I would like to personally thank Song of Grey Lemons for being my beta reader and answering all of my questions. You rock!

Song of Grey Lemons: You know, you're right. The Phoenix Force is actually almost like a virus, going from host to host. Who knows who it will infect next! As for the Cuckoos, they're just as bad as Emma. Maybe even worse. And yes, Emma will be Emma. Even when her mind is violated.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I really wish I did. I also wish I could fly.

XXX

Snikt!

Adamantium claws popped out from Logan's knuckles, tearing the skin around them. The skin quickly healed and Logan withdrew his claws. He repeated this process for a while, always watching the skin as it tore and healed.

"You're going to pop out your eye."

Logan whirled around, his claws reflecting the sunlight as it streamed through his window. Jean smiled and sat on the bed next to Logan.

"I was looking for you."

"I guess y'found me. I was never really good with hide-and-seek."

They both smiled and Jean looked into Logan's eyes. They had an unusual glint of happiness. She had never paid much attention to it, but now Jean realized that it occurred whenever Logan saw her. A lump formed in her throat and she wanted to leave at that moment.

"Jean? Are you okay?"

"Huh?"

"You zoned out for a moment."

Jean began to speak but Logan cut her off.

"Look, Jean. I know that I've been tryin' to make you mine. I know that I've been tryin' to take you away from Scott. And I also know that it's wrong. But you have to believe me when I say that I never truly wanted that."

Jean blinked. "You never really wanted me?"

Logan chuckled. "No, believe me. I wanted you. But I never wanted you at the expense of Scott. I'm always sayin' how Scott isn't right for you and how you should leave him. But I never really meant it."

Jean didn't know what to say. She wanted to say that it wouldn't work out between them. That it would only be a matter of time before their relationship ended. But she couldn't do it.

"So that's why I'm sayin' that it's time for me to give you a break. I'm puttin' way too much pressure on you and your relationship with Scott. From now on, our relationship is purely platonic."

Jean was shocked. Logan had done the one thing that she had never expected. He had made her job much easier. And it killed her. She looked down at the bedspread and began to smooth out lumps that weren't there.

"I guess there's nothin' left to say." Logan smiled. "I guess you can go."

Jean didn't want to go. She didn't want this to happen. All those years of her wanting this, and now she got it. But it wasn't what she wanted.

Jean opened her mouth but then closed it. She slowly rose off of the bed and began to walk out of the room. She reached the doorway when Logan said her name.

"Jean?"

She spun around, hoping he was going to take back what he said.

"It's good to have you back."

XXX

Kitty walked into the kitchen, her heart sinking when she saw Piotr seated at the table. She almost fainted when she caught sight of Betsy sitting across from him.

"Isn't Kitty coming?" Betsy asked. Piotr looked up from his eggs and shrugged.

"When I woke up, she wasn't there."

Betsy smiled. "I'm sure she'll turn up soon."

Kitty began to back away but felt herself bump against something. She turned and held her breath. It was Bobby.

"Oh, didn't see you there." He grinned and Kitty shook her head. She was about to speak when she heard Piotr's voice.

"Kitty? Is that you?"

Swearing under breath, Kitty turned around put on a fake smile.

"We were just about to join you," she said. Bobby nodded.

"We?" Betsy asked. She looked at Kitty and smirked. Ignoring Betsy's look, Kitty sat next to Piotr and began to pour herself a cup of coffee. Bobby extended his arm for the coffee pot and accidentally touched Kitty's hand. She quickly pulled back her hand, knocking over her cup in the process.

"Damn it!" she grumbled. Kitty grabbed a paper towel and began to wipe the table. Betsy looked up from her breakfast and cocked her head. "I don't think Bobby is that repulsive," she said. Kitty abruptly stopped wiping the spill and glared at Betsy. She returned it with a smile.

"Is everything all right?" Piotr asked, looking from Kitty to Betsy. Kitty was about to answer when Betsy cut in.

"Everything's fine. It just seems that Kitty has been a little…off. Don't you think, Bobby?"

Freezing, Bobby opened his mouth but then decided to close it. He just smiled and quickly drank his coffee.

"Bobby Drake is quiet? Are you feeling all right?"

Bobby ignored Betsy's remark and ran to the sink, washing out his cup and quickly exiting the kitchen.

"Okay, something is definitely wrong," Piotr said. "What is it?"

"Nothing's wrong," Betsy repeated. Piotr slammed his fists on the table.

"No! Nothing is not wrong! I don't know what happened between the three of you, but someone better tell me. Now."

Betsy turned to Kitty. "Do you want to tell him? Or should I?"

Piotr turned to look at Kitty. His features softened when he saw her begin to tremble.

"Kitty, what's wrong?"

She didn't speak. Piotr put a hand on her shoulder and she jumped. Putting a hand to her mouth, Kitty ran out of the kitchen. Betsy looked at Piotr.

"There's a reason why it's called morning sickness."

XXX

Rogue stormed up the stairs, her rage increasing with each step. Whatever Remy had done was unforgivable. He deserved to be punished.

But did I really have to do that to him?

Rogue began to feel remorseful for her actions and was about to turn and walk downstairs when something stopped her.

You didn't do anything wrong. He hurt you and so you hurt him. It's a universal and cosmic law.

An uncomfortable feeling spread through Rogue. Something had spoken to her. Trying to push the thought out of her mind, Rogue continued to walk upstairs. She walked towards her room and found the door to be partially open. Pausing, she slowly opened the rest of the door and found Emma sitting on her bed. Drawing in a breath, she froze.

"What are you doing here?" Rogue hissed. Emma looked up and cocked her head, smiling impishly. She stopped stroking the pale sheets and answered.

"Can't a friend check up on another friend?"

"No, a friend can check up on a friend. You're not a friend."

Emma pouted. "How can you say that? I thought we were close."

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Of course we are."

"After what you did, I would think so."

Rogue froze and felt her mouth become dry. Had she figured it out?

Emma rose off of the bed and walked towards Rouge. She stopped when they were inches away from each other.

"I don't know why you did it and, frankly, I don't care. All I know is that you have a little bit of me inside that mind of yours." Emma tapped at the side of Rogue's head. "Now, originally I wanted it back. Actually, I still do. But before I take it back, I could really use some of your help." Emma stepped back and crossed her arms.

"What could you possibly need me for?"

"Nothing important. I just need some help in eliminating a certain…problem."

Rogue was wary. She wasn't sure if Emma truly needed her help or if she was going to use Rogue as a decoy.

"What's your problem?"

Emma smiled with a malevolence that was not new. "Jean Grey is still alive."