Disclaimer- I don't own the X-Men. They belong to Marvel Comics.

Mutant High Episode 2- "The Brotherhood Revealed"

Chapter 5

"That's one hell of a way to get out of a history test," Bobby remarked. Jean shot him a look.

"Bobby, I didn't do it just to get out of the test! I had no clue the kid was a raving psycho. Or a mutant, for that matter."

"You were reading his mind, weren't you?" Scott asked. "Didn't you pick it up?" Jean shook her head.

"No. Not until he was getting ready to attack, at least. It's not like I'll link to their mind and know everything about them."

"Besides Bobby, what does it matter?" interjected Ororo. "Jean does not have the level of control required to manipulate someone like that. And even if she did, I don't think she would do it simply to get out of taking a test."

"God! It's not like I meant that she orchestrated the whole thing! It was just a JOKE, jeez…"

"Maybe," said Ororo, "you should think before you speak."
"I'll keep it mind," grumbled Bobby in a mocking falsetto. Ororo rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Wow. Dom Petros, a genuine nutcase. Who'dve thought that?" Everyone turned to Rogue. "Well, I mean. He was in my chemistry class sophomore year. He seemed like a nice kid. Really quiet, but nice. And smart."
"Well," said Remy, "I guess he ain't either."
"Isn't," corrected Ororo.

"Whatever."
"Well," Scott said, trying to break the tension, "It doesn't matter how it started or why, or what could have been done differently up until this point. We need to focus on what we can do now. If Dom is powerful- and uninhibited enough to rip apart the library, then a prison cell won't hold him. He won't be knocked out forever."

"You think we should go after him?" Jean asked.
"Yeah. I do."

"Then what?" Bobby queried. "Freeze him?"

"Absolutely not," boomed Dr. Xavier as he entered the room. "Ororo and Jean already did enough. I am going to head down to the police station now and talk to Dom. I'm hoping to be able to recruit him in order to keep such an event from happening again."
"You mean we'd be working with him?" Bobby exaggeratedly wailed.
"Yes, Bobby. Sometimes people will have a spotty past. Get over it. You don't have a choice in the matter. Besides, he always could refuse."

"What if that happens, Dr. Xavier?" asked Scott.

Dr. Xavier sighed. "I don't know, Scott. I don't know." His voice was heavy and downbeaten.

"You will stay here and continue your training. My friend, Sean Cassidy, will be here soon. He'll be overlooking your exercises for today. I'm sure you can supervise yourself until he gets here."

There was a silence. Everyone was unsure, and nobody wanted to risk throwing Dr. Xavier into a situation where he would be unable to defend himself. But nobody was going to argue.

"Is your friend a mutant?" asked Rogue.
"Is your friend hot?" laughed Remy.

"He has high powered vocal chords. I'm sure he'll let you try them, Rogue." Dr. Xavier ignored Remy.

As the group dispersed, Jean approached Dr. Xavier. "Um, Dr.?" He kept going, without looking. "Yes Jean?"

"Is Emma going to be here today?"

"Yes. She should arrive soon as well."

Jean nodded. "Thanks, Dr. Xavier. And good luck."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

From out of nowhere, fog flowed between Ororo's delicate hands. Her eyes glowed softly, and a drizzle began to pour from the small cloud she had summoned, sprinkling the flowerpot beneath it.

In the center of the room, a cannon shot at Rogue. Standing to brace herself, she opened her mouth and screamed. For a moment, there was a high-pitched squeal, but then there was silence as the air in front of her mouth rippled. The shot was struck by the sonic wave, and it bounced away from the girl harmlessly.

"Good work," lauded the handsome redhead from the sidelines. "Alright, Bobby. You're next."

Upstairs, Jean and Emma sat together. Jean twisted the rings on her fingers nervously as she recalled more and more of the incident to Emma.

"I feel like there's more that I could have done," Jean lamented. It was the way Scott made it seem.

"Ororo was right. There was nothing more you could have done. Don't let Scott get you down."

Jean was shocked at first, before remembering that Emma was a telepath. There was no point in hiding anything.

"Just remember that it's not important what he thinks. You don't have to impress Scott."

Jean sighed. "It's not just Scott, you know? It's the fact that I couldn't get my powers to work when I needed them to."

Emma folded her hands on the table, pursing her soft pink lips ever so slightly.
"But you did get them to work. You were able to distract him, and you were able to get everyone out without letting anyone get hurt." Jean opened her mouth, but was cut off again before she could begin to speak.

"Scott can protect himself, Jean. Those people couldn't. Not from a mutant like that, at least. Nobody got hurt. So I don't know what he's upset about."

"Oh, I know. It's the professor- he's worried about what will happen to him. I let Dom live- I let him get away. Now Dr. Xavier is going to face this kid all alone. What the hell is a telepath in a wheelchair going to do in a fight? He could be killed!" Jean was practically roaring. She suddenly caught herself, and shrank into her seat with a sigh.

"I could feel the worry oozing from Scott without even trying to read his mind. He's terrified, Emma. He doesn't know what's going to happen, and he's scared someone will get hurt. And he's so scared I can feel that just being near him. I can't avoid it when I'm around him! I feel his fear, and I hate that. I hate him being scared." Emma smiled. Jean could tell there was a snide comment brewing somewhere in Emma, but she suppressed it.

It's because you still love him. The though floated into Jean like a drop of oil in the water. She couldn't suppress it again. Emma just smiled at her. And Jean began to cry.

"I'm sorry," she choked between sobs. "I know I shouldn't be loosing my cool like this. I just, you know, it's just that-"

Jean's voice suddenly stopped, along with her tears.

Get out of my mind!
Sorry. But not now. It's time for another lesson.

Jean's thoughts were alone again. At least she thought they were.

"What do you use your powers for, Jean?" Emma asked. Jean said nothing. She knew where this was going. No answer she gave would be right.

"You need to help people do what they can't do themselves. Sure. Scott could take Dom in a fight. But he can't help Dr. Xavier. Not from here, at least."

"So what? You think I should follow Dr. Xavier?"

"Maybe. But I'm not here to teach you disobedience. What I want you to do is use your telepathy to help Scott. Ease his worry. It will be good practice for you in bending wills. And it will help you to focus better."

Jean couldn't refuse. And that's why ten minutes later, she was floating in the courtyard, just above the danger room's windows.

She pulled Scott's image into her thoughts.
She was very worried- a sign she was in. Now what?

Don't be worried, she thought. Hey, it was worth a shot, right?

But it was just swallowed in a sea of concerns. Scott's mind was bustling. Jean could see through his eyes, even though he was nowhere near her. He was hustling across the room, shattering the shards of razor ice that Bobby was hurling with a steady stream of Optic blasts. But he was barley focused. Any second now, one of those ice shards could rip right into Scott's shoulder, splitting through flesh and muscle, leaving nothing but blood.

But Scott didn't care. Dr. Xavier might not survive. Nothing matters when someone's life is on the line. How can Remy be so nonchalant about it? I don't need him to be begging for my affection right now- This is not the time, not at all! I'm not his concubine. A wonderful man could die at any moment, and all he can think about is a quickie in the master bathroom.

What a jerk, Jean thought.

Major jerk. Scott thought. But what can I do? It's not like him. He's a good person, and I know he is. Maybe it's just his way of trying to keep the stress away.

Oh yeah. Jean still had to figure out how to reduce Scott's stress.

Just do it like with Candace. Release all barriers. Let him think what I'm thinking. But what should I think?

Something happy, duh.

It was a warm, spring day. School was almost out. Jean ran her hand through her long, luxurious hair. She smiled so brightly she felt her face might crack. And she laughed. She and Scott laughed and laughed and laughed and there stomachs were buckling and their eyes were squeezed so tightly shut it was as if they had been squeezed between vices. And then she opened her eyes, and wind blew, and petals exploded everywhere. A storm of pink. And the only sound was the wind.

Scott was calmer, now.

It wasn't all bad, was it? Jean wondered to herself. There were some moments that were real. We were happy. Right?

Scott's thoughts gave her the answer.