Of late, Topher hadn't really been around the X-Mansion. Between Kayla's emotional issues and Brooke's general Brookieness, Rachel had wisely sent the young mutant away to where raging emotions wouldn't overload him and release the evil thing lurking within his psyche.

But Brooke was currently elsewhere, and Kayla had returned to normal, so Topher was finally back on a full-time basis, laying on his back, staring up into the sun. It felt good, this. Being back. He'd visited briefly, but being permanently back was better.

After all, no other place was home.

He yelled in surprise, and then laughed, as a wave generated from Kayla's cannonball tossed him out of his position. He grinned. "You're back!"