2 Years really I have neglected my story for 2 years?! Damn I should really be ashamed with myself! And believe me I am. I thank my readers who have stuck with me and I want to assure you all that I outlined my story so no more writer's block and I will update more often! I just powered through this so please forgive the mistakes I just wanted to get the story going again!

Disclaimer: I own nothing just dusting off Marvel toys and daydreaming about Hugh Jackman.

Chapter 18

A voice called out in Rogue's mind "Time to play." Rogue's eyes snapped open she looked around confused her heart started to race when she realized that there were wires and tubes coming out from her Hank looks up from his desk when he realizes that Rogue's heart monitor was beeping. He stands up and looks through the window he sees Rogue struggling on the bed "Oh goodness!" Hank rushes to the bed and takes Rogue's hand "Rogue please calm down you're safe you're safe." Rogue continued to struggle Hank pleaded "Please Rogue calm down or I'd have to sedate you please." She looked up at Hank who smiled "Rogue I'm going to take out the tube from your throat I need you to stay calm ok?" Rogue nodded at him Hank slowly took the tube out reassuring Rogue as he did finally when it was free she coughed Hank rushed and got her some water.

As he helped her drink it he sent a mental message to Xavier she pushes the glass away "What happened?" "Why don't we wait for the professor?"

Rogue tries to sit up but gets hit with a dizzy spell and lies back down she closes her eyes puts her hand to her forehead to calm herself and then attempts to sit up again. Hank helps her get settled putting pillows behind her back she smiles in appreciation and leans back closing her eyes. Xavier wheels in smiling "My dear you have no idea how happy we are that you are awake." The others rush in Rogue looks up and weakly smiles at her friends who were all grinning at her but then the smile fades when she sees Jean and Logan. She closes her eyes and whispers to Xavier "Make them leave." Logan steps forward about to protest but Jubilee and Kitty beg with their eyes his shoulders slump and he walks out of the room. Jean pleads "Rogue please let me…." "Get out."

Xavier goes to Jean "Perhaps we can do this another time when she is feeling stronger?" Jean nods and as she is walking out she sees Scott running in and to Rogue's side taking the hand that she held out to him. He leaned down stroking her hair rubbing the back of her hand to his face whispering in her ear as the tears glistened in his eyes. When Rogue looked up at Jean she could have sworn she saw a look of self satisfaction but it disappeared quickly. She whispered in Scott's ear he turned around and gently smiled at Jean "Please." Jean nods and exits the room she sees Logan pacing at the end of the hall she takes a deep breath and goes to him "Logan…." "Don't Jeannie just don't." He goes into the Danger Room ready to rip apart anything to quell the beast inside. Jean puts her head down the elevator door opens Ororo steps down she asks Jean "Is it true is she awake?" Jean smiles "Yes she is." Ororo rushes past her to the room but stops at the door "Jean…" "It's ok go on I know she wants to see you." "I'll come find you later ok?" Jean smiles and nods she heads up to the elevator.

Ororo steps into the room and rushes to her friend's side "Rogue oh my goodness you have no idea how happy I am that you're ok." Rogue laughs as the weather goddess starts to cry and reaches to hug her "I wish I would stop waking up down here. If this was your way of getting rid of me…" They look at her with a serious expression she laughs "Come on it's not like a died." Her friends look down Rogue looks at the Professor "Charles?" He smiled hearing that old European lilt remnant from her absorbing so much of his old friend. "Maybe we should let Hank do a full check up and when you are feeling up to it we'll have a nice long chat." Rogue was about to protest but Scott gave her a look and she nodded "Do I have to be down here can I go back to my room?"

Hank smiles "Kitty Jubilee why don't you and the others air out Rogue's room and perhaps turn down her bed?" They smile and Jubilee winks "We'll freshen up your room ok chica?" Rogue smiles "Thank you guys." Xavier wheels forward "Perhaps we should give Rogue some privacy?" Rogue takes Scott's hand "Can you stay with me?" "Of course." The others exit the room Scott takes Rogue's free hand she watches Hank get the necessary tools for the check up she asks Scott "What happened?" He looks at Hank who nods "How much do you remember?" "I remember us going to the mall but that's about it." Hank takes her vitals and makes some notes he asks her "Why did you send Logan and Jean out?" A dark look goes over her face she looks far away some scenes flash in her head but she shakes the darkness away "I don't know…all I know is that…I couldn't…I couldn't be around them." Her eyes start to tear Hank pats her hand while Scott squeezes her hand Hank smiles reassuringly "My dear don't you fret ok I want you to focus all of your energy on getting better."

Rogue nods absently she looks at Scott's hand in hers and she looks up into his red visor she hears a whisper in her head "He's handsome isn't he?" "Yes." "Do you desire him Rogue?" "I…I don't know…there's…" "Oh the other one? Hmmm yes he would make a suitable match for us wouldn't he but this one…perhaps we can play with this one as well?" Scott tilted his head at Rogue "Rogue are you ok?" She shakes her head "I'm sorry Scott I just…you know getting my bearings." Hank sits down "How are you feeling up there Rogue?" "I'm a little confused about what happened but I think I'm ok. Why?" Scott regards her carefully "You haven't said anything for the past 10 minutes you've just been staring off into space." "Oh….I'm sorry it's just a lot...just trying understand." Both men nod at her she takes a deep breath "So am I cleared to go up to my room?"

Hank makes some additional notes "I think you should be ok it seems that Logan's regenerative abilities are still active in you my dear. Although I am curious as to why it only now kicked in." He starts making some more notes and rambling to himself Rogue giggles in her hand he looks up "I'm sorry." "No it's ok but can I…" Hank smiles "Of course my dear I'll get the wheelchair." Rogue stops him "Maybe Scott can carry me up?" She smiles seductively at Scott "You don't mind do you sugar?" Scott clears his throat "Uh no not at all." He puts his hands underneath her and blushes when he feels her bare skin against his hands Rogue rests her head on his shoulder "Thank you sugar." "Um no worries Rogue." "What's with the Rogue sugar call me Marie." "I'm sorry of course Marie." Hank walks them to the door "I'm gonna come up later when you're settled to get some more vitals ok Rogue?" She nods and twinkles her toes Xavier was waiting outside "Would you mind some company?" "Not at all Charles."

"Be careful." "Of whom Charles?" "Yes he's going to scan you now." "He would never…" Rogue becomes silent when she feels Xavier in her head she slams up her mental shields Xavier flinches but makes no indication that he felt anything. She smiles to herself and buries her head in Scott's shoulder her hand stroking his neck he adjusts her in his arms holding her closer. When they get to her room she sees two strange women waiting talking to Ororo they step forward the tall blonde stepped forward "Glad to see you're awake?" "Forgive the rudeness but who are you?" The tall Asian woman chuckled a bit "Sorry my name is Betsy Braddock aka Psylocke and this is Emma Frost aka the White Queen aka world class biatch." Rogue laughs as Emma turns red with anger "I've had about enough of you Betsy!" "It was just a joke relax ok." Emma scowls and spins on her heel stalking down the hall. Betsy shakes her head and rolls her eyes "And the Oscar for most dramatic exit goes to…"

Rogue laughs Betsy smiles "At least I know you have a sense of humor." "Boy do I." Scott clears his throat "How about I get her settled in and you can continue the introductions?" Scott goes into her room and places her gently on the bed Rogue sits on the edge holding on to his hand "I need to shower and change do you mind…" "Sure…Jubes Kit do you think you can come in here and help Rogue." Rogue sits back disappointed the voice laughs in her head "Guess being subtle doesn't work with this one." "I want Logan." "Humph I was having fun with this one." "I need to see Logan." Rogue slips her hand from his confused "I need to see Logan." "But.." "I want to see Logan." Scott stands up "Go clean up and I'll go find him."

The girls come in chattering Rogue stands up shakily "I think I can manage to shower." Kitty puts her arm around Rogue's waist "Are you sure?" Jubes laughs "Aint got nothing we haven't seen before chica especially after Mardi Gras." Betsy's eyebrow cocks "I'm sorry what was that experience?" Rogue laughs and slaps Jubilee's arm "Never you mind!" They all laugh as Rogue carefully makes her way to the bathroom she turns the shower on and strips her clothes she looks in the full length mirror she starts to levitate from the ground moving closer to the mirror. She runs her hands all over herself her eyes turning black she smiles at her reflection "Good body." Ororo yells through the door "What was that Rogue?" "Nothing Ro." "Are you ok?" Rogue lifts her hand a black flame forming in her hand "Just fine Ro…just fine."