Chapter 11

Rogue had been in Stark Tower for a week now. Tony had removed the collar from her neck two days ago after many threats of bodily harm from Rogue and she'd released a breath of relief, when she finally felt the heavy contraption leave her skin.

During her stay in the tower she'd finally met the quiet Dr Banner. Rogue had been completely charmed by him and the adorable awkwardness he excluded, something that had bothered Clint she'd noted humoured.

She'd had an emotional and teary reunion with Pepper, who'd offered her the job as her personal assistant again, which had lifted Rogue's spirit greatly.

And now she could add Natasha on the list of people currently living in the tower. When she'd run into the woman Rogue had gotten a mere nod from Natasha, which she'd figured meant stay-out-of-my-way-and-I'll-do-the-same.

Rogue could live with that as long as the woman didn't hover around Clint. She was sure Clint felt humoured by her jealousy as she was by his.

Rogue sighed as she made her way towards the kitchen. Clint had been distant since they'd first slept in the same bed again. She'd gotten the feeling that he was avoiding her during the day and only stayed with her when they slept during the night.

It left her feeling hurt and frustrated because she couldn't for the life of her figure out if she'd said or done something that had bothered him.

She felt uncertainty settle in her body and wondered if he'd changed his mind about her. "Maybe I've changed too much? Maybe he doesn't feel the same about me anymore."

Biting her lip she stopped in front of the kitchen door as she her heard voices talking behind it.

"I'm not saying that Clint," Natasha stated in a neutral tone, "but I can tell she's different than the other girls you've been with. I've never seen you like this; not with Laura, not with Bobbi and not with me."

Rogue froze. Clint had never spoken of his ex-girlfriends and she was suddenly very interested in the conversation.

Clint sighed. "That's because she is different. She brings me… peace and happiness in a way no one has been able to before."

This time Natasha sighed. "Don't mix up your feelings. You have to be sure that this is worth it. You know what happened with Laura and the kids. I don't want to see you hurt again."

"Clint has kids?" She thought feeling betrayed. Rogue cursed her own morals and wondered if she should have just gone through his memories back when she'd first absorbed him.

Maybe if she had, her heart wouldn't be clenching so painfully right now.

"Then again I haven't told him all my secrets… I haven't told him about Gambit or Switzerland… But still, kids? We promised each other honesty." She thought sadly, realizing that neither had lived up to the one demand they'd made for their relationship to work.

She could feel the tension in the kitchen even through the door. "Tash," Clint said softly and Rogue felt the jealousy surge in her, "I'm certain."

She could clearly hear Natasha sigh again. "Didn't you tell me her one demand was honesty in your relationship with her," She asked Clint and Rogue felt annoyed that he'd told her that.

"Hasn't he kept anything to himself about us?"

"Have you told her? About what happened with Laura? About our past? About your brother? Are you even planning on telling her?"

Rogue felt the surprise rock her again. "A brother he's never mentioned… Kids he's never mentioned… Relationships with people he's never mentioned. He knows everything there is about me, about my past, but I know nothing of his." The irony wasn't lost on her as she stared at her un-gloved hands thinking of her powers.

"Tash, just leave it… I'll tell her everything when I'm ready."

Rogue felt hopeful at his comment until Natasha replied, "That's what you said when we had this discussion about Laura, Clint, and you never did. Don't forget that."

Rogue felt nauseated but she wasn't going to let that stop her.

She shook her head and schooled her expression into an indifferent one before walking into the kitchen.

Rogue looked at them with a fake surprised look. "Oh. Hi." She stated softly and pretended she didn't feel hurt when Clint excused himself and left the room in a hurry.

She looked at Natasha. "Is he avoiding me?" She asked gently. If she'd learned anything from their discussion it was that Clint clearly confided in her more than he did in Rogue.

Natasha's face was as indifferent as hers had been when she'd entered the kitchen, and the woman shrugged before walking away leaving Rogue alone in front of the fridge.

Rogue sighed, ignoring the hurt and annoyance before marching out of the kitchen and back into their bedroom.

She sat on the before looking up. "Jarvis? Do you know what Clint and Natasha were talking about earlier in the kitchen?" She asked the AI hopeful.

"Unfortunately not Rogue. Mr Barton and Ms Romanoff had the privacy setting activated. Only Sir can recover the audio and video files."

Rogue bit her lip annoyed before she got up. "Thanks Jarvis. If Clint or anyone asks where I'm at, could you tell them I'm spending the night in my own apartment?"

"Noted."

Rogue thanked him again before walking out of the bedroom and soon out of the tower.

She ran into a handsome, tall, blonde haired man outside the tower entrance knocking a box out of his hand.

"Sorry 'bout that sugar, le'me help you with that." She said her accent coming through sweetly as she picked up the box.

The man smiled brightly at her and Rogue couldn't help but return it.

"No problem ma'am. I was blocking my own view, so it was my fault." He told her with a small nod.

Rogue smiled as realisation hit her. "You must be Steve, right? Tony told me you were moving into the tower along with the others."

Steve stared at her surprised before nodding. "Yup. Do you work for Tony?"

Rogue shook her head smiled sadly. "He really wants me to but I keep turning him down. I don't think it's good for his ego if gets everything he points his fingers at." She laughed.

"I'm Rogue, I'm Clint's…" She hesitated a bit and Steve noticed it, "I'm Clint's girlfriend… or at least I think I still am." She muttered the last part not knowing he'd heard her clear as day.

Steve nodded understandingly. "Well he's a lucky man. Rogue, huh? That's an odd name for dame." He said trying to lead the conversation away from the potential awkwardness it was headed towards.

Rogue laughed delighted. "It's a nickname. I've never liked it but I can't use my real name anymore. That's a story for another day though. Steve, it was nice meeting you but I really gotta to go." She told him still smiling brightly, "I'll see you in the tower soon."

Steve nodded and took the box from her hands with a smile. "Nice meeting you too, Rogue."

They walked away in separate directions but both turned and smiled at each other before continuing on their ways.

Rogue hid her blush as she moved a white strand of hair behind her ear and walked towards the subway station nearby.

.

.

Rogue was in the middle of closing a box she'd filled with her plates from the kitchen. On the counter a half filled bottle of red wine and an almost empty glass stood looking at ominously.

She knew she couldn't get drunk, even though she really wanted to, but planned to still make an effort.

She refilled the glass and emptied it immediately before opening another cabinet and removing the glasses from the inside.

"What are you doing?" Clint asked softly from the living room.

Rogue nearly dropped a glass in surprise and turned and glared at him. "Don't do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack." She scolded him while clutching her chest.

Clint raised an eyebrow and Rogue sighed, "I'm packing down the apartment. I'm gonna sell it."

Clint felt surprise surge in him. "You never told me that." He stated a bit worried.

"Yeah, well, maybe if you'd actually take the time to talk to me during the day I could." Rogue mumbled hurt.

She turned to him. "I had sex with another man when I was under Magneto's control." She stated bluntly.

And there it was, her dirty guilty secret out in the open. Rogue had decided after her run in with Steve she'd be honest with Clint again.

If he couldn't live up to the same demand in their relationship, there'd be no relationship, just as they'd first agreed.

Clint stared at her. A variety of emotions played on his face; anger, hurt, concern and last indifference.

"Well isn't that a bitch." She thought hurt.

Rogue didn't let him speak before she continued. "I was in Switzerland between Brazil and Vietnam. Ran into a guy who could make a person experience their worst nightmare. Like what I'd already been through wasn't enough. I also tried to kill myself because I was so sure that the nightmare was real, which also happens to be the reason why I don't want to talk about it." She admitted.

Her body shook involuntarily as she remembered the suffocating feeling of desperation and pain.

Rogue looked at him expectantly, wondering if her honesty would suddenly spur on his own.

It didn't.

Instead, Clint swallowed the bile in his throat and stared at her like it was the first time he was really seeing her.

She could tell in his eyes that he didn't like what he saw.

"Well, sugar, these damaged goods are the only ones here, so if you don't like it then leave." She didn't let it show that she really wanted him to like them, to like her and waited for him to reply.

Rogue refilled her glass and realized that she'd managed to empty the bottle. She drank the remaining wine feeling relieved that she able to focus on something other than the intensity of Clint's stare.

The silence stretched on and suddenly the apartment felt too small. Too suffocating.

"Huh, maybe it is a good thing I'm selling this place." She thought sadly.

"You gonna say somethin' or jus' stand there an' watch me, sugar?" Rogue asked feeling annoyance starting to surge through her body.

For a second she could have sworn that she saw pain flash in his eyes but it was gone the same second it'd been there.

"Why did you tell me this?" He asked desperately and Rogue looked away.

"Our one promise Clint, what was that?" she asked, giving the answer to him.

Clint shook his head angrily.

"What was it Clint?" She pressured him.

"… Honesty." He finally replied.

Rogue nodded. "Honesty," she repeated, "Are you gonna be honest with me?" She asked surprising him, "'Cause let me tell; you know everything about me and I know nothing about you."

Clint froze. "You've absorbed me. Twice. I'm sure you've seen what there is to see." He told her sharply.

Rogue shook her head. "You know, because I've told you this several times, I don't go through people's memories unless I absolutely have to. And you? I want you to tell me everything there is about you, not my powers."

Clint froze but didn't speak.

He suddenly turned and walked out of the apartment, the front door closing behind him with a harsh slam. He never noticed the completely heartbroken look in Rogue's eyes as she stood there and stared.

"I guess that's it."

Rogue returned to the task at hand while expertly avoiding the heavy feeling in her heart. It took a while but she managed to clean out the cabinets and finish packaging everything in the kitchen.

Rogue then went through her walk in closet throwing her clothes and shoes into boxes not caring to fold it.

She continued through the day and finished packing up everything. Rogue stood in the middle of her box filled living room and surveyed the apartment with mixed feelings.

She sighed and turned around to find Clint looking at her again. "Seriously! How the hell do you do that?" She cursed as he surprised her yet again.

Clint crossed his arms looking awkward. "You're always caught up in your thoughts. Not that hard to sneak up on you." He told her gently.

Rogue just looked at him. "Here to finish it?"

Clint looked at her surprised and surveyed the many boxes. "Finish what? You've clearly managed to pack up everything on your own."

Rogue bit her lip before replying, "Finish this relationship… Say the words Clint and just leave."

She looked away but his hand gently lifted her face. Rogue stared into his eyes getting completely lost in them and cursed him for having this pull on her.

"I'm not ending our relationship." He stated harshly.

Rogue was confused and frowned. "Then –"

Clint cut her off, "You're right. Honesty is what we agreed to, the both of us. You're strong Mar-Rogue." He frowned as he remembered how much she hated the nickname; "We really need to find another nickname for you."

Rogue snorted but felt her heart unclench, "Doesn't matter. I think people have gotten used to it by now." She shrugged.

Clint sighed and rubbed his hand through his blonde hair. "Look I am going to be honest with you, I am." He promised her, "but I don't know how to. I need baby steps and patience because unlike you I'm not strong. My entire life has been about lying and killing and surviving."

Clint frowned before sighing. "I used to be married, in fact I've been married three times."

Rogue felt her jaw drop. "Wow." She stated shocked.

Clint chuckled but it was a hollow sound. "Yeah, never really had any luck in that department. My first wife, Laura, I loved her. Deeply. I had three kids with her." He smiled shortly remembering them, "Cooper, Lila and Nathaniel."

The smile vanished. "They were murdered by a rogue SHIELD team that I was supposed to take out." He whispered angrily.

Rogue refrained from gasping in alarm and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder instead.

Clint's body shook lightly as he remembered.

"I wasn't fast enough or smart enough. Thought I'd hidden my family away but they found out about them somehow. It's my fault." He whispered desperately.

Rogue took him into her arms and hugged him. Her heart ached for him and the pain he had to endure.

"It's not your fault Clint. They killed them, not you. I don't ever wanna hear you say that again." She whispered angrily into his ear. "Ever."

Before she knew it Clint was crying in her arms. She wondered if he'd ever talked to anyone about this or if he'd ever actually processed the trauma.

She pushed her curiosity into the back of her mind and focused on holding him, comforting him any way she could.

They stood there for a while as Clint regained control of his emotions.

Rogue gently touched him, neither realising her powers weren't working. "I can live with baby steps. Lord knows you've been patient with me Clint, the least I can do is the same for you." She told him softly.

Clint nodded and leaned in to kiss her but Rogue pulled back when she felt pain in her abdomen.

"You okay?" He asked her with a frown.

Rogue nodded tightly. "Yeah, it's just been a while since I released the bifrost energy."

Her skin was starting to get a purple hue and Rogue cursed. "I thought I was done with this shit!" She exclaimed angrily.

Clint grabbed her and held onto her as they were transported away from the apartment.

.

.

The first thing Rogue noticed was Clint arms around her and his pressed up body against her. She blushed, enjoying the feeling and Clint grinned noticing her blush. The next thing she noticed was the ice-cold wind whipping into them.

She and Clint looked around. "Are we on a mountain?" She asked surprised.

"Babe, take a look at this." Clint stated as he stared at something behind her.

For the second time that day Rogue felt her jaw drop. An enormous mountain was looming over them. It was beautiful and unlike anything she'd ever seen before.

"That would be Mount Everest though the locals call it Sagarmāthā." A gentle voice spoke behind her.

Clint and Rogue tensed. They turned and saw a man floating in the air. He was wearing blue clothes and a red robe that billowed behind him. He landed in front of them.

"I'm Dr Stephen Strange, Sorcerer Supreme" He introduced in an American accent looking curiously at the two, "I've been waiting to meet you Rogue."

Clint stepped in front of her protectively. "How do you know her name?" he asked angrily.

Dr Strange smiled. "I think we should take this conversation somewhere where the chances of frostbites are considerably lower, don't you?" He asked them a knowing glint in his eyes.

Rogue nodded as the ice-cold wind bit through her thin clothes. "Sure." She replied and Clint looked at her surprised.

She pressed her hand in his. "It's okay." She stated. Rogue had a feeling that whoever this man was, he was important.

Dr Strange moved two fingers in a circular motion creating golden sparks. The golden sparks then melted together and created a golden circle of energy. Dr Strange walked through the now open portal.

Rogue and Clint followed him. They ended up in courtyard where a handful of people were training with long poles against each other. Dr Strange nodded at them before showing Rogue and Clint inside.

"It's a beautiful place, where are we?" Rogue asked him curiously.

Dr Strange smiled. "We're at the Kamar-Taj in Kathmandu, Nepal. The masters of the mystic arts come here to train."

Clint snorted. "Great, so it's an Asian Hogwarts." He stated rudely.

Rogue hit his arm. "Don't be rude Clint." She scolded him annoyed.

Dr Strange chuckled feeling amused. "I guess you could say that."

"That still doesn't explain how you know Rogue's name or what you want from us." Clint added though less harsh.

Dr Strange sighed as they all sat around a small table, while tea was being poured into the cups in front of them.

"It's my job to watch over any and all magical incidents that can affect earth. Rogue's absorption of the bifrost," They looked at him surprised, "Like I said, all magical incidents that can affect earth," He stated before continuing, "has had unforeseen consequences."

Rogue frowned. "How so? You know, besides nearly dying from it." She stated with an eye roll.

Dr Strange smiled gently. "Whenever you've been transported by the bifrost you've left behind a magical trace, a bit of leftover bifrost energy if you will. Several dark beings have used this in their favour to open portals across the world. In the states, Afghanistan and now here in Nepal." He told them.

Rogue shook her head. "That's not my fault. Back then I couldn't control the energy inside me."

Dr Strange raised an eyebrow at her. "And now you can?" he asked her curiously.

Rogue blushed. "I think so. This isn't an exact science. I just release a lot of energy and I don't get transported across the world." She justified.

Dr Strange took a sip of his tea. "You haven't released energy in a while since you were transported here. Though I must admit I redirected you from your original target when I felt the bifrost energy move against the wards surrounding earth." He admitted.

"I was… uhm, mind controlled the last year. My memories were suppressed so I didn't know I had to release the energy. I think I did do it subconsciously, but on a small scale cause I wasn't suddenly transported somewhere else during that year." Rogue admitted.

Dr Strange nodded. "I see," he rubbed his beard, "I could remove the energy from your body. If you want?"

Rogue froze. "I thought it wasn't possible." She stated as Clint rubbed her back comfortingly.

"I've learned that anything is possible when it comes to magic." Dr Strange replied a smile on his face.

"What do you get out of this?" Clint asked suspiciously.

Dr Strange nodded at him clearly happy with his question. "I get the joy of not having to go or send masters to close portals and fight escaping demons from different realms." He replied dryly. "I do have other pressing concerns to deal with."

Rogue and Clint looked at each other, communicating wordlessly with their eyes. She turned to Dr Strange and nodded.

"Do it." She stated confidently.

Dr Strange sighed. "I must warn you. This will not be painless or risk free. I've never pulled an energy like the bifrost out of a living being before."

Rogue shrugged. "Nothing in life is, Doc."

"I'll have to prepare for this but we should be ready in a couple of hours." He told them. "Do feel free to explore the Kamar-Taj, I'll find you when I'm ready."

Rogue and Clint nodded understandingly and rose from the table. They walked back outside into the courtyard and watched the people there laugh and talk as they walked away having finished their training for the day.

"Do you trust him?" Clint asked her.

Rogue shrugged. "I don't know but I'm willing to if it means getting rid of the damned bifrost." She said.

Clint nodded and sighed. "It's just a bit too convenient, isn't it? I mean all this time and now out of nowhere, he has the answers to your suffering."

Rogue caressed his face lovingly a warm smile on her lips. "You're worried sugar, I get it. I am too. So lets do what we do best. Get in trouble." She grinned.

Clint raised an eyebrow, a small smirk on his face. "What do you have in mind?"

"You're the super spy, let's go spy." She chuckled as she pulled him along by his hand.

Clint stopped suddenly.

"What is it?" She asked her smile falling a bit as she noticed the worried look on his face.

Clint looked at her hand in his a frown on his face. "Your hand… You're not pushing energy into me." He stated.

Rogue looked down at their entwined hands. She focused on her powers and gasped when nothing happened.

"What the hell…" She muttered shocked. Rogue took his face in her hands and focused on absorbing him instead.

"Clint it's not working! My powers aren't working." She stated worried.

Clint's eyes widened. "You don't think it's this place?" He questioned as he took her hands in his trying to comfort her.

Rogue shook her head. "No… Maybe it was Tony collar?" She guessed unsure.

Clint shrugged. "We'll deal with this when we get back home. Right now, let's not worry. Let's focus on the bifrost energy and exploring this place." He stated firmly.

Rogue nodded before leaning in to kiss him. Clint deepened it immediately and in that moment they completely forgot their worries.

Rogue pulled away breathlessly. "I think we should definitely take advantage of this and then go explore."

Clint grinned. "I like the way you think." He told her as he pulled her towards a building.

They ended up inside a large library whose only occupant was a large man loudly listening to Beyoncé on his iPod as he read a book. They easily avoided him and found a small abandoned section with books locked to the walls.

Rogue giggled excitedly as Clint reclaimed her lips, while his hands pushed her shirt over her head and down on the floor.

"I can't believe we're doing this." She whispered with a giggle.

Clint chuckled into the skin of her neck while Rogue desperately opened the buckle on his belt.

Rogue moaned when she felt his mouth move to her breast before moving further down her body, taking her pants with him.

She gasped and accidently knocked down a few books from the shelf behind her when she finally felt his mouth on her.

Rogue glanced down, her hands running through his hair and moaned when their eyes connected as Clint diligently worked his tongue on her.

She felt the curl in her stomach build, and Clint must have realized from her increasing gasps and moans. Rogue cursed him desperately when he pulled back grinning widely.

"Clint!" She gasped angrily as he stood but her anger was quickly turned into pleasure as he finally entered her.

He wrapped her legs around his hips and Rogue wrapped her arms around his neck, as he started moving furiously inside her.

Rogue knew she'd never grow tired of the feeling of Clint inside her. The way she felt full, stretched and completely content and loved.

She leaned in and kissed him deeply, their tongues fighting for dominance as he pushed into her and pulling her back down to meet every thrust.

The only sounds in the library was that of skin meeting skin, their quiet moans and gasps and the vague sound of Beyoncé singing in the other end of the library.

Rogue gasped out his name loudly as she came, running her nails down Clint's back with him quickly following her.

.

.

Rogue was staring contently at the sun setting behind the mountains in the distance with Clint sitting next to her on a bench in the courtyard.

After their thrust in the library they'd explored the different buildings and rooms and found nothing out of the ordinary or anything that gave off bad feeling.

In the end they'd settled down and enjoyed the silence and companionship happily.

"Everything is ready." Dr Strange said out of nowhere making them turn in surprise. "Follow me."

Rogue took a deep breath and managed a small smile for Clint. They were led into a simple room; it had a stone table where Rogue was told to sit on and relax.

"This is what's going to happen," Dr Strange said trying to calm the nervous tension in the air, "I'm going to chant a spell, place my hand on your chest and pull the bifrost energy from your body."

He showed them a small white rock that was attached to a necklace, "I'm going to push the energy into this rock that's been enchanted to hold the energy back and keep it from returning to your body."

Rogue nodded. "Sounds good, Doc."

Dr Strange smiled gently. "Ready?"

"Ready." She released a deep breath, while praying she was doing the right thing as she lay down on the uncomfortable stone table.

She heard him chant something in a language she didn't understand and soon she felt his hand pushing down one her chest.

Rogue felt the painful sensation of something, the bifrost energy, gathering into one giant energy ball in her chest and she couldn't breathe.

She was suffocating and she panicked.

Her arms were flailing about until Clint grabbed them and pushed them down.

The Dr Strange moved his hand from his chest and she felt the energy being ripped from her body.

The pain was unlike anything she'd ever experienced. Her screams were loud and she was sure they'd be heard in all of Kathmandu.

And suddenly, the sensation of her body being ripped to pieces stopped.

Rogue felt like she could breathe again.

Clint came into her line of vision and caressed her face lovingly.

"Is it done?" she rasped, her voice sore from her screaming.

Clint nodded and kissed her on her forehead lovingly. "Yeah." He helped her sit and Rogue watched Dr Strange place the necklace into a small wooden box.

"How are you feeling?" He asked her.

Rogue smiled. "Like I can breathe… and like my body is lighter somehow." She stated

Dr Strange nodded. "Good. I'd like for the two of you to stay here for the night. You might experience a bit of dizziness or nausea, and if you feel any discomfort at all let me now immediately." He informed her seriously.

Rogue nodded gratefully. "What's going to happen to the stone?" She asked curious.

"I will keep it for safekeeping here in the Kamar-Taj with the other ancient relic."

"Can't it be destroyed?" Clint asked, "I'm not sure having a powerful energy stone on earth is a good idea."

Dr Strange sighed. "The energy from the bifrost is, in its rawest form, infinite. There is no known way to destroy it."

Clint sighed. "Great, so the infinity stone stays here. Now can we get something to eat? 'Cause I'm starving." He stated as his stomach rumbled loudly.

Rogue giggled as she rubbed the green jade bracelet around her wrist and Dr Strange nodded. "Of course. Let me get this out of the way. I'll meet you in the courtyard."

Rogue and Clint walked out hand in hand both feeling happier and relieved.

"I think we did the right thing." Clint stated looking back at Dr Strange who left with the wooden box in hand.

Rogue nodded. "Yeah, me too." She sighed.

"What is it?" Clint asked her curious.

Rogue shook her head. "Nothing… I just feel like this isn't the last we've seen of the infinity stone. Things like that have a habit of stirring trouble, sugar."

Clint nodded in agreement. "You're right but until that happens; lets just enjoy life." He stated as he kissed her softly.

Rogue smiled brightly as they pulled back from each other. "Yeah, let's do that."

.

.

Clint and Rogue ended up spending a week in the Kamar-Taj, because Clint ended up kicking some guy's ass when he put the moves on Rogue who'd been very clear she wanted nothing to do with him.

Dr Strange had been so impressed with Clint's skills that he'd asked him to teach some of the young masters in training there.

She'd had phoned Tony the same day informing him that they'd gone on a small vacation.

Tony had snorted. "A small vacation? In Nepal? You and Clint? It would have been more believable if you told me you guys had eloped."

Rogue had laughed and told him to stop tracking their phones and informed him that they'd be back within a week.

She had beamed with pride when she'd watched from the side-lines as Clint taught. He was extremely passionate and motivated about teaching that she found herself wondering if he'd ever teach their children some day.

Because Rogue wanted children, always had, but with what she knew of his past she was uncertain if he'd ever want children again.

She sighed sadly as they walked hand in hand towards the tower. Clint didn't notice her conundrum, as he was still weirded out by the fact that they gone through one door in the Kamar-Taj and found them selves inside a mansion in New York the next.

They found everyone except Tony lounging in the common room watching a movie. Everyone froze and then jumped to their feet pulling them into hugs congratulating them, while Clint and Rogue stared at each other confused.

"What the hell is going on?" Clint asked still.

Pepper grinned widely. "I can't believe you guys did it! Though I'm a bit disappointed, I really wanted to be there and watch."

Rogue stared at the woman she'd come to see as a friend like she was an alien. "I'm gonna repeat Clint's question; What the hell is going on?"

Bruce noticed their confused looks. "Didn't you guys get married? Tony told everyone you eloped." He stated watching the horror on their faces grow.

"I'm going to castrate him." Rogue stated angrily as Clint nodded.

"We were away on a vacation! Nothing else happened! No one got married!" He exclaimed firmly.

Steve looked confused. "Then why did Tony tell us that?"

Natasha snorted and shook her head in disbelief. "Probably just to pull one over us."

Steve looked even more confused at her words.

Phil took pity on him and explained. "He just wanted to poke fun at us."

Steve nodded in realisation though a small frown was still on his face.

Pepper looked disappointed. "So no one got married. That's a let down."

Rogue chuckled. "Haven't you and Tony been engaged several times over the years?" She asked amused.

Pepper grinned. "We're not really into the whole marriage idea. We just use it as a cover with the media if something goes wrong or we need to cover something up."

Phil looked at her impressed. "You sure I can't convince you to work for SHIELD?"

Pepper shook her head. "Nope." She laughed.

Clint threw himself onto a couch. "So what are we watching?" he asked curiously.

Everyone but Rogue sat and listened to Bruce's plan to get Steve caught up on pop culture as they watched Star Wars.

Rogue shook her head and left to find Tony in his lab.

She knocked on the glass wall making him look up from the small blaster he was working on.

Tony grinned wickedly. "You're back! How was the honeymoon?" He teased.

Rogue chuckled and rolled her eyes at him before joining him at his table. "That was a horrible and awkward experience, don't ever do that to me again." She grinned.

Tony laughed. "I'm just getting back at you for back when you called me old man."

Rogue shook her head amusedly, "If that's still botherin' ya sugar, then you are too vain. Might wanna work on that instead of ya billion dollar suit." She grinned.

This time Tony rolled his eyes. "When you're as good-looking as me then there's nothing wrong with being vain. So, what can I do for you?" He asked looking at her curiously.

Rogue sighed and looked at him hesitantly. "I think there's something wrong with the power suppressing collar you made." She stated.

Tony frowned. "Why?"

"Because my powers are gone Tony." She admitted softly and slightly scared.

Tony's eyes widened before he ordered Jarvis to pull up the blueprints. "Are you sure?" He asked her worried.

Rogue nodded. "I've spent the last week trying, no forcing, myself to absorb Clint. It doesn't work." She said worried as she rubbed the jade bracelet around her wrist. It had become a subconscious and comforting reflex.

Tony sighed and rubbed his head as Jarvis scanned her. "At least this time you're not in my lab because you're dying. One of these days I'd like to have you down here just to help me or get a cup of coffee with me." He joked trying to lighten the mood.

Rogue chuckled. "We could do that but it wouldn't be as interesting as this." She joked, " I hope you know that I'm not blaming you or whatever and I'm not mad, Tony. Just concerned, okay." She stated seeing the worry in his eyes as he went over the blueprints.

He sighed. "If this is my fault then I'm blaming me. It's my invention."

Rogue placed a comforting hand on his shoulder before pulling him into a hug. "Look." She said when she pulled away again, "I'm not going to let you play the blame game here, Tony. Just look into it, okay? If it is faulty it's better to know now and if it isn't then it's something else causing this."

Tony nodded and Rogue squeezed his arm before leaving him in the Lab.

"Am I ever gonna catch a break?" She wondered as she walked into Clint and hers bedroom crashing on the bed.

"Probably not." She said and sighed.

...