Revised Edition
Chapter 2, "The Unexpected"
Rogue looked around the room she was in, it was rather nice considering. Larger than her room back at the mansion, and slightly better furnished. She noticed the open closet in which some of her own clothing hung already. Someone had planned this,but who? She couldn't remember anything about who took her, much less why. Her friends were no where in sight. *Hmm... Ah guess Ah aughta try and fly th' coop so-t'-speak...Now where's th' damn door?*
Magneto threw open the hidden door, and looked at Rogue as she tried to locate the door. "Looking for something my dear?"
His voice caused her to turn around. "Wha...What? Ah thought Joe was..." She stepped back in shock and fear. "Why am Ah here?! Hell...where is here?"
He chuckled at her. "Joseph is merely a clone of me, Rogue. Secondly, you're here because I need your help. And third, 'here' is Asteroid M." He motioned to the surroundings. "Is everything to your liking?"
She scowled. "Where are mah friends? Ya bettah not 've laid a hand on any of em...if'n ya did, and Ah hear 'bout it, Ah'll make ya regret it big time Erik."
Erik sighed. "Rogue, please. Work with me. All I ask is your aid in repairing my home, and then you and your friends will return home. Although, if you do this willingly, you'll receive what I'm sure you'd find to be an intriguing payment. Now then, I assure you that your friends are fine. As long as we get along, they will stay that way. So will you."
It was Rogue's turn to sigh. "What's this 'payment' ya think'll be so damn interestin' t' me? And why can't someone else help ya?"
"The payment will be discussed later. And, you are the only one I know of with your powers who might actually help me. There is only so much me and my team can do with the powers we have. Not one of them has strength or the ability to fly. Two things we direly need to repair this place."
She looked at him, counting on her judgment of character and her rather vast knowledge of past situations with this man to make her decision.
"Ah'll do it. But Ah wanna be able t' see mah friends some time soon. Please?" It was obvious she wasn't too sure of who had the upper hand in this situation. She'd like to think she did, but like Gambit, some how, Erik seemed to always have a trick up his sleeve that could turn the tables in his favor.
Her answer caused Magneto to smile slightly. "A wise choice my dear. You have my word you shall see your friends sometime in the near future. Now then, if you'll excuse me, I have other business to attend to." He turned to walk out the door, purple cape swirling behind him. *That was almost too easy.*
"Oh, n' Erik?"
"Yes Rogue?"
"Ah meant what Ah said. Treat em nice.
The old mutant nodded. "Of course. Goodnight." With that, he left her to her solitude for the evening. "Make sure she gets anything she requests." he ordered the guards outside her room. "But do not divulge any information, you hear me?" The guards nodded, and watched their 'Lord' walk away.
*What t' do, what t' do.* Rogue was pacing in the room, looking at the many choices of entertainment which ranged from a simple CD player, to a big screen TV. *Ah dunno. He didn't have enough sense t' bring mah CD's here. He an' Ah have totally different tastes in music, Ah swear. Hmm...didn't he say t' ask fo' whatevah Ah need?* She walked to the door and knocked, feeling kind of silly since she was on the inside. A guard opened it.
"What can I get for you miss?"
"Ah was wonderin' how Ah could get some o' mah CD's from home up here. Erik kinda forgot em Ah guess."
"I'll check into immediately."
Rogue flashed her best smile. "Thanks sugah. Oh...Ya wouldn't happen t' know where mah friends are would ya?"
"I can't say miss. Lord Magneto's orders."
Rogue sighed. *Damn that man. He knows how t' make mah life a livin' hell. Ah jus' hope Remy is alright...* "Oh...Ok. Thank ya sir." The door closed, leaving Rogue alone again.
*Ah wonder if Jean could hear me if Ah projected mah thoughts. Oh well...Its worth a shot ain't it?* Jean? Ya there sugah?
"Rogue?" Jean looked around, thrown off for a moment by the unexpected voice. Oh, sorry Rogue. I'm here. Are you alright?
The other X-men huddled around Jean, asking all sorts of things till she held up her hand for silence.
Ah'm fine Jean. Magneto came by t' see me. He said ya'll was alright. Was he lyin' t' me?
/No Rogue, we're all fine. To say the least, a certain Cajun is worried sick about you.
Jean could 'feel' Rogue's mental laugh. Mind patchin' that Swamp Rat t' me? Maybe Ah could calm th' guy down a bit.
Of course Rogue. Just give me a minute.
"Gambit?"
"What Jean? Is Roguey alright?"
"She's fine, and she wants me to link the two of you. Is that alright?."
Remy nodded eagerly. "Go 'head chere. Gambit be ready."
Jean smiled, then concentrated on linking Gambit and Rogue's minds.
(Gambit, Rogue)
Remy? Ya there?
Oui, petite. Its me. How ya doin?
Ah'm fine sugah. Erik's treatin' me real nice like. He wants me t' help him rebuild this place.
Ya gonna do it?
He said the easier Ah was t' get along with, th' bettah he'd treat ya'll. Ah got no choice really. Ah don't want ya'll hurt or nothin. An' Ah ain't bout t' risk us nevah gettin outta here.
Where de hell is dat man keepin' ya anyway chere?
A really nice room somewhere round on this big rock. Ah don't know exactly where Ah am cause he won't let me outta this room fo' now. How bout ya'll?
A prison lookin' cell dat's invulnerable t' our powers...even combined.
What! Ah'm gonna strangle me a Magneto...Ah swear!
Whoa chere. Jus' calm down. We be fine, and he's takin' care of us. Hell, dinner jus' arrived. Don' look half bad neither.
Ya sure Remy?
Course I be sure Roguey. Now mind lettin me eat?
Nah. Ah'll talk with ya later sugah...
Love ya chere.
Ah love ya too Swamp Rat...