X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Twenty
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: Oh my goodness, I cannot believe we have arrived at the twentieth chapter. I am so happy! I'm also thrilled to pieces over the feedback you guys have left. The last chapter was one I enjoyed for myself as well as the satisfaction of knowing you all would like it. I hope you feel the same about this one.
Bouncing in place on his toes, Joey anxiously looked on while Alex twisted another bolt underneath the seat of the incredible emerald green beauty he had picked out at the bicycle shop on his trip into town with Charles that afternoon. All Joey could think about on the ride home was finally being able to go cycling with Becky and Frank.
"Is it ready yet?" the excited eight-year-old wanted to know.
Getting tired of the question, Alex responded with, "Yes, Joe, it's been ready all this time and I'm just sitting here messing around for the fun of it."
Charles chuckled from his seat on one of the benches in the backyard. "Joey, settle down and let Alex work."
"I have to make sure this seat is right," Alex told the younger boy. "You know your butt's short."
Joey made a playful insulted face. "It's not short. It's good sized."
"Joe, you're not a girl," Alex stated. "You can't have a good sized butt."
The little boy looked absolutely confused. "Huh?"
"Alex," Charles attempted to reproach but could not conceal his own amusement.
Smirking, Alex announced, "All right, buddy. You're all set." He placed the wrench down into the toolbox.
"Yay!" Joey cheered, jumping up and down. He mounted the green device and sat on it proudly unlike the last unfortunate time he had been on a bike. "This is cool."
"It'll be even cooler when you actually move." Alex helped him grip the handlebars and place his feet on the pedals. "Ready?"
"Ready!" came the eager reply.
"Helmet," Charles said pointedly.
Picking up the abandoned matching green accessory, Alex propped it up on Joey's head and clipped him into it. "Okay," he instructed next, "I want you to face forward and pedal with your feet. If you feel like you're about to fall, put one of your feet down hard or grab the handbrakes if you're going too fast. Got it?"
"Got it," Joey nodded, ready for just about anything.
Propelling the bike along with its owner forward for a few feet, Alex released them both. "Pedal!"
Joey remembered the directions given to him as he made adequate use of his feet and legs. When he started to feel wobbly, he slammed his right foot down to prevent himself for toppling over. He glanced back at Alex for approval.
"Nice start, Joe, great. Let's work on your balance a little bit."
It always amazed Charles how Alex constantly dropped the world itself just to offer Joey any possible assistance. He had gone to work on adjusting the bicycle seat as soon as they brought it home.
At the store, Charles had given Joey free reign to pick any bike he wanted, with regards to maintaining safety for a small child of course. Joey had picked the green and black item for the "cool" coloring as well as the bell and horn that had come attached to the handlebars. Unknown to the boy, the price had been quite high but Charles naturally could not have cared less. The children's smiles far outweighed meager dollars.
An hour into the cycling lesson, Charles received a mental message from Raven.
"Dinnertime," he announced to the boys, standing up.
Joey, who had been completely absorbed in his new toy, groaned hard. "Right now? I was just learning to turn. Can't I skip dinner?"
"Absolutely not," Charles answered him. "I won't have you starving yourself. You may pick this up at a later time."
Seeing another protest ready on the tinier blonde's lips, Alex took the liberty of lifting him up off the bike. "Move it, Joe. Food time."
Laughing when Alex placed him on top of his shoulders, Joey settled down into compliancy.
When they all gathered at the table, for once Erik was not the final arrival.
"Sorry I'm late." Sean rushed in to take his seat. "I was on the phone."
"With Maya," Frank teased.
"How would you like me to sit on your head?" Sean threatened, only half-kidding.
Hank offered, "I could hold him down for you."
"Hank, you're evil!" Frank exclaimed then smirked. "I like it."
Charles and Erik shared the same look and thought. Had the kids been this strange before or after their recruitment?
After shoveling down his entire main course, including a more than reasonable portion of mixed vegetables, Joey practically leapt out of his seat.
"Joey," Charles called after the departing figure disapprovingly, "you have not been excused."
"Don't you want dessert?" Raven asked him.
The child came to a sudden stop at the doorway. "I don't want any. I want to ride my bike some more."
"Well, that's going to have to wait, bud," Raven told him. "It's yours and Becky's night to clean up the kitchen."
Having forgotten, Joey grunted in frustration before asking, "Alex, can you do it for me, please?"
Before the teen could even answer, Erik chimed in with, "It's not Alex's night. Responsibility is shared in this house, Joey, including chores."
When Joey turned an imploring gaze on him next, Charles said resolutely, "You heard Erik. Now, it's your job to help clean up tonight."
Joey sighed, going over to him. "Can I go riding after that?"
"I'm afraid not, little one," Charles replied. "It'll be dark shortly and it'll too dangerous for you to be on your bike, especially since you're still learning. Also, you have homework to get to. You may ride again tomorrow after classes."
"Tomorrow?" Joey repeated as if he had just been handed a major blow. "That's not fair. I want to ride right now!" The last demand caused an electrical reaction from the overhead lights.
Charles raised an eyebrow. "Are we having a fit, Joseph?" He pushed back from his place at the head of the table, opening up his lap space.
Calming instantly, Joey said, "No, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it."
The Professor nodded. "Go wait in the kitchen for Becky, please."
"What about dessert?" Joey mentioned.
"I believe you said you didn't want any," Charles reminded him pointedly.
Staring after the dejected little mutant until he left the room, Charles found himself without much of an appetite anymore. He wondered how such a pleasant day could turn so sour.
Erik gave the sullen man's thigh a firm pat of reassurance.
IIIIIII
After he and Becky loaded up the dishwasher and wiped down everywhere, the two went their separate ways to conquer the twin demons of homework.
As he started for the stairs, Joey could not help but notice how deserted the back of the house looked. No noise, no one around, and the door completely unguarded. Glancing back and forth between the stairs that led up to his bedroom and the door that led out to his wonderful new toy, he at last made a decision. Joey went out, grinning at his bike being exactly where he had left it.
Dutifully clipping his helmet back on, Joey mounted the two-wheeler and tried to keep Alex's words in mind as he rode about. With the severe lack of light, he nearly fell over several times. After forty five minutes and numerous near body-to-ground incidents, he finally completed a full turn. Excited, he wanted nothing more than to run in the house to tell Alex but quickly remembered he could not draw attention to himself. Fifteen minutes more and the child finally crept his way back inside.
Joey froze in place before he could make it to the stairs. The once empty den now had an occupant.
Noticing the kid, Sean said, "I have to call you back," then hung up the telephone. He went out into the hall. "What are you doing outside at this hour?"
Knowing he had to think fast, Joey came back at him with, "What are you doing on the phone at this hour on a school night?"
Sean's mouth opened but no sound came out. "I didn't see anything if you didn't see anything."
"Right," Joey quickly agreed then started up.
"Hey, power lines," Sean called after him. "Might want to ditch the bike helmet."
Appearing sheepish, Joey removed the accessory from on top of his head. "Thanks, Seanie."
With the silent agreement between them, they departed ways furtively.
Joey ran into his room, tossing his helmet into the closet. He next made a rapid change into his pajamas before settling down on the carpet with his homework assignments. Charles had advised him to start before they left for the store that day but his enthusiasm had negatively affected his adolescent concentration.
Hearing his doorknob turning, Joey scrambled up and dived underneath his sheets and blankets. Charles walked in, nearly stepping on a pencil.
"Joey, we do not leave homework assignments lying on the floor," he chided, gathering the discarded books and papers. "Please learn to make adequate use of your desk." He placed the items on that very piece of furniture.
"Yes, sir," Joey replied softly. "Charles? Thank you for my new bike and I'm sorry I was disrespectful at dinner."
Touched by the words of regret, Charles came over to his bedside and held his hands. "Oh, little one, it's all right. I'm not angry with you. Perhaps I was a bit too firm myself." He gave him a smile. "Raven saved a slice of apple pie for you."
Joey bounced in bed. "Yay!"
Charles chuckled. "Settle down now, baby. Are you ready for your bedtime story?"
Prepared with a yes, Joey glanced over at his uncompleted homework for a brief second. "I don't need one, Charles. I'm really sleepy."
Surprised, Charles asked, "Are you sure? I could read you a little something just to send you off."
Joey wanted his story more than anything but knew he would not be able to keep his eyes open if he heard one. "No, that's okay."
"Well, if you're sure." Really hoping this was not some unexpected growing up phase, Charles leaned forward and nuzzled noses with him. "Good night, precious."
"Night," Joey returned sweetly, closing his eyes.
Charles watched him for a minute before getting up. He clicked off the light as he left out.
Waiting until he felt certain that Charles had really gone, Joey sat up in bed. He concentrated for a bit before using his power to turn the light back on. He hurried over to his desk, glad that Charles had not noticed his barely half-done work. Sitting down, he had to go back and forth between filling in his worksheets for Charles and Hank while trying to study the social studies word list Erik had given him for his upcoming quiz. He mainly blurred through the worksheets so as to concentrate on the list but had trouble with the intense drowsiness hitting him to do much of anything.
Deciding to lay his head down for just a second, Joey quickly fell into a heavy sleep.
IIIIIII
Knocking once before poking his head into the room, Alex smiled at seeing Joey sprawled out over his bed, covered in blankets. He had to be the only kid on earth capable of committing to fulltime cuteness.
Going over close, Alex whispered to him, "Time to get up, short stuff." Not receiving any sort of reaction, he tried shaking him lightly.
Joey moaned and moved away from his hands sleepily.
"Kid, come on." Alex went over to the windows and pulled back the curtains. "It's time to get ready for school. Let's move. Do I need to get water? Want me to soak you?" Still not getting anything, the teen returned to the bed, lifting its occupant upside down by the ankles. "Wakey wakey, Joe." At the whimpering and mild fighting that followed, Alex sat him up gently, utterly confused. Normally, Joey was no trouble at all in the morning. "What is wrong, buddy?" He knelt down, pulling the tired body into his arms. "Do you feel okay?"
"Uh huh." Joey cuddled into Alex, managing to open his eyes a bit. "I'm sleeeepy…"
"I nooooticed," Alex returned the whine. "Were you up late or what?"
"I was tryin' to do my homework."
"Geez, how much have they been loading on you?" Alex thought about something and grew suspicious. "Or did you just get distracted doing non-homework stuff?"
"Ummm," Joey hummed doubtfully.
"Ummm, look at me." Alex pulled back so they could do exactly that. "What were you doing last night? TV? Legos?"
"Bike," Joey told him faintly.
Frowning, Alex repeated, "Bike? When were you back on that?"
"I went riding for just a little bit last night," Joey explained further then tried to grin at him. "I learned how to turn, Alex. I wish you could've seen."
Alex held a hand out. "Wait, hold on. You snuck back out last night and got on your bike? Joey, it's not safe to ride around in the dark when you first learn how to ride. And Charles told you no."
"But I was real careful," Joey insisted. "I put on my helmet and I remembered everything you told me."
"Joe." Alex gripped the sides of his face and reiterated his last statement. "Charles told you no. He felt really lousy about coming down on you last night and you go off and not listen for no good reason. That was bad, Joe, real bad." Seeing the waterworks developing from the remorseful eyes, Alex picked him up and took him to the bathroom the younger boys usually shared.
Joey sat on the counter, weeping softly. Getting the kid's face towel wet with cool water, Alex started cleaning his face clear of any tears.
"I'm not trying to be mean to you, buddy," the older boy said. "I lo— you know how I feel about you. I just want you to do better than this. I hate seeing you dead tired and I definitely hate seeing you in trouble. I swear, you and Sean and this late night studying thing."
This produced a tiny smile from Joey's end. "Al? Are you gonna tell on me?"
"Oh, I should," Alex replied then tempered. "But I won't. Let's get you dressed so we can go down and eat. Just try to stay awake, okay?"
At the yawn that accompanied Joey's nod, Alex thought if they could pull this off it would be out of dumb luck.
IIIIIII
At the sight of the two blondes entering the dining room, Charles stated knowingly, "Someone snuck out of bed last night…"
Joey went catatonic. "Huh?" he chirped.
Charles smiled. "Erik tells me you were asleep at your desk when he came to see about you."
A ringing went off in Joey's ears. So that's how he wound up back in his bed.
"He saw you were trying to get some additional studying in for your quiz with him," Charles went on.
"A little bit," Joey spoke uncertainly, sitting in his chair close to Charles.
"We're both very proud of you for displaying so much effort."
Joey felt his mouth go dry and a lump form in his stomach. "You are? Both of you?"
Charles reached out and rubbed the back of the child's neck. "Only next time ask one of us for a little help. We can't have you losing sleep."
Seeing the growing shame developing on the little boy's face, Alex could practically time it in his mind. Three… two…
Joey erupted in tears and began to wail at the top of his lungs.
One…
Not expecting this whatsoever, Charles glanced to Alex who only shook his head and indicated the other boy.
"Joey, what's wrong? Here." Charles lifted him up and carried him out and up the stairs to the child's room. He dropped down into the closest seat, the desk chair, and held Joey in his lap. "Why are you crying, little one?"
Slowing down the tear production slightly, Joey got out, "Don't be proud of me… I was baaaad!"
"What are you talking about, little one? You haven't been bad."
Joey whimpered and tapped his own head. "Look in here."
"You want me to read your mind?"
At the nod, Charles took two fingers and placed them against his temple. He carefully entered the boy's psyche. Once he had the story, he disconnected their mental link, not appearing remotely pleased by what he had learned.
"So you slipped outside last night and went riding after I specifically told you not to?" the Professor recounted.
"Mmhmm," whimpered the small guilty one.
"Then by doing so you got so far back on your homework that you had to sneak out of bed to try and complete it?" Charles finished.
"…Yes."
Charles felt utterly astounded and not at all in the good way. That's why the boy had been so incredibly emotional; so much contriteness combined with hours of lost sleep. All over bicycling? While Joey came close so often, he still was not the perfect child but this sort of behavior Charles simply could not believe.
"Joseph Andrew Reynolds," Charles began to scold, "you have been extremely naughty, young man. I could overlook that display at dinner but flat out disobedience?" He had to stop speaking for a second to contain his irritation. "And now look at you. You can barely hold your eyes open."
"Daddy," the miserable one spoke out, "I'm sorry."
With that first word normally able to bring joy to his heart, nothing could for Charles in that instance. "I'm afraid sorry is not good enough." Standing with Joey again, he took him over to the bed and laid him down. "Right now, you need sleep." He took the sneakers off the tiny feet. "If you wake up before I return, you're to stay right here. I don't want you setting foot outside this room for anywhere other than the bathroom and you better not even think about touching these toys. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Daddy," Joey responded timidly.
The Professor gave him a censorious glower. "That's "yes, sir", young man."
With watery eyes, he mended, "Yes, sir."
Feeling no further words necessary, Charles turned and headed out.
The minute the door shut, Joey turned over into one of pillows and sobbed into it. Feeling completely alone for the second time in his life, he eventually cried himself to sleep.
XXXXX
Removing the leather gloves that adorned his hands, Brian Xavier opened the door to his one and only child's bedroom. Not surprisingly for him whatsoever, the diligent four-year-old sat straight up in bed. He leafed through the pages in the thick book he had in his lap; his face aglow from the reading lamp on his nightstand.
Hiding the smile the boy's presence always brought to his face, Brian asked, "Waiting for me, little one?"
"Mummy said I had to," Charles replied without turning fixed gaze from his book.
"Ah, yes." Brian removed his coat and draped it across the back of the desk chair before taking a seat on the bed. "I heard about tonight's festivities. Playing outside in your brand new suit then tracking mud all over the Persian rug."
Charles finally looked up at him. "I didn't want to have to sit around at another of Mummy's boring parties, Daddy. I detest those monkey suits."
"Now, wait a minute, Charles. I wear one of those suits every day for work," Brian put forth. "Do I resemble a monkey to you?"
"No," Charles answered him honestly. "You always look like a king. I always look like a monkey."
Brian finally formed that smile he'd been holding back. "No son of mine has anything in common with a zoo animal. Even if you were," he gently took the book away from the child and placed it on the nightstand, "up to some particularly ill monkey business tonight."
"Are you very angry, Father?"
Studying the chubby face and innocent blue eyes, Brian knew he felt nothing of the sort. "Well, clothes can always be replaced. And this rug incident will serve as a good excuse for your mother to do some shopping." His brow furrowed slightly. "However, flat out disobedience? Charles, when I am away you are the master of this manor. Even when you don't understand her, you can never defy your mother."
"Yes, sir." The little red lips poked out. "Does this mean no bedtime story?"
"Oh, you certainly will have your bedtime story," his father assured then his tone changed, "after your spanking."
Having really hoped his dad would somehow forget that part, Charles sighed as hard as he could. "Yes, sir."
Taking one of Charles' small hands in his own, Brian asked, "What is this spanking for, Charles?"
"For disobeying Mummy and being a monkey."
Brian could not help chuckling. "Something like that."
Pulling the boy over closer, Brian arranged him as comfortably as he could across his knees. Taking down his sleep pants and underwear, the older Xavier applied eight hard smacks to the exposed bottom of the younger one. At Charles' cries, Brian quickly rearranged his clothes then cradled him in his arms.
"Hush, my little one," the tall stout man lulled. He kissed his child at the temple, whispering further comforts into his ear. "It's all over now and tomorrow will be a wonderful new day."
Charles sniffed. "Will Mummy still be angry?"
"I doubt that. And since I plan to be home for the full day, I thought I'd take the two of you out for breakfast. Then Mummy could get lost in the shops while you and I have a jaunt of our own in the toy store. How does that sound?"
"Grand!" Charles responded giddily, ecstatic at just the notion of having his father for an entire day. He rested against his gray suit jacket. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you, too, young prince. Ready to read?"
With Charles' signaling nod, Brian laid back on the bed. He kept Charles securely on his chest so as not to irritate his freshly punished behind. Picking the storybook back up, Brian held it wide open for Charles to follow along. By the third page, Brian heard the soft sounds of sleep emitting from his small heir. Nonetheless, he continued reading, giving his son dreams of castles made of gold and brave princes conquering fierce dragons.
XXXXX
Smiling for only a second's time at the memories so long past, Charles sat on the floor right outside Joey's room with his chin propped up against his upraised knee. He could sense the intense saddened emotions radiating from his youngest charge and it caused him great disgust inside. The Professor felt like a failure in that moment. He was supposed to protect the boy from future pain, not cause him further torment.
It took all of his mental as well as physical strength not to go back in there, grab the fledgling up in his arms, and promise him up and down that no punishment would be necessary. However, Charles knew well that such a course of action would be a disservice to the boy. Goodness defined Joey now but given free reign to give into unruly behavior and that good would inevitably fall to the wayside.
With great difficulty, Charles decided to leave the child to sleep while he conducted his classes. He reentered Joey's bedroom right before lunch in time to catch him stirring.
Not sure where to begin, Charles asked, "Sleep well?" A silent nod followed the question. "Good then." He then noticed his uncomfortable squirming. "Run along to the bathroom." While Joey complied, Charles sat on the bed. A couple minutes later, the little blonde rushed back in and stood at his feet. "Are you hungry?"
Joey shook his head hard and whispered, "No, sir."
"Right," Charles nodded. "Then perhaps it's best we move things along." He linked hands with him. "Why are you being punished, Joey?"
"For going out to ride my bike after you said no and staying up late to do my homework."
"Exactly right," Charles said. "You're a big enough boy to know much better than to behave so ghastly. Since you disobeyed me about the bike, no riding for one week. Then since you fell behind on your homework and lost a day of school, you're grounded to your room for the rest of today to catch up." He cleared his throat before approaching the next part. "And you're also getting a spanking and some of it will be on your bare bum."
Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the list of punishments, Joey still replied, "Yes, sir. I'm so sorry, Charles."
"As am I, little one." Giving light kisses to the tiny fingers on each hand, Charles released his hold on him and patted his lap. "Bend over, please."
Letting off a few heavy breaths, Joey lowered himself over his guardian's lap.
Finding some small ounce of strength, Charles wrapped a tight arm around the thin waist before bringing his hand down firmly again and again. Joey could not hold back the moaning but it amazed Charles that he managed to refrain from kicking as best he could.
Once he gave ten smacks over clothes, Charles reached under and unsnapped the button of the pants the child had on. He got them and the underwear down. Charles winced slightly at seeing the bottom already reddening. Having never swatted the little boy bare before, seeing the pain being inflicted by his own hand seemed at first unbearable but Charles managed to move along. He gave Joey six sharp smacks across the bottom and thighs then called it done.
After getting his clothes back up, Charles lifted Joey up and stood with him. He walked the space between the bed and the dresser, rubbing the trembling back of the crying figure.
You did very well, my little one Charles spoke to him mentally. I'm very proud.
Nooooo! Don't be. I was bad.
Unless you want another spanking, dear boy, I don't want to hear that again. You are and were not bad. Just a tad mischievous. But you've been thoroughly punished. We can put this all behind us. Tomorrow will be a new day.
Completely worn out, Joey nestled into Charles and tugged on his shirt like an infant. "My bum really hurts."
Charles could not help laughing slightly. "I know it does, baby. It's meant to. Do you know that I still love you very much?"
"I love you, too, Da—" Joey bit his lip. "Charles."
The Englishman smiled at him. "I think you had it right the first time, son."
Brightening, Joey's eyes glossed over but out of happiness this time.
"I'm going to bring you some lunch up."
Joey clung tighter to the man. "Can I please go down and eat with everybody else?" He glanced down. "I don't like being all by myself."
Charles could not believe what a strong contrast Joey had when compared to Sean or even Hank; neither of those two ever wanted a crowd after punishment.
"All right then." Charles squeezed him again. "But right back to your room afterwards. You're still grounded, young man."
Joey tucked himself underneath Charles' chin. "Yes, Daddy. I know."
Before he could melt into a puddle at the overwhelming adorability, Charles patted his bottom lightly. "Naughty little boy," the Professor smirked, carrying him out.
IIIIIII
Erik and Alex walked through the first floor together, discussing the possibility of updating the latter's gym regiment.
Charles stepped into the hall at their voices. "Erik." He caught the other man's attention, making the pair come to a stop. "I thought you might be up for finishing that game we never completed a few nights back."
Erik turned to Alex, clapping him on the shoulder. "Nice times today. Go get your shower."
Alex submitted to the order and jogged towards the stairs.
Once back in the parlor, the two headmasters took up their regular chairs. The chess game they had both abandoned remained untouched on the table between them.
"Alex has been putting in a great deal more training of late," Charles observed.
"He's determined to go up a weight class before the end of the year," Erik informed. "How are things with the Kangaroo?"
"He finished all of his homework just a little while ago." Charles moved his bishop forward. "Now, he's studying to make up for today."
"Sounds like you got through to him." Erik frowned, trying to figure out where to place a pawn. "How are you holding up from that?"
Charles shrugged. "It's not as if I were on the receiving end."
"This time," Erik tacked on meaningfully, getting a glare out of the younger man. "But the end you were on was nothing to celebrate. I know it must have been hard on you to come down on him so strongly."
Charles tossed out casually, "Only enough to shatter me to the core."
Erik stated admittedly, "You weren't wrong the other night." Charles glanced up at him. "Rebecca and I… I feel responsible for her. The same for the others but with her I can't deny that it's different. We share a common enemy. Then there's you and Joey. I can't quite put my finger on it in regards to the bond between the two of you."
"He asked me to read his mind today." Charles fingered a chess piece before moving it over. "Not for the first time. He never takes offense or feels violated when I "enter without knocking" so to speak. When I first revealed what I could do to him, even after being completely abandoned in a downpour, he looked upon me with awe and fascination. Nothing like the horrified expressions I'm used to, even from you and Raven."
Erik started, "Charles—"
"No, I understand," Charles assured. "I do, really. But to have absolute trust from a child who has seen nothing but the worst in adults gives me a swelling sense of pride. It's as if he's telling me to wear my mutation like a badge of honor."
After he finished speaking, Erik said, "I never knew you felt this way. You've never said anything."
Charles laughed dismissively. "That's not my role around here, now is it? No, I'm the jovial professor, constantly ready with an ear to listen. My insecurities fall short in the grand scheme of things."
"Charles," Erik stated sharply, "call me uncouth but dog shit. You are not the sole headmaster here and you don't constantly have to play the steward standing strong."
"I can see how you could make that claim," Charles replied dryly, "being such an open book yourself."
Knowing the annoying little man had a point, Erik conceded. "What would you like to know?"
Charles considered it. "What sort of trouble did you get into as a lad?"
Erik needed to know, "How much time do you have?"