Author's note: Thank you to StarlitStar, NotMarge, NicoleR85, kmj1989, babydops, Guest, partygirl98, and Jinx of the 2nd Law for your reviews. Wow, I didn't expect that amount of feedback! But of course I loved it. It's always good to hear what readers are thinking. Big chapter today- both in significance and in length. Hopefully it's not too long. Tell me what you think!

Discovery

"Hi, Nicholas," Marceline called out.

This is Zoey's brother-in-law. Why is he here?

The man grunted and turned towards Zoey, who looked up at Marceline's greeting. Her expression immediately became wary.

"Hey, Nick. What's up? Are Chloe and Livie ok?"

"They're fine," Nicholas replied in a clipped voice. "I'm coming to tell you to stay the hell away from my family. I catch you in my house again and I'm calling the cops."

Zoey's freckles suddenly became very visible as the blood drained from her face, leaving her skin ashen and pale. "What? Why?"

"Some people came by last night to try to enroll Olivia in a school for gifted children," her brother-in-law explained.

My heart sank. Apparently Charles had gone to visit last night and it had not gone well. Perhaps that's why he didn't mention it to me.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Women don't need to go to school," he said harshly. "You've filled Olivia's head with all of this garbage of gender equality and now she's throwing a fit. She wants to be just like 'Auntie Zoey.' My daughter doesn't need you putting ideas like that in her head. You're an unnatural creature and I don't want you around Olivia anymore."

By the end of his tirade, Marceline had come out from behind the counter, looking livid. Zoey merely looked as if Nick had slapped her.

Meanwhile, I was fighting to hold onto my self-control. This wretched man insulting my- lady love?- was enough to make the Beast fight to come out.

"How dare you say that to her?" Marceline snapped, getting in Nick's face.

Whoa. Angry French lady, watch out.

"You know Zoey owns that house and doesn't even charge you rent. Now, this is not the place to have this conversation. You need to leave, now."

"Why would I? I should own this place-"

Zoey stood up, her face now sheet-white except for angry red patches burning on her cheeks. "'Should' is the operative word in that sentence, and it's only in your opinion. You know I'm part owner of this shop," she said quietly.

"Your father was an idiot. He should have never left his money to you-"

Sounds like a case of sour grapes to me.

I stood silently, mindlessly, to provide back up to Marceline. My sense of justice had been deeply offended.

"Get out," Marceline ordered flatly.

"I'd like to see you make me," Nick retorted.

"Sir, Mrs. Rivers would be well within her rights to call the police and have you removed from the premises. You're creating a disturbance, and I suggest you leave now," I said calmly.

Nick whirled around, as if he was ready to argue. Then he realized he was only 5'9 and facing someone over six feet tall. Even if I was rather lanky, I knew my expression wasn't exactly thrilled right now. It was a struggle to stay calm, and I didn't want to lose it in the middle of the coffee shop.

His face immediately blanched.

"Fine. We'll talk about this later," Nick said coldly to his sister-in-law. Then he turned on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.

The three of us immediately relaxed somewhat.

Marceline turned to me, her expression relieved. "Thank you, Hank," she told me, patting me on the arm as she moved back towards the counter.

"No problem, ma'am."

Oh no- why'd you say my name?

Comprehension dawned on Zoey's face as she looked from Marceline's retreating form to me.

My secret's out. No!

To my surprise Zoey composed herself quickly.

"Thank you, for helping," she said, smiling warmly.

"It was no trouble," I replied quickly. Now that my anger had somewhat drained away- I was still indignant on her behalf, though- my shyness was back in full force.

We stood there awkwardly for a moment. I wanted to turn around and walk out, I was so afraid. Was I a disappointment to her?

"I'm Zoey Dubois," she offered, holding out her hand.

It's going to sound silly, but the second our skin touched it felt like a bolt of electricity sparked from her hand to mine.

We shook hands. Hers was small, soft and warm. I was terrified mine felt cold and clammy.

"Hank McCoy," I replied.

Her smile was dazzling, like a rainbow after a thunderstorm. I couldn't help grinning back- her smile was just so contagious.

"'Hank' as in 'Henry?'"

I nodded.

"So my first guess was right?"

"Yes," I told her, not bothering to pretend I didn't know what she was referring to.

There was no use denying that it was me. The connection between a man who'd been coming to the cafe for months, who was willing to defend her, with the same first initial as her secret admirer was too much of a coincidence for her to ignore.

"Will you sit-?" Zoey began, gesturing to her table, but then she cut herself off. She looked at her toenails for a moment, painted blue in cute sandals. Then she met my eyes again and smiled. "I can be patient."

"You're wonderful," I whispered.

I think... I think I'm in love with you.

Then I hurried away, back to my table. I felt like I was about to come apart at the seams, standing so close to her and knowing my secret had been exposed. I knew Marceline would be the undoing of this thing. Intuition, I suppose. But now what?

Zoey took her seat again and tried to go back to studying, but she was too unfocused to do much. I couldn't say I blamed her, after the confrontation with her brother-in-law and then finding out who her secret admirer was.

What did she think of me? Was she pleased? Would she have preferred someone else? I was in agony, wondering.

Marceline didn't seem to understand that she'd given me away, but I wasn't angry with her for it. She didn't know that I'd given Zoey a clue. If only Nicholas Grey hadn't walked in and created a situation where I felt the need to protect Zoey... It was just bad luck all around.

At that moment Marceline swept over to Zoey's table with a tea tray and sat down, uninvited.

"Can you believe the nerve of that man? Pretending like he owns that house, like you don't let him live there out of the goodness of your heart. You don't even charge him rent!" Marceline complained in French.

"He's my sister's husband. You know I feel guilty about my father disinheriting Chloe," Zoey muttered. "I'm not going to leave her out in the cold."

Marceline was quiet for a long moment.

"You're so much like your mother," she said finally. Then she sighed. "And your father."

"Do you think my father made the right decision?" Zoey asked.

"I do. Chloe has never had any business sense, and then she went and got pregnant too young. By a man who has no respect for women, no less. Your father knew Nicholas would assume control and run the whole thing into the ground because he's too pig-headed. You, on the other hand, are smart. And you have good instincts for business. You were the natural choice, though I do wish you would kick Nicholas to the curb."

"Doing that means hurting Livie, and you know I can't do that. I wonder what this school for the gifted was for? You don't think..." Zoey trailed off. "Could it be for her ability? I've heard of a school in this area that's for people... people..."

"Like you?"

"Yes."

I chanced a glance over at them, wondering if there was some way I could help the situation. Zoey was looking at me intently, as if a thought had occurred to her.

Like I could possibly be a mutant, too, and that was my secret.

I've fallen for a very smart woman.

"I found out who my admirer is," she murmured, meeting the eyes of the older woman.

"What? Did he tell you?" Marceline asked excitedly.

"Not really. He signed a letter with his first initial," Zoey replied.

"And then I said his name! Oh, no! I hope he isn't mad at me," the other woman said, sounding genuinely contrite. "Is Hank going to speak to you now?"

"Only if he wants to. This... what happened today revealed Hank's hand before he was ready, I think. I want to talk to him, but I can be patient."

"What did you think of him?" Marceline asked eagerly.

"He's very handsome-"

She thinks I'm handsome!

"And he seems very sweet and sincere," Zoey replied shyly. "Do you know how old he is?"

"Bill asked and said he just turned twenty-three."

"You two were so nosy, and still refused to point him out!" Zoey laughed. "I think you enjoy the entertainment."

"Not entirely," Marceline argued. "We want you to be happy, Zoey. We respected Hank's wishes because he's a nice boy and we didn't want to scare him off. And... as you said, it's quite fun."

They laughed and were silent for a moment before Zoey spoke again. She sounded very determined.

"I'll let Nick cool down for a night, but I'm going up to the house tomorrow after class. I'll try to convince him to let Livie get the best education possible."

"What time were you heading over?"

"Five-thirty or so," Zoey replied.

"I'll be free, then. Call me if you need back up, understood?"

"I will."

"Now, I'll let you get back to your studies. Everything will be alright, ma petite," Marceline said reassuringly. Then she stood and left Zoey to her work.

I had a choice to make. The biggest step towards personal growth yet. I could chose to continue writing letters to Zoey, in the hopes that one day I would work up the gall to speak to her... And possibly lose any chance I had with her if she gave up on me.

Or... I could talk to her. And try.

I loved her already. The chance that Zoey was right, that I could be everything she ever wanted (though that was rather unbelievable) was very tempting. Could I risk it? I could lose this strange relationship we had.

Or I could gain everything I had ever dreamed of.

Yes, I decided. She was worth it. I was going to take a chance...