Ch.
20 – Grief and Celebration
Xavier led an excellent memorial
service. Even Wolverine felt the loss
of Slim. Cable and Havok heard the
news, and came to pay their respects, to a father and brother. Xavier asked Jean and Slash to read the
eulogy. Jean did one coming from the
perspective of Cyclops' wife. When Jean
got done, Slash got up to express his friendship with Cyclops. He was dressed in his Navy dress whites,
complete with his Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, and Silver Star. He began slowly.
"I didn't know Scott that much. My introduction to him was shooting him with
my sniper rifle back in the Dismal Swamp." At this, everyone chuckled, and
lightened the mood a bit. "I won't deny
that there was tension between us. It
was a mutual tension. We were leaders
of equal caliber, and we butted heads." He stopped and made eye contact with each individual. "I know how Jean feels, to lose the one you
love. But we must move on; that is what
he would have wanted us to do. I think
he was glad just to get your former teammates Jubilee and Archangel. Scott and I were men of a similar breed: we both were willing to give our lives for
what we believed in. I am sad that he
was the first. But we should have the
same attitude that he had. Jean will
need us for the next few weeks. I know
I couldn't have made it without you all." Again he caught himself going on a tangent. "Scott Summers, you will be sorely missed." He walked over to the casket, and removed
his Silver Star from his uniform, and placed it on Scott's chest. He then pulled an American flag from behind
the casket. He gave it to Xavier and
saluted. Xavier went over to Jean, and
presented her with the flag. Slash
closed the casket and the service was over.
Everyone came up to Jean to console
her. Shadowcat went over to her
husband.
"You made him proud. You may think you were babbling about
nothing, but your words were so appropriate. Scott's probably is smiling down on us, proud to be your friend, despite
the rocky start between you two."
"Yeah. We just clashed because I intruded on what was primarily his
domain before. I was doing what I had
always been doing with the teams. Had
no idea that it would cause such stryfe between us." He kissed her on the forehead. Then he backed away with a look of surprise on his face.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"Nothing. I just felt the baby kick me."
"But it's only been ten weeks! How can this be?" Beast came over, overhearing the conversation.
"Since both parents are mutants, it
is more than likely a mutant baby, and the child may be growing at an unusually
accelerated rate. I don't believe it
will be too unusual of a pregnancy for you two. Come by the infirmary and I'll have a quick check on the progress
of the child." They were both
elated. Jean came over to them both.
"I think you two will be the first
to know too. I'm pregnant as
well." Shock filled Slash and
Shadowcat's faces. "Yes. I told Scott, and he wanted the child to
have a father that would be strong, and one ready to train the child in the
ways of Xavier's dream, not a crippled man who would never be a good role model
for the child."
"He did the right thing Jean. Well, looks like we're gonna have two births
in the next few months." Slash hugged
Jean, and Wolverine came over.
"Hey bub, don't squeeze the life out
of her." He stopped and looked at
them. "Why are you guys so perky?" Jean told him, and Wolverine became
ecstatic. So did everyone else.
Suddenly, Xavier again broke up the situation.
"Scott's death leaves a giant hole
in the makeup of our team. Though we
have gained back two members, we have lost a cornerstone of the team's
makeup. Scott led Gold Team, while Storm
was his second in command. However,
Scott was the leader of both teams. With his passing, I am forced to choose someone to take that role, to
lead not only their own team, but also the X-Men. On his deathbed, Scott told me that you Slash were his pick. Storm's seniority cannot be overlooked
either." Storm interrupted him.
"Cyclops played not only the role of
leader of the X-Men, but the tactical planner as well. Slash has proven himself in that capacity
with the rescue of Psylocke, and the others from the FOH. Scott can never fully be replaced, but I
move for Slash to take Scott's place as leader of the X-Men."
"Gambit tink so too."
"Yeah, I agree with the Cajun. He's got One Eye's tactical skills and my
ruthlessness. I think Squid here would make
the best replacement for Slim." Xavier
looked a Jean.
"What do you think Jean?" She thought for a second.
"I know Scott thought long and hard
about this decision. As Slash said in
the eulogy, none of us know when we are coming back. Our next mission may be our last. If Scott felt that Slash should take his spot as leader of the
X-Men, then I support my husband. He
has all of us to count on for experience, and he's proven he has tactical
planning abilities equal to Scott's. I
think he is the only choice, no hard feelings Storm."
"None taken Jean." Then Xavier nodded.
"Then Slash, on the advisement of
your teammates, I name you as head of the X-Recon and Gold Team: the
X-Men." Everyone cheered, and Slash
blushed.
"Thank you, thank you all for your
vote. As your new president…" Everyone
laughed at his joke.
Several months passed by. In the process, they had defeated Magneto
twice, and had a massive battle with Juggernaut. Slash had really matured when it came to the operation of the
X-Men. In fact, the team was running
better than when Cyclops had been there. But the impact Cyke had and what happened to him brought a new sense of
respect for the dangers they faced. When you lose a brother like that, it really hits home.
Jean grieved for a few weeks after
Scott had been buried in the cemetery by the lake. Then her feelings for Wolverine returned. Jean didn't want to marry after losing one
husband. She and Wolverine became
closer than ever, and they shared romantic feelings, but Wolverine respected
her decision not to have a deep relationship. He just wanted to help raise the child Jean was carrying.
One day, while Slash was out flying
the Blackbird with Gambit, Beast came with a frantic cry on the radio.
"Slash! Slash! Return to the Mansion immediately! Shadowcat has gone into labor." Slash turned the plane around tighter than
it had ever been U-turned before. He
punched the throttle and tried to coax more speed out of it.
"Come on…come on," Slash was saying.
"Eazey Mon ami. We get der soon enough." Slash wanted to get there five minutes
ago. Beast had kept them informed
during the entire pregnancy on how the baby was doing. They decided to let it be a surprise as to
if it was a boy or a girl. Now it was
time for him to be at his wife's side. Rogue would be alongside Shadowcat until Slash arrived. As the plane approached the mansion, the
automated landing program was about to engage. Slash quickly overrode the program, and the landing doors began to open.
"Gambit, can you take this bird back
to the hangar bay?"
"Gambit tink he can do dat."
"Then hang on tight!"
"Aren't you gonna slow down Mon
ami?"
"Shadowcat needs me." Slash pushed the plane recklessly into the
landing bay, and landed the plane at the edge of control. The plane squealed to a stop and Slash leapt
out. "I owe you one Remy!" He cried as he ran for the mansion. Gambit wanted to yell something back, but
simply smiled and turned the plane for the hangar. Slash arrived just in time. He reached the infirmary and found Rogue alongside Shadowcat and Beast
was telling her what to do.
"Come on Kate. Give me one more good push."
"AAAGH! I'm all tuckered out." Slash came on her right side. Rogue had her left hand.
"I'm here Kate. Sorry I'm late."
"You have a habit of doing that."
"You can do it! Beast said to give him one more push. Squeeze my hand. PUSH!" Shadowcat screamed
and clamped down on Slash's hand. He
screamed from the pain, the first time anyone had ever gotten this beast of a
man to scream. But it was all worth it.
"I have the child!" Shadowcat released her grip. Slash began to shake his hand out.
"Damn it woman! I think you broke my hand." Shadowcat was still trying to catch her
breath.
"You had it easy. Try dropping a basketball out your butt."
"Point taken." Beast tried not to drop the baby as he
laughed at her comment.
"Do you want to know what it
is?" They both answered in unison.
"YES!"
What's
it gonna be? Let me hear some of your
ideas.