A/N: Hello all! As promised, here is the final chapter of Torrent! I'm so excited that this is complete and also a little sad. So, I just want to say thanks to every single person who ever took the time to read this little (lol) story!
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-men.
Chapter 57: The End:
One year later…
"Oh, Rogue, I'm so happy for you," Lyss exclaimed.
Rogue held out her left hand and stared down at the ring on her all-important third finger. She really wanted to jump up and down every time she looked at it. She was blissfully happy.
"Yeah… I'm so happy, too. I just couldn't believe it."
Lyss gave her friend's arm a squeeze as they walked up and down the paths of the institute's grounds.
"Have you thought about a date yet?" Lyss wondered.
She shook her head. "Scott said we can talk about it when he returns from Muir Island."
The Professor was still there with a rehabilitated Jean. He'd stayed there longer than anyone had thought he would, long after they'd successfully tamed the Phoenix.
Muir Island had become a rehabilitation site of sorts for troubled mutants. Neither he nor Jean had returned home in the year since they'd gone. Rogue and Scott had been very surprised by the Professor's request for Scott to visit. It seemed it was time to explain to Jean what had happened between them.
"Just make sure it's well after I've had this little girl," Lyss let her know. She rubbed her swollen tummy. "I don't want to look like a blimp in my bridesmaid dress, you know."
Rogue smiled at her best friend. "You look beautiful… besides, you're the one that can see the future… you tell me when we should set it," Rogue joked.
Lyss gave her a happy smile. "Rogue soon-to-be Summers, you know I haven't had a premonition in ages."
It was the truth. Almost one year had passed without a premonition. She and Hank had often spoken about her lack of foretelling, they deduced it could be for one of two reasons. Either, what she and her cousin had done to block the telepathy had affected it or it had something to do with her pregnancy. Either one, Lyss knew that Logan was sure happy they were gone. And Lyss could admit that she was happy without the random blackouts.
"So," Rogue began. "How'd you convince Logan to let you out of the house?"
Lyss laughed. "I didn't," she replied. "He was taking a nap so I snuck out."
Rogue laughed. "Nap and Logan don't seem like they go together."
"He's been working non-stop on the nursery. I try to tell him that I'm only five months along and that there's time, but he won't hear it," Lyss explained.
"He's sweet…" Rogue said happily.
"Yeah, he is…" Lyss agreed, trailing off. She added whimsically, "Did you ever think one year ago that this is where your life would be now?"
Rogue shook her head. "Nope."
One year ago she had thought that she'd end up alone. Now she was engaged to the man of her dreams.
"Me either," Lyss mused. "I came here to get some independence. Now it seems I've just added to my already overprotective family."
Lyss smiled. She really didn't mind, along with gaining a lover and partner in Logan and a child, she'd reacquainted herself with her father and gotten to know his new family. Lyss could honestly say she was truly happy.
"Life is good," Rogue agreed.
Scott got out of the blackbird, stepping down the stairs and into the well lit hangar of the Muir Island compound. There to greet him was none other than the Professor. It had been too long since he'd last seen the man he considered a father. So, when he was before him, it was no shock to either of them when they embraced.
"It's so good to see you, Scott," the Professor exclaimed.
"Same, Professor," Scott agreed, wholeheartedly. "We've all missed you."
The Professor beamed at him. "And I've missed you all as well… I believe congratulations are in order…"
"Yeah, thanks," Scott said, blushing. "I finally got around to asking her."
"Yes, and it's about time," the Professor gently admonished. "And how are everyone else, Lyss and Logan?"
"They're fine. Lyss is doing well and Logan's more protective than ever before," Scott answered, amused. "Storm and Kurt are back from their honeymoon. Everyone's doing well."
"Good, good," the Professor replied contently.
They both went quiet as they realized they were finished with the pleasantries.
"So…" Scott prompted.
"Yes," the Professor caught on. "Why did I call you here? Well, I was hoping you'd have a meeting with Jean."
Scott frowned. "She's all right, isn't she?"
"Oh yes, she is Jean, through and through," he assured.
"Ok…" Scott said tentatively.
"Scott, she'd just like to speak with you, face to face."
His eyes widened.
"It can't come as a shock to you that she specifically made the request. After all you shared I think you owe it to her to speak with her."
Scott let out a sigh. "You're right, Professor."
"Come, we'll let you settle in before dinner and then later you two can chat."
Jean knew she had done terrible things, unforgivable things. It had taken quite awhile to just convince the residents of Muir Island that she wasn't that person anymore. That she wasn't the Phoenix anymore. She could only imagine what her old friends thought of her. After all, the Phoenix had tried to kill them all. Eventually, she was going to go back. She'd have to face them all. But first, she needed to see what Scott thought of her, because if he couldn't forgive her, then what hope did she have of gaining everyone else's forgiveness. That's why she had asked the Professor to ask Scott to come here.
Now, she sat waiting patiently in the library of the Muir compound, for Scott to arrive. She was scared. She knew from what the Professor had told her that he'd moved on. With Rogue. The idea of that seemed strange to her, it was hard to reconcile her memories of child-Rogue, with grown-up-Rogue. But apparently she had grown up, according to the Professor.
There was a noise at the door to the library and it had Jean standing in anticipation. When Scott came into sight her breath hitched; he looked just as she remembered him.
When he spotted her, she didn't miss the flash of pain on his face. Her heart broke. She'd caused that pain. It was gone just as quickly to be replaced with a hesitant small smile.
"J…Jean?" he said unsurely.
"Hi Scott," she replied simply.
They stared at each other for a good minute until it seemed Scott came to his senses, shaking his head, he said, "Should we sit?"
She led him to a back window seat, sitting down. Jean turned to glance outside at the falling leaves, she loved this spot. It was her favourite place to be.
She waited for Scott to take a seat. Finally, he did. She turned to smile at him, hoping it would make him let go of his reservations about her. He tried to smile back but it faltered. She guessed she couldn't blame him.
"How are you?" he asked, almost hesitantly.
"Don't worry, the Phoenix is gone," she tried to assure him.
When people knew that the Phoenix was her, that she'd been responsible for the attacks on various cities, Calgary, Hartford, New York, etc. they started to shy away from her, started to treat her differently. It wasn't pleasant, ever, but she never blamed anyone for it. But she'd hoped Scott could see past that.
"No… no… I know," he stuttered. "The Professor told me, told us."
She nodded. They went silent until he surprised her with a loud groan.
"Am I right to say this shouldn't be this hard?" Scott questioned, startling her.
"We used to talk a lot," she agreed. "I used to know what you were feeling without saying a word."
"And now?" he asked, softly.
She took a moment to study him carefully, to try to get some sort of read on him. She sat back. She got nothing. She could honestly say she had no idea what he was thinking and it terrified her.
Jean shook her head.
More quietness ensued.
"How is everyone?" she blurted out. "How's my cousin?"
"Lyss, she's doing great. She's eager to meet you in person," Scott told her, voice full of sincerity. "Logan just doesn't let her out of his sight."
Jean smiled. She remembered her cousin from their brief encounter in her mind. She seemed, kind, gentle, but also strong.
"I would like to meet her very much," Jean replied. "Logan being the overprotective daddy?"
"You know?" Scott said, surprised.
She laughed. "Of course, I know, Scott. The Professor tells me everything."
Scott's face blanched. "Everything?"
She gave him a kind smile. "That's why I asked you here. I know."
"You know?"
"Yes, about you and Rogue, your engagement," she explained. "Congratulations."
He frowned. "Is that why you wanted me to come here, to offer your congratulations?"
She sighed. This wasn't really going the way she'd planned. "No," she said, drawing the word out. "I just wanted to see you and make sure you're all right. I can't go back there."
Scott's face took a stricken look. "It's your home. Jean, you're welcome back at any time."
"Maybe… one day…" she trailed off.
She knew she couldn't go back for awhile. Even after a year had past everything was still fresh. She knew more than one resident at the institute was still angry with her, Logan being one.
"For now, this is my home," she finished.
"Jean," Scott began tentatively. "I know Rogue and I—"
"Scott," she cut him off. "You don't have to say anything. You don't have to explain your relationship with Rogue. I'm happy for you."
"You are?" he said, shocked.
She laughed again. "Yes, I am. She makes you happy, therefore I'm happy."
"Oh." She watched him exhale a deep breath, probably the first real breath he took since walking into the library.
"There is only one thing I need from you," she continued. "One thing I hope you can give me."
"What's that?" he asked, comfortable.
She held her breath as she asked. "Your forgiveness?"
"Oh," he said, going silent.
"I understand completely if that's not possible right now or even ever," she quickly backtracked. "I'm hoping one day you will be able to forgive me."
Jean sat there waiting for his answer, waiting for his reaction. She longed for the times when their bond would tell her all she needed to know. She knew that would never come back. Now she would just be happy for the bond of friendship.
When Scott's mouth opened, Jean's eyes went wide, sure of the rejection that would follow. His actual words shocked her.
"Jean, I forgive you," he said simply.
"Y... you d…do?" she stuttered.
"Jean, it wasn't really you who did all those things. I was mad for awhile. But what kind of person would I be to hold a grudge against a person who was sick at the time."
She exhaled her breath, relief swimming through her body. "Thank… you, Scott," she said surprised by how hoarse her voice actually sounded. "Thank you, it's a relief—"
She choked on her words, tears taking over. This was a moment she'd been waiting for; a moment that she believed never would come.
"Hey," Scott said softly. "Don't cry, everything's going to be ok…"
She was thoroughly embarrassed when a second later Scott pulled her into a hug. She let herself be comforted, letting herself enjoy the embrace. A minute later she pulled away. Comforting her was not his job any longer.
She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "Thank you Scott… for everything. I'll be all right."
And now with his forgiveness, she could believe that.
Well, that's it. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the whole story. I had a lot of fun writing this since Jan 2005. Thanks to everyone who's been sticking with this story, I know I kept you all waiting.
Thanks to Recovering4life and xmen4life for reviewing the last chapter.
What's next? At the moment, I've got one idea for a new Scott/Rogue X-men movie story that takes place after X-men 3. But right now I don't have plans to post it until a couple others of my stories are taken care of first. So see you then.
So, let me know what you think of this one. Thanks!