Chapter 14

"This is a shit fest and one I particularly didn't see coming." Tony told Rogue softly.

She stared at him and sighed. "I know. " was her simple reply.

Tony, Rogue, Rhodey and T'Challa sat in the meeting room in the command centre nursing their wounds and pride.

They'd just had a visit from State secretary Thaddeus Ross who'd made it clear they only had thirty-six hours to bring in Barnes, Steve and Sam.

He was of the belief that the men were aiding and abetting a mentally ill enhanced fugitive and so this fell under Avengers territory.

Commander Everett Ross stared at them all surprised. "Instead of sitting on your asses you might want to get to work." He stated firmly.

Tony looked at him. "You're right… This whole mess is my fault to begin with and I need to fix it." He said and Rogue shook her head in disbelief.

"He can't honestly believe that?" she thought annoyed.

"We have to convince Barnes to stand down. Steve and Sam have been labelled criminals because they're working outside the accords and the law right now and we need them to see reason." He added.

Natasha walked in having overheard their conversation. "We're missing something."

They turned to her surprised. "What do you mean?" T'Challa asked her curious.

Natasha sighed. "Barnes wanted to get the help he needed after Rogue spoke with him." They all nodded. That much had been clear to anybody. "And by now his "episode" should have ended. Taking that into account and that they are off the grid – something else is going on."

Rhodey frowned. "Are you thinking they're going on a mission?" he asked confused.

T'Challa nodded. "It would make sense," he said in his soft Wakandan accent, "We still do not have any footage off what happened during the interview with the psychiatrist or the psychiatrist himself in our custody. If Mr Barnes found out something instrumental related to the bombing and informed Mr Rogers then they could have taken off to deal with it themselves."

"Steve wouldn't be so stupid. He hasn't signed the accords." Tony stated, trusting his friend to do the right thing, "Besides there's only the three of them."

Something about that bothered Rogue. "They're working outside the law. Where would they get help from…" her eyes widened in realization.

Rogue got up and walked out of the meeting room. "You," She told an agent, "I need your phone."

The man hesitated but gave her his cell phone when Rogue glared at him. She dialled a number and waited for Clint to pick up.

"Barton." He replied firmly.

"Clint," Rogue said softly, "I don't know if Steve has contacted you but if he has please stay out of it." She begged him.

"Why? What's going on?" He asked curiously.

"A giant shit fest as Tony has been calling it. Look, we're doing some damage control over here. Steve and Sam ran off with Barnes on a mission we know nothing about and without back up or authorization. We need to get them back here before everything blows up in our faces. Please just stay out of it." She asked of him.

There was a brief silence before he answered "Sure."

Rogue released a deep breath of annoyance. "You're already on your way to Germany aren't you?"

"Babe – he needs back up. You said it yourself." Clint replied softly.

Rogue felt the hurt claw at her again. It seemed like the only thing Clint did these days was hurt her. "And what about what I need Clint? I already made that clear to you." She stated before hanging up angrily.

She handed the phone back to the agent before walking into the meeting room again. "Steve called in the cavalry. Whatever it is, he's convinced Clint to join him." She stated angrily.

Tony nodded. "And he took Wanda with him too. She blasted Vision through four levels of fucking concrete."

Rhodey frowned. "Is he okay?"

Tony nodded. "A bit worse for wear but I think he's experiencing heart break for the first time and that's worse." He stated softly. "Anyways, Vision is tracking them from afar. He'll let us know when they reach their destination. In the meantime I called in another hand to help us."

Suddenly a red and blue figure dropped down from the ceiling and landed on the middle of table to everyone but Tony's surprise.

The figure looked at Tony. "That was my cue right? I wasn't sure but I felt like that was my cue Mr Stark."

Tony nodded. "Yeah that was the cue kid. Nice entrance, you get points for flair." He stated proudly.

Everyone stared surprised. "Tony why is there a… spider on the table?" Rhodey asked confused.

"Spider-Man." The masked kid corrected. "It's Spider-Man sir. Oh my god!" He then exclaimed, "I can't believe it! I'm surrounded by the Avengers! Mr War Machine I'm a big fan and Ms Black Widow it's an honour to meet a fellow spider!" He stated excitedly.

Natasha rolled her eyes at him with well-hidden amusement and Rhodey just stared at him confused. Spider-Man turned to Rogue and T'Challa. "And I have no idea who you guys are but you both look pretty bad-ass!"

Tony cleared his throat. "Kid, what did I say about fan-girling around the team?"

"Oh! Right! Keep it on the down low. Also, sorry I'm late – I got lost in the vents." Rogue could practically see him blush through the red mask.

Commander Ross stared at the vents and frowned. "Should probably get that checked out." He mumbled to himself.

"You brought a fifteen year old kid to a possible Avengers fight?" Rogue asked in disbelief.

"Fourteen, actually." Spider-Man corrected and Tony glared at him.

"Not helping kid."

"Sorry." Spider-Man stated, rubbing the top of his masked head.

"Tony this is the most irresponsible thing you've ever done." Rhodey stated angrily.

Tony waved them off. "Please, you haven't seen what the kid can do. He's practically an Avenger in training and he doesn't need to sign the accords because he's underage. Therefore we can call him in officially, which I've already done and he can aid us without any legal issues."

Spider-Man beamed at the practically an Avenger part. "Really! Awesome!"

Rogue shook her head. "I'm with Rhodey. This is incredibly irresponsible."

Tony rolled his eyes exasperated. "Relax Rogue. He's here as back up. I've already told him not to engage directly if it comes to a fistfight but we're going up against two super soldiers, a powerful witch, a guy with sharp mechanical wings and a marksman that never misses. We need the numbers against them."

"I agree with Tony." Natasha said observing Spider-Man quietly.

They ignored the small-excited "Yes!" Spider-Man exclaimed.

"Really?" T'Challa asked her surprised.

"Do not underestimate children and their abilities. When I was his age I was already doing missions for the Red Room." She stated coldly.

Rogue sighed. "Okay, fine." She said giving in. "but I don't like this."

"Don't worry Ms Rogue," The kid said giving her two thumbs-up and Rogue couldn't help but smile at his excitement, "I'll be your long distance support."

Rogue snorted. "You're lucky you're cute or I would have fought Tony harder on this." She told him teasingly.

Spider-Man laughed and it was the sound of young innocence that echoed. Rogue knew right then from the sound that he wasn't supposed to be here, stuck between all their dirty secrets and fights.

She cursed Tony in her mind and hoped he was proven right about the kid.

"Thanks." Spider-Man replied amused.

"So, what is the plan?" T'Challa asked them quietly.

"Everyone gear up and meet up in the quinjet." Tony stated. "We'll be awaiting coordinates from Vision in the air."

Commander Ross sighed before rolling his eyes. "We don't have a quinjet Mr Stark. We have a chopper." He stated dryly.

Tony sighed dramatically. "I knew I should have brought a quinjet." He stated.

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.

Rogue stared at the airport as the chopper prepared for landing. Vision had called them ten minutes ago and informed them that Clint and Wanda along with a third unknown passenger had landed the quinjet in a hangar and rushed off to meet with Steve and the others.

Tony had figured they would return for quinjet again and so they found themselves spread out around the hangar.

Rogue had a bad feeling in her stomach about this mission but she was also hoping they'd fight them because she was more than ready to beat some sense in Clint's thick and stubborn head.

She just hoped it wasn't too late for that.

Rogue sighed heavily from her seat. Tony had told her to focus on subduing Wanda, if necessary, and that bothered her.

While Rogue was proficient at the magic Stephen had taught her it wasn't instinctual like Wanda's. Rogue still needed to focus the movements of her hands until she could throw a spell and that left way too much time and opportunity for Wanda to subdue Rogue.

And that scared Rogue because she'd seen and heard what the girl could do from the mission footage when they went up against Ultron.

Rogue's healing factor was getting stronger but it was nowhere near what it was supposed to be and she still had not had the opportunity to test her absorption.

There were too many unknown factors at play and it bothered her.

"This can go bad so many ways…" She thought while fighting the restlessness in her body.

"You okay Ms Rogue?" Spider-Man asked her beside her.

"Just Rogue, sugar. Yeah… nerves." She told him gently.

The kid nodded. "I get them too but I just focus on the best case scenario instead of the worst and it helps." He kindly offered his advice and Rogue was touched. The kid really was too nice and too young to be here.

"Just keep yourself safe. I don't want to see you injured." She stated feeling concerned for him.

Spider-Man mock-saluted her. "Yes ma'am." He teased making Rogue chuckle.

They left the chopper and soon everyone moved into position. Sirens indicated the east part of the airport was being evacuated, just as Commander Ross informed them he'd make happen.

They stood lined up in different strategic points and watched as Steve neared and stopped in front of the chopper.

They knew it was a distraction but Tony wanted them to play along. He immobilized the chopper as he and War Machine landed in front of him.

"Wow it's so weird how you run into people at the airport." Tony stated with false bravado.

"Definitely weird." Rhodey added from inside his suit.

Steve sighed. "Hear me out Tony. It's the psychiatrist. He's behind all of this." He stated.

His attention turned to the Black Panther as Prince T'Challa landed next to War Machine. "You highness." Steve stated respectfully.

"Captain." T'Challa nodded.

Rogue watched from the rooftop. "No visual on Scarlet Witch or Hawkeye." She stated concerned.

"Clint where the hell are you hiding?" She wondered annoyed.

"Ross gave us thirty-six hours to bring you in." Tony stated. "That was twenty-four hours ago. Can you help a brother out?"

Steve frowned. "You're after the wrong guy."

Rogue could sense Tony's exasperation turn to anger even over the coms. "And your judgment is askew. Your war buddy killed nine people during his escape yesterday!"

The anger turned to fury and Rogue sighed. "Calm down Tony." She told him. "We can still do this with out punches being thrown."

She heard the deep breath he took and nodded pleased.

Steve was starting to tense. "And there five more super soldiers just like him. I can't let the doctor find them first Tony… I can't."

"Then do the right thing and let us handle it, within the accords and within the law." Rhodey added.

Steve tensed.

Natasha joined them. "You know what's about to happen. Do you really want to punch your way out of this one?" She asked carefully observing him.

No one spoke as the tension grew.

"Alright. I've run out of patience." Tony stated annoyed. "Underoos!" He yelled out.

Rogue snorted despite the seriousness of the situation. Spider-Man took his cue and swung in, grabbed Captain America's shield, webbed the man's hands together and landed perfectly on the top a service van.

"Huh." She stated. "Maybe you were right about him Tony." She mumbled and it didn't go unheard by the others.

Tony nodded slightly. "Nice job kid." He told Spider-Man.

"Thanks. Well I could have stuck the landing a little better it's just a new suit. Wait! It's not the suit, Mr Stark it's perfect – Thank you." Spider-Man rambled on.

Tony stopped him. "Yeah we don't really need to start a conversation."

Everyone hid their amusement to the best of their capabilities.

"Okay. Cap… Captain." Spider-Man greeted with a salute, "Big fan, Spider-Man."

Steve looked at the kid amused.

Tony sighed again. "Yeah, we'll talk about it later… just… good job." He told the kid. He remembered Pepper mentioning something about acknowledgement building character.

Steve turned to Tony. "You've been busy."

"And you've been a complete idiot. Dragging in Clint, rescuing Wanda from a safe place. I'm trying to keep you from tearing the Avengers apart. " He finished exhaustedly.

Steve shook his head stubbornly. "You did that when you signed."

And then all hell broke loose.

Spider-Man and Black Panther ran off to intercept Barnes and Sam.

Natasha fought a new guy who could shrink at will while Rhodey took on Steve without an ounce of fear.

Punches were thrown and Rogue froze. She wanted to teleport down and help out her team but at the same time she needed to focus. Tony had been clear about her role.

"Rogue," Tony said over the coms as he flew away, "You're on Maximoff. Follow me. I'll grab Clint."

Rogue watched as he fired several rockets at the parked vans blowing them up and trapping Wanda and Clint.

She watched as Wanda ripped every car out of the parking garage sending them hurling towards Tony. She teleported into a free fall and grabbed Tony seconds before he would be crushed under the cars before reappearing in front of them.

She didn't look at Clint who was busy fighting off Tony. "I don't know what will feel better," Rogue stated with a glare aimed at Wanda, "Ripping out your soul or punching out your teeth."

Wanda screeched and sent blast after blast towards her never hitting Rogue, who teleported away just in time.

Rogue reappeared behind her and grabbed her in a chokehold, while wrapping her legs around the older girl pulling her to the ground.

They rolled around and struggled, Rogue's grip slipping lightly when the older girl started panicking and punching out in response.

She touched Wanda's forehead trying to absorb her but only managed to get her surface thoughts and emotions.

Wanda sent a blast into Rogues thigh making her lose her grip completely. She managed to blast Rogue off her, sending her flying into a parked airplane behind them.

Rogue groaned painfully as she landed on the ground. She got up unsteadily feeling her healing factor work slowly to repair the damage.

She glared and teleported in front of Scarlet Witch punching her straight on the mouth.

Wanda fell to the ground in pain.

"Yeah, definitely punching out your teeth." Rogue stated satisfied before aiming a well-placed kick to the girl's head, that knocked her unconscious.

She tried convincing herself it wasn't the jealousy at seeing Clint run and protect the girl that had sparked her sudden ferocity.

She blamed her feral side's return as she growled wildly at the unconscious girl.

Rogue turned around in surprise and saw that Clint had managed to send Tony flying into a building with an exploding arrow.

She teleported behind him, kicking him in his back and sent him rolling in to the ground.

Clint cursed before he used the momentum to land on his feet.

"Babe." He stated simply from his crouch and watched her surprised.

"Don't." Rogue stated furiously, as she moved towards him, "You've made your choice. We're done." She replied harshly before running at him.

Clint's eyes hardened before he met her every punch and every kick with perfect blocks.

With every block Rogue felt her anger and desperation surge. She wanted to hurt him just as he had hurt her.

"Fight me!" She screamed angrily, when she realized he hadn't attacked her even once.

Clint shook his head and looked at her in disbelief. "Not gonna happen… So I see you got a bit more than just martial arts training with the Doc. Funny how you never mentioned that."

Rogue faltered slightly. She knew he wasn't accusing her of anything but it still felt like it to Rogue.

"I was going to tell you…" She stated softly, "I didn't-" She was cut off abruptly.

Clint used her distraction to floor her. He landed on top of her and secured her arms in tight grip above her head.

Rogue growled ferally making Clint smirk. "Feeling a bit like an animal today? 'Cause I can think of better ways to use that anger." He joked as he leaned in.

Rogue threw her head back before slamming her forehead on his nose. The sound of his nose breaking mixed with his painful grunts.

"Fuck!" He cursed as he fell back.

Rogue grinned ferally, feeling oddly pleased with herself.

Clint didn't let the pain faze him for too long.

He tackled her to the ground before she managed to teleport away and they ended up rolling around with Rogue trying to punch and Clint blocking effectively.

She grew annoyed with him and teleported behind him. Rogue stepped on his back making him fall onto the ground.

Clint rolled around and grabbed her ankle, twisting it so she lost her balance making her land on the ground next to him with a painful thud.

They both groaned painfully. "You're merciless." Clint stated with a gasp.

Rogue only gasped painfully.

Before either could move Spider-Man appeared and webbed Clint to the ground.

"You okay Ms Rogue?" He asked her concerned.

Clint snorted. "Ms Rogue? Is the kid for real?" He questioned her but Rogue glared at him teary eyed. Realisation and fear hit Clint like a tidal wave.

"Babe." Clint stated softly, "You didn't mean it? What you said earlier. We're not done." He stated desperately.

Rogue nodded softly, her eyes hardening. "Yeah… We are." She whispered angrily before turning to Spider-Man.

"How many did we get?" She asked him softly.

Before the kid could answer her, their attention was focused on Tony and Rhodey's chase of the quinjet when Vision fired a powerful blast at them.

Rogue gasped and instinctually teleported into the air, free falling when she realised the beam would hit Rhodey.

She screamed as the beam connected with her body instead, breaking her bones and melting her organs. She blacked out as she hurtled towards the ground below.

Tony watched in fear as Rogue plunged towards the hard ground below. "Rhodey catch her!" He yelled desperately.

"She's too far away! I can't reach her!" Was his panicked reply as they both pushed their suits at full blast towards her spiralling body.

"Rogue! Teleport! Do something!" Spider-Man yelled out in horror from his place on the ground next to Clint.

Clint felt his heart stop and his stomach lurch as he watched her body fall at extreme speeds towards the concrete ground of the airport.

"She's unconscious!" Rhodey yelled! "She's not responding!"

And then everyone, whether free or restrained, watched in horror as time seemed to slow and Rogue's body connected with the concrete ground.

.

.

Rogue looked around surprised. The last thing she remembered was pain and now here she was, her astral projection straining to keep itself solid.

She observed her surroundings and realized that she was on some kind of spaceship that floated around and in the middle of it sat a large throne.

A purple skinned giant sat on it staring ahead, never noticing her.

"Has the soul gem been located?" He asked.

Behind her a voice replied, "Yes lord Thanos. We believe the signature is a match with this earth."

Thanos smirked. "Finally… The last and most important gem within my reach… Do you know why this gem in particular is the most powerful?"

"No my lord." Came the reply.

Thanos chuckled. "It gives its wielder the powers to observe, attack or even steal a beings soul or spirit. It can end it or it can save it. Quite useful when one is trying to end the multiverse. It is this gem which connects the remaining ones to each other and creates the ultimate power."

Rogue shook her head in desperation and disbelief. "No!" She whispered horrified.

Thanos looked directly at her though he could not see her and grinned. "I do believe we have visitor. Now, now, my little gem, I'll find you soon enough." He chuckled.

Rogue choked and barely held back a sob in fear.

Her astral projection was forcefully pulled back into her body and straight into darkness.

.

.

The concrete ground had cracked from the impact of her body hitting it and large amounts of dark blood left her body in a steady stream, seeping into them slowly.

Tony, Rhodey and Sam landed around Rogue's body.

Sam immediately turned and vomited.

The blood kept leaving her body endlessly and moved slowly towards their feet.

Rhodey started resuscitation immediately as Tony went into a full-blown panic attack next to her.

Clint fought the restraining web but it was useless. He could only watch and do nothing.

Everything but the sound of Rhodey pushing down on her chest furiously was silent.

Eventually Clint heard Rhodey over Spider-mans loud earpiece, "It's been twenty minutes. I'm calling it."

"No…" Clint stated horrified.

"She isn't gone… She's just getting back at me… She wouldn't leave me like this." He thought as tears began to fall from his eyes.

"Rogue - Marie – NO! KID LET ME OUT OF THIS!" he screamed at Spider-Man.

Spider-Man hesitated before ripping off the webbing.

Clint ran towards her and the large pool of blood before stopping in front of her.

"Come on Marie. You can't leave me. Not like this. COME ON!" He screamed at her desperately.

Rhodey stared at the broken man with sadness before moving over to comfort his best friend.

Clint caressed her cheek lovingly yet it was the move of a desperate man. "Come back. Please. I love you Marie. Please! I promise I'll do whatever you want! Please!"

And then, as if she'd heard him, her eyes opened wide and Rogue screamed. Clint couldn't help but sag in relief because she was alive.

Clint watched, as the open head wound and visible brain he'd ignored healed itself back together all while piercing screams left her mouth.

He held her in his arms through it all. He wasn't ever going to let her go.

Eventually the screaming stopped.

Rogue furiously pushed everyone that surrounded her away and rose shakily from her pool of blood. She watched her surroundings confused before straightening her back.

Everyone watched her cautiously and concerned. Something wasn't right.

Rogue shook her head lightly as she stood her mind finally clearing. She'd seen him and finally it made sense but at the same it didn't. The things she'd seen left her confused. There was too much information she needed to process.

"It all leads back to Stephen… He has the answers. Why does he have the answers?" She thought still confused.

She turned to Tony who'd also stood. "I'm going home. I need a shower." She stated softly, teleporting away before anyone could stop her.

When she reappeared it wasn't in the compound. It was in the Kamar-Taj.

The people training there stopped abruptly when they noticed her bloodied uniform and face. They started whispering curiously as Stephen calmly walked towards her like he had all the time in the world.

"Follow me." He stated calmly.

"No." Rogue said in a fit of defiance. She had trusted him for far too long and now they were going to do it her way.

Stephen turned to her concerned. He looked around and then dismissed everyone who reluctantly left the courtyard.

"Rogue."

"Don't." She told him, feeling the anger take hold. "I saw him… Thanos."

Stephen nodded. "You had to see it for yourself or you wouldn't have believed it… and that would have led to far worse consequences."

Rogue felt pain settle in her chest. "You made the jade bracelet and placed it there for me to find. You're the reason why my powers were gone."

Stephen nodded. "It's what motivated you to train with me." He admitted. "If you'd had your powers you wouldn't have come here where I could protect you. The bracelet hid you from Thanos' sight but I needed you to come here so I could strengthen the spell a bit each time… If I hadn't done this Thanos would have found you much sooner and we'd be rushed into a war unprepared."

Rogue shook her head. "Is it true… What he said? About the soul gem and it's powers… Am I… Am I the soul gem?" She asked quietly.

Stephen sighed and she knew it was true. "Yes," He replied, "The gems cannot be destroyed and were originally created in a different universe several millennia ago." He explained, "Some of them were pure energy and a single one of them was a sentient being. What they all had in common was their nearly unlimited powers. It's what attracted Thanos to them."

Rogue bit her lip.

Stephen continued his storytelling. "Thanos found a way to lock the energies into the stones and the same with the sentient being. By doing this he could take control of their powers and he did. He used the stones he'd gathered to further his goal of destroying the multiverse."

Rogue frowned.

Stephen took a deep breath and released it. "He nearly succeeded until one day a group of people fought him. They managed to steal the stones and threw them into the voids of the multiverse hoping Thanos would never find them again. Thanos hasn't stopped his search for the stones since."

"What stones are there besides… me and the purple one around my neck?" She asked worried.

"There are six in total though I do not know where many of them are. You are the soul gem, the sentient one. I believe, that when they threw your stone into the void, it damaged the stone somehow. You used your powers and forced yourself into the womb of the woman who birthed you so that you'd survive. Your time as the stone and under Thanos was too traumatic so you erased it from your baby brain leaving only the powers behind."

Rogue rubbed her face desperately. "Go on." She stated as she compartmentalized her feelings. She'd deal with it all later.

"The space gem, or the purple one around your neck was made of pure energy. That stone landed in Asgard where a young Odin managed to rip the energy out of its container and use it to create the bifrost. When we pulled that energy out of you we created another space gem."

"Then there is the power gem, a red stone, the time gem an orange stone, the and the reality gem, a blue stone and finally the mind gem, a yellow stone."

Rogue frowned again. "You know for stones that are meant to be scattered around the multiverse a lot of them are here on earth. I mean the yellow one was what created Vision in the first place."

Stephen smiled. "Those gems have in common that they are pure energies. Those energies can always be found in another reality or universe and therefore those stones will always be in existence or the possibility of them being made will always be there. Except you…"

Rogue sighed. "Because I was the only sentient being before Thanos made me into a stone."

Stephen nodded.

"And that's why he's coming here… He's sensed me here on earth somehow and I'm the last gem he needs because he already has the others from different realities."

Stephen nodded once again. "Indeed."

"Fuck." Rogue exclaimed angrily. "How long have you known this? Since I was a child? You could have just killed me as a kid and made sure Thanos never got his hands on me and threatened the multiverse again." She said angrily.

Stephen glared at her. "I do not kill – especially not innocent children – I'm a doctor for Pete's sake." He replied angrily. "And no, I didn't know. I only learned of this when you were already under Magneto's influence. That's when I started plotting on how to make you lose your powers temporarily with the bracelet. But now that it's broken he knows you're here without doubt and this is the start of the war."

Rogue sighed. "And I can't even kill myself because of the stupid healing factor." She stated angrily. "What the hell am I supposed to do? I can't go up against Thanos! I can't hide either because he'll find me eventually!"

Stephen sighed. "There are a few options that I have seen but… you must choose which outcome you can live with."

Rogue glared at him. "Talk." She stated firmly. "And I want every god damned detail so you better not leave anything behind."

"I believe it would be easier to show you." He stated holding out his bare hand to her.

Rogue stared at him thinking he'd finally lost his mind. "Do you have any idea what you're asking me to do?"

Stephen nodded. "Yes… I'm asking you to see what I have seen." He replied simply.

Rogue hesitated before touching her hand to his. The familiar and powerful pull of her powers connected them and she winced as his memories and knowledge filled her mind.

Eventually she pulled her hand back and placed his unconscious body on the bench before teleporting away.

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.

The ice cold water filled the tub in her bathroom in the compound. She knew she'd be undisturbed just as these last couple of days spent in silence.

Rogue undressed and got in to the tub, wincing when the cold water bit her skin.

She leaned down, closed her eyes and pressed her face under water.

Her arms braced against the side of the tub keeping her submerged even as her body fought her mind, fought for air she wouldn't allow it.

Eventually she started gasping under water, her lungs filling painfully so and the last life in her fled.

Rogue's lifeless body floated inside the tub for mere moments until she propelled herself out the tub again gasping and coughing up water from her lungs.

"There… no more Stephen inside my mind. I can make this decision undisturbed."

She carefully got up and turned the shower on. The warm water felt painful against her ice-cold skin but she merely sighed and refused to move.

Eventually she scrubbed off the sweat and grime on her body as her body adapted to the heat.

She left the bathroom and stared at Clint's clothes in their dresser before sighing softly.

She took one of her dress-shirts and her black leather pants and jumped into a pair of stilettos.

Then she teleported into the hospital room where Tony was currently being checked over by a nurse.

"I'm sorry I left you alone to face that." She stated from the doorway gesturing at his body.

Tony looked at her before the nurse gave up and left the room. "He killed my parents… Steve knew and never told me."

Rogue nodded. "I know… I'm sorry about that." She stated before sitting down next to him. Rhodey had filled her in two days ago on the aftermath of the fight.

She took Tony's hand in hers and pushed not only energy but also bits of her healing factor into him.

Tony stared at her shocked when he felt his ribs move back into place, the pain fade and watched the bruises disappear from sight.

"How did you…?"

Rogue shook her head. "I've seen some things and learned a few tricks."

Tony frowned. "What happened to you? You were… different, weird, when you came back after…."

Rogue sighed heavily. "Let's just say I've gotten some perspective on my life."

Tony nodded. "Yeah… Me too." He stated tiredly.

Rogue studied him and noticed the tension in his shoulders. "Your dad was Barnes' friend too. Imagine if it had been you Tony, forced by someone else to kill Rhodey or hell even me."

Tony sighed and his shoulders slumped. "I know. Doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like fucking hell."

Rogue nodded. "Do you think," She asked and Tony stared at her, "That I should tell Wanda I murdered her biological father, who left her and her brother behind when they were children because he thought them human and weak, who they despite knowing this still held him on a pedestal?"

Tony's eyes widened. "Magneto?" he questioned and Rogue nodded. "Why would you do that? It wouldn't do her any good…" Tony stilled and glared at her.

Rogue smiled softly never pulling her hand back from his.

She kept pushing her healing factor into him and watched, as he became ten years younger right in front of her eye. His wrinkles lessened considerably, his worn and tired face relaxed and his eyes brightened ever so slightly.

Tony didn't notice this and then she finally pulled back her hand.

"When it comes to the people we care about, and here I mean you Tony not Wanda cause I really don't like her, it's human nature not to want to hurt them... Steve cares about you because you're his friend and he didn't mean to hurt you by not telling you. In his own way he tried to protect you..."

Tony sniffled and they both pretended it didn't happen, something that Tony appreciated greatly.

"Have you heard from Clint? They broke out several days ago." He asked her concerned.

Rogue sighed again. "No." She stated neutrally and without further comment. "I do wonder how Steve got access codes to a maximum prison for enhanced people that illegally held several humans and one enhanced imprisoned. Something the media has gone crazy over and the U.N. has now frowned upon – which led Thaddeus Ross to lose his job." She stated dryly.

Tony only smiled. "That asshole had it coming miles away – my guess? Karma. Bruce was always a big fan of Karma."

Rogue snorted.

"Mr Stark the nurse told me –"

Rogue stared amusedly at the teenaged boy in front of her. Spider-Man was absolutely adorable out of his costume. Like some kind of old lady Rogue wanted to pinch his cheeks.

"Rogue! You're okay! I was so worried!" He stated before he ran up to her and hugged her.

Tony sighed and shook his head in exasperation. "Kid. Secret identity. Remember?"

Rogue smiled gently at the boy who jumped back in surprise. "Oh right!" he stated with a frown.

"Don't worry about it. I'll keep my lips sealed tight." She reassured him.

"Then I'm Peter. Peter Parker." Peter introduced himself and Rogue refrained from messing up his cute hair.

"Nice to meet you Peter, I'm Rogue." She said with a wry grin.

Peter looked her over again. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked still concerned.

Rogue nodded and hugged him tightly. "Yeah. What about you? I must have scared you." She stated pulling back and looking him over.

Peter nodded and shook lightly before he replied. "You did, but then you got up and teleported away, so I knew you'd be okay."

"Peter," Tony stated, "I think I'm healed enough to leave today."

The kid nodded and smiled widely. "You do look better Mr Stark, ten years younger I'd say."

Rogue stared at him surprised and Tony snorted. "Flattery won't get you another suit, kid."

"I didn't mean that, Mr Stark I was only-"

Rogue stopped him. "Peter, ignore him. He's just messing with you." She told him with a chuckle.

Tony grinned before getting out of bed. "I do actually feel like I'm ten years younger, or at least, my liver does."

Rogue snorted. "I'm guessing a celebration is in order then?"

Tony smirked. "You know it!"

"Let's wait until we get back to New York. I'll go fix your papers." She stated and Tony looked at her relieved.

"You're the best!" He called out when she walked away.

"I know!" Was her only reply.

Rogue sighed exhaustedly as she walked down the hallway. She felt guilty at having left him to face Steve and Barnes on his own.

"I should've been there for him…" She thought guiltily.

She thought back to the visions Stephen had shown her.

Maybe giving him a few more years in good health where he could run around as Iron Man, would mean he'd forgive her eventually when he figured out what she'd done. She also hoped it meant he wouldn't become the bitter and angry man she'd seen in some of the visions.

Rogue had chosen the outcome she could live with.

She just hoped everybody else could too.

...