X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Fifty Four
Author's Word: Wow, there seems to be a great deal of mixed emotion where this story is concerned. I like that. I just love knowing everyone's thoughts and opinions. My advice, because I see things from both a viewer and author's perspective, is if you ever truly enjoy a work, wait until the ending before you make your final judgment call because that's the point that decides everything. But as it is, Rise or Fall's ending is not on the horizon anytime soon. So enjoy the ride and fasten those safety belts!
At the sight of the hovering keys floating by his study, Charles became alerted to the older mutant's presence.
The Professor stepped into the doorway. "Off to the city again I see."
"Escort for Frank." Erik paused from walking, but kept his keys in the air. "His father wants the five of them for today."
"Yes, Frank told me about it. Alana would like for Lincoln to get out of the hospital for a while." Charles looked at him knowingly. "So I take it you'll be staying until their time is complete."
"And I take no shame in this." He started off again.
Charles jogged after him. "Brother, I need you to know I am not against you. But with all that Frank has on his plate, I don't want him placed in an awful position."
Erik glanced at the young professor. "I would never force such a thing on him. I may not be gifted with mind reading, but my instincts know when to be on full alert."
Nodding, Charles said, "Let's talk tonight. Over chess."
"I look forward to it." Erik then followed his levitating keys down the stairs.
IIIIIII
Alex did not so much as flinch when the extra weight mounted his bed and crawled out onto his back.
"What's happenin', Joe?" Alex's eyebrows went up, trying to decipher the secret encryptions found throughout algebra.
"Nothin'." Joey sighed in boredom. "At all. Can we go play yahtzee or jacks or watch TV?" He nuzzled against the side of the teen's face.
"Sorry, baby." Alex pecked his cheek. "Big bro has to study."
"But you're always studying."
"That's because my brain loses stuff every time I take a whiz."
Joey laughed then proceeded to bounce lightly on him. "Earthquake!"
Flipping over, Alex now held the small blonde on his stomach. "By the way, how's your homework coming?"
Joey responded, "Naptime," before dropping into a faux sleeping position.
"Uhh-huh." Alex messed his hair. "Why don't you get it all out the way then go track down Scottie?"
Rolling off, Joey got to his feet. "'Kay, Al." He turned away. "See you later."
"Hey," Alex called after, getting the nine-year-old's attention. "Get your head up." Joey raised his chin a bit. "Good. Keep it that way."
The child gave him a special smile before leaving out to tend to his own studies.
IIIIIII
Glancing out the corner of his eye, Erik focused in on his youthful passenger. Frank sat upright, staring out the window at the many familiar sights of his old neighborhood. In his right hand, he danced the Nazi coin across his fingers in a way that gave Erik a flash from his hunter days.
The metal wielder reached over, placing his hand over the boy's. He gave the smaller appendage a firm squeeze.
"Behave," Erik said gently. "Alright?"
"Gotcha," Frank smiled softly.
They pulled up in front of the two-flat and parked right there. After they got out, Erik put a hand on Frank's shoulder and guided him up to the front door.
Frank pressed the doorbell for his apartment. Almost instantaneously, his mother arrived to greet them.
"Mom," Frank spoke happily as she took him into her arms.
"I was counting down for you, baby." Alana smiled over to Erik. "Thank you."
Erik nodded cordially before the three of them went in and into the Tolbert living room.
Phil stood from the couch, grinning. "There's part two of my kids."
"Dad!" Frank near squealed at the man hoisting him up, relieved to find him in jolly spirits.
Phil put him down after a few seconds. "They've still got you on drop-off duty?" he said to Erik.
"It's strictly voluntary," Erik informed.
"Well, you probably won't need to come back until morning. I figured Frank could spend the night."
The boy in question looked up. "I still have a lot of homework, Dad."
"He's been doing exceptionally well," Erik said. "I know he doesn't want to fall back now."
"One night won't flunk him out," Phil reasoned, patting Frank's shoulder. "You can get to that work tomorrow."
"Yeah," Frank agreed with uncertainty.
"Well, it'll probably be an early night for us," Alana said. "We'll have to get Linny back to the hospital."
"How is he?" Erik asked her.
"Napping with Jeff," Alana smiled at the thought.
Erik nodded, looking to Frank. "I'll see you before noon tomorrow." He then said generally to the other adults, "Enjoy yourselves."
After they returned the parting, Erik walked out. He stuck his hands into the pockets of his black suit jacket. He retrieved a stick of gum and popped it into his mouth before beginning a stroll around the block.
IIIIIII
Once he had his dreaded homework completed, Joey began his search for Scott. He did not locate the other boy until he happened upon him in Hank's lab.
"Thanks for letting me borrow this," Scott said, handing over a magazine. "Aviation is incredible."
"Any time," Hank assured. "It's nice to see you so interested. I got into the subject at just about your age."
Joey came over, wrinkling his nose. "What is avi-ating?"
"Aviation," Hank corrected. "It's the study of planes and other flying machines." He looked at Scott again. "If you like, I could take you to explore our jet. It came from my design so I'll be able to show you the full ins and outs."
Scott's face completely lit up. "I'd love that. Thanks, Hank."
Charles walked in then with Sean right behind him. "Excellent. You're all here."
"What is it, Charles?" Hank asked.
"Well, Sean brought the museum up to me," the Professor started. "With the rest of the family otherwise occupied, I thought the five of us could go."
"That's a great idea," Hank responded.
"I've never been before," Scott realized.
"It's real groovy," Sean told him. "I'm dying to see the work of Mark Howard. He's this up and coming horror buff from Queens."
Charles smiled down at the youngest of the house. "Does that sound like fun, Joey?"
With everyone else so excited, Joey answered, "Uh huh."
IIIIIII
Bringing the large bowl of popcorn over, Phil tapped Frank's shoulder.
"Go sit with your brothers." He pointed towards the couch.
"Oh. Right." Frank got up and moved to sit on the other side of Jeff.
Phil took over the arm chair and Alana sat on the right arm of it.
"Here, hon." She gave the popcorn bowl over to Linny.
"Thanks, Mom." Linny took a handful before giving it to Jeff.
When the bowl reached him, Frank shook his head. "No thanks."
"I put in that cheese salt you like," Phil told him.
Frank stayed glued to the TV. "I just don't feel like any."
"Leave for a while and these kids grow a foot and change taste buds on you," Phil commented.
"Yeah, it's hard being away so long," Alana said, eyes forward.
Phil glanced at her then returned to the television screen.
A half hour into the movie, Linny began to move in his seat uncomfortably.
Alana noticed first. "What is it, baby?"
"It hurts a little," he said, slightly strained.
"Let me get your meds." Alana hurried off to the bathroom.
Phil sat up a little. "Maybe we should go back to the hospital."
"No," Linny turned down. "Please, Dad. Not yet."
Frank stood up.
"Where are you going?" Phil asked him.
"I'll be right back." Frank headed towards the back of the apartment.
Jeff scooted over closer to Linny, hugging his arm.
Making it to his bedroom, Frank pressed his hands against the windowpane. He lowered to his knees, sucking in difficult breaths.
IIIIIII
Sean walked the group of five to speak on the numerous black and gray sculptures by Mark Howard.
Joey tilted his head at something that happened to be a fanged creature with a live squirrel in its mouth.
"Isn't it cool?" Sean grinned.
"It's creepy lookin'," Joey replied.
"Well, it's gothic expressionism," Sean explained. "It's supposed to be creepy."
"Gothic?" Joey squinted.
Scott piped up, "That's like Batman."
When Joey remained confused, Charles said, "Think of it as Uncle Erik having a particularly grumpy day."
"Oh," the little boy somewhat understood.
"Hm," Hank mused coyly. "I wonder what that exhibit over there is all about."
Scott glanced over and smiled at the big model army plane on the other side of the room. "Wow, you didn't say anything about this."
"We thought it would be a pleasant surprise." Hank winked at the other glasses wearer.
"Remember not to touch." Charles walked him over.
"I won't." Scott looked the plane over before reading the sign posts they had on it.
"Are you very interested in this area?" Charles asked.
"Definitely," Scott answered, peering up at the man. "I don't remember much about my dad, but I know he was a pilot. Flying— it just makes me feel like I'm maybe a little bit like him."
Charles placed his hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "How would you like to attend a real air show?"
"Do you mean it?"
"Absolutely. I'll look into it as soon as we get home."
"Thank you, Charles," Scott said with great sincerity.
"Only the best for my boy." Charles tickled his nose then gazed about, speaking softly. "My boys." He then noticed Joey's somewhat lost expression and walked over. "I bet you'll enjoy the paintings." He held out a hand. "Shall we?"
Joey gladly linked up with him.
The telepath walked them to the next room, where they passed through a lengthy wall of different framed works. Joey frowned up, unable to even make out pictures in most of them. Several came in moody colors; more "gothic" if Sean were to tell it.
"You know," Charles spoke. "Many of these artists started off quite young. Look at this piece." He stopped them in front of a brown and green abstract. "So many emotions at completely different angles."
It looks like poopies, Joey thought then, for once, hoped his father had not read his mind.
"It's nice, Daddy," he spoke out loud.
"Which is your favorite?"
"Uh…" Joey tried to find something, anything. He then pointed out one that had a blue drag effect. "That one."
"What do you like about it?" Charles asked, wanting to hear Joey's point of view.
All he thought to say was, "I like blue."
A soft chuckle came from Charles. "Very straight forward, little one. Let's look down here."
Joey held onto him, suddenly missing his homework assignments as they moved on.
IIIIIII
After dinner ended for the Tolberts, Frank helped his mother carry the dishes to the sink.
"You picked at everything," Alana observed. "Are you feeling alright, honey?"
"My stomach's getting smaller," Frank brushed off.
"I don't know." She poked him near his bellybutton, making him laugh. "It seemed big enough when I made dinner at your school." She looked over to the clock above the stove. "I wonder what's keeping your dad."
"Mommy," Jeff stepped into the kitchen, "Linny's making funny noises again."
Alana did not bother to dry her hands from the sink water as she went with her youngest to check on things.
Frank dropped down, crawling under the kitchen table.
He clicked the button on his communicator. "Erik? Erik, are you still around?"
After a second, the deep voice of the Poland native sounded. "I'm about four blocks south. What is it, boychick?"
"Listen, everything feels really weird. I can't describe it," Frank said into his wrist device. "Please can you just come back?"
"Two minutes." Erik signed off with that.
Frank did not leave the kitchen until he heard the bell go off in just under two minutes later. He promptly zoomed out.
"I'll get it!" he yelled in the direction of Linny's room, where the remainder of his family had surely gathered. He swung the living room door then front of the building door open for his headmaster. "Hey."
Erik knelt down to hug him. "What's happened?"
Alana left out of Linny's room. "Erik," she acknowledged kindly. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm afraid not." The man stood up. "I've run into a bit of car trouble not far from here."
"Oh no," she sympathized. "Hold on. I'll fix you a plate. We just had dinner."
"Thank you." Erik came in fully, closing the door after himself.
"I'll help, Mom." Frank followed her into the kitchen.
Erik gazed about the living room; not much had changed since his visit from last year. He saw one door in particular left half open and headed that way. He saw Linny propped up against his headboard with Jeff at his side.
"Hello," the man greeted.
"Hello," Linny returned politely. "Is something the matter with Frank?"
"No, this is all me. I'm having car trouble. Do you mind if I come in?"
Linny held his hand out in invitation.
Erik walked in, squatting near the bed. His countenance remained even as he gazed at the teenager who appeared only a withering shadow of the boy he had once met.
"Fine," Linny answered, stroking Jeff's hair absently.
"Jeff." Erik looked to him. "Could you run and check on your mother and Frank for me, please?"
"Yes, sir," the little boy replied automatically to the adult. He climbed down from the bed and left out.
"Does it hurt?" Erik asked once they were alone.
Linny nodded, his voice dropped. "I can't do this anymore. Every day gets harder."
"Hold on," Erik urged gently, laying a hand over both of the boy's frail ones. "I know it doesn't feel like it, but you have some matter of choice here. Don't give into it. Don't leave the battleground until the war has ended."
Frank came to the doorway, peering in. He felt a flame building up inside that he could not explain. The sound of keys brought his attention to the living room and he entered in time to see his father walk in.
Alana came out of the kitchen and up to her husband with arms crossed. "Where have you been?"
"I just went to help Mark move some furniture around," he explained, removing his jacket.
"Mark?" Alana stared at him in annoyance. "You were supposed to be having Linny's new prescription filled."
"It took three hours." He placed the bag from the pharmacy on the nearby stand. "What did you want me to do? Sit in there on my hands?"
"No, I wanted you to come home and have dinner with your family," she said matter-of-factly. "Not dash off to see one of your buddies. Why didn't you call?"
"I thought it would just take an hour, okay?" Phil retorted. "Save the nagging, Alana. I didn't miss it."
"Leave Mom alone," Frank piped up.
Phil looked over to his son. "Shush it, Frank. I'm not in the mood. Now go straighten up or do something besides pull your dead weight around."
Frank turned away. "I'm going back to school."
"No, you're not," Phil countered. "You're staying right here with us."
"I don't want to," Frank told him strongly.
Phil grimaced, moving towards him. "Did I ask what you wanted to do? No, I told you what you were going to do. Get in your room."
The pre-teen shook his head. "No."
"No? That's it." Phil's hands went to his belt buckle.
Frank froze. "Dad, no!"
Before he could unloop the belt, Phil felt himself fall from the side onto the couch. He stared up in disbelief at Alana, who's current expression matched her crimson hair perfectly.
"If you come near my child with that belt, I will choke you with it. Try me, Phillip. Try. Me."
Erik took that moment to step out into the living room, arms going around Frank from behind.
"Where do you even come from?" Phil wanted to know, looking at the teacher.
"Erik, go ahead and take him back," Alana directed.
"Alana," Phil started.
"Go stay the night at Mark's. I'll call you in the morning."
Phil gaped at her. "You cannot be serious."
"As suicide," she confirmed. "I finally, finally get my kids all together and you want to have one of your little military moments. Phil, get out of my face tonight or you'll be the one having an extended stay in the nuthouse."
The marine looked ready to pop a vein, but complied. "Fine." He went to their room for an overnight bag.
Erik bent his head to kiss the top of Frank's. "Shh. Calm yourself, boychick."
"Mom?" Alana looked back to see that Linny had stepped out of his room. He slowly went to her. "Do I still have to go back to the hospital?"
"No." She gave him a delicate hug, rubbing the back of his head. "No, honey. Dad has something to do for work tonight so I need you here with me and Jeff."
Linny nodded against her then turned his head slightly. "You're leaving, too?"
Frank glanced up. "Yeah."
"You'll be back soon, won't you?"
Erik brought his hands up to Frank's shoulders. "We both will. You focus on staying well."
"Thank you," the teenager said softly.
Pushing back from the height of emotion he felt from the previous happenings, Frank walked over. He moved in, offering his brother a hug. Linny in turn gave him the best return his extremely thin form could produce.
IIIIIII
After the parlor's fireplace was successfully lit, Charles stepped off for delights of the edible variety. Hank and Joey sat on the loveseat opposite to Sean and Scott.
"Did you have fun at the museum?" Hank asked Scott.
The brunette boy nodded, wrapping his fleece throw around tighter. "Oh yeah. I can't wait until we can go back again."
"What about you, Joey?" Hank turned to the doodling child beside him.
Joey shrugged a little. "It was okay."
Hank eyed him knowingly. "Is that your way of saying boring?"
"Geez, little guy," Sean chimed in. "You could've said something."
"Why?" Joey shrugged again, continuing to move his pencil across the pad. "You would've just called me a brat."
Sean frowned. "No, I wouldn't."
Joey only kept drawing.
Hank wiggled his glasses. "Joey, if something is bothering you then say something."
"Yeah," Sean agreed. "Just because we're not Alex doesn't mean you can't talk to us. You don't have to stay quiet until you end up hurting yourself."
"Sean," Hank cautioned.
Placing his pad down, Joey hopped up from the couch. He brought his chin up and started to leave the room.
"Now where are you going?" Sean asked.
"Alex says for me to keep my head high," Joey informed, turning around importantly. "I don't have to listen to you, Seanie."
"Whoa, what's that supposed to mean?" Sean felt completely taken aback. "I'm just trying to be here for you. So is Hank."
Joey said, "Alex doesn't care if I'm stupid."
"Hello," Charles spoke, entering the room with a tray of hot chocolate and cookies, "what's this? Tell me I did not just hear you refer to yourself as stupid."
"I am. Hank, Sean, and Scottie loved the museum 'cause they're all smart," Joey rationalized. "I just pretended."
"Yes, I know." Charles placed the tray on the coffee table. "Joey, lack of interest in an activity does not make you stupid."
Joey said back, "Yeah, but Seanie has all those weird books and Hank knows all the science stuff in the world. And Frank and Scott are good in school."
Charles nodded attentively. "And Alex doesn't make you feel badly at all."
"Do I?" Hank inquired.
Joey looked over at him. "We had a lot of fun on vacation, but you always act so… teacher-y."
Sean snorted. "He's got you there, Hank."
"I never knew that bothered you," Hank said honestly. "I don't do that because I think you're unintelligent, Joey. I simply enjoy teaching you new things or showing them to you up close. I suppose you could say that's fun for me."
"At least he has fun with you," Sean put forth. "Joey, I still remember what you were like when you first got here. You didn't have any problem with Alex. You guys got along great. It made me feel like I wasn't such a great big brother. I'm sorry for not being more patient with you."
"That's okay, Seanie," Joey told him. "I'm sorry for being a pain. I always am."
"No you're not," Scott abruptly countered. "Joey, you're like the nicest kid here. I don't know how you could ever feel bad. I usually feel jealous of you."
"Why?" Joey asked in utter disbelief.
"Because sometimes it feels like Alex likes you more," Scott admitted, casting his eyes downward.
This surprised Joey even more. "Nuh uh!"
"I have to second that "nuh uh"." Charles sat beside Scott, pulling him over close. "Raven and I actually had this problem last year. She thought I preferred Erik to her. The truth is, he and I simply have a different relationship. As with you and Alex, Scott, he isn't going to treat you exactly as he would Joey because you're two different little boys."
"He's right," Sean said. "I don't treat my kid bro Tommy like I do Frank."
Scott nestled against Charles. "I feel so out of place sometimes."
"Why do you think I linger in my lab so often?" Hank spoke. "It's the one place where everything fits."
"Hank, you're crazy," Sean said. "You're like top son around here. The rest of us are just kids, but Charles lets you be a boss."
Hank gave off a modest shrug. "Being a kid isn't so awful, trust me."
Charles listened to the many points of view of the young males. "As far as I am concerned, you're all top sons. You each make me a very proud man. Best of all, you do it with such individuality."
Scott looked up at him. "I'm proud, too."
"Of what, Scottie?" Charles patted his small, thin back.
"Being yours," the young boy told him with a quiet shyness. "Getting to be here and learn from you."
Sean scooted over. "Me, too. Even when I brat up."
Charles laughed softly and brushed the redhead's cheek with his thumb.
"It really is an honor to have been accepted into your family long before I proposed to Raven," Hank told the older man.
Joey went over to lean against Charles' lap. "I'm glad you found me."
The Professor had to work to keep the moisture in his eyes at bay. "Thank you, lads. Now, get to your chocolate while it's still hot."
Hank reached forward for a mug then caught a glimpse of the sketchpad Joey had left on the loveseat. He looked the drawing over while the others munched away.
"Joey," he indicated the pad, "do you mind if I hang onto this?"
"You can have it," Joey said.
"Thank you." Hank studied the detailed picture of the letter X, growing thoughtful.
IIIIIII
After he had his potato chip, pretzel, donut, and ovaltine bounty, Frank went to the living room. He turned on the TV then set the volume for as low as possible while still being able to hear.
"What're you doing up?"
Frank nearly leapt from his skin before realizing the voice belonged to a non-adult. "Man Scott, you don't make a sound."
The shaded boy smirked faintly, coming over to the couch. "I was just getting water. You're gonna be in huge trouble for snacking this late."
"I know, but I'm starving." Frank stuffed a full donut into his mouth.
Scott sat, taking a handful of chips. "I thought you had dinner with your folks today."
Frank felt his stomach churn. "I barely ate anything."
"How come?"
"My brother…" Frank's warm eyes darkened. "I almost got sick twice looking at him. I don't understand why he has to look like that, feel like that. He always listens and does as told. So how do I get powers and he gets this?"
Scott gazed at him sympathetically. "I don't know. But I gotta say, I'm glad it didn't get you, too."
"Scott," Frank shifted a bit to better face him, "I am so sorry for the dumb stuff I said. I really wish I could go back in time and just shut up. But I really, really want to be friends again."
"Gee," Scott ate another chip, "and here I thought I was your best friend."
Frank grinned. "You are."
Scott asked, "So did you have any fun at all today?"
"Not even a spec. My dad was fussing with my mom and I got mad. I talked back then he started taking off his belt."
Scott's eyebrows popped. "You got a whipping, man?"
Frank shook his head. "Erik was there and Mom just went off on Dad. She knocked him into our couch. Dad's staying at a friend's tonight."
"Wow," Scott reacted, unable to formulate an initial response. "Glad you didn't get your butt striped."
"My dad used to be the only guy I'd ever take a spanking from. But ever since last year, he doesn't even feel like my dad. He's so different."
"It's gotta be being away from home and all the fighting."
"But he's always done that," Frank said, at a complete loss. "I don't even want to see him for a while. New York isn't home like it used to be."
"I'm no expert on this kind of stuff," Scott stated, "but I say this is home now. Forget all that other stuff."
Frank recalled his earlier feelings, specifically the comfort Erik's touch provided him. "You're right about that. Hey, am I a jerk for getting kind of mad about Erik being nice to Linny?"
"Maybe just a little," Scott said honestly.
"I can live with that."
They went quiet after that, enjoying the John Wayne film together.
Twenty minutes later, the headmasters passed through. They met with the sight of two passed out boys covered in crumbs and empty snack packages.
"Nice to see that the Eye Screamers are back in tact," Erik commented, clicking off the television with his mutation.
Charles mused out loud, "To be a fanciful little boy again."
"Yes, compared to the fanciful little man you are now." The remark earned Erik a small Stern Professor glower. "Just adorable, aren't they?"
"Quite," Charles agreed then proposed, "Scolding come morning?"
"First thing," Erik said without reserve.
Charles took Scott into his arms while Erik carried Frank. They tucked the pair back into their individual beds before moving on to check on the other sleeping youngsters.