Chapter 10
A little more than a week after his conversation with Scott, Professor Xavier decided it was time to put his concerns about Scott and Jean's relationship to the test. It wouldn't tell him decisively how Scott would behave in a real battle situation, but Charles was confident it would give him a good idea.
The Professor scheduled an intensive session in the Danger Room, designed to test the young man's leadership abilities. The goal was simple: get the team past the obstacles as quickly as possible, while avoiding the surprises that would pop up at various points. Xavier had programmed part of the weapons system to target Jean and Evan; the test would be to see how Scott would react.
From his position in the observation room, the Professor watched as the exercise got underway. Scott led the charge around the various obstacles that would appear and retract and appear again at different locations. They were progressing well, each of the team members using their powers to work their way through the course.
Here we go, Charles said to himself as he typed in the command that would activate the rest of the weapons system.
Scott was ushering his team through the course, covering those who needed it and making sure everyone was still with him.
"Daniels! Jean! Move it!" he ordered, watching as the two lagging members of the team fought the Danger Room's defense system.
"Just go! We'll be fine!" Jean shouted back, not sparing him a glance as she concentrated on shielding herself against the barrage of simulated gunfire.
Evan, on the other hand, was having a harder time. He was throwing spikes to deflect the projectiles flying at him, but he was being out-maneuvered. He tucked and rolled to avoid a series of laser-like flashes, and found himself temporarily blinded from the light. As he blinked repeatedly trying to regain his vision, a large canon took aim at him from behind. Jean darted to where Evan was lying defenseless and surrounded them both in a shielded bubble.
"Kurt, teleport Evan and Jean over here now!" Scott commanded as the rest of the team tried to regroup.
Kurt bamfed over to where his teammates were fending off the attack. "Come on! I'll get you out of here," Kurt told Evan. "Jean, drop the shield so I can get in!"
Jean did as Kurt asked, refocusing her energy on shielding the two boys. "Jean, you're supposed to come too!" Kurt called to her.
"Just get Evan out of here – I'm fine," she told him.
"But – "
"Just go!"
Kurt obeyed, teleporting back to the others.
"Evan, you ok?" Scott asked, checking the boy for obvious signs of injury.
"Yeah, man, I'll be ok. Just a little dazed," Evan admitted.
"Where's Jean?" Scott demanded, looking back onto the course.
"She told me to get Evan and go," Kurt reported.
"Dammit!" Scott muttered under his breath. "Jean, let's go!" he shouted over the din of explosions.
*Don't wait for me!* she ordered telepathically. *I'll only hold you up. Go and I'll make sure I get to the end point. I've got your backs.*
Scott growled in frustration. He contemplated sending one of the others out to act as backup for her, but quickly discarded the idea. Jean was strong defensively, and he knew she would be able to handle herself. "Ok team, let's keep going. Jean's on her own – says she'll meet us at the end."
They finally reached the end of the simulation, and as promised, Jean met up with them as they crossed the line. A buzzer sounded and the weaponry disengaged and retracted into the walls and floors.
"That was a good session, X-men," Professor Xavier said through the PA system. "You're dismissed."
"Scott, Jean, a moment please," Professor Xavier called as he exited the observation room. Jean and Scott exchanged a worried glance, and then turned back to the Professor, climbing the stairs to where he sat.
He regarded them for a long moment, a small smile playing at his lips. "I was very pleased with your performance today," he told them. "I noticed nothing that would lead me to believe that my concerns about your relationship were justified, and I'm delighted that I was wrong about this," he told them, smiling warmly at them. "That is all," he said as a dismissal when they failed to respond, amused by the slightly stunned expressions on his students' faces.
Jean and Scott exited the Danger Room and entered the elevator in silence.
"Did he just give us his blessing?" Jean asked finally, amusement tingeing her voice.
Scott chuckled. "Yeah, I think he did."
"That was just so weird," she said, trying not to laugh.
"It was," Scott nodded in agreement. "But I have to admit I'm relieved. I didn't like that the Professor wasn't supportive of us being together."
"I know you didn't," Jean told him, linking her arm through his. "But I think you were most bothered by him doubting your competence as the team leader."
He smiled crookedly at her. "You know me too well," he admitted.
"Yes, I do," she agreed with a smile, as they stepped out of the elevator and onto the main floor. "And just to completely change the subject, it would be nice if I could give my parents more than a couple of days notice if I'm bringing my boyfriend home for the holidays. Do you want to come, or not?"
Scott sighed, deeply torn. "Jean, you know I'd do pretty much anything to spend Christmas with you," he began, and Jean didn't let him finish.
"But spending that much time with the Grey clan might be above and beyond the lengths you'd go to for the sake of our relationship?" she teased, knowing that was closer to the truth than he would admit.
Scott chuckled. "Well, your mom's never been a big fan of mine," he said disdainfully.
"Oh, stop – my mom's not a big fan of anyone," Jean laughed.
"Good point," he grinned. "But in all seriousness, I think I'd rather sit this one out."
"Ok, fair enough," she said with a nod. "Then I'll stay here, too."
Scott was shocked. "Jean, you can't! Your family –"
"My family will cope," she said, waving a hand in he air dismissively. "They won't even notice I'm not there – they'll be too busy gushing over my sister's fiancé," Jean said mockingly, drawing out the word pretentiously.
Scott snickered at her obvious disapproval. "I appreciate the thought, but I can't let you give up spending time with your family."
"Let me?" Jean repeated, an eyebrow arched, daring him to continue.
"Come on, you know I don't mean it like that," Scott sighed.
"Fine, then it's decided. I'm staying here for Christmas," she announced, an impish grin on her face. "We're going to have so much fun."
~~
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