Genesis of a Legend

Disclaimer:  I don't own these characters.  Marvel does.

Part Two(which may or may not be the last part…)

Author's Note: The chapter was revised to fix an inconsistency that was pointed out to me in a review…Scott couldn't be reading a magazine…J

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Within a half hour of meeting her I decided that Jean Grey was something special.  She had the voice of an angel, strong and confident.  Nothing seemed to phase her.  We sat outside on the dock, just talking for six hours that first day, until the Professor called us in for dinner.  Then, we went back outside and talked until late.  I think Jean said it was midnight.  I can't remember the last time I felt so comfortable around a person.  I'd had lots of friends in high school, but since my mutation developed I was sort of a recluse.

I didn't see much of Jean through the next week because she was in the middle of exams and inundated with studying.  I highly anticipated the times I did get a chance to talk to her, like breakfast and dinner.  I found it odd that this girl who I had never even seen had me so completely mesmerized.  I tried to form a picture of her in my head.  I knew she had long, red hair, and green eyes because she'd told me, and that her hands were large and soft, from when she'd led me out to the dock.  I hadn't wanted to let go.  It had been so long since I'd really touched another human being.  That, combined with her amazing voice, led me to this amazing mental picture.  Jean was a goddess.

One afternoon, I sat in the parlor, playing with one of those metal puzzles where you try to get the pieces apart, and waiting anxiously for Jean to get home.  Dr. McCoy bounded into the room. 

"I've got something for you!"

I quickly got up and ran over to him. 

"The glasses?"
"These should do it."

Suddenly, the door swung open and Jean came barreling through, colliding with me. 

"Sorry," she choked, and took off up the stairs.  She was crying, I could tell.  I started to follow her, but Dr. McCoy caught me by the shoulder.  He was large man and had no trouble restraining me.

"Glasses first."

"But…"

"Unh uh."

"Jean's crying though."

"You'll be able to go see her after. I need to make sure these work."

I nodded reluctantly.  As we were walking to the Danger Room it hit me what he said.  I'd be able to see her after.  I'd actually be able to see her. 

"Dr. McCoy, is Jean as beautiful as I imagine she is?"

He chuckled.  "Yes, I think you'll find that she is.  Jeannie is a very pretty young woman."

I smiled.  He pressed a button and the door opened.  Once we were inside, it whirred shut behind us. 

"All right.  Peel off the blindfold and keep your eyes shut."

I did as I was told, and clenched my eyes shut as Hank pressed the glasses over my eyes, and stepped away. 

"Clear."

I opened my eyes.  No blast.  I could see the far wall of the cavernous room.  Everything had a reddish tinge. 

"Excellent!"  Dr. McCoy declared.  "Now that I know this works, I can fit the quartz into something that looks a little better.

The glasses were a bit clunky , but that hadn't bothered me.  I could see!

"All right.  I need to take them off you for a second, to take a measurement."

I closed my eyes again, and Hank quickly measured my head, then replaced my glasses. 

"All set.  I'm going to make a more stylish pair of glasses, a more pliable and secure goggle type for sleeping, and a visor that will allow control with the touch of a button."

"Cool.  Are you all set with me?"

Dr. McCoy chuckled.  "I know.  I know.  You want to get to Jeannie. I'm done."

I smiled.  "Thank you."  I literally ran the whole way up to Jean's room.  The door was locked.  I knocked.

"Go away!"

"Please Jean, its just me."

Click.  I tried the door again.  It was now unlocked.  Entering, I saw that Jean was curled up on her bed, hugging a pillow.  I climbed up on the bed with her, and she crawled over to lay herself on my lap.  I rubbed her back and ran my hands through her long hair.  Everything was a shad of red, but her hair was just incredible.  She was incredible.  It seemed impossible, but she was even more beautiful than I'd imagined.

We sat in silence for a while, and she stopped crying. 

"What's wrong?"

"I just had an awful time with the exam I took today.  It was so hard."

"I'm sure you did fine."

Jean sat up and shook her head.  Her face was puffy from crying.  I scooted closer to her and wrapped my arms around her.  She pressed her head against my chest.

"Something else is bothering you."

Jean didn't answer right away, but continued to burrow her face into my shirt.

"I just had an argument with another kid in the class.  He was making fun of me.  Calling me a geek, and stuff like that.  Said all I cared about was school and grades.  That I'm antisocial."

"I don't find you antisocial in the least.  And you're brilliant, and beautiful."

Woah, had a really blurted that out? Jean lifted her head from my chest.  She was blushing the color of her hair.

"Thank you for the attempted ego boost."

"No really. I mean it, Jeannie."

"Don't call me that.  You've been around Dr. McCoy too long."

I laughed.  "Ah.  I didn't realize that you didn't like it."

"It just makes me feel young."

I grinned.  "Well, Jean, you are all the things I said."

"Scott, you've never even seen me."

I was amused, she hadn't even noticed because she was so upset.

"Oh no?"

Jean whipped her head around to look at me.  "Oh my God!  I didn't even notice."

I laughed and swatted at her playfully.

"So when did you get them?"

"Between your crashing into me downstairs, and my coming up here. Dr. McCoy wouldn't let me come up here first."

"Because he know it would turn into an epic conversation, as usual."

"Yeah."

For the first time ever, I was speechless with her.  She was looking me directly in the eyes. I couldn't tell if she knew she was. 

"You disappointed?"

I shook my head slowly.  Jean was smiling broadly.

"No?"

"Jean, I just told you that you were beautiful.  I wouldn't lie to you."

She was blushing again.

"You're even more beautiful than I'd imagined."

"Really?"

I nodded, and could feel my cheeks burning with heat.  We sat staring at each other for a minute.  I wanted to kiss her, and badly.  But I chickened out.  She leaned in and threw her arms around my neck, kissing my cheek.  We held each other for a long time. 

"I'm going to hold you to that?"

"What?"

"That you won't lie to me."

"I won't.  I swear."

"Good."

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