"Thank God we got to you in time." Scott was hovering over her. He had been since they'd escaped. Hank was trying to remove the adamantium bracelet that repress her powers, and without much success. For that she blamed Scott. How could anyone work with Scott hovering like that? "Are you sure you're all right?"

"Fer the millionth time, Scott! Ah'm FINE!"

Every pair of eyes that occupied the Black Bird swung her way, and instantly she regretted loosing her cool. Scott stared at her (or at least she figured he was) in stunned silence. She took a deep breath and made her apology.

"Sorry. Ah didn't mean ta snap at ya, sugah. But Ah'm fine. Really."

He nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. It took all her will power not to shrug it off. "It's all right. You've got a right to be upset."

*No kiddin'!* She managed to smile up at him. He returned it, then headed towards the cockpit. She looked at Hank, who was still bent over her wrist, poking the restricting metal device with odd looking tools.

"So what's the verdict, Doc?"

Beast looked up at her, adjusting his bifocals on his nose. She'd always liked seeing Hank with his glasses. For some reason they always made him seem like a giant blue teddy bear to her. The thought was comforting; the news was not.

"Well, I can safely say that you're stuck with your unsightly jewelry for a little while longer. I don't have the equipment to remove it on the Black Bird, so when we get back, you'll have to spend a little more time in my company."

Oh great. It wasn't what she wanted to hear, and it must have shown on her face. Hank patted her hand and smiled reassuringly.

"Never fear, Rogue. I shall make it as quick and painless as possible." He rose, with what he must have believed to be debility and moved to a different part of the cabin. She knew the truth, however. He was giving someone else his chance to speak with her in private.

Remy moved from his seat and knelt down at her feet. She wished he'd at least sit in a chair so he'd be on the same level with her. Not looking up at her like she was on some imagined pedestal. Just the idea of that made her feel even less than she already was.

He held her hand. she wasn't wearing gloves. They'd been taken from her. But what did it matter? With that damn metal bracelet on she was nothing more than a normal, human girl; a weak, defenseless, human girl.

"How you holdin' up, chere?" His eyes were gentle and his voice was soft. He was worried about her. Possibly more so than Scott. It made sense; Remy had more reason to hate Sinister than any of them could know. Kidnapping her was just another to add to the list. If only he knew it all though. Not only would it feed his hate for Sinister, but it would make him hate her too. She didn't think she could live with that.

"Ah'm doin' alright. Fine'ly got rid o' Mother Hen." She motioned in the direction Scott had gone, her tone as light as she could make it. Her levity brought a smile to his face. The sight made her heart soar, then come crashing down. She had to remember, she didn't deserve him anymore.

Landing saved her from any further conversation. She used the need to adjust the blanket that covered her as an excuse to remove her hand from his. Beneath the blanket, she wore what was nothing more than a long white T-shirt. It was the only courtesy Sinister had given her.

Professor Xavier was there to greet her, Storm at his side. A few feet away, Logan stood casually against the doorway. It was Logan she wished to avoid. Because he'd know. She wouldn't be able to fool him. So while she exchanged pleasantries with the professor, she silently prayed for Logan's disappearance.

When Hank came to usher her inside, she looked up to see the doorway vacant. Thank ya Gawd. She quietly allowed Beast to do what he needed to do. She just wanted the damn thing off. She wanted her excuse to keep people at arms length back. It didn't take long for Beast to declare her a free woman. She thanked him and retreated.

Shower. Shower, shower, shower. The thought played through her mind like a mantra as she made her way up to her room. If she could shower, she'd be home free. Logan wouldn't be able to detect anything. She'd been lucky that she hadn't run into him befo-

"Hey, darlin'. What's the rush?" He stood just inside her door, arms crossed. He'd been waiting for her. Now what was she going to do?

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