Chapter 12

Jean never despised anyone in her life. It just wasn't her nature to get...jealous. That's why she refused to admit she really hated when Eleanor was their waitress. Like she was now, blatantly flirting with Scott right in front of her!

He decided they needed to get back in the old habit, and took her to the little Mexican place – Rosario's – that Saturday. She was supposed to meet Taryn and Lily for a day of shopping, but she was just fine with changing previous plans for a day of relaxing at a nice little restaurant.

Unfortunately, Eleanor saw them and just had to be the waitress. Now, instead of taking their orders, she was sitting next to Scott – telling jokes from her home country and laughing quite annoyingly in Jean's opinion. She glared at the two, but quickly hid it when Scott looked at her with an apologetic smile. She smiled forcedly at him, hoping he couldn't tell. He could judging by the questioning look he shot her.

How she knew it was questioning was one of the greatest mysteries in the world. It just felt like she and Scott shared a bond, and she could feel what he felt. It was nice really, especially since she could kind of sense a little nervousness at Eleanor's closeness. He didn't feel nervous around her! Take that, waitress girl. Jean thought.

"Uh, you know what, I need to use the bathroom! Order for me, Jean?" Scott asked, feeling the tense atmosphere. Eleanor smirked and gave a small wink, which he replied to with a nervous smile and quickly rushed off. When he was gone, the waitress sat down again.

"He's a nice guy," she said, her thick accent less...well, thick now. Jean frowned and crossed her arms.

"I know that," she said defensively.

"Then why aren't you two together yet?" she tried, really she did, but there was only so much she could take! In all romance novels, the couple should be together by now – or on their way there! These two were either very stubborn or very dense, possibly both she thought slightly amused and more than a little irritated.

"W-what?" Jean sputtered, gaping at her. Eleanor rolled her eyes.

"Please, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see you two like each other! I've been flirting like a, how do you say, barfly? Yet, you're still not together according to Rogue! Hell woman, how much does a girl got to flirt in order to make you jealous enough to admit your feelings?"

Jean just stared. She couldn't believe what the waitress had just said. Admit her feelings? For Scott? He was a nice guy yeah, but she just thought of him as a friend. She never got jealous of the time he spent with Taryn, or the flirtation between himself and Eleanor! Really, she didn't.

"What's a waitress doing meddling in my personal life anyway?" Jean asked harshly, "I don't even know you!"

"You don't, but Rogue does," Eleanor pointed out. "It's been a good two weeks, probably more for all I know, already! Either get your act in gear and admit your feelings, or I'll tell Rogue to lock you two in a room together! Granted, you probably wouldn't mind that, would you?"

"Of course I would!" Jean blushed, knowing deep down she really wouldn't. Being stuck in a room with Scott actually sounded promising. Her blush darkened at the way her thoughts were going. She quickly shook them away, lest she find herself turning into some sort of pervert.

"Uh huh," Eleanor gave her a disbelieving look. "I'm just saying, you should admit your feelings before someone else gets him. I know I'm not the only girl in town that finds him nice eye candy, but some other girl might find him nice, how do you say, arm candy?"

Jean looked at her hands. Taryn already found him nice 'arm candy', she thought darkly. Eleanor watched her knowingly, recognizing the glare for what it was. Someone else was already in the picture. This was really turning out to be just like her romance movies – only taking a lot longer than a few days for them to figure out how they really feel for each other.

"So, your order?"

"Huh? Oh right..." Jean looked at the menu, quickly ordering and watching as Eleanor walked away. It almost seemed like Scott was waiting, because as soon as she left, he came back.

"So, what'd ya order?" he asked, smiling.

"Huh?" Jean looked up distractedly, blushing when she saw the concerned smile he shot her. "Oh uh...I...uh...don't really know." she blinked. She hadn't paid much attention to what she ordered, too busy mulling over what Eleanor said. She didn't have feelings for Scott! Did she?

"I know what ya mean. I can't pronounce some of the stuff on here!"

She looked at the teen, smiling innocently at her. Her stomach felt like it had a million butterflies fluttering around, and she blushed. He looked really cute sitting there, oblivious to why she really didn't know what she ordered. She smiled slightly.

Okay, so she liked Scott. It didn't mean anything! He didn't like her like that, no matter what Eleanor – or everyone else – thought. He was interested in Taryn, never mind the 'help me' vibes she got from him every time the other girl was near, or the annoyed turn of his lips whenever she asked him to go somewhere. Never mind the boyish smiles he sent her way, or the constant offers to go places – which she always enjoyed. He didn't like her. It was a simple fact.

Jean frowned. It was a fact, wasn't it?

"Jean?" he looked at her worriedly. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine!" she grinned, waving away his concern. "Just thinking about schoolwork."

Scott shook his head. "Uh uh, today is about all about no-school! It's the weekend, a time to relax!"

"How can I relax when I've got loads of homework?"

"Already finished." Scott said knowingly, smiling at the pink tinge on her cheeks. He knew Jean already finished her homework, according to Rogue it was always done first thing. His was finished too, he was pleased to say, for the first time in...well, ever he'd done it the day he got it.

"Well...uh...yeah," she chuckled at her own silliness.

"I've got an idea!" Scott said with a wide smile.

"What?"

"We'll go somewhere after we eat! Out of Bayville, how does New York City sound? Lots of stuff to do there."

"What? Out of Bayville? Why?" Jean asked quickly. She was secretly thrilled by the idea. She hadn't been out of Bayville in a while, and she kind of missed seeing other sights.

"Because I've only been here a few weeks, and I'm already tired of this place." Scott said simply. He hid it well, but he was really concerned she wouldn't like his idea. She might get the wrong idea. Well, the right idea, but he didn't want her to think he was some kind of jerk that always flirted with taken girls.

"Well..." Jean smiled. Rogue was always complaining about the rules she was always following, why not do something wild and crazy for once? It had been a while since she was spontaneous. "Okay!"

"Really?" Scott grinned when Jean nodded. Just then, the food was brought out to them, and Eleanor winked at her. Jean blushed and glared, but couldn't stop smiling.

And to think, it took a flirtatious waitress for her to admit her feelings – even if it was just to herself.

&&&&&&

"Well?" Rogue asked over the phone.

"I think we're finally getting somewhere," Eleanor's voice sounded on the other line.

"Finally! Thanks Ellie, Ah ow ya one."

"No problem! I love playing matchmaker! Well, I have to go. Customers and all that, adios."

"Yeah, bye."

Rogue hung up the phone, turning to face Remy. He was shuffling cards from one hand to the other, red-on-black eyes staring directly at her. He was sprawled on the bed, with his ankles crossed, giving her very suggestive looks.

"Well?"

"She says we're finally gettin' somewhere!" Rogue announced happily, climbing onto the bed. He smirked and put the cards on the table, wrapping his arms around his girlfriend.

"Dat's great, chere! What say we," he chuckled, "celebrate?"

Rogue chuckled seductively. "Sounds lahke a plan t' meh."

&&&&&&

New York City was lights and people. That was what Jean liked most about it. She'd always been a people person, so being surrounded by lots of people was nice – once you got control of your telepathy anyway.

Scott took her there directly after they left the restaurant, refusing to stop at the mansion so she could get her wallet. He claimed that he should by things for her, since he was the escort. She had to smile at that, since a quick scan of his mind – it was harmless really – told her he wasn't just saying that because he thought women couldn't pay for things themselves.

The redhead was tempted to scan his mind further, for his feelings on her, but she refrained. That would pass the line of a harmless scan to invading privacy. It was a line she made sure not to cross since she got control of her powers.

She sighed and wrapped the purple scarf around her neck. She really liked it, but it was incredibly expensive. Scott said the professor had given him some money before they left – as he did everyone when they were going out. She wondered if he didn't already know about Scott's plan to take her to New York, but the idea was spontaneous and Xavier didn't get premonitions.

All the same, she had a scarf – paid for in full. She smiled at him, blushing when his boyish grin went from one of the buildings to her. They'd been here an hour already, and not once did he look at another woman – at least not in the lustful sense. It really made her feel special, moreso than Duncan ever did when they were together.

She was about to say something, when her cell phone went off. They both stopped as she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Red!" Amara's voice greeted her on the other end. Jean frowned.

"What did you burn in my room, this time?" she asked immediately.

"Nothing!" the girl denied. "The professor just wanted someone ta call and tell ya dinner'll be ready by the time you get back. So start headin' home."

"Are you sure there was nothing in my room?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Amara's voice was exasperated. "John and I are workin' on Kitty's room right now."

MAGMA! PYRO! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU! THAT WAS, LIKE, MY FAVORITE DRESS!

Jean sighed in relief when she heard the yell. Normally, she would scold them for doing such a thing to anyone's property, but so much of it had been hers lately, she was thankful they were working on someone else's things. Turning to Scott, she smiled apologetically and hung up the phone.

"Looks like it's almost dinner time," she answered the unspoken question. He smiled and shrugged.

"We'll see more sights some other time, yeah?"

"Sounds good," Jean smiled, as he opened his car door for her. "Thank you."

"No problem," Scott said easily, going over to his side. He started the car, and they drove back in silence.

&&&&&&

"How'd th' date go?" Rogue asked when they arrived at the institute.

"It wasn't a date!" Jean quickly denied, though blushed and smiled. "It went great."

Scott blushed as well, shooting her longing looks as she walked up the stairs to change. She was still wearing her scarf, and planned to show it off to the other girls. She knew they would absolutely love it! Jean refused to admit she also wanted to flaunt around that Scott had gotten it for her.

Rogue, Remy, and Scott watched her go. The Cajun was the first to speak when she was out earshot, smirking at Scott.

"Nice scarf, y' get it?"

"Yeah," Scott nodded. "I bought it with the money I brought with me from Hawaii. She thinks it was the money Professor X gave me, but I thought it might mean a little more if I got it with my own."

"Aww," Rogue sniffled slightly and wiped a nonexistant tear from her eye. "That's so sweet!"

"Ow!" Remy yelped when she hit his arm, using just a tad bit of super strength behind the punch. "What dat f'r?"

"Ya nevah buy meh things with yo' own money!" she glared.

"Remy t'ought y' like it when he steal t'ings f'r y'!" he protested. Rogue sniffled dramatically.

"That don't mean a gal don't wanna have somethin' bought fo' her once in a while!" she stalked off for the kitchen.

"Chere? Chere!" Remy shot Scott an I-will-get-y'-f'r-dis-later look, and followed her into the dining area. "C'mon chere, Remy buy y' somet'in' real nice if y' wan' it!"

Scott just laughed. No, those two would never get old.

A/N: Sorry if it's getting kind of crappy. I'm hitting writer's block, so I can't tell you how long it will be before I update again. I just barely managed to think this chapter up! Hopefully it'll pass quickly, but for now – just go along with it please.