A.N – this is set a few weeks after chapter three. It is still the same style, but it also includes some speech. Rather than having "he said"/"she said" all the way through it I'm using the following for speech:

"normal type in speech marks for Kitty"

"italics in speech marks for Jean"

"bold type for Professor Xavier"

I hope this makes sense. Everything outside speech marks is still Kitty's thoughts.

I've just realised that I've not specified a time scale to this. If anyone has read Mutation and is confused, Voices is set about a year before Mutation starts. I thought that would give time for everything to pan out properly.

Disclaimer – I still own nothing to do with the X-Men other than some comics and DVDs. Marvel got everything else first *sighs*.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

I wonder what Jean wants. She really wasn't all that clear at breakfast. I'm glad she has started to interact again of course, but she still isn't quite the same as she used to be. It is hard to define exactly what it is. Her speech, maybe? Yes, I think that's it. She will talk quicker than some can follow and then halfway through a sentence just drop out. Give her a few seconds and she will continue talking so fast you would think someone is going to interrupt her at any second and change the conversation. Now I think about it, when she pauses, she looks like she is listening to someone.

Here we are. Oh, and Uncle X is here too. That does make some sense. Jean's speech quirks are always harder to notice when he is around. I suppose she wanted him here to help her focus on whatever it is that helps her.

"Kitty, will you sit down? There's something I want to tell you about and it might take a little time. There's no point in you standing awkwardly."

"Ok Jean. Good morning Professor, how are you? Did you have breakfast early again?"

"I am very well, thank you Kitty. Yes, I did eat early again as it happens. I woke early and thought it would be pleasant to eat while it was still quiet rather than try to sleep again only to succeed a couple of minutes before I need to get up."

That can go down as one of the strange things adults say and expect you to understand. Why get up when you can stay in a nice warm bed for a little longer?

"I think it may be a few years before you understand the reasoning behind this. It has not been until the last few years that I have enjoyed an early morning"

There it is, that's what I like about Uncle X. He actually tells me if there is something he doesn't think I will understand. And he talks to me like I'm an intelligent person. It is surprising how many relatives treat me like I am four rather than fourteen.

Jean's looking out the window again. It unnerves me to see her do that now, even if she is talking at the same time. Which she isn't now.

"I'm sorry Kitty. I don't mean to worry you"

Did I say that aloud? Oops. Jean doesn't need me making her feel guilty now, not when she is doing so well.

"You didn't say anything Kitty. This is what I wanted to talk to you about, the Professor's even agreed to help me. Please do sit down Kitty, you look like you're about to run out of the room. Really, there isn't anything you need to worry about."

"That last sentence isn't exactly reassuring Jean. And the only reason I looked like I was going to disappear on you both (which for your information I wasn't even thinking of) was that you answered something which I apparently didn't even say. There, I'm sitting down. Now, will you please tell me what the big secret is?"

I'm giving Jean my best glare, and my fists are clenched so tightly that my finger nails are going to leave marks in my hands. I should calm down. Neither Jean nor Uncle X has done anything wrong. I can't back down now though without looking silly.

"I'll take that as an apology, Kitty. Although yes, you really should calm down, it would make explaining this a lot easier for everyone"

"Jean, this is just annoying me even more. I know I didn't say that out loud! Stop being all cryptic and tell me or I'm going…"

"Kitty please, just stay and I'll explain."

"And if you're trying to use my curiosity against me, well it isn't working, I'm just getting a little spooked about how you know this, and there is no curiosity involved at all…"

"I wasn't trying to do that, I can't help it"

Liar.

"So unless you are going to explain this all to me…"

"I AM NOT LYING, IF YOU WOULD JUST BE QUIET FOR ONE…"

"Stop it, the both of you! Jean, I know you are under some stress but that is no excuse to abandon a person's privacy like you did a few seconds ago. Katherine, if you would listen to Jean for a few minutes she would explain to you what is happening. And she was not lying, she has still a lot of work to do on the amount of control she has. Unpleasant thoughts should not merely be kept to yourself, they should be worked against to prevent them resurfacing. Am I understood?"

He's using his demanding voice. Which is the equivalent of an Uncle X shout. This isn't good, that voice doesn't get to come out much, at least not around us. And he called me Katherine. He hasn't called me that since I was eleven.

"Sorry Professor, sorry Jean. I shouldn't have gotten carried away like that." An unconditional apology is probably the best way to go here. And not least because it is true. What is it Kurt always says? Time to face the music. "I'll listen now. But, please, will you just explain it to me?" So much for the entire I-don't-care-what-it-is act. I do want to know now.