Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters portrayed (except for the Grayson's and their dog) or places depicted and apologize for any likeness in appearance any of you may experience with anyone in this story. Also I'm not making any money off this. FYI

Prologue

Noah was panicking in the entrance hall of his home in Highland Park, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. His bright green eyes were fixed on the street in front of his house as if it was about to open up and spew lava. He went and stood in front of a mirror and nervously started fidgeting with his dark blonde hair. Suddenly his cell phone began to sing 'Sweet Child of Mine'. His father had changed his ring tone when he wasn't looking and he'd left it that way.

"Dad?" His voice was wavering, like his nerves

"Noah," his father sounded nervous too,"they said they'd be there by four o'clock, and it's half past four."

"Dad, it's only half past three here. I thought you were in Phoenix 'til Wednesday?"

"Oh I managed to close the deal earlier than I'd planned for. My plane's just landed; I think I'm still on Miami time."

Noah's dad, George, was the head of the sales department for a major computer technology company which meant he traveled a lot. His territory covered most of the southern states and a portion of Latin America. However, that alone, did not make him special. George was also a mutant. His mutation was in his mind and it granted him very weak telepathy. For the most part, he could only read surface thoughts, but it was always enough to tell if someone was lying. It was a skill that he found useful both at work and at home.

His son Noah was also a mutant. However, unlike his father, the son possessed a much more impressive gift. He could make things stop, as if someone pressed pause. Noah always described it like putting a bubble around something.

"Stop worrying," Noah's shaky voice didn't help, "I called them because I want to be around others like me - us. Like us."

"I know. I just wish you didn't have to go across the country to do it."

Just then a silver Mercedes pulled up in front of the house, before it pulled into the driveway. "Dad, I gotta go. They're here."

"Alright. I love you. Call me when they leave!"

"I will. Love ya. Bye." He rushed the response and ended the call. He looked himself over in the mirror one more time before quickly ducking around the corner from the door. His dog, Tuesday, a dark brindle boxer with floppy ears and full size tail, came and sat next to him. She stared up at her owner as if she was waiting for him to do a trick. Noah watched as a slightly intimidating man with dark hair and red tinted sunglasses came to the door and knocked. He waited for a few seconds while Tuesday ran into the entryway, barking and jumping up on the door. He came around the corner and with a single snap Tuesday calmed down and sat away from the door. Though he knew she was ready if her master called for her, or if she felt the strangers were dangerous. Noah opened the door to not only the dark haired man but a gentle looking older man in a wheel chair with no hair as well. The boy looked into the dog's eyes and she let out a sigh before lying down, telling her master there was no threat. The man walked in pushing the wheelchair and closed the door.

"Hi, I'm Noah Grayson; I spoke with Dr. Jean Grey on the phone." Noah extended his hand first to the older man. He returned the gesture and introduced himself.

"Yes, I'm Professor Charles Xavier, the owner of the school." He spoke evenly as he gestured to the other man. "This is Scott Summers, one of the instructors. So you're interested in attending?"

"Yes," Noah shook the other man's hand, and then gestured to the living room. "Can I get you something to drink? I'm sure you're hungry after your trip."

Xavier shook his head, but Scott offered a warm smile and spoke for the first time. "I'd like a glass of water if you don't mind."

"Sure, just make yourself comfortable in the living room." As soon as they entered the living room, Noah let out a deep breath. He'd always been able to hide his nervousness as long as he was being polite. Knowing the owner of the school was here didn't make it any easier though. He patted his leg and walked into the kitchen, and Tuesday followed without hesitation. He quickly retrieved a glass and filled it with water. He set it down on the counter for a moment and turned to Tuesday, kneeling down to her level and placing hands on either side of her face. "Why am I acting weird? They're mutants too, right?" She huffed a response which made him smile. He grabbed the glass and walked into the living room where Xavier and Summers were waiting patiently.

"Here ya go," just as he went to give the glass to Summers his hand jerked and the drink toppled out of his grip. Before the water hit Scott, Noah extended his fingers in an explosive motion and the liquid and glass stopped in midair. "Sorry I'm really nervous right now." He grabbed the glass and gingerly maneuvered all the water back into it, then made a flicking motion with his free hand and the water began to move again. He handed it to Scott, who smiled but set the glass down on the table in front of him.

"You seem to already have a good deal of control over your ability," said the Professor, seemingly impressed with Noah's accidental display. "How do you think you'll benefit from attending my school?"

"Well," Noah had to think for a moment. "I do have control over it, sort of, but the main thing is, I really want to be around others like me. The first time my powers surfaced was at lunch and only half the cafeteria stopped...I've been singled out by both students, and teachers ever since."

"I see...I think coming to the school with us will be a welcome change for you. Are your parents here?"

"No, Dad's in Phoenix on business, and my step-mom is working at the hospital. If you need parental permission or something, I can sign for it. They had me emancipated so I could make my own decisions about things like this."

"Then, you can come with us now if you want." Summers said, he'd mostly been staring at the water rather than drinking it. The smile he offered Noah seemed to calm him further.

"It's all up to you Noah."The Professor's voice sounded without his lips moving. "There's something to be said for being around other mutants."

"Let me make a few phone calls." Noah excitedly darted out into the entrance hall and pulled his phone out of his pocket. Tuesday had run alongside him thinking this was a game of chase. He knelt before her again. "You're gonna miss me huh?" She let out a soft whimper and lay down again. He chuckled lightly before calling his Dad.

"Hey! So what's the verdict?"

"Dad, I think you should put New York on your territory map."

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Author Notes: A big thank you to Spiras Stargate for Beta Reading this Chapter for me!