A/N: Hey again! Thanks to all who reviewed – lets me know that people are still reading this! I'm sorry for the time its taking me to update this fic! I will try to keep the delays to a minimum!

Justagirl – thanks for your review! I suppose it is and it isn't a brain freeze. Thanks so much for our support and I will definitely call on you for help if I hit a dry spot!

The Hearts Choice

Chapter 14

It was 6:30 in the morning when Jean's alarm clock sounded loudly from her bedside table. She grumbled, burying her face into her pillow, her fiery red hair spread wildly around her face. She could hear students running around up and down the corridors through her bedroom walls in a desperate race to beat others to the bathrooms. Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, Jean tried desperately to ignore the cringing, continuous beeping of her clock radio, the painful pounding in between her eyes suddenly making itself known. With a frustrated moan, she shot up into a sitting position, a wave of annoyance washing over her. The next thing she became aware of was the sound of the clock radio as it shattered against the far wall of her bedroom. Jean sat in the darkness for a moment before switching on the bedside lamp; her ears taking several seconds adjust to the absent beeping. Her brow lowered as she frowned and she sat staring at the shattered bits of plastic in shock. It has been a while since her has lost control of her telekinetic powers. Luckily it was her alarm clock she had lost control with and not...

A knock sounded at her door followed swiftly by Scott's head peering passed her now open bedroom door.

"Scott" Jean croaked before coughing.

"Morning" he cooed, slipping into her room, closing the door behind him. He glanced at her and she caught his gaze. Her usually bright, passionate green eyes were now clouded over and bloodshot. Her cheeks flushed hotly, a constant rosy redness replacing her usual pale complexion. The tip of her nose was pink and a small glint of moisture could be seen under her nostrils. Jean sniffed, pinching in between her eyes with her finger and thumb. She smiled weakly at him.

"Are you ok?" he asked. He walked over to her, sitting on the side of her single bed.

Jean nodded, crossing her legs underneath the blankets. She had a head ache which wasn't always a good thing, especially for a telepath. She had a head ache and felt rather nauseous, her nose was blocked and runny and her body was stiff and aching.

Scott couldn't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes. Her watery eyes looked up at him and she smiled. Before she had the chance to answer him, her body was taken over by a vicious coughing fit.

Scott watched as Jean's body rattled with heavy coughs. He frowned unable to help the sudden feeling of guilt that washed over him. He watched as the coughing subsided and Jean collapsed back against her pillows exhausted. Scott lent forward, stroking her messed hair out of her face. He frowned, resting his hand on her forehead.

"You have a fever" he declared. Jean looked at him confused, sitting up quickly. Another shot of pain crawled through her head and she lent forward, pressing her face into her knees.

"Just get me some aspirin Scott, ill be fine" her voice was muffled. Scott pulled her gently back up and pushed her back against her pillows. He shook his head, pressing the back of his hand against her warm forehead. Her skin was hot and covered in a sheet of cold sweat. Jean sniffed again.

It wasn't long after Scott had left her room to get Hank that she found herself sucking on the end of a thermometer. Hank sat beside her, his oversized blue hand on her face. Jean stared at the thin glass, watching the red liquid inside climb higher and closer to the top. She pushed her long hair behind her shoulder as she lent up against the head board. It was still damp from last night. Suddenly Kitty walked in, switching on the main light. Jean's eyes snapped shut and she growled as pain shot through her head once again. She moaned pitifully before sinking down into her sheets. She placed a hand over her closed eyes to block out the light.

"Well" Hank began with a sigh as he reached and took the thermometer out of Jean's mouth. He looked at it, his eyes widened.

"You have a high fever, that's for sure."

"Kitty, turn the light off!" Jean let out in a frustrated yell. The younger girl who was standing in the door way jumped at the harshness of Jean's voice, immediately reaching out and turning off the main light, leaving the bedside lamp on.

"What do you want?" Jean asked softly taking her hand away from her face. She looked up at Kitty who was already dressed for school. Kitty glanced down at the carpet feeling suddenly embarrassed for switching on the light.

"I was like just wondering if you had any hair moose I could borrow" she asked sheepishly. Jean nodded opening her mouth to answer but was taken over by another coughing fit. She pointed to her dresser as she coughed and Kitty followed her direction, padding over to the dresser and grabbing the small can of hair moose.

"Are you ok?" the younger girl asked looking for the first time at the elder student as she sat up on her bed, slumped forward.

Jean gritted her teeth. She was becoming increasingly agitated. She was the most uncomfortable she had been in a long time, she couldn't breath through her nose, she was hot one minute and cold the next and no matter what temperature she had she was sweating. Her clammy skin stuck horribly to her night gown and duvet and she wanted nothing more then to rip it all off.

"Yeah I'm fine" she managed politely as another head ache began to subside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light of her bedside lamp. From beside her, Hank sighed clutching a small torch in his large hand.

"I'm sorry Jean, but it seems this might irritate you" Hank said observantly as he raised the torch closer to her face. Jean looked up with a groan as if forcing her head to stay up. She allowed Hank to lift her eye lid with his free hand as he shone the torch into her eye with the other. Jean frowned trying to avoid the light. He seemed to hold it there for what felt like the better part of ten minutes, just staring into her exposed eye.

Jean whimpered moving her face away from the light. Her head was thumping and the light seemed to be making it worse. Thank god for her black out blind she thought to herself. Hank lowered the torch an apologetic look across his face. Jean slumped back against her pillows, her head turned away from Hank, she stared at her bedroom wall.

"Well, bed rest, fluid and lots of medicine for you" Hank said as he stood from the bed, straightening out his shirt. Jean didn't move to acknowledge his words, she simply blinked.

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The empty mansion stood in silence. With every body at school and Jean forced to stay home for the second time in one month, there wasn't a lot of noise to be heard. Professor Xavier and Hank where making some updates on Cerebro, Logan was off some where on his motor bike and Ororo, when she wasn't calling in to see how Jean was, was tending to her garden.

Jean lay tangled in her covers, her hot, clammy body sticking to the material. She sighed, restlessly slipping her body over onto her side. With her eyes clenched tightly shut, she groped blindly for the box of tissues which stood in a small box on her bedside table. Gripping the thin tissue with her fingers Jean brought in to her face and blew had trying to relieve some of the congestion which has built up in her nose. She let out a frustrated growl when she still felt as dizzy and clouded as before. Opening her eyes lazily, she chucked the tissue into a blue bucket which Scott has left on the floor next to her bed after she had failed to keep down any breakfast. Her eyes fell upon her black suitcase which was neatly stood against her bedroom wall. She closed her eyes again feeling another head ache coming on. Scott has to tell Taryn today at school that they couldn't go away with her at the weekend because she was sick. A wave of disappointment washed over her aching body. Despite her earlier fears of the weekend, she had begun to look forward to it. Serves me right for hiding from Logan. She should have just stayed there and took the punishment. She pressed her palm against her forehead when the head ache peeked and she whimpered, rolling on her front, pressing her face into her pillow.

A soft knock at the door silenced her. Rolling onto her back Jean opened her mouth to call the person in but was taken over by a bout of heavy coughs.

Ororo Monroe slowly let herself in, a small mug of steaming liquid in her hands. She frowned in concern as she shut the door and made her way over to the side of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" the weather witch asked after Jean's coughing had subsided.
Jean let out a frustrated moan sinking further underneath her covers. She kicked her legs trying to straighten out the duvet which was tangled and twisted at her feet. She let out a deep sigh unable to hide her annoyance. Ororo sat on the edge of the bed and pressed a hand to Jean's warm forehead. Jean looked up at her through watery eyes and sniffed, the aroma of the hot liquid wafting towards her.

"Chamomile tea" Jean exclaimed and Ororo nodded brushing a few strands of red hair away from her face. "Great for head aches" she commented again.

"The professor said you might need some" the elder woman said straightening before handing the hot mug over to Jean who took it gratefully. Despite the fact that the unique aroma was making her feel nauseous, she was more then ready to get rid of her head aches. Holding the hot mug to her lips, she sipped the mild liquid. She eyed Ororo's dark hands as they reached into the side pocket of her skirt. From behind thick lashes, her green eyes narrowed as a small vial came into view between Ororo's fingers. Jean had never been a fan of taken medicine, she had always denied being sick and used to just bare through what ever was the matter with her. However, this time she could not hide the fact that she was sick and no doubt Ororo was the first of many who would attempt to make her take the medicine through out the duration of her illness. Some where in the back of her mind, she made a mental note to kill Scott when she saw him next.

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She twisted uncomfortably in her sheets, trying to ignore the painful throbbing in-between her eyes. Her pillow was damp from the continuous cold sweat from her brow. She let out a frustrated groan, kicking her duvet off the side of her bed. She lay still for a moment, her body spread out basking in the cool, free air. Every body was out today, the students at school, Ororo had gone to visit a relative in Africa and the Professor and Hank had flown some where for a meeting. It was unusual that they would leave her alone during the day because it was a known fact that Jean wouldn't take her medicine and had to be force fed twice a day. Scott only had morning classes to day so he offered to come straight home and attempt to make the black oily liquid look appealing. Jean stared blankly at the ceiling which she had become very familiar with. There was only so much looking at the ceiling one could do in a week. Casting her gaze to her new bedside clock, Jean could see it was half past 12. Scott would be home soon. She would be glad to see her boyfriend, if not for some company but for some alone time. Since she had been ill, Ororo and Hank had taken it upon themselves to look after her. She rarely got to see any of the students apart from when she would stroll down the corridor to vomit or to answer natures call. She understood, Hank had mentioned that she might be contagious and she didn't want any of the others to feel the way she did right now, especially Scott. Despite her consideration, her felt an over whelming urge to hold him. She wanted to hug him, to feel his strong arms around her. She missed his scent of after shave and the feel of his soft, warm lips against hers. A small smile crooked her pale, cracked lips as she remembered the spine tingling feeling of Scott's kisses.

A loud ring of the door bell caused Jean to jump away from her memories. She lay still for several seconds, the echo for the ring bouncing in her mind. She immediately swung her legs over the side of her bed and bounded out of her room. Leaving her bedroom door open she ran down the hall way, pulling herself to a stop at the top of the marble stair case. She stared down, across the foyer and through the frosted glass doors as the figure standing on the porch. She had hoped that it would be Scott, but he drove to school so he would have a key. The Professor and Hank wouldn't need the use of a door bell, infact none of the students should need to use the bell. Cautiously she made her way down the stairs, her bare feet feeling cold against the solid marble. For a moment she thought Scott forgot his key but when she got closer, she could see the blurred color of a red and white football jacket.

Jean froze in the middle of the large foyer, her glazed green eyes staring at the figure through the glass doors. She had hoped that they hadn't seen her as she started edging back towards the stairs. She bit her lower lips trying to me as silent and transparent as she could. The heel of her foot knocked against the bottom stair and she wobbled slightly, her arms flying out to balance herself. The bell rang again. Jean silently begged herself to be invisible. She didn't want to see him - why was he here anyway? She breathed out a silent breath and cast her gaze to the door once more. Duncan was still standing there, causally lent up against the outside door frame. She stood still for a moment, watching his silhouette through the frosted glass. Suddenly she could see his palm pressed against the glass and the outline of his facial features come into focus as he pressed his face against the door to look in. It was obvious he had seen her, a smile suddenly parting his lips, flashing his perfect teeth.

"Jean!" He called in sounding almost please to see her. Jean looked down at herself, Scott's over sized jumper not doing much to cover the tops of her legs. Her red hair was a disarray of knots and tangles and her face was plan and without makeup. She silently swore under her breath as she strode across the marble floor. Duncan waved stupidly at her through the glass as Jean neared the front doors. She bit her lower lip, raising her tired eyes defeated to the ceiling as she opened the front door. She gazed at him, his blonde highlighted hair combed to the side reminding Jean a little of Elvis. He wore a white shirt under his football jacket and a pair of plain, pale blue jeans.

Jean squinted at him, her eyes watering at the winter sunlight. She could see his car parked behind him, it was empty - he had come alone.

"Hey" he greeted in a tone of voice which could have knocked Jean off her feet.
"Hi" She croaked back, folding her arms over her chest and leaning against the door to stop him from looking in.
"I heard you was sick so I thought I would help you get better"
Jean stared blankly at him for several seconds. Something had to be seriously wrong. Duncan was too proud to forget her dumping him and he wasn't as thoughtful as this, even when they were going out. She wondered how he was going to go about making her feel better. Silence fell between the pair for a moment, Jean looked down at her bare feet, her toes curled against the cold breeze. Despite the bitter air, the sky was blue and the sun was shinning. Traces of melting snow could be seen on the front lawn and in the trees.

Duncan shoved his fist into the pocket of his football jacket and began thumbling about. Jean watched him cautiously, half expecting a weapon of some sort. He looked at her pale face and smiled, pulling out a packet of chicken soup and lemon tea mix. Jean stood stunned for a moment staring wide eyed at the small packets in his open palms at he held them out for her to take.

"My mum always gives me chicken soup when im feeling under the weather and the lemon is for your throat" he explained. Jean looked at him, confusion displaying in her hazy eyes.

"Uh…thanks" she managed out, failing to hide the surprise from her voice. She reached out and took the sachets from him, meeting his green eyes with hers. He grinned at her, plunging his hands unto his pockets again. Another silence lingered around them. Jean shuffled on her feet, beginning to feel slightly uncomfortable under Duncan's stair.

"So uh, how have you been?" Jean asked, struggling to break the silence.

"Good thanks yeah, I just thought I would stop by because I only had morning classes today. I heard from Kitty that you was home sick and thought you could use the company"

Jean felt that he was hinting towards something. She stayed silent waiting for him to continue.

"Is any body home with you?"
"No, I mean…." Jean sighed cursing at her honesty. "No" she confirmed quietly.
"Well how about I come in and make up some of that soup? It will make you feel better I promise" he said and he pushed past her, grabbing her arm and dragging her back inside before she could protest. Jean's head hurt too much for her to put any energy into fighting back. She was too weak to pull herself free from his grip as he tugged her towards the kitchen leaving the front door agar.

Duncan finally released his grip on her arm once he reached the kitchen. Walking over to the table, he pulled out one of the wooden chairs, offering her to sit down. Jean sheepishly obliged, feeling a small wave of nauseas wash over her, she slumped into the wooden chair, putting her head in her hands. She could hear Duncan cluttering about as he rummaged though the cupboards, she felt she should force him out but her body just didn't want to work and she wanted to find out what Duncan was up to.

"Saucepans are in the draw under the oven" she mumbled, her head still in her hands. From behind her, Duncan nodded, walking over to the oven and taking a saucepan from the draw.

"I really think you are going to like this soup Jean, it always seems to make me feel better" he said as he placed the pan on the stove and empties a can of soup into it. Jean grunted into her palm. It had been a while since she had eaten anything, her choice was usually spoilt by the medicine which caused her to loose her appetite.

Jean sat and watched Duncan for a moment, her head resting in the palm of her hand, her elbows resting on the table's wooden surface.

"Duncan…" she began. The blonde turned to face her as he stirred the soup. "What are you doing here?" she asked in the most polite way she could manage. Duncan thought for a moment before offering her a shrug of his shoulders.

"I just thought that…." he cast his eyes back to the bubbling soup. "Just thought you could use the company"

Jean was shocked with how genuine he sounded.

"I mean I know I wouldn't want to spend all day alone when I felt that bad. I just think it's nice to have some one to talk to." His voice was quite as he turned back to the soup and turned the gas off.

"Where are your bowls?" he asked.
"In the cupboard about the microwave"

Soon Jean was faced with a bowl of steaming chicken soup. Its scent wafting in her face, she inhaled the smell. Uneasy with Duncan watching her, she took a spoonful of the golden liquid and swallowed it gratefully enjoying it more then she would like to admit. Duncan pulled up a chair next to her and watched her eat.

"What?" Jean laughed uncomfortably, taking another mouthful of soup. Duncan shrugged.
"Nothing I just miss looking at you"

Jean averted her eyes embarrassed, suddenly finding it difficult to swallow.

"What's going on here?"
The question was casual and calm but at the same time hostel. Jean swung her head to look over her shoulder.

"Scott" she couldn't help but hear some form of guilt in her voice. She immediately dropped her spoon as if she was doing wrong by eating what Duncan had made her. Scott stood in the kitchen door way, his arms clutched around something wrapped in newspaper.

"What's that?" she asked trying desperately to avoid the subject of Duncan.
"What's he doing here?" Scott asked, his voice sounding more annoyed by the minute.
"Hey Summers, where have you been?" Duncan asked innocently, leaning back on his chair.
"Save it, get out" Scott demanded, the anger now obvious. Duncan's smile faded, his green eyes narrowing at Scott. Jean opened her mouth as if to say something but stopped herself. Instead she looked back and forth at the two boys, the pain in her head flaring up again.

"Why should I? Jean invited me in" Duncan exclaimed.
"What?" Scott and Jean yelled in unison. Scott stared down at Jean.
"Did you?" he asked her. Before Jean could respond Duncan shot to his feet with enough force to knock his chair to the floor behind him.

"Forget it! Im outta here" Duncan scowled as he shoved past Scott. "Ill see you later Jean" he called not looking over his shoulder before he let himself out. Jean sat straight in her chair, staring down at her chicken soup.

"You're inviting him in now?" Scott accused, a wave of jealousy washing over him. Jean looked up at him and frowned.
"What? No!" she defended.
"He said you invited him in!" Scott hissed turning on his heels and marching into the foyer.
"Scott, wait!" Jean demanded and she sprung after him. By the time she got to the foyer Scott was already half way up the stairs. "Scott!" she called as she jogged to the stair case.

"After all he did to you! The way he treated you!"
She wasn't sure if he was yelling at her of to himself.
"Wait, you don't understand, I didn't" She explained, feeling her breath escape her. "I didn't invite him in" she puffed tiredly pausing half way up the stairs.

"So what he just marched in here and made you dinner!"
"Yes!" She yelled, frustration building up inside her. Silence fell between the two. Jean clutched the banister, holding her balance feeling suddenly dizzy. Scott stood silent, his knuckles white around the object he was holding. Suddenly he turned and marched down the corridor. Jean rolled her eyes trying to control her frustration, forcing herself up the stairs. Scott was at his bedroom door when she reached the top of the stairs.

"Scott!" she called again. He ignored her. Jean growled, her eyes narrowing dangerously after him. "Will you listen to me!" she yelled loud enough to shock herself. She grabbed him telekinetically and forced him backwards. Scott skidded on his heels, letting out a surprised yell as he was dragged back. Jean flipped him to face her and released him when he was only a few feet away from her. She glared at him, her eyes watering and her head pounding. Scott held her stair, a constant frown on his brow, he said nothing. Jean could feel her already watery eyes fill with tears and another pang of nausea made its self known in the pit of her stomach. The two stood tensely in front of each other for several moments, Jean could feel the annoyance pouring off of Scott in waves. Finally she gave in, jogging past him to her room before he allowed the tears to flow freely down her cheeks.

Scott didn't turn around to see Jean slam her bedroom door. The silence left in the corridor was deafening. His anger suddenly changed to guilt at the thought of making Jean cry. He lowered his gaze to the package still tightly held in his arms. Knowing how bored Jean gets alone in the mansion during the day, he borrowed a laptop from a friend so she had something to do in her room. Slowly he turned and looked up the hall way at Jean's bedroom door, a feeling of sadness slowly growing inside him. He walked silently up the hall way, stopping at his bedroom door. He took another look up the corridor before walking in and shutting the door behind him. He thought he would leave Jean to cool off for a moment. Duncan was going to get it when he saw him next. Scott frowned to himself. It wasn't like him to get so jealous, they were just sitting and he wondered to himself why he had gotten so worked up all of a sudden. There wasn't a bone in his body that didn't tell him Duncan was bad news and he wanted to keep him away from Jean and the rest of his family. Scott sat on the edge of his bed and let out a sigh. Placing the wrapped up laptop next to him he gazed around his bedroom. He spotted the black medicine bottle on his bedside table and swallowed. Probably not being Jean's favorite person at the moment, he was not looking forward to coaxing her to take the stuff. Running his fingers through his thick brown hair he fell back against the mattress, casting a glance at his alarm clock. It had just gone 1 o'clock, Jean had to have taken her medicine by 3.

Jean sat on the floor, her back resting against the side of her bed. Salty tears rolled freely down her face as she sat and relived her frustration and Scott's words. She sat up, her breathing still uneasy. Scott had annoyed her so much with his stubbornness that she could have hit him there in the hallway. Letting out a small cough she pressed her damn forehead against the tops of her knees. She didn't hear the soft knock at the door, or the sound of it closing. Scott walked around to stand in front of her. He looked down at her body sitting at his feet and crotched down on the floor. Jean's head was facing away from him, her hair covering her features. Scott slowly reached out and brushed the messed strands of hair behind her ear. Jean was avoiding his gaze – her red rimmed eyes glued to the floor.

"Jean…" He began softly, crossing his legs to sit on the floor. "I'm sorry about earlier, Jean I really am" he said touching her hand. Jean slowly moved her head to face him; her eyes glazed over and clouded with sickness. Weakly she curled her warm fingers around his hand and shuffled to lean against him as another flow of tears too her. She felt so terrible and so frustrated.

"Oh Scott I'm sorry" she sobbed into his shoulder, clinging to his jumper. Scott wrapped an arm around her shoulders holding her close trying to offer as much comfort as he could.

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A/N: Sorry this one I taking so long, I am experiencing a bit of a dry patch with this one! Apologies! Please review any way if you want me to carry on.