Scott and Jean

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

After returning home from an impromptu conference Jean receives an unexpected visitor.

Jean muffled a yawn with her fist as she made her way down the hallway toward her room, dragging a suitcase behind her. She'd learned to travel light for conferences and had managed to condense the extent of a weekend in one small bag that qualified as carry on. She had been pretty busy the past month or so and would've turned out the group that had asked her to speak had she not known the chairman for the past 10 years. While it was work, it was a change of pace to just focus on the political side of things again briefly. The conference had gradually degenerated as some of the people in the crowd started throwing in thinly veiled anti-mutant questions regarding the law, but it eventually got back on track, barely.  Once it was over she's skipped the usual post-conference drinks and headed home. She didn't have the patience to really deal with the usual discussions.
 
Her hair, pulled a little too tight into a ponytail, came free with one simple tug and she shook her head, a wash of red curls spilling down her back.  She stopped at her door as the door knob turned on its open and the lights came on. She wandered in, leaving her suitcase by the door for the moment and slipped off her coat.  She caught sight of herself in the mirror, the hint of dark circles under her eyes covered up by makeup peeking through.
 
Movement from the bed behind her in the mirror caught her attention and she turned around to find a cat on the bed, its take flicking back and forth. But it wasn't just any cat. 
 
"What in the world..."  she said, reflexively drawing closer before stopping herself.  Surely she wasn't hallucinating. Because that would be very bad.
 
Scott smiled to himself as he watched Jean enter their suite; it had been too long since he'd seen her, phone calls and skype just weren't enough. He had just arrived back at the mansion and intended to surprise Jean when she arrived back from her trip. Her shock at seeing Desdemona on the bed gave Scott the opportunity to slip out from behind the curtain where he had been hiding and wrap his arms around her from behind. "Hello stranger" he murmured in anticipation of Jean's surprise.
 
Jean drew in a breath, soft and quick, reflexively tensing but quickly relaxing at the sound of his voice. She took in the smell of aftershave and leather, and it made her close her eyes, a smile appearing across her lips. 
 
"Hi," she whispered, her eyes still closed as she rested her head against his. She laughed.
 
"You're a bit early for Thanksgiving."
 
Scott couldn't help but laugh. "Or I'm very late for last year's holiday" he teased tightening his grasp and relishing the feeling of holding his wife in his arms again.
 
Jean grinned. "Better late than never," she said, reaching up to put her hand on his cheek.
 
"The others'll be glad to see you." It'd be nice to have him down to visit for something other than a catastrophe.
 
Scott raised his hand to cover Jean's, "Well I would have been here sooner, but the traffic was terrible." He span her round to look into her eyes "Just the others?" he inquired. "See there was this certain red-headed doctor who I haven't been able to get out of my mind recently."
 
Jean tilted her head, perfectly deadpan as she gasped. "You mean...Amelia? Scott, why didn't you tell me?" she said. She held the look for moment or two before bursting into an amused grin.
 
She leaned in to kiss him.  "Me...I keep having the same problem with some guy who lives in California.  Tall fellow. Square jaw. Incredibly handsome."
 
Scott blinked in surprise before returning Jean's kiss. Surfacing for air Scott raised a hand to tip up Jean's chin, "You look exhausted love" he said with concern examining the bags under her eyes. "When was the last time you took a break?"
 
Jean lowered her eyes, silent for a moment or two before managing a tired smile. Of all the people to lie to. She could manage it with the others, not...lie but at least avoid the question, the truth of things, but not him. At least, most of the time.
 
"I still haven't been sleeping very well," Jean said softly.
 
"I took a break from the medlab after I told you what happened with Vanessa but...it's been non stop busy. Missions...conferences...Adrienne, Warren and Jean-Paul kidnap me occasionally to force me to take breaks. I try. It's just...hard to stop. I don't think I know how."
 
Scott grinned weakly while pulling Jean in to a hug. "Aww honey, you know you don't need to do everything yourself." Scott smiled as he heard himself, "What a pair we make eh. Neither of us can stop, can we?" He looked around the suite, "Ok, I'm taking you out tonight; you really need to just get out of here for a bit."
 
Jean rested her chin on his shoulder, her arms wrapped around him like if she let him go he'd disappear.
 
"It's easier said than done. I think I've been around you too long. Adapted your work ethic," she said with a quiet chuckle, reaching out to run her fingers through his hair, smiling more than she had in awhile.
 
"Where did you have in mind? This is really happening, right? I'm not just having an overly elaborate fantasy?"
 
Keeping one arm around her waist Scott started pulling Jean towards the door. "No I'm all in your head, might as well make the most of me while you can" he teased. "I've been gone for a while honey, so you get to choose. Somewhere nice, my treat", he said; all the while keeping his arm around her waist.
 
Jean didn't reply to his joke, her wall across the link stiffening somewhat as she smiled. "I'm tired of bars and restaurants. Central Park maybe? We could get a hot dog from the vendor."
 
Scott looked at Jean in surprise, "Jean, is everything alright?" he asked, his worry showing on his face.
 
Glancing down, Jean shook her head. "I'm sorry. Just...tired." 
 
The last time he was in her mind hadn't gone very well...Even if it wasn't really him, it was still his face,  blood spilling from his neck, his body hitting the water.  She knew he hadn't meant that at all. She hadn't meant to think of it when he said it, hadn't wanted to. It just happened. Apparently she was all about storm clouds lately.
 
Scott looked at her with concern, "If you're sure you're ok?" he hedged as he picked up his jacket from the bed.
 
Jean smiled softly. "I'll manage," she said, then nodded toward the door. She didn't want to ruin the moment.
 
"Shall we?"
 
"Your carriage awaits," Scott smiled as he ushered Jean out of the door. "Central Park and hotdogs, how I've missed New York".
 
"A carriage too? I feel like Cinderella. And just in time for a glimpse of predictably early Christmas lights," Jean said. She hadn't really needed to change much since she was still wearing a jacket and warmer clothing.
 
"So how long are you staying?"  She knew his work at the WCA left him unable to be around for much longer than a few days at a time when he was able to come down.
 
"Only the best of course" Scott replied, "What fairytale rescue is complete without a trusty steed", He continued as he put on his jacket. "Well, between one thing and another I figured I'd at least stick around here till you threw me out", Scott laughed. 
 
"On a steel horse you ride?" Jean mused with a wry grin, then shrugged. "If I had my way you'd be staying permanently."
 
But she knew what the dream required. She was willing to be patient, even if she didn't like being away from him. It'd been almost a year and a half.
 
"Well, your wish is my command, I there must be a reason for me to have packed all my stuff" Scott replied. "And I always thought I'd make a good desperado" he grinned at Jean.
 
Jean smirked. "I suddenly know what to get you for Chri--" she stopped mid-stride, blinking at him like he'd suddenly turned polka dotted. "I--what? You're serious?"
 
"Have you ever known me not to be?" Scott asked, delighted at Jean's response.
 
Jean continued to blink, for a moment speechless before she laughed. She threw her arms around him, shoving him against the wall, and kissed him for a good long while before finally stopping for air.
 
"Let's skip Central Park for now. I think I found the best view," she said as she reached out for his hand, nodding back toward their bedroom with every look of intention in her eyes.