Chapter 2

Soft sighs sounded as Scott was led into Rogue's dormitory. Jubilee was emitting gentle snores as she lay sprawled on her back, the covers around her a little dishevelled. Scott's eyes travelled over the general disarray of the bedroom. It wasn't all that bad, but clothes lay scattered on chairs, items left on the floor and schoolbooks were beginning to disappear under the beds.

"Through there," whispered Rogue as she indicated the door besides Jubilee's bed. Scott nodded his head slowly, picking his way across the room as quiet as he could. The last thing he wanted was Jubilee to find him in here, let alone using their shower. He glanced over his shoulder as he reached the door, being met with a reassuring smile from Rogue. He returned a weak one before he headed on through the door and closed it onto the lock. He exhaled a soft sigh as he made his way to the glass cubicle that contained the shower. He had refrained from turning on the light and the modestly sized bathroom was filled with the steely morning light filtering in through the small high windows.

He leant into the shower to prepare the water – normally he was very particular about the temperature. He didn't like it too hot or too cold. It had to be perfect. But today, the instant he found it withstandable on his fingers he let it stay at that temperature. He pushed off the little clothing he wore, leaving his boxers and shirt untidy on the tiles. Sliding back the shower door, he stepped inside, breathing out a soft gasp as the water pattered upon him. It was hotter than he normally had it, but he didn't cool the temperature. He stood there in silence with his head bowed, allowing the scalding water to strike his bare form. Steam rose thick and fast, making the air turn sticky. The mirror over the sink was already beginning to steam up.

He tilted his head back to allow the water to hit his face. He had left his glasses on, for the water wouldn't harm them. The water struck his skin with searing droplets, but the swift pain was not nearly comparable to the harrowing images of Jean and Logan, which were coarsely implanted to the forefront of his mind. His closed his eyes tightly, trying to make them fade away into the blackness. He was unsuccessful, and he could feel his tightly shut eyes burning, not with his mutation, but with tears. The ones that never came. But with his grief, came anger.

He had been so dedicated to Jean; he had given her everything she asked for and more. He would do anything for her and everyone at the mansion knew that – his devoted efforts had even earned him ridicule at times. They had been set for marriage, the first one within the X-Men.. but now..

The damp wall supported his head as he slumped towards it. His forehead met the clean, cool tiles and remained there. Jean was different, but like Rogue said, she still knew morals. She had made her decision and there was little he could do. He didn't even want to do anything. In one go she so carelessly destroyed the effort he had put into their relationship. She didn't deserve another chance. He wouldn't give her one. His fierce determination made him a strong leader, and that same tenacity would be present here also.

The shower was turned off as Scott pulled himself back from the wall. The shower had lost its appeal quickly, and he let himself out without having even touched his body with soap. His skin tingled as he stepped onto the bath mat, flesh reddened from the hot water. He sluggishly traipsed over the bathroom to select a large towel. He roughly dried himself off with little care in his actions before he wrapped it about his waist. His boxers and shirt were picked up from their pile from the floor and rolled up.

As he came upon the door, he unlocked it, peering out into the quiet bedroom. Besides the doorway, Jubilee was still sleeping, but her snores had ceased. Kitty's bed was neat and made, proving she had dressed and left during his time in the shower. "Rogue?" he whispered, just in case she wasn't lurking somewhere unexpected. With no reply, he became anxious, for he now felt rather vulnerable in the bedroom of one gossipy girl. He edged out of the bathroom quietly, a task that was normally easy for the skilled X-Men leader. That was until he ventured into dangerous terrain – and stepped on an empty chocolate bar wrapper. The floor under his foot gave a irritated crackle of sound, it caught Scott by surprise, who jolted back and hit the nearby shelf unit. The ornaments and other items on there gave a sudden rattle as they were shaken.

"God, Rogue. Can you be any louder?" moaned Jubilee from her pillow. Her eyes remained closed and Scott prayed he would get away with the mistake. But then Jubilee continued, her talkative nature present even as she lay half-asleep. "Does Mr. Summers know why I wasn't at first lesson?"

At this, Scott straightened, giving Jubilee at frown. The ongoing silence eventually caused Jubilee to pry an eye open to see why she wasn't getting answer.

"Mr. Summers!" yelped Jubilee, almost toppling backwards out of bed as she saw her English teacher stood watching her. She caught herself with the duvet before she fell, then sitting up and staring at him. Her eyes glanced over him gradually; just then realising he was wet and half-naked. "Ok, is this some weird dream?" she asked him nervously.

"No," he told her simply, folding his arms to offer his nudity some better coverage. "I was borrowing your shower."

"Oh.." she said faintly, glancing at the bathroom door nearby. "Right.." For once, Jubilation Lee was lost for words.

The door to the bedroom sounded as Rogue came inside. She quickly stopped however when she saw both Scott and Jubilee staring at her. "Oh, you woke up," she noted of Jubilee with an awkward grin.

"Damn right I did!" exclaimed Jubilee. "Wake up to find half-naked teacher watching me – that is so not a good wake up call!"

"I was trying to be quiet," Scott muttered, his eyes rolling up the ceiling behind his glasses.

Jubilee shot him a dark look, "Why are you sneaking around our room anyway?"

"I told you- " but Scott was cut off as Rogue bustled forth, thrusting some clothes at him.

"I went and got you some clothes," she told him. "Didn't think you'd want to go in your room just yet."

Scott took the small pile with a grateful smile. That was rather thoughtful of her. "Thanks," he replied quietly.

"What's going on?" asked Jubilee, sounding a little hurt at being the odd one out on the obvious secret knowledge.

Scott shared a look with Rogue at Jubilee's words. It was going to come out eventually. Perhaps it would be better to tell her straight, otherwise rumours could come into place – and Jubilee was usually behind them. "I – er.. – I had a fall out with Jean," he murmured. That was quite an understatement.

"Oooh," sounded Jubilee interestedly. "What happened?"

"He doesn't have to tell you," Rogue snapped at her friend. She quickly looked to Scott. "You don't have to answer that."

Scott nodded his head slowly, murmuring quietly to Jubilee, "We'll leave it there, hm?" with that he strode forward, pulling his shirt over his head and exiting the room. As he left, he heard the furious whispers of Jubilee getting a telling off.


There we are! Please review.