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Chapter 21 of
A Simple Favor:
On Saturday night, June 1st 2002, Rogue laid in the infirmary. She was wearing a pair of pajamas and the hoodie Max had gifted her. The uniform she'd adopted this past week during her time in the infirmary. She had abandoned her attire twice, only long enough for the Professor to wash the hoodie.
Between her hands was nothing; yet she held them out as if reading a book. In her mind's eye, under the Professor's instruction, she was practicing recalling her past with utter clarity. To that end, though the novel was not physically in her hands, she could see the pages of The Count of Monte Cristo before her. She mimicked turning the pages as she recalled the contents of the book from start to- well, she'd made it up to Chapter: Seven- The Examination.
The process wasn't tiring, she was actually putting in a bit of practice with her new skill and gaining comfortability with it. Accordingly, to the Professor, she should be able to go into her memory and recall her past, and watch her memories like a movie. Upon reflection, she realized that was precisely what she'd been doing with the memories of those she'd absorbed.
Which was- The Professor had been astonished, to say the least and they both wondered what else she could do. Though a small part of her wished she hadn't agreed to the Professor's request and rather that she and Max were exploring her abilities together… hand-in-hand…
Why did her cheeks feel warm?
'Ahh, not again,' she groaned. 'I thought I was over this,' she thought, annoyed before she threw the covers off of herside. She stalked into the bathroom, turned on the sink and splashed her face with cold crisp water.
Okay, that helped. Maybe it had been how much her head hurt. Maybe Max hadn't stopped affecting her like she thought. Which was the last thing she needed. Nothing was ever going to happen. He'd made that clear.
She let out a sigh as she patted her face dry. Her hair was a little wet now, but she couldn't care less. It would dry overnight.
Next, she felt a yawn leave her. Good. It was nearly 11:00 pm and she was having trouble falling asleep. All she'd done that week was rest. She almost felt too rested.
Maybe she would join the others for the baseball game tomorrow afternoon. If only she could get back on a normal schedule. Her head didn't hurt anymore. That feeling had passed a couple of days ago. Even her skin's itching had let up. Mostly. Whenever she was thinking about her skin and wished it wouldn't itch, her wish was granted. But if the thought ever fell out of her consciousness mind, the itching resumed and she had to will it to-
She blinked, the hand towel slipping out of her hands and falling forgotten to the floor.
"Oh my god, it's my power, ain't it?" she asked herself, astonished. She focused on her hand and willed the itching to start and stop multiple times.
No, this wasn't her imagination, she could feel her skin tingling. She could-
"I need to call Max," she realized, a beaming smile on her face, as she dashed out of the room, getting to the elevator and calling for it.
It only took a few moments before she was entering the kitchen. She walked over to grab the phone but heard footsteps coming from down the hall? No, it was more than footsteps, it sounded like several feet heading in her direction? God, moments like these were when she wished she always had Max's senses at her disposal. She almost felt blind without them. What if Mesmero had recruited other to-
She pulled her hoodie up and over her head before the door was thrown open and-
"Logan?" she asked cautiously, afraid he wasn't in his right mind. He was only wearing a pair of boxers, his hair messy, as if he had been roused from sleep and ran here straight from bed.
"Kid, are you alright?" he asked, his tone matching hers. Judging from his posture he was trying to appear casual, but he looked posed to leap forward, like he might want to tackle her.
She blinked, realizing they'd had the same fear, and felt her body relax.
"I'm okay. I was just calling Max," she explained as she reached up and lowered the hood off of her head. "I'm sorry if I worried y'all," she added.
"It's late," he pointed out, his eyes narrowing. "Can't it wait till morning?" he asked her dryly, though his posture relaxed some. He no longer looked as he was preparing to attack her.
"Time difference," she muttered indignantly which prompted a growl from him. Her eyes widened "I- ah- I mean, I know he'll be awake right now," she corrected herself. It wasn't a lie. At least, she hoped it wasn't. She watched him pause a moment and-
Yeah, he was definitely conveying what she'd said to the Professor.
"Is that okay with y'all?" she asked, placing her hand on her hip.
Rogue watched him cross his arms over his chest.
"Chuck wants to invite Max over tomorrow," he relayed, his tone suggesting it was the last thing he wanted to say. "He's certain your friend'll have time to catch a flight," he said.
"Okay, I'll ask him," Rogue agreed with a sigh. "And I'll head back to the infirmary as soon as I'm done with my call," she promised, knowing both him and the Professor would be tracking her to check.
"Yeah, you do that," Logan grumbled under his breath, before he turned and stalked out of the room. With a sigh, she dialed Max's number, her enthusiasm cut in half- she almost wondered if she should wait till morning. No, the phone was by her ear and she was waiting-
On June 1st 2002, around 11pm, Magento approached a large circular room, with three exits at the heart of his base, and the most secure location within. In his hand was half of a strange green relic which resembled a spider. His research, albeit he'd only taken an hour, had yielded nothing. It was time to check in with Mastermind to see what he had learned.
As he entered the room, he raised an eyebrow as he passed Pyro, standing at attention by the door. In a chair in the middle of the room, restrained, was Mesmero. Mastermind stood over the unconscious man, hard at work to read the other's mind. The other two, Gambit and Colossus were also present in the room, standing guard at the other two exits.
Which was… strange, he hadn't given that order. In fact he'd sent Gambit to rest. Mesmero had controlled the boy's mind for the better part of two days, he'd earned it.
"Progress report?" Magneto asked, announcing his presence to Mastermind as he used his senses to scan over the device Pyro used to summon his flames. It was delicate work, which he was becoming more accustomed to since working with the magnetic fibers, as he manifested a small metal coin in the fuel's tube, blocking the passage and ensuring no flames would be directed toward him. He positioned the coin toward the small of Pyro's back, ensuring he couldn't see his tampering.
"This will take time, Magneto, his mental defenses are formidable," Mastermind answered.
'He's stalling,' Magneto thought, glancing around the room at his team, his acolytes, wondering how long until they attacked him. Wondering how long until Mesmero ceased the charade. "How much time?" he asked, playing along, for the moment.
"I won't sleep this evening," he replied.
"Keep at it. Report when-" Magneto said, pausing when he heard his cell phone ring. He pulled it out and saw the Institute's number. He flipped it open, slipping it between his helmet and his face. The fit was snug, it wouldn't move unless he wanted it to and there was no chance he was removing his helmet. "Anna-Marie, are you alright? Has Charles," he answered, wincing at the sound of his own voice; he sounded flustered. Concerned.
"I'm fine," she said quickly, seeking to calm him. "I'm okay- nothing's wrong," she said. "Are you okay?" she asked. Wonderful, she'd heard it in his voice. The question was, had Mesmero?
"I have a bit of a situation, Rogue," he answered, keeping his eye on Mesmero, who's eyes were closed, pretending to be unconscious. Magneto's eyes narrowed as he saw the man flitch, a reaction to who he was speaking with.
"Hmm- I can call ya back later if ya-" she offered before Magneto felt movement behind him, from Gambit's corner. Magneto produced a magnetic shield, protecting himself from the three cards Gambit had hurled his way as he threw his hand out toward Colossus, using his metal form to pin him to the wall. Behind him, he heard Pyro fussing with his equipment, attempting to create a flame, yet failing to.
'Enough,' Magneto thought as he produced a magnetic wave, throwing all three men back against the walls of the room. He heard groans coming from all three as they slumped down, taken out of the fight. Nothing was broken, but they wouldn't be used against him again, not today.
"Max?" Anna-Marie yelped, alarmed as he walked up to Mastermind, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I apologize," he said to them both, before utilizing the iron in Mastermind's blood to render him unconscious. Magneto watched Mastermind's eyes roll into the back of his head, as he lowered the older man to the floor. The telepath he had in his employ, clearly useless against Mesmero's abilities. He stood. "Anna-Marie, I'm afraid," he said as he walked directly up to Mesmero, whose eyes were open staring up at him with displeasure. "I need to ask you for a favor," he said, his tone serious.
Magneto listened to her suck in a breath before she asked, "what kinda favor, sir?"
It was June 2nd 2002, about 5am in the morning and Rogue hadn't gone back to sleep after that, how could she? Instead, she sat on the third stair up in the lobby, fully dressed, jeans, shirt, gloves and the red hoodie Magneto made for her. The Professor sat to her left, her position on the stairs, bringing them at equal eye level. The sun had yet to fully rise. She'd waited until 4am to inform him what was happening today. Wanting, at least, one of them to get some sleep.
"Six, he said?" the Professor asked.
"Ah-huh," Rogue answered, her foot tapping against the bottom step, in anticipation of Magneto's arrival. "Maybe sooner," she added.
"And you'll be gone all day?" he reiterated.
"That's what Max said," she said.
"Is this wise?" he asked, holding her gaze. "For you to exert yourself so soon after your recent ordeal?" he added.
"I'm okay," she said dismissively and the look he gave her didn't seem like he was convinced. "No, really, I'm okay," she said in response to his facial expression, attempting to put his mind at ease.
"Yet you hadn't asked to leave the infirmary," he pointed out.
"Hmm," she said, looking away from him for a moment. "I- ah," she said as she felt her face flushing a little with embarrassment. "I'm feeling better, but - It ain't like I'm ready to join the others and jump back into training session," she said as his eyebrow raised with amusement. "Or anything," she added, under her breath.
"Nor would I expect you to participate in something as strenuous as Logan's session later this week," he commented.
"Thanks," she said, unable to keep a smile off her face, as she reached out and brushed some hair behind her ear. "I just hope no one resents me for it, ya know?"
"By the time Logan's done with them, I doubt they'll have the energy for anything, much less brooding," he commented and she laughed in response.
"Thanks, Prof," she said, smiling at him, though his features dropped, making way for a much more serious expression. Rogue turned her gaze away from the Professor's, to glance outside to see that the gates were opening to allow a car to enter the grounds.
"Though to my next point, are you absolutely certain, you're ready to help Max with whatever this favor is?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, more than ready," she answered vindictively, as she stood. Max's car made short work of racing down the road and pulling up in front of the institute. Rogue marched briskly toward the entrance, ready to start her day and do what I've been asked of her.
"I see," the Professor said, before she heard him inhaling deeply as he followed after her. "I'd like you to check in, once every few hours," he said as she got to the door, pulling it open.
"If there's time," she replied, not denying his request, but not making any promises either as she stepped outside.
"Rogue," the Professor said, pausing as Max opened his car door and got out.
Magneto was donning his usual younger disguise; black hair, neatly combed back behind his ears, a gray flat cap over his head, blue jeans, a dark blue turtleneck and brown leather jacket. Really, it just seemed he changed the color of his shirt, so it looked a little different from the last time he'd picked her up like this.
"Good morning, Max," the Professor addressed the other man standing on the other side of the car, he'd moved away from his door and closer to the front for the car to be visible to them both.
"Good morning, Professor Xavier," Magneto said, his tone was polite but blunt. He turned to look directly at her. "Ready, Anna-Maire?" he asked.
"Ah-huh," she said, walking up to the car, taking hold of the door handle.
"Rogue will be allowed to make use of your cell phone, I assume?" the Professor asked. "I cannot abide my student to leave here unsupervised for the better part of fifteen hours without knowing she can check in with us," he added.
"Fine," Magneto agreed dryly and Rogue sucked in a breath, as he'd barely bothered to add the German accent that time. Granted it was only one word. "Shall we?" he asked, the accent still absent.
"Ah-huh," she repeated, pulling the car door open. She was hit with a waft of body-spray; almost overwhelmed with the scent. She felt the need to hold her breath as she entered the car, confused why he'd bothered. Reluctantly, she closed the door, but told herself she'd open the window once they were clear of the institute. As Max sat in the driver's seat, she pulled at the seatbelt, surprised when it wouldn't budge.
"Don't bother," Max said once his door was closed and he was pulling away quickly.
"We ain't staying in the car that long?" she asked hopefully, as she noticed how quickly he was racing down the road, back toward the still open gates.
"No, I'll need you in the back shortly," he answered.
"Why?" she asked, as she turned her head to look in the back seat and saw a strange refraction of light coming from the seat directly behind the driver's seat- she tilted her head. "Oh," she huffed dryly, now understanding why he'd used an abundance of body-spray and what he had truly been hiding.
June 2nd 2002, 5:06am, Magneto sped through the institute's gates at full speed as out of the corner of his eye he watched the girl turn her head back toward the front as she pulled her hood up and over her head. Next, he heard the sound of a zipper and knew she drew it up as high as it could go, no doubt ensuring it wouldn't slip and rob her of its protection.
"Mesmero's wearing my helmet," he informed her, though he didn't fault her for putting it on. He was wearing the cap he'd recently made. Even untested, it was better than nothing.
"I thought we were doing this at your base," she asked him as he glanced into the rear view mirror, he saw a motorcycle now tailing the car.
"I couldn't leave him unsupervised and while I'd have no issue taking you there. Unfortunately, it appears, Wolverine has dispensed with subtlety," he said, perturbed as he placed his foot down on the pedal and increased his speed further. He felt her turning her head again, viewing the motorcycle and her teammate's stalking after them.
"Can't really blame 'em," she huffed, facing the front again. Yes, he absolutely could, in fact. "Sir, could ya slow down, please? You're making me nervous," she told him, crossing her arms over her chest. He turned his head slightly to look at her and saw the less than enthused expression she was aiming at him.
"How would you suggest I lose him, then?" he asked.
"Logan's bike's gonna run out of gas eventually, right?" she asked. "Just drive safe and when he has ta stop we'll keep going," she said matter-of-factly. "Besides, I don't really wanna do this on an empty stomach. Couldja take me to a deli or something?" she asked.
"You do realize I have a captive gagged and tied up in the back seat, don't you?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, now uncertain if she knew, or rather appreciated the gravity of the situation.
"Yeah, and I'm literally the person on the planet who can see him while you're rendering him invisible. So, what's the problem, Max?" she asked, shrugging at him.
"Anna-Marie-"
"Have ya eaten anything in the last twenty-four hours?" she interrupted, which prompted him to shut his mouth. "I'll run in the store and you'll stay in the car ta keep the motor runnin'. It's still early, Logan's just gonna follow us for now. I'll be ten minutes tops and then maybe after ya ate something ya might calm down a little," she told him.
"I'm perfectly calm," he exclaimed, in clear contradiction to his statement.
"Ah-huh," she said, unconvinced. He could feel her gaze on him and even without looking knew what expression was on her face. "I'll get ya coffee and a bagel with scallion cream cheese," she added, her voice taking on a sort of sing-songy tone.
He imagined he should be annoyed with her condescension. Instead, he felt his stomach growl at the mere thought of food. And though they had never had breakfast together, he found it endearing that she knew his preferences.
"Yes, alright," he acquiesced with a grumble, taking his foot off the gas pedal and slowing down considerably. "Get me two bagels," he ordered. He was starving. Ravenous, really.
"Yes, sir," she replied immediately and he tried to ignore the sound of the smile in her voice. He certainly wasn't going to look at the smug expression on her face. No, better to keep his eyes on the road and drive safely as she'd requested.
June 2nd 2002, 7:38am, Rogue was crunching up a ball of aluminum foil, with her bare hands, that had contained her recently eaten bacon, egg and cheese on an onion bagel and deposited it into a plastic bag that had held their purchased food. Magneto was now driving at a moderate speed, through downtown Bayville; one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding part of a bagel with scallion cream cheese.
Rogue knew Max would never admit it out loud, but he seemed so much calmer now. As he ate, a piece of cream cheese was threatening to escape from his bagel and dirty his outfit. Max was maneuvering the bagel to try and prevent that from happening as Rogue reached for a napkin from the small stack she'd secured from the deli. Within a moment, her hand was under his chin, catching the falling condiment before it could stain his jacket.
She watched him blink in surprise before he said, "thank you."
"You're welcome, sugar," she said as she disposed of the napkin into the plastic bag. She could sort of feel Magneto looking at her and felt a slight blush come to her cheeks realizing the endearment she just used. "Sir, I-" she said before she heard a muffled moan come from the back seat. "I think Mesmero's waking up," she said alternately.
"And we haven't lost our shadow as of yet," Max commented, also willing to belay the other topic.
'Yeah, okay,' she sighed as she reached down and grabbed the plastic bag. "I got this," she said, turning as if she was simply placing it in the back seat on the floor. However, reaching forward, her fingers found the metal of Magneto's helmet and she trailed her fingers up until she came to Mesmero's face, her fingers on his cheek. She felt a sort of huff leave her, as she realized he was the first person whose skin she had touched with her new-found control, startled for a brief second at the confirmation that she was correct about that control. Burying her disappointment, she took a breath.
"Alright, Mesmero, let's see how many attempts it takes to get into your head," she muttered bitterly as she activated her skin. A frightened gasp escaped him and she was actually glad she couldn't see the horror-filled expression on his face. "Oh, wouldja look at that; Vincent, just one," she said vindictively as she felt his mind flow into hers.
A groan left him as she rendered the mutant unconscious and she sat back in her seat in the front, his powers and memories now at her disposal.
"Vincent?" Magneto asked, as he looked over at her with a peculiar expression.
"That's what his mother called him," she stated, her voice felt hollow like she was quoting Mesmero himself.
"Hmm," Magneto hummed. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she said, crossing her arms over her chest. "But I'm gonna need some time to go through his memories," she said.
"Perhaps, we'll allow Wolverine to continue his pursuit," he stated.
"It'll make Prof less anxious, if he knows where we are," she pointed out. Magneto promptly nodded in agreement.
"Shall I take the scenic route then?" he asked.
"Yes, su- , yes, sir," she said, before closing her eyes. She would have to anyway to use her mental powers, but she was relieved she wouldn't have to see his reaction to her almost using the same endearment twice. 'Okay, how did Prof say I should do this?' she asked herself and on cue she willed Mesmero's memories to the front and center of her mind. 'Alright, Vincent, let's see what y'all were after,' she thought as she dove into his memories.