Scott made up an excuse as to why he had to leave and left Wolverine and Tatiana alone. He resisted the urge to glance back at them. It would only serve to make the ache in his heart worse. When Jean had died, it felt like a part of him had gone with her. They had been each other's first everything- first best friend, first kiss, first lover…. They had been some of the first students at the mansion. In fact, she had been the first female student at the mansion. The bond between them had been unbreakable. She had been an anchor in an increasingly hostile world and now that she was gone he felt lost and alone.

He sighed. Tatiana had been helping that ache heal. The mystery surrounding her, her vulnerability, the many contradictions she embodied, all gave her a beauty that drew him to her in a way Jean never had. It was different, they were different. Jean had been attracted to Wolverine on some level but she had never acted on it. Would he have done the same had he been in Wolverine's position? Or if Tatiana had come to the mansion when Jean was alive?

Wolverine needed Tatiana. They… were made for each other. Wolverine still grieved for Jean but he knew, as Scott did, that she had never been his. Tatiana on the other hand couldn't be more perfect for him. He saw the way her eyes lit up when she saw Wolverine coming, how much she enjoyed his company. Scott headed onto the terrace.

Musing about the past and the future that seemed bleaker with every passing day, his grip on the railing tightened. Wolverine soon joined him. "Hey." He turned to gaze at his erstwhile rival, teammate, and foil. "Listen-"

"No, you listen," Scott begin. Though his tone was insistent, it was not belligerent. "I know that you… cared for Jean but that you never pressured her. I've watched you with Tatiana." There was a pause. "I've done a lot of thinking lately. For me, Tatiana is really just- the rebound girl." His voice choked up with emotion. It was hard to say but it was the truth. "Jean was the woman for me. I didn't want to face the prospect of a future without her by my side. Tatiana couldn't be more perfect for you."

"That means a lot. I know how much Jean meant to you and I am sorry for your loss. I always will be." Words failed them. They gave each other a firm clasp on the shoulder.

"So, where is she?"

"Lessons with Storm. She's made rapid progress, don't you think?"

"Yeah." Although her control over her abilities was shaky, her control over her emotions and mind wasn't.

"You know, I am going to ask her to marry me." Scott raised his eyebrows. He knew they were close but they weren't dating and hadn't given any indication of being anything other than friends and coworkers. "I know, it's a risk, even though I don't know much about my past or hers and her control is still shaky. But she's amazing and I love her." Hearing the gruff Wolverine speak made him smile.

"I don't think she'll say no." Scott didn't say anything else. "I'm going to go talk to her." Logan nodded. With that, Scott headed to the Danger Room. He leaned against the wall and waited for what may have been a minute or an hour. At last the two women emerged. "Hey, can I talk to you?"

"Sure," she said, somewhat warily. Ororo glanced between the two of them sharply before leaving them in peace. As best he could, he told her what he had told Wolverine. Tatiana listened in silence, her eyes full of understanding and a little pain. When he had finished, she finally spoke. "Scott, you are a great guy. I like you a lot. Part of me is sorry to hear that we won't ever be more than friends. But another part is relieved that you found the courage to say that because I don't know if I would have. Jean was lucky to have been loved by and loved you."

He nodded, the lump in his throat preventing him from speaking. She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. With that, it was over.

The story continues in "Loveblind."