"A Song in an Echo"

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Chapter 2: The Attack

Storm brought in a tray with some tea into Professor Xavier's office and offered it to Jacqueline, who was sitting opposite of the man.

"Merci," Jacqueline sniffled, and removed her holographic inducer watch. Her skin jumped to the color of silver. "It is razher cold when it rains here, colder than France."

"So you are from France," Jean asked, standing near a chess board. "Where?"

"Nears Strasbourg. It is very close to Allemande - euh, Germany."

Jean nodded and looked to Xavier.

"Are you here for a visit, Jacqueline?" He asked as she took a sip of the tea. "It's has been a long time since we last saw each other."

"I realize zhat, Monsieur, and I apologize for not giving you any notice. Just last week, I did not myself know I would be here."

Xavier leaned in. "And why is that?"

Jacqueline stared down at the teacup and hesitated. She looked from Jean, to Storm, to Xavier, and back down. "In France, I was...attacked. By an American mutant."

The Professor looked at Storm and Jean questionably, then at her. "Jacqueline, I have the ability to read a person's mind. I would like to know which mutant it was you saw, but if you don't want to speak it, I can try to find out for myself. "

"I would prefer that, Professor."

He wheeled around to where she sat. "Just relax, and think back to when it happened."

Jacqueline's mind flooded to Xavier and images of a blue woman with red hair and yellow eyes rose. She attacked Jacqueline in her studio while she was sleeping, and he felt the fright of seeing her standing over Jacqueline's bed. A piercing scream came to him and he sat straight, braking the concentration.

"Professor," Jean said, rushing over. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Xavier breathed. "Mystique was the one who attacked her. She used her powers to ward her off."

"I was not sure if she would return, mais, I ran anyway. I managed to get a few of my things," Jacqueline explained, motioning to her backpack slumped against her chair. "And I used all the money I saved to come here. You were the only person I knew who would help me, Professor."

"What about your grandfather? Where is he?"

Jacqueline looked down. "He is not...with us any longer, Professor."

"Don't worry, Jacqueline," Xavier said, rolling over to the long window in his office. "We will take care of this. I don't know what Mystique wants with you, but rest assured you will not return to France until this is settled."

"Merci beaucoup, monsieur," She said, her face lighting up.

"And of course, you will be staying here with my students. I told you of how trained them, didn't I?"

"Oui, monsieur. I am anxious to meet them."

Jean stucked out her hand. "I'm Jean Gray, and that's Storm."

"You may call me Ororo, Jacqueline and welcome to America."

She shook both their hands. "Bonjour, merci Miss Ororo."