He was awake abruptly, a cold sweat coming over him as he woke up and screamed her name. "Jean!" He cried out. The nightmares were very strong. Even during the day, he'd relive that tragic accident at Alkali Lake. Less then twenty-four hours ago, and he knew it would haunt him for a long time.

The only comfort he had knew that Ororo was in the bed next to him.

Ororo awoke hearing Scott cry out, but didn't realize it was him at first. Her eyes flew open and immediately she didn't realize where she was. Fear began to grow in her as she tried fully wake up and place herself. She began to gasp as she felt like the room close was closing in on her. She sat up straight and was about to jump out of bed when she realized someone was beside her.

Ororo looked over her shoulder. Immediately her racing heart settled as her eyes settled on Scott. She was still gasping for air, but it started to lessen. It took a few moments before she was calm enough to speak. Though she still was tensed up and feeling claustrophobic

"Scott." Ororo spoke his name and the past 48 hours flashed in her minded. She then realized it was him who had awoken her; it was his exclamation/cry. "Are you okay?"

Storm pulled up the covers over herself as she turned and faced him. Despite her own issues of being enclosed in a small face, she was worried about Scott. She brushed her long white hair out of her face and gently placed her hand on his arm. She had her assumptions of what bothered him, but asked anyways.

Scott couldn't look at Ororo, the shame starting to overwhelm him. He knew that she of all people would understand but that didn't make it any easier. "How long am I going to be plagued by her memories? It's too hard," he murmured, still facing away from her.

"Scott your memories will always be with you. Just like they are with me. You have to choose the ones you want to see." Storm said trying to comfort him. "Time will ease the pain for all of us."

He sighed. Of course she was right, but watching the love of his life sacrifice herself like that and not be able to do a single thing about it ate away at his heart. He wondered how she had felt; deciding the best way to find out was to ask her. "Ororo, I..." he hesitated, tears appearing in his eyes, but not able to fall."When she... when you could see her through the view port how did you feel?" His voice was starting to choke up again. He took a deep breath, not that it helped him any.

"She was in control. She knew what she was doing and why she was doing it." Storm looked down and away from Scott. "If I was in her shoes I would have done the same thing. I mean if I could have traded places with her I would have. We, Jean and I, agreed on that. We would do anything to protect our family. This school is our family."

Ororo started to get up out of bed. She couldn't be in the room anymore. The walls were closing in on her. Despite the conversation being a good diversion, her weakness wouldn't stop. She didn't want to leave Scott alone, but she felt trapped.

Even through his emotion Scott could sense Ororo's discomfort, gently reaching over to take her hand as he climbed out of the bed. He pulled her into a comforting hug; thankful she was there to ease the pain. "Let's go somewhere more open, 'Ro," he whispered, kissing her cheek.

"Ok." Ororo whispered softly in Scott's ear, as she wrapped her arms around him hugging back.

Scott always seemed to know just what to say to her to put her at ease and make her smile. She knew exactly where they could go. She dressed quickly as she began to have trouble breathing in the small quarters Scott had taken over.

She left the room once she was fully clothed. She was gasping when she hit the hallway. She waited outside the door for Scott.

The tears fell and were fried immediately behind his ruby quartz visor, as he wasted no time in dressing himself for the day. In the short time it took him to open the bedroom door, step out into the hall, and close it again, he had composed himself, for Ororo's sake, and, well, his own too. Dwelling on the pain was only causing him to focus on the negative. Jean would not have wanted him to do that.

Ororo had braced herself up against the wall. She was having to be calm/strong for Scott's case, for the children's case, for the Professor's case. She didn't know how much longer she could remain like this. She felt weak inside.

Storm stood up straight when Scott came out. She smiled as he shut the door. She was amazed in him. No matter the situation, he was always handsome and looked ready to take on the world. Even in bed grieving over Jean, he looked like he could stand up and take charge.

She had caught her breath and her wits. She turned and started down the stairs. She wanted to hold his hand and express her affections for him, but dared not too and she was certain he understood.

"I thought we could get some fresh air. I know I could use it."

Scott watched her as they walked down the stairs; aware she was trying just as hard to stay strong as he was. "That would be good, Ororo," he said, softly, wanting to hold her again.

Storm was impressed that the hallways were empty. It was still early in the morning though. They took the side exit out to the grounds. Once she stepped outside Storm could finally breathe fully. Though the heaviness in her head was still there. She tried to smile as she looked back at Scott.