AUTHOR'S NOTE: When I was writing the prologue, I was planning to just have it and the last chapter (epilogue, closing shots, whatever) in present time, with all the chapters in between dealing with the three years in which Scott and Jean were the only two students in the Institute (actually, this isn't quite right; you'll see what I mean). Now, I decided to mix it up a bit, just for kicks. Read it and comment on it on your reviews. See if you like the time-traveling ;-)

           Furthermore, there have been several developments in Season Four that are beginning to contradict the timeline for my two stories. Therefore, it's getting a bit AU, especially Ruby-quartz. Oh Oh Oh! Scott's eyes are revealed in one of the episodes. I'm not telling you what colour they are, but they aren't green. Too bad - they were green when he jumped out of that plane....

Summary: Scott and Jean take a look at their past as the two find solace in the beauty of a winter wonderland. A pre-Evolution look at their friendship, and hints of future romance. Takes place in the same timeline as Ruby Quartz.

Pairing (s): Scott/Jean

Rating for this Chapter: PG-13

Chapter Three

           Scott was walking across a meadow. The sight before him was stunning - miles and miles of gently rolling hills, covered with a thick green carpet of grass and a small creek meandering to his right. However, what shocked him the most was that fact that he could see in colours. The green of the grass, the light blue of the sky, the dark brown of the dirt.... and he wasn't killing anything. Lifting a shaky hand to his face, he found he wasn't wearing his ruby-quartz glasses.

           Laughing, Scott ran across the field, skipping, jumping and rolling, enjoying himself like the child he never was. Birds and butterflies took to the sky, wary of the disturbance the young boy was unwittingly creating. Scott couldn't believe it; his powers were being kept in check. The teen made his way over to the creek; he just had to see his eyes. Crouching over, forest green pupils stared at him as Scott gazed at his reflection....

"Hey!" he exclaimed as two hands pushed him into the cold water. Goosebumps ran all over his skin as he landed face first into the creek. A girl, about his age, started giggling as Scott sat there, spitting water out of his mouth.

"You're all wet," the stranger pointed out needlessly as she bent over, extending a hand to help him up. The young boy, grinning devilishly, grabbed it and pulled her down into the water beside him. She shrieked as she landed with a splash. Her face lit up with a smile and he smiled back.

"So, what's your name?" he asked conversationally.

"I'm not telling," she answered, looking into his eyes. Abruptly, she got up, and ran away on bare feet.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

"Catch me if you can, Scott Summers!" she yelled over her shoulder. Laughing playfully, Scott got up and chased her. He caught up to her in the middle of the meadow and tackled her to the ground. The girl gave a surprised cry as she fell, pinned by the boy's greater weight. Towering over her, Scott grinned in victory, restraining her arms above her head.

Her wrists were cold. In fact, the air was freezing. Scott's body started shivering uncontrollably....

"Get off your ass, runt!" a gruff voice commanded. It was definitely not the voice of the girl. Scott groaned in protest, curling his body in a tight ball for warmth.

           Scott tried for several minutes to fall asleep again and continue the wonderful dream he was having, but it was no use. The girl vanished. Reluctantly, Scott opened his eyes. For a moment, he hoped that he would be able to see in colours again, but that hope died as soon as he saw Logan standing in front of him - in all his red and pink glory. He immediately deduced the source of his coldness - in Logan's hands was his warm blanket.

"Logan?" he muttered sleepily.

"Looked like you were having a pretty good dream, kid."

"You have no idea...." A brief glance at the alarm clock told him that it was 7:45 a.m., Friday. Scott's naked upper body shivered as he lazily pulled on a t-shirt before walking out of his room. Logan stood there, staring at his retreating figure, wondering what the hell the kid was dreaming about. He hoped that whatever it was, it wasn't one of his nightmares. Today was a big day.

*** 

"Ororo!" Scott squirmed as Ororo tried to work his hair with a comb. "Please! My hair's fine!"

"Quiet child. And quit fidgeting already. You're just making this harder on yourself," Storm chastised. Her eyes glowed white briefly, and outside, somewhere in the sky, the faint rumble of thunder could be heard. Unwillingly, Scott submitted himself as the African woman worked his chestnut hair with a comb, cold water and some mouse.

"Well, that's about as good as its gonna get," Ororo remarked a few minutes later, taking a step back. "Not bad, if I do say so myself." Looking in the mirror, Scott didn't notice anything quite different. His hair looked the same as it always did.

"Hurry," Storm commanded, leading the way out of the bathroom and through the mansion, "The Professor said that they will be arriving soon."

"I don't see why you are all so excited about having another freak in the mansion," he said, struggling to keep pace with Ororo's long, quick strides. Damn, he wished he were taller. As they descended down the stairs to the foyer, Logan was already waiting for them near the front glass doors.

"You should be. But to satisfy your distaste for having another mutant at the Institute," she continued dryly, "remember that she will only be staying for the weekend." The three walked outside and stood on the stone steps of the mansion quietly for a few minutes before an expensive looking car pulled up to the metal gates across the Institute grounds.

"Well, Cyke, it looks like you'll be having a new friend to keep you company. Can get kinda lonely in here, kid," Logan's voice was unusually happy. Like Ororo, he was finally glad that Scott will have someone to socialize with. As he said before, a new friend will do the kid good.

"Gee, I can't wait," Scott responded sarcastically, ruby-quartz lenses reflecting the sun. "Another freak to hang around."

"Come on kid, it's not that bad."

"Easy for you to say. At least you can retract your claws. If I don't wear these shades for the rest of my life, I can level this building in a blink." The Canadian mutant didn't respond; Scott knew he wouldn't. He didn't want pity, and Logan wasn't inclined to give any to him in the first place.

           "I wonder what this mutant can do," Scott pondered as the car pulled up on the circular driveway. "Probably something stupid."

"We're about to find out soon enough," Ororo replied. The front doors of the car opened, and despite the fact that there were three people in the car, only two stepped out.

           Instantly, Scott got suspicious. "Hey, I thought the Professor said that the new student was supposed to be my age. He didn't say anything about a man."

"That's because that man isn't the one the Professor is talking about. The new student is that red-haired girl over there," Ororo corrected. "Her name is Jean Grey. That's her father."

"Jean Grey?" he repeated daftly as he stared in disbelief. No way. Could it be? Could it be that girl? Scott Summers was sure that angels didn't exist before, but now, he wasn't. It's hard to deny the existence of something when the living proof is standing right before your eyes. As Jean and her father walked up the stone steps, Scott thought that surely someone so beautiful and so..... perfect couldn't be a freak. It didn't seem possible - there must've been some mistake.

~Wow~

***

           A silver Mercedes stopped before the gates of the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters as they slowly crept open. It had been a long drive from Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, to Bayville. The odometer had gained an extra digit. Inside its leathery interior, a thirteen-year old girl held onto her mother's hand in desperation, fear radiating from her big green eyes. She didn't want to be left alone with a group of freaks, even if it was for a couple of days.

"Mommy, please! Don't make me go!" she pleaded in vain, in a last minute attempt to change her parents' minds. However, when John and Elaine came to this decision several nights ago, they stuck by it with uncharacteristic stubbornness. As the car pulled up on the circular driveway, Elaine simply extracted her hand from Jean's grasp, but subsequently wrapped it around her small shoulders.

"Honey, this is for the best. Charles Xavier will be able to help you better than Mommy or I can," her father told her from the front seat. Despite this, Jean could easily sense his doubt and unease through her underdeveloped telepathy.

"But-"

"No buts. This is final," John cut his daughter off. Noticing her anxiety, Elaine gingerly cupped her face and kissed her forehead. "Don't worry, Jeannie. Everything's going to be fine. You are our daughter, and we love you no matter what. Think of your mutation as a gift - it shows just how special you are."

"Some gift," Jean snorted, pulling out of her mother's embrace. Something snapped within her. "You're just sending me away so you don't have to see me ever again!" she shouted. "You don't love me; how can anyone love a freak!" Her parents were appalled.

"Jean!" Elaine started to protest, but her daughter wouldn't hear any of it.

"Did you know that I have no friends at school? It's because they think I'm a freak! They're scared of me, as if I have a disease or something. And you know what? I hate you! All of you! Is it my fault that I'm a mutant?!?" Jean cried as she got out of the car, slamming the door.

           John and Elaine Grey were shocked. Her daughter's outburst literally cut their hearts in half, leaving it bleeding with unshed tears. Didn't she realize how much they loved her? John briefly glanced over his shoulder at his wife, and contemplated taking Jean back home and holding her in his arms until she fell asleep. He wanted to stroke her hair, to reassure her that she wasn't a freak, and tell her over and over again how much he loved her. "We are doing this for her own good, Elaine. It's the only way; she'll understand when she's older." His wife nodded in silent agreement.

           John got out of the car and opened the trunk. Pulling out two large suitcases, he and his daughter headed for the front doors of the huge mansion. Waiting for them on the steps were three people: two adults and a boy. With Jean in tow, John climbed up the stone steps and introduced himself to the three strangers.

"Hi, my name is John Grey and this is my daughter Jean." Pulling Jean in front of him, the two finally got a close look to the type of people that the young girl would be living with.

           Despite their mutancy, all three looked pretty normal. To their left stood a beautiful young African woman with strange, yet equally beautiful, white hair. "Nice to meet you John. I'm Ororo and this is Logan," she spoke in a regal tone as she gestured to a short, but muscular, man. "We are both teachers at the Institute." The adults exchanged quick greetings before they turned their attention to the fifth member of the group, a young boy about Jean's age. He was maybe only an inch taller than Jean, and his figure was pretty lean, but obviously in great shape. Brown hair spilled stylishly over his forehead, complementing his nicely sculpted face. However, the most remarkable thing about the kid was the pair of deep, crimson glasses that obscured his eyes and much of his face.

           Jean stood there, studying the boy carefully. She wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't someone so normal in appearance. ~Nice hair....nicely formed face....good build....~ the telepath came to the conclusion that Scott was indeed very good-looking. His glasses intrigued her the most, giving the boy an air of mystery. Jean wasn't sure if he wore them due to a mutation or because he wanted to look cool. She figured it was probably both.

           Despite the fact that she couldn't see his eyes, Jean had a feeling that he was looking at her. From the illegible expression on his face, the telepath figured that he was probably already shunning her for her mutancy, just like everyone else at school.

           The young girl was suddenly startled by a thought as it shot through her head. It was brief, barely a flicker, but Jean managed to pick it up with her telepathy.

~Wow~

           However, her powers were not able to discern the source of the thought. She looked at the boy again, who was still standing there, doing nothing. Finally, the man, Logan, gently nudged his shoulder, bringing him back to reality.

           The boy seemed to have trouble talking. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but there was just silence. Finally, he blurted out, "Oh, uh, h-hi. I-I'm, uh, S-Scott. Yeah, Scott S-Sumners - I mean Summers! Scott Summers! I'm, uh, a s-student here. Nice to meet y-you Mr. Grey and, uh, J-J-Jean." His cheeks suddenly turned the same colour as his ruby glasses as Scott flushed with embarrassment.

           Jean's lips quirked up in a smile, obviously flattered. There was now no doubt where the thought had originated from. Here was a teenage boy, mutant or not, who can't even say his name right because she was just standing there. Scott wasn't shunning her - he thought she was pretty. The revelation did more for her confidence than the young girl was willing to admit. It was a welcome change to all the ridicule that Jean had to endure at home. Suddenly, her telepathy came alive again, picking up another stray thought.

~Wow, the kid's got it bad....~

           This one was from Logan. The man decided to come to Scott's rescue and spoke in a surprisingly polite voice. "Mr. Grey, would you please come with us into the building? The Professor wants to discuss a few things about Jean's enrolment into the Institute."

"Of course." At that, Logan led Ororo and her father into the mansion to Charles' office, leaving Jean alone with Scott. As Ororo walked past, she rested a calming hand on Scott's shoulder and smiled politely at Jean. 

           With her father gone, the little girl was left by herself with two suitcases. She tried lifting them, but it was no use. They were too big and heavy, even for her telekinesis. 

"Here, let me help you with that," Scott said as he walked over and bent down to pick up a suitcase. Unfortunately, Jean, determined not to look weak, bent over at the same time, smacking their heads together. Scott clutched his head in pain as Jean sat on the ground, rubbing her forehead.

"I'm sorry. I'm such a damned klutz," Scott apologized profusely, helping Jean gracefully to her feet. The redhead gave him a small smile, unconsciously flipping her hair over her shoulders. Scott felt his throat dry up and again found it difficult to speak.  

"It's alright."

"I'm really sorry. Are you okay? Here, let me get those for you." He easily picked up the two suitcases; training with Logan for two years does that to a guy. "I have to show you to your room anyway."

"Okay, thank you," Jean agreed, flashing Scott a brilliant smile. The teenage boy had to laugh at himself. She was beautiful. He led her into the Institute in a gentlemanly fashion.

           Unknown to either Scott or Jean, Elaine Grey stared after them as the two disappeared into the mansion, eyes narrowed with suspicion. Jean was here to learn control of her powers, and then leave. She didn't want her daughter mingling with these 'people,' and Jean is definitely not to befriend any mutant. They were all freaks, below her baby girl, as far as she was concerned.

************************************************************************** 

           In all honesty, when Jean heard about Xavier Institute, she was expecting some preppy boarding school, which were commonplace in the region. The exterior of the building did somewhat resemble a private school, with its ivy-covered walls and elegant 18th century design.

           This belief was quickly dispelled as Scott continued her tour of the mansion. They had been walking for over an hour now, and have only covered the first and second floors. The interior of the building was a sophisticated blend of classic British colonial architecture and modern technology. The mansion was filled with the latest in television, communication, entertainment and security technology in the world. One thing that the observant telepath did note, however, is that in spite of the fact that many generations of Xaviers have lived here, there were no pictures on the walls of family or friends, no personal effects, nothing. Perfect, yet cold and empty.

           Despite this, Jean hated the place with a passion. It wasn't because she disliked the people, or the setting here, but because she resented being a mutant. Whereas before she could simply pretend to be normal, this mansion was the first tangible evidence proving her mutancy, and she hated it.

"And this elevator goes to the sub-levels." Scott's voice interrupted Jean's thoughts as the two stopped in front of two large metal doors. Ruby-quartz flashed in the light as he glanced briefly at her, then began to walk away.

"Wait! Aren't you going to take me to the sub-levels?" Jean asked, not moving away from where she stood in front of the elevator. Scott stopped and turned to look at her.

"No. You are not granted access to the basement." His tone left no room for protest. For someone who was so shy around her, this was a surprise. The two continued their tour, leaving Jean to wonder what was so important down in the basement that would make even Scott speak with such assertion....

***

           Jean followed Scott as he led them around for another half hour, through the recreation centre and outside on the Institute grounds. The young girl found herself awed by the sheer vastness of the school. On the way back to the foyer, Jean asked, "So what can you do?"

Scott gave her a quizzical look, eyebrows arched behind his glasses.

"Your powers?" she elaborated.

           There was a long pause before he answered. "My looks kill," he responded smoothly, looking straight ahead. His response wasn't completely untruthful, he thought. Jean bit back her frustration. What kind of an answer was that? And why was Scott being so secretive? During the tour, she told him about her powers among other stuff, but in return she didn't learn a single thing from him besides that he liked soccer. She was getting quickly tired of his stiff, frosty attitude. Before she could respond, they reached their destination.

"... and that brings us back to the foyer," the tour of the mansion (sans the sub-levels) finally ended as Scott led Jean back to where they began. Almost simultaneously, Ororo stepped down the stairs with John and Elaine Grey close in trail. The young girl crossed her arms and refused to look at her parents.

"Scott, have you shown Miss Grey to her room yet?" 'Ro inquired as she reached the bottom steps.

"No. We've just finished touring the mansion," the boy replied as he bent down and lifted Jean's baggage. "I'll do that now." He made his way towards the stairs. Storm stared after him as he walked by, amazed that Jean had him acting differently already. Used to one-word responses, the woman was surprised to learn that Scott knew how to speak in full sentences.

"Jean, have a good time, okay sweetie? We'll see you on Sunday," John promised his daughter. However, the redhead ignored him and walked past after Scott without the slightest hint of emotion on her face. She was obviously still mad at them.

           Her silent protest didn't go unnoticed by either Ororo or Scott. The African woman glanced uneasily at her first student, who maintained his usual poker face. For the first time, she was beginning to have second thoughts about this idea.    

**************************                     *Flash*           **************************

Back to Present Time

           Thoughts were once again directed to reality as a happy couple revelled in each other's presence. Before Jean arrived at the Institute, Scott was cynical, moody and temperamental. When she arrived, his attitude changed dramatically, which could be attributed to the troublesome redhead.

"Remember when we first met?" Scott asked, reclining comfortably in an armchair. His head rested on the crook of Jean's neck as she sat on his lap, leaning into his body. The redhead shuddered slightly when gentle lips brushed teasingly against her silky skin.

"Just like yesterday," she replied, smiling as she took a sip out of her mug. They had retreated inside the Institute after their little scuffle in the snow. While Jean made hot chocolate, Scott had built a roaring fire. Bright orange flames now flickered fiercely in the fireplace, a source of warmth in the emptiness of the mansion. "I was quite a handful, wasn't I?"

"Yeah. I was so speechless.... You were the most beautiful person I had ever seen, Red, and still are," he whispered softly beside her ear. Jean just closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his warmth under hers.

"I know," she answered smugly, "I am telepathic you know."

"But I didn't." Scott tugged on Jean's sweater and started trailing kisses around her neck, on her shoulders, her back - anywhere that could be exposed, which was quite a lot considering the sweater she was wearing. "Quite the first impression, huh?" he mumbled against the top of her shoulder blade.

"Ohhhhhhh, are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Summers?" Jean had to put down her mug before she spilt it over the two of them as Scott continued his ministrations. She breathed in contentment, enjoying his undivided attention.

"Was it love at first sight?" she asked a few minutes later, her voice now void of any hint of humour, replaced instead by an uneasy seriousness. Dropping a kiss lovingly on her neck, her fiancé gripped her hands in each of his from behind. Out of the corner of her eye, Jean could just make out the glint of his ruby-quartz glasses.

"No, I didn't think so. You were an angel, Jean, and I was afraid," he admitted, brows furrowed in concentration. "Afraid of being left alone again. Of getting hurt. So I decided to lock my heart behind thick metal walls and barbed wire." He paused, thoughtful, as if he realized something. "You helped me overcome that. Thanks."

"Scott, you know I wasn't completely like that." She turned around and faced him, gingerly running her palms over his face. "I thought you just wanted to act cool, with your glasses and all, and didn't realize what you had to go through as a boy. I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be," Scott reassured before drawing Jean in for a kiss. Her lips parted and he sighed, finding himself able to taste and explore. Eight years ago, he had dreams like this. Now, Scott was living them.