"You heard the rumors, what they're saying on the street." A distraught Scott Summers paced back and forth inside the large dinning room meant to hold all of the Institute's residents.

"Scott, please calm yourself. The students will be arriving any moment now for their breakfast." Professor Xavier said a bit harshly as he effortlessly rolled to the head of the long dinning table.

"We can't keep this from them for long. They're bound to hear it around the school or in the mall." The man known as Cyclops sat down heavily in one of the red padded chairs. "I think its better they know now so they can be on guard."

"We don't want them worrying unnecessarily, Scott. What if they really are just rumors?" Jean Grey did her best to try and calm her stressed out boyfriend before he spread his stress to the younger students.

"Would you rather the Brotherhood catches them off guard and they get hurt? Or worse they could be-"

"Scott!" Jean and the Professor snapped at once, not wanting to think of the possibility of losing one of their students in that manner.

"Fine; but let's at least tell some of the older, more reliable students that the brotherhood may have-"

"What about Mort?" The three turned quickly to see Oyre standing, still in her leopard print pajamas, at the open door. "Have you heard anything about Toad?" She searched each face and saw their reluctance to say anything. "Please! You have to tell me…" She pleaded, stepping in to let the door close. She felt as if she would cry, frustrated with them for taking so long to answer her. "Father, please!" She ran to the Professor and practically threw herself at his feet.

"Oyre…" It had been a very long time since the daughter he had adopted had called him father, and it made him realize how truly desperate she was to hear what happened to her love. "There has been talk that the brotherhood has regrouped themselves. With… Toad as their leader. He has recruited a few miscreant mutants into his cause." He took her hand as he saw her eyes light up with hope. "Oyre, these are just rumors and may not hold any truth in them. You must promise me that you will not go looking for him."

"But Professor… I-"

"Promise me, Oyre."

"I…" She looked to Jean, as if asking for some help out of this promise. Seeing none, she shook her head. "I can't. You know I can't!" She jumped up and, employing her ability of cat-like speed, she rushed out the door.

Scott frowned after the head strong seventeen year old girl. While his wish to alert the students would now be granted, his fear of losing her once again to the Brotherhood may very well be realized. She was a strong asset to the X-Men, both because of her combat skills, and for her skills in reconnaissance missions and tracking.

"Professor, maybe we should have some one keep an eye on her." Scott suggested.

"No." Jean said, shaking her head. "Oyre would instantly pick up the scent of anyone following her and besides; any trust she has left in us would be crushed." She placed a soft hand on Scott's arm. "I'll keep a telepathic eye on her, but I think that's the best we can do."

The Professor nodded his agreement, wheeling to a window over looking the exquisite backyard of the Institute. He sighed; placing his elbows on the arm rests of his chair and resting his chin on his hands. "Send Wolverine out to see if any of these rumors are true. Inform him that he can take one of the jets if he finds it necessary." Scott nodded and left the room as Jean joined Professor Xavier at the Window.

"Professor, perhaps we should send Oyre with Logan." Jean suggested, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It would keep her from going off on her own and it would allow us to have Logan keep an eye on her."

"No, I don't think that would be wise. She's a good girl and excellent in the field but she knows nothing about gathering information from people. Her heart would undoubtedly get in the way and cause her to act irrationally." He shook his head, closing his eyes. "No… We must try to keep her here and if possible, away from Toad."

"Professor, is that wise?" Jean asked, looking shocked and taken aback.

"You know how dangerous he is Jean. Not the brightest of boys, but dangerous nonetheless. She could be seriously hurt following him around on ill planed missions and I will not have it." He slammed a fist on the arm of his chair, pausing for a moment afterwards and shaking his head. "If the rumors are true, it would be best if she didn't know."

Jean would have argued, knowing how much Oyre thought herself in love with Toad, but she also knew that once the Professor's mind was made up, there was no way of changing it. She folded her arms over her chest and sighed, watching some students play frisbee on the grounds below.

"I hope you're right, Charles." She said with a sigh as Scout wrapped an arm around her shoulders.