X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Four
Icon Guide: All right, so this story will have flashbacks scattered about here and there. To indicate we're entering a flashback will be "XXXXX" and to indicate a time or scene shift will be a single "X". When you see "XXXXX" again that means we have returned to present events.
Author's Word: Thank you to everyone who put this story on favorites and alert. However, additional feedback, comments, advice, and all reviews are very much appreciated mostly so that I know what aspects you like about the story and the such.
The moment she felt nature's call, Becky all but leapt out of bed. She stopped only long enough to place her feet into the warm fuzzy slippers on the side of her bed. She then proceeded to the nearest bathroom on the second floor. Afterwards, she brushed her teeth and dashed back to her bedroom.
Getting a good look at the day before her, which hinted at a sunrise rapidly approaching, Becky observed the colorful trees below and decided to run with the early fall as she got dressed. She put on a yellow turtleneck and clipped on a pair of red overalls. After adorning her feet with orange socks, the alert child headed out again.
This time she aimed for the room across and one down from her own. Turning the knob carefully, Becky opened the door slowly and tipped inside. She listened to the strong sounds of sleep emanating from under the comforter of the full sized bed.
Standing at the bed's side, Becky whispered, "Erik?" She climbed up, crouching near him. "Errrik?"
A faint moan escaped the man's lips before his eyes peeled open, seeing the angelic round face complete with green eyes that glinted with tiny traces of mischief staring back at him.
Naturally, he thought, I finally awaken to Snow White at my side and she's grossly underage.
Of course, so was the fledging from the Brothers Grimm original tale. Quite the contrary from the shrill voiced protagonist of the Disney interpretation; not that Erik had taken precious time to actually view that film or anything.
"May I help you?" he asked the girl, his tone soft and even.
"Let's go make some breakfast or something."
Glancing at the clock on the short table by his bed, Erik looked back at her. "Are you often hungry at five in the morning?"
"Sure," she replied cheerfully.
"Back to bed with you, Becky," Erik ordered, rolling over to his side. "Let's resume this in another four hours."
"Come on, Erik." Becky tugged on his arm.
"Child, please," he said, shaking her off gently. "Saturday is the day of rest."
"That's tomorrow," she argued.
Gentiles…
"Then go downstairs and play quietly. I'll find you later."
Letting off a sigh, the little girl finally got up. "Okay. See you later."
Though he looked the other way, Erik could visibly see the dejected expression on the little face. Groaning intensely, he made a mental note to retrieve that key the little whelp had over that irritating red muscle in his chest. The man got to his feet and slipped into his navy blue robe before stepping out into the hall.
"Since I can't seem to keep my eyes shut," he called to the departing girl, who promptly spun around to look at him, "I'm in need of my morning tea. Care to join me?"
Becky grinned and nodded. "Yes." When he walked closer to her, she linked hands with him before they continued toward the stairs. "Can you make me smiley face pancakes?"
"Now you're just pushing it." He then hoisted her right up, carrying her down.
XXXXX
"Darling, you have returned," Raven greeted Charles grandly as he turned the corridor with Erik. She ran into his arms theatrically.
Charles chuckled lightly, returning her affections. "Not a moment too soon."
Hank, adorned in his white med coat, approached the three of them. "That was quick. How did things go?"
Rolling his head back in annoyance at the recollection, Charles replied, "I don't know which was seedier. The dime store bar or the foul-mouthed vulgar creature we met within."
"He'll need to discover a bar of soap before the CIA is ready for him," Erik tacked on.
Footsteps approached and they all glanced over in time to see one of the agents pass through. He acknowledged the four of them with a friendly nod. Not far behind him was a smaller, significantly more female individual with long curly black hair.
"I must say," Charles commented humorously. "These government agents get younger and younger every day."
The girl went to Hank immediately. "Hi, Big Bear."
Squatting to her level, Hank returned, "Hi, Becca Bear." He looked up for a second to see Raven smiling at them. "She's Agent Douglas' daughter." He gave the child a squeeze as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "And also my sweet perfect little sister."
"Really?" Charles responded then gave Raven's cheek a kiss. "I believe I understand that sentiment." The blonde snuggled securely into his shoulder.
Hank stood while his young comrade promptly began searching his pockets. "With everything that's going on, her father's been putting in a lot of late nights." While Charles and Raven listened to Hank speak, Erik had eyes locked on the little girl as she unreservedly reached into the left pocket of his leather jacket.
"If you don't mind my asking, what exactly are you doing?" Erik inquired.
"Ooh." She discovered a paper wrapped stick of the sticky stuff and pulled it out. "Spearmint."
Hank looked over. "Sniffing for gum. Becca, cut that out."
"No, no," Erik said to the contrary. "It's all right. I appreciate a lady who goes after what she wants."
"Becky." The small one looked ahead and saw her father gesturing to her from the doorway of a room down the hall.
Giving off a playful eye roll, she said, "I'll see you later, Hank." She held the gum up to Erik and mouthed 'thank you'.
The scientist waved, watching her tenderly.
Charles watched her as well. However, his was a look of pure intrigue.
"And where are you going?" Erik asked Charles, following the departing younger man. "Don't you have to meet with Moira to debrief?" Though whenever Charles got around that woman in particular, Erik did not need telepathy to know what was really on his mind.
"In a moment," Charles dismissed as they stepped into the lounge.
Agent Douglas retrieved a drink from the refrigerator while Becky picked up a tin, opening it to find it filled to the brim with Oreo's.
"Daddy?" she asked. "May I have these?"
The stout man replied, "It's too close to dinner, Becky."
"Please?" she tried again.
"Rebecca, I said—" All at once, Agent Douglas' countenance changed entirely. "Well, I don't really see the harm. Have as many as you want."
"Thank you," Becky said delightedly, taking a seat at the round table in the room.
Charles exchanged a look with Erik.
"Now, I have a meeting." The agent kissed the top of his daughter's head. "I'll see you in a couple hours. Stay put."
"I will," she promised.
Agent Douglas looked at the other two men and said, "The nanny chooses my most hectic week to visit relatives overseas." He left out with that.
"Well," Charles spoke, approaching the table. "Your father certainly changes his mind quickly. Fortunately for you of course." She munched on a cookie, listening to him speak. "We haven't been formally introduced, have we? I'm a friend of Hank's." He held a hand out to her. "My name is—"
"Charles Xavier," Becky supplied then nodded towards the other man. "And he's Erik Lehnsherr."
Looking at Erik for a beat, Charles asked her casually, "And how did you know that?"
"I know these things. I like your name and your voice, too. You're just like a prince."
Taking her small hand in his own, Charles said cordially, "And at your disposal, Princess." He gave the back of her hand a kiss, causing her to giggle. "Now really. How did you know our names?"
"I just said I know these things. I'm a good guesser," Becky repeated then asked, "Want me to do your age?"
"Rebecca Jane Douglas." Charles knew he had gotten a reaction as her green eyes widened significantly. "That's what you're called when you misbehave, is it not? Such as not telling the complete truth?"
Becky's voice fell into a whisper. "How do you know that?"
"Oh, I know a great deal about you, Becky," Charles informed her. "Let's see. You live here in D.C., just you and your father. Your middle name comes from your grandmother but you prefer Becky, as Becca is solely reserved for Hank. You love springtime and your favorite book is, appropriately enough, The Secret Garden. Also, you have a magic about you that's all your own."
"Wow," Becky breathed, completely taken aback by the man before her. "You believe in the magic?" She quieted for several seconds as she gathered a reading. "Because you can do it, too."
"I most certainly can. But it's not magic, love," Charles said. "What you can do, what I can do- it is called telepathy. That makes you a telepath, exactly like me."
Appearing confused, she asked," But how did you know all those things about me if I wasn't even thinking them?"
Charles explained, "Because we older telepaths are able to do more than hear what people are thinking exactly when they are thinking it. We are able to probe; to dig deep into someone's mind. It's a skill I know you'll have someday."
Becky looked to the silent Erik. "Can you do it, too?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Erik told her then shocked her as he took possession of the tin in her hands. "But I do have a few tricks of my own." He took out an Oreo, biting into it.
Becky stood up. "Can I show you something?" she asked them eagerly.
"Of course," Charles replied.
Holding her hands up, Becky wiggled her fingers. Charles and Erik sat in stunned silence as the bland white room they were in began to fill with the most vibrantly radiant colors, from the floor tile to the ceiling. Shades of pink and purple covered the walls while orange and yellow filled the top and bottom.
"Extraordinary," Charles breathed. "Absolutely extraordinary." He looked at Becky. "That's what you are."
She smiled then slowly reverted the room back to its original state. "Thanks. I've never shown anybody that. Not even Daddy. He just wouldn't understand."
"Oh, I know how you feel," Charles empathized. "I lived alone with my ability for years up until I was about your age." He got an idea. "Tell you what. Let's play a game. I'm going to think of a number and I want you to tell me what it is."
"All right," Becky agreed. After a moment, she came up with, "2-1-4-7-8-2."
As she recited, Erik's nostrils flared and he felt his blood rising.
Charles frowned slightly. "That's not the number I was thinking."
"I know," she said then pointed behind Charles. "It's the one he was thinking. 2-1-4-7-8-2. It's on his arm right now."
Erik used him power to slam the cookie tin down on the table then promptly turned on his heel, leaving out heatedly through the swinging door.
"Erik," Charles called, quickly going after him. He caught up in the hall. "Erik, please. She's such a young mutant; only a child."
Stopping shortly, the older man released a sigh. "I know," he replied simply. "You people really need to learn to stay in your own heads."
Charles' face glowed with excitement. "Yet another telepath. It's honestly astonishing. Right here under my own eyes."
"It's an outbreak," Erik remarked dryly.
"And what a brilliant illusionist," Charles went on. "She has so much potential. I'd love very much to take her under my wing."
Before Erik could respond, Moira Mactaggert approached them, exasperation written on her features. "There you are. We have a lead on Shaw. The plane to Russia leaves in an hour."
Not needing any further direction, Erik took the first step forward. Charles went with them but paused long enough to glance back at the lounge door before continuing.
X
After Agent Douglas' meeting got out, he promptly returned to the lounge, finding his daughter playing jacks at the table.
"Time to go, pumpkin," he said. "We'll have to pick up dinner on the way home again."
"Okay," she said, bending over to pick up her backpack.
What sounded like an intense rumble went off, startling them both.
"Daddy?" Becky spoke uncertainly.
"Shhh," he hushed her calmly, trying to listen. When gunshots began firing, he exclaimed, "Dear God… Becky, stay here!"
Jumping up, she dashed over to him, grabbing hold of her father's hand. "Daddy, don't go. Stay with me."
Locking his green eyes with hers, he said carefully, "Becky, I love you. Now, stay here. I mean it." He had to pry himself out of her hold as he ran out.
As he left her sight, Becky tried desperately to summon him back with her power but could not concentrate through the chaos taking place beyond the white walls.
"Azazel, check around," she heard a man order.
Gasping, Becky immediately dove underneath the table. She hugged her legs against her chest, unable to breathe or think. Her heart skipped a beat as a puff of black and red smoke seemed to explode within the room, followed by the appearance of a man in a suit. Becky rocked back and forth, absolute terror grasping every inch of her.
Don't see me, she chanted, don't see me….
As the mysterious man got down, inching lower and lower underneath the table, her mind shouted.
Don't see me, don't see me, don't see me!
When she saw the face of Azazel, who she just knew had to be the devil himself, a scream almost erupted from her. Azazel looked directly at her then stood as someone yelled out for him.
"Azazel, what is taking so long?"
Sighing in annoyance, the crimson creature stood, exiting in the same manner he had entered.
When he was gone, Becky felt herself start to breathe again, slowly. She laid out on the floor underneath the table, unable to accomplish any further movements.
X
The group of frightened young mutants could only stand back and watch in absolute horror as Darwin's entire body imploded in front of their very eyes. Shaw, now with Angel in tow, left with his men right after. Silence took control of the room. Alex stared forward incredulously and Sean wanted to scream louder than he ever had before but felt his mutation abandon him as no voice came to him. Raven leaned back against Hank, desperately wishing for Charles.
Hank made a move to hold her then stopped as realization dawned on him. "Becca." He turned and sped out through the double doors.
"Hank!" Raven shot after him.
"Becca!" Hank shouted. He leapt over the numerous corpses that decorated the hall, only stopping short at the sight of one in particular. "Agent Douglas…" He dropped to his knees, trying in vain to find a pulse somewhere on the man.
Raven came up behind them. "Is he…?"
"Daddy?" They both looked up in time to see Becky emerge from around the corner.
Moving with a whole new speed, Hank swept her up to hold, turning her away from the carnage. Raven went to them, trying to aid in blocking the little girl's view.
"Hank, where's my daddy?" Becky wanted to know. "I can't find him anywhere."
"Becca, it's all right," Hank told her, not believing his own words as he rubbed her back up and down. "I'm here. You're safe." When she made a move to glance back, Hank took possession of her head, pressing it down against his shoulder. "Don't look! Don't look…"
Raven felt everything shatter inside, Tears developed in her eyes and she leaned limply against Hank; the only one capable of a stoic stance in that moment.
X
The following morning, Charles and Erik returned. Life seemed to speed up over the next few days. Charles decided to take Erik and all of the young mutants home to his family's mansion. It took several days but eventually everyone began to settle in.
Becky, however, proved to be the most difficult case. She spoke rarely and mostly only when someone addressed her first. Despite still grieving over the loss of Darwin, the other youths, mainly Hank, did their best to be nice to her. Charles talked to her whenever he could but he and Erik were mainly preoccupied with getting the new version of Cerebro off the ground in addition to training.
One afternoon, Hank came into the dining room where most of the others were gathering around the table for dinner.
Raven looked at him. "Well?"
"She won't come down," Hank reported. "I wanted to bring her something up but she says she's not hungry."
"I'll bring her something," Raven offered.
"No, no, let me," Charles said, patting his sister's hand lightly. "I've been so distracted of late. We had a positive rapport back at headquarters. Perhaps she'll have an easier time with me."
Raven nodded and fixed up a plate for Charles to carry up.
"I want to say something to her but I don't know what's right," Sean said.
Hank lowered into a seat. "I keep trying. But I never- both my parents are still here. How do I relate to her now?"
Erik listened to them quietly as he often did, rubbing the rim of his water glass with his thumb.
X
At the feather light rapping that sounded at her door, Becky responded with a faint, "Come in."
Charles entered, plate in hand. "Hello, darling." He offered her a warm smile, placing the food on her night table. "How is everything today?"
"Fine, thank you," she replied.
"That's good to hear." He watched for a moment as she absently brushed the brown strands on her doll's head. "It certainly was nice of your nanny to send over all of your lovely things. And my, is this not a beautiful doll." He knelt by the bed, getting a closer look at the porcelain object. "What is her name?"
"Eliza. She's my favorite."
Charles nodded. "I can see why. She is very pretty. May I see her for a moment?"
"Mmhmm." Becky carefully handed her over to him.
Playing with the doll's hair, Charles said, "We're all a little disappointed you haven't been joining us at mealtimes. I can understand why, though. Sometimes when I'm feeling angry or sad, I like to go to my study for a little alone time. Then other times, I talk to someone, like my sister."
Becky stared ahead. "I don't have a sister."
"True, but Raven will allow you to bend her ear any time. Then there's Hank, of course. And I am here whenever you need me or merely want me." Eyeing her closely, he asked, "Do you wish to talk about it, Becky?" At her strong head shake, he tried another approach. "All right then. Then perhaps you'll talk it over with Eliza here." Holding the doll up to cover his own face, he stepped into a more feminine tone. "Oh, Becky. I wish you would talk to me. I'm worried about you. Charles is worried about you. Just about everyone is worried about you. Won't you please say what you're feeling? Please?"
Becky watched the imitation of her doll with an unchanged countenance. "That is not her voice, Charles. She used to live on a boat and her family is French."
"Oh." Charles dipped his head. "Well, pardon me." He sat Eliza up on the pillow near her owner. "Becky, love, I cannot begin to comprehend what you're feeling. I know it won't be instant but if you let me, we can work through this together." He stared at her, making sure they had eyes on each other. "There's still magic within you."
"There is no magic anymore, Charles," Becky countered. "I lost it. If I still had it, I could've made my dad stay in the lounge with me."
"That was not your fault," Charles said firmly. "You were confused and frightened beyond all comprehension."
"He's right." Both looked to the doorway to see Erik standing there. "It wasn't your fault." He stepped in fully. "Charles, do you mind if…?"
Charles shook his head, standing. "Not at all." He gave Becky one final look before taking his leave.
Erik gave a quick glance around the well filled room. "I think you have more toys than any child on the face of the earth." He dropped down to a sitting position on the edge of her bed. "What's this about you blaming yourself for what happened?"
"I tried to make him stay with me in the lounge," Becky recalled distressingly. "But it didn't work. It always worked before, whenever I wanted a new stuffed animal or a cookie or anything. But it didn't work that time."
As she spoke, Erik felt a strong surge of déjà vu burst through like a brisk wind.
"I want you to listen to me very closely." He got her eyes up. "Nothing that happened a week ago was your fault. It wasn't your father's fault, either. He only wanted to help where he could. No, the real person, for lack of a better term, to blame here is Sebastian Shaw. He is the one responsible for your father's death… as well as my mother's."
"What?" Becky felt her ears burn. She waved her hands out in frustration. "Why… why would he do that? They didn't do anything to him."
"Because he is a monster," Erik told her plainly. "The funny thing about monsters, though? They tend to have short careers." He put a delicate grip on her shoulders. "I will see to it that he gets what he deserves, Becky, for both of us. That is my vow to you."
Becky nodded before sinking her head in thought. "Erik? I'm sorry," she spoke after a moment.
With a glint of confusion in his features, he wanted to know, "For what?"
"For before," she explained, glancing up slowly. "When I read your mind. I didn't mean to upset you."
Erik understood. "Well, in your defense, angering me is not the most difficult task. As for my mind- stay out. Is that clear, little one?" When she nodded again, he turned to the plate of roast and potatoes. "Eat your dinner."
"I will," the girl said, no certainty present in the response. "In a little bit."
Becky then looked on in amazement as he made the fork and knife go to work cutting up her meat. The fork then floated over to the tip of her lips with a thin piece of roast on it.
"Eat your dinner," the older mutant reiterated.
Smiling softly at his abilities, Becky took hold of the utensil, eating the food on it.
As he stood, she called after him, "Erik?" He looked back. "Will you really get him? Shaw?"
"I will," Erik assured. "I'm going to tell you something a friend told me not too long ago. You are not alone."
Becky took that in then went about eating the rest of her dinner. Once she finished, she drifted off for a little more than half an hour. When she awoke again, she picked up her plate and left the room, carrying it down to the dishwasher. Hearing commotion from the family room, she headed that way. Raven, Sean, Alex, and Hank sat around the coffee table playing cards while Charles propped up on the couch nearby with a book in hand.
"Can I play?" Becky asked the group.
All heads turned at the sound of her voice, making her squirm just a bit.
"Absolutely," Raven answered her question, scooting over to make room for her. "Come over here, Becky. You can be on my team. It's boys against girls."
"Okay," Becky agreed, settling in beside her.
"Boys against girls?" Hank echoed the statement. "That's not very fair. She's my sister."
"Well, girls have to stick together," Raven countered playfully. "Especially around here."
Charles shook his head with mock annoyance before returning to his novel. As he listened to the youngsters near him, he could not help but think about the others they had yet to discover.
XXXXX
Using his ever growing mastery over magnetism to control a spatula, Erik flipped the golden-brown cakes over onto a white ceramic dish on the counter nearby. Clicking off the stove burner with a wave off his hand, he realized things had been a tad too quiet during his cooking process. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Becky sitting with a blank expression, staring ahead at nothing in particular.
Erik picked up the plate then headed her way. He moved his hand up and down in front of her eyes then snapped his fingers twice. When none of that invoked a reaction from the young distant being, he placed the plate down with a thud in front of her.
Becky jumped at the unexpected noise. "Huh?"
"Glad to see you're still with me," he said, taking a seat near her. "If I cannot use this morning for sleep, I won't allow you to use it for flights of fancy."
Glancing down at the contents on her plate, Becky noted the round cakes with twin holes punched out for eyes and an upward strip that resembled a smile.
"Erik?"
"Hm?" He reached a hand out for the sugar bowl.
"Thank you." Her voice radiated a silent but upmost gratitude.
Settling in with his tea and toast, Erik replied evenly, "Eat your breakfast."