Checkmate {Professor X and Emma}

[Emma Frost]

"Alright." she said simply. "I've got nowhere else to be...I could start as soon as you'd like."

[Professor X]

"Wonderful. Now, how would you like to meet Pearl?"

[Emma Frost]

"I..." she thought for a moment. "I don't know her well enough to have any idea. How do you think it would be best for her?"

[Professor X]

"I'm not sure. I know she's dealing with a lot of things right now. But it would probably be best for you to be formally introduced. Better than you accidentally running into each other."

In his mind, Charles called out to Pearl. "I have someone who wants to meet you..."

[Emma Frost]

"I agree." she nodded, and waited on that door to open, knowing he'd called for Pearl.

[Pearl]

Pearl lightly tapped at the door, and it squeaked open. She timidly walked forward and saw both the Professor and the blonde woman sitting in front of him. The picture in the locket flashed in her mind. Was that her? Was it Emma Frost? Was she back for good? Had she wanted to meet her? So many questions filled her mind.

[Professor X]

"Pearl, this is Emma Frost. She'll be joining us as a member of the X-Men, and, I have just learned, a teacher as well. I thought you might want to meet each other." Charles stayed in the room - it was probably a good idea to have a buffer on their first meeting.

[Pearl]

"H..hi..." Pearl extended a hand, not knowing how open she was to touching or showing emotion. Pearl wanted to throw her arms around her and call her mom, but...she wasn't sure if Emma felt the same way.

[Emma Frost]

Emma grabbed her hand and shook it. "Hi Pearl...you probably have questions, and I will do my best to answer them. It's very nice to see that you've grown into a beautiful young lady."

[Pearl]

"I..." Pearl stammered. What was she supposed to say? Why did you abandon me? Was it because you were having an affair? Why did you join the forces of evil? How come you haven't come to look for me until now? Did you even want me? Do you still consider me a mistake? Why did you give Door a locket too? Or kill her parents? But she said nothing, just stood still and silent.

[Professor X]

"Just say what's in your heart Pearl" Charles said to her mind.

[Emma Frost]

"I don't bite. I promise," she reached out and touched the girl's shoulder. Emma still had some compassion left in her...it had just been chipped away by all the pain.

[Pearl]

"What do you want me to call you..?" Pearl asked, the nervousness bleeding into her voice.

[Emma Frost]

Emma smiled, nodding. "Whatever you feel more comfortable as. You had a father, and a mother. I don't want to replace them. And yes, I've kicked himself a little every day since I gave you up that I didn't raise you, but I thought you deserved a mother and a father and a shot at a normal life. We had no idea if you would or wouldn't have any powers...I almost hoped you wouldn't...because I know how much pain having them can cause..." She took Pearl's hand in her own. "Pearl, I gave birth to you, and I am your biological mother; but you don't have to call me that if you don't want. If it makes you more comfortable to call me Emma, that's fine. But if you'd rather call me your mother...I'm fine with that as well..."

[Pearl]

"Alright...Emma..." maybe in time she could be her mother. It was alright to have two mothers. "I...did you...name me? Before you gave me up? I mean, I know my parents who raised me named me Tiffany, but did you give me a name?"