Disclaimer: Marvel owns all the characters, and I don't make any money off this.
Summary: Bobby babysits Scotts' son Nathan Christopher, and learn something about himself.
Time frame: After the Inferno storyline, and before Bobby met...*shudder* Opal. During this time period all the original X-Men were together in a group called X-Factor. They stayed in a giant ship called...uh..Ship that kind of had a mind of it's own. Scotts' sons' real name is Nathan but Scott got everyone in X-Factor to call his son by his middle name. Christopher.
A/N: I needed a break from writing my other story 'The Parakeet and The Snowman' (ends shameless plug) so I wrote this for fun. Also I needed to get out of Warrens' head for awhile.
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"Coo che coo chee cooo!"
Bobby Drake watched the scene unfold with a mixture of horror and fascination. The sight of three of his oldest friends huddled together cooing was a bizarre enough image. Add to that Jean covered in baby food, having her crimson hair yanked out by a little hand. Or Scott, their fearless leader point blank refusing to change another diaper and then...there was Hank.
The massive blue one sat on his hunches swaying from back and forth, spouting gibberish. Though this was nothing out of the norm, it was usually intelligent gibberish. Wonder what the Avengers would think of him now...Bobby mused as Hank took on a more...animated voice.
"Howz wittle Chriwez--Unca Hank wis 'ere." Bobby shuddered. Even when his best friends' intellect was slipping it had never plummeted to such levels. It really was strange how a normal sane person could act like an idiot whenever an infant was around. It was the kind of psychological studying Hank would be interested in-
"Woo's a goow boy!" Assuming his friend wasn't still reduced to a two year-olds' mind frame.
Bobby glanced over at Warren to see what he made of the scene. His friend was as blue as ever, both literal and figural. The brooding man leaned against one of Ships' walls, seemingly indifferent. It wasn't until he winced at the trios "ohh" that Bobby even realized he was paying attention. Their eyes met and they silently agreed: their friends had lost it.
A few weeks had passed since Scotts' wife Madeline Pryor had died. Since then Scott and Jean had hardly left their babys' side. Well, Scott and Madelines' baby really, but Madeline was Jeans' clone so--Bobby mentally shook himself. He didn't want to think too much into it. That was one headache he didn't want to be bothered with.
Still the couple had not left the infant for long periods of time, lest they lose him again. A bit over protective maybe, but in their line of work that wasn't always a bad thing. Though it was when it came to their relationship. Scott and Jean had enough strain as it was, what with Jeans' clones, madmen and such. What they needed was some time alone to figure out where they stood with one another. After much nagging on Hank and Bobbys' parts they had agreed to go have a night out.
That was where the problem had begun. The big question had been: who was going to babysit? A normal sitter was out of the question since Scotts' son was not a normal baby. The little boy had proven as much during 'Inferno' when he telepathically called out to Jean. The Greys' were out of town, so it would be too big a hassle to track them down.
Hank would agree in a heartbeat if not for his "prior engagements." He claimed to be working on a few projects with Ship, but Bobby suspected he was scared of diaper duty. And Warren...Warren didn't seem to have much interest in anything anymore. Not since he lost his wings, Apocalypse, Hodges' betrayal or most recently Candy Southerns' death. Since Warren was still in mourning all of that, it seemed wrong to ask anymore of him. He would probably take off on one of his flights over the city.
Which left the babysitting duty up to Bobby. He had been around babies, sure, but taken care of them? Never. A fact Scott knew well and being the leader that he was began to train Bobby. After hours of "do's and don't" Scott had finally proclaimed his friend ready.
"Maybe......we should do this another night." Jean ventured, unable to keep the worried tone out of her voice.
"I know, I don't want to leave him either. But he'll be fine." Bobby sighed as he heard the doubt in Scotts' voice.
"Nothing will happen to him. We'll be staying on Ship the whole time, there's no where safer." Bobby said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. He couldn't help but feel annoyed by the fact that they didn't seem to trust him. And maybe a bit worried that their concerns were justified...
"You're both right, I guess I'm overreacting. I'll see you later Christopher." Jean cooed planting a small kiss on the babys' forehead. "I'll freshen up and meet you out front Slim." No sooner did she leave than Scott started with the lecture.
"Now--"
"I know; I memorized your list. I have post its all over the kids' room, not to mention Ship to remind me! Sheesh, you think you two were leaving the country! It's only one freaking night for crying out loud! Just chill!" Scott raised an eyebrow. "You know what I mean." Bobby groaned at the unattended pun.
"Alright, you've made your point." Scott bent down to kiss his son on the cheek. "I'll be back Christopher. You be a good boy and behave yourself for Uncle Bobby." There was a pregnant pause before the hallways echoed with laughter.
"It seems truly odd, does it not my optically challenged friend, to tell one to behave for our resident prankster." Hank roared starting up another round of giggles from the men. The object of their taunt however didn't find it one bit humorous but forced a smile all the same.
"You better make sure Uncle Bobby behaves himself. You keep him out of trouble, okay?" Scott joined in. Bobby bit back his lip in an attempt to silence himself. It was down right humiliating to be told he was less mature than an infant. Even though he knew they didn't mean it, it still hurt. A lot. Wasn't that what Lorna had said? That he was immature?
Warren cocked his head slightly at his young friend. He had not joined in on the fun at Bobbys' expense. He only silently observed; taking in the details many took for granted. That he used to take for granted as Angel. Archangel, as Hank had dubbed him, didn't miss a thing. It made Bobby wonder if Warren could see through his grinning facade.
"Jean is waiting for you Scott. She says that she will leave without you if you do not 'get a move on.' " Ship called out. Scott hastily said his goodbyes and rushed off to meet his date.
"Well my frigid friend, protocols and the like await me. As such work requires--"
"Another words, you'll be busy so don't bother you." Bobby concluded picking little Christopher up from his playpen.
"Precisely. With that said I bid you all a fond--"
"We get the message Hank." Warren muttered irritably.
"Well! A fine way to spoil my light-hearted banter and glorious exist! Thank you ever so much!" The blue furred mutant known as Beast huffed leaving behind the two men and a baby.
"Yeah, he's not bitter." Bobby murmured. When he looked up he found himself being studied by an unblinking former horseman of Apocalypse. It was unnerving to say the least to have his winged friend stare at him with those hawk-like eyes. Even more so when he recalled the carefree man Archangel used to be. Warren had finally come back to his friends, but rarely ever converse with them. The tragic events that had followed had made it seem impossible to reach him, but Bobby still had hope. After all the five of them were reunited again, something no one had thought possible. Who was to say where they would all be in a few years?
"Take care of yourself Bobby." Archangel said, stepping onto a landing that would take him to one of the skylights. It was this type of moodiness that made Bobby want to shake the other man and hug him at the same time. Instead he restrained himself and nodded in reply.
"You too, Warren." He called back. There was an awkward pause where Warren made to speak but no words came. Giving a final nod he ascended the last steps and requested Ship to open the canopy. Metal wings extended and the mutant swooped out with a deafening screech.
"Woo wah?" Christopher babbled.
"You're telling me." Bobby turned his attention back to his charge. Little Nathan Christopher Charles Summers tugged at his Uncles' sweatshirt giggling helplessly at the tickling he was receiving. "So what do you think squirt? Just us bachelors par-taying while everybodys' out?" Christopher stared.
"I am still here Robert, as is Henry." Ship supplied. Bobby rolled his eyes.
"I know Ship, I was just kidding around."
"I see. You and Henry seem to 'kid around' a lot." Ship replied.
"Yep, it's in our super hero contracts, 'no matter how dire the situation always supply the wisecracks.' Don't want to go messing with that."
"None of X-Factor has signed such documents to my knowledge, Robert."
Bobby sighed. "Never mind Ship." He sat himself down on the small rug next to Christophers' toys. "So little man, do you want to play?" The baby yawned.
"Okay, I can take a hint. Nap time first." He placed the little boy in his crib. "You know, I think I can handle this. You think so too, don't you kiddo?" Christopher giggled.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Bobby mumbled.
