The children copped as best as they could, and in time as teenagers manage to do, set their minds to different things. It’s not that they forgot, or even pretended to, they would always remember her, but with their own mutations and problems they moved on quickly.
This angered Scott, the room that he once shared with jean, bright and clean was dark, the curtains always closed, and damaged. He would get so angry he’d punch holes in the walls, smash anything in sight. He only did this in privacy, and although the students knew he had a hard time dealing with his grief, they were unaware of his anger.

4 months after Alki Lake the Professor called a meeting , informing the staff not to give up hope, that he still felt Jeans presence, it was an unusual link the two shared, and the professor was sure he could still feel something. Most were confused, but living in a world with mutants not much surprised any of them. Scott became obsessed, asking the professor again and again if he had any luck, and although the professor spent endless time with cerebo the answer was the same every time,
“I’m sorry Scott, I’ve tried but it seems I am not strong enough, perhaps if there was another telepath to help me I could do something…”
the professor continued to try and explain but at that point Scott had blocked him out.

“Not without you…I cant” Scott cried on his bedroom floor whilst looking desperately looking at a picture of Jean. It had been a further 3 months since Scott had his conversation with the professor, during that time all he did was research . Research into finding a strong telepath to help him. On that night he received a phone call, one that gave him hope.
“So you agree to my terms?”
He paused, running through a plan in his head.
“Yes…how long will it take you to get here?”
“A week. I imagine Xavier is unaware of our deal?”
“Well yes, I haven’t thought that part through yet”
“No need, tell him you are paying me a large some of money. I will take my “payment” two days before I come to the institute”
“Hang on a minute, how do I know you’ll come, after you’ve got what you wanted, what’s my insurance?”
“My word”
“I’m going to need a bit more than that”
“Mr summers I will remind you that you contacted me, that you are the one betraying people, and that you are the one who needs my help. So I think you are in no position to be questioning my trust”
Another pause, Scott was sweating…
“Very well. I’ll see you in week”
“I’ll contact you before hand , to make the arrangements.”
Scott hung up the phone, part of him was screaming at him to get a grip, not to go through with it. But he had no choice, in his state of mind, this was the only way. With the knowledge that Jean might still be alive, he was unable to move on, and this caused him to go mad with need, need to have her back. It was all he thought about al the time He was still smart though, he knew he had to be careful, he couldn’t go down to breakfast tomorrow happy as Larry, it would make the others suspicious, no he had to play the game. Starting with tonight.

***************************************************************************************
Logan lay in bed, staring at the white ceiling, thinking about anything and everything.
Night crawler had thought it best he return back home, sort some stuff out, he told them that this would always be a second home.
Logan didn’t really know the guy so it didn’t affect him in anyway, and the knowledge that Jean might still be out there gave him a bit of hope. He never left the institute apart from the odd weekend. He felt he couldn’t straight away, and as time passed and he saw how people within the team were copping he knew he couldn’t just and up and go. Scott just drew into himself completely, cutting his classes in half, and rarely saying more than two words to any one. Chuck had a hard time, teaching his classes, and every extra minute he had scanning cerebo for the off chance that he might be able to locate Jean. Ororo had almost tripled her work load, with more students coming through the door, jeans classes, half of Scott’s as well as here own she was rushed of her feet. Logan wasn’t sure how she was coping at all, she was sort of unreadable that way and he never really saw her outside of a classroom or on her own. He supposed that’s the main reason he didn’t leave, he knew it could all fall apart so easily, he hated to admit it but he was worried. Ororo was the backbone of the school in every way at the moment, and he really just didn’t know how long she could last before she broke, the weight just kept getting heavier and heavier. Sure he would cover the odd lesson, but he couldn’t really teach anything apart from the self defence class. So he just sat back and watched.
That’s when he heard something, someone was walking about outside, he listened carefully as the person approached the stairs, two doors across from his room, they lead to the top of the school, Ororo’s bedroom. Thinking it was one of the kids he got out of bed to stop them, he thought they had probably had a nightmare and wanted to go up and see the person the saw as a surrogate mother for reassurance and security. It was kind of sweet really, but he knew Ororo didn’t get to sleep most nights before 12, and tonight he could hear her up and about as late as 1:30, it was the only time she had to herself and she got up at 6 so he wanted to make sure she got a solid 4 and a half hours of sleep. He opened the door, ready to tell the kid that she Ms Munroe needed her sleep, and then maybe ask him or her what was wrong, but he weren’t really good at all that. Instead of seeing a kid looking back him, he saw Scott, Logan looked confused.
“What’s up Cyke?”
“Nothing, just need to speak to Ro”
“At four in the morning?”
“Is that a problem” Scott almost challenged Logan. Logan was ready to tell him exactly what he thought, that Scott was a self obsessed fuck up, that everybody lost someone 7 months ago, fair enough he loved Jean, but he’s been the only one to deal with it like this, and that he’s left everything to the exhausted over worked woman sleeping upstairs, who he’s about to wake up.
Instead Logan just growled and turned back into his room and Scott continued up the stairs.

***************************************************************************************

Knock Knock
Ororo’s eye opened, but in a hazy state closed again
Knock Knock, “Ro?”
She heard a whisper, she groaned, what time was it?
4:05
She quickly stumbled out of bed rather ungracefully and put on a robe. Her hand covered her head and she walked towards the door.
To her surprise she opened it to find Scott standing there, just staring at her.
“Scott…” she was shocked, he looked better than he did in months, fresh faced, from what she could see from he visor , shaven, hair washed and combed. Almost like the old Scott.
“Ro” he smiled, she hadn’t seen one of those in a while.
“Can I come in?”
“Of course” she smiled back
They sat down in the chairs next to her fire place, in silence for a little while.
Scott broke it,
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry about what you’ve had to deal with these past 7 months…” she cut in
“Scott, there’s no need you lost someone very dear to you..” he cut in again
“She was dear to you to, you loved her like a sister” Ororo gave a sad smile, he continued
“you remember when we were just kids, and I had that crush on you?” she nodded and laughed
“And you told me that Jean like me? I’d have never seen her in that light if you hadn’t said those words, simple as ’she likes you’ I know I was only a teenager but it really opened my eyes, and I was able to see just how special she was.”
“Scott you haven’t spoken to me like this in so long, it’s healthy you know, to talk about it, we cant dwell”
Part of Scott got irritated by that statement, it annoyed him how Ororo just moved on, didn’t even cry, but he covered it up
“I know…see what I came up here to say was well, we always said we’d do anything for each other that we’d risk our lives for each other, risk our happiness, anything. I forgot that. Jean did that for us, and I you’ve done everything for me, now it’s time I stick to my words. I cant carry on like this. From tomorrow I’m taking all of my lessons back, and next week I was thinking maybe you’d like to have a vacation?”
Ororo was shocked,
“Scott that’s very thoughtful of you, but I don’t know if I can…”
“Nonsense I’ve practically already arranged it, I’ll cover your lessons and you can relax!”
Ororo smiled uneasily. He rose from his chair ready to leave her room, but before he left he turned and said, “Get some sleep Ro, you more than anyone else deserve it!”
And he left.

***************************************************************************************
Scott approached Charles about Ororo’s vacation and he seemed to think it was a wonderful idea, he did suggest postponing it for a few weeks, but Scott managed to convince him that now would be the perfect time. During the week everyone seemed to notice the improvement Scott had made, and all seemed to be pleased about it.

All except Logan. It just seemed as though Scott had blinked and was over it, sure to the naked eye it seemed gradual, but it was just last week he blasted his bathroom sink into tiny pieces. Logan couldn’t put his finger on it but something was wring, like a couple of hours ago Scott got a phone call, and he sent completely changed. All Logan knew for sure was that he needed to be wary of Scott. Something wasn’t right.
Meanwhile Friday came, and under the watchful eye of Logan Scott was putting Ororo’s bags into the car, apparently she was going on vacation, and Scott was driving her to the airport, she was going to spend the week in Africa. Although Logan thought she deserved, and was more than happy Scott was going to be covering the work schedule she had been covering for the past 7 months, his instincts were still playing up. He watched as the kids gave Ororo big hugs, and Charles said goodbye, Logan silently thought to him self, “how come I never get a reception like this?” he laughed at himself as Ororo approached him.

The two rarely spoke, but there was something about him that Ororo trusted whole heartedly. He was a quiet man how was always their, safe strong and dependable, she always felt safe knowing he was watching the children, and her. Emily told her about a month ago that se had a bad dream and that when she came to find her Logan had came out of his room and took care of her. That made Ororo smile, knowing that she had someone there just doing that small thing for her made her feel great.
“see you in a week, try to not let the place fall apart!” she told him
“I’ll make the effort, but no promises” he smiled back at her.
Then for some reason Logan pulled her into a hug, partly it was a quick goodbye, and the other part he wasn’t sure of, he just need to do it.
Ororo hugged him back tightly then laughed as she stepped back.
“1 week” she mouthed to one of the younger girls how looked as thought she were about to cry.
Then Ororo hoped in the car, and they drove off. Logan still didn’t like the feeling that was nagging him, but he ignored it for the time being.

MEANWHILE
½ an hour had passed and as the two drove Ororo asked
“Are you sure we’re going the right way?”
Scott replied,
“Yeah, just got to make a quick stop off”

Disclaimer: Don’t own any of the characters, all belong to marvel.

It all unfolds here, thanks for the reviews. I really need someone to proof read this stuff, cos my spellings are terrible. Sorry.

I promise there will be Ro/Lo coming up! And Ororo also gets to come into her, cos she kindda coming off as a bit of a push over at the mo. But trust me, she can be all peaches and cream until you cross her!

***************************************************************************************

“Where too?” Ororo asked, she wasn’t bothered just curious.
“Charles asked me to pick up some stuff from a warehouse, school supplies. I can do it after I drop you off if you don’t want to be late, it’s just quicker this way or I have to go back on myself” He answered casually, knowing full well what her reply would be, Ororo wasn’t the sort to put anyone out of their way.
“No, No, it’s fine I was just wondering”

Another 15 minuets rolled by and the two came to a warehouse in the outskirts of town as Scott pulled up he turned the engine of, took of his seatbelt and adjusted him self so that he was facing Ororo.
“Ro, you know what I said that night last week?”
Ororo gave a slight nod and looked at him waiting for him to carry on,
“I am sorry”
Ororo smiled, “Really Scott, there’s no need, I was just worried about you”
“I know, but the truth is that Jean sacrificed her life for us, for the team. One of the kids asked me a while back what the Xmen did, and I told her we were a team, such an important word isn’t? it’s all about doing what you can for the ones you care about. That’s what Jean did, I would do the same if it came to it”
Ororo nodded and agreed ,
“As would I”
“I’m glad you see it like that” he paused “It’s important. I want you to know that I‘ll never leave you behind, I’ll always come back ” Ororo’s smile changed into a confused frown.
Scott took a deep breath and changed his tone in to a much happier one,
“You reckon you could help me move some of the boxes, don’t want you to be late for your flight!”
Ororo simply undid her seat belt “Come on then”

The gravel was damp from the earlier shower, and the place had a smell of steal and machine fumes. They walked up to the used, grotty building where there were two great big metal doors, for the larger deliveries and just to the left there was a small red door above a small set of stairs. Scott led the way and Ororo followed behind, something was sending chills down her spine, she didn’t know what it was, she had never been here before but it was nothing out of the ordinary, there was just something about the place that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. When she got three steps away from the door she looked up to see Scott, he was at the door, his hand on the knob, but he wasn’t moving.

“Scott?” Ororo called his name, he looked back at her. Behind his visor his eyes were pained, he didn’t want to do this, it was Ororo, the same girl he met 5 years ago, he really had a thing for her back then, she was flawless, she had the body of a 21 year old at the age of 17, some would have mistaken her for a stuck up and arrogant, but really she was the kindest most caring person he knew, soon his attraction for her faded and he saw her only as a dear friend. He studied her face, then looked into her eyes, they really did say everything about her, they were trusting and open to him, it was a honour, she didn’t trust easily that he knew, which made the whole situation much worse. She looked like a child looking up at him.
Briefly his hand trembled and he moved it away from the door knob, he turned his gaze away from her to look at the door.

“Scott what’s wrong?” Ororo asked becoming more concerned.
Scott didn’t respond, he just looked at the door, it was flame red, almost identical to the colour he always associated with Jean, her hair, her spirit, her heart.

And that’s when he did it.

He opened the door and walked in, through the small white corridor, the paint flaking with age and through into the main holding area of the warehouse.
Ororo watched him enter and followed only two steps behind him the whole way.
Just as she entered into the main into the main room he called over his shoulder,
“Remember what we said okay?”
At that point Ororo had fully entered the room, she was just about to ask Scott what the hell was wrong with him, why was he acting so weird? When she felt a hand covered in a clothe grab her from behind and cover her mouth. Ororo’s instant reaction was to warn Scott.

He couldn’t turn round and watch, he kept his back to her, he heard muffled sounds.

Ororo whipped her leg out backwards and underneath him, not enough for him to fall, but to loose his balance, she then elbowed him in the ribs.
She was free of his grasp as she stumbled back.
Her vision becoming darker and blurred.
She called for the elements, and in no time was surrounded by sparks of dancing electricity.
She stumbled back further until she was leaning against a cold metal bar for support, she had become so heavy, she could barely stand, she knew they must have drugged her. She moved her head from side to side, she wanted to find Scott , was he hurt? She tried to scan the area, but she found her reaction times and speed were slow.
Dark figures were approaching her, but she could no longer make out who they were.
She slipped further to the ground and her eyes were closed, she could no longer see, but she could feel the clod slab of concrete on her face.
“Scott” was a final whisper, and that’s when she heard him, not speaking to her, but to someone else, a voice she recognised but was unable to make out
“I’ll see you on Sunday then?”

***************************************************************************************

“I trust everything went okay?” Xavier greeted Scott with a smile.
“Yeah, fine. She said she’d try to call, but the area is remote, and the reception is terrible”
“Good, I hope she has a well earned rest”
Charles proceed towards his office when he was stopped by Scott
“I actually do need to speak with you. There was another reason I sent Ororo on holiday”
“Oh?”
“Maybe we should discuss this in private” Scott suggested

They entered the office, the professor taking his usual spot behind the desk, and Scott in front, pulling the chair closer to the desk. Charles sensed this was going to be an important conversation.
“I know you’ve tried your best to find Jean, but you said you need help. From another telepath.” Scott said with intense meaningfulness in his voice.
“Yes I remember, but Scott we don’t know any physic that’s powerful enough…”
“We do know, just not on good terms with”
Charles became suspicious forewing his eyebrow.
“The Shadow King” Immediately Xavier cut in
“Out of the question, he will come no where near this school, and we will have nothing to do with him.” Xavier raised his voice, one of the few times he ever did. His face became stern.
“But professor, I’ve already contacted, I’m going to pay him. He’s already agreed”
“Scott!! Don’t medal with things or people you don’t understand! He is a dangerous man, too dangerous, I will not put the students in jeopardy, and certainly not Ororo.”
“Your not willing to put the students or Ororo in jeopardy?” Scott laughed and continued
“What about Jean? Was she not in jeopardy, in danger? When we went after you, to save you!” His voice rose
“You owe it to her, to at least try! Ororo is safe, she’s out of the way.
He’s coming on Sunday!”
And with that Scott left slamming the door behind him.

He retreated to the darkened room, and gazed once again at the picture of Jean Grey.