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The ship's door lowered and two Dora Milaje guards stepped out dressed in plainclothes. Following them was their prince.

King, Jean corrected herself, King T'Challa.

The Wakandan beamed at her as he approached, opening his arms. "It is good to see you again, Jean."

The redhead leaned into the hug. "You too. It's been a while."

She had seen his face on TV a lot recently, but it had been a few years since she had last seen the Wakandan in person.

"It has." T'Challa glanced around at the students. "Could we speak inside?"

"Yeah." As Jean turned, she gave Logan an apologetic smile and pointed a thumb back at the students. "Logan, could you—"

"Yeah, yeah. I know, Jeannie. I've got crowd control," he said waving her off.

Without looking at the king, Logan muttered a short "Your Highness" as he passed.

As they stepped inside, the murmur of students' voices disappeared.

T'Challa took in the great staircase and walls covered in picture frames. "Just as I remembered."

"T'Challa." Bobby came down the stairs with a bright smile. He clapped a hand on the king's shoulder, making the Dora Milaje tense. "It's always good to see you back."

The low whir of wheels echoed off the oak paneling, and everyone turned to see the school's headmaster.

Charles Xavier smiled up at the guest and offered a hand. "King T'Challa, it has been some time."

As they shook hands, T'Challa looked up and faltered. A small smile grew on his face. "Ororo...hi."

"T'Challa." The white-haired woman nodded with a measured smile, making her way down the stairs.

Jean shifted on her feet, fighting back the urge to read their minds. T'Challa and Ororo had a history, and even though 'Ro was her best friend, it was not Jean's place to pry.

Jean could hardly believe that her best friend was dating a prince when Ororo had first told her about him. The relationship had grown serious, and Ororo introduced T'Challa to the X-Men. But the couple's differing views on the handling of enhanced persons was the first rift in their relationship.

It had not been an ugly breakup. T'Challa and Ororo had left things on good terms when they split up, and a few years had passed since then.

One of the Dora Milaje looked at her motionless king and gave a small roll of her eyes. Stepping forward, she opened her arms and embraced Ororo.

"It is good to see you, Windrider."

'Ro chuckled. "It's good to see you too, Okoye."

Professor Xavier motioned a hand back. "I assume you are here on important business. Would you like to go somewhere private?"

T'Challa blinked and looked to the telepath. "Yes, thank you."

The mutants led the Wakandans down to the basement of the mansion. Shuri's eyes widened as the doors to the X-Men's headquarters opened. The sleek walls of the hall made their steps echo as they passed several rooms.

A loud bang sounded from a particularly heavy door, making the guests flinch.

"That's the Danger Room," Bobby said, pointing his thumb back, "It's where we train."

"Is that a holographic simulation system?" Shuri asked, craning her neck as they passed the open door to the control room.

Hank lifted his chin and smiled. "Yes. I designed it for training modules."

"Is it interactive?"

The two started discussing the technical aspects of the room. Jean tried to keep up, but most of the conversation went over her head.

When they got to the conference room, they all found seats around the long table. The room had been used for mission briefings, but with the X-Men out of the field, it was hardly used anymore.

Someone sat in the seat beside Jean with a grunt. She looked over at Logan, raising an eyebrow.

He shrugged. "Didn't wanna miss this, so I put some of the older kids in charge upstairs."

An awkward silence fell as everyone settled into their seats. Usually, Scott started and led the meetings. Now, everyone was just glancing at each other.

Jean felt a few eyes on her, so she cleared her throat. "What can we do for you, T'Challa?"

The king gave his sister a nod. She held out her hand and touched the beads on her bracelet. One moved to her palm and projected a small image of a man.

"I assume you are aware of James Buchanan Barnes," T'Challa began.

"Yeah," Warren spoke, "That's the Winter Soldier. The assassin."

"Isn't he a fugitive now?" Bobby asked.

"Wakanda is providing him refuge." The king pursed his lips. "He's a good man. A victim of decades of brainwashing."

Logan shifted in his seat, crossing his arms.

"You want our help in curing him," said Professor X.

T'Challa looked to Shuri, and she nodded.

"We're looking for a way to cure him, but the programming is deeply embedded into his subconscious. It is a highly delicate process." She looked to Jean. "One that requires a telepath."

Jean straightened in her seat. The table grew quiet, but everyone's minds were buzzing. She caught fragments of thoughts.

Hank and Bobby were already planning on how her absence would affect classes. Someone would have to take over her class.

Ororo and Warren were thinking of the team. With Jean gone, the X-Men would be losing yet another leader.

Logan and the Professor were watching her with careful eyes. Their minds spoke of the underlying question that all of the team shared: would she be alright.

T'Challa folded his hands on the table. "I understand that you have responsibilities here—"

"I'll do it." Jean nodded. "My team will take care of my stuff. They've got my back."

"Oh." The king relaxed, taken aback by her quick answer.

"Excellent." His smile turned serious. "Few people will know that you're in the country, and fewer will know why. Discretion is key."

"Dude," Bobby spoke up, "You just parked a ship in the middle of our basketball court. That's not very discreet."

T'Challa smirked. "We will do a better job when Jean is in Wakanda."

"That would be best," Professor X said, "This is a high-profile topic among the powers that be."

"Yeah," Bobby agreed, "Iron Man seems cool, but I don't want him or his people checking us out."

Warren nodded. "Keeping out of the spotlight has helped us avoid the Sokovia Accords."

Ororo's brow furrowed. "If they found out about us, they would have our students registered like animals."

T'Challa looked down at his hands. "I supported my father when he chose to sign the Accords." He spared a glance at Ororo. "However, I can see wrongs on both sides of the argument."

He looked to the Professor. "I do not want to compromise the sanctity of your school."

Professor X nodded. "And we appreciate that. How long do you expect this to take?"

"We don't know." T'Challa turned to Jean. "We will provide whatever you need for your stay."

"And when do you need Jean to come to Wakanda?"

Shuri grimaced. "As soon as possible. We don't know what keeping Sergeant Barnes in cryostasis long will do to his mind."

Jean stood to her feet. "I'll go pack a bag then."

With that, the meeting broke. T'Challa and Professor X spoke in hushed voices. Hank moved to speak to Princess Shuri, motioning a clawed hand toward her beaded bracelet.

In her room, Jean put a suitcase out on her bed and started filling it with some of her more personal belongings. If the Wakandans were going to provide her clothes, there wasn't any point in packing any.

A knock sounded at her door. Jean motioned a hand over shoulder, and the door opened.

"What can I do for you, Logan?" she asked without looking up.

He leaned against her bed with his arms crossed. "I don't like this," he muttered.

Jean scoffed. "Why? Because I'm about to go deal with a soldier whose brain's been put through a blender?" She gave him a pointed look. "I think I have some experience in that department."

Logan didn't return her smirk.

Not in the mood for jokes, Jean noted, He's serious.

"No, I don't like you being away. From us," he added.

"We both know that I can take care of myself, Logan."

"I know, but what if...something happens again."

Jean gave no answer, looking down at her suitcase. The same worry had been gnawing at her mind. It had been years since the last Phoenix incident. And while she knew how to keep it at bay now, she could feel it at the back of her mind, wanting to get out.

They were able to stop it last time, but that was when she had the whole team to help. And it had come at a terrible price.

"We won't be there to help you, Jean." Logan's hard expression had softened. "I won't be there."

Jean looked up at him. "If you had to do it again, would you?"

Logan sighed. Pain and conflict flashed across his face.

"For you." He nodded. "I would."

She gave a small smile and placed a hand on his arm. "I'll be fine, Logan."

"Alright." He did not sound entirely convinced.

Zipping up her suitcase, Jean grabbed the handle and started back downstairs. As they made their way to the entry room, Logan took the suitcase from her and carried it the rest of the way.

Passing one of the living rooms, she saw Hank and Shuri engaged in an excited discussion, and Bobby was sprawled out on a nearby chair.

As soon as he saw Jean, Bobby sprung up from his seat. He looked over at the pair. "Alright, nerds. Quit fangirling over each other. It's time to go."

When they got to the entry room, everyone was waiting for her. And it really was everyone. The students were packed into the room, and all eyes turned when she came down the stairs.

A dark-haired girl practically launched herself at Jean, clinging to her like a koala. "Are you really leaving?"

Jean wrapped her arms around the girl. "Don't worry, Laura. I'll be back before you know it."

An older boy who towered over her walked up, and Jean moved to hug him.

"Take care of everyone for me, Pete."

He frowned. "Will you be back for graduation?"

"Of course."

After many more goodbyes, Jean had just reached the door when a pop sounded just behind her. She turned around, and Kurt glanced down at the ground.

"I will miss you, Miss Grey."

Jean could have set her bags down right there and never left. She drew him into a hug. "I'll miss you too, Kurt."

Finally getting outside, Jean dried her eyes and hugged her teammates goodbye.

When Jean turned to the Professor, she leaned over to hug her mentor. "If you need anything, Jean, let us know."

"I will."

When she drew back, he gave her a pointed look. "Anything," he spoke mentally.

Boarding the ship, Jean found herself already in awe of the technology. Hank McCoy was a genius engineer and he had built many amazing things for the X-Men, but this was something else entirely.

Watching her family and home disappear from view, Jean felt a nervousness start to eat at her stomach. She had tried to convince the others that she was fine with the new assignment, but now there was no one to comfort. There was only herself.

Jean breathed out a sigh. She hoped that she was the right person for this job.

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Honestly, this chapter was pretty fun to write. I just love my X-Men!

Don't worry! I'll explain more about T'Challa and Ororo's relationship later.
I'll be honest: I love Nakia. She's awesome. But I also love Ororo...So we'll see what happens!

Let me know what you think so far!
Thanks, guys!