Who: Emma Summers and Jean Grey Where: a cafe (that somehow survives the encounter) What: Emma tries to fix things When: Tuesday afternoon Warnings/Rating: PG-13 Status complete
Emma used Cerebra to track Jean down. It wasn’t too difficult, and once Emma knew Jean’s itinerary she made sure she was at the cafe where Jean was going for lunch. She was reading the morning's newspaper, pretending to be absorbed by it while she waited.
Jean didn’t notice Emma at first. She was more interested in getting some fresh air and a nice cup of coffee. She was addicted to peppermint lattes.
Emma put her paper down when she felt Jean’s mind in the cafe, and looked up, as though she was surprised to see Jean. When Jean had her latte she turned and saw Emma. To avoid being rude, Jean waved at her former client.
Emma motioned for Jean to come closer, getting to her feet. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Doctor Grey.”
Jean smiled and nodded. “I didn’t expect to see you either, Mrs. Summers. I hope you’re well.” She could be polite, it wouldn’t hurt anything. Emma was being unusually friendly, and Jean was curious why.
“I am. I feel like I should apologize for my husband. Will you please join me? I want to explain what happened, and hopefully put your mind at ease about the dreams.” Emma did her best to keep her native dislike of Jean at bay. This woman had never done anything hurt her, and she would soon experience a very terrible series of nightmares.
Jean sighed softly, her shoulders slumping. “I’d rather not, Mrs. Summers. I think I’m tired of hearing about the dreams.”
Emma nodded, giving Jean a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry, of course you are. Will you join me anyway? I want to thank you for recommending Doctor Auditoire to me.”
Jean considered for a moment, then nodded. “Alright.” She took her seat daintily. “I take it Ezio is a better fit?” She was grateful for that. Ezio was probably just charming enough to get under Emma’s defenses.
Emma nodded, inwardly amused by the thought of how charming Ezio was. He was personable, for sure, but Emma wouldn’t go as far as ‘charming’. “Yes. I must confess that I tend to be more comfortable with men than women. It’s not your fault, you’re a very competent therapist, and I hope you’ll be willing to see other members of the community. I think you could do so much good.” That was true enough, anyway.
Jean smiled softly. That was the most positive thing she’d ever heard Emma say. “Thank you. I’m not turning away dreaming clients. I’m still curious about the whole thing.” She said it hesitantly, wondering if Emma would rush to tell her things about the dreams.
Emma simply nodded and sipped her tea. “It’s a fascinating subject. Perhaps you can get to the bottom of it and do us all a favor.” If they found out why they dreamed maybe they could make it stop.
Jean sipped her latte and considered that. “Are there any dreamers who enjoy their dreams?” There was just a touch of exasperation in her voice. She kept hearing that she would dream, and everyone she’d talked to about the dreams was distressed by them.
Emma sighed. “The dreams can be beautiful. Their effects can be useful. But for every glorious moment of perfection and useful trait there are ten horrible nightmares that will make you doubt your sanity, or the goodness of humanity, or your own morality.” She spoke plainly, without emphasis. She didn’t want to lie, but scaring Jean was just no fun if she didn’t remember what she’d done in the dreams.
Jean absorbed this, looking thoughtfully at the paper ring around her latte. “Do you and Scott dream of the same world? Another client mentioned that their dreams were similar to yours.”
Emma nodded. “We do. It’s a terrible world. I hope yours are of some other, better place.” Emma pursed her lips for a moment, and said the next sentence hesitantly. Fixing things between Jean and Scott was not something she’d expected to do in any lifetime. “Scott feels like he’s responsible for you, in a way. He wants to make sure you have an easier time with the dreams than he did. He was quite over the line in how he handled the situation, but I can promise you his intention were good.”
Jean shook her head. “He frightened me, Mrs. Summers. I don’t think I want to talk to him about anything, ever.” She knew she was being stubborn, but sometimes a line had to be drawn, and this was where Jean was drawing hers.
It was Emma’s turn to consider things thoughtfully. “Have you seen anyone use their mutant abilities?” Other than the thing with Kitty, which Emma now knew she had to restore. Jean wouldn’t be very pleased at Emma’s meddling, but she’d be less pleased the longer the block stayed up.
Jean frowned. “Yes. I’m not sure I believe in them yet.” She thought of Logan cutting himself. She’d had a nightmare about it. She rubbed her hands over her arms, as though she could chase away the chill that memory sent down her spine.
Emma didn’t need to do much to see the memory. “Logan is as subtle as an ax murderer.” Good Lord. She wondered if she should hold remedial classes on how not to greet new mutants.
Jean frowned at Emma, sitting up straighter. “I didn’t say anything about Logan.” She felt panicky. Was Emma stalking her too?
“No, I’m not.” Emma replied, smoothly. “Relax, Doctor Grey. Like Logan, Kitty, and Lorna I have powers granted to me by the dreams. I can read minds. Logan heals, has enhanced senses like a wolf’s, and Lorna can control magnetic fields.” She was tempted to tell Jean about her powers, but decided that Scott would prefer to do that himself, if he could. “Scott has to wear glasses all the time because his powers are out of control. He’s constantly emitting very powerful. . . let’s call them lasers, though that is almost entirely inaccurate. The reason he was so desperate to be the one to speak to you is because you have a long history together in the dreams, and it is likely your powers will be extremely difficult to control at first.”
Jean stared at Emma, trying to absorb all that Emma had said. She didn’t speak for a couple minutes, and Emma carefully folded her newspaper while Jean processed. Emma could afford to be patient.
Finally, Jean took a deep breath. “You want me to meet with your husband.”
“I want you to understand where he was coming from. He was impulsive and forceful in how he treated you, but he meant well. Whether you want to speak to him or not is up to you.” She finished her tea and carefully got to her feet. “Also, I took something from you during our first meeting. I also had your best interest at heart, but I think you can handle it now, so I will return it.” She gently reached into Jean’s mind and unbound the memory of Jean’s meeting with Kitty.
Jean didn’t remember it right away. The memory slowly faded into place, thanks to Emma’s care, and she was able to examine and absorb it fully. “You people really don’t know how to treat a lady.” Jean noted, making a face.
“Up until now we haven’t had any ladies.” Emma noted with a small laugh. “Perhaps you’ll teach us all manners on top of fixing our shattered psyches.” If anyone could work a miracle it was Jean. “I’ll leave you to your thoughts. It was good to see you again.”
Jean watched Emma walk away, the sighed and put her chin in her hand. “This just keeps getting better and better.”