaves of the house in a precarious manner.
"Alright, so it's gonna be a lot of work—but Chuck promised me that this one's permanent. We ain't gonna get bombed out likelast time," grunted Logan.
"Does this one come with a lifetime guarantee?" teased Rogue.
"You're funny, you know that?" grumbled the older X-Man darkly. Rogue rolled her eyes as she pulled the front gates open. The small group made their way up the long driveway, studying the mansion grounds carefully.
"The Professor really knows how to pick 'em," muttered Bobby with a shake of his head. "This place is a lot bigger than the mansion in Bayville."
"No kidding," agreed Warren. "But this one does seem safer than Bayville. If the Professor intends to protect his students, this would be an ideal place. It's far from the main part of town—and the grounds are big enough to hide any training we do."
Rogue made a face and opened her mouth to say something when a small water sprinkler poked up out of the grass. In an automated mechanical voice, the sprinkler said, "Intruder alert, intruder alert."
"What the fuck?" growled Logan glaring at the sprinkler. "I thought Chuck said this place was lifeless."
"Maybe he forgot 'bout the welcome committee," suggested Rogue with a shrug.
"Look out!" cried out Bobby pushing Rogue to the ground and covering her body with his. Gunfire echoed across the grounds as the sprinkler open fired on the mutants. Warren flew into the air just as Logan's claws shot out, slicing the sprinkler in half.
"We have to get out of here!" exclaimed Warren pointing towards other so-called sprinklers as they moved up out of the tall grass. Bobby and Rogue scrambled back onto their feet, and hit the ground running with Logan at their heels and Warren overhead. The group was breathless by the time they made it outside of the wrought-iron gates.
Rogue groaned as she leaned her back against the metal bars. "Anyone know a technician who cahn come unwire the place before we decide ta clean it up?"
Logan popped his knuckles restively. "I might know of one…but it's gonna take a lot of convincing to get this kid to join us for the week."
"How much convincing?" asked Warren suspiciously.
Muir Island:
Xavier clasped his hands together in his lap as he allowed the words of the woman in front of him to seep in.
"So I have a son?" questioned the Professor after a long moment.
The brunette nodded. "I told Gabrielle to tell you before now—but she refused. She said you had made your choice long ago and that she didn't want to bother you with a child." The woman spoke with a Scottish brogue, her green eyes filled with concern. "I'm sorry, Charles, I know I should have told you sooner. Especially since Gabrielle entrusted David into my care."
"It's not your fault, Moira. Gabrielle and I have had…our differences before now. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that she would keep something so important from me. It's my own fault, really. I did push her away as I tried to form my X-Men. I'm glad that you called me here now. Perhaps I can rectify my wrongs by helping my own son gain control of his powers. It's the least I can do."
Moira smiled. "You're a good man, Charles Xavier, and don't you forget it. Now, why don't you tell me the other reason you agreed to come?"
The pair glanced up as the door of the study opened and in walked a tall man with curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "You weren't thinking of starting without me, were you?" he joked, his accent thick.
"Of course not, Sean. It's good to see you again, old friend," greeted Xavier with a smile.
Sean grinned and shook hands with Xavier before pulling out the chair beside Moira's. "And it's good to see you too, though I wish it were under better circumstances. But Moira's right, there's another reason you've come—what is it?"
"War is brewing back home. A war between mutants and humans. You both know where I stand…and I'm sure you both know where Eric stands. Things have taken a drastic change for all mutants, and I'm afraid I came to ask a favor of the both of you," said Xavier softly.
Two Weeks Later:
"Finished!" announced Rogue brightly. She turned to glance at Logan who was busy inspecting her work.
The older mutant nodded grudgingly. "It looks good as new."
Warren snorted. "Logan, all she did was go out and buy a new vase to replace the one Bobby broke last week."
"Yeah, but it looks just like the other one—only twenty times cheaper."
Bobby groaned. "Don't remind me. How the hell was I supposed to know that vase was from the Ming Dynasty? You'd think the Professor would know better than to collect ancient and priceless artifacts. It took fifty different garage sales before we found that damn thing!"
Rogue shrugged. "Next time you'll think before ya throw things around, huh?"
"Just as long as Forge keeps away from me with those gadgets he's always tinkering with," replied Bobby as he followed the others out the front door. "I know the guy's a genius and all—but he's the scary type. He doesn't mind experimenting on real people!"
Rogue rolled her eyes in amusement as she plopped herself down on the front steps of the mansion. Bobby followed suit, still grumbling about the mutant named Forge.
"There you guys are! I've been looking all over for you," said the mutant in question. "I finished the security system. It's as good as new—all it needs now is to be activated."
"Thanks," said Warren as he took a seat in a wicker chair on the front porch.
Forge grinned as he ran a hand through his unruly black hair. "No problem. I'm glad you guys got me to help out—working on the mansion has been a real eye opener for me. I think it might be a good fit working with the X-Men."
"Having Warren fund all your projects is just an added bonus, right?" questioned Wolverine as he pulled out a cigar and lit it up. Forge grinned good naturedly.
Rogue sighed and propped her hands on her knees, her mind drifting away from the conversation. She was itching to get a hold of Caliban again. No word had come about the Brotherhood, and it was beginning to bother her. Magneto didn't stay quiet unless he had something up his sleeve—and whatever it was Rogue wanted to know. She hated being out of the loop, it ruined a lot of her hard planning.
"So," started Bobby, "anyone know when the Professor said everyone would be arriving today?"
"Any minute now," answered Logan in between puffs of his cigar. Rogue mentally shook her head, clearing her mind of her planning so that she could concentrate on the here and now. She could wait until later to deal with her own problems.
"Ah think that's them now," announced Rogue, indicating three SUV's driving up the drive. The small group on the porch straightened up just as the first SUV pulled to a stop in front of the mansion. Logan was already moving to the driver's side where Ororo was stepping out.
"How much longer are they gonna keep hiding their relationship from the rest of us?" whispered Bobby to Rogue.
The southerner gave a small laugh. "Probably as long as Logan thinks no one will notice."
The two teens became quiet as they watched the group of students pile out of the vehicle. Kitty was laughing at something Kurt had said while Roberto held out a hand to help Amara down. They glanced at the new mansion with awe, just as Scott stepped out of the SUV. Following him was another teen boy who seemed to resemble Scott in several ways.
Out of the second SUV Tabitha was the first one out with Jubilee hot on her heels. The two girls were gossiping over a magazine as Ray and Rahne tumbled out chasing Jamie around the front yard. A teen girl with blonde hair hopped out of the vehicle, ignoring Sam who shyly paused to help the dark haired girl out as well. Hank was already opening the back of the SUV to unload luggage. Forge quickly moved forward to lend a hand.
"Rogue!" Tabitha squealed in delight as she pulled Rogue to her feet and into a hug. "I totally thought I was gonna die in the woods—did you know there aren't any showers in the forest? God, I never want to go on a vacation ever again—shoot me the next time I suggest going on one!" she hissed before letting Rogue go.
"Ah coulda told ya it was gonna suck," stated Rogue. "'Course, at least you didn't hafta clean house for two weeks. Ah think Ah'm gonna keep mah room clean from now ohn so Ah don't hafta do anymore vacuumin' or whatnot."
"That'd be a good plan. So," Tabitha's voice lowered slightly as she slung an arm over Rogue's shoulders and propelled the southern belle away from the front porch, "did you and Bobby kiss while I was gone?"
"Tabs!" exclaimed Rogue, her face reddening.
"What? You two act like there's something going on—I'm just asking what everyone else is thinking," protested Tabitha innocently. Rogue groaned and brought a gloved hand up to her face. It was times like this that made Rogue wish she hadn't become such good friends with Tabitha. The two girls turned around and headed back towards the porch just as the third SUV began to unload. Tabitha stopped short as her eyes caught sight of the blonde teen stepping out of the vehicle.
The teen was a tall, slender blonde with troubled blue eyes. Tabitha grinned and vanished from Rogue's side to introduce herself to the new teen. Rogue shook her head and returned to her spot beside Bobby. She glanced up in surprise as Jamie launched himself into her arms, pleading for mercy from Ray and Rahne.
However, Rahne's attention was already on the third SUV. Her eyes lit up before she ran towards the brunette woman stepping out of the black vehicle. "Moira!" Rahne catapulted herself into Moira's arms, forcing the woman to step back into the blonde man behind her.
"Looks like you didn't sneak in like you wanted," he teased as he turned back towards the SUV and picked up a small girl with brown hair and brown eyes, who looked to be about Jamie's age.
Moira chuckled as she held Rahne close. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so glad to see you, Rahne. Look how tall you've grown—they must have fed you alright out in the woods."
Rahne grinned. "We had pizza the first night there."
Professor Xavier chuckled at the look on Moira's face as she glanced down at her adopted daughter. Xavier said, "I told you a vacation would do the students well. I think now is the time for everyone to unpack what belongings they have in their new rooms before we do anything else."
Hours Later:
It took longer than expected for the students and adults to unpack and settle into their new rooms. Xavier had offered up a list of new room arrangements, some that were taking longer to get used to than others—especially with the addition of five new students.
Luckily, Rogue ended up with Tabitha as a roommate. Kitty had been paired with the new girl, Danielle Moonstar, while Amara was now sharing a room with Jubilee. Rahne now bunked with Paige Guthrie; and the small girl, named Theresa Rourke had her own room due to her age.
There were also some changes amongst the guys as well. Scott and Warren each had their own rooms, while Bobby bunked with Scott's brother, Alex Masters-Summers. Kurt and Forge shared a room, as did Roberto and Sam, while Ray shared a room with David Haller. Jamie also ended up with his own room because of his age as well.
Of course, the talk of the mansion was the fact that Logan had placed all of Ororo's things in his room without listening to Ororo's complaints that their rooming together was unethical. His reasoning had been that Hank deserved the large bedroom that Ororo had tried to claim as her own. Rogue figured Logan was really trying to show Ororo that he genuinely cared for her—by not taking no for an answer.
"He's hot…a little weird, but totally hot," said Tabitha, waking Rogue from her thoughts.
"That David kid?" asked Rogue raising her eyebrows. "But he's the Professor's son!"
"Which totally adds to his hotness."
"Ah'm startin' ta wonder how Amara ever lasted with you as her roommate."
"Ha, ha," deadpanned Tabitha. The blonde girl rolled off the bed and motioned for Rogue to follow. "Come on, the Professor's callin' us downstairs to the library."
"I didn't hear anythin'," murmured Rogue with a frown.
"How could you with all those voices lodged in your brain?" replied Tabitha. She didn't wait for an answer as she grabbed Rogue by the arm and dragged the southerner down to the ground level. The two girls slipped into the library and took seats towards the back of the assembled group.
Professor Xavier cleared his throat to speak. "As you all may be aware we have several new faces joining us today. May I introduce Dr. Moira MacTaggert and her fiancé, Sean Cassidy, also known as Banshee? Sitting beside Kitty is Danielle Moonstar, alias Mirage. Beside Rahne is Sam's sister, Paige Guthrie, known as Husk. Over here we have Sean's daughter, Theresa Rourke, called Siryn; next to Scott is his brother, Alex Masters, called Havok; and sitting beside Ray is my son David Haller, who at times can be called Legion, among other names. We are also welcoming a familiar face to the group—Forge. On behalf of the X-Men, I welcome you all to the team.
"Things have not been easy the last few weeks—we have experience grief and hardships that I had hoped we would never come across. But it is not the end of the X-Men, but a beginning. I will not lie and say that peace is evident in the near future, because it is not. War is on the horizon. We have lost teammates to the other side—to Magneto and his mission. We have lost our home—driven out of Bayville by the very people we strove to coincide with peacefully. And we have lost a beloved friend to the tides of war itself.
"Moving on will not be easy—it never has been, but do not lose hope. We are a team, and as a team we will rise again. We will become stronger, we will become wiser, and we will become the heroes that I know you can be. Yes, the light seems dim now; it seems as though we must hide and hope for the best, but that is not so.
"Despite all that we have been through, we are here now—together as one. We have gained a welcome alliance with the Morlocks. And most importantly, we have each other. The President gave the X-Men a reprieve after the Alkali Lake incident. We must band together and show the world that we are worthy of his trust. We will make it; I know we can, though it is hard for the time being.
"Society has cast us aside—we are no longer welcome in the public. But your educations must go on. This new mansion—a mansion I had built almost a decade ago—this mansion will be our new home. I had hoped to never use it, because it is nothing more than training grounds for mutants. But I believe the time has come to start anew. This mansion will now be a school for gifted youngsters such as yourselves. Think of it as a type of private school—one where you will be welcomed year around. I have contacted as many families as I could and as of yet, none have come forward to whisk children away.
"You are X-Men, new and old. Here you will learn the basic academics of a regular school, and you will learn how to control and use your powers. War has come, and we can no longer sit idly by. It is a new era, and we will face it together—as a team, as friends, as a family."
Rogue swallowed back a lump in her throat, steeling her heart against the hope in Xavier's voice. She could sense the hope rising in the rest of the students around her, but she wasn't going to be sucked into their game. She had her own agenda to worry about. Rogue didn't have time for wishful thinking. She wasn't part of the X-Men—she never would be. No matter how hard she tried she would always be the outcast…and that's how Rogue wanted it. People only ever got hurt being around her.
No, Rogue was on her own…and she was embarking on the most dangerous road of all. She was about to go head on with fate and change it to her own desire. She was going to take control of her life again—no more prophecies dictating the events to come. Rogue was going to choose her own solitary path…just as soon as she righted things here. Taking a deep breath, Rogue plastered a small smile on her face, her mind drifting away from the ebb of excitement in the room.
The game was set to begin.
A/N—Alright, so now we have reached the point where Rogue is embarking on her own path. The betrayal I talked about in the story summary is finally starting. And before anyone starts complaining, no, Rogue is not completely heartless and evil, nor is she going to lose her attitude and confidence. As the chapters progress you should see more of the inner battle within Rogue to set things right for her own self and that of others. Just bear with me until then because I'm going home for spring break and won't be able to update.