Gather 'round children, it's story time! Beats the crap outta nap time. Hee Hee! Ok, lots of setup info in this chappie, hopefully it will make sense…without revealing the future of this plot too much. See if ya'll can guess where I'm headed! THANKS! ENJOY! Please Read & Review!
Chapter 29 – the best laid plans…
Sunday Morning, NYC, The Parkers Apartment
Peter winced, holding the phone away from his ear a bit. J. Jonah Jameson, his boss at the Daily Bugle, was on the line, bright and early on Peters' 'day off', ranting about Parkers performance, as usual.
"Why not get some shots of a REAL hero sometime Parker, instead of your terrible photos of that menace, Spider-Man!" Jameson shouted.
"He's not a menace, Mr. Jameson. And the city loves those 'terrible' pictures you are constantly buying…" Peter smirked.
"Nevermind, Parker. I'm sending you on assignment. Next weekend, you're going down to the Kennedy Center, in Florida, to get pictures of a real American hero – my son, John Jameson, the astronaut!" boasted Jameson. "He's landing the space shuttle, and I want full coverage! FULL! Get some of those interesting angle shots you take. Pictures of the shuttle, my son, the landing facility, John, the crew, and most of all, my son the spaceman! Understand, Parker?"
"But, Mr. Jameson, why me? You never send me anywhere…I'd much rather stay in New York-"
"NEVERMIND what you want Parker! Pick up your ticket from Ms. Bryant on Monday morning! You leave on Friday, come back next Monday. And you better have some great pictures of my son, or…YOU'RE FIRED!"
"Yes sir, Mr. Jameson, I hear ya…I thought you already fired me on Friday afternoon?" Peter replied sarcastically. Jameson fired Peter every other day.
"That was before. Live in the now, Parker! That's what's wrong with you boy, you're always behind!" Jonah shouted, hanging up abruptly.
"I love you too, Jonah…" sighed Peter, hanging up.
"What's up, Tiger? What did Mr. Crankypants want?" MJ inquired from the sofa.
"Nothing good, as usual," Peter frowned, "He's sending me to Florida next weekend, to cover the space shuttle landing. And get photos of his 'All-American' son, the astronaut. I'll be gone for three days."
Peter sat down next to his wife, putting a hand on her midsection. "You guys think you'll be OK?" he teased.
"We'll be fine, Spider-Daddy. Don't you worry your pretty little head…" she replied, putting her hand on top of Peters. "Besides, we could use the money. I'm eating for three now…"
Sunday Morning, The Institute, stables"You have to make sure it's tight, but not hurting Bonnie. Isn't that right senorita?" he explained, petting the mare on the nose. Forge was showing Rogue how to saddle the horses.
"Ah see. Let me try, Forgie…" Rogue replied, working the buckle on the saddle. "Is that rhight?"
"Yup. Good job. I think Bonnie likes you Rogue. Ready to try taking her for a ride?"
"Ah guess." She said, smiling. "Ya'll will have ta help me up."
Forge cupped his hands and stooped down so Rogue could put her foot in them for a boost. Rogue put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself, and placed her boot though.
Forge caught himself staring at the curve of her leg. 'Very nice…'
'He's got the blackest hair I evah seen…' she thought, looking down at the top of his head, inches away from her face. Suddenly, he looked up.
"Ready?" he asked, face to face.
"…uh-huh…" Rogue said softly, closing her eyes and quickly kissing him. She pulled back quickly, scared look on her face.
"You OK? You gonna go inta a coma or anything?" she asked quietly.
"Ahhh, no I… feel pretty good…" A slightly stunned Forge said, smiling. "Why?"
Rogue just smiled wide, grabbed his head in her hands, and planted a deep passionate kiss on his lips.
"…wowie…what was that for…?" he asked when they parted. He boosted her up into the saddle.
Rogue beamed down at him.
"'Cause ah can…" she replied happily.
Mid-morning, Daily Bugle, J.J.Jameson's officeJameson was frowning, speaking into the telephone.
"Yeah, I sent him. I don't see why it had to be Parker. I've got other shutterbugs on call." Jonah said distastefully. He did not enjoy talking with the man on the other line. A business partner; maybe it was time to reevaluate his portfolio.
"Why Jonah, I only want the best pictures for the monument to your son I am donating to the city air and space museum. I think young Parker is one of the best. Wonderful pictures of Spider-Man; you run them all the time in your publication." The baritone voice on the other line said.
"Yeah, yeah, pictures are pictures." Jonah growled. "Look, is there anything else I can do for you? I'm a busy man."
"No, thank you Jonah. See you at the next board meeting. Goodbye."
"Yeah, Bye." Jonah put the phone down.
"I don't trust that man," he mumbled, "as far as I could throw him. Which isn't far…"
His desk intercom crackled. "…Mr. J, your wife is on line 6…"
"Tell her I died…"
Mid-morning, The Institute, Weight RoomLogan was finishing up his sets of squat thrusts. Grunting, he pushed the massive weight upward. Over on the bench beside him, his cell phone rang.
'Wonder who the hell that is,' he thought, 'not too many people have that number…'
"Yeah?" he snorted, flipping it open. "Who's this?"
"Hello fuzz-face, how they hangin'?" Peter Parkers voice jibed.
"Hiya Webs. What's up?" Logan replied, smiling slightly.
"Nothin' much; just decided to call and see how my favorite little man was…" Peter cracked a 'short' joke.
"Funny. You hittin' the web-fluid a little early today, Parker?" Logan shot back.
"I wish." Laughed Peter. "Listen, Logan, I got a favor to ask you…"
"Shoot." Logan said. 'Parker hardly ever calls me by my name…' He wondered.
"Yeah, I was wondering if you and maybe some of the X-Men could keep an eye on my place next weekend?" Peter asked.
"Sure. You takin' yer Aunt and the Missus on a vacation?"
"No, they'll be here…I kinda need you to check in on them, you know, on the sly. I guess I'm being paranoid, but…" Peter said.
'Ah, he's worried now that MJ's got a bun…well, buns in the oven…' Logan smiled.
"Over-protective Daddy. Whoda thunk it?" he kidded.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Peter admitted. "Just peek in on them at night, OK? I'd ask Rockhead and Fireplug to do it, but they're out of town."
"Those two?" Logan smirked. "Doin' something 'on the sly'? Riiiight."
Peter laughed. "Yeah, and I'm pretty sure Johnny would be tryin' to catch MJ in her undies. 'On accident' of course."
"Hmmm, not a bad idea. Hell yeah, I'll be glad to help out, Webs. Can I bring a camera?"
Sunday Noon, The Institute, LakesideRogue and Forge had stopped to have a sip of water from the canteen they had brought. Forge was flying, as Rogue had kissed him repeatedly while he taught her to ride. He actually had to ask her to hold off so he could show her how to sit properly while galloping. She had laughed her head off, placing yet another smoochie on him. It had been hard enough sitting behind her on the horse, showing her how to do things. He never realized how squirmy she was. He was somewhat relieved when he got onto his own horse…somewhat.
They had ridden down to the lake, and then walked the horses around the edge of the lake. Forge stopped by the boathouse when Rogue said she was thirsty.
When Rogue lowered the canteen, Forge noticed how red her cheeks were; it was still chilly in New York. He took off his riding gloves and rubbed his hands together.
"Come closer Rogue…"
She stepped towards him. He reached up and placed his friction warmed hands on either side of her face.
'Mmmm, that feels nice sugah, you are so sweet…" she said, closing her eyes, placing her arms around him.
Forge thought about all the changes Rogue was going though. She had gone from moody quiet bitchy goth girl to bright-eyed, warm happy goth girl. He wondered if the kisses and the hugs were really just because she could control her powers now. He worried that he was just in the right place at the wrong time. Not that she would get all amorous with just any guy, but did she even like him? They hadn't really talked about stuff like that. He didn't even know if she was his girlfriend.
"Rogue."
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "What is it sugah? Why are ya lookin' all serious at me lihke that?" she asked.
"Well, I think maybe we need to talk…" Forge stated hesitantly.
"FORGE!" Rogue yelled, pushing him away. "You tryin' ta git ridda me?"
"No, No! …NO!" He yipped, grabbing her hands, "I just want to talk to you! About us…if there even is an 'us'". I really like spending time with you, and…no, that's not right; I really like you, and I want to know how you feel about me…"
Rogue just stared at him for a second.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Forge wondered.
"Of all the lunk-headed, wool-brained, stupid boy things ta ask!" she ranted, whacking him on the arm.
"Why do ya think I got outta mah warm bed at eight o'clock this mornin'?"
(whack)
"Who do ya think sits next to you durin' yer silly 'X-Files' re-runs?"
(Whack)
"Why do ya think I wore these here tight jeans today? For the horses?"
(WhAcK)
"And jest why do you think I been kissin' ya all dang mornin'?"
(WHACK)
"Owwww….Rogue, watch it; super-strength an all…" Forge said, holding his arm in pain.
"Serves you right, varmint!" Rogue yelped. 'Do ah like you?'! 'Do AH LIKE YOU?'! What do you think, boy? A'course ah like you!"
She tackled him down to the ground before he could even react. She straddled him, hands holding his shoulders down firmly. Forge was a little scared; he was no match for her in a fight.
"Dumb boy." Rogue said. "Dumb, sweet, handsum, intelligint boy…"
A confused Forge looked up at her. "So… I guess you're my girlfriend then?" he asked, quirky smile on his face.
Rogue just rolled her eyes. "Dumb boy," she said, leaning down to kiss him deeply.
Sunday Noon, NYC, Mickey's School of BoxingNo one had rudely woken them up this morning. No one was yelling about how slow they were, or how badly they would be beaten in a real fight. They found out the showers were working, hot water and all. Some one had pinned a Chinese delivery menu to the gym door, with a note reading:
'Just order; tell them to bring it to Mickey's. You won't need any money.'
Todd had gotten up early anyway, ready to workout. Since no one was here to train them, he put himself though the paces. Wanda had come into the gym about a half hour later, and just stood there, watching.
"What are you doing?" he had asked.
"Nothing. Why do you care?" she had replied, snotty as ever.
"Frankly Wanda, I don't give a rats ass about what you do anymore, yo." Todd stated, turning back to his workout. He had decided mid-week that he wasn't going to make an ass out of himself to please her anymore.
Wanda had just stood there; not hexing him, not saying anything. When he had gotten done with his workout, she had almost smiled at him.
Now, lunchtime, and everyone had gathered in the gym to eat the Chinese food they had ordered. Todd sat down against the wall to eat. Wanda sat near him. Not next to him, he noticed, but near him.
'What the hell is up with her?' he wondered.
"So I guess the Taskmaster is gone." Wanda stated.
"Yeah, I guess. Yer dad will probably be here to get us soon." Todd frowned.
"What's wrong with that?" Wanda asked.
"I don't wanna go back to that crappy ass house, in that stupid little town, where everyone hates us, yo." Todd said. "We could just stay here, in the city, and still do whatever it is yer Dad wants us to do." Todd stopped. "Why the hell am I even explaining this to you, Wanda? You don't care what I want."
"I think it's a good idea, to stay here. I hate that old house." Wanda replied.
Todd looked at her, smirking. "What the hell, Wanda? Why are you agreeing with me? Why are you even talking with me, instead of ordering me around like usual. Why aren't you being a bitch, yo?"
She just laughed, snotty-like. "Well Todd, you're not following me around like a dog anymore, so I don't have to be a bitch."
"Well, you don't have ta worry about me following you around anymore. I'm thru being everybody's whippin' dog." Todd grumbled.
Wanda just smiled.
"Attention children," Magneto commanded, walking into the gym, Mystique behind him. "Gather what things you have and get in the van outside. Today you return to Bayville." He smiled his fake smile at them.
"I ain't goin', yo…" Todd said softly.
"Excuse me, young Tolinski, I don't think I heard you correctly"
The smile was gone from Magneto's face.
"I ain't goin'." Todd repeated. "If we leave here, where am I gonna train, yo? The high school? I don't mind doin' what you say Magneto, but you'd be a lot better off if yer people were in good shape, fighting shape, if ya know what I mean. That town hates us. And I hate them. Let the X-Geeks have it, yo. I wanna stay here, in the city, even if I gotta live on the street."
"As do I, father. Todd is right." Wanda chipped in.
Todd's jaw dropped.
"Me too, father…I'm stronger now; quicker. I want to stay that way." Pietro said.
"Yeah, NYC is way cooler than stupid Bayville…" Tabby added.
"There's nothing for us in Bayville…" Lance stated.
St. John just nodded, charbroiling a Chinese spare rib with his power.
"I vill have all our things brought here, Mr. Lehnsherr. Papa vill pay for it." Marie-Claire offered.
"SILENCE!" Magneto roared. "Impetuous children!"
"Eric, they have a point. Trained, they are of more value to us…" hissed Mystique into his ear.
Magneto contemplated. "Fine. There is, however, one last item we need in Bayville, and we must retrieve it in person…"
Sunday Evening, NYC, Wilson Fisk's OfficeMagneto sat across the desk from Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime.
"All the pieces are in place on my end of the board. I assume you have done your part, Mr. Fisk?"
"Yes, Lehnsherr, Spider-Man will be 'out of town' this weekend. My 'reinforcements' have been hired." Said The Kingpin.
"Splendid. My Acolytes will begin their terrorizing of the Daily Bugle building Sunday evening…" Magneto began.
"And I shall make certain my contact in the city government calls Xavier for help in the matter…" continued Kingpin.
"When the X-Men come to New York to 'save the day', my Brotherhood will attack his Institute in Bayville." added Magneto.
"And procure that DNA sample for me, as you promised…" smiled the Kingpin.
"Yes, yes, you will have your sample. Fisk, I have one more item; I wish to own the building where my Brotherhood was trained. I need a place in the city, as we will base our operations here once I have some political clout. As you promised."
Kingpin simply smiled. "You, the 'infamous' Magneto, are going to live in an old boxing gym?" he asked incredulously.
"Where I live is of no concern to you. The building; it is mine, yes?" Magneto demanded.
"pish! Why not? I have no need for it. Consider it… a gift, for the children." An evil smile formed on the Kingpins face.
Magneto frowned, standing up. "Fine. Our business is done for tonight. I will contact you later in the week. If I must."
"I can't wait, Lehnsherr. Good evening."
Sunday evening, The Institute, Xavier's Office"Some of the kids tell me the Brotherhood kids have been outta school for about a week now. Seems kinda strange ta me,Chuck. No one is at that dump they call a home, either." Stated Logan.
"Yes, so I have also heard. As usual, Eric's mind is closed to me. The children, however, are in New York City." Responded Xavier.
"New York? What are they doing there? Speakin' a which, I gotta go there this weekend, just nights, ta check on our friend Peter Parkers place. He's gotta go outta town, wants me ta check in on the ladies."
"Hmmm. Mr. Parker will make a fine father." Commented Xavier. "Logan, perhaps you should go check out the location where Magneto has the Brotherhood children living. Just…check it out."
"Dig up some dirt, eh Chuck?" smiled Logan. "No prob. I'll go up tomorrow night."
"Thank you. Keep an ear to the children here, also. Have Ororo do the same. Mr. O'Bryanson as well. Out of the mouths of babes…" mused Xavier.
"Always do Chuck. That it?" Logan asked.
"Yes, and thank you again Logan." Smiled Xavier.
Sunday Evening, The Institute, Boys DormMally walked into Kurt's room.
"Hey mate, you seen Forge about?" he asked.
"He took my zister out riding today." Kurt looked out the window. "It iz getting darker. I vonder if they are OK?"
"If who's OK?" Forge asked, sticking his head in the doorway.
"You robot. Where ya been all day?" Mally inquired.
"Aw, just riding and hangin' out by the lake with my girl." Forge smirked.
"'My girl' eh?" grinned Mally. "So I guess it's official now. You and Rogue. Righty, righty mate!"
Kurt got all puffed up. "Of course, you vill be a perfect gentleman vith mein zister, right?"
"But of course, my fuzzy blue friend! Nothing but!" smiled Forge "Anyways, you guys got any dirty laundry? I gotta wash my pants, they got all dirty today, rolling around in the grass with Rogue…"
Mally looked from Forge to Kurt. Forge was trying to keep a straight face. Kurt, on the other hand, his fangs were bared.
Mally quickly grabbed Kurt in a bear hug. "Run! Run now Forgie, run fer yer life!
the end
Chapter 30 – Final Battle?