Hank rolled over and opened his eyes looking at the clock on the opposite wall it read just before 7:30 am, laying there for a minute he turned his attention to Vesper who was still sleeping soundly. Hank didn't want to wake her as she needed all the rest her body could get. Placing the back of his hand on her forehead he was displeased to see that her temperature hadn't gone down overnight. Wetting a face cloth he placed it over top of her forehead and went to grab something to put in her IV to help as well. He was going to have to keep a watchful eye on her for the next little while, it would be another few hours before she would stir but he wanted to keep track of her vitals.

Taking a seat back down at his desk Hank went back to researching the files. Looking at the small stack of journals that had been brought back with them he searched for one in particular it was the one piece of information he was deliberately avoiding reading. Sighing he picked up one of the black journals with the number 4725 inscribed in gold he looked over at Vesper and sighed, he braced himself for the horrors that awaited inside. After about the second page Hank reached for a notepad and began taking notes. With each page he read he learned more about her. At the age of 8, her powers manifested after watching a young girl die, and thus began her life as a lab rat. Within the pages contained detailed information about experiments performed and their results, after about two hours of reading Hank removed his glasses rubbing at the bridge of his nose until a soft moan came from his patient. He would show the Professor his notes later. Hank got up and stood by her bedside, he noticed she still had the little black cat tightly clutched to her chest. Vesper's eyes slowly opened but closed due to the harshness of the lights in the room. Hank turned them down and returned to the young girl.

"Sorry about that, I've turned them down. How are you feeling my dear?" he asked trying his best not to frighten her

"Tired and my head feels weird" She was still running a fever Hank would have to take care of that

"Alright, I'm going to give you something to help with your fever. Vesper you have a good day or two of rest down here, but once your fever breaks and we get some food into you I'd like to move you to your room. Something a bit more comfortable, I know being down here isn't easy for you but you're doing so well." Hank said as he injected another medication into her line to make her drift off back to sleep. He tucked her back in as he waited for her to fall back asleep before sitting back down at his desk.

Going back to work for another couple hours Hank was soon joined by the Professor who came to check on his newest student. He smiled as she was still resting, which meant she was slowly healing her physical wounds.

"Hank, we must progress at her pace no matter how long It takes. She's been through so much at such a young age."

"She's a fighter for sure. This viral infection is causing a fever I've given her something to help with the discomfort and any pain she may be in."

"I have a room being set up for her, when she's better it will be waiting for her."

"She may feel a bit more at ease once she's a bit more stable and not in a place that brings back bad memories and—" his words were cut short by a soft whimper from Vesper

Both men made their way to her bedside but not before the whimpers turned to no's and her head rolled from side to side. Vesper was having a nightmare, the pain in her voice was ever-present. Not wanting to wake her immediately and have her freak out Charles sent calm and serene thoughts her way and gently called her name before he shook her slightly. Stirring out of sleep it took Vesper a moment to realize both men were looking down at her with concern on their faces.

"It's alright my dear, you just had a bad dream. Did you want to talk about it? Just breathe and listen to the sound of my voice. You're safe here in the mansion." his voice was calm

"I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb anyone." she dipped her head down expecting him to lash out at her

"It's quite alright my child. Are you sure don't wish to talk about it? I don't want to push you but we are here if you need it. You are certainly not in trouble either my dear."

"I- I" Charles could tell that she just wasn't ready yet

"Would it be okay if I took your temperature? You've been running a fever and I've been monitoring your vitals but your body is struggling to fight it off" Hank asked as he pulled up a stool beside her bed "I promise it won't hurt, I'm just going to put this under your tongue and it will make a beeping noise." he said as he grabbed for his thermometer.

Vesper just nodded and looked to the Professor for reassurance to which he was more than happy to ease her fear. He explained to her what a thermometer was and that it wouldn't hurt her. Hank quickly worked but was at the mercy of the thermometer it seemed like it was taking forever to get a read. Finally, it beeped three times alerting him it was ready, taking it he was pleased that during the last dose of medication, it had brought her temperature down a little bit but not to where he wanted it. He was going to have to increase her antibiotics to fight off this infection. Switching out IV bags he added the antibiotics to her line.

"What's happening to me? I feel so tired and I hurt"

"Vesper your body is trying to fight off an infection, but with the state we found you in you got sick. I know that what you are feeling is scary and you might be scared but we're here to take care of you." Hank got down to her eye level but at a safe enough distance that he wouldn't scare her. "Have you had nightmares before?"

Vesper just sat there looking down at her hands and nodded her head. They had started about a year ago and it was always the same nightmare but she wasn't ready to divulge their contents to them just yet. Charles could feel the pain that she held inside and he wanted to do what he could to help lessen that pain.

"If you'd like I can place a shield around your mind to keep the nightmares at bay." his question set off all the warning bells in her brain. That would mean he'd be in my head, no you can't trust them Vesper thought to herself. "If you do not want to that is okay, I won't force you to do something you don't want to"

"I don't want you to see them" She wasn't ready to let her defenses down that much. She wasn't ready to share that part of her past with them.

"I could place a shield around the part of your mind responsible for dreams and make it so nothing would cause a nightmare. I wouldn't have to see anything you don't want to share." his voice wrapped around her like a warm blanket

"I'm scared." she admitted clinging to the stuffed animal she had been given "I don't want it to hurt… like before. Telepaths always hurt…" she let her words trail off

Xavier looked down at her and just smiled at her. I told you that I would never use my gift to harm you. "We're not all the same my dear." her head snapped up and she looked up at him with shock and confusion written on her face.

"Would it hurt? You're the first telepath that hasn't hurt me" The tears she had welded up behind her eyes threatened to spill at any moment.

"Not at all, you might feel slight pressure but that's about it. I don't have to see anything you don't want me to. Simply picture it as I am putting a filer over the part of your brain that makes dreams and it will filter out anything bad."

"Promise?" she sheepishly asked

"Cross my heart." his voice had a more seriousness to it

"If it won't hurt"

Xavier smiled down at her trying his best to quell the young girl's fear as best he could. "Lay back and close your eyes. I'm just going to place my hands on either side of your head, when you are ready let me know." his voice was smooth and calming

Once he was permitted by Vesper he quickly set to work placing the shield around her mind but he could feel her concentrating on something with most of her energy that she didn't want him to see. He lightly brushed it and he could feel the walls being built up around it. Finishing placing the shields he placed a hand on her shoulder and told her she could open her eyes. A few stray tears managed to escape wiping them away Xavier tucked her back into bed and looked over at Hank who was adding something into her line. She was going to rest for the next few hours without the possibility of a nightmare waking her up. Hank showed Charles the notes that he had so far which just saddened him, Vesper was far too young to have seen what she had. She was safe now but there was a long road ahead of her.

"What are you hiding, my child?" Xavier looked over at her before sighing and returning to his office for the afternoon as he had some overdue paperwork that needed attending.

Hank returned to his research for another few hours by now it was mid-day. Getting up he needed a quick coffee break. Filling his mug Hank welcomed the fresh taste of sweet coffee, it had been a long few days. Setting his coffee down on the desk he bumped the pen he was using sending it to the floor. Reaching down for it Hank collided with a small bookshelf sending various items crashing to the floor, the noise had woken Vesper up who was now confused and slightly disoriented. Searching the room she found that the noise had been caused by Beast, kicking himself for waking her.

"Sorry my dear, I didn't mean to wake you. How are we feeling? Can I check your temperature again?"

"Bit achy."

"Place this under your tongue. Do you think you might feel up to trying to eat something?"

"I- I guess." the thermometer beeped and Hank removed it and wrote down her current temp, which had finally gone down to where he wanted it to be

"Alright, Charles is on his way down. When he gets here I'll go make some broth and we'll go from there." Hank smiled down at her "You seem to be improving if your fever doesn't return we could move you to your room."

"I- I get a room?" Vesper never had her room, it would be the beginning of many firsts.

"Oh my dear, but of course. Here you will have your own space to adjust to things over time. Some of the children share a room and the faculty have their rooms. Summer break is fast approaching and the mansion will be less busy. Once we get you feeling better I do believe a proper tour is in order."

"Are there a lot of students?" she never thought about how many other people like her were there

"Quite a lot, but don't worry we will introduce you when you are ready."

"Sir- Why is he helping me? I'm nothing worth saving." her comment stabbed at his heart. He wanted to just hold the poor child but didn't want to scare her and cause a setback.

"Don't even think like that for a second, you are worth more than you believe. I don't want you to forget that." if he ever got his hands on the people that hurt her they would never find the bodies.

"I'm sorry it's hard to not think like that when it's all I've ever been told" she admitted.

"It's alright my child, but trust me you will realize it one day you are so much stronger than you think you are. It takes a lot of willpower to live through what you have and come out on the other side."

The doors to the med bay opened and the Professor made his way to where his newest student and Hank were. He could sense a swirl of emotions within her doing his best to calm the storm within her before he began to speak.

"How are you feeling now? Hank tells me you have improved since I was last down here."

"Her fever has gone down quite a bit, I was waiting for you to come down. We're going to try some broth and go from there. I'll be right back I'm just going to grab that." Hank left the lab and headed to the kitchen to make it.

Vesper sat there idly playing with a string on the blanket she was tucked in with, Charles could tell that something was on her mind but was hesitant to ask. He decided to lightly press the issue but would back off if she showed signs of shutting down.

"Is there something bothering you, my child?" he gently asked

"Sir were you ever afraid of your powers?" her voice was soft

"I was at first, but I learned to control them. I promise if you let me I'll teach you to control your gift."

"I get nervous I could hurt someone. I don't know much about my powers" her voice was laced with sadness. Vesper never was allowed to hone or use her powers in a proper environment.

"That is understandable. We will work on some training exercises once you are feeling a bit better." Xavier was going to make sure she had whatever she needed to help her through the next little while "Hank should be back soon, once you are cleared medically I have a room waiting for you"

"I've never had a room, just a -" she let her words fall off and hung her head

"I hope you don't mind it's with the faculty"

"No, sir. I don't understand why me?" she sounded honestly confused about why she would have been rescued.

"Professor is fine, you don't have to call me sir. Vesper that night I was using Cerebro your call for help was so strong I couldn't help but answer. I will explain how it works another time I believe Hank is about to walk in with your food."

Right on cue, Hank walked in with a small bowl of broth and some crackers, it would be the first real food she's had since arriving at the Xavier mansion. Pulled a small little bedside table over to where she lay he eased her into a sitting position. Vesper had never smelt something too wonderful before, what she had been using was hardly food. Taking one of the crackers she slowly dipped it in the broth and took a small bite. To be quite frank it was all a little bit overwhelming there had been so much she missed out on. Even though it was just broth and crackers the feeling it gave her made her want to cry. The emotions that radiated from her Charles easily picked up on him and chuckled to himself.

"Don't rush your stomach, you haven't had anything proper to eat since you arrived here."

"Thank you." she quietly said to him

"My pleasure my dear. Take your time, if you don't finish it all don't worry we will put it away for later."

"You- You can do that?" she sounded completely baffled by the notion of it all

"Wait until you learn about cooking, you get to eat as you work." her eyes seemed to light up at that making both men chuckle

Vesper took small spoonfuls of broth until she was left with half a bowl and two crackers left. Leaning back against the pillows she moved the bowl to the side indicating that she was now done. Moving the bedside table aside Hank was pleased that she had finally eaten something hopefully she was going to be able to keep it down. Vesper looked back down for that thread she had been playing with before she spoke

"Si- Professor, do you think that one day I might be able to see outside?" she expected him to deny her request

"I think that would be a great idea!" Charles exclaimed

"Is there something you wanted to see?" Hank asked as he wrote down her current vitals

"I- I've never seen the stars. My parents used to tell me about them. I'd like to see them, if I'm allowed." she asked trying to stifle a yawn

"Of course my dear! First, we need to make sure that you are indeed getting better, then we can show you the stars. Why don't you get a bit more rest and when you wake up we can try something a bit more solid food-wise." Hank stated as he changed out her empty IV bag.

"I'll let you rest for now. Hank will take care of you I know you don't feel it right now but you will fit in here just fine." with that Charles left the med bay to check on the rest of the inhabitants of the mansion.

Vesper knew she had to rest but just wanted to get out of the lab it honestly freaked her out being down there. Nothing bad had happened yet but she still expected them to hurt her somehow. Hank would wait for her to drift back off to sleep before he returned to note-taking. Hank would wait til later that night to share the rest of his notes with the Professor.

Night time had fallen upon the mansion and Vesper still slumbered soundly Hank was torn between leaving her and going to see the Professor so he fell somewhere in between the two decisions. Sending Charles a telepathic message to join him in the med bay when he was able to. Both men took up the privacy of an office within the med bay.

"Charles, I have no idea where to begin." He rubbed his hands over tired eyes as he sat down in a chair. "This poor girl has been through so much in her life it's a wonder how she survived it all."

"I agree but she's a strong one, with time she'll adjust. Hank we have to make this one right." Xavier started to get choked up, he was thinking about Jean. He had lost one of his first students he was going to make sure that was never to happen again. He knew that the next few months were going to be a journey.

Hank showed Xavier his note pad it was at least ten pages filled with notes. He had spent hours thumbing through all of the files, he warned the Professor that some of his notes were not for the faint at heart. Hank looked back to see Vesper was still in the same state she did look like a scared child despite being sixteen years old. For some reason, this one pulled at his heart there had been many kids that had passed through the halls of the mansion but for some reason, his heart just went out to her. If he wanted to gain her trust he was going to let her come to him.

"Once we get her settled a bit more I'd like to start a therapy session with her. She has learned to build up these walls to protect herself from the horrors she's witnessed. I don't want to push her as I'm afraid she will shut down." Charles knew he would have to tread lightly "There's something that she's learned over time how to block from people. She's suppressed part of her memory. When she had that nightmare my mind simply brushed it and I could feel the walls being built around it."

"What could she be trying to repress that it would require that much concentration to build shields like that?" inquired Hank

"I'm not sure, though I feel it won't be long before we find out"

"Her fever has finally seemed to return to a normal temperature, if she keeps improving like this we could probably move her to her room in the morning. I'm sure the poor thing would benefit from it."

"Hank get some real rest. You've done all you can for now, it's late we all should get some sleep. Tomorrow we will see how she is doing and go from there."

"You're right, but I'm not leaving her down here alone. I can take residence up in a nearby bed, but I promise no more reading."

Both men retired for the night and would see what the new day would bring them. The road ahead of them was going to be a long and unwritten path that no one knew where it would lead them. Just as long as Vesper was safe, that was the main priority of both men.