Many things over the years had changed, but many things were still the same. Many human's still live in fear of mutants, but it least it was more widely known that it is only part of natural evolution and over time the number of mutants would increase until they are the dominant species on the planet. There is a greater understanding about who we are and what we stand for. People can now put a face to the enigma that once was our existence.
This hasn't stopped people from hating mutants. There are still groups like Freedom of Humanity the political group that are still to this day trying to get mutant registration; or their more irrational counterparts Veto whom have been compared to the Nazi's. But it least finally there are more known movements for mutants, like the Mutant Liberation Association is just one such group. It's the largest and most well known movement in the world, and I'm one of the founding members.
My name is Doctor Jean Grey. I'm a mutant. I'm a wife. I'm a mother, a friend, a doctor but foremost I'm a teacher. I'm here to teach the world that mutants are not to be feared. The world fears the unknown, so I'm here to shine a light onto our existence.
Caroline sat in the window seat of the guest bedroom looking out to the grounds of the mansion and the soft morning dew that covered it. She hadn't been to Xavier's in over five years but it still looked exactly like she remembered it. She had first moved in when she was twelve due to her developing powers, after graduation she stayed around for a year before deciding to go to medical school so she could learn more about genetics and various mutations. Now she was a second year medical student, and twenty-four… almost. Though it was her birthday today, she wouldn't officially be twenty-four until 2:26 that afternoon.
It was strange being back at the institute after so long. Her mothers old mentor, and hers also had died mid her second year at the school and both she the other students had taken it overly hard. Ororo Munroe, long-term teacher at the school took over as head of the school. At the time it caused great debate, as Scott Summers whom was more experienced turned down the position. He knew that due to his wife's front line fight for mutant rights, him being the principal and head of a school like Xavier's would put it in the spotlight. That's all that he wanted, for the school which he had spent most of his life protecting, being pushed into the light and become the center for controversy.
But here she was back at the school so she could celebrate her birthday among friends and family. Her mother would be arriving later in the day along with other family members like her aunt and uncle while her brother and cousin were already with her at the school. She couldn't wait to see her mother, though she knew it would be slightly strained due to the history between some family members.
Hearing a knock at the door Caroline looked to see her Aunt come in. Though Ororo wasn't an actual relative of hers she was closer to her then other relatives of hers. During her years attending Xavier's Ororo was there for her almost like a second mother. For that reason ever, and as she was a life long friend of Jean's, Carly had called Ororo Munroe Aunty 'Ro. Getting up from the window seat she moved over to the blue eyed white haired woman giving her a hug.
"It's so good to see you Caroline." Ororo said in her usual well-spoken manor. "We haven't seen each other in so long." She said as she brushed one of Carly's long blond curls over her shoulder so it wasn't hiding her face. It was then she noticed the tears that glistened in front of her blue eyes. "Caroline, what is the mater?" She questioned in a gentle voice as she ushered her back over to the window seat.
Carly sat back down taking a deep breath to compose herself before she continued. "He's gone." She stated simply. "I woke up this morning and he'd left." She didn't mention the letter he had left explaining why he had to go. It was meant for her eyes only. She'd tell Ororo or her mother if the need arose, but now there was no need.
Ororo gently took hold of Carly's hands in hers to try and calm her and let her know she was there for her. She couldn't help but inwardly smile. Christopher was so much like his father, and both she and Carly knew it. "You know what your brother is like." She said reassuring her. "He is a grown man with a mind of his own. He will come back sooner or later, he always has."
Ororo couldn't help but be thrilled when she learnt her life long best friend was pregnant and going to have twins. No one knew at that time what would eventuate, but though those tough times Charles had been there to help everyone. Christopher Wolfe Grey was born at 2:03pm, and twin sister Caroline Faith Summers was born twenty-three minutes later at 2:26pm and in the end the birth two healthy babies was all that mattered.
"Christopher is a Maverick by name, Maverick by nature. He needs to do things in his own time. You're his twin sister." She began to explain. She knew that Carly already knew this but she felt she needed to be reminded. "Because of your mothers powers you and he share a bond like no other. You'll know if he needs you, just like he will if you need him. He'll come back when he is ready, but until then all we can do is wait and worry." Ororo said before finally putting her hand on Carly's shoulder.
"He'll be alright Caroline." She added before giving her a light kiss on the cheek. Both of them looked to each other forcing a smile so the other would feel better and both knew it. Carly then sensed someone coming to the room. She immediately knew who it was and just looked to the door. Ororo could tell by the look on his face who it was. "I'll tell him." Ororo said. "You finish getting dressed and head downstairs. I'll tell Scott." brbr"Alright." Carly said nodding in agreement. "I'll head down later. I want to finish unpacking before I say hello to Eden, Rose, Spencer and the others." Carly said knowing her cousins all would be wanting to catch up with her (especially Eden).
Ororo nodded before getting up heading out of the room. After making sure the door was closed securely she turned to Scott who was moving down the corridor toward them. Though Scott was obviously slightly taken back to Ororo coming out of Carly's room he wasn't to worried.
"So how is my birthday girl?" Scott questioned with one of his infectious wide smiles. Ororo returned the smile entwining her arm in his so she could lead him back down the corridor. She would have loved to talk to him in private, but she knew how impossible that would be with all the students coming and going.
"She's well. She just wants to settle in and unpack before she comes down to see everyone." She told him with a light smile. She thought for a moment how to tell him about Chris, but she knew there wasn't exactly any delicate way to put it. When Chris was younger he would often run away from home and go to the Institute to calm down. Ororo welcomed the unexpected visits from him knowing that he needed time to himself just as much as he did with his family.
Finally she stopped and turned to face Scott. "Scott, Christopher left last night." She said to him uncertain how he would react. Though Chris wasn't Scott's biological son she knew he loved him like he were his own. "Caroline just told me." Scott couldn't help but sigh lowering his head lightly. He and Chris had often fought when he was younger causing his disappearances, but he always came back happier. But there hadn't been any fights between them recently, a few disagreements but nothing like when he was younger. "I should call Jean, let her know." He finally said.
"She'll be here in a few hours." Ororo reminded him. "Why not just wait for her to come so you can talk to her in person. It might help you all get some insight onto why he left." brbr"I think we both know why he left." Scott said leaning back resting his weight against the wall behind him. "I just wish he'd talked to someone before he left. He's so much like…" He paused looking to Ororo. "Like his father." He said with a slight smirk. "Just like Carly is just like hers."
"Just because both Caroline and Christopher have different fathers, does not mean they do not both love you. You raised him as your own from when he was a baby. You can't think that he doesn't love you as you do him. You raised him well." Ororo said putting her hand on his shoulder. "You raised him better then anyone else could have in that situation."
"What are we talking about?" Logan questioned as he came around the corner to see both Scott and Ororo deep in conversation. Even though his age wasn't known he hadn't aged a day in over twenty years, and still looked the same man in his mid thirties. Though time hadn't treated him well his powers had compensated for time. "Obviously something important…" He added seeing both of their sudden change of composure.
Scott just looked to Logan with a light smile. "Chris left last night with out saying a word." Scott explained. "Ororo was just telling me." The brief silence between the trio was broken by a low growl from the Wolverine. "We all know he knows better then this, but we all also have to admit how difficult this must be for him." brbr"It's difficult for everyone." Logan said in his deep slightly raspy voice. "It doesn't give him the right to disrespect others, especially me, you and Ororo. We all taught him better then that."
"Logan, please." Ororo said putting a gentle hand her husband's face. "We all know we taught him better." She couldn't help but pause a moment looking to both colleagues. "It's why I'm worried. I think there may be another reason for why he left." She paused a moment to fold her arms. "I'm not sure why, but I think that Caroline may do."