In The Heat
An X-men: Evolution fanfic by Lavender Gaia
Editing and Assistance by Laine
Chapter Sixteen: Rivals
Disclaimer: I do not own X-men Evolution, any of its characters or Rachel Summers. They are all property of Marvel.
After two weeks, a semblance of a status quo had settled over the mansion. Between the idea that it was supposed to be summer vacation—vacation being the key word—and the fact that there was no Danger Room, the residents of the Institute had less and less practice sessions. Even Logan was getting off their backs about it; the teams had less people as some of the students went home to visit their families. But there was one person that just wasn't happy at the new relaxed mode.
"You do realize this is the fifth day in a row they've gone out together," Rachel Summers raged as her dog walked in front of her on the school grounds. "Fifth! That's almost an entire week."
"So what?" Rogue sighed. "Really, Ray, what's the big deal?"
Kitty shrugged. "Yeah, even I don't get it. So he's showing her around Bayville. It's innocent."
"There is nothing innocent about Emma Frost," the redhead spat. "How many places are there to show in Bayville? I mean, c'mon! Besides, why does my dad have to do it?"
Her friends considered it. "Well," Rogue began, "Most of the other guys around here don't have a car and can't drive. And even if they did, their girlfriends would probably be very angry with them. Amara'd kick the Popsicle's ass and Ah wouldn't underestimate what Amanda could do to my little brother."
The brunette nodded in agreement. "Right. Storm and Logan and everyone are here making sure we don't run amuck. Professor Xavier even said that Scott needs to get out more often. Plus, and we've gone over this before, he wants to make sure everyone on his team is happy."
"Except for me," Rachel muttered, kicking up a pile of dirt with her sneaker. "He doesn't give a damn about me."
The two other girls exchanged a look behind their friend's head. "That's not true…" Rogue told her softly.
Rachel's green eyes locked on her friend's. "Isn't it?"
Kitty's arm wrapped around her. "He loves you, Rach. You're his daughter."
"Guys, he doesn't even look at me anymore. And surprisingly enough, it's not because he's too busy staring at Miss Frost," she sighed heavily. "I mean, I know I look like Mom, but I'm not her."
"Of course you're not. You're Rachel," Kitty agreed.
"Tell that to him." She whistled for Sarina, putting the dog back on her leash.
Rogue glanced back at the Institute. "Ah think we should head in. We've been gone for a while." The other two silently agreed, heading back into the house.
When they had finished taking their shoes off and had given Sarina a treat, Professor Xavier's voice rang throughout their minds. "Would everyone please meet me in the dining room?"
Once the entire mansion had assembled, he addressed the group. "I'm sure you all will be glad to know that the Danger Room had been fixed, with some added features." A mumble went through the crowd, including someone who said what everyone was thinking: Had they even seen anyone working on the Danger Room? "Practice will resume immediately," Xavier continued. "The main team will have a course after dinner…"
"Ha!" Bobby exclaimed, looking relieved.
"…and the new mutants will have theirs first thing in the morning."
Bobby cursed, earning him warning glances from the instructors throughout the area. Logan looked half-angry and half-gleeful, as if he was imagining what he was going to do to him once he got him back in the training sessions.
"I'm sure you all are very excited," the Professor said with a twinkle in his eye. "We'll be doing normal exercises until you all get back on top of those again, then we'll see what you can do with the added features. That's it for now, you're all dismissed."
The students filed out, grumbling amongst themselves. When the room was mostly clear, Rachel approached Xavier. "Sir? Can I talk to you?"
He smiled warmly at her. "Of course, my dear. Come with me to my office." Once they arrived, he settled behind his desk, gesturing for her to take a chair in front of it. "What's on your mind?"
"When I first came, you said I could have some time to consider if I wanted to train with the other students," she reminded him.
"Yes, I do recall that," he nodded. "This means you've come to a decision then?"
Nodding, she pushed a lock of red hair behind her ears. "I'd like to train with the X-men. Before you say anything, I know what I'm doing. I've been doing this since I could walk. For all we know, my dad could have taught me stuff that the Scott here doesn't even know yet."
"That is possible," the professor agreed.
"Right. And the team may have a telepath," Rachel tried to hide the disdain in her voice, "But they don't have anyone with TK. I've heard it's a useful talent."
He smiled at her. "That it is. Are you really serious about this? It's hard work."
"I'm a hard worker, really. I know I can do it, if you give me the chance. Let's think of tonight as a trial run. If it doesn't work out, I'll just join the new mutants in their practice tomorrow."
For a moment, he leaned back, surveying her intensely. If she didn't know better, Rachel would say that he was trying to probe her mind. Finally, his face relaxed. "I think that is an excellent compromise. I'm sorry to say that we don't have time for you to get a personalized uniform, but you can borrow one of the old ones from the new recruits until you've stopped growing. By the way, did you ever have a code name?"
She shook her head, rising from her chair. "No, my parents didn't think I was old enough yet. But I have been thinking of one."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I was thinking…Phoenix. Just to prove to everyone that a Phoenix will always rise from the ashes…" she smiled lightly, staring at the ground. "Especially when she's a Grey."
He hid his own beam of pride. "Quite right. Well, then, I'll see you later." The old professor watched her leave, commenting to himself that she got more and more like her mother every day.
A few hours later, after everyone had digested their meal, the original X-men team as well as Rachel and Emma assembled outside the doorway to the Danger Room. Scott frowned at his daughter. "What are you doing here?"
"Apparently, she's part of the team now," Logan said, joining the group. "Least, that's what Chuck said." He looked at Rachel for confirmation.
"It's a trial run," she clarified. "But for today, I'm part of the team."
Logan ruffled her hair. "You're tough, you should be fine."
"So, what's your codename?" Kurt asked, smiling to put her at ease.
Rachel's eyes locked on to Emma's. "Phoenix. Just like my mother." She couldn't help but catch how Scott had paled at the information. It didn't seem to be a good sign.
"Right then," Wolverine grunted. "Basic training today. Just stay alive and make sure your teammates do too." With that, the doors opened and they filed in while he went up to the control room.
"I'm glad you're on our team," Kitty told Rachel as they took a moment to stretch.
She smiled at her friend. "Same here, Pryde. Or is it Shadowcat in here?" Bending over to stretch out her back, she murmured. "God, could Frost be wearing anything less?" The blonde mutant was wearing a tight pair of what looked like mini white bike shorts, as well as a white tube top like shirt. "That can't be useful in battle."
"Don't think about her, Phoenix," Kitty suggested, trying out the new codename. "Just think about the mission."
Rachel sighed. "Yeah, I know. I know this is supposed to be a team, but if she thinks I'm going to help her out, she's dead wrong."
Before Kitty could respond, six mechanical arms reached out from the walls, each grabbing an individual X-man. "Ah hate these things!" Rogue growled, banging on the metal uselessly. Shadowcat phased through hers, disrupting the electrical workings, then went through Rogue's, freeing her friend and causing the arm to crash.
Nightcrawler easily teleported out of his while Cyclops blasted himself out of his, then took out the fuzzy man's for good measure. Turning into her diamond form, Emma broke the holdings around her, smiling triumphantly. Phoenix pulled the arm around her straight out of the wall using her telekinesis, letting it drop as she hovered a few feet in the air.
"Ha," Nightcrawler grinned. "Is that all they can throw at us? The Danger Room must have gotten soft while we were away!"
As if on cue, ten large spider-like contraptions burst from the walls, staring ominously down at the X-men. They all turned to glare at Kurt. "What?" He held up his hands in defense. "Don't look at me! Blame Logan!"
"X-men, split up!" Cyclops ordered. "Rogue, be the lookout! This is only the beginning."
As the southerner stayed with her back to the exit, she could get a good glance around the whole room. Nightcrawler was easily avoiding the robots, confusing them and making them easier for Cyclops to hit with his optic beams. Still in her diamond form, Emma was taking any that came near her out physically. Shadowcat just continued phasing through the forms, letting them crash beside her.
Phoenix picked one up, ripping its legs off, then sent it flying. "Shadowcat!" she yelled out a warning, letting the other girl know to become intangible. It slid right through her, but was now heading for Emma's back.
Out of the corner of his eye, Cyclops noticed the projectile, hitting it with his optic beam so it flew carelessly the other way. "Watch it, Rachel!"
"It's Phoenix in here, Cyclops," she reminded him telepathically. He stood there for a moment, in shock perhaps by her cold tone or how much she could sound like his Jean. So out of it he was that he didn't realize a razor-sharp disc was headed for his neck. Catching it with her TK, she brought it around to show it to him, before dropping it at his feet. "Maybe you should watch yourself."
Turning away from him, she settled herself against the wall, looking for any other flying projectiles that she might be able to stop. It didn't occur to her that something might be behind her. Rogue saw it thought. "Rachel! Phoenix!" she called hurriedly. "Look out!"
Rachel tried to focus on what her teammate was screaming, when suddenly she was engulfed in warmth and all she could see around her was fire. As it ceased, Rogue came into view. "My god, are you all right?"
Nodding slowly, Rachel told her, "Yeah…Yeah, I think I'm fine."
Rogue looked her over, noticing that even the outfit she was wearing wasn't the least bit singed. "Guess that TK does come in handy."
I must have just used my TK without realizing it, Rachel justified in her mind. Yeah, that's it. Automatically. But she could still feel the gentle heat of the fire licking on her sides. "Yeah, it really does."
"Are you two just going to stand around and chat all day?" Emma scolded them.
Without looking up, Rachel extracted a flying razor disc from the air. Holding it to Rogue, she nodded to Emma and offered, "Would you like to do the honors or shall I?"
"C'mon," she pulled the younger redhead away. "Let's just get away from that wall."
Not two moments later did lasers appear, shooting all around the room. They were usually easily avoided, but the group was fatigued. As one came near Emma, she held her arms up. The laser bounced off the diamond surface, slicing quickly to the left and grazing Rachel's arm. "Ugh," she gripped it with her left hand, holding the burn. Turning to Emma furiously, she raged, "You did that on purpose!"
The blonde quickly put up a sorry façade. "Maybe you're not ready for the big leagues after all."
Rachel marched angrily towards the other telepath, planning to show her what people with useful powers could actually do, when a computerized voice announced, "Lesson over."
With a whoosh, the main doors opened, revealing Logan. "Good job, team," he nodded. "Everyone go get cleaned up. I gotta ready this place for the kids in the morning."
Kitty sidled up next to Rachel as they headed for the locker rooms. "Hey, what happened to your arm?"
"Ask her!" she growled, indicating Emma.
Passing Logan, he grabbed her free arm. "What happened?"
"It's nothing," she whispered.
"Then why are you holding your arm like that?" He questioned. She didn't answer. "Lemme see." Pealing her hand away with a hiss of pain, she showed it to him. "Doesn't look too bad. Go see Hank, though."
Rachel shook her head. "Really, it's not a big deal."
"Wasn't a suggestion, Little Red," Logan insisted. "After you get cleaned up, go see Hank. I'll know if you don't."
"Yes, sir. Can I go now?" He let go of her arm, and she marched into the locker room, eager on getting a shower.
A few hours later she was lying in bed, petting her dog absentmindedly while staring at the ceiling. Scott poked his head in, clearing his throat to announce his presence. "Um, hey. How's your arm?"
She rolled over to look at him, letting him see the bandage wrapped around her upper right arm. "It's okay. Dr. McCoy said the burn wasn't too bad, and I can still participate in Danger Room sessions."
"That's good," he nodded, slightly relieved. "You were good out there today."
"My mom and dad taught me well," she whispered.
Scott seemed uncomfortable with their mention. "Right…"
For a few minutes, they just looked at each other awkwardly, as if no one had any idea what to say. "I think I'm just going to go to bed," she said eventually. "Mind hitting the light?"
"No, I got it." He approached her cautiously, turning off the lamp on her bedside table. "Night, Rachel."
"Good night." Her green eyes followed as he left, shutting the door behind him. Even as Sarina licked her hand, she couldn't help feeling lonelier than she ever had in her entire life.
The next day at twilight, each of the Summers were invited into the Professor's office. "I hear that the training session went well yesterday. Except, Rachel, that you were injured?"
She rolled up the short sleeve of her shirt to show him the bandage. "It's nothing, really. Dr. McCoy said that it should be healed in a week and shouldn't hinder my performance at all."
He nodded. "Then I suppose we could officially induct you into the X-men. That is, if it's alright with you, Scott."
The leader of the X-men looked at his daughter, then confirmed it with a single nod. "She's a good fighter. I think she'll be a good addition to the team."
"Thanks, Dad," she whispered, flushing lightly with pride.
"Excellent," Xavier smiled. "I think a celebration in order. Perhaps just between the two of you. There is an excellent new Italian restaurant that I believe I can get reservations to if you wish."
Rachel looked at her father, trying to contain her eagerness at the idea. He smiled lightly at her. "I think that sounds nice. What about you, Rach?"
"Definitely," she grinned.
"Well, then I shall call them and let you know what time," the professor relaxed, seeing them communicating. He had been rather worried when Logan and Ororo had come to him with their apprehension.
"Is that all you need us for, Professor?" Scott asked, preparing to stand up.
He sighed. "I wish it were. But there is one more matter that I must discuss with you. It concerns Jean's room." It hurt his heart to see the two freeze, all manner of leisure gone from their forms. "She did not have a will and Rachel, because you are her child, all her possessions belong to you. You may do with them what you wish. I would prefer though, if you went through her things together. I'm sure your father can inform you of what certain items meant to your mother and you can decide easier what their fate might be."
"Right," she swallowed hard. "Okay."
"This does not need to be done immediately," Xavier offered. "Please, take your time." For a moment, there was silence. "That's all. Thank you for coming."
The father and daughter pair walked out into the hallway, heading towards the stairs. "Um…" Rachel began. "I think I'm just gonna…look around her room. See what's there."
"Okay," he agreed. "Do you need me?"
She shook her head. "I'm not going to decide anything right away. It's okay, I'm sure you have stuff to do."
A wave of relief passed over him and he gave her a shaky smile before retreating to his room. The booklet of new information about the Danger Room was waiting when he sat down at his desk, but the words swam in front of his eyes.
Going through Jean's things was just so final, more so than the wake or the funeral. What if Rachel wanted to keep her things? What if she wanted to wear her makeup or her clothes or her jewelry? Scott wasn't sure if he was ready for that. He didn't know if he could handle it.
Jean's room needed to stay the way it was. Always mostly clean, with maybe a cluttered spot here or there, but basically easy to move around and find stuff in. If nothing changed, if everything was there, then whenever he passed it he could pretend for a moment that she was inside. Maybe she was reading a book or writing in her diary. Either way, she would soon come out and join the rest of the world again.
Perhaps it wasn't healthy, but pretending sure made him feel better.
Scott was so absorbed in his thought that he didn't realize Emma had entered the room and sat up on his desk, legs crossed towards him until she spoke. "Penny for your thoughts, handsome?"
He shook himself out of the reverie. "It's nothing. Hey, Emma. What's up?"
She smiled sensuously at him, running two strips of paper up and down his chest. "I just got two tickets to a fantastic show in New York City and I want you to be my date."
"Sure, sounds like fun," he told her, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. "When it is?"
"Tomorrow."
Scott winced. "Sorry, I can't. Rachel and I are going out for dinner."
A pout appeared on Emma's silver lips. "You two can go out to dinner anytime. These are fantastic seats. Please, Scott darling, don't make me go alone."
"I guess I can reschedule with her," he sighed.
Emma grinned like the cat who at the canary. "Fantastic. I can see you're busy here, so I'll go tell her for you. We'll have a great time." She leaned close to him. "I promise I'll definitely make it worth your while." With that, she kissed him slowly, then climbed off the desk, knowing he was watching her as she left.
He was watching indeed, then rested his head in his hands and gave a long shuttering sigh as the door closed behind her.
Rachel's hand reached slowly for the doorknob of her mother's room; it still felt as if she should knock first. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door in, surveying the area. The last bit of sunlight was streaming through the window, casting shadows over everything. There wasn't dust anywhere, and it seemed rather clean aside from the bag resting on Jean's bed. She recognized it as the bag her mother had had with her when she left and decided to start there.
There were some clothes in it, a few toiletries and a book that looked new. She pulled it out and glanced at the cover. "Confessions of a Shopaholic, huh?" Opening the cover, she noticed some penmanship inside.
Kitty,
I saw this and couldn't help but think of you. I really hope you like it. You're my favorite shopaholic.
Love,
Jean.
At once, she knew the first thing she was going to give away and laid the book to her side. Glancing over at the pillows to her left, she noticed a piece of paper lying there. Picking it up, she read the contents outloud. "Everyone…had to go out of town…be back as soon as possible…watch out for your father…love, Jean." Her heart seized painfully in a mixture of sadness and anger. She crumpled up the page of lies, tossing it to the other side of the room and missing the trashcan.
For a moment she stared at the ball of paper, then leapt after it. Gently smoothing it out, she held the last piece of her mother's love to her chest, trying to hold back tears. "God, Mom," she whispered. "Why didn't you promise you would stay?"
There was no answer to her question except the door opening. Rachel looked up to see Emma Frost looking around disdainfully. "What are you doing in here?" the blonde sniffed.
"I'm cleaning it out," she responded, still holding on to the page.
"It certainly could use an overhaul. And a decorator."
Rachel scowled. "What do you want, Emma?"
The older woman walked into the room, inspecting it closer. "I just came to let you know that you and Scott aren't going out to dinner tomorrow. We're going to a show."
The redhead turned around, biting her bottom lip. "Fine, whatever." It wasn't as if she really thought she could count on her father anyway.
"So…what are you cleaning out this place anyway?" she asked nonchalantly.
Rachel shrugged. "I guess the professor wants to use it."
Settling on the edge of the bed, Emma mused, "Maybe I can move in here."
Rachel turned around in anger. "No!"
"Why on Earth not? It's certainly bigger than mine. Though, of course, I'd have to get rid of all the tacky things in here." With her index finger and thumb, she lifted the bedding, then dropped it in disgust.
"You took her spot on the team, you're trying to get her boyfriend, and now you want her room?" she demanded. "Why don't you just change your name to Jean and get it over with!"
Emma raised a white eyebrow. "Possessive, aren't we?"
The younger Phoenix held on to the dresser, trying to stabilize herself. "I know you've got this huge inferiority complex because you know you'll never be as good as my mother, but this is just sick. And just so you know, you can try to invade her life as much as you want, but you'll never have me."
"And thank god for that," Emma rolled her eyes.
"Guess what? Scott and I are a package deal. You can't have him without me being there."
"Really now…" she surmised. "Then, why is he canceling his date with you to go out with me?" Rachel opened and closed her mouth a few times. "No answer, hm? I thought as much. You have to know, dear, that people move on in their life. They leave childish fantasies behind and move on to better things."
Rachel ground her teeth together, hissing, "Get out."
Emma continued, pretending she hadn't heard. "I mean, he could either stay around mourning his dead ex who also happened to try her hand at genocide before killing herself, or he could be with me. Someone with an actual pulse."
"Shut up!"
"My, my, apparently being in her room gives you the same sunny disposition she had." The larger woman smiled cruelly. "What are you going to go for? Chicago perhaps? Maybe decide to decimate a city not in the mid-west? I hear San Francisco is lovely this time of year. And of course you'll take care of yourself after that. Leave Scott in good hands and all."
"Just go away, Emma!" Rachel held on to the dresser harder, half-scared that it would break under her grasp.
"But it'll be interesting after you're gone of course," Emma continued, ignoring the redhead's pleas. "I mean, after the funeral, there'll be no one left." Her cold blue eyes bore into Rachel's watery green. "Don't you get it? You're the only one in here. You're the only one who cares."
The fury in Rachel left her body in a blast of telekinesis, forcing Emma back against the wall and causing a rather large dent in it. "How dare you! Everyone loved my mother! They still love her! Don't you dare talk about her that way, you psychotic bitch!"
Suddenly, two arms were wrapped around her midsection and she found herself floating downwards. When her feet were on solid ground again, she pulled away. "What the hell did you do that for, Pryde?"
"You were going to rip her head off!" Kitty gulped.
"Exactly! She would have deserved it too!"
The brunette placed a light hand on her friend's shoulder. "Rachel, calm down."
She jerked away. "I don't have to deal with this." Marching away from her best friend, Rachel used the last bit of sunlight to find her way to the forest, sitting down on the first log she found and burying her head in her hands, sobbing.
Not too long after, a wet nose invaded her hands, licking her softly. She wrapped her arms around her dog, crying against her fur as a strong hand rubbed her back. "Hey, Little Red."
"Come to lecture me?" she mumbled without looking up.
"Nah, just wanted to make sure you were okay. Scared us a bit back there."
"I hate her, Logan," she looked up at him helplessly. "I hate her so much. God, why couldn't she have lived in Detroit?"
He pulled her closer to him. "Now, you don't mean that."
She shook her head. "I do. I really do. I've never meant it before, but now I do. I wish she would just die. Did you hear what she said about Mom? Is it true? Please, tell me it isn't true."
As the sobs started up again, her head rested against Logan's wide chest. "Of course it isn't true. We love Jeannie and we miss her every day. Eventually, the hurt'll fade more, but we'll never stop missin' her. And that's a fact."
"I know I'm supposed to be strong. I'm an X-men, but…" she choked on her own tears. "Logan, I want my mom."
He held for almost an hour, until her sobs ceased and she had cried herself to sleep. Lifting her gently, careful of her arm, he carried her back into the house and laid her on her bed. "You take care of her, Mutt," he told Sarina as the dog jumped on the bed. As if listening intently, she rested her head on Rachel's leg, brown eyes watching the doorway.
Logan could sense someone behind him and turned to see Scott standing there. He glared at his young trainee. "She's your daughter, Slim. You should have been the one out there." He left, grumbling to himself about what he'd like to do to Miss Frost if he ever got her alone.
For long moments, Scott stood there, staring at his daughter's tearstained face. Then he shut off the light and left, closing the door behind him.
A/N: I know, it took forever, but I'm back. And thanks to my beta, I actually know where I'm going with this! At least for the next 4-5 chapters. School starts up next week and I still haven't finished my summer reading for my AP English course, but I hope to have the next chapter up within two weeks. Don't hold me to that though. On a related note, if any of you know any documented cases where someone has died of boredom while reading The Scarlet Letter, let me know and I'll get the next chapter up a lot sooner.
By the way, this is the longest chapter yet (all done in one sitting too), so not a bad way to return.
Questions, comments, reactions and reviews are greatly appreciated.
