X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Fifty Six
Author's Word: Hi, guys. I originally did not intend to get this posted tonight but meh, what can you do? Please enjoy and review!
Dressed and rejuvenated from his post-run shower, Erik stepped back into his bedroom in time to catch the fragile figure writhing over the bed. He moved with the instincts of a wolf to delicately take Frank into his arms.
When the boy only continued to worm around so vigorously, Erik walked the room with him. He gently placed Frank's head against his shoulder then offered the small bottom light taps to ease the vexed spirit inside. Frank had come to Erik the previous night with nightmares. Erik had hoped sleep would better things, but clearly no such luck had occurred.
Frank eventually settled down, breathing steadily over Erik's shoulder while holding onto the man with a frightened grip.
"It will be alright now, boychick," whispered the older mutant. "Keep breathing for me."
"I can't do it anymore," the boy spoke. "I can't, Erik. I can't keep seeing those kids at the hospital. I'm not like you. I'm not strong."
"Shhh," came the careful hush. "That is not strength you see here. Only the resolve that those in my care are more important."
Frank nestled into his neck. "It's cold."
Erik took the comforter and bundled the child up. "Are you hungry?"
"No… I wanna see Charles."
Obliging immediately, Erik carried him out. He sent a mental message to Charles to alert him to their coming.
The Professor had been off and on awake nearly every hour. He currently resided in his study, trying to distract himself from Frank's anguish with a little paperwork. He felt honest relief when Erik brought the boy in.
"Good morning, dear lad," Charles greeted warmly. "My, aren't you up early?"
"Someone wanted to see you." Erik placed Frank in the younger man's lap.
"Did you?" Charles smiled, wrapped arms around the blanketed youth. "I am most pleased."
Frank almost fully relaxed. Something about Charles' wisdom and kindness always helped him feel warmer than every night they'd spent out in California.
"Do you remember the evening Raven and I found you on the basketball court?"
"Yeah," Frank nodded.
"Do you remember the first time you and Raven prepared a recipe together?"
"Sure do."
"Do you remember the first time you and Hank caused a mini explosion in the lab?" Charles asked next.
"Ooh yeah," Frank smirked.
Erik squatted from behind to pat his back through the comforter.
Frank's eyes slowly closed under the protection of the two men.
IIIIIII
Raven turned another page of the pamphlet on Westchester University just as a knock came to her door. She jammed the reading material into her nearest dresser drawer.
"Come in," she invited, shutting the wooden compartment.
Emma poked her head inside. "So with Frank's mind where it is, sleep is out of the question. However, I'd also like to avoid complete insanity."
Raven quipped, "Yeah, partial is a way better look on you."
"You're a peach," Emma stated dryly. "Anyway, I thought we could go for a jog and get some cardio training in."
"Sure," the younger female agreed. "Just let me grab some sweats."
"I'll see you downstairs in ten." Emma left out.
IIIIIII
Hank stretched a long arm out to erase the very top of the blackboard while his class took its leave. When he turned back around, he found Frank still in the middle seat of the front table with his head on his textbook.
"Frank, you do realize you're now free from the confines of the classroom, right?" the scientist spoke humorously.
"Who cares about school?" Frank said, not looking up. "School's easy. Always has been."
Hank put down the eraser and approached him. "I tend to agree with you in that respect. It's the world beyond books that poses the real difficulty."
"Linny doesn't even have hair anymore, Hank. I know I'm awful, but I still get sick around him."
Dipping down, Hank rested his arms on the table. "What's happening to him is unnatural and has no beauty behind it."
"It's gonna happen to me next, Hank," Frank put forth, tone weary. "I know it. It'll come and I'll just shrivel and di—"
Seizing Frank's hand, Hank gave it a firm squeeze. "No, no. Linny's problem was discovered late. You can't so much as sniffle without my noticing. I want to show you something."
Frank sat up as Hank fished something out of his lab coat, passing it to him. The boy studied the white patch with a thick black X in the center. His eyes went to Hank.
"I got the idea from one of Joey's drawings," he explained. "Whenever Joey feels afraid he looks to Charles and finds what he needs to carry on." Hank's eyes gleamed. "So do I. You wanted a team name and there it is. The X-Men."
"The X-Men," Frank repeated to himself. "Cool." His face brightened.
"I thought so," Hank smiled. "Now, go on and get dressed for training. I'll be outside soon."
Frank hopped up and exited the lab. When he made it around the corridor, Scott jumped out.
"Halt!" He held a hand out traffic cop style.
"Whoa!" Frank slowed before they crashed right into each other. "Dude, what's up?"
"Follow me." Scott turned and raced off.
Intrigued, Frank shot after him.
Scott guided them up the east stairwell to the third floor. He opened the door at the very end of the hall. Inside stood Becky and Joey in a room filled with dusty antique furniture.
Frank walked in with Scott. "What are you guys up here for?"
"Because no one ever comes up here," Becky said with a glow to her eyes.
"We brought the marbles up," Scott indicated the different shoe boxes lined up on the floor. "We thought we'd have a super showdown competition."
"Alright!" Frank initially reacted then remembered something. "What about training?"
"We're ditchin'!" Joey declared excitedly.
Frank shrugged. "Works for me. Let's play."
The four youngsters got on their knees to begin taking out their different marble collections.
IIIIIII
Hearing the ringing telephone, Erik magnetically summoned the nearest receiver into his hand.
"Xavier Institute," he answered gruffly, lack of sleep catching up. "Alana? Please, slow down." He listened for a full minute. "We're on our way."
They hung up and he went to do some gathering.
IIIIIII
As Scott helped Joey flick a cat's eye marble out to the middle of the floor, Becky and Frank sat off to the side with their backs against an old armchair.
Noticing Frank's frequent eye rubbing, Becky said, "I haven't slept so well, either."
"What's eating you?" Frank asked her.
"Everything that's eating you," she told him, receiving a surprised look from him. "I feel things sometimes. Especially at night when it's loud."
"But it's quiet at night."
"Not in the mind," Becky informed.
"Tell me about it," Frank sighed. "Sorry. I don't want you to see this stuff."
Becky glanced at him. "I wish it would leave you alone."
Frank stared ahead. "I feel bad all the time. Even with everything with Linny, I've still been kind of happy. Mom's finally back. Being around my dad feels weird still, but every time I look up, Erik is there. Now I know how you and Alex get to feel all the time."
"Erik loves you," Becky said strongly. "All three of us are his. Remember Hanukah? You're his youngest son."
"I miss Hanukah," Frank recollected. "And Christmas. And our cave."
"Me, too," Becky agreed softly.
When the numerous adult footsteps came close, the laughter on the third floor ceased.
Hide, Becky directed telepathically.
She and the boys leapt up, finding refuge behind the sofa.
The door opened, allowing Charles, Erik, and Emma entry.
Rebecca darling, Emma called out, we know you're here. All of you.
Laughing, the kids scrambled out. Joey and Scott rushed to Emma and Charles. Becky hugged Erik around the middle while Frank leaned on him.
"Okay, okay. We give. You caught us." Frank felt Erik touch his head. He glanced up to see his headmaster's expression. "What is it?"
IIIIIII
Alana stood from the couch in the waiting area of the Children's Ward when the near army from Westchester came her way.
"Mom." Frank quickly hugged her while Erik, Charles, Emma, Raven, and Sean gathered from behind.
"Thank God," Alana sighed, embracing her boy. "Your father went to get Jeff from school. I haven't been able to reach him at all."
"What's happened exactly?" Charles asked.
"Frankie." All heads turned in a unison motion at the chipper acknowledgement. Linny, showered and dressed in a long sleeve red checkered shirt and black jeans stood. A smile covered his face. "Hey, you're back."
"Lin?" It took a moment to return the hug his brother offered, initially thinking he saw a stranger. "You… you look…"
"Go ahead, say it," Linny encouraged. "I only look like half crap now." He looked over. "Hey, Sean right?" He gave a hearty handshake to the tall teenager. "Red hair gave you away." Linny grinned. "Raven, it's good to see you again."
"Hey," Sean said while Raven gave him a little kiss on the cheek.
"You look great," she told him.
"Thanks." Linny glanced by them. "Sorry, who are you two?"
"Professor Charles Xavier." Charles shook the young man's hand. "This is Emma Frost."
"Hello, sweetheart," Emma greeted, somewhat taken aback. This looked nothing like the ailing child she had been told about numerous times.
"Mom, did Dad call back yet?" Linny asked.
"Not yet, baby," Alana answered.
Linny shrugged and turned to Frank and the other young people. "Come with me. I'll show you what's groovy around here."
Utterly baffled, Frank along with Sean and Raven followed behind him.
Erik touched a hand to Alana's wrist. "What?" was the first word to leave his mouth.
"Can you believe it?" Alana beamed. "The doctors are saying it's the new treatment. It was painful at first but now he's like a whole other person. They've even cut down on his medication."
"It's amazing," Emma said.
"But so soon," Erik added.
"I'm inclined to agree," Charles spoke. "Last I heard from Erik, Lincoln could barely stand to walk on his own."
"My fingers remain crossed," Alana assured them. "But seeing him this way," she grinned, "I just don't know what to do with myself."
Erik gazed upon her with concern, hoping she would be able to hold onto this glow.
IIIIIII
Opening one door, Linny brought their group into what had to be the most colorful section of the entire ward, possibly even the hospital. Numerous children, many balding, stood or sat around playing with different toys and board games.
"Most of these kids are in recovery," Linny explained. "I've been in here all day."
"Franklin Benjamin."
The petitioned one glanced over as a familiar blonde walked over. "Swedish girl?"
"Swedish girl?" Raven repeated in confusion.
"Her name's Jennifer," Linny clarified, exchanging a hug with the girl. "Hey, Jen."
Frank looked back and forth between them. "You guys know each other?"
"Oh yeah," Linny said. "Jennifer's been visiting me since… since the first day you came to see me actually. She's done a lot of praying with me."
"Oh that's nice," Sean remarked.
"I'm afraid I can't stay long today." Jennifer started for the door. "Goodbye, Lincoln. I hope I'll see you later. Goodbye, everyone."
"Hang on a minute." Frank went after her into the hall. "Hey you, wait." She turned back around. "My brother. Why were you visiting him?"
"For you," she told him simply. "And for him."
"Uh, you don't even know us," Frank brought up.
"Does that matter?" Jennifer countered lightly. "I really have to go. But thank you."
"Me? For what?"
"For Lincoln. For allowing me the chance to speak with him. Goodbye." She rushed away, leaving behind a still bewildered Frank.
While Raven played building blocks with some preschool age children, Sean and Linny stood over by the candy machine.
"Could you do me a favor?"
Sean looked at the other teen. "Sure, what is it?"
"Frank says you're great. Really great." Linny smiled somewhat weakly. "It must be nice to be considered that from Frank Tolbert."
"Linny, I—"
"Don't worry about." He shook his head. "Listen, could you keep watching out for him? I know I'm not the brother he wants. You are and I can respect that. But it's fine. I'm not going to be around much longer."
Sean frowned. "What are you talking about? I thought things were better, that you were better."
"I am," Linny assured. "No more pain, no more prodding. It's all over."
Sean went into deep silence, not sure what to say to that.
II
Erik slowed his movements at the water cooler. There stood Alana, arms folded, facing the double doors that led out to the rest of the hospital. He inhaled, beginning the steps up the hall towards her.
"He'll be here."
Alana spun around at his voice. "Who said I was waiting on Phil? I've spent enough time doing that."
Reaching out, Erik touched the side of her face. "You haven't slept."
"Neither have you," she noted in turn.
"Nothing I'm not used to," he dismissed.
Alana sighed upward. "I pushed out four babies at this hospital. I got to hold three. I love my guys, but I so badly wanted a little girl. These developments with Lincoln are so hopeful, but I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. What does God want with my kids?"
Erik responded with, "I can understand why He wants the lambs by His side. Why He seemingly wants me on earth- that I'll never understand."
"He's not the only one who likes you here," she informed offhandedly, creating a brief startle in his eyes.
II
"Yeah, I just helped some kids build a fortress. They're so cute. It was great. Let me talk to Hank." Raven waited a few seconds then smiled at his voice over the payphone. "Hey, baby. Alex was just telling me how great the kids are being. Yeah, things are going okay here so far. It's just hard, seeing any of these children having to go through all of this. No, I'm fine. You stay put. I just wanted to…" Her voice cracked. "To tell you that I love you and I can't wait to be your wife. Bye, baby." She hung up through slightly blurred eyes.
"Raven." Charles came over, pulling his sister into his arms while Emma came up and rubbed her back.
Sean and Frank rejoined them just as Erik and Alana made their return.
Seeing Raven distraught, Erik wanted to know, "What's wrong?"
Before anyone could speak, another walked up. "Alana."
The female redhead approached her husband. "Where have you been? I left messages at the school and with the neighbors."
"I took Jeff out for some ice cream and dropped him off at your sister's," Phil told her.
"If you would just come straight home—"
"Alana, would you…" Phil looked beyond her, seeing they were most certainly not alone. He put on a smile. "Hello." He walked over. "I'm sorry. Phil Tolbert."
"Charles Xavier." They shook hands.
The blonde beside him introduced herself with, "Emma Frost."
Phil then placed his attention on the youngest in the area. "Frank. See you came to check on your brother."
"Hi, Dad." Keeping his gaze away, Frank went to Erik, who placed an arm around him.
"Where's Linny?" Alana asked the boys.
"He said he was going to use the bathroom," Sean said. "I'll go get him." He headed off.
"So," Charles spoke, "Mr. Tolbert, I understand you're a Staff Sergeant."
"Not as glamorous as it sounds," Phil said.
"You got that right," Alana mumbled.
Sean returned to them hurriedly. "He's not there."
Alana's expression turned alarmed. "What do you mean? He has to be. I was just at the entrance and I didn't see him go by."
"Maybe he went back to that room with the kids," Raven suggested.
Sean shook his head. "I checked there, too."
"Well, where the hell is he?" Phil demanded. "Alana, where's our son?"
"I'm trying to figure that out, Phillip," she shot back.
"Listen," Sean said loudly. "Linny was talking weird earlier. Saying he wasn't going to be here long."
Frank looked over in surprise. "What?"
"And now he's gone," Sean went on. "He said the pain would end…"
Emma focused a moment. "He's on the roof."
"How do you know?" Phil questioned.
Alana, however, did not waste time on reasoning.
II
The city so large and intimidating appeared small and obsolete as Linny gazed around from the top edge of the twelve story hospital. It had nothing next to the Empire State Building, but still. It gave the entire world clarity in that moment. Linny looked back slowly as company joined him on the roof in the form of his parents, Charles, Erik, and Frank.
"Lincoln!" Alana shouted.
"How the hell did you get up here?" Phil wanted to know.
"Same way you did," Linny said simply. "Fire escape. I'm glad you're back, Dad. I wanted you here before I did this."
"Lincoln, let's discuss this rationally," Charles said gently. "First, I need you to come towards us. I know it's been difficult, but taking your own life will only cause senseless heartache."
The teenager raised an eyebrow. "Take my own life? Are you kidding? After all this poking and prodding? I was just up here getting some air."
Alana sighed deeply with relief. "Then what is this all about, honey?"
"Mom, Dad, I feel better than I have in months." Linny walked towards them. "I was ready to give up. I really was. But now that I know the pain is really over, I'm ready to go."
"Go where?" his father demanded.
"Away," Linny responded. "A friend told me about this church. I'm going to be a missionary."
Frank's mouth dropped open.
"Lincoln, you just stepped out of the danger zone for leukemia," Alana emphasized. "You're out of your mind if you think we're letting you go anywhere. You need to take this time to focus on school and getting back to your own life."
"I hate school, Mom," Linny said strongly. "You know that. School is Frank's place. It's never been mine. I've missed too much to possibly pass this year. But through the church program, they'll educate me on travels. I can earn my diploma through them."
Alana stared at him in disbelief. "This is out of the question."
"Mom, I love you," Linny told her. "But I'll run away if I have to. I wanted the marines like Dad, but after this cancer?" He shook his head. "I don't have a chance. This is what I want to do."
"Let him go," Phil put forth before Alana could say anything else.
"What?" his wife hissed incredulously.
"He's right," Phil said. "His school grades are subpar at best and no branch of the military will have him. He's too much of a liability."
"What if he gets sick again?" Alana pointed out.
"You'll be the first to find out." Linny looked at Phil plainly. "This time, anyway."
Phil blinked sharply at that.
Alana sighed into her hands deeply.
Did you see any of this coming? Erik broadcasted to Charles.
Not one bit, the Professor returned.
II
Raven slipped her jacket back out, tossing out her blonde hair from under it. "A missionary?"
Sean nodded. "Yeah. They go all over the world to these countries that haven't heard the word of God. It's pretty incredible actually."
Emma looked to Charles. "I must say, after all this I'm dangerously close to feeling better about my family. Now I just need a drink and the status quo will reign again."
II
Alana leaned against a back wall of the hospital, speaking to Phil. "I can't believe you're willing to go along with this."
"After last year, I think this entire family could stand to get away." Phil went quiet before he said the next part. "I signed on for a tour in Japan for three months. With Frank at school and Phil doing this, I want Jeff to come with me."
Alana let off a wry laugh. "I'll just bet you do. So all three of my sons. What's next, Phil, huh? How about a kidney?"
Phil swallowed. "I think it'd be best if you went back to…"
"To what, Phil?" Alana snapped. "The rubber room?"
"We've all been through so much. And I just think if you went for a couple months—"
"Go to hell," she cut in like a double edged sword. "I'm not crazy, Phillip and I never was. The most insane thing I did last year was let you make me believe I was." She turned away, leaving out through the double doors.
From around the corner, Erik witnessed the exchange. He pressed his back against the wall, thinking it all over.
II
Frank and Linny sat out on the back steps leading out to the parking lot, gazing at the orange-blue sky city lights created.
"You know, part of me is glad all of this happened."
"You mean the cancer?" Frank stared at him.
"Mmhmm," Linny nodded. "Last year it would have taken wild horses, pigs, and a couple dogs to get us to not bump heads for longer than two minutes."
"When did we ever make it to two minutes?" Frank joked.
Linny asked, "How's it going with you and Dad?"
Frank shrugged one shoulder. "He's as crazy about me as ever."
"Don't even let that get you down," Linny waved off. "Frank, truth is, Jeff is the only one who has Dad's stamp of approval. See, I was born first and I learned right away that to be close to the guy, you have to do exactly what he says. You didn't get that concept so well. Jeff is the blank slate. The one he can mold the best. The only reason he's letting me leave is because this is as close to military as I'll ever get."
"I still can't believe you're doing this," Frank said.
"Figured you might get it a little." Linny looked at him closely. "What kind of school stops what they're doing to constantly help out the family of one of their students?" Frank glanced away and Linny nodded. "Right. Tell me or don't tell me, Frankie. You've got it good with these people. Don't mess it up."
Frank returned his eyes to the sky above. For the first time in so long, he sat beside his brother with no inner sickness overcoming either of them.