A/N: Here it is the sequel to "The Boy Next Door"! I have a few things to say before it begins, so please bear with me. This story is not going to be near as long as my last one, I'm almost positive it will only be five or so chapters, but the whole reason it's a sequel is because this is all just an open estimate at the moment. I'm hoping it doesn't drag on, but it's always possible I may come up with new ideas. In any case, I hope you all enjoy this as much as you seemed to enjoy "The Boy Next Door"! It begins exactly where the last one left off. In fact, I had started this chapter before deciding to make this a separate story. (Needless to say, the beginning is fairly slow, sorry 'bout that)
Disclaimer: This is a fanfic, do you really think I own anything?
"normal speaking"
'telepathy'
Thoughts
XxX
The next day dawned brighter than Scott could ever remember. After being trapped in a cell for over 48 hours, Scott couldn't imagine anything more beautiful than the sun. Except for Jean, he smiled as she walked into the kitchen, red hair gleaming in the sunlight.
"Hey," she smiled shyly at him. "You're out of the med-lab. Are you coming to school?"
"Not today, the Professor and Mr. McCoy think I need another day to fully recuperate."
The corners of Jean's mouth pulled into a pout. "So I have to go the whole school day without you."
Scott laughed, only to regret it moments later when his ribs began to ache. "You've gone without me before, I think you'll manage."
"I don't suppose I have much choice in the matter, do I?"
Scott smiled, "Not really."
"Fine," she stepped forward. Hesitantly she put her arms around his neck and lightly kissed his cheek. "Try to get some rest, okay? I know I can't manage a whole week without you."
XxX
"You wanted to see me, Professor?"
"Yes Scott, come in."
Scott shut the heavy oak door behind him. It was then that he noticed the small blond-haired girl and – presumably – her mother sitting in the plush chairs in front of Professor Xavier's desk. "Uh, if this is a bad time I can come back later."
"No, please, have a seat." Scott obliged, taking a seat across from the blonde girl. "Scott, this is Allison and her mother Nicole Firethorn." (A/N: I know absolutely nothing about Allison and am too lazy to do my research. So, at the moment Nicole is divorced so if Allison's last name is actually known, well, she has her father's last name.)
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Scott Summers." He shot the Professor a glance out of the corner of his eye.
Allison looked up at him curiously. "Are you Jean's Sco- er, friend? The one she went to find?"
"Scott, I'm sure you remember Allison from that night in the park."
Scott's eyes widened behind his shades. "Yeah, of course. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," she smiled, "But I'm real sorry about what happened to you. I think it's my fault you were captured."
Scott shook his head, "It wasn't your fault. You didn't ask those guys to come after you."
"It was partly Allison's terrific memory that helped find you." Professor Xavier smiled fondly at the girl.
"Partly?"
Xavier frowned. "Jean hasn't told you?"
"No, I guess not."
"Well, this is a matter to discuss later. I've just offered Allison the opportunity to join jus here."
"And as thankful as we are I'm afraid we'll have to decline. Ever since Allison's father left," Nicole sighed, "it's been difficult around home. And as selfish as it sounds, she's all the family I have left."
"That's perfectly understandable, just know that the offer will always stand."
"Thank you." Nicole and Allison left Scott alone with the Professor.
"She was adamant to help find you," Professor Xavier at the door Allison had just left through. "She and Jean became quite close."
"I can imagine. She seems a lot like Jean was at that age." Scott smiled for a moment, lost in a memory. "but I have a feeling you didn't call me in here merely to meet Allison."
"No," Professor Xavier said, "I'm not sure how best to approach this. Scott, how much did you learn about the doctor who had you in her care?"
"You mean Dr. Foster?" Scott seemed surprised, this was hardly the question he'd imagined getting called in for. "Not much. She seemed almost reluctant to work on me at times, but other times she seemed indifferent."
"Scott, we've managed to collect some information on Dr. foster. She began working for Bolivar Trask in order to freely experiment with genetics. When she discovered his intentions to experiment on mutants, however, Dr. foster proceeded to resign. Not wanting to lose one of his most experienced doctors, Trask has been holding threats against Ami Foster's eight-year-old daughter in order to keep Foster employed."
Scott felt the base of his skull begin to throb unpleasantly as he attempted to process this information. He hated Foster for what she'd done to him, but this put a whole new angle on the whole situation. In a sense she'd been forced against her will, yet wasn't it her fault for going into a non-restricted field. But she tried leave when she learned mutant experimentation. "Professor, do you mind if I take some time to think this over?"
"Of course not, take all the time you need."
XxX
Scott was lying on his bed, head hanging off the edge, when there was a soft knock on his door. "Uh, yeah?" He quickly pulled himself upright, wincing as blood rushed from his head. Jean stood in the doorway with a pile of books clutched to her chest.
"Hey," she smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Feeling better?"
"Much. What've you got there?" He nodded to the books.
"Oh," she set them on his desk. "The work you need to make up."
"Just kidding, I feel terrible."
Jean laughed softly, "No you don't, you feel fine and you're going to finish this work in record time."
"I am?"
"Mmhmm, 'cause I'm going to help you."
"You are?"
"Of course. I know you Summers, you won't work without motivation and I know that at the moment you couldn't care less about homework. But I'm not going to watch you flunk out of Senior year because of a little missed work. Besides," she smiled slyly, "I know all the material already."
XxX
With Jean's guidance Scott found himself putting the final touches on his history review questions three hours later. "I don't think my brain had hurt this much since midterms."
"Aw, poor baby." Jean flashed him a teasing smile.
"Excuse me, you wouldn't be making fun of me now would you?" Scott wrapped an arm around Jean's waist and lifted her off her chair.
"Possibly."
"Possibly? You sure you don't want to take that back Miss Grey?"
She smiled smugly, "I can't take back the truth."
"Oh, you did not just say that." Scott dropped her on his bed.
"It's true, our fearless leader is really just a big baby."
"This means war," Scott brushed his fingers over her bare midriff and Jean's eyes widens.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Wouldn't I?" He began tickling her, lightly at first, but he quickly picked up force, focusing on the areas that he knew would provoke the largest reactions. His favorite spots to tickle were her sides, just below her ribs. He and Kurt had cornered her once and poked the sides of her stomach until she collapsed on the ground, laughing too hard to move.
"Alright! Alright!" She gasped between bouts of laughter. "I take it back! I'm sorry!"
Scott moved his hands, placing them on the mattress on either side of Jean's head to support his weight. "Say it."
"You're not a baby, I take it all back."
"You promise?"
"I promise." She was breathing hard, and as her breath tickled Scott's face he realized just how close they were and how he'd give anything to be closer.
Groaning, Scott rolled over so he was lying on his back beside Jean. "What are we doing here, Jean? What are we now?"
"Scott, look at me Scott. I don't know about you but I didn't say anything last night that I didn't mean."
Scott smiled, brushing a strand of hair off Jean's face. "Neither did I. Jean, will you be my girlfriend?"
Jean rolled over, positioning herself over Scott. "I thought you'd never ask." She pressed her lips against his, igniting a flame that hand lain dormant within them. Scott's arms traveled up to her face, caressing her cheeks gently before running his fingers through her hair. When his hands had finally settled on the small of her back Jean's arms snaked around his neck. Scott shifted their weight, delicately positioning himself over Jean. Her hands traveled down his chest, feeling the hard muscles she had admired through his tight uniform.
"Hey, Scott, Kurt and I were wondering if-" Scott rolled off his bed in surprise. "Oh my God, I'm like, so sorry." Kitty squealed, but a grin had already split across her face. "I'll like, leave you two alone."
Scott groaned as the freshman phased out through his door. "It just had to be Kitty, didn't it?"
Jean sighed, "Well, we were going to have to tell people sooner or later. You know people at school are already talking. Sandy called the other night, Taryn apparently thinks we skipped school to be together. I convinced Sandy it was the flu."
"You should've just told them the truth, that really would have got them talking." Scott muttered bitterly.
"Hey don't be like that," Jean cupped his chin in her hands, tilting his face up from where he'd been glaring at the floor. When Scott didn't respond Jean sighed, taking his hand in her own. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Silence filled the room as Scott stared at the wall across from him. Jean had almost given up hope of him answering when he spoke, his voice quavering in a manner she couldn't remember ever having heard from Scott. "I was scared, Jean. I don't think I've ever been that afraid before – save the day my parents died." Jean tightened her hold of his hand, his parents were not a subject that was easily broached with Scott. "I kept blacking out, I couldn't stay conscious for long. The cell was so cold . . . there was no light . . ." he shuddered at the memory. "I honestly thought I was going to die there and all I could think about was the fact that there was a chance I wouldn't see you again, that I'd never be able to tell you how I feel." He trailed off and Jean wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.
"You're here now," she whispered. "That's all that matters, and I am never letting you go."
XxX
A/N: And that's the first chapter, taking off right where the last story ended. I can't promise any updates any time soon. I'm working as a camp counselor (I have been for the past 2 weeks and will be for the next 2) so I spend the majority of my day chasing after third grade girls who only speak Japanese. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of free time on my hands. I hope this bit was good enough for now!
Please Review!
--DOJ--