It was essential for leader to make decisions, for that was exactly what leadership stood for. And when one was made it was just as necessary not to question it but to carry it out. Scott Summers was believed to be born leader, he was not supposed to have doubts. Not that much anyway. Probably the problem was in the fact, he was still unable to tell why hadn't he gone into Professor's office and told him everything. Not for a second had he believed Emma's soulful story, hadn't he? The only possible reason for him to do that were children. And that brought another problem: was he really protecting them or was he dooming them, letting Emma turn them into her own image. One thing he knew was that Professor Xavier was right, Emma Frost was damn good at blackmailing.

Last night still felt strange and unreal. He never promised to keep silence, nor had he been asked to. The greater part of their strange conversation was spent discussing more philosophical questions. If one could call them 'philosophical' that's it. As Emma put it, if she couldn't make him write it down, he'd have to tell it. Scott wasn't sure if explaining his principles and methods had influenced Emma even a little bit. Most likely not, for she had counter-evidence for everything he said. Somehow they still managed to have something more resembling a friendly discussion than the quarrel. The feeling was new and strange, but much to his surprise not unwanted. In fact, when Emma announced she was leaving, before he could start shouting at her once more, he almost asked her to stay. Almost. And as if in response to that impulse, he had already managed to argue with her twice today. It was her initiative once, but he was more than ready to keep it up. Funniest thing was he couldn't even recall what the bickers were about.

---

Drowning his problems in beer was Logan's way to deal with them, not Scott's. X-men leader preferred something without alcohol in it. Not that drinking almost full kettle of coffee did help to settle the turmoil his thoughts where in, not even close. That was exactly how night and Emma Frost had found him.

-"Not that I'm going to thank you, but I do appreciate the conclusion you came to."

Great, exactly what he needed now. While he was still trying to understand why he had listened to anything that woman said in the first place, she came here sounding nice and friendly. By her standards of course. Considering who he was dealing with, that surely meant trouble. May be that was why his voice sounded harsher than he intended it to.

-"Should I be overjoyed? And more importantly, shouldn't you be more spiteful?"

Instead of snapping Emma took the chair across the table. Something was clearly wrong and Scott had sudden urge to flee. Whatever it was it was clearly nothing good. Not that anything concerning Emma Frost could be labeled 'good', not for Scott Summers.

-"It is five minutes past eleven. Cease-fire, remember? So try and be nice to me."

-"Cease-fire was yesterday, Emma. I don't have to 'be nice to you' anymore."

Not with such consequences anyway. It really was much easier when Emma was evil incarnate. He still didn't like her to say the least, but now he was much closer to being at her side than he wanted to. He was keeping her secret after all. For children's sake yes, but nevertheless he was doing exactly what she wanted him to do. For her part the woman in question didn't seem having any moral troubles or any troubles at all.

-"And when exactly did I say 'yesterday', Scott? We had agreed to act civilized around each other from eleven to one o'clock."

So Emma was evil incarnate after all. What he was interested in now, was why did she need that. Surely not to enjoy his company. To annoy the hell out of him perhaps? Not that she didn't succeed in that at any time.

-"Suppose, I bought it. Exactly what is expected from me now?"

So there was some hidden agenda after all, because Emma paused before answering. Considering how to tell him without him scaring away, no doubt. Perhaps it was not too late to escape after all.

-"Tell me about her."

Certainly not something Scott had expected. And just as certainly Emma didn't need to specify whom did she mean. She only reserved that voice tone when referring to Jean. Jean. What could he tell about her? How perfect she was, how special and loved? Why would Emma want to hear all this, especially when she could just read his mind? And more importantly why would he ever want to tell her?

-"Jean came to the Institute four days after I did. I used to think it was destiny, that I was the one to open the door to her. And I can still remember how she looked at me…"

---

-"…X-jet was able to get into the air, but Jean stayed there. She must have given all she got to save us and she couldn't stop the water. She sacrificed herself to save us, to save me…"

Silence that followed his words was almost companionable and compassionate. For a moment or two. Then Emma's icy glare was back in place. He really shouldn't have gotten his hopes so hi, Scott knew. After all that was Emma Frost he was talking to.

-"And you still think you could save her. Boil the water with your optic blast perhaps. Or jump into the lake yourself and pull her out of water. And many other equally stupid plans did you think of."

Far more than he could ever count that for sure. And they were not 'stupid'. At least not all of them. Did Emma think he needed to be reminded of his helplessness? Not that he could ever forget. His silence seemed to prove something to Emma, for she nodded slightly and continued.

-"Now can you explain what do I have to do with this heroic death? Because I'm tired of being looked at and knowing that I'm not seen. Knowing that everyone thinks I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Jean Grey's death. Knowing they are right. What I don't know is how I can be responsible for that. It was too much to hope you might now, I believe."

Scott didn't say a word, not even when she rose up and headed to the door. Emma was good at making him speechless. And she was right, he couldn't give her an explanation. Come to think of it he couldn't even give an explanation to himself. Hating her was perfectly understandable until recently. He almost wished it would stay that way. Emma paused in the doorframe, never turning around.

-"I never believed that, but talking to someone is supposed to help."