Standard disclaimer: I don't own them; I'm just borrowing them for our entertainment.

X-Men 3.1 Resurrection

Chapter 6 – The Road to Hell

That afternoon, Scott returned to the classroom for the first time in over a year. He had put up the notice regarding the shop class in the morning. It was intended to be an informal "let's-pick-up-where-we-left-off" kind of class. He only expected 3-4 of his old students to show up. He was stunned to walk into the garage to find a full class of over a dozen students. He was surprised to see a handful of new students in the group as well.

The class time went by quickly. Before he knew it, the session was over. "So, that's enough for today," he said, dismissing the class while he returned the tools to their places.

"Mr. Summers – can I ask a question?"

He turned back to Dani, one of his old students. "Sure. What is it?"

"Why did you leave?"

There was a sharp intake of breath from the other students. No one else would have dared to ask.

Scott sighed and crossed his arms. "I left because – I'd hit rock bottom. We all thought Jean was dead and I was hearing her voice in my head. I thought I was going crazy. I had to leave."

He turned the chair around and sat astride, resting his arms on the back. "Okay, you all deserve this much. Whatever question you have – ask it. And whatever it is, I'll answer it. But just this once. Then we close the book."

The students nodded and understood this was a one shot deal.

"How could you let us think you were dead?"

"It was the safest way for everyone. I told Storm and my brother – and that was it. I know I hurt everyone and I'm sorry. But the situation was complicated."

"What happened to Dr. Grey?"

"She had a power surge and couldn't handle it. Alcatraz Island was the result. Afterwards, she was still too unstable. That was another reason we couldn't come back. We needed time for her to learn control her new powers."

"Is she stable now?"

"I think so."

"Are you going to stay?"

That was a harder question, but he wasn't going to lie. "I don't know," he replied. "There are still a lot of things to be sorted out. But I hope so."

That seemed to satisfy the students and they began to leave for their next class. Before she left, Dani leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I hope you do stay, Mr. Summers. We missed you."

Scott couldn't help but smile at that. He had wondered if anyone had missed him. He now knew the answer.

X X X

Scott returned to the lab, expecting to find Jean, but the room was empty. He closed his eyes and concentrated.

// Red//

// I'm in the boat house. Come and see what I've been doing. //

With another couple of hours before dinner, he strolled down to the boat house, using the garden path instead of the tunnels. Jean had swept and tidied around the house; it had already lost that woebegone deserted look.

When he stepped inside, Scott was startled. The house was actually furnished. Jean stood in the doorway to the kitchen and smiled.

"Most of the stuff was already here," she told him. "I just took off the dust covers and cleaned and vacuumed. The kids brought up our bed and other furniture from our old room. I could have done it without their assistance, but they seemed to want to help."

"So you want to stay?" Scott asked slowly.

"I think so," Jean replied. "But I don't want to go back to living in the mansion. There's too much mental noise there; here, it's bearable. Not as calm as Alaska, but liveable." She became suddenly somber. "That is, if we're able to stop Charles."

"Do you know what he's going to do yet?"

"No," she said. "But it's started. I can feel it. We're not going to have to wait long."

As it turned out, they only had to wait until the next morning.

X X X

The wave of pro-mutant legislation rolled across the world like a tsunami. It began in Britain, where it was passed in record time and with little opposition. Then came Canada and Australia, followed by South Africa. It was debated in the European Union and passage looked certain in all of Scandinavia.

All the legislation had the same themes: mutants were guaranteed all civil liberties and equal rights and protection, anti-mutant activity was classified as a hate crime, and being a mutant from a country that did not have a mutant rights charter was automatic grounds for political asylum.

It was enough to take every mutant's breath away. The staff of the Xavier School discussed the implications in the lounge.

"So why is this a bad thing?" Logan asked.

"Because Charles is doing it," Eric replied bitterly. "And as usual, he's being very heavy handed about it. Eventually, people will realize they're being manipulated. And then they'll come for us -- just as they always have."

It was a bleak view and Scott agreed with it. "What's he actually doing?" he asked Jean.

"Mental manipulation on a massive scale," she replied. "He's making everyone think it's their idea. Now, ordinarily, if they were predisposed to think that way, it would be easier. But Charles isn't bothering to sort out different levels. He's using mass telepathic control to get what he wants. The stress is enormous and not only on Charles. The more opposed the person really is to the ideas being projected, the worse the physical and mental strain on the person. The results of what he's doing could be catastrophic."

"So how do we stop him?" Logan asked.

"Good question," Jean replied. "I could try to block his thoughts, but he's very strong and very powerful. Also, Eric's right. We can't afford to tip anyone off as to what's really happening or there could be a backlash like we've never seen before."

"Do what you can to minimize the impact," Scott said. "Could we get a message to Moira on Muir Island without his knowing? I doubt she approves of what he's doing."

"He's got her completely under his thumb," Eric stated. "We may need a straightforward physical assault on Muir Island to get control of Charles. I think you're right; she'll help us if she can, but she may not be able to do much."

Storm nodded. "See what you can do," she said to Jean. "The rest of us had better be ready."

The others filed out before Eric and Mystique. "Did you notice Summers took control of the meeting without thinking about it?" she asked.

"Minor point," he replied. "Storm won't fight his authority until this is over. Afterwards – I have my money on young Mr. Summers. He's a formidable opponent in any circumstance."

Mystique smiled as she left the room. That might be fun to watch.

X X X

Jean went back downstairs to Cerebro while Scott and Logan waited in the hallway. Logan was distinctly uncomfortable. Scott knew it, but wasn't about to help him out.

Some things never changed.

"I'm glad you're still alive," Logan began.

"Thanks," Scott replied. "I'm glad I'm alive too."

Silence reigned.

"Do you think she'll be able to stop him?"

"She's powerful enough," Scott said. "She's always had the power. She was just untrained for way too long. Maybe Charles saw this coming all those years ago and wanted her – stunted. But maybe I'm just being overly suspicious. He probably just meant well."

Logan realized now just how long Scott and Jean had known each other. And suddenly, he realized something else. "You knew about The Phoenix. You've known all along."

"I suspected it," Scott admitted. "I'd spent some time in psych wards before I came here. I had seen different things. In those days, Jean and I were often the only ones here. We had a chance to talk. A lot. I figured it out and our psychic link just confirmed it. I'm not stupid, Logan; I always understood the risks of being with her. But they were worth taking."

Logan didn't disagree with that. Which brought up another memory – one of which Logan was distinctly ashamed. He decided to clear the air.

"There's something you ought to know," he began.

Scott regarded him, expectantly. He knew what was coming.

"When we thought ... well, you had ... disappeared and we thought ... so Jean and I ..."

"I know," Scott said. "Forget about it."

"How could you know?" Logan responded, irritated.

"Jean told me," he responded. "And I understand you feel a little – uncomfortable -- about what happened on the lab table. What do you want me to say? Do I like it – no, but it did happen over a year ago, so it's water under the bridge at this point. If your problem is you were ready to screw her, even though you thought she'd killed me – well, I completely understand that too. I don't approve, but I understand."

The sound Logan made was halfway between a gurgle and a choke. Just then, Jean reappeared. She looked completely exhausted.

"It's no good," she said. "Charles control is too tightly wound. If I tried to interfere with the connection, I could do more mental damage than leaving it alone. He knows it too. We don't have any choice. Our only way to stop him will be a pitched battle." She wobbled a little on her feet and Scott was instantly at her side.

"Let's go back to the boat house," he said as he slowly guided her out of the hall.

Logan watched them for a minute and then turned – to find Eric watching him.

"Do you understand yet?" Eric asked.

Logan said nothing.

"Well then, let me be plain so you finally do," Eric said brutally. "She came back for him – not for you. She resurrected him and stayed with him. What more do you need? Don't make the same mistake Charles did. She knows what she wants. She always has."

With that, he left leaving Logan alone – and wondering.

X X X

Logan wasn't the only one considering the conversation. Scott regarded Jean as they rode in the elevator to the upper floors.

"Logan was talking to me about what happened between you two last year – or trying to. I think he was uncomfortable; I'm glad if he was."

Jean snorted a laugh, but said nothing.

"But then I started thinking – and remembering. I knew what had happened between you; I told him you had told me. But that's not it. It was a memory – like I was there. When you made me disappear at Alkali Lake, where was I?" Scott asked. "Really?"

Jean sighed. "I honestly don't know for sure," she admitted. "You're right -- in some way, you were really there. The only thing I can think of is when I first came out of Alkali Lake and saw you there, I was so happy. You were there and I wanted you. I wanted you with me forever."

"So you made me a part of you?" he said slowly, grappling with the idea.

She nodded. "I think so. It's the only thing that makes sense. It also explains how I was able to bring you back. Besides," she stopped.

"Besides what?"

"Sometimes, I knew you were there. You talked to me every so often," Jean declared. "I thought it was my conscience – but it was you. I'm sure of it." She smiled. "You're a bit of a nag when you're in a non-corporeal state."

"Good," Scott replied. He was going to say more when Jean suddenly punched the button to the main floor.

"Rogue's back," Jean told him by way of explanation. They made their way to the front hall where a small familiar figure waited.

X X X

Rogue stood in the hall as if rooted to the spot. Scott reached her first; he saw the distraught expression on her face.

"Rogue, what is it?" he asked.

Tearfully, she kicked off the ground and levitated for a few minutes. She didn't need to say anything. Scott opened his arms and she ran into them, sobbing as if her heart was breaking. He looked over at Jean, who was surprisingly beaming.

"I think I know how to stop Charles," she said.

X X X