Disclaimer: Still doesn't belong to me.
42-The Next Step
"It has just been announced that Edward Kelly Jr. is running for the New York Senate. Opposing him is one Graydon Creed. Both men are active members of the Republican Party—and both are calling for stricter regulations regarding mutants in the United States. Today's announcement is a crucial blow to Senate Democrats who have tanked in approval ratings here in New York with the explosion of the mutant population.
"It should be noted that Mr. Kelly is the son of the late Senator Kelly who died earlier this year in a mutant related incident. Mr. Creed, on the other hand is a relative newcomer to politics. He helped start up the Friends of Humanity, a grass-roots group hounding congress for the lack of national security in regards to mutants.
"This is Kimmie Bell with Channel 4 News. Back to you, Bob."
Sitting back in her seat on the couch Rogue dropped the remote down beside her. There was something familiar about the name Graydon Creed, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She shrugged as she stood up; it would come to her eventually.
"Creed? Isn't that Whiskers' last name?" asked Tabitha before Rogue could leave the living room. Rogue paused and turned back towards the television thoughtfully. Creed. Victor Creed. That would be something worth looking into.
Tabitha looked over at the southern girl with a frown. Rogue was being unusually quiet again. Though, judging by the look in the brunette's eyes Tabitha decided there was something wrong with her. Rogue's eyes seemed to have a harried look about them. It almost looked as though Rogue wasn't all there anymore.
"Rogue, are you alright?" questioned the blonde suspiciously.
"Huh?" Rogue jolted out of her trance and glanced over at Tabitha. She blinked as though she was seeing Tabitha for the very first time. Recognition finally lighted up her emerald colored eyes. "Ah'm fine…just thinkin'."
"Right, because you like to think. Usually about this time you're threatening someone for waking you up to early, or for slacking off in the danger room. But lately you've been…I dunno, out of it. Is it your head?"
"No. At least Ah don't think so."
"You don't think so? Meaning you don't know?" demanded Tabitha narrowing her eyes.
Rogue shrugged. "Just the occasional headache for gettin' up too early, if ya really wanna know. Ah'm fine, Tabs…Ah'm just tired. Ah'm not used ta sittin' around doin' nothin' for this long. It's been ages since we've heard from the Brotherhood. Ah hate trainin' in the danger room—it's not the same as bein' out there in the midst of battle."
"I thought you didn't like getting your hands dirty."
"Don't Ah? Hmm." Rogue lapsed into thought again as she drifted out of the room, leaving behind a very confused and highly worried Tabitha. The blonde turned back towards the television as Graydon Creed appeared on the television screen making his public announcement.
The foyer was empty as Rogue entered. Her footsteps echoed off the marble tiles as she headed in the direction of the doorway. It opened before she could reach it. Rogue blinked in genuine surprise as she found herself face to face with Moira. The doctor-scientist also seemed surprised to find Rogue in front of her. Yet, there was something more in her eyes as well. Fear.
Moira murmured her apologies, stepping aside for Rogue to pass. The southern teen frowned but glided out the front door without a word. Scientists were a strange breed to begin with, as were doctors. She would definitely have to rethink her future career. Wait, since when did Rogue want to become a doctor?
"That's not right." Rogue shook her head, trying to clear it.
Inside Moira was leaning back against the door, heaving a huge sigh of relief. Ever since she had studied the sample of Rogue's blood, the older woman had been living in fear of the teen. It wasn't everyday that she saw someone with blood like Rogue's. Blood that…well, blood that was abnormal, even by mutant standards.
"The poor dear doesn't even know the half of what she is," murmured Moira to herself.
Back outside Rogue was making her way towards the front gates. Her hands were itching to get a hold of someone—anyone—just to hurt them. She craved blood. Or did she? Rogue groaned aloud as she brought a gloved hand up to her forehead. Things were starting to blend together in her mind.
"You okay?" came a worried voice. Rogue glanced up sharply, relaxing upon seeing Bobby gazing down at her with fear in his blue eyes. A lot of people in the mansion seemed to be looking at her like that lately. Rogue promised to look into the reasons why later.
"Yeah, Ah'm just gonna go for a walk. Clear mah head a little," said Rogue smoothly.
"Good, I'll join you—otherwise Logan was gonna offer me the grand pleasure of washing the jet." Bobby smiled good-naturedly, ridding Rogue of unease and dark suspicions on his intentions. There was no reason to fear Bobby.
The pair set off down the sidewalk that led into the main part of Westchester. The sun was shining brightly, and yet there was still a sense of danger in the air. Rogue could feel the hairs on her arms standing on end as though a winter breeze were blowing. Her eyes shifted nervously around as she inched closer to Bobby. Someone was watching them. Or watching her, that would be more likely at this point.
"Are you sure you're alright?" questioned Bobby as Rogue bumped into him. He stopped mid-stride to study the girl beside him. Her eyes glittered darkly as she looked past him and up at the museum that stood directly behind them. They had reached city limits without fully realizing it.
"There's trouble brewin'," answered Rogue crisply. "We shouldn't be here."
Before Bobby could speak, a familiar figure caught his eye. "Hey, isn't that—"
"Jonny." Rogue caught her breath as her eyes locked with those of St. John. His sandy brown hair was pushed back with a pair of black goggles, matching a contraption located on his back. The contraption looked to be a small pack with two pairs of hose linking around his wrists. Rogue took the contraption for a lighter pack. Apparently Magneto was sucking up to the teen to keep him with the Brotherhood. But judging by his smirk Rogue instantly knew that wouldn't be a problem.
Turn around.
Rogue swirled around, ignoring the fact that it was impossible to hear St. John. An Asian woman with blue-violet eyes and black hair with purple streaks cropped at her chin was walking her way. And by the look in her eyes she was a force to be reckoned with.
Cracking her knuckles, Rogue stepped away from Bobby and turned to face her nameless would-be attacker. She wouldn't get another chance like this to kick ass in public, so Rogue was intent on enjoying every last second of it.
St. John chuckled as he came to stand directly in front of Bobby. "It looks to me that you've got yourself a little problem, mate."
"Yeah, and it smells like a traitor," returned Bobby coldly. He clenched his hands into fists, ice forming on his knuckles.
"You're the one goin' gaga over the worst traitor of 'em all." St. John motioned at Rogue whose back was facing them.
Rogue's mouth curled up into a small grin. "At least Ah'm dangerous, sugah. Ah cahn't say as much 'bout you ahn your little friend."
"Don't worry, Sheila, Betsy won't go easy on ya."
"Promises, promises." With that Rogue pushed past a few bystanders to greet the woman known as Betsy.
Betsy didn't even crack a smile as a bright purple blade appeared in one hand. With a sense of ease the Asian woman brought down the blade to slash at Rogue, but the southern belle had already moved to the side, hitting Betsy with a powerful roundhouse kick. Growling, Betsy lunged at Rogue opting for martial arts as the blade vanished from sight.
Bystanders began to notice the ongoing battle between the two females and quickly fled the scene. Nearby St. John had created a fiery horse in the air with the help of his new equipment. Bobby was already icing up to fight off the flame creature.
Rogue grunted in exertion as she executed a back flip to dodge another swipe of Betsy's blade. Obviously the woman was getting no where with just her martial arts skills. Rogue was turning out to be too fast for her. A flash of pain in her head sent Rogue falling to the ground. She gritted her teeth as she steeled her mind.
Betsy frowned as her forehead knotted up in concentration. Rogue chuckled. "Ah have barriers, sugah. Ya won't get far tryin' ta use your powers ohn meh."
"Damn brat," spat out the Asian in a British accent. Rogue grinned widely as she scrambled to her feet, tackling her new enemy to the ground. With a punch in the face, Rogue felt some blood spray onto her face from the gash on Betsy's lips. The purple blade reappeared yet again, only to be met by a set of claws. Both girls stared at Rogue's hand in genuine surprise. Rogue took the chance to roll onto her back, sending Betsy flying over her head.
Betsy landed hard onto the cement ground, her head darting up to glare at Rogue. She pushed herself to her feet and was about to launch another attack when a rush of air hit her. Looking upwards the woman stared in wonder at the winged man bearing down on her.
Rogue shook her head as Angel stopped his onslaught to cradle his head in his hands. Magneto had recruited a very powerful woman. Before Rogue could move forward and rescue her friend, Betsy was tackled by Wolverine. Her purple psychic blade appeared to meet his claws as Rogue turned her attention to Bobby and St. John.
She studied the flame carefully, her eyes tuning in to each flicker. Slowly the fiery horse began to shrink until it was gone altogether.
"Hey now, what happened to my fire?" cried out St. John inspecting his fire-pack. After ensuring that there was nothing wrong with his contraption his eyes traveled over to Rogue. Bobby took the opportunity to blast his former friend with enough ice to send the Aussie sailing onto the concrete steps.
"Psylocke, we better get outta here!" called out St. John nervously as he struggled back onto his feet. He glanced over at Rogue warily, clutching his right arm as though it were bruised.
"No problem," replied Betsy backing up away from Wolverine and Angel, who had descended to the ground. Her eyes found Rogue's as she retreated. "We'll finish this another time, Rogue."
Rogue pursed her lips thoughtfully and watched both Betsy and St. John take off down the street. There was a triumphant feeling in her heart as she contemplated what had just taken place. The Brotherhood had just put her back into business.
Wolverine watched Rogue carefully. He could sense something was completely off with her. She was becoming more and more withdrawn; her raging temper hadn't been seen the last month, and that worried him. Wolverine wasn't sure if it was because he felt Rogue was up to something, or because he feared something dangerous was happening inside of her.
"Come on, Stripes, lets get you home," said the older X-Man gruffly. Rogue looked over at him, her mind rejoicing at a chance to spend some time with her father, when something else crossed her mind. Her head turned away from her comrades to glance down the empty sidewalk. She creased her eyebrows as she tried to pinpoint the latest feeling.
Then a church bell rang.
"There's somethin' Ah hafta do first," murmured Rogue softly. She didn't bother waiting for a reply as she headed towards the sound of the ringing bell.
The church was a large and imposing gothic cathedral. The spires rose high into the air, with gargoyles placed sporadically around the high stained glass windows. Cement steps led up to the double set of oak doors. There was a holy, yet gloomy feeling about this place.
Rogue took a deep breath and made her way up the front steps, pulling one of the doors open so she could slip inside. The air was cool, the area dark; only a few candles flickered for light, with only a small beam of sunlight peeking through the stained glass. Rogue waited for her eyes to adjust to the dark as she made her way down the aisle towards the altar. She paused thoughtfully and gazed up at the large figure of the Christ hanging on the back of the wall.
"Rogue?" Kurt's voice was tentative as he slipped out of the shadows to study his sister closely.
"Ah guess Ah cahn see why ya like it here so much," started Rogue softly. "There ain't anyone else ta bother ya."
"It is a nice place to think. I do a lot of thinking you know," replied Kurt taking a seat in a pew.
Rogue sighed as she joined him. "Tabs thinks Ah've been thinkin' too much lately."
"You've been different lately. Everyone has noticed. You're not as angry as you were when you first arrived. You're more withdrawn now."
"The funny thing is that Ah'm still angry. Ah'm angrier now than before…but Ah haven't been able ta show it. The Danger Room isn't much of an outlet."
"You don't have to be angry anymore, Rogue. You have friends who care about you…and you have me. I'm your brother, I want to help you."
"Ah know, Kurt, but there's a lot you don't know 'bout meh. Ah'm not the same person Ah once was. Ah'm not even the same person Ah was while Ah was with the Brotherhood. Things have changed. Ah've changed, ahn not for the better," said Rogue.
Kurt frowned. "But you're on our side now, Rogue. We'll protect you no matter what."
"Cahn y'all protect meh from mahself?" asked Rogue sharply. She sighed and slumped in the pew. No one could protect her now—not even herself.
"I will try my best," promised Kurt solemnly. "That's what family is for. They stick together through thick and thin."
"A little corny, don't ya think?"
"I'm being serious, Rogue. You're my big sister…I know we got off on the wrong foot, and we haven't been talking lately, but I want to be there for you. I've gone my whole life without having a real family around. My foster parents were great, but they could never fill the hole in my heart. Now I have you."
Rogue chuckled. "Ah think you've been spendin' too much time in church, Blue. You're startin' ta sound all pious ahn whatnot."
"Ha. Ha. Very funny. I come here because I feel welcome…because God does not judge you by what you are or how you look. He is accepting of all creatures," retorted Kurt folding his arms across his chest.
Rogue raised an eyebrow in amusement, glancing at the teen boy beside her. She frowned slightly as she noticed part of his bare arm. Hesitantly she lifted his arm sleeve to study the markings on his blue skin. They were tattoos. "What are these?"
"Ancient symbols passed down from the Archangel Gabriel. I…I have one for every sin I have made," murmured Kurt.
"But why?"
"Because everyone sins, and by having them on my body I can always remind myself of my own so that I will not repeat them."
"You're a strange kid, Blue. But Ah like ya just the same."
"You have to like me, I'm your brother."
Rogue snorted. "I don't like Mystique and she's our mother."
"Good point." Kurt lapsed into a brief silence before speaking up again. "So, does this mean we can start over?"
"Yeah, Ah'd like that."
"Me too." Kurt reached over and grasped one of Rogue's gloved hands in his own and gave it a reassuring squeeze. They both glanced towards the back of the church at the sound of a cheer.
Jamie poked his head up from behind a pew and gave the siblings a sheepish grin. "Yay?" he suggested hopefully.
"You little snoop," muttered Kurt making a face.
Shrugging, Jamie made his way to the front of the church. "You were supposed to baby-sit me today, remember? You promised Moira you would so she could work in her lab some more."
"I did?" Kurt creased his eyebrows as he tried to recall making that particular promise. Rogue drifted off in thought as well, trying to remember why she had a sudden distrust in the woman doctor. Before either one of them got very far the church doors flew open and Tabitha rushed inside. She put her hands on her knees to catch her breath before joining the small church.
"You guys need to find a new hang-out," grumbled the blonde sniffing around in disdain. Mildew and incense filled her nostrils. A most disagreeable smell in her opinion.
"What's the rush?" asked Rogue with a small grin.
"I need you to do me a little favor." Tabitha grabbed Rogue by the wrist and dragged her a ways away from Jamie and Kurt.
"What kind of favor?" demanded Rogue suspiciously. No one could be trusted—not even Tabitha. She had ruined everything with Lance…no, that had been Kitty. Rogue rubbed her forehead as Tabitha spoke.
"Okay, so I was thinking of asking David to the movies or something, right? But you know what he told me when I suggested it? He told me that he would be honored—but only if my head was clear! So I asked him what he was talking about and he said he wouldn't feel right starting something with me when my mind is still on Lance. Can you believe it? He accused me of being in love with that idiot Lance!" Tabitha huffed darkly. "I hate it when men are right. That's not how it's supposed to be. So can you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Find Lance and see if he, you know, cares about me? Please, Rogue? I'll owe you, I swear I will. I just need to know if there's still something between Lance and me—or if there even was. You dated the guy, so you know how his eyes like to wander. I'd rather not pine away after him for the next ten years only to find out he didn't give…" Tabitha glanced around suspiciously as she chose her words carefully. It wouldn't do to get struck down by God if He actually existed. "Cared about me. Please?"
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Sure, why not? It's not like Ah had anythin' else planned for the day. Cahn ya make sure Blue ahn Jamie get home safe? The Brotherhood has new recruits—ahn they mean business. Ah met one of 'em earlier. She won't go easy ohn a couple of kids. Ah think she'd take a sick sense of pleasure outta killin' 'em."
"Yeah, sure, no problem. Baby-sitting is my specialty. Thanks Rogue. This means a lot to me."
Nodding, Rogue waved good-bye to her friends and departed from the church. Behind her she could hear Kurt protesting and Tabitha trying to explain what was going on. Outside, a soft breeze ruffled Rogue's hair, sending a white streak into her face. Her eyes shifted in the direction the wind was blowing, her nose picking up a familiar stench. With a wry chuckled under her breath Rogue took off in that particular direction.
There, standing in the middle of the outdoor food court was Toad. But not as Rogue remembered him. He stood taller, straighter, and with confidence. He was thinner too, but looked healthy. His skin was still tinged green, as well as his brown hair, but he was no longer the same cowardly, sick creature he had once been. The new Brotherhood had done wonders for him.
With a smirk Rogue made her way over to her old friend and tapped him on the shoulder. Toad turned around in surprise, his eyes widening as they fell on Rogue. "Roguey?"
"Toad."
"What are ya doin' here? I thought Betsy and St. John…oh. You didn't kill them, did you?"
"Ah'm not a killer, at least not yet. What are you doin' here all by your lonesome?" mocked Rogue tilting her head to one side.
Toad made a face. "Look, Roguey, you better get outta here. Mags wants you out of the picture for good. He says you're trouble with a capital T. I believe him. All you've ever done is used everyone to your own advantages. Wanda told us all about the deal you made with her."
"Wasn't that sweet of her? Lettin' y'all know she's just as screwed up as Ah am?"
"I don't wanna hurt ya, Rogue, but if you don't get your ass outta here I'm gonna hafta fight ya."
"You actually think you're in mah league, sugah?"
"You don't get it, Roguey. We've all changed. We're more powerful than before. We've been training our asses off for the last month. You don't know what we're capable of."
"Honey, Ah don't even know what Ah'm capable of. This shouldn't be any different than before. Twenty bucks says Ah cahn still kick your ass."
Toad chuckled. "You're on."
"Ohn one condition," stated Rogue raising a hand. "If Ah win you tell meh what Ah want ta know."
"It's a deal." With lightning speed, Toad leaped into the air, knocking Rogue to the ground. Rogue gritted her teeth as she hit the cement. She could feel blood trickling down her arm from a new scrape as she pushed herself back onto her feet. Toad blocked her next blow, making Rogue angry. The next few blows seemed almost choreographed in the way that Toad seemed to almost predict every move Rogue made.
Rogue broke apart, taking a step back to study Toad. Neither were particularly winded, but the ebb of battle was slowly starting to show. Rogue was covered in scrapes, including one running down the length of her cheek; Toad had a swollen eye and several bloody gashes on his arm.
"Give up?" he taunted with a wry grin.
Rogue snorted. "Not even close." Her eyes flickered upwards toward the sky as the wind around her began to pick up. Dark clouds were rolling in as the wind began to blow faster and faster. Toad looked around nervously, weather like that only meant one mutant, and she was one to be reckoned with.
Rogue's lips twitched in amusement, her mind going blank. Lightning seemed to flash in her eyes, thunder roared in her ears, and the wind whipped past her at an impossible speed.
Toad clutched a lamppost as the wind picked him off the ground. Rogue had a blank look on her face, her eyes clouded white. "Rogue, stop it!" he hollered, vying to be heard over the terrible storm. "You're gonna get us killed!"
But Rogue couldn't hear him. She could only feel—and what she felt was nature's fury.
A powerful earthquake shook Rogue out of her trance.
Toad breathed in relief as the storm vanished as quickly as it had come, dropping his feet back to the ground. Meanwhile, Rogue glanced towards the epicenter of the earthquake. A woman with jet black hair pulled back in a pony-tail and dark brown eyes was watching her. She stood beside a giant hole in the ground.
"Kill her," said the woman sternly as she glanced at Toad.
"What?" Toad jumped in surprise.
"Kill her."
"You're shittin' me, right? You want me to kill Rogue? Don't you know that ain't possible, Arclight?"
"Look at her, she's a weakling. Only a weakling would resort to using powers that don't belong to her for protection. You can take her down, Toad," responded Arclight darkly.
Rogue said nothing as she studied the latest member of the Brotherhood. Tough, strong, defiant—those words seemed to define her to a T. But Rogue wasn't fooled by the woman's exterior. This Arclight was no one to be intimidated by.
"If you won't kill her, then I will." Arclight came forward, hell bent on reaching Rogue, but found herself stopping short when a man stepped into her path. He was tall and slender with glossy black hair, matching goatee and mustache, and dark blue eyes. In his hands was a short wooden club.
"Good day, madam, I hope I am not intruding on your time," said the man smoothly in a light Scottish brogue.
"Get the hell outta my way, asshole!"
"I'm afraid I am under the strictest of orders not to."
"If you don't move your sorry ass then I'll hafta—" Arclight's angry spiel was broken by a sharp blast that sent her flying backwards. Rogue eyed the man's club suspiciously as he did a back flip to land beside her.
"Don't tell meh you're hurt already," growled Rogue as the man clutched his shin with a grimace of pain.
"An old injury. Lucky for us I brought along a friend to play with your…pests." The man gave a high pitched whistle that brought Juggernaut crashing out of the trees of the nearby park.
Arclight sucked in a sharp breath as she eyed her new opponent. She was smarter than she looked. Turning to Toad the woman said, "Come on, we'll deal with her another time."
Toad nodded and backed away from the battle. Rogue narrowed her eyes at him, freezing the teen in place. "Tabs wants ta know how Lance is farin' without her."
"He's goin' crazy," sighed Toad. With a melancholy shake of his head Toad turned around and fled after Arclight. Rogue watched them go, her body burning in pain and anger. She had never been bested in a fight before. Not like this. Toad had been training—and Rogue wanted to find out by whom. Someone was due for an ass kicking from hell. Instead she turned around to face Juggernaut and the limping man he had seemed to have brought along with him.
"Who the hell are you?" demanded Rogue harshly.
"Tom Cassidy, at your service, but you have my explicit permission to call me Black Tom," answered the man as suavely as possible. He bowed low with a flourish.
Rogue wasn't impressed. "Save it for someone who cares. Ah didn't need your help. Ah was doin' fine ohn mah own."
Juggernaut snorted. "'Course you were, that's why you're bleeding."
"Ah don't need anyone's help, dammit! Ah cahn take care of mahself!" snapped the southern belle, her voice raising an octave.
Black Tom made a face as he put a finger in his ear as if to clear it out. "Do you have to yell so loudly, dear? We are two men at your every whim. We are your army."
Rogue opened her mouth to argue some more, but promptly closed it, an idea forming in her head. She could use them. Yes, she could definitely use them. "Alright then, you're mah army. There's one condition though."
"Anything," promised Black Tom twirling his club in his hands.
Turning to Juggernaut, Rogue flashed the angriest face she could muster. "If Ah ever hear that you've been meetin' with Sabertooth again Ah'll kill ya! Ah don't like bein' double crossed—Ah don't show mercy, got it?"
Juggernaut plucked his helmet off his head and nodded solemnly at Rogue. The petite girl fumed inside. He was lying to her. The man was full of shit, and they both knew it. But she didn't have much of a choice…she needed them.
The Brotherhood of Mutants:
"Your daughter is becoming a problem," stated Magneto quietly.
Mystique frowned. "What do you want me to do about it?"
"Put a stop to it. I will not have my plans ruined by that conniving little heathen. One more stunt by her and it will be open season. Is that clear, my dear?"
"Always." Mystique turned on her heel and strode out of the study, shutting the door behind her softly. It wouldn't do to rile up her boss and lover. They needed to work together from now on—especially after the latest announcement by the humans. Graydon Creed and Edward Kelly Jr. were both running for the Senate. Danger had arrived.
With a serious look on her face, the blue shape shifter walked through the large compound until she had reached the rec room. The teens were strewn all over, discussing the latest encounter with Rogue. Apparently the old recruits were still in awe of their one time teammate. Mystique snorted as her eyes searched for one recruit in particular. Rogue was growing reckless.
"I need to talk to you." Mystique didn't bother to wait and see if the mutant in question would follow, he would. They always did these days. Magneto's temporary house arrest was driving even the most reserved and patient house members to death.
"Y' wanted somethin'?" questioned Gambit shuffling his deck of cards in a lazy manner. This one unnerved Mystique the most, but he was the best one for the job. Once a thief, always a thief. Gambit could be trusted to act in a stealth like manner for this assignment.
"I want you to watch Rogue. Protect her from anyone and everyone who goes after her. I will not see her killed!"
"I heard she's goin' crazy."
"Her mind is fragile—that's why I want you to watch her. If anything happens to my daughter I will hold you personally responsible and kill you myself."
"What's in it for me? The fille isn't de most likeable of filles. How long you gonna make me baby-sit her?"
"Until I say otherwise. If you can keep her alive I promise to take care of your little…problem down south," murmured Mystique crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Gambit continued to shuffle his cards for a few more minutes before finally returning them deep within his trench coat. "You got yourself a deal, but I don' want nobody ta find out about dis, you hear? I don' want the others ta start thinkin' my only specialty is baby-sittin' crazy filles. Den ol' bucket head would have me baby-sit his daughter—and Wanda is almost as crazy as Rogue."
"You've got yourself a deal, Gambit. Take care of my daughter."
"And you get rid of my problem. I'll be in touch."
Mystique pursed her lips as she watched Gambit saunter away, a cigarette already in his mouth. She sighed and rubbed her forehead wearily as her mind wondered back to her daughter. Fear tainted her heart as she turned to walk towards the bedroom she shared with Eric. Her only daughter…so near, and yet so close to being lost to Mystique forever.
The X-Mansion:
Moira rubbed her eyes in exhaustion as she straightened up. She had been staring through her microscope all afternoon, but no matter how many times she looked—or how long—she still saw the same thing.
It was an anomaly. It had to be. There was no way that Rogue's blood could be reflecting what Moira was seeing.
But it was. Moira had tested the blood—more than five times, and each time she had come up with the same results. Rogue was unique in more ways than she would ever know.
With a sigh, Moira leaned back over her microscope to study the blood sample one more time. Sure enough, the blood cells were clumped together in four different groups, as far away from each other as they could possibly be. What was even more unnerving was the fact that when each group of blood cells had been tested, Moira had come up with all four blood types. Type A, type B, type AB, and type O—Rogue seemed to have them all. And when Moira had taken another sample of blood from Rogue's tube the results had been mixed. Together, the blood cells could not be identified—only when they were placed in a dish and allowed to clump into their respective groups.
"It just isn't possible," muttered Moira under her breath. It wasn't, and yet it was. Now Moira had to decide what to do with this piece of information. There had to be an explanation for Rogue's blood anomaly, but what?
A/N—Lordy, I can't believe how long it took me to come up with this chapter. I struggled, and I struggled, but here it is at long last. I hope you are pleased with it, and I will try to get the next eight chapters out ASAP before school comes to an end. Thank you so very much for being patient with me!