AUTHORS NOTE: Sorry this chapter took so so long. Chalk it up to writer's block and college classes. Shout-out though to Juli Beawr who always reviews. Love it, and it makes me feel like someone's reading this. Thank you.

CHAPTER 11

Alexandria's POV

I drove back to school with a wistful half-smile on my face. I knew I was being sappy, but I couldn't help it. Gideon had planned the perfect night, and it had gone amazingly. I didn't remember the last time I was this happy.

Swinging into the school's drive, my smile deepened when I saw a familiar motorcycle sitting there.

Parking my car, I walked over to it and placed my hand on the engine. Still warm.

I hurried into the school, and into my father's office. Already knowing who I'd find inside, I flung the doors open and shouted "Wolverine!"

Strong arms snatched me up into a bear hug. I adored Wolverine. He was like the Uncle I'd always wanted. I let out a girlish shriek.

When he set me down, I started talking.

"I can't believe you're here! How long are you staying?!" I couldn't hide the excitement in my voice.

Wolverine chuckled. "Relax kid. I'm hanging around for awhile. You father managed to talk me into going on some trip with him."

I looked at my father quizzically. "The president trip?"

Wolverine raised his arms above his head to crack his elbows. "That's the one."

"Speaking of, Alexandria, I assume you will be accompanying us as well?" My father asked.

"Assume away." I replied.

A worry about my mind-blocks that protected my relationship with Gideon bubbled in the back of my mind, but in my current state of happiness, I chose to ignore it.

A few hours later I was packing for my trip. Being as anal as I was, my bed was already made as I set my suitcase down on it and flung open the top.

Walking over to the closet, I start flipping through the clothes hanging there. Pulling out several sweaters, I toss them in.

Alicia came in. Eyeing the suitcase, she said "So I take it you're going on the president trip."

"Yep."

"Everyone was wondering if you were going or not." She continued as she lay down on her bed, and opened up a chem book.

"Well, I was a part of everyone then because I just decided a few hours ago."

I glanced at the clock. I'd gotten back from my date with Gideon around ten, and by now it was one-thirty.

Apparently uninterested in her chem book (for once) Alicia rolled off the bed and started inspecting my clothes. Holding up each sweater, she made a face. "These aren't very alluring." I sighed. "It's a trip to see the president. Not a date night."

"Alex. This has monkeys on it!"

"What?" I turned to see the sweater she was holding. It did indeed have monkeys on it.

Now, this wasn't the kind of sweater I normally wore. I like sweaters that were less flamboyant. Most of them were plain or just had small designs, like tiny cherries or snowflakes. I'd bought this particular sweater last winter on a whim. I'd never actually worn it.

I snatched it from her hand. "Point taken"

Alicia sat down and cocked her head. "Methinks you're distracted."

"Whatever."

I was thinking about my sweater choices. Alicia often referred to them as 'old lady'.

I shrugged. Who cared? It wasn't like I would be hanging out with Gideon for two weeks. I wasn't looking for any dates either.

I marched over to my bed and looked inside my suitcase. Four sweaters, nine pairs of blue jeans. I turned back to the closet and chose several t-shirts. This would be a two week trip. I had two formal suits, one was a pants suit and the other was a dress and matching blazer. Sliding both into garment bags and hanging them on the bathroom door so they wouldn't get wrinkled, I retrieved my cosmetics bag and laid it on the dresser. We weren't leaving until the next afternoon, but I wanted to be ready. The hardest part about traveling was that your bathroom supplies and make-up had to be packed last.

I returned to my closet and chose several sensible shoes, along with my slippers and favorites-black keds.

Alicia was studying my choices with a critical eye. "What?" I asked, seeing her face.

"All you're packing are t-shirts, sweaters, and jeans."

"I'm including a few suits." I offered helpfully.

Alicia shook her head. "It's a good thing I'm going too. Your wardrobe needs help. We're going shopping when we get there."

I stood surprised. "You're coming?"

"Of course." Alicia lay back on her bed, propped up by her many pillows and began reading.

I sighed. That made-let's see, me and my dad, Wolverine, Storm and Alicia.

Turning my attentions back to packing, I threw in a few fashionable skirts, several pairs of tights and a few shorts. "Better?"

"Almost. You don't have any heels packed." Alicia said, still reading with a smirk.

"Oh, the horror. How could I forgotten heels." I said sarcastically.

In my head though, I kicked myself. Heels would go better with the dress suit anyway. I didn't know where my thoughts were at the moment.

Gideon's POV

I walked with Mystique. My father had sent both of us out on a job right after I'd arrived home from my date with Alexandria.

The job was simple-almost routine. At least it should have been. Turned out, we'd been sent out to locate someone I'd seen before. A shadow jumper. The Shadow Jumper as it turned out. Our encounter hadn't gone very well. I was sporting a black eye and it was possible that Mystique had a few bruises of her own, although I've never been able to tell. I grimaced as I caught a glance of my reflection in a mirror. My father was still stewing about Professor Xavier being invited to the peace talk and not him. This failure would not do much to improve his mood.

Chad was passing us and did a double take. "What happened? Mystique beat you up again?"

Mystique laughed "Not this time."

"We ran afoul a shadow jumper." I answered as Mystique lightly tugged me forward. Behind me, I heard Chad muttering "Bloody shadow jumpers. Skittish sons of bitches"

I smiled.

As we entered my father's office, he turned to us. "Did you get the shadow jumper?"

"No" I inwardly sighed. Here comes the rant.

Instead, my father surprised me by walking over and inspecting my eye. "Do you have any other injuries?"

Completely taken aback, I blinked. "Uh-no."

My father smiled at me. "Good."

It would be an understatement to say I was more than confused at his cavalier attitude about us returning without a shadow-jumper.

My father sat down at his desk as Mystique and I shot each other a glance. No way was he this ok about it.

Before I had the chance to ask, Chad come in with a few suits. "Here you are, sir."

"What are those for?" I heard Mystique inquire from beside me.

"We have—finally—been invited to join the peace talks." He answered, looking at each of the suits.

I think my mouth dropped open in surprise.

Mystique, however, recovered quickly. "How wonderful."

"I assume you will all be joining me." My father said.

Although his statement included all of us, I saw him shoot me a look.

Confused, I replied with Mystique and Chad, "Of course."

Magneto's POV

Although I directed the statement at all of them, I looked at my son. This job- or whatever he had going- might prevent him from wanting to come. He would have come anyway-Subordination is not something I tolerate.

When he replied "Of Course" I was greatly relieved.

Alexandria's POV

After another hour of arguing with Alicia that I didn't need to make any more concessions to my wardrobe for this trip, my phone buzzed.

"Alex." I answered.

"Your father needs us upstairs. Bring Alicia." Storm said before hanging up.

"Alicia-come one. My father wants to talk with us."

When Alicia and I entered my father's study, Wolverine and Storm were already there. My father sat behind his desk and was ending a phone conversation. Alicia and I sat.

"—Yes, of course. The logic is indeed smart. I'm sure everything will be fine. Ok. Goodbye."

My father hung up the phone before leaning his arms on his desk.

"Is everything ok, father?" I asked worriedly. My father looked as though he'd aged ten years since I saw him a few hours ago.

"The president and his cabinet have decided to add Magneto to the list of those who will be attending. "

Silence reigned in the room for a second.

Storm broke it by saying "What? That's way too dangerous! They're really willing to invite him in the president's home?"

My father rubbed his temple before answering. "Apparently, they have decided that although the danger is great, the dangerous posed by Magneto feeling left out and then planning a revenge-fueled attack is more dangerous. Logic I happen to agree with."

I wanted to cast out a mental net-collect every ones thoughts on this, but doing so would mean lowering my own protective blocks.

Before anyone could say anything else, my father spoke again. "Let's all just get some sleep and get ready to depart. Magneto will meet us here tomorrow. I don't think I'm overreacting by saying that we all will need our rest."

With that, he wheeled himself out of the room, leaving the rest of us, just looking at each other.

_THE NEXT MORNING_

Alexandria's POV

I exited the shower to find a fully dressed Alicia stacking our cases and draping the various garment bags over her made bed. She pointed over to my own well-made bed and said "I picked out your clothes. Get dressed and do your hair."

As crazy as she was, Alicia could be amazingly efficient when she wanted to.

Taking off my robe and dressing quickly, I returned to the bathroom attached to our room. My hair dried quickly under the blow-dryer and I combed anti-frizz gel through it. My hair was naturally straight and days like today I was happy about it. The clothes Alicia had picked out for me were Jeans, a black button-down and a black blazer. Completing the outfit were black pumps. Grabbing my jacket, I double-checked my make-up before collecting the bags and heading down to the waiting cars.

Although my father had only said that Magneto would be joining us, I couldn't help but have a tiny nugget of hope that Gideon might be accompanying him.

When we arrived at the cars, Wolverine took our bags and loaded them.

He had almost finished when a black sedan pulled up and Magneto got out.

I turned to slide my garment bags into the car and when I turned back around to greet our guests, my heart soared.

Gideon was walking next to his father, followed by Mystique and a mixed young man I'd never met.

Gideon was coming!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: (Again)

Sorry for including the best friends-some might think it too cliché. But I was considering exposing Gideon's and Alex's relationship during this trip. And the more people who are around, the more the drama!

Let me know what you guys think about this idea.