A/N: Stole a few ideas from spacebattles forum to overcome my current bout of hypothymia and writer's block.

-0-0-0-

The Girl Who Stole the Stars

-0-0-0-

The young Jean Grey wiped the sleep from her green eyes and stifled a yawn.

"I'm sorry for waking you so early." Charles Xavier apologized.

Red embers of embarrassment flared on Jean's cheeks and she quickly, albeit belatedly, straightened. "No, I'm sorry, Professor. I'm the one what wasn't paying attention. It's just—I haven't been sleeping well, lately."

Charles nodded his head. "Is this about those dreams you've been having?"

"Yes. He's been distraught, lately. Distressed—I don't know. But, somehow, happier than he was before." Jean tried to explain, before sighing in exasperation. "I don't even know who he is or if he exists."

"He does exist." Charles reassured her. "What you're feeling is your telepathy reaching out while you sleep. With time and training, your control over your powers will be subconscious, you'll see."

"You're right, Professor." Jean said, and then yawned tiredly, "I just wish we had a more-immediate solution while waiting."

Charles laughed, and Jean soon joined in with a giggle of her own.

"So, can you tell me again why we're up so early?" Jean inquired, feeling more awake now than the few minutes prior.

"Right. I'll need your help. I think we've finally located the runaway I've been tracking."

"The one that blew up a hole in the orphanage?" Jean recalled, and then frowned. "The same one involved in those robberies and widespread destruction of property?"

"Yes, but I'd prefer a bit more leniency at this time. There is no proof that he directly caused those damages. Facts over speculations, Ms. Grey. Innocent until proven guilty."

Jean inwardly winced, knowing she struck a nerve. "I'm sorry, Professor."

"Don't worry about it." He smiled at her reassuringly, "But back to the point: I've found him, and I will need your help convincing him."

Jean grinned. Finally, some action. She was beginning to get bored at being cooped up in the school with no one else to talk to but her mentor. "Say no more, Professor. I'll be ready in five."

"Thank you, Jean." Charles told his first student. "I'll ready our ride."

-0-0-0-

If there was one thing Scott learned from Jack Winters, it was how to be swift.

"Watch it, kid!" A grumpy man in a business suit shouted.

"Sorry, mister!" Scott quickly apologized as he picked himself off the ground. "I'm still adjusting to my glasses!"

"Yeah? Well, adjust soon." The man cautioned before glancing at his watch. "Oh, I'm going to be late!"

Scott watched as the man hurried away out of sight before sighing. He felt bad, really, but times were desperate.

He continued on his way, rounding the corner into the next street before arriving at his destination. He entered the nearby convenience store.

"You again?" The kindly clerk asked.

"Yeah."

"Still running errands for your parents?"

"Yup."

"Bless you." The clerk said. "Not every day kids your age help out at the house."

"Mhm." Scott quickly gathered all he needed—a large bottle of clean water, a can of soup, and a carton of milk.

"Oh, new wallet?" The clerk asked.

"Yeah."

"You must really have a collection." The clerk whistled appreciatively. Scott's gut twisted but he fought the bile down his throat.

"Something like that."

"Well, here you go. Take care, alright?"

Scott nodded. "Will do."

As Scott exited and hurriedly made his way back, he was unaware of the car following him.

-0-0-0-

"I told you he was a criminal." Jean seethed as she saw the crime unfold in front of her.

She started getting bad vibes as soon as she saw the disheveled teen. His brown hair was a mess, his shirt was a size too large and clearly wasn't properly washed, and he was hunched over suspiciously. And then, she saw him steal a man's wallet—and he even had the gall to quickly use his victim's funds immediately!

His parents should be ashamed!

"He might simply be misguided, Jean." Charles pointed out, ever the optimist. "But the only way to really know why is to follow him and find out the truth."

"I'm just having a bad feeling about this, Professor. It's just a hunch."

And there was something scratching at the back of her mind that bothered her when she saw the street urchin.

-0-0-0-

A tent in a forest grove.

Of all the places to find him, this was the most unlikely.

"So this is where you've been hiding, Scott."

Scott leaped to his feet, his hand immediately flying up to the edge of his shades.

"Who are you?" Scott pressed as he took in the two people—a bald man in a wheelchair and a girl his age beside him—and wracked his brain for any memory of them.

"You've never met us before, Scott." The man held up his hands in a placating gesture. "But I assure you we mean you no harm. I'm Charles Xavier and beside me is Jean Grey."

"Charmed." Jean added, somewhat coldly. Her gaze remained intent, and Scott had the sudden feeling that she would pounce at any sudden movement from him.

Taking steadying breaths, Scott willed his nerves to still. The last thing he needed was to blast the disabled man and the young girl unintentionally.

"How do you know my name?" Scott, instead, asked. "Are you from the orphanage?"

He hoped not, because he'd probably have to blast them. No way was he going back there, now. He wasn't sure why, but he never felt safe there.

"No, we're not." Charles said. "But we have been searching for you for a while now, Scott."

"Stop calling me by name." Scott said. "I don't know you."

"There's no reason to be wary. We mean you no harm." Charles told the agitated boy in a deliberate and patient tone. "I know you're stressed. It can't have been easy living in these woods for how long you've had to. It can't have been easy being on the run at such a young age, with your body going through changes you can't explain."

"We just want to talk." Jean added.

"Yeah?" Scott cautiously glanced around, searching for hidden enemies. Were the cops here, too? Were they cops?

"We're not with the police, either, Scott." Charles supplied.

His heart stilled. "How—are you… reading my mind?"

Charles smiled. "It's just a small demonstration to get your attention."

"What do you mean…?"

Charles slowly approached, pushed forward by Jean.

Scott, instinctively, took a step back—covering the entrance of his tent.

"I'm sure you've been noticing changes, lately." Charles started. "Changes in your body. Rapid, unexplained changes."

Scott glared behind his shades. "I already know about puberty."

Jean snorted involuntarily at the casual remark. "Sorry, Professor." She told her mentor with an apologetic smile. "But you do realize how you must have sounded."

"Indeed." Charles slowly shook his head. "I wasn't talking about puberty, Scott. Tell me, what happened to your orphanage?"

Scott's lips flattened. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Are you still having those headaches, Scott?" Charles pressed. "Or have they finally calmed down with your recent change?"

"Stop reading my mind!" Scott's shades flashed dangerously.

"Professor, let me." Jean cut in, standing in front of her mentor. "Scott, listen. There's no easy way to tell you this, but you're a mutant."

"What?"

"All those buildings you destroyed? That was you." Jean continued. "Clearly, you have issues with control. And if you don't learn to control it soon, you're going to hurt somebody."

Scott glanced between the two of them, trying to search for any semblance of a lie. Of any manipulation.

He couldn't find any.

"…It wasn't me." Scott sighed, his hand finally lowering from his frames as it settled to his side. His shoulders, however, remained stiff, and ready in case anything happened. "I can't control these—these lasers coming out of my eyes," He gestured to his shades, "but it wasn't me."

"It's alright, Scott." Charles said, "Nobody is blaming you for losing control."

"No, you don't understand." Scott shook his head adamantly. "I've- I've got someone with me. A—I've got a- well, she's a-"

She?

Jean caught a stray thought. "You have a baby?" She gave a surprised shriek.

"Wh-what?" Charles stammered.

"You can read minds, too? Stop reading my mind!" Scott fired.

"I wasn't!" Jean quickly defended. "But you were projecting!"

"Scott, is this true?" Charles pressed. This was unexpected. "Is—is she from the orphanage?"

The orphan shook his head. "I—I found her. Near here."

"Who just finds a baby in the forest?" Jean scowled.

"I didn't kidnap her, if that's what you're insinuating." Scott frowned at the girl.

"I wasn't insinuating anything." Jean folded her arms. "And I'm surprised you suddenly went to that angle. I mean, for all I know, she's yours."

Scott's face turned as red as his shades. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

Charles, as the only adult present, inwardly sighed. He could already sense a lot of arguments in the future if he managed to wrangle Scott—and his baby?—back with him to the mansion.

"Scott," Charles called, drawing his attention. "May I see the girl?"

Scott, at once, deflated. His demeanor was suddenly hesitant. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"And why is that?" Jean frowned.

"I—I just put her to sleep. I don't want her waking up and crying again."

"She's just a baby, Scott." Jean insisted. "Babies cry all the time. But we need to see her—to make sure she's alright, at least."

"Trust us, Scott." Charles pleaded. "We promise not to harm her."

Scott wasn't sure why, but there was something in the other man's eyes that made him want to believe. After a moment's thought, Scott slowly nodded his head.

Charles and Jean watched as the disheveled brunet bent over to reach into his tent. Moments later, he reappeared, this time with a bundle wrapped in a red cloth in his arms.

"Um," Scott swallowed nervously, "Charles and… Jean. This is—this is Kara." He quickly bit his tongue to stop himself from accidentally blurting out her last name. Even having found her the way he did, he still couldn't wrap his head around that very notion.

Kara?

Jean slowly approached to get a clearer view of the girl, wary not to startle the nervous teen.

Just as Scott said, the infant was sleeping soundly. Her round, healthy cheeks was, surprisingly, not marred by any insect bites, and Jean could imagine blue eyes that sparkled with her good head of fine, blonde hair.

Absently, she reached out to brush the cloth away from the infant's head.

"Don't-!" Scott whispered, too late.

Kara's cherubic face contorted at the contact.

And then let out a deathly wail the rumbled the forest, causing leaves to fall around them like heavy snow.

-0-0-0-

"Incredible." Charles gazed at the baby in clear awe. It took several minutes—and much bickering between Scott and Jean—before Scott was able to quiet Kara with a bottle of milk. Jean was disgusted at first, thinking about how Scott even cleaned the bottle, but decided to remain silent at the threat of risking another of Kara's loud cry. "This must be the youngest case of mutant power manifestation!"

"Mutant? Power?"

"Yes. You know—like your optic blasts."

"I—I don't think this is the case."

"Her wailing rattles the forest, Scott. You must realize that is not normal?"

"Oh, she isn't normal. That much, I can reassure you."

There was something in his tone that told Charles that he knew more than he was saying, but he quickly dismissed the point.

"Be that as it may," Charles began anew, "I think it would be safest for the two of you to join us in our school."

"A school?"

"Yes. The Professor is just like you and I, Scott." Jean decided to join in. "You, me, the Professor, and even Kara. We're all mutants, and the Professor started a school to teach us how to control our powers."

"And to provide a home for those of us without." Charles added with a warm smile.

"Just to be clear," Scott looked skeptic, before sneaking a quick glance to check-up on the infant Kara, and continued, "You want Kara and I to live with you?"

"Yes." Charles nodded his head.

"It'll also be safer for a growing girl." Jean quickly added. "Think of it. I'm sure you know of the basic necessities of life. Food, shelter, clothing." Jean listed.

'Much better than this trash heap you're forcing the poor girl to live in.'

'Kind thoughts, Jean.'

'…Sorry, Professor.'

Scott remained silent as he thought about the offer.

"This school… does it have a lawn I can set-up camp in?"

"A… camp?" Jean repeated, uncomprehendingly. It boggled her mind as she imagined Scott and the baby sleeping in a tent while a torrential storm surrounded them. "We have rooms indoors, you idiot!"

"I know that!" Scott frowned. He wasn't stupid; he knew what a school was. "But you've seen what Kara can do when she's upset."

"Well, just make she doesn't get upset."

"Have you seen her? She's a baby!"

"Yes! Which is why your idea to camp out in the cold when there is a very safe and, above all else, warm room available is absurd!" Jean stretched out her arms. "Give her to me."

"What?"

"It's clear you don't care about her safety, so one of us has to. Give her to me."

Scott's eyes flashed, clearly upset at the implication that he didn't care about Kara—and Charles decided he needed to intervene again before the situation escalated.

"We can reinforce the walls, Scott." Charles placated him. "We can put in padding to dampen her cries."

"And cameras to make sure you're not neglecting her." Jean muttered under her breath.

Scott willfully ignored her. "You can do that?"

"Yes. It's much safer than spending the night outdoors. Thermoregulation isn't as developed in babies as in us, I'm afraid. It's only by some miracle she hasn't gotten sick these past days you've been here in the wilderness."

"Sheer, dumb, miraculous luck." Jean clicked her teeth.

"I don't think luck has anything to do with it." Scott sighed. Once more, there was that tone that he knew more than he was letting on, but neither of the two telepaths felt like intruding in his privacy. "Alright. I'll—just for a week." Scott quickly amended. "If I find your… school is unsafe for Kara, then we're gone."

"A month, Scott." Charles pleaded. "Don't take this the wrong way, but what can you accomplish in a week?"

Scott's heart thundered anxiously. Could he really trust these strangers? Their deal seemed too good to be true.

"Yeah." Jean chimed in. "I get you're being cautious, but you're also being selfish. Think of what's best for Kara."

Scott inwardly bristled. That was all he had been thinking about since finding the abandoned baby. Betraying Jack, going on the run again, trying to leave her in an orphanage only for her wailing to get her in trouble, trying to go to the police only to be chased out because of his damn eyes….

But Jean was right. Annoying, antagonistic, but right. He needed to think of what was best for the baby in his arms.

He glanced down at her sleeping face.

Kara was innocent in all of this. All he wanted was to give her a home she could grow up in. Could he trust in these two strangers…?

And between the shady man bound to a wheelchair and the temperamental girl, the latter, he could tell, was honest. She truly cared for the wellbeing of a baby she just met.

"…alright. One month- but if I find things are unsafe…"

"We won't chase after you." Charles reassured.

"And Kara…?"

"We'll let you leave with her."

"Professor!" Jean shot a betrayed look at her mentor.

"Jean." Charles looked at her pointedly, and then continued telepathically, 'We won't let it get to that point.'

"Fine." Jean folded her arms, clearly displeased. "Against our better judgment." She grumpily added.

"Alright." He glanced at Kara again, drawing strength from her sleeping face. He brushed his lips against her forehead tenderly before steeling himself. Glancing upwards, he offered the baby to Jean. "Here. I—I need to clean-up. And pack up."

Jean looked bewildered momentarily before silently nodding. There was a clear reluctance in Scott's demeanor, but Jean chose to focus on the more important person.

As Kara's weight settled in her arms, Jean's mind was suddenly assaulted by a myriad of emotions.

Warmth.

Fear.

Despair.

Hope.

Protection.

Goodbye.

Fear.

Trust.

Fear.

Panic.

The sky was on fire.

No matter what happens, don't let him go!

I have you! I have you! Don't let go!

Pain.

Sorrow.

Cold…

Parting.

Trust.

Parting.

Trust?

Hurt.

Don't let go!

…Warmth.

"Jean?"

She drew in a strangled breath. Belatedly, she realized her sight was blurred. When did these tears form?

"I'm fine. Go do your thing." She turned her gaze up to him. "I've got her." Jean reassured him sincerely. "I've got Kara."

Scott slowly nodded and retreated back to his camp.

Charles, who had been silent throughout the exchange, smiled.

It seemed the two weren't oil and water, after all.

-0-0-0-

Omake: Secret Origins

"Where's Scott?" Warren asked as he entered the room.

Jean turned up from her book. Beside her, Kara was teething on a piece of titanium. "He went to get something of Kara's."

"Oh? Did he say what?"

Jean shrugged. "Something about proof that Kara isn't a mutant."

"That again?"

"Yeah. Him and Hank have been at it about extra-terrestrial life."

"Just because Cerebro doesn't recognize Kara doesn't mean she's an alien." Warren sighed. "I mean, there's that spider-person in New York, and he's not a mutant."

"That's true." Jean absently agreed. She smiled as Kara put down the contorted piece of metal and wobbled towards her outstretched arms. "Good girl! That's more steps than yesterday!"

Seeing Jean's smile made Kara giggle back.

Warren stared intently at the toddler. "You don't think she's an alien, do you?"

"Hrmm?"

"Kara." Warren pointed out, not at all bothered by how distracted Jean was. He was already used to the little girl hogging everyone's attention. "Do you think she's an alien?"

Jean glanced between the giggling toddler and at her teammate, before answering diplomatically, "I think Scott is telling the truth."

"So you think-"

"We'll find out soon, anyway."

As if on cue, the door to the anteroom opened.

And with it, Scott—and a flabbergasted Hank and excited Bobby—dragged in a sizeable hunk of metal that looked very much like-

"Is that a spaceship!" Warren gasped.

"Dadaaaa!" Kara giggled in Jean's arms and clapped her hands together happily.

"Hi there, pretty girl." Scott flashed a smile- and Jean refused to blush; that was definitely, absolutely, without a doubt directed at the pretty little girl giggling in her arms. Definitely not her. Scott turned to address his fellow mutants. "I told you I wasn't lying." Scott declared. His smugness was short-lived, however.

"Scott." Jean cut in, "Did you buy Kara's formula?"

"I—we still have enough for the week." Scott stammered. "And, she can eat solids, already!"

Jean's green eyes flashed.

"Uh-oh." Bobby gulped. "Mommy's angry at daddy again."

Hank and Warren looked between the two before quickly exiting the room, dragging Bobby with them.

"That's not the point!" Jean ignored the three turncoats. "Solids take longer to digest! What if she aspirates at night? We've been through this already!"

"But Jean-!"

-0-0-0-

Omake: Flying Death Machine

"What is that smell?"

"Kara. She had osterized vegetables."

"But where is she?"

"Alright. Who's on diaper duty?"

"Bobby is!"

"Bobby!"

"Oh, my stars and garters!"

"SHE CAN FLY!"

"Yes, Bobby, but her dia-"

"WHY CAN SHE FLY!"

"Well, she's not from-"

"Warren! Get her!"

"On i-!"

"Look out!"

"Take cover!"

"Bombs away!"

"Professor!"

Professor Charles Xavier entered the room.

Just as a damp and distinctly pungent diaper slapped him on top of his shiny bald head.

There was total silence, save for Kara's giggling as she wobbled on the air towards the new arrival.

Slowly, Charles peeled the diaper off his head and tracked the blonde's approach with a strained smile.

"So," Charles began with all the dignity left in him, "You can fly, too?"

-0-0-0-

A/N: And that's it for now. If anyone wants to continue this, be my guest, go for it.

Here's the blurb that jump-started this silliness:

"When Xavier finally finds Scott Summers, he knew the boy had baggage. From surviving a plane crash, to being separated from his brother, to running away from his orphanage, to being used and abused by a criminal, to adopting a toddler whose tantrums destroy buildings- wait, what? And what kind of a name is Kara Zor-El?"

Again, the idea was adapted from a post in spacebattles forum. Not much on Kara yet, but future Omakes will likely see the super girl grow up.

I recognize Jean comes off as antagonistic here, but here's her perspective on things: she hasn't had much sleep lately when she's suddenly called to a mission, is apparently proven right that Scott is a "criminal", and he's been squatting in the wilderness, for who knows how long, with a baby who is clearly not related to him. Scott being an untrusting porcupine about the situation definitely wasn't helping.

Would an older, more mature Jean be able to reign in her temper and give Scott the benefit of the doubt? Sure. But this Jean is Xavier's first student. Scott's lucky Jean didn't just telepathically lobotomize him into giving Kara up.

As always, please drop a review if you enjoyed this drabble! And thanks for reading!