Wrong. That was totally, completely, dangerously and unbelievably wrong. For years Emma Frost made sure that her list of the people whose opinion mattered stayed as short as possible. For quite a few years already she managed to keep it empty. And that suited her perfectly. It didn't matter that Scott Summers had enjoyed spending time in her company. It should never ever matter. And she certainly didn't fell the same. She most certainly didn't. She had long ago forgotten how to and was not going to remember. The fact that she had started thinking about the school as of her home was more than enough. The fact that she had accepted Charles Xavier's rules was still hard to believe. The fact that she actually wanted someone to like her was … not happening. Not now, not ever. Not happening.
That wasn't her. Emma Frost she knew didn't have emotions in popular sense of this word. She didn't care about anyone but herself. She knew that no one could be trusted and treated everyone accordingly. Being alone had always been safe. What had changed in those few months? Why with each passing day that woman was harder and harder to find? Emma-before-all-this would seriously consider the possibility of Charles Xavier's mental influence. The present Emma toyed with the thought for less than half a minute. Something was definitely and seriously wrong.
Now Emma just had to decide if she wanted to correct that 'something'.
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-"I'd like you to meet Doctor Henry McCoy. As you all know I was recently reminded we were in the need of a doctor and Dr. McCoy agreed to accept that position. And Emma, exactly what did you do to Cerebro Scott is so afraid I'll find out about?"
At last now she knew why Xavier wanted Kurt with him. While the latter didn't have fur he was just as blue as the school's new addition. Trying to make them feel less lonely because of their physical appearance, Professor? Nice try. Then again Emma could literally feel that all those 'welcomes' and 'hellos' Henry McCoy was receiving right now were sincere. What the hell was wrong with this people, that they were ready to welcome blue-furred stranger and were still trying to keep away from her?
-"Glad to meet you, Doctor McCoy. At last I have someone to teach biology class instead of me. So much of not 'abusing your powers'. I knew it. "
Truth be told Scott projected so loudly even she could hear him through all her shields. Really, that man had to stop trying to live every moment of his life by the Book. Or at least stop worrying himself to death over something he couldn't change. Not that she cared, of course. But right now it also involved her. Even if she never intended to keep the 'improvements' made to Cerebro secret that still wasn't nice.
-"Actually, we didn't discuss Henry's teaching career yet, Emma. You hadn't answered."
Like he didn't know the answer already. Or like it was going to change anything. Besides she was not going to let the chance to get rid of that class - she had no idea why she was still teaching – to simply slip away. Henry McCoy might not know it yet but he was going to become a new biology teacher in the Xavier Institute. With Charles Xavier watching her so closely Emma couldn't tell it for sure but it seemed like a man wouldn't mind anyway.
-"We had now. Just a few adjustments so I could use it to its proper potential. I even got your deputy's permission as it seems. "
More precisely she got him to stop thinking for once and to do something. How one man managed to be so right and proper and make her lose control was beyond her understanding. Scott Summers was plain and simple, the perfect X-man, role-model for others. She had to be bored by him not intrigued. It took another thought from Xavier to bring her own thoughts back where they belonged. Scott Summers did have a bad influence on her, she always knew that.
-"Are you sure you don't want to leave this school permanently, Emma? Because you are dangerously close to it."
Only if she was thrown away from here it seemed. If she could just leave by her own will she would have done that long ago. Besides by now she was almost curious what would it take to make Charles Xavier to actually fulfill his promise to fire her.
-"As always, Charles. It's no fun other way. "
-"I'd try teaching, Professor. If you don't other plans for my time, of course. Which as I recall correctly you mention nothing about."
So Dr. McCoy had something to say about his future. Good to know. Other X-Men seemed to decide that getting caught between Charles Xavier and Emma Frost was not something they wanted to experience. Better to think of it as of a way to show respect. Especially when Emma knew too well whose side would they choose, no matter what the cause of argument was.
-"In that case it's decided. Ask Emma to fill you in when you feel ready. Somehow I don't find it funny."
Filling in was one of advantages of having your predecessor alive and well. Another one was not having to constantly compete with someone you have never even seen. Or was the last one true in her case only? One more thing that didn't matter.
-"You simply can't appreciate the humor then."
-"If no one has any questions, you are free to go. Henry, come with me, please. I'll show you your room. Not when it comes to such serious matters."
That surely was different from the time she was introduced to the team. Was it her being a telepath or was it just her being herself? Whatever 'herself' meant these days that's it. Life was a lot simpler before, when didn't have to get philosophical every few minutes. Why couldn't she just go back to what it was before and what she was before? And stop asking herself that question. For Emma Frost never doubted, especially not herself. That attitude just didn't do.
-"We have to talk, Scott. Now. And don't even think about telling me you are busy."
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A/N: I wholeheartedly and passionately hate exams. I seem to be able to think only about math those days. So it's really not my fault I'm not updating (Not that anybody notices:)). Did I mention I hate exams?