The Boy at the Bus Stop

by Hope Lightwing

Eric Lensherr is a collage professor. He shares a house with is best friend, Charles Xavier, and several other professors. One day Eric ends up caught in a rain storm and has to take shelter under a bus ere he makes a new friend with a surprising story to tell. *I do not own any character except James*

1. The Boy at the Bus Stop

A young boy was sitting at a bus stop. Eric, a tall brown haired, bright eyed college professor, came running in with his jacket pulled over his head to escape the down pour. The boy whose does didn't touch the ground, was swinging his feet as he watched Eric shake the rain water off himself.

"Hello," Eric said politely as he sat down on the bench, "What a haster! I am most certainly glad that the bus goes right up to the college." Sticking his fingers under his arms Eric looked at the boy who was staring out into the sheets of rain. Eric rubbed his hands in his pockets as he noted the boys' faraway look. He took his hand out of his pocket and held it out to the boy.

"I'm Eric."

The boy thoughtfully looked at Eric with his head titled over to one side. He grasped Eric's hand, accepting the hand shake. Eric nodded

"A pleasure to meet you. So where are you headed little man?"

"James. My name is James." The boy answered as turned back to looking out into the rain.

"I'm heading for the very big college house." The last part james had spoken in a very conspiratorial whisper. Eric leaned in and whispered just as conspiratorially,

" I can tell you are on a great mission. Perhaps I can help, I know many people of great power upon the campus." Eric couldn't help but smile a little as he said mysteriously," Tell me whom you are seeking."

James beamed but then his face fell. He reached into his sleeve and pulling out a long wrinkled envelope he began to explain. " Mum and Dad put me on the bus and told me to find my brother at this address." James looked to hand the envelope to Eric, hesitantly at first but then pushing it into Eric's open palm and pulling his knees up into his worn over-sized jacket. " They told me to be real quick and stay with my brother until they send for us both." James was stairing at the rain again. It now made a gentle pitter-patter on the roof of the bus stop. " I didn't even know I had a brother."

Eric put the envelope into his school satchel and sliding down the bench he pulled James into a firm hug.

"You are coming home with me." Eric said tenderly into the mess of soft brown hair. James looked up, genuinely curious.

"Why?" He simply asked as the bus came into sight.

"Because that is what brothers do." Eric replied and a huge smile split both of their faces as the sun peeked out, shinning on their wet cheeks.