X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Nineteen
Author's Word: Happy MLK Day, everyone. The celebration lives on! This is one of those chapters that— well, I'll say this. If I don't get thorough feedback on this one, you're all incur the wrath of the Stern Professor.
A knock came to the French doors of the master suite followed by, "Are you decent?"
Charles gave his eyes a slight roll as he slipped into the gray jacket that completed his outfit. "As if any answer has ever prevented you from barging in."
"Good point." Raven worked the left hand knob and walked inside. "Missed you at breakfast."
"I wasn't terribly hunger," Charles told her, retrieving his wallet from off the top of the large dresser.
Studying his movements, Raven asked, "Where are you going?"
"Into town. I need to pick up a few things and go by the bookstore as well. I will be home before dinner."
Raven nodded then returned to what she'd previously mentioned. "He's not happy, either."
Charles gaped at her blankly. "Who?"
"Erik," she filled in. "He was even stonier than usual at breakfast. What's going on with you guys?"
"Nothing at all," Charles dismissed positively.
"Charles," the currently blonde shape-shifter said knowingly, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, "this is me. Let's pretend I know you a little bit. You guys didn't say two words to each other the other night at dinner and you're never a no-show at breakfast. In fact, you're usually the first one there. Please talk to me."
"It was a small disagreement," Charles said glibly. "Nothing I care to speak of now."
"Well, I'm an expert on Erik related issues and it helps to just get things out there before you say something you'll regret." Raven caught the contemptuous air he had about him. "Okay, ignore me. Just remember one thing." She stood. "He's practically our brother." That pointedly spoken, she turned to leave.
With his own quote echoing around him, Charles placed it on the mental backburner and continued with preparing for the day ahead.
IIIIIII
With sock covered feet feet dangling in the air, Becky switched back and forth between running fingers through the near-infinite word list in front of her and crunching on her nearby bowl of cornflakes. Hank soon came in, having to stop himself before stepping on the horizontal little figure on the floor.
"Be still my heart," the scientist stated. "Becca Bear in the lab on a Saturday." He knelt down to read over her shoulder. "Homework?"
"Sort of," she replied without looking up.
Hank took hold of the book that held her attention so deeply. "Webster's? What word are you struggling with?"
"Decorum." Becky sat up with her cereal bowl.
"Well, there's your problem," Hank informed her. "Decorum is D-E, not D-A. And I can tell you exactly what it means. But first, why don't you tell me why it has your interest so?"
"Charles and Erik want me to "practice" it during training. I think it's supposed to mean boring."
"Actually," Hank countered matter-of-factly, "decorum refers to appropriate social behavior in a given situation. You know, the use of manners and etiquette."
"Oh," Becky at last understood. "They want me to be like you."
"In so many words, yes." Hank smiled. "And thank you. Now, have you been misbehaving when you have sessions with Charles?"
Becky groaned in exasperation. "I was not misbehaving. I was just trying to make it fun. Then Charles had to go and tell Erik."
Hank considered this new information, wondering if he'd found the source for the quiet hostilities between the two men. "He probably told him because you typically feel inclined to listen to Erik. Something I have yet to understand."
Becky gave him the best older girl look she could form. "What do you mean by that? What's wrong with Erik?"
Trying to watch his words carefully, Hank said, "Becca, I know how hard this year has been on you. But there are some people with whom you have to watch your attachments."
Her brow wrinkled in confusion as she got up. "What?"
Sighing inwardly, Hank just could not find it in himself to crush the small hope she had left in her. "Never mind. Just try to listen a little better. For example," he took the cereal bowl away from her, standing as well, "no eating in the lab."
The curly headed girl retaliated to the possession by stepping on his foot lightly. When Hank raised his free hand next, Becky knew well he would not be aiming for her face. She shrieked mildly and raced out. Hank shook his head and smiled after her fondly.
IIIIIII
Joey barreled into the gym at top speed, waving a large piece of construction paper around. "Alex, Alex!" he chanted excitedly.
Setting up his weights on the barbell, Alex reminded him, "No running in here, Joe," before asking, "What's up?"
"Look what I did." He handed the paper over to him.
Alex looked it over and nodded his approval. "Nice. Is this for Frank?" Joey nodded with a big grin. "Good job, Joe."
"Good job on what?" Both blonde heads glanced over in time to see Erik enter.
"He made something to cheer Frank up," Alex explained, giving the paper back to Joey.
Erik appeared interested and approached them. "Mind if I take a look, Kangaroo?"
Joey made an uncertain hum in the back of his throat before dashing off right by Erik and out of the room.
Alex gave Erik an apologetic expression. "He knows Charles isn't too fond of you right now. In Joey's world, Charles can do no wrong."
One step forward, ten steps back Erik thought in regards to Joey .
The metal wielder nodded towards the weights. "Ready?"
Alex lay back, starting up his reps. "So, what'd you and Charles fight about, anyway?"
Erik got in place behind him. "What makes you think we fought about anything?"
"Erik, I'm not one of the kids. Level with me," the teen requested. At the man's continued silence, Alex decided to guess. "Does it have anything to do with what went down between Joe and Frank?"
"It's not your concern," Erik told him stiffly.
"Whatever." Alex grunted when the reps put a slight strain on him. "Look, in the off chance you and your buddy can't work this thing out, give a little forewarning before you take off."
Upon hearing this, Erik used his magnetism to take the barbell from Alex's grip and hover it over the younger male's head. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Alex sat up. "It's simple. You've never come off as a guy who handles domestic problems so well. I've been waiting for the split to happen when one of us finally got to you. Didn't think it'd be Charles." Erik suddenly flinging the piece of equipment hard against the far wall caused him to jump.
"You listen to me," Erik ordered him in a no-nonsense tone, making sure their eyes locked. "I've told you more than once that you are not leaving here. Neither am I. You are my responsibility, Alex; all of you, including Charles whether or not either of us chooses to admit it. I don't shirk responsibility or flee in terror from adversity. Do you understand that perfectly, boychick?"
"Yes, sir," Alex replied resolutely.
Erik touched the side of his face affectionately with his features displaying clues of a smile. "Good. And Havoc? You are one of the kids."
Alex released a snort before getting back to his warm-ups with Erik close by to supervise.
IIIII
Frank ventured down the second floor hall, only to collide hard with a rapidly moving Joey.
The older boy glared. "Watch where you're going."
"Sorry," Joey apologized shortly before holding out the paper he had with him. "I made this for you."
Taking it with a skeptical gaze, Frank's eyes widened delightedly at the impressive full page picture of the American flag. "You made this for me?" Joey nodded hard, clearly nervous of Frank's reaction. "This is amazing. Thanks, Joey."
"You're welcome," the small blonde returned happily. "I'm so sorry I broke your other one."
"It's okay. I shouldn't have gotten so mad." He folded the picture in half. "I'm sorry, too. I know I really haven't been that nice to you. Even when it doesn't seem like it, I think it's cool you came here."
Grinning widely, Joey tackled him in a full force hug, sending them both down.
IIIIIII
After stopping off at a café to soothe his beseeching stomach with coffee and croissants, Charles took his time driving around town. He spent well over an hour inside Robertson's Book Store, pawing through the new arrivals that would make fine additions to upcoming lesson plans. When he stepped into line with his stack of hardbacks, he sensed a familiar presence behind him.
"Percy Kendall," he acknowledged before even turning around.
The tall blonde haired man appeared entirely astonished. "Charles Xavier, how in the world did you know it was me?"
Charles answered as he usually did, "Lucky guess." They shook hands. "What on earth are you doing back in Westchester?"
"Had to pop in the check on the folks," Percy told him. "I was passing through and spotted you in here. Is it true you're a professor now?"
"Guilty I'm afraid."
"I cannot say I'm surprised. Congratulations to you, Charles. I'm glad I ran into you actually. I wanted to gather up a few of the boys for a round over at O'Howley's. Please tell me you're available."
With a decline ready on his lips, Charles stopped to consider the proposition. Perhaps a day's breathing room between himself and Erik would be highly doctor recommended. Also add in the fact that Charles had not even seen Percy nor any of the old mates since they all went their separate ways for university.
Charles turned to the elderly man behind the counter and indicated the books he had selected. "Please credit these to my account. I'll be back for them in the morning. As for tonight," he looked back at Percy, "my schedule just opened up."
IIIIIII
When dinner rolled around that evening, Raven decided to bring as much cheer to Charles as possible by preparing one of his favorite dishes of roast chicken and au gratin potatoes. However, after Charles failed to walk through the door or ring up on the phone, Raven's eyes reverted back to yellow with anger. He'd said he would be back before dinner so naturally she had taken him to his word. If he had been held up, he could have easily called.
During the meal, Raven sat in her usual chair near Hank, positively seething. Erik took complete notice of the girl's far from happy countenance and held much of her same feelings himself. He could understand breakfast but for Charles to stay out all day and skip out on dinner without a word sounded completely uncharacteristic of the peaceful Oxford scholar.
Joey at last put forth the question everyone had on their minds. "Where's Charles?"
"Running late," Raven replied, forcing a smile for the little boy's sake. "He should be back in a little while."
Even though Joey only glanced his away for a fifth of a second, Erik could have sworn he caught something resembling accusation in the adolescent eyes.
After everyone finished dessert, Hank and Sean took care of the dishes while the three youngest members of the house made tracks for the TV. Erik disappeared into the parlor.
By ten o'clock and still no Charles, Raven had had more than enough and marched into the sitting room with hands on hips. Erik eyed her expectantly.
"What did you do to him?" Raven demanded.
"Excuse me?" Erik responded in misunderstanding.
"What did you do to my— to our brother? This is not like him, okay? It's not. He would never ever stay out like this or make me this crazy unless something really bad happened." Raven yanked with frustration at her hair, about ready to pull it right out of the roots. "What if something really bad happened? What if he got hurt or…" Her face contorted in disgust at the thought. "Oh, my God…"
Erik placed the novel he had down and stood, using his hands now to pull the anxious young woman in close to him.
"Calm." His voice carried firmness combined with soothing. "If anything happened to him, you'd sense it before any of the rest of us. You know you would."
Raven rested on his chest, taking in the security of having him there in that situation. "I'm going to make some calls."
"Good," Erik nodded, giving the top of her head a kiss. "I'm sure he's fine." Though his words sounded sincere, inside Erik himself feared the worst.
While Raven picked up the phone to call around to the hospitals, Erik headed out into the hall. He stepped inside the den, seeing the children engrossed in their beloved magic glow box.
"Time for bed, imps," he announced.
Frank groaned. "Aw, Erik, come on. It was about to get good."
"You've been up long enough. Come along now." Becky went over to him while Frank grudgingly obeyed. Joey stayed behind, never turning gaze from the television. "Joey?" No answer. Erik held steadfast to his patience. "Joey, did you hear me? It's time for bed."
"Come on, Joey," Becky attempted to prod the younger child.
Joey calmly placed both hands over his ears.
Erik frowned and walked over to him. He made a move to grab the boy by the wrist but the hairs on the back of his hand stood up upon sensing the growing electrical charge.
Letting off a breath that very much resembled a bull's snort, Erik said sternly, "Joey, power down right now and get up."
The tiny blonde let off a moan and scooted away.
"What is going on in here?"
Frank looked over to see that a folded arm Raven had just walked in. "Joey won't go to bed and he's zapping at Erik."
Raven could not believe this information. "What? Oh, no, uh uh." She pointed to the spot in front of her. "Joey, come here right now."
Slowly rising to his feet at the command, Joey made sure to avoid contact with Erik as he hurried over to Raven.
The shape-shifter reached down and took his hand. "You've been rude to Erik all day. What is Charles always telling us about respecting the people in this family, especially our elders?" At his silence, she gave him a little tug. "Well?"
"Be polite," Joey whispered.
"That's right and I don't think you've been polite to Erik at all today. I think I just might have to tell Charles about this when he gets home."
"No," the child pleaded. "Please don't tell, Raven. Please."
Raven said, "Well, if you don't want me to tell him then I want you to say sorry to Erik then go find Alex so he can get you ready for bed." Her voice softened. "Okay, baby?"
"Okay," Joey agreed.
Raven turned to the other two. "Frank, you and Becky go on upstairs."
Frank listened and Becky ran over to give Erik a hug before leaving out as well.
With a dragging foot, Joey made his way back over to the metal wielder. "I'm— I'm sorry for being rude, Erik."
Erik knelt to him. Joey tensed, expecting a swat but found himself lifted up into the older male's arms for a tight squeeze.
Tugging on the man's sweater, Joey asked slowly, "Is Charles coming back?"
Pulling back a bit to face the boy, Erik replied, "Of course he is. Charles would never leave you, Kangaroo." He caressed the side of the little face with the back of his hand. "And neither will I. Do you believe it?" Joey nodded. "Good. Go on and find Alex."
When Erik placed him down, Joey darted off to look for the teen in question.
Raven faced Erik. "I called the bookstore to see what time he left. The owner told me Charles took off hours ago with a friend. He heard them talking about going to O'Howley's." At Erik's questioningly gaze, Raven explained, "It's a bar Charles used to hop with people about fifty feet below his intelligence. We haven't been there since before we left for Oxford."
"I'll go get him," Erik put forth immediately. "You stay here with the kids." He strode by her, only stopping off in the front closet to put on his jacket.
So while he had been viewed as the devil incarnate by Joey and Raven worried herself nearly sick, Charles had been off in some pub. Erik sincerely hoped he had enjoyed himself, as it would be the last time he would ever see daylight.
IIIIIII
Upon first entering O'Howley's, Charles had felt like a stranger in a foreign nation. The display of people, mostly in their early twenties, falling all over themselves in drunken stupors made him frown with initial disapproval. For a while, he mostly nursed a scotch and soda, sipping it every so often while Percy ordered doubles. When several of their old acquaintances showed up, Charles got caught reminiscing and soon found himself downing shots.
A curvy blonde woman named Mimi had squeezed her way over to him and currently sat on a bar stool listening to his many stories involving his home life.
"So, how many children do you have exactly?" she asked.
"Six," Charles told her, making her eyes grow large. "Five boys and a little girl."
"In four years' time?" Percy chimed up from where he leaned against the bar, brandy in hand. "My Xavier, you have been a busy boy."
"Oh, they're absolute treasures, all of them," Charles assured. "Hank is nothing short of brilliant, Seanie is destined for a literature career, and oh, my little Joey. He makes my heart soar."
Mimi touched her chest, utterly moved by this. "Do you have pictures?"
Charles cursed softly. "No, but next time. I promise you."
"There won't be a next time."
Veering his head slightly at the new yet absolutely familiar-to-him voice, Charles acknowledged brightly, "Erik. Chaps, this is Erik…" Charles searched for the surname. "Lehnsherr. Erik Lehnsherr. My brother."
"I didn't know you and Raven had a brother, Charles," Percy said.
"We tend not to speak of him," Charles explained flippantly. "For obvious reasons."
Erik glowered at this.
"Well, pull up a chair, Erik," Percy invited. "Next round's on me."
"Thank you, no," Erik turned down. "Come, Charles, it's time to go."
"I don't believe I'm quite ready yet," Charles informed him.
Holding patient, Erik had to remind himself that the man was drunk. "I think you are." He grabbed him by the arm. 'We're leaving."
Charles fought out of his grip. "I do not think so."
Yanking him by the shirt collar and holding tightly, Erik said fiercely, "Simplistic or difficult, Charles. The choice is yours but that's all you get to decide this evening."
Presently sane enough not to create a bigger scene than they already had, Charles finally complied and followed Erik out willingly.
"This really was unnecessary," the Professor said, getting into Erik's car. "I could have taken a cab fine on my own." He glanced around in confusion. "Where's my car?"
"Try the parking lot of the book store," Erik told him, starting up the vehicle, "you little fool."
When they made it back to the mansion, Erik felt relieved at seeing all of the lights off. With Charles only half-awake, it took some effort on Erik's part to get him up the stairs and into the master suite without waking up every single sleeping resident. He shoved Charles none too gently onto his bed.
"You get some sleep," Erik instructed, removing the younger man's shoes for him. "We will be hashing this out first thing in the morning."
Unable to make out Charles' incoherent mumblings, Erik shook his head. Who was this smashed individual and what had he done with the real Charles? Turning off the light and leaving out, Erik went back to his own room, wondering just how much sleep he'd be able to get that night with what he knew morning would bring.
IIIIIII
Dreaming something about an elephant circus performing live on the roof, Charles greeted the morning rays coming in from his bay windows with utter disdain. The second he opened his eyes, he felt the overwhelming headache. Normally, excessive drinking did not produce such a side effect in him but considering how long he had been out of that particular game, it did not come as a surprise now.
Making a rare wish to be normal for just five minutes so that he could turn to pain killers for comfort without consequence, Charles somewhat blindly stumbled into his bathroom. He turned on the sink to wash his face. He dried himself off with the nearby towel and got a good look at himself in the mirror.
"God save the queen," he muttered in disgust.
"God save you." Having been so out of it, Charles had failed to hear or even sense Erik come in. The metal wizard folded his arms, setting Charles with a displeased gaze. "What were you thinking?"
"Erik, please, there's a throbbing in my brain that's delivering quite the lecture right now." Charles wobbled by him, taking a seat on his bed.
"That's not the only place you're going to have a throb," Erik stated, going after him. "Giving into drunken stupors? Honestly, Charles…"
"It was only a night out with a couple of old mates," Charles insisted. "A bit of youthful exuberance. Sorry I failed to telephone."
"You didn't fail," Erik said knowingly. "You did it intentionally. Were you that angry with me that you had to worry Raven? We have children in this house, Charles. One of which is an eight-year-old boy who can barely survive the night without you."
Feeling the guilt coming on, Charles reasoned, "I thought some proper breathing room would do us both some good. I admit I took it too far."
"You took it to a level unknown to man," Erik countered. "We have growing boys in this house that we have to be an example for. Isn't that what you're always reminding me?"
"Well, yes," Charles replied. "But then again, there's you and there's me."
Really wanting to hear this one, Erik encouraged, "Oh, please. Do enlighten me."
"Well-" He searched for an argument. "Raven and the others. I am responsible for all of you. And your tendencies towards reckless behavior far outweigh my own. I have far more control than you do."
"Charles, now you sound like the kids making excuses." Erik lowered a bit to be eye-to-eye with him. "When we first started this, did we or did we not agree to be held accountable to each other in order for our species to survive?"
"Yes," Charles recalled. Despite the pain in his head, his power remained unaffected for the most part and he knew quite well where Erik was prepared to go with this. "Erik, be reasonable. What I did was questionable but I am no child."
"When you take it upon yourself to discipline Raven, do you do it as a parent to a child or a brother to a sister?" When Charles answered the latter, Erik continued on. "Well, in spite of all words thrown between us and how smashed you were last night, you still acknowledged me as family. I am your older brother, Charles. That is not something I take at sentimental value alone. Do you trust me?"
"That is a question you will never have to fling my direction," Charles replied strongly. "I trust you with my life. More than that, I trust you with the children's lives."
Erik nodded. "I know you've been in my head, meaning you know what I plan to do to you. Will you fight me on it?" Charles slipped into a silent, thoughtful grimace. "What is it?"
Charles folded his hands together and leaned his chin against them as he spoke. "The last time I was in this position, it was by my father's— my real father's hand. It's been so long since I've experienced true discipline. I'm not sure I'm equipped to handle it."
"Let me carry that burden for you," Erik urged. "I can take it and I will not think any less of you. I never will."
Charles dipped his head slightly. "All right," came from him in a low tone.
Not wanting to drag this out for either of their sakes, Erik checked to make sure he'd shut the doors of the master suite before sitting beside Charles on the bed.
Attempting some reminisce of humor, Erik patted his lap and said, "I believe you know how this works."
Charles cleared his throat. "Quite." He stretched himself out across the older man's lap. A million memories hit him at one time with the action.
Erik wrapped an arm around his waist. Diving right in, he brought his hand up and down fiercely across his brother's behind.
Right then! Charles thought, trying to implore any sort of mind over matter techniques he knew. This isn't entirely horrible. I can handle it— daaahh! Dear Lord, Erik!
The metal wielder responded by giving Charles' squirming thighs particularly hard strikes. No kicking, he ordered into the telepath's mind.
Charles felt Erik shift him slightly and he knew what would happen next. With a protest ready on his lips, it took every ounce of willpower he had not to beg for mercy. As if he even deserved it after last night.
After unleashing a dozen smacks to Charles' under curve, Erik stilled his hand. He smelled the tears and felt the heavy breathing and decided that his point had been more than made. He carefully helped the younger mutant into a standing position.
For a moment, Charles simply stood there, crying out the pain as well as the grief.
Erik got to his own feet. "Lab Rat…"
At the affectionate petitioning, Charles went into Erik's open embrace.
"It's all right, Charles," he promised, rubbing his heaving back. "And it's more than forgiven. You can count on that."
"Erik, I… I don't know what to say. You were right. I behaved like a complete and utter fool."
"Yes, you did." He chuckled at the glare Charles shot him which at the moment resembled more of a childish pout. "But it's over now. I can't say I haven't acted worse in my time."
"I'll second that," Charles concurred immediately.
"Respect your elders, Charles," Erik admonished playfully. "Isn't that what you tell the children?"
"Oh, gag yourself, man."
Erik grinned. The status quo had returned.
"Lay down," he advised, an order which Charles quickly followed. "I'll see about getting you something for that head."
"Much appreciated," he called after him before settling on his stomach into his enormous selection of pillows. Sleep found him with the greatest of ease this time around.
IIIIIII
Daddy? Daddy…
Charles awoke again sometime later to the mental outcry.
In my room, little one he returned.
A few seconds later, Joey entered the master suite, still in his pajamas. "Charles is home!" He ran for him, making Charles smile from ear to ear.
Charles pulled back the soft blankets to allow Joey entry. "It's good to see you, too, baby." He brought the child in close and noticed the worried look in his eyes. "What's the matter?"
"You didn't give me my story last night."
"Oh," Charles realized. "I'm very sorry, Joey. I got in long after you were in bed."
Joey bit his lip. "I thought Erik made you so mad that you wouldn't come back at all."
Charles frowned deeply. "Joey, don't you ever think that way." He rubbed his cheek. "Erik and I may quarrel occasionally just as you might with Frank or the others but at the end of the day, we're still a family. Do you understand that?"
The child mutant nodded. "Yes, Charles."
"Now, as for that story business," Charles placed an arm around him, "what do you say I make that up to you immediately? Then for tomorrow, since the shop if closed today, I do believe I promised someone a brand new bicycle…"
Joey's face lit up with excitement. "Ooh, yes, yes, please." He then settled down. "Can we stay in here for a while, though? Just us?"
"Just us," Charles confirmed. He kissed the boy's forehead.
As his little one relaxed in his hold, Charles felt all of his worries fade away. At least until Raven got a hold of his ear later. Yet somehow, Charles wouldn't have it any other way.