Title: A New Day

Fandom: X-Men Universe comics / movies

Pairing: Jean G./Emma F.

Rating: PG-13

Notes: The build-up has been killing me, things are about to get real for everyone on the team.

Edith Piaf: Non je ne regrette rien (Translation) No, I regret nothing.

Frederic Chopin: Polish Composer and pianist during the mid 1800s

Jimmy Smith Trio: Jazz organist group during the 1960s

This is the way this story is choosing to come out of me. I am letting it freely flow as a curious observer watching myself experience something completely new. I've felt exhilaration in writing it, excited to get back to my laptop and continue discovering. It's been strange putting into words what's so clear in my head. This story is definitely different on paper than the movie playing in my mind. As I continue reading it myself, I have no doubt I could benefit from a writing class or two to help me better express the depth of these people and their relationships. Thanks to all those who are giving this story a few minutes of your time and taking this journey with me. I hope you find the proceeding chapters gratifying.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I do love them.

X

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6:00 pm Faculty Campus Quarters

Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, plays quietly in the background of the Grey-Frost bedroom. The two lovers lay naked on silk sheets. The redheaded beauty lies on her side with her head propped up on her elbow, as she watches Emma sleep. Reaching out gently caressing the blonde's cheek, she traces her features, running her fingers down her neck, brushing her shoulders, relishing in the feel of Emma's impossibly smooth skin. She leans in and places the hint of a kiss on her forehead. As she pulls away she discovers drowsy blue eyes focused on her.

Emma's chest begins to heave deeply, as golden amber eyes stare back at her. Her body crystallizes involuntarily, a genuine fear-based response. The golden-eyed woman just stares back at her, now smiling as she extends her hand and begins to trace her fingers along Emma's crystal lips.

The blonde, lays there frozen, choosing to remain still. She examines the possibility that this is a dream, but she's knows it's not likely. The redhead giggles and takes a deep breath as she reaches for Emma's crystallized hand. She lays her head in the crook of her bicep, never taking her eyes off of the woman next to her. Gently she lifts the blonde's hand to her lips and kisses it, still looking into her eyes, soft smooth skin is revealed as the crystal covering retracts under the redhead's lips and recovers the skin as her lips move away. She lifts Emma's hand to her mouth again, this time taking a crystal covered digit into her mouth and sucking it. Emma watches the retraction happen again involuntarily. Removing the finger from her mouth, she places the newly crystallized hand back on the bed, and slips her own hand under her head, still watching Emma intently, with a playful smile on her lips.

They both lay there not speaking just staring, until the music stops. The redhead takes in a deep breath through her nose and exhales as she sits up. She moves her legs off to the side of the bed, and walks over to the record player. Removing the arm, she picks up the vintage LP and places it back into its sleeve. She opens the record drawer and begins to look through them. "Do you still listen to the Jimmy Smith Trio?" she asks Emma. She doesn't hear a response. "I guess you don't huh, there's plenty to choose from. Don't worry I'll find something." She reassures Emma.

As she continues to pick up records and look at them, Emma finally finds the courage to move. Still keeping her crystal form, she sits up on the bed, never taking her eyes off the redhead.

"This isn't a dream, by the way and your fear is completely justified. I did cause quite a bit of damage last time I manifested here, didn't I?" The redhead says with a small chuckle. "It was a unique experience for me too, you know. How…does Ella Fitzgerald sound?" She waits for a response, and still gets silence. "Yeah, she doesn't really tickle my fancy either, maybe you're in more of a Chopin mood, huh."

She takes in a deep breath and continues looking through the records. "I've spent many eons among every manner of entity and being, humans included, and I may be a bit rusty, but I do believe the prerequisite for conversation involves input from both parties. Ahh, here we are Edith Piaf: Non je ne regrette rien, rather fitting, don't you think?" She removes the record from its sleeve, and puts it on the turntable. The Phoenix shifts to face Emma. She takes in a deep breath, crosses her arms and leans against a dresser, as the music begins to play. She closes her eyes and mouths the words of the song for a few minutes.

She stops as the next song begins and opens her eyes while sucking in her lips making a popping sound, furrowing her brow she takes in another deep breath before speaking. "You know…..you were much more talkative while we were fucking." She muses. "Perhaps, you'd enjoy another round?" genuinely asking the question with a bit of a pout to her lips.

Emma finally speaks up apprehensively. "Where is my wife?" She inches off the bed and stands up, eyes still locked on the golden orbs that are trained on her. "Where is Jean?"

Phoenix raises her hands above her head in a praising motion. "Ahh, she speaks." She says before raising her eyes to the ceiling. Then she puts her hands down on her hips and focuses on Emma. "That is the million dollar question isn't it, or should I say billion." She winks at the blonde and crawls back into bed. Sitting up on her knees, she faces Emma, and pats a spot in front of her, signaling Emma to sit with her. "Come on, I don't bite….unlike some people I know." Winking at her again she continues patting the bed. The redhead takes a deep breath and sits back on her calves. "I have no desire to force you Emma Grey-Frost, but you know that I can, right?"

Emma finally relents and sits on the bed in front of her. "See that wasn't so hard, was it." The golden eyed woman says smiling to give her some encouragement. "Now then, about Jean, she is…huum, let's say she is asleep, for all intents and purposes. She has no conscious awareness of my presence, unlike our previous arrangement. That was quite challenging for both of us. Right now, this body is my body, its cells, DNA, bones, everything is mine. If you were to test my blood type you'd find it completely different from hers. Do you understand what I am saying?" Emma nods as the redhead continues. "Good, that went better than I thought it would. Do you have any other questions?" She asks with great excitement and genuine curiosity in her voice.

"I'd like to speak to my wife please." Emma says quickly.

"Really, Emma? You are sitting in front of pure infinite intelligence, and she's all you can think about. Aren't there more important questions? Like...What I am, why I'm here again, the meaning of life. None of that concerns you? I thought you'd at least want to know my name after we shared something so beautiful together a few hours ago."

"Please, just let me see my wife." Emma practically pleads. She takes in a breath and nervously retracts her crystal form. She'd seen the devastation the Phoenix caused all those years ago. If Jean was still within her, then they had a chance to survive. "I hear you. I really do. I just need to see that she's alright, please."

"Alright, but you need to understand a few things. First, I am aware of her but she has no awareness of me. She can no longer hear my voice as she used to. When I am here, she is not. Do you understand that?" Phoenix asks. Emma nods. "For her time stands still. Remember that when you speak to her about me. Next, I take priority above all else, make sure her schedule is clear after 3pm tomorrow. And finally, this you need to remember above all else..." Golden orbs looks longingly into Emma's eyes for a moment. The redhead releases a slow sigh, before finishing what she has to say. "She isn't the only one here that cares for you. Don't take that for granted, ok. Do you understand?" She asks as she is now staring into her own lap.

"Yes, I understand, thank you." Emma apprehensively reaches out and takes the redhead's hand and looks into her eyes. "Really, thank you. I mean it. And… well, I guess I'll see you soon ok." She says softly as she notices a tear roll down the woman's face. The blonde instinctively cups her cheek and wipes it away.

The redhead leans into her touch "Emma, in all of existence, I have never seen a love like yours. Jean is an exceptionally fortunate woman." And with those words, she takes a deep breath as her eyes close and her body sways falling into Emma's arms.

Emma holds her and feels a familiar pang in her chest, as a warm rush of emotion flows into her mind. Tears begin to fall from her eyes, as she looks down to see emerald green eyes looking up at her. She leans down and kisses her wife, messy and imprecise. She plants kisses all over her face.

Jean sits up and takes Emma's face into her hands, and kisses her firmly, wiping her lover's tears away. "Emma Grey-Frost, do you have some latent ability I don't know about, because, if I'm not mistaken I was just fully clothed in the living room, and now I'm naked in our bedroom. That has got to be a new record. I know you work fast, but damn!" She laughs as she strokes some hair from her wife's face and tucks it behind her ear. Emma laughs and pulls her into a tight hug, sighing contently, pouring her emotions into her through their telepathic link. "Emma, are you alright, what's going on? I mean I love the attention, but did something happen, I can't quite understand what you're sending me. I'm right here honey. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Jean's voice sincere but genuinely confused as well.

Emma takes a deep breath and releases her lover from her bear hug. Looking into her eyes she can see her confusion, now she has to decide the best way to explain things to her. Should they go on a telepathic field trip inside her mind, or should she just tell her verbally. Then there's Charles, he has no idea what's happened, this definitely isn't the same Phoenix. He sure as hell better not try to sedate her again. Emma is lost in her thoughts.

"Honey, you obviously have a lot on your mind. I get it, but can we talk over dinner? Let's go grab a bite to eat, I am starving." Says Jean gently stroking Emma's arm.

"Let's order in, my love. I'd hate for you to have to change out of your birthday suit, it fits you perfectly. I must get the number of your designer, they're fabulous." Emma says kissing the redhead's cheek. She's thinking it's probably best to stay indoors; she doesn't want to have to talk to Charles about this tonight. "I'll call one of my chefs over and we'll have a nice home cooked meal. How does that sound my lovely?" Jean nods with half smile and gets up to go to the bathroom. "Anything in particular you want to eat, baby? Fish, chicken, duck, beef, veggies, sky's the limit."

Jean calls from the bathroom, "Surprise me!"

"Yes mam, I promise you are going to love it." Emma tells her.

In the bathroom, Jean stares into the mirror and exhales from her mouth as she breathes. She's sure Em is keeping something from her now. She never calls her chef to cook there. This is their billionaire free zone, one of the few places they share where Emma agreed they would live simply without all the glitz and glamour.

Jean decides to put her foot down. She grabs a robe and walks into the bedroom. "Emma, cancel the chef honey, we need to talk." Jean says plainly with intense resolve.

Emma stares at her with a perplexed look on her face, "But you said you were hungry."

"I am, but this is more important, just call the chef and tell him not to come ok." Jean says.

"Alright baby." Says the blonde, as she nervously texts the chef.

Jean walks over to Emma and pulls her onto their bed. " 'Everything I am is yours.' You remember. We took our vows seriously didn't we? That included our joy, pain, memories, fantasies, transgressions, everything. Did something change, Em? Because I don't understand what's going on with you lately. But I know when my wife thinks she's trying to protect me by keeping things from me. I thought we had gotten past all this, that you trusted me. Baby, just talk to me. Tell me what's going on even if it hurts, I'll heal baby. We are in this together." Determination and strength cover her face vibrating through her heart and directly into Emma's.

Emma stares into her eyes, in awe of her lover's strength. Grabbing the redhead's hands, she brings them to her heart. "I think it'll be easier if I show you, then you can make your own judgments, alright. I love you Jean, no matter what. The world could end tomorrow; I promise you my love will never falter."

"I know, baby and I'm ready." They both lay back on the bed. Jean rolls over and lays her head on Emma's chest. She takes Emma's hand in hers and closes her eyes. Emma's mental shield drops and Jean's mental body gains access to her memories. She takes Jean back to 7 weeks ago, when she first began noticing her temperature changes, she holds back nothing as they journey toward the present moment.

4 hours later….

Emma's eyes slowly open; the room is dark and silent. She feels Jean lift her head from her chest and sit up. She cups Emma's cheek with her palm and leans down placing a soft kiss to her lips. Emma can't see her expression, she can't seem to sense her emotions either, she shifts to sit up, and feels Jean's hand on her chest, gently pushing, urging her to lay back down. Emma obliges her. Jean moves her legs to the side of the bed, still saying nothing as she stands and walks into the bathroom. The door softly clicks closed. The shower begins running and after a few more minutes, Emma can feel a sharp pang in her chest, and the sound of her lover crying. She quickly leaps from the bed and heads for the bathroom door. As she reaches for the knob a gentle yet firm voice echoes through her mind…

~ * Emma. Stop. Leave her be, this is not something you need to fix, nor can you. * ~ …

~ Who is this? ~ Emma asks, as she can still hear Jean crying on the other side of the door.

~ * Oh sure, Noooow you want to know who I am. * ~ …

~ Phoenix? ~ Emma asks now completely confused.

~ * You can use that name for now, but you are going to need to know my true name later, trust me. * ~ …

~ How the hell are you talking to me right now, Jean is clearly still conscious. ~ Emma says feeling suddenly self-conscious as she begins to walk around the room looking under tables and in closets.

~ * Don't forget who you're talking to, you're cute, but not that cute, I could easily transport your sexy ass to the sun in 0 seconds flat, see how your little crystal defense holds up then. How about a little less attitude and little more of that healthy fear you showed me earlier. * ~ ….

~ Sorry, this is just unexpected. May I ask how you are able to speak with me please? ~

~ * That's a bit better, but we'll work on that. I won't be chatting with you this way too much longer. I transferred a bit of my consciousness into your mind temporarily while you two were on that little trip down memory lane. I anticipated this; I just needed to tell you to let Jean deal with this on her own. Emotional bond or not, you haven't even the slightest idea what she is experiencing, nor what she's been through with me in the past. Just give her some space; she's not made of glass, she won't break, I can promise you that. Well that's about it for me, I'll see you tomorrow, lover. * ~ …

~ Phoenix wait, wait, one more thing, Phoenix, hello ~

~ * (sighing) Yes * ~ ...

~ What IS your name? I'd really appreciate knowing it. ~

~ * You aren't ready to hear it sweetie, but thank you for asking for it. Get some rest, lover * ~…

Taking the advice she received, Emma decides, to call it a night. Her heart is still hurting, she's never had to stand by and watch someone she loves suffering and not try to relieve it. She can still hear Jean sobbing from the bathroom as she gets under the sheets. Truthfully she is more tired than she has ever been in her life. She closes her eyes for few seconds, which turn into an hour. She's knocked out. Later that night she feels Jean's arm over her waist, a gentle kiss to her neck, and the words, 'Thank you, I love you baby', whispered into her ear. Emma's body relaxes even more into peaceful slumber.

Earlier the same day 4:00 pm Medical Bay

Charles is reclining in a bio-bed, surrounded by the team, as Hank continues to check his vitals. He's spent the last hour explaining what happened in the apartment and trying to figure out a way to rescue Jean and Emma. The team didn't see or hear any of what Charles said he experienced, other than not being able to get past the hallway, and watching as the door they demolished suddenly rematerialized. The tremors stopped about 15 minutes after Charles entered the room. He explained to them that this being seems to be able to manipulate time and space. That's why they couldn't see what he saw. And that yet another being was inhabiting Jean's body.

The magnitude and influence of it's powers were overwhelming. Charles had a feeling that they hadn't even begun to feel the full extent of it. Storm was right. This was not the Phoenix that they had previously encountered. He begins to explain that the next course of action is to evacuate the school immediately and figure out how to contain the being. As he continues to speak, a female voice enters his mind.

~ * Chuuuuckieeee, are you talking about lil' old me? * ~ ….. the voice sounding playful and menacing at the same time.

Charles stops talking mid-sentence as a look of fear covers his face. The team can see that something is wrong.

~ * Go on, tell them whose talking to you. * ~ … says the voice as if encouraging a nervous child to speak to a family member they are meeting for the first time.

"Charles, are you alright? Tell us what's happening." Says Storm as she moves her hand to Charles' shoulder. He shakes his head, trying to telepathically tell her not to touch him.

~ * Aww, that's so cute, you're speechless. Why don't I help you out? * ~ …..

Suddenly, to the surprise of everyone in the room, Charles quickly sits up and moves his legs to the side of the bed. His legs cross, then his back straightens, his neck slightly stretches, his shoulders pull back as his chest puffs up, and his hands come to rest on his knee, then a voice not his own comes from his mouth. A woman's voice.

"Charles was a bit shy about introducing me, so I decided to give him a hand."

Hank is standing behind Charles, and slowly inching a syringe toward his buttocks. When suddenly an invisible force, lifts his hands above his head, his body now hovers a few feet off the floor, then like a cannon he's hurled quickly around the bed and stopped in front of Charles, knocking down Rogue and Logan in the process. His face is lowered inches away from the Professor's as glowing amber eyes stare back at him.

"Now, that's just rude." The invisible force surprisingly lifts Logan and Rogue to their feet. "Here I am trying to be cordial, and you feel it's appropriate to attack me. If these are the type of manners Chuckie is teaching these kids, he shouldn't have a school at all. And if you insist on acting like a beast, I can treat you like one." Phoenix says telekinetically squeezing Hank's wrist.

"Now drop it, lest I find a rolled up newspaper to motivate you." She says to Hank, who quickly opens his paw, dropping the syringe to the floor. "That's a good boy, now are you going to behave?" Hank nods his head, and she lowers him to the floor and releases him.

"Now before I continue, would anyone else like to try being a hero?" Her voice is met with silence. "Good, as I was saying, Chuckie is being a bit shy after his little accident upstairs, so I'm going to help him out. First, you will not evacuate the school. If I wanted to hurt, kill or destroy any of you, I could have easily done it earlier, when you so rudely barged in on me and my lover. Secondly, now that I have completely acclimated to this dimension again, the seismic activity happening around me will stop. Finally, you all will keep things business as usual, until I meet with Chuckie, tomorrow at 3pm to explain why I am here. And if there is any action taken against Jean or Emma, well let's just say, you're gonna have a bad time, ok, so don't. Are we clear?"

"How do we know we can trust you?" asks Storm apprehensively. Charles' head turns toward her and his body lifts from the bio-bed and moves in her direction stopping a few inches from her face, breathing heavily, he leans in allowing his lips to brush her cheek as his mouth reaches her ear.

The female voice whispers, "You don't, and right now… there is… nothing… any of you can do about it. But don't worry if you play your cards right that could change."

Storm's body shivers, but not from fear as the professor floats back to the bed and lies reclining again. Regaining her composure Storm asks, "Who are you?"

The female voice speaks again with authority. "For now, you can call me Phoenix, since that's the name you all called me previously…. Now…. Are We Clear?"

The team responds, "Yes."

Then Charles' eyes close, his body slumps over, and his head falls to the side. Logan catches him. He wakes up, and sees everyone staring at him. He asks what happened. Storm and Hank ask the others to leave and they tell Charles everything the Phoenix said and did.

"It appears we don't have any other choice, but to do as she says." An embarrassed, emotionally defeated Charles says.

TBC…