Notes: For anyone who wondered, Illyana's bear is named after someone.  It was called Niko at first, but Miko is more fitting for the story.  If you didn't care, pay more attention to the bear.

Chapter 2: Meeting Window Boy

"Professor, are you sure this is a good idea?" Ororo asked.

"I appreciate the concern, but I assure you that I am fine," Xavier repeated for the third time.  "Last night was merely the result of an unusual ripple in the psychic plane…one I believe was caused by this boy."

All eyes turned to the boy, who hadn't awakened since the previous night.

"So the kid's a telepath, too?" Logan asked.

"That's right, Logan, and one of the first order, as well.  In fact, in terms of raw power, he may even be stronger than myself."

"Are you certain, sir?" Scott asked, looking doubtful.

"Not really, Scott.  I can't be sure until he wakes up, and even then, I won't perform any tests without his consent.  The last thing we want is for him to see us as enemies."

"Why would he?" Ororo asked.  "We've only helped him so far."

"That is true, but think about it, everyone," Jean said.  "It's taken the Professor most of his life to control and master his powers.  If this boy is even stronger, at his age, it's safe to assume he doesn't have full control of his gifts, especially after last night.  Given that, he could be a danger to everyone, including himself.  Having that kind of power could drive any unprepared person to the brink of insanity, and beyond it."  Jean paused and glanced at the boy.  "In other words, we have to be prepared for anything."

* * * * *

"Hi!"

Marie blinked and raised her head, momentarily putting Romeo and Juliet aside.  "Oh.  Hi, Illyana."

Illyana flopped down beside her on the grass, coming dangerously close to having everything about her absorbed.  "Reading?"

"Yeah…"  Marie moved away a few inches and automatically pulled her sleeves down a little more.  "So.  Is there something you'd like to talk about?"  She settled back against her tree and tried not to seem too annoyed by the disturbance.

"Oh.  Yes."  Illyana thought for a moment.  "You."

Marie blinked several times.  "Me?"

Illyana nodded.  "Tell me about Rogue…or Marie, whichever you like."

"Oh.  Okay."  For some reason, Marie couldn't think of a single thing about herself at the moment.  So she stalled.  "Um…why?"

"So Jubilee will take me to see Window Boy."

"Oh.  THAT makes sense."

Illyana nodded, missing the sarcasm in the older girl's voice.  "So tell me about you."

"Well, let's see.  I like to read, shop, and-"

"Thanks!"

Marie blinked and looked up to see Illyana running back towards the school.  "Hmm.  I could ask, but…"  She shook her head and went back to her book.

* * * * *

Biology had never been Jubilee's strong point, and the only reason she had a good grade was because of her good teacher.  So she was understandably worried when Ms. Munroe started off the afternoon class with:

"Today, Dr. Grey will be giving you a special lecture.  I advise you to take notes, as you will be tested on this material."

There were more than a few groans; apparently Jubilee was not the only student who didn't look forward to hearing Jean drone on.

Kitty raised her hand.  "What's this lecture on?"

Ororo smiled.  "I'm glad you asked, Kitty.  Jean will focus on telepathic abilities, and ones to be wary of in particular."

There was instantly renewed interest all over the classroom.

"She's not gonna test us by tossing psi-bolts, is she?" Bobby asked fearfully.

"Of course not.  She wouldn't do that unless you were properly prepared."  That line earned a few worried faces, but Ororo went on.  "The reason for this lecture is…we may have a new student soon, and he has… incredible psychic talents."

"You mean he can read minds like Professor X?" Theresa Rourke asked.

"More than likely.  Until we've had a chance to confirm his mutant powers, I must ask you all to stay away from the infirmary.  We have not yet had the chance to explain to him that this is a school for mutants, and he might react negatively to such a large number of you crowding around him.  That's another reason for the lecture.  We want you to be fully aware of how to behave around a wary telepath."

"This guy sounds kinda dangerous," Bobby murmured.

"He very well could be, if he were startled.  Just as any of you could."  Ororo made sure not to turn her eyes on Marie, who was fidgeting self-consciously next to Bobby.  "All the more reason for you to pay close attention to the lecture.  I have no doubt you'll learn something useful to apply in the near future."

* * * * *

Logan was really starting to hate Xavier.

Granted, he owed the man a great deal, and life would be fairly boring if he hadn't joined the X-Men. 

But they had both agreed, up front, that he was only posing as a teacher.  There were a multitude of things that Logan could've taught, but Xavier had deemed very few of them "fitting" for a young mutant's education. 

It was not Logan's fault that people didn't see the value in showing a dying man his still-beating heart anymore.  The times had changed, he supposed.

For the longest time, he was convinced that he wouldn't change.  You just didn't compromise a living weapon and thrust it into a bunch of mostly innocent kids.

But now he had been reduced to babysitting.  That alone was bad enough. 

It just had to be Illyana, the cutest one of the whole bunch.  Logan could practically feel his manhood dying every single time she squeezed his finger, which was a lot more often that he would've preferred.  He suspected it was Ororo's fault; she was the only one the munchkin listened to, as well as one of the few teachers who would ever bother to paint him in a positive light.

And maybe he could've resisted growling, if she hadn't insisted on bring that silly stuffed bear of hers.  Logan could swear the stupid thing was grinning at him the whole way down to the infirmary.

Thankfully, the instant they were inside, Illyana released him and ran straight to Nate's bedside.  Logan thought about telling her not to get too close, but he knew it was pointless.  The look of wonder in Illyana's eyes as she gazed up at him was unmistakable.  He had no idea why this boy fascinated her so, especially since they'd never even met.  Perhaps it was just a curiosity in the unknown and nothing more.  Or maybe it was puppy love at first sight.  Whatever it was, Logan didn't think it could be too healthy at her age.

"Hi," Illyana whispered to the boy.  "You awake?"

There was no reply; Nate woke up only once every day, and always at different times.  Nobody but Logan noticed the kid only woke up when Jean was around, and he didn't think it was a coincidence, either.

"Guess not," she murmured.  "Well, I'm Illyana, but my friends call me Yana.  It's shorter."  She paused and smiled hopefully.  "You can call me Yana, too.  If you ever wake up."

Logan shook his head slightly, but remained silent in his corner.

"It's really nice here.  The teachers, the students, the food…all of it.  Everyone's really nice."  Illyana leaned closer, as if Nate were whispering to her.  "Oh, that's Mr. Logan.  Don't worry, he's not so bad.  A little scary at first, but you get used to him." 

"C'mon, short stuff," Logan growled irritably.  "Time's up."

"Mr. Logan says I gotta go now."  Illyana reached up and tucked her black bear under Nate's arm.  "You can borrow Miko for a while.  He'll protect you when you're scared."  She patted his hand gently.  "I'll come back as soon as I make some more friends.  Promise."

* * * * *

Jean was somewhat surprised when she opened her door and found Piotr standing there.

"Are you busy, Dr. Grey?" he asked at once.

"No, I was just thinking," Jean replied.  "Come in, have a seat."

Piotr nodded his thanks and chose a chair by the window.  "Illyana told me about your lecture."

Jean paused.  "How did she…?"

"Jubilee."

"Ah."  Jean was still a bit confused.  "You came to talk about the lecture…?"

"Not exactly.  I am…confused.  It seems as if you are teaching the students to be wary of this…Nate.  Why?"

"Try to understand, Piotr.  Any mutant can be very dangerous if they can't control their powers.  Some can be even more dangerous if they do know how to.  We're simply taking precautions to protect the students and Nate.  No one's labeling him a threat, but we can't just allow him to roam the school without knowing something about him first.  Professor Xavier…hasn't had a chance to do an in-depth scan of his mind yet."

"I do not recall being treated in such a manner when I came to the school."

Jean smiled.  "That was very different, Piotr.  Professor Xavier found you with Cerebro, and you had already proven yourself to be decidedly non-hostile before we arranged to meet you.  Don't forget that you and Illyana were invited here.  You didn't crash through a window."

"I just don't think it fair to say such things about him.  If he is as powerful a telepath as you say, he has probably already sensed the distrust.  How can you be so sure he won't leave the moment he's able to?"

"We just have to hope that our hospitality so far will have been enough to convince him to stay."  Jean shook her head slightly.  "We'll make every attempt to make Nate comfortable, so long as it doesn't compromise the safety of the other students."

"I think I understand, Dr. Grey."  Piotr stood up and moved to the door.  "But might I make a suggestion?"

"Of course."

"There is one thing I know for sure of mutants.  Treating a mutant like a living weapon will often cause them to act like one.  If Nate does decide to stay, please let him know I would be happy to share my room with him."

* * * * *

Jubilee couldn't explain it, but there was something different about Illyana that night.  The girl didn't act any different, or talk any more than she normally did, so it was nothing immediately noticeable.  Even when Jubilee brushed Illyana's long, golden hair for her, she couldn't put her finger on anything unusual.

But as Illyana climbed into bed, Jubilee instantly knew what—or who—was missing.

"Hey, Yana…where's your bear?" Jubilee asked.

Illyana looked up in momentary confusion, before Jubilee's question finally dawned on her.  "Oh.  I let Nate borrow Miko."

Jubilee blinked.  "Who?"

"Window Boy," Illyana clarified as Jubilee tucked her in.

"Oh.  Why'd you do that?"

Illyana shrugged.  "He looked so lonely.  And I didn't want him to be scared."

Jubilee arched an eyebrow.  "I thought YOU were the one who couldn't sleep without a friend."  She started to go to her own bed.  "You can borrow Tweety, if you want."

"That's okay," Illyana said, closing her eyes.  "I'll be fine."

Jubilee stopped in disbelief, her hand already closed around the smiling yellow bird.  "You sure?"

"Mmm-hmm," Illyana murmured sleepily.

When Jubilee turned back, Illyana's breathing had slowed, and she gave every appearance of being asleep already.  With a smile, Jubilee leaned over and kissed the girl's cheek.  "Night, Yana," she whispered before turning off the light.