Kathy Summers gets a call one afternoon from her son's main doctor, a gaunt Egyptian born man named Ahmet Abdol, a specialist in traumatic disassociative problems. He has something to discuss with her regarding Alex's treatment, and ever the devoted mother she takes the next day off. Her heart pounds when she makes that drive. So many times, she has made this journey, to find something has set Alex back. When his powers manifested, she had arrived to the debris and the turmoil and when she discovered her son had caused it with his sudden mutant abilities...

But there is still always that small hope, that hope that he has woken up, or shown some sort of reaction to treatment. Even though the doctors tell her, and she knows logically, that the longer he remains unresponsive, the less likely it is.

Still, the woman has not given up. If she does, who will pull Alex free of his imprisonment? The doctors are good people but they have so many other patients to deal with, ones with a higher rate of recovery. And, Scott? She would never say anything bad about either of her boys, but Scott is an important man, a busy one, with so many other things on his mind. He doesn't seem capable of the constant care his brother needs. Perhaps it is for the best that she bear this burden for them all. She is the mother.

It is her duty. It is her honor.

Dr. Abdol, who is so pinched and desiccated a man that Kathy has secretly nicknamed him the Living Pharaoh, however seems remarkably optimistic when he takes her into his office and introduced her to a thin, elegant doctor named Lillian Andrews. "Last month I went to one of Dr. Andrews's lectures on her work with catatonics and some of her theories are controversial, but I think you would like to hear them."

Dr. Andrews extends a long, graceful hand, "Mrs. Summers, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Please, its Kathy." The worried mother says, feeling very small town next to this refined woman. "Are you taking Alex's case? It upsets him to have strangers around."

Dr. Andrew smiles, and offers Kathy a seat. "I have looked over your son's case. He fits the profile perfectly for my procedure. Let me explain. Many people with Alexander's condition have chemical imbalances that cause the autism, or perhaps a brain injury, or genetic defect. Alex has different genetics due to his mutancy, but that is not what has caused the catatonia. If you prick his finger, he will move it. True catatonics tend to have delayed reaction to pain and other stimuli."

Kathy narrows her eyes, "You have hurt my son to see if he reacts?"

The doctor frowns, "No, no, I am sorry to worry you. Your son receives a barrage of tests every couple of months, I am sure you are aware. Reflex is one of the things we look for, normally. His motor functions, as you well know, are still remarkably coordinated. He can catch a thrown ball, react to changes in light and temperature, follow commands even intricate ones. As he has aged his scores have remained consistent, without even the slight loss that the rest of us experience because a fully functioning human brain sometimes tend to get in the way."

"I know all this." Kathy says, "But what caused it in the first place? No one has ever answered that. He was injured in the plane crash, we all were. How Chris managed to land it when he was so...but anyway, Alex's injuries were remarkably minor compared to his brother's, but Scott..."

"I looked at Dr. Summers' medical history as well, as much as it pertained to the case, and yours as well. Only regarding the crash injuries." Dr. Andrews says, "Which was a matter of public record due to the FAA investigation."

Kathy frowns again, "I don't think I like being the last to know about this."

Dr. Abdol shakes his head, "Kathy, I think you are misunderstanding. Dr. Andrews is not overstepping her boundaries, here. Her success rate is 85. She is a bit of a maverick, but I care deeply about your son. I have watched him grow into a man and never even be aware of it. I would never do something that I feel is bad for him. Dr. Andrews can reach him. He might be able to live a normal life again, Kathy. All I ask is that you give her a chance."

The woman steeples her fingers under her chin, and says, "What can you do that has not been done before?"

"My technique is a form of telepathy."

"Telepaths cannot reach Alex." Kathy says, feeling her hopes sink, which is odd because she hadn't realized they had begun to rise. "We've brought them in. His mind is...just not there."

"But it is, Kathy." Dr. Andrews says, "Not entirely, though. I think your son's mind is trapped somewhere. Something that happened during the crash disconnected his consciousness and sent it somewhere that for him is safe. He is not hiding because he is afraid, but because he doesn't know he is hiding. I have abilities that will allow me to follow the path he took, to insinuate myself into this other reality, and draw him back to his true self."

"He has been catatonic 2/3rds of his life." Abdol says, "This other reality will be more real to him than this one, more normal. If Dr. Andrews can reach him at all, he might not want to return. You have to be prepared for that, Kathy."

Dr. Andrews takes Kathy's hand in hers. "I want to help your son. But I will only try if you give me permission."

Kathy stands up, "I'll discuss it with Alex."

Dr. Andrews looks at Dr. Abdol and he nods, "Ok then."

The trio go to Alex's room, his home for the past four years since being moved from the children's room when he was eighteen. He doesn't have much in the way of possessions. But on the walls are dozens of brightly colored drawings from the children of the hospital, who had been his friends when he was in their ward. Alex is attracted to color.

He is sitting on his bed, cross legged, flipping through a geology book she had given him, studying the pictures as if he understands what he is seeing. He seems to like the pictures of the stones and the crystals that the earth produces. One of the idiosyncrasies of his illness is that he blindly mimics normal human behavior, so well sometimes it appears he is recovering.

But his lack of reaction when his mother and doctors enter show that it is only an illusion.

Kathy, gently, takes the book from him and he continues to stare at his hands, making motions like he is still turning pages. She puts her hand on his to stop the movement and says, softly, "Alex, look at me for a moment."

Obediently, he turns his head to look at her, a frown creasing his forehead. With a mother's touch, Kathy strokes a finger between his eye brows and the creases fade. She smiles, sadly, and his brown eyes almost, almost try to focus.

"Alex, honey, I need you to try and understand what I am tell you. This lady is a doctor. She can help you maybe." She tells him, speaking softly. "If you help her, she can bring you back to us, back to me...back to yourself."

His eyes open wide, and fear fills them. Kathy and Abdol pull back a little startled to have received so strong a reaction. The doctor instantly reaches out and flips up his patient's collar, checking the device that measure's Alex's power levels. The little gauge on his slim black undersuit reads that they are at containable level and the dark man sighs in audible relief.

"Alex? Alexander?" his mother whispers, "Lexxy, are you there?"

Dr. Andrews comes to Alex's side with the grace of a bird in flight and says,"I am going to help you, Alex. There is nothing to fear. I know where you are, and I know how to bring you home." She presses her forehead to his and makes a strange chirping sound, a soothing sound that makes fear fade from the young man's eyes. She steps back and looks at Abdol, "I am ready to begin."

Alex's hands suddenly turn palm up under his mother's, his fingers entwining with hers. He brings her hands to his lips, the first sign of affection he has shown for fifteen years.

Kathy looks at Dr, Andrews through tear filled eyes, "He is ready, too."

Dr. Andrews sits beside the empty shell that had grown from the terrified child who had fallen from the sky and he looks at her without being prompted. "Help me find you, Alex."

And, somewhere within Alexander Summers, he reaches out for her hand.