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Moving into a new office is never as seamless as one would hope, and since this is a brand new department, there really are no previous protocols. It's all being made up, mostly, from scratch. In addition to learning his squad, Sousa has also been brushing up on Police Procedure so that he's not falling behind. It's been interesting, to say the very least.
On top of all of this, his wife is confirmed missing for over a month. He's trying to keep his concern out of the workplace and from his daughter, but more often than not, he finds his thoughts straying. A phone call has been placed into SHIELD every day, asking to send some of his men over to help with the investigation. He's told he'll be called back. Every. Damn. Day.
*
Though as one set of contacts is hitting a brick wall, another old contact resurfaces out of the blue; one Charles Xavier has requested a meeting with the new department head, apparently willing to meet on Sousa's new fledgling turf this time. And, when the scheduled time arrives and the bookish mutant proves punctual, it also turns out he's arrived on his own this time.
"Chief Sousa, it's been some time; thank you for seeing me so promptly," Xavier greets, his polished accent polite and affable as ever, though it sounded much the same when he'd picked through Sousa's thoughts some time ago.
*
Sousa pushes to his feet to offer a hand over mounds of paperwork on his 'new' desk, "Mr. Xavier." He's perfunctory and polite, but their last meeting was full of threats to him and his family if he didn't acquiesce to their demands, so he's a bit wary to say the least. "I have to admit, I was surprised to get your call." Especially the way their last meeting went. There's a brief flicker of Jean's reminder in his mind, but he's going to leave it for now. "What can I do for you?"
*
"It's something I should have done sooner." Xavier says frankly, crossing the room. "A friend of mine made that clear to me. You once took pains to open lines of communication and understanding, and that is something I respect. Despite what happened before, I'd like to try once again, especially in light of this new division you're building," Xavier says, shaking Sousa's offered hand.
"In fact I've also reached out to your previous associates as well. I even had the pleasure of meeting your wi—" the easy speech honed by a great deal of public speaking stumbles to a halt as Xavier meets Sousa's eyes with stark shock.
It's partly the increased connection from the handshake, but even under normal circumstances Sousa's frustration and turmoil are too strong to be overlooked for long. As is the fact they run deep.
"What's happened?"
*
The wariness increases at Xavier's words and Sousa remains standing for the time being; it's better than being buried behind files. "Yeah, it was made pretty clear that first time that my attempts weren't appreciated. What's changed? Or have you come to tell me how I'm supposed to run things here too? Not all on the squad have self-identified as mutants." He's just a little defensive.
"My previous associates? Oh, at SHIELD. Really. Your kids let you do that?" Bobby and Alex, of course.
Maybe it's the look of shock or maybe it's the direct question, but he gives a glance to the younger man, "I'm sorry? What do you mean?"
*
There's a distracted huff of a laugh from Xavier, and he replies, "Contrary to what it may seem or what those two might prefer, I do occasionally take action on my own. I thought it might lead to a more defused situation… to be perfectly frank the last time we met I was trying to demonstrate to you why the situation we'd found ourselves in was so unnerving by giving you a parallel, not to threaten." With a somewhat rueful look Xavier adds, "Though I like to think myself a rational enough man to admit I didn't do the best job of it. I apologize for that." he's not at all surprised to find Sousa still defensive, and this was more or less what Xavier had come intending to say, but that buzz of disquiet is dividing his attention.
"But what I meant just then was what's happened with your wife?"
*
The younger man is given a long look before there's a nod. He apparently accepts the apology for now. No need to dwell on that because the past is in the past and it seems there are attempts to rebuild those bridges. Maybe. There's a look of surprise before Souse glances past Xavier, "Close the door please, would you?" since the precinct doesn't need to know all of this. Why he's speaking about to this man, he isn't even sure of, but it's either say it himself or have the other pull it from his mind.
He knows which he'd rather do.
"She's been missing for over a month."
*
There's a nod from Xavier, a troubled frown soon following once the door has been closed as requested. Xavier remains standing as well for the moment, though he looks almost..baffled. "Missing? But I spoke with her less than a month ago. Though I admit she was…"
Something Crystal had said, and the oddity about the shooter in Dallas all at once click into place. "An imposter?"
*
"I had my suspicions after the first week. I know my wife, Mr. Xavier, and she wouldn't have been angry for that long. Not without giving me what-for. She also wouldn't go that long without seeing our daughter. After that I tried to get others to believe me…and no one really did until the imposter revealed itself." That's sort of all he knows. A hand lifts to rub at his face, "If you met with her over the last month, you met with the imposter. Although I'm surprised; the last I heard, your people wanted nothing to do with SHIELD." Maybe Sousa is trying to shift the conversation or maybe he's genuinely curious. It seems to be a little bit of both.
*
Xavier still looks shocked, though he nods slowly at Sousa's explanation. "As I said, I've been trying to rebuild those tenuous bridges, chief Sousa.. the intention was a good one. Possibly even a necessary one. We cannot expect trust were we give none, even if it is formed in small steps. But Director Carter herself is still missing?"
*
"She is. I can't bloody well go out and look for her myself," and frustration is beginning to show, "and SHIELD is dragging its feet under paperwork. So surely you can understand my frustration." He also knows that the longer someone is missing, the less likely it is that they'll be found alive. A hand then presses against his forehead, "I appreciate your concern and I appreciate trying to rebuild those bridges. How can I help you with that?" Because that may be an easier conversation, oddly enough.
*
Easier yes, but perhaps less urgent to Xavier's mind, because he ignores Sousa's final question. "Where was it she went missing, do you know? The more people looking the better I should think, and I have after all some advantages in that respect." Finding one specific human he's never (apparently) encountered the mind of is a somewhat different prospect than locating prospective mutant students, but he spends enough time in Cerebro there's no reason he can see not to look.
*
Sousa shakes his head, "I don't know. I wasn't a part of the mission she was on when it happened. If it was even a part of a mission. I know when we fought and she fired me and it was some time before that." Sousa finally does sit with a heavy sigh, "I agree. The more people looking the better. I'm trying to send a couple of my men who might be well-suited…" and he trails off to look at the telepath. "You want to help?" That wariness is back, but there's also some hope.
*
"Is that so very surprising?" Xavier asks, and while the simple question is spoken gently, his expression is quite serious.
It may answer Sousa's question all on it's own.
*
"Actually, yeah, it is. After the way your two boys made the introductions and the way they acted on the one mission we took them on, I'm surprised you want to have anything to do with me. Or SHIELD." However, it might be time to get rid of that particular grudge as Xavier has been nothing but courteous and concerned. "Frankly, I'll take all the help I can get. I don't even know where I should be starting. Agents are going through our home but I've already done that…aside from some rumpled clothes, nothign is out of place. There are no hints. They're even talking aliens." Not from other countries…but Science Fiction Aliens from Space.
*
"As I said, when I spoke of your family before, it was because I meant for you to understand how concerned we were for ours. No one deserves to fear for their loved ones, so yes, I will help you if I can. Those boys have their own hurdles to overcome, but we all have to move at our own pace. If we arrange such an exchange again perhaps it would be better if those who would be working together got to know one another better before hand. But that's a question we can address later."
"I take it you don't have the imposter in any sort of custody, then? To be perfectly frank, a friend of mine might have some insight into the imposter's nature, though I warn you what she has to say does tend towards the Science Fiction end of the spectrum." Xavier replies. "Perhaps we should arrange another meeting?"
*
"I…understand," is almost reluctantly spoken, but it's the truth. When it's explained that way, he gets it. He got it before, but it was much more of a threat then. Sousa then shakes his head, "Last I heard, the body was in autopsy at SHIELD. I don't think it survived. If it'll do you any good I can try to get you access, but I can't guarantee that," even if his own has been somewhat reinstated. "If it means finding Peggy I'll listen, Science Fiction or not."
At the mention of another meeting he gives a nod, "Sure, I can do that. Soon? I'm sorry, I've probably just taken over anything you wanted to come here to discuss. That was very unprofessional of me." He's trying. Oh, how he's trying to not let this affect his work.
*
"No, it's quite alright. If we do end up forming any sort of partnership, it will be with the intention of addressing just this sort of situation, after all," Xavier points out. "And rushing may have been part of what caused so much difficulty the last time. I'll speak to my friend, and get back to you. In the meantime I'll keep my eyes open as it were, and I'll let you know if I happen upon anything of use."
It seems Xavier might be intending to do just that right now, for he gives a curt nod and turns to the door again, speaking over one wool-clad shoulder.
"The rest can wait a little longer Chief Sousa— for now, let's see if there's any way we can help you find your wife."
*