kyo-kitty – (gasp) I would never stop writing this fic…not even Aaron Stanford could stop me…okay maybe just him.
A/N: Wow! What the hell have I been doing that I haven't updated this in months? Anyway enjoy!
What the Hell?
Chapter 8
Broken
With Rogue sitting by his side, John slept. He looked so peaceful lying in the bed. So still, so calm… so quiet. It was freaking her out. The only thing keeping her from going nuts was the John in her head. In her hand, she held his lighter. Just holding it and staring at it. He loved that thing so much. Most people didn't understand. Hell, even she didn't, but it meant something to him and that was that.
She glanced over at her boyfriend. No change. Then she glanced back at the object in her hand, and flicked it open, igniting it. Her gaze was focused on the untouchable element and only that. When John started to move, she instantly closed the cap.
"John?" she spoke softly.
He shot up in the bed. "Where am I?"
"Relax. You're in the mansion's infirmary," her tone remained calm and soothing.
"Prove to me that you're you."
"What?"
"That bitch won't fool me again," he muttered.
Rogue was confused but he wanted proof so that's what she gave to him. "When I need space … I go to the roof."
With just that information, John relaxed and lay back down. "Can I have my lighter?"
"But, John…"
"Just give it to me!" he snapped and then sighed adding, "Please."
She didn't ask any further questions as she handed him the lighter.
Flicking it open, and lighting it, he tried to increase the flames but nothing happened. In frustration, he closed the cap harshly and squeezed the lighter tight causing his knuckles to turn white. "I can't believe this. I really fucking can't!"
"Please tell me what's wrong. What happened to you?" she urged.
Slowly, John turned his head to the right to look at her. There was anger in his eyes as he faked a laugh. "Long story short," he paused, "I'm human."
Rogue remained silent to let him continue uninterrupted.
"Mystique pretended to be you, drugged me, and brought me to Magneto. They took my blood and then they injected me with something. It seems to have neutralized my x-gene or..." he trailed off, "removed it." John sarcastically laughed to himself. "That's right. Magneto knew the right thing to take away from me to piss me off and he did it successfully."
"This is probably temporary," she said, offering some optimism.
"Magneto's plans are never temporary. I don't even think he knows the word 'temporary.' For example, the Liberty Island plan wasn't going to be temporary especially and most importantly for you." He touched the white streak in her hair that shaped her face so perfectly.
Rogue understood his point. She didn't know what to say. It was undeniable that what he said was accurate but a little positivity never hurt anyone. "John, we can fix this. I'm sure the Professor will think of something. Was the serum just for you or is there more to it?"
"He said: 'You're my first lab rat.' I'm guessing I'm not but I'm not sure." John rubbed his eyes. "How long was I out?"
"Around forty-eight hours."
"I know you're wondering … and I wish I could say it feels like I've been shot, but it doesn't. I feel like I'm dead."
"Jo—"
"Where are my clothes?" he asked as he stared at the door unable to look at her. He didn't want her pity nor want reassurances. He just wanted to be left alone.
She didn't answer.
"Fine. I'll look for them myself." He tossed the covers aside, swung his legs over the side, and motioned to get up.
"John, just stay put. I have your clothes right here." She took them out of the drawer behind her.
"Give them to me."
"I will but you have to promise to not leave this room."
John sighed. "Are you serious?" he complained.
"The Professor just wants to talk to you."
"Just tell him what I told you."
"Do it for me. Okay?" she pleaded.
"Fine." John held out his hand and she gave him his clothes.
"How are you doing?" she asked as he was done getting dressed.
John gave her a look.
She averted her eyes. "Stupid question, sorry." Then she stood up, gazing directly at him. "No, actually it wasn't. How do you physically feel? You were dehydrated with a fever of one hundred and four." She reached out to hold his head in her hands. When they were face to face, she said, "I care about you. Don't shut me out!"
He didn't respond. She released her hold and sat at the foot of his bed.
The room became silent besides the ticking of the clock, which didn't sit too well with John. "I hate this room. It's so fucking white … scratch that … it's nothing but white."
"Look, I know you're angry bu—"
John stared at the door again, cutting her off, "You have no idea what's going through my head right now. You have no idea how I feel. You know nothing."
A/N: Hooray I updated! Poor John. What's going to happen next? Only I know and I bet you want to find out so hit me with reviews and tell me to update while you're at it!