Disclaimer: Still pretty poor over here. I own nada.
Chapter 9—Duty Calls
Rogue slammed the door shut as she entered the boarding house. She snorted to herself as she caught Lance's glare. He had seen Scott pull up from the living room window.
"You sure move on fast, Rogue," he acknowledged coldly.
"You learn slowly, Alvers."
"Yo, Roguey! I need some help with my next poetry assignment," called out Toad hopping into the living room. He looked up at the brunette southerner pleadingly. Rogue looked at Lance as she answered.
"Sure thing, sugar, I wouldn't want to disappoint someone I can trust."
Lance scowled as Rogue followed Toad into the kitchen. "That was real low, Rogue! Even for you! Damn bitch," he muttered to himself. He turned to look back out the window and sighed. It seemed like hell had finally frozen over for him.
The Next Day
Scott scuffed his shoe on the gravel as he leaned up against his car waiting. He wanted to be sure that Rogue was alright getting a ride from Lance. The other X-Men had eyed him like he was crazy, except Jean. She had given him a bright smile in understanding over the whole Rogue thing.
"Then again, maybe I am crazy," murmured Scott as Lance pulled up beside his vehicle. Rogue jumped out of the jeep angrily and barely gave Scott a second look as she brushed past him.
"Hey, Rogue, is everything alright?" asked Scott hurrying to catch up with her.
"Of course it is. Everything is just peachy," grumbled the brunette darkly. Scott lapsed into silence as he followed her to her locker. He was quiet as Rogue threw books in it and took some others out for class. Then she closed it shut. She looked at Scott and then down at the ground.
"You're not doing this to get me on your side, are you?" she asked quietly.
"No." Scott reached out and grabbed one of her gloved hands in his. "I wish you were on my side, but only so I could make sure Lance doesn't make any moves on you."
Rogue gave a small smile as Scott tugged her into following him down the hall. "I'll walk you to class," he said.
Jean watched quietly as Scott walked hand in hand with Rogue past her. She smiled as her mind picked up the happiness welling up inside of her friend. She frowned though when she couldn't get a reading off of Rogue. It seemed as though the southerner had barriers inside her mind.
Kitty and Kurt stood arm in arm as Scott and Rogue passed them. "That's not a sight you see everyday," said Kitty with a giggle.
"No kidding, I thought Scott would be too uptight for the Rogue," agreed Kurt as he allowed Kitty to pull him down the hallway. Behind them Bobby could be heard muttering to himself.
"I don't get her at all. What is it with dating unofficial leaders of groups? Lance is a hard ass screw up, and Scott's whole world revolves around following the rules!"
Evan snickered as he patted his friend on the back. "Dude, you know she's like the Ice Queen. She has morals. Scott's the better pick if you ask me. Lance and them don't know what morals are."
"Please," said Pietro breezily as he blocked the group of X-Men from entering their homeroom. "We have a better sense of morals than you think. Though, if I were you, Popsicle, I wouldn't breathe another word about Roguey within one hundred feet of Lance. He's ready to cream Summers alive, and I'd hate to miss it because Lance wanted to kill you first. You're just no fun."
"Fuck off, Maximoff," ordered Evan standing eye to eye with his archenemy.
"Ooh, I'm so scared. I'm shaking here, Daniels." With that the white haired speedster turned his back and walked into the classroom.
"I really hate that guy," muttered Evan to himself as he took a seat behind Kitty and Kurt. The small group of friends was quiet as Scott entered the class just as the bell rang. He took a seat next to Bobby, who could only shake his head at the fearless leader.
Meanwhile, Rogue was thoughtful as her homeroom teacher read the usual announcements. Scott seemed to genuinely like her. He had walked her to class, which was in the complete opposite direction of his own…and he was no longer pressuring her to leave the Brotherhood. Now he seemed more concerned over her safety with Lance now that Scott had "broken" her and Lance up.
Next to Rogue Lance was trying his best to ignore her. He leaned back in his seat and looked out the window with a deep frown. He was thinking up new ways to get even with Summers for stealing his girl…and each one included burying the X-Man under a pile of rocks.
In the front Jean paid very little attention to her boyfriend. Duncan was busy making paper airplanes to throw at his friends. On her other side sat her best friend, Taryn. Unfortunately, Taryn was busy filing her nails and in no mood to talk. So Jean allowed herself to skim the minds of her classmates for something new.
When she came across Lance however, she rolled her eyes at his thoughts. He was extremely pissed over the ordeal with Rogue and Scott. Jean gave a mental sigh as she thought about Rogue and Scott. Even though she had a boyfriend, she couldn't help but feel a tad bit jealous that Rogue had landed Scott Summers as her own. Though, from the looks of it Scott had a long way to go before Rogue completely trusted him with her heart. Jean was sure it had to do with the not quite forgotten Cody back in Mississippi.
In the back Rogue studied Lance quietly. Part of her wasn't completely ready to write him off from her heart. She admired his no nonsense, reckless attitude, and his loyalty to her. That's what had won her over in the first place. After a while Rogue spoke up.
"Lance, you can't stay mad forever."
"Just watch me."
"I still need you," murmured Rogue.
"You have Summers now, turn to him for protection," snapped Lance still not looking at her.
"Scott's not always going to be there for me. I don't know what's going on, Lance, but Scott and I are still from two different worlds. How do I know he's going to rush to my side if something bad happens?"
"Don't know and don't care."
Rogue narrowed her eyes at the back of Lance's head, but before she could say anything more she felt a vibration on her hip. She took a deep breath and stood up to leave. "Fine, be that way. I still consider you a friend, Lance. I hope you can consider me one too." Then she walked away. Rogue quietly made her way to the teacher and quickly asked for permission to use the restroom. Once she was out of the class she made her way out the front doors and back across the street to the payphone. She quickly put in some loose change and punched in the new number.
Magneto answered on the first ring. "Ah, my dear, and how are you today? I hear you dumped Lance for Scott. Excellent. He's the perfect way to gather information about the X-Men."
Rogue simply rolled her eyes. "Get to the point, Mags. I don't have all day."
"I want you to keep an eye on Pietro for me."
"What for? The kid's a walking disaster."
"He's my son, and I have given him a mission to complete. However, Pietro does not have what it takes to get the job done. I need you to be sure nothing happens to him."
"You want me to play babysitter?" Rogue groaned at the thought. This was hardly the type of jobs she had expected from Magneto, though she understood where he was coming from. Pietro was more than a handful, he was downright scary in his own egotistical way.
"Something like that. Consider it a test of your loyalty to me, only you can't let Pietro know you also work for me. It would be a hard blow for him to take knowing I trust you more than him."
"Great, Mags. Just great. Alright, what's the plan? What exactly is Speedy supposed to be doing?"
"I want him to let a mutant loose."
"Let a mutant loose? That's it? How hard can it be?"
"The mutant in question is known as the Juggernaut. He's been put into a stasis in a laboratory outside of town. Juggernaut is filled with rage and he possesses god-like strength…when his helmet is on. Without that piece of tin on his head he's nothing. Charles would hate to see Juggernaut on the loose again, but I feel it is time we see how well the X-Men work together."
Rogue snorted. "Find their strengths and weaknesses? You can be really lame when you have to be, Mags, did you know that? Fine, I'll watch the kid for you, but what if this Juggernaut attacks him? I'm not exactly a perfect match against someone with super strength."
"I'll send backup if it is needed." And then he hung up. Rogue stared down at the receiver.
"Gee, remind me to ask you for help with my homework too. Loser." Rogue hung up the phone and returned to school just as the bell rang and students filed into the halls and on to their next classes. Rogue searched around wearily for white hair, only to bump directly into Scott.
"Hey," he said grinning. Rogue gave him a genuine smile.
"Hey yourself."
"What are you doing over here? Class just let out—"
"I sit next to Lance in homeroom, and today's a bit awkward. I figured it'd be better to roam around the halls waiting for my next class."
"No problem. Come on, I'll walk you to your next class." Scott slipped an arm around Rogue's waist to lead her towards French when she caught sight of Pietro slipping out the front doors of the school. Rogue gently tugged on Scott's arm so he could look at her.
"If it's alright with you I'm going to take care of something else instead, so you won't be able to walk me to French class." Rogue raised a gloved finger as Scott opened his mouth to speak. "I know you're going to say ditching is bad, but today's just awkward, with all the classes I have with Lance, and then Chemistry with both of you. I have something else I need to do anyway, is that alright?"
Scott gave a small frown, but one look at Rogue's pleading eyes and he was sold. "Alright." As she turned to go, he grabbed her hands one more time. "What are you doing tonight?"
Rogue glanced at the doors and prayed Speedy wouldn't do anything stupid before she found a chance to catch up with him. Then she turned back to Scott, "Nothing, why?"
"How about a movie?"
Rogue allowed herself a warm smile at the idea. Maybe she'd get some normalcy after all. "I'd love to."
"Okay, I'll pick you up at the boarding house at seven tonight?"
"Yeah, that'd be great." Impulsively Rogue wrapped her arms around Scott in a hug and then she scampered out the front doors of the school to catch up with Pietro.
Behind her Scott grinned and gave Lance a wink as he turned towards his next class. Lance simply punched the nearest kid in the shoulder before heading towards his own class.
Outside Rogue stomped he foot in frustration. From the looks of it Pietro had already taken off and she had absolutely no idea which direction he had gone in. Then she noticed a figure in the shadows of the alley way across the street. Rogue grinned when she caught sight of Caliban. She quickly darted across the street and into the shadows where the pale mutant was hiding.
"I take it you have some news for me?" she asked leaning against the wall as Caliban looked around nervously.
Caliban nodded. "A new mutant has arrived in town. He will be joining your school within the next few days. His name is Fred Dukes. You can hit him with anything, but he won't hit the ground. He's a large boy, intimidating. He'll be an excellent addition to your team."
Rogue shrugged. "That's not my forte, but thanks anyway."
"Of course." Caliban hesitated before continuing. "I can feel another presence coming closer to Bayville."
"Another potential?" Rogue frowned as Caliban shook his head.
"Destiny. She is headed this way. As soon as she arrives I will let you know."
"Thanks. That means a lot to me. It really does."
Caliban turned to go when Rogue called after him. "Do you know where the Juggernaut is? I sort of need to find him."
"That one is dangerous, even for Magneto to control."
"Think of it as an experiment. Do you know where he is?"
"Bayville Mountain Laboratory. Follow the main road to the outskirts of town and then up the dirt road to the top of the mountain overlooking the town. You will find him there." And then the mutant seeker had disappeared into the shadows. Rogue pursed her lips as she walked back to the sunlight and looked towards Bayville Mountain. Things just couldn't be simple.
Bayville Mountain Laboratory
Rogue glared at the large grey building in front of her. It had taken a half hour to get here and now she had to find a way in. The gates in front of her were not climbing friendly. It was just her luck. She cautiously made her way around the area looking for a way in but found nothing. She leaned against the front gates and frowned. How the heck did Pietro get in?
"Rogue?" came a voice from the shadows.
"Speedy?" Rogue turned to peer into the forest and watched as Pietro came out to stand in front of her. This wasn't good, Rogue had to think up a story fast to avoid any suspicion.
"What are you doing here?" asked Pietro.
"I could ask you the same thing."
"I asked first."
Rogue narrowed her eyes. "Sometimes I think Toad is the only mature one out of you boys. I didn't get to check out the mountain last time I toured Bayville. I thought I'd spend the day here. Lance isn't exactly making school any fun right now. Not with the whole Scott thing. What about you?"
Pietro shrugged as he peered through the gates. "Thought I'd raise some hell for Bayville. There's a mutant locked and sealed inside…the X-Men would freak if he was let out."
"Really? Now, that's interesting. Were you planning on letting the fellow out or just thinking about it?"
"I need to get in first." Pietro studied the grounds within the gates and then glanced sideways at Rogue. "You want to help? I guess I could use an assistant."
Rogue forced herself not to roll her eyes at Pietro's offer. This kid really had no idea how to complete his dad's mission. Leave it to Magneto to offer Pietro a job simply because they were family. It made Rogue sick just thinking about it. This mission was about to become hers, and she wasn't sure she wanted it.
"Sure, why not? What's the plan?" asked Rogue coyly. It was probably best to let the speedster think he was in charge.
"There's a hidden tunnel not far from here that leads into the building. It should lead into the room with the controls to the mutant's cell thingy. Follow me." Pietro disappeared back into the woods as Rogue stared after him.
"Cell thingy? What the hell have I gotten myself into?" she muttered to herself as she followed her housemate further into the woods. Minutes later they came across a large tree surrounded by bushes. Pietro knocked on the base of the tree and part of the bark opened to reveal an opening.
"Do I even want to know?" asked Rogue raising her eyebrows as Pietro motioned her inside.
"Let's just say that the mutants that can't be controlled by others or themselves are almost always sent here. Mutants that want to set them free had to find a secret way in."
"Then how come the X-Men don't let the fellow out?"
"They're the ones who put him here. Xavier knows the guy in charge…some mutant friendly government group of scientists. The freak man wants to be sure his brother is hidden away from people like us who could use his help."
Rogue froze. "Xavier's brother? Just how powerful is this mutant anyway? Isn't it too dangerous for us to let him loose?"
"Only if you get in the Juggernaut's way, Roguey, and I fully intend on being miles away once we get the guy out. Don't worry, I'll be sure to grab you on the run," said Pietro cockily. Rogue gave a small nod as this new bit of information was absorbed. Magneto sure knew what he was doing when it came to keeping the X-Men out of his way.
Pietro led the way down the tunnel until they reached a ladder leading toward the surface. Rogue followed the white haired teen up the rungs and allowed him to pull her top side. She glanced around and frowned at what she saw. No cameras, no security guards. It seemed as though the scientists were sure no one would try and break in. Pietro put the cover back into place and walked up the steps to a circular dome in the middle of the room. Rogue trailed behind and studied her surroundings in case they needed a fast exit.
There was a single hallway leading to and from the room, Rogue assumed that would be the fastest way out, unless Pietro could get the cover open again to high tail it out through the tunnel. Rogue eventually made her way to stand beside Pietro and gazed at the tube in front of them filled with water. Inside was a very large man in what looked to be an orange armored suit connected to an oxygen mask.
"This is him?" asked Rogue studying the man's brown hair and sleeping figure. Whatever that man benched, was probably quadruple the amount she and Pietro weighed together. Rogue searched inconspicuously for the helmet Magneto had spoken of and saw it in a glass case next to the control panel. She walked over to it and eyed the case carefully.
"That's what gives him his strength. That helmet. Without it, Xavier can take over his mind and lock him back up. The X-Men are no match for the Juggernaut." Pietro ran his hands over the case in awe and then turned his attention towards the controls beside it. "One of these will release him."
Rogue studied the controls and frowned. There were no labels for any of the buttons. "You really want to release him?" she asked wearily. If Mags gave the speedster lip for backing down, she would tear him to shreds. This wasn't a simple mission, this was a deadly one.
"Yeah," nodded Pietro.
"Alright, let me handle the controls. Stand back." Pietro took a step back as Rogue grabbed a metal chair from nearby. She lifted it over her head and then brought it down with all her strength onto the control panel. Rogue jumped back in surprise as the controls instantly began to spark and smoke. Above the teens computer screens flickered and then they went out.
"What'd you do?" whispered Pietro cowering behind Rogue.
"I…I'm not sure." Both Rogue and Pietro glanced over at the tube Juggernaut was in and watched with a mixture of relief and fear as the water began to drain out and the man began to wake up. As his eyes opened they centered onto the teens staring at him. He tore off his oxygen mask and pounded on the glass of the tube. He wanted out.
"I don't think that's good. He looks mad at us, Pietro. We better get out of here." Just as Rogue looked over at her housemate, alarms began to sound throughout the building, as red lights flashed inside the room. Pietro quickly grabbed the same chair Rogue had used and went to stand before the glass tube.
"Roguey, you get the man's helmet out, and then we can hit the road."
"Oh sure, give me the easy job," muttered Rogue glancing at the case. Looking around there was nothing she could use, save the chair in Pietro's hands. Finally, Rogue closed her eyes and thrust her fist through the glass at top speed. She bit her lip to keep from crying out as her bloody hand touched the helmet inside. Rogue tore at the glass with both of her hands just as Pietro brought the chair into contact with the Juggernaut's only wall between him and the outside world.
Just as Rogue had pulled the helmet free, the door into the room burst open with a lone scientist. He gave a shriek as Juggernaut shot a hand through the glass and around Pietro's neck.
"My helmet, girl, or the boy dies," ordered the mutant gruffly. Rogue quickly handed him the helmet and watched as Pietro fell to the ground. The speedster quickly grabbed one of Rogue's hands and began to run. They shoved past the sputtering scientist and down the hall. Behind them they could hear Juggernaut crashing through the rest of the glass and into freedom.
More and more scientists began to appear out of nowhere, and each tried to grab the fleeing teens. But as soon as they felt the earth beneath them shake, they knew what had happened. Rogue clutched Pietro's hand tightly and shot a quick glance over her shoulder. The Juggernaut was gaining on them.
"Speedy, I thought Juggerbutt was going to be somewhat grateful we got him out. How come he's after us?" called out Rogue with a touch of anger.
"I think he knows who my dad is," was the short reply.
Great, thought Rogue darkly. Mags didn't mention anything about the Juggerbutt holding a grudge against him.
The two mutants shot out the front doors of the laboratory and ran towards the gates. Pietro cupped his hands and motioned for Rogue to use them to boost herself up and over the front gate. Rogue was about to protest when Juggernaut crashed through the front doors. Rogue placed a foot in Pietro's hands and allowed herself to be lifted up and over the gates. She dropped to the other side and watched in horror as the Juggernaut clamped a hand around Pietro's neck once more and lifted him off the ground.
"Pietro!" screamed Rogue latching onto the gates and feeling completely helpless. Magneto was going to kill her. Where was that promised backup?
Rogue had tears falling freely down her face as Juggernaut began to choke Pietro. Then a black SUV pulled up in front of the gates and the last mutant Rogue had expected to see stepped out.
"Put him down, you idiot! Is this how you repay Magneto for getting you out? By killing his son?" demanded Sabertooth with a growl.
"Why would Magneto want to let me out, huh? He tried to kill me before…and then Charles locked me up in this hellhole. Why shouldn't I kill the brat?" hissed Juggernaut.
"Please…don't…kill…me," choked out Pietro trying to loosen Juggernaut's hands from around his neck. Juggernaut laughed and grabbed the gates, bending them down for him to get out. Sabertooth instantly pulled Rogue away and dragged her to the SUV. He opened the door to the passenger side and shoved her in. Shutting it he turned back to the Juggernaut.
"Charles will be here soon with his X-Men; it's them you want, freak show. Not Magneto's team. Give me the pipsqueak and I'll deal with them for botching the mission up. They weren't supposed to make a big show out of this…give me the kid!"
Juggernaut narrowed his eyes as he eyed the overgrown cat through his helmet. Then he shrugged and tossed Pietro in Sabertooth's arms. "Tell your boss, and Charles, that I'll be back. I want to enjoy freedom while I can."
Sabertooth simply growled as he opened the back door and pushed Pietro into the SUV. Rogue looked back with a tearstained face and breathed in relief as Pietro gave a thumb's up sign before passing out. Sabertooth got into the driver seat and the SUV peeled out and down the road, back towards the Brotherhood boarding house.
"Thank-you," said Rogue not daring to look up at her rescuer. Sabertooth grunted.
"You two could've been killed…and Magneto doesn't want that."
"I know…but I told him I wouldn't be much help to Pietro. He shouldn't have given Speedy the job."
"No one else is as stupid as him to want to do the job. Magneto's worried about you more. You're too valuable to lose."
Rogue nodded and then glanced back at Pietro. She figured he was pretty out of it and wouldn't hear what she was saying. "Caliban talked to me today. There's a new kid coming in the next few days. Fred Dukes. He can take a hit without falling to the ground. Sounds like he's impenetrable. He'd probably be an asset to the team…would you let Mags know about him? I don't know how else to let him know."
"That's fine. He'll call you soon to put you on another mission. He needs another favor. Be ready, I'll be watching you." Sabertooth pulled in front of the boarding house at the same time as Mystique. The shape shifter took a deep breath and walked over to the SUV. She glanced at the passengers and raised an eyebrow. Rogue waited for Sabertooth to explain.
"The kids released Juggernaut. Pietro's doing. She got caught up trying to make sure he didn't get himself killed. The bucket's on the loose, but said something about leaving town for awhile before coming back for the X-Men," said Sabertooth as Rogue got out of the vehicle.
"Tell Magneto that if he wants his son to do his dirty work—fine. But leave Rogue out of it! She's friends with the boys here…obviously she'll want to make sure they're okay." Mystique walked over and yanked the backdoor open and pulled Pietro out. She had barely shut the door when Sabertooth drove away.
Rogue bit her lip as Mystique hefted Pietro over her shoulder. "Are you mad at me?"
Mystique rolled her eyes. "Please…you let the Juggernaut loose on the X-Men…you're practically dating one…and you made it back alive. I'm pretty damn proud. Though I wish Eric wouldn't be such an ass about messing with the X-Men. The Brotherhood could do it if we had more members. He needs to get us more recruits."
"Maybe he has more kids like Speedy he can pull out of the woodwork," joked Rogue as they entered the house. Mystique chuckled.
"If they're anything like Pietro, I think he'll keep them hidden."
Pietro groaned as Mystique tossed him onto the couch. "Mom…I don't want to go to school dressed like a princess. I want to be a ninja turtle."
Mystique shook her head as Lance and Toad entered the house. Lance looked at Pietro and Rogue and then down at her hand.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Juggernaut's on the loose again," answered Mystique. "If you kids don't mind I'm going to hunt down Magneto and have a little chat about killing off my charges. Lance, fix Rogue's hand. I'll be back later."
Lance sighed and motioned for Rogue to follow him down the hall and into the bathroom. Without a word Rogue tore off her glove and washed it with soap and water. She frowned when Lance reached for her hand and snatched it out of his reach. Lance bit his tongue before searching for latex gloves under the sink. Rogue still hadn't told him about her powers, but he didn't feel like arguing about it right now. Not when she was hurt.
Rogue reluctantly let Lance put some medicine on her cuts and then watched as he wrapped it gently. When he was finished he leaned back against the sink and crossed his arms.
"I'm still your friend, Rogue. I always will be. I want you to know that you can count on me no matter what, okay? You scared the shit out of me leaving school like that to go after Pietro. Summers may not have noticed, but I did. Pietro does stupid shit like this all the time…I can't always be there to protect you."
"I know."
"Are you okay?"
Rogue shrugged and cursed herself for letting more tears develop. The truth was she had been scared shitless today…and she didn't like that feeling. She was as weak as a non-mutant with her powers. Lance sighed as he saw the tears and pulled Rogue into a hug. In that moment Lance knew he still had a chance with Rogue. And he would be damned if he didn't lose her to Summers without a fight.
A/N—As of July 18, 2007 this chapter has been revised.