Hello everyone! Us usual I'm sorry this took so long to get up! Please read the bold note at the end of the chapter. I'm asking you all to vote on the plot for the next chapter again. Thank you everyone for reading. I really hope that you all enjoy it.

Taunting Repartee

Chapter Twenty-Five

Magneto watched his two subordinates walk away contently back into the restaurant. He gave out a dark chuckle at his triumph.

'There is rarely a dull moment with you around, my girl,' Magneto thought to Rogue's future self: his eyes were lit up with pride. He turned his head towards the car to glance at Rogue. She stared back at him with narrowed eyes: breathing hard. 'What are we going to do with all that pent up anger of yours, Anna?' he asked with a smirk. 'I have a few ideas, of course,' he thought as an image of her lying naked on a bed beneath him: her face flushed with color: popped into his mind.

He indulged the thought for a moment before he pushed it out of his mind. He chuckled at his own mind. Why should he fantasize about the girl when she was only a feet away? Trapped in a car: completely at his mercy…

He watched her inhale sharply as though she knew what he was thinking. 'Perhaps you did,' he thought with a chuckle as he started to walk. He watched her eyes widen as he walked away from Graydon's car and towards the institute's van.

He opened the driver's car door and got into it. He started the car as he glanced through the rearview mirror at Rogue. She was still staring at him: refusing to look away. 'Like a mouse watching: waiting to see when the cat will strike,' he smirked at the thought as he turned his gaze away from hers and onto the clock: it read 11:35pm. 'Almost,' he thought. 'What am I going to distract you with for the next twenty-five minutes?' he asked himself as he glanced at her again.

He laughed as a notion came to mind.

Rogue's anger had diminished as watched Magneto move around the parking lot. She had no idea what he was up to. And as usual her lack of knowledge terrified her: she was terrified of him. Rogue watched Magneto get into the driver's seat of Graydon's car. She turned her head forward not wanting to look at him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him turn towards her. She heard him take a breath, still staring at her. Was he waiting for her to speak?

"That was-," she said quietly. "I can't believe they actually believed that crap," she muttered disappointed. "You didn't tell them anything. You made me keep your secrets before you ever gave me a choice, and… and that choice wasn't-"

"Nearly as simply as I allowed them to believe. I know," he said gently. She turned to look at him but was stopped by the seatbelt.

"Can I please take this thing off?" she asked annoyed as she pulled at the seatbelt. She heard a click and let go of the seatbelt. She let out a sigh in relief as she watched it move off her body. She turned to face him: putting her back again the car door.

"I told the truth when I was talking to Emma," Rogue said. "If she's too afraid of what you might do to her or Graydon to step out of line, then it's blackmail. You're controlling her with threats the same way you are with me," she said. Magneto let out a soft chuckle.

"Anna, why do you go to your participate in danger room sessions?" he asked.

"Why are asking me that?" she asked confused.

"To prove an ideological point," he answered. She blinked surprised at his answer. "Anna, please answer the question," he said.

"Because, I'm part of the team," she said.

"Charles is also part of the x-man, its leader, and yet he has never been in the danger room itself during one of those sessions. He has only-" He paused for a moment as he glanced at Rogue. "... Alright, let me ask this a different way. What would happen if you were not present during your mandatory danger room sessions?" he asked.

She thought about it for a moment before she rolled her eyes.

"I'd be reprimanded," she said.

"You would be subject to a social sanction," he said.

"But it's not the same thing," she said. "Being yelled at for not being in the danger room is completely different from being afraid for your life if I don't follow your orders," she said. He gazed at her in disbelief.

"Are you afraid for your life, Anna?" he asked as he leaned forward towards her: she could hear the slightest trace of irritation in his voice. "Do you actually fear that I will kill you?" he asked upset.

"I-" she started to say before an image of him staring at her coldly popped into her mind. It took effort to push it back. She closed her eyes and tears ran down her face.

"Anna?" he asked concerned.

"When- when you pushed me against the wall after I punched you… you- ya looked like you wanted to kill me. I- I've seen you kill someone before," she said her voice shaking. "I know what- …what you look like when you're that angry," she said. "You looked that angry then," she whispered. "I thought that would, if I didn't say what you wanted me. If thought you would," she said slowly as she opened her eyes. She gasped as the car doors opened.

"Anna, when you're ready please step out of the car," he said delicately. She watched him get out. She quickly got out and put a few feet between her and the metal cage. She stood shivering and watched with uncertainty as Magneto walked up to her.

He stared down at her for a moment.

She flinched, taking a step backwards, as he took his brown trench-coat off. He took a step forward and draped the coat around her. She immediately felt warmer.

"I am sorry that you are so frightened of me. I know that I have given you just cause to be, but I hope," he said as he placed his hands on her arms, "that this will help to disaffirm your fears… I promise you Anna Marie, right here, right now: I am giving you my word that you will outlive me," he said. Her neck snapped up to meet his gaze. His eyes bore into hers filled with conviction.

"How do I know that you're telling me the truth?" she asked desperately. "What if you're just telling me what I want to hear? The same way you did with them," she said.

"I am not lying to you," he said gently. "I meant every word. I understand if you cannot accept my statements as truth… yet. But given enough time you will see. I will prove it to you," he said strongly. "I am not going to die anytime this century, and neither are you, my girl," he said before he leaned in and gave her a kiss on the forehead. Her eyes widened in shock as she sucked in a breath.

"The rebirth machine," she whispered.

"I'll drag you kicking and screaming into it if I must," he said: she could feel him smiling against her forehead before he kissed it. "I have already lost one woman I loved to time, I will not lose another. I will not lose you that way. Not when I have the means at my disposal to prevent it," said: kissing her forehead again.

Her eyes closed as she tried to absorb what he had said.

'He just-,' she started to think.

"My love," he said tenderly as he pulled away slightly: effectively pulling Rogue out of her thoughts. She titled her head up to meet his glace: her breathing heavy. "You shall not perish while there is still a breath of life in my body: you have my word," he said staring into her eyes. She lifted her hands up and placed them on his chest.

"Did you just promise to-" she started to ask in disbelief. "What if- what if it's a choice between your life or mine?" she asked softly: her voice barely above a whisper.

"I will choose yours...," he promised gazing into eyes. "The thought of living in this world without you, Anna, is... It's unfathomable to me," he said as he cupped her hand with his own: she curled her fingers around his. "Not while I am this powerful will I fail to protect the one I love," he said.

He leaned in and kissed her. Magneto had just promised to die for her: she couldn't stop herself from responding. She pushed herself closer to him as his hand wrapped around her waist. She parted her lips and allowed him to deepen the kiss.

After a long moment he broke the kiss, and pulled away slightly so he could gaze into her eyes. "You've asked me today what it is that has changed: what am I planning. Do you still wish to know?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered breathlessly.

"In two days time I am going to reveal mutant kinds existence to the world," he said. Her eyes widened. "I was not expecting this," he said as he rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "You can understand that…," he said before pausing.

"Understand what, Eric?" she asked.

"No- would…," he uttered. She stared up at him in confusion. "Anna, when we are alone would you please call me Max?" he asked. She hesitated: startled at the question. After a moment she nodded slowly. He continued to stare into her eyes: waiting for her to speak again.

"… Max" she uttered. She watched his eyes light up as he smiled warmly at her. He moved his hand from her waist to her face: cupping her cheek he caressing it.

"Address me by that name again?" he asked gently.

"…Max," she said. He pulled her face to his: his lips crashing into hers.

"Thank you, beloved," he murmured before kissing her again. He pulled back and she opened her eyes to see his cell phone flying through the air towards them. His hand left her cheek and he grabbed onto the phone. "It's five past midnight," he informed her.

"Okay," she said quietly.

"I recall making you a promise in your friend's car," he said as he put the phone into his pocket.

"Yeah, you… you said that you wouldn't change your mind about not taking me home until tomorrow," she said.

"That was yesterday," he commented with a small smile.

"So, what does that mean?" she asked as she slipped her hand out of his.

"You have to understand I do not wish for you to be hurt. I'm inclined to keep you away from dangerous places, and at the moment Bayville is a very dangerous place. Between myself, Mystique," he started to list, "and the sentinel," he said with a laugh.

"Sentinel?" she asked.

"It is a mutant hunting robot," he answered. Her eyes widened in fear. "It's alright, Anna," he said warmly. "It's consists mostly of metal. Nothing I cannot destroy with a single thought," he said with a smile. She found herself letting out a sigh in relief. "There has never been this many mutants collectively in one place before," he explained. "The institute, in particular, is an extremely perilous location at the moment," he said.

"So, were not going back there," she said.

"You're not," he corrected. "I have too tomorrow."

"And I have no say, of course," she said crossing her arms over her chest.

"Captor's privilege," he said with a grin: she rolled her eyes.

"When are you gonna bring me back?" she asked. She watched his eyes widen for fraction of a second before returning to normal.

"There's a problem there, I'm afraid-" he started to say.

"I get to go back," she said strongly. "I haven't told anyone what's going on. I've kept my word. When is this gonna be over?" she asked.

"This time everyone will remember. The world will know that we exist. It will never be over," he said.

"That's not what I-" she started to say. "You gonna reveal mutants to the world. Fine, but then after you do that you don't need Bayville anymore," she said.

"The situation is not that simple," he said.

"Well, you won't need the Professor anymore. You could let him go and he can go to the institute," she started to say.

"I was not planning to release him," he told her. Rogue felt her heart skip a beat.

"Why?" she asked.

"Honestly, Anna, I just don't like the man," he answered. She stared up at him incredulously.

"That's not a good enough reason to hold someone captive indefinitely," she yelled. "No reason is good enough to hold me or anyone else against their will indefinitely," she said strongly.

"Anna," he said gently as he took towards her: reaching out for her.

"No," she growled taking a quick step away from him. "You have to have a better reason than that," she demanded.

"I do," he assured her. "This is all a part of a much larger plan."

"And that is?" she asked panicked.

"That question I can not answer," he said. She took a deep breath. "If you've noticed I have been answering your questions," he said.

"Yeah, I noticed," she said with a nod. She took another deep breath. "Well- ...Okay, what's gonna happen now? How much danger is my family in?" she asked.

"No one will be killed," he told her.

"That doesn't answer my question," she said annoyed. "… If I don't get go back to the institute I won't trust a word you say: not one. All the work you put into keeping your promise it'll all be for nothing if you don't let me go back to the institute and my family," she ranted. "My entire family, Max: Prof included," she added.

"Anna, this is-" he said taking a stride towards her.

"The only weapon I have," she yelled. "Do you really expect me to stand here and do nothing?" she asked disbelievingly. He let out a sigh.

"Years of planning, Rogue, all for this week. I cannot alter those plans to appease you," he said gently. "Even if I wanted to, it's too late."

"No," she said shaking her head in disbelief. She had already lost three families: three homes, three sets of parents. She wasn't ready to lose another. She wasn't ready to give up her little brother. 'No one will be killed,' she replayed in her mind. 'But that doesn't mean noones gonna be hurt. I- ... I have to do something. I can't let this happen: "Not when I have the means at my disposal to prevent it,"' she thought to herself: quoting Max. She glanced up at Magneto: he was her means.

"Do you want to?" she asked.

"An-"

"If there was a way for you to get whatever it is you want out of Bayville, and I could keep my family, would you do it?" she asked.

"It's not possible," he said.

"You let me worry about that," she said: as he raised an eyebrow "…You said I'm a strategist. Okay, I'll be a strategist. I'll be your strategist," she said taking a step towards him. "You tell me everything's that gonna happen. I have two days, and you have telepaths who can put any back story you want into someone's mind," she said. "I can do this," she said strongly. "You say that you enjoy testing the limits of my capabilities. Let's see if I'm capable of this," she finished.

"If I do not approve of this plan of yours I will not use it," he said seriously, "it must be feasible and adhere to my standards."

"I understand," she said.

"You would working for me. You would be saying yes to the position of second in command, and you will have to play your part. You will have to help me achieve my goals here in Bayville: even if those goals are in exact opposition to x-men's, and I assure you, my girl, they will be. Can you agree to all of that? You will no longer be a captive, but a co-conspirator if you do. You will be my accomplice," he finished.

"Can you promise to tell me everything I need to know about your plans, Bayville, and the people you got here?" she asked.

"Yes," he asnwered. "Can you really betray your family?"

"I'm doing this to save them. That ain't betrayal," she told him.

"I doubt Charles would agree with your assessment," he said.

"After this is over, I'm not gonna work for you anymore. So, what happens to me after that?" she asked.

"If you are able to deliver me the strategy we both need? Then I will keep my word and allow you to return to family, but as a captive," he pointed out as he walked up to her. She nodded.

"So, are you gonna tell him? Cause I won't be able to," she said. He laughed loudly as he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Is that a yes then?" he said with laugh.

"Yes," she said. He smiled his laughter stopping.

"Yes, what?" he asked.

"You know what," she said.

"This might be the only time I ever get to hear you say it. It's customary to humor your future employer on an interview. Humor me?" he asked. She sighed.

"Yes, I'll join you," she said. She watched his smile widen "But untill I can go back to the institute and my family," she said.

"There's going to be a bit of a wait, I'm afraid," he said as he started to walk towards the x-van.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because you and I are going to blow up the institute tomorrow afternoon," he said.

"What?" she exclaimed as he chuckled.

"That part of the plan is nonnegotiable. I will explain everything else on the way to my house. Commander Creed?" he asked with a smirk as he held open the passender side door for her. She glared at him as she marched up to the car. "Would you prefer Captain?" he asked as she got into the van. She didn't respond: instead rolling her eyes as she watched him circle the van and get in. "I think I just keep testing these titles, until we find one that fits," he said before chuckling. She sighed.

"This is only temporary," she reminded him as they he started the van.

"So, you're stating that I should enjoy your new rank and all the intimacies that it allows for the short while you are in employ? Excellent advice, Admiral Anna: I knew there was reason I selected you as my second in command," he said with a grin as he pulled out of the parking space. She let out a sigh.

"The plan, Max?" she asked annoyed. He chuckled.

"Of course, I'll start at the beginning…"

Okay, that's it for this chapter. I know it's been another month. Stupid job hunting…being an adult! Anyway, I have a few questions for all of you. Please feel free to answer one, all, or none of them! (All would be extremely appreciated ^.^) Thank you in advance to anyone who chooses to answer a question!

1)Do you have any questions about what's going on in the fic? Or would you like to know more details about a certain character or situation? If so, what, who or where? I would like to answer the questions/ address the issues that you care about. So, please ask!

2)Is the army rank name calling thing I had Magneto do too corny/ too out of character for him? I find it funny as all hell, but I would like your opinion!

3)Is anyone unhappy with the way the fic is progressing? If so, why?

4) (Please answer this one: it's VOTING for the plot of the next chapter!)

Plot A) Would you like to hear the explanation of what's going in Bayville from Magneto?

Plot B) Or do you want me to skip ahead to after the conversation and have Rogue sum it up in her mind before she starts into the her planning?

Plot C) Or would you like me to skip a little more so forward in the timeline where Rogue has already come up with the plan and you all find out if it's going to be implemented or not?

Review time!

Warrioroftheseventhstar: You never need to apologize for a long review, and definitely not for giving good advice! I'm going to keep the new back story for Shan I told you about, but I'm not going to make an effort to tell the other readers about it unless asked. I think that's best. Both of us understand why she is the way she is. Anyone else who wants to know: all they have to do is ask!

"Really good way of showcasing Rogue's stratigics. Kind of puts her in the same league as Eric (not sure if that is what you were going for)."

Actually, that's exactly what I'm going for! I've been working up to this slowly though out the fic. I'm glad that you noticed and liked the showcasing of it! Thank you for the advice, reading, reviewing, and for being awesome! I hope to hear from you again!

LadyNorth76: I'm glad that you liked her effect on Emma! Thank you for that. ^.^ I hope you loved this chapter and I hope to hear for you again.

Tenchi13: :) Thanks for reading and reviewing! I hope you liked this chapter and I hope to hear from you again

Nikki: ^.^ Sorry they aren't new chapters more often! Thanks for reading and reviewing it means a lot and keeps me writing! I hope to hear from you again.

Alienarcher326: Great timing with this review ^.^ I'm updating today! I hope you love it! And I hope to hear from you again?