Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I hope everyone's enjoying the new episodes of "X-Men: Evolution" that the WB is showing. Anyway, here's the epilogue! Please enjoy it, and review or e-mail me! Thanks!

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

"Time may change my life, but my heart remains the same to you. Time may change your heart; my love for you never changes." ~X-Japan, "Say anything."

Title: Two sides of the same coin

Author: JupiterHalo

Rating: PG to PG-13

Part: 21/21

Date completed: August 10, 2003

*means telepathic thoughts*

//means normal thoughts//

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"Give it up, Jean! It's hopeless!" Scott Summers banged gently on the bathroom door, becoming a little impatient with his girlfriend of a year and a half.

"I'm almost done! Just a second!" Inside the bathroom, Jean ran the brush through her short red hair, admiring her reflection. Things had changed over the past two years. Not just the fact that she and Scott had become a couple. There was a whole new Jean inside of her- eager and ready to make an impact on the world. Hence, the new haircut.

Scott hadn't wanted her to cut it, claiming that she looked better with "long, sexy, red hair." But there was always room for change, and so she had decided on a shag haircut.

After brushing her hair, she put lip-gloss on her pink lips, mascara on her eyelashes and a little blush on her cheeks.

"Come on, we're going to be late!" came Scott's voice from outside the door.

After looking at herself once more, with satisfaction, she opened the door to the bathroom. Scott's eyes widened with appreciation and all he could think was: *Wow.*

Tonight was a special night. It was July 31st, Jean's 23rd birthday, and he was eager to make it one to remember. He fingered the silver band hidden in his pocket. This was definitely a night to be remembered.

In front of him, Jean stood in the doorway, wearing the dark blue, spaghetti strapped dress Kitty had helped her pick out a week earlier. On her feet were matching sandals. Hearing the echo of his thoughts, Jean grinned and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Scott. You don't look so bad, yourself."

Scott had chosen a suit for the occasion, plain old black and white. But, still, it fit him.

"Are you ready to go?" Scott asked her, linking her arm with his.

"Yeah!" The enthusiasm in her voice was enough to make him smile broadly.

They walked out the front door, to where Scott's car awaited them. Jean got in on the passenger side, and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. Scott was planning something. She could feel it, yet he wouldn't tell her exactly what was going on.

As they drove away, Jean asked him, "Where's this restaurant, again?"

"Somewhere close," was the only answer she got. She gave up, and the rest of the drive was blanketed in silence.

After about fifteen of minutes, Scott pulled up to the beach. He stopped the car, and went to help Jean out. She looked around, and saw a blanket and a few candles waiting for them on a nearby sand dune.

"Scott! How sweet!" she grinned, when he held up a picnic basket hidden in the backseat of the convertible.

"I thought this would be a perfect way to celebrate your birthday. The moon's full, the ocean is crashing... pretty romantic, huh?"

They sat down on the dune and began to eat the food Scott had prepared for this occasion. They talked about everything that had happened during the week, among other things.

"So... have you given any thought to the offer the Professor made you?" Scott asked her, putting a slice of chocolate silk pie on a plate for her.

A few months ago, Charles had offered Jean a place in his Institute as a teacher. Jean had triple-majored in History, Education, and Medicine. No small feat! Scott, meanwhile, had gotten his GED and was now going to NYU at Bayville, also planning on mastering in Education and possibly Mathematics.

"Yeah... it sounds promising. I'd love to work there, as a teacher. But, I also want to go on to medical school. Maybe become a doctor. Or a geneticist. I want to make my mark on the world, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. Whatever you decide, you'll be great at it, Jean."

After finishing dinner, they just sat in each other's arms. Moments like these were the times Jean was happy to be alive. The moonlight played on the waves, and the sea breeze was fresh and light.

Scott shifted a little beside her, a nervous gesture. "Jean? Can I, uh, ask you something?"

Jean turned and looked up at him, surprised. He'd never been insecure with her, before. "Of course, Scott. You know you can ask me anything."

"Okay." Scott took a deep breath, steadying himself for possible rejection. "Jean, I love you. I've always known it. I may have tried to deny it and I may have tried to push it away, but it's always been there. You've been a part of my life in ways that I can't even begin to imagine. Without you... I don't know what could have happened to me. I can honestly say that you've been the best thing that has ever happened to me."

Jean's eyes filled up with tears, and she went to say something. Scott just shook his head and placed a finger on her lips. "Let me finish. You're the light to my darkness, my best friend, my soul mate. Which is why I would be honored if you, Jean Elisabeth Grey, would be my wife."

During his speech, Scott's right hand had strayed to his pocket. He now pulled a ring out of it, and held it before her. It was a simple silver band, with a round sapphire in it, surrounded by a small diamond on each side. Jean gasped at the beauty of what he was saying.

"Yes."

Scott's head jerked at that whispered statement. "Yes, I'll marry you." Jean hugged him tightly, kissing him all over his face.

He hugged her back, whispering, "I love you," into her ear.

That night, both of them knew: no matter what they went through, no matter what challenges awaited them in the future, they would make it. For their love was an unbreakable bond, filled with love and trust. As long as they had each other, their lives would be filled with happiness. And that's a promise.

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And there you have it! I just want to tell everyone a big "Thank you!" for sticking with me this long. Without everyone who read this until the very last, I never would have been given the confidence to make it all the way through to this, the 21st part. Again, please review! Or e-mail me at SetsunaPuu21@cs.com with your thoughts. This was my first "XME" fic, but hopefully not the last! I'll see you all next time! Peace!

Love always,

~JupiterHalo~