Maureen was sitting in the waiting room, staring into nothing.

It had been hours since the incident in Cuba. The team was eventually able to transport Charles to the hospital. It's actually rather strange as to how Charles and the rest were brought to the hospital.

Azazel.

It was odd, yes, but the red mutant had appeared back on the beach minutes after teleporting Erik and the others away. He offered no details as to why he came back but he said he would take the group wherever they needed to go. At first, the others were suspicious but Maureen had read him and could feel that his intentions were good. The teenager vouched for Azazel and MacTaggert had told him that they needed to take Charles to the hospital.

After telling him the details, Azazel took them. Maureen and MacTaggert were at each side of Azazel, holding one of his hands. Alex and Sean were at either side and Hank held onto one of them, while one of his arms held Charles. With a poof they were at the entrance of the hospital, and then Azazel left without goodbye.

That's where they were all at now. Charles was in one of the hospital rooms, Alex and Sean were down in the cafeteria. Maureen suspected that MacTaggert was with Charles while she and Hank sat in the waiting room, ignoring the incredulous stares that people gave them.

Let them stare, Maureen couldn't help but think. She knew they must have looked like a funny pair: tiny little Maureen sitting next to the big, blue, and furry monster. She knew their suits must have looked funny too but...let them stare. They've just gone through a lot. They had prevented World War III, for crying out loud!

They may have preventing World War III but there were consequences to that. Charles had gotten hurt and they lost friends who were close and dear to their hearts.

Maureen hadn't really spoke since the doctor supervising Charles had came out to the group of mutants to inform them that Charles would be paralyzed from his waist down for the rest of his life. Maureen's heart had sunk at the news. Everyone else was in disbelief too but Maureen took the news hard.

Maureen couldn't help but think it was her fault...and that it wasn't fair. What did Charles do to deserve this? Nothing, it was absolutely nothing.

"What are we going to do?" Maureen found herself saying. Hank had perked up, looking at her. He hadn't heard her say a peep since the doctor told them of their mentor's condition.

"I'm sorry?"

"I know you heard me, Hank," Maureen couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I said, 'What are we going to do'? Charles, he..." she gulped. "He can never walk again. They left us. What do we do?"

It was silent between the two before Hank responded, "I don't know, but I do know Charles wouldn't want us to beat ourselves up over this."

Maureen did not respond. Hank did not take offense to this, noting that Maureen looked absolutely drained. He watched as the young teen leaned against her furry, blue frame and closed her eyes. She needed to rest. They all did.


It was late November Charles was discharged. While he was in the hospital and MacTaggert kept him company, Maureen and the boys were back at the mansion, going to work.

Charles had always said that he wanted to turn the mansion into a school for mutant children. He had said while they learn how to control their abilities, they would also be able to continue their studies. Not only that, but the mansion would also be a safe haven for them. Maureen couldn't help but tear up at the thought. As her mother once said, Charles Xavier was probably one of the most kindest people she had ever met.

Speaking of Amelia Shepherd...

Maureen had called her mother, needing help. Maureen decided that Charles needed a "welcome home" slash Thanksgiving type of celebration, and who was the best cook in the whole world? It was Amelia Shepherd Maureen always loved her mother's cooking, and she knew that her mother was missing her eldest daughter, so she had invited her to come to the mansion. This was the first time the boys met Maureen's mother and brother, seeing as Tommy had tagged along as well.

The Shepherd family was busy tidying up the mansion and helping the boys renovating the mansion to help it make it more accessible for Charles. It turned out that together, they were all a pretty great renovation team. When Charles and MacTaggert finally returned to the mansion, it was needless to say that they were both shocked.

"Welcome home, Professor Xavier," Amelia Shepherd was the first to speak. For the first time in his life, as he read each of their thoughts, seeing what they had done, Charles Xavier was speechless.

"You-You all did this for me?" Charles looked as if he was in near tears. His very first students all gave him expressions of joy and gratitude.

"We owe you everything, man," Sean said. "And we want to help you in every possible way."

"So we started by making it easier to move around in the mansion for you," Alex added.

"And I went out to find lawyers, people we can get to have the academy up and running..." Hank informed.

"I called in my mother, here, and this squirt too I guess," Maureen ruffled her younger brother's hair, who groaned out "Maureen!" in response, "to help get this place a little tidied up...and for some great cooking. You must be tired from all that hospital food."

"I will admit, it smells absolutely delicious," Charles gave a smile. "I have to thank you all, you have done absolutely so much in the past few months...I don't know how I can ever thank you all."

"Then don't."

Once Charles calmed down, everyone gathered around at the dining room table and dug into the meal Amelia, as well as Maureen and Tommy, had made. And it was delicious.


It was a few days after Charles had returned to the mansion. Despite everything that had happened, his students seemed to be up in spirits...for the most part, at least.

Charles was currently in his study with his students, calling for a meeting with them.

"I want to thank you for all you have done, truly," Charles told the small group. "I could never thank you enough."

"We can never thank you enough, Charles," Hank said. Sean, Alex, and Maureen all nodded in agreement.

"You've done so much for us, this is the least we can do for you," Maureen added. "We want to help you in any way that we can."

"I know, and that leads me to what I am about to tell each and every one of you," Charles said, taking a deep breath. "You have done so much and have come so far. You're no longer children and as of now, you are no longer working for the government—"

"I hope not," Alex scoffed. "They almost killed us."

"Yes, they almost did," Charles agreed. "However, as I was saying...if you want, you can stay here at the mansion for as long as you want. If not, that's alright, too. I know some of you have families that are out there and if you want to return to them, you can. You are not trapped here, and I don't wish for any of you to feel as if I'm tying you down—"

"You're not tying us down. We already talked about it. We're staying," Sean informed their mentor.

"This is the only place where we belong. We want to help you, and we don't want you to be alone. Our place is here, with you," Maureen added.

For the second time since meeting Charles Xavier, the older man began tearing up again. It took him a moment to compose himself.

"Thank you all, so very much. You have no idea what that means to me," Charles eventually said.

"You're our family," Maureen told him sincerely walking over to him. She bent down and she hugged him, which he returned. "No one should be alone."

And alone they would never be.


"In this week of Thanksgiving, there is much for which we can be grateful as we look back to where we stood only four weeks ago. The unity of the hemisphere, the support of our allies, and the calm determination of the American people. These qualities may be tested many more times in this decade."


A/N: Hey, guess what? The sequel is now published!