"I'm sorry Diana...if I put you in an awkward spot," Charles said. "No, Charles; you did what was best for your people here." I stood at his office window, arms folded over my chest. The Hand remained a major concern and was the chief threat to the X men at the moment but there was still this Dust matter. We'd clearly avoided each other in the hours since she'd arrived. "In all fairness I did tell her about your feelings about Islam..." I nodded. Charles was a leader looking out for his people. I'd been that person in times past. Plus I was the most powerful being around; I'd even beaten the Phoenix in the previous reality. People should always be skeptical of the powerful.

Charles sighed. "Diana...if we are truly going to be at our best to deal with this Hand threat and everything else related to it then we must make it work somehow." I knew what he was asking. I set my arms to my sides/faced him. "I'll do it. But I will need others there; including Peter." Charles nodded/gave small smile. "Excellent Diana. That's all we can ask."

XXX

Charles would preside, as would only be natural; Raven Jean and Sabra would also be present for support; Peter too (he'd remained carefully neutral in this matter for many reasons, for which I was grateful). The fateful meeting would take place in the mansion's main conference room. I was there with them; only Dust needed to arrive...

She did.

I slowly stood; fists clenched. My gaze was that of an Amazon death stare. Dust had great worry in her eyes; that was all that could be made out from behind her veil; but the eyes always said it all anyway. She remained tense in the doorway. "Diana please... Sooraya, it's okay," said Charles. "Please come in." Nobody budged. Peter said, "Diana..." I looked at my husband; he gave a small nod. I slowly released my fists and took my seat again. Charles motioned to the empty seat directly across from me. Sabra walked over to her. "It's okay Dust; we're all here to support each other." Dust let Sabra guide her to the seat.

Dust and I locked gazes then, and everyone else watched us. The silence continued on without any manner of resolution. Peter then said, "We are a family. Families are diverse, different and sometimes just plain annoy the hell out of each other. But at the end of it all...we stand together; united. No matter what." We all looked at my husband. Peter; my Peter...had indeed just spoken with a wisdom far beyond his years; it rivaled that of my father or Athena.

I sighed and looked back at Dust; and she of me. "Dust... I am Diana of Themyscira." "I am Sooraya Qadir...but Dust is what I prefer. I've heard much about you Diana - Wonder Woman - I know that you have strong feelings about my faith... but we are all superheroes here; are we not?" I sighed. "Yes." "Then...are we not sisters as well?" "In time perhaps...but it's complicated." "I understand. I surely do not approve of how my own people treated me and so many others, but they are not true followers of Allah. Most Muslims are not like that; we condemn such behaviors as being against all that the Prophet taught." "Understood. But I've also lived for over 5200 years...I've seen a good deal." "I can't argue against such experience; I can only say as a simple mutant that follows Allah that he has brought us all here together for a reason...and this Hand threat has something to do with it. Whatever our differences...we must set them aside - as your husband said well - or we fail those around us - mutant and human - that rely on us to save them."

"Dust is right Diana," said Sabra. "We must do what is best for the greater good. As X men that must be our first duty in all things." I nodded. "Very well. I will." I looked at Dust. "You have my word as an amazon." "And you have mine as a Muslim."

"Good," said Charles. "A vital beginning has started here. Let this serve as a reminder to all of us of what is possible. The word impossible is a word we X men don't recognize."