I'm not surprised, though I find such a world difficult to imagine. The modern super-teams have only been around for the last decade or so, but the X-Men were as responsible for the creation of mutants as the Avengers were for every other superhero in the phonebook (which is to say, not at all). Super humans have consumed public interest since the days of Captain America and the Invaders, and have their roots in times earlier still.

It's part of my history... A history Ellen's world (and the world of so many others) can't even begin to know or understand. Telling her who I am won't carry the same weight as it might have otherwise, and for a moment, I consider changing the subject. I ignore the impulse.

"Mine did."