Disclaimer: I don't own X-Men; I'm just borrowing it.

A/N: Oops, I didn't realize that that was a cliffhanger. Sorry. Hope you like this one. The little '' doohickeys go around thoughts (I'm not sure if the italics will show up).

I 'M SORRY THIS TOOK ME FOREVER, I ACTUALLY HAVE A LIFE! I know, it surprises me as well . . . ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything was ready.

Bea had made the call and they knew Gwen was coming.

Any stuff she needed most was packed into her small duffel bag.

It had been four days since the kids had found out. Most of them had begun to ignore her, not because they disliked mutants, but because Gwen had lied to them. This really pissed Gwen off because most of them were too young to even understand the situation. She knew Jack was behind it. Some still talked to her though, but not many.

Gwen looked around one last time; everything was dark. It was 11:30 on a school night so, naturally, everyone was asleep. She sighed, it would probably be her last time seeing the only home she had ever known.

She was supposed to leave in the morning, so that Bea could say good-bye, but good-byes had never come to Gwen easily. She decided to leave in the silence of the night, avoiding any last minute thoughts and heartbreaks.

Gwen walked up the stairs and stopped about halfway. She turned and grabbed a picture off the wall. Behind it was a rather large hole in the wall with boxes, books, albums and other things inside. It was all of the kids' papers and documents, keepsakes, and old toys. Gwen grabbed an old shoe box that was falling apart, with attempted reinforcement of duct tape. She opened the lid and inside were numerous papers of importance. She quickly and quietly replaced the picture and placed the box in her hideous bag.

She quietly opened the large front door, making sure to not let it squeak. She locked it and walked down to the car. It was the car that sixteen year olds learned to drive in. Bea had agreed to let her claim possession of the blue 1998 Volvo with a large dent in the front bumper. She started the engine and slammed on the accelerator, speeding into the night. Gwen drove as fast as she could, not wanting to look back. She didn't want to hold on to anything.

After nearly an hour and a half of driving, she reached a large, older looking building. Gwen drove through the open gates and parked in front of the main door, trying to be as silent as was possible. She grabbed her duffel from the passenger seat and got out, locking and gently shutting the door. She stood there, gazing up at the massive building. The windows were dark and there was no sign of anyone. She walked up the stairs to the front door, still staring at the new surroundings. She held her hand up to knock, but she hesitated, her mind was telling her to run. 'Go back. Forget about this place. You don't belong here.' a little voice taunted inside her head, 'You won't be accepted, no one will look after you. You are just an insignificant part of this world.'

Gwen stopped - Was that true? No, it couldn't be. This would be the place where she'd be able to get away from the pain, the hurt, the hatred that had stained her mind. It was the only thing that she had wanted, to be accepted again, to have friends. She wanted to feel safe, the one thing that Bea had always wanted to help her with, but couldn't.

'You will never feel safe again.' the voice taunted.

Gwen hesitated. It was true, she didn't feel safe anymore - she hadn't known that feeling for a long, long time.

'You should go. Turn back.'

"I don't want to."

'Go. These people will only add to your pain.'

She turned around, taking one step, but then stopping. She had almost given in. She reached into the pocket of her sweatshirt, and grabbed something silver that glistened in the moonlight. She flicked it and in one swift motion a blade appeared. Her eyes looked to her wrist, she could just make out a pink scar, a scar she had made in the final desperation to rid herself of it all. They were all the way down her arm, the scars, though she normally covered them with long sleeves and arm warmers.

'Go back, go back home.' the voice beckoned.

Gwen hesitated, but suddenly she flicked the knife and placed it back in her pocket. "No." Gwen said as she turned around and knocked on the door.

'Don't do this.'

"Go away." Gwen ordered.

'You shouldn't - '

"Now."

'Just remember my words.'

She was just about to knock again when she heard a smooth, mechanical-type sound from inside. The door opened and a man in wheelchair appeared. He didn't seem in the least bit tired, this surprised Gwen, seeing as how late it was - just about 1:00 AM. His face was a welcoming one.

"Gwen, welcome." the man said shaking her hand.

"I apologize for being so late."

The man nodded, "Good-byes have never been easy for me either."

Gwen looked at him, shocked; he smiled and continued, "It's perfectly alright, we were expecting you. I am Professor Charles Xavier."

"Um, is it okay that my car is there? I wasn't sure where to put it. I can move it if you want me to."

"It's no problem at all. Now, if you follow me, I'll show you to where you'll be spending the night."

Xavier turned around, Gwen walked in and closed the door, and followed him. He showed her to a dark room that was furnished with the normal fixtures of an office, a desk, a couple chairs, bookshelf, stuff like that. But what threw Gwen off was a large chalk board behind the desk with funny looking drawings on it. Especially, how in the corner was a fold-out bed with fresh blankets, sheets and two pillows.

"I apologize for not giving you a more expectable room for your first night, but because you arrived so late . . ."

"Oh, it's no problem. This is just fine." Gwen said, looking around the room.

Xavier smiled, "Yes, Gwen, this is an office."

Gwen wheeled around, a surprised look on her face.

"Mine to be exact."

"How? What? Um . . . How did you?"

Xavier smiled, "I'm telepathic. I can read minds."

"Oh. Okay. I feel better now." Gwen said as she set her bag down on one of the blue chairs and walked over to the window. The light reflected off of her sunglasses and illuminated her bruise. Xavier cringed as she cracked her knuckles rather loudly. He quickly ran through her thoughts. They were filled with emotion. A longing to feel safe, to have friends, to be rid of pain. He pulled out of her mind and gazed at her, there was no need to be scared now - she was safe.

He quickly moved himself to another subject. "You'll be moved to your room tomorrow, I hope you don't mind sharing a room with a few other girls your age."

"Sure, it's no problem. I'm used to it."

Suddenly a woman walked in. She had light skin and (from what Gwen could tell - it was dark) auburn hair.

"Professor, Scott and Storm are back, they have them."

"Good, very good. Gwen, I'm sorry for having to cut this short, I'll send someone for you in the morning. I hope your comfortable."

"I'll be fine."

The two began to turn and leave, "Professor?"

Xavier turned to face Gwen, "Yes?"

Gwen walked up to him, "Thanks, for everything. This is really, well, - "

"Gwen, it's my pleasure, I hope you learn to love this place as many others have before you. Now, you should get some rest."

Gwen smiled and closed the door behind them. She took off her sunglasses and looked around. The light coming in from outside was faint, but it was better than turning on the lights. Ever since she'd gotten attacked in front of the school, her eyesight slowly began to fail. She could still see, but it was difficult and most objects far away were fuzzy. Any sudden flash of light gave her an instant migraine. The thought of getting prescription sunglasses had crossed her mind, but it was too expensive.

She slipped on her pajama bottoms and got in the bed, pulling the blankets over and up to her chin. She tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable, but it was difficult. She sat up, feeling that it would be impossible to get any sleep. She reached into her pocket and grabbed the knife. She pulled the blade out, she could see a faint line of dried blood along it's sharp edge. After some hesitation, she pushed the blade back and put it back in her pocket.

She sighed.

'You shouldn't - ' the voice began.

"Don't even think about it."

'Maybe another time.' it muttered as it started to fade.

Gwen rolled her eyes, "Whatever."

'Could I just . . . ?'

"What do you th-?" Gwen paused, just realizing that she was having a ridiculous argument with herself, "Wait, the hell am I doing?"

'I think - '

"Don't answer that."

'Okay . . . '

"I'm so pathetic."

'Just a little.'

"Will you shut up?!"