Author's Note: Yeah, so Rachel plays the role of relationship counselor here. Not a very good one perhaps, and definitely a biased one… but one nonetheless. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

An hour later

"That's beyond crazy, mom," Rachel said, shaking her head.

Her mother just gave her a sad smile. "Is it really anymore crazy than me coming back from the dead?"

"Yeah, but that's you. That's your expertise, not Cyclops's."

"Funny," her mother said, drolly. In the last two years since her mother came back, they'd gotten really close, and more often than not, Rachel referred to Jean as 'mom'. Her mother didn't seem to mind at all.

"Anyway, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him. I had to see you for myself first. I needed you to tell me that what I saw was real… And of course, I was worried sick when I heard from Rogue, who heard from Gambit, that you'd been shot through the gut," Rachel said.

"I was hoping the news wouldn't reach you. I didn't want you to worry needlessly."

"I had a right to know, mom. Besides Nathan, you're the only family I have left."

"Not anymore… Speaking of, where's Scott now?" her mother asked.

"I don't know, I left him standing in the hallway just outside your room. I just wanted to see that you were okay first. I thought I heard him yell something to me like he wanted to talk… But I don't sense his presence nearby anymore," Rachel said.

Her mom chuckled. "Well, it has been almost two hours that you've been chatting with me now. I'm sure he went to find something else to do."

"I guess…" Rachel said. "So… how are you?"

"I'm healing fast. The bullet missed all my vital organs - obviously. It's really just a bad flesh wound when you break it down. I'll be on my feet again in-"

"That's not what I meant," Rachel said interrupting.

Her mother sighed. "Seeing your father again is tough, I'll admit. A part of me is so happy he's alive. And he's acting like the Scott I remember… from before Apocalypse merged with him…"

"But?" Rachel prompted.

"He's made it clear he wants us to be together again."

"And you don't want that?"

"A part of me wants it… needs it… more than my next breath. But the other part of me thinks it's just too late. Too much has happened. Not to mention Emma's still around… I think I could have considered getting back with him if it had just been a sexual indiscretion. I know how badly his mind was messed up after he merged with Apocalypse. But his relationship with Emma turned into a lot more. I deserve better than to have to compete for my husband's affections. I want more for myself than always having to feel the need to compare…" her mother said, trailing off.

Rachel couldn't help but scoff. "I wouldn't worry about Emma."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, first of all, they had already broken up even before Cyclops died-"

"What did happen with them? Why did your father and Emma end their relationship?"

"I couldn't tell you for sure. I'm not privy to the details – nor would I want to be… But I can tell you why you don't have to worry about the blue-lipped queen if you end up giving Cyclops another chance," Rachel said.

"Oh? And why is that?" her mother asked.

"Granted, this is just from my own observation… And I'll be the first to tell you that I'm definitely biased… But ultimately, they didn't work out because there was more lust than trust in that relationship," Rachel said.

"Quite the poet, my dear," her mom said wryly.

Rachel just shrugged unapologetically. "I believe Cyclops cared for her… Probably even believes he loved her. But their foundation was shaky at best."

"I see…" her mom said, trailing off.

"It was obvious to me that whatever it was they had was not built on a foundation of trust," Rachel said simply. Her father never fully trusted Emma. She didn't care what anyone said.

Her mother sighed. "Don't you remember? Your father trusted Emma to counsel him after I freed him from Apocalypse. That's more than he trusted me."

"I don't see it that way. Your opinion meant so much to him that he was afraid to let you see the darkness he was so ashamed of. And Emma exploited his confusion and vulnerability. And sure, she ended up falling in love with him… or whatever love means to her. But ultimately, she still took advantage of him. And I'm sure deep down, even subconsciously, he knows that. Is it really so hard to see why he never fully trusted her?" Rachel asked.

"Be that as it may… He still loved her, may still love her. I don't want to live with ghosts. I already endured that after Madelyne died. I'd really rather not do so again," her mother answered weakly.

"You put far too much stock in love, mom. Love is easy. People fall in and out of love all the time. Trust is a lot harder to come by. And because Scott already experienced that unconditional trust with you, I'm sure he found his relationship with Emma lacking in that department," Rachel said. And without unwavering trust in a relationship, could there even be true love? She didn't know and so didn't voice it.

Rachel realized that deep down, she still hadn't fully forgiven Cyclops for his relationship with Emma. She hated that it still had the power to hurt her. She had been so devastated at her mother's death. Then to witness her father flaunting Emma Frost in front of her so soon after her mother died, it was almost more than she could bear.

"You okay, Rach?" her mother asked. Perceptive as always.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Rachel quickly answered, shoving some of her bitter thoughts aside.

"Rach, stop being angry at your father. I know you've come a long way in forgiving him, but like I've told you plenty of times before… Our marriage fell apart because we both allowed it to. It's not just his fault," her mother said, taking her hand.

Rachel shrugged nonchalantly. "Like I said, I'm biased. And let's leave it at that."

"Fair enough," her mom answered, although Rachel detected a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Rachel wasn't quite ready to let the topic of her parents' relationship go just yet and asked, "Are you really sure you don't want to be with him again?"

"I don't know… As I understand, he and Emma were together a long while. They were obviously very much in love…"

Rachel snickered. "Please… You'd be surprised how long lust can masquerade as true love. I mean, I'll admit, they had some kind of version of love. But it's not like what you two had together. The love you two shared, brought us X-Men together as a family. It was a love we could all respect. When things fell apart for you two… All of us, your friends and family lost a bit of that faith in love as well."

"And what are your thoughts, Rach? What would you do?" her mom asked.

"…I honestly don't know," Rachel said sadly.

A little later

Scott found himself quite annoyed that Jean found the time to let Emma know about his resurrection, but not their own children. His daughter had been beyond shocked to see him. It was like she had seen a ghost. He supposed, in a manner of speaking, she did.

He knew Rachel was worried sick after hearing that Jean had gotten hurt. And he was sure he'd be part of the topic of conversation once Rachel ascertained that Jean's life wasn't in any danger. So, he hadn't intruded while mother and daughter had their reunion.

It was getting a bit late, and it was past the time he normally went to bed. But he wanted an opportunity to have some time with Rachel as well. If there was one person in the world aside from Jean that he needed to make amends towards, it was his own daughter. It had been quite the slap to the face when Rachel dropped the Summers surname. In hindsight, he couldn't blame her.

"You've got quite a reserve of patience," Rachel said, walking in the room. "I suspect you've been waiting for me all this time?"

"I wanted a chance to talk to you," Scott answered honestly.

Rachel walked tentatively towards him, stood on her toes and gave him a hug. "It's good to see you, Scott."

"I missed you, Rach. I'm so glad to see you. You look well," Scott said, returning the hug wholeheartedly. It wasn't quite as enthusiastic as the reception Jean received earlier, nor did Rachel refer to him as 'dad', but it was more than he deserved.

"You don't look so bad yourself, considering you just crawled out of the grave," Rachel said, teasingly.

Scott just laughed. It warmed his heart that Rachel seemed to want to connect with him. "So, did you and Jean have a good chat?"

"Yeah, we did. We would have talked some more, but I could tell she was still in a bit of pain. So, I told her to get some rest," Rachel said.

"Did you guys talk about anything interesting?" Scott asked, probing for any information on Jean's state of mind.

"You mean, did she tell me anything about what her thoughts are on relationships?" Rachel cheekily asked.

"You readin' my mind?" Scott asked good-naturedly.

"Don't need to. For the first time in a long while, you're wearing your heart on your sleeve again," Rachel said.

"Is that a good or bad thing?" Scott asked.

"I don't know, but I like it," Rachel answered. "I've missed seeing you like this. You don't seem so… bogged down."

Scott tried imagining himself in Rachel's place. How had she viewed him the last several years? Even after they came to a truce, he knew she didn't view him entirely favorably. That, he could accept, was entirely on him. He hadn't even considered her feelings when he started his relationship with Emma. Knowing how much Rachel loved Jean, and knowing how much his and Jean's relationship meant to her, he could only imagine how devastating it all had been.

"I haven't been the father I should have been to you, Rachel. I'm so sorry I hurt you," Scott said, through a lump in his throat.

"You don't owe me an apology, Scott. You're not really my father. He died when I was just a teenager," Rachel said.

She couldn't have hurt him more if she stabbed him in the heart. For a long time now, Scott considered Rachel his daughter, despite the fact he left a lot to be desired on how he treated her. And it was painful that she obviously viewed Jean as her real parent but not him.

Scott stayed silent for a long time, wanting to say so much, yet not knowing what to say at all. Finally, he broke the silence and said, "I wish so much that Jean and I had you. I wish so much that we had started a family. And make no mistake, Rachel… I do consider you my family. More than that, I haven't given up hope that Jean and I could still one day create a family." And Scott very much hoped that Rachel would want to be a part of that.

"So, you really do want mom back, huh?" Rachel said.

"More than anything," Scott answered. "But I will admit, I do worry that I've given myself a Sisyphean task. I mean, is it even possible to change the most powerful mind on earth? Am I just setting myself up for a world of hurt?"

"May I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Why do you want mom back?" Rachel asked. "I'm sure Emma would be more than happy to be with you again."

"Look, Rach… Despite what most people believe, I didn't leave Jean for Emma. Yes, I regrettably had a psychic affair with her… But I know that had your mom not died, we could have worked things out. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I would not have started a relationship with Emma if Jean had lived."

"You still haven't answered my question," Rachel said. "Do you really want mom back? Or is this just a challenge you want to take on because now mom is the forbidden fruit and not Emma?"

Ouch. He supposed he deserved that. "This isn't a game to me, Rachel. I want Jean back because I love her. She's the only woman I love. She's the only person who can make me whole. She's the kindest person I know. She also has the fieriest temper of anyone I know. She understands me, yet doesn't let me get away with crap. She holds me accountable and I'm always a better man because of it. She can always make me laugh. Whenever I'm with her I feel like I'm home. She's the only woman I can picture to be the mother of my children, the only woman I want to start a family with," Scott answered honestly.

"Well, someone who is as amazing as you just described won't be easy to win, let alone win back," Rachel said, a look of sympathy on her face. "If she were easy, she wouldn't be amazing. Ask yourself if she's worth it. If she is, you'll know not to give up. If you give up, you're not worthy. Love hurts as we both well know, but I think we can agree that mom's worth suffering for."

"She's worth everything to me," Scott said, agreeing wholeheartedly.

Rachel sighed looking torn. "Look, Scott… I'm not sure myself if I want her back with you. I mean, do I want my parents back together? Of course, I do! But at the same time, I don't want mom hurt again. There's no one on earth who's capable of hurting her the way you could-"

"I swear, that'll never happen again-" Scott said interrupting.

"However… I was also going to say, that there's also no one on earth who could make her as happy as you could," Rachel said, almost sadly. She sighed deeply. "What can I say, pops, you're a high risk, high reward venture."

Scott couldn't help but chuckle at his daughter's apt description of things. "No risk, Rach. I swear, I will do right by our family this time. I'll never again be the disappointment you've known me to be."

"I hope so, for our all our sakes," Rachel said, getting up and leaving Scott by himself.

Little did she know she just gave Scott a newfound resolve.

To be continued…

So… what did you think of Rachel's insights on her family dynamics? I definitely don't envy her LOL. Also, I'm considering bringing up the events of Here Comes Tomorrow… but how could I all of a sudden get Scott/Jean to know this bit of tidbit, when I've gone through the story so far with them not knowing? What do you think could trigger this sudden knowledge in one or both of them? Please, throw some ideas my way!

Anyway, next chapter… All hell breaks loose! Don't miss it!