Rebirth and Redemption
Chapter Four
The lights from the fluorescents were blinding. Pain seared through Jean's body, making her scream. Finally all the pain ended, and her head swam just as Moira cried, "It's a boy!!"
"A boy?!" Logan cried out in wonder and amazement.
Jean smiled and looked at Logan, and then to the little boy Moira held. Jean reached out and received the baby in her arms. He looked up at her and stayed still, his eyes a perfect mixture between her emerald and his father's blue. All the world dissolved around her as she looked at the baby. Suddenly, she felt a strange new presence in her mind, and looking down saw that the baby had inherited her psionic abilities, and was using his telepathy. She gave him access into her mind and she felt warmth and laughter, joy and love swimming in his head. Finally Moira's voice came back to her and she lifted her head.
"Oh my, I have neve' seen anythin' like that in me whole life. Jean, this child is very different from most mutants, ya do know that, right?"
"Yes, but still, there's nothing to worry about. He's just a little overzealous." Jean replied warmly, with a small smirk creeping up her lips.
"So, what do ye plan to name th' boy? I need to know so that I can document it here. First let's go through the known information, shall we? Birth time: 2:02 am. Date: August 18th, 1981. Hair: Red. Eyes: Blue-green. Length: 23 ½ inches (my lord that is very long!). Name?"
"Kellen." Jean said looking between Logan and her baby.
"Middle?"
"Two. James and Preston."
"And will he be takin your last name??"
"Yes." Jean said.
"Alright then; Kellen James Preston Grey. And that should do it! I'll need to clean him for ya." Moira said and taking Kellen, she proceeded to clean and inspect Kellen. Logan kissed Jean's forehead and whispered in her ear, "I'm goin' to get 'Ro and Kurt, alright darlin'?"
"What about mom and dad? Aren't they here?" Jean queried.
"Yeah, I'll get them too." and kissing her again, Logan departed.
Once Moira had finished with Kellen, she handed him back to Jean. Looking at him again, she saw that his hair was indeed the same scarlet as hers. He lifted one tiny hand, and she placed her finger in his grasp. He squeezed and smiled briefly before going to sleep in her arms, closing his little eyes and breathing deeply. Her attention was taken away from the little miracle in her arms as her mother, father, Ororo, Kurt and Logan all came in.
"Oh my, he is lovely!" cooed Ororo.
"He is very tiny, ja!" smiled Kurt.
"Hello my darling. Is this our little grandson?" Elaine Grey asked quietly.
"Yes mother. He is. Meet Kellen James Preston Grey." and Jean slowly turned to face all of the gather family to show off her little bundle of joy.
Jean awoke to the laughter of Kellen at 6:30 one morning. Getting out of her bed, she descended the stairs only to find Kellen in his pjs sitting in front of the TV. His hair had grown to his upper back, for the most part straight but it had waves and curls mixed in. He looked away from the tube and saw his mother standing with her arms on her hips.
"How many times do I have to tell you to keep the noise level down this early in the morning, Kellen? Don't make me send you back to bed." Jean said slowly.
Kellen looked at her and he said nothing. He lifted up the clicker and pressed the volume control. The television's volume decreased significantly. Jean looked at him and started to turn. "Mommy??" Kellen finally said. "Am I in trouble?"
"No, you're not. Mommy just doesn't like waking up this early on her day off. Now, lets make something for breakfast?"
"Pancakes!!" Kellen cried.
"Alright, pancakes it is." Jean submitted.
Jean looked at the little calendar on the wall. To her amazement it was May and Kellen's sixth birthday was coming up now very quickly. She had literally lost track of time and she couldn't believe that come the 18th, it would be six years to the day that she had him. Time had gone by so fast. While missing the batter, and letting Kellen hold the spoon, Jean thought about that night. She remembered that Kellen had used his powers then and there, yet now he couldn't even move a spoon with his mind. She worried that maybe he wouldn't unlock his powers again, but then again, he may just have locked them for when he was ready for them. He was very smart, but didn't seem to think very much of his powers.
Kellen was mixing the batter and began to totter over to the skillet, bowl in hand. He slipped on a fallen egg yolk and fell backwards. Jean rushed over to him but fell too fast. His hands released the bowl as he fell. Jean, seeing it fall used her telekinesis to slow its descent and allowed it to land unscathed on the floor. Kellen however fell back and used his hands to cushion his fall. Screaming he held up his hands to reveal purple hued wrists. Jean rushed to him and asked for his hands, and doing so, Jean saw that Kellen had just broken his very thin wrists. Kellen's cries of pain reverberated throughout the house, and Logan came crashing down the staircase.
Logan kneeled on Kellen's other side and held him as Jean inspected Kellen 's wrists. Kellen kept writhing and squirming and screaming in pain, and several times Jean literally had to mentally sedate him to keep him quiet. After nearly an hour, something happened that neither Jean nor Logan expected. Just as suddenly as the injury had been sustained, the bones fixed themselves, and the swelling and bruising disappeared within seconds. Looking down at the small, thin wrists that were so much like her own, Jean's jaw drop as she realized that Kellen was using his regeneration powers for the first time and he was visibly shocked.
"Oh my god … Jean …" Logan said hesitantly.
"Shh! We don't need him to get even more shocked! Think of a pink door that's locked", telepathy! Jean scolded.
What are we gonna do, Jeannie?? Logan thought.
We won't do anything. This is a shocking experience as it is, let's not scare him even more. And anyways, this is least of our problems; remember what he did when he was born?? Wait until he unlocks his telepathy! He won't be able to handle if it is too early, just like me! Jean replied.
Should talk to Chuck?? asked Logan.
No, let's not worry Charles with any of our problems or the school's problems. He's already left, we should just let him do his thing and leave him be. Jean answered. Now, let's pick up this mess and put Kellen back to bed, he looks as if he has run a mile. And looking down at him, Logan and Jean saw that Kellen was sweating and his face was pale. Logan picked him and took him to his bedroom. Jean however stayed in the kitchen, using her telekinesis to pick up all that had fallen. When Kellen had first been born, Jean had felt something in him. Something warm and full of life, but with that, something sinister if released too soon. Today, she felt the same thing when she had entered his mind. Something hellishly familiar, and yet something foreign, that should not have belonged in a normal baby.
But then again, Jean knew that Kellen wasn't normal. His piercing blue-green eyes had begun to take on something that of truth seeking. The pupils had at times literally filled with fire, but nothing occurred. Jean needed to convene with those whose power was over her. She needed help. She needed his help. She needed the man who controlled that which was intangible. She could feel the pull, she needed to die. Steeling herself, she finished cleaning the kitchen. She then slowly climbed the staircase, and turned into the office. Inside she found the miniature Cerebra. Placing the helmet upon her head, she turned the machine on, and began lightly searching. Finally she found it, the mind that sparkled and seemed flawless, but Jean knew better.
Emma. This Jean at the Institute. Can you hear me? Jean called out.
Of course Jean, I can hear you. It is all I can do to ensure that I don't hear you like you usually do; which my dear, is usually almost as if you are screaming into my mind, but no matter. What is it? What do you want? Is Charles needing me? Emma thought, a slight Bostonian accent permeating her thoughts along with other snide emotions.
I need your help. Kellen just used regeneration and in doing so, I fear that he could gain telepathy in matter of days. His mind is familiar and yet, not. And sometimes he has fire in his eyes. I need to go. I need to ask those that can answer my questions. So, I was wondering if you could; for a while, take over here at the Institute for me. Just temporarily mind you but yes if you could. Would you mind horribly? Jean explained.
Jean, dear, Emma began I would so love to come up there, yet is this immediately. Scott and I have just received word of Magneto and Mystique's whereabouts, after so bloody long. If you need me immediately I shall come but I may have to bring Scott. Can you and Logan handle that?
Logan doesn't know Emma. Not yet anyway. And no, there will be no problem, come as fast you can. Scott; well, you can explain to Scott that I have seniority and he has nothing to do with the management of this school. I am leaving you in charge as Headmistress, alongside Logan. Thanks Emma. I owe you. Jean finished.
Yes, yes you do. Ta-ta dear, we shall be there within the hour. And with that Emma vanished. Jean took a deep breath to calm her nerves and she took off the helmet and laid it upon the shelf. She leaned back and closed her eyes, lifting her to squeeze the bridge of her nose. Logan wasn't going to like this, she knew that. But this wasn't his decision and it never would be, she needed to go, she needed to die, soon. Logan was just going to have to deal with that.
There was a loud knock on the door that broke Jean from her thoughts. "Jeannie," Logan called through the now locked door. "Jeannie, what is it?"
Using her telekinesis, Jean unlocked and opened the door, not moving from her position. She felt Logan kiss her neck, his facial hair tickling her shoulder and neck at the same time. "Logan … I have to go."
"Whaddaya mean darlin'?" Logan.
"Logan … what happened with Kellen … I have to go. I need information as I said, and this is bigger than Emma and Charles. I am going to need to … you know." Jean finished.
"Wait, are ya saying … you need to go die??!!" Logan exclaimed.
"Logan we both knew that I was going to die sooner or later, it's just happening sooner. I mean it's been over seven years now!! This was going to happen. I never stay for more than ten years, and you know, though sometimes I am gone for rather long periods, but can sometimes come back instantaneously. But this time I may be a month or so, but just on the off chance, don't bury me for another day. I just sent word to Emma for her to come and take over. And yes she is bringing Scott, but I told her that Scott has no power here. So no need to get … intense. Take care of Kellen for me while I am gone. Oh and we need to plan a party for him, I mean six years old, god it's really been that long! Ha." Jean laughed.
"But what are ya gonna do? Ask the cosmos what to do? Jean yer a mother, you can't just leave! I know that I have a high tolerance for you dyin' but he's just a kid!" Logan cried.
"Logan, what Kellen just did … I need outside help that has a play in all of this! And you know it! Kellen is exhibiting powers at the age of six! He is still a child, and yet he is manifesting regeneration powers long before he should, so something is at work here. I need help. And that's final." Jean scolded.
"Alright, alright. Fine! And let me guess you want me to help you out?!"
"Well you are the best."
"Jean you can sometimes be seriously twisted! I can't always do this!" Logan nearly screamed.
"Logan, keep your voice down! We don't need Kellen to hear. And we should probably do this somewhere else. So, come on, and lets get this over with, I'll be back soon, and you know it." Jean said with finality.
"Okay. Let me get some stuff together. Meet you in the danger room."
With that, Jean watched Logan stalk off. Jean looked at the little clock and saw that Emma and Scott would be there very soon. She looked down and saw that she was still in her robe and with a thought, white flames engulfed her, and then she saw she was wearing her X-Uniform. The hip cloak fell down to the ground, the edges rippling around her. She stood up and as she walked through the door, the used her powers to teleport to where she would meet Scott and Emma.
She soon appeared at the front of the school, next to the Phoenix Memorial. Just as she arrived, Emma and Scott appeared before her exiting a sort of portal. Emma was of course wearing her usual revealing X-Uniform, and Scott was wearing his outfit with a trench coat. She walked up to them and stood before them for a few moments.
"Hi Jean." Scott said quietly.
"Hello, Jean dear. Now are we going to simply stand here exchanging pleasantries or are we going to go inside, to the Danger Room?" Emma said cannily.
"Well, firstly we have to establish ground rules. Scott you have nothing to do with this school's management. You may still be a member of the X-Men and have your own team to lead, however, this is the school and headquarters. If I so much as sense you taking over, I will do my worst. Do you understand? If Emma says jump off a bridge, you jump as a staff member. Now, Emma, this is as I said, a temporary thing. I should be back within the month. But we are planning on the possibility; however slight it is, that I return within the day. But no matter, lets get to the Danger Room." Jean explained.
Rising into the air, Jean manifested a giant firebird and using her wings she picked both Emma and Scott up and flew down through the floors and landed in the Danger Room. When she released them, both Scott and Emma yelped as the flames licked them and they fell to the ground. Logan looked up from where he was sitting, the light were dimmed. When he saw Emma he simply nodded, but when he saw Scott his nostrils flared. Logan, down! Jean screamed in his head when she saw his reaction.
"Get them the hell outta here, Jeannie!" Logan bellowed.
"Logan, just get over it. Emma requested it, and since she is taking over for me in my absence, she deserves to be here, to ensure that this is true." Jean told him and he looked down and began sharpening his claws.
Scott and Emma both looked between the two and Scott took hold of Emma and walked off to one side. Logan looked up again, and seeing Jean standing alone in the center of the Danger Room, he stood up. His claws came out with a "snkkt" and he came towards her.
"I love you, Logan. You know that." Jean said just as he reached her.
"I know. … I love you too, darlin'." Logan said. He kissed her, this kiss passionate, yet brief. Jean lingered on his lips, and then Logan grunted, and Jean felt a sharp pain in both her sides. She screamed in agony. Her sight began to fade, her hearing becoming fuzzy. She barely felt Logan laying her down on the cold floor. She attempted to touch his cheek, and his face met her palm. With that Jean left this plane.
Logan felt her hand become cold and her hand fell to the ground. He saw tears drop onto her fingers and he touched his cheek and felt hot, salty tears pouring out of his eyes. Looking up he saw Emma simply looking on, but to his surprise he noticed Scott had turned away, his jaw clenched. Logan looked back down at Jean, and saw that she was in fact lying very still. Not breath. No pulse. She was gone. For now.