「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(184) Unicorn

Laughlin City, 1st September 2000

Lynn's POV

"Get up, sweetie," James whispered as he lightly tapped on my side.

"I already did," I murmured sleepily, recalling my performance of periodic night flips that prevented any possible pressure sores, and buried my face into his shirt as he laid on his side beside me.

"No. Jean's on the line," he informed quietly again and I frowned.

"What? It's still dark," I refuted in confusion as I swept my blurry vision around my dim room.

"And she's still holding," James sang, fiddling with my locks.

"Bring her in," I sighed, yawning, and he peeled himself off me, returning with my cell phone from the nightstand.

"Jean Grey, it's my only off day of the week without the kids around and you had to disturb my beauty rest? Have you any idea just how early it is right here?" I chastised weakly as I placed the small phone by my ear.

"I'm sorry, Lynn. But I'm really nervous," Jean whined from the other end.

"You had three months to prepare and the day of the hearing you're telling me you're nervous?" I contended, stirring in bed as James left the room, respecting my privacy.

"I can't help it, Lynn! It's just so important for all of us, I can't help but feel all this... Stress!" Jean stammered with obvious anxiety channeling through her shaking voice.

"I wish you were here," she frankly mumbled and I remained silent, caught dumbfounded by her outright request.

"I'm sorry," Jean hastily apologized as she noticed my awkwardly muted state.

"No. I'm sorry, I can't be there," I comforted, managing an earnest tone as I blankly stared at the ceiling and combed my fingers through my hair.

"But I trust he didn't put you through all that training for nothing. I'm sure you'll be alright," I consoled again, assured she was just scaring herself and all her doubts were unwarranted.

"He'll be there for you. Scott'll be there for you. They're all there for you. And I'll be here for you," I reiterated.

"Just do your best, and you'll have nothing to worry about," I emphasized, hoping it would calm her mind.

"I have utter faith in you, Jean," I encouraged.

"Do you really?" She questioned apprehensively.

"Unreservedly," I replied confidently.

"Jean, the plane's ready!" Scott's muffled voice transcended through the electronic device.

"Go on. I'm sure you'll make him proud," I egged, instinctively waving her off even when she could not actually see my hand signals.

"Thank you, Lynn. I love you," Jean declared.

"I promise I'll come visit once we're done with all of this. I miss you so much," Jean confided with an exaggerated tone.

"Me too. Get going already. He doesn't like to be kept waiting," I urged eagerly.

"I got it. See you soon!" Jean shouted in excitement.

"Good luck, Jean," I chuckled at her drastic change in attitude and James promptly popped his head through the door as I hung up the line.

"She sounded weird. What did she want?" He probed in concern, hurriedly strutting towards the bed and retrieved my handphone, replacing it to its charging spot at the nightstand.