BNW 9/?

(Just for consistency and to avoid confusion, Claire's last name here is the one I used in my m-preg series. (Don't know if they ever gave her one in canon. Anybody got the 411 on that? If there is a name I'll use it happily.)

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TWO HOURS LATER:

Xavier glided up beside the newest member of his unique family, resting a gentle hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Darien. We missed you at dinner."

"Yeah, well... this is where I belong right now."

"I understand. So, our visitor has a name now."

"Claire Westerfield. She's my home-base doctor... and a good friend."

"Yes, Jean filled me in. You have no idea why she would have gone to all this trouble to find you?"

"By nature, I get in scrapes pretty easy. I have a harder time findin' my way out again. She was probably worried about me. Never thought I'd like havin' a mother hen ragging on me all the time, but Claire... she harasses me 'cause she cares. Makes it easier to deal with."

"Jean is much the same with all of us here at the school. It's one of the reasons I treasure her. She told me Doctor Westerfield is doing much better than she was this morning."

Darien turned his head and presented Xavier a wary smile.

"That's a not-so-subtle hint if I ever heard one."

"Caught. The teaching staff sometimes get together casually after dinner. There are snacks in case anyone's still hungry and always plenty to drink. Non-intoxicating, of course. Alcohol has proven to have unexpected and sometimes dangerous effects on some of us over the years."

"Does that to the rest of the world too. I appreciate the invitation. I just don't feel like I should leave her."

"She's well out of danger, I promise you. Besides, it might be good for you to relax before tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? I don't understand..."

"The mission."

"What? I mean... don't I have to train... and study... something?"

"I had thought that some preparation might be necessary, but, happily, you proved me wrong. Last night you showed us that you have talents and strengths beyond the ability the gland affords you. You're intelligent, you listen and you can absorb and retain information well. You'll do fine."

"Wow... thanks. You sure there isn't anything else you need me for? I mean, I can do what you described last night with both hands behind my back and one eye closed."

"The team will handle the remainder of the work that needs to be done, Darien. Your task may not put much strain on you, but it's vital to the mission's success. Are you sure you won't join us tonight? You'll enjoy yourself, I guarantee it."

His expression still unsure, Darien turned back to study Claire.

"She does look stronger. She's breathin' better... You're sure they won't mind if I crash their teachers only party?"

"I'm positive."

"Okay. Claire, I'll be back, okay? Don't freak if you wake up an' I'm not here yet. I won't be too far off. Just stay cool an' wait for me."

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SECOND FLOOR LOUNGE:

When the professor and Darien entered, Xavier glanced around to see who had decided to attend that particular night. The numbers of people varied according to who had class-work to prepare or grade or who had simply had good or difficult days with the students. He was more than a little surprised to see a touch of enthusiasm lighten Logan's expression when he saw Darien. Xavier filed the reaction away for later contemplation and waited to see whether anything would come of it.

"Do you want anything, Professor? Oh... crap. You can get it for yourself, I just... I didn't mean..."

"I know you didn't. It's alright. No, I'm fine. I had a full meal and dessert, despite the devious methods Jean uses to keep me away from sweets."

"Claire knows how much energy I burn off every day so she doesn't yell at me too much about sugar. Junk food is another story."

"I'm lucky enough not to have a problem with that."

"Hey, Logan's here! Um... I'm gonna go talk to him... if that's okay?"

"Of course. Just remember, tomorrow might be a long, tiring day. Relax for a short while then get some sleep. I'll see you at five in the morning."

Darien gulped at the early hour, but didn't complain.

"Yes, sir. I'll be ready to go."

Xavier turned and glided off toward a small group of men and women and the younger man headed toward where Logan stood, leaning against a far wall. All trace of excitement was now carefully veiled beneath a mask of disinterest, but he grudgingly admitted to himself that he desired the company of the bright, enthusiastic younger man. Though he never would have done it for anyone else, Logan held out his fist slightly as Darien approached and the other thunked his against it gently, knuckles to knuckles.

"Hey."

"Hey. I heard you ID'd our mystery woman."

"She's a friend from home. She worries."

"They find out how she got in?"

Darien described the purpose of the Quicksilver pack again. As he talked, Logan's eyebrows climbed just a little. "Wild. The stuff... what'd you call it again?"

"Quicksilver. The shorthand is QS."

Yeah, Quicksilver. It must've held all her scent inside or I would've known right off that she was around."

"Hmmph. Maybe. I guess it's possible. It must do that for me too. I never thought about it, but being invisible wouldn't really be enough if I was sweatin' like a pig, now would it?"

"Nice image." Logan snarked, allowing a rare grin to briefly grace his lips.

"Oh... yeah. Sorry. So where'd you go after you dropped me off? I know you were teaching, but..."

"The one place we didn't have time to get to today; the training center. Weapons, hand to hand, tactical... I do it all in there. I heard some little runt call it the Danger Room the other day. I wanted to smack that comic book crap right out of his head... take him out and show him what danger really is."

"Mustn't damage the students, Wolverine. You never know when one might decide to even the score and turn you into a pile of smoky barbecued ribs."

This drew an actual laugh out of the older man, his second of the day he was shocked to realize. He suppressed most of the obvious signs, but a quiet snort escaped his immediate control. Darien grinned and repeated his earlier promise.

"Lips are sealed. They didn't see it, you didn't do it."

"Damn right..."

Across the room, Jean was trying to have a conversation with Scott, but she kept losing his attention.

"Scott? Scott, what is it that's got you so fascinated?"

"Hmm? Nothing. What were you saying? You found out what that pack was?"

Instead of replying right away, Jean followed Scott's previous line of sight to the far wall.

"Oh. I'll admit, he's got me paying attention, too. If you could have seen him this afternoon... I'm glad he has access to the medicine he needs, but the effects on him are brutal. I wish I could keep just a small sample of the liquid to test after he's gone. I know I could come up with something better. I could save him so much pain..."

"What is he trying to prove?" Scott suddenly interrupted, his voice low and mildly angry. Jean looked back at him and realized he was once again focused on Darien.

"Prove?" she asked, but he continued mumbling as if she hadn't spoken.

"What gives him the right? Who the hell is he anyway? Might as well have walked in off the street... not even one of us... suddenly Stone Face is having a conversation... he's laughing, for God's sake..."

"Scott! What are you talking about?"

"What? God... I'm sorry, Jean. I'm beat. I'm going back to the room."

"I'll come with you."

"No... no, you don't have to. It's been a long day and I'm stressed and... overheated. I think I'll just take a cool shower and go to sleep."

"Scott, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I swear. You stay, have a good time. I'll see you in the morning for final briefing." Scott insisted, giving her a fast peck and striding out. Jean remained on her feet for a moment while her shock at his bizarre behavior leached away. Eventually, however, she sat back down. Sensing her distress, Charles gently spoke in her mind.

jean?

i'm alright, charles.

you're upset.

scott's acting strangely, that's all.

how, exactly?

he was mumbling to himself and i couldn't get his attention off darien for more than a minute or two. then he just left without any real explanation.

i see. most likely it's nothing more than the pressure of tomorrow's mission. a new, untested element thrown in can cause uncertainty.

you think there's more here than meets the eye, don't you?

at times, my dear, you can be too perceptive for your own good. let him be for tonight. if he doesn't come to me within a day or two, i'll set aside time to talk to him.

charles...

i'm quite tired. i think now would be an excellent time to go to bed.

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TBC......