Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Crash and Burn
By: Skye Dragon
* * * * *
The rumble of a car pulling into the driveway preceded the scramble of teenagers rushing out. They were all weary from a day at school that had been much longer and harder than normal. Logan had picked them all up since Scott wasn't there to drive home. There was an unspoken question hanging in the air. Logan made no attempt to answer it. And the X-men found that fact was disturbing unto itself.
Kurt promptly bamfed up to his room, Kitty falling suit(by phasing, not bamfing, people!). Evan found his aunt and questioned about Scott's condition. Rouge was the only one to go to the library, homework in hand. As a matter of fact, she was the only one who even gave any thought to her homework.
* * * * *
Kurt threw his bookbag down on his bed. Papers and books spilled out onto the covers, but he paid them no mind. He had to get out of here. The gloomy cloud that had been over shadowing the mansion since the wreak was killing him. He wasn't sure just how much of this he could take. All of Kurt's life was a disaster, it seemed. But this, this stood out above a lot of his past pains, mostly because it wasn't happening directly to him. This was someone he cared about, someone he loved. And yes, Kurt had no problem admitting that. He did love Scott. Scott was the big brother he'd always longed for. Heck, all of the X-Men were like family to him. That was why it hurt so much when one of them was hurting. That was probably why he was usually the first to notice when one of the others was out of whack. (AN-I like that expression ^_^) His childhood hadn't been a kind one.
The feeling of helplessness that he was currently experiencing was different than the one that he use to feel whenever he had been chased. This was something very similar, yet also very different. And Kurt didn't like it.
Gritting his fangs against the ball of emotion that had been threatening all day to come out, Kurt let lose a low growl. Why was this happening?!? His tail wavering tensely, Kurt abruptly bamfed.
He reappeared outside. The sun was just beginning to set. Why was it so dark? It didn't usually get this dark this early, did it? Then he remembered. Daylight's saving time. They'd just been pushed up an hour two days ago. Turning away from the sky, Kurt heard a pair of footsteps coming his way. Not in a mood to be confronted, the fuzzy mutant bounded up a tree, blending in easily with the shadows.
It was Ororo. What was she doing out this late? Kurt watched her. Evan was with her. She was saying something about Scott. Kurt strained to hear without making himself seen. Evan was saying something about talking with Scott.
That sounded like a good idea. It just might make the whole situation easier to bear, Kurt thought. He waited until his teammate and mentor were gone before he bamfed again.
This time Kurt ended up just outside the door to Scott's temporary room. Checking to see if anyone else had had the same idea, he was relived to find the room empty aside from Scott's comatose body. Kurt really wasn't sure why he didn't want to be seen, only that he didn't. He silently slipped into the room, clinging to the shadows. Scott was not looking too good.
Slowly he stepped forward.
* * * * *
Nightcrawler appeared near the fire. He looked a little . . . uncertain, Scott thought as he watched the newest person to enter his realm. His tail was awful droopy. Scott dropped his sunglasses which he'd been playing around with and sat up, regarding Nightcrawler with unveiled and tired eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Scott asked. "You look like you haven't slept in a while."
Nightcrawler rubbed at his oddly colored eyes, as if to prove Scott right. He mumbled something in German that Scott couldn't understand. "Scott, You 'ave no idea vhat a nightmare today vas." He said, his thick accent coloring his otherwise lifeless tone. "All ze teachers vere so . . . untouchable. Like zey didn't care at all."
The blue elf turned his face away. His next words were so soft, Scott wasn't sure he heard correctly. "It hurts to live like zis." He faced Scott once more. "Man, you better not die. Zis place will fall apart. Everyone's already veally worked up, especially Jean. She hasn't left her room since who knows how long. And the team . . . vell, I veally hope ve don't 'ave to fight anyzing anytime soon. I don't zink ve vould vin."
Scott stared at Nightcrawler. No one else had said anything to him about this. Why was everyone taking this so hardly? "Kurt, man, everyone dies. We're NOT immortal. Young, maybe, but not immortal." Nightcrawler remained silent. Scott asked his next question with a hint of worry in his inaudible voice, "So what did happen to Jean? You said she hasn't come out of her room?"
Nightcrawler sighed, hanging his head. It was painfully obvious that he was struggling to hold back tears. "Scott, man, you're my family! All of you. I've never had a veal family. I don't vant to lose it." The elf was right on the verge of losing his control. "I don't vant to lose it . . ." He repeated softly. Slowly he faded from sight.
"Kurt!" Scott cried. Why didn't anyone ever stay around for a while? He was getting awful lonely, and he HAD to know more about Jean. So far all he knew was that she was alive. Now he knew that she apparently wasn't very badly hurt, and was staying in her room. But that really wasn't much information. She was the one person he really wanted to see right now, but according to Kurt, she probably wasn't going to come talk to him anytime soon.
Scott sat back down. He would wait. He had to wait. What else could he do?
* * * * *
Rouge sighed dropping her pencil. Oh what she'd give to be good in geometry. She tugged irritably at her right glove. Her hand was itching, and the black glove wasn't helping. With a growl of irritation, Rouge ripped the offending piece of material off, exposing her unusually pale skin. It was times like these that made the desire to be 'normal' stronger than ever. Gritting her teeth, she rolled her eyes up and prayed to whatever god there maybe that this be all a dream and that she should wake up, NOW.
Sighing, Rouge laughed at herself. While she was at it, why not just wish to be inhumanly beautiful and unbelievably rich as well? She rested her head in her hands, her right glove still on. *'If wishes were horses . . . '*
A sudden noise from outside the room startled her. Slowly she rose from her seat and made her way to the door, every sense on full alert. Surely the Brotherhood wouldn't be making trouble now, at this untimely hour in her life?
Opening the door, Rouge found nothing. Taken aback, she peered about her. Still nothing.
'Rouge, hun, ah think you have been studin' too hard.' She thought to herself. Turning around to glare suspiciously at her textbook. She always knew school was evil(other than the principal, of course). Did she now have proof to back that up? Another noise proved her wrong.
Walking down the hallway, Rouge was surprised to find non other than Jean Grey. "Jean! What're you doin'?"
"Hmm?" Jean looked up at her. "Oh, sorry, Rouge, I didn't see you."
"I noticed." Rouge commented under her breath. Jean looked awfully pale. There were dark circles under her eyes too. "Sugar, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine." Jean mumbled before turning and continuing her path. Rouge watched her. Jean looked like she was sleepwalking. She kept stumbling and hitting up against stuff.
A tinge of worry for her teammate hit Rouge as she made her way back to the library. This was NOT like Jean at all! But then, it also wasn't Rouge's concern, was it? Rouge stared down into her school book and was faced by several proofs and triangles with missing lengths. Well, Jean WAS her teammate . . .
Shaking her head at herself, Rouge closed her book and ran back out into the hall. 'The things I do . . .' She muttered to herself as she began to stealthily follow Jean.
* * * * *
Jean led Rouge down several halls and Rouge had a sinking feeling that she knew exactly where Jean was headed. Her theory was proven correct when Jean stopped in front of the Medical ward.
Rouge watched as Jean hesitated, her hand hovering just over the doorknob to Scott's room. What was she waiting for? Slowly, the senior girl pulled the door open and entered. Rouge, curiosity getting the best of her, followed, keeping to the shadows.
Jean stopped in front of the bed, and stared at it's motionless occupant. There was pain clearly written all over her face. She stood there a long time, just staring at Scott. Rouge began to shift her weight from foot to foot, getting restless. She was beginning to wonder why she had done this, for it suddenly seemed like a very stupid and childish thing to do. In this state of mind, Rouge did not see the tears that were making their way down Jean's face.
* * * * *
Scott was as close to sleep as he had ever been, when the rustle of grass informed him of another visitor. Wearily he turned his head in the intruder's direction. When he saw who it was, he immediately stood to his feet, any thoughts of sleep erased from his mind.
"Jean . . ." Her name sounded like a gasp. Scott instinctively wanted to move forward, but he forced himself to remain in place. Even here, in this dream-world, Jean still looked really messed up.
Clad in her training outfit, Scott could clearly see the dark circles under her eyes born of sleepless nights. Her skin was much paler as well, and the lively sparkle had left her eyes cold and hard. She didn't move with the grace she usually had, there was no spring whatsoever in her step. All the things Scott noticed and treasured for making Jean . . . well, Jean, were gone. Scott took note of all these things and more, and it hurt him to see her like that.
Suddenly a tear slipped silently down her soft cheek. It was followed by another, and another, until her face was wet with them. "Scott . . . " His name came out almost painfully.
"Shh, It's okay. I'm here." The urge to hug her, hold her, touch her, comfort her and still her tears was overpowering and Scott found himself at her side, distressed each time his hands passed right though her body. He didn't even feel anything when he passed through her.
"Scott, I'm so sorry." The tears would not be held back, and they came out almost violently. Jean, who had thought she had no more tears to cry ever again, found herself choking on sobs. Her body trembled with her weeping.
Scott for his part had never felt more helpless. What was a person to do in a situation such as this?
"I love you, Scott."
Scott stared at Jean, with wide, disbelieving eyes. ". . . You . . . you do?"
"I love you, I don't know why I didn't say anything. I was scared, I guess. But I'm scared now, I don't want you to die. Please, Scott, please don't leave me. . ." The rest of what Jean had been about to say was lost as she collapsed in a fit of tears.
"Jean . . ." Scott kneeled by the fallen girl. Curse this inability to touch people! "Jean." He mumbled, trying hard not to scream with frustration at his physical restrains.
* * * * *
Rouge gasped when Jean fell. Her legs just seemed to completely give out and she fell. Crumpled into a pile on the floor next to Scott's bed, weeping. Rouge went to her, completely forgetting about the fact that she'd been hiding, now intent on one thing: helping her fallen teammate.
"Jean, shhh, It'll be alright. Scott'll be alright." Rouge whispered softly. She wrapped one arm around the older girl and somehow managed to get her to a nearby chair. It was more difficult than she had thought, due to the fact that she was still missing her right glove and Jean wasn't wearing any sleeves. She briefly considered stealing Jean's powers, to call for help, but even as she considered it, Rouge knew she wouldn't do that to her. Instead she had to hope that Xavier would hear her on his own . . .
* * * * *
*'Professor!! Help!! Jean's here and I think she's finally cracked!'*
Xavier was momentarily stunned by the intensity behind the sudden thought. He quickly shook it off. Logan however was alarmed.
"Chuck! What is it?" The larger man demanded.
"Just a moment . . ." Xavier pulled away from Logan and sent out a telepathic message. *'Rouge! Not so loud! Now what is it? What's happened to Jean?'*
*'I dunno, She was talkin' to Scott and then she just kinda collapsed! Hurry! I don't have my gloves on!'*
*'We're coming.'* Professor X turned to Logan. "We have to go to the Medical ward. Something's happened to Jean."
* * * * *
Rouge was very much relived when Xavier, Logan, and Ororo appeared, shortly followed by Evan, Kurt, and Kitty. Ororo managed to get Jean's weeping to subside into soft sobbing. After a few sobs she began to hiccup, and stop trembling.
Then Rouge was required to explain what had happened yet again. She also ended up having to answer Evan's question about why wasn't she wearing her glove. Finally everything was calmed down. Logan picked Jean up and left to take her up to her room, Ororo and Kitty following after him.
Xavier, Kurt, and Evan left soon there after. And Rouge was left alone with the beeping monitors and the rasp of Scott's steady breathing. Slowly she turned to him, her mind still trying to understand the past twenty minutes.
As she went over it, one thing stuck out in her mind. Jean had said she loved him. Never mind the fact that she then collapsed into a fit of sobs and preceded to ignore all common sense, but she had said it. And Rouge had a sinking feeling that she meant it. It was no secret that Scott liked Jean, but to know for a fact that Jean liked him back . . .
Rouge closed her eyes. She'd thought about it before. Not Scott and Jean, but Scott . . .
"Some kind of girlfriend, huh?" She commented to Scott. Her voice sounded surprisingly easy and causal. She certainly didn't SOUND like a teenaged girl who'd just been slapped in the face by reality. Her thoughts swirling, the next words came out without any real thought behind them.
"Scott, You probably don't wanna to live do you? I mean, if you die, you'll never feel pain, you'll never worry 'bout hurtin' someone you care 'bout. I know I'd rather do that." A pause and Rouge turned toward him. "I heard what the nurse said, 'bout you bein' able to hear me. If you can, I want you to know, that I don't blame you if you don't live. The others will hurt, but they'll get over it. Everyone does. It's your decision, Scott. Don't let anyone push you into somethin' you're gonna regret." Where had that come from? Oh well, didn't matter now. Even as she thought about it, Rouge knew she'd said the right thing.
* * * * *
Scott stared open-mouthed at Rouge, the light gleaming off her green and black suit. ". . . How did you . . .???"
"She's right you know."
Scott turned again and saw his parents coming toward him. They looked the exact same way as when they'd left. Scott didn't answer.
"So do you know what you want to do?" His mother inquired.
Scott looked back a Rouge who was still standing there, quietly. "I . . . I don't know anymore." He sat down. His parents looked on, sympathetically.
"I don't know what I want anymore. I . . . I can't think." Scott stared at his hands. Suddenly he looked back up at his parents. "Can I see Alex?"
His father raised an eyebrow in question.
"You and mom have come and talked to me, why can't Alex?" This line of thought hadn't occurred to Scott before and now he held onto it. If his parents couldn't help him now, then maybe his brother could.
"But . . . but Scott," His mother started. "Alex CAN'T come here!"
"Why not?"
"Alex isn't dead."
"What?!?" Once again, Scott was sent reeling in shock. "But, but the doctors . . . they told me he died!"
His mom nodded sadly. "That's what they told him about you."
Scott openly stared at her. So his brother was still alive? How was it that Scott hadn't known this? "Alex . . . " Finally the message sunk in. This last bit of information was all that was needed to push him over the edge. Scott knew exactly what he was going to do.
"That's it then. I know what I'll do. I've made my decision." Scott announced after a moment's thought. "I want to live." He waited a moment, fully expecting his parents to have some kind of glad exclamation to say, but he was met with silence. Scott blinked. "Wha-?" Then he realized what his parents were staring at.
The fire had gone out.
* * * * *
And that's it for this chapter. How're you people liking it? Aren't I cruel for ending it like this? Hehe, anyways, there's one more part after this. Review please.
Crash and Burn
By: Skye Dragon
* * * * *
The rumble of a car pulling into the driveway preceded the scramble of teenagers rushing out. They were all weary from a day at school that had been much longer and harder than normal. Logan had picked them all up since Scott wasn't there to drive home. There was an unspoken question hanging in the air. Logan made no attempt to answer it. And the X-men found that fact was disturbing unto itself.
Kurt promptly bamfed up to his room, Kitty falling suit(by phasing, not bamfing, people!). Evan found his aunt and questioned about Scott's condition. Rouge was the only one to go to the library, homework in hand. As a matter of fact, she was the only one who even gave any thought to her homework.
* * * * *
Kurt threw his bookbag down on his bed. Papers and books spilled out onto the covers, but he paid them no mind. He had to get out of here. The gloomy cloud that had been over shadowing the mansion since the wreak was killing him. He wasn't sure just how much of this he could take. All of Kurt's life was a disaster, it seemed. But this, this stood out above a lot of his past pains, mostly because it wasn't happening directly to him. This was someone he cared about, someone he loved. And yes, Kurt had no problem admitting that. He did love Scott. Scott was the big brother he'd always longed for. Heck, all of the X-Men were like family to him. That was why it hurt so much when one of them was hurting. That was probably why he was usually the first to notice when one of the others was out of whack. (AN-I like that expression ^_^) His childhood hadn't been a kind one.
The feeling of helplessness that he was currently experiencing was different than the one that he use to feel whenever he had been chased. This was something very similar, yet also very different. And Kurt didn't like it.
Gritting his fangs against the ball of emotion that had been threatening all day to come out, Kurt let lose a low growl. Why was this happening?!? His tail wavering tensely, Kurt abruptly bamfed.
He reappeared outside. The sun was just beginning to set. Why was it so dark? It didn't usually get this dark this early, did it? Then he remembered. Daylight's saving time. They'd just been pushed up an hour two days ago. Turning away from the sky, Kurt heard a pair of footsteps coming his way. Not in a mood to be confronted, the fuzzy mutant bounded up a tree, blending in easily with the shadows.
It was Ororo. What was she doing out this late? Kurt watched her. Evan was with her. She was saying something about Scott. Kurt strained to hear without making himself seen. Evan was saying something about talking with Scott.
That sounded like a good idea. It just might make the whole situation easier to bear, Kurt thought. He waited until his teammate and mentor were gone before he bamfed again.
This time Kurt ended up just outside the door to Scott's temporary room. Checking to see if anyone else had had the same idea, he was relived to find the room empty aside from Scott's comatose body. Kurt really wasn't sure why he didn't want to be seen, only that he didn't. He silently slipped into the room, clinging to the shadows. Scott was not looking too good.
Slowly he stepped forward.
* * * * *
Nightcrawler appeared near the fire. He looked a little . . . uncertain, Scott thought as he watched the newest person to enter his realm. His tail was awful droopy. Scott dropped his sunglasses which he'd been playing around with and sat up, regarding Nightcrawler with unveiled and tired eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Scott asked. "You look like you haven't slept in a while."
Nightcrawler rubbed at his oddly colored eyes, as if to prove Scott right. He mumbled something in German that Scott couldn't understand. "Scott, You 'ave no idea vhat a nightmare today vas." He said, his thick accent coloring his otherwise lifeless tone. "All ze teachers vere so . . . untouchable. Like zey didn't care at all."
The blue elf turned his face away. His next words were so soft, Scott wasn't sure he heard correctly. "It hurts to live like zis." He faced Scott once more. "Man, you better not die. Zis place will fall apart. Everyone's already veally worked up, especially Jean. She hasn't left her room since who knows how long. And the team . . . vell, I veally hope ve don't 'ave to fight anyzing anytime soon. I don't zink ve vould vin."
Scott stared at Nightcrawler. No one else had said anything to him about this. Why was everyone taking this so hardly? "Kurt, man, everyone dies. We're NOT immortal. Young, maybe, but not immortal." Nightcrawler remained silent. Scott asked his next question with a hint of worry in his inaudible voice, "So what did happen to Jean? You said she hasn't come out of her room?"
Nightcrawler sighed, hanging his head. It was painfully obvious that he was struggling to hold back tears. "Scott, man, you're my family! All of you. I've never had a veal family. I don't vant to lose it." The elf was right on the verge of losing his control. "I don't vant to lose it . . ." He repeated softly. Slowly he faded from sight.
"Kurt!" Scott cried. Why didn't anyone ever stay around for a while? He was getting awful lonely, and he HAD to know more about Jean. So far all he knew was that she was alive. Now he knew that she apparently wasn't very badly hurt, and was staying in her room. But that really wasn't much information. She was the one person he really wanted to see right now, but according to Kurt, she probably wasn't going to come talk to him anytime soon.
Scott sat back down. He would wait. He had to wait. What else could he do?
* * * * *
Rouge sighed dropping her pencil. Oh what she'd give to be good in geometry. She tugged irritably at her right glove. Her hand was itching, and the black glove wasn't helping. With a growl of irritation, Rouge ripped the offending piece of material off, exposing her unusually pale skin. It was times like these that made the desire to be 'normal' stronger than ever. Gritting her teeth, she rolled her eyes up and prayed to whatever god there maybe that this be all a dream and that she should wake up, NOW.
Sighing, Rouge laughed at herself. While she was at it, why not just wish to be inhumanly beautiful and unbelievably rich as well? She rested her head in her hands, her right glove still on. *'If wishes were horses . . . '*
A sudden noise from outside the room startled her. Slowly she rose from her seat and made her way to the door, every sense on full alert. Surely the Brotherhood wouldn't be making trouble now, at this untimely hour in her life?
Opening the door, Rouge found nothing. Taken aback, she peered about her. Still nothing.
'Rouge, hun, ah think you have been studin' too hard.' She thought to herself. Turning around to glare suspiciously at her textbook. She always knew school was evil(other than the principal, of course). Did she now have proof to back that up? Another noise proved her wrong.
Walking down the hallway, Rouge was surprised to find non other than Jean Grey. "Jean! What're you doin'?"
"Hmm?" Jean looked up at her. "Oh, sorry, Rouge, I didn't see you."
"I noticed." Rouge commented under her breath. Jean looked awfully pale. There were dark circles under her eyes too. "Sugar, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine." Jean mumbled before turning and continuing her path. Rouge watched her. Jean looked like she was sleepwalking. She kept stumbling and hitting up against stuff.
A tinge of worry for her teammate hit Rouge as she made her way back to the library. This was NOT like Jean at all! But then, it also wasn't Rouge's concern, was it? Rouge stared down into her school book and was faced by several proofs and triangles with missing lengths. Well, Jean WAS her teammate . . .
Shaking her head at herself, Rouge closed her book and ran back out into the hall. 'The things I do . . .' She muttered to herself as she began to stealthily follow Jean.
* * * * *
Jean led Rouge down several halls and Rouge had a sinking feeling that she knew exactly where Jean was headed. Her theory was proven correct when Jean stopped in front of the Medical ward.
Rouge watched as Jean hesitated, her hand hovering just over the doorknob to Scott's room. What was she waiting for? Slowly, the senior girl pulled the door open and entered. Rouge, curiosity getting the best of her, followed, keeping to the shadows.
Jean stopped in front of the bed, and stared at it's motionless occupant. There was pain clearly written all over her face. She stood there a long time, just staring at Scott. Rouge began to shift her weight from foot to foot, getting restless. She was beginning to wonder why she had done this, for it suddenly seemed like a very stupid and childish thing to do. In this state of mind, Rouge did not see the tears that were making their way down Jean's face.
* * * * *
Scott was as close to sleep as he had ever been, when the rustle of grass informed him of another visitor. Wearily he turned his head in the intruder's direction. When he saw who it was, he immediately stood to his feet, any thoughts of sleep erased from his mind.
"Jean . . ." Her name sounded like a gasp. Scott instinctively wanted to move forward, but he forced himself to remain in place. Even here, in this dream-world, Jean still looked really messed up.
Clad in her training outfit, Scott could clearly see the dark circles under her eyes born of sleepless nights. Her skin was much paler as well, and the lively sparkle had left her eyes cold and hard. She didn't move with the grace she usually had, there was no spring whatsoever in her step. All the things Scott noticed and treasured for making Jean . . . well, Jean, were gone. Scott took note of all these things and more, and it hurt him to see her like that.
Suddenly a tear slipped silently down her soft cheek. It was followed by another, and another, until her face was wet with them. "Scott . . . " His name came out almost painfully.
"Shh, It's okay. I'm here." The urge to hug her, hold her, touch her, comfort her and still her tears was overpowering and Scott found himself at her side, distressed each time his hands passed right though her body. He didn't even feel anything when he passed through her.
"Scott, I'm so sorry." The tears would not be held back, and they came out almost violently. Jean, who had thought she had no more tears to cry ever again, found herself choking on sobs. Her body trembled with her weeping.
Scott for his part had never felt more helpless. What was a person to do in a situation such as this?
"I love you, Scott."
Scott stared at Jean, with wide, disbelieving eyes. ". . . You . . . you do?"
"I love you, I don't know why I didn't say anything. I was scared, I guess. But I'm scared now, I don't want you to die. Please, Scott, please don't leave me. . ." The rest of what Jean had been about to say was lost as she collapsed in a fit of tears.
"Jean . . ." Scott kneeled by the fallen girl. Curse this inability to touch people! "Jean." He mumbled, trying hard not to scream with frustration at his physical restrains.
* * * * *
Rouge gasped when Jean fell. Her legs just seemed to completely give out and she fell. Crumpled into a pile on the floor next to Scott's bed, weeping. Rouge went to her, completely forgetting about the fact that she'd been hiding, now intent on one thing: helping her fallen teammate.
"Jean, shhh, It'll be alright. Scott'll be alright." Rouge whispered softly. She wrapped one arm around the older girl and somehow managed to get her to a nearby chair. It was more difficult than she had thought, due to the fact that she was still missing her right glove and Jean wasn't wearing any sleeves. She briefly considered stealing Jean's powers, to call for help, but even as she considered it, Rouge knew she wouldn't do that to her. Instead she had to hope that Xavier would hear her on his own . . .
* * * * *
*'Professor!! Help!! Jean's here and I think she's finally cracked!'*
Xavier was momentarily stunned by the intensity behind the sudden thought. He quickly shook it off. Logan however was alarmed.
"Chuck! What is it?" The larger man demanded.
"Just a moment . . ." Xavier pulled away from Logan and sent out a telepathic message. *'Rouge! Not so loud! Now what is it? What's happened to Jean?'*
*'I dunno, She was talkin' to Scott and then she just kinda collapsed! Hurry! I don't have my gloves on!'*
*'We're coming.'* Professor X turned to Logan. "We have to go to the Medical ward. Something's happened to Jean."
* * * * *
Rouge was very much relived when Xavier, Logan, and Ororo appeared, shortly followed by Evan, Kurt, and Kitty. Ororo managed to get Jean's weeping to subside into soft sobbing. After a few sobs she began to hiccup, and stop trembling.
Then Rouge was required to explain what had happened yet again. She also ended up having to answer Evan's question about why wasn't she wearing her glove. Finally everything was calmed down. Logan picked Jean up and left to take her up to her room, Ororo and Kitty following after him.
Xavier, Kurt, and Evan left soon there after. And Rouge was left alone with the beeping monitors and the rasp of Scott's steady breathing. Slowly she turned to him, her mind still trying to understand the past twenty minutes.
As she went over it, one thing stuck out in her mind. Jean had said she loved him. Never mind the fact that she then collapsed into a fit of sobs and preceded to ignore all common sense, but she had said it. And Rouge had a sinking feeling that she meant it. It was no secret that Scott liked Jean, but to know for a fact that Jean liked him back . . .
Rouge closed her eyes. She'd thought about it before. Not Scott and Jean, but Scott . . .
"Some kind of girlfriend, huh?" She commented to Scott. Her voice sounded surprisingly easy and causal. She certainly didn't SOUND like a teenaged girl who'd just been slapped in the face by reality. Her thoughts swirling, the next words came out without any real thought behind them.
"Scott, You probably don't wanna to live do you? I mean, if you die, you'll never feel pain, you'll never worry 'bout hurtin' someone you care 'bout. I know I'd rather do that." A pause and Rouge turned toward him. "I heard what the nurse said, 'bout you bein' able to hear me. If you can, I want you to know, that I don't blame you if you don't live. The others will hurt, but they'll get over it. Everyone does. It's your decision, Scott. Don't let anyone push you into somethin' you're gonna regret." Where had that come from? Oh well, didn't matter now. Even as she thought about it, Rouge knew she'd said the right thing.
* * * * *
Scott stared open-mouthed at Rouge, the light gleaming off her green and black suit. ". . . How did you . . .???"
"She's right you know."
Scott turned again and saw his parents coming toward him. They looked the exact same way as when they'd left. Scott didn't answer.
"So do you know what you want to do?" His mother inquired.
Scott looked back a Rouge who was still standing there, quietly. "I . . . I don't know anymore." He sat down. His parents looked on, sympathetically.
"I don't know what I want anymore. I . . . I can't think." Scott stared at his hands. Suddenly he looked back up at his parents. "Can I see Alex?"
His father raised an eyebrow in question.
"You and mom have come and talked to me, why can't Alex?" This line of thought hadn't occurred to Scott before and now he held onto it. If his parents couldn't help him now, then maybe his brother could.
"But . . . but Scott," His mother started. "Alex CAN'T come here!"
"Why not?"
"Alex isn't dead."
"What?!?" Once again, Scott was sent reeling in shock. "But, but the doctors . . . they told me he died!"
His mom nodded sadly. "That's what they told him about you."
Scott openly stared at her. So his brother was still alive? How was it that Scott hadn't known this? "Alex . . . " Finally the message sunk in. This last bit of information was all that was needed to push him over the edge. Scott knew exactly what he was going to do.
"That's it then. I know what I'll do. I've made my decision." Scott announced after a moment's thought. "I want to live." He waited a moment, fully expecting his parents to have some kind of glad exclamation to say, but he was met with silence. Scott blinked. "Wha-?" Then he realized what his parents were staring at.
The fire had gone out.
* * * * *
And that's it for this chapter. How're you people liking it? Aren't I cruel for ending it like this? Hehe, anyways, there's one more part after this. Review please.
