I sat at the empty conference table, my chin resting on the cool surface, my eyes locked on the cell phone lying in front of me. The only sounds were the even rhythm of my breathing and the anxious tapping of my foot. I had been staring at the phone for the last few minutes, my thoughts going back and forth. Do it, don't do it, do it, don't do it. However, I had already made the decision; I knew what I was going to do. With one final deep breath, I sat up, reached over for the phone, went into recent calls and hit redial. It rang twice before Stryker picked up.

"Have you come to your senses already, Xavier?" he said. "I have to say, I'm impressed."

"Meet me in Westchester Park at midnight tonight and if you bring Alex unharmed, I'll go with you. No fighting, no surprises."

There was a moment of silence.
"How do I know you're not lying?"

"I promise you I will go with you. I'm the one you want, I'm your target. There's no need to involve anyone else."

"You're willing to give your life for him?"

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be calling you. I know what I'm doing."

There was another pause.

"Do we have a deal?"

"Westchester Park?"

"Ten minutes from the mansion, midnight."

"Fine. See you there."

The phone line went dead and I lowered it from my ear back onto the table. Taking another deep breath, I turned around and Professor Xavier gave me a soft smile and a nod, placing his hand on my shoulder as a signal of a job well done. I smiled softly back at him. The plan was now in motion.