X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Sixteen

Author's Word: Hi, everybody. I hope the New Year is treating you all well. Thanks for the great feedback. Also, Becca? This story is so not over. I'm pretty sure we're not even at the halfway point yet.

Frank stretched out across Sean's bed, tediously observing the actions of the older boy. In the last fifteen minutes, Sean had gone from light blue jeans with a variety of short sleeved shirts to changing it up to black jeans with multiple long sleeved shirts. He had also swapped shoes out three times; not that Frank had been counting or anything.

"What are you trying to do, anyway?" Frank finally came out and asked.

"I am trying to find…" Sean tried to think of a way to word it. "A look."

"When you're born with a certain face, you have to suck it up. You know, like Alex."

Feigning laughter at the joke, inwardly Sean had to admit that Alex was where his problem had true roots. Going somewhere with a traditionally decent looking guy like Alex, who also exhaled groovy all day long, proved quite problematic for a lanky redhead with a tendency to trip over his own extra-long legs. Of course, thanks to his recent birthday, Sean now owned a very far out BMW. He hoped the car would be enough for him to receive some form of feminine attention.

"Well? How's this?" Sean stood before Frank in dark jeans, blue and white sneakers, and a black t-shirt over a long-sleeved white shirt.

"You look incredible," Frank told him. "But then again, you always do." Sean shot him a distinct "what do you want?" look. "Pleeeease take me to the pep rally with you guys." He folded his hands together in a plea.

Sean sighed, knowing this would come up eventually. "Frank, I'd love to hang out with you. You know I would. But it was hard enough convincing Charles and Erik to let us go to this thing and on a school night. If we add you to the picture, we have to be home that much earlier."

The New York City native groaned, wishing for the day when he could join the Teen Club already.

IIIIIII

Alex descended the grand staircase two steps at a time. When he made it to the bottom, he skated along the hardwood floors in his socks, keeping his eyes sharp. He searched along the end tables of the foyer before going into the spacious living room next. The blonde got down on his hands and knees and began to crawl around along the couches and tables.

"Ugh!" he reacted when a couple of blunt objects made contact with his backside. Still crouched, Alex twisted around and discovered the assailants to be his missing sneakers. He glanced up to find one of his guardians standing about four feet away from him. "Erik. Thanks. I was, uh," he cleared his throat, "looking for these."

"Undoubtedly." Erik folded his arms and gave the adolescent a meaningful gaze. "If I find those shoes lying about so much as one more time, you'll be feeling my shoe in a most uncomfortable area."

Alex cringed. Only Erik Lehnsherr could pull off such a veiled yet blatant threat of child endangerment.

The boy gathered his shoes. "Sorry. I'll keep that in mind."

Erik watched him put on the sneakers. "I must say I never thought attending an event full of people you don't know for a school you don't go to would be appealing to you."

Alex shrugged. "Sean wants to go. Besides, we're talking about wall-to-wall chicks. And that's been a while for me."

Erik snorted at that. "You're preaching to the choir, boychick."

Despite the serious edge Erik had about him, Alex still found that hard to believe. A guy like Erik having trouble obtaining women? Charles on the other hand…

Speak of the angel, Alex thought as the Professor came in with a fully prepared Sean.

"You ready to go?"

"Laced and loaded," Alex answered Sean, rising up. "I want to drive into town."

"Fine," Sean conceded, "but I'm driving back."

"Both of you be careful on the road," Charles cautioned. "Also, call—"

"As soon as we get there," Alex continued and Sean concluded, "And when we're on our way back."

Charles nodded approvingly at the memorization. "Very good. And curfew is promptly at ten. It's a school night after all."

"Is there any way we can go for eleven?" Sean asked. Charles shook his head. "Ten thirty?" Alex tried next.

"Nine o'clock sounds like a decent hour," Erik threw out.

"Then again, there's never anything going on after ten, anyway," Sean said immediately.

IIIIIII

"All right," Raven pronounced brightly, placing the final bowl on the dining room table. "We have mozzarella, mild shedder, sharp cheddar, pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, olives, pepperoni, and for the extra daring, jalapeno peppers." The description of the numerous ingredients did nothing to arouse the melancholy boy currently seated. "What is wrong, Frankie? You usually love make-your-own pizza bagel night."

"Meh," he responded blankly with a dismissive wave of his hand.

Raven lowered her chin until it rested on his shoulder. "If I have to pry this out of you it will not be pretty." He sighed and she put an arm around his other shoulder. "Spill, cute stuff."

"Ugh! I never get to go anywhere," Frank finally erupted. "Hank, Alex, and Sean get to go anyplace they want."

"Ah," Raven understood. "I know how that goes."

"No, you don't," Frank disagreed. "Hanks takes you out all the time."

"I know." Raven pulled out a chair, sitting beside him. "But before I started seeing Hank, if I wasn't in Charles' plain sight I pretty much had the chains on."

"So Charles made you like Cinderella or something?"

"Yeah, if Cinderella had a huge house, beautiful clothes, and a bedroom with a fireplace," Raven said admittedly. "Charles always tried his best but he could be a little overprotective sometimes."

Frank nodded. "I noticed. It's lousy feeling like a small kid."

"I know it is." Raven smiled. "But with Tom and Jerry gone, that frees up the TV. What do you say you and me make a date in front of the set after dinner?"

The corners of Frank's mouth turned up slightly. "Rae, you're the best."

She gave his arm a fond squeeze. "Do me a favor and spread the word around."

IIIIIII

Wild cheering and screams of near insanity sounded supremely from the walls of Westchester Academy High School. Alex managed to grab a space in the student parking lot. He stood outside the football stadium, looking out for Sean. After nearly ten minutes, the redhead ran up to him.

"Did you find a phone?" Alex asked.

"Yeah," Sean replied, slightly breathless. "I got through to the house." He glanced about. "It's a mob scene around here."

"I know," Alex concurred. "Maybe this won't be as square as I thought."
The teenage mutants made their way through the crowd as they entered the stadium. They found a couple spots on the fourth row of bleachers from the bottom. The cheerleaders ran out into the middle of the field. While they performed, the large eagle mascot, adorned in red and gold, came out and executed a few silly stunts.

Alex shook his head, feeling bad for the poor dork who had to wear that chicken getup. He looked over at Sean, who had a face all aglow. Then Alex remembered that Sean was one of the few mutants in their household who had something vaguely resembling a normal childhood with regular school experiences. The pep rally had to act as great nostalgia for him. For Alex's part, he too had to admit that the festivities seemed pretty interesting.

Once the merriments came to an end, the boys decided to go in search of food. Sean drove them to a diner only a couple blocks away from the school. By the time they got there, they found the place nearly filled to the ceiling with students, mainly cheerleaders and the football players. The pair lucked upon a free table near the jukebox.

Alex glanced up in time to catch a petite brunette seated at the counter, darting her eyes over at their table every so often. It took no longer than a few seconds for Alex to realize she did not have eyes on him, though.

"Hey, Seanie," he whispered.

The Irish boy looked up from the menu. "What?" He watched Alex gesture towards the counter. "You want to sit over there? There's no room."

Alex rolled his eyes as high up as they would go. "No, you clod. That chick is eyeballing you."

Sean noticed her then turned back to Alex. "She's looking at me?"

"Hey, trust me. I find it hard to believe, too. Now, get over there and make a move."
Feeling his entire mouth go dry, Sean wanted to know, "What do I say?"

"Normally," Alex said, "I'd suggest a pick-up line but it's you so… say hi."

Nodding, Sean slowly got up and made a path for the girl, hoping he would not trip along the way. "H-hi." He stopped to clear his throat. "Hello."

"Hi," she returned then studied his features. "Are you new around here?"

"Sort of," Sean replied unsurely. "I live near here."

"I've never seen you at school before. Trust me. I would have remembered."

Sean smiled slightly at that. "I'm actually kind of homeschooled."

This seemed to intrigue her. "Seriously?" A sudden remembrance hit her. "Sorry." She held a hand out. "I'm Maya."

"Sean." He shook the tiny appendage before him. He saw the open textbook she had on the counter. "Biology?"
"Yeah," she said a little bashfully. "I'm kind of a nerd there."

"Oh, it's all right," Sean assured. "I started reading when I was three and haven't stopped since. I love horror and crime novels, too. I'm a little weird that." And other ways, he added silently.

Alex pretended to study the dessert selection but peeked over every so often in the event he had to rescue his comrade from complete and total humiliation. To his surprise, Sean seemed to become at eased around the girl really quickly. When the sprawled out phone numbers on paper napkins exchange took place, Alex did an internal cheer on Sean's behalf.

The sixteen-year-old returned to the table with a countenance of extreme satisfaction.

After downing cheeseburgers, fries, a couple cokes, and slices of apple pie, they paid and took their leave.

Sean groaned when they got inside the BMW. "We forgot to call home. I'll be back."

Before he could get out from the driver's side, another vehicle pulled up beside them. Two boys in letterman jackets sat in it.

"Nice car," the driver commented. "What is it, '55?"

Sean frowned. "'60."

"Is that this century?" the passenger in the other car commented.

"Is that supposed to be some sort of witty preppy anecdote?" Alex asked dryly. "Something you toss around the country club?"

"Oh, big talk. Want to put your money where your mouth is?" the other driver challenged.

"What do you have in mind?" Alex responded, ready for anything.

"Let's have a little race. From here to the edge of the woods. Losers cough up fifty bucks. A piece."

"You're on," Alex accepted.

Sean stared at him in horror. "Are you completely out of your mind?"

Alex looked at him. "You gonna let these preps trash talk your ride?"

"Alex, come on," Sean tried to reason, lowering his voice. "You're talking about drag racing."

"You got your license on the first try," Alex reminded him. "We'll wipe these guys out, take their money, and get home with time to spare. Come on. You can do this."

Sean still did not like it but the confidence Alex had in him helped sway him. The BMW and Cadillac lined up then each car took off like twin shots in the dark. Sean could not believe it as the other pair ran a red light on the way to the back roads. Wanting to keep up, he followed suit.

"They're gaining too much speed," Sean said, smacking his dashboard in frustration.

"Relax, Banshee boy."

Sean looked at him. "You want to lose fifty bucks?"

"Hell no," Alex answered but kept a passive tone. "Who do I look like? Now, watch this." He rolled down his window and stuck his arm out, warming up his hand.

Realizing what his friend had in mind, Sean shouted, "Alex, don't!"

However, his words did nothing to stop the older teen as Alex disbursed a low powered energy blast to the Cadillac's back tires. The circles of rubbers melted against the road, stopping the car immediately.

Sean grinned, drove ahead, and stopped the BMW.

Alex stuck his head out of the window at their irate competitors. "Tough luck. Guess you should have upgraded those tires before the first world war or something." He exchanged a high five with Sean.

However, all four youths froze in place when the telltale sirens approached from behind. Alex paled and Sean sunk as deep into his seat as possible, silently crying out for the angel of death.

IIIIIII

Erik, followed by Charles, entered through the clear double doors of the Westchester Police Station. They spotted their two charges seated underneath a bulletin board. Alex tried to sit up straight and appear unmoved while Sean stared down at the black and white floor tile.

"Excuse me, officer," Charles addressed, approaching the main desk. "I'm Charles Xavier. We spoke earlier on the phone. I'm afraid there's been some sort of—"

"What exactly is the meaning of this?" Erik cut in sharply.

The sergeant indicated the two boys behind them. "Well, I started in after them when I saw them run a red light. I was ready to let them off with a warning until I realized they were participating in drag race with two other juveniles."
Charles and Erik exchanged a look.

"Now, the next problem is that I can't get them to admit their real names," the officer went on.

Getting a firm hold on the situation, Charles said with a great deal of politeness, "Well, officer, this has all been a horrible misunderstanding." His expression grew darker as he got into the man's mind. Hasn't it?

The cop's face changed entirely. "Of course. I just wanted to make sure the boys got home safe and sound. There's no harm done. They're free to go any time."

Splendid, Charles thought.

Erik jabbed two fingers their way. Alex and Sean promptly stood and followed them out of the station.

"We know you're not happy," Alex said.

"We can explain everything," Sean added desperately.

The older men abruptly turned around on them. "I don't want to hear so much as a solitary syllable escape your lips," Charles said icily. "You were beyond reckless and foolish this evening and there is no justification for this."

Erik simply shook his head. "Alex." He gestured for the blonde to follow him to the car he and Charles had driven up in.

Charles held his hand out to the guilt faced Sean. "Keys. Right now."

Without argument, Sean dropped his car keys off in the Professor's waiting hands. They went out to the station's parking lot and got in, following Erik and Alex back to the mansion.

Sean tried to keep his attention on the sights outside the window and not even look at Charles but every so often he caught the man's angry gaze out of the corner of his eye. Anger did not become Charles Xavier and it made Sean sincerely sick to know that emotion currently had him as the target.

When they all returned to the mansion, Charles and Erik led the boys into the parlor and shut the door. Alex and Sean sat together on one of the couches while Erik sat against the edge of the desk and Charles leaned over exasperatedly, studying the fireplace.

Unsurprisingly, the Professor spoke first. "I'd like to believe that the rules and standards set forth in this household are nothing if not reasonable." He stood fully, looking out at the mortified pair. "We allow you the freedom to venture out and socialize. All we ask in return is for you to practice caution and return home at a proper hour. This is the trust we have in you. But tonight," Charles paused to gauge their expressions, "you not only broke that trust, you utterly shattered it. How can you begin to justify yourselves?"

"Charles, it just happened," Alex insisted. "We were heading home and these two guys rode up, talking stuff. We just wanted to put them in their place. The whole thing lasted less than ten minutes."

"Ten minutes?" Charles echoed disbelievingly. "You say that as if it's such a short stretch of time. Alexander, it takes a woman at least twelve hours to give birth. In less than a quarter of a second, that same life can be lost. You two could have been killed tonight on the basis of sheer stupidity."

At Alex's mutter of, "Couple less mouths to feed," Erik stood to his full height and made purposeful tracks towards the young man. Alex's eyes widened as Erik yanked him up and started swatting the seat of his jeans hard. "Ah!"

Erik stopped but kept the grip on his arm. "Do you have any further comments?"

Alex shook his head right away. "No, sir," he mumbled. Erik let him go.

"Charles," Sean finally spoke, "Erik? I am so sorry. I swear to God I am."

Charles told him with a heavy heart, "Unfortunately, Sean, this is one occasion where no amount of apology will suffice." He began to undo his belt. "Across the desk. Trousers down."

Erik said to Alex, "You as well. Bare." At Alex's frantic wide eyes, the metal wizard clarified, "You're the oldest and no doubt the ring leader in this little escapade."

Wondering if it would have been safer to be left in police custody for the second time in his life, Alex grudgingly obeyed the order given. He went to left side of the desk, dropped his pants and underwear, then bent forward with a flash of red shame covering his face. Sean did the same, except on the right side of the desk and with his underwear remaining up.

After Erik had his own belt off, he and Charles took their positions behind their respective boys. As if the men were somehow completely in sync, the straps came down with a crack, producing twin outbursts from Alex and Sean.

Before the fifth whack, Alex went from hands spread out over the desk to his entire upper body sprawled over it. He had never realized before how much protection his jeans offered him. Having only experienced Erik's hand before, Alex felt himself ready to blast right through the ceiling at every harsh blow with the belt.

Sean began to cry right away, not caring how young it made him look. The entire night had left him feeling all of six years old. Besides the obvious pain, the whole thing just felt so strange. Normally when Sean faced this form of discipline from Charles it took place across the man's knees. Something about the combination of the desk and the belt left Sean feeling really disconnected from Charles. The whole thing led him to believe that he had disappointed the Professor to the point where Sean no longer deserved to be touched.

Alex received eighteen strikes in total while Sean got sixteen. By the time both punishments ended, the teens had their faces planted against the large desk, crying miserably.

Charles placed a gentle hand to Sean's heaving back. "Go to your room and get ready for bed. We'll finish discussing this in the morning."

Sean nodded before pulling his pants back into place and making a hasty retreat out of the parlor.

Alex yanked his clothes back up and started to follow Sean out but Erik's hand to his shoulder stopped him.

"Sit down," Erik instructed, much to Alex's horror. "You heard what I said. Sit, now."

Swiping at his tear streaked face with his sleeve, Alex worked his way back down onto the couch. He winced painfully when he finally made contact with the piece of furniture.

"Hurts you, doesn't it?" Erik approached him. "Imagine receiving a phone call from the police station and having to assume the worse has happened to the people in your care. Think about that for a moment and you might just be able to comprehend real pain."

"I know…" Alex trailed, knowing that not to be true. "No, I don't. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I put you through. For what I always seem to put you through."

Erik knelt before him, resting a hand in the boy's lap. "You already have a record, Alex. The last thing I want for you is to be sent back to that life due to one wrong decision. You are better than that and I will not accept less. Not from you."

"Neither will I," Charles chimed up from behind.

Alex felt his eyes burning with tears again. Though he still had a fire in his behind, the fact that the two men before him were not ready to write him off— in fact refused to— caused a swell of numerous emotions in him.

Erik got up and pulled Alex to a standing position as well. This time, he had no swats for him. Instead, he pulled the teen to him in locked hard embrace. Alex laid his head on Erik's chest, He shut his eyes, trying to block out everything else as he absorbed the much needed comfort.

IIIIIII

After swapping out his jeans for a pair of soft sleep pants, Sean fell out over his bed. Another crying spell erupted in him and hot tears fell from his cheeks onto the soft pillows. He knew he should have followed his first instinct and just driven home; not participate in some stupid drag race of all things. He had not even had a license for a full month. What did he know about racing period?

Sean eventually cried himself to sleep. He only stayed that way for an hour or so before waking up. He went across the hall to use the bathroom. He refused to look up at the mirror as he washed his hands, not wanting to see his own face in that moment. He remained leaning against the sink until a decision came to him. Sean headed downstairs, glad to see the light to the parlor still on.

He stepped into the open doorway. "Charles?"

The telepath looked up from going over that month's bills. "Sean. I thought you were in bed."

"I'm going right back," the young man assured. "I just wanted to tell you something." He went around the desk to stand next to Charles. "Don't bother giving me back the car keys. You trusted me enough to give me a car and I blew it. I don't deserve a car."

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Charles surprised Sean by grabbing his wrist and yanking him face down over his lap.

Charles gave him five firm smacks to the bottom before he asked, "What did I say I would do if you continued to refuse that vehicle?"

Sean winced, wiggling his feet. "You said you'd spank me." However, he had not thought Charles would actually follow through, as the threat had sounded playful in nature. Clearly, Sean had been mistaken.

"That is correct." Charles helped the boy into a comfortable sitting position on his lap. "Sean, that car was my gift to you. It was a rite of passage and I would never take it away from you."

These words brought elation to Sean's system. "You mean it?"

Charles nodded. "Though, you and Alex are grounded for the next two weeks, meaning no driving privileges for either of you."

Sean eased, finding that pretty fair. "Charles?" His voice dropped slightly. "Are you disappointed?"

"I was," Charles told him honestly. "But you've been punished. Also, I do remember my own days of youthful exploits." Those days had been less than a year ago, actually, yet they felt a lifetime ago.

"I think I'm officially done with mine," Sean managed to joke.

Charles smiled. "Somehow I sincerely doubt that." He hugged him with a pat to his back. "Now, go on back to bed, Seanie. It's a school day in the morning."

Sean obeyed and got back to his own feet. He returned to his bedroom and managed to fall asleep quickly this time around.

IIIIIII

Everyone awoke the following morning to a breakfast of French toast, strawberries with yogurt, and a recipe Raven and Frank had thrown together that resulted in chocolate chip oatmeal. The latter item proved a major hit with the entire household. Before seconds could be passed around, the telephone went off.

Hank stood and went into the living room to answer it.

"How was the pep rally?" Frank asked Sean. "Anything cool happen?"

Before Sean could answer him, Hank came back in and said, "It's for you, Sean. Someone by the name of Maya."

Sean's mouth dropped open. He looked to Charles with a pair of pleading eyes.

"Go on," the telepath consented.

The Irish boy grinned and went to take the call.

Stares and murmurs were exchanged among the table as soon as he left.

"Maya?" Raven mouthed to Alex.

The blonde shook his head and took another spoonful of chocolate chip oatmeal. His lips were as good as sealed.