A/N: I looked back at past reviews and a few always mentioned the confrontation with Emma and Jean. I wrote in another one. My rendition (opinion) of the relationships between Jean, Scott, Logan and Emma. Sort of. I'm looking through my past X-Men issues and some are incorporated in here as well as the future X-tinction storyline. I'll take some of the suggestions into consideration for future chapters. It's midnight and I want to get this in because it will be awhile for me to get another chapter in. Bare with me :)
Disclaimer: I don't own them blah, blah, blah ...
Chapter 9 – Moving On
December 15th
Headmaster's Office …
Jean looked around the office and all the memories she had flooded into her mind. Some were good and some were bad. She mostly remembered her sessions with Xavier they had every night. They didn't talk but used their telepathy to discuss the day they had. It was a way for Jean to practice her powers. It looks like she will pass those teachings on to Rachel to improve her skills on the astral plane.
She continued to look at class pictures taken in the past and noticed something she never saw before. Each class photo taken every year, Jean noticed that she had stopped smiling in her photos. Even the space between her and Scott has gotten wider and wider with every photo. Hmpf, I should have noticed it then, Jean thought.
She walked over to the desk that is in front of a window over looking the front of the school. Jean stood at the window looking out to a snow-covered campus. The scenery fit her mood – dreary. Jean sighed and wrapped her arms around herself feeling very out of it lately, but didn't know why.
Emma leaned on the doorframe watching Jean by the window. Emma didn't know what to think of Jean's return and her position as Headmistress. They both never were fond of each other, but felt some sort of admiration towards each other. Emma was surprised that Jean decided to take the position of Headmistress. She wasn't sure that Jean can be capable of heading a school, but then again Jean has the tendency to surprise people. "It should have been me to take over this school."
"And what? Turn the school into an Insane Asylum?" Jean said in a monotone voice still looking out the window.
Emma amused by Jean's response, slowly made her way in and stopped in the middle of the room. "Okay. So there were some crazy things that had happened since you've been gone. But all is well."
Jean is not in the mood to have Emma for company, but she feels that this is what was making Jean feel weird. There is something in Jean's conscience that she needs to fess up to. It is something that both Jean and Emma need to do in order to understand each other and to move on. "What do you want, Emma?"
Emma decided to take a seat in one of the leather chairs at the front of the desk. She sits up straight and crosses her legs making her look dignified. "I just want to know if it is Xavier who made the choice of appointing you as Headmistress or if it was you to make Xavier announce your position?" Emma already knew the answer, but she isn't there to question Xavier's decision. She is there for something else – testing the waters with Jean and seeing if the tension between the two can be resolved. Their last conversation did not end on a good note. Emma wanted some resolution with Jean. What she didn't know is that Jean is feeling the same way.
Jean gives a short laugh at Emma's accusation. Unbelievable, Jean thought. "You think I am capable to do such a thing?"
"You are Phoenix. You can do whatever you want."
Jean slowly turns her head to face Emma with a smirk. "Jealous?"
Emma arched her eyebrow. "Not one bit."
Jean fully turned to face Emma with her arms crossed against her chest. "Come on Emma. Your jealousy is practically coming off of you in waves."
"Not in the slightest dear, Jean."
"Well for your info, it was all Charles. I only accepted the job."
"So what makes him think that his dear protégé is good enough to take the role?"
"Longevity."
Emma nodded. Emma knows that there is something that is bothering Jean, but could not pinpoint it. Jean is shielding her emotions because she is too scared to show vulnerability especially towards Emma. Silence grew between the two until Jean looked towards the open door and closed it with her teke. Emma turned her head to the door when she heard it close. Then Emma heard the lock click. She slowly turned her head to face Jean who has not moved from her spot in front of the desk. "What are you doing here, Emma?"
"Didn't we go through this before …?"
"Not that Emma," Jean cut her off with a sad tone of her voice. "Did you come looking for me for something or are you just here to ridicule me?"
Emma didn't respond. She isn't sure how to approach the situation. Just go for it, Emma, she thought to herself. Emma took a deep breath and swallowed her pride. She is going to ask for a truce. "Look, since we're going to have to work together we need to settle some things."
Jean just looked at her and Emma sees it to continue on. "I'm not exactly proud of what I did to you by stealing Scott. He's happy now and you did grant him a divorce. You have to admit that you are okay with this."
Jean took a deep breath and relaxed a bit. Her arms are now by her sides and she broke eye contact with Emma. "That's the problem, Emma. I'm not okay, even though I should."
Emma leaned back in her seat and is a little surprised by Jean's confession. "So why did you ask for the divorce?"
"Because Emma, all I do is die on him."
Suddenly the once Headmaster's office turned into the garden at the back of the mansion. The garden is decorated for an event and everybody is either in a tux or a dress. Emma looked around and notices that the set up is for a wedding. Jean took Emma to one of her memories of her wedding day with Scott. Emma and Jean were standing on either side of the aisle when the wedding march came on. They both looked at the end of the aisle seeing Jean and her father, John, walking down the aisle together. Emma notices the very tight wedding dress Jean had on. "Vera Wang?"
"Nicole Miller," Jean answered. Emma nodded of approval.
They both watched the ceremony. Jean was looking at herself going through the vows that she has tried to stay faithful to. However compared to Scott, she looked all the more innocent. Emma is still wondering why Jean took her to this memory as she is about to gag having to watch this. Jean notices and tries to explain her doing.
"I always thought that I will be married to him until the day I die. But all I think about is 'what if…'?"
"You had cold feet then?"
"Just before the wedding march was going to play, I looked over my shoulder trying to find somebody."
Emma raised an eyebrow and became very curious of the once innocent Jean. She is aware of her and Logan, but she does not know the history of their relationship. "I didn't notice Logan in the wedding photo," Emma said.
"The last mission we had, Magneto pulled out the adamantium out of Logan and he almost died from it. He left to recover from the whole thing, but he sent me his best wishes of the marriage. Somehow I just felt that he did attend, but in the shadows."
The priest announced the groom and bride as "Mr. and Mrs. Scott Summers" and the crowd cheered. Emma and Jean looked over the picture perfect couple at the alter. Emma watched Jean from the side and saw a reaction that she never thought she expected – disappointment. "Just a few months after we got married, he started to fantasize about Betsy."
The scenery slowly changed to the lake near the mansion. It was a sunny day and a few of the X-Men were having some fun by the lake. Jean and Scott were sitting on a bench watching the others swimming. Jean and Emma were nearby watching the scene before them. Jean switched her gaze from the couple to Betsy swimming by them and Emma followed her gaze.
"WHAT THE HELL …!"
Jean and Emma quickly switched their gaze back to the couple on the bench. The scene was Jean going off on Scott. "Let me guess, he fantasized about Betsy and forgot about the psy-link you had with him," Emma said with amusement.
"Yup," was all Jean said.
"What is it with Scott and telepaths?"
"He's an introvert. He would prefer to have a mind-reader than to say what he felt. It felt like I did most of the work in the relationship."
"I thought it was more of the intelligence factor."
"That too."
They continued to watch the scene unfold as a few other members of the X-Men came over to see what the screaming was all about. "You really have a temper Jean."
"Yeah, well I'm working on it as a New Year's Resolution."
Emma turned to Jean with concern. "Why are you showing your memories to me, Jean?"
Jean stared at the ground and thought about it for awhile. "I guess with what I did with you, when I caught you and Scott, I should not have gone through your memories like that."
"Nah, you had the right to be mad. I would have done the same. Besides, I think it was time for me to face my skeletons."
Jean shaking her head solemnly. "This is my way of returning the gesture - with the truth. I should have gone after Scott. He fell into temptation."
"I seduced him."
"I think we were both at fault here."
The two fell in silence and the scene changed again to another one of Jean's memories with Scott. It was when Jean thought she lost him to Apocalypse. Emma listened and watched the unfolding of her marriage.
After Emma witnessed Jean's true emotions of her ordeal, she became curious of the relationship with Logan. Just friends or is there more to it?
"What is it with you and Logan? I know you guys are close, even attracted to one another. You two can't be more than just friends?"
The images disappeared and they returned to the Headmaster's office as they were. Jean got off the desk that she was leaning on and took a seat behind the desk. Thinking back at her memories of her times with Logan, she has gotten to a point that there could be more into the relationship. However, she isn't sure how to approach it. "Logan, at first, was blunt and direct …"
"Hasn't he always been?"
Jean gave Emma an annoyed look. "Anyways, Logan always invaded my personal space. I never faltered. He constantly questioned my feelings toward Scott. He constantly questioned my reactions toward him. He always knew what he can do to me. I fought him off because of my loyalties. Yet it pains me to see him hurt. I can see it in his eyes. The first time I left the X-Men was more of experiencing a 'normal' life. No more saving the world. I really left because the more I was near Logan, the more I wanted him. I did it for Scott's sake."
"So since Logan being here, why continue the flirtation?"
"It stopped when I got married. Instead he would protect me at all cost. He would catch my fall when Scott wasn't around and yet let me go to Scott when he's around," Jean paused as the tears start to well up in her eyes feeling sad of the actions that had taken place all those years. "Scott would feel relieved to have me back if something happened to me and it felt good for a minute. But I always thought of how Logan felt - watching me from a distance. I felt empty when he would leave. My heart belonged to Scott, but my body and soul called out to Logan."
A tear ran down Jean's cheek which she slowly wiped away with a finger. Emma looked at her somberly. She had no idea how close Jean and Logan were. Emma knew that Logan at times had a soft side that he does not show too often. He lived his life in anger and misery. He barely had anything that was considered peace. Somehow he found it in Jean. Logan knows Jean and Jean knows Logan. They know each other better than they know themselves.
"I bet a lot of people give you more grief of your actions with Logan," Emma said softly since she thought of what she had to go through with her relationship with Scott.
"You have no idea."
There is silence between them while Jean composed herself. "I'm glad that Scott was able to move on after I died. I always wanted him to live his life if I were ever gone. That was my one regret."
Emma had a confused look. Regret?
"When the Avengers and Fantastic Four found me in a cocoon, I found out that Scott was married and about to be a father. He left Madeline for me and I let him."
"So, the divorce was another way of letting go …"
"And not to make another mistake," Jean said as her sad eyes stared into Emma's. "You can do so much for him that I couldn't. All I want for him is his happiness and if he finds that with you, I'm fine with it."
"He is."
Jean nodded and gave a sad smile. Jean swiveled her chair to face the window again. Emma, on the other hand, was not sure if they settled. She did not want to intrude any further and proceeded to leave. "I'm not the greatest at comforting other people …"
"If you even dare try to hug me Emma, I'll turn you into dust."
Emma had a smirk on her face. I see you haven't lost your sense of humor? Emma projected to Jean.
And I see you haven't lost your touch, Jean returned the thought. You know we're not done yet?
I'm well aware of it. However, we'll finish this another time.
Emma unlocked the door and quietly made her exit. As she closed the door behind her, Emma found Scott passing by with a slight surprise. "What were you doing in there?"
"Jean and I just had a talk."
As Scott was about to ask another question, Emma silenced him with a kiss and proceed to lead him to the kitchen to get something to eat.
December 23rd
Private Kitchen …
Jean and Rachel are sitting on the stools by the kitchen island having pancakes and sharing a few giggles. For the past couple of days, Jean kept busy with decorating the mansion. Unlike past years, she didn't go overboard with the decorations despite the fact that Christmas is her favorite holiday. She kept it simple – the big tree in the recreation room; garlands wrapped around the banisters; the giant wreath hanging out front; and white icicle lights hanging on the roof. Jean did promise Logan to take it easy on him with the holidays. Her contribution is not to overwhelm his senses. Jean's conversation with Rachel was with the decoration of the mansion. Rachel was out on a mission with Havok's team and Jean decided to tell her what she missed.
Flashback
The day after Jean and Logan's back patio conversation, Jean wanted to start decorating the mansion for Christmas. The remaining students volunteered to help decorate when they didn't have a class to take or had some free time between studies. Jean appreciated the help, but she needed bigger help with the tree. It was always a tradition at the mansion to have one big tree that would serve as the main Christmas tree. Since the recreation room was the gathering spot and it had high ceilings, they were able to get a tree from the woods that were at least 20 feet tall. She already got the okay from Piotr to help carry the tree in, but she had to beg Logan to help him out.
"Pleeeeeaaaaase Logan? Can you help Piotr bring the tree in?"
"Redd, what did I tell ya about the Christmas crap?"
"Oh come on Logan. For me at least?"
"No."
As Logan was about to leave, Jean quickly got down on her knees and wrapped her arms around one of Logan's legs to stop him from leaving. Logan almost fell over until he caught his balance and sighed. "Jeannie …"
Jean hugged his leg even tighter trying not to let go. "Please Logan? This only happens once a year."
Logan looked down at the sight of puppy-dog eyes staring at him. Jean started to put her best pout and she could see Logan slowly giving in. He ran a hand through his face and sighed. "Well if it keeps me from draggin' you all over the place, I'll do it."
Jean gave a big smile and let go of Logan's leg. She raised her arms up and Logan grabbed them to lift her up from the floor. "The things I do for you, Jeannie."
Jean just smiled at him and said "Logan, we go through this every year."
"Yeah, but I always wonder what type of beggin' ya were goin' to do this year," Logan said smirking at Jean.
"You are such a Grinch."
Logan came in the kitchen and greeted the two redheads with a "mornin'" and grabbed a plate to stack a few pancakes for himself and sat next to Jean. Since it is considered to be the last day of Chanukah, Jean has an idea for the residents of the Jewish faith. For each day, a different member of the X-Men would give a small gift to another member or student. Today is Jean's day and she already gave out her small gift leaving the best for last for Kitty. "So Logan, I heard what you gave Kitty on your day of gift giving. That was really sweet of you," Jean said with a smile.
Logan just rolled his eyes annoyed that he had to participate in this debacle. Remember, you're doin' it for Jean.
Swallowing a piece of blueberry pancakes, Logan just shrugged his shoulders. "Well, the kid was givin' me hints about what kind of gift she wanted," Logan said with a mouth full of pancakes.
"Yeah, but a thousand dollar gift card to H&M?!" Rachel said with a raised voice. Pouting and giving Logan her best puppy-dog eyes she leans forward and says "Will you be my daddy?"
"RAY!"
Logan and Rachel just burst out laughing when Emma, Scott, Kitty and Piotr joined the laughing crew. "What's so funny?" Kitty asked.
Jean just shook her head with a smile and looked to Kitty. "Ray just asked Logan to adopt her because of the gift he gave you," Jean tried to explain while containing the laughter that is building up.
"What?!" Scott said in shock looking at the three at the kitchen island. Emma giggled.
"She was just kidding Scott," Jean said waving it off. "She's still your daughter … I think."
"Well unless you want to buy my love for Christmas," Rachel gives her best toothy smile to Scott.
"You would like that wouldn't you?" Scott said sarcastically.
"Hey, unless you want me to call you dad again or are you just comfortable with the first-name basis?"
"Okay, if someone is going to start a fight here I'm taking my pancakes somewhere else," Piotr said as he is about to pour the pancake mix in the hot pan.
Scott gave Rachel a small smile and a raised eyebrow showing amusement, he said "We'll see."
Dr. Kingston came in dragging Hank behind her to get something to eat. She found him at the Med-Lab exactly the way she left him the night before – looking through a microscope. His research has been keeping him down there at all hours of the day and Eris has become worried about him since all that is driving him are Twinkies and Red Bull. She had about enough and using her teke to drag him to the upper levels for a proper breakfast and some sleep. Everybody watched intently at the two interacting. While Beast tries his best to convince Eris that he is fine, all Eris did is to shoot dirty looks at him. Beast became like a 12-year-old boy when he cringed at the sight of her deadly glare and decided not to irritate her anymore. After he ate his breakfast, while Eris watched him intently, he marched right up to his room with Eris behind him. This is done with everybody in the kitchen with absolute silence.
Scott broke the silence in the room with hesitation. "What was that about?"
"Long story," is all Jean could say. "Hey Kitty?"
"Yeah?"
"Since today is the last day of Chanukah, I think I saved the best for last."
Kitty got up from seat and excitedly hopped across the kitchen to Jean to receive her gift. Seeing Kitty's reaction, Emma couldn't help but take a jab at the young one. "I thought your name is Kitty, not bunny."
Kitty shot a glare at Emma's way while she gave a short laugh into her coffee cup. Jean rolled her eyes and calmly resolve the situation. "Emma …"
Emma raised her eyebrows and smiled signaling to Jean as an apology for the interrupted moment. "Just ignore her Kitty."
"I've been trying to do that since she got here."
That statement almost made Rachel snort out her chocolate milk into her empty plate. It would not be a cute sight. Jean pulled out a small black velvet box and handed it to Kitty. "I found this a few years ago. I meant to give it to you, but I didn't get a chance to. You know the whole dying thing …"
Kitty examined the box and then opened it. Her reaction spoke volumes as her eyes were wide and her mouth opened. "Jean … I don't … don't know what to say?"
Inside the black velvet box is a gold locket with the initials "KP" is engraved. "Open the locket."
Kitty took the necklace out and smoothed her fingers over the locket as she opened it. Inside is a picture of her and her father that she had lost in the Genosha massacre. Kitty is close to crying, but took a deep breath and hugged Jean for the gift. "Thank you, Jean."
Jean returned her hug and comforted her by rubbing her back. She let go of Kitty and took the necklace from her. Kitty turned around and lifted her hair up for Jean to put the necklace on. Kitty turned to face her and admire the locket. "It was a little beaten up when I found it at Genosha."
Kitty looked up at her in shock. "What?"
"After the massacre, Hank and I went over there to inspect the damage. While I was scanning for any signs of life, the locket caught my attention when the sun hit it. I picked it up and looked inside. I saw the picture of you and your father realizing that he was there. I took the necklace to have fixed and give it to you when it was ready. Instead it took two years to give it to you."
"Well I must say this is the best present ever."
"Hey, what about the concert tickets to Gwen Stefani and Logan's gift certificate?" Rachel said acting as if she were offended.
"Ray, are you going to compare sentimental value over materialistic things?"
Rachel raised an eyebrow and decided to break her best friends' oversized ego. "You're starting to sound like Emma."
"Why you …," Kitty phased through the kitchen island as Rachel ran out from comparing her to Emma.
Jean just shakes her head and smiled. "Ah, kids."
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