X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Forty Six
Author's Word: Thanks to everyone who added this story to favorites and alert. The numbers were unbelievable. Also, in case you're wondering, yes, the next chapter has already been written. Let's see how fast I can be inspired to post… enjoy!
Charles rushed into his office before breakfast. He collected the stack of files he had to take in with him. He had four different tests to give out in two different subjects. Once he had all necessary tools organized into his black leather messenger bag, he started out.
Then the phone rang tauntingly behind him.
Holding steadfast to his patience, Charles turned back to pick up the receiver. "Hello, I do hope your morning is going better than mine."
"Charles?"
The man's eyes nearly rolled back. "Emma?" He spoke the name in a near mute tone.
"Good to hear your voice, too, sugar. Listen, would you happen to have some spare time today?"
"Have you gone crackers, woman?" Charles demanded incredulously. "What on earth are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about a small boy." Emma's voice grew serious. "His mutation flared up. I had to pry him away from an angry mob the other day that made its intentions quite clear."
"Dear God," Charles reacted. "Yes, yes, of course. I'll leave straightaway." He got a pen ready. "Give me your location."
"Marvelous. Oh, and do bundle up, sweetness. We are in Alaska after all."
For a second time in five minutes, she caused his eyes to enlarge.
IIIIIII
Hank glanced over from bench pressing every so often to observe the mini sparring match taking place between Alex and Erik.
Erik! I need to see you upstairs immediately.
On my way, the metallic wizard returned.
He said to Alex, "Go at the bag. I'll be back," then jogged out of the weight room.
Hank got up to steady the bag while Alex punched. "I'll spot you."
"No thank you," the blonde declined curtly, delivering another harsh blow to the bag.
"What's wrong?" Hank scowled.
Alex shook his head. "Forget it."
Hank moved the bag out of his grasp. "Alex," he prompted.
"Fine. You want to talk so bad? Mind filling me in on why you told Sean you were getting married but somehow forgot to mention it to me?" Alex stared at him angrily.
"I told Becca," Hank said defensively. "But Raven wanted to tell someone, too, and Sean and Maya were just there."
"So you have to be part of the Cutesy Couples Club to be in the know around here?" Alex retorted. "Look, I know we have a rough history and I know that's all my fault, but I thought we were done with that crap."
"We are," Hank stated strongly. "Alex, I never pre-planned to leave you out. Things just happened differently than I'd originally intended." His voice became tender. "I'm sorry for hurting you."
Alex folded his arms, feigning further offense. "You're not getting me in a cheesy monkey suit for this wedding."
Hank smirked, "That's between you and Raven."
IIIIIII
When Erik journeyed up to the first floor, he went into the study. "What's the problem?"
"Emma just contacted me," Charles informed him. "She's discovered another young mutant and she needs help."
"Just let me change." Erik turned to go.
"Erik…"
The man faced forward again. "You want to go alone," he concluded. "Charles, I don't like this."
"I know and I more than understand," Charles assured. "But brother, please. Let me do this. I need you to trust me."
Erik walked off for a moment. He leaned one hand against the side wall, thinking the situation over. He did not care at all for the idea of Charles going into a recruitment mission solo again. The matter only seemed worse with the abrupt reappearance of Emma Frost.
The man spoke at last. "If I do not receive a call from you the very minute that aircraft touches down, I will be there in a moment's time." Erik turned stormy eyes on him. "And you won't enjoy my presence there. I assure you."
"I understand," Charles responded. "And thank you."
Erik nodded in approval. "Good."
"I have to go see the children. Then I'll need to get out an additional pair of long johns." Charles left out, leaving behind a perplexed Erik with that last sentence.
IIIIIII
It had taken over half an hour, but Charles eventually eased behind the plane's steer. He'd gotten his pilot's license several years back as part of a previous goal of heading into the military one day. Of course, with his duties to Raven he had ultimately been unable to enlist. While the decision left him with no regrets, it served as the primary reason for his willingness to help the CIA.
The advanced jet could not be remotely compared to the basic starter plane Charles had originally learned to fly. However, he had spent time with Hank adding upgrades to the jet and quickly learned the ins and outs of the sophisticated aircraft.
Thanks to said upgrades, Charles entered Alaska in nearly half the time it would take to fly with a civilian airline. He came in on the exact coordinates twenty minutes later. The on-board computer managed to zero in on the speck of blonde, whose wardrobe mixed together with the snow in a nearly flawless camouflage. Charles made his landing, causing her hair to fly from the vigorous wind. Before he did anything, the Professor radioed Erik back at the mansion.
"Welcome, darling," Emma greeted grandly as the other telepath descended the stairs of the unusual aircraft. She held a hand out to him. "I trust your flight was…" He walked by her wordlessly. "… a little rocky it would seem." She used her hand to brush stray lint off her coat instead. "Well, you don't have to worry about your lovely plane. You won't find another person around for ten miles at least."
Charles turned, staring at her flatly. "Where is the boy?"
Emma's eyes iced glossily at his curtness. She removed a miniature device from the inside of her coat sleeve. A small rumble shook the earth lightly under their feet before a perfect square opening slid across the ground. Charles peered in, seeing a lit staircase.
"This way," Emma instructed then started down first.
Charles went after her, touching the wall to make up for the lack of railing. "Where did you find him?"
"In the local town," she replied. "His mutation fired in a shopping square at the worst possible moment, causing severe property damage. The oh so paternal gentlemen in the area would have ripped him limb from limb had I not been there."
"The poor lad," Charles sympathized.
"Accurate choice of words," the woman commented. "He was living in a foster care center. They were on a field trip when it happened."
"His school officials did nothing to intervene?"
Emma looked at him sardonically. "I'm fairly certain they wanted the little "liability" off their hands." She led the way into a foyer then proceeded into a living room.
A young boy seated on a loveseat reacted to their footsteps. "Is that you, Emma? Is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine, sweetheart," Emma assured him. "I have someone here with me— a friend. He wants to help you."
Charles made his way around to the front of the loveseat. He lowered into a sitting position. His eyes remained on the thin dark haired boy who clearly seemed much on edge. However, the anxiety had nothing compared to the severe overwhelming fear that once radiated off of Joey.
My name is Professor Charles Xavier, the man greeted in his own way, what is your name?
He let off a shallow breath but calmed. You… you're like Emma.
Yes. Please tell me who you are.
My name is Scott. Scott Summers.
Charles' mouth opened but no sound came out.
Scott… He touched a gentle hand to the side of the young face, noticing how he refused to open his eyes. Are you blind?
Scott shook his head. "No, but if I open my eyes something bad'll happen."
Charles placed both hands on the child's head now. I am going to help you, Scott. But I need you to trust me. Can you do that?
The little brunette nodded slowly. Yes, sir.
Mental link established, Charles dove into the boy's mind. He focused on the portion that sent messages to the brain for the senses. Slowly, he developed vision for the child.
Alright Scott. Open your eyes.
Very cautiously, one lid peeled back then the other.
Scott gazed about his surrounding in wonder. "How are you doing this?"
"Telepathy has many capabilities, Scott," Emma chimed up, looking directly at Charles. "Some forms more so than others."
Charles' attention remained with Scott. "I've temporarily rerouted the messages that order your ability to fire against your will."
Scott smiled with gratitude. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Charles stroked his hair. "Would you like to take a walk with me? We have much to discuss."
"Yes, yes. Of course." Scott got up to find his coat.
Make sure he's warm enough, Emma sent to Charles. It's frosty out there.
Charles got up. You would know, wouldn't you?
Emma released a fiery breath through the nose as he walked by her.
IIIIIII
Curls flying along with the skirt attached to her leotard, Becky spun in wild circles around the recreation room. She took Joey's hands, getting him to move about on the carpet with her. After a minute, the two fell out on the floor together.
Erik bent near Becky. "While I understand the excitement of your first recital tomorrow, perhaps you could save a bit of energy for your big debut, hm?"
Becky told him, "It's not that big. I'm just playing the sun. The flowers are the stars."
"Flowers that would cease to exist without your beautiful rays," Erik pointed out.
"Yeah," Joey said. "I think that's called photo… something."
Somehow on cue, Hank passed by and stopped in. "Photosynthesis."
Joey rolled like a runaway log. "Yeah, that thing."
Becky popped up and leapt for Hank. "Big Bear!"
The scientist caught the eager little girl easily. "Becca, take it easy."
"Will you come to my recital early tomorrow? Please, please?"
Hank smiled. "Am I your good luck charm?"
She nodded vigorously. "And all the girls agree I have the cutest brother. They think Alex is cute— I don't know why— but you're even cuter because you're tall and you have the smarty glasses."
"Really?" Hank could barely contain how flattered he felt.
Becky nodded again then proceeded to bounce in his hold.
Erik came over, patting her bottom. "I think someone exceeded her candy quota for the week. Hank, take your sister downstairs and get some warm milk in her, please? Possibly a tranquilizer as well."
Hank hugged the little dancer to himself and carried her out.
"Uncle Erik?" The petitioned man turned around. "Daddy'll be back before dinner, right?"
Erik went to him, kneeling down. "I'm afraid not, Kangaroo. But I know he landed safely and that he'll be in as soon as he can."
"Okay," the child sighed, getting up. "I'm gonna go find Alex."
Before he could, Erik seized him and pulled him in for a kiss on the cheek. "He'll be back before you even know it."
Joey smiled at him then went in search of his favorite teenager.
IIIIIII
Scott perched on a boulder, hugging his knees to his chest. Charles sat on a rock beside him, trying to give him all the time he needed to process everything.
"I still can't believe…" He looked at the Professor. "Are you sure? He's really alive?"
"And well," Charles confirmed. "He has grown into a young man of whom I am quite proud."
Scott asked, "And he's like me? Like us I mean."
"Oh, I'd say he's much more like you." Charles took notice of the wall of ice a few feet away from them. "Come here, Scott." He walked to the destination with Scott right behind. He indicated the icy structure. "I want a demonstration of your gift."
Scott shook his head hard enough for his hat to nearly fly right off. "No, I can't. You don't understand. Once it starts, it just destroys everything."
"That's because you can't control it. It controls you." Charles put a hand to his shoulder. "I once told your brother that same thing." Scott's countenance turned thoughtful. "Mutation is not something to shy away from, Scott. If you do, you'll keep a chain on yourself that's far more of a detriment than your gift will ever be."
"… Yes, sir." Scott stood, facing his target.
When the warmth built up in his eyes, he let loose twin red beams. The moment they made contact, the ice wall crumbled into several smaller but still large pieces. Charles took hold of Scott and ran them to safety from the falling frozen water.
Huddled stomach down by Charles in the snow, Scott looked to him as if waiting on approval.
Charles chuckled heartily. "Optic blast- fantastic display, Scott."
The boy panted lightly. "That was… fun." He had never associated that word with his 'gift'.
"And it's only just begun," Charles smiled, patting his back.
Emma approached from behind. "If you two are done playing, dinner is on the table."
"You can cook?" Charles stood then helped Scott up.
"Of course not, silly man," she waved off. "I drove into town for take-out." She smiled at Scott. "I'll bet you're hungry."
"Sure am! Thanks, Emma." He went to her then held a hand out for Charles. "Come on, Professor."
Charles took the offered appendage and their small group started back.
IIIIIII
When Frank came back into his line of sight, Alex pressed down on the handheld timer. "Two minutes under yesterday. I don't know where you get the energy, kid."
"I zap it out of this guy," Frank said as an utterly out of breath Sean jogged up the trail.
Sean clutched his knees. "Some of us are better at flying."
"Until those wings start making you lazy," Alex remarked. "What have I been telling you since day one? You need to hone every muscle, man."
"Don't morph into Magneto on me, okay?" the redhead requested.
Joey came over from where he observed from a bench and wound an arm around one of Alex's legs quietly.
"Look, why don't you guys go hose off?" Alex directed.
"What are we, flowers?" Frank snipped.
"Yeah," Alex said. "Now go water yourself, pansy."
Sean steered a quip ready Frank towards the house before escalation ensued.
"What do you think, Eel?" Alex rested a hand in Joey's hair. "You think I'll make a good instructor?"
"Of course I do," Joey answered as though it should have been obvious. "Why, don't you?"
"I just wonder sometimes I guess," Alex admitted to him. "I don't want to let anyone down around here."
That made Joey consider something. "Al, when you're a real instructor, will you be mad if I can't move so fast?"
Alex stooped to his height. "You move when you have to." He touched Joey's palm to his own beating chest meaningfully, making the smaller boy smile. "I'm gonna need you around in my declining years. Come on. Let's get inside. It's cold out here." He tucked the small boy under one arm then started for the front of the mansion.
IIIIIII
Finishing off his third corncob, Scott declared, "That was great, Emma."
"I don't know which I find harder to believe," Charles said, wiping his hands on a napkin. "That you were able to locate a fried chicken establishment or that you willingly eat such things."
Emma gave him a sarcastic smile. "It was for Scott. I doubt highly if he would have appreciated imported lobster."
Reacting to the yawn he heard next, Charles turned to the child at the table. "I think it's time for someone to rest before the lengthy journey ahead. The time difference is going to wear you out alone, little one."
Scott nodded tiredly.
"I'll clean up here," Emma volunteered.
Charles guided Scott over to the couch then, out of caregiving habit, pulled him down to sit in his lap. Scott seemed surprised by the move at first but did not try to move away.
"Thank you for today. I was so afraid." Scott laid his head on Charles' shoulder. "But you and Emma came along and you just made everything better.
Charles wrapped an arm around him. "Your very life served to make my day worthwhile. I'm thrilled you're going to become part of my school. I can only imagine his delight when Alex sees you again."
Scott grew discouraged. "What if he doesn't remember me? I have little memories of him, but sometimes they feel like dreams."
"Scott, you were so young when the separation occurred." Charles stroked the boy's dark brown hair as he talked. "I know on good authority that thoughts of you are with him every moment."
"I'm scared," the newfound mutant whispered. "Not just about my brother. Wherever I go, my eyes flare up and everything is destroyed; ruined. What if it's the same at your school?"
"Shh," Charles hushed gently into his ear, planting a kiss at the temple. "If it's the same, we will sweep up the damages and begin again. Of this I can assure you, Scott. I will never give up on you. You'll never know loneliness again."
"I'll be good for you, Charles," Scott promised as his worn eyes fluttered closed.
Holding him closely, Charles carefully eased the child into sleep. He then watched Emma slip into a room but she left the door open. Charles stretched Scott out on the couch before getting up.
Emma stood in the middle of the bedroom as if awaiting him. "How is he?"
Charles placed his hands inside his pants pockets. "He will be alright."
She nodded. "I'm really grateful you flew out here today despite… the circumstances." Her eyes jumped as he shut the door. "Charles." She walked upon him, running fingers through his lush hair. "So you did miss me."
Keeping an unreadable expression frozen on his face, Charles hoisted her up around the waist with one arm. Surprised but greatly intrigued, Emma did not struggle as he brought her over to the bed. Charles dropped down into a sitting position before depositing the slim figured blonde across his knees.
With neither word nor warning, Charles began raining sharp swats down on the white clad behind. Emma jumped and chirped with every stinging blow. Completely surprising herself, she soon gave into tears when Charles' hand proved both relentless and powerful.
The sound of her crying did nothing to soften Charles, partly because he kept half his concentration on Scott to keep him from hearing any of this. Something unleashed inside the male telepath and he spanked onward.
Emma became limp and practically breathless. She clutched the trim of the bedspread in a tight grip.
"With no notice whatsoever, you completely vanished," Charles berated. "Then you have nerve enough to call me out of the blue with no attempt whatsoever at an explanation. Do you any idea of what all of this did to me for a straight week?"
A sincere but strained, "I'm sorry," left her lips.
Hearing that, Charles at last stopped. He gathered her up. With one arm under her knees and the other propped her upper back, Charles touched his forehead to hers. Her warm breath panted against his lips while long thin fingers clutched his hair.
Charles entered her psyche. Why?
Emma returned, I felt you blamed me for your sister's attack. Spite is a game I'm all too good at.
"I never blamed you," Charles spoke out loud, knowing her mind needed recovery. "Not even for a moment. I only needed time. I never wanted you gone."
She pulled on his shirt. "I didn't want to wait to be dismissed by you."
"You're a very bad girl, Emma," Charles scolded, his eyes twinkling. "How soon could you forget the promises I made to help you vanquish the demons?"
"I've longed for your mind in mine."
He brought her chin up. "I have missed you."
She took his hand and touched it to her behind. "You have the oddest ways of showing it."
Charles rubbed the spot then brought up, "You could have shifted into diamond form at any time."
"I forgot how," she said coyly, running a finger from his chin down the center of his Adam's apple.
Charles moved forward, going in to kiss her. Emma's body developed the diamond casing all over. Unbothered, Charles touched down on the hardened lips. Emma's crystalized figure dissolved instantly as she reacquainted herself with the taste of the Professor.
IIIIIII
As the energetic little body barreled through at a hundred miles an hour or so, he failed to notice the large wrinkle in the throw rug. Joey fell forward on his stomach with the remainder of the rug serving as a much needed cushion. He then felt himself get lifted up by the seat of his pajama pants.
"Seems we have a Kangaroo down." Erik held the boy up higher. "Perhaps from running inside, which he knows he shouldn't do?"
Joey managed to pull on Erik's sweater then got close enough to peck his cheek.
"Your kisses are futile." Erik hugged him, rubbing his nose against the teeny neck. "My handsome prince days are long gone, but here comes one now."
Alex walked up, promptly seizing Joey. "There you are, you little escape artist. Ready for bed?"
Joey nodded. "Night, Uncle Erik."
Erik gave him a light swat. "I'll be by to see about you, Kangaroo."
"'Kay." Joey rested on Alex's shoulder.
Entering the childish themed bedroom, Alex left Joey on the bed while he looked over the reading selection.
"What book do you want tonight?" At the lack of response, Alex glanced over his shoulder at the saddened face. "You miss Charles, don't you?"
"Yeah," Joey sighed.
Alex joined him on the bed. "Erik said he'd be here in a couple more hours. So when you wake up, he'll probably be the first one you see."
"Will you stay with me?" Joey requested.
"You know it." Alex lay down, pulling the eight-year-old over before clicking off the lamp.
IIIIIII
Careful of the precious adolescent cargo in his arms, Charles stepped down from the jet to where Emma already stood in the airbase.
"Can I give you a lift back?" the Professor offered.
"No, I'm used to cabs," she declined then knelt slightly to kiss the sleeping Scott's forehead. "I'll be by to see him tomorrow. If that's alright."
"Of course." A brief silence passed over them before they shared a quick kiss. Charles headed for the car while Emma went towards the exit. "Emma?" The woman looked back. "I expect to see you tomorrow."
"Yes, Professor," she smirked then sauntered off.
Charles continued on to the car. He loaded Scott safely into the passenger's seat then himself behind the steering wheel. Before long, the pair pulled into the mansion's garage.
IIIIIII
Erik poked his head into Joey's room and petitioned quietly, "Alex!"
The teenager stirred, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah?"
"We need you downstairs."
"Yes, sir," he yawned, standing up.
Erik brought them down into the parlor.
There Alex saw Charles in a chair holding a thin brunette boy.
All at once, every one of Alex's senses awoke. "Who is that?" he wanted to know.
Charles responded slowly, "This is Scott Summers, Alex— your brother."