Xavier and Jean went to use Cerebro while Shine was still on the phone, and Scott followed to hear what they saw.

The others looked at Shine.

She put Wally on hold.

"What has happened to Rogue?" Kurt asked.

Shine bit her lip.

"Ms. Marvel has broken loose again," she said.

Gambit frowned. "When did dis happen?"

"It started last month, with Frost." Shine leaned on the wall. "Slowly, it's been building up. Today Juggernaut's power rattled her mind so much, it made an opening, and Marvel started to break out. It was not so bad for a bit, but I guess she suddenly got worse."

"And you knew dis, and you say nothing?" Gambit was mad.

"I didn't know just how extensive it was," Shine said. "She didn't tell me. She didn't even admit it till today, in the cell."

"True," Mystique spoke dully. "She told us both... It was happening there, but then it stopped."

"Briefly," Shine said. "I thought it would take at least till tomorrow for Ms. Marvel to get enough strength up to take over her. We could do nothing about it while we were there...but she's panicking now."

"That's what all that was about?" Logan said. "Why didn't ya say anythin'?"

Shine sank down to the floor. "Because, Logan, I was trying to survive Sinister. I didn't have time to explain, and what would you have done anyway? Worried her more? She was doing better focusing on something else, for a time at least."

Storm remembered Rogue freaking out now. It must have been hard for her.

"Who's Ms. Marvel?" Morph said.

"The lady you mentioned who Rogue absorbed?" Kurt recalled. "You said she ended up in a coma, and Rogue ran avay."

"Huh?" Logan said.

Mystique nodded. "One and the same... She's still in that coma."

"And she will never wake up," Shine said, "unless the connection between her and Rogue is severed. This is not something Xavier knows how to do, hence why he sealed up Marvel, or Carol, as her real name is, in Rogue's memory. Jean later resealed her with Rogue's help, which is why Rogue now remembers it. Somehow they thought Carol would never get out again, but a human soul is not so easily snuffed as that. It just took enough strain on Rogue's composure."

Gambit couldn't believe no one had ever explained this after it happened... So that was what all the madness was several months back.

"Well, can you help her or not?" Mystique asked Shine. "You said you could."

"I also said I needed time to recover," Shine said. "But I don't think I have time. Wally and I will have to do it together... Kurt--" She looked at him. "--I think, maybe, you could help."

"I?" Kurt said.

"I need help." Shine sounded a little desperate. "The Lord is my help, but I'm burnt out. Even Jesus got tired. I can't possibly take that much more today, but Rogue cannot wait. It would be cruel to make her wait."

"I'll help you any vay I can," Kurt said. "But how?"

"Well, first, finding her," Shine said. "I think I can manage that all right."

"Jus' what are you gonna do to her when you do find her?" Gambit demanded.

"Help her," Shine said. "We have to help her."

"You want her to go crazy?" Mystique said to Gambit. "By all means, try to stop them."

"And what makes you think you get a say in dis?" Gambit said.

Mystique had had enough.

She stood up.

"Maybe I'm not one of you righteous X-men," she said tightly. "But I've known Rogue longer than any of you, right down to when she first had those spells, and I wanted to help her, but she didn't let me. And then Xavier helped her, and it made it worse, as far as I can see. I don't know what this girl does--" Gesturing at Shine. "--but it seems to work. I'm not willing to risk losing Rogue to Ms. Marvel, are you?"

Silence.

"For once ve are all agreed," Kurt said. "Let's vork together, please, Gambit."

Gambit muttered what sounded like curse words.

"All right, fine, we find her first, den we decide what ta do," he said. "But Gambit come with you."

"Fine." Shine accepted it. "Perhaps that is best anyway; Kurt and I may not be enough... Mystique, you come also."

"Me?" Mystique sputtered.

Shine shuffled to her feet slowly. "At times like this, the past sins are usually not so important as familiarity. Rogue knows you, whether she's happy about it or not. Experience tells me that may be more important right now. I might need your help...and you want Rogue back. Like Kurt says, for now, we all want the same thing. Surely you can work with us."

"Perhaps I can, for Rogue, but can they work with me?" Mystique said.

"You keep it to helping, and we let you," Gambit said warily. "But you try anything funny and Gambit have card with your name on it."

"I'm guessing it'd be a spade," Shine said. "So we have a deal?"

"Deal," Mystique said tightly.

"And us?" Morph asked.

"Kurt and I can't handle taking too many of you," Shine said. "I think three is it. Wait here. Pray if you will. Or look for Rogue once Xavier and Jean find her. Try to catch up with us, in case we need to surround her instead. If Ms. Marvel were to take over, she may bolt anywhere. But this is important. Xavier and Jean must not try to re-suppress Ms. Marvel. If they do, this will happen again, who knows how soon. I expect sooner rather than later. You simply cannot keep something like that under control."

"We taking your word for dat?" Gambit said.

"This will be the third time it's happened," Shine said. "You want to bet that trend will cut off suddenly, Cajun?"

Silence.

"So ya want us to do what? Stall 'em?" Logan said

"It is what you're good at," Shine said, "stalling stupid decisions. You want to help? Help, then. Come, Kurt, we must hurry."

"I have been unable to teleport either," Kurt said, "since before...but I think I am all right now."

"Not great, but I guess we'll find out," Shine said.

She went to the front door and went out.

"Poor Rogue," Jubilee said. "I hope she's okay."

* * *

Outside, Shine stopped to eat an energy bar.

"It may help a little," she said. "You should eat too, Kurt."

Kurt didn't have much of an appetite, but he tried.

Shine then said, "I've done this before, with other people who could portal...a sort of fusion. We can combine our gifts."

"I did not know that vas possible," Kurt said.

"For you, it hasn't been," Shine said. "But now it may be."

She took Kurt's hand. "I'm going to think of Rogue, and then you think to go where I'm thinking of. I can't explain why, but this somehow works."

"This sounds risky," Kurt said. "But I vill try."

"Worst case is nothing happens," Shine said. "Or we end up falling out of thin air. Uh...little as you're all going to like this, you'd better hang onto each other. If we have to catch you, we'd better not have to try twice."

Mystique and Gambit did as she said, very unhappily.

Shine took Mystique other arm.

Then her eyes lit up.

"I see her... Good, she's not so far, I don't think. She may be heading to that hospital, in fact... Ready, Kurt?"

"As I'll ever be, Miss Shine."

"Now."

What happened next was strange.

It was both like Kurt poofing and like Shine's doorway, only the door's light was sort of a thin line around all of them, like a protective layer, and the poofing happened around it with a speed that made them almost choke.

Then they were falling.

Fortunately, Rogue was only about 30 feet off the ground as she was flying.

Kurt was able to poof again and prevent everyone falling. They hit grass and sidewalk painfully.

Rogue looked back and saw them.

"How did ya...? Never mind," she said.

Shine sat up. "It worked."

"Gambit really hate dat." Gambit felt dizzy.

"Sister!" Kurt called. "Please, come back."

Rogue started to fly toward them, then she stopped and backed up. "Get away from me! Leave me alone!"

"She's just inside your head, Rogue," Shine called. "She's not here, not with us. You can come closer."

"I can't!" Rogue sounded on the verge of tears. "I might hurt you... I'm sorry. I can't help it. I just act on reflex... I can't risk it. I've got to go off alone."

"Rogue, we can help you!" Shine said. "Please, come back."

Rogue hesitated.

"It's...it's too late," she said. "She's gotten out too much. Only Xavier and Jean can help... They can help."

"That won't fix anything." Shine staggered toward her. "It will happen again. We have to fix it forever, Rogue. It's the only way. If you come, we can do it."

"What d'ya mean?" Rogue rubbed her head.

"She's lying!" Ms. Marvel suddenly yelled, appearing in front of Shine. "She can't help you! You're mine now!"

Rogue screamed.

"Hey!" Shine said, eyes gleaming again. "Stop it. That is not true! I am not lying."

Marvel turned to look at Shine. Only Rogue could see her do this.

"You...you hear me?" she said.

"I hear you," Shine said. "I sense you. Two personalities. I can feel one... In some way, I always could. I have seen the likes of you before. Stop tormenting Rogue. You want help? Then let her come back to us."

Marvel laughed. "I know your kind. You're just trying to lock me back up! Well, I won't be locked up again! Not ever again! This little brat took my life, and I'm taking hers now. You can't stop me."

"They will stop you," Shine said. "I want to help you."

"Who is she talking to?" Gambit said.

"I think she's talking to Marvel." Mystique was staring. "She can...talk to her...even from outside Rogue's mind? How is this possible?"

"Vith Gott all things are possible," Kurt said in a cryptic voice. "But now that ve're here, I almost think I sense it too--this torment, inside Rogue. I cannot tell whether it is her own, or this other voman's. But it is strong."

"Gambit think dis is creepy," Gambit said.

"You little liar," Marvel yelled at Shine. "I'll do to you what I want to do to those other monsters!" 

She flew at Shine angrily.

Rogue moved too, like she was in a trance.

Shine backed up. "Rogue! It's me!"

Kurt snatched Shine right before Rogue smashed the pavement where she was standing.

Then Rogue seemed to snap out of it... "What...what did I do?" She looked up in horror. "I'm so sorry, Miz Likstar.... I didn't see it was you, honest."

"I know." Shine somehow was still calm after that. "She's fighting me. She doesn't trust me. Rogue, you must talk to her. Now! Tell her you want to help her, to fix what you did. You have to!"

"She won't listen to me!" Rogue said. "She never has! I can't tell her anythin'! Ah..." She writhed again. "Stop it! Stop it!"

"She's worse than before," Mystique said.

"Of course she is," Shine said. "Marvel is getting more desperate every time. Her will is stronger than ever. This is why suppression does not work. Rogue, just try. Talk to her!"

Rogue whimpered.

Gambit came closer. "We here, Chere."

"Careful, Remy," Shine warned. "She might not see you."

Rogue was crying now. "I really didn't mean too..." she sobbed. "Carol...really..."

Ms. Marvel shoved at Rogue, who actually flinched in the physical.

"I'll get out for good this time!" Marvel said. "And I'll take over! If you were really sorry, you'd let me."

She smiled almost diabolically. "Wouldn't you? It's only fair. You take my life, I take yours. Give in. Then I'd believe you."

Rogue gasped. "I can't..."

Shine shook her head. "Carol," she said, "that will not work. One soul can't just snuff another out like that. Why do you think you are trapped in her mind? Jean was right--you will only kill her body and your own. Or perhaps just Rogue's. You might go home."

"No better than she deserves," Carol said.

"But is doesn't have to be this way." Shine finally grabbed a hold of Rogue's arm. But she seemed to have Carol's at the same time.

"We can help you. You can go back home," she said. "Sever this tie. Stop fighting Rogue and just let go. That is the only way to do this painlessly."

"You're lying!" Carol said. "Just like the others."

"I'm not like them. I'm not telepathic," Shine said. "You aren't hearing me in the mind, Carol, you are hearing me in the spirit. That is where all this begins. That is why emotion and feelings get trapped as well, but in your case, it's more than that. I don't know why. Perhaps there were connections to your powers more deeply than mutants would have been. But in any case, you must go home. I can try to force you, but that might hurt your mind, forever. Go willingly, and it will be like waking from sleep, I believe."

"You believe? You don't know?" Carol said.

"The last time I did this the other soul was over 1000 years old," Shine said. "How should I know if it will feel the same at all? I know it will not kill you. I know that much."

"Not kill me, but if it does not heal me, then I will be obsolete." Carol suddenly sounded afraid. "I will be nothing... I can't accept that. I'd rather kill her."

"And be in nothingness again?" Shine said. "Foolish woman, this is why you are stuck in here. Anger and hatred, they bind us to people, keep our attention focused on them, and we can't break free.... If you forgive her, here and now, the Lord can set you free, through us. We can help you heal."

"What kind of crazy talk is dis?" Gambit said.

"Shut up," Mystique said. She was watching intently.

Rogue could hear all Shine said, even if she'd not been talking, and now she said, "You mean she's stuck here because she's still mad at me?"

"Part of it," Shine said. "She so set on destroying you, she's holding on to your mind. You saw it, didn't you? Like she was grappling with you inside your head?"

"That is exactly what it looks like," Rogue said, shaking her head. "She's fightin' me."

"You both have to stop fighting," Shine said, "at the same time. If you stop and she doesn't, she'll take over. If she stops and you don't, she'll go back into the recesses of your mind. It must be simultaneous. Mutual. You both have to sever this bond to minimize damage. She's fighting to stay in your mind. She's afraid if she doesn't, she'll pass into the nothingness. That's a very real fear, Rogue, fear of oblivion."

Rogue whimpered.

"Fascinating," Kurt said.

Wally suddenly came running up.

"Ah, thank goodness. I found you," he said. "Is she okay?"

"She is fighting," Mystique told him. "Marvel and her, they are arguing over what to do. Marvel doesn't trust Likstar, thinks she's like the others. Likstar is saying they both have to let go."

"That makes sense," Wally said.

He joined them. "Hey, superhero lady...it'll be okay...just let go. I promise we're all going to get you back to your own body."

There was this brief moment where Rogue felt Marvel almost relax her grip, like she would.

Rogue started to relax it too.

But then there was that fear like a monster in her mind...and in a way, it was in Carol's also, like it was in both of them.

Carol snapped back at the control, and Rogue wasn't ready.

Suddenly in a different voice she yelled at them, "No! I know it's a trick! I won't let you. Get away from me!"

She shoved at Wally and Shine.

Wally blocked Shine just in time and went sprawling several feet.

Shine tumbled onto the cement but was otherwise unharmed.

Kurt ducked and pushed Gambit aside before Marvel could hit him also.

Then she flew up and away.

"Rogue!" Gambit said.

"It wasn't Rogue." Shine wrung her hand that she'd landed on. "That was Carol. She took over."

"What? Den it too late!" Gambit cried.

"No," Shine said. "Rogue will resurface, I'm sure, then Carol, until one of them gives up. But Rogue's will is weak. She feels too guilty. I'm afraid Carol will convince her to stop fighting. We have to catch them first. Carol almost believed us."

"Maybe you just get that woman out of her head whether or not she like it, no?" Gambit said.

"I really don't want it to come to that." Shine got up shakily. "Carol is bitter and angry, Remy, but it's her whole life. Try to have some compassion. It's not just Rogue's life we're trying to save here. And Rogue, even if we did it that way and it worked, will never forgive herself if it ends poorly."

"How awful," Kurt said. "That other voman, she was so angry and so afraid... I've hardly ever seen anything like it."

"Can you blame her?" Wally groaned as he got up. "But she hits hard, man."

"You okay?" Shine asked.

"I'm okay," Wally said. "Let's catch her fast. She can't be far off. If you use your sight, and I use my speed, she'll never get away from us. The rest of you, hang on."

So they did.

* * *

"I think we can reach her now," Jean said. "I sense her torment... We should go in and reseal Marvel up."

"No," Logan said. "They said not to do that."

"Logan, that woman would say not to do anything," Scott said. "Rogue is one of us. We can't just not help her."

"I don't see what Likstar can do," Xavier said. "She is not a telepath. Neither is Kurt. What else can we do?"

"Can't we give them a little more time?" Storm pleaded. "I have faith in them. They have done many amazing things--perhaps even Rogue's problem is not beyond their reach. You saw how Juggernaut ran from Shine. There is more behind her words than mere human wisdom. Surely you see it."

"I see that you have bought into all this," Scott said. "Nothing more."

"Even the Cajun went with 'em," Logan said, "and he's the biggest skeptic. That ought to say somethin'."

"He's worried about Rogue," Scott said, "and desperate. We have to be clear-headed. If we wait, Marvel may kill Rogue now."

"At least ask Rogue if she wants your help," Storm said.

* * *

Rogue was fighting to get back control...Marvel was hanging onto it just as tight...she dragged Rogue out towards the ocean.

Rogue suddenly felt that Jean and Xavier were there.

"Rogue," Jean called. "Let us help you."

Rogue wanted to say yes so badly. Just lock her back up!

But Shine's words had also gotten to her...Carol was scared...she was angry, too. But also scared...she didn't want to disappear...Rogue didn't either. But was it fair to just force this woman...if there was another way...Shine had asked her, if you could help her...would you?

Rogue had said yes then, what good was that if she didn't live by it?"

"I can't," she said. "I can't let you...I have to try to do this right..."

"Rogue, she may kill you," Xavier said.

"I know, I know, but what if I can let her go?" Rogue said. "What if she could get out, and get her life back...I can't take that from her twice, Professor, it ain't right! I gotta try."

"What?" Carol suddenly stopped, both in Rogue's mind, and in mid air. "You're...you're actually turning them down?"

Inside Rogue's head, Rogue couldn't really lie to her, so she knew it was true.

"I want to help you," Rogue somehow managed to say this calmly. And suddenly, she felt better. Just a little. "Please."

Carol turned, and the ugly monster version of her seemed to fade into the background.

"Really?" She said. "You really want to give me my life back?"

"If I can in any way," Rogue said. "I want to."

Carol hesitated.

The monster raged again.

This time, it was like it was a third voice though it was like Carol's.

"No! No! I won't fall for your tricks again!"

The other Carol, the less angry one, seemed to flinch and start to fade.

"Ahh!" Rogue screamed, both in her body and her mind. "Stop! Stop it!"

"Sister!" Kurt poofed up to her and then poofed back down to the ground, where the others were eating.

Rogue kept screaming.

"Rogue!" Jean said. "It's too late."

Shine was watching carefully.

"Something's different," she said. "Rogue talk to me..."

Very faintly Rogue said "For a minute, she was listening, I swear...but then it got ugly again...what is this thing? It's like there's two Ms. Marvels, one's like another, and one's like herself."

Shine thought. "I think her anger has taken on its own shape, in a way, and now it's blocking both of you...but the other was more her sadness and her real self. She goes back and forth, doesn't she? All right...I think I see what to do."

She looked at Kurt and Wally. "The anger in Ms. Marvel is blinding her. We have to try to help her see past it. We must be praying."

"What good is prayin' at a time like dis?" Gambit said.

"Stop speaking about things you know nothing about," Shine snapped at him. "Either you let us do this now, or Rogue is gone. Or Carol is gone...or both if this keeps up."

Gambit looked from her to Rogue.

Then he sighed.

As Rogue's body, Marvel suddenly glared at them.

"I'll kill you all before I let you shut me away!" She said.

"Stop!" Shine said.

"Please," Kurt said. "Madame, turn away from your anger. All you need to be free is to set her free... and you both can be free. If you hang onto this bitterness, you only will kill yourself also."

"Better than then to forget!" Marvel wailed, both angry and sad.

"We will not forget!" Shine said.

Wally had his hand on her shoulder in case Marvel struck at her again. But Marvel fixed on a different target.

"You!" She saw Mystique. "You are the reason she did this to me!"

Mystique would have turned white if she could have.

She backed up and then ran for it.

Marvel, still in control, landed in front of her in the form of Rogue. "I remember, you shape shift..." she said. "Well, let me show you what I can do now!" She pulled off her gloves before anyone could stop her and grabbed Mystique by the arm.

"No don't!" Rogue said.

Mystique gasped.

Wally grabbed her in the nick of time before Marvel did any real damage. But now, she shifted into her true form.

"Perhaps if I hang on long enough, I'll get your power forever, just like she got mine," she said angrily. "That would be justice wouldn't it? Do to you what you made her do to me!"

"She's getting vorse!" Kurt said.

"The anger has gone to her head," Shine said. She bit her lip. "Our words aren't working...God show us what to do."

No voice called from heaven, and from the ground it was looking pretty dire.

"Chere are you still in there," Gami tried to get close.

"Stay away from me!" Marvel flew over his head. "I don't even know who you are."

Mystique groaned and tried to get up.

Wally quickly dashed her out of reach as Marvel grabbed for her again, laughing bitterly. "Oh come on you can't run forever, why don't you just let me! Fair is fair!"

"Stop it!" Rogue screamed at her inside her head. "Two wrongs ain't gonna make a right! Just give it up! Let them help us! Or give me back control!"

"You don't deserve control, look at what you did with this body while you had it!" Marvel yelled at her.

"This is going too far," Xavier said. "Rogue, you must let us help."

"No!" Rogue said. "Not yet! There's still a chance."

"Rogue you're getting fainter," Jean said. "Please!"

"I'll swallow you!" Marvel's monster form grew bigger inside like it might gulp Rogue down.

Shine suddenly jolted. "Singing," she said.

"What?" Kurt said.

"Calming anger...remember, it works?," Shine said. "I was singing in the cell before, Marvel stopped attacking for a bit...how did I not remember that till now? Come, it's the only thing left to try."

"Sing what?" Wally asked, pushing Mystique further away as Marvel drove at her again.

"Anything would do right now!" Shine said desperately. "Whatever pops into your head, my mind is blank."

Kurt sudden thought of a song.

"What can wash away my sin...'" he began feebly.

Shine picked it up at once. "Nothing but the blood of Jesus."

"What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

(Oh precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow, no other fount I know, nothign but the blood of Jesus.)

Nothing can for sin atone, nothing but the blood of Jesus, naught of good that I have done, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

(chorus)"

When they began, at first, there was no change, Marvel was just as angry.

But then she seemed to notice what they were doing and she turned to give them a strange look.

Perhaps, in the face of her wrath, she just couldn't believe they were singing.

But then she slowed a little, listening.

Encouraged, they kept going.

"For my pardon, this I see, nothing but the blood of Jesus, for my cleansing this my plea, nothing but the blood of Jesus (chorus)

This is all my hope and peace, nothing but the blood of Jesus, this is all my righteousness, nothig but the blood of Jesus...

[If you have never heard this hymm, it has a very soothing melody.]

https://youtu.be/j-J8PPbIdHc

Ms. Marvel suddenly seemed to waver...then she burst into tears. Stormy tears.

Suddenly Rogue felt her weaken and she was herself again.

She was crying too. "What's wrong?" she said.

No one had ever been so glad to hear her twang.

"Rogue?" Gambit said.

Rogue held up her hand. "No, she might do something again..."

"I just want to go home..." Carol's voice was so small in her head, but it was there. "I just want to go home..."

"She...she wants to go home," Rogue said dizzily. "Is that good?"

***

"Incredible," Xavier said, astounded. "Marvel suddenly let go, willingly. Rogue just resurfaced."

"So, she's okay?" Logan said.

"No, Marvel is still there, but they became more equal again." Xavier said. "It was like she calmed down...I can't get through to her thoughts, I think she's pushing us away."

***

Rogue rubbed her head. "Whatever ya'll are gonna do, do it fast, before she changes her mind again." She hugged her sides then. "I just want this to be over."

"I know," Shine said softly.

They came closer again.

Shine put a hand on Rogue's shoulder. 

Then she looked at Mystique. "Before Marvel is ready to let go...she's going to want to hear it from you too."

"I'm not apologizing." Mystique said.

Marvel suddenly flared up.

"You witch!" She yelled, and Rogue lifted her head. "Momma just apologize!" She said desperately. "Please! Ow..."

Mystique looked scared now.

"All right, all right," she said quickly. "I apologize. There."

"I don't buy it!" Marvel shouted.

"Dagnabbit!" Rogue yelled, in her mind. "She said it, what more do you want? Just quit kicking at me and get out of my head"

"I'd like nothing more than to get out of your head!" Carol yelled at her. "Who put me in here to begin with! You say you want to help me! Then help me! For the love of God, just get me home!"

She didn't sound like she was just using that as an expression.

Shine suddenly sighed. "I think she's ready...isn't she? I don't feel any anger now."

Rogue nodded. "She's saying she just wanted to go home."

She was crying again. "It's so not right...just send her home. Can you send her home?"

"Only thing left to do is try," Wally said gamely. "All of us together, okay? You too, Rogue. Let's just try this: try thinking like...I don't know, like there's a door in your mind, and you're letting her out of it."

Rogue nodded.

"Or like there's a chain," Shine said, "and it's snapping. What we imagine is powerful; it affects our choices."

[Fun fact: This is a real part of psychology, usually called visualization. While it's misused a lot, it is useful in some forms of therapy to visualize forgiving someone or taking a burden off yourself or being free.]

Rogue slowly did as she said...

Then she hesitated.

"I'm scared," she said slowly. "I mean...I am, not just her.... What if...what if this does somethin' to me...?" she started shaking.

"It won't," Shine said.

"But if it did...what would I be?" Rogue said.

Gambit put a hand on her shoulder.

Mystique bit her lip, then she turned into the same woman she'd been when Rogue was living with her.

"Think of it this way," she said. "This is the only way to be able to be what you are. Or she'll do this again. Don't let her."

Rogue looked up, kind of surprised. But maybe it did sort of help, hearing an old voice say it.

"Right...don't..." She took a deep breath. "All right, I'm ready."

"It's simple now." Shine was very calm. "All of us are going to agree with your wish here. The door...keep the image in your head, and we're sort of guiding her out, as it were. Carol? You hear me...just walk towards that opening."

Carol, inside Rogue's mind, very slowly started to.

She paused once, making Rogue feel like she wasn't going to try...

But then she seemed to pluck up her courage. She went towards the door again...till she went through it.

Two things happened at once.

One? Rogue suddenly felt as if this huge weight in her mind was gone, like it had always been there since she absorbed Carol's mind and had never really left, just been pushed down.

Two, there was something like a snap, and everyone saw a change in her expression, like it became sharper.

Like that other mind was not fighting for her features anymore.

Rogue drew a deep breath. "I...think it worked... She...she ain't there... I can't sense her."

* * *

"I don't believe this!" Jean got up, shocked. "Marvel is gone! I just... She's gone! She's not in her head anymore"

"What?" Scott said.

"She just...left," Xavier said, "like she walked out. I felt it, like there was door."

* * *

Somewhere, in a hospital, Carol Danvers suddenly blinked and opened her eyes. Her monitor began to spike.

The nurse came running, exclaiming, "Something just happened!"

* * *

Rogue sank to the ground and started bawling.

"That was...the worst feelin'...of my entire life," she said, "but the best one too... Oh my gosh, that was so scary..."

Mystique turned back into herself. "Well, that's over," she said, sounding faint.

Gambit put an arm around Rogue, and she let him.

Shine sank to the ground also.

Wally took her hand and sat next to her.

"That vas...new..." Kurt was a little overwhelmed. "Did she heal? Is she back in her own body?"

"Only one way to know that," Shine said.

The hospital was only a few miles away. Rogue went flying that direction before anyone could stop her. They all followed.

Inside, they found a flurry of doctors all rushing around.

"Oh...I remember you." One nurse paused to look at Rogue. "You came to see Danvers.... Wow, your timing couldn't be more perfect... She just woke up."

Rogue let out a sound that was half scream and half sob. "She...did?"

"Yes, she sat up in bed." The nurse was shaking her head. "She asked where she was. But she knew her name... This is remarkable... Nothing for years, and now...it's like a miracle... Do you want to come see her?"

"Oh...no." Rogue backed up. "Not just yet.... Wouldn't want to overwhelm her...but thanks.... Maybe I'll come back later..."

"Well...suit yourself, but I really think it'd be good if she saw a familiar face." The nurse was puzzled.

But Rogue was not nearly ready for that.

She walked out, the others with her, and fell to her knees.

"It worked," she said. "Oh my...it worked..."

Shine started to cry. "This has been the longest day...."

Wally hugged her. "I think it's over..."

[Let's hope.... Whew, that was intense.]