"What," Logan asked in disbelief?

"I said…"

"I heard you." Logan cut her off. "I just…I can't believe it. I can't…damn!

Jean snorted.

"Yeah, damn is right. I don't want to believe it either, but it's true." Jean started pacing once more. "Do you know what I really don't want to believe? That there is a part of me that is so damned petty and jealous it would resent his taking comfort with Ro. As far as he knew I died, I was dead. He had every right to move on."

Logan reached out and grabbed Jean's arm in order to stop her pacing.

"You weren't being any of those things. You just said it yourself you were hurt and that gave her the chance to take over. It wasn't you, it was the Phoenix and you are not responsible for her actions."

Jean looked at Logan and shook her head.

"Stop it. We both know who and what the Phoenix is, she is me and I am her. She is someone I created in my mind to do and say all of the things that I couldn't. That I didn't have the guts to do. You may be right in fact that her taking control at the lake was an accident but the other night that was me, I let her out because I was afraid of losing Scott to Ororo and I wanted to stop it in any way I could."

"Give yourself some credit Jeannie. We all know that she…you could have done some serious damage the other night, but you didn't. You stopped yourself. In spite of everything you were feeling you pulled yourself back from the edge."

"Yeah, I stopped. I stopped because I was scared of losing any more than I already had. I've lost Scott's love but I hope there is still a chance to have his friendship."

Logan looked at Jean in disbelief before exploding.

"His friendship!? Why in the hell do you want anything to with him!? He's treated you like crap! First the boy wonder plays dead for a year, then he comes back here and treats you like you're something to be wiped of the bottom of his shoe, he moves on to your best friend and he guilt trips you about a little flirting with me, when all the while he's slept with Ro! Why in the fuck do you want his friendship!?"

"Is that really how you see it? Everything is Scott's fault? That I bear no responsibility for anything that has happened between he and I," Jean asked?" Jean searched Logan's face and seeing that that is indeed what he feels, shakes her head sadly. "Logan, you know that that is not the case. I am just as much to blame, if not more so, as Scott for the mess that we have created. Hell Logan I started it all with, what did you call it? Oh, yes the little flirting I was doing with you. Come on lets be honest. We both know what we were doing, we were testing the waters and Scott knew that. So you tell me how in the hell was he supposed to respond? How would you have responded in his place, if it had been you I was treating in such a manner?"

Logan looked blankly back at Jean reluctant to respond.

"Tell me Logan. If I had treated you the way I treated Scott, what would you have done?"

"I…" Logan began only to taper off.

"Well," Jean prompted?

"I would have dumped your ass and never looked back," he grudgingly admitted.

"So why do you fault Scott for his reaction," Jean asked softly?

"Because it's hurting you."

"Thank you. Thank you for caring and for being my friend. But you can't blame Scott for what I'm going through. He's moved on and I have to accept it."

Logan shakes his head a Jean and approached her. Lifting his hands he allows one to settle on her shoulder while the other gently caresses the nape of her neck.

"Friend. I don't want to be just your friend Jeannie. I was hoping…" Jean places a finger against Logan's lips, stopping him before he can finish his sentence."

Shaking her head she gently shrugs out of his hold.

"I'm sorry. I just…I can't…not now."

Logan allows his hands to fall to his side, a look of disappointment and hurt clear on his face.

"It's okay. I…you don't need this right now. Take care Jeannie and I'll check on you later." Logan quickly exited the room and made his way across the lab nodding curtly to Hank as he exited.

Hank sighed and laid down the dish he had been holding. Making his way across the lab he stops at the entrance of Jean's room.

"Are you alright," he gently inquires?

Jean smiles up at Hank.

"God, I wish everyone would stop asking me that question."

"We ask because we care."

"I know. But I always feel compelled to say yes, even though in reality I am far from alright Hank. I am so messed up right now it's not even funny."

Hank enters Jean's room, sits next to her on the bed, wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her into his side.

"You don't have to hide that from us. We all care for you Jean. Allow us to help you through this most trying time."

Jean allowed her head to rest against Hank.

"Thank you. It's just so hard because I don't feel like deserve anyone's understanding or support."

"Ah, guilt. That I can understand. But do not allow the guilt you are feeling to push away those who would be there for you. You made some mistakes, we all have. But you still deserve the care and understanding of your friends and family and perhaps in the case of Logan something more."

"Hank, I…" Hank overrode any objection she could have made.

"Don't. Don't say something you think you'll have to live by later on. Logan has shown how much he cares. All I am saying is perhaps you should not be so quick to close the door on the possibility of something more with him in the future."

"I just…"

"Shh, it's nothing that you have to decide today or even tomorrow. Right now the only thing you need to concentrate on is getting yourself better. Everything else can wait for now."

Hank felt Jean nod her head against his side.

"Thank you."

"Any time my friend, any time."