Jor-El sat thoughtfully, contemplating sleep. He was a bit tired, yes, but felt empowered. His keen sense of hearing caught scraping of bare feet on the stone floor several stories down. The sound became steadily louder.

The door creaked as weight was placed near its base.

"Come in." Jor-El allowed, before the man outside even had a chance to knock. His heavy frame leaned through the door, disguised by strange, thick clothing. The man's arms hung loosely at his sides, knotted with muscle.

"Someone's here." He grumbled, waiting for a response.

Jor-El nodded slowly, deliberating. "I suspected that might be the case. Send them in." The door swung back, parted slightly. Some time later, a slim hand slipped into the crack, widening it, and someone entered the room, slow and deliberate.

Surprisingly enough, it was a woman, of short stature. Dressed cleanly in a pleated skirt and jacket, she held a leather briefcase at her side. He raised an eyebrow at her over his fingertips, long fingers arched and touching lightly in front of his face. He waited patiently and calmly, and she cleared her throat, taking an available seat. Finding it uncomfortable, she shifted, eyes never leaving his composed face and inquisitively arched eyebrows.

"So." He said, amused. "You found me."

"If you don't mind me saying so," the woman said, collecting herself. "You left a bit of a trail behind you … by all appearances, you wanted to be found. Here I am." She leaned back.

He nodded, still amused. "Well, it would seem so, wouldn't it? Do you like my humble abode? It's a bit cold in the winter, but I have to admit it's never disturbed me. It bothers Thomas. Perhaps I will have some sort of heating installed."

"Was there anything you wished to say to the person I represent?"

He shrugged. "That depends, of course, on what you have to say to me?"

She calmly opened her briefcase, pulling out a stack of papers and straightening it before herself. "You've become quite well known. At least… to those interested in things that aren't well known. I don't think you will be explaining yourself or your actions any time soon?"

Jor-El shook his head. "My question is, if you've been aware of me for very long, why wasn't I approached before now?"

Her face remained expressionless. "The one I represent would be interested in meeting with you, perhaps coming to an understanding."

"Of course he wants to meet me."

"The two of you seem to have common interests."

"It may be so." Jor-El smiled to himself. "Or, per say, his interests align with mine… in that case, I'm sure we can work something out."

She wasn't surprised. "Magneto has no desire to work for you, sir."

He nodded. "For now."

She drew her hands to herself, unsure. Jor-El watched with a keen eye. "You have an interesting bone structure, my dear."

She blinked. "You're a mutant? I wouldn't be surprised."

"Please reveal yourself."

Her features shifted, brown hair shrinking up into her scalp, and skin darkening to blue. He laughed, and she looked offended.

"Some other time." He said curtly.

Confused and silent she took her briefcase and left. Sliding the wooden panel that was the wall, Jor-El left his documents to the side and turned his attention to his many blue computer screens. An attack was gathering; he was sure of it.

He gazed out the window to the gray foliage outside, where the sun shone bleakly through the tips of the trees. Maybe it was time.