Disclaimer: Not mine!
By Nixy
The Hearts Choice
Chapter 9
As the weeks went by Jean and Scott became more and more used to their relationship and peoples reactions. Taryn had gotten the idea that Scott was not at all interested while Duncan did as much as he could to save his pride and made out with her. Jean's leg was out of a bandage and the last traces to burns were fading away.
Jean smiled happily to herself standing in front of the full-length mirror in nothing but a pair of hot pants and a baggy long sleeved nightshirt. She looked herself up and down and surveyed her newly healed leg carefully. She smiled again flipping her waist length red hair over her shoulder and hopped on her leg simply because she could. She had not realized how much she would miss kicking a soccer ball or simply walking or running down a hallway. She jumped on to the mattress of her bed and collapsed onto the sheets. Bunching the around her, Jean sat up and looked out of the window. The last elements of summer had disappeared and signs for autumn had arrived. Jean loved the autumn she thought it was a beautiful season. The only time of the year when the leaves turned bright yellows, reds and oranges and looked like flames from a huge fire as they fell from the trees, the only time of the year when it is not too cold or too hot to go for a walk. Scott had not understood when she had told him that autumn was her favorite season. "Everything is dying" he had said simply. Jean just shook her head and smiled at him.
Glancing over at her bedside clock she thought to herself whether 9:30 am was too early on a Saturday morning to wake some one up. With a small shrug she leapt out of bed and charged through the hall enjoying the feel of the bristly carpet under her feet. The mansion was in silence and Jean assumed that every body was still asleep apart from of course the Professor and Hank McCoy. Coming to an abrupt stop Jean listened for any movement behind Scott's bedroom door. Silently she turned the handle and slipped inside closing the door behind her. Scott had not seen her leg with out a bandage yet basically because she had it taken off this morning, which was why she was up so early. The bedroom was dimly light, the drapes were pulled closed hiding the sunlight. Jean listened to Scott's even breaths and smiled. She admired him while he was sleeping. Not that she didn't admire him any way but he seemed completely vulnerable in a peaceful slumber. He appeared as the real Scott, the one she knew really well and not Cyclops the fearless leader of the X-Men. Standing beside him she knelt down beside the bed so that he face was level with his and brushed his dark down hair out of his eyes.
"Scott" she whispered placing her hand on his cheeks feel a new day's worth of stubble beneath her fingers. Scott groaned in his sleep and hid his face in the pillow. "Scott open your eyes you lazy bones" she said. Scott blindly reached for the alarm clock, which sat on his bedside table and brought it to his face.
"It is not even 10 in the morning, I have a right to be lazy" he said lazily handing Jean the clock before closing his eyes again. Jean scowled placing the alarm clock back in its place and stood up. She placed her hands on her hips and bit her lip.
"Mister McCoy took of my bandaged" she told him. Scott yawned.
"That's great"
"You're not even looking!" Jean wailed childishly pouting her bottom lip even thought Scott could not see it. When he made no attempt to move and presumably had drifted back to sleep, Jean cocked a leg and straddled his stomach, landing on him with an intentional 'umph'. Scott groaned rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands and adjusted his night goggles.
"Your evil" he complained sheepishly. Jean stuck out her tongue and gave him a sarcastic smile before showing him her bandage free leg. Scott looked own with difficulty and nodded.
"Its beautiful I assure you" he said placing a hand on her knee. She giggled and hit his hand away from her ticklish spot. Scott chuckled, placing both hands behind his head and stretching from underneath her. Jean placed her hands on either sides of his shoulders and leaned forward, hovering above him. Her hair fell forward, covering their faces. She smiled dipping her face into his and kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Good morning" she said softly once they parted. Scott smiled as she lowered her self to lay beside him and snuggled comfortably next to him, matching his current position. She placed her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling. They were silent for a few moments, Scott glanced at her from the out of the corner of his eye and raised an eyebrow. His lips curved into a smile as he continued to watch her as she refused to look at him.
"What are you doing?" he asked at last after several more minutes. She shrugged not breaking her stare. Scott shook his head and turned on his side. "Crazy lady" he murmured playfully under his breath. Jean blinked and looked at him. His back was to her and she sarcastically cleared her throat and turned on her side.
"What was that for?" he asked with his back still facing her.
"Oh nothing" she said sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Are you making fun of me?" he asked expecting the answer to be an obvious yes.
"Oh no I would not dare make fun of you Mister Summers"
In one expert movement Scott was over her, his hands crawling over her stomach. Jean shrieked at the assault, wriggling helplessly from underneath him. Scott listened to her giggles and wail's as he continued to tickle her.
"No Scott - please I can't stand it!" she yelled out through giggles and she tried to squirm out from under him, but as usual Scott was showing no mercy.
"Say uncle!" he yelled grabbing her slender wrists and holding them in one hand above her head and continued to tickle her stomach. Jean let out a loud scream frantically trying to wriggle free.
"Uncle - UNCLE!" she yelled throwing him off of her using her TK. Suddenly there was a loud bang on the far wall.
"Hey do you guys mind, Ah am trying to sleep in here!" Rogue's muffled yell through the wall caused Jean to giggle. She looked over at Scott who was sitting at the foot of the bed. He flashed her a cheeky smile as he crawled up the bed and sat beside her.
"Breakfast?" he asked.
"Yeah sounds good" Jean replied jumping off of the bed.
The kitchen was empty by the time Jean and Scott bounded through the door. Scott walked over to the fridge and pulled out a carton of milk. Jean passed him two glasses telekinetically while she searched for the cereal. Scott filled the glasses with milk and placed the carton back into the fridge.
"Looks like we are out of cereal" Jean confirmed hopelessly as she snapped the cupboard door shut. She leaned against the kitchen side, folding her arms across her chest and looked at Scott. He walked over to her and handed her a glass.
"Pancakes it is then" he said cheerfully sipping his drink. Jean smirked, taking a mouthful and placing her glass on the work surface. Rummaging through the cupboards they found the appropriate ingredients and pans.
"Flour first right?" Jean asked picking up the bag of plain flour. Scott shrugged watching with amusement as Jean poured the flour into the sieve and shook it over a glass, mixing bowl. He chuckled watching small piles of white powder form on the surface area around the bowl. Jean scowled at him once she was finished.
"Something funny?" she asked placing her hands on her hips.
"Oh nothing I just thought it would be a good idea if maybe next time you actually got the flour in the bowl" Jean glared at him and using her TK hit him around the head with the bag of flour. Her eyes widened in shock and laughter rattled her body as the bottom of the bag split and a waterfall of the powder fell down Scott's body. Jean slapped her hands over her mouth and stared at him, her eyes wide. Scott's brown hair was hidden underneath a coat of white; flour was dripping from his T-shirt and a small pool of his lay at his bare feet.
"Oh my God! I am so sorry!" she said failing her attempt not to laugh. Scott stood and watched her laugh as discreetly as she could and he found a smirk forming across his lips. Looking down at himself he ran his fingers through his hair. The flour spilled out of his hair onto his hands and on to the floor. He smirked quickly wrapping an arm around Jean and wiping his flour covered hands across her face. Her laughter stopped abruptly with a gasp and she stood up right. Now it was Scott's turn to laugh. Jean shook her head, wiping her cheeks trying to clear her face.
"Pay back!" he said holding up his arms before she could try and get him back. Jean pursed her lips and mouthed his words mockingly turning back to the mixing bowl. She added the rest of the ingredients while Scott cleared the floor and the kitchen surfaces of any flour. Once the pancake mix had been poured into a saucepan the two collapsed onto the wooden chairs and sighed. Jean looked at Scott who chuckled.
"What?" she asked innocently. He tapped the tip of his nose with his hand.
"You have um - still got flour on your face." he told her.
"Oh" she said raising a hand to her face and wiping her face with her sleeve. Scott shuffled forward on his chair.
"Let me do it" he said with a chuckle gently wiping his fingers across her forehead and nose.
"I'm sorry I hit you with the flour" she said softly watching his face closely as he continued to wipe her skin. He smiled and shook his head.
"It's ok I will get you back another way" he said.
"But I thought you already had your payback" she said gesturing to her face. Scott pursed his lips and gave a devilish smile. His face became dangerously close to hers. He finished clearing her face and allowed his hand to linger on her cheek. Their foreheads touched for a moment before the space between their lips was closed. Jean became limp in her seat and melted into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling his closer, tasting flour on his lips. She smiled into his mouth, running her fingers through his messed hair.
Meanwhile the pancakes hissed and began to burn as they continued to fry unchecked. The deafening bleeps of the fire alarm on the ceiling above the cooker jolted the two apart.
"Oh shit" Jean cursed jumping up and turned off the flame. Scott pulled a chair under the fire alarm and stood on it before reaching up and turning it off. Jean coughed whipping her hand through the thin cloud of smoke.
Hank appeared in the doorway. "What are you two doing in here?" he asked breathlessly.
"Sorry mister McCoy" they apologized in unison. Hank shook his head and stepping into the kitchen.
"Now if you two are finished destroying the place would you be so kind as to run to the shops and pick up some boxes of cereal, as you probably now already we do not have any".
They left the kitchen silently, jogging up the stairs and to their rooms. They met 10 minutes later by the front door.
Jean flashed him the money that Hank had given to her as they walked out of the front doors.
"Lets walk" Jean suggested bouncing down the front steps. Scott frowned bringing the collar of his jacket up around his ears.
"Why?" he asked. Jean shrugged.
"I don't know"
"But its cold" He complained zipping up his jacket and digging his hands into his pockets.
"Its not that cold"
"Come on Jean I think we should drive. It would be a lot quicker and warmer." He told her unlocking the car. Jean watched him open the passenger door for her. She walked silently towards him and slid into the seat.
"Fine but consider this your pay back" She said watching him walk around the front of the car and sit in the drivers seat.
"You are not going to hold this against me are you?" he asked leaning back in his seat and looked at her. Jean folded her arms across her chest and glared at him through the corner of her eyes. She smiled at him and shook her head relaxing in her seat.
"Of course not, now drive you loser" she said playfully.
*~*
Scott pulled over to a stop out side the local market. The street was filled with a long line of shops, from bookshops, to clothes shops, food shops, a video rental store and even a flower shop or two. Scott took Jean's hand in his own as they walked through the entrance. Jean smiled at him and grabbing a basket they marched down the rather crowded isles of food.
"How much did the Professor give you?" Scott asked as they stopped in front of a row of shelves filled with boxes of cereal.
"20 dollars" she replied scanning the names on the boxes. "How many should we get?"
"I don't know just get anything". Jean nodded wordlessly and tipped a few boxes off of the shelves and into the basket.
"So?" Scott began draping an arm across Jean's shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled.
"What do you say to a few movies tonight?" he asked her eyeing the video store opposite through the huge glass windows.
"You mean like a movie night? The movie night we have had once a week for the passed few years?" she asked sarcastically. Scott nodded putting a hand into his trouser pocket and digging out the 20 dollars Jean had give him to look after. Jean let out a short laugh.
"Sure" she said with a nod while she placed the boxes on the cash register.
*~*
The two drove back to the institute with the shopping and three videos, all of which happened to be comedies. By the time they walked into the mansion, everybody was awake and strolling around aimlessly.
"Finally" Rogue exclaimed walking over to Jean and Scott. "Ah am starvin'". Jean bit her lip and took a step back at the sight of her friends and new recruits bounding up to her. She held out the bad as far away from her body as she could manage and allowed them to take it and remove the cereal.
*~*
The students had decided to spend to hottest part of the day in the swimming pool. Despite the fact that it was now practically autumn, the temperature was still warm enough for a last swim. With a little help from Storm and after much persuasion she agreed to boost up the temperature.
The pool water was crystal clear and cool to the skin. Jean leaned over the edge in nothing but a red bikini matching top and bottoms and glazed down through the water to the bottom of the pool. It had been a while since she had been swimming. Looking around her she decided to swim a few lengths before the others arrived and the soothing silence was lost. Taking a deep breath she dived in head first, enjoying the feel of the cool water against her body. Opening her eyes under water was something she had done since she was a little girl. She was shocked to find out that some people could not do it. She swam the rest of the length under the water to the shallow end of the pool. Kicking off on the floor she brought her face up for air and pushed her hair back off of her face. She could hear the sound of her friend coming closer. Taking another breath she ducked underwater and kicked off from the wall and swan to the deep end of the pool. Leaning against the side of the pool she watched everyone run towards her. She was not surprised to see Kitty with the blow up bed and Kurt with his beach ball. Scott and Rogue followed behind holding only their towels. Scott wondered over to her and crouched down at the side of the pool.
"Hey beautiful. Thought you'd get here early huh?" He asked reaching in and splashing a small handful of water at Jean. She raised an eyebrow and swam into the middle to the deep end not taking her eyes off of him. Scott swallowed seeing the devilish grin on her face as she ducked under the water. Scott frowned. He had found that over the years due to the fact that he could only see one colour that it was hard to see things under water.
"I'd lose the towel if I were you" Jean voice rang warningly in his head. He looked round nervously and narrowed his eyes, throwing his towel off of his shoulders. He looked closely at the rippling water. Suddenly Jean burst out of the water, wrapping her wet arms around his bare neck and locking him in a kiss. Scott kiss her back, feeling himself being pulled from his feet and suddenly his body was consumed by the cool water. Bubbles of oxygen rose all around them and Scott could feel Jean's lips against his. Instinctively he wove his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Scott opened his eyes as they parted to see Jean gazing at him, her eyes illuminated under the water. With her arms still around his neck, they both swam up for air.
"CANNON BALL!" Evan yelled sprinting towards the pool and leaping into the air before breaking the surface of the water creating a small wave. Kitty let out a high pitched yell as the wave hit her blow up bed and she toppled off of it.
"Evan! Like the Professor totally told you not to do that any more!" She yelled ringing the water out form her ponytail. Evan pulled a face before climbing out of the pool probably to do it again. Jean chuckled before looking at Scott.
"So your room or mine for the movies?" He asked removing a strand of dark red hair, which was plastered to the side of her face behind her ear. She shrugged with a smile before sinking under the water. Scott sighed as he continued to tread water when he felt and telekinetic pull on one of his ankles and before he knew it he was under water. He gazed at Jean through his ruby goggles in awe. Her long fiery hair was afloat all around her, swaying slightly in the water, small bubbles of air had rested on her face and skin.
"What are you looking at?" she asked mentally before swimming to the bottom of the pool. Scott's eyes followed her and watched her tap the floor with her hand. He swam to the surface of the water taking in a deep breath. Jean's head appeared in front of him, her nose and mouth still under the water.
"How can you hold your breath for so long?" he asked swimming to the side of the pool and resting his arms on the side. She brought the rest of her face above the water and shrugged following him.
*~*
Dusk came quickly that day. The warmth of the air had faded with the sun. Scott gazed into his bathroom mirror combing his fingers through his hair. It had been agreed that the movie night would be held in Jean's bedroom. Scott gripped the videos tightly as he walked the short distance to Jean's room. He knocked on her newly fitted door and waited patiently. He knocked again when there was no answer and decided to open the door. He looked around questionably and raised an eyebrow in thought looking around the empty bedroom. He placed the videos in her bed before leaving to look for her.
Jean hung on the edge of the pool looking around the garden. Everything seemed too different in the dark. The pool lights had been turned on making the water look slightly green. She effortlessly leaned back so that she was laying horizontally on the water, looking up at the starry sky. The air was cold and cause goose bumps to form on her stomach. Jean knew that it would soon be time for her movie night with Scott, but when she was swimming with him she got a bad feeling in the back of her mind like their time was limited or something.
"Jean?"
She jumped bringing herself up to look at Scott who was standing by the pool with a towel in his arms.
"Hi" she whispered swimming to the edge and looking up at him.
"You been out here all evening?" he asked crouching down in front of her.
"It would seem that way" She said simply tucking her wet hair behind her ears. Scott smiled warmly at her and stood up.
"Come on you'll freeze out here" he offered her a hand and she took it pulling herself out of the water. Scott wrapped the towel around her body and studied her face.
"Something wrong?" he asked putting his arm across her shoulders as they walked back into the mansion. Jean shook her head and smiled.
A/N: *Shuffles on to stage* Hi sorry this took so long. Mock exams at the moment and writers block is playing a big part also. Hope you liked it. Please review my confidence needs a bit of a boost! (
By Nixy
The Hearts Choice
Chapter 9
As the weeks went by Jean and Scott became more and more used to their relationship and peoples reactions. Taryn had gotten the idea that Scott was not at all interested while Duncan did as much as he could to save his pride and made out with her. Jean's leg was out of a bandage and the last traces to burns were fading away.
Jean smiled happily to herself standing in front of the full-length mirror in nothing but a pair of hot pants and a baggy long sleeved nightshirt. She looked herself up and down and surveyed her newly healed leg carefully. She smiled again flipping her waist length red hair over her shoulder and hopped on her leg simply because she could. She had not realized how much she would miss kicking a soccer ball or simply walking or running down a hallway. She jumped on to the mattress of her bed and collapsed onto the sheets. Bunching the around her, Jean sat up and looked out of the window. The last elements of summer had disappeared and signs for autumn had arrived. Jean loved the autumn she thought it was a beautiful season. The only time of the year when the leaves turned bright yellows, reds and oranges and looked like flames from a huge fire as they fell from the trees, the only time of the year when it is not too cold or too hot to go for a walk. Scott had not understood when she had told him that autumn was her favorite season. "Everything is dying" he had said simply. Jean just shook her head and smiled at him.
Glancing over at her bedside clock she thought to herself whether 9:30 am was too early on a Saturday morning to wake some one up. With a small shrug she leapt out of bed and charged through the hall enjoying the feel of the bristly carpet under her feet. The mansion was in silence and Jean assumed that every body was still asleep apart from of course the Professor and Hank McCoy. Coming to an abrupt stop Jean listened for any movement behind Scott's bedroom door. Silently she turned the handle and slipped inside closing the door behind her. Scott had not seen her leg with out a bandage yet basically because she had it taken off this morning, which was why she was up so early. The bedroom was dimly light, the drapes were pulled closed hiding the sunlight. Jean listened to Scott's even breaths and smiled. She admired him while he was sleeping. Not that she didn't admire him any way but he seemed completely vulnerable in a peaceful slumber. He appeared as the real Scott, the one she knew really well and not Cyclops the fearless leader of the X-Men. Standing beside him she knelt down beside the bed so that he face was level with his and brushed his dark down hair out of his eyes.
"Scott" she whispered placing her hand on his cheeks feel a new day's worth of stubble beneath her fingers. Scott groaned in his sleep and hid his face in the pillow. "Scott open your eyes you lazy bones" she said. Scott blindly reached for the alarm clock, which sat on his bedside table and brought it to his face.
"It is not even 10 in the morning, I have a right to be lazy" he said lazily handing Jean the clock before closing his eyes again. Jean scowled placing the alarm clock back in its place and stood up. She placed her hands on her hips and bit her lip.
"Mister McCoy took of my bandaged" she told him. Scott yawned.
"That's great"
"You're not even looking!" Jean wailed childishly pouting her bottom lip even thought Scott could not see it. When he made no attempt to move and presumably had drifted back to sleep, Jean cocked a leg and straddled his stomach, landing on him with an intentional 'umph'. Scott groaned rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands and adjusted his night goggles.
"Your evil" he complained sheepishly. Jean stuck out her tongue and gave him a sarcastic smile before showing him her bandage free leg. Scott looked own with difficulty and nodded.
"Its beautiful I assure you" he said placing a hand on her knee. She giggled and hit his hand away from her ticklish spot. Scott chuckled, placing both hands behind his head and stretching from underneath her. Jean placed her hands on either sides of his shoulders and leaned forward, hovering above him. Her hair fell forward, covering their faces. She smiled dipping her face into his and kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Good morning" she said softly once they parted. Scott smiled as she lowered her self to lay beside him and snuggled comfortably next to him, matching his current position. She placed her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling. They were silent for a few moments, Scott glanced at her from the out of the corner of his eye and raised an eyebrow. His lips curved into a smile as he continued to watch her as she refused to look at him.
"What are you doing?" he asked at last after several more minutes. She shrugged not breaking her stare. Scott shook his head and turned on his side. "Crazy lady" he murmured playfully under his breath. Jean blinked and looked at him. His back was to her and she sarcastically cleared her throat and turned on her side.
"What was that for?" he asked with his back still facing her.
"Oh nothing" she said sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Are you making fun of me?" he asked expecting the answer to be an obvious yes.
"Oh no I would not dare make fun of you Mister Summers"
In one expert movement Scott was over her, his hands crawling over her stomach. Jean shrieked at the assault, wriggling helplessly from underneath him. Scott listened to her giggles and wail's as he continued to tickle her.
"No Scott - please I can't stand it!" she yelled out through giggles and she tried to squirm out from under him, but as usual Scott was showing no mercy.
"Say uncle!" he yelled grabbing her slender wrists and holding them in one hand above her head and continued to tickle her stomach. Jean let out a loud scream frantically trying to wriggle free.
"Uncle - UNCLE!" she yelled throwing him off of her using her TK. Suddenly there was a loud bang on the far wall.
"Hey do you guys mind, Ah am trying to sleep in here!" Rogue's muffled yell through the wall caused Jean to giggle. She looked over at Scott who was sitting at the foot of the bed. He flashed her a cheeky smile as he crawled up the bed and sat beside her.
"Breakfast?" he asked.
"Yeah sounds good" Jean replied jumping off of the bed.
The kitchen was empty by the time Jean and Scott bounded through the door. Scott walked over to the fridge and pulled out a carton of milk. Jean passed him two glasses telekinetically while she searched for the cereal. Scott filled the glasses with milk and placed the carton back into the fridge.
"Looks like we are out of cereal" Jean confirmed hopelessly as she snapped the cupboard door shut. She leaned against the kitchen side, folding her arms across her chest and looked at Scott. He walked over to her and handed her a glass.
"Pancakes it is then" he said cheerfully sipping his drink. Jean smirked, taking a mouthful and placing her glass on the work surface. Rummaging through the cupboards they found the appropriate ingredients and pans.
"Flour first right?" Jean asked picking up the bag of plain flour. Scott shrugged watching with amusement as Jean poured the flour into the sieve and shook it over a glass, mixing bowl. He chuckled watching small piles of white powder form on the surface area around the bowl. Jean scowled at him once she was finished.
"Something funny?" she asked placing her hands on her hips.
"Oh nothing I just thought it would be a good idea if maybe next time you actually got the flour in the bowl" Jean glared at him and using her TK hit him around the head with the bag of flour. Her eyes widened in shock and laughter rattled her body as the bottom of the bag split and a waterfall of the powder fell down Scott's body. Jean slapped her hands over her mouth and stared at him, her eyes wide. Scott's brown hair was hidden underneath a coat of white; flour was dripping from his T-shirt and a small pool of his lay at his bare feet.
"Oh my God! I am so sorry!" she said failing her attempt not to laugh. Scott stood and watched her laugh as discreetly as she could and he found a smirk forming across his lips. Looking down at himself he ran his fingers through his hair. The flour spilled out of his hair onto his hands and on to the floor. He smirked quickly wrapping an arm around Jean and wiping his flour covered hands across her face. Her laughter stopped abruptly with a gasp and she stood up right. Now it was Scott's turn to laugh. Jean shook her head, wiping her cheeks trying to clear her face.
"Pay back!" he said holding up his arms before she could try and get him back. Jean pursed her lips and mouthed his words mockingly turning back to the mixing bowl. She added the rest of the ingredients while Scott cleared the floor and the kitchen surfaces of any flour. Once the pancake mix had been poured into a saucepan the two collapsed onto the wooden chairs and sighed. Jean looked at Scott who chuckled.
"What?" she asked innocently. He tapped the tip of his nose with his hand.
"You have um - still got flour on your face." he told her.
"Oh" she said raising a hand to her face and wiping her face with her sleeve. Scott shuffled forward on his chair.
"Let me do it" he said with a chuckle gently wiping his fingers across her forehead and nose.
"I'm sorry I hit you with the flour" she said softly watching his face closely as he continued to wipe her skin. He smiled and shook his head.
"It's ok I will get you back another way" he said.
"But I thought you already had your payback" she said gesturing to her face. Scott pursed his lips and gave a devilish smile. His face became dangerously close to hers. He finished clearing her face and allowed his hand to linger on her cheek. Their foreheads touched for a moment before the space between their lips was closed. Jean became limp in her seat and melted into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling his closer, tasting flour on his lips. She smiled into his mouth, running her fingers through his messed hair.
Meanwhile the pancakes hissed and began to burn as they continued to fry unchecked. The deafening bleeps of the fire alarm on the ceiling above the cooker jolted the two apart.
"Oh shit" Jean cursed jumping up and turned off the flame. Scott pulled a chair under the fire alarm and stood on it before reaching up and turning it off. Jean coughed whipping her hand through the thin cloud of smoke.
Hank appeared in the doorway. "What are you two doing in here?" he asked breathlessly.
"Sorry mister McCoy" they apologized in unison. Hank shook his head and stepping into the kitchen.
"Now if you two are finished destroying the place would you be so kind as to run to the shops and pick up some boxes of cereal, as you probably now already we do not have any".
They left the kitchen silently, jogging up the stairs and to their rooms. They met 10 minutes later by the front door.
Jean flashed him the money that Hank had given to her as they walked out of the front doors.
"Lets walk" Jean suggested bouncing down the front steps. Scott frowned bringing the collar of his jacket up around his ears.
"Why?" he asked. Jean shrugged.
"I don't know"
"But its cold" He complained zipping up his jacket and digging his hands into his pockets.
"Its not that cold"
"Come on Jean I think we should drive. It would be a lot quicker and warmer." He told her unlocking the car. Jean watched him open the passenger door for her. She walked silently towards him and slid into the seat.
"Fine but consider this your pay back" She said watching him walk around the front of the car and sit in the drivers seat.
"You are not going to hold this against me are you?" he asked leaning back in his seat and looked at her. Jean folded her arms across her chest and glared at him through the corner of her eyes. She smiled at him and shook her head relaxing in her seat.
"Of course not, now drive you loser" she said playfully.
*~*
Scott pulled over to a stop out side the local market. The street was filled with a long line of shops, from bookshops, to clothes shops, food shops, a video rental store and even a flower shop or two. Scott took Jean's hand in his own as they walked through the entrance. Jean smiled at him and grabbing a basket they marched down the rather crowded isles of food.
"How much did the Professor give you?" Scott asked as they stopped in front of a row of shelves filled with boxes of cereal.
"20 dollars" she replied scanning the names on the boxes. "How many should we get?"
"I don't know just get anything". Jean nodded wordlessly and tipped a few boxes off of the shelves and into the basket.
"So?" Scott began draping an arm across Jean's shoulder. She looked up at him and smiled.
"What do you say to a few movies tonight?" he asked her eyeing the video store opposite through the huge glass windows.
"You mean like a movie night? The movie night we have had once a week for the passed few years?" she asked sarcastically. Scott nodded putting a hand into his trouser pocket and digging out the 20 dollars Jean had give him to look after. Jean let out a short laugh.
"Sure" she said with a nod while she placed the boxes on the cash register.
*~*
The two drove back to the institute with the shopping and three videos, all of which happened to be comedies. By the time they walked into the mansion, everybody was awake and strolling around aimlessly.
"Finally" Rogue exclaimed walking over to Jean and Scott. "Ah am starvin'". Jean bit her lip and took a step back at the sight of her friends and new recruits bounding up to her. She held out the bad as far away from her body as she could manage and allowed them to take it and remove the cereal.
*~*
The students had decided to spend to hottest part of the day in the swimming pool. Despite the fact that it was now practically autumn, the temperature was still warm enough for a last swim. With a little help from Storm and after much persuasion she agreed to boost up the temperature.
The pool water was crystal clear and cool to the skin. Jean leaned over the edge in nothing but a red bikini matching top and bottoms and glazed down through the water to the bottom of the pool. It had been a while since she had been swimming. Looking around her she decided to swim a few lengths before the others arrived and the soothing silence was lost. Taking a deep breath she dived in head first, enjoying the feel of the cool water against her body. Opening her eyes under water was something she had done since she was a little girl. She was shocked to find out that some people could not do it. She swam the rest of the length under the water to the shallow end of the pool. Kicking off on the floor she brought her face up for air and pushed her hair back off of her face. She could hear the sound of her friend coming closer. Taking another breath she ducked underwater and kicked off from the wall and swan to the deep end of the pool. Leaning against the side of the pool she watched everyone run towards her. She was not surprised to see Kitty with the blow up bed and Kurt with his beach ball. Scott and Rogue followed behind holding only their towels. Scott wondered over to her and crouched down at the side of the pool.
"Hey beautiful. Thought you'd get here early huh?" He asked reaching in and splashing a small handful of water at Jean. She raised an eyebrow and swam into the middle to the deep end not taking her eyes off of him. Scott swallowed seeing the devilish grin on her face as she ducked under the water. Scott frowned. He had found that over the years due to the fact that he could only see one colour that it was hard to see things under water.
"I'd lose the towel if I were you" Jean voice rang warningly in his head. He looked round nervously and narrowed his eyes, throwing his towel off of his shoulders. He looked closely at the rippling water. Suddenly Jean burst out of the water, wrapping her wet arms around his bare neck and locking him in a kiss. Scott kiss her back, feeling himself being pulled from his feet and suddenly his body was consumed by the cool water. Bubbles of oxygen rose all around them and Scott could feel Jean's lips against his. Instinctively he wove his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Scott opened his eyes as they parted to see Jean gazing at him, her eyes illuminated under the water. With her arms still around his neck, they both swam up for air.
"CANNON BALL!" Evan yelled sprinting towards the pool and leaping into the air before breaking the surface of the water creating a small wave. Kitty let out a high pitched yell as the wave hit her blow up bed and she toppled off of it.
"Evan! Like the Professor totally told you not to do that any more!" She yelled ringing the water out form her ponytail. Evan pulled a face before climbing out of the pool probably to do it again. Jean chuckled before looking at Scott.
"So your room or mine for the movies?" He asked removing a strand of dark red hair, which was plastered to the side of her face behind her ear. She shrugged with a smile before sinking under the water. Scott sighed as he continued to tread water when he felt and telekinetic pull on one of his ankles and before he knew it he was under water. He gazed at Jean through his ruby goggles in awe. Her long fiery hair was afloat all around her, swaying slightly in the water, small bubbles of air had rested on her face and skin.
"What are you looking at?" she asked mentally before swimming to the bottom of the pool. Scott's eyes followed her and watched her tap the floor with her hand. He swam to the surface of the water taking in a deep breath. Jean's head appeared in front of him, her nose and mouth still under the water.
"How can you hold your breath for so long?" he asked swimming to the side of the pool and resting his arms on the side. She brought the rest of her face above the water and shrugged following him.
*~*
Dusk came quickly that day. The warmth of the air had faded with the sun. Scott gazed into his bathroom mirror combing his fingers through his hair. It had been agreed that the movie night would be held in Jean's bedroom. Scott gripped the videos tightly as he walked the short distance to Jean's room. He knocked on her newly fitted door and waited patiently. He knocked again when there was no answer and decided to open the door. He looked around questionably and raised an eyebrow in thought looking around the empty bedroom. He placed the videos in her bed before leaving to look for her.
Jean hung on the edge of the pool looking around the garden. Everything seemed too different in the dark. The pool lights had been turned on making the water look slightly green. She effortlessly leaned back so that she was laying horizontally on the water, looking up at the starry sky. The air was cold and cause goose bumps to form on her stomach. Jean knew that it would soon be time for her movie night with Scott, but when she was swimming with him she got a bad feeling in the back of her mind like their time was limited or something.
"Jean?"
She jumped bringing herself up to look at Scott who was standing by the pool with a towel in his arms.
"Hi" she whispered swimming to the edge and looking up at him.
"You been out here all evening?" he asked crouching down in front of her.
"It would seem that way" She said simply tucking her wet hair behind her ears. Scott smiled warmly at her and stood up.
"Come on you'll freeze out here" he offered her a hand and she took it pulling herself out of the water. Scott wrapped the towel around her body and studied her face.
"Something wrong?" he asked putting his arm across her shoulders as they walked back into the mansion. Jean shook her head and smiled.
A/N: *Shuffles on to stage* Hi sorry this took so long. Mock exams at the moment and writers block is playing a big part also. Hope you liked it. Please review my confidence needs a bit of a boost! (
