Disclaimer: X-Men characters don't belong to me, but this story does, hee hee!
I have a lot of apologies to make, but I'm hoping that my writing will make it up to you all, with a quick fire of updates. Maybe you'll enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thank you, so much to: Agent G, amazing redd phoenix, CloeyMarie, ldypebsaby, Telepathic Angel, Nettlez, jenskott, Black's Daughter, auren and Ashley
Most of the children shared rooms: Jubilation, Kitty and Rogue; Fred, Lance and Todd; Evan, Sam and Kurt. Scott, Jean and Peter had their own rooms, as well as Wanda and Pietro sharing (after many arguments with Logan and Ororo). Jamie and Rahne were in Moira's room with her, needing her comfort. Xavier, Ororo, Logan and Peter's aunt and uncle got their own rooms, but they were spread evenly along the corridor the kids slept on. In fact, the majority of the mansion had been roped off, just in case they got lost.
Two screams shot through the Mansion the night after Rahne changed, both at exactly the same moment. Four a.m. and it awoke all the adults, and most of the children. Ororo burst into the nearest room where the scream was erupting from, as Logan burst into one just a little way down the hall. The two children in question were writhing on their beds enraptured in a dream state, trapped in their nightmares.
"Jean!" "Scott"
Xavier felt both children's pain and heard both yells at the same time. To make it less agonising for him, he, literally, built his mental shields up to full, so he could only hear the physical pain from them both. Both he had felt an instant connection to, but there was only one he knew he could definitely help…
"Logan, let me see her."
Logan stood back as Charles wheeled into Jean's room, and leant against the doorway as Charles attempted to calm her. His heart went out to the little girl, whom he felt an attachment to ever since their monster hunt. Tears stung the eyes of the fierce and bestial Wolverine that was a killer by nature. Somehow this girl was changing him at his core. Logan only started when he realised he didn't mind so much.
Entering her mind slowly, Charles was shocked by the images he saw. First flashes were of a girl on her street, a girl called Annie that had moved away when she was young, who had once been her best friend. He saw something confusing, as if it were parallel with events – he saw Jean and the girl covered in blood and felt something change in Jean, saw a flare, a flash of something not natural…not even a little human. Then flames engulfed his minds eye, showing him a new scene.
He saw a family, a mother and a father as well as a young blond boy. "Alex? Scott?" The mother, a brown haired woman of grace and beauty smiled at Charles, or more precisely, Scott Summers. "Almost home, only a little longer boys." She ruffled the boy called Alex's hair and kissed Scott absently on his head as she passed. In the cockpit, the father turned. "Next time you boys'll be flying, you at least Scott." His smile made a beam of hope shoot through Scott. "Co-pilot then pilot, eh?" Eagerly nodding, the scene faded then a crash brought it back to the front. Heat, unbearable heat washed over him. "Katherine!" "Chris!" Scott looked at Alex in terror and hugged his little brother who started to cry. "Get them out!" Running back to the children, Katherine pulled out the parachutes, almost crying in horror when there was only one. She strapped Scott and Alex into it, and hugged them tightly. "Hold onto each other boys." She said tearfully and kissed them. "We love you, so much." With that she pushed them both from the burning plane, dropping them into the open air.
Everything burnt up before Charles' eyes and he had to pull back sharply. They had linked somehow. Charles was shocked, but Jean was calming, the loop broken by Charles' abrupt departure. Jumping from her bed, she fled to Scott's room, startling Ororo as she leapt to his side. She merely looked at Scott and his convulsing stopped.
Logan and Charles joined them a minute later. They stopped in the doorway, seeing the pair; Jean rocked Scott as if he were hers and hers alone, murmuring gentle words telepathically and verbally. Dry sobs stammered from Scott's lips as he held Jean, only needing her words and warmth to soothe his horrific past away. Ororo put the other children back to bed as the two men watched with interest and surprise. She whispered the same explanation to each child; easing their own fears and allowing them to slip back to sleep easily.
"It was just a bad dream, dear heart, only a bad dream."
Jean and Scott had fallen asleep by the time she got back, tangled in one another, whimpering if their physical contact was broken. Logan threw his hands up in temper, but kept his mouth shut as he shot Ororo a look for giggling at him. Charles smiled, his eyes tired but twinkling.
-Leave them Logan, they will not be separated tonight.-
Casting a dubious look at the Professor, Logan had his doubts about following that order. In his mind the only kids that should share a bed were two brothers or two sisters, not two kids of different genders and families. A glance at Ororo and he relented, seeing her expression of sympathy for the pair. He, himself, had seen Chuck's face when he glimpsed Jeannie's mind, and if it scared Chuck, then he could believe it was truly terrifying.
"Alright…" he said gruffly and stalked to the door, before growling, "but one thing Chuck, 'n' I won't be held responsible."
Smirking, Ororo kissed Charles on the cheek and went back to bed, leaving him to consider what he had seen. Scott's nightmare was easily identifiable – it was his past that scared him, the loss of his family and survivors' guilt, the only problem was what happened to his little brother.
Jean, however, was a different story – there were elements of her past, but much darker than he had ever imagined. Jean had been in an asylum, it was true, because of her powers, but that was before mutants had been publicly known. The outpouring of Annie's departure had been the cause of her X-gene triggering, but the immense grief that the 'other' Jean had experienced had a much greater effect on her psyche. Whether it would affect this Jean, the gentle creature he thought of as a niece, he didn't know, but he was determined to keep an eye on her.
The morning seemed to arrive without warning for the adults, but the kids were waiting for the first sun beams to touch their curtains so they could leap from their beds. Their rooms were furnished with a variety of toys and books – both educational and recreational. It was clear which the academics were when the adults checked the rooms, seeing which toys had been discarded in favour of others.
Ororo had the task of getting the girls up, which they were all ecstatic about, making her smile as she helped them pick out some clothes. Logan had the same task, but with the boys. He soon envied Ororo and her chirping girls as he had to wrestle and chase the boys everywhere just to get them into the bathroom. The Parker's found it funny to watch as they had offered assistance to Logan, who had declined.
Charles was up before eight and was down in the labs, checking and rechecking figures, preparing a lesson that the children could learn today. He was joined by Hank and two welcoming sights – a steaming cup of coffee and a short stack.
"Busy Charles?" Hank asked, sipping his own coffee. "Not too busy for breakfast, I hope. I prepared yours first my friend."
Charles smiled and put his papers down. "I'm sorry Hank, I am grateful."
Hank shook his head at the thanks and grinned wolfishly. "No need to apologise, I was merely informing you of the current situation. Which also is quite amusing if you venture upstairs. Logan is in a losing fight for the first time."
"He is fighting?" Charles raised his eyebrows as he took a gulp of coffee, savouring the flavour. A smile twitched on his lips as he caught the projected thoughts Hank sent him. "Ah."
The pair laughed and ate, talking about the kids and their work. Two scientists with hearts of gold, both concerned for the world that despised their kind and would hurt the children they were growing increasingly fond of. They set the world to rights when they spoke, neither mentioning but both understanding the work and time it would take.
The kids were good at breakfast, for once, Todd didn't nudge Wanda, and Rogue answered Remy with surprising enthusiasm. Jean and Scott spoke to other people, a little embarrassed about waking up that morning. Kurt and Peter didn't tease, but they smirked whenever Scott and Jean glanced at one another. Kitty and Jubilee gave Jean no such respect and soon the three were laughing about it. Poor Scott thought they were laughing at him and blushed so much he almost blended in with his glasses. Kurt and Kitty sat opposite one another, happily kicking one another to see if they could get away with it and giggling when they realised they had been caught. Wanda was civil to her brother and sat next to John, attempting to see if he was human. When she realised he wasn't, she turned her attention to other matters, like talking to Lance which annoyed Pietro.
Ororo sorted the classroom as they ate, talking to May Parker as she did so, the pair laughing and talking about the things that they had seen or done during their lives. Mostly it was May telling the stories, but Ororo had a few tales which were told at intervals. They liked the female company, and agreed that they should have an evening just talking, with Moira if she cared to join them, just to have a break.
Logan, Ben and Moira watched the kids as they behaved, Moira and Ben clearing the table and checking each child as they proclaimed to have finished. Ben agreed with Moira that sometimes they hid food they didn't like so they didn't have to eat it. Logan had already lost his temper, so he had been banished to sit on his own, much to the children's amusement. He had complained, but Moira and Ororo were scary when they were angry. So when Ororo went to tidy the room he had grabbed his coffee, so at least it looked like he wanted to sit alone.
Sam and Evan were becoming fast friends, and were making aeroplanes from paper, sitting out of the way on the floor. They allowed others to join in, but it was clear that it was their game. By the time the room was ready, there was a pile of paper planes by the door, everyone had made at least one. Proud of themselves they couldn't wait to show the Professor.
Jean pulled at Scott's hand before they went into the room and flashed him a smile so pure that they forgot their embarrassment and went to sit together. Wanda was talking animatedly to Kitty and Rogue as they sat down, hardly looking where they sat, as Jubes joined them giggling at a prank she just played on Logan. Kurt, Peter, Sam and Evan were cajoling Jamie to sit and hang out with them rather than just Rahne. He consented once Rahne had gone to sit with the other girls, who accepted her with eagerness, hugging the youngest girl with delight. Pietro ran round and round in circles, hyperactive as always and making Fred more than a little dizzy. Head spinning, he almost sat on Todd, who exclaimed loudly and stuck his long tongue out at him (much to Wanda's disgust). Lance sat glaring at Kurt, annoyed still that he got more of Kitty's attention. He knew he'd get revenge though.
As Logan appeared in the doorway, holding John under one arm and Remy's arm with his free hand, everyone quietened down, feeling the anger radiating from the man. He put them at opposite ends of the floor and stood in front of the class.
"Professor Xavier says yer all gotta try t' say yer alphabets to Ororo, one at a time, outside. Tha's today's test on yesterday, then we've got a game f'r yer." He grinned, his rage cooling at the innocence of the children that had behaved.
Jean cheered, and got Scott to join in. Soon the class was full of cheers, as they repeated it louder and louder until Logan's claws popped out. Silence had never occurred so sharply. "You first flameball." He growled at John, who smirked and strode out haughtily.
Ororo smiled as he approached her, hoping he would do well. "John, do you know your alphabet?" She asked kindly.
"Course I do." He grinned and started to say it. "Ay, Bee, See, Deh, Eeh, efF, Gee, AicH, Jay, Queue, eM, eN, Oh, Pay, I, Kay, aRe, esS Teh, elL, Vay, yoU, whY, eX, Zee."
John smiled proudly and looked at her sharply. "That's right, aint it lay-dee?"
Sighing, Ororo noted he had said every letter, just not in the right order. She shrugged hopelessly. "I think you should practise a little, but you remembered it all, well done."
Smirking in his haughty manner, he turned and walked back, passing Wanda along the way, who was eager to try to say it right and hoped Ororo would reward her with a hug or two. Her and Peter had learnt it really well yesterday, and she knew she knew it good. She liked Peter, definitely, she had decided when they had linked pinkies. You couldn't dislike someone and link pinkies; it must be naughty to do that!
Ororo saw all the children, one by one, which was alright because there were only eighteen of them, but a little boring. Eighteen alphabets in one morning. She enjoyed their smiles as they got it right though, and pitied them if they stumbled, marvelling their willingness to try again. Peter and Jean were definitely the best, followed closely by Kitty and Scott. This wasn't surprising to her though, she had thought they would be good at it.
With Logan, the kids were messing around. The ones that had finished were restless and wanted something to do. John, especially, was causing problems. Logan had divided the room into two halves. The ones that had finished and the ones that had yet to go. This meant he could keep Remy and John apart for the longest time possible. Pietro had begged to go to say his as one of the first, but that had only led to the silver-haired boy rushing around and around the finished half. Eventually, Logan realised he needed a game or something.
"Alrigh', if you've gone t' 'Ro, then come over here." He motioned for them to join him and crouched down to their height, treating them like his cubs. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he grinned. "I got a secret mission f'r y' all."
All the children gasped, their eyes widening with delight and smiled at him, wanting to find out what it was. Logan smirked to himself, Ororo had been right about playing them at their own game.
"All yer gotta do is creep around and find the secret treasure I hid. Now," He paused for tension, and watched as they leant forward, "I've hid some clues, pictures like, to show you where to you. The winners get t' keep the treasure though, and there are three lots. Divide yerselves into teams, or d' y' want me t' do it?"
When he got some alarmed looks, Logan realised they would definitely sort themselves into groups.
"Alrigh', off yer go."
Silently, they all crept away, whilst Logan waited to tell the other kids when they got back, so they all could play his 'game'. He had hidden nine prizes, and he was certain that no one would keep two, not if they figured out his wrath would be awful.
Xavier and Hank laboured in the laboratory until lunchtime, when they surfaced for lessons and lunch. Hank beamed at the kids as they bounced across to see them both. A few hung back, but that was to be expected, not all of them could accept their roles here, and understand that no one here would do anything to help. He chuckled to himself; he wouldn't have believed it at their age.
"Stars and garters, what happened to Kurt!" He exclaimed, seeing the blue boy covered in hair clips and bands.
Kurt shrugged, his mouth drawn into a sharp, 'fangtastic' grin. "Keety deed eet!" He informed Hank, as she squealed and hugged her friend. "Eet's gut, nein?"
Due to the fierce look of pride that Katherine wore, Hank nodded eagerly, amused by how quickly their relationship had spun on its axis. First she had hated him and he had been happy to move on without her friendship or companionship. Now they were inseparable, except on odd occasions when they divided into male/female groups – the common divide in all races. Again, Hank grinned, his theory that children were just like adults proven to him at very least.
After a brief appearance, speaking to few of the children, Hank ventured down into the lab again, alone this time. The Professor had an announcement to make.
"Children, gather round, gather round." He smiled as they all came scuttling across, some girls holding hands and some boys and girls holding hands. Charles chuckled mentally, noticing the other adults seeing the same thing.
Jean smirked at Scott, who guessed she knew why the Professor was smiling. He shrugged and stuck his tongue out, grinning at the look of horror on Jean's face as she saw. Rogue had Remy's head on her knee, and was talking animatedly to Pietro, who seemed…jealous of Remy! Oblivious, Rogue continued talking and patting Remy's head occasionally. Lance, Todd and Fred skulked at the back of the group, soon being joined by John, who'd taken a liking to their attitude. Sam and Evan talked to Jamie and Rahne, liking their quieter company. Evan kept checking for his Aunty O, but other than that he was louder than before, happier in his environment.
Logan went looking for Ororo when Chuck sat the kiddies down and grabbed her by the waist as she was putting away some toys. Spinning her round as she gasped, her eyes flickering white instinctively, she sighed when she saw the friendly face.
"Logan, I nearly sent thousands of volts through you." She exclaimed, putting her hands on his forearms, thanking her control over her abilities.
"B't yer didn't Ro, an' that's th' main thing." He growled, causing a shiver to run down her spine. "I got a proposition for yer."
Ororo raised an eyebrow, no blush coming to her cheeks as her emotions were reined. "What is it Logan?"
Logan grinned a feral grin, his eyes winking with mischief. "Abrupt aint we."
"Spill it Wolverine, or you'll always have a rain cloud over your shoulder."
Chuckling, he let her go to hold his hands up in surrender. "Y' got me Ro, but seriously. It's about th' kids, an' us."
Confused, she blinked. What in the world could he be talking about! They were looking after the children, unless there was something wrong… The thought made her pale. It must be the children, one of them must be hurt, or worse.
"Logan..." She breathed, a little dizzy at the thought of any of them hurt.
"Woah, woah, s'not anything happened to 'em, they're fine." He caught her arm and led her to a chair, holding one of her hands which shook a little. "S'about how they see us Ro. An' how we see them."
"I don' know about you, b't they're like cubs, my responsibility. An' I know I was all against this, b't I'm getting' into it. An' they seem t' look up t' us, 'specially t' you Ro. An' I was thinkin'…"
Ororo laughed suddenly, stopping Logan's speech just as he felt he'd gotten to the point. She, however, had known his meaning from the word 'cubs'.
"Yes Logan!" she giggled, putting her hand back into his, squeezing gently. "I feel it too. We shall act, but not today."
Dazed, Logan let her walk away, planting a kiss on his cheek as she left the room. Sat next to a teddy bear, he wondered how the heck she'd known and why she'd let him ramble. Glancing at the stuffed toy, he figured that it probably understood women better than he did at the moment.
Moira sat wondering about her 'children'. She had adopted Rahne as her own from a young age and thought of Jamie as her son. What was going to happen to them in the future though, what with the world as it was… Could Charles' dream really become a reality...?
May and Ben tiptoed out at the mental request for them to leave for a moment, he suggested that Peter would probably want to inform them himself. Making cups of tea in the kitchen, they smiled at one another. Their nephew was growing up fast and he seemed able to cope with anything that was thrown in his path. Certain he would survive in an ever more horrific world, they felt he would at least be safe here, and grow up accepting everything about himself.
Charles smiled at the children, as below their feet Hank began an experiment.
"Children, I have a treat for you."
Hank mixed two chemicals and watched the reaction, furiously thinking what should come next to get the desired effect.
The children's eyes widened and their expressions were expectant and wondering. They sat as far up as they could without actually standing and moving closer. Charles smiled with amusement and pleasure at their enthusiasm.
"It's going to be difficult at first, but then everything new is…"
"…is the quantum mass of… therefore…" Hank mumbled as he picked another bottle, measuring precisely the amount needed.
"I don't want anyone to be jealous of anyone else, alright?"
They nodded eagerly, for the first time working as a group and depending on one another. The trust came naturally, even for those could couldn't or wouldn't normally trust so readily. For the past few days, Charles' plan had been in action. They had been just being children, playing and socialising without fear of ridicule because of one gene, the one that made them doubly unique. Lessons had been learnt, both the alphabet and with each other, but bonds had been made. Ones that Charles had hoped would cause them to understand and trust. Ones that Charles was depending on for this treat. Ones that had occurred and made everything he dreamt of for the future seem more real by the moment.
Hank hadn't a moment to spare. His dreams were on the line to him. This one theory could make all the difference. It could create bonds between them all. Ones that would last. Ones that would help lessons be learnt, and trust built. Ones that Hank was depending on to keep this hope alive.
"I am going to help you use your gifts – to train them so you can do many, many things. Like Ororo, Logan and myself. Like some of your parents." Charles eyes skimmed over Rogue, Wanda, Pietro. He saw Scott and Peter shudder, Scott more so, but they both saddened slightly. "Like your friends around you."
"Help me do this…" Hank murmured and lifted the vial of clear liquid, praying for success. "Like Einstein, Newton and Descartes before me. Like Doctor Martin Luther King Junior when he faced the world. Like, like… like someone!"
Every child now wore the same look of excitement, though Scott still seemed a bit forlorn in comparison; Jean clutched his hand tightly and he smiled a little more. Charles bit his tongue, not knowing whether he would truly be able to help Scott, but hoping so. Anna was also a trouble for his troubled mind. Her power was unique and, from what they had been told, uncontrollable. But he had to try.
Every fibre, every particle, down to sub atomic level, of Hank's being quivered with excitement and dread, shaking his nerves and bringing a new essence of fear to the man. He wondered if this truly would help or hinder, but decided it wouldn't matter if it were wrong. Though he had to try.
Charles smiled and now used his powers to talk, to show them what they could do when they finished their training.
Hank smiled and now poured the liquid down his throat, to prove to himself that there was only one choice in the end.
The children and Hank gasped with synchronicity, though they were oblivious to one another. Charles, however, was not.
-Hank?-
When no answer came, but the thoughts of his dear friend were still conscious, Charles grew a little anxious, but did not dare leave the children. Calling to the other adults, he acted normally with the children, telling them about the rota he had worked on, as well as about the room he had created for them to work in without worry.
Logan and Ororo met with the Parkers and Moira as they rushed to the room, ready to join Charles or go to their friend. The basic message had been enough to alert them to Hank's confusing behaviour. Standing at the back of the room, the children were ignorant of their presence.
"Charles…" the familiar voice of Henry 'Hank' P. McCoy sounded from the doorway. Yet what they saw was not familiar unless you first saw the fierce kindness, the soft flames of stubbornness and the dazed confusion that lingered in his eyes. "What have I done…"
Kurt's expression changed from excited to ecstatic. "Du bist wie ich!"
He flung himself at Hank, teleporting by instinct, to land on his shoulders, wrapping the older man in a warm hug (tail included). The now furred form of the great man they all knew and were coming to love, hugged him in return, slightly confused by it all. His brown eyes turned to Ororo, then Logan, then finally Moira – the people he knew best except for Charles.
"Hank, y'… y' look fantahstic." Moira smiled weakly.
Logan made an incomprehensible noise and looked down, unsure what to say.
Ororo stepped toward Hank, and placed a hand against his cheek. "Moira's right, you just look like the soft teddy bear we all knew you were inside."
Managing a chuckle, he looked at her. "Flattery will get you everywhere, my dear."
The children had not shrunk back in fear when they had first seen him, having gotten used to Kurt. Plus they agreed with Ororo – big fluffy soft Hank bear. Like Kurt without the fangs. Surprisingly, it was Kitty who went first to him. Jean blinked, having meant to be the first. Kitty smiled and hugged Hank's leg with gusto, giggling as Kurt's tail and Hank's new fur tickled her.
One by one, they all joined her, children first, even John and Pietro joining in, feeling something for the guy who had juggled and gotten eggs on his head to amuse them. Charles held back, knowing that Hank knew his heart about this matter.
-Be strong Hank…-
-I have no need Charles, they will be strong for me. And that's all the courage I need.-
Okay, excuse my Scottish accent – you know how hard it is when you say the word, then try to phonetically write it? Well it's easier to do Remy or Rogue, seriously, lol.
I hope this apology is enough and also you still care :'( I haven't forgotten and I'll try to do the next chapter within the next few weeks – but I have a lot of work to do if I wanna go to University next year (too many essays )
If you liked Vacation or Can Time Heal Everything, I've updated those too, so check it out if you have time.
Much luv t' y'all
Summers Groupie
-X-X-X-
