Hi! Sorry that I haven't updated in a while, but I have been so busy. I was able to type a little as time went on and now I'm done. Last chapter in this story. I'm working on two others. One is somewhat part of the 616 universe and the other is completely AU. I just want to get this done because of the story arc to "Rise and Fall." The Summers Family can't get a break. Well, thanks to all the reviews and feedback.

Disclaimer: I own nothing and so on and so on ...

Chapter 10 – A New Beginning

Almost a year had passed and Jean couldn't believe how time flew. The new school year is about to begin the next day and that means that Jean will take over reigns of the school. She knew it would come sooner or later. She did not know that sooner came a lot sooner. She stood by her window in her pajamas (well, the top half of it) and stared out thinking about the events from the past couple of months …

Flashback

It was one in the morning, Christmas day. Jean came down from her room to put the rest of her gifts under the tree. She stood in front of it and took the time to look at it at all its glory in the faint light from the moonlight and the dying fire of the fireplace. Jean went over to the couch and pulled the blanket that was draped over it and covered herself from the cold. She continued to look at the fireplace curled up into the couch. Her mind started to wander off once again, lost in thought. It has been happening to her a lot lately. She didn't even notice Logan in the room.

Logan slowly moved his way towards Jean who was still staring at the fire. Still Jean hasn't moved. As Logan stood next to her, he studied her features of her face. The soft glow of the fire that reflected off her face showed all the curves – cheekbones, jaw line, curve of her lips, her slender nose. He stopped admiring her and slowly sat next to her. The movement of the couch didn't stir Jean's thoughts. Logan raised an eyebrow of amused that Jean had not budge. He put a hand on her shoulder and Jean blinked a few times realizing where she was. She felt the pressure on her shoulder and looked over to see what it was. She saw a hand and her eyes followed the hand to find the owner. "Hi Logan," Jean said quietly.

"Something wrong, Jeannie? You looked like ya were a million miles away."

Jean looked back at the dying fire and used her teke to move the firewood around to keep it from burning out. "It's nothing Logan," Jean said with a sigh. She looked over to him with a smile of assurance. "What are you doing up?"

Logan just shrugged his shoulders. "Heard some footsteps. Thought ya were Jubes getting an early peek."

"Well, I doubt that can happen as I would put her to sleep."

"Good call."

The two continued to sit on the couch staring at the fire that was reignited. Logan continued to look at Jean from the side. "I know you're worried about me Logan."

"Well you have been distant lately."

Jean turned her body towards him to get a good look at him. "It's just … it's just that I have a lot to adjust to. With all the changes in me and around me …"

"Didn't I just tell you that I'll help ya."

"I know. It's just …"

Logan pretty much had enough of Jean's worries and interrupted her by giving her a kiss on the lips. Jean was caught by surprise and became resistant at first. The kiss was soft and gentle. Jean eventually gave in. Her worries disappeared and replaced with a tingle of warmth that spread through her. Logan broke the kiss leaving Jean wanting more. Jean's eyes were still closed, not wanting to open them as it would end the moment for her. "If that's your way of shutting me up, it worked."

Logan just smirked at Jean's reaction of the kiss and watched her lean back onto the couch with a satisfied look on her face. She slowly opened her eyes to see Logan staring at her. All Jean could do was smile at him. "Ya worry too much, Jeannie."

"It's in my nature, Logan. I guess I should really stop worrying and let everything around me take its natural course."

"See … I told ya I help ya," Logan said with a smirk.

"You never change, do you?"

Logan shook his head and lay back against the couch himself. Jean continued to look at Logan and studied his profile. Of all the years they have known each other, Jean realized that Logan hasn't aged one day. He looked exactly the same as they first met each other years ago. It was almost comforting to her. The one thing she could count on was the familiarities of Logan. Logan noticed Jean staring at him. He met the challenge and turned his head towards her. Blue stared into green. It was the most beautiful he ever saw her. No make-up, no fuss. Just natural, beautiful, Jean. "Will we ever be okay?"

Silence fell between them. Logan knew what she meant by it. He was thinking of a way to reassure Jean that with all the events that had happened, that everything and everybody will be okay. It wasn't a guaranteed answer, but if it was good enough for him it should be good enough for her. Logan moved in closer and wrapped his arms around Jean to cradle her in his arms. It was a comforting gesture which Jean cherished. "I'll make sure everything will be okay," was all Logan could say.

Jean leaned into his body and wrapped her arms around his waist with her head on his chest. She spread the blanket over to him to share the warmth on a cold Christmas night. Jean listened to the steady heartbeat of the feral Wolverine. They sat there in silence as the warmth and closeness willed them into a slumber.

As Christmas morning came, Jubilee was the first one up and out her bedroom door. She managed to make her way in to Rachel and Kitty's room and then Soraya and Laura's room. The five girls quietly made their way downstairs into the Great room when Jubilee suddenly stopped at the entry. The other girls bumped into each other when Jubilee quickly turned around to quiet down the girls behind her.

"What's going on?" Kitty asked in a whisper.

Jubilee had that mischievous smirk on her face and pointed into the room. The girls just looked at each other then slowly peered in. There they saw two bodies under the blanket sleeping soundly on the couch. The girls couldn't believe what they were seeing. Their jaws were hanging and their eyes were ready to pop out of their heads. Wolverine and Phoenix asleep on the couch.

"Kitty, get the camera," Jubilee whispered in excitement. Kitty levitated herself and phased through the ceiling to get her camera. The girls moved into the hallway because Jubilee had a plan.

"Okay. When Kitty gets back down, Laura will quietly sneak up on the two and take a picture of them," Jubilee whispered.

"Wait a minute. Why me?" Laura asked.

"Because just in case that Wolvie sticks his claws out, you already have a healing factor," Jubilee answered.

"Cute."

Kitty phased through the ceiling with her digital camera in hand. She handed it to Jubilee. "You know the plan," she says to Laura and hands her the camera.

Laura slowly tip-toed towards the two figures on the couch. She turned the camera on and lifted it at eye level checking if the two were in frame. She pressed the button to take the picture when suddenly "ya better have a good explanation for doin' that."

Laura froze and slowly looked back to the girls hiding behind the wall. "Um, it was Jubilee's idea."

"I guessed she would," Logan said in a low voice trying not to disturb Jean's sleep. He opened his eyes and slowly stretched his arms out which made Jean stir a little from her sleep. "You girls can come out now."

"Busted," Rachel said as they all came into the room.

Jean started to wake up. "What is all the noise about," she says rubbing the sleep out of her eyes until she froze. She realized where she is and warmth of a body right next to her, she slowly opened her eyes too see what was going on. Staring back at her are the five girls looking over her and Logan right beside her. Jean's eyes were wide and she slowly looked down at herself. Oh thank god my clothes are still on, she thought.

"I hope you had a nice sleep you two," Jubilee said with her high pitch voice and a toothy smile.

"Oh cut it Jubes," Kitty said. "We're lucky they still have their clothes on." After Kitty said that, she realized that Rachel was in the room. "Whoops. Sorry Ray," Kitty said in guilt.

"It's okay. It's bound to happen anyways," Rachel said and winked at her mother.

Jean just blushed but was glad that Rachel understood about the whole thing. Jean started to get up, pushing the blanket to the side. "Maybe we should get some refreshments and snacks ready for the opening of presents. Will you girls help me?"

"That should not be a problem Ms. Grey," Soraya said as she departure to the kitchen. The other girls followed.

Logan got up himself so he could let Jean get off the couch. "Jean …"

She looked at him with a she smile and put a finger on his lips to silence him. She slowly closed the gap between them and laid a small kiss on his lips. "Merry Christmas, Logan."

He smiled from Jean's actions. "Merry Christmas, Jeannie."

Jean smiled at him and followed the girls to the kitchen to get some stuff to eat and drink. "Guard the gifts while we get breakfast, would you?" she asked as she looked back at Logan.

"Sure thing."

Christmas went without a hitch. Everybody got what they wanted and then some. Jean gave Rachel a locket with a picture of her and Scott, but not in the same picture. On one side of the locket was a solo picture of Scott and the other side of the locket is a solo picture of Jean. Jean told Rachel that even with the divorce, that they both still love her.

Jean also gave Logan a sentimental gift of sorts, but she gave it to him in private knowing that Logan becomes uncomfortable showing some vulnerability around others. It was a recent picture of Jean in a simple black wood frame. She explained that she was aware that he carried a torn picture of her in his wallet. She thought he deserved a picture of her in a better condition. In that very moment, Logan fell in love with Jean all over again.

New Year's Eve came and went. A fresh new year was not as fresh as it should be. The residue of last year's past events still followed the next year. However, life moves on. Jean started to do her workouts with Eris and Logan. Eris suggested starting slow with strength training and basic defensive moves with Logan. Since Eris has telekinesis, she was going to train Jean in that department as well. It reminded them about their time back in Australia when they were showing off their powers.

The next month, Jean tested her telekinesis outside behind the mansion with Eris looking after her. The ground was still covered in snow, but Eris took care of that by clearing the snow into a perfect circle of ground that was 30 feet in radius. "Nice," Jean said with a smirk.

"It's all in the wrist, sweetheart," Eris sarcastically said. "Are ya ready to use yer teke with a sword?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Jean said looking at the Phoenix Blade that she borrowed from Rachel. "I don't know how Betsy does it. She's a martial arts expert."

"It's all about thinking that the sword is an extension of yer arm – with a really sharp blade at the end of it," Eris said as she took out her Katana sword out of its holder. "Now observe closely." Eris looked around her surroundings to find a target to use. She looked over the vast forest to the closest trees in her sight. "Ya see those trees over there?" Eris asked nodding to the direction of the trees.

Jean looked to the direction where Eris was nodding to. It looked like to be 50 feet away from them. She looked back at Eris with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"Now watch." Eris went into her fighting stance – feet together; one hand gripping the sword; the other lightly touching the blade for balance; the blade close to her face. She closed her eyes to focus when a blue aura surrounded the blade. In one fast movement, Eris swung the blade upward towards the tree and stood still in her finishing pose. Jean looked over to the trees and the closest tree to them fell sideways with a clean cut. Eris composed herself and looked to Jean who had a shocked facial expression. "Now you try."

What Jean had seen, she was not sure of the extent of her powers. She might cut the whole forest down in one swipe or nothing at all. Eris can see her hesitation when Jean took over her spot. Jean waved the sword around to get the feel of the weight and her comfort level of the swing. It was slightly heavy than the Katana, but light enough that she can carry it over her head.

"All ya have to do is focus on the tree and transfer yer power to the blade."

"Okay," Jean sighed. She took a deep breath and did the same pose as Eris had done. Jean focused her power to the blade and pictured the tree she wanted to cut down. You can do this Jean, she thought to herself. Focus. The blade had an orange glow which matched Jean's orange glow eyes as she swung the blade across with one hand. The glow of the sword and her eyes died down and she looked towards the trees. Nothing happened. Disappointed, Jean looked to Eris who had an amused look on her face. Silence fell between them.

As Jean was about to feel sorry for herself, the sound of falling branches caught their attention. They both looked over to the trees and saw five of them falling to the side. Jean was surprised what she just saw and Eris didn't know what to think of it. They stood next to each other looking at Jean's work with amusement. "Well … it looks like we need to work on control," Eris said.

"Maybe we should start making a list."

"Yup."

Jean's training with Logan was something anybody would pay to see. Jean would train with Eris in the morning and then train with Logan in the afternoon. Jean was hesitant to train with Logan, but it wasn't about the attraction they both have for one another. Logan was the kind of instructor who would never be lenient no matter how old you are, years of experience or gender. He taught everyone the same way with no special treatment and it was that way with Jean. He took it easy on her at first just to see what she can manage and what needs to be improved. He already warned Jean that he was going to be as tough of an instructor as he was with his students. Jean accepted it as she knew how he was as a teacher. He expected nothing but the best. Same goes for Jean.

Later that day down in the Danger Room, Jean was preparing to stretch before her training. Logan and Eris would talk about Jean's progress so they would know what was going on. They both agreed that Jean was a fast learner and she has the potential to be the greatest power on Earth. She has good control, but still needs work on it when real life scenarios happen. Today's lesson with Logan was hand-to-hand combat with Filipino fighting sticks. In the past month, Jean and Logan have been working on basic defensive moves and are now working on weapons training.

"Okay, Jeannie. Let's see if ya had been practicin'," Logan said as he got into position.

"Oh, I've been practicing alright. Since you have something against my ass, I practiced trying to defend it since I can still feel the bruising you gave yesterday," Jean said as she was caressing her still sore behind.

"Well, if ya were a little faster on yer feet …"

"Oh shut it, Logan and let me smack you around a bit."

Logan laughed at Jean's statement. "Oh don't worry, Red. I'll let ya smack me around … then I have to return ya a favor," Logan said with a mischievous smirk.

Jean got into position opposite of Logan and gave an annoyed look. She put her arms to her sides as Logan did the same. They both bowed to each other and Logan made his first move. Jean saw it coming from a mile away and blocked his first blow with the sticks she put up in front of her. He kept continuing to advance and Jean continued to block him and stepping back a little. "You better do somethin' Jeannie!"

Jean eventually found an opening to attack. While Logan was doing his best to get a hit, Jean was really good at blocking every hit. When she crouched low enough without losing her balance, she hit the side of Logan's knees that would get him to kneel. Jean did a back flip to get some distance from him. Logan looked up with an amused look on his face. He got up, got into fighting position and charged Jean. Jean got into a defensive position. As Logan got close enough to Jean, she used the sticks to block his hit, turned her body halfway, and sent Logan over her shoulder where he landed hard on his back. Jean quickly went over to Logan and put her fighting stick at his chest acknowledging that she won this round.

"Gotcha," Jean said trying to catch her breath.

Logan gave Jean a smug look which softened to a smile. "Never knew you had it in ya."

"Well, I got a good teacher," Jean said as she let Logan up and offered her hand. Logan took it and slowly got up.

"Ya might just make it after all," Logan said.

"With the way you teach, I don't know how any student can get through this for the year."

Jean turned her back to go back to her spot in the room for another match, Logan took the opportunity to smack her already-sore-butt with the fighting stick.

"OWWW!"

"I told ya I return a favor."

End of flashback.

Jean was happy where her life has gone since her return. Scott and Jean were in a good place with each other, even when the divorce became final in the spring. She and Emma were getting along, as long as they are not in the same room for a long period of time. They still bicker at each other, but not enough to bite each others head off. As Emma has always quoted "for the sake of the children." Jean has doubted that every time.

Jean's mind wandered off into the astral plane where she met her Phoenix mentor. He was smiling at her and telling her that she was in good hands. Jean smiled too about his sentiments. She did feel that she was in a good place within herself and around her. She still has her friends who are just like family to her. They were a big help in her adjustment period. She felt someone nearby and said her last goodbyes to her mentor. He said that she can reach for him when she needs guidance that nobody can give. Jean nodded.

Logan stepped into the room watching Jean looking out of the window. He slowly made his way to her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. Since she didn't react, he knew that her mind was somewhere else. He waited right there with his arms around his girl. Jean blinked her eyes moistening her dry eyes from staring out the window without blinking. She felt some heaviness on her shoulder and pressure around her waist. She knew the feel and leant into the muscular body of her live-in love. Jean leant her head on Logan whose chin was resting on her shoulder. "How long have you been here?"

"Not long. Where did yer mind wonder off to?"

"Not far." Jean turned around while Logan is still embracing her. She put her arms around his neck, looked into his eyes and gave him a kiss on the lips. "Ready for bed?"

"Thought ya never asked." Logan lifted Jean off the floor and slowly approached the big bed they slept together for the past three months. Logan slowly put Jean down on the bed. He followed suit and looked into Jean's face, caressing her cheek softly. Jean caressed Logan's cheek as well and studied his face trying hard to never forget him. "I love you, Logan."

Logan smiled at those very words he had always wanted to hear. "I love you too, Jeannie."

Yes, Jean was a changed woman when she came back and it was a change for the good. She was happy now, despite all the disasters that had happened when she died. She came back to right the wrongs and burn what doesn't work. It has been working well for her and hopes that she did not have to use her full extent of her power to destroy a world that meant so much to her.