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Taunting Repartee
Chapter Sixty-Four.
Rogue took a deep breath as she followed Agatha down the dimly lite hallway, stairs and into the living room. Jubilee held onto her hand tightly as they walked. They were both terrified. Irene was seated, as she usually was, in her favorite chair.: a large green cushioned arm chair. As through nothing had changed. As though she still lived there, with who she thought was a loving mother. Rogue took a deep breath as they found themselves standing in front of Irene. If only Agatha wasn't there- the beating she would give to Irene.
"Girls, have a seat," Irene said calmly as she gestured to couch. Jubilee's hand left hers as she took a seat. Rogue guessed Jubilee was more used to taking Irene's orders. Who knows what they did to her, that long month she was held captive within these walls. The thought of it, made Rogue's blood boil.
Rogue took a deep breath as she tried to keep her anger in check. All she wanted to do was throw herself at the women, make her hurt.
"I know, honey," Irene said. "But we're not here to fight. We're here to talk," she said as Agatha took a seat in the other large green cushioned arm chair that was a few feet away from Irene's.
"So, talk," Rogue said as she sat down. Jubilee, she noticed was trembling slightly, the whole couch shook slightly because of it. Rogue took a hold of Jubilee's hand again: making eye contact again, she smiled. She watched Jubilee take a deep breath. Her gestured helped to keep Jubilee's emotions in check, but she still needed to get them both out of this house as quickly as possible. "What do you want?" Rogue asked: her voice dipping with disdain.
"I have two conditions. If you agree to them both you will be returned to Xavier's within the hour," Irene said.
"Both me and Jubilee will be returned to our home?" Rogue asked. "I ain't agreeing to anything unless both of our releases are on the table," Rogue said.
"Yes, both of you will be return to Xavier's," Irene answered.
"So, what the fuck are your conditions?" Rogue asked. She felt Jubilee wince next to her.
"None of that, Rogue. I raised you better than that," Irene said firmly. Rogue's eye narrowed in anger. "I removed Victor from your life for a reason. So, you wouldn't inherit his tongue," Irene said. It was taking every bit of will power Rogue had not to leap off of the couch and attack Irene. "No one will take you seriously if you keep using that type of language, dear. Not everyone you negotiate with will be as understanding of your vile outbursts as Magneto was," she said.
"Enough people take me seriously," Rogue said through her teeth as her hands balled at her sides.
"No, they don't, Rogue. Not yet," Irene said. "It's one of the reasons Charles Xavier can't treat you with the respect your actions have earned you. Until you stop acting like one, he will continue to see you as a petulant child in over her head and we can't have that," Irene said.
"Why exactly can't we have that?" Rogue asked mockingly.
"Agatha?" Irene asked. "If you would please help me make this point," Irene said.
"Wh-" Rogue started to ask before Jubilee let out a scream in panic.
"Jubilee," Rogue yelled out concerned: out of the corner of her eye she could see Jubilee's arm shoot out and twist in an unnatural manner. "Oh my god," Rogue said as tears started to form in her eyes as Jubilee cried out in pain as her arm was twisted. Rogue's eyes met Jubilee's. She was so scared. "I'm sorry-" Rogue yelled out quickly: swallowing her pride. "Irene, I apologize for my tone. Please don't hurt her," Rogue begged.
"Thank you, Agatha," Irene said. To Rogue's relief Jubilee's arm dropped to her side. Jubilee met her eyes again.
"Thank you," Jubilee whispered, her voice barely audible.
"'Course," Rogue muttered. "I wasn't gonna be the cause of that," Rogue uttered, trying to calm herself down. She closed her eyes for a moment as she took a deep breath.
"Will we have go through that again?" Irene asked.
"...No," Rogue said: shocked, afraid and anger. "We won't have to do that again. Please just tell me what it is you want from me," Rogue said.
"You will stop taking measures to hide your conversations from me. I have a plans for you, for mutant kind. I need to know that events are happening as I need them too. I need to know that your skills are developing at the rate I believe they are. If you fail to comply with this request then I will have to assess your progress for myself, in person," Irene asked as Rogue's eyes widened.
"Most likely on a weekly basis. Perhaps daily," Irene threatened. "How often we see each other will depend on how difficult you plan on being. I'm certain the last thing you want is to be abducted frequently," Irene said. Rogue took a deep breath. "If I'm unsatisfied, you'll know," Irene said darkly. Rogue took a deep breath.
"What's your other condition, Irene?" Rogue asked.
"You're currently enrolled in French class. But you've been fluent in the language since you were seven. I saw to that early on. I'd like you to transfer into a Spanish class and start your exposure to that language. Also, in this bag," Irene said gesturing to black back-pack on the floor beside her chair. "I have study material for you to learn Russian and Mandarin. Magneto can assist you in your practical application of speaking Russian. Jubilee can assist with Mandarin. I would like you to be fluent in both Russian and Mandarin by June seventh," Irene said.
"Two months?" Jubilee asked in disbelief. "That's impossible," she muttered.
"Not for Rogue. She nearly mastered German in one month, while studying the language was a side project. All she will need to do is apply herself," Irene said before she stood up.
"I can hold a conversation with Magneto but I haven't nearly mastered the language. I'm not fluent in German," Rogue said.
"Yet. That's why I'm providing you with the tools you'll need to learn at a fast pace. Study every day and you should be fine," Irene said. "But, I should warn you, if the deadline comes up and I find you haven't applied yourself, Rogue, Jubilee will pay for your lack of effort with her life," Irene said as she walked across the room. Rogue heard Jubilee let out a gasp in shock and fear. Rogue took Jubilee's hand in her own again. Rogue squeezed her hand reassuringly as she turned to look at her.
"Can I get either of you girls some sweat tea?" Irene asked. Rogue's eye narrowed in anger.
"How can-" Rogue started to scream: as Agatha moved forward in her seat. Rogue stopped herself and took a deep breath. "No, I wouldn't like anything to drink," Rogue said: she couldn't keep the contempt out of her voice. She didn't want anything from that women.
"Agatha?" Irene asked.
"No, thank you, Irene," Agatha said before Irene left the room
"You're gonna be fine, Jubilee. I promise, I'll learn the languages," Rogue said. Jubilee leaned her head against Rogue's chest again. She put her arm around the other girl and held her as Jubilee cried softly. "It's gonna be okay. Now, I know how. I ain't gonna let you down," Rogue whispered as she rubbed Jubilee's shoulder reassuringly.
"Thank you," Jubilee whispered meekly.
"'Course, sugar. Have can I do anything else?" she asked as she glanced up at Agatha, making eye contact with the woman. "I don't understand what you're gaining out of all of this," Rogue said. "Why are you helping her?" Rogue asked.
"My motives are none of your business, child," Agatha said as Irene returned to the room.
"Irene, how can you claim you're motivated to help mutant kind, while you're willing to threaten her life?" Rogue asked in disbelief.
"Larger picture, dear," Irene answered as she returned to the room with a glass of sweat-tea for herself. "Jubilee's life is not as important as the development of your skills," Irene said as she sat back down. Jubilee let out a soft cry. Rogue hugged the girl tightly against her.
"You can't actually believe that," Rogue muttered.
"You have a destiny. You are meant for greater things then the mall rat who's future is of no consequence. I speak the truth, whether or not you're willing to admit it," Irene said before she took another sip of her drink.
"Every life is-" Rogue started to say.
"I know what you're trying to do, Rogue," Irene said. "You want to start an ideological discussion. Wear down my motivations still you've either learned what it is I'm going to do, or managed to convince me to change my mind," Irene said. "I will only say this one more time: I am not Magneto. The means you used to subdue him with not work with me. When the time comes you will do what I have foreseen. There will be no argument, no resistance, and no complaints," Irene said firmly. Rogue took a deep breath.
"Can I assume you've threatened Jubilee into silence?" Rogue asked.
"Yes," Irene said.
"Can you lift that threat?" she asked. Irene turned her head away from Rogue's for a moment, Rogue knew this meant she was deep in thought. She had seen this look her Irene's face so many times in the past.
"She may only speak with you about her ordeal and only in Mandarin," Irene answered a few moments later. "Is that understood, Jubilation?" Irene asked.
"Yes, Miss. Alder," Jubilee whispered.
"...I agree to your terms, because we both know I don't have a choic-" Rogue started to say.
"You're also going to stop that," Irene said firmly. "You could be willing to spend more time with me or you could allow Jubilee to die. You're choosing not to. That's your choice, Rogue. Yours to make. You're going to have to make many difficult decisions in the future. You don't have time for self-delusions. Is that clear?" Irene asked.
"...Yeah-" Rogue started to say.
"Yes," Irene corrected. Rogue took another deep breath.
'Think of Jubilee,' she told herself as she fought to remain calm. "Yes, you've made your points very clear. I choose to agree to your terms. Can we please go home, now?" Rogue asked. Irene took another sip of her drink.
"Agatha, please bring them home," Irene said.
Rogue quickly moved out from Agatha's hand as they appeared before the institute. Rogue had the backpack in her over shoulder.
"Do not bother trying to locate us in the future, Rogue," Agatha said as she handed Rogue her cellphone. "You will not be able to find us until we come looking for you," Agatha said before she disappeared.
Once Agatha was gone, Rogue dropped the backpack to the ground and walked a few feet away from Jubilee.
"Rogue?" Jubilee asked.
"Give me a minute, sugar, and then I'll go explain things to Prof. I'll make sure he leaves you alone, doesn't start asking you a bunch of questions you can't answer. But just give me a minute," Rogue said.
"Take all the time you need," Jubilee said softly as she took a seat on the ground. Rogue walked a few more feet away from Jubilee. It was cold out, but she didn't care. Couldn't even feel it the chill against her skin as she walked further out.. Her hands were balled at her sides. All she was seeing was red as tears started to fall down her face. Rogue's breath started to hyperventilate: coming fast, making it difficult to breath. She allowed her knees to buckle beneath her as she fell to the ground. Her hands shook, her whole body shook with rage.
Finally Rogue let out a scream.
"I used to love her," Rogue screamed through her hyperventilating. "She was-" she screamed as she leaned forward, her forehead touching the ground in front of her. "I used to love you," she screamed out: knowing that Irene was watching. She let out another scream until her voice gave out to a small whimper. "You were the only constant person in my life," she whispered. "Because you never allowed anyone else to do that," she whispered in disbelief. It felt like her heart was breaking.
"You took so many people way from me, so many families," Rogue cried. "So- so... So, you could have me all to yourself," she cried: tears falling freely onto the ground a few inches away from her face. "So, you could-" she started to say.
Rogue lifted her head up and glanced up at the night's sky. "What do you want from me?" she screamed. "What? What is this all leading up to?" Rogue screamed. Of course, there was no response. "Irene," she screamed.
"You didn't-" Rogue started to whisper. "You didn't need to threaten her life, for me to learn a couple of god damn languages," she yelled out. "I would have- if you would just tell me why it's important. Why I need to know them-" she struggled to say as she hyperventilated. "What?" she screamed out again. "What are you preparing me for?" Rogue asked again. Rogue flinched as she felt a hand on her arm. She quickly turned her head to see Kitty standing next to her, tears running down her room mates face. She turned to look at Jubilee. Jean was now sitting next to her, her arm around Jubilee as she continued to cry.
"We saw you both on the camera, when we were cleaning up from dinner," Kitty explained as she pulled Rogue into a hug. "I don't know, like, what's going on, but I'm here for you," Kitty said as she hugged her tightly. "I love you, Rogue," Kitty said as Rogue returned the hug. Rogue leaned her head against her chest as she let herself go completely and succumbed to weeping.
Rogue pulled back from Kitty as she took a deep breath.
"So, what's going on?" Jean asked gently.
"Wǒ bù xīwàng sǐ," Jubilee said quietly.
"Jubilee, give me, like, a week and I'll understand what you're saying well enough so we can talk," Rogue promised. Jubilee glanced up at her.
"Xièxiè," Jubilee said with a sad smile.
"Was that thank you?" Rogue asked. Jubilee nodded. " Xièxiè," Rogue repeated to herself. "How do you say you're welcome?" Rogue asked.
"Bù kèqì," Jubilee said.
"Bù kèqì," Rogue repeated. "You're going to be okay. As soon as I'm done talking to Prof. I'm gonna spend the rest of the night studying," Rogue said.
"Xièxiè," Jubilee repeated.
"The Professor's waiting for us in sub-level seven," Jean said. "I told him we were out here when he started to look for Jubilee about ten minutes ago," she explained.
"Okay," Rogue said after she took a deep breath. "How's your arm?" Rogue asked Jubilee.
"I'm fine," Jubilee said as she and Jean stood up.
"You sure?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah," Jubilee said.
"Alright, let's go get this over with," Rogue said.
Charles sat with his staff in sub-level seven. He had been attempting to keep his anger in check since he had heard that Jubilee and Rogue were outside. From Jean had told him, it was clear that Rogue had talked to Jubilee.
"She must have had a good reason," Ororo said: sticking up for Rogue.
"We'll see," Charles said. A moment later Rogue and Jubilee entered the room with Jean and Kitty. 'Rogue?' he asked: his tone angry. Rogue's eyes narrowed in anger.
"Can I explain first?" Rogue asked annoyed.
"You promised me less than an hour ago that you would not talk-" Charles started to say.
"Irene and Agatha just kidnapped us," Rogue yelled, cutting him off. Charles eyes widened as a chorus of gasps echoed throughout the room.
"What?" Charles asked in shock.
"We talked about Irene and Agatha because we were with them," Rogue said strongly. "Have I done anything to make you believe that I'm untrustworthy? Really?" Rogue asked annoyed.
"Rogue I-" Charles started to say.
"Whatever," Rogue said as she sat down. "I don't wanna argue with you anymore than you wanna argue with me. It's officially been a long day. And I just wanna get this conversation over with so I can attempt to stop thinking about it and work towards making sure Irene doesn't hurt Jubilee. So, I'm gonna tell you what happened. What Irene wants from me right now. Why I'm absolutely going to do what she's demanded and why you cannot ask Jubilee questions about what they did to her the month they held her captive," Rogue said.
"Yes, of course," Charles said.
"Okay," Rogue said. "And then I'm gonna go spend the night at Max's," Rogue said quickly.
"Rogue," Charles to object.
"I'm not asking, Prof. That's what I'm doing," she said strongly. He opened his mouth to speak. "We were just abducted out of the elevator we all use daily," she yelled at him."I am fuc-" she started to say before she stopped herself. "I am terrified right now with every fiber of my being. My body is literally shaking with rage and fear," she said. It was true she was shaking her seat slightly. So was Jubilee he noticed.
"I can barely keep myself composed. I feel safe with Max and right now that's what I need to feel more than anything. I need to you accept that and allow me to do what I need to do to get through this night," Rogue finished strongly.
"I know that just thinking about Irene can bring you to tears. I can only imagine how much seeing her in person would effect you," Charles started to say.
"You don't have to imagine. This is the effect seeing her has on me. I'm also gonna explain what Irene and I talked about despite the fact that this conversation is hurting me. Every conversation we have right after a traumatic experience hurts me. But I'll deal with it, like I always do, because I know that you need to know what's going on," Rogue said strongly as tears were forming in her eyes.
"Today, Prof, you got mad at me several times before you even gave me a chance to explain myself. By now, Prof, I need you to just know that I am devoted to this family, that I fight to keep our people safe. I know that you are in charge of the x-men and this family. But you aren't the one with a target on your back anymore. I worked very hard to get you off of Magneto's list of enemies. And Irene seems to more interested in me than anyone else. With Magneto it was always a matter of how much trauma he would subject us to or how inconvenience he was going to make our life to suit his own goals. It was never life or death," she said.
"Max decided before anyone in this room, aside from Logan, was born that he would do whatever he needed to do to keep mutants alive and safe. That is one of the many reasons our relationship developed the way it did. Because deep down I knew, my life, our lives, were never in danger. But Irene-" Rogue said, her voice cracking. "I have-" Rogue started to say before she stopped short. Tears rolled down her face. "I have until June seventh to do something. If I do not do it then Irene will have Jubilee killed for my defiance for her orders," Rogue said. Charles eyes widened in fear.
"My god," Charles muttered.
"I going to do what she asked. I have to," Rogue said through her tears. "But I'm gonna need help," Rogue cried: her body shaking more. "This isn't about what topics make us uncomfortable anymore. Irene has escalated things to a new," she said: clearly struggling to get the words out, "much more dangerous level. Jubilee's life is in my hands. I don't want it to be," she cried, as she continued to hyperventilate. "But it is. And I need your help and understanding," she begged. "The next two months I am gonna be working to make sure I do exactly what Irene's asked. After everything I have done already for this family, to keep us all safe, I need you to trust me," Rogue said. "I need you to just know that I know I'm doing the best that I can to appease everyone. Unfortunately-" Rogue started to say.
"What am I saying?" Rogue asked herself with a short laugh through her tears. "Fortunately, you are the only one out three people I currently have to answer to, that has never threatened me before. Because of that you kinda get shafted a little when it comes to whose expectations I work to meet. Because if I fail to shape up to the image of behavior that you believe I should adhere to, no one's gonna hurt or abducted, or telepathically enslaved," Rogue exclaimed through her tears. "You have to be last on that list, between you and Irene and Magneto because that's what's going to keep us all living here, as safe as we can be. I wish I knew what this was all leading up to. What it is she wants from me. What it is she wants me to do. I would be willing to- I don't understand," she exclaimed. "It's just learning a couple of languages-" Rogue cried into her hands.
"Rogue, Rogue enough-" Charles said gently. "Please give me your cell phone," he said. She quickly pulled it out of her pocket.
"Who do you wanna-" she started to ask.
"Magneto, of course," he answered. Rogue opened the phone and dialed a number before handing him the phone. "Thank you," he said as he put the phone to his ear.
"Anna?" Magneto asked.
"No, it's Charles," he said into the phone.
"Is that her I hear crying in the background?" Magneto asked concerned.
"Yes, she had another conversation with Irene today, in person this time," Charles explained.
"I'm on my way," he said.
"Bring an overnight bag, Magnus. I doubt you'll leave the institute tonight. Rogue needs your support," Charles said.
"Understood," Magneto said before the line went dead.
"We'll wait till he gets here," Charles explained as gently as he could. "You'll only have to explain it once," he said.
"Thank you," Rogue said earnestly.
"Kitty, could you please go grab a bottle of water?" Charles asked.
"And tissues?" Kitty asked.
"Please," Jubilee asked.
"I believe a few of us could use a tissue," Ororo added. There were tears on her face as well. The only dry face in the room was Logan's.
"Sure," Kitty said as she stood up.
"Rogue, Jubilee," Ororo said as she stood up. "Why don't the two of you join me over there?" Ororo said as she pointed to the far left corner of the room.
"Meditation?" Rogue asked.
"That is what I had in mine," Ororo smiled.
"Okay," Rogue said as she stood up: her body shook violently as she stood. "It actually really does help," Rogue said to Jubilee.
"I'll give it a try," Jubilee shrugged as she stood as well. The three of them walked over to the corner and sat down on the floor. Ororo sat against the wall, in front of the two girls.
'Professor?' Jean thought to him.
'Yes?' Charles asked.
'Do you think anyone would mind if I called it a night?' she asked.
'No, of course not,' he smiled: which she returned.
'See you tomorrow then, Professor,' Jean smiled as she stood.
'Good night, Jean,' he answered as she left the room.
Hey! I hope you all enjoyed it! Please let me know!
For Jubilee's dialog I used Google translator for it. So, it might not be prefect. If anyone speaks Mandarin, please let me know if it's a horrible translation? Thank you!
To NCISprobie, Ophelia193, Marigab and Gracelander2: Thank you again for the kind words! You guys are awesome, I hope to hear from you all again! Please let me know if you liked this update!?
To AngelPaint07: (You didn't sign in, so I couldn't PM you) Thank you! I think this update came up soon enough :) And I'm pretty sure I answered all of your questions! Please feel free to ask more! I'll admit I keep re-readings everyone's reviews to make I addressed all the questions asked of me this round! :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope to hear what you think of this update!?