Heart to Heart

"Jean wait!" Scott ran after her. "Are you okay? What…"

"Scott I don't want to talk to you right now!" Jean snapped, still crying.

"But…" Scott started to say something.

"I think I'll take it from here," Ms. Ark appeared. She gently took Jean by the shoulders. "Why don't you go back to the lunchroom okay?" They went into an empty classroom, leaving Scott alone.

But not for long. Anya was taking Taryn away. "Taryn!" Scott said. "I…"

"Save it!" Anya snapped. "You've done enough! How could you do that to her? I thought you cared about her?"

"But I…" Scott started.

"You have done enough young man!" Ms. Baron came in and gently escorted her to another empty classroom. "Come on dear, why don't we have a little girl talk? Thank you Anya."

Scott stood there as a second door was slammed in his face. Anya sniffed haughtily and walked away. Scott went back to the cafeteria. "I just can't win," He muttered to himself.

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"I feel so stupid," Jean sobbed.

"Well maybe you were a little naive," Ms. Ark said.

"I mean how could I have been so blind!" Jean sniffed. "I thought he was a great guy. Really I did. But all the signs were there. I mean he treated me like a possession, he ignored me at the dance to brag to his friends. He was pushy and when I heard…" She stopped herself before she revealed too much. "I…suspected he was seeing someone."

"Love makes you see things that aren't there sometimes," Ms. Ark handed her another tissue. "Even makes you blind to other people's faults."

"And how," Jean groaned.

"Not to mention his looks didn't hurt," Ms. Ark sighed. "That also can blind a person. Believe me I know."

"Yeah, that's part of the reason I went out with him in the first place."

"Did you really love Duncan?" She asked.

Jean sat there for a minute, searching her feelings. "I guess love is a bit strong," She said. "I really liked him a lot. I mean he can be really charming. But I was never really comfortable with him. I mean I just couldn't talk to him about a lot of things."

"Not like Scott?"

"Well no, I…" Jean trailed off.

"You really care about Scott don't you?" She asked.

"Is it that obvious?" Jean asked.

Ms. Ark nodded. "You're very close to him. So close that you don't even realize your feelings for him."

"How is that possible?"

"To be honest, I'm not that sure, but it happens," She shrugged. "Maybe because you two have been friends for such a long time. You can't imagine your life without him, but maybe it's because you don't want to damage your friendship you don't even consider your other feelings for him."

Jean sat there. "I do care a lot about Scott," She said. "I guess I never realized how much before. Duncan's nothing like Scott. He's…"

"The total opposite? Maybe you went with him because of that. And of course Scott was jealous of that fact."

Jean sighed. "He was wasn't he? And…"

"And you liked the attention, didn't you?"

"Yeah. Yeah I did. I really screwed up didn't I?"

"Yes," Ms. Ark said. "But I think that Scott will forgive you. I suggest you two have a long talk. Clear the air about how you really feel about each other. I'm not saying it will be a perfect relationship, but I have a feeling you two will make it work."

"I know it's just…I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now. I'm so embarrassed. I don't think I can finish school today…I just…" She started to sob.

"Well I guess I can help. This time. I'll call the Institute and have someone pick you up for today. But you're gonna have to face them all sooner or later."

"I know but I'd rather it be later," Jean sniffed.

"Well we all need to take a tactical retreat every now and then," Ms. Ark smiled. "I'll go make the call."

"Ms. Ark?" Jean asked.

"Yes?"

"I was being a real jerk to Scott wasn't I?"

"Yes." She replied honestly. "But in my experience, some men are even more attracted to women who treat them like that."

"I don't want to be that type of person," Jean said.

"That's a start," Ms. Ark nodded. "Look kid, nobody's perfect. Not even me. We just do the best we can. We're only human."

Jean smiled. She felt a little better, but she knew she was going to have a lot of apologizing to do.

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"I can't believe it!" Taryn sniffs. "She just snaps her fingers and Scott fawns over her like she's the Queen of the Universe or something!"

"Well some women are like that," Ms. Baron said sympathetically. "Take it from me. I have had a lot of experience with those types of women. You can't trust anything they say when it comes to boyfriends."

"Really?" Taryn sniffed.

"Oh I am not saying that she's evil mind you," Ms. Baron went on. "But for some women, men are merely conquests. Something to keep on a string. It's a game they like to play. Almost an addiction if I may say so. The only change here is that Duncan was smart enough to realize it."

"Yeah but then she pulls this crying act and…" Taryn sniffed.

"A perfect defense mechanism," Ms. Baron told her. "What man can help himself when he sees the girl he loves in tears? No, girls like Jean are always thinking two steps ahead of themselves. They are thinking up ways of seducing the next attractive boy even before they finish with the one they are going out with."

"Yeah well she certainly got Scott," Taryn sniffed.

"May I ask you a personal question?" Ms. Baron asked. "Do you love him?"

"Well…I really like Scott," Taryn said. "I mean, we haven't been together long enough to know if it was love. That's not a good answer is it?"

"On the contrary, it is an excellent one. If you had said you were head over heels in love with him I would be worried. But you Taryn are a very intelligent girl. You know enough to go into a relationship with your eyes open. That's something not many girls your age would do."

"So you don't think I'm stupid for liking a guy that's infatuated with someone else?"

"My dear, that sort of thing happens all the time. It's what you do about it that's important."

"Well there's not that much I can do," Taryn blew her nose. "Scott loves Jean."

"So what?" Ms. Baron looked at her. "You're just going to give him up without a fight?"

"But what can I do?" Taryn asked. "If Jean is what Scott wants I can't just make him change his mind like that!"

"It has been my experience that men don't really know what they want in life," Ms. Baron smiled. "But that they need to be guided to what they need. They're all just little boys deep down inside. They have their whims and fancies that need to be indulged, but soon they tire of them."

"So you're saying Scott will get tired of Jean and come back to me?" Taryn asked.

"Exactly," Ms. Baron smiled. "Once he realizes what a viper she really is and gets her out of his system, he will be like putty in your hands."

"But what do I do?" Taryn asked.

Ms. Baron grinned. "You just listen to me. Take my advice…and within a few months, Scott will be yours once again. Trust me."

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A few hours later Logan knocked on the classroom door. "Hey Red," He said. "You're ride's here."

"Hi Logan," Jean nodded. "Ms. Ark, this is Mr. Logan. He's one of the instructors at the Institute."

"Actually we've met before," Ms. Ark smiled. "I believe you cut me off with your motorcycle downtown yesterday. Am I correct?"

"Uh…yeah," Logan gulped turning red. "Sorry about that. I was late for something and uh…Are you ready to go Jean?"

"Well that depends," Ms. Ark said. "Are you going to take her in your motorcycle."

"Uh…no. I have the car waiting for her."

"Well in that case she is ready. But I would like a word with you about something else," Ms. Ark told him. "Jean would you mind waiting outside? This will only take a few minutes."

"Yeah, I'll be okay," Jean sniffed. She went out of the room to the car.

"Why don't you sit down please?" Ms. Ark motioned. Awkwardly Logan sat at one of the desks. "I wanted to discuss some of the other students with you and their progress. I realize now is the wrong time to go into details, but I'm worried about some of them, particularly Mr. Daniels and Mr. Drake."

Logan nodded. He looked at her face and her brown eyes that sparkled. Wow…He thought. That's one tough lady to make me feel this nervous. Beautiful too. Scents nice, like vanilla and almonds. Oh boy…what was she saying? Pay attention Logan! Stop staring at her! What's wrong with you? You've seen dozens of women before!

"Are you all right?" She asked.

"Oh yeah, yeah," Logan covered. "Those two are goofing off in class. Don't worry I'll set them straight."

"Lucky guess," She raised an eyebrow.

"Was it that obvious?" Logan groaned.

"Pretty much," She smiled. "Maybe we should talk about this later. After things with Jean have calmed down."

"Good idea. Thanks for watching out for her," Logan said.

"Well I'm glad she has people who are really supportive and care about her," Ms. Ark said. "Personally I think it's for the best. Mr. Matthews isn't exactly what I would call the perfect boyfriend. She's hurt and humiliated, but she'll survive and maybe she'll be a little wiser for it."

"Yeah well I'm not exactly crying over this myself," Logan said. "Look I know this is sudden and awkward but I believe in being straight. Sometime later…would you mind going out for some coffee or something Ms. Ark?"

"Actually…yes. Yes I would like that," She smiled. "I think that would be very nice Mr. Logan."

"Just Logan," He fidgeted. Jeeze I feel like a kid! This is ridiculous! "So I…um…I'll give you a call Ms…."

"Call me Mariko," Ms. Ark smiled.

"Mariko," Logan blinked. "Beautiful name."

"I think so," She smiled. "How about tomorrow evening. Around seven?"

"Uh yeah," Logan blinked again. "I'll um…pick you up," He got up and went for the door. "I'll see you then. Mariko. Seven right."

"Do you want to know where I live?" She asked wryly.

"That would help," Logan admitted.

"How about I meet you at the Sunset Café on the edge of town?" She smiled.

"I know where that is," Logan said. "I'll see you then…uh…Bye." He beat a hasty retreat.

Ms. Ark smiled to herself. Oh man! He is gorgeous! Well, so I go out with him once. I'm through with Falcon anyway. It's not going to change anything or hurt the mission…She smiled to herself again, giddy with anticipation.