Title: A Friend in Need II: Sweet Child of Mine 22/22
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and some disturbing imagery
Summary: Jubilee is well on the way to recovery from the physical injuries she
sustained during "A Friend in Need," thanks to the help of Logan and Jean. The
psychic damage, however, has been slow to heal: she is still plagued by regular
nightmares and her memory has not yet returned. And while Jean's endless devotion
to Jubilee is helping her to recuperate, it is starting to put a strain on Jean's
marriage to Scott.
Disclaimer: The X-Men and Generation X are property of Marvel Entertainment.
Characters are used without permission, no profit is being made, and no infringement
on copyright is intended.
*****
A Friend in Need II: Sweet Child of Mine
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 22
Jean and Scott were told that it would take a while for Jubilee to be moved
to a room. They decided to wait with her until she was settled in her room.
Jean sat with Jubilee while she dozed, during which time Scott called the mansion
to let the others know that they had found her. Everyone was quite relieved to
hear the news. They wanted to come see her, but Scott told them that she would
be returning home tomorrow, and it was probably best to wait until then. When
he had completed the call, he returned to Jubilee's bedside.
Sensing his approach, Jean turned in her chair and smiled up at him. Jean asked him telepathically, not wanting to wake Jubilee.
There was a brief pause in Scott's approach as Jean initiated the conversation.
It had been a while since he had heard her voice in his head. But it was a
familiar, comforting sensation--one he welcomed wholeheartedly--and so he quickly
did his part to continue the exchange.
he replied, sitting down in the chair beside her.
I think I know how they feel.
Jean reached for his hand, entwined her fingers with his own. I was
so scared, Scott.
I know. So was I. I'm just glad she's going to be okay.
She gazed at Jubilee and smiled. Although her thoughts were positive, Scott
could sense an underlying sadness to them.
I know. It's just . . . I'm going to miss her, that's all.
He gave her hand a squeeze.
Jean turned to look at him. She reached for his face, touched his cheek.
He covered her hand with his own, turned his face to kiss her palm.
She smiled at him, bent closer to kiss him.
I do, Scott. More than anything. I think we need to talk some more, to get all
of our feelings out in the open. I don't want to keep anything from you ever again.
He watched as she reached for him again. Her fingertips lightly grazed his temple.
With her touch, he felt something else. His mind, which had felt empty for so long,
felt fuller. He was no longer alone. She had reestablished their psychic rapport.
It was like slipping into an old, comfortable pair of shoes after being on your feet
all day. Like curling up under a warm blanket on a cold winter day. It felt like
coming home again.
Smiling, he took her hand in his again, brought it to his lips to kiss it.
Without hesitation, he opened his mind to her, projected to her what he was feeling
in his heart. Suddenly, Jean was overwhelmed with an outpouring of emotion.
\\LoveSupportJoyHappinessRelief// touched her mind like a gentle caress. She felt
Scott's strength, his warmth, his love cocoon her like a tender embrace. In response,
she projected to him her own feeling of adoration, thankfulness, and love.
Words were no longer necessary. As it had been for so long for them--as it was to
remain for even longer--thoughts and emotions were all that mattered.
*****
Several hours later, after finally seeing Jubilee settled in her room, and waiting
until she was fast asleep, Jean and Scott returned home. He had had to wake her when
they arrived in front of the house. She leaned heavily on him as they walked inside
and made their way to the bedroom.
"I think I could sleep for three days straight," Jean sighed, pulling out a nightgown
from a drawer and tossing it onto the bed.
"Don't plan on it. We have to be back at the hospital tomorrow morning to pick up
Jubilee," Scott replied, sitting down on the bed to remove his shoes.
"Afterwards, then," she amended as she began to unbutton her blouse. "I'll go into
hibernation after she's home."
"Just so long as I can join you," his voice said in her ear.
She held her breath as she felt his hands on her, sliding the shirt off of her arms.
He gently pushed her hair over one shoulder, giving him access to the other. He kissed
her neck, even as he ran his hand down her arm, caressing her skin. Closing her eyes,
Jean sighed.
He was kissing her behind her ear now. She gasped as he took her lobe with his teeth.
Then his hands were slowly sliding down her waist, onto her hips. He slowly turned her
to face him. He ran his hands back up her arms, over her shoulders, toward her neck.
Then he gently cradled her face in his hands, bending it upwards so he could kiss her.
Jean reached for him, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss
deepened, and she could not help but moan.
His hands were on the move again. Down her back. Cupping her ass, pulling her against
him.
"Scott," she gasped, even as he placed a trail of tiny kisses across her jaw. "Scott,
don't."
"Hmm?" he asked, mouth headed for her ear again.
"Scott, stop," she said, breathless, as she pulled away. She took a step back, away
from him, away from the heat between them.
"Jean? Honey, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Scott, but I can't--" She gestured helplessly. "I just can't. Not now.
Not yet. It's too soon." She looked down, tears of frustration stinging her eyes.
It was not that she did not *want* to. After so long apart, she wanted this more
than anything. Unfortunately, the body was slow to heal.
Scott could sense her feelings of regret though their newly restored mindlink. He
was touched by her concern over what she felt to be his inevitable disappointment--
especially considering he felt anything but. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he knew
he had to immediately rid her of that mistaken notion.
"I know that, sweetheart," he replied softly, tipping her chin up so that she would
meet his eyes. "I would never deliberately do anything to hurt you. You know that,
don't you?" Along with his words, he projected his love and support to her--the
equivalent of a psychic hug of reassurance.
"Of course, Scott. It's just . . . if we went much further, I don't think *I'd* be
able to stop myself."
He smiled. "I just wanted to touch you, Jean. It feels like forever since you've
let me touch you, since you've let me hold you."
Without another word, Jean wrapped her arms around his middle and buried her face
in his chest. She felt his arms come up around her, enveloping her with his warmth,
his strength, his love. It had been so long since she had felt this safe, this good.
Too long. He sighed, and Jean could not help but smile. She did not want this moment
to end. She wanted to stay wrapped in his arms forever.
Although she knew forever was a bit unrealistic, she figured she could settle for
the next seven or eight hours. Slowly, reluctantly, she pulled back. But she quickly
took his hand and tugged him towards her. "C'mon, Scott, let's go to bed."
*****
Jean lay nestled in her husband's arms, listening to the soothing cadence of his
heartbeat, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. For the
first time in a long while, she felt happy. Content. Loved. She had missed feeling
this way.
She would have thought that he was asleep, except for the fact that Scott's finger
was tracing lazy circles on her arm.
"Penny for 'em?" she offered.
She felt the chuckle rumble in his chest. "Just thinkin'."
"About. . . ?" she prompted.
"Today, at the hospital. When we were talking with Jubilee."
"I still can't believe she's been carrying all that guilt around inside of her."
"Me either. But I guess it's a testament to how much we mean to her. She blamed
herself because she couldn't stand to think that she hurt us."
"You sound surprised, Scott"
"I guess I am, in a way. I mean, I knew that you two were close. I just never
expected her to take to me. . . ."
"Or you to her?"
He smiled. "No, I guess I wasn't expecting that either. It didn't take much, though."
"She's a wonderful girl, Scott."
"That she is." He paused, and she felt him tense a bit. "Don't you think. . . .
It sort of felt like . . . I mean, it seems like . . . that is, she . . . we. . . ."
"Something's obviously on your mind, Scott. Out with it."
He sighed. "Tonight, at the hospital . . . it felt like we were a real family."
Jean smiled. "It did."
"I . . . I liked that feeling, Jean."
"Me, too, Scott. Me, too."
"I was thinking, Jean. . . ."
"Yes, love?"
"That when you're better, and Hank says it's okay . . . that maybe we could . . .
try again. That is, if you want to."
Jean sat up to look him in the face. "You . . . you want to . . . to try to have
a baby?"
"Whenever you think you're ready, I'd like to, yes."
"Oh Scott. . . ." She kissed him.
He reached to touch her face, caressed her cheek with his thumb.
"There's something else, Scott. Tell me."
He took a deep breath. "I was thinking that maybe, in the meantime. . . ."
She nodded encouragingly for him to continue.
"What do you think about our adopting Jubilee?"
She stared at him, nonplused. "You're serious?"
"Perfectly. I guess I was thinking that if we all felt like a family . . . well,
then, why not make it official?" He smiled weakly. "What do you think?"
"Scott. . . ." Jean stared at him unblinkingly.
"You think it's a terrible idea, don't you?"
"No. Oh God, no. On the contrary, Scott. I think it's an absolutely wonderful
idea. I- I love it."
"Really?"
"Really. You know, sweetheart, just when I think I know you completely, you say
or do something wonderful like this. You never cease to amaze me." Touching his
cheek, she kissed him again.
"Do you think she'll go for it?"
"After what happened today at the hospital--all we said to one another--I think
so. I really and truly do. We'll ask her, see what she wants. Let her think about
it for a while."
"We have to make it clear that there's no pressure," he pointed out. "That if she's
not sure that this is what she wants, we'll let it drop."
"Of course, of course. That goes without saying. But I really do think she'll like
the idea."
"I hope so, Jean. I really hope so."
"So we'll ask her tomorrow, after we bring her home from the hospital?"
"Sure. The sooner, the better."
"Great." Jean settled down beside him, once again snuggling in his arms. "Thank you,
Scott," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"For what?"
"For giving me hope, and unwavering love. For giving me comfort, security. A family
to care for. For making me happier than I've ever felt before."
He pulled her tighter against him. "You've given me all of that, and more, Jean.
I love you."
"I love you, too, Scott."
Smiling, she fell asleep in his arms, dreaming about the family they soon hoped
to have.
Finis
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear what you think: somogyi02@yahoo.com
*****
Author: Somogyi
Email: somogyi02@yahoo.com
Archive: Sure, just please ask first
Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and some disturbing imagery
Summary: Jubilee is well on the way to recovery from the physical injuries she
sustained during "A Friend in Need," thanks to the help of Logan and Jean. The
psychic damage, however, has been slow to heal: she is still plagued by regular
nightmares and her memory has not yet returned. And while Jean's endless devotion
to Jubilee is helping her to recuperate, it is starting to put a strain on Jean's
marriage to Scott.
Disclaimer: The X-Men and Generation X are property of Marvel Entertainment.
Characters are used without permission, no profit is being made, and no infringement
on copyright is intended.
*****
A Friend in Need II: Sweet Child of Mine
by Somogyi
somogyi02@yahoo.com
Chapter 22
Jean and Scott were told that it would take a while for Jubilee to be moved
to a room. They decided to wait with her until she was settled in her room.
Jean sat with Jubilee while she dozed, during which time Scott called the mansion
to let the others know that they had found her. Everyone was quite relieved to
hear the news. They wanted to come see her, but Scott told them that she would
be returning home tomorrow, and it was probably best to wait until then. When
he had completed the call, he returned to Jubilee's bedside.
Sensing his approach, Jean turned in her chair and smiled up at him. Jean asked him telepathically, not wanting to wake Jubilee.
There was a brief pause in Scott's approach as Jean initiated the conversation.
It had been a while since he had heard her voice in his head. But it was a
familiar, comforting sensation--one he welcomed wholeheartedly--and so he quickly
did his part to continue the exchange.
he replied, sitting down in the chair beside her.
I think I know how they feel.
Jean reached for his hand, entwined her fingers with his own. I was
so scared, Scott.
I know. So was I. I'm just glad she's going to be okay.
She gazed at Jubilee and smiled. Although her thoughts were positive, Scott
could sense an underlying sadness to them.
I know. It's just . . . I'm going to miss her, that's all.
He gave her hand a squeeze.
Jean turned to look at him. She reached for his face, touched his cheek.
He covered her hand with his own, turned his face to kiss her palm.
She smiled at him, bent closer to kiss him.
I do, Scott. More than anything. I think we need to talk some more, to get all
of our feelings out in the open. I don't want to keep anything from you ever again.
He watched as she reached for him again. Her fingertips lightly grazed his temple.
With her touch, he felt something else. His mind, which had felt empty for so long,
felt fuller. He was no longer alone. She had reestablished their psychic rapport.
It was like slipping into an old, comfortable pair of shoes after being on your feet
all day. Like curling up under a warm blanket on a cold winter day. It felt like
coming home again.
Smiling, he took her hand in his again, brought it to his lips to kiss it.
Without hesitation, he opened his mind to her, projected to her what he was feeling
in his heart. Suddenly, Jean was overwhelmed with an outpouring of emotion.
\\LoveSupportJoyHappinessRelief// touched her mind like a gentle caress. She felt
Scott's strength, his warmth, his love cocoon her like a tender embrace. In response,
she projected to him her own feeling of adoration, thankfulness, and love.
Words were no longer necessary. As it had been for so long for them--as it was to
remain for even longer--thoughts and emotions were all that mattered.
*****
Several hours later, after finally seeing Jubilee settled in her room, and waiting
until she was fast asleep, Jean and Scott returned home. He had had to wake her when
they arrived in front of the house. She leaned heavily on him as they walked inside
and made their way to the bedroom.
"I think I could sleep for three days straight," Jean sighed, pulling out a nightgown
from a drawer and tossing it onto the bed.
"Don't plan on it. We have to be back at the hospital tomorrow morning to pick up
Jubilee," Scott replied, sitting down on the bed to remove his shoes.
"Afterwards, then," she amended as she began to unbutton her blouse. "I'll go into
hibernation after she's home."
"Just so long as I can join you," his voice said in her ear.
She held her breath as she felt his hands on her, sliding the shirt off of her arms.
He gently pushed her hair over one shoulder, giving him access to the other. He kissed
her neck, even as he ran his hand down her arm, caressing her skin. Closing her eyes,
Jean sighed.
He was kissing her behind her ear now. She gasped as he took her lobe with his teeth.
Then his hands were slowly sliding down her waist, onto her hips. He slowly turned her
to face him. He ran his hands back up her arms, over her shoulders, toward her neck.
Then he gently cradled her face in his hands, bending it upwards so he could kiss her.
Jean reached for him, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. The kiss
deepened, and she could not help but moan.
His hands were on the move again. Down her back. Cupping her ass, pulling her against
him.
"Scott," she gasped, even as he placed a trail of tiny kisses across her jaw. "Scott,
don't."
"Hmm?" he asked, mouth headed for her ear again.
"Scott, stop," she said, breathless, as she pulled away. She took a step back, away
from him, away from the heat between them.
"Jean? Honey, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Scott, but I can't--" She gestured helplessly. "I just can't. Not now.
Not yet. It's too soon." She looked down, tears of frustration stinging her eyes.
It was not that she did not *want* to. After so long apart, she wanted this more
than anything. Unfortunately, the body was slow to heal.
Scott could sense her feelings of regret though their newly restored mindlink. He
was touched by her concern over what she felt to be his inevitable disappointment--
especially considering he felt anything but. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he knew
he had to immediately rid her of that mistaken notion.
"I know that, sweetheart," he replied softly, tipping her chin up so that she would
meet his eyes. "I would never deliberately do anything to hurt you. You know that,
don't you?" Along with his words, he projected his love and support to her--the
equivalent of a psychic hug of reassurance.
"Of course, Scott. It's just . . . if we went much further, I don't think *I'd* be
able to stop myself."
He smiled. "I just wanted to touch you, Jean. It feels like forever since you've
let me touch you, since you've let me hold you."
Without another word, Jean wrapped her arms around his middle and buried her face
in his chest. She felt his arms come up around her, enveloping her with his warmth,
his strength, his love. It had been so long since she had felt this safe, this good.
Too long. He sighed, and Jean could not help but smile. She did not want this moment
to end. She wanted to stay wrapped in his arms forever.
Although she knew forever was a bit unrealistic, she figured she could settle for
the next seven or eight hours. Slowly, reluctantly, she pulled back. But she quickly
took his hand and tugged him towards her. "C'mon, Scott, let's go to bed."
*****
Jean lay nestled in her husband's arms, listening to the soothing cadence of his
heartbeat, feeling the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. For the
first time in a long while, she felt happy. Content. Loved. She had missed feeling
this way.
She would have thought that he was asleep, except for the fact that Scott's finger
was tracing lazy circles on her arm.
"Penny for 'em?" she offered.
She felt the chuckle rumble in his chest. "Just thinkin'."
"About. . . ?" she prompted.
"Today, at the hospital. When we were talking with Jubilee."
"I still can't believe she's been carrying all that guilt around inside of her."
"Me either. But I guess it's a testament to how much we mean to her. She blamed
herself because she couldn't stand to think that she hurt us."
"You sound surprised, Scott"
"I guess I am, in a way. I mean, I knew that you two were close. I just never
expected her to take to me. . . ."
"Or you to her?"
He smiled. "No, I guess I wasn't expecting that either. It didn't take much, though."
"She's a wonderful girl, Scott."
"That she is." He paused, and she felt him tense a bit. "Don't you think. . . .
It sort of felt like . . . I mean, it seems like . . . that is, she . . . we. . . ."
"Something's obviously on your mind, Scott. Out with it."
He sighed. "Tonight, at the hospital . . . it felt like we were a real family."
Jean smiled. "It did."
"I . . . I liked that feeling, Jean."
"Me, too, Scott. Me, too."
"I was thinking, Jean. . . ."
"Yes, love?"
"That when you're better, and Hank says it's okay . . . that maybe we could . . .
try again. That is, if you want to."
Jean sat up to look him in the face. "You . . . you want to . . . to try to have
a baby?"
"Whenever you think you're ready, I'd like to, yes."
"Oh Scott. . . ." She kissed him.
He reached to touch her face, caressed her cheek with his thumb.
"There's something else, Scott. Tell me."
He took a deep breath. "I was thinking that maybe, in the meantime. . . ."
She nodded encouragingly for him to continue.
"What do you think about our adopting Jubilee?"
She stared at him, nonplused. "You're serious?"
"Perfectly. I guess I was thinking that if we all felt like a family . . . well,
then, why not make it official?" He smiled weakly. "What do you think?"
"Scott. . . ." Jean stared at him unblinkingly.
"You think it's a terrible idea, don't you?"
"No. Oh God, no. On the contrary, Scott. I think it's an absolutely wonderful
idea. I- I love it."
"Really?"
"Really. You know, sweetheart, just when I think I know you completely, you say
or do something wonderful like this. You never cease to amaze me." Touching his
cheek, she kissed him again.
"Do you think she'll go for it?"
"After what happened today at the hospital--all we said to one another--I think
so. I really and truly do. We'll ask her, see what she wants. Let her think about
it for a while."
"We have to make it clear that there's no pressure," he pointed out. "That if she's
not sure that this is what she wants, we'll let it drop."
"Of course, of course. That goes without saying. But I really do think she'll like
the idea."
"I hope so, Jean. I really hope so."
"So we'll ask her tomorrow, after we bring her home from the hospital?"
"Sure. The sooner, the better."
"Great." Jean settled down beside him, once again snuggling in his arms. "Thank you,
Scott," she whispered, closing her eyes.
"For what?"
"For giving me hope, and unwavering love. For giving me comfort, security. A family
to care for. For making me happier than I've ever felt before."
He pulled her tighter against him. "You've given me all of that, and more, Jean.
I love you."
"I love you, too, Scott."
Smiling, she fell asleep in his arms, dreaming about the family they soon hoped
to have.
Finis
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear what you think: somogyi02@yahoo.com
*****