Disclaimer: I don't own the X-Men or X-Men:Evolution or any of its iterations.
This takes place around the end of the calendar year during Jean's senior year at high school.
Company Policy – Chapter 3 – Dinner with the Matthews
"The Greys are here, Duncan! Can you get the door?" his mom called from the kitchen.
"C'mon, Mom - the game is on and State is on a roll. Can't you get it?" Duncan replied.
:I've got somewhere I'd like to roll you to.:, thought Suzanne Matthews as she closed the oven and rushed to the front door.
"Please come in and welcome to our humble home," she greeted Jean and her parents. John Grey held the storm door open as his wife and younger daughter entered. Jean started the introductions, "This is my dad John Grey and my mom Elaine Grey." Mrs. Matthews replied, "I'm Suzanne and please let me take your coats. Were the directions I sent you of any help, Professor Grey? "
Jean's dad replied, "Yes, they were perfect – very direct. Please call me John. Something smells delicious." Suzanne smiled and said, "Let me go hang these up and I'll be right back. Duncan?"
The Greys stood at the foyer of the house and John could see his wife's eyes taking inventory of the furniture and other items.
John waited patiently to catch a glimpse of the young man who was dating his daughter. Hiding seemed curious behavior for the fearless quarterback he had heard so much about. The house was a stylish building on a large plot of land in a very exclusive neighborhood. Elaine was obviously impressed right away; John decided to wait before passing judgement yet. Jean was dating a young man – not his parent's property.
Suzanne Matthews motioned towards the dining room with the coats in her arms, "Please have a seat, your timing is perfect." The elder Greys made their way to the table as Jean disappeared into the TV room.
The sound of a football game in progress was rather loud.
He could barely hear Jean's hushed voice, "Duncan, come on out and say hi – my parents are here." His response was loud and clear. "Jean – it's the two minute warning. Can't you get them a drink and we'll be right out?"
John watched his wife stiffen at the suggestion guests should be made to wait. :This kid is certainly not scoring points this quarter:, he thought to himself. Suddenly the TV went quiet and two voices shouted, "Hey!" followed by the telltale sound of a static filled screen.
Suzanne returned from hanging up the coats and said, "Sounds like the cable is out. Isn't that a shame? Can I get you something to drink? I have soda – diet and regular, some red wine if you'd like, or I can make you a hot drink – some tea, regular coffee or decaf." Elaine asked for wine and John settled on tea since he was driving back to Connecticut tonight. The holiday sobriety check points were heavily advertised on the news recently – the police believed a large visible presence was the best prevention for drunk driving accidents.
Jean reappeared with Duncan arm in arm, and Duncan finally introduced himself. Mr. Matthews went right to the kitchen phone, called the cable company and threatened to start his own rival cable company if he didn't have service by the start of the second half. Suzanne returned from the kitchen with a beverage for everyone.
After he hung up, he turned to his guests. "Fred Matthews, welcome to the palace. Chow ready yet, dear?" The elder Matthews had an air of command about him, someone used to giving orders and expecting them to be completed right quick. Command through fear and intimidation.
Suzanne jumped up and went to the kitchen, Jean also got up to help serve. John watched and a nagging feeling began to tickle the back of his brain. Something was going on that he didn't like.
Fred startled him out of his thoughts, "What line are you in, Grey? What brings home the bacon for you?" John replied, "I teach law, specifically corporate law, at Connecticut University. I also have a consulting firm I manage that helps companies review corporate procedures and policies. Recently we've had a lot of activity regarding sexual harassment."
"You must make good money – double dipping like that. I've got a bunch of lawyer sharks working for me – keeping the pesty safety inspectors and ambulance chasers off my back. I guess you know all about the Matthews empire. We specialize in minerals and granite. Family business been around for some time. Duncan of course is being groomed to take over after he wins that Heisman trophy at college. Already got the case built for it in the front lobby." Duncan flashed a winning smile worthy of a Sport Illustrated cover.
John didn't know much about sports but he did know about something called the Heisman curse – that the college player who won the elite trophy usually suffered in mediocrity at the professional level. He also knew it was dangerous to count chickens before they hatched – Duncan and Jean were in the process of applying to colleges. Duncan faced impossible odds – getting selected to a school with a good enough team, beating out all the other potential quarterbacks, making it to his senior year healthy in addition to being better then any other player around the college leagues. Confidence was one thing; this was pure delusion.
Dinner progressed well as John made his observations of Jean and Duncan together. Duncan had definitely inherited his father's gift for manipulation. He tried to give Duncan the benefit of the doubt, but he could tell Duncan was trying to mold Jean into the same person his mother was – a servant who doted on her husband. Suzanne seemed intelligent – she was a nurse at a nearby hospital. All that chemistry, paperwork and dosages required a sharp mind; but it also needed a giving spirit. She unfortunately had married someone who took advantage of her kindness. He wasn't so sure he wanted Jean to make the same mistake.
After dessert was served, Fred turned to Jean and asked, "So have you heard from Lexington College yet? Duncan's already been promised the lead quarterback position starting his sophomore year." John looked curiously at Jean – Lexington did not have a genetics program – he had helped Jean do the internet search during one of her monthly visits home when she first decided that would be her major. When she didn't answer, Fred continued. "I guess if you couldn't get in yourself maybe we could get the football coach to pull some strings and get you in a dorm close to Duncan's – right next to the practice field."
Elaine's arm shot out to hold John down in his chair. John's blood boiled in his veins; to think this oaf would suggest Jean couldn't make it into a second rate school on her own accord and that she'd need help from that Neanderthal. . . . . Elaine exclaimed, "Oh, look at the time, we'd best be going before it gets too late. John?"
:..four one thousand, five one thousand – stay calm, deep breath: "Yes dear, you're right. My night vision isn't what it used to be. Thank you again for the lovely dinner and next time you'll have to come to Connecticut."
Duncan and Fred went back to the TV room to attempt to get the game back on. From the hallway, John could see the power plug for the cable box slide back into the outlet by itself – obviously with a little help from Jean. The Matthews men were content to be back in the football game.
John waited by the front door as Jean and Elaine went to separate bathrooms before the hour plus car ride home. Suzanne returned with the coats and he noted a slightly sad expression on her face. She helped him on with his coat and said, "You know John, you've done a fine job raising Jean. She'll be quite a woman someday. Don't worry about her and Duncan, soon she'll come to her sens… Oh, there she is now." John caught the sudden shift in their hostess's tone as Jean reappeared on the stairs, his daughter made no indication that she had heard anything Mrs. Matthews said. The Greys thanks Suzanne for her hospitality and got in their car.
John was lost in thought over the comments Suzanne made just before they left. His mind replayed the conversations from dinner and had an unusual feeling that as they waved goodbye to Suzanne, she had acted like this was the first and only time they would meet.
"Dear? Are you okay, you seem lost in another world," Elaine asked interrupting his train of thought. "I'm sorry, dear. I was just thinking about the best route home – 95 or the Merrit Parkway."
So there was a chance she was safe from this boy – but what about Scott at the Institute once he realizes she may be available?