Moira stretched in their bed. Charles had already left for the morning; he had classes to teach. As for herself she wasn't usually needed until the afternoon. That was when her tutoring classes were on Friday. Until then she could take her morning at a much slower pace, lie in bed for a little longer and then wander down for brunch.

Up until two weeks ago she hadn't slept in so long. She'd had more tutoring sessions and duties. She'd only agreed to stop doing her full rotation in the seventh month of her pregnancy. Now that David was two weeks away from making his debut in the world she was taking it considerably slower. Moira was independent; not stupid. There was no way that she was going to overtax herself if it risked the health of her child.

That morning was one of her worst. Her stomach was hurting; probably due to David's over activity. She felt sluggish too. Moira wasn't tired enough to go back to sleep but not energized to get up. She didn't even feel motivated by hunger to go downstairs. After an hour of lying in bed she forced herself to get up and get dressed.

She picked a loose dress that fell to mid shin level. It wasn't a particularly flattering shade of blue, but it was her most comfortable maternity dress. Moira slipped into her shoes and brushed her hair. After washing her face she felt a little better and put on shoes so she could go into the hallway. She sighed deeply before she pushed the button for the elevator.

Walking into it she stretched again and rested her hands on her belly. Moira still felt bleary and exhausted. She'd only taken a few steps and she wondered why this was. Her stomach still hurt and she hoped that she wasn't going to have morning sickness again. The last time she had barely made it to a bathroom. She hadn't thrown up in front of the kids yet and she wanted to keep it that way.

The doors to the elevator opened and she went into the kitchen. It was empty at ten thirty in the morning. There was some orange yoghurt in the fridge that generally served to settle her stomach. Charles explained that it was something about the citrus smell and flavor. She just accepted that it made her feel better in the morning and moved on.

Leaning back against the counter Moira fished out a spoon. She opened up the yoghurt packet and spooned some into her mouth. It felt like heaven. Moira closed her eyes in pleasure and put a large spoonful into her mouth. Already her stomach was starting to feel less like a chemical factory.

Finishing up the yoghurt pot she threw it away and put the spoon in the sink. Then, to her surprise, her stomach started to hurt again. She had barely time to frown before a wave of crippling pain went through her. Moira's hand shot out and gripped the counter for support. Her other hand settled on her stomach and she looked around, panicked. By the time she'd gotten her balance back completely there was another wave.

Stumbling a little she collapsed in a nearby chair, panting. Her mind automatically went to her husband. He was just down the hall, teaching biology. Or was it chemistry? Didn't matter. That wasn't too far away; he could get here fast if he hurried. He'd hurry for this. Gritting her teeth she thought as loud as she could;

Charles, get in the kitchen NOW!

Two minutes, and two waves of pain later, she saw Charles all but shoving himself through the door. She winced as she heard his wheelchair scraping up against the wood of the doorframe when he crammed himself through. He saw her in the chair and holding her stomach. She must have made quite the picture.

"What's wrong, what's happening?" he asked, clearly panicked.

She gave him an even stare. She was surprised that she could manage that, considering that what she now knew were contractions were starting in earnest.

"I'm having the baby Charles."

His eyes widened.

"But…but he's not due for another two weeks!"

"Yes-"

"How can he be coming two weeks early!" asked Charles, "That's not what they told us. How could that man call himself a doctor and not get this right?"

Moira swallowed.

"Charles, love of my life, I know you're worried. But please understand my position, because I don't think my going into labor is up for discussion," she said, her whole jaw clenched, "And unless you want David to be born in the kitchen, then you are going to get me to the hospital. Okay?"

Still wide-eyed Charles nodded.

Charles wished that he was allowed in the delivery room. Instead, being a man, he had been banished to the corridor outside. Admittedly his wheelchair probably would have made things inconvenient, but he worried about his wife being surrounded by strangers. Moira would want him with her, he was sure of that.

And what, pray tell, was he supposed to do in the corridors? The hospital didn't seem to particularly care. He supposed that the nurses thought he would pace and do silly things like try to read the newspaper upside down. And they expected him to do this in front of his three students who had accompanied him no less.

However, Charles Xavier was not the sort of man to do anything that ridiculous. He was a man who had seen the darkness inside the minds of humans and mutants alike. He had seen countries fight and hundreds of missiles being sent straight at him. He had been shot in the back and then had that bullet draw straight out again. He was a man who had gone into combat against mutants with supernatural powers armed only with his mind.

He was also a man that was going slowly and painfully insane. He could see people going into the room, had been able to see them for the past several hours. None of the doctors or nurses had answered any of his questions; telling him only that she would be delivering soon. They had fed him that same line for hours.

Charles was a hair's breadth away from piggy-backing a medical official's mind. He would have done that already if he hadn't been afraid that it might make things difficult for her. The last thing he wanted was a confused doctor messing things up. Whenever the door opened he could hear her crying out though. It was only contributing to the feelings of madness. He hadn't felt so helpless in a very long time.

Across from him Hank gave him a reassuring smile. Hank had put on his image inducer so that he could blend in with the other patients. Sean and Alex sat beside him, although Sean was falling asleep. He appreciated the moral support of his first three students and their wait for 'Baby X'. At the same time he could tell that Moira's thirteen-hour-and-counting-delivery was wearing on them.

Feeling pale and tired he did once again the only useful thing he could do; contact her.

Sweetheart? he thought.

Charles? I'm so glad you're back, Moira thought, even her thoughts sounding tired, They keep saying breathe, breathe, and I can't answer them back and tell them that I'm already breathing. You'd think they'd notice.

He gave a weak laugh. Her thoughts were tired, but they were still coherent.

I wish they'd let you in, Moira said, It's stupid that they're not. I keep asking them and they keep redirecting my questions. You'd think the woman having the baby would be able to get some answers-

There was a flash of white. He winced at the onslaught but kept his connection to Moira. She needed him and he was going to be there for her.

Calm you mind-

Don't you start on me too Charles, she thought, Everything really hurts right now and…and I don't know what's happening…

It's okay sweetheart, Charles thought, I'm here, and I'm not going to leave you.

Moira's next thought came after some time and several white flashes.

Thank you. I'm trying to be brave but I'm scared and I don't know these people and…

Don't be scared, he answered, You're doing wonderfully. Besides, I'm sure that David's just taking his time for a grand entrance. You do still want to name him David, don't you?

Of course, laughed Moira, It took us ages to work that one out. And if we fudge on the name then we could end up with the boys naming him Baby X. He'd never forgive us.

Charles smiled and then felt an overwhelming burst of white that shoved him from her mind. Although he couldn't really feel the pain he was still thrown by it. He slumped in his chair and Hank looked at him in concern.

"I'm fine," Charles gasped.

Closing his eyes he returned to her mind. The pain was increasing now and he could hear the faint words of the nurses and doctors. His son was on the way.

I'm still here, he assured her, Everything's going to be okay, it's going to be okay.

Stay with me, please.

I will sweetheart, everything's going to be okay.

The flashes were increasing in intensity and frequency. His fingernails dug into the armrests of his wheelchair and he squeezed his eyes shut tightly. The pain she was experiencing was making it difficult to stay in her mind. Every survival instinct that he had cultivated told him to stay out, to stop trying to comfort her and whisper endearments. However, he had promised her that he would be there. And he would be there no matter how much discomfort it caused him.

Suddenly the bursts stopped and simply became a dull pain in the background.

Charles, Moira thought, You need to…Charles…

He felt her open her mind a little. Despite his mental exhaustion he peered out to see what she did. He saw a bawling infant being cleaned by two nurses.

"It's a healthy little boy," said one.

She picked up a blanket and wrapped its softness around his son. Very gently they settled him into Moira's arms. Despite her weakness she reached for him and stroked his small face with the tips of her fingers. He could tell that she was smiling at him. Moira shifted so that she could get a better look at her son, their son.

Tears ran down his cheeks and he gave a helpless smile.

I love you Moira, he thought, I love you so much.

I love you too Charles.

The baby's hand reached out and touched Moira's face.

David Charles Xavier, she thought, Our beautiful boy.