Part Ten

Rogue sank down onto the couch and turned on the television, not caring what she watched as long as it could distract her. She drew her knees to her chest, resting her head on them as she stared at the screen, not truly seeing the images that flashed by. Instead, she felt phantom fingers brush down her arms and skirt across her collarbones, mimicking Magneto's caress from the night before. She sucked in a breath as she remembered his hands in her hair, tugging her to face him.

Desire churned in her stomach, making her skin feel as though it was on fire. She dropped her head, letting her hair fall in front of her face, her breathing slightly ragged as she relived his touch. She dug her nails into her legs, trying to focus on the pain, anything to help her forget.

She despised him. When she saw him, she wanted to punch him, kick him, anything to show him how much she hated him. The only problem was that she was realizing she didn't loathe him as much as she thought she did. Especially not when all she could think about were his fingers sliding over her skin, with him not caring at all about her power.

Looking back at the screen, she forced herself to focus on the images. She pushed the hair from her face and sat up as 'Breaking News' interrupted the soap opera. Her hands gripped the couch, fingers digging into the cushion as she watched the story unfold.

"The three mutants were rushed to the Jefferson Memorial hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival," the news reporter stated, her expression impassive. "Police are looking into what—or who—provoked the attacks…"

"Provoked?" Rogue said in disbelief. She shook her head, fists clenched at her sides. The three mutants had been children, barely in their teens. But they didn't say three children. They called them mutants, she thought venomously, narrowing her eyes at the television.

"Of course their deaths were caused by their actions." She turned, locating Magneto in the doorway before looking back at the screen. "We are their enemy, Rogue," he continued, his voice growing nearer with each word. "They will never believe attacks against us are unprovoked."

"They were children," she spat out, glaring at the news reporter. "Yet they talk about them like they were less than dogs."

"If humans have their way, that is what we will be," Magneto reminded her, standing next to the couch.

She ignored him, focusing on the screen. "There are currently no suspects in this attack," the reporter continued and Rogue sighed, knowing the perpetrators would probably never be caught.

"That is a lie," Magneto stated and she looked back at him. "What do you want to do to these people?"

Rogue stood up and walked away from him, facing the wall, unable to look at him as she whispered her answer. "Kill them."

"We have located where they are," Magneto told her. She felt him behind her and shivered as his hand trailed down her back. "Would you like to kill them?" he asked, his breath brushing against her ear.

She looked at him and nodded, unable to speak. A smile curved his lips and he dropped his hand, motioning for her to follow as he exited the room. She hurried after him, wondering where they were headed, slowing her trek as they neared the hanger. He stopped in front of the door, giving her a piercing stare before opening the entrance. She followed him into the room, ignoring the looks she received from the members of the Brotherhood currently in the room.

"We will be back," Magneto stated, opening one of the smaller plane's ramps.

She hesitated for a second before following him onto the aircraft, not sure how smart of an idea this was. Rogue sat in the copilot seat, remembering the flying lessons she had taken after Alkali Lake and helped him with the take off procedures.

"How do you know who it was?" Rogue asked as they exited the hanger.

He did not answer her question and she sighed, not surprised by his silence as he steered them towards Sharpsburg, Maryland. She knew that he enjoyed solitude, relishing in the quiet moments that were seldom found in the busy environment of the Brotherhood. Even his quarters were far from the rest of the Brotherhood's rooms. Ignoring him, she looked through the cockpit window, smiling as she saw finally saw the blue sky, excited to be out of the base.

It was dark by the time they arrived in Maryland and Magneto landed the plane in a small clearing. "How do you know who killed them?" Rogue asked again as they disembarked.

"I have my ways of gathering information," he answered and she rolled her eyes at his crypticness.

"Where are we going?" she asked, rubbing her bare arms as the wind picked up, breathing in the fresh air.

He nodded towards the shady establishment up the road and she didn't bother inquiring how he knew. They walked towards the bar, looking decidedly out of place as they entered the building. It reminded her of the hole-in-the-wall in Laughlin where she had met Logan and she immediately pushed that thought aside, not wanting to think about him or any of the rest of the X-Men. That part of her life was over. The past is over. Look forward.

She tried not to jump as Magneto's hand rested on her back, guiding her towards one of the empty tables. He nodded towards two of the men at the bar and she frowned, once again wondering how he knew. She watched them intently, straining to listen to their conversation. Her eyes narrowed as she heard them brag to another patron about the killing.

Magneto's hand wrapped around her wrist, tugging her back down to the chair as she tried to stand. "Do not be careless," he warned her.

She glared at him, twisting her arm out of his grip. Mystique had trained her; these two vermin would be easily dispatched. "I ain't careless," she snapped and moved quickly away from him.

Rogue could feel him watching her as she sauntered towards the two men, wanting nothing more than to make them pay for what they had done. Leaning against the bar, she smiled at them, forcing herself not to gag as they turned towards her, their lecherous gazes moving up her body.

"Hello there," the younger one greeted, placing a hand on her arm.

Her smile broadened as she clasped her hand over his, relishing the sound of his scream as her power activated. "Mutie bitch!" his friend yelled, lunging for her.

The man never made contact and she watched as one of the steel seats was manipulated and wrapped around his neck. Screams erupted around her and she peripherally saw the other patrons leave as every metal object in the room began to swirl around. She released her hold, gasping as she shook her head to clear her thoughts. The man's eyes widened in fear as she gripped his face, using what Mystique had taught her to snap his neck.

Her body was on fire, her mind awhirl with indiscernible thoughts. She jumped as she felt a hand on her back, twirling quickly to defend herself. Magneto grasped her hands with his gloved ones and she shivered, unable to look away from him. He was watching her with a predatory gleam in his eyes and her breathing escalated as he tugged her towards him.

A low moan escaped her mouth as he grasped her hips, her hands gripping his shoulders as his lips descended on hers. They broke apart as she felt the pull of her power start, groaning as he spun them around, backing her quickly into the nearest wall. She yelped as her back hit, arching her neck as he began to place small kisses along her neck before he bit down. Her grip on his shoulders tightened, crying out as she instinctively moved to wrap her legs around his waist.

One of his gloved hands slipped beneath her tank top and she shuddered at the feel of leather against her stomach, moaning as he once again kissed her neck. Her power was pulling at him, but he wouldn't yield and she rested her head against the wall, tensing at the pleasure-pain piercing through her. She felt his desire for her, magnifying her own and causing her to whimper as his hand cupped her breast before roughly squeezing it.

Oh God, she thought, unconsciously moving her hips against his, seeking release. His mouth was on hers again, hands gripping her hips as he began to thrust against her. He released her lips as her power pulled. "Open your eyes, Rogue," he demanded and she obeyed, startled by the hunger she saw in his, knowing it was mirrored in her own.

"Come for me, pretty girl," he whispered in her ear and she cried out, white flashing behind her eyes as she broke into a million tiny pieces, collapsing against him.

He thrust against her a few more times before she heard him moan and tense, groaning as he came. Her legs unwound from around him and she shakily put her feet on the ground, unable to let go of his shoulders. "Fierce, beautiful girl," he murmured into her hair and she closed her eyes, trying to gather her feelings and make sense of what had just transpired.

Sirens in the distance stopped any chance of reverie and they broke apart, quickly moving towards the exit. As Rogue sat in the copilot seat, she forced herself to look straight ahead and not towards Magneto, attempting to justify what had occurred as they flew back to the base.

It was the violence…the adrenaline…

xxx

Back at the base, Rogue quickly exited the jet, ignoring Magneto's call for her. She needed to be away from him, to clear her head. Her emotions were in a spin and she quickened her pace, heading towards her bedroom. The others jumped out of her way as she passed them, though she noticed with an odd fascination that it wasn't because they were afraid. There was respect on their faces as she moved by and she clenched her fists.

At the mansion her power had always been a barrier between her and the others. No one sat directly next to her, not even Bobby, nor did they walk closely beside her in the halls. She had always had space around her, isolating her when she was in a room full of people. Mystique had never made her feel isolated. She had always been careful around not to touch any exposed skin but there was a finesse about the way she approached her.

That had been difficult enough to adapt to, forcing herself not to dress in layers and let her skin breathe, allow for accidental transfers. Here at this base with Magneto was a different story. Rogue pushed open her bedroom door and quickly undressed, throwing her clothes in the small hamper by the door. Her fingers skirted over her collarbones, moving towards her neck and felt the raised skin, his mark on her.

She closed her eyes, breathing erratic as her confusion intensified. I hate him, she reminded herself, trying to stop her fingers gentle caress over the bite mark. Pieces of his memories flashed in her mind, seeing herself through his eyes, pressed against the wall, crying out as he snaked a hand under her shirt. An intense need engulfed her and she opened her eyes, shaking her head violently as she pulled on workout clothes.

A nice long workout would alleviate her tension and allow her to put everything into perspective. Twisting her hair into a ponytail, she frowned, unsure what she would do if she was left still feeling this aroused. She jogged towards the gymnasium, stopping in front of the doorway, hoping no one else was present. The doors slid open and she frowned as she spotted Pyro running.

Starting her own run, she ignored him, wishing he would leave. Her frustration built as his presence persisted. Usually he can't wait to leave any room I'm in… She glared as she passed him, grimacing when he sped up to keep pace with her. "What do you want?" she demanded, hoping if she was brusque enough he would leave her alone.

"You went with Magneto," Pyro stated, a peculiar tone to his voice.

"What if I did?" she snapped, glaring at him.

He slowed down, looking at her with wide eyes. She stopped, turning to face him, hands on her hips, her face masked with fury. "Whatever it is just say it," Rogue growled.

"You really are one of us now," he informed her, his voice smug.

She blinked, unprepared for that response. "No," she replied, shaking her head. "I'm not."

"All that shit we were taught back at Xavier's," he said, taking a breath. There was an insane smile as he continued. "You don't believe any of it either."

Rogue wanted to deny that, to scream and yell that he was wrong, but she couldn't. "Happy now?" she asked as she crossed her arms across her chest in agitation.

"I never thought you'd be one to defect," Pyro said with a grin. "You were always such a good girl."

She rolled her eyes in response. "You joining us?" he asked and she shook her head.

"I already got a team, thanks," Rogue replied, tensing when she felt another presence in the room.

Without turning, she knew Magneto was behind her. "Mystique?" Pyro asked.

"I ain't betraying her," she whispered and turned back to the exit, slowing as she neared Magneto. "Nothing's worth it," she informed him before exiting the room.

Mystique was her family. The feelings she had for Magneto, those she would have to ignore.