Chapter One: The School

Mulder raised his eyebrows. "How may I help you?"

Professor Xavier exchanged a glance with the red-haired woman. "May we come inside? I believe I have some information that will interest you."

Mulder, who by now was used to mysterious strangers telling him they had information, stepped back. Xavier and the woman followed him into the living room.

Dana looked up from where she was sitting on the couch. Her gaze fell on the strangers, then darted up to Mulder. "Honey…" Her tone was questioning, but not particularly alarmed.

"I appreciate your hospitality," Xavier said, catching the end of Dana's trailing inquiry. "My name is Professor Charles Xavier, and this is Dr Jean Grey. We'd like to discuss today's events at Lincoln Middle School."

Dana tensed. Were these people school administrators? Why were they asking about William? They'd already expelled him; what more did they want?

Then her stomach clenched with dread. Could they be with the government?

"Yes?" she said cautiously, careful not to let her voice betray her sudden suspicion.

"First of all, we are not with the school, nor are we affiliated with any government organization." Xavier said. Dana started slightly. The alcohol must be affecting her more than she'd thought. Perhaps she'd spoken her last thought aloud.

Xavier glanced up at Mulder and offered him a small, reassuring smile. "Perhaps you'd better sit down, Mr Mulder. This might take some time to explain."

Mulder, casting a bewildered glance at his wife, sat down. After a moment, so did Dr Grey.

"I will not waste your time or mine with formalities," Xavier began. "I am aware of today's incident at Lincoln Middle School, and I am aware that the school knows of his accelerated healing. As such, I have come to make an offer.

"Dr Scully, Mr Mulder, your son, as you must know by now, is a mutant."

Dana drew a sharp breath at hearing her fears vocalized. Next to her, Mulder leaned forward, pulling himself into his 'I'm-pissed-but-I'm-not-going-to-show-it' posture.

"I don't know how you know our son," he said, too calmly, "and I don't know why you're here. And frankly, I don't care. William is not—"

Excellent, Dana thought. Yes, Mulder honey, people always like the macho 'mind your own business' approach. You'd think he would have learned by now.

"William is," Xavier said, interrupting him. "His accelerated healing manifested when he was a young child, did it not?"

Dana nodded, feeling apprehensive and sick.

"That is why those who monitored him at his birth were unaware that the splicing was successful. I did do some research on that particular project. I am sure you know that there are people in the government who would like your son under their control, especially now that his mutation has manifested completely. I am here to offer him a sanctuary from those who would do him harm—not a hideout, for there is no need to keep his whereabouts a secret, but a safe house, a place where he would not be touched. I run a school for gifted children, and neither the government nor its agents would be able to reach him there."

Something clicked in the back of Dana's alcohol-fuzzed mind. "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. In New York."

Xavier nodded smoothly. "Yes, in Westchester."

"How do you know our names?" Mulder asked suddenly.

Xavier just smiled.

Mulder and Dana started simultaneously as Xavier's voice echoed in their minds.

*Your son isn't the only mutant in this house.*

Mulder's face paled. "You're—"

"Telepathic. Yes. As is Dr Grey."

Dr Grey smiled a little, but remained silent.

"But how—I don't understand." Dana stared at Xavier. "How could you know so quickly about what happened?" Could his telepathy have alerted him? That seemed impossible—at least from so far away—but then, she knew almost nothing of the limits of telepathy.

"Running this establishment is, as I'm sure you'll understand, something of a touchy occupation. There are a good many people who don't like the idea of a school for mutants. So you may see why I feel the need to keep in contact with certain officials in various areas—school systems included." Xavier folded his hands in his lap. The gesture made him look oddly demure. "The superintendent of William's school district contacted me earlier this evening."

The look in his eyes made Dana wonder if maybe he wasn't telling the truth in its entirety, but, she thought, that was his prerogative. He didn't have to reveal how he knew about the fight. Judging by the number of people in the clinic when she'd gone to the school today, it was no secret.

Still, the man had traveled here from New York as soon as he'd heard, and that seemed odd.

"You may wonder why we came so quickly," Xavier added, and Dana jumped. So he could read minds as well as project—a true telepath. Interesting.

"As I've stated," he continued, "I am aware of the consequences if word of William's mutation gets out, as it very well may. While he may not be in a great deal of danger—it has, after all, been years since the discovery of the project that created him—"

At that, Dana shuddered violently. She hated any reminder that William had been engineered rather than created naturally.

"—there are regardless a number of threats to his safety. As I'm sure you know."

Next to her, Mulder nodded. Silent fury blazed in his eyes.

"Additionally, the school will be a place where he can be accepted. Being a young man in school can be trying as it is; a mutation makes things exponentially more difficult. Of course, I cannot guarantee acceptance by all the children, but he would be with others who understand what it is like to be different. Mr Mulder." Xavier's voice changed suddenly; his tone sharpened, bordering on irritation. "I assure you, I have no hidden agenda. I am not trying to take your child away from you, and I certainly will not interfere further with your life should you refuse. I understand perfectly that you are between a rock and a hard place, so to speak, and I am merely trying to make other options known."

Dana hazarded a glance at her husband. Mulder looked stunned. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

"I apologize if I have alarmed you." Xavier voice lapsed back into reassuring dignity. "Because of your son's uniqueness, I was concerned for his safety. I assure you, that was the only reason for our hasty arrival."

"Maybe you could tell us a bit more about the school," Dana said, glancing at Mulder again. The shock of Xavier's digression had driven the anger from his face; now he only looked tired and worried.

Xavier nodded. "Of course. First of all, the teachers are mostly former students. Classes run from eight to three Monday through Friday, with a half-hour break for lunch, during which students are free to eat either outside or inside." He paused. "I am not aware of William's academic record, but our junior high school classes offer the pre-Advanced Placement option, and the high school classes offer additional AP work as well, if the student so chooses.

"The building itself was converted into a school approximately twenty years ago," Xavier continued. "Dormitories and classrooms are all contained within the building, as well as dining facilities and an outdoor teaching facility. The grounds themselves are sizable, allowing for freedom in a secure environment."

"How many students are there?" Dana found herself releasing the emotional weight of the issues; now she just wanted the facts, ma'am. She felt a little dazed, but strangely calm.

"The students at the school range in age from five to eighteen. There are dormitories in the main building, where classes are held. Students receive personal attention from the teachers—there are usually no more than six to eight students in a class."

Dana nodded silently.

"I understand that this is bewildering for you." Dr Grey spoke up for the first time. She was looking directly at Dana. "When mutations manifest, it is traumatic for the entire family, not just the individual in which the mutation emerges." Her voice was quiet and sympathetic; suddenly Dana felt like crying.

"We've brought some additional information about the school," Dr Grey added, opening her purse and pulling out a brochure. "Maybe you could discuss it as a family and call us later."

Dana stared at the brochure, which was glossy and boasted a photograph of an enormous mansion on the front. She looked at her husband.

Mulder had lost his aggressive posture and was slouched against the armrest, his head in his hand. He met Dana's eyes and nodded wearily.

Dana took the brochure.

"Our number is on the back," Xavier said. "Please call us."

Dr Grey rose and placed a hand on Xavier's wheelchair. Dana took one look at her husband and walked them to the door by herself.

Before she stepped out the door, Dr Grey turned back.

"We honestly don't mean you any harm," she said to Dana, "and we don't want you to feel as though you are obligated to make a choice right away. We only wanted to make the school known to you."

Dana just nodded. Then Dr Grey turned away, and Dana closed the door.

When she came back, Mulder was lying on the couch with his arm thrown over his eyes.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," he replied, not taking his arm away from his face.

Dana lifted his feet and sat down underneath them. "So."

"So."

"What do we do?"

Mulder didn't answer.

Then came the tiny voice from upstairs: "Let me go."

Mulder sat up fast, and Dana leapt to her feet. "William!"

Their son was huddled on the landing, peering down at them through the banister supports. His freckled face stood out starkly against the dark hallway.

"Let me go," he said again, this time with more conviction. "I hate my school. I hate those guys. Their school sounded good. I want to go."

Dana and Mulder looked at each other.

"Honey, why don't you come down here?" Dana said.

The small pale face vanished for a moment, then reappeared as William trotted down the steps. The red flannel pajamas made him look much younger than his twelve years.

"C'mere." Mulder reached for his son, and William tucked himself willingly under his father's arm. Dana sat down next to him and leaned forward to better see his face.

"So you want to look at the place?" Mulder asked. He sounded relieved.

William nodded. "Yeah. Lincoln sucks."

"William," Dana said warningly. "Language."

"Sorry," William replied automatically. "But it does. Can't go back now, anyway." He shrugged his thin shoulders. "That bald guy's place sounded good. People won't think I'm a freak."

Cold fury skittered up and down Dana's spine. She'd kill the bastard who called her little boy a freak. "You're not, honey," she said.

Another shrug. "Maybe." Then he brightened. "I was practicin while you guys were down here. Look!"

He held his right hand out in front of him and balled it into a fist. His brow furrowed in concentration, and then—snikt!

Dana's heart stopped.

"Ohmygod," she choked out.

"Yeah, I know, that's what I thought too." William tilted his fist toward the ceiling and inspected the three silver blades extending from between his knuckles. "I'll never need a can opener again," he added, grinning impishly. "Hey Dad, you okay?"

Mulder was staring at the blades, his face dead white.

"Dad." William tapped his father on the knee with his left hand. "Dad. Yo."

The claws slid back suddenly, and Mulder jumped. "William!"

"What!" The hazel eyes peered at him, confused.

Dana was shaking. "William, go to bed, okay?"

"But Mom—"

"Just go to bed."

The look on her face and the tone of her voice quickly melted William's surprised expression into one of deep hurt.

"Fine," he muttered sulkily.

He stalked up the stairs and didn't look back.

For a moment, husband and wife just sat there frozen. Dana found Mulder's hand and clutched it, feeling as though the world were falling out from beneath her. It was true. The proof was right there, upstairs, in flannel pajamas. Her son, her precious little boy, was a mutant. 

It had worked.

They had won.

"What are we going to do?" Dana whispered. Tears pricked at her eyes and threatened to spill. "How will we keep him safe?"

Mulder wrapped his arms around her, and she could feel his heart pounding in his chest.

"I don't know, honey," he murmured into her hair. "I don't know."

***

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