X-Rats
Chapter 1: The Proposal
Thought about calling this either x-Rats (like Rugrats), Mini-Mutants, or X-Children. Lemme know!
Early mornings in the Home were the favorite time of day for everyone over the age of eighteen. During these hours, the adults could be found doing many various activities that otherwise wouldn't be finished during the day due to the house being overrun by children. Charles usually worked with Cerebro or could be found reading his current novel on the front porch while enjoying a hot cup of tea. Hank would often be in the laboratory conducting a side project, or starting breakfast for occupants of the Home. Ms. Munroe would most likely be watering the plants in the greenhouse, but she would also take this time to start the endless loads of laundry that always piled up in the various hampers around the house and then would wake the children who had slept through their alarms.
Today, with the new number of children becoming fourteen recently, Xavier was on the lookout for another mutant adult to help around the Home. Currently, he was finishing an early morning session with Cerebro in order to see if there were even any mutant adults in the area that he could try and contact.
Charles Xavier always knew his life was going to be interesting, but he never knew just how interesting it would be. Ever since he was a child, Charles knew he was different: especially when could hear the thoughts of his family, friends, and peers. After pursuing his studies in genetics, and obtaining his PhD, the professor traveled much of the globe to find more people like himself: more mutants. The journeys and people he met made him change his view on many things in life. Charles finally inherited his family home in Westchester County, New York and began his work with Cerebro in order to find more mutants without so much traveling about. The traveling became more of a challenge not only with age, but when he became wheelchair bound.
What began with one 'student', somehow turned into fourteen children to fill the empty manor. And with a baker-dozen's worth of kids running around, the professor knew he had to get more helping hands then just his own.
First, was Ororo Munroe. She, with her mutant nephew, were looking for sanctuary from their hate-filled, unwilling to understand, family. The adult mutant, who Charles later found could manipulate the weather, was only looking for a place for the child. But when Charles mentioned that she would also be safe within the walls of the Home, and that he was becoming desperate for another set of hands around the house (seeing that there were about six children with one adult), Ororo became the perfect pair of caring hands to help around the house.
When there were eleven children in the Home, Professor Xavier knew that he was going to need more than just two adults to look over enough kids to make their own soccer team. With a prayer sent, and his fingers crossed, Charles contacted one of his oldest friends; a younger mutant who went by Hank McCoy. The blue-fuzzy mutant was currently working on another doctorate, this time in the field of mathematics. The man agreed to meet Charles at the Home for a weekend. After spending forty-two hours with the mutant children, and seeing that another set of hands could be useful to one of his oldest friends, Hank agreed to stay and help out around the Home. About a month later, Hank created a holographic image inducer to use in public.
As the large machine was powering down, Charles could hear tiny, echoing feet coming towards his office. With a timid knock on the large, wooden door, the older mutant could hear the young mind trying to ask permission to enter. "Come in Scott." Xavier answered, turning to the door to see the brown-haired boy poke his head in. The tiny pair of ruby-quartz glasses on the second grader's face reflected the sunlight that was coming from the open window.
Scott Summers ran into the office clad in his outfit of the day: navy blue sweater with grey pants and blue sneakers. The almost eight-year-old jumped onto the chair next to where the professor's chair sat, a large grin on Scott's face. "And what has you so happy at…7:00 in the morning? You still have another half-hour to sleep before breakfast."
"But it's the first field trip of school professor!" Scott exclaimed, "Me and Jean are on the same bus this time! Rouge is kinda sad that she's not, but we'll meet her at the zoo still." Scott locked eyes with Xavier, a large grin on his face. "How can I sleep when we're goin' to the zoo?!"
The professor let out a chuckle, letting the excited child jump from the plush chair into his lap. "I suppose you are right Scott. How could I be so forgetful?"
Scott shrugged, laying against the professor and taking the time to be with the older man. He could remember the days when it was just him and Charles. Those days were very quiet, but there was something nostalgic about them. It was just the professor and Scott, and they would do everything together. After sitting peacefully for a couple of minutes, Scott turned to face the professor. "Professor, what were you doin' in here?"
"I was trying to contact an old acquaintance of mine." Charles explained, wheeling himself and Scott out of the room and towards the kitchen. More tiny feet could be heard above them, indicating that the other children had gotten up and were getting ready for their own day of school. "After Kurt and Kitty moved in, I think one more adult will help to make sure you children will be looked after adequately."
As an answer, Scott nodded. The duo wheeled into the kitchen to find Ororo preparing sack lunches on the island while Hank was finishing up breakfast preparations. Kitty and Evan were 'helping' Ms. Munroe with packing lunches, Kitty giving each bag a juice box while Evan made sure there was a Cosmic brownie in every bag. Hank had crabby looking Ray on his left hip; the preschooler buried his face in the soft fur and clutched on tight. Still sleeping in the bouncer in the corner of the kitchen was the youngest member of the house, Jamie. "Good morning everyone." Charles greeted, setting Scott onto the ground so he could go into the dining room and begin eating breakfast.
Ororo smiled, rolling up a sack lunch and writing Bobby on the front. "Good morning Charles."
"Any luck with Cerebro?" McCoy asked, setting the last plate of pancakes on the other side of the island.
Charles nodded, "Yes. I managed to come in brief contact with his mind, and I know he will be in Bayville this afternoon." He wheeled over to Hank, arms reaching for the stubborn Ray. "Are you feeling alright this morning Raymond?"
The answer was a shake of the head as it buried into Charles shoulder. "He felt a little warm, but there is no sign on a fever." Hank answered, looking in the fridge for the orange juice. "I told Ray that he could stay home if he didn't feel well, but that he would miss the fireman coming to their class today."
Ray whined, "Don't wanna miss fire!"
"If you feel well Raymond, then you can still go to class with the others." Xavier reassured him with a pat on the back. "Why not join the others in the dining room and see if there's anything you would want for breakfast?" The tired boy was put down and the adults watched him sluggishly make his way towards the loud room.
Ms. Munroe helped Kitty and Evan down from the chair they were standing on, giving them each a kiss on the cheek as they were in her arms for a moment. With a giggle exchanged between the two, the first grader and kindergartener ran into the dining room so they could find their seats for breakfast. "Are you going to try and contact your acquaintance Professor?" the woman asked, writing Jubilee on the last lunch bag and placed it with the other ten bags. A small whine from the bouncer made Xavier wheel his way towards the baby before he could begin to cry.
A sigh escaped Charles' mouth as he grabbed the baby carefully, holding Jamie chest-to-chest and gently patting his back. "Once the children are off at school, and the house is much quieter, I will try once more."
"Hopefully they'll answer." McCoy answered as he held the door open for the others to enter with the rest of the food. "The house has definitely gotten crazier in the last couple of months." Serving as a great example of the madness, the dining room already had the majority of the children sitting in their seats at the large wooden table.
Jean and Scott sat at the chairs closest to where the professor usually sat, both talking with their fellow second grader, Rouge, about the field trip to the zoo that was happening today. Next to Rouge was the newest addition to the house was Kurt, and Kitty. Both first graders became great friends when they found out they were in the same class at school. Kurt was forever grateful for Professor Xavier watch invention that made the tiny, blue fuzz ball of a child look like the average first grader: a holographic image inducer.
Across from the oldest kids in the house were the kindergarteners. Evan, Bobby, and Sam were all busy stuffing their faces with bacon and pancakes, laughing at how full their cheeks could get with the food. The trio could often be found playing with their action figures on the stairs, having the plastic toys 'jump' from the top only to crash on the bottom with a loud cheer from the kindergarteners. Amara and Jubilation (Jubilee) were playing with the new dolls they had gotten on their trip to the store with Hank a few days ago.
At the opposite end of the table sat the younger children. Rahne, Ray, and Roberto were all in preschool, which only happened three of the five days of the school week for the morning. Today, the preschoolers seemed excited to have a real-life firefighter coming to their class. Even Ray, who seemed to have a bit more color in his face than a few moments ago. At the other end of the table, Chalres placed the baby into his highchair and buckled him in. Jamie, the only child too young to be in school, was munching on a piece of toast that was torn in little pieces for him to eat.
It was never a dull moment in this house, especially on a Friday. Ororo took her seat next to Jamie, cutting up some pancake to give the one-year-old while also reign in the preschoolers so that they could finish their breakfast. Hank took his spot on that split up the preschoolers from the kindergarteners, taking Amara and Jubilee's dolls from them with a promise to give them back once they were done with their pancakes. When Charles got to his spot at the head of the table, he looked over all of the tiny faces smiling and laughing with their friends around the large table. Although this house would never have another quiet day, Charles wouldn't change a thing.
Kindergarten through fifth grade level students attended Bayville Elementary School on the outskirts of Bayville on a property about a block away from the Junior High School and right behind the High school. The preschool, Kiddie Klubhouse, was in the heart of Bayville, close to the grocery store and town's library. A school bus stopped right in front of the Xavier property to take the elementary school children to school and bring them back to the Home. Ororo and Hank would take turns taking and picking up the three preschoolers to their school for the morning, while the later would do some of the chores that needed to be taken care of around the Home.
This Friday, Charles watched from the front porch with Jamie contently sitting with him in his lap, as the older children walked down the long and curvy driveway to the bus stop. Their loud chatter and laughter could be heard all the way from the porch, causing a smile to form on the professor's face. The sound of the large front door opening caused Jamie to watch three preschoolers file out with their colorful, cartoon themed backpacks.
Roberto, with his Clifford bag, bounced his way over to Charles with his shoes squeaking on the still wet porch. "Pro-ess-ore! We gonna see fire!"
He had to laugh, his grip on Jamie tightening when the baby began wiggling to reach out for the shiny shoes. "A fire-man Roberto." Charles corrected gently. "I highly doubt any fires will be started."
"No fair." The boy mumbled, "Bobby says there's a fire at school."
The other two preschoolers came out of the house, Ray with a Dinosaur Train backpack and Rahne with Paw Patrol. "I am sorry to disappoint you, but there was definitely no fire when Bobby had a fireman visit his own class." Hank walked out, his holographic image inducer turned on so that he could drive the three children to their class in town. "Now, have a good day at school. I can't wait to hear all about your special visitor when you return."
Hank ushered the children into the garage, helping each of them into the van. The van pulled out of the garage, and with a wave to the children's faces pressed against the window, Charles made his way back into the house with Jamie pulling on the professor's top button on his jacket. The older man chuckled at the baby, trying to pry his chubby fingers off of the round button. As more children began calling the large manor home, Charles made time in his busy schedule to spend one-on-one time with each of the fourteen children, in order to get to know them better and form a trusting bond with them. For some, it was like a duck to water how well they got along. But others were more warry and nervous to be talking with the older mutant. However, with each moment he and a 'student' spent together, he found that the child became more hoping with their relationship.
A small cough from the staircase caused Charles to look up at Ororo, who watched the duo come in from outside. "Sorry to interrupt you two." She appoligized as she walked down the large set of stairs. "But Jamie here has a doctor's appointment in the next hour, and the office in the city."
Charles handed the bouncy baby over to Munroe with a smile, "Do you need any assistance Ororo?"
"I can handle this little man Professor." She smiled, placing Jamie on her hip. "Besides, I would rather come back knowing if there is going to be additional help versus help with a simple doctor's visit."
On that note, the weather-manipulating mutant went to find the diaper bag and get along with the appointment. The professor made his way back into his office in order to contact the mutant in the area. Once in his office, Charles hooked up the large machine and placed the helmet onto his head, hoping that once he came in contact with the stubborn mutant, he would at least agree to do lunch.
Logan still had no idea why he decided to drive to take a drive on this side of the country, let alone to stop in Bayville. It was more of a family oriented city, with the downtown having little to nothing that would entertain the independent mutant. And yet, here he was, driving his beloved motorcycle to the large manor in one of the corners of the suburban area.
About two hours outside of Bayville, while stopping at a rundown diner, Logan was contacted by a familiar voice inside his head. After realizing that it was Charles Xavier trying to contact him, and not voices haunting him, the gruff man had a brief telepathic conversation with the professor. According to the conversation, and the anxious sounding voice in his mind, Charles really wanted him over for a small lunch. He agreed, knowing better than to ever pass up a free meal or to deny the telepath such a simple request. Yet, Logan knew to be on his toes. Nothing in life is free.
The loud bike rolled up to the closed gate, flipping up his visor in order to find the buzzer. Before his finger could push the red button, the gate opened slowly with a creak. As he slowly rode the bike onto the property, the sound of the old gate closing behind him, Logan found Xavier on the front porch waiting for the feral mutant. Once he parked his motorcycle in front of the manor, Logan took his helmet off and climbed off his bike with a stretch of his back. "New motorcycle Logan?" the professor called, giving the younger looking man a sincere smile.
Logan and Charles shook hands once he reached the porch, giving him a firm hand shake, "Just got her polished a few weeks ago Chuck."
"It looks like a job well done." Charles commented, heading back towards the front door, letting Logan walk ahead of him. "What brought you to this side of the country during this time of year?"
He shrugged, stepping into the unfamiliar and large foyer. The chandler's crystals were sparkling bright in the natural sunlight, making light bounce around the large room. "Guess it was a gut feeling, I guess. And I never planned on stopping here, I was really just planning on passing through. What caused you to ask for me?"
Xavier and Logan made their way into the kitchen, last night's dinner serving as leftovers for lunch. Being the good host he is, Charles let the younger looking man take his seat in front of the warm stew, before taking his own spot closer to the doorway. "I saw you were in the area and thought a warm, home cooked meal could do you some good." He answered, siring his own stew slowly. "And, I had a feeling that you would not have a place to stay during your weekend."
"Nice guess." Logan mumbled into his spoonful of stew. "And like I said, I didn't plan on stopping here. I stopped for breakfast, and was planning on getting to Maine by the night."
Charles dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin, giving him a nod. "It was a good idea you did stop Logan." The professor pointed his spoon towards the young man. "And not just for your own benefit." He quickly added, before spooning more stew onto his spoon.
Logan's raised his left eyebrow quizzically. "My benefit?"
"One of my newer acquaintances, Ororo Munroe," Charles began, "is a weather manipulating mutant. She usually keeps a good eye on the skies and informed me that a storm is headed for Bayville this weekend." His spoon was placed on the side of the bowl, watching Logan's facial expressions to see how he should continue the conversation. "I won't try and keep you for too long Logan. But I would like to present you with an opportunity."
The feral mutant leaned back in his chair, grabbing the glass of water that was left for him on the table. Logan thought for a moment; he knew that everything in life comes with a price. And this mutant could be a gambler if he wanted to. "Alright Chuck, let's hear it."
Before Charles could begin his proposal, the kitchen door swung open and a redheaded preschooler ran in wailing. "Pro-fresh-are! Ray and Roberto keep pullin' my hair!" Rahne cried, hiding behind his chair just as the two boys came into the kitchen, "Make 'em stop!"
"Is this true boys?" the professor asked, seeing the two boys look down at their feet.
Hank walked in, followed by Ororo with a crabby looking Jamie in her arms. "Don't think about fibbing you two." The large, blue-hair covered mutant warned, finding the plastic set of dishware to serve the children's lunches on.
Roberto nodded, "Maybe a little." The dark-skinned boy whispered, suddenly becoming very interested with the stitching on his shoes, "But I only did after Ray did!" He pointed at his blonde accomplice, climbing into an empty chair before Ray could try and pull his hair.
"I don't care who began pulling hair," Charles clarified, helping Rahne into the empty chair next to him, "but you will both apologize to Rahne, eat your lunches, and get straight to your rooms for a nap." He pushed in the chair for the Scottish girl, giving her a small smile, "Understand boys?"
"Yessir." They both mumbled, then turned to the redhead, "Sorry Rahne."
She sniffed, rubbing her eyes, "S'okay."
Ororo placed Jamie into the highchair that was kept in the kitchen, finding something to give him so he wouldn't become any fussier while sitting there and waiting for his own lunch. "And how did Jamie's appointment go?" the professor asked, letting the baby grab hold of one of his index fingers.
Ms. Munroe let out a chuckle, "Dr. Lee said that he was meeting his milestones, but today was a shot day." She wrapped a blue bib around Jamie's neck, "You can probably assume he did not enjoy that."
"I would guess not." He mused, watching the baby give a toothless grin when Hank brought over a small dish of mashed bananas for him. That's when Charles remembered Logan sitting on the other side of the table. "Oh, I'm sorry Logan, I should have warned you." He cleared his throat, "This is Ororo Munroe, the weather mutant I mentioned earlier. And this is Hank McCoy, a very good friend of mine."
Logan tipped his head towards the smiling adults, giving them knowing looks. "Don't tell me these four are yours Chuck?"
Hank tried not to laugh, he really did. But as soon as those words came Logan's mouth, Hank almost spit his beverage out of his mouth. "No no Logan. This home, our home, has become Charles Xavier's Home for Gifted Youngsters. All the children in this home are like you, Hank, Ororo and I: mutants." Xavier paused a moment to let the information sink in. Once he was certain that he didn't lose Logan yet, the professor continued, "Over the past five years, I have welcomed fourteen children with their own unique abilities into my home. Hank, Ororo, and I try to teach the children how to cope with their mutation, but also how to socialize with the rest of society. These are only the youngest of the bunch: Rahne, Ray, Roberto, and Jamie. The rest of the children should come home from school around 3:00."
"Hopefully before the storm hits." McCoy commented, leaning over to wipe some stew from Ray's face with a napkin. The boy began to fuss, moving his head away in protest, but the older man managed to get most of it off. "I would like to avoid ten pairs of muddy feet trampling through the foyer."
Ororo nodded, "Agreed. While the storm will begin around 1:00, it will really pick up around 4:00, and there does not seem to be a good break until Monday afternoon."
She stood, taking Rahne and Roberto's empty bowls with her, "You still haven't gotten to your point here Chuck." Logan grumbled, finishing the last of his stew, "And if the weather is really going to be his awful, I'd like to head out soon."
Hank and Ororo met eyes, knowing that the professor would most likely want to be alone in order to offer a place in the house for him. "Alright Ray, let's find the other two and get you settled for a nap." Ororo gave the boy a gentle smile, "Say goodnight to the professor and his friend."
Ray nodded, jumping from his seat with a slight stumble. "Night-night pro-wrestler." Ray giggled, letting the older mutant ruffle his hair affectionately. "Night Mr. Man!" the preschooler said to Logan, running out the kitchen and calling to the others that it was time for a nap.
The weather mutant followed the laughing children out, giving the other men a wave as she left. "Alright Jamie, let's get you cleaned up and settled down." McCoy announced, using the bib to wipe access banana off of the baby's chin.
Charles watched Hank take Jamie out of the kitchen, giving the baby a grin goodbye. The kitchen became quiet, the tick-tock of the old cuckoo clock on the wall the only sound. "Logan, as I mentioned before, there are fourteen children in this house right now. And while they are all in all good children, it can be difficult for three adults to watch over fourteen mutant children by ourselves." He took a deep breath, crossing his fingers for good luck. "An extra pair of hands around here would be very beneficial."
Logan's jaw went slack as he stared at the man in front of him. "Chuck, I'm not sure if you remember me all that well, but I'm not known as the 'nurturing' and 'caring' kind of guy." He grunted, shaking his head. "I don't stay in one place for very long. I can't stay in one place for very long." Logan leaned forward in his seat, getting closer to Charles, "Why on Earth did you ask me if I would be willing to help you out?"
"We are in need of the help, at least for the school year." Charles explained, "And, I am not sure if you remember me at all, but I was once a traveler like you Logan." The professor watched the feral mutant lean back into his chair and fold his arms across his chest. "But these children are in need of guidance and role models. To tell you the truth, about half of these children were abandoned here." Logan's eyes widened at the statement, but he quickly regained his composition.
The feral let the information sink in, yet he still wasn't sure. "Look, it's really great what you're all doin' for these kids, but I don't think I'm cut out for it Chuck." He let out a long sigh, "I don't do the hugs, or playdates or feedings, or dirty diapers. I'm just not cut out for it."
Charles raised an eyebrow, "Have you ever tried?" when no answer came, the professor got an idea. "Then, take me up on this offer. Stay here the weekend and test out your theory. If, come Monday, you do not think you being around the children will benefit them, I will not make you stay any longer." Logan's eyes met with the professor's, "But, if you find that the weekend went well, the room that you stay in will be yours." Xavier wheeled himself away from the table and towards the door, signaling for Logan to follow him out. "We can discuss salary, benefits, and other details once you decide to stay, but for now, I can show you to the spare bedroom once you grab your bag from the back of your bike."