"Jean, pass the butter."
The Grey family sat stiffly round the breakfast table, no one spoke except when needed, and Jean could feel Sara staring at her. She remembered the institute breakfasts; Kitty would be chasing Kurt or Evan, as they seemed to take pleasure from stealing various items off her dresser. Jean suspected it was because Kurt had a crush on her and Evan, well Evan just wanted to be annoying.
Back home Bobby would be practicing his powers, showing off to Jubilee and Amara, Jamie would be multiplying whenever anyone bumped into him, which was often, and she and Scott would be sitting, an oasis of calm, watching in amazement the chaos around them. Occasionally she would put up a shield to deflect various flying items or gently guide things back to their designated places. The room would be filled with chatter and shouts, and everybody would be having fun. Not like this. This was stiff and uncomfortable, and she couldn't help but wish for Scott and the others.
She put her hand to her locket, as if by touching it, she could be magically transported back home.
"Jean, the butter."
She absentmindedly floated the butter to her mother, ignoring the slight gasp her sister made beside her, and her mother's flinch when she took the butter.
"Please refrain from doing that at the table." Her mother's voice was falsely calm.
"Doing what?"
"You know."
Jean curled her lip in disgust; she couldn't even say the word.
"You mean using my mutant powers. Why? They're a part of me, like your green eyes and dad's brown hair. In fact one of you must carry the mutant gene for me to get it."
"Don't you dare talk like that." Elaine quickly lost her calm tone.
"Why can't you just accept who I am?"
"Go to your room."
"With pleasure."
*~*~*~*~*
Jean lay on her bed; in her hand she held a picture of her and Scott, laughing together. On the bed were assorted pictures of the institute. A light knock on the door and a small telepathic sweep informed her Sara wanted to talk.
"Come in."
Her sister stood in the doorway, unsure what to say.
"I just wanted you to know, I don't agree with mum. That doesn't mean I love you using your powers around me, you have to admit they're a bit scary, but I don't think you should be forced to stop."
"Thank you." Jean was touched by her sister's speech.
Sara walked gingerly across the room and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Who's that?" She asked pointing at Scott's picture.
"That's Scott. He's my best friend."
"He's kinda cute. What's his power?"
Soon Jean was talking to Sara about all her friends, and telling her stories about them all, and just occasionally Sara could hear in her voice the happy little girl she remembered her sister as.
"You must really miss them."
"Incredibly so," Jean picked up Scott's picture and touched his face idly. "I haven't talked to Scott for a week, and I'm so used to talking to him all the time."
Sara did not need to be telepathic to tell that the boy held more of a place in her younger sister's heart than she was letting on, and that was what tempted her to offer her services.
"Do you want me to guard the door for half an hour so you can ring your friends?"
Jean looked at her wide-eyed for a couple of seconds.
"Really, you mean it. Thank you so much."
"It's nothing."
*~*~*~*~*
John Grey was worried. He had always held a special place in his heart for Jean, but the Jean he remembered was not this strange, silent girl who slept in her room. His Jean glowed with life, and her eyes shone with a radiance he had yet to find in anyone else. This Jean hardly spoke except to yell at her mother, and her eyes were oddly empty, as if something infinitely precious had been taken away. He approached her room, ready to knock, only to be interrupted by something- laughter. It soon became apparent he was listening to one half of a phone conversation.
"Oh my God Kitty, I can't believe he said that."
"What are you talking about, it's so cute! You know before you came he used to read gardening books so he could have long conversations with her."
"Don't you think they'd make the sweetest couple, I told you he had a soft side."
"Okay cool, have fun at school, don't let them get you down. Say hi to Kurt and Rogue for me. Is Scott there?"
John listened in amazement to the one sided conversation he could hear. This was the daughter he remembered, who sparkled and laughed and lit up the room. He listened again as she began a new conversation, obviously with someone different.
"Hey," John Grey felt his eyes moisten, for in that one syllable Jean sounded happier than at any time during the last week, but at the same time her voice was full of longing. He peeked round the door. His daughter lay on the bed, completely engrossed in her conversation. What stood out were her eyes. Gone was the emptiness he had become almost accustomed to, her eyes shone with a million different emotions all of which faded under the complete happiness she obviously felt talking to this boy.
*~*~*~*~*
Sara hurried down the corridor, praying her mother hadn't happened upon Jean calling the institute. Her heart almost stopped when she saw her father listening in. She pulled him into the next-door room, almost crying.
"Please don't tell mum, it was only for twenty minutes, and I was meant to be guarding the door, but Alice rang and I had to get it. She missed them so much, and she sounded so happy talking to them."
She was shocked at the look on her father's face. All of a sudden he seemed very old and tired.
"Do you think we did the right thing? Making her come back." His voice was almost a sigh, as he returned to memories of the days when his youngest daughter would throw herself in his arms and chatter eagerly about her day.
Sara thought about it for a minute before beginning to answer,
"No…" A sudden noise stopped her mid-explanation and she flew out of the room to warn Jean her mother was coming.
John Grey sank into a seat and put his head in his hands, suddenly he felt very much his age, and he wished he knew what to do.
*~*~*~*~*
phoenix_fire: Hey
cyke_shades: Hey, like ur new screen name. Did I inspire you ;~)?
phoenix_fire: *blush*. I love the locket; it's the nicest thing I've ever been given. It keeps me strong.
cyke_shades: I wish I could be there to help you stay strong.
phoenix_fire: even your memory helps me stay strong :)
cyke_shades: how are you coping?
phoenix_fire: I hate her so much
cyke_shades: I'm presuming you mean the she-bitch.
phoenix_fire: who else? At least starting school tomorrow will give me a chance to get away from her.
cyke_shades: aren't you worried someone will recognise you?
phoenix_fire: I'm almost resigned to the fact. I guess I'll jst try and keep a low profile. How about you? You know everyone will recognise you.
cyke_shades: We'll manage, we can protect each other remember. You know we will all be thinking of you.
phoenix_fire: and I you.
phoenix_fire: crap she-bitch is coming
phoenix_fire: I have to go
phoenix_fire: miss you
cyke_shades: miss you too
cyke_shades: Love you
phoenix_fire: love you too :) xoxoxoxo
phoenix_fire has logged off.
*~*~*~*~*
Don't own nuttin' (except the money I took out ya wallet!)
A/N I'm going to finish each chap with a S/J instant message conversation. Also for this I think we are going to have to imagine Jean hardly ever saw her parents while she was with the Professor.
For some reason it won't display my LJ address, but if you look in my bio, it's in the homepage bit at the top.
Please visit.
Also please review even if just to say what you think could be improved (by that I mean constructive criticism not flames!).
Thank you
-Kat