Disclaimer : I don't own X-Men

Chapter 23 The End

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"He's awake."

John tried to open his eyes but it felt like they were held down by some weights. He groaned, trying to lift up his arm but finding out he couldn't feel anything at that moment.

As he tried to open his eyes again, bright light shone in the room, actually forcing him to close them again abruptly. He felt a warm hand on his forehead as he finally forced his eyes to stay open.

Seeing the blurry shape of Rogue sitting next to him, he opened his mouth slightly to call out her name but his dry throat prevented him from speaking. His vision cleared up, seeing Rogue smile at him as she brushed some of his hair out of his eyes.

John frowned as he felt a head ache forming when Rogue helped him sit up. His hands grabbed the glass of water that she gave him once he sat up and drank it down in one gulp.

"What happened?" John managed to croak out. Rogue sat on the edge of the bed and looked down to the floor. Mystique entered the room with a plate full of food and placed it on John's lap.

"Rogue became worried about you for staying away to long. So we decided to come after you." she explained. "Luckily for you since by the time we arrived you had already passed out and Vincent took advantage of that."

John touched his bruised cheek and his fingers trailed down to his split lip. He winced a little as he touched his head wound.

"What happened to the bastard?" John growled, looking at Rogue with concern as she kept her eyes on the floor.

"Yer girl over there hit him hard. Knocked out in one hit, if it's worse."

Rogue felt a blush rise on her cheeks as she managed to shoot a shy smile at Mystique and John. Pyro grinned proudly at her before Mystique forced him to eat, causing Rogue to laugh when he protested.

X

"So you just...walked away from him?" Kitty snuggled in Bobby's chest. His breathing calmed her as she closed her eyes to focus on his heartbeat.

"I couldn't fight him. If he makes Rogue happy and doesn't hurt her, I'm fine with it. I just can't fight him any longer. He was my best friend for years."

Kitty smiled a little, knowing that Bobby had finally realized how happy Rogue actually was with John. Bobby wrapped his muscular arms around her tiny frame and pressed her closer to him. Kitty looked up from his chest and wrapped her own arms around his neck, pressing her soft lips against his.

X

"You gave us quite a scare there Pyro. You're lucky they got there in time." Quicksilver patted John on the back and winked while the two boys walked out of the danger room, sweating but satisfied by their effort. Pyro laughed a little and his fingers loosened the igniter around his wrist, pocketing it safely.

The two mutants walked outside in the forest. John smiled softly and closed his eyes, enjoying a small passing wind. Quicksilver laughed a little as John suddenly ran away from him, through the trees. It had all started as a way to teach them how to hide in the environment but Pyro and Quicksilver had quickly turned it into some sort of competition between the two of them.

The white haired mutant sped up, tackling Pyro down on the ground and rolling down the grass hill. John laughed as he ended up above quicksilver after all. His eyes flickered towards the great lake in front of them. Rogue sat on one of the rocks, looking out to the horizon.

She had probably heard the two of them already but didn't budge as Quicksilver pushed John over so the roles were reversed. Pietro smirked and slowly stepped of Pyro before he disappeared between the woods, leaving him alone with Rogue.

Collecting all of his pride, John took a deep breath and walked towards Rogue. His fingers held the little box in his pocket as he hugged Rogue from behind. John began to kiss her neck softly, causing her to giggle softly.

Rogue turned around, finally facing John with a huge smile on her lips. John didn't say anything, he just stood there with a huge and loving grin plastered on his face. Rogue laughed a little and gazed into his eyes.

"What?" She asked laughing, wanting to know why he was smiling at her like that.

"This." John answered, slipping a silver ring with a small red diamond on her finger. Rogue looked up from the ring and felt Johns lips on hers before she could answer.

Rogue kissed John back, throwing her arms around his neck, never letting go of hm as he spun her around.

X

"Now, take each other's hands," Magneto instructed them; Rogue took John's hand obediently, wondering what strange custom this might be. "And never let go," The elder mutant smiled warmly, placing his hands reassuringly on their shoulders.

Pyro laughed a little and held Rogue's hands in his, pulling her in for a kiss. The sun shone high in the sky, the lake was just in front of them, reflecting the warm rays towards them as Rogue laughed a little.

John wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to his chest and placing his lips on hers.

Walking down the aisle had always been Rogue's dream. Her white dress was slightly dirty at the bottom. But the day was perfect to care about that little detail. Sh e had always fantasized her dream wedding, but never had she expected John to be her prince at the altar.

Rogue smiled brightly, gazing deeply into Johns brown eyes. A small breeze caused some of his brownish blond hair to fall in front of his eyes. His hand reached out for her cheek, caressing it with a loving gaze in his chocolate brown eyes.

Rogue shook her head, smiling at Magneto and then back at John. "I'll never let go." Looking over the, she softly whispered in the wind.

"I'll never let go."

John came from behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and placing his head on her shoulder as they watched the horizon.

"Look in your ring." John whispered in her ear. Rogue frowned a little but did what he told her. Seeing the engravement Living to Love you forever in the ring made her smile brighter than before.

"Destinies together. Our love is stronger than ever -" Rogue whispered

"I'll live to love you-" John interrupted her

"Forever." They whispered in unison as they looked at the sun setting at the horizon.

THE END

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I want to thank all my reviewers from the bottom of my black little heart for reviewing on this story, taking the time to read it, enjoying it and giving me some really positive reviews over time.

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All of you supported me throughout this whole story and words can't describe how grateful I am for all the kind reviews. I hope you all like the ending to this story. I loved writing this story and I really hope you all loved reading it just as much.

Thanks to you all ! You made this story possible !

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