Chapter 52
Muir Island...
Dr Moira McTaggart's research facility was deliberately set up on an island, away from a populated place where she could research unstable mutant powers while providing relatively safety to the general population and secrecy for her patients. It meant she was only supplied by boat or by private airfield where she kept a jet that Charles had in fact managed to obtain for her.
Right now, on-board that jet, Sean Cassidy, once an X-Man known as Banshee, is just going through the pre-flight checks before he leaves. The Inner Circle. Just the thought of that name makes his Irish blood boil. As soon as he heard Moira say they were involved he just instantly knew what he had to do and that was to not only save the boy but to confront a few ghost from his past that he hadn't been able to completely lay down.
The sound of footsteps from behind gets his attention. Sean looks behind him to see his darling daughter is on-board...with a bag. "Now where do ye think ye are going Terry?"
"With you," Theresa says back with a pleasant smile.
"Ok I'm not prone t' taking th' Lord's name in vain.."
"Since when?" Theresa scoffs.
Sean scowls lightly at her before he continues. "But Jesus Christ, no way are ye coming," he tells her.
Theresa throws her bag down onto a seat and looks crossly at her father. "What makes ye think I'm just lettin go off on yer own without me t' watch yer back."
"Terry, ye have no idea who these people are or what they are like. Th' Inner Circle have no morals or scruples. At least Tom, as twisted as it is, has a code he follows. They don't."
"Which only reinforces why I should come," she argues stubbornly. "And short of picking me up and carrying me off this jet I'm not leaving," she tells her father and means it.
Sean looks to the heavens and utters a prayer, asking for strength. Why, oh why, did the Lord have to give her his stubborn streak. It's not that he doesn't want her around. He does. Like Moira with Rahne he just doesn't want to see her harmed. She is all he has left of her mother. However, he can see, from her determined expression, she won't leave of her own volition and no argument he can think of will work so he'll just have to compromise this time he can see. After all, as much as he wishes she was, she isn't a little girl anymore. She's becoming a young woman, capable of making her own choices. After a few moments thought he comes up with the following. "Alright. Here's my terms. This is X-Men business which means Professor Xavier makes th' calls. Should he say ye stay at th' mansion and I go that's what ye do or I will pick ye up and throw ye off right here. Clear?"
"Clear," Theresa accepts. At least she'll be there and not thousands of miles away. She already lost her mother. She isn't losing her father while she can have a say on it. It would be why when Rahne went to the Institute she stayed so she could remain near her father.
"Ye cracked pretty quickly there Sean," Moira comments as she climbs aboard, bag in hand.
"Yer coming?" Sean asks in complete surprise, making the only assumption he can about Moira's appearance here.
"Aye," Moira says. "Because ye were right. We all walked away when we shouldn't have. Time tae lay this down once and for all."
"What about Kevin?" Sean asks after Moira's son, who is a mutant with an extreme condition. Essentially he can't leave a specially engineered room that contains his powers.
"It'll only be a few days. John can manage to run things along with my assistants until then. If we can't get Superman back by then..." Moira trails off not wishing to finish that thought of what could be a grim fate. "I've spoken to Kevin about it," she says.
Everyone's attention is then caught by yet another bag being flung on-board as Rahne climbs in.
"Rahne," Moira address her daughter. "What do ye think yer doing?"
"Going back to the Institute," Rahne states.
"Excuse me?" Moira asks, not quite believing she just heard that.
Rahne gives her mother a sour look. "I'm not leaving my friend in the hands of these Inner Circle people and really where do ye get off trying to dictate anything tae me? You lied tae me!" she says bitterly now she has gotten the story off her mother about her true history with the Professor.
"I was protecting ye!" Moira insists.
"Ye let your personal experience cloud your judgement!" Rahne accuses.
"Oh boy," Theresa murmurs to her father, seeing this was going to go south fast. Rahne had been fuming ever since she got back during the summer and now its seems months of anger are about to come out.
"Being an X-Man isn't safe!" Moira argues, her voice rising in pitch and volume.
"Then why did ye let me go in the first place?! Yer being completely hypocritical!" Rahne shouts back.
"There's a big difference from when mutants were unknown tae now!"
"Apparently not if ye were finally telling me the truth!" Rahne points out using what her mother said about these first X-Men to reinforce her argument.
A loud piercing whistle interrupts the mother/daughter spat courtesy of Theresa...and when she whistles loudly she really whistles loudly. Like loud enough for dogs 10 miles away to hear her.
Sean has a finger in his ear ringing them out from his daughter's intervention. "Deafen me why don't ye darlin."
Theresa smirks.
"Ok. Enough," Sean says to Moira and Rahne. "Look, Rahne, ye might have a point about lying t' ye but never doubt that yer mother loves ye and is always just trying t' do th' best by ye."
"I doubt it," Rahne mutters viciously, glaring at her mother.
"Yes she does," Sean insists passionately. "Ye didn't see how worried she was when ye all went missing after th' Sentinel attack. Ye didn't see her crying for hours before ye managed t' contact us. Ye can disagree with her decisions but don't ye ever, EVER, doubt that she loves ye lass."
Rahne is a little stunned. Sean was always so...laid back most of the time. It was odd to hear him so serious. She looks at her mother and sees the deep worry lines on her face. She never really thought about what her mother must have gone through during that period. Rahne's gaze softens. "I'm sorry," she whispers.
"So I am Rahne," Moira returns it.
Rahne throws herself into her mother and hugs her.
Moira's face lights up into a small smile at this as she returns it.
"I still want tae help save Superman," Rahne mumbles into her mother's shoulder.
Moira looks to Sean who just shrugs as in might as well let her come.
"Alright," Moira agrees. "But rest assured this doesn't mean I'm letting ye stay at the Institute," she says before Rahne thinks it.
"Can ye at least think on it, please?" Rahne pleads.
Moira sighs. "I make no promises my mind will change but I'll think on it."
"Thanks mum. Love you."
"I love you too honey."
"I feel an Irish ballad coming," Theresa says with dread as she looks at her father who just loves to sing.
Sean smirks. "Aye." He clears his throat and begins while they all strap themselves in and prepare for the flight to Bayville.
Hellfire Club, New York...
Everyone has a unique mind-scape. A reflection of their experiences and personality. The moment Isobel's spell was cast, Emma found herself experiencing Superman on a whole new level. Before his thought patterns had been completely alien to her as if he spoke a strange language. Now it is like someone bought her the dictionary. Instead of not understanding them, she can sense them being hidden away from her probing. Still they feel...alien. Different to anything she has ever encountered before.
Emma probes around the edges, looking for a way in. Too many telepaths just try and use blunt force to batter their way in and therefore never learn there is an artistry to telepathy. When the situation calls for it Emma can just use her raw mental power in such a fashion but it is so uncouth to do so. Besides she doesn't want to damage Superman's mind. Just learn how it works and how to change his thoughts so he serves her...she means serves the Inner Circle of course.
"Your desires are painfully transparent."
Emma spins...or the mental projection of Emma spins in a dark space to find... "Superman?"
"A foolish attempt by humans to define what we are," Superman dismisses it...only Emma isn't sure this is Superman. This mental projection is dressed in a black one piece suit with that raised symbol on his chest and he gives off an air of aloofness, arrogance and superiority.
"And this is a foolish attempt on your part to enter our mind. Magic may have enhanced your telepathy but I am more than familiar with the techniques required to shield us from your probing," 'Superman' states confidently.
Our. Us. Plural terms as if there is one than more person inside. Also there is something else in what he said that intrigues her. "You speak of humans as if you aren't one. You aren't one are you?" she asks him, not expecting him to answer it. From what Isobel had said Emma had basically already come to that conclusion anyway but this seems to confirm it.
'Superman' does not confirm her question but instead says in reply the following. "And you, Emma Grace Frost, so pitifully are an example of what our father saw is wrong with humanity. Greedy, selfish, only interested in elevating yourself. Everything encapsulated that proves how foolishly naïve my other is in believing in humanity's potential to do good if only shown the way," he derides her and humanity. "Now leave," he commands.
"I don't think so," Emma states. "Neat trick shrouding it all in darkness but I've seen it done before," she says in reference to the darkness surrounding them. Hidden somewhere in the blackness is the door into the deeper parts of his mind. This is only skimming the surface.
"Simple, perhaps but with a disciplined focussed mind it can be very effective and you will find I am not burdened by the distraction of petty human emotions. Now I asked you to leave. This time I am telling you. Leave," he states in icy-cold tones but tones that carry immense authority.
Emma's snow-blue eyes narrow. The 'ground' beneath her shakes and rising out of it around her is a crystal hand that grabs hold of her tightly. Emma struggles against the grip but it is too strong. Next thing she knows is being thrown far away.
Back in the real world Emma recoils a few paces before being caught by Isobel. Emma brings a hand to her head at the shock of being forcibly ejected from Superman's mind.
"What happened?" Isobel asks.
"He won the first round but I shall win the war," Emma states confidently.
"Wouldn't count on it," Superman says, still chained to the wall. He leans back against it. "I warned you, you didn't know what you were getting into." His words are not smugly spoken, just a reiterating of the fact he did say it.
"I'll be back," Emma states, needing a moment to refocus herself which she won't show in front of their 'guest'.
Emma departs, leaving Clark all alone with Isobel.
"You would be wise, Clark, to consider the following. Should Emma fail you shall be handed over to my mother," Isobel warns him in a, probably doomed to fail, attempt to get him to, essentially, give up the struggle.
"So I should just what? Forsake everything I stand for and hand over the stones to you?"
"That would be the wisest course, yes."
"You don't honestly expect me to do that, do you?"
"Honestly? No. People, such as yourself, with hero complexes always choose to do this the difficult way."
"I find people such as yourself, Isobel, always tend to have an ulterior motive for their actions," he accuses her.
Isobel's eyes narrow. "What do you mean?"
"Foe example, I do find it curious how Emma still does not know my name when you do. Care to explain Isobel?"
"Do you care to explain how no-one can see you are Superman?" Isobel asks him back before giving him her theory. "My guess is that you had someone cast a spell."
"That you can entirely blame on Madeleine. She was trying to erase the memory of my existence so she could keep me for herself," Clark feels there is no harm in revealing because what is Isobel going to do about it.
"And she messed it up," Isobel can assume. "You have no need to explain further," she tells him while she mentally mutters some uncomplimentary remarks about her former sister witch.
"Give this up Isobel," Clark says. "You're mistaken about the stones. You don't know what they truly are. They are not the answer to what you seek. Why do you continue this struggle when you could have moved on to your eternal rest?"
"Nice try but you have little understanding of what follows this life. Trust me restful is far from what it is and these stones are my destiny. I will not rest until they belong to me."
"People who crave power look back upon the mistakes of their life, pile them together and call it destiny."
"Ah a philosopher as well as a hero."
Clark grins his goofy one. "Nope. Got that one off He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, 1987, starring Dolph Lundgren. It sounds good though right?"
Isobel rolls her eyes. From Lana's memory she can remember sitting with Clark watching that once too. Terrible movie. "Think over my warning farmboy," she says before she makes moves to leave.
"Sure. It isn't like I have anything better to do than hang around here," he quips.
Isobel rolls her eyes again as she leaves. She can't believe he actually said that.
Clark tests his chains again. Damn these were made well. His powers were not gone. He could feel them but couldn't access them. He closes his eyes and thinks.
Inside his mind he appears, dressed in blue shirt, red jacket, jeans and work boots where he meets his not so friendly 'other' self. "Kal-El," he greets the echo of the personality Jor-El imprinted.
"Clark Kent," Kal-El says back, his voice devoid of emotion.
"No hug?" Clark quips.
Kal-El fixes him a look. "Really, must you demonstrate your humanity so openly," he criticises.
"I freed you didn't I," Clark retorts, because that decision, to free Kal-El from his sub-conscious, could be considered due to his human qualities
"Your first wise decision in quite some time," Kal-El says as a partial compliment.
"Well first off I could have blocked Emma too. I remember everything you do including all the techniques for mental defence Jor-El stuck in our head. I just thought seeing you would throw her off and it worked."
"For now but our father only gave us the very basic techniques. We are far from a master of psychic warfare."
"We just have to buy time."
"Until your human friends come riding to the rescue?"
"You have a better plan?"
"Not presently I'm annoyed to admit. This magic is irritating."
"Tell me about it and if all else fails I do have a back-up plan."
"Which is?"
"It involves the other one of us in here."
Kal-El looks at Clark like he's mad. "You would think of releasing that aberration? He cannot be trusted."
"Hey! He's still me!" Clark protests.
"That's what I meant."
Clark blinks. "Was that a joke?"
"Certainly not. I am unburdened by such frivolous emotions."
Clark eyes Kal-El closely. That sounded suspiciously like a joke to him. "I'm still hopeful that we can work out a way to escape rather than my friends risking themselves by coming after us. We just have to figure out a way to get these magical restraints off."
"Sadly I have to agree that is our best course of action for the moment," Kal-El says, sounding disappointed that he has to agree with that assessment because he can't come up with a better plan either.
"Just remember our deal. No trying to take over," Clark reminds him of the bargain they struck to let Kal-El out.
"I gave my word didn't I," Kal-El says, sounding annoyed that his word would be questioned.
"Yes. You did," Clark concedes. "Still I can't believe it's healthy for me to have 2 separate distinct personalities running around in here," he says, gesturing around himself, meaning his mind and his expression is one of concern about what it means, mental health wise, the current state of his mind.
"It is not," Kal-El confirms about the state of the mind they share. "One of these days you must accept we are part of you and be properly reintegrated into one."
"I thought you said he was an aberration," Clark reminds Kal-El about the other one of them.
"He is. However he is still part of you and therefore part of us. It is your own doing he exists," Kal-El blames Clark for the other's existence.
"Is that so?"
"He is a consequence of your unhealthy habit of repression."
"I'm working on that," Clark argues.
"Hardly," Kal-El dismisses Clark's argument.
"I can't be blamed for the effects of red kryptonite," Clark says, sounding a tad over-defensive.
"It merely lowers your inhibitions like alcohol does in humans. It should not bring forth a distinct personality," Kal-El argues to reinforce his point.
"He's still me and so are you and...ugh, I really need a degree in Kryptonian psychology," Clark complains as he rubs his face. His mind is a mess which he is mostly blaming Jor-El for. It wasn't this messed up before his 3 month mind wipe and brainwashing. Frankly it's amazing he's even remotely sane.
"Once you have the stones you will have access to all you need."
"Which brings us to why we have to keep Emma out and escape. The Inner Circle can't be allowed to have the stones."
"Agreed."
Clark hopes they can escape. He really doesn't want to resort to his 'if all else fails' back-up plan. That is high risk. After all who knows what Kal would actually do if freed.
At the Institute...
Charles had gotten a reply from Sage and a meeting place had been arranged. Unfortunately the quickest that could be would be tomorrow night according to Sage's message. That leaves Clark in the hands of the Hellfire Club for over 24 hours.
Rogue had already been in to vent her fury about that. Charles had let her vent, knowing it came out of deep worry. He was worried too.
Also too little of this made sense. From talking to Fury he knew how SHIELD knew to be in China but Magneto? Emma? How did they know?
He and Scott had talked. They had to concentrate on getting Clark back. That was the priority closely followed by getting the stone out of the hands of the Inner Circle. Only by talking to Sage could they even begin to plan on how to do that which now left a time lag where they could do very little but wait.
It was now very late and had been a very long day but Charles didn't feel like sleeping. Not when one of his students was in the hands of people he knows are capable of doing terrible things.
He felt for Jonathan and Martha who must be really feeling the loss and worry profoundly.
They will get Clark back. Charles swears. Shaw will not succeed twice in tearing apart all that he has built.
Just then the intercom goes off. It's Beast.
"Yes Henry?"
"Charles. Radar has picked up a plane incoming from the East," Hank informs him. He had been alerted and was down in the War Room currently checking it out.
"I'll be right down," Charles says while he wonders who it is that is coming now.
A brief time later Charles rolls into the war room. "Any ID?" he asks from Hank.
"None yet," Hank informs him. "I'm trying to contact them." He activates the radio. "Come in unidentified aircraft. This is Dr Henry McCoy of the Xavier Institute. Please identify yourself or we may have to consider you hostile and take the appropriate measures," he warns. After all they're are no flight paths over the Institute. Therefore any aircraft heading this way has chosen to come this way deliberately for some purpose.
There is static until a voice speaks up. "Ach, Henry, I know ye and th' others use t' tell me t' stop me singing but I never thought ye would go as far as shooting me down."
Hank and Charles share a confused look. That voice sounds like... "Sean?"
"It makes me heart glad t' be remembered. I feel a song coming on."
"Dad! Please, no!" a feminine voice breaks in, pleading not to hear another one of his songs.
Charles speaks. "Sean. What are you doing coming here?"
"I heard ye were having a spot o' bother with some old...friends o' ours and I've come t' offer me services."
Charles is surprised by that. Hank less so because he can work out Moira must have spoken about what he and she talked about. Although Hank is surprised they actually flew all the way from Muir Island to assist.
Charles is still puzzled but the only way to solve that is to let Sean explain when he gets here. No point in telling not to come when he's almost here. "Hank will guide you in Sean and then we'll talk," he says over the radio.
"Roger that," Sean acknowledges.
A short time later Hank and Charles are down in the underground hangar where Sean's jet has landed. They are simply waiting for the door to open which it does soon enough and the man with red hair pops into view with a smile on his face. "Now then there's a sight for sore eyes...although Henry ye look like ye need a shave," Sean says with a joky smile and attitude.
Hank shakes his head. One thing he hasn't missed; Sean's so called sense of humour.
Behind Sean a girl with long red hair pops her head out. "So this is th' famous Institute huh?"
Sean walks down the steps out of the jet. "Ye remember me daughter, Terry," he says.
"Indeed," Charles says, remembering the few previous times he has met the teenager. "Welcome to my Institute Miss Cassidy," he says as this is the first time Theresa has ever come.
"Call me Terry," Theresa insists as she follows her father down the steps.
"Moira?" Charles queries his eyes at the sight of the brown haired woman as she exits the jet.
Moira smiles brilliantly upon seeing Charles as she descends the steps. She walks over to him, bends down and gives him a hug. "Hello Charles."
Charles returns the hug. "What are you doing here?" he asks, still surprised although it is a pleasant surprise.
Moira stands back "The same reason as Sean. We're here tae help...and tae lay some ghosts tae rest."
There is an impatient cough from behind Moira. Charles smiles upon seeing the girl standing there. "Rahne."
Rahne waves. "Hi Professor. Miss me?"
"Of course."
Sean is greeting his old friend Hank. "Well now I still can't get over this new look o' yours. You've done something different with your hair, right?" he jokes about Henry's transformation. Light-heartedly jokes and Hank takes it in the spirit Sean means it.
Hank just gives Sean a look in return. "I live with over a dozen teenagers Sean. I get worse teasing than that before breakfast."
"Is that a challenge?" Sean asks, pretending he's taking it as such.
"No," Hank says before he turns his attentions to Theresa. "Nice to see you again Terry."
"Aye. I'm sure it is," she says with a wide cheeky grin.
"Moira," Hank moves on.
Moira smiles and gives Hank a hug too. "Henry. It's always nicer tae see ye in person."
"Indeed it is," Hank shares the sentiment. He turns to Moira's daughter. "Rahne. Welcome back."
"Thanks Mr McCoy. It's nice tae see ye."
"We haven't decided if she's staying yet," Moira says with a pointed look at Rahne not to get too comfortable about being back. "First things first. We're here tae help rescue Superman from the Inner Circle."
"That's going to need a long discussion. I don't know how up on events you are," Charles cautions. Not only that there is the question of how much to reveal about what all this involves and entails Clark's identity and secrets. That's certainly not a discussion for this late...uh early in the morning as it is now. "How about we find you some rooms and we can talk over breakfast. At the moment there is little we can do."
"How's that then?" Sean asks.
Hank answers while avoiding certain details. "We have an informant within the Inner Circle but she is unable to meet us until...well it would be tonight now. It's too risky for her to contact us any other way. Until we speak to her we simply have no idea where Superman is currently be held so can't even begin to plan a rescue."
Moira and Sean are surprised by this information. "Ye have a spy within the Inner Circle?" Moira asks Charles.
"I had to keep an eye on them," Charles explains.
"Who is it?"
"Lets discuss that later in the morning Moira," Charles puts off that talk. "It has been a very long day for us as you can probably imagine."
Moira and Sean did have to agree that it was very late, especially for them since their body clocks were telling them it was 5 hours later than it actually is. They all agree to grab a few hours sleep and continue this discussion after breakfast.
The next morning the mood at breakfast is unsurprisingly glum and gloomy as everyone is worried about Clark. Paige had tried to cheer up Jamie but it wasn't working...probably because she wasn't feeling too cheery herself.
Jamie morosely chews on his morning toast, feeling down when suddenly, from behind, two hands come over his eyes.
"Guess who?" a familiar Scottish brogue asks.
"Rahne?" Jamie asks.
"Bingo!"
Jamie jumps to his feet, turns round and there is his best friend standing there. "Rahne!" Jamie cries with a big smile before he hugs her.
"Hi Jamie," Rahne cheerfully greets his friend.
Jamie pulls back and looks her over. "What are you doing here? Are you back for good?"
"Uh...mum hasnae made her mind up on that," Rahne says hesitantly. "But we're here because we heard about Superman."
"Who is we?" Paige asks, a little annoyed frown on her face at being completely ignored.
"Oh," Jamie suddenly realises he hasn't introduced Paige and Rahne yet. "Rahne this is Sam's sister Paige. Paige this is Rahne Sinclair."
Rahne offers out her hand and Paige takes it. "Nice tae meet ye."
"Nice ta meet ya too."
"Welcome back were-girl!" Tabby says from across the table.
"Thanks Tabby," Rahne says with a broad grin.
The others says hello to her too.
"It's great tae see ye guys again."
Paige raises her hand. "Who is we?" she repeats her question.
"Well me mum, Sean and..."
"Me!"
Everyone looks to the door as Theresa enters. For the New Mutants, who have never met her before, seeing her for the first time has an effect...especially on the hormone driven boys.
"Everyone this is Theresa Cassidy," Rahne introduces her.
"Call me Terry," Theresa insists upon.
"Oh man so digging that accent," Bobby whispers to Ray about Theresa's Irish lilt.
Ray nods in agreement.
Scott speaks up, confused about a few things. "So wait, let me get this straight Rahne, you, Terry, Mr Cassidy and Dr McTaggart flew over to help look for Superman," he says, remembering to not say Clark in front of Theresa. "That right?"
"Aye. That sums it up. I'm sure the Professor will explain it all later but basically me and Terry overheard me mum and Sean speaking about Superman being missing and we got the whole story on them once being X-Men and the Inner Circle and well..."
Theresa picks it up. "Long story short we all decided to come and help although that does miss out on all th' shouting and tantrums."
"I never threw a tantrum!" Rahne protests.
"I was speaking about me father," Terry smirks.
"Oh," Rahne says a little embarrassed at her outburst.
Roberto saddles up to Terry. "Hi. I'm Roberto," he introduces himself in his usual suave manner.
Rahne fumes instantly since she and he were dating...sort of right up until her mother pulled her out the school and hey look not even a hello. Rahne can feel her inner wolf itching to get out and bite him on the bum.
Theresa is aware of who Roberto is, since Rahne has told her about him and she's totally on top of this. She clears her throat a little. "Terry," she introduces herself. "Can I ask ye a favour Roberto?"
"Anything," he offers.
Scott can feel a headache coming on. It seems Roberto has learned nothing from the whole Cat Grant incident.
Theresa's voice takes on a strangely melodic sound here. "Why don't ye drop yer trousers and show everyone yer underwear."
"Ok," Roberto agrees instantly and drops his pants to reveal a pair of rather...ahem, erotic boxer shorts.
"What in the world is going on?" Ororo demands as she walks in to find Roberto standing there, his pants around his ankles. "Roberto! Pull your pants up!" she snaps.
Roberto snaps out of it and does that as everyone laughs and points at him.
Ororo folds her arms across his chest. "I think we need to discuss what is appropriate clothing choices Roberto. Follow me," she commands.
Roberto doesn't know what happened there and follows Storm with a very confused expression.
"Terry. I cannae believe ye did that," Rahne says, although she is giggling madly.
Theresa smirks. "He had it coming."
"What just happened?" Evan asks the question everyone else is thinking.
Rahne explains. "Theresa can elevate her voice into hypersonic frequencies. It can influence people."
"Think of it like a strong hypnotic suggestion," Theresa goes on to explain further. "Like hypnosis if yer strong willed enough I can't make ye do anything but it tends t' work on most people. Me dad can do th' same. I inherited his powers."
"That's was like really awesome," Kitty compliments Theresa.
"Well thank ye," Theresa takes the compliment as what it is, going as far as to throw in a theatrical bow.
"Alright darlin' what have ye done now?" Sean asks at seeing his daughter do that bow just as he enters the kitchen along with Moira.
Theresa points at herself and puts on her best innocent expression. "Me? Do something? I'm insulted ye could imply such a thing, dad."
Sean looks to Hank sitting off to the side, drinking his morning coffee.
Hanks waves his hand as in 'Don't involve me in this'. "Don't look at me. I've learned the best way to cope with the madness is just to sit off to the side and let it pass you buy." He then makes the following announcement. "For everyone who doesn't know this is Sean Cassidy and Dr Moira McTaggart. They have come to help us find Superman so no blabbing secrets in their presence please."
"Secrets?" Sean queries.
"You're surprised we have them?"
"Well no."
"Superman is our friend and we all swore to keep certain aspects regarding him secret. Now you may be told about them later. Charles is discussing that with...certain people as we speak."
Moira looks at her daughter, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Rahne."
"Mum. Inner Circle, mum. Ye know what they say about people in glass houses," Rahne cuts off what would be her mother's reprimand about secret keeping.
"We also discussed what damages secrets can do."
"I know...but he's me friend and I promised. Ye wouldn't have me break me promise would ye?"
Moira groans quietly. "No," she reluctantly concedes.
Ororo returns from telling Roberto off, greets their guests, whom Charles had already told her about first thing this morning and offers to make them breakfast.
Meanwhile Martha and Jonathan are in the Professor's office discussing the arrival of Sean and Moira.
"I think there are obvious reasons why I asked you here this morning," Charles says.
Martha and Jonathan hadn't had the best night, their deep worry of Clark meaning they couldn't really sleep, and it shows in their appearance. "How much about Clark do we tell them," Martha guesses.
Jonathan runs his hand through his hair. "This is only going to become more an issue the more students come here," he points out in regards to Clark's unique origin and he knows, having been part of the discussion, that bringing more students in is something they will be working on soon.
"It is," Charles concedes. "And a day may come where we have to make a choice about what we are going to do. However, equally Clark won't be here forever. He only has one more year of school left after the current one and then he shall, like all young people must, be taking steps to go live out in the world."
That was true, Martha and Jonathan would agree. With Clark's seeming focus on journalism now it seems likely he'll go to university to study for the necessary degrees. At that point it is conceivable he'll leave home and while Martha and Jonathan are not kicking him out the door, any parent knows a day comes when your child has to step out into the world on their own.
Martha returns to topic. "You know these people better than us Charles. If you feel that they can be trusted and that telling them will aid in rescuing Clark then we'll allow it." She just wants Clark back above all else. His secrets don't mean a damn if his life is in danger and if Clark is in Sebastian's hands then Martha fears Clark is in a lot of personal danger. At least it was slightly better than the summer. At least they had the means to find out where Clark is and at least she has Jonathan with her this time.
"It is more that they have a right to know what has led to this situation, why the stakes are so high and what the dangers are they could be getting themselves into. Rescuing Clark is, of course, priority number 1 but we can't leave the Crystal of Air in the hands of the Inner Circle. We must also retrieve it. To answer you, Martha, I would trust Sean and Moira with my life and have done so in the past."
Jonathan shares a look with Martha. Like her the only thing he thought mattered was getting Clark back. They could deal with the fallout once Clark was safe. "Do what you need to Charles," he gives his permission. "Just get our son back."
"I will," Charles promises. "Now do you wish to be here when I talk to Sean and Moira?"
Both Martha and Jonathan agree. They should be here.
Charles sends a telepathic summons to Sean and Moira to come to his office. The two adults soon arrive, still eating their breakfasts as they walk through the door.
Sean has this odd expression as he swallows a mouthful. "Been awhile since I heard your voice in me head Charlie-boy," he comments at what has weirded him out.
"Indeed," Charles responds. "Let me do some introductions. Moira McTaggart, Sean Cassidy, may I introduce you to Martha and Jonathan Kent."
There are the obligatory hand shakes before Charles adds. "They are Superman's parents."
"Superman's parents?" Moira queries with a confused expression. "Wait...the boy Clark. He's..." she begins to work it out.
"Yes," Jonathan confirms. "Clark is Superman."
"I don't get it," Sean says with some confusion about why he didn't see it before and why they are keeping the boy's identity a secret. "Why have ye been portraying them as two separate people?" he asks.
"Yes...you may want to sit down for this," Charles proposes. "It's a long story."
Moira and Sean sit themselves down and Charles begins...
Author's Note: Yeah, so Clark has issues. Lets go with that. Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Next up; The X-Men get more help, the meeting with Sage and Emma's attempts to probe Superman's mind continue.