My small suitcase in hand, I shut the door to my apartment and locked it. Taking a deep breath, I looked down the empty hallway.

A door swung inwards.

"Hey, Eve," said a soft voice. Peter poked his head out of his doorway. "I wanted to say goodbye."

I set down my suitcase, a small smile appearing on my lips. "Just for a few days," I said, opening my arms. The two of us embraced, Peter holding me tight.

"I'll still miss you," Peter said into my shoulder. He pulled away. "Don't be gone for too long. We've got that field trip to the MOMA after spring break and you don't want to miss it."

I let out a quiet laugh. "Strange sculptures and rooms full of overpriced collections," I replied, crossing my arms.

"Would you rather sit in a classroom?" Peter joked, taking up my suitcase. "Walk you to the car?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Thank you."

Parked outside of the building was a familiar black car, Hank leaning against its side.

"Hank!" I called, racing down the exterior stairs. I threw my arms around his blue form.

"Eve! I'm so glad to see you," Hank replied, hugging me back. "Charles is at the house waiting for us. I did however," Hank opened up the passenger door, "bring this one along for the ride."

"Warren!" I realized as the curly blond mop-top emerged from the vehicle.

"Hey, nerd," my brother said with a wide grin, pulling me in for a hug.

"Dork," I countered, rustling his hair.

"Hey, Peter," Warren said as Peter brought over my suitcase.

"Good to see you again," Peter replied, extending a polite hand. "We gotta stop seeing each other when something crazy happens, though."

"Cheers to that," Warren said, shaking Peter's hand before taking my bag and throwing it in the trunk. "Charles' stupid phrases are rubbing off on me, Eve. I think it's time I move out."

I laughed. "Yeah, just wait 'til you get good at inspirational speeches. Then you'll know you've been spending too much time around him. But, I can't wait to see him."

I let out a long sigh and turned around to look up at the apartment building. My eyes flitted down to Peter who stood looking rather lost. He looked like he wanted to say something, or perhaps he just looked like he cared a lot.

"Bye, Pete," I said softly, hugging him. "Thanks for all your help."

"Yeah, n-no problem," Peter said. "I'll . . . see you soon."

I nodded as Warren opened the car door for me. "If the kids at school ask where I went," I began. "Just tell them I'm visiting family, and maybe not all the other stuff, please."

"Yeah, of course," Peter said, his hands awkwardly clasped in front of himself. "You just . . . took your spring break a little early."

I nodded with a tired smile and climbed into the back seat. I still had a backpack full of work with me. "Thank you again."

Warren shut the door for me and got into the car.

Peter stood on the curb and gave a small wave. Bye, I read his lips through the window.

And we were off.

When I got back to the school grounds, I nearly cried. The place was full of life. Students ran and played and talked and studied all over the place. I rolled down the window and breathed in the fresh scent of the countryside. I was home at last.

As the car pulled around to the front, Charles was already there waiting for us.

I threw open my door before the car had even stopped, rushing out to meet him. Tears I hadn't realized I had been holding back came streaming down my face. I knelt down and threw my arms and wings around him.

"Evelyn," Charles greeted me softly, a kind smile on his face. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too," I said, sniffling.

"You look so . . ." Charles tiled my chin up and looked me over, checking for scars just as he had done after the Battle of New York, "grown up. It's been too long. No more save-the-day missions for a little while, hmm?"

I let out a small laugh through my tears and hugged him tighter.

"I'm just so glad you're safe," I smiled.

"As am I. You know I worry about you? Quite a lot, actually," Charles joked.

"I know, I know," I replied. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed our banter.

"How're your stitches? All healed?" Charles asked quickly.

I nodded. "I'm fine, really, physically."

"Come on inside," Charles turned his wheelchair around. "We can discuss what's happened in my office."

I looked back at the car where Hank and Warren were helping to unload my things.

"Go ahead, I've got it," Warren said. "You travel light anyway."

I followed Charles to his office, breathing in the familiar scent of carpet and wood of the old school. I closed the door behind the two of us, shutting out the sounds of the other students.

"Take a seat for a moment," Charles said, gesturing to an armchair.

I did so, my hands folded in my lap awkwardly.

Charles took a deep breath. "You had a panic attack, back at the Avengers complex after Mr. Stark showed you the new suit. And this was because that suit was very similar to the one you had previously fought in."

I nodded.

"Evelyn, you know I help the mind; it is my specialty," Charles said. "But, I would never look unless you allowed me to."

I looked down at the floor. "Okay," I said at last.