A/N: Language warning. I personally don't believe in swearing, I don't curse, it's just the way I am. I don't feel the need to use profanity, but I imagine that a certain character would, so, for the sake of the story, there are a few . . . questionable words later on in this chapter.

I also feel the need to add that I'm not very pleased with this chapter. So, I'm sorry if it's lacking quality. It just doesn't seem to flow very well. (

XxX

"You look like you're driving to your own execution," Jean giggled.

Scott's stoicism lessened only slightly at her remark. "It may not be my execution but it is a judgment day of sorts."

"It doesn't matter what they think," Jean said resolutely.

At this Scott had to smile. "Are you sure you're the same Jean Grey who spent two hours in the bathroom before attending her first day of high school because she wanted to make a good impression?"

"Oh, shove off, Summers!" Jean's face colored at Scott's laughter. "At least you're in a better mood now." She muttered

"Of course I am, I'm with you aren't I?" Jean was about to comment on his sweetness when he added, "And I've always enjoyed making fun at your expense." Scott laughed as she fumed, and pulled the car into the car lot.

"Yeah, keep this up Mister and you'll find yourself without my support for the rest of the day." She stepped out of the car. "You may even find yourself girlfriendless."

"Hey!" Scott hopped over the side of his car and grabbed Jean's wrist. "You know I was only teasing."

"I know," she smiled, "so was I. You think I'd let you go after just getting a hold of you? You're not getting away that easily."

"Glad to hear it." Scott kissed her forehead, oblivious to the other students swarming the parking lot. He sighed as the warning bell rang. "Do we really have to go inside? It's not too late to run you know."

"Oh, c'mon, you big baby!"

XxX

Not having any classes together for the majority of the morning, the two parted as they made their way down the locker-lined hallway. Jean made her way to AP Chemistry (A/N: I'm making up classes, forgive me) leaving Scott to face a rather heated discussion comparing the Anglo-Saxon heroes to the idea of heroes in the modern world. Their paths didn't even cross until after second period, and even then there was only enough time for a quick smile as they passed.

As the minute hand ticked closer to one, Scott found himself mentally counting down the seconds until lunchtime. In every class it had been the same. His teachers had only nodded to acknowledge his presence, yet the students didn't seem to be able to take their eyes off of him. He could hear their whispers, feel their stares, and see the hastily scrawled notes deftly changing owners. He knew they were all speculating over his scars, his scrapes and bruises. But, unbeknownst to Scott, they were also whispering about the surprising glow that illuminated his hardened features. For the first time since many had known him, Scott Summers seemed on the verge of being truly happy.

Scott was out the door before the lunch bell had finished ringing, leaving a stunned class in his wake. He was the first in the quad and the first to stake his claim at the X-men's usual table. Through the flood of students, a flash of red caught Scott's eye and in an instant he was on his feet, twirling Jean in his arms as she laughed. "Miss me?"

"You have no idea." He buried his face in her hair, nuzzling her softy.

"Ahem," Jean and Scott broke apart to see Evan and Kurt gaping at them, Kitty giggling, and Rogue sitting with a satisfied smirk. "You two have something you want to share with the class?"

Scott cleared his through, smiling through his embarrassment. "Jean and I are together now."

"Man, it's about time!" Evan slapped Kurt a high-five.

"Yeah, well," Scott couldn't seem to wipe the grin off his face. "We'd appreciate it if you kept this under wraps for awhile."

"Why? It's not like people weren't' expecting you two to get together, anyway."

"Well," Jean quickly filled their friends in on the rumors that had been spawned in their absence.

"Taryn's a gossiping witch, what else is new?" Kitty rolled her eyes. "So people talk, regardless of the situation this would have, like, happened sooner or later. You two were separately part of the two biggest couples in school, and now you're together. People are totally going to talk."

Jean and Scott exchanged glances as Kitty lifted a forkful of salad to her mouth. "Was that supposed to be comforting?"

XxX

Rumors regarding Jean and Scott's new relationship soon began to fly following the speculations of those who had witnessed the scene during lunch. By the final class of the day there wasn't a single senior who hadn't heard some form of the rumors.

Conscious of the whispering they bred, Scott waited for Jean at her locker and walked her to the girls' locker room before heading to speak to the new track coach. Scott hoped Jean only assumed he kept such close quarters simply because he believed that's how she deserved to be treated. He hoped she hadn't seen his deeper intention of protection, of shielding her from the verbal and emotional abuse he was sure to flow from the close friends of Taryn and Duncan.

"Summers, right?" The limber man that had replaced Mr. McCoy peered won at him through wire frames. "Ah got a note from yer guardian, yer all clear."

"Thank you, sir." He turned towards the door.

"If ya don't mind me askin', how'd ya break yer ribs anyway? Xavier didn't specify."

Scott ducked his head in what he hoped was an embarrassed manner. "I, uh, feel down some stairs, sir." He rubbed the back of his head. "There were some books on the top landing I didn't see."

"Never woulda pegged ya for the clumsy type, Summers. Just make sure ya rest up, we wouldn't want ya to miss out on any meets."

XxX

Scott was half a dozen meters away from the bleachers when he felt the first punch; a swift, glancing blow to the side of his head. Then came the meaty hands grabbing him roughly by the shoulders, and the menacing growl. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Summers?"

"Well, I was under the impression that I was walking, which I understand is still a difficult concept for you to grasp."

Duncan Matthews blinked furiously, taking a threatening step forward. "You screwed me over with Jean," he growled. "I knew I was right about you and that little tease all along. Well, I got news for you Summers, you're wasting your time, she won't put out."

The rim of Scott's glasses glowed red, yet Duncan seemed not to notice as Scott bit back a biting retort. "Don't you ever talk about Jean like that. Don't even think about her, Matthews."

"That little bitch will get what's coming for her; no one breaks up with a Matthews."

"Apparently they do," Scott couldn't help smirking, "Jean made it look quite easy."

"Go to hell, Summers."

"If you're here, then I must already be there."

Duncan's friends dropped Scott with a solid thud to the ground as their leader advanced upon the boy. "When I'm through with you, Summers, you're going to wish you'd never been born."

"You sure you want to do that, Dunc?" Scott replied quite calmly, suddenly aware of the curious glances being thrown their way. "You were only just reaccepted to the track team, you going to throw that all away just for a lousy punch?"

Duncan seemed to contemplate this for a moment, before finally dropping his arm to his side. "You ain't worth my time."

"What's goin' on 'ere?" A low southern drawl questioned as the track coach suddenly appeared next to Duncan.

"Nothing, sir," Duncan grinned easily, "I was just welcoming Summers back to school, we'll need him for the meet on Saturday."

The coach peered intently at the two boys for a moment, before finally shaking his head. "Get yerself back to practice, Matthews, this ain't social hour."

"Yes sir," Duncan nodded and, with one last glare at Scott, began jogging back to the track.

XxX

"What was that all about?" Jean questioned an hour later as the two sat in Scott's car.

"What was what all about?"

"You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, Scott. Your little scene with Duncan?"

Scott sighed, pulling into the Institute's drive. "Noting, he was just . . . welcoming me back to school."

As Scott's knuckles whitened on the wheel, comprehension dawned on Jean. "It was about us, wasn't it? Don't worry about him, Scott. It doesn't matter what they think." She buried her head in his shoulder. "I love you."

They sat in silence, encompassed in each other's embrace. "We're going to have to tell them, you know." Jean murmured softly, hating to break the peace but knowing it must be done.

"I know," he sighed and, stepping out of his car, took her by the hand. "Let's go see the professor."

XxX

"You think this is a good idea, Chuck?"

"You know as well as I do that those two have clearly harbored feelings for each other for quite some time."

"I ain't saying they shouldn't be together," Logan rubbed a thumb across his forehead. "I'm just wondering about the complications this would bring to the team."

Charles pondered this for a moment. "Scott has always felt differently about Jean than the other students but it has et to affect his calls in the field. He knows what is at stake."

Logan sighed, "I sure hope you're right."

XxX

Sparks flew from the cracked bulb, briefly illuminating the hall as the light flickered. Dr. Ami Foster shuffled blindly through the darkness, fingers brushing against the grime covered wall for support. Her breathing was ragged ands hallow, legs and back cramped, yet she relentlessly pressed on. Somewhere down this tunnel was an emergency exit, she was sure of it. Maybe if she could make it out unnoticed . . . but she pushed the thought from her mind. Hope was a dangerous thing; she wouldn't allow herself to be consumed by it.

Shouts reverberated off the walls, followed by a loud crash. Instinctively, Ami picked up her pace, throwing a nervous glance behind her. All she saw was darkness. Then came the crunching of glass beneath her feet and Ami felt all the blood drain from her face. She began to run, knowing that it no longer mattered if they heard her. She heard the loud, rhythmic thuds, but was unsure if it was the pounding feet of soldiers behind her or if it was the simple pounding of blood in her ears.

Suddenly, the floor disappeared from beneath her feet, and she was falling downwards. Her back snapped sharply on the slippery surface of the floor and as she tumbled head over feet her she felt the darkness begin to consume her.

XxX

A/N: I'm horrible, I'm awful, I promised an update two weeks ago and I'm only giving it to you now, yeah, I know. The sad thing is, I haven't had time for much of a life these past few weeks, let alone time to write. So you can complain all you want, but I can't make any promises this time, I'm sorry.

Please Review!

--DOJ--