Oddisee: Thank you! Although not has happened yet. Because this is such a new idea I think it need s a lot of background information before we can get into the meaty stuff. However, I think everyone is well aware of the situation now, and if not, to recap, the human staff of Xavier's school have no idea they are working for mutants. They believe they are working at a top-class boarding school, not an institute of mutants, and certainly not at the base of a secret group.

Hwesta of Troy: Thank you for you kind compliments, I can guarantee things will get much more interesting, as I said to Oddisee, these are very much gentle baby-steps into the story because it's all very new.

Chapter 4

Frankie was fuming. Only four weeks after Dr.Grey arrived the mild flirtation between Scott and the doctor had reached a whole new level. A level that Frankie just accidentally walked in on within what was supposed to be a vacant Biology classroom. She had left the room with apologies, but had since strode down the corridor with blazing eyes as she angrily threw her cleaning cloths down in a violent rage. Maids normally walked with care to be unheard, but now Frankie was slamming her feet on the floor like never before as she stormed down the corridor, passing tall windows of misty autumn sunshine. As she hurtled around the corner, she was met by a surprised looking Madeline who was on her knees on the floor polishing a large vase.

Madeline's eyes roamed across her friend's face once before she stood, deposited the duster in her apron pocket and watched Frankie solemnly, "What's happened?"

"He's – she's – in the classroom – I walk in – they just – they – argh!" Frankie could hardly string her words together in her thorough astonishment and rage.

"Who? Where?" said Madeline, sounding as confused as she felt, "What is it?"

Frankie pointed down the corridor she had just stormed down, still having trouble with expressing her feelings, "I just walked in, and they just looked at me, and I – I just left – how can they – that's just!" Frankie stopped a took a breath, eyes closing for a moment before they opened and glared at Madeline, "He knew I liked him, he knew it! He kept leading me along but then would abandon me, but I, oh yes, I was so stupid I kept falling for his signals time and time again – even though, might I add, it never went anywhere!"

"Francessa Miller!" rang a voice, and Frankie turned to see Mrs. Chadwick walking towards her with narrowed eyes and a severely affronted expression.

But Frankie was quick to jump to defence, "Mrs. Chadwick, you must understa – "

"I heard everything you just said, lady," seethed Mrs. Chadwick as she stopped in front of Frankie, her eyes glittering furiously. She shook her great head, "You foolish girl," she scolded; "We keep strictly apart from the people we serve!" Her bosom heaved as she glared down at the young woman, Mrs. Chadwick had never looked so angry, it was driven her almost speechless as she stared with enraged eyes, "We do not interfere with their private business. We do not! I've a good mind to relieve you from this job position for this infantile behaviour!" She pointed a finger at Frankie, rings uponit glittering in the light, "One more foot out of line and you'll be sent back to Britain to work for Mrs. Harris again!" She turned and swept away, disappearing down the nearby staircase to leave the two maids in a stunned silence.

Mrs. Chadwick had never threatened anyone with dismissal before.

Madeline and Frankie stared at each other. "That was harsh," said Madeline in a frightened whisper, as if not wanting to be overheard. Frankie nodded slowly, her anger simmered by the shock of the threat.

But Frankie just shook her head hopelessly, "She's right," she muttered, "Should never have gone near him in the first place."

"We are maids.." consoled Madeline quietly, "he's one of the masters. It would have never have worked."

"We all need a little risk-taking in our lives," murmured Frankie, sharing a fleeting smile with her friend. Madeline stepped forward gently to give her friend a comforting hug.

"Don't worry about him Frankie, there are plenty of others guys out there. Just next time, pick one you aren't working for!"

"Good advice," said Frankie with a small smile, "Right, come in, let's get this corridor cleaned up before Mrs. Chadwick has another reason to bark at me."

The front door creaked open quietly and a figure stepped into the deserted hallway. The newcomer peered around slowly, shaking long black hair from her eyes as she slipped into the large empty entrance hall. A fire burned in a large grand fireplace at the end of this hallway, but there were no other signs of life. Rather eerie really. She called quietly, her voice resounding through the vacant entrance of the mansion, "Hello?"

There was no reply.

The woman walked slowly across the rug that lay in the middle of the hall. She glanced to one of the staircases and slowly climbed upon the first step, looking around curiously before she speeded up and quickly headed up to the next floor, "Mrs. Chadwick?" she called as she reached the landing, "Mr. Xavier?"

She headed down one of the corridors, hoping to find some evidence of life soon. Dressed in smart suit attire, her heeled shoes echoed down the wooden corridor as she quickly walked upon the polished flooring, her long black hair swaying with each step. The woman's features displayed evidence of an Asian heritage with a softly tanned skin. She walked with graceful steps, the reverberations following after her eerily.

Then, without warning, Mrs. Chadwick turned the corner ahead and cast a shrewd look towards the woman, eyes falling up her heeled shoes. "Anna Ling. I hope you are aware that you are now a maid. A woman of discretion and silence. Remove those musical atrocities of footwear at once!"

Anna stopped abruptly, looking surprised at the arrival of her new boss, "Oh, erm, sorry." She quickly bent and pulled off her shoes, rising to stand barefooted, feeling rather sheepish.

"I will show you to your new room, Miss. Ling, then you shall be working alongside Miss. Miller and Miss. Bellmore. They can show you around the mansion. Professor Xavier would like to see you at five o' clock this evening, so take your break then and go and see him." Mrs. Chadwick turned, bowing her head once, "Follow me, Miss. Ling."

Anna abruptly hurried over to the housekeeper, following her down another set of corridors, eyes all the while exploring her new surroundings. As she passed one corridor, she spied some students exiting a classroom, but didn't get much more than a glance. Upon turning another corner she saw a couple walking across the landing and to one of the staircases. One was dressed in a long white lab-coat, the other in smart attire with red-lens glasses. But once more, she didn't get a good look.

Before long, she was in front of her room, let in by the housekeeper.

"I'll send Madeline and Francessa up now, so, just sit tight and they shall be along shortly." She was about to shut the door on Anna before she paused and smiled slightly, "Welcome to Xavier's School for the Gifted."

This story is going along slowly. i am struggling to make a go of it since it is unlike anything I have ever written before. Soon, when we break into X1 plots, it will get interesting. As in Logan and Rogue arriving!