Forgiveness

Jean had been allowed out of the medlab with supervision. Ororo decided that what she needed was a shopping spree. Ororo had been one of Jean's friends even after the Dark Pheonix incident.

"Jean," the dark-skinned goddess said to her friend. "Why don't we go shopping? We need to get you out of the house." At the moment Ororo was brushing out Jean's red hair. Jean's eyes were somewhat dull with a look of sadness and depression. It hadn't shaken from her yet. She feared it never would.

Jean's eyes snapped up to stare at the goddess. "What's the point Ororo? Why should I go anywhere? Everywhere I go we face ridicule. Everyone knows what I did. I was the devowerer of worlds. Sometimes," she said drawing her knees to her chest, laying her chin on her knees, "Sometimes I feel like she's still a part of me. That someday I won't be able to escape her grasp. I feel like...like she's consuming my soul," she whispers in a soft voice a stray tear falling down her cheek.

'Ro looked at her friend and sighed, hugging her for a moment. "You mustn't give in. May the goddess give you strength to overcome your fear," she whispers into Jean's ear. Ororo felt sad. Her blue eyes stared into Jean's green ones and saw only a shadow of the friend she knew."Ma"Maybe if we went out, you'd feel better Jean," she said as she went back to her task of comforting her friend.

Jean sighs, but nodded. "Alright, I'll go shopping with you. Who knows. Maybe it will help," she said doubting the statement even as she said it.

As they finished in the room, they dressed and exited the room. Jean was dressed in a red shirt with black jeans, ankle boots, jacket with the Phoenix stitched on the back and a bracelet with a phoenix on it to match. Ororo wore a white button up shirt, black leather pants, her X-necklace, sandals, and watch, hair hanging loosely over her shoulders.

Grabbing the keys to the Hummer, Ororo and Jean walked out. Starting the car, they drive down the long drive and Ro looks at Jean, worried. Jean could feel the worry flow from her and she sighed. As they turned onto the road, she puts a CD into the player and the soft strains of Mozart flow through the speakers.

Ororo smiles. As she does, the sun peaks out behind broken clouds. As they reach there destination, the last strain of the fourth song played. “Perfect timing,” Jean muttered. They both looked at each other and laughed.

They pulled into the parking spot and shut off the car, walking into the store linking arms with one another. Ro grabs a cart and walks around. Jean heads away and says, “I’m going to the Ice Cream section. Okay?” she said.

Ororo looks at her and mentally says, *Just come back here in 30 minutes. It shouldn’t take long to be finished with the shopping list.* Jean nods to her mentally as she heads to it.

She looks around the choices of ice cream and finally finds what she wants. The last pint of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream. She smiles as she reaches towards it and notices out of the corner of her eye a man walking towards her, dressed in a nice suit, hair gelled back, wearing Guchi.

He smiles at her and she smiles to herself and blushes. They both touch the same pint and laugh.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Go ahead. You got to it first. My sister will have to go with something else,” he said.

Jean smiled and shook her head. “No, that’s ok. I’ll just go with...this,” she said picking out a mint chocolate ice cream. She stuck her hand out and smiled. “My name is Jean. Jean Grey. And yours?” she asks her face nearly matching the color of her hair.

The man smiled at her and took her proffered hand, bringing it to his lips. “My name is Damion. Damion Grayston. You’re pretty famous Doctor Grey,” he said his brows raising.

"It's nice to meet you Damion," she said softly, averting her gaze momentarily.

He looked at her with those gorgeous eyes and it melted her. They talked for what seemed to be a few moments. Looking down at her watch, she noticed the time.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I really must be going," she said faintly.

"Well, could I have your number? Perhaps we could go out sometime?" he sou sounding disappointed.

Jean blushed faintly. "Sure," she said grabbing a pen and paper. Jotting her number down, she handed it to him before rushing off to the front of the store.

Ororo arrived a few seconds later and smiled at Jean's blush. "Are you alright Jean? You look flustered," she said.

Jean nods and tells her of the man she had met while they head to the car.

"I hope he calls," Ororo said, touching Jean's hand lovingly. "You deserve a night out."

"So do I," Jean whispers. "So do I."