Hey everyone! How are you? Sorry for the long wait... I just couldn't get enough time to sit around and write. But, here it is! The penultimate chapter! Please enjoy it, okay? And remember: the "new" season of "X-Men: Evolution" starts today on the WB at 9:30 AM Mountain Time. So, please watch it!

Disclaimer: I don't own "X-Men: Evolution" or any of its characters.

"Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere, wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation." ~William H. Sheldon

Title: Two sides of the same coin

Author: JupiterHalo

Rating: PG to PG-13

Part: 20/21

Date completed: August 2, 2003

*means telepathic thoughts*

//means normal thoughts//

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She knew that people talked about her. Whispered amongst themselves about her. And what had happened. Most of them didn't know the real reason why she chose to stay behind that day.

The pain consumed Jean. It was cold and icy, numbing every cell in her body. She didn't laugh, cry, eat, or even sleep. She just stayed upstairs in her bed at the Institute, avoiding contact with everyone.

"Hey." Jean turned over to face the door. Scott stood there, still clad in his black suit.

"Hey, yourself." Scott smiled faintly, sitting down on the bed beside her. She turned away from him again, staring at the wall. "How was it?"

"It was good, Jean. It was beautiful."

"Good."

It had been a month since Danny had died. That month was like hell on Earth for Jean- realizing that he was never going to come back. She wanted to cry. Scream. Anything. But nothing would come. Danny's mother, after hearing of her son's death, had decided to hold the funeral in Bayville. It was an empty casket, of course, since the tomb could never be opened again.

Everyone at the Xavier Institute had gone. Everyone, except Jean.

Once the word had gotten around to some of their college friends that Jean wasn't going to his funeral, a few of them shunned her. All of them thought that she was being incredibly disrespectful to his memory.

But, she knew that there was no way she could go and not have a breakdown of some sort. Everything that had happened in the last two or three years had seemed to just come crashing down on each other. And this had to be the final straw.

Besides, seeing that headstone in the graveyard would prove that he really was gone. And she wasn't ready to let go. Not yet.

Scott reached over and rubbed her back gently. "Hey. Talk to me. Everyone's worried about you." Jean closed her eyes, not moving. "I talked to Mrs. Morris after the funeral."

A long silence filled the room. All that could be heard were the sounds of their breathing. His deep and steady, hers nervous and light.

"What did she say?" Jean finally asked, sitting up to look at him.

Scott stared back. "She wanted me to tell you 'thanks'." Jean looked taken aback. Thanks...?

"Yeah." Scott nodded, understanding the look on her face. "According to her, Danny was the happiest he'd ever been when he was with you. He loved his job, his college, and Bayville. But he never would have enjoyed life if you hadn't showed up."

Tears started filling Jean's eyes.

"She also wanted me to tell you that's why she and the rest of his family agreed to bury him here. This place was his home. And she just wanted to say thank you for taking care of her son."

The tears that filled her green eyes finally spilled over. Jean buried her face in her hands, sobbing helplessly. "Scott. It hurts. Why didn't it hurt so much before?"

Scott reached over and clasped her gently in a hug. "Because you didn't let it." He whispered the words against her ear, his hands stroking her hair and back gently. "Danny wouldn't want you to die, too, Jean. He loved you. He'd want you to go on living."

She cried all of her pain out, until she could finally cry no more. Scott was still there when she was finished, still holding her. "It's... hard." Jean hiccupped through the words.

"I know." He smiled down at her. "But you're going to make it, Jean. You're strong. And I'm willing to wait, no matter how long it takes. I'll always be here."

They locked gazes for a long while. "Friends?" Jean finally asked.

"Always."

It would take a long time for her to get over everything. Jean knew that. But, as long as she had Scott's support, she would make it through.

After all, friendship is always a good place to start.

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The epilogue's coming up next! I'm sorry that this chapter is so short. I'll make the next one longer, I promise. Please leave me a review or e-mail me at SetsunaPuu21@cs.com with your thoughts on this story. I always appreciate the feedback. Until next time. Peace, love, and happiness!

Love always,

~JupiterHalo~