For the past seven weeks after Jake found out he was a mutant, he and Rogue became closer with their bond. When Rogue wasn't going on missions with the X-Men, she would hang out with Jake, sometimes they would watch Doctor Who, Broadchurch, or a Disney movie together. Sometimes they would go to a park or a comic store or a video store. Sometimes she would also hang out with Jake's sister Lisa and Lisa would sometimes hang out with some of the other female X-Men team members. Jake enjoyed having Rogue's company, and she felt the same. Jake even grew close with Rogue's X-Men teammates, whom he regarded as friends. If anything, Scott Summers and Jean Grey were like an older brother and older sister figure for Jake. And of course, Jake was always sure to go to therapy for his trauma and also physical therapy once a month.

After these seven weeks of bonding and healing, Jake's broken leg was finally all healed up and it was no longer necessary to have the cast cover his right leg. Jake was at the hospital, and by his side were his parents, his sister, and Rogue. Claire Temple was there as she and her other fellow hospital coworker Doctor Sal Claremont got ready to remove the cast covering Jake's now healed right leg. Sal got the cast saw and proceeded to use the medical machine to start cutting the cast. Claire used a cast spreader tool to spread more of the cast and give more breathing room for Jake's leg. After a few minutes, Sal and Claire got rid of the leg cast, and Jake looked at his healed leg for the first time. He rolled his foot around and smiled. "How do you feel after getting that cast off?" Claire asked. "Much better," admitted Jake, "It's going to feel great walking without having to use crutches or a wheelchair. Thank you so much Dr Temple and Dr Claremont." As Jake got his right sock and right shoe back on, he asked Rogue, "hey Rogue, would you want to go to the beach and hang out?"

"Ah think Ah would like that a lot sugah," said Rogue, "how 'bout tomorrow afternoon?" She smiled at Jake's offer. "That would be perfect," said Jake as he smiled excitedly. The next day, it was a sunny afternoon in New York, and Jake met up with Rogue at the beach. Jake was wearing some green and blue plaid swim trunks along with a t-shirt that had Captain America's shield on it, and some Nike sandals. Rogue was wearing a yellow and green bikini swimsuit with a towel covering her bottom and some green flip flops. "Hey Anna!" Jake said enthusiastically as he wandered over to the southern belle. "Well hey there Jake," replied Rogue, "those are some fine lookin' swim trunks ya got there." Jake blushed and said, "thanks. You look pretty good yourself in that swimsuit."

"Oh this ol' thing?" Rogue laughed, "Ah don't usually get to wear this swimsuit every now and then. But now feels like a nice occasion. Wanna go swimmin'?" She took off her towel and placed it on the sandy ground. "Swimming sounds fun," said Jake as he put down his beach towel and took off his shirt and sandals. Rogue took off for flip flops and said, "then what're we standin' around here for, sugah?" She and Jake then ran into the water, splashing and swimming, playing around on the beach. Sometimes Jake and Rogue would stop and have some ice cream or soda, and a hot dog to eat.

A few hours later, Jake and Rogue were laying on the beach towels, relaxing. Rogue was trying to get the sand off of her bare feet. "Mind if I try to help?" Jake offered. Rogue blushed and giggled, "sure." Jake then gently took her feet and started to brush the sand off of her bare feet and toes, trying not to hit any ticklish spots. "Thanks, Ah appreciate that," said Rogue as she looked at Jake with tenderness. His touch was firm but gentle. She forgot what it was like to have a man touch her in a kind, intimate way. And to have this man be able to touch her without the fear of hurting him warmed Rogue's heart. She looked into Jake's brown eyes, and Jake looked into Rogue's green eyes. Jake cleared his throat and said, "Rogue, I mean Anna? There's something I want to tell you..."

"What is it Jake?" Rogue asked, trying to maintain focus. "I've really enjoyed being around you," said Jake, "I've enjoyed you keeping me company and also befriending a lot of your friends. Truth of the matter is, I like you Anna, as more than a friend actually..." Rogue's eyes widened as she asked, "You... you do...?" Jake nodded and said, "I've had a crush on you for a while now... I guess I've always had feelings for you ever since you saved my life... I think you're such a free spirit despite your powers, you're fun to talk to, I like your sense of humor, and I think you're beautiful..." Rogue was deeply touched by Jake's loving words. Her gloves were off as she held Jake's hand. "Oh Jake..." Rogue said with love, "Ah feel the same way about you. It just feels so nice to be able to touch someone without hurtin' them. And thankfully, you ain't got no malicious intent to use me, so you're as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. You're kind, gentle, sweet, honest, welcoming, Ah like your eccentricities and quirks. You're perfect for me Jake Phillips Jr. Ah love you..."

"I love you too Anna Marie Zann," said Jake, "I know this world can be cruel and unfair, especially to mutants... But this world is also a fine place and it's worth fighting for." Rogue smiled and asked, "Ernest Hemingway?"

"Yeah," said Jake, "but my point is, I don't care what anyone else thinks. I want to be with you, Anna. As your boyfriend. Say the word, and I am yours." Rogue sat up, facing Jake. "Nothing would make me happier than to be in a relationship with you Jake," said Rogue, "yes." She and Jake moved closer and then their lips met, the two of them kissed. Kissing Rogue felt like fireworks to Jake as he held his girlfriend. Rogue enjoyed the kiss, happy to have Jake as her boyfriend. It was so nice to kiss someone without hurting them. Oh how Rogue loved Jake, and he loved her too. And the two mutant lovers stayed at the beach, watching the sun set, the beginning of a new romantic relationship.