A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I was working on some other fics and my website. 

            Chapter Two: Together Again

            Xavier groaned as he wheeled into the room.  "I've told you before, you needn't…shout…"  He stared in astonishment at the three people lying on the floor.  "What in heaven's name is going on?!" 

            Kurt tried to explain.  "Light…big…fire…"  Unfortunately, as he was still in a state of shock.  Even if he had recovered, he wouldn't have been able to explain how what appeared to be an older Scott, and older Jean, and someone else had manifested in the Institute's rec. room.

            Kitty and Rogue, equally shocked, just nodded. 

            Xavier groaned.  "Kurt, teleport them to the med. lab…I'll have Hank ready…"  He rubbed his temples as he began to mentally contact Hank.  It was going to be one of those days…

            Scott Summers was having one of the few good days God seemed to ration out as if there were a famine and they were chocolate bars.  He and Jean were relaxing on a couch in the part of the attic Ororo didn't use.  Not fighting evil mutants…not defeating robots designed to exterminate them…not even making out, though personally he thought that would be just as nice…just relaxing in each others arms.

            Then the world turned inside out, and the Scott Summers that was suddenly found himself face-to-face with the one that would be, but they were both in him.  The younger Scott felt himself pushed aside, even as the older one apologized in a language that only they who were the same could understand.

            Scott-Cyclops, rather, for he'd gone simply by his codename for years-opened his eyes and looked at his young wife, suddenly reminded of how he'd fallen in love with her.  But this was not the time… "Phoenix?"

            The older Jean forced her counterpart's body to nod.  "I'm in here.  I guess it worked.  I wondered there for a moment."

            Cyclops grinned.  "I didn't doubt you could pull it off for a moment."  He stood, shocked to not feel old wounds acting up, to have the same ease of movement he'd long lost. 

            She placed his hand in his.  "It is odd, isn't it?" she asked.

            He nodded.  "But it's only temporary.  We need to find Rachel and Charles."

            Phoenix's eyes briefly glowed with fire as she used her powers.  "They're in the med. lab."

            Cyclops nodded, then smiled again.  "Feels good to be back, doesn't it?"

            Phoenix laughed as they strolled out of the attic, hand-in-hand.  "Yes, my love.  It does."

            "Dr. McCoy, did you figure it out yet?" Jamie asked.  The student body had quickly been alerted to the situation by the resident gossip, (Roberto, but you didn't hear it from me) and were now crowding the lab.

            Hank stared at his readings.  "I believe I have, Jamie…but it doesn't make sense…"

            "What is it, Henry?" Xavier asked, wheeling over.

            Beast cleared his throat.  "What we have here are two 34-year olds, genetically identical to Jean Grey and Scott Summers.  The third patient is a 15-year old female who is the progeny of said 34-year olds."

            Xavier and Storm stared at him in disbelief, while Logan summed up what the rest of them were feeling.  "In English, Beast?"

            Hank shrugged.  "As near as I can tell, that is Jean Grey, that is Scott Summers, and that is their daughter." 

            The room burst into chatter as the residents began to wonder what that could mean.  Suddenly, Amara noticed something.  "Where are Scott and Jean?"

            Before anyone could panic, a voice, familiar to them all, but with a strength and weariness in it that was unknown, rang out.  "We're right here, Magma."

            Cyclops and Phoenix entered the room together, and before a word could be said Jean was at her daughter's side.  "Is she alright, Hank?"

            Beast looked a bit shocked to be addressed by his first name by one of the students, but merely nodded.  "I believe so."

            Xavier warily eyed his oldest students, trying to scan them even as he spoke.  "Scott?"

            Cyclops grimaced.  "Cyclops, Charles.  And please stop trying to get in my mind.  It's not a pleasant place."  Ignoring the stunned looks that seemed to be multiplying like rabbits in heat, he turned his head to Jean.  "Phoenix, report."

            "I love it when you ask so nicely," she replied dryly.  "Rachel's fine, the trauma of recent events is just taking its toll.  She should wake up soon.  She's fine, Scott.  Our baby's fine."  Tears started to leak out of her eyes as she was suddenly overwhelmed by such relief that she had never known existed.  Her baby…they'd taken her baby, and warped her, mind and body…and she'd come through.

            Cyclops was immediately at her side, cradling her as she sobbed in relief, his own tears falling onto her flaming hair. "It's alright," he whispered.  "She's going to be fine…after all, she's your daughter…"

            Jean gasped a small laugh.  "And she's a Summers," she shot back.

            Kitty broke the awkward silence.  "Like, what's going on?"

            Cyclops turned to answer, but stopped when he noticed something.  "BOBBY?!"

            Before anyone could react, he had crushed the younger man into a bearhug.

            "Help…crazy Scott…crushing internal organs…"

            Scott immediately let go.  "My God, it is you…you're alive!"

            Bobby was starting to get creeped out.  "Shouldn't I be?"

            Phoenix slipped her arm around her husband's waist.  "You're not where we're from," she said softly.  "And that said…Charles, we need to talk."