Be Prepared! This is the Super Sappy Epilogue (or End, W/E) of this fic! Yes so lots of sappiness and fluff consisting of LoRo, Romy and of course Jott! So I warned u! Also wraps up loose ends. (If any.) Um thanx goes out for all the reviews and reviewers u guyz have been great! And…If only Once I wanna know what u think so tell me through reviews! Pleaze! Um…nothin' else…I just hope u enjoyed!
Child of Light and Darkness
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Chapter Twenty EPILOGUE
"So ya think it's over?" Logan asked Xavier the next morning. The teams had returned home late last evening and after some checked in with Hank in the small med-lab, others got a good night's sleep and were well rested by 8 am that morning.
"I believe it is, for now."
"What if it happens 'gain?"
"Than we will be there to stop it."
"We're talkin' 'bout Jeannie here."
"I know…I believe that her powers are under control."
"Can ya be sure?"
"Absolutely…I'll still monitor her…I'll keep a much closer eye on her."
"What do ya think…made Jeannie become this creature… 'Dark Phoenix'?"
"Manipulation…primly by Mastermind. Dark Phoenix was nothing but the darker, eviler side of the gentler Phoenix. You can say that within Jean's angel's soul…as in all our souls…lurks a devil, a yang counterpart to the surface yin. All he did was free that negative part of her 'self' from its moral cage. By that time it was all left to Jean…She did exactly what he wanted…what Apocalypse wanted…but they didn't count on Jean turning against them."
"Yep…but by that time Phoenix wanted nothin' ta do with Apocalypse and his world domination plan."
"Exactly Logan…Phoenix only wanted to satisfy those urgings she felt within herself."
"Uh huh…I don't quite understand that part."
"You see Logan, Jean got so god-like that she lost touch with her humanity, Her growing powers were being fueled from her emotions, and when Jean used her powers in some kind of big way, like an energy burst or something…they would burn up or eliminate her emotions."
"And that's why she did what she did…I get it." Logan nodded understanding.
"Yes… well…I think that Jean would have made it…even without my help. It was easier for me to sedate her with the circuit breakers…but Scott was getting through to her real well. Jean was beginning to release her negative emotions and gain control over her mind and feelings."
Logan nodded and rested against the doorframe of Xavier's study.
"Ya know…we all hesitated…none o' us could harm 'er. We were never prepared ta have to face one of our own. I guess we never thought we'd have to."
"Yes…but the mutant threat is as dangerous in here as it is out there."
"Yep, n' I think it's been proven that it's much more dangerous in here. I mean we couldn't stop 'er. The only thing that kept us alive was the fact that Jeannie was holdin' back…because a part o' 'er was still there…still uncorrupted n' she couldn't hurt us."
"We were very fortunate. Jean is so much more powerful than we took her for. Even Apocalypse underestimated her."
"Yep…so did Mesmero n' Mastermind."
"The irony of it is Logan…was I knew about this years ago and did nothing to prevent the outcome."
"Ya couldn't have done anythin' differently…the outcome woulda been the same otherwise it wouldn't o' turned out the way it did."
"Ah…the whole everything happens for a reason…speech." Xavier chuckled.
"I believe it Charles. I also believe that Jean's got a place in this world…in the future. We know what she can do when provoked…which why from now on we gotta do our damndest ta protect 'er."
"I have faith in Jean. Now she knows what she's capable of. She's very strong…very stubborn…but she's a wonderful human being…she understands what she is…what she'll become. Now she just has to face the reality of it all."
"Do ya think she's a threat?"
"No I don't. We don't have to watch our backs, Logan…Jean won't harm us. I don't fear for our well-being at all…I fear for those who one day…many years from now… will try to stand up to her…they don't know what they'll be getting themselves into."
"Yep…they're gonna get their butts whooped."
"Been there done that…huh Logan?" Ororo asked with a chuckle as she entered the study.
"You bet." Logan said with a smirk.
"What's the matter?" Ororo asked she caught the hint that there was something bothering him.
"It's nothin' 'Ro."
He sighed.
"It's just…Jeannie…when she was Dark Phoenix…'er powers were expanded to n' infinite number…when she had me bound up in the air…she was talkin' ta me…she called me James."
Ororo frowned. "Why would she do that?"
Logan shrugged and shook his head. "I dunno. I asked 'er, she was cryptic o' course. But she said that she was all-knowing."
"So…what you think she knows something?"
"About my past? Yeah I do…at least she did."
"Is this bugging you?"
"I dunno 'Ro. I mean I ain't never gotten so close ta gettin' my memories back. Now that I know somethin' I don't know what ta do."
"Well maybe you could just ask Jean."
"Nah, I don't think she'll remember. 'Sides I don't wanna irritate 'er. She's havin' a hard enough time as it is."
"Well maybe you won't have to ask her directly, if she remembers anything maybe she'll bring it up."
"Ya think?"
"You won't know unless ya try."
Logan nodded agreeing with her.
"There's somethin' else though." He sighed.
"What's that?"
"It's just somethin' else I been thinkin' 'bout."
He continued.
"Last night…when I was leadin' the team…I was this close to givin' up. I had. I'd given up…n' I was talkin' the team into takin' any drastic measures that would get Jeannie down. I didn't even hesitate ta kill 'er. N' I probably woulda if it weren't fer Slim steppin' in an' tryin' ta get through ta 'er. I just keep thinkin' what if I'd notta let 'em. What if I'da taken the step without even thinkin a second thought 'bout it. Than she wouldn't be 'ere. I was to quick ta let go o' hope, I feel I've let 'er down somehow."
"Logan, Jean wouldn't have blamed you. She'd understand." Ororo said trying to comfort him.
"Would she?"
"Of course. Even Scott forgave you and you were the one who was fighting with him."
"So ya tellin' me I should feel less guilty?"
"You shouldn't feel guilty at all. You do love Jean. Scott just loved her more as a soul-mate. Of course he wasn't going to give up without a fight."
"But I did."
Ororo turned around and placed her hands on his cheek. She looked him sternly in the eye. "No Logan. Listen to me and I want you to really listen…you fought as far as you thought you could go. You were thinking about everyone else besides yourself, and that shows courage and bravery. I'm proud of you."
"Ya are?"
"I am."
"You're just saying that to comfort me."
"Well is it working?"
Logan nodded than rolled his eyes disappointingly. "Yes."
"Good." Ororo replied kissing him on the cheek.
"By the way…you never did take me out to dinner." She remembered circling him.
"I didn't did I? I guess I'll have ta do that."
"Well you know…you did say after this whole things cleared up. And this is after the whole thing's cleared up." Ororo shrugged innocently.
"Yeah…guess I should hold true to my word."
"Are you a man of your word…Logan?"
"Fer you?…Definitely."
He smirked finding it amusing.
"When and where?"
Logan's eyes rolled as his mind wandered off.
"Oh I don't know…how 'bout…tonight, 'round 7…the place of feasting could be yer choice."
Ororo laughed. "Will we have a curfew?" She asked him mischievously.
"Dunno…I'd have ta ask the prof."
"-Who is still technically in the room." Xavier said as he looked up from the book he was reading.
He smiled. "You two can stay out as long as you want…just be sure to be back by morning."
Xavier smiled obviously enjoying this.
"So say our dinner got done early…then we would…what?" Storm asked her eyes jumping playfully.
Logan leaned against the doorframe with one arm as he crossed the other to his hip…trying to look smooth.
"Well I suppose we'd make the best of the time we have."
"And do what?"
Logan leaned closer to her. "Well…we could take a ride."
Ororo leaned closer to him. "On your bike?"
"Yep."
"And than what…?" Ororo urged him to go on.
"Dunno…maybe we'll stop fer some ice cream."
"Ice cream?"
"Sounds good ta me." Logan's voice was barely a whisper.
"Logan…I'm looking forward to tonight…you make it sound…oh what's the word…" Ororo took a moment to think.
"…Irresistible." She leaned in as if for a kiss…
"Ahem." Xavier cleared his throat and Ororo pulled back.
"You two may not notice that I am still in the room…but I would encourage you…if you want to continue this discussion…I would be pleased and most comfortable if you took this outside the door."
Xavier said kindly, a small blush filling his cheeks.
Logan leaned up from the door pane as if reality struck him in the face. "Yeah…right…well I gotta go do some things ta clear my schedule fer later."
He said swift and a bit nervously.
"Yeah…I…ah…have things to take care of too. I'll ah…I'll see you tonight."
Logan nodded. "Ladies pick." He said reminding her of their choice of eatery.
She nodded as he walked down the hall.
She watched him leave her mind wandering for obvious reasons.
"It has occurred to me Ororo…that Logan has disappeared from sight many moments ago." Xavier said as he watched her stare at nothing in particular.
Ororo turned around. "Sorry."
Xavier smiled and wheeled away from his desk. "That's alright."
"Uh…I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"Trust me Ororo…that was nothing compared to what I feel off Scott and Jean." He said a small blush filling his face once more.
"It must be tough…trying to keep sane of all the emotions you feel as a telepath." She said crossing her arms.
"Hmm…in a way…yes…but there's a great feeling to be had…knowing that the feelings are coming off one's students. It's nice to know they feel just as deeply as anyone else, at times."
"Speaking of which…before I came up here…I was in the med-ward checking in on the students who accompanied us on the mission."
"Ah yes…how are they doing?"
"Well there's no serious injuries to be had…gratefully. Bobby seems to be okay, and his powers work as normally, Kurt and Kitty weren't harmed, Rogue and Remy escaped with a few bruises, Logan's healing factor of course, has kicked in…I only have a few scrapes here and there…considering what we were up against…I think we're very fortunate."
"Ah hmm…especially when you can't help but think that Jean could have killed you all in an instant without much effort."
"Oh…I'm sorry Charles…I didn't mean to think so clearly."
"That's alright…you can't help it sometimes…and you definitely can't hide it from a telepath."
Ororo nodded.
"How about Scott and Jean…how did they fare?"
Ororo shrugged. "I don't know…I haven't checked on them…I know Scott had a few cuts from all the falling but I'm sure he's alright."
"Very well. We were very fortunate this time. Jean has more control and strength then we know."
"Or Scott has a tighter hold on her than we knew. I mean after all…she drew strength enough from him…to fight herself."
"Perhaps. But I do know more intimately, by being in her head, that it was Jean's deep feelings for Scott that finally made her overcome Dark Phoenix."
"Yes…those two truly have a bond that's unbreakable…even when push comes to shove."
"Indeed. Dark Phoenix's only vulnerability was that somehow she held within herself a human emotion. You see, being evil, Dark Phoenix felt nothing. But once it came to light that Dark Phoenix felt love, that is, Jean's love for Scott, she couldn't fight an urge so strong."
"Speaking of which, what's the status on the incident?"
Xavier sighed. "Well, after I placed the circuit breakers in Jean's mind, all the chaos that Central Park held, of course neatened itself out, probably due to the transformation. Or, which is more likely, Jean used her advanced telekinesis to right her wrong, so to speak."
"What about Mesmero? Apocalypse?"
Xavier sighed. "There's no sign of them, no activity on Cerebro either. The destination of the warehouse and laboratory where it all took place, is to far out of range for anyone to check it out on a daily basis."
"Which is exactly why Mesmero used it."
Xavier nodded. "I've just gotten off the phone a couple hours ago with an advanced psychiatric facility where Jason Wyngarde, or as we know him Mastermind, has been registered. He's still in a deep cationic state with no hope for recovery at all…he mutters incomprehensible words at times but no one can make out what he's saying."
"Jean did all that?"
"Yes I know. But she is the future."
"What about Magneto?"
"Oh, Erik. I haven't talked to him since the incident. I'm actually planning to once we're done with this conversation."
"Well good luck."
Ororo turned to leave.
"Oh Ororo…?" Xavier asked urging her to stop.
She turned around.
He smiled. "Have fun on your dinner date."
Ororo blushed slightly and smiled. "Thanks."
Xavier chuckled inside himself as he watched her leave. Oh boy…the joys of being a professor.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Hank landed the small jet unto the sand ridden ground of Magneto's current base of operations, where they had dropped him off the evening before.
The small TV monitor equipped in the jet, blazed with correspondents from Fox News Channel.
Xavier and Hank both paused to watch.
We still have yet to identify the mutant, who just last night had downtown New York in an uproar. As you can see behind me Central Park is as busy and calm this morning as if nothing happened. Our tape went out moments before the destruction was seemingly reversed…we have yet to know why or how this mutant was sedated and by whom. The only thing that's clear is that New York and the nation is once again safe from a mutant attack. The has been Campbell Brown reporting for Fox News Channel...Back t-
Xavier sighed a sigh of relief as Hank shut off the engines.
"Would you like me to accompany you?"
Xavier wheeled himself towards the landing deck of the jet. "You may if you like."
Hank followed Xavier out and the two proceeded to the round metal incasing that was the only thing visible of Magneto's three floor base of operations that also held his living quarters for the time being.
They were taken aback when the door opened just moments before they were to press the intercom. Sabertooth glared at them a little distastefully as he stood in the doorway, blocking their entrance.
"It's alright. Let them pass." Magneto commanded as he walked in behind Sabertooth. Sabertooth snarled in disgust before stepping aside.
"Charles." Magneto said as he slid off his cape and handed it to Sabertooth.
"Erik." Was his usual reply.
"Come, let's go somewhere more comfortable." Magneto said as he motioned for his friend to follow him.
Hank vouched to stay behind and sit uncomfortably in the small living room he shared with Sabertooth, so both men could keep eyes on their mentors.
"So what is it you've come to talk to me about?" Magneto asked after disappearing from both men's view.
"I believe you know."
Magneto nodded. "Ah…yes, your star pupil."
"I would like to thank you for what you did." Xavier gazed at his friend, remembering the telecast he viewed just moments ago before arriving. He than added, "Magnetically erasing the images from the live newscasts."
"No need to thank me, as you know, it wasn't my proudest moment." He replied leading them into an all metal office.
He took a seat on a cold thick steel chair, as Xavier wheeled to directly face him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen." Xavier apologized.
"What that your student would go all out crazy and attack me?"
"None of it."
"To tell you the truth, I never knew they felt that way about my disclosure of the mutant race."
"It was a hard time for them Erik."
"Ah, but a proud one."
"Perhaps."
"They are the future, Charles. What you witnessed last night was only a taste of what all the teenage mutants could be like in 10 years."
"Frightening isn't it?"
"It's more of a satisfaction."
"Erik, if we have mutants running around the world like that in 10 years, not even your influence can do anything to stop them from terrorizing the country."
"Well let's hope they all don't turn out that way."
"I can tell you this much, that experience last night at least taught one of us."
"You don't think I didn't learn from it, Charles? What Jean said, it made a lot of sense."
"She was insane, she wasn't thinking clearly."
"I disagree. In fact I believe she was thinking very clearly. She was right. My whole plan of homo superior ruling the humans was off base."
"Don't tell me that after 10 years she's the one to finally get you to rethink your plans."
Magneto stood up. "Don't act so surprised Charles, but I am."
He paced the floor. "For once in my entire mutant life, I had a taste of my own mortality. I'm nothing but the exact same of those I hate most. That's why my plan of ruling the homo sapiens will never work the way I've envisioned it."
"I don't suppose you'd be joining me in the understanding that I hold of the mutant kind?"
"What that both homo sapiens and homo superior can live together in peace? Don't count on it, Charles."
"Than I'm left to assume you still believe that we can rule the world?"
"I'm rethinking a few key points, but my understanding hasn't changed."
"Indeed." Xavier sighed, disappointed. He turned to leave.
"Oh and Charles," Xavier faced him.
"Don't worry, I hold out no plans for your star pupil, last night is all but dead to me."
"Thank you, old friend."
Magneto nodded. "I'll be seeing you, Charles."
"And I'll be waiting."
Hank followed Xavier out as they ascended unto the jet.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
"Red. I wasn't expectin' ta see ya here…up n' about." Logan stammered as he walked into the foyer and ran into Jean on his way out.
Jean shrugged. "Yeah, I slept on the couch last night. So…"
"…So yer up." Logan shrugged understandably.
Jean nodded and bit her bottom lip. "Yeah…"
Logan shrugged his hands into his back pockets and Jean crossed her arms.
"Hey-
"-'Bout last night-
They both started to say at once.
"I'm sorry, ya go first." Logan offered.
"No, really I'm sorry. I'm just…well why don't you go first."
Logan shrugged and agreed. After a brief pause,
"Look…I'm sorry fer not havin' much faith in ya."
"What do you mean?"
Logan nodded noticing that she didn't understand.
"Well…it's just…I was too willin' ta give up on ya…n' if it weren't fer Scottie…"
"…Hey it's alright Logan."
Logan rambled on as if not hearing her.
"Don't think that I don't care 'bout ya…cause I do…I was just… I thought that there was nothin' more we could do. We'd tried talkin' n' our powers were no match…so I just wanted it ta end 'fore somebody got hurt. I want ya ta know that yer like a daughter ta me Jeannie…N' I don't say this ta everybody…but if I'da thought there woulda been anythin' else we coulda done, than believe me I wouldn't o' hesitated ta to it."
"I understand." Jean said her voice tense but somehow it calmed Logan's nerves.
Relief washed over him. "Ya do?"
Jean nodded. "Yes I do. And I'm proud of you. I mean I know that you care and that you wouldn't let anything harm me…but you were ready to do whatever you had to do to protect so many innocent people…and if anything I applaud you for that."
Logan smirked for a moment, than it faded. "Guess 'Ro was right. Ya do understand." He mumbled under his breath but loud enough for her to hear.
"Well…I just wanted ya to know…it was kinda burdenin' my conscience." He turned to leave.
"Logan…actually um…there's something I want to tell you." Jean said a bit nervously.
Logan turned. He perked his eyebrows. "Yeah…shoot."
"I just…there's not much I remember…mostly it's a haze. But I do remember little…like when I had you up in the air…"
Logan shook his head. "Unh-unh…don't worry 'bout that. It ain't yer fault."
"I first want to say I'm sorry…if I hurt you."
"Ya know me…tough as steel."
"Yeah but…let's be honest…you're not so tough when it's your adamantium that's being controlled." Jean said a bit warily.
"Jeannie ya don't have ta apologize fer nothin'. We all understand."
"I know. I know. But…when I was 'Dark Phoenix' I don't remember a lot. But I do remember feeling as my telepathy grew to an infinite amount…and I remember just knowing everything without having all the pain of the voices and thoughts in my head. We all know a lot about everyone here, so what I knew didn't surprise me much. But you on the other hand…I knew all about you. And not just what you know…but everything."
"Do ya remember everything?" Logan asked curiously.
"Do you want to hear everything?"
"Ya called me James."
Jean nodded. "I remember."
"Are ya readin' my mind?" Logan asked. Wondering why else would she bring this up.
"I'm not. Not intentionally anyway. Gimme a few more days and my powers should be back to their limited state and not their limitless."
"So are ya gonna tell me?"
"I know you want me to. And I don't remember a lot. The thing with knowing what I did, which was…everything…is I knew all facts ya know. I just knew them…but with other things I just saw visuals. It's not a lot but it's more than you know."
"Why James?"
Jean shook her head. "Do you really wanna know? I know you do…but do you really?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Sometimes when we don't know things…and than we do, than we learn them…we realize it was better when we knew nothing at all. It's regret…and sometimes regret is hard to be rid of."
"Is there somethin' ya know that'll hurt me?"
"I don't know. All of it could. Who knows? You could regress into the feral state you were in before the Professor find you."
"Yer not gonna tell me."
Jean shook her head. "I love you Logan…as a father figure, as an Uncle. And I just don't want to give you information that'll hurt you. I know that you want to know, but for the time-being maybe it's best that you shouldn't."
"'Kay I understand that. But answer me one thing…why James?"
Jean sighed.
"James is your birth name. James Howlett. It's Canadian…from a wealthy family."
"Howlett huh?"
"Yes. But don't worry, none of your family is living. Your father, mother, brother…all gone."
"Can I know why?"
"Maybe…one day."
"So how'd I get ta be Logan?"
"Some things are just better if you find out on your own. Let yourself go through emotional stages before you know everything…better for you to cope."
"That's all yer gonna tell me." He said knowing it all along.
Jean nodded.
Logan understood. "Thanks Red."
"Don't thank me yet…in a couple of days I probably won't remember anything."
"It's better that way."
"Yeah it is."
Logan hesitated…it was hard for him to say the next thing he was going to say. But he knew she needed to hear it.
"I love ya kid." He said before embracing her in a hug.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Rogue sat in a steel chair opposite the bed in the med ward. She held Remy's hand with her gloved one.
She stared at him…still sleeping as he recovered.
"Ya know Remy…Ah…" She hesitated not knowing what to say next.
"Ah really appreciate…Ah just wanna thank you for bein' there for me…for bein' so protective. Ah know sometimes Ah'm hard ta live with…But ya always seem ta not care what mood Ah'm in. And besides it all…you seem to know me…and not just the me everyone sees…but the me that's deep inside."
Rogue paused. "Ah know you care for me…and the truth is…Ah don't know how Ah feel 'bout you. Until…last night. When Dark Phoenix had ya…Ah thought she was gonna kill ya…and Ah felt so powerless…an' Ah kept thinkin'… 'What am Ah gonna do without Remy in my life' and that's when I realized that…I care for you Remy."
She squeezed his hand. "Ah think one day Ah may even learn ta love you. But that doesn't scare me…Ah'm hopin' for that day…'cause…Ah like you."
Remy squeezed her hand and Rogue looked up surprised.
A small smile played on her lips. "Uh…Remy! You were up this whole time?"
"Remy had ta play sleepin' chere…otherwise he probably wouldn't o' heard all dat."
"So you heard everythin'?"
"Yep." Remy nodded.
"Look…Ah meant ta tell ya sooner…"
Remy held up his hand. "It's alright petite…dere no need ta explain. Remy just wanna thank you."
"For what? Ah didn't do anythin'?"
"See dat's were Rogue's wrong. Remy just wanna thank you for helpin' him."
"Helping you do what?"
"For helpin' him to love."
Rogue sighed and shook her head. "But Remy…a relationship for me…Ah mean you know that my powers…"
"…Have nothin' ta do wit' it. Remy don't love you cause o' how you look…Remy loves ya cause he knows ya. He don't care 'bout the physical aspect of a relationship wit' you. He just wants ta be near you…ta be with you. He's always most comfortable wit' you…an he don't care if he get to kiss you…he just wants ta hold your hand and be there for you."
"Remy that's uhm…Ah don't know what to say." Rogue said touched.
"Don't say nothin' chere."
Remy tightened his hold on her hand.
"What do you say we get outta dis med-ward?"
"But Remy you're-"
"Completely fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises never kept Remy down 'fore."
"Ah don't know..."
"Rogue you're a beautiful intelligent woman…" Remy said sliding his gloved hand down her cheek. "Remy wants ta spend time wit' you…but not here. C'mon lets go."
He said as he got out of bed and pulled her up from the chair…their hands still clasped.
Rogue giggled. "Where are we going?"
"Remy don't care as long as it's outta here." He said as the both laughed and left the ward.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Remy and Rogue passed Scott and Jean in the hallway as they left. Both pairs didn't seem to acknowledge the other though.
Scott leaned against the wall as Jean came up to meet him.
"Hey." She said shrugging towards him, her arms crossed around her chest.
"Hey." Scott acknowledged.
"I…just uh…I've rested up…and I just wanted to thank you again for getting through to me."
"Jean…it was nothing."
"No…No…it was something. I may not have been 'myself' so to speak, the whole time, but I was aware of what was going on…I just couldn't stop it."
"Well, it would be unfair for me to tell that I understand…because…I don't. Nor do I care to. I know what happened to you…I wouldn't want to go through it."
"Well I understand enough for the both of us. I became an unstoppable entity representing the flow of all life in the universe in the possession of a human body with psionic abilities. Using my psionic abilities with that of the more experienced powers of my mutation I had absolute power over thought, I could manipulate matter at a molecular scale, and absorb energy on a incalculable level."
Scott chuckled. "Wow…I guess you do." He said his smile fading.
"Yeah…I do." Jean said her gaze falling to the floor.
"Hey…Hey…it's alright Jean." Scott said resting a hand on her shoulder.
"No…it's not."
"You're still here. And whether you want to say so or not…you very well could've saved the universe. I'll tell you this, you definitely saved us."
Jean winced as he brushed his hand across her shoulder.
"You should really get checked out Jean." Scott said noticing her cuts and bruises.
Jean shook her head. "I'm fine…just a little hurt."
"Yeah…but you don't want to get an infection. Maybe you should just have Ororo clean you up."
Jean looked up at him. "You're not looking all that great either."
Scott nodded running a hand across his left arm where there were many cuts. "I know."
Jean sighed. "I just…I can't think about anything…except what happened last night."
"Look Jean…" Scott sighed as he looked around the hallway.
"Just let me check you out…huh?"
"No Scott…"
Scott grasped her hands in his. "Please. And than…you can talk to me."
He said as he dragged her into the infirmary.
"Scott it's no big deal…we shouldn't really be in here." She sighed as she sat on the med-bed.
"Some of these cuts look pretty deep." He said inspecting them.
She looked at him skeptically. "Are you even cleared to do this kind of stuff?"
"Look I'm just cleaning your wounds. I'll do this…you can talk to me."
"Okay…fine." She said.
She pulled off her long-sleeved shirt, leaving her in a tight white short sleeve shirt that ran up short enough to expose the top of her shoulder.
"I just…I can't believe it all happened. I mean I wouldn't have dreamt this in a thousand years. For me to become that…creature…I was so evil…Scott."
Scott poured antiseptic on a cotton pad. "No you weren't Jean…that wasn't you."
Jean winced as he touched the pad to her scarred shoulder. "But it was. That creature…that evil being…was a part of me. Was my darkest…most intimate feelings come to light."
"You were taken advantage of Jean. Mastermind used your deepest unrequited feelings against you to turn you evil."
"You don't understand…through me…that power…that evil…killed. I could never do that…I would never do that. But I did. And that makes me think…because I've always believed I'd never kill but because I did I have to wonder if that feeling of good is what I want. I mean obviously some part of me wants that dark side."
"But that's not who you are Jean."
"Isn't it? I mean I was that…that's who I was. It wasn't like Dark Phoenix was some sort of being contained in my body…Dark Phoenix was a repressed entity a 'yang' side of myself. But just to know what I'm capable of…"
Jean's voice faded off as her eyes glistened. "Was it worth it Scott? Was I worth saving? Who's to say I won't turn into that creature again?"
Scott set down his cotton pad, and set his hands on both of her shoulders. "Listen to me Jean. You are worth everything there is."
"I could've killed you!" She sighed dismayed.
"But you didn't. And do you know why?" Scott asked his voice tense and persistent.
Jean shook her head.
"Because the good side of you…the Jean Grey I know…she still had some kind of strong hold on Dark Phoenix…and it was so strong it was preventing Dark Phoenix from destroying us and probably the universe. She could throw us around all she liked…but she always hesitated before throwing the final blow…and that's because of you."
"I don't understand."
"It's simple. Your inner self could not be suppressed once that Dark side of you had taken it on. There's one thing that neither, Apocalypse, Mesmero or Mastermind thought of…and that's the one thing that led to their destruction and our survival. They didn't count on you to still be Jean Grey. They thought that once they'd turned you…your evil side would suppress all others…and it did…it would've. But the creature…as majestic as it was…was still only human. You gave that part of you your humanity…your soul. It was the power of the dark side of yourself rebelling against the force of your will that later turned out to taint that repressed part of yourself."
"You really think that?"
Scott shook his head. "No…I believe it. I know you Jean."
"But Scott…I turned out to be the living embodiment of pure evil. I know you're right…but I can't help but think that that whole creature was made out of my repressed dark fantasies. It was all me…and my dark side. I might be well now…but the power to restore that creature still lies within me. I was EVIL Scott…And that evil is still in me…it's still a part of me…it'll never go away…and as long as it is…I don't know how safe the world is."
"I understand your fears. But to look at it the way you are…that evil lies in me too…it's as much a part of me as it is you. Everyone has that potential…so to look at it from where you're coming…it's unsafe either way."
"I killed them Scott." Jean said distressed.
"No one is blaming you for their deaths. Everyone understands."
"Yeah but I destroyed three lives. I remember at those times I could hear their mental screams as they died…and it felt good! I don't want that feeling ever again…and yet…I do!"
"I know but to give up…that'll be like saying Dark Phoenix has won. That you are evil. You're not!"
"I never thought I'd do something like that."
"But you killed the bad guys."
"They were still human."
"No. No they weren't. They were evil and manipulative. They took advantage of you. They were cold and heartless."
"So was I!" Jean said tears streaming down her face.
"And do you know what scares me? I killed as the dark evil repressed side of myself, of my soul. I killed as everything I never want to be. But even now as I'm cured…as I'm better…I'm not sorry for killing them."
"You shouldn't be."
"Yes I should. The Jean Grey only a few months ago would be. This experience has changed me. I'm not sorry…I don't know how to be…I'm just not. I'm not."
"Don't worry Jean. You're not that person anymore!"
"Am I? That person still makes me…me!"
"But you're stronger than that! I know you! That's not who you are! That's not the Jean Grey I know and fell in love with!"
Jean looked up at him and he immediately pulled away.
"I'm sorry…it just came out." He said apologetically.
Jean shut her eyes and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.
"No. I'm sorry I didn't mean to force it out of you."
"Hey just forget I said anything. I know what our understanding was. I'm sorry."
"Don't Scott. Don't apologize for how you feel. You can't help it. I understand that now. You don't make your feelings…your feelings make you."
"If that's one thing you learned huh?" He asked with a small smirk.
"Yes it is. I know it's hard to believe but that thing…Dark Phoenix…really made me look over my priorities. You know you really helped me. When you pleaded with me…to regain control. Even through all that madness I could still feel our bond as strong as ever."
"Yeah…it is. It's strong."
"I still can't get over it."
"It really was impacting wasn't it?"
"Scott, you really fought for me out there."
"Yeah…I did. When I was out there, it was like nothing else mattered…except for you…I kept thinking of what my life would be like without you in it, and I just…it was at that moment that I realized I didn't want to lose you."
"I know you say that-that it was my humanity that finally overcame myself, but we both know it was much more than that. Even the Professor noticed it."
Scott didn't reply and Jean continued.
"Look…I know that you know what overcame Dark Phoenix. And it was my humanity, but it was more of my human emotions. You know…like my feelings…my feelings for you."
"You have to understand Jean…that I didn't realize what it would take to overcome Dark Phoenix. And than when she kept talking…that's when it dawned on me…that's when I realized what her vulnerability was."
Jean nodded with a small smile. "Yeah…love."
"Even Dark Phoenix was aware of our feelings. She was only a more powerful side of yourself, she could feel everything…hear everything, like an empath. So to feel your emotions towards me, they must have seemed to be 10 times stronger to her, and those feelings, your love, that was her vulnerability and that's how the Professor knew how to bind your powers."
"I know. I know it all. It's all I could think about. I was so blinded by my need to want our friendship to last…that I didn't think of the good that could come out of it…even if we eluded further. I was so scared that if it didn't work out that I would be devastated and our friendship would be ruined…it was fear that held me back…and now…now I don't know how I feel. All I know is if it weren't for you and my suppressed feelings for you…I may not be here."
"Why are you scared? There's nothing to be scared of. I mean I held back too. I think in a way we both held back to the passion that always seems to bind us, in fear that that same passion would tear us apart."
"You really think of it that way?"
"Yes I do. But now…now, after coming so close to losing you…"
Jean shook her head in understanding as Scott's voice drifted off.
"I know. Life is to short to keep beating around the bush like this."
"Yeah, I mean we both know how we feel."
Jean smiled. "I can't believe that it was our love…the feelings we share just for each other…that finally saved New York and possibly the universe, not to mention us."
Scott smiled. "It is hard to believe."
Jean nodded and an awkward silence engulfed them as Scott bandaged up her wounds. His hands caressed over her arms as he cleaned her shoulder wounds.
Jean sighed trying to fight the feelings that she felt with his breath so close to her body.
In a moment of unreasonable thought Scott bent down to kiss her shoulder, than move up to her neck, arm.
Jean let him for a moment than turned around breaking his lips from contact on her skin.
"Jean…" Scott tried to explain his behavior but nothing came out as he was caught up in all the feelings that he felt right here, with her.
Jean shook her head telling him that he didn't have to continue.
Scott's eyes met hers for a moment before she searched his face.
She ran her hand down his cheek and brushed her fingers against his lips before leaning in to kiss him deeply.
Jean held on to his glasses as they parted and slid them off as she leaned back.
On instinct Scott shut his eyes.
"Open your eyes Scott. Nothing will happen." She said softly her voice barely over a whisper. "I'm telekinetically keeping your optic blasts in check. I just…I want to see your eyes that's all."
Scott couldn't believe it. His eyes…how could Jean hold back all that power? Well of course she could…it was just so incredible.
Scott opened his eyes and his gaze met directly into hers.
She smiled as she saw his eyes…his beautiful blue eyes. Just as she had always envisioned them.
"Wow…" Scott murmured.
For the first time since he met her he could make out the colors of her eyes…he knew they were beautiful whatever color they were…but green…He gazed at her face making out the color of her lips, hair, earrings…he never wanted to forget.
"It is isn't it?" She said in response.
"You're so much more beautiful in color…I would have never guessed."
"I just wanted to see your face…all of your face."
"Are you disappointed?"
Jean shook her head in awe. "No…of course not. They're so beautiful Scott…your eyes. I wish…I could see them more often."
"Hey, if you can keep doing this…you can see them as often as you want."
They both laughed softly.
"You know…after what happened today…our bond is so strong…and I want to make it stronger and more indestructible."
Scott nodded. "Sounds wonderful."
"I'd…ah I'd like to establish a permanent rapport…a psychic bond…between us. Part of me in your head, part of you in mine. I know I'm asking a lot…total sharing, intimacy, total…trust. But this way…we'll never lose each other."
"Yeah." Scott responded.
"Yeah?" Jean asked back making sure of his answer.
"Yeah. Sometimes I just can't get enough of you…but now…you're with me wherever I go. I'd be a fool if I said no."
"It'll sting a little."
"At the price of having you in my head? I'll take it." Scott said embracing a smile.
He shut his eyes and Jean touched his forehead with her hand.
Scott flinched as he felt an itching in his head…then the feeling was gone and his mind felt more open.
He opened his eyes.
"All done." She said.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Jean said through their newly established rapport.
"It doesn't get any better than this."
Scott replied back.
"You want to bet on that?"
"Oh are you challenging me?" Scott said playfully.
"I dare you."
"Don't dare me unless you mean it."
"I mean it."
Jean said before leaning in for a kiss.
Scott leaned her down upon the bed their faces merely inches apart and their eyes totally fixated on one another.
"I thought that friends becoming lovers would never work out."
"Hmmm…than I guess I've changed my mind." Jean said seductively.
"Does this mean…?" Scott asked aloud.
"Yes."
Jean replied touching her lips with his.
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
"Aw like look at them." Kitty said sweetly as she sat in Hank's lab with Kurt watching the security camera.
"Ja…it's about time."
"Ewww…don't tell me you gahys are spyin' on Scott and Jean." Rogue said walking into the room.
"Well like yeah." Bobby replied as he stood behind Kurt and Kitty who sat in chairs.
Rogue wrinkled her face. "Please don't tell me their doin' what I think they're doin'."
"Uh…huh." Kitty nodded a huge playful smile spread across her lips.
"Ja…ve can't hear anyzing but take a look at zis."
Kurt used the second frame to rewind the tape to Scott and Jean entering the infirmary.
"Check it out." Bobby said smirking.
"Watch Scott's face when Jean pulls off her shirt leaving that little white one on."
"Ja…he totally wasn't expecting that." Kurt said laughing along with Bobby.
"You gahys are so cruel."
"No we're not we're just very alerted." Kitty tried to explain as Kurt turned back the tape to the present recording.
"You aren't gonna sit here and watch them are you? That's like an invasion of privacy…not to mention totally triple X rated."
"Well we weren't planning on staying-"
"Good 'cause I came in here ta tell ya that Logan wants us for a trainin' session."
"Already?" Bobby complained. "And it was just gettin' good."
"What are ya kids doin' in here? Yer supposed ta be suitin' up." Logan said walking into the lab.
"Yeah we were like, just on our way." Kitty said smugly as she nodded to Kurt and Bobby who reluctantly agreed and trudged out of the lab with Rogue.
Logan stared at the monitor. "Kids." He muttered referring to Kurt, Kitty and Bobby.
He turned around to leave when he noticed the security camera.
"Infirmary 1." He said aloud reading the transcript label.
He opened the file just to glance once and shut it quickly. "Whoa!" He said caught off guard.
"Wasn't expectin' that!"
"Wasn't expecting what?" Hank asked curiously as he took a seat in his chair.
"Nothin'." Logan shrugged.
"By the look of the way you jumped back it had to be something."
"Take a look fer yerself doc."
"Infirmary 1?" Hank asked reading the label too.
"The runts were lookin' at it."
"Spying were they?"
"'fraid so."
"Who's it this time?"
"Trust me McCoy ya don't wanna know."
"See Logan by saying that you just perked my curiosity." Hank replied clicking the keypad bringin the file up.
"Oh my stars and garters." Hank said as he glanced and in an instant reflex closed the screen.
After a moment to catch his breath and a wayward glance to Logan, Hank spoke up.
"Well I suppose we should break them up."
"What do ya suggest we do? Walk in on 'em?" Logan asked.
"Well do you have any other suggestions?"
"Look bub…I don't think we hafta. We should just leave Red and Scottie alone. Their business is their business."
"Yeah but the infirmary…?"
"Hey do you wanna walk in on 'em and tell 'em ta break it up?"
"No…that's something I can go my entire life without seeing and not regret it."
"Hey I may not 'member it but I know what it's like ta be young and in love."
"Well you may not believe it Logan but the Ol' Doc here's gotten some in his life too."
Logan slanted his eyes.
"Yer right it is hard ta believe. But either way it's none o' my business n' frankly I like it that way. The kids' gotta have some sense of privacy 'round here."
"You're right of course. I'll just get Ororo to wash the sheets." Hank said a pang of sadness in his voice.
"Hey lighten' up doc. We're okay…we all here…none the better…n Scott n' Jeannie…well obviously they're all right too. N' considerin' what she's been through…that's a good thing."
"I am glad."
"Good. Well I gotta go. I have ta do some rumor control on these runts that were so clearly watching."
"Damage control…good luck."
"Yep."
"Oh and Logan…good luck on your date."
Logan shook his head. "How'd ya hear 'bout that?"
"A little kitty told me." Hank said not cryptic at all.
Logan sighed " 'O course. Thanks."
He nodded before leaving.
Hank chuckled.
"Oh yes. The joys of normalcy. I'm glad to have it back."
~x~x~x~x~x~x~
Yay! All done. I love it! Love it! Love it! Um so yeah. This is the END! Anyway this is a longer chapter. I think it's the longest so far. It's kinda sappy but I was satisfied with it. Plus there's still room to continue with a sequel if I ever want to. I mean there's still room to bring Phoenix back…but we'll see.
Who knows maybe I'll continue with Logan and Ororo and Remy and Rogue. But I do have to say since I have my two major fics up…the one I'm workin' on now, is a Jott-centered, love, marriage fic. But there will also be a lot of Logan/Ororo or LoRo, as I call them. And if u write me back I can add Romy. If u want.
I like this fic. This is not how I see X3's Phoenix Saga but I like how I just jumped into Dark Phoenix but I think it made sense, since I did explain a lot with all those early chapters of dialogue. See that's why I said they were vital to the fic…and that's because all that talking was explanations into Jean's condition and how she could be so easily turned.
So well u know how I feel 'bout feedback! Gimme, Gimmie, Gimmie! No. I'm not that rude. JK. But I would like to hear from ya'll. Did U like the fic? Write me back!