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Bobby burst through Jay's apartment door like the building was on fire, expecting to find his friend either pacing frantically or hunched over tactical plans after what had to be the most terrifying hour of his life.
Instead, Jay was sprawled across his couch in worn jeans and a faded t-shirt, sipping chai while Miles Davis drifted from the stereo. He looked up from his paperback with mild annoyance.
"An hour ago," Bobby said, staring in disbelief, "you had the world's scariest man sitting in your living room. Nick fucking Fury. And you're reading?"
Jay turned a page. "I've given them something to chew on. As long as they're gnawing at the marrow, we're in the clear."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Bobby." Jay's voice carried that particular brand of patient exhaustion reserved for explaining obvious things to children. "Don't lose sleep over it. Everything's handled."
Bobby opened his mouth to argue, took one look at Jay's expression, and decided he didn't want to know what kind of nuclear information his friend had dropped on the Director of SHIELD.
Some secrets were better left buried.
The next morning, Jay's secure phone buzzed. Professor Charles Xavier—they'd been playing phone tag for days.
"Dr. Jay speaking."
"This is Professor Charles Xavier." The voice carried Oxford authority, yet humbler than their previous conversations. "I believe we've had some... miscommunications regarding our mutual acquaintance, Marie. I was hoping you might visit so I can apologize in person."
Jay let the silence stretch, knowing Xavier was reading his hesitation as reluctance rather than amusement. The great telepath who'd tried to mind-rape him was practically begging now.
"I suppose I could make time. This afternoon work?"
"Absolutely. I'll have someone escort you from the gates."
After hanging up, Jay found Bobby in the kitchen. "Check if SHIELD's surveillance teams are still active. Full sweep. Text me what you find."
"Where are you going?"
"Back to Xavier's place. Time to collect on some overdue debts."
The drive upstate gave Jay time to think. His new Datsun 240Z purred like a contented predator, eating up highway miles. He'd earned this car.
His phone rang at the Westchester county line.
"Coulson."
"Agent Coulson." Jay grinned at the barely controlled excitement in the man's voice. "Getting any rest, or too busy planning arctic expeditions?"
"How did you—never mind. I don't want to know." Coulson laughed, slightly unhinged. "I still can't believe Fury approved this. Three days of prep for what might be the most important mission in SHIELD history."
"Amazing what people will greenlight when the stakes are high enough," Jay said. "What does SHIELD have on Xavier's people?"
"Basic files. Confirmed mutants, but they maintain non-aggression. Xavier donates heavily to the President's campaigns, so there's political protection."
"And what does Fury know that's not in the files?"
Coulson hesitated. "That's classified—"
"Phil. After yesterday, do classifications really matter between us?"
A pause. "Private arrangement from '83. Mutual aid—they handle rogue mutants, we manage media coverage."
Jay processed this. Ancient mutant trying to remake the world, civilization nearly ending before most people knew it was threatened. Typical Tuesday in the Marvel universe. But its effect on the new MCU timeline will need to be studied.
"Good to know. Thanks."
"Jay? Be careful in there. Xavier's people are... intense."
Xavier's gates opened automatically as Jay approached. The familiar bamf of displaced air announced Kurt Wagner's arrival before Jay had even parked.
"Dr. Jay!" Kurt materialized with his characteristic grin, though Jay caught nervousness in the teleporter's yellow eyes. "Willkommen back. Ze Professor, he is waiting."
Jay followed him through corridors that felt different now—less welcoming, more watchful. Students glanced his way with obvious curiosity.
Word had spread about his last visit. About what he could do.
The main hall felt like a tribunal. Jay settled into the same leather chair, picking up a newspaper while cataloging everyone's positioning.
Rogue appeared first, nervous energy barely contained despite her attempt at casual confidence.
"Jay," she said in her Southern drawl, "Sugar, Ah'm real glad you could make it back. After last time... well, Ah know things got heated."
"Ancient history," Jay replied, not looking up from the sports section.
Logan showed up next, positioning himself near the door, predatory eyes tracking Jay's every movement.
"Back again, bub? Either you're real brave or real stupid."
"Little of both, probably."
Storm entered, air pressure shifting. Her white hair moved with its own wind.
"Doctor," she said coolly. "I trust this visit will be more... productive."
Scott entered with projected authority while clearly waiting for Xavier's cues. "We appreciate you coming back despite the... misunderstandings."
Jean followed, immediately probing telepathically against Jay's mental shields. Her brow furrowed with familiar frustration as her abilities found no purchase.
Xavier entered with Beast shuffling behind, wringing massive hands nervously. The Professor wore his diplomatic smile—reserved for delicate negotiations.
"Dr. Jay," Xavier said with measured warmth. "Thank you for returning despite our unfortunate first meeting. I owe you a sincere apology."
Jay folded the newspaper and looked up. "Do you now?"
Xavier's composure flickered slightly. "My attempt to scan your thoughts was inappropriate and invasive. You came seeking understanding, and I responded with suspicion rather than support." He paused carefully. "However, you must understand our perspective. When you demonstrated your ability to suppress Marie's powers, it felt like removing what fundamentally makes us who we are."
Jay let the silence hang. "And violating someone's mental sanctity is different how?"
The words landed like a gentle slap. Several X-Men shifted uncomfortably.
"There's a significant difference," Xavier began, academic authority reasserting itself, "between temporary suppression chosen by the individual and permanent removal forced upon them. Under the circumstances, telepathic assessment seemed prudent."
Jay stood slowly, suddenly commanding every eye in the room. Yet he projected curiosity rather than confrontation. "I'm trying to understand the philosophy here. You've built quite an impressive place."
He gestured around the elegant hall. "Beautiful architecture, world-class facilities, students who feel safe. Remarkable, really."
Xavier relaxed slightly. "We try to provide sanctuary for those who need it."
"For some. The ones who can benefit from what you offer here."
Storm's eyes flashed. "We help anyone who comes to us seeking aid."
Jay turned back thoughtfully. "I'm sure you do your best. But resources are limited, right? You can't save everyone."
Scott replied, tone heavy with impossible decisions. "We do what we can."
Jay nodded with apparent understanding. "Of course. Practical considerations." He paused conversationally. "When's the last time someone whose mutation makes them leak acid constantly enrolled here?"
Beast's scientific mind wrestled visibly. "Such cases would require specialized medical—"
Jay interjected gently. "Right, exactly. Not feasible. Too dangerous for other students. I understand completely." His tone remained reasonable, but something sharp flickered in his eyes. "And someone whose appearance is significantly altered? That must present image challenges. Well, aside from Hank with his achievements or Kurt with his convenient teleportation."
"We don't discriminate based on appearance," Jean said quickly.
Jay agreed easily. "Of course not. But practically speaking, there are limits, right? A student who causes uncontrollable nausea in everyone around them would disrupt the learning environment."
The room grew uncomfortable, though Jay's tone remained conversational.
"I've done medical work in New York's underground. The Morlock tunnels. Fascinating community down there. Kids whose mutations make them... less suitable for surface life."
Xavier's hands tightened on his wheelchair arms. "The world above ground—"
Jay finished with apparent understanding. "Isn't ready, right? Makes sense. You work within the system, build bridges, show mutants can integrate. Smart approach."
Logan straightened, instincts detecting something others missed. "Where you going with this, bub?"
Jay smiled with apparent warmth. "Just exploring different perspectives."
He turned back to the group. "You're doing incredible work here. Teaching these kids control, showing the world mutants can be heroes. Inspiring, really."
The genuine-sounding praise made the underlying tension more unsettling.
Jay continued thoughtfully. "But I'm curious about the philosophical framework. When you suppress your own abilities to blend in—Mystique changing her form to appear normal—that's acceptable. But when I offer Marie the same choice temporarily, that's taking away her identity?"
Hank fumbled for words, scientific precision failing him. "It's... the context is different—"
Jay asked gently. "Is it? Or is it about who gets to make the choice?"
He looked directly at Rogue, expression softening genuinely. "Marie, that day when I touched your skin and you felt nothing—no absorption, no memories, no trauma—how did that make you feel?"
"Like Ah could breathe again," she whispered, accent thickening with emotion, green eyes bright with unshed tears. "Like Ah wasn't dangerous for the first time since Ah was fourteen. Like maybe Ah could be normal, just for a little while."
Jay nodded slowly. "That sounds like freedom to me."
Xavier studied him with growing wariness, decades of experience recognizing when he was being outmaneuvered. "Your point is well taken. Perhaps we were too hasty in our judgment."
"I appreciate that. Though I have to ask—is this newfound openness related to your conversation with Director Fury about me?"
The temperature seemed to drop. Xavier went very still.
Xavier said carefully, academic composure reasserting. "I'm not sure I follow."
Jay's smile didn't change. "Oh, I just meant you guys are so close due to your mutual aid agreement. You know, the one from the Cairo incident in 1983? When Apocalypse tried to remake the world?"
Dead silence. Jean's eyes went wide. Logan shot Xavier a sharp look.
Jay continued conversationally. "You help SHIELD with rogue mutants, they keep mutant affairs out of mainstream media. Quite elegant. Everyone wins."
Xavier's composure cracked visibly. "How could you possibly—"
Jay shrugged casually. "I make it my business to understand the people I work with, Professor. Speaking of which, I should mention why I'm really here."
The shift was unmistakable. Suddenly, Jay wasn't the curious visitor—he was controlling this conversation, having systematically dismantled their moral high ground.
Jay said simply. "I need access to Hank's MGH research."
Beast jumped in, panic evident. "Absolutely not. That research is classified, dangerous, and completely unethical to share with—"
Jay interrupted mildly. "With someone who could give Marie normal human contact whenever she wants it? Someone who could let you pass for human when needed? The applications extend far beyond suppression—we're talking about controlled, temporary modifications that could revolutionize how mutants interact with the world."
Jean's telepathic probe hit his shields again, bouncing off.
Jay glanced at her with amusement. "Most people consider it rude to keep trying to read someone's mind after they've made it clear they don't appreciate it."
Jean flushed. "It's mostly involuntary."
Jay's smile turned razor-sharp. "Here's a thought—maybe work on that impulse control before someone decides your 'involuntary' violations deserve a more permanent solution."
Xavier and Beast exchanged a look laden with decades of shared secrets. Xavier's fingers steepled as he weighed options.
Xavier said slowly, each word measured. "The research data would remain highly classified. Any access would require strict oversight and limitations. We cannot simply hand over years of genetic research to—"
Jay's smile turned genuinely pleased. "That someone happens to be the new consultant for the Fantastic Four. Reed Richards requires this research to understand the cellular changes their team underwent from cosmic radiation. The scientific applications alone justify collaboration." In exchange, I'm offering temporary power suppression for Rogue and Beast—or anyone else here who might benefit—on an as-needed basis.
The reactions were telling. Rogue looked like every dream she'd ever had was suddenly within reach, hands trembling as she imagined simple human touch. Storm watched Jay with the wariness of someone recognizing a storm more dangerous than her own. Beast appeared torn between scientific curiosity and the growing certainty he was making a deal with something far more complex than initially assumed.
"Kid's got stones," Logan growled, but with grudging respect. "I'll give him that."
Xavier studied Jay with the intensity of someone solving an impossibly complex equation. "There would be additional conditions. Dr. McCoy would supervise any research access. We would maintain final approval over applications."
Jay agreed easily. "Of course. But Reed's involvement is non-negotiable—he's the leading expert in cellular mutation outside of Dr. McCoy here."
"And if we discover you're using this information for harmful purposes..."
Jay's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise. "Professor, I'm offering your people the freedom to choose when and how they express their gifts. Wasn't that what you taught?"
He stood, collecting his jacket with casual satisfaction. The conversation had gone exactly where he'd wanted, yet somehow everyone felt they'd been part of the decision.
Jay said pleasantly. "I should let you all discuss the specifics. Marie, I'll coordinate with Dr. McCoy regarding research access. You can decide when you'd like to move forward with treatments."
As he headed for the door, he paused and turned back with apparent afterthought.
"Oh, and Professor? Next time someone comes looking for help understanding their abilities, maybe try listening before poking around in their head. Just a thought."
The gentle rebuke hit harder than any angry confrontation.
Jay left them to process what had happened, knowing every person in that room now believed the arrangement had been their idea while he made his way toward Beast's lab.
Perfect.
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