This is Chapter 7 of my X-Men Story that takes place in the X-Men Animated Series Universe and my own few additions. Hope you enjoy. And do go back and check out the previous chapters first if you missed them.
FADE IN:
TITLE CARD: "RELATIONSHIPS"
SCENE: "RECAP"; INFIRMARY OF THE X-MANSION.
Emma Frost is recovering in the infirmary of the X-Mansion and is being watched over by Jean Grey and Cyclops. Quantum sits in a chair to her right.
EMMA FROST
That was an odd moment, back there. That Bison character is incredibly strong.
A quick flashback is shown of the X-Men's encounter with the devious M. Bison.
QUANTUM
Well, he did catch you off guard and he had you strapped to a power suppressor, so you could not use your abilities against him.
EMMA FROST
I guess that is true. But still I haven't felt that powerless since before my powers manifested.
QUANTUM
I can only imagine. You are always in control laughs.
CYCLOPS
Still, it was lucky Rogue had seen that warehouse before.
JEAN GREY
Yes, if it wasn't for that, we may have never found you Emma.
QUANTUM
I really feel the need to do something special for Rogue. I mean, she was the first one to embrace Emma into the X-Men and the first to fully accept our relationship. But what can I do to show that? … I need to go think for a bit. You rest up Emma, okay? And Jean, make sure she stays in that bed for at least the rest of the day.
Jean nods approvingly and Emma rolls her eyes.
EMMA FROST
(Sarcastically)
Oh, would you just go already. How can I rest with all of you yapping about?
Quantum chuckles and then takes his leave. Jean and Cyclops also leave but stay just outside to monitor Emma through the cameras.
END SCENE
SCENE: "PETER AND KITTY"; COLOSSUS'S ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE X-MANSION. LATER THAT DAY
Kitty Pryde (Shadowcat) walks into her "former" boyfriend's room in the X-Mansion.
COLOSSUS
Kitty! You've recovered!
SHADOWCAT
You don't need to worry about me ya big lug.
COLOSSUS
Da. It has been so long. I am so very happy you are alright.
SHADOWCAT
Yeah, but now that I am back. What is the deal with us?
COLOSSUS
What does this mean: deal with us?
SHADOWCAT
I mean our relationship. Before that whole Breakworld and giant missile thing, we had a pretty good relationship going.
COLOSSUS
Da. But I don't see point that you are making.
SHADOWCAT
I mean I was gone for three years! I am nervous to just pick back up where I left off. I mean so much has changed and I'm sure you thought I was dead. I mean you must have found another girlfriend.
COLOSSUS
NO! I could never do that to you Kitty. No matter what happens, you are (how do you say) the only woman for me.
Wolverine is walking by the room as he hears the conversation.
WOLVERINE
He's telling ya the truth, kid. He's had plenty of opportunities to be unfaithful to ya, but he never did.
SHADOWCAT
(Crying and lovingly)
Ya big lug! You really do love me don't you!
COLOSSUS
Yes, Kitty! With ALL my hea…
Before Colossus can even finish his sentence, Kitty embraces him, and they make out. Wolverine looks on somewhat disapprovingly as he is very protective of Kitty. She looks at him like another father and Wolverine sees her like somewhat of a daughter.
WOLVERINE
(Whispered to himself)
Well, Colossus is a great guy. Kitty deserves to be happy. I shouldn't be so overprotective… I can't believe I just said that…
JUBILEE
(From down the hall)
Come on Wolverine! You promised to help me with my Danger Room training!
Wolverine looks down the hall to see Jubilee waiting for him. He quietly closes the door.
WOLVERINE
Sure thing, kid.
END SCENE
SCENE: "IDEA FOR A GIFT"; BEAST'S LAB IN THE X-MANSION, A FEW WEEKS LATER.
Quantum and Beast are discussing their research over the past few weeks in Beast's lab.
BEAST
This is a most unique concept you have come up with.
QUANTUM
I know Hank but I really felt like I owed something to Rogue after the way she saved Emma a few weeks ago. I appreciate all the help you have given me as well.
BEAST
You are quite welcome, my friend. Let us just hope we are correct in our findings.
At this moment Rogue, being led by a now recovered Emma Frost, enters the lab.
ROGUE
What's all the fuss about in here? Emma says y'all have something to show me.
BEAST
Indeed, we do Rogue. After researching a few days and making some improvements we have come up with a most unique invention.
ROGUE
Well, that's good and all Beast but, uh, what does this all have to do with me?
QUANTUM
Well, this device we've created is for you. I came up with the idea when I was looking for a way to thank you for the way you saved Emma a few weeks ago.
ROGUE
Really? Y'all don't have to do that for me. I was doing what any X-Man would.
QUANTUM
I get that but I think you'll be really into this. We wanted to tell you first. This concerns Gambit too; but we did not want to get his hopes up if you were against it.
ROGUE
All right then. What's this thing do?
QUANTUM
We have realized that the energy Gambit uses for his kinetic energy attacks resonates on a unique and specific frequency. We also took the MRI of your brain that Hank had from our last run-in with the Sentinels…
ROGUE
That smarted a lot. Concussions are no fun.
BEAST
That they are not; however, what we are trying to say is that we realized your brain has an interesting anomaly in your hypothalamus.
ROGUE
Hypo-what?
QUANTUM
Hypothalamus. It is the part of the brain that controls fear, hormones, and more importantly for this conversation: the regulation of calorie and energy intake from food. We realized that your hypothalamus has a unique zone in it that we believe controls your automatic power absorption abilities.
ROGUE
Really? Does that mean you can reverse my mutation? Can you make it, so I don't absorb people's energy?
BEAST
Not precisely.
QUANTUM
But we do believe that with the way we programed this chip that we can achieve that effect with one person: Gambit.
ROGUE
So, you're saying that if I have this chip of yer's; I'll be able to touch Gambit without absorbing his powers and energy.
BEAST
Uh, yes. In theory.
ROGUE
Why did you hesitate Beast? You never hesitate.
QUANTUM
Well, it won't be enough for you to just have the device on you. We would have to implant it into your brain. I mean it would become a part of you and require some major league surgery. We believe you would then be unable to absorb Gambit's powers but still have your absorption work on everybody else. You need to think about if this is something you really want us to try?
Rogue goes quiet and takes several minutes to really think about it. She thought hard about how she wanted any kind of human interaction and how this procedure would give her that with only Gambit. Did she love Gambit enough to make this very permanent decision? Did she want to commit herself to a relationship with him permanently? She remembered how comforting Gambit was to her when her powers were stripped within The Savage Land. She thought of all the times Gambit risked himself to be close to or save her. She really does love Gambit more than she ever realized before.
ROGUE
I really do love that Cajun more than I am willing to admit sometimes. If it means that I can have a real relationship with him and have psychical interaction with someone, then let's do it. It's something that I have wanted all my life!
Quantum nods as Beast leaves the room. He returns a few moments later with Gambit and they fill him in on all that was just said. Gambit is beyond thrilled at this news.
GAMBIT
(Excitedly)
You tellin' me that this thing will allow me and Rogue to touch without her absorbing my powers? How?
BEAST
Well once the chip is on Rogue's hypothalamus, it will make Rogue's energy absorption immune to that frequency of yours. Your kinetic energy vibrates at an extremely specific frequency, unlike anything else ever recorded.
QUANTUM
Even mine and Cyclops's powers don't measure that high of a frequency like yours Gambit.
BEAST
So, assuming the device works as intended, you and Rogue can have physical interactions without any ill effects.
ROGUE
What do you think Remy?
GAMBIT
(Very seriously)
Cheré, I do love you; more than any woman I've ever met. If you okay with it, I am happy to support ya. Cheré, we already in a relationship. This just gonna bring us closer together.
ROGUE
I've never seen you so serious Gambit.
GAMBIT
(Smiling but still serious)
It's because… I really do love you, Cheré. It means the world to me to see you happy.
Rogue's eyes well up with tears as she happily hugs Gambit. Beast and Quantum smile together at the idea of bringing happiness to Rogue and Gambit.
END SCENE
SCENE: "LOVE AND MARRIAGE"; X-MANSION DINING ROOM, A FEW WEEKS LATER.
Cyclops has gotten the Dining Room in the mansion all to himself and Jean Grey for a special date he has planned. They finish eating and…
CYCLOPS
Jean, I have something very important to ask you.
Cyclops gets up and walks to Jean on the other side of the table. He gets down onto one knee and pulls out an impressive diamond engagement ring.
CYCLOPS
Will you marry me?
Jean's eyes well up with tears of happiness.
JEAN GREY
YES! OF COURSE!
As they embrace, they hear a commotion in the next room.
END EPISODE