The professor noted Keye's suddenly closed expression, remembering the open, generous nature of the girl she'd been. He felt sadness for whatever had happened in the intervening years. The guilt over his ulterior motives returned, and he decided not to push too hard. A strategic withdrawal might be in order for the time being.
"Of course, I'll respect your decision. You do understand that he doesn't remember his full name? It might be very helpful in piecing together his history," the professor tried, one last time.
"With all due respect, Charles, there's no telling how he'd react. He'd probably accuse me of messing with his mind, or at worst spying on him. He's made it very clear how he feels about that. If he wants to know, he can ask me when he's not so . . . hostile." Keye remained adamant.
Logan, who was himself spying just then, didn't see it that way. The professor's got more plots than a graveyard. Prefer the direct approach myself. Like maybe popping a claw or three. Or maybe just getting her up against a wall. He smiled a little at that.
"Very well, my dear, let me ask you a different question."
"Maybe I should get a fresh set of tea leaves for this?" she held out her cup and the professor refilled it. She relaxed again and waited expectantly.
"Can you tell me if we have any second-tier mutants?" Xavier asked.
"Definitely. The double-trouble team, Rogue and Jubilee. They will both be developing secondary powers. Rogue's will not be as dangerous as her first mutation. Jubilee, on the other hand, might have a rough road ahead of her. The sooner both of them get their powers under control, the better. Especially Jubilee." Keye put her cup down on the tray. Sensing Xavier's growing alarm, she continued, "Nothing like Jean, of course. She was pretty much off the charts."
"That's comforting to know." Charles paused, "I find it interesting that you seem to think Rogue can control her powers."
"Don't go there, Charles. I'm the music teacher, remember? Besides almost all the mutants I know, except one or two, could gain at least some control over their powers, with time and effort." And I'm definitely retired from teaching mutants to control their powers, she added silently.
"Anyone else?" He noted her hesitation. "Besides Kitty and Rogue?" he prompted gently.
"Logan."
"Dangerous?"
"I'm not sure, Charles. It's going to be partly mental ability, I'm sure of that. His is developing gradually, though, so control shouldn't be a problem for him. Plus the fact that he's not a teenager works in his favor as well. Without delving directly into it, which is out of the question, I don't really know any more than that. Only that it's odd, from what I've seen, for someone's secondary powers to develop so late in life."
"I had wondered. Logan has always been . . . different, when it comes to reading his thoughts and communicating with him telepathically. It always seemed that he was easier than normal when he was cooperating. When he resented the intrusion, however, he could become quite resistant."
In the hallway, Logan was dumbstruck for a few seconds, then shrugged it off. They're full of it. I ain't one of them. No way. I'm no freakin' telepath. He turned and silently slipped down the hall. He figured he'd get her alone later; get her to tell him his name. He quashed the thought of what else he'd like to get from her.
Charles sensed Logan moving away and sighed. He should have called him in; it certainly wasn't fair that Keye didn't know Logan had been listening in. However, he hoped that by giving them both time, the problem could be resolved peacefully. Except, he thought, that Logan seems to--what was the phrase Jubilee was so fond of?--have the 'hots' for her.
Keye steered the subject away from Logan. "Charles, you know I have done quite a bit of mutant brain mapping and research on behalf of my family. We've talked a lot about your school and your expanded mission. The family thinks that your work is more important than ever. We'd like you to have access to some of the data we've collected. With Jean . . . gone," there was that little nagging feeling again, "maybe someone else could interpret it and gain some insight into how various mutations actually express themselves in the brain. Hank or Dr. McTaggart maybe? We'd provide you with my preliminary findings and impressions as well. Of course there would be conditions attached--you know how the family is."
Xavier was stunned by the offer. He quickly replied, "I'd be most grateful, Keye. I assume the conditions have to do with secrecy and security? If I understand you, the kind of information you are offering could be very dangerous if it were obtained by the wrong people, human or mutant. But in light of the recent attack on the school, I'm surprised your family has confidence our ability to provide that security."
"Well, that brings me to the rest of the conditions. You know, back in the day, Hank used to take us to these awful dives, because he figured that the safest places to eat were the ones that had just opened back up after being closed down by the Health Department for food poisoning. He said they'd be extra careful for a long time afterwards. The family is convinced that Stryker's attack has made you extra careful, and they've noticed your improvements," Keye said, struggling to keep a straight face.
Xavier chuckled, "I suppose it's too much to hope that you mean your family cannot tell what's going on in the mansion these days?"
Keye laughed, "Well, they have to work a lot harder at it. But they approve, in spite of the extra work it causes. However, the information we're planning to share could possibly be used to control or neutralize mutants' powers. In order to protect it further, the family would insist on helping with security, especially computer security. They're pretty set on this condition, but will understand if you choose not to accept."
Xavier grew more serious. "Keye, your family's abilities, even your very existence, is virtually unknown to all but a few outsiders. Indeed, I've tried, unsuccessfully, to emulate their model of anonymity in dealing with my students. The more you share, the more you risk exposure. I appreciate the magnitude of this offer, but I'm curious as to why they would risk this."
Keye said, simply, "We took a vote. Most of the younger generation feel that working with the X-gene mutants will give us a degree of protection as well. As long as the world assumes that all mutants are X-gene mutants, we can go about our business unnoticed. We also feel that the work you're doing, including helping mutants control their powers, is essential for the safety of mankind. We consider ourselves part of mankind, though we aren't exactly 'normal,' Just as mutants are a part of mankind. And as far as our model of anonymity, well, my family's mutations rarely involve strange appearance or catastrophic powers. A lot of your students would find it difficult to hide in plain sight, like we do. So mankind has to come to grips with mutation, and mutants have to control their powers."
"I see what you mean. Your family members are hard to detect. I've never been able to find them on Cerebro, Sentinels don't seem to recognize them, and neither Jean nor I could manage to read their minds. In fact, when I came across a member of your family, he or she was only conspicuous by the absence of thoughts and emotions. That is what led me to establish contact with your family years ago," Charles reminisced. "When you were attending summer sessions, I had to insist that you keep a comlink at all times so that I could keep track of you."
"Except that I turned it off when I went to get beer. The others were afraid that you'd read their guilt the minute you saw them if they bought the beer. I've always wondered, did you know what we were up to?"
Charles smiled, "Hank and Scott felt so guilty about letting you get take the risks, that they felt guilty anyway. I kept tabs on you all, and as long as I didn't see any dangerous behavior or budding alcoholics, I didn't interfere too much. Although I wouldn't want that to get around."
"Don't worry, Charles. Now that I'm a teacher, the shoe's on the other foot. I wouldn't breathe a word of it, especially to the students."
They chatted for a few more minutes, then went their separate ways. Keye went to check on Newfie, who now sported a few brightly colored ribbons, very similar to Katie's. And was that French braiding in her fur? Well, the girls had done a nice job. Must not be too uncomfortable, because Newfie was sprawled on her side in the busyTV room, oblivious to the hubbub, but watching for any sign of stray popcorn out of the corner of her eye. Need outside? Keye queried silently. Newfie gave the dog equivalent of Not yet, and thumped her tail once. Keye sent her a mental picture of the guest room to let her know where she was headed, and then continued down the hall. I wonder if Charles knows about Newfie.
Logan saw her pass by from where he'd sought refuge in the den and figured it was time to make his move. He followed silently. Could practically track her underwater with that perfume, he thought. As she stopped to enter her room, he came up from behind and put both hands on her shoulders, startling her.
"Logan! What are you trying to do, give me a heart attack?" Keye sneezed. He could hear her heart beating fast again and caught the fear scent underlying with her crazy perfume, and Logan found himself a little excited by it. Damn, he thought, am I turning some kind of pervert? He quickly removed his hands and tucked them safely into his jean pockets.
"Darlin' we need to talk," Logan said.
"Well," she said warily, "how about if we head to the kitchen and get a cup of coffee? We could talk there."
He was tempted to go along with that, just to be on the safe side. Maybe a cold shower wouldn't hurt either. But he needed privacy, and there was no way with the kids in and out of the kitchen all the time. "This'll do fine," he said, reaching around to her to open the door and all but shoving her inside.
"Logan, what the hell is this about? I don't appreciate being pushed around," Keye snapped. The fear scent was eclipsed by something else, mostly anger, but with just a touch of . . . arousal? Whaddya know, he thought, great minds think alike. Maybe I oughtta . . . down, boy, you're here for information, not to get some action. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Look, I'm sorry if I was a little too direct. Just wanted to keep it private."
Taking a calming breath, Keye asked, "So what did you want to talk about? We haven't known each other long enough to have any issues, have we?" Logan hated it when people said 'issues' when they meant 'problems.'
"I was outside Xavier's study a few minutes ago, and . . . "
"You were eavesdropping? I can't believe it." Forget the calming breath, Keye was pissed. "You, who make such a big deal about privacy? Hanging around like a . . . a two-bit, lowlife . . .dishonest . . . " She sputtered to a stop as Logan raised a hand.
"Calm down, darlin'. I was just on my way to talk to Wheels, and I couldn't help it. My enhanced hearing 'n all. Can't really turn it off, ya know," his eyes narrowed, "kinda like your little name game."
Keye froze. She glanced at his hands, still safely tucked in his pockets. Well, no claws so far, she thought. She exhaled slowly.
Logan continued, "So what's my name, darlin'?"
Just then Kitty appeared at Keye's open door. "Logan! Katie says she won't go to bed without the rest of the story you started last night."
"All right, kid, tell her I'm on my way." Logan sighed in disgust as Kitty turned and left. So much for privacy in this damned place. "Don't think you're off the hook, Barbie Doll."