"Suppose you heard I wrote a thesis on it."

"Yes - it was...intriguing," Sophie replied politely, following him as he moved over to the seating area, saying something about this being where he kept his books. These were all his? Sophie tried - and failed - to look unimpressed but she couldn't help but marvel at such a vast collection. Mr Xavier must very wealthy. Of course, that much was evident as soon as she had walked into the compound. He gestured for her to sit, claiming ladies first and she took a seat gracefully, trying not to stare as he manoeuvred himself out of his wheelchair and down onto one of the seats. The whole time he was smiling, looking relaxed and at ease.

"Well go ahead, ask what you like."

She paused for a second, wondering how to phrase what she wanted to know into a question.

"I was wondering if the things you talked about in your many scientific papers actually exist in real life. Is that a possibility? Mutations, I think you called it - these types of people can do virtually anything?"

Then on an afterthought, she spoke again. It was an impulsive question; less based on the business she had come here on, and more on personal curiosity.

"I was just wondering - on a different matter - are the rumours about the Cuban Missile Crisis true? Were you involved?" she blurted out, her eager brown eyes searching his expression for any hints as to his answer.