Title: Merry Christmas, Emma
Author: Katherine
Disclaimer: Marvel does not belong to me
Summary: Merry Christmas, Emma!
A/N: Splits off after New X-Men #141
Emma Frost was tired, yet she could not sleep. Her mind was plagued with the demons of her past, and somehow, she was missing one Jean Gray. Normally, when her lover was out on a mission, Emma would busy herself with mundane tasks, waiting for her return. This time though, it was different. Jean Gray was not on a mission, but she was gone. Just gone from the mansion, with no signs of a struggle or anything of that sort. And she missed the woman, missed her dreadfully. Of course, that was one thing she would never let any of the X-Men find out. She was already rather hated around there, and it does not help things if the rest of the X-Men started to project thoughts about how the former White Queen was mushy on the inside.
Emma frowned at that thought, and turned yet again, her mind turning back to the events which had led to her becoming Jean's lover. They had not been the best of friends at first. Even Emma had to admit that she caused some of the animosity herself, with her past life and her telepathic affair with Scott. When Jean ripped through her mind, it had hurt, yet a dark part of her had delighted at that action. Things came to a head when Esme attacked. Luckily, she had managed to turn herself into her diamond form before the bullet had hit; but not before shattering into millions of tiny pieces. She had held on to life though, unwilling to let go without explaining her intentions fully to Jean. She had never wanted to hurt Jean that much.
Emma did not know the events that transpired, but she woke up again, in her own body this time, to the eyes of Jean Gray. In spite of her best intentions, she had turned away from the woman, worried and slightly scared of what she was about to do. To her surprise, Jean had offered a carefully worded apology, and in turn, Emma had embraced the woman.
They shared a tentative friendship after that incident, both knowing that even one wrong move could shatter the uneasy peace that coexisted between them. Unknown to Jean, Emma had steadily fallen for the other woman.
Her feelings appeared one night, when Jean helped a drunk Emma into her room, carefully helping her under the covers. To Jean's and Emma's intense surprise, the woman had leaned upwards, kissing Jean lightly before muttering something which vaguely resembled, "I love you". Needless to say, Jean had been surprised, and Emma mortified the next morning.
"What are you thinking about, Em?" a cool voice rang out beside her. Startled for a moment, Emma transformed into her diamond form, as she turned to face whoever it was. With a soft sigh, she realised that it was Jean. Emma smiled, whispering, "hello to you too, Jean. Where have you been?"
Jean smiled, sliding in next to Emma. "Come here," she whispered and smiled when Emma complied. Reaching out behind her, she grabbed the box that she had left on the floor, passing it to Emma. "Open it."
Curious now, Emma slowly opened the box, before letting out a gasp. "Oh Jean…" she trailed off, hugging the woman, letting the box fall.
"Merry Christmas, Em."
In the box, was a small, diamond ring.
