Disclaimer: I do not own X-men or any of the characters here. However, as far as I know, Serena alone is my own invention.

AN: On that note, this is based off the movies, after the first one, before the second. I realize the comics are different, but I have not read them. Therefore any accidental characters, mainly Serena, or incongruities that I make or call mine, I apologize for. This is based primarily off the information given in the movies, with some liberties taken for this fanfic. Hope you enjoy it.

Control

Scott looked out the window with half a smile. It was good to practice, they all needed to, but if Storm didn't back off a little bit soon, he wouldn't be surprised if the professor asked her to. She had the wind whipped up so much he could hear it whistling. Practice. He put a hand to his head; yes, they could all still use it, no matter what the professor might say about them no longer being students in his eyes: him, Jean, and Scott, that is. He wouldn't even think about Logan. Hell, Logan wasn't even living in the mansion right now; off on some personal agenda he fails to tell any of us about. Jean had told him he was being too hard on him, that they couldn't even imagine what it was like to not know your own past, how we got like this. At the time, he didn't want to hear it, but…

Scott.

Scott jerked his head back up, listening closely. It wasn't as if he wasn't used to having half a conversation in his head; living at a school for mutants you get used to it pretty quick and he'd been here for a long time now. Nonetheless, generally it was Professor whom Scott heard when there was no one else around. Yet, this didn't sound like him.

Scott, if you can hear me, meet me down in the practice room.

Scott blinked hard, unless he was imagining things, and he didn't imagine things, it wasn't Professor, but since when does Jean have that strong an ability? Well, it couldn't hurt. Worst case scenario, though highly unlikely, was that it was a trap and he can defend himself.

"Jean?" he called, stepping out into the hallway, thinking maybe she might be somewhere nearby, wanting to meet below. He waited a moment. No answer. So he made his way down below the school's public face.

"Jean?" he called again, a little louder.

Scott. In here. Room 3.

She sounded as if she was extremely pleased, excited, and maybe even a little nervous. Well, if she had improved her power that much, he could understand why.

Cautiously, he opened the door to Training Room 3. There wasn't much here, some padded cushions, different furnishings and different sized objects were the rooms' main occupants. And her. Red hair swishing round as she turned and smiled, "Scott. You heard me?"

Once again, there was there excitement, but also nervousness. Maybe part of it was fear that he'd just happened to come into this room looking for her.

He didn't know quite how to react, "Yeah," he paused, half excited for her, half nervous himself, "All the way upstairs back in our room. I think that's a record."

Jean smiled and nodded, "It is, for the most part. I've been working with the Professor with expansion. It wasn't quite as far and I knew exactly where he'd be, I wasn't so sure with you, but it was similar. He's really pleased."

Scott smiled, "And why shouldn't he be? Jean, that's great."

He guess he'd thought she'd be less nervous now that she knew it had worked, but that didn't seem the case. If anything, she seemed more nervous, though, again, excited, too, "Jean, what is it?"

"Look at me, Scott."

He didn't know what she meant, and it was clear as he said slowly, "I am."

That same expression. If only he could hear with she was thinking!

Before he could ask, she breathed, "I mean, really look at me, Scott."

He parted his lips the tiniest bit in shock, his eyes going wide, though she couldn't see that, though she probably could imagine it. No! No, he'd misunderstood her. That was all. She couldn't really mean…

"I want to see your eyes."

She meant it! She couldn't, he had to be sure, "What?"

Now she just seemed impatient, though still gentle "Take off your glasses and look at me."

He'd heard enough and reacted instantly, "No! Jean, are you insane? Suicidal? Forget it!" for a moment he calmed down a touch, "You know that's not possible."

Jean took a breath, "But it is, Scott. You heard how far I've improved my abilities. I talked it over with the Professor and we did some smaller scale, but similar tests and he thinks I can control the blast. I think so, too."

To hell with what the professor thought! He risked too much! Expected too much of everyone! Scott just threw up his hands, turning round. He shouldn't have come down here.

"Scott," Jean called, pleading, "Trust me."

He'd been wrong. Worst case scenario wouldn't have been an enemy trap. This was worst case scenario. His girlfriend pleading with him for something that were they any two other people, it wouldn't be any problem. But, he couldn't give this to her. He couldn't risk it. Didn't she understand that?

"Scott," She called, seeing him hesitate, "You know I'd never do anything to intentionally hurt you. At least think about it."

Apparently she didn't understand. Besides it wouldn't be him she'd be hurting, at least, not directly. If she couldn't, then, but no, he wouldn't give her the chance. Controlling his emotions the best he could, he turned back to face her and said firmly, "No, Jean. You think about it, in the morning, when you're no longer suicidal."

She stepped closer to him now, almost begging, "Scott! You're just scared! Believe me when I say I can do this!" She paused a moment, seeming to realize another possibility, "Or, maybe you just don't want to see me with no lens hindering your vision."

He whipped around and took a few steps closer to her, "Don't be stupid! Of course I'm scared! Of course I'd love to really look at you like anyone else," he tried not to completely lose it as he had to add, "like Logan can," he tried to make himself calm down. He didn't want it to seem as if he didn't believe in her, "But, Jean…" no, he couldn't do this, at least not right now.

He walked out the room, and sighed as almost immediately he heard a door close with its own force and then footsteps, "Scott, wait! Please! At least talk to Professor!"

Maybe he would, later, but right now, he just needed to clear his head. He hadn't been expecting that. He went back to his room, to their room. Storm seemed to be done with her practice, he noticed vaguely. It was sunny and calm again, as the forecast had called for. Jean wanted him to really look at her. She wanted to really be able to see him, his eyes, the window to a person's soul. If he was honest with himself, he wanted her to be able to. He wanted to give her anything she wanted. It was just, this could hurt her, hurt both of them, irreversibly and unnecessarily. But, if he could trust her, as he should be able to, as she asked him to, and believe that she really had gained further control of her power, then it would be such a joy, to finally be able to look at her like anyone else. If not for the risk. Maybe, then, he would talk to the professor, and then, one way or the other, go apologize to Jean.