This story takes place almost immediately after X-Men #70 and just a week after Gambit's "Trial" in Uncanny X-Men #350. Anything happening in the books after those issues will pretty much be rewritten over the course of this story.

This story is about Rogue, post UXM 350. Be prepared for angst and lots of it -- but the good kind of angst, I hope, not the MST3K-worthy stuff.

Also, please don't crucify me for errors in characterization -- there's a reason for it. All will be explained in due time.

I'd also like to say thanks to my beta readers: Tilman Stieve, Vicki Lew and Ruby Lis. Tilman did nit-picks on my early drafts and helped me flesh out my ideas. Vicki did some massive edits, especially on the early chapters. And Lis was kind enough to give everything a final proof and offer her own suggestions.

Feedback is welcomed, worshipped, and begged for.

So without further ado...on with the show!