Disclaimer: Once again, these characters are not mine no matter how much I wish they were.

Notes: I'm not sure what inspired this, I suppose it was a number of things. Kristy Thirsk's CD Souvenir was spinning when I wrote it, so that might have contributed.

" let's pretend that we belong together

let's pretend that our love will last forever

let's pretend there's no force in the world it can't break down

let's pretend that that door slamming is not the sound

let's pretend that it doesn't hurt to move "

- Kristy Thirsk, 'Hollywood'

Jean smiled at him.

Her heart was slowly breaking, but she wouldn't let him see that.

"Yer' not going to be alright," he countered.

It was a statement, not a question, not a guess, not a blind shot in the dark. It was true no matter how strong she made her voice when she swore to him the complete opposite.

Her face must have shown something, because his eyes, usually so impossible to read, flashed with hurt.

"I can pretend. I've been doing it since the day I met you." Pretend that she hadn't fallen in love with him, pretend that she hadn't dreamt about moments alone with him like this.

"You'll be back." This time there was no self-assurance in his voice, but seemed to be aching for it.

Teeth bit down onto her bottom lip hard, to keep from reaching out and touching him. She smiled. At least her heart was still beating. She would have thought the harder good-bye would have been with Scott.

She should have left a long time ago.

"Of course." She said finally, a tear falling down her cheek despite her best efforts to stop it. "I'll miss seeing this face too much. When I can't stand it any longer, that's when I'll be back." The want was over-powering and her hand rested gently against his rugged cheek.

'I Promise' was floating around somewhere in her expansive mind.

Time was up. Jean sighed raggedly. Another smile. Time and healing awaited, though she knew he held her heart in his hands no matter how far apart they were.

Please don't break it.

"Good-bye, Logan."

She turned and began walking down the mansion steps.