AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, I got this to y'all fairly quickly I think.

Anyways be prepared-a lot happens. As always your comments are greatly appreciated so please review!

CHAPTER 14

Alexandria's POV

The ball was nearing the end, I could tell. The large grandfather clock on the end of the dance hall, I could see that it was just about two in the morning. I was tired, and the group didn't appear to be leaving yet. I sighed and place my napkin on the table. "Dad." I said, placing my gloved hand on his arm. "I'm tired, I hope you don't mind if I retire early."

My father gave me a smile, but I could see concern in his eyes. "Of course. Are you feeling well?"

I smiled and nodded, before rising from the table. As I made my way up the grand staircase, I thought to myself, Gideon never got his second dance. Although it brought a smile to my face to think of his reaction, I was surprised to notice that I was very disappointed. But honestly, I thought I was going to drop at any minute.

Storm's POV

I could tell the professor was worried. Alex could normally handle late night dinners and such, she was tough. And it was unusual for her to feel so tired to the point of leaving before the group. I didn't think much of it; after all, she'd had a busy day.

"Professor, relax. I'm sure Alex is fine."

The professor smiled at me. "I'm sure you're right, Storm."

Alicia jumped in with "she's just wiped from the attack earlier."

Mentally, I cringed. I hadn't had a chance to discuss Alex's attack with the professor and she hadn't wanted to worry him before the ball.

The concern on the professor's face was obvious. "What attack?"

Wolverine looked angry. "Alex was attacked?"

I held up my hand. "She was attacked earlier today during her swim. I didn't have a good chance to tell you, professor, and seeing as she's fine, I though it could wait until tomorrow."

The Professor looked upset. "She should have mentioned it."

I gave him a reassuring smile. "She didn't want to worry you before the big ball."

Gideon's POV

I saw Alex start climbing the stairs. She was tired-I could see that much. I felt a strong feeling of disappointment at not getting to dance with her again, but I wanted her rested and strong, in case her attacker came back for round two. I frowned. Maybe I should go up and check on her-just to make sure she gets to her room safely.

"Is something the matter, Gideon?" My father asked.

"Mmm?"

"You were frowning."

I decided to play it cool. "I was? I hadn't noticed."

"What were you thinking about?" Chad asked as he sipped his drink.

"Oh nothing of importance. I couldn't remember if I'd charged my phone before leaving, is all."

That pretty much ended the conversation and the three of them went back to talking about whatever it was they were talking about before my frown attracted so much attention.

I rose from the table. My father glanced up. "I'm going to the restroom, excuse me."

I walked over to the restrooms, then quickly darted up the stairs.

As I strode towards the rooms, I couldn't help but feel a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

Alexandria's POV

I laid the dress, stocking, gloves and shoes on the bed, before going into the bathroom. As I shook out my hair, I felt dizzy. Man, I must not be sleeping well.

I couldn't remember the last time I felt this exhausted. As I dragged the washcloth across my face, everything seemed far away and it felt like it took every once of strength I possessed to lift the cloth. I set it down, and turned back towards the room when the world suddenly turned, making me sick to my stomach. I was out before my body hit the floor.

Gideon's POV

That nagging feeling grew and grew until I was sprinting towards the room. I slammed into the main door, shouting "Alex!"

No one answered me. There's no way she'd already be asleep…right?

I flung open the double doors leading to the hallway for Xavier's rooms.

Shit! Which is hers?

I decided for process of elimination. Opening the first door on the right, Nothing.

I opened the first door on the left and knew I had the right room. Alex's dress and things were laid on the neatly made bed. Ok she's definitely not asleep.

"Alex?" I stepped further into the room when I noticed the bathroom light was on.

I knocked on the door. "Alex?"

When I got no answer that nagging feeling exploded.

I needed to get in there and I needed to get in there now.

"Alex!" I tried the door handle. Locked. Slamming my shoulder against the door, I ignored the sweeping pain. Gritting my teeth, I slammed into a few more times before the door splintered, and opened.

What I saw next made my heart stop.

Alex was collapsed on the floor, her dark hair covering her face. She was pale, really pale. There was blood on the floor next to her. I ran into the main room for the house phone and dialed for the medics.

Once I got confirmation that they were on their way, I rushed back to Alex.

"Alex, Help's on the way. Hold on, Alex!" I gathered her in my arms and tried to wake her. "Alex! Alexandria! Miss Xavier! Come on!" I tried every name I could possibly think of.

About ten minutes later I heard the medical team. "In here!" I poked my head out the door of Alex's room and waved them over.

They loaded Alex on a stretcher and began asking me rapid fire questions as they checked her vitals.

When they wheeled her downstairs and into the ambulance, I climbed in with her. One of the attendants started to protest-I obviously wasn't family-but I nailed him with a look that shut him up. He closed the doors and climbed into the passenger seat and the driver turned on the sirens and pulled out of the white house driveway.

Professor Xavier's POV

Soon after Alex left the table, I thought I heard telepathic cries. Normal people-those without the telepathic ability I shared with my daughter, often referred to those cries as 'bad feelings'. A telepath's brain can send out SOS signals even if the person themselves don't know they're in danger. The cries bothered me but they weren't strong, so I decided to remain downstairs for a few more minutes. The cries could be resulting from her exhaustion.

However I had a sinking feeling that I had been horribly wrong when I saw two secret service men walking towards my table.

"Well this can't be good." Storm commented.

They reached our table. "Sir, we've been sent to inform you that medical attention was needed for your daughter just a few moments ago."

"Medical attention? What for?" I fought down panic.

"I do not know sir. All I do know is that as of five minutes ago, Mr. Lenshaw rang for help regarding your daughter. A medical team is on their way to them now."

My confusion was mirrored by Storm's "Magneto rang for medical attention for Alex?" The confusion and worry were evident on everyone's faces. "No madam. It was the young Mr. Lenshaw."

"Gideon?" I heard Wolverine mutter, confused.

I decided to worry about Gideon's involvement later. "Take me to my daughter."

Storm, Alicia, and Wolverine all stood, Storm taking the handles of my chair and pushing me through the thinning crowd. The Secret Service men lead us to the front entrance where we saw Alex being hoisted into an ambulance. Gideon, still dressed in his tux, swung up next to her. The attendant said something to him, to which Gideon replied with a venomous look. The attendant shut the doors.

"Bring our car. We're following them." I told Storm. She darted off with one of the Servicemen to retrieve the car.

Gideon's POV

We reached the hospital quickly, where they were apparently expecting us because a few doctors and several nurses were waiting to whisk Alex off. I followed them, but one of the attendants, and a nurse grabbed my arm.

"You can't go back there sir."

I opened my mouth to protest when Xavier and his group came rushing in. The friend-Alicia, I believe, immediately ran to me, and slammed me against the wall. "What have you done to her? What did you do to Alex?!" She was clearly on the brink of hysteria. "I didn't do anything! I found her!" I shoved the hysterical girl off me.

The group started shouting questions at me, until the Professor held up a hand. "Let's give the boy a chance to explain himself. Tell me. Why did you follow Alexandria to the suite, and how did you know which room in which to look?"

"I didn't. I just started opening doors."

Wolverine looked like he was ready to rip my throat out. More shouting erupted. The professor held up a hand again, quieting them. "You did not answer my first question. Why did you follow my daughter?"

I looked directly at him. I had a feeling he would know if I lied so I told him the truth. "I followed her because I was worried about her, sir." I threw the sir in because the professor scared me. He was clearly upset at my involvement and worried sick about Alex.

"Why would you be worried about Alex?" Storm shouted, exasperated and clearly confused. The professor's eyes were asking me the same question.

"I was worried about Alex because I'm in love with her!"

That shut everyone up.