Catch me when I fall

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Pan) So this is the first X-Men fic I've done. So we'll see how it goes, it's going to have three OC's in it just to let you know.

Pan) Well I don't own any X-Men rights.

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Mutant.

That name inflicts many things in the hearts and minds of 'The Normals' humans who are born right, without a mutation. Some say that there the lucky ones, the 'Normals' to be able to live their lives to the fullest and not have to fear the possibility that their mutation will suddenly act up or someone will find out what they are. Then others say that mutants are better, that there a higher form of evolution that they are the future and some of the 'Normals' don't like that idea they think the mutants are trying to take over and make everyone a mutant. Not all the 'Normals' are bad though some who have children who have a mutation accept and love that child and protect them from the world and the scorn of the rest of the 'Normals'. Not caring that their child is an abnormality, then there are the ones that do care, the ones that hate, scorn and even abandon their mutant children. That is the world we live in a world of separation, ignorance, and hatred of people who are genetically different in this world to live as a mutant is hard, it's even worse when you're a street rat.

"You little bitch get back here!" yelled the fat man, who was waving a rolled up newspaper, as he chased me.

Ignoring him I gripped the bag of chips to my chest dodging and ducking people who decided to be good citizens and tried to catch me. Rounding a corner I picked up some speed seeing that this street didn't have as much pedestrian traffic. Sparing a glance back over my shoulder I saw the man was lagging behind his weight finally catching up to him -after only two blocks- looking back in front of me I bolted across the streets crosswalk then down an ally. Finally ending up on 3rd Street I stopped, panting, my breath coming out in little white clouds in the chilly October air looking around I didn't see the man, he had probably given up on chasing me down deciding one bag of Doritos wasn't worth the effort for him. Smiling to myself I looked at the big glass window of the store behind me, seeing the refection I scowled and gripping the bag between my teeth I fixed the toboggan pulling it down further to cover my ears then straightened out my ratty tan coat then pulled on cotton gloves with holes in the pinky finger of the left hand and another hole in the palm of the right. Taking the bag from my teeth I continued down the street to my house, it wasn't much just a run-down apartment complex with boarded up windows, no hot water -if the water worked at all-, and every now and then a few rats would make an appearance. Shoving open the big graffiti covered door I made my way up the five flights of stairs then to the seventh door on the right pulled out the key and opened the door.

"Colton I'm back and I got some chips." I hollered softly as I tossed the chips on the battered coffee table and took off my coat and gloves leaving the hat on. "Colton where are you?" Grabbing the chips I walked down the hall looking for my brother pushing open the bedroom door I saw him sitting on the floor his back towards me. "What are you doing Colt?"

"Found a new friend." He said pointing to an upturned shoe box.

"Oh god, Colt what did you catch this time please tell me it's not another rat, if it is Perri is taking care of this one." I complained walking over to crouch in front of the five year old.

"No, it's a spider!" He chirped yanking the shoe box up, the spider shot out, skittered across my foot and out into the hall.

Screeching about the creepy crawler that just ran over my foot I fell back onto my butt and watched Colton run out of the room, box in hand yelling for his spider to come back. 'Uhg where is Perri?' I though as I got up and followed to help Colton catch his spider.

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I hated my job, crappy pay and slapping men who grope you tends to not get you any tips but today was being good to me. No one got slapped, it was almost 10:30pm only an hour until I could go home, and I got 53 dollars in tips. Grabbing the plates from and empty table I heard the bell above the door ding looking up I saw it was two teenage boys they sat down, taking the plates to the kitchen I came back and walked over to take their orders.

"So what do you guys want?" The blond boy asked for the special but the other red head boy.

"How 'bout your number?" Ugh stupid, boys always asking me annoying, stupid things.

Man so much for my good day, stupid jerk. "How about the special like your friend." I answered sweetly.

"Yeah sure, still I'd like you though."

"So two specials, I'll choose your drinks." I said smiling, turning around the annoying one grabbed my ass, I'm so spitting in his drink. As I made my way to the kitchen the bell above the door dinged again, I ignored it, it was probably more stupid boys. Handing Danny the order slip I filled two cups with ice and Pepsi then spitting in one I walked back to the boys setting the drinks down, making sure to give the red head the 'special' soda. I saw the person who came in sitting in a booth near the back, looking at the clock I had 45 minutes left, with a huff I walked over to the man. I got a good look at him dark curly hair and... Side burns really? What is this the 80's? Shaking my head I cleared my throat to get his attention, he looked away from the window and at me, whoa pretty eyes.

"Hello, what would you like today?" I asked.

"Coffee." Was his muttered reply as he looked back out the window.

Jerk, guess pretty eyes don't mean they have a pretty personality. "Okay." Tucking my note pad in my back pocket I went to get his coffee grabbing sugar packets, a handful of liquid creamer cups, and a plastic spoon placing it all on a tray I took it to the man. "Here ya' go I got you sugar and stuff too, since you didn't tell me anything but coffee." I said.

"Thanks." Ahh, such a talkative man.

"Orders up!" Danny yelled, sighing I went and grabbed the hard plastic trays taking them to the boys, setting them down the blond boy thanked me while the other grabbed my wrist.

"Get off." I growled tugging my arm making him grip my wrist tighten.

"I'm not stupid you spit on something, my friend told me so." He said pointing to his blond friend who rolled his eyes and picked up a fry and shoved it it his mouth.

"You're an idiot, that's sick spitting on peoples food or something, now get off me." I said grabbing the fork setting on the blonde's tray.

"No, stupid girl you're gonna give me something for being rude." He growled his grip tightening.

I hated being touched, and threatened and he was doing both! Gripping the fork tighter I jerked my hand up then swung down toward the boy's face it never made contact, my fork wielding hand was grabbed.

"Let the girl go." That voice, it was the Coffee man.

"She just tried to stab me! With a fork at that."

"From what I saw you started it, now let her go or I'll stab you with the fork and I don't see anyone who can stop me." The boy looked up at the tall man and snorted.

"Whatever." He muttered throwing my arm from him, then taking a drink from his cup.

The Coffee man let my fork hand go, sighed and went back to his seat. Dropping the fork to the table I walked back to the kitchen. 'That man saved me from going to jail for almost stabbing a boy, with a fork! Ugh I need to learn to control my anger I should thank him somehow.' Looking around the kitchen I smiled and moved around grabbing everything I needed, once I was done I told Danny I was leaving early and about the two boys who still had to pay. Grabbing my red hoodie I clocked out and went back to the front, he was still sitting at his booth, taking a breath through my nose I walked over. Clearing my throat he looked back away from his window to me and what I held.

"Um, thanks for earlier. My temper got the better of me and well... here." I said shoving the foil wrapped sub at him. Looking at the sub in my out stretched hand then at me he had a confused look on his face.

"It's a Ruben. A thank you." I said putting it on the table. "Oh the coffee's on the house too, well bye." As I reached the door he spoke.

"Hey kid." Looking over my shoulder he continued still looking out the window "Try not to stab anyone else." Smiling I looked at the boys my smile turning into a smirk.

"Hey you were right I spit in your Pepsi!" I said laughing as the boy spit out the mouthful of soda then I ran out the door puling my hoodie on. As I walked down the street I got the feeling someone was following me looking over my shoulder I didn't see anyone shaking my head I kept walking. Looking over my shoulder again I still didn't see anyone, maybe I was being paranoid even so I didn't like it. Finally the feeling got to me and I ran ducking down allies and down streets I didn't need to take until I thought it was safe to go home. Reaching my building I made it to my door unlocking it I walked into something odd.

"What are you two doing?"

"Perri you're back help us catch Colts stupid spider he keeps letting it out of the shoe box!" Harper said standing on the coffee table with a broom in one hand and a skillet in the other.

"I didn't mean ta' Perri but she needs air too!" Colton cried from the tattered recliner where he was armed with his shoe box and had a colander sitting on his head.

"You two are strange, what kind of spider is it?" I asked looking at the floor for the arachnid.

"Don't know." Harper answered.

"What does it look like?"

"Um, like that." She said pointing behind me, turning around I saw the spider sitting on the kitchen counter.

"It's huge!" I squeaked.

"Perri here!" Harper yelled holding out the skillet and broom I took the most useful one, the skillet.

"Perri don't kill her!" Colton cried running up to me and grabbing my leg.

"I won't if it's not poisonous but if it is I'll have to Colt I don't want it to bite anyone." Edging closer to the spider I got a good look at it and sighed looking at the Tarantula. "Colt give me the shoe box."

"You're not gonna kill her, huh?" He asked clutching the box to his chest.

"No, you can keep her, she's a tarantula."

"Yey, tatarnsula." he cheered handing me the box.

"Its tarantula Colt." Harper corrected moving closer to see me use the skillet to knock the spider into the box and close the lid.

"Okay Colt you can keep the spider but stop letting her out, got it."

"How will her breath Perri?"

"I'll poke some holes in the top of the box." I said grabbing a knife from the strainer and started to poke holes in the box.

"Don't poke her Perri." Colt worried.

"I won't, see all done." Handing the box to Colt I looked at the clock. "Now go get ready for bed it's totally past your bed times and you have school tomorrow." I scolded.

"Its Colts fault Perri, I wouldn't have been able to sleep with that huge thing skittering around the floor." Harper protested.

"I know Harp I was playing that's the only reason you two aren't getting yelled at right now. Okay now both of you off to bed, shoo." With that I waved them both off toward the bathroom sighing I kicked off my shoes and wandered to the bedroom to change grabbing a pair of jeans and a gray and black stripped sweater I changed out of my work clothes. As I brushed out my hair Harper and Colton walked in both dressed in pajamas and Colt still held his shoe box spider. Motioning for Harper to come over she rolled her eyes and walked to me, pulling off her hat I brushed the knots out of her hair placing the brush down I patted Colts head and shooed him to bed.

"Alright Kido, hand over the spider you can't sleep with her not to mention your sister won't get in bed if you have it." I said as Harper nodded her head.

"But Perri." he wined, pouting.

"No Colt you can have your teddy bear but no spider." I said grabbing his one eyed teddy bear from the floor by the bed and holding it out to him. Pouting he took his bear and handed me the shoe box "Okay Harper into bed." Sighing she crawled into the twin bed next to her brother and pulled the blanket up over them.

"Where you put my Spider Perri?" Colt asked clutching his teddy bear.

"I'll put her on the kitchen counter so no one can step on her okay?"

"Okay, night Perri."

"Goodnight Colton." I answered kissing his forehead.

"Goodnight Harper."

"Night." She muttered when I patted her head.

With shoe box in hand I walked from the room turning off the light and shutting the door. Going to the kitchen I set Colton's spider on the counter and set a heavy pan on the box, satisfied that the spider wouldn't be able to escape from her makeshift home I got a glass of water and curled up in my old tattered recliner with my new library book. Three chapters into my book a sudden cold draft made me jump, looking over my shoulder I saw the window was open, narrowing my eyes I marked and closed my book. 'Why is that window open? Did one of the kids open it? No, they know better.' Closing the window and locking it I pulled the old curtain shut. 'What the hell, that's so weird.' Turning I came face to chest with someone and went to scream when a hand covered my mouth.

"You should lock your windows Chere." Came an all too familiar and annoying drawl.

Slapping his hand away I glared up into red and black eyes, "What the hell LeBeau! How did you get in here?" I yelled then slapped a hand over my mouth and looked down the hall toward the bedroom.

"Still got a temper I see." He said sitting on my chair and picking up my book, looking at the cover.

"Yeah, especially when someone breaks into my house, LeBeau."

"Wat happened to Remy?" He asked tossing the book on the coffee table.

"You know what happened, I grew up maybe you should too." I growled still standing by the window my arms crossed over my chest.

"Remy is all grown up, he could show y'." He said smirking as he moved from the chair in one fluid movement to walk toward me.

"You're an idiot, LeBeau."

"You used to love dis' idiot, oui." He said cupping my face.

"Key words were 'used to' Cajun." Gripping his hand I moved it from my cheek, I went to let go but his fingers tightened around mine, I sighed in annoyance.

"Do y' still have Remy's' card?" He asked cocking his head to the side, ugh he was so cute when he did that, damn him.

"No, I don't I lost it somewhere. You didn't break into my house for a social call LeBeau what did you want?" I asked.

"Come, sit wit' Remy." He said pulling me with him to the chair sitting he went to tug me onto his lap, twisting my weight I pulled my hand from his and sat on the coffee table instead, looking at LeBeau I saw something flick across his face and forced myself to ignore it. As much as I wanted to deny it I still loved the stupid Cajun but I had kids to take care of now I couldn't afford to get distracted by him and the trouble that tended to follow him.

"Okay Cajun you have my attention now." I said crossing one leg over the other and leaning my arms on it. From my new position I finally got to look at him his auburn hair fell over his forehead his face was still narrow and pale he wore a black T-shirt, faded blue jeans, black boots and his ever present trench coat.

"Remy needs de' help of someone wit your talent." He said making me look at him oddly.

"You need my help, really LeBeau?"

"Yes, dis' particular ting needs a woman's touch."

"Meaning there's something the great 'Diable Blanc' can't do." I said smirking at him.

"You tease dis' Cajun y' know Remy's the best at wat he does."

"Mmmm, what do you need my help with Cajun?" I asked trying not to smile at him.

"Wit a job, a heist."

"LeBeau I have kids to think about now I can't do a heist! Little things sure but nothing big like that." I complained running my hand through my hair.

"Chere Y'll be wit Remy n'ting bad will happen." He said giving his charming smile.

Sighing I ran my hand through my hair again and then looked into red and black eyes, "Look LeBeau-" He cut me off mid-sentence.

"Ah, chere Remy knows when he loses." He said looking down the hall toward the bedroom where the kids were. Suddenly I felt bad for him, he needed my help and I couldn't do it, wouldn't do it.

"I'm sorry LeBeau, I know you're the best thief around but I can't take the chance of something going wrong my kids are too important to me to lose them." I sighed, jumping when his hand landed on my knee.

"It's okay but Remy's gotta go." Standing from the chair he walked toward the window and I followed.

"I do have a door, ya know."

"Dis' way is more fun."

"You haven't changed a bit."

"Den how 'bout a kiss for good luck since y' can't help Remy?" He said leaning closer to me.

"Not a chance LeBeau." I snorted poking his chest.

"Mmm, here den take dis' for if you change your mind 'bout the kiss you know where to find me." He said flipping a card out of his sleeve and holding it out between his index and middle finger.

Taking the card from him he smirked unlocked the window and pushed it open "Goodbye LeBeau."

"Not goodbye chere, til next time." then he was gone.

Shutting the window and locking it I went back to my chair plopping down I flipped over the playing card LeBeau had handed me and smiled staring back at me was the Ace of Hearts picking up my book I slid it behind the other slightly faded Ace that had been my book mark. 'Ah, LeBeau you're making this hard on me you idiot.' I thought as I shut my book, set it on the table and went to the bedroom crawling onto the army cot in the corner of the room I looked over at the bed and smiled at Colton and Harper those two where my everything now, what I had decided to protect with my life and I would no matter what it took.

Six a.m. came too soon for my liking groaning when the alarm went off I rolled out of my cot and to my feet, swaying I stretched and my back cracked then my shoulders and neck were next looking at the kids I smiled Colton was lying across the bed his legs over Harper and his thumb in his mouth. Harper was curled up the blanket kicked off and she was clutching Colts teddy bear, they were so cute now if they could get along this well when they were awake I'd be a happy woman. Snorting at the absurdity of that thought I walked over and shook them both Harper muttered something knocked Colts legs off her and curled up more into her ball and Colt just rolled over, this is what happens when they don't go to sleep when there supposed to.

"Colton, Harper get up you have school." I said shaking them again until Harper growled and rolled out of bed and stomped off to get dressed and I picked Colton up and put him on his feet walking away when I was sure he wouldn't fall over, grabbing his clothes I helped him dress. Checking on Harper I saw her tossing a few shirts over her shoulder before picking one and pulling it on, shaking my head I went to the kitchen to find something for them to eat. Poking around I found half a box of cereal and just enough milk for them, making their breakfast I set it on the coffee table and sat on my chair waiting for them. Colton came first rubbing his left eye with a sleepy look on his face as he plopped onto the floor in front of his cereal bowl and started to eat, finally Harper walked in pulling her toboggan down sitting on the floor next to her brother she picked up her spoon.

"School sucks it starts too early and lasts too long." She complained then shoved a spoonful of Cheerios into her mouth.

"Eah." Colton agreed spitting cereal on the table.

"Colton finish the food in your mouth before you try to talk and school is important if you want to get anywhere in life so you're going, now hurry up and eat so you won't be late."

"Gosh, what happened Perri you used to be cool?" Harper whined poking at her cereal.

"I know I was so awesome, then summer ended." I said smiling at her.

"Yep, then you got un-cool." She replied making me laugh.

"Perri wat 'bout my spider?" Colt asked looking at the box over on the counter.

"She'll be okay Colt spiders don't need to eat everyday like us." I told him not knowing if that was true or not I knew next to nothing about spiders, except they weren't bugs but arachnids.

"Okay." Ah small children are so trusting.

Looking at the clock on the stove I saw it was 6:45 enough time for them to get their shoes and coats on and walk them to school "Okay you two shoes and coats, Colton don't forget your hat its cold out." I said walking down the hall to brush my hair. Done with that I went to the living room put on my shoes grabbed my red hoodie and my keys checked the kids over then waved them out the door.

We made it to the school with ten minutes to spare as we walked to the school the principal looked over at us and I directed a glare at the woman, we had a very defined hatred of each other after she called children service on me saying I didn't have the adequate means to take care of Harper and Colton. So now I had those jerks breathing down my neck with check-ups every month where they tried to find ways to take my kids all because of the nosy bitch staring me down. Fighting the urge to give her the bird I followed the kids to the front doors said bye to Harper and walked Colton to his classroom waving to his teacher I kissed his forehead told him to be good and I'd see him when I got off work tonight. Making my way back to the street I was sadly stopped by the principal, peachy.

"Miss. Thompson." She said walking to me, rolling my eyes I plastered on a fake smile and turned to her.

"Why yes Mrs. Adler?"

"I wished to speak to you about Harper." She said and I noticed something like worry in her voice and it caught my attention.

"What about her?"

"It seems she has been going to the nurse for the past four day's complaining of headaches and I was wondering if you knew?" What she said shocked me Harper hadn't said anything to me about headaches, was it getting worse?

"No, she hasn't said anything to me about it. Um, I'll talk to her when I get home from work tonight I'd like the nurse to send a note home with her if she goes there today please." I said in a daze I barely heard Mrs. Alders reply as I nodded and walked away.

Making it home I sat in my chair and worried. What if it gets worse and she can't control it? I won't be able to help her I didn't know how to help her only dull the pain. What was I going to do? A knock on my door brought me out of my thoughts, standing I walked over and pulled the door open and came face to face with a woman in a suit. My days getting better and better, children services.

"Um, can I help you?"

"Miss. Thompson?" she asked flipping open a manila folder.

"Yes."

"You are the guardian of Colton Miller and Harper Miller, correct."

"Yes, I'm sorry but what is this about?"

"It's an evaluation Miss. Thompson to see if this," she paused and looked around before continuing. "residence is safe for the children and if you meet the standards, may I?" she said motioning into my apartment.

'Not like I have a choice bitch' I thought. "Yes come in please." I said stepping back to let her in.

Watching her walk around my living room she flipped open her manila folder and pulled out a pen clicked the point out and started writing and marking the paper and making 'tisking' noises. She moved to the kitchen opened the refrigerator closed it then turned on the burners to the stove only three worked she shut them off scribed something then moved on, opened and closed the cabinets. Then she moved down the hall to the bedroom opening the door she looked around and scribbled on her paper.

"Where do you all sleep Miss. Thompson?" she asked.

"Colton and Harper sleep in the bed and I sleep on the cot." I answered.

"Well Colton and Harper need their own beds and bedrooms Miss. Thompson."

"It's only a one bedroom apartment how are they going to have their own rooms if it only has one bedroom?" I asked looking at her.

"I'm sorry Miss. Thompson but it's the law children over the age of five and of opposite gender need their own rooms."

"Well how am I supposed to do that?"

"Find a bigger apartment." She answered as she walked down the hall to my living room.

"I can't afford a bigger apartment. Can't I just buy another bed?" I asked looking at the woman pleadingly.

Snapping her folder shut she answered me. "No, I'm sorry Miss. Thompson you either find a bigger apartment or we'll have to take the children from you. We'll expect to see you in our office with your new address in three weeks' time." She sighed. "Goodbye Miss. Thompson." she said walking out her heels clicking on the tiles as she went.

Slamming my door I ran a hand through my hair and looked at the clock it was only ten a.m., maybe Danny would let me start work early? Grabbing my library book off the table I ran out my door locking it behind me hoping, praying, that Danny would let me work all day. Getting to the diner I shoved the doors open and went back to the kitchens seeing Danny I smiled and walked over poking his shoulder he looked back at me and the look he gave me made my heart drop into my stomach.

"Perri we need to talk."

"Danny you sound like you're fighting with yourself." I said trying to end on a laugh but it didn't come out.

"Perri," He stopped running his hand through his thinning hair "Honey I know you have kids and all but," 'Oh god he's going to fire me!' I screamed in my mind. "The things I've let you get away with were small and most deserved it but the stunt you pulled yesterday with those two teenage boys it was too much."

"Danny please no." I pleaded.

"Hon, I'm sorry I can't have my diner go under, this is my livelihood my life is this place. No matter how much I think of you as the daughter I never had I can't have you jeopardizing my business I'm sorry honey but I gotta let you go." Those words seemed to knock the breath out of me.

"Danny my kids will be taken from me if I lose this job, please Danny I won't smack the gropey men anymore or be snarky, please, please Danny." I said on the verge of tears.

"I'm sorry sweetie but no, here's you last check I gave you a little extra." He said pulling it from his pocket, taking it with numb fingers I walked from the kitchen and out of the diner sitting on a nearby bench.

I crushed the check in my hand and shoved it into my hoodie pocket. I was fucked I was going to lose them, I lost my job, my apartment was too small, they probably thought I was neglecting Harper because of her headaches what was I going to do! Choking on a sob my fingers gripped my book, then I saw it, with shaking fingers I pulled the Ace of Hearts from between the pages looking at the card I thought back to last night. A heist, what could I lose? If we pulled it off I'd get to keep my kids and if not I'd still lose them but at least I'd lose them trying. Sliding the card back with the other I swiped my arm over my face stood and ran toward the only help I had at the moment, Remy LeBeau.

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Pan) Well what did you think. Sorry if LeBeau's speech is off I got it all typed up and my sister was like "Nice sis except Remy's got a Cajun accent" then laughed at me while I re-typed LeBeau's sentences.

Pan) If you liked it or wanna point out any flaws drop me a review.