Chapter Fifteen:
The End is The Beginning

"Carolina?"

My eyes snapped open at the sound of my name being whispered and an image of a red headed woman appeared in the darkness. I had only closed my eyes for, what seemed like, a couple of seconds before I heard her calling out to me. "Dr. Grey?" I asked, teeth chattering away and I tried to move but found that my lower body had gone numb. I supposed that my eyes had been closed longer than seconds. "I can't--"

"Hang in there, sweetie," she said, cutting me off and I was somewhat shocked that I was hearing her instead of Voice. Was I going crazy, or could I actually hear her? "Someone's coming for you."

A beat.

Bamf. "My God," a voice said and then quickly muttered something in a language I didn't understand. I felt hands grabbing at my shoulder, turning me over onto my back and a jolt that made my body convulse. I gritted my teeth in pain and held in the scream. "Carolina?"

"M- Mr. Wagner?" I stuttered, stupidly. Someone had actually come for me. I almost laughed in relief. Someone had actually come for me!

Bending down to lift me towards him, I took the chance to wrap my arms around his neck in a hug and started to cry a little. My face was already blotchy from all the screaming and sobbing I had done, I didn't care what I looked like anymore. I just wanted someone to comfort me, tell me that everything was going to be okay.

"You are safe now," he said, pulling me closer to him. His heart was beating fast and I could feel his discomfort at being so close to me, but was grateful he didn't try to move away. He was more concerned for my well being and that was stronger than anything else. "It will be all right," he told me. "This will not hurt," and suddenly we were lost in a cloud of swirl-y blue smoke that smelled of brimstone. I shut my eyes, inhaling sharply and willed myself not to throw up at the strange sensation, the detachment and tightened my hold on him as I waited for the world to stop spinning.

"Oh my God!" Several voice shouted at once, along with a couple of surprised screams. I opened my eyes, slowly and found that I was back in the jet and was sort of surrounded by half a dozen kids, who were all looking on in interest.

"Kids, back in your seat," Ms. Monroe ordered in a gentle, but hurried voice. They all did as she said. "Rogue, grab some blankets."

In less than a minute, Marie appeared over me with her arms full of blankets and began wrapping them around me. I was still cold and wet, but the blankets were helping some.

"Any longer out 'ere and she might have frozen to death," Mr. Wager said, yellow eyes staring at me. Realizing that I was still holding on to him tightly, I loosened my grip, but didn't pull myself away from him just yet.

"Bobby," Marie called out, looking over her shoulder for her boyfriend, who was getting a couple of the kids settled in their seats, but when he heard her call, rushed towards us. She turned back to Mr. Wagner and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kurt. We've got it from here, thanks."

Mr. Wagner bowed his head in acceptance and began to stand up. I let go of his completely and Bobby took his place, but fore he was out of reach, I grabbed his arm. "T-thank you." He nodded, acknowledging my thanks and smiled as he walked up front to join the other adults.

"It was stupid to go out there," Bobby scolded. "How do you feel?" He asked and I could feel his concern and tried not to dwell on it very much. It was giving me an even bigger headache.

"C-cold," I muttered, noticing that all of the adults were crowded up front at the controls. There were also two new adults. A man with funky looking sunglasses, who I assumed must have been Dr. Grey's fiancé, and a bald man. "I-is that…?"

"Yeah," Marie answered, barely giving the man a glance as she was busy drying my hair. "That's the Professor."

I nodded, understandingly and when they were done trying to get me warm, they helped me into the seat beside Professor Xavier and sat down as well. I turned to the older man, feeling a little bit uncomfortable. He wasn't what I had been expecting, but than again, no one had really said anything about him, other than his name.

Feeling my stare, he turned his head to look at me and gave me a reassuring smile. I returned it and quickly looked away. I let my eyes scan my surroundings and I realized that someone was missing. Mr. Logan.

Oh, no, I thought. Where is he, why isn't he here? Did Striker get him?

"Where--?"

And just as I was about to ask, Mr. Logan jogged up the ramp, sweating and carrying a smaller boy in his arms. I sighed in relief. "Bobby," he called out to the younger mutant.

"I got 'im," he said, taking the small boy off his hands and sitting him down beside the other kids.

I watched as Mr. Logan rushed towards Dr. Grey. They were both so relieved to find the other alive and well. "You okay?" She asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

He gave her a long look and flashed her a brief smile, "I am now." He turned towards the cockpit and asked, "What's wrong?" When he realized we weren't taking off yet.

"Vertical thrusters are off-line," Mr. Summers said, hands working fast from what I could see.

"So fix 'em," Mr. Logan told him, impatiently.

"I'm trying," he stated, irritated by the other man.

"Has anyone seen John?" Marie asked out of the blue, turning around in her seat. "Did you find him?" She asked but I didn't respond. I stunk down in my seat, dropping my gaze to my lap. I felt guilty for letting him go. I could have done more to stop him.

"You did your best."

"Pyro?" Mr. Logan asked, looking over his shoulder. "Where the hell is he?"

"He's with Magneto," came the reply and I was mildly surprised it was Dr. Grey who answered. She turned over her shoulder to look at me and I could feel the sadness coming from her. She knew, I realized. She knew that he left on his own accord and that I had tried.

Everyone went extremely silent after the announcement and exchanged uneasy glances. There was confusion in everyone and I could feel the questions burning in them.

I rubbed my temple, feeling a tightness.

"Come on!" Mr. Summers grunted in frustration and I heard a loud bang.

"Oh, no," Ms. Monroe said, voice soft and worried. Her fear was rising by the second.

"There's power in the fuel cells, we're just not connecting." Mr. Summer explained.

"Okay I've--"

"Ahhh!" I exclaimed as a low humming filled my head. I gritted my teeth and closed my eyes tightly. "Ahhh. Ow," I cried when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Shhh, it's okay," recognizing the voice as being Dr. Grey's, I opened my eyes and loosened my grip on the armrests. She was kneeling beside me, hands smoothing my hair back and out of my face. "It's going to be okay. I promise."

"My. Head," I told her. "Is. Killing. Me."

"I know," she nodded. "And I'm sorry." I didn't give much thought to what she was saying, barely noticed that I was getting a few strange stares.

The humming grew louder, drowning everything out and I shut my eyes again. I leaned forward so far my head was nearly between my knees. I tried very hard to keep my breathing even and tried not to panic, but felt like I wanted to scream. It felt like someone had opened a door in my head and it couldn't be closed, everything was coming in and nothing was being filtered. I felt everything. Every emotion. I could almost feel what people were thinking. It was awful.

Suddenly there was an ache in my heart and a realization that everyone was going to die if I didn't so something about it. I grabbing a fistful of my hair. It wasn't my thought. I knew that it wasn't mine, but… who's was it?

"Jean?"

I sat up, slowly, mind still filled with humming. Everyone was turned around, searching. "Wait, where's Jean?" Mr. Logan asked, looking around with wild eyes.

"She's outside," Professor Xavier announced, distressed.

Mr. Summer shot up from his seat and pushed his way through Mr. Wagner and Mr. Logan as he rushed towards the ramp. It closed just as he reached it. Suddenly everything seemed to turn back on. "No!" He shouted, turning around to face the others. "We're not leaving. Lower the ramp!" He demanded, pointing towards it in anger and desperation. "Storm lower it!" He shouted again.

"I can't" she replied, troubled and nervous because she didn't know what to do, but she didn't give up. She kept trying to get it open. She wasn't going to let her friend die.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. I could… feel it and then the jet shook, sending, those who were standing up, crashing against one another. I looked up, towards the windshield of the plane and was startled to see a massive wave of water heading straight for us and then divide just as it got near.

"She's controlling the jet," Ms. Monroe called out.

"That's not all she's controlling," I added, but no one seemed to hear me but Bobby, who turned around when I spoke up. I grabbed my head again and concentrated as hard as I could and I felt a very strong sense of loss and this darkness, evil and untamed…. I opened my eyes, mouth hanging open.

"You," Mr. Logan shouted, desperately at Mr. Wagner. "Get her, now!"

He flickered. "She's not letting me," he said, sadly.

"I know what I'm doing," Professor Xavier began. His eyes were closed, face contorted with confusion and concentration. "This is the only way."

Everyone turned their attention to him. Mr. Summer, clearly distraught, (you didn't have to be an Empath to feel it, it was so strong) pushed his way towards the man and sunk to his knees. "Jean, listen to me," he said and I finally understood that it was Dr. Grey who was speaking through the older man. "Don't do this," he begged, voice breaking as was his heart.

"Goodbye," he whispered her words and sighed.

Mr. Logan shook his head, "Oh, no! No!"

"No, no!" Mr. Summer echoed Mr. Logan and stood up as the jet began to lift off the ground, away from the water and the sun came out from behind the clouds. I could hear the sound of rushing water and then nothing.

No one said anything for the longest time and then, "She's gone," Mr. Logan said in disbelief and I could feel his heart breaking. I grabbed at my chest. "She's gone," he repeated, blinking.

Suddenly, Mr. Summer launched himself at the other man and began hitting him with his fists. "Don't. You. Say that," he shouted, struggling with him. "We gotta go back," he said, voice breaking and looking a lot less strong.

"She's gone," Mr. Logan repeated, pushing the man away and held him by the shoulders.

"No!" He shouted again, trying to shove the other man's hands away from him. "No." Everyone watched in silence as Mr. Summer broke down in Mr. Logan's arms and sobbed against his chest.

"She's gone," Mr. Logan said, brokenly. "She's gone. She's-- she's gone."

Unable to watch two grown men cry, especially not the one I held so much admiration for, I turned away respectfully. I had never felt such sadness before. The feeling of wanting to die. I closed my eyes and tried not to let myself drown in everyone's emotions but it was too much

"The lord is my Shepard," Mr. Wagner began, saying a prayer out loud. "I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in the green pastures. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of the death, I shall fear no evil… for thou art with me."

Unable to keep it inside anymore, a sob escaped my lips and I grabbed my head. The loss of a loved one was never easy. Feeling the loss that someone else felt for a loved one was even harder because one could not control what that person felt and it was dangerous for me. There was always something keeping them from hurting themselves, occasionally, but the same couldn't be said for me. Too much could drive me crazy. I didn't want to be crazy anymore.

My heart felt broken and it was almost like I couldn't breath.

Suddenly I felt arms wrapping around me. From the corner of my eye, I could see white and dark hair mixed together. Marie had gotten up from her seat when she heard me cry. "This is wrong," I whispered to her as I pulled away, shaking my head slightly and she looked at me in confusion. She couldn't tell what I was talking about. "I don't even know if when I'm feeling is real."

Marie's eyes watered and her bottom lip trembled, understandingly and she pulled me in for another hug as a whole new wave of unbearable sadness washed over me and I sobbed harder.

X . X . X . X . X . X . X

"Hmm-mm… hmm-mm… hush-a-bye, don't you cry," I whispered, staring off into space as I played with the edges of the blankets covering me. I wasn't cold anymore. Not, really. I felt warm and could almost feel the beads of sweat forming on my brow. "Go to sleepy little baby…. When you wake, you will have cake," my voice hitched a little. "And all the pretty little horses…. Hmm-mm…."

It was strange, and a little silly, how a simple lullaby had power over me. Calli used to sing it to Michael when he was a little kid, and he, in turn, tired to sing it to me. Of course, back then, I wasn't much for lullabies, told him that I wasn't a baby and that he might as well sing it to Irene. He did and she seemed to enjoy it a lot, especially that particular song. Irene and I shared a room, growing up, so when Michael sang to her at night I would stay up and listen too. He had a lovely voice, but I swore to myself that I'd never admit that to him. His voice had a way of soothing people, especially little Irene when she would get distressed over something. It calmed me down too. My theory now is that, it could have been that when Irene got worked up I did too because, even then, I was being hinted at my Empathy ability. Of course it was only a theory.

"And all the pretty little horses," I repeated, voice low and eyes staring at nothing. I hated silence, but had begun to realize that it was bliss as the noise in my head quieted.

The humming had stopped, at least, for now. Everyone had gone quiet with the exception of a few sniffles here and there. I could still feel that unbearable sadness in my heart and wondered if it would stay with me forever. I hadn't known Dr. Grey for long, I shouldn't have felt this sad, I reasoned but, in the short amount of time that I had, I thought I had finally found someone to trust, despite her telling Mr. Logan my past before I wanted to. She had cleaned me up, listened to me and had promised to help, but she couldn't now. She was dead and wasn't coming back.

Dr. Grey died an hour and a half ago, but, funny thing is, I could still feel her like she was near.

"You have quite a gift," came a voice from beside me, bringing me out of my thoughts. The remark was strangely familiar and I realized that it almost matched the words Magneto had said to John. John, I thought with a new sadness. Why'd you have to go?

Lazily, I turned my gaze to Professor Xavier. "What?"

"Empathy," he said, turning away. I wasn't sure why, but it sort of annoyed me that he turned away while we were speaking to one another. "It's an incredible ability. Makes you feel closer to others, bonds you."

I frowned at his profile. He thought my ability was a gift? "Some gift," I almost snorted. "Drives me crazy. Makes me crazy," I told him with narrowed eyes and suddenly I wondered where all this anger was coming from. I didn't have a reason to be upset with the man sitting beside me. I barely knew him. Correction, I didn't know him. Not properly.

He smiled softly and returned his gaze to me. "I know," he nodded, eyes filled with sadness. My gaze softened. The loss of Jean Grey was almost stronger in him than in the rest, which surprised me. He must have known her longer. "I did."

"Are you a mind reader?"

He nodded, "Among other things."

Hmm. It was my turn to look away. "You're not what I expected," I told him, even though I had meant to keep it to myself, but what good was it to think about it when he could hear me anyway? But I hadn't meant for it to come out so rudely, hopefully he'd see that and not be insulted.

"And what were you expecting?" There was a tinge of amusement and curiosity in his voice and I could feel that tiny spark of offense, but he seemed to understand.

I looked down at my hands, twisting them together in nervousness. "I don't know," I shrugged, slowly looking back at him. "So, where are we going?" I asked, hoping to change the subject. I really didn't like where it was going. I didn't want to insult the one man who could actually help me.

"Washington D.C." he said, following my lead. "There's something that needs to be taken care of before it gets to a point of no return."

"Is everyone going?" I wondered out loud, chewing the inside of my lip. He nodded as a response. "Including me?"

"If you're up for it," he said, smiling reassuringly.

I swallowed, gaze turning way from him. I let my eyes wander around, looking at the back of everyone's heads, until they landed on a certain someone. "If Mr. Summer can do it," I began quietly. "I don't see why I cant." And the conversation ended there and a couple of hours later, we had reached D.C.

"I know that we've all suffered an incredible loss today," Professor Xavier began after the jet had landed and the rest of us -Marie, Bobby, Mr. Wagner and I - suited up. I struggled with my uniform until Ms. Munroe offered to help. When she was done, I looked down at myself and felt strange. "But this is something that must be taken care as soon as possible with much delicacy," the Professor continued. "The fate of all mutants rest in our hands."

From what I had gathered the President was going to be addressing the Nation about a supposed threat he was informed of by a man named William Stryker. An anger I didn't recognize, burned within me at the news, and I felt a drop of pity and disgust. Apparently, he'd found out about the school and handed the information over to the President, who was going to be exposing us all. I shuddered at the thought. Everyone would know about us. The news would spread across the world like wildflower and no where would be safe for us. We wouldn't be able to run or hide. They'd chase us down where ever we went. I didn't even want to think about it.

Instead I focused on how we would be getting into the white without anyone noticing. I mean, who wouldn't notice a large group of people dressed in strange close approaching the freaking White House?!

Mr. Logan stayed behind as everyone exited the jet to help me down the ramp. I could feel the thoughts running through his head and suddenly I didn't want to be near him. He thought that I should have stayed behind. I looked up at him briefly and he looked down at me when he sensed my gaze. I turned away quickly and when I did, I realized something else.

The questioned that I'd wondered about before had just been answered. We were going to get it without being noticed because time had stopped.

It was incredible. People who were standing outside of the fence, from what I could see, weren't moving. Cars were stuck in place. Birds hovered in the sky, above our heads, but didn't go anywhere. It was like… they were frozen in place. Like time had stopped.

"Among other things," Professor Xavier said from behind me. I craned my neck to look at him. My brows shot up in awe as a realization hit me, he was doing all this. He had caused everything to stop. How cool was that? I thought with childish excitement. He was powerful. He may not have looked it, being in the wheel chair and all, but he was.

This, I thought, was what I had expected.

Everything inside of the White House (and I couldn't believe that I was actually standing in the foyer) was the same as outside. Frozen. There were people everywhere, mostly Secret Service, but no one was moving. They were all stuck in a moment in time and I wondered if they would even notice what had happened. Probably not.

It wasn't long before we were standing in front of the Oval Office. When we entered, the room was crowded with more than a dozen people and I felt a little unnerved. They reminded me of mannequins that one would find in a store, dressed up and unmoving. It was weird.

The president was sitting at his desk, staring at a teleprompter. He wasn't moving either, but once we had taken our spots, the Professor gave the word and suddenly the sky was growing darker, causing the room to appear almost pitch black. There was a storm brewing outside. The only thing illuminating it was the lightening which was accompanied by booming thunder. I jumped. Eyes darting towards Ms. Monroe. Her eyes had gone completely white and she was pleased by the storm she was creating. It matched everyone's mood.

And then, the President began to move. He turned to look over his shoulder and I could feel his confusion about the sudden change of weather. Then he turned to where we were standing and when the sky lit up with lightening, I felt a shock coursing through my body and the sudden urge to run.

"Good morning, Mr. President," Professor Xavier greeted him professionally, voice smooth and calm. I wanted to laugh. It was ridiculous. The President stood from his seat, eyes darting around in shock by our sudden appearance and we took a step forward. "Please, don't be alarmed. We're not here to harm you."

The President, however, thought differently. "Who are you people?" He asked, though he knew who were but didn't want to admit it out loud.

I could feel this fear and indignation rising in him as his eyes landed on a certain someone. Mr. Wagner. He was perched on a high shelf in a corner of the office, looking down at us. He waved when he saw that McKenna was staring at him. I shut my eyes for a second, trying not to allow his panic to take over me. I was already dealing with everyone else's pain and anger, it was a miracle that I could even think properly. I didn't need him adding anymore.

"We're mutants," the Professor said, stating the obvious. "My name is Charles Xavier. Please sit down," he suggested.

"I'd rather stand," he responded, voice hard. I could feel his defiance. He was the President, damnit! He shouldn't be told what to do, he wasn't a child!

I shook my head, scratching my scalp when I felt a sort of tingle. It didn't hurt, but it was annoying as hell.

"Rogue," Professor Xavier said and she stepped forward from behind him. She was holding a folder in her hand and set it on the table in front of us.

The President quickly picked it up, and frowned at it as he opened it up and started flipping through the pages.

"These are files from the private offices of William Stryker," the Professor explained, seeming to pick up on the other man's confusion as I had. I shuddered at the mention of Stryker and wondered if I would always be haunted by his name and what he did to me and several others.

Mr. Logan tightened his grip on me, trying to keep me from shaking and to comfort me in his own way, but I could still feel his thoughts. I didn't like knowing what he was thinking. It was awful.

"Where did you get this?" He asked, eyes still scanning pages.

"Well," the Professor bowed his head and slightly smiled in secret. "Let's just say I know a little girl who can walk through walls." Kitty Pryde, I thought, wearily. Shadowcat, she had said her nickname was, but in my mind I had already dubbed her as Ghost Girl when she walked into my room. That felt like such a lifetime ago when it was only a couple of days.

The President wasn't amused and his eyes darted to Mr. Wagner. He sat down, taking in all the information that had been given to him and shook his head. "I've never seen these before," he said and I could sense that he was telling the truth. How long had Stryker been keeping this from him?

I shook my head, this time, a little more forceful then before. The strange sensation from earlier had returned, only this time, it was stronger and there was humming. It was low, but I could hear it. Oh, God. Please, not now. Not now.

"I know."

"Then you also know I don't respond well to threats."

"This isn't a threat, Mr. President," Professor Xavier said, voice still soothing but firm.

Don't sound condescending, Charles, tell him straight. Don't beat around the bush. He has to know. Tell him. Tell him.

I blinked, bowing my head slightly. I could feel my breathing becoming uneven. Those thoughts. It was like I was thinking them, but they weren't mine and the sadness in my heart grew stronger, making it hard for me to breathe.

"This is an opportunity. There are forces in this world both humans and mutants alike, who believe that a war is coming." A cold shudder suddenly went through me, but I stood up straight and acted like nothing was going on. Had to remain strong, couldn't show weakness in front of the President. "You will see from those files some have already tried to start one and there have been causalities, losses on both sides." He wheeled himself forward. "Mr. President what you are about to tell the world is true. This is the moment. A moment to repeat the mistakes of the past or to work together for a better future. We're here to stay, Mr. President. The next move is yours."

"We'll be watching." Mr. Logan said as the light illuminate the room, adding the dramatic effect and suddenly the President wasn't moving anymore and the sky cleared.

I barely had the chance to admire the sun when a I felt something hit me hard and knocked the air out of me. "Oww!" I cried, holding my head to keep it from exploding. The room began to spin and I had to close my eyes to keep from getting dizzy but it wasn't helping any. Spots began to appear behind my eyelids and danced all around, beautiful and colorful.

"Gypsy," a voice shouted, grabbing me roughly by my arms. I opened my eyes to see Mr. Logan standing in front me. "Gypsy," he repeated, shaking me back in to existence.

I grabbed at him, desperately. The screaming in my head, growing louder and louder. So much sadness and anger. Please, don't be angry. It wasn't your fault. Things happen in life that can't be stopped. Please, don't be hurt. "Stop thinking," I shouted, trying to push away but he didn't bulge. "Shut up! Stop feeling," I roared, knees going weak and I fell to the floor.

Mr. Logan followed. "What's wrong with her?!" He shouted, trying to pick me back up.

"Dark Cerebro," Professor Xavier explained. "I'm afraid that it did more damage to her than I thou--"

What's wrong with her? Is she okay? Oh, God. What's happening?!

With all the willpower I had left, I opened my eyes and found that everyone was holding on to their head, face contorted in pain. From what I could see, Marie was on the floor, withering. Bobby was kneeled down beside her in pain as well. I couldn't see Ms. Monroe. Mr. Summer or Mr. Wagner, but I could sense they were in pain too. The only people that didn't seem effected by whatever the hell was going on were the people that were frozen in time.

"Carolina, you must stop," Professor Xavier said, grimacing. He was fighting whatever was happening.

"I'm not doing anything!" I shouted, desperately, letting go Mr. Logan. He was trying to fight it too, but was unsuccessful in doing so.

"You. Must. Stop." He repeated and I realized what he was trying to say. I was causing this, all this pain. It could kill them, I thought. If I didn't stop it, they could die.

"Kill me!" I shouted turning to Mr. Logan, who looked at me in bewilderment. "Its--it's the only way. I--I can't stop it."

"Are you crazy?!" Voice shouted, sounding hysterical. "No!"

"Carolina, no!" Ms. Monroe shouted from her spot on the floor.

Mr. Logan shook his head, "Ain't… gonna…happen, kid!"

"Please," I shouted, crying now. This pain was becoming unbearable by the second and if he didn't do something, I was going to find another way. "It's…the only way." He shook his head again, arms falling to his side. "Please," I sobbed, the pain was killing me anyway. What I was asking him to do was a mercy killing, there was nothing wrong with putting me out of my misery. "Please," I whispered, hot tears rolling down my cheeks as my temple throbbed harder. "Please."

Mr. Logan moved towards me, an apologetic look on his face as he raised his fist and punched me in the face. It was the last thing I saw before things went dark and blissfully quiet.

A/N: Big thanks to everyone for putting up with the re-write. I feel a lot better now that it's over with. And as promised here's the summary of Gypsy's Curse, which should be out soon!

Gypsy's Curse: Six months after the events of Alkali Lake and Carolina is still suffering from aftershocks caused by Dark Cerebro. And while Wolverine, Storm and her friends strive to keep her sanity in check, Professor Xavier begins to teach her how to control her growing powers, but with the possibility of a cure on the horizon Carolina must choose whether to keep her power of empathy and giving up a life she's always known for one that she's always wanted but could never have.