Not So Different: I've been compared to her for most of my life, and I'm tired of it. Now, she's dead and I'm here, practically taking her place amongst old friends. But, now I'm left wondering what was so different about us after all.

Disclaimer: I do not claim nor hope to have any ownership over the X-Men or any other hereto mentioned Marvel characters. I do, however, have claim over Mackenzie Benton, Aubrey Howell, Bernadette Benton, and any other original characters found within this work of fanfiction. Don't bother suing me – I'm poor and you couldn't squeeze anything out of me if you tried.

Rating: This story is rated T for language, pathos, and brief nudity and sexual content.

"Jealousy is all the fun you think they had."— Erica Jong

-Chapter Twenty-Four-

"My, you certainly do have more students here than I originally thought." Sparing several wandering students a polite nod, my grandmother allowed me to shepherd her into the large and informal kitchen that was often used by the team. Nearly everyone was already gathered, most were sitting, but everyone seemed to sense our presence at the same moment. "Hello darlings."

Clearing his throat, the Professor motioned to a seat beside him that had always been reserved for Jean. "Won't you please join us, Bernadette? I was just informed that they will be serving the salads any moment."

Refreshed and dressed in a very charming cream pantsuit, my grandmother's cheeks flushed before she swept over to the Professor and they chatted in hushed tones before she slid into the seat that he'd motioned to. A pit formed in my stomach as they laughed quietly together, and I fought the urge to eavesdrop mentally.

"Chere," a voice murmured huskily to my left, causing me to glance over at Remy in surprise. "Ain't seem much o' you lately. Been busy wit' de big blue furry man?"

I laughed in response as he escorted me to the table, quickly removing his hand from my behind when I pinched him in the side. "And you haven't been down to the med lab in at least a week, LeBeau. Have you been busy cuddling with Aubrey by chance?"

A smirk curled his lips as he pulled out my chair for me before slipping around the table to take his seat between Aubrey and Robert. I nodded in thanks as I placed my napkin in my lap and sipped from a glass of water daintily.

"Ah heard someone sent yah some flowers." Smiling, Rogue nudged me under the table with her foot before she broke a piece of bread into several pieces. "So when's he comin' back?"

"When is who coming back, darling?" My grandmother's gaze met mine and I blinked, aware of the fact that her booming voice had drawn everyone's attention to me. I nearly choked on my water before I managed to sit the glass on the table, albeit shakily. "Mackenzie, are you –" she began, only to be interrupted when several uniformed servers entered the room with trays filled with salads.

It wasn't often that they were present outside of the large cafeteria, mainly because I think Xavier felt it important that the children feel as though the Institute was as much like a normal school as possible; servants just didn't fit the bill.

Everyone was quiet as the salads were served, and conversation gradually picked back up as Jubilee craftily managed to cause Aubrey to announce that she was planning on going back to MIT the coming semester to finish up her degree. "But, it's still, like -– in the works. No guarantees," the blue-haired woman muttered as she shoved a fork full of salad into her awaiting mouth.

"Oui, Remy been telllin' his chere dat she need t' go back," Remy commented from beside her. Unlike most of the other men at the table, he was sprawled in his chair, treating it more like a throne than a dining room chair. "She t'ink dat dey not gonna let 'er cause of de mutation."

"They might," Kitty piped up as she passed a basket of bread across the table to St. John. "I got declined to Illinois because of my background. NYU accepted me, and so did a few other places." Her eyes met mine as I sent her comforting thoughts, and she managed a slight smile. "It's not fair, but nothing in life is."

The table was quiet for several long moments -– the projections were so strong that I had to take a moment for myself in order to strengthen my shields. I blinked in surprise as the servers reappeared to take away our salads. Dishes were scattered across the table and filled with delicious foods; everything ranging from broccoli to scalloped potatoes and green beans, to pork loin and seared lamb chops and even ribeyes. It was a smorgasbord of a feast.

"When is Emma expected back from the city?" Scott asked quietly as he grabbed the salt shaker that was floating through the air, courtesy of me.

"I do believe she should be arriving later this evening with Henry," Ororo supplied with a faint nod. "They both had matters to attend to in the city, but I think that they agreed to travel together. Safer that way, I suppose."

I frowned in thought as I spooned scalloped potatoes onto my plate. While there was no reason for Hank and Emma to not get along, the very idea of them spending any time together alone was a bit disconcerting. I still wasn't sure where I sat with Emma, nor she with me, but I felt as though we weren't exactly enemies anymore. Still, that did not rule out the chance that she could use the hours alone with Hank for her own benefit. Jealousy and fear roared up inside of me so strongly and so suddenly that I was astounded to realize that I'd put my fork through my plate.

"Mackenzie?" Xavier murmured as I blinked away the fog. I felt him brush against my mind gently and I slapped him away as though he were a pesky fly. He sucked in a sharp breath and I glanced over at him blankly. "Are you all right?"

I managed a nod before staring at my plate in confusion, half-wondering why my fork had pierced the china and was imbedded in the wood beneath. Part of me realized that I must have used my TK to do it, but the rest of me wondered how I was supposed to finish my meal. "I -– I am fine," I whispered as I pushed my plate away. "I've got a lot on my mind, and I'm rather tired." It was a pitiful excuse, I knew, but the only one I could come up with at such short notice.

"I see you didn't bother to keep dinner warm for us, Charles." Stunned, I glanced up as Emma swept into the room, a white mink sable around her shoulders. Hank stepped into the room beside her, a fedora pulled low over his eyes. He took her sable and slipped out of the room without even meeting my gaze, and Emma slipped into a chair between Rogue and Ororo with a faint smile. "Ah, wine. I for one could certainly use a drink after the long day I've had."

Several moments passed before Hank reentered the room and sat down at the opposite end of the table next to Piotr. He shoveled food onto his plate and kept his voice quiet as he conversed with those around him. I started to reach out to him mentally when Emma's voice caused me to jerk my head in her direction.

"I didn't realize we had company. I'm Emma Frost of Frost Industries." She daintily reached across the table and offered my grandmother her hand before sitting back down. "I didn't realize you were in the country, Mrs. Benton."

My grandmother blinked once before nodding. "That's correct." She folded her hands together atop the table and smiled warmly. "Why, little Emma Frost? I haven't seen you since you were much, much younger. I see you fell in with the media, based on your hair choice."

To my surprise, Emma didn't retort immediately and instead poured herself a glass of wine. "Well, you know what they say, Mrs. Benton -– sex sells."

Pride welled up inside of me when my grandmother merely smiled before forking up a bite of what appeared to be lamb. "So do brains, dear."

A number of people chuckled, but Rogue was the only person other than myself that laughed outright. I cleared my throat and sipped my water quickly, eyes focused on my plate rather than daring to glance toward Emma whom, I assumed, was attempting to glare me into pieces.

"I didn't realize that Henry and Mackenzie were already at the stage in their relationship where they were introducing one another to their families." Emma's voice, cold as ice and laced with sarcasm, caused me to glance first toward my grandmother and then towards Hank. "Ah, love is such a sweet, sweet thing."

Emma, I warned, grinding my teeth when she laughed in my head. Why must you always be such a cold witch?

Mackenzie, darling, she murmured, whispering really. You must have me mistaken me with someone that actually cares how she is perceived by others.

That much is certain, I agreed as Hank cleared his throat. "Actually, Emma, I wasn't aware that Hank was going to be returning this evening. My grandmother's visit was a bit of a surprise, so I hadn't had a chance to warn him of her impending arrival." I met his gaze and offered a shaky smile, one that he almost managed to return. "But, now that you mention it, I am hoping that the three of us will be able to have lunch together tomorrow so that they can get to know one another."

"Who is Henry -– Hank?" my grandmother asked, her voice a bit sharper than normal. The look she spared me was one of confusion and suspicion. Though, there was something in her gaze that warned me she wasn't as naive as she pretended to be. "Mackenzie?"

"Excuse me, Ma'am, but I am Henry, or Hank to my friends." Although Hank sounded normal, his voice had taken on the professional air that he often used while talking to strangers or giving speeches. "Henry McCoy."

"Ah," she murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly when he stood up. I touched against her mind briefly and witnessed firsthand the surprise at his appearance. "You're -– you're the mutant from the television. The one that served on the President's Cabinet for some time."

The entire table was silent, save for the sounds of chewing and forks clanging, as Hank murmured a yes. "I am, yes."

"I see." Her eyes were a bit icier than normal as she slowly nodded her head. Daintily, she picked up her glass of white wine and sipped it, her brows furrowed in thought. Abruptly, she turned her attention to the man next to her. "Charles, what is it that you were telling me about the funding for your School? I think I should like to perhaps become an investor."

I awkwardly shifted in my seat and looked toward Hank's end of the table under my lashes. He looked rather defeated as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes downcast and averted. It took a moment for me to brush against his mind, and I was surprised by how guarded he was.

Hank, is everything okay?

Quite fine, Mackenzie, he replied, although a bit more harshly than I'd have expected. It's simply been a long few days.

I felt him fighting the urge to say more, to express more; instead the telepathic conversation was silent. I knew that if I wanted to I could breach his mental shields and see for myself, but Hank didn't deserve such treatment. Feeling a bit nauseous, I folded my hands in my lap and simply stared at my unusable plate.

Did you get the message I left you about the flowers?

I did, he replied, his voice sounding slightly tired in my mind. I am glad that you liked them.

The note was beautiful, Henry, I whispered, brushing against his mind gently. Never before have I -–

He cut me off suddenly when he stood up and cleared his throat. I jerked upright in my seat and stared at him, eyes wide in confusion. "If you'll all excuse me, I'm afraid I'm feeling a little ill. It's been a long two days and I think a bit of rest will do me a world of wonder." Lips thinned, he nodded toward the opposite end of the table where my grandmother sat, eyes wide in confusion and focused on his large form. "Mrs. Benton, it's been a pleasure meeting you. Good evening, everyone."

Hank practically barreled out of the room, leaving a table full of people simply staring at his wake in confusion. I felt the Professor brush against my mind before I batted him away in annoyance, seeking and finding Henry instantly.

Henry? Can I get you any -

A gasp escaped my lips as he promptly threw up a strong shield; one much stronger than I thought him capable of producing. It wouldn't stop me, not if I wanted to pry. But, it was an obvious No Trespassing sign. One that rocked me to the core. Emma brushed against my mind and I swatted her away as I lost myself in my own thoughts. I couldn't stop wondering what I had done wrong.