A.N.: Well, we have arrived at the end of our tale. Many heartfelt thanks go out to those who've taken time out of their busy days (and nights) to leave reviews. Not only have they helped shape this story, encouraged and inspired this writer, and helped me to hone my writing now and hopefully in the future, but they have made me smile and sometimes laugh and really brightened my days. I appreciate all of y'all and those readers who didn't have time to review as seeing the hits this story has received really helps build me up and inspires me in unexpected ways.
What a great ride this has been. I hope to see all of you when I post my next story.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I'm just having fun with the possibilities they hold.
John slept long and hard, not rising until after lunch the following day. When he did finally awaken, he discovered himself resting comfortably in Marie's soft bed, the covers mounded all around him and no sign of her to be seen. He rubbed both hands over his face trying to jolt himself fully alert. Shaking his head to finalize the process of bringing himself to full consciousness, John caught sight of the clock on her dresser. Blinking rapidly at the digital numbers glowing out at him, he was stunned at the late hour. He found his shoes near the foot of the bed, neatly arranged side by side by Marie, and pulled them on before making his way out the door and downstairs to seek out coffee and his girl.
He smiled at locating both at once. Marie beamed at him from her regular seat at the table, one steaming mug in her tiny hands and another waiting for him in front of the chair where he usually sat during their morning ritual. John crossed and casually positioned himself across from his favorite person. When her little sock-clad feet rubbed his leg as she positioned them on the edge of his chair, he let one hand drop from his coffee cup to curl around their dainty warmth, his thumb rubbing against the ball of her foot unconsciously. "So, tell me… what kinds of things do people say around the new kid?"
She giggled at the reminder of their early days sitting together this way. "Huh-uh Sparky…" she teased. "I provided the grounds, now you're obligated to provide the gossip." She winked and waited to hear his response.
He leaned back, faking contemplation before smirking and stating, "Okay. I've got something pretty good. There's this guy… well, everyone thinks he's trouble and kind of a loser, but the prof's offered him a pretty sweet deal. He's thinking that if it's what this girl, who for reasons no one understands actually seems to like him, if it's what she wants to do then he's thinking he'll jump at the chance. That's all I know on that one for now, though. So what do you think?"
Her breath caught as he spoke and she knew what he was really saying. "Really Johnny? It's really what you want? I don't want you to do this just because you think it's what I want. You'll only hate me for it later and I couldn't stand seeing bitterness or resentment when you look at me."
He dropped the pretense and leaned forward, his eyes burning with deep intensity. "Marie, I could never, never hate you or resent you. Do you hear me? It couldn't happen. I thought you knew that."
Tears welled up in her big doe eyes and she studied him closely before whispering so softly even Logan would have trouble hearing her if he were in the room, "Johnny? I love you, sugar. I love you so much."
John was across the table, spilling the coffee without care or concern and kissing her passionately in mere seconds. Rogue's absorption barely kicked in until the sound of a throat being cleared penetrated their minds and then it drew on him with a vengeance. He slid into his seat when she shoved him away from her, desperate to keep him safe. "Is it safe to assume the two of you have reached some agreement, then?"
Once John could breathe more easily he turned towards the doorway where the professor sat in his wheelchair, flanked by both Jean and 'Ro. "Go ahead and read my mind, prof," he invited.
Both he and Jean slipped into John's surface thoughts and received their answer and then some. The professor steepled his fingers under his chin and gave one of his enigmatic almost-smiles. Jean grinned at Rogue. She literally grinned, something the younger girl had never really seen on the serious doctor's face before. All Xavier said was, "Very well. Thank you both. We are most pleased by your acceptance."
Jean just kept smiling hugely at the young pair, which was starting to not just confuse, but slightly freak out Rogue.
Five Years Later
The professor smiled on as he watched his students, new and old, enjoy the celebration which was bringing so much joy. He pondered the changes which had occurred with time in their lives. Siryn was now a quiet, confident young woman who spoke regularly on mutant rights all over the world. Jean and Scott were expecting their second child. Their little girl had her mother's beauty and her father's love of order and rules. He spied Jubilee and Peter talking and was glad to see their past attempts at romance had not damaged the friendship that had always been at the foundation of it all. Their serial break-ups had been hard on both young people and it was a relief to all when they both finally accepted they were simply better in a platonic relationship with each other.
Kitty walked by and he saw that the air of sadness was still there in her eyes. She'd never quite regained her innocent vivacity after Artie's death. Those who'd attacked him so suddenly hadn't even known he was a mutant. They'd simply seen that he was mute and assumed he'd be a good mark for their thievery. After witnessing them beating poor Artie literally to his death, she'd never been the same. Charles only hoped that someday she would allow her heart to open up again. When she realized she would always love Artie and he'd always have his place in her heart, but she had more love to give to someone else the professor knew she would have no trouble finding volunteers. Her mournful beauty was admired wherever she went.
Then his eyes fell on Ororo and Kurt. The pair was still skirting their attraction after all these years. It had become quite entertaining for the residents of the Institute. When his glance strayed over the natural beauty of the young woman with the bi-colored hair, his whole face softened with affection. She may never realize it, but young Rogue was Charles' inspiration. She helped him continue to fight the good fight without ceasing. She was the embodiment of his hopes and dreams for mutant kind. And right now, she had the most charming flush spreading over her face.
Marie looked over at John where he stood with a bunch of the guys across the room. He instantly turned her way and she couldn't hold back her blush at his heated expression. She swung her head slightly down to hide her heated cheeks, but knew he'd seen her reaction… knew he'd loved getting a rise out of her. The downward tilt of her head brought her eyes to the glimmer of the unusual ring on her finger. It was simple, but lovely. It wasn't traditional, but was classic. The clear light-colored amethyst was flanked by tiny diamond clusters which were surrounded by the bead-style band that encircled the remainder of her third left finger. She'd learned that this particular amethyst was called a 'Rose de France' amethyst. All she knew was that it was beautiful and John had picked it out himself saying it reminded him of her… slightly different but sweet and pure and beautiful. Nothing could hold back the smile that spread over her full lips.
She never thought she'd be this happy. The school was growing every semester and the cause was becoming wider spread all the time. With the incredible surge of mutant births, the halting of Magneto's radicalism which had now been channeled into a fervor for more productive handling of mutant/non-mutant relations, and the exposure not only of the problems with the 'cure' but the revelation of several government programs hostile towards mutants the tide was slowly shifting. Someday they may not need to hide any more. It looked far more promising than most had ever hoped for.
She was now a teacher for Xavier's Institute and a full-fledged X-Man. She'd even figured out some things about her 'gift' and was getting more control than even the professor had believed possible. Feeling a firm, hot hand encircling her waist, she smiled a tiny bit. It was the hand of someone who'd never doubted her ability to gain control. "Hey, darlin'. Wanna give this old man a thrill and dance with me?"
"There's nothing I'd rather do right now, Logan." He drew her onto the area cleared for dancing and pulled her near. His familiar scent filled her nostrils evoking the comfort and incredible closeness they'd always shared. Neither spoke as he led her gracefully around the perimeter. They didn't need words. They never had. He couldn't believe his little Marie was now grown up and that he'd led her down the aisle just a few hours earlier. It seemed like only days ago that he'd flipped back the tattered edge of his plastic tarp to find her grungy form huddled in his trailer bed. And now look at her… all beautiful and elegant… and married. He held her even tighter and breathed in her unique aroma. While he knew they'd always share a unique and treasured bond, he was very aware that it would never be quite the same again. She'd long belonged to another, but now it was official. He was going to miss her in a lot of ways.
Knowing this emotional crap was going to have him breaking down soon, he was thankful when little Marie's husband… her husband – the term was still shocking… cut in on their dance. Logan graciously handed her off and watched them spin away with a swirl of her silky dress. He knew that the boy loved her more than life and that was why he'd tried to go a little easy on him when they'd talked that morning. There was no way he wasn't going to have some kind of chat with the little punk, though. After all, this was the kid that boy had conned into marrying him and there were definite ground rules that had to be followed. Once he'd been certain they had an understanding, though, he'd let it go. Now he moved to stand in a shadowed corner, studying his little girl's face.
John spun Marie into his chest and held her tight as they moved across the floor, ignoring everyone and everything else. This wasn't about any of them… it was just Johnny and Marie and their commitment to one another. He remembered that day… the day he'd told her he wanted to stay here. It was the day he'd let Xavier and Jean into his head. The day he'd shown them that this was his goal. Marrying Marie, making it official that it was his job to cherish her and protect her, was a huge part of what he was working towards. And he'd done it. He'd also become one of the leaders of the X-Men, a co-trainer with Logan of the younger recruits, and even a teacher here. But being Marie's husband was the most important accomplishment of all.
"Are we done here?" he muttered against her ear, making her giggle. It still gave him a little rush to this day to hear that lilting sound.
"Johnny," she chided with quiet humor, "surely we shouldn't leave yet! Don't you think we should wait longer?"
He leaned down to growl against her soft neck. "No, baby, I don't. I think we'd better leave now." As he began caressing the milky column of her neck with his lips, she shuddered in reaction. Her breathing picked up and he felt the rise of her pulse rate under his ministering mouth. Smiling against her soft skin, he chuckled and let his tongue sneak out to taste her sweetness. Her tiny gasp had him growling low in his throat against her shoulder, bared by the neckline of her gown. "Let's go, baby," he rumbled.
Others had started dancing and they found it easier to slip away unnoticed than they'd thought it would be. Only Logan, Charles, and Jean knew they'd gone. When it was time to cut the cake, everyone looked around them for the couple being honored today. No matter where they checked, however, John and Rogue were nowhere to be found. Finally Logan cleared his throat and declared, "Just slice the thing and get the sugar in your guts. They're busy."
Although the awkward feeling hung in the air, no one was foolish enough to balk at what Wolverine told them to do. Meanwhile John was making short work of demonstrating to Marie how deeply he cared about her. He still didn't say the words, but they both knew he showed her every day his love for his 'baby'. He cherished her more than most had ever thought he was capable of feeling, but none ever doubted his sincerity. Holding her in his arms this way, John was blown away by the intense feeling of satisfaction, of rightness, of… happy content. Knowing they were each others, that they'd give one another possession over a part of their soul, filled him far more completely than he'd every contemplated. This, he knew, would be the greatest accomplishment of his life.
"Ah love ya' so much, Johnny…" she breathed. Her eyes were closed and she let her expression reveal everything coursing through her, every wonder-filled and passionate feeling and sensation, at that moment.
See how raw and exposed and genuine she was right then, John couldn't help himself. Cradling her face between his palms and lowered his face until their lips were so close a breath couldn't come between them he finally declared, "Baby, I love you more than you'll ever know and nothing in this world will ever change that." Before she could react his lips were on hers and words were the farthest thing from either mind.