Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men, or any of its original characters. Nor do I have any type of claim to those characters. However, the characters of my creation belong to me, and cannot be used without my permission.
Gifts From the Heart
(To Know In Your Heart Part VII)
By
Moonchampion
Scott found himself standing on the patio looking out at the forest. So many thoughts were running through his mind right now. However, he couldn't get his mind off what had happened in the last couple of days. The sun was starting to set. Just as Scott was about to go inside, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist, and a head resting against his back.
"Hey, Jean," he said without having to turn around. She released him from the embrace, and then moved to stand beside him as he stared off in the distance. "So, are you feeling better?"
"Yeah, I'm fine for the most part," said Jean. "Dr. McCoy says physically, I'm fine. It's just… I can't believe it all happened… but I'm glad you were there for me."
"Hey, what are friends for?" said Scott. "Besides, I've been losing things my entire life. My parents, my home, everything. I wasn't about to lose you too. Here, I want you to have this." Scott began to reach into his pocket for something. A few seconds later he pulled out a small locket. Jean gasped at the sight of it.
"Scott, I—I can't take that," she said. "It was your mother's, right?"
"Yeah," said Scott. "She thrust it into my hand as Alex and I jumped from the plane. My father gave it to her a few years before he married her. He said the moment he gave it to her, he knew…."
"He knew what?" asked Jean.
"He knew… she was special," said Scott. Jean was already shaking her head, saying that she couldn't accept it. "Listen, if you don't want to keep it, then at least hold on to it for me until… until someone special comes along."
Jean smiled as the words came out of Scott's mouth. "Scott do you ever think about the future?" she asked. "You know… what you want your life to be like. What kind of job do you want? Or how about a family?"
"A family?" repeated Scott. "Believe it or not, I think about that a lot. Marriage… kids… the whole deal. But like I said, I'm waiting for someone special."
"Well, maybe you won't have to wait long," suggested Jean, and without realizing it, she began to drift closer to Scott. Scott also began to lean forward. It appeared that a kiss was imminent. Their lips were only inches apart when….
"Hey, Jean!" Kitty called as the patio doors burst open. "Jean, telephone! Whoa! Am I interrupting?"
Scott and Jean realized where they were, and pulled themselves together. Nevertheless, the moment didn't seem awkward to either of them; in fact it felt perfect. Jean turned to Scott. "Well, I'd better… get that," she said. Scott nodded still staring into her eyes, trying to analyze the emotions he was feeling. Jean took a few steps to the door, and stopped. "Scott, are you sure about this?" Jean said holding up the locket again.
"Yeah, Jean, I'm sure," he answered. "I trust you."
Jean smiled, "Kitty tell them I'll be there in a minute." Kitty nodded and left the couple alone once more. Jean walked back to Scott and gazed into his eyes. "This is like giving me a part of yourself, Scott. I can't take it without giving you something in return." Jean raised her hands, and put her fingers on Scott's temples. Slowly, she pulled him forward until their foreheads were touching. Then, briefly, both Scott and Jean felt a blissful surge flow throughout their bodies.
"Whoa! What was that?" asked Scott as they pulled away from each other.
"It's something the Professor showed me," Jean explained. "It's a psychic bond. A strong emotional bond between two people, in theory they're impossible to break. This way, you can speak with me telepathically whenever you want to. Don't worry, we'll each keep our own privacy, but this way, it'll be easier for us to find each other… if we ever got separated…again." Jean stepped away from Scott and started back towards the house.
"See you at dinner," said Scott telepathically. Jean turned around after hearing the words in her head. She smiled and entered the house. Scott stared out at the sun as the last beams fell behind the forest.
"Hey, Scott," called Jean telepathically from inside the house. "Keep you eyes out for someone special. She may come around sooner than you think."
"What about you, Jean? You find somebody special yet?" asked Scott.
"Yeah," replied Jean. "In fact, my married name sounds perfect… Well, I've got to take this call. Bye."
Scott smiled as the conversation ended. As he prepared to enter the house a thought hit him. Whether it was his own, he wasn't sure. "Jean Grey-Summers. It does have a nice ring." Then, Scott stepped into the house and got ready for dinner.
THE END
