Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Don't sue me. They belong to Marvel® and other people… none of which are me.

Author's Note: I'm back. God, I feel like I have such big gaps between stories these days, but my muse is always abandoning me. This is gonna be something a little different, so I'm excited about it. My sister read it and thought it was interesting so I hope you all think so as well. Some background to this story. It takes place when Jean and Duncan are still together romantically and probably before the Day of Reckoning episodes.

On another note, it would really nice to get some reviews out of this. If you liked it, hated it, or see something grammatically incorrect, please tell me. I love getting feedback on my work… it helps me update quicker and gives my muse a boost. Now, enough with my rambling and on with the story! Enjoy it, please!

---------------------------

On Thin Ice

By: Pinkchick

-------------------------------

Chapter One

Cornered

It was a cold winter's day in the city of Bayville. The student body at Bayville High School was trying to warm up inside the cafeteria. The hot food steamed and students sat down to catch-up with their friends before they had to get back to class. It was on cold days like these she wished she could sit outside with her friends. However, something like that seemed far away.

Lately, she had been spending a lot of time with Duncan. She did not know if it was healthy to spend so much time with a guy who talked about himself most of the time. Jean felt out of touch with everything lately, especially her friends. Maybe hanging out with Duncan did that to a person.

"So, Jean, what're your plans this weekend?" Duncan Matthews asked.

Jean, who had been standing in the lunch line, jumped when her boyfriend's voice sounded behind her. The red haired telepath almost cringed at his question. She never did like it when Duncan started sentences such as that. Jean turned around to face the blonde football player. She gave him a tight smile before he leaned in to try and kiss her. Jean shoved him away gently and looked around.

"Duncan, we're in public," Jean informed him tightly. She glanced around again to make sure no one was paying them any attention, especially Jean's best friend and housemate, Scott Summers. She knew how much Scott hated Duncan.

"So, that never bothered you before," Duncan stated slyly as he moved in again. This time, Jean backed away from him.

"Duncan, I'm serious," Jean said, annoyed. She picked up her lunch tray and headed for the nearest empty table, knowing full well she would not be able to sit with her friends because Duncan was tagging along.

"Fine, ok." Duncan sat down next to Jean and scooted his chair in. "So, about the weekend, I was thinking we could hang out together—"

"Well, you know—"

"—At your house," Duncan finished. Jean opened her mouth to say something, but was completely shocked by his suggestion. Jean's eyes wandered around the cafeteria again. This was not good. Duncan had never openly invited himself over to the Xavier Institute. Jean had obviously never thought to have invited him either. The prime reason non-mutants were not allowed into the school Jean considered a home was because they were, well, non-mutants.

Duncan seemed to be holding his breath, while Jean let hers out. "Uh, heh, Duncan? Uh, why at my house?" Jean asked curiously.

"Well, I figure I've never been to your house," Duncan breathed, "and it's completely wrong for a guy to never have been to his girl's house, don't you think?"

"I, uh, yes," Jean stuttered. "I mean, I don't know about this, Duncan."

"Well, why not?" Duncan questioned innocently. "I go to your house, you show me around, we hang out, and I leave. You're really making it more complicated than it is, babe."

Jean cringed at the nickname. She hated when Duncan used that name for her. Duncan was still looking at her. Jean contemplated the idea of Duncan coming over to the Xavier Institute. Firstly, she would have to tell the professor about it. He did not like any unwelcome visitors. Then, there was the issue of all her other teammates and what they thought of her relationship with Duncan. As of late, they have all been mentioning that she should "leave the jerk". Those had been Rogue's exact words if Jean remembered correctly. Jean was not even going to think about what Scott would say.

"Duncan, you don't even like my friends," Jean asserted, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. Duncan cringed when she mentioned he did not like her friends. "What are you up to exactly?"

Jean crossed her arms and continued narrowing her eyes in suspicion. Duncan held up his hands in defense. "Jean, really, I'm not up to anything."

"Then why the sudden curiosity with coming over?" Jean asked.

Duncan shrugged. "Nothin' special. I just wanna spend some time with my girl, in her house." Duncan paused. "And maybe even meet that professor guy you're always talking about," Duncan added as an afterthought.

Jean raised her eyebrows skeptically. Duncan had never before volunteered to even bother with the professor. "You mean Professor Xavier?"

"Yeah, yeah, him," Duncan said hurriedly.

"Well, I have a project I'm working on with Scott, so maybe some other time," Jean turned Duncan down and picked up her fork to take a bite of her untouched food.

"You'd rather hang out with dork brains than with me?" Duncan asked, sounding almost disgusted.

"Duncan, his name is Scott," Jean said patiently, on the verge of losing her patience with her boyfriend. "And one, he isn't a dork, and two, it's just a project."

"Yeah, whatever," Duncan brushed it off. "Dork or not, I still see the way he looks at you. You guys spend way too much time together."

Jean put her fork down and turned completely to face Duncan, her temper rising dangerously and jaw locked. "Is this what this is all about? You want to keep an eye on me in my own house because you think Scott is a threat to you?"

"No, babe," Duncan replied. "I wanna keep an eye on you in your house because I know Summers is a threat to me. I know for a fact that he likes you."

"Duncan," Jean spoke firmly, "you're being ridiculous. Scott and I are—"

"Just friends," Duncan finished. He waved his hand in the air nonchalantly. "Yeah, that's what they all say. And you may think you're just friends, Jean, but I know he wants otherwise."

Jean was about to open her mouth and tell Duncan he had said something intelligent, but stopped herself. For a guy obsessed with football and his friends, he was clearly observant. Or maybe Scott was obvious, she didn't know. Perhaps, for a telepath, Jean should try to be more so, rather than just relying on trying to read people's thoughts. Not that she would pry, or anything. Jean rubbed her temples slowly.

"Duncan, I'm really beginning to think you don't trust me," Jean said. She also did not want to admit that what Duncan was saying was giving her a flare of hope. She would never cheat on Duncan, and she secretly was developing feelings for her best friend, but she would never tell him that.

"No, I trust you, Jean," Duncan confirmed. "I just don't trust him." Duncan stopped and looked up at the doorway leading into the cafeteria. Scott was beginning to head out, but not before he turned around, waved at Jean, and frowned at Duncan. This did not go unnoticed by either of the pair. With a nod, Scott vanished amongst the lunch crowd.

"Did you see that?" Duncan screeched. Some people sitting at the next table turned to look at them.

Jean glared at Duncan and lowered her voice. "Will you please keep your voice down. People are staring. And no, Duncan, you cannot come to my house to protect me from Scott. I do not need protection from my friend, ok?"

"What if I told you that I have the same project for science and I needed help?" Duncan asked, pouting his lips.

Jean rolled his eyes. "You're impossible."

"So, I'll take that as a yes, then," Duncan smiled smugly and got up to leave before Jean could say anything.

"Duncan, you can't—"

"Love ya, too, babe," Duncan bid farewell as he walked out of the cafeteria with all the other students. "I'll see you tomorrow," he shouted.

Jean shook her head and sighed. She buried her head in her hands and rubbed her face. This was very bad. How would she explain this to everyone? Even Logan, the institute equivalent of a protector, did not like Duncan. She could feel the dread descending upon her. Jean could already feel this was going to be a very long, dreadful, and unwelcome weekend. Duncan's first visit to a home filled with mutants. Jean laughed; and to think her Friday had started out with such promise.

----------------------------------------------------

"You what?" Logan practically shouted. His stress level had just risen considerably, seeing as he had been having a good day. A good day for Logan consisted of spending time torturing the institute's students with Danger Room sessions and being with Ororo Munroe. Although, he would deny the latter if anyone ever asked him. "Jeannie, you know that none of your friends, with exception to Amanda, are allowed at the institute. That's the golden rule."

Amanda was Kurt's girlfriend, and apparent mutant lover. She knew the entire household was full of mutants, but she could care less. That was why the entire mansion did not mind it when Amanda came to visit. She was one of the more open-minded humans Charles Xavier hoped everyone would be more like, in order for mutants and humans to co-exist.

"I always thought the golden rule was not to piss you off," Jean joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood. Logan did not even smirk. Jean shrank back from his intense gaze.

Jean, Ororo, Hank McCoy, Logan, and Scott were sitting inside Professor Xavier's study. Jean had told them to meet inside. Seeing as how Professor Xavier had gone on a business trip, Logan was put in charge of "student activities" and the mansion.

"Jean, what Logan's trying to say is that non-mutants are not allowed here for a reason," Ororo claimed diplomatically. "There is more to this mansion than just trying to hide who we are. You know that."

Jean knew she was referring to the basement of the mansion, which housed the Danger Room and Cerebro, among other things. Jean sighed. "I know, and for the record, I didn't invite Duncan. He, uh, sorta invited himself."

"I see," Hank inserted, nodding his head and cleaning his glasses on his lab coat. Jean felt bad. Because their resident doctor did not have a holowatch like Kurt Wagner, another blue-furred resident, Hank would have to stay out of sight while Duncan was here. "Well, Jean, I don't mind, really. So long as he keeps his nose out of everything and you try and keep him out of the mansion as much as possible."

Jean nodded. "I promise I'll make sure to keep Duncan in line. You can definitely count on it," she reassured.

Jean turned to Ororo in hopes for approval as well. Ororo just nodded her consent with a small smile on her face. Jean held her breath as she turned to Logan. His expression was stiff and gruff, but this was nothing unusual for Logan. It was the fact that he was receiving looks from Ororo which Jean knew he still did not approve.

After a moment, Logan replied, "Oh, alright. But look here, Red. Any mishaps with that blonde buffoon and you can't keep me from pummeling him to a pulp. Agreed?"

"Agreed," Jean concurred, nodding her assent. She did not even bother to defend Duncan when Logan had called him a name. Logan just nodded and motioned for everyone to leave the room. Jean released a breath she didn't realize she was holding and sank into the nearest chair.

However, Jean wasn't the only occupant in the room. The adults had all evacuated the office, which left Jean alone with Scott. Oh, no, Scott, Jean thought. He hadn't said a word ever since she had called the meeting. He was still standing near the wall, his jaw locked and his arms crossed. Jean didn't think he had moved at all. Jean waited a few moments, but Scott still stood there. He hadn't even made an attempt to move.

"Scott, please say something," Jean pleaded, finally breaking the silence. Her breath caught when he uncrossed his arms and brought them down to his side. Jean breathed with relief. At least Scott was responding, however small it was. Instead of saying something, however, he clenched and unclenched his fists slowly. Then, Scott moved to the door silently. "Scott, you know I would never invite Duncan over willingly. I had no choice."

Scott stopped abruptly before he reached the door. His back stiffened, but he didn't turn around. Jean wished he could have let a thought slip just to know exactly what he was thinking. But, what the ruby quartz glasses which hid Scott's eyes did not hide his body language. It was something Jean could read easily having known him so long. Without reading his thoughts, Jean knew he was angry. Angry at her or at Duncan, she didn't know, but he was upset, that of which was clear.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Scott asked quietly.

"I did tell you, Scott," Jean replied calmly. "That's why I called this meeting."

"No, I mean at school," Scott said, still facing the door. "You knew about this all day and you waited until now so you could tell me with everyone else. Why?"

"I just wanted to say it once, I guess," Jean sighed. She didn't exactly know where Scott was going with this, but she would be patient.

"Well, you usually tell me everything first," Scott shrugged.

"Well, this is different," Jean defended.

"Why? Because it's about Duncan?" Scott accused, his voice low. "You didn't think I could handle it?"

"No, of course not, Scott," Jean assured. "That's not the point." She couldn't just blurt that Scott was the true reason Duncan had invited himself over. What was it with guys and protection anyway? Duncan was trying to protect her from something that wasn't there.

"Then what is the point exactly?" Scott questioned tightly. "You didn't trust me enough to tell me alone because you thought I was gonna overreact."

"What? No," Jean said hurriedly. Well, that was mainly the reason. And isn't that what he was doing, overreacting? She rubbed her temples in silent frustration. "It's just, I know how much you don't like Duncan."

"Yeah, well, I'm sure the feeling's mutual," Scott stated sarcastically. Jean opened her mouth, but no words would come out. Scott turned his head slightly so that Jean now saw half his face. He still looked stoic, but at least he was looking at her. Or, at least he was turned to her. In the dim light of Professor Xavier's office, Jean couldn't tell where Scott was looking exactly.

Jean sighed. "Could you at least try to be nice to him?"

"Fine, if it makes you happy," Scott answered shortly.

"It does," Jean smiled slightly. He was upset and yet still willing to be civil to her boyfriend no matter what.

"I just… wish you woulda trusted me," Scott said, so quietly Jean had to strain to hear him. "That woulda been nice. Y'know? Like old times."

For a moment, Jean had nothing to say to that. What did Scott mean by "just like old times"? They were still hanging out and tomorrow they were still working on that science project. Weren't they?

"Scott, I…"

Scott turned back around and opened the door of the study. "I'll see you later, Jean." Without another word, Scott slinked silently through the door and closed it behind him, leaving Jean alone with her thoughts.

To be continued…