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He rapped lightly at her closed door. "Jean? Jean, are you awake yet?" He heard a faint yes from inside, so he continued. "May I come in?" Hearing another yes, he turned the knob and opened the door carefully, scanning for her figure. She was sitting at her vanity, brushing her hair, and staring at her own calm reflection. He walked over and stood behind her. He rested his arm on her shoulder, and looked at her in the mirror.

Other than a fleeting glance, she did not recognize his presence, so he allowed himself to stand in silence until she moved. Putting the brush down, she turned toward him, causing his hand to slip. She looked up at him with mournful eyes, swollen with past tears. "Scott, the baby is yours," she told him calmly. "I know it's yours. You're the only one I..." She trailed off.

"I know," he said, kneeling before her sitting figure.

"And I'm going to have this child. Even if you don't want it, it's mine, and I'm going to be a mother." She choked a bit on these words, so she closed her eyes for a moment to regain her composure. "The Professor already knows, and I'm going to tell my parents today. It will be hard news for them, but I know they will be happy in the end."

"I agree," he said, "but, Jean, haven't you thought about what this means for us? Not for us and the baby, but for us? For our relationship?"

"I can't," she muttered, averting her eyes. "I can't think about that. I just hurts too much."

"Why?" he asked. "Why does it hurt? What do you think is going to happen?" He moved so that she was again looking at him, and she met his eyes sadly.

"I know you're too young. I know you never wanted a child." She paused to rub her nose. "And I know you have a choice. I want you to be happy..."

"Jean," he clasped her hands in his own, "you make me happy. I'm not going to leave you because of this. This just makes our bond stronger. This only gives us something physical, something tangible to represent our love."

The corners of her mouth were tugged slightly upwards, and her eyes began to shine. "Jean?" he asked her, decisively, "will you marry me?"

At once the smile was gone. "Oh," she groaned, standing and walking to stand over her bed. "This was the other thing I feared. Scott, I can't marry you now. I can't have you marry me just because I'm pregnant." She turned back, so she was facing him again. "This baby is going to be ours, but not as husband and wife. Not yet."

"Jean!" he pleaded.

"Leave now." He stayed where he was, looking at her with eyes full of sorrow, but hidden behind of wall of quartz. "Please, go."

~ ~ ~

"Wait, professor. What do you mean when you say Jean's, like, pregnant?" Kitty asked. She, Kurt, Scott, and Rogue were sitting in Xavier's office as he imparted into them information Scott already knew.

"I mean exactly what I say, Kitty," Xavier responded.

"But, that would mean, like, ..." All heads turned toward Scott. He continued to look at a spot on the carpet as though he could will it to move with his eyes.

Xavier continued to explain to them what this would mean for Jean, and for everyone else. Meanwhile, Kurt and Kitty sat straight up in their seats, trying their best to pay attention so the images would stop running through their heads. Rogue kept glancing at Scott, confused by his way of reacting.

"So you see, Kurt," Xavier turned toward the blue elf, "why it's important that we do not jostle her, and we make sure that she stays comfortable."

"Ja, Professor! I shall deny my instincts to my fullest!"

"Very good. You may all go now, and try not to wake up any one else. The new recruits have an early training session with Logan tomorrow morning."

Kitty and Kurt practically flew out of the room, but Rogue seemed to be waiting for Scott. She retreated, however, when it became evident that he wanted to talk to the Professor.

"Um, Professor?"

"Yes, Scott?" Xavier looked up from some notes on his desk that he had immediately started perusing.

"Well, you're the closest thing I've ever had to a father, and I, well, I need advice."

Xavier folded his arms in front of him, preparing to pay attention. "Of course."

"Well, I'm sure you know that the child is mine."

"Yes."

"And I'm not too sure what to do about it. I want to be there for Jean, but she doesn't want to marry me now. And... to tell you the truth, I was a little grateful when she refused me. I don't really know what to do now."

"Do you love her?"

"Yes, yes, I do. You must know I do. I love her so much it hurts sometimes."

"Then tell her. And just be there for her. It doesn't need to be legal, Scott, to be love."

"Yeah," Scott rubbed his head, taking in the advice the professor had just given him. "Yeah, okay." He turned to leave. "Thank you, professor."

"Any time, Scott."

As Scott left the room and turned down the hall, he was surprised to find Rogue still there, waiting for him. Her arms were folded, and she leaned against the wall, letting her hair drop into her face.

"So, you love her?" she asked.

He paused, trying to decipher the expression on her face before answering. "Yeah, I do."

"Great," she muttered, turning away from him to go up to her room. "Little Miss Perfect wins another round. Another heart. Another god damn thing to gloat over." She punched the wall angrily. Scott had gone in the opposite direction, so she was alone in the hall. "I'm never gonna be loved like that. I'm never gonna be touched like that." She leaned her head against her fists, which were on the wall. As the tears began to flow, she gave the wall another pound. "Screw life. Screw it all!" she cried, and ran off to her room as curious heads began emerging from the doors.

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Author's Note: I knew Rogue would be have to be brought in somehow