Scott, age 18

The main X-Men teens were laughing as they walked up to the main doors of the Institute. Evan had just left the team to join the Morlocks and Scott felt that they needed a team-bonding experience. It was only the original team- the ones Evan had been closest to longest.

"Have fun?" Wolverine asked as soon as the group entered the mansion.

"We did, Mr. Logan," Kitty smiled. "Thanks, Scott." Scott smiled back at her. It wasn't often the main team was able to do things outside of training these days. Not that they did a whole lot before being outed, but the team certainly appreciated Scott's attempts.

"You all know you had a Danger Room session you missed, right?" Scott felt ice in the pit of his stomach at Chris' words.

"I thought I'd cancelled it."

"You tried. Xavier and I vetoed it. I told you it was still on, Cyclops."

"Dad-"

"Nope. Right now, it's Corsair- an instructor you completely ignored."

"He vas just trying to help," Kurt defended.

"And it could have waited until after the Danger Room," Chris frowned. "As it is, we will be doing what I had planned at 0500. I expect each and every one of you there on time."

"Yes Corsair," the teens answered.

"You're all dismissed. Except for you, Scott Christopher." Scott crossed his arms behind his back and looked at the ground. He knew he was in trouble. Chris had been adamant that he clear leaving the Institute with him, especially since the trouble he'd had with Mystique recently. Once the X-Men had dispersed, Chris crossed his arms, his shirt doing nothing to hide his muscular arms.

"Dad,"

"You knew better."

"I'm sorry."

"You completely disregarded my instructions. You, as a leader, showed your team you don't respect my position-"

"That's not-"

"I am talking, Scott Christopher." Scott looked at his shoes. "I know you heard me tell you the Danger Room wasn't cancelled, but you decided that you knew better. I understand that you are the team's leader, but I am still an instructor while you are a student. Would you have done this to Logan or Ororo if it had been them running the Danger Room?" Scott said nothing. "That wasn't rhetorical, son."

"Are you scolding me for things Cyclops did, or things Scott did?" Chris scowled.

"Cyclops, you have been stripped of your position for the next week." Scott looked at Chris with a slack jaw.

"You can't-!"

"I did. The other instructors, Xavier, and I had our own meeting once we realized the blatant disrespect you and your team were showing me as an instructor. We agreed- whether it be just training or something actually happens this week, Jean is in charge. Is that enough about Cyclops?"

"This isn't fair."

"No, what's not fair is how you are showing your team- both teams- that I'm not important enough to listen to. After all, if you, as the leader and my son, don't have to listen, why should they?"

"I'm sorry," Scott said, shoulders sagging. "It wasn't my intention for that to be how it came across, Corsair. I didn't… It didn't sink in that you'd said I was overruled. I won't fight the demotion."

"Good. Now let's talk about how you disobeyed me as your father."

"Can we please go to the suite?"

"You sure you want to move to that part so soon?" Scott swallowed.

"No sir," he said quietly.

"Then you tell me what my rules are about leaving the Institute, young man."

"That I'm supposed to clear it with you beforehand and text you when we arrive and when we leave."

"Why?"

"Because I was just kidnapped and no one had any idea that I was even gone."

"And what did I tell you would happen if you disregarded these rules that were put in play for your safety?"

"The belt," Scott whispered. "For three nights."

"And what did you do tonight?"

"I left without permission and didn't keep you updated."

"So what's going to happen?"

"Dad,"

"I want to hear you say it, Scott."

"I'm going to get the belt for the next three nights."

"And do you think that's deserved?"

"Yes Dad." Chris took a breath and ran a hand through his hair.

"Go to your room."

"Yes sir." Scott hurried up the stairs to the third floor and into the Summers' family suite.

"Scott-boy!" Scott turned and saw Hepzibah glaring at him.

"Dad's already… I'm sorry."

"Scott-boy will remain in room for rest of week."

"But-"

"Scott-boy!"

"Yes ma'am," Scott said, knowing Chris would only back her.

"Go." Scott nodded and went into his room as he waited for Chris to come up. It was both too soon and not soon enough before he heard his door open. Chris came in with his belt in his hand, already folded with the buckle in Chris' palm.

"Mom grounded me," Scott quickly volunteered.

"I'd heard. Do you disagree?"

"No sir."

"Good. Now I think we said enough downstairs. But I'll… Do you want to go over my knee, or bend over the bed?"

"I don't… I don't know."

"You know I won't think less of you if you need the contact," Chris said softly. "It's going to be a harsh spanking, Scott. But I don't want you to feel like being separated is part of your punishment."

"I don't," Scott told him. "I know it's easier for you when I'm over the bed…"

"But this is about what you need, not me. And you know I won't let you up from either position until I'm satisfied that you've learned your lesson."

"Your knee," Scott said quietly. Chris nodded and sat on Scott's bed.

"Present yourself, Scott." Scott nodded and pushed his pants and boxers down before bending himself over Chris' lap. He felt the cool of the leather against his bared behind and he took a quick breath. The belt landed in earnest and Scott grunted. Another swat landed and he hissed. Scott rested his head on his comforter, clenching his eyes shut to hopefully stop the tears from coursing down his face.

"Dad," he said. "Please-?"

"Please what? Stop? I'm sorry, Scott, but this is necessary for me to do as your father." Scott whimpered, but shook his head. He reached his arm around and held his hand out in the small of his back.

"Please," he begged. Chris grabbed Scott's hand with his free hand as he continued to bring the belt down on his son.

"I love you," Chris said quietly, not letting up on the strength he was putting behind each lash. Scott began to shift, trying to escape from the punishing belt.

"Daddy, it hurts!"

"I know," he was told. "And if you don't stop moving around, the belt's going to hit you somewhere it shouldn't."

"Daddy!" Chris squeezed Scott's hand and let go as he wrapped his arm around Scott's waist to help keep him steady. Scott gripped Chris' pants leg, unable to see the wince Chris gave at the unintentional pinching and hair pulling.

"Just a few more minutes," Chris soothed.

"Daddy please! I'm sorry!" Chris had to harden his heart as he continued to punish his son. Finally, he deemed Scott's butt an acceptable shade of red to bring it to an end. When he put the belt down, he carefully pulled Scott's boxers up and turned him over, hugging him tightly.

"Do you even realize what my heart went through thinking you had been taken from me again?" Scott sniffed and coughed, trying to get his crying under control.

"'M sorry, Daddy!"

"If Xavier hadn't said you were surrounded by your team… I almost pressed the emergency button from Nathan. I was so worried, baby." Scott sniffed again and buried his head in Chris' chest.

"I'm e-eighteen," he frowned. Chris smirked and held him tighter.

"You will always be my baby boy, Scott. Especially when I've just had years scared off of my life and need to hold you."

"I'm sorry, Dad," Scott said, wiping under his glasses. "I'm sorry I allowed my position to insult you." Chris sighed and kissed Scott's temple.

"It hurt, Scott, but I'm not here as Corsair with Cyclops. I'm here as your dad. And we're dealing with how you as my son disobeyed me. I'm not… I'm not upset anymore, but I do have to follow through the next two nights. And Hepzibah's grounding stands. You're in here except for meals and Danger Room sessions."

"I wasn't going to fight it."

"Smart boy," Chris smirked.

"Can we… The week I'm demoted?"

"No, I will not shorten the length."

"No, Dad. I won't…" Scott sighed and cuddled closer to his father for comfort. "Jean needs someone to keep it from going to her head. Rogue would be good at that. I know Kurt and Kitty both have seniority, but I don't see either of them taking this seriously."

"I'll bring it up with Logan before we give Jean the official word." Scott nodded.

"And… Two weeks."

"Scott."

"No, Dad. I both ignored your session and had the others do the same. That's not the characteristics of a leader."

"And it's not up to you to determine your punishment, son. One week." Scott sighed and nodded.

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Did Grandpa ever comfort you like this?" Chris snorted.

"No, Scott. But I promised myself after every physical punishment that my kids would never be treated how he treated me."

"But he spanked you-"

"He whipped me," Chris frowned. "To the point that I was occasionally afraid of him, Scott. Are you afraid of me?"

"No. I'm afraid of hearing that you're disappointed in me, but not of you. You've never given me a reason to be."

"Good. I know punishing you is our least favorite part of me being your dad, but it would kill me if you were afraid of me." Scott said nothing as he just allowed Chris to comfort him.

"Love you," he finally said in a thick voice. Chris chuckled and maneuvered Scott onto his bed.

"I love you, too, Scott," he said quietly as he pulled off Scott's shoes and jeans to help him sleep more comfortably. He kissed Scott's forehead as he covered him up.

"Lover?" Chris looked up and saw Hepzibah at the door, looking concerned.

"He just needed a little more comfort than usual. And I did, too." She nodded in understanding.

"Did Scott-boy try to get out of Hepzibah's punishment?"

"No. He told me about it as soon as I walked in and said he wasn't going to fight it."

"Good." Chris smoothed Scott's hair down and sighed.

"I don't know how I'll be able to go through with this the next two nights."

"Scott-boy needs consistency, lover."

"I know," he said with a sad smile. He shook his head and started for the door. "We should rest, Hep. I'm up early for the Danger Room."

"Corsair is good instructor and better father." Chris closed Scott's door and held Hepzibah close to him before capturing her lips in his.

"Bedroom?" he asked huskily. Hepzibah nodded and they hurried into their room, closing the door behind them.