"A Girl's Best Friend"

"The French are glad to die for love," twelve-year-old Jemma Simmons sang to the mirror, her hairbrush a microphone. "They delight in fighting duels." She struck a pose, her Marilyn Monroe wig teetering precariously on her high ponytail. "But I prefer a man who lives, and gives expensive jewels."

"Jemma, back to your homework!" her mother called. Jemma sighed, and returned to her desk. She loved science, truly she did, but it was nice to take a break every so often. Her particular area of study for her master's thesis was the effect of different body chemistries on the appearance of soulmarks. Most people's words ranged through the various shades of grey, depending on skin tone. The colour would intensify based on the strength of the bond.

But Jemma was one of those few – and yes, there were some – whose mark had a habit of changing appearance. With irregularity, it would alter from ordinary dark grey to a glittery dark grey, almost like gems. That was why her parents named her Jemma; it had been doing that since she was born, leading to her intense interest in soulmate lore. Combining that with science was like combining… cheese with cake. One savoury, one sweet; but together? Absolutely marvellous.

She pondered over a strange letter she had received from a man named Charles Xavier, apparently a professor in America. It was about one of her planned thesis points, that it was the body chemistry of the soulmate which caused the effect. One of the weaker points, and she had debated over whether or not to include it at all, if it served no real purpose other than to question the rest of her work. Somehow, Professor Xavier had heard about it, and was asking to arrange a telephone conference with her.

Well, it was nearly the time when it would be best to call him, according to the hours he had listed in the letter, along with a phone number. It was long distance, which made her hesitate. Still, she couldn't deny her curiosity.

"A kiss on the hand may be quite continental," she sang softly, dialling the number. "But diamonds are a—"

"Miss Simmons?"

"Oh my gosh!" She jumped in her seat. "How did you do that?"

There was a British-sounding chuckle on the other end, and she stared at the letter. Come to think of it, he wrote in a very English style.

"It's a talent of mine," he said. "And I have been expecting your call."

"How terribly clever."

"Not as clever as you are, my dear, or so I've heard. Could you tell me your phone number?" She recited it. "Very good. I will call you back."

"Oh! Are you…?"

"Positive."

"Very… very well…"

There was a click. Jemma blinked, and place the receiver back on the cradle. Seconds later, the phone rang, and she answered it.

"Professor Xavier?"

"Very good, Miss Simmons."

She laughed nervously. "It would have been embarrassing if it wasn't you." He laughed again. "Sir… are you British?"

"Born American, but my parents were British and I studied at Oxford, so I never lost the accent."

"Oh, really? I would love to study at Oxford!" Then she paused. "I'm so sorry, I'm just nervous, I don't use the telephone all that much."

"It's fine. I rarely use the phone, either. May I continue?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"I was born and raised in Westchester County, New York, went to England to study, and then returned to America to establish a school for people with particular… talents. You may be interested in them."

"Really? Do they have changing soulmarks?"

"Some of them, yes. And some have soulmates with changing marks."

"Oh my. Is there a great concentration of them in the United States?"

"Greater now that they attend my school, although they come from many places. Those who have soulmates with altering marks all have a gene in common."

"Do you… do you suppose my soulmate has that gene, as well?"

"There is little doubt in my mind."

"Gosh." Jemma looked at her notes. This could change the face of her thesis. A great deal of work, but she was no stranger to that. She thrived on it.

"I would be willing to fund your journey here, if you wished to visit the school?"

"Oh… um…"

"And your parents, of course," the professor added.

"I don't think they could take the time off work."

"I will have a trusted friend meet you, and one of your parents – your mother, perhaps? – could at least bring you here and see the place for herself."

"I…"

"You would have to ask them first, I know. But you have my phone number."

Jemma glanced out the window at the dark sky. "What sort of school is it?"

"It's for very special people. Do you have an email account?"

"Yes."

"I could send you some of my work," he said. "I have every confidence that you would understand the science behind it."

"So you studied science, then?" she asked.

"Yes. Would you like my notes?"

"Yes, please." She gave him her email address, heard him murmuring it as he scribbled it down. She shifted in her seat as she felt her soulmark morphing again.

"I will send it to you as soon as we finish talking," he said.

"Professor Xavier?"

"Yes, Miss Simmons?"

"Does your soulmark change as well?"

"It does."

"Have you met your soulmate?"

"…Yes. I met him a very long time ago, long before you were born. It is not always the case that you will agree on everything; soulmates were created to complement each other. But sometimes Fate seems to overestimate the influence we may have on our soulmate, and underestimate the power of stubbornness."

"You sound sad. Don't you love your soulmate?"

"We are not discussing me, Miss Simmons. We are discussing your thesis."

"Right," she said, nodding shortly. "I would love to visit you, but I must ask my parents first."

"I will be available for another two hours."

"Oh! Then I'll go right away."

"You do that, Miss Simmons."

After a quick conversation, her parents said yes. Her passport was in order, so her mother agreed to accompany her. Jemma told Professor Xavier, and he arrange flight times with them. As promised, he also funded it, even though Jemma's parents protested. But he insisted.

A week later, they were on their way to New York.

Mrs. Simmons at least tried not to stare as they walked through the grounds to the front door. The girl Jemma, however, was open-mouthed and wide-eyed as she looked at everything, barely watching where she was going. Ororo's lips turned up at the corners as Miss Simmons jumped back from an ice sculpture forming right beside her. She gasped, but instead of running away from it like most people would, she ran right up to it and ran a finger along one spike.

"How extraordinary!" she exclaimed. She turned to Bobby and stared at his hands. "You did that. How?"

"It's a gift," he said, and he added embellishments. He formed a diamond-shaped ice cube and placed it in her hands. She turned it over and over, and Ororo noticed the indulgent smile on Mrs. Simmons's face.

"Scientific curiosity," Mrs. Simmons said.

"Professor X told us that she's a genius?"

"She is. Goodness knows where she gets it from. What is your power?"

"I'll give you a hint: my nickname is Storm."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was magic," Jemma said. She handed the crystal back to Bobby. "It's beautiful, but it will melt if I keep it."

"You sure?"

"Yes. But thank you for the offer."

She returned to her mother's side. Ororo led them into the school, and to Xavier's office.

"A school for 'gifted youngsters'?" Mrs. Simmons asked, raising an eyebrow. "What a fitting title."

"I think it's wonderful," Jemma said, still wide-eyed. "Can I… may I meet the professor now? Please?"

Ororo smiled, and knocked on the door.

"Come in, Ororo!"

"There you are," their guide said, opening the door. Jemma shook her hand.

"Thank you for the tour, Miss Munroe," she said. "It was wonderful meeting you."

"Ororo can stay," the man behind the desk said. He gestured them forward. "Welcome to my academy, Miss Simmons."

Jemma's breath caught when she finally saw the professor she had wanted so very much to meet. The door closed with a click, but she barely noticed it. She drifted forward and held out her hand. Professor Xavier shook it, but he didn't stand up.

"You'll forgive me, I'm sure," he said. "Spinal injury." He tapped the side of his seat, which she noticed was a wheelchair.

"Of course," she said, stunned.

"Please, take a seat, Miss Simmons. Mrs. Simmons."

"Thank you," Jemma's mother said. They both sat down. "My daughter has spoken of little else since you extended your kind invitation. She has never been outside of Europe before."

"I can conduct most of my research from home," Jemma said.

"We will do everything we can to accommodate you while you're here, Miss Simmons," Professor Xavier said.

"How long do you wish me to stay?" she asked.

"As long as you like. I am sure you will find inspiration for your thesis."

"A great deal of inspiration."

"No examining blood samples while you're here," her mother said. Jemma sighed.

"I will be very respectful," she said. The professor chuckled warmly, just as he had over the phone.

"I must introduce you to Dr. Jean Grey," he said.

Jemma studied him for a few seconds, and then tentatively asked, "What is your… mutation, Professor Xavier? It wouldn't happen to be reading minds, would it? You always know that it's me when I call, and you knew it was Miss Munroe at the door."

"I thought you might work that one out," he said, smiling as he leaned forward. "I anticipate some enthralling discussions between us. Either Ororo or Jean will be present at those times."

"Thank you," Jemma's mother said. "My husband and I were going to ask about…"

"I am not a father, but I understand enough," he said. "Your daughter is safe here, and she won't be alone. She will be sharing a room with Katherine Pryde, one of our students. If anything happens, she can get Jemma to safety." He placed two fingers against the side of his head. "Kitty, you can come in now."

Jemma stared as a young woman walked through the wall. She heard her mother gasp.

"Hey, roomie!" Kitty said. "Jemma, right?" Jemma nodded. "Wanna see our room?"

"Oh… yes, please. Unless Professor Xavier…?"

He smiled, and waved them off. "I will speak to you later, Miss Simmons."

Fifteen years later

"The hell?" Skye whirled around as ice crept up the wall behind her. "Guys, are you seeing this?"

"Concentrate on the battle, Quake," Coulson said.

"No, seriously, there is ice on the wall. Is Loki here?"

"He better not be."

"Wait a minute!" Simmons said. Skye ducked behind a car and looked around. There was a guy nearby, ice over his hands. He was clearly responsible. Yeah, he'd caught some of the moving fires, but how did she know he wasn't strengthening them or something?

"Guys, I've got point on the guy doing it," she said. "Seems pointless to use an ICER on him."

"Don't!" Simmons shouted, rounding the corner. Skye winced at the volume. She tensed when she saw Simmons approaching the stranger.

"What the hell are you doing? Are you insane?"

"Bobby!"

He turned, the ice falling from his hands. Through the scope, Skye could see their smiles as Simmons launched herself into his arms. He swung her around, laughing. Skye blinked.

"Ex-boyfriend?" she asked.

"No," Simmons said. "I'll introduce you after the battle."

"Jemma, please tell me you didn't run out here unarmed?" he said.

"Uh…"

"Go back to whatever you were doing. We'll talk later, yeah?"

She nodded, and ran off, continuing to talk over the comms.

"I can vouch for Iceman," she said. "I can also vouch for Shadowcat, she walks through walls, Cyclops, the one with the sunglasses, Storm, who creates—"

"We get it," Skye said.

"Simmons, you're explaining this when it's over," Coulson said.

"Yes, sir," she replied.

Jemma was beaming as she stayed in control centre – aka Skye's van – and monitored the situation while the DWARFs did reconnaissance. She found the source of the fireballs, one of Charles's past students, John Allerdyce. She frowned, and relayed the co-ordinates to the rest of the team while Fitz fiddled with the ICER.

"Do you think this'll stop him?" he asked.

"It stopped Mike Peterson," she said.

"And it stabilised his powers."

"Pyro's powers are already stable. It's his mind which is questionable. If anyone gets close to him, make sure there are no flames nearby. He has a pocket lighter. He can create infernos from a spark, so ICERs only. Oh, where's Professor X when you need him?"

"Professor Who?" Fitz said.

"I'll explain later," she said.

"Yeah, I heard you say that to Coulson."

"Mmm." Her soulmark was tingling more than usual. She'd grown so used to its changes that she barely noticed them anymore, but it was stronger today. She scratched her back absently.

There was a cry nearby, and Jemma leapt out of the van. If it wasn't one of her team, it might have been one of her friends. Panicked, she ran towards it, just in case, and noticed a woman clinging to the side of the fire escape. Something shook it, and she fell the rest of the way. Jemma ran to her side. Just because she didn't recognise the woman didn't mean that she wasn't an ally.

"Oh my gosh, are you hurt? Let me check," she said, pushing the woman's hair out of the way and probing the less personal parts of her body. The woman made a shocked noise, and Jemma stopped. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, sweetheart, I'm just surprised it's you."

Those… those were her soulmate words. This woman was a mutant.

Of course, Jemma had long suspected it. Her research had been fairly conclusive. She met the woman's eyes, and was taken aback by their blueness, her lovely face framed by long, wavy blonde hair. Jemma's heart thudded faster, and she sat back on her heels.

"Well, aren't I lucky?" she remarked.

"That I'm your soulmate?" She nodded, and the woman laughed huskily. "You shouldn't be."

"I know that you're a mutant—"

"I know who you are, Jemma Simmons." She stood, and Jemma followed, still slightly spellbound and possibly drooling. She'd never denied her bisexuality, and her soulmate was absolutely stunning.

"I haven't had the pleasure," she said, holding out her hand. The woman took it, her grip strong. "What's your power? My soulmark glitters like a jewel when…"

Swiftly, the woman turned to crystal. Her shake was now solid, and Jemma knew it would be impossible to break her hold if the woman really held her down. The thought was shiver-inducing, in a good way. The woman smirked.

"I can also read minds," she said. Jemma tried desperately to shake out the lascivious thoughts which had naturally formed, but her attempts just made it worse. "I've stopped now."

"Oh, thanks goodness," Jemma muttered, her cheeks aflame. "If you don't think I'm a dreadful pervert, could you tell me your name?"

"You are a 'dreadful pervert', but I'm not saying that's a bad thing." She traced a rock-hard finger down Jemma's cheek. "My name is Emma Frost. Have you heard of me?"

"I don't have as much contact with the others as I used to," she said. "Perhaps your codename?"

"Jemma, May's taken out the perpetrators," Fitz said. Jemma rolled her eyes.

"Not the time, Fitz!" she hissed.

"I don't have a codename," Emma said.

"It sounds like the battle's over. Will you come and meet my team?"

"I have to meet with mine. I'll find you, Jemma. You can be sure of that."

"Could I kiss you?" she blurted out. "While you're… I mean, both? Because—"

"You're curious. I understand."

It was bizarre, being kissed by someone made of crystal, or some kind of rock. She was gorgeous in either form, and Jemma tried to convey her appreciation, running her fingers through strange strands of crystal hair—

'Diamond,' Emma projected into her brain. 'I'm made of diamond, baby.'

'It's a girl's best friend,' Jemma thought, dazed. She felt Emma's amusement, and wondered how much more intense it would be when they bonded.

Slowly, the diamond (diamond!) melted away, and she was kissing a flesh-and-blood being. It was equally thrilling, and she hoped that no one was watching because she was becoming a little wanton. Eventually, Emma pushed her back.

"I have to go, sweetheart," she said. "But I won't lose you. We'll meet again someday."

"I hope so," Jemma said. Emma ran off, and she retreated to the van.

Then she remembered that she had old friends to meet, and ran back to where she had last seen Bobby. The others were gathered there, including the professor.

"Hello!" she called, and she sprinted over to them. Kitty caught her first, and they squealed as they hugged. Jemma saved Charles for last, and kissed him on the cheek.

"You haven't aged at all, Charles," she scolded. "None of you have, I swear."

"You were only twelve when we met," he said. "Of course you were going to grow, doctor."

"I have you to thank for that," she said quietly. Kitty leaned into her side pointedly, and Jemma slung an arm around her waist. "And we were right about my soulmate. I just met her, back there. I was expecting her to be with you."

"There is another group of mutants here," Charles said.

"The she must be with them."

"That would be… Magneto's group," Bobby said. Jemma stared at him.

"Magneto?" she said. "But he's… oh my God."

"Poor Jemma," Kitty said. "Who'd Fate saddle you with?"

"Emma Frost."

"I've known her a long time," Charles said.

"How long?"

"Over fifty years."

"Oh. Uh… she doesn't look it?"

"Simmons." She peeked over her shoulder at her team. Coulson raised his eyebrows. "Are you going to introduce us?"

"So lemme get this straight," Hunter said. "You were studying your masters when you were twelve?"

"Yes," Jemma said.

"Then you stayed at this school for awhile—"

"Seven months. It was the first time I'd had friends."

"We were besties," Kitty said.

"You and Charles are the only ones who've kept in touch with me. It's very remiss of the rest of you." The other mutants at least had the grace to look ashamed.

"And you chose not to mention this… why?" Hunter asked. Jemma shrugged.

"They've been busy," she said. "This isn't their fight. And… it's nice to have that bit of my life to myself."

"And your soulmate is a mutant on the side of the bad guys?"

"Not my fault, Hunter."

"Other than that, her experiences with mutants have been awesome," Kitty said. "Hey, Jemma, remember when we used to sneak down to the kitchen for midnight snacks?" Jemma coughed pointedly, and Kitty's eyes widened. "I mean, when we used to talk about doing it, even though we never actually did it. Because that would be bad."

"I'm not so concerned about your teeth as I am that your mother might have found out," Charles said.

"You never did tell me what she threatened you with while Kitty was showing me around upstairs," Jemma said, attempting to hide a smile behind her teacup. Not that she could hide anything from her former mentor.

"It gave me nightmares."

"Oh dear."

"She was being protective of you, that's all."

"You're free to continue to keep in touch with Simmons," Coulson said.

"Ha!" Rogue said. "Try stopping us. Ah promise, Jemma, we'll try ta do better."

"I should hope so," Jemma said. "Now, is someone going to tell me more about my soulmate, or should I wait for her to find me? I'd rather be armed with information first."

"I'd rather you be armed, period," Charles said. "She can turn her whole body into diamond. I suppose I should have known that one time you showed me your soulmark."

"It wasn't your responsibility, Charles. I can empathise with you, now, considering…"

'You always were a genius,' he thought to her.

'And you were always more transparent than you thought,' she replied, arching an eyebrow. He chuckled over the psychic link. 'Who broke away first?'

'Erik.'

'I'm sorry.'

'If you can find a solution to this, please let me know.'

'You'll be the first.'

"How's Logan?" she asked aloud.

"He's Logan," Scott said. He'd been scanning the room, only his right side facing them.

"In other words he's gone off again, but don't be surprised if he shows up to help you from time to time after Charles tells him that we saw you," Jean said.

"Please give him my phone number. Charles has it."

"Hey, can we get that?" Kitty said. "It sucks not being able to contact you properly anymore."

"Blame HYDRA. We blame them for everything."

It was lovely being able to keep up with her friends on a more regular basis. Jemma nearly always had her phone on now, and with her at all times. It was only when she was deeply involved in science that she preferred not to be disturbed unless it was a legitimate emergency. The first time Rogue made the mistake of asking for advice when it wasn't anywhere near a matter of life-or-death… well, no one ever made that mistake again.

And Wolverine did show up to help a few times, as well as the others if they were nearby. Other mutants on Charles's side were put in touch with Jemma, and she met them all eventually. They helped each other, and some of her team-mates were getting to know her x-gene friends.

But she didn't see Emma again until she was shopping one evening – an emergency grocery run – and a mugger tried to pick on Jemma. She took him down skilfully, of course, and couldn't wait to tell May later on. But then Emma melted out of the shadows. Not like Kitty, but she'd certainly been well-hidden, considering the white clothes she was wearing.

"Hello," Jemma said ineloquently.

"Hi, sweetheart," Emma said, and she drew Jemma into the darkness. "You've been more difficult to find than I thought you would. You don't get out much, do you?"

"Science is something which is generally conducted indoors. At least the kind of science I do. And I rarely go out in the field."

"I've noticed. I'm disappointed."

Jemma's heart sank. "In me?"

"Yes. I saw him following you, and I was going to punch his jaw out the other side of his head for even thinking about touching you, but you got there first."

"I haven't the strength to punch a man's jaw through his skull."

"No, but you put him down before I could play the knight in shining armour. Or dame in shining clothes, as the case may be."

Jemma laughed softly. "Indeed."

Then Emma kissed her, and Jemma's laughter died off. She parted her lips when prompted, and ended up with her back against the wall and one leg curled around Emma's. Diamond-hard arms held her in place.

"Where's your soulmark?" Emma whispered.

"My back. Yours?"

"My stomach. I'd love to spoon you from behind, sweetheart."

"Do you really think we could bond?"

Emma smirked, and rubbed their noses together. "Not everyone is as stupid as Magneto and Professor X."

"You see it, too?"

"They're not subtle, are they?"

"They really aren't." She stroked her hands through half-keratin, half-crystalline hair. It turned completely diamond, and Emma plucked one out and handed it to Jemma.

"You never know when you might need one, baby," she said. "Wanna come meet my team?"

"I… I really shouldn't. Skye is waiting for me. We just needed some supplies, and I'm supposed to—"

"Take them back to her. I'll keep her mind focussed on something else until you return to my side, and then I'll take you to meet my crowd."

"All of them?"

"Right up to Erik."

"Very well. But… please don't hurt Skye."

"It wouldn't be in my interests to hurt your friend, would it?"

Emma drove them out of town and to a forest. Then it was a short trek to a sophisticated-looking campsite, where some people were milling about. Pyro was there; he'd been paroled, and Jemma wasn't sure how to feel about being in his presence. Magneto was there in his cape and helmet, and Emma introduced them first.

"I found your work fascinating," he said, kissing Jemma's hand.

"Oh! Uh, thank you. I can assure you that I found the research mind-blowing. I'd never been so excited about science before, and I get terribly excited about science."

"Isn't she cute?" Emma said, stroking Jemma's hair. She blushed, ducking her head.

"Such a pity that Charles kept you to himself," Magneto said.

"I wasn't there all that long," Jemma said.

"What brought you back to America, my dear?"

How funny. That was what Charles sometimes called her. "My work. My studies. Thanks to Professor Xavier, I already had contacts here."

"We shall have to steal you away," he said. "I'm sure Emma would love to have you by her side."

"I'd love to have her anywhere," Emma said, eyeing Jemma, whose jaw dropped. "Look at her, blushing like a virgin."

"I'm not a—! Well, I mean…"

"Would you like to meet the other members of the Brotherhood of Mutants?" he asked.

"Yes, please," Jemma said, desperate to move on, and also interested in meeting more people with the x-gene. She nearly yelped when Fitz walked up to her. "What—?"

"Raven," Magneto said warningly.

'Fitz' melted away into a blue-skinned, red-haired (and naked) woman. She held out a hand, and Jemma shook it tentatively.

"I'm Mystique."

"Lovely to meet you."

"Is it?"

"You gave me quite a shock."

She smiled saucily. "Sorry about that. I couldn't resist."

"So you're a shape-shifter?"

"Yes. This is my natural form."

"It's very pretty."

Mystique raised an eyebrow, but she didn't reply to that. Worried that she'd offended her, Jemma let herself be led to meet the next man. Of whom there were several clones. They each disappeared back into him.

"This is Multiple Man," Emma said.

"You can call me James," he said, shaking Jemma's hand.

"You… multiply yourself," she said.

"Yep, and before you ask, only my original body – this one – has a soulmark."

Things connected quickly in her mind, and then her hand connected with his face. The echo of the slap died out, and Jemma scowled at him fiercely.

"Your soulmate was institutionalised because of you!" she said. "The poor woman's soulmark kept appearing all over her body, then disappearing again, leaving only the one behind. Last I heard she was trying to get her life back on track, but she committed herself for a time because she thought she was going insane!"

"You know who my soulmate is?" he asked, blinking. He didn't seem bothered by the slap at all.

"I… apologise for hitting you, but I stand by it," she said, lifting her chin. "It took me hours to reassure her that it was just science, that I could see the marks appearing as well."

"Who is she? Where?"

"You… haven't met her yet?"

He shrugged. "Been kinda busy."

"Yes," Jemma said, her eyes narrowing as she looked around. "I've heard what you've been doing. The question is, if I contact her for you, what can you offer her? As a person? She's a good woman, from what I remember of her, and the last thing she needs is more soulmate-related stress in her life."

"But she's my soulmate," he said, staring at her earnestly. "Anything. If she… doesn't hate mutants?"

Jemma rolled her eyes. "She was relieved when I told her what the cause most likely was, not scared."

"And imagine what having so many men attending to her would be like," Emma whispered into her ear. "The more the merrier, am I right? Especially if she likes the thought of being held down… like you." Her hands on Jemma's waist turned to diamond, keeping her in place. Jemma's breath hitched.

"A-anyway, I'll try to find her contact details," she said, trying not to get distracted by the way Emma's thumbs were rubbing circles on the skin just beneath her shirt. "But I'm not putting you in touch with her until I have good reason to believe that you won't screw up her life."

"Fair," he said, nodding.

"What does your soulmark look like?" Mystique asked. Jemma hesitated, then faced away from them and raised the back of her shirt.

"It may be hard to see in this light, but it turns gem-like… I presume when Emma becomes diamond. It's been like that all my life, and I'd grown accustomed to it, but now… I suppose being in close proximity makes the tickle stronger."

"It's beautiful," Emma said, tracing a finger around it.

"You're beautiful," Jemma murmured, and then realised what she'd said. She felt Emma's amusement as she tugged her shirt back down into place.

"So if our soulmate's mark reflects what our power is," Pyro said, and Jemma turned to look at him, "and if you have a record…"

"Then I could tell you who they might be," she concluded. "Especially if you gave me samples of your handwriting. But I don't know how ethical that would be."

"What could be more ethical than bringing soulmates together?" Emma asked, and she wound her arms around Jemma's body from behind, holding her close and nuzzling behind her ear. Jemma's legs nearly went from under her. "We were supposed to meet, honey, so you could bring the others together."

"W-what's the point?" Jemma said, blinking rapidly. "Soulmates on opposing sides…"

"Then you pick a side."

"Me?"

"Any side?"

Flustered by the attention to her neck, and the smirks the rest of the mutants were giving her, Jemma clutched onto her soulmate's rock-hard arms.

"Why can't we all just get along?" she asked. "Complementary colours, l-like red and green, make each other stand out all the more. When used together, they can be most striking. They don't have to fight just because they're… they're different and if you don't stop nibbling my ear I'll have to drag you away somewhere before I go into a complete meltdown."

"Point taken, sweetheart." But she didn't let go of Jemma.

"Some soulmates can never agree on the fundamentals," Magneto said, no longer smiling. Jemma tilted her head.

"Challenging another person's arguments can be quite refreshing and productive," she said. "Do you have a point?"

"I…"

"He misses you," she said softly. "Please. Don't do this to Charles. Both sides are so strong; can't you see how much more powerful a united front would be?"

He remained silent, but Jemma was still somewhat distracted, so she couldn't say how much time passed as Emma continued to touch her. The other mutants were all either looking at Magneto hopefully, or giving Jemma and her soulmate obvious scowls of jealousy. She was going to stand by her principles, however, and not allow anyone else to meet their soulmates unless they showed definite signs of turning over new leaves.

"How cruel you are," Emma murmured.

"It would be crueller to give someone their soulmate while knowing that they're on opposite sides of the law."

"Still…"

"No 'still' about it, Emma."

"Admit it. You like that hint of danger." The arms around Jemma's middle became vice-like, and she nearly ran out of breath.

"Not everyone likes bad memories to be triggered," she said, images of being under the ocean coming to the forefront of her mind. Emma immediately loosened her grip.

"Sorry, Jemma."

"I don't have problems with restraint, but I hate my breathing to be constricted."

"I'll take care of you—"

"Give me some time to formulate plans," Magneto said, interrupting them. "Emma, perhaps you could show your soulmate your cabin?"

"Gladly," Emma said, and she led Jemma away from the group.

"Is it a nice cabin?" she asked.

"Sweetheart, the only thing we'll be concentrating on is the bed."

Jemma's cheeks turned red.

"Nice of you to join us."

Jemma nearly fell arse over tit when Coulson spoke from only ten yards away. She stumbled a few steps, staring at him.

"Uh…"

"It's morning."

She looked around, noted the blue sky, and the sun shining between the leaves. "So it is."

"Apparently you've been in there since last night?"

"…Bonding takes it out of you."

He rolled his eyes and began to walk away.

"Come on!" he called over his shoulder. "You'll be interested in what's been decided."

Emma walked up behind her and began to run her fingers through Jemma's hair, combing out some of the knots.

"They've reached an agreement," she said. "And it looks like Erik and the professor will be much happier."

"Good," Jemma said firmly. "Were you… reading my boss's mind?"

"Saves time."

"I suppose it does."

Okay, chaos asked for something involving Emma Frost. I then had to watch 'First Class' and check some things on the Marvel wiki. Settled on Jemma for the same reason as always: the thought amused me. I could imagine her thinking that Emma was hurt and showing her usual concern, not realising that she was soulmates with a villain.

I apologise for the mass of plot and comparatively small amount of soulmate goodness in this one. But I hope this was okay. Ooh! And zandperl asked for Cherik, so background Charles/Erik for zandperl.

Please review!