*Author’s Note: Story takes place post Astonishing X-Men #5-6

Warm. Cold. Blazingly hot. Passionately hot. Searing. So many other temperature-related words. They all have one thing in common besides the glaringly obvious aforementioned temperature connection. They can be used to describe love between two people or, really, any love between any amount of individuals. Love in its various forms is a universal constant as much as life and death. As suns rise and fall all over the cosmos, so too does love rise and fall at some point and place within the vast cosmos. It is the way of things. As it has been and as it forever shall be.

Pure and unrequited love once could be found within two of the most stalwart and longest serving X-Men. Scott Summers and Jean Gray had fallen into the long believed love at first sight. There was a connection between them that neither could ever deny, something that had drawn two souls together to be forever intertwined. Their journey had been a bumpy one filled with shyness, blazing passion, death, loss, re-birth, marriage, future, alternate reality progeny, corruption and death once again followed by re-birth. The ‘death’ and re-birth of Scott, specifically. Tainted by the corruption of Apocalypse, Scott clawed his way back to true life with the help of his son Nathan and Jean. Yet, upon the return, things were different. The love…it was not the same.

A light sigh sounded as the book within Jean’s hands was settled upon the bedside table. The title of the book and most of what was read was forgotten, the mind having not been into a single word. There were too many other worries upon the mind, including the recent attack by Warp Savant and the growing number of murdered mutants by some shadowy group known as the U-Men, both on top of a recent return of the inter-dimensional television mogul Mojo. All added together equaled a rough time for the team. The cherry on top of the melted sundae of their lives was the distance between herself and her husband, both physically and mentally.

The mental bond that had been shared for years was closed off. In all the years of working with the man, she would never have thought that Scott would actively block the rapport, but Apocalypse having been in his mind had changed him and the scars that were left ran deep. The mental blockage felt similar to the psychic immunity that others like Apocalypse had honed over the years. The only thing she heard was silence.

A sliver of light broke the darkness as the bathroom door crept open and Scott, clad in only boxers and the tell-tale red glasses, moved quickly towards the bed. At one point the mere sight of her husband in such a way would have made Jean weak at the knees. There was a slight tingle of the old feeling but never the same. The spark, the magic, was just gone.

“Scott, I was thinking. Maybe we can have some quality time tomorrow. Perhaps we can pack that picnic lunch in the park we used to talk about. I hear the parks of Chicago are lovely.” “Busy. I’m meeting with the Mayor and the Police Chief to hammer out the details for the housing community and policing of the mutants that will live there.” Blankets flipped back as a body slid easily beneath them.

“Oh, maybe another time then.”

“Sure, whatever.”

With that final word, Scott flipped over and turned off the light before lying down to sleep. Sliding down further, Jean turned the other way as the distance between grew again. As the darkness settled in, a tear began to form as others pushed to leave as well.


One room devoid of passion, almost cold in its atmosphere, and the other hotter than the sun.

Sweat speckled the brow as Angelica Jones flopped upon the bed, giant smile plastered across her face. A blue sheet was tangled about her legs, partially covering bits and pieces of her body as she stretched out. A figured moved back towards the bed and sat on the other side clad in nothing but the skin he had been born in. Vance Astrovik glanced down at the red-head that had captured his heart so long ago and smiled as well.

“Told you that you’d tire first. I ate my Wheaties today.”

Blue eyes rolled back as the woman turned to lay upon her stomach with legs in the air. The blanket shifted to barely cover her lower half as she propped chin upon bent and firm hands. “You’ve been hanging out with Bobby too long.”

“Some might take that comment the wrong way after what I just said.”

Angelica lightly swatted his arm. “You know what I mean. The jokes. Dork.”

“Of course, of course. Cause we all know that before meeting Bobby Drake I was the epitome of seriousness and responsibility. Never did a smile crack this face. Just call me Spock.” The light mocking tones almost would have worked if the smile had ever left his face.

“Ha ha ha. You do know you’re not funny, right?”

Laughter exploded as Vance suddenly pounced upon his fiancé and began tickling her mercilessly. Echoes of the laughter could be heard down the halls before soon they were replaced quickly by the sounds of two people in love, showing one another that love. Warm. Blazingly hot. Passionately hot. Searing. So many other temperature related words. They all have one thing in common besides the glaringly obvious aforementioned temperature connection. They can be used to describe the love between two people.


Lumbering footsteps echoed slightly through the still night air. Like most metropolitan cities of its like, life didn’t stop at any time for Chicago. Night clubs, night workers and just those that liked to wander around could be found all over. So it was no surprise that the large red behemoth that moved down the streets was seen by many a nocturnal individual. Screams were not far behind the initial sighting and shock, as usually was accompanied by screams and terror and pushing and shoving followed by trampling of those that were too slow soon followed.

Many would swear they had seen the red hulking creature. Others would swear the light was wrong cause it had to be green, green like the Hulk. In the end they were all right in a sense…the Hulk had arrived in Chicago, or part of the Hulk at least. As Chicago slumbered the Hulk moved deeper into the city.


#9
OCT 10

“What's Love Got to do With it?”
By Scott Redmond


Island X

“Someone looks like they had a fun night. Then again, it sounded like someone had a fun night too.”

Bobby’s joke caused a red flush to creep up Angelica’s neck as she entered the kitchen, Vance a few steps behind. Oblivious to the joke, Vance moved to the counters to find some coffee. He winced as Jubilee’s fist slammed into the upper part of Bobby’s arm. “What’d I do?”

“Real classy like, Drake.”

“Children.” Words rose from the corner as Shiro stood, arms crossed, eyes scanning the room.

“Why look, its Shiro talking down to us once again. It must be any part of a usual day.”

“Enough.” Scott spoke up from the doorway. The team leader was in full uniform, something that wasn’t strange the more time went on. It seemed if the man was always ready for a fight lately…the encounter with Warp Savant proved as much. “We’ve got reports of the Hulk in town. Witnesses report seeing him moving through the streets late last night.”

Jubilee blinked and set a forkful of eggs back down. “The Hulk in Chicago? Bit out of his playground isn’t it?”

“The Hulk has never been tethered to any one place, Jubilee. There have been encounters and sightings all over the country and even the world over the years. Chicago isn’t any stranger for having such sightings.” Jean’s soft voice came as the woman moved around the corner. “In fact, there has been an uprising in Hulk appearances around the world lately it seems. No word on how many yet, but something clearly is up.”

“That’s why we’ll be investigating. I want Justice, Firestar and Sunfire out on aerial patrol, and the rest of us will be using the jet as Banshee, Shadowcat and Longshot are still out on assignment. We leave in ten.” With that Scott was gone before any could offer any words.

“And I thought I was the cold one.” As Bobby muttered, his eyes caught Jean’s and the brief look of pain that flashed across green eyes. It didn’t take a shrink to see there was trouble in paradise.


Shriner’s Children Hospital

Children. Even those being treated for horrible burns or birth defects or life altering or ending diseases were full of love. Something about youth that seemed to be lost the older human beings became; such pure love, for their families or their friends or their pets or even just life itself.

Within the room they slept there were glass windows on the main wall showing the lighted and empty hallways beyond the room. As night was close to falling, appearances of staff were few and far between, and only the soft hum of the machines filled the dimmed lights. Just a normal, quiet night in the hospital.

Large red fingers slid across the glass as soulful eyes stared at the children within. Shoulders heaving, the large behemoth stood and waited as love swelled in the creature’s heart, which was docile and calm, not usual for one such as the Hulk…even crimson skinned ones.

“So I was telling the wife that I really don’t care if she changes the drapes or not, I’m not there during the day. What do I give a crap about if the drapes are shit brown or red—what the hell is that!”

The large head swiveled as two guards stood staring at the corner, conversation halted at the sight of the Hulk. Hands shook as they couldn’t take their eyes off the creature. History repeated itself as like with all Hulk sightings weapons were pulled. Moment by moment the amount of love the Hulk felt was fading away. Then the guns were fired.

Loud shots echoed in the halls and children were startled from their sleep. Fear won out over the love they had felt just moments before, and veins pumped and began to pop up under the red skin. His eyes dilated as the Hulk staggered back under the onslaught of bullets.

“HULK LOVE!” Leaping forward, large red arms wrapped around the two men. Their screams echoed around as the Hulk tried to hug them, tried to bring back the love. “LOVE!” One guard wiggled an arm out and aimed the gun right at the Hulk’s face. Four shots rang out and startled the Hulk enough to release the men.

Stumbling back to the ground, the guards began to fire again. Loud, angered roars filled the hallway as the Hulk smashed around. Walls buckled under the impact, lights flickered and dust filled the hallway as the screams of the children were heard from within. Doors burst open as more guards and staff raced in. Bullets ripped from weapons to slam into red skin. Debris flew out over the street as a wall caved in, Hulk leaping to the ground. Within moments the creature was gone with only a trail of destruction left behind.


Location Unknown

Three figures sat within the room, a large television screen showcasing clips of the attack upon the hospital. Leaning forward the lead figure steepled their fingers beneath the chin. “A Hulk in town…quite a fortuitous occurrence, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed. It is inevitable that the X-Men will respond. After, all they are playing hero within this city. Stands to reason they’ll stick their noses into such happenings. Perhaps the failure of our last agent can be rectified.”

The third figure scoffed and crossed arms over their chest. “You put too much stock in the work of others. You do not relish dirtying your own hands. Pitiful.”

With a sigh the original figure leaned back. “Yes, well, be that as it may, the Hulk is a powerful force, even if it’s not apparently the green or gray variety normally seen. At the least the Hulk may weaken them enough for our plans to move forward. Would you not agree that a weaker foe is preferable to a foe at full, outnumbering strength?”

“The pleasure of snapping the neck or back of my foes will not be hampered by their strength or lack thereof.”

“We’ll take that as an agreement,” the second said with a slight smile.

“Agreed. I think it’s time to make sure that our intrepid heroic foes find the creature.” Eyes turned to a fourth figure waiting at the door. “Scan for Gamma emissions and alert the media when you find it. Lay the bread crumbs of our trail.”

With a nod the other figure was gone and the three were left alone again. “Nothing better than when a plan comes together.”


A night spent searching the city for the Hulk had brought nothing. Eventually the teams that Scott had chosen had been broken even smaller into pairs searching the city. The X-Jet sliced through the air with Scott at the controls. Jean settled into the co-pilot seat, green eyes staring at the sky and city below. Not a word had been spoken between them in hours as Scott was seemingly content to focus on the mission…always on the mission. Scott was looser and more dangerous than before, but the man was still all about the mission, even more so than in the past.

The atmosphere within the confined space was colder than the night outside. “Are we even going to speak about us?”

Never once did Scott’s eyes leave the controls or the sky ahead. “Nothing to talk about.”

“Nothing? Scott, you haven’t even touched me in months! We hardly even kiss…you don’t even talk to me that often. Ever since…”

“What? Ever since Apocalypse? Please. I’ve heard that enough since I returned. I’m fine. In fact, I’m better than I ever have been. Years of you all joking I needed to get the stick out of my ass, I do just that and suddenly it’s not right? Sounds like you guys have the problem.”

“And the cold between us?”

“I’m sorry we’re not as lovey-dovey as newlyweds anymore Jean, but life goes on. We’re busy. We’re setting up a new future for the X-Men. Seems a bit more important than sex.”

Alarms rang out as the console began to flash. Buttons were pushed as Scott turned all attention back to it. The screen flickered as Bobby’s face popped up. “Hey Scotty, good news, sort of: it’s the Hulk. They found him.”


Minutes later two figures emerged from the large jet parked with the grassy area of a nearby park. A playground could be seen ahead, children running around playing. Behind the play area sat the large red figure of the Hulk. Children slid down the creatures back while some perched upon the large hand. None were screaming and none showed fear. They were happy. Fun and love filled the air. Even the Hulk was smiling, the large amounts of pure love bolstering the creature.

“Scott…something is different.”

“Obviously.”

Large eyes lifted as the pair arrived by the play area. A flicker almost could be seen at their approach. Children stopped playing to stare at the adults. The Hulk’s head turned for a moment as eyes seemed to bore into them. “Love? Woman love the man. Man not love the woman.” Words grated out as Scott moved even closer.

“What the hell is he going on about?”

“Love…he’s talking about us…” Jean murmured as her eyes rose to the Hulk. As she turned towards Scott her jaw dropped as it was obvious what the man’s next move was. “Scott, no! There are children…”

Ruby red optic energy erupted from the visor and slammed into the Hulk’s body. Children screamed and ran as the energy poured out. The Hulk began to roar as the energy buffeted along his side. Pushing forward, the Hulk stared at them almost as if tearful at the situation. “Love! Hulk fix love!”

In the distance, figures began to appear as the rest of the X-Men arriving at last. Scott opened the visor wider to pour out more energy, but it wasn’t enough as the Hulk’s large red fingers wrapped around Scott’s head. Sheets of ice appeared under red feet as pillars of ice shot forward to slam into red skin and the Hulk growled as Iceman appeared.

A large red fist slammed the icy mutant away as, at the same time, flames began to flicker around causing the ice to melt. Sunfire funneled the fire from his hands into a whirlwind right at the Hulk’s head. Scott was flung away as both hands were raised to protect the face. “Hulk Love!” The cry almost sounded pitiful as the Hulk stumbled forward through the fire.

“Guys! Wait! Something is different!” Jean’s cries went unheeded, so telekinetic forces were brought up to stop the fire from hitting the Hulk. Yet the creature was still rampaging, almost rabid in nature and the ground shook as his feet pounded into it. Chunks of earth were hefted at any that were in the way. Jean’s hands rose to deflect any debris but it wasn’t enough. As a chunk slipped by, Jubilee ran forward and tackled her teammate just in time.

Two other figures appeared as Vance and Angelica arrived on the scene. “Jean!” Firestar shouted as she landed beside the other redhead. Eyes shot to the side as the Hulk suddenly appeared before the three women with hands raised to smash.

Justice flung himself forward, using a telekinetic shield to catch the Hulk’s blows. Energy feedback rattled through his body and a trickle of blood began to seep from Vance’s nose. “Can’t…can’t hold it.” Falling to the side, Vance was down and out.

Firestar wrapped her arms around him and stared up at the Hulk, fire burning in her eyes. Hulk’s hands wavered and then lowered as the creature stared at the two. “Love…woman loves man…man loves woman.”

It was as if someone had just shut the mind of the Hulk down. Lips twitched into a smile as the Red Hulk settled onto the ground before them. Jean rose from the ground, helping Jubilee up along the way. Eyes fell upon Scott as he rose further away. “He’s not a danger, Scott. He’s…he’s different than the regular Hulk. He’s fixated on love, I can feel it in his mind…a great desire to be near love and even make it better. He wasn’t going to attack us…he was trying to fix us and the love.”

“Whatever, the situation is contained. I’ll contact Agent Jones. As our SHIELD liaison, he should be able to find someplace for the Hulk. Better than we can.”

Scott moved away, leaving the others standing beside the happy Hulk. Jean’s green eyes followed the man, realizing that perhaps the love was gone after all.


“That was a boneheaded move, Vance. You could have been killed.” Light fingers held the warm compress to the man’s forehead, eyes full of love. Angelica pulled it aside for a moment to settle a warm kiss upon the same brow. “Don’t do that again.”

“I can’t help it. I have a weakness for red-heads.” Smiling lightly, Vance shifted in the medical bed.

“Careful Mr. Astrovik, I might have to be suspicious of Jean if that’s the case.”

“Okay, microwave controlling red-heads. That better?”

Chuckling, she nodded. “That works.”

“Good. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I love you, Angelica; I could never let anything happen to you without trying to save you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Blush crept up the neck to the cheeks. “Well then, good sir, when are you going to make me an honest woman?”

Vance let the smile fade a bit as he got a bit more serious. “Angelica, I know we’ve been engaged for awhile. We’ve put it off so long and I don’t want to wait anymore. I want to marry you as soon as possible.”

Angelica’s smile grew wider as arms wrapped around his neck. “Yes! I agree, no more waiting. It’s time we get married. I don’t want to ever be parted from you again.”

“Nothing will ever take us apart, Anj. I swear it.”


“Love saves the day… Try writing that in a report and having it taken seriously.” Scott’s head shook as glasses settled on the brow. Approaching the bed, the man slid under the covers.

On the other side of the bed, Jean’s eyes rose from the book in hand. “It’s not a joke, Scott. Going into that fight blind almost got us killed. If it wasn’t for Vance and Angelica...”

“I get the point, Jean, but we would have found a way. We always do.”

“That’s not the point, Scott. You were reckless. There were children in danger.”

“The Hulk wouldn’t have hurt them. I aimed my shots. I know how not to put kids in danger.”

“Ever since…”

“Not this again.” Scott hands rose up in exasperation. “It’s like a broken record.”

Jean’s eyes turned, tears welling up in the corners. “The Hulk was right…wasn’t he, Scott? Do you even love me anymore? Honestly.”

No words came as the man just stared forward. Jean felt the tears begin to slide out. With a flick of a switch the light around them went out. Without a word, Scott turned over in the bed to sleep. Hands clamped the bed sheets as Jean laid back. Tears rolled down the cheeks onto the pillow. As sleep came, love faded away at last.

The End...
Previous Issue | Next Issue