InsaneJournal

log: Storm and Professor X
Who: Charles Xavier and Ororo Munroe
When: BACKDATED to Monday, June 30th
Where: Xavier's office
What: 'Ro catches Xavier up on what's going on at the mansion. Mostly Scott's issues and 'Ro's sex life.


Ororo knew that this was going to be one of the hardest conversations she'd ever have. In fact, one of the hardest things she'd ever do. Because she was going to talk to Professor Xavier about his son figure and how batshit crazy he was.

She liked Scott, she really did, but more than that she respected him. He was willing to take a hard line if it was the right thing. Even when he seemed unreasonable, she often respected his decision. Someone had to do what Scott did. But when he stopped only seeming unreasonable and became actually unreasonable and suicidal, she was ready to take over and ship him off to Alaska or somewhere. Somewhere he wouldn't hurt himself or others.

But now she was probably being unreasonable. That was why she went to Charles, because he would be reasonable and also, it was his call. At the end of the day, she had no more real authority or power than Scott. She couldn't actually just make him do whatever she wanted. It was only force of will that had gotten her this far.

"Charles?" She knocked on his office door, before letting herself in. She told him she was coming, and he was psychic. She wasn't going to surprise him. "Are you free?"

Charles was at his desk, reading. For once, he wasn't working. It was summer, and things had been handled exceptionally well in his absence by the rest of the faculty. He had the book out on the desk, and his orange cat was half asleep on it, purring while he scratched between her ears. He'd missed her horribly. When Ororo entered, he looked up, setting a weight on top of the book to keep it open to the page he was on.

"Ororo, please come in, have a seat." Since returning, he'd gotten rest in his own bed and he looked well. He'd been badly injured in the battle against Magneto and felt the effects for a very long time. He was fully recovered now.

"Thank you," she smiled. It was good to see him back, at his desk, looking well and rested. This was the way things were supposed to be. She took a seat in front of him. "You look good, Charles. Feeling well?" It wasn't just small talk. 'Ro cared deeply about how the professor was doing. But it probably sounded like she was stalling.

"Has Scott...talked to you yet?"

"I've heard some things," said Charles. "From Hank, mostly. I haven't talked extensively with Scott." He didn't answer the question about how he was feeling. He was far more worried about Scott. "From what I understand he isn't doing well, and I'm sure that to a certain extent that's my fault."

"It's a lot of things, from what he's told me. It's not entirely my place to say what all he's said; the point is, in fact, that he needs to talk to people before he does some serious harm to himself and others." She shifted a little, uncomfortable, knowing what she had to say but knowing that it would probably look like she was a little eager to take charge. "I don't have any real authority here to order Scott around, but..." Charles did. That went unsaid as she switched to, "but I don't think he should be given any sort of responsibility until he's talked to people, sorted things out. My word isn't going to keep him in check forever. ...and after Arla..." she added quietly. She didn't want Scott to get so bad he was as incomprehensible as the woman had been.

Charles listened, shifting uncomfortably. "Let me speak with him," he said after a moment. "I agree with you entirely. Hank has alerted me as to his health situation, which is closely linked to his current mental state. This is going to take a while to sort out and I'd like it put on the record now that I don't want him making any important decisions until he starts to care for himself."

"Of course. Of course you should," she said quickly. Scott needed to talk to Charles, she knew that from day one. Let them sort out that whole using Scott as bait thing. "Good. Good, I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the situation. You know I'll continue to fill in until it's all sorted out." She sat up a little taller, glad to have gotten this off her chest.

"I ..." Charles sighed, clasped his hands in front of him. "I feel responsible for all of this. I know Scott just exacerbates all of his problems by insisting that he's fine, but my decision to move forward at the expense of his life has really taken its toll on him. I don't know how to change that. He would have made the same decision. So would you."

Ororo nodded sympathetically. "The sacrifices of the profession." She thought briefly of Jean and frowned. "They take their toll," she whispered. She wished it didn't have to be that way. But this was the way the world worked. They joined the X-Men in order to help the world, no matter their own safety. "There's no way to redo what's happened, but I wish I could tell you something that would help. He needs to talk, he needs a vacation, but...you know Scott." Talking and vacationing were dereliction of duty.

"I'll see what I can do. I'll force him, if I have to." Charles tapped the side of his head. "Unethical, but when it comes to Scott's health, I would be glad to cross ethical boundaries. I often do, and in less important matters than this."

Ororo raised her eyebrows, almost surprised at Charles' decision. But again, leaders had to make difficult decisions, including ethical ones. "Whatever you think is in his best interest, although given his current...disillusion with your decision, forcing him might not be the best way to go." But Charles knew that. Of course Charles did. Ororo just felt the need to say it.

"I know. I understand." Charles finally closed his book and set it aside. "But clearly, you and Hank and other people dealing with him hasn't affected him at all."

She frowned and look down, feeling admonished. "No, clearly not." And Ororo never admitted defeat lightly.

"I'll speak with him. You really ought to worry more about taking care of yourself." Charles paused, tilted his head ever-so-slightly. It wasn't that he meant to read her mind, but.. you know. It was as natural as breathing to him. "And Logan." His mouth twitched. No. No, he wasn't smirking.

For one unsuave moment, Ororo looked something like a teen caught by her father in a compromising position. She quickly regained her composure, although she shook her head slightly. And then she was smirking. "I think Logan can take care of himself. And I will be fine, of course." She, contrary to what some might think, had a sense of fun. Or at least was willing to take breaks.

"I'm certain, yes, absolutely." Charles closed his eyes and honestly, he couldn't help chuckling. There were images in his mind that he really couldn't get rid of now, and while he was a mature, older man, he still found amusement in this.

Ororo shook her head again. "So exactly how much are you going to mock me?" Not that she minded. Scott was horrified she would sleep with Logan, and Charles found it amusing. Who knows what everybody else thought, but that was their business. Ororo wasn't really going to be embarrassed or shamed for what she was doing.

"Me?" Charles laughed. "I don't mock. I don't mock. I ... can't actually say that I'm surprised." He was actually rather jovial about it. Perhaps he needed the distraction. "It appears everything has turned upside down in my absence. You and Logan... I believe Scott and Sally, though I do believe that ought to be a secret."

"Well, it is a very closed environment," she smirked. Relationships changed in a place like this, and sometimes quickly. She did stop herself from making a horribly surprised and confused face at the mention of Scott and Sally, and her face turned thoughtful. "That does explain some of the journal comments recently."

"Perhaps that will be more therapeutic for him than anything Hank or I could do." Charles pursed his lips. "Who knows. I will have a talk with him. I worry for him, he should know that. Our relationship has been rather strained, I admit."

"Anything that gets him to take a break," she murmured. Sally wasn't as bad as Emma, but still. Sally? "You've been busy," she allowed. "But I think a talk with you will do wonders."