(a/n Okay everyone, say hello to Boomer! Another Marvel character that I make no pretensions of owning. SG)

Part V

The doorbell choose that moment to sound, and Charles looked up, "I believe that would be Ms. Thorn now. Shall we go greet her?"

In the entrance area the students were milling about, their morning break was almost over and the next class was due to begin in a few minutes time. Rogue was closest to the door and hurried to answer it.

Upon exiting the office the first thing Logan saw was Rogue opening the door, and his sensitive hearing picked up a throaty voice utter the words, 'I'm here to see Charles Xavier.' The speaker brushed passed Rogue without bothering to really notice her. Rogue turned to follow the progress of the young woman, her mouth slightly open and a finger pointed as though she wanted to say something to her, but for the moment was at a loss for words. From behind her another voice spoke, this one much higher and lighter in tone, 'Hi, I'm Tabitha! Excuse Myk, she's testy.' This voice causing Rogue to jump slightly and turn back around, only to have this second young woman walk passed her and into the Mansion.

Holding herself like Royalty the first young woman looked around the students. She dismissed them quickly; none of them were the two people she was looking for. Logan moved forward with the rest of the group, Charles at the lead. His eyes caught the young woman's and something about their pale gray color tugged at his mind. There was a rush of movement to their left and before Charles could say hello a small figure threw herself at Mykal.

Mykal was the only one who saw Kiana coming towards her. She dropped her duffle bag and crouched down to grab her sister in a bear hug. Not a sound was uttered by either of them as they simply clung to each other.

Around them students were staring curiously at the pair, and at the teenage girl that came with Mykal. Not having known that Kiana was there, most of the faces were showing confusion. A couple of the older male students were grinning and elbowing each other to point out the petite blonde girl with them. The girl had short curly hair, bubblegum pink t-shirt and oh-so- nicely fitting jeans. She blew a bubble and grinned at everyone.

Kiana and Mykal ignored it all, the two now being forehead-to-forehead, eyes closed. Silently the Professor wheeled closer. Tabitha spotted this and sauntered over to the Professor, holding out a hand, effectively blocking him from speaking to Mykal.

"Hey there, I'm Tabitha, but you can call me Boom Boom, or Boomer. Anyhow, I think the two of them need a moment. I hope you don't mind Myk bringing me with her. Things were getting' kinda tense in the neighborhood, so the 'rents thought I should come with. Nice digs ya got here." She beamed at Charles and looked around. She waved to the other teachers, "Hey there."

Charles shook her hand, "You are of course welcome here Miss. . .?"

Scott and Ororo, more used to teenage antics nodded to her in greeting, Logan on the other hand raised a brow and wondered how many espressos the child had drunk.

Tabitha turned back to Charles, almost as though she had already forgotten they were talking, "Huh, oh. Smith. My last name's Smith" She grinned and shrugged, "Not real original, I know, but it's like legit and stuff." She grinned and blew another bubble.

At this point Mykal, still with her arms wrapped around Kiana, stood up and approached Charles. Mykal's movement caught Logan's attention again; he should recognize her from somewhere, but where? Her expression was neutral as she shifted Kiana to one hip and offered a hand, "You must be Charles Xavier."

Charles shook her hand, smiling kindly, "Yes, and you must be Mykal Thorn. Welcome to my school Ms. Thorn."

Mykal nodded curtly, eyes roaming over the teachers. They stopped on Scott for a moment and narrowed ever so slightly, "Would it have been possible for you to have been a little less brutal?"

Scott moved back as though struck. Kiana shook her head and tried to get Mykal to look at her, but was failing. The little girl pouted and began poking Mykal's cheek and shaking her head. Mykal finally spoke mentally to her little sister, as was her habit.

**Kiana, stop it. I understand he's sorry. That's not the point.**

Kiana pouted even more, **Him save me. Him sorry. Him not like that. Him good man.**

Mykal turned and looked into her sister's eyes, and then away again. She didn't bother to apologize to Scott, who had yet to make a sound. Logan followed the exchange curiously. The details of how exactly Scott had gotten Kiana hadn't been made clear. Now Logan wanted to know, and wondered just what good ole never-make-a-mistake-Cyke had done. His eyes were fastened on Mykal and Kiana, as if staring at them long enough would bring the memory to the surface.

Mykal met his eyes again and her expression turned disdainful, "Your mamma shoulda told you starin' is rude."

Logan arched a brow, but the girl's attention was gone again, focused on Charles.

"Looks like there are a lot of rooms here. Would there be a private one where we could talk?"

Charles nodded, "Yes, it would be best if we continued this in my office. Scott, Ororo, I believe you have classes. I will speak with you all later."

Charles turned and led the way back to his office. Mykal walked at his side, no longer paying the slightest attention to anyone save Charles.

All this time Boomer had been looking around, taking in the size and décor of the Mansion. Seeing Mykal about to desert her, and realizing Mykal had left her duffle bag- something that would annoy the older girl later- she ran to go pick it up. It was heavier than it looked as she lugged it over her shoulder.

"Geez Myk, whatcha got in here, a dead body." Quickly and with a grin she looked around, "Uh, just kidding." She grinned again, brightly and at Logan, before trying to catch up with Mykal and Charles. In the end she had to knock on the door for admittance.

"Please, why don't you both have a seat." Charles arranged himself behind his desk.

Mykal sat in one of the available armchairs, Kiana settled comfortably on her lap. Boomer sat on the edge of another seat, her energy barely contained. Charles had been examining both girls carefully. Tabitha Smith was the kind of young lady who grew up with a certain lack of trauma. She was very carefree both with her mannerisms and voice, she wasn't used to hardship.

Mykal on the other hand was entirely different. The young woman's movements were controlled, precise. She did not want to give anything away. Charles wondered at her imperious manner, perhaps she was just guarding against negative possibilities rather than a real disdain for fellow humans or mutants. A thought that would have to be verified by future actions.

"While I have no problems with your bringing a friend along with you, perhaps you could give me more information?" Charles began.

Boomer turned to Mykal, "You wanna talk the talk or me?"

Mykal merely nodded towards Boomer, who beamed a smile back to Charles, "Okay, here's the sitch. Coupla months back I run into Myk and the kid. So cut past that and Myk and Ki-Ki move in with my and the 'rents. Lil while ago while I was out with Kiddo these two guys surprised us. In public! Can you believe that? So anyhow, they attack and, well, Kid was scared and I was scared to my toes, but I fight back. See, I've known I'm a mutie for awhile now, been kinda practicin' but nothing anyone could see. Well, obviously they won, got Ki-Ki and leave me holdin' the bag. People start sayin' some nasty shi. . . er, stuff and I gotta book to find Mykal, and make sure I don't get my butt beat. So I find Mykal and we try to find Ki- Ki. Muck that up. But now peeps know I'm a mutie. So the 'rents freaked out, and yanno, didn't want me hunted or anything. So when Myk says Ki-Ki is at a school and like, yanno, not a prisoner, they figured to send me here with her- so's maybe I'd be safe."

Charles listened to her spiel, noting that she spoke the truth throughout, "Very well. In that case, why don't I have one of the students give you a tour, and explain how things work at the School. I will phone your parents later to discus details with them."

"That works. They, yanno, worry and stuff."

Charles nodded. Telepathically he called for Jubilee, requesting his presence in his office. A moment later she knocked on the door and sauntered in, trying hard not to goggle at the three strangers.

"Jubilee, I could like you to meet Tabitha Smith. She will possibly be a student here. If you wouldn't mind, I would appreciate it if you could give her a tour of the school."

Jubilee smiled and nodded, "Sure Prof, that's cool. C'mon Tab, lots ta see!"

Tabitha jumped out of her seat and the two girls exited the office, already beginning to babble at each other. Charles watched them go, allowing himself a slight smile. Already they were beginning to talk at the same time, yet seemed to have the ability to hear everything the other said. When the door closed he turned back to Mykal.

"I would like to extend the invitation for you to stay as well. Also, I ask that you not make a decision right at this moment, but allow me the opportunity to explain the purpose of my school."

Mykal silently nodded for him to continue.

"Years ago when my telepathy became apparent, the world was in chaos. Many would say that it still is. It became very apparent that as more mutants emerged there would be problems. Problems not only with the bulk of humanity not understanding and reacting in fear, but also of the danger these new mutants posed to themselves and those around them. It is for these reasons that I began this school. Both as a safe haven for mutants, and also as a place where they could learn to hone their skills so that they were no longer an inadvertent danger."

Mykal smiled somewhat at that. The comment did not say they were not a possible danger, but more the mutants would be able to use their powers at will and not have their mutations use them.

"Another goal is to foster understanding between mutants and humans, in the hope that some day we can live in harmony and accept each other. Unfortunately not all mutants desire a peace of this nature. My former students have chosen to act as the protectors of humanity and prevent mutants from abusing their abilities and humans."

Mykal tilted her head somewhat, "So would that be more of a police type idea or a para-military idea?"

Charles smiled as he steepled his hands together, "In some ways a bit of both I would imagine. Genocide in any form is abhorrent."

(bit of a rough place to end, I know, but I wanted to get this posted. . . There's a lot going on in this chapter (that and Tabitha's explanation almost killed my grammar checked!) More later, I promise. SG)