Chapter 17. Queen of the Brotherhood.
"Hey kid, you awake?"
Tabitha stirred at the voice, opening her eyes. Where was she? Oh yeah, the mansion. She turned to the door at the sound of reluctant knocking- brief but solid.
"You awake kid?"
"Wolvie?" she groaned and rolled over, away from the door and the unwelcome voice, not wanting to get up.
But at the repeating of the insistent knocking, she rolled over and got to her feet, yawning as she walked over to the door and opening it.
"Yeah, whats up?"
"Charles wants to see you and the rest before breakfast, so Im here to pick you up."
"What about the boys?"
"Ororo and Hank are getting them."
"And I got stuck with you? How extremely lucky of me," Tabitha walked out of the room, not bothering to change- they only had one set of clothes at the Institute anyhow, so she had just gone to bed wearing her usual garments. She took a mental note to go pick up their clothes and things from the boarding house.
"Pipe down, youre not exactly on the top of my favorites list either. Well wait for the others in the study, they shouldnt be long."
"Not much of a morning person, are you," Tabitha commented nonchalantly as she walked beside him.
Hank knocked on the door, waiting for a response. When he got none, he repeated the action, but there was no change.
Finally, he tried the doorknob, and was glad to find it unlocked. He quietly and slowly opened the door, and stopped at seeing the rooms occupants. Lance was sitting on a chair by Todds bed, his head resting on the bed, lying on his right arm. Hank noticed awkwardness in the position, and realized that it was because one of Lances hands was on the side- holding on to something under the covers. He realized it must be Todd.
He hesitated; they looked so tired. But he had to wake them. Letting out a cough, he spoke. "Lance? Todd?
Lance vaguely heard someone calling him, and stirred, opening his eyes and pushing himself into a sitting position.
The moment he remembered where he was, all sleep left him and he was wide- awake, now staring at Hank, who was just inside the door.
Standing up, he instinctively placed himself in front of Todd. He cursed mentally- why hadnt he locked the door the previous night! Not locking the door, not making sure Todd was asleep before he went to sleep; what was he going to do next, burn down a house? Oh wait, he had already made a gas station explode. Close enough.
"Morning," he said, not knowing what to do and obviously nervous, both at being seen, and at Hanks presence itself.
"Good morning," Hank greeted, trying to act casual. "Charles asked you to join us in the study. Ill wait outside until youre ready," he said, noticing the teens clear anxiety. Lance nodded quickly, and Hank closed the door after him.
Running a hand through his hair, Lance let out a deep breath. Well, he was going to have to wake him sooner or later. He wished later, but that couldnt be helped. Leaning over, he gently shook Todds sleeping figure.
"Todd? Todd, wake up, its morning."
"Try to stay calm," Fred reminded as Pietro reached for the door.
"I know, I know," Pietro replied impatiently as he opened the door and walked out into the hall, where Ororo was waiting for them.
"Good morning," Ororo smiled at the two.
"Uh, yeah, good morning," Fred replied, not making eye contact, and looking at the wall behind Ororo rather than her. He unconsciously moved closer to Pietro, as did the other boy.
"Tabitha and Logan are waiting in the study with Charles, so why dont we go join them. Hank will bring Lance and Todd."
"Okay," Fred nodded. Pietro didnt trust himself to speak just yet, and was focused intently on not giving the woman death glares.
The two followed her as she led them to the study.
"Do you know whats happening with Lance?" Tabitha questioned, looking at Logan.
"A little."
"You could not be any less helpful," Tabitha grumbled as she turned from him.
"Youll hear it soon. Just relax, kid."
"You have to know something."
"Youll find out when we get to Charles. I dont know much either, so youre just going to have to wait."
"Come on, at least-" Tabitha stopped short, her eyes on something ahead.
Logan noticed the sudden break in speech as well as the brake in stride and looked at the subject of her attention. Rogue, Kitty, and Evan were standing by Kurts room, all in their casual civilian clothing- probably waiting for the Elf to go down to breakfast together.
But Tabithas cold glare was directed to one person. More specifically, Rogue.
Now Logan knew that after Tabitha had joined the Brotherhood and left the X- Men, she had not been on such friendly terms with the students at the Institution. But from what he gathered from the talk around the mansion, she was okay with them, considering everything.
But the look she was giving Rogue now was indescribable. Logan had not even known that the girl was capable of such deep... hatred. There was no other way to describe it. It was pure hatred.
Tabitha stood there in silence, not moving an inch until the four had been joined by Kurt, and unknowing of either Logan or Tabithas presence, left for the dining room. The change in the atmosphere around her was so severe that even Logan didnt ask anything as they resumed the walk and entered the study.
Professor Xavier joined them in a few minutes, followed by Ororo, Fred, and Pietro. Tabitha had calmed, returning to her usual no-worries self, and shared a brief conversation with the boys before Lance and Todd came in with Hank.
"So, whats going on," Lance spoke, looking at Xavier as he and Todd sat down next to Tabitha, Pietro, and Fred.
"I thought it might be a good idea to discuss your stay here," Professor X answered. When looks of alarm rushed over the five teens, he quickly elaborated. "I just mean to tell you about the schedule and how things go here."
The teens merely nodded, their alarm subsiding but not fully gone.
"In the morning and evening we have training sessions. Now obviously Lance will not be able to participate due to his broken leg, but I would like for the rest of you to."
"Theyre not going without me."
Professor X looked at Lance, but waited as the teen continued.
"We all go or none of us goes- especially not to the Danger Room. Ive been there, I know what its like."
Noting the change in the teen, Charles spoke reassuringly but rationally, to convince rather than to enforce.
"It wont be the difficult levels, and I think teamwork would be a good way of building better relationships."
Lance started to argue again, getting angry, but remembering that, since he was in their house, and he was the one receiving help, it might be better to keep his temper in check, he calmed himself down. Still, he was not about to let this go- the training was in a place called the Danger Room, for crying out loud.
"Then Im going too."
"No you arent," Tabitha inserted, drawing the attention on her. But she was only looking at Lance. "Youre just going to make your leg heal slower. Its all right, Ive been there before too, remember? And more times than you."
"We can handle it," Fred said.
"Yeah, well be fine, yo. Besides, it cant be any worse than ticked off Mystique," Todd added.
"Whatever they can do, we can do," Pietro said, in a slightly agitated tone. "And better."
Lance started to argue, but Tabitha cut him off before he could even start.
"Dont start. Youre wasting your time, you know well win this."
Lance sighed, and raised his hands in front of him. "Fine," he replied, then turned to four adults, "But Im watching from the control room."
"That will be fine," Charles replied. "Now why dont we all go to breakfast, you can get used to things slowly."
"Could you be any more obvious," Lance nudged Pietro, pitching his voice low. "Pietro, just ignore him for a while."
Pietro turned from the action of glaring daggers at Evan to look at Lance.
"Im not doing anything," he protested. "Besides, hes glaring at me too."
"Thats not even a good excuse. Look, seriously, you dont have to stay here if you dont want to. Take everyone and go home. Ill get out in a few days."
"Youre obsessing, Lancey," Tabitha interjected from Lances right.
Pietro nodded in agreement. "Besides, they might corrupt you again, and then itll just get crazy."
"It cant get any crazier than this," Lance replied, but changed the subject. "Just lay off him for a while, Tro. Same goes for you with Rogue, Tabby."
"Please, like Id waste my time with her for anything."
"Then explain your glares. Seriously, your looks are even beyond Mystiques, and Im talking about when shes pissed off. Whats up with you and her? I mean, Pietro and Daniels I expect."
"Hmph," Tabitha turned back to her toast, but shot Rogue another glare.
Lance mentally groaned at the two teens on each of his side as they continued to glare at their targets, albeit with less frequency. Oh well. At least they were trying to hold off. What Lance didnt get was Tabithas glaring at Rogue. From what he could remember, Rogue and Tabitha had never been the fierce enemies Evan and Pietro were. Or rivals. Whatever the two boys were. He mentally noted to keep a closer eye on the matter.
Logan glanced at the Brotherhood members meaningfully, motioning for the three adults to look over. They did so, as inconspicuously as possible, but did not see what he was getting at.
Look at Boom Boom.
Logan said after Professor X had provided a mental link between them; at the same time making sure Jean wouldnt accidentally catch any of the projected thoughts.
Ororo, Hank, and Charles finally realized the reason for Logans concern- Tabitha looked like she wanted to really do some damage on... Rogue? Ororo stopped, but it definitely seemed like Tabitha was glaring at Rogue.
I thought Evan and Pietro were the only ones wed have to worry about. Well, besides Scott and Lance, but I think theyll be better off. Whats between Tabitha and Rogue? Hank asked as they shifted their attention back to each other.
Dont know. But thats not the worst. When I was taking her to the study this morning, she had a different look. And it was nothing like this. Quicksilver and Spyke might have something like rivalry going on, maybe, but whatever Boom Boom has against Rogue is serious. But what I dont get is that Stripes isnt reacting.
Ororo nodded to Logan.
It doesnt seem like she is even aware of this. But what would have Tabitha act this way?
She couldnt remember any particular fights, or anything at all in fact, that gave grounds for this when Tabitha had been with them.
Chuck, maybe youd better talk to her, figure out whats going on.
I will. I think it might be better to let it go for now, however. Well be talking to them when Hanks test results come out, it can wait until then.
Logan looked at the girl.
Better keep an eye on her. Im telling you, what I saw wasnt some teenage fight.
"Lance, wait up!"
"Oh man," Lance stopped and looked at his friends when he heard the voice. "Tell me its not Kitty."
"Its not Kitty," Todd said.
Lance sighed in relief, but the younger boy wasnt finished.
"Well, it is, but you said to tell you it wasnt, so..."
"Shut up Toad," Pietro whispered as they turned at hearing the footsteps nearing.
They were faced with not only Kitty, but also Rogue.
"Hey Pretty Kitty," Lance attempted a weak smile. He had managed to avoid the girl entirely during breakfast, and had made his escape by leaving earlier than the X-Geeks (the added factor of keeping Pietro away from Evan also made the early leave necessary), and had nearly reached their rooms. Why did it have to fail now, when he was so close?
"Lance, we have to talk."
"We do?" Lance mentally braced himself for whatever was coming.
"Yes," Kitty replied, taking him by the hand and stepping away from the group. They stepped back accordingly, though only a little for the Brotherhood.
"I, like, tried to talk to you yesterday, but you were sleeping and I didnt want to bother you. And youve like, totally been avoiding me all morning. Lance, are you all right? What happened to you? And no lying," Kitty fixed her eyes on Lances.
Lance looked away. "Im sorry I never showed up."
"Not that! I dont care about that, Lance! I just want to know what happened. Are you hurt? You look so pale..."
A quick flinch passed Lances face at the shout, almost too fast for Kitty to notice.
"I was worried, Lance. Im worried right now. I got really mad when you didnt come, but I was more worried. I knew you wouldnt do anything like that on purpose, and I didnt know what happened to you. Earlier I called once, but Pietro got the phone, and he told me you went to work and probably got delayed a little and was on the way... and after that I got too angry to call. Plus everyone was like, totally following me around, and not just Scott and Evan and Kurt, but Mr. Logan and Jean and the New Recruits too. I couldnt do anything! But I didnt think anything serious had happened. Are you okay, Lance?"
Lances eyes softened at the words. "Im sorry I made you worry."
"What happened to you?"
"...I dont know. I really dont. McCoy ran some tests on me, and he said he should be able to tell me by this afternoon."
"What about your headaches? And how badly hurt are you? I saw the news; I didnt know you could do something as big as that..."
"My headaches are okay. And I didnt get hurt too bad," Lance hesitated, but finally added. "Just a broken leg."
Kittys eyes widened. "Your leg is-"
Lance put a hand to her lips. "Dont tell. Only you and the guys know. Well, and Beast, Xavier, Storm, and Wolverine. But I cant help that."
"Shouldnt you be wearing a cast?" Kitty said as he moved his hand away, her voice lowered. "And have, like, crutches or something?"
"I am. And its not that bad, I can get by, really," Lance paused, seeing the Brotherhood and Rogue behind her. He wanted to keep talking to Kitty, now that it seemed pretty certain she wasnt mad at him, but the situation behind them looked urgent. "Kitty, Ill tell you what McCoy finds out later; maybe after lunch or something? Im not trying to avoid you; I think Tabbys going to blow something up- particularly Rogue."
"What?" Kitty turned and saw that indeed, Tabitha did look like she wanted to throw a couple of bombs at Rogue, or something similar to the idea. Rogue seemed perplexed, but was half returning the glares. The boys were just as confused, and seemed to be more or less stopped in their tracks.
"Youre right. Lance," Kitty stopped him as he moved towards the group.
Lance turned around.
"Yeah?"
"Promise me youll tell me..."
"I will. And I owe you a date," Lance gave her a grin before moving next to Tabitha.
"All right, weve had a little too much socializing, come on," he said, lightly pushing Tabby towards her room.
"Hey Rogue," he added, and didnt see Tabitha scowl as she went in the room, slamming the door with just enough force to convince them that she was indeed, angry.
"Whats going on between you two, yo?" Todd asked, looking at Rogue, stunned.
"Ah dont know," Rogue replied. A brief moment passed before everyone had a chance to regain her/his composure. "So, are yah really staying here?"
Pietro shrugged. "Maybe," he said stiffly.
Rogue frowned at the chill in his voice. "Ah guess it wont do any good to ask why yall are all here?"
"Didnt you get that from Xavier?" Pietro replied, refraining himself from calling Xavier Baldy for Lances sake.
"Look we all know the story, my powers are getting stronger, they were out of control, and I got hurt so Im here. Since it seems like well be here for at least a week, we have to talk," Lance spoke up, looking at Rogue, then the boys.
"We dont have anything to say to her," Pietro muttered.
"Yes we do," Fred said, and moved to the door of his room, opening it. Pietro mumbled something incoherently under his breath but obliged, walking in the room.
Todd and Fred followed him in, and Lance looked at Kitty apologetically.
"Sorry Kitty- but we have to talk to Rogue alone."
Kitty nodded. "Ill see you later. Drop by my room before you see Mr. McCoy, kay? Be careful with your leg." Giving him a quick hug and a smile, she walked out of the hall.
"Ah got it," Rogue said as Lance kept the door open for her. She closed it after her, and took a seat on the bed. Fred and Todd had taken the other bed, and Pietro was sitting on the desk. Lance took the chair and looked at everyone.
"All right. Obviously we have to talk sooner or later. Sooner seems easier, and its not like we really have anything else to do."
"Shouldnt we get Tabby?" Todd asked.
Lance paused, but shook his head. "Later."
Todd nodded, then waited for someone to say something. For a while no one did. Then Pietro finally spoke.
"Fine, Ill go first. Why the hell did you leave us," he demanded straightforward, his eyes on Rogue.
"Ah guess were not going tah waste time discussing the weather," Rogue murmured. "Ah didnt believe in what Mystique and Magneto told us. Ah still dont. Besides, it was kind of hard tah believe that were a superior race and all that when Ah cant even touch anyone. So Ah came ovah here."
"You really think any of us buys any of that crap? Destined to rule over humans, yeah right," Lance replied, anger rising at the mention of Mystique and Magneto. "As if theyd ever even give us a second look once they finished with whatever theyre doing. "
"We dont. We never did. But we thought youd stick with us," Fred said, rather quietly for someone of his size. The sadness showed through his eyes, and Rogue remembered for the first time in a long while how the Brotherhood had really been like. Who they really were; behind all the tough-guy exteriors they so loved to present. And had to- she suddenly realized.
"Ah didnt know. Ah thought yah didnt care," she said, feeling guilty at seeing the looks on their faces, especially Todd and Fred. She recalled Todd telling her that he was from an orphanage. She didnt know the details; she had rather secluded herself from them, and she didnt know about the others pasts either. Just that they all didnt have any families.
"Dont give us the pity look," Pietro spoke up, noting the change in the girls features. "We dont need it and we dont need you."
"Guys, Ah- well, Ahm sorry," she didnt know what else to say. And what could she say? Words couldnt turn time.
"Ah shouldnt have left yah guys like that. Ah am sorry for that. But Ahm not sorry Ah left. Mystiques wrong."
"We never said she was right. We dont care about Mystique. Mystique ditched us; we dont owe anything to her," Lances words took a slight sour turn as he said Mystiques name.
"So where does this leave us?" Rogue looked around at the four boys. "Do we just pick up where we left off?"
"You mean before we came here or before you left? Either way, we cant do that and you know it," Pietro replied, his voice chilly.
"Maybe we could," Todds quiet voice drew the attention on him. "I mean, its not like we really have anything against each other. Maybe we could just start over."
"Yeah, besides, were sort of on the same side now right? Even if its just for a while," Fred looked at Rogue, then Lance.
Rogue looked at Pietro and Lance. "So? What about it?"
Pietro crossed his arms, looking at her. Then he turned to Lance. "What do you think?"
Lance paused, studying Rogue. Finally, he spoke. "Why not? It wont hurt. Besides, once a Brotherhood, always a Brotherhood," he gave Rogue a slight smirk. "Lets start over, then. Nice to meet you, Roguey."
Rogue tried to frown at the usage of her old nickname, but found that she couldnt. Finally, she gave up and smiled.
"Nice tah meet yah Lance. Fred, Todd."
She stopped at Pietro, who continued to look at her skeptically.
"Aw come on Pietro."
Rolling his eyes, Pietro finally cracked a small smirk. "All right. Were starting over. But that doesnt mean youre back for good, Roguey." In a second, he was standing in front of her. "You should be grateful to be back in the presence of someone like me; people usually have to line up for that," he smirked, but it was one of playfulness rather than superiority, as he tended to simulate.
"Oh shut up before Ah realize it was stupid tah meet the biggest ego of all time," Rogue smiled.
"Rogue."
Rogue turned at the sound of her name. To her surprise, Tabitha stood by the doorway.
"Ah didnt see yah there."
"They may have forgiven you," Tabitha walked up to Rogue; close enough to literally be face-to-face, eye-to-eye. "But I will never forgive you."
Tabitha did not give Rogue a chance to respond; not that she could- Rogue was stunned at the look Tabitha had. She had never seen Tabitha like this, and the degree of emotion was actually scaring her. It was anger, hatred, loathing.
"I wont do anything because they want and need this, but stay away from them. If you hurt them again, youll regret it," with that, Tabitha left the room, leaving a stunned Rogue.
It took several minutes before Rogue could comprehend what had just happened. Since when was Tabitha so... scary? Tabitha being serious was rare, but this was just incomprehensible. Rogue actually wanted to believe that it had been Mystique in disguise, but the emotion in Tabithas eyes, her voice, the tone; it was not something Mystique could mimic. No, this was the real Tabitha, a part of her Rogue had never even known existed, or would have ever thought existed, much less seen. As soon as she somewhat understood what had just happened, Rogue left the room in search of the adult X-Men.
