A/N: Hey! Is anyone else as mad at the WB as I am? Geez, they really do know how to manipulate people! Well, here's the next chapter! I worked really hard on it, so please review! Normal disclaimer and such! Oh, and about the conversation between Lauryl and her mother…Try to ignore your own relationship with your mom and think that it's more of a buddy-buddy thing. Like Rory and Lorelei for you Gilmore Girl fans. Well, that's it, so for now, peace, love and macaroni!

Chapter 2

After a fun-filled morning of browsing (and sleeping, for one unenthusiastic member), the crew gathered up together and went out to the two rental cars. The drive to the suburbs took around 40 minutes, and before the X-Men realized it, they were going down a small, one-way street to find the prospective recruit.

The hours flew by too quickly for Lauryl. She was in the midst of packing for something she didn't even know for sure. She could only trust herself, and what she felt was urgency. She had thus far managed to fit all of her necessary clothes and toiletries into one suitcase and now she was working on her favorite personal items and, most important of all, her laptop. As the girl was putting her extensive manga collection in the second suitcase, her mother came upstairs. Mrs. Foca open the already cracked door to see her daughter packing madly. She flung the door open all the way.

"Honey! What are you doing?!"

"Mom, calm down. I have something I need to explain to you," Lauryl said, turning away from her packing. "I'm leaving soon. It's nothing you've done, it's nothing I've done, but it just needs to happen. Don't ask me how I know; I couldn't give you a reasonable explanation if I tried. All I know is that I'm leaving, but I'm going to a good place, somewhere where things will be made clearer. Just know that I love you with all my heart and even though I'm going on a trip, it doesn't mean I won't ever see you again."

Mrs. Foca was stunned. She stared at her daughter as if she were seeing someone new. Lauryl had a new look of determination and…and wisdom. Once Mrs. Foca regained her composure, she went to sit with her daughter on the bed.

"Sweetie, I don't doubt what you feel. You're extraordinary, I've felt that since before you were born. I just want to do what's right for you, and if that's trusting your intuition, I will not interfere. I won't lie to you – that's not our way – I'm scared. You're my girl and I want to know everything that happens in your life. I can't, though, and this is the ultimate trial. I've always known you'd have to leave me physically sometime, but I was hoping later rather than sooner. Well, things are funny sometimes and that's life. I will, however, be screening these people who you'll be travelling with." Mrs. Foca leaned over and kissed her daughter on the top of her head. Lauryl was startled. She didn't expect her mother to respond in such a…positive fashion. Her mother was trusting, but Lauryl started to wonder if this was too trusting. As she hugged her mother, Lauryl thought about how different she and her mother were. They treated each other with complete honesty and respect ever since Lauryl knew her mom could tell when she was lying (it wasn't that obvious, either!). The lack of resistance actually scared her. What was she supposed to do now that she had no obstacles to get over.

"Oh, and one more thing," her mother said. "Even though I'm trusting you with the Great Unknown, I won't help you pack." Lauryl smiled up at her mother. Letting her go but not aiding her directly. The teenager was suddenly sad she had to leave her mother at all. She pulled her mother's forehead so that it touched hers.

"Love ya, mom."

"Love ya, Laur."

"This neighborhood is so cute! Every house has an adorable little porch and everything! I always wanted to live in a place like this!" Kitty squealed. Jean just looked at the fifteen-year-old.

"I hope the boys know which house it is. It took them long enough to find the place."

"I still can't believe you let them lead," Rogue said, looking up from her book.

"Well, this looks like the place," Jean stated.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious!" Rogue remarked snidely. Jean's dirty look went unnoticed.

Lauryl looked out the window when she heard some car doors slam. She turned to her mother who was still on the bed.

"They're here," she informed her mother. "I'll answer the door when they ring the bell." She waited nervously as she heard people talking. Then came the sound of several feet stomping on the porch. Finally, the doorbell pierced the deafening silence. Lauryl walked down the stairs and opened the door to five teenagers. Lauryl almost laughed out loud: she didn't expect her recruiters to be kids. The boy standing in front had red Oakley-like sunglasses, next to him was a red-headed girl, and behind them were two brown-haired girls (with slight variations to their hair and clothing styles) and a black-haired boy.

"May I help you?" she asked politely, as any unsuspecting door opener would ask of strangers.

"Hi, my name is Scott Summers," the lead boy said. "Are you Lauryl Foca?"

"Yes. Would you all like to come in?" Scott seemed to be taken aback. After a moment, he responded.

"Uh…yes, if you wouldn't mind."

"I'm the one who invited you," Lauryl replied.

"Right." Once everyone came in and got settled in the living room, Scott started talking again.

"Are your parents home?" he asked.

"Yes, my mom's upstairs. Would you like me to get her?"

"That would be nice," the red-headed girl said.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch all of your names. Let's start with you," Lauryl said, pointing to the speaker.

"Oh, sorry. My name's Jean Grey."

"Kitty Pryde," said the brown-haired, pony-tailed girl.

"Kurt Wagner," (it was more of a Kurt Vaugner).

"Rogue." The last girl, the one with the white stripes, said her name with such finality that Lauryl didn't search for a last name. She got up and went to fetch her mother. When the two returned, Scott started to speak again.

"We're here from a school in New York. Mrs. Foca, we believe your daughter is a special student-" he was cut off.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Scott, but we know why you're here. You're a mutant, I'm a mutant, everyone in this room, save my mother, is a mutant. What I need to hear from you is not what, but why I need to go with you. How am I supposed to know you're the good guys?" Once again, Scott was taken aback by Lauryl's abruptness. If there was one thing he wasn't trained for it was this (well, along with every other thing involving girls).

"How did you…"

"…know that? Hello, I'm a mutant too. Only what you don't know is my power. How silly of you guys to come recruit someone when you don't even know her power! I'm psychic, as in I can tell the future…well, not all of it. It comes in waves and visions. So, I have all of my bags packed, but you need to tell me that you're the good guys in a complete, compelling argument. What'dya got?"

"Well…um…" Scott mumbled. Jean cut him off.

"Before you say anything stupid, Scott, let me try. Our institute is vast and versatile. When you come, we only ask you try it out for two weeks and after that, you're free to come home, no strings attached. If you decide to stay, however, you will learn about your power at lengths that you never dreamed possible. One of our philosophies is that everyone is always growing and learning about herself and her environment. No power is ever fully understood, but at our school you will learn how to control-or in your case interpret- your power to its full extent. Professor Xavier, the leader of our school, is a kind and wonderful man who is always willing to understand and help. He's a pacifist and he will never be the first to use force. We all believe that our powers should only be for protecting and good. It is true that every mutant encounters prejudice, but we handle it differently than our opponents. They believe that people's opinions will never change, while we at the school believe that with kindness and careful instruction people will one day accept us." It was everything Lauryl had not to laugh at Jean's seriousness. Jean was having a "moment" and Lauryl leaned over to Kitty to ask:

"Is she always like this?"

"Yes," came the whispered reply. Lauryl sat back up.

"Well, you've certainly convinced me on the ethical level, but what about everyday education? And how fun is this place really?"

"Well, we go to a public school. It's a nice school with all kinds of classes and a good sports program, and on the weekends we get to train! That's fun because you get to exercise your powers and work together," Kitty said enthusiastically.

"The towns okay, too," Rogue said. "It has a nice movie theatre and the best music store outside of NYC."

"Oh, and a great mall!" Kitty added. Rogue rolled her eyes.

"And if I don't like it I can come home in two weeks?" Lauryl reaffirmed.

"Right," Kurt said.

"Okay then! I'll go grab my suitcase!"