Rogue hasn't always had it easy. When you're a mutant with the ability to absorb people's memories and other people's powers through touch and other intimate ways such as kissing, it's hard to be with a person without hurting them because of such po...
Rogue carried Jake while flying in the sky, Jake enjoying the atmosphere. Five minutes later, Rogue and Jake landed outside the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters, Jake's wheelchair gently being placed on the ground. "So this is where you guys reside," said an observant Jake. "Yep, it's also an educational facility for young mutants that want to be educated," said Rogue as she rolled Jake's wheelchair. They made it inside, and the first person that Rogue and Jake saw was Logan Howlett, otherwise known as Wolverine. Logan was this time wearing his civilian clothes, which was typically a white tank top, blue jeans, motorcycle boots, and a black leather jacket. The Canadian superhero noticed Rogue and Jake and said, "hey Rogue. What'd you get up to?"
"Nothin' much," said Rogue, "went to Baskin-Robbins and hung out with Jake here. Charles and Hank wanna talk to us 'bout somethin'." Jake looked up at Logan and said, "hi! So you're Wolverine. Big fan." Logan smirked and said, "I can tell. Nice sneaker." Jake shook Logan's hand, excited to meet one of his favorite X-Men team members. From the moment Jake shook his hand, Logan instantly liked him. "Anyway, see ya 'round Logan," said Rogue as she rolled Jake's wheelchair away until she made it to an office. Rogue knocked on the door and said, "Professor? Hank? Y'all in there? It's me, Rogue." A baritone voice that sounded like Jean Luc Picard said inside the office, "we're here, Anna. Do come in." Rogue opened the door and allowed herself and Jake inside the office of Professor Charles Xavier. In the office, Jake noticed a portrait of Xavier with the five original founding members of the X-Men when they were young and wearing their original suits.
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And inside the office was Professor Xavier himself in his signature green suit with striped tie and golden portable wheelchair. Also with him was the blue furred mutant himself, Hank McCoy, otherwise known as Beast, who was in more laid back clothing. "Jake, this is Charles Xavier and Hank McCoy," introduced Rogue, "Charles, Hank, Jake Phillips Jr." Jake rolled his wheelchair to the two older mutants and said, "It's nice to meet you both."
"Likewise Mr Phillips," said Charles, "how is your grandfather Simon?" As Jake shook hands with Charles and Hank, he said, "Grandpa's doing well. I almost forgot that you're good friends with him." Rogue sat down and said, "okay, now that we got pleasantries out of the way, can you tell me why y'all needed to speak to us?" Beast nodded and said in his matter of fact scientist voice, "of course Anna. Now Mr Phillips, what do you know about Anna's powers?" Jake thought a moment and said, "well I know you have super strength and the ability to fly."
"That is correct," said Beast, "but Anna also has the ability to absorb people's life force and psyche through touch of bare skin and other intimate gestures such as kissing and hugging, and so on and so forth." Rogue looked down sadly and said, "Ah first discovered this power when Ah experienced mah first kiss... Ah kissed mah crush Cody Robbins on the lips, and then suddenly Ah absorbed his life force and Cody's now in a coma. To this day, Ah have no idea whether Cody awoke from his coma..." Jake looked at Rogue sadly and said, "I'm so sorry you went through that..." Beast continued, "whenever Anna touches a mutant or super-powered being without anything covering her absorbent like skin, she gains their powers, how long she keeps said powers depends on how long she touches the powered individual."
"The strength and flight are a result of me absorbin' Carol Danvers's superpowers from touchin' her for too long..." Rogue awkwardly explained, "that was before Ah met the X-Men. Ah was goin' down a real dark path..." Jake nodded and said, "I understand." Beast continued, "when Rogue rescued you to the hospital, she told me that you held her hand when she wasn't wearing gloves, and that she didn't absorb your life force nor your psyche when you did so." Jake blushed and said, "I kinda forgot about your powers during that time." Rogue looked at Jake and said, "oh Ah know what you mean, sugah."
"I studied your DNA through blood samples from Rogue's dress and I made an astonishing discovery," continued Beast. "What did you find out?" Rogue asked. "It seems Jake possesses an immunity to absorbent powers like yours Rogue," explained Beast. "So I can touch Rogue without risk of getting weak or dying?" Jake asked. "Precisely Mr Phillips," replied Charles, "because of this immunity to Anna's powers, you are a mutant." Jake and Rogue's eyes widened with shock at this bombshell. Jake was shocked at the revelation that he was technically a mutant, and he didn't even know it. Rogue was also shocked to learn that Jake was a mutant, but there was a part of her that was happy to know that there was someone out there who she could touch, hug, kiss, make love to, without the risk of hurting or killing him. It made her feel normal.
"Do I have any other mutant powers?" Jake asked. Beast adjusted his glasses and said, "Not that I'm aware of. Your negating of absorption powers were the only results I gathered. Trust me Jake, you'd be surprised what bizarre powers some mutants have. I wouldn't say your powers are useless." Charles rolled his wheelchair to where Jake and Rogue were, and he said, "I understand that this discovery is a lot to take in, Jake. But if you need guidance in coming to terms with this change, don't hesitate to reach out to me or Jean Grey. We're here to help." Jake nodded and said, "thank you, Professor." Rogue took off her gloves, looking at her bare hands. For many years, she'd always seen her absorbing powers as a curse. All she ever wanted was to hold someone's hand, kiss them, or make love to them without negative repercussions. She looked at Jake and gently held his right hand. She didn't feel his life force or psyche going into her head. It was quiet and peaceful. Rogue couldn't help but smile. Jake looked at Rogue and held her hand right back. He took comfort in knowing he wasn't alone on this new journey.
