Thank you all for all of your reviews! I will continue with Phoenix I cant wait to get to those chapters! I have so much planned for it!


Chapter 5: Falling

"So?" Scott asked as Jean walked back over to their table. Most of the other members of their table had returned and were sitting with their significant others sipping punch and nibbling the tidbits of food that had been put out. Jean sat down next to Scott and crossed her long legs.

"You saw!" She exclaimed.

"Where is he?" Scott asked looking around. Warren had literally disappeared.

"He went home in a huff."

"Do you want to go home? I'd be happy to drive you."

"No," Jean shook her hair over her shoulder and brushed it behind her ear. "I want to stay. Besides they're serving dinner in twenty minutes and I didn't waste seventy dollars of my money on this prom not to enjoy it."

"You paid?" Scott was surprised. He thought Warren might have actually been gentlemanly enough to pay for their prom bids, Scott had thought wrong.

"Yeah, he said it was my prom not his and that I should pay for it."

"Asshole."

"You can say that again."

"Bastard."

"That, too."

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Scott asked. "Maybe get some fresh air, vent a little?"

"Yeah, that I would like."

A few minutes later Scott and Jean were walking around the parking lot hand in hand, fingers intertwined. Moonlight and starlight from above gazed down on them creating a soft glow around the young couple. "Jean?" Scott asked quietly.

"Mm…"

"About that kiss inside?"

"What about it?" Jean stopped and looked Scott in the eye.

"Did it mean anything to you?" Scott stared back into her emerald eyes. They shone like gems in the light around them.

"Yes it did." That was the only answer Scott needed for now. "Did it mean anything to you?" Jean returned the question with as much sincerity as when Scott had asked it.

"Yeah." Scott answered softly. Jean smiled.


"CPR!" Nightcrawler exclaimed.

"Yup, Elf, CPR." Wolverine answered as he assembled a CPR dummy. "Now," Wolverine stated as he stood up, "You can do this either on the dummy or on each other."

"Like, why do we have to do this again, Wolverine? We've already done it in the past." Shadowcat questioned with her hands on her hips.

"Because ya all need to keep going over it until it becomes as habitual as breathing."

"I can tell ya right now, man, I ain't kissing any girls." Spyke proclaimed.

"Stop complaining!" Wolverine shouted. "Enough, you're going to do the training or you can sit out for three weeks." He then turned to Scott and Jean who had been standing quietly off to the side the entire time. "Redd, Cyclops, you're up first. On the dummy or each other?"

Both teens opened their mouths at the same time, Jean was going to say 'each other', and Scott was going to say 'dummy', but the words never left their mouths. They stopped themselves before they spoke. "Each other," Wolverine said nodding to them reading the expressions on their faces. "Come on, don't be shy." Wolverine coaxed teasingly as the teens walked over. "Jean lay on your back on the floor, Cyke, you're on top of her. Be gentle she's supposed to unconscious."

"I know the drill." Cyclops commented as Jean laid down. He placed himself atop her and began practicing CPR. He was hesitant before placing his mouth on Jean's not knowing what would happen. But what was the worst? They could start making out and things could get out of control. Scott allowed his thoughts to drift and wander and before he knew it Wolverine was calling for them to switch places. Scott stood up and helped Jean to her feet then laid down on his back to allow Jean to go through with her turn. When she finished she helped him to his feet and they stood off to the side once more.

"So?" Scott asked her.

"What?" Jean asked watching as Kurt and Kitty took their turn on each other. "Did I take that as a kiss?"

"Yeah. Did you?"

"Maybe." Jean loved to tease Scott and push his buttons. It had been four days since the prom and they had been constantly teasing each other since. "It felt good, that's all I'll give you."

"Fair enough." Scott watched as Jean stifled a small laugh from watching Kitty nearly gag on Kurt's fur.

"Like, back off and let me breathe!" the Valley Girl shouted.

"Jean?" Scott whispered softly to her.

"Yes."

"Are you busy later tonight?"

Jean turned to face Scott with a look of surprise on her face. "Are you asking me out?"

"Yeah, maybe. Do you want to?"

"What would our "date" entail?"

"Dinner, a walk in the park maybe. How does that sound?"

Jean reached over and grabbed Scott's hand twining their fingers then placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Sounds like we have a plan." She didn't notice that Scott had raised an eyebrow when she kissed him.

They left that evening for their date around seven beginning with a quiet dinner at a local diner. Since it was early in the evening there wasn't much of a wait to be seated. Scott slid into one side of the booth and Jean sat opposite him. Scott ordered two sodas for them to start off with along with a small plate of nachos. Their conversation was light based mostly around each other and didn't stray much toward college or futures.

"So, are yoube ridding yourself of Mr. Worthington?" Scott asked making two plates of the nachos and handing one to Jean.

"Yes. I've absolutely had it with him. Whenever we're in public he's always watching me to make sure I don't talk to other men. It's a sin if I do, but of course he's allowed to talk to all the blonde bombshells he wants to."

"Nice." Scott laughed. He shook his head as he set down his glass then reached over and took Jean's hand. "Now is a better time than later to do this, Jean."

"I know. I want you there when it happens. I'm afraid of what he might do."

"You're afraid of what Warren might do? You're afraid of someone who's afraid of getting crumbs on his shoes?"

"Yes I am, you don't know Warren the way I do." Jean's tone made Scott sense that she really was afraid of Warren and his temper. The man had been trying everything to keep Jean to himself and would more than probably kill anyone or anything that tried to stop him. Scott could only imagine what turn his temper would take if it were Jean trying to get away and not someone trying to steal her from him.

"I'll be there. You can count on me." Scott promised patting her hand. After dinner they got ice cream and they enjoyed the leisure of a long walk in the nearby park. They walked hand in hand along the path that wound around the trees, a children's playground, and basketball court. At one point Jean laid her head on Scott's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her to keep her close.

"This has been such a great night, Scott. Thank you," Jean whispered to him as they walked then leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"You're welcome. I'm glad I could make it such a great night." He wrapped his arm more securely around her.

It was close to midnight when they returned to the mansion, they hadn't realized that time really could fly when you were having fun. Scott escorted Jean up to her room, they said good night to each other and hugged. Then Scott walked down the hall to his room. Before he turned to go inside he looked back down the hall at Jean who blew him a kiss and waved before disappearing behind her door. Yup, Scott thought to himself, I'm falling in love with Jean Grey.

The following morning was Wednesday, which meant science test day for Jean and Scott. He knew she had been studying for this final major test for a week, while he had only been studying for a few days. As Scott packed his books away in his bag he heard a soft knock on his door.

"Scott… It's Jean, open up I have a bit of a problem…"

Scott rushed to his door and whipped open when he heard how weak Jean's voice was. She was leaning against his doorpost for support and looked ready to fall over. "Whoa, hey what's wrong, Jean?" Scott asked quietly as he helped Jean into his room and sat her down on his bed. Jean was holding her head as if she was having another severe migraine. Which she was.

"I don't know. This came on all of a sudden. I was wondering of I could have some of your painkillers that you use on your headaches."

"You know my headaches are caused by something completely different than yours."

"I know, but your painkillers are stronger than mine because you don't run the chance of overdosing on yours." That comment earned a look from Scott. Jean replied with a smile. "My headaches occur more often than yours. Please, Scott." Scott nodded and went to retrieve his bottle of painkillers.

"Are you going to be ok today?" he asked as Jean swallowed them with a swig of water from the bottle Scott had also got for her.

"Yeah, I'm sure I'll be fine. I just have to contact Warren and tell him we need to talk."

"So you're definitely breaking it off with him?" Scott wrapped a comforting arm around Jean's shoulders as she nodded her head and massaged the back of her neck and temple with her hands. "Turn around, I'll give you a shoulder rub."

"I need more than that." Jean commented as she faced away from Scott and lifted her hair off her shoulders. She relaxed right away into his touch as his hands slowly worked out the pain that was slowly spreading from her head down her back. He gave her a cranial massage as well feeling how her body relaxed under his hands.

"Feel better?"

Jean faced Scott again and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Much, thank you, Scott. I'll see you downstairs. Are you driving today or am I?"

"I'll drive. See you downstairs."

For Jean the rest of the days after that morning couldn't have gone slower and her headache only got worse as the day crawled on. She nearly passed out in three of her classes and was eventually sent down to the school nurse to have her temperature taken and to lie down for a while. Scott went to visit herduring his lunch period when he noticed that Jean wasn't at their usual table. When he arrived at the nurse's office, however, he saw that he wasn't the only one who had come to see Jean. Duncan Mathews was there as well.

"I heard from a couple of your friends that you weren't feeling well." Scott heard from the doorway where he stood. Jean was lying on her side covered by a white blanket and propped up on her elbow.

"Thank you for your concern, Duncan, I appreciate it. I'm fine, though, I've just been under a lot of stress lately. I can't wait for school to be over and to finally get out of this place."

"Yeah, I here you there. Feel better. I'll see you around." Duncan said as he stood to go. Jean thanked him again then her gaze shifted toward Scott and her face lit up when she saw him.

"Hey," she said softly. Duncan noticed the change in her attitude when Scott walked in. He cast a nasty glance at him as he passed on his way out, lingering for a few moments to hear a bit of their conversation. "Thanks for coming by, I was wondering when you would. I missed you."

Scott reached out and took Jean's hand giving it a gentle squeeze and leaning in to place a soft kiss on her forehead. "How are you feeling? Missed you at lunch."

"Not good. My headache's actually gotten worse. I don't know where this is coming from."

"Your telepathy more than likely. You need a break. Every evening I hear you down in the Danger Room. I asked Mr. McCoy and he tells me that you've been testing your powers very often to see how powerful you really are. Jean…" Scott stopped there.

"You're worried about me aren't you?"

"I love you, of course I'm worried."

In the doorway Duncan suddenly forgot everything he heard before Scott spoke 'I love you' to the woman whose heart he was trying to win. With that Duncan stalked off his blood boiling with hate for Scott Summers.

"What?" Jean asked leaning back, away from Scott.

Scott quickly realized what he had just said and added quickly. "Like a sister, Jean. I love you as if you were my sister."

"Oh," Jean's voice actually sounded a little disappointed. She settled back down on her side propped up on her elbow once more and stared at Scott, who simply stared back. "So… How much of the school day still remains?"

"Only two more periods. If you want to go home, I'd be more than happy to take you."

"No," Jean waved his offer off with a flip of her hand and sighed. "I'll stick it out. The nurse will probably let me go back by the end of lunch. You and I actually have the last two periods together. We have that science test eighth period to worry about."

"True. Well, feel better and I'll see you soon." Scott leaned and placed another kiss on Jean's forehead. Then he stood and walked out.

"Scott Summers, you are so wonderful…" Jean whispered to herself as she rolled onto her back. "That's why I love you so much."

By the end of eighth period Jean felt absolutely fried. She had never felt so brain-dead in her life. Scott was helping her walk out when she stopped in the middle of the hallway and turned back in the opposite direction. "Wait, I forgot my purse. I'll be right back. You go on out to the car, I'll meet you. No, I'll be fine, Scott, don't worry."

Scott had no other choice but to do as Jean said knowing he would never win the argument. So he began walking out to his car following the flow of hallway traffic as everyone fought to get out of the school building. There was only a week and a half left and then the seniors were gone for good. Scott was amongst the ones who was more than eager to put Bayville High behind him forever and he was sure that Jean was also a part of that crowd.

Scott barely made it out the door before he was grabbed from behind. Thinking it was Jean looking for balance Scott turned and was met with a fist. He staggered backwards, woozy, little dots appearing before him. Then he felt himself grabbed under the arms and held tight while someone went to remove his glasses. Scott clamped his eyes shut tight.

"Mathews, come on, don't do this."

Duncan slipped Scott's glasses and looked around. "Man, how do you see in this fucking things? Hey look, I'm Scott Summers. Do you think if I wear these Jean will go for me?" Duncan directed the question at Scott as he strutted around the now empty schoolyard in Scott's glasses. His goons weren't letting Scott go.

"Mathews, I swear to God! Give them back or I'll…"

"Or you'll what, Summers?" Duncan taunted. "You'll open your eyes, get yourself expelled. No, it's too late in the year to do that, they'll just deny you graduation and make you repeat your senior year. While little Jeannie goes off to college all alone. But don't worry, I'll be there to take good care of her for you."

"Mathews, just give them back." Scott threatened once more.

"And what if I don't? Are you going to make me regret it?"

"No, but I will…" Duncan whipped around to see Jean standing behind him. She saw the look come over Scott's face; a cross between bewilderment and relief. "Let Scott go and give him back his glasses, Duncan. Now."

Scott couldn't see Duncan's face but he was sure that with the ferocity in Jean's voice that he had quickly registered fear. But that wasn't so. "Come on, Red, lighten up. I was just playing a little game, you know a joke?"

"I know a joke, Dunc. This isn't funny. Give Scott back his glasses and let him go."

"What are you going to do if I don't?"

"Don't test me, Duncan. That would be a wrong move." Jean threatened. Scott was beginning to feel a twinge of fear from the anger and imposing power in Jean's voice. He had never heard her talk like this. Duncan was definitely a fool for pissing her off.

"Would it now? Fine, your little boyfriend can have his shades back." Duncan took Scott's glasses off then dropped them on the ground and stamped on them shattering the ruby lenses. "Oops, did I do that? I'm so sorry."

A little ways off Kitty and Kurt were sitting on a lunch table, waiting for Scott and Jean when they heard Jean's voice and looked up. "Uh oh this looks like trouble." Kitty said when she saw the situation.

"Ya, ve better get over zhere."

"Duncan, I swear, let him go." Fire suddenly appeared in Jean's eyes.

"Nice trick." Duncan said then walked over to his goon friends and whispered something to them. Scott was slowly released. Then Duncan punched him hard in his stomach making him double over.

Jean suddenly erupted in fire flames surrounding her body but not burning her as she lifted six feet off the ground. "Whoa, Jean!" Kitty yelled as she and Kurt came to a halt just feet from her.

"Whoa, Red, calm the fuck down! I'll leave him alone! I swear!" Duncan yelled in fear.

"Kurt teleport back to the institute and tell Logan to get over here now!" Kitty yelled then grabbed Scott's backpack and rifled through it searching for his spare pair of glasses.

"Jean! Holy shit! Calm down!" Duncan yelled as the flames around her body grew stronger and burned more intensely but did not burn her and she let out an ear-piercing screech. "Jesus Christ I'm getting out of here!" Duncan fled followed by his two goons who weretrembling and had probably pissed themselves.

Once Kitty foundScott's glassesshe helped Scott to his feet and slipped them on. Scott fell back down immediately upon seeing Jean. "Jean! Oh my God! Kitty, call Logan!"

"I already sent Kurt back to the mansion."

Scott slowly got to his feet and as he did the flames around Jean's body died. She remained suspended in the air for a few moments, sucked in a sharp intake of air as if she was surfacing from being underwater for too long, and fell down to the ground. "Jean!" Scott ran over to her and lifted her into his lap. She was unconscious. "Jean, wake up. Jean, can you hear me? Wake up, please." Scott held her body close while he and Kitty waited for Logan, who showed up minutes later in the X-Van. He climbed out and knew with one look what had happened.

"Oh God… No. Scott is she breathing?" Scott could only nod, he couldn't speak. "Let's get her back to the mansion. Charles will know what to do."


A/N: Sorry it's been so long! I've been busy with my job, summer school work; I went for my license (and passed-I'm still in shock) and spent all of yesterday morning in the Emergency Room. I'm fine don't worry. Anyway, REVIEW PLEASE! I want to know what you think!