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Impromptu- Chapter Five:

Friends Will Be Friends

Sunday December 21st 2002, 8:10 pm

Rogue navigated the hallway, now wearing her favorite red hoodie, while appearing to balance a chess board on her outstretched left palm, while holding the edge of the board with her other hand. The truth was, with magnetism at her disposal the pieces weren't going anywhere. However, for the sake of appearance she would stick to the ruse.

Entering the Common Room, she saw her mother sitting on the couch. Mr. McCoy and Freddy had taken two of the recliners, while the Professor's chair was positioned between them. Everyone was facing the television. Kurt was in the kitchen making some popcorn. And her uncle?

Was walking back from the garage with… oh, he'd gone back for the rest of the six pack he'd purchased earlier.

Rogue strolled past the couches and placed the chess set on the small coffee table, white facing her. In anticipation of 9:30pm, she moved her first white pawn from D2 to D4. If Erik used his senses early he'd have an idea what was going on.

"Ah, the queen's gambit. Quite a courageous opening play." Mr. McCoy stated.

"It's one of my favorites," Rogue smiled, as she sat on the right-hand side of the couch, next to her mother.

"I wonder if Magneto will accept," Mr. McCoy commented.

"Yeah, he's gonna," Rogue answered before Mystique groaned. "Sorry, Momma," she felt compelled to say.

"Anna-Marie," Mystique said while visibly tensing up, her fist clenched. A deep breath was taken before her mother met her gaze. "I love you very much."

"Love ya too, Momma," Rogue said, leaning back and resting her head on Mystique's shoulder. She felt a hand on hers and squeezed it tightly.

"Professor?" Scott called out from the hallway; Rogue's senses told her he was wearing his winter coat and was dragging a suitcase down the hall.

'Why does he?' she started to ask herself before it hit her and a soft smile came to her lips. 'Yes!' she thought, pleased. Not that she didn't want him around for the holidays, but rather she was happy he'd made up with someone. She wondered where he was heading: Connecticut or Hawaii. 'Probably Hawaii,' she reasoned.

"In here," the Professor replied as Rogue felt Scott walking down the hall, suitcase in hand. It only took a moment for him to appear in the doorframe, though she kept her head where it was. "All packed then?" the Professor asked

"Yeah," he said, sounding a little flustered.

"Scott, it's all handled. There's no need to rush. The plane doesn't leave for another five hours. The ticket will be printed for you when you check in your luggage," the Professor said.

"Thanks, Professor," he said. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. The ticket must have been-"

"Not your concern, Scott. For you and Alex to be separated for so long only for you to be torn apart due to a disagreement? I'm relieved you two have buried the hatchet. Stay as long as you like. We'll purchase the return ticket when you're ready," the Professor said, kindly.

"Thanks," Scott replied as Rogue felt Uncle Jimmy enter the room, carrying a six pack in his right hand. She lifted her head off of her mother's shoulder in anticipation of needing to make room on the couch for a fourth. "Next semester starts on-"

"As long as you like," their mentor repeated, interrupting him, as Wolverine rounded the couch and placed the six pack on the coffee table in front of her mother. "James is giving you a ride to the airport," he said and while Scott looked like he wanted to protest that as well, a simple hand gesture from the Professor prompted him not to. "Is there anything else you need before you depart?" he asked.

"I don't think so. Feels kinda weird going to Christmas without any gifts, but the Masters are doing this joint Holiday celebration with Lorna's family. I wouldn't even know where to start-"

"You have the credit card for incidentals," The professor reminded him gently. "Use it," his father figure urged. "It's perfectly fine, Scott," he said.

"Ya sure, Chuck? How big's the family?" Uncle Jimmy teased, causing Mystique to snort and Freddy to laugh.

"Lorna has two older siblings, twins," Scott listed as Rogue felt a sense of familiarity? Her mind tugged at her again, as it had last time when- "Pietro and-" he said before pausing like he was trying to recall.

'Oh god, don't say it,' Rogue thought to herself, as she unconsciously sucked in a breath.

"Wanda?" the Professor asked curiously. Rogue blinked before glancing over at him and found he was already glancing at her, studying her. Once caught, his eyes promptly shifted back to Scott's.

"Yeah," Scott said, as he scratched the back of his head. "How did you-"

"I knew their mother, Isabella. Lovely woman. When the twins were merely tots, Isabella had some," he said before pausing as if he was choosing his next words with care, "difficulties with their father and she sought me out for assistance," he explained before inhaling sharply. "Tragic how young she was when she passed," he said, while Rogue turned to look at her Uncle, as the Professor assaulted her with implications. "I wished I'd done more," he lamented as his eyes were solely, intently, on Scott.

'Leave it alone,' Wolverine ordered as Rogue swallowed nervously. Fortunately, Scott missed the byplay between her and her uncle.

Right, she didn't really know much about Erik's life after World World Two. She knew he had kids, three of them still alive but- she'd never dived into his more recent memories. Seemed unnecessary to look when she wasn't trying to help someone in her search, especially now that she had control over her powers. And anything she didn't know about Erik she didn't have to feel guilty of withholding.

It hadn't really occurred to her that the Professor would know things about Erik that she didn't. It probably should've been obvious, but that notion hadn't occurred to her until that moment. And yes it was true, Erik had been alive for decades. There must be an innumerable amount of things about his past that she didn't know.

"Professor, are you certain we're-" Scott asked.

"Talking about the same individuals?" he finished the question for him. "Yes, quite certain, Scott," he said. "Try not to be angry with Alex regarding his omission of Pietro's last name. I imagine he was worried you wouldn't come if you knew you were dining with Magneto's family."

"With who?!" Scott exclaimed upset, releasing his hold on the suitcase's handle. He stood, needing a moment to absorb what the Professor had just informed them of.

"Oh man, Pietro lives in Hawaii now? Lucky," Freddy muttered under his breath.

"Is that envy I'm hearing?" Mr. McCoy asked.

"Yeah," Freddy sighed.

"Why don't we go to the kitchen and we can discuss it," Mr. McCoy offered and the two of them excused themselves from the room; Mr. McCoy looked back at the Professor, who gave a grateful nod in his direction. "What have I said about envy?" he asked, putting his hand on Freddy's shoulder while they walked away.

"That it's-" Freddy started the answer before they fell out of earshot. Rogue shook her head, trying to shake off the weird headspace she found herself in and try to focus back on-

'Oh shit,' she thought, her eyes widening as she jumped off the couch and ran up to her Uncle's side. Placing her hand over her mouth to cover her lips, she leaned over him and whispered an urgent question in his ear.

"For fuck's sake!" Wolverine exclaimed, tossing his head back before groaning. "Yeah, ask him," he said to sanction the event, waving his hand toward Scott.

She stood up straight and looked at them across the room. "Okay, so that comment that Alex made about the X-Men being a cult," she said to begin before the Professor interjected.

"When was this?" the Professor asked, alarmed.

"August, but-" Scott said as he leaned back against the wall.

"Did y'all talk about it today?" Rogue asked.

"Yeah, he said it was a misunderstanding," Scott answered and Rogue let out a sigh of relief.

"I apologize for prying, but would you mind elaborating?" the Professor asked, taking over. A simple hand gesture from the Professor told Rogue she could leave it with him. If Rogue felt guilty or Scott embarrassed, well, that ship had been long past once Scott started this conversation in the middle of the heavily trafficked area.

"Back in July, Alex told Lorna's siblings how pushy I was about him joining the X-Men. Pietro made the comment as a joke, but Alex took it seriously," he said as he folded his arms over his chest.

"This was prior to the fight in August which caused the falling out, correct?" the Professor asked.

"Yeah, then in September, they all went to eat at Lorna's-" he paused to take a breath. "When Alex ate at Magneto's restaurant, Magneto found out about what Quicksilver said and he defended the institute and me," he relayed, his tone suggesting he couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"Magneto said in my desperation to fix how much I missed my brother I was inadvertently pressuring Alex to relocate. Magneto told Alex it wasn't malicious, but a sign that I loved him. But-" he said, pausing to take a breath. "Why would Magneto do that?" he asked, confused. "Correct him? I mean, if it was working?"

"From what it sounds like, Alex's relationship with Lorna has resulted in his assimilation into Magneto's organization. Quicksilver was likely overzealous in his attempt to dissuade Alex from relocating to Bayville. Once aware of it, Erik corrected the lie before it could result in him losing yet another recruit to the X-Men," the Professor speculated before pausing. "Did Alex provide Lorna's last name?" he asked curiously.

"Dane," Scott answered.

"Dane?" the Professor repeated, whispering to himself, his eyes darting back and forth. "Suzanna!" he exclaimed as the name came to him. "Really? Suzanna had Magnus' child? That's- … I suppose it shouldn't be that unexpected. Magnus had a habit of unintentionally impregnating his sexual partners. Pietro and Wanda were happy accidents as well," he commented aloud, seemingly to himself. Rogue took a deep breath, trying not to focus on literally anything the Professor had just disclosed. She flinched as she felt a hand on top of hers, but quickly realized it was her mother's. "Lorna must be seventeen, correct? Same age as Alex?"

"Chuck," Uncle Jimmy growled impatiently.

"Yes, you're right, James. You two really should set out," the Professor said, pivoting instantly. "Scott, do give Magneto my regards," he added as he maneuvered his chair toward the exit. "Inevitable?" he scoffed under his breath. "Forgive me for combating lunacy with logic," he muttered as he fully excused himself from the room and the situation.

Rogue let out a huff as she sat back on the couch and leaned her head back on her mother's shoulder.

"Scott, ya still going?" Uncle Jimmy asked.

"Yeah, definitely. I have to," he answered firmly.

"Let's get a move on, then," he said. He shared a glance with her mother, before he looked directly at her. 'You ain't calling him tonight, got it?' he asked and she nodded very slightly, giving her word.

He grunted as the suitcase was lifted and the two men left the room; leaving only her and her mother in the common room. Rogue kept her head on her mother's shoulder, resisting the urge to dive deep into her mind.

"Momma?" she asked. "Are y'all still holding me ta that promise, not ta look at any of Magneto's memories?" she asked.

"Yes, baby, we are," she said bluntly.

"Yeah, okay," Rogue sighed.

"But we can talk to Charles, if you'd like," she offered.

"Maybe," she said, closing her eyes, and leaning back against the couch. She had a sudden urge for the day to be over, she felt exhausted.

But sleep wasn't-

She sensed outward with magnetism and felt the locations of the hands on the clock: it was about 8:30 pm; maybe a couple of minutes after, hard to tell with her eyes closed. She scanned out further, and further and further- all the way to Maine- to Max's Lobster and Ale House. She scanned his office and-

Empty, completely devoid of activity, in fact the door was locked. The restaurant itself was active, it was just his office that was empty.

Okay, he wasn't there- so-

'Hawaii?' she asked herself- maybe he had gone to see his kids? That was plausible- but she didn't know the address-

She felt her mind tugging and an address popped up into her mind; 37 Kukui Road, along with an image of a large off-white house with a red roof and several palm trees growing around it. Using her senses, she found and scanned the house; she sensed four occupants, none of them were Erik. She was sure of it as only one was male and with the way that boy was running about the house at a heightened speed, she knew it had to be Pietro.

'So, where is he?' she asked.

It took a moment before it hit her.

With a breath, she drew her senses back and redirected them to much closer to home, toward Jericho, New York. Once there, she felt movement in the house, in his den. Erik was sitting on his couch. He'd moved one of his end tables to sit in front of him, on it was a chess board, set up and ready for a game. His cell phone was also on the table. Erik was sitting on the couch in a pair of pajamas, made of magnetic fibers. The fabric clung to his skin, to his muscles, to his…

It was metal, all metal, all she had to do was think and she could reach out and touch his-

But he wasn't moving and he was sort of slouched over.

She placed her senses against his chest- it was moving up and down. Okay, he was breathing. Thank god, he was breathing but why wasn't he doing anything else?

She sighed in relief as she felt him sit up, very quickly, his breath expanding as he seemed to take a deep breath in. Next she felt him wave his hand and- She didn't feel anything in his den move, so what had-

Rogue's eyes shot open as she pulled her head off of her mother's shoulder.

"Anna-Marie, are you alright, baby?" Mystique asked as Rogue glanced down at the chess set and saw that-

'He declined,' she realized slowly in disbelief. She felt her eyes widened as she watched the White King on the board tip over. He hadn't just declined the Queen's Gambit, he'd forfeited the entire game. "We ain't playing tonight," she informed her as she sighed and stood. "I'm just gonna put this away," she said, saddened as she leaned over to pick up the chess set. The little spark of hope she'd had only an hour prior was well and truly diminished.

"Anna-Marie Creed," her mother said, her voice tense as Rogue stood up, the chess set in her hands.

"I promise ya, Momma," she said, looking her in the eye, "I'm just putting this away and then we're gonna watch a movie. I ain't doing anything else tonight," she said.

"Yes, that's fine," she said with a little bite in her voice as she stood up. Mystique let out a sigh as she reached over and placed her hand on Rogue's shoulder. "Erik is so much older than you, baby, he's lived a lifetime already. No matter how good he is at one particular thing," she said through gritted teeth, rolling her eyes, "if you can't share your life with him, if you have to abandon the rest of us to be with him, then it isn't a good fit," she said.

"Momma," Rogue sighed. "Can we not do any of this, right now?" she asked her, her voice sounded harsh to her ears. Her mother's eyes narrowed.

"I want you back in this room in fifteen minutes or less," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," Rogue agreed, her voice cold as ice, as she headed out of the room. Mystique didn't know about the promise she'd already made to her uncle. She was just trying to prevent what she'd already agreed to. 'But that don't mean it ain't making me mad,' she thought, perturbed as she exited the room.


Monday December 22nd 2002, 10:37 am

Rogue sat in the kitchen with her mother, uncle, brother, Freddy, the Professor and Mr. McCoy; as they enjoyed a late breakfast of pancakes Freddy had whipped up. She was sort of poking at her food, it was good but something was putting her off.

There was a conversation on the tip of her mother's tongue that she wanted to have. There was a conversation on the tip of the Professor's tongue that he wanted to have. Rogue had felt the urge to wear her hoodie, but didn't want to give her mother any other reason to be cross with her, so she elected not to wear it. Even though she was wearing a long-sleeve green shirt, she somehow felt more exposed as a result. She knew the Professor wouldn't read her mind without permission. If he ever did that… she'd jump ship and rejoin Erik immediately out of spite.

It wasn't like finding Magneto would be an issue for her. She knew he'd left his house in Jericho and was now in Hawaii. It was dinner time there; Erik was sitting at the head of the table and Scott directly next to him, politely passing a metal bowl, from what she could tell. Though Scott's grip on the bowl was tense, Magneto seemed as relaxed as ever, as head of the family.

In Bayville, Kurt and Freddy were enjoying their meal, oblivious to why the room was so tense, even as they could feel it. The Professor was attempting to appear impartial, deferring to Mystique and Wolverine for the next course of action. Her mother was watching her like a hawk, again, like she might leave at any moment. And her uncle-

"Ya done eating, kid?" he asked.

"Ah-huh," she said.

"Alright, we're taking a walk, you and me," he announced as he stood, leaving no room for argument as he headed for the exit that led toward the back of the institute.

"Yeah, alright," she huffed, as she rose to her feet. She left this tense room gratefully thinking anything would be better than this, as she followed him outside into the cold sunny morning.


Monday December 22nd 2002, 10:42 am

Rogue and her uncle behind the mansion, walking through the trees, well out of earshot of anyone. She hadn't put on a coat, but, now that they were alone, she played with a magnetic shield, until she had a thin layer over her skin that was invisible and could keep her warm.

"Ya can't blame your mom for being worried about ya," he started.

"I don't, it's just- suffocating," she complained. "'Don't call him tonight'. 'I want you back in this room in fifteen minutes or less', ugh!" she recited mockingly as her uncle scoffed in response. "I mean, Erik literally restrains me for fun," she said daringly, forcing herself to turn and look at him as she said it. Uncle Jimmy's face remained inscrutable. He was more mature about this sometimes than the others, and it gave her a rush of validation. "So, why do I feel more free with him than when y'all start giving me orders?" she asked incredulously, with her hands half-raised in the air for emphasis.

"I'm taking it back, kid," he said and she felt her breath catch in her throat, worried he was about to march back to the Professor and tell him to erase his knowledge. "We need to tell your mom that you can control magnetism," he said.

"Huh?" she asked, blinking with surprise and relief. "Why?" she asked next, utterly bewildered by the change of subjects, and relief that he wasn't just going to treat her like a child.

"Because I can't be the only one ya get to use those powers around and Raven's never gonna understand why you still feel so close to him without knowing you and him have this in connection," he argued. "To her, Magneto's just the old perverted man who's tryna steal her baby away," he said.

Rogue took a deep breath, partially in outrage, but also…to calm that very same anger.

"But Erik opened my eyes ta so many things. He taught me I'm capable of anything I set my mind ta. I- I wouldn't be who I am today without him. And with all the responsibility and trust y'all have given me with the students, I know y'all like who I am," she said strongly.

"Yeah, we do," he said, before he crossed his arms over his chest. "So it's your call, are we telling Raven, or are we keeping this between us? 'Cause I think if we keep it between us and only us, you ain't gonna make it to the end of your senior year in Bayville," he said honestly.

"What happened ta no ultimatums?" she asked, cocking her head.

"That ain't what this is," he said emphatically. "I'm in this, meaning you get my opinions. Choices are still yours, Anna-Marie. 'Cause let's face it, no one can stop ya from doing anything ya wanna do. So, you want your cake and to eat it too?" he asked, staring pointedly into her eyes before he shrugged. "There ain't much any of us could do about it. You're too damn powerful," he said matter-of-factly.

There. It was finally said. Despite feeling something akin to satisfaction, Rogue felt her nose twitch up by his wording.

"Yeah, but I don't wanna use my powers like that," she said.

"And there's the difference between you and Magneto. There's the reason you're an X-Men and he ain't," he said. "Erik taught you a lot, but not everything," he finished.

Rogue took a breath, glancing away from him.

"Ya really think I won't stay till next June?" she asked, looking at him again.

"Not 'cause you don't want to, but 'cause the further away we get from your turning eighteen, the more you're going wanna stretch your legs and be the adult you're legally entitled ta be. Your mom was never gonna have an easy time with that, with or without Magneto. Especially how many times she lost ya over the years," he said.

"I know Irene didn't give her a choice when she left Mississippi-"

"Before that, kid, the first she lost you; when Ameila Vought kidnapped ya," he interrupted her.

"What?" she asked, her eyes widening.

"Rogue, ya remember the first night your mom spent at the institute?" he asked and she instantly felt her mind tugging at her. "The next morning, she drove you and Kurt to school and she met up with me on-" he said as she let her eyes close.


"But nothing," Risty said as she picked up the brown paper bag, handing it to Rogue. "And we need to get going," she said, gesturing with her arms for both of them to get a room on.

"I'll meet ya on four-ninety-five," Logan said.

"See you there," Risty called out, as she ushered them through the door and into the hallway.

"Hmm, what about breakfast?" Kurt asked.

"How about a morning burger-gut-bomb?" Risty retorted.

"Yes," Kurt exclaimed, as he put up no further protest, eagerly walking in the direction Risty was directing them toward. "Now, that's what I'm talking about," he said.

"And how's that better than fruit snacks?" Rogue asked incredulously, looking at her mother.

"Oh hush and let me spoil your brother," Risty chidded, her tone low, so Kurt couldn't hear it. Rogue snorted as she rolled her eyes but said nothing else that could ruin the peaceful morning her mother had planned for them.


"Four-ninety-five," Rogue finished for him, though she wasn't sure how long she'd left him standing there as she recalled her memory.

"You absorbed me yesterday. I don't want ya poking around much; but the errand me and your mom ran that morning, that you should see," he said as he unfolded his arms. "Take a look, then sleep on it, or maybe give it a couple of days. Just think about what I said, alright?" he asked.

She felt a warmth that had nothing to do with magnetic shields, or the wan winter sun. Her uncle…really did care. He really did have her back. He had given her solid advice, with no motive beyond it being for, and in her best interest only. He acknowledged her strength, her intellect, and didn't overpraise her.

"Thanks, Uncle Jimmy." she said, and nodded to her, and that was all that needed to be said about that. She felt the urge to fly back to her room, so she could sit on her bed and dive into her mind, but- 'I haven't actually done that in a while…'

There were three issues, one, she'd need to wear her hoodie the entire time to protect her mind while she explored her memories and she didn't want to ask her uncle to stay by her side all day to watch her body. Someone needed to calm her mother down, convince her she wasn't about to pack up and leave. Two, she realized in hindsight that Erik must have watched her over body doing the majority of her exploration. Her room was no longer the safe-haven Erik had designed it to be-

'But Jericho still it and Erik ain't even there. Won't be all day-' she realized. Thirdly, "Hey, is Prof done monitoring my movements?" she asked, calling out.

"Yeah, we talked about it last night, got his word, I didn't want him sensing you flying anywhere and telling S.H.I.E.L.D. in secret," he answered and Rogue felt a little sense of vindication that she wasn't the only one who knew certain things needed to be kept from the head of the X-Men. "I'll tell 'em you're taking some time to yourself. Just be home for dinner," he told her.

"Okay," she promised. "Thanks," she said again before she rendered herself invisible and flew off to a certain house in Jericho, New York.