Disclaimer – I don't own the X-Men, X-Men:Evolution or any of its iterations
This follows immediately after the previous chapter.
Corporate Policy - Chapter 5 – Checking under the Hood
John walked back to his car then got in and turned the key. Nothing happened. Not a good time for this. He tried again and no activity from the engine at all.
He popped the hood and walked towards the front of the car. He heard a car drive by as he put the rod up to hold the lid open. He looked down at the engine and knew it was probably some computer chip. He longed for the days when you could get a car going with a couple of hand tools and a lot of elbow grease.
He took out his cell phone and looked up as he heard a car pull alongside his. He peered around his trunk lid and saw Scott, who asked, "Everything ok, Mr. Grey? Uh, I guess not if your hood is up?"
John shrugged, "Nothing when I turn the key. I'll just call the motor club and wait for them to show up." Scott got out of his car and looked under the hood. "Oh boy – one of these fuel injected models. Listen, the motor clubs can take over an hour to call back and a couple of hours to show up. We have a fleet service contract for all our vehicles with a local repair shop. We might be able to get a truck out here pretty quickly and the pricing on their work is reasonable. I can call them if you want."
John glanced at his watch and noted the store Elaine and Sara were shopping in would be closed in an hour since it was Sunday. "I guess that might be a better idea then my motor club." He notices Scott has the repair shop number on his speed dial.
John calls Elaine on her cell phone to tell her he would be delayed. She does not sound convinced he is having car trouble – she thinks he's just chatting with Charles.
Scott shut his phone and said, "The tow truck will arrive in about twenty minutes – we lucked out since the driver was in the neighborhood on a rush delivery job of some engine parts. Would you like to wait inside with the Professor?"
John says, "No, that's okay. I'd rather stay with the car." He decided this might be a good chance to get to know this young man better. Maybe some questions that are safe to ask without any outsiders nearby. "So Jean tells me you have been appointed the deputy team leader as the oldest teen."
Scott replies, "To be honest I was surprised they asked me but it does make sense in a way. Jean is much more active then me at school – yearbook photographer, soccer captain, - well you know her clubs as much as I do. And then there's Du-…. Let's just say I spend more time at the mansion then she does, so I have more time to design training scenarios and stuff like that. She is a great captain on the soccer team and she'd be a natural. The instructors have every confidence in her since she does train along side me in the leadership skills workshops. As the team grows, I'm sure she'll be asked to step up."
The tow truck then appeared in the driveway of the Institute and pulled up. The driver jumped out and joked, "Hey, Scott. Your car looks okay to me – it's still in one piece. Not like the last three times I came by." Scott lets out a nervous laugh and asks the driver how his kids are doing, obviously changing the subject.
John makes a mental note to ask Charles about that when he got home tonight. Jean had been asking for a small sports car for her graduation present, but maybe a SUV or minivan might be a better choice for her in case of an accident. Whatever kind of accidents they got into around here.
After his car was setup on the back of the tow truck, John moved to get into the truck, but the driver says, "Sorry, front seat is full of greasy parts. I can come back for you or send one of the guys to come pick you up."
Scott volunteers, "It's ok, Jerry, I'll bring him over." John was glad for the opportunity to continue his interview with Scott.
As they followed the tow truck, John asks, "What is your power again?" Scott answers, "A optic blast comes from my eyes when I open my eyelids. I wear these glasses or a special visor to contain the blast so I can get around. The beams are not something I can control." John was curious, "Isn't that something you should be working on?"
Scott shrugged, "I suffered some brain damage as a kid. Unfortunately it took out my off switch." John then remembered Jean mentioning a plane crash where Scott was injured and he lost his family. He apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize." Again Scott shrugged it off, "No problem - It's a common question from the others students."
John noticed the tow truck pull into the repair shop and Scott parked out front. John's eyes did a quick survey of the shop as they walked in – an old habit from sizing up the people in courtrooms. A young girl was working the cashier's desk, a middle aged man managed the work desk and a group of young men were in the shop now that the tow truck arrived with the Greys' car and the engine parts in the front seat.
The cashier was bored out of her mind but brightened at the sight of Scott. "Hey, Summers. Did you miss me?" Scott smiled at her and answered simply, "Hiya, Marty." John notes the disappointment on her face as the boy continues to walk towards the service counter.
The service manager greeted John and they chatted about what happened to the car. Scott's cell phone rang and he walked off saying, "Hello? Oh, hey Rogue…" John knew the name but couldn't place the face.
The service manager said, "I'll have the boys give it the once over and we'll let you know what the damage is. You can wait in the TV lounge if you want or there's a diner across the way."
John walked towards the lounge and Scott appeared behind him still on his phone. "Yeah, I'm here with Mr. Grey, just meet me here and I'll give you a ride back." He hung up his phone and said, "One of the other students – she just got back from train ride to the City. She'll meet me here."
As they sit, John notices the cashier still looking in Scott's direction with a far away look in her eyes. He was glad to still be able to talk to Scott – there were some remaining questions he wanted to ask – to confirm his suspicions after his chat with Jean on the ride back. Since they were around non-Institute ears, he decided a more general approach was needed. "So how goes the college search?"
The young man answered, "Pretty good. I applied to a bunch of engineering and architecture schools. I didn't get into all of them but some were really high priced so it doesn't matter. I'm leaning towards a school in Pennsylvania. I'm just glad my counselor pushed me way back in September to get my applications in – we've been a little busy recently with some special projects." John smiled to indicate he knew what Scott meant – Jean had mentioned the team was getting more active with rescues lately.
John asked, "Have you applied for any scholarships – athletic or academic? You're on the track team, right?" Scott replied lowering his voice, "I was going to try but the Professor asked me not to apply – that he would take care of everything. He said he didn't want any resentment towards me if our secret came out and I had to leave due to prejudice. It would seem like a waste to spoil it for somebody else. I still have some money from my parent's estate and the Professor said he'd help me out. I might try to get a job while in school – to help with books – I hear they can be expensive."
John smiled, "They certainly can be. But with that kind of major, time for a job might not be something you can afford. You'll be in the library a lot of the time." John noted Scott's body language as confident and excited. The young man seemed eager for the challenge of a college lifestyle. Now for a twist.
"So do you know Duncan, the guy Jean hangs out with?" And there it was – immediately Scott stiffened and averted his eyes from John. He could tell the boy was carefully putting together his thoughts before answering. "Yeah, I do. We not exactly friends but who Jean dates is her own business, I guess. I know he likes Jean a lot. He's the quarterback so he has leadership qualities. He's popular and is from a well to do family." Unlike you, young man – Elaine's voice sprang into John's head. He wondered why Scott had brought that up – could it be that he was aware of Elaine's feelings towards him – or his lack of finances? His wife had designs on marrying their younger daughter off in some high society function in Connecticut or New York City. Something not likely to happen if Jean chose this young man.
Scott had provided a nice neutral answer but he could tell the boy was no fonder of Duncan then her father was – even behind the glasses it was clear to an experienced lawyer like John..
Then John decided to go for broke. "Have you ever thought of asking Jean out?" Jackpot. The boy nearly sprang out of the seat. He squirmed up and down as he ran his hands through his hair. "To be honest, I've thought about it but I wouldn't want to spoil what we have. Your daughter is beautiful, smart, caring and a great friend to me. I…" Suddenly Scott stood up and said, "I'll be right back."
Despite his better judgement, John had to confess he liked this young man. Under different circumstances, he could see Scott and Jean together. But it was a shame – his experience with romances in the workplace had told him it was for the best they stay apart.
He glanced towards the door to see where Scott was going and a young woman entered the repair shop. She was a sad looking brunette with a shock of white hair, but her expression changed when she saw Scott walking towards her. She tried to hide it but she was delighted to see him. His courtroom instincts kicked into high gear as he followed the action before him.
The girl smiled as Scott whispered something to her. Her smile earned her a frown from the cashier, as Scott heads towards the restroom. The two girls then glared at one another.
It dawns on him the brunette is the girl Scott talked to before – Rogue. It also occurs to him that Scott appears to be totally clueless that these girls are interested in him. If he ever woke up to the fact he could command this kind of attention from these women, there would be a trail of broken hearts. There was no doubt it was for the best he should not get involved with Jean – the boy even said so himself.
And his fear was confirmed. As he walks towards the counter as his name is called by the service manager, John is caught in the scowling crossfire between Rogue and the cashier. This young man was trouble and it was not something he wanted his daughter involved in. He crossed his fingers the repair would be somewhere under a thousand dollars.
The service manager slid his keys across the counter. "Bad alternator – you're all set – car is outside." Reaching for his wallet, John asked, "So what do I owe you?" The service manager waved him off, "Nothing, Scott already authorized for it to be on the Institute tab."
John's pride got the better of him. "I'm sorry, I can't allow that. How much was it?" The man behind the counter leans forward. "Look if we change this to accept your payment, the closing paperwork is going to a nightmare for the cashier. She just started doing her nails – you want to pay – You tell her. I know better then to mess with her at a time like that." John holds his ground and starts to raise his voice, "I insist…" when he feels a light touch on his elbow.
He turned and saw Rogue at his side saying, "Maybe I can help. What Jack is trying to say is once Scott has made up his mind, it's hard to change it." There was a confidence in her voice that halted John's tirade. "If you have to part with some money to feel better, you could donate the amount to the Smithtown orphanage." She fished in her purse and then produced a business card for the orphanage director. "It's a place Scott helps out at and it would be a good way to return the favor."
As John looked up, he saw the service manager had gone into the shop where only employees were allowed. Then he realized an opportunity had presented itself. He turned back to Rogue saying, "Thanks for the card and I understand you had helped Jean recently with some headaches she had. Thank you for that too." Rogue looked away but did acknowledge him with a soft, "You're welcome."
He didn't consider himself a gambling man but this was worth a try. "So how long have you and Scott been dating?" The look of shock was something he expected and he hoped she would respond with what he was looking for. Rogue looked towards the restrooms as she said, "I'm not his girlfriend, he likes … I mean he's dating another girl at school named Taryn." Her gaze became very evasive now. His lawyer instincts kicked in again telling him she caught herself just in time from letting something slip.
Scott emerged from the restrooms and asked John, "Everything all set?" John extended his hand and said, "Yes thanks to you. Until next time."
As they walk out, Scott calls out, "See you tomorrow in homeroom, Marty." That earns him a killer smile for his moment of attention to her. The two Institute teens went outside to Scott's car and drove off, back towards their home. John was not sure where in Bayville he was since he had been grilling Scott in the car instead of paying attention to where they were going. He asks the cashier for directions and she writes them down for him to make it easy.
The cashier is distracted – gazing out the window at a small red sports car waiting to make a turn at the traffic light. One last try. "Scott's a handsome lad, don't you think?", he asks her. She answers, "He's really a square but I could overlook that. It'd be nice to be treated right for a change. But he only has eyes for a certain redhead." Bingo. The cashier muttered, "Jean something or other."
John put on his best sympathetic smile saying, "Well, if you can't catch him, I'm sure there's some nice man out there for you. You just have to be patient and wait for the right one to come along."
This was not the way John had intended to spend a few hours this Sunday, but it had proven to be very informative. He called Elaine to say he was on the way. She grilled him, "You sound distracted, John. Is everything OK?" He hesitated and decided to let it go – no sense in creating an uproar where one might not exist. He replies, "So did you leave anything I the store for the other customers?"
She scoffed at him, "Really, dear. What's the sense of making all that money if you don't enjoy it?" As he hung up the phone, John wished once, just once the TV news anchor would say, "The economy turned a major upswing as consumer spending increased dramatically. Our thanks to John Grey who took his wife shopping today."
Author's note: Now is Scott really that handsome? He's not everybody's cup of tea from what I've seen on Evo message boards. But to a paranoid father like John Grey, it seems like every girl drools at the sight of him.
I posted both chapters since they take place in time so close together. It maybe a week before the next one is up – got some things I've got to take care of.
As always – please review and thanks.