Chapter 5-The Survivor
Jean Grey awoke somewhere she had never really been. Underwater, but still able to breathe. What was going on? What had happened to the others? Was she dead? No she couldn't be, she was breathing. She felt warm, even though she knew that the waters were freezing. There was suddenlly a light, the same light as before that carried her to the surface of the Hudson Bay. She took in breathe just as a search party spotted her and took her aboard.
Don't be afraid my dear, a voice told her. I will protect you and you shall help me. Do not worry, all will be well. The voice was familar somehow, like she had heard it before. During the crash she had heard it when the light had engulfed her, the voice was there trying to keep her calm. I will protect you, I am the Phoenix and you are also the Phoenix. I need your help. Please help me!
Jean couldn't think, everything was happening so fast. She tried to concentrate on what was happening around her. The people who were wrapping her in blankets and trying to get her to safety. She ignored the voice, the Phoenix. She couldn't put her mind on the reality around her and on the Phoenix's voice.
Jean Grey arrived at the hospital minutes later, rushed in. The doctors she knew where trying to keep her from suffering from full blown hypothermia. She was cold now, the Phoenix was not keeping her warm like it was in the water. She was scared and longed for something or someone familar.
"What?" the doctor seemed surprised when he picked up the phone. "But she needs....uh huh and? Oh I see, well I suppose that we could release her to him with my instructions if they're willing. Okay. Yeah good good good. Send them in then." He hung up the phone and whispered something to his nurse and started to write something down.
"Hello my name is Professor Charles Xavier from the Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. How is she?"
"She'll be fine with plenty of rest, warmth, and make sure she's eating and drinking water. We don't want her to dihydrate."
"I understand. Thank you."
"The nurse went to get a wheelchair to transfer Miss Grey to the parking lot she'll be right back."
"Good."
***
Scott Summers looked out the window of his room to see Evan Daniels, Kurt Wagner, and Rogue playing with the football with Ororo Munroe supervising their activity. He heard a knock on his door, trying to ignore it. He heard the door opened behind him, he didn't want to see anyone.
"Scott?" came the voice of Kitty Pryde. "How are you feeling?" she walked up beside him.
"Are you okay?" Scott asked noticing that Kitty's arm was bruised badly.
"Yeah, it's just a bruise. It's the only injury from the crash, the professor says that I'm very lucky. That we're all very lucky."
"Not all of us."
"What?"
"Jean. She's missing or....dead."
"No she's okay. Ororo told me that the professor and Logan were going into the city to get Jean. One of the search parties found her in Hudson Bay last night. They're releasing her under the professor's care. They should be home soon," Kitty told him.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Probably because you don't want to see anyone, remember?"
"So they'll be home soon?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Scott, you never answered my question."
"What question?"
"Are you okay?"
"Now I am."
"Good."
***
These people who had taken her from the hospital seemed to care about Jean Grey deeply and sincerely. These people might understand why we are Phoenix, but if not then they will try to seperate us. The older man, he was damaged, he could not walk yet he could read minds where others could not. Jean Grey could though. Each of the people that Jean Grey was close to had a special gift. The other one was rugged, he did not remember how he got his claws, but he also had the gift of healing. These strange humans that were classified as mutants, because of their amazing gifts.
Why did they hide their gifts from the rest of the world? The Phoenix searched Jean Grey's thoughts for answers, and the Phoenix found hatred and misunderstanding. They heard together like cattle, but they could easily put fear into the others without gifts. But there was a reason they didn't. Xavier's hope for the future. A future without hatred of different people. Xavier's future hope was in the children that were his X-Men.
"We're almost home," Professor Xavier told Jean Grey, but she did not say a word. The Phoenix did not want her to review it's presence and banish the Phoenix. It needed Jean Grey to accomplish it's goals. The Phoenix had to first learn through this child.
The car drove into the driveway up towards the house, and into the garage. Logan helped Xavier out of the car and shut the car doors on that side. Then Logan went to the other side of the car and Xavier followed. Logan opened the door to let Jean out, but she would not move.
"Come on Jeannie," Logan said holding his hand out to her. She ignored it and did not agknowledge their presence.
"Chuck?"
"It's okay Jean, you're safe here."
"Forget this!" Logan said and pulled Jean out of the car carying her into the house.