"Come in, Robert," Xavier called.
Bobby winced slightly, having been about to chicken out of knocking, and he opened the door, smiling faintly when he saw the Professor in his usual position behind his desk.
"You caught me," Bobby admitted, closing the door behind him. He took a seat in fron of the desk. "I was going to leave."
Professor Xavier smiled kindly at him. "It is most advantageous to be a telepath at times."
There was a short pause between the two mutants.
"How can I help you today?"
Bobby took a deep breath and shrugged before answering. "Well... I'm in the third year of my accounting degree. I finish at the end of next year, but I'm now not so sure if I want to... I don't know. Work as an accountant or join up with the X-Men full time."
"I see," Xavier replied, nodding. "As always, I leave the choice up to you. How have you found your time away from the Mansion? Your... for lack of a better phrase... 'normal' life?"
"It's been alright," Bobby told him. "I mean, there are mutant haters on campus, there will be mutant haters wherever I go, so I do have to be careful about who knows and if people find out. After getting Legacy from a group that were targeting me specifically... is it worth it to even try?"
"Robert," Xavier said quietly. "I provide solace to those who seek it, but this is not a place to hide away forever. We would like to have you on the team as a full time member, but if you are doing it to avoid confrontation out in the real world, I would rethink this decision. It is not one to make lightly."
"I've been thinking about it ever since this semester started, to be honest," Bobby replied. "I'm not even sure if I am cut out to be on the team. My powers are fairly limited, I feel I have reached my potential."
Another silence fell between them, and Bobby stared moodily out the window behind Xavier. His powers and his lack of potential always put him in a bad mood.
"I feel maybe I should have told you this awhile back," Xavier admitted. "When we first came to you and asked you to come to the school. You are, Robert, one of the three most powerful mutants that I have encountered thus far. Sometimes it just takes a little longer to tap into the power supply. It does not make you weak, or invaluable. To the contrary, you have shown your worth on many missions. All it will take is a little more practice."
Bobby sighed and nodded again. "I'm just... not sure about anything."
"You are still young," the older mutant replied gently. "You can't be expected to know how you wish to spend the rest of your life right now. Give it some time. Finish your degree. Then re-evaluate."
"Thank you, Professor."