Cyclops and Phoenix's Administrative Office

[Cuckoos]

Mr. Summers came into the office during the girl’s conversation with their mother. Quickly, the girls could pick out how distressed he had been. They focused, but not on him, he would be shielded by his wife, they focused on the psychic imprints left in their room. That’s were they ‘saw’ what their sister had said to their father.

Perhaps, I have become a bit wary of mutants again.

Well, they had to give it to Esme, she always knew just what buttons to push. It seemed strange that she had actually said that. Mutant. Weren’t they themselves mutant. They had become something else that what they were...did that not make them in fact mutants.

Their father spoke up getting their attention, "I'm sorry, girls," he apologized quietly. "We didn't intend to lie to you or hurt you in any way. Thank you for being reasonable and understanding. And for shielding Nathan. I've very proud of you for setting aside your personal feelings to do that. That took a great deal of maturity and courage. And I appreciate it."

"We both do. We’re very proud." their mother said after her spouse had finished.

The girls looked at Mr. Summers, Sophie actually stood up and reached for his hand, “We are the ones that need to apologize. At times we get so wrapped up in ourselves, we forget to treat others with the kindness you taught us.” she told him the other girls joined her after, “Please, do not give up on Esme. She is just a child, like us. But more prone to temper tantrums.”

Mindee spoke up next as she looked as Mrs. Grey, “I have one question. Why are people treating this Red Guard agent so openly? Almost as if a friend. We don’t understand.”

((OCC had to change the italized very because it would not show up.))

[Psylocke]

((Crossposted from Back Yard))

Jean replied back in her mind and Betsy was relieved that she didn't sound as upset with her as she was a few minutes ago. < Thank you, Betsy. > she replied with heartfelt emotion. Betsy replied with what could only be called a mental hug. Then Jean lightened things up and asked, < Are there plans for a night on the town tonight then? >

Betsy laughed mentally and replied, <Only if Remy hasn't completely seduced her yet, which will be happening any moment from the vibes those two are emitting. > Then Betsy hesitated, knowing this wasn't the best of times but she had to say something. <Besides, we both have kids to watch after now. You have Nathan and I have Sharon,> she said wryly. Then she gave Jean a shortened mental version of what had happened in the War Room that morning. <As soon as we bring Anna to you, I'm going to find Sharon and see if I can't get to the bottom of this whole thing.>

A few minutes later...

With a laugh, Betsy replied, “I don't know, let find out.” With great drama, Betsy put her hands to the sides of her head as if she were communicating with someone and quickly said to Jean, <We are on our way in.> Removing her hands, she grinned at Anna and added, “Yep, the coast is clear. Shall we?”

[Cyclops]

< When you least expect it, Slim. >

Jean's mental tease was accompanied by a flash of her 'promise'. It made Scott's jaw unclench a little and he chuckled through their link. It was amazing how they could flirt and tease with the world falling down on them.

Not that it hadn't before. That was probably why they could. Because they had been through so much together. So much pain and hardship and loss. They had done the worse, poorer, and sickness together long before they said their vows to each other. On the surface, their life seemed idyllic.

Running an elite mutant training school, preparing the next generation of the brightest and most talented to take their place in the world, happily married for seven years, together in love. All these things were true, but if you scratched the surface, you found two people who'd only had each other to cling to, to trust, to rely on through all the hard times.

It formed something between them that was stronger than love, stronger than the link that she had created in their minds. Together, there was nothing they couldn't overcome, endure, achieve. Scott believed that as strongly as he believed in the dream of peaceful, equal, co-existence between humans and mutants.

And Jean just kept proving it to him. When she picked up Esme's disturbing words from his mind, heard his concern; she was right there, reassuring him. < We have raised them better than that. Esme knows better, deep down. > He could feel her twinge of doubt, but understood what she meant when she showed him their conversation earlier. < She realizes people make mistakes and act on emotions, or she wouldn’t have come to me this morning to talk. >

< I know, honey, > he agreed wearily. < But it was still slap in the face to hear her say it. >

< We’ll figure something out. > Her words were more reassuring than she knew.

The would figure something out. Together. Together, they could do anything.

When he complimented the remaining four Cuckoos for protecting Nathan, and thus the school, despite their feelings, Jean echoed his sentiment. "We both do. We’re very proud." He looked over at her and smiled, then turned his attention back to the girls.

Scott was proud of them. And Esme. He was a bit surprised when Sophie stood up and reached for his hand though. He took it, squeezing hers gently, looking at the other three as she spoke. "We are the ones that need to apologize. At times we get so wrapped up in ourselves, we forget to treat others with the kindness you taught us.” she told him the other girls joined her after, “Please, do not give up on Esme. She is just a child, like us. But more prone to temper tantrums.”

He shook his head and smiled gently. "No, you reacted like any other teenage girls would have," he assured her. Even he realized that. "And managed to look past your own feelings for the greater good of everyone here. Like I said, that took a great deal of maturity." He squeezed Sophie's hand again gently.

"And I'm not giving up on anyone." He let go of Sophie's hand and let out a long breath, rubbing his temples with his fingers. "She just startled me." And hurt him, but he couldn't tell the girls that. Not when they were being so understanding.

Mindee spoke up, looking at Jean. “I have one question. Why are people treating this Red Guard agent so openly? Almost as if a friend. We don’t understand.”

Scott folded his arms over his chest. "She is a friend," he told them. "Or was a long time ago. Her name is Anna-Marie Darkholme. You've probably heard her called Rogue more often. She was a student when Jean and I were." He let out a long breath. "A very long time ago."

He shrugged. "It been at least ten years since any of us have spoken with her," he admitted. "It was-" he paused, the sting of the loss of that day still sharp. "-before Professor Xavier was killed. She chose to return to her mother and fight on the mutant's side of the war." He resisted the urge to reach up and rub the nearly unnoticeable scar under the ruins of his left eye.

"She could be an easy mark, wanting to rush through this and catch up with her old friends." Scott let out a long heavy breath. "Or she could be trying to show she isn't playing favorites with her old alma mater. Hard to judge." He glanced sidelong at Jean from behind his ruby quartz lenses.

< Can you read her mind? > he asked his wife through their link. < I just want to get an idea of how she feels about all this. >

It made him more nervous than he was trying to let on. If Rogue got a whiff of what they were doing here, it could be a death sentence for everyone who knew of X-Men.

[Phoenix]

Scott had just entered the office. He felt a tad less stressed, and Jean smiled slightly mentally. He took the world on his shoulders when it wasn’t up to him to save it. But she understood what drove him. What drove all of them. The ideal of a peaceful coexistence between homo-sapien and homo-superior. And she weren’t planning on resting until they had achieved it.

< I know, honey, > The wear and tear in his voice was still evident, < But it was still slap in the face to hear her say it. > It was definitely disheartening to hear she’d said it. Jean sent a slight wave of comfort to him as the girls spoke. Sophie actually reached for Scott’s hand, helping Jean feel a bit better, knowing that for the most part, the girls understood the situation and still cared.

"We are the ones that need to apologize. At times we get so wrapped up in ourselves, we forget to treat others with the kindness you taught us.” she told him the other girls joined her after, “Please, do not give up on Esme. She is just a child, like us. But more prone to temper tantrums.”

"No, you reacted like any other teenage girls would have," Jean nodded her agreement, "And managed to look past your own feelings for the greater good of everyone here. Like I said, that took a great deal of maturity. And I'm not giving up on anyone."

“No one is, girls,” Jean added, including herself, and she was sure the other staff would agree. Esme wasn’t the easiest student to teach, according to some of the staff. Even Jean knew that. But as a daughter and a person, Jean wasn’t about to stop believing in her. She knew Scott felt the same, but his hurt seeped through their rapport as he rubbed at his temples, "She just startled me."

< Me, too. > Jean’s eyes caught her husband’s, conveying her feelings. They would have to talk about Esme later, and what to do now that Nathan was back, and a permanent part of their lives. A considerable pressure behind her eyes began to increase, weighing a bit heavier.

Betsy’s voice interjected into her mind as Jean multitasked, <Only if Remy hasn't completely seduced her yet, which will be happening any moment from the vibes those two are emitting. > It sounded like Anna wasn’t able to resist the Cajun’s charms, either. Not many women could. Remy did tend to move in for the kill quickly, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he and Anna got together before she left.

Jean detected a note of hesitancy in Betsy’s voice, and this caused her to focus more on what she was saying. <Besides, we both have kids to watch after now. You have Nathan and I have Sharon,> Jean had to stop everything else she was focusing on. Betsy had Sharon?? What in the world—

The Cliff Notes version of what had occurred that morning between Sharon, Sean, and Betsy flashed through Jean’s mind. She stood motionless in disbelief. If she hadn’t been so used to being able to mask her emotions, shock would have shown clearly on her face. Sharon was a mutant. Jean couldn’t help but wonder how they could have missed that. Though, if Sharon wasn’t emitting any human brain waves, which one of the telepaths would have definitely picked up on, it could have been overlooked. At least they knew about her now, and would be able to help her with her mutation.

<As soon as we bring Anna to you, I'm going to find Sharon and see if I can't get to the bottom of this whole thing.> Betsy’s voice snapped Jean out of her thoughts.

< That’s unbelievable, Betsy. Sharon’s a mutant! > Jean’s tone pondered, surprised. She was still in shock about Sharon being a mutant, and a teenager, no less. Would the insanity of this day never end?

After a moment she added with a slight hint of teasing, < How does it feel to be a mom? > She knew of Betsy’s desire to remain childless. This was certainly unexpected. < Where is she now? > She hoped Sharon was some place safe where she wouldn’t catch Rogue’s careful eye.

Mindee’s gaze on her brought Jean back to the room, “I have one question. Why are people treating this Red Guard agent so openly? Almost as if a friend. We don’t understand.” Thankfully Scott fielded that one for her, since Jean was still digesting the information of Sharon being a teenage mutant girl, instead of Betsy’s beautifully colored cat.

Scott had let go of Mindee’s hand and stood, arms crossed, "She is a friend," he told them. "Or was a long time ago. Her name is Anna-Marie Darkholme. You've probably heard her called Rogue more often. She was a student when Jean and I were." He let out a long breath. "A very long time ago. It been at least ten years since any of us have spoken with her. It was-" As he paused, Jean’s breath hitched silently, remembering what he was referring to, "-before Professor Xavier was killed. She chose to return to her mother and fight on the mutant's side of the war." The girls might have a problem with this. They were welcoming her with open arms, but Rogue could potentially discover the X-Men and decide her loyalties lie with her mother as they have for the past decade or so.

"She could be an easy mark, wanting to rush through this and catch up with her old friends." Scott let out a long heavy breath. "Or she could be trying to show she isn't playing favorites with her old alma mater. Hard to judge."

“She is still considered a friend though, and because of it we welcome her with open arms, but are still careful about what we say and do in front of her,” Jean added, recovered enough from the shock. There was a not-so-hidden meaning in her eyes as she gazed at each of the girls. The look said ‘Be careful of your actions or we’re all deadly SOL in too many ways to count.’

< Can you read her mind? > Feeling his gaze on her, Jean locked eyes with her husband as he asked, < I just want to get an idea of how she feels about all this. > Jean was never a fan of entering someone’s mind without permission. She hesitated, a quick calculation running through her mind.

< Okay, > She agreed, but only because of the circumstances. She could feel his nervousness, < I’ll do a light surface sweep, just to get a general idea. > Some actions just couldn’t be helped when it came to dire situations. Jean had learned that lesson a long time ago. The entity inside her wouldn’t let her forget. At least it was quiet, for now.

Silently Jean reached out past the many mental signatures around the mansion. Ash and Warren were on the roof for some reason, but Jean didn’t question it. Focusing on the small group in the backyard, Jean skimmed past Betsy, Sean, and Remy and focused on Anna as they came closer to the mansion. Used to skimming others’ minds without being detected, Jean lightly brushed Anna’s mind but hid herself as she did so. She could feel slight remnants of others Anna had absorbed, but she was primarily Anna—devoted, caring, quick with a retort, and not adverse to getting into a bit of trouble.

< Besides sizing up Remy, she’s ready to come inside and check everything out. > Jean paused, < I’m not getting any feelings that she’s going to play hardball, but if Anna’s anything like she was when she was at the Institute, she’ll want to make sure all the technicalities are in order before relaxing. > And that worried Jean to an extent. She admired Anna’s devotion to her job (it reminded her of Scott in a way, but if she told Anna that Anna might just quit the Red Guard altogether, which might not be a bad thing, necessarily..) but Jean was concerned about the Institute. Rogue couldn’t find out about the X-Men, or she might go back and relay the information to her mother. Or worse, Magneto.

Remembering her shock from Betsy’s announcement earlier, Jean knew Scott must be wondering what that was about. < By the way, Sharon’s a mutant. That’s why I was so surprised earlier. > Quickly Jean ‘showed’ Scott everything Betsy had shown her. < Part of me wonders if this day will get any crazier. > Or emotional. Jean had ridden the Emo-track more times than she could count today, making pit stops at just about every station, and it wasn’t even dinner time.

[Cuckoos]

Mr. Summers was being very rational about everything, even with all that Esme had done. How could she not see what she had done? They would have to speak with their sister about it, but this time they would be on their guard.

"No, you reacted like any other teenage girls would have," Mr. Summers told them, "And managed to look past your own feelings for the greater good of everyone here. Like I said, that took a great deal of maturity. And I'm not giving up on anyone."

Their mother then quickly added, “No one is, girls,”

“We are all very happy about that.” The Cuckoos answered in unison.

Their father then went on to explain the way they were behaving with the Red Guard agent who had been sent here to inspect the Institute. "She is a friend," he told them. "Or was a long time ago. Her name is Anna-Marie Darkholme. You've probably heard her called Rogue more often. She was a student when Jean and I were." He let out a long breath. "A very long time ago. It been at least ten years since any of us have spoken with her. It was-" Mr. Summers paused trying to find the words "-before Professor Xavier was killed. She chose to return to her mother and fight on the mutant's side of the war."

Professor Xavier. Charles Francis Xavier. He had been their mentor. It was his teaching that they passed on everyday. There was always the feeling of loss when he was spoken about. The girls would have very much wanted to meet him. He died during the early stages of the war. The war that they had been created to participate in.

"She could be an easy mark, wanting to rush through this and catch up with her old friends." Scott let out a long heavy breath as he continued. "Or she could be trying to show she isn't playing favorites with her old alma mater. Hard to judge.”

Their mother then responded with a very meaningful glace,
“She is still considered a friend though, and because of it we welcome her with open arms, but are still careful about what we say and do in front of her,”

“We understand, and will make sure to act the way you want us to.” Phoebe, Celeste and Mindee said.

But it was clear that something was bothering Sophie, “Is she responsible the death of others like us?” she asked with curiosity. She just wanted to know. Out of all the girls Sophie understood what it meant when doing the right might come at a price. She waited for their answer.

Suddenly, they noticed that their sister Esme’s mental bond with them had been getting fainter…she had left the area. “We do not mean to alarm you, but Esme has left the school. We hope you do not get too mad, unlike the way Mr. Cassidy will be, since she took his sport car.”

Damn Esme. Could she not put her own self behind the needs of others? There was an agent for the Red Guard here and what does she do but take this time to go off on one of her unannounced walk offs.

[Psylocke]

((Enter from Back Yard))

As Betsy let Jean in on her and Sean's “little” news about Sharon, she could feel Jean's mind almost freeze. It was pretty much the reaction that she had been expecting but it wasn't something Betsy could tell Jean in front of Anna. At least, not until they knew more about Sharon's mutation. It could get a bit sticky since Sharon was essentially an unregistered mutant, living in their school.

<That’s unbelievable, Betsy. Sharon’s a mutant!> Jean exclaimed in her mind, adding an emphasis on the word “unbelievable”. It really was, too. The scary thing was, all the “unbelievable” things that had happened so far that day. One of which Betsy needed to rescue Sharon from as soon as possible. She was still debating whether or not to hit Sean over the head for leaving Sharon in Nathan's presence without warning him that she could morph. Naked. The thought made her shudder inwardly.

< How does it feel to be a mom? > Jean went on, her voice changing to a teasing tone.

Betsy thought back, <Don't even go there, Jean. Sean's already trying to teach her to call me “Mum”. Luckily, she recognizes the word “Luv” for both of us and that's what she has called us so far.>

< Where is she now? > Jean asked the million dollar question.

Betsy sighed mentally, where Jean would most certainly pick up on it. <Sean, God rest his soul when I get him alone, put her in the War Room with Nathan. Sharon has been warned not to morph but until I can get down there and make sure things are fine...> She didn't even finish the sentence. Betsy wouldn't be easy about any of it until she was with Sharon. She tried to convince herself that she would be this overprotective of any of the students, not just her precious little “cat”.

On the way through the mansion, Betsy had kept up a pleasant stream of small talk with Anna, her arm still carefully linked in Anna's. Betsy made sure to touch no skin on the other woman, even though she knew that Anna could now turn the powers on and off at will. She would take no chances. Finally, they reached the office door. With a mental warning to the occupants of the room, <We're here> she said to everyone inside, Betsy pushed the heavy door open and walked in.

Grinning at both Jean and Scott, Betsy announced, “Look who finally decided to drop in for a visit?”

[Cyclops]

Scott listened as Jean repeated his assurances to the Cuckoos. He knew she didn't like to force her way into other's minds, but it was important to know how serious Anna-Marie was about this inspection. Honestly, it was a matter of life and death.

“She is still considered a friend though, and because of it we welcome her with open arms, but are still careful about what we say and do in front of her,” Jean added to his explanation of who the woman outside was, sending them a quelling look.

The girls voiced their relief at their parents' statements. They also agreed to behave themselves. Scott never doubted for a moment they wouldn't. The Cuckoos were smart and perceptive. Another reason he was proud of them.

< Okay. I’ll do a light surface sweep, just to get a general idea. > Scott sent her a grateful, reassuring feeling through their link. He knew his wife did not like to abuse her powers, but she also understood how bad this could be for all of them. Especially their children. From what Nathan had told them, he had been groomed to overthrow the current government. And the Cuckoos were superweapons created to hunt mutants. If the Red Guard found out the truth about any of them, they were all as good as dead.

It did not take Jean very long to scan Rogue's mind. < Besides sizing up Remy, she’s ready to come inside and check everything out. > Scott had to let out a mental snort at that one. < Gambit's biting off more than he can chew there, > he remarked idly. < I’m not getting any feelings that she’s going to play hardball, but if Anna’s anything like she was when she was at the Institute, she’ll want to make sure all the technicalities are in order before relaxing. >

Scott nodded absently, digesting the information. Through, he could deal with. Unless Anna-Marie was a mathematical prodigy, she'd never notice the discrepancies in the books, and even then, they weren't large enough to fuss over. He'd been extremely careful how much he had siphoned off to fund the X-Men over the years.

“Is she responsible the death of others like us?” Sophie asked, obviously troubled by the idea.

He shook his head. "No, Anna-Marie was seventeen when the war broke out," he told them. "She left the school to rejoin her mother, Mystique, but she wouldn't have been assigned to that kind of mission." Scott didn't think Rogue would have the stomach to kill little children, created to be mutant killing machines or not.

Scott was fairly confident they could get through this inspection without a hitch. Until Jean spoke again in his head. < By the way, Sharon’s a mutant. That’s why I was so surprised earlier. > Quickly Jean ‘showed’ Scott everything Betsy had shown her. < Part of me wonders if this day will get any crazier. >

He looked over at his wife, eye wide behind his ruby-quartz lens. "Sharon's a mutant?" Scott didn't even realize he spoke out loud. That damnable feline menace was a mutant? He decided he needed to sit down, sinking into one of the chairs. "When did this happen? Why didn't we know?"

As if on cue, the Cuckoos decided to add to Cyclops' growing stress headache. “We do not mean to alarm you, but Esme has left the school. We hope you do not get too mad, unlike the way Mr. Cassidy will be, since she took his sport car.”

Scott cupped his face in his hand, not even allowing himself to wonder if it could worse. If he did, then it-

<We're here> Betsy announced far too cheerfully in his mind. He let another long breath and pulled his hand away from his face, casting his wife a 'this is not happening' look from behind his sunglasses. Then he forced his expression to be neutral.

Not a moment too soon either. Betsy opened the door, smiling at the room's inhabitants in a way Scott found almost predatory; her arm linked through Rogue's as if it had not been ten years or more since she'd seen her. “Look who finally decided to drop in for a visit?”

He really needed a new job.

Scott rose from his chair, offering Anna-Marie a stiff smile. "It's been awhile, Rogue," he greeted. "How have you been?"

[Rogue]

They headed inside, her mind slowly moving from Remy to the job that she was supposed to be doing. She looked around, peering quickly into many of the rooms. Everything was similar to how it was when she was there, and overall it seemed to be in good shape. She chatted idly with Betsy, keeping an eye open for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing struck her, though, and before she knew it they were standing outside of the headmaster's office. Betsy pushed the door open and pulled her inside, announcing their arrival (although Rogue was pretty sure that she'd already telepathed a warning) with a "Look who finally decided to drop in for a visit?"

She looked at Scott and Jean, smiling. They looked like themselves, but obviously older. More mature. She returned the stiff smile from Scott (which really, was quite a Scott kind of look) with a matching stiff smile of her own. "It's been awhile, Rogue. How have you been?"

She unhooked her arm from Betsy's, noting the stupid grin and chuckling, then setting her bag down on a chair. "Ah've been good, Scott. Raven's kept me busy. Missed y'all, though. How's it been around here?"

She looked sideways at Jean, the corner of her mouth edging up a bit into a slightly conspiratorial grin. "You two have thirty thousand kids yet?"

She left it at that, since it did seem as if there were children in the office, even if they weren't Scott and Jean's. Identical girls, though. Four of them. Their poor mother, carrying all of that at one time... Looking back at Jean, she smiled. It really was great to be able to see everyone again.

[Banshee]

Sean followed Betsy and Anna to the office slowly, his mind wandering. He thought of all the planning that had gone into tonight, their date. He was going to take them to their favorite picnic spot, with a bottle of wine and dinner in a picnic basket. No one would think to look for them in the park, and they’d be alone together. Then, after a nice dinner underneath the stars, he was going to propose. Of course, fate had had other plans for them. No one’s fault, but still, it was a bit aggravating.

They all walked into the office and greeting were exchanged. Sean grinned at Jean, who was most likely thrilled at their news. He wondered if she’d told Scott yet, and what his reaction would be.

[Phoenix]

[OOC: Long. ^^; Yarg. :\ ]

< Gambit's biting off more than he can chew there, > Scott retorted. Anna was definitely high-spirited. Whenever they’d gone out on the town, she’d kept all the men that she so kindly graced with her presence on their toes.

<Don't even go there, Jean.> Betsy’s voice chimed in and Jean chuckled mentally. <Sean's already trying to teach her to call me “Mum”. Luckily, she recognizes the word “Luv” for both of us and that's what she has called us so far.> Inwardly, Jean smiled. ‘Luv’ fit. Betsy wasn’t as thrilled about instantly graduating to Mother-status, and Jean could see her not wanting to be called ‘Mum.’ Though when Sean came along, he managed to secure a firm place in Betsy’s heart. And now that they were engaged, it was only a matter of time before she might even get used to the name, should Sean ‘accidentally’ teach it to Sharon. And not surprisingly, Jean could see him doing that.

Picking up on Betsy’s mental sigh, Jean arched a brow slightly. <Sean, God rest his soul when I get him alone, put her in the War Room with Nathan. Sharon has been warned not to morph but until I can get down there and make sure things are fine...> Oh, no. So Sharon could potentially morph into a teenaged girl—a naked teenaged girl in front of Nathan. Jean’s maternal instincts buzzed for a few moments. Nathan had been locked away in some lab for most of his life. Jean didn’t know exactly what Nathan had been taught, or what he knew, and he might not know what to think or how to handle that type of situation. And that bothered her. She’d missed all those moments as he grew up. It should’ve been her and Scott teaching him, helping him learn, being—she couldn’t focus on it at the moment. There were more important matters to deal with.

But when Betsy was done with Sean, Jean might have to have a go at him.

Her sigh matched Betsy’s, < Make sure you give it to him good, > Meaning Sean. And Jean had total confidence that Betsy would. < Once things get rolling with Anna, Scott and I will show her around and answer any questions. You can slip out then to ‘tend to some of the students.’ > Jean wished she herself could go, but making sure everything ran smoothly with their Red Guard inspection came first.

“Is she responsible the death of others like us?” Sophie asked about Rogue, worry on her features.

"No, Anna-Marie was seventeen when the war broke out," Scott answered, shaking his head, "She left the school to rejoin her mother, Mystique, but she wouldn't have been assigned to that kind of mission." Jean could understand her girls’ worries, but no, Anna wouldn’t kill children, whether Mystique ordered her to or not. At least, Jean thought she wouldn’t. But if there was one thing time was good at, it was change.

"Sharon's a mutant?" Jean found her husband’s eyes as he sat down in disbelief. "When did this happen? Why didn't we know?"

"Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag, so to speak. No pun intended." A wry smile quirked on her lips. Jean crossed her arms, "Yes, Sharon is a mutant. Betsy and Sean just found out earlier this morning. But no one else knows, so it’d be best to keep this under wraps for a while until we can sort everything out." Jean glanced over at the girls, knowing they’d understand. She sighed softly, "I’m not sure why we didn’t pick up on it. If Sharon wasn’t emitting any human thoughts or brain patterns, then none of the telepaths would have even thought to scan her mind. She does act very cat-like.." Jean was just as bothered by the fact they didn’t pick up on it sooner as Scott was. All this time, Sharon was a mutant and right under their noses. This was a school. They should’ve been more aware. Jean should’ve been more aware.

“We do not mean to alarm you, but Esme has left the school. We hope you do not get too mad, unlike the way Mr. Cassidy will be, since she took his sport car.” The girls reported and Jean could only close her eyes momentarily. Searching she couldn’t feel Esme anywhere on school grounds. ’I should’ve realized—I should’ve talked more with Esme this morning—’ What was happening today?? It was like the whole world called in sick, angry, or crazy and the Institute had to deal with all the repercussions.

<We're here> Betsy’s voice announced in their minds before Jean could warn Scott they were coming. The look on his face said it all. Matching his look of disbelief and feeling slightly ill, Jean pasted a welcoming smile on her face as she turned to the door. “Look who finally decided to drop in for a visit?” Betsy grinned at them all as she locked arms with their visitor. Sean soon followed afterwards, reminding her of his and Betsy’s engagement.

"It's been awhile, Rogue," Scott stood, his smile taut, "How have you been?"

Anna looked almost the same, though there was more experience and a sense of maturity behind her eyes. Her hair was longer than Jean remembered and it suited her. Anna put her bags down, a Scott-like smile on her face. Again, it reminded Jean of her husband and she debated mentioning it to Anna later. "Ah've been good, Scott. Raven's kept me busy. Missed y'all, though. How's it been around here?"

"We’ve missed you too, Anna. It’s been too long. We were beginning to think the Red Guard was working you too hard," Jean crossed the room and brought her old friend into a hug, careful not to touch any skin just in case. "And you've still got your accent, I see," Jean teased lightly. She’d missed hearing that familiar Mississippi drawl more than she thought. Releasing her she stepped back a pace.

"Oh, things are going well for the most part," Except for the Day From Emotional Hell, things weren’t going too bad. Now if only they could survive this inspection with all their bearings in tact.. Jean tossed her husband a glance. < I forgot to mention, there is another silver lining to today’s festivities, > She began slowly, focusing on Betsy’s left hand as she spoke to Scott, < Betsy and Sean are engaged. It's another bomb, but a welcome one. > Jean let him digest it as Anna’s question redirected her attention.

Uh oh. Rogue had that wicked grin she got when she was up to something, which was more often than not. "You two have thirty thousand kids yet?" Ouch. Nathan and his return instantly came to mind, as well as the Cuckoos.

Keeping her composure Jean chuckled it off and nodded, "Actually, we do have some children. These are our adopted daughters, Sophie, Phoebe, Mindee, and Celeste." They had to be introduced. Jean couldn’t not give them their proper title as their daughters. She introduced each girl in turn, hoping Rogue wouldn’t ask any incriminating questions about the quints. "Esme is their fifth sister, though she’s busy at the moment." Which was true. She was technically busy driving around in Sean’s hijacked car, but no one needed to know that just yet. Except for maybe Sean.

< Try not to be alarmed Sean, but Emse has ‘borrowed’ your car. We’ll get her and it back as soon as we can, I promise. > Hopefully Sean didn’t have any plans to use his car that night. If so, he would have to borrow one of the Institute’s vehicles.

"How is the Red Guard treating you?" Jean continued, her eyes on Anna, getting the pleasantries out of the way. If they kept the focus on Anna and off of anything incriminating, maybe, just maybe, they’d get out of this inspection unscathed.

[Cuckoos]

"No, Anna-Marie was seventeen when the war broke out," their father answered Sophie‘s question, shaking his head, "She left the school to rejoin her mother, Mystique, but she wouldn't have been assigned to that kind of mission."

The other three could feel their sister relax a bit. They could understand her question but were not sure if this was the time or place to ask such things. Things were happening too fast. It seemed that Sharon, Psylocke’s cat was actually a mutant teenager. Sure, most of the kids had a bizarre background, hell theirs was bizarre enough, but this did take the cake. They were troubled as their parents at the fact that they had not known about Sharon until now. But as their mother said she did act completely like a cat.

Suddenly the door was opened, and in walked Ms. Braddock followed by the Red Guard Agent...Rogue they had said. The four sisters wondered how did she manage to come by that name. Perhaps, she was troublesome like their sister, Esme. “Look who finally decided to drop in for a visit?” Ms. Braddock said with a smile.

"It's been awhile, Rogue. How have you been?" Mr. Summers said being the first to react.

A rich Southern accent poured out the agents mouth as she talked. "Ah've been good, Scott. Raven's kept me busy. Missed y'all, though. How's it been around here?"

Mrs. Grey quickly crossed the room and hugged her old friend, "We’ve missed you too, Anna. It’s been too long. We were beginning to think the Red Guard was working you too hard. And you've still got your accent, I see. Oh, things are going well for the most part,"

"You two have thirty thousand kids yet?" Ms. Raven asked their parents. ‘Nope not thirty thousand. Just six. One that actually came back today.’ The girls though sarcastically.

Their mother was quick to respond, "Actually, we do have some children. These are our adopted daughters, Sophie, Phoebe, Mindee, and Celeste. Esme is their fifth sister, though she’s busy at the moment."

That was an understatement. “How do you do.” the Cuckoos said in unison. “We believe, you will have plenty things to go over, so we will excuse ourselves.”

At the same time they were telepathically speaking with their parents, <“We would like permission to go and retrieve Esme. If you would like we can even take a chaperone.”>

They waited for their response before exiting.

[Psylocke]

< Make sure you give it to him good, > Meaning Sean. And Jean had total confidence that Betsy would. < Once things get rolling with Anna, Scott and I will show her around and answer any questions. You can slip out then to ‘tend to some of the students.’ > Jean replied. Betsy could feel Jean's tension with Nathan and Sharon and it was certainly a shared concern.

<Sorry, Jean Darling, but I won't be able to hold out that long. I'm too anxious about the whole thing as it is,> Betsy replied. The first second she had free, Betsy was heading to the War Room. She could easily slip in without arousing Anna's suspicions.

At this time, they had reached the office and Betsy put on her best smile and put her best “feelings” forward. She almost choked when Anna asked if Scott and Jean had a half a million kids yet but managed to hold her composure. Somehow. Then they introduced the girls and Betsy noticed that Esme was not with them. She had no problem telling the quints apart but that was probably because she was a telepath. Each girl “felt” different.

Betsy was starting to get really antsy about checking on Sharon so she edged toward the door and said in as calm a voice as possible, “Well, it appears that one of my students needs some attention.” Betsy looked to Jean and added, “Call if you need me for anything but I think a tour is well within your and Scott's capabilities.” The last she added with a wink, still trying to play everything as uplifting as possible.

Turning to Anna and hugging her friend one last time, also avoiding any skin to skin contact, she said, “Once your work is over, we really do have to take some time out on the town. And yes, we'll even drag Jean out with us, for old times sake.” Giving a wave, Betsy left the office.

Psylocke exits the Admin Office and enters the War Room

[Cyclops]

Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag, so to speak. No pun intended." A wry smile quirked on her lips. Jean crossed her arms, "Yes, Sharon is a mutant. Betsy and Sean just found out earlier this morning. But no one else knows, so it’d be best to keep this under wraps for a while until we can sort everything out." Jean glanced over at the girls. She sighed softly, "I’m not sure why we didn’t pick up on it. If Sharon wasn’t emitting any human thoughts or brain patterns, then none of the telepaths would have even thought to scan her mind. She does act very cat-like.."

Scott merely nodded, any verbal response he could have given interrupted by the arrival of Betsy, Anna-Marie and Sean. < Don't beat yourself up about it, honey, > he told her through their link. < She spent more time around Betsy and she didn't sense it either. It might have been part of her mutation. >

Rogue returned his stiff smile. She didn't look much changed from the way he remembered her. More mature, she had a military bearing now, but the smile and she gave Jean was the same. "Ah've been good, Scott. Raven's kept me busy. Missed y'all, though. How's it been around here?"

"We’ve missed you too, Anna. It’s been too long. We were beginning to think the Red Guard was working you too hard," Jean crossed the room and brought her old friend into a hug, careful not to touch any skin just in case. "And you've still got your accent, I see. Oh, things are going well for the most part."

Jean's voice came over their link again. < I forgot to mention, there is another silver lining to today’s festivities, > She began slowly, focusing on Betsy’s left hand as she spoke to Scott, < Betsy and Sean are engaged. It's another bomb, but a welcome one. >

Scott shrugged. "Good," he replied, agreeing with his wife, extending a hand for Anna-Marie to shake. "Things haven't changed much since the days when we were students."

Granted he and Jean hadn't run the school in those days, but he taught the students in the same matter Xavier had taught them. Even thought he hated the regime that ruled the world now, he was proud that the school had such a shining reputation. One he worked hard to maintain, for more reasons than one.

The news of Sean and Betsy's engagement wasn't so much a surprise, especially not after a day like this. < About time, > he replied dryly through their link. < I'm just surprised she said yes. >

"You two have thirty thousand kids yet?"

It took all of Cyclops' control not to balk at the question. There were days when he was glad he wore sunglasses all the time. They hid a great deal of his expressions. And no, they only had six. Five identical telepaths who were actually Super Sentinels they had rescued from being slaughtered. And a their only child, who shouldn't be older than ten, was a teenager, who had been raised by a maniacal lunatic bent on world domination.

He felt the stab of pain through their link, but Jean hadn't let it show. "Actually, we do have some children. These are our adopted daughters, Sophie, Phoebe, Mindee, and Celeste. Esme is their fifth sister, though she’s busy at the moment." There was nothing to add to that really, so Scott didn't feel the need to add to his wife's statement.

Busy was right. When Esme got back, she'd be busy. Explaining herself, then doing whatever drudgery he could think of as an appropriate punishment for stealing Sean's car.

The girls were cordial, which was a blessing on his headache. “How do you do.” the Cuckoos said in unison. “We believe, you will have plenty things to go over, so we will excuse ourselves.”

Scott nodded to the girls as they rose to leave, envying them slightly for being able to escape this increasingly stressful encounter. <“We would like permission to go and retrieve Esme. If you would like we can even take a chaperone.”>

He mentally shook his head. < That's fine girls, > he told them. < We trust you. Take one of the school vans. The keys are in my desk. > Cyclops mentally showed them where the van keys were located. < And once you do bring her back, she's confined to her room until Jean and I have come to speak with her. > He let out a long sigh. < Thank you, > he added as an absent afterthought.

Betsy also made her excuses to leave. “Well, it appears that one of my students needs some attention.” Since her cat had just turned into a teenage girl, that might actually be the understatement of this five minutes. “Call if you need me for anything but I think a tour is well within your and Scott's capabilities.”

"Somehow, we'll manage without you," he replied dryly, not being able to resist mentally comparing the office to a sinking ship, which people where abandoning like rats. He, being the captain, got to go down with it.

Psylocke gave Rogue one last hug, suggesting a night out for them and Jean. After today, they'd all definitely had earned one. And besides, he trusted his wife completely, even if he didn't trust the other two.

Turning his attention to Anna-Marie, he smiled wearily. "So where would you like to begin, Agent Darkholme?" he asked. "Have a look at the books, a tour of the school, or a list of curriculum and the students' grades?"

< Honey, I can handle this if you want to go check up on Nathan, > Scott suggested through their link. < He's probably wondering what's going on, stuck in the War Room by himself. >

He felt badly, shutting their son down in a secured room after he'd so recently arrived. Hell, recently found freedom. It was probably bothering Jean more. He closed his eye tightly as he adjusted his glasses, waiting for Rogue to begin the inspection.

So he could get it over with and go do something therapeutic. Like shoot clay pigeons until his temples stopped aching.

What a day.

[Rogue]

"We’ve missed you too, Anna. It’s been too long. We were beginning to think the Red Guard was working you too hard." She returned Jean's hug, glad to see that her friend was in one piece. As they parted, Jean added, "And you've still got your accent, I see.

Nodding with a laugh, Rogue replied, "Damn straight." She looked the pair over again, still smiling. It was no surprise that they were married, really. Even back in the day, they'd been so obviously in love. Still, it was nice to see them happy. She'd have to bitch about not being invited to the wedding later, though. "Oh, things are going well for the most part."

That was good. She eyed Scott's hand mock-warily as he offered it to her. "Things haven't changed much since the days when we were students." Shaking the offered hand firmly, she shook her head. No, things really hadn't changed. Scott was still just as formal as always. She'd always assumed that whenever Xavier retired, Scott would take over. He just had that quality about him, and though she knew that Xavier was a tough act to follow, she was pretty sure that Scott was doing a fairly good job of it. He had that seriousness that was needed in the headmaster of a school like the Institute.

Grinning, she looked back at Jean. "You two have thirty thousand kids yet?"

"Actually, we do have some children. These are our adopted daughters, Sophie, Phoebe, Mindee, and Celeste. Esme is their fifth sister, though she’s busy at the moment." She looked back at the quadru... no, quintuplets. So they were Summerses, then? Interesting. "Nice to meet you, ladies."

“How do you do. We believe, you will have plenty things to go over, so we will excuse ourselves.” Well, that was odd. How the hell was she supposed to tell them apart if they did everything together? No matter. At least she wouldn't have to worry about addressing five separate birthday cards. They could work out the rest themselves.

"How is the Red Guard treating you?" She shrugged, rebuttoning the top of her uniform. "Well enough. Been a bit of a dry spell lately, not much action. But it's nice, havin' people that you don't even know respect you because of what you are." And that was true. Even though she wasn't too keen on accepting the offers for free meals and services that restaraunt owners and shopkeepers were constantly giving her, it was nice to be recognized as a mutant and not have someone run in fear.

“Well, it appears that one of my students needs some attention. Call if you need me for anything but I think a tour is well within your and Scott's capabilities.” She laughed again, turning back to Betsy to say goodbye. "Somehow, we'll manage without you." She grinned at Scott before accepting Betsy's hug and nodding eagerly as the other woman suggested, "Once your work is over, we really do have to take some time out on the town. And yes, we'll even drag Jean out with us, for old times sake.” No way she was going to pass up that particular opportunity.

"So where would you like to begin, Agent Darkholme?" How very Scott. Right to business. "Have a look at the books, a tour of the school, or a list of curriculum and the students' grades?" She went to her bag, pulling out the necessary forms. "Well, Headmaster Summers," she began, making sure that she was just as excessively formal as he was, "Ah'm gonna give you the paperwork that you need to fill out- don't have to do it now, just sometime before Ah leave. And yes, Ah'll be needing transcripts and curricula for the core classes, as well as a basic overview of your powers training program and a full list of the teachers you currently are employing. Also, Ah'll need to set up interviews with two of them, one on one. Already got one volunteer, and Ah'll probably just grab Betsy for the other."

Glancing down at her notes, she continued, "Ah'll be sitting in on at least two classes today or tomorrow, just to get a feel for how y'all teach and how the kids respond." Frowning as she looked up at him, she rolled her eyes and went off-script. "Frankly, that's the stupidest thing we have to do. Like everyone isn't gonna know that Ah'm sitting back there and be on their best behavior. Ah'm seriously considering just BS-ing that particular report. It's just a waste of time, really. Just gets everyone nervous and nothing goes natural..."

She looked over her notes again, getting herself back on track and out of "what's wrong with the system" mode. Something was missing. God, it'd been far too long since she did a school evaluation... "Oh, right. Accounting-wise, we're gonna need a copy of your annual budget, expenses and whatnot. Don't need detailed lists month by month, since Erik knows y'all got a lot of your funds from Chuck's estate. Ah'm also gonna need to see the Danger Room in action. Just see how it's running, see if there's any upgrades we can get you."

She frowned for a moment, trying to think of anything else that she might have forgotten. Nothing came to mind. "So unless Ah'm missing something, that and the tour itself and we should be good. Anything you want from us? Funding, resources?"

The government generally gave the same amount of money to private schools across the globe, but if there was anything specific that Scotty needed, she would do her best to make sure that they got it. Occasionally, the Guard sent agents to schools to teach little mini-classes, seminars on military life or certain aspects of the Guard's job. Not all of the recruiting they did was through the Academy, and it was in everyone's best interest to keep young people all over the world in the loop.

Also, the Guard had access to all kinds of training equipment, supplies of Adamantium and other hard to get items. It was one of the reasons that many schools sought to have governmental backing- Magneto was generally willing to loan certain items out.

[Cuckoos]

Their father had learned quite a bit from their telepathic mother, as he was able to speak with them easily and maintain a conversation with Rogue, < That's fine girls, > he told them. < We trust you. Take one of the school vans. The keys are in my desk. > Cyclops mentally showed them where the van keys were located. < And once you do bring her back, she's confined to her room until Jean and I have come to speak with her. Thank you, >

< Do not worry we will make sure she stays put. > They said as they left.

The Cuckoos made their way to Mr. Summers’ desk. Exactly where he had showed them were the keys to the school vans. Sure, Esme had taken a sports car, but at least their vehicle was not stolen.

Phoebe grabbed the keys with a simple, “I am driving.” To which he other girls just nodded. They hoped that this would a simple trip but when it came to Esme you could never be too sure. Still, if there was someone as obsessed with the right choice, as Esme was with the bad choice it was Sophie. They were like opposite sides to a coin.

The four identical sisters made their way into the garage. Where they climbed into the van. Just a matter of time before they found their missing sister.


(( Exit Celeste, Mindee, Phoebe and Sophie to Salem Center, New York ))