Rising to the Sunset, Part II

Disclaimer:  I don't own these characters.  Marvel does.

Chapter 7

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Kitty sat in a large chair in the Professor's office, drinking a glass of water.  Logan stood over her, patting her shoulder.

"Kiddo, don't worry so much.  Charles'll figure this out."

Professor Xavier had just finished explaining to them what he knew of the Phoenix Force.

"It's creepy," Kitty admitted.

"Yes, it is kid.  Chuck?  What do you think?"

"I would like to see Jean as soon as possible.  This Phoenix Force is pure energy.  It does not have a conscience of its own.  I fear that Jean is already under its control."

"She's been weird. Scott and I were both worried about her earlier, but she just dismissed it.  She's loving this new power."

"It isn't strikin' her as odd that all of a sudden she's much stronger?"

"No," Kitty shook her head.

Logan grumbled, and leaned against the chair.  "Should we get Scooter?"

The Professor nodded.  ~~Scott, I'd like you to come to my office immediately~~

From his position in the front of the classroom, Scott startled to hear the Professor's voice in his head.  He wasn't accustomed to the Professor interrupting classes, Jean did, but not the Professor.

~~What's wrong sir?~~

~~I am concerned about Jean~~

Scott swallowed hard.  "Class, we are going to end early today. There is something I need to take care of."  He quickly strode out of the room, leaving his class perplexed at the sudden departure. 

"What was that about?" Bobby asked. 

"Ah don't know. It was odd," Rogue answered,

Scott, however, did not go to the Professor's office. Instead, he took off in a full run for the med lab. 

**Honey, what's wrong?**

Scott continued his journey, as Jean questioned him.

**Nothing**

**Bullshit**

**How are you doing?**

**Scott!  You're running.  Something's the matter.**

**I just need to see you.  I'll be there in a second**

Scott took the stairs two at a time, and sprinted down the hallway.  He tripped, falling forward into the cement.

"Ow!"

Jean bolted out of the med lab, and ran over to him.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm…fine," Scott winced.

"It's okay," Jean ran her hands through his hair.  "It's okay."

She pulled him into her arms, and held him tightly.

"What hurts?"

"My wrist."

"Extend it."

Scott stuck his arm out.

"Wiggle."  Scott obeyed.  "Clench your hand…okay, push against my hand."

"Ow…" Scott whimpered.

"Okay," Jean soothed, kissing it.  "Pain on a scale of 1-10."

"Four or five."

Jean held it to her lips, laying her head on it.  Slowly, she traced her hand around his.  Scott nuzzled against her, momentarily forgetting why he'd originally come down to the basement in the first place. 

"You're lucky."

"Hmmm?"

"It's not broken."

Scott nodded.  "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"I just scanned it."

"Telekinetically?"

"Actually, I think it's a combination of both the telekinesis and telepathy."

Scott sighed, and pulled away from her. 

"Jean…"

"Don't start on that."

"Jean, I love you.  I am just concerned for you.  I don't want to see you overwhelmed,"  he looked at her, pained.  "Really, Jean.  I'm not trying to challenge you, or anything like that."  He came up onto his knees to face her directly.  "I love you.  More than anything. God, Jean I do.  And I will support you.  Always."  He reached his hand up into her hair, pulled her towards him.  "I just want to understand.  Cause I don't.  Not yet.  And I want to."  Scott pursed his lips together as he quivered with emotion. 

Jean knelt over his lap and pulled him against her.  Their foreheads met.  Their link surged. 

"I don't understand it yet.  But, I like it Scott.  I'm sick of being the weak one, the one who doesn't know how to use her powers right…"

"Shh…I know, I know you've been upset about this stuff before.  But Jean, you're a doctor.  You've got to understand that things… powers don't jump like that naturally."

"Scott, powers don't do anything naturally!"

Scott was at loss for what to say.  He looked her straight in the eyes, and not knowing what else to do, kissed her deeply.  Their bodies melded together, as the kiss increased in passion.  Arms wrapped around each other, they escalate wildly.  Indeed, they quite literally rose off the ground, each too caught up in the moment to notice.  This is how the Professor, Logan and Kitty found them, as they exited the elevator. 

"Holy shit!"

Jean and Scott broke the kiss, and Jean slowly lowered them to the ground.  Scott looked dazed, but held onto Jean.

"Jean, I believe we very much need to re-evaluate your powers," The Professor stated calmly. 

"Professor, I like the increase in my powers."

"I am aware.  However, this is quite unnatural.  I would merely like to see the potential.  I have yet to observe a limit."

"I can figure it out on my own!"

Jean broke apart from Scott.  He looked to her feebly.

**Jean, please!**

**I can handle it**

Her face was hard.  Scott could swear her eyes were glowing.  She looked so strong. 

"Jean," the Professor began.  "There is this entity called the Phoenix Force, a cosmic energy, that I believe has come to you.  I don't know how, nor why, but all signs indicate that this force is with you."

"The bird I see…" Jean projected the image into Scott's head. **It's so majestic**

**I've seen it in your dreams**

"That bird that you see is merely an outward manifestation.  It is an immensely powerful force."

Jean looked confounded, then her face hardened.  "I will figure this out myself."  She turned to walk away.

"Where are you going?"  Scott cried, chasing after her. 

"I just need to go outside for a while."

"Jean," the Professor called.

"Jeannie!" Logan yelled.

Kitty stared wide eyed at the spectacle.  Jean took off, literally, flying down the hallway.  Scott and Logan chased after her at full speed.

**Honey, don't do this**

**I will not be brought down**

**Jean?**

**I will keep my power**

"**Jean!**"

The chase went outside, and Jean soared upward, twirling over and around. 

"Is she glowing or is that me?" Logan asked.

Scott just stood there shaking.

**Jean! Please!  Please, come down.**

**I shall attain my majesty**

**Jean?  Honey, please.  I love you.  Don't do this.  Jean…**

**I will return**

Jean soared off into the sky.

"JEAN!!!"  Scott dropped to his knees, sobbing as she disappeared out of sight.

End Part II

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Give me feedback.  Yes, I know, awful cliffhanger.  And I couldn't avoid the classic Scott/Jean yell at the end there(one of their names in all caps followed by a number of exclamation marks).  One more part.