Jean and Scott

[x-jeangrey.livejournal.com]

Just a brief holiday loglet before dinner... Finally you get to meet the little old lady with the quilts.



Annabelle was dusting when she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. It was a quiet weekend, only that nice couple from Maryland and young Mr. Summers and his girlfriend, but Annabelle liked to know what was going on with all of their patrons, so she poked her head out into the hallway.

Jean smiled politely as she saw Mrs. Ruthledge appear at the end of the hall. "Evening," she said. "We're just going out for dinner. Have any new restaurants opened recently?"

"No, just the same as always," Annabelle told them. "Not much changes around here. I think it's part of the charm, really. Well, you two have fun." She smiled brightly, giving Jean the impression that she was smiling at Scott and Jean just sort of happened to be there.

Scott was not going to laugh. Really. #You know, I really wish I did know why she doesn't like you... I know, I know, a combination of factors, but it's really quite funny.#

Jean waved at Mrs. Ruthledge as the headed out the door, shutting it firmly behind her so the old lady wouldn't scold her again about wasting energy. "Sure, you think it's funny. She likes you." She half pouted at him. "Did I tell you she thinks of me as 'the girlfriend'? I'm not even sure she knows my name."

"Well, then, at least we know that in this small corner of the world the natural order of things is reversed," Scott said cheerfully. "Everywhere else, I'm Doctor Grey's boyfriend, after all..."

"Except when we go play pool, and then you're 'that guy with the silly glasses the hot chick is inexplicably dating who I could totally kick his ass after I've had another couple beers'. And at least most of the people who think of you as my boyfriend know who you are. I caught a look at their reservation book once - even if I'm the one who makes the call she still puts us down as 'Scott Summers plus one'."

Scott kept trying, very hard, not to snicker. "It's cute. Come on. You have to admit that."

Normally there would be rib poking, but his ribs were still pretty colors, so instead she just wrapped an arm around his waist. "I admit it, I do. It's cute, and also really funny. Just also weird."

"So where are we going for dinner?" Scott asked contentedly. It was a beautiful evening, so they'd decided to walk. Not that anything was very far from anything else around here. "The French place was nice. I remember liking it..."

"I'm agreeable," Jean said. "It's just down the main street..." which was actually named 'Main street' to Jean's perpetual joy.

"Funny how often we come back here, don't you think?" Scott asked. "Same little picturesque small town... most people would go into the city for a weekend."

"The city is... the city. It's hectic. It's noisy. God, is it noisy." Jean shook her head. "There are good points to it, but... It's quiet out here, and simple. It's nice. Very relaxing. And, of course, there are the quilts."

"Have we ever tried me asking her if we could buy one?" Scott asked whimsically. "I can't remember."

Jean blinked at him. "That would be too easy," she said drolly. "Besides, then we'd have to find another excuse to come out here because, with us, just wanting to get away never seems to be enough."

"My fault," Scott said a bit wistfully. "You'd think I wouldn't need more reason than just getting away with you..."

"Maybe," Jean said with a half shrug, "but the bit where I get to convince you is usually very fun, so I don't mind."

"It is, isn't it?" Scott paused in front of a storefront, gazing at the various stained glass creations displayed inside. "Always liked this store," he mused.

Jean rested her head on his good shoulder, looking in at the displays, smiling. It was wonderful to not have anywhere they needed to be or anything they needed to do. Just a chance to stop and enjoy the peace.

"They've got a mobile!" Scott said suddenly, blinking. He looked at her with a grin. "Look. Baby gift?"

She laughed. "Let's find out if they've got two?" she asked, pushing open the door.

In fact, the store had more than two. Choice was the enemy, Scott mused several minutes later. "I like the birds for Rachel," he said. "But what do you think - the dragonflies or the stars for Billy?"

"I'm thinking the dragonflies," Jean said consideringly. "The stars are lovely, but I like the colors on the other better. Also, I found this for Meggan." She held up a delicate, blown glass girl worked in green.

Scott smiled. "She'll love it," he said. "She's such a sweet kid. Especially after everything she's been through..."

"She really is. They're all good kids, at heart, but it's much easier to find that heart on some of them."

Setting the mobiles down carefully, Scott wandered over to take a look at a rack of suncatchers. One reminded him of Jean's phoenix-necklace, and he smiled, lifting it down to take a closer look.

Jean smiled at the clerk who was carefully wrapping the chosen pieces.

"You folks don't live around here, but I think I've seen you before. In town on a vacation?"

"Yes, we really love it here. It's a wonderful area."

He wished he could tell what color it was. Still, it was beautifully done, and... well, he thought she'd like it. "Something for our window?" he asked, coming over with it in its hands and handing it to the clerk.

Jean breathed in, stunned by the gorgeous work. "Oh, wow. Scott, it's beautiful." Her hand lifted to touch the necklace it matched, and she smiled at him, a 'you are absolutely the most wonderful person in the world' smile that left even the clerk blinking.

Scott's brain stuttered again. If he wasn't already wearing sunglasses... "Just... caught my eye," he said, unable to help a slightly silly smile in return.

"Love you very, very much." Jean leaned over to kiss Scott as the clerk looked on bemused.

"You are a very, very lucky young man," the clerk said when he thought there was a chance Scott might be thinking again.

Scott managed something in reply, but it wasn't particularly coherent. He did manage to get out his credit card to pay the man, though. #Hurray for public displays of affection,# he sent a bit disjointedly to Jean, still grinning foolishly.

#Indeed.# Jean smiled sweetly at the clerk before taking the bag. "Thank you, and have a nice evening."

"You too, folks." Not that they're likely to need much encouragement. Jean managed not to giggle.