What if the White Queen had seduced the Phoenix instead of Mastermind?

Xavier Institute

"Emma?!" Jean jolted upright, sitting on the bed, her eyes wide. Another dream about *her*. There she was again, the same gorgeous blonde in the white corset and knee high boots. Who was she? And why was Jean head over heels in love with her, at least in her dreams? These thoughts swirled briefly in Jean's head until she heard Scott's voice.

"Jean? Is everything OK?" he asked.

"I'm-I'm fine, Scott. I'm fine..." Jean stuttered. She knew it was a lie, but she didn't want him to worry.

"Who's Emma?" Scott asked.

"She's... nobody. Just somebody from my dreams..." Jean lied again.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Scott asked. It was obvious the dream she'd had had an effect on her.

"There's not much to talk about, it was just a nightmare."

"It seems like you've had a lot of nightmares lately," Scott observed. "Are you sure it's not a psychic thing? Maybe you should talk to Charles."

"No, Scott, I'm really OK. You don't need to worry about me."

"All right. Just let me know if you want to talk, OK? I'm here to help." Scott kissed Jean and went back to sleep.

Jean, meanwhile, sat there, thinking about the dreams she'd been having. Maybe she did need help. Maybe Professor X could do something. But Jean didn't want to burden any of the X-Men. Scott, Logan, Charles... they all had their own issues to deal with right now. Besides, she wasn't sure what, if anything, Charles could do about her sudden dreams of living in the 17th century with her lesbian lover. And maybe, just maybe, deep down, she liked having those dreams...

It doesn't matter, Jean thought. She could handle her dreams herself.

Hellfire Club, New York City

"I don't need your help, Jason."

Emma Frost, the Hellfire Club's White Queen, had been arguing with her fellow Club member, Jason Wyngarde (also known as Mastermind) over her current task for weeks. The Hellfire Club had been looking for a way to bring the Phoenix **** under their control for a while now; eventually, they agreed that they would influence Jean Grey, the Phoenix's host, through telepathy. Emma had quickly jumped at the chance to seduce the pretty redhead, and while the Club had agreed to it, there had been some arguments that Mastermind should be the one to do it instead, with the White Queen providing telepathic support.

"You're foolish to turn me down, Emma. We'd be stronger working together."

"No, we wouldn't. You'd just get in my way."

"You doubt me?" Jason frowned. "I've dealt with the X-Men before, you know. You, on the other hand, know nothing about them. I'd do a far superior job."

Emma casually dismissed Mastermind. "I highly doubt that. Somehow, I get the feeling you're rather pathetic when it comes to the art of seduction."

"...Fine. I see now that you won't change your mind. But we'll see what Shaw thinks about your little plan," Mastermind said, angrily storming out of the room.

Emma scoffed at Jason's empty threat. Go, tell Sebastian, she thought. She didn't care what either of them had to say. She'd control the Phoenix ****, not them; besides, she wanted more. The Phoenix's host was a beautiful woman, Emma thought. A powerful woman. One that would make an ideal bride. Someone she could rule the Hellfire Club together with. And Sebastian Shaw, Jason Wyngarde, and whoever else would have **** but to obey them.