X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Thirty Six

Author's Word: Hey, guys. I have to say I'm sorry again that I did not post last week. I really feel down about that but I was mentally wiped on so many levels. In fact, if not for First Class much of my sanity might be lost. However, I have cut out the thing that was a hindrance on my life. Permanently. Also please send out positive thoughts for my two-year-old cat who is recovering from an infection. Thank you and please review!

Once he finished tucking the sheet into the final corner of the mattress, Alex picked up the blanket and spread it out across the bed next. After he had the pillows in place, he moved on to emptying the waste basket. He glanced up in time to catch Joey flinging pillows off the bed.

"Cute," Alex commented dryly. "Now, knock it off." He reorganized the pillows. "We need to get this room together. You heard what Charles said." He turned away again then veered around to the sight of Joey snatching the blanket off the bed. "Okay, that's it." Alex sat down on the bed in front of the younger boy. "Give me your hand." Joey slowly held his right out. Alex thought on a number then smacked it twice sharply. "There." He noticed the downcast look on the child's face and lifted him up to place on his thigh. "Come on." Alex took the hand to rub. "I didn't hit you that hard. I just want you to stop goofing around."

"That's not what's wrong."

Alex gave him a little bounce. "Then what's up?"

"I'm gonna miss you, Al," Joey whispered.

The teen stared at him in confusion. "Did I get a draft notice no one's telling me about?"

"After tomorrow we won't be in the same room anymore," Joey brought up. "We won't even be on the same side of the hall."

Understanding now, Alex held him closer. "Hey, little bro. I know what you mean. I'm going to miss using you to drool on." Joey laughed softly at that. "But you and me? We're always going to be together and I'm always going to take care of you."

Joey nodded. "Sometimes I like it when it's just us."

"Me too, buddy." Alex kissed him at the temple. "But listen, if you ever get scared or just miss me, you can always come to my room back home. Okay?"

"Thanks, Al." Joey shifted slightly to hug him.

Alex returned it, but also said, "Don't get too cute." He playfully tossed him onto the middle of the mattress. "You're making the bed back up."

Joey laughed as Alex flung the blanket his way.

IIIIIII

When Erik felt himself abruptly tugging on motionless weight, he looked back to make sure the young body attached to the hand he currently held had not gotten tired. Becky had stopped to stare at something on a street vendor's cart. Even through the sunglasses she wore, very similar to the pair on Erik's face, the metal wielder could see her entranced expression. He followed her gaze to a large pink and white box that seemed to be some sort of jewelry craft kit.

The vendor, a stout Mexican man, glanced down at Becky and pulled out a gumball from a clear container he had. "Por la chica bonita," he said to Erik.

"Huh?" Becky blinked in confusion.

Erik gazed at her fondly. "For the beautiful girl," he clarified then looked back to the vendor. "Si, si." When he handed the piece of candy over to Becky, Erik instructed, "Say gracias, senor."

"Gracias, senor," Becky repeated before popping the gum into her mouth. She eyed the box again. "Erik…" Her tone had a spot of sugar sprinkled in.

"Yes?" Erik responded demurely, hints of a smirk along his lips and jaws.

"Could I have that? Please?" She made sure to stretch out the last word.

"Hmmm." Erik pretended to ponder over it. "I don't know." He knelt down to better face her. "Could I see my baby's smile?" Becky formed a grin. "Absolute beauty."

Getting back to his feet, Erik went into a Spanish dialogue with the vendor. In under a minute, Becky had the box tucked under her arm while using her other hand to skip merrily alongside Erik.

While he watched his little girl dance without a care in the world at his heels, Erik's mind kept returning to that day. That day he had been fool enough to allow his guard down to give Shaw the upper hand. That mistake in judgment had very nearly cost Erik much more than a mere vendetta.

Not until they made it to the front of the beach house did Erik allow her to run along ahead. She bounced giddily at the front door while Erik fiddled around with his keys. Once he unlocked the door, Becky dashed inside and took a seat on one of the bottom steps to start going through her new kit. Erik walked in and shut and locked the door after them. He hung up his fedora along with the white sunhat that had fallen off Becky's head in her haste.

When the telephone went off, Erik walked over to the tiny table that held it and answered with a short, "Hello." A slow smile stretched across his lips. "Well, hello. Yes, it's me. I'm doing fine. How are you? Good. Yes, I've managed to enjoy myself more than I expected out here. Grauman's Chinese was nice. Apparently, I'm a size up from John Wayne. The students? We've decided to leave them here." Erik chuckled somewhat wickedly. "Hold on. I'll get him for you." Placing his hand over the mouthpiece, Erik bellowed, "Frank! Your mother's on the phone for you."

Frank burst out of his and Sean's bedroom with a glowing countenance. "Thanks, Erik." He ran off. "I'll take it in the kitchen!"

Putting the phone back to his ear, Erik said, "He'll be on in a minute. I'll talk to you later. Take care. Goodbye." He laid the phone receiver down on the table as if it were a fragile flower. He looked over to see Becky gaping at him from the stairs. "What?"

Becky rubbed her pointer fingers together in a no-no gesture. When Erik came over to her, though, she instead had to use her hands to fend off his tickling onslaught.

IIIIIII

At seven that evening, Raven made the dinner announcement and the mutants of the house began to file outside to the tables. Hank scooped up Joey and Becky, carrying them out.

Sean saw them and said, "Hey, Hank? Can I catch a ride, too?"

Hank gave off a shrug. "Why not?" He grunted slightly as the redhead jumped onto his back, but managed to carry all three with relative ease.

"I can't wait to get back to some serious training," Alex said to Erik as they went to the joined tables together. "These runs and a bunch of push-ups aren't cuttin' it."

"All the more reason to increase your regiment once we do return," Erik put forth.

Alex rolled his eyes and smirked. "Oh, lovely."

As soon as they were all seated, Charles addressed the group. "This is going to be one of our last nights here for quite some time. Has everyone finished their packing?"

The stray "yeahs" and "sort ofs" became drowned out by Sean's eager reply of, "Four days ago."

"For crying out loud, dude," Alex commented exasperatedly. "Just pack your big butt up in a box and mail yourself out to that chick."

Sean gave off an impish smile. Clearly, the thought had crossed his mind already.

"Well, with tomorrow being our last full day," Charles continued, "I thought we would spend it in a very special way."

"Are we going back to Disney Land?" Joey asked hopefully.

"No," Erik shot down before the question could fully escape the child's lips then cleared his throat. "What I mean to say, Kangaroo, is that Mickey and Daffy Duck need time to plan before your next visit."

Raven raised an eyebrow at Erik. "Don't you mean Donald Duck? Daffy is Warner Brothers."

"Some bird creature that refuses to wear pants," Erik dismissed.

"Actually, little one," Charles said to Joey, "I was referring to the aquarium." He gazed about at everyone. "I've made arrangements for our family to have our own private show featuring numerous marine life."

"Oh, too cool!" Frank exclaimed, slapping hands with Sean.

"Charles, that's a wonderful idea," Hank reacted.

Becky and Joey stood and joined hands to bounce around with a chant of, "Yay, yay, yay, yay!"

"Alright," Charles chuckled. "That will be enough, you two. Sit down and eat your supper."

The youngest children retook their seats, both glowing with excitement.

"Hey, maybe we'll see an eel just like you, buddy." Alex gave Joey a little poke in the stomach.

"Or dolphins," Raven said.

Becky clapped her hands and smiled widely. "Ooh, dolphins."

Frank rolled his eyes back as far as they would go. "Girls. Give me a killer whale any day."

Erik took a drink from his glass and decided the pre-teen had a lot to learn about the wonders of a female if he honestly preferred a cold marine animal over them.

IIIIIII

Sean got his vision blocked and his legs significantly weighed down as the eager pounds of New York City flesh plopped down in his lap.

"Would you move it?" Sean requested only slightly irritated. "I'm trying to write here and I can't see."

Frank made a glib snort. "All you do is write. Can't you at least wait until we get back to school?"

"It's a letter to my family, dingus." Sean maneuvered around the younger boy to reapply pen to paper at the desk.

"I talked to my mom today," Frank mentioned brightly. "She sounded so much better."

"That's great, pal." Sean laid the pen down to instead wrap the arm around Frank's waist to support him better. "Do you think you'll ever tell your parents about your mutation?"
Not expecting the question, Frank quieted as he thought about it. "I've wanted to tell my mom since it happened. Dad's never really understood stuff about me. He's not like Erik." Sean gave off an understanding nod. "What'd your mom and dad say?"

"It's always been one of those things that aren't really discussed." Sean searched for an example. "Sort of like how you have that one random uncle who's an alcoholic but at Christmas everyone says he's not there because he's 'out of town'."

"One random uncle?" Frank raised an eyebrow. "You just described half my mom's family."

Sean gave off a short laugh at that. "I try to bring it up here and there but I always feel like it's something they want me to deal with at school and keep at school. Like this is supposed to be rehab."

The boys both went into silence, each entering their own thoughts.

After a few more seconds, Sean picked his pen up again

When Frank started to rise up, the redhead tugged him down. "No, you're good. Stay put."

Frank refrained from further movement, except to rest his head on Sean's left shoulder.

IIIIIII

"Sister es…?"

"Hermana."

"Si. Brother es…?"

Becky wiggled the paws belonging to her bear Sweetie Imp as Erik loosened her pigtails. "Hermano."

"Si," Erik confirmed. "Mother es…?"

"Madre," she replied.

"Si, bueno." Erik went to the next one on his mental list. "Father es…?"
"Erik." She glanced over her shoulder to smile at him.

To that, the metal wielder said, "Correcto." He gave her a squeeze from behind. "You're going to do fine when we begin Spanish next week. Just consider it a close neighbor to French."

"Oui." Becky frowned slightly and put a hand to her forehead.

Erik noticed it as he undid her second pigtail. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Becky shook her head out. "Raven did my hair extra tight today.""

Erik kissed the back of her curls. "Lay down."
Hugging Sweetie Imp with one arm, Becky reclined against a pillow. "Will you get the killer whale if one tries to leap out at me tomorrow?"

"I'll stop it dead in its fins," Erik guaranteed, spreading the blanket around them both.

"No, no, no," Becky countered immediately. "You can't hurt him."

"Fine, picky woman," Erik conceded. "Then I'll give him a spanking and send him to his room if he tries anything. Is that better?"

"Mmhmm." She tiredly rubbed at her eye with the back of her hand.

Erik smiled at the infantile gesture. "Who are you safest with?"

"You," Becky answered promptly.

He linked foreheads with her. "And don't you forget it." Erik then made use of his ability to flick off the light in his room. "Go to sleep, Sweet Imp."

Becky closed her eyes while Erik placed a secure arm around her and the cherished white bear.

IIIIIII

Hank's eyes remained locked on his copy of Othello as he somehow blindly made it back to his room. He kicked the door closed then used one arm to get out of his robe and drape it across the desk chair. When he finally put the book down, he discovered Raven dressed for bed; specifically in his bed.

"Becca's staying over with Erik," the shape-shifter explained simply.

Grinning, Hank made haste to join her in his bed. "Why are you disguised?" He squinted at her presently blonde form. "It's just us two."

"It's for me," she told him.

Not wanting to waste precious time arguing the point, Hank moved in to kiss her. Raven immediately reciprocated the passionate expression and dug her fingers all along his brown hair. She chirped as he lightly shoved her down against the pillows. She kept her eyes on him, eagerly waiting to see what he would do next.

Taking just a moment to remove his glasses and secure them to the night table, Hank lowered down to kiss along her neck before giving her lips further attention. Raven wriggled from under the covers and wrapped both her legs around one of his. She touched his shoulders then slid her hands along the width of her arms.

"Hank," she spoke out, angry at reality for having the nerve to seep in. She started to rise up. "We should—" She exhaled in sharp surprise as his wide chest propelled her down again. "Hank?"

"Be still and be quiet," he ordered into her ear before nipping at the lobe. Before he could sink his teeth any further, though, Hank suddenly yanked himself up and off of her. "Raven, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..." In fact, he did not know what he meant exactly.

Raven sat up with an unmistakable dazzle to her eyes. "It's okay. We're okay." She kissed his lips to cement the reassurance. "Come on. Let's just go to sleep."

Shaking his head, Hank climbed out of the bed. "No. I'm sorry, Raven." He slipped his glasses back on. "I can't."

She smiled somewhat incredulously at him. "What are you talking about? Nothing's going to happen. Just lay down."

"I can't," Hank repeated in a stronger tone. "I have to go."

"Hank, this is your room," Raven called after her departing boyfriend. "I can go back upstairs."

"No," he turned down. "I want you to stay. Stay in my bed. I just can't be here."

Before Raven had a chance to say anything, he walked out. She slumped down against the covers, feeling both deflation and bewilderment. After all, wasn't it her job to banish Hank to the couch?

IIIIIII

Before her eyes could even open, Becky's hands instantly went to her head. She moaned and had to struggle a bit before detaching herself from Erik's hold. She rubbed at her eyes to see better as she made her way out and into one of the downstairs bathrooms.

Having such a height disadvantage, she had to climb up on the cabinet before she could go through the items on the top shelf of the cabinet. Her hand finally fell on a bottle of ibuprofen and she quickly took hold of it.

"Becky?" She glanced over in surprise to find Erik in the doorway behind her. "What are you doing?" He noticed her trying to conceal something behind her back. "What is that?" Before she could say anything, he came over and took the pill bottle from her. "What do you think you're doing with these?"

"I felt a little funny," the girl attempted an explanation.

Erik stared at her sternly. "You're never to try to take any sort of medication unless we give it to you. Especially not painkillers. You know better than that."

"I'm sorry," she apologized quickly. "I didn't want to have to wake you up."

Taking in her squinting and strained eyes along with the particular brand of medication currently in his hand, Erik wanted to know, "Why are you trying to take painkillers? What's wrong and don't you dare lie to me, Anya."

Becky touched her right temple. "It just hurts a little."

Erik quickly gathered her in his arms and carried her back to his room. "Stay here." He laid her back in the bed. "I'm going to get Charles."

The curly headed girl tried to say something but the warning look he gave her silenced her argument attempt. She whimpered and placed a woeful hand to the top of her head. Soon enough, she heard the twin set of footsteps coming her way.

Charles sat beside her on the bed and looked her over. "Isn't my princess well?"

"Yes." She caught Erik's eyes then amended the answer with, "No. My head hurts."

Placing a hand to the side of the child's head, Charles instantly felt the all too familiar tension. "Pesky telepathic headache." He looked to Erik. "It's not as bad as it could be but she'll need to rest it off. We'll give it a few hours and if the pain persists, we'll have to try aspirin."

"Right," Erik nodded.

With a face of dread, Becky reminded them, "What about the water show?"

Charles appeared grim while Erik simply said, "Not today. You're staying in bed."

"What?" she exploded, rising up. "No, that's not fair! I want to go, too."

"There will be other shows," Charles promised. "Right now you need to focus on getting well."

"I don't care about getting well!"

"Rebecca," Erik warned.

She quieted down but folded her arms in a huff.

Charles took one of her hands and kissed it. "I know it seems so awful, but I absolutely promise to plan another fun day; all for you. Let's go to sleep now, Princess." Thankful to be able to relieve the small girl in any way, Charles used his power to relax her into a gentle sleep. "Poor dear. It kills me to see her heart broken."

"The heart will mend," Erik tried to dismiss, though he shared much the same sentiments as Charles. "What's important now is for her to heal from this." He shook his head. "She's too young to be dealing with headaches."

"She'll be fine, Erik," Charles assured, getting up. "I dealt with these spells at an even younger age."

Erik came over to lie beside the sleeping girl. "I should have known something was wrong last night."

"Erik," Charles reasoned, "whatever unique gifts we might have, no power in our arsenal can catch every bruised knee and skinned elbow."

"Then we'll just have to unlock new power." Erik stroked Becky's hair. "Won't we?"

IIIIIII

Raven blotted until the remainder of the stain lifted from the wrestling sharks themed t-shirt. "There we go, baby. Next time try not to eat so fast that you miss your mouth."

"Sorry," Joey smiled. "I guess I was too excited."

Hank came into the kitchen and nodded at everyone. "Good morning."

Raven put the damp dishtowel down and put a hand on her hip to pose in her blue shorts and green top. "You like what you see?"

"I always do," Hank answered pointedly.

"Why were you sleeping on the couch this morning?" Frank asked him.

Alex and Sean shared a look and tried not to split into uncontrolled laughter while Raven shook her head in frustration and looked away.

"Hi, Daddy," Joey greeted when Charles came in.

"Hello, little one," the telepath returned. "Good morning, all. It seems everyone is eager to go."

Frank asked him, "Where are Becky and Erik?"

Charles reported sadly, "I'm afraid Becky woke up to a telepathic headache. She'll be fine but she won't be able to go anywhere today. Erik and I are staying behind to monitor her." He looked to Hank. "Do you think you could drive the others to the aquarium?"

"If Becca's not feeling well, she might need me here," Hank responded. "I'm staying."

"I'm staying, too." Every pair of eyes went to Joey in surprise. "I don't want to go without Becky."

"Are you sure, little one?" Charles asked, receiving a strong nod from the boy.

"If the eel's not going, I'm not going," Alex stated.

"Not exactly in the mood anymore," Raven said, glancing over at Hank.

"Hey, I go where the Raven goes," Frank spoke up with an attempted bold tone.

Sean shrugged. "Who needs the aquarium when you live at the zoo?"

Charles let off a breathy chuckle, impressed at the display of camaraderie. This also meant that he would have to plan something else for the mutant group to enjoy altogether.

IIIIIII

The warm air batted his growing blonde hair lightly as the waves touched against the exposed toes on the sandal covered foot. Alex then grunted as several pounds of unexpected Irish flopped down into his lap.

"Get off me," he ordered, slapping Sean's arm.

"What?" the redhead responded innocently. "Frank does it to me."

"Frank's also smaller than you." Alex shoved him off into the sand next to him.

Sean smirked as he sat up. "Yeah, I guess you are a little flea next to me."

Alex gave him an unimpressed look. "And this flea can kick your lopsided ass, too."

"So much violence," Sean commented. "You've been spending way too much time with Erik." He followed Alex's gaze out into the ocean. "You're going to miss it, aren't you? The water?"

Alex nodded. "I can still hit up the beach when we get home… in four or five months when it's actually warm enough to do that kind of thing."

"I know what you mean," Sean concurred. "It's hard to say goodbye to somewhere that feels like summer every single day."

"You kidding me? The way you've been acting, I expect to wake up tomorrow to catch you trying to fly home yourself to get back to Maya."

"I can't wait to see her," Sean said, "Mostly, anyway." He let off a breath. "I want to tell her the truth about me. About our school."

Alex's eyes expanded. "Wait, what? Okay, Bucky, slow down. You want to tell her the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"So help me God," Sean confirmed.

"That's serious stuff, dude," Alex said. "Are you sure about it? What if she can't handle it?"

"Then it's better I find out now," Sean stated. "I really care about this girl, Alex. I know you don't get it, but that's because it's easy for you."

"What are you talking about?"

"You don't date because you choose not to," Sean pointed out. "I don't date because girls don't choose me."
"Hey, you know that's not true," Alex disagreed.

"Thanks to Maya it's not anymore." Sean stared down into the sand. "She likes me exactly for me. I really want her to like all of me, even the insanely screaming part. But if she doesn't…"

"It's her loss." Alex put an arm around the younger teen's shoulders. "You're good to her and you'd do anything for that girl. If she decides to give that up just because your genes are hyper then she's completely screwed up."

"Then we'll have even more in common," Sean put forth. "If I lose her, I'll become screwed up."

"Listen to me, okay?" Alex spoke again when Sean looked at him. "If the worst case scenario takes place and she completely dumps you it's her loss. And I'll be right here for you. That's the great thing about this mixed up clan we have. We BS each other a lot, but we're always there. You believe it?" He held a fist out to him.

Sean nodded and bumped fists back with him. "Want to go cruise around in the jeep for one last spin?"

Alex got up. "Sounds good."

As the two headed for the garage, neither noticed Charles lingering from the kitchen entrance. He looked pensive for a moment before walking off.

IIIIIII

Erik's eyes reopened to the stirring child under his arm. He himself still remembered the sleeping suggestion Charles had placed him under the previous month. He deduced that Charles' little slumber trick did not have the lingering effect on another telepath that it would anyone else. Plus Charles had been far gentler in regards to the small ailing girl as opposed to the stubborn impetuous adult man.

When she did not awaken but instead shifted over to a more comfortable position, Erik carefully pried himself from her to stand. He quickly changed into day clothes then walked out and downstairs. He returned fifteen minutes later with various food items to Becky sitting up with recently opened blinking eyes.

"She rises." Erik gave her a special smile as he came over closer. "How are you feeling now?"

"Lousy," she responded dryly. "Everybody's having fun without me."

"Oh, are you sure of that?" Levitating the tray, Erik magnetically moved it rest in her lap. "They're all still here. Not one of them wanted to go without you."

"Really?" Her forlorn features brightened a little. "Does that mean we can go swimming or have a picnic outside?"

"I don't think so," Erik answered. "I want you in bed most of today."

Becky touched her hand to her forehead. "But it's feeling better."

Erik shook his head. "I'm not taking any chances. Now, eat."

Feeling her previous satisfaction now dissipated, Becky placed the tray on the night table. She lay back down, facing the wall.

"Rebecca," Erik's voice held patience yet firmness, "cut the sulking and eat your food."

The young mutant sniffed as her eyes filled with moisture. She started crying, which quickly turned into bawling.

"Anya." Erik sighed hard then picked her up to hold close in his lap. "None of that. You're going to make your head worse than before." Not having anything close to Kleenex in his room, Erik picked up his abandoned pajama shirt and used the back of the soft material to wipe at her face.

Becky wiggled and scrunched up her nose. "Erik," she whined.

The metal wielder had to contain his amusement at the childish squirms. "Now now, Anya. Behave and stop fidgeting." With the adorable round face now clean, he put his shirt down to pick up the spoon from the bowl on the tray. "Open." She grudgingly held her tongue out for Erik to slide the oatmeal inside. "There we go." When she turned slightly to reach for the bowl herself, Erik brought her closer to him. "Eh-eh. Little babies cannot feed themselves. You could make a mess or burn yourself."

"I'm not a baby, Erik," Becky informed, trying not to smile.

"Well, you were acting much more like my baby girl than my little girl just a moment ago," Erik countered. "Now," he scooped up another spoonful of oatmeal and held it out to her lips.

As he resumed feeding her, Becky had to admit to herself that she liked being Erik's baby. She could not remember having so much doting treatment growing up, unless the person in question was being paid to care for her. Once the oatmeal bowl emptied, Erik got her to eat most of the toast with jelly before having her drink down the glass of water.

"Erik," Becky spoke as the man placed the half-empty glass back down on the tray, "I'm sorry for crying."

"You have the right to it," Erik told her. "Illness combined with disappoint could bring the strongest of us to tears."

"You're the strongest and you would never cry," Becky pointed out.

Erik saw her reaching for Sweetie Imp and passed her the bear himself. I would have had I lost you. Even for himself, the thought came out powerfully.

At the shining eyed look Becky gave him next, he had to wonder if he'd broadcasted it straight into her mind. She dipped her head suddenly, burying her face into his shirt.

"Sweet Imp?" Erik lifted her to rest her head on his shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"It hurts," she stated in a strained voice, rubbing her forehead along his shoulder as if to somehow numb the throb away.

Standing with her tightly in his hold, Erik left the room in rapid search for reinforcements.

IIIIIII

Feeling her 'casually' walk through for what had to be the tenth time, Hank finally wanted to know, "Are you going to come in or should I wait for you to pounce?"

Raven entered the living room with a coy smile. "Is that what you're into? I was beginning to wonder." She sat on the arm of the couch near him. "Could you please tell me what exactly is going on with you?"

"I barely know myself," Hank answered honestly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Everything has become so strange to me."

"Is this about what happened with Frank still?" Raven asked. "Or is it me? Have I done something?"

"No." Hank looked at her as sharply as his reply. "You've done nothing but be loving and supportive throughout all of this."

She leaned over closer to him. "Then why does it feel like you're scared to touch me lately?"

"Because I am," Hank said matter-of-factly. "Raven," he stood and paced a bit to get a handle on the explanation, "I've always desired you, but as of late— to be perfectly blunt, I want to rip the clothes right off you and grind into you until my eyes roll back in my head."

Raven felt her own eyes practically pop right out. "Wow," was all she could say at first. "Well, that's… pretty hot actually."

"Tell me about it." Hank took her hands in his. "Raven, I meant what I said back on the beach that day. If I'm going to be with you in that way, I want it to be honorable. I don't want to be a monster tearing into you as if you're nothing more than a conquest. That's why I had to back off last night, but I still wanted you badly. I wanted your scent in my bed, just to feel closer to you."

Taking back one of her hands, Raven used it to press the palm to his practically pounding chest. "I want to be with you the right way, too, Hank. Good night is becoming harder and harder, though."

Hank took the hand he still held to kiss. "I know. But for now, it's what's best."

"Hank!" The couple shot their heads over as Erik came into the room with an ailing Becky, followed closely behind by Charles. "The aches have gotten worse. Look at her."

"Becca," Hank reacted urgently, gently taking the girl from the older man. He sat in the middle of the couch with her in his lap. "Raven, please get a cool cloth for her head."

Raven left out wordlessly to perform the task.

"I'd hoped sleep would dull the pain away." Charles took a seat on the coffee table, facing Becky and Hank. "But by her being so upset, it seems to have triggered another spell. I'm wary of giving her aspirin at this point."

"It'll react too adversely," Hank added, putting a large hand where his sister's hairline met her forehead. "I think I may have a solution. Back home, I went to work on a remedy to help you both in case another telepathic headache sprang up. It's a liquid and it contains no aspirin."

"Is it safe?" Erik wanted to know. "The last concoction you dreamed up caused a very graphic implosion." A very entertaining implosion in Erik's opinion but he refused to allow for a repeat performance with Becky.

"This is different," Hank told him. "I made it with mostly herbs. It's so natural that is should not affect her mutation. I experimented on myself with it and the only adverse side effect seems to be extreme lethargy. With the dose I plan to give her, it shouldn't bother her too badly."

Charles and Erik exchanged a look before the former instructed, "We'll try it."

"It's in my room. I'll be right back." Hank gave Becky to Charles while he went to fetch the special mixture.

Raven came back in with a slightly damp face towel. "How's that feel, babe?" She gingerly placed it on Becky's head.

"It's okay," Becky whispered, trying not to let the cold fabric bother her.

Charles kissed her temple where he could feel the throbbing coming off then picked up the stray blanket from the loveseat to wrap her in. "How is that, love?"

"The pain won't stop, Charles," Becky said hoarsely.

"No pain, Princess." Charles caught the stray tear that fell from her right eye. "No pain."

As he slipped into her mind, Raven cringed at Charles paling slightly. Erik came over to observe and his countenance fell into astonishment. To distract Becky from her pain, Charles had summoned a nice portion of it upon himself. However, the older telepath refused to let it show anywhere but his straining blue eyes as he hummed a jolly tune into the little girl's ear.

Hank returned with a blank bottle and teaspoon in hand. "Here we are." He sat back on the couch and poured out the necessary dosage. "Open up for me, Becca Bear."

Becky did as told, getting the baby treatment again as Hank fed her the medicine.

"Good girl," Erik praised her softly. Taking the bundled up Becky to hold again, he said to Charles, "You do too much."

The Professor said simply, "Never enough."

Raven leaned over and kissed the top of his head comfortingly.

IIIIIII

Sitting at the small table in the leisure room with a hand that seemed in refusal to be still, Joey used the orange colored pencil to blend casually into the red and yellow markings. He glanced up with a brief smile when Charles came in but quickly returned his attention to the paper in front of him. Charles joined him at the table and read the book he head with him, but his curiosity got the better of him as he glanced over to see what held his little one's focus so.

"Joey, this is magnificent work," Charles commented over the detailed picture of a brunette girl and blonde boy riding what appeared to be a whale into the sunset.

"Thank you," Joey responded.

"Is it for Becky?"

The little boy nodded, still not looking up. "When she's all better, she can make an illusion that we're at the aquarium or on a rollercoaster. And we can do anything we want because we don't have any dumb powers to worry about."

Charles placed his book down on the table then spoke. "Son, you'll find that ordinary individuals can rarely do whatever they please. In fact, many of them would envy our unique capabilities."

Joey glanced up. "They would?"

"Oh yes, I believe so," Charles responded. "A great deal of them would love to have Becky and mine's telepathic abilities to use for their own advantage. Then there's Uncle Erik, who can control so many objects and surfaces with his magnetism. Not to mention you, my dear boy."

"Me?"

"Yes, you," Charles said. "In addition to what you did for Alex, your powers have near limitless potential. You can provide electricity to homes or to cars. When you're highly charged, you can shatter glass the same as Seanie or fend off attackers if you really needed to. Not that I want you trying either of those last two on your own, but do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"Yes, Daddy," the boy replied. "I guess I never thought about it that way."

Charles gave him a smile. "As for that rollercoaster business you mentioned, I was thinking we could take a trip out to Coney Island after it gets warms and perhaps give you the chance to ride your very first."

Joey beamed. "Really?" He practically leapt over to hug Charles. "Alright! Thanks, Daddy."

"You're welcome," Charles chuckled, kissing his cheek. He sat him on his thigh. "I also wanted to tell you how proud I was of you today for refusing to go to the aquarium without Becky. I know for a fact that it made her feel very good to know you didn't want to leave her behind."

"No way," Joey said strongly. "It's no fun unless we're getting fussed at together."

IIIIIII

As he removed another card from the deck, Frank asked suspiciously, "You sure you're not reading my mind to look at my hand?"

Becky gave him a narrow eyed look. "You always say that every time I beat you at something. You're just bad at cards."

"Hey, I'm only taking that because you feel like crap," Frank said.

"Do you have any—?" Becky's face changed and she started to get up.

Frank scooted back closer to the other side of the couch. "What's wrong?"

"I have to use it again," Becky told him. "It's this medicine Hank gave me."

Trying not to burst up laughing, Frank said, "Wow, I guess you are feeling like crap."

Taking time to scowl at him, Becky struggled to get off the couch, due to being restricted by the blanket still wound around her. When she finally managed to flip her legs over and stand, she had to attempt to hop away but quickly grew tired.

Frank had to shake his head, thinking she resembled an escaping caterpillar in a cocoon. He started to get up to go find Erik, but Alex walked into the room.

"Freeze, slow and steady." Alex swept her up. "Where do you think you're going, little grown lady?"

"Bathroom."

"Not alone." Alex stared carrying her towards the nearest one. "You know you're too weak for that right now."

"Fine," Becky huffed.

Alex brought her to the bathroom door and took the blanket off her before taking her in. "Go ahead." He stood her near the toilet. "I'll be right outside."

When she nodded and turned away, the blonde took it as his cue to leave. As promised, he stood directly outside the door. When he heard the toilet flush but no further sounds for two minutes, he grew concerned.

"Becky?" He knocked on the door twice. "You okay in there?" He turned the knob then walked inside. He found her attempting to support herself against the sink and hurried to hold her up. "Easy, easy. I gotcha." He lifted her up and turned the faucet on so she could wash her hands. "Why didn't you call for me?"

"I only got dizzy for a second," she replied.

"I don't care. A second is too long." He turned off the water and brought her over to the nearest towel to dry her hands. "There's nothing wrong with asking for help you know."

"I know," she nodded.

"Well, act like it." Alex picked her up. "I'm supposed to be helping take care of you."

Becky said, "No, you're supposed to help take care of Joey."

"And you," Alex countered pointedly. "And Seanie and Frank. Look, babe, I know I'm not Hank and for you, I don't even come close." He carried her out. "But he's not your only big brother anymore." He picked up the blanket to put around her again. "Like it or not, kid. You're stuck with me."

"Not." Becky followed up the response by resting tiredly against him.

"I figured," Alex smirked. He took her back to the living room.

Erik walked in a moment later, seeing the three youngsters playing cards together. "Alex." The teen glanced back at the sharp beckon. "Come with Papa." He headed back out.

"You're in trouble," Frank teased.

"He probably just wants to interrogate me about something you did." Alex placed his cards down before following Erik's departing vessel towards the kitchen. There he found both headmasters seated at the table, looking deadly serious. For a moment, he though Frank had been correct in his taunting. "Uh, did I kill somebody or are you guys planning on killing me?"

"Sit down, Alexander," Charles instructed.

Oh boy, he thought nervously as he sat across from them, Alexander…

Charles began, "For the last few months, Erik and I have been keeping a close eye on you. Especially in the three weeks we've spent here."

"We've noticed changes in you," Erik spoke next.

Completely confused, Alex remained silent as he listened.

"You've become far more devoted to the younger children," Charles said. "You help take care of the little ones without being asked and you also provide them with practical advice and guidance while still being able to relate to them." He looked to Erik, as if to prompt him.

The metal wielder told Alex, "As soon as we return home, we want to begin training you to become an instructor."

Alex felt his chin hit the table as his jaw dropped. "You… you want me to…" A smile spread across his face. "You want me to be an instructor."

Charles nodded. "You'll receive the same full rights and privileges as Hank, but also a higher level of responsibility. However, with your particular level of drive and determination, we doubt if that will be a problem."

"Wait, wait." Alex tried to get a handle on things. "Guys, this is so soon, so crazy. I'm not even done with my GED yet."

"That piece of paper is a mere formality," Erik said. "And in a matter of months, you're going to obtain it once and for all. You're going to be ready to guide the next generation of mutants so much sooner."

"They need you, Alex," Charles stated firmly. "Can we count on you?"

The eager teenager started to say, "He—" but caught himself, "ck yeah! I'm hands all in." He got to his feet, standing straight and attentively. "I will not let you down."

Erik stood as well. "You never could." He pulled the boy over into a hug.

Alex smiled wider and hugged him back tightly, in awe of the faith the two men had in him.

IIIIIII

That night, the men went into town to pick up a large assortment of meat. Hank and Erik barbequed together on the grill while Raven stretched out in a patio chair next to Charles. Becky had regained enough of her strength to pick seashells with Joey along the beach.

"Personally, I can't wait for you to become an instructor," Frank said to Alex as the two of them carried the side dishes out to the tables. "Then I can act extra bad."

"I'm not even gonna discipline you, Frank." Alex put the plate of corn on the cob down. "It'll only encourage you."

"I'll discipline him for you," Sean offered then nearly fell over as Frank tackled him in a sideways hug.

At a strange noise, Becky gazed overhead then gasped excitedly. "Look, Joey, look!"

The tiny blonde glanced up in time to see a spark of purple fill the sky. "Becky, are you doing that?"

"It's not me," she said.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to marvel over the colorful fireworks display.

"Ah." Charles got up from his patio chair to join them. "My surprise is early."

IIIIIII

After brushing her teeth and hair, Raven left out of the bathroom of her suite, relaxed and ready to go to bed. However, as soon as she stepped out she had to do a double take upon finding Hank under her covers.

"So, Erik's apparently not letting Becca out of his sights."

"Hank, what are you doing?" Raven stepped around to look at him. "What about everything you said? What about losing control?"

"What about the fact that this is our last night here and I want to spend it with you?" Hank came back with. "Raven, if I was really going to lose control, it would have happened last night. But there's another inner instinct, too. One that wants to keep you safe for the rest of our lives. One that would never allow me to hurt you."

Grinning, she climbed into bed with him. "Sounds like the Hank I know." She transformed into her blonde self then leaned in to kiss him.

Hank held out a hand to deflect her lips. "Change back." She only stared at him at first. "I want to lay beside my girlfriend, not her makeup."

Raven considered it then dissolved back into blue. "Better?"

"Beautiful." Hank gave her a long kiss. "Good night."

"Good night." Raven ran a finger down his lips then lay down.

Hank pulled her into his arms, taking in the scent of her shiny red hair.