The mansion was quiet today. The school year had ended and most of the students had went home to visit their parents, a few taking friends along, who were not quite as welcomed by their own parents. Ororo liked the quiet, sure she missed the kids, but she welcomed the relative silence their absence afforded. Ororo decided to settle in and enjoy the quiet with a good book when she heard raised voices from up above and then a door slamming. Logan and Jean fighting again. That's all they seemed to do lately. Ororo sighed as she heard the heavy footsteps heading in her direction. A moment later Logan appeared out on the terrace a cigar dangling from his hand.

"Ro."

"Logan."

Just that small exchange and he is moving down the terrace steps and headed for the garage. Probably to take Scott's bike for a spin. Ororo snorted a little to herself it had been over a year and she stilled referred to it as Scott's bike. It still hurt to think of him. To die such a senseless death when he hadn't even really begun to live his life. And to die knowing that the woman he loved more than anything was the one responsible. She tried hard to fight back the surge of anger and resentment she felt with that last thought. It was difficult. She missed her friend.

Ororo laid her book down on the table at her side. I have to stop thinking about this; he's gone and he's not coming back. Unlike the Professor who managed to save his mind during the Phoenix's attack on him; by sending it into the body of a comatose patient. And unlike Jean whom Storm had thought for a brief moment had died for a second time on Alcatraz. Only to realize as Logan brought her back to the Blackbird, that he hadn't used his claws at all; he had used the cure.

They had all acted like she was dead, had even placed a headstone out on the lawn next to the Professor's and Scott's. Now Scott's was the only one that remained. There it was again that burn of anger and resentment. By the Goddess, I have to let this go. Ororo brought her hands up to her face and lightly massaged her temples. It was hard not to look at that headstone or hear Logan speeding away on Scott's bike and not feel anger at the whole situation. Scott should be here! It just wasn't right!

It seemed as if everyone but her had moved on. Jean had moved on to Logan after a per functionary grieving period. The Professor had upon his return mourned the loss of his son; but then one day he seemed to just let it go and moved on as well. He forgave Jean, telling her that she was not responsible for the actions the Phoenix had taken. He even supported her relationship with Logan. Ororo frowned at that thought. No, that wasn't true. He didn't so much support it; as he just didn't comment on it one way or the other.

Ororo's frown deepened as she thought more about the Professor. She had worried about him after he had returned. He had been going virtually non-stop since his return. After they found out that the cure was a temporary fix; he had worked diligently with Jean to help her control her reemerging powers. Not to mention all of his sessions with Rogue. All while trying to repair the damage Magneto and the Phoenix had wrought. The meetings with the President, dealing with the public backlash, and Scott's death. It had really taken a toll on him. He had managed to keep Jean out of jail for the crimes the Phoenix had committed. It hadn't been easy. The Government and the American public had wanted someone to pay for the deaths of all those soldiers at Alcatraz and since no one could find Magneto, the Phoenix would have to do. The Professor had worked long and hard to prove that the Phoenix was no more; that all that remained was Dr. Jean Grey.

Yes, it had been a trying time for everyone, especially the Professor. But he had managed and he had after getting Jean pardoned; started taking one weekend a month to himself. He never told anyone besides Hank where he was going, just hired a car and driver and left. We had all objected at first. Scott would have been livid. Allowing the Professor to go out unprotected in these uncertain times would not have been an option. But the Professor insisted and what could you do when one of the most powerful telepaths in the world insisted he was going to do something? You let him do it. Besides he had let them all know that if an emergency arose that Hank would be able to contact him. Ororo was so caught up in her own thoughts that she didn't hear the footsteps approaching or the voice asking her a question for a few moments.

"Ro…Ro…Ro!" Ororo started as the voice finally penetrated and her head swung toward the person speaking.

"Jean, I'm sorry. I was just thinking and I didn't hear you. What did you say?" Jean flashed a quick smile of forgiveness at Ro.

"I was just asking if you had seen Logan. I need to speak with him." Storm sighed once again.

"Yes, last I saw he was headed to the garage. Probably to take Scott's bike out for a spin." Jean frowned a little at this last statement. She hadn't expected Ororo to say that, think it yes, say it out loud? No. She knew Ro was angry and most of it was directed at her. And she knew that Ro needed to vent, but she wasn't sure she was ready for whatever she it was she was going to say.

"Ororo, I…" Jean paused unsure of how to continue. "Never mind," she said and headed for the terrace steps but Ororo stopped her.

"What? What were you going to say?" Ororo stood up and approached Jean. She knew she was pushing but she didn't care she was tired. Tired of holding it all in. She wanted this and she wanted it now. She watched as Jean turned back to her and saw her brace herself for the confrontation to come.

"Since you asked, I was going to say that it is no longer Scott's bike. It's been over a year since his death…" Jean's voice faded out as she saw Ororo's face flush with anger and her eyebrow raise in question.

"Death…death! You say that as if he died suddenly of natural causes or in some sort of accident! He didn't die a natural death Jean! He died because you killed him!" Jean watched as Ro took a step forward and her eyes flashed white for a moment. She reached out her hand in a placating gesture.

"Ro, please. That wasn't me. You know that, it was the Phoenix. I would have never hurt Scott." Jean watched as Ororo started shaking her head.

"It was the Phoenix. That is just so easy for you to believe? Isn't it Jean? It was all the Phoenix, it was the Phoenix that killed Scott, it was the Phoenix that attacked the Professor and it was the Phoenix that killed all those people at Alcatraz." Storm paused and looked Jean dead in the eye. "Here's a revelation for you Jean – you are the Phoenix and the Phoenix is you! As for your never hurting Scott. You had been hurting him since the day you laid eyes on Logan!" Ororo stopped as she felt her anger building. Her hands flexing in reaction. Taking a deep breath she attempted to calm down.

"Do you know how much he loved you? He loved you enough to put up with the games you played since Logan arrived."

"Games! I have never played games with Scott or Logan!"

"Yes, you did. What do you call flirting with someone in front of your fiancée, even though you know it's hurting him? What do you call telling Logan one thing but allowing your eyes and body language to say something completely different?" What do you call kissing and exchanging longing glances with Logan while steadily making sure you hold on to Scott at the same time?" Jean tries to interrupt but Ororo overrides her and just continues to speak.

"You have no idea how he fell apart after your death. We all tried to speak with him, to help him. Hell, even Logan tried to comfort him in own bizarre way. He deserved so much more." They were both so caught up in their argument that neither noticed that they were no longer alone. The Professor had joined them.

"Tell me why can't you remember what happened to Scott at the lake? You've recalled everything else that the Phoenix has done? Is it guilt? The guilt of knowing the pain you inflicted on a man who loved you and whom you claimed to love in return? Or is it need? Is it your need to hide from the reality of what you have done? Is it your need to protect yourself from the knowledge that you didn't deserve the love he gifted you with?" Before Jean can respond the Professor interrupts.

"Ororo, Jean, I am sorry to interrupt but I need to see Ororo in my office for a few moments." So saying the Professor turns his and heads back inside to his office with Ororo following behind. Leaving Jean alone on the terrace.

Entering his office the Professor takes a seat in one of the chairs next to the fireplace and indicates for Ororo to take the other seat. After sitting in silence for a few minutes Ororo starts to speak.

"Professor…"

"No, Ororo lets not go into that right now. I have made a huge mistake. One that needs to be rectified. I want you to go up stairs and pack a bag. You and I are going away for a few days."

"A trip…why? Where are we...?" The Professor stops her from asking any more questions by laying a hand on her knee.

"Please trust me. Just go pack and be ready to leave in half an hour." Ororo nods her head in agreement and leaves to go get ready. The Professor calls to Jean telepathically.

Jean.

Yes, Professor.

Ororo and I are going away for a few days. We will be leaving in the next half hour. If you need me for anything just contact Hank and he will contact me.

The Professor broke off communications as he finished his statement. Going to his desk he picks up the phone and makes a couple of calls. Once the calls are made he goes to his room and packs a small bag. Seeing that the time limit is almost up, he goes to meet Ororo in the front hall. As Storm joins him with a small bag they both hear a car pull-up to the front of the house. Logan who heard the car approaching walks over from the garage.

"Logan, Storm and I are going away for a few days. If something should arise that needs my attention, please contact Hank and he will let me know." As the Professor is speaking to Logan the driver places both bags in the trunk and opens the door for Ororo to enter. Once she has been seated the Professor enters as well and they depart. Logan watches as the car pulls away.

Ororo and the Professor ride in relative silence. Ororo watching the scenery and the Professor reviewing paperwork. Ororo dozes off and only awakens when she hears the drive say they are almost there. Sitting up she glances at her watch and sees that she had been sleeping for over three hours.

Turning to the Professor she asks, "Where are we?"

"We are outside of Manchester, Vermont. I own a home here." Storm turns to the Professor in surprise.

"I didn't know that."

"No, only two other people know of its existence besides me."

"Is this where you come when you leave on your weekends away?" Before the Professor can answer the driver pulls into the driveway of a stately old home.

"Ororo, I need to prepare you…" Before the Professor can finish the front door opens and a man steps out. Ororo gasps in shock and swings startled eyes back to the Professor.

"Oh my goddess…how…when…did you…" Unable to formulate a coherent thought Ororo swings back towards the car door and fumbles with the handle. The driver seeing her struggle hurries and opens the door for her. As the door swings open she stumbles from the car tears streaming down her face. Seeing her distress and fumbling steps the man on the porch rushes forward and wraps her in a tight embrace. Leaning back so that he can look at her face he asks, "Are you okay?"

Ororo lifts her head so that she can see his face and barely gets out, "Scott, "before she passes out.