Chapter Five
That evening, Maria trudged down to the kitchen from the Danger Room. It was long past dinner time, and Carla had gone home, but maybe she could rustle up some food. My God, she realized, she hadn't eaten that day at all! It had been so busy...and there had been so much that was draining, physically and emotionally.
As she entered the kitchen, there was a cascade of spitballs, peanuts, popcorn, and other flotsam and jetsam tossed in her general direction, along with cries and shouts: "Welcome to the club!" "Ready for my close-up, Mr Demille!" "Enter freely, and of your own will!" Even Scott was smiling, and he said, "how does it feel to be put through the wringer?", while tossing a popcorn ball.
Maria blinked. All of the others were there, laughing and giving her a mock standing ovation. She looked at Jean, who bowed to her.
"Miss Gianelli," she said formally. "Congratulations are in order. You have now officially been baptized as a student in Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. I assure you, it only gets worse from here. But you've had your Initiation Day. The Professor has, indeed, put you through the wringer, as my esteemed colleague Mr. Summers has suggested. You have been poked, prodded, sweated, interrogated, and, in all probability, examined with a rectal thermometer. In the course of this, you have avoided the bourgeois necessities of life, such as dinner. Which in this case is extremely unfortunate as Carla fixed the rest of us a spaghetti dinner to die for." Jean turned in the direction of the kitchen table. "Fortunately, we have decided to be merciful and save just a little for you. If you'd care to sit down..." Jean nodded towards the table.
Maria blinked. There, at a seat at the table, was indeed a plate of spaghetti that made her mouth water just looking at it. However uncaring her mother had been, she knew how to make spaghetti. But, Maria decided as she looked-and sniffed-the meal in front of her, Carla had her mother beat all hollow. Also at the table was a party hat, a large cloth napkin with a picture of Fess Parker as Davy Crockett on it, some Italian bread that looked even better than the spaghetti, three cans of Coke, and in the middle of the table a large cake with the words "Abandon Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here" emblazoned on top.
She sat down, a bit stunned. "Is this all there is to the initiation?" she asked softly. "I mean, this hardly seems appropriate. Don't I have to assume the position or something?"
There was a loud laugh from the others. "We thought of that," Warren said, "but we figured that the paddle would break. Don't worry-we're working on it. But you present a special challenge."
Maria nodded. "Quite so." She put Davy around her neck, and started to dig in. The others sat down around the table too.
"As it happens," Hank said, "we have yet to repast ourselves of dessert. And while we are loathe to cut into your cake before you're ready to eat it-"
Maria made a face. "-You're all going to eat it anyway."
"That is the general idea, Miss Gianelli," Jean said as she began to cut the cake and pass out pieces to the others. "So," she said, turning to Maria, "seriously-how did it go? That first day-it can be a wringer, no joking."
"You said it," Maria said, pausing before continuing. There had been such a remarkable moment during the day, one she was still mentally chewing over...a good simile, she thought to herself, taking another mouthful of spaghetti. No-Mother never made anything like this. She smiled to herself. Someday, she'd have to unleash her own spaghetti on these unsuspecting innocents...
Maria sighed. "Well," she said, "we went over my powers. The Professor believes-and I agree with him-that my full range has yet to be discovered. We went over some family history and stuff like that, which is pretty dull, really." Jean's facial expression didn't change when Maria said this, but Maria imagined she could see Jean frowning mentally. Maria realized then that Jean knew something of the mental turmoil that today's session had aroused in her. Well-if she couldn't trust Jean Grey, whom could she trust? She'd discuss this privately with her later-
Maria made a few more general remarks about today's events, which seemed to satisfy the others. She shut her eyes. The last three days had been such a rush-it was all too much. So much had changed so totally, so quickly... She opened her eyes, saw the others looking at her with a touch of concern. "It's OK, I'm OK," she said. "Just thinking. I don't get tired easily."
There was some laughter over this. "She says, who slept twelve hours last night," Bobby said.
Maria was practically sucking the spaghetti down, it was so tasty. "Those were special circumstances," she said. "Try sleeping in the wild for four years, and see how you like it." The others nodded, and Scott looked thoughtfully at Maria.
"Have you given any thought to your code-name, Maria?" he asked. "You'll have to have one, sooner rather than later."
Maria paused in the act of taking another bite, and put her fork down. "No," she said, a bit puzzled. "No, Scott, I haven't given it a thought, to be honest. I wonder why. Any suggestions?"
The others thought for a second. "How about Sand Girl?" Hank said cautiously. "Like the villain, the Sandman? Your powers aren't all that different from his."
" 'Sand Girl' "? Maria said skeptically. "I'm sorry, but that sounds like a character from an Annette Funicello movie. And my powers are only superficially like the Sandman's. That's really only a small part of what I can do...and I don't want to sound like I'm imitating anybody. Whatever I am, I'm an original."
There was some more thought, and Maria could hear Bobby say under his breath, "the Thingess." Jean turned to him, a dangerous smile on her face.
"I'm not quite sure we caught that, Bobby. Would you care to repeat it?"
Bobby looked like he wanted to shrink right out of the scene. "Just thinking out loud-didn't realize I was being audible, Jean." Jean just kept looking at him, the smile changing into a definite frown. "And what I was saying was, well, 'Tigress'. Maria looks so-fierce."
The lameness of this suggestion was so blatant that the others ignored it, which, Maria saw, suited Bobby fine. But she had heard what he said, and she sighed to herself. This was Bobby's problem, she told herself again, not hers. She could only do her best. Bobby would grow up when he grew up. Maria looked at Jean-she wasn't pleased at all, that was clear. But meanwhile, other suggestions were being made.
"How about 'Sentinel'?" Warren said. "You look tall and stalwart. Heck, put a cap on you, and you might just pass for the Statue of Liberty."
This thought was so absurd that Maria couldn't help it-she burst into a giggle fit. She had to put the napkin to her mouth to keep from exploding the spaghetti out, thereby messing up Fess Parker's coonskin cap something awful. Finally, she said: "The New Colossus, huh? Well, how about 'Colossus'? I might pass for that."
This idea was bruted about, with mixed reviews. Other ideas were given-Jean rather liked "Juggernaut", as she felt that Maria could smack down any force that got in her way-but no consensus was reached. By the time Maria finally had her piece of cake, she was feeling relaxed and sky-high, after some of the tensions of the day.
Charles Xavier was sitting in his study. He was exhausted, but satisfied. On the whole, he thought, the day had gone well. And Maria had borne it stoically.
He heard sounds coming from the kitchen, and he smiled to himself. An Initiation Party. And well-deserved, in this case.
Charles picked up a sheet of papers, notes and observations from the day's work. Where to begin to digest this all? There was the girl herself. Seventeen years old. Six foot tall, exactly. In her mutant state, her "normal" state, she weighed precisely three hundred pounds. Charles couldn't decide if this was grossly high, or absurdly low. For her physical strength was immense-many, many times that of a normal human.
He turned to some of his papers-the notes Richards had given him concerning Ben Grimm, in his physical state as the so-called "Thing". He read what Richards said concerning Grimm's strength, its limits and capabilities. The tests he ran on Maria today...as far as he could tell, she was nearly a match for The Thing's strength in her "natural" form. Which was extraordinary-Grimm was one of the strongest mortals on Earth. And Maria was only seventeen. He sighed. God knew what the girl would be like when she was twenty-five.
He consulted his notes again. She could stretch her body, mold it pretty much to her will. But she could not so everything with it that Reed Richards, say, could do with his elastic body. He had tried to get Maria to flatten herself to the floor, to get as close to being two-dimensional as she could. And she was unable to do this. She managed to get down to about three inches in breadth, and even that for only a small space of time. And conversely, she was able to grow to about thirty feet in height-but still weighing three hundred pounds, so she was dangerously low in mass at that state, and as weak as a kitten.
But here was where it got bizarre. She then started to Shift for him-and each of the Shift states had their own physical rules. When she became a mass of water, she could mold herself into any shape, but only weighed a few pounds. In her diamond form, she weighed a half-ton-and was immensely stronger than even her natural state. About twice as strong, in fact-which, Charles Xavier guessed, made her almost as strong as the Hulk himself when she was in that form. No other Shift form could begin to match that level of strength. Although there was what she called her "Ent Shifts", when she could emulate various trees-she Shifted into an oak, a chestnut, a maple, an evergreen. In these forms, Maria could grow to twenty feet, although her optimum size as an "Ent" was more like eight feet. In these states, she was about half-way between her natural level of strength, and her diamond form.
It got even stranger. She could become a figure of pure helium, and other gases. She was virtually weightless in these states, and able to float in the air. She could Shift into forms of animals-she became a lion and tiger and bear-("Oh my!" he thought to himself, and indeed, oh my...) In these states, Maria was not as heavy as the actual animals themselves, and Charles, remembering her diamond weight, was not entirely sure why. She shifted again into the Bride of Frankenstein, and the Wolf-Man, and King Kong...that accursed statue Robert had made! It had generated all-too-much laughter, Charles thought. But if he was honest with himself, the Shift that startled him the most was a simple Shift into an entirely round globe of glass. Maria had glowed like a star in that state, translucent, shining... He had reached out to touch her, and she felt almost too beautiful to the touch for him to endure.
He threw the papers down, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. None of her Shift states could last longer than a few minutes. Than she reverted to her norm, that is, her natural state. She compared it to a rubber ball that when thrown hard against a wall, would flatten briefly, but inevitably restore itself to its natural configuration. The implications of this, he frankly conceded to himself, escaped him for the moment. There was so much he didn't know yet... If the girl could weigh a half a ton in her diamond form, why on earth couldn't she weigh that much in her "normal" form? In other words, why couldn't she control her mass completely? And why couldn't she utilize any of the strengths she had in any of her Shift forms, when she was "normal"? Did she have this potential, and if so, why hadn't she discovered it yet? She had told him she was quite literally afraid of her own strength-could this be it? A subconscious block, preventing her from utilizing all the abilities she had?
Also-why were the Shift forms so transient? Why couldn't she maintain them as long as she wanted to? Was this something inherent in her power, or another subconscious block? And why couldn't she Shift into a "human" seeming form? She could do the Bride of Frankenstein-why not, say, Marilyn Monroe? Or maybe she could, and didn't-because it was so transient, and that was too painful for her?
He sighed. He was only beginning with her. Just finding all the questions to ask would take months. Well, his sabbatical seemed further away than ever. Lucifer... He mentally shrugged. He would contact the Avengers, he finally decided, and they could deal with him if need be. His place was here.
Charles had remembered Maria's slight hesitation concerning her parents, and he had-gently but firmly-insisted that she tell him about them. Her mother a mutant, too! That explained so much about the girl's psyche-and her years in the wilderness. The mother actually trying to kill the girl. The pocket universe. He shook his head. And the father-trying to sell the girl! And to Essex... Charles felt a deep sense of relief, that Maria had at least escaped thatfate.
And above all, the fire. At one point, Charles had used the Danger Room scenarios to see how she dealt with various threats. It was very basic, despite her formidable powers-just a look to see how she would react. And once, a ring of fire came through down from the ceiling towards the girl. And she fell to pieces.
"Please!" she cried out, crumpling into a ball on the floor. "Professor-please take it away!" Charles had immediately removed it from the room, and looked as Maria gathered herself together.
"I'm sorry, sir," she said shamefacedly. "But I have a terrible phobia regarding fire. Maybe I should have said this before." She paused. "That would make me a liability in a combat situation, wouldn't it? Do you still want me?"
Charles didn't answer for a few seconds. Then: "Maria? Why are you afraid of fire? Do you know?"
She stood stock still for several moments. "I always have been, sir. I just know that it's the one thing that can harm me. I guess that's why."
Charles' silence was even longer this time. "Maria..." he said slowly. "Maria? Are you listening to me?"
"Yes, sir," she answered.
"Child-fire is no danger to you. It cannot harm you in the least. You could hike through a forest fire and not feel it."
Maria looked as if she had been struck across the face. "That's-that's impossible, sir!"
"It is not," he answered. "I have examined you very carefully in your normal state. Girl-you are totally resistant to fire. Let me show you." He produced a flame in the room again, albeit a small one. It came closer and closer to Maria.
"Put out your hand, Maria," he said. "Easy! I assure you, there's no danger. Slowly extend your arm towards it." Very reluctantly she did so, and then, with a puzzled frown on her face, she brought her hand even closer.
"Professor-nothing is happening!" she cried out, in a strange combination of terror and ecstasy. "I"m not even feeling it!"
"Of course not, child," he said softly. "You are totally immune to the fire. I'll increase it. Walk right through the fire, Maria Gianelli!"
Maria did so, and Charles could see an expression of total exultation on her face. "But-but this is impossible, sir! I can'tbe resistant to fire!"
The fire disappeared from the room. "Why?" he asked her simply.
And Maria Gianelli stopped dead. She seemed to stare off into space. "-I don't know," she finally said. "Professor-I don't know! I just know that fire will destroy me."
"And yet, Maria, it doesn't," he said very gently.
"...No, sir," she replied. "No, it doesn't." She sat down on the floor of the Danger Room and began to cry.
Charles let her get this out of her system for a few moments, and then called her up to where he was, overlooking the Danger Room. When she arrived, she melted into his arms, and he gave her a huge hug. She stood straight up then and said, "Professor-I don't understand this. I don't know why I have this phobia. I don't know why I've simply assumed that fire is dangerous to me. I'm combing my memory, and nothing is coming to me at all."
He nodded. "Then you can't actually recall any bad experiences with fire?"
She shook her head. "No, sir. None. And I'm frankly a little freaked by this, if you'll excuse my saying so."
"Yes, my dear, of course," he answered. "Tell me-were you terrified of fire as a child, before your mutation manifested itself?"
She concentrated. "You know, sir, I don't know?" She looked intently towards some distant mental horizon for a moment. "...No. No, I'm positive I was not. It came to me with my mutation, sir. I realize that now."
And that was where they had left it for the time being. Charles had not asked to probe her mind about this matter, at least for the time being. This, he knew, was another part of her Inviolate Zone, and the reasons for it went so deep that it would require long and exhausting psychic probing. And the girl simply wasn't ready for it yet.
-And there we were. Maria was a mass of unrealized potential. Already by far the most powerful of the X-Men. His priority for the time being had to be in training her in the powers she had, in the abilities she could manifest with relative ease. But there was so much buried below the surface-like an iceberg. Well, it would emerge when it would emerge.
Meanwhile, he had the psychological and IQ tests to consider. The girl was highly intelligent-nearly as much so as Hank, in her basic gifts. And she had so much odd knowledge! Charles was staggered to learn that she had read Aquinas' entire Summa Theologia. And Hobbes' Leviathan. And Proust. And H.G. Wells. And Gibbon. And the collected works of both Henry and William James. And so on, and so on...with definite opinions regarding them all. My God, the girl must have spent the entirety of the past four years, when she was avoiding the Torches and Pitchforks, reading. How she got hold of the books was a question he didn't really want to know the answer to. Her knowledge of history was impressive, if slightly less so that of literature. And her scientific knowledge was sketchy, but had odd patches of lay expertise.
He sighed. She was going to be a challenge, all right. In every way. Well-one step at a time. As JFK would have said, a journey of a thousand miles began with a single step. And Maria Gianelli was capable of some giant steps indeed.
That evening, Jean and Maria were together in Jean's room, talking about the events of the day. Maria was so stuffed she felt almost sick, until she reminded herself sternly that that was impossible for her. Maria was telling Jean about her tests that day, and finally she reluctantly talked about the fire.
Jean heard this out, a look of concern on her face. "And you never knew about this?" she asked when Maria was finished. "That fire couldn't hurt you?"
Maria shook her head. "No. And it's the damndest thing! It's been such a basic part of my life... Jean: there must be something important here. Something I can't put my finger on. But what it is, I can't imagine."
Jean looked thoughtful. "Maria-I wonder if someone might have wiped out part of your memory. Someone like the Professor, but evil. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to use their psychic powers in a terrible way."
Maia shuddered. "Oh, God, Jean-no! I don't think I could take that. Any other explanation. Why would they, anyway?"
Jean shrugged helplessly. "I don't know-maybe it isn't even evil. Maybe it's someone who was trying to help you get over a trauma-maybe you even asked them to."
"No," Maria said, shaking her head firmly. "I'd never ask for that. A psychic electroshock therapy, you mean? No. My memories are sacred to me."
"Then I don't know, Maria," Jean said. Jean thought for a moment about Annie Richardson, and considered telling Maria about that incident. No-that could wait. She wanted to digest what Maria told her, think if she could find some solution, before telling her about that. But that she wouldtell Maria about Annie, she already took for granted. The two of them would have no secrets from each other.
(Even Scott? a voice in her head said. You're going to tell Maria about him?)
(Shut up! Jean told the voice in her head. Yes-in time. Even that.)
(Surrre you are, the voice said as it faded away. Well, darn it, I am! Jean said firmly to herself.)
And in a dark room somewhere, a lone figure sighed to itself. Xavier has begun probing the girl-physically, mentally, emotionally. I hope he knows what he's doing. He should. If anyone can do this without disaster, Charles Xavier can. Is there any way I can help him? No. Not now, anyway. I shall have to trust him.
The figure looked out at the night. The stars were bright and shining in this remote part of the world. Those stars reminded the figure of the stakes in all this. The fire. Xavier has begun to detect it. He has no idea as yet what it means, of course. Any more than the girl Maria herself. I pray that he never does-at least, not until the time is right. Then the fire will purge. Then Maria Gianelli shall know her true destiny. And not just her. Jean Grey's fire will also come forth in due course. And that will light the Universe.
The figure started. A shooting star! That must be a sign... It looked out at the night, but saw no more. A lone shooting star. Alone against the night. Perhaps that is what I am...shooting towards a dark and unknown destination. Well, I shall find that out when the time comes. I know I have a destiny. Like Maria. Like Jean. Like all of them. The fire-it is good that Maria does not yet know what it means. She could not handle the truth. In time, perhaps. But not yet. And as for Jean Grey- The figure shut the window and came back into the room. Her fire is so different from Maria's-and it's meaning is so uniquely hers. No, there is no one like Jean, and thank God for that. But Maria-is her fire really all that different? In its essence? Perhaps I need to think upon this some more. For now, what matters is that she-and Xavier-have the first inklings of the truth. But it's only inklings. Xavier will probe her mind, trying to find the root of some 'phobia' connected to fire. That will waste his time. And that suits me, for now.
Chapter Six
The next morning, Charles Xavier asked all the X-Men into his study, one at a time. Scott Summers came first. As always, he was quiet and withdrawn as he entered the room, waiting for Charles to initiate the discussion.
"Please sit down, Scott," Charles said, and the boy did. "Thank you. First of all-what do you think of Maria?"
Scott frowned slightly, as if this wasn't he had expected Charles to ask him first. "I think, sir, she's going to be an invaluable additon to the team. She makes us much more powerful."
Charles stared right into his visor. "Yes. She certainly does that. Tell me, Scott-is that an entirely good thing?"
Scott's frown grew deeper. "Sir?" he said, clearly confused.
"Scott-does the team need more power? The five of you have achieved a very high level of cohesion and teamwork with your variety of skills. Would a new member who dominated the rest of you in terms of sheer strength put the chemistry of the team out of whack?"
"Oh!" Scott said, putting his hand on his chin. "I see what you mean, sir... No. No, I don't believe so. Maria's powers seem very, well, 'versatile' is the word I'd use. I should say she can handle herself under almost any imaginable situation she'd find herself in. That would be immensely useful to the team. No, I don't believe she'd upset any chemistry. Especially considering how well she seems to be fitting in here. We're all fond of her, sir."
"Ah-that was going to be my next question, Scott. She isfitting in?"
Scott did something remarkable-he smiled slightly. "Oh, yes, sir. We had an initiation party last night." Scott told Charles a little of what had transpired. "She's gutty, Professor. The best jokes about her appearance are made by her. It might be a self-defense mechanism to some extent, but she's handling it a lot better than I would."
"As opposed to, say, having a force beam you could never shut off?" Charles asked, and Scott started slightly, then smiled ruefully.
"Yes, sir. I see your point. But at least I can still go out in the world. Frankly, I don't see how Maria can. She's spent the past four years wandering free-I just wonder how this is going to work out for her."
"As do I," Charles said. "But your words hearten me, Scott. It seems that Maria is already becoming one of you. Do you all feel that way?"
There was the slightest hesitation. "Bobby will grow up, Professor."
"Ah," Charles said, almost to himself. "I wondered about that. Perhaps if I had a talk with the boy-"
But he stopped, because Scott was shaking his head. "I'd strongly advise against it, sir. Give Bobby a little time. If he falls in, well and good. If not-well, sir, it'll be taken care of."
Charles just nodded, but inside, he felt a strong sense of satisfaction. Let the team handle this in their own way. The fact that Scott was already thinking along these lines was a very good sign indeed. Charles preferred not to interfere unless it became absolutely necessary.
He changed the subject. "Scott-you know that the five of you-Jean, Warren, Hank, Bobby, and yourself-are set to formally graduate from the School proper in a very few weeks."
Scott nodded. "Yes, sir."
"So-the real purpose of my little inquisition today is to sound you all out on where we go from here. Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters is one thing. The X-Men are something else altogether. Does the team continue? How many of you are preparing to stay? All? None? Do we continue scholastic training here, on a college level? And those of you who have families, parents-what are their wishes in this regard? Should the X-Men continue with the five of you, or should I look to revamp the entire team, with Maria as the nucleus? You see what we need to decide, Scott?"
Scott was silent for a long time. "Yes, sir," he said slowly. "You're sure looking at the larger picture."
"I must, Scott. That's my duty. I might say, I had been preparing a sabbatical for myself when the five of you graduated. I'm tired, and wanted some time to myself. And I also had-pressing personal business. But that must now wait. Maria's presence creates an entirely new set of circumstances. I must help her, as I did all of you. And her history and powers make her perhaps the most difficult job of them all. Still, I must admit it has energized me. I'm feeling enthusiastic and up for the task. But the question I must ask, Scott-and ask it of you first-is: what are your plans?"
Scott rose, went to the window overlooking the garden. He stood there, his hands linked behind his back, for a good five minutes, as the silence between him and Charles grew more and more deafening. He then shrugged his shoulders, and returned to the chair.
"Sir, I must admit-I had been planning to leave the X-Men."
Charles nodded. "I had thought as much. Your eyes." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes, sir," the boy replied. "I had thought of consulting specialists, the greatest men in their fields, seeing if there was any way I could rid myself of the curse I bear. Or, if not rid myself of it, at least control it."
Charles looked at Scott with a poker face, but his heart was breaking. "My dear boy-I've failed you in this regard. I thought, when I first recruited you, I might be able to help. But nothing has worked."
Scott looked shocked. "Professor? Please-you haven't failed. You've done everything you could. My God, sir, you've done so much for me-for all of us-"
"Yet I've failed," he said, with a trace of bitterness.
"Sir-this really isn't your field of expertise. No one man can know everything. I had thought perhaps to begin by consulting Dr Richards, and Dr Pym. As fellow super-heroes, I thought they might be persuaded to take an interest in my case."
The sense of his heart breaking almost overwhelmed Charles. "Scott-if this is truly what you want, then I will not hold you back. I could make some phone calls, and you could see both of those gentlemen this very day, if you so choose. But consider this-we're not talking about some illness. Your power is built into your very genes. It is part of you. Dealing with any aspect of it would prove to be extremely difficult-far more so, in my view, than trying to rid Ben Grimm, say, of the curse that makes him The Thing." He saw the boy's head droop slightly, and he spoke more urgently. "Scott-I do not say this to discourage you. But you are a mutant, and being a mutant means having to face reality. And what I have said is reality-for you. Do you understand this?"
"Yes, sir," he said, his voice unchanged, but Charles felt he could sense something in his posture, his bearing-a sense of defeat. Charles went on quickly:
"Scott, it is my belief that you should remain at the school. With the X-Men. I shall give you my reasons, and we can discuss them if you choose. Then, whatever your decision, I shall support it one-hundred per cent." Scott nodded, as if the logic of this were self-evident.
"Very well. You are right-I have been remiss in my attention to your dilemma. No," Charles said, hand raised, as Scott started to protest. "No, my boy. I know you have not said that-but it is what I tell myself, after hearing your words. I judge myself, Scott. And I see my own culpability. Scott-whatever happens, you shall have your consultations. Indeed, thay are long overdue. I have Dr Richards' notes regarding Ben Grimm, and with that as a link between us, there is no reason you cannot see him. And Dr Pym, as well. And there are-others." For a moment, Charles was tempted to tell Scott about Moira MacTaggert and Muir Island, but decided against it. That would come in time, when it was ready to come. "But it is my hope that you shall do this within the context of the X-Men. And for a very simple reason, Scott. With the rest of you graduating, and Maria just beginning, she shall need much of my attention. The team shall of necessity be forced to fight without my guiding hand-and mind-sometimes. When that happens, they shall need a field leader." He paused, and looked at Scott. "I am determined that that leader shall be you, Scott Summers."
Scott looked surprised. "Me, sir? Why me? The Beast is a better scholar-and the Angel is more aggressive-"
"Perhaps. But it is you who has the quality known as leadership. My decision on this has been made, Scott."
Scott rose again, and paced across the room for few a moments. But Charles could tell that the boy's decision had already been made. Finally, Scott sighed, and ran his hand through his hair.
"Professor-you make it a matter of duty. That isn't playing fair."
Charles risked a slight smile. "My dear boy-I said nothing I don't believe 100%."
Scott grinned. "I know, sir. But you know what my answer is, anyway-without reading my mind."
Charles' smile grew broader. "I think so, lad." And Scott extended his hand across the desk, and Charles Xavier took it.
Jean Grey was the next student to see Charles. He invited her in, and she sat on the chair, wearing a white summer sleeveless dress that accentuated her figure. Charles smiled at her.
"My dear-as you know, you, Bobby, Hank, Warren, and Scott are going to be formally graduating from the School soon."
"Yes, sir," she said, nodding slightly as if she had guessed what he was going to ask her.
"And as a result, we have to think about the future. Are any of you leaving? Going to college? What do your parents think? We have to-"
But Charles stopped, because Jean put her hand up to forestall him. "Excuse me, Professor, but I believe we can save some time here. I'm staying. Period. If you'll have me."
Charles smiled. "My dear Jean! Of course I want you here-for as long as you want. But may I ask why you're so certain in your course?"
She smiled slightly, and Charles' heart skipped a beat. His relief and pleasure at her decision almost overwhelmed him. "The simple answer, sir, is that I gave Maria my word. I told you about her-well, recruitment. And I thank you, for honoring my request not to probe it mentally. But it's really that simple, in its basics. I told Maria I would be here. That we X-Men were here for each other. I would not be foresworn."
Charles closed his eyes, so she couldn't see the tears that were on the verge of breaking out, tears caused by his pride in, and love for, this girl. "And how do you find her, Jean? What do you feel about Maria?"
"I love her like a sister. I knew it that first moment I heard her calling out to me, when she broke through my telepathic blackout-and I heard her." The sheer simplicity in her voice as she said this undid Charles for a moment, and he didfeel tears rolling down his cheek. Jean saw them.
"Sir-? Are you all right?" she said, starting to rise from her chair. He waved her back down.
"No, no, my child," he said softly. "I'm fine. My dear Jean-I might never have been more 'fine' in my entire life, than I am in this moment. I feel that everything I've done, all I've tried to accomplish with all of you-all of it has been vindicated. By you."
She was quiet for a second, then gently put her hand across the desk and grasped his own in it. "Yes, sir," she said. And after a moment: "Professor-Maria will need me here. And I'm glad that you aren't leaving, as you were planning to do."
Charles was stunned. "What? Jean-how did you know-?"
Jean smiled broadly. "Nothing supernatural, sir-or even telepathic. Just things I've noticed, sensed-you can call it 'woman's intuition' if you choose. But it's right? You werethinking of leaving for a while?"
He nodded. "Yes, Jean. And Maria's presence has changed my mind." He paused, looked at the girl soberly. "Jean-Maria is, I believe, the greatest challenge I have ever faced. More so than Scott, and his terrible curse that he can't ever be rid of. Greater even than you, and the burden you felt when experiencing the death of Annie Richardson. Her powers are so remarkable...and the demons she has in her past..." Charles stopped, because Jean was reacting in a very strange manner. The way she turned her face slightly, how she gripped the arms of the chair-Charles realized, in that moment, that Jean knew something about Maria that he did not. And that this was connected both to Maria's "Inviolate Zone", and Jean's request to him that he not probe her recruitment of Maria. He had to make an instant decision, and it was the only one he could make-respect their privacy, and his promises. But his regard for Jean rose even more. Yes-she was an adult. And taking on adult responsibilities. Child-and I should stop calling you that-I know you know what you're doing. If anyone does, it's you. I'll know when it's right for me to know.
"It's going to be a very challenging job, Jean-having Maria here. One that will require my presence. And my full attention. I had been considering a sabbatical, but that must wait for now." He paused, and smiled at her. "Having you here to help means more than I can say, Jean."
She shrugged lightly, but Charles could tell she was pleased by his words. "Yes, sir. And also, I've been thinking more and more. In time, there will be more Marias. More young mutants who will come along and need our help." She sat upright in her chair, as if she was steeling herself to say something. She looked him right in his eyes. "Professor-you won't be able to do all this on your own. More and more, I've been thinking that my future is right here-at the Mansion, at the School, and of course with the X-Men. Sir-I'm in this for the long haul, if you want me."
Charles Xavier thought for a moment that he was going to faint. If I want you. My God! The feelings that washed over him-an immense joy, relief, love for this girl, and determination to keep on working, to make this all something that would be worthy of her-these all hit him like a wave. But all he could say was, "my dear Jean, this is your home. Now, or as far into the future as you desire. If you ever need to leave for awhile, you can do so and come back at any time, no questions asked. But I'm gratified more than I can say by what you've just told me. It makes me feel that I haven't been working in vain."
She smiled. "I gather that that's a 'yes', then?"
He just nodded. "Indeed," he said. "But Jean-your parents. They're still your guardians...what will they say?"
Her smile grew. "Oh, I think I can handle them. They might want me to go to a college or something-but we'll figure something out."
Charles nodded. "Yes, Jean. And I have some ideas about that, if it ever becomes an issue. After all, they know-or at least suspect-certain things about you."
Jean looked solemn for a moment. "What they suspect I really can't say. They do know that you were able to help me when no one else could. But maybe that's become a negative for them-that I've come to depend on you too much, like a drug. I don't know. There might be some issues here. But I think I can deal with it, sir."
Charles looked at her. "I've been considering instituting college-level courses here, Jean, for those of you who wish to stay. That would help. And of course, some of our guest lecturers..."
Jean laughed out loud. "Would impress anybody. Especially Dad. You can get people Bard College never dreamed of."
Charles actually chuckled slightly. "We can only hope, my dear." He paused, took out his pipe and lit it, and said off-handedly: "Incidentally, Scott is remaining."
Her face only gave her away for the tiniest fraction of a second. It was enough, but Charles pretended he didn't notice. "Oh?" was all she said.
"Indeed," he said, giving Jean a recap of his discussion with Scott. "I take it that you approve my decision, Jean? Making him the field leader?"
"Oh, yes," she said, nodding enthusiastically. "It was the obvious choice, sir. This will have a good effect on all of us, I think."
"Excellent, Jean," Charles said. "That means I can concentrate on Maria more, as well."
"Yes, sir," Jean said, a hint of mischief in her voice. "But, Professor-? I can tell you one thing. Maria has no intention of staying on the sidelines for long. She's going to be out with the rest of us before you know it."
Charles shrugged. "I can only do what I can do, Jean. And Maria is certainly-determined. We'll see how things turn out." He took a puff on his pipe. "And she is settling in well?"
"Oh, yes," Jean said. "We're all falling in love with her."
" 'All' ?" Charles asked gently. "No issues on anyone's part?"
Jean hesitated, then spoke forthrightly. "Well, sir, to be honest, Bobby is acting like a jerk. Don't worry about it. If need be, the situation will be-dealt with."
Charles winced inside. He would not want to be Robert right about now. The sheer, earnest determination in Jean's voice impressed him. "Scott said something similar," he replied. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
"No, sir. Just let us worry about it."
Charles called in Bobby Drake next. He thought this was necessary, after hearing what Scott and Jean had to say. The boy seemed at ease as he came into the room and sat down in front of the desk.
"Robert," Charles said, "as you know, the five of you-Scott, Jean, Henry, Warren, and yourself-will be formally graduating from this school soon. At that point, we all have decisions to make regarding the future. Have you considered this at all?"
Bobby looked startled. " 'Decisions', sir? You mean-are you saying you're going to break up the team, or anything like that?"
Charles' face remained immobile as he spoke. "I doubt it will come to that, Robert. But we do have to consider the facts. Your father remains in something of a state of denial about your mutant abilities, and wants you to go to college and become an accountant. Is this not so?"
Bobby shrugged. "Dad isn't the easiest person in the world to understand, sir. At this point, I think he's be happier just to have me out of his hair, so he doesn't have to think about all this."
Charles nodded. "Yes, I see that, my boy...and your mother? How does she feel?"
Bobby had a pained expression come over his face. "Frankly, sir, I've never scooped Mom out. She's a bit passive, lets Dad make the decisions for them both...though she'll talk for an hour before he makes it. But I'm sure she wants the best for me. She just doesn't know what that is."
"Yes," Charles said slowly. "Well, Bobby, we have to figure that out for ourselves. What do you want? Would you like to remain here, if I continue the School on a college level? And do you wish to remain an X-Man?"
Bobby nodded. " 'Yes' to both questions, Professor. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. I'll be here as long as you want me, sir."
Charles smiled to himself. The sense of loyalty these young people had-to each other, and to his vision-heartened him. "Bobby-I had intended to take a sabbatical after your graduation. I needed some rest, and I had personal issues I needed to deal with. But the arrival of Maria has changed things. I shall be remaining. I have a duty to her now which I shall not shirk. But as a result of this, I've deemed that the X-Men need a field leader to take charge when I'm not able to view their progress. I have chosen Cyclops for this role, and he has accepted."
Bobby nodded, as if the logic of this was self-evident. "That's a perfect choice, sir. Cyke will do the job just fine. We'll all be behind him."
"Excellent," Charles said. "Jean, too, has indicated a desire to remain. And I have yet to talk to Hank and Warren."
"That's great news about Jeannie, sir. And I'm sure that Hank and Warren will stay. We're a team, after all."
Charles smiled. "That's excellent to hear you say that, Bobby." He paused, and said almost off-handedly: "And how about Maria? Is she settling in well?"
Bobby shrugged. "I guess so, sir. It's a little strange. I mean, when the rest of us go to the Coffee-a-Go-Go, what's she going to do? Is she going to be happy, never being able to appear in public? Is she going to hide in the attic or something, when our families come to visit? And how long will she be happy here, if she does have to do that?"
Charles frowned sightly. The questions were good ones, and it would be natural that Bobby-all of them-were asking them. But Charles could feel resistance in Bobby's thoughts-he made just the slightest mental probe of the boy, and he could sense that resistance. No, he was not comfortable with Maria's presence here. Charles sensed no overt hostility to Maria personally, but he could feel the boy's ambivalence. He almost opened his mouth to bring the subject up, but thought better of it. Perhaps he merely needed time to adjust. Better not open any wounds unneccesarily. And he remembered Scott's words-if a problem persisted, let the students deal with it.
"Well, we'll have to see how she adjusts," was all he said in reply. "But what about her as a potential X-Man? Do you think she'll work out in the field?"
Bobby smiled. "Oh, yes sir! She's plenty tough. I can't wait to see Magneto's face, when she appears the next time we face him and his band." This was a good answer, from Charles' point of view, and it ended the interview. And the boy was right-it would be interesting to see Eric's reaction to Maria standing with the X-Men...
Hank McCoy entered the room with deliberate movements, nodded to the Professor, and sat down in the chair. "You wished to see me, sir?"
Charles paused briefly. Hank was the most intelligent, and the most mature, of them all. In some ways, Charles trusted his judgment the most, with the possible exception of Jean. He was very interested in what this interview would elucidate.
"Henry," he said, "with the impending graduation of the five of you from the School proper, I thought it would be a good time to discuss the future. Of the School, and of the X-Men."
Hank nodded, as if he had been expecting this. "Yes, sir," he said. "I've been thinking of this myself."
"Excellent," Charles said. "That expedites matters. Have you made any decisions yet?"
Hank shook his head. "No, sir. I wanted to wait until I heard from you. Have you made any decisions yet?"
Charles nodded. "I have, Henry. I had been planning on taking a sabbatical from the School-travel the world, and attend to some personal business. But Maria's arrival has changed all that. She has such tremendous potential-but it's as yet utterly unrealized. Realizing that is my job, and it shall take most of my time and attention. Therefore, obviously, I shall not be leaving as I had planned. In addition, my work with her might necessitate the X-Men finding themselves in combat situations where I cannot be present mentally. In lieu of that, I have appointed Cyclops the field leader of the team. He has accepted, I'm pleased to say."
Hank smiled. "Indeed, sir. A most felicitious choice. And the natural one. I'd have been shocked had you chosen anyone else."
Charles risked a slight smile. "Oh, Henry? Even you?"
Hank laughed out loud. "Especially me, sir. Forgive me. But I can readily see myself taking orders from Scott in the field. I can't see him taking orders from me."
"I appreciate your honesty, Henry. You know yourself. What you can and cannot do. That is an invaluable gift."
He nodded. "Thank you, sir. I give much of the credit for that to you."
"Nonsense, Henry. In many ways, you have advanced the furthest of all my students. Your potential is extraordinary. And that brings me back to my question-what are yourplans? Do you intend to stay here, or move on?"
Hank was silent for a minute. "Professor-I must admit to mixed feelings. I should like to do what you have done-go through college, and get a doctorate. I have ambitions in the scientific world, and I'm not going to lie about having them. But at the same time, the X-Men are my family. I feel that they-you-are, and shall always be, my primary loyalty. I want to have my cake and eat it, too."
Charles smiled wistfully. "Not always so easily done, I'm afraid... My dear Hank, your scientific ambitions do you great credit. And your aptitude for them is manifest. Let me further clarify the situation. Jean and Bobby are remaining as well. Both feel that the X-Men are their lives, and I welcome them with open arms. In pursuant to that, I intend to revamp the School to make it a college-level institution. I can assure you that the level of study you'd find here for the next few years would compare to anything you'd find at any institution of higher learning, even the Ivy League schools. You're aware of the-well, exalted, if I do say so, nature of some of the lecturers and teachers I've brought here. This would be continued as your instruction went to the next level. And I think I could guarantee that you'd have no trouble getting into any post-graduate program you wanted, when the time came. Or, should you wish to leave at any time in the interim, that of course would be an option. It would be entirely up to you."
Hank heard this out carefully. "Well, sir, I'm delighted to hear about Bobby and Jean. What you say sounds almost too good to be true-as if I really am having my cake and eating it, too. I rather think I'll just say 'yes' before you change your mind."
Charles smiled broadly, and he and Hank shook hands. "Professor," Hank said, "I meant it when I said this school and you were my primary loyalty. If I ever should leave to pursue other goals, all you need do is give a call if you have an emergency, and I'll come running. That goes without saying, surely."
Charles nodded. "Of course. Meanwhile, I'm very happy to have you here, Hank. More than you can know."
Hank nodded gently. "Of course, sir. But really, all I'm doing is going with the flow. I'm hoping this just isn't a giant exercise in avoiding taking responsibility for my life."
"Oh, Hank...have I let you down that much?"
Hank looked at Charles, and the two of them laughed out loud. "Well, Professor," Hank finally said, "for better or worse, I am here for the foreseeable future. And I have no doubt but that Warren will say the same thing."
"I hope so," Charles answered. Then: "Henry? What about Maria. Is she fitting in?"
To Charles' astonishment, there was a slight pause before Hank answered-a pause that lasted exactly as long as Jean's when he had told her about Scott's remaining at the school. My God, is it possible? Hank? And Maria? So soon? And yet-they're so well-matched in so many ways...
To Charles' even greater astonishment, Hank cleared his throat and said in a low voice: "Professor, do you think I resemble Scott to any marked degree?"
Charles didn't even try to hide his surprise at this question. "Henry, I think I can say in all honesty that there probably aren't two people on the face of this earth less alike than you and Scott Summers."
"Good. Then I can tell you this-sir, one of the benefits of attending this institution is watching the delicate minuet that Scott and Jean dance with each other. Each of them crazy about the other, and both too full of teen-aged angst to do anything sensible, like tell each other. You have seen this." It was a statement, not a question, and Charles nodded his head.
"Of course," he said. "But it is no business of mine."
"Or mine, sir. I observe, and wait for it to play itself out to whatever will come of it in the end. Meanwhile, it adds to the gaiety of nations, and cuts us all to the bone just a little bit every day, to see two people whom we all love as miserable as this. And I've told myself- 'Henry, my lad, this will never happen to you. You're too sensible to fall in love. And if, by some terrible mishap, you do fall in love, you're not going to sit there like a wooden Indian and keep your mouth shut about it'. No, Professor, that was never in the cards for me."
Charles just remained silent, letting the boy talk. This was the most intimate discussion he had ever had with any of his students, and he was slightly nonplussed. But it was taking on a life of its own, and he had to remain alert as never before so that he could be prepared to help in any way that he could.
Hank shook his head, and ran his large fingers through his hair. "Professor-I feel like I've been pole-axed. As if someone had given me an exploding cigar, and I smoked it and-well-it exploded. Professor-I believe I am in love with Maria Gianelli."
Charles bowed his head slightly, as a sign of respect for Hank's courage in saying this. "I think that's admirable, son. More than admirable. She is a wonderful girl. She has amazing potential-as a person, and an X-Man. She's worthy of anyone's love."
Hank suddenly seemed subdued, as if he was sorry he had spoken to Charles in the manner he had. "Yes, sir. There's no doubt of that at all. But I scarcely know her. She doesn't know me at all. And I'm afraid-mortally terrified would be a better term-that she'd regard any feelings I had-anyone had-as pity. And I am a total neophyte in this, and don't have the slightest idea how to proceed. And of course, she doesn't need anything distracting her from all she needs to do, to study, to learn, in her training. And of course, we couldn't so much as take a walk together outside the confines of the estate. And of course, the others can't suspect a thing about this. I would be so mortified by my own teen-age angst that I would be forced to leave. I'm very serious about that."
Charles leaned over and took Hank's large hand into his. "Son-this discussion will never leave this room."
"Of course, sir. But it is disconcerting nonetheless, to discover that Scott and I have more in common that I could have imagined... So there we are. Professor-I am not asking you for advice. This is something which I shall deal with, a day, a minute at a time. But I thought you needed to know the situation. Why, I'm not entirely sure. But there we are."
Charles hardly knew what to say. He wished he could have opened a vein and bled, if it would help this young man in any way. But all he said was: "I'm honored by your confidence, son. All I can suggest is what you said-time. Let it take its course. Let her get to know you. At the school, and in time, in the field. And who knows what time will bring-in all sorts of matters?"
Hank nodded slowly, and left the office. Charles needed a few minutes before calling Warren in.
"Thank you for waiting, Warren," Charles said as the blond young man sat down in the chair across from him.
"No problem, Professor," Warren said. "It's a hectic time in a lot of ways. You're busy with everyone and everything. We're all at your disposal."
"Thank you. Well, I'll give you the speech I've given the others. As you know, the five of you are about to graduate formally from the School..."
Warren put his hand up. "Sir-if you'll excuse me, I think I can save wasting your time. I'm staying. Period, end of sentence. I've known this discussion was coming, and I've known what my answer was going to be. Does that satisfy you, Professor?"
Charles smiled. "Eminently so, my boy. That is a great load off my mind. You might be pleased to know that all five of you have agreed to stay."
Warren shrugged. "Pleased, sir, yes. Surprised, no."
Charles nodded. "Very good." This next part might be tricky- "Son-I had planned to leave for awhile, take a sabbatical. Rest, attend to some personal affairs. But Maria's presence has changed that. I have an obligation to her now, and thus, I shall be remaining myself. But I also might not be able to be mentally present with you in the field at all times. As a result, I've decided-"
But Warren was smiling, and put up his hand. "Oh, please, sir. We need not waste any time here, either. Scott is the team leader. I totally approve. He's the obvious choice."
Charles frowned slightly. "You have no issues with this, Warren?"
"None whatever, sir. And I mean that. Cyke is a bit intense for me, but he's always thinking. He's a natural strategist. Me, I'd probably be thinking a bit too much about blondes and brunettes to give my leadership duties my full attention."
Charles smiled to himself. He suspected that Warren was making light of this in order to put Charles' mind at ease-but it was nonetheless sincere on the boy's part. Good. There was one less thing for him to worry about.
Then it hit him- Warren. Thinking about "blondes and brunettes". But not redheads- Oh my. Had he conceded there, too?
"Fine," was all he said out loud. "Now, Warren-Maria. What do you think of her? Is she going to fit in?"
"She already is fitting in, Professor," he answered. "Sir-that girl has guts. A lot of them. She has brains. And she's going to be an invaluable asset in the field. We're going to be a whole different team with her. To be perfectly honest, Professor-I've always felt that Magneto and his band had us outgunned, in terms of sheer firepower. Not any more. I'd say we stack up against any super-team in the world, as soon as she's ready."
Charles smiled. "Son-I'm inclined to agree."
Warren paused for a second. "Professor Xavier...? I likeMaria. A lot. We need to do right by her."
Charles looked proudly at Warren. "I swear to you, son-we're going to."
Charles Xavier was deep in thought after Warren left. The interviews, while eminently satisfactory in many ways-the very fact that all of them were staying-nonetheless left him troubled. Hank McCoy had bared his soul to him, and Charles realized, with something of a shock, that he probably knew less of Hank-what made him tick-than he did any of his other students. Shaking his head, he called Maria into his office. He could only do what he could do. That was going to be effort enough, God knew-
The girl came into his office. She was wearing a gray turtle-neck sweater and white slacks. Did they become her? Was this even a relevant question? Charles sighed to himself. A great many things about her simply weren't going to fit into neat patterns. He-she-they-were going to have to learn all this, or maybe unlearn was a better word, a day at a time.
"Yes, sir," she said, a neutral look on her face-or at least, Charles thought it was a neutral look. Even something as basic as her face...he wasn't sure if it registered feeling the way "normal" faces did. That unfinished look to it- Well, again, this would have to work itself out.
"Maria," he said, "I'm pleased to announce that all the other students are remaining here, after their formal graduation in a couple of weeks. I was not sure of this, especially in the case of Henry McCoy. But they all feel that this is their home for now, and they are all committed to the X-Men."
She nodded, that blank, impenetrable expression on her face. "I'm glad, sir. I'd hate to come here, and see the rest all swept up to hell and gone." There was a definite smile now. "I'd feel like I was responsible, you know?"
Charles smiled. Had there been a reaction, when he mentioned Hank's name? He thought so-he had gone out of his way to casually say the boy's name, to see if she did respond. But he couldn't be sure... "There's no need for you to feel that way, Maria. In fact, there was a unanimity of enthusiasm for your presence here." That was essentially true, and he didn't want to even think of Robert right now. She seemed to take this at face value-but again, how could he be sure? "So, we go forward. And you'll begin your training with the others very soon."
"I'm looking forward to it, sir," she said. "I've got a lot on the ball-there's not any point in pretending otherwise, is there? But I'm as green as a pea. Put me out there now, and God knows what might happen."
Charles risked a slight smile. "Indeed, Maria. And it's good to hear you say this. You have, if I may say, a strong streak of common sense."
She shrugged, but Charles could tell she was pleased. "Just survival instinct, sir. It's been forced on me these past few years. Fending for myself. The Torches and Pitchforks. Belknapping. You learn to deal with things."
Charles blinked. " 'Belknapping', Maria? I'm sorry, but that is not a word I'm familiar with."
"Oh!", she said, putting her rough hands to her face. "Oh, I guess you're not, at that, Professor. It's just a term I invented... Once, when I was up in Belknap County, New Hampshire-and this was early in my adventures-I was hungry and, well, 'liberated' some of the contents of a picnic basket." She paused, and said plaintively: "I didn't take everything, sir."
Charles almost laughed in the girl's face at her sheer earnestness. "So-to 'belknap' came to mean-"
"Well-OK," she said with a shake of the head. "Professor, to 'belknap' means to steal food."
"I see," he said thoughtfully, but still feeling the urge to laugh. He had noticed the girl occasionally using odd words, or everyday words in slightly different contexts. And her way of speaking, the rhythm of her words, sounded just slightly "off" to his ears. She wasn't untalkative-indeed, she was voluble. But he wondered if her long period of isolated wanderings had had its effects on her mode of speaking. And, he confessed with a mental sigh, some of this could just be the unusual tonality of her voice, which made even everyday idioms sound just a little strange. "Well, Maria, a young mutant on her own, with no guidance whatsoever, had to do what she could to survive. Just consider Magneto and his band, to see what isolation and fear of humanity can make out of some of us."
"Thank you, sir," she replied, and Charles could tell she was slightly embarrassed by the subject. He smiled to himself again. To "belknap", indeed! He wondered what other private words were in the girl's vocabulary. Possibly a good many. She had a very vivid imagination, and had read much more these past few years than she had talked. Perhaps that was why she was so voluble now-she simply had the opportunity to talk.
"Now, Maria-in many ways, you're much more intellectually advanced than the average seventeen-year old." The entirety of the Summa Theologia! Charles could still scarcely believe it. "In other ways, you're very much behind. Frankly, simply as a student you represent unique challenges. It should be obvious, I hope, that we're going to be concentrating upon those areas in which you're lacking."
She nodded, all common-sense. "Of course, Professor. What do you think our first priority should be?"
He paused. "Well, Maria, your biggest gap seems to be in the sciences. Oh, you have a good lay knowledge of general scientific trends-" The girl had a good lay knowledge of everything- "but I think we'd both agree that you need training in mathematics, so you can understand physics and chemistry. And I insist that all of my students have something more than the average high school training in biology. Here, a 'lay' knowledge is not good enough. I also want you to get a speaking knowledge of at least one foreign language. You can read something in French and German." Yes, Charles thought, plowing through Remembrance of Things Past and The Magic Mountainrepresented a pretty good reading knowledge of French and German. But she had been able to read them to some degree even before her mutation appeared.
"I'm ready, Professor," she said, a slight smile on her face. "Jean has said that we have some-intriguing-guest lecturers. Can you tell me something of them?"
"All in good time," he said, smiling in return. "We wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Although I can say that one will be here in just a couple of days, if you can wait."
"I'll try, sir," she said, her face and voice-as much as he could tell-having a hint of amused stoicism in them. He frowned to himself. Not being able to "read" her, as one could a "normal" person-and God forgive him, for even thinking that word!-was going to make things difficult. It was going to be hard to avoid the temptation of being lazy and using his psychic powers, at least on the surface of her thoughts, to make up for it.
She seemed thoughtful. "Professor Xavier-I've been thinking about something. Just what is the goal of my 'academic' training, as opposed to my X-Men training? You mentioned that the others were all staying. But that implies that they have the option of not staying. I know we've discussed the ground rules for my being here, and I accept them. But, Professor-let's face it. Unless the world changes very dramatically in the next few years, I'm never going to have the option of going to a college. If you tell me to basically shut up about this and concentrate on my work, and we'll talk about it in a few years, OK. I'd accept that without question. But I still can't help wondering, well, just what is the end-game for me, sir?"
Charles shut his eyes. The poignancy of the girl's words, which blazed through despite any differences in rhythm or timbre, cut him to the bone. It would have been so easy for this girl to have fallen into dark paths-been taken up by Magneto, or gone her own way into evil. The fact that she didn't go that way was a great tribute to her. Of course she'd be wondering where things would bring her to, in the end. He opened his eyes, and knew that only honesty was worthy of this girl.
"Maria-I am determined to create a world in which human and mutant can live in peace together. In which a person's character is what matters, not their genetic make-up or their appearance. But I am not going to pretend that that world is the one we live in now. You say you can never have the option of going to college. Perhaps so. But perhaps not, as well. Consider Ben Grimm, of the Fantastic Four. His appearance has been grotesquely altered by cosmic rays, and yet he heroically fights for the right. Not without doubts and hesitations, to be sure. But he does so, and I know for a fact, Maria, that his situation is a nightmare to him. But he proceeds nevertheless, because he has courage." He hesitated slightly. "Maria-I already know this about you. You have courage as well. Courage to match Ben Grimm, and more. I cannot say what the end-game shall be. I certainly shall not say to you, 'shut up'. If you need to let things out, my door is always open to you. And Jean, certainly, feels the same way. And the others, for that matter.
"Maria-if you have the courage, and if we can make some progress here, which I believe we can, then the day will come when you can walk in the sun, as you put it to me in our first interview. I believe that absolutely. And I want you to believe it, as well."
Maria Gianelli was silent for some time. She finally just shook her head quickly, put her hands to her eyes, and said: "Thank you, sir. I do believe it." And that was all that passed between them at that moment, and for Charles Xavier, it was more than enough. But it made him more determined than ever, and it helped him to a decision he had been pondering.