With Nathan being gone and Ali feeling unsure of things she needed to talk to someone. She needed to see if she could find herself and her place. Was she really cut out to be an X-Man or did she have a different purpose?

With all these thoughts running through her head Ali decided the best person to speak to was Tricity. Not only was she the Headmistress of the mansion but she was also the Leader of the X-Men. If anyone could help it would be her. At least that was Ali's hope.

Through a little bit of asking around the fire elemental was directed to Tricity's office. Ali had never been to a Principle's office or a Headmistresses office for that matter. She had a strange uneasy feeling in her stomach, but she associated it with being nervous. With a slight lack of privacy Ali turned the knob on the door and opened it while stepping inside.

Tricity's head turned at the sound of her door being opened, propping Sevion in her arms more comfortably. It only took a second to recognize the woman coming through with her long red hair. Tricity smiled and stood from her office chair where she had been updating new residents in the computer system.

"Hello, stranger. How've you been?" she asked Raven, as she crossed the room. Sevion immediately begain cooing in her visitor's direction with a side of happy clapping. "Well, looks like he's glad to see you." Tricity kissed her son's head and then turned back to Raven, seeing 'look' on the other's woman's face. "Is something wrong?"

When the door was opened far enough and Ali had taken a step into the office Tricity immediately acknowledged her. The Headmistress wasn't the only one though. Her son Sevion also noticed the fire elemental as Tricity pointed out. Ali smiled back at them both as she closed the door behind her.

Tricity's question was answered first with a slight shake of Ali's head.

"I'm afraid something is wrong Tricity.”

Ali fidgeted with her fingers for a moment and bit down on her lower lip before continuing.

“A couple things actually. I feel so lost lately. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. Seraph has disappeared and I don’t know where I stand with the rest of the team. I’m sure you’ve heard others talking but Seraph or Nathan and I have been dating pretty seriously up until over a month ago he left without a word. So I have that weighing me down on top of not knowing my position within the X-Men. That’s when I decided I needed to talk to you. Can you help me please?”

Ali’s face had a sincere expression of a plead for help.

Tricity placed Sevion in the crib and motioned for Ali to sit in the black leather sofa with her. She gave the other woman a smile before swallowing hard and looking her in the eyes. "Trust me, I know what it's like not to know where you belong. I'm sure this isn't the only time either. In fact, everyone in this mansion has felt that way if they still don't now."

She put her hand on the other's woman's shoulder in comfort. "Believe me, you're very important to the team and I. We need you're support on the field and off. And it doesn't hurt having someone around my age here either," Tricity said with a wink.

"I know what it's like to also have a boyfriend who leaves suddenly," Tricity said in a low voice, looking over at Sevion. "But there are other things greater than he and I and even my son. And that, is this mansion and everyone in it. Sometimes it takes time to figure out where you want to belong and I know for me, it's here. You know you'll always have a place here and on the team... If you need to take some personal time to figure out what you want to do, believe me, I completely understand." Tricity finished giving Ali time to think it over and answer.

Ali smiled slightly and accepted Tricity's gesture to sit on the sofa. She could feel the cold leather on her legs, but it quickly warmed up. Tricity sat next to the fire elemental and started talking. Her tone was encouraging and she treid to help Ali feel important. In fact she even said so.

"I understand how my support in the field is important but how is it important off the field? We already have greeter and security positions taken up. Don't get me wrong. I would do anything I could to protect everyone in the mansion."

Ali hung her head down a bit and fidgeted with her fingers. When Tricity mentioned she liked having someone else around that was close to her own age Ali looked up with tears in her eyes and smiled. That made her feel a little better.

"Well it's certainly not like we don't need the help around the mansion when we're not out fighting," Tricity said matter-of-factly, watching as Sevion bounced up and down in his crib in an effort to show her he wanted out. She walked over and pulled her son out and held him in her arms where he immediately started reaching for Raven. "Looks like Sevion doesn't want you leaving either. He's a big flirt..." she said with a smirk.

She sat back on the couch next to Ali and let Sevion down, where he bounded over to the other woman. "You know you don't need to do anything. You're not obligated... but, did you have anything in mind that you would like to do? I'm open to any suggestions," Tricity explained with a smile.

Listening to Tricity speak Ali continued to try to do some soul searching. She wasn't really sure what she could do around the mansion. There were already people who saw to the new arrivals as well as others who did teaching. Neither of those things sounded very appealing to her any ways.

While she listened and thought to herself Ali watched Tricity pick up her son. He was a very cute little boy, and apparently he had just manipulated his mother to get him out of his crib so that the little tyke could reach Ali. An instant smile appeared on the woman's face as she reached down and picked up Sevion. Giving the boy a playful rub on his head Ali looked back to Tricity.

"I guess it's mostly that I really miss Nathan. Other than that the only thing I can think of that I could help with would be the defense of the mansion should it ever come under attack again as well as helping the team when my abilities are needed."

"Which they always will be," Tricity immediately answered with a confirming nod. "You're mutation is a huge help to our offense. A little sad that we even need such a thing as an offense." She sighed and smiled at the other woman as she picked up Sevion, delving back into her past relationship.

"I know what it's like to be separated from someone you care for," she began, her eyes focused on her son who's father could be anywhere on earth. Would he ever come back again? Did Tricity even want him to? "If you ever need to talk," she continued, putting a strand of her wavy hair behind her ear, "I'm always available. Anytime you need me, okay?"

"I'm glad I can help when possible. I know you don't like to fight but the sad truth of the matter is that others in the world do like to fight, and I'm more than happy to fight back if it comes to it."

With a playful rub on Sevion's head Ali carefully hands to boy over to Tricity. She was feeling better about things. It really helped talking to someone close to her age. That and it was nice to sit down and talk to the Headmistress and Leader of the X-Men.

"I really appriciate it Tricity. It's good to know I have an ear to listen to me if I want. I think I'm going to get out for awhile. Some fresh air might do some good."

Ali stood up and gave Tricity a smile and a nod before walking out of the office.