***
Chapter Four: Starting Point
"Summer hols! Whoohoo!" Kitty practically leaped (or rather phased) out of Scott's car.
"Yeah! I'll beat you to ze pool Kitty!" With that, Kurt teleported, leaving behind a trail of brimstone smoke.
"Kurt, like, get back here!" Kitty ran up the steps. Then, she stopped and turned back. "Oops, forgot my bag. Like, thanks for the ride home Scott, but really, you should like let me practice my driving."
Scott took his car keys out of the ignition, and tightened his grip on them. "I think I like you in the passenger seat better."
"Like, whatever." Kitty was off in a huff, phasing through the door.
"Hi Jean." Kitty passed Jean in the foyer, running down the long hallway. Kurt was probably in the pool by now.
"Kurt beat you to the pool!" Jean called back. Grinning, she made her way down the porch and was greeted by Scott who grabbed her waist with both arms from behind.
"Where have you been handsome?" Jean revelled in Scott's embrace.
In truth, Scott had only left the mansion for ten minutes to pick Kitty and Kurt up from school. "Been looking for you gorgeous." He nuzzled her neck.
Scott's fingers made his way to the knot of Jean's robe. Let's see what we've got underneath here...
Hands off Summers. Don't you dare! She encased his wandering fingers in a firm grip, releasing his hold on her.
"I'll see you down by the pool, loverboy." Jean turned, flicking her hair behind her and headed off in the direction of the pool, her light laughter filling the halls, trailing behind her.
Mesmerised, it took him a few good minutes to snap out of his dazed state. He rushed to upstairs to change before going to join the rest of the gang.
***
The sun was shining up in the azure sky, partly thanks to Ororo, who drove most of the clouds away. Students and teachers alike were mingling by the poolside. Hank was tending to the barbeque, sizzling hamburgers whilst reciting poetry.
"Hey guys! Check this out!" At his command, Bobby's fingertips began to frost. He boosted himself up on a towering column of ice, and proceeded to generate an elaborate ice slide, full of twists and turns. As he approached the surface of the water, he had neglected to realise Kitty atop her floating mattress, strategically below him. A loud scream, followed by a splash was all that was heard of them.
"Bobby!" An irked Kitty rose from beneath the surface, coughing a little. "Like what was th--that a--all a--ab--" Shivering, she retreated to warmer waters.
"Yo Bobby! How do we get up there?" Jubilee stood at the base, staring up at the ice column.
"Simple. Kurt...!"
"I am not an elevator."
"Oh come on Kurt, stop whining and start bamfing."
"Me first! Me first!" A group of Jamies huddled around Kurt.
"Get in line and wait your turn." Berzerker peered from behind Jubilee.
"And no multiplying." Kurt sighed helplessly. A queue was already forming.
***
Oblivious to all the commotion, Jean settled herself comfortably into her deck chair, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her pale skin. That was until a huge shadow was cast upon her. She adjusted her sunglasses and opened her eyes. And my was that a sight of Scott in only a pair of trunks, staring down at her, her in her equally revealing two piece bikini. Jean propped herself up on her elbows as Scott balanced his bent frame gripping the arms of the chair, his gaze hovering over her.
Such broad, well-defined shoulders, that chiselled chest...
"I do believe you're drooling, Ms Grey," Scott teased.
"The same can be said of you, Mr Summers."
For quite awhile, the two locked eyes. And just when Scott proceeded to plant a kiss on those full lips of hers, Jean weaselled out from underneath him.
"Jean?"
"Just stay put. I'm getting some lemonade. It's getting too hot." Jean scurried off, heels bouncing off the scorching cement pavement.
Scott shrugged as he hung his robe on the back of his chair. Settling down, he crossed his arms behind him, nestling his head comfortably on them. He watched in amusement as Jean approached, jug in hand, levitating herself and floating two glasses behind her.
Setting down the jugful of lemonade on the table, Jean gave the grinning Scott a hard stare.
"What's so funny?"
Jean's form was still levitating slightly above the ground. Her soles were really that burnt and sore.
Scott sat up and spread his arms wide open, inviting her into his embrace. Smiling, Jean gracelessly lowered herself into his waiting arms.
"Ooof, you're getting quite heavy y'know." That earned him a smack on the thigh.
Jean grabbed her soles and started rubbing them. "Kiss and make 'em feel better?"
Scott obliged and started trailing butterfly kisses from her neck down to her shoulders.
"Ahem, Scott."
"Mmph..." went her hair.
"My feet."
"Oh." He replied pointedly, and proceeded to massage her soles. She began to squirm, and burst into giggles.
"Stop it! That tickles!"
"You're ticklish and you want me to massage your soles. Right."
Jean gave Scott a pout, which he quickly captured with his lips. He was in a really awkward position, until Jean turned her head and shifted a bit. She returned his kiss eagerly, only to be interrupted by cold splashes at their feet.
"Eww...you two, get a room!" Kitty called from the edge of the pool. Kurt was beside her, flicking water into their faces.
"Fine, I wasn't keen on swimming anyway." Jean got up, and put her robe on, wiping the water from her face.
"Care to join me in a matinee screening of our choice, perhaps?"
"Gladly." Jean collected the glasses while Scott took the jug. The ice in it was almost melted, and the contents warming up. A big puddle of condense formed at the base of the jug, and huge droplets coalesced along the sides.
"Hey, Scott, Jean, it vas just a joke, ja? Vhere're you guys going?"
"Getting a room." Scott held the door for Jean while they stepped indoors, sheltered from the blistering heat.
"Spoilsports."
"Yeah, they're alvays no fun."
"Kurt! A Little help here? The queue is stalling!"
"C'mon Kurt, let's like, go tryout Bobby's ice slide instead."
"Not you too Kitty..." Kurt groaned.
***
"Augh, Kitty and Kurt are too easily amused." Jean put the glasses on the coffee table, next to where Scott placed the jug. Her gaze flickered to the full length glass windows of the rec room, which provided a good view of the pool, and unfortunately, the lingering forms of Kurt, Kitty and a few others waving to her. Sighing, she telekinetically drew the curtains, telepathically picking up the disappointment radiating from their 'audience'. It was going to be so much less peaceful during the summer holidays with assorted wandering mansion denizens disturbing their peace.
Satisfied that they could finally be alone again, Jean walked over to where Scott was sieving through the collection of DVDs. She draped her arms over his shoulders, and peered from over his shoulder.
"What do we have?"
Scott handed her one disc in reply.
Jean took a look at the cover -- 'House on Haunted Hill'. "Right. A horror film in broad daylight?"
"I heard that Evelyn babe is real hot." That earned him a light smack on the head.
"And she dies halfway through the film."
"Jealous Ms Grey? The resemblance is seemingly uncanny."
He grinned and handed her another.
"The 'Star Wars' trilogy?"
"Hey, we have Episode One and Two as well. We could do a movie marathon."
"Not that you've already watched it a gazillion times."
"I'd say the number of times you watched James Bond rivals my statistics."
"It's quite hilarious to keep think of Ororo being Jinx when you watch 'Die Another Day'; without the white tresses."
"I watched 'Goldeneye' once and you were in it."
"Oh really? I must watch it again."
"I heard laughter in here. Whatcha quirts up to? Shouldn't ya two be out there joining the others?"
"It was getting too crowded." Scott replied without haste.
"And too hot." Jean added.
"Alright, but ya two had better not try anything funny."
"Hey, lookie what I've found." Scott waved a disc in the air.
"What the -- wait gimme that kid. That shouldn't be in there." Logan snatched it from Scott's grasp before Scott could react.
Logan was about to walk out the door when he abruptly turned and addressed them sternly. "Behave, ya two."
"We will." Scott and Jean both flashed their most innocent grins.
Upon Logan's departure, Scott burst into guffaws.
"What was that all about?" Jean sensed his overwhelming amusement through their link.
"He...confiscated...'Swordfish'...from our...DVD stash..." Scott barely squealed in between laughs.
"You mean the one where he and Storm..." Jean started with the giggles as well. "The guys will be so upset."
"Oh my God! How did this get in here?"
"'Sugar & Spice'. Kitty got it from the mall the other day. It has you in it."
"I know. I will never be able to show my face around here again." Scott groaned audibly.
"Aww..." Jean wrapped her arms around his waist. "At least you wear shades." She rested her head on his left shoulder.
"An upside." Scott agreed.
After a little more squabbling over what to watch, they finally settled (hands down) on 'Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'.
***
Halfway through the movie, the couple was snugly fit into the corner of the couch, Jean in Scott's embrace. Her head resting atop his chest, rising and falling to the rhythm of his even breathing, arms securely around his waist. Scott meanwhile played with the errand strands of Jean's hair, twirling her loose locks with his fingers.
The scene is one of the bittersweet reunion between Arwen and Aragorn.
The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane...It is mine to give to whom I will...Like my heart...(1)
***
Ae ú-esteliach nad...estelio han. Estelio ammen. [If you trust nothing else...trust this. Trust us](1)
***
Our time here is ending. Arwen's time is ending. Let her go. Let her take the ship into the west. Let her bear away her love for you to the undying lands. There, it will be evergreen.(3)
But never more than a memory.(2)
I will not leave my daughter here to die.(3)
She stays because she still has hope.(2)
She stays for YOU! She belongs with her PEOPLE!(3)
***
Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel. Hae o auth a nîr a naeth. [You have a chance for another life. Away from war...grief...despair](2)
Why are you saying this?(1)
I am mortal; you are Elfkind. It was a dream, Arwen, nothing more. This belongs to you.(2)
It was a gift. Keep it.(1)
***
Arwen. Tollen i lû. I chair gwannar na Valannor. Si bado, no círar. [It is time. The ships are leaving for Valinor. Go now, before it is too late](3)
I have made my choice.(1)
He is not coming back. Why do you linger here when there is no hope?(3)
There is still hope.(1)
Arwen...there is nothing for you here, only death.(3)
"Jean?" Her eyes were moistening.
"She shouldn't have to go."
"I know, Jean. But that's how the story goes. Elrond intended the best for his daughter."
Hold me. And he did, tightening his embrace.
Don't you just wish there is a Valinor for mutants Scott? Away from the violence and oppression...I'm just so tired of fighting...
Scott absently rubbed his thumb up and down the nape of Jean's neck. She sighed and buried her head deeper into his chest.
Arwen shouldn't have left.
It was her love so strong she was willing to make that sacrifice.
But she was also afraid of what things may come. Jean raised her head to meet his eyes in a lingering stare. I wouldn't know what I'd do if I lost you.
"I'm not going anywhere Jean." Scott cupped Jean's face with his hand, caressing her cheek.
"I know." Her hair was mused, cheeks slightly flushed and lips quivering. Scott's mouth went dry at that sight.
In the next instant they found their lips locked in a passionate, heated battle. The kisses exchanged were rougher than the ones they savoured that night on the boat dock. Feeling a little more adventurous, their tongues went exploring. Jean got up on all fours to reposition herself, Scott's hands on her hips guiding her. She straddled his hips as she ran her fingers through his hair, all the while never breaking contact. His hands ran up and down her sides. Jean made little sounds of protest when his lips left hers.
"Scott..." she sighed, barely an audible whisper.
"Mmph..." went her neck.
Losing interest in the last half of the movie, the two continued to make out on the couch.
Suddenly, Jean felt chills and hot flushes simultaneously throughout her whole body, and a burning sensation strategically between her thighs. She also sensed Scott's arousal (loudly) through their link as she felt Scott harden beneath her. Abruptly and anxiously, she pushed herself off him, only to land on the floor.
"Jean?" His breathing was slightly heavy.
"What was that Scott?" She was panting a little herself.
"I don't..."
Scott was cut off at mid-sentence by Kurt and Kitty, mysteriously bamfing into the rec room. "Battle at Helm's Deep! Vhy didn't you tell us you vere vatching this?"
"Yeah. This is like, the best part, of like the whole movie."
Scott helped Jean back onto the couch, as Kitty plopped down beside Jean, and Kurt sprawled on the floor, now in his blue, fuzzy form.
"You guys scared the hell out of us. Don't ever do that again."
"There's something called a door, so knock." Scott gestured to the doorway.
"Sheesh, like you guys have something to hide." Kitty's eyes were glued to the monitor. At this instance, Legolas 'glided' down the stairs, garnering a huge squeal from Kitty.
"So, what brings you two here?"
"Bobby's slide like, kinda melted, so Kurt thought it would be, like, a good time to escape."
"Two hours vith zhem. I'm never going near zhat pool again."
"So," Kitty turned to look at Scott and Jean, "what were..." and her eyes couldn't be helped but drawn to a particular red spot on Jean's neck. Thoroughly embarrassed, Scott and Jean turned as red as their shades and hair respectively. Jean's hand went up to her neck, and tugged at her collar a bit to raise it higher.
"OH MY GOD! You guys..."
***
Footnotes:
(1) Spoken by Arwen.
(2) Spoken by Aragorn.
(3) Spoken by Elrond.
***