Beaubier

Believe me, your encouragement means a lot to me. It's what keeps me writing and lets me know how my story's coming across. Thank you for your review. I try to keep the guys all in character, and it's been a lot of fun. Bobby is my favorite X-Man and I love all the originals…but I do agree with you. Scotts' at his best when being made fun of. ;) J/K 

Jubes2681

Thanks, writing the Scott/mouse part was a highlight for me. It might be something Warren and Bobby could blackmail him with later… In the X-Men the hidden years series they updated the originals and the surrounding so I figured why not. I believe Bobby in currently 24, as all the writers are saying Scott, Jean and Warren are now 26.

I will be writing till Hank joins, though I have no idea how far away that will be. I do feel comfortable writing the trio, thanks again. :- )  Write till Jean joins? Not in this fic. Given the responses to this story I have considered writing more original X-Men stories. I have another plot bunny for one with Hank, maybe in Scott or Bobbys' POV. But I really want to focus, and finish this one first. 


 ManualImpact

I always liked Warren and how his character developed over the years. (Though I'm not loving the recent portrayals of him. Using a soul sword? Paige? *sigh*) I loved getting into the Worthington mind. Its' so much fun to write a character that's so full of himself. Yea, someone mentioned Duncan! Since I don't have many comics with him I'm basing this incarnation from the Children of the Atoms mini series. I loved his character and I knew I had to include him. Writing Hank is tricking more many reasons. Lately I've been reading X-Factor issues and Hank sometimes seemed off to me. Stan Lee made a very witty, and verbal Beast. (I think it was the later writers that toned him down.) I'm more worried about the wittiness.

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Professor Xavier entered while we were still eating breakfast. I almost choked on my pancake when I saw the furious look he had on. Duncan gave him a meaningful glance over the rim of his coffee mug which the Prof acknowledged with a nod. I knew they were 'speaking' telepathically, but I chose not to dwell on it too long. It would only tick them off that I was interested in matters that were none of my concern. Still I wondered what Scott and Bobbys' thoughts were about the real reason we were in Washington D.C.  I decided to ask them as soon as well were alone again, assuming we could manage to keep anything a secret from our teacher.

After we ate we were lend into another room; that like all the first floor rooms were far superior to the ones on the second. It didn't seem fair that they got nice pad while we were roughing it in the 'Closet' with rodents. One of the perks of being in charge it seems.

I felt a knot form in my stomach at the thought of what was to come in the session. Bobby bit his lip hard, staring at his shoelaces. Scott had been pacing until he noticed what he had been doing and stopped himself. This was it, what we all had dreaded: learning mental defenses with the Professor. He would be in our minds testing us for weaknesses and maybe even witnessing a few of our more humiliating moments. If that wasn't a terrifying enough thought add the fact that the man was in such a foul mood.

"Why aren't any of you in uniform?" He snapped. Oh yeah, I was sooo looking forward to this.

"Agent Duncan told us yesterday that we wouldn't need to." Scott replied.

"I want you all dressed for your training from now on. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," we answered, not daring to anger him any further.

"Good, now let's get started. This is a vital part of your training, so it is imperative that you pay attention," he states warming up for his latest speech. "There are certain defenses which I will be teaching you, that will effectively block a telepathic breach. In some cases it will do nothing but prolong the telepath from entering your mind, which should give you the needed time to counter such a threat. Over time, with practice you will be able to erect much stronger mental barriers. These blocks take not only practice but also strength of mind and discipline. Something I sincerely hope you all acquire by our trips' end." I don't think any of us had the guts to meet his eyes after the last sentence.

I couldn't help but wonder what the guy was thinking teaching us when he was such a mess. Needless to say thinking that wasn't such a bright move.

"Thank you for volunteering to go first Warren." Xavier said grimly.  Oh shi--

"Please take a seat."

I felt like I was walking towards death row when I moved to the seat next to Xavier. I could almost hear Bobby chanting "dead man walking." The Prof gave us a brief run down on how to block 'unfriendly invasions.' I listen rapidly hoping I could do a perfect mental barrier on the first try. I tried to ready myself but in truth nothing could really prepare me for it. I'm not sure how to describe it…it was a feeling of another presence intruding into the depths of my very being. To say I was frightened is the under-statement of the century. I didn't have time to react as I was pushed into another direction.

I soon found myself in a strange slideshow of memories, flashes of my life. No, not exactly, it was more than that. It FELT like I was reliving those events. I could smell the flowers in my mothers' garden; feel the wind blowing in my face like I was actually there. The memory faded to another. I was little again giving my favorite teacher an apple.

"Well, aren't you a little angel?" She cried, smiling down at me through her spectacles. "Thank you Warren." I grinned back happy to please her. I was about to get back to work when a small group of boys gathered around me. I tried to ignore them, but one of the boys snatched off my school cap.

"Look, guys…look at little angel Worthington the Third!" He snickered placing a twisted metal halo onto my head.

"HEY!" I yelled. The class erupted with laughter.

Suddenly I was in my old bedroom at my family estate. I was older, it was my birthday and my parents were holding a party for me. Kids splashed in our pool, chasing each other, but I didn't care. I just wanted to be left alone. I watched the birds fly, envying their freedom. All too soon my father came in to ruin my daydreaming.

"What the devil are you doing in your room?" He yelled. "This party happens to be for you, young man, so get yourself back down there right now, hear?

The flashes came faster as I struggled not to drown in the many sensations. I was brought back to discovering my wings sprouting…protecting Cameron from a bully…saving my classmates from the fire…then I was looking into Xaviers' eyes.

"Tell me Warren, when were you planning on attempting a defense?" The Prof asked.

"I wasn't prepared for that!" I cried defensively.

"Obviously." He muttered darkly. "Your turn Robert."

I got up and rushed over to Scott as Bobby walked nervously towards the Prof. My head still ached, which I doubt would have happened had Xavier not been in such a crappy mood.

"What was it like?" Scott hissed under his breath. I thought about it, trying to accurately describe the sensations but only one word came to mind.

"Weird. It was really weird, man." I muttered rubbing my forehead in a vain attempt to stop the throbbing. A small groan alerted us to something being amiss. The Professor was leaning towards Bobby with his hands on the side of his student's face. The kid had his eyes closed, wincing every few seconds.  After a tense minute or so his eyes snapped open.

"I'll expect better of you next time." The Prof told him emotionlessly.  "Scott…"

The Professor had let us out twenty minutes after our hand-to-hand combat lesson with Duncan was suppose to begin. Clutching our heads we headed off to our much calmer Judo teacher. Duncan seemed to realize what had happened, for he didn't question our tardiness. After a review of our last session we were taught some new moves. Practice was fun with Duncans' dry sense of humor and refreshing composure he had with us.

All too soon we were headed to the basement level to work on our powers with the Prof. We really wished he was in a better disposition; well that was putting it mildly. Nothing we did seemed to please him. It was always the same. We were too slow, fought too clumsily; we didn't put enough effort into it. The Professor said all this and more as we preformed the tests he had given us. Even Scotts' near flawless routine was deemed unfit. Finally Xavier told us our other classes for the day were canceled--till we got it right. It was lunchtime and we still hadn't satisfied him.

I was the first to rush off to the small fridge in search of something, anything edible. Forget that last remark; I would NOT eat the baloney. Who would eat such a vile thing? Still grimacing I settled for a ham and cheese sandwich instead. Pop this baby in the microwave for a few seconds, add a little mustard, then it would be perfect.

I savored the oh-too-short break we were given. None of us could stand to take anymore punishment. Every inch of me was sore, and I was quite sure I had a few bruises running down my back. Slim wasn't faring much better. He staggered almost drunkenly to the fridge. It was a good thing he switched to his visor for practice, I can only imagine what would have happened if he wore his shades…

Bobby sat across from me eating what appeared to be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a Sprite.

"That's fattening Bobby! If the Professor were in here--" Scott chimed in.

"Is he in here?" Bobby snapped back.

"I'm just saying that you should eat better. We are in tra--"

"Scotty, I hardly got a chance to eat breakfast. I'm tired, and hungry. I've been working out all freaking day, you know burning off fat. So can I please just eat this with out the big lecture?" Then to emphasize his point he bit into the sandwich savagely. With a sigh and a shrug Slim joined us at the table. I had to do a double take to make sure I saw right.

"You actually like…baloney?" I asked, eyeing the meat in disgust.

"Yeah, so? Everyone has different tastes." He defended.

"Liking baloney isn't that bad." Bobby spoke up.

"Thank you."

"Not compared to what Slim had for breakfast." Bobby added.

"There is nothing wrong with what I eat."

"You had streak and eggs, rare and over easy, with tea and orange juice!" The kid cried.

"What's weird with that?!" Scott yelled losing his infamous cool.

"Nothing, if you like getting food poisoning." I continued. When he started gritting his teeth I figured it was time to change the subject. "But anyway…what do you think is wrong with Xavier? He's never been this bad before."

"Oh yes he has." Bobby corrected. "But what I wanna know is why we're really here."

"We here because the Professor has business in Washington."

"We know that Slim, the question is what is it? And why hasn't he told us about it?" I asked.

"He has his reasons I suppose." Scott loyally responded with just a hint of irritation in his voice.

"Oh come on, are we just suppose to do as he asks without--"

"What who asks?" An all too familiar voice retorted from behind me. Charles Xavier regarded us gravely, narrowing his eyes in distaste at our meals. As luck would have it my cell rang again. "Hell-lo Warren here." I greeted with my usual flair momentary forgetting the Prof was still next to me. It was Cameron wanting to know what I was doing. "Well I--"

"I was speaking to you young man." The Prof spat advancing on me. He snatched the phone from me and ended my conversation.

"Hey!"

"I don't want to tell you again--" Unfortunately it seemed fate, and my so-called friend was against me. When my cell rang the Professor answered.

"Warren is busy, do not call aga--oh…" If it was Sally this could be bad. "My apologies Mr. Worthington, I thought you were one of Warrens' friends." I stifled a grin; my dad would keep the Professor busy for awhile. I made up my mind then that I was going to find out first hand what the Prof was hiding from us.

A/N: Xavier has been moody in the past when working students. He even once threatened to given Wolverine demerits…well he told Scott he would. The reason he's acting like this in my fic will be explained though. The scenes from Warrens' memory are all directly taken from the comic. I believe it was X-Factor #47.  Which was the only time I ever read any thing bad about Warrens' dad, Warren jr. Scotts' favorite breakfast was mentioned after he met Maddie Pryor. I don't like things undercooked.