Encounters with an Icy Table
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Marvel does.
Chapter 11
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"So, how was your evening last night, Scott?" Warren asked, entering the Danger Room.
Scott was on the blue mat, doing push ups.
"Good."
Warren sauntered over to him. "Where'd you go?"
"A rock club."
Scott continued with his pushups. Warren sat down next to him. "A rock club?"
"Yup."
"Where the hell'd ya find that?"
"It's downtown."
"I thought you didn't like clubs."
Warren rolled over onto his stomach and joined in with some pushups of his own.
"Well, I figured that I could deal with rock music."
"I see," Warren began doing jumping pushups. "So you can deal with a club, under the right circumstances?"
"Right," Scott lowered himself onto his belly and rolled over onto his back.
"So the only "right circumstance" that could get you to go to a club is Jeannie?"
Scott didn't answer, instead beginning his sit up sequence.
"You show her a good time?" Warren prodded.
"I suppose. I think so."
"A real good time?"
"What're getting at?"
"You sleep with her?"
"No!"
Scott sat up and looked at Warren. Warren stopped doing pushups and glared at Scott.
"So why do you answer like that? I thought you wanted her."
"I…uh…I really respect Jean."
"And you're implying that there's something disrespectful about sex?"
"No…but we just went out for the first godamn time, Warren. I don't do that."
"Have you ever had sex?"
"Yes, Warren."
"Just asking. I've never seen you with a girl."
"There's a lot you don't know about me."
"Does Jeannie know a lot about you?"
"I think so."
"Why'd you go after her after we agreed not to?"
Scott stood up and paced around the room.
"I don't…"
"We all gave up on her. You didn't."
"But I didn't chase after her, Warren."
"But you did."
"I did not. Yes, I like Jean. A lot. And I have for a very long time. Since I fucking met her. She and I have become very good friends. We've connected in a way that I've never connected with anyone."
"So you sort of just sat idly by admiring her, letting her take the lead?"
"I guess. I don't know."
"How noble."
"What?"
"I'm just saying."
"You're getting at something."
"Well, you were sneaky."
"How so?"
"You stopped going after her like we all agreed…"
"I was never going after her to begin with."
"Well, whatever the hell it was. Anyways, you agreed like the rest of us, and just didn't go after her, but made your interest known."
"I never told her."
"But everyone fucking knew, Scott. You know that."
"Yeah."
"Nice and insidious."
"Get over it."
Warren stood up and walked over to Scott.
"Getting an attitude now?"
Scott didn't answer. Warren growled and began to leave the room.
"You jealous?"
"Well, put it bluntly, yes. You know I wanted Jeannie when she first got here."
"That was five years ago."
"Still."
"No still. Jean's not your type, and you know it. She has too much respect for herself."
Warren turned and stormed out of the room.
Scott sighed and typed in the code for a difficult simulation that would release his anger at Warren.
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Jean sat in the library, surrounded by books. The table was covered in medical journals, and anatomy books.
"Working hard?" Warren asked, sitting down next to her.
"Yes."
"What for?"
"Anatomy test. Monday."
"Ah…interesting stuff. The bones of the hip," Warren laughed, picking up one of the handouts.
"Put it down. I know right where I've put everything, so I can refer back to it easily."
"Ah yes, Miss Anal Retentive."
"Ha ha."
"So, how was you date last night?"
"Warren…"
"Just asking."
"It was very nice."
"Oh good."
"I don't think you could possibly apply more sarcasm to your voice."
"I hear you went dancing."
"You talked to Scott?"
"Yup. How
was the dancing?"
"Very fun."
"Anything, uh, interesting happen?"
"Warren…"
"Did he take you out on a date and not even attempt to kiss you?"
"No, he kissed me," Jean smiled.
"Oh."
"See, you don't really want the details."
"I guess not."
"I need to study now. I lost all of last week to battles. This exam is huge."
"Fine Jeannie, fine."
Warren stood up and kicked his chair back toward the table.
"That's mature."
Warren stalked out of the room. Jean shook her head and resumed reading the book centered in front of her. She had been sitting there, in nearly the same position since early in the morning. It wasn't like to her to put off studying until the weekend before the exam, but the following week had been full of extenuating circumstances. She rested her head on her left hand and tried to concentrate.
Scott stepped quietly into the room. "Hey."
"Oh!" Jean spun to face him.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. Just a little startled."
Scott walked over to the table and sat down in the chair beside her.
"That's quite a spread."
"I have so much to take in by 9 AM on Monday."
"Awww."
"I've put this off. And now I wish I hadn't."
Jean lay her head on the table. Scott reached over and rubbed her neck. She shivered.
"Oh, is this, uh, okay?"
"Yes, its fine. Just tickled at first."
Scott smiled. "Do you want to get something to eat?"
"I wish I could, Scott, but I really need to study."
"You've been sitting in here since like 9 o'clock this morning."
"I know. But, I neglected it all week."
Scott pouted.
"Don't do that."
Scott smiled and stopped. They sat in silence for a few moments.
"Did you have a good time last night?" Scott asked finally.
Jean looked over at him. He was a little tense.
"Of course I did, Scott."
"I was just wondering…"
"Really. I had a great time."
"Okay…"
"You don't sound convinced."
"No, I believe you when you say you had a good time."
"Didn't that kiss tell you I had a good time?"
"Well, yes, but then you said 'relax', and I didn't know what to think."
"Oh," Jean cooed. "I'm sorry I said it like that. You were just so tense, I wanted you to relax so you'd enjoy it more."
"It kind of scared me. I thought you didn't like it."
"No, I did."
Scott blushed. "But you were happy last night?"
"Yes, for the ten-millionth time. Why are you so concerned?"
"I don't know. I just want to make sure that this is what you really want, so it won't adversely affect the team, I guess."
"Have you been talking to Warren?"
Scott nodded. "He was kind of pissed."
"I know. He and I have had it out three times in the past 2 days already. He just doesn't like that I'm not interested in him. And never have been."
Scott nodded. "You don't think I betrayed my promise, do you?"
"Scott, you overheard my screaming match with him yesterday. I was defending you."
"Oh yeah." Scott sat back in his chair, quiet.
"It's bothering you, though?"
"A little."
"I'll have to duke it out with him again."
"Be nice."
"I will."
"So, food?"
"Scott, I really do need to study."
"Why was the last time you ate?"
"Umm…"
"If you have to think it was too long ago."
"Last night out with you."
"Nearly 24 hours ago."
"I'm fine."
"You need to eat."
"I need to study."
"Jean…"
"Scott, I'll be fine."
Scott sighed, and stood up. "How bout this? If I make something, will you take a bit of time and eat?"
Jean smiled. "I think I can handle that."
"Okay, good. How does pasta sound?"
"Fine."
"Good. That's pretty much all I can cook," he grinned. Scott leaned down to her and kissed her firmly on the lips.
"Be back in a bit."
Jean smiled. This was all happening so quickly. She couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this way about anyone. Had she ever? Pondering this, she decided she hadn't. Scott Summers was something special.
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