Disclaimer and notes on prologue
This chapter contains: Jean/Hank and Lorna/Xavier
After the Awakening
Chapter Four
Jean Grey
“Bobby says hello Hank,” She said as she walked into his lab. She wouldn’t normally disturb him in the middle of his research but after talking with Scott she needed the reassurance being around him gave her. “Scott also says hello.”
He turned from where he was working and regarded her with a patient expression. “And when can we expect Scott to drop in to see his brother.” She could tell Hank was actually eager to see Scott even though he knew that she wasn’t. “And will the former members of X-factor who are currently members of the XSE be joining us as well?”
“We haven’t heard anything about an visit official or otherwise from Storm’s team,” She said though she hoped it would be soon. She missed Storm and wished they could see each other more often. “Scott, will be dropping by after Midnight probably directly into Alex’s room to avoid spies noticing his presence on Genosha.” She looked around the lab. “Have you had a chance to speak with Alex yet?”
“I was planning to see if he minded me joining him for lunch later if Lorna was not already there.” Hank said with a shrug. “Considering all the developments in her life that Lorna has to share with Alex I believe they will require some privacy.” That was an understatement if there ever was one. She knew that once Alex learned Lorna not only had a child but who the father was he wouldn’t be happy. “So does he know about the two of us?”
“He knows Scott and I are over but I thought we should tell him about us together,” she said. “Seeing him again and hearing his thoughts about how Scott and I would never break up was unnerving and I didn’t want to seem defensive about us.” She didn’t like the memories it brought up about the end of things. “Have you given any more thought to what I asked?”
“I have Jean and I’m just not ready to get married yet,” Hank said and she resisted the temptation to peak into his head. “I do love you Jean and would be over joyed if you were my wife but I’m not ready yet.” She again wondered if his refusal was routed in how her and Scott’s relationship ended and everything that went on. She wondered some times if he feared she’d go back to Logan given the chance.
“Excuse me Ms. Grey?” Mary the physical therapist in charge of dealing with Alex’s rehabilitation asked from the door. “Mr. Summers is asking to see you now that his therapy is over with.” She nodded and glanced at Hank who waved for her to go on. She walked over and gave him a quick kiss before heading back to the room where Alex was.
“Oh good you got the message,” Alex said where he was sitting up in bed now. “Look Jean I need to know everything that has happened while I was in that other world and dark place.” She had been afraid of this that he’s want to know everythign all at once.
“I can have a computer brought to you with relevant history files loaded onto it,” She said honestly. “However, when it comes to things that have happened in people’s personal lives you’ll just have to let them tell you when they are ready.” She could sense that he accepted that. “Your brother has been told your awake and he’ll be paying you a visit after Midnight tonight.”
“The two of you still speak to each other?” She could sense his hope that they were friends at least but something of the reality must have shown her face. “That bad huh did you contact him or did someone else?”
“I did no other telepath is powerful enough to do so that was part of the problem,” she could tell he didn’t understand. “Look Alex, Scott and I don’t speak all that often and never telepathically so when I let him know you were awake inside his head it opened up some old wounds for both of us.” Jean could still sense his confusion. “Both of us have moved on and are happy with our lives.” She could sense the questions buzzing around in his head but he didn’t ask and she was grateful for that. “Get some rest Alex I’ll have a computer sent up here and I’m sure Lorna will be back to talk things over with you soon.”
He nodded and she took her chance to escape. She made her way over to the desk and made the arrangements for him to be given a tablet with a run down on recent history. She made sure to specify that certain topics shouldn’t be covered by what was given to him. She decided to head back to the school and get some work done. She missed the original institute but since moving the school to Genosha during the registration act troubles things had quieted down for the students.
She was surprised to find Lorna waiting for her in her office. “Sorry to barge in like this,” Lorna said tiredly. “But I have to know does Alex know about me and Charles yet?” She should have guessed Lorna would be worried.
“No that is your bussiness you need to be the one to tell him,” She said honestly. “The two of you were not together when he fell into the coma and since you thought he was dead it only makes sense that you moved on.” She knew that Alex might have some trouble with how she moved on. “You should go see him and talk about it.” She just wanted to be alone and she wasn’t really up to playing consoler to someone else right now.
“I know your right Jean but I just can’t face him now,” Lorna said tiredly. “I even lied and pretended Charles needed me to get out of there earlier.” The other woman looked sad. “I mean I am happy with my life and the decisions I’ve made and I don’t want to justify them to Alex.” She supposed she could understand that. “Have you told him about you and Scott being over and everything that happened then?”
“He knows we are over but he doesn’t know all the details,” She said truthfully .”I’m sure Scott will tell him sooner or later.” She was actually hoping Scott would be the one to tell him since even if Alex sided with Scott it would help her avoid bringing up those memories. “He also doesn’t know about me and Hank yet.”
Lorna looked away then. “I think I should go check on Alexander Magnus and make sure he’s not bothering his father.” She watched her go knowing Lorna was as uncomfortable as she was with the facts that they were keeping from Alex Summers. She didn’t like the other woman’s issues reminding her of her own and she didn’t doubt that Lorna felt the same way.
Once the other woman was gone she sat herself down at her desk and began going through her paper work that had built up while she was working to chase down Alex’s drifting mind. She wondered if she should have taken Emma Frost up on her offer to run the school while she worked. She quickly dismissed that idea she’d never let the other woman run her school. There were too many lives lost from Emma’s days running schools.
She was just finishing up the discipline reports when she felt Charles give a psychic cough. “Yes Charles,” She answered telepathically as she left her office for the mental projection he used when speaking to her.
“I have been informed by Storm that it will be tomorrow at the earliest before her team can pay Alex a visit.” Charles said as he looked out the window in his telepathic office. “She also informs me that she is receiving more pressure to cut ties with Genosha from the US Government.” That wasn’t surprising the fact was the Genosha was thriving in a way no other country on Earth was.
“I’ll brain storm ideas for how we can ease tensions,” She said knowing Charles liked to have opinions from those he trusted. “Perhaps we should expand the good will medical treatment program and bring more patients to Genosha to receive cures that aren’t available elsewhere?” It had been their most successful PR campaign.
“I would love to Jean but there are only so many mutant healers available and they refuse to see anymore than what they’ve already agreed to.” She knew that there was a still a large mutant separatist faction on the island. “But perhaps in time they will reconsider.” She hoped they would before things got too bad off in their relations with the rest of the world. “I simply wanted to let you know Storm was coming so you could arrange for someone else to manage the school.” She was glad for the heads up so she could spend some time with her friend.
To be continued...
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