X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Thirty Nine

Author's Word: Hi, everybody and Happy Memorial Day. I got to enjoy a day of cheese-dogs, tuna salad, and other fine edibles with the family before continuing on to the park. Thanks so much for the last reviews and as ever, keep 'em coming. Enjoy this!

Another shriek sounded from the surprisingly powerful lungs of Maya as she almost went down for what had to be the tenth time. Sean held on tightly to her gloved hand, trying to offer her as much support as possible While the redhead himself had no trouble gliding along on his own feet, he knew this particular activity was new territory for Maya.

The pair then watched as Raven moved passed them, performing yet another spectacular figure-eight. Maya could not get over how stylish the older girl looked as her long golden hair twirled about as perfectly as she did.

"Ready to try again?" Sean asked, arm coiled around the small brunette's waist.

"Do we have to?" Maya responded in mock terror.

Sean laughed. "Don't worry. I gotcha." With one arm securely at her waist and his other holding her right hand, Sean helped her slide baby step style over the ice.

Raven came over towards them. "It's not that hard. You just need practice."

"How long have you been doing it?" Maya asked, hanging onto Sean's coat.

After a moment's thinking time, Raven replied, "Since I was eleven. My brother and I did this stuff all the time before we had to leave for Oxford."

"Wow, lucky," Maya commented, trying to stay standing on shaky ankles. The three of them went over to where Hank stood in the rink's entryway, watching them. "Are you sure you don't want to try skating, Hank?"

"I have," the scientist told her. "I'm afraid my coordination leaves something to be desired." Truthfully, he could move on ice perfectly on his bare feet but knew he could not do that at the rink. He also knew they could not possibly have a skate big enough to fit his feet.

"No one is worse than me," Maya insisted.

"I thought you looked good," Sean commented.

Maya sent a bashful smile his way. "Thanks."

"Come on, Sean," Hank said. "Let's go gather some hot chocolate."

Sean squeezed Maya's hand. "Be right back."

"Okay." While the male pair walked off, the females took up space on a nearby bench to change out of their skates. "It must be awful to have to come back to frostbites after spending all that time out in Los Angeles."

"Oh, trust me. That was a transition." Raven slipped into her regular shoes. "But no matter what, this is home."

Maya went silent for a moment before speaking again. "Sean never went out with any other girls did he?"

Raven's face went into amused surprise. "Where did that come from?"

"I don't mean to sound like I don't trust him," Maya assured. "But did he ever seem at all tempted?"

"Charles practically had to sit on him by the end because he wanted to get back to you," Raven told her. "There were no other girls."

Maya seemed at ease with this information. "I just thought out there with all those girls— girls that look more like you than me."

Raven ran comforting fingers through the younger girl's dark hair. "Trust me, babe. There were no girls that looked remotely like me out there on the beach."

"We're back," Hank announced them. "That's your cue to stop talking about us."

"Paranoid," Raven commented. She stood to accept a foam cup from him. "Is that because you were talking about us?"

"What's my favorite topic?" Hank put forth.

Raven pretended to think about it. "Genealogy, technology…"

"Ravenology," Hank informed, dipping his head down to touch noses with her.

"Here you go." Sean sat by Maya, handing her the hot chocolate he had acquired for her.

"Thanks." Maya took a long sip of it, leaning back against Sean comfortably.

Hank went over to the bench across from them while Raven chose to take over his lap space.

Although he had seen them together since last year, it amazed Sean how much of an at ease level the older couple had between them. They had only gotten better since California. Sean would love to have Maya sit in his lap that way but considering it had taken a while for them to really go for their first kiss, he did not hold his breath for her randomly climbing on him.

"We still have some time to spare. Anyone up for the drive-in after this?" Raven suggested.

"Sure," Sean and Maya replied.

"Anywhere you are," Hank said to Raven.

Maya whispered playfully, "Did they get married in California?"

Sean glanced over at Hank, who had a special smile about him, and had a feeling the sensitive ear possessed Beast had heard that.

IIIIIII

Erik looked up from studying the chessboard at the all too familiar sound of bitty feet entering the parlor. He smiled at the presence of a drowsy eyed Joey, who had a blanket wrapped around the entirety of his small frame.

"Well, well. Shouldn't all little Kangaroos be in bed? It's late."

Joey walked in closer, rubbing an eye. "I can't sleep. Where's Daddy?"

"He'll be back soon," Erik answered then reached out for him. "Do you want Uncle Erik to try?"

The short blonde nodded and placed his head on the man's shoulder when he was lifted. Erik reclined back in his chair and adjusted the blanket over the child to keep him warm. He began to pat at Joey's bottom gingerly with one hand while he used the other to run fingers through his soft hair. By the time Charles re-entered the room a few minutes later, Joey had peacefully drifted off.

"Trouble sleeping again," the Professor immediately recognized. He walked over, rubbing Joey's back. "He's been having problems staying asleep throughout the night now that he and Alex are back in different rooms. You seem to have the magic touch."

"It works for Becky as well." Erik kissed Joey's cheek. "He just needs to know he isn't alone. Did you want to take over?"

"No, no, you're fine." Charles retook his regular chess chair. Sean walked in next in his pajamas. "Oh, another one. Are you having troubles sleeping as well?"

"No." Sean shook his head with a smile. "But I forgot to ask. Can I go to Maya's for dinner tomorrow night?"

"Will her mother be home?" Charles asked.

"…No," Sean admitted.

"Seanie, I really don't find that to be very appropriate and—"

"And," Erik interjected, "here's a suggestion. Why don't you invite her over here for dinner for a change?"

"Here?" Sean pointed downward.

"Well, we would eat in the dining room," Erik said coyly. "You've certainly spent enough time over at her home. Not to mention the fact that you've made it no secret that you want to share privileged information with her that concerns this entire household. I've never even met the girl."

"Erik raises a valid point," Charles concurred.

Sean rubbed the back of his neck uneasily. "I know, but I haven't told her anything. What if the kids act up? Becky could try to read her mind, Joey could shock her…"

"They'll behave," Charles assured. "I doubt highly if any of them want to nurse sore bums."

"Yes, Sean," Erik tacked on. "Consider us 'normal' for an evening."

"Alright," the young Irish boy finally agreed. "I'll call her in the morning."

"Good. And while you're headed up," Erik held Joey out, "take the baby with you."

Sean walked over and picked up the bundle. "Come on, little guy." He then managed to relax a little as the warm body snuggled against him.

Charles watched them go then looked to Erik. "This is very important to him."

"I know that," Erik responded. "But sooner or later, they're all going to have to screen the people in their lives. If she's not willing to accept his family, how can she possibly accept him for who he really is?"

"You mean what he really is," Charles challenged. "Sean is a bright, caring young man who just happens to possess a deafening scream. His mutation is not his sole characteristic."

"No," Erik said, "it's only the one that's going to stand out in her eyes."

IIIIIII

During the forty minute study period he had given out, Hank gazed up from his own work every so often to monitor his students' work. His eyes continuously fell to Joey, who's hand worked the pencil in such a way that Hank just knew the human digestive system did not have the boy's attention in the slightest.

He waited until the end of the hour to call him over. "Joey, come up here, please." Joey looked over with surprise. "And bring your notebook."

The eight-year-old bit his lip as he approached the front of the desk. "Yes, Hank?"

Hank opened up an arm. "Come over here, please."

Joey did, hugging his notebook against his front. "Hm?"

Hank gently pried the book from his hands. As he suspected, he found more drawings of dragons and wolves with capes than he did any science notes.

"Listen to me, Joey." Hank touched one of his shoulders. "I know how much you love to draw, but class is not the time for it. This is not the first time this week I've caught you doing this, either."

"I'm sorry, Hank," the child immediately apologized. "I just do a little doodling then I get so caught up in it."

"I understand," Hank nodded. "But I'm going to have to talk to Charles about this."

"Do you really have to?" Joey frowned. "Can't I just write on the board a hundred times?"

"Yes, I really have to," Hank responded. "And what you can do is go study for the time you lost during class. You do have your first test of the semester coming up."

"'Kay." Joey dipped his head as he turned to walk out.

As soon as he made it back upstairs, the adolescent mutant went to work. He put all of his toys away and straightened up the entirety of his room. Then he went over to the bathroom he shared with Frank and got the cleaning aides out from under the sink. He washed out the tub, sink, and even made the floor sparkle as best he could.

"Raven?" Joey said hurriedly, rushing into the kitchen a bit later. "Can I set the table? Please, please?"

Slightly confused, the shape-shifter still smiled at him. "Sure, baby." She handed over the China plates and utensils for him.

Once Joey left out again, Frank explained shortly, "He got in trouble in Hank's class today."

"Ah," Raven quickly understood.

IIIIIII

Close to dinner, Charles gathered the entire house into the parlor. Erik sat on one loveseat with Becky in his lap and Alex and Frank on either side of him. Raven and Hank sat across from them.

"Where is Joey?" Charles wondered out loud. He received his answer in the form of the child coming in a few seconds later, in a pair of black slacks and a white dress shirt. "Joey?"

Frank hid a laugh behind his hand.

"Aren't we dashing?" Erik commented.

Joey focused in on Charles. "I look like a gentleman, right?"

"Absolutely," Charles concurred, going over to adjust the collar for him. "However, this is one of your best shirts so see that you don't dirty it. Is this what kept you?"

"I was studying, too." Joey sent a smile Hank's way. "Science."

"I see," was all Hank said, arm wrapped around the currently blonde Raven.

"Now remember, everyone," Charles picked Joey up as he spoke, "this evening means a great deal to Sean. Besides that fact, Maya is a guest in our home tonight. Anyone who causes intentional mischief will have me to deal with." Headmasters not excluded.

Erik gave him a look that very clearly read of an innocent 'what?'

Hank heard the front door open and close. "They're here."

Everyone got to their feet as Sean walked in with Maya. The young couple immediately dropped hands when they made it fully into the parlor.

"Hi, Maya," Raven greeted brightly to drop the tension present while Hank waved. "I love that outfit."

Maya glanced down at the dark pants and green blouse she wore. "Thanks. Totally last minute."

"Okay, so I know you remember my professor," Sean began. "This is Erik Lehnsherr. He's our other headmaster. Erik, this is Maya Patterson."

The girl held a hand out. "It's great to meet you, Mr. Lehnsherr."

"Please." Erik took the hand, giving it a gentle kiss. "The pleasure is all mine. Welcome to our home."

Maya grinned at that. "Thanks." She turned to Charles. "Professor, how are you?"

"Doing wonderfully," Charles replied. "I'm delighted you could join us this evening."

Maya's attention went to the little one in the Professor's arms. "Hi, buddy. What's your name?"

"Joey," he replied shyly.

"He is precious," Maya said to Sean.

"He has his moments," the redhead responded. "You remember Alex, don't you?"

"Sure," she said, shaking hands with him. "Or as I call you, the blonde that blocked my view of Sean."

The received some laughter from the group.

"It's hard being me," Alex stated with a show of despondence. "Sean gets all the attention."

Sean pointed out the last of his housemates. "So the pretty one in the dress is Becky and the one who looks like he's plotting something is my main guy, Frank."

"I've heard nothing but good," Maya said towards Becky then looked to the other child. "So you're Frank. You know Sean is completely crazy about you."

The pre-teen's eyes brightened. "Oh really?"

"I have no idea what she's talking about," Sean denied, giving Frank a wink.

"Well, let us all press along to the dining room shall we?" Charles put forth. Still holding onto Joey, he freed up an arm to drape around Maya as they all proceeded out. "Tell me, how did that English paper fair?"

"B minus," Maya said less than enthusiastically. "I completely snoozed through two sources."

"There's always room for improvement. I could review your next draft for you."

"Could you. That'd be great."

"Is she his student now, too?" Frank whispered to Raven.

"Senior citizens are Charles' students," she replied.

Erik gave Sean a pair of good-natured slaps to the back. "I believe it's safe for you to breathe now."

Sean smiled and followed him out to the dining room.

"I like A Little Princess," Becky spoke as conversation began around the table. "But I like Mary Lennox from Secret Garden way better than Sara Crewe."

"Oh, so do I," Maya concurred. "Mary has so much more spirit."

"Mary wouldn't have put up with Miss Minchin in a million years," Becky said. "I'm glad Charles and Erik aren't like her."

"Me, too." Maya took another bite of the cheddar mashed potatoes. "Raven, this is amazing. You're so lucky to know how to cook so well."

"Thanks." Raven placed her drinking glass down. "I had a lot of downtime at Oxford, but Charles showed me most of the basics."

Joey piped up, "Did you know the large intestine holds the poop?"

Multiple forks clinked as brief silence and a little chuckling filled the table.

"Joseph," Charles scolded, "that is not appropriate dinner discussion."

Feeling bad at the child's saddened countenance, Hank said, "I have to disagree, Charles. After all, as soon as dinner has coursed through our systems, the large intestine is rather unavoidable."

Charles cleared his throat. "Quite." See me after supper, Joey.

Joey shrunk in his seat at the mental message.

Moving back to the earlier topic, Sean said, "No one works in the kitchen like Frank's mom." He looked beside him at Maya. "You should have been here on Christmas. She completely laid out dinner. Absolute gourmet."

Frank smiled. "She's where I learned. She says I'll probably get married before my brothers because of it."

"Definitely," Maya concurred. "I wish my mom still cooked like that." She squeezed Sean's hand under the table. "Thanks again for saving me from reheated casserole."

Sean returned the squeeze. "Any time."

IIIIIII

Poking his head into the study, Joey petitioned, "Daddy?"

Charles stood from his desk and took a seat on the couch. "Come here, son."

Joey obeyed, going over and sitting beside him. "I'm sorry I was rude at dinner."

"I know you didn't mean any harm." Charles placed an arm around him and pulled him in close. "That's also not what we're here to talk about." The telepath lifted up the notebook, which he had left on the couch. "I spoke with Hank earlier."

"I've been really busy today," the boy suddenly brought up. "I clean my room, the bathroom, and I helped Raven, too."

"Be honest with me, Joey." Charles moved him over onto his lap but held him up so that their eyes met. "Did you do those things to be responsible or to avoid punishment?"

Joey pointed towards his head. "Can't you see it?"

"Yes, but," Charles kissed his temple, "I'd rather hear it from my son."

"I did it to avoid punishment," Joey finally admitted. "I'm sorry, Daddy. I just couldn't help it."

"Actually," Charles countered, "I believe you could. "You didn't draw at all in mine or Uncle Erik's classes, did you?" Joey thought about it then shook his head. "I think you were taking advantage of Hank's kindness towards you, albeit unintentionally. That's very disrespectful for you to do to him, as he is your instructor. Do you understand that, little one?"

He nodded. "Yes, Daddy."

"Very good. Now," Charles moved on, "there's that matter of you drawing instead of studying in class."

Joey whimpered a little as Charles lowered him across his lap now. He managed to remain mostly still for the five swats that came at his behind before he suddenly found himself lifted back up into Charles' arms.

"Hey, that wasn't bad," Joey reacted, reaching one hand back to rub at the mild sting.

Charles chuckled in his throat. "You can say thank you to Hank for that. He explained that despite your attention of late, you've been doing much better in science this semester."

Joey said, "I'll say thank you for sure and I won't draw anything else ever again."

"Oh, I don't think so, young man." Charles held up the notebook again, patting him on the head lightly with it. "You most certainly will. We all agree that you're an excellent artist, but you still need a bit of nurturing. How would you feel about taking real art lessons?"

The small mutant grinned. "You mean it?"

"Absolutely," Charles responded. "I believe every gift you have should be nurtured." He pulled back a little to hold onto Joey's hands. "Listen to me, little one. Do you understand about anonymity?"

"I think so. It's likes invisible, right?"

"Almost. You see, for us— mutants I mean, we have to remain anonymous. At least for now. While you're in art lessons, I won't be with you. That means I am trusting you to behave and see to it that your powers do not go off. Can I trust you with this, son?"

Joey nodded hard. "I promise, Daddy. I'll be really good."

"You already are." Charles moved him into a rocking position. "Do you want to stay with Daddy tonight?"

Joey gave off another nod and quickly settled down in the man's loving hold.

IIIIIII

"Why can't I go outside with everyone else?" Becky wanted to know, clinging tiredly to Erik. "Frank's allowed."

"Because it's nearing time for you and Joey to be in bed," Erik explained, rubbing her back. "And you're already halfway there. Do you need me to change you or can you manage?"

"I can do it," came her slightly mumbled reply.

Erik stood her outside her door. "Go on. I'll be back in a few minutes." He watched her enter then proceeded down the hall. He stopped when he spotted Sean out on the balcony. "Little cold to be at a standstill, isn't it?" Erik walked out, rubbing the teenager's coat covered arms for warmth.

"I'm fine," Sean told him, his gaze never leaving the sights below.

Erik followed his eyes down to Maya chatting with Raven while Alex, Frank, and Hank played in the snow together. "It's now or never, Seanie. You claim you're serious about this girl. It's now time to put your relationship to a great test."

"What if we fail?" Sean put forth doubtfully.

Erik rubbed his hair. "Then you will rise again through the strength of your family." He gave a nudging pat to his behind. "Now move."

Sean turned around, giving the metal wielder a hug. "Thank you, Erik." He then started for the inside of the house.

IIIIIII

The laughing and chatter around her seemed to silence altogether as Sean came into view of Maya.

"Hey." She met him halfway. "I missed you. Are you alright?"

Sean only stared at her for a moment. "Can we go on a walk?"

Holding her hand out for him, the two left the frolicking others behind to head off towards the woods.

"This has been such an amazing night," Maya told him. "I don't know why you seemed so on edge earlier. Everyone here is so great. And there's like nine of you but somehow you can manage to sit down and take meals together. How weird is that?" She smiled at him playfully then her expression melted at the sight of his. "Sean?"

Dipping down significantly to match her height, Sean gave a soft kiss to her lips. "We need to talk."

She studied his face closely. "Why did that feel like a kiss goodbye?"

"Maya…"

"You're breaking up with me." She dropped hands with him. "Sean, I'm sorry. I tried my best. Your family is amazing. I wanted them to like me— I get it. I failed miserably. Why should they like me, anyway? I'm only the most boring human being on the planet. Biology, frog dissection, yeah fascinating stuff there."

Sean gripped her shoulders to stop the rant. "Maya, no, no, no. I don't want to break up with you. That's the last thing I want. Trust me. This thing is not you, it's me."

"Okay, Sean, you're scaring me," she said. "What is going on here?"

He took a breath, feeling his legs turning into jelly. "Remember I told you I wanted to share some stuff about me with you when I came home?" She nodded, eyes never leaving him. Sean looked around for a moment before pointing out a collection of ice crystals dangling from a branch. "See that?"

"You were raised in a tree?" she smirked.

Sean shook his head. "Cover your ears."

She eyed him strangely. "What?"

"Cover your ears," he reiterated. "I am so serious."

Maya put her hands to her ears over her hair and waited expectantly.

Knowing he could not retreat now, Sean let off a soft whistle before releasing a sharp chirp. The vibration caused the ice crystals to shatter in under a second.

Maya dropped her hands, looking amazed. "Wow! Cool trick. How did you do that?"

Sean spun back to face her again. "Raven's not a real blonde."

"Huh?" the girl reacted.

"Hank has huge gorilla looking feet."

"Okay, Sean, you really shouldn't be putting their business out there like that," Maya tried to reason.

"Alex can blow things up," the redhead continued to ramble. "So can Joey I guess but he's mostly gonna shock you; like literally. The Professor and Becky can read minds. Frank can blind you just by looking at you. And Erik is a living metal detector." Sean considered that. "Come to think of it, his power really isn't that cool to explain. It's one of those you have to be there kind of things."

"Sean," Maya managed to cut in. "Words are coming out, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

Sean tried to think how to word it better. "I'm a genetic mutant— all of us here are. That's what we're really here studying at this school."

"A genetic mutant?" She looked him up and down. "I don't understand." She took his hands. "You're not missing any fingers. You look completely—"

"Normal?" he supplied. "Yeah, guess I'm one of the luckier ones. Maya, all that stuff you read about in biology class. About genes and the effects on the next generation. Mutations have already started in people today."

She nodded slowly. "Okay, so you're all genetic mutations. And each of you can do something different because of it— oh, my God!" Her face turned horrified. "You said the Professor reads minds? What if he read mine? God, no, no. The things that go through my head, especially tonight. He probably thinks I'm stupid."

"He didn't read your mind," Sean hurried to reassure. "Neither did Becky. Charles made everybody promise to be good tonight."

Letting off a small sigh of relief, Maya then wanted to know, "So what does all of this mean? Are you saying we can't be together?"

It was Sean's turn to look horrified. "Is that what you want?"

"No!" Maya shook her head hard. "I mean, okay, you're mutated or whatever. You can make ice break. It's not like you're sick or something."

"So you don't think all of this is weird?"

"Sean, I knew this whole situation was weird ever since you told me your professor gave you a car for your birthday," Maya pointed out. "I mean forgot finding school personnel that nice anywhere in the world, what kind of school only has like seven kids and one of them is a teacher? This actually makes sense, believe it or not."

He raised a surprised eyebrow. "It does?"

"I was a little scared you were in a cult for a minute," Maya admitted. "An endlessly happy cult, but…" She walked around a few steps, trying to get a grip on things. "My God, this is amazing." She glanced back. "You're amazing, Sean."

"No, trust me on this." He approached her, touching her wrists. "You're the amazing one in this scenario."

She rolled her eyes slightly. "How? For being able to recognize how great you are? I figured that out months ago. This new stuff just adds to it. When I think about how you could have any girl…"

Sean pulled her to his chest in an embrace. "No other girls exist."

After staying in his hold for nearly a full minute, Maya spoke up, "Sean? Would you show me again? What you can do?"

Smiling, Sean took her hand again and led the way to find more ice crystals.

IIIIIII

Erik completed his last rounds for the evening to see to it that everyone got to sleep in some way, shape, or form. He went to his room and changed into pajamas and his robe before retiring into the parlor. He sat by the fire with a book for several minutes until he heard a door followed by footsteps.

Sean came in a moment later. "Hey. Where's Charles?"

"Making sure Joey sleeps through the night," Erik explained.

"Aren't you heading in?"

"Soon enough," the man replied. "Now that you've returned. Did she make it in alright?"

"Yeah, everything's great." Sean walked over to sit near him on a loveseat. "Couldn't be better actually. I was worried about this for so long but she couldn't have been cooler about it."

"Well," Erik draped an arm over his shoulders, "she seems to be a rather 'cool' young lady. It was good to see things work out in your favor."

"Thanks for being so nice to her tonight," Sean said gratefully, getting comfortable against the older man. "I really appreciate it." His eyes closed.

"You're welcome." Erik brushed some strands of red out of the young face. "You should be getting to bed."

"Mmhmm…"

Knowing that the now sleeping teen would not be going anywhere anytime soon, Erik got Sean's shoes off. He then pulled his upper body down to rest in Erik's lap. Raising his book back up to read, Erik used his spare hand to apply relaxing taps to the seat of Sean's pants. Soon, easing breaths radiated off the redheaded mutant as he received the reminder that he was not alone.