Partners By Maria Cline

E-mail: ladynomad2000@yahoo.com

All characters are property of Marvel Comics and I didn't get their permission. So don't tell them about this story. They might get some ideas.

 

Rogue opened her eyes. She woke up to see a pale face with red eyes. "Sinister!!!" Rogue yelled as she attempted to throw a flying punch at the scientist only to realize that she was wrapped up in a metallic cocoon.

"Temper, temper." Mr. Sinister said as he patted her cheek with his gloved hand. "You must save your energy."

"For what?" Rogue demanded.

"You are a very interesting mutant, Rogue. Did you realize that when you absorbed Ms. Marvel that you got her powers, but left her genetic potential untouched?" Sinister explained as he grinned and pointed to a collar around her neck.

"Yeah. Why did ‘ya ask?" Rogue asked as she tried to get herself freed.

Sinister gestured to two marauders as they moved to a table. Rogue glared at a table. A tall man was lying there unconscious wearing nothing but a pair of briefs and a Genosha collar.

"Scott!" she yelled out loud knowing what Sinister had in mind.

She struggled as Sinister grabbed her by the hair. "That collar is very unique. You see, instead of disabling all of your powers, your collar will only disable certain powers that will be of a nuisance. It's not as popular as the normal collars, but in cases like these it could prove to be quite useful. Magneto willingly brought us these special collars for information."

"What are ya going to do to us?" Rogue demanded trying to buy time.

"Simple, I wanted Scott's body. Unfortunately, I also wanted to experiment with his powers. A clone might be useful, but I thought that I want to experiment with you as well. Your DNA is very unique. It seems that it contains bits and pieces of DNA of your previous 'victims'. Then, I realized why bother with a clone when I could just kill two birds with one stone. I could experiment with Scott's body and with his powers in you at the same time." Sinister put a ruby quartz blindfold on her.

Arclight and Scrambler held Rogue down as Sinister grabbed her head and forced it on Scott's lips. Rogue was still trying to break loose, "Ah'm sorry, Scott." she said before she was forced down.

An eternity passed for the two as Rogue absorbed more of Scott. She went limp as she tried to contemplate what was going on. She felt his soul and mind in her's. Sinister smiled as the Rogue seemed to go unconscious. "Take her to the holding cell." he ordered.

*****

Meanwhile...

A green cloud of mist appeared and a group of mutants came out. Magneto said, "Turn off the collars. I pray that we are not too late." Amelia nodded and click on some buttons.

*****

Rogue felt stronger. She has her superstrength back. She jerked up, broke the wrappings and shoved herself away from the two marauders. "It doesn't work! Damn that Magneto!" Mr. Sinister said as Rogue tore off her mask and fired several optic blasts.

"Yes!" Magneto said as he and his Acolytes blasted through the wall and attacked them. Rogue closed her eyes as she heard the various battle sounds around her. She could hear a magnetic buzz around her as the sounds of the battle got more distant. Magneto pulled out a ruby quartz visor and placed it on her head. She opened her eyes to see that she was in a magnetic bubble hovering over the base. "I apologize Rogue. When Sinister ordered a specific use collar, I thought that it would be an excellent method to justify the Morlock Massacre. I didn't know that it would be for you and Cyclops. When I found out, I had Amelia send the others and me to attack this place." he said as he tried to comfort her.

"What will ya do when the X-Men come to rescue Scott and Ah? Ah still gotta get Scott out of that place. The Professor could help him like he did the original Ms. Marvel." Rogue asked as she tried to step away.

"Scott is gone. He's dead. His body was destroyed in the battle. Come with me, Rogue. I can help you." Magneto said as he gave her his hand.

Rogue smiled. "Maybe... NOT!!!" she said as she punched him. The magnetic bubble faltered and she flew off.

Exodus flew to Magneto "May I chase her?" he asked.

Magneto looked on, "No. Let her go. We have the Marauders and Sinister. Let us leave before any more interlopers come." he replied.

*****

The Blackbird streaked across the sky. The X-Men watched as Jean paced back and forth and without warning, she collapsed. "Something happened to Scott." she whispered.

"What?" asked Logan as he pulled her up.

"I don't know. It's like a sudden drain and then nothing." Jean muttered as she tried to mentally search for Scott.

Remy, who was staring out of the window, saw a familiar sight. "GUYS! It's Rogue! She escaped!"

"Aww... we came all this way to save Rogue and she saved herself. Oh well, we could still save Scott." said Bobby.

Rogue tapped on the door. Jean walked up and opened it. Rogue stumbled in and everyone gasped. A sheet of Ruby Quartz covered her eyes. She looked up. "Where's Scott?!" Jean demanded.

"He's gone." she replied as everyone stared at her in silence. They knew what happened to him.

*****

In the Med. Lab, Xavier examined Rogue. She felt confused due to all of the memories that were pouring into her mind. Jean was standing to the side. Rogue felt that she should hold her and tells her that everything will be all right. She fought that feeling. It was insane. She wanted to stare at those green eyes and that red hair and that curved body. "No! Stop thinking like that!" she muttered as she banged her head on the table several times leaving a big dent.

Xavier asked, "Are you all right, Rogue?"

"Not exactly," she said as she straightens out the dent.

"I'm sorry. I can't remove those memories from your mind, Rogue. They are worst than the time you absorbed Carol Danvers' memories. How do you feel?" said Xavier as he held his head.

"Like shit." she replied as she stood up. "Ah'm tired. Do y'all mind if Ah go out for awhile?"

"No." Jean said, "Go ahead. Just don't wander."

Rogue nodded and flew out of the window. Jean watched as she flew off.

*****

It was dark when he woke up. Scott felt a strangest sensation as he floated in a vast void. "Where am I?"

"In Rogue's mind." a voice said. Scott gasped and saw a tall Cajun man with a cigarette in one hand.

"Gambit?!"

"Not exactly, Mom ami." Gambit said as he sat down, "I am a collection of all the memories Rogue got from me."

Scott looked up and saw that he was in a city similar to New York City. "I have to get out. The others need me. I need to tell them that I'm not dead."

Captain America showed up. "You're nothing, but a group of memories. You can't get out. None of us can." he said.

Scott ignored him and went to a car and entered it. "You can't just drive away." said Gambit.

"Gambit, shut up!" Scott yelled angrily as he pressed on the accelerator and drove off. The car swerved and stopped. He got out and stared at it.

"Told you," Remy said smugly.

Scott looked around and started to run. He had to get to the mansion. Maybe it was the embodiment of her consciousness.

*****

Rogue flew into the sky. She needed time alone with her thoughts and the thoughts and feelings of Scott. She flew up into the clouds and then raced down. She loved flying. She cherished the power ever since the day she got it. However, every time she flew, a part of her remembered that she stole the powers from another. She was not born or given the powers like most of her teammates. She stole them.

She looked up into the sky. She then let's out a powerful blast towards the ground, leaving a charred hole. She was forced to steal her friend's life and possibly his soul. Scott's dead. She felt the stares of everyone, especially Nathan and Jean's. She didn't see Alex yet. If she did he will probably stare at her too.

She saw Nathan sitting alone. In the moonlight, he looked like a lost little boy. She hovered there remembering when Nathan was a small boy and he would stare out into the stars and the moon. **But it's not your memories.** she reminded herself.

She sighed as she flew down to him. Nathan looked up and said, "Hello, Rogue."

"Hello, Nathan." Rogue said as she sat down beside him. "What'cha doing?"

"Nothing." he did a look-over at her and then just stared at her face.

**Damn it! He's staring at the glasses.** she said out loud, "Ah'm sorry about Scott."

"I know." Nathan said, "It's not your fault. Sinister was the one who forced you to absorb Scott. You had no control over your powers. Don't worry, I'm not mad at you."

"Thanks. And quit starin' at me like that. Ya're making me feel so...freaky." she said as she puts her arm around his shoulder.

"I was kind of expecting to Slymm to rear his head." he said jerking his head down.

"Ah don't know if he will come out. His memories are very strong in me." She smiled a sad smile. "I got allot of memories of changing your diapers and toilet training you. You were always such an a cute little fella."

"Oath." Nathan muttered.

"Don't worry. Just don't call me Daddy or Slymm."

"No problem." Nathan said as he looked away again.

*****

Scott ran along the unique landscape. He ran as the scenery changed from lush jungles to barren wastelands in seconds. Rogue's mind was in turmoil. Storms appeared in the sky as he ran. Rain beaten down on his visored face. He removed the visor when it was covered in so much rainwater that it blurred his vision. No optic blasts came out so he trudged forward. He saw the various people Rogue absorbed over her lifetime wandering the various roads. They were ignoring him. The winds blew against his wet skin chilling him to the bone. Then finally he reached the mansion. He tried to get in to find that the door was locked.

He looked in his pockets to see that there were no keys. "The mansion must've represent Rogue's consciousness." he said out loud.

He knocked on the door loudly and Gambit appeared. "She won't answer."

"Who asked you?" Scott asked as he looked around for an open window.

"Hey, I'm just letting you know."

"Listen, whoever or whatever you are, I will find a way in there." Scott said determined as he went to the back door.

Gambit followed him. "Maybe you could. Rogue absorbed you much more than she did me. You might be able to get in. I t'ink."

"Thank you for the encouragement." Scott said sarcastically as he went up to the trees.

*****

Rogue went up to her bedroom and closed the door. It had been a long hard day; filled with tests and mixed feelings. She had to sleep. She was fearful to sleep and to face Scott's memories. She lay down. "Scott, if you're in my brain, you better reveal yourself now." she muttered to herself.

*****

Scott looked over the complex to find no way in. He had to get in. He fired an optic blast at the front door and it blasted open. "Yes!" he said. Then, the door reappeared. "Shit." He muttered.

"Dat's the way." said Gambit.

Scott sighed and came closer to the door. He blasted again and ran in before the door reappeared. "Good luck, mon ami. You will need it." Said Gambit from the outside.

*****

It was identical to the real mansion. The furniture, the carpets, and even the burnmarks are identical. He ran to Rogue's bedroom. He opened the door to see her sitting on the bed alone.

"Rogue?" he asked as he entered the room.

She turned, "Scott! Ya're here!"

They hugged each other. "Ah'm so sorry. Ah didn't mean to do this to ya." she said.

"It's not your fault. I'm not bitter." He said as he stroked her hair.

"It's Sinister's." Rogue said as she pushed him away. "It's his fault that we're like this. When Ah get my hands on him...." she said as she held her hands up in a strangling position.

"Yeah." Scott said as he looked out of the window at the wandering souls outside.

"You know Magneto was the one who rescued me- Ah mean us."

"Magneto?!"

"He was the one who provided the specialty collar to Sinister. He and his Acolytes attacked because they wanted justice for the Morlock Massacre."

"Of course." Scott said, "He probably wanted justice for all those mutants killed. I was wondering when he will attack Sinister."

"You want to take over for a while. Jean and the others missed you."

"How long has it been? Time seem to go slower here."

"A day."

Scott looked at her, "I'll go and tell the others."

*****

He felt disoriented for a second. He woke up in the real bedroom. He stood up and went downstairs.

He passed several of his teammates, but said nothing. Logan passed by him and did a whiff. He glanced at Scott and Scott nodded. Logan said, "Jeannie's in the boathouse."

He is going to Jean first. He went to the boathouse where Jean was sitting on the front porch. "Jean?" he whispered softly.

Jean looked up. Rogue didn't have that accent in her voice. The way she stood was different and yet familiar. "Scott?" asked Jean trying not to sound too desperate.

"Yes, it's me." he said as he opened his arms.

Jean ran to him and held him tightly. It felt like him despite the body change. She knew from within her soul that he had come back to her. She was careful not to touch Scott's skin. "I was wondering when you will come back."

"Sorry, but I had the hardest time getting here."

 

Partners Part two By Maria Cline

Scott Summers had been in all sorts of situations in his short lifetime. He had been killed and resurrected. He had been captured god knows how many times. He even had a bomb implanted in his chest and lived to tell the tale. If anyone were ever to tell him that he would be sharing the same body with another woman he would say that they are insane.

Unfortunately, he's sharing the same body with Rogue. And he's married to Jean. This had got to be the most unusual situation since... ever.

Jean and him walked down to the med lab as Jean told everyone about what happened. Everyone gathered around the two. Gambit ran ahead of everyone and stopped infront of Scott. "Scott? Where's Rogue?" he asked.

Rogue took over and said, "Don't worry, Remy. Ah'm fine. Ah thought that Ah had better let Scott take over for a while."

Scott took control, "I'll let Rogue take control in an hour or so. At least until Hank examines me- I mean us."

Gambit sighed in relief. "Sorry, Scott. It's just that I was worried dat Rogue had been killed or somet'ing."

"Would I kill her?" Scott asked, "Honestly, I thought that you had more faith in me than that."

*****

Hank looked over Rogue as Jean and the others watched. "Well, except for the schizophrenia you two are in perfect health."

"Can you do anything, Hank?" Scott asked.

"I wish I could say yes, my friend. Unfortunately, the transfer is quite permanent. It could be some time before we could find a way of getting Scott into a different body."

Bobby looked over at Jean, "So, how does it feel to have your husband trapped in a body of a gorgeous woman?"

Everyone stared at her and she felt everyone’s anxiousness. She sighed. “Scott and I have been through many different things before. This is something that we can handle.”

Scott took Jean’s hand, and held it smiling gratefully. Gambit looked at Jean and commented, “You know. We’ll have to share them on dates.”

Scott’s scowl showed on Rogue’s face. Then he smirked. “We could go on double dates. Of course we’ll have to explain ourselves; two women and one guy on a double date.”

Gambit grinned. “Don’t think about it,” said Rogue.

“Sorry, Chere.” Gambit apologized.

*****

Jean watched from a distance as she watched her husband trying (emphasis on trying) to use Rogue’s flying ability. She sighed heavily. She tried to see Scott as her beloved husband. But, in Rogue’s body, he looked so different.

It was bad enough that he had to share the same body with a beautiful southern woman, but she couldn’t touch him, hold him without fear of being absorbed, and even kissing.

She watched as Scott akwardly flew up into the sky. He immediately fell. He slowed down from his decent and hovered in mid-air.

Jean smiled as Scott started to fly forward. He darted up and down at astonishing speeds. Jean watched as he flew lower to the ground. Warren watched from higher up as Scott flew into the woods. Scott tried in vain to control his new body. He often relied on air currents to fly, flying using some unseen, unfelt force is harder. He looked down to see Jean and waved at her.

Jean blushed and smiled. Suddenly, Warren yelled out, “SCOTT! WATCH OUT FOR THAT-” Scott looked up to see several trees coming his way. He put his arms up to protect his face and... CRASH!!! Several trees fell down to the ground. Scott skidded down to the earth through several trees. He spat out the dirt he had forced in his face.

Jean grimaced, “Ouch.” She flew down to the woods where Scott got out with twigs and dirt in his hair. “Are you okay, Hon?” she asked.

“We’re fine, Jean.” Rogue replied as she took several broken branches out of her long curly hair. “Scott, that was some of the worst flyin’ Ah had ever seen.”

“It’s not that bad.” Scott insisted.

Warren, Hank, Bobby, and Jean got out some poster board and drew some numbers. Scott watched in interest as they looked at him and wrote. They showed their scores.

“1? 0? 3? -15?!”

Jean smiled helplessly. “You were fairly bad.”

“I thought that you were a natural at this,” Bobby said.

“Flying with an airplane and flying without one are two different things.”

“How?” Warren asked. He had been the ‘main flyer’ of the X-Men. True, Jean had learned to use her telekinesis to fly, but he always felt that he was the first flyer of the X-Men.

“I always think of flying as air currents and using outside forces. I don’t know what Rogue use to fly.”

“Ah just fly. Nothin’ to it. If ya excuse meh,” Rogue said as she took over, “but Ah have to go and take another shower.”

“Every man’s greatest fantasy,” Bobby mused with his eyes in a daze. Everyone glared at him. Gambit was waving some glowing cards menacingly. Rogue’s visor glowed with energy.

“I won’t be watching,” Scott insisted to the others as they walked inside.

Bobby muttered, “Yeah right. Who wouldn’t want to see Rogue naked?” Gambit and Jean glared at Bobby.

Warren whispered to him, “I think you better run, Bobby.”

Bobby iced up and ice slided away.

*****

Rogue ran into the bathroom with a pair of goggles and a spare uniform. In Rogue’s mind, Scott shut his eyes as Rogue get undressed.

“You know, ya really gotta practice with that flyin’ of yours.” Rogue said as she took off her gloves and then her top.

“I’m sorry.” Scott apologized, “But it’s not like flying in an airplane.”

“Ah know, ya told me already.”

They remained silent as Rogue started to lather her hair in the shampoo. He could feel the wet water hit his bare body. Scott had his hands over his eyes the whole time. “How’s Gambit taking this?”

“Ah don’t know. He said that he feels okay for it. He said that as long as that ya didn’t try to control meh too much he’s fine by it. What about Jean?”

“We’ll manage,” Scott replied firmly. “We’ve been through death, time travel, time traveled kids, and even mad scientists. This will take some more adjusting than usual.”

Rogue was finished with her hair and began to work on washing her body. “Ah hope so. Ah don’t want to get in the middle of yo’ marrage.”

In her mind, Scott smiled. “Like it or not, you are in the middle of this now. How did you feel when I’m in control?”

“Wha’cha mean?” Rogue asked as she scrubbed her body.

“I mean, physically, do you feel Jean when I held her.” Scott inquired with some fear in his voice.

Rogue paused as she let the water rinse her off. “I felt somethin’ when you held her. Ah kinda tried to block it off mentally. Ya kinda took me by surprise. Why?”

“I don’t know. I’m going to think for a while. About our situation. Go ahead and control your body for the rest of the day.”

Rogue got out of the shower and dried herself out. “Hey, if ya feelin’ guilty fo’ controling mah body. It’s okay.” she said, “It’s mah powers that got us in this mess.”

“It’s not that,” Scott insisted. “It’s just that I need to think. Tell the others that I need to do some thinking.”

“About what? Tell me, we’re in the same boat here!” Rogue exclaimed as she put on her uniform. She didn’t want to be left in the dark when dealing with her ‘roomie’.

“I can’t say right now. Let’s just say that maybe we could turn this situation more to our advantage.” with that Rogue sensed Scott retreating further in her mind.

*****

Rogue explained everything at the dinner table. “And so he’s out for tonight.” she concluded.

Jean frowned. Scott had seemed somewhat distant ever since he had come back. Hank noticed her displeasure. “Is Scott listening right now?”

“Nope. He’s deep in mah mind. He said that you guys could talk behind his back as long as ya like.”

“What do you mean?” Jean asked innocently.

“You know what Ah mean.” Rogue insisted, “The names, the stiff leader cracks... the X-Files jokes. He heard them all.”

“Oh.”

Bobby whispered to Hank, “I thought he never heard them.”

Hank whispered back, “Our fearless leader have been known to not let anyone else know about what he heard.”

*****

Scott sat down in the chair as he ignored the conversation just outside. He needed to think; alone. He had to find a way around the barriers that his new ‘situation’ created. One barrier was the most obvious. He is trapped in a body of a woman. The second barrier was the one that Rogue had to deal with ever since she manifested her powers.

He can emphasized with her. He had to deal with his uncontrollable powers virtually all his life. He had never killed anyone by accident due to his uncontrollable powers. Rogue had been more unfortunate. Her very psyche had been twisted and burdened by memories of others.

The woman thing he had to cope with. The superpowers are different. He knew that Rogue’s powers could be controlled. Unlike his, he was brain damaged. But he no longer had that brain damage. He also had experienced control over his powers back when he was raising Nathan. He had been reluctant to see if he or Rogue could control his optic blasts. He had to try.

*****

Rogue sat down as she and he talked in her mind. “Rogue, I got an idea about how you and me could touch others.”

“What is it?” Rogue asked hopefully. She wondered what Scott had in mind. She also wondered how Scott could figure it out so quickly. But, sometimes other people could figure out potential uses for powers that the powers’ owners haven’t thought of.

Scott replied, “I think I could help you control our powers. But I need you to um... test my theory.”

“How?”

“You have to try to absorb (not too much) someone here.”

Rogue rose her eyebrow in interest. “Okay, but we better pick the right one, sugah.”

Scott was relieved that she will help him help her with her powers. He knew that Rogue had been using her absorption powers more lately. But he was afraid that she wouldn’t want to absorb any more since he had been permanently absorbed into her mind. “We need to pick a mutant that’s not too dangerous powerwise.”

“And willing to do this.” Rogue added.

“I think I know who.” Scott said as he looked out of the window to see Logan.

*****

Xavier, Logan, and Hank were in the med lab. “And so, if Scott’s theory is correct. We could touch skin-to-skin with others,” explained Rogue.

Xavier nodded. “Hmmm... it does seem to be a good theory.”

Rogue said, “Will ya help us, Logan?”

Logan nodded and rolled up his sleeve. “Sure, just don’t absorb too much. Two’s company, three’s dangerous.”

Rogue took off her glove, “Ready, Scott?”

“Ready,” he said firmly.

Rogue placed her bare hand on Logan’s arm. They both tensed up in anticipation.

*****

Jean was practicing in the Danger Room. She had to keep her mind occupied. As she blasted several Sentinels, she sensed another presence. She sighed as she turned off the program.

Scott entered the Danger Room wearing a blue version of Rogue’s uniform. Jean sat down. “Hello, Scott. Where had you been?”

Scott could feel his wife’s somewhat conflicting feelings. “I’m sorry, Jean. I just had to do some thinking.”

Jean went to him. “And?”

“I love you, Jean,” Scott said as he walked up to her and wrapped his arm around her waist.

“I love you too, Scott,” Jean said as she put her arm around Scott’s neck. “But, what about Rogue?”

“She understood. Right now she’s deep in her mind. She won’t feel anything.”

“Feel what? All we could do is hug.”

Scott grinned evilly and pulled her close to him and pressed his lips to hers. Jean stunned started to kiss back. She could still see her husband as a man she cared for. Jean felt strange kissing another woman’s lips. After the long kiss, Scott let go, “Well?”

Jean took a deep breath. “I didn’t feel anything.”

Scott pouted. “I was that bad?”

Jean snickered. “No, it’s just that you didn’t absorbed me. Can you control Rogue’s absorbing powers now?”

“Yes. That is one of the reasons I’ve been somewhat distant. I’ve been thinking about how to control Rogue’s powers. How was it?”

“You know, this is the _first_ time I had ever kissed another woman on the lips. It’s different. I’ll adapt.”

“Good,” Scott said as he let her go.

Rogue took over and Jean frowned. Jean wanted to talk to Scott some more.“Sorry, Jeannie. But Ah wanted to talk to Gambit. Ah bet that he’ll be happy to know that Ah could touch him.”

Jean sighed. She knew that even if she had to go pass Scott’s feminine looks, she still would have to share with Gambit. “Of course. We will go out for dinner later, Scott?”

Scott took over. “Of course.”

*****

Gambit was brooding on the roof. He had to compete with a married man who is head over heels of his wife, who is trapped in Rogue’s mind. It’s not truly competition, since Scott showed no interest in her other than the fact that they are good friends.

He saw Rogue flew up to him. “Why’cha always brood on the roof, sugah?”

Gambit flung a cigarette away. “It’s quiet. “

Rogue sat down next to him. “Ah got a surprise for ya.” she said with a sneaky look in her eyes.

“What is it?” Gambit asked as he noticed that Rogue was getting closer to him.

“Close your eyes.” Rogue said as she placed her hand over the cajun’s eyes.

Gambit complied and closed his eyes. He felt a long kiss on his lips. Gambit opened his eyes to see Rogue kissing him. Gambit, forgetting about Scott, wrapped his arms around Rogue and embraced her.

Partners Part Three By Maria Cline

Gambit's heart raced as his deepest desire had come true. Rogue, the woman who managed to capture his hear,t can touch him without power negation or the side effects. He put his hands on her neck as he tasted her lips.

"Oh Chere. Mi Amour." he gasped in between breaths as her soft skin rubbing against his face. Suddenly, Rogue pulled away.

“Stop. Ah hafta stop.”

“Why?”

“I can’t hold it much longer.” Scott replied.

Gambit glared at him. “Scott.”

“Sorry, Gambit. But, I couldn’t hold Rogue’s absorbtion power longer.”

Rogue took over and continued, “Ya see, Ah kinda rely on Scott here to keep my powers in check. He controls my absorption power and I control my power when he’s in control.”

Remy let go of her. Scott took over, “You and me are going to have a talk tomarrow.”

“Sure.” Remy muttered with his red on black eyes glowing.

Rogue took over and kissed him. “Relax, sugah. At least we can touch now. Excuse us, but we got a date with Jean.” She kissed him passionately and flew off.

Gambit muttered, “But, I still have to share her.”

*****

Rogue and Scott were stepping out of her room. They were getting ready for Scott's date with Jean. She was dressed in a short bright red dress with matching red gloves and red purse. Bobby who was waiting outside swooned. "Hubba hubba, Rogue, Scott you look gorgeous."

Rogue asked, "Wha'cha want, Bobby?"

"I just want to say that I'm sorry for my comments earlier about Scott wanting to be in the same shower with you." Bobby apologized as he held his hand behind his back. He took out a bouquet of flowers from behind his back and said, "Here you go."

"Flowers?" Scott asked as he accepted them. "For which person?"

"Both." Bobby replied grinning.

Rogue kissed him on the cheek and said, "Ah'll tell Jeannie and Remy that you gave the flowers to us."

She walked off. Bobby blushed. He wondered if Rogue wouldn't mind going out with him. Or Scott. He seemed very attractive in Rogue's body. Then he shook off the idea. He might become the target of two very powerful, very _dangerous_ mutants. "Or three." He muttered to himself, "If Magneto still had the hots for Rogue."

*****

Rogue put up the bouquet in the vase in the living room. It brought up a nice touch to the room.

Ororo asked wondering whether Remy or Jean had bought the flowers, "Who brought off the flowers?"

She smirked and replied, "Bobby."

"Goddess." was all Ororo could murmur.

"Exactly. Scotty and Jean are goin' out on a date. So Ah have ta tag along. But, Remy and me's goin' out tomorrow."

"I hope that you have a good time."

"Ah wish. I hafta give Scott control the whole time."

******

Jean met Scott in the Boathouse. "You look beautiful." Jean commented.

"So do you." Scott said as he slung his purse over his shoulder. "Ready?"

"Let's go."

*****

It was a classy cafe, small and somewhat peaceful. They ate together, talking; at the same time watching what they were saying, it was difficult to speak in public. Jean could still sense her husband though the rapport, but it was difficult to communicate. Rogue had been keeping Jean our of her mind due to her interference.

They held hands as they talk lovingly to each other. Scott still had his sunglasses on. He was going to try to control his optic blasts later. Then, he noticed that people were staring at them.

He whispered, "Jean, they're staring at us."

"I know." Jean whispered back. "It must be our good looks."

Scott smiled and waved at them. They grumbled to each other. "Do you know what they are thinking about?"

"I've been devoting alot of energy to keeping our rapport like this. I don't know."

"Maybe we should find out." Scott said as they stood up. They went to the group and asked, "Excuse me, gentlemen. May I ask why you are staring at us like that?"

One of the men replied. He was big, with black hair and blue eyes. He said, "None of us like your kind."

"Our... kind?" Jean repeated. Fear came over the couple. How did they know that they were mutants? They looked like normal human beings; Except for Scott's white streak in his hair and red sunglasses. Jean could feel their uncomfortableness. She grabbed Scott's hand.

Scott asked calmly, "What do you mean?"

The man replied as he pointed to Scott and Jean's hands, "That. I hate lesbos."

Scott and Jean looked down to their clasped hands and laughed in relief. The group frowned. Scott said, "We don't want to hurt anyone."

Everyone went to them. "Let's take this outside." The man said as he clenched his fists.

Jean looked over at her husband and asked, "Wanna fight?"

"Why not? It’s not like we do this on every date.

*****

"That was one of the most fun dates I had ever been on." Scott commented as they drove down the driveway.

"Well as far as fights on dates go, yes that was fun."

"Did you see their reactions when that jerk punched me and grimaced?"

"He looked so hurt." Jean replied snickering, "Lucky thing you rolled on that punch."

"And he was wearing gloves. He's lucky. I know that I have somewhat control over Rogue's powers, but I can't risk putting anyone in a coma. Two's company, three's a crowd."

"Speaking of Rogue," Jean asked concerned, "I noticed that she hasn't shown herself all night."

Scott groaned and said, "We agreed that we would block ourselves off in our dates. She probably wasn't even aware of what happened."

He closed his eyes and Rogue yawned, "What time is it?" she looked down and yelled out, "MAH DRESS!!! What happened to mah dress?!"

"I'm sorry, Rogue. Scott and I got into a fight." Jean explained.

"A fight?! Why didn'cha tell meh, Scotty!" Rogue yelled out, "With who?"

"A group of jerks that hated lesbians." Scott replied.

"What?!" Remy asked as he went to the two. He noticed Rogue and Jean's clothes somewhat torn.

"I don't know why, but they thought that we were lesbian lovers." Jean explained.

Remy looked over at Jean and Scott/Rogue and laughed. "But you two are." he said.

Scott put his hands on his hips and asked, "Excuse me?"

"Well, you are a woman now, Scott." Remy pointed out.

Rogue supported her boyfriend. "He's got a point, sugah. Scott, you are technically a woman."

Jean frowned then smiled. "So, that makes us lesbians?"

"Oh god." Scott muttered as he ran his hand through his long curly hair.

"What happened?" Ororo and several others exclaimed as they ran toward the group.

"It's a long story." Jean said as she telekinetically fixed her torn dress.

*****

It was late at the mansion as Rogue was getting dressed for bed. Scott was silent. Rogue asked, "You still thinkin' about that date, sugah?"

"Yes. I just realized that I'm a woman."

"Ah'm insulted!" Rogue yelled out crossing her arms. "Ya thought Ah was a man?! You're lucky that we're in the same body or Ah would clobber ya."

Scott reddens when he realized that he had put his foot in his mouth. "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm gay or lesbian. And if Jean still loves me, then she's technically a bisexual."

"So?" Rogue asked, "Jean was also some cosmic entity that nearly destroyed the universe."

"No. That was Dark Phoenix. Jean was never that."

"Mah fault. Who cares? Those jerks were so closed minded. Jean loves you."

Scott sighed mentally. "I know. It's just it's so awkward."

There was a soft knock. "Come in." Rogue said as she put on a robe.

Jean entered. Rogue said, "Hi, Jean. You wanna talk to Scott?"

"Yes." Jean answered.

Rogue nodded and withdrew mentally. Scott asked, "What did you want to talk about?"

"Us." Jean answered as she held Scott's hands.

"This is very odd." Scott commented.

"I know."

"I wish, I was back to normal. I want to be my own man again."

"I know. Believe me, I want you to be away from her."

"Rogue? We're kinda stuck together."

Jean put her hand through Scott's hair. "We have to plan our dates better."

"Yeah, technically, we are now lesbian lovers. I am a man trapped in a woman's body."

"So, I love you even if that you are a woman. Technically, I am a lesbian too."

"Northstar will really love us." Scott said as he put his hand on Jean's face. "Why don't we go out again Thursday?"

"What's wrong with tomorrow night?"

"That's Rogue and Gambit's date."

"Alright, good night." Jean said as she walked off. "I love you."

"I love you too." Scott whispered as he went to his bed. He lay down on the bed. He felt lonely because Jean wasn't sleeping with him. Rogue made it clear that she couldn't sleep in the same bed with Jean due to her powers and the unpredictable mature of their dual mental states. Of course, Rogue is with him.

"Scotty?" Rogue asked, "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Rogue." Scott answered sighing, "Let's go to sleep."

"How?"

"How?" Scott repeated. "Umm... I don't know. We just... sleep."

They relaxed and fell asleep. It had been a long day.

Partners Part Four
By Maria Cline

The alarm clock rang loudly. Scott woke up dazed. He could still feel Rogue asleep in his mind. He muttered, "Rogue, it's time to wake up."

"Oh, just a few more minutes, Scotty." Rogue moaned as she put a pillow over her head.

Scott took over and took the pillow off and flung it away. "I mean it. Six o'clock practice sessions." He took out their planner. They decided to start using Scott's daily planner to separate their activities; chores, practices, and even dates. They had been together for several days and the X-Men had adjusted. Mostly.

"Ah'm not moving." Rogue stubbornly said.

"Well, I have to." Scott said as he rose up only to fall again. "Rogue, stop being so stubborn. We have to get ready."

"You get ready. Ah'm sleeping." Rogue said as she shut herself off.

"Rogue, I... can't shower in your body."

"We're both adults here, sugah." Rogue insisted as she shut herself off. She had discovered one of the advantages of having a body-mate. She could sleep in days more and not worry about staying in bed.

After a few futile attempts to get the orginal owner of their body awake, Scott got up and grabbed his (Rogue's) clothes. He went to the bathroom. He didn't want to shower in Rogue's body, yet. Rogue did have a point that they are both mature adults. He turned on the cold water.

He took off the nightgown and stepped in. He took the first one minute complete shower he ever had. He quickly put on the uniform and went out to the Kitchen.

He went to the coffee maker and got some coffee. He drank it down and said again, "Rogue, wake up."

There was no response. "Wake up." Scott moaned as began to hit his head. Then, he remembered that he's now invulnerable and superstrong. Hence, he left a dent in the table.

"Scott?" Jean asked, "Are you alright?"

He stood up and replied, "Rogue's asleep. And I can't get her up."

Jean smiled and hugged her husband. "Typical. At least for now, I got you all to myself."

Scott smiled as he hugged back. "I know. But, today is more of Rogue's day. Tonight's her date with Gambit. She's taking over for most of the day."

Jean kissed him on the lips. It still felt odd kissing another woman despite the fact that she is her husband. "It's okay." she said, "It seems that Rogue had been letting you control that body a lot."

"She felt guilty for absorbing me completely. She didn't want the same thing that happened with Carol happen with me. But, I want her to live as much of her life as possible."

"Has Hank been able to help?"

"No." Scott as he ran his hand though his long hair. He didn't like the hair but it's Rogue's hair not his. "Hank said that even if he can find or create another body for me, we still need to separate Rogue from me."

"I'm sure Dr. McCoy and Dr. Magtaggart will think of something."

"Maybe." Scott said as he smiled at her. He blinked under his sunglasses and said, "Finally, Rogue's awake. I have to let her be in control."

Jean let go of his hand and Scott changed his pose. "Sorry, Jean. I had to go with Remy today."

"Sure." Jean said nodding at the familiar accent. "Maybe later, all of us could discuss about us."

Rogue sighed and adjusted her sunglasses. "Ah'm sorry about this."

"Nothing to apologize for." Jean said firmly, "You were forced into this mess. Scott and I will work something out. Trust me, we will find a way to separate you two."

"Thanks, Jean." Rogue said smiling. "At least Ah'm a good friend. It could've been worst."

"Gambit and Scott?"

"NO! Scott and Apocalypse."

Jean groaned and shook her head. "Rogue, don't even suggest that in front of Nathan. He's still 'recovering' about the fact that he now had three mothers."

"I know." Rogue said as she looked down again. "I gotta change." She focused and said mentally to Scott, **Mah T-shirt is backwards.**

**Oops.**

Rogue could see the embarassed look on Scott's face as he hid deeper in her mind. **You were that modest?**

**Yes! I'm a married man! This will take some time.**

**Sorry about that, Scott. Tell ya what. I'll do all the 'private' stuff, showers, going to the bathroom, changing clothes... and other things.**

**Other things?** the voice asked even more nervous.

"What are you two talking about?" Jean interupted when she saw a myschivous look on Rogue's face.

"Nothing." Rogue replied both to Jean and Scott. She went up to change her outfit.


Remy waited in the mansion's kitchen. Ororo watched Gambit sitting there in deep thought, half of the time, he giggled slightly and other times he had a look of pure jealousy on his face.

"Remy?" Ororo asked the Cajun.

"Eh? Oh, hey Stormy."

"Don't call me that. How are you?"

"I'm fine." Remy replied as he creates a few circles on the table. "Just t'inking about what to do today. I mean, I love to touch Rogue now, but Scott's in there too."

"I'm certain that Scott will not know about the date's details. You two need to get out and talk about this, in private. What will you two do today?"

Remy smilied and replied, "I always have this plan on what to do with Rogue when she can control her powers," He frowned and continued, "but I would make Jeannie and Scott very mad at me. So maybe de Chere and I would go out on a picnic. It's such a beautiful day out and you're not responsible, Stormy."

"Perhaps I am and please don't call me 'Stormy'." Ororo said as she got up and leave.

Remy sighed as he looked down in his pocket and took out a small box. His long slender fingers graced upon the velvet like surface as he put the box back into his coat. He sighed, "Why me?"

"Why you?" a familiar drawl came out, "Ready?"

"Oui." Gambit replied as he stood up and lock his elbow with Rogue's.


The sun was shining and the birds were singing. "Aaaahhh..." Rogue said as she lay out on the blanket. She wore a nice pair of very short shorts and her sleeveless, almost backless, shirt. She wasn't wearing her usual gloves since she didn't have to worry about touching anyone by pure accident.

"Like it, Rogue?" Gambit asked as he took out a can of soda and handed it to his girlfriend.

"Uh huh." Rogue replied nodding as she opened the can, "This is very nice, Remy. No noise, no training, and it's so quiet here."

Remy carefully, slowly, graced his finger along Rogue's cheek. He still couldn't believe how soft her skin is despite the invulnerbility and super strength. "Glad y' like it." He whisphered softly.

Rogue turned her head and said, "I... can't. You know that."

"I know." Remy said, "He's in your head. Feels a little weird. Even for Gambit."

"It's a little weird for me too, Remy." Rogue pointed out, "It's mah body. I'm the one who got a married man in my head." She sat up and crossed her hands over her chest. "I can touch thanks to him and I'm making him suffer."

"It's okay. Y'know that Henry and Moria are working on a way to get you two separated. Tis just a matter of time."

"What if they can't find a way to get us apart? What if I have to spend the rest of my life with him?"

"What about dat time you said you had Carol Danvers as a personality? How did you two get separate?"

"Seige Periouls." Rogue replied, "Carol and I got separated physically and Magneto killed her when she tried to kill me. It's a long story."

Remy nodded as he put his arm around her shoulders. "So much for dat plan."

"Yeah."

"Awwwwww... how sweet." A voice said as he got out of the bushes.

Gambit and Rogue stood up in an instant. Remy took out a few cards and waved them. Rogue hovered in the air. **Hey, Scotty! We got company!**

Scott mentally nodded as he prepare to take over if necessary.

"Who are you?" Gambit demanded.

A man came out of the bushes and grinned. He looked about 6 feet tall, had light brown hair, and a blue suit. "Can you guess who I am?" he asked.

"Don't ring a bell." Rogue said as she flew at him.

The man gestured. All of a sudden, Scott and Rogue felt the numerous voices and emotions crashing in on them. Rogue started to feel strange as she saw the landscape twist and turn.

"Rogue!" Gambit yelled out as he tossed the cards toward the ground below the man. The man leapt back and fell to the ground. "Okay! Who sent you and what did you do with Rogue?" Gambit demanded as he took out more cards.

"My name is Ricochet. And my boss made me as a... back up. Tell Magneto to release Mr. Sinister or Rogue and Scott will die."

Before Gambit could unleash his temper through his cards, Ricochet clicked on a device and vanished. Gambit screamed as he saw Rogue starting to trash around as if she was having a sezure.

"Hang on." He said to her as he closed his eyes and mentally screamed out for any telepath nearby. **Jean! Proffessor! Anyone! Rogue and Scott's in trouble!**

TBC...