You Know Me

Chapter Two



“Marie.” Her mother’s solemn expression told her instantly why she was there. The loss that was so clearly etched on her features was unmistakable.



Marie crossed the office to lower herself into a chair across from her mother. “What’s happened, Mama?”



“Your Father has passed away Marie.” She muttered quietly. “I thought it best that I tell you in person.”



In spite of the years that had passed since she left home pain seared though her heart and tears instantly swam in her eyes. “How?” She gasped.



“He’s been fighting cancer for several years now. The doctors diagnosed him not long after you left home. I wouldn’t have known where to find you at all if it hadn’t been for Professor Xavier’s letters.”



Marie’s eyes whipped instantly to Charles Xavier, a man that she had respected and loved more than her own Father. He was a man that she had trusted with her very life on more occasions than she could count. “You’ve been writing to my parents?”



“Rogue, I am morally, as well as legally bound to advise the parents of all of my students, especially those that are still below the age of consent, of their being here. I have always made practice of sending out reports of my student’s educational progress at the end of every semester. Report cards, if you will. Your Mother has written me periodically over the years and kept track of your education and then of your work here as a teacher.”



“And was there a reason why I was never made aware of this?” Her voice trembled with anger.



“I asked him to keep it to himself, Marie. I didn’t think that you would want to contact me. I remember the day that David was taken to the hospital and the look on your face when I almost touched you. When you disappeared, I didn’t think you wanted anything more to do with your Father and me. I was very shocked when I received the first letter from the Professor and I never once told your Father, but I contacted him immediately to see how you were. You are my only daughter, Marie, and in spite of everything, I do love you.”



“Do you?”



“Marie. I am shocked at you.”



“Mama, you don’t even know me anymore. You haven’t seen my face since I was 16. I can’t tell you how it makes me feel knowing that you’ve known where I was all these years and never once made any attempt to contact me. I could not do that to a daughter of my own and I can’t imagine how you could. I have grown up and I’ve changed more than you could ever imagine. My family is in this institute, not in Mississippi. These are the people who have stood by me and never treated me as though I were a freak, never once made me feel as if I weren’t good enough. Professor Xavier has been more of a Father to me than my own ever was. He’s never for a moment made me feel as if there was something wrong with me because of my mutation and even worked with me for years to control it. I have all the love and support that I need right here.”



Marie rose from her chair. “Professor, if you will excuse me, I have papers that need to be graded and several reports that I need to finish. Mama, thank you for coming and telling me about my Father. Goodbye.”







She wasn’t aware of the tears upon her face as she climbed numbly up the stairs and headed for her room until Logan caught her in the hallway.



“What’sa matter, Darlin’?” He growled lowly as he hauled her to a stop, a gentle grip on her gloved elbow.



“Hey, sugah.” She smiled weakly as she leaned weakly against him.



“Marie, what’s wrong?” He repeated more insistently.



“The Professor sent Scott to my room earlier to tell me that I had a visitor. You cannot imagine the shock I experienced when I saw my Mother sitting in his office.”



“What?” Logan pulled her toward him, bringing her round to face him. “Your Mother is here?”



“Yeah. She came to tell me that my Father died.”



“Oh, Darlin’, I’m sorry. You going to be okay?”



“Logan, my family has been dead to me for years. They died to me a few weeks before I met you.” She gasped as a lump filled her throat. She didn’t want to embarrass herself by sobbing in the middle of the hallway. “I just need to get back to my room. I think I’m going to cry.”



“Sweetheart, I hate to tell you this, but you have been. Come on, I’ll take you to your room and get you comfortable. You don’t need to be alone right now.”



Marie allowed Logan to wrap his arm around her shoulder and guide her along the corridor to her room. She lived in the wing where all of the teachers lived, just one door down from Logan. She still had occasion to hear his nightmares, but she hadn’t allowed herself to go into his room in long time. The thought of stepping into the room where he slept and not being able to remain there with him broke her heart.



“Come on, Darlin’. Let’s get you comfortable.”



She felt the tension in Logan as he carefully peeled away her gloves and her sweater, avoiding her skin at all costs.



“Logan.” She whispered, raising her hand toward his face. “It’s alright.”



“I know, Darlin’. You’re going to be just fine.”



“No, Sugah. That’s not what I meant.”



He raised his gaze to her eyes. Confusion was very evident in their depths.



“I’ve been working with the Professor.” She smiled gently into his eyes and let her fingers stroke his cheek ever so slowly. “Trust me, Logan.”