Author's note: Thank you NotMarge, DeadlyThorn1997, StarlitStar, partygirl98, Jinxofthe2ndLaw, NicoleR85, and babydops for the reviews! I'm so glad you guys liked the chapter! I hope you like this one.

Reaching Out

That same night I spoke to Charles after dinner.

"Charles- I heard it didn't go well with the Grey's last night," I said, after meeting him in his study.

"No, it certainly did not. Nicholas Grey was completely against the idea of his daughter going to any sort of private school. He's also completely unaware of his daughter's mutation," Charles replied heavily. "But you were right. She is a tactile telepath."

"Do you think you'd be able to help her learn to control it?"

"Yes, I should think so. If her father wasn't so against the idea."

"Zoey is going to try to convince him to let Olivia go- she figured out that this 'school for the gifted' is actually for mutants. Grey came in and caused a scene at the cafe, telling Zoey to stay away. He doesn't want his daughter's head filled with nonsense like 'gender equality' and thinks she's a bad influence."

"Did you speak to her?" Charles asked shrewdly.

"I did, actually. But not about that," I replied, feeling both embarrassed and proud of that fact. "She knows that it's been me all along, though."

"That's a start, I suppose," he said, with a smug smile.

"Can we visit the Grey's tomorrow, to help Zoey convince them?" I asked tentatively.

"'We?'"

Please don't over-think this, Charles.

"Yes. I'll go with you this time, instead of Sean."

"With you offering to take initiative like that, how can I refuse?" he laughed.

That's how I found myself driving Charles in the Bentley to the Grey house- or should I call it the Dubois house?- the next afternoon. We timed it so that Zoey would hopefully arrive at about the same time. I knew I needed to speak to her and sincerely hoped she wouldn't think I was a crazy stalker.

The house was lovely, a European-style mansion. Not nearly as large as the Institute, but big enough to be impressive.

It didn't really strike me until that moment that Zoey was apparently a very well-off young woman, if she owned this house. Where did she live?

My discovery of her wealth did not change my opinion of her- unless you counted a sudden attack of nerves. What would a beautiful, intelligent, kind and rich young woman want with a geeky scientist who turned into a monster?

Suddenly I felt the urge to turn around and go home.

No. I can do this. I'm going to try.

I had just finished helping Charles out of the car when a little flash of light less than ten yards up the walkway caught my attention. And then Zoey was there, striding towards the front door. Like she hadn't just materialized out of thin air.

"Z-zoey!" I called softly.

Charles, looking amused in his wheelchair, chuckled. "Your lady love appears to be quite talented, herself."

Zoey froze and turned around, her expression horrified and fearful. Then she saw who it was.

"Hank? What are you doing here?" she asked, now looking surprised and wary.

The fact that she wasn't scrambling for explanations over her sudden appearance told me that she'd decided that I was a mutant, as well. There was nothing to fear from me, in regards to exposure.

"Wait- you were listening in to Marcy and I, weren't you?" she guessed, eyes wide.

I nodded guiltily.

"And you can speak French?"

"Oui."

Zoey appeared to be torn between anger and amusement as she regarded me. As if she was buying time to decide what she was feeling, her gaze shifted towards Charles.

"Are you the mentor who made Hank get out more?"

"I am. Charles Xavier, at your service. I'm the headmaster at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Did you know Hank can speak eight languages, actually?" he offered brightly. "And did he tell you he graduated from Harvard?"

She nodded slightly.

"At the age of fifteen?"

Her eyes darted back over to me, her expression unreadable. I felt like my head was about to explode from embarrassment. My cheeks felt hot enough to melt steel.

"Charles, please stop it," I pleaded.

"What? I know you're too modest to say these things for yourself, and someone has to tell her," Charles retorted.

I sighed over my interfering mentor and gathered my courage. "Zoey, may I speak with you alone for a moment?"

"Yes. Come with me," she said, looking at Charles one more time.

"Don't worry, I'm fine waiting by the car."

Zoey eyed him warily again, before beckoning me forward. I followed her to a small gazebo in the front garden. It was a lovely little spot.

"He's a telepath, isn't he?" she asked, sitting on a bench.

She gestured that I sit, as well. I sat on the opposite side of the same bench as her. Within polite speaking distance, but giving her enough personal space.

Don't be creepy, don't be creepy.

"Yes. How did you know? Because you're used to feeling Olivia in your mind?" I guessed.

Zoey stared at me like I'd grown a second head.

So much for not being creepy.

I shook my head at myself. "I'm sorry, that was impertinent. I know that you're very protective of her."

"Yes," she agreed simply. She seemed tense- waiting for me to explain what I was doing here, what on earth was going on.

"You're probably wondering why I'm here," I offered.

"Yes," Zoey repeated.

She tilted her head curiously, causing the afternoon sunlight to catch her curls in a whole new way. I watched in fascination as her hair changed colors. I felt I could watch her all day-

Wait. Focus.

"Well, a few weeks ago, I watched you scold Olivia for trying to find out who your admirer was from Mrs. Rivers. I guessed that Olivia was a tactile telepath. And then afterwards, I overheard you speaking to Mrs. Rivers about how you worried over your niece because of her gifts," I explained.

I winced, knowing it sounded terrible.

"I'm so sorry for the intrusion- my sense of hearing is very good, and I couldn't help it," I began to babble. "But I wanted to see if I could help Olivia somehow, so I asked Charles if he could speak to your sister and brother-in-law about your niece joining our school. I thought he could help her learn to control her telepathy."

"That was very kind of you," Zoey said after a long moment. "Thank you."

I shook my head quickly. "I didn't mean for it to have such negative consequences for you. I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologize, you were only trying to help. I would like Olivia to go this school, if possible. It's for mutants, isn't it?"

I nodded.

There was a slight pause, as if she was gathering her thoughts.

"I was thinking about how you said you had a secret, just like me. I have a feeling it's because you're a mutant, too. Like I am," Zoey told me. She looked very vulnerable, and hopeful.

"I am a mutant, yes. But my secret is more than just that. I've... I've actually known you were a mutant for quite a while now. Since the first time we spoke, months ago. I just don't know what your abilities are," I said.

She looked surprised. "How did you know?"

"Mutants smell different from humans," I explained awkwardly.

Just stop talking. You keep making it worse.

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm not helping my own case. I must seem like a creepy stalker to you."

"I don't know. I haven't run away yet, have I?" Zoey teased, with a playful smile that stole my breath. "I'm still here."

"Yes, you are," I agreed, practically amazed. She was giving me the benefit of the doubt, at least. I grinned back for a moment before becoming serious again. "Would you like me to help you convince your brother-in-law to let Olivia go to Xavier's?"

"I hope I won't need the help, but please come in just in case," she said.

I nodded and stood, boldly holding out a hand to help her up. Zoey smiled and took it, setting off a storm of butterflies in my stomach.

When she'd regained her feet Zoey linked her arm in mine. I smiled nervously and put my hand on hers as we started to walk back to Charles, arm-in-arm. I liked that feeling. A lot.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked quietly, looking down at her exquisite face. She raised her eyebrows, telling me to ask away. "Are you glad that it was me, or would you have preferred someone else as your secret admirer?"

"I was hoping it was you," Zoey replied, blushing prettily. "You're very cute, you know."

The butterflies in my stomach suddenly became pterodactyls.

She thinks I'm cute!

Charles was grinning broadly when we came back into sight. Actually, he looked rather smug.

I'd call him nosy for listening, but I have no room to judge.

"Are we ready?" he asked cheerfully.

"Yes. But please let me try to convince them, first," Zoey requested politely.

"Of course. I've already struck out once with your brother-in-law," Charles said genially.

Zoey nodded and squeezed gently before releasing my arm.

Then she walked up to the front door of the house she owned but did not live in and rang the bell.