I am starting to get so fast with these updates! I think this is the fifth chapter I've written this year so far! I'm really very happy with how fast these chapters are coming out! I hope you all agree! And thank you for reading! Please review! Everytime I get a review or a favorite story or story alert email it just makes my day so much better! And hope that's that what reading this fic does for your guys; makes your days just a little bit better.
Okay, I stop being mushy now. But seriously the more reveiws I get the more effort I will make to update faster!
Please enjoy!
Taunting Repartee
Chapter Thirty-Two
Rogue let out a sigh as she walked through the front doors of Bayville high. It was only her fourth day back and already she couldn't wait for the week to be over.
'Why did I wanna come back to school again?' she asked herself as she walked through the halls.
"Bye, Rogue, see you after first period," Kitty said as she went into a classroom; leaving her alone. Rogue let out a sigh as she entered the girl's bathroom. She started to head for one of the stalls when she heard the bathroom door opening. She glanced to see who it was and gasped in surprise when she saw Magneto out of the corner of her eye.
"Shh," he hushed quickly as he walked past her. She stood silently as Magneto opened all three bathroom stalls; they were empty. He stood to face her. "Good morning, Anna," he said with a smile.
"Hi," she muttered; she didn't know whether to be scared or happy to see to him.
"How have you been, my girl?" he asked as he walked up to her.
"O- okay, I guess," she as the stared into each others eyes. "How've you been, Max?" she asked as he brought his hand to her face. He smiled as she addressed him by his given name.
"Bored," he answered before his lips descended onto hers. She stepped closer to him, placing her hands on his chest, as his tongue sought out hers. "And missing you, beloved. I've become accustomed to having you in my day-to-day life," he said as he placed his hand on her waist; pulling her closer. "Allowing you to return to your family has been a difficult transition," he said. She couldn't bring herself to comment on his statement; it hadn't been an easy transition for her either.
He brought his lips to her again; she couldn't stop herself from moaning.
"I," she started to say as she pulled her face away from his. She needed to get away from him; before she couldn't bring herself to leave. "I gotta go ta class," she said breathlessly.
"I know," he uttered frustrated. "But first I have instructions for you," he told her.
"What kind've instructions?" she asked worried as she backed out of his hold. She knew this was coming; the day he would tell her what to do and she would be expected to obey without question. It was what she had agreed to; she price she was willing to pay for her family's freedom. She just didn't think it was going to be so soon.
"During your free period today you will meet Gambit. You're family is under the impression that you have already fought him during the emergence. You know what his powers are?" he asked.
"Yeah, he can manipulate kinetic energy and his has that charisma thing," she answered.
"Good. You and Miss, Pride must follow him," he ordered. Her eyes narrowed.
"I ain't dragging Kitty into this," she said.
"You will need her powers to complete your objective," he said.
"But," Rogue tried to protest.
"You will not be able to explain absorbing the girl for her abilities and even if you could the transfer would not last the duration. Anna, I have carefully considered this strategy. You have my word no one will be seriously injured," he promised. "This plan will protect the facade. I'm certain you re-"
"Fine," she huffed; she really didn't have a choice in the matter. "Where are we following him to?" she asked.
"You will see when you get there," he answered. "Just follow him," he ordered. "Everything else will fall into place. I will see you soon," he said before he kissed her lightly; her eyes closing. She felt him pull back. Slowly she opened her eyes; he was gone.
'Of course,' she thought to herself annoyed. She groaned as she heard the bell ring. "And now, I'm late," she said frustrated in more ways than one as she rushed out of the bathroom.
Rogue sat on a bench outside; attempting to get as much of her math homework done as she could while she had the chance.
"She's one of them," Rogue heard a whisper from behind her; followed by a chorus of giggles. She rolled her eyes as she stood up.
"Step off, I'm warning you," she heard Evan say annoyed. She turned to see Evan being bullied by two students.
"You mutants think we should all be afraid of you; don't you?" one of them said as he pushed Evan around. It was the same creep who had started trouble with Kurt a while back. She didn't know the bastard's name and she didn't care enough to find out. Apparently, this time he had a friend.
"Hey, I say we puck the spikes out of him one at a time and then who's see scared," the other said.
"Truth me," she said as she pushed one of the boys away from Evan. "It won't be us," she said as she got in the other's face.
"Who invited you, skunk head?" he asked as he pushed her to the ground.
'God, I hate this guy,' she thought.
"That's enough," Evan said strongly. Rogue looked up to see Evan had allowed his bones to surface.
"Evan don't," she warned as she got to her feet.
"Kelly's gonna boot you outta here for this," the boy said as he and his friend ran away.
"It's over," Rogue said. "Hurry up, retract those things," she ordered as she glanced around. Thankfully, no had witnessed them so far.
"I- I can't," he said "What's happening to me?" he asked distressed.
"Evan, come on, concentrate," she said quickly. She let out a sigh in relief as she watched him retract his bones. "Just keep your cool, okay," she said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm gonna go head off the lamebrains," she said.
"Okay," Evan muttered as she rushed after them. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Kitty. As she turned the corner she saw the two boys talking with Gambit.
'Hey, we go,' she sighed.
"Then consider this free advice," Gambit said as he threw a charged pencil into a tree. She watched it blow up. "Don't mess with the mutants," Gambit said.
"Ugh...no problem," one of the boys said before they both ran away.
'At least that solves that problem,' she thought as she walked up to Gambit. "What are you doing here?" she asked annoyed; maybe he might give her a clue why she was supposed to follow him.
"Just passing by, Cherie," he said as he smirked at her.
'Course not' she thought annoyed.
"Nice day," he said before he turned and walked away; slowly.
"Hey," Kitty exclaimed as she walked up behind Rogue, "isn't that one of Magneto's new guys?" she asked.
"Yup, and he's up to something," Rogue said; playing the part she had to.
"We better go tell, Scott," Kitty said.
"Forget that. There's no time," she exclaimed as she grabbed onto Kitty's arm. Although at the pace Gambit was walking they probably had an at least ten minutes before they would lose sight of him. "Let's follow him," she said.
"But what about sixth period?" Kitty asked as Rogue as they followed after him.
"This is more important," Rogue said led her down the street; away from the school. Rogue noticed Gambit turn his head slightly towards them. She caught the side of his mouth; smirking; before he quickened his pace to a normal walking speed. 'Oh, yeah. He definitely knows we're supposed to be following him,' she thought as she didn't even try to hide. Kitty was thankfully going along with all this with no complaints or questions. She wondered which of Magneto's telepaths she had to thank for her roommate's compliance.
After a few minutes of mindlessly following; Rogue realized where it was they were heading.
"Kitty," she exclaimed as she pulled her to the side. 'I doubt the brotherhood knows what's going on,' she thought as she and Kitty hid behind the pole across the street from the brotherhood's house.
"The brotherhood?" Kitty asked. "What do you think he's doing here?" she asked.
"I don't know what Gambit's doing here," she said as they watched him enter the house. "Guess where just gonna have ta wait and see," Rogue said.
"Oh, so that's his name," Kitty said. "Hey, wait, how did you know?" Kitty asked.
"He-ah- he introduced himself at the warehouse," Rogue answered quickly.
"Really?" Kitty asked in disbelief. They heard a loud explosion come from the brotherhood's house.
"Come on, let's go take a closer look," Rogue said.
"What?" Kitty exclaimed as Rogue grabbed her hand and ran across the street. They ran up to the living room window; staying close to the ground.
"Back off," Gambit said strongly. Kitty gasped as they both watched a curtain covered toad light up with kinetic energy. Kitty started to stand up.
"Wait," Rogue whispered as she pulled Kitty back down. She lowered them both down below the window.
"I let go and you'll be repainting this room. So, let's talk," Gambit said.
"Talking's good, talking great. We hate painting," Toad muttered nervously.
"Alright," Lance said, "it's your show."
"No, it's Magneto's show," Gambit said.
"Hey- hey," Toad muttered. "You think you could, ya know, let me-"
"He's giving you a chance to prove yourselves, and trust me you do not wanna turn the man down," Gambit said completely ignoring Toad.
"Ah- okay, what's he want us to do?" Freddie asked.
"Piece of cake really. Just bust loose a captured mutant," Gambit explained.
"Great," Toad said, "and ah- by the way, could you-" Toad started to ask.
"So, who's Magneto got in mind?" Lance asked.
"You're old friend, Pietro," Gambit said.
'Great, me and Kitty are the backup for when they fuck this up,' Rogue thought annoyed.
"So, where do we have to go?" Lance asked.
"Look in you're glove-compartment. There's a g.p.s. loaded with the location. Ya all just follow the directions. I'm sure even a bunch of high school drop outs can manage that," Gambit said.
'Can anything be easy today?' Rogue asked frustrated.
"We'll manage just fine," Lance said annoyed.
"Yeah, I'm sure you will. Why else would Magneto send you lot on this mission if he didn't think ya all could handle it?" he asked; Rogue could hear the amusement in his voice. "I'm sure ya all will do just fine. Good luck," Gambit said; she heard footsteps.
"Come on," Rogue whispered grabbing Kitty's arm again. "We can't let them spot us," she whispered as she dragged her roommate back across the street to their previous hiding spot.
A few minutes later Rogue and Kitty watched the brotherhood get into their jeep and pull out from their driveway.
"I can't believe it. Can't Lance stay out of trouble for one day?" Kitty asked.
"Not that boy," Rogue commented. "Come on, hick us a ride in that direction," Rogue ordered as she grabbed onto Kitty's wrist.
"What do you mean, hick us a ride?" she asked as they ran up to a bus stop. As the brotherhood's jeep drove forward Rogue and Kitty spotted a large truck headed in the same direction.
'There's an idea,' Rogue thought as she took hold of Kitty's hand and ran towards the truck. As she jumped up; Kitty phased them into the back of the truck. 'Okay,' thought as she sat down. 'This could work. A location would've been nice, but okay... we can do this,' she thought.
Hours later Rogue and Kitty had run out of cars to stow away in. They had been walking up a mountain road for a good twenty minutes.
"So, hm, what part of your plan are you making up now?" Kitty asked as the both rubbed at their arms; attempting to keep warm.
"The part where it all comes together. Look there's Lance's ride," Rogue said as she started to run toward it. Just them the earth started to shake. 'Not good,' she thought as they started to run in the direction of all the noise.
"Oh man, I knew we should have called Scott," Kitty said as they saw the brotherhood fighting a bunch of soldiers.
"We can handle this, come on," Rogue said as she ran towards the actions. Thankfully, Kitty was right behind her. Her eyes widened as she saw that Lance was about to knock a soldier off of the side of the mountain. 'His orders were to rescue Pietro,' she thought as she grabbed onto the soldier, 'Not kill everyone,' she thought as she pulled them both out of the cars path. 'What does that boy think he is playing at,' she though in anger.
"Aren't you with them?" the solder asked.
"Don't insult me," she replied before after Lance. 'I have gotta power him down before he kills someone,' she thought as she ran up behind him; stripping her glove off.
"Rogue?" Lance gasped out surprised.
"In the fresh," she said as she put her hand on his face. She held on for a few moments before he fell unconscious. "Oh no," Rogue said as she watched the truck Pietro was falling off the side of the mountain.
"I got him," Kitty yelled out as she phased into the truck.
"Oh my god," she exclaimed as she ran towards the side of the road. She let out a sigh of relief as she watched Kitty and Pietro phase out onto a ledge.
"Thanks, but you just about muffed that slowpoke," Pietro said.
"What?" Kitty asked confused as Pietro he ran away.
'Who didn't know we were supposed to be here?' Rogue thought annoyed. "Kitty, you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah," she yelled back before disappearing into the rock. Rogue turned her attention back to the brotherhood. They had gathered into their jeep and where driving away.
"I don't think so," Rogue said as she used Lance's powers to shake the ground; attempting to stop them.
'Damn it,' she thought irate as they managed to escape. 'Now, how are we getting home?' she asked herself.
"Don't bother," Kitty said as she ran to Rogue's side. "They're gone. And so is Pietro, that jerk. I'll slowpoke him," she said as she put her hands on her hips.
"Hands in the air," they heard a voice yell from behind them.
"Great, now we gotta deal with these guys,' Rogue thought as she and Kitty turned around. Kitty did as the instructed. "I'm gonna rock this place," she whispered.
"No wait," Kitty said.
'Fine,' she thought.
"Stand down, men," one of the soldiers said.
'Hey, that's that guy I saved,' she thought as the soldier walked up to them..
"I saw what happened back there," he said.
"And?" Rogue asked.
"Thank you," he said.
"Ah- your welcome," Kitty said surprised as they both lowered their arms.
"I don't get it," Rogue said. 'Weren't they just transporting a mutant prisoner.'
"Not everyone hates mutants, miss," he explained. "We're just peacekeepers, like you," he said. She and Kitty looked at each other for a moment before turning back to the soldier in front of them. "I'd offer you girls a lift but ah- well we're kind've strained ourselves until another unit arrives," he explained.
"Oh, that's okay," Rogue said as they turned around. "We'll catch a ride, right?" she asked.
"Wrong," Kitty said strongly. "We are finding a phone and we are calling Scott," Kitty said as they started their journey home.
About an half hour later Rogue and Kitty were still walking down the mountain. Rogue let out a sigh as she felt Lance's powers leave her; his consciousness slipping into the back of her mind with the others.
"Kitty, I'm... I'm sorry about all this," Rogue said.
"It's okay. I, like, knew it was a bad idea but I went along with it anyway," Kitty said.
"Yeah, I know, but-" Rogue started to say before they both noticed a silver Lexus headed in there direction.
"Hey! Maybe they'll have a cell phone," Kitty said happily as she wave her hand signaling for the car to stop. As the car got closer Rogue could make out the license plate number.
'Why am I not surprised?' she asked herself. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure Magneto will have a cell on him," she said. Kitty stopped waving.
"Magneto?" she asked with a frown. "That's Magneto?" she asked.
"Yeah," she said with a sigh.
"Could this day get any worse?" she asked annoyed.
"Hopefully not," Rogue muttered as the car pulled up to them. Rogue sighed as her eyes made contact with Magneto's as he rolled down his window.
"Good evening, Ms, Pride, Anna," Magneto said.
"Hi, Eric," Rogue said; immediately falling into the roll he expected her play. She watched a smirk spread across his face.
"Hmm, hello," Kitty muttered nervously with a small wave.
"I believe you ladies are in need of transportation," Magneto said.
"And you're offering?" Rogue asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Of course," he said with a smile. "It's the least I can do to repay the kindness you showed to my son this afternoon," he said.
"Your son?" Kitty asked.
"Pietro," Rogue answered quickly.
"You were unaware?" Magneto said as he turned his attention to Kitty. "I'm surprised Charles did not-"
"Eric, could you spare us the backhanded insult about Prof? A rival's genealogy ain't a normal topic of discussion," Rogue said.
"Very well." he said with a chuckle.
"And thanks for the offer, but my answer's the same as it was last time," Rogue said. She could see his eyes light up in amusement. "But," she said as she walked up to the car, "if you really wanna help you could let us use that cell phone I know you got in that pocket right there," Rogue said as she pointed to his trench-coat's left hand side. 'Great, now you're flirting with him,' she thought to herself.
"I assume, that you wish to contact Mr, Summers. As he is in possession of the X-Men's only working automobile," he said.
"Maybe, we should, like, find another phone," Kitty muttered nervously.
"That's hardly necessary," Magneto said. "Besides the next viable phone-line is at least a thirty minute car ride. I could only imagine how long it would take you two to walk that distance. You might have made better time if you had waited with those solders," he said.
"But we didn't. So, we need to call Scott," Rogue said annoyed as she glared at him. God, did she want to go off on him, but Kitty was standing right next to her. "So, can I please use your phone? Or your car. I really don't care which. I just wanna go home," she said.
"My car?" he asked with a chuckle. "How very forward of you, Anna. Assuming that I would trust you with such a valuable possession," he said smirk. Her hands bailed at her sides.
"We both know that you don't give two shits about that car. It's just a hunk of metal. You'd dismantle it in a second if ya needed to. And as for being forward; you're the one who likes to take liberties they ain't entitled to," she said attempting to keep her voice civil. "This afternoon you stood on the sidelines and watched as we fought those soldiers. You could have stepped in and ended that fight at any time. Instead you choose to trust us with it's outcome. And you know what? Kitty ended up saving your son's life while you stood by and did nothing. So, I'm I being a little forward? Maybe," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest. She watched a smirk spread across his face.
"And ya know what?" Rogue asked annoyed. "I'd like to make another assumption. I don't think that you want to seat in a car with the two of us for hours making awkward small talk. But I know that you're too much of a gentleman to abandon us on the side of the road. So, let me do you another favor. I'll borrow your car for the night and drive your son's lifesaver home; safe and sound. So, we can all get on with our lives," she finished. Rogue took a step back from the car as Magneto opened it.
"Well, I have to say, Anna Marie, conversations with you are never dull," he said before chuckling. "Drive to the high school and park the car there. I'll have Pietro retrieve it sometime this week. I'm certain you can find a means to contact Mr, Summers from that location," he said.
"Yeah, yeah I know we can," she muttered. 'I can not believe he's actually going along with this,' she thought in disbelief.
"Good," he smiled. "Ms. Pride," he said turning his attentions to her. "Thank you. Of course, I could have intervened and levitated the armored truck to safety. But either of you were hardly aware of my presence," he said. Rogue couldn't help but roll her eyes. "And your efforts and bravery are greatly appreciated. Thank you again," he said.
"Hm, you're welcome," Kitty said. Magneto gave Kitty one last nod before he started to float a few inches off the ground.
"Oh and Anna?" he asked as he turned his attention to Rogue.
"Yeah?" she asked with a sigh.
"As always it has been a pleasure speaking with you. However, I would like to point out that the conversation, the one that was on the tip of both of our tongues, that we failed to have tonight is not finished. I have no intention of letting that topic die. But I'm afraid that we must postpone it for another time. Till then, my dear girl," he said with a smile before he flew higher into the air.
Rogue let out a sigh of relief as Magneto flew out of their line of vision.
"You sure this is a good idea?" Kitty asked.
"No, it's a horrible idea. But do you got a better one?" she asked.
"No," she sighed.
"Then let's go home," Rogue sighed. "Before he decides to come back," she added as she walked over to the car.
"You think he might?" Kitty asked worried as she crossed over to the other side of the car.
"Maybe, he's unpredictable. Let's just get the fuck outta here," she muttered as she opened the driver's seat door.
"Okay," Kitty said as she quickly as they both got into the cars. "I didn't think you, like, had your license," Kitty said.
"I don't. Doesn't mean I don't know how to drive," Rogue said as she started to adjust the diver's seat: it was way too far back for her. "Kitty, do ya know how ta work the GPS?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah," she answered as she leaned forward. "My mom has one of these," she said as she fiddled with the G.P.S for a few moments; inputting the high school's address. "Okay, done," she said as Rogue adjusted the mirrors.
"Good," Rogue muttered as she started to drive forward.
"Drive straight on Pine road for eleven-point- five miles," the g.p.s announced.
"It's seven a'clock already," Kitty said in disbelief. "We've been gone all day," she said.
"I know," Rogue agreed sadly. "How long does it say the drive home is?" she asked.
"Oh, man, almost four hours," she said.
"Keep a look out for anyplace that might have a phone," Rogue said. "Although, I don't think we're gonna see one for at least a half hour," she commented.
"Why? Because Magneto said so?" Kitty asked. "Do you like, really, believed what he said?" she asked.
"I- I," she started to said. Yes, she did trust him. " I kind've do," she admitted.
"Why?" Kitty asked in disbelief.
'Because he usually doesn't lie ta me. Because he keeps his promises...because I have to,' she thought sadly. 'Because trusting him is the only security I got anymore... Girl, your security just sent you out on an extremely dangerous mission he could've easily done himself. With almost no information that could've helped you along the way for a plan he refused to explain to you,' she thought annoyed.
"I don't know, Kitty," she said out loud. "I really don't know," she said.