Disclaimer: Everything's owned by Marvel except for Sarah. Sarah who? you ask. Just some made up character.

Sarah Cummings drove through the road that had been familiar to her for the past few weeks. She glanced at car clock, it's only 3 pm. The play she and Scott planned to watch won't start until 7, but that's fine, she wanted to steal Scott away from the mansion. He has been acting strange lately. He's distant and distracted. And on other moments he'd be extra nice and affectionate.

And Sarah knew all of this started when Jean came back.

She's no fool. She knew Scott still has feelings for that wretched girl. The thing that she doesn't know was if his feelings for Jean overshadow his feelings for her. Sarah unconsciously gripped the steering wheel tighter. Well, she's not about to let Jean steal her guy without a fight.

Sarah arrived few minutes later, feeling a bit irked with her thoughts about Jean's coming back. She suddenly felt an urgency to see Scott.

The first person she saw in the institute was a brown haired girl with a white streak in the front of her hair.

"Rouge," Sarah called out, remembering her name, "Have you seen Scott?"

"Not really," Rouge replied with her Southern twang, "but there's a bunch of guys at the backyard, maybe he's there."

"Thanks," she replied, then hastily set off to find him.

But to her dismay and annoyance, Sarah found him with her again. She scowled. Sure, they weren't exactly alone. Their other teammates were also there. But Sarah could see that the two were slightly set apart from the others. They were laughing with their heads bent down, as if sharing a private joke.

Bitch, she cursed silently. Just as immediately as Sarah thought that out, Jean stopped her laugh and glanced up. Sarah's eyes widened in surprise but then remembered what Scott said about her powers, something like reading people's minds. Sarah became angry once more. She doesn't even have the decency to keep out of other people's thoughts.

Scott looked up too and saw her. He waved and jogged towards her.

"Hey, you're early," Scott greeted.

Sarah gave a deliberate lingering kiss. She felt a bit better after that, more especially so after she spotted the jealous look on Jean's face.

***

"Okay, what's bothering you?" Scott asked.

"Oh, so you noticed?" Sarah asked icily, lifting her gaze from the window.

Scott frowned. "It's hard not to." He had been talking on and off during the car ride but Sarah wasn't responding at all.

Sarah crossed her arms across her chest. "With what your mind's been occupied with lately, I'm surprised you even pay attention to me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Jean. What else?" she spat out her name like it had a bad taste in her mouth.

Scott exhaled. It's not the first time the topic of Jean came up. He felt tired of having to always assure her that there's nothing going on between them and then feeling guilty for knowing that that's not entirely true.

"We didn't do anything," he replied, then realizing how defensive that sounded.

"It's called intuition, Scott," she stated, "Mine's telling me that you still love her."

She continued before Scott could reply, "And don't you dare give me that "we're just friends" crap, because I know it's not true."

"Well, we are just friends," Scott replied heatedly, repeating the line on purpose to make her angry. "What can I say to make you believe that?"

Sarah looked at him with her piercing blue eyes and gambled with her words to get to the truth. "I don't know whether to slap you or pity you. Maybe you're fooling me with that line of yours, I don't know. But if you really believe that you don't have feelings for her anymore, then you're fooling yourself."

Scott didn't know what to say to that. Truthfully, it was a little bit of both. And he knows he's wrong to be hurting Sarah's feelings just because he's not sure of what to do with his.

Trying to push Scott to contradict her, Sarah pressed on, "Even before she came back, you just always had to mention her. Jean this, Jean that. Remember when we were just starting out, I asked you what's the deal between you two and you said you're well over her? I believed you then, but whenever I see you look at her now, I didn't think you were even honest about that."

There was a prolonged pause before she added, "Well... were you?"

"Sarah, I..." he trailed off, unsure on how to say what he wants. The silence stretched long between them. Sarah's eyes began to brim with tears. She's starting to worry. How come he's not denying what she said? He always does before. He would assure Sarah that she's the one he loves and then they'll make up. It's been always like that. So why is he not talking now?

"Just tell me the truth, dammit!" she demanded, panicking at his silence.

Scott pulled over at the side of the street. A few moments later, he emerged out of the car. The tires squealed as Sarah drove off, leaving Scott staring contritely at the direction where she had set off to.

***

Jean padded softly in the hallway, stopping only at a certain door.

Jean knocked lightly before poking her head inside the room.

Scott was still lying in bed while his dark glasses made it indistinguishable whether he was asleep or not. Jean began to back away.

"Hey," Scott croaked, his voice thick from sleep.

"Oh good, you're awake. Merry Christmas," Jean said happily, bounding into the room.

Scott sat up and stretched his back. Looking at the clock on his bedside table, he muttered, "You're up early."

Jean shrugged. "I know, I'm just excited, I guess." Truth was she wanted to cheer him up. Scott's been quieter than the usual ever since his break up with Sarah a few days ago. He wouldn't talk about it, but by what Jean picked up from Sarah's more than annoyed thoughts about her on that day, Jean had idea that she might be involved. To say that Jean wasn't happy about the break up would be gargantuan lie, but she doesn't like the effect it had on the more brooding Scott.

Scott scooted over to make room for Jean as she sat crossed legged beside him. He couldn't help but notice that she was only in her nightgown. Her red hair was tousled, indicating that she just came from sleep herself. He grinned, remembering the times before, wherein Jean would go into his room first thing in the morning without even bothering to fix up. They were beautiful mornings— relaxed, happy, comfortable. They were one of the several things that Scott had missed when she left.

"This is for you," Jean said merrily, handing a wrapped present to Scott.

"Thanks."

"Go on, open it."

Scott tore the wrapper aside and opened the lid of the box. "A mug," he said aloud, feeling a bit baffled and let down at the boring gift. That is until he saw the picture on it.

Jean grinned. "I couldn't resist. I saw it in an odds and ends type of store, and this little guy was just screaming you."

Scott had to laugh. A cartoon of a Cyclops took almost half of the mug's space. The monster had the typical single eye, bald head, and all that, but what made it funnier was the way the Cyclops held a poker face.

"It bears some resemblance, don't you think?" Jean said with a glint in her eyes. "He even got the facial expression down pat."

"I think so too," Scott said as he placed the mug next to his face while sporting his own deadpan look.

Jean cracked up. "But it's no competition, you're more good looking then he is," she teased.

"Glad to hear that."

Jean pointed to the mug. "There's something inside too."

Scott rummaged around the festive confetti that took up the mug's insides. Amid the shreds of paper, his fingers touched upon a hard metal object and then drew out a key.

"What's this?"

"It's a key to my apartment," she explained, "So you can go in whenever you want to." Then she added softly, "I'd love for you to come visit me sometimes."

Scott rubbed the metal against his fingers listlessly and then gave a faint smile. "I'd like that too. Won't your flat mate mind?"

"Misty? Nah, she always brings guys over."

Scott raised an eyebrow. "And you?"

"Do you bring girls over to your room?" she volleyed back.

"Ok, fine," he replied, getting the message, "I'll just stick to saying 'Thank you for the gift, Jean'"

"Good," she answered and then added. "Hey, I mean it, Slim, drop by sometimes, okay? Boston's not far from here. Well it is, but not that far. Fly over or even use the blackbird for all I care, just don't make me wait for a whole year before I see you again."

"You don't have to pull my leg. I'll come running," he said affectionately, making Jean smile.

"I got something for you too."

Scott opened his closet and pulled out a small gift wrapped in deep blue paper with a gold bow.

"Merry Christmas, Red."

"Thanks," Jean smiled as she pulled on the gold strings that bound the box. It opened to reveal a rustic silver bracelet with small red charms.

Jean's eyes widened. "Oh God, I remember this." She first saw it a couple of years ago in a window display of a jewelry store. She would always look at it whenever she passed by the shop until it wasn't in the display anymore. Jean turned to him and asked incredulously, "How did you get this? How did you even know that I like it? I never told you."

"I saw you looking at it once. And I also got help from Kitty who tipped me off," Scott said, pleased that he had surprised her. "I bought it for your 22nd birthday, but when you left, I didn't have the chance to give it to you. I couldn't bring it back to the store or give it to anyone else, so I just kept it."

"You kept it," Jean repeated thoughtfully, fingering the delicate chain and charms lightly. "After so long." Then shaking her head, Jean closed the box and pushed it towards him. "You shouldn't give it to me. I don't think ... Besides, I know for a fact it's very expensive."

"Hey, I held on to this," Scott replied, "You have to take it, it's for you. It was just... put on hold for some time." Like a lot of things in my life were put on hold when you left, Scott thought.

Scott moved closer to Jean and took her hand. After fumbling twice in the process, he was able to clasp the bracelet around her wrist.

Jean held her hand up horizontally to her eye level, letting the charms dangle and twirl around their chains. The gems caught the sunlight streaming from the window, making specks of light dance across her face.

"Thank you," Jean whispered, her voice indicating that she's grateful not only for the gift.

She lowered hand and saw Scott facing her. She knew that he was staring solely at her even though his eyes were hidden behind the dark glasses. Jean simply stared back and then started to speak, "Scott, ---"

Just then there was a loud bamf. "Guess who just dropped by?" Kurt announced, "It's like St. Nicho—"he stopped as he saw the scene before him— Jean and Scott sitting on the bed, their bodies inches apart, both still in their pajamas with their unkempt hair. Kurt blushed, stammering, "ah... you know, ah... guten morgen!" And he teleported out of sight.

Scott and Jean looked at each other and broke into laughter.

"That's what he gets for always barging into rooms," Scott said, shaking his head.

"He was practically turning purple from his blush." Jean grinned. "Listen I better get dressed. See you later."

Scott's smile faded as Jean left the room. He exhaled. Jean going to his room only in her nightgown was probably not a good idea. He had been feeling strongly about her for weeks but was using every inch of will power to distance himself.

But with every smile she flashes at him, with every sweet word and gesture she directs at him, the barrier he's trying to build gets rapidly torn down as fast as he's trying to put it up. Distancing himself was pointless. Scott ran his hand through his hair, feeling frustrated. The last thing he needs is to follow the same path they had taken last time. He doesn't want to lose her again.

***

A few months later in Boston...

Jean fumbled for her apartment keys as she balanced to hold on to her bag and to a stack of papers. She finally got inside, slung off her shoulder bag, and then turned her attention to the papers at hand again. Jean sighed. She only got a B on her research work—the one she had been painstakingly working on for weeks.

"Why the frown?" Misty Knight, her flat mate asked while drying her wet hair with a fluffy towel.

"A B. "Jean held up her papers. "I got a B."

"Yeah. So?" Misty asked, scanning the papers. "B's fine."

"Yeah, so?" Jean repeated in disbelief. "It's the one about anamenatase and the x-gene. I've been working hard on that. I thought it was good. I thought it could be a B plus."

"Oh, stop being modest," Misty replied, rolling her eyes, "You thought it would be an A."

"Well yeah, that's what I'm hoping for."

"You'll do better," Misty assured her. "Besides you can't be perfect all the time. Just proves that you are human."

"Not funny," Jean fumed.

Misty grinned. She knew how Jean hated to be seen as perfect. But being one of her close friends, Misty's one of the few people who could get away with teasing Jean about it.

"I know you're crushed with that lowly measly B. But could I divert your attention for a minute? Right now, we have other pressing matters at hand."

"Like what?"

"Like what should I wear for my date."

Jean looked up and smiled. "Oh yeah, your big date with Danny."

"The big date at that swanky restaurant," Misty confirmed, "So what should I wear? The short black velvet or the green sheer one? I just can't decide."

"What green sheer one?"

"You know, the one with the high enough slit..." Misty's voice trailed off as she disappeared into her room.

Jean smiled and began shuffling her papers in order. The blinking answering machine at the other side of the room caught her attention. She hope it's Scott. Last time Scott called, he asked if he could drop by next week. It'll be their first meeting since her vacation last December. And Jean's been dying to see him already. With her hands full, she used her TK to press the button.

\\ Jean? You there? Jean? Pick up.\\

Jean froze at Kitty's unusually serious voice.

\\ It's Scott... He's been shot near the abdomen.\\

Jean froze. No, no, God no...

\\He's being operated by Hank at the moment...It's too soon to tell how he's doing but.... he's been like losing a lot of blood... I just want to let you know as soon as possible. I'll give you updates later. Call me back.\\

Thoughts were wildly running through Jean's head while she remained frozen at her place.

Misty, donning the green gown, came out of her room and struck a pose. "Nice huh? I bet---"Misty cut off, alarmed to see her pale friend. "Jean?" she asked worriedly, walking towards Jean while carefully stepping over the scattered papers that Jean had unconsciously dropped. "What's wrong?"

"He's been shot. Scott's been shot. He's... not in a good shape."

Misty's eyes widened. "How did that happen?"

"I don't know," she breathed out.

Misty gave her a reassuring squeeze, "You're in shock. I'll get you some water."

Jean abruptly stood up. "No, no, I'm fine. I have to go."

"Go where? To Bayville?" Misty asked incredulously. "How? It'll be past midnight when you get there."

"I don't care," Jean mumbled, putting on her coat.

"Hey, hey, just slow down for a minute." Misty advised. "It's dark out and you're in no condition to drive."

"I'm fine."

"You're clearly upset. You're not even thinking straight," Misty reasoned.

"I'm thinking more clearly than I've ever been," Jean retorted, "Scott is seriously hurt. He could be... God, I don't know... The one person who's so important to me and I'm not there!"

"Look, I'll drive you there."

"Thanks, Misty, but I'm fine, really," Jean hastily said, "Besides you still have a date to go to. I better get going." Jean grabbed her purse and headed out before Misty could further argue with her.

Misty went to the hallway and yelled after Jean. "Just don't over speed and drive yourself off the road okay?"

Misty shook her head. It's usually Jean who gives out a word of caution and not the other way around. She's not used to this role.

Well, this one took a while to put up. I just got my hands full at the moment. But I don't think the next one will take that long. I've already finished most parts and am just finding a good way to wrap it up.

And, as always, give me feedback please!