X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Twenty Eight
Author's Word: Water, water! I can't believe how many of you thought this story would be coming to a close just because Shaw bit the big one. Don't even suggest such a thing! Like I said before, the warming up phase is still taking place. Thank you all for the feedback and please keep it coming. Enjoy!
Taking in the full quietude of his present surroundings, Charles reclined in a patio chair. His blue eyes gazed out at the ocean; just mere yards away from his present location and the salty aroma filled his nostrils enjoyably. Caws from seagulls could be heard as the white birds flew overhead every so often.
Right when midnight struck to usher in the New Year, the Professor had made the announcement. Before anyone could fully absorb the news, they had packed up, piled into their private jet, and soared off for the warmth of California. Only three days had passed since the battle with Shaw and his encroachers back in Montana, but Charles had felt they could not get away soon enough for a while.
Naturally, with the promise of an extended school break, all of the children had been absolutely delighted. Even Hank could not mask his enthusiasm. Raven especially had been eager to return to their family's beach house for the first time in a good two years or so.
The term house proved to be quite loose. Considering that the secluded six bedroom— well, seven but one had been converted to a leisure room some years back-beachfront estate acted more as a beautiful fortress.
Daddy? The ever recognizable adolescent mind called out to him.
Out here, little one. I'll guide you along.
With it being only their first night in the new environment, Charles had not been surprised at all to hear Joey sound just a little lost. He mapped his present location throughout the boy's psyche.
"There you are." Joey, dressed for the night in unpacked green pajamas and house shoes, hurried over.
Lifting him up into his lap, Charles took in the fresh whiff of sensitive skin soap. "I see you've had your bath. I suppose that means it's time for story and bed."
Joey propped himself up to look eye to eye with the man. "Can it be story and no bed?" the child proposed. "Since we're on vacation."
"No, no," Charles immediately turned down, intertwining his arms around the small body. "We've already talked about this, Joey. You were allowed to stay up to ring in the New Year, but just because we're not in New York does not mean you get to lose sleep."
"But I'm not tired." He chose to illustrate the point by placing his head drowsily on Charles' shoulder.
"Oh no." Patting his back, Charles stood. "Perish the thought." He pressed a kiss to Joey's forehead before heading inside.
IIIIIII
Spritzing the anti-frizz spray across the dark haired head, Raven picked the brush back up and started running it through the thick curls.
"If you braid it up before you go swimming, you won't have to worry about getting it wet because it'll be easier to manage," Raven explained. She used her free hand to tug at the softening lochs. "Your hair is so beautiful."
"Thanks, Raven." Becky pawed through the items in the small makeup kit. "Will you show me how to put some of this on?"
"Sure," Raven agreed, taking the brush through the bottom of her hair next. "I doubt if you'll ever need it, though."
A knock came to their door then Hank walked in with a hand firmly over his glasses. "I shall avert my eyes as I enter the female quarters."
The girls laughed at his display from where they sat cross-legged on Raven's bed.
"Come on, Hank," Raven said. "We don't look that bad."
Hank dropped his hand and put on a smile. "My two favorite girls on the planet." He sat on the edge of the bed to better face them both.
Becky regarded him fondly as ever and held both arms out for him.
Hugging her near to him, Hank carried her over to her own bed. He sat her down and watched her settle with her white teddy bear.
Then he realized something. "Becca, where's Eliza?"
The girl glanced around. "I guess I forgot to bring her since we were hurrying so much."
The very idea that Becky could ever possibly leave behind her highly proclaimed favorite doll left Hank puzzled, but he did not think much of it. He tugged a thin blanket up over Becky then returned to sit with Raven.
"It was really nice of you to share your room with her like this," Hank spoke softly.
"Oh, trust me. Her company is what's nice," Raven assured.
Hank said, "I really enjoy the fact that you're here to help watch over her. I thought about researching the idea of multiplying myself to be everywhere at once."
"I'd love to help you multiply," Raven smirked.
Blushing slightly, Hank returned her teasing tone. "Behave. My sister's less than ten feet away."
"And my brothers are everywhere," Raven returned. "Why do we love them again?"
Hank eyed her knowingly. "Because we're all doomed to be together."
IIIIIII
"Pee, pee, pee!"
Poking his head out of the shower, Erik reacted to the chant with, "What?"
"I gotta pee!" Frank clarified louder.
Using his powers to unlock the door for the pre-teen, Erik could not understand how a family with as much money to burn as the Xaviers did not think about investing in more bathrooms. The initial thought had sounded so very generous on Erik's part. Let the girls have the other luxurious suite while he shared one of two bathrooms with Hank and the other boys. After that, Erik had decided never to reign in the New Year Irish style again.
Kicking the door shut with his foot, Frank trotted over and lifted the toilet seat to perform his business.
"I like having a first floor room," Frank told Erik. "I'm waiting to wake up tomorrow to see a huge shark outside my window." He wiped off, yanked his pants up and went to wash his hands. "Hey, Erik, have you ever gone snorkeling?"
Erik replied over the sound of water coming down, "No, I don't believe I've ever 'snorkeled' once. I'd rather not fool around with unnecessary equipment. I much prefer to hold my breath for long periods of time."
"Have you ever wrestled a shark?"
"Yes, while battling an eel and a crocodile all while simultaneously standing on one foot. Now, could we move on from the Q&A until after I'm clothed?"
"Yeah, sure." Frank dried off his hands and started out.
Forming a slow grin as an idea hit him, the boy reached out and flushed the toilet then dashed out as Erik gave off an unpleasant outcry from the unexpected icy water.
IIIIIII
Happy New Year Mom and Tom,
Just when I think I've wrapped my brain around my headmasters, they pull something new. Charles packed us all up, practically on his back, and now we're at his family's vacation home in California. California! Can you believe it? This is my idea of a field trip.
Sorry again that I had to leave home so fast, but something came up with school. Dad's always talking about commitment and I guess that's how I feel about these guys. I can't wait until the next break so I can see you again.
Hey Tommy- You better be good for Mom while Dad's out of town or you'll have a BBS coming your way next time I see you!
Love,
Sean
The redhead shot his head up from his pad of paper when Frank burst into their room, looking as if he had just completed a marathon or robbed a bank. Of course, with Frank both events could have easily taken place.
"What'd you do?" Sean asked him pointedly.
"I…" Frank shaped a slow smile. "Flushed the toilet on Erik while he was in the shower."
Sean stared at the younger boy for several seconds before looking away again. New Year, same old Frank-O.
IIIIIII
Stirring at some noise, Joey rolled over to find the other half of the bed totally vacant.
"Al?" he petitioned worriedly.
"Hey, hey." Alex stopped lacing up his tennis shoes to lean over the smaller blonde protectively. "I'm right here. Go back to sleep, okay?"
Seeing him dressed in a sweat outfit, Joey asked, "Where are you going?"
"Just for a run." Alex rubbed the back of the child's neck gently. "Go back to sleep, pal."
Closing his eyes slightly, Joey still peeked out at Alex as the teenager put on his last shoe and walked out of the room. After a minute, Joey popped out of bed. Trying to be quiet, he tipped downstairs until he heard voices. Heading towards the front of the house, Joey slipped out.
Erik spotted him first. "I didn't know California had a high Kangaroo population.
With a puzzled expression, Alex turned to see what he meant. "Joe, you're supposed to be asleep."
"I want to go with you," Joey said coyly.
"It's too early for you to be up," Alex informed him.
Erik watched their interaction then made a decision. "He can come." Both boys looked to him; Alex with surprise and Joey with delight.
"Thank you, Uncle Erik," he said gratefully.
"Hurry inside and put on some comfortable clothes," Erik instructed.
As the little boy went to do as told, Erik said in response to Alex's questioning countenance, "It's not the exercise he's interested in. He's been clinging to you since Montana. He probably has it in his head that if he's right there nothing horrid can befall you."
Alex quieted, thinking that over. He really owed a lot to his pint-sized hero.
IIIIIII
"So you're rooming with Frank?" Maya recounted.
"Yeah," Sean replied, sitting near the staircase with the phone firmly attached to his ear. "We were gonna put the younger boys together, but since we're in a new place and everything Charles and Erik thought it'd be better if Joey stayed with Alex. The girls are lucky. They get their own bathroom."
Maya said, "Well, we need more time in the morning. And of course Hank gets his own room because he's the big brother."
"That and the fact that he's also the bigger-than-me-or-Alex brother," Sean added, making her laugh. "I'm sorry we had to take off so soon. I guess Charles just wanted us to get away from it all and fast."
"I can understand. The Professor's always doing what's best for you guys."
"I know." Sean certainly did. "Miss you."
"Miss you, too," Maya said in turn. "But it's okay. I'll pretend you're at war and sew you a flag."
Sean sounded fascinated now. "Of our own country. Instead of stars and stripes, it can be something far out. Like cookies and whales."
"Yeah, you seriously need to watch that California heat." Maya laughed again. "I'll talk to you later, Sean."
"Okay, later." Sean hung up then heard the sound of contented humming coming his way.
Looking to the stairs, he saw Becky dressed for the day and descending the steps, clearly in her own world. Rising to his feet quietly, Sean reached out and touched her shoulders swiftly.
"Gotcha!" he cried playfully.
Becky shrieked and tried to snatch away vigorously. "Let go!"
Frowning, Sean released her. "Hey, Curls, it's just me."
The girl sighed, calming. "Sorry, Seanie."
"No, it's my fault," he said. "I didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay?" Her nod did little to convince him. "Come on. Let's go eat." He put a shielding hand to her back, guiding them both towards the kitchen.
Raven looked up as they walked in. "Check it out, Frank. We have a full crew today." Charles and Hank also stood in the eatery. "Want to help?"
"Raven, you know I hate cooking," Becky reminded her, going over to the sink. "I only like baking. Cooking is too much work."
"My goodness, Rebecca, how do you ever hope to marry with such an attitude?" Charles put forth lightheartedly.
Becky smiled his way. "I thought I'd marry you, Charles."
"Not if you can't cook," Charles told her matter-of-factly. His response produced an assortment of mirth from the rest of the group.
The glass doors slid apart, allowing Erik and his two young comrades entry.
"Am I paranoid or do the laughs only begin in my absence?" Erik brought up thoughtfully.
"Yes and yes," Alex replied then dodged to escape the cuff Erik tried to give the back of his head.
"Charles was talking about Becky getting married," Sean clarified.
Giving Charles a slightly dark look, Erik asked, "Why are we discussing events that won't take place for another forty to fifty years?"
That's what I tried to say about that one. Charles indicated Raven with a shift of his head.
The telepath then noticed Joey, who appeared awfully winded. "Honestly, Erik, how hard did you push these boys out there?"
"What?" Erik responded to the contrary. "We stopped for him every so often."
"Probably every other minute," Frank piped up. "That's what happens when you go running with turtle boy."
Raven waved a spatula menacingly over him. "You knock it off, mister."
Stepping back for his own safety, Frank insisted, "Kidding, kidding! Joke!"
Alex lifted Joey up. "Come on. Let's go hose off." He took them out of the kitchen and towards the stairs.
Staring down at the floor as they went, Joey whispered, "Sorry I can't run fast. I didn't mean to slow you and Uncle Erik down."
"You could never slow me down," Alex reassured him. "And trust me, Erik didn't care."
Trying to take comfort in the words, Joey still felt unconvinced that his performance had been anything short of a disaster.
IIIIIII
Once Raven finished preparing breakfast with the help of Frank, she decided to move things along to the sunshine of the outdoors. They had to link up the two round patio tables to accommodate all nine members of the family. After all were seated, Hank placed a box down on one of the tables and started removing what looked like thin bracelets from them. He explained them to be his latest project.
"They're communication devices," Hank further elaborated. "After everything that's happened, I thought it'd be best if we had some way to instantly reach out to one another."
Having helped Hank in the lab, Frank said, "He got the idea from the walkie-talkies I got for Christmas. We tested them to go up to like five miles so far."
Charles marveled over the tiny devices. "This is outstanding work, Hank."
"Very well done," Erik concurred.
"Hank can track us down now," Sean realized.
"That's not so scary," Alex shrugged.
"I can track you down," Erik mentioned.
Alex stated, "Officially scared now."
Hank helped Becky latch hers on. "I made sure yours was pink. Look, there's even glitter."
"You sure that one wasn't meant for Frankenstein?" Alex joked, getting a half-glower out of the younger boy for the remark.
Hank held Joey's out to him next. "All right, Joey. Listen to me very closely. If I find this on the floor, in a toy bin somewhere, lying gingerly on the steps, or anywhere else but your arm or another secure location, you and I are going to have a problem. Understood?"
Joey gave off a salute. "Got it."
"While we're on the subject of safety," Charles pressed on, "I understand everyone was horribly tired last night, but now I feel Erik and I need to reiterate the rules and expectations while we're here."
Frank groaned, Sean sunk in his seat, and Alex attempted to play the mature card but did not look altogether pleased.
Ignoring the less than favorable responses, Charles continued. "The established curfews and bedtimes still apply. Los Angeles is a little under a half hour away from here, but not one of you is to go into the city without our knowledge." Charles pointed out towards the ocean. "Becky, Joey, you two are not to go anywhere near the water without someone older present. Frank, if you go out, you must let us know first."
"Furthermore," Erik spoke next, "just as the rules from New York follow us out here, so do the consequences. And I'm sure we all want this trip to be a positive memory."
Banging his hands down on the table, Frank got to his feet. "Why should we have to follow ordinary rules anymore? Why should we have consequences? We just defeated four different bad guys. We are the coolest people on earth— Alex, too I guess— we should be allowed to do whatever we want. Who's with me?"
"Do you know this kid?" Alex asked Sean.
"Never seen him in my life," Sean replied.
Raven brought a hand to her head wearily. "God, help him."
"Franklin, please climb down off the soapbox in that poor imitation of the Founding Fathers," Charles instructed. "Thank you much."
Totally deflated, Frank returned to his seat. Leave it to the British to squash his plans for freedom.