Log: Alex and Jean (backdated)

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

When Alex forgets Hank is on a date he runs into Jean in the medlab. They talk and are civil-ish at each other.



t wasn't often that Alex wandered down to the medlab this late at night, but he had the urge to find his big blue older brother, who he knew was getting rather anxious about Dani's upcoming delivery. Not remembering what shift Hank had tonight, he decided to stick his head into the main lab first before checking his room.

Jean was typing away, putting some notes in order when she heard footsteps by the door. "Come in, come in," she called, her mind automatically reaching out for an identification even as she turned towards the newcomer. "What can I do for... Oh, Alex. Hello."

Stopping dead in the doorway, Alex closed his eyes and sighed. Why did he have to remember then that Hank was out on a date with Maddie? Besides, it would be just his luck it was Jean covering his shift. "Sorry if I disturbed you...I'll go now." He moved to turn and make a quick retreat.

"No, you didn't, it's all right. Did you need... ah, Hank. Of course. He's... that is, you know..." Jean fell silent. It was amazing just how off balance this one boy could put her. But then, he was Scott's little brother. And he hated her.

Knowing it would be rude to retreat without responding he stopped and replyed over his shoulder. "Yeah, kind of forgot for a bit there. Again sorry I distrubed you." He wasn't fooled. He knew she was uncomfortable around him, heck he would be too. But that still didn't make Alex actually care.

The venom in his mind was very distracting. Usually he avoided her and she didn't have to face it head on, but there it was now. "Alex," she said, trying to keep the tenseness out of her voice, "can I ask you... Why, Alex? Why are you so... determined to dislike me?"

Giving a small bark of laughter, Alex silently berated himself as he turned to face her. He should have known this was coming. "You hurt my brother, plan and simple. Petty but simple." Hurt him so badly that I had to pick up the pieces before we could properly be brothers again...

"I didn't want to, Alex. I never wanted to hurt him, to leave him. But if I hadn't... If you want simple, there's simple. If I hadn't, you wouldn't ever have gotten to be brothers." She'd given up her life so Scott and the others would live, and he blamed her for it. Lovely. It was just as well she was too tired to really get worked up about it.

Alex nods slowly. "I know that...I said it was petty and I'm not proud of it. But I'm being honest with you, isn't that what you wanted?" He had to bite his bottom lip to not add on anything about her coming back.

Jean sighed, hearing the unvoiced thought anyway. "You're right about that," she said, looking away, "you did say. I can't rightly blame you for telling me what I asked."

Sighing, he moved to lean back against the door frame, closing his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry. I don't...make a practice of hating people. I'm just...also not used to having family. Scott always said I was a mother hen at heart."

"Alex," Jean started, her voice soft, uncertain. She wasn't really sure she wanted to know, but... "What are you going to do if... if Scott and I get engaged again?" If it happened it wouldn't be for quite a while, but...

Keeping his eyes closed, Alex remained silent for a long while. "I...I don't know. But if it makes Scott happy...I'll learn to live with it."

She bit her lip. Well, the admission that it might be possible for him to live with having her in Scott's life was actually progress. "That's what I want, you know - to be able to make Scott happy."

Slowly he opened his eyes to give her a firm look. "Excuse the defensive little brother kicking in...but you better. If you can do that, I can live with it."

She offered him a very small smile at his defensive little brother routine, well aware that he was perfectly serious. "I'll keep that in mind."

Alex nodded slowly, his epression still firm. "I'll you leave to your work then. Again, sorry I disturbed you..."

"Have a good night, Alex."

Nodding once more, Alex turned and left, biting his bottom lip. He's meant everything he had said...and he would live up to his end, if Jean lived up to hers. But now...Lorna was waiting for him and he wasn't one to keep a beautiful woman waiting.