Scott sat in the observation chamber of the Danger Room reviewing video of the last team session. He liked what he was seeing; the team was finally coming together, working as a cohesive unit. Scott allowed himself a small smile as he took notes on what improvements could be made, particularly what could be done to better protect Rogue, but overall he was happy with the way things were going. As he heard the door to the observation room open he turned his head to see Ro standing in the doorway. Pulling out the chair next him; he motioned for her to join him.
"Scott, I thought we decided to do this later?"
"We did. I just couldn't wait. Today's session is one of the best we've had in a long time and I wanted to go over it and get my thoughts down regarding improvements as soon as possible."
"I agree it was a good session. What improvements do you think need to be made?"
"Well the main one has to do with Rogue. Since her powers are only effective in direct contact; we need to make sure that she is not left vulnerable to a remote attack. Also, we don't know if she'll ever come up against someone who is immune to her powers, so I think we need to schedule her for a few more self-defense sessions a week. I want her to be able to take on anyone in hand to hand combat." Ro nodded as Scott voiced his opinions regarding Rogue. "I've also been thinking about training her to fly the Blackbird. That day at lake, she did a pretty brave thing, getting the jet to us like that. I want to train her just in case; in case something ever happens and neither one of us is able to fly us out of a sticky situation. I also wanted to know what you think about Warren. Do you think he would be good for the team; with the proper training of course?
"I hadn't really thought of Warren joining the team. But perhaps, with the proper training as you say, we should give him a try. As for training Rogue to fly the Blackbird, yes I think that's a great idea. I also agree we need to do a better job of making sure that she is not left open to an attack and I think giving her extra self-defense training will only be beneficial in the long run. Are you going to over see these sessions?"
"I'll oversee some of the training; but I would like for Logan to oversee part of her training as well. His fighting experience would really benefit Rogue. I know she has a lot of him in her head but if he can reinforce what she has absorbed from him with hands on training; I would feel a lot better. I'll speak with them both tomorrow regarding the extra sessions." Scott looked over at Ro tried to smother a laugh. "What?"
"Nothing, I'm just a little surprised that you think Logan has anything of value to offer." Scott smiled in response.
"Yes, well just because I think the man's a Neanderthal and a complete ass, doesn't mean that I don't recognize his value to the team."
"A Neanderthal and an ass?" Ro laughed out loud. "Well that is certainly a high opinion you have of him." Scott laughed as well.
"What can I say; I'm feeling pretty generous today." Ro smiled teasingly at Scott.
"Just today? You've been in a pretty good mood for the last couple of weeks. In fact, I would say since your spending time with Alison."
"Well things have been going pretty well since then. Everything is just falling into place, finally."
"What do you mean?"
Just that everything is going well. I had a good time with Alison while she was here and we parted on good terms. The team is on track, classes are going well and Jean has finally accepted that we are over." Ro gave Scott a look of surprise.
"What do you mean, you and Alison parted on good terms and Jean's accepted that you are over?"
"I mean that Alison and I decided that while we had fun together, it wasn't something that was going to last, so we decided that we were better off being friends. As for Jean, she has finally backed off; haven't you noticed that she's been keeping her distance lately?" Ro nodded.
"Yes, but I think you're a little confused as to the reasons." Scott frowned, but Ro continued before he could speak. "Jean is not giving up on you or your relationship. She and I discussed it and I convinced her that she needed to give you some time. Then perhaps later, after the two of you had gotten to know each other again, then perhaps things would work out between you." Scott groaned.
"Oh, Ro. God. I'm glad you got her to back off; but I wish you wouldn't have encouraged her to think that any amount of time passing is going get us back together. My relationship with Jean is in the past and I am not going back to it." Ro and Scott sat in silence for a few moments before Scott spoke again. "Perhaps this will work out; with her backing off maybe she will realize that our not being together is for the best."
"Do you really think that's going to happen?" Scott nodded.
"Yes, Jean just needs time to accept that we are over. Once she does that she will start moving on again. She's a strong, independent woman and she won't allow herself to waste her time on what may have been, she'll move forward with her life."
Jean sat out in the garden recuperating from the day's Danger room session and wondering how to get past this stalemate with Scott. She would never listen to Ro again. Just give him space, give him time. Well she had done that. She had gone back out into that club that night and let her worries about their relationship or lack of, recede. She had managed to have a good time by simply sitting back, enjoying the music and watching the crowd and look where it had gotten her, absolutely no where. Scott had spent the next couple of nights returning to town to visit his friend. Jean snorted. Friend her ass. She knew better than anyone the way Scott behaved after sex. The slight relaxation of his usually stiff demeanor, the way he smiled a little more and the way he allowed things that would usually irritate him to no end, slide. She and Scott weren't any closer now then they had been a few weeks ago and she was a smart woman and she realized that perhaps, just perhaps that the time had come for her to give up on Scott.
God, sometimes it hurt being so smart.