Jean left the dorm room area of the Institute, and
walked towards the main sections; the kitchen, dining
room, game room, living room, and the den. Jean found
Jubilee, Rogue, Kitty, Bobby, and a few kids she
hadn't met yet in the game room. She stood in the
doorway, listening to the kids chatter, unnoticed.
Finally she cleared her throat, letting the kids know
of her presence. Startled, they turned their heads
towards Jean. A wave of emotion hit her. Jean picked
through the wave - confusion from everyone who has been on her last mission, mixed in with unease, and delight. Those who hadn't known her from her 'first life';
(that's what she called it now) felt nervous. "Has
anyone seen Scott?" she questioned.

Her question was followed by silence before Rogue
replied, "Ah think he's in the garden, Jean."

"Thank you, Rogue." Jean said before she headed
outside, through the back door.

Jean walked outside, Scott's mind screaming distress.
Jean felt it, and followed the stressed mind. Jean was
too focused towards Scott's mind; she paid little
attention to the exotic flowers around her.

Jean found Scott at the small creek that ran through
the garden. He sat on the bench underneath the shade
of an outsized willow tree. This didn't surprise her,
she and Scott used to come here all the time; it was
their little get away. What did surprise her, was
finding Logan there, with Scott, smoking one of his
cigars. And they weren't arguing, like they usually
do, they were just talking. Jean stood still,
listening.

"This wasn't supposed to happen!" Scott said. Was he
growling? Scott never growls, that's Logan's job.
"Jamie and I are supposed to get married in three
weeks, and now Jean's back! It ruined everything!"

Logan blew a perfect circle of smoke, from the cigar,
as he leaned back against the trunk of the willow
tree, before he replied, "Now don't tell me, ya
haven't missed her since ya moved on with Jamie.
Because I know ya did, and I know that ya wished for
Jean to come back. Fer ya."

Scott looked up at Logan, "Yeah, well she can't come
back to me. I have Jamie." Scott snapped, "But I bet
you're happy. Now you can finally have your chance
with her."

Logan finally looked at Scott and raised an eyebrow
at him, "Ya really think that I'd go after Jean?" He
asked.

Scott snorted, "Come on." He stated; his jaw set.
"Everyone knows that you've had a thing for Jean since
you came here. And she's had one for you, believe it
or not. But now, I'm out of the way, so things will be
easier and you can have each other."

Logan looked out at the stream, and took a drag from
his cigar, "Jean and I are just friends." he said,
blowing out a puff of smoke. And he had nothing more
to say.

During their long silence, Jean thought. She still
loved Scott, yes, but what about Logan? Granted, there
was an attraction, but nothing serious. And how did
Scott know about this attraction? She'd been keeping
it low . . . hadn't she?

Logan broke her train of thought. "Do you love her?"
He asked, not indicating who 'her' was.

"Love who?" Scott asked, "Do I love Jamie? Of course do." He said, but there was a hint of uncertainty in
his voice. After a short pause he added, "Do I love
Jean? I care a great deal for her, but love? ...Do
you love Jean?"

Logan didn't answer Scott's question.

Jean stepped out from the shadows, and let her
presence be known. Logan didn't look surprised. Did he
know that she was eavesdropping? Did he pick up on her
scent? Whatever the reason, he wasn't surprised. But
Scott was. "Scott, can I talk with you?" Jean asked.
For the first time since he and Jamie arrived at the
Institute, she actually spoke to him.

Without a word, Logan left the clearing at the creek.

Scott only nodded and scooted over for Jean to take a
seat on the bench, "Sure, Jean." he replied, clearly
uncertain.

Jean sat down on the bench and looked out over the creek before them. They sat like that, for what seemed like an eternity, the both of them lost in their own
thoughts, in memories, and in unspoken words. The only
sound came from the rippling creek and the whispers
from the leaves when the wind blew.

"I know it's hard." Jean finally broke the eerie
silence, "I talked with Jamie. And she's right. We all
need time…" She said softly.

Scott nodded, agreeing with Jean, "You've been gone
for nearly three years, Jean. We needed time to get
over your…" Scott wouldn't accept the idea of Jean
dying. If she truly died, she wouldn't be here right
now. "And truth be told, I don't think we were one
hundred percent over it when you came back. It was
such a shock, to see you again, Jean. To hear you, to
see you. And now, we all need time again to get use to
you being back…" He said, looking at Jean.

Jean looked at Scott. Through his ruby quartz, she
could always guess where his eyes where. "I know
Scott. And I'm giving everyone the time they need, and
their space. But I need your love, Scott. I need your
support, your trust. Not as a lover, but as a friend…"

Scott looked at Jean. He wasn't sure if he could do
that for her, not right away, "Give me time, Jean." he
pleaded.

"You have all the time you need, Scott. And, I know
that things won't be like they use to. I mean you're
marrying my sister! And within time, I'll be okay with
it." Jean said, rather sadly.

Scott frowned, "Jean, could you please come to our
wedding? It would mean a great deal to me and Jamie."
He asked.

"I'm already Jamie's bridesmaid. If I don't come,
it'll be kind of harsh." Jean said, grinning.

"Jean, you're known to give people the cold shoulder.
It would be harsh, but not if it came from you." Scott
said.

"It's my sister's wedding, I'll be there. And, I don't
give people the cold shoulder. I'm sorry, but I'm not
that stubborn and ill-tempered." Jean snapped, getting
defensive. How dare he tell her that she'd do such a
thing and that it'd be normal!

Before an argument began Storm stepped into the
clearing, her face instantaneously lights up seeing
Jean and Scott together, talking. "Dinner's ready."
She said.

Scott stood and walked past Storm, heading back
towards the Institute for dinner.

But Jean just sat there, looking out at the small
creek, listening to the voices in her head, picking
through everyone's emotions.

"Jamie said that you two made peace." Storm said,
watching Jean's expressionless face. "So why don't you
join us, Jean. We haven't had a dinner with everyone
in ages, especially, one with you, and Logan. But I'm
sure we can talk him into joining us."

Jean looked at her closest friend and gave her a warm
smile, "Alright, I'll eat with everyone tonight."