Epilogue

Disclaimer: One last time; PLEASE DON'T SUE!

Three Years Later

Out in the garden, Logan was doing his best to keep an eye on two little girls. They were quick, though, and soon eluded him. Rachel, the younger of the two, had been playing tricks and moving things with her mind to block the man from following them. They ran, pumping their short little legs, until they were hidden deep within the garden. Tired, and just a little worried, Logan asked Ororo to help him find the girls.

"Of course, Logan," she said sweetly, kissing him gently. Logan smiled and nearly purred as Ororo pulled away. She entered the garden and quickly discovered the girls, both digging at the earth curiously. Rachel, Jean's daughter, found a worm. Since she didn't want to touch it, she held it in front of her face, spinning in the air. Rebecca stared at it with her, quietly memorizing its shape and color.

"There you are!" Logan called out as he stepped up behind Ororo. Rachel quickly dropped the worm and wiped her hands on her pants. She knew that her mother would be upset about how dirty she had gotten the outfit, but she loved to play in the dirt anyway. Rebecca carefully picked up the shocked worm and held it in her palm. It wriggled happily, not eager to leave but full of energy. Ororo knelt down beside the girls and smiled.

"Rachel, you shouldn't use your abilities like that," she said, "Mr Logan is just trying to look out for you." Rachel dropped her head and muttered "Sowwy, Mr Logan."

"It's ok, Rachel, just try not to do it again," Logan told her.

Ororo had now turned her attention to the other girl. Now three, Rebecca was discovering more and more uses for her powers. The wiggling worm in her hand was just one of many things that had received her helpful touch of energy. "That's very good, Rebecca," Ororo praised, "Would you like to practice on the flowers now?" Rebecca, who was quiet around most people besides her parents, nodded eagerly and took Ororo's hand. They walked down the path together and found a plot in the garden where the flowers needed tending, leaving Logan and Rachel.

The small girl, nearly three herself, put her hands on her hips and scowled up at Logan, making him raise an eyebrow. He decided not to take his chances alone with her, and they followed the other two. With Ororo's help, Rebecca was carefully touching the sagging leaves and petals of some flowers, and they sprang back to life. Once, she placed her tiny hand firmly on the ground around the roots, and the lilacs in front of her bloomed happily.

"That's great, Sprout!" Logan cheered happily. Rebecca turned and smiled broadly at everyone.

Inside, Rogue and Remy were enjoying a quiet meal at the kitchen table. Rogue had watched Logan chase the girls around the garden and laughed happily. "She's growing up so fast," Rogue said to Remy.

"Oui," Remy agreed, taking Rogue's hand, "She is turning into quite de little lady." Rogue smiled and squeezed his hand. Her thoughts now turned to Kitty. She hadn't called in over a month now, and she was feeling worried. She and Pete had been living in London for nearly three years now. They came back to visit, but Rogue missed Kitty very much. She felt even lonelier when she remembered that Kurt and Amanda had also left the mansion; back to Muir Island and Dr McTaggert. She sighed heavily, and Remy understood why.

Just then, Jean came into the room in a huff. She had been out at a class, painting and sculpting. She had been frustrated lately about not being able to find her muse. She sat down heavily, carelessly dropping her bag of art supplies to the floor. Even though she already knew, Rogue asked Jean what was wrong.

"It's Scott!" she said. "He's out there in the garage, working on his precious car. And that Emma," Jean took an extra moment here to seethe with emphasis, "she's just fawning all over him. Can't she just go inside and put some clothes on?" Rogue would have tried to comfort Jean, but she was interrupted as Jubilee ran in with the phone in her hands.

"Rogue? It's Kitty," she said, "I think it's important." She handed the phone carefully to Rogue, as if she was afraid that dropping the phone would make her loose the call. Rogue took the phone, feeling confused and worried. There was a lot of static, and she had trouble hearing Kitty.

"Rogue? Rogue? --- you ---?"

"Kitteh? Ah can't hear ya? Kitteh, what's goin' on?"

"Rogue? -- coming back. Something ----ened."

"What happened? Are you ok?"

"Explain ---- - -et there. See --- soon." The line cut off. Rogue stared at the phone as if it would answer her questions.

"Chere?" Remy asked, "Ev'ryting ok?"

"Kitty's comin' back," was all that Rogue could say. She bit her lip, worried, and stared out the window. She saw Rebeccca, her hands pressed on the ground near a buch. Almost instantly, the wilting leaves grew green and plump.

A/N: This is officially the end of Taking the Heat Off. I have done some rewrites and editing on earlier chapters, so you may want to take a look. Most notably, chapter four is now the end of chapter three.

Stay tuned. My next story will cover what happened right at then end of this one, before the epilogue. Hopefully it will explain how we got to this point. I will be taking a break for about a month; maybe more, maybe less. I want to get some reading and research in before undertaking another story. The next one is tentatively titled the Pryde/Wisdom Project (definitely a place holder.)

Thanks again to everyone for reading and reviewing! See you again in about a month:)