Oooo. Shit got real. I love this. Marie is such a tough woman. These people have no idea what they've let themselves in for.

Author's Response: Yeah, kind of a sudden dark turn, but there's no sugar-coating the lab. Glad to see that this Marie is coming across as tough. It's what I really wanted for the character, but when that toughness comes from a place of vulnerability sometimes it's a hard note to hit. Thanks so much for your review!

While we all love reading your updates, go study!!! Good luck! Looking forward to reading more when you have a chance to write!
~Anji

Author's Response: Yes ma'am. :-D Thanks for reviewing, Anji!

Okay, this was probably my favorite chapter so far. My stomach's doing somersaults, wondering what will happen. Love it!! Can't wait to read more!

Hope the studying is going well!!

Author's Response: So glad you liked it! Thanks for your review. THe studying is...going. ;-)

You go back and study; shoo! It's a decent enough chapter, but it'S a good story - don't waste it on unbalanced emotionalism and and on writing that doesn't flow. You can do better when your mind's immersed with your characters (excellently constructed in previous chapters). Except that, as we know, you are stuck in the quagmire of impending-exam-preparation. Go study, luv!!! If you need a break, go for a run, not to your computer. If your mind needs a break, daydream of Rogan. That'll help with your stoy. LATER. Says bancáinte, who should edit a thesis and beta another story. :-D

Author's Response: Ouch. I am duly chastened. Your comments are insightful...I was actually trying very hard to convey a level of panic and urgency in Marie's thoughts, but obviously I went a little too far. Although...go for a run? You've obviously never met me. ;-) Thanks for your review, even if it stung a little...happy thesis-editing!

Oh. So Stacy is that Stacy, the one from the comic. Stupid of me to not understand it first. I like her, she has a way to fight her way out of every situation. I suppose I should not condone the idea of killing another men...but I think it would be a kind of poetic justice if she'll show with all her - his - money to a Xavier's funds raising party. I like her.
But now...c'mon, save Jube and Kitty already!

Author's Response: Not stupid...I think she's pretty obscure, as things go. I kind of admire her too, she's a little like this Marie, she takes care of herself instead of hanging around waiting for her white knight to rescue her. I can *totally* see her swilling champagne cocktails at a Xavier fundraiser.

While I am overjoyed that Marie was able to box up Eric and they have found Jubilee and Kitty (nice drop in line by Jubes btw) what is chasing Marie???? I am going to have go back and see what could be chasing Marie. She might know what Erik has in mind and that is why she is running or is there something else?

Marie has no idea how PISSED Logan going to be.

Author's Response: See, you had the right idea all along! Yes, she got a glimpse of Erik's plans, and knows that he would stop at nothing to get her now that he knows what she can do. Thanks so much for reviewing!

You study hard so detention with Magneto won't be in your future!!! Remember, business before pleasure. I can wait for more story later. The best of luck to you!!!

Author's Response: I'm trying! Two more weeks! Thanks so much for reviewing!

Noooooooooooo!!!!! Ugh, she really can't catch a break, can she?

We completely understand about having to study- though any update will be greatly appreciated. Good luck preparing!!!!!!

Author's Response: Yeah, poor Marie. She's really gotten kicked around this story. Thanks for the words of encouragement!

OH SHIT SHIT SHIT!!! Sorry about the language, but really???? Charles, where are you??? Marie is going to need you now!!!! And Logan is going to be PISSED and WET – bad combination. I can’t decide if I want Jubilee and Kitty to be on the boat or not. I have a feeling we have multiple problems that will be spinning out of Xavier’s control very quickly. I wonder if Sabertooth is working with Magneto this time or if he is working for the bad guys or if that is all the same thing? Hum, time to go reread.
You are like cliffhanger girl with this one aren't you? It's not bad; it is just the required rhythm for the story.
Go study for your boards! (Maybe I will try to get the new chapter of “Everything” out while you are studying so it will be waiting for you when you get back. It currently is sitting at around 12k words so I really probably need to find a break somewhere. )

Author's Response: LOL...I love the idea of Logan being equally mad about being wet as being near-drowned. By the way, where's that chapter you promised me? You have two weeks left. :-D And yes, you've got to find a break sometime soon...12k is a loooong chapter!

Merci beaucoup. C'est incredable!

Thank you. Your stories are beautiful and messed up and glorious. I really kind of love that.

~Mia

Author's Response: De rien. ;-) Thank you so much for the lovely review! Beautiful and messed up and glorious sounds awesome. I worry that my slavish devotion to the rules of my AUs (Marie will absorb Logan at some point, happy ending, etc.) makes my stuff too formulaic, so mess up sounds like a real compliment!

uh-oh. logan is pissed again. lol love this story. Got to say, love Stacy's style! lol More please.

Author's Response: Logan is always pissed for one reason or another, isn't he? But we love him anyway. ;-) Yeah, Stacy knows what she wants and how to get it. Thanks for reviewing!

Okay let's see that is either Marie, Mystique or Emma. Those are the only three women who I can think of that would get THAT reaction out of Logan in that tone and all for VERY different reasons.

Can I tell you I like Stacy? She wouldn't ever last at the mansion because she did what she had to do to rescue herself. I am afraid Charles, Jean and Scott wouldn't...well “cotton to that idea” is the phrase I would use down here in the South. Somehow I think Logan, Hank and Ororo would understand. Stacy is a bit like Marie isn't she? Stacy is what Marie sees herself as but can't quite make a hard enough shell to actually become. Marie would rather be alone than a killer but maybe that's because she already knows the pain taking a life. I wonder if Stacy will handle it as easily as she appears she will.

I am still really enjoying the story. I like the fact they aren't instantly together. Sometimes working for something makes it better in the end. This Marie has more barriers than normal so it is going to take more work than normal. Just because Wolverine knows who his mate is doesn’t mean Logan won’t have some stumbling blocks himself.

Don't worry so much about the reviews; everyone's seem down right now.

Author's Response: Sorry, I didn't actually mean that to be a cliffhanger! I just didn't want Logan to spill Marie's name in front of everyone, and yet I didn't see him thinking to call her "Rogue" under stress like that. I really like Stacy too. In the comics I guess she is more of an outright ho-fo-sho, but I like this middle ground where she is just calculating enough to make the best of a really bad situation. And that's an interesting point -- that Stacy is what Marie (or Rogue) thinks she would like to be -- I hadn't thought of it at the time but it's very true. I mostly wanted to show the range of outcomes for the "sold" mutants -- Owen really was kind of a damsel in distress, but Pyro and Stacy kind of landed on their feet. I can definitely see Stacy showing up at an Xavier School fundraiser at some time in the future. I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and don't mind the slow development of their relationship. Thanks again for reviewing!