Marigab, you, my friend, made an excellent point and that is where we will start our chapter!

Taunting Repartee

Chapter Fifty

Rogue set off after Magneto as he started to fly away from the institute. In that instance an urge overcame her.

"Max," she called out. His head turned slightly towards her as he slowed his pace. "Max," she called out again. He stopped flying and turned to face her.

"Have you changed your mind already?" he asked.

"Kind of," she told him. "I still wanna go get dinner, but it's just- I feel so gross right now. I wanna go take a shower," she told him before she stared to head back towards the ground: he followed her. "I'll try not to take too long," she said.

"Anna, it's alright," he said comfortingly as she faced him. "Take your time; relax," he said with a smile. She nodded quickly; almost dismissively. "None of that, my girl," he said as took hold of her chin. He tilted her head up until they made eye contact. "We have all the time in the world to spend with one another. Am I eager to do so? Of course," he said warmly. "But I'm not so unreasonable as to deny you a shower," he said. She smiled at that before she leaned forward to kiss him.

"Thanks," she said. "Do you wanna come back inside or-" she started to say.

"I'll be fine out here," he said before he gave her a quick peck on the lips. He released her chin. "Go," he ordered gently. She gave him on more kiss on the lips before she backed away from him. She smiled at him before she turned back toward the institute.

'Prof?' Rogue called out as she headed for the elevator.

Charles Xavier sat with his X-Men as they were finishing up dinner. Already plates were being cleared with the sounds of chatter and laughter in the air. Charles was aware, after Rogue had explained, that she was taking a shower and that Magneto was outside waiting for her. He didn't like that Magneto was just outside on the grounds, but he supposed it was better than him being inside his home again.

"Oh, Charles," Ororo started to say.

"Yes?" he asked.

"There was a package in the mail today but it was not address to anyone," she said.

"May I see it?" he asked before Ororo stood up. She returned a moment later with a brown box about the size of a hard-covered book. She handed it over to him. He looked over the entire box. It was slightly weathered; it was clearly a few years old. On the front of it there was a square that was a slightly different color from the rest of it. "Excuse me, everyone," Charles called out. The room went silent after a moment. "Did anyone receive a card, or a note today from the mail?" he asked. There was an echo of no's, along with several heads shaking.

"I got a letter from my mom," Kitty said. Charles held up the box for her to see.

"This size?" he asked before she leaned forward to take a closer look.

"Nope," Kitty answered shaking her head.

"Anyone else?" Charles asked.

"Ah, Rogue got a postcard today, if that helps," Bobby spoke up as Charles lowered the box. A postcard would fix perfectly into the space.

'This can't be good,' he thought to himself before he smiled up at Bobby. "It does, thank you, Bobby," Charles said before he turned away from his students.

"Charles, is everything alright?" Ororo asked as she followed him out of the room.

"I'm not sure," he answered honestly as they made their way over to the elevator. He pressed the button calling for the lift.

"Rogue?" Ororo asked surprised. Charles glanced up to see Rogue standing in the elevator. "I thought you had left already, child," she said as they moved into the elevator.

"I came back. I'm heading out now," Rogue explained as the lift's doors closed and started its ascent.

"… Rogue, we heard you received a postcard today," Charles started to say.

"Yeah, I did," she answered softly.

"Who was it from?" Ororo asked.

"I don't wanna talk about it," she muttered as she crossed her arms over her chest. He and Ororo glanced at each other; worried expressions on their faces before Ororo turned back to Rogue.

"Are you alright?" Ororo asked. Rogue let out a sigh but didn't answer.

"Who's the package for?" Rogue asked; clearly trying to change the subject.

"We're not certain," Ororo answered uneasy. Rogue glanced down at the package, an anxious look on her face.

"It wasn't addressed to anyone?" Rogue asked softly as she examined the box. Charles noticed her eyes linger on the discolored patch.

"No, it wasn't," Ororo replied. Rogue eyes were widened in fear; an expression he had seen on her face far too many times.

"Magneto, what are you doing here?" Ororo asked.

"I'm here to pick up, Anna," Magneto said as Charles glanced up to see him marched up to Rogue. "What's wrong, my girl?" Magneto asked concerned. She threw herself into his arms; hugging him.

"Shh, it's alright," Magneto said gently as he returned the hug. "Whatever it is, know that you're safe," he uttered as Charles listened to her shallow breaths. Rogue's body was shaking in his arms. 'Charles, she terrified,' he said in disbelief. "What happened?' he asked concerned.

'I'm not certain,' Charles replied

'You're best guess, perhaps?' Magneto asked dryly. Charles eyes narrowed in anger.

'The package-' Charles started to answer despite Magneto's tone as Rogue pulled away from Magneto. Rogue reached out and grabbed the package from his hands before he could stop her.

"Rogue," Ororo called out as Rogue stormed out of the elevator. Magneto ran after her as he heard the sound of ripping. Charles moved out of the elevator as he saw that Magneto had caught up with her. From what he could tell Magneto was keeping her from pulling out whatever was in the box.

"Who is this from?" Magneto asked gently. She didn't answer. "Anna, who is this from?" he asked again with a slightly firmer tone. "Please tell me," he added. "I only wish to help."

"Whoever sent her the postcard today," Charles answered sadly as Magneto glanced up at him. His eyebrow was raised thoughtfully before he looked back at Rogue.

"Irene?" Magneto asked. Rogue's sharp breaths followed his question. "That's a yes," he uttered as Charles studied Rogue. Her breath was quickening by the second. Magneto placed his hand on her arm; rubbing her shoulder. The contact seemed to calm her. "Anna," Magneto said soothingly, "please, for your sake do not open this today. Give your-self time to heal before you seek out new injuries," he said.

"I can't," Rogue exclaimed. "Max. I need to know. I ain't gonna be able to get it out of my head until I see what's in there. It might not even be from Irene," she argued apprehensively.

"May I suggest a compromise then?" Magneto asked.

"Compromise?" Ororo asked confused as Rogue met Magneto's gaze.

"Allow me to open the package. If it's from Irene then I'll tell you. Depending on what's inside it might be best if you don't see it today," Magneto said.

"But you will?" Charles asked him in anger.

"Or allow Charles to open it," Magneto said as he rolled his eyes. Rogue let go of the packet; she crossed her arms over her chest as she took a few steps away from all of them.

"Both of you can open it. I don't care," Rogue muttered irritated. Magneto looked over at Charles. Charles moved closer to him as he watched Magneto empty the box. They both glanced down at Magneto's hands. There was a stack of letters: at least a dozen. They were tied together with a string.

"Do you know the handwriting?" Ororo asked him.

"No," Charles answered.

"I do," Magneto said bitterly as he handed them and the empty box to Charles.

"Is it from her?" Rogue asked.

"Yes," Magneto answered. "This is a confirmation of something we already suspected," he said before Rogue turned back to face them.

"Confirmation of what?" Charles asked as Rogue walked up to them. Charles watched her glance down at the pile. Her eyes lingered over the handwriting as tears came to her eyes. "Rogue, what is it?" he asked concerned. Rogue took a step towards him as she reached down for the letters.

"No," Magneto said as took hold of her arms. Her pulled her back against him; holding her back. Charles' eyes narrowed as Rogue fought against his hold; tearing flowing. "Not today, Anna. You do not need to read them today," he said gently.

"Max, let me go," Rogue cried desperately as Ororo ordered, "Magneto, release her."

"No," Magneto said to both of them as Ororo moved into an attacking pose. "Miss Munroe, I know you mean well, but there is no reason to escalate the situation to that," Magneto said as Rogue continued to fight him. "It will not help Rogue."

"Storm, do not attack," Charles warned quickly. "Magneto, you aren't helping her either," Charles said as he entered the man's mind. 'Release her, Magnus,' Charles commanded; attempting to take control. It worked for a moment; Magneto's grasp over Rogue's arms loosened enough for her to escape.

"Damn it, Charles," Magneto cursed as he took hold of Rogue's arm again and turned her to face him. 'Stay out of situations you don't understand,' he said as Rogue kicked him. He held back a groan of pain as he took hold of her other arm.

"Attack me all you like, my girl, but you are not reading those cards today. I will not stand idly by and watch you needlessly torture yourself. Not again," he said strongly.

"What do you mean, not again?" Ororo asked alarmed. He didn't have time to explain.

"Please, Anna, calm down," Magneto said gently in her ear as she cried. "You've confirmed it but that's enough for today," he argued. "You know I'm right," Magneto said coaxingly as he watched the fight start to leave her eyes. Rogue slowly stopped pulling away from him. "Anna, you know I'm right," he repeated softly as she gazed up at him. He released her arms before she clung to him again; crying against his chest. "Shh," Magneto hushed as he returned the hug. He glanced up to see the look of disgust on Charles' face.

"In the past, as I know you've both seen, Rogue has insisted upon searching for answers when no one was asking her too. Often at the expense of her mental health. Those letters are from her father. They were sent to her over the years as Victor attempted to reform their relationship. For reasons unknown Irene kept them from her," Magneto explained. "To what ends I do not know," Magneto uttered darkly before he kissed the top of Rogue's head.

"It's like she wants to hurt me," Max heard Rogue mutter against his chest.

"That may very well be the case," Max said regretfully.

"Why?" Rogue exclaimed as she glanced up at Max; tears in her eyes. "What did I ever do to her?" she asked distraught.

"Nothing, Anna. You do not deserve this; any of it," Max said strongly. "You are a compassionate young woman who has and would go to extraordinary lengths to protect those you care about. Irene was among those when she was the one who was not worthy your love," he said. Max's hand moved to Rogue's cheek. "You are a good person, who deserves nothing but happiness," he finished strongly as he gazed into her eyes; rubbing her cheek affectionately.

"I…" Rogue stared to say as before she stopped herself: her breath catching in her throat. She took a deep breath as she closed her eyes. She opened them a few deep breaths later. She seemed calmer; back in control over herself. "Thank you," she said softly.

"Always, my love," he said as he leaned her forehead on hers. She smiled his mind flowed into hers. He could sense Charles seething in anger next to him. This is what their relationship was; if he had a problem with it he was free to turn a blind eye.

"That's not fair, he's only- " she started to mutter as she glanced up at him.

"Only what?" Max asked concerned.

Rogue held Max's gaze for a moment; studying his expression. He still wasn't getting that she knew everything that was going through his mind. She sighed.

"Nothing, never mind," she said as she pulled back as stared down at her curiously. "You know how much I hate explaining myself," she said.

"Of course," Max said with a smile before he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She let out a blissful sigh at the contact.

"Prof," she said as she broke away from him, "we're gonna go now. I'll be back later tonight," she said.

"Rogue, I can't allow you to leave with him," the Professor said strongly.

'Prof, please don't start this?' she asked him frantically.

"I know you feel safe with him, but you're not," the Professor said.

"I don't expect you to understand," Rogue started to say.

"Rogue, he just restrained you and you practically thanked him for doing so," the Professor said incredulously. "Don't go with him. Don't give him more time to strengthen his hold over you," he begged.

"You knew this was coming, Charles. You know that this is going to happen every week, for now on. That is what we agreed to," Magneto said.

"I agreed to nothing. I watched helplessly as you two brokered a deal in which I had no part in," he said before meeting Rogue's eyes again.

"You could have said something if you disagreed with the terms. That's why you were there," Rogue said frustrated.

"I didn't wish to jeopardize your freedom," the Professor said.

"My freedom wasn't in jeopardy," Rogue yelled. "I explained that to you, more than once," she said aggravated.

"I know you want to keep us all safe, but I am not willing to sacrifice you for that safely. We can find another way," the Professor said; seemingly ignoring her words.

"I'm not sacrificing myself," Rogue said with anger in her voice. "How many times do I have to say it? Don't you understand what I'm getting out of this deal? He's gonna help me get control over my powers. That ain't something you can do. You don't even know where to start," she exclaimed as she watched the Professor's eye widen. She instantly regretted those words. "That ain't your fault, Prof," Rogue said sadly. "There ain't enough mutants in the world yet. Everything's new, experimental. But Magneto already has ideas, and over twenty years of experience to base those ideas on. I need his help. I've known that- ..."

"I've known that since I first joined the brotherhood," Rogue said surprising both the Professor and Ororo. Max just gazed at her inquisitively waiting for her to continue. "Mystique told me that if anyone could help me get control it would be Magneto. That he had helped a lot of other mutants before me. Pietro told me the same thing. But I found out that Mystique lied and I left before I was in the brotherhood long enough to get individualized attention from Max. I don't regret that. I love this family and I fought so hard to stay a part of it and keep everyone safe. I don't regret anything I've done, not now. But both of you are asking me to do something. The exact opposite of the other and," she started to say before she faltered.

"And I wanna listen to you both. I respect and trust you both, but I can't do what both of you want at the same time. I can't," she said breathlessly. "Does that mean I have to choose? Does that mean I have to choose right now?" she asked torn as her gaze switched between the two of them.

"No, it does not," Ororo said strongly as she walked up to Rogue and put her arm on her back. "Excuse us for a moment," she said as she led Rogue away from the two men.

"Where are we going?" Rogue asked.

"Just over there, not far," Ororo said with a smile as she pointed a little further out on the grounds. They walked for about two minutes. They were well out of ear shot of the other two but she could still see them. "Would you like to sit?" Ororo asked as she sat on the ground.

"What are we doing?" Rogue asked as she sat down in front of Ororo.

"You are upset, Rogue, with good reason. You needed a moment to collect yourself and you needed that moment to be away from both of them. I can see how torn you are. You have tried to stay loyal to both of them: to keep our safety and Magneto's secrets. You are very mature for your age, and when you add that to your mutant abilities it is easy to forget how old you really are."

"A fault I know, both Magneto and Charles are guilty of. But we must never forget what is truly important: your safely and well being. No one here is going to ask you to make that kind of decision today. I know you agreed to go with Magneto, but despite your agreement I want you to answer me honestly." she said. Rogue nodded. "Do you wish to go with him?"

"Yes," Rogue answered fed up. How many times was she going to have to explain this?

'At least, once more it would seem,' the fragment of Magneto said with a sigh.

"I love spending time with him," Rogue started to say. "He understands me like no one else ever has. I use ta pull back from him because I didn't wanna trade one family for another; not again. That's why he started kidnapping me-"

"To absolve you from the guilt and suspicion of betrayal," Ororo supplied. Rogue nodded.

"I've explained all of this to, Prof. Two days ago he said he was gonna respect my right to make this kind of decision for myself. But he's so bitter about all the lies Magneto's told. He feels like he was taken advantage of and he was. But he keeps putting that on me and my relationship with Max. He can't see past that. I know that me and Max's relationship ain't normal, but I honestly don't think its Stockholm Syndrome either."

"I care about him a lot. And he loves me, Ororo, with all his heart. Every word he said back there, he meant it. I have his mind in mine and I get an update every time we touch. Max can't lie to me, he can't deceive me again. I ain't gonna be taken advantage of. Prof, said he understood that but now he's the one who's been lying. I don't know if it was ta me or him-self. I don't care either. I just- I don't wanna choose, yet. I wanna be here and I wanna be with Max. I know that makes everyone uncomfortable but doesn't it matter what I want?" she asked disheartened.

"Of course, it does," Ororo said gently.

"What about when I start calling Victor? I know him and Logan are enemies and that's gonna make him and a lot of people uncomfortable but he's my Dad. He obviously cares about me. Sending me all those letters, trying to reach out ta me. Am I gonna have ta choose between him and the x-men too? And what if I ever decide that I wanna talk to Mystique?"

"Yeah, she's a bitch and right now I want nothing to do with her, but what if I change my mind? She's still my mother and what about Emma and Graydon? Yeah, they work for Magneto but they both care about me. Are we always gonna have to hold fucking meetings every time I decide I wanna talk to someone from my past? Someone else I consider family, who ain't an x-men? That ain't fair," she exclaimed.

"No, it is not," Ororo agreed as she placed her hand on her shoulder. Rogue took a deep breath; it felt good to finally get that off of her chest. It had been bothering her for a while now.

"… Max keeps saying, that if ya all can't understand that. Then the x-men – then the x-men ain't the family I've been searching for my whole life. And he's right, I know he's right. But I don't wanna leave here. I don't wanna leave ya all," she cried.

"Rogue, give us time to understand," Ororo said. "Everything has happened so fast and it seemed you were always in danger, missing or miserable. I have been afraid for you, child. We are trying to understand. But I need more time. Can you give me more time to understand?" she asked.

"Yeah," Rogue nodded, "I can do that," she said. "But I'm still going with Magneto right now," she said; her comment was met with a look of disbelief on Ororo's face. "I don't think you know this. Do you remember a few days ago when Magneto tried to take me from the school after detention?" she asked.

"Yes, I remember," Ororo said.

"Well, Max found me in one of the classrooms and we started talking. Within like a minute I knew that I wasn't in any danger that he was gonna bring me back to the institute Sunday night. I was so tired and he said we were gonna go eat lunch and I could just relax. It sounded so good and I wanted to go with him. But I knew that that would be the first time ya all would be completely unaware of where I was. I mean just the day before me and Kitty went missing for a few hours and we kept everyone up. And everyone was so worried. I didn't wanna be the cause of everyone getting upset. That's why I ran from him. Not 'cause I don't want ta be with him, 'cause I do. I really do. I don't know how many more ways I can explain that to get ya all to believe me," she said.

"I believe you, Rogue," Ororo said. "You do not have to explain again, I believe you," she said with a smile. Rogue let a sigh of relief before she started to take a few deep breaths as she closed her eyes; using the techniques Ororo had taught her. The screaming she could hear in the background was distracting; she wondered for a second how long Magneto and the Professor had been arguing. She hadn't been paying attention before. She tried to push the thought out of her mind as she heard Ororo breathing join with her own; as Ororo had during their first session. Rogue found it soothing meditating in a small group, like this.

A few minutes later, they both opened their eyes.

"Feeling better?" Ororo asked. Rogue nodded with a smile.

"Thanks," she said. "Can we keep doing this?" she asked.

"Of course," she smiled. "Tuesdays after school?" she asked. Rogue nodded. "And any other time you need this. Please, do not isolate yourself. If you are upset come find me," she said.

"Okay," Rogue promised.

"Rogue, before we return to the others, is there anything else you need to talk about?" Ororo asked.

"I do need to talk about Irene," Rogue said softly. "I know I do, but I don't want to at all," Rogue said as she could feel tears threatening to emerge. "The truth is, Ororo, I'm more terrified of Irene than I've ever been of Magneto," she admitted: Ororo's eyes widened at that. "That's why I don't wanna talk or think about it," she said as she watched her body begin to shake again.

"Breath, Rogue," Ororo ordered gently as she took Rogue's hand in her own. Rogue squeezed hard as she fought to suppress her fear. "What you are afraid of?" she asked.

"… I haven't told this to anyone yet," Rogue said quietly.

"What haven't you told ?" Ororo asked concerned. Rogue took a deep breath. Was she really going to say this out loud? She had only thought about it once before.

"The truce, it ah- it took precedents over everything for the last few days. So, when I found out about this two days ago I just- I just pushed it to the back of my mind. I haven't really let myself think about it. I still don't wanna think about it," she said.

"I could go get Charles and we can ask him to read your mind. You won't have to say anything," Ororo offered. Rogue cast her gaze down before nodded sadly.

"I'd like that… Think they're done yelling at each other yet?" Rogue asked dryly.

"It does not matter. They will be finished in a moment regardless," Ororo said before she stood up.

"I'm come with you. It'll be easier," Rogue said as she stood up. Ororo waited for her to catch up before she put her took her hand in hers again. Rogue smiled at the contact. "Thanks, for not being afaird ta touch me. It means a lot ta me," Rogue said.

"I never was, Rogue," Ororo told her with a smile before Rogue leaned her head on Ororo's clothed shoulder as they walked.

That's it for this chapter! Please review! So, much for Rogue and Magneto being alone ;p

I wanted to let them be alone with one another but then Marigab reminded me that Rogue really needed a shower. Which she totally did! I was actually going to let the package be forgotten about for a till the next morning, but then Rogue was in the building so it came out then!

Oh, I know I said I was going to update Individual Repartee first, but inspiration hit me with this chapter and I was sick this week so this one got written first!

Thank you for reading!