Encounters With an Icy Table
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Marvel does.
Chapter 7
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Scott tossed and turned in his bed, thrashing wildly. He had turned down Jean's offer to stay with him if he wanted, and was now cycling through his typical nightmare cycle. Tonight, though, there was an addition to the rotation. Over and over again he relived hitting Jean with his optic blast. Scott kicked and screamed in an effort to make it go away but he couldn't wake up, it just kept running over and over again. His blue blanket twisted around his legs, and got caught, rendering him unable to kick any longer. Now, he rolled side to side, trying to purge the images. Finally he fell off his bed with a loud thud. There, laying on the floor, he finally woke up, and sat with his knees curled to his chest, sobbing.
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Jean head Scott's mental distress cry long before she heard him scream. Quickly, she threw on her slippers and scurried down the hall. She had wanted to stay with him. She offered, he said he'd be fine. She didn't want to push or seem too eager. So she let him be. Now though, she knew he was not fine. Scott had nightmares all the time. Memories from his past. But this time, she could sense he was caught on the same thing over and over.
As she got closer to his room, she could see that a crowd had formed.
"What's going on in there?" Bobby asked.
"I haven't heard him scream in a long time," Hank admitted. "He's had a very violent nightmare."
"Big surprise. After what he's been through. I'd be totally freaked too."
Warren peeked his head out of his bedroom. "He okay?"
"We're not sure yet, but we'll take care of it," Hank announced. "No need to leave your guest."
"Warren has a guest?" Bobby asked, scurrying over for a look into the room.
"No way. Mine."
"Wow. She's naked! Is that Brittanny?"
"Shh. No. Brittanny didn't show. This is Bambi."
Hank burst out laughing. "I think that's the best name yet."
Jean strode into their cluster. "Has anyone gone in yet?"
"No. Commotion stopped. We saw you coming, figured you were best equipped for picking a lock."
"Yeah, I can take care of this. He hasn't had a nightmare like this in a long time. "
Hank nodded. "You have this under control Jeannie?"
"Yeah. Uh, don't wait for me."
"Alrighty. Bobby, go back to bed. Let Warren fuck his date in peace."
Jean sighed as the boys departed, and she telekinetically picked Scott's lock.
He was still on the floor when she entered. The blanket was in a heap at his feet. Scott had his knees curled to his chest, and he was soaked with sweat. His chest shook with each sob. Jean knelt down in front of him. Gingerly she reached out and put her hand on his shoulder. He winced.
"Are you okay?"
Scott looked up at Jean. He didn't say anything.
"Who am I kidding? I know you're not." She stroked his shoulder. "Was it the battle?"
Scott nodded. "It started…like usual…plane crash…orphanage…etcetera…then over…and over…hitting you."
Jean pulled him closer and allowed him to collapse in her lap as she had earlier. As she ran her hands over his back he slowly calmed down.
"I should have stayed."
"I didn't want to impose."
"You wouldn't have. I wanted to stay."
Scott sat up to look at Jean. "You did?"
"Scott, I care about you. And I know how bad your nightmares get. I had a feeling this would prompt more."
"Why didn't you insist?"
"Scott, I know how you would have reacted to that. You're stubborn. Especially with your pride. You said you'd be fine. I backed off."
Scott nodded. They sat in silence for a few minutes, just watching each other.
"Hey, why don't you change out of that soaked, disgusting shirt, and lay back down."
"I don't think I could fall asleep again."
"It's 1:30 in the morning. You can't get up for the day now. I'll help you."
Scott locked eyes with her for a moment, then stood up and crossed the room to his bureau. He pulled his shirt over his head and flung it at the hamper in the corner. Jean couldn't help staring at his muscular chest, in the glimmer of the moon coming in through the window. Scott looked back over at her and she turned away, blushing.
"How are your cuts doing?" She covered quickly.
Scott looked down at his chest. "A little angry. I haven't even thought to treat them."
"As I figured. Tomorrow, you come to the med lab and I'll dress them again."
Scott nodded as he walked back over to the bed, putting on his shirt. Jean climbed up onto his bed and pulled the blanket back on top. Slowly, Scott sat down next to her.
"You sure you want to stay?"
"Yes," Jean answered quickly.
"My nightmares aren't pretty."
"I know. I can usually sense them even a little from down the hall."
"Really?"
"Yeah, its weird. I heard you cry out mentally before you actually screamed."
Scott lay back on his pillow and stared at the ceiling. Jean threw the blanket on top of his, and squirmed down underneath it as well. Scott glanced back over at her nervously. Jean reached her hand up, and traced the outline of his sleep goggles on his face. Scott shivered.
"You'll be fine."
Scott curled over and lay his head on Jean's chest. Her hands instantly came up around him, and lazily slid up and down his shirt.
"Mmmm."
Jean smiled. "Good. I'm glad you're relaxing."
Scott tightened his arm around her waist, and for the first time since his nightmare shattered his slumber, felt like he might be able to fall back asleep. A few minutes passed. Jean was still awake, but she was almost certain Scott was back asleep. Good. He felt wonderful in her arms. Almost too good. Jean knew she was nearing a point of no return. She wasn't going to be able to deny her attraction to him for much longer.
Sighing, Jean slowly drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
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