Hello everyone! Sorry I took so long to update. I was going through some writers block. Plus I'm back in school. So, all that free time I used to have to write has gone back to H.W, and Ultimate Frisbee.
However, I found out something ridiculously awesome. This site gives it writers info on how many people have read their stories. Including how many people read each chapter, and even what countries people are from. I can't put names to anything. They're only numbers, but it is so COOL!!!!!!
People from the U.K, Germany, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Norway, Belgium, Greece, Ecuador, Switzerland, and so many more are reading this story. That is so awesome!
I thought that fifty, maybe seventy people tops, were reading this. No, I was wrong! In January 382 different people read my story!!!!!!!!!
HOLY CRAP!
Yeah, so that writers block I was feeling last week…it's gone. After finding that out, I had to get back to writing, and a few days later, here we are. ^.^
Enjoy
Taunting Repartee
Chapter Six
Rogue sat in the elevator unmoved. She could see the open door, and his hand gesturing towards the subbasement. And of course she could hear his voice telling her over and over again that he wanted her to get out of the lift. But at this point she didn't want to do a damn thing he said. She didn't want to play games, or run around the mansion anymore. She definitely didn't want to talk to him.
She just wanted to sit, and relax. Maybe think, if she could have privately.
"Anna? I need you to stand now," Eric said with his voice slightly elevated. He had been saying that and similar phrases for almost fifteen minutes now. She just sat there ignoring him, not saying or thinking anything. With a sigh she tilted her head to the right so she could see past him, out into the subbasement. "Anna?" he asked looking down at her curiously. He spun around to glance at whatever it was that she was looking at. He saw nothing of importance. She was peering with discontent at the door to Cerebo. "What are gawking at, girl?" he asked as he turned back around to look down at her probingly. Resentment filled her. She stared up at him with rage in her eyes, and was met by his ever composed gaze. She wanted to stand up and hurt him. Make him feel some type of pain…anything would do.
'Like I could,' she thought bitterly as she turned her eyes to the wall. She heard him groan exasperated.
"Will she ever stand again?" he asked no one in particular.
"Perhaps," she whispered.
"'Sometime today would be nice,'" he quoted smugly. Her hands balled into fists, but she stopped herself from trying to punch him.
'Just calm down, girl. You did the same thing to him earlier. He's using the same exact tactic, fucking copycat.' She took a deep breath. 'He's just getting revenge,' she told herself as she took a few more took deep breaths. 'I won't give him the satisfaction,' she though empowered as she relax herself.
"Anna?" he asked. She went back to ignoring him. "Anna Marie," he yelled. She sighed unmoved. "Despite the impression I may have given you, my dear. I do not have all day to just stand here."
"You'd have all the time in the world if we were having sex," she huffed.
"Are you offering?" he asked intrigued. She sighed yet again.
"You're a bastard," she said calmly from her spot on the floor.
"Maybe so, but I'm your bastard." She looked up at him surprised. "Shall we?" he asked, holding his hand out to her. She stared at it uncertainly for a moment.
'He can't really think that we're…,' she let her thought trailed off as she took his hand. "What do you mean by that?" she asked as he helped her to her feet. His hand slipped out of hers, capturing her glove. He let it fall to the floor.
"That I'm your?" he asked as he took hold of her bare hand, and put his other hand on her hip.
"Yes," she said as she tentatively gazed into his eyes.
"Relationships are at there best, my dear, when those involved correspond to one another. Wouldn't you agree?" he asked.
"Yes," she said again much softer than she had but a moment before. His hand slipped underneath the fabric of her shirt. His bare hand rested gently on the small of her back.
"I call you my girl, because you are mine."
"Eric-" she started to protest.
"Anna, you may berate me as much as you please, after I have said my peace." She reluctantly nodded. "Thank you." He paused. "I call myself your bastard," he said with a smirk, she smiled, "because I most certainly am one, and at late I find myself quite infatuated with you," he said as he brought her hand to mouth and kissed it. She sucked in a breath as she put her other hand on his arm, unintentionally stepping closer to him. He leered. "There are many other activates that I am meant to be engaged in at this moment, yet despite my numerous responsibilities I find myself spending more and more time with you, Anna Marie." His hands left hers and rested on her cheek. "Do you have any idea what measures I had to take to ensure this meeting?" She put her hand on his wrist.
"There are a few ideas running in my head."
"I know there are," he said as he brought their faces closer together, almost touching. "And one of them is correct, my exquisite strategist," he whispered as his lips brushed against hers.
"I'm not a strategist," she insisted softy as her eyelids fluttered. "Not like you."
"I bed to differ," he said before he lightly kissed her. "You evaluate a given situation swiftly, and contemplate every logical possibility I would realistically consider," he said as he backed her against the wall. "Then you, my girl," he said with lust in his voice, "you assess your part in our dealings, what I will and won't allow you do. You work within these boundaries."
"You don't give me much of a choice, E-Eric," she said her breathing becoming uneven. Her hand painfully grasping his wrist.
"You manipulate what little freedom I permit, to your benefit. The other day when you left through the book shelf, you closed it behind you. You used another book to do this. Giving yourself a few more seconds of times to run, my clever Rogue," he said as his other hand explored her body.
"Anyone could've come up with that," she gasped as her eyes closed.
"Perhaps," he murmured as his hand slid to her neck. He tilted her head back. "but how many could control their thoughts the way you did?" he uttered. She felt his hot breath on her neck. "How many could have realized I was suspicious of their behavior, and instantly fathom a means to diminish that doubt, without mentally planning a thing? It was as though you acted on pure instinct. If that mental feat does not qualify you as a strategist, then no one of worthy of the title."
"Is that what changed your mind?" she panted.
"Yes," he said as he kissed her neck. She moaned. "That is how you gained my respect," he said as the zipper on her pants lowered. She felt it. Her eyes quickly flew open.
"Eric," she protested weakly.
"Trust me," he urged gently.
"Trust you?" she asked in disbelief. He chuckled darkly as he kissed her hard. His hand returned to her flushed cheek as he broke the kiss. His lust-filled eyes bore into hers.
"Just this once, Anna," he said breathlessly.
"Give in?" she asked softly.
"To something we both desperately crave." They stared into each other heated gaze.
"If we…if we do this… that doesn't mean I'm gonna join you."
"At the moment, my dear, that is not what I'm after." She stared at him for a few more moments before she came to a decision.
"I'm gonna regret this," she murmured.
"No, you won't," he promised as he kissed her. She tore her lips from his and looked him in the eye.
"If I change my mind-"
"Do not insult me by finishing that sentence," he said firmly. She rolled her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She took off her other glove, and dropped it to the floor.
"Can you really blame me for making sure I have control?" she asked looking up at him, anticipation and fear behind her eyes.
"No," he uttered as the door to the elevator closed, and started to ascend.
"Where are we going?" she asked nervously.
"Where do you think?" he asked with a smirk. The lift stopped and it's door flew open. They were on the second floor. He bent down and scooped up her legs. He kissed her. She returned it as she pulled herself closer to his him. He carried her out of the elevator and down the hall towards her bed room door. The door swiftly swung open slamming against the wall. They both heard a woman scream. She broke the kiss, and looked up at him confused.
"Eric, where are all the X-Men?" Rogue asked slightly out of breath.
"Outside," he said bitterly.
"Then who screamed?" she asked.
"My telepath," he said.
"Your telepath," she repeated. He lowered her feet to the ground and walked up to the door. She started to follow him. Eric turned to look at her again.
"Wait here," he commanded as he marched into the room. "You've had over two hours, why isn't it done yet?" she heard Magneto scream.
'Why isn't what done?' she thought as she walked up to the door. It slammed in her face. She could hear a woman whispering something, but she couldn't make out what she said.
"Of course you should," Eric said irritated. "Now, can she hear either of you?" he asked. He paused as thought he was waiting for a reply. "Good. Finish this within the hour. Do I make myself clear?" he paused again. "I am aware of that," he yelled. "When?" he asked slightly calmed. He paused. "Wonderful," he said sarcastically. He paused again. "Contact me once the opportunity presents itself," he ordered as he opened the door, to find Rogue blocking his path.
"What are they doing in my room?" she asked as she tried to see past him.
"You don't even know who they are," he said frustrated as he moved his body when needed to block her line of sight.
"I didn't say I did, like you'd tell me. Thought I ask something you might answer." He sighed.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that either," he said as he put his hands on her shoulder, and gently pushed her back.
"Can't?" she asked with a smirk. He chuckled as the door closed behind him.
"Won't," he said with a grin. She looked at her door again. There was no way he was allowing her inside. She sighed.
"So, where do you wanna go now?" she asked.
"That depends entirely on what you would like to do," he said as his hands ran up and down her arms. She glanced at him, and then her door. His hand slid up to her neck. He brought their lips closer together.
"I changed my mind," she informed him.
"Another time perhaps," he said with a sigh as he released her. He started to walk down the hall.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Follow me and you'll find out," he said smugly as he continued down the hall.
"What if I don't?" she asked out of curiosity.
"You would simply stand here until Charles returned?" he asked with a laugh. "A rather monotonous choice of activity, Anna.
"You'd let me?" she asked. He stopped walking. A moment later he turned to look at her.
"Yes, yes I would," he promised her.
"How long until he gets back?"
"I haven't decided," he told her truthfully.
"You haven't decided? How are you keeping him away?" she asked. He smirked.
"Well," he said as he turned again, and continued to walk, " you see, my dear, keeping Charles away isn't nearly as difficult as you would think," he whispered as he ambled out of hearing range. She rolled her eyes.
"Eric," she screamed as she watched him walk. She could tell he was still talking, but he was making sure that she couldn't hear him from where she was standing. 'Manipulating ass,' she yelled in her head. She rolled her eyes as she realized her zipper was still undone. She zipped it up and with a sigh she ran through the hallway, and down the stairs to catch up with him.
"And as you gather from that rather detailed description I just gave, Charles will not be able to return to the Institute until I allow it. Now, my dear, you can never claim that I am completely unwilling to answer you questions. That particular piece of information was extremely valuable. It took a considerable amount of planning. A work of strategical genius."
"I didn't hear the explanation, Eric," she said annoyed.
"Really?" he asked sarcastically with a smirk. "A pity."
"Would you repeat it?" she asked. 'Jackass,' she thought as she walked along side him into the kitchen.
"Anna, you do realize I'm still reading your mind?" he asked as he opened up on of the pantries.
"Yeah," she sighed as she went to find something to eat.
"Go and sit, I'll cook," he told her. She walked away from the pantry, towards the seats.
"Okay," she said with a small smile as she took a seat on one of the stools. "I was wondering about something," she said.
"Yes?" he asked as he continued to search.
"Do you mean you're reading my mind or you're having some telepath link them so it seems like you're reading my mind?" she asked
"Is there really a difference? Either way I can read your every thought, despite the means I use," he said as he opened a few more pantries. "Is there nothing to eat in this kitchen?" he asked incredulity.
"We're going to the store tomorrow. If only you'd waited a day to take over the place there'd be penalty of food for you to steal," she said sarcastically. "And it would matter if you had someone making it look like you were a telepath, rather than actually being one. If someone could separate you from your minions then they could defeat you," she said. "There's cereal in the pantry to your left, " she informed him.
"That plan would be feasible only if you knew just how many minions I have and what they are capable of," he said with a smile, "which I doubt Charles can make such a claim." He opened the cabinet she was referring to. "I refuse to eat Coco-Puffs," he said in disgust.
"I don't. Could you hand them to me?" she asked. In respond the cabinet door slammed close. "Eric, come on. I haven't eaten anything today," she complained.
"You'll eat soon, I promise," he said as he stood up and took out his phone.
"Do you enjoy Asian cuisine?" he asked.
"I guess," she said as she eyed the phone in his hand. "You're gonna order food?" she laughed in disbelief.
"In a matter of speaking," he said with a leer. "Are there any dishes you would prefer?"
"I haven't really had much of anything. Kitty made me try meso soup once, but I didn't like it."
"Not surprising. Meso soup is very bland. Quite the opposite to your tastes, my dear. Allow me to select a few items I believe you'll enjoy."
"Okay," she said staggered. Just as he was about to open the phone, it started to ring.
"Perfect timing," he said with a smile. "Excuse me for a moment," he said as he headed for the door.
"Like I have a choice," she murmured derisively. He sat down on the stool next to her.
"Anna, you are the only person, besides myself, who I allow to make decisions. I have only manipulated the circumstances you find yourself in. Not you, my dear. All the others, the X-Men, my assistants. They are either being manipulated by, or against their will. But you, my girl, the choices you make here today are your own. Your reactions are your own. You have a choice, my dear. As you always will be when you are within my company." She turned to face him.
"Why is that so important to you?" she asked amazed. "What do you care if I think you're truth worthy or not?" she asked. "Because you want me to join you? I get the first attempt. You saw I could be useful to you, and you used my weaknesses against me. And then the second time we talked, you tired to convince me that my family didn't care, and that you did. So, I'd leave with you, but it didn't work," she recapped. "I don't get why you're still trying. I said no. I'm not gonna say yes. I'm not," she insisted. She sighed as she looked away from him. "What's so special about me anyway? I'm sure you have dozens of mutants who can do what I can." His hands gripped her shoulders.
"Let me make this perfectly clear. You are not to be debased. Especially, by your own hand," he said firmly.
"You debase me all the time," she yelled up at him.
"And you in turn insult me. I consider it a game we play with one another. Both attempting to discover the other's breaking point. Thus far, I have not been disappointed," he said with a smile. "What is so special about you?" he asked astonished. "My dear, what could possibly be considered unexceptional?" She gazed into his eyes searching.
"I'm angry all the time," she claimed
"Because of the fragments, the nightmares," he justified. "Your hardship has lessened over time. It will continue to do so as you gain control over your abilities," he promised.
"I'm anti-social," she repeated her school councilor's words.
"We both know that's not true. You do not participate in mundane conversations. Much like myself, you do not see the reason for pointless chats. The aim to most conversations is to learn more about the person you talking to. You, my dear, know almost everything about the people you consort with on a everyday basis. Either because of your powers or your keen sense of observation. What else?" he asked.
"I…"
"You can't think of anything else at the moment, can you?" he asked with a smirk.
"Eric, I have faults," she told him as she stared into his eyes. She recognized the look in his eyes. She had seen it before. It was more then lust, or curiosity. He had given that look to only one other woman. "Are…are you in love with me?" she asked breathlessly. He paused, a look of contemplation on his face. He ran his hands up and down her arms, while looking into her eyes. She stared up at him waiting for an answer. He leaned in and kissed her. She closed her eyes as she leaned into him. They had kissed so many times, now. It seemed so natural to her, the feeling of his lips on hers. He broke it a few moments later, as he sat back in his seat. "Eric?" she asked. He sighed as he brushed her hair behind her ear tenderly.
"Yes, yes I am," he answered finally.
"How?… I mean, I know how… It's been less then a week." she said flabbergasted.
"We spoken more than just these few days, my dear. Surly, you must have suspected."
"Suspected what?" she asked. 'The only times I've talked to him before was…Oh God,' she thought. "The fragment?" she asked horrified.
"Indeed," he said confirming her fears.
"How often was I talking to you?" she asked startled. His phone rang again. "Was it always you?" she asked panicked.
"I will answer those questions and more after I have secured the next few hours of this conversation," he said as he freed her arms.
"Hours?" she asked.
"Unless, you are willing to join me now?" he asked.
"I…I…" she started to say as she quickly shook her head no.
"Shh," he said as his hand cupped her cheek, stopping her moments. "Calm yourself, my girl." He kissed her forehead. Her eyes closed. "Take this time to collect your thoughts," he said. A moment later she felt his hand leave her face. She opened her eyes to see him answering his phone several feet away from her. "I understand there is a time limit to this venture. I was a bit preoccupied," he said. He opened the door, just as he was about to step through it he turned back to look at her. "When I return I expect a long list of well thought out questions. Aimed to penetrate the very core of my resolve," he said with a smirk as he left her alone.
And that's it for now!!!!!! I hope everyone liked it! Please review people. If you have questions, or comments. Unlike some person in this story I can't read your mind, so review, and I shall act accordingly. With replies to your reviews
Speaking of which…
Archmagus: I'm glad you like the last chapter. I hope you weren't too confused. The point of the last chapter was to confuse Rogue, so I hope you were feeling her confusion, rather than not being able to decipher what I was writing. Let me know.
As for the Tom and Jerry comment you made. I love the comparison! I'm glad you're enjoying my story. I hope you love this chapter. Can't wait to hear what else you have to say.
PrincessKitty-Chan: I LOST THE GAME!!!!!!
You are awesome! I love you forever, and ever and ever and ever and ever, and always. Please like this chapter, ^.^
Oh man, maybe you'll write a review without me sitting next to you. How weird would that be? I'll see you this weekend, my friend.
Sinner-Pandemonium: Hi! Thank you for reviewing. Sorry, I almost made you cry. Not my intention. This whole day feels like it should be one really, really long chapter. But I have to break it off at some point so you guys can read in a timely manner.
Thank you for the complements. I glad it draws you in. That was my intention. Anyway I hope this chapter did the same thing. Can't wait to hear from you again.
Eris R. Lebeau: Hi again. Yeah after I realized that most of chapter five was in italics I was back and put up the chapter again. So I corrected those few mistakes you saw. And I'm totally going to use that suggestion you gave about reading the story backwards. Thanks!
Again with the complements! I am at a lose for words. Probably doesn't help that I've been staring at this computer for the last three hours finishing this chapter. Oh, I agree completely with your views on Emma. I love her for the same reasons!
Anyway, I am really happy that you're enjoying this story. And I can't wait to see what you have to say about this chapter.
Darkness-Lightness: Awww. I'm sorry I took so long to update. I had the writer's block. But then I read your review and it reminded me of myself about fours years ago doing the exact same thing. Again, sorry I took so long. I hope it was worth the wait. Let me know! ^.^
And to those who put this on the story alert, and are still reading, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And to everyone who just reading, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Peace