Rating: Mostly Pg-13
Category: Crossover with Xmen the Movie & X2; CC; M/L, Bobby/Rogue
Disclaimer: I don’t own Roswell or Xmen.
Summary: Set after Independence Day on Roswell and after the Xmen 2 movie & book. Nothing in the comics is in this.
Liz finds out that she isn’t as normal as she thought she was when Professor Xavier comes to Roswell to invite her to come to his school for the gifted.
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PART 1
Ororo Monroe a.k.a. Storm entered Professor Xavier’s office and saw him busy on his computer. “You asked to see me Professor?”
“Yes, Storm. I wanted to ask you to accompany me to New Mexico. There is a mutant there, Elizabeth Parker, who I want to invite to come to the school. I don’t think it is safe there for her anymore.”
“Of course Professor. Why do you think that she isn’t safe?”
“Months ago there was an incident where she was apparently shot but suffered no adverse affects from it. It is speculated that it is a hoax but I believe something else happened.”
“Perhaps she was actually shot but has the same regeneration abilities that Logan has.” Storm speculated.
“Her abilities are more along the lines of my own and Jean’s. I believe she used her abilities to redirect the bullet so that it didn’t hit her.”
“If she did that in public, it would cause gossip and rumor.” Storm predicted.
“The event occurred in Roswell where allegedly a UFO crashed in ’47 so the residents as well as tourists are highly interested in any unusual occurrences. A lot of attention has been placed on her as well as a boy her age that they believed healed her. I used Cerebro to see how many mutants reside in Roswell and she was the only one I located. I did discover three odd readings that were neither human nor mutant. While we are there, I would like to research that as well.” Professor Xavier explained. “She is an excellent student who I think would fit in rather well here.”
Storm nodded. “Do you plan on it just being the two of us?”
“I thought perhaps Cyclops should accompanying us, I plan to speak with him after our meeting.” The Professor announced. He thought it would be a good idea for Scott to leave the grounds even for a short trip. He had been very secluded since they lost Jean. “Kurt and Logan can look over the school along with the rest of the faculty. I also think that it would be wise to take Bobby Drake along. To have a student’s point of view if Elizabeth has any questions.”
“I will talk to him and if he agrees, inform his other teacher’s so they can make any arrangements for him.” Storm declared. “When do you plan to leave?”
“A few days. There are a couple of repairs that need my attention here before we go as well as making rooming arrangements for our new student.”
Storm nodded before she turned and left the office. She had things to work on. Like trying to figure out how to get Bobby to willingly be separated from his girlfriend.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
One Week Later:
It’s February 15th and I’m Liz Parker. Of all the weirdness that I’ve experienced since my shooting, it has always been due to Max, Michael, and Isabel’s Czechoslovakian status. I’ve always felt on the outside of it but did what I could to help; I’m use to it. Now that something strange is happening to me, I don’t know what to do.
Liz Parker walked down the hallway of West Roswell High listening to Maria chat away with half an ear. She was thinking more of the odd occurrences that had been happening to her over the last few weeks. In the beginning she didn’t even realize anything odd was happening. Then things she could have sworn she had accidentally left in the bathroom would suddenly be easily reachable. Like they hadn’t been left behind to begin with. Initially she just blew them off but as it began to occur more and more, Liz realized it wasn’t just a coincidence or a fluke. But then something really strange happened. The night before she’d been working when she collided with Maria. That was nothing weird until an image popped into Liz’s mind, an image she could swear was one of Maria’s memories
Liz knew she should talk about it to Max, after all it was just like what had happened the night of the Blind Date when he had kissed her. But to do that she just had to find him. The only time she had seen him over the past week was during class. During Biology he told her that he was helping his dad and Michael with Michael’s emancipation. It had been granted and Michael was free from the foster care system but there was still work to be done. Like finding Michael a job and place to live.
Liz was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Maria saying her name until her friend snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Uh what?”
“You haven’t heard a word I’m saying have you?” Maria asked.
Liz thought to lie but changed her mind. “Sorry. I wasn’t ignoring you, I’ve just got some things on my mind.”
“Like a six-foot-tall dark brooding Czechoslovakia we both know that is walking this way?” Maria said jerking her head in the direction she was talking about. Liz looked up and saw Max making his way through the crowd and towards them. It was then that she noticed her and Maria was standing in front of the Biology class she and Max had. As Max joined them, Maria turned away, “See you two later.”
Liz watched as Maria headed away before she looked at Max who gave her a shy half smile. “Morning Liz.”
“Morning, Max.” Liz replied. “Listen I wanted to know if I could talk to you about something that has been happening to me.”
Max looked at her with concern as well as curiosity. She looked like she had something on her mind and he realized that they had really hadn’t had a chance to talk since the night he was on her balcony when she was helping him deal with the possibility that Michael might leave town. “Sure Liz, what’s going on.”
“Not now, not here. I…” Liz started to say when Ms. Hardy interrupted. “Liz, I just received a request for you to go to the principal’s office. You should head down there now, Max can let you know what you miss.”
“Yes, Ms. Hardy.” Liz consented as she took the pass she would need to go to the office. She looked over at Max, “Um, I don’t know how long this is going to take so can we meet later?”
“Of course, how about I give you a ride home today and we can talk then?” Max asked.
Liz nodded just as the bell rang. The hallway was emptying out as she slipped down the hallway to the school’s main office. Once she arrived, she handed the secretary her slip and then steered her into the Principal’s private office. When she entered, she saw three additional people were with the Principal. An older man who appeared to be wheel chair bound, a woman with dark skin and bright white hair and a guy about her age with pale blue eyes that reminded her of ice. The principal rose from his desk and started to make introductions. “Liz, I’d like you to meet Charles Xavier, headmaster of the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters and his assistant Ororo Monroe. They are here to try and persuade you to enroll at their school.”
Liz was taken aback by the statement. She was actually being recruited to go to a New York prep school. “I don’t know what to say except to say I’m staggered. I have not even heard of this school. Why are you interested in me?”
“Our school is for the uniquely gifted. We only take a certain type of student. Because of that, we keep a close eye out to monitor potentials.” Professor Xavier explained. He knew that she would assume that he meant keeping an eye on different test scores instead of his monitoring the well fair of various mutants.
Liz nodded. She knew that elite private schools did keep an eye on students that might improve their student body so she lowered her suspicions. “And you think I’m a likely candidate for your school?”
“You are exactly what we are looking for.” The Professor assured her then motioned to the guy who was her age who had yet to speak. “This is Bobby Drake, one of my students. If you have any questions about the students, you can ask him after I explain the details of you attending. Would you be willingly to you hear my proposal and see whether you would be interested in attending?”
“I’m willingly.” Liz agreed, figured they had come so far, she might as well hear them out. The principal left, and she got sat back to listen.
PART 2
As he, along with input from both Storm and Bobby, laid out the details of the school and its programs, the Professor studied Liz Parker. On the outside she appeared to be soaking all the information thrown at her and responding with intelligent questions. He knew from her school file that she was an extremely intelligent young lady who excelled in science and he could see that her intelligence extended to everyday life as well. For a girl who was not quite seventeen, she seemed to possess an astuteness beyond her years.
Her mind was running parallel to her outer appearance. She was taking into account everything she heard and considering her options. He was surprised to see how protected her thoughts seemed to be. Most people he could read like an open book, but she was more difficult. He was unable to distinguish if it was accidental or if she had sufficient control over her abilities to try and block her mind from him.
Liz had to admit that the Xavier School for the Gifted Youngsters sounded intriguing. It was school that focused individually on its students to help them achieve their highest potential. Professor Xavier had told her that several of his students had gone on to be doctors, research scientists as well as teachers just like Ms. Monroe. She was sure that if she attended the school, it would help her get into Harvard. But it was all the way in New York. That was far away from Roswell, from her parents, from her friends, from Max. Could she do that? Could she just leave?
Deciding to get an opinion from someone who was actually living there, she turned to face Bobby. “Can you tell me about the school? Not the technical class stuff, but what it’s like?”
Bobby didn’t know what to say after to suddenly being put on the spot. Up until this point he had just sat back and listened. He knew since the Professor had not mentioned anything about the mutant part of the school, he had to tread carefully so not to give anything away. “It’s like most other schools with a couple differences. It’s more relaxed than other schools but we’re still expected to work hard. The other students are all pretty cool. Since we all live on campus, you’ll get to know them all quick especially your roommate. The school is the closest thing some of us have to a family.”
Liz saw a sadness in the blue depths of Bobby’s eyes and wondered about it. She was positive that it wasn’t the school that caused his sorrow but something else, something deeper. But she didn’t pry. “How long have you been there?”
“Just over two years when I started high school.” Bobby answered. “Professor Xavier visited me and my family in Boston and asked me if I wanted to go. I thought it was the best, safest place to be.”
Liz’s eyebrow raised in question at Bobby’s choice of words. Why would he think of safety when deciding to attend a prep school? She didn’t voice her question but she still got an answer. Because Liz, like you he is special in a way that most people would find dangerous.
Liz’s eyes snapped over to look at Professor Xavier. She had heard his voice plainly but he had not said anything, at least not with his mouth. She could have sworn she heard the voice in her head. How was that possible?
Professor Xavier both saw and heard her surprise. Because I am different as well. I am like you. Everyone in this room is, we are mutants.
Liz couldn’t believe what the Professor was saying; he was telling her that she was a mutant. It couldn’t be true; she couldn’t be a mutant. It wasn’t that she had anything against mutants. From what she had seen on TV and read in the newspaper, they were just people who were a little different than regular humans. They had extraordinary abilities similar to Max’s and the others. But mutants were known to the world. They just wanted an average life but a lot of the public feared them because of their differences. She admired them for that but that didn’t mean she was one. “No, it’s not true.”
Yes it is
“Stop that.” Liz snapped. She could see Bobby was flabbergasted that she had snapped at his headmaster and realized she had been a little harsh. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect.”
“It’s okay, Liz. I should have expected your reaction. I was not sure if you were yet aware of your abilities and knew that if you weren’t aware it would come as a surprise. Mutant abilities tend to materialize in adolescence.”
“But I don’t have any abilities…” Liz whispered trailing off as she thought of the strange incidences that had been happening to her lately.
Without listening to her thoughts, the Professor knew she was coming to terms with what he was telling her. “Something has happened to you hasn’t it? You did something you couldn’t explain.”
Liz nodded. “Um, it started out as things just popping up next to me when I could have sworn I left them in the other room. At first I just thought I’d been wrong and I hadn’t left them where I thought I had. A few times I’ve known what someone was going to say before they said it. But the objects moving has happened the most.”
Professor Xavier acknowledged what she said and deduced that her mutation had recently developed. She had no idea about her abilities. Motioning to a pencil on the desktop, he said. “Liz, I want you to concentrate on that pencil. Think of it moving towards you.”
“But I can’t…” Liz protested.
“Yes, you can do it.” The Professor reassured her before adding a message for only her ears. It is inside you.
Although Liz didn’t think anything would happen, she concentrated on the pencil. She wasn’t exactly sure of what she should do so she just looked at wished for it to come to her. After all it had worked before. She was surprised when the pencil started move. It raised about a foot above the desk before moving towards her. She was so astounded by what was happening that she broke her concentration and the pencil fell to the floor. Liz just stared at the spot where it landed in astonishment.
“You see Liz, it is true. You have abilities that are unusual.” The Professor explained. “Your telekinetic display with the pencil proves that.”
“You’re saying I’m telekinetic?” Liz asked. “Like I can move things with my mind.”
“Yes, however you may later find that you have better control if you can direct it with you hands. That is why the object you desired suddenly appeared. You unknowingly used your gifts to bring them to you. Although most telekines cannot move things that they can’t see.” The Professor admitted intrigued. He didn’t even have that ability, he was curious to know more about it.
“Why would by being telekinetic allow me to see peoples memories by touching them?” Liz asked.
The Professor’s brow wrinkled in thought before saying. “Your abilities are linked to your mental talent, I would have to work with you on it and completely assess your abilities before I can speculate further.”
Liz blew out a deep breath and tried to get a handle on her thoughts. This was really happening, what they were telling her was true. She tried to recall everything she had ever read about the mutants to help her understand what she was. She had read all the information on the mutants and the scientist in her had found it fascinating. She would have a lot of questions for the Professor later about it but she did remember that the mutation was genetic, not one from radiation or anything and that it was hypothesized that mutants were the next step in human evolution. And now Liz found herself a component in it. “So your school, are all the students mutants?”
“Yes, as are the teachers. The school is a haven for mutants, a place where you don’t have to hide what you are from anyone.” The Professor explained. Although the school had been attacked a month prior, it was now safe. The meeting he and his team had with the President had assured that. Their concealment was back in place and the mansion’s repairs more or less completed “And you can learn to control your gifts so that if you choose, you can live a normal life.”
“If I want to go to the school, my parents will have to allow it. Do I have to tell them the mutant angle or can I just tell them that it’s a school for the gifted?” Liz asked.
Before the Professor could answer, Bobby spoke up. “I wouldn’t suggest lying to your parents if you think they would accept you. I lied to mine and it causes more problems than it solves.”
Liz figured out that Bobby’s story was the cause of the sadness behind his eyes when they were talking earlier. His parents did not accept his mutant status. She thought about her parents and what their reactions would be. They always told her that they loved her no matter what, she just hoped that extended to her being a mutant. “This is all so much to handle. I don’t know if I can make a decision right this second.”
The Professor nodded in understanding. “We can give you a day or two to decide. If you agree then we will set up a meeting with your parents. However much you decide to tell them will be of your discretion.”
“Thank you.”
**Disclaimer: Some of the terms in this and following parts such as Telekine and Pryotic are from the Xmen 2 movie book. Just wanted to make that clear. **
PART 3
After a little more time chatting, their meeting ended. Professor Xavier needed to speak to the Principal some more about transferring Liz’s transcripts and records in the event that Liz decided to transfer. So while they completed their talk, Liz offered to show Bobby around West Roswell High. He wanted to know what a normal high school was like and she wanted to talk to him a little bit. The last class of the day was currently in session so the halls were empty for some time. The Professor made sure that Liz knew how to get in touch with him to let him know her decision as well if she had any additional questions before Liz and Bobby left. Liz thought if she talked to Bobby some more about life at the school, it might help her decide.
After Liz pointed out a few of the different classes when she asked, “So tell me the stuff about the school that you didn’t want to say in front of the adults.”
“What makes you think there’s something to tell?” Bobby asked.
“Oh, come on. The school may cater to mutants but it’s still a school. Students are always sneaking around trying to pull something. I’m sure it’s even worse at a boarding school.” Liz stated.
Bobby had to admit that she was right. He shrugged as he answered. “There’s not much to tell. The schools laid back like I said we’re not locked into our rooms. We stay up after lights out and raid the kitchen, sneak around the grounds, play practical jokes on each other with our gifts. One time John…”
Bobby trailed off when he realized who he was talking about. He missed his friend. He looked over and saw that Liz was looking at him with curiosity and explained. “My friend John is a sore subject. He kind of ran away from school a month ago and joined with some other mutants.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, why do you think he left?” Liz asked.
“I think it was because of how he dealt with people’s dislike for mutants. Some mutants are as against regular humans as they are against mutants. Especially ones that have the more dangerous powers like John. He controls fire.” Bobby explained.
“He’s a fire starter?” Liz asked.
“No. A pyrotic. He could manipulate fire but couldn’t create it. He always carried this Zippo lighter with him and would use it when he needed fire. His nickname was Pyro.” Bobby clarified.
“What’s yours, your gift? If you don’t mind my asking.”
Bobby checked both directions to make sure the hallway was still deserted and no one would see before moving over to the water fountain. “Take a drink.”
“What?” Liz asked startled then said. “No, the water in most of these fountains are like lukewarm and it’s just gross.”
“Just trust me.” Bobby reassured her.
While she continued to look at him strangely, Liz bent over to take a drink. As soon as she pushed the button to turn the water on, Bobby pointed his finger towards the stream of water. Out of the corner of her eye, Liz saw a silvery mist emit from his finger and collide with the water from the fountain. Suddenly the water against her lips dropped several degrees. Liz gulped down the water in her mouth and pulled back. “You can make ice?”
Bobby nodded. “Yes. I don’t even need water around to do it. I pull the vapor out of the air and create ice with it. Anything from small cubes to walls. They call me Iceman.”
“So does everyone at the school have a nickname?” Liz asked.
“Most of us as well as the teachers do.” Bobby said. “So do you think you’re going to go to Mutant High?”
“Mutant High?” Liz asked. “I’m guessing that’s another nickname.”
“Yep. And you’re avoiding the question about whether you’re going.”
“I don’t know.” Liz answered truthfully. “I’m curious about my abilities and attracted to the idea of finding out all about mutants but there are a lot of things in Roswell that are keeping me here.”
“It is hard to decide to leave and it is far but you can always visit.” Bobby offered.
“Do you do this a lot? Go with Professor Xavier to recruit students?” Liz asked.
Bobby shook his head. “This is the first time I’ve done this. A lot of the students are run aways so the Professor just has them collected. Others who aren’t run aways, like me, he meets with under the guise of ‘recruiting’ them. He asked me to come with him and the others because he thought it might help to have a student with him. I guess he was right.”
“How does Professor Xavier know how to find other mutants?” Liz asked.
“Well you witnessed for yourself that he’s a telepath. But he’s more than that. He’s the most powerful telepath on the planet. His abilities are unbelievable. And to increase them more, he created a machine that gives him a boost. With that machine, he can find any mutant anywhere. That’s how he locates them. Between the machine and a regular computer he can probably monitor them to see if they need him.” Bobby speculated.
Liz nodded. “Are there any other telepaths or telekines at the school?”
Again Bobby looked gloomy as he explained. “Not anymore. One of our teachers, Doctor Grey had telekinetic abilities but she was killed a month ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Liz said feeling bad.
“You didn’t know.” Bobby stated. “She was one of my favorite teachers. She was a lot of ours favorite teacher. She was the one who would take care of us if we were sick or hurt. She was a doctor.”
“I remember the Professor mentioning her earlier but I didn’t realize that she had died.” Liz said.
“It’s hit everyone hard especially another one our teachers Mr. Summers. He and Doctor Grey were um…together.” Bobby explained. “He’s here in Roswell as well, but I guess that he didn’t want to come.”
Liz nodded. She could understand why Mr. Summers would be hit hard by the death of his girlfriend. Liz knew if she lost Max then she would be the same way and her and Max weren’t even together anymore. Not after he had suggested they take a step back, now they were just friends. But good friends. Close enough friends that she really wanted to talk to him about what was going on. She knew he would understand all too well what it was like to be different.
Liz broke out of her thoughts when the shrill ringing of the bell echoed through the hall. Doors to classrooms started opening and students started swarm out, ready for the end of the day. “Looks like the tour is over.”
“Yeah, I better go meet with the Professors before they try to hunt me down in this chaos.” Bobby commented.
“Yeah, you should. I have a lot to think about.” Liz stated. “Thanks for talking to me about everything. It helped a lot.”
“Good. I hope you decide to.” Bobby said sincerely as he stuck out his hand. Liz took it and was hit with a flash of Bobby with two other teens, a boy and a girl. Before she could focus on it, Bobby dropped her hand and started sprinting down the hall. “See you later.”
“Bye.” Liz said as she waved after him. She turned around and was about to go find Max when she saw he was standing a few feet away and making his way towards her. His eyes were focused on her and for a moment she thought she saw something a kin to jealousy in them. What was that about?
As Max made his way to Liz, he tried to keep the jealousy that was fluttering in his stomach under control. It had suddenly sprung up when he saw her in the hallway talking and smiling with another guy which was silly. They weren’t together; Liz could talk to whomever she wanted. But it had surprised it, more so when he didn’t even recognize the guy she was talking to. Was he a new student? Was that why Liz had been called to the office? To show a new student around. He’d have to ask her without sounding desperate. She was still smiling as he finally stepped in front of her. “Ready to go?”
“More than you know.” Liz said. “I have so much to tell you, more than I thought I did earlier. But we need to go some place private, I don’t want anyone overhearing.
Max nodded, knowing the perfect place before he lead Liz out of school and to the jeep.
PART 4
As they were leaving West Roswell High, Professor Xavier once again picked up the odd readings that he had felt while in Cerebro. They must be close. The individuals who were giving off those readings were a puzzle to him. The impression he got was vague and only told him that there were three people but not much else. He had no idea what they looked like, what their names were, nothing. A fact that would make finding them harder.
Bobby noticed that the Professor had stop the progress of his wheelchair and he looked back to make sure nothing was wrong. He saw the Professor staring off into nothingness, but a look of intense concentration on his face. He waited for a minute before he asked, “Professor, is everything okay?”
The Professor broke his concentration to reassure his young student. He looked up and met his questioning gaze. “I’m fine Bobby. Nothing to worry about.”
The chair once again began to move forward and the three continued their exit from the school.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The trip to the quarry didn’t take long especially with the speeds that Max was driving once he was out of the town limits. He normally didn’t like to speed knowing that it would draw attention to them but his curiosity pushed him. He could see that Liz was restless about what she wanted to tell him and it made him feel the same. What did she have to tell him? It was obviously something very important.
Liz felt like she was going to jump out of the jeep at any time. She was a bundle of energy as her mind charted and filed all of the information she had found out in just a few hours. It reminded her of when she found out about Max’s secret. She just couldn’t help trying to analyze the whole situation.
Max pulled up at the perimeter of the quarry and killed the engine. He looked expectedly at Liz to see what the next move was. After all this was her show. She was already making her way out of the vehicle so he followed her example. Once they were out, Liz said, “Let’s walk. I think better when I walk.”
As the two started down the path that would take them to the bottom of the crater Liz said, “Thanks for agreeing to come out here with me. You’re probably thinking I’m nuts now. But I really wanted to talk to someone who could empathize with me and I know I can trust you with anything.”
“Liz, you’ve lost me.” Max admitted.
“I know, sorry. I’m trying to explain things and I’m just confusing you more. I’ll just start at the meeting in the Principal’s office and go where it takes us.” Liz stated trying to organize her thoughts. She felt like Maria was possessing her the way she was rambling on and on.
“I went straight to the Principal’s office when I left you in Biology and when I got there, I found out that there are people waiting to meet with me instead of the Principal. One of them was the headmaster of a prep school in New York, Professor Charles Xavier. He came to Roswell because he wants me to be a student at his school.” Liz explained.
Max didn’t know what Liz was going to say but he hadn’t expected that. He hadn’t expected her to tell him that she might be leaving Roswell. She couldn’t leave. Well she could but he didn’t want her too. If she left, a part of him would feel empty, like a piece of him was missing. True, he had broken things off between them but that didn’t mean he didn’t care about her, love her. While Max felt like his heart had sank to his stomach, he put on a brave face and said, “That’s good Liz, I’m not surprised with the grades you get.”
Liz’s smile wavered a little bit. She hadn’t expected his reaction but she didn’t say anything about it. Instead she shook her head. “I’m not finished yet. I consented to listen to what he had to say so he started giving me details about the school along with input from one of the professors and a student he brought along. But it wasn’t until after the presentation and the initial question asking that I figured out why they were really here.”
Alarm bells started ringing in Max’s head at Liz’s words and what they could mean. It made him think of Topolsky. “What do mean ‘why they were really here?’”
“Hold on and I’ll explain.” Liz stated. “I asked the student, his name is Bobby by the way, about what the school was like. Something in his answer intrigued me. He said that the school was the safest place to be. I didn’t understand and was going to ask about it when I got my answer. But it wasn’t spoken aloud, no one in that room moved their mouth. But I heard it plain as day, but it was in my head.”
“In your head, like telepathy?” Max asked getting more worried by the second. It made him think about the photo of the dead body with the silver handprint.
“Exactly like telepathy. Professor Xavier, the headmaster , is a mutant. You know what that is right?” Liz asked not knowing if he was aware of current events.
“Yeah, I saw some stuff about them on the news. They’re a small group of humans that have powers similar to the three of us.” Max answered.
“Well like I said, the professor is a mutant. A very powerful one who was able to read what I was thinking and answered my question. And that wasn’t all he told me. He also told me that everyone in the room including me was a mutant. I’m a mutant Max.” Liz confessed.
Max was visibly stunned by her confession. His eyes widened to the point she was sure they were larger than half-dollars and his mouth fell open slightly. She wondered if she had a similar expression when she had figured out that by pointing up, he hadn’t meant he was from up north.
Silence shrouded the two for several minutes. Liz was being to feel slightly uneasy at Max’s lack of response to her bombshell. “Max, say something.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Max faltered. “Do you think they were telling the truth?”
“I didn’t at first but they showed me proof.” Liz said.
Stopping in their path, Liz saw a few rocks that were exactly what she needed to demonstrate to Max. Repeating what she had done in the Principal’s office, the rock rose and started to float towards her. She caught it when it came close enough to her and showed it to Max. “This is what I wanted to tell you when I first talked to you earlier. Over the last few weeks, things that I knew I had left in other rooms have been showing up right next to me. At the time I didn’t know how or why but I didn’t think anything weird. It wasn’t until I got a flash from Maria last night that I thought to talk to you. Professor Xavier said I have mental abilities. I see peoples’ memories and I’m telekinetic. I move things with my mind.”
“That’s why the professor wants me to go to his school, it’s a school for mutants. To the general public Xavier’s school for Gifted youngsters is just an ordinary prep school but in reality it’s a safe have for teenage mutants to go to school. To be around others like themselves who understand and learn how to control their gifts.” Liz explained. “Professor Xavier came for me because he thought I might like it there.”
“Are you going?” Max blurted out.
“I don’t know.” Liz answered. “I told them I would think about it. I haven’t talked to my parents or anything. I’m just trying to accept it all.”
“This is such a shock. I mean Isabel, Michael, and I always knew we were different. I can’t imagine what I’d think if I just found out about it out of the blue.”
“I think I want to go.” Liz admitted interrupting him. She had thought about it ever since the meeting with Professor Xavier and had come to terms with it all.
“You do?”
“Yeah, I think I do.” Liz said awkwardly. “I talked to Bobby a lot about it and it sounds like everyone there is really nice. And regardless of the whole mutant factor, it’s a good school. Everything they showed me confirmed that. Professor Xavier told me that several of his students have gone on to be doctors, scientists or I could even go back later and be a teacher at the school. And I would be able to learn how to control these abilities of mine. I know what I just showed you but I really don’t know what I’m doing. At any time I could touch someone and take one of their memories or you could see things floating through the air and the wrong people might see it.”
Max understood exactly what Liz was talking about. In the little bit of information he knew about mutants, he knew that there were people out there who wanted to hurt them. Much like what would happen if the wrong people found out that there were three aliens living in Roswell. For that reason he said, “You should go.”
PART 5
“You should go.”
“I should?” Liz asked both surprised and disappointed by his words. A part of her wanted Max to tell her not to go, to stay here with him. That he couldn’t stand the thought of her being all the way in New York and wanted her in Roswell. But he hadn’t, he had told her to go.
“Yes, you should.” Max repeated. As much as it pained Max to think of Liz not being around, he felt it was the right thing for her. Their entire lives Isabel, Michael, and he had wanted to know about themselves, to find others like themselves and hadn’t found anything. Now Liz had the opportunity that they didn’t and he didn’t think she should pass it up. He knew Liz, he knew that if she didn’t get the answers she sought after then it would drive her insane.
But that wasn’t the only reason why he wanted her to go. The second reason was far more selfish. He wanted her to go to the school because she would be safe there. Safe from his weird life and safe from those who would hurt her for being a mutant. And that’s what he wanted, for her to be safe.
“Liz, you have an opportunity here that you shouldn’t pass up. You can get out of here and go somewhere of relative safety. You wouldn’t have to worry about looking over your shoulder for mutant haters or FBI agents posing as guidance counselors.” Max explained.
Liz understood what Max was saying and her heart fluttered. She could see in his eyes that he didn’t want her to go, he wanted her to be safe. He was protecting her, just like he had tried to do since she found out about him. He’d done it so many times before that she should have deduced that was why he wanted her to go now. “It doesn’t feel right to go away and leaving you all here. I feel like I’m deserting you.”
Max couldn’t help himself as he brought his hand up to brush away a stray piece of her silk hair. “You’re not deserting us, you’re doing what’s best for you.”
Liz wanted to plead with him to come with her. That they would figure out some way to lie to Professor Xavier so that he’d believe Max was a mutant therefore welcomed at the school. But she knew he’d never agree. So the words died in her throat as she continued to look into his soulful amber eyes. The ringing of her cell phone broke the moment. She pulled it out of her pocket and looked at the screen. “It’s Maria.”
As Liz flipped open her phone, Max watched her. His eyes traced over her, trying to sketch every feature of her. Not that he needed to, years of watching her had forever burned her into his brain. But knowing that she would soon be leaving compelled him to do it. She hung up a few minutes and turned her attention back to him. “I told Maria that I needed to talk to everyone. Michael was with her and they’re going to round up Isabel and Alex before coming out here.”
Max nodded, acknowledging the information. The two climbed back up the rock path and to the jeep where they were as they waited for the others to arrive.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After retelling everything that had happened, Liz waited patiently to see the reactions of her four friends. When they had arrived, they were all curious about the impromptu meeting. Michael had been him normal paranoid self and thought that there had been an FBI sighting, which of course had set off Maria and Isabel. Alex had been the only calm one as Max explained that they weren’t there to meet about an alien crisis. Then he turned it over to Liz to explain.
Like she had done with Max, Liz had started with the meeting at school and gone on to explain everything. She told them all of it, even a little more of her talk with Bobby then she had told Max. At first Isabel blew it off, thinking it was a bunch of nonsense until Max had assured her that it was all true. Liz had even given a demonstration like she had with Max. She was surprised by the ease she was able to do the small things and while everyone was processing she had tried to move a much larger boulder but it hadn’t so much as quivered. She tried another time or two before she gave up and waited for the group to speak. Not disappointing anyone, Maria was the first one to speak with her usual dramatics.
“This cannot be happening. First I find out that aliens exist now I discover that my best friend is this super human with powers. What’s next? I find out that Alex is a wizard or something?”
“Well everyone does say that I have magic fingers?” Alex joked as he flexed his fingers but stopped when Maria glared at him that showed she was not amused.
“Maria,” Liz said calmly. “I know it’s all a lot to take in but it is true.”
“And now you’re just going to pack up and leave?” Maria asked.
“You think it was easy for me to decide? To leave everything I know behind?” Liz asked her. “It wasn’t. I don’t want to leave you guys but this is something I have to do. What would happen if we were working and something just started mysteriously floating through the air? People would freak and with the shooting it might raise the FBI’s suspicions. Then I wouldn’t be the only one in danger.”
Maria realized how selfish she was being and quickly tried to apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to act like such a brat. I just can’t stand the idea of you leaving.”
Liz moved to hug Maria. “I’m not going to be gone for good. Bobby mentioned that I can visit, they’re not going to hold me hostage.”
“And if they do, she can just send something flying at their heads and knock them out.” Alex teased. It broke the residual tension in the air and Liz hugged him as well. “I’m so glad you two aren’t completely freaked out by this.”
“I always knew you had a lot of brainpower, I just didn’t know how much.” Alex joked.
When all the hugging was done, Liz turned to look at Michael and Isabel. They had been silent ever since Max had shushed Isabel and she had given them a display of what she could do. She could tell they were wondering if since she would be out of their sight if she would tell what she knew about them. Liz hoped that after Michael had read her journal that he knew her better than that. She would not tell anyone that the aliens didn’t want her to tell. “I know you two are probably paranoid that I’m going to let something slip but I can assure you that I won’t.”
“You may not have a choice in the matter.” Isabel commented.
“What?” Liz asked confused.
“You said that this Professor Xavier could read your thoughts enough to answer question you were thinking. What’s to say he can’t find out about our secret in the same way?” Isabel explained.
Liz was dumbfounded that she hadn’t thought of that possibility before. If Professor Xavier was as powerful as Bobby said he was then he would have no trouble doing exactly what Isabel was hypothesizing. And she was sure he was. During the meeting he seemed to stare at her in that made her feel that he could see straight through her. Finding out he could read her mind had explained it and confirmed that he could see straight through her. And if he didn’t know already, he would probably soon know about the three aliens that resided in Roswell. What would the Professor do if he knew? From everything Liz had seen and heard about him, she thought that he would keep their secret and not turn them in.
Liz didn’t know why she trusted him so easily. Maybe it was because he was so patrician, so supportive to others who didn’t have anywhere to go. Or maybe she just thought that he would understand what it was like to be different, to be persecuted for what they were. She just had to figure out how to explain this to the others. “I’m not saying it’s not possible, but I don’t think he’d rat you out. From everything I’ve seen, he just wants peace.”
“This is our lives you’re gambling with.” Michael jumped in.
“I know that Michael.” Liz snapped. “But unless one of you has developed the power to erase my memory, you’re going to have to trust me about this.”
“You could just not go.” Michael argued although he felt the slight pangs of envy. He wished that he could learn about himself and what he was as simply as Liz appeared to be able to do. But he’d never admit that he was jealous of Liz Parker.
Max was about to declare that it was Liz’s life and her decision but Liz beat him to it. “No, I’m going. I called you here to tell you, not to ask your permission.”
“Then I don’t see what I’m still doing here.” Michael said as he stomped back in the direction of the cars. Isabel followed his lead, throwing an accusatory glare in Liz’s direction for yet again triggering a dispute among the aliens as she left. Max glanced in their direction at their retreating backs then back to Liz. Liz nodded to him knowing he wanted to go off and check on the two pissed aliens. He thanked her with his eyes and quickly left. When Liz, Maria and Alex were the only ones left, Liz let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding. If that had been difficult, she didn’t want to think about facing her parents.
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