Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Men, or any of its original characters. Nor do I have any type of claim to those characters. However, the characters of my creation belong to me, and cannot be used without my permission.

Who's That Girl?

(To Know In Your Heart Part V)

By

Moonchampion

Scott stepped through the front door, still distracted by Jean's behavior earlier. As he started up the steps, he heard someone call his name. It was Evan, and standing behind him were Kitty, Kurt and Rogue. Scott paused as Evan began to speak.

"Hey, man," started Evan, "why did you ditch us at school?"

"What are you talking about?" responded Scott.

"You said you'd give us a ride back home," said Kurt.

"I know," answered Scott, "but Jean said you guys were going to the library after school to work on a project."

"She did?" said Kitty confused. "Why would she say that?"

"Maybe she just wanted to be alone with Scott," said Rogue. After that comment, Scott frowned and proceeded up the steps. However, a few seconds later, Jean walked through the door, still sporting the black outfit she had borrowed from Rogue.

"Hey, Jean," said Kitty running towards Jean. "Why did you tell Scott we had to go the library? I mean if you wanted some time alone with, you should have just us. We would have given you two some space."

Jean stopped and turned towards Kitty. "Listen, twerp! I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone else! So, back off!" snapped Jean. Jean quickly turned away from Kitty and the others and started up the steps.

"Hey! What's wrong with you?!" said Kitty as she placed her hand on Jean's shoulder. Jean turned around and pushed Kitty away. Kitty, who was standing on the third step tumbled backwards and fell to the floor. "Oww!" cried Kitty as she grasped her elbow, which hit the floor first.

"Jean!" Professor Xavier had just rolled into the foyer, and was astonished by Jean's behavior. His wheelchair rolled towards Kitty. "Are you all right?" he asked Kitty. Kurt and Evan helped Kitty to her feet, who nodded that she was fine. "Jean, would you care to explain what happened her?"

"I'm sorry, Professor," said Jean. "It was an accident. I didn't mean it."

"Well, regardless of your intentions, I believe you owe Kitty an apology," replied the Professor.

Jean stared at the Professor and then back towards Kitty, who was still nursing her elbow. "Jean… we're waiting," prompted the Professor. Jean glared at Kitty, and then back to the Professor. "Jean…."

"Sorry!" said Jean. Then, she stormed up the stairs. As she reached the top of the stairs, she bumped into Logan. She paused momentarily, then, upon seeing Logan standing next to her continued quickly to her room.

Logan sniffed the air, sensing a peculiar scent in the air. He descended the stairs and approached everyone else at the bottom of the staircase. "What's with her?" asked Logan.

"Jean isn't being herself," said the Professor. "I'd better talk to her." The Professor closed his eyes and called out to Jean telepathically. "Jean? Jean I believe we should talk about…." The Professor opened his eyes abruptly, and with a look of shock on his face.

"What's wrong?" asked Logan.

"Several things," said the Professor. "First of all, Jean shut me out. It's like shut a telepathic door right in front of me."

"What else?" Logan asked.

"It's Jean," said the Professor struggling to explain. "Her mind… it's not the same. It's like it's changed somehow… in fact it doesn't seem real."

"Are you thinking what I'm smelling?" asked Logan.

"I believe so," said the Professor. "That girl upstairs may not be our Jean." A low growl escaped Logan's lips and the jaws of the teens present fell to the floor. "We have to find out right away. Logan could you…."

However, by now, Logan had already started climbing the stairs. "Already on it," he called back as he reached the top of the stairs. He ran down the hall, and rapped at Jean's bedroom door. "Jean? Hey, Jeannie, you in there?" There was no answer. Logan turned the knob, but it was locked. Realizing there were no other alternatives, Logan took a few steps back and kicked the door open with his foot. He looked in the room, and found the room was empty, but the window open. Logan went to the window and glanced outside to find the redheaded teen sprinting towards the forest.

Logan stepped back into the hallway. Several of the other students had stuck their heads out of their bedroom doors to see what was happening. However, as Logan got closer their own doors, they would zip back inside and shut their doors. Logan stopped at Scott's door and knocked once. Scott came to the door. "I think you'd better meet us in the Professor's office. We've got a problem." Scott nodded and joined Logan on the way to the Professor's office.

Jean was still strapped to the bed, and all of her efforts to get free were useless. The collar prevented her from using her telekinesis to break free of her restraints, and she couldn't use her telepathy to call her friends for help. Jean swallowed as she stared at the door. Mr. Sinister was behind it, and he seldom came in to check up on her, however she knew he was always watching her. Perhaps that's how he got his thrills, seeing Jean strapped helplessly down, without any hope of escaping.

Jean heard what sounded like a door open and shut in the distance. Had Sinister left? This could be her chance to escape, but how? Suddenly, the door to lab opened, and Jean knew her chances to escape were gone. However, the sight before her forced all thoughts of escaping from her mind. Jean was in complete shock, and at a lost for words, except for the ones that came out of her mouth, "Oh my God!"

Jean had just watched what appeared to be herself walking into the lab. Jean looked at the double. It was wearing a black leather skirt, and a matching tank top. Not the same taste in clothes, but other than that, she was the splitting image of Jean. "You're… you're me…" said Jean still amazed by the sight before her.

"Not quite," said Mr. Sinister. He had just stepped into the room, and appeared to be enjoying the look of disbelief on Jean's face. "Allow me to introduce Madeline Pryor, a perfect genetic model of you, Miss Grey," continued Sinister. "She has your looks, even your mutant powers. The only difference between you two is that she serves me."

"A clone?" concluded Jean. "You made a clone of me? How? Why?"

"Details, details," teased Mr. Sinister. "Let's just say that I'm a very resourceful man, Miss Grey." Mr. Sinister turned away from Jean and gazed at Madeline. "Now, what are you doing here? Have you already succeeded? Did Summers take the bait?"

"No," answered Madeline. "The old man, he knows… and so does the one called Logan."

The look of delight faded from Sinister's face. "No! They couldn't possibly know for sure! You're a perfect copy. The problem is that you panicked, and have probably ruined my plan. Now, I'll never get my hand on Summers's DNA."

Madeline backed away slowly, expecting some sort of outbreak of rage from Sinister, but it never came. Instead, he began to chuckle. "Well, this is nothing more than a minor setback. We still have her," said Sinister gesturing towards Jean.

"What are you talking about?!" cried Jean. "Why are you trying to hurt Scott?!"

"Hurt him?" said Sinister intrigued by Jean's emotional reaction. "Miss Grey, I have no intention of hurting him. In fact, I'm going to give him what he's always wanted… you."

"What?! You mean…?" began Jean. "Why? Why is it so important that Scott and I be together?"

"You truly don't understand you genetic potential," said Sinister. "A child, an offspring of the Summers line, along with contributions from your DNA structure could very well prove to be a mutant of immense power. And if that child was under my control.…"

"You monster! How could you do that? Corrupt the soul of an innocent child for you own selfish agenda!" cried Jean.

"Oh believe me, Miss Grey," answered Sinister, "it's a lot easier than it looks."

TO BE CONTINUED…