Disclaimer: see ch 1
Scott sat in the chair beside Jean in Med Lab. He was slouched down, his hands clasped together as his elbows rested on his knees. Jean had passed out. No one had any idea why- not concrete ones, at least. Scott felt the answer was something he had been warned about by his time traveling son ten years earlier.
"I'll take this shift, Scott," Bobby offered as he walked in. Scott shook his head.
"I've got it-"
"You've also got kids." Scott looked up at him and couldn't help but think how far he'd come. Sure, Bobby was still happy to joke around and play, but after coming out to him, something seemed to change. Suddenly Bobby could turn the playfulness off and be serious. Scott began to rely on him, even more so when Kurt left to join Betsy's brother in England.
It was just him, Emma, Jean, Warren, Bobby, and Rogue who ran the school and team, now. At least, of the 'young' group. Of course Beast, Logan, Charles, and Storm were still there, but Scott was closer to those who were his own age.
"Alright, Bobby," Scott said, standing. "You'll call me if there's any change, right?"
"Of course."
"And I expect to hear about your escapades with Angelica and Spider-Man after Jean's better."
"Aye aye, fearless leader." Scott chuckled and walked out, slowly making his way to the elevator to join his family. He wearily opened the door to their suite and felt the stress leave his shoulders at the quiet.
"Emma?"
"Shh," Emma said, sticking her head out of their room. "I've just got the twins asleep."
"In our bed?"
"I'll need help getting them in their own beds, of course." Scott silenced the groan. His back was aching from carrying Jean and sitting by her side for several hours. The last thing he wanted to do was carry his children, too.
"Alright," he said instead. He quietly opened the door to his children's rooms and went into his own. Scott paused at the sight of his twins on his bed, curled together and holding hands.
"Adorable, aren't they?" Emma whispered.
"They used to do this as babies. Maddie hated the thought of them being apart after being together for so long, so for several months, we let them sleep in the same crib." Scott gently picked up Carrie and carried her to her room. He kissed her forehead and covered her up before leaving and closing her door.
"Dad?" Nate said, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Scott tried not to look too relieved that his already hundred and fifty pound son had woken up.
"Hey. Let's get you on to bed, kiddo." Nate nodded and Scott put his hand on Nate's back, leading him to his room.
"Is Aunt Jean ok?"
"Yes-"
"Don't lie, Dad," Nate said as he climbed in his bed.
"Physically, she seems fine. But I don't know, Nate. She hasn't woken up."
"Oh."
"We're doing what we can. I'll see if you can visit her in the morning." Nate nodded and Scott covered him up. "Now sleep, son. You look exhausted."
"I worked really hard on my room."
"It looks great. I'm proud of you." Scott leaned down and kissed Nate's forehead.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't think we should leave Aunt Jean to get breakfast tomorrow. She might need us."
"Ok. We'll stay home, then. Thank you, Nate." Nate nodded, rolled onto his side, and closed his eyes. Scott walked out, carefully closing the door behind him.
"Well?" Emma said. "How is she?"
"Not good. Vitals seem alright, but Beast did a CT scan and an MRI. There's something off with her brain." Emma snorted. "Emma."
"Do you not recall what she did to you?"
"I do," Scott said, taking her hand. "But I've also seen what she's done since then. She's a trusted teammate, Em. And she's been by my side since I was fourteen. I can't just…"
"You're too loyal," Emma said with a sad smile.
"My friend is hurting and I don't know what to do." Emma hugged Scott to her, a hand on the back of his head.
"I'll see if I can reach her in the morning."
"Thank you," Scott told her, voice full of relief. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"I can think of a few things you'd certainly be missing," she said, hand snaking down to Scott's pants zipper. Scott's weariness seemed to evaporate as he picked Emma up, her legs wrapping around his waist.
"Let's go test that, hm?" he said as he hurried to their room. Scott gently pushed Emma to the bed as he moved to unbutton his pants. Emma was on her knees on the bed, also working her pants down. Scott was just climbing on the bed to enjoy his time with Emma when their com unit lit up.
"Scotty? Jean woke up. I think… Scott, something's wrong."
"Shit." Scott put his clothes back on and pressed a button on the com unit. "I'll be there in a second, Bobby."
"Just a moment, sugar," Emma said as she fixed her clothing and adjusted her bra.
"Aw, Emma. That wasn't what I needed to see," Scott complained as he palmed his crotch. Emma kissed his cheek and opened the door, leading a grumbling Scott out of the suite and down to Med Lab. When they reached the door, Scott straightened and took on his usual serious countenance when dealing with X-Men related matters.
"Scott?" Jean said from her bed. She turned her head and looked towards him.
"Jean. How are you?"
"Scott, there's something…"
"What?" Scott asked, walking to her side.
"I feel like there's something inside of me. Something fighting to take control…"
"What does it feel like?" Emma asked her. Jean turned her head, glaring at her.
"It doesn't like you." Scott moved so he was standing between Emma and Jean.
"What does it feel like?" he said, repeating Emma's question.
"Old. Powerful. It feels-" Jean screamed and Scott took several steps back, pushing Emma with him as Jean rose from the bed, a strange light enveloping her. "I am Phoenix!" she declared.
"Oh no," Scott gasped.
"Scott?" Emma hissed. "What does she mean by that?"
"I gotta… Emma, go to the kids."
"Scott!"
"Emma, now. I don't know what she'll do if she realizes they're genetically hers, and I don't want to take that chance!" Scott hissed back. Emma nodded and left Med Lab, just as Jean fell back to her bed.
"Scott?" she said weakly.
"Jean?"
"It hurts, Scott," Jean moaned. Scott could only watch as Jean writhed in pain. Eventually, Jean passed out and Scott rubbed the bridge of his nose. He walked to the computer in Med Lab and typed in a code. The computer opened his requested channel and Scott pressed an icon on the screen.
"Who requests Starjammers?" A strange metal winged bug like… thing answered.
"Uh… Who are you?"
"Sikorsky the captain says. Who requests Starjammers?" Despite the situation, Scott snorted and grinned.
"That sounds like Corsair, alright. Is he available?"
"Want to know who calls, Captain will."
"You can tell him it's Cyclops." The alien disappeared and Scott ran a hand through his hair, wishing he was back in bed.
"Scott?" Scott looked back at the screen at the face of Chris Summers, AKA Corsair. "Wasn't I just there? You miss me that much, kiddo?"
"Dad… I need to know the legend of the Phoenix."
"That's not one I know, son. You're better off asking-"
"I'm asking you."
"But I don't know the legend, Scott." Scott hung his head. "What's going on?"
"Nathan…"
"What about him?"
"He told me of the original line. The one where Jean and I are together before me and Maddie?"
"Yes?"
"He told me Jean and I separated because Jean became the Phoenix. Even Nate told me years ago that it'll still happen."
"Is it happening?"
"It is. Jean started acting differently after we got back from space. She'd stare at nothing, barely even blinking. She collapsed tonight, and then suddenly she's in a bright light saying she's Phoenix. I don't…"
"Ok. Alright. Just… Can you give me twenty four hours, Scott? I'll ask around and get the legend for you. We'll go from there, ok?" Scott nodded.
"Thank you."
"Does Captain want Sikorsky to scan?"
"Let's keep that option available," Chris said to the metal alien bug.
"Yeah. Who's this?" Scott asked.
"I named him Sikorsky."
"God I'm glad Mom picked our names." Chris laughed, bringing a small smile to Scott's face.
"Like Hepzibah, his name isn't something that translates to English, so I just dubbed him with something that not only fit, but was easy to remember. This is the colleague who saved your brother after… Sinister."
"Oh. I wasn't expecting…"
"Don't let his looks deceive you, son. He's the best medic I know. If Jean doesn't seem to be doing well, he'll look over her." Scott nodded.
"Thanks, Dad."
"I'll call you in twenty four hours, son. Hopefully I'll have an answer."
"Ask Lilandra," Scott frowned. "Before, the Phoenix was protecting… something from the Shi'ar. From D'Ken."
"I'll… Scott, better terms or not, I am still a pirate. I don't know how well I can get through to her and keep my freedom."
"If anyone can do it, you can, Dad."
"I wish I had that same faith. Let me go ahead and sign off, kid. Twenty four hours." Scott nodded and the screen turned black. Scott turned back to Jean. The sight of her, passed out in pain, brought forward memories of Madelyne and baby Nate. Scott clenched his eyes shut, not wanting to think of his wife.
"What'd your dad say?" Bobby asked as he wiped Jean's forehead with a damp cloth.
"That he doesn't have an answer for me, but he'll ask around. Hopefully he'll have something tomorrow." Bobby nodded and sat on the bed.
"Is she going to be ok?"
"We're going to do our best."
"I've got her again," Bobby said. "You look about ready to pass out yourself. Go get some sleep."
"I'll be back in a couple hours to switch with you." Bobby nodded and Scott left to once again return to his suite. He stepped in and saw Emma standing guard in front of the Twins' rooms.
"Are they safe?"
"For now. She passed back out."
"What do we do now?" Emma asked, walking to Scott. They collapsed on the couch and she leaned against him, bringing her legs up on the cushion.
"I called my dad and asked him to look into the legend of the Phoenix. He said he'd ask around and get back to me in twenty four hours. I guess… I guess we go from there."
"Do we need to send the children away?"
"I don't know. I think we just need to wait until we know more of what we're dealing with before we do that."
"Scott…"
"Yeah, Em?"
"I… I'd like to take them away from here. Just to be safe."
"Emma-"
"What you said… It's rattled me. What if she- it- she?- can sense the link between Jean and Carrie and Nate? What will she do?" Scott squeezed Emma's arm.
"Where?" He asked in a tensed voice.
"What if Christian and I took them to your grandparents' cabin?" Scott instantly relaxed.
"Alright. It's summer break… Um. Ok. I'll take them to see Jean in the morning, and then I would like breakfast with the four of us. Maybe if I call Grandpa tonight, he'll fly-"
"He's not able to fly anymore, remember?" Scott let out an irritated breath from his nose.
"I forgot."
"We'll take the Frost jet." Scott nodded.
"I'll still… I need to call them and confirm it."
"You should probably do that soon, then. They're getting older and going to sleep sooner, and it's already seven there." Scott nodded and pulled out his cellphone, quickly calling his grandmother.
"Hello? Scott?" Phil Summers answered.
"Hi Grandpa. Where's Grandma?"
"She's getting ready for bed. What's got you calling so late? Isn't it after eleven in New York?"
"Is the cabin available, or did you rent it out?"
"It's available. Why?"
"There's just… some stuff going on, and Emma and her brother want to get the kids away from here for a bit."
"Alright. It's only available for two weeks, and then it's booked the rest of summer. Will that be long enough? Are you flying them here?"
"Two weeks should be plenty. If not, we'll figure something else out. And they're taking their family's jet. Emma's technically the CEO of Frost Industries, remember? She just has her brother running it for her since her dad's will won't let Christian…"
"Right. Right. When should we expect them?"
"Some time tomorrow, if that's ok."
"Not a problem. Have Emma call us or text us when they land and we'll drive them over."
"Thank you, Grandpa. I really appreciate it."
"There is something you can do for me in return, Scott."
"Anything."
"Your grandma's birthday is in August. She'll be seventy this year. Your dad won't answer my calls, and I'd really like for him to celebrate with us."
"Yeah, I'll definitely say something to him. I called him earlier- you know you can't call his phone, right? But he'll be calling me back tomorrow night with some answers. I'll bring it up then."
"Thank you, Scott. I suppose that would make sense that he can't answer his phone…"
"Scott, dear, is that you?"
"Hi Grandma. Was just calling for a favor. Emma and the kids will be at the cabin tomorrow for two weeks."
"That sounds wonderful! Where will you be?"
"Just some… team stuff going on."
"I hope you're being safe."
"I am, Grandma. But I should get going. It's late here, and Emma and I are seconds away from passing out on the couch."
"We're headed to bed here, too. Sleep well, Scott. Tell Emma I said hi. And please call more often. We miss you boys."
"I'll try. Love you. Good night." Scott hung up and put his phone beside him. "That's been taken care of." There was no response. "Em?" Nothing. Scott looked down and saw Emma sleeping against him. He chuckled and picked her up, carefully carrying her to their room.
"Mm," she mumbled as Scott dressed her for bed as best he could.
"Sleep well, love," he said, kissing her temple. Scott got himself ready for bed and slid in beside her, draping his arm across her waist. Sleep came instantly for him.
So did the nightmares.
Smoke.
His family dead on the ground.
Emma, diamond form broken, arms attached to his lifeless children.
Jean, standing over them with a crazed look-
Scott's eyes opened and he ran to the bathroom, emptying the contents of his stomach into the toilet. He leaned back against the wall, trying to calm his racing heart. He slowly stood, flushed, and rinsed his mouth to get the taste out. He stumbled his way to Nate's room first, needing to see his chest rising. There had been too many close calls- both as his son and as his time traveling son.
The soft snore was a relief. Nate was alive. He was safe.
Scott closed the door and looked in on his daughter. The first female born into the Summers family as far back as their records went. She had a wonderful life ahead of her, he remembered. A grandchild was in his future from her and the son of Reed Richards.
She had to live.
Scott watched her shift in her sleep. His fears abated for the moment, Scott closed her door and left the suite. He took the elevator to Med Lab, not feeling like exerting energy he didn't have to take the steps.
"Hey- whoa. Scott, did you see yourself before you left your room?" Scott blinked at Bobby before glancing down.
"Shit. Sorry, Bobby. I…"
"Here," Bobby said, passing Scott a pair of pajamas kept in Med Lab for overnight visits. He turned his back to Scott, giving him a moment to dress in something other than just his boxers.
"Thanks, Bobby. I'm sorry. This whole thing…"
"I'm sure it's hard seeing… But she's not Maddie. Your kids are safe, Scotty. You know we wouldn't let anything happen to them." Scott nodded, running a tired hand through his hair.
"You should rest. There's no way I'm getting back to sleep tonight." Bobby smirked.
"Need me to call Corsair so he'll make you?" Scott chuckled despite himself.
"At least he's a couple thousand lightyears away and can't smack me." Bobby shook his head, quietly laughing.
"You really should get some rest. You know if something happens, you'll need all the energy you can get."
"I know, Bobby. But I can't seem to close my eyes for longer than a few minutes before I see-" Scott looked away and sighed. "Emma's taking the kids to a safe house after breakfast. I'll rest then until my dad calls this evening."
"Promise?" Scott nodded. "Alright. I'll get some sleep, then. But Scotty, I'm not above calling someone to make sure you rest. Your kids need you, but we do, too."
"Thanks, Bobby." Bobby gave Scott a small smile and headed out. Scott waited a minute and then sat in the chair by Jean's bed.
"Scott?"
"I'm here," he told Jean.
"You left me."
"I had to see my children."
"Our children," she murmured.
"My children. Mine and Maddie's, and now mine and Emma's." Jean's eyes fluttered open.
"He's here," she said in a voice that didn't quite sound like her.
"Who? Who's here?" Jean groaned.
"This body is not yet strong enough," she moaned in that same eerily different voice.
"Strong enough for what?" Scott asked, almost panicking. Jean sat up, enveloped in a bright light.
"There is technology here that is not of this planet. Show me."
"You're not strong enough to leave Med Lab-"
"Show me," Jean demanded, looking at Scott. Even through the red hue of his ruby quartz glasses, Scott could see something different with Jean's eyes.
"O...ok. It's in my room. I'll bring it back in five minutes. Just stay here." Scott rushed out and up to the third floor. He threw on his uniform and visor and grabbed the communicator for the Starjammers Chris had left with him.
"Jean's line has continued." Scott shot up and turned, looking at Jean.
"How did you…?"
"If this body does not work, I will be able to use the younger one," she said, touching Carrie's door. "Her body can recover faster than this one."
"Stay the hell away from my daughter," Scott demanded, pushing down the terror. Jean looked at him and then her gaze traveled to the communicator in his hand.
"Power it on. I will transport us using the signal as a beacon."
"Wait- wait," Scott said, stepping back. "Let me- I need my team, first. We'll go with you and help."
"I do not need help."
"Ok- the place you want to go won't easily accept you unless the captain sees my team."
"I can only transport four others."
"Ok. I just need a minute." Scott ran to the com unit at the wall and called Wolverine, Beast, Bobby, and Gambit, ordering them to his suite. They arrived, dressed, minutes later.
"Wat's goin' on?" Gambit asked, walking in. "Rogue ain't gonna be happy she wa lef' ou'. Jean?"
"Jean is the body I am using," she told the gathered men. "I am needed. You will join me." Before anyone could protest, the communicator was jerked out of Scott's hand and powered on. Jean closed her eyes and then they were gone.
Scott jerked away from Jean when the light dissipated. They were no longer in his suite. He felt himself panicking- made even worse when he saw Carrie on the floor near him.
"What did you do?! You said you could only carry four more people?!" Scott demanded as he took Carrie into his arms. Jean looked at him.
"I told you. If this body cannot handle the power, the younger body can. I needed her."
"Jean-" Beast tried.
"I am not Jean. I am Phoenix!"
"Where are we?" Bobby asked, looking around. "This makes me think of the alien lessons from Corsair."
"I followed the beacon from the technology," Jean/Phoenix explained. "It felt like the one trying to take the crystal." Scott looked around him. After seeing a sword- one he'd come to know well during his last eight years, he momentarily relaxed.
"Hepzibah!" He cried, knowing his father's mate would hear him. The sound of running came louder and louder until Scott saw the Starjammers. Chris stopped short at seeing his son and members of the X-Men.
"What-?" Jean collapsed and Beast quickly saw to her.
"She is breathing. Likely exhausted from the exertion of power," he told the group.
"Great. What the hell are you doing here?! How did you get here?!" Chris demanded. "And why the hell didn't my alarms go off?!" He asked, turning to his crew.
"There's no time," Scott said, standing. "I need-"
"You brought Carrie with you?! Are you insane?!" Chris said, taking his now awake granddaughter from Scott.
"Daddy? Where are we? What happened to Aunt Jean?" Scott put his head in his hands at too many questions being thrown his way at once.
"Jean is calling herself Phoenix. She said she was needed, and then we were here," Bobby explained. "She used the communicator to find you. And she said something about a crystal. That's all we know."
"Scott?" Scott saw the frightened look on Carrie's face.
"Carrie's room was right near us," he told Chris. "She must have been brought up unintentionally." Chris nodded, slightly calmer with the adrenaline lessening.
"Hep, let's get some rooms ready. X-Men," he grinned. "Welcome to the Starjammer."