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Chapter Eleven of

Taunting Repartee- RM'd

Sheer Heart Attack

Rogue sat in utter shock, staring at Magneto, unsure what he would ask of her. Desperately, hoping no one would get hurt as a result. Magneto stood, his eyes still locked with hers, gesturing for her to do the same. She quickly obeyed, stepping away from the table and he began using his powers in earnest.

So much happened in the span of a few seconds, she could hardly keep track. The table, chairs, and everything else he had brought with him, were all levitated and neatly stacked in the far right-hand corner of the room. As Magneto sorted out what he had brought, he walked over to her dresser and opened the middle drawer. Behind her, she heard something hit the bed and she turned to see one of her textbooks was now there and open as if she had been reading this entire time. "Anna-Marie," he whispered.

"Huh?" she asked as she turned to look at him to find a turtle-neck shirt had been thrown at her. She glanced up at him to see him pointing at his neck. And her eyes widened as she realized she hadn't put any makeup on the hickie he had left yesterday. She quickly nodded as she pulled the shirt over her head. As her head emerged from the top, he was standing in front of her with a pair of gloves.

"I appreciate your continued discretion," he whispered and she nodded at him as she took the gloves and slipped them on.

"Ah-huh," she agreed before he leaned down and kissed her briefly. He quickly pulled back and she opened her eyes to see he had the blood-orange beverage in his hand.

"Quickly," he said, handing her the can. "Wolverine's senses," he cautioned. She nodded before taking a large gulp, swirling the liquid around in her mouth to override his scent on her. "Good," he said as she handed him the now empty can. "Apologizes for the delay of our rematch," he said as he took a few steps back into the corner with all of the items he had brought. "Another time," he promised before he waved his hand and- she blinked as everything disappeared, him included.

"Erik?" she asked. He had said this was real, that he was- was she dreaming after all?

"No. Go read," he ordered.

"Yeah …okay," she said as she walked over to the bed and laid down in front of her textbook like she would have done had this been what she had been doing all morning. Her eyes were now set on the page, but she wasn't actually taking any of it in. She was hyper-conscious that he was still standing in the corner, though invisible to the naked eye.

She had never studied his powers thoroughly. What she knew she had gleamed through her passive search of his past. She knew a lot about him as a result. But this? This she had never seen. Magnetism could do that? Turn him and other things invisible?

"Yes," he answered. She felt her breath catch in her throat as she recalled her confusion Thursday afternoon while waiting for the bus. How it had passed her by as if-

"Is- is that why the bus driver didn't see me?" she asked, alarmed.

"Not now, Anna-Marie," he said, which meant yes. He had been there, stalking her, watching her- he'd been reading her mind, listening to her indecisiveness, and ensuring she'd gone to Karma Kate, regardless of her wishes. "We will speak of this, at length, I promise you. But you must regain your composure," he said warningly.

"Yeah, yeah," she said as she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. "Okay," she said before her attention was drawn towards the door as she heard a knock. Another deep breath.

"Yeah?" Rogue called out, as she opened her eyes.

"Can I come in?" Jean asked. And another.

"Yeah," she answered before the door creaked open.

"Hey, Rogue," Jean said with a smile as she entered her room.

"Hey, Jean," Rogue said, forcing a smile on her face. She quickly allowed the smile to drop from her face. "Here ta reprimand me for skipping out this morning?" she asked.

"Everyone knows you have those get-out-of-trouble cards," she said as she walked up and sat next to her on the bed. "I don't think anyone was expecting you to use one to get out of playing baseball," she commented.

"It's been a hectic few days," Rogue said as she sat up. "I just wanted time to think everything through," she said.

"About Magneto's offer?" she asked.

"Yeah," she answered with a sigh as she closed the textbook.

"So, you're thinking about this?" she asked.

"I guess I am," Rogue shrugged.

"After what he did to Scott and Alex?" Jean asked incredulously. "How can you even consider it?" she asked in disbelief as Rogue guilty conscious was reflexive, and she couldn't help it that she looked in the corner, where Magneto still was. She really needed to get them out of the room.

"Magneto targeted Scott to mess with the Professor. He didn't really expect to recruit him," she said, the response slipping out, but once she said it, she knew it was true.

"And that makes it okay?" Jean riposted.

"No, what I'm saying is," she said before sighing. "Magneto's offer, it doesn't have anything to do with the Professor or the X-Men. It's just about me and it's a generous offer," she said as she stood. Thankful when Jean joined her. "But like I keep telling everybody, Magneto included," she said, crossing her arms over her chest as she kept herself from looking in the corner. "I ain't rushing to make a decision anytime soon," she said.

"And that's what's making everyone so nervous," Jean said.

"It's been three days," Rogue exclaimed while rolling her eyes.

"Yes, but-" she said as Rogue looked at the door. If she left the room, maybe she could get Jean to follow her?

"No, y'all don't get it," Rogue said as she started to walk towards the door. "I ain't rushing this. I've done that twice now and I ain't doing it a third time," she said as she felt Jean's hand on her arm.

"What do you mean twice?" Jean asked.

"Look," she sighed as she turned to look at the other girl. "It's no one's fault but I wasn't exactly in the greatest place mentally when Logan asked me to join the X-Men," she explained.

"Oh," Jean acknowledged, the surprise clear on her face. "Why?" she asked.

"I've explained some of it to Prof. And not that I want anyone to feel bad about it," she prefaced. "He ain't Mystique. They didn't lie or try to manipulate me. They were just ignorant of what I was dealing with. I am in a good place now and I'm done repeating my mistakes," she said strongly before sighing. "Truth is, if I had the mental stability then that I have now, I don't know if I would've joined the X-Men," she admitted.

"Seriously?" Jean asked.

"It's nothing against anyone here. But I got more family than just Mystique. I may've gone to live with my older brother instead," she shrugged. "But I can't turn back time and what's done is done. I don't regret joining the X-Men, especially since finding out about Kurt, but I also know I have other options and I owe it to myself to consider them fully this time," she said, placing her hand on her chest. "All I'm asking for is a little patience," she said, a part of her was glad Magneto was in the room to hear it.

"I-" Jean said, utterly surprised. "But…it's Magneto," she said dumbfounded.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I-" she muttered before shaking her head. Only the Professor seemed to understand that liking his personality wasn't a crime. It may as well have been with the reactions she kept receiving from her teammates.

Rogue's eyes widened as she heard the distinct noise of a phone ringing behind her.

"Huh?" Jean asked as the ringing stopped almost immediately. "What was that?" she asked.

"I'm sure it was nothin'," she said as she started toward the door again. "Let's go outside, okay?" Rogue asked nervously as she pulled at Jean's arm.

"Is there someone there?" she asked, confused, as her gaze focused on the corner.

"Jean, come on," she said, pulling at her arm with a bit more force. She watched Jean's eyes widen before she placed her hands on her temples.

Magneto wasn't wearing his helmet since he had repurposed the metal. Yes, Jean could try to enter his mind, but she knew his mental defenses were well-trained. He'd be able to kick her out and that might hurt Jean.

"Jean, don't," she warned too late as the other girl let out a groan of pain, falling back. Rogue braced Jean's back, holding her up. She pulled her toward the bed and they both sat down. "Erik, please don't hurt her," she called out toward the corner.

"Apologies," Magneto said as he and everything in the corner reappeared.

"Magneto is here," Jean muttered, her eyes still closed, still recovering from her failed assault on Magneto's mind. Rogue's widened eyes flashed to Erik's, both of them understood the staff had been informed of his presence.

"Just go, please?" she asked as she watched him look outward as he had when he realized when Jean was inbound. 'And don't hurt anyone else,' she thought as she saw his gaze shift toward her dresser, the bottom drawer? "Erik?" she asked.

"Charles needs to understand," he said as he walked toward the corner and retrieved his trench coat. "They all do," he said as he put it on, adjusting the collar as he moved the garment into place. "Intentionally or not," he said as he glanced back at her, his eyes intensely serious. "The X-Men took advantage of your vulnerability. Charles didn't care about your mental state," he said.

"He didn't know," she argued.

"He's telepathic. He very well should have," he retorted angrily. Rogue sucked in a breath, unable to bring herself to dispute his claim a second time. "Both of us know, Rogue," he said, taking a step toward her. "That had I given you the individualized attention you required from the start, leaving the Brotherhood would never have crossed your mind. I trusted your mother with your care and education," he said bitterly. "A mistake I will not repeat," he said firmly as she heard the sound of Kurt's teleportation just outside the room. Magneto's eyes shifted away from hers to the source of the sound.

'Please don't hurt my brother,' she thought, her eyes glued to his. His gaze focused on her as he let out a sympathetic sigh.

"Unlike the majority of the X-Men you have loved ones on both sides," he continued. "I would argue more on mine than Charles's," he said, taking another toward her. "Victor, Graydon, Emma, Irene, and Raven," he said.

"You said my mom wasn't working with you anymore," she pointed out.

"Currently, no. However, this isn't the first time she and I have had a falling out. I doubt it will be the last. Eventually, she will return to the fold. She always does. Which is what I am offering you, Anna-Marie," he said as he extended his hand toward her, "a way home," he said.

Rogue barely had a moment to consider his words as Wolverine rushed into the room, baring his claws, he lunged toward Magneto. She watched in fear as Magneto's outstretched hand turned toward Logan, freezing him in place, his claws retracting back into his body.

"Please don't hurt anyone else," Rogue pleaded.

"Miss Grey attacked me, Anna-Marie, as did Wolverine," he said calmly.

"I know and you broke inta their home," she said as she watched his eyebrow raise at her wording. "Of course, they're gonna attack. So, please," she pleaded, ignoring her own implication. "Ya came here to talk ta me. We talked. Now, I need time to think," she said, yet again as Mr. McCoy rushed into the room next.

"Very well," Magneto said amicably, he lowered his hand and Logan was released.

"Wolverine, Beast," he said as he walked towards the door. "Kindly move aside and I'll depart the way I arrived, peacefully," he said.

"You've gotta a lot of nerve, Magneto," Logan growled, his hands balled at his sides. Mr. McCoy placed his hand on Logan's shoulder.

"If all parties are amenable, a cease of hostilities would be preferable," Mr. McCoy said civilly.

"Today, Beast, hostilities of any kind were my furthest objective," Magneto said. "If you'll please excuse me," he said. Logan continued to growl, even as Mr. McCoy's hand pulled him aside. Magneto walked toward the door.

"Tell Charles what he's done," Magento said, addressing her again, as he pulled out his cell phone. "I'll be in touch," he said as he flipped it open. "Change in plans," he said into the phone as he exited the room. "Tomorrow," he said.

Rogue blinked- Graydon and Emma, had to be.

"Is everyone alright?" Mr. McCoy asked.

"Jean's gonna need something for her head," she said as Mr. McCoy joined her and Jean by the bed. "She's probably got a killer migraine," Rogue explained as she stood. "Is Kurt okay?" she asked, concerned as she quickly marched toward the door. She stuck her head out and saw Kurt sitting on the floor, like he had been knocked back, but he looked alright otherwise.

"Tell him to enjoy his night off," Magneto said humorously. She turned to see him casually walking down the hall. "Well, certainly, you could help him in that regard," he chuckled as she walked up to her little brother.

"You okay?" Rogue asked while offering him a hand.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he huffed as he took her hand.

"If he's that concerned, let's get dinner tonight. We'll discuss strategy," Magneto said as she helped Kurt to his feet. She turned back to look at Magneto as he turned a corner, their eyes briefly made contact and he gave her a short wave and a covert, covered look as he fully departed from her line of sight.

"Nightcrawler," Logan said, joining them in the hall. "Go grab Jean some ibuprofen from the infirmary," he ordered.

"On it," he said before teleporting away. She glanced up at Logan.

"You alright?" Logan asked her. With his mask on, his expression was completely unreadable.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she said sheepishly. "Sorry," she added.

"Chuck says it ain't your fault," he said, his tone suggesting he wasn't sure if he agreed.

"We're okay with Magneto roaming the mansion?" Scott asked bewildered as he ran up to them with a phone in his hand.

"No, we're not okay with it," Logan growled as Mr. McCoy joined them in the hall.

"Did you get in contact with Charles?" Mr. McCoy asked.

"Yeah, the Professor and Storm are heading home now," Scott said.

"And Kitty and Evan?" he asked.

"They're still with all the students on the baseball field," Scott answered. "So, what's the plan? Are we going after Magneto?" he asked.

"No, we're letting it go," Mr. McCoy said.

"He comes here and we're-" Scott exclaimed.

"Trust me, kid, it doesn't sit well with me either," Logan said.

"So, why aren't we doing anything about it?" Scott asked.

'Cause fighting Magneto's a real bad idea,' Rogue thought, but didn't voice her concern out loud.

"Maybe if Storm was here," Mr. McCoy said.

'Like that would make a difference,' she thought.

"We're waiting for Magneto to clear out. Then I want everyone inside, common room," Logan ordered.

"Doing what?" Scott asked.

"I don't know," Logan said, dismissively, like he didn't particularly care.

"Put on a movie," Mr. McCoy suggested. "Just keep everyone together," he cautioned.

"And you," Logan said, turning to look at her. "You ain't leaving my sight for the rest of the day. Got it?" he asked firmly.

"Yeah," she meekly before Kurt teleported back into the hall.

"I have them," Kurt said, holding up the bottle.

"Who needs those?" Scott asked.

"Jean," Rogue answered.

"He hurt her?" Scott said enraged as he ran past them and into Rogue's bedroom.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Logan and Beast were the only ones who heard, and of the two, the latter only gave her a look of sympathy. This was exactly what she had been trying to avoid. She glanced up at Logan as he gestured toward the bedroom with his head. She nodded and followed after Scott.

"I'm fine," Jean said as she and Scott were now sitting on the bed. Kurt walked in behind her and handed her the bottle. "My head just hurts," she said as she opened the bottle. "I've never had anyone push me out of their mind like that," she said.

"I'm sorry," Rogue said meekly. "I didn't warn ya fast enough," she said, accepting the blame for Jean's pain.

"Rogue, it's not your fault," she said kindly. "I- he didn't have his helmet on. I thought I'd be able to-" she said before Rogue watched her wince like a shiver had run down her spine.

"What?" Scott asked.

"He can turn invisible," Jean said, astonished.

"What?" Logan asked.

"He was- standing over there - and I had no idea," Jean said.

"Visible light does fall under the electromagnetic spectrum," Mr. McCoy supplied. "Perhaps he used magnetism to manipulate these forces- and," Mr. McCoy said, his words falling short. "Perhaps, we should wait for the Professor and discuss this as a group," he suggested.

"Yeah," Logan grunted.

"What were you two doing in here?" Scott asked regardless.

"We talked, and played chess," Rogue shrugged.

"Had fruit?" Mr. McCoy commented, gesturing towards the basket and half-eaten plates of food.

"Yeah," Rogue shrugged again.

"Alright," Logan said, rubbing his hand on the back of his hand. "We'll clean this up later. Nightcrawler, get everyone into the common room. Scott and Jean go with him. Rogue, you're sticking with me," he ordered.

"Okay," she sighed before everyone set to their assigned tasks.

"I'll join you all shortly," Mr. McCoy said. "I'm stopping by the library first to grab a couple of books. I think it's time I brushed up my knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum. Maybe, get ahead of any other surprises, Magneto might have in store for us," he said.

"Good thinking, Hank. Just don't take too long. I want everyone together," Logan said.

"Indubitably," he agreed.

"Come on," Logan said looking at her. She nodded as she followed him out of the room.

God, she wished no one had found out about Magneto's presence in her bedroom today. This would all be so much easier if no one knew. No one would have been hurt. Yes, she would have still spoken with Magneto, but big deal. She liked talking to him. He was- they were still- he was going to get her alone again and frankly, she wanted him too. She didn't know what that said about her but- it would be better for everyone if no one knew about how frequently he wished to speak with her.

'What an excellent suggestion,' Erik whispered in her mind. She blinked as she followed Logan down the hallway. She hadn't spoken to the fragment in days and now he decided to pop up.

'I wish,' she thought sadly as they headed down the stairs. He chuckled in response.

'Try to enjoy whatever movie they decide to distract you all with,' he advised and she sighed in response. 'And relax, my dear, everything is going to be alright,' he said gently.

'No, it ain't,' she huffed, the similarities between the fragment's words and the real Magneto's were causing her head to hurt.

'Yes, it will be,' he repeated insistently.

'I- I can't talk to you. It's too confusing,' she realized. 'Cause you and him are-' she said.

'The same, Anna-Marie, because we're the same,' he said.

'Yeah,' she agreed. She let out another sigh as she waited for him to say something else. She was waiting for the rebuttal, the argument as to why she could speak with them both.

'I have none to offer at the moment. Only a heartfelt apology for the stress you've undergone. It was never my intention, Anna-Marie. When I first entered your mind, I was appalled at the state of your mental health. Appalled at Charles's and Raven's mishandling of your care. I genuinely did and still wish to help you,' he told her, his voice laced with empathy.

'I … I know that, Erik,' she said.

'Good,' he said decisively. 'We'll talk tomorrow afternoon. Do try to relax till then, Anna-Marie,' he told her before she felt him slip to the back of her mind.

Relax? No way that was happening.

She could try…

Rogue sat on one of the couches, Kitty and Kurt were positioned on either side of her, like bodyguards. The common room was crowded with nearly every member of the household present in one room. Every piece of furniture was taken up by someone. They had even gone, in groups, to collect more chairs so everyone had a place to sit.

Despite her best efforts, relaxation was not going to happen. Not while tensions were so high. Scott in particular was staring daggers at her. Even when Jean told him several times that she was okay. Kitty and Kurt were apprehensive, but trying to pretend they weren't. Both of them were on guard like they expected Magneto to show up again any moment and would have to spring into action to protect her.

Most of the younger students were oblivious to the danger, having never faced Magneto in battle. There had even been a debate among them about what to watch, but everyone was able to agree that Tom Cruise movies were usually good. They had almost finished the first 'Mission Impossible' film and already had its sequel on top of the VCR, queued for viewing. The younger students seemed to be enjoying the excuse for a movie marathon. Bobby had even gone so far as to make a comment to Scott about needing to chill out. Jubilee had quickly elbowed him in the stomach, getting him to shut up before Scott blew up at her or them. Rogue had given Jubilee a half smile in thanks and the other girl had nodded at her begrudgingly before turning back to enjoy the movie.

Rogue heard voices in the hallway just outside the common room and saw Mr. McCoy and Logan standing up to join them. She turned her head slightly to pay attention. It was only a matter of time before the Professor wanted to speak with her and she had already inconvenienced everyone enough as it was. The least she could do was be ready as soon as he wanted to see her.

"Everyone's alright?" the Professor asked in a concerned, yet hushed voice.

"All safe and accounted for," Mr. McCoy said.

"How's Rogue?" he asked.

"She's experiencing guilt over Magneto's pursuit of her and the effects it's had on the others," Mr. McCoy answered as Rogue suppressed a sigh.

"Kid's been quiet since Magneto took off," Logan added.

"Rogue has nothing to feel remorse over. She didn't ask for his attention. She was manipulated into providing it. She certainly didn't ask to be held captive in her bedroom for god knows how long. If anyone's to be blamed, that burden should fall on my shoulders and mine alone," the Professor said.

"Tell that to Scott," Logan grunted.

"I intend to," he replied sternly.

"I cannot believe his audacity," Storm said. "To invade our home. He wouldn't have dared if we were here, Charles," she said.

"That's not true, Ororo. This isn't the first time he's made an appearance since leaving the institute," the Professor said gravely. "Though, I'd much prefer, if his aim were simply to taunt me again rather than engage with one of the students," he added.

"Yeah, I don't think he's giving up any time soon," Logan said.

"Three days in a row," Storm commented with concern clear on her normally composed face. "Should we expect him tomorrow as well?" she asked incredulously.

"Maybe," Logan said. "Magneto said something about plans changing to tomorrow instead of today," he said.

"Something needs to be done," the Professor said.

"She needs to say no to him," Storm said.

"Charles explained why she can't," Mr. McCoy reminded her.

"No, but perhaps I can speak with Magneto on Rogue's behalf. And explain I have no aspirations of weaponizing her knowledge of him," the Professor said as Rogue felt herself tense up even further.

"Think he'll go for that?" Logan asked.

'No,' she thought with the utmost certainty.

"It may be worth a try," Mr. McCoy said optimistically

Was it?

"Jean was in the room with her and Magneto?" the Professor asked.

"Briefly," Mr. McCoy answered.

"I'll start there then, learn what I can from today's encounter. Logan I may need to read your mind as well," he said.

"I'm sticking close to Rogue. Just do it remotely," he said.

"Understood. For now, please bring Jean to my office," he ordered.

"Of course," Mr. McCoy said as Jean stood. It seems she wasn't the only one listening in on the conversation. Jean gave her a kind smile before joining the others in the hall.

"You know we can all hear you, right?" Jean asked cheeky as she exited the room.

"My sincere apologies for interrupting the movie," the Professor said, his tone conciliatory. Jean let out a stifled laugh as Rogue heard them moving further away from the room.

"I'll talk to Scott later," Jean offered.

"Thank you, that would be appreciated," the Professor said.

Rogue allowed herself to sit back against the couch. It was going to be a while before the Professor was ready to speak with her. She closed her eyes, as she laid her head back against the lip of the couch.

Maybe she could give relaxing another try?

She guessed she was fairly worn out by all the stress as she swiftly felt herself drift off to…