Encounters with An Icy Table
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Marvel does. The song is by Billy Joel.
Chapter 10
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Jean stood by her closet. She had no idea what to wear. Scott wouldn't tell her where they were going. She was sure he was just taunting her, because he assured her that he had indeed picked a place to go. 'Just dress like you usually do. Don't worry.' That hadn't helped. Jean pulled a casual brown skirt out and tossed it on the bed. She then yanked a pair of blue jeans off of their hanger and threw them next to the skirt. Scowling, she took five shirts, hangers and all, over to the bed. Why was she so nervous? She'd been out with Scott dozens of times before. She lay back on her bed, pondering this. A knock at the door startled her out of her thought. She flipped the lock with her teke.
"Come in."
Warren stepped into the room, dressed in his clubbing best, replete with a shiny, silver, bowling shirt.
"I came to apologize."
"You, apologize?"
"Can it, Jeannie."
"Fine."
"Maybe I was a little out of line earlier."
"You think?"
"Jean…"
"Okay, okay."
"So, anyways, I'm sorry I said those things about Scott."
Warren extended his hand, and Jean shook it.
"I accept your apology."
"What's with all the clothes out?"
"I can't decide what to wear."
"You change your mind about coming with?"
"No, I'm going out."
"Oh. Where?"
"I actually don't know. Which is why this is hard."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"He won't tell me."
"Who?"
"Scott. He's making it a game. A very frustrating game."
"You're going out with Scott tonight?"
"Yes."
"Oh." Warren scowled.
Jean continued to look at various combinations of her clothing.
"There, that'll do."
"Huh?"
"I think I've picked out my outfit." She held it up to herself. "What do you think?"
"It's fine."
"What's your problem now?"
"So this is a date with Scott tonight?"
Jean hesitated. "I don't know. We just kinda made plans."
"I see."
"You think this is a bad idea?"
"I don't know, Jeannie. How will it affect the team?"
"You mean yourself? How will it affect you? Well, Warren, I'll let you know right off the bat that I'm not interested in you and never have been. And this is regardless of whether you gave up on me or not."
"I see," Warren frowned. "You honestly don't think the fact that he's pursuing you…"
"He's not pursuing me…"
"Yes, he is, Jeannie!"
"He is not pursuing me. Not actively. He's my friend."
"He wants you."
"I know, Warren! I know he's interested. There's a big difference between interest and pursuit. You pursue girls…"
"You make it sound bad!"
"It's not! I'm just saying that its completely different from what Scott's doing."
"Do you want him?"
"Warren…"
"Do you?"
"He's my best friend…I…I just don't know right now."
"But you think you do?"
Jean nodded.
"Fine. That's what I wanted to know. Just be careful. He's not exactly stable lately."
"Well, that's just because…"
"I know why. I'm just saying be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."
"Fine, Warren."
"Do you think he can give you what you want in a man?"
"I think so, Warren. Scott and I are best friends. We have a very strong connection. I know him better than any of the rest of you do."
Warren nodded. "Okay, Jeannie. You seem to know what you're getting yourself into. Have fun."
He turned and left. Jean lay back on her bed and sighed. Was this a good idea? It wasn't a good sign that she was already getting grief from her teammates.
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Scott looked himself over in the mirror. He was wearing a black polo shirt with khaki pants, both of which he had carefully pressed himself. He was nervous. Where had he gotten the nerve to ask Jean out from? And it had come so easily, very unlike his usual interaction with girls. Jean was always different though. Assuring himself that he looked fine, Scott left his room and walked down the hall to Jean's room. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door.
"It's open!"
Scott turned the knob and went in. Jean was standing in front of her mirror, putting on eye shadow.
"Sorry, I'm running a little behind."
"That's okay." Scott sat on the bed and watched her. "You, uh…look great."
Jean had picked the brown skirt, with a fitted black shirt.
"You think?"
"Yeah…"
"Did I dress appropriately for out activity?" Jean asked, turning around.
Scott nodded.
"I wanted to hurt you for that by the way."
Scott laughed. "Your outfit is fine."
"So where are we going?"
"Well, you like to dance, and you gave up going to the club with the guys to hang out with me, so I, uh, found this place, they play like classic rock, so I can deal with that, and you can get your dancing."
Jean smiled. "You'll go to a club?"
"It's a small club."
"And you'll dance?"
Scott nodded. "I'll try."
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Scott's choice of club turned out to be a little more of a dive than he'd anticipated, but the food and drinks were cheap and the music good. Jean and Scott sat at a high table, munching on French fries. Jean had succeeded at getting Scott out on the small dance floor four times thus far.
"Are you having a good time?" Scott yelled above the music.
"Yes!" Jean smiled. "This is a lot of fun."
"Good."
"Did you know you could dance like that?"
Scott shook his head sheepishly.
"You're actually enjoying it."
He nodded. The music changed.
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Scott grabbed
Jean's hand and pulled her out to the dance floor. It was an eclectic song to dance to, so they
were just bopping around, having a great time.
If you said goodbye to me tonight
There would still be music left to write
What else could I do
I'm so inspired by you
That hasn't happened for the longest time
Once I thought my innocence was gone
Now I know that happiness goes on
That's where you found me
When you put your arms around me
I haven't been there for the longest time
Jean pulled Scott closer to her, and they just sort of swayed back and forth to the beat.
"How do you dance to a song like this?" Scott asked.
"You make it up as you go along."
They laughed and spun around, holding each others hands.
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest time
Oh, oh, oh
For the longest
I'm that voice you're hearing in the hall
And the greatest miracle of all
Is how I need you
And how you needed me too
That hasn't happened for the longest time
Maybe this won't last very long
But you feel so right
And I could be wrong
Maybe I've been hoping too hard
But I've gone this far
And it's more than I hoped for
Who knows how much further we'll go on
Maybe I'll be sorry when you're gone
I'll take my chances
I forgot how nice romance is
I haven't been there for the longest time
"This is a great song!" Jean exclaimed.
They were bouncing back and forth.
"Very appropriate," Scott muttered softly.
"What was that?"
He looked at her. "I said it was kind of appropriate."
Jean leaned in and
lay her head on his shoulder, letting the beat guide them. "Yeah, it is."
I had second thoughts at the start
I said to myself
Hold on to your heart
Now I know the woman that you are
You're wonderful so far
And it's more than I hoped for
I don't care what consequence it brings
I have been a fool for lesser things
I want you so bad
I think you ought to know that
I intend to hold you for the longest time
The song ended and Jean and Scott stood in an embrace in the middle of the floor for a long time, despite the beginning of the next song. Finally, she pulled back a bit and looked up at him, searching for his eyes. She met them and was drawn in. Ever so slowly they leaned in and kissed, very gently, very awkwardly.
"Relax," Jean whispered.
Scott blushed, and pulled away, leading her back to the table.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Scott."
"I just don't really know…I don't…I don't have much experience."
He was staring at the table.
"I know, Scott. It was nice. You were just tense. Really."
"Okay."
"Plus I didn't think the middle of the dance floor was the best place for a lesson."
Scott laughed and gave her a half smile.
"Where is it?"
"What?"
"The rest of your smile! You promised me you'd smile tonight."
Scott gave in and smiled. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. "I am having a great time."
"Me too."
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