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Chapter 13 of
A Simple Favor:
On March 30th, 2002, around 12 pm, Magneto stood, at the top of a large building, his plan for mutant-kind's emergence finally coming to fruition.
Wanda was going to be a problem. It seemed Mystique had taken his disarming technique more personally than he had anticipated. He was pleased that Wanda seemed stable enough to no longer need hospitalization. Still, his blood boiled at the thought that Raven had a resource such as Agatha Harkness at her disposal all this time. Where was the witch seven years ago when Magneto first had to contain his daughter? Where was the witch when he'd had to choose between caring for his daughter or preventing her from unintentionally hurting his son? Her powers had always been beyond his understanding or ability to control and Raven was very much aware of that.
Even Charles had only been able to do so much as her psychologist. After all these years, all those sessions, even he left her in the facility, deeming her too dangerous for his school. It mattered not, he supposed. He'd made his choices, difficult as they were. The mission, his life's goal was what mattered.
'Maybe things would've been better if he had strived for balance,' the girl's words played in his mind.
'Easier said than done,' he thought to himself. Though, he could take a different approach this time, and apply a gentler hand. Perhaps, despite Mystique's manipulations, he and his daughter might have another chance at a relationship.
Not today, obviously. She was far too enraged for that. Vengeance was her only objective. He knew quite a bit about that. Thus the plan was in place, he'd grant his daughter the catharsis she desperately required, allow her to get 'killing' him out of her system, and then perhaps- well time would tell.
On, April 5th, 2002, around 7:30 am, Rogue sat in the Institute's sublevels surrounded by the other occupants of the school as they finished up breakfast. The Professor and Mr. McCoy were discussing the newspaper. Ororo and Logan were making some kind of preparation the Professor had only hinted at before breakfast. Bobby and Sam were walking around hanging out mail and small packages. The other we're eating. And Rogue, she was riddled with guilt and trying not to show it.
The mansion had been destroyed. Actually destroyed by her mother. The younger students were nearly trapped within it. Yes, no one was dead but that didn't mean there hadn't been a cost.
Everyone in the mansion had lost all of their worldly possessions. Yes, they were just things but she knew her things included pictures from Mississippi, her favorite jewelry, clothes, and books. She could only imagine the sentimental value of all that was destroyed. And though she hadn't been the one to activate Deadcon 4, given what she knew, she felt as if she might as well have.
'What if I'd told Prof about Risty instead of Magneto?' she asked herself.
This new question haunted her.
Would the mansion still be standing? Would Magneto have been able to reveal their kind to the world as he had planned? Maybe if the Professor had been here, he might not have been so eager to fall into Magneto's trap as Mystique had been. At least she had been able to find the Professor, pretty quickly, all things considered. But still, if she had told Pro instead of-
She didn't know and possibilities playing out in her mind were starting to eat at her.
"Everyone," the Professor said, calling for everyone's attention. "I know the past few days have been difficult and I applaud you all for how you've conducted yourselves," he said while Rogue felt her stomach turn into a knot. She briefly felt the Professor's eyes on her and fought to keep her feelings concealed. "It will take time but the mansion will be rebuilt," he said, moving past her. "I know this loss may seem insurmountable but rest assured we will weather this storm and those to follow," the Professor continued before he smiled. "Some of you have already received care packages from your parents. And this will, of course, be supplemented with-"
"Shopping?" Amara asked hopefully.
"Yes, Amara, shopping," the Professor answered warmly.
"Yes," Kitty said as she and Amara high-fived.
"Ororo will be taking the girl and Logan the boys," he continued. "Have fun. But also be mindful. Our school and our identities are now publicly known. Please conduct yourselves accordingly," he finished.
"Of course, Professor," Jean answered.
"We won't let you down," Scott added.
Rogue took a deep breath, trying to calm herself and the knot twisting in her stomach. Guilt was- she didn't like this feeling and had no idea how to get rid of it.
"Rogue," Bobby said, calling to her attention. She looked up at him to see him holding a package. "Here," he said.
"Huh?" she asked confused as Bobby pushed the box into her hands.
"It's got your name on it," he said. She blinked a couple of times as she turned the box around, searching for a label. No way Irene sent her anything. She hadn't even talked to her since she had left the Brotherhood. So, who-
She felt eyes on her and glanced up to see the Professor had a curious look on his face. She shrugged at him before she turned back to the box and-
'Max Eisenhardt,' it read on a printed label.
'Oh,' she thought, as she felt her stomach drop even further. 'Right, he was-' she thought as she grabbed a knife off the table and used it to cut down the front stripe of tape, unsealing the box. She popped open the lid and inside- with everything going on she had completely forgotten.
"Anything interesting?" The Professor asked. Rogue's eyes darted up to his.
"Max sent me a book we were talking about," Rogue explained, trying her hand at a nonchalant tone as she pulled the object from the box. She watched him raise an eye and so turned the book, allowing him to read the cover.
"The French edition?" he asked. "How fortunate it didn't arrive sooner," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Yup, lucky me," she said, trying her best not to look uncomfortable.
"Oh my god," Kitty exclaimed. "He's sent you a gift," she exclaimed. "That's so sweet of your not boyfriend," she teased.
"Would you quit it?" Rogue asked, forcing herself to look at Kitty. Though the Professor was still staring at her, she could feel it. "Seriously," she added, annoyed. "It ain't like that," she insisted for the countless time.
"Sure it's not," Amara chimed in before both girls giggled. Okay, she was done with this.
Rogue allowed herself to roll her eyes as she stood from the table, the book in one hand and the empty box in the other. She walked over to the recycle bin and disposed of the box. As she turned to leave the room, she saw that the Professor was now departing as well, Mr. McCoy by his side, and they were just ahead of her. Not wanting to appear rude, she walked patiently behind them as they entered the hallway. The Professor and Mr. McCoy turned one way and thankfully she needed to turn the other.
"Such a thoughtful friend you have," she heard the Professor say from behind her. She froze. "Do give him my regards," he said. How was she supposed to respond to that?
"Charles," Mr. McCoy said. "We all agreed," he said.
"No, I'm sorry, Hank, but I'm not convinced," the Professor said strongly.
"These things take time. They're international records," Mr. McCoy said.
"And if we receive them perhaps," he said as she took a deep breath and turned to face them. "Rogue, don't feel compelled to comment. I'd prefer it if you didn't, for the same reason it was never my intention to engage you directly about this particular topic. Either you're telling the truth or you're being forced to lie. Either way, your actions are not at fault," he said.
"Hmm, right," she said uneasily, as she cast her gaze on the floor.
"And though I haven't had the chance to say it yet," The Professor continued. "I would like to express my gratitude," he said as she felt the knot in her stomach twist further.
"You don't have ta," she said, her eyes flashing to his.
"Nonsense," he said dismissively. "If it hadn't been for your abilities, I may not have been found for months. So, thank you," he said.
"You're welcome," she said, her voice a bit higher pitched than she would've liked. She listened to him let out a sigh before he turned to leave. God, she had to do something. "Wait, I," she said.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I don't know- I wanna," she stumbled. "I- I know what you think and I know it doesn't matter what I say but I-" she struggled. She needed- She didn't- She had to do something to- "Look, I ain't gonna talk to Max about you or anyone else here at the institute," she said strongly. "Okay?" she asked.
She watched him let out a sigh while a look of sympathy crossed his features.
"Rogue, while I appreciate your attempt to put my mind at ease," the Professor said before he glanced away from her for a moment, a look of realization crossed his face. "And I have your word on that?" he asked suddenly. "You'll refrain from any mention of the X-Men or our activities?" he asked.
"If it'll help, then yeah, I promise," she said.
"That's rather diplomatic of you," he said.
"Hmm," she said nervously. "And that's a good thing, right?" she asked.
"Considering my suspicions, yes, I would say so. Very tactful," he said.
"So?" she asked, not sure what she wanted to say.
"I think, we'll leave it there for now," the Professor said with a smile before he turned and headed down the hall. She looked at Mr. McCoy, who merely shrugged at her before he hurried after the Professor and into the elevator.
"Hmm," she hummed to herself as she headed back to her room. Had- had she messed up? Told him something she shouldn't have?
Nope, she was drawing a blank-
But, okay, this was the last time she was going to talk to Prof about Max.
On, April 18th, 2002, around 6:40 pm, Magneto levitated in the air, invisible to all below, as he watched the Brotherhood boys (who he had sent) and Rogue and Shadowcat (who had not sent) rescue his son from his daughter's latest attempt to flush him out. He briefly considered if he owed Rogue another favor, but dismissed the thought. If anything this made them even for his assistance with the warehouse.
He watched the two girls as they left the soldiers and walked towards, well he wasn't certain where. They didn't have any means to get back to the institute. He watched Rogue hug herself, in an attempt to keep warm as she glanced around. She looked up and- there it was, she spotted him. The girl slowed her pace, ensuring Shadowcat was in front of her, and gave him a little wave. He couldn't help but chuckle.
Rogue pulled a hand up towards her face, holding her thumb by her ear and her pinky by her lips, with a questioning glance on her face. He understood her meaning and scanned forward with his senses. The nearest payphone was- That wasn't terribly far.
He flew down to walk beside her and placed his hand on the small of her, alerting her to his new position. He draw in closer and placed his lips by her ear.
"At the next fork, turn left," he whispered. "About half a mile and you'll find what you need. I'll stay close until you've been retrieved," he said.
"We don't have any change," she whispered.
"Not to worry, dear, I'll handle it," he promised her.
"Thanks," she said. "Hey, hmm," she whispered. "How did Pietro get captured? Thought he was too fast for any of that," Rogue whispered.
"Courtesy of his sister," he hissed angrily.
"Oh," she muttered as he felt a shiver run down her spine. "What are you gonna do?" she asked, a hint of fear in her voice.
"Ideally, I'd like to give her more time to acclimate. But her persistent pursuit is becoming a liability. And I doubt she'll be as reasonable as you," he said as he watched her eyes widen.
"But you're gonna try, right?" she asked.
"In the interest of balance, yes," he answered.
"Oh, that's good," she muttered under her breath, a touch relieved. "What if she doesn't go for it?"
"I'm uncertain, but I'll think of something," he said.
"She's still your daughter," Rogue reminded him.
"I know and I intend to be merciful," he said.
"Ya promise?" she asked, tentatively.
"...Yes," he agreed.
"Okay... thanks," she said before she quickened her pace, breaking away from him, as they approached the fork. "Kitty, let's go left," she said, returning to her friend's side.
"Why?" she asked.
"I think I remember seeing a payphone," she said.
"Did we, like, even come from that way?" she asked incredulously.
"Just trust me. I have a good feeling about it, okay?" Rogue asked.
"Yeah, whatever," the other girl sighed as they headed in the correct direction. "Like this day could get any worse," she said.
It wasn't long before Rogue 'found' a quarter on the ground in front of the payphone and Shadowcat was positively giddy at their good luck. Shortly after that, the girls were being picked up, safely on their way home. And he was able to refocus his thoughts on what to do about Wanda. One thing was clear, he needed to meet with her and talk. But he would not be forced to confront his daughter out in the open. No, they would speak on his terms.