History (Must Read!)

Nathan looked up at Xavier's, the Salem Mansion looming at the end of the drive like a lucid dream, a memory long forgotten. He hadn't seen the house in two years, not even glimpsed it. It felt strange to be back.
Walking around the side of the black cab that had brought them through the gates, he reached out for the door opposite his own, opening it for his wife, offering her a hand to help her out. He gazed down at her, still as in love with her as he had been the night they had met. Her blue eyes sparkled despite the on coming storm, and the breeze caught her hair, giving her a blonde halo, proving, even if only in his own head, that she was the angel he thought her to be.

Deanna noticed Nathan looking up as they approached the mansion, knowing that he, like herself, felt weird to be back. They'd come in a cab, having no way of transportation once they'd gotten off the plane. She watched him get out and cross the back of the cab to get to her door, opening it upon his arrival. She watched the sun stream in from the outside before her husband's offered hand was seen, an offer she gladly would take any day. She slid her legs out of the car, coming to stand next to him in the sunshine, looking up at their own home, before back at him, her eyes twinkling.

He took her hand in his, interlocking fingers, and led her toward the door, wondering on what grounds their venerable old professor, their old friend, had called them back to the place. They had left active duty for each other, and now had no real connection with the organization known as the X-Men, only historic ties. Ascending the steps, Deanna in tow, he made his way direct to the door, glancing around as he did so. Nothing had changed in the slightest, the garden still kept exactly as it had always been. Onlookers wouldn't have noticed a change in Deanna or Nathan either, their healing factors preventing their aging process. Deja vu swept over him, reminiscing to a similar scene near three years ago, the evening he had proposed. Three years...they both looked the same.

Granted, fashion sense had changed, and both had matured significantly. Nathan wore his hair shorter, more defined, and kept to nice t-shirts, jeans and simple leather jackets. He very rarely donned the heavy leather attire and overcoat he had worn as a fully fledged X-Men. But structurally no new lines marred his face, no new wrinkles, laughter lines or age creases. He could still pass for a young twenty something.

Deanna sighed softly as her hand was taken into his and they made their way to the doorway, the doorway of memories. All of her memories that were made here came flooding back to her. She almost started tearing up as they reached the steps, the same place Nathan had proposed to her, but quickly remembered why they were here. It was not for a blast from the past, but an invitation to speak to their old teacher, Charles Xavier. It had been quite a while for them since they had last been here, over three years had passed. Although they hadn't changed in appearance, they had matured on the inside, as had their relationship. Deanna could say that in those three years she hadn't changed at all, but she had. She'd learned more about her powers, herself, and the world. Her old clothing style, skirts and tank tops had changed into jeans and t-shirts, and for business, simple slacks and a blouse. Deanna, the person, however, was the same Deanna though, the goofy young girl that had arrived on the steps more than 15 years ago with her parents.

Standing at the double oak doors for a moment, Nathan was unsure whether to knock or ring. Three years. No matter what appearances suggested, things could have changed. He decided ringing was the best policy. One arm outstretched to the door bell, he was about to press as the door opened before them, a gentle creak at the hinges reminding him of home. Behind the now open portal sat Professor Charles Xavier, a slight smile on his face, old eyes twinkling.

Deanna watched as Nathan nervously decided to ring the door bell. She had to hold back a giggle. No matter the years passed, she would still believe that he was scared of Xavier. Truth be told, as the doors opened, there he was in the flesh, Professor Charles Xavier, the one that had invited them here

'Nathan! Deanna! It is so good to see you.'

Despite his need for professionalism, Xavier could barely contain his excitement at seeing them again, and wheeling forward as fast as his chair would allow, he grasped both firmly by the hand, shaking each warmly in turn.

'Charles' Nathan responded, a grin flitting onto his face, the old man's happiness infectious.

Pushing himself away from the two, Xavier looked up at them both, his eyes full of life despite his crippled state, his aged appearance.

'My god. Three years, and you both haven't aged a day. Look at you both!'

He smiled again, nodding his head, tears beginning to form in the corners of his eyes, his mind clearly thinking back to their first days with him, with each other.

'Miss Waters you look wonderful. Truly beautiful, so sophisticated, so radiant.'

It was then Charles looked at her hand, noticed her engagement and marriage bands, and his grin widened.

'Of course! You aren't Miss Waters anymore are you?! I should have remembered. Pardon me, Mrs. Haile, my memory is leaving me with my old age. Please, please both of you come in. Come to my study, we have so much to talk about.'


Deanna smiled brightly at him for his welcome and bent down to kiss each of his cheeks before retreating. It wasn't often that they were greeted so openly, and she wasn't at all expecting that reaction. It was he who had invited them though, so she supposed he must have been excited to see them back, at least for the time being. Her twinkling laughter echoed softly off the walls as Charles remembered that they had gotten married.

'Very good of you to remember. No, however weird it still may be, I'm Deanna Haile now. It's quite alright, you still look as young as the day I met you.'

Deanna replied to him, smiling.

Nathan stepped over the threshold behind Charles, who had sped off, a slight wave of confusion and latent apprehension crossing over him. What did they have to talk about that was so pressing?

Deanna took in Nathan's puzzled look before stepping in behind him, shutting the door, and grabbing his hand again. She looked after Charles before rolling her eyes at him.

'Oh, come on you fraidy cat.'

Deanna told him before trailing after Charles to his study, Nathan along with her.

_____________________________________________________

Xavier's study was warm, the great fire place in the corner alight, no need for central heating in the room despite the changing seasons outside. Both Nathan and Deanna had been offered seats in huge leather chairs, and tea had been wheeled in by a young female student Nathan didn't recognize. He didn't ask her name, just nodded appreciatively.

Deanna sat with cross legged in one of the offered chairs, looking around the study, still amazed that nothing had changed, except for the ages and the new students. She followed Nathan's thanks, giving her own little voicement of thank you. She'd politely declined the tea, never actually getting used to it and it hadn't ever appealed to her.

Charles sat opposite them, sipping his drink with relish, and his eyes never left the pair.

'So how have you both found your sabbatical? I trust it was a rather relaxing experience. It still amazes me that the two of you are married. Some of my first students...'

He trailed off, leaving a strange silence in the air, just the crackling fire to break it.
Nathan's face was pulled into frown at the professors reference of their sabbatical as passed. Nathan knew, at heart, that the old man wanted more than just to catch up, but he hadn't expected him to be so formal about it, or as devious.

'Excuse me Professor...' Nathan began, looking at Deanna, and taking her hand again '...our sabbatical is wonderful. We are thoroughly enjoying our time together. But...enough beating about the bush. Why did you ask us here, and why are you referring to our sabbatical as passed?'

Xavier dropped his head, a sigh escaping his lips. He had clearly not wanted it to come to this so soon, wanting to chat about lives, catch up on important events first. Nathan however was in no mood.

'Of course Mr Haile, Mrs Haile, I should not be so verbose around friend's as old as you.'

He nodded, mentally strengthening his resolve.

'To be completely straight with you both, I have need of your services once again.'

He let a pause rest in the air, but before either could pipe up, he continued.

'I am opening another school in Berkeley, California. The Salem Centre, while our main base of operations, is full. No matter what we try, there are too many students here for the X-Men to be active teaching staff and continue their other duties. At our current level, we are just about managing, but we cannot lose any of the team, or the delicate balance we have established here would tip. Teaching would become harder, and duties and students would suffer because of it. I understand that you two have built up a life away from here, away from this world, but as some of my oldest students, some of my first, I would like you two to run the new school. I can think of no-one I trust more.'

Nathan's eyes widened at the request, and he managed to stammer 'Scott'. Xavier held up a hand, cutting him off. Deanna also looked surprised at this request.

'Scott is needed here. All of the current X-Men are. They have a place here, they feel at home here. The students need stability, and they would lose that if a number of their closest teachers jetted off to the other side of America. I would go myself, but I am also needed here, to oversee the current proceedings.'

He sighed again.

'Teaching would be involved of course, but more importantly, I would wish for the pair of you to gear studies toward creating a new team of X-Men, an addition to our current force. We are far too thinly spread, and the creation of a new team would allow us here to focus on one side of America, and you the other. It would allow us to concentrate and prepare our plans of attack far more effectively, and it would allow faster reaction time.'

The bald man threaded his fingers, looking over his hands at them, eyes twinkling in the dimming light.

'I know it is much to ask, but as a married couple this may be exactly what you need, a fresh start, a way back into the life of the X-Men, but with the option for you to gear a team to your own preferences. All choices made would of course be yours, I would just ask that you keep me in the loop.'

Nathan shook his head softly.

'Professor, could I have a moment to talk to my wife alone please.'

Xavier nodded somberly, and he exited slowly, passing them with lingering looks, much like a sad animal. He had thought this through well. As the door closed behind him, Nathan looked to Deanna.

'So love, what are your thoughts on this? Ready to come out of retirement yet?'

Deanna still shocked, sat there as she let everything sink in. She turned her head to look at Nathan as he spoke to her. She smiled softly at him. 'Were we ever out of retirement dear? Think of all the things we've done, while being 'out' of the X-Men. All were good deeds that helped the community. And we both enjoy the kids company, still being kids at heart. And it would seem that we may even connect better with them, given our age and appearance. I don't know about you but I think I'd like to do it. Help out with the X-Men again, and maybe see some old friends.' she said smiling still as she thought of the notion.

Nathan turned to the door, he and his wife's discussion over, and he mentally formed a thought in his head, suggesting he wanted Xavier to return to the room. Moments later, the venerable man returned, eyes hopeful.

'Deanna, would you like to answer for us?' Nathan said, eyes full of confusion. This is not what he had imagined for the pair of them.

Deanna smiled at Nathan. 'Of course.' she said pausing to look at Charles. 'Charles we would absolutely love, well I would, to be able to be your counterparts and run the school in California. Of course you'll have to give us time to move and be set up, but I'm sure we'll be able to make you proud, provided we stay in contact.'

Xavier smiled at her response, clapping his hands together.

'Excellent! Absolutely excellent.'

Nathan could only manage a fleeting half smile. This would be a long evening.

__________________________________________

Girly

___________________________________________

The corridors of Xavier's mansion seemed to extend into forever, and as the pair followed behind the Professor, passing through the winding, wooden walled maze, being led to some kind of rear exit, he wouldn't stop explaining the schematics of the new school.

'It is of course based very loosely on the design of our current school. There are a number of levels, dormitories, and the most important sub-basement. Dr McCoy has been kind enough to install all the systems we have access to here in the new facility, and he has combined both the 'Briefing' room and the 'Danger' room into one 'War' room, to save on space. I have also taken the prerogative of sending over three associates of mine, who would be only too pleased to help you start your work there While you are of course in charge of administration, I would hope you keep both personnel on, as they will be a great asset I am sure. I do believe that you, Deanna, have already met one of them, although it was many years ago, at the start of your time here. She asks about you all the time.'

Nathan's face had not much changed from the sour expression he had worn earlier, lips pursed, eyes glaring.

'If we are meant to be a recruiting body professor, please explain which of us is meant to operate our version of Cerebro?'

Charles laughed a little, his voice echoing around them.

'That is where one of the two I have already sent comes in handy. Marshall Johns, otherwise known as Radar, eliminates the need for a second Cerebro machine to be built.'

Nathan scoffed. Deanna glared at him.

'Really?'

Xavier looked at Nathan with a stern gaze.

'Yes Mr Haile. He acts as a living Cerebro. Despite the fact he is physically blind, his mutant ability allows him to see via telepathic sonar, pulses generated by his mind allowing him perfect sight in any condition. But you see, his power is two fold. With concentration, he can widen the range of his pulses, scanning any number of minds within said pulses range, picking up individual signatures for every living being. Focusing on these signatures allows him to completely track their movements, and discover their facial image, and whether they possess qualities given by the Mutant-X gene. While it is not as fast as Cerebro, and leaves the poor young man quite drained, he has the advantage of being portable, and being able to keep constant track of his target. The second is a young lady, name of Roxanne Hawkins. She and Mr Johns have agreed to work together, for the benefit of expanding the X-Men team that they have come to know and love. Her abilities are similar to Mr Johns, but on smaller scale. She retains her sight, and can scan for anyone's whereabouts once she knows what they look like. Combine that with her ability to teleport and her superb combat skills, Miss Hawkins and Mr Johns make quite the team.'

Coughing, Nathan attempted to make a joke.

'The other one eliminate our need for food?'

Deanna looked shocked at Nathan, slapping his chest.

Xavier smirked.

'Not at all Nathan. Abigail Jensen is an old friend of mine. We go back quite a way. When Deanna first joined this academy, her and I were working on a mutant rights campaign, hoping to find an obvious answer to proposed registration acts. She left soon after to work with a number of doctors world over on developing knowledgeable information on how the Mutant X gene is passed along. Her work came to a dead end around a year ago, and she was all to pleased to help build up a new school, believing entirely in what we do here. She has a wonderful mind, and a wonderful gift. I am sure she will be instrumental in helping younger minds come to terms with the powers laid before them.'

Turning to Deanna, Nathan rolled his eyes.

'So we get given a blind guy and an old woman to help us open what is meant to be an establishment as prestigious as this. Great start...'

Deanna in return, rolled her eyes at Nathan. She smiled at Xavier. 'I'm sure we'll do quite alright with the three people you've granted us. More will probably be there to help out anyway, of that I'm sure, what with all of the other elder X-Men just roaming around. Nathan will get over it and probably love the idea by the time we get home. We'll be in touch.'

Deanna, Xaiver, and Nathan said their goodbyes, parting ways only for a while...


______________________________________________________


Nathan could not deny that the Berkeley establishment was gorgeous. Sitting in a secluded area of the Berkeley Hills, it offered wonderful views, nice weather and a constant cooling breeze. Its white walls shone professionalism, and the size of the thing alone would suggest it could accommodate hundreds of students. Behind him the Blackbird roared as it took off, leaving him and his wife alone on the lawn of their new home. It had been two days since the idea was accepted, and already all their things had been moved in, Xavier asking a group of students to help in their transition.

Walking toward the entrance, eyes fighting the glare of the suns rays, he noticed a tall, slim woman detach herself from the porch, obviously waiting for them. She approached both at great speed, her face soon becoming easily visible. She looked to be in her early forties, pretty for her age, laughter lines giving her a motherly look. Holding out her hand for Nathan to shake, she then looked down at Deanna and wrapped her arms around her in a friendly hug.

'Miss Deanna Waters. I have not seen you since you were a fifteen year old girl. Look how you've grown!'

Nathan guessed this was Abigail. The other girl and the blind lad were no where to be seen.

Deanna smiled upon getting the hug and after parting she turned around, watching the jet fly away. It seemed that Abigail was already here.
'Well hello Miss Abigail, and it's Deanna Haile now, but Deanna Waters still works' she said smiling to her as she asked about how the school was, the set out, and how prepared they were.

'Mrs Haile? Lucky you! Married off at such a young age to such a handsome young man.'

Turning to regard Nathan, she winked a little, her smile causing creases to fold into her face.

'Come along Deanna. Don't ask me about things, I'll take you on the grand tour myself.'

Turning, she linked arms with them both and headed for the building.

'Where are the other two?' Nathan asked, expecting them to be part of the greeting party.

Abigail looked at Nathan again, raising an eyebrow.

'Marshall isn't always that sociable. He is meditating with Roxxanne at the moment. He is attempting to pin point the first of many recruits, and Roxxanne is aiding him, and will eventually, when he is finished, lock directly onto them and track their every move while he recovers. He was sure you'd understand.'

'Great' Nathan uttered under his breath 'Just great.'