The Dreamweaver Chronicles -- Part VII

Logan was waiting for them as the students returned from school. “Okay, listen up,” he ordered. “Older students suit up and report to the Danger Room in ten minutes. Younger students should hit the books before their session this afternoon. Get going.”

“You heard the man,” Scott said.

There were numerous grumbles as the students drifted to their rooms. However, Chloe lingered behind. She had heard plenty about the Danger Room since her arrival but doubted that she would be expected to join the team for a session. That left her to do her homework like the younger students.

“You look lost, kid,” Logan said, grinning.

“Not sure where I’m suppose to go. I guess I should get a start on my homework.”

“Actually, Charles wants you to see him in his office.”

Chloe paled. “Am I in trouble?”

“Nah,” Logan replied, chuckling. “He probably just wants to hear how your first day went. Well, I’m off to the Danger Room. It’s not a good idea to keep Chuck waiting.”

Sufficiently warned, Chloe ran up the stairs. She quickly deposited her bookbag in her room before trotting to the professor’s office. She did remember to knock before entering, although she wondered if it was necessary with a telepath.

‘I still appreciate common courtesy, Chloe.’ He smiled from behind his desk. “Please, take a seat. How was your first day at school?”

“It was all right, I guess,” she said. “Everyone was really nice. Well, almost everyone.”

“Almost everyone?” the professor asked, his tone thoughtful. “Did something happen?”

Chloe immediately stiffened. “Nothing major, professor.”

“I’m not going to pry, Chloe,” he said, his tone gentle. “However, I would like it if you told me what happened.”

She hesitated. Then, reluctantly, she told him about the confrontation with the boys at school. He listened attentively as she spoke.

“I know that I shouldn’t have used my powers like that,” she concluded. “I just couldn’t think of anything else to do. I’m sorry if I have disappointed you.”

“You haven’t disappointed me, Chloe.” The response clearly surprised her. “Yes, it is regrettable that you had to use your powers, especially at school and against other students. However, no one was hurt and you drew no great attention to yourself.”

“I wouldn’t say that no one was hurt,” she murmured, fighting the urge to rub her forehead. “My head ached something fierce for several minutes afterward.”

The professor looked intrigued. “Does that happen every time you use your powers?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” she replied after a moment of reflection. “The pain’s worse than the longer I use my powers.”

“Interesting.” The professor wheeled himself closer to the girl. “Chloe, I would like to try something.”

“What, sir?”

“I have a theory on why you suffer headaches from using your powers,” he said. “To test it out, I would like to scan your mind as you use your powers.”

“Scan my mind?” Chloe swallowed hard. “Will it hurt?”

“No, it won’t hurt, Chloe.”

The teen sat still, lost in indecision. Finally, after a long moment, she nodded. “So, I should just try to use my power?”

“Yes,” Xavier said. “Just concentrate on what you are doing. Just relax.”

“Right.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her brow furrowed in concentration. Within moments, the room was filled with dancing spots of rainbow light.

Xavier quickly closed his eyes as well. He stretched his mind out toward the girl, feeling the push of her power against him as he did so. Gently, he worked past the force and her surprisingly strong mental shields, reaching toward his goal.

Chloe was focused on maintaining her illusion of a boy bouncing a ball. She seemed unaware of his presence in her mind. He pressed deeper into her psyche.

Immediately, the boy and his ball disappeared. Xavier fell against the back of his wheelchair as if he had been pushed. Chloe, pale and wide-eyed, stared at him.

“Professor, are you alright?”

Xavier nodded. “I’m fine. Are you okay? I must admit that my little experiment has revealed more than I had planned.”

“I’m okay, but I’m really sorry about that, sir. Honestly.”

“Chloe, it’s okay. It’s a defensive reaction on your part to my presence in your mind. You pushed me out.”

“Was that what you were expecting from your experiment?”

“No, although I should have. You have strong mental shields, Chloe. That allowed you to push me out of your mind. Conversely, it is also what is causing your headaches. You are pushing against those shields when you use your gift.”

“So, I’ll always have headaches when I use my powers.”

“No, I don’t believe so. When I visited you in Massachusetts, I said I would help you develop your gift. If you will work with me, you can learn to adjust your shields.”

Chloe sighed, tucking her hair back behind her ears. While she wanted to have better control of her powers, she wasn’t sure she wanted the professor in her head. “When do we start?”

“I think you’ve had enough for today. Let’s start tomorrow after school.” Xavier eyed the girl. “Now, why don’t you go see Mr. McCoy for something for your headache? I’ll see you at dinner.”

Chloe nodded and left the room. As she was taking the elevator down to the infirmary, she wondered if she had made the right decision. But the headache soon drove any other thought from her mind.


Evaluations Logan was waiting for them as the students returned from school. “Okay, listen up,” he ordered. “Older students suit up and report to the Danger Room in ten minutes. Younger students should hit the books before their session this afternoon. Get going.” “You heard the man,” Scott said. There were numerous grumbles as the students drifted to their rooms. However, Chloe lingered behind. She had heard plenty about the Danger Room since her arrival but doubted that she would be expected to join the team for a session. That left her to do her homework like the younger students. “You look lost, kid,” Logan said, grinning. “Not sure where I’m suppose to go. I guess I should get a start on my homework.” “Actually, Charles wants you to see him in his office.” Chloe paled. “Am I in trouble?” “Nah,” Logan replied, chuckling. “He probably just wants to hear how your first day went. Well, I’m off to the Danger Room. It’s not a good idea to keep Chuck waiting.” Sufficiently warned, Chloe ran up the stairs. She quickly deposited her bookbag in her room before trotting to the professor’s office. She did remember to knock before entering, although she wondered if it was necessary with a telepath. ‘I still appreciate common courtesy, Chloe.’ He smiled from behind his desk. “Please, take a seat. How was your first day at school?” “It was all right, I guess,” she said. “Everyone was really nice. Well, almost everyone.” “Almost everyone?” the professor asked, his tone thoughtful. “Did something happen?” Chloe immediately stiffened. “Nothing major, professor.” “I’m not going to pry, Chloe,” he said, his tone gentle. “However, I would like it if you told me what happened.” She hesitated. Then, reluctantly, she told him about the confrontation with the boys at school. He listened attentively as she spoke. “I know that I shouldn’t have used my powers like that,” she concluded. “I just couldn’t think of anything else to do. I’m sorry if I have disappointed you.” “You haven’t disappointed me, Chloe.” The response clearly surprised her. “Yes, it is regrettable that you had to use your powers, especially at school and against other students. However, no one was hurt and you drew no great attention to yourself.” “I wouldn’t say that no one was hurt,” she murmured, fighting the urge to rub her forehead. “My head ached something fierce for several minutes afterward.” The professor looked intrigued. “Does that happen every time you use your powers?” “Yeah, I guess so,” she replied after a moment of reflection. “The pain’s worse than the longer I use my powers.” “Interesting.” The professor wheeled himself closer to the girl. “Chloe, I would like to try something.” “What, sir?” “I have a theory on why you suffer headaches from using your powers,” he said. “To test it out, I would like to scan your mind as you use your powers.” “Scan my mind?” Chloe swallowed hard. “Will it hurt?” “No, it won’t hurt, Chloe.” The teen sat still, lost in indecision. Finally, after a long moment, she nodded. “So, I should just try to use my power?” “Yes,” Xavier said. “Just concentrate on what you are doing. Just relax.” “Right.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her brow furrowed in concentration. Within moments, the room was filled with dancing spots of rainbow light. Xavier quickly closed his eyes as well. He stretched his mind out toward the girl, feeling the push of her power against him as he did so. Gently, he worked past the force and her surprisingly strong mental shields, reaching toward his goal. Chloe was focused on maintaining her illusion of a boy bouncing a ball. She seemed unaware of his presence in her mind. He pressed deeper into her psyche. Immediately, the boy and his ball disappeared. Xavier fell against the back of his wheelchair as if he had been pushed. Chloe, pale and wide-eyed, stared at him. “Professor, are you alright?” Xavier nodded. “I’m fine. Are you okay? I must admit that my little experiment has revealed more than I had planned.” “I’m okay, but I’m really sorry about that, sir. Honestly.” “Chloe, it’s okay. It’s a defensive reaction on your part to my presence in your mind. You pushed me out.” “Was that what you were expecting from your experiment?” “No, although I should have. You have strong mental shields, Chloe. That allowed you to push me out of your mind. Conversely, it is also what is causing your headaches. You are pushing against those shields when you use your gift.” “So, I’ll always have headaches when I use my powers.” “No, I don’t believe so. When I visited you in Massachusetts, I said I would help you develop your gift. If you will work with me, you can learn to adjust your shields.” Chloe sighed, tucking her hair back behind her ears. While she wanted to have better control of her powers, she wasn’t sure she wanted the professor in her head. “When do we start?” “I think you’ve had enough for today. Let’s start tomorrow after school.” Xavier eyed the girl. “Now, why don’t you go see Mr. McCoy for something for your headache? I’ll see you at dinner.” Chloe nodded and left the room. As she was taking the elevator down to the infirmary, she wondered if she had made the right decision. But the headache soon drove any other thought from her mind.


Part VIII: Evaluations (cont'd) Back