Chapter 3

A Neighborhood Bar, New York City

Jean sat at the bar, watching her fellow X-Men as they drank and enjoyed themselves. She'd had a lot on her mind lately -- the beautiful blonde woman who had overcome her dreams was on her mind. Not only that, Emma Frost was now appearing in visions while Jean was awake. She'd been too afraid to tell anyone, but the visions and her feelings towards this so-called White Queen had gotten so intense.

And what scared Jean the most was that she liked it. She'd never been interested in women before, but Emma had captivated her completely. Was it a product the Phoenix ****? It had certainly tapped into parts of Jean's psyche she didn't even know existed in the past. Was it unearthing Jean's buried lesbian desires now? And what about the rest of her team? The X-Men were family to Jean. She didn't want to abandon or forget that life. She loved Scott. She knew she did. She loved Logan, too, although she knew nothing would ever come from that -- she had Scott, Logan had Mariko. So why were these feelings so intense? Maybe it was time to finally ask Charles for help. If anyone could help, it was him.

"Jean? Are You OK? You've been pretty distant all day," Scott asked.

"Oh! Um, listen, Scott. I need to tell you something..." Jean started, suddenly once again distracted. Through the window, walking down the street, she saw her. Emma Frost. Jean felt her heart leap out of her chest -- usually the visions of Emma were from another time, another place. But this was in the moment, and it was her. Jean's heart began beating even faster when Emma, from outside, looked her straight in the eye, beckoned her to meet, and walked off.

"...Uh, actually, it can wait. I really need a walk to clear my head before I talk to you about this..."

"Uh, OK. Do you want me to join you?" Scott asked, worry in his voice.

"No, no, no, no... I just need some time alone. I'll tell you everything once I get back, I promise."

"All right..." Scott reluctantly agreed "...If that's what you need."

Jean stood up and left the bar. As she walked down the street she wondered if confronting this woman was the best idea. This woman had to be a telepath, and she was already inside Jean's head. She was obviously powerful, and she had the upper hand. Maybe she should talk to Professor X first?

But she had to know. She had to know who this woman was. She had to know why she'd somehow fallen so hard for her. More than anything right now, Jean wanted answers. She made her way to a nearby park, finding a bench in a quiet, secluded area. She sat down and began considering her next move.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up, hoping to see one of her X-Men teammates. But it was her.

"No... it's not... it's you -- you're real?!"

"Yes, I am real... and I've waited so long for you to come back to me, Jean."

Jean was overwhelmed. Feelings of confusion -- love -- lust -- were all consuming her mind. "Who -- who are you? WHO ARE YOU?!"

"You don't remember me? Remember us?" Emma thought with a sinful smirk on her face. She was so close now. "We were in love, Jean Grey. We were to be married when we made it here, to New York."

"Married...I..." Jean sputtered in a daze. The memories were getting clearer. Lady Jean Grey had been deeply in love with Emma Frost, the White Queen. They were on their way to New York when their ship encountered a storm, and the two lovers were separated. And now, there she was. Emma Frost, the love of her life.

"I think I remember..." Jean thought, shuffling towards Emma in a haze. "The Hellfire Club... my White Queen..."

Emma took Jean into her arms. "Yes, my love... you were to be my Black Queen. We were about to begin our new lives together."

Jean looked longingly in Emma's eyes, her lips quivering, so close to her White Queen. Jean was no longer able to resist the blonde, and wanted nothing more than to make love to her... "Emma. I've missed you so much."

"No!" A voice rang out. Jean and Emma turned to see a man they knew as Jason Wyngarde. Emma glared bitterly at him. What the hell was he doing here?

"This woman is manipulating you, my dear," Jason exclaimed. "Those memories -- your past -- was with me!"

Emma was furious. While she knew that Mastermind's little attempt at stealing Jean away from her was futile -- there was no way his illusions would have the intended effect without her support -- she definitely resented his intervention and attempts to seize the Phoenix **** for his own purposes.

"Jason Wyngarde is a liar, Jean! You know this! He's tried to tear us apart for years."

Jean once again slipped into a haze. No. None of this was real. Those memories weren't true. That was it. She had to go tell Professor X. She had to get her impulses under control.

"NO!" Jean screamed, running off. "Stay out of my head!"

Emma turned to Jason, ready to kill him. The only thing holding her back right now was that doing so would jeopardize her place in the Hellfire Club. And she couldn't risk that -- not yet. Not until Jean was hers.

"What the hell did you do?" Emma snapped. "I was so close!"

"The Hellfire Club's Inner Circle no longer trusts you," Mastermind explained. "We believe you intend to use the Phoenix **** for your own machinations. As such, we are relieving you of your duties..."

"We'll see about that," Emma hissed. "I will have the Phoenix **** for myself."

"My dear, at this moment, I'd be far more worried about my place in the Hellfire Club if I was you," Jason retorted smugly. "Mr. Shaw wants a word with you. I wouldn't keep him waiting."

Jason's illusion faded. Emma was furious -- she was so close to seducing Jean. So close to being able to tear down the Hellfire Club and rebuilding it as she saw fit.

Time was of the essence. Jean was still confused, lost in a fog. But Emma knew she couldn't let her reach Xavier. She needed a distraction. Thinking quickly, she sent out a psychic projection to her Plan B, who was drinking nearby.

"Cain Marko. Also known as the Juggernaut."

"Shit, another stupid projection... damn psychics. Who the hell're you, Blondie?"

"My name is Emma Frost, White Queen of the Hellfire Club. I have a business opportunity for you."

Emma had Juggernaut's attention immediately. The Hellfire Club was loaded -- any job they had was going to pay generously.

"Hellfire Club, huh? Whaddya need?"

"A simple task, Mr. Marko. The X-Men are currently in New York; all I need from you is to distract them."

"That's it? How much does this gig pay?"

"Name your price," Emma offered. "And I'll double it."

"HA! S'all I need ta hear. I'm in."

"One thing -- make sure Jean Grey remains unharmed. And if you can, bring her to me," Emma added. "And if you're successful, I'll have much more work for you. My Hellfire Club could use some hired muscle..."