Months had passed since the conflict between Jean Grey and Betsy Braddock in the Danger Room that had resulted in Phoenix leaving the very school that bared her name. They had been some of the worst months of Hank McCoy’s life thus far. On the outside, he may have appeared content, but there was a great deal of turmoil within the mutant scientist. He had remained busy in order to keep his mind off of his best friend’s absence. It tore him up inside to see one of the founding members of the X-Men driven away from the team and even more so to have Jean torn away from him so soon after getting her back. It was somewhat selfish, Hank knew, but he missed her. The blue apeman made up his mind to track down Jean and make amends. Even if she would not return to the X-Men, he wanted things to be right between them again.
Cassie had mentioned in passing during their time working together over the summer that Jean had been staying with her. That was a good starting place to look for his old friend. It took nearly a month for Henry to work up the courage to approach Cassie’s apartment door and knock. His large hand ever so gently collided with wood and shortly thereafter he was greeted by the familiar form of a petite blonde young woman. Beast cleared his throat and spoke: “Felicitations to you, Ms. Lang. I was hoping I would be able to converse with your cohabitant and our mutual friend, Jean Grey. Is she presently within the confines of your shared residence?” Cassie shook her head and proceeded to inform the tall man before her that Jean was out running some errands. Hank thanked the young heroine and bid her adieu.
Even with a new heading in mind, the doctor paced the hall for several minutes, debating whether to simply wait at the apartment for Jean to return or to actively pursue her. Finally Hank sucked in a deep breath of air, let out a heavy sigh, and set out in the direction Stature had given him. In the next few hours, he searched the numerous stores that had been listed off by the Pym particle-powered heroine. Employees of some of the establishments appeared put off by the azure acrobat frantically rushing about their place of business, but did and said nothing, except for their customary offer in finding an item to purchase. “No, I am afraid not. I apologize, but I have no interest forthwith in the exchange of legal tender for material goods,” he would say each time.
However, the mutant hero had no luck. Feeling emotionally drained and deeply saddened, Hank crouched on a park bench close to the last shop he had visited. He had all but given up when his sharp olfactory sense detected a distinctive scent. It was like a warm, crackling fire and crisp apples all rolled into one. Beast bounded from the bench and bounced off a nearby tree, following the trail. Brilliant tresses of long red hair moved slowly through a crowd, bogged down by various shopping bags full of groceries or clothing items. The blue man pushed his way past people, apologizing to them as he went. Reaching out he could have touched her. There she was: Jean!
Without even realizing it, he must have called out her name. Or it may have been his psychic presence she had felt, because Phoenix turned around to face him. Henry stood there, waiting, watching his friend for any further reaction. Usually so verbose, words failed him at that moment.