Running into the office Marie asked, "Is it true? Can they cure us?"

"Yes, Rogue. It appears to be true.", says Professor Charles Xavier.

Storm argues, "No, Professor. They can't cure us. You want to know why? Because there's nothin' to cure. Nothing's wrong with you. Or any of us, for that matter."

Marie growls, "Speak for yourself but don't speak for me Storm! Professor, other than the basics like food, water and shelter, what is one thing a child needs for healthy growth? Physical touch isn't it?"

"Yes it is Rogue. Skin to skin touch helps regulate the babies' temperature, heart rate, breathing, and helps them cry less.
It also helps in the development of their neurological and cognitive functions.", stated Professor Xavier. "It's needed by any person, not just babies."

"I don't see what that has to do with anything Rogue. This so called cure won't change any of that.", mumbles Storm.

"Really? You don't? If I'd been born with this rather than it coming out when I got older, I probably wouldn't be here right now, I'd probably be dead. Babies have been known to die without skin to skin physical touch.", cries Marie. "How about I take off my gloves and we can hold hands, because I can't do that with my boyfriend right now. What about a kiss Storm? I can't do that with my boyfriend for more than a couple seconds, or hug him unless I make sure I'm wearing long sleeves and my cheek doesn't touch his." Tears roll down her cheeks as Marie whispers, "I won't be able to make love to him, snuggle with him, have kids with him because we wouldn't even know if it could happen and not me having miscarriages or the sperm not being killed just because it was in me."

Storm, looking horrified, stutters, "Rogue, I.."

"I probably could adopt but it would have to be a child at least 10 years old, probably older though to be safe, so they'd understand about the touching thing and not try to run up and hug me if I wasn't covered. I just hope they'd understand that I couldn't hold them after a nightmare or an accident like falling off a bike or something until I made sure I was completely covered.", Marie said as she paced back and forth in front of the couch. "Oh and no goodnight kisses or kisses hello after they've been gone for the weekend or something. Maybe they'll be old enough to not want them right? Would I be considered a negligent parent if they ended up in the hospital and I wasn't comforting them because I was afraid I might kill them if I touch them and my glove or sleeve slipped? What about if I ended up in the hospital and someone got hurt trying to treat me by doing normal things to help me?"

"Oh Rogue, I never knew..", started Storm

Marie cut in, "I've thought about these things ever since I got this so called gift and maybe not everyone needs this cure, maybe not most, but I can guarantee there are others out there like me that wish they'd never become a mutant when their power showed up and we do need it. It's not up to you to say there's nothing to cure! It's not your choice to make for all of us!", she said while pointing at Storm.

"It's not theirs either, though I do know they'll try to use it on all of us eventually if not stopped, but we should get the chance to choose for ourselves whether or not we want it!", fumed Marie.

Professor Xavier gestured to Marie and said, "You are right Rogue. It should be your choice. Each person should choose for themselves and hopefully we can make that happen. If you are sure you want to, we can have someone take you."

Marie sighed, "I do Professor. I can't live like this any more. I want to not worry about touching people, I want to have a boyfriend I can kiss and maybe eventually get married to. I want to be a mother and be able to touch my kids and cuddle with them or tickle them or comfort them without worrying all the time. I don't want to always be afraid, especially of loving someone.", as she hugged herself.