Jean watched as Hank checked the readouts on the machines. So far, nothing abnormal in the physical realm. The only thing out of the ordinary in the whole scenario was Scott's disappearance from the Astral. The first time it had happened, it had unnerved her, the second time...the cold fear was still with her. She thought about the "Angel" character for a minute. She'd leafed through the printouts earlier, it was a stretch, but she could see how the stories could be connected. Now she wondered if "Angel" really existed at all. Scott sure believed in her, was down right terrified of her for some unknown reason. Jean believed he saw something. Just what, she wasn't sure. Bitter doubts had gone to seed, and she wondered if maybe this wasn't a method of pushing her away. Subconsciously, of course. After all, he had been under a lot of strain the past few years. Heck, his entire life...especially after his parents were killed in the crash. It wasn't irrational to need a way to disconnect from the pressures of leadership, of a relationship. This "Angel's" way of dealing with criminals was rather final, it seemed.

//"X-Men don't kill." He said, his mouth a hard line.
"She's not an X-Man." She countered.//

'This could be his desire to permanently remove the threats that continuously haunt us.' Jean thought grimly. She'd lost track of how many times any one of them had faced down Creed, or Sinister. How many times had Jubilee been kidnapped in the last year alone?

*It can't be that bad, Jean.* The Professor sent gently. *He's too strong to break, you know that, you know him.* He sent along the strength he remembered from their link. It buzzed through the mansion, he himself had drawn courage from it during harder times.

*I know, Professor, but I can't help but think...* She projected her fears and regrets.

*He loves you dearly. Don't doubt it for a moment. Even if I were not a telepath, I'd have no trouble picking that up. After all,* he added with a wry chuckle, *he puts up with Wolverine.*

Jean managed a smile and thanked him for his support. He'd become the father she had so desperately needed. As he had to most of those who came to the X-Men. She only hoped he was right.

He picked up on her thoughts. *I believe I am, my dear. And I also believe Scott is correct as well, and we have a visitor in the mansion. I am confident that she will make a much more subdued appearance than some of our previous "guests." I don't think we have anything to fear. In fact, I'm quite looking forward to a new member of the famliy.* He smiled at her, his eyes creasing gently, and took her hand. "It will be all right, Jean. I'm quite sure of it." He assured her.

"I don...thank you, Professor." She answered, not quite ready to accept, yet not willing to disbelieve.

Nodding, he said, "I have a theory about this 'Angel,' whoever she may be. I believe her to be heavily shielded. Enough so that anyone within a certain radius is effected as well. It would explain Scott and Bobby's disappearance on the Astral, and why we, as telepaths cannot detect her. I think perhaps, this shielding may even go as far as effecting electrical devices as well, which would further explain the lack of alarms and surveillance. I wager, if we keep psychically aware of the others, we'll be able to pinpoint her location by sudden disappearances. I don't think we'll be able to force her out of hiding, nor should we want to. I have a feeling 'Angel' isn't quite used to a household such as this."

Jean looked at him appraisingly. "There's something you aren't telling me. Isn't there, Professor?"

He just smiled and said, "I have my theories. I shall let you know if they follow through."

Jean managed a sincere smile, feeling calmer, more anchored. "Please do, I'd be interested to know."

She and Professor Xavier split up the current residents at the mansion, deciding who would monitor who. Most of the group were out on other projects, or on Muir Island, so their duties were much simpler. Jean had Logan, Jubilee and of course Scott, while Professor Xavier monitored Hank, Gambit and Bobby. As others returned, they would be linked and briefed as was appropriate. Both agreed to keep linked to each other, and if one of them disappeared, the other would take up monitoring the group. They were hesitant to alert anyone, lest someone "jump the gun" and scare their visitor into feeling defensive. However, since Scott was team leader and already well aware of the situation, he was briefed on what their telepathic surveillance would entail. He agreed with finding her, but not with allowing her full access to the mansion. When pressed for ways to contain her, he came up short and started hyperventilating.

Hank had talked him into taking a sedative after looking at the readouts and asking, "Have you ever had an anxiety attack before, Scott?"

Scott grumbled as the alcohol swab drew cold designs on his hip. Hank injected the drug, a muscle relaxant in addition to the fast acting sedative, and suggested he try to get some rest. "In fact, my friend, a nap before dinner sounds lovely. I may partake of one myself."

Scott nodded and slid off the table. 'A nap, Cyke. Just like a toddler. Eh, "boy"?'

"Shut up, Logan." he mumbled as he passed the stocky form of Wolverine.

"Didn't say anything. Find yer wallet yet?" He couldn't help but taunt the taller man, who was now slouching into him.

"No, she hasn't given it back yet. As far as I'm concerned, she can keep it." He leaned heavily on Logan, not quite registering the man was real and not a mental voice.

"Andoncallmeboy."

Logan held him up, trying to follow along as his words slurred together. Shooting Jean an inquiring look, he watched as an unheard conversation passed between her and the Prof. She nodded and quickly filled him in telepathically on the situation, stressing that their guest was not a threat, and needed to be treated gently.

*This that girl from the subway?* He asked.

*Yes...how did...Ah!* She understood and added, *I wish you would have told me about her last night. It would have saved me some worrying.* The corners of her mouth lifted as she watched Logan take on all of Scott's weight, all the while, her lover mumbling and grumbling into his shoulder. The most she could make out was, "Shuddap, Log..." and "...not boy, hairball..."

Logan nodded and hefted the man over his shoulder. "I'm gonna put him to bed, does he need ya to tuck him in or will he survive?"

Jean checked his pulse and probed in on their link, stifling her surprise at the sound of Scott's inner voice. "He's out, think you can manage to take his shoes off and get him under the covers?"

He grunted at her and turned to the exit. "And Logan," she called after him, "try not to hit his head this time." He could feel her relieved smile even as he hit the elevator.

*Jean, Gambit's no longer connected to the Astral.* The Professor's voice interrupted.

· ×· ×· ×· ×·

Remy LeBeau plopped the bag down on the center island in the kitchen, folding his jacket over a near-by stool. Pulling the cooler door open he rummaged through the lower shelves, pushing aside left-overs and mystery meat to get to the back. He hoped he'd hidden it well enough that Logan hadn't been able to find it. He figured the fuzzy green thing in the Tupperware should have camouflaged the smell. His fingers touched over a couple, sticky condiment jars before closing around the neck of his prize. Feeling around it, he found its mate and pulled them both out. He'd been hiding the import beers for a few weeks now, waiting for the chance to sit down with a couple Philly Cheese Steaks and enjoy them. Taking the chance and sticking them in the cooler to get cold while he ran out for the sandwiches. With most everyone else being away from the mansion, they'd had over a month of relative peace. 'Not includin' what Jubilee did to Hank wit' de' vacuum.' Remy thought, 'Or Bobby an' his trick with de' shampoo.' He had been sure Logan was going to kill the boy, had in fact, said his "good-byes" much to Bobby's consternation. A few days after, he'd seen the younger man coming out of Logan's room with his arms full of dirty laundry. Later that afternoon, he'd been polishing the chrome on the Harley, with Logan standing over is shoulder grunting in annoyance. Hank, on the other hand had just asked someone to pick up several boxes of hot oil treatment next time they went into town. As always, the blue doctor chose to bide his time and ponder the ultimate revenge. Grinning at the memory, he shut the door and turned back to the bag of food. Or rather, where it should have been.

Jean turned the corner and jerked to a halt as she slammed through the kitchen door. Remy looked up at her with surprise, watching her turn around swiftly taking in each corner of the room.

"Anything odd happen just now, Remy?" She asked, still searching.

"Other den Gambit's sammiches disappearin', non." He answered, then at her almost happy look of relief, continued, "Dey ain't dat bad, cher, a little hard on de ticker mebbe..." He trailed off, her anxiety making him nervous. "Jean, der be sometin' you wan' Gambit t'know?"

Jean took on that far away look as she conferenced with the Professor. *Apparently our guest has vacated the kitchen, I could sense Gambit again just after you arrived. You say she took his food?* He asked.

She answered, *That is how it looks, Professor. Remy shows no signs of seeing or feeling an intruder. Should I..*

*Yes, please do. Minor details, he needn't perceive her as a threat.* He finished and pulled back.

Jean turned her focus towards Remy and gave a light mental touch. His eyes narrowed at the contact but he nodded. She shared the information with him, editing out the more touchy parts. When she was done, she broke the link and looked up at him.

He nodded again and said in a jovial tone, "At least she ain't hungry no more."

· ×· ×· ×· ×·



To be continued..