It had taken the general three weeks to approve and co-ordinate the evacuation of Camp Demeter. The children were excited to be moved to their new facility, one that was exempted from military control. Each one would bound up to Reyna when she was brought into their sightline, bearing a unique and novel question for her to answer about the grounds and the people. The excitement electrified the air, energizing everyone that would be affected by the relocation. The soldiers rejoiced in the knowledge that soon the dismal camp would be eliminated from their memories, and more valuable opportunities would arise. Reyna was just as animated as the others, reveling in the prospect that she and her father would be reunited, along with numerous other elapsed friends.

The students extracted all the personal effects from their bedrooms, piling their crates just beyond the reach of their chambers for the day of departure. The soldiers collected the boxes, transferring them to the cargo hold of the plane that would fly them to New York. Lacey, the doctor's secretary and long-time companion, had decreed, despite all protests, that she would accompany them to the school and remain there.

"If I didn't go with you, that would be over twenty five years of friendship tossed right out the door," the woman huffed, lobbing articles of clothing into the awaiting suit cases. "Besides, why would I pass up an opportunity to return to the place that gave me the first glimpse of humanity? Plus, someone needs to look after you. If I didn't, your head would be sitting on your dresser while you were in the lab."

So as the pair sat in company thousands of feet above the ground, there was a deeper trust circulating. Lacey had been trailing Reyna since the first moment that she had seen the woman strolling casually through the halls of the school. She had sought her advice and alliance perseveringly until, grudgingly, the elder had finally caved. That same night, they had combated the harsh effects of sleep, remaining conscious until the sun could relieve them of their watch, disclosing all possible information as the hours waged.

Three years after that, Reyna left the school, entering a career in the military. Lacey, when her efforts to dissuade the woman's decision crumbled to ruins, had moved her residence to a college near the apartment that Reyna had purchased in Canada. Of course the bills became overwhelming to the sheltered student, and she took refuge in the safety that her mentor had offered. Lacey resided in the apartment while attending college at the woman's expense. Though there was no concrete arrangement, to repay the debts she owed, Lacey offered the assistance that one would receive from a psychologist, keeping the military woman from falling into the abyssal depths of insanity. Once, Lacey had been forced watch her roommate enter a depression so massive and ravaging that she physically had to stop the woman from murdering herself. After that, Lacey swore she was never leaving her side.

"You weren't kidding, were you?" Reyna asked suddenly, causing her seat partner to pivot her head unexpectedly. "When you said you were never leaving?"

"Oh, then. No, Reyna, I wasn't. I saw what… what that did to you. I almost watched my best friend commit suicide for god's sake! I was not about to let something like that ever happen again."

"Thank you…for everything," the doctor whispered hoarsely.

"Why are you thanking me? I should be worshipping you. You put me through college, got me a job, let me mooch off of you and your house. You gave me a free ride through life."

"Well, you deserved it."

"Pft, yeah right. There are plenty of people who deserve it more than me, but I'll accept the answer anyway. It's not like you're a pain to live with or anything... well at least not all the time."

The pair giggled hysterically, raising their glasses in mutual toast. Their discussion then began to meander to the times that they had once shared in the school that they were journeying towards now. The fervor was impossible to ignore, and the laughter caused numerous former inmates of Camp Demeter to question the sobriety of the pair. With assurances that they were not indeed ingesting anything other than soda, the students uneasily returned to their own speculations. Reyna's watchful midnight eyes scanned the spacious plane for signs of her violent, adoptive son/brother. In the far back corner of the cabin, the sixteen-year-old was slouched lowly in the seat, glaring hatefully at the terrain passing beneath him. The doctor sighed sadly, motioning for Lacey to move.

"Yeah, he's been like that since you told them that they were moving. You sure you want to do this here? If he gets angry…"

"I know what can happen, Lacey, and so does he. He is the most dangerous one on this plane, and he knows that the others are slightly afraid of him. I need to show him that not everyone holds that same fear."

"Just remember that you're not the only one on this plane. I know you don't exactly place a lot of value on your life or anything, but it wouldn't be fair to these kids."

She declined her ability to respond to the insulting remark, hastily closing the gap between herself and the teen. Her target did not bother to shed his gaze on her, eyes continuing the slaughter of the scenery below. His hair had gone uncut for what appeared to be several months, falling well past his ears. The blonde strands provided ample camouflage for his eyes. His handsome, sand skin was unmarred by the usual effects of the adolescent years, leaving a stoic statue in its wake. Reyna settled calmly into the seat, reveling in the silence that became a commodity in her world.

"What is it, Colonel?" the boy asked abruptly inquired.

Reyna flinched at the use of her "soldiers" name. "I noticed that you've been withdrawn lately. What's wrong?"

He sighed heavily, scoffing. "Isn't it obvious? I'm going to a place where no one knows me, or what I am capable of. They won't know not to mess with me. I don't want to hurt someone and get moved to an out of the way camp again."

"Jamie, the school that you're going to specializes in mutants. Some of the children there have gifts every bit as dangerous as yours. The headmaster of the school has also offered to help you gain more control over your gift."

"Why should I trust them?"

"Because I personally know almost all of the teachers at this place. They are people just like you and the others. All the students are just like you. They want to help you. The school will be like you're going to a normal boarding school. You'll have more freedom than ever before. You'll be learning with others your own age. Who knows, you might even find a girl that strikes your fancy," the doctor suggested, grinning slyly.

"Hey, now, Colonel! You're one to talk. When was the last time you went out on a date?"

"When did this become about me?" she defended.

"Since you brought my personal life into it. So what's the deal? Plenty of guys at the camp, but all I ever hear about them talk about is how you gave them the cold shoulder. Or are you and Miss Lacey a little closer than you let on?" he accused, eyebrows wiggling suggestively.

"Jamie Lee Worthington!"

"Sorry, Colonel. Had to test you, but the guards talk, you know. I learned most of my stuff from them. So?"

"It's complicated," she stated simply, but continued when she saw his disbelieving expression. "No, I'm not a lesbian. I like guys… A LOT, but I never date underlings. If I am a rank above them, it means that they are lazy, young, and/or stupid."

"You ever had a boyfriend?"

"Plenty. Only one lasted longer than six months though."

"How long was that seven?"

"No! It was a year and a half," shesnapped defensivley, pausing several moments in reflection. "But everything fell apart when he got too ambitious."

"What was he like? Before you scold me for being nosey, I want to know that the infamous Colonel isn't as big of a cold hearted bitch as she appears to her minions."

"He was… incredible," she whispered, her mind recalling the intimate details of her lover. "Tall, muscular, but not a hulking form. He had the wildest hair. Ugh, and that man would never comb it! Well, he was a bit of a loner, traveled a lot and stuff, but he was loyal. And possessive. Or protective, it's hard to tell which one sometimes. Not really the boyfriend type. It took a long time before he trusted me. But he was incredible."

"Sounds like you two got along great. A strong girl like you needs someone stronger."

"Since when did you become an expert in relationships?"

"I just know you. Plus, your underling comment made it pretty obvious."

Reyna scoffed, pivoting her head towards the aisle, scanning the students for any disturbances. The younger children were huddled in a tight knit group, enthusiastically gossiping and giggling. The teens were strung out in several locations, most intently distracting themselves from the world with head phones. Jamie made a small noise, recapturing his mentor's attention.

"So, this guy, Xavier… can I trust him? I mean, will he really help me, you know... control my gift?"

"He'll do everything in his power to help, and yes, you most definitely can trust him. I do."

"I guess that I can accept that answer, but just one more question: why aren't you with this guy anymore?"

She drew a deep breath, shady eyes closing in concentration and remembrance. "He's dead," she murmured after innumerable moments passed. "Or, at least, I hope so."

Jamie allowed his mouth to gape as though he was about to voice another thought, but Reyna quickly stood, briskly returning to her original seat. Her face held a visible disturbance, like she had just awoken from a nightmare whose effects refused to go away. Lacey noticed the anguish in her countenance and raised a question to her well being. Reyna gave a futile assurance that she was fine before drugging herself with a light sleeping pill that would assure a much needed rest for the remainder of the trip. It did not take long for them to affect her system.