Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

First Class: Charles and Erik have accepted their roles as guardians and headmasters over the young mutants but there is still work to be done for the greater than typical family. This is a familial and discipline, including spanking, centered fiction.

34. Chapter 34 Beast of a Wave

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Thirty Four

Author's Word: Hello, my people! Thanks ever so much for the feedback. If the last chapter was for Alicia, I do believe this one might just be for Amy. Enjoy and please review!

Shouts of pure elation could be heard for practically miles around as the white and green boat cut through the water rapidly. Charles steered the aquatic vehicle while Erik sat to the side, watching the lined up Frank, Joey, and Becky scream their little lungs out in delight. All wore orange life vests over their beach attire, though Erik had only put on his to be a good example.

"Seanie!" Charles bellowed upward to the teenager, currently suspended by the parachute attached to the boat. "How's the weather up there?"

With the wind roaring through his red hair wildly, Sean let off an excited yelp. "Couldn't be better!" The sensation reminded him so much of flying, something he had been unable to do since landing on the west coast, and he loved it.

"Hurry it up!" Frank yelled. "I want my turn."

"I wish I could try it, too," Joey said, eyeing Sean in awe.

Becky, however, flinched whenever the wind got stronger over the parachute. "It looks scary."

"I know." Frank formed a grin. "Can't wait."

"Joey!" Becky batted his arm away as he tried to create a low current of static electricity over her braided curls with his hand. "I said cut it out!"

"Joey," Charles warned. "What did I say?"

Erik peeked out at him from underneath his shades. "Do you need to sit over here with me?"

"No, Uncle Erik." Joey looked to his left. "Sorry, Becky."

"It's okay," the girl said.

After another few minutes, Charles stopped the boat long enough for them to pull Sean safely down into it. Once the tall teenager came loose from the parachute, they began to strap the safety harness onto Frank.

"Let us know if you feel like you're going to stagger for so much as a moment," Erik cautioned. He used his powers to secure the last metal strap. "I will catch you in an instant."

"Got it," Frank nodded.

"Be absolutely careful, Frank," Charles cautioned.

As he had done with Sean, Erik performed a third and fourth check to ensure the security of the parachute before magnetically floating Frank upward. Charles started up the boat again and took off at a slightly slower pace than before, not wanting to go too rapidly for the smaller and less experienced youth.

Watching Frank go soaring, Becky smiled up while Sean said, "Looking good, Frank-O!"

Joey just took in the display, craving the chance to be in Frank's place.

IIIIIII

With the salty ocean moisture spraying all about him like a zealous garden hose, Alex had to lay stomach down on the board while he attempted to achieve the best possible momentum. The moment he felt some leverage from underneath, he got on his knees then to his feet. With his weight as evened out as possible, Alex looked to conquer the wave. The watery surge carried him upward. Braced for anything, the thin blonde went for it. He performed a complete carve and came down solidly.

Releasing a joyful holler, Alex got down again and paddled out on his board out to shore. Hank had made it back before him and already had his shoes back on. Though he knew he had to in order to hide his very graphic mutation, Alex could not understand how Hank could handle wedging his feet into a tight space on a day to day basis.

"You looked good out there," Hank told him.

"Thanks." Alex picked up his towel. "What happened to you?"

"I completely wiped out," Hank said.

Alex called him out with, "Bull. With those feet, you owned every wave out there. Don't stick me in a playpen, Hank. If you're gonna kick my ass, just kick it."

"Be careful what you wish for." Hank gave him a lighthearted slap to the back. "Erik and Charles will be back with the kids soon. Let's go find Raven."

Finished drying off, Alex tucked his large surfboard under one arm and started off down the sand with the scientist.

IIIIIII

After she had her initial complete, Raven finished the beach masterpiece by using the twig in her hand to draw an enormous heart around it.

"I didn't know anyone could feel such passion about Human Resources."

Raven glanced over her shoulder at a tall light brown haired male in swim trunks and a t-shirt. "That's not the HR I'm talking about. I made it for me and my boyfriend."

"Must be some kind of guy, leaving you stranded on the beach," the stranger commented.

"Not that it's any of your business," Raven started matter-of-factly, "but he just went to go surf. And he'll be back any minute so…" Her crisp tone left no mystery as to the action she wanted the guy to perform next.

He lowered against her back. "Don't be such a prude. Just trying to have a conversation here."

"Not interested," Raven said firmly. "Bye."

"Are you deaf perhaps?" Both glanced over to see Hank coming up the beach. "I believe she said she wasn't interested."

The guy smirked and stood again. "Let me guess. You're the boyfriend." He sized Hank up. "You don't look like much. You better watch leaving your girl lying around before something better snatches her up."

"Like this you mean?" In a move that shocked Alex and Raven, Hank yanked hold of the guy's wrists. The vice grip he placed on them caused an audible wincing from their owner. "It's very difficult to snatch anything without the use of one's hands." Hank squeezed harder, making the guy groan out in pain. "You'll also find that looks can be deceiving."

"Hank, stop it," Raven said, completely baffled by him. "That's enough."

"Dude, you made your point," Alex tried, knowing firsthand what it felt like to cross a line with Hank.

Hank let go of him by dropping him down into the sand. After staring back in horror for a few seconds, the stranger hurried to his feet and took off away from them.

Raven demanded, "Hank, what's come over you? It wasn't even that serious."

Immediately softening, Hank pulled her to him with one arm. "I'm sorry. You're right. I took it too far. It's just the way he talked about you. As if you were some kind of arm accessory of mine."

"I guess you still took it better than I would have," Alex said, trying to lighten the suddenly tense atmosphere. "I'd have slugged the dude one the second he got in breathing room of my chick."

"That's because you still have growing up to do," Raven stated, eyeing Hank flirtatiously. "Unlike my guy."

The two joined lips, which prompted Alex to produce a fake gag from his throat.

Frank's voice suddenly chimed up with, "Hey, Hank, I thought you said oxygen deprivation was bad for the body?"

Hank and Raven separated with the latter smiling in amusement at the remark as the six members of their mutated group approached.

"Some things are worth losing full consciousness over," Hank told Frank.

As Hank leaned in to nuzzle noses with her, Raven's countenance brightened even more. This was the same Hank who once could barely go to touch her hand in the presence of an authority figure. Of course, it helped matters greatly that the adults in their lives welcomed their relationship with wide arms.

"All finished with practice for the day?" Charles asked Alex.

"Not a chance," Alex answered spiritedly. "The competition's less than two days away now. I'm hands all in on this one. Thanks again for the board, Charles."

"Think nothing of it," the Professor right away dismissed. "I only hope it does you the justice you deserve."

Alex nodded then turned to Erik. "Up for taking over coaching?"

"You're on," Erik accepted then patted the teen's shoulder. "First, let's get some food in you."

The nine of them started to move towards home. Hank and Raven joined hands, leaning as close into each other as physically possible. Becky got to enjoy a nice view from the top of the tall Sean's shoulders. Frank played with a chunk of wood he picked up, breaking off pieces of it every so often. Charles and Erik brought up the rear, both keeping a close eye on the juveniles in their care.

Joey hastened his pace to catch up with Alex. "Is your board heavier than me?"

Alex shrugged one shoulder. "Don't know." He used his spare arm to tuck the little boy under it. "Nope, you're still a lightweight."

Giggling, Joey took advantage of his new angle to zap at bits of sand with his fingertips.

IIIIIII

A merry hum preceded Charles' presence in the kitchen. He went to the refrigerator and removed the milk from the large white box and poured a glass. He took off the lid from the cookie jar when Erik walked in, stifling a yawn.

"Hoarding sweets I see," the metal wielder noted, taking a seat.

"Care to be my cohort?" Charles offered. He took his glass along with the jar and joined him at the table. "How did the surfing go?"

"The child is part marine animal," Erik responded, selecting an oatmeal raisin. "I could barely get him back on shore. When he said he wanted to "give surfing a try" I never thought it would turn into this."

Charles sipped at his milk. "That's not surprising. He puts one hundred percent effort into everything he does. I think this newfound sport will do him much good."

"It'll help his focus if nothing else." Erik finished off his cookie and stretched an arm out slightly. "I think I'll turn in. I'm getting up early." He stood, glancing back down at Charles. "Care to join me for a run around five? It'll only span three miles or so."

Nearly choking on his chocolate chips at Erik's very loose use of the word 'only', Charles replied with, "I would love to, brother, but I'm afraid I've been dealing with a bit of a back issue."

Clearly unconvinced, Erik still said, "I see. Well, keep up the late night snacking and you'll soon have a front issue." He patted Charles' stomach for emphasis then walked out.

Frowning after the man in an affectionate Charles fashion, the telepath took out another cookie from the ceramic jar.

IIIIIII

Finished tugging his gray wolf-themed pajama shirt down over his head, Joey's eyes fell on the currently vertical object in his bedroom. Walking over, he studied the board. He had been unable to comprehend Alex's sudden fascination with surfing and figured it to be one of those big teenager things. Tapping the board with two fingers, Joey let off a small gasp when it began to tilt.

Doing his usual move of appearing practically instantaneously, Alex reentered the room in time to catch it before it could fully hit the floor.

Propping it back up against the dresser, Alex gave Joey a locked look. "Were you messing around with my board?"

Joey said to his own defense, "I barely even touched it."

"Which hand did you "barely" touch it with?" Joey held out his left and Alex seized hold of it, giving the small appendage five brisk smacks.

"Ouch!" Joey reacted.

Alex let him go. "Do it again and it'll be a lot more. Now, get in the bed."

Silently, Joey complied with the order and crawled under the blanket.

Once Alex turned off the light and climbed in after him, he pulled the sullen child in to cuddle. "Let me see." He took the hand again, massaging it this time around. "Sorry I snapped, Joe. But after that whole deal with Frank's bike last year, you know Charles would have spanked your butt good."

Know that to be true, Joey said, "I'm sorry I touched your board, Al."

"It's okay. I know you wouldn't really try to knock it over." Alex played in the eight-year-old's soft hair. "Go to sleep, Joe. I'm getting up early." He felt Joey's ear press against the center of his chest. "What're you doing?"

"Listening to your heart," Joey told him. "It's my favorite sound."

Smiling in the darkness, Alex kept a secure hand at Joey's back. The light from the full moon came in from the windows, bathing over them with silver illumination.

IIIIIII

Erik decided to wrap up his morning sprint at an even four miles. When he made it back to the beach house, he slowed to enter his cool down period. Hearing the only active sound at the early hour, Erik gazed out towards the water. He saw his part marine animal charge out, standing over the high building waves atop his white and gold surfboard.

Standing still, Erik folded his arms and took in the show of the young man enjoying himself so greatly. Then almost too fast for the naked eye to perceive, Alex misjudged his footing by less than an inch and flipped over. He crashed face first into the water and smacked his right leg soundly against his board.

When the boy did not resurface right away, Erik practically ripped off his sweatshirt and discarded his shoes altogether with a pair of kicks. He ran out and jumped into the water. Alex's head popped back up just as Erik made it out to him. The boy half laid out on the board to steady himself and catch his breath.

"Alex?" Erik swam around to him. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Alex panted lightly. "The sun got in my eyes for a sec. That's all." He started to mount the board again but the second his right foot came down, he could not hide his wince.

Erik frowned at the pained grunt coming off the youth. "Inside. Now."

Not giving the teenager time for any kind of argument, Erik took one arm to help Alex back to the surface and used the other to tug his cherished surfboard along.

"How many times do I have to say it?" Alex grumbled from where he sat in an armchair while Hank checked him over. "I'm fine. It was just a slipup. No big deal."

Hearing the hiss come off the younger male when he touched down on a particularly sore region of his leg, Hank said, "I'm not sure about big but there's certainly a deal here. Nothing broken but you did manage to mildly sprain your ankle. You'll have to keep it elevated and ice it every couple of hours to prevent swelling. It's not serious, though and if you manage to be still long enough, you should be completely healed within a few days."

"Sure thing," Alex said. "Right after my surf contest tomorrow."

Erik stated, "Clearly you still have water between the ears. That competition is out of the question."

Alex sat up, staring at him in disbelief. "What? Erik, you can't do that. I've been training nonstop for this. There is no way I'm missing it over a wuss level injury."

"That "wuss level injury" could become much worse if you're not careful," Erik emphasized. "If you fall off that board again, three limbs alone will not save you. I'd have thought that after Montana you wouldn't be so keen on potentially drowning."

Alex glared irately at him. "That was a completely different situation! At least mine was accidental. You're the one who came up with the brilliant idea to try and crush a submarine."

Intervening before the present situation escalated, Hank said, "Alex, medical expertise to the side for a moment, I was an athlete for years. One of the worst things you can ever do is attempt to perform while injured. It's not worth it."

"Thanks for the feel good advice, Bozo, but I've been knocked around harder than this." Alex started to get up.

Erik came to him quickly. "Where do you think you're going?"

"Mexico," Alex replied flippantly. "Or my room. Whichever one I reach first."

"Here." Erik made a move to steady him.

Alex snatched away. "I'm not deficient, Erik. You need to backup off me."

In a swift motion that only a man of his lengthy experience could perform, Erik carefully bent Alex over an arm. He started planting swats against the damp bathing suit.

With Hank still in the room, not to mention all the sleeping vessels still in their beds, Alex refrained from crying out. He did release a groan and a hiss.

Erik allowed him up at the fifth strike. "You're already in for a recovery. Do you really want a sore backside to accompany the leg?" Alex gave off a stiff shake of his head. "Didn't think so." That said, Erik got the thin young man up in his arms and headed for the stairs with him.

When they made it up to Alex's bedroom, Joey still lay sleeping in a pose that had his legs pressed up against the wall with his face buried in the blanket. Leaving Alex to sit on the bed and change, Erik readjusted the small boy. He then tucked him back in and stroked his hair a bit. When he looked over again, Alex had swapped out his wet trunks for his sleep pants and a white t-shirt.

"Lay down," Erik said. "I'll get you something for the pain."

Alex silently obeyed and waited for the man to return with the aspirin and water. "Thanks," he got out quietly before swallowing the pills and liquid down.

"I know you're less than happy with me." Erik took the glass back from him. "But there will be other contests, boychick. This isn't exactly worth agonizing over."

Alex remarked evenly, "Because you're the dean of the misery department. We all have to go through you before we're allowed to be upset over something."

Expression frozen, Erik said shortly, "When you're older." He smoothed out Alex's hair a bit. "Only when you're older. Now, get back to sleep. I'll check on you in a few hours."

Nodding slightly, Alex stared up at the white ceiling until he heard the door open and close. Ignoring the throb in his ankle, he rolled over to hug Joey to himself, needing the comfort of the little one.

IIIIIII

At being jostled away from much needed sleep for the second time that day, Hank got up from bed. He ran a tired hand through his hair as he went through the kitchen and stepped out through the sliding glass doors. Becky's zealous squeals and Frank's battle cries came off significantly louder as soon as he reached the outside.

"Hey!" Hank called out to them. "Keep it down out here. You're children, not rabid animals." He turned to leave but slowed his movement at Frank's mimicking tone.

"You're children, not rabid animals. Geez, Becky, when did your brother become such a prick?"

Turning back with a rare-for-him glower on his face, Hank came out and put a tight lock on Frank's arm. "My prickliness tends to come out when I'm constantly faced with an insolent brat."

Frank tried to grab his arm back but had no chance against Hank's tight grasp. "Hank, let go! I was just joking."

"I think I've had enough of your little jokes since we've been out here alone," Hank stated, his voice grim. "I am one of your instructors and here's a reminder for that fact." Hank smacked Frank's behind hard.

The sound the blow produced made Becky jump. "Hank, cut it out."

Hank shot her a firm look. "Stay out of this, Becca." He turned back to the squirming Frank. "And as for that little comment of yours?" He gave him another pair of smacks, each harder than the last.

"Oww!" Frank ground out. "I didn't mean it! Hank, I'm sorry!"

"I don't think you are," Hank said, not remotely remorseful. "But you will be."

Raven, who had entered the kitchen to decide on the lunch menu, ran out. "What is going on out here?" She saw the grip Hank had on the boy. "Hank, let go of him. You're hurting him."

Letting go of the child suddenly, Hank felt a sudden lightheadedness as reality seemed to set upon him. He watched as Frank rushed to Raven, who hugged him closely.

"I'm sorry." Hank had a pant to his voice as he glanced from Becky's shocked countenance to Raven's furious eyes and Frank's quivering back. "I'm sorry…"

Raven had no words for him as she continued comforting the twelve-year-old in her hold.

Becky approached the uncertain scientist, putting her small hands to his wrist. "Hank?"

Shaking his head, Hank gently pried himself from her touch. "No, Becca. Stay away from me. All of you. Just stay away." He then took off up the beach at an insane pace.

IIIIIII

Charles looked up with a fond smile as Alex came in through the open door of the master suite. "Alex." He laid his pen down on the desk. "I see you're walking with little trouble. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Alex told him. "You have a sec?"

"For you, I have infinite hours." Charles stood. "But first, let's get the leg elevated, shall we?"

Alex allowed himself to be guided over to the king sized bed and took comfort in Charles propping his sore ankle up on a pillow.

"Now," Charles pulled over his desk chair to better face the boy, "what seems to be the trouble?"

"I need you to talk to Erik for me," Alex said importantly. "He's not letting me participate in my surf competition tomorrow and you know how much this means to me."

"Yes, I heard in detail about this morning," Charles recalled. "But Alex, reasonably speaking, how do you expect to maintain any sort of stability with only one strong leg?"

"Charles, I have played basketball in a cast," Alex stressed. "I've had bruising, concussions- just name it. Nothing slows me down."

Listening intently to the teen, Charles said, "Terra firma is a far different battle ground from the ocean. The last thing Erik or I want is for you to face another near drowning experience."

"That was not my fault!" Alex suddenly erupted. "If he hadn't grabbed me, he would've dropped Frank instead. I was just trying to protect him. And I still walked away. The water doesn't own me. I own it. And I will not let it stop me."

Not making so much as a sound during the boy's tirade, Charles put forth, "It seems you have something to prove." He put his hand on Alex's right shoulder. "You know not one of us views you as weak or remotely close to it, yes?"

"No," Alex said to the contrary. "You should have seen me with Erik earlier. He acted like I was made of glass. Over a sprained ankle? Seriously?"

"Alex," Charles spoke kindly, "when I saw you drop from the sky and land in the lake, I literally lost my breath. For Erik, the fear is alive and it's worsened for him because he was not there to protect you. The fact that he can't be everywhere at once for you children is difficult to bare. I know because I feel the same way." He eyed Alex closer. "We've trained you, but no amount of field preparation could ever help us at the thought of losing one of you."

Alex focused his eyes on the bedding. "I take it this is one of those 'when you're older' things."

"I'm afraid so," Charles replied emphatically. "Terribly square, isn't it?" He received some satisfaction at the hint of a smile that appeared on the boy's face next.

Charles, Raven called for him urgently.

"I'll be back," Charles said to Alex before rising up in a hurry.

The telepath followed his sister's near frantic call downstairs to the living room. Erik sat on the couch, holding a clearly saddened Frank in his lap. Raven stood off to the side.

"What's happened?" Charles asked, going to sit beside Erik.

"Hank happened," Erik replied. "Something's come over him, Charles."

"I noticed it yesterday," Raven continued the explanation. "This guy was bothering me while we were at the beach and Hank just lost it on him. He grabbed him, threatened him, then just tossed him off into the sand."

"Raven, why did you not mention this?" Charles wanted to know.

"I figured he was just upset- tired. Then today…" Raven trailed for a minute. "Frank said something and Hank completely snapped. He swatted him. Really hard, Charles."

"I've already checked him over," Erik said to Charles. "No bruising, just a little redness."

Charles nodded then reached out to rub Frank's back soothingly. "Are you all right now?"

"Mmhmm." Frank kept his head rested on Erik's shoulder as he spoke. "I've never seen him mad at me like that before. I called him a prick but I didn't mean anything by it, not really. Then he grabbed my arm and it hurt so bad. Then he just…"

Erik squeezed him reassuringly. "It's all right, boychick." He ran fingers through the child's dark hair. "It wasn't your fault. Hank's become a ticking time bomb."

"But I don't understand how or why," Raven said frantically. "Ever since we came here, he's been different. He's been happier, more at ease. His feet don't even bother him the way they used to. He's so much more open now."

"Perhaps that's the trigger," Charles considered. "This abrupt new setting has a paradise aspect to it. Being here has given him tranquility enough to nearly befriend the beast within. Now, it's as if his control is slipping."

"After today he lost the privilege of dealing with this himself," Erik stated austerely.

"I'm worried, guys," Raven told them. "He's not responding to his communicator and he takes that thing everywhere."

"Don't fret, Raven," Charles soothed, getting up. "I'll seek him out. You stay here with Erik and the children."

After some initial hesitation, Raven nodded her agreement.

IIIIIII

The grass and dirt rubbed against and irritated his face. For several minutes, Hank failed to care. After all, did he deserve any sort of comfort? Finally rolling over flat on his back, he faced the cloudy sky overhead. The colors of the heavens mattered not, as Hank's glasses had fallen from his face after his miserable collapse in the woods. The overhead to him looked like nothing more than blurred swirls. His ears picked up the caw of birds and the chattering of squirrels and other tree life every so often.

Henry?! Answer me, Henry.

Professor? Hank's head perked slightly. Charles, I am here.

Footsteps followed his response then Hank felt his upper body lifted slightly onto the soft surface of a lap. When his glasses were slipped delicately back onto his face, he made out the image of the one who had called for him.

"You were able to locate me all the way out here?" Hank had gone running at his mutated speed until he had quite literally dropped.

Charles smiled fondly at him. "An animal with no sight will make full use of every other sense to find one of his missing young."

Hank said dourly, "An animal does what it does for survival. I acted out of rage. In doing so, I hurt Frank and could have done so much worse to him. Show me no compassion, Charles."

"You are a creature of compassion," Charles urged. "No true monster is capable of regret at its actions. You made an awful mistake. Now, it's time to return to set things right again."

"I can't." Hank shook his head almost deliriously. "If I go back, I'll lose it again. I'll hurt one of them."

"No," Charles said resolutely. "Never again. I will help you to keep the darkness at bay while aiding you to unleash your full potential."

Hank turned his gaze away. "I'm afraid."

"I know and you have every right to be." Charles gently touched his cheek to turn his face back. "Part of me fears for you but that is the weight I have chosen to carry. Acts of love are rarely simplistic but nothing worth obtaining ever is." He put a hand to Hank's unruly hair. "But it's sentencing you're after. Yes?"

"Yes," Hank confirmed. "It's what I deserve."
"As you would have it."

Done with words for the time being, Charles managed to flip over the tall but exhausted individual so that he now laid facedown over his lap. After some more careful adjusting, Charles' hand began to rain down over Hank's still pajama covered behind relentlessly. He knew how much pain the young man could withstand and since he would not be bringing in an implement, Charles knew that a firm start would be best.

Hank breathed heavily into the ground and dug his fingernails into the dirt. He had a plea on his tongue but no lips willing to voice it. The thing inside him deserved this chastisement; this pain. Perhaps he himself did as well.

Clearly having picked up on the younger man's thoughts, Charles stated, "You are the one in control, Henry," as he continued to spank. His own hand had become quite red and pained but it came along with the weight he had spoken about previously. "You are not a soulless vessel for a ruthless entity. And if I have to go in for extensive hand surgery to get that across to you then so be it."

When Hank began to openly weep, Charles placed the hand he had just used for punishment over his shaking back. After allowing him to remain that way for a couple minutes, the Professor propped him up. When he attempted a hug, the gesture turned more into Charles having to keep Hank from downright falling over. Between the lack of sleep, the inner struggles, and the ensuing emotions from all of it, Hank felt more like an infant in Charles' grasp.

"When we get home, I want you to show Raven that you're all right. You'll have a few minutes for that then I want you to go straight to your room and rest for the remainder of the afternoon. Understand?"

"I understand," Hank replied in a hushed tone. "Thank you, Charles."

"Lean on me." Charles got to his feet and delicately pulled Hank up along with him. He draped one of the young man's arms over his shoulders to better support him. "Just lean on me."

IIIIIII

Finishing another letter to his family, Sean did not look up when the knock came to his door. "Come in." He caught Hank entering out of the corner of his eye and dropped his pen.

Frank, who sat on his bed organizing baseball cards, froze up.

Giving Hank an intense glower, Sean went over and put a protective arm around the bothered pre-teen.

"Not a good time, Hank," Sean told him.

"Sean, please," Hank urged. "Let me talk to him. For just a moment."

Sean looked at Frank then back to the scientist. "You have to ask him."

Frank established eye contact with Hank and found traces of the person he knew, not the unknown tyrant from before. "It's okay, Seanie."

With a nod, Sean got up and left to give the pair some privacy.

To keep from alarming the boy again, Hank chose to keep the door partially open. "Frank, I… I don't know what to say. I never meant to strike you like that."

Frank squirmed a bit. "I didn't mean to make you mad."

"No, no," Hank quickly reassured. "It wasn't you. Something inside me snapped and I lashed out at you because of it. For that, I cannot tell you how sorry I am."

"Are you okay now?" Frank asked him with concern.

"Yes and no." Hank came over closer and knelt to be at eye level with him. "Yes, I'm going to spend every day for the rest of my life trying to do better than what I've done. And no, I will never be completely okay. Because I hurt someone; that I love very much. For that, I'll never forgive myself."

Feeling wetness building up in his own eyes, Frank blinked rapidly. "I don't want you to hate yourself. I want you to be the Hank I know. The one who lets me follow him around and shows me how to build cool stuff."

"I still want to be that person, too," Hank concurred. "And I will be. No matter what it takes."

Sliding down from his bed, Frank landed on his knees and hugged him around the neck. "Nice to have you back."

In complete agreement with that statement, Hank enveloped the boy closely.

IIIIIII

When he sensed the distress followed by the teeny tiny footsteps, Charles placed his novel face down on the coffee table.

"Who have we here?" he smiled. "Is that my Princess?"

A pajama adorned Becky approached him then took up his lap space. "Charles?"

"Yes, my precious?" Charles responded, tucking stray curls behind her ear to get a better view of her face.

"We were being too loud before— me and Frank. It's not Hank's fault he got mad." Her voice carried a near plead to it. "Please don't make him go away."

"Make him go away?" Charles repeated incredulously. "Becky, I would never send one of you away. We are a family, even on days as wretched as these. We need and depend on each other. To turn our backs on one another would be pure selfishness." He pulled her in tightly from behind. "Hank was punished for his wrongdoing and I will continue to help him."

Becky reclined against him. "I want to help him, too. I just don't know how."

"I think I do," Charles told her. "I can easily assist Hank on a mental level, but I can't help but think he'd benefit from another telepath as well. One who is kind, sweet, and loves one Hank McCoy to no end."

She turned her head to smile at him. "You mean it?"

"Absolutely," Charles said. "I know you have what it takes to help him find the inner peace he needs."

"I'd do anything for Hank," Becky guaranteed.

"I know you would. Now," Charles got up with her still in his hold, "it's time for bed. You know Erik will come looking for you shortly."

Becky nodded as she nestled into him, excited yet partially nervous at the prospect of being able to really help Hank through his present troubles.

IIIIIII

When Alex awoke the next day, he sat up almost immediately to inspect his ankle. The excessive amount of ice had left him pretty numb for the majority of the previous day but he found no swelling trying to redevelop. He got out of bed and stood still. He felt a lingering pain but nothing he thought he could not handle.

Joey rolled over a few minutes later and caught Alex fully dressed. "Al, what're you doing? You're supposed to be resting your leg."

"Never mind that. Go pee and get some clothes on." At the child's puzzled look, Alex stamped on, "That's an order. Move it."

While Joey got up to follow the direction, Alex bent over the desk and began scribbling a note.

Ankle's feeling better. Taking Joe down to the pier to look at the big ships. We'll be back before three.

Alex signed his name then applied some tape to it.

Joey came back in and put on a pair of shorts and an orange and white striped shirt. "What're we doing?" he asked, getting his shoes on.

"I'll explain later." Alex attached the note to the outside of their door. "Let's go."

They went downstairs and Alex tipped into Frank and Sean's bedroom to swipe the car keys from the latter. He took Joey out to the garage and they loaded into the jeep.

"Are you supposed to be driving?" Joey put forth once they were on the road. "Won't you hurt your leg?"

"Joe, stop riding me, okay?" Alex requested, trying to keep his temperament in check, as he knew the kid was only concerned.

As they got closer upon the public beach, Joey looked to Alex again. "You're going surfing, aren't you?"

"That's right. I'm staying in this competition."

"But Uncle Erik told you no."

"Well, 'Uncle Erik' isn't here right now," Alex dismissed.

"You need a spanking, Al," Joey declared.

Alex glanced at him in surprise before turning back to the road ahead. "When did you become a mother hen?"

"When I stayed out late riding my bike, you said it was bad 'cause Daddy told me not to do it," Joey brought up. "Now you're doing something Uncle Erik said not to."

Hating how big a glaring point the younger boy had, Alex said, "Look, this is different. I'm the big brother here, remember? I think I know just a little better than you do." While his words carried absolute confidence, his insides knew him to be wrong but he refused to voice it.

After he parked, Alex unbuckled and climbed out of the jeep. "Come on." He held his arms out for Joey, who hung back. "What's wrong now?"

"I don't want you to get hurt," Joey whispered.

Alex sighed at that. "Come here, baby." He pulled Joey out of the car and stood him up then knelt before him. "I'm not going to get hurt. That's why I wanted you here with me. You're good luck for me. You jumpstarted my heart for me way before I fell in some lousy lake. You mean more to me than anything on this earth. I swear, buddy. I'm gonna do this thing and I'm coming right back to you."

Joey took that all in then nodded. "Okay, Al." He went to hug him.

Alex squeezed him in turn. "Don't worry."

The teen really wished he had the surfboard Charles had bought for him, but he knew that if that board disappeared it would rouse suspicions about what he really had in mind for the day. After getting a halfway similar rental, Alex went to sign in for the impending contest.

The blonde pair spent close to twenty minutes watching the performance of Alex's competitors. Just when it seem like his moment would never arrive, it did and all too soon.

"Stay right here." Alex left Joey near the judge's table. "Do not move. I'll be back."

"Good luck!" Joey called out, watching him go.

When he reached his starting point at the edge of the shore, Alex lowered stomach down then began to dog-paddle out into the open ocean. The winds that day proved quite zealous and produced waves larger than Alex had seen during his preparation. However, nature's force proved futile as a deterrent.

Steadying himself, Alex got up, planting both feet firmly against his board. As the pain on contact set in, he winced inwardly then tried to remember the words of advice Erik gave him during training. Push aside the pain as nothing more than a reminder of life. That firmly in mind, he started his performance.

The young mutant mounted wave after wave, climbing one higher than the last. When one strong breeze came through, Alex lost his control and flipped right up over his board. He ignored the gasps of the audience members and made full use of his hands as he performed a perfect stance on the board. He did a mini cartwheel and made it back on his feet. He stayed that way for the duration of his time in the water until the time to return to shore at last arrived.

Seeing Joey still safe and sound and enjoying a snow cone one of the judges had provided him with, Alex went to stand with the rest of the contestants to hear the winners.

"In second place with regard to speed, stamina, and recovery…"

As the winner was read, Alex's eyes fell on a tall sunglasses adorned figure in the crowd. Though Erik carried an even countenance, Alex's heart still began to pump harder than it ever had while in the water.

"And at first place with regard to speed, stamina, and recovery: Alex 'Sizzlin' Summers!"

The roaring applause caught Alex off-guard for a moment. The cheerful noise seemed to fade around him at the realization that not only had he competed, he had won. His eyes went to Erik again. After a moment, the metal wielder brought his hands together to clap as well.

Seeing that brought more self-satisfaction to Alex than the enormous trophy they shoved into his hands next.

IIIIIII

Alex sat down on the side of the bed he shared with Joey while Erik took up the desk chair.

"You disobeyed me," Erik stated plainly.

"I know."

"You also openly tried to deceive us," Erik went on.

"I know," Alex repeated.

"And you dragged Joey along, thus encouraging him that it's alright to practice such trickery," the man concluded.

With his head down, Alex said, "Just give me the guillotine already."

Erik responded wistfully, "Those executions are not nearly as entertaining as they used to be." Alex popped his head back up with stunned eyes. "What? Did you think that overrated tower was the highlight of France?" Erik's face went completely somber. "You could have made a simple injury a great deal worse with your recklessness. And you know better than most how I feel about defiance." Erik moved back, opening up room on his lap.

"Yes, sir," Alex replied in a near hushed tone. He got up and started to bend over Erik's knees.

The metal wielder made him pause. "Pants down."

Stifling a groan, Alex got his jean shorts down before finally getting over. He felt his underwear go down next and closed his eyes to brace himself.

"Gah!" the fully unprepared teenager cried out. How many hours had Erik clocked at the gym lately?
Not relenting, Erik brought down smack after smack on the defenseless rear across his knees. When Charles had brought the note to his attention, he had worried about Alex driving on a poor ankle and had gone to the pier to check on things. At not finding the two missing members of the mutant brood, he had driven straight to the beach.

Part of him had not been completely surprised at Alex's disobedience with how impassioned he had felt about the surfing competition. Erik almost admired his devotion to the whole thing. However, no amount of admiration would allow the man to let the issue drop without payment of consequence.

When the behind practically glowed red, Erik readjusted his clothes for him. Mindful of the exertion the boy had placed on his still recovering ankle, Erik lifted him straight up to lay stomach down on the bed.

He sat beside the crying teen, keeping a comforting hand on his back. "I think I forgot to tell you something back there." He moved his hand upward to rub Alex's neck now. "Congratulations."

Getting up onto his knees, Alex turned himself a bit to collapse against Erik in a hug. "I… I couldn't let the water conquer me. Fear can't hold you back." He made eye contact with his instructor. "I learned that from you."

"Ah, so my boychick has been paying attention." Erik smiled slightly as he held him. "Today was only further proof of what I've known all along. Cowardice is not in your nature. However, recklessness seems to be. You're not to take a risk like that again for any reason. And if you do? You can count on a long bonding experience between my belt and your bare backside."

Having already been introduced to that particular accessory in Erik's wardrobe, Alex nodded hard. "Yes, sir."

After laying him down again, Erik removed the boy's sandals for him. He stayed with him for the next few minutes until the weary surf champion at last drifted off. Erik left out, going in search of Charles and Raven to plan the celebratory dinner. After Erik found a proper showy enough spot to place Alex's trophy on of course.