Thanks for the reviews everybody. This chapter is a little longer than the others. I've noticed that every chapter it gets longer and longer. I mentioned a certain movie in this story. Pretend this story has taken place Fall/Winter 2006 because of the timeline. You'll see what I mean. I'm working on the next chapter which I plan to be a little Jean/Logan heavy. You guys have any ideas? Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters (except Dr. Kingston) they're all Marvel. 300 belongs to Warner Bros. Studios.
Chapter 7 – Adjusting Within
Saturday afternoon …
Charles Xavier's Headmaster Suite
Jean sat in one of the plush chairs watching Charles and Lilandra packing their belongings in their luggage for their Sunday departure. Charles has already taken upon himself to announce a meeting tomorrow regarding the school and the X-Men. Jean is already aware of his wishes. It's having to tell everybody else that got her stomach in knots.
Charles and Lilandra are going to restart their relationship and possibly reconstruct the Shi'ar Empire. They will be leaving with the Starjammers who have been helping Kitty and Scott repairing the Danger Room and their communications before they leave. The Thanksgiving holidays have come and gone and Jean is now realizing that she will be on her own. But then again, she has a lot of support by her side.
"So Jean, you think you will be able to manage on your own?" Lilandra asked breaking Jean's trance.
"Yeah, I think so. I already dealt with Scott and Emma in less than twenty-four hours and the house is still intact," Jean sarcastically said grinning at Lilandra. She just shook her head of Jean's wicked sense of humor.
"Seriously though, are you going to be okay while we're gone?"
"I'll be fine Lilandra. As long as I keep myself in check, I'll be fine."
Hearing the conversation, Charles smiled at Jean and went over to her handing her a manila envelope. The envelope was pretty thick and Jean opened it to see the contents. "You're kidding me, right Charles?"
"I'm afraid not, Jean. I told you about the protocol."
"I know, but I wasn't expecting that you were going to update your Will."
"You know that I go through this so often. You never know what will happen when I'm up in space."
Thinking about it, Jean felt that Charles is right. There will be a day that a message from space announcing that Charles has passed away. The thing is what would happen with everything that had Charles' name on it? What would happen to the school? What would become of the X-Men?
Jean put the Will back in the envelope with the rest of the pass Wills that Charles had written up over the years. "One more thing, Jean. Since I am appointing you as the Headmaster, you might as well consider occupying this room too."
Jean just looked at him with a smile. "You know you are just going to get a particular blonde mad if I get the bigger room."
"Well, I still have some secrets to keep that you are still aware of. You know all the hiding places in this mansion let alone this room."
Jean remembered fondly when she was younger. She knew about the secret compartments that Charles built for all the secret documents of the X-Men and his family. Of any of the residents in this house, past or present, Jean was the only one who knows about them. However, she is a little surprised that Logan hasn't found any of them over the years because of his heightened senses. Then again, he may know of them but decided not to say anything. Jean is usually the only one who had access to them because she has to move the shelves and walls with her telekinesis.
"I guess it does make sense that I get this suite." Jean looked around the room deciding how to redecorate. As much as Jean wished that Charles will always come back and take his title of Headmaster, she knew that there will be a time that a new successor will be named. Getting up from her seat, she followed Charles to his huge walk-in closet. Once in Jean turned to her right facing a now empty shoe rack. She looked over to Charles to her left and he just gave a small smile at her. She faced the shoe rack again and stretched out her right arm and commanded the shelving out and to the side revealing a small dark room.
She walked towards the small room finding a string hanging from the ceiling. She pulled it and the room filled up with light. The small room didn't have much just a big safe and a few metal file cabinets. Jean knew where Charles kept the Wills and opened the drawer to deposit the manila envelope she is still holding on to. She looked around the room remembering that it looked a lot smaller. "Do you remember the combination to the safe, Jean?"
Jean looked over the safe as she remembered what he usually kept in there. "Yeah . . . I remember." Jean turned the light off and walked out just enough to put everything back as it once used to be. "I'm really going to miss you Charles."
"As I will miss you too, Jean. You are like a daughter to me." Jean and Charles gave each other an embrace knowing that it will be a long while that they will see each other again.
"Ah, hem. Aren't you going to miss me too, Jean?" Lilandra said, interrupting the moment. Jean let go of Charles to face Lilandra.
"Well, since most of the time you spent trying to kill me, but you were just following your duties as well as being lied to over the years. At least in the end you know the truth. You were once a good person to us. I guess I can miss you too."
"I'm going to miss your sarcasm Jean. I'm sorry."
Jean walked over to Lilandra with open arms. "It's all in the past. Just think of the future. And take care of Charles. He deserves a little happiness in his life."
Saturday evening …
Private kitchen
The senior and junior teams all joined in for dinner that Jean decided to prepare with Ororo. Since many of the former X-Men will be leaving the next day to go back to their duties, this was a way to get together one last time as it will be awhile to see everyone again. Having a few laughs, sharing pictures of their holidays and war stories, it was just like any other gathering. Emma and Jean shared a few quips with each other that even Kitty and Rachel was happy that there is another person to join the "I Hate Emma" club. After cleaning up, many of the X-Men decided to make it a movie night and opted to watch an "advance copy" of 300 thanks to Bobby.
"Wait a minute. This movie doesn't come out until next year. How did you get it, Bobby?" Jean asked in shock of the advance DVD.
"Do you really want to know Jean?" Bobby said with a smile.
As Jean was about to read his mind, she decided to wave it off. "Forget it. As long as this does not leak out to the internet, we should not get into too much trouble."
"Oh don't be such a sourpuss Jeannie. Some people have already seen an advance screening of it as a test audience and some of the clips are being shown on the internet," Jubilee said trying to get comfortable on the floor surrounded by plush pillows. "Besides, it's going to be bootlegged after the movie comes out. They do it to almost every movie."
"That's unfortunate," Jean said as she got comforted by Logan who squeezed her shoulder telling her it shouldn't be something to be concerned about. Bobby put the DVD in and everybody got quiet to see the "advance screening."
Sunday morning …
Headmaster's office
It was about ten in the morning and many of the adults were in the office to attend the meeting that Xavier called for yesterday. Some sat in the available seating and the others stood around the room. Charles sat behind his old desk with Lilandra standing next to him.
"Is everybody here?" Scott asked as he scanned the room.
Kitty looked around and saw that everybody is accounted for. "I guess everyone's here, Scott."
"Okay. So Charles, what is this meeting about?" Scott asked facing his former mentor.
Charles looked around the room remembering how each and every one of them came to this school. It practically brought a smile to his face. "As you may have heard that I will be resigning my position at this school as I will be with Lilandra and the Starjammers to reconstruct the Shi'ar. This will prompt my decision of the future of the school and the X-Men."
When Charles said his last statement, everyone looked at each other feeling that this is not going to end well. Jean has been playing telepath for Charles projecting the emotions of others to him. She also blocked Charles' mind in case Emma tries to manipulate him in any way. Jean felt she has some trust issues with Emma. Well, she did seduce Scott away from Jean after all.
Sensing that things were going to get hostel, Charles quickly made the announcement of the changes. "Now, it is not what you think. I'm not closing the school or disbanding the X-Men."
Giving a sigh of relief, Jubilee laid back against the couch relieved. "Well that's good to know!"
"Will ya get to the point Chuck!" Logan said feeling irritated since he can feel everybody's tension in the room.
Nodding to Logan, he looked towards everybody in front of him seriously. "Since I did not officially appointed anyone as Headmaster since I have been released from my duties," Charles said as he glanced over to Scott. "I am going to make it official."
Emma and Scott looked at each other about the news of an appointed Headmaster. It is true. Scott dismissed Charles from the school out of personal reasons; however Charles is the founder and creator of the school and X-Men. He still has some power over everybody no matter who took it upon themselves to take over. But now with Jean being back, the announcement would be obvious. "As of the next school year, Jean will take over as the new Headmaster of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning."
Everybody in the room isn't surprise but felt almost relieved of the change. There was too much craziness going on when Emma and Scott took over.
"Geez, Professor! You're getting us scared out of our minds here!" Kitty said as she looked over to Jean. "Don't get me wrong Jean. It's great you're taking over," then she switched her gaze to Charles. "But you're giving us a heart attack here, Professor."
"I'm sorry about that Kitty. I just wanted to be ready for any arguments coming," Charles said smiling at Kitty from her over-the-top reaction.
Everybody in the room congratulated Jean with either a nod or a pat on the shoulder when they are near her. She gives a smile and a nod of appreciation knowing that she has support. Even Scott gives her a small smile for her accomplishment and quickly changed the topic. "You mentioned about the teams."
Charles nods to Jean to take over the meeting. "The teams will still be lead by Scott and Emma and there will be no changes to the active roster. However, if there is something that needs to be dealt with amongst the teams, you're better off talking to Scott and Emma about it."
"And if they don't listen to logic, sugah?" Rogue asked Jean.
"Then I guess I'm the next best thing, Rogue."
"What about you Mom?" Rachel asked with curiosity and worry.
Jean sensed Rachel's feelings about her position in the X-Men and Jean smiled at when she answered her thoughts. "Dr. Kingston and I are putting ourselves on reserve. Since it has been known that all the teams might end up going on missions simultaneously, the school is left with minimal defenses. I will be the last resort of defense to this school. Dr. Kingston will be here to tend to the injuries of the teams when they arrive back since Hank is out with Scott's team."
"Well, it does make sense, sugah. The last time you were Headmaster, the U-Men tried to bust in here and you played dirty," Rogue said smiling at Jean's accomplishment to guard the school.
"Well it's not my crowning moment, Rogue. But someone has to do it when you're the only one around," Jean said smiling at herself.
"So it's settled then. Are there any objections that needed to be addressed before we leave?" Charles asked the room. Since everybody shook their head not being able to think of anything else, the meeting was over.
As everybody is saying their last goodbyes, everyone watches the departed leaving the driveway and some up to space. It isn't until later in the afternoon that Charles and the Starjammers are leaving for space that Jean is able to head to her new room. The exchange that Charles and Jean had when Charles gave the keys to the suite would of made Emma's blood boil. Jean was not sure that Charles dangled the keys on purpose for Emma to see, but either ways it showed that Jean is more than capable to protect the school.
Later that evening …
Eris, Rachel and Kitty helped Jean pack her stuff from the guest room to be moved to the suite the next day. Logan and Jean were up in the attic grabbing what was left of Jean's belongings when she died. While Logan was doing most of the heavy lifting, Jean did some reminiscing when she was going through the boxes. I'm glad that Emma had some dignity not to burn everything that I owned or Scott had some decency to pack it away when I was gone, Jean thought to herself.
In one box that Logan laid in front of her, she found her old diaries that she used to write in. She hasn't written in a diary in years. She was too busy saving the world and what was left of her marriage. She looked into one of her entries and read them to herself smiling at the memories. So engrossed into her own writing, she sat on the floor cross-legged and continued to read. There is one particular entry that she always remembered fondly – the first time she met Wolverine.
'Giddy as a schoolgirl'? What was I thinking? Jean thought about her feelings towards Logan. She kept on reading the entry and noticed that even some things have not changed. She always felt the same way about him for years and it never changed. Jean was always intrigued by his mysterious nature and ferocity in battle. However, she always knew that underneath all the roughness that he carried a gentle soul. Something that Jean always liked about him.
"What ya readin' there, Red?" Logan whispered in Jean's ear. He was knelt right behind Jean who was startled by Logan's closeness when she closed the book shut.
Jean quickly stood up and turned to face Logan with the diary clutched to her chest. "Jesus, Logan! Don't scare me like that."
Logan stood up and gave Jean a smirk at her flustered state. "Sorry darlin'. When I didn't her ya movin' around, I thought I come lookin' for ya."
Jean slowed down her breathing and ran her hand on her face for some relief. "You got everything?"
"Yeah," Logan said looking over his shoulder at several boxes near the entrance ready to be taken downstairs. "Ya ready?" Jean nodded and followed Logan to carry the boxes down.
By the time Jean and Logan got the boxes down, with some telekinetic help, the girls went through them to see what to get rid of and what to keep. Jean and Eris went through all her clothes and tried to figure out what would still be in style and what won't. Although, Kitty and Rachel rummaged through Jean's stuff and asked if they can keep the ones she doesn't want. Jean is considered to have great taste in clothes out of everybody in the house. Jean didn't mind.
As the others have left since the night was getting late and they had classes to take care the next day, Jean put the stuff she wanted to keep with the rest to move into her new room. She said goodnight to the girls and continued to clean up. There is one more box that she saved last to open. She knew what the box contained. All her memories she shared with Scott. She kneeled down to where the box is at and opened it. She took out her diaries out so she could read them again. She found a framed family photo that held near and dear to her heart. It was the last photo taken before her sister Sara disappeared. That was years ago. Jean reminded herself to have a visit at her family's graves soon. She continued to go through things – one pile to keep and another to put back in the attic. She went through stuffed toys, love notes, holiday photos, and other knick-knacks. Each piece had some sort of memory of her time with Scott. But that's all it is to her – memories. Feeling that someone was looking over her shoulders she slowly turned her head to see Logan standing by the doorway. "I thought you've gone to bed?"
"Ya know me Jean. I went for a walk," Logan said studying the state she was in. "Reminiscin'?"
Jean looked back at the photo album she was looking at. It was her wedding album. "Something like that," Jean answered.
Logan sat next to Jean on the floor glancing over the photo album that is on her lap. He looked at her with sad eyes. "Please Logan, don't do this," Jean pleaded.
"Do what?"
"To tell me that 'it's his fault, he wasn't good enough for you anyways and it's better you move on' speech."
"Was I gonna give a sermon?"
Jean just glared at him and sighed. She isn't able to stay mad at Logan for too long. "It's hard to let go and think back to those memories only feeling that they were all lies," Jean said as she closed the album and put it in the "back in the attic" pile.
Logan wrapped his arms around her shoulder and pulled her in a half hug. Jean put her head on his shoulder feeling comforted by him. "You'll be fine Jeannie. Ya always said that if ya ever died that ya would have been okay with One-Eye to move on."
"I wasn't dead yet when Emma came."
"We'll ya know what I mean."
Smiling at the moment of Logan trying to cheer Jean up, Jean straighten herself up and put away the pile back in the box. Logan watched her closely, only feeling the sense to want to comfort her. He felt he shouldn't at this time. He wanted to give her the space to adjust. He'll wait for her.
While putting the stuff of the past away, Jean caught Logan just staring at her. She cocked an eyebrow and called out for him. "Logan … Logan?"
Coming out of his daydream, he just raised an eyebrow at her. "Huh?"
Jean just smiled at him. "You're daydreaming."
"No I wasn't."
"Whatever. Look Logan, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
Not wanting to push her any further, Logan got up and headed to bed. "If ya say so, Red. If ya need anythin' just ask me."
"I will. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Hope you liked it. Again review and some ideas for next chapter. Joy