Rogue Evolution

Nightmare 8.2

"How are you feeling today, Rogue?"

Anna looked around the vast open space of the unaltered Danger Room and couldn't help but to feel she was somehow standing on a giant target. "Like you're going to unleash that giant robot on me and turn me to swiss cheese."

"No need to worry," declared Xavier's almighty god voice from his glass booth in the highest reaches of the colosseum-like room. "No robots or machines will be involved in today's exercises."

"Wonderful." Anna rubbed her arms, and for the first time missed the great stinking pads strapped to her person when she normally entered the Danger Room. "You sure it's a good idea I don't have my gun or anything?"

"It would be unnecessary. Today we will be simply exploring the capabilities of your abilities to the lightest degrees."

"Ah," Anna rubbed her upper arms in hopes of warming up if only just a little. "So that's why you called me out here at 6 in the morning on a Saturday. Great." She looked around. "Not sure if you remember, but I kinda need a partner for my particular 'gift' to work."

The great entrance to the room slowly slid open to reveal Logan wearing his set of combat gear and a scowl. "Huh," Anna stepped in his direction. "Ready to go another round, old man?"

Logan held his hands in front of his chest. "Oh no, not me. I've had my fill of what your particular powers have to offer." He stepped aside to reveal Kurt who stood easily in the big man's shadow. Kurt gave a little wave and an even smaller smile.

"Kurt - uh - Nightcrawler? You're willing to be my guinea pig?"

"When we brought up the idea with the others, he was the only one to volunteer." Logan crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm just here to play referee to make sure nothing gets out of hand." Anna looked from Logan back to Kurt and felt a swell of something warm in her chest.

"I just wanted to help you with your powers. If that means... being a test subject, well, someone needs to do it and I suppose that is going to be -" Before Kurt could finish, he was swept up in a hug from Anna. She lingered a moment before sense seemed to return and she released him as quickly as she had hugged him.

"Sorry." She pushed her hair behind her ear. "Just..." She nodded and looked him in the eyes. "Thank you."

He smiled back at her. This time his grin was more broad and self-assured. "Happy to help."

Logan looked up at the glass booth. "How do you want to do this, Charles?"

"According to reports, Rogue's abilities seem to depend upon the amount of time she has contact with her subject. We will start with a small brief touch, forefinger to forefinger, and see how she handles Nightcrawler's abilities."

"Alright," Logan looked down at Anna. "You heard the man."

She nodded and, a little short of breath slid the glove off of her right hand. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to, Kurt." She whispered. "I won't think any less of you if you walk out right now."

With this, Kurt extended his finger as if getting ready to punch in a number for an elevator, and looked at Logan. "Do we count to 3, or do we just go?"

Anna spotted the whisper of a smile creept across Logan's otherwise imperious face. "Whatever floats your boat."

Kurt looked back at her. "Ready when you are."

She bit her lip and slowly inched her trembling finger towards his till they finally made contact. A shock of energy electrified Anna as she ripped her finger away. Her heart pumped, her eyes dilated, and every sense felt heightened but not to the point of discomfort. She became innately aware of every surface in the room and felt that she merely needed to step in order to be wherever she looked.