Twenty minutes later the trio was sitting in the considerably large office of Dr. Knight, waiting for the neurosurgeon and the social worker to arrive. His administrative assistant had shown them in, and told them to make themselves comfortable; Dr. Knight had gone to meet the social worker and would be with them shortly. Jean sat on the leather couch next to Scott, clasping his hand tightly. Sean, tired of pacing, was now looking at the numerous certificates and diplomas that decorated the walls.

"This boyo's done pretty well for himself," Sean said, reading the Harvard Medical School diploma.

"Guess that explains why this room is the size of a small house," Scott commented.

"Well, at least we know Jubilee's been getting the best possible care," Jean pointed out.

Sean looked at her. "Whether or not that continues, remains t' be se--" He stopped as the door opened. The middle-aged doctor entered the room along with a tall, thin blonde woman dressed in a suit and carrying a small brief case.

"Good morning, Dr. Knight," Sean said, walking over.

"Good morning, Mr. Cassidy. I'd like you to meet Anita Rubins, from the department of social services," he said, introducing her.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Rubins," Sean said, shaking her hand.

"My pleasure, Mr. Cassidy. You are the headmaster of Jubilation's school?"

"Aye. And these are two of me colleagues, Jean and Scott Summers."

Rising, Jean and Scott each shook Ms. Rubins and the doctor's hands in turn.

"Please, let's all sit down," Dr. Knight said, gesturing to the couch and some chairs. He sounded much more calm than he had the previous night.

Jean and Scott resumed their position on the couch, along with Sean, while Dr. Knight and Ms. Rubins each sat in matching chairs that were separated from the couch by a coffee table.

Placing her brief case on the table in front of her, Ms. Rubins opened it and removed a file. She began to leaf through the sheets it contained.

"Jubilation Lee, aged fifteen, born in Beverly Hills, California. Orphaned at age eleven when her parents were killed in a car accident."

"They were murdered," Sean corrected her.

One eyebrow raised, she scribbled into a notebook. "No blood relatives. She lived on the streets for several months after running away from a foster home. She then resurfaced in New York, where she came under the guardianship of one Charles Xavier, and she enrolled in his School for Gifted Youngsters. Nearly two years ago, when the school was relocated to Massachusetts, Mr. Cassidy became her legal guardian. Is this all correct?"

"Aye."

"Now, a week ago, Jubilation and one of her fellow students were kidnapped and beaten. She sustained a concussion, a fractured wrist and ribs, along with numerous contusions. She was in a coma for several days. When she regained consciousness, she suffered temporary paralysis of the legs, as well as short-term memory loss."

"But she's already movin' her legs, an' Dr. Knight feels her memories should be comin' back soon, too."

Ms. Rubins simply nodded, not looking up from her file. "How many students do you currently have at your school, Mr. Cassidy?"

"Countin' Jubilee, eleven-- no, actually ten now," he quickly corrected himself.

"Everett Thomas-- the other student who was injured-- recently withdrew, did he not?"

"His parents wanted him t' take a semester off, t' give him time t' recover from his injuries."

"I see. And aside from you, there is only one other teacher?"

"Aside from the occasional guest lecturer, aye, there's just me an' Emma Frost."

"And where is Ms. Frost now?"

"At the school, seein' t' the needs of the children. Classes are bein' held today."

"Thank you, Mr. Cassidy," Ms. Rubins said, writing down some notes. She then turned her attention to the neurosurgeon. "Dr. Knight, what kind of convalescence will Jubilation require?"

"Well, the injuries she received were quite serious. Due to her paralysis, her motor control has been impaired. She essentially need to relearn how to walk and control her legs. Likewise, once her cast comes off, she will need physical therapy to recover full use of her hand. I also suggest counseling sessions; she had been through a very traumatic incident. In order to cope, both with her newfound condition, and the incident itself when and if her memories return, she will need the aid of a therapist."

"And do you believe that she can receive the necessary care from Mr. Cassidy at the school?"

"No. Caring for Jubilation is going to be a full-time job. If he were to continue his duties as headmaster, there is no way that he could give Jubilation the attention she requires."

"Likewise, if he were to care for her, the other students would no doubt be neglected?" Ms. Rubins supposed.

"I . . . I really could not say," Dr. Knight said, absently tugging at his shirt cuff.

"What would you suggest is the best way for Jubilation to receive the necessary care?"

"Well, there are special facilities with trained professionals who--"

"Excuse me," Sean said, cutting off the doctor. "Ms. Rubins, I realize that I meself am not capable of caring f'r Jubilee an' runnin' the school at the same time. However, I do not think that sendin' her t' some sort of 'special facility' is in her best interest either. You see, Ms. Rubins, Jubilee's been through a great deal in her young life. She lost her parents at an early age-- in quite a violent manner, I might add. After that, she was shuffled from one foster home t' another. She felt neither loved nor that she belonged. So she ran away. It wasn't until she came t' Xavier's that she was able t' feel like a person again. She found acceptance, she found love. The people there care f'r her. They became her family. An' she learned t' reach out, t' accept the friendship that was offered her.

"What ye propose t' do is t' take all that away from her. Ye want t' separate her from her friends, her family. We're all that she's got. If ye put her in some special facility or an orphanage, I've no doubt that she'll withdraw into herself again. Only this time, the damage might be irreparable. An', odds are, once she gets strong enough, she'd run away again. Lord only knows what will happen t' her then."

Ms. Rubins looked at him. "That was a very lovely speech, Mr. Cassidy. But, as you said, you are currently unable to care for her. So, unless you plan to resign your job as headmaster, I don't see how--"

"That's where me friends here come in," Sean said, indicating the couple beside him. "Jean an' Scott here would like t' apply f'r custody of Jubilee."

Ms. Rubins' eyebrows rose. She exchanged a brief glance with Dr. Knight, who appeared greatly bewildered. She cleared her throat before turning her attention to Scott and Jean. "May I ask what your relationship is to Jubilee?"

"We've known her for most of the time she attended the school in New York," Jean told her. "In that time, I've come to know Jubilee quite well. She is an extraordinary young woman. She's bright, she's outgoing, she has a thirst for life. Anyone who knows her can tell you that she has a spark about her. I care about her a great deal; she's been like a daughter to me. And I'd like to take care of her." She looked at Scott, who smiled his encouragement. "We both would. If she were to be taken away from those of us who care about her-- the only family she has right now-- I know that it would be harmful for her. After the horrible trauma Jubilee's been through, she needs the support of her loved ones. She needs our help in order to get through this."

"And what makes you think that you and your husband are qualified to give her that care?"

"We both work at the Xavier Institute. I'm a psychologist, and therefore qualified to help Jubilee with the therapy to aid her in regaining her memories and to deal with the incident. We have a doctor on staff who will be able to supervise her rehabilitation and oversee her physical therapy. And there a number of people-- including Charles Xavier himself-- who are qualified to see to her education, so that she does not fall behind in her studies. More importantly, Jubilee knows us all, and trusts us. We all care about her and want to help see her get well. Surely, it is in her best interest to be in familiar surroundings and among people who love her, rather than in the cold uncaring setting of a hospital or a special home, in order to ensure a full recovery. My husband grew up in an orphanage, and he can attest to the fact that living at the Xavier Institute among friends, colleagues, and family-- both blood and adopted-- is preferable to the alternative. At a time like this, Jubilee needs to be surrounded by her loved ones. Wouldn't you agree, Dr. Knight?"

All eyes turned to the neurosurgeon. He removed a handkerchief from his pocket, which he used to wipe beads of sweat from the top of his balding head. He cleared his throat. "A valid point. I suppose the . . . ah . . . alternative . . . you propose sounds reasonable and should be . . . er . . . considered." He glanced at Ms. Rubins, who looked quite upset, her lips pressed to pencil-line thinness.

"I will take your request into consideration," she said, making a few last scribbles into her notebook before closing it and replacing it in her brief case. "In the meantime, I would like to speak to Jubilation herself, and get her opinion on the matter. Dr. Knight, when can I see her?"

"Right now, if you'd like," he replied. "I can show you to her room."

"Thank you," she said, gathering her things and rising. The others stood as well. "It was nice to meet you all," she told them politely, shaking each one's hand in turn. They all headed for the door. "After speaking with Jubilation, I will come to a decision and file a report. I will notify Dr. Knight at that time."

"An' how long would ye expect that t' be?" Sean asked.

"In the next couple of days. Doctor, are you ready?"

Dr. Knight nodded.

"Good day," she said curtly before walking with him down the hallway.

As soon as they were out of sight, Sean turned to Scott and Jean. "Lord Almighty! She makes Emma look like Mother Teresa!"

Jean could only shake her head. "I think I'm more worried now than I was before we spoke to her."

"Don't be silly," Scott said. "You two were great. If your words don't convince her, nothing will."

"Did ye notice how nervous the doc was? He was sweatin' like a pig."

"Yes," Jean agreed. "At first, he seemed much more in control than the last time we spoke. But I think we really threw both of them for a loop with our proposal. They weren't expecting this. Hopefully, they won't be able to come up with a strong enough reason to object to our petition."

"Did ye get anythin' from that Rubins woman, Jean?"

She shook her head. "No, she was very difficult to read. I could only sense the most basic emotions-- such as her utter surprise at our suggestion, and then anger at Dr. Knight for not condemning it outright. It's almost as though her thoughts were being hidden from me-- shielded, somehow."

"Could Tessa do that?"

"Not alone. She would need some sort of assistance-- either mechanical, or psychic."

"Well, with Shaw's resources, I wouldn't put it past them," Scott said.

"What now?" Jean asked.

Sean was stroking his goatee in a gesture Jean knew meant he was thinking deeply.

"Sean?"

"I think I've got an idea of how we can help ensure Ms. Rubins rules in our favor. I've gotta go speak t' someone. How about I meet ye two by Jubilee's room in fifteen minutes?"

"All right," Jean said. "Sean, is everything okay?"

"Fine, lass, just fine. Hopefully, this may just turn the tides in our favor. I'll explain meself soon." He quickly headed for the elevator.

"What was that all about?" Scott asked.

Jean shrugged her shoulders. "I haven't the foggiest."

End of Chapter 14
Jennifer Sorowitz '98