Title: A Precious Gift
Author: Christina A.
Fandom: X-Men Movieverse
Pairing: Scott/Marie
Characters: Scott, Marie, Logan
Category: Romance, Alternate Universe
Warning: None
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own Scott, Marie, or the concept of X-Men. They’re pretty much the brain child of Stan Lee and Marvel Comics. I just got to play in their ‘verse for a while.
Summary: Scott finds a gift that’s perhaps the most precious to him in all the world
*-*-*
A Precious Gift
by Christina A.
December
“Open it,” he said with an expectant smile. He glanced from the package to her face and then back to the package again.
“What did you do?” she asked, her thick Southern accent floated to his ears. She held the package lovingly, turning it over in her hands and examining it from all angles.
“It’s a Christmas present, Rogue,” he joked. “Tis the season and all that.” He continued to watch her face as she looked from him to the package and he was momentarily swept away by emotion for her.
It had all hit him so unexpectedly. They’d been working on rescuing a fellow mutant when the platform he and Rogue had been standing on collapsed. She’d been knocked unconscious and his focus suddenly shifted to her. It had almost frightened him how everything suddenly centered on her. His world shaken by the fact that if anything would have happened to her, his world would be empty. Her vibrancy lost to him forever. He’d been afraid, genuinely afraid.
Somehow, he’d managed to get Rogue back to the Blackbird, and he and Storm had saved the mutant and gotten them all home safely. They’d taken Rogue to her room and he’d sat with her until she regained consciousness. He’d been lost from the moment her eyes opened and she’d smiled at him.
“It won’t bite you; I promise,” he teased, mentally moving from the past to the present.
“Believe me,” she responded with a smile, “the last thing I’m worried about is the present biting me. You, however, are an entirely different story.” She reached out and lightly traced his cheek with her finger. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
He smiled at her in return. At first, he’d been concerned about their age difference. He was several years her senior, though a gentle reminder from the professor helped him to realize that when it came to matters of the heart, age didn’t really make a difference. She was a woman, finishing up her last year of college, and could easily decide for herself what she wanted. He’d been pleasantly surprised to find out that she wanted him.
He watched as she slowly opened the gift. He’d spent hours in the store looking for the perfect gift. She wasn’t one for bold, ostentatious jewelry, but he’d really wanted to get her something that showed his feelings for her. He’d never quite felt like this for anyone. He quirked her a smile. “And no cheating.”
“Cheating?” she asked softly as she began to open the gift.
“No reading my mind to find out what it is I bought you.”
She laughed lightly at that. “Would I do that?” she questioned teasingly.
“Without a second thought,” he quipped in return.
Removing the paper, she saw the fabric-covered box, a clear indicator that he’d purchased jewelry for her. Her eyes met his for a moment and she smiled. Opening up the box, she gasped as she saw the dainty gold chain supporting the beautiful gold heart, a gorgeous diamond in the center.
Turning it around slowly, she caught sight of the engraving on the back. She looked into his shielded gaze for several moments, as she couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have him. Her attention turned back to the necklace as she read the engraving aloud. “Love always, Scott.”
She looked back at him again before launching into his arms, hugging him tightly. “I love you,” she whispered.
He hugged her tightly in return. “I love you too, Marie,” he said softly.
She pulled away and ran her hand lightly along his cheek. “It’s perfect,” she said, handing it to him. She presented him with her back and lifted her long hair, exposing her neck to him. “Put it on me, please,” her soft voice carried to him as she felt the necklace come around her neck, heard it clasp, and then shivered as two lips pressed gently on the skin of her neck. She couldn’t help but chuckle.
“And what, may I ask, do you find so funny?” Scott asked teasingly as one arm snaked around her trim waist, pulling her to him so he could place more kisses on her neck.
“I don’t have to be a telepath to know what you’re thinking,” she said softly, dropping her hair. With a purposeful look at the door, she used her telekinesis to secure the lock. Turning in his arms, she smiled. “Now, let’s see what we can do about those wayward thoughts of yours.”
*-*-*
May
She knew something was amiss when she walked inside the school and felt nothing. Normally, the minds of mutants were so open to her. She didn’t have to intentionally seek someone out to read his or her mind. But today, she felt nothing, no one, not even Scott. And that was the tip off for her. ‘What are you hiding from me, Professor?’ her thoughts floated to his.
‘Just come into the den, Marie,’ he thought back to her.
She tried to use the opening to get a glimpse of anything else in his mind, but, of course, he was simply too strong for her. She couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘Fine, I’m on my way.’ She dropped her bag in the hallway and turned toward the den. She’d finished up her last semester of college and was now ready to continue with the rest of her life. Her degree would be exactly what she needed to pursue the career she wanted. Raising her hand, she lightly caressed the necklace she wore. The person who gave it to her had become vital, necessary. He’d given it to her as a present at Christmas, but the most precious gift he could have given her was his love. His devotion. And she had both.
She smiled lightly as she reached for the handles on the door and opened it.
“Surprise!” came the chorus of voices from within.
She couldn’t help but look around. Her friends. Her family. Her life. Logan, Ororo, Bobby, John, the Professor, and of course Scott were all there smiling brightly at her. Yes, even Logan’s usual scowl was traded in for a smile. He was proud of her. Above their heads was a banner that read ‘Congratulations, Marie.’
“You guys,” she said, wiping at a tear, smiling brightly. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“It isn’t everyday that one of our own graduates from college, Marie,” the Professor said, approaching her and taking her hand. “It’s something to be very proud of, as we are of you.”
Leaning down, she gave him a fond hug before pulling away. ‘I’m ready to take my place on the team,’ she thought to him. She’d planned this as a surprise for Scott. She knew a part of him was concerned that she would leave Westchester after graduation. She had always intended to. But that was before… before him. Now, she couldn’t see life without him. So, she and the professor had talked in great length about her future.
‘Then it is yours,’ he thought back, but didn’t get the chance for more as she was swept into two very strong and powerful arms.
“Congratulations, kiddo,” Logan said, hugging her tightly before setting her down.
“I’m not a kid anymore, Logan,” she teased, swatting at his arm.
“Guess not,” he grumbled happily as he set her down.
“She most definitely isn’t,” Scott said softly from behind her. He’d set aside his feelings toward the other male mutant, as requested by Marie. They didn’t have to like one another, but they had something blaringly in common, they both had deep emotions for her.
Turning, the smile that spread across her face could have powered the sun as she lifted her arms and crossed what little distance was left between them. Her arms went around his neck as she was lifted into the embrace. No one noticed, but Scott’s eyes drifted closed as he wrapped her tightly, holding her to him. “How did you do it?” she asked, not letting go, wondering if she ever would.
“Do what?” he asked, opening his eyes but not seeing anyone else in the room. Oh, he knew they were there, but she was the center of his world. He had eyes only for her.
“This… the surprise.”
He laughed lightly, relaxing his grip and letting her slide down to put her feet on the floor. She’d pulled away so that she could look into his eyes, and he lovingly reached out to brush a stray hair from her face. “It wasn’t easy. See, my girlfriend has a tendency to like to read my mind on a whim.” He lifted a brow and used the finger he’d just touched her face with to point at the professor. “So Professor X has been shielding certain aspects of my mind from her for the past week or so. Though with her exams, I don’t think she even noticed.”
She shook her head and looked back to the professor. “I didn’t. Very tricky, both of you.” She turned in his embrace, thankful that he didn’t drop his arms from her waist as she faced everyone. “Thanks guys… I mean it. Really.”
*-*-*
June
She was waiting in the library when Cyclops and Storm returned from their latest mission. They’d rescued a mutant who’d been kidnapped from his home, drugged, and taken to a facility for ‘testing’. Rogue had so badly wanted to go with them… to take her place. But Cyclops had insisted that it was something he and Storm could handle and that there wasn’t any reason to risk someone else if they didn’t need to. And since he was the leader, no one questioned him.
She’d been very unhappy about it, at first. Her thoughts immediately gravitating to the fact that he’d told her no because of what happened on her last mission and the fact that he loved her. But then again, he had a deep friendship with Storm as well. Rogue knew he’d be devastated if anything happened to any of them. It was his nature. He was the leader, and he felt that responsibility deeply. And once she calmed down, she knew he didn’t hold her back because she was his girlfriend, but because this mission really didn’t require anyone else go but he and Storm.
She looked up as the door opened and he entered. He’d changed out of his uniform, now wearing his ‘civvies’, as he called them. “Everything okay?” she asked, taking in the concerned look on his face. His glasses may shield his eyes, but she knew him and could easily discern his emotions by the set of his jaw… the position of his eyebrows.
“I hope it is,” was his soft reply as he came to sit beside her.
Setting her book down, she turned to face him. “If you’re meaning us,” she paused for a moment and offered him a small smile, “yes. We’re okay.” Reaching out, she lightly caressed his cheek. “I could never stay angry at you. You know that.”
Everything in him relaxed visibly as he took her in his arms and held her tightly. “I just… I didn’t leave you behind because I love you. You have to believe that.”
Her eyes closed and she smiled. “I know. I mean, I know that now. But at first, I was skeptical.” She pulled away from him but only enough so that she could see his face. “But this does bring up something we need to talk about. Something the professor and I have been discussing since I graduated.”
He nodded quickly. A part of him had been terrified at what she’d wanted to do after graduating. Going to college, she’d been able to stay here in the mansion. If she wanted to attend grad school, she could do that from her current college as well. But when she first started college, she’d planned on traveling after graduation. She’d always wanted to see the world. He wasn’t sure if she still wanted to do that. But given his responsibilities here… to the kids and to the X-Men… he couldn’t go with her if that’s still what she needed to do. He ran a hand along her cheek, lightly stroking it with his thumb. If she wanted to go… to explore… he’d let her. He wouldn’t hold her back. He loved her too much.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he barely noticed the soft kiss she placed on his lips. It wasn’t until he heard her say his name that he was pulled from his thoughts.
“Don’t go all mopey on me, Scott Summers. I said we’d talked, not what we’d talked about.” She had a direct line to his thoughts and emotions. He was scared to death she was going to leave him. And she knew he’d let her if that’s what she needed. It made her love him even more. Made her want to end that thought process VERY quickly. “I’m going to teach,” she said softly. “With all the younger children coming in, many of them haven’t even completed their elementary education. So, the professor and I decided that we’d set up a program to help them finish. With my degree, I’m the perfect one to do that.”
It took a few seconds for the words to sink in. When they did, he smiled broadly. “You aren’t leaving?”
“Like I could ever leave you, silly man,” she said softly. “I love you far too much to ever walk away.”
With a quickness no one knew he had, he closed the distance between them, holding her and kissing her. He hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath, figuratively, for the past month, scared to death that he was on borrowed time. To find out that she wasn’t going anywhere, that she was staying here home. She was going to teach… to continue to live here with him. It was an overwhelming jumble of emotions. The biggest one was happiness. When the kiss finally ended, he smiled brightly at her. “I love you too.”
She nodded, a teasing look on her face. “Now, there is a catch.” She winked.
He shook his head, garnering from her look that it wasn’t anything too extreme. “There is always a catch.”
“Of course.” She placed a hand on his heart. “I want to be part of the team. You didn’t need me for this mission. And I understand that. But there are things that my abilities can help you with. There are times when my mutation will be very helpful to you. I just want to be a part of that. You, Ororo, and Logan… you could use my help.”
He pressed his forehead to hers, not saying anything for several long moments. It really wasn’t a hard decision. If he separated out his emotional attachment, he knew she was right. Her telepathy was blossoming thanks to the help of the professor. Neither doubted that some day she could be almost as powerful as he. Added to that her abilities as a telekinetic, and Marie was a force to be reckoned with. Rogue would be a valuable addition to the X-Men. But it was Marie that Scott was terrified of losing.
He inhaled deeply and pulled away just enough to look at her. “As the man who loves you, I have to admit it scares me. But as team leader, I have no doubt you’d be a valuable member to the team.”
She waited for a long moment. He said nothing else, and she knew the debate was going on in his mind. Which one would win… the lover or the leader?
“You are simply the most precious person to ever enter my life,” he began after a few moments’ pause. “Nothing, Marie. Nothing and no one has ever come close to meaning to me what you do. If anything ever happened to you, I’d be lost.” He hugged her to him tightly. “But that’s no real reason for me to tell you that you can’t be part of the team. Because you do belong there.”
It took a moment for her to realize that he’d just give in. The man had a truly stubborn streak and both she and the professor had thought it would kick in when she asked him about joining the team. But it hadn’t, and she was well and truly surprised. When it finally sank in, she returned the hug. “I’ll be careful. I worry about you too, you know? When you go out there, I worry about you coming home safely. But just as you belong out there, helping others, so do I. I belong at your side.”
He said nothing in response, at least not at first. He pulled from the embrace, and standing, reached out his hand to hers. When she took it, he picked her up, placing a lingering kiss on her lips. A kiss that promised there were soon to be many more. As he carried her to their room, he smiled. His voice was so soft, she wasn’t sure if he was actually talking or thinking to her. “As you belong at my side. Precious. Cherished. Loved. I promise all that to you, Marie.”
They’d entered the room, and it was a quick thought from her that sent the door closed and locked. “I know. And I love you,” she reiterated. “I love you with everything I am, Scott.”
“And I love you, Marie.” He placed her on their bed and preceded to show her just how much he did love her… just how precious and cherished she was.
The heart necklace rested on her chest… the gift given to her to show her that his feelings for her were genuine. She never took it off, not for anything. She never would. Many symbols of their love would follow in their future, but it was this one… this heart engraved with the words ‘Love always, Scott’ that would remain the most precious to her… to them both. It was the first of a lifetime of moments. Through rough times and good, it would remain a beacon for them both. A simple heart pendant necklace given to a woman from a man. A simple token of a love that was immeasurable. A precious gift, not of just a necklace, but of love that would last a lifetime.
Tags: alternate universe, het, light, logan/wolverine, marie, ororo/storm, professor xavier, rating: pg-13, romance, scott/cyclops, scott/marie