As the long black car pulled up to the gates of a large Georgian mansion, she found herself noting the superior architecture and the fact that the Xavier Institute for the Gifted looked far more majestic than the pictures in the government files entailed. Her chauffer paused momentarily at the two story, wrought-iron gates attached to thick brick walls that surrounded the complex. As they approached the main building, driving along past beautifully kept flowerbeds, Ailyna could tell a lot of effort went into the upkeep of the gardens and the house itself. Sharp green eyes took in more than just the normal scenery as well.

Ailyna noted the locations of the flowerbeds which concealed the weapons beneath the mansion grounds and the points of entry and exit that appeared hidden from plain view. Her father's security clearance gave her this information, though basic. She always knew his passwords for security clearance. He could never remember them completely so he trusted her to know his code despite the penalties he faced if the government knew. Ailyna never abused the clearance, but she did know more than the average civilian. The couple in the club she observed conversing just before Red Dawn's appearance seemed familiar to her for a reason. Jean Grey and Scott Summers, also known as Marvel Girl and Cyclops, leader of the X-men. She certainly knew more about them than they about her.

After the incident at the Morpheum, Daddy insisted on the protection of his little girl. After the incident with Stryker at Alkali Lake the government reached an uneasy truce with the X-men for the past few years. Her father used to work with Charles Xavier at Oxford when the US government stationed him there in the special ops division. He always trusted Charles Xavier for some reason, and that reason sealed her fate for the next few weeks anyways.

She really had no complaints. Staying in a school full of mutants would prove to be quite amusing, she knew it. As the limo pulled to a stop in front of the main steps to the Xavier mansion, Ailyna tucked her handbag tighter under her arm. How much manipulation of human psyches could she perform in one week? After all, she could call it research for her master's degree. Besides, mutant brains differed little from human brains (aside from the psychics). The chauffeur slammed his own door shut and Ailyna's eyes followed him as he walked calmly around the back of the car to open her door for her. Ailyna watched with her demure cat-like eyes as he lifted the door handle and offered his hand to her. Taking it, Ailyna stepped out of the limousine and onto the brick walkway just before the main staircase.

Norrington women could not pack lightly, particularly for a stay of unknown time. The chauffeur pulled a group of five matching luggage cases, one at a time, from the back of a limousine. Ailyna knew that her father hired a top-level chauffeur so she did not worry about her large bags as she ascended the gray marble steps to the giant wooden doors that stood between her and the inside of the school. She lifted one manicured hand and curled it into a fist to knock on the large wooden doors, but the door on her right swung open before she had the chance to knock.

The red haired woman stood immediately in front of her. Ailyna quickly recognized her as 'Jean' from the Morpheum and a few seconds later also attached her recognition to that of the woman's identity of Jean Grey, also known to the government as Marvel Girl. They labelled her deceased in the computer due to the incident at Alkali Lake. Yet she clearly appeared very much alive, standing right in front of her. She would think that Scott would know if Jean did not check out as the real deal.

With a sudden realization, anything that she thought could from now on be monitored by Professor Xavier and Jean Grey if they did not still follow that rule of theirs not to infiltrate others' thoughts without permission. Ailyna tried to refocus her thoughts and scramble as many on the back burner as possible. After all, she had run into telepaths before.

"You must be Ailyna," Jean greeted her, and stepped aside to allow her entrance to the main foyer. "Allow me to be the first to welcome you to our school. The professor is teaching a philosophy class at the moment but he is quite eager to meet you. I trust you had a pleasant trip?"

Ailyna could tell from the get go that the forced niceties that came out of Jean's mouth simply symbolized a front for 'I don't like you and I don't want you in my home'. Ailyna knew the whole school probably thought her a spy for the government. Which Daddy assumed she would report back anyways without knowing really that she spied on these people. But Ailyna would not observe the people of the mansion for the purposes of the government. Pissed as hell already with the fact that she basically had to stay here against her own will, Ailyna intended to make her stay as enjoyable as possible for herself.

Something good had to come out of this and she intended to at least make a few friends and maybe something more than that as she learned the lives of some of the most fascinating mutants in the world. Plus she felt that if anyone could solve the mystery of Red Dawn, Xavier could, and she sure would like to know who succeeded in killing all of those people. She felt so helpless every time she played back that scene in her mind that she could not do anything to help those people. Ailyna could not save the guy she danced with, or the fianc of that poor woman that rocked back and forth on the pavement outside the club surrounded by the flashing blue and red lights, or Joe the bartender, whom she had spoken to only minutes before. She hated being powerless to stop something from happening.

"Yes, I'm Ailyna, and may I say thank you for your hospitality, Ms. Grey, isn't it?" Ailyna, recalling herself to reality, purposely left off Jean Grey's title of doctor to see if she couldn't get a rise out of her or if she'd let it slide as an honest mistake. The wily, troublemaking daughter of General Norrington knew how to manipulate and use her charm to get her way. Call it neglect from her parents or just genetics, she simply found making others uncomfortable quite enjoyable. As Ailyna stepped into the main hallway of the Xavier mansion, heels clicking on marble floor, Jean Grey's welcoming look seemed to harden a bit, her ruby-stained lips conveying just slightly less of a smile. Ah, so she hit a nerve. Ailyna knew mutants thought exactly like humans regardless of their powers for the most part. The emotions did not change with the genetics.

She glanced up at the main staircase of the hallway to watch a group of kids practically running down, the smallest of the bunch sliding down the railing with the rest following. The small Asian kid with spiked hair, goggles, and a fancy-looking wrist-watch leapt off the end of the staircase and ran past in a blur of black and neon green, followed closely by a blond carrying a wand who seemed hell bent on catching him. Behind the blond a girl with red-streaked pigtails ran after her and kept looking back distracted by the mouse-brown haired girl who seemed to keep stopping, staring googly-eyed at the wall patterns.

"Dr. Grey, actually," the red-haired woman replied as the four teenagers ran by, visibly making an effort to ignore their antics. Ailyna made a note to figure out just what those four were up to. The strangely dressed teenagers continued their chase down another hallway. As they left she could hear them yelling to each other, and the kids picking up speed. A Frisbee with colored lights came flying down the hall of its own accord, chasing after the four. It reached them before they were very far down the hall and dangled in front of the blond with the wand. She however ignored the phenomenon of the flying Frisbee and continued to run. Dr. Grey at this point seemed to count deep breaths inside her head. Ailyna watched the antics of the assumed students as they seemed to slow down.

"Lexi! Plan x to the ninth three hundred and forty-two!" The small Asian boy yelled past the girl with the wand.

"Uh uh, no way, we are NOT going to teh Carrie with this," the red streaked blond with pigtails, presumably 'Lexi', replied loudly and the chase resumed, flying around a corner and out of sight.

Mutant children, she supposed, caused the same sort of mayhem that regular children did. Jean Grey held her temples at this point, like a headmistress starting to reach the end of her rope. Turning back on her false smile, Jean gestured towards the staircase. The chauffer at this point had brought all of her bags inside and awaited instruction for the further movement of her luggage. Ailyna smiled at him, glad she had enough cash on her for a tip.

"Please, follow me and I'll show you your room," Jean said, beginning to ascend the stairs.

Ailyna followed the tall, lithe, red-haired woman up the staircase. She glanced around once more at the foyer and noticed a shorter, stocky dark-haired man who watched from a doorframe. His body leaned against the frame, hands in the pockets of his brown leather bomber jacket. Clear blue eyes appeared to glance off of every curve of the red-haired woman she followed up the stairs. She almost froze in front of Ailyna, who could see the slight shudder in her step as if Jean could feel his eyes caressing her curves. Ailyna thought he probably did not notice her noticing him, but made sure to take note of the mysterious, stocky man with this penchant for Jean Grey. With competition like Cyclops, the guy had no chance. But she certainly couldn't blame the guy for trying. Most of the government's information on the X-men came from before the fight at the Statue of Liberty; only pieces came from after that, as most witnesses to Alkali had died in the wreckage. She didn't recognize the rough-looking man below. Finally he faded from her sight as Jean led her towards a bedroom.

"This one is yours. Please, make yourself at home. You're welcome to use any of the facilities on the first and second floors, but the attic is a private space for Ororo and the lower levels are off-limits unless you are accompanied by a senior member of the X-men. If you need anything just simply ask one of the students, I'm sure they can help. We will contact you when the professor wishes to see you," Jean held the door open to the bedroom, allowing her and the chauffeur entrance into the bedroom.

She handed her a small golden key engraved with the X symbol to the room by which she could lock it. By the time Ailyna took in the rich stained wood of the four-poster bed, the other elements of the design of the old-style, charming room and turned back around thank Dr. Grey, she'd slipped quietly away. All the better for her to tour the place and get an idea of what she would do to amuse herself over the next few weeks. Ailyna handed the chauffeur a wad of bills before he left her room and watched him leave through the front door while leaning on the banister overhead. Her stuffy clothes she'd worn to meet the staff of the institute grew old. She changed clothes and once again resumed a place on the railing. Decidedly bored, Ailyna locked the door to her room and practically waltzed down the stairs.

She looked like a student of the school more so than a guest and a woman working on her doctorate. Her outfit, aside from the heels, lacked sophistication that she usually exuded. Ailyna had chosen to wear a pair of old, ripped jeans, smeared with brightly-colored paint, and a tight black spaghetti strap top that hugged her curves. Aside from the ankle boots with a slight heel she wore on her feet, Ailyna looked more like a senior transfer than a temporary teacher at Xavier's.

Part of the deal her father made with Xavier, Ailyna would teach the students of the institute while she remained in the mansion while Xavier tested her in all the ways he could think of for the x-gene. Her father desperately needed to know if his little girl actually harbored one of those nasty mutations his military buddies frowned upon. As one of the only humans to survive Red Dawn, she needed extensive testing to verify her genetic coding. While she didn't like the prospect of machines and scientists poking and prodding her, she thought as she made her way down the stairs and through the arch to the main corridor, she did like the prospect of teaching a class. Truthfully she enjoyed Xavier's request more than her own father's.

Ailyna stumbled upon a kitchen area where she found the same pair from the club canoodling at the island in the center. He leaned his back against the marble-topped counter and clasped his large strong hands at the small of Dr. Grey's back. Her hands rested at the tops of his broad shoulders and they once again had their heads together, this time touching forehead to forehead, nose to nose. Most of her weight seemed supported by him, showing her trust in his judgment and strength.

Ailyna noted, however, no gold band on his finger. Interesting. For all intents and purposes she would have thought them married, not just simply engaged. The couple noticed her entrance in their private moment and looked up, embarrassed by the fact that she caught them so off-guard. Ailyna did her best to look sheepish and sorry for interrupting her. A mental exchange passed between the two and they began to vacate the kitchen. Scott cleaned the cutting board he left on the island and Jean put their half-downed glasses of milk in the dishwasher to be run later. Once they finished they linked hands and strolled out of the room.

"Uhm, sorry?" Ailyna called after them, too soft to really hear.

She hadn't caught them doing anything but looking at each other, so what was the big deal? Free to move about the kitchen finally, Ailyna made a beeline for the fridge hoping to God there'd be some sort of alcoholic beverage within. Her eyes scanned the contents of the fridge and found nothing but a six pack of glass coke bottles. She sighed and took a bottle from the cardboard case in the fridge and shut the door behind her.

Now where would they keep a bottle opener in a place that didn't have beer? Ailyna pushed her hair back and began to search through the drawers of the island, finding nothing that even resembled a bottle-opener. She froze when she felt warm breath on the back of her neck, causing goose bumps to form on her skin. Turning around quickly she found the same stocky man she'd seen staring at Jean from the doorway behind her. His blue eyes locked immediately with hers and she hardly noticed when he took the soda bottle from her hand.

"You the new kid?" he practically growled at her in question form as a long, thin silver blade slid from between the knuckles of his right hand. She knew she stepped into a house full of mutants, but she couldn't help but watch with some curiousity at the slow metal growth from his hand. He stabbed the top of the aluminum cap and quickly bent and removed the bottle cap from the bottle of soda. The blade retracted back into his hand and he reached over with his other to rub his skin where the blade just went in, his forefinger and thumb touching his knuckle while his other fingers held the neck of the glass bottle. He then held the bottle out to her, as if he hadn't done anything but popped the cap off with a bottle opener. She took the bottle back from him without a word, still trying to figure out what to say back to him. Then it hit her that he'd called her a kid and she immediately knew that needed to be corrected.

"New teacher actually. Psychology. I'm not quite a certified professor yet, but close enough. My name's Ailyna. Do you teach anatomy, because you seem to be studying Dr, Grey every chance you get," she said to him as if the conversation existed in the most nonchalant way.

She figured she'd let him know she had seen him- Jean must've sensed him as well. Then faster than she could react, he lurched forward, placing his muscled arms on either side of her, trapping her against the island. He had cornered Ailyna against the island and for a second rage flashed in his eyes. She stared straight back at him, though she could once more feel his breath on her skin, the heat radiating from his body.

"I just wanted to let you know that I think your time might be spent better elsewhere," she informed him, leaving him the invitation. If he bit, great. If he didn't, she could see what other interesting psychological happenings would go on around here.

"Huh," he grunted, for once the one with the surprised look in his eyes. He sniffed like he could smell something in the air to tell whether she lied or told the truth, and must have decided she told the truth because he began to back off. He turned around and walked towards the door of the kitchen without a glance back at her. Ailyna almost felt disappointed. Men didn't usually resist her charm, regardless of whether she wanted a relationship or just a roll in the hay, so to speak. Ailyna decided to try one more shot, see if she could get him to bite.

"I never got your name- or what you teach here," Ailyna called after him, a slight pout forming on her face. She'd relaxed at the counter, still leaning against it, and took a sip from the Coke he'd opened for her. "Or where they keep the beer in this place!" Ailyna finally called out, hoping that last line might at least humor him, if not provoke an answer. She popped one hip out to the right, leaning her back into the marble counter. No, she certainly didn't look like the new professor but she didn't think she looked like a kid either. How could she look like a kid with these curves? She was about to give up hope as he passed through the doorway and around the corner, but she could hear him yell back.

"Name's Logan, kid, I teach art. And they don't keep beer in this place, but you can sneak some in. The old man would have a heart attack if he knew the amount of liquor people actually kept in this place," he said, leaning just far enough back so that she could see his face in the door frame.

He almost seemed to wink at her before disappearing finally. A small smug smile spread across Ailyna's lips. She'd succeeded in not only getting on his nerves, but his good side. Ahh, good old psychology experiments would never bore her. This would prove an interesting stay at the Xavier mansion.