Scott's POV:

I should be relieved that Jean is not pregnant, shouldn't I? We have our hands full with Rachel. It would be immature and selfish to bring a baby into the mix. Right? What happens when the baby grows older and develops powers of their own? What would stop them from running off just like Rachel?

Not only that, but it is too early to see how exactly Rachel has impacted the country, or how long until her influence wears off and the humans are back hating us once again. How long until the MRD will be back up and running? Or a program just like it? Years? Months? Days? I know Rachel is capable of greatness, but how much greatness is out of her control?

And even if the effects she has are permanent, can Jean and I even care for a baby? Six months ago, I had to wrestle a blade from Jean's hand to keep her from slitting her wrists. And even though Jean is no longer suffering from the Phoenix, I still worry she will try to take her life once again. We may be connected in a way no other souls are, but I still feat she hides how deep her depression still is. She is certainly capable of it.

Hell, it is no secret that both of us have needed therapy since we were teenagers. I've needed it much longer than that, even.

How could we possibly justify bringing a new life into that mix?

Yet why have I felt cold and empty ever since Jean told me the truth? I thought my life was already complete when I asked her to marry me. But then when I thought she was pregnant, it just felt… right. I dreaded the baby growing up in a world that would hate and fear it. Sitting in that cell, listening to all those mutant kids who were shown no compassion from the guards made me sick. They're going to have trauma for years from it. A lot of mutant kids do, just from the bullying and abuse that they face from disappointed parents or guardians.

Maybe that's what the Mutant Response Division should be in charge of. Respond to the abuse mutants face and punish the abusers, not the mutants. There are child protective services, why aren't there government-funded Mutant protective services? Maybe then I wouldn't feel so guilty about wanting to bring another child into the world.

Because honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, it feels like I am destined to be a father. I love Rachel. God, I love her so much. I would lay down my life faster for her than anyone else. But maybe that love is too much for just one child.

Or maybe I should just focus it all on Rachel. Maybe I should have done more to stop her from going with Magneto. Maybe then I wouldn't be sitting here, waiting restlessly for her to wake up.

What am I saying? I wouldn't be sitting here at all. I would all still be in those godforsaken cells, rotting away without food or water.

That thought makes me feel trapped, and I slip my arm away from Jean and stand up. She remains asleep, and since Rachel seems nowhere close to waking up either, I leave to room. Several of the students are still asleep, and some are just starting to wake up. They have no idea what has gone on through the night, or what sort of changes they will wake up to. I assume the professor will cancel classes, given the teachers are too exhausted to teach.

But with the lack of students, the silence of the mansion is eerie. My footsteps echo through the quiet hall

Not only that, but I do not know the footfalls of all the mutants around me like I do my teammates. I don't know if I am near a friend or foe, and if I open my eyes, I will blast whoever is in front of me.

But as I cross the stretch of hallway in front of the Professor's office, my footsteps are not the only thing I find to be echoing. Something is happening in the office besides talking.

Was Magneto attacking the Professor? It certainly sounds like it. So without even knocking, I shove the door open, ready to blast Magneto through the wall.

But then I stand there like a fucking moron, watching in shock as my mind tries to comprehend what I was seeing. They weren't fighting. They were doing the opposite.

Kissing.

"I see among other things, Charles failed to teach you how to knock," Magneto says dryly, standing up straight and wiping his lips. "Have you never seen two grown men kissing before, Cyclops?"

"I… um… I," I stammer over my words and then make accidental eye contact with the Professor. "I thought he was attacking you."

"I would like to do many things to him, but at the moment, attacking is not on the list," Magneto speaks boastfully, which only proves to make me more uncomfortable.

"Erik," The Professor scolds. If he is embarrassed, he was not showing it, only a touch of annoyance towards my intrusion. "As you can see, Scott, he is not attacking me, so if you would please be kind enough to leave, I will remember to lock my office door next time."

"Yeah…. I'm sorry about that… um… bye?" I back out of the room and shut the door so fast it slams. "Sorry!" I call yet again, completely flustered.

And yes, I know this makes me look bad. But I'm not flustered because of the… gay aspect of it.

Hell, I'm not exactly as straight as I appear as a man with a female fiancee and daughter. I just never imaged the Professor would be anything else but a straight man.

I suppose it makes sense, given how Magneto had talked earlier. I guess it wasn't a creepy old man vibe he was giving off after all.

And why Magneto of all people!? He practically kidnapped Rachel! Okay, I guess it was not kidnapping if Rachel consented to it, but it was still irresponsible and if he had gotten my daughter killed, it would have been war.

And how could the Professor scold Jean and me for Rachel's actions, and then turn around and make out with Magneto, the man who's actually responsible for them? That seems pretty shitty if you ask me.

In my fluster, I return to the living room without even getting a snack. Jean is awake again and is raising a brow at me when I come in.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," She is silent for a moment, then. "Please don't tell me you saw a ghost. I cannot handle anything else tonight."

I shake my head and plop down on the couch beside her. It wasn't my place to tell her, since I don't want to out anyone. "No, nothing like that. I'm just tired." Reclining back, I put my arm around her and shut my eyes.

Then she gasps. "Oh my god. The Professor and Magneto are a couple!?"

"How did you-?" I wince. Oh right. Telepathy. "What happened to only reading my mind when you have permission?"

"You lost that privilege when you searched through my drawer," she sasses. "I am surprised though, I always thought he had a thing with Moira."

I shrug. "Maybe he did, but that was years ago, and people can like both."

"Obviously. I'm just shocked. I can usually tell. But oh well," She lays her head on my shoulder. "Maybe it's common for mutants to be attracted to the same sex. Bobby, you, now the Professor…"

"Me?" I chuckle nervously, my face hot. It was never something I brought up to her since I didn't want her to feel jealous. Plus there was no reason to bring it up, or even think about it when I was with her. "I… um… didn't know you knew…. You read my mind again, didn't you?"

"I don't have to. Your face and lap when you saw those Calvin Klein underwear models told me enough." She giggles and kisses me on the cheek. "Don't worry, my love, I adore every ounce of you, bisexuality and all."

"Geez, thanks." This has escalated quickly, first I find the Professor and Magneto kissing, and now my deepest secret is being discussed. I will never be sleep-deprived again. "I really thought I did a better job at hiding how horny I got from these models."

Jean laughs. "If you want to hide that, then you should not have worn sweatpants."

"I will never wear sweatpants again."

"Are you two quite done?" Rachel's groggy voice comes from the other couch. I sigh in relief. "I already have a headache, I don't need to be nauseated too. Oh no, too late. I'm going to puke."

She leaned over the edge of the couch, spilling her guts out onto the carpet.

"Parenting duty calls," Jean says, getting up from the couch. I sigh and go find the mop.

To Be Continued...