Of Queens and Demons

THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY EDITED.

Finally, as always, thanks to my beautiful reviewers!

X X X

That morning neither party of the strange telepathic threesome were forced into awkward confrontation. While Emma Frost caught up on her beauty sleep, Scott rose at 6 A.M. sharp to work out some of the stress and confusion the “dream” conjured up. Rogue woke almost as early, but made a beeline for the pool, figuring that Scott was already tearing up robots in the Danger Room. She wasn't ready to look Scott in the eye – not yet at least. Besides, swimming laps always seemed to relax her. She liked the repetition and the way the water drowned out all noise, even the noise in her head. And there was A LOT of noise in her head today.

First and foremost, Rogue couldn't believe the way she had acted last night. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but she had never let loose like that. Even her wildest and most personal fantasies about Scott Summers were watered-down Disney movies compared to the reality of their actual tryst. She was mortified! Not only did she just jump in bed – well, not really, but the logistics of what actually happened were still hazy – with Scott freaking Summers and Emma Frost, but she enjoyed every minute of it in the most degrading, wanton fashion.

'What the hell is wrong with me?' Rogue asked herself as she continued her laps. 'Was Jean right? Am I really just so desperate for touch that I'm reduced to... to...' But she didn't know how to describe her behavior. Nothing like this had ever happened to her. She'd never even had a boyfriend! And she wasn't sure if Emma qualified as her girlfriend... so she had no frame of reference.

'It doesn't help that until now I've only been able to touch myself,' she thought with a tinge of shame. 'All things considered, is it normal for me to be so... horny?'

There, she said it. It wasn't something to skirt around anymore. She was an adult now – eighteen – and only a step away from graduating to X-college or whatever. She had long given up any hope of attending a normal university. With all the anti-mutant sentiments rampant in Bayville, it was hard enough surviving high school. Mix in freaky mutant powers that put everyone in danger, and college was pretty much a death-wish. But even if she was an adult now, it didn't change the fact that Rogue still felt like a child.

'A child caught masturbatin'.'

She chuckled and turned over so that she could float on her back. “What am I so afraid of? My own sexual demons?”

For so long, she had decided that the best way to prevent hurting someone was to avoid contact. Period. Still, some part of her always longed for touch, and not just for physical intimacy. Rogue liked using her powers. She admitted that to Emma Frost only days before. It frightened her that she not only yearned for sex, but also the ecstasy that came from touching others with her deadly skin. If she was so eager for touch, what was to prevent Rogue from bursting into the living room and flat-lining every mutant gathered there? The darkness she discussed briefly with Emma... that scared her the most. Her teenage hormones, well, that was the least of her worries.

“I thought I might find you here,” a voice said from the poolside.

Rogue blinked and looked around to find Emma Frost leaning over the edge, wrapped in nothing but a fuzzy white bathrobe. “Oh! You scared me!” she exclaimed, stopping her breaststroke to tread the water. “What's up?”

“I wanted to ask if you were free today. I thought we could work some more on controlling your power.”

The Southern girl shivered involuntarily. “I- I guess I don't have anythin' planned.”

Emma smiled warmly. “Wonderful. Xavier asked me to file his taxes this afternoon, so I'm booked until four. Does that time work for you?”

“Sure,” she stammered. “Um, should I meet you in your room?”

The blond nodded and stood from her crouching position. “Until then,” she purred, sauntering out of the room.

X X X

Xavier Institute was relatively quiet for a Saturday afternoon. Wolverine hadn't seen any of the children except Cyclops since morning, and it seemed as if nothing had changed. He grunted in satisfaction when he passed an empty living room en route to the kitchen. Because most of the mutants were out doing only God knew what, Logan was free to enjoy several cold beers without any guff from the professor for corrupting the minors with his bad example. This was a rare treat indeed.

“Wonder if somethin's goin' on,” he mused, pulling a chilled Guinness from the fridge. Taking a swig, Logan decided that it didn't really matter. Usually Xavier's Institute for Gifted Children was a cacophony of voices and terrible teenage music, so he might as well savor the silence while it lasted. If it lasted.

Predictably, it didn't. He heard the faint scrape of wheels come into the kitchen. Most people would have missed the noise, but Logan's sharp instincts picked up on the presence of Charles Xavier before the man had the chance to speak. Not that the professor didn't see it coming.

“Logan,” he said, “Do you have a moment to talk?”

“Sure, Chuck,” he replied, turning to face the professor. “Do ya mind if I finish this beer while we chat? It's been a while since I've been able to enjoy a cold one.”

“By all means,” came the professor's response.

Logan pulled up a seat at the table to where Charles had maneuvered his wheelchair. “So, what's up?”

“I wanted to ask you about our newest pupil, Emma Frost. I'm thinking about adding her to the team full-time, and I wanted your opinion. Since you've sparred with her in the Danger Room, I thought you might be able to help. Do you think she's ready for missions with the other X-Men?”

“Well,” he said, taking another swig, “I think as far as combat skills go, Emma acts fast and thinks even faster. She completed all all the beginner training simulations in her first week. I'd vouch for her. But then again, I haven't seen her interact with the rest of the team.”

“Yes,” Charles agreed, “that is a problem. I noticed that she and Jean seem to be at odds, but the other mutants seem rather receptive to her.”

“What's this about anyway? We goin' on a run or somethin'?”

Xavier folded his hands and sighed contemplatively. “Perhaps. I'm reluctant to say for sure, but I have noticed a significant peak in mutant recruitment from the other side.”

Logan sat up and growled. “Magneto?”

“No. Magnus is known for his rather... militant coercion, but this man is going further than mere persuasion.” Wolverine arched a brow, and the professor knew he had his attention. “Some one is seeking out mutants. I have yet to find a pattern in the mutants this person has singled out, but I can only assume he means to use them for some diabolical purpose. I have come to this conclusion because it is clear these mutants are not completely willing to join his ranks. Somehow, by mind control, illusion, black-mail, or something I have not seen before, he forces these mutants to participate in criminal acts, presumably for his benefit.”

“Sounds like Mesmero to me,” Wolverine commented gruffly.

“It is not. I know Mesmero's mental signature. This man is different. Like Magneto, he must possess some technology that blocks telepathic powers because I cannot read his mind or even locate him. The only information I have been able to gather is through the mind of his unfortunate victims. Unfortunately, this information is not very reliable, as their minds are a complete mess.”

Finishing his beer in a long gulp, Wolverine wiped the foam from his mouth with the back of his hand. “So, what? We gonna slice this guy up or what?”

Xavier shook his head. “I do not know enough to make a move at the moment. Acting too brashly would mean putting the X-Men at risk. However, I do believe that it is imperative for you and the rest of the team to prepare for this mysterious threat.” He frowned. “We cannot stand idly by while mutants use their powers to break laws and put human lives in danger. Senator Kelly is already drafting a mutant registration bill, and this is exactly the kind of story he needs to push his agenda.”

“You think it's related to Kelly?” Wolverine was surprised. “I can't imagine that bastard stooping so low as to hire mutants to betray their own kind.”

“Nor do I,” Charles agreed. “I will keep my mind's eye on these events. In the meantime, I'd like you, Storm, and Hank to increase your training with the students.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Wolverine replied confidently.

“Without causing them to neglect their studies,” he added, knowing that Wolverine could be quite unforgiving in the Danger Room.

“And Emma?”

“If you're agreeable, I'd like to place her in the main ranks. She's obviously gifted, but she needs to practice with the rest of the team. Ultimately, I'd like to see her team up with Jean. If the two combine their psychic powers, they could be unstoppable.”

“Good luck with that one, Chuck,” Logan grumbled. He wasn't blind to the dynamics between Jean and Emma.

“Perhaps that is asking too much.” Xavier smiled. “Well, then, I'll be using Cerebro if you require my assistance.”

Wolverine saluted the man with his beer bottle as Charles disappeared down the hallway.

X X X

“So,” Rogue said when she settled in Emma's love-seat for their afternoon lesson. “What's on the agenda for today?” She sincerely hoped it wasn't more bondage. As exciting as that had been, she would prefer to have some semblance of control this time.

Emma's eyes lit up in delight. “Why, I'm very glad you asked. After I finished my work for the professor, I had a few extra minutes to kill, so I whipped up a very detailed lesson plan to guide us along.”

“Really?” she asked, impressed. Rogue expected that today's lesson would end up like every other lesson – with sex. Though, knowing Emma, the lessons would still consist of making out if not more (it made it more interesting, according to Miss Frost), at least they had a focus.

“First, I need to ask you some questions.”

“Okay,” Rogue replied guardedly. She was all for answering questions, as long as Emma didn't dig too deep. To say that she had trust issues would be a grave understatement. “Shoot.”

“I'm having trouble getting a handle on your power, Rogue, especially its origin. For example, I know you inherit other's powers and psyches. I also know that you can actually scan the mind as you're draining to access specific information very much like my telepathic power. But I still can't place it. I mean, on one hand, you can drain life energy. On the other, you pick up everything else as well. I can't figure out if your power is psychic or tactile or... what.”

“I'm not sure myself,” Rogue admitted softly. “I know nothin' about my power. I guess I just hated it so much that I never really cared to learn.”

“But learning about yourself is the key to growth,” Emma chided. “How can you control something you don't understand?”

“You have a point.”

Emma opened the notebook on her lap, ready to take notes. “Okay, Rogue. Next question. Are you able to take more than one power at a time?”

“Yes,” Rogue replied. “And as far as I know, it's not limited to a certain number. Although, it gets difficult to handle everything at once, so at some point my mind just overloads.” She bit her lip, thinking back to the night that she attacked her teammates when her powers went hay-wire. “I once spent two weeks in the hospital because I took more power than I could handle.”

She jotted Rogue's explanation down. “Do you have full access to powers you absorb?”

“What do you mean?”

Emma put the pen to her lips pensively, trying to figure out a way to rephrase the inquiry. “For example, someone like Cyclops cannot control his power either. But when you absorb him, are you able to fire optic rays at will?”

“Yes,” Rogue replied. “I always wondered why I was able to control them from shootin' out my eyes all the time when he never can.”

“Generally problems like that stem from some kind of trauma. Apparently, though you take their psyche, that much stays behind.” Emma wrote a number three on the pad and looked up. “Must you touch someone for your power to activate?”

“Well, of course.”

“Have you ever tried to use your power without making physical contact?”

“...No, I guess I haven't.”

“You see, while touching another person helps me access their mind, I can read them from a distance as well. I'd like to see if that's possible with your power. Will you help me?”

Rogue swallowed. “What do you need me to do?”

Emma reached forward and removed Rogue's gloves. This time she did not struggle. Rogue was intrigued, perhaps even excited. She wanted to learn about her powers, and what Emma had said made a lot of sense. Maybe this was why Xavier could never seem to help her.

“Keep your hands out,” Emma instructed. “Don't worry. I'm not going to touch you. I am, however, going to hold my hands a few inches from yours. First and foremost, I want you to get used to the feeling of naked hands.” Rogue blushed, and Emma laughed. “Not THAT kind of naked. But you rely on the gloves to block your power. You need to learn to depend on yourself.”

Rogue nodded. “Okay.”

“So, first I want to see if you can activate your power without actually touching me. Concentrate on drawing your power from me from where you sit now.”

“I'm trying,” she said honestly. Rogue held out her arms as instructed, and squinted at Emma's slender fingers she was focusing so hard. “But I'm not gettin' anythin' from you.”

“Try harder.”

Rogue did as instructed, trying to fix her attention on Emma's eyes instead of her hands. But that didn't seem to work either. “I'm sorry,” she murmured, lowering her eyes. “I don't think my power works that way.”

“Not a problem,” Emma replied. “I just needed to rule that one out. So you do need touch for your power to work. It's not the end of the world.”

“You're not disappointed?”

“Why would I be disappointed, darling? You're doing great so far. This is your first time exploring your powers like this, is it not?”

“No,” Rogue said honestly. “Professor Xavier has asked me some of these questions before. But our trainin' didn't work out so well. He was... I think he was frightened of my power. It's always hard for me to trust someone who doesn't completely trust me.”

“Nice of him to pass that information along,” Emma muttered under her breath. She smiled and continued down her list. “Now here's a thought: I noticed that when you and Xavier meet weekly to set up barriers between your psyche and the minds you've absorbed, he asks you to imagine a brick wall. Have you ever thought of using that same wall to build a barrier around your skin?”

“Huh?”

Emma laughed, not surprised at Rogue's bafflement. “Okay, stay with me here. But, hypothetically speaking, you might be able to build a mental barrier around your power. It doesn't have to be a wall. I, for example, use a diamond as my symbol.”

“Is that why you're able to summon a diamond-shell?”

“Sort of. Your barrier will not manifest physically like mine. Still, it's a similar concept. You're familiar with using powers like mine, aren't you? I suppose the X-Man Colossus has a power like mine as well.”

“Not really,” she disagreed. “I've only used Peter's power once, and I've never tried to use your diamond skin.”

“Now is the perfect time for a test drive, darling.” Emma placed her hands in Rogue's before the girl could pull away. “Don't panic. Just take enough to summon my other power.”

“All right,” Rogue agreed, placing her hands by her side when she'd drawn enough. “Do I need to think of a diamond?”

“Think of whatever you wish. But perhaps it would be beneficial to imagine the skin as a full-body glove, since that is what you often use to prevent your powers from harming others. It should come naturally to you, Rogue. After all, my power is your power. You already know exactly how I conjure up my diamond armor.”

“My power is your power,” Rogue repeated. She used those words years ago, when she took on the Blob in order to impress Scott. But somehow upon joining the X-Men, she lost the pride she used to feel when using her mutant gift. Emma had resurrected that feeling – albeit only slightly. Getting over the fear of her power was going to take some time.

“Very good,” Emma praised. “Now, remember that feeling. Create that armor again and again until the feeling becomes second nature. Then you can practice forming a psychic barrier that you can use to shield others from unconscious use of your power.”

She looked down at her diamond-covered hands in awe. “Do you think it will really work? I'm not a psychic, after all.”

“I'm not sure. But it doesn't hurt to try, now does it? I'm not like the professor. I'm not afraid of your power, Rogue. In fact, nothing makes me happier than to see you embrace it like this.”

“You know,” Rogue replied shyly, “I guess it make me kinda happy, too.” She smiled genuinely at her teacher. “But I have to say I'm disappointed that I'm holdin' your hands instead of kissin' you.”

Emma laughed. “I'm pleased to hear you say that, Rogue.”

“So, may I?”

“May you what?”

“May I kiss you, Miss Frost?”

Her lips curved into a smirk at the Mississippi-school-girl inflection. Oh, Christ. What was it about that girl's Southern accent that always made Emma wetter than a spring morning? But she wasn't about to cave in just yet. Today was business. She wanted to know all about Rogue's marvelous power. Lust could wait.

“No, you may not,” Emma said cruelly. “Class is still in session, Rogue. I have a few more questions for you.”

“Fine,” she said in a deflated tone.

“From what I understand, the effects of your powers only last for a few minutes to a few hours. However, Xavier's files suggest that you have been able to access powers absorbed in the past. Is this true?”

“I don't really remember it, but, yes, there was a time when I had control of all the personalities and powers I absorbed at once – even though I hadn't absorbed most of them in months, maybe even in years.”

Emma seemed impressed. Her tone grew more animated “Don't you realize what that means? Why, with some practice, you'd be able to conjure up every mutant power you've ever absorbed. You could defeat the X-Men, the Brotherhood, Magneto and his Acolytes single-handedly.”

“I already did,” Rogue said quietly, raising her head to meet Emma's gleaming eyes. “But it was Mesmero who did it. I'd never be able to do somethin' like that.”

“Don't be silly,” she chided. “Your power holds limitless potential. You should be proud of it and utilize it every chance you get.”

Rogue shrank from Emma, giving a very suspicious look. “You're startin' to sound like my mother. I don't like it when people start talkin' about my power like it's some weapon at their disposal.”

“You know I didn't mean it like that...”

“How did you mean it, then?” Rogue shot back. “Why are you pressin' me to use my powers so much? How do you benefit from this?”

“Well, I'd think it was obvious...”

“I'm not buyin' that. This goes beyond you just wantin' me to be able to touch you. You practically jumped out of your seat when I said that I was able to use powers I absorbed in the past. Why would that matter to you?”

Emma stiffened. She really hadn't expected Rogue to be this touchy. “I'm just proud that you're so strong,” she replied carefully. “I mean, really, I'm surprised at the level of ignorance in this place. Sure, Mystique may have manipulated you, but at least she recognized your potential. Xavier's so hung up on the all-powerful Jean Grey that he fails to see that the Omega-level mutant – the one he's been waiting for – is none other than you.”

“Omega-level mutant? The hell does that mean?”

“An Omega-level mutant is one with the most powerful genetic potential of their mutant abilities. Jean Grey, with both her telekineses and telepathy, seems an obvious choice. After all, she demolished the mansion when she lost control once.” Emma had read about the incident, the one in which Rogue was able to take even a portion of Jean's rapidly evolving powers and remain relatively stable. “But you! My God, Rogue, you could absorb those powers and wield them even better than she can herself! Not to mention that you could utilize an arsenal of skills to go along with Jean's. Now that is what I call powerful genetic potential.”

“Why is the professor so fascinated with Jean?” Rogue asked. “And why would he care? The professor's not like Magneto. He thinks of mutants as human beings, not some weapon.”

“Of course Xavier cares. Do you really believe that he's rounding up powerful mutants to spread goodwill? You are a soldier, just like the rest of the X-Men. Jean seems the exemplary soldier because the power of the mind is a limitless thing. Her powers allow her to transcend the realm between the physical and... well... everything else. Xavier probably glossed over you because he assumes that even if you absorbed someone like Jean, the raw energy would be too overwhelming for you to control. But you've proven to me that this is not the case. For instance, you were able to control Scott's optic rays even though he cannot. You can use anyone's power as well – if not better – than the original mutant.”

“Yeah, well, only if others are controllin' me.”

“And that's precisely why I'm trying to teach you to control this power yourself. So that you won't be used or manipulated like that again.” Emma reached out a diamond-coated hand and touched it to Rogue's bare one. “That is how I benefit – seeing someone I respect and am strongly attracted to growing strong enough to take care of herself.”

But Rogue pulled away immediately. She rose from the sofa and straightened her shoulders. “Then tell me, Emma, how and why have you been goin' through Professor Xavier's password-protected files?”

“You know that your files are protected by a password?” Emma asked, rising as well and crossing her arms with an amused smile. “Do you know what it is?”

“It's onslaught,” Rogue said confidently. “And I only know 'cause I absorbed him a few times accidentally. Which begs the question – how do you know, Emma?”

“I read his mind, of course,” Emma said in a similarly assured tone. “But it wasn't easy with the Great Wall he's made around that big head of his.”

“Now you're really startin' to sound like Mystique,” she hissed. “Why the hell would you want to know his password? So you could spy on us? The professor trusted you!”

Emma laughed, loud and long, as if truly struck by the hilarity of Rogue's words. “My, he's whipped you well. None of his little X-Men even suspect that he may not be all peace and love.” She took three menacing steps to tower over Rogue. “For instance, did you know, my dear, that he keeps detailed files on all his students?”

“Of course I know that.”

“Files so detailed that they even include plans on how to kill every single one of you... if the need ever arose.” She smirked. Checkmate. The corners of Rogue's mouth dropped and her eyes went wide. She had no idea the dark secrets Xavier hid from his children – even his colleagues. “I see, so you really are as ignorant as the rest of your teammates.”

“Why would you say that about Professor Xavier? He took you in. You said that you respected him – that he was the reason why you came here and away from that horrible group you belonged to before.”

“One can respect a man without necessarily agreeing with everything he does. Blind allegiance is called religion, Rogue. Do you think Charles Xavier is God?”

“You know what I think?” Rogue asked when she finally pulled her face back to its customary hardened frown.

“What?”

“I think you're just makin' shit up to draw attention from yourself.”

“Perhaps you're right, Rogue. But you know the password as well. So I suppose it wouldn't be hard to see for yourself, now would it?”

Rogue had turned toward the door and made a motion to leave, but she froze when she heard Emma's challenge. “I don't think the professor is that kind of man,” she said finally before storming out.

'Come find me when you discover who is really lying to you, Rogue,' Emma sent out telepathically, knowing the goth could hear her thoughts loud and clear.

Sighing, Emma picked up her notebook and scanned it. She had pegged Rogue as a loner – smart and tough as nails – not the kind of girl to be so easily deceived. Apparently she had been wrong all along. Knowing Mystique so well, how could the girl be so blind to Xavier's true character?

I only hope that she will seek out the answers herself, she thought. Rogue is far too powerful to submit under Xavier's thumb.

But her silent musings were interrupted by a familiar voice.

'Now that was unnecessary,' it snapped.

Emma wheeled around, but saw no one. The voice had no psychic or telepathic owner, of that she was certain. It must have come from her head then. Groaning, she crossed to her dresser to pour herself a drink. As a telepath, she was no stranger to weird voices inside her head. A stiff drink usually made the crazies go away. Still, as she poured the amber liquid in the crystal goblet, a strange reflection caught her eye. She faltered. The image that stared back at Emma was Emma – and yet not Emma. Her blue eyes seemed hard rather than simply cold, and her mouth self-assured pout formed a sinister grimace instead. She hadn't seen that face for a long time.

'And here I was growing so fond of our little Southern pet,' the impostor cooed. 'Why did you have to go and scare her off?'

“You stay out of this,” Emma snapped, downing the glass with lightning speed, trying to will the apparition away. “There is no 'us'. You're just me. Me going crazy. And if I drink enough, you'll go away eventually.”

The visitor had no intention of shutting up, however, and pressed her advantage. 'So, Emma, why did you look through all those files?'

“Shut up!”

'Was it because you wanted to out the professor to gain her trust?' The reflection grinned cruelly. 'Or was it because you wanted to use the information for a different purpose? A purpose like the Hellfire Club?'

“That's a lie!” She would not hear of such an accusation. Though she kept the codename White Queen, Emma no longer wore the title that Sebastian has fashioned for her. Enraged, Emma flung the bottle across the room in a vain attempt to destroy the other self. The glass shattered when it met the vanilla colored wall and slid down to rest on the Persian floor rug below. “I could care less about that cult! And I would never in a million years do anything for their benefit!”

She kept her back to the mess, though, just in case she could glimpse the evil face in one of the many shards of aged brandy.

“'Oh, Rogue, you're so powerful, yet so fragile! Let me help you realize your full potential.'” Emma's double snorted. “Don't make me laugh. We both know you're no bleeding heart.”

“Maybe I want to change,” she protested weakly, closing her eyes to hide the silent tears that rolled down her cheeks. “I want to help her. It's not for the Hellfire. It's for myself. I want to prove that I'm good – that being a mutant doesn't mean forsaking one's humanity.”

“But you can't deny that Shaw would find our friend a most exquisite treasure,” she antagonized. “What a perfect Black Queen she would make! Just one of her slender, snow white fingers puts Selene to shame.”

Emma's eyes snapped open. “This has nothing do with Shaw or Selene,” she snarled, not even bothering to fight the authenticity of her strange visitor anymore. Even if this thing was a figment of her over-active imagination, it didn't mean that its words couldn't cut to the core. “Rogue is my friend. I would never turn her over to those monsters.”

“Perhaps,” the stranger agreed. “But you're awfully confident that Shaw will ignore your absence.”

Emma paused, thinking the meaning over. “The Black King has bigger fish to fry.”

“That may be so, my darling, but you forget that he is a man of pride. Once he catches – to use your analogy – his prized fish, he's reluctant to set it free. You're a valuable woman, Emma Frost. Don't think that he won't come looking for you.”

“Let him try!” she returned. “I'll be more than ready to defeat him.”

“Hmm, but it would be such a pity if he found your Rogue, now wouldn't it?”

She craned her neck to glimpse her other self in the bedroom's full-length mirror. The smile she saw sent shivers down her spine. “Is that a threat?” she croaked.

“Think of it as a warning from one friend to another. After all, your best interests are my own. I could never live without you, Emma. We belong together.”

Then, as swiftly as the figure had come, it left. Emma stared only at her own reflection.

x x x

“Demonstrators have taken to the streets of Washington D.C. to demand registration for all mutants after Dr. Bolivar Trask's public confirmation that well over a thousand mutants are living amongst the human populace-”

Click.

“I can't believe that a mutie was living next door and I never knew it! To think that my children-”

Click.

“These allegations are absolutely unfair. You and I both know that the majority of mutants have no intention of harming regular citizens. The right-wing media is painting a skewed and fatalistic portrait of mutants as demagogues bent on destroying humanity.”

“Well, forgive me Ms. Cooper, but wouldn't you classify Magneto as one of these so-called demagogues?”

“Again, these representations do not stand for the whole of the mutant community. In New York alone there are several reports of mutants using their powers to save humankind, not annihilate them.”

“Yes, and several mutants in the same area were caught using their powers to commit criminal acts. I daresay that the liberal media-”

Click.

“Well, golly, it seems the whole world's against us,” Rogue said, stepping into the living room and seizing the remote. “Tryin' to throw a pity party or somethin'?”

“Oh!” Kitty started. “Geez. You're more of a sneak than Kurt.” Despite her reproving tone, she smiled. “Go ahead, change the channel. I haven't seen anything but mutant hate-speech since since I turned on the TV.”

Rogue turned the TV to TCM, but grimaced when she saw that they were playing The Creature from the Black Lagoon. “Ew. This is even worse. We may be mutants, but at least most of us don't look like THAT.”

The younger of the two giggled. “Well, MTV is playing a Real World marathon. I know none of them are mutants, so it might be a breath of fresh air – if you can stand it, that is.”

Sighing, Rogue plopped down beside Kitty. “I guess it's better than nothin'.”

The two watched the various antics of way too-hip humans in silence for a few minutes before Rogue finally spoke again. “Hey, Kitty,” she said quietly, “can I ask you a question?”

“Totally.”

“Do you... do you think that the professor might be hidin' things from us?”

“Why would I think that? More importantly, why would you think that?”

She chewed on her bottom lip pensively. “Well, it was just somethin' that Emma said to me today. She's been helpin' me work on controllin' my powers-”

“What?” Kitty interrupted. “Why didn't you tell me? Is it working?”

“I'm not really sure,” she replied reluctantly. Rogue could do without discussing that part. “I mean, we haven't been at it very long, and her method is way different than the prof's. In fact, she openly criticized him for not askin' me to use my powers more often for practice.”

“So? That's why you think he's keeping things from us?”

“Not exactly.” She leaned forward, creating a greater intimacy between the two girls. “Emma's been lookin' through the professor's files. You know, the ones that none of us can see because they're password-protected. Anyway, she said somethin' really disturbin' about them.” The next words she said so softly that Kitty could barely hear them. “She said that in those files are detailed instructions on how to kill us if one of us ever went... rogue.”

Shadowcat's eyes went wide as saucers at first, but then, when Rogue's words had sunk in, she laughed so hard that she had to clutch her sides in pain. “What? Oh, Rogue! That's the craziest thing I've ever heard. And you, like, actually believe it?”

Rogue was taken aback. She hadn't expected that reaction.

Kitty laughed even harder, seeing Rogue's face. “Oh, wow. You totally believe it. Rogue, the professor's not some psycho!”

“You're not even curious?” she asked. “I mean, Emma was probably makin' that up. But... what if she is right? What if there are some things we don't know about the professor. Wouldn't you like to at least find out for sure?”

“I know I'm good with computers, but I'm not that good. I can't hack into the professor's account, Rogue. To even attempt it would be suicide.”

“But I can,” Rogue whispered. “I know the password. All I need is some help gettin' into his office.”

At this, Kitty sank back into the chair, trying to get as far away from Rogue as possible. “No. No way. No freakin' way. Do you know how much trouble we'd be in if we got caught?”

“So we won't get caught.” Rogue leaned forward again, staring hard.

Kitty laughed nervously. “You're crazy. Totally crazy. Certifiably crazy.”

“Maybe I am. But I intend to find out one way or the other. You in or are you out?”

“Rogue...”

The goth continued staring until Kitty gave in. “Okay, okay. But if we do get caught, I'm telling everyone that you held a gun to my head.”

“Like you couldn't phase through the bullet,” Rogue pointed out crossly.

“I didn't mean literally.”

As Rogue opened her mouth to lay out the plan, a voice came on the loud speaker. It was the professor.

“All mutants, please report to the Danger Room as soon as possible.”

Paranoid, Kitty immediately jumped up and bounded down the hall. Rogue sighed, turned off the television, and followed. Whatever it was that the Professor Xavier had to say, she was sure it wasn't about her plot to break into his office. Right?