Title: Two's Company

Rating: PG-13 i think... please let me know if its not... will be rated for language.

Summary: You know how the saying goes "Two's company..." well Rogue is about to find out just how true that old saying can be. mostly S/R, some hinted W/R Disclaimer: I don't own any of the X-Men... they belong to Marvel

flashbacks telepathic thoughts/speech ' thoughts

Scott stalked the length of the lab whilst Hank looked after Marie. With each step he took he could feel the guilt start to compound in his chest. It was beating against his lungs like some turbulent tribal drum.

'This is my fault, I shouldn't have snuck up on her like that' he thought.

Scott stopped abruptly and jerked his head towards the door at the slight iwhoosh/i of the door opening. He ambushed Hank as he strode through the door and demanded he tell him every detail of Marie's condition.

"She's fine, just a few small cuts, the gloves prevented any serious injury from the glass" Hank explained calmly. He looked at Scott through gentle eyes, seeing the man visibly relax. Then he tensed again

"But, but why did she faint? I mean if there's no major damage then why would she faint? She fainted Hank, people don't faint for no reason!" Scott exasperated.

"Well, I'm not sure. There are many explanations that would cause someone to faint. And even more in Marie's condition. A simple explanation could be the fright you gave her and the fright of breaking a vase, might I add a most beautiful vase, through just the strength in one hand combined was a little too much for the poor girl to handle." Hank explained

"She's no poor girl Hank" Scott responded

"Of course, no offence intended believe me" Hank reasoned as Scott made his way to the medi lab door. "Yes, you may see her now" he trailed off.

Marie awoke to see Hank's big blue arm over her. "Huh? What… Um" she mumbled

"Just relax my dear," his gentle voice said "You're in good health, you just gave us a little scare there. Especially, might I add, Scott." he chuckled.

"Scott? Where is he? I didn't mean to…" she started

"It's alright my dear, he right outside waiting for me to finish" he cut her off.

Marie visibly relaxed, but tensed again as her brain clicked into gear.

"I broke the vase, with just my hand. I was holding it and Scott startled me and all I did was tighten my grip! I didn't mean to! It just broke…Oh, Hank it was that beautiful vase you gave me for my last birthday. I loved that vase! I really did!" Marie rambled.

"Now, now my dear, please do not fret. I can get you another vase. You must relax. I want to run a few more tests to try and see why you fainted." Hank explained calmly.

"Carol." Marie said.

"I'm sorry my dear?" Hank questioned.

"It's her… I mean it's her powers, I can feel them." Maire whispered.

"Yes, I thought as much too, but I would still like to conduct the tests. Just to be sure." Hank looked to Maire.

"Yea, sure that's fine" Marie agreed.

"I must go and speak with Scott now my dear, I'm afraid he'll wear my floors thin if he doesn't hear anything soon, or worse throw something. I'm still counting the losses of Logan's last unforgiving assault." Hank said as he moved toward and through the doors.

Marie looked up at the dull, grey ceiling and tried to quieten her mind. It was very chaotic in there at this minute. All sorts of uproar as everyone in her head tried to have their say. Eric voiced his aversion for the new commotion that Carol's powers seemed to have caused. Logan stalked around yelling at everyone to quieten down, in the process, making matters worse.

And then there was silence. Marie closed her eyes and open them only to be standing in the middle of a field, watching the violet sunset behind a luscious green hill. She turned around and there was a beautiful woman dressed in a flowing blue dress standing behind her. She looked distantly familiar.

"Carol." she said.

"Marie." the woman replied.

"What?…" Marie stammered.

"You're going to have to choose Marie, you can not have both. It simply doesn't work that way." Carol stated.

"What? My powers? I have to choose between ours or my own powers?" Marie exclaimed.

"No, not the powers. Those you will have to learn how to deal with. I gave my powers to you for a reason Marie. You're going to need them and you're going to have to learn how to control them." Carol settled.

"I cut my hand," Marie mumbled, looking down and seeing only her creamy white palm glaring back at her. "What do I have to choose from then?" Marie looked up.

"You have to find out for yourself." Carol replied.

"Well, then what's the point in bringing me here then?" Marie asked, frustrated.

Carol simply smiled.

Marie closed her eyes to calm herself and opened them to find herself back in the medi lab. She looked about the room and turned to the doors just in time to see Scott come striding through them.

"I'm so sorry Marie" he gushed.

"Shhhh… I'm fine! It wasn't your fault anyway! And don't be thinking that it was!" Maire scolded.

Marie looked past Scott and wondered what Carol had meant. Choose between what?

Logan slammed on the brakes as he saw a dear frozen in fear in the headlights. He looked into the dear's eyes and stilled.

The dear blinked and moved to the side of the road.

Something in Logan snapped.

He revved the engine and threw a U-turn.

Something wasn't right.

A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, I just moved and one would think that getting an internet connection would be a simple thing right?

A bit longer than usual and I haven't got any clue if dear's can really blink! Please review!