How could've this happened? Alexander Davis thought as he slowly walked down an empty path in central park with his head drooped, hands in his jacket pockets, and his feet were basically dragging across the ground as he walked. It had only been a few months ago since Alex discovered that he was a mutant, but the memory of it was still fresh in his mind as if the event had happened yesterday... and the guilt and depression that came with that memory were stronger then ever. The newly emerged mutant had discovered his power by killing his own father with it, and on his own birthday to boot. Alex had stabbed his father with the very knife that he was giving his son to guard.

Why did I do it? Alex asked himself for the third time that day as he glanced around to see where he was, then turned to head towards a bench that was in the middle of the park, not really carrying about what he did at the moment as he thought about how much of a changed man he was now. Before his birthday, Alex was a respectable man. He ran a locksmithing business with a 100% customer satisfaction rating while working as a night custodian, all while belonging to one of the most dependable families on the planet. Now I'm nothing but a murderer... Alex thought as he sat down on the bench, not carrying that the sun was setting in front of him.

However, this was more then just an accidental murder to Alex, and he knew it was more then that to his family too. It had happened on the very day that his family had chosen to celebrate how long they have been a united family, and Alexander was being named a keeper on that day to, and one of his duties as a keeper was to help keep the family together, along with watch over one of the family heirlooms. And what did I do? I killed my own father, with the very heirloom that he wanted me to watch after, in front of the entire family, on the day we celebrated the fact that we were a whole family. Alex thought as lifted up his head and gazed at the sunset with his brilliant cyan eyes as tears started to swell up. He wasn't just a murder in his own eyes... he was a traitor whose actions could rip his family apart.

As a tear fell down his cheek, Alex went to reach for a tissue in his pants pocket when he felt the pommel of the heirloom that he was to watch over... the malachite dagger that was named Defiance. As Alex ran a finger down the side of the weapon, he felt the engravings that were carved into the sides of the blade to make it look like a dove's wing. Alexander let out a sigh and pulled his hand away from the weapon, and let out a sigh. "What do I do now?" Alex asked out loud, not carrying if anyone heard him. He wasn't expecting a reply anyways.

Drew had been out in the park to do something thinking of his own. He was an X-Man now. Or a trainee at least. Sam had asked him to join and later, much later than the man had intended, told him he'd made the team. The only problem was that, as much as he'd wanted it and was happy with finally making the team, his happiness was bittersweet. The promises to Martin made his loyalty to his team seem less. Yup, Drew was having himself a full on brood about his problems. At least until he saw a guy who looked more down in the dumps than he did.

Drew towered over him in height but the man had some bright blue eyes that were a treat to catch a glimpse of. They would be better to look at still if they didn't seem lost and conflicted. Drew had started blatantly following the guy, stealth was hardly his style, and thus overheard the question the man posed to what he probably assumed was an empty bit of the city's biggest park.

"Well drinking yourself stupid is a popular answer to that question."

Drew stepped out into the guy's view and grinned sheepishly.

"Hey there. Name's Drew. You look a mite lost. Need some help?"

Acting like this, like his old less jaded self, was easier during the day. Whatever the guy's problems, Drew would count this as his good deed for the day. Heck, knowing his luck the man was probably a mutant. It had been a good long while since he'd brought someone to the mansion. Especially since the first guy he'd invited hadn't exactly worked out. Whoever this was couldn't be worse than Matt was. After all he wasn't stinking drunk and inciting a minor riot.

When Alex had taken a seat in the park, he didn't realize that someone had been following him, however with the way he was feeling at the moment chances were that Alex wouldn't of cared if he knew. The only thing that was on Alex's mind at the moment were the memories of him sending the sharp end of a malachite sword into his father's heart, and the constant gentle chime that the dagger Defiance was making, though Alexander was the only one that could hear that sound since it was part of his mutation. As a result, he didn't expect anyone to answer his question of what he should do now.

So when Alexander did get an answer, he practically jumped off of the bench with a start before whirling around to face the man that answered his question. "Gah! Where did you come from?" Alexander exclaimed as his left hand drifted towards Defiance out of instinct, but he managed to catch himself and stopped his hand from revealing the malachite weapon that was hidden under the leather jacket. It was at that moment that Drew's reply to Alexander's question sunk in, and he calmed down. "Uh... I don't drink. The feeling of being buzzed makes me sick, so I don't want to know what being drunk is like. Sorry for jumping like that." Alexander replied.'

As Drew introduced himself and asked if Alex needed any help, he noticed that the person that was standing in front of him basically towered over himself, but seemed to be a bit on the lean side. At first, Alexander wasn't sure if this person could help him, since the personal problem that Alex had was one that only his family could fix, and they were more then three states away. Besides, he didn't have anyway to get a hold of them if he ever worked up the courage to ask for forgiveness... he had thrown his cell phone away in Ohio and he didn't know any of his families phone numbers by heart.

Then again, Alexander was rather lost, and needed some help to find his way... and this Drew fella was going out of his way to ask Alex if he needed some help. "I'm Alex. Thanks for the offer, but I have to be honest that I'm not sure if you can help me with my personal problem right now. Though you're right about me being lost." Alex stated as he shrugged slightly. He wasn't sure if this guy was a mutant hater or not, but at the moment Alex didn't have anyone else to, so he did the only thing he could think of, and that was to ask Drew straight out. "I'm... I'm trying to find a place that safe for mutants." Alex asked while hoping he didn't just buy a bullet to the stomach.

Drew managed a light chuckle at the man's nervous jump and the response he gave to the suggestion.

"Yeah, I said it was a popular option. Not necessarily a good one."

His name was Alex and apparently whatever was bugging him was a personal problem. Drew's smile turned somewhat crooked he knew about those. Anything from a cheating girlfriend to murder to virtual enslavement counted as a personal problem if you didn't share. Not that Drew blamed him. Trusting strangers was a dangerous business. Especially in light of the next comment he made. Safe for mutants huh? Chalking another one up to the strangeness of New York, Drew took a seat beside Alex.

"Well Alex you've got a couple of options there. Option one is Xavier's Sister School for Gifted Youngsters. A school for mutants. The big thing there is learning control and coexisting with humans as peacefully as possible. Option two is the Sanctuary. It's a mutant only homeless shelter. A lot of down on their luck mutants turn up there. They put mutants first and it isn't a safe place for humans but they take care of their own."

He leaned forward and put his weight on his arms, which were laying across his legs. Drew didn't favor one place or the other really. Not anymore. He lived at the mansion and was a bonafide X-Man now but Drew also saw the need for a place like the Sanctuary. Not everyone could take the structure of the mansion or the prevailing attitudes there.

"I can get you in to either place. I work over at Xavier's but they know me at the Sanctuary too so it's really up to you. There's no need to decide right away. Ask some questions if you need and take some time to think about it. If you need a couple of days I'll give you my number to call when you're ready."

He leaned back again, stretching out his long legs in front of him. Hopefully he hadn't slighted either institution in his description too much. They were both good places. Just different.

Alex shrugged slightly when Drew said that getting dead drunk was a popular option, but not really a good one. In Alexander's opinion it was a bad choice and one that should be avoided while he was in this condition. Instead of sitting back down on the bench when Drew did, Alex chose to stay standing because he was feeling a little jumpy at the moment, thanks to Drew sneaking up on him... though the reason that Alex told himself not to sit down was because he had developed a cramp in his left foot, and as currently pacing to get rid of it. In truth though, Alex was just relieved that Drew wasn't going to drill him for asking where a mutant could find shelter.

When Drew mentioned that Alex had a couple of options, the new mutant stopped and locked his cyan eyes on Drew's face to show that Drew had his full attention. All that was left of the tears that Alex was crying a moment ago was a stain on his left cheek, and it was rather hard to see. As he listened to the options that Drew gave him, Alex slowly moved back over to the bench and sat down beside Drew and started to think of which option he should choose. "I've heard a rumor or two about this school, but I've never heard of this Sanctuary before..." Alexander muttered under his breath when Drew finished telling him about his two options. Alex wasn't sure which one he should pick.

Going to a place that would help me learn how to control my powers sounds good... on the other hand I know that it's meant for young children up to high school aged kids, and I'm way older then that. Heading to a place that will accept any mutant sounds appealing too... however I don't want to be dependent on someone else to give me food or shelter. I'm not helpless quite yet. Alexander thought as he stared into the distant sunset while he considered his options. He glanced back over at Drew when the man mentioned that he could give Alex his number if he needed a couple of days to decide. "I don't have a cell phone to call you back on, nor do I have the pocket change to use a payphone, so I kinda need to choose now..." Alex stated before he went back to thinking.

With a sigh, he shook his head. "Well, can you tell me a little bit about this Sanctuary you mentioned? And maybe a little bit about the school? I'm from Kansas so I have almost no information on them." Alex stated, knowing that he needed more time to think this through... but having more information about both places wouldn't hurt.

Huh, so he was in a situation where he needed to choose now? Well Drew would do his best to help out. Still, without knowing what the guy felt he needed to know describing the places adequately would be somewhat difficult.

"Well what do you need to know? I can tell you that Xavier's is in better shape. They get more funding I think so the place is quite nice, despite the frequent property destruction that comes with housing a large number of hormonal teenagers with iffy control on their powers. As you might expect there are a lot of kids there but adults like us are welcome. It's a safe place."

Drew paused to marshal his thoughts before pressing on. He was trying to be fair to both places.

"The Sanctuary on the other hand has a lot more freedom than Xavier's. After all, Xavier's is a school so a certain model of behavior is encouraged. Lori runs the Sanctuary somewhat different. Aside from a few rules it seems to be mostly live and let live. And like I previously mentioned they take care of their own. If Xavier's is a school then Lori tries to run the Sanctuary like a family. Not much else I can say about the Sanctuary though. I appreciate what they do. Xavier's just doesn't suit everyone. But the fact is that I don't live there so I can only tell you what I've observed in my visits to the place."

He did try to keep himself informed about the Sanctuary. As a greeter for the mansion Drew had felt that it was his duty to be able to offer an alternative if Xavier's didn't work out for someone. That view still held today, though it was much more sympathetic since he held a number of views that matched up with those that were in the majority at the Sanctuary.

Alexander kept his eyes on Drew has the man described the two locations in better detail, and thought carefully about Drew was saying. In truth Alex didn't have to choose right now, he just thought he would have to since he didn't have any way to get back in touch with Drew once he made his mind up. When Drew mentioned the frequent property damage the Xavier school got from the hormonal teenaged mutants, Alex couldn't help but smirk in remembrance of when he was a custodian in a high school. Hormonal teenagers made a lot of messes in that place too. At least it will be something that I'm use too. Alex thought before nodding in acknowledgement when Drew said that adults were welcome too. That was good to know. What was also good to know was that in a place like the X-school he could get a job so he could earn his keep instead of being supported by other people. The new mutant didn't like the idea of accepting charity.

When Drew started to talk about the Sanctuary and that the person in charge, named Lori, ran the place like a family, Alex paled a little. While the Sanctuary would take him in without any problems, and while they would look after him, the way that Drew described the place hit home with Alex. He had just lost one family that he loved very much, so he wasn't ready for a new family at all. The pain was just too strong... to real. That settled it right then and there. Alex was going to choose to go to the Xavier's.

Alex nodded and cleared his throat a little as color returned to his face. "I think... I want to go to the Xavier school. I've worked in a school for several years before I realized my mutation, so I think I can find a way to help the school out. That way I'll be able to stand on my own two feet once more." Alex stated before standing up and held out his hand for Drew to shake. "Thank you for giving me a hand. I owe you a small favor for this." Alex stated before he pulled a map of New York City out of his jacket pocket and started to open it up so he could find the location . However his stopped and glanced back at Drew with a slightly worried look. "Hm... if this is like any other school I've worked in, they most likely won't let just anyone wonder it. I'm right aren't I?" Alex stated in a slightly worried tone, guessing that he was more then right since a mutant school might have more security then any of the schools that Alex had worked in before.

If nothing else he'd gotten the guy to smirk. Given the down in the dumps state Drew had found Alex in that was something. When he gave his decision Drew grinned a little bit. Hopefully he'd work out better than Matt had.

"Well the Mansion can always use more staff members. If only to help take care of the messes!"

Drew gave a laugh and shrugged off the favor that Alex said he owed him.

"Eh, don't worry about it. It's what we do, help people that is. If you wanna repay me just keep an eye out for people that could use a helping hand and be that hand."

Alex pulled a map and wondered about the school just letting people in, to which Drew offered a grin.

"Nope, they don't just let people wander in no but I can let you. Like I said, I work there. Assistant to Sam Johnson, one of the head honchos, and a Mansion Greeter. Which basically boils down to me being a secretary, giving tours, and handling the paperwork."

He still enjoyed it despite the shifts in his attitude since he'd gotten the job. It was helping out mutants, despite the tolerant attitudes toward humans.

Alex noticed that Drew had grinned when he voiced his finally decision about going to the mansion, almost as if Drew was approving. Maybe he was hoping I would go to the mansion. He works there after all, so obviously he would be in favor of it, unless it was a bad place to work that is. Alex thought. At the moment that Drew mentioned that the school could always use more staff members if only to help with clean up, Alex chuckled. "That comment is more appropriate then you think! I worked as a custodian for four and a half years!" Alex exclaimed with a smile in reply to Drew's comment. He then shrugged when Drew stated that he didn't need to owe him a favor. "Alright. I think I can handle that." Alex said with a nod.

As Drew explained that he could get Alex in and explained his duties there, Alex smiled and nodded. "And apparently you also moonlight as a recruiter in my case." Alex stated, then his smiled slowly faded as his thoughts drifted back to his family for a moment, and Alex finally realized just how much he had cheered up in such a short period of time. "Strange... I was in such a depressed state a moment ago, and now I feel like myself again because I have somewhere to go where I might have something to do. Funny thing hope is, isn't it?" Alex stated, feeling a bit puzzled by it.

Deep down though, he knew the reason why. Ever since he had been on the run, he had been thinking that his life long goal of helping those around him was over and now his only purpose was to run and hide like a rabbit being stalked by a wolf that just wouldn't give up the chase. Now there was a possibility that he could take up that goal once again, and in a way he never thought possible; he would be protecting students from illness by keeping their school clean while protecting the students themselves by keeping mutant haters at bay. It was a calling that he never dreamed of in his life, and now it was right before him as a possible future. He was gonna take it. "I'm ready when you are..."

Score! He'd finagled a laugh out of Alex. Ok so maybe it was more of a chuckle but it still counted! Drew wasn't quite sure when getting the guy to smile had become part of the mission but he'd succeeded regardless. Alex certainly looked a lot better when he smiled but there were few people that didn't.

"Then I think you'll manage to land a job there easily! Even if they weren't mutants it's still a school full of teenagers!"

Drew grinned and then laughed. Acting as a recruiter huh?

"Yeah, you aren't the first guy I tried to bring back to the mansion but the first guy didn't really work out. And oh boy was just getting him there a mess." Drew gave Alex a conspiratorial look, "When I met him he was almost falling down drunk and had used his power to clog up a street with a bunch of golems that he was singing and dancing with! Not only that but he managed to start a riot too! We barely escaped unscathed. There were casualties though. My car got scraped up as we pulled out of the parking lot and the living room rug was a mess the next morning."

The comment about hope wore off Drew's humor and he nodded.

"Yeah, I wasn't in a very good place either when I got to New York. Stayed here two years living in fear of being discovered as a mutant. Sam and Kealey were probably a couple of the best things to happen to me. Even if I did meet Sam while trying to rob a cafe."

Drew stood up from the bench.

"Well then follow me. I drove out here so I'll drive us there."

When Drew commented that he wouldn't have any problems with finding a job at the mutant school because it was full of teenagers, Alex smiled and nodded in agreement, but grew a little puzzled when Drew laughed at his comment about him moonlighting as a recruiter. Apparently Drew found the comment funny, though Alex didn't understand why until Drew explained how he met the first mutant he brought in... and Alex found the story so funny that he busted out laughing and was holding his sides because they started to ache because he was laughing so hard. "I've seen several strange things and heard of dozens of situations that mutants were the cause of, but that takes the cake!" Alex exclaimed as he started to calm down from laughing.

Soon, Alex had also calmed down and his face became saddened as Drew explained that he had been in hiding for two years because he was afraid that people would discover that he was a mutant, and the people that found him were the best thing that happened to him. Alex sided and mournfully nodded. "I know that feeling all to well. I discovered my mutation by killing my father with it as he was giving me the highest honor he could possibly give me... with all 43 members of my family watching." Alexander said sadly, and sighed. "Experiences like that don't go away at all... you just kind of get use to it..." Alex stated as he realized that he was never going to fully get over the way he discovered his mutation, and that he was going to have to get use to it.

With another sigh, Ales shoved the memories of what happened three months ago to the back of his mind, and gave Drew a nod. "Lead the way."

At least the story of Matt was good for getting a laugh out of someone. That was a good thing. It hadn't been too fun when it happened but now it was just a funny story to tell. However the humor of the story quickly bled out of the air as Alex related a no doubt shortened tale of discovering his mutation. It was with a solemn expression that he dropped a hand on the other man's shoulder as they walked in silent solidarity. It wouldn't be alright. It never would. But, as Alex said, you got used to it. After a minute Drew withdrew his hand.

"I was out with my friends and the only one who had their license at the time. When my mutation activated I got a blinding headache and nearly got us all killed when the car drifted into the oncoming lane. For the next four years I shut everyone out and lived like a recluse. I was afraid they'd hurt me you see. I was different and unlike other mutants my power didn't give me any cool tricks in return. I got over it, mostly, but it took a while."

After that little speech Drew let the silence settle between them as he lead the way to his old black car. Being a mutant was never easy but it got easier with other people around who understood. The bonds of fellowship and all that. Drew walked leisurely toward the exit that he'd left his car nearest. It wouldn't take too long but the walk would be nice in the meanwhile.

When Alex finished telling the shortened version of how he discovered his mutation, he could see that the man understood Alex's current situation, and he seemed to silently agree with Alex when he said that you just get use to experiences like that. It helped a little bit when Drew put his hand on Alex's shoulder, but not much. He just needed time. He glanced over at Drew when he started to tell the story of how he discovered his mutation and just like Alex he didn't say what his mutation was, but it went along with Alex's story in that he had a lot of trouble getting over it. Alex slowly nodded in acknowledgement and followed Drew to the car. "Power... it always comes at a price that always too steep to pay..." Alex stated, repeating one of his father's most important lessons to him.

After the two tales they had just told each other about, Alex was almost glad that there was a bit of silence now, allowing his mind to process off of the information he just got. In the distance he could see an old black car, and he guessed that they were heading for it. He then glanced over at Drew when on of the rumors he had heard started to nag at him. "I need to change the topic. One of the rumors I heard about the mansion is that it's home to the X-Men. It's more then just a rumor, isn't it?" Alex asked, having heard the rumor in Kansas and having never asked about it here in New York.

Whoever Alex was quoting was a wise person. Drew remained quiet as he led the way until Alex mentioned the rumors of the X-Men and the Mansion. Drew threw a grin in the other man's direction.

"Yup, pretty much true. Why, you looking to become one? 'Cus let me tell you the training can be pretty rough sometimes."

Sam certainly didn't go easy on him. And there was the sparring with Maya but that was followed by beer so it was ok. Drew stretched and walked out of the park onto the city sidewalks. The bastion of nature in the middle of the large city was left behind for concrete and pavement. His car wasn't far now.

"The X's help out the cops with mutants that are just a bit too tough for the city's MRC to handle on their own. As well as running other missions. Mostly we just try to keep the peace and help out where we can."

And then they arrived at Drew's car. He unlocked the doors and hopped in the driver's seat.

"Next stop, Xavier's."

When Drew responded to Alex's question about the X-Men and then asked if Alex was hoping to become one, the new mutant glanced over at Drew and shrugged slightly. "I... I don't really know..." Alex responded honestly. He had never even considered the idea. Me? An X-Man? Alex thought, puzzled. Sure he could hand himself in a fight, and his power was quite versatile, and he had a strong sense of justice and honor... but an X-Man? If he became one he would be living out his life long goal in ways that he never dreamed of, and he would finally be making a difference... but... he didn't know if he was cut out to be one. "I... I'll have to think about that one..."

Alex listened to what Drew said about the X-Men and how they mostly just try to keep the peace, and he nodded in acknowledgement. It was a good cause... a hard cause that would try to get you at every turn, but a good cause none the less... and Alex knew that he would gladly take on that cause without a second thought if he was given the chance. Maybe becoming an X-Man was a great idea after all, however he needed to be sure about this, because once he becomes an X-Man there would be no backing out.

When Drew got into the driver's seat of his car, Alex climbed in on the passenger side and locked his door after he shut it, and grinned when Drew said their next stop was Xavier's. "So I take it this is gonna be a non-stop flight then?" Alex said with a smirk.