"Repeat that," Erik said.

David didn't open his eyes, didn't even move. His words came out a whisper.

"When he died I felt like I should have this feeling of loss...in my head," he said, "But I never did. I told Kurt that it felt like something was still there but I myself had watched him die. I didn't understand."

He shook his head.

"Lately I've been remembering things, things I couldn't possibly remember if he wasn't…if somewhere…"

He trailed off miserably. It was a strange feeling for Erik, looking down at David. He did bear a remarkable resemblance to his father, just with the auburn hair of his mother. Now though he looked thin and sick, as though he was wasting away. Erik wondered if this had happened in a short amount of time. It was the only way he could think of it happening and no one suspecting something was wrong. Surely someone would have noticed or David would have caught himself. Yet, it seemed a trait of the Xavier men to give little thought to their personal survival.

A few feet away from him Erik could see that tears were spilling down Moira's face. It made him wonder if there was any truth in David's words. His claim had seemed so ludicrous that he was tempted to laugh it away after somehow hurting him. However, he doubted that David would make up such a declaration. He must have known how his mother would have reacted.

Kurt also appeared, while shocked, to believe him. It had taken him a few minutes to realize that that was Mystique's son. He'd been thinking about the possibility, only having it confirmed when Moira introduced him as Charles' nephew. He could hardly see the resemblance between Mystique and Kurt; if asked he would have just thought it was just Azazel's son. Erik would have to repeat that to her later; he was sure that it would hurt.

"And then…when I was losing control," David continued, "I was so lost and I knew I couldn't do it alone. And then I heard this voice and he helped me lock it away and…he saved me. Again. It's what he does."

His eyes opened and he looked at them.

"Don't you understand?" he pleaded, "That's why we need to stabilize my head first. If we don't we could destroy his mind and we'll lose him."

Glances were exchanged among the X-Force. Something between irritation and desperation shone on David's face.

"You don't believe me," he said, his voice flat.

"It's not that we don't believe you," said Doug, sounding uncertain, "It's just…well…you and your father were in each other's heads a lot-"

"And you think that that, combined with the stress of having the Phoenix in my head," said David through clenched teeth, "that it means that I'm starting to imagine things."

There was a long pause. David gave a curt nod.

"Alright, alright," he said, "If these memories are imaginary, made-up, then how do you explain this?"

David's eyes narrowed in concentration and Erik felt something tickle the back of his head.

"It's just a muscle Sean. Like any other," Charles continued, "You have been doing those exercises I outlined for you, haven't you?"

"Yes Professor," Sean said.

"I can read your mind, so lying to me won't get you anywhere. Tell the truth."

"Um…I haven't."

Charles shook his head. From the back of the aptly christened 'Danger Room' Alex and Hank watched their comrade practice during their special 'extracurricular' sessions. Their turn would come soon, as well as a team session where they fought each other. It was the best way to learn each other's weaknesses. Hank was even coming up with a type of virtual-reality simulation where they could make up opponents.

Alex was starting to train outside more though, as was Hank. Charles had been relieved to find that Hank was running trails, but Alex had something more ambitious in mind. His letter from home had informed him that his little brother Scott had exhibited the same 'energy abnormalities' as he had, only from his eyes.

Despite his anger at having his ability called an abnormality Alex had asked Charles if his brother could attend next year. Then he would be old enough to go to school. Charles had accepted and Alex had written home. Hank had even designed a special pair of sunglasses that should block the energy signature to be sent with him.

After that Alex had started to put a training program together for his brother based on what had been used on him. So far he had managed to get a ski shooting set together for when Scott's abilities progressed. Charles admired his enthusiasm but winced at the thought of two Summers brothers together under one roof.

"And I know why you didn't do them too," Charles said, "Had a nice night with Maeve?"

The memory clanged clumsily inside Erik's head. It did feel different; this wasn't something that David had created. He could tell what Charles was feeling in it. From across the room he saw Moira and Kurt looking at them with slight confusion. It took him a moment to realize that David wasn't sharing these thoughts with them; somehow he knew that they didn't need proof. They believed them.

Sean, Alex, and Hank were looking at David with wide eyes.

"Or how about this?" asked David sharply.

"Your decision," said Charles, "I'd like to start this conversation by asking if you were ever acquainted with a woman named Susanna Dane."

Something in his brain sparked. He shoved it down but Charles had already seen the surprise on his face.

"I'll take that as a yes," Charles said, "How so?"

"Why?"

"No need to be so suspicious," sighed Charles, "I'm just asking a question."

Still wary Erik said;

"She was a nurse in the ward that took care of refugees from the camps. We were around the same age. I didn't have any family so I ended up staying there for several years."

"And the two of you were romantically involved."

It wasn't a question. His hand formed into a fist.

"My past isn't exactly the smoothest stroll down memory lane," he said, "And if you're just going to ask these questions, then I'd ask that you stop. Then we can start up a game of chess. At least there would a point to that."

"There's a point to this," said Charles.

He cleared his throat.

"A few weeks after you left Susanna found out that she was pregnant."

"Enough!" snapped Erik, "You've proved your point."

David winced as though he was in physical pain. Across the room Erik cast a glance at Lorna who was biting her lip. Their eyes met. Charles might have shared a few training experiences with David, but he wouldn't have shown him that. Erik looked back at the son of his old friend as he leaned back further in his hospital bed.

"Believe me?" asked David.

"Yes," Lorna murmured.

He nodded and clutched his head. Moira stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

"It feels like my skull is breaking into tiny pieces every time I use telepathy," he said, something like a moan escaping his lips, "I need you to believe me right now…sorry if I overdid it but…I just need you to know that I'm telling the truth. I wouldn't lie. Not about this."

"We know," Rahne said, "We know. But…is it possible to…I don't know, get him out? It doesn't sound good…carrying too many minds."

"I've been carrying too many minds since I was eight," said David, "But yes, I was thinking about that. We still have that patient who was born with no higher brain functions, correct mother?"

Moira nodded. She seemed beyond words.

"The body is going to go through some major changes," David said, "Don't be surprised if the skin or face changes. It's going to want to change to suit the new mind. If we can just slip him in there then…well…that'll be the end of it."

"You're saying this like it's simple," said Hank, "I don't see how it can be."

"It won't be," David said, "I'd need…well…going into someone's head under normal circumstances is a risk. But I've got two accessible ones at the moment, and an angry psionic being. It's going to be remarkably complicated. That's why I'd need all of you to help me."

Erik raised his eyebrows as David swallowed.

"A mind is made of memories, bits of the past," he said, "If you're trying to find someone that's how you have to do it; go through the memories. At the same time your own memories are jumbled up in there but you have to walk through them. In this case we'll be fighting which is why it's good that so many of us are trained in combat, and of course you'd all be at peak performance, both physically and in regard to your powers."

He gave a weak smile.

"And of course, if you die in my mind you wake up in the real world," he said, "Astral plane rules are strange but they do tap into our strength of will. And the path will be a little easier, the memories act as guide. But whether that person knows it or not while you're in their head, they're leading you to them. It's like a magnet…but at the same time you have to navigate. You all…"

His eyes rested on Erik and Mystique. Erik saw his lips purse for a minute before continuing.

"…have known my father for a very long time. You share memories. You can tell me what's happening, where he went next, how we need to follow. Otherwise I'd be running without a map."

David sighed.

"This helps if the people involved are mutants," he said, "Preferably if you're telepaths. What I wouldn't give for another telepath. But that's besides the point. Mutants are more in tune with the machine. It's what Cerebro was built for. Mark II has more than one headset, right?"

"It's got nine. I meant to do ten but it's only partially built," Doug said, "I'd have to be running it constantly to get it right. I'd appreciate Hank's help but if he can't then I'd like Rahne. She watched me build it."

Rahne nodded in agreement.

"I haven't…it would be really dangerous if a human tried it though," Doug said, "I'm sorry about that…Moira, you probably know more than anyone but…"

He trailed off. David turned to Moira.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"I…a mutant would probably work better," she said softly, "If push comes to shove I can't fight really and…well, I'll be more use with Doug."

David looked troubled although Erik was inclined to agree with Moira. She wasn't going to be a real asset in this. Even if her memory of Charles was somewhat more complete than anyone else's she would die too quickly in his mind to be of much use. What they were about to do sounded dangerous enough; he didn't want to further complicate the problem.

A small machine on the wall began to beep. Alex frowned and went over to it, opening the panel and punching a few keys.

"Looks like someone's landed on the east helicopter pad," he said, "I'll go check it out."

He looked over at Kurt.

"Mind giving me a lift?"

Kurt nodded, grabbing Alex's hand. The two of them teleported away and Erik raised his eyebrows. He really was Azazel's son.


Alex coughed as his feet touched the tarmac. Kurt put out a hand to steady him and Alex took it gratefully. He'd only ever been teleported once before and that was when he was fighting for his life with one of Shaw's cronies. It had made him nauseous then too. An errant idea went through his mind that the two sensations were almost identical, but it was a revelation he hastily brushed away.

He could see the helicopter's blades slowing. Alex straightened himself. The night had been very tumultuous for all of them and he hoped that whoever it was had just had to make an emergency landing. On top of everything else that had been happening he didn't want to deal with an unwelcome guest as well.

A white boot stepped elegantly out of the helicopter. Its owner wore white pants and a matching corset. Over it all was a similar long hooded coat. The hood covered her hair but he could make out the gleam of a snowy choker around her neck. White gloved hands pushed back the hood and blue eyes stared at him defiantly.

An old memory surfaced in his head. He clenched his fists and concentrated, letting his power flow through him. She quirked an eyebrow.

"Kurt, get back!" he yelled, "Warn the others. Tell them Emma Frost is here! They'll know!"

Kurt disappeared in a puff of smoke as Alex sent a blast from his chest at Emma. A young girl with pink hair and wings jumped in front of her at the last minute, grabbing her arm and teleporting her out of the way. Alex whirled around to their new position, glaring at the girl. She glared at him in turn, drawing a dagger from her side.

"There's no need," said Emma loudly, "Both of you. I didn't come here to fight."

"Oh? What did you come here for?" he demanded.

She folded her arms across her chest. If she was a normal person he would have thought that she was hugging herself. He knew better from the stories.

"I was just checking to see if you lost this," she said stiffly.

Her eyes flickered to the helicopter. Alex followed her gaze as a man stepped out. He felt his breath clog his throat, nearly choking him.

"Scott," he managed.