Grey Frost

Grey Frost
Chapter 20: Realizations

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Shaw’s head was spinning. He could hear the hard pounding of his heart and the ragged air going in and out of his lungs. Each passing second was followed by incessant throbbing in his head. He reached up to rub his temples only to feel the pain radiate all throughout his body. It was unlike anything he had ever felt before.

Curse Emma for having telepathy. She was going to pay dearly for this. Romantic history or not, he would see to it she would endure the worst possible torture Hellfire could inflict. Never before had he endured such a headache. But there was no time to wallow in such pain. He had to make his escape. Emma and Jean may have gotten away, but Hellfire would always live on.

Grunting through the agony, Shaw opened his eyes. Mastermind was still lying unconscious next to him. For a man with such a powerful mind, he had a pitifully weak body. He didn’t have time to wake him up. He failed to do his part with Emma and wouldn’t receive any of the benefits they agreed to from their deal. Hellfire was on his shoulders now and he would rebuild it himself.

“Time to make my leave,” he grunted.

Ignoring the pain, he made his way to the door. He had numerous escape plans in place and a few safe houses he could hold up in for the time being. He was still the Black King. There was no way he was sticking around for the fallout.

Then just as he stepped out into the hall he was met with a most unwelcome face. Standing right in front of him with a cigar in one hand and a pair of handcuffs in the other was one of Shaw’s least favorite people, Colonel Nick Fury of SHIELD.

“Going somewhere, Shaw?” said old Cold Warrior.

“Fury…” said Shaw, his voice seething with anger.

Every point of escape was surrounded by SHIELD troops. Each one was heavily armed. It was too much for even him to fight off and Fury knew it. For so long Shaw had evaded the authorities and thumbed his nose at the law. Now it was finally catching up with him.

“Time to join the rest of your crew,” said Fury, “You’ve got a lot to answer for.”

“You’ve got nothing on me!” bellowed Shaw, “I am the Black King! I’ll be out by the end of the week!”

“By the end of the week you’ll be somebody’s wife,” scoffed Fury, “Take him away.”

Two armed SHIELD guards handcuffed the Black King and escorted him to a waiting armored car outside. And just in case he thought of making a break for it, Fury slipped one of his own power dampening collars around his neck. Now Shaw was anything but a king. He and the rest of his Hellfire cronies would be put away like the criminals they were.

Along the way, Shaw passed Selene who was being hauled off on a stretcher. She was rendered dazed by the drug, moaning and panting incessantly as she fingered herself with lust. It was very humiliating for the Black Queen, but fitting after all the pain she inflicted. She was joined by a dismembered Donald Pierce and a powerless Harry Leland. All were furious. Hellfire had endured a terrible blow and it was all because they underestimated the X-men. But they would be back. Hellfire always came back.

Fury watched in triumph as the Hellfire hierarchy was hauled off. Once they were outside he lit another cigar. Amazing how he and SHIELD had been trying to take down the Hellfire Club for years, yet in the end it took a group of mutant teens to bring them to justice. For that he owed the X-men a lot and as he watched them fly off in their jet, he saluted them. He would pay them back when the time was right.

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The ride home to the institute was bittersweet for Jean and Emma. Neither girl said much the whole way. Scott stayed close to Emma, but she was distant and pushed him away. He tried talking to her. She was clearly troubled, but she just didn’t want to talk to him at the moment. She had too much on her mind.

Scott held her hand for the rest of the trip. It was the one gesture she accepted. It showed she was happy to be with him again. However, it was not lost on Emma that Scott’s eyes kept diverting to Jean. They kept exchanging looks, sending words of thanks and comfort to one another telepathically. Jean was pretty messed up about this experience as well, but being with her friends and not giving into Hellfire was a liberating feeling.

While Ororo flew the plane Kurt, Kitty, Evan, and Rogue gathered around to lend their support. Jean was more talkative than Emma, not giving the full details but saying enough to let them know how bad it was.

“I can’t believe those people!” exclaimed Kitty, “They actually brainwash people to abandon their humanity so they can be just like them?!”

“They do more than that, Kitty,” sighed Jean, “They twist your perceptions to the point where you don’t even remember who you are.”

“How exactly did they do that?” asked Evan.

“I’d…rather not talk about it,” said Jean, averting her gaze.

The others exchanged looks. From what they heard they could only imagine the kind of torment Hellfire inflicted. But they never would have thought up the inventive ways Selene used. Attacking the body not with pain, but with pleasure really messed with Jean’s mind. She still felt the effects, but she kept them to herself.

“Ve’re just glad you’re back safe and sound,” said Kurt, giving Jean a friendly hug.

“Me too,” smiled Jean, returning the gesture, “And more importantly, I’m still me.”

“Guess that means Hellfire didn’t break ya,” said Rogue.

“No, but they came close. They came really close.”

“Try not to think too much on it, Jean,” said Kitty with a comforting gesture, “We’re on our way home. It’s over now.”

“And you got a really nice outfit out of it!” added Kurt.

“Will you guys quit it with the outfit?” said Jean, rolling her eyes.

“Hey, it looks good on you,” shrugged Rogue, “Ya never know when something like that may come in handy.”

Jean cast Rogue a slight scorn. She could never tell when she was being serious or just being sarcastic. Usually it was a combination of both. Then again, maybe she had a point. Looking down at the Black Queen outfit she still had on, it did fit her body nicely. But with the events of Hellfire still fresh in her mind, she didn’t want to think about that.

Over with Scott and Emma, the former White Queen was still in a daze. Her head was still sore as she watched Jean regain her spirit somewhat. However, she could still sense some uneasiness projecting from her mind. After indulging in sex in a drug-induced state, she was going to need some time. Emma went through it herself, but Jean had proven beyond all doubts that she was strong enough to get through this.

There was no way around it. The only reason Jean suffered was because she just happened to be near Emma when Hellfire finally came for her. It left a bitter feeling of guilt within the former White Queen. She couldn’t even resent her for sharing a moment with Scott. It really messed with her head.

“Feeling any better?” asked Scott, breaking her out of her daze.

“Somewhat,” she said distantly.

“Just somewhat?”

“I’ll get over it, darling,” she told him, “Please just hold me.”

“Okay,” he said softly, “I’m still your boyfriend, remember? Don’t forget I’m here for you.”

“I know,” she sighed.

She leaned in closer and rested her head on his shoulder. Scott didn’t say another word and slipped his arms around her waist, hugging her with the soft embrace she so desperately needed right now.

While he was relieved to have her back, Scott couldn’t help but pick up on Emma’s distant state. It was a given she would be a little rattled after going through the Hellfire Club again, but he couldn’t help but feel there was something else. It was written in her eyes. He was tempted to press her, but right now she just needed rest. He trusted she would tell him when the time was right.

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When they arrived back at the mansion, Emma and Jean met up with Professor Xavier. He was genuinely happy to see his students returned safe and sound. Jean even knelt down to give him an affectionate hug, a gesture he humbly returned.

While the others changed out and were debriefed, Xavier and Ororo gave Jean and Emma a thorough checkup. Scott stayed with Emma, but not before giving Jean one last hug before she left. Such a gesture was not lost on Emma, but she set it aside as she went with the Professor for her checkup.

Since Jean did not face the blunt end of a psychic assault from Mastermind, she got a physical from Ororo. She asked some questions, drew some blood, and checked her for bruises. She soon recognized the signs of sexual activity, but didn’t ask Jean for details. She figured it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about and kept things simple for the time beings.

“It sure feels good to be back in my old clothes,” said Jean with a sigh of relief, “Thanks for letting me change.”

“Not a problem, Jean,” smiled Ororo, “That outfit you were wearing looked uncomfortable anyways.”

“You have no idea,” she groaned, “Even if it did make my butt look good.”

Ororo let out a slight laugh. It was good to see that Jean had a sense of humor about it. In her experience humor was a way some people dealt with bad experiences. It helped make the bad thing seem not so horrible.

Jean looked content for the most part. Now back in her normal clothes, she seemed like her old self again. She kept looking in the mirror as if to check herself. Physically she looked fine, but mentally was another story. Bad things had clearly happened to her. And being a concerned mentor, Ororo had to ask the burning question.

“Jean I know you’ve been through a lot tonight, but if you want to talk…”

Ororo’s words trailed off and Jean’s expression shifted. She was hoping to avoid this conversation, but Ororo was someone she trusted. It might help to talk about it anyways.

“I take it you know the signs,” said Jean.

“Aside from that look in your eye, your blood work turned up some unusually high hormone levels indicative of sexual activity,” said Ororo.

“I wasn’t raped,” said Jean flatly.

With increasing concern, Ororo walked over and placed a hand on Jean’s shoulder.

“Are you sure about that Jean?” she questioned, “If someone is twisted enough, they can make it seem like…”

“I wasn’t raped…well, to some extent I was. The Hellfire Club is good at torture, but not in the traditional sense. Sometimes pleasure can be just as powerful as pain. It messes with your mind. I’m still trying to make sense of it.”

It sounded odd. Ororo didn’t know what it was like to be intoxicated with raw, unabated lust. Even if it was drug induced, Jean threw away every sense of restraint for reckless pleasure. The guards she fucked weren’t very gentle with her, but she never resisted. Even though she accepted it was wrong and hadn’t lost her humanity, it was a difficult experience she was going to have to learn to live with.

“Well if you ever need to talk you know where to find me,” assured Ororo.

“I know,” smiled Jean, “Thanks Ororo.”

They shared a warm hug. Ororo was relieved that the child she helped raise was back safe and sound. Jean was relieved to be back with the people she cared about. The Hellfire Club had left an undeniable mark. All she could do now was move on, but before that there were some things she had to clear up.

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Across the hall, Professor Xavier finished an extensive psychic healing session with Emma. Her mental state had been shaken by Mastermind along with her emotions. She was very quiet the whole time, dealing with many conflicting thoughts. Twice she got caught up in the dark side of the Hellfire Club and twice she escaped. Yet again she owed a great deal to Charles Xavier and the X-men, but that wasn’t all that concerned her.

Scott stayed by her side the whole time, lending her what support he could. He watched attentively as Xavier placed his hands on Emma’s temples and helped her rebuild the mental structure that Mastermind damaged. She was noticeably distraught, but he could hardly blame her. When the Professor was finished he cast a comforting smile.

“How is it now?” asked the Professor.

“Much better now that the pounding has stopped,” said Emma, rubbing her temples, “Thank you, Professor. I doubt I could have done this alone.”

“Of course, my dear,” said Xavier kindly, “You’re an X-man. That’s what X-man do.”

“I know,” she smiled, “I’m beginning to see what that truly means.”

That earned her another smile from Scott. She had come a long way since she first arrived. At first Emma had been cynical about this whole X-men concept, but being at the institute had really shown her the power of friendship. She never had people who cared for her like this before. Had she not been so proud, she might have broken down in tears.

“If you want, we can schedule more sessions later this week,” said Xavier, “I understand that your mind has endured a great deal of strain. Please don’t be afraid to ask me or anybody else for help.”

“I will, Professor. But for now I think rest is what I need most.”

“Very well,” he said with a nod, “Take as much time as you need. I’m just glad to have you and Jean back safe and sound.”

Emma smiled as Xavier wheeled himself out, giving her and Scott some privacy. While in her mind he sensed more than just distress. She was in a heightened emotional state. It wasn’t his business to pry, but he had a feeling that this experience would affect more than just mentally.

For a moment, Scott was quiet. Emma was still sitting on the infirmary bed, staring off into the distance. She was lost in thought, so many things going through her mind. Scott could only speculate what she was thinking. Emma was always a very hard woman to read, but he knew her well enough to know when she needed someone to hang onto.

He walked over to the bed and sat next to her. He was tempted to take her in his arms, but instead settled for simple hand-holding since she didn’t seem to be in a hugging mood.

“Are you going to be okay, Emma?” asked Scott, finally breaking the silence.

“I’m not having a mental breakdown, Scott,” she told him, “You don’t have to look so concerned.”

“I’m your boyfriend. I’m supposed to be concerned,” he said, giving her hand a firm squeeze, “I was worried about you.”

“I know you were,” she said, moving in closer to him, “I missed you. I thought I’d never get a chance to feel your arms around me again.”

“So why do you look so down? Did something else happen at the Hellfire Club?”

“As if it could be any worse than having your mind torn apart by some crazy little troll?” muttered Emma bitterly.

“I’m serious, Emma,” said Scott, “Talk to me.”

Emma gazed into those obstructed eyes of his with great uncertainty. Aside from the mental torture, the humiliation, and everything else that was indicative of being a Hellfire captive there was one other thing she couldn’t get out of her mind.

Her thoughts drifted back to what she felt when she and Jean called out for help and reached out to Scott. She still couldn’t get over that deep psychic bond. That alone had been disconcerting enough, but then she saw him and Jean together when he rescued her from Selene. The way they looked at each other was profound. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.

“Scott…”

But before Emma could begin, the doors opened again and Jean walked in. Emma saw Scott shift at her presence, yet another disconcerting gesture that added to her anxieties. But that didn’t stop her from listening.

“I wasn’t interrupting anything, was I?” asked Jean.

“No…of course not,” said Emma flatly, “I take it you want to have a word with Scott.”

“Actually, I was hoping to talk to you,” said Jean as she approached her friend.

Emma was mildly surprised. Given what she saw earlier, she figured Jean would jump at any chance to talk to Scott. Maybe that was just her cynical side making her judgments again.

“Fine, what is it?”

Jean hesitated briefly. After what she went through, she was drained on so many levels. But she couldn’t end this night without getting this out. She owed it to this woman despite the past tension between them.

“I just wanted to say…thank you, Emma,” said Jean sincerely, “Thank you for helping me get through this. I don’t think I could have done it without you.”

“Um…you’re welcome,” said Emma awkwardly, “You helped me too.”

“Maybe so,” she conceded, “But more than that, I also wanted to say I understand now. I really do understand.”

“Understand what?”

“Everything,” said Jean, “I know we haven’t exactly been on the same page since you got here. But after going through the Hellfire Club and experiencing the darker part of myself, I get it now. I know how it feels to be powerless, bitter, and all those things that make the world seem so hopeless. And I’m sorry for judging you.”

This was totally unexpected. Emma still had issues with Jean, but for her to come out and say something like this spoke volumes. She had the same look in her eyes Emma knew so well. She really did understand what she was going through. It was the first time someone could relate to her. The already guilt-ridden Emma was speechless.

Jean smiled, knowing Emma wasn’t one to get too dramatic. She stepped forth and gave her a friendly hug, assuring her that she meant every word. Tension or not, she had a new appreciation for Emma Frost. They both got through this together and things would no doubt be different between them.

“I’ll leave you now,” said Jean, “Goodnight Emma. Goodnight Scott.”

“Night Jean,” said Scott, smiling at his friend, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Jean smiled back with that look in her eye. Scott was too dense to see it, but Emma noticed it. Even when she was working to patch things up, old feelings got in the way.

“Still with me over there, Emma?” asked Scott, noticing the dazed look on her face.

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…I didn’t expect that,” said Emma.

“That’s Jean for you,” smiled Scott, “She always finds a way to surprise you even during times like this.”

“I believe that,” she sighed.

Now Emma was left to ponder even more. Jean was coming between her and Scott again. She couldn’t confirm it, but she felt it in her gut. And after what they went through she couldn’t even resent Jean for it.

It was a hard feeling to digest. Sensing the link and looking at how these two eyed one another was almost as hard as getting over being a Hellfire prisoner. At least Scott and Jean were trying to be comforting. But that could only go so far when she felt things she couldn’t escape.

“Want me to carry you up to your room?” offered Scott, “You look exhausted.”

“I’ll manage,” she said with a half-hearted smile.

“You sure? You look pretty out of it.”

“I am,” she sighed, “I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really,” she said, “I’d rather work this out on my own.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

Emma turned and looked him in the eye. Even with Jean weighing heavily on his mind, he still had honest feelings her. She sensed it in the emotions he projected. They made her feel warm inside. His gentle touch set off a firestorm of emotions. Being close like this made her crave his love.

Scott was still an important man in her life. After nearly losing him, she wanted nothing more than to embrace it again. Now more than ever she wanted to cling to what they had. Shifting her body closer to his, she snaked her arms around his neck and gazed passionately into his eyes.

“Yes…you can make love to me here on this bed,” she told him.

“What?” said Scott with a look of surprise, “But Emma, you just…”

“I went through my own personal Hell and escaped thanks to you again. I know it seems extreme given the circumstances, but I need this Scott.”

Her voice was wrought with desire. She really wanted this. Not just to feel his love again, but to reassure herself that he still felt for her. Just because he felt for Jean didn’t meant he couldn’t love her. Emma wouldn’t accept otherwise until she felt it for herself.

For Scott, sex with this woman while they were alone in the infirmary was hard to turn down. But he could tell she wanted it and feeling her body press against his made him want her as well. His skin tight uniform sure wasn’t helping and the way she pressed her body against drew him in. If this is what she wanted then it was his duty as her lover to give it to her.

“If that’s what you want…” he said in a low tone.

“Just make love to me, Scott,” she said desperately, “Please…I want to feel you.”

Desperate words turned into desperate gestures as their lips met in a deep, sensual kiss. Emma hooked her arms around Scott’s waist while holding onto his neck, grinding her pelvis against his to communicate her burning need. Their lips gently wrestled as their tongues danced in each others’ mouths. She could already feel his arousal growing in his pants and he could feel hers.

Scott got up from the infirmary bed so he could get undressed. Emma’s legs remained secure around his waist as she held onto his body, not wanting to let go. She fervently kissed his face and neck while he slid off the top part of his uniform. Once exposed, Emma kissed down his chest while he undid her cape and helped her out of the top part of her Hellfire attire. With her breasts now exposed, Scott renewed his kissing and gave each fleshy orb a soft rub. Emma let out a moan of approval, the hot sensations adding to her desire.

Next, Emma helped Scott out of his pants. They were tight like the rest of his uniform and his erection bulged within the tight confines. But with a little help, they got them off. Upon stepping out of his boot, Scott was completely naked. And after escaping the Hellfire Club he looked more beautiful than ever.

“Scott…I missed you,” said Emma in a deep tone.

“Me too,” he said softly.

They came together in another kiss. Then Emma backed up on the bed a bit so Scott could remove her pants. The tight fitting, low-riding white leather pants were just as hard to get off as his uniform. But with his gentle care, he slid them down her elegant legs along with her underwear and tossed them aside so that Emma was naked too.

She was quite a sight. Emma was always beautiful naked, but after nearly losing her she looked even more beautiful. Scott could see how much she wanted him. The area between her legs was soaked with wet arousal. Now naked and alone, the look in her eye was more desperate than ever.

“Lie back and relax,” Scott told her, “Let me make you feel good.”

Emma smiled warmly and followed his lead. Still sitting on the edge of the bed, he leaned in and kissed her while firmly grasping her hips. Then with his manly strength, he lifted her slightly and guided her onto the bed.

With tender care, he laid her on her back and hovered over her beautiful naked body. He smiled as he traced his hand up her womanly curves, feeling along her sexy legs and large breasts. His every touch was accompanied with a tender kiss to her lips. She moaned at his loving gestures, running her hands over his manly body and savoring the feeling she almost lost.

“Oh Scott…” she gasped.

Scott trailed his lips down her body. He gave each breast a sensual lick before going further until he was at her plump folds. Upon feeling his hot breath on her lower regions, Emma parted her legs and invited him in. She was so wet her body cried for stimulation. And being a good lover, Scott was happy to oblige.

“Ohhhhhhhhhh…”

Emma’s moans echoed through the small room as Scott licked and kissed his way around her outer folds. She gripped the side of the bed, closing her eyes and gasping as the hot sensations trailed through her body.

While Scott and Emma were doing this, Jean was just about to go to bed. Up in her room, she started stripping out of her clothes so she could change into her sleeping attire. She was tired and ready to sleep for days on end if she could. But just as she was down to her underwear, she felt an intense heat shoot through her body.

“Oh God, not again,” she gasped.

She knew what this was. It was not unlike the insatiable urges she had under the influence of Selene’s drug, except this was her body acting alone. With everything she went through sex should have been the last thing to dwell on, but for some reason the urge was back.

Her legs became weak. She was forced to hold onto her dresser to keep herself from falling over. Taking deep, ragged breaths she started squeezing her breast and rubbing her legs together. A wet feeling soon formed between her legs. It was enough to make her panties unbearable.

“So hot…” panted Jean, “I need to…”

Unable to finish, she sauntered over to her bed. Along the way, she removed her bra. Her tits were erect with arousal, matching the state of her swollen clit. Once on the bed, she fell back and reached into her panties. Then with two fingers, she began pleasuring herself.

“Uh-uh-ohhhhhhhhhhh!”

Back down in the infirmary, Scott finished his round of oral teasing and prepared to make love to his girlfriend. She hooked her legs around his torso and drew him into her arms, allowing his body weight to press against her naked flesh. He went on to kiss her softly while holding onto her hips, making sure he was gentle and loving for this very special moment. Then with a firm thrust, he entered her womanly depths.

“Oh Scott!” she moaned, “Yes-oh yes! That’s what I want!”

She held onto his shoulders as he kissed her passionately and worked his pelvis. His ripped flesh grinded hard against her smooth womanly curves. The rhythm was slow and passionate. His hard dick penetrated thoroughly into her vagina, stimulating her inner areas and filling her with the pleasure and love she so desperately craved.

While Scott and Emma rocked their bodies to sexual bliss, Jean was feeling it too. Grasping her breast in one hand and fingering her pussy with the other, her body tensed and shifted all over her bed in a sexual daze. This time it wasn’t induced by a drug. It was her own sexually charged body craving sexual pleasure.

But this feeling was definitely coming from somewhere. It surged into her mind through the depths of her psyche. She didn’t know it, but she was subconsciously synching with the pleasures Scott and Emma were experiencing as they made love. Part of it may have been through the link she shared with Scott. Part of it may be because she synced her mind with Emma at one point and there were still a few channels open. Part of it may just be the lingering effects of the drug. But either way it felt good and she kept doing it.

“Uh-uh-oh my God!” she cried.

In the small infirmary bed, Scott and Emma shifted their bodies around to draw out the feeling. Emma didn’t have the energy to make it one of their hot romps so they focused on savoring the passion. Scott was so caring and affectionate with her body. He understood that Emma needed him in a very deep way right now so he made sure this was good for her.

They shifted their positions so Scott could more thoroughly caress her body. He tenderly rubbed her breasts and kissed her womanly flesh while working his member inside her. He focused on hitting all the special areas inside her that he had come to know so well. She moaned and gasped, feeling the hot pleasure from such intimate lovemaking. It was really special. It was almost enough to make everything she went through fade away, even if it was only for a moment.

After stretching it out a good deal, Emma was ready to cum. Scott shifted his body so that she was lying on her side while he thrust into her pussy from behind. This way he could rub her breasts and fondle her pussy for extra pleasure as well as kiss her neck and face from behind. Her moans grew increasingly labored. She was so close to her climax. Scott was close as well.

“Uh-uh-uh-oh darling-uh-oh I’m cumming!” she cried.

“Uh-uh-me too!” grunted Scott, holding onto her tightly for the final push.

Upstairs Jean was almost there as well. She pinched her nipple and shoved three fingers into her cunt while rubbing her clit with her thumb. In the depths of her mind the pleasure from Scott and Emma was rushing into her body. She was too dazed to notice, but she could actually hear their moans through her bond with Scott. It was really intense and as they climaxed so did she.

“Ohhhhhhhhhhhh yes!”

Her whole body arched as her pussy burst in mind-numbing climax. Hot sensations of pleasure surged through Jean’s body. By now she was familiar with them, but it this was different than the drug induced sensations. She didn’t know where this came from. One minute she was dead tired the next she needed to have an orgasm.

When it was over Jean was reeling. Her panties were soaked and her mind was a mess. Sex should have been the last thing on her mind after what she went through. Then again Emma did warn her that the chemical had long lasting effects. She just didn’t expect it to come out like this.

Strangely enough, it seemed to come through that bond she felt when she connected with Scott as well as the mental channel she and Emma synced with briefly when they called for help. She wasn’t sure why that would stir her lust like this, but she was too tired to think about it at the moment. For now, she was content to chalk it up to her new sexuality courtesy of Hellfire.

“Damn…” she mused, “This is going to take some getting used to.”

In the infirmary, Scott and Emma let out a howl of delight as they arched their bodies and relished in orgasmic bliss. Emma’s pussy throbbed around Scott’s penis, coating him with her womanly juices as he shot his load into her depths. It was a wonderful feeling, capped off with a passionate kiss. But Jean’s involvement didn’t go unnoticed.

After the rush subsided, Emma picked up on a strange projection that felt like Jean. Having been in her head before, she knew the signs. The sensations of sex were equally unmistakable. Did she pick up on them or something? Her mind must have been such a mess she projected their sex. Their minds were still somewhat disorganized after they merged briefly to call for help and there was also that bond she sensed with Scott. Once again she sensed the connection between them and it struck her deeply.

It was an unexpected addition to this special moment. While catching her breath she tried to rationalize it. Even during sex, she couldn’t escape this complicated situation.

“Feel better?” asked Scott breathlessly.

“Yes,” she said in a daze, “Thank you, darling.”

“Anytime,” he smiled, “If there’s anything else you need me to do, just ask. We’ll get through this together.”

“Yes…together.”

It sounded so alien to her now. Even as he held her in his powerful arms, Emma’s mind wandered. There was no more denying it. Her relationship with Scott was at a crossroads and Jean was a big part of it. And as she recovered from the Hellfire Club, she had some serious thinking to do.

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Up next: Emma contemplates the future of her relationship