Logan sat at the edge of the lake smoking a cigar. When he smelled the scent of Marie close by. When she was finally close enough he spoke.
"Hey, Marie." Marie walked over to where Logan was sitting and plopped down beside him.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"Maybe because you moved out of Dr. Grey's room?" Logan snubbed out his cigar in annoyance.
"Damn, I see the gossip grapevine is as strong as ever in this place."
"Yeah, Entertainment Tonight could take tips from the students at this school." Logan smiled at Marie's attempt at lightening the mood.
"I'm okay Marie. I'm tough, I'll be fine."
"Yeah, I know your tough, I'm pretty tough too, but even I know, that no matter how tough you are, when you break-up with someone you love…or at least thought you did." Marie looked at Logan out of the corner of her eye to gauge his reaction to her statement. She saw his eyes narrow as he shot her a quick look before facing forward again.
"You saying you didn't love the ice cube?" Marie smiled as Logan asked this question.
"No, not really…not any more than I think you actually love Jean."
"Look kid…"
"No, listen. I loved the idea of Bobby, just as much as I think you love the idea of Jean." Marie paused as she thought about this statement. Frowning a little she turned to face Logan. "No that's not right. I think what I had with Bobby was probably more than what you had with Jean. Because when you think about it…I actually took the time to know him and you never really got the chance to know Jean before you decided that you loved her or should I say the idea of her?" Before Logan could respond Marie continued.
"I mean how do you love someone that you don't actually know?"
"I know…"
"Really?" What do you know about her? I mean really know?" Marie paused as she looked at Logan. "Who was her best friend growing up? Why did she decide to become a doctor? What's her favorite movie, color, food, or music? What do you know about her Logan?
"Look kid, I know a lot about her, she's smart, funny, decent, and loyal to her friends. She would never intentionally hurt anyone…" Logan paused as he hears Marie snort beside him. "What?"
"Tell that to Mr. Summers." Logan took a deep breath before he replied; trying to make sure that he didn't snap at Marie.
"You know that it was the Phoenix that killed Scott and not Jean. Jean wouldn't have ever hurt him." Marie just looked at Logan for a few moments before she responded.
"You and I both know that she had been hurting Mr. Summers since the day she laid eyes on you. Flirting with you in front of him, allowing him to see that she wanted you. Don't you think she knew that it was hurting him and yet she did it any way?"
"You can't help who you are attracted to."
"No, no you can't but you can control how you respond to it. Especially when it's hurting someone that you have claimed to love for the last nine years of your life."
"Marie…"
"No, I'm sorry. I wanted to come out here to make sure you were okay. I shouldn't have said anything else." Marie stood up and patted Logan on the shoulder. "I'll see you later. If you need someone to talk too, I'll be around. Logan watched as she walked away. As she got further away he turned back to the lake thinking about what Marie had said about knowing Jean.
"How well do I know Jean?" Logan snorted. "I know what I need to."
"Scott…"
Scott released Ororo's hand and rose from beside her to walk across the room.
"No, Ro it's true. I was a fucking fool. When I was in lying in that hospital bed I had a lot of time on my hands to do nothing but think. I thought about my relationship with Jean from beginning to end and do you know what I realized? I was always the one making the compromises. I was always the one who had to be understanding, to be patient while she figured out what she wanted or what she needed. I never put my needs first and I realized that I should have…every once and awhile…I should I have. When Logan came along and she started flirting with him, I should have let her know that her behavior was unacceptable. Instead I believed her when she said it was just harmless flirting and that it was all innocent. Innocent…hell, I saw the look in both their eyes. It wasn't innocent and I should have said something then. Instead I did what I always did; allow her to have what she wanted at the expense of myself. I decided then, lying in that hospital bed; never again. I would never allow myself to be taken for granted in that way again. Do you know what else I realized? I realized that I needed to stop defining myself by relationship with Jean, by my role as the leader of the X-Men, and as the dependable teacher and all around nice guy Mr. Summers."
Scott smirked a little at Ro as she started laughing.
"What? What's so funny?" Ro smiled back at Scott.
"All around nice guy? That's some description you have of yourself. Although, I must say it is good to hear that you finally realize that it is okay to put your wants and needs above everyone else's every now and again." Ororo rose from the couch and approached Scott. "Now that you have realized all of that. When are you coming home?"