Ch.2 And Life Goes On

Pg.1

Enterprise War Room

"Do you think she's dangerous?" Asked Riker. "If provoked, yes, extremely. What little she has told us about her powers assure me that she could destroy us with a mere thought but she appears to me to be a very kind and gentle soul, thrust into a responsibility she does not want but will not ignore." The Captain explained. He was unsure why but he was certain that this woman was all she claimed and more. "She is a very special being to say the least. And don't forget she is still human no matter what godly powers have been thrown in her lap." "Councilor, are you able to sense her or pick up anything?" The Captain asked. "Yes, I know she has sensed me and my abilities and I am certain that she is the strongest Telepath I have ever come across. She has strong shields and I will not even attempt to break through them." Deanna replied. "I wouldn't ask you to Councilor, I believe she would willingly answer anything we might ask. Now, just for the record, she will be staying onboard the Enterprise during her…recuperation. She has been through an ordeal that can only be imagined. Treat her kindly and make it clear that I will not tolerate ANY kind of intolerance towards her. Are there any other questions?" The Captain asked hoping not. Unfortunately three hands made a motion indicating that they did indeed have questions.

Commander Riker was addressed first. "Go ahead Number one." "Captain, with all due respect, how can we be sure that she is indeed trust worthy? We don't have any rational explanation for her arrival and no way of knowing about her honesty or the true extent of her abilities." The Captain stood there for a moment forming a reply but Deanna spoke first. "That is not true Will, I told you that I can sense her, and I can sense her honesty. She has not misled us." Deanna said taking a firm stand on the matter. "As for her arrival, her powers are beyond that of anything we've encountered or heard of. And the other force that is within her does not sound like anything I would wish freed. She has said that she is the only one who can control it, and I for one will help her do so if I possibly can. Data what was your question?" The Captain finished. "Not a questions sir, but an offer of information I have discovered in old Earth texts. There are many references to an alleged force in the Universe known as Phoenix. It is said in the texts that Phoenix's original mission was to guard the Emcron Crystal. The references trail off after what was described and I quote 'A battle was fought in the cosmos and the once light and now dark Phoenix was defeated by the Earth's true guardians.' In other texts Phoenix is referred to as 'The Ultimate Power' and another such text described Phoenix and again I quote 'Phoenix is the Ultimate Power second only to God himself.'" Data finished his insight while the Captain and the rest of the senior staff let that information sink in. "Data, did you find any information on Jean Grey herself?" The Captain inquired. "Negative Captain, however I am still searching the records. The files I am looking for are very old and some are still in paper form on Earth somewhere." Data replied. The Captain merely nodded his head in contemplation. Suddenly remembering that the officers remained he motioned to Geordie to ask his own question.

Pg. 2

"Captain, her energy readings are off the chart, are you sure exposure to her is safe?" Commander LaForge asked sounding unsure of the whole mess. The Captain nodded and spoke, "Yes I think it is safe to be around her and Dr. Crusher has assured me that there is no adverse affects to her presence." Jean Luc was about to dismiss his crew when the door chimed. "Enter." The Captain said hurriedly.

Jean entered the room sensing a little shock and some uneasiness at her entrance. "Captain, I was wondering if I could address your officers?" Jean asked politely but in a firm tone. Jean Luc thought for a moment then motioned to her that she had the floor.

"Of courseMrs. Summers." Jean Luc responded. She could tell he was conflicted with something but could not read it. She still felt nauseated and weary. She'd spent time asleep, letting her body regenerate but was mentally exhausted. She'd spent time coping with her situation and using her powers to strengthen her shield around Dark Phoenix's consciousness. Jean knew eventually she would be able to handle the load but right now it was draining. She just prayed she didn't have a nervous break down. She leveled herself in front of the table as Captain Picard took a seat to her left. She was going to need their help regaining her sanity. She was going on pure survival instincts but having to keep captured in your astral mind a very dark and deadly being was very hard thing to do. She can still hear deep in the back of her mind a dark sing song voice. Taunting her with her eventual freedom, and loneliness seeping in realizing that wherever she was, even if their were copies of her loved ones in this timeline, in this dimension, very few would be alive and they wouldn't know her, nor would she know them.

A single tear glistened in her eye but did not fall. She looked to Councilor Troy. "I will need some therapy with you Councilor, if you're willing to try." She spoke in pure earnest. "I would be honored to try. But first I recommend you stop it with the shield building for a little bit. You're stronger than her Jean. Let yourself rest. You've been running in survival mode too long. She is trapped for now, rest. I recommend a vacation on the holodeck. If you wish we could even program holograms of those you miss." "I agree. We are trying to find records on you right now, but I believe you've leapt into an alternate timeline. What time frame are you from?" The Captain asked. "The year I'm from is 2005. The Phoenix force apparently did not perish as we had thought but was recuperating in the depths of the ocean. When she woke up she was still in my form and convinced that she was the real me. She decided to take over my body so that in her warped little mind she would be the only Jean Grey. However she has become quit nuts. I hope to cure her instead of killing her, but if Ihaveto Iwill.She is essentially my dark side, manifested into reality by a powerful beings own power. She was once good. If I can remerge that part of me Phoenix's original personality might reassert itself. I don't know how much damage her true self has. It does not make her any less powerful but maybe then…oh hell, I don't know. I'm sorry, I need some more sleep." Jean finally unraveled. Tears flowed freely as she made her way quickly to her room. She owed Phoenix her life. The poor beings insanity caused by Jean's own darkness manifested real. Jean sat on her sofa and placed her face in her hands. Completely exhausted yet again, she stretched out on the sofa.

Pg.3

Jean sighed as she sank into the couch. She relaxed her muscles and thought of better days. A few days before Phoenix came back. She and Scott had a wonderful morning brunch and talked about the future. They wanted to try for a child in their own timeline. They had reaffirmed their love for one another and made love with such a passion that she was amazed by the fullness of love in her heart for him. Then Phoenix came. She was in the garden tending her roses and counting her blessings. Phoenix arrived in firebird form and before Jean could fight back entered her body and invaded her mind on the astral plane. Determined to kill Jean's astral self and keep the body to take over her life. But Jean fought back and managed to evade Phoenix but could not control her body. When the X-men realized that Dark Phoenix was back and tried to get her to leave Jean, She attacked them feeling betrayed. The X-men fought back and tried to destroy her. Jean recalled Scott's powerful rays hitting her chest. Due to Phoenix it did no damage. She remembered coming from her hiding spot knowing she must be stopped. The struggle and consequences of that decision now weighed on her heavily.

She knew she would've done it all over again if given the chance. But now she had to deal with the consequences. She would figure out something. She sighed again and let her mind drift off to sleep. She slept for twelve solid hours before regaining consciousness. Her dreams had been scattered pieces of her life. Flashbacks to those she cared most for, and flashbacks of those she'd lost. When she woke up she had to sit for a moment and silence her memories and raging emotions. She finally figured out how to work the sonic shower. Wrapped in a bath robe she tried the replicator. She got a fresh pair of undies and a new uniform. Dark Phoenix's colors made her sick, as did Phoenix's colors. So, she fashioned her black X-Men suit. It made her feel more normal being back in this uniform.

She brushed her hair back into a pony tail. Today she was just Jean Grey. "Computer what is the time by the twelve hour time telling system of Earth." "Four thirty P.M." Replied the computer. "Computer, any time I ask you the time tell me in that format." Jean said. "Acknowledged.", the computer replied. Finally ready to venture out she headed to the door as it chimed. She stopped and thought it was a door bell of some kind. She was sure of it when it rang out again. "Come in." She said. The door opened and it was the Captain. "Um, Captain, how are you? Please come in." She said warmly. 'By God she is beautiful.' Jean Luc thought as he smiled and entered. "How are you feeling today?" Picard inquired. "I'm feeling much better. I was going to try and find a place to get something to eat. Would you care to join me?" She asked wanting to see if the Xavier resemblance was more than appearance. Plus being around people might help her out of her funk. "I'll show you to Ten Forward. Our food is replicated but some of it is good." He smiled and gestured his arm, "Ladies first." She smiled back but it didn't reach her eyes. They walked silently for a few seconds and got on the turbo lift. "Deck 10." He spoke to the computer." "Is that computer the thing I'm gonna' be talking to most?" Jean asked after a few more moments of silence. "No I'm sorry. I just don't know what to ask you. To many things I could ask you. Just not sure which one to ask you. And please don't try to get in my head. I think I would know if you tried." He said evenly enough but slightly bothered. "Captain, I assure you, I don't go where I'm not needed. But, please feel free to ask me anything. I don't want you feeling alienated while I'm aboard." She replied. 'Best not tell him I can get in minds undetected.' She checked herself.

Pg. 4

Jean Luc stood silent as the turbo lift stopped and opened its doors. "Straight ahead Mrs. Summers and to the left." The Captain said. They entered Ten Forward and selected a table. "Captain, you puzzle me, you were my biggest advocate in the meeting with your crew. But, when you're with me you seem very unsure still and some what frightened of me. I've learned in my experiences over the last few years to not hold back from those I work with. Lives may depend upon the communication, please Captain, let's get your concerns addressed." Jean stated with all the diplomacy she could muster. Jean Luc cleared his throat and thought for a moment before responding. "I understand your mission Dr. Summers; I also admire you greatly for your devotion to protecting all life. But this Phoenix business is what has me concerned. You still seem rather exhausted. I believe I would feel better about this however if you took Councilor Troy's advice and relax some. Rest, you are so busy trying to ease fears and concerns that you're still not taking your 'Doctors' advice." He replied and gave a gentle smile. "My only concern for now dear girl is your health. Eat here with me and then go and rest. Captains' orders."

Jean smiled and nodded. "Yes Sir. And please call me Jean." Was her only reply.

Picard ordered their food and they made small talk. Jean was starting to relax slightly. She stared at Picard for a long moment and then spoke. "I hadn't told you this yet, but you look exactly like my mentor, colleague, and friend Professor Charles Xavier. When I first saw you I almost asked you how you were able to walk again. An accident as a child left him paralyzed from the waist down." "Really? How intriguing." Jean Luc's curiosity slightly peaked. "Tell me about the Professor." He said. "His life long dream has been the peaceful co-existence of humans and mutants. He took me as his first student many years ago. He is the most powerful telepath I've ever known. He's touched and saved many lives with his hope, vision, and compassion. I miss his wisdom now more than ever." Jean said as she gave a sad smile. "As long as you keep in your head and heart all he taught you then his wisdom will always be with you. Life is seldom consistent and rarely predictable." Jean Luc said wishing he could help her somehow. But, he knows just as well as the intelligent creature across from him that grief can only be dealt with in stages. Some things change but some things don't. Jean thanked Captain Picard for sharing their meal and headed for the renowned holodeck.

"Computer, run a program with a white sandy beach, a nice breeze, a lounge chair, and a bar." Jean spoke to the computer wondering if the concept was similar to the danger room. "Program set to specifications, enter when ready." The computer stated in its fembot voice. Jean stepped inside and for a moment thought she was back on Earth. She took a deep cleansing breath and began stretching her muscles, stiff from the abuse of the past week. She stripped down to her undies and took off jogging down the shore. Blanking everything out of her mind, she kept jogging till she was ready to turn around. As headed back to her strip spot she sensed another presence in the holodeck. While still jogging she summoned her jump suit. She stopped long enough to dress. Then standing centered she closed her eyes and sent out a psychic probe. Councilor, grab a chair, I'll be there in a second. Should you be using your powers while recovering? Deanna shot back with a mental snicker. Jean gave a quick smirk and launched in the air and flew straight to the chairs. "Show off." Deanna said with a laugh. "True, but the only way to strengthen our powers is by using them. Especially in a weakened state." She retorted as she plopped down into the second chair.