xp_logs | Jean and Crystal

Jean asks Crystal to stay after class and asks Crystal a question that takes her completely by surprise.

Glancing up at the clock on the wall behind the students, Jean smiled and nodded. "And that's it for today. Please read the first section of chapter three in the textbook by our next class. And remember, lab on Friday. Don't wear anything terribly hard to clean this time, please. Crystal, can you hold up a minute?" she added as the students began to gather their books and head out the door.

Crystal looked up from her textbook and nodded. "Yes, Dr. Grey," she said, remaining in her seat as the other students picked up their class materials. After the others left the room, Crystal stood and approached Jean, wondering what the non-sadistic redheaded doctor wished to speak to her about.

"Don't worry, you're not in trouble," she said, although that was as much for the benefit of the last few students filtering out who were sneaking looks over their shoulders as for Crystal. The rumor mill at Xavier's was far too efficient at times, She smiled at Crystal as soon as the door shut behind the last one. "Amelia and I were discussing reworking some of the medlab policy, making things official now that I'm back, and one of the things that came up was the help you gave to Marius while he was having such difficulties, and again in San Diego after the earthquake. Should we be lucky, we'll never end up in such situations again, but... well, we have a rather problematic track record and it's better to be prepared." Coming around her desk to lean against the front, she went on. "I don't know if you're at all interested in becoming a regular medlab volunteer, or if you have any interest in medicine at all, but we would like to ask if, should a need arise again, you would be willing to help again." In truth, Crystal's powers would have been very useful for helping Kurt, if he'd needed it long term. A living oxygen tank who could also administer air-born medication...

Crystal was floored. She knew that her powers could help people, and she'd had thought of the possibility of being useful in the medlab, but she hadn't wanted to seem presumptuous. Clearly, some people placed high value on keeping their medical problems a secret (which was understandable) and might not have wanted her to know anything, and wouldn't have wanted her to be there save as a last resort. The fact that she could act as an oxygen tank had to be on file, and Crystal had hoped that if her help had been needed, someone would have approached her. She hoped that the staff members knew that she could be trusted and would never break confidentiality.

"I am glad that I was able to help Marius, although given the true nature of his situation, and the fact that I had never done such a thing before, I could have ended up causing him harm," Crystal told Jean. "I was surprised to find out that at the time, it was the air itself that was causing his breathing difficulties. I am very glad that what I did was able to help him and I did not accidentally hurt him. I...yes. Yes, I would like to help out, and yes, I am interested in becoming a regular medlab volunteer."

Jean smiled brilliantly. "That's wonderful to hear. We've been short volunteers since last years seniors graduated. If you'll come down later today, after classes, we can work out when it would be good for your schedule to do the training and, if you want, a regular time to come in. If you're interested in getting an independent study, we can do that, too." Reaching behind her, Jean picked up a small pile of papers held together with a paperclip and offered it to Crystal. "I was kind of hoping you'd say that, actually, so here. The rules for medlab volunteer. We'll go over them during your training, too. Mostly it's about patient confidentiality, cleanliness and being on time. I doubt any of it will be a problem with you."

Nodding, Crystal gave Jean a real smile and accepted the offered stack of papers. "I will try to look over them before I come to see you later this afternoon, and I will read them in detail before my training begins. I never discuss people's personal matters with other people, I will definitely stay clean and follow proper sanitary procedures, and I always arrive early."

Jean smiled. "Excellent. I'll see you later, and look forward to working with you. If you have a chance, you might also talk with some of the other volunteers to get some idea what the work is like."

"Is there anyone in particular you have in mind?" Crysatal asked, not knowing who the Medlab volunteers were. She listened as the doctor listed a few names, then gave Jean another nod accompanied by a smile. "Thank you for speaking with me about this. It would be best if my services were never required, but as you mentioned, things have a way of happening around here, and it never hurts to be well-prepared for every possible situation for which there can be a plan."

"Thank you," Jean said, shaking her head slightly. "I hope this works out for you. Who knows, maybe you'll find you like medicine." She smiled again. "Ah, but I should let you get to your next class. Have a good day, Crystal."

"I hope that you have a good day as well, and I will come by to speak with you again this afternoon." With a brief glance back at the desk she sat at during class, her books, pen, and pencil moved off of the desk and floated towards the door, following by her side as she left the classroom.