Logan stood in the doorway of the conservatory where the new
resident of Xavier's School for Gifted Children, sat at the grand piano.
Her long flowing raven black hair was pulled back in a clip, the color only
caused her pasty white English complexion to stand out more. But she was
striking despite the old fashioned knee length tartan skirt, pantyhose and
pumps and the buttoned to the neck white blouse. England was a funny
place he thought, she looked like she stepped out of the 50's. He wasn't
the sharpest dresser either, but at least he blended in. Tshirts and jeans
never went out of fashion. His gaze traveled to her fingers as they glided
across the keys with ease and grace. He had never seen anything like it,
but then when had he ever appreciated classical music or even really cared
that it existed. He was amazed that in the last few days the music had
drawn him to this same spot over and over again. She never knew he was
there. When she played she was transported to another place. Far away
from the confines of the walls that now held her prisoner.
Her fingers slipped on a trill, which normally came with such ease, and she cursed under breath, taking a deep sigh, now back to reality she looked up to see she had company. Logan began to step backwards. He felt awkward being spotted. But Hannah was relieved to finally see a familiar face. She had little recollection of the ordeal in London a few days previous, but she recognized the striking muscular physique of the man who had protected her, and rescued her from the chaos. But it wasn't only that, she had been left alone for so long, that the intrusion was welcome, but she had no idea what to say to him. She shyly looked down at the keys and not looking up mumbled, "you can come in."
"No," he stammered, " I have things to do. Sorry I bothered you.." He was short and his words sounded sharp to her.
The young woman was used to this kind of behavior. Growing up, her mother and father, hadn't allowed friends, she was told to practice, that she had such talent and she shouldn't be disturbed. She had listened like a good daughter, but now her social skills were non existent. And she couldn't even find the words to make him stay. He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him. The last few days she had spent wandering the halls of the massive school, but always ended up here, in front of the piano where she felt safe. She had been acknowledged but no one bothered her, just like how it was in England. She looked back down at the 88 black and white keys....her only real friends. At least she had this...her music. She took a deep breath and continued the sonata, this time the trill perfect.
After closing the door to the conservatory Logan backed up against it, wondering about the mysterious young woman who a few days ago, he had never even known existed. She intrigued him. Everything about her, and the way everyone behaved around her, including himself. When was the last time he had felt so touched and moved by something...like the way her playing had effected him? He was jarred from his thoughts by the sound of a familiar voice.
"There you are...Professor Xavier is looking for you." Rogue was probably closer to Logan than most of the Xmen, he had taken her under his wing, and he continued to be the big brother she had never had, throughout her stay at the school. "Logan, is everything okay?"
"Great, kid. I better go see what Chuck wants. Wouldn't want to be in bad standings with the boss." He had a cynical tone to his voice and a twinkle in his eyes. He turned looking at the closed door, and listened to the music coming through it.
Rogue noticed his distant stare, "I'm sure that's a Mozart Sonata, we're studying the classic period right now. Did you know that he wrote his first piece of music at the age of 5? It's amazing isn't it?"
Logan was silent. Rogue continued, "She's weird isn't she? I mean she is on that piano 24/7. Won't talk to anyone."
"I don't think you or I are in any position to judge her. She's different like the rest of us, that's all"
"But she's not a mutant. She's just strange." One thing Charles didn't tolerate was the judging of others by his young students. He was hoping that because of their differences they would be more accepting of others. But they were still teenagers and Logan was only to aware that even in this perfect world Charles had created there was conflict and prejudice. Better just let it slide for now he thought, he really didn't like being the authoritarian adult lecturing,
"Don't you have a class or something..." Logan was trying to change the subject.
"Do you know why she's here?" Logan was heading down the corridor towards Xavier's study, Rogue at his side jabbering. He was trying to ignore her. "Of course you do. The professor tells you everything. Some of the kids are saying...."
He cut her off but continued walking, "I don't care what some of the kids are saying. All that matters is the Professor wants her here, now get to your class."
"Will you come watch me work on some of my battle tactics later, in the Danger Room? I really think I'm getting better."
"Possibly." That was a good enough answer for her. She smiled, knowing Logan was just a big teddy bear when it came right down to it.
She headed back the opposite direction towards the staircase, a skip in her step, then turned back to him, "Logan, you better be there. Bobby thinks I fight like a girl, and I'm going to prove him wrong. Of course with your help."
Logan couldn't help but smile, but didn't allow her to see it, "Later, kid." He waved without turning around. Once her footsteps had dispersed, the sound of the piano once again entered his head. His heightened senses gave the impression they were in the same room. He closed his eyes and a calming feeling passed over him. It was strange, but he liked it. God, that was a new concept for him. He actually liked something. Just as long as the others never knew. He had a reputation to maintain around here. And no straightlaced young English woman playing Mozart was going to ruin it.
He casually strutted into the study where Jean, Scott, Ororo and Charles were already assembled. His tardiness was noted especially by Jean. He was known to be aloof but in the past few days since their assignment in London, he was more standoffish then ever. Scott watched as his girlfriend watched Logan. Not understanding the attraction whatsoever. He slided closer to Jean and took hold of her hand, squeezing it. She gave him a reassuring smile. She had chosen Scott, but she still enjoyed the attention Logan paid her. Well, at least had enjoyed it. He had barely acknowledged her since their return. It was something about that girl.
Charles motioned for him to sit down, "Logan, it's nice of you to join us." he said sarcastically and Logan managed a cynical smile back, as he sat on the arm of the sofa, next to Jean. She was surprised when he didn't look her way. And she seemed a little put off by it.
"I have called you all here this afternoon, to fill you in on the development of the situation in London."
All of them felt a bit lost. The assignment had been to bring this young woman back to the school, at any cost. They all knew she was in danger, but none of them had been told from what.
"I do owe all of you an explanation of some kind. The last few days have been difficult for me. My..." he hesitated. ",,,godchild's arrival has put me off kilter I'm afraid. It hasn't been the the family reunion I had been hoping for."
All of them had noticed that the professor had not been teaching his regular classes in the past few days. He had made every attempt to make the young woman's stay comfortable, but he had made no effort to see her himself. They were all aware of this fact. But they didn't question it. Whatever the connection these two had it was personal and painful for Charles. That was evident.
"I'm standing by my decision that her being here is in her best interests. With her mother's death a year ago, her father has made an incredible mess of things. Which you all saw with your own eyes. He has squandered the money she has earned as a world renown pianist, he has gotten himself in dept and has tried to crawl out of by getting involved with the wrong people. Which unfortunately caused him his own demise. I am partly to blame for this unfortunate act I'm afraid. I should have stepped in a long time ago."
"I don't get it. If he was in such trouble, why didn't he come to you? You worked with him right, In England?" Scott questioned.
Charles had really dug himself a hole. The fabricated story he had made up to satisfy their curiosity no longer seemed efficient. "He would never have come to me, Scott. He hated everything I stood for."
"You mean being a mutant." Logan piped in, "He didn't like the fact you were a mutant." Logan knew only to well the prejudice that came with the title.
"Precisely. I had been helping the family for years. Hannah's mother was a dear friend." The look in his eyes as he said this made Logan think the relationship was much more than he was letting on. "Alan didn't take kindly to her friendship with me. So I stayed away and sent them a check, every month to help with Hannah's schooling. She is incredibly gifted as you have all noticed. I only wanted the best for her, which I do believe she received up until this past year."
Logan was observant and noticed the pride he felt talking about the young woman. He felt Charles was leaving out a hell of a lot.
"I can't see we are doing her much good, keeping her shut up here. She hasn't left that piano since she arrived. She doesn't talk to anyone, and only eats in her room." Logan sprouted off. And then noticed the glances from the others.
Scott couldn't help but comment, "You seem overly interested, Logan. "
"And what's that supposed to mean, Scott?" Logan's anger was building.
Charles put up his hand, "Both of you stop it this instant. This is a serious matter. You are absolutely right, Logan. I see her shutting herself off even more here. Her piano seems to be the only solace she has at this time. I'm afraid her parents kept her truly cut off from the outside world."
"But she's been all over the world. Playing at some of the greatest concert halls ever since she was 14. What an incredible life." Ororo had been a fan of the young pianist,.and couldn't understand how anyone couldn't revel in that kind of exisitence...fame, wealth. It seemed pretty exciting.
"That is the extent of what she's been exposed to, Ororo. Traveling from city to city, seeing the inside of the most magnificent hotels and then straight to the concert hall for practice before each performance. The next day another city. She has had no childhood, and her parents have kept her from any kind of normal existence. They believed this gift she was given should be shared with the world."
"Sounds like a shitty life to me." Logan thought about his own life. Not at all like the one Hannah was experiencing, but it sounded lonely. And he knew all about being lonely. "I don't think to highly of her parents choices."
Charles looked up and Logan noticed the look in his eyes as he turned towards the window. "There's more." He muttered as he looked down on the school grounds. A group of kids were playing soccer, and he smiled at the life he had been able to give these children, in comparison to the life that had been dealt to Hannah. He slowly turned his wheelchair around and faced them. "She's a mutant...but she doesn't know."
They all looked shocked as they gazed at one another. "But how could that be, Professor. If she's a mutant the changes would have taken place during puberty, she is in her 20's. Surely, there would have been some sign, something she would have noticed." Jean seemed very confused by this new fact.
"At the first signs of her mutancy her mother begged me to do something. She had plans for her daughter, being a mutant was something she never considered. And her husband...well, he would never have understood. I didn't think it was a wise move, I thought it would only confuse Hannah in the long run. But I agreed to block her mind, and it has been successful."
With this new bit of information, Logan stood up in a fury, "You are no better than the creeps who took everything away from me. No wonder she is so messed up, not even knowing who she really is."
"Logan, it's nothing like what happened to you."
"Really? Have you been to see her?" Charles put his head down feeling ashamed that he wasn't able to even be in the same room as this young woman, "Right, that's what I figured. All you have to do is look in her eyes and see the pain, the loneliness. Something you wouldn't know about. You have no right controlling her life, when you obviously don't know anything about her. You say you care, but If you truly cared about her at all, you'd tell her the truth."
"I promised her mother."
"Her mother's dead, and at the rate she's going, she might as well be too. Leave me out of this." He headed for the door, and turned around, "I thought you were here to help others deal with their differences, this is a cop out, Professor and you know it." He stormed out slamming the door behind him.
Charles looked at the faces of the others, "Do you agree with him?"
Scott made no hesitation, "You have made your choice for a reason, professor. Logan doesn't know all the circumstances and as usually is sprouting off before he even thinks anything through."
Jean wasn't in agreement, and Charles could read her thoughts, "You think Logan is right, Jean. Hannah needs to know who and what she is."
"It's none of my business." Jean hated when he did that. She was trying so hard to cover her feelings so he couldn't read them, but sometimes it was useless. His power was much stronger than her own.
Ororo felt the tension in the room building, it was a strange situation, but she was curious, "Can I ask what her power is?"
"An enhanced photographic mind. No doubt one of the reasons she is so brilliant on the piano. She doesn't even have to open the music, to see every note, every crescendo and decrescendo. It's there in her mind. While it has helped her with her career, without her knowing, it has also put her in great danger. She has seen important government documents that have information every criminal mind in the world would like to get their hands on."
"But how?" Scott's curiosity building.
"Alan Masterson was a government agent before the death of his wife."
"But Hannah couldn't have possibly understood or known what those documents were."
"I said it was an enhanced photographic mind, Scott. It's all stored up here." He tapped his skull," a word can trigger it. She knows far to much and i believe the men that killed her father have an inkling to her ability. She would be very useful in their world. And because of her naivety, an easy target, she has been controlled by others for so long, that I'm afraid they would have no problem getting the information they needed out of her. I am ashamed to say I am one of those people who have controlled her."
"maybe she does need to know, Professor. If anyone could help her understand it would be you."
"Jean, i wish it could be so easy. Believe me I have thought about it. It will have to be a slow process. She has been so coddled and sheltered for so long. This could have a traumatic effect on her, something I thought of when I placed the block on her. I am hoping here she might be able to accept it, being around others. All of you could be of great assistance in her coming to turns with her ability. I know she has been hard to get close to, but I am relying on you to befriend her. And when the appropriate time comes she will be told about her mutancy."
Jean was still unconvinced. She agreed with Logan but never would she go against Charles wishes. He was like her father. She was loyal to him. But this situation was extremely bizarre. Why hadn't Charles been to see her? What was it about this woman that was causing him to behave in a way so not like him.
"Well, I think that will be all for today. I have a lot of work to attend to." He moved over to his desk and Scott was aware of the distant look in his eyes.
"If there's anything you need, Professor, you know...:"
Charles cut him off, "I know Scott, I can always rely on you. It's a great relief for me knowing that I can count on all of you."
"And Logan?" Scott added.
"Logan states his mind, Scott. I respect that. He will sort out what he's feeling. And I am sure we haven't heard the end of it. But he is learning to control his anger. I don't want you interfering, you rub him the wrong way."
Scott looked at Jean, she just nodded her head. She moved over to Charles and gave him a kiss on the cheek, before she left with the others. Charles watched as they left. Ever since he had began the school, he had taken on hundreds of children. He had been the father figure to most of them. Jean, Scott and Ororo were closer to him than any of the others. As far as he was concerned they were his children. And now there was Hannah. He put his head in his hands. Things had not turned out as they should have. Logan had been right, her parents had not made the right choices for her. He just hoped it wasn't too late to make things right with her. She deserved so much more.
Her fingers slipped on a trill, which normally came with such ease, and she cursed under breath, taking a deep sigh, now back to reality she looked up to see she had company. Logan began to step backwards. He felt awkward being spotted. But Hannah was relieved to finally see a familiar face. She had little recollection of the ordeal in London a few days previous, but she recognized the striking muscular physique of the man who had protected her, and rescued her from the chaos. But it wasn't only that, she had been left alone for so long, that the intrusion was welcome, but she had no idea what to say to him. She shyly looked down at the keys and not looking up mumbled, "you can come in."
"No," he stammered, " I have things to do. Sorry I bothered you.." He was short and his words sounded sharp to her.
The young woman was used to this kind of behavior. Growing up, her mother and father, hadn't allowed friends, she was told to practice, that she had such talent and she shouldn't be disturbed. She had listened like a good daughter, but now her social skills were non existent. And she couldn't even find the words to make him stay. He backed out of the room, closing the door behind him. The last few days she had spent wandering the halls of the massive school, but always ended up here, in front of the piano where she felt safe. She had been acknowledged but no one bothered her, just like how it was in England. She looked back down at the 88 black and white keys....her only real friends. At least she had this...her music. She took a deep breath and continued the sonata, this time the trill perfect.
After closing the door to the conservatory Logan backed up against it, wondering about the mysterious young woman who a few days ago, he had never even known existed. She intrigued him. Everything about her, and the way everyone behaved around her, including himself. When was the last time he had felt so touched and moved by something...like the way her playing had effected him? He was jarred from his thoughts by the sound of a familiar voice.
"There you are...Professor Xavier is looking for you." Rogue was probably closer to Logan than most of the Xmen, he had taken her under his wing, and he continued to be the big brother she had never had, throughout her stay at the school. "Logan, is everything okay?"
"Great, kid. I better go see what Chuck wants. Wouldn't want to be in bad standings with the boss." He had a cynical tone to his voice and a twinkle in his eyes. He turned looking at the closed door, and listened to the music coming through it.
Rogue noticed his distant stare, "I'm sure that's a Mozart Sonata, we're studying the classic period right now. Did you know that he wrote his first piece of music at the age of 5? It's amazing isn't it?"
Logan was silent. Rogue continued, "She's weird isn't she? I mean she is on that piano 24/7. Won't talk to anyone."
"I don't think you or I are in any position to judge her. She's different like the rest of us, that's all"
"But she's not a mutant. She's just strange." One thing Charles didn't tolerate was the judging of others by his young students. He was hoping that because of their differences they would be more accepting of others. But they were still teenagers and Logan was only to aware that even in this perfect world Charles had created there was conflict and prejudice. Better just let it slide for now he thought, he really didn't like being the authoritarian adult lecturing,
"Don't you have a class or something..." Logan was trying to change the subject.
"Do you know why she's here?" Logan was heading down the corridor towards Xavier's study, Rogue at his side jabbering. He was trying to ignore her. "Of course you do. The professor tells you everything. Some of the kids are saying...."
He cut her off but continued walking, "I don't care what some of the kids are saying. All that matters is the Professor wants her here, now get to your class."
"Will you come watch me work on some of my battle tactics later, in the Danger Room? I really think I'm getting better."
"Possibly." That was a good enough answer for her. She smiled, knowing Logan was just a big teddy bear when it came right down to it.
She headed back the opposite direction towards the staircase, a skip in her step, then turned back to him, "Logan, you better be there. Bobby thinks I fight like a girl, and I'm going to prove him wrong. Of course with your help."
Logan couldn't help but smile, but didn't allow her to see it, "Later, kid." He waved without turning around. Once her footsteps had dispersed, the sound of the piano once again entered his head. His heightened senses gave the impression they were in the same room. He closed his eyes and a calming feeling passed over him. It was strange, but he liked it. God, that was a new concept for him. He actually liked something. Just as long as the others never knew. He had a reputation to maintain around here. And no straightlaced young English woman playing Mozart was going to ruin it.
He casually strutted into the study where Jean, Scott, Ororo and Charles were already assembled. His tardiness was noted especially by Jean. He was known to be aloof but in the past few days since their assignment in London, he was more standoffish then ever. Scott watched as his girlfriend watched Logan. Not understanding the attraction whatsoever. He slided closer to Jean and took hold of her hand, squeezing it. She gave him a reassuring smile. She had chosen Scott, but she still enjoyed the attention Logan paid her. Well, at least had enjoyed it. He had barely acknowledged her since their return. It was something about that girl.
Charles motioned for him to sit down, "Logan, it's nice of you to join us." he said sarcastically and Logan managed a cynical smile back, as he sat on the arm of the sofa, next to Jean. She was surprised when he didn't look her way. And she seemed a little put off by it.
"I have called you all here this afternoon, to fill you in on the development of the situation in London."
All of them felt a bit lost. The assignment had been to bring this young woman back to the school, at any cost. They all knew she was in danger, but none of them had been told from what.
"I do owe all of you an explanation of some kind. The last few days have been difficult for me. My..." he hesitated. ",,,godchild's arrival has put me off kilter I'm afraid. It hasn't been the the family reunion I had been hoping for."
All of them had noticed that the professor had not been teaching his regular classes in the past few days. He had made every attempt to make the young woman's stay comfortable, but he had made no effort to see her himself. They were all aware of this fact. But they didn't question it. Whatever the connection these two had it was personal and painful for Charles. That was evident.
"I'm standing by my decision that her being here is in her best interests. With her mother's death a year ago, her father has made an incredible mess of things. Which you all saw with your own eyes. He has squandered the money she has earned as a world renown pianist, he has gotten himself in dept and has tried to crawl out of by getting involved with the wrong people. Which unfortunately caused him his own demise. I am partly to blame for this unfortunate act I'm afraid. I should have stepped in a long time ago."
"I don't get it. If he was in such trouble, why didn't he come to you? You worked with him right, In England?" Scott questioned.
Charles had really dug himself a hole. The fabricated story he had made up to satisfy their curiosity no longer seemed efficient. "He would never have come to me, Scott. He hated everything I stood for."
"You mean being a mutant." Logan piped in, "He didn't like the fact you were a mutant." Logan knew only to well the prejudice that came with the title.
"Precisely. I had been helping the family for years. Hannah's mother was a dear friend." The look in his eyes as he said this made Logan think the relationship was much more than he was letting on. "Alan didn't take kindly to her friendship with me. So I stayed away and sent them a check, every month to help with Hannah's schooling. She is incredibly gifted as you have all noticed. I only wanted the best for her, which I do believe she received up until this past year."
Logan was observant and noticed the pride he felt talking about the young woman. He felt Charles was leaving out a hell of a lot.
"I can't see we are doing her much good, keeping her shut up here. She hasn't left that piano since she arrived. She doesn't talk to anyone, and only eats in her room." Logan sprouted off. And then noticed the glances from the others.
Scott couldn't help but comment, "You seem overly interested, Logan. "
"And what's that supposed to mean, Scott?" Logan's anger was building.
Charles put up his hand, "Both of you stop it this instant. This is a serious matter. You are absolutely right, Logan. I see her shutting herself off even more here. Her piano seems to be the only solace she has at this time. I'm afraid her parents kept her truly cut off from the outside world."
"But she's been all over the world. Playing at some of the greatest concert halls ever since she was 14. What an incredible life." Ororo had been a fan of the young pianist,.and couldn't understand how anyone couldn't revel in that kind of exisitence...fame, wealth. It seemed pretty exciting.
"That is the extent of what she's been exposed to, Ororo. Traveling from city to city, seeing the inside of the most magnificent hotels and then straight to the concert hall for practice before each performance. The next day another city. She has had no childhood, and her parents have kept her from any kind of normal existence. They believed this gift she was given should be shared with the world."
"Sounds like a shitty life to me." Logan thought about his own life. Not at all like the one Hannah was experiencing, but it sounded lonely. And he knew all about being lonely. "I don't think to highly of her parents choices."
Charles looked up and Logan noticed the look in his eyes as he turned towards the window. "There's more." He muttered as he looked down on the school grounds. A group of kids were playing soccer, and he smiled at the life he had been able to give these children, in comparison to the life that had been dealt to Hannah. He slowly turned his wheelchair around and faced them. "She's a mutant...but she doesn't know."
They all looked shocked as they gazed at one another. "But how could that be, Professor. If she's a mutant the changes would have taken place during puberty, she is in her 20's. Surely, there would have been some sign, something she would have noticed." Jean seemed very confused by this new fact.
"At the first signs of her mutancy her mother begged me to do something. She had plans for her daughter, being a mutant was something she never considered. And her husband...well, he would never have understood. I didn't think it was a wise move, I thought it would only confuse Hannah in the long run. But I agreed to block her mind, and it has been successful."
With this new bit of information, Logan stood up in a fury, "You are no better than the creeps who took everything away from me. No wonder she is so messed up, not even knowing who she really is."
"Logan, it's nothing like what happened to you."
"Really? Have you been to see her?" Charles put his head down feeling ashamed that he wasn't able to even be in the same room as this young woman, "Right, that's what I figured. All you have to do is look in her eyes and see the pain, the loneliness. Something you wouldn't know about. You have no right controlling her life, when you obviously don't know anything about her. You say you care, but If you truly cared about her at all, you'd tell her the truth."
"I promised her mother."
"Her mother's dead, and at the rate she's going, she might as well be too. Leave me out of this." He headed for the door, and turned around, "I thought you were here to help others deal with their differences, this is a cop out, Professor and you know it." He stormed out slamming the door behind him.
Charles looked at the faces of the others, "Do you agree with him?"
Scott made no hesitation, "You have made your choice for a reason, professor. Logan doesn't know all the circumstances and as usually is sprouting off before he even thinks anything through."
Jean wasn't in agreement, and Charles could read her thoughts, "You think Logan is right, Jean. Hannah needs to know who and what she is."
"It's none of my business." Jean hated when he did that. She was trying so hard to cover her feelings so he couldn't read them, but sometimes it was useless. His power was much stronger than her own.
Ororo felt the tension in the room building, it was a strange situation, but she was curious, "Can I ask what her power is?"
"An enhanced photographic mind. No doubt one of the reasons she is so brilliant on the piano. She doesn't even have to open the music, to see every note, every crescendo and decrescendo. It's there in her mind. While it has helped her with her career, without her knowing, it has also put her in great danger. She has seen important government documents that have information every criminal mind in the world would like to get their hands on."
"But how?" Scott's curiosity building.
"Alan Masterson was a government agent before the death of his wife."
"But Hannah couldn't have possibly understood or known what those documents were."
"I said it was an enhanced photographic mind, Scott. It's all stored up here." He tapped his skull," a word can trigger it. She knows far to much and i believe the men that killed her father have an inkling to her ability. She would be very useful in their world. And because of her naivety, an easy target, she has been controlled by others for so long, that I'm afraid they would have no problem getting the information they needed out of her. I am ashamed to say I am one of those people who have controlled her."
"maybe she does need to know, Professor. If anyone could help her understand it would be you."
"Jean, i wish it could be so easy. Believe me I have thought about it. It will have to be a slow process. She has been so coddled and sheltered for so long. This could have a traumatic effect on her, something I thought of when I placed the block on her. I am hoping here she might be able to accept it, being around others. All of you could be of great assistance in her coming to turns with her ability. I know she has been hard to get close to, but I am relying on you to befriend her. And when the appropriate time comes she will be told about her mutancy."
Jean was still unconvinced. She agreed with Logan but never would she go against Charles wishes. He was like her father. She was loyal to him. But this situation was extremely bizarre. Why hadn't Charles been to see her? What was it about this woman that was causing him to behave in a way so not like him.
"Well, I think that will be all for today. I have a lot of work to attend to." He moved over to his desk and Scott was aware of the distant look in his eyes.
"If there's anything you need, Professor, you know...:"
Charles cut him off, "I know Scott, I can always rely on you. It's a great relief for me knowing that I can count on all of you."
"And Logan?" Scott added.
"Logan states his mind, Scott. I respect that. He will sort out what he's feeling. And I am sure we haven't heard the end of it. But he is learning to control his anger. I don't want you interfering, you rub him the wrong way."
Scott looked at Jean, she just nodded her head. She moved over to Charles and gave him a kiss on the cheek, before she left with the others. Charles watched as they left. Ever since he had began the school, he had taken on hundreds of children. He had been the father figure to most of them. Jean, Scott and Ororo were closer to him than any of the others. As far as he was concerned they were his children. And now there was Hannah. He put his head in his hands. Things had not turned out as they should have. Logan had been right, her parents had not made the right choices for her. He just hoped it wasn't too late to make things right with her. She deserved so much more.
