Jean Grey

[Some might not recognise the woman on the network. Her face is obscured by a flaring gold mask. She's wearing a green skirt, complete with a gold belt and matching gloves. Her composure, too, is different; she holds herself with a quiet confidence.

Her voice, though, is as warm as it's always been.]

Hey, Barge.

[Jean pulls the mask from her face, revealing an older, wearier gaze.]

How long was I gone? What did I miss?

[Private to X-People]

[Her smile falters, a little, as she leans forward.]

Please tell me you're all okay.

[Filter to Bruce Wayne]

[A cheerful wave.] Hey! How are you? I've learned a ton, we should spar in the CES. [And catch up, but that's what 'spar' means.]

[Private to Morgana]

[Jean suddenly looks younger; bashful and uncertain.]

I got you those books. And - um, I didn't know your size, exactly, but...

[Jean stares into the camera, grimly pensive. She's sitting on her new bed, legs tangled in the flower print sheets.]

This all reminds me of when I was a kid. Hearing everyone's secrets, I mean.

It's not a secret here that I can move things with my mind. That still weirds me out, because it'd be really dangerous for anyone to know that in my world.

But that wasn't my first power. When I was ten, I lost my best friend, and when she died - our minds linked. I tried to hold on to her, to keep her from slipping away.

[Jean's arms wrap around herself.]

I almost died with her. I'm still not sure how I didn't, just - there was this hot golden light, pulling me out of the dark. And when I woke up Annie was gone and the noise wouldn't stop.

[She closes her eyes, for a moment.]

I was dying and I didn't care.

[A faint smile.]

But Xavier changed that. My Xavier - he's different than the one here, but I love them in different ways. He made me want to live again. And he sealed the power away, until I was ready to use it.

I think I am now, I want to be, but I'm scared. And I...I guess a part of me resents it. Because what good is it, if it couldn't save her?

[Her voice turns small.]

What good am I?