18
Rogue went straight back to her room after getting back from school. She eyed the laptop that was on her bed, frowning. She felt depressed. About how things were turning out for her, work wise. How she felt depressed coming back to her room all the time when she was free to roam Bayville however she pleased. Sure, she was getting out and about for a large part of her day, but she kind of didn't want to come back to her room. She was getting sick of looking at four metal walls. It made her feel like she was still a prisoner. Why was she coming back to hide in this room when she was free to explore the town like she wanted?
With that, Rogue closed her bedroom door after dropping her school bag in there and marched straight to Magneto's office. She took in a deep breath, preparing herself this time for facing Magneto. She was going to be straight in and straight out this time and any questions he had about school or her powers could wait. She knocked on and the door opened. Rogue stepped inside, not actually seeing Magneto.
Then, another door she hadn't noticed opened and he stepped out of that. Rogue raised her eyebrow at that. She didn't realise Magneto had another office kind of space. It kind of made sense though.
"How can I help you Rogue?" Magneto asked.
"I'm here for money." Rogue said, folding her arms across her chest.
Magneto snorted at that. "You do realise there is a politer way of asking." He said, taking a seat behind his desk.
Rogue smirked, "I thought ya asked meh ta stop flirtin'?"
Magneto shuck his head, "Definitely Mystique's daughter." He muttered. "Why are you enquiring after funds?" he asked.
"Well, ya never actually gave meh any ta go shoppin' for school supplies." Rogue said.
"Yes, but you have all of your equipment, do you not?" Magneto asked, glaring dangerously at her.
Rogue rolled her eyes, knowing that she best be careful how she answer here though, "Yeah. Got them Sunday before school, just like you told meh to."
Magneto seemed to ease back in his chair then.
"I just wanna get some more clothes other than just havin' two pairs a jeans and three tops. People are startin' ta notice at school," she said, "it ain't normal and it's drawing attention."
Magneto seemed to inhale and exhale deeply, not wanting to engage in this discussion, obviously. "You do not need a large wardrobe to attend school. I won't permit you money to waste massive amounts of it on-"
"What, do you think I'm gonna buy the store or something?" Rogue asked. "Look, I ain't lookin' ta go wastin' all your money. I've always travelled light anyway. It's just a couple more tops and, I don't know, maybe a skirt or something ta get meh through school."
"What about the assignment I set you?" he asked.
"I can get to that in a bit. I just wanna pop out and grab some clothes 'fore all the shops close." Rogue explained.
Magneto did not look happy. But he opened a desk draw and pulled out an envelope. He went to hand it over to Rogue.
"Here is two hundred dollars to last you the rest of the month. You will not get any more money after this until the following month. You will receive four hundred after that if you prove you will stay the full duration. Spend your money wisely." Magneto said.
Rogue nodded, turned to leave, then stopped and glanced back at him. "Thank ya." She said, before leaving, the words feeling bitter falling off her tongue.
Xxxxx
Gambit had come back, again, disappointed at losing track of Risty after school. He was going to have to come up with something soon to track her down.
He decided to pay Rogue that visit. As he was about to pass Rogue's door which was opening he stopped and smirked, waiting for her to come out. But then, he saw it was Colossus coming out of her room.
The man didn't seem too pleased. In fact, he looked like he was questioning something.
"Bonjour," Gambit said the giant's eyes meet his.
Colossus nodded his head in greeting.
"What? La Rogue be sleepin'?" he asked, smirking.
"She is not in her room." Colossus said.
"Come again?" he asked, becoming stiff at the information.
"She is not in her room. Perhaps she is in the wreck room." Colossus said, beginning to walk away.
Gambit followed after the giant, not liking this. The usual places Rogue could be found was in her room or with Colossus. If she wasn't in her room and she clearly wasn't with Colossus, then where was she? Magneto was going to kill him. Or was she with him? He doubted it if Colossus didn't know where she was.
They passed through the kitchen, dining room and wreck room where Pyro was. She wasn't there.
"Merde!" Gambit cursed.
"What's the matter mate? You look terrified." Pyro said.
Gambit began to head towards the garage. He was sure he noticed one of the vans missing before. Why hadn't he picked up on that in the first place? It was so stupid of him.
"Magneto tasked me to watch over de girl." Gambit said before leaving.
"Hold on," Colossus said, putting two and two together. "You have been spying on her?" he asked, seeming to become a little annoyed at Gambit as he followed the man out.
Gambit rolled his eyes, "Different words, same meaning. Look, I gotta go find her-"
"Why does Magneto want her followed? She wished for freedom. Following her does not-" Colossus started to say when Gambit turned on him, looking almost dangerous.
"She can't be left alone. She doesn't know how things work in de real world. She's a danger to herself." Gambit said, moving over to his bike.
"She can handle herself. She has done well with the other children at her school-" Colossus began to say, but Gambit still turned to snap at him.
"This ain't school though. And she almost made a mess of things on her first day. You know that. Do you honestly believe de fillie be alright on her own out there?" Gambit asked Colossus.
Pyro was just observing everything. Colossus was thinking. Gambit let a moment pass with no reply from Colossus. But he knew the man's answer.
"She's gonna get herself discovered out there and I need to go find her before she gets herself in any trouble." Gambit said, sitting on his bike and pulling his helmet on.
Colossus scoffed, "You mean, before Magneto realises you did not do the job he assigned you."
Gambit glared at the man, angrily at that, then started his engine. Colossus' hand grabbed the front of the bike though. This sparked Gambit's temper.
"You better let go monsieur, or you gonna lose it." He said.
Colossus had a hard gaze on him too. "I will come with you to find her."
"Don't know if you noticed, but my bike only fits two." Gambit said.
"I meant-"Colossus began to say, but his sentence was interrupted at the sound of an engine.
All three men turned to see the van enter the garage with Rogue in the driver's seat. Rogue's eyebrow went up at seeing the three gathered like that. But she decided she didn't want to know. She got out of the van, noticing that Gambit was now getting off his bike and heading towards her.
"And where've you been, Cherie?" he asked.
Rogue scoffed at that, turning her back to him and moving towards the back of the van. She didn't realise Gambit had come back. It looked like he was getting ready to leave again at that.
"Out," She said.
Gambit still felt angry at his argument with Colossus. Angry that he'd messed up and let Rogue out of his sight when he wasn't supposed to. Mad that he hadn't seen it coming. Mad that it took him by surprise. Mad that he knew, yesterday and today she hadn't seemed alright and, rather than follow her and watch out for her, he'd become invested in discovering the identity of Mystique.
"Ain't been leavin' a trail of bodies behind ya, have you?" Gambit asked.
This caused Rogue to turn around and glare at him. She knew the last time she'd gone out like she just had on her own, Gambit had found her and talked her through the cons of not covering her tracks properly. But she wasn't stupid and it wasn't like she needed to absorb anyone just to go out! She bite her tongue though, deciding that she'd just put herself in a happy mood and she wasn't going to have that spoiled by someone who was refusing to talk to her anyway.
She went back to what she was planning on doing in the first place. She opened the back of the van doors and smiled at what was before her.
Gambit's anger seemed to be lost as he saw Rogue smile. He began to walk around to the back of the van too when he saw her step inside it. What she pulled out, he was not expecting.
Rogue rolled out of the van a blue motor bike. She was gleaming at it as if it was her pride and joy and it only really hit him then how much she must have really loved bikes. It made him want to smile too. So the Rogue really was a biker chick?
"Whoa, new wheels aye. I call first dibs!" Pyro said.
Rogue shot him a look which looked murderous, "Not a chance. This baby's mine and no one else's." She said, her eyes landing on Gambit's.
Gambit put his hands up in the air to show he surrendered. Besides, he wasn't planning on taking Rogue's bike anywhere. It was an alright model and make, but nothing compared to his.
"Nice wheels Cherie." He said, which seemed to relax Rogue. But then he remembered something she'd said in the past. "Where'd you get dis?" he asked.
That made Rogue's face drop. Not in upset that he'd caught on or anything. It fell with irritation.
"On a street," she admitted, moving to bike to be parked next to his.
Gambit folded his arms and raised an eyebrow at her.
"You stole it, hey?" he said, feeling his annoyance coming back. If she'd been seen or caught by anyone that lead police back here, he was in so much trouble.
"Oh relax. Not like I ain't ever done it before." Rogue said, glancing at him over her shoulder. She was really fixated on her new toy.
"It is not right to steal, Rogue. What if someone has seen you? What if the bike has a tracer in it?" Colossus said.
Gambit had to say, he agreed with Colossus. As much as he was thrilled to know there was a little thief within the Rogue, he was responsible for her and, from what he'd seen, she was an amateur
Rogue sighed and rolled her eyes.
"There ain't no tracker. I already checked. I disabled the street and house cameras for a bit ta look the other way while I took it. The family were out. Even their pet cat wasn't home considerin' it looked like they were takin' it ta the vet. The house was tooked away somewhere as well where no other neighbours could see meh. It's fine! Besides, if these folks didn't want their bike stealin' they really shoulda upped their security more rather than just leavin' it out in the lurch for who ever ta take it. No one saw the van either or the number plate on the bike. It's gonna be a while before I can ride her since I'm gonna need ta import a new one or make one, but it'll be fine. Actually gives meh time ta kit this baby out! New engine. New paint job. New wheels. The works." Rogue said, going back to grinning as she patted the bike.
Gambit still didn't trust that Rogue had got the bike away safely and knew he was going to have to check to see if he could cover any tracks she left. But, from the sounds of it, she knew what she was doing. She just wasn't a master thief. That was the issue.
She looked happy though. More happy than he'd seen her in a while. She was just staring at the bike. It looked like she was daydreaming almost. In her own fantasy world about kitting up the bike. He had to admit, the way she was talking, like she just knew how to change an engine, had him intrigued.
Then, she seemed to come to, glanced around at them and took off. Pointing at Pyro and warning him not to touch or it would be his funeral, before leaving.
After she left, Gambit got on his bike.
"Where are you going?" Colossus asked.
"To make sure she ain't made any mistakes." Gambit said.
"Can we really keep this here? Should we not return it?" Colossus said, glancing at the bike. He did not feel comfortable, knowing the bike was stolen.
"You really wanna be de one to tell de fillie you returned the bike?" Gambit asked, starting his engine.
"Don't think I've seen her smile like that since, well, ever. Who knew the shelia was a bike enthusiast?" Pyro said.
Gambit smirked at that. He had if he paid closer attention to the signs. He took off then, going to see what damage Rogue had caused and to try and cover it up so she could keep her bike. That girl really did keep him on his toes and was going to be the death of him.
Xxxxx
Rogue had headed straight back to her room feeling somewhat happy and somewhat defeated.
She had headed to the mall to try and buy some new clothes, but she had no idea where to start. When she did eventually go into a shop she liked the look of, women just kept coming up to her and asking her questions she didn't know the answer to. She didn't like it. She felt like she couldn't even look at the clothes without being bombarded by a sale's assistant.
Rogue had gave up after the third woman came up to ask her questions in the second shop. Sure, she could very easily had just picked out another pair of jeans and some long-sleeved shirts, but she actually wanted to look around and get something nice for a change rather than functional. She'd never really had the chance to go shopping for herself.
So, when the shopping didn't work out, she decided to leave and just go for a drive around the Bayville and get more familiar with it. That's when she'd found the bike and decided that she wouldn't be returning back to the base empty handed. She stole the bike and then came to the boys asking her questions. She was getting sick of all these questions. Why did she need money? Where was she going? What shades of green was she looking for? What size shoe was she? Where did she get the bike from? Did she get caught stealing it?
Rogue opened her bedroom door and eyed the laptop still on her bed. Rogue sighed, remembering she still had to finish writing what she had learnt about Kitty. But, she really didn't feel like doing it. So, she closed the door to her room and remembered Colossus' offer to watch a movie with him and Pyro. She decided to take him up on that offer. At least, with a movie, there shouldn't be that many questions. And, he said Magneto wouldn't bother them.
Rogue entered the wreck room, finding Pyro and Colossus about to set up the movie.
"Well 'ello shelia. You joinin' us?" Pyro asked.
"Erm, yeah." Rogue said, noticing how it looked like Pyro was set up in one sofa chair and Colossus on the other. Rogue slipped her shoes off, picking her feet up and taking up all of the two-seater sofa. Rogue glanced over at Colossus. She sent him a small smile and he smiled back at her, starting to settle more.
Rogue then actually looked at the door.
"Is Gambit watchin' the film?" she asked, hoping she wouldn't have to deal with him. She just wanted to relax for the evening, rather than having to argue or pretend.
"He went out." Pyro said, "his lose." He began the movie.
Rogue felt saddened by that. Yeah, he really was avoiding her. She noticed Colossus glancing at her, seeming upset. He could see how upset Rogue looked and knew what was bothering her. Rogue forced a smile at Colossus, then decided to move on as she didn't want anything to ruin her peaceful evening.
"Hey, did either of ya's get popcorn?" Rogue asked.
Pyro then revealed a huge hidden bowl of popcorn and offered it to her. Rogue took it, ate some, then passed it onto Colossus. The three were content eating popcorn and watching the movie.
Xxxxx
Gambit arrived back not too long after he left. He'd found the house Rogue had hit by tunning into the police's radio. He checked out the joint and overheard two police officers saying there was nothing they could do really. There were no clues.
Gambit had been amused by that. He couldn't see any hint that it was Rogue who took the bike either, so he managed to leave. That girl was really full of surprises. She'd make a good thief, he thought, the idea itself amusing.
He was amused by Rogue all the way back to the base. The way she had said she would sort out the rumours at school and she did. The way she had said she'd make the popular kids and X-Men back off and she did. The way she had tried to apologies to him with that cake of hers. Her love of bikes which drove her to steal one when she was denied by him. Her bike knowledge. Her thieving knowledge. Oh yeah, she was definitely one interesting fillie. He knew she had her faults, flirting and bargaining herself to get what she wanted and seeming not to care about anyone else but herself, but... he thought she was learning. He hadn't seen her flirting with anyone recently or bargaining herself. She'd made him a cake and got Pyro and Sabretooth to help Colossus out. He guessed there really was hope for her. But, there were still things he needed answers from her about. Like what she and Magneto had discussed yesterday. And, he guessed, he needed to prove to her that he wasn't avoiding her like she thought he was.
When he got back to the base, he noticed Rogue hadn't locked up her bike with a padlock on the wheels. He guessed she hadn't got one and was going to be avoiding all local bike stores for a while. He had a spare and decided to lock it up for her.
Once he did that, he headed in, guessing he should make dinner. He wanted to speak with Rogue though first so went looking for her. She wasn't in her room though and he noticed how the base seemed empty as he wondered around. He eventually found the others in the wreck room, watching a movie. They were all quiet and content, moving popcorn around.
He just watched the three of them for a while, his eyes mainly falling on Rogue and how peaceful she seemed. She really was fitting in here well. Making the cold, metal base feel more homely especially with her toes curling and uncurling in white socks at the end of the sofa.
Gambit decided dinner could wait since he didn't want to miss out on the fun. As quietly and as quickly as he could. Gambit slipped his boots off then slide onto the two-person sofa Rogue was on from behind. Of course, Rogue jumped at him suddenly just appearing like a cat. He used this to his advantage, slipping his legs under Rogue's and taking a seat on the other end of the sofa with his arm resting over her legs.
"Bonjour, what I miss?" he asked, reaching out for the popcorn in Rogue's lap and eating some. He didn't look at her though. He didn't want to disturb the peace and he had a feeling, his presence already disturbed it enough.
Pyro began to fill him in as quickly as he could while still watching the movie. Gambit had already seen it so knew what was happening. He just wanted the attention off him.
He felt Rogue begin to pull her legs away from him, but he stopped them with his arm on her legs. Before she could open her mouth to complain though, he held out the key to the lock pad out to her.
"Relax cher," he said, "by the way, here are your new keys for your bike?"
That did the trick and got her attention at the mention of her new toy.
"Ma bike?" she asked.
"Oui, you needed a new padlock on de wheels, non? Stop thieves from gettin' away with your new wheels so easily." He said, finding himself amusing.
Rogue's eyebrow was raised at him, but she took the key, hesitantly. Again, he felt her go to move her legs. He kept them there, then began to massage them through her jeans. Rogue was going to move them because, first, it was Gambit and she didn't want him showing off and flirting with her around people like he usually did. And second, because it wasn't polite. He had surprised her though in more ways than one. Not just his presence when he was supposed to be avoiding her, but, also him touching her again. He hadn't touched her in a while and... it was actually a bit odd now.
"I also got some contacts who can get ya a new plate that holds up 'gainst police checks. I'll reach out to em tomorrow." He said.
"Really?" Rogue said, again looking quizzically at him. She was wondering why he was being so nice to her. Was this his apology to her? For forcing her to lie to the school because he claimed her as his in front of a school kid?
"Oui, should arrive faster too dan anything you'd order. Can ask em ta send bike paint too and a tracker so you can start ridin' straight away." He said.
"Ah-huh, and is there a catch for you doin' all this for meh is…?" Rogue asked, still seeming wary of him. She did remember him saying that she needed to stop bargaining and flirting, but she couldn't help it.
Gambit had been concentrating on watching the movie while talking to Rogue, keeping his face even. Now he looked at her though. She was talking about bargaining again. The way she was glancing at him though. He didn't want to fight.
"No catch," he said, returning to watching the movie and just letting it go.
Rogue kept her eye on him though. She wasn't too sure why she had asked that. She glanced down at the key in her hand. She just felt like she couldn't trust him. Or shouldn't. But... he'd done some much for her. She had a feeling that she was going to regret her next question though.
"You sure you don't need any help with anything? So I can thank you or something?" Rogue asked.
Gambit smirked, then glanced back at Rogue, still smirking. That smirk scared her. But Gambit decided not to flirt when he saw his opening.
"Could do with some help in de kitchen tonight if I wanna be able to watch de movie with y'all. You can chop some vegetables up for me, non?" he asked.
Rogue smiled in response. "Sure thing." she said.
"Will you two pipe down!" Pyro snapped. "It's getting to the good bit!"
Rogue went a little lower in her seat, embarrassed at how intimate her conversation with Gambit sounded. But she felt happy. Warm in her stomach that Gambit didn't seem to be avoiding her anymore and happy that he'd given her a gift and that she was going to be able to help him with something. Rogue, once again, went to pull her feet away from Gambit, but he was pulling them back down.
"Just relax chere. Ain't here to disturb de peace. Just watch de movie." He said, taking the bowl of popcorn from her and offering it to Colossus.
Rogue glanced at Gambit, questioningly. She was comfortable and it did feel nice, having someone touch her willingly after today when everyone seemed to be freaking out over a stupid burn on her arm. Well, yeah, they thought it was her skin condition, but still. Rogue spared a glance at Colossus and then Pyro. They were both watching the TV, not seeming interested in her or Gambit. It took a while getting used to having her legs up on somebody else's lap, but it actually felt… good. Really good. Especially with his hands moved up and down them, but going nowhere else. Rogue really was comfortable and didn't want to move. She was sure she would regret not moving her legs later, but, until then, she was just going to enjoy it. She was happy and just enjoying her evening.
Of course, her peace didn't last long.
Before the end of the movie, the door burst open and all four of them jumped. Rogue glanced over the edge of the sofa and wish she hadn't as two angry eyes landed on her.
"Have you finished your report, Rogue?" Magneto demanded to know, seeing the end credits of the film on.
"I-" Rogue began to say, feeling her face turning red as she felt eyes on her.
"Have you?" he demanded.
"No," Rogue said, almost too quietly to be heard, but she was.
"And why not?" Magneto asked, dangerously.
"I..." Rogue said, knowing there was nothing she could say to justify herself.
"We pressured her into joining us," Colossus said.
"Yeah, the shelia said she had something to do, but, we made her take a break for the night." Pyro pitched in.
Rogue watched Magneto glance around at his men, his anger never shaking. Rogue felt touched, but also worried about them. She wondered why they were involving themselves. Didn't they know that they were just getting themselves into trouble.
"And you believe this to be an acceptable reason?" Magneto demanded to know from Rogue.
Rogue went to answer, but someone else beat her to it.
"Ain't like she had much of a choice. We were draggin' her into dis room one way or another," Gambit said.
"Silence!" Magneto snapped at Gambit.
Rogue was about to get up, but felt metal wrap around her wrists and ankles. She gasped as she was lifted up into the air. It was a shock to everyone.
"You will do as you were assigned." Magneto said.
Rogue felt pissed though. Everyone was staring at her and it was embarrassing being manhandled. She wasn't the type who liked being the damsel in distress. In retaliation, Rogue felt for Magneto's powers and snapped the bands off her. She dropped back on the sofa, balancing so she was standing on her feet. All eyes were still on her, worried and shocked.
"I said I would do it and I'm gonna do it, alright!" Rogue snapped at Magneto.
She stepped down off the sofa, eyeing Gambit as she did and remembering that she said she'd help him with dinner.
"I'm just gotta chop-"
But before Rogue could fully plant her feet down, a metal snake erupted from the ground and surrounded Rogue. Rogue cried out as the metal broke from the ground and stayed wrapped around her. The snake, bursting from the floor, had knocked over the sofa that her and Gambit were sat on. Colossus and Pyro had both jumped up too, but didn't do anything.
Rogue felt herself thrown out of the wreck room and the door slammed shut on it behind her. Rogue, suddenly, became extremely worried about the Acolytes. Were they locked in? Magneto was facing her now though and walking with her still trapped in the metal, hanging in the air. She was thinking to use Magneto's powers again, but he squeezed the metal around her body extremely tight so she struggled to breathe.
"I said I'd do it! I'm gonna do it!" Rogue gasped out.
Magneto didn't speak to her though. He just led her straight back to her room and through her in to it.
Rogue glanced back at Magneto from the floor.
"You will finish the assignment I have set you! This is not up for discussion," he said.
And then, Rogue's door sealed shut and she was locked in her room once again.