I would like to thank TristeAlma for not only reviewing all of the chapters, but for giving me advice on how to increase the substance of the characters. Thank you so much!

TristeAlma: The mysterious mutant will soon be revealed. Don't worry!

TristeAlma: Yes, Rogue still has her abilities. I would never dare to take them away lol.

TristeAlma: Rogue has finally been able to control her power and now Remy is being an ass? That's exactly how I felt after reading the chapter. It actually made me hate him, but only a little bit. As for Emma, she has to have an agenda. It's who she is. Although, the identity of her accomplice may surprise you.

Disclaimer: It's all Marvel's stuff. Well, except the storyline. It's mine. All mine.

XXX

Eric Lehnsherr swiftly walked towards his base of operation. It was nothing spectacular; situated in Camp Hero State Park, Magneto had been able to take advantage of the open area. He had decided to use the entire area of the park and wanted as much space as possible. Eric had used various pieces of metal to create a dome which he had built close to AN/FPS-35 radar. He had used his vast electromagnetic abilities to not only be able to detect any unwelcome guests and mutant signatures via the radar, but to be able to focus his electromagnetic pulses into a beam through the radar.

Eric flew to the fourth floor of the structure and when he arrived there, he was pleased to see that Mystique and Sabretooth had been successful in capturing the mutant. He was only 18 yet he already was quite proficient at using his mutant gift. Magneto had already assumed that he was an Omega-level mutant even before the radar had been able to fully identify the source of the signature.

"I see you have made our guest quite comfortable."

The young man was strapped to a metal table which had been placed upright. He had clearly put up a fight as there were several slash marks on his arms and chest.

"So, tell me…"

"Ryan," Mystique answered.

"So, tell me, Ryan. Have you decided to help us in our cause?"

"Your cause is full of bullshit!" Ryan spat.

Eric chuckled and stepped closer to the man.

"You may be experienced at using your mutant gift, but that doesn't mean that you have full control over it. Or have discovered the full potential of it, for that matter. And unless you agree to help me usher in the age of Homer sapiens superior, the mundane society will never allow you to reach your full potential. Am I making my point?"

"You're making your point alright. And you're right about society. They won't let me reach my full potential. But you know what, I'm already happy with how much of my power I can access. I might only be 18, but I'm sure as hell mature enough to realize that you're a lying sack of crap," Ryan sneered. "So do your worst, old man. 'Cause as far as I'm concerned, even death is better than being on your side."

"Do y'think the X-Men already got to him. Maybe Xavier used that mind control on him."

Magneto put up a hand. "Please, Victor. You're the brawn, not the brains. Besides, don't think too much. It'll damage your already-damaged, peanut brain."

Victor mumbled incoherent words under his breath and Eric turned his attention back to Ryan. He was trying to use his toned arms to break free of the straps but to no avail.

"As you wish, Ryan. But there is one thing that you should know. I grew up in a Nazi concentration camp. I know methods of torture that would even make Jigsaw want to run and hide."

XXX

Jean walked away from the examination room, Logan's voice echoing in her already aching head.

"We got into a fight."

Even though Jean wasn't awake when the fight had occurred, she still knew what it was about.

Even when I'm not the Phoenix, I still cause problems.

Jean remembered when she was in high school and how she had always wanted boys to fight over her.

Now it's actually happening and it's making me sick.

Jean stepped out of the X-Mansion and breathed in the fresh air. Suddenly, she felt her legs become weak. A pain shot through her head and she looked for something to use for support. She decided to use the exterior of the mansion. Trying to subdue the pain, Jean rubbed her temples. Instead, it made the pain worse. Jean tried to call out for help but the pain overloaded her body, causing her to become paralyzed. Suddenly, the pain seemed to stop and Jean drifted out onto a sea of blackness.

XXX

Scott slowly made his way to his room, wincing as he went up each step of the stairs. After their brawl, Logan had left. Scott guessed it was to pursue Jean, but he wasn't sure. He wasn't sure of anything now. He hated to admit it, but Jean was making him question who he loved. Sure, he and Emma were at their best, but he still couldn't deny the fact that Jean was his first love. But Jean had pushed him to be with Emma. That meant she wanted him to be with Emma.

She also wanted to be with me, but that never happened.

Scott sighed as he reached the top step. He saw a vase out of the corner of his eye and slowly turned to look at it. It was a vase of pink chrysanthemums. Scott still remembered one of his first dates with Jean when they were young. He had woken up early that day to look for a gift. Warren had surprised Jean with a beautiful bracelet and she had heartily appreciated it. Scott didn't know what to give her so he gave her a pink chrysanthemum, trying to pass it off as a pink rose.

"It's a hybrid," he had said. "That's why it looks different."

Jean had just laughed and hugged him. "I know it's a chrysanthemum. And it's my favourite flower. Just like you're my favourite." Hearing those words had made Scott's heart jump several beats. He was sure he was going to die of a heart attack.

God, Jean, he thought. What I wouldn't give to make you smile.

Scott finally reached his room and opened it. Emma was sitting on the bed, going through a box of earrings. When she heard the door open, she looked up.

"Scott!" Emma dropped a pair of earrings and ran over to him. She helped him sit on the bed and put the box under the bed. "Are you okay? What the hell happened?"

"I had an argument with someone." He winced as she bandaged up a deep cut on his hand.

"Would that someone be Logan?"

Scott didn't answer her.

"I take that as 'yes'?"

Scott slowly nodded. Emma decided to ask the next question even though she knew the answer.

"What was the fight about?"

"Argument," Scott corrected her.

"It's not an argument if he almost mauled you to death. Anyways, answer the question."

"Do we really have to talk about this now?"

Emma stopped bandaging Scott and looked at him. "Answer the question. What was it about?" Emma wanted to be absolutely sure before she made any other conclusions. She could've looked into his mind but it was different with Scott. He had learnt how to put up mental blocks. No doubt, it was that whore Jean Grey.

"I don't want to talk about it. How about-"

"ANSWER THE GODDAMN QUESTION!" Emma screamed. Scott winced.

"It was about… Jean. Logan said that because I have you I've forgotten about her."

Emma paused. "Is he right?"

"What?"

"Is Logan right? Have you forgotten about her?"

"No," Scott quickly answered. He then paused and continued. "No. I haven't. But it's not because I'm still in love with her. It's because of what she's done for me. For everyone." Scott hoped that Emma wouldn't see through his lie. He wouldn't be able to explain himself. It was too difficult to explain why he still loved Jean when he wasn't even sure himself. Was it because she was back or because she was free from the Phoenix?

"Well, don't you think it's about time you do?"

Scott was stunned. He knew that Emma and Jean had had their differences, but he never thought that Emma would say that.

"Wh- What are you saying?"

Emma sighed. "Logan's right. You have forgotten about her. But every time that she comes back, you suddenly remember her again. And I don't know whether it's because you still love her or because you see an opportunity to be with her again."

"Emma, you know I love you. You're the one I want to be with."

"No, Scott. I don't know that. You can say it as much as you want. You can even convince yourself that you do love me. But as long as Jean is around, I can't be sure. As long as she's here, I'm scared. If she takes you away from me, I don't know what I'll do." Emma wiped away a few tears, looking at Scott out of the corner of her eye. If he didn't fall for this, she didn't know what else to do.

"No, Emma. Trust me. She would never do that. Jean is not a vindictive person. She knows what you mean to me."

Emma quickly turned around. "Why do you always take her side? I'm your girlfriend, for God's sake. What the hell is wrong with you, Scott?"

Scott looked down and Emma decided to play the final card. "Look, Scott. I know you mean well. I really do. But you have to remember that Jean is the Phoenix. Even if Jean isn't out for revenge, that doesn't account for the Phoenix."

Scott seemed surprised. "Didn't you hear her? She's free from the Phoenix."

Emma almost laughed. "Scott, she'll never be free from the Phoenix. It's who she is now. No matter what she says, she's not free from the Phoenix. I'm not saying that we should doubt her. All I'm saying is that you should be a little careful. It's the people you trust the most that betray you."

Scott hated to admit it, but Emma was right. He had to be more careful. Emma sat on the bed and softly kissed him. He hugged her and she hugged him back.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," she replied.

Looking out of the window, Emma could make out Jean's body slumped against the mansion. Emma smiled and praised herself. She never thought she'd be able to get away with doing that to Jean.

Two can play mind games, bitch.