Grey Frost

Grey Frost
Chapter 4: The Big Date

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The rest of the week went by all too quickly. Scott didn’t tell anybody that he was going on a date with Emma. Everybody was still getting to know her and there was enough discussion about her presence at the mansion. It took time for it to sink in, but he was quickly warming to the idea. Emma Frost was a fascinating woman, full of mystery and intrigue. While she wasn’t too big on telling people her life story, Scott couldn’t help but find her alluring. Also, there was no denying her beauty and he couldn’t help but be attracted to her.

Emma also continued to adapt to her new surroundings. She was participated in some preliminary Danger Room sessions and at times took training more seriously than most of the New Mutants. Logan had also started her on self-defense training, something she took to with great intensity. Having been a victim one times too many, she was eager to be independent again. And since she already had plenty of proficiency with her powers, Professor Xavier assured she would be ready for the regulars in no time.

She also spent a fair amount of time planning her date with Scott. She was intent on making up for her mistakes and she still had a desire to repay him for saving her life. But in the back of her mind, she was genuinely hopeful that this could lead to something more. Scott was a special man. Perhaps this date could lead to something much more meaningful.

At the moment, she was discussing her plans with the only two people she trusted not to spread the word throughout the institute. Ororo and Rogue had both proven themselves to be good at keeping secrets and naturally they were surprised to hear that she was going on a date with Scott. Ororo was genuinely supportive, but Rogue wasn’t so sure.

“So what do you think?” said Emma, holding up a couple of halter tops to her voluptuous frame, “Should I go with the V-cut or stick to the classic style?”

“Ah don’t know,” shrugged Rogue as she leaned back against the wall, “Ah’m sure any guy wouldn’t mind either.”

“Maybe so, but Scott isn’t just ‘any guy,’” said Emma, alternating between each garment in front of a mirror, “I want everything to be perfect.”

“Ah thought ya were just goin’ to that lame school carnival,” said Rogue, sounding indifferent to it all.

“We are,” said Emma with a serious tone, “But I’m hoping things will go further from there. Scott’s a nice guy and I need a nice guy in my life after all the crap I’ve been through.”

“Well don’t let that be the only reason, Emma,” said Ororo, who was looking over some of Emma’s many new outfits, “If you really want something to come of this you should let Scott get to know you. And that means opening up.”

“I know…I know,” muttered the young blonde, “Granted I’m not the most touchy feely person in the world, but I have a really good feeling about this.”

“Ya sure sound certain, gal,” said Rogue, still very skeptical, “All this from a guy you’ve barely known a week?”

“Why not?” said Emma with a confident grin, “I’m attracted to Scott and he’s attracted to me. Shouldn’t that be enough?”

Rogue and Ororo exchanged glances. Emma sounded very ambitious about this date, but she didn’t know Scott like they did. Even if there was attraction, they knew all too well that Scott had a knack for holding back his emotions. Rogue experienced it when she was attracted to him, but quickly learned during Jean’s power surge that he could never return her feelings. Ororo, having raised Scott since he was twelve, knew how hard it was for Scott to open up. But Emma seemed confident she could break him out of his shell.

“Just be careful, Emma,” said Ororo with a concerned tone, “Don’t try to force anything. Let things unfold as they come.”

“You need not worry about a thing, Ms Munroe,” scoffed Emma, “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“Hope yer right, Emma,” said Rogue with a slight scowl, “Because if ya go too far with mah friend…”

But before she could finish, Ororo cut her off.

“Easy Rogue,” said the former weather goddess, “I’m sure Emma won’t do anything brash.”

“Jeez, you sound like I have some sinister plan for him,” said Emma in an overly dramatic tone, “What’s the matter Rogue? Think I’ll succeed where you couldn’t?”

Rogue shot the attractive blonde a threatening gaze. Knowing her, she probably picked up on her thoughts about Scott. It was still a sore subject, but she was never good at keeping it to herself. At least with Jean, she was nice enough not to comment. Either that or she was just oblivious. But Emma wasn’t Jean and that’s part of what irked Rogue.

“Just don’t go overboard, blondie,” spat Rogue, “It’s only a date.”

With a bitter scold, she stormed out of Emma’s room. Yet despite her warning, Emma was not dissuaded. Ororo showed a look of concern, but Emma just kept sifting through her clothes in search of the perfect outfit. In her mind Rogue was just overreacting. She was clearly a bit jealous, but that was her problem. All Emma wanted to worry about now was how good she was going to look for Scott.

“I better catch up with her,” sighed Ororo, leaving Emma to pick out her clothes.

“You do that,” she said as she held up the v-cut halter top to her body, “In the meantime I’ve got a date to plan.”

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After storming off, Rogue needed some time to vent. Ororo tried to catch up with her, but she reluctantly gave her some space. Emma’s comments struck a sensitive chord. Her crush on Scott was something she was still dealing with. She had been working on laying it to rest, but Emma just had to bring it up. That girl may have been confident, but she was no softie.

It was also not lost on her that Emma was genuinely attracted to Scott. It wasn’t just a crush. Rogue didn’t know what to make of it, but she set it aside for the time being. Scott was the last person she wanted to think about and if Emma wanted to obsess over her that was her problem.

On the way to her room, she passed Jean in the hall. The redhead was yapping away on her cell phone. And judging by her tone, she was probably talking to Duncan.

“Yeah…okay…fine. Friday night at six? Yeah, I’ll be waiting,” she said, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye!”

As Rogue passed by, she shot Jean a harsh scold. This girl was the main reason why her feelings for Scott could never go any further than friendship. She had Scott’s heart in her back pocket and she was dating some loser instead. Either she was stalling or just plain delirious.

“Uh…something wrong, Rogue?” said Jean, noticing her scold.

“Ah don’t know. You tell meh!” she shot back.

Jean was taken aback. Rogue’s words quickly caught up with her and she forced herself to take a deep breath.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” muttered Rogue, “Ah’m just a little irked.”

“That I gathered,” said Jean, “Wanna tell me what’s going on?”

“Oh nothin’…” she sighed, “Just helpin’ Emma get ready for her big date with Scott.”

“Oh…” said Jean, quickly falling silent.

Diverting her gaze, Jean shifted a bit. She knew about the date from Scott. He told her the whole story after they had their little chat. It came as quite a shock, but it was just a date. It wasn’t like Emma was throwing herself at him again. However, that didn’t stop Jean from feeling anxious about it. She just kept telling herself it was only a date.

Jean’s silence told the whole story for Rogue. The guy she was in love with was going out on a date with a beautiful bimbo and all she could say was ‘oh…’ It was enough to make her sick. Rolling her eyes, Rogue just came out with it.

“So are you gonna talk to him or what?” she said, her hands on her hips.

“What do you mean?” said Jean incredulously.

“Don’t play dumb, Jean,” said Rogue harshly, “You know what Ah mean! Are ya gonna stop this or not?”

“Why should I stop it?” said Jean, shifting uncomfortably once more, “It’s just a date.”

“It ain’t just a date to Emma,” said Rogue in a warning tone, “She’s head over heels for Scott!”

“How do you know that?” said Jean with newfound intrigue.

“Because Ah know the signs,” she replied grudgingly, “Trust meh on this one.”

Jean didn’t know what to say. Having had a crush on Scott before, Rogue would know best. And Jean gave her the benefit of the doubt on this one.

“So what are ya gonna do?” said Rogue, folding her arms over her chest, “Ya just gonna let Emma throw herself at Scott?”

Jean’s expression clenched at such a mental image. Yet still, she struggled for a response.

“I…” stammered Jean, “Why does it matter? Scott doesn’t have a girlfriend. And if Emma wants to date him…”

But before she could finish, Rogue threw her arms up in exasperation.

“Ya know what? Forget it, Jean,” she said, shoving her aside as she stormed towards her room, “If yer gonna be this way then maybe Emma deserves a shot.”

Jean’s expression sank. Rogue’s words were harsh, but there was some truth to them. Emma really took their little chat to heart. And if she really was attracted to Scott, this date could definitely complicate matters. But how could she do anything from her current state? She was in a relationship. Scott was just her friend and he happened to be single. If Emma did make a move, she didn’t have a right to stop it. Yet the more she thought about it, the more uncertain she felt about it.

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Friday night came all too quickly for Scott Summers. All week, everybody at school talked about the big school carnival and every time he heard it he was reminded of his pending date. The closer it got, the more nervous he became. He wasn’t sure what to expect with Emma, but he wanted to see where it went. Watching Jean and Duncan was getting to be too painful. He needed to move on. Maybe a relationship of his own was just what he needed.

When the time finally came, Scott spent nearly an hour in his room making sure he was ready. He put on his nicest pair of khakis and a button-up dress shirt that he complemented with a black leather jacket he borrowed from Logan. He also put on some of his best cologne and combed his hair. Yet even when all was finished, many uncertainties still plagued his mind.

‘No turning back now, Summers. Just be cool, be calm, and be yourself. You need this. You have to get your mind off Jean. She’s taken. She doesn’t feel the same way. So just move on, go out with Emma, and see where it goes.’

After his final musing, Scott took a deep breath and exited the bathroom. Emma said to meet him down in the foyer and it was almost time. He hoped to at least see Jean one last time before he left. She knew about the date, but he wanted to at least let he know in case there was still a chance to resolve his feelings.

Then along the way he passed Evan, who was casually skateboarding through the halls.

“Hey Evan, have you seen Jean?” he asked.

“Yeah, she left for the carnival already. That Duncan guy came by and picked her up,” said Evan casually.

“Oh…okay,” said Scott in a low tone.

Stopping in mid stride, Evan cast his friend a concerned look.

“You alright man?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, quickly regaining his poise, “I was just hoping to talk to her before I left.”

“Oh? You going to the fair too or something?”

“Yeah, I figured why miss out,” said Scott, sticking his hands in his pockets and walking back towards the foyer.

“Whatever man,” shrugged Evan, “Have fun.”

“We’ll see…” mused Scott under his breath.

Disappointed at Jean’s departure, Scott descended the stairs in a daze. His chance had passed. Jean would rather go out with some brain-dead jock instead of talking to her best friend about what was happening to their relationship. He thought after her power surge I was a turning point for them. He felt so much closer to her afterwards and could sense this bond between them. But in the end that didn’t stop Jean from going out with Duncan.

Shaking his head in exasperation, Scott leaned back against the railing of the staircase. It was a hell of a way to start the night. His date hadn’t even started and already he was in a rut. He couldn’t go out with Emma like this.

‘What the hell does she see in him? Damn it, Summers, why do you do this to yourself? She’s your best friend for crying out loud. She can date whoever she wants. Just forget about it. Let it go. I just wish it wasn’t so hard to…’

Suddenly, his thoughts were cut off by the sound of a familiar voice from the top of the staircase.

“Hello darling,” said the alluring voice of Emma Frost, “Been waiting long?”

Scott looked up and was momentarily stunned. Once again, Emma’s looks amazed him. Her beautiful, voluptuous frame was flaunted in a pair of tight fitting white leather pants and a white halter top that showed off her large breasts and toned mid-section. On her face, she wore a matching shade of white lipstick along with perfectly applied makeup that further enhanced her alluring features.

She was beautiful. There was no denying that. Scott couldn’t help but stare, his eyes drifting up and down her womanly figure.

“Emma…” said Scott in a daze, “You look…astonishing.”

“Sweet talking before the date begins…” grinned the attractive blonde, “Definitely earns you brownie points.”

Descending the stairs with eloquence worthy of an angel, Emma approached her date and enlaced her arms with his. Scott felt his earlier anxiety fade under her warmth. The smile on her face filled him with renewed hope for the night. And for Emma, it was a promising beginning.

“Now then…” she said, taking his hand in hers, “Shall we?”

“Of…of course,” said Scott with a hint of nervousness, “Where do you want to go first?”

“I don’t care,” she shrugged, “This night is for you, remember? I’ll let you decide how we do this and we’ll play it by ear.”

“Play it by ear…” said Scott, liking that idea, “Sure, I can do that.”

“Then lead the way, stud!”

Blushing at her comment, Scott smiled and led his date to his car. And with so many possibilities in the air, they drove off into the night.

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The date started off simple enough. Scott drove Emma to his favorite diner not far from school. He often came here with the others when they went out and it seemed like a good place to get things going. It wasn’t the fanciest place in town, but they served good burgers and shakes. He was still somewhat anxious, but being in familiar settings helped put his mind at ease.

For Emma, it had been a long time since she had enjoyed simple food. The surroundings may not have been worthy of a romance movie, but it was a good way to break the ice. Sitting across from the handsome man in a booth near the window, Emma was enjoying herself. She didn’t have a lot of chances for dating growing up and decent men were few and far between. But this boy was different. He was in a league all his own.

“This is a nice place,” said Emma as she casually leaned back, “Burgers, fries, milkshakes…definitely a step up in my book.”

“What? They don’t have this stuff where you come from?” said Scott with a slight chuckle.

“Oh we do,” she answered, “But not like this.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Emma leaned over the table. Scott had to look away for a second to avoid staring at her cleavage, but the older blonde didn’t seem to mind. It was nice to be with a guy who had a sense of manners. And for that he at least owed him some back story to her life.

“I grew up in a rich neighborhood in Massachusetts,” she said, shifting her gaze out the window, “There, people do things differently. We go to private schools, eat fancy food, and act like we’re better than the rest of the world.”

“Sounds pretty nice,” commented Scott.

“Trust me, it’s not as peachy as it seems,” she said with a disgruntled tone, “It’s a dog-eat-dog world. Everybody is against everybody. Nobody cares about anybody. We all act prim and proper, but it’s just a façade. The only thing that matters is getting ahead by any means necessary.”

Scott was silent for a moment. The tone in Emma’s voice made it clear that this was a sore subject. He knew the feeling all too well.

“Sorry I brought it up,” he said.

“Don’t be,” she said with a reassuring smile, “If I’m going to be your date, you should at least know a thing or two about me.”

“Well if you’re not comfortable talking about it, I don’t want you to,” said Scott seriously.

Emma smiled at his words. He was very understanding, a quality she didn’t often associate with young men. He had already done a lot to surprise her since she joined the institute and that just made him all the more enticing.

“That’s sweet, Scott,” said Emma, reaching across the table and grasping his hand, “It’s not easy for me to talk about this stuff. And I know I’m not the most open person in the world, but I get the feeling you’re not either.”

“You’d be right about that,” said with a slight laugh, “Everybody back home will back me up.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” she said warmly, “We’re all entitled to our secrets. It’s when people get nosy that they piss me off.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that,” grinned Scott.

The air was less tense. The anxiety Scott felt earlier was quickly melting away. It was nice to be with a girl who knew the value of privacy. Everybody back home bugged him enough for being uptight. The only other person he really trusted with his insecurities was Jean, but he tried not to think about her. He just wanted to enjoy his date.

“So…” said Emma, shifting her tone, “As long as we’re waiting for our food, mind if I ask you something?”

“Of course,” said Scott, “What is it?”

“Why do you believe in Xavier’s ideas so much?” she asked with a serious tone, “Now don’t get me wrong, I really admire what you guys are doing. I don’t know a lot of people who are that dedicated. But why does it mean so much to you?”

Scott bit his lip and thought about that for a moment.

“Well…part of it is how I deal with my powers,” he said in a distant tone, “You know I can’t control them, right?”

“Yeah, but you seem to handle them well,” said Emma, “Those records you hold in the danger room are proof of that.”

“It’s not about how I handle them,” he went on, “It’s how I use them.”

Shifting in his seat a bit, Scott gently stroked the top of her hand. Emma’s skin was warm and smooth. It felt good to touch and offered him a rare sense of comfort. The feeling was not lost on Emma as she listened intently, but she let him go on.

“You see, when my powers first manifested I thought they were a curse,” said Scott, “The only thing they seemed good for is hurting people. It sure didn’t help that they cost me my eyesight.”

“I don’t know…” said Emma, reaching up and playfully tracing around his glasses, “I think those shades make you look hot.”

“Thanks, but it kind of takes the fun out of it when you consider these ruby-quarts lenses are the only things that keep me from blowing this place away,” he said with a half-hearted smile, “But that’s where Xavier’s ideas come in. As Scott Summers, I’m just a guy with mutant powers. But as Cyclops, leader of the X-men, I have a chance to use my powers for the greater good. All my life I never thought I’d find something to make my life worthwhile, but having a cause worth fighting for…that’s what drives me to do what I do.”

“But what if Xavier turns out to be wrong?” she questioned, “What then?”

“It’s not about being right or wrong, Emma,” replied Scott, “Being an X-man is fighting for a better future. Sure, humans may never accept mutants, but that’s why we have to keep fighting. I find that life is much more worthwhile when you have something worth living for.”

Emma couldn’t help but smile at his words. The more she learned about this man, the more she found worth admiring. He was nothing like the power-hungry tyrants she worked for at the Hellfire Club. He was the real deal.

“You’re a bold man, Scott Summers,” she said with a grin, “I don’t know how many people could be that dedicated to an idea most people would find ludicrous. Guess that makes you special.”

“Well I…” he stammered, “I do what I can.”

“And it saves lives,” said Emma, “Namely my own.”

Scott blushed at her kind words. Emma then went on to give his had a firm grasp. She could sense a great deal of strength his grip. He was a true man of heart. How Jean passed up on this boy for some jock was beyond her. But one person’s loss was another person’s gain.

Scott hadn’t been on a date like this before. He never thought a woman like Emma would be so drawn to him. Usually his private nature and uptight persona turned people away. But Emma sure didn’t seem to mind. And he was starting to enjoy her company as well.

“So you think this school carnival will be any fun?” said Emma, still grasping his hand.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged, “And honestly, I don’t care.”

“Guess that means we’ll have to make our own fun,” she said in a sultry tone.

“And how do you plan on doing that?” said Scott, entwining her hands with hers.

“Oh I have my ways, Mr. Summers…I have my ways,” she said playfully, “We’ll just have to see how the night unfolds.”

Taking her words to heart, Scott and Emma shared a light-hearted laugh. The air was ripe of possibilities. Scott was really enjoying himself and Emma liked how things were developing between them. There was real chemistry. She could sense it. It would be interesting to see just how far they could take it.

Just then their food arrived and they began eating. The night was young and full of possibilities. Where things went from here was anybody’s guess.

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After finishing their meal, Scott and Emma departed for the carnival. The festivities had started a few hours ago and were still going strong by the time they arrived. The Ferris wheel was working, the game booths were open, and lines for ice cream and cotton candy were still pretty lengthy. Much of Bayville High had shown up. There were pep rallies, speeches, and plenty of cheering participants. Overall, it was a very festive environment.

Upon their arrival, Scott and Emma casually walked through the many displays. They were now holding hands as they made their way through the crowds. After their meal, things between them had steadied. They were really enjoying each others’ company. It was still strange in some ways, but everything was going so well and they went with it.

After walking around a bit, they stopped at an ice cream booth and picked up some soft serve. Emma got vanilla while Scott got chocolate. And as they enjoyed their treats, they made casual chit-chat.

“No way! You’re totally fucking with me!” exclaimed Emma, her mouth still half full with vanilla ice cream.

“I kid you not, Emma. I was there,” grinned Scott, licking his half finished cone.

“Half his body…burnt down to the bone,” she restated with amazement.

“Hey, not so loud,” said Scott, looking around.

“I still don’t believe it,” she said, ice cream spurting out of her mouth as she laughed, “I know Logan can heal, but half his freakin’ body?”

“I swear it’s true,” said Scott, laughing at the memory, “All it took was one malfunction in his Danger Room session and long story short, a blow torch trap exploded and caught him off guard.”

“Yet it all grew back?”

“Within an hour or so,” affirmed Scott, “I was only 15 at the time and it really freaked me out. But he was walking around later that night and smoking a cigar.”

Emma shook her head in amazement. The institute was certainly no ordinary school. How many other schools had teachers that could survive being burnt to a crisp?

“Guess I’ll have to take your word for it,” she shrugged as she bit into her cone.

“Ask Jean. She saw it too,” said Scott.

“That’s alright…your word is good enough for me,” said Emma with a smile.

Grasping his hand, Emma leaned in closer to her date. His warmth was still so comforting to her. It was one of the few things that made her feel safe. And he was quickly learning to enjoy her presence as well.

There was a short silence between them. The sound of the rides echoed around them. Many others passed by, some of them checking Emma out in that sexy outfit of hers. But she didn’t care. The only man who mattered at the moment was standing right in front of her. And with his warm grasp, she moved in closer.

“I’m glad we did this, Scott,” said Emma in a warm tone.

“Yeah…me too,” said Scott with a smile.

“You really know how to treat a girl,” she said, resting her head on his shoulders, “I feel like this hardly counts as repayment for saving my life.”

“It doesn’t have to,” he said kindly.

“So then what is it?” she asked seriously, “Is it just a date? Or maybe…”

Emma’s words trailed off. Still leaning on Scott’s strong shoulder, she gazed up into his shaded eyes with a look of sincerity that was rare for her. Few men had ever brought out these feelings in her. Those that had turned out to be full of lies. But this felt different. This felt real.

Scott didn’t say a word. He just locked eyes with this beautiful woman that so many men looked at longingly, yet she was only attracted to him. Soon, her face began to drift towards his. But before she got too close, he blurted it out.

“Uh…you got ice cream on your lips,” he said.

Falling back to reality, Emma felt a wave of foolishness wash over her. She thought she was going to do it, but it just wasn’t time yet. Smiling sheepishly, she wiped the vanilla ice cream from her lip and blushed.

“Sorry,” she said, “Too fast?”

“Uh…no, I just…” he stammered.

“Don’t worry about it, darling,” she assured him, “I understand.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Scott finished his ice cream. It took a moment for his mind to catch up with what just happened. Were they about to kiss? And did he just stop it? Most people would have jumped at the chance to kiss this girl, but he hesitated and he wasn’t sure why. Thankfully, she understood.

“Want to ride the Ferris wheel?” she said with renewed spirit.

“Sure,” said Scott with a smile.

Taking his hand, Emma led him to the line. She could sense emotions running high. He felt something while looking into her eyes. Even though he pulled away, she knew it was there. Maybe he was just reluctant, but she had a good feeling about this.

As they stood in line, she stayed close to his warmth. Her alluring gaze and enticing aura made him smile as well. Feeling more daring, she reached behind and slipped her hand into his back pocket. Scott’s knees weakened momentarily as she felt him give his ass a squeeze, but he maintained his poise. And in some ways, he kind of liked it.

While they were waiting, others took noticed. Scott didn’t sense it at first, but some of Duncan’s football buddies were in line behind them with their own dates. And while they thought they weren’t listening he could hear them clearly.

“Dude! Who the hell is that and why is she with Summers?” said one of them.

“I don’t know but I wish I was him right now,” said another, “Look at that girl! Those boobs have to be fake!”

“Hey!” shouted a girl wearing cheerleader attire.

“Ow! What was…”

“You guys are pigs!” the girl spat.

“Well SOR-RY! It’s not like girls don’t stare at other guys!”

“At least we’re discrete about it!”

Scott and Emma tried hard not to laugh. They exchanged humored glances and kept their eyes forward. Emma gave his ass another playful squeeze, leaning in closer just so those air-headed jocks could see that she was Scott’s.

“You want to find another ride?” asked Scott with a weary look.

“Nah, it’s okay. I’m used to comments like that,” she grinned.

“You sure?”

“Stop worrying, darling,” said Emma with a warm laugh, “Besides, being seen with a hot blonde may help your rep at school.”

“Guess we’ll have to wait and see,” grinned Scott, giving her hand a squeeze.

Sharing another warm gaze, Scott and Emma continued waiting until their turn was up. When a round of carts arrived, they slipped in together with their hands still entwined. Once the door was secure, Emma rested her head against his shoulder and waited for the ride to begin. And unlike before, Scott embraced her affection. And if the smile on his face was any indication, he was growing to enjoy it.

As they ascended up into the night, Scott slipped his hand around her waist and held her close. This girl turned out to be a lot more than he expected. She wasn’t just some hot blonde. She was fun and exciting. He really enjoyed her company. The more he was around her the more he fell into her lure.

As Scott and Emma enjoyed their moment on the Ferris wheel, Jean Grey passed by in the crowded paths below. The arms of Duncan Matthews lay around her shoulders, who walked beside her with a proud smile as if to show the world they were the new power couple of Bayville. And even though it was happening so fast, Jean gave into the idea. With everybody encouraging her, the lure of dating the most popular guy in school was just too great to pass up.

Then as they stopped under the Ferris wheel, Jean’s focus on Duncan was diverted as she looked up and saw Scott and Emma sitting together smiling with their arms around one another. She sensed happiness and warmth. The way they looked at one another was strong. And it made her feel sick to her stomach.

‘Scott…’

“You okay, Jean?” said Duncan, sensing she was distracted.

“Huh? Oh…yeah, I’m fine,” she said quickly.

“Whatever,” he shrugged, not even bothering to probe deeper, “Want to ride the Ferris wheel?”

“No!” she said abruptly, “I mean…I’d rather get some cotton candy.”

“Sure, I could go for some desert,” he said, locking her arms with hers, “But I gotta watch my diet, remember? Coach says I need to stay trim for the last part of the season.”

“I know,” muttered Jean, “Let’s just go, okay?”

“Sure thing babe,” said Duncan with his trademark smile, “Anything for my new girlfriend.”

Jean forced a smile as Duncan embraced her again. But even as they walked away, Jean found herself looking back up at Scott and Emma. In a ways she knew she was responsible for this. She was the one that put the idea into Emma’s head. Now it looked like she was getting more out of it than she bargained.

This shouldn’t have been a big deal. Scott looked happy and so did Emma. If they liked each other, they could date. Emma sure seemed to like Scott, but did he like her back? The look on his face seemed to tell the whole story.

‘He really likes her.’

Swallowing her emotions, Jean looked away and focused back on Duncan. She vowed not to get in the way of Scott’s personal life. Yet it still filled her with a strange sense of dread. And all she could do was smile at her boyfriend and push it aside.

Back up on the Ferris wheel, Scott and Emma took in the view. The soft lights of the city of Bayville stretched out over the horizon. It was so peaceful up here. It was the perfect moment. This date had already taken them further than they had expected, but the night was not over. There was still another chance to make it mean so much more.

“Scott…” said Emma as she watched the majestic lights in the distance.

“Yes Emma?” said Scott, his arm securely around her waist.

“Thank you,” she said in a deep, warm tone.

“For what?”

“Everything,” she smiled, “For saving my life…for this wonderful date…thank you.”

Shifting his gaze from the view, Scott was soon drawn into her eye. They were full of yearning and warmth. Once a bitter woman from a heartless club of tyrants, this man had brought out a side she never knew existed. She had come into his life so unexpectedly, yet he couldn’t help but be drawn to her. She was an amazing woman. And looking into those eyes of hers, he went with the moment.

“Emma I…” he began.

“Shh…” said Emma softly, placing her finger over his lips, “I know you’re not good with words. So why don’t we just keep it simple?”

Lost in her gentle words, Emma slowly drew her face towards his. This time, he didn’t hesitate. He let it happen. And under the brisk wind of the night, Scott Summers and Emma Frost came together in a soft kiss.

When their lips met, a rush of emotions surged through them. Scott’s heart jumped at the sweet taste of her soft lips. It was different than the first time she kissed him. That had been sudden and unexpected. This was special. It wasn’t overtly sexual or forced. This was real and they embraced it.

When their lips parted, the ride started moving again. Emma slipped her arms around the young man’s neck, smiling warmly at this wondrous feeling. Scott hugged her back, dazed by what just happened, but happy they could share this.

“Damn…what a way to cap off the night,” said Scott, gently sliding his hand up her womanly curves.

“I’ll say,” purred Emma, “Couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

“Me neither.”

As the ride neared its end, Emma diverted her gaze. She didn’t want this night to end. Once it was over, she would have no more excuses. The kiss had been wonderful, but it couldn’t just end at that. She still craved something more.

“Scott…I know this was just a date.” she began, “But I really like spending time with you.”

“I know. I do too,” he said warmly.

“But I was thinking…” she went on, biting her lip somewhat, “Do we have to stop here? I know we just met a week ago, but…I really like you. And if you want…we could try and make more of this.”

Scott thought about that for a moment. As wonderful as this date had been, the thought of getting serious with this girl had yet to be considered. They had just met, but this night proved they had chemistry. They definitely had what it took to make a relationship out of this. But at the same time, Scott couldn’t forget about Jean. Even though she was with Duncan, he still felt for her. But if that wasn’t going to happen, then he had to move on. And maybe having a girlfriend would help mend the hole in his heart.

Not getting a response, Emma’s gaze diverted. She feared his hesitation was a bad sign. Bu upon seeing this, Scott cupped her chin and shifted her eyes back towards his.

“Hey, I think it’s a great idea,” he said with a smile.

“Really?” said Emma with a hopeful look, “You’re not just saying that because you think it’s what I want to hear?”

“Maybe this will prove it for you.”

Pulling her face close to his, he captured her lips in another kiss. It was all the assurance Emma Frost needed. It was official. This man was her boyfriend and she was his girlfriend. He saved her life. He gave her comfort when she needed it most. Now they could explore this and there was so much they had yet to do.

By the time they parted, they had to get off the ride. Smiling and walking hand in hand, Scott and Emma made their way through the brisk night with a new sense of excitement. This was the beginning of something special. The air was ripe with possibilities. And the night was still young.

“Emma Frost…girlfriend of Scott Summers,” said Emma playfully, “I like the sound of that.”

“Glad you do,” he grinned, “Because now you’re officially a target for the rest of the mansion.”

“I can handle it, darling,” she assured in a confident tone.

“You sure?” he said, “They can be pretty annoying.”

“Well they have yet to face the wrath of the White Queen,” she said in a deep, sultry tone.

Her bravery was admirable. Scott knew he wouldn’t hear the end of this. Now that he was dating Emma, everybody would be on him. No doubt they would tease them both, but Emma was strong. He was sure she could handle it. His only real concern was whether or not he could handle her.

“You know…” said Emma, leaning in and softly whispering into his ear, “This night doesn’t have to end here.”

Scott looked at her with a curious expression.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

A sexy smile formed on the hot blonde’s face. Scott’s legs immediately went weak. He knew that look. It was the same look she gave him that night she offered to have sex with him. A guy doesn’t forget a look like that and here she was flashing it again.

“If you want…” she said, inching her body closer to his, “We could finish what we started that one night. But if you don’t…”

Scott swallowed hard. It was a tempting offer and the circumstances were a lot different than before. They went on a date, had a good time, and found that they really had something. She liked him and he liked her. There was nothing standing in their way.

“I…I’m not sure if…” he began.

But Emma cut him off.

“You don’t have to answer now,” said Emma, the look on her face not waning, “Let’s get back to the mansion. Let’s see what happens. If it doesn’t it doesn’t. But I want to find out…don’t you?”

Feeling her body so close to his, it was hard not to be enticed. Yet Scott remained silent. So much of him wanted to take this woman up on her offer, but that nagging voice in the back of his head was strong. He wasn’t sure how things would unfold. He would have to wait and see for himself.

“Okay…” he got out, “Let’s go.”

With a confident smile, Scott and Emma left the carnival with their arms laced together in a show of affection. This night had taken many turns. Their date had developed into so much more. But it wasn’t over yet. This night, it seemed, had one last surprise in store for them.

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Up next: Scott and Emma arrive home and things heat up.