Title: Flowerman
Author: Megan
Series: Part Four of the What If Series
Rating: PG13 - slight R
Universe: Mostly Movieverse
A/N: The Canadian references are meant to kind of pick on Logan. I wanted to have some sort of basis for Scott's dislike before they met. I find it hard to believe that they just dislike each other that much upon first sight...
Summary: NOT MEANT TO BE CANON! Pieces are starting to fall into place for Scott.
Disclaimer: I do not own Scott or Mr. Marsden. Christmas is coming up though!

Dedication: To my best friend, Matt. And to anyone who knows the song this part is titled for. I see Scott everytime I hear it.


Flowerman


The music was blaring through the rec room on the first floor. He was sick of his two bodyguards. The two girls had finally left him alone. 'Ro had gone up to the attic. She had planted a garden there for her personal use. And Jeannie was somewhere with Beast. He slouched deeper in his seat and tried to concentrate on his story. Xavier had given him a book by Aldous Huxley and told him to have it finished for an essay in a week.
To confess, he hated the book. It was about drugs and reservations and other weird stuff. But he could see Xavier's attempt to make him see the parallels in his own life. Here was a guy who thought against the societal norm. Here was a world invested in drugs and pleasure. Here was what his life used to be like.
He sighed and closed the book. He could see what Xavier was pointing out, but it didn't make the book any more interesting. He tried to clear his mind like 'Ro had taught him. Something about centering one's self with a purpose of seeing what your mind was trying to tell you. 'Ro sounded like a damn cultist lately.
He turned to look at the math homework spread out in front of him. He had always liked math and Xavier had heaped it on him. Calculus and Physics and even Chemistry. All of them had math. He realized that Xavier was trying to give him reasons to stay. 'Ro and Beast and math and the library... He wondered if that extended to Xavier's prize pupil. The wonderful and beautiful Jean Grey.
Jean always seemed aloof, almost cold. That is until she and 'Ro had agreed to help keep him clean. Then she began spending time with him. He who wore leather in the hot summers and spiked his hair and pretended to be someone he wasn't. Beast said that Jean was like Xavier. Her 'gifts' used to be her curse. "Like mine," his whisper was drowned out by the music.
He couldn't imagine what it was like having dozens of people in his head at once. It was hard enough with just himself. He couldn't even stand it when Xavier poked in once and awhile. Jeannie must be in hell. And that was another thing. 'Ro didn't mind her nickname. Beast loved his. Why the hell did Jean hate being called Jeannie?
A deep voice interrupted his introspection.
"What progress has been made in the fight against mathematics, Scott?"
He looked up at the fuzzy purple Beast. "None if any, man."
"Do you mind?" Beast motioned at the chair across from his.
"Go ahead, big guy. I don't bite." He welcomed the distraction. "Where were you on this lovely pit of a Saturday morning?"
"Such elloquence. I am truly impressed."
He smiled. "I try."
Beast looked at the scrawny eighteen year-old. "Jean and I went to look at the Forensics exhibit at the Metropolitan."
"You mean dead bodies?" He sat forward in interest.
"Not entirely, my friend. Jean has expressed interest in the medical field. I thought it wise to expose her to one of the many areas in that field." Beast smiled in glee. "Besides, I also wanted to see the dead bodies."
He laughed out loud and reached across the coffee table to slap Beast on the shoulder. "Xavier keeps saying you're getting weirder. I have to agree now."
Hank chuckled, "It would be the only time you have ever shown a concurrence with Charles' opinions."
"Huh?"
"Anyway, I thought about taking you and Ororo to see something in return. I dislike nepotism. I would not want you to feel left out."
He shrugged. "There's nothing 'Ro and I really agree on. I would want to see the Harley Show and she would want to go shopping at some garden store."
Beast tilted his head in puzzlement. "We could view the show as well as stop and smell the roses..."
He started to laugh again. "Smell the roses? Bad pun, my man. Did a Canadian tell you that one?"
Beast tried to sound offended, "No. I would not associate with any form of Canadian. You know that."
"Do you want me to get 'Ro?"
Hank nodded slowly, "That would be a prodigous move. Also, Scott, what theatre is this Harley Show playing at?"
He shook his head in sarcastic shame and walked toward the door of the rec room. "Harley as in motorcycles, Beast. Ever heard of them?"
Beast watched Scott walk out the door and listened closely at his laughter. It had been a long time since he had been so lighthearted. Charles would be pleased.