A/N - Hey, JD! Nice to see a friendly face! Thank you for the review - we agree, Jan and Scott awkward flirting is a thing of beauty. 3 Thank you for the kind words! I hope you stick around for more. I am particularly wrapped up in this little off-shoot universe right now.

Chapter 15 - Paid With Silence

James had positively thrown himself into his studies, which was a different look for him, all things considered. Yes, he'd been doing well with his tutors, but he hadn't pushed himself. Not like this. He wasn't really taking the breaks that his tutors had worked out for him - instead, he was powering through his lessons and then working on some yet-unnamed project. Or at least reading up on half a dozen studies at once, fully immersed in what he had found.

It was enough to draw more than a little attention from the geniuses keeping tabs on him. But it wasn't until one of his tutors realized what exactly he was digging into that Hank was brought in to talk the kid down. Especially seeing as he was digging deeply into genetics - and how to alter them, if it was even possible.

Hank let out a sigh as he sat across from James, who barely even looked up from what he was doing. "I know what you're trying to do, James," he said gently.

"I'm just reading," James said, still not looking up from the research paper he was waist-deep in.

"You're trying to find a way not to be a mutant," Hank said.

James stopped and finally looked up at him. "What's wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong with you, James," Hank said, his tone heavier than James had expected, even with the topic at hand.

"I disagree," James said. "And so does the rest of the world."

"And what does your father say?" Hank asked gently.

James frowned as he considered how to answer him. Scott hadn't specifically said it was good or bad But ... "He says we have to hide it. So, I don't see what's wrong with just getting rid of it." He was looking at his hands by the time he had finished his little statement.

Hank sighed and reached forward to rest a hand on James' arm. "Have I ever told you how I came to be the magnificent Beast you see now?"

"No," James said quietly, though it was clear he had James' attention.

"I wasn't fuzzy - or blue," Hank said with a rueful smile. "But I was proportioned this way." He held his hands out, palms up. "I wanted desperately to be normal, and so I did what you're trying to do now. I searched for a way to hide what I was, to change what I was - to stop being a mutant. But instead, despite my best efforts, I only made myself even more obvious." He smiled tightly. "It was a spectacular failure."

James looked up at him after a long while and spoke with an almost desperate tone. "Then help me. Please."

Hank sighed, his expression more heartbroken than before. "No, James," he said softly. "I am helping you by keeping you from repeating my mistakes." When James didn't look convinced, Hank tried another path. "My dear boy, even if we were to succeed, what then? Shall we play God, we mortals with our test tubes and numbers? Shall we consign the entire mutant population to deny what they were born to be?"

"I just don't ... " James let it fall for a moment. "I don't want Dad to have to worry about someone taking me. And I don't want to die like my parents did."

Hank sighed and then pulled James into a tight hug. "You're too young to take a burden like that on your shoulders, James."

"I don't want this," James said.

"I know," Hank said gently. "But we must do our best with what nature has given us. And you, my young friend? I believe you are destined to do great things with your mind-" He rapped James' head with one knuckle. "-and your heart." He rapped James' chest. "The rest is, as they say, window dressing."

"Rachel can't hear me anymore," James said softer.

"That's just part of your mutation, James," Hank said.

"I hate it."

"Do you think Rachel likes being able to hear every errant thought around her?" Hank asked. "Or that I revel in cooking in my fur coat during the summer? Everyone has something they struggle with. Even those of us who aren't blessed with the mutant gene."

"It's not a blessing," James said, with a touch of a growl lacing his tone.

"Yes, it is," Hank said firmly. "I know you don't see it now, but think of how you can help your father as you come into your abilities. When Nate gets in trouble, you'll be able to find him - and you know he will. Or when Rachel starts to date?" Hank tapped the side of his nose. "Your father could tell with a sniff whether men were interested in using up young women or if they were lying. You can protect her."

James gave him a dry look at that. "She can read their minds. She doesn't need me."

"She may be able to read minds, but she does need you, James," Hank said. "What about Mia? Katie? Lexi?" Hank kept his arms around James. "You have so much to give, my boy. Think of these gifts as a way to help your family."

James didn't look convinced at all, but he'd quit trying to argue with him entirely, and it was clear the tone from the little boy was one of solemn defeat.

"James, I want you to stay away from this kind of research," Hank said. "Not only because it could backfire so spectacularly on you but because there is so much potential for evil in it. The X-Men were plagued by a geneticist who did unlock the power to change his own underlying genetic structure, and he stole powers and people alike to bolster himself into something much stronger than he was on his own. I don't believe you would become like him, but if your research were co-opted or stolen, there could be so much damage."

"Fine," James breathed out finally, and the bitterness in his voice was crystal clear.

Hank let out a sigh and kept James in a tight hug, though he was absolutely downhearted long after James headed off with Jan to go back home. For a long while, he sat in the lab, shaking his head at the impressive collection James had stacked up around him. He was heading down the right paths already and Hank was sure that he'd make a solid attempt to alter his genetic sequence if he wasn't stopped - that much was obvious. So with that in mind, Hank wearily got to his feet and started to remove every scrap of James' genetic research.

"You okay?" Tony asked when Hank finally left the room after clearing out everything he could find that even remotely addressed the x-gene or genetic engineering.

"As well as can be expected," Hank said heavily. "It's always hard to see another young man in the same dire straits I found myself in years ago."

Tony paused and turned toward the door Hank had just left, frowning deeper to himself. "What's the story, doc? And where are we at with our little wonder-kid that's got him in dire straits?"

"He's trying to find a way to become human, Tony," Hank said. "He doesn't want to be a mutant."

"That's not really even possible," Tony said. "Why would he even start on something like that?"

"Is it so hard to believe, Tony?" Hank asked as the emotion began to creep into his voice. "Is it so hard to imagine why he might want to turn his back on his genetics when his father has taken such measures to keep them hidden simply for what they are? Who they were born to? Is it so difficult to see, when not too long ago, men in black uniforms came to their home armed to kill - all for the simple crime of a genetic test showing that they were more evolved than their classmates? When our little genius had to change homes and guardians so often when he first found himself without Logan and K? What child do you know wouldn't want to wish that problem away?"

Tony nodded, more upset than he'd thought he would be on hearing anything like this. "How'd you figure it out? And are you taking it to Scott?" Tony asked thickly before he tipped his head. "I should say: when are you taking it to Scott?"

"I don't think I should tell Scott just yet," Hank admitted. "I'd wager he's already aware of how all three of the children feel. Rachel was terrified of her abilities; James is trying to wash his hands of his genes to keep Scott from worrying; and according to Natasha, Nate is rebelling against his father by trying to be a normal, misbehaving child. How do you suggest I then approach one of my oldest and dearest friends to tell him that his son is willing to risk his own life in a terrifying scientific endeavor like this?"

"Not much to open conversation with," Tony agreed. "What I don't get is how you figured it out so quick. It's not like he was asking anyone for help."

Hank took his glasses off and let out a weary sigh. "Tony, I knew what James was up to because I tried the same experiments myself. Not all of us who are genetically gifted have handled it as well as we could have."

Tony took a few steps to rest his hand on Hank's shoulder. "You know I just want what's best for everyone involved, right? I'm not questioning you on any of it. I trust you to watch out for him. And the last thing I want to see happen is that kid falling apart. Or Scott. Or the others, either."

"I know," Hank said, resting his hand on Tony's outstretched arm. "There are limited options for us these days, that's all."

"It'll have to ease up," Tony said. "That's the only option."

"That's the hope," Hank agreed. "Things have improved, Tony. Don't misunderstand me. The weapons programs, the Friends of Humanity, all those who openly called for genocide - they're gone. But we've bought our lives with silence, and it's not easy to accept the price we've had to pay. Especially that family. Give the boy time."

James was quiet on the way home and didn't say more than a handful of words to Jan as she brightly tried to question him on how his day was, and as soon as they got back, he quietly made a beeline for his bed and climbed in, pulling the blanket up to his nose as he curled up on his side, his back to the door in a crystal clear gesture that he wanted to be left alone.

Not that it was going to stop Scott, who came into the room and sat at the end of his bed, quietly watching him as he rubbed the back of his neck trying to think of what to say. "Hard day?" he asked at last.

"I'm just really tired," James said. It was a lie, of course, but he didn't want to trouble Scott with how low he was feeling. James couldn't help but feel worse anytime he saw Scott worrying over him. Like he was being more of a burden than he had a right to on an already stressed out family situation. It wasn't fair to Nate and Rachel, and it wasn't fair to Scott. They'd already done more for him than they'd ever had to. So instead of the truth … James tried to keep his worries to himself. Which was tiring.

"That's only part of it," Scott said. He sighed. "You know you can't hide things from me."

"I know," James said, pausing for a long moment before he tried a little bit of truth. "My nose has been bothering me, too."

"Yeah, I'll bet the super senses are something else," Scott said.

"Not so super," James said flatly.

"I know," Scott said, scooting closer to rub James' back. "It's always hard to start. I used to get splitting headaches."

And then a little more truth: "I hate it."

"I know," Scott said. "I hated mine too. For a long time. But then I learned to use it." He paused and then rested his hand at his temples. "Now, I miss it."

"There isn't a good use for what I've got," James said. "Just … stupid."

Scott frowned at him and then went back to rubbing James' back. "You won't get sick anymore," he pointed out, trying to find a bright side for him. "Not once your abilities are fully realized. No more doctor's visits."

"I'd rather be sick."

Scott sighed. "Well… think of it like insurance. If anything does happen, you can help me keep the others safe."

"How?" James asked, though the bitter edge was still in his voice.

Scott paused. "Your father and I-"

"I don't want to be like him." The tone James had used was harsh enough to stop Scott in his tracks.

"Why not?" Scott asked with a frown.

"I just don't."

"James, he was one of the best people I knew."

"Sure," James said low.

"I thought I told you enough about him that you'd know that," Scott said in a bare whisper. "I tried - I tried to tell you stories about both of them. They were heroes, James. The best in the business."

"Yeah?" James said before he twisted to look him in the eyes. "Then why aren't they here?"

Scott let his shoulders drop and closed his eyes. "I wish to God they were. Your mom would make everyone laugh, and your dad would tell you what to expect from your abilities. And he'd find a way to tease every one of us while he did it, too." He smiled tightly. "But you have her sense of humor and her heart. I love that about you."

"I just wanna go to sleep," James said in a breath, clearly on the brink of tears as he turned away from Scott again and curled up tighter. He'd gotten too close to what was bothering him and already Scott was upset by it. Which only had James feeling worse.

"I know," Scott said, still rubbing circles in his back. "You know I love you, James. And I'll be with you every step. I promise." When James didn't respond, Scott sighed and simply sat with him, not about to let James feel like he was alone. Though once James really did fall asleep, Scott slipped out of his room and into his own before he put his head in his hands and let his shoulders shake.

A few hours away and a few days later, Rachel was having a great time in Westchester. In particular, she loved being around Betsy and Warren - especially since Warren seemed to need a little cheering up from being grounded and cooped up.

It was Monday, which meant that she'd spent the weekend with her family. And it had been a little bit of a mixed bag. Nate was worried about James, who was hiding more than usual and speaking even less than usual. And James really did look miserable. But on the other hand, Jan had spent the whole weekend with them, and she'd even gone to dinner with just their dad.

"How was your weekend?" Betsy asked with a smile once Rachel was back at the school.

Rachel smiled. "Kinda weird," she admitted.

"How so?" Betsy asked, frowning at the answer. "I thought it was supposed to be a fun one."

"Well, yeah, I mean, Jan was there, and did you know she and my dad are dating?"

"They are?" Betsy said, smiling in spite of herself. "That's very good news."

"I think so too," Rachel said with a bright smile. "Dad seems happier with her around. And I like playing with her. And she helps with my brothers." She paused. "But my brothers are a whole handful."

"I'm pretty sure they've always been a whole handful," Betsy said, shaking her head. "What was it this week?"

"James hates his powers," Rachel said. "And Dad doesn't know how to help him, because they aren't powers like I have or he had. It's sounds and smells and his senses are bothering him."

"They just are what they are," Betsy said, thinking of the connection she had once shared with Logan and trying to explain the powerset to Rachel in terms she would understand. "They're on all the time, and he can't turn them off. Ever."

"Well, it's making him and Dad sad - and Nate hates that he has to behave when he just wants to get in trouble with Katie."

"That sounds like Nate," Betsy said, nodding. "How upset is your dad?"

"Really upset," Rachel admitted. "He wants James to love his birth parents too."

"He doesn't?" Betsy asked, frowning deeply. "When did that happen?"

"They're gone," Rachel said quietly. She took a deep breath and let it out. "Sometimes, I get mad at my mom too. She could have taught me so much, and not just how to use my powers," she admitted, her gaze on the ground as she tried not to get emotional. "I miss her all the time, and so does Dad."

Betsy took a step forward and pulled Rachel into a tight hug. "It's perfectly normal to feel this way - and it's alright for James to feel that way too."

"But Dad loves Mom still - and James' parents - and it's not right and-" Rachel held her breath. "I don't know how to help."

"It's very sad, then, that you can't just reach out to James and see what he's thinking, don't you think?" Betsy said.

Rachel nodded. "If I could see James' thoughts, I could talk to him. And even if he thinks I'm bossy sometimes, I might be able to help."

Betsy nodded. "And how do you think James feels now that you can't peek like you had been doing?"

"He's sad. It's easy to see when he's just crying and sleeping all the time." She paused. "At least, I think that's what's going on when he's hiding in his room curled up in a ball under the covers."

"And no one else has the powers he does," Betsy said. "I'm sure he feels very alone right now. Even with everyone around him. Logan used to get that way sometimes, too."

"Nate and I try to make sure he's not alone," Rachel said. "That's all we can do."

"Being alone and feeling alone are two very different things," Betsy said. "Even when you and Nate aren't around him, James has people with him most of the time, but that doesn't make him feel any less alone."

Rachel was quiet for a long time as she considered it, and then, finally, she said, "I think that's Dad's problem too."

"I'm very sure that's true," Betsy said. "But … what if I told you that it was possible to reach out to James?" She smiled at Rachel as she watched her expression shift.

"Can you show me how?"

"Not without him," she said. "It was easy for me to reach out to Logan because we had a psychic rapport, but before that happened, and when I met K - the only time I could get in was when they would reach out to me. You need to see if he'll let you in."

"So… I can reach out like I reach out to Dad?"

"Only if he lets you in," Betsy said. "He'll have to learn to open up his mind to you."

"He'll have to come here. Dad doesn't want anyone from the school at the apartment," Rachel said.

"Then maybe the next time he comes, I can talk to him and see if he's willing to try."

"Thanks," Rachel said, pulling her arms around Betsy in a hug. She laid her head on Betsy's shoulder for a long time before she said, quietly, "I think Dad likes Jan. A lot."

"Good," Betsy said. "She's a wonderful person."

"She makes him laugh. And he really doesn't do that except with us," Rachel said.

"Then he needs to spend more time with her, doesn't he?"

"That's what I said, but he says he needs to look out for James, and that's fair, too," Rachel admitted.

"It is," Betsy said. "But maybe we can work something out to get the boys here and give your dad a day to have some fun."

"Well, what if we said Mia wants a playdate?"

"I'm sure she does. That wouldn't even be a lie."

"Then let's do that," Rachel agreed with a crooked grin. "Then I can talk to James whenever I want, and Dad can laugh some more."