More time passed and a new kid arrived at the school. Storm found him out by the woods, a runaway, flying amongst the forest canopy. She surprised him with her ability of flight or floating on wind at least. He though he was alone in this talent. Most mutants can't defy gravity and fly. They spent the afternoon talking and Storm alluded to Professor Xavier's School and if he would like to come back with her. His life didn't offer much of anything else so he agreed. She brought him back and adjusted him into school life. His name was Aaron.

"Hear about the new kid?" Bobby was walking to class with Rogue and a few others.

"I like it when someone new comes -- it's another person to hang around with instead of you all day," another student added. Giggles erupted.

At the class entrance they met up with Aaron. He smiles at them all and they welcomed him warmly. He hadn't been accepted by people as an equal for a long time. He was going to like it here. After class was lunch.

"You want to join us for lunch?' Rogue asked politely.

"Sure I'd love to..."

"Rogue."

"Rogue..." He smiled a big white smile and extended a hand for a formal greeting. She accepted it and down the hall the group went.

While outside Bobby played with freezing items, providing everyone with fresh ice for their drinks after the hot sun melted it all away. St. John, the pyromaniac, was playing with fireballs as usual. Aaron flew up and down the basketball court, of course winning the game. It was odd. Everyone was excited to show him what they could do with their mutant ability as well. All the students realized though that their powers were to be constricted in use and that they must be careful with them.

"I can't believe it is so hot out today," Katherine was complaining but Bobby ordered up some ice to cool her down.

Rogue was sitting off to the side not far from the others but a noticeable block away from them. She put up a barrier between her and others.

"It's a scorcher." Aaron came back from basketball sweating from the heat. "How can you wear that outfit on a day like this?" Aaron asked Rogue. He was commenting on the gloves, hood, long stockings and everything else that covered her up.

The people who were nearby got quiet.

"I have to...I hurt people when I touch them with my bare skin, so to prevent any accidents, I wear gloves and cover up most of me," she replied.

"I find the idea of you hurting anyone as ridiculous." That brought a slight smile to Rogue's face and the rest of the gang brought back up their level of chatter. Aaron tried to probe this girl about who she was but she put up an even higher emotional border and no one was aloud in. Aaron eventually gave up the conversation and enjoyed the afternoon playing football. Rogue liked to play sports but feared team sports along with most other things.

Over the next few weeks nothing exciting occurred at the mansion. Dr. Grey and Professor Xavier were constantly making their appeals to Congress and the Senate about equal rights for mutants to be placed under law. Rogue found this fascinating. She asked to go and sat in next to the Professor during many of the hearings. She didn't understand why people were so anti-mutant. Was she that different from others? Were her friends enemies of the public or danger to others? She didn't see that. All she saw were other teenagers who had the same hormones, the same love of sports -- they played games, watched TV, went to the movies and out to eat at burger places. What was different about them? Color used to be an issue, then race, then sex, then disabled, and now the mutants were fighting for their rights.

Professor Xavier and the rest of the X-Men planned a park day for all the students to spend one of the summer days outside as opposed to indoor studying. Everyone was out having fun. Rogue received a letter from Wolverine that day. She took it outside and sat beneath a tree to read it. Aaron wondered why Rogue was all alone and walked over to try and convince her join in on the fun.

"Why are you here all by yourself?"

Rogue was startled by his intrusion. "I'm sorry, this is very private, I'd like to be alone right now," she said, quickly and firmly.

Aaron was not going to take demands. This sorry sap in front of him was going to have fun, even if he had to drag her back. "You can read that later, the day only is around for so long."

"Please, go."

"No."

"Fine, then I will." She got up and started to leave...Aaron grabbed her.

"Wait, what is your problem? Can't you have friends, does that bother you?"

Rogue was getting mad. She had friends but this letter meant so much to her -- it was for her and no one else. She needed words from Logan right now. No matter what they said. "You don't understand."

"Then make me," Aaron firmly commanded.

She was furious! "Leave me alone, I have things to do."

Aaron didn't want her to hate him so he caved. "After you read that letter will you join us then?"

Rogue turned her head as she was walking away -- "Perhaps" -- and proceeded to find another place to sit. Finally alone, she tore open the letter. Hanging on every word...

Hey Kid,

How you been? I don't think I've ever written a letter before. I'm not finding much out here, just creating more questions. The road's been easy on me. Tell one-eyed man I'll return his bike, eventually. Hope you are finding everything you need with Dr. Xavier and the rest of them. I miss ya. You made for an interesting travel companion. I have no one to keep me out of trouble now. I'll try and write you more often and tell you what I find. I realize a lot of stuff in that head of yours isn't making much sense, especially with my memories crammed in there. Sorry about that. You know, you pretty easy to talk to, or this letter writing stuff isn't that hard. Study hard and smile for me. Till later,

Logan

It wasn't overly sappy or contained much about his travels but sweet. Rogue read it again and again. And a smile did come across her face. She got up, put the letter away and ran back to the picnic, hoping there would be enough food left for her.

Upon her return everyone seemed to notice the more uplifted Rogue. She played foozball with Bobby, and the others. Her favorite game -- she could spend time with her friends and not worry about physical contact. Together they all laughed and enjoyed the rest of the day away.

---

Rogue wasn't the only one to receive a letter, so did Jean. She took it and read it away from Scott, out of fear as to what Wolverine might have written in it.

Hey Jean,

Hope bug-eye's treating you right, probably not. I miss that fiery red hair of yours and your healing touch. Where I've been so far, no woman can compare to you, yet. Tell Cyclops his bike is still in one piece if he's at all worried and thanks for letting me borrow it. I haven't found any answers yet. I don't know when I'll be back. It may take a long while, my answers are buried pretty deep. I wish you could tell me what was in my head, what you saw. Take care of Rogue for me.

Love, your one and only Wolverine

He is being a bit bold and presumptuous, but that was Logan, thought Jean. She loved Scott and would never leave him. Something about the light flirtations felt nice, though, and would bring a smile to her face.

---

Time passed at the school; students were winding down on their studies and getting ready for tests. The summer session was ending and everyone was looking forward to the ever-approaching fall. Rogue loved fall, the color changes and the leaves falling, everything going dormant before the white-powder snowfall glistens the ground. Snow was so much fun to play in and beautiful, cool crisp air pleasant to walk in.

To relax from her cram study sessions she had been taking, she decided to go out for a walk. In the halls she ran into Aaron.

"Where are you off to in such a hurry?'

"I taking a break. My brain is on overload," Rogue said with a smile.

"Can I join you?"

Rogue didn't care either way so she invited him along. "Sure."

St. John was out in the halls and waved at the two as they left out the door. Aaron was a curious guy and hated not knowing everything that goes on around him. He always seemed to be around when Rogue would receive another letter from this guy everyone calls Wolverine. Was that her boyfriend, brother, friend? He liked Rogue; she was odd but inside she was a beautiful young woman. Aaron also knew he had to contend with Bobby, who seemed guard over our hooded friend. Maybe it was her mysteriousness that drew people to her.

He saw that she'd received another letter. They come almost like clockwork now, about every other week. Before and after reading them she was like black and white.

"So you got another letter today from the mysterious Mr. X," he said jokingly.

"Yep." Rogue's statement stopped any further prying into that matter. He'd failed again. Does that mean he'll give up? Never, he thought with a smirk.

Aaron didn't pay any attention were they were walking as they chatted about everything from political news to how to study for Dr. Grey's exam. Rogue led them to this tiny rundown cabin she had found long ago in the woods by the school. "When did you find this place?"

"I went out walking one day and chanced upon it. I come here often to read."

"Read?"

"Let me show you," she said eagerly.

They entered in the shack. On one wall there was a bookcase filled with cobwebs, dust, and books. Aaron skimmed his hand over the spines, his fingers collecting mounds of dust and saw the vast collection. "This man must have lived a sheltered life."

Rogue thought to herself That is why I like it here.

The hut seemed to vibrate with their every step. Not a very stable place to hang out in, though Aaron. "This place has to be well over a hundred years old," he added aloud.

"Probably older." Rogue saw a book she'd like to read on the shelf: Tom Sawyer. She loved that novel as a kid. From under her folds of the cape she returned a book she previously had borrowed. She then grabbed a chair to get her book off one of the top shelves. The books kept slipping off her smooth gloves so she took one off to try again and grab it with her hand.

On the other side of the room Aaron was rummaging through the bureau drawers and finding interesting trinkets. He found one old shaving kit with knife and a framed mirror. The handle on both seemed to sparkle and it looked out of place in this dust old room. "Hey Rogue, will you look at this--"

The next events all happened so fast. He walked over toward Rogue by the bookcase, still looking down at the objects in his hand. He ran into the chair -- Rogue slipped grabbed the wooden bookcase for support and it all came tumbling down, bookcase, shack, walls, and all. Aaron was thrown backwards followed by Rogue and then the heavy wooden bookcase and then walls. Rogue heard a scream then she felt it. She was pinned down; her arm felt broken and she couldn't move it but there it was, touching Aaron. She felt his life flood into her. Aaron tried to move but was pinned down as well.

"No!" Rogue shouted. "Please God, no, don't do this..." She tried to move her arm but it was no use, it was trapped and it hurt. All she could do was lie on top of him, pinned down, and watch his eye on hers. He was in so much pain she could feel his strength become hers. Tears flooded her eye -- How could I have let this happen, it's all my fault... She cried for help but no one was there. All she could do was watch him die. Sadness and guilt swelled within and fear in herself. What kind of a thing am I? What have I done? If she ever though she should be excluded from society this only proved her point even more. She cried, tears fell, and the pain, they would not stop.

---

It had been hours and Bobby was looking for Rogue to go eat dinner. He searched almost every room and no luck. Aaron was missing, too, and he didn't like that combination.

"Hey, Ms. Storm..." Bobby spotted Storm heading for the mess as well.

"Hello, Bobby."

"Have you seen Rogue? I can't find her anywhere."

"She'll turn up. She's probably off studying."

Or doing something else, he thought.

St. John came around the corner and, overhearing their conversation, exclaimed, "I saw her and Aaron go off on a walk. They were headed towards the woods out back." He walked onward, hungry for food.

"See, she'll be back." And Storm walked on.

Bobby didn't like the sound of Aaron and Rogue alone in the woods, and it was getting dark. They really couldn't do anything but still... Bobby instinctively curled his hands into fists and went to find Dr. Grey. She'd find Rogue and then he could bring her back here or at least interrupt her and Aaron. No way is that new punk moving in on Rogue, he thought to himself... He should know he doesn't have a chance. Hell, I don't even have a chance. Only one is Wolverine.

He headed to Dr. Grey's office and found her engaged in a political matters with Scott and Professor Xavier. "Sorry, I didn't realize..." He headed out thinking to himself, Stupid, how stupid...

Jean smiled. "That's okay -- what can I do for you, Bobby?"

"It's nothing really. Just, I can't find Rogue. St. John said he saw her and Aaron walking out to the woods and that was this morning. It's getting dark and they're not back yet. I was just worried. I was hoping you might be able to find her."

Scott smiled and thought, Is he worried or jealous?

Professor Xavier used his mind skills to locate her. Pictures of trees and a stream came into view. He was walking and finally came upon a shack that was ripped apart. There he saw a lifeless Aaron and a hysterical Rogue screaming and crying for help, trapped under piles of wood.

Professor Xavier snapped out of it quickly. He pretended nothing was wrong to frighten Bobby. "I found her. Scott and Jean will go get her and Aaron. You go head to dinner."

Bobby was a little concerned -- the Professor was hiding something -- but he agreed. He couldn't do anything just now any ways. He headed out to eat.

"What is it?" Jean added after Bobby left.

Professor Xavier explained, "Something's happened. She's hurt and Aaron's gone." He had no time to explain. Cyclops and Jean trailed out into the woods to get her. "Over here!" Jean shouted.

Rogue heard this and tried to turn her head to look. She was beyond all screaming. She was just crying lightly, shaking uncontrollably, breathing abnormally and in shock. "Oh no," was Scott's response to the scene.

There was Rogue pinned under debris; below her, Aaron was dead. Cyclops adjusted his visor and was able to slice some of the wooden frame into smaller pieces and they peeled her out. Then there it was. A broken arm, bare hand touching Aaron's bare side where his shirt had slid up. Jean looked at Rogue's arm as Rogue, sitting up, burst into tears.

"It was an accident, I shouldn't have taken off my glove," Rogue began to mumble and repeat herself. Jean tried to calm her down as Scott picked up Aaron's body.

Jean helped Rogue up and they went back to the mansion. Once there, Jean gave Rogue something to calm her down and sleep. She fixed her arm and put it in a cast to heal. Rumors flew around the school of what happened while the X-Men tried to figure it out themselves. "From what Rogue told me, she took off her glove to get a book, Aaron bumped into the chair, she grabbed the bookcase and it all fell apart. She couldn't move her hand and he couldn't move either. It was an accident," Scott stated.

"But she feel like it's her fault and she's begin to doubt herself," Jean added.

Professor Xavier: "Well, we'll have to talk to her and watch out for her. Jean, make sure you meet with her and council her. I don't want her to do anything rash. Storm, she also now has his mutant powers to learn about and deal with. I think you are best to help with that."

"I will try, Professor. Do you think we should find Logan and tell him about this?"

Professor Xavier: "If he wanted to be found he'd let us know where he was. I am not going to pry to find him. I think it is best we deal with this and let Logan deal with his own demons. Also we should quash all these rumors the kids like to spread and tell them the truth."

They were in agreement and all this would take time. Scott felt the same way as everyone else. She has dealt with so much for someone so young. After this traumatic event, it is going to take a lot of time.

---

Rogue woke up in her room, yet felt like she had not rested at all. Her arm was casted -- her deadly arm. She killed someone, a friend, someone who wanted to get close to her. Maybe humans were right, inside all mutants were dangerous weapons...her especially. She didn't want to be evil. It was an accident. Yet she felt she cold have done something to prevent it -- it was her fault partially and she had to deal with it. What would the others think, believe or say? How would they treat her now? Just as long as they don't come near her and didn't touch her...

Should she stay? She had nowhere to run to. She could find Logan. No, that would be impossible. No, she had to be strong and face this. She thought, I can't run away from everything. Hopefully time and my friends will help me. I know the worst to expect and I don't think these people will shun me out.

She pulled out her letterbox and reread them all again. The stories, bar fights, some files he found, an abandoned warehouse, the bike accident. She had to laugh -- she hadn't told Scott yet about that. He had lots of hitchhiking stories.

He missed me. I miss him.

She put her good hand around the dog tags and fell back to sleep. She would stay, deal with her feelings, the accident and see what happens. She believed that is what Logan would want her to do.

---

Everyone knew that Rogue was in her room. Dr. Grey explained to the students what happened and that there would be a memorial service for Aaron on Thursday instead of class, and exams would be pushed back. A small group of students gathered outside the girl's dorm, all afraid to go in. Finally Katherine made the first move. Silently she slipped through the door and saw Rogue's back turned from her, sitting on her bed crying, cradling her knees to her chest.

She crept up to her and without fear put her arms around her and gave her a hug.

Rogue was not shocked but comforted that someone would not be afraid of her. Some students understood how Rogue was feeling; they too had hurt others on accident or have been rejected by friends because of who they are.

Katherine gave her another hug and said, "We all love you and are here for you." Those words meant so much to Rogue she hugged her friend back and poured out how she felt. Then she felt another hand on her shoulder and then another. It was her friends, letting her know it was all right. Letting her know she would be all right. Rogue knew then she would make it...she would make it.