Wow! Yes, i still intend to finish this ol' gal up. Seeing how it's been a year since i started ES, i figure it's a fitting time to get me arse in gear and post! So here you are, chapter 21. Yeah, it's not really beta-ed but... Non-betaed ES is better than No ES?? Right?

Also, a mink blanket IS NOT made of fur. It's made up of this really.. nice.. soft.. material. -- -- means telepathic conversation

Flaer...

thump… thump… thump…

The rhythmic heartbeat infiltrated Jean's slumber. She fought if off, but it persisted, and while she wanted to move away from the sound, her body was too comfortable to comply. Though she was awake now, she kept her eyes closed, and her body still for a little while longer. Jean guessed it was about ten minutes later when she finally opened her eyes, and shifted slightly to adjust her weight. She was on her side, curled slightly against Rogue. Jean had her arm draped protectively across Rogue's naked torso, and Jean's head rested over Rogue's breast.

Thump… Thump…Thump…

Jean listened to Rogue's heartbeat a moment longer, hoping the slow evenness would lull her back to sleep. More time passed, and Jean finally surrendered to remaining awake. With care, she detached herself from the still sleeping form of Rogue and slipped off the bed. It was nearing four in the morning now, and the late December moon bathed the room in pale, cold moonlight. Jean shivered violently as her naked body protested against leaving the warmth of the bed. Quickly, Jean grabbed the bathrobe that was strewn on the floor and wrapped herself in the fluffy material. Stepping closer to the window, Jean looked out into the clear night. Snow smothered the landscape in a thick, white, crystalline blanket and the moon's light reflected off the surface, making the night brighter than usual. Jean shivered again, and silently regretted not taking the time to turn on the heat before she and Rogue had gone to bed. With one last look at the ice engulfed trees outside, Jean sat down at the desk, adjusted the table lamp and then turned it on. She glanced back at the bed to see if she had woken Rogue, but the younger woman had already buried herself completely into the soft folds of the mink blanket. On the desk were various letters addressed to Rogue. One of the newer ones were addressed to Rogue, and Jean read it over again.

Dear Miss D'Ancanto,

In addition to welcoming your admission to the State University of New York, it is my pleasure to award you The Reed Richard's Scholarship for the Gifted…

Jean skimmed over the letter. It continued on about the details of the scholarship, and how SUNY was striving to be the leader in providing post secondary education to all groups, homo sapien superior included. Jean knew of Reed Richards, and the Richards family. They were a family devoted to science, and although they were not mutants, Jean had heard they supported their fair share of mutant causes. Not surprisingly, Rogue was thrilled as the scholarship was inclusive of all university costs. Jean sighed, and quietly opened the bottom drawer of the desk. She pulled out another envelope. This one was addressed to her, and had only arrived earlier that day.

Dear Ms. Grey,

Through the recommendations of Dr. Duncan Adler, the administration of Muir Island Institute would like to offer you an indefinite position as head of the medical facility located here. In addition, a fully funded research position working in conjunction with Dr. Adler is available as well…

Rogue did not know about this letter just yet, and Jean wondered what her reaction would be. An interesting stroke of luck had given Jean what she wanted, but unfortately, it was not in the right school. The near by universities had been fairly open to offering Jean some sort of position, but it was nothing as prestigious as what was in front of her now. The Muir Island offer started in the next semester, and a big part of Jean didn't want to wait to see if any other offers would come her way.

Silently, she put away the letter, turned off the table lamp and made her way back to the bed. Despite her best efforts to not wake Rogue, the younger woman poked her head out from the blankets.

--Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you.-- Jean said through the link as she tightened the blanket around herself and Rogue.

--That's okay.-- Rogue yawned and looked over at the clock. --It's early, and, -- Rogue shivered, --it's cold. Is the heater not working?--

Jean shook her head and gathered Rogue closer to her body. She was still in the terry cloth robe, and Rogue had snuggled into the material that was around Jean's side. Jean smiled down at Rogue and then looked back at the desk. The bottom drawer opened under Jean's telekinetic pull, and the letter that was hidden inside floated towards her outstretched hand.

--Marie? There's something I need to show you.-- Jean handed the letter to Rogue and then she turned on the bedside lamp. Through the rapport, Jean felt Rogue's happiness for her, but then felt the reality of what the letter meant.

--Wow. It's everything you want in a job.-- Rogue looked up at Jean.

--Yes.-- Jean leaned forward and kissed Rogue's forehead, and played absently with a lock of her lover's long brown hair.

Rogue cleared her throat and sat up.

"You should go. This is a very good opportunity." Rogue said out loud.

"And you?" Jean asked in return. She wanted to read Rogue's mind for the answer, but opted to wait for Rogue to say it herself. She had faith in her relationship with Rogue, but still felt apprehensive with the answer she would hear. Until this letter, she and Rogue had already solidified their plans for moving out and living together elsewhere in the city. Everything was perfect, but this offer was too much to just ignore.

Rogue smiled and laughed lightly at her.

"What do you think?" She said, and then Rogue quickly rolled on top of Jean. "You think I'd let you go all the way over there without me?"

"And your scholarship?"

Rogue pursed her lips.

"Maybe I can get a job doing something at Muir Island?" Her eyes became unfocused for a moment as she tried to formulate what her future plans would be. When Rogue looked back at Jean, her eyes were set with a fiery determination that Jean knew wouldn't bend to any will. "I won't be apart from you, and I want you to take this job. I've seen what schools here are offering you, and you're so much better than those ones. This," Rogue pulled the letter from between their sandwiched bodies, "is what you're made for."

Jean smiled and held Rogue tightly against her.

"I love you, Marie." Jean whispered before Rogue kissed her.

--I love you too.-- Rogue replied through her mind as the letter dropped to the floor, and the bedside lamp was turned off through Jean's telekinetic thoughts.