Chapter Two

"They're late," said Logan as he stood looking out of Xavier's office window, down onto the grounds at the front of the mansion. The nearby clock showed it to be 12.05. The X-Men had gathered in the Professor's office once more, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the inspector. Charles had informed the students in a morning assembly, and unsurprisingly, the news had not gone down well. But he had warned them that if the news got out that they were mutants, it could mean the end of Xavier's School for the Gifted. That had worked, and the students had left gossiping hurriedly over the revelation.

Scott came up besides Logan, looking outside. "It's been five minutes, give them chance."

"Maybe they're not coming," added Storm hopefully.

"Sorry, 'Ro," sighed Logan as he watched the large gates part and a car begin navigating up the gravelled driveway. Storm and Jean quickly moved to the window to watch the vehicle come closer to the mansion, pulling in besides the rise of steps to the entrance. There was an anxious silence as they watched a dark haired head appear out of the car, currently with their back to the window as they looked out appraisingly over the beautiful gardens at the front of the mansion. "I can see it now," Logan muttered as he watched the newcomer, "This person is gonna be real strict. Really demanding. Gonna be crackin' the whips at our heels."

"Sounds like a kinky fantasy of yours, Logan," said Scott dryly.

Just as Logan was about to retort, the inspector turned to look up at the mansion, positively beaming. A hand lifted to push thick-framed glasses up her nose, eyes peering up at the nearby architecture. She turned from the car, shutting the door in the process as she moved to the boot. Opening it, she began to pull out her battered suitcase, going bandy-legged as she heaved and grunted. She wobbled for a moment before she lowered the large suitcase onto the ground besides her. The X-Men were silently watching her as she lifted out a travel bag, of which she hadn't zipped up previously and her stationary tumbled out.

Notepads, pens, pencils and books were scattered over the gravel. She quickly crouched to gather up her fallen items, jamming them back in her bag as she proceeded to chunter under her breath. Standing, she quickly tucked her hair behind her ears, fingers propping her glasses back up. Logan slowly looked round at the X-Men, "And that's what we're supposed to be scared of? She's harmless."

Continuing to fumble with her luggage, she edged towards the back car doors, pulling one open to access something on the back seat. Swinging out, the edge of the door collided with the motorbike Scott had parked nearby. Off balance, it tumbled over into the gravel with a crash, summoning the woman's proceeding panic to try and stand it back up, all the while juggling bags on her arms.

Scott made a strangled splutter, his eyes popping behind his ruby quartz lenses. "She's just - !" he uttered in a strained tone.

"The motorcycle is fine, be civil to her," warned Xavier, having since come to the window to watch the new inspector struggle to pull the bike back onto its stand.

"That's not the point!" argued Logan, who seemed to have been effected as badly as Scott. "It's a Harley Davidson. You don't knock a Harley Davidson over, it's the principle!"

Charles spoke over Logan's words. "Scott, would you be so kind as to help her carry in her luggage? Bring her to the office."

Scott made a noise caught between whine and a snort, and he turned, shoulders slumped as he stalked out to go and meet the woman who was now dragging her suitcase up the steps of the large entrance.

"He's a broken man," said Logan fondly, forgetting the motorcycle's suffering to instead focus on Cyclops'.

Travelling down the corridor, Scott skulked past the tall leaded windows, of which filtered in rays of dusty morning sunlight across the wooden floor. He was trying his best to reign in his emotions towards his beloved bike, and when he reached the door, opened it to smile painfully at the inspector. "Good morning."

He now had a clearer view of the woman, and his eyes took in the rather dowdy appearance of her attire, of which consisted of fashion suited to a woman twice her age. A white blouse with a ruffled neck was fasted high past her bosom, and a brown suit and skirt, slightly too big for her frumpy frame, hung awkwardly. Long locks of brown were pulled up in a tight bun, appearance finalised by the most garish earrings Scott had ever witnessed.

"Hey!" she replied enthusiastically. "I'm so sorry I was late, traffic was real bad coming from Chicago, which is where I'm from, by the way. I suppose you already know that being briefed about my arrival and all. This mansion is so gorgeous; I can't believe I'm staying here for two weeks. Are you Professor Xavier?"

Scott's face had slackened slightly at the animated babble that met him, and had half a mind to slam the door in her face. "No.." he said weakly, forcing the smile back on his face. "I'm Scott Summers," he extended his hand towards her, and she gave him an eager shake.

"Verity Knowles, though I suppose you already knew that too. So, what are you, a teacher here or something?"

"Yes.." he said quietly, wishing for the floor to open up beneath him. "Let me.. let me get those for you," he quickly added, desperate to keep things moving so she didn't focus on him too long. He moved to take her suitcase and various bags, and unlike Verity, lifted the heavy items with surprising ease. Without waiting for a response, he began walking away. "I'll take you to the Professor's office."

If he'd have thought he would be greeted by a polite silence, he was very much mistaken. Verity hurried along besides him, gazing around at the mansion's interior with awe. "So, how many students you got here?"

"About sixty," he replied, walking as quickly as possible.

"That's not a lot of a boarding school, is it? I also heard you don't have fees, is that true?"

Scott almost dropped the suitcase. "Yes, that's true," he responded, thinking quickly. "We accept students here based on the range of their academic abilities, not the size of their wallet."

Verity seemed impressed by this. "That's so rare, but an absolutely wonderful approach in my opinion. Mind you, I bet this mansion is worth a bit; I was looking at the grounds. I love the outdoors and you got a big beautiful garden out here. When was this mansion built?"

"Er," said Scott helplessly. "You'll have to ask the Professor that."

"Oh, sorry! Am I making you uncomfortable? I am, aren't I?"

Scott didn't look at her. "I'm fine."

"I like your sunglasses," Verity then complimented happily. "My brother has a pair like that, uses them for biking."

"Oh, that's nice," said Scott weakly, feeling sweat trickling from his brow. He lowered the suitcase and other various pieces of luggage outside the double doors to Xavier's office. "Professor Xavier is waiting for you."

"Ok, thank you!" she replied, turning to the door and allowing herself inside. She moved in slowly, looking over the faces that were gazing at her, assessing her as much as she was to them. "Hello," she said, making a nervous giggle before she quietened, shrinking back a little from the imposing stare she was getting from the nearby rugged-looking fellow.

Scott meandered in behind her, looking strained. Charles was the first to reply and easily the most composed. "Good morning. Please, come and take a seat."

Verity edged in, glancing at the people that stood around her. Everyone seemed to be older than her and she felt increasingly out of place. She seated herself down on the couch and Logan, who had been stood near it, stepped away as though she was contagious. He moved to skulk by the window, looking unhappy. "Good morning," she replied politely to Charles, fixating her attention on him. "I'm Verity Knowles, it's a pleasure to meet you," she leaned over to shake his hand in greeting.

The smile Charles spread for her instantly soothed her and she couldn't help but return it. "Did you have a good trip?"

"Yeah, the roads were a little busy, but I suppose they always are when you're trying to get into New York. Honestly, I am so honoured to be at this place. I've only done primary schools before, so this is a real step up for me. So many of our inspectors turned down the offer to come to your school, but I don't know why, this place is beautiful!"

Storm made a nervous cough into her hand.

"Well, I hope you continue you enjoy your stay here Miss Knowles," said Charles, smiling pleasantly. "As it's the weekend, please use today to familiarise yourself with the mansion and tomorrow we will see you bright and early for class."

Verity nodded, looking positively ecstatic. "I will do."

"I'll introduce you to our team of staff," said the Professor, turning to look over the X-Men. "You've already met Scott Summers." Scott nodded slowly, but stayed quiet. "This is Dr Jean Grey," he continued, indicating the tall redhead. Jean did the grace of waving politely to Verity. "And Ororo Munroe," Storm nodded slowly, smiling a little. "And last but not least, Logan." He did not elaborate on the lack of a surname for Logan. Logan just glowered from his position by the window, arms folded and his brow heavily furrowed.

Verity smiled at them all in turn, but her expression faltered on Logan.

"Now then, we ought to get you settled in. Logan, why don't you show Verity to her room?" Charles suggested with a hint of an amused smile twitching his lips.

With a look that could kill, Logan stomped from behind the window, throwing Charles a snarl over the head of the new arrival before he exited, followed quickly by an apprehensive Verity.

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