Inside her head

Rogue and Power Girl walked through Rogue's mindscape, with Rogue explaining everything she saw to PG as they went along. There were flashes of memories here and there: her powers manifesting, her family disowning her, meeting Mystique, leaving home and joining the Brotherhood, and eventually joining the X-Men. Paige took it all in silently, observing everything in the landscape with keen interest. She noted a recurring theme in Rogue's mindscape: Rogue saw herself as an outsider. While she definitely felt that she belonged with the X-Men, that they were her family, she still kept them at arm's length in her own way. PG saw that while Rogue felt so close to truly finding her place, she could never fully belong because of her inability to control her powers, and the frustrations that came with it.

After wandering around in Rogue's mind for hours, PG finally spoke up. "You never feel like you belong... an outsider even among outsiders."

Rogue sighed sadly. "It ain't like the X-Men haven't been trying to make me feel at home. An' I do feel like they're my home. But I... I can't git too close," she said in frustration, looking away from PG. "I believe 'em when they tell me that muh powers don't matter, but if I hurt any of 'em..."

PG reached out and put a hand on Rogue's shoulder. "I think I've got one piece of the puzzle figured out," she told the mutant. "I don't think it's the reason you can't control your powers... but it's a starting point."

Rogue nodded. "That sounds promisin', I guess. So, what now?"

"Now? We head back," PG answered. "I want to discuss this with Lilith."

"OK then," Rogue replied with a shrug. "I figured this wasn't gonna be a one n' done kinda thing... much as I was hoping."

"We'll call you again once we've talked about everything we've seen," PG assured Rogue. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Anna Marie. I promise."

Rogue nodded, reassured. Power Girl seemed determined to help her; could she and her associate be able to do what Xavier, Jean, Betsy and Emma couldn't? After so many dead ends, might there finally be some kind of solution in sight?

Rogue came to and found herself in PG and Lilith's office. She took a moment to collect her thoughts before turning her attention to the other two women.

"So y'all think ya can help me?" Rogue asked Lilith & PG hopefully.

PG gave Rogue a slight smile. "I think it's possible, yes. As I said, I would like to speak more with Lilith about some things I observed in your mindscape first, and then we'll call you back for another session. Also, if it's possible, I'd like to speak with Professor Xavier & Jean Grey about what they discovered when they were inside your mind, to compare notes, but I would need your permission for that..."

"Go right ahead," Rogue answered with a shrug. "I'll try anythin'."

"Thank you," PG replied with a nod. "Have a good evening, Rogue. We'll be in touch soon."

PG and Lilith watched Rogue leave their office and then sat down together to discuss what they had just been through.

"So what's our plan going forward?" Lilith asked. "What did you find?"

"A lot of self-doubt and fear of hurting those close to her," PG responded. "She'll need to overcome that before she'll be able to take full control of her powers. But I think there's more to it then that."

"Like what?" Lilith inquired.

"I think -- and this is just a theory -- felt a presence in her mind... one I'm not sure that she's aware of. It was like... something's holding her back..." PG suggested. "I suppose we'll find out soon enough."