The evening was going much better than one would expect an evening to go with an ex-supervillan(or as he preferred misunderstood freedom fighter). Magneto took her on a tour of his base, first showing her the alien equipment he had collected over the years. That interested Rogue more than Magneto initially thought it would, and indulging in her curiosity they spent nearly an hour discussing the alien race called the Shi'ar. He spoke of their empire, customs and technology.
They probably would have spent more time on the subject if not for their hunger. To Rogue's pleasant surprise the master of magnetism was a better cook than expected. He prepared Lemon Basil Shrimp and Pasta. It was absolutely delicious, tasted as though it was made in the Mediterranean. Magneto told Rogue about how he had learned to cook while staying there. Over a dessert of apricots and cinnamon Magneto entertained her with a story about the first time the Professor drank. He first described how they were celebrating the completion of Cerebro, and decided to have a few glasses of his father's prized and aged scotch. Which was, apparently contained a higher alcohol percentage than initially believed. Amelia Voght happened to be visiting that weekend. Apparently she wasn't at all that impressed with his comments about her "groovy mutation" before rambling off about how her hair was a mutation as well.
Rogue shook her head and grinned. "And I'm going to take a guess and say you didn't stop him."
Magneto chuckled. "You don't need me in your pretty head to know that Anna-Marie. I sat back and watched until Ms. Voght made a hasty excuse and retired early. Though, I did help Charles and stop him from running into his bedroom door…the third time it happened."
Rogue smiled. "You two really are close aren't you?" She asked.
"We were close friends at one point yes."
"You know Erik, if there's one thing I've learned in the South it's that friends would save you from your embarrassment, but best friends will laugh and make sure you never forget about it."
Magneto shook his head smiling. "Perhaps."
That concluded the end of dessert. They continued the tour and ended up in a room fully dedicated to the study of metallic molecules.
Right now Rogue stood grinning at her date with her arms crossed as he levitated shards of electric blue and purple around the room.
"A pretty display." Rogue commented. "You just about done showin' off now?"
Magneto smirked. He leaned in closer to her. "Getting jealous are we?" With slow, calculated movements he ran his finger down the gloved part of her arm. Gently he tugged at her glove until it easily slid off.
"Give it a try." Magneto encouraged as his bare slipped across hers. Contact lasted no longer than two seconds, that was slightly disappointing to Rogue, but she attempted to take control of the molecules anyway.
Turning from Magneto her fingers gave off a slight blue spark as she reached out. The glittering shards jerked violently around the room suddenly.
Magneto's arms circled around her waist from behind and let his warm breath hit her ear. "Gently dear." He reminded her. "Not quite aware of our strength yet are we? Hmmm?"
Rogue's eyes narrowed as she concentrated harder on holding them still. The shards movements became more erratic though.
"Close your eyes." Magneto instructed. "Trust me. Now don't focus on seeing the molecules, just feel them."
Rogue obeyed without argument this time.
"Relax your body." Magneto whispered. "In-hale and ex-hale."
Rogue did this in counts of three like Ororo had taught her and the other students during meditation class.
"Now what do you feel?" Magneto asked eagerly.
"It feels like a gentle hum, like soft singing, quiet and peaceful."
Rogue opened her eyes to the now calm molecules that drifted around the room. Still leaning back against Magneto she sighed blissfully. "I'm not sure if that makes any sense but…
Magneto cut her off. "No, Anna, it makes perfect sense. I feel the same thing." He assured her.
Rogue sank deeper into his embrace as she let some of the purple sparks fly past her hair. "Beautiful is it not?" He asked.
"Very." Rogue agreed as she turned towards him and carefully placed her hands on his chest. "Thank you, Erik. Thank you very much."
Magneto smiled down at her. "You're welcome; it is an experience I'll share with you any time." He said dismissively.
"No really Erik." Rogue said as he hands moved to his shoulders. "My power it's not used often, and almost never has another mutant willingly shared something as special as the experience of using my mutation, and wanting me to experience theirs."
Rogue moved her one gloved hand through his hair. "It means a lot; I appreciate it more than words can say."
"I know you do Anna." He assured her. Magneto's hands raked over her back as he pulled her closer. Their bodies were pressed together now. Rogue might have been concerned if he wasn't wearing sleeves.
"Your heart rate had increased." Magneto commented as tangled one of his hands in her hair. "I wonder why." He mused to himself.
Rogue glared slightly as her breathing also increased. "Arrogant Bast-
Rogue was abruptly cut off as their lips crashed together.
The flight back to the mansion flew by quicker than expected as the evening came to an end. It was nearly midnight by the time the pair returned. As a matter of fact they just missed the S.H.E.I.L.D agents that had woken up the Professor to have an important and urgent meeting that the staff would find out about in the morning.
They quietly touched the ground on the freshly mowed grass of the institute near the statue. "did you enjoy the evening?" Magneto asked.
"I did." Rogue said as she ran her gloved fingers across his cheek. "What 'bout you?"
"You know full well that I did." He reminded her.
"Oh, I know you did, I just wanna hear you say you had fun."
Magneto smirked. "I also enjoyed our evening."
Rogue began to move her fingers across his bottom lip. It reminded him of her gentlest kisses, back when she was careful and concerned about absorbing too much. She was still careful now, but she had a bit more boldness when she touched him than she had before.
"Rogue I was thinking on our flight back." He stated bluntly as he caught her fingers and intertwined them with his.
"I've proved to you that we can be physical and touch even with your mutation active, so do not let my next question rub you the wrong way." He continued as he stared straight into her eyes.
"Okay, so ask." Rogue encouraged.
"I know you enjoy using your mutation very much, but do you ever wish to feel skin without being bombarded by memories?"
Rogue bit her lip slightly. "Yeah, sometimes. When I'm tired sometimes it's difficult to take in. Why?"
"I was actually considering beginning a new project. A device specially designed to suppress your abilities, while it's on."
Rogue grinned. "Is that a discreet way of saying you're trying to get into my pants?"
Magneto chuckled. "Girl I promise you, I can also do that with your mutation active."
"Really?" Rogue scoffed with a smile.
"Is that a challenge?" Magneto asked as he pulled her in for another kiss.
Rogue closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Magneto bit on her bottom lip and pulled her closer. His fantasies were flowing into her mind. Rogue could feel her face redden as she saw some of his more erotic ones.
Seconds later they were both gasping and trying to recover. Rogue put her hand over her mouth in an attempt not to giggle.
"Thanks Erik, now I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight."
"If it's any consolation Anna-Marie, our lack of sleep is going to be perfectly mutual."
Later on when Magneto walked Rogue back to her room he gave her one more kiss, just to frustrate her. In response Rogue swatted at him and glared. That only made him smirk, which made her glare more before stopping into her room.
As promised, neither got much sleep in their separate rooms. And both were completely unaware of the S.H.E.I.D. recon team snapping photos that had stayed behind at the mansion, unknown to all the students and staff.
"Director Fury, sir." A young hesitant S.H.E.I.L.D. agent stood in front of the desk of one Nicholas Fury, director of S.H.E.I.L.D., or dictator in some cases. Also an old friend of Wolverine.
"Back so soon Kent?" Fury asked as he continued to pour over his computer screen. "Yes sir. The reconnaissance mission on the Xavier Institute is complete sir. No visible threats."
"Then why are you in my office solider?" Fury asked as he pinned him with a look that made the young agent a little more nervous.
"I have something you might want to see sir." The agent said as he handed a thin folder across to his director. Fury opened the folder to reveal a glossy photo.
His eyes widened in surprise. "Well that's certainly not something you see every day."
"I did several shots of his face sir, and the computer confirmed it to be Magneto sir."
Fury sighed. "Yes, solider I can see its Magneto."
"The question is what in the hell is he doing with Xavier's Student? That's the girl that saved the world, the only one we have no background or birth name on, Rogue."
"Yes Director Fury, the computer also confirmed that."
"I'm honestly not sure whether to send a copy of this to Xavier, or to laugh and believe it was photo shopped." Fury said as he placed the photo back into the folder. "It wasn't photo shopped was it?"
"No sir."
"Then I'd best hold onto this for safe keeping."
"Then you're not sending it to Xavier, sir?"
"Not at the moment, I haven't the slightest idea of what I'm going to do with this, if I choose to do anything at all."
"Very good sir." The solider said, as he was expected to.
It's interesting how soldiers and henchmen were always expected to say that, it doesn't matter if their leader had decided to bomb an entire country or kill a puppy dog. Now if only the students of the Xavier Institute could learn to behave like that, it would save a lot of money on aspirin.
"Students I have some exciting news." Professor Xavier announced over breakfast.
"In response the groggy, red eyed, students looked up, only half paying attention. In light of the events with Mister Sinister Director Fury and I have discussed and agreed on working together to resolve the threat. This is why student and staff will be taking a trip in two weeks to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters to begin research and get to be more familiar with our new allies."
"Awesome, so we get to meet the Super CIA of our government?" Beserker asked.
"That's so cool!" Jubilee added.
"We have to team up with those clowns?!" Bobby Drake asked angrily.
Hey guys, how's it going?
Big thanks to everyone that reviewed and told me what they thought!
RR:
Marigab: Yep the gossip is sure going to keep climbing! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, thanks for your continuing support!
1983 Sarah: Thanks for the compliment and encouragement!
Christa4ever: Thanks. Sometimes I get really concerned about how cute I write Erik and Anna. I'm worried it's a little out of character so I'm trying to add a little bit more of Erik being an ass. Thanks for your continuing support!
Angelpaint: Sorry for the cliffhanger. And yes it was very necessary to put the surprise at the end. Thanks for your review!