The end chapter of this story. I don't know if I'll continue the series or try something else :-)
It wasn't until a few days after the attack on New York City when Thor and Loki had left, that Marie was told of Phil Coulson's death.
Marie's heart broke at the news.
She'd called Clint to hear if he wanted to join her and Steve for dinner, and told him that she was planning on inviting Coulson and everybody else too.
"Marie hasn't anybody told you yet?" Clint asked her, his sadness betraying his voice.
"Told me what Clint?" Marie asked him and frowned.
"Coulson died in the attack on the hellicarrier." He said softly and Marie froze.
"What?" she asked not wanting to have heard him correctly.
A sigh was heard from Clint on the other side. "It's true Marie. He's gone."
Marie shook her head in denial but knew Clint would never lie to her about this. "When…" She cleared her throat. "When's the funeral?" Marie asked trying to keep herself composed.
"We don't know yet. Something isn't adding up in S.H.I.E.L.D. Fury had Phil's body transported somewhere else due to security concerns. Whatever security concerns a dead man can cause I don't know. Nat and I are working on locating his body. He deserves a funeral at least." Clint finished firmly.
"Let me now when you find him or if you need help. And I still expect to see you at dinner on Tuesday." Marie finished firmly.
"You know you can count on me doc." Clint finished trying to lighten the mood a bit.
Marie smiled sadly and responded with an "I do." And hung up the phone.
Marie sighed. "Even when we win we lose." She thought. Her thoughts had lingered on the memories of the time she'd shared with Phil.
Marie's heart had felt heavy then. It still did today.
Marie stared at the document in front of her on the table.
Resignation notice the title read in black bold letters.
She left her apartment and made her way to the institute. She hadn't returned to the school since she gone to join the avengers fight for New York.
That was ten days ago.
When she finally arrived she hesitated not wanting to leave the car.
Marie rubbed her hands on her face in desperation before getting out. The institute was as always pulsating with life, children running around chattering excitedly. She couldn't help but think she was making a mistake before she shook her head. It had to be done. It was safer for every one.
Despite the surprisingly warm fall weather outside Marie had covered op completely. She wore jeans, boots and a black long-sleeved shirt.
Marie stopped before the massive double doors at the entrance. She lifted the sleeve of her left arm.
Marie winced at the sight and the pain she felt. Along her arm three Egyptian hieroglyphs had been carved into her skin. They still bled even after she'd gauzed them and cleaned them this morning.
The hieroglyphs had started appearing three days ago.
Steve was busy on the helicarrier dealing with the aftermath of the battle and had left her unwilling alone in their apartment.
Each night she'd dreamt she was being held inside an Egyptian tomb and a figure stood above her menacingly. The figure secured her to the stone plate and then started carving into her flesh harshly.
Marie had woken up screaming in the middle of the night for the first time in her life. It had continued the following nights.
Every time she woke up a new hieroglyph had been carved and bled from her arm.
Marie rolled down her sleeve again. She entered the school and quickly made her way to the professor's office.
The professor was happily surprised to see her but his eyes quickly became concerned. Anyone could clearly see that Marie looked like death herself. Her skin was a sickly pale hue, there were purple bags under her eyes and with every step she took it was clear that she struggling to hold back a wince.
"Rogue." He rolled towards her. "Are you well?" the professor asked her concerned.
Marie sat on a chair in front of his desk slightly turned towards him. "I'm fine." She said curtly. "I'm here to give you my official resignation." Marie handed him the paper she brought.
The professor look perplexed at the paper.
"May I ask why? I hope that the incident with Jean is not the cause of this. You are and always be a respected and accepted part of this establishment." He told her firmly.
Marie shook her head lightly.
"I appreciate it but that's not why." Marie unconsciously cradled her injured arm.
The professor noticed this but said nothing.
Marie sighed. "Something has come up. My life has changed; I'm engaged now and I… Well I'm pregnant." She admitted.
And it was the truth.
"But that won't last very long if this continues." She thought angrily and glared at her arm.
The professor caught the stray thought and wondered what she meant.
"Congratulations. But I still don't see how that affects your ability to work here. Unless you do not feel like working here anymore?" The professor asked her worried.
Marie smiled at him sadly. "No, believe me, I never thought I would love my work here as much as I do. And if I could I would stay. But…" Marie hesitated.
She could confide in about the dreams and the wounds. She knew he would do everything in his power to help anyone who needed it.
"It's because I love this place, the children and instructors here that I'm leaving. Something happened after the Incident with Jean and I need to know everyone is safe." She admitted.
The professor folded his hands and lifted an eyebrow. "What happened?" he asked her cautiously.
Marie looked the professor straight in the eye. "You have to promise not to tell anyone. Ever. Not Hank, not Logan, Not Ororo. No one." The professor nodded.
Marie took a deep breath before allowing him to see her nightmares in her mind.
Once outside again he shook his head. "I don't understand." He admitted to Marie. The professor couldn't see what these dream had to do with anything. Marie lifted her left sleeve again revealing the carvings to the professor.
"My God." He exclaimed slowly in shock.
The professor took Marie's arm in his hand and inspected the still bleeding wounds. "Rogue did… did you do this?" He had to ask her.
Marie shook her head in denial. "No. When I wake up they're just there." She replied sadly. "This is…" the professor began but didn't know what to say.
"That's why. I'm going away for some time to research this and find out what's causing it."
The professor nodded. "I will help you however you need." Marie thanked him.
"Is Jean here? I'd like to talk to her." Marie asked him.
The professor nodded "In the garden."
Marie rose and began walking when the professor called out to her. "We are here for you Rogue. Do not ever hesitate in asking for help. You are one of our own. Always." Marie smiled at him before continuing outside.
Marie found Jean in a moment of solitude sitting on a bench. Her eyes were closed as she bathed in the sun. Marie cleared her throat before she sat down next to Jean.
"Rogue." Jean replied happily. "I'm glad you are okay." She told Marie.
"I'm glad you're not dead." Marie replied and the two women smiled at each other.
"I owe you my life. I don't know what you did or how you did it but thank you." Jean emotionally told the younger woman.
Marie nodded. "Can I ask you something?" She asked Jean and the other woman replied with an "Of course."
Marie took a deep breath. "Before the Phoenix took over completely… Did you… Did you ever get visions?" Marie asked carefully.
Jean looked at her oddly. "Like hallucinations? No." Jean answered.
Marie shook her head. "No like… I don't know… Like premonitions; visions of the past or future?"
Jean looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Not that I remember. The only thing I remember was the feeling of complete fury burning me from the inside out blinding me. Why do you ask?" she replied.
Marie shook her head again. "Nothing. It was just something the Phoenix showed me when it was in my head. Just needed to be sure it wasn't anything real." Marie rose from the bench and Jean rose with her.
"Thank you for your time." Marie told her and Jean replied with a heartfelt. "No, thank you."
Marie left Jean in the garden where she'd found her. She prayed she didn't run into anyone else on the way to the garage and today lady luck was on her side.
She left the car keys to her beloved Camaro with the other keys and sighed. She flew away from the institute slowly only turning around once seeing the professor watching her from his office window.
When Marie entered their apartment she knew what she had to do.
"I have to make a plan this time. No working on my own." Marie thought as she looked at the ring on her finger and then clutched her stomach.
"This is just the beginning." Marie grabbed her laptop and started to research.
Not before long Steve walked into the apartment he came up behind and kissed her neck. "Are we going on a vacation?" He asked seeing her buying two plane tickets.
Marie kissed him. "Something like that." She said simply.
The end.
I hope you guys enjoyed the story.