How To Save a Life

Summary: Jean tends to Scott's wounds.

Once in the med lab, Jean tended to Scott's wounds. Luckily for him, it wasn't anything serious, mostly scratches and cuts. Jean did relish the fact that she had a reason to physically touch Scott. But she still scolded Scott for his recklessness.

"Oh my God Scott, what in the world were you thinking?"

"I was trying out a different simulation."

"Well it almost caused you your life. I'm just glad I was there."

"Yeah, lucky for me… look can I go now?"

"You're not going anywhere. I want to keep you here over night."

"No."

"Doctors orders."

"You said I was fine. Look, I tell you what. I promise I'll take it easy the next few days okay." Scott said standing up but stumbling and almost falling. He had to hold on to the table to keep his balance.

"Like I said, I'm keeping you here overnight."

"I don't like hospitals or med labs, I'm sure you can understand. I get it I'm not 100 percent. I promise I'll rest up in the Lake House."

Jean thought for a second and gave in. He wasn't seriously hurt and just needed a few days rest. Jean helped Scott upstairs and guided him to a golf cart, where Jean drove him to the Lake House and helped him inside on the sofa.

"I like what you done to the place." Jean commenting on the work he put into the Lake House. Before Scott moved in, it was just a place of storage and a lot of touch ups had to be done on the walls and on the floors, but Scott managed to work thought it and patched things up. She turned around and Scott was already fast asleep.

Jean came by the next day, and true to his word Scott was taking it easy. And no surprise for Scott, he was still closed off and 5 minutes passed before there was an awkward silence and Jean left. Jean was still determined to get through to Scott. She came by the next day and was greeted by the same response. The day after that, Jean was busy with her classes and grading that she did not go check up on Scott until later the next evening.

"Hey Scott, I brought you some food."

"I already had dinner."

"Oh, well I'll just put it in the fridge." She said as she opened the fridge door. "So how are you feeling?"

"Much better, you really don't have to come here anymore."

"It's okay Scott, I don't mind."

"No, really don't come by."

"Scott !"

"Thank you for getting me out of the danger room and with the whole Stryker thing, but please no more."

"What're you talking about?"

"Seeing if I'm okay… I know what you're doing Jean so please just let it go."

"Let what go?"

"This notion that you're going to get through to me or something like that. I told you guys everything that happened, I'm sure you don't need specifics, just use your imaginations to fill in the blanks."

"You were missing for over 2 years and just a few days ago you gambled your life in the Danger Room… I know how hard everything must be.."

"You have no idea what I've been through, so don't act as if you do."

"Well maybe if you tell me, I could understand."

"You would like that, wouldn't you?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're really something you know that Jean.. I figured by now you and Logan would be planning the wedding… he's been volunteering for a lot of solo missions lately, no wonder I haven't seen him around .. I guess you have that effect."

"Why .. why are you trying to be so mean?"

"I'm not being mean.. I'm being honest.. and the truth is .. you're still hung up on .. Scott.. Summers.." he said standing up.

"…."

"I knew it."

"Scott… you've been through a lot.. we get it .. I get it .. no one said this was going to be easy.."

"No.. you don't get it .. none of you do .. This notion that the old Scott Summers will come back.. it's not going to happen .. you know why?"

Jean took a shot. "Why?" She said softly.

"Because Scott Summers is dead." He said plainly.

"Scott, what're you talking about .. we ran every possible …"

"You of all people should know .. he did die in your arms.. I have his body .. his memories and I accept his name because it is all I know. But Scott Summers is dead, his soul is gone. He died that day.. I'm just.. I'm just what's left… and you want to know what's going on in here.. nothing .. absolutely nothing.. and so I do s like go to the Danger Room.. get my ass kicked.. cuz it seems that pain is the only emotion that I feel.. I told you to kill me that night.. you should've killed me."

"You have people here who care about you .. I care about you."

"That was your first mistake… he meant what he said you know.. before he died.. he really did want you to be happy. It was a noble thing for him to do, considering you cheated and lied to him."

Jean was fighting back the tears, but not doing a very good job at it.

"I .. I never did anything physical with Logan…"

"Oh course not." Scott interrupted. "I remember it all" Scott said, tapping his temple. "I guess that's more original than that whole online cyber thing."

"It was a mistake,.. I know !" Jean screamed in tears. "I thought I was going to spend my life with you and then there was the registration act then Magneto… everything was happening so fast and then Logan came and he just made me question things.. made me had doubts and I was weak I know that now ! But Scott I love you, I do .. I do."

"It's not love Jean, it's guilt and some blind sense of honor you have because he took the bullet for you and died in your arms that day. But he was actually glad he got shot. It was finally his release you know .. I remember how it was like for him before the he arrived at Xavier's .. the plane crash, the orphanages, foster homes.. the streets and he found comfort here at the mansion.. well at least for a time before he was ultimately used and betrayed again. Such a shame.. Scott Summers was a good guy.. you're doctor.. you know how to save a life.. I wish you could've saved his.. he's dead, just cuz I'm here doesn't change anything so I will finish what he started .. .. release you of any guilt that you had that you still carry it with you .. it's not love for Scott Summers, it's pity and that's something he never wanted or deserved .. so let it go."

Jean couldn't hold back the tears now. His words ripped at her soul and she grew anger and sad all at the same time because what he said was true. "You're .. you're right .. you're not Scott.. he would never say such things.. he would never be so cold hearted and vindictive .. I should be mad at you but you're right .. haha (forcing a laugh).. you're right about everything .. but thank you though.. thank you I can move on now." Jean said as she grabbed her jacket and started to make her way out the door.

"Glad I could help." Scott responded coldly.

"But you're wrong about one thing." Jean turned around before stepping out the door. Wiping her face, "I loved you.. I never pitied you but the man I loved, the Scott Summers I knew was an honest and decent man, a fighter and a survivor who held his head high even in the face of death.. you are most certainly not him and you certainly don't deserve to be called by his name." Jean stated as Jean ran off, but Scott's words reverberated in her head.

Jean Grey was a doctor as well as superhero. One day, she is out saving the world, the next saving lives, if only she could save her own.

Step one you say we need to talk

He walks you say sit down it's just a talk

He smiles politely back at you

You stare politely right on through

Some sort of window to your right

As he goes left and you stay right

Between the lines of fear and blame

And you begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

Let him know that you know best

Cause after all you do know best

Try to slip past his defense

Without granting innocence

Lay down a list of what is wrong

The things you've told him all along

And pray to God he hears you

Where did I go wrong, I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

As he begins to raise his voice

You lower yours and grant him one last choice

Drive until you lose the road

Or break with the ones you've followed

He will do one of two things

He will admit to everything

Or he'll say he's just not the same

And you'll begin to wonder why you came

Where did I go wrong (where did I go wrong), I lost a friend

Somewhere along in the bitterness

And I would have stayed up (I would of stayed up) with you all night

Had I known how to save a life

- The Fray

Halfway back to the house and Jean stopped by a group of trees, exhausted physically and emotionally. She buried her head in her hands and let it all go.

To Be Continued . . .

Author's Note: Forgive any grammatical mistakes, I was rushed in proofing the story. I told myself that I would finish up my other story "Start of Summer" first, but then a little song called "How To Save a Life" by the Fray entered my life. It fit almost exactly to this scene, which I had in my head when I actually wrote "Cry Your Name" the prequel to this story. Having the song play constantly on my ipod, I just had to get this story done. By the way, the next chapter is already written, I just need to proofread it.