Chapter 123 - You Didnt Have to Ask (1/2)
*Knock* *Knock*
Charles looked up as the door slowly opened. As it cracked open the cacophony of the kids outside flooded the quiet peace of the room, but it brought a smile to his face as he looked at the two entering.
The door quickly closed once again, as Charles sent out a small probe towards Peter. He had heard that he had found a way to block telepathy, but it couldn't hurt to check. The smile on his lips turned to appreciation as he tried to sense Peters' thoughts, but there seemed to be some interference surrounding him.
The device worked perfectly and if what Jean told him was true, he had created it when he was 10 years old! Though, Charles thought to himself, he's probably improved it by now. ”Thank you Jean for guiding Mr Parker here.”
Giving a small nod and smile to one of his best students, the smile she sent back was all Charles needed to see to know that everything was worth it, everything he had done over the years… he frowned for a second as his thoughts travelled to the past, something Peter and Jean quickly noted.
Before Jean could say anything he continued. ”I'm sorry I've cut your time short Jean, but I have some things I would like to discuss with young Peter.” It was Jean's turn to frown for a second, before she pouted in the professor's direction.
She was hoping she could stay in the room when they had their discussion, but it looked like that wasn't the case, the look the professor was sending her way, left no room for argument. Still pouting and having trouble moving her legs back out the door, Peter's hand clasped her shoulder and broke her from her slump.
Giving her a smile that brightened her day immeasurable, Peter spoke with a chipper tone. ”Don't worry Red, I'll be finished quickly, then we could do something else if we have the time before I go.” Jean gave a smile back, before begrudgingly moving her body out.
She contemplated the idea of eavesdropping, but the professor would know if she stayed so close to the door and she couldn't just read the minds of both people inside, because of practical and moral reasons.
Stomping her foot in slight irritation, she continued down the corridor, looking for her bunkmates, she could talk to them for a while…now where would they be?
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Feeling that Jean had left the immediate area, Charles smile slowly started to leave his face and it quickly became one of worry and determination. Peter quickly sensed the shift in mood, as his back slightly straightened and his eyes hardened. He might not have known what the professor was going to say next, but he knew it was important.
Locking eyes for a few seconds, Charles was the first to break contact, as he slowly wheeled himself out from behind his desk. Moving over to the huge windows that overlooked the mansion grounds, his eyes seemed to be far away as he starred out at the kids passing by.
Lost in his own thoughts, Peter looked at the bald man, before making his way to stand next to him. They continued to stand there for a few minutes before Charles finally spoke up, his voice a bit nostalgic and sad at the same time.
”I started looking after Jean when her parents died; she's like a daughter to me after all these years…” Peter didn't say a word as he remembered when he heard the news, he was heartbroken for his best friend, shortly following that she also had to move away. At the time both sudden events had crushed young Peter's summer holidays and he remembered those few months as the worst summer vacation he ever had.
”…But that wasn't when I found her…” Peter drew out of his thoughts as he turned to regard the disabled man, listening intently. ”I first felt her presence months before, when she first awakened her mutant powers; I usually find them, see what their situation is like and then help if I can. It's usually hard for those like us…”
His eyes turned even sadder as they became unfocused. ”…even then her powers were unprecedented, like a bright light shining in the dark… and they only grew stronger as the days went by. I was resolved to step in and see her near the start but she suddenly disappeared, then reappeared. It happened a few times before I realised she was learning to control her powers, or something along those lines…”
He sent a small smile Peter's way as he finally looked away from the window and moved back behind the desk. Peter gave a small embarrassed chuckle as he saw the look; he knew exactly why that happened.