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Chapter Fourteen of
Taunting Repartee- RM'd
Staying Power
Rogue sat on the bed, with her brother, in Magneto's bedroom as the Master of Magnetism sat before them both in the desk's chair. Somehow, he was as composed as ever, while she was anything but. Her breaths were shallow, and she was still shaking. She almost felt cold? Like she was shivering. Graydon wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
"T-thanks," Rogue said as she leaned into her brother, hoping it would help her get warm, though she kept her eyes on Magneto.
"Anna-Marie," Erik began. "Do you remember what day it was, that night we scuffled in the church, when you first absorbed a copy of my mind into yours?"
"Sir, maybe, could we put this off, until she's feeling better?" Graydon asked.
If only they had the time. Eventually, the Professor or Logan would come to check on her. Erik couldn't be here when they did and she knew he wasn't leaving until he had said his peace. God, the last thing she needed was a repeat of what had happened yesterday morning.
She blinked. She didn't want him reading her mind, but at the same time, she did want to ask him something without worrying about her brother's reaction. She took a breath as she lowered the shield she placed around her mind.
'Was that a dream?' she asked him outright. She watched Magneto shake his head ever so slightly and she sucked in a breath. Yesterday morning was real, it had happened. He had-
'What an excellent suggestion,' his words from yesterday replayed in her mind while she kept her eyes firmly on him.
'I wasn't being serious, I just-,' she thought as she watched his eyebrow arch slightly as if to say, 'oh, weren't you?'
Her breathing picked up again.
'It's all my fault,' she thought deeply troubled by the revelation. Though she wasn't surprised, far from it. This was why she hadn't told the Professor about that part of her dre— she shook her head— of their conversation. She had to be discreet or the people she cared about would get hurt.
Magneto nodded at her, again the movement was minimal, she doubted her brother noticed. Okay, she needed to compose herself and she needed to do it now.
"Would water help?" Magneto asked.
'Probably,' she thought as she nodded.
"Alright," he said as he stood. "Perhaps after, you'll feel prepared to answer my question," he reminded her as with a wave of his hand, a piece of his helmet stripped away from the whole. She watched as the metal turned bright red with heat before it reformed into a cup; the bulk of it was red and the handle was made of the purple trim that usually lined his helmet. As he walked into the bathroom and she heard the faucet turn on, she wondered why he asked about the date.
'It was Christmas Eve,' she thought. She blinked as it hit her. "Oh my god," she muttered to herself softly.
"What?" Graydon asked as Magneto re-emerged from the other room.
"Why was the date itself significant?" Erik asked as he handed her the cup.
"Christmas Eve's a holiday," Rogue answered evasively before she took a sip of the surprisingly warm water. It wasn't hot, just warm. Which was probably a good thing considering how cold she felt.
"And why does that matter?" Magneto asked as he returned to the chair.
"'Cause no one else was available," she said as she sat up a bit more, she felt- her body wasn't shaking as much. She paused to take another sip. "It wasn't personal. Ya only astral-projected into my mind to conduct a threat assessment," she said as he nodded.
"Sir, you can Astral-Project?" Graydon asked and Rogue felt her eye's widen as she realized she had messed up by disclosing that to her brother. Had anyone beside her known about his-
"I can, in fact," Magneto answered, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Though I've always kept my limited telepathic abilities a closely guarded secret. Can I count on you, Graydon?" he asked.
"Of course you can, sir," he answered immediately.
"I understand Emma will most likely find out, given your relationship. I ask that to be your only disclosure," Magneto said.
"Absolutely, sir," he said, a small, chagrined look flitting over his face. Rogue missed the exchange, but Magneto most certainly did not.
"Good," he said with a stern nod before turning back to her. "Anna-Marie, what did I find when I entered your mind? A threat?" he asked.
"Not then," she answered, a little uneasy. She watched his lip curve upward in amusement before it quickly corrected itself. "Ya just saw how much help I needed."
"The chaos in your mind was abhorrent, as was Charles's willfully ignorance of your plight. I couldn't, in good conscience, leave you in such a state," he said.
"And that's why you silenced the Fragments and started teaching me how ta do it myself," she said.
"Yes," he answered.
"Even though you've just been creating the liability you were worried about?" she asked and she watched him rest his hand against his forehead as he laughed.
"Against," he said, still laughing as his hand left his forehead and his fingers took hold of his chin and his pointer finger rested against his cheek, "my better judge, yes, Anna-Marie, I felt compelled to assist you regardless of my own personal risk," he said warmly, his eyes on her and she felt her body stop shaking completely. He really did care about her. That hadn't been a lie.
"Sir, respectfully," her brother prefaced.
"Yes, Graydon," he said, turning to look at her brother, as he sat up straight, his hand returning to the arm of the chair. "Please, speak your mind," he said, his tone returning to normal.
"Why didn't you call me and Emma? We would've been on the first plane to New York," he said.
"You love your sister very much, of course, you would have. However, that evening quite a few things became apparent. Anna-Marie," he said, his eyes made contact with hers again. "Upon entering your mind, what did I discover from a tactical standpoint?" he asked. She stalled by taking another sip from her cup.
"Ya found out why I couldn't think. And," she said before cutting herself off, looking down as she considered his question.
What if Erik had called her brother? What if Magneto wasn't the one who silenced the fragments? What if it had been Emma instead? What would that've changed?
She glanced up at Magneto with newfound comprehension.
"Erik, back in December, how easy would've been for ya ta get me ta switch sides?" she asked.
"I briefly considered utilizing a relatively simple plan," he confirmed.
"What plan, sir?" her brother asked.
"You and Emma would've arrived in Bayville for a Christmas surprise," Magneto said as she drank from the cup. "Emma would've scanned Rogue's mind, gained knowledge of its compromised state, and informed Rogue. Charles would've spouted his haphazard excuses for his ignorance and Rogue would've felt conflicted knowing it wasn't intentional. Regardless, you would offer her a place in your home. Rogue would've wished to go, as a part of her no doubt does now. Charles, out of guilt and unaware of our connection, would acquiesce. In less than two days from entering her mind, Rogue would have been on a plane to Washington D.C," he said calmly.
"Sir," Graydon said, astonished as Rogue tilted her head back, drinking what was left in the cup.
"More?" Magneto asked, gesturing toward the cup.
"Ah-huh," she said, loosening her hold on the handle, as she watched it float toward him as he stood. He grabbed the cup and walked into the bathroom once more.
"Anna-Marie," Magneto said, his voice raised to ensure they heard him over the running water. "Why didn't I summon Graydon and Emma in December?" he asked as her brother looked at her.
"Because that would've just been another manipulation," she replied as the water turned off.
"Precisely," Magneto exclaimed as he reappeared. "You didn't choose to join the Brotherhood or the X-Men," he said as he walked back over. "Circumstances outside of your control dictated your action," he said as he handed her the cup again. "If you choose to join us it must be your decision," he said as he sat in the chair again. "However, your abilities, dear girl, far more than that of your peers, are coveted. By myself, Charles, and your mother," he said.
"I get that," she muttered.
"Yes, now, you do. But did you understand this two weeks ago?" he asked. She blinked before she shook her head. "This is what I've been teaching you. Every lesson has formed the foundation of your comprehension of your very worth and the leverage that grants you," he said.
She took a deep breath, then a sip of the water. She felt- better? Yes, actually, she felt relieved. The last few days she had been struggling with separating the real Magneto from his counterpart in her mind. She no longer had to. It had always been him. Everything he had done was to help her obtain this level of mental clarity. God, she was such a mess before absorbing him and considering what he could have done to her while her state of mind was compromised. She felt a shiver run down her spine before it was replaced by an overwhelming wave of gratitude. She owed him so much.
She blinked. She had asked him to justify this and in less than ten minutes he had. Not only that, she agreed with him and his course of action. She saw a satisfied gleam in his eyes and sucked in a breath as she realized she never restored her mental shield. He had been privy to her train of thought this entire conversation. Oh god, he had been privy to her train of thought since December; it had been months!
"Not only that, Anna-Marie, but given how coveted your abilities are, the only way I saw to ensure I did not unintentionally coerce you, was to teach you how they work. The goal, my dear, is to ensure that no one will ever be able to manipulate you again," he added.
"That's why you started teaching me how to play chess," she said.
"Even Charles approved of that course of action," he said and she found herself nodding along with him. "If you can see the moves, if you understand the agendas at play, then no one, myself included, can take advantage of you," he said.
"Thank you," she said earnestly. There was no hesitation or regret. Only the knowledge that she truly was better off for having absorbed him.
"You're welcome," he said warmly.
"So, what happens now? Am I on my own with the Fragments unless I say yes to joining you?" she asked.
"And allow you to fall back into the fog I first found you in? Hardly," he said scoffed
"But you said that we were only willing to help me for a price, my allegiance," she said.
"Yes, I made many statements before you realized I can't lie to you," he responded. She blinked.
"Oh," she exclaimed, as she felt a smile creep up on her. "Oh my god," she laughed and he chuckled in turn. "You're such a jackass, Erik," she said as she felt her brother tense up beside her.
"So, you keep telling me, Anna-Marie," he said jovially. They shared a laugh before she looked over at her brother and saw the bewildered look on his face. "I imagine you would like time to think," he stated.
"Ah-huh," she said, her eyes back on him as she nodded in agreement.
"Good," he said approvingly as he stood. "I'll return tonight," he said.
"Normal time? Nine-thirty?" she asked as she stood as well and handed him the cup so he could reform his helmet before departing. She watched her brother's face contort in confusion, almost as if to ask, 'why?'
"On the dot, my dear," he said and she couldn't help but smile. "In order to keep the Fragments at bay I will need to pay you a daily visit," he said, though she felt it was for Graydon's benefit not hers.
"Because getting all of 'em to shut up is an exertion of willpower," she said, paraphrasing Magneto as Graydon stood beside her, his face returning to normal, satisfied with the explanation.
"Precisely, and you must continue to practice. The Danger Room will not grant you control. Only the practical application of your mental abilities will," he lectured and she felt herself nodding along with him, knowing he was right. "If you're going to remain an X-Men, Charles must accept this," he added.
"He has," she said before she watched him raise an eyebrow. "Mostly," she added with a smile and a shrug and Magneto chuckled again.
"I hope you have a wonderful lunch with your siblings. I know you've been looking forward to this," he said as she smiled at him. "Graydon," he said.
"Sir," he said, with a respectful nod, "thank you for helping Anna-Marie. I still wish you had contacted us but-" he said.
"You understand why I couldn't," Magneto finished for him. Graydon reluctantly nodded. "It's not often I personally help a young mutant with their powers. I normally delegate such tasks to others within our organization," he said.
"Usually Emma," Graydon said with a smile.
"Indeed," Magneto agreed warmly. "There's a reason I furnished you two with such a large apartment while you were still in college," he said jovially. "The number of mutants you've helped in such a short time frame is staggering. Both of you are credits to our cause. You should be proud," he said.
"We are, sir," he said.
"It really is a shame how Charles's actions forced my hand toward secrecy. The alternative, unfortunately, was manipulation," he said, shaking his head sadly and Rogue once again felt the urge to thank him. He gave her a warm smile before looking at her brother. "If Anna-Marie does acquiesce and relocate to Washington, I will gladly turn her training over to Emma's capable hands. Which is frankly where this task should have fallen from the start. It was your mother's insistence to have Rogue in Bayville that prevented this in the first place," Magneto finished.
"More than you know, sir," Graydon said grimly as an inquisitive look crossed Magneto's face. His gaze shifted to hers.
'Later,' she told him and he nodded.
"You should return to Charles. Tell him you have my word that this afternoon will be uneventful. That should be enough for him to consent to the outing," he said.
"Yeah and about that," Graydon said. "Why can't she go out to lunch or have a conversation without his permission?" he asked, his tone suspicious.
"Charles commands his team as he sees fit. Rogue is currently one of his X-Men and is thus subject to his will," Magneto said.
"Maybe Emma should put up a mental block in your mind before we leave," Graydon suggested, looking at her. "I don't like the idea of Xavier being able to control you," he said.
"Graydon, I understand your concern, but it's unnecessary. Like the military, Charles employed a strict hierarchy and social sanctions to ensure obedience. Those unwilling to adhere to his rules, simply leave," he said.
"But he's telepathic. You're saying he doesn't use his powers to-"
"Not on those on his team. That is the distinction Charles makes." Magneto shook his head half in consternation, half in admiration. "Despite our differences, I know the value of Charles Xavier's word and self-imposed ethics. Were she to leave the X-Men, however," he said before she saw him glance toward the hallway.
"Logan?" Rogue asked.
"We'll continue this later. Return to Charles's office immediately," Magneto ordered. Rogue placed her hand on Graydon's shoulder and teleported them. She saw Logan halfway out the door as they reappeared.
"Thanks for waiting," Rogue said.
"Is everything alright?" the Professor asked.
"Actually, it is," she said with a nod. "Magneto gave me his word, nothin's happening today. We're just gonna get lunch. Gray and Kurt get ta meet. And I ain't making any major life decisions today. It's just lunch," she told him.
She watched the Professor hold her gaze before sighing.
"And there's a reason this meal can't happen here, I assume?" he asked.
"Personal preference," Graydon answered dryly before the Professor let out another sigh.
"Fine," he relented.
"And can Kurt come with us?" Rogue asked as she saw the Professor's face distort with conflict. "Please?" she added.
"No way the elf is going along," Logan spoke up, before the Professor could.
"You're welcome to join us too, if ya want," Graydon offered, surprising her, the Professor, and Logan shared a glance.
"I don't know what kinda game you're playing here, bub," he said, while walking up to Graydon. Logan leaned in and let out a low growl as he got in his face.
"No game," her brother said, unintimidated. Rogue was proud of him, and it was a struggle not to show it. "We recognize that Xavier is Kurt's legal guardian. Unlike with Anna-Marie," he said as Rogue's gaze flashed to the Professor's. She watched his eyes flicker with understanding before she looked at her brother again. "His permission is required for this lunch to happen. So, if it'll make everyone feel better, you're welcome to join us," he finished.
"It would put my mind at ease," the Professor said, looking at Logan as he did. There was a pause as the two men held each other's gaze.
"Fine," Logan grunted. "Rogue, go grab Kurt," he ordered. But she hesitated, a part of her worried that the second she left the room, threats would be issued. Exactly, what she was trying to avoid.
"Rogue, it's alright," the Professor said kindly. "Please retrieve Kurt," he said.
"Yeah, yeah, okay," she said, giving her brother and Emma a look, silently pleading for them to leave well enough alone before she teleported out of the room.
