Control: An X-Men Adventure and Wolverine Romance

Jean Grey

We only exchanged awkward small talk until we were a decent distance away from the house. It was a mild evening, and showers were forecast, but for now it was dry.

As we passed by the fountain, Jean finally addressed the elephant in the room.

"So... the professor was right. You and Logan seem to be getting pretty close", she grinned.
I blushed.
"It's not what you think. In fact i'm pretty sure he's taken with someone else".
"But things change. Sometimes we think we want one thing, but then we end up somewhere else," She smiled.

"Well, I guess, but I don't want to be someone's rebound or consolation prize"
"Which is completely understandable. I just meant... look Cass, trust me when I say Logan is not the most subtle when it comes to his behaviour towards anyone he's got romantic feelings for."
I nodded.

"Yeah he definitely looks at you a certain type of way".
"No, that's just it. What i'm trying to tell you is he doesn't. Not anymore - but I've seen the way he looks at you".
"What do you mean?"
"Come on! I don't have to read his thoughts to know what he's thinking, he's making big puppy dog eyes at you half of the time! Sometimes he hangs on your every word".

I laughed in genuine disbelief.
"Yeah, I don't know about all that..."
"Okay, well, I'm just saying - I called it!" she punched me lightly on the arm.

I stopped in surprise suddenly as we passed by one of the various fountains. It was frozen solid despite it being mild weather.

"Was this Ororo?" I thought aloud.
Jean turned her attention to the little spectacle.
"Ah, no. That will be Bobby. He likes to practice his skating."
"Oh," I nodded thoughtfully, sitting down on the raised stonework of the pond.
"You know Rogue?"
"Uh, yeah, I think so. She and Logan are pretty close... and I think her hair is cool"
I touched the frozen surface, with child like wonder.
"Well, he's Rogue's boyfriend. They're almost college age now," she smiled fondly.
I wondered how many of them she had seen grow up, how many students she had helped to guide and taught how to embrace their powers, how to be less afraid in a world which was rapidly closing ranks against us.
Absent mindedly, I carved a little X into the ice.
"Cute," Jean murmured, spotting my work.

I snapped back into focus and suddenly became a little self-conscious again, stuffing my hands back into my hoodie. I stood up, anxious to return to our walk. Jean looked a little dismayed at my sudden reaction but quickly fell back into step with me.

"I don't want to push, but I think maybe it would be a good idea to run a few tests - nothing bad; just a few scans, that sort of thing. We don't exactly know what they did at Alkali lake."

"I know what they did." I muttered darkly.
"Yes, of course, I just meant we need to make sure everything's ok. It's good that whatever he did do, your body doesn't appear to be rejecting the adamantium, but I think we should check... if that's alright with you?"
I thought for a moment.

"Alright, I just need to know what you're planning to do beforehand... Stryker didn't exactly make a habit of explaining what tests or procedures were about to happen before they did."
"Of course, I would never subject you to anything like that. Anything I do will only be if it's okay with you - we can stop if it's too much", she turned toward me as she said this.
Something about her demeanour and expression conveyed her earnest intentions, and her sympathy. I nodded to signal my understanding.

"I know it's not the exact same, but I'd wager there's not one of us under that roof who hasn't endured something traumatic. Some more than others, but it comes with the territory, unfortunately. Just know that you aren't alone, Cass... the professor helps me with what's in here, but this place, it helps with what's here," she looked distant as she gestured to her head and then her heart.
"...and that's why you were willing to die to protect it, and to protect them," I said softly.

I understood her motivation better now. She really felt that Scott and the Professor had saved her, so it would have been an easy trade to make to save them and the others, as well as to preserve everything the school stood for. I placed a hand on her shoulder in support, unsure exactly what was playing out wherever she had just gone to mentally. Whatever it was, I was sure it was hurting her, and that pained me.