Rogue nervously looked at the staircase, clenching and unclenching her hands. She had tried the gym, the briefing room, and even looked in the hanger before coming here. She knew he wouldn't be in any of those places but her stomach had been queasy, the trepidation she felt overwhelming her, so she had thought it best to look in all those places first. Except, it didn't help, she told herself, biting her lip, her apprehension growing.

Slowly, she walked up the stairs, keeping her hands close to her, casting jittery looks towards the walls. What's wrong with me? She shook her head, quickening her pace until she came to the study door. She raised her hand to knock, jumping back when the doorway opened.

Professor Xavier was on the other side and gave her a smile. She reciprocated it before looking behind him. Magneto sat facing the doorway, Mystique and Avalanche occupying the chairs across from him. "Since you have more to discuss with your colleagues, Erik," Xavier said and she turned her attention to him, "I believe now would be a good time for me to steal Rogue."

"Huh?" she asked, not liking the sound of that. She looked questioningly back at Magneto.

He was looking at Xavier and from the concentration on his face she had a feeling the two were talking telepathically. "Do not take her far," Magneto finally said, looking at her possessively before turning his attention to the others.

Rogue stepped back, letting Xavier leave the room. She tried to hide the anxiety that she felt, relaxing a little when she felt a gentle tug on her hands. "Where to?" Rogue asked, unsure what to do.

"The briefing room should be adequate," Xavier replied.

She looked warily at the stairway. "How are you going to…?" she asked, looking over at him, trying not to smile as she saw his chair hovering in the air.

He gave her an imperceptible smile as he floated beside her down the stairs. "Some of us are more prone to showing off our powers than others," he said, looking far away for a brief moment as the chair touched down. "Erik never could turn down an opportunity to use his ability."

"Why shouldn't he show off his power?" Rogue questioned as they neared the room.

He looked at her intently without speaking and she wrapped her arms around herself. "Simply because one can do something does not necessarily mean they should," Xavier replied as she opened the door. "You could decide to drink and drive, Rogue, but you do not because of the consequences."

"Using your mutant power isn't like drunk driving though," Rogue countered, sitting down in one of the chairs. "Mutants shouldn't need to hide their gifts just because it may make humans scared."

"No, we should not," Xavier said, looking gravely at her. "Neither should we use our powers to harm humans."

Rogue sighed. "If they're attacking us, why can't we use our powers to stop them?" she asked.

"Erik is not advocating defensive strategies, Rogue," he replied. "I know you are aware of that."

She looked down at her hands, trying to figure out a way to respond. "He has no qualms with killing every human on this planet," Xavier continued. "Do you think that just because he has an interest in you that he will not dispose of you if needed?"

Rogue looked up at him, eyes wide in surprise. He smiled wearily at her in response. "Erik may be able to block me from his mind," he told her, "but your thoughts fly from you. If he needs to, Rogue, he will discard you without a second thought."

"Speaking from personal experience, Professor?" she asked, glaring at him.

"You already know the answer to that," Xavier replied, sadly.

"His ability to touch me has nothing to do with my change of…with why I agree with him," Rogue said, her posture becoming defensive.

"Oh?" Xavier asked, his disbelief evident in his eyes.

"No," she replied, crossing her arms in annoyance. "Even if he couldn't touch me I wouldn't be leaving with you."

She stood up, not wanting to extend the conversation any longer than necessary. "You're disillusioned," she said, "you talk of diplomacy, of negotiation."

She took a breath, shaking her head as she continued, "You were being taken to be experimented on. They see us as guinea pigs. They do not care if we live or if we die."

"Not everyone feels that way," Xavier began.

"Mutants are being rounded up and put into camps and no one is willing to do anything about it," Rogue interrupted. "No one but Magneto."

She looked at him pleadingly. "How many more mutants have to die before you understand?" she asked, looking away from him. "Eight of us survived the attack on the school."

She looked back at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "They showed no mercy," she hiccupped. "We didn't use our powers, we ran, and they butchered us without a second thought."

"Rogue," Xavier said, reaching a hand out to comfort her.

She shook him off. "I won't let it happen again," she told him, balling her fists in anger, her eyes narrowing. "You can't take them."

"The children?" Xavier asked, his face void of emotion.

She nodded. "You had your chance to protect them, to get them prepared for what would happen," Rogue replied, wiping back her tears. "You failed."

"You see the world in black and white," Xavier said calmly, but there was a coldness to his voice. "You are like Erik in that regard. I have no doubt that is because of his presence in your mind and because of the events you have endured. Make no mistake though, Rogue, it isn't always that easy."

"Look at your own involvement with Erik," Xavier continued, his voice tinged with anger. "He is the man who tried to kill you. Yet you are prepared to give him everything?"

"Stay out of my head," she replied, her eyes narrowing in anger.

The door opened behind them and she didn't bother turning around. "We just finished," Xavier said before placing a hand on her arm. You will understand why I am right.

"No, I won't," she said, wrenching her arm from him.

The doorway closed as Xavier left. She could sense Magneto behind her, but she kept her focus on the wall across from her. "I hate him," Rogue said eventually, pulling her knees to her chest, glaring. "He told us we would be safe at the mansion."

"Charles is naïve," Magneto replied, running a hand through her hair.

She closed her eyes and buried her head in her knees, tears falling steadily as she silently cried. "I hate him," she reiterated, roughly wiping her eyes.

His hand continued to stroke her hair and she closed her eyes, letting his touch calm her. After a few minutes she turned and looked at him. "We need to talk," Magneto told her, dropping his hand and moving towards the door.

Silently, she followed him to his study, anxiety filling her with each step she took. She sat in her usual seat, looking at him with guarded eyes, unsure what he wanted to say. He stood by his chair, looking intently at her. "I do not need this," he said, waving a hand absently towards her.

She tried not to show any emotion to his words, her stomach plummeting. "We are at war," he continued and she nodded, focusing on a spot on the wall just past him. If I don't look at him, she reasoned, I won't cry. "This will only complicate matters."

"It's fine," she said, her voice hollow to her own ears. Xavier's words from early reverberated in her mind, He will discard you without a second thought. She winced, I didn't think it would be this soon.

His hand cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. I will not cry. "So that is why," Magneto said, brushing strands of hair from her face before trailing a finger across her lips, "you must promise to fight with me, give me your allegiance."

She closed her eyes as he kissed her, the tears she had been holding back falling freely down her face as she wrapped her arms around his neck. His mouth left hers, leaving a trail of kisses down her neck as he pulled her to her feet. He tugged her towards him, walking backwards before sitting down in his chair, bringing her down so that she was straddling his lap. His hands took hold of hers, removing them from his neck, and she dropped them to her sides, giving him a look caught between desire and fear.

"You will fight for me," he stated, his hands moving to her waist, tugging at the hem of her shirt.

"Yes," she replied, gasping as he made her arms rise into the air, playfully glaring at the pleased smile on his face.

"You will join me," he stated, his fingers brushing her stomach as he pulled the shirt further up her body.

She nodded in agreement, closing her eyes, feeling much too warm. "Rogue," he said, his movements stilling. She whimpered in response, desperate for his touch. "I need an answer."

"I will," she insisted quickly, moaning when he began pulling the shirt again.

As the garment was tossed aside she opened her eyes, breathing heavy as she looked at him. The look on his face was predatory and she shivered before he captured her lips with his. His kiss was urgent, his hands caressing the curve of her waist as she gripped his sweater. He pulled her closer, the coarse fabric of his sweater scratching her flesh as his hands ran up and down her spine, the different sensations on her skin driving her crazy.

His mouth left hers again and she gasped for air as she felt his hands toy with the straps of her bra before he nipped her neck. She cried out at that, her grip tightening. He looked back at her, hands moving up to her hair, fingers twisting around the white strands. "Mine," he said, his eyes darkening, tugging on her hair.

"Yours," she told him breathlessly; at her words a smile spread across his face.

He released her hair, his fingers gently stroking her face, before moving lower to trace the skin around her bra. Her eyes closed, head falling back at the touch, her nerve endings on fire as his hand went lower, brushing over the fabric covering her nipples. She moaned as he repeated the motion, her breathing becoming ragged. "Mine," he whispered again, his mouth replacing his fingers.

Rogue's grip tightened as she arched into him, losing herself to his touch. She groaned in disappointment as his mouth left her breasts before she felt his hand touch her stomach, slowly moving down, tracing the edge of her pants. Her eyes flew open as his hand slipped underneath the fabric, to caress her through the cotton of her panties. "You will not fail me," he whispered in her ear as he began to rub her with insistent fingers.

She closed her eyes, her body on fire as she rocked against his hand. His touch was overwhelming her, each sensation building inside of her. Too much. She felt like she was drowning and tightened her grip on his shoulders, needing something to anchor her. His fingers quickened their movements, tears falling down her face as it all became too much for her to bear.

Small keening sounds escaped her and she bucked wildly against him. "Never," she cried out in pleasure, shuddering as she fell against him.

He gave her a pleased smile as he removed his hand. "You should sleep," he told her, helping her to stand.

She picked up her shirt and quickly pulled it over her head. "I…" she began, her words faltering. She had no idea what to do or say.

"Paige will wonder where you are," Magneto said, running a hand possessively down her arm.

Rogue nodded and forced herself to walk towards the door. She stopped at the doorway, turning to give him a shy smile, before slipping from the room, her steps wobbly as she made her way to her room, a faraway look on her face.

xxx

"We're going to miss breakfast," Paige whined, stomping her feet as she looked anxiously between Rogue and the doorway.

"You can always go and I'll catch up," Rogue replied, nervously running a hand through her hair. Slowly, she pulled on a sock and Paige let out an exasperated sigh, scowling at her.

"We're having pancakes!" the girl moaned, dropping onto the bed beside her, banging her head onto the mattress. "Rusty and Sam are going to eat them all."

Rogue took a deep breath before answering her. "Go eat, Paige. I'll be right behind you."

"I'll try to save you some," Paige told her, hopping down to the floor.

"Thanks," Rogue replied absently, looking around the room. Where are my gloves?

"Hi, Magneto," Paige greeted as the door opened.

Rogue froze at his name. "Rusty and Sam arrived in the kitchen three minutes ago," he told her.

Paige growled and Rogue heard the girl's footsteps carry her down the hallway before the door closed. Rogue closed her eyes and counted to ten before turning around to face him. Her gaze dropped to the floor, unable to look at his him without blushing. She saw his hands and looked away, biting her lip as she remembered exactly what they were able to do to her. "Rogue," Magneto began.

"I can't find my gloves," she nervously interrupted him, moving back towards the bed before abruptly turning away from it. The last thing she needed to do was look at a bed. Or at him.

"Here," Magneto said and she turned towards him, watching as the pair of gloves flew from beneath the bed and into his hands. He handed them to her.

"Thanks," she replied, shivering when his fingers touched hers. She hastily put the gloves on, staring at a spot just above his head.

"Rogue," he said again, amusement in his voice. "Look at me."

She trembled and raised her head, forcing herself not to turn away. Her eyes became heavy as he brushed strands of hair behind her ears.

"If we do not hurry, I believe Rusty and Sam may devour everything," Magneto told her, running a finger along her jaw.

"Caliban would make you more pancakes if you asked," Rogue replied, eyes closing.

"Indeed," he said, trailing his fingers slowly down her neck.

She moaned, opening her eyes when his touch left her skin, gazing questioningly at him. A pleased smile spread across his face before he turned towards the door. She followed him out of the room, twisting her hands. All of this was brand new territory to her. There was a gentle pull on her gloves and she looked down at them. Is it crazy that I find that comforting? She wondered, confusion clouding her mind. Probably.

Rogue shook her head, dropping her hands to her sides as the kitchen doors opened. She smiled as she spotted Paige happily eating pancakes while listening intently to something Rusty was saying. The girl looked up and waved, turning to point to the stack of pancakes on the plate beside her.

"I saved you some," Paige told her as Rogue picked up the plate. "Some people didn't want to share."

Rogue stifled a laugh as the child glared at her brother and his friend. "Thanks, Paige," Rogue said and moved to the other table, her steps faltering briefly when she realized she would be sitting next to Magneto.

Silently, she sat down, keeping her gaze on her plate. She could hear Mystique and Avalanche conversing with Magneto, while Blob and Pyro discussed a video game. Looking down the table, she saw that the new mutants were quiet, observant, and eating hesitantly. Her gaze met Xavier's and she quickly looked away, removing her gloves and picking up the knife and fork to begin eating.

The silverware was cold and slick beneath her fingers, reminding her of Magneto's hands sliding up and down her back. Her eyes closed, blushing as she remembered where else his hands had ventured. She placed the utensils down, intent on putting her gloves back on, eyes widening when she realized her gloves were no longer beside her. Looking over at Magneto, she frowned when she saw them lying neatly beside him. Her fork rose slightly from the table and she grabbed it, mentally cursing him. Unsettling, isn't it? His presence in her mind said before laughing and she glared in response.

She reached for the maple syrup, gasping when his fingers brushed hers as he reached for the bottle. Quickly, she pulled back her hand, dropping it into her lap, refusing to look at him. He knows exactly what he's doing to me.

Looking up, she watched as Mystique gave her an amused look before directing her attention once again to Magneto. Rogue sighed and looked away. Cyclops was looking between her and Magneto in disbelief, his gaze dropping to her bare hand holding the fork. Xavier was looking furiously at Magneto.

She glanced at Magneto and frowned. He was staring back at Xavier and from the intense looks on both of their faces she had a feeling they were talking telepathically. About me. Rogue shook her head, intent on ignoring everyone as she ate the pancakes.

"Rogue," Mystique said and Rogue looked up, "You have training with me in fifteen minutes."

"Thank god," Rogue whispered and swiftly rose, nodding in reply. "Gloves, please," she said, holding a hand out to Magneto.

The gloves were dropped into her hands, his gaze never wavering from Xavier's. She put on the gloves, rolling her eyes as the links tightened. "Gym?" she asked, looking at Mystique.

"Thirteen minutes," the blue mutant replied.

Rogue nodded and exited the room. He is using your greatest desire against you, Xavier said in her mind.

Stay out of my head, she snapped. I'm not a child, Professor.

Yes, you are, Xavier replied sadly. In regards to touch, to intimate relationships, you are still a child.

Why can't you accept that I don't believe in your dream anymore? She asked, walking into her room and quickly changing into her workout clothes.

You have been through a great trauma, Rogue, Xavier said. Erik has used that to his advantage.

So did you, she replied, walking towards the gym. I make my own decisions.

If only that were true, Xavier said.

Leave me alone, Rogue stated, wrapping her arms around her body. Go bother someone else.

She heard him sigh before the connection was broken. Leaning against the wall outside the gym, she took a deep breath before entering; hoping training with Mystique would help her forget everything for awhile.

xxx

Rogue winced in pain as her back connected with the wall. "You are distracted," Mystique stated disdainfully.

Rogue quickly got into a defensive stance, watching the other mutant. "Wolverine taught you well," Mystique continued, smirking, "if you want to live your whole life playing defense."

Rogue blocked the punch directed at her stomach. "Attack me," Mystique said, punching again.

Rogue deflected the punch and aimed a kick at the blue mutant's stomach. Mystique grabbed her foot, flinging Rogue to the ground. "That was better," Mystique stated. "You tried."

Rogue bit her lip at the pain throbbing through her body. "Magneto was teaching me some offensive strategies," she said, pushing herself up and warily watching the other woman.

"Erik relies on his power in all of his maneuvers," Mystique replied. "You do not have that luxury."

"Not unless I take his power," Rogue muttered. She didn't like the smile that Mystique gave in response.

The gym doors opened and the two turned towards them. "We're all needed in the briefing room," Avalanche told them before walking away.

"More tomorrow," Mystique said, walking towards the door.

Rogue followed her, rolling her shoulders in an attempt to stretch her aching muscles. Arriving at the room, Rogue quickly sat near Pyro, glancing curiously at him. He shrugged in response before glaring at Cyclops and Bobby. The rescued mutants and children entered the room a few minutes later, followed by the Professor and Magneto.

The television screen turned on and all heads turned towards it. A well dressed reporter stood in front of the destroyed lab. "Officials are still searching through the debris for evidence after yesterday's attack on the Horton Medical Facility," the man said.

"We did good," Pyro said, blissfully smiling as he looked at the rubble.

"Oh yeah," Avalanche replied from beside him.

Rogue cast a glance towards Cyclops who was shaking his head in disgust at the two of them. "Eleven staff members of the facility were killed during the attack," the reporter continued, before the image displayed changed to footage of the transport wreckage. "A transport carrying mutants to the medical facility was also attacked—"

"Medical facility," Pyro scoffed, glaring at the screen.

"Ten highly dangerous mutants escaped and twelve mutant corrections officers were killed," the reporter stated.

"Needlessly killed," Bobby added, casting a glance towards Magneto.

"They should have picked another job," Pyro countered, leaning back in his chair.

"Silence," Magneto stated, looking pointedly at both of them before turning his attention back to the screen.

Rogue watched as Bobby scowled, opening his mouth to reply, silenced only when Cyclops shook his head. She looked back at the television, eyes widening when images of Xavier, Cyclops and the other eight mutants were shown, with the caption 'Dangerous Mutants: Call the mutant hotline, do not approach'. The screen shut off and Magneto walked towards it before turning to face them.

"We are at war," Magneto stated, ignoring Bobby's mutterings. "The United States government has rounded up mutants and placed them into camps. They are setting up facilities to experiment on us and when the time comes that mutants no longer serve a purpose, they will exterminate us."

"Erik," Xavier began.

"You will have your time to speak, Charles," Magneto interrupted, looking coldly at him. Xavier sighed and Magneto continued, "The Brotherhood and I plan to make sure that does not occur."

"You'll just kill every human on the planet," Bobby yelled.

"Iceman," Magneto said coldly, turning to look at him. "I suggest you learn to control these outbursts or you will leave this room."

"I'll control my outburst when you…" Bobby replied, yelping as the door opened and he and his chair careened out of the room.

There were gasps of surprise and fear. Rogue looked sadly at the closed door before turning back towards Magneto. "The Brotherhood will not tolerate what is happening to mutants," he continued, his voice steely. "We are the future and must take our rightful place, by force if necessary."

He looked at the new mutants and the children. "You have a choice to make," he told them. "You may either stay here and fight with us or you are free to leave. It is up to you."

"My generous hospitality ends tomorrow morning," Magneto continued, looking at Cyclops and Xavier and then back at the others. "You will have until then to decide."

Silence fell amongst the group, all eyes on him. "There are some in this room who wish to try more diplomatic methods," Magneto said, looking back at Xavier, motioning for him to come forward.

"You are a fool," Magneto stated, shaking his head. "They have killed your students, taken you prisoner, and were going to experiment on you. Yet, you still believe that there are grounds for living peacefully with humans."

"Peace is what we should strive for," Xavier said, wheeling the chair to the front. "Not war."

"I will bring you peace," Magneto replied before looking at the rest of them. "Tomorrow morning," he reminded before exiting the room.

Rogue watched the door close before turning back to look at the Professor, wondering how Xavier could still believe that negotiations and diplomacy were the way to help mutants. If I did not, Rogue, Xavier said in her mind, they would have succeeded in breaking me. Not all humans support the legislation. Not all wish to see us dead.

Tell that to the ones who killed all of my friends, she replied, looking away from him.

She heard him sigh before beginning to explain his plans for helping mutants using non-confrontational means. Looking down at the children on the floor, images of the attack on the school and Magneto's experiences in Auschwitz intermingled. She shook her head and stood, quickly exiting the room, needing to get away.

"Rogue!" Cyclops called and she stopped, turning to look at her former teacher.

He walked towards her and she closed her eyes, trying to make the images disappear. "Mutants are in camps," she said, forcing herself to look at him. "Why is it so hard to believe that they won't try to kill all of next?"

"The reason that the Nazis were able to kill so many in World War II, Rogue," Cyclops said, "was because people did not care. The hatred and bias towards those different from themselves was not just ingrained in the German nation but in all those surrounding it and the Allied nations as well."

"Hatred of mutants runs deep too, Mr. Summers," she replied.

"Yes, it does," he said, gravely, "but, Rogue, you forget one vital piece. Mutants' parents are humans and those parents are fighting for their children's release, for their children to have rights."

"They shouldn't need to fight for that," Rogue countered, biting her lip. "Even if the Professor is successful in his political methods, violence towards mutants won't stop. People fear us and fear makes people do horrible things."

"I don't want to be afraid anymore," she continued, pleading with him to understand. "I won't." She took a deep breath. "I won't be leaving with you."

"Rogue," Cyclops began.

"Mr. Summers," Rogue interrupted. "My place is here. I can't stand idly by as our kind are rounded up and forced to be the victims of experimentations."

"Are you prepared to kill humans," Cyclops asked. "If you become a member of the Brotherhood, eventually that is what you will do."

"Sacrifices are sometimes necessary," she replied.

Cyclops's shoulders drooped in defeat. "What happened to the girl I knew?" he asked.

"She died when the FoH attacked the mansion," Rogue whispered sadly.

"Your friends would not have wanted you to join him," Cyclops countered.

"I guess we'll never know," she replied, backing away from him before turning and walking away.

Her steps quickened and soon she was running through the hallway. She rounded the corner, forcing herself to move faster as she saw the stairs, climbing them two at a time. She stopped outside of the doors of Magneto's bedroom, sliding down in front of them, leaning her head against the cool metal. The doors opened and she stared at Magneto's black boots, her gaze moving to the bed behind him.

He looked at her, his eyes darkening, and extended a hand to her. She placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull her up and into the room. He released her hand as the door closed and she leaned against it, looking at him with a mixture of fear and fascination. "Charles finished his speech early?" Magneto asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No," she replied, pushing herself away from the door but making no move towards him. "I left. Cyclops came after me."

Magneto stepped forward and she had to tilt her head back in order to see his face. "Did he now?" he questioned, his hands moving towards her hips, stopping just short of actually touching her.

"Yes," she said, leaning against the door. She could feel the heat of his body even though his hands were still several inches away. "I…I told him I wasn't leaving with them."

His fingers slid delicately along her hips and she bit back a moan, her eyelids becoming heavy. "Why aren't you leaving, Rogue?" Magneto whispered in her ear.

She shivered, closing her eyes as his touch became more insistent. "I…" she said, her hands moving to grip his sweater. "I…mutants…"

"Answer me," Magneto said, his voice hard, fingers digging into her hips.

"Yours," she said, gasping, eyes opening wide. "Can't leave…yours."

He pulled her roughly to him, his mouth capturing hers in a hard kiss. Tugging her backwards with him, his hands moved underneath her shirt to rub her back. Breaking the kiss, she gasped for air as he removed the shirt from her, dropping it to the floor as his lips pressed against her neck. She shivered as he pulled off her bra and she took a step back.

She looked up uncertainly at him, her breathing heavy, unconsciously moving her hands to cover herself. "Don't," Magneto told her, removing her hands and turning her so her back was to the bed.

"Mine," he said, pressing his lips once again to hers.

She yelped as he forcefully pushed her onto the bed before moving so that he was straddling her sprawled form. His mouth was on hers again before she could make another sound, slightly raising her body from the bed with his powers. He moved down, pressing rough kisses down her neck. She groaned as he nipped her shoulder before soothing the area with his tongue. His hands moved to her waist, tugging at her pants and panties, pulling them off of her and settling her back down onto the mattress.

She watched as the garments were tossed off the bed and then turned to look at him, her breathing heavy, eyes wide in a mixture of trepidation and lust. He took hold of a lock of white hair and tugged on it, eliciting a gasp from her as his hands trailed down her face and neck. Her eyes closed as he began to rub her breasts with his palms. She felt like she was a piece of metal being molded by his touch and cried out as his tongue flicked against a nipple before biting it. She moaned his name as he did the same to her other breast.

"You will not fail me," he whispered in her ear, as his hand slid up her bare legs. "You will help mutantkind take their rightful place."

"I will," she told him, hands clinging to the sheets of his bed, as one finger began to slide inside of her.

"You will kill for me," he said as she began to writhe, her head moving from side to side, eyes closing as fire danced along her nerves.

"Yes," she moaned. His thumb began to rub her sensitive nub and she bit her lip, his touch undoing her. "Harder..."

"You will die for me," he stated and her eyes opened at that, gazing into his, as his fingers moved faster. He looked intensely at her for an answer.

"Yes," she whispered, arching into his touch, never taking her eyes off of him.

He smiled, finally leading her over the edge. Her eyes closed and she bucked wildly against his hand before crying out in pleasure. She felt his fingers slide from her, his touch leaving her as she steadied her breathing. Gently she felt him tug her towards him until her head was lying contently on his chest, his hand stroking her hair.

"Yours," she whispered against him before drifting to sleep.