A week ago x-man Rogue's power had been finally been unlocked, and to the dismay of her mentor, Professor X, it confirmed his worst nightmares. The lone Goth resident of the mansion, his most unstable student, had power was not limited to skin that could kill. A week ago Rogue Darkholme battled Apocolypse for the second time and won, and had let loose power that was immeasurable and unlimited. Professor Xavier never voiced his thoughts on this particular student, though he much wished to. He hoped he'd never have to confront this power inside the girl, which was greater than he'd ever seen. Now he was being forced to. After several mind scans and medical attention to the team, the senior members of the X-Men decided to take a much need vacation to Alkali Lake, the same spot of the previous field trip with the new mutants.
Though much to the dismay of the X-Children something awful was about to happen.
"Chuck I thought you'd never ask!" Wolverine exclaimed. "Have you told them yet?" Professor Xavier smiled in amusement at the enthusiasm of the feral. "No Logan, I thought I'd leave that up to you."
The senior members of the team had gathered in the conference room of the hotel. "Professor are sure this is a wise move? Maybe we should wait another day." Jean suggested. "Not a chance Red, these kids need it." Logan said with a grin. "How noble of you to take it on yourself to accomplish this awful burden." Ororo said with a smile. "Training, soreness, and misery are what I'm qualified to teach right, Chuck?" Logan asked as he stood. Professor Xavier didn't reply, but instead shook his head. "Morale is about to go down." Scott said truthfully. "Yes well it's too bad Scott and I can't miss anymore classes." Jean said quickly. "Which is why we're leaving today." Scott added. "How fortunate for you." Magneto commented. "It's a shame the other X-Men aren't so lucky." He continued. "Don't start Erik." Professor X ordered. "Of course Jean and Scott can't miss anymore classes and they will be missed dearly at Logan's Arctic Survival Training Camp."
"Ahhh, I can't wait to hear the groan." Logan chuckled as he walked out to deliver the horrifying and awful news to the recruits.
"And I thought survival training in the woods with him was bad, now we have to do it in a sub-zero environment." Rogue growled.
"Actually Rogue, you won't be joining the other X-Men." Professor X started. "You will remain here with the rest of us; we are going to start your training."
Rogue exhaled a sigh of relief. "Lucky me." And for once there was no sarcastic or arrogant tone in her voice.
"What are we going to be covering?" Rogue asked hesitantly. "Where to start child, there are a number of things you're going to have to learn." Magneto said.
"Erik is correct Rogue. Training to be a full time leader, you'll have sessions with both Magneto and I in creating mental barriers to guard your mind, we still have to explore and organize your mind, and then there is the matter of your powers." Professor Xavier had said the last bit with on odd tone in his voice, like a child that was facing the task of having to do chores.
Rogue noticed it to. "Why do I have a feelin' that last part is going to be the hardest?" She asked to no one in particular. "Because it will be." Jean informed her. "Yes, Rogue we are going to have several sessions discussing your powers before we can even begin to try and use them." Professor X agreed.
"Rogue you and I could have these sessions in private or members of the senior cabinet can join us, whichever you prefer."
"Let's do with the senior members Prof." Rogue decided without hesitation. "After the concert and the second Apocalypse incident they have a right to know." She said as she rubbed her temples.
"And certain mutants with an extensive knowledge and years of research could have useful input." Rogue added.
"Powerful mutants with extensive knowledge and years of research." Magneto corrected her.
"Don't push it Magneto." Rogue warned.
"Mutant's I hope you wouldn't be fighting with again Rogue." Professor Xavier said knowingly. "God forbid you be put back on chaperon duty."
Rogue snorted.
"Speaking of fighting I think we should widen Rogue's knowledge of hand to hand combat." Magneto suggested.
"What?" Rogue asked confused. "I'm the best fighter the X-Men have."
"That's true." Scott agreed. "I've been a black belt since I was eight." Rogue defended.
"I know that Rogue, but are you really going to pass up an opportunity to learn Krav Mega?"
Rogue's eyes widened. Now this was an idea she liked. From Magneto's memories she knew Krav Mega was a deadly art of fighting that he'd learned in Isreal. It was very deadly art that topped Karate any day. After all what was the harm in learning something that could benefit her? But before she could answer Professor Xavier once again butted his nose where he wasn't wanted.
"That will not be happening." He said firmly. "Rogue is deadly enough as it is."
"You're afraid." Rogue stated angrily. 'You're afraid of ME.'
"Rogue please don't misunderstand, I do trust you. And I do fear, but I fear for you safety." He explained.
"All the more reason for me to learn." She pointed out stubbornly.
"Rogue I fear because if other find out about this they will be less than enthusiastic." He argued.
"Please do explain Charles." Magneto said arrogantly with a sarcastic tone. "Erik you know why this is a bad idea, as if the girl's touch wasn't enough to put her on S.H.I.E.L.D's radar, or the floor of the Congress of the United States. I will not give anyone else a reason to fear her."
"Who will tell them Charles? And if they do fear her as much as you say then why not give her more ammunition to defend herself?"
"Erik this topic is not up for debate." Magneto's eyes narrowed. He clearly was not accustomed to being told what to do, and Magneto did not take orders.
Rogue sensed a fight coming on though and quickly changed the topic. "Back up Prof. Am I on S.H.I.E.L.D's radar?"
Professor Xavier sighed angrily. "Yes, Rogue. S.H.I.E.L.D monitor's mutant activity, they have files on the X-Men and as you can imagine a teenager with the ability to kill would be cause for concern."
"It's not that this young woman can kill Charles." Magneto corrected him. "It is how she can kill. Anyone in this room can kill. It's a well know fact amongst S.H.I.E.L.D operatives and our own kind that to kill it takes time and energy. It would take concentration to telepathically kill someone, or skill to strike someone with a lightning bolt, or even to draw the iron in their blood. These skills take time to learn. Rogue can do it effortlessly; it is her gift, she doesn't need to be trained." He explained.
"If you weren't once of Xavier's charges Rogue, I have no doubt they would have intercepted you by now."
"To try and recruit her." Xavier said quickly. "Someone that dangerous and not working for S.H.I.E.L.D is a viewed as a threat."
"And if she hadn't gone with them willingly?" Magneto asked.
"We're all dangerous Magneto." Scott stated. "Granted Rogue is more dangerous than the rest of us, but I'm sure if anyone left the X-Men S.H.I.E.L.D would try and recruit them regardless of how dangerous they are."
"Are you really so naïve to think that they-
"Enough Erik!" Professor Xavier shouted. "Perhaps it would be better if we had the rest of this conversation in private."
Professor Xavier turned to the rest of the X-Men. "Session dismissed, Rogue I will see you at nine o'clock in the morning tomorrow in the library."
Storm and Beast were the first to rise and leave followed closely by Jean and Scott. Lastly Rogue left after one last look at the two angry men sitting across from each other.
Rogue walked down the hall in silence. Professor Xavier had locked up all the psyches and fragments (with her permission this time) nearly two days ago, the barriers were probably going to be destroyed tomorrow morning. Everyone agreed there was no way to unlock her power if restricted by the barriers. But for now it was nice to enjoy the silence it gave her. As she past the lobby she came across several angry New Mutants going to bed early grumbling about how Wolverine was trying to give them hypothermia tomorrow.
After retrieving her jacket and switching her cotton gloves to leather a frustrated Rogue walked out of the hotel and made her way to the lake.
"A bit late for midnight walks don't you think Rogue?" A voice asked above her. Rogue tensed as she recognized it. She turned just in time to see a figure land next to her. Even in the dark of the night she could see his white hair and light eyes drawing down on her.
"Magneto." Rogue greeted. "Stalking me?" She asked. He chuckled. "Actually I thought a walk might do me some good after arguing with your infuriating mentor. He's nearly as irritating as you."
Rogue scowled. "You're just angry I can get under ur' skin."
Magneto chose to ignore that comment. "Should you really be out here without a proper coat?" He asked.
"It's forty-five degrees Fahrenheit and you're wearing a measly jacket." He informed her.
"So?" Rogue asked in a defensive tone. "Your one to talk you're not even wearing a jacket." It was true he was wearing his usual black attire. "Wait aren't you freezing?" She asked.
He shook his head. "I can manipulate the magnetic field around my body to keep the cold out."
He stepped towards her and reached his hand out. Light blue sparks came off. "I can do the same to you if you wish."
"I really don't know if-
Rogue stopped short as she stared him in the eye. "What's wrong with your eyes?" She asked. "A few weeks ago they were light green…now they're icy blue." She took a step closer to him trying to get a better look.
Magneto appeared taken off by her question. "Before my mutation emerged I had green eyes and brown hair. The rebirth machine set me back to when my eyes were still green…now they seem to be returning to their natural blue state."
"The rebirth machine didn't mess with your hair." She pointed out.
"Yes my hair was the first thing my mutation affected, my eyes didn't change until ten years later."
She didn't say it out loud but she thought his icy blue eyes were very attractive. "They go nicely with your hair." She commented.
"Thank you. I wasn't aware you paid such attention to my eyes."
Rogue responded by rolling her eyes. "The first Mystique taught me from my time in the Brotherhood was to notice things about others." Rogue said as she shivered. Magneto noticed this.
Magneto ran his hand down her arm. Instantly she felt a little warmer. "Did you know Rogue that each and every living thing had a bio-magnetic field surrounding it? It took nearly twenty years for me to notice they were there."
"And you can now affect it on a molecular level; it's what makes you an omega." Rogue finished.
"Very good Rogue." He said as he moved to her hand. He gently pulled her glove off. Rogue couldn't feel the cold winds; he was obviously manipulating her bio-magnetic field.
"You deep green eyes an excellent contrast with your pale skin." Magneto said as he examined her hand. "Was it always this pale, or is this the result of having to wear so much clothing to cover your skin?"
"I-I was born with pale skin, and with these white streaks." She said as his hand moved to wrap around her back and pull her closer, despite the fact that she was warm already.
Rogue shook her head forcefully in an attempt to clear it; she was very distracted with him touching her.
"Did you come out here to tell me how pretty my eyes are?" She asked. "Or are you here for another reason?"
Magneto smirked. "I'm only giving you a compliment Rogue, and if you must know I was curious to why you are out here when everyone else has retired."
"Not that it's any of your business but I'm just trying to clear my head." She lied.
Magneto cocked his head to the side. It was only when he used his free hand to tilt her chin forcefully up did Rogue realize he was wearing gloves.
His eyes once again bore down on her. "You are a good liar Rogue." He complimented. "But I am a master criminal with genius level intellect."
"Well aren't you an arrogant one to brag." Rogue snarled. "Do not lie to me girl." He said as he pulled her closer. Their bodies were now touching. Rogue cursed herself when she realized none of her skin was exposed.
Light blue sparks erupted around them as he demonstrated his power. "Asshole that was a barbaric display of power." Rogue snarled angrily as she struggled against him. She was literally itching to remove her glove.
'Stop it Rogue.' She told herself. 'Dammit girl you have more restraint than this.'
"Why are you suddenly so angry Rogue?" He asked as he pulled her harder against him. Three small metallic spears flew towards them. Rogue struggled harder. She hissed as she saw them.
It took a moment for Magneto to realize her anger was not directed at him, but at the metal.
He turned her face to look at him again. "Would that be jealousy I see in your pretty eyes Rogue?" Magneto asked.
That was the last straw. "YES!" Rogue shouted. "Yes I'm jealous, everyday!" Her vision was getting blurry. "Every day I watch the others use their powers as freely as they want. Cyclops has the power of a bazooka behind each of his eyes and Prof. still lets him use it!" Tears now freely spilled out of her eyes.
"Do you have any idea how demented that sounds?" She asked. "That I want to use my curse? That I want to suck the life out of people? I came out here in the cold to get numb! So I wouldn't feel pain and anger anymore."
Rogue was choked up in the back of her throat; it was getting hard to speak. "I love the way it feels. It hurts my head a little afterward, but it's always worth it! The rush and tingle, it just feels like it's me…like I'm myself!"
Rogue rambled as she tried to explain it. Halfway through her rant the metal spheres dropped to the ground and the blue sparks had disappeared.
"It's so sick." Rogue whispered. "So wrong."
Magneto firmly placed his finger over her lips. "That's enough out of you Rogue." He growled angrily. "Listen to me carefully girl; there is nothing, nothing wrong with using your gift."
He used his thumb to wipe away one of her tears. "You should not be ashamed of it." He said firmly. "There is nothing wrong with it."
Rogue began to breathe easier. "Your time with Charles seems to has done much damage." He commented angrily.
"He took me in despite everything." She argued. "And he restricts you, if he had even attempted to teach you to use your power you would be in this situation. You should never feel ashamed, as though it were wrong." Magneto snarled with disgust.
"The others would be disgusted, and afraid. God, even you can't deny I'm an outcast even amongst my own kind."
"You mean you're an outcast amongst Charles's little band of dreamers." He corrected. "You're trying to sway me." Rogue accused. "What are you even doing here amongst us "little dreamers"?" She used his choice of words.
"I don't know!" He shouted angrily.
Silence lapsed between them as Rogue stopped crying and re-gained the ability to breathe normally. Magneto took several deep breaths before his anger subdued.
They were still pressed together. "Maybe you're here because you like teaching, you're a good teacher." She suggested.
"How would you know that?" He asked. Rogue smiled. "I know lots of things. My power, it allows me to see what you were thinking and feeling at any given moment as long as I have your memories." Her hands snaked up to press against his chest.
"Sometimes after an absorption I can know what a person is about to do before they do, or I'll answer a question they haven't asked yet."
"Does it fade?" He asked. "Mmmhmmm eventually. But if I absorb a person enough times I get a good idea of what they could be thinking at any given time."
"Really?" He asked. "Have you absorbed me enough to tell what I was thinking?"
Rogue blushed red, she'd forgotten her make-up and her blush could be easily seen. "Rogue?" He asked confused.
"Earlier, when I commented about your eyes and you took off my glove...you were wondering if the paleness covered my entire body."
His eyes widened. "You know then?" He asked. "That you're attracted to me? Yeah I had a feelin'."
She said as she let her hands wander up a little farther to his shoulders. "You've seen my mind." He stated very matter-of-factly. "You know I rarely deny myself anything." He continued as his thumb rubbed against her cheek.
Rogue sucked in a breath then. "Your easily excited by touch, did you know that?" He asked. "You are attracted to me as well, I've known ever since that day in the danger room when you made bruises on my neck."
Rogue blushed deeper. "I gave you hickeys?" She asked. "Yes, I do believe that is the term used nowadays."
"You got off on pinning me down." She challenged. "You enjoyed it too." He growled. "Your body told me so."
Rogue now realized their mouths were only centimeters apart. She closed her eyes, sucked in a breath, and pressed her lips to his without any hesitance.
His hand moved from her cheek to the back of her head holding her closer despite the fact that she had started to absorb him.
Magneto skillfully licked her bottom lip, causing her to gasp. He used this opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. Rogue whimpered and suddenly needed to steady herself against him. Her sound encouraged him to stroke his tongue with his.
Magneto pulled back suddenly and in-haled sharply, leaving Rogue to steady herself. "You-you really like watching me fight." She said. "You thought it was like watching me dance. You called it deadly grace."
"You'd like me to call you Erik." She continued. "And you sometimes feel threatened by me."
He cupped her cheeks again. "Quiet girl." He ordered. His mouth was on hers again. Magneto's hands traveled down to her waist, and his thoughts were flowing into her.
"Sometimes I feel as though you are the only threat in Xavier's Institute." His thoughts corrected her.
"You are do much different…you intrigue me…you know that girl? Storm and Jean Grey have great gifts, but they can't compare to yours. I would never seek out their company as I do you, they are prude, set in their ways, and they would not attack if threatened."
This time Rogue broke the kiss, pushing Erik back, trying to breath. "Rogue?" He asked, once again confused. Her forehead came to rest against his chest. "It's just that my power, it's very intense. Give me a minute."
Rogue inhaled and exhaled in counts of three. "Was I pushing you too far?" He asked. She shook her head against him. "No, I wanted to do that, and wanted to continue. It's hard to explain, but I think in a way it was your fault." She added the last bit playfully. "My feelings for you, this attraction, it's really strong. Combined with your feelings…it was just too overwhelming to the point where I couldn't breathe."
Magneto rubbed Rogue's back as her breathing stilled. "Sorry." She mumbled. "I wanted to continue, I'm just not used to taking so much."
"Don't apologize." He said as he kissed the top of Rogue's head that was protected by her hair. "We're going to have to practice then." Magneto assured her. Rogue smiled. "Think I'd like that."
"Good." He said possessively. "Walk me back to my room?" She asked, and for the first time that evening was hesitant.
He smiled. "Everyone else is asleep, I can't see how it would arouse trouble."
Soon Rogue lay alone in her dark room. Wondering if starting this with him was really a good idea after all, they did live in a house with two telepaths. She breathed and forcefully pushed all these thoughts out of her mind, not wanting to think about the consequences or her teammate's reactions if they ever found out. Her and Magneto shared things in common, but in a way they were opposites as well. While he rarely denied himself something, she always denied herself everything.
Not this time, she was going to enjoy him for as long as she could.
"You care…a little bit…deep down you do care." She mumbled to Erik's fragment. It was nearly two in the morning when Rogue finally did manage to drift off to sleep.
So did you like it? Review and tell me what you think! I'm looking forward to making Rogue a little darker!
Note: In the comics Rogue really was a black belt at the age of eight, so I decided to use that in this story. And in the episode X-23 it was shown that S.H.I.E.L.D had files on the X-Men.
For those of you Rogneto lovers out there, in the comic Uncanny Avengers Magneto appears to be coming back into the picture when Rogue is ordered by Alex Summers to hunt him down. (Uncanny Avengers 7) Can't wait!
RR Time:
Angelpain07: I hope you liked the romance in this chapter. Thanks for your review!
Marigab: I'm looking foward to making Rogue darker. Thanks for reviewing!
whylime: nope this story is going to continue with further chapters, thanks for reviewing!
Batty QUEEN: I'm glad you liked the ending of the last chapter, and I'll try to update quicker, but my internet has been giving me hell lately. Thanks for your review!
1983Sarah: Thanks for reviewing!
crystalstar1999: Thanks for reviewing!