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Chapter 26—A Full Circle
"I expect you back at nine-thirty," growled Logan as Warren helped Rogue into his car. Rogue gave Logan a scathing look. "Fine ten, only because it's a Friday. But no later, wing-boy, or it's off with your head."
"Scout's honor," vowed Warren. He quickly got into the driver's seat and started the car. Rogue rolled her eyes at Warren who gave her a warm smile. "You gotta give him points for agreeing to let you out tonight."
"Remind meh ta kill him later for makin' this such a big deal. Ah've only been around for like what, a month? He's insane…no one else has a curfew but meh," replied Rogue as Warren drove out of the mansion gates.
Warren chuckled. "Well, consider yourself lucky then. Logan must really care about your safety to threaten my life every day. Yesterday he went as far as to tell me that if I ever looked at you funny when he's around he'd cut off my wings."
"Great, Ah'm being watched over by some nut job. Mah life has just gotten loads better since livin' with the Brotherhood." Rogue sat back in her seat and lapsed into silence. Warren glanced over at the brooding southerner but refrained from speaking. He knew she was still hurting from Mystique's betrayal. It was plain on her face every time someone mentioned the Brotherhood.
It was twenty minutes later when Warren pulled up in front of a small café on the opposite side of Bayville. He helped Rogue out of the car and smiled appreciatively as he followed her into the café. She wore a black skirt that went past her knees over a pair of black stockings and matching Mary-Jane's. Her long sleeved shirt was a light green color and hugged her skin comfortably. Around her neck she wore a matching scarf that Jean had insisted she wear along with a black coat; and, of course, she wore her trademark brown elbow length gloves. Rogue still feared human contact.
A waitress with a blonde bob and green eyes seated them at the back of the café, and left them with a pair of menus. Rogue and Warren were still oddly silent when the waitress returned bringing them some water and then took their orders. Warren watched as Rogue took a sip of water before asking her the question that had been bothering him all evening.
"Have you told the Professor about Mystique yet?"
Rogue shook her head. "But Ah did tell Logan…ya shoulda seen his face. Ah thought he was gonna have a stroke."
"At least you told someone. Rogue, I really think you should talk to the Professor about this. He might know who your father is—or at least he can find. There's got to be some kind of bonus for living under the same roof as the most powerful telepathic in the world."
"Ah guess…Ah'm not used to askin' for help. Ah'm afraid of what people will say when they find out, you know? Ah'm not exactly everyone's friend."
"Considering you threaten Bobby and Evan on a daily basis—"
"They had the nerve ta barge in mah bedroom without knockin' the other day! It's a good thing it was only Kitty changin' or Ah might have thrown them off the balcony!" protested Rogue.
"That was them?" Warren had an incredulous look on his face. "Wait till we get back to the mansion—they're going to walk funny for the rest of their lives!"
"Ahn you think Ah'm hard on them." Rogue gave Warren a triumphant grin as he settled down again.
"Okay, I get your point. I…I just don't want you to go through this alone, Rogue. I'm worried about you."
"Ah know, ahn Ah appreciate everythin' you've done for meh, Warren. Ah really do. You're a great guy," murmured Rogue clutching his hand with her gloved one atop the table. Warren gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Has that Pietro guy been giving you a hard time, lately?" he questioned after another moment of silence.
Rogue gave a small shrug. "He's been his usual self. Ah think he's finally startin' ta get over himself, but he still tries ta stab Scott in Drama. Ah think he's got it out for Scott now."
"As long as he isn't trying to hurt you I don't mind so much. Scott can handle himself," replied Warren.
"Apparently ya haven't seen meh in action enough times. Trust meh, Ah cahn handle mah own when it comes ta Speedy. He ain't that big of a threat. He's more like an annoyin' pest."
The couple let go of each other's hands as the waitress arrived with their food. Once the woman had retreated again Rogue looked over at Warren and gave him a shy smile. It was nice to feel happy again. Warren seemed to bring out the best of her—Rogue smiled more when he was around, and she liked that. She hadn't smiled this much since Mississippi.
"Ah'm glad ya took meh out tonight," she murmured softly.
"Me too, though I guess I was lucky Logan even let you go. You're worth every single bruise I've gotten in that Danger Room," said Warren giving Rogue a wink. Rogue shook her head as she concentrated on her food. But for some reason, she really didn't have much of an appetite. The butterflies in her stomach were driving her crazy.
The Mansion:
Logan looked up in relief as Warren and Rogue walked through the front door. He opened his mouth to speak but Rogue raised her eyebrows at him.
"You're on time. Get some sleep," said the gruff man heading up the stairs. "I'll be listening for you two!" he called over his shoulder.
Rogue shook her head in amusement and glanced over at Warren who was struggling to keep a straight face. "Well, I guess that was better than him trying to tackle me again."
"Sure, Ah'd be careful in the Danger Room in the mornin' if Ah was you. Logan's goin' ta bed later than he usually does. He might try ahn give ya a harder session for keepin' him up so late," mused Rogue thoughtfully.
"As long as I'm able to see you again, I won't mind so much."
Turning to face Warren, Rogue frowned as she studied the buttons on his coat. "D'ya really hafta head back to the city tomorrow?" she asked quietly.
"My dad's getting suspicious as to why I haven't attended any of the business meetings lately. I need to get back to work." Warren's voice lowered as he caught Rogue's hands in his own. "My offer still stands, Rogue. You can stay with me if you want."
Rogue gave him a weary smile, but shook her head. "Ah'd hate mahself if Ah didn't try ahn finish school first. 'Sides, ya might get tired of meh around all the time."
"I'll never get tired of you, Rogue. You'll come and visit a lot, right? It'd be kind of strange never seeing my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" Rogue looked up in surprise. Warren's face mirrored her own. He hadn't meant to say that aloud.
"I…what I meant was…well…would you…like to be my girlfriend?" he finally sputtered out, his face flushing pink. Rogue opened her mouth in a silent "o" as she contemplated the latest turn of events. She wasn't sure if she was ready for another relationship again.
Warren continued speaking, seeing the conflicting emotions on Rogue's face. "I know it's a bit sudden…but I know we could make this work. I only want what's best for you, Rogue. I won't ever hurt you, I promise."
Hearing Warren's heartfelt confession Rogue knew he was being completely honest with her. "Ah'd love to," she murmured shyly. Warren grinned and lowered his face towards Rogue's.
"Ew! Are they gonna kiss?" came a boyish voice from atop the staircase.
"Shh!" shushed Kurt desperately trying to cover Jamie's mouth.
"Well, that killed the mood," muttered Tabitha loudly. Warren and Rogue glanced up in wonder at Tabitha, Kurt, and Jamie staring back down at them.
"What kissing?" demanded Logan joining them.
"Well none now," remarked Tabitha waving a hand at Warren and Rogue dismissively. "Kurt killed the mood."
"Me?" shrieked Kurt. "Jamie's the one who talked first! I was only spying on them like Logan wanted—"
"Is that so?" asked Rogue looking up at Logan accusingly. The older X-Man narrowed his eyes and grabbed Kurt by the tail, as well as tossing Jamie over his shoulder.
"You never saw us!" he muttered heading back down the hallway. Tabitha gave Rogue a wink before disappearing after the others.
"Well, I think that's the first time I've ever seen Logan so…ashamed," murmured Warren in shock. Rogue rolled her eyes and stood up on tip-toe to give him a soft kiss on the lips.
"Night, Warren. Ah'll see ya before ya head home, right?"
"I wouldn't dream of leaving without saying good-bye," he replied with a grin. Rogue nodded absently and gave him another quick kiss before heading up the stairs. The second she was out of sight Warren lifted a finger to his lips and chuckled. Rogue was definitely something else altogether.
The Next Day:
Rogue groaned as she became dimly aware of the phone ringing. She threw off the covers and glared over at Kitty who was still out. With a resigned sigh Rogue sat up and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" she grumbled wiping the sleep out of her eyes.
"Rogue?"
"Caliban?" Rogue double checked that Kitty was still sleeping before speaking. "What is it?"
"I thought you might like to know that Destiny has returned to Bayville," replied Caliban calmly.
"What for? Ah thought she split like everyone else afta Mags got locked up."
"I believe that she has reestablished contact with Mystique."
"What?" hissed Rogue getting out of her bed. She grabbed her robe and pulled it on as she stepped out onto the balcony. "What the hell is she doin' in town for?"
"I am not sure, but the Morlocks have seen her around topside. She means business and that is probably why Destiny has returned. There is a new prophecy about."
"As long as she don't try ahn talk ta meh then Ah don't give a damn."
Caliban was silent for a moment. "I did not tell you before because I was not sure if I was correct, however, I think you should know that Destiny and Mystique have been friends for many years. If anyone were to know about your father than I am quite sure it would be Destiny herself. She keeps everything of Mystique's with her—including a birth certificate that Mystique does not want anyone to see."
"Ya think its mahne?" asked Rogue with a frown.
"It is a possibility. Would you like her address?"
"Yeah, hang ohn." Rogue slipped back into her bedroom and found a piece of paper and a pen. She leaned over the dresser, ready to write. "Alright, what is it?"
"She is residing in the Bayville Spring Apartments. She is in apartment number eight on the third floor."
"Thanks, you're a real sweetheart, sugah. Ah owe ya one," murmured Rogue gratefully.
"Just be careful, Rogue," advised Caliban before hanging up. Rogue turned off the phone and set about getting dressed. She stuffed the address in her jeans pocket and then pulled on her coat. She grabbed her gloves off her dresser and made her way out of the bedroom.
"Where you off to in such a hurry?" questioned Tabitha as Rogue shut the door behind her. Rogue glanced up at Tabitha who was also getting ready to leave the room she shared with Amara.
"Checkin' somethin' out. How 'bout you?" returned Rogue.
Tabitha shrugged. "Anywhere but here. It's a Saturday for crying out loud—there's no way in hell I'm hanging around the geek squad for a whole day. 'Sides, I'm trying to skip out on the Danger Room this morning. Can I tag along?"
Rogue thought for a moment and then nodded. It would be better if she had someone to keep her company—just in case Mystique decided to make an appearance. "Come ohn; let's get goin' before someone else wakes up. It's almost seven—Logan likes ta have coffee at seven thirty."
"Oo, an adventure, sounds like fun." Tabitha and Rogue quickly and silently made their way down the hall. They peeked over the banister and began the descent down upon seeing it clear. They reached the front door without incident and were soon outside with no one the wiser.
"So," started Tabitha as they half ran, half jogged towards the front gates. "Where we going?"
"It's kinda a long story," replied Rogue as they cut over to a tree growing next to the brick wall. Rogue climbed up the tree and dropped down on the other side of the wall as Tabitha followed suit.
"I'm sure I can handle it. It's not like we have a ride to wherever it is we're going," pointed out Tabitha jumping to the ground beside Rogue. Pulling out the address Rogue sighed in agreement. She knew for a fact the apartment building was on the other side of town.
"Alright," she began. "It goes like this…"
Bayville Spring Apartments:
"So she's really your mother? Man that has got to be hard. I keep hearing that Mystique isn't a very generous person," said Tabitha bluntly. The two girls were situated across the street hoping to catch of Destiny either entering or leaving the building. It was already nine o'clock in the morning.
Rogue sighed as she pretended to read the newspaper in her hands. "Ah know, but she's a terrorist. What d'ya expect? Milk ahn cookies? Ya cahn't tell anyone—they'd freak. It's bad enough that Ah lived with them ahn fought the X-Men…they'd go ballistic if they knew 'bout mah ties to Mystique. Only you, Warren, ahn Logan know."
Tabitha shrugged nonchalantly and shifted feet as she leaned against the wall. "So you really think this Destiny person might have your birth certificate?"
"There's only one way ta find out," replied Rogue folding her newspaper beneath her arm. "There she goes. She's leavin'."
Rogue pointed across the street at a blind woman walking out the doors of the apartment building and then getting into a cab. Before Tabitha could say a word Rogue was halfway across the street. Tabitha shook her head and darted after Rogue. The girls were silent as they entered the building. They took the stairs so as not to receive any questions from the other residents. On the third floor Rogue looked around for number eight.
"Here it is," she murmured lightly rapping her knuckle on the door once. Tabitha eyed it carefully and then glanced around to be sure no one was watching.
"Follow me." Tabitha led Rogue over to a window leading out to the fire escape beside Destiny's apartment that looked out into the alley way. Tabitha slipped onto the fire escape with Rogue right on her heels. "Just don't tell anyone I can do this—otherwise the Professor might start locking everyone's windows at night."
"No problem," agreed Rogue readily. Tabitha grunted as she lifted the window to Destiny's apartment upwards. It took five minutes before the girls were finally inside the apartment.
"Gee, she's a bit of neat freak, isn't she?" quipped Tabitha gazing around at the bare apartment. It only held the bare essentials. Rogue didn't reply, instead she headed straight for the bedroom. Tabitha rolled her eyes as she listened to Rogue sifting through the contents she found. With a lazy yawn Tabitha set about opening the drawers of the desk. In the bottom drawer she found an official looking document staring right back at her. She picked it up and read it, her eyes widening by the second.
"No way," she breathed to herself. "Rogue! You might want to see this!"
Rogue rushed out of the bedroom and over to Tabitha. She took the paper wordlessly and ran her eyes over it from top to bottom. "No. This cahn't be right. This…"
"It's the only paper here, Rogue," said Tabitha softly.
"But…this isn't mah birth certificate. This is Kurt's! Oh mah gawd." Rogue dropped the paper as her face paled. "It makes sense…why…how…oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. This cahn't be happening. She was tellin' the truth. Ah…Ah gotta get outta here."
"Rogue, wait!" But Tabitha's words fell on deaf ears. Rogue had already bolted out the apartment door. Tabitha bit her lip and gazed down at the paper on the floor. "I'm really going to hate myself in the morning," she muttered to herself as she picked up the paper off the floor.
Back at the Mansion:
Tabitha shifted from one foot to the other as she waited for the Professor to finish scrutinizing the document in his hands. She glanced over at him when he sighed.
"And you don't want to tell me how you came across it?" he asked wearily.
"Look, does it really matter? All I'm gonna say is that Rogue and I just happened across it and I thought it would be in your best interest to know. It's not everyday that you learn who the mother of one of your student's is. 'Sides, don't you think Kurt has the right to know about his mom?" stated Tabitha popping a piece of gum she had tossed into her mouth earlier.
"Thank-you for your concern, Tabitha. I will handle it from here."
"Whatever you say, old man. Just doin' my job as an X-Person. You shouldn't call your students X-Men, you know, its sexist."
Professor Xavier sighed again the moment Tabitha had left his office. He had suspected the truth about Kurt and Mystique for many years now, but here was the truth right before his very eyes. He knew Tabitha hadn't been telling him the whole truth, but he figured it would all come out later. He respected his students' rights to privacy.
Now he had to deal with something he had avoided for far too long. Just then Ororo entered his office with a small frown.
"You called for me, Charles?" she asked.
"Yes, it seems that Mystique is in fact Kurt's mother. I think it is time to tell him the truth."
"Are you sure about that? Do you think he's ready for it?"
"There is no right answer for that question, Ororo. But Mystique is in town, and I believe she is looking for a way to woo Rogue back to the Brotherhood. Now would be the opportune moment to rattle Mystique's defenses. One cannot be a mother and a terrorist at the same time. She will have to choose between her child and her job."
Ororo nodded slowly. "What do you want me to do?"
Café on the Other Side of Town:
The waitress looked up as the bell on the door rang. She gave the man who had just wheeled himself in a smile before picking up a menu and leading him to an empty table on the far side of the restaurant. He ordered coffee and waited patiently as she disappeared to get the pot.
Xavier silently studied the woman with her blonde bob and green eyes as she poured some coffee into his cup. He cleared his throat just as she was about to leave. "I know about your child, Mystique," he said quietly.
The waitress gave a small gasp and almost dropped the pot in her hands had Xavier not used his telekinesis to hold it up. She set the pot on the table and sank down into the seat across from Xavier. "How?" she murmured.
"A birth certificate is best kept under lock and key if you do not wish your secret to be known. How long were you planning on keeping it a secret?"
"I—you don't understand, Charles. I—"
"Kurt is a fine boy, Mystique. It would be in your best interest to tell him the truth before someone else."
"T-tell him?" she stammered in surprise.
"Two students already know," said Xavier. "I would hate for one of them to tell him."
"Who else knows?"
"That shouldn't concern you." With those words Mystique watched speechlessly as Xavier placed some money on the table and then wheeled himself out of the café. Mystique sat back and twisted her apron in her hands.
Xavier was seated in his chair on the corner when Mystique burst out of the café. "I want to speak to him!" she called out. "Ask him to meet me in the park in at noon."
"Very well." Xavier nodded in agreement. Mystique turned her back on him and reentered the restaurant, wiping a tear from her eye.
Meanwhile:
"No," murmured Kurt shaking his head. He was seated in the Professor's office across from Ororo. The older woman took one of his hands in hers and patted it reassuringly.
"I know it is shocking, to say the least, but it is the truth, Kurt. Mystique has done many things in her life—many of them questionable and dastardly, but the one thing that she did right was have you."
"But my parents found me in the river," said Kurt wiping hot tears from his eyes. "What woman has a child and tries to drown him? It couldn't have been because I was blue and furry. Look at her! She's blue!"
"Even I don't have an answer to that, but there is someone who does know. Mystique."
Kurt looked up at Ororo and sighed. "Are you sure it's true?"
"You know I would never lie about something so serious," replied Ororo with a small smile. Kurt nodded. Ororo glanced up into space and then lowered her voice even more. "She wants to meet you in the park in at noon. It's up to you, Kurt. You don't have to go…no one will force you. The Professor is on his way back to talk to the rest of the students."
"He's going to tell them?" Kurt's confidence seemed to deflate at the thought.
"Rogue and Tabitha already know. Something this big cannot be kept a secret."
"It was just a thought." Kurt heaved a heavy sigh as he leaned back in his seat. He glanced up at the clock. It was only a quarter after eleven.
Noon:
Rogue was on her fifth cigarette, her mind ticking away as she sifted over what she had learned today. Kurt was Mystique's son. Mystique was Kurt's mother. That meant that Kurt was Rogue's brother. It was hard to comprehend. Rogue flicked the cigarette butt out of her hand and watched it fall to the ground below. She was hidden in a tree in the park trying to hide from anyone should they be looking for her.
Rogue lit up another cigarette when she noticed someone going to sit in the swing set. It was the waitress from the café she and Warren had gone to the night before. Warren! He was supposed to be leaving soon. Just as Rogue was getting ready to jump down from the tree and head home she saw Kurt come into view. Rouge frowned as he looked around the park carefully. He was in human form, but Rogue had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach.
It was then that the waitress got up from her swing and headed towards Kurt. Rogue stifled a gasp as the waitress shifted into Mystique.
"Kurt," greeted the blue mutant sharply.
"I just want the truth," replied Kurt bluntly. "Did you mean to kill me by throwing me in the river?"
Mystique seemed taken aback by the question. "Of course not! How could you ever think such a thing! You are my son! I wanted nothing but the best for you!"
"Then why throw me in the river?"
"I didn't throw you in! I dropped you—I was running from Magneto. He wanted me to get rid of you…because you were a mutant. He wanted to experiment on you and see if he could reverse the mutation. I couldn't let him do that. Not to you.
"I was running so I could save you. So I could save us. I wanted to raise you on my own, Kurt. I wanted to leave Magneto and his vision behind. But in running, I tripped…I thought I had lost you all those many years ago, and then I saw you with Xavier and I knew. Deep in my heart I knew that you were my son." Mystique's voice choked with heartfelt emotion. Kurt felt his own heart go out to the woman before him just as Rogue's steeled over with jealousy.
Mystique was supposed to be her mother too. But she hadn't put forth an effort in getting to know Rogue beyond her powers and potential for the team. Mystique had simply passed Rogue by with the lame excuse that she couldn't raise a child—that she hadn't wanted to. And yet, here she was telling Kurt that she had mourned him for the last fifteen years. She hadn't mourned for Rogue, and the southerner knew it.
With gritted teeth Rogue sank back further into the branches and watched as Kurt scuffed his foot in the dirt. "You're the enemy," he remarked after a while.
"I know. I'm not asking you to join my side. I'm just asking you to…accept me for who I am."
"I'll…I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask. I'll be around. I'm working at a café on the other side of town. Xavier knows the place if you want to talk," replied Mystique. Kurt nodded absently and turned to walk away. Mystique watched him go before shifting back into the waitress. Rogue waited until she was gone before dropping down to the ground. She angrily wiped the tears away from her eyes, hardening her heart with pure hatred.
She was tired of being ignored. She was tired of being looked over. She was tired of being considered an outcast. She was tired of being feared for no reason whatsoever. She wanted revenge in the worst possible way, and she knew exactly how to go about it.
Mansion Gates:
Warren stopped the car upon seeing Rogue standing outside the mansion gates. He beckoned her over to the window.
"I've been looking all over for you," he said giving her a quick peck on the lips.
Rogue grinned at him. "Ah'm sorry. Time just got away from meh. Ya headed back ta the city?" she asked innocently.
"Yeah, my dad keeps calling the cell—I need to get back before he sends the S.W.A.T. team after me."
"Cahn Ah tag along? Ah'm meetin' a friend in the city."
"Sure. Are you going to need a ride back later?" he agreed readily. Rogue shook her head and ran over to the passenger side. She slid in and shut the door before Warren continued on down the road. "Ah've got the ride back already covered," she murmured coolly.
"Are you okay? The Professor just told everyone about Kurt and Mystique."
Rogue rolled her eyes. "Ah'm fine. Things couldn't be better."
"You're awfully cheerful today," commented Warren suspiciously.
"For once in mah life Ah feel in control. 'Sides, now Ah'm not the only one with a screwed up mother."
"Are you going to tell anyone?"
"Too many people know as it is. Ah think Ah'll wait till the buzz dies down over Kurt's thing. He doesn't need ta know Ah'm his sister on top of findin' out who his mother is."
"Fair enough."
Back at the mansion the students were still reeling from the news. Tabitha caught Logan's eye and beckoned him to follow her outdoors.
"What is it?" Logan growled.
"I'm worried about Rogue. She told me about Mystique…she said you already knew. She totally freaked out today. I don't know where she is. And it's not like I can mention it to anyone…they'd start asking questions, and Rogue's my friend. I'm not going to rat her out like that," stated Tabitha with a shake of her head.
"Stripes was in bad shape before over Mystique—this is gonna throw her over the edge. She just needs some time to herself. She'll be back later."
"You sure?"
Logan shrugged. "How that hell am I supposed to know? I don't know shit about teenage girls. I figure Rogue has a good head on her shoulders. She'll do the right thing."
Tabitha sighed. "I hope you're right."
New York City:
Rogue studied the maximum security fortress carefully from the sidewalk. After saying good-bye to Warren she had made her way to the place where Magneto was being held. It was taking a lot more nerve than she had to not run away in fear. Inside that prison was the man who had tried to kill her. But she couldn't execute her plan of revenge without him. She wanted to hurt Mystique and the X-Men in the worst way possible.
"Are you gonna stand out here all day, or are you actually thinking about going in?" demanded a harsh voice. Rogue swirled around to come face to face with Pietro.
"Ah dunno," she mumbled glancing back at the prison.
"Look, if you want to see him then you better come in with me. Only family can get in," said Pietro with a troubled sigh.
"Why would ya want ta help meh?" asked Rogue without looking back at the white haired teen.
"Because he's been asking about you. He told me you were working for him."
"Bet that caught your attention, huh, Speedy?"
"I was wrong. You were in deep, Rogue. I ain't gonna apologize though."
"Didn't expect ya to." Rogue flashed Pietro a small grin. "Alright, Speedy, get meh in."
It was a half hour later when Rogue, playing the part of Pietro's sister, was led into the holding cell leading directly towards Magneto's cell. Once she was cleared of all metal Rouge was ushered into a plastic tube with a police officer. Rogue twiddled her thumbs nervously until the tube opened up into Magneto's cell.
The master of metal seemed genuinely surprised as Rogue stepped out of the tube and the door shut behind her. The policeman waited inside the tube patiently. Rogue took a seat across from Magneto at the plastic table and studied him carefully. His face was thinner, and he still seemed physically weakened than the last time she had seen him.
"This is quite a surprise," murmured Magneto with a triumphant smile.
"Let's just say ya were right 'bout Mystique. Ah'm tired of all the games Ah'm playin', Mags. Ah want control over mah life again. Ah don't like bein' bossed around by the X-Men…ahn Ah really don't like how Mystique betrayed meh. Ah wanna get even." Rogue's words were barely above a whisper.
Magneto sat back thoughtfully as he studied the teen girl sitting before him. He leaned forward over the table to say, "Mystique has been by as well. She's trying to get back in my good graces. Only she can get me out of here, but I don't trust her any more than you do."
"So what do Ah do?"
"You're sure you want back in, Rogue? There's no turning back after this."
Rogue gazed up with a sharp glint in her eyes. "Ah'm sure," she reassured the older man.
"Then I need you, Pietro, and Sabertooth to work with Caliban and find me three acolytes. I want loyal mutants. Ones who will work for our cause with no question. They must hate the idea of peace with the humans—they must be able to work against the X-Men.
"Pietro will get the Brotherhood back in shape while I string Mystique along until I have no use for her. You, Rogue, you will be my right hand along with Sabertooth. I trust that you can handle the responsibility?"
"'Course Ah cahn. You already have a new plan?"
"I'm still working on it, but I need a loyal team. That is the only way we can save mutant kind," answered Magneto with a shake of his head.
"Fine then. Ya got yourself a deal."
"Good, I will contact you as soon as I'm out of here."
Rogue nodded absently and stood up to go. "Take care, Mags. This place ain't exactly Buckingham Palace."
Magneto chuckled and watched as Rogue stepped back into the tube with the police officer. Rogue made her way back to Pietro who nodded at his father in acknowledgement before following Rogue back through the prison hallways.
Outside, back on the sidewalk Pietro and Rogue stood in silence.
Finally, Pietro blurted out, "So are you in?"
"'Course Ah'm in," said Rogue smoothly as she lit up a cigarette. "First things first though. We need ta get Sabertooth ahn Caliban together for a little meetin'. We've got a lot of work to do."
Pietro broke into a grin as he pulled out his cell phone. He quickly dialed a number and glanced over at Rogue appreciatively. "It's nice to have you back, Roguey."
"Sugah, you have no idea."
Two hours later Rogue, Pietro, and Sabertooth were standing around a manhole waiting for Caliban to arrive. Rogue knew he would come without warning. He always seemed to know when she was around. And Rogue wasn't disappointed this time. Caliban poked his head out of the open manhole and sighed as he crawled topside.
"I am not sure I have a good feeling about this," he said shaking his head.
Rogue grinned. "Don't worry, sugah, they ain't gonna hurt ya. You're under mah protection from now ohn. We're gonna need your help though."
"My help? For what?"
"We need three very powerful, very loyal mutants," replied Rogue toying with a white strand of her hair.
"I do really not like the sound of this." Caliban's face fell as Sabertooth growled.
"None of us do," muttered the hairy mutant angrily. "But it's in your best interest to go along with it. Rogue can save you, but she can't save all the Morlocks you hide down there."
Rogue frowned, but didn't say a word. There was nothing she could say. She couldn't go against Sabertooth on her own. Instead Rogue tried for a more diplomatic approach. "Look, sugah, you do this for meh ahn Ah'll owe ya big time. You cahn count ohn meh, remember? We are friends, aren't we?"
Caliban was silent and then he nodded in agreement. He couldn't turn Rogue down. She needed him to watch over her to be sure she was safe.
"Good. Now," started Rogue becoming serious, "let's talk business."
A/N—Okay, finals are like next week, so I'm finding a little more time to write. I hope you like the latest twist. And I hope many of you are noticing how much closer we are to getting Gambit in town. Anyway, enjoy until I can get the next chapter up.