Let's get one thing straight, first of all, JEAN IS NOT A SLUT! If you go back and read the summary that I included with the title of this story, it says clearly, that after Scott comes back into her life it was going to get CRAZY! I think the previous chapter says that! I am VERY disappointed that you see Jean as a slut. I think it's an unfair assumption, and I'm ashamed. I now doubt my ability to present these characters properly. I tried to keep her "slutiness", if you must call it that, subtle, but obviously according to some of the reviews that I received, that wasn't accomplished. I'm sorry if you think Jean is a slut. Well, to clarify it, SHE ISN'T! I think I got only one reviewer who clearly understood chapter 8. I'll post it for all of you.

From: Mark C

I think I know who helped Jean in the end and if it is who I think and hope it is it is only logical for him to help her. Any way Jean keeps on picking the wrong men to be with and until Scott can dump Taryn she will keep going out with guys who are not worthy of her. Scott really needs to dump Taryn. She is so pushy and controlling. I know Scott doesn't want to hurt her feelings but a guy can take only so much.

That's all that's wrong with Jean. She's lost right now, so she's trying all the wrong decisions before she finally gets to the right one. You need to have faith that Jean and Scott will eventually get their acts together and become one. And you need to have in faith in me that I won't lead you on and on. I'm doing all of this for a reason.

RedPhoenix1821

Now, to answer some questions.

Jean was with Brad because she felt physically attracted to him and he was nice to her. That's all, and like I said she's trying all the wrong decisions before she gets to the right one. At first I portrayed him as a nice guy, kind and all that, and then I turned him into an ass. I know, confusing, but there really are guys like that out there, and Jean just happened to run into one of them.

Now, Jean is with Garrett because, like it said in the chapter, he understands her and can relate. He's been there, and he doesn't want her there anymore. He wants to help get her heart back on its feet. It's been knocked down one too many times and right now it wants to stay on the floor. Garrett believes a woman like Jean shouldn't have to feel that kind of pain and doesn't deserve to. For now he has no interest in sleeping with her, and she with him. I'm still contemplating whether I want them to or not, but for now they won't. He simply wants to get to know her and find out about what makes her tick, and help to get back in life what she's lost, and if he can give that to her, he's going to stay with her. He's going to realize that he does indeed love her, and he'll find that Jean's in love with Scott, and that's who she should be with, because there some things Scott can give her that he just can't. Scott has known Jean longer and knows more about her than anybody else ever will. Don't worry about Jean and Scott; they're going to be ok, ok?

About the scenes that I got a complaint about, they were necessary to describe Brad. I had to bring him out as a terrible person, which had been my plan all along. If you're scared for Jean, don't be. She'll be ok. I promise.

I also got a question about my "Wedding Plans" fic. I want to know what you guys think about that. Did you like it, did you love it, did you hate it? Tell me what you want to see. I honestly don't know where to go with it; I want to know what you guys want to read on that one. I'll update as soon as I can, but I need some ideas.

I hope that answered most if not all if your questions. If you have anymore, just ask me in your reviews.

Enjoy.

Chapter 9

Rolling over in the bed Jean felt pain sear through her wounded body, her chest, back, arms, and even her legs. She burned all over. Pulling herself up on an elbow she looked on the nightstand for a familiar orange bottle, reached for it, and popped the cap. She poured two pills into her palm then hoisted herself from the bed, set her feet on the cold linoleum floor, and sauntered to the bathroom. She grabbed the glass from the sink side and filled it with water. Just as she was about to swallow the painkillers, a coughing fit overtook her. She already knew she was coming down with a cold, and with the added pain of her recent injuries... She didn't know how much longer she could take this. Sitting herself down on the floor and leaning against the wall she sipped the water until the coughing stopped. Her throat was beginning to hurt as much as the rest of her. She leaned her head back against the tile wall and breathed then another coughing fit came on. The door opened this time, quickly.

"Jean, you ok?" Garrett asked crouching beside her. "Jean?"

"I'm fine, I was just going to take some pills, I hurt."

"Did you sleep at all last night?" Garrett brushed a piece of her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, a little. I want to thank you for letting me stay here."

"You're welcome, but it is only temporary, right?"

"As far as I know, until Scott tells me that I can officially move in." Jean smiled at him and reached out to run her fingers through his hair. She was only staying with Garrett until Scott had moved all of her belongings to his apartment. She would've been helping him, except Scott and Garrett weren't going to allow her any farther than a bed for the next week while her three cracked ribs healed. Jean ran her fingers through his hair, tussled from sleep and knotted at the tips. She loved his hair, for whatever reason, she loved his hair. She loved its length, its color, and its softness.

"You look like you need a friendly kiss."

"I could use a hug." A little disappointed, Garrett leaned in and gave Jean a friendly hug. He stroked her back, realizing for the first that he was physically attracted to her. He didn't want to sleep with her, but he did enjoy kissing her. Jean looked at him now, a smile in her still-tired eyes. "Maybe I could use a kiss." A small smile formed on Garrett's lips as he leaned in to kiss her.

Taryn stood outside Scott's apartment, her purse clutched under her arm. She knocked on the door again, waited. She could hear noises on the other side of the door, he was definitely there. "Scott?" she called. Reaching for the doorknob she turned it and the door swung open quietly. She looked in and saw brown moving boxes everywhere along with a few crates and some smaller boxes. She became thoroughly confused. "Scott?" she called again.

"In here." He called back. Taryn walked to the hallway and turned down it. Scott was in the spare bedroom. Taryn could smell fresh paint and cut wood. The scents mixed together in her nose along with free flying woodchips, and made her sneeze. "Bless you." Scott said walking out of the room. He kissed her cheek. "I like your hair, what are you doing here?"

"I came to see you." Taryn said reaching her arms around his waist. "I miss you." She kissed him and he kissed her back. "What are you doing?"

"I told you Jean was going to be moving in with me."

"Oh yeah, how is she?"

"Better. She's staying with a friend for now."

Taryn pulled back and looked at him. "You're covered in paint." She laughed as she examined his shirt and pants.

"This is just the first coat. I have an apron if you want to help, it'll get done faster that way, and then I'll take you out to lunch after.

"Ok, fine." Taryn leaned up and kissed him again then set her purse down on a wall table. Scott took her hand and led her into the room. He handed her the apron and helped her to tie it. Taryn pulled her hair back and picked up a roller, dipped it into the paint then went for the walls. "I love this color." She said applying the paint. "I love a nice shade of soft cream."

"Yeah, I'm hoping the color will help her to relax." Scott said reaching up the wall he had been previously working on.

"What else do you have to do?" Taryn asked as she reapplied the paint and returned to the wall.

"I was sizing shelves earlier, because Jean needs a lot of organization, so that was the wood you were smelling and sneezing on. I have to finish with the paint and let it dry and then put up those shelves. Then I have to lay down the rug, bring her furniture in here, and then put everything away."

"Sounds like a lot."

"She's worth it."

Taryn stopped short in her painting for a moment and looked over her shoulder at Scott. He didn't stop painting to look at her. She looked back to the wall, took a breath, and returned to work.

"Scott?" she asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes?"

"Do you love Jean?"

"Yes, but not that way." Scott added quickly. "I've known her too long not to love her."

"How do you mean?"

Scott walked over to the window and pushed it all the way open. "I love her like I would love a sister."

"Oh, ok. I thought you meant you were infatuated with her."

Scott set his roller down and crossed the room. He wrapped his arms around Taryn's waist from behind and leaned his head on her shoulder. Taryn closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of it.

"No, but I'm infatuated with you." He whispered. Taryn felt a smile pull at her lips. She'd always known there was a reason she loved Scott Summers.

"Are you sure you want to be going to work today?" Garrett asked while he watched Jean pull her coat on. She struggled getting it around her shoulders as she worked with the pain. "Stop." Garrett said as he walked up to her. He took her jacket, fixed it, and then slipped it on her.

"Thanks, yes, I'm sure. I've taken enough sick leave, if I continue I won't have anymore left for the year."

"Fine, but take these with you." Garrett handed her, her prescription bottle. Jean thanked him and slipped it into her purse. "If you start to feel a burning in your chest call me and I'll come pick you up, ok?" Jean nodded and then headed out the door. Once she was gone Garrett walked back to his bedroom and rolled himself up in the sheets in the spot Jean had slept the night before. "Why does it always have to be me?" he whispered to himself.

Outside in the parking lot Jean was heading for the exit when she heard the distinctive 'beep, beep' of a car horn behind her. Turning, she saw Scott's convertible pulling into the parking lot. What is he doing here, she thought to herself.

"Hey, beautiful!" Scott called from his car.

"Why are you here?" Jean called back crossing her arms over her chest. "You're making me late to work."

Scott got out of his car, holding his hands behind his back as he approached her. "You're going to work today?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm tired of being cooped up. I need to get out and walk around. What do you have?"

"Jean, you shouldn't be going to work." Scott said as he came closer to her. He brushed a loose piece of hair behind her ear. "You could hurt yourself."

"I'll be fine, now what do you have."

Scott pulled his hand behind his back again and moved his arms a little, keeping his hands out of sight. "Pick, left or right?"

"Right."

Scott held his hand out, and in his palm was a key. "It took me a while to get it from Taryn, she wasn't really willing to give it up."

Jean took the key. She could tell by the smile on Scott's face that he had something else for her, but she had question for him first. "Does this mean your done with all my stuff?"

"Yeah, you can move in whenever you're ready."

"Good. What else do you have?"

Scott pulled his other hand out, and in it, he held a rose. "A rose for a rose." He said quietly. Jean stood there in silence for a minute while she stared at the rose.

"Thank you." She finally managed to say. She felt Scott reach down and slip his fingers into hers.

"Come on, I'll take you to work." He said quietly as he began to lead her to his car. Unbeknownst to them both, up on the fifth floor, Garrett had been watching the scene from his bedroom window. He returned to his bed once more, and again curled himself up in the spot Jean had occupied. "Why me? Why me?"

Author's Note: Well, good, bad, tell me what you think. I love feedback. I'm truly sorry about "Wedding Plans", but I'll tell you all what, let me finish this story, and then I'll finish "Weekend In The Mountains" because I know a lot of people want to see that one come back, and then I'll finish "Wedding Plans". I'm begging all of you, though, to tell me some ideas in your reviews, I'm totally blank.

HELP ME!!

RedPhoenix1821

I LOVE YOU PEOPLE!!