A/N: Wow…..it has been a really really long time since I wrote but better late than never. For those who still care I hope you like this cuz there's one chapter left after this one.

Chapter 67 Good-Bye

Jean awoke, taking a deep breath and blinking through the sun that peeked through the curtains. She felt a cool breeze blow over her body, sending chills up her spine but comforting her as well. It caused her to frown. She sat up slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes with her free hand and looked at the windows, they were closed. Her frown deepened, that was odd.

Shrugging it off for the moment, she moved easily, turning to Tristian. Her heart jumped to her throat as she saw the stillness in him, she put her fingers gently against the side of his neck and felt nothing. He was gone and she found herself so close but so far, unable to do anything. A tear spilt down her cheek as she held his hand in her own, finding it oddly warm and the color back in his face though he was dead. If she didn't know better she'd think he was only sleeping. He looked as though she could shake him and he'd open his sky blue eyes, smile at her. But he was gone.

She took a shaky breath, sniffling and smiled. He was okay now, she knew that. He'd no longer feel unwanted or distraught over his lost love or the crimes he committed, he was free.

She leaned forward, running her fingers through his hair and cupping his face. She kissed his forehead gently. "I'll be there, Tristian, I promise." She stood up, laying his hand back on his bed. "I'll see you again, someday…wait for me."

She played with the ring on her thumb, Tristian's ring. The one he had given her and the one she new she'd never take off. With one last look at him she left the room and walked down the empty hallway and down the stairs. She could feel the others in the living room, could feel them all sitting there in wonder and fear of what would happen to Tristian.

Jean turned the corner and felt all eyes on her, felt them boring through her skin trying to find an answer. The room, which moments ago had been filled with idle chatter, was now dead silent. She lifted her eyes up and saw them sitting there. Bobby was next to Rogue on the couch, hand grasping her gloved one. On Bobby's other side was John, sitting frozen, even his fingers stopped playing with his Zippo lighter. Gambit was on the arm of the couch, glancing at her every now and then the cards sitting in one of his hands as he waited for her to speak. Logan and Scott sat in separate chairs across from the others, turned to see her. Even Xavier sat there but by the look on his face and the way his eyes didn't meet hers, he already knew the answer.

All these people who had loved Tristian, who's life's had been effected by him were sitting here. Even those who didn't know him stood silent in the den where the pool table and TV was. All waiting.

Tears came to Jean's eyes and she slowly shook her head. The trivial movement was enough to break the news and send the room into a spiral of emotions. Rogue burst into tears and Bobby held her, his own tears going down his face. John turned his head away and stared at the window as did Gambit. Kurtis held Storm as she began to cry softly. Everyone had just felt the loss of a friend but Jean knew that she felt it the most, as selfish as that might have sounded to her, she knew it was true.

Logan and Scott continued to stare at her and she averted her eyes to the floor, unsure of what to think or feel for either of them at the moment. Her mind was still clouded with emotions for Tristian that were still raw and the loss was too far fresh to even comprehend what she'd do. She felt arms cross her from two sides and opened her eyes to find both Scott and Logan hugging her from each side and without even fighting each other. Part of her wanted to run away and hide up in her room and cry into her pillow for hours away from every one, but Tristian wouldn't want that. She let them hold her, she let both the men in her life hold her as tears came down her face not just from Tristian's loss, but also from finally realizing who she loved all along. Tristian had saved her life in more ways than one and he had cleared up all the confusion in it with his death as well. For that, she'd always love him as well.