She was beautiful. The most beautiful thing I've ever beheld. Even now, trembling with with fear, fighting the evil within, filled with love. I *loved* her. I always have and I always will. No matter what. 'Til death do us part.

"You see, Scott? I told you. Jean to Phoenix to Dark Phoenix--A progression as inevitable as *death*."

I wanted to say something, tell her that together we could overcome this. We could overcome *anything*. We were Cyclops and Marvel Girl--Scott and Jean--the first X-Men. But more than that, we were in love. A love that transcends time and space itself.

"You of all people should know how I feel. Through the psionic rapport we share."

I knew a little bit of what she felt, but she was hiding something. I didn't quite know what or why. I wanted to know. I've told Jean everything--every fear, every feeling, every last secret. I wonder why she felt she couldn't do the same.

"I'm *scared*, Scott. I'm hanging on by my fingernails. I can feel the Phoenix withing me, taking over. Part of me...*welcomes* it."

I wanted to hug her, to kiss her, to wrap her up in my loving embrace, but I couldn't. She had me telekinetically suspended. I wanted so much to say something of comfort to her. But there aren't words in the English language to convey the way I felt. So I tried to reach out thru the psionic rapport Jean had established back in New Mexico just a few days ago. But I was denied.

She looked back up at me and smiled, almost teasingly, eyes glowing. "Jean, I..." I heard a click and then a hum from behind me.

I *loved* her. I always have and I always will. No matter what. 'Til death do us part. No...*Beyond* death. For at that very moment, Dark Phoenix sentenced me to death.