In The Heat

An X-men Evolution fanfic by Lavender Gaia

Editing and Assistance by: Laine

Chapter Three: Amazing

Disclaimer: I do not own X-men Evolution, any of its characters or Rachel Summers. They are all property of Marvel.


Jean had been resting for about a half hour when there was a knock on her door. "Come in!"

Rachel stuck her head in. "Um, hey. Thanks for the shower."

"Oh, sure. Least I can do," She sat up. "Oh, did you figure out how to use the hair dryer?"

Her daughter fingered her short red locks. "Huh? Oh, right. The one we have at home isn't that different." Rachel sat at the end of Jean's bed. "You know, we may be in the year 3056, but it's really not that different from here. Maybe since it's like another…dimension or whatever the Professor said it was, that we just progressed slower. I don't know."

Jean nodded slowly. That made sense. "Hey, I know I didn't ask you this before and if you have no idea what I'm talking about I can explain it to you. You mentioned your dad's eye problems. Are your parents mutants?"

Rachel nodded. "Yeah, of course. I am too. Telekinetic and telepathic."

"That's amazing! So am I!"

"I know, Jean. I'm your daughter," she grinned, raising an eyebrow.

"…Right. Sorry, it's just, that you're…I guess I just need to get used to it," The taller girl grinned.

Then she heard Kitty's voice shout down the stairs. "Be right back, Lance! Let me just put my purse in my room."

"There she is. C'mon, let's get you some clothes so you don't have to walk around in my old sweats." Jean opened her door. "Hey, Kitty, can I talk to you for a second? This is Rachel. She's new here, but she doesn't exactly have anything to wear. Can she borrow some of your clothes for today?"

"Oh, totally!" Shadowcat extended a hand. "I'm Kitty Pryde, nice to meet you!"

"Rachel Summers," she took the extended hand.

"Are you, like, Scott's sister or something?"

"Or something."

Kitty opened the door to her room, "Come on in."

"Don't you knock?" Rogue asked from the bed, where she had been reading.

"Why would I knock? It's my room," Kitty rolled her eyes and opened one of her dresser drawers. "These jeans should fit you." A pair of jean shorts was tossed at Rachel. "You could try one of my tops, but you're a bit…larger than me, in that particular area." She crossed her arms over her chest.

Rogue looked up. "That's no news, who isn't?"

Kitty picked up her pillow and hit Rogue over the head with it. "Hush!" She could have said something about the fact that she had a boyfriend and her roommate didn't, but that was a rather touchy subject and it wouldn't help her to get her mad just a few hours before she wanted to ask a favor.

The Southerner tossed the pillow back, then got up and opened the closet. "Here," she tossed a black tank top at Rachel. "It's got a built in bra, and should be about your size."

"Wow, thanks," the Summers girl blinked. "I'm Rachel Summers, by the way."

"Summers? Yah related to Scott?"

"Uh huh," she responded, refusing to go into any more depth, in case her parents didn't want everyone else to know that they were her parents. "I'm gonna go change. Thanks!"

As Jean and Rachel left the room, a stampede could be heard downstairs. The boys had finally come in from their game and they were hungry. Kitty came out of her room and rolled her eyes. "I, like, promised Lance I'd only take a minute. Luckily he gets along with all the new guys…Even if he does think that Bobby can be a reckless idiot. Anyway, catch you later, Rachel!"

Jean waited outside the door as Rachel quickly changed. "So, those two are roommates?"

"Rogue and Kitty? Yeah, ever since Rogue moved in. They're closer than you'd think, actually."

Rachel opened the door. "They're completely different! Seriously, could you find more different people? Did they choose to be together?"

"No, the Professor put them in the same room together."

"He's nuts. No, really, he's gotta be," Rachel gave Jean her clothes back. "I don't mean that in a bad way, but in this huge house it's just weird that they'd be in the same room."

Jean laughed. "He's got a reason for everything, or so it seems. Isn't there a Charles Xavier where you come from?"

"Well, there's Papa Xavier, who is my world's version of the Professor. They had an Institute too, but we never hung around there very much. You guys used to say it was dangerous, even though we went there for Christmas and Thanksgiving and those things," Rachel shrugged. "C'mon, I want to go meet everyone!"

She went down the stairs to the foyer, where everyone was shouting pizza requests at Ororo.

"Pepperoni!"

"Mushroom!"

"Anchovies!"

"NO ANCHOVIES!" Everyone else shouted at Bobby.

Ororo looked through the crowd and her eyes rested on Rachel and Jean, "Rachel, you like pizza, don't you? What would you like?"

She nodded slowly. "I like pepperoni."

The boys blinked. Finally, Ray asked, "And you are…?"

Before she could answer the front door open. "Tell me again why you had to spend forty-five minutes at the jewelers!" Scott groaned.

"He was trying to cheat my girl!" Tabitha protested.

"Exactly. He thought that just because I was young and a girl that I didn't know anything about what I had. Well, I know, and I'm several hundred dollars richer for it," Amara grinned. Then she saw that everyone in the foyer had turned to stare at them. "Um…hi. Oh, can Tabby stay for dinner?"

Storm nodded as Scott walked over to stand on Rachel's other side. "Of course she can. Welcome Tabitha."

"Hey, thanks, Storm." She smiled at the woman, then looked at the shorter red-head next to Jean. "Who're you?"

"She was just about to tell us that when you came in," Roberto said. Everyone turned back to the new girl.

"I'm Rachel Summers," she whispered, waiting for everyone's reaction.

"Are you related to Scott?" Amara asked. Rachel was seriously sick of that question.

Jean exchanged a look with her boyfriend and squeezed Rachel's shoulder. "She is, actually. In fact…she's the daughter of Scott and me."

For a second, everyone just stood there and stared. Bobby fell down from his position of leaning against the banister. As he got up, he said what everyone was thinking. "No freakin' way!"

"I know I haven't been around much," Tabitha began slowly. "But I must have really missed something."

"Let's talk about the details later," The professor suggested as she rolled up, much to Rachel, Scott and Jean's relief. "Ororo, how about those pizzas?"

"I'm on it, Professor," Storm nodded, then smiled at Rachel again. "Welcome to the Xavier Institute."

"So, how old are you?" Kitty asked, trying to break the tension.

"I'm fifteen."

"Hey, just like Roberto!" Sam grinned, elbowing the Brazilian. "What grade are you in? 9th? 10th?"

"Um…I don't know. I've been home schooled most of my life, so I just take random classes now that fit my aptitude."

"We home schooled you?" Jean looked surprised.

"I don't know why we were so shocked," Amara laughed. "You look like you could be Jean's sister, you're so much alike!"

"I guess we are. I even have her powers," Rachel shrugged.

Ray's eyebrows rose practically off his face. "Really!"

"No," she shook her head. Everyone was silent for a moment, until Rachel said, "It's called sarcasm. You guys have that here, don't you?"

The group laughed and even Xavier chuckled, "You don't have to stay out here, you know. Give her a quick tour and settle down in the rec room until dinner is ready."

Scott, as usual, took the order to heart. "Well, this is the foyer, the kitchen is through there. Through that hall is the Professor's office. Then there's the Danger Room…"

"We had that!" Rachel suddenly exclaimed. "I mean, not at home. But at my version of the Institute. We had a Danger Room."

"So there are two Institutes?" Jamie asked. "So there is two of everyone? Two of me?"

"As if there are never two of you," Rogue smirked.

"I guess so. I mean, if there are, I don't remember meeting any of you. But I haven't spent time a lot of time at the Institute since I was seven and we moved out. After that we only went for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and most people go home for that," Rachel explained.

Jean nodded. "Let's go sit in the rec room." She led her into the common area. "This is basically where we hang out, watch TV, that sort of stuff."

They settled in, either on the couches or floor. Every talked as if nothing was different, even if they did stop from time to time to ask Rachel questions. She answered all of them matter-of-factly, but she seemed to like when people asked about her parents.

"They're the best parents you could ever have, really," she smiled sadly. "I know they helped Pa…the professor whenever he needed it, so Uncle Alex would stay and watch me. Even though we didn't have a Danger Room like there is here, our house had a lot of land, so I trained a lot. Like I said earlier, I was home schooled until the beginning of high school. I even had classes like the application of physics within strategic use of mutant powers. That was weird."

"HA!" Bobby yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Jean and Scott. "Even your own daughter thinks your training sessions are weird!" He got up and sat on the arm of the couch, slinging a friendly arm around Rachel's shoulders. "I like this girl."

Jean used her TK to push him off the couch. "Well, we're still your teachers, so get over it."

"Child abuse!" Bobby claimed as he rubbed his backside.

The rest of the recruits laughed at him, but, being everyone's favorite Popsicle, he brushed it off easily. There was a light feeling throughout the area until the pizza came. They always ordered ten pizzas. When there were eleven hungry teenagers, with three extras today, as well as four adults, you tended to need a lot of food.

Everyone swarmed the kitchen as Ororo laid out the pizza and garlic rolls, as well as a small side salad for Kitty to eat with the rest of her meal. This was going to be a casual dinner. Hardly any plates were in use, as people stood around, talking and grabbing a slice as needed.

Kitty was easily the happiest. With Scott preoccupied over his new daughter, there was no room in his brain to glare endlessly and insult Lance. Shadowcat knew she was really going to like this girl.

Eventually, the group disbanded, people going their separate ways. Jean noticed that Rachel was falling asleep at her side, red head nodding towards the table. "Hey, why don't you go to bed?" she offered. "If we're going shopping tomorrow, you'll need your rest."

"Shopping? When did we decide this?" Scott asked suddenly, knowing he was going to become their official pack mule.

Jean kicked him under the table. "Get some sleep, Rachel. I can…uh…tuck you in, if that's what you want. Do I still do that?"

Rachel giggled. "No, no, Mom stopped a while ago. Thanks, anyway. You're right, I need to get some sleep." Usually, she would have insisted that she didn't need to go to sleep yet, but there was a soft Queen sized bed upstairs that was telepathically calling to her and begging her to sleep in it.

"Good night," Scott smiled.

Jean squeezed Rachel's hand. "Sleep well."

"Night…" The smaller redhead said. They watched as their daughter left from the kitchen and headed upstairs to her bedroom.

Jean Grey laid her head against the table and groaned softly. "Scott, we're parents now. Of a teenage girl."

"I don't even have parents myself," He mused. "How am I supposed to know how to be one?"

She walked behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek. "You're going to be a great father…You are now…I think. I mean, so far Rachel seems like a great girl."

"Because she takes after her mother," Scott grinned.

Jean kissed him long and hard. "We should take our own advice and get some sleep. Remember, you're going shopping with a gaggle of teenage girls tomorrow."

"Oh, joy," He responded sarcastically, but stood up anyway. "But you're right, as usual. Hey…does this make you the future Mrs. Scott Summers?"

Her green eyes glittered as she walked up the stairs. "Who knows?"


Several hours later, Jean had barely slept at all. The little sleep she got was restless, causing her to wake every hour or so. About an hour before dawn, she lay in her bed, going over the day's events in her head when she realized that she had never taken Rachel's clothes out of the dryer.

Having nothing better to do, Jean slipped downstairs. While the clothes were fluffing, she made herself a little cup of hot cocoa, mulling over it in the kitchen. That was when she heard voices on the stairs, as well as the sound of soft feet. She turned off the lights with her telekinesis, then slipped into the foyer to see who it was.

Kitty and Lance stood near the front door, bathed in only the moonlight from the windows as they kissed ferociously. "I don't want you to go…" she whispered lightly as they took a breath.

"I know…I don't want to either…" Lance trailed light kisses down her neck. "I'll come back as soon as I can, I promise you that, Kitty."

She wiped a lone stray tear that had escaped. "Call me as soon as you get there so I know you made it ok."

He nodded. "I will." The two kissed a few more times, holding on to each other for dear life until finally parting. "I love you, Kitty."

"I love you too, Lance," Her smile brightened, then faded as she opened the door for him, and closed it behind him. Jean watched as Kitty leaned against the door, shaking in silent sobs as the love of her life left her. Though she refused to give into her sorrow for more than a minute, but there was the promise of more tears to come as she headed back towards the stairs.

The redhead flipped the kitchen lights back on with her TK and cleared her throat. "Hey, there…"

Kitty spun around, blue eyes widened in fear. "Jean! I…uh…what are you doing there?"

"Couldn't sleep, thought I'd make myself some cocoa. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but notice that little scene there," She raised one scarlet eyebrow.

"He…uh…we fell asleep…in my room…reading a book?" Kitty attempted.

"Don't lie to a telepath, Kitty. It's demeaning."

"Ok, ok! So, I'm guessing you know what actually happened. We were safe, so you don't have to go all motherly on me now that Rachel's here! And please please please don't tell Scott or the Professor!" The brunette begged.

"I don't want to lie to either of them," Jean whispered.

"It's not lying! I mean, unless they come out and ask you if I slept with Lance. But if you just don't tell them about a certain part of your day, that's just you being a normal person who doesn't spell out her life like it's an open book," Kitty pointed out.

"I get it. I won't tell, Kitty. I can understand why you did it." A buzzer could be heard in the back meaning Rachel's clothes were dry. "Look, we could probably both get a few hours of sleep until we go shopping."

"Good idea. I'm kinda worn out. Thanks for everything, Jean. I totally and completely offer my services on the shopping trip tomorrow!" Kitty grinned.

"Thanks. See you when the sun rises." She turned back to get the clothes as her friend quietly walked up the stairs. "Hey, Kitty?"

"Yeah?"

Jean bit her lip for a moment, before asking, "How was it?"

Shadowcat sighed dreamily. "It was…the absolute most amazing thing that's ever happened to me. But what about this day hasn't been amazing?"

Jean Grey smiled to herself as Kitty left again. Then, she walked back into the kitchen, intent on folding her daughter's clothes.


A/N: Wow, I thought this was going to be too short, but it's long enough! Whoo, go me. Ok, so not much really happened in this chapter. But we learn some more about Rachel and we got to laugh at Bobby and there was a Lancitty moment so I call this a successful mission! Plus, the line about not lying to telepaths was actually one used by Jean in the comics. It was originally said to Scott, but I thought it was appropriate to use in this case.

Next chapter will be the shopping trip. I'm just trying to keep it light until I plunge heavily into the deep angsty Dark Phoenix stuff. Besides, I'm getting the whole Dark Phoenix comics set and some Excalibur so I can read up on Rachel and everything before I get into that.

Questions, comments, reactions and reviews are greatly appreciated.


Review Responses:

Xmengirlzrule: Thank you! I'll try to update as soon as possible!

DOJ: I loved making Logan's head hurt. That was the epitome of fun. I'm really glad you're enjoying it so much!

Wen1: I'm glad you like my Rachel! And since I'm changing her comic background to something to fit my version of the story a little bit more, I changed the years randomly because I was lazy. I gave it vague reasoning in this chapter, which just shows how lazy I can be. Not too much JOTT in this chapter, but I assure you the next one will have some. Thanks for reading!

Slickboy444: Well, I'm glad that there aren't too many fics like this out there. I'm eager to write Scott and Jean dealing with a fiery teenage daughter. They can barely deal with the kids in their class, let alone flesh and blood. I'm so happy you like it so much!

X00001: Oh, well, I plan to do lots of stuff to Jean that most people would think of as "mean." I prefer to think of it as "conflict." I hope you keep reading.

Starstar16: I know that Rachel is a bit feistier and I do plan on bringing that out later, but when you're a young girl in a strange place you tend to tune it down just so you don't have to end up living on the streets. Rachel will be comfortable and back to her old self very soon, I hope!

Rogue14: You can't do a Phoenix Saga without Rachel. She defines it! Plus, she's fun and Kitty needs a best friend now that Lance is gone.

Laine-chan: Aaaah, our dear eager puppy! I made the sexy popsicle's butt hurt in this one. Watch, I'll unconsciously hurt all of my favorite guys in all the chapters. Love you, Laine-chan!

Ingrid: Finally someone who understands! In my book, Rogue is the most overused, depressing, whiny character there is. Seriously, she needs to get over it. That doesn't mean I'm not going to put her in or bash her, but she will certainly not be playing a big part here in the least. There will definitely be more JOTT in the future!

Helen: Thank you for reading! I'm so glad you like it!