Chapter 21 - Group Session

Toby Cohen had spent a little over a month taking little opportunities to chat with the Meuller kids next door. They were going by "Meuller," but Rabbi Cohen knew that it was the Summers family, not the Meullers. And only three of them were Summers by name, the fourth - well. It would be unfair to say that the rabbi wasn't worried about all four of them, but some of the behavior he was seeing from their odd man out did have him watching even more carefully. He just didn't know how to explain to Scott what he was seeing without alarming him unnecessarily. And with Scott's stress levels, that was an entirely new level of balancing act.

James was, by all accounts, a good kid. And to the untrained eye, he was more than just a good one. He was easy. He didn't rebel against his family, and he seemed to approach everything with an attitude of quiet gratefulness that most people aspired to. However, it was the fact that James was totally unwilling to even consider going against the grain his family had established. And his motives as to why that was so were of deep concern to the Rabbi. In the time that the Meullers had lived in the neighborhood, not once had Rabbi Cohen heard a complaint about the dark-haired boy. Not only from the family, but the people in the neighborhood too. In fact, if he was going to analyze it, it seemed to him as if James was constantly conscious of everyone around him, always testing the waters of his family before saying or doing anything - purposely avoiding any topic that might upset his adoptive dad in particular. he was polite to a degree that Rabbi Cohen simply didn't see in kids his age - even in the strictest of families, and he knew that wasn't the case in Scott's house. The other two kids had little trouble rocking the boat with their father - even if it was minimal, they didn't seem to be purposely avoiding it like James was.

But Toby had been around for a few dinners with the family now - and though all the kids paid attention to the conversation, James was consistently quiet unless asked a direct question. Always. And when he did answer, it was always with the most direct answer that used as few words as possible. Which was intriguing since the boy was a genius.

Rachel … Rachel had clearly tried to do all her growing up at once. She seemed to be trying to take care of her father and her brothers - though James was careful to keep from being a bother to her, too. She had a kind of anxiety just behind her eyes that Toby couldn't quite put his finger on - but it was the kind of thing that was universally something that needed outside help to keep from blossoming out of control.

And Nate? Nate was the little rebel out of the three of them in the most amusingly normal way ever. Where else would you find a little boy that was arguing by wanting to be like everyone else? While Rachel was content to be a small adult and watch out for who she could and James was trying to blend in with the furniture as far as neediness went, Nate just wanted to be a kid.

There were three very different problems happening at the Mueller house. Every one of them needed a different approach. And every one of them was worrisome if left unchecked. Yes, Scott was the picture perfect father - and Toby knew he had the ulcers to back it up - but that didn't change the fact that there was no way for the Summers kids to avoid the numbers when it came to risk. For Nate and Rachel, having lost their mother so young was the gateway to anxiety and mood disorders right off the bat. Especially since Scott had obviously suffered from the same trouble himself.

What he didn't know how to explain was the fact that Nate was at a higher risk for those troubles than Rachel was. It was something that even the most involved experts didn't quite understand yet, but it was an issue. The younger they were at the time of the loss, the more likely they'd have attachment issues, depression, or anxiety. Substance abuse issues and eating disorders weren't off the table, either. And while James was at risk for all of the same, the fact that he'd lost both of his parents and was showing signs of trying to fly under the radar at his age to avoid conflict had the rabbi concerned that if the pattern continued, he'd keep tipping his risk factors closer and closer to self-harm and suicide.

And that was without knowing any of the fine details on how the kids had lost their parents. Extended trauma the kids might have suffered, or how much they knew of how their lost parents were killed … all of it factored in, and none of it was easy to discuss. Had he known the details on what had happened to them - and what James had been there to witness, he would have been much more alarmed for all of them.

The lone glowing beacon of hope in the whole mess was how absolutely dedicated Scott was to those three kids. It was obvious he'd put his life on hold so he could be there for them at the drop of a hat. Toby had seen him interacting with the three of them. It was obvious that Scott knew where they kids were coming from, emotionally. And he knew how to support them and how to be there even if they looked like they didn't want it. That … that was the one thing that made Toby think the kids had a solid chance at being alright. If their issues were addressed and the downward spiral was stopped before it became a tailspin.

But Toby wasn't sure of the best way to approach Scott with his concerns. Especially when some of the reasoning the kids were showing was a double-edged sword. Rachel had to take care of her father and brother because they were both so stressed out and needed someone to watch out for them … while ignoring that what she was trying to give them was exactly what she needed.

Nate was trying to be the normal that the mutant family was pretending to be - by embracing it as fully as he could - and not realizing that he was almost making fun of how 'normal' he could pretend to be, even while he was spectacularly ahead of the curve in cleverness.

And how should he break it to Scott that his adoptive son absolutely hated when anyone called him 'lucky' for his family and his private studies because if he was lucky to have it, then his luck could run out - and that if the people in his life thought he was special and had picked him, it was just as possible for them to change their mind? It was just the tip of the iceberg with James, and the kid had been quick to shut down and get quiet when he thought he might have said something that would eventually upset Scott. Toby wouldn't even have been surprised if James had read up on psychology just to protect himself from the therapy that Toby was trying to help him with.

So Toby waited until he knew that the kids were going to be at their respective schools and that Scott would be free for a long while that day before he came over with coffee for both of them from the cafe down at the corner.

"I know you don't want to leave anything laying around for the kids to read," Toby said in a softer, more somber tone than what Scott was used to hearing from him. "So you're going to want to read the email I just sent you when they're not around. It's not about them specifically - but it is an outline of what I'm concerned with for each of them. And it's also a strong suggestion that you get them professional help sooner than later. If they can't trust a doctor, you know I'm more than happy to help, but they do need the help."

Toby set the cup of coffee down next to Scott and took a seat. "I can stay here while you read if you have questions, or you can call me once you get through it. But, if it's all the same, I'd rather be here with you for clarity."

Scott didn't hesitate to open his computer and open up the email. He was completely silent as he read through what Toby had written, though Toby could see a muscle in his jaw getting tighter and tighter until he finally sat back in the chair and let out a breath. "I'll… talk to them," he said at last.

"And do what?" Toby asked, honestly not surprised at Scott's first reaction. "You're already doing all you can."

"Obviously not," Scott said, gesturing to the email with one hand.

"Scott, this isn't from anything you did or didn't do," Toby said. "This is just their way of coping. And they need help learning new methods."

"Then, yes, if you'd be willing… I can't even get Rachel to think about a doctor, let alone the boys…"

"Of course I'm willing," Toby said.

"And… if you're not opposed, I'd like to forward this to a friend of mine. A telepath at Rachel's school. She could help too," Scott said, obviously working out a plan for himself to move forward as a back up if he couldn't get the kids to go along with Toby.

"Do with it whatever you will," Toby said. "I just thought that would be the easiest way to outline what I'm seeing and a good way for you to be able to go back if you want to later..."

"I'll talk to the kids, too," Scott said. "James needs to know … and God, Rachel's doing the same thing I did.."

"Apple didn't fall far, did it?"

"For any of them. You should have met Jean when we were young."

"From the sounds of it, you just need to point to which kid is most like her, and I'll try to imagine," Toby teased.

"You could look at either Rachel or Nate, depending on the day," Scott said with a fond smile at the corner of his mouth. "She wanted desperately to be normal when I first met her… but she couldn't help trying to nose into others' business to help, either."

"I like her already," Toby said, perfectly straight-faced. "Just think of the team-up we could have run on you." Toby reached over to rest his hand on Scott's arm. "I meant what I said before, too, Scott. Every one of those kids of yours is an absolute gem. Best kids around. I just don't want to see them lost in their own heads or to get too carried away with bad choices if it comes up. They're not the tiny adults they think they are."

Scott was quiet for a long time before he let out a soft sound from the back of his throat. "I could use the help," he said at last, thinking through his next words before he said, "Look, not many people know this, so don't spread it around, but I honestly don't remember much between the ages of ten and sixteen. This age… I'm flying blind."

Toby frowned and nodded, agreeing to it before fully grasping how literal Scott was being in the moment. "Is that a circumstances thing, a 'it's so long ago' thing, or just a matter of not being able to visualize where your head was?"

"Evil telepath," Scott said simply.

"Oh, sure," Toby said. "Should have known."

Scott smirked lightly. "I think if you'd known the X-Men in our prime, you'd know that's not even the strangest thing we dealt with."

"I assumed that it had to get wilder for as casually as you said the words 'evil telepath'."

"Yeah, believe it or not, that's the mild description."

"I believe it," Toby assured him. "So … how do you want to move forward? Talk to the kids first? Then we can try to make it happen slow and easy? I know it won't be a simple matter of making an appointment. As soon as James thought something was off … your daughter, too. They got quiet fast and stayed that way."

"Why don't you let me talk to them, let me explain what I told you about this particular age not being my forte… I think, from what you've told me, if they think it's helping me…"

"Seeing a bit of yourself in some of what I gave you on them?" Toby asked gently.

"Hey, I'd be surprised if I didn't."

"Not a criticism, my friend. I didn't say there was anything wrong with you." He got to his feet and brushed himself off - not that there was anything to brush. "Let me know when we start. Otherwise, good luck."

Scott took a few days to weigh out all that Toby had said to him - and to try to find a way to relay all of that to the kids. But before he could sit down to discus things, his usual routine was interrupted when he got a phonecall from Ororo - requesting that he make his way out to Westchester at his earliest convenience.

It wasn't a huge problem. But when he heard the tone in Ororo's voice, he switched gears quickly and made a phone call to Clint to see if he could take Nate home with Katie for a few hours if he didn't get back before the soccer game was over. He knew Nate wanted to spend time there anyhow, and once Clint heard there was a possible issue with Rachel, he not only agreed to take Nate, but he promised to have Natasha bring James home, too.

So without anything holding him back, Scott grabbed his keys, locked up and started the drive to Westchester. Nothing seemed out of place when he got there and the kids outside were in fine moods, enjoying a sunny day. So he wasn't sure how to process things when Ororo gave him a perfectly flat, serious look before leading him to her office where Rachel was bright red at the cheeks and waiting for him. "I'll give you two a moment," Ororo said, closing the door to give Rachel a chance to fess up to her father.

Scott paused and raised an eyebrow before Rachel let it out in a rush. "It was supposed to be a date, and I know you think I'm too young, but I also know that you'll say that when I'm 40, but it wasn't a big deal until he got … stupid!"

"What happened then?"

"I punched him," Rachel said, blushing brighter, somehow.

She didn't expect him to nod to himself with a quiet 'okay then' before he opened the door for Ororo to come back. The room was tense with silence as Ororo returned and took her seat at the desk, only looking up at Scott once she was comfortable.

"Scott, I'm sure you could have guessed that this was going to be an issue sooner or later," Ororo said to Scott as he took a seat next to Rachel - and across from Ororo. "And it's not that I think she should accept it, of course. But perhaps the next time this issue presents itself, you shouldn't retaliate for just a thought."

Rachel's shoulders were shrugged up to her ears - not because she thought she was wrong - of course she wasn't. She just felt badly about her Dad being pulled out of his usual routine to deal with something so monumentally stupid. And she was not the Summers kid to get phone calls over. That was Nate. This? This had to be the single most embarrassing thing that had ever happened to her. Ever. And that included when she caught Betsy and Angel making out. That … She blushed just thinking of it - and found herself desperately trying not to think of it.

"Did she tell you what happened, Scott?" Ororo asked with the most clear cat who caught the canary look that Scott had seen in ages. "I'd assume that it would either be a point of contention or one of pride. Perhaps both."

"Just that the guy deserved it," Scott said, trying not to smirk at Rachel's description, since he had been the one to teach her how to deal with guys that tried to push her or got too handsy.

"Scott, all he actually did was kiss her good night," Ororo said, though she was barely doing a better job than Scott at controlling her smile. "And that's not an offense that is paid back by doing what she did."

Scott turned toward Rachel, one eyebrow raised. "Rach…"

"You don't know what he was thinking, Dad," Rachel insisted, blushing high on her cheeks.

Scott let out a breath and rubbed his eyes. "Rachel…" He shook his head, still rubbing his eyes, before he finally looked at her again. "It's only the guys who act on it that deserve to get laid out like that."

"But he was thinking it." Rachel stared at him wide-eyed. "Loudly!"

"Yeah, I'm sure he was," Scott said, holding her gaze steadily. "Every teenage boy does. It's the ones who keep it to thoughts that matter. The ones who push? Destroy 'em."

"But Dad."

Scott smirked and leaned forward. "Okay, Rach. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking it had been a nice date until he got all super-perv on me!"

"Did you kiss him first or did he initiate?"

She paused and thought about it for a moment. "What difference does it make?"

Scott smirked. "I'm just wondering if you even wanted to kiss him…"

Rachel blushed deeply as she turned his way. "If you try to say that this is my fault that he can't keep his mind out of the gutter-"

"No, obviously not. I'm just pointing out that you were ready to be physical too, and he was only thinking about the future."

"But just a kiss! Not - ugh!"

Scott let out a breath and leaned back in his chair. "He let the kiss end when you wanted it to?"

Rachel sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Yes."

"So he was just thinking about how he'd like things to go down the road?"

"Like a pervert."

"Rach…" Scott sighed and rubbed his hand over his face.

"They can't possibly think like that about everyone all the time."

"God, if your mother was here, she'd be laughing," Scott muttered.

Ororo had by that time, turned partly away from them and had one hand over her mouth to hide the feeble attempt at avoiding outright laughter. Especially since her shoulders were shaking from silent giggles.

"You're no help, 'Ro," Scott shot her way.

"She's thinking like a rational reasonable person, Scott," Ororo managed, though she was grinning broadly. "They can't possibly think like that all the time, can they?"

"Dammit, 'Ro."

Ororo gestured broadly. "I'm not a telepath, Scott. I cannot answer that with any true knowledge."

"Dammit, 'Ro."

Ororo entwined her fingers and rested them on her crossed knees. "Yes, Scott? I was under the impression that you'd have some wisdom to give your sweet daughter on this matter."

Scott gave her the driest look he could before he sighed and turned back to Rachel. "Look, what I told you about boys… all of that's true. If they start pushing you, deck them. But-" He sighed. "-look, you can't punish them for their thoughts. Lord knows your mother didn't do that to me or I'd be dead a hundred times over."

"Dad."

Scott smirked lightly. "What, did you think you sprang up from the ground fully formed?"

"I would like to think so!" Rachel almost shouted back.

"So you're telling me that when Jan and I were dating, you didn't pick up on any of that…"

Rachel glared at him. "First of all - no because you had the decency not to broadcast it." She drew herself up. "Or did you want me to know what you were up to?"

"I'm just saying: you're old enough to date now. That means you need to learn how to differentiate between what boys would like to do and what they are actually doing or planning."

She crossed her arms again and slouched in her chair. "I know what I'm gonna do …"

"Rachel."

"What?" She smirked. "I didn't do anything. I'm just thinking it."

"Well, now you sound like your mother, so I know you'll be fine."

By that time, Ororo was laughing outright. "Yes, I think she will be," Ororo said, wiping tears from her eyes. When she got a little better control of herself she turned to Rachel with a grin. "Off the record? I agree with you. They should keep their minds out of the gutter. If at all possible." She looked back to Scott. "If only they could discover how to do that at some point in their lives after they reach puberty, all the world would be more relaxed."

Scott gestured to Ororo with a smirk. "You saw my rebound taste. I'm no good for this talk."

"Yes. Every one of your rebounds," Ororo shot back.

"Then if you girls have things under control…"

"Yes, I think we should further discuss this in Salem Center, Rachel," Ororo said. "My treat."