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Ch. 15 – Priorities

Slash awoke, but not in the same sense as he would physically. He seemed he was hovering over his own body, watching Beast performing surgery and Shadowcat was helping him. He tried to talk to them, but he could not. He suddenly saw that scene disappear. It now appeared that he was in some kind of tunnel, and a light appeared. He began "walking" toward the tunnel. Someone was coming towards him. As he got closer and closer to it, he saw that the figure was his own wife.

"ERIN!" He cried. "It's good to see you again." She approached him, and took his hand.

"Matt…it is not your time yet. You have to go back." She turned away from him.

"WAIT!" He called after her. She stopped and turned to face him. "I have a dilemma. I've fallen for another woman, yet I feel so uncomfortable. What do I do?"

"What were our vows? 'Til death do us part.' You've been a wonderful husband Matt. You have a woman who needs you, and it's not me anymore…" She turned and kept walking back to the light. Slash pondered her words, and then the scene returned to the surgical ward. Then it all disappeared again.

Slash awoke after the operation was done.

"BEAST! He's awake!" Cried an excited Shadowcat. Beast hurried over to his side.

"How do you feel my friend?" Slash just looked around for a second.

"I feel…I feel…better than I did earlier."

"We had to put you back together. You're in here for at least a month solid. You lost seven pints of blood, had several organs damaged, and that stun ray the Sentinels used still had a lingering effect on you. I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Now, rest."

"Beast, may I at least say one thing to Shadowcat before I rest?"

"Of course!" Slash turned to her, and took her hand.

"I know this may be a bit…unconventional, and I don't have the most vital element, but Kathryn Pride, it would be my honor and priviledge to call you my wife. Will you marry me?" This was the most surprised X-Man in the entire mansion. She stood, and cried, and then responded.

"Yes, I will." Beast was overjoyed and ran out to spread the news. Shadowcat was still in a state of shock.

"Is this OK with Erin?" She asked.

"You promise not to tell anyone?"

"Promise." He then went into detailed length at what had happened earlier and what he saw. "Now, please don't think I'm some looney. I'm not even sure if it was real or not." Suddenly, it was as if the floodgates of the X-Men let loose. Gambit was the first to congratulate him.

"Well Mon ami! Congratulations! You an' Kate make a perfect couple." He turned and saw Rogue glaring at him. "Sorry chere. Next perfect couple." He came over to Rogue and stroked her hair. Wolverine was next. He drew a claw.

"You'd better make her happy. If you don't I don't want to find out about it bub." Then he withdrew his claw, and got close to his ear. "I mentored her. I can't image anyone better for her." He backed up. "I'm proud of you. You're like the brother I never had." He smiled and stepped back. Storm was next.

"I could see this one coming as soon as we rescued Shadowcat from the clutches of the FOH. It was only a matter of time. I feel great joy for you two. Congratulations." Psylocke was next.

"I never really was attracted to you for your looks, but I will never forget what you did for us at that FOH camp. I owe you my freedom. I'm so proud for you two." She leaned down, and gently kissed Slash on the cheek. Shadowcat at first growled, but then hugged Psylocke. Nightcrawler was next.

"Wonderbar! I vant to tank you Slash for freeing us from Herr Sinister and das FOH. You and Kitty vill make a vonderful mann und frau. Gott bless!" Nightcrawler kissed Shadowcat on the cheek. This time Slash was the one who was suppose to be upset, but he just laughed like all the rest. Morph just said thank you and congratulations. Jean and Cyclops both came up.

"We know this has been a tough time since you came. We are very proud of you both." Jean squeezed Slash's hand, and turned and hugged Shadowcat. Cyclops looked to be fumbling for words. "Now you get to do it again. We're proud of you and what you've done for the team." "Thanks Cyke." Xavier came and took both of their hands.

"It pleases me that you Slash have decided to take Shadowcat to be your wife. You have come through much, and survived much." That got a chuckle out of everyone. "Congratulations. Now comes the preparation. Don't worry about a thing. As soon as you're back on your feet, we will have this all done for you." Beast came over last.

"Since the dawn of time, the most cherished of all honors is to wed a man and a woman. It is a joyous gift, one to be cherished and savored. It is a wonderful decision you two have made."

A month later, Lieutenant Matthew Kerns was wearing his formal Naval uniform, complete with sword, at the front of the chapel in the X-Mansion. His best man was Wolverine, and his groomsmen were Gambit and Beast. They were in dress uniforms much like Slash. In fact every man, including Nightcrawler, Morph and Cyclops were in a dress uniform, complete with sword. Slash's first wedding was a military wedding, so they decided to have the second be similar, but be an X-Men wedding. They were drilled in the ways of naval tradition, but they were to put a spin on it. Shadowcat's maid of honor was Rogue, and her bridesmaids were Jean and Psylocke. Slash had contacted a Navy chaplain who knew he was a mutant. He got the chaplain to come up from Virginia to perform the ceremony.

The organ started playing. It was a small ceremony. Cyclops escorted Shadowcat up the aisle to the waiting chaplain and former Navy lieutenant. It had proceeded entirely as planned.

"Do you, Kathryn Pryde, take this man, Matthew Kerns, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live? If so, say, I do."

"I do." The chaplain turned to Matt.

"Do you, Matthew Kerns, take this woman, Kathryn Pryde, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live? If so, say, I do."

"I…" He paused. He could see the face of his former wife Erin in his mind. She was nodding her head. "I do."

"By the power vested in me by the United States Navy, I now declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." Matt raised her veil, and kissed his new wife. The guests left to proceed outside. As soon as they were outside, Wolverine spoke up.

"X-Men attention!" Nightcrawler, Cyclops, Beast, Morph, and Gambit all snapped to attention. "Detail…form lines!" Wolverine took the head of his line, followed by Gambit and Morph. Cyclops lead the other line, followed by Nightcrawler and Beast. "Detail…forward March!" They marched down the aisle spaced out about three feet from each other. "Detail halt!" They stopped with precision. Xavier muttered, "How fine they look." "Detail…draw arms!" Each X-Man unsheathed his sword. "Detail…present arms!" Each X-Men crossed swords with the other across from him, as per naval tradition. Slash and Shadowcat both knew this was their cue to proceed down the "arched" way. As they got to the second man in line, Wolverine cried, "Presenting Lieutentant and Mrs. Matthew Kerns!" Everyone cheered. But Matt regretted to inform Kate of the best man's obligation at a naval wedding. As the happy couple passed Cyke and Wolverine, Wolverine broke his arch with Cyke and smacked Shadowcat in the rear with the flat edge of his sword.

"Ow!" Shadowcat cried. "Welcome to the X-Men." Were the words from Wolverine, modified from a traditional Navy wedding. "Detail…dismissed!" With that, the celebration began.

Aww, that was precious! Hope you liked it. But stick around. More to come with the Slash and the X-Men. Leave some words of encouragement to this struggling writer.