Charles, Scott and Ororo, Wednesday

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

Charles has something very serious he needs to talk to Scott and Ororo about...


A casual observer could have been forgiven for jumping to the conclusion that Charles Xavier was, of all things, nervous. He did appear to be fussing with the various files and objects on his desk rather more than was customary for the usually composed Professor. He eyed the clock, then wheeled himself smoothly out from behind the desk and over to the sitting area, where a pot of tea and a plate of cookies were already waiting.

Scott and Ororo appeared in the doorway at that precise moment, and Charles gave them both a warm smile. "Please, come in. Sit down," he said, gesturing at the chairs.

"Tea," Scott murmured dryly as he closed the door before following Ororo over. "Uh-oh. What did we do?"

"Whatever it is, I am sure it is your fault," the silver-haired woman muttered as she settled into a chair. She turned a bright smile on Charles then, reaching over to pour three cups of tea. "You wanted to see us?"

Charles took a deep breath and let it out, still smiling but looking ever so slightly concerned as he studied the two of them. "I thought it was past time for the three of us to sit down for a talk," he said, taking the cup of tea from Ororo with a quiet word of thanks. He took a sip before he continued. "I know we've spoken in depth about the Institute already. But I have been... exploring some options regarding the school, and how we should best go forward with that particular mission of ours."

One of Scott's eyebrows went up as he stole a cookie off the plate. "Okay," he said thoughtfully. "I mean, I think we both figured you'd be looking at making some changes there, too."

"And of course we understand that may affect us and our positions here," Ororo added.

"I've come to realize that the support we provide to young mutants can be restructured," Charles said. "Not all of our students need to remain here for their entire education. Those with less... active or problematic abilities may indeed be happier getting the initial training they need and then returning to their families - if they have adequate support there, of course."

"Huh," Scott said. "True enough, I guess. And the social climate's better than it was... well, in some parts of the country, at least."

"It would certainly be beneficial to both the students and the communities if they can return there earlier rather than later. It is not as if we have so many students that we cannot judge it on an individual basis, also." Ororo sipped her tea.

"It's a step I always hoped to take," Charles said, "but the time never seemed right until now. We would still have long-term students, of course." All three of them knew that some of their students didn't have supportive homes to return to. "Those with fewer options, or those who need more lengthy training... I suspect that a number of students will choose to remain, as well, simply because they prefer to be here. The Institute and the Mutant Studies program will only provide additional motivation for those inclined that way, I should think."

"This all sounds logical enough to me," Scott said, wondering why it sounded like Charles was stalling. He gave Ororo a sideways look that verged on the quizzical.

She raised both eyebrows at him, obviously just as stumped by the Professor's behavior as Scott was. "Yes, quite. I think we all are agreed that the Institute will be quite beneficial for everyone involved."

Charles actually fidgeted. He set his cup of tea aside, folding his hands together in his lap. "The student body may be - almost certainly will be much smaller than it is now," he said. "It had occurred to me that I could perhaps... take a more active role in the school once more, as a result. Especially with much of the initial work for the Institute now complete."

Is he... nervous? Ororo frowned momentarily as Charles' words registered, though once they had she found she could not keep such a worried expression on her face. "A role such as headmaster?" she hazarded, glancing once again at Scott.

Scott raised both eyebrows this time.

"... yes," Charles said after a moment, then gave them both a terribly earnest look. "I want you both to know how immensely proud I am of everything you've been able to do in that position. You have surpassed my expectations, time and time again."

"That's... very good to hear, sir," Scott said, almost politely. But his expression was quivering, just a little.

"We have tried very hard to do our best. The school, and you, deserve no less." Ororo shifted, her cup clinking as she set it down on the saucer. "But if it is time for us to move on... I understand."

Scott shot her a Look. "So do I," he assured Charles. "It means more time to devote to the team, too. Sometimes the demands of one job haven't been very compatible with the demands of the other. But we've done our best," he said. Solemnly.

Suppressing a giddy laugh, Ororo nodded her agreement. "I think I speak for the both of us, sir, when I thank you for giving us the opportunity. It has certainly been a learning experience." She paused. "One that we will greatly miss." Every so often.

"Lots and lots of learning," Scott added with palpable sincerity. "One of those life-changing jobs, sir. Really."

Charles stared at them for a long moment, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. Then, at length, his mouth twitched. "I'm delighted you're both taking this so well," he said, very gravely. "I'd been afraid you might interpret this decision as a... vote of non-confidence."

"Oh, no danger of that!" Scott put in cheerfully.

"Excellent. Because I prefer to see it as a way to allow you both to pursue other opportunities. Things that those not juggling a school and a mutant rapid-reaction team may take for granted. Like a full night's sleep," Charles said mildly. "Or a social life."

"I have heard those are quite nice," Ororo said wonderingly. "And I have always wanted one..."

Scott elbowed her. "They're not all they're cracked up to be," he muttered out of the corner of his mouth. "And I mean, can you really take Remy nice places?"

"Scott," Charles said, his lips still twitching.

"I mean, I heard about that party in Wakanda..."

"Stop it!" Ororo hissed, jostling him back. "This is a traumatic time. We are being terminated. Do you understand what that means?"

Scott opened his mouth, then closed it again, looking chagrined. "I never thought of it that way. I mean, people won't look to us anymore for answers, will they?" His expression grew positively tragic. "There could be violence in the halls, and the people clamoring for answers and resolutions and penal measures would have to talk to someone else."

"You are right," Ororo nodded. Then, suddenly, she grabbed Scott's hand and pulled him out of the chair. "Quick, before he realizes what he has done!"

Charles's eyes were all but sparkling with mirth at this point, and even as Scott and Ororo headed for the door, they were both aware of a sense of warm approval and deep affection being projected in their direction. "I'll expect you to finish out the term, of course-"

"Oh, of course!" Scott said, and finally burst out laughing, pushing Ororo through the door. "Run like the wind, Munroe!"