X-Men: The Gifted Ones

39. CHARLES' CLASSROOM, XAVIER MANSION, WEST CHESTER, NY

Charles was teaching a biology class and was trying to describe photosynthesis to a class full of students who looked like they would rather be outside trampling over flowers and playing than learning about them in a classroom. He had drawn a flower on the chalkboard and was trying to describe how the plants used sunlight to synthesize foods by using carbon dioxide and water. He tried to explain how chlorophyll generated oxygen as a result. No one seemed too interested and he began to worry about the devious smile on Jason Stryker's face. The boy had been nothing but trouble since he arrived at the school and Charles had been too optimistic about the boy being able to turn over a new leaf.

Leaf... Charles returned to the lesson. He tried to explain the purpose of the leaves of a plant when he noticed that Hank McCoy had entered the classroom, walking provocatively, and curiously- was wearing Jane's wedding dress and high heels. Charles was sure he looked disgusted and horrified. He knew Hank had been stressed out lately, training the new students and having no idea of the tricks Magneto had up his sleeve, but this was a bit too much of a mental breakdown, even for someone as high-strung as Hank.

Hank paused just inside the classroom and began to dance and shake his hips.

"What in the hell?" Charles whispered.

Charles didn't notice that the students were confused and another and exchanging glances with one another. Jason was smiling and trying his best to not burst out laughing. Charles didn't even care about the students at this point, he was trying to understand what in the world was going on. He was stunned speechless. Hank continued to sway his hips and he turned around, placing his rear end near Charles' face. "Hank, what in heaven's name are you doing?" Charles pleaded.

Hank responded by turning around and leaning forward with a suggestive expression. There were children present, Charles fumed inwardly. He was glad they weren't giving attention to this kind of madness. He pulled down the front of his dress, exposing his chest.

Enough was enough. "Good God, Hank, get a hold of yourself, will you? My God, this is a classroom, not a bloody cabaret!"

Hank sat on Charles' lap and leered. "How do you like me now?"

Only it wasn't Hank's voice at all. It was Jane's. Charles shook his head. He was angry and relieved. Relieved because none of this was real, but angry because once again, Jason had entered his mind and created illusions. Try as he may, he simply could not keep the boy out of his mind enough to keep the illusions from appearing. "Jason!" he snapped.

Jason laughed hysterically. "Like that, Professor?" he taunted.

Charles tried to stay calm. "Jason, we have had this discussion about entering people's thoughts and casting illusions. I have told you before, this is not like home. You don't need to be angry at us; we're here to help you. May we continue our class?"

Jason pretended to be remorseful. "Yes, professor."

Charles managed a small smile and returned to the chalkboard. "One of the structures in a plant's cells that enables photosynthesis is..."

"Hey, Mark!" Charles heard Jason whisper. "I know you can hear me, you ugly little freak! Freak!"

Mark started crying.

Charles realized that Jason was taunting the small child using telepathy. Charles knew that he would have to fight fire with fire to get Jason to straighten up. "Jason, that is quite enough," he spoke to the boy's mind. "If you do not stop this abuse of your powers, I will have to do something I will not like to do."

Jason glared at Charles, his expression smug, willing to argue through telepathy. "What are you going to do? Give me a lobotomy? You sound just like my dad!"

Charles frowned. He hated to be compared to the boy's father, who sounded so hateful and intolerant. Charles tried to make the boy feel safe and loved, but Jason did not wish to feel safe or loved. The more love Charles had shown, the more Jason compared him to his father. "No, no," he tried to reassure the boy. "Remember those psychic barriers we discussed? I do not want to create those for you, but you're beginning to leave me no choice. You cannot cause trouble for everyone in this school."

"I won't let you mess with my brain," the boy glowered, blocking Charles' telepathy. Charles didn't need to use his powers to understand the threats and malice in the boy's eyes.