"Scott, I'm- I'm- sorry." She whispered.
"Don't apologize…" He was thankful for the glasses covering his eyes; no one could see his tears, or the pain in his eyes.
"I- I … tried…" her voice was fading in and out; he could barely hear her.
"I know Jean. I know." He choked out.
Her green eyes were dazed, her skin was pale, and her breathing was labored.
"I'm… so… tired…"
"Shhh," he murmured. "Just rest, Jean. It's okay, you can rest now." He smoothed her gorgeous red hair away from her face. Her head was resting in his lap, and his strong arm was supporting her from behind. " Jean, it's alright."
She raised a shaking arm up to touch his face. "Thank you, Scott." Her voice was barely loud enough to be heard. As she cupped his face with her gloved hand she struggled to speak. "Don't… blame… yourself…" there was a long pause between each word, and after a laborious breath, she worked to continue. " Not… your… fault…" her emerald eyes pleaded with him to understand, to forgive himself.
"Jean, please forgive me." He sobbed. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
She smiled. "…There… is… nothing… to … forgive…" her shaking hand fell away from his face. " …you're…my… best…friend…" A tear slipped from her eye. "…always…have…been…"
"Always will be." He finished for her, as his salty tears fell on her face. "Just rest, Jean."
"…Will… you … be …" she couldn't finish, but Scott knew.
"Don't worry about me." His smile shook, as the tears poured down his face. "Just rest. Go to sleep."
A smile wreathed her face, and the lines on her face smoothed. Emerald eyes met red glasses for a heart wrenching moment, and then she was gone. Scott just sat there holding her, numb until a hand touched his shoulder.
"Come on, Scott. There is nothing you can do for her, honey. She's gone." Emma Frost pulled him away from Jean's body, lying on the floor, her flaming hair spread around her like a banner. Scott stared at her, as he was taken away. He and the White Queen paused outside the room, and they just stared at each other, as Emma moved to hug him.
"Hello Scott." A calm voice drifted from the room. He spun; to face the place were Jean had lain. She stood by the door, a cynical smile on her face. "You couldn't wait to leave her, could you?" she stepped closer. "I'm glad Jean is gone. Now she's not hurting anymore. But I hope you feel her pain, combined with your own, for all eternity."
Another tear slid down Scott's face.
"Phoenix…" Scott breathed. Emma stiffened, " But- how?"
Phoenix laughed; it was a chilling sound. "Forever reborn…"
