The school was solid as the rock below it. Steel enforced brick frame, filled to brimming with the latest surveillance known to man, or to mutant. This was the safest campus in the world.

And for good reason.

There were twelve hundred students, sleeping soundly underground, knowing this place had been designed for their protection. Not just against the Outside, not just against the normal humans, but also from themselves.

Maria knew how few of them were under real control. It was amazing they didn't have more accidents than they did. She Watched over them, extending her Mind to each one, searching for cries of help, for stress, for the tell-tale signs of one losing control...

But there were no cries for help, no emergencies. No one stirred.

Maria continued to Watch, continued to Listen, much as her forefathers had Watched these children at this school. 'The whole reason Xavier started this school. To give them a place to go, to be protected.' The school had always been run by the strongest psychics. Jean Grey had been the second to Xavier, and her children had all succeeded her.

It had been that way for Generations.

Maria was the latest of a long line of those with Grey blood.

But the safety of the children wasn't the first thing on Maria's mind tonight. She Watched, she Listened, but a piece of her mind was caught up in wonder. Wonder at the strong, mutant mind she had sensed, somewhere close. So close, it was amazing she hadn't sensed it before...

'I do hope Jacob finds her, brings her back safely. Mutant hunters are getting greater and greater in number...'

A tiny teacup rattled on the table, its insistent, mindless clicking drew Maria's attention. She Searched those newly arrived minds, hoping to find Jacob among their number...


There'll be eight chapters total. I'm notpromising anything, but I hope to have this finished by the end of the week. It may be next week though.

R&R, I guess. Mina.