Part II

Professor Xavier looked up from his work only to find his office had become inundated with young people. Tapping his stack of freshly graded papers against his desk, he set them aside and said, "Yes?"

About two dozen voices immediately began speaking at once. The professor winced and held up his hands, turning his attention to the two most dominant voices to his right: those of Jean and Scott.

"Now then, all of you, quiet," he said, his calm indoor voice somehow cutting through the noise. "Jean, Scott, one of you please tell me what's going on."

"Well, Professor, it's like this," Jean said, speaking before Scott thought to open his mouth. "You know that pond out back? The one Dr. McCoy uses for his science lessons on microorganisms?"

"Indeed," he nodded and furrowed his brow. "What of it?"

"There's something living in there, Professor," one of the Jamies broke in. "Something alien!"

"Honestly, Professor, it's like, totally gross," Kitty agreed with a little shiver. "Kurt found these things in the pond while we were playing baseball, and they just, like, completely creeped us out. They're like, these huge yellow brains, and Jean said they were alive—like, creatures alive, not plants or fungi or anything."

"Kitty thought they were alien pods," Bobby put in, but Kitty's glare prevented him from adding any more than a smug smirk.

"So, there it is, Professor," Scott said. "Do you have any idea what they are?"

Xavier's lips had been twitching upwards in a strange sort of smile while Kitty was talking, but now his expression smoothed out and he drew in a thoughtful, considering breath. "Hmm… Not having seen your mysterious life form for myself, I'm afraid there is little I can tell you," he said, and the gathered group moaned. "But—" he added, holding up a stilling hand, "that doesn't prevent any of you from conducting an investigation of your own. If these things are of extraterrestrial origin, I'd say a full scientific study would be in order...just to rule out any earthly possibility that they could be from Earth." He smiled. "Now, who among you feels up to such a challenge?"

Most of the kids had come in there looking for a quick answer. The prospect of having to investigate the question for themselves left them cold, especially when they considered how much work they already had to do for their classes. Bobby, Rogue and Jubilee were already edging out of the office when Kurt spoke up.

"I'll do it, Herr Professor," he said, his voice somewhat hesitant at first, then growing more firm as he warmed to the idea. "I discovered the things. I would like to find out what they are."

"I'll help too," Kitty stepped forward, and Kurt immediately broke out in a wide, though slightly bashful smile.

"Danke," he said. Kitty shrugged.

"Hey, I'm curious too, you know," she said. "Besides, you're gonna need someone who can type." She glanced at his thick, fuzzy fingers. "No offense."

"None taken," Kurt said with a smile, but his tail twitched as he clasped his hands behind his back. Jean and Scott shared a look. The Professor smiled a broad, polite smile and nodded.

"Good, good," he said. "Then that's settled. Now, if you'll all excuse me, I do have some rather pressing business, so…"

"Ah, so that was his 'I'm kicking you out now' smile," Bobby whispered to Rogue, who smirked. Jean shot him a warning look.

"We understand, Professor," she said. "Thank you for your time."

Xavier nodded, already sorting through a thick stack of papers that still needed his attention. As the kids filed out, Jean gave Bobby a mental shove just strong enough to send him stumbling through the doorway.

"Hey! What was that for?" he scowled at Jean as she sauntered past.

"Nothing," she smiled.

Xavier glanced up. "Oh, Kurt, Kitty, just one more thing," he said, catching them just his side of the hallway. Turning their heads in tandem, they chorused, "Yeah, Professor?" and immediately scowled at each other. Xavier smiled.

"Keep me advised of your progress," he said. "I'd like very much to know what you find out."

"Will do, mein Herr," Kurt assured him. "We're going to start the investigation straight after supper."

"What!" Kitty exclaimed. "No! Friends is on after dinner! They're having, like, this mini-marathon where they're playing all the episodes from season—"

"You wanted to help, yes?" Kurt retorted. "Today, we are scientists. Detectives! We have no time for all that TV! Isn't that right, Professor?"

But the Professor had gone back to his work and Kitty had already walked away in a huff.

"Fine then!" he called after her. "If that's the way you feel about it, we can be detectives tomorrow. I was wanting to watch Errol Flynn's The Sea Hawk again anyway," he added more quietly to himself.

At the end of the hallway, Kitty paused with a sigh.

"The pond," she said. "Tonight, seven o'clock. Bring a camera." She turned a corner out of sight. Kurt clenched his fist and brought his elbow in for a victory, "Yes!" Then, with an evil grin, he bamfed away to beat Kitty to dinner.

To Be Continued...

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