Chapter 21

Life With Cyclops

Disclaimer: I thought I would do something that involved the X-Men to a certain extent for a chapter, especially in the aftermath of Jean's involvement with a certain email, Kitty, and Lance. Craig 'Darkstar' Allman-Starr belongs to L1701E!

Ever since the revelation Jean had encouraged Kitty to send a certain email to Lance several months ago, life had become different for one Scott 'Cyclops' Summers. To begin with, he had ended up breaking it off with Jean as he had had trouble dealing with what she'd done and later, decided to leave what had been his home for years following graduation. And once her parents had found out about what she had done, had decided that once graduation had come and gone, that she was to finally return home to them. Something she wasn't all that happy about but ultimately complied with their wishes since life in the Mansion was rather strained for one reason or another. Kitty's life had also ended up being uprooted after the Professor had decided to call in her parents to discuss how best to deal with everything regarding her decisions or rather, her inability to choose between boys. Leading to her finding out the horrible truth that her parents are divorcing, that her father's gay, and the home she had originally was no longer going to be around following the divorce.

Culminating in the decision that ultimately, she was no longer allowed to date for the forseeable future until she had done some maturing. This, and the permanent separation of her parents had left Kitty greatly unhappy and even Peter was a bit put out by it all. If only because of his feelings for her and ultimately led to him choosing to finally return to his home country of Russia due to also having a case of home sickness and taking up an invitation to join the Winter Guard there shortly after returning. Scott, as graduation came closer, had started to think more about his life and when he ended up in a conversation with his brother about the whole thing, had realized he should take some time away from the Mansion. The home he'd known for a considerable number of years in his life and while the Professor wasn't too enthused, he did understand and told Scott he was always welcome to come back if he so chose. And once the time came, Scott took off for Hawaii to be with his brother and not worry all that much about various issues like the team dynamics without him or Jean as part of them.

Of course, it had taken a bit of time for Scott to adjust to Alex's home town considering it was a little on the weird side and surprisingly accepting of Mutants but gradually, he got adjusted to it. Now, the one thing Scott could've done without was when he had to deal with the genetically modified hunter by the name of Reeve Jerwin when he and his brother had gone to Florida for a Surf tournament. Reeve being someone a number of people were after thanks to his faking his own death some time ago after Zartan had shot him as a means of punishment for trying to take two of his without first talking to him about it and getting them in jail in the process. Not knowing the man would survive being shot thanks to his tough skin per what he'd done to himself. Reeve had been in the area in an effort to try and stop people from going to the Beaches and as well as no longer having anything to do with Surfing primarily for the Hell of it.

But thanks to Scott, his brother Alex, and a girl by the name of Lee Forrester the boys had met in Florida, Reeve had been stopped and forced to go on the run once again before the Authorities could get him. Lee, as Alex would tease his older brother about, had taken to flirting with Scott soon after the two had met as well. And despite his feelings for Jean, had found himself flirting back on occasion and was relieved by the fact that Lee wasn't willing to turn away from him just because he's a Mutant. Of course, a number of people in Florida after stopping Reeve would end up becoming more Pro-Mutant thanks to the Summers brothers' involvement in stopping the man. Even if some did recognize Scott thanks to his time with the X-Men. "Bro, Lee wants to be alone, with you, on her boat. Should totally go for it." Alex told his brother later that night following the end of that day's events with Reeve and the tournament.

Scott naturally seemed uncertain about that, even as he watched Lee make her leave with a sway to entice him. "I dunno, man…"

"I get it, you still got major feelings for Jean but you broke it off after the gnarly stuff she pulled. Said feelings kept you from goin' for it with other girls and I think you owe it to yourself to finally not hold yourself back. Lee's interested, you're clearly interested, so just go for it, bro. Even if it doesn't lead to anything serious." Encouraged Alex.

Realizing his brother is right, even if part of him did feel like it was a betrayal were Jean is concerned, Scott made a decision then and there. "You know what… You're right."

"Darn right, I'm right, bro!" Cheered his brother, whom would cheer even louder as Scott ran off after Lee.

And when he next saw his older brother and Lee, both would be smiling and Alex would have a huge grin on his face over the whole thing. Even if it did earn him an eyeroll or two from his big bro but hey, that was alright with him!

Meanwhile, In Stamford, Connecticut

"Oh, looks like we've got some new neighbors a few houses down from us!" Elaine Grey declared cheerfully as she came into the Grey home.

"And one of them looks to be your age, girls." She added seconds later.

Causing Jean and her somewhat younger sister, Sara, to decide to go outside and take a look. "Oh, he is cute." Sighed Sara as she took in the boy helping unload a U-Haul Truck.

"Looks like trouble to me." Frowned Jean as she took notice of his attire and got a scowl from her sister.

"I'm gonna go say hi and you really shouldn't be judging right off the bat. After all, judging is partly what made mom and dad bring you home."

And with that, Sara was on her way to see the new neighbors with her scowling sister following shortly afterwards. Up close, Sara would find the boy, even with his odd Star shaped birthmark on his right eye, to be rather cute while Jean was trying not to be too judgmental of him. "Hey there, I'm Sara and this is my older sister, Jean."

"I'm Craig." Grunted the boy.

"You'll have to forgive my little brother, his social skills are pretty stunted." Came a teasing female voice from the doorway of the home.

"Name's Philippa and you girls bein' the first to greet us has made me feel really welcomed." The Short haired woman with Black and Purple highlights in her hair and a nose ring told them while Craig grunted a response at her.

"And we're happy to welcome you to the neighborhood." Jean told her warmly as her sister decided to engage Craig in conversation while he grabbed a box handed to him from a man inside the U-Haul.

Whom the girls would learn is Philippa's boyfriend and is a Comanche by the name of John Greycrow.

Author's Notes: Now that, was honestly fun to do!