A/N: Yes, I know not HP. Yes, I am still working on them, I promise. This is on of those things as a writer that just won't go away unless it gets out there on paper/computer screen. Much like Heart started. I have been a fan of the X-Men and Wolverine since I was a kid, and that was quite a while ago. Hope my HP fans enjoy a little change of pace, and if there are any X-Men fans out there, let me know if you liked it. Never know, might be more of these later.

Prologue

"Welcome, Jean."

Jean Grey opened her eyes. She felt warmth. Her eyes saw a bright glow. She felt a uniform on her body that was form-fitting and snug. She was confused. The last thing Jean remembered was dying. She looked down at the long golden gloves, the hip-length golden boots, the gold sash around her waist. Jean's eyes widened as she looked at the Phoenix emblem that pinned the sash. She saw the white of her pants and sleeve, the black triangle with the same gold emblem on her chest.

"What? How?" she stammered as she looked up at the man that had spoken to her. He stood with a woman on his arm, both smiling at her.

"Welcome to the Phoenix Collective," the woman spoke. She wore a similar uniform but in purple. Her hair was a golden yellow flowing to her knees.

"I know it's confusing," the man smiled. Jean took in his orange uniform. In contrast, the man only had a fiery tuft of hair on his head above his brow. He tilted his head to the side. "Wait. Where is your mate?"

"My…mate?" Jean asked, more confused.

"Your primal side mate," the woman answered. "Sheev, I think something is wrong here."

"Yes, Veesh, I think you are correct," Sheev nodded. "Please, wait here, Jean."

Sheev stepped away from Veesh, fiery wing spread from his arms as he took flight. Jean looked around for the first time. She was standing on a white platform floating in what she could only describe as outer space. Stars hung in the black background. She could see gas clouds hanging in places. The view was breathtaking.

"As I thought, it is not your time to join us," Sheev announced as he landed. He held a large crystal out to Jean. "Take this. All of the answers you seek are contained in it."

"Thank you, Sheev," Jean answered as she took the crystal.

"We will leave you to your answers," Veesh nodded. "We will be waiting for you and your mate to join us one day."

Sheev and Veesh both took flight, joining a long column of others flying past the platform each in a different colored Phoenix uniform like hers. Jean looked back at the crystal. Instinctively, Jean thought of her past, knowing this would activate the crystal. She thought of Scott, but nothing happened. Then Logan crossed her mind. The crystal began to glow, much to her surprise. Images of what truly was flashed into her mind. Shocked, Jean swallowed hard.

Suddenly, a sense of death flashed through her. Death of the man meant for her. His true abilities still unknown to him. The feeling of being trapped, of surrender, of giving up because she wasn't there anymore. He felt he didn't have anything to live for.

"No! I will not allow it!" Jean cried.

Feeling her power rise within her, she transformed herself into a flaming Phoenix. Jean was returning home. She was returning to Earth to save the man she loved.