"Charles, I've sent an appeal to the courts in Washington, I'm not likely to get a reply for at least two weeks." Moria informed him sadly.
The room was nearly empty save for the two bodies that drank tea and watched the sun rise over the snowy grounds of the Xavier Institute.
Professor X sighed and continued to stare out the window at the fresh snow. "Thank you Moira, but I'm concerned whether or not this issue will be able to wait. New mutants are being exposed daily, our numbers are growing, this frightens and worries the government."
"And we both know what fear leads to." Moria added.
"Yes, irrational hatred." Professor X agreed. "How is Magnus doing?" Moria asked hesitantly. "He was here, he suffered through the last near genocide, when irrational hatred last reared it's ugly head."
Professor X closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
"He's been silent about these matters, but I recognize that look in his eyes." He faced Moira once again. "He knows the situation is getting worse, and I can see that he would like nothing more than to re-establish the Acolytes and go back to doing what Magneto does best."
"And what are you going to do Charles?"
For the first time since the private meeting in his office, Professor Xavier smiled.
"For now, I've devised a little distraction."
"What would that be?"
"Doing what Erik does best."
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Professor Xavier chuckled to himself, not at all bothered by the interruption. "Perfect timing."
Rogue continued to glare at the man she fought with nearly an hour ago. He, stubbornly stared straight ahead at the door, choosing to ignore her.
'Bastard.' Rogue thought angrily. He was no longer bleeding, and his cheeks weren't red, so it was safe to say he'd recovered from her...assault? Attack? Violation?
'He started it.' She reasoned with herself. 'Oh, listen to me I sound just like him!' She inwardly groaned. "Who's fault would that be?"
Rogue nearly jumped.
'Shut up, Erik.' She thought.
"No." The fragment hissed.
'Look I get it that your pissed-'
"Pissed?!" He nearly yelled at her.
"I was violated, attacked, and you are hardly getting a punishment!"
"So that's it? You want to see me suffer?" She asked.
"You repeatedly violated me."
'And you didn't answer my question, do you want me to suffer?'
"You throw that word around so easily, as though suffering would be the result of completing an essay.'
Rogue rolled her eyes. 'I get it, you want to see me punished, but you don't want to see me suffering too badly.' She said mockingly.
"You and I know what suffering is, Anna Marie." The fragment said slowly. "You were suffering when you woke up screaming and shaking a year ago because you had re-lived a few days of my suffering."
'Shut up, dammit.' Rogue thought as images of what he'd seen flashed through her head. The bodies, the ashes, the pain.
"No Anna, not until you acknowledge it."
'Acknowledge what, Erik? That what you went through was terrible? That I deserve to be punished?'
A single tear made it's way down her cheek.
"I want you to acknowledge that you did wrong, despite the fact that you were taunted." He fragment whispered softly. "Do you understand now?"
"Rogue?" Erik asked confused.
She turned wiped the tear away. She carefully studied his face. He was confused. "Just...one of the fragments hit me with the hard truth." She told him. His expression became curious.
"You hold enough of a persona in your mind to have conversations with them?" He asked.
"Mmmmhhmm." She answered. "Like a mini you running 'round inside my head."
"And I'm sorry for, attacking you. And I realize I do deserve punishment."
She turned away from him, not wanting to look at his shocked expression, instead she wondered whether it was because she'd apologized, or because she'd given him an answer to something he hadn't asked out loud.
"Erik, Rogue you can come in now." Professor X's voice broke the silence.
Finally settled on the couch next across from the Professor and Moria MacTaggart Rogue tried her best not to fidget.
"I've come up with a proper punishment for the two of you." Professor Xavier said warmly. "Your going to take the younger students on a little Christmas field trip to Canada."
Erik chocked on the tea he was drinking, and Rogue's mouth dropped open.
"We are X-Men Charles! Not chaperons."
"Do I look like a babysitter to you Prof?"
The Professor chuckled, clearly amused. "You didn't act like X-Men today, Erik, and for the next three days you are going to be chaperons and or babysitters, whichever term you prefer.
"And I thought Erik was manipulative." Rogue muttered to herself.
"Excuse me, Rogue?" Professor Xavier said startled. "Are you comparing me to him?"
'Crap did I say that out loud?'
"Yes, you did."
"You know Professor, sometimes you don't realize how much you two are alike." Both men were staring at her as though she were possessed again.
"Really? How so?" Moira asked.
"Let's see, similar goals, can be manipulative and subtle about it-oh, don't glare at me Professor you know it's true."
"You may have different ways of getting it done, but it's the same goal in the end."
"Like two sides of the same coin." The fragment supplied.
"Yes, exactly. Two sides of the same coin."
Now Moira was staring at her funny too.
'What? The know it's true what are they lookin' at me like that for?'
"Trust me, my dear, it's better if you not know right now."
'Why?' She asked.
"Rogue perhaps it would be best if you went to pack your bags, you leave as soon as the students get back, which should be around twelve."
"Sure Prof." Rogue said awkwardly as she left the room.
'What was that about?' She asked herself.
The door closed quietly and left the three adults still confused. "What did you say that girl's mutation was again, Charles?" Moira asked.
"She can drain one's life force through her skin." He answered as he crossed his fingers and thought deeply. "Well that explains the gloves, that's right you told me she couldn't control it. Put a boy in the coma with a touch of her finger."
"She also stores a bit of people's memories and persona's inside her mind after she absorbs a person, she can re-live them from the holder's point of view." Erik added as he tapped his fingers on the arm of the sofa.
"Interesting. Very interesting. How much of a person does she absorb?"
"I'm not sure." Professor X said worriedly. "Almost definitely more than she's letting on."
"At least I won't have to stick around here." Rogue said to herself as she finished packing her things. "But babysitting?" She asked.
Rogue groaned as she tossed herself onto her bed. "Now that's what I call a punishment." She looked at the clock. She still had three hours before kids even got back, and if this field trip went like the last dozen, they'd be at least an hour behind schedule.
'Least I get to catch up on my sleep.' Rogue thought as she got underneath the blankets.
"Rogue really should have studied for that test she had last week."
"Me schister should have eaten more!"
"Like,ugh, does she have to like wear depressing make-up all the time?"
"FIRE whoopy! Had it been me I would have set the Institute on FIRE!"
"Quiet bub! I am not in the mood to listen to this!"
"Yo, man, I gotta be stuck in the head of fuzzy's sister? Not cool bro."
"Would-you-shut-up-toad?"
"You shut up Pietro! Man this bums yo!"
"Would the both of you shut up?"
"Don't be like that cuddle-bumps!"
"Toad-that's-my-sister-your-taking-to!"
"Why on god's green earth must I be forced to listen to my annoying offspring? SILENCE ALL OF YOU!"
Rogue rubbed her eyes as the knocking at her door became louder. "Come in." She called. She was met by the smiling face of Jamie. "Hey Rogue! Magneto sent me to get your bags! We're leaving in ten."
"Mmmkay, thanks Jamie." Rogue said as she rubbed her temples. Jamie made a few clone of himself that carried her bags out of the room. "Headache?" He asked.
"Yeah, major headache."
"I'll be sure to pack some Tylenol, see you down stairs!" The joyful boy bounced out of the room. Rogue smiled. "Cute kid, and useful too."
"What he meant to say was that one of his "multiples" were going to pack Tylenol. Although I admit his power is resourceful."
"Yeah unlike mine." She said out loud.
"I consider being able to knock someone unconscious with the touch of your finger and know exactly what they were doing as well as store memories inside your head for later use is even more resourceful."
'I'm not able to knock you unconscious with ta touch of my finger.' She growled, annoyed.
"Of course not dear, you see being the most powerful mutant on the planet makes me the only exception."
Rogue laughed as she got up out of bed and brushed her hair. "Great a road trip super powered kids that have tempers and little control. Not sure if kicking that bastard's ass was worth this!"
"Bezerker, your making my hair frizz!" Amara said angrily. "Sorry it's not like I have a lot of room here!" Bezerker tried to explain as he shifted in the crowded van.
'At least as a chaperon I have a seat in the front.' Rogue reasoned, smiling to herself.
"Well you'd better find room!" Amara threatened as one of her fists glowed red. "Jeez Magma, so irritable, is it that time of the month?" Bobby asked with a grin on his face.
"BOBBY DRAKE!" Amara shouted as both her hands turned to fire.
"Enough!" Magneto yelled. "Amara this van is not fire-proof, save it for when we get to the hotel, then you may do with Mr. Drake as you will."
Amara sighed loudly, but her flames died down. "Do you really think he's going to let her kill me?" Bobby whispered to Jamie, who shrugged.
"This traffic is taking forever!" Jubilee said loudly.
"Ummm, Mr. Magneto, sir." Jamie broke the silence. "Do you think you could, um, I don't know give the other cars a little push? As in off the highway and out of our way?"
"Jamie!" Jubilee said loudly.
"Don't tempt him Jamie." Rogue said with a smile on her face.
"As much as I would enjoy that, Jamie, I have a feeling Charles would be upset when he found out." Magneto chuckled.
"Was worth a shot." Jamie muttered.
Rogue settled in to her room. "I love being staff." Rogue said happily. "My own room, no more having to bunk."
"AHHH! I'm sorry Amara! I'm sorry!" She heard cries coming from outside. "Ahh, the sound of payback." Rogue chuckled to herself as she closed her drapes.
Chatter was dying down as students admired the gifts they'd bought one another. Rogue observed it all from a corner as she waited for him.
'God, I hope he's happy went through a lot of trouble to find this.'
Magneto entered the room quietly and took his seat in the armchair near the fire.
Jubilee, Amara, and Rahne shyly approached him. "Um, Magneto I got you something." Amara said hesitantly.
"So did I." Rahne said.
"But mine's better than both of theirs." Jubilee said as the girls handed his boxes.
Rogue shook her head as she watched the girls giggle and act like fools. She couldn't hear his replies and was silently grateful for that.
After the majority of the students left. Rogue decided it was time to give him her gift.
'Like he can't already feel it.' She thought to herself.
'No point in waiting.' Rogue reasoned as she approached him. "Consider this a peace offering." Rogue said as she held a small box to him.
For the first time that night he looked interested.
"Is this what I think it is, my dear?" He asked as the box floated out of her hands and into his. A metal cube emerged from it. He smiled warmly.
"Tell me, dear. Where did you find adamantium?" He said as it formed three spheres and moved around each other.
"It's the same stuff that's in Logan as you probably know, actually if you want to know the truth I stumbled on it by accident." Rogue began.
"Go on." He said, clearly interested. "I have a few of Logan's memories still lingering. I took a little visit to Alkali Lake, it's a few miles from here, and stumbled upon the lab were The Wolverine was born and given metal claws."
"I don't plan on going back anytime soon. Before Mr. Mad Doctor cleared out of there he put a ton of booby traps all over the place, but before I left I saw the metal and thought you might find it useful."
He stood up and tilted her chin upwards so she looked him in the eye. "I've been searching for adamantuim for years without success. Thank you very much, Rogue."
"Without a doubt the best Christmas present I've received in quite some time."
One of the metal spheres came down towards her and formed into three long wires. They weaved themselves into a elf-like bracelet. "It's so pretty and elegant." Rogue whispered.
"Rather simple, but pretty." He said as he took her hand. He gently opened her palm so it was flat. She offed no resistance, his gentle smile made it impossible.
He gently laid the bracelet into the palm of her hand. "Consider this an early Christmas present." He whispered, his lips close to her ear. He pressed his lips to her temple for a few seconds, but pulled back before the pull of her deadly power kicked in.
Rogue was too shocked to say anything. But by the time she'd finally come to her senses Erik and the two little spheres were gone.
Merry Christmas! For all those of you out there wondering why I hadn't updated sooner it was because I wanted a Christmas chapter!
Hmm so what do you think?
The next chapter will be on New Years!
The next chapter will have romance and learning what Rogue's wants called. I tried to work with the memories, I really did. I thought about putting Magda in this chapter but decided against it. All for the best I hope.
GenoBeast: Rogue's telepathic abilities are going to be brought up in later chapters, thanks for reviewing and Merry Christmas!
tx peppa: Glad you liked the danger room fight, I love to write about Rogue kicking Magneto's butt.
Christa4ever: Thanks for your input on her name, Merry Christmas!
Midnight Lost: Thanks for your review!
Batty QUEEN: Thanks for your review!
Angelpaint07: Pssst. Wanna know a spoiler? We're getting some Rogneto romance in the New Year's chapter!
Marigab: Thanks so much for the info on why Rogneto is hated, it really cleared some things up, and your right Erik is the only important "canon" lover rogue ever had, and vice versea, Rogue was the mother of three of his kids in alternate realities.
1983 Sarah: Glad you liked it thanks for your review!
bloodshark: Thanks for your review!
Sanny: I get now why Rogento is hated,(see Marigab's comment, it explains it all) and actually Rogue had two sons(Charles and Magnus) and one daughter(Plague) together. Three kids! And they all are super powerful.
Guitarhero097: Thanks for your review! I'll update soon.
Powerpad: Actually I was waiting for a Christmas chapter, don't worry I won't leave you hanging that long again, next chapter is gonna be on New Years.