Can everyone please convene in the main lab please.
Rogue's ears perked up at the sound of the Professor's voice in her mind, they must have found Jean she realised. Zipping shut her bag she smiled, perfect cover to slip out then. Pulling on her coat she listened at the door for the sound of footsteps, slipping Wolverine's powers to the forefront she sniffed – Remy was stood outside, quiet as a mouse. She smiled sadly, turned intangible and slipped out the external wall and away from the complex.
Remy opened the door a minute later, he frowned as he looked around, hoping that Rogue had already made her way to the lab he quickly went to check.
As he entered he stopped in shock, in front of the team of X-Men was Phoenix. Rogue had told them what had happened to Jean but it was hard to picture a thirty year old Jean with eyes of flame and a body, a decidedly perfect body he noted to himself, clad in a red and gold outfit emblazoned with a phoenix on the chest. He looked at the others, Scott's depressed frown had morphed into barely contained fury, Ororo was a blank slate, Kurt was shocked, Kitty – who was stood next to Piotr he realised with a jolt – looked about to burst into tears and Wolverine was calmly smoking a cigar looking both suspicious and curious.
"Gambit, glad you could join us – where is Rogue?" The professor wheeled towards him, Gambit looked around suddenly remembering her absence.
"She's not here?" he asked, the others shook their heads. They all stopped when Phoenix laughed. Gambit looked at her suddenly angry, "What do you find so amusing fille?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"Her, the one you call Rogue – the one named Anna-Marie Darkholme, she is interesting." There were several gasps of shock at the revelation of Rogue's real name, although notably to the others not from Wolverine or Gambit, Phoenix looked at them all in turn, "You all care for her so much and yet she feels so alone. She is so powerful, yet she is so restricted by your attempts to help her deal with that power. Her attempts to control it and your attempts to keep her sane will only do the opposite in the end, like Jean she should be encouraged to reach her potential – not taught to fear it."
"You speak like you know so much about her, but the powers you speak of are driving her insane." The professor wheeled to the front of the group, greatly affected by her criticisms of his methods.
"Only because she attempts to dull her powers, if she embraced them she would retain herself and gain control – she is fighting every moment and every moment she grows closer to losing herself entirely. He knew that, he knew the potential and he still seeks her –although I think she may be making his job easier."
"She's gone looking for him hasn't she?" Remy asked quietly, cursing himself for leaving her alone after the outburst in the lab. Phoenix looked at him and nodded.
"Yes, she is on her way to his base as we speak. She isn't very happy and she isn't fully in control."
"You can see her? Can you speak to her?" Professor queried, she was already out of his range and without cerebro there was nothing he could do.
"I can, but it is not my place to interfere."
"You interfered before when you sent him away in Seattle."
"That was because he interested me and I didn't want you to destroy him. As I told Anna-Marie, it is not my place to get involved in your affairs, I will not be used."
"And yet you use Jean!" Scott burst in, slamming his fists onto the table in front of him.
"But I have advanced her beyond anything she could have experienced on her own. She is still in here, in this body." Suddenly she stepped closer to Scott and ran a finger down his cheek, "She loves you so much." she whispered before pulling back and moving away, Scott could barely breathe, for a second her eyes had flickered to green, Jean was still alive in there.
"You said we could have Jean back in exchange for one of three others. We know Rogue and the professor, who is the third?" Storm interrupted. Phoenix turned to her.
"The one you know as Sinister, Nathaniel Essex." This was met with gasps of shock from all and confusion from Remy.
"What has Sinister got to do wit Jean?" he asked
"Phoenix will only relinquish Jean in exchange for one of the three other powerful mutants she detected, Professor, Rogue or Sinister." Storm informed him.
"Den it looks like an easy choice non?" Remy muttered confused by concern on Storm and the Professor's face.
"It is not that easy Remy, we would effectively be handing over immense power to Sinister, even though Phoenix would be the dominant mind there is no guarantee it will stay that way." The professor spoke whilst watching Phoenix carefully; she smiled slightly at his words but stayed silent. "But we cannot let a friend be lost either. I suggest that we make our way to the base Rogue is heading for quickly, Phoenix will you remain here and allow Moira to study you whilst you learn?"
"She may do as she wishes, but I will stay no longer than I want to." Phoenix replied. The professor nodded at her words and motioned to Scott.
"Scott I'd like you to remain here with Phoenix."
"Of course Professor." Scott replied staring directly at Phoenix.
"The rest of you will come with me please." They all followed the professor out of the lab. Scott remained staring straight at Phoenix. Remy looked back concerned and turned to Storm.
"Remy tink he might do something stupid." He whispered and pointed to Scott over his shoulder. Storm nodded, "As do I, but I will trust the professor in this. If anyone can get to Jean it's Scott."