X-Rats
Chapter 9: When the Professor Met…
Charles thought there would have been more noise in the large, old manor. Granted, it was about seven in the evening and the dead of winter, so the world around the usually empty manor wasn't loud as it could be in the other seasons. Yet, the telepath had read that four-year-old boys could be loud and rowdy when they were playing, not quiet and closed off.
After a few months of child-care classes, as well as many meetings with social workers and home visits, the social worker who was assigned with the professor said that there was a boy who matched with Charles perfectly. The professor had to explicitly explain to Mr. Worthington what kind of child he was looking for, and thankfully, the professor did not have to explain much further than that. Charles made sure to read, and re-read, the file that was sent to him in order to try and know what he was going to be dealing with.
Scott Summers.
The boy's picture was the first thing on the page, but what caught Xavier's attention was that the child's eyes were squeezed shut and no smile on his chubby face. A short phone call later, the telepath was informed that Scott's eyes emit an uncontrolled, destructive red beam from his eyes. The boy was basically blind, having to keep his eyes shut all hours of the day. For the rest of the week leading up to Scott moving into the manor, Charles researched long into the night and worked tirelessly in order to prepare the perfect gift for his new ward when he would arrive.
Professor Xavier would never forget the look on the four-year-old's face when he could finally open his eyes safely and get a look at everything around him. While everything was in a ruby tint, it didn't seem to bother the child too much. Charles wheeled around the house, giving the little boy a tour of the manor and explaining to him where he could and could not go, at least without the professor's permission.
But now, after a busy week of settling down and going to class for a few days, Scott Summers seemed to be shying further and further away from the worrying professor.
Charles was in the doorway of the coming-together playroom. New toys, mixed with a few children classics, were scattered around the room. The only child in the house was in the middle of it all, two action figures in his hands but no convincing smile on his face while the two toys 'fought' each other. "Scott," Xavier began, wheeling himself into the room, "is everything alright?" he asked, stopping his chair right in front of his ward.
The boy nodded slowly, adjusting his glasses carefully on his face, "Yessir." He mumbled.
"Are you sure?" he pressed, not wanting to push the boy any further than he wanted to go, but also wanting him to know that he was there for him if he really needed him. "You can tell me anything you want to tell me Scott."
Scott shook his head, "Nah, I'm o'tay sir." Two action figures crashed into each other, 'fighting' once more.
A sigh escaped the professor, "Alright, if you are certain Scott. Are you getting hungry? Perhaps we should have dinner soon?"
"You're not gonna cook, are you?" The boy asked quietly, looking up at the oldest mutant.
Charles laughed, shaking his head, "No, not until I find some easier recipes for me to try."
0
Weeks turned into months, and those short months turned into a whole year. During those 365 days spent together, the telepath and laser-emitting mutants formed a strong bond between each other. They shared all of the holidays, their birthdays, and even preschool graduation. The two had made traditions with each other (like reading a chapter a night before bed time or sitting on the porch during the summer with a gallon of ice cream) and many memories that could fill its own photo album.
Gone were the days of a shy, closed-off Scott. Now, the young boy's personality was beginning to shine brightly and flourish daily. His excitement when learning something new made Charles think back to his own childhood and how he would do the same things with his own grandfather. Scott had certainly changed the professor's life, but Xavier wouldn't have it any other way, as cheesy as it sounded to him.
The kindergartener was sitting next to Charles at the kitchen table, tucking into a warm bowl of mac'n cheese with a large, messy smile on his face. "This the best mac'n cheese ever Pro-wrestler!" Scott said, mouth full of food.
"Professor Scott." Xavier corrected with a smile on his face, "I do not think I would be a very good professional wrestler." That made the child laugh, a tiny hand covering his mouth so food didn't fly everywhere. "And thank you for the compliment Scott, slaving over a hot stove all day can more quiet tiring."
They shared laughter and small talk for the remainder of dinner, the kindergartner insisting that he take their dirty dishes to the sink for the professor. Charles watched him from his place at the table, a proud look on his face. The boy was becoming a big help around the house, even if it was just the two of them living in the large manor.
After filling the bowls to the brim with water and adding the dish soap, Scott jumped off the stool that was placed in front of the sink, and ran to Charles. "I finished my re-ponds-abilities!" he announced while climbing into the now familiar lap. "The dishes are gettin' cleaned in there."
"Excellent work Scott." Xavier praised, giving him a hug as they made their way out of the kitchen and towards the living room. "I cannot believe how much you have grown. You are such a big boy now Scott."
Scott smiled, turning in the professors lap so he could return the hug properly. "I love you professor."
Professor Xavier was thankful for his social worker, Mr. Worthington. The man himself was a mutant and knew most of the mutant communities in the New York area pretty well. After a pleasant afternoon lunch with Scott and Charles, Warren had heard the whole story about what the professor was planning on doing with his manor. Warren promised to spread the word as much as he could while keeping his eye out for any other 'gifted' children that were in the system.
By about August, Charles had received a detailed letter from a family who were concerned about their child. Apparently, Warren's word had gotten around pretty well because the letter was from a human family with a boy they were beginning to think was a mutant. The Drakes lived in Long Island, not too far from the manor, and were asking for Charles to meet with them and see if their son really did have a mutation.
So that's why, on a Wednesday around noon, Charles was just making sure the manor looked as clean and lived in as he hoped. Scott wasn't a messy child, but he was known for taking shortcuts when he was picking up his belongings.
The doorbell rang, the chimes echoing through the foyer. The professor wheeled himself slowly to the door, not wanting to seem pushy but also quickly enough to not keep his guests waiting. Charles opened the heavy wooden door, a smile on his face. Standing in front of the door was a middle-aged looking couple along with a toddler in the woman's arms. The child had a toy in his arms, clutched close. "Hello, you must be the Drake family." He greeted with a smile. "Please, come in."
The husband placed his hand on his wife's shoulder, letting her walk into the manor first. "Thank you for meeting with us Professor Xavier." A smile graced with relief was on the woman's face. "Hopefully you can help us, or at least give us some advice on what to do." The couple was led into the kitchen, some small refreshments were on the table.
"I will try and be as helpful as I can Mrs. Drake." The professor said, pouring himself a glass of freshly made lemonade. "Would either of you like anything?"
Mrs. Drake shook her head, adjusting her son so he would be more comfortable on her lap. "We'd really just like to know if Robert has a…has a, um…what'd that man call it Madeline?" Mr. Drake asked, turning to his wife for an answer.
Madeline thought for a moment, "I believe he called it a mutation Will."
"Ah yes." Charles said after taking a small sip of his beverage, "Mutations, or as I explain it to my young ward Scott, gifts typically appear early in life. While I was a bit of a late bloomer at almost nine years old, the average age is about three years old."
William, or Will, Drake nodded in understanding. "Our son just had his third birthday in June. A few weeks after, he began acting a little…different."
"He got really cold when he became upset." Mrs. Drake explained before Charles had a time to ask for further information. "And sometimes, there would be ice covering his toys."
The professor nodded letting the information sink in. "And this occurs often?" The Drakes nodded, while little Bobby was getting antsy in his mother's lap. "Well, I would say that Robert here does have a mutation." Both parent's eyes widened at that answer, "Now, not to worry. I will be happy to answer any questions if you will be willing to listen to my proposal."
0
Bobby's parents agreed to letting Charles look after their son, especially because they did not quite understand his mutation or how to teach him to control it. They were comforted with the manor only two hours away, and reassured when the professor invited them for dinner at the end of the week.
The professor had explained to his young ward about Bobby coming to live with them, and asked him to make the little boy feel welcomed at the manor. Scott took his 'job' very seriously, not wanting to disappoint the professor and wanting the new boy to look up to him like Scott was an older brother. Bobby and Scott hit it off great. The boys both played with a train set that the kindergartner received for his fifth birthday from Warren.
Yet, both children mutants were pretty crabby, sitting at the kitchen table on either side of the professor. Bobby's first night away from his parents didn't go as smoothly as the professor hoped it would. Scott's first night was not that rough, and Charles assumed that the toddler would sleep like a rock. While he and Scott didn't share a room, their rooms were close enough for the kindergartner to hear the toddler cry a lot of the night.
No one got any good sleep that night, but Charles had high hopes for today. "Scott, after we finish breakfast, why not take Robert to the playroom and show him some of your toys?" The professor suggested, cutting up some more French toast for the children under his care.
"Okay Professor." Scott yawned, "I've got lots of racecars Bobby."
Bobby's eyes lit up, "Love racecars! You got blue?"
The kindergartner nodded eagerly, "Yeah! And a red car! We can make a racetrack so they can race! I never get to race my cars around because it's too hard to drive too cars around."
"Go fast?" the toddler asked, mushing some banana in his hand.
Charles grabbed it quickly, wiping the mush out of his hand before it got onto his clothes, "I am sure they all go very fast, but you are not leaving this table with messy hands young man." Bobby whined, but let the adult finish wiping his hands. "You both also need to finish eating before either of you set up your NASCAR race."
Both boys gave him questioning looks, but laughed and dug back into their breakfasts.
Dark red hair was being pulled through a brush roughly, causing the little girl to wince a little in pain. "I am sorry Jean," Charles apologized, "but I usually do not worry about doing hair in the morning." That made the five-year-old laugh a little.
Jean Grey, another telepath from New Jersey, was the newest addition to the manor. During the winter break, her parents brought her to the Home while they were visiting family for the new year. The Greys were comforted with not only the fact that the professor was a telepath himself, but that there were also other mutant children. Jean also seemed happy in the manor, smiling through the whole tour of the manor and squeezing her father's hand tightly when they said it was okay for her to stay for the school year and try it out.
Once the holidays ended, Jean Grey was signed up for Bayville elementary school and moved into the manor. At first, Jean was a little nervous to be at the manor without her family. She was the baby, and always had her older sister and parents looking out for her. Also, Jean was the only girl in the house, so finding something to play with Scott and Bobby was hard to do. But, once she found out that Scott liked soccer, the two hit it off quickly. Bobby, on the other hand, was excited for the new older playmate and was happy to be a member of her tea parties. Sometimes, Scott even joined them with a floppy hat on his head.
Her parents promised to visit her often and come to her games when the soccer season would begin. Unlike at home, the red headed girl did not have to share a room at the Home. At her house in New Jersey, Sara and Jean Grey had to share a tiny room that was painted bright yellow. The manor's rooms were all the same beige color, but the professor promised that they could paint the room once it was warm enough to open the windows.
School was going very well for Jean. The learning part was easy, just like at her old school. And making friends was not difficult either and part of it was thanks to Scott being in class with her and introducing her to the kids during lunchtime. The professor was happy to see his newest 'student' adjusting so well to her environment.
Just like with Bobby and Scott, the professor began to make a routine with the newest addition to the manor, while keeping the boys in their own routines. Saturdays turned into shopping day, with a promise to pick a new movie to watch that evening. Jean's routine with the professor involved trying to do Jean's hair before they started the day. Jean tried to tell him that he didn't need to do her hair, but he insisted, saying that it was only right for him to at least try a ponytail.
"Professor!" a voice called from down the hall. "Professor! Where are you?"
Jean met the professor's eye in the bathroom's mirror, "That's Scott, isn't it?"
He nodded, letting a sigh escape his lips. "Yes, and he still does not understand that I would rather he contact me through his mind than yelling in the halls."
Scott ran past the bathroom, stopping in front of the open door. Jean was sitting on Charles's lap, a bucket of hair ties in her own lap. "Oh, hi Jean." He mumbled, not meeting her gaze.
The little girl giggled, giving him a wave, "Hi Scott." That caused him to blush a little. "Where's Bobby?"
"That's why I was lookin' for the professor." Scott explained, "He's cryin' because he had an accent in his bed."
Charles nodded, shaking his head a little. While it usually didn't happen and a few times it was just melted ice, Bobby did have accidents if he insisted on having something to drink before his nap. "Well Jean, I guess a headband will have to do today. I hope that is alright."
She gave him a large grin, handing him a lilac headband that matched her purple sweater. "Sure professor, that's okay." Anything to get that awful brush away from her hair was okay with Jean.
0
The playroom was quiet, almost too quiet. Jean was playing with her doll house alone, like usual, but felt like someone was watching her play. It was almost twenty minutes, but every time she turned to the door to see if anyone was there, no one was. The five-year-old was getting aggravated at this feeling and finally put her dolls away to see what was going on.
Dolls in their beds, tucked in tight, Jean left the playroom and started down the hall. Every room she peaked into was empty, and there still was no sign of life anywhere. It was becoming a little spooky, finding no one anywhere in the large manor in the afternoon. Finally, Jean made it to the kitchen and had a surprised expression on her face when Bobby and Scott yelled, "Surprise!"
Purple and pink streamers were hanging from the roof while some yellow balloons were on the back of the kitchen's chairs. The professor was sitting at the table, a small cake with white frosting in the center. "What's goin' on?" She asked, walking further into the kitchen.
"It's a party!" Scott said, taking her hand and pulling her to her normal seat at the kitchen table. "Surprise!"
Jean was confused, "But, it's not my birthday…"
Charles nodded, "You are right Jean, your birthday is not until May." He pulled out the chair so Jean could take her seat. "However, it became sort of a tradition here to celebrate one month of living in the manor."
Bobby squealed in excitement. "Cake and ice cream!"
"Yes Bobby." The professor laughed, picking Bobby up and setting him on his lap, "After we eat dinner, we will enjoy the cake and ice cream."
Irene clutched the five-year-old's hand carefully, using her long sleeves on the sweater in order not to touch skin, knowing that the little girl she practically raised was a bundle of nerves standing in front of the humongous house in New York. And while Irene couldn't see the house in person, her latest vision had told her about this very house and just what she needed to do. "Come on Anna Marie." The blind woman said, giving her hand a squeeze. "Professor Xavier will be waiting for us."
"Are you sure 'bout what you saw?" the auburn-haired girl asked in a whisper, "You sure it's so far 'way from home?" The blind woman reached the large wooden door, Anna Marie standing behind her and only gripping her clothes.
Chimes sounded, signaling visitors at the door. A moment passed and finally the door was answered. "Ah Irene and Anna Marie, welcome to the manor." Charles greeted, giving the woman a smile and moving out of the way so that they could walk into the foyer. "The other children are in the playroom if you would like to join them."
Anna Marie shook her head, not saying anything as she helped guide Irene into the living room. "Anna Marie's mutation involves absorption professor." The vision-seer explained, "And this happens through skin contact."
"I see." The professor said, taking in the information. "Not to worry Anna Marie, I will find just the thing to help you in time. But right now, I will leave you and Irene to say your goodbyes."
The five-year-old's eyebrows went up in surprise, "Goodbye?" she asked, worry laced in her voice.
Irene shifted the little one on her lap, giving her a big hug, "Yes Anna Maries, this is where I need to leave you."
"How come?" she whimpered, clutching on carefully but tightly, "Was it me?"
The blind woman hugged her back, "No, of course not child. But, it is no longer safe under my protection." She could feel the little girl tense in her grasp, "But, the professor will keep you safe, I promise."
Tears poured out from Anna Marie's eyes as the little girl sobbed. "B-But I don't wanna stay here! I wanna go back home!" The two Mississippi natives sat on the arm chair together, just comforting each other.
Charles had left them in order to give them some much needed privacy as well as to find something to help the new little girl. When he returned, Irene had the girl she practically raised laying in her arms. Gently, she wiped her eyes free from tears with a tissue and rocked her in a comforting way. The professor has yet to understand what it was like to pretty much lose a child, but after hearing about Irene's vision and her worry of the little girl's protection, Xavier was ready to welcome the newest addition into the house.
0
"Rouge." Anna Marie answered her teacher firmly. "My name is Rouge."
Anna Marie was having the hardest time adjusting to the new lifestyle the manor brought. Never in her life had she seen so many toys that were hers, or new clothes that she got to choose from, or playmates to play with. She and Jean did not hit it off as well as Charles hoped, but the newest addition did get along with Bobby and Scott very well.
School, it seemed, was also going to be hard. After the professor pulled a couple of string with the principle in order to make sure all of the first graders would be in the same class, he thought for sure that Anna Marie would adjust to school just as well as Jean and Scott.
Yet, life did not always work in your favor.
Anna Marie was refusing to be called by her given name now, insisting that she be called Rouge now. Part of the reason was because a few of the girls in her class laughed quietly when they heard her name from the teacher and no one else in her class had two first names. Another reason was because of the newest hero on the TV show she and Scott watched in the morning before school. She was really cool, with long auburn hair mixed with some white bangs and a green and yellow outfit.
Anna Marie, now Rouge, took her seat again and looked down at her desk. Next to her, a boy was snickering. "An what's so funny?" she asked, giving him a glare.
"Rouge?" he laughed in a whisper, "No way people actually call you Rouge."
'Rouge' nodded her head, crossing her arms, "Yes they do. Why else would I tell the teacher my name's Rouge if people didn't call me it?"
The boy just shook his head, laughing into his hands. "Whatever you say, vogue." Another small laugh escaped his mouth as he turned to his other friends sitting next to him.
"Don't listen to him." Scott whispered, drawing the girl's attention to him. "Lance just likes to pick on anyone for anything." He shot her a hopeful smile, "Besides, I think Rouge is a really cool nickname."
That caused a blush to form on Rouge's face, "You really think so?" she asked in a whisper, "You sure it's not lame or nothin'?"
He shook his head, making sure to be careful with his glasses. "Nah I really like it. I wish I could get a cool name like that." He pulled out a loose-leaf piece of paper from his desk and clicked a blue pen open, "Let's get some idea goin' and share 'em at lunch time."
She smiled, getting out her new notebook from her desk and looking for a pen, "Sure, that's a good idea." She stared down at the lined paper, thinking long and hard about what to write down. "Maybe…Laser Pointer?"
Scott shook his head, "Very funny." He was busy writing down some ideas, half listening to what their new teacher was saying. "I'm sure you'll think of somethin' cool Rouge."
Part 1, done! Did you enjoy seeing how the professor was introduced to the kids? Did you like the drabbles? Should I just continue with present day situations or do you want to know how everyone else was met?
Have a wonderful day!
