Author's Notes: This chapter has several references to my story The Girl From Tomorrow. Again, you don't really need to read that story to understand this one overall, but if you haven't read that story then you'll probably not understand some things in this chapter.

Chapter 3

The Boathouse

January 12th, 1999

Jean gently placed Scott's wedding band in her jewellery case and shut the lid. He had a habit of taking it off whenever he washed their dishes, worried that it would fall down the drain. The night of his accident he had forgotten to put it back on. Jean had found it on their kitchen counter. And with the recent turn of events, she really had no choice but to hang on to it for a while.

"Don't lose heart, Jean," the professor said. He, Hank, Kurt and Ororo were there helping to pack some of Scott's belongings to bring back to the mansion.

"I'm trying not to, Professor, especially for my children… But it's hard," Jean said.

"I know, my friend," Ororo said, putting a hand on Jean's shoulder. "But I'm optimistic that all Scott needs is time. His memories will return."

"Thank you, 'Ro," Jean said, embracing her friend. "I wish I had your confidence."

"Ah want a hug too!" Rachel said, standing up and extending her arms from the professor's lap.

"Come here, baby," Jean said, taking her daughter from the professor's arms and giving her a big hug.

"At least Rachel's back to her old self now," Hank said. He was holding baby Nathan in his right arm, while putting some of Scott's books away in a box.

"Yes, when I told her Scott was alright and would be home soon, she seemed to accept it easily enough. Now I just have to dodge her 'when's soon?' questions until I can actually answer them," Jean said, sighing.

"That's not surprising. Rachel's always been a daddy's girl," Kurt said.

Jean chuckled. "You got that right. Whenever I say 'no' to her or try to get her to do something, she usually runs to Scott to get her way. Then amazingly enough, he always ends up getting her to do what I wanted her to do in the first place."

"You'll have that back soon enough, Jean," Ororo said. "This is just a bump in the road for you guys. You've been through too much to let something like this destroy everything you've built."

"Thanks, 'Ro," Jean said. "You know, I wish I'd asked Rachel… the Rachel from the future… a little more about this time in our lives. She never mentioned anything like this happening to our family. I refrained from asking too much, afraid to know too much of the future. Now I wish I had asked more."

"But the Rachel that travelled back through time did specifically mention you and Scott were happily married until the time you supposedly died," Hank said.

"True…" Professor Xavier said. "But you're assuming that Rachel from the future knew how events were to unfold once she travelled back to 1989. On the contrary, her very presence in the past altered the flow of history thereby creating an entirely new chain of incidence that she could not have anticipated."

"An alternate reality," Jean whispered.

"Precisely," the professor said. "Whatever our lives might have been had Rachel not disrupted the space-time continuum… is just that; 'might-have-beens'… Our destinies have changed."

"That's what Rachel was trying to accomplish anyway, was it not? To prevent Jean's death from occurring in the year 2016?" Ororo asked.

"Yes, but Scott's accident could be one of many things that happened in this time that maybe didn't happen in hers. Perhaps, that's why she never mentioned it… because it never happened," Kurt said.

"Regardless, it's happened now and I'm at a loss as to what to do," Jean said, letting down a squirming Rachel.

"What you're doing now is a good start, Jean. Follow the doctor's advice… Let Scott acclimate back to the routine of things. Give his injuries time to heal, and just be there for him and your children," Hank said.

"Thanks, Hank… but I just… I just want to tell him everything! I can't stand the distance between us. He's so aloof and he's worse than I remember him ten years ago," Jean said, the frustration mounting inside her.

"We understand, Jean," Ororo said. "But we have to give him a chance to regain his memories on his own. And think of Rachel… if Scott were to act indifferently towards her, or worse… she would be heartbroken. Let's just give it a little bit of time and reassess our options in a few weeks."

Jean nodded, knowing what her friend said made sense. As much as it hurt her to have Scott act so indifferently towards her, she could handle it… She couldn't handle Rachel being hurt. "You're right, Ororo."

"I've assembled the students earlier this afternoon and debriefed them about Scott. They will not disclose any information to him regarding his life. He'll be fine on that end," Professor Xavier said.

"When will you be bringing him home, Jean?" Kurt asked.

"Just as soon as we finish moving Scott's things back to his old room at the mansion. It's a good thing it's not being used this semester," Jean answered. "Thanks again, 'Ro for watching Rachel and Nathan. You can't imagine what a help you are… And how much it means to me."

"I'm happy to, Jean. I can only imagine what you're going through right now. We're all here for you, my friend," Ororo answered.

"Thank you, everyone," Jean said, through tear-filled eyes.

Three hours later

Mount Sinai Hospital

Jean tentatively knocked on Scott's hospital room door. She wasn't sure what type of welcome to expect. Since that incident several days ago when Scott found out it was the year 1999, he had become so distant towards her. Jean could sense hurt and confusion emanating off him in waves, and she was so tempted to just read his mind. But she would never invade his privacy that way. Their relationship was built on trust, and she would not do anything to compromise that.

After the third knock, Jean heard Scott's voice tell her to "come in." She let herself in and noticed Scott reading a newspaper. His food was in front of him, untouched yet again. The previous day, the nurse complained to Jean that Scott wasn't eating his meals. That really worried Jean because she'd never met anyone who loved to eat as much as Scott.

Jean waited for Scott to acknowledge her presence in some way. He didn't even bother looking up at her. That really annoyed Jean. It made her feel like she'd done something wrong, when all she'd done was spend every waking hour she could with him until he forced her to leave every single day.

"Scott, why are you skipping your meals?" Jean asked, trying to keep a patient tone in her voice.

"Not hungry."

"It's not a matter of being hungry or not. You're recovering from a very serious accident and you need to eat," Jean said, this time letting her exasperation come out in her voice.

Scott looked like he wanted to argue for a moment, but then his expression softened, and he said, "You're right, Jean. I'm sorry I've been difficult. I really haven't had much of an appetite. I'm still struggling with… with… a lot of things."

Jean was heartened to see an expression on Scott that was something other than indifference. She went to sit on the side of his bed and took his hands in her own. "We'll get through this, Scott, I promise."

"We?" Scott asked, looking at Jean skeptically and pulling his hands back.

"Of course…" Jean wasn't sure why Scott appeared so cynical. She was also hurt that he pulled away from her.

"Jean… why do you visit me every day? Ororo, Hank, Kurt, Peter, Raven, the Prof… they've all visited me intermittently… But you… you're here every day like clockwork. I'm sure you have better things to do," Scott said, sounding genuinely perplexed.

"Scott, how could you even ask that? We're… You're my… friend," Jean said, finally deciding on a word that so inaccurately described their relationship. She had to admit to herself, it didn't roll off the tongue well at all. "Where else would I be?"

Scott just raised an eyebrow at her. Jean really didn't like this cynical version of her husband. There was something more to Scott's behaviour. She just couldn't quite put her finger on it. He had never been like this back in 1989, even when they had drifted apart. He had still been friendly with her, albeit guarded. He still chatted with her. Was this just his frustration manifesting at not being able to remember the last ten years? Or was it something more?

"Scott, what's really bothering you?" Jean asked.

Scott didn't answer for the longest time. Jean thought he wasn't going to answer at all until he said, "I just… hadn't expected my life to turn out this way."

"What do you mean, Scott? Turn out in what way? You haven't been told much about your life. Have you remembered something?" Jean asked, confused.

Scott opened his mouth and looked like he was about to say something, then thought better of it and just shrugged. "No, I haven't remembered anything… I just… Never mind… It's nothing."

"No, it's something. I can feel it. Why can't you confide in me?" Jean asked, practically pleaded.

"Don't mind me, Jean… I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I don't want to talk about this anymore," Scott said. And Jean knew it wasn't the right time to push. She'd seen this side of Scott before. It was a rare side to him, but she knew well enough to back off… for the time being.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?" Jean asked.

Scott just shrugged. "When can I go home, Jean?"

"Well… On that, I can give you good news," Jean said, giving Scott a smile, hoping it would improve his mood somewhat. "I'm here to take you home."

An hour later

Scott walked into his bedroom. It definitely didn't look the way he remembered it. But everything in the room seemed to be his. He looked around the sparse bedroom and was saddened by what he saw. He was almost thirty-two years old, yet all he had in his room were a few books, a bed, his clothes and an old Gameboy in the corner that needed dusting. The most eligible bachelor he wasn't!

Scott sat down in the middle of his bed and thought of Jean. He felt like the biggest asshole for how he had treated her. She was being an amazing friend to him, but all he could do was let out his petty frustrations on her. He wasn't being fair to her. But he couldn't help it. It was like waking up and finding out his worst nightmare had come true. Jean was married!

A part of him wanted to ask her about it earlier at the hospital. He wanted to ask her who she had married, when she had married, where she lived… everything. But he also didn't want to know. It hurt just to think about it. It hurt that he no longer stood a chance with her.

Funny enough, when Jean had been single, he had been content enough to hide his feelings from her. He took solace in the fact that, if he had ever found the courage to tell her how he really felt, that perhaps, she'd reciprocate his feelings. Knowing she was still available had sustained him, even though he had been a coward and never did anything about it.

But to find out he missed his chance so completely was a crushing fact he still had a hard time accepting. Had he ever gathered his courage and told her how he felt in the past ten years? Had she gently turned him down? Or had he remained silent the entire time and showed up at her wedding sporting a fake smile pretending he hadn't just died inside?

A long time ago, when Scott asked his brother how he would know if he loved a girl or not, Alex told him, "Scott, if you want this girl's happiness, even if her happiness means you don't get to be happy yourself, then you know you love her." Did he love Jean enough to be happy for her? Even if it meant he'd spend the remainder of his days living an empty life? He knew he did. But it didn't make things any easier for him.

Scott knew his attitude was hurting Jean. He could see it in her eyes at the hospital. They had been close friends once. Perhaps they had even been close friends again prior to his accident. Perhaps that's why she had visited him at the hospital every day.

But then again, he didn't think her husband would allow her to be close friends with another man. Then again, Jean was stubborn and she probably told her husband he had no choice. All Scott knew was that he owed Jean an apology. He didn't really know how to go about it… But he'd figure that out another day. He was tired, and his headache refused to go away.

One Week Later

"What would you like, sweetie?" Jean asked Rachel. They were at the McDonalds in the mall and it was finally their turn to order.

"I wan' chickens and f'ies p'ease!" Rachel said.

So, Jean ordered herself a chicken sandwich and she ordered Rachel a nuggets happy meal. Once they got their order, she found a table for her and the children near the back of the restaurant. It wasn't often Jean took Rachel and Nathan to McDonalds. Not that it mattered to Nathan, he was only three and a half months old.

But Rachel loved junk food too much and Jean didn't want to encourage it by taking her there often. But Jean knew the last week and a half had been difficult for Rachel not being able to see her daddy. So, she wanted to do something that would make her happy, even if it was only temporary.

"Look mommy, I got a howsie in my happy meal!" Rachel said, showing the My Little Pony toy to Jean.

"Yes, and it's pink, just like your favorite color," Jean said, smiling at her daughter.

She wished so much that Scott could be there with them. Scott, being a junk food fanatic, loved McDonalds almost as much as Rachel did. But Scott hadn't regained any memories yet and he didn't know about his family. Jean tried to push the overwhelming sadness aside and tried to remind herself that it was only temporary… Or so she prayed.

She missed her husband so much. She hated sleeping in their large bed alone. She hated tucking her children into bed alone. She hated eating most of her meals without him. She missed their banter, and she missed their intimate conversations. She missed talking about the children with him.

She missed the simple things, like laughing with him, holding his hand, cuddling with him, putting her head on his shoulder… She missed making love with him. Jean realized her eyes were brimming with tears just thinking about Scott. She quickly wiped them away lest she worry Rachel who was growing up to be a very observant girl.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice behind her. "Jean? Jean Grey is that you?"

Jean turned around and was surprised to see an old friend of hers from her modelling days. It was Duncan Matthews! They had dated briefly almost ten years ago. They only went on a handful of dates before Jean broke it off. She had confessed to him that she was in love with someone else – that someone being Scott. He had been very gracious and simply wished her the best.

"Duncan? Oh my God, it's good to see you. How have you been?" Jean asked, standing up and kissing her friend on the cheek.

"Oh, I'm doing fine. And look at you! A mother of two! I assume these little ones are yours?" Duncan asked, pointing to Rachel and Nathan.

"Yes, this is Rachel and her little brother, Nathan. Rachel honey, come say hello to mommy's friend Duncan," Jean said, motioning for Rachel to come closer.

Rachel shyly said, "Hi Duncan."

Duncan just laughed as he took a seat at their table. "Well, isn't she the spitting image of you, Jean!"

Jean chuckled. "So I've been told."

"Where's your husband? Am I stealing his seat?" Duncan asked.

"No, he's… he had an appointment today to see his physiotherapist. He was in a motorcycle accident a couple of weeks ago-"

"My God! I'm so sorry to hear that, Jean! How's Scott now?"

"He's got some gaps in his memories and he's – wait, how did you know I ended up marrying Scott?" Jean asked, remembering clearly that she never mentioned a name to him.

"I did have eyes, even back then, Jean," Duncan laughed. "In the few times I saw you two together I could just tell. You would look at him a certain way, he'd look at you in a similar way… But you both tried so hard not to let the other notice. That's why when you broke up with me I didn't put up much of a fight… I knew I didn't stand a chance."

"Were we that obvious?" Jean asked, a little embarrassed.

"That would be an understatement… But I'm glad to see things worked out for you, Jean. Motherhood suits you," Duncan said, genuinely.

"And what are you doing these days, Duncan?" Jean asked.

"I've taken over my father's company. That pretty much takes up most of my time," he answered.

"Are you married now?" Jean asked.

"Nah… I couldn't find another like you," Duncan said, smiling at Jean.

"Oh, don't say that!"

"I'm kidding… mostly… My fiancée and I called it quits four months ago. She couldn't handle all the time I spent working."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Duncan. But you'll find someone… I have no doubt you're the most eligible bachelor this side of the Atlantic," Jean said, laughing.

Duncan smiled. "Well, at least you think so."

Jean and Duncan chatted for several more minutes. Jean was glad she bumped into him and that he was doing well. A part of her felt guilty for breaking up with him the way she had. It's not that she regretted breaking up with him, it was that she felt bad for having even dated him in the first place.

She had used him as a means to forget Scott back when she had no idea he was interested in her. And if she were honest with herself, she had started dating him in hopes that Scott would feel jealous. Jean had to admit, and she felt ashamed, that she could be petty too… But seeing Duncan again, seemingly happy and not holding a grudge, eased her conscience.

At the same time

Scott had just finished his physiotherapy session at the clinic near Mount Sinai. Hank had dropped him off earlier that day, but Scott told him he wanted to stretch his legs for a bit and that he'd make his way back home on his own. Hank looked like he wanted to argue at first, but at the end, he probably figured it was a simple enough request from Scott.

So, Scott made his way to the mall. He really didn't need to buy anything. He was just tired of being cooped up at the mansion where everyone seemed to carefully watch what they said around him. He knew they were only doing what they felt was best for him, but it made him feel like an outcast. He wanted to go back to teaching as soon as possible, but the students were on a reading break for a week, so he really didn't have much to do.

He also wasn't quite healed enough to hit the gym or do any danger room exercises. Jean would come by every day just to spend time with him. He still hadn't managed to offer her an apology for the way he had treated her those first few days. He also hadn't gathered enough courage to ask her about her life the last ten years. She didn't live at the mansion, so she obviously lived with her husband somewhere. Scott figured the first step to moving on with his life was to face facts and just find out everything about her.

Scott decided he was a little hungry and was in the mood for a burger and fries. After days of eating hospital food, then more days eating nothing but healthy food that Jean kept bringing for him at the mansion… He decided a trip to McDonalds was in order. Scott finally saw a glimpse of the famous golden arches and sped up even more. When he was close enough and about to enter, he saw a woman with a mane of red hair that he'd recognize anywhere. It was Jean!

But she wasn't alone. With her sat a man about Scott's age with dirty blonde hair, wide shoulders, wearing a blue shirt with blue jeans. Scott had seen the man somewhere before… Yes, he remembered. His name was Duncan Matthews. He was Jean's friend. They had modelled for the same agency. Was that her husband? He remembered the last time he saw them together, it was obvious the man had been attracted to Jean. Did they end up marrying in the last ten years? If he recalled, the man was filthy rich. Jean definitely could have done worse.

But then Scott's eyes were drawn to a small child and a little baby. The sight of them took his breath away. The little girl with red hair and expressive eyes could only be Jean's daughter. There was no doubt in his mind. She was a very pretty, adorable little girl, Scott had to admit. He couldn't see the baby very well, but the outfit he was wearing led Scott to believe it was a baby boy. The family before him looked so happy… almost picture perfect.

Was this what dying inside felt like? Scott hadn't realized until that very moment that the sight before him was the life he had always yearned for but was too afraid to admit even to himself. He suddenly found it hard to breathe. What was wrong with him? He'd known since almost the time he woke up from his coma that Jean had married. Why did seeing her with children upset him so much? He had to confess to himself, that in the deep recesses of his heart, he wished they were his children too.

Scott turned around and walked away from the scene. He was no longer hungry and just wanted to get away as far as he could. If that wasn't a sign from God that he needed to move on with his life, he didn't know what was. He needed to put Jean out of his mind. He needed to regain his memories and make something of himself. But most of all, he needed to find a way to pick up the pieces of his broken heart and put them back together again.

To be continued…