X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Sixty Three
Author's Word: Crystal Rayne, I wanted to say thank you for your review. You probably gave the shortest feedback of anyone for the last chapter but what you said really touched me. Also, I want to give a big welcome to Latin Girl Writter, my newest reader. Welcome again to the Rise or Fall family. Please enjoy and review!
The large fully equipped soldier formed out of the shadows of the jungle plants, ready to fire. Before he could, the crimson beam shot forth and faded him quicker than he came.
"Good one, Cyc," Lighthouse commended.
"'House!" Cyclops pointed urgently.
Lighthouse spun around rapidly to see the green camouflaged figure behind him. He released the blinding aura from his eyes.
Magneto's voice sounded with, "That isn't going to work. You see he has eye protection. But no weaponry. Take him."
Grunting, Lighthouse leapt forward and tackled the figure, who easily pinned him at the wrists. Turning on his eyes again, Lighthouse scanned through the figure's clothing and zeroed in on the chest injury.
With a clunk, Lighthouse banged foreheads with him then took the opportunity to roll out from underneath him. He arched his foot back then delivered the hardest kick he had in him to the man's upper body. He vanished along with the entire jungle setting, returning the mutated group to the bunker.
"I'm sorry, Papa," Becky apologized. "I couldn't hold it anymore."
"No, you did enough," Magneto reassured her. "Regardless of the length, the illusions were far more realistic this go around. That takes enormous concentration." He looked to the boys. "Cyclops, quick thinking as always. Lighthouse, sufficient use of your secondary mutation. We still need to work on your formal hand-to-hand skills. These are not playground scuffles you're going to find yourself in."
"You think kids won't kill each other over marbles?" Lighthouse smirked then tacked on, "I mean yes, sir."
"Havok, did you—" Magneto glanced back then glowered. "Havok!"
"Huh?" The teenager looked up from where he stood holding a blue clad baby doll. "Sorry, it's Skippy's naptime."
Magneto stared upward in dismay.
Lighthouse snickered, "I can't believe you're still carrying that doll around like a sissy."
"I can't believe I let Hank hogtie me into this," Havok said.
Magneto said dismissively, "I need to get to Banshee."
"So can we go skateboarding now?" Lighthouse asked.
"Please?" Cyclops added.
"Home by dinner and not a minute later," Magneto pronounced.
The now enthused boys ran out right by him and through the doors.
Cyclops poked his head back in a moment. "See you later, Rebecca."
"Bye," Becky waved with a smile.
IIIIIII
Huffing and puffing, Banshee at last made it to the top of the platform.
"There you are," Professor X acknowledged. "What kept you?"
"I had to feed and change little Seana." He removed the pink dressed baby doll from inside his uniform.
"Seana?" Magneto echoed.
"What happens when you combine Sean and Maya." Banshee tickled the doll's nose. "Isn't that right, Girl Seanie?"
"Beast, have I thanked you lately for giving them this ridiculous assignment?" said Magneto.
The scientist responded, "A basic lesson in caring for others, not to mention the importance of responsibility."
"Responsibility?" Magneto gestured towards Banshee. "They're bringing their newborns into training grounds."
"She wanted to see Daddy fly," Banshee cooed, focused on Seana. "Yes, she did."
Professor X attempted to hide his amusement. "You do realize you have to put her down long enough to do this?"
"Otherwise down will come baby," Magneto smirked. "Splat and all."
Banshee cautiously handed the doll over to the Professor. "Don't let evil uncle touch my baby," he whispered.
At that, Magneto developed a toothier shark countenance.
IIIIIII
As fast as they could change clothes, Scott and Frank grabbed their skateboards and zoomed out of the house.
"You forgot your helmet," Scott reminded, clipping his own on.
"Sorry, can't hear you!" Frank called back, riding off.
Scott shot a look to the other boy's back, but followed.
They made it into town quickly and started boarding by numerous businesses on the sidewalk.
"Check it, man." Frank pushed his skateboard ahead and jumped up high then right back on it. "Far out, huh?"
"Oh really?" A gleam showed under Scott's glasses. He grabbed a lamppost and spun around it four times on his before continuing onto the sidewalk again. "How 'bout that?"
"Not bad, Summers." Frank spotted a row of trash cans coming up. "Dare me?"
"Oh no," Scott said. "No chance."
"Please, I've been doing this since I was eight. Watch this magic." He rode ahead.
"Ugh! Frank," Scott groaned, going after him. "Cut it out, man."
Deciding to be deaf once again, Frank jumped with his board onto the first can. He glided along fine until he reached the last one, which didn't have a lid attached. Frank's board fell in, sending him up into the air a moment.
"Frank!" Scott shouted.
The older boy landed, smacking his left ear and side of his head hard enough to make him cry out in agony.
Scott abandoned his skateboard and dashed over to his friend's side. "Frank! Man, are you okay?"
"Yeah." Frank sat up, rubbing his head, clearly flustered. "Did you… where's my board?"
Scott pulled it out of the trash can. "Here. Let's just go home, okay?"
"Yeah," Frank said again.
After he mounted the four wheeled device again, Frank rode after Scott at a far more contained pace.
IIIIIII
Hank walked into the living room and saw Joey on the floor cradling the blue baby doll while Alex stretched out on the couch in front of the TV.
"Alex, is there a reason Joey is taking better care of your child than you are?" Hank wanted to know.
"He told me he wanted to go visit his Uncle Joe." The blonde mindlessly stuffed a handful of popcorn into his mouth.
"Did you feed him?" Hank asked next. Alex held up the bowl of popcorn. "Okay, where to begin with the errors in judgment here? How about the fact that if you give a child under four years of age popcorn, they're almost guaranteed to choke."
Alex countered, "Normal kids maybe. Little Christopher Erik has a super mutated esophagus." He noticed the look the taller man gave him. "What? Tell me it's not possible."
"I really wish you were more wrong right now," Hank stated then walked out.
Joey moved to the couch with the plastic baby. "Who is Christopher, Al?"
"Somebody I used to know," the teenager replied simply, working a hand through Joey's hair.
Erik stepped in a minute later. "Raven requests your presences at the dinner table." He took note of the popcorn. "Snacking between meals I see."
"A guy graduates high school and still he gets no freedom." Alex switched off the TV. "My son's got it made." He started out.
Joey went along, patting the doll's back. "Let's go, Christopher Erik."
The metal wielder gazed after them in fond amusement.
IIIIIII
As the words began to blur together again, Frank moaned and touched his temple where the throbbing had intensified the last hour.
After a quick knock, Scott walked into the room. "Hey, it's dinnertime. You feeling okay?" He went to stand by the older boy's desk chair.
"This homework is impossible." Frank plopped his pen down in frustration.
"Listen, man. I think we better tell Hank you fell," Scott reasoned. "Just so he can make sure nothing bad happened."
"Forget it," Frank turned down. "My head hurts enough without having to listen to some crummy lecture."
"Your head's been pounding for two hours," Scott emphasized. "You can't even concentrate."
"I can handle it, worrywart." Frank pushed out from his desk and got up. "Can we go eat, please?" He moved passed him.
"Idiot," Scott mumbled in dismay.
IIIIIII
Done setting up her plastic high chair, Becky placed the blue baby doll into the seat.
"You have to give him the bottle," she said to Alex.
Alex stuck the teeny toy bottle into the opening in Christopher's mouth. "There. Drink up."
Charles smiled and looked to Sean. "And where is your little one?"
"With her mother," the redhead sulked. "I miss her already."
Raven suggested, "Maybe she can have a play date with Chris tomorrow."
Sean said, "I'm not sure if I approve of my daughter visiting a single father household."
Alex remarked, "The single dad will mess her up less than the two sissified parents."
Sean let off a drawn out gasp.
"I hope you're enjoying this," Erik said to Hank.
The large framed scientist hid a mischievous smile behind his water glass.
"Here are our missing handsome gentlemen," Emma acknowledged.
"Sorry we're late," Scott said as he and Frank took their usual chairs.
"You boys surprised me today," Charles said. "The last time you went skateboarding you very nearly missed supper."
"Lot of homework," Frank explained away while Scott quietly began to eat.
"Summer vacation is just around the corner," Emma mentioned.
"Yes!" came the outcry from Joey, right away getting all eyes on him.
"Please, don't hold back," Erik encouraged dryly. "Tell us how you really feel, Kangaroo."
Frank groaned. "Pipe down, Joey."
Alex placed a glare on him. "What's your problem?"
"You right now," the pre-teen retorted.
Erik chose to intervene between his boychicks. "Frank, is there a reason you're so irritable this evening?"
Frank went to shake his head then had to contain a wince.
Hank did not miss it for a second. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Frank snapped. "Just leave me alone. All of you!"
Scott finally put his fork down. "He's been acting weird ever since he fell and hurt his head."
"Tattle tail," Frank accused.
"You hit your head?" Erik frowned, leaving his chair.
Hank went to him as well, lifting him right up. "We'll get him to the lab."
"Put me down!" Frank protested. "I'm fine."
Erik gave him a look that sent him into silence.
As the three departed, Charles reached over and gave Scott's hand a squeeze of reassurance.
"Did this happen during training?" Hank asked, placing Frank face up across an exam table.
"No, later." Frank let off a hiss when Hank honed in on the sore area.
"Later when?" Erik, who stood beside the exam table, prompted.
"When we were out 'boarding," Frank admitted softly.
"Weren't you wearing your helmet?" Hank asked him.
Frank darted his eyes away. "I forgot it at home."
"What?" Erik reacted. "How many times have I told you about going near two-by-four with wheels unprotected?"
"I thought it'd be okay," the child defended weakly.
Hank studied the injury closely, mostly seeing slight redness and a small bump. "Frank, I want you to follow my finger, okay?"
"Yeah," he complied.
Moving his pointer finger in a slow back and forth then up and down motion, Hank watched as Frank's eyes managed to keep up.
"Alright, great. We can rule out a concussion," Hank pronounced.
"Small favors," Erik commented.
"How else have you been feeling since the fall?" Hank asked.
"Head's been hurting real bad," Frank recalled. "I couldn't focus on my homework because it all kept swirling together. Loud noises have been bothering me, too."
Hank folded his arms. "Do you remember when Alex accidentally hit you with that football last year?"
"Yeah, when I got my see-through powers."
"Frank," Hank continued, "your optical abilities are heavily effected by head trauma. Were you to suffer a bad enough injury, you could lose all control over your vision. The same as Scott now. Is that what you want?"
"No," Frank sighed.
"It's my job to care for you kids when you're sick or hurt," Hank urged. "If you don't tell me when there is a problem and something serious occurs, I won't be able to live with myself. It is imperative that you tell me the next time. Is that clear?"
"Yes." Frank felt his cheeks burn under the powerful scold.
"Yes who?" Hank reiterated pointedly.
"Yes, sir," the twelve-year-old clarified, not able to look up any longer.
Hank nodded and faced Erik, who had only been watching them. "Some mild aspirins and an ice pack will help this, but I want him back in here come morning."
"He'll be here," Erik assured then picked the child up from the table.
After Frank swallowed his aspirins, he lay against several propped up pillows with the ice bag on his head.
Erik returned shortly with a glass of milk and bowl of soup on a tray. "Sit up."
Frank did, lowering the ice bag. "Wow, I should be bad all the time if I get the works."
"You find this funny?" Erik placed the tray on the child's lap. "I don't hear anyone laughing, Franklin."
"I didn't think it was so serious, Erik, really."
"Perhaps because you're a little boy who has adults in his life for a purpose. I teach you this daily in training. Do not leave yourself unprotected," Erik reiterated.
"Yes, sir." Frank released a sigh. "It was stupid, Erik. I'm really sorry."
Erik touched a careful hand to the very hard but still injured head. "Eat your dinner and get ready for bed. We'll finish this tomorrow."
"Yes, sir." Frank quietly started in on the soup.
IIIIIII
Alex finished his shower and walked back to his room in pajama bottoms with a towel around his neck to absorb the drops of water from his damp hair. He found a plain t-shirt to put on then got the sudden feeling he'd forgotten about something.
Remembering swiftly, he made his way to Scott's room. "Where's Chris?"
Scott applied another piece to his helicopter model. "Don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? You were supposed to keep an eye on him for me."
"Right…" Scott through a moment. "He got hungry so I'm pretty sure I left him in the kitchen… or dining room."
Alex groaned. "Negligent Uncle Scottie never seeing my children." He turned and headed downstairs.
"Hello, Alex," Charles greeted when the teen hurried by the parlor.
"Hi, Charles!" Alex then put his body in reverse and entered the room. "Chris!"
Charles sat on a loveseat near the fireplace, rocking the missing doll. "I found him downstairs, a bit too close to the stove for comfort."
"Thanks, Charles." Alex went over and collected the mock infant. "I never would have heard the end of Hank's mouth."
Charles smiled and patted the spot beside him. "If I may say, I think you've put great effort into this most unusual assignment."
Alex sat next to him, holding Chris up on his lap. "I feel like I'm all thumbs with this infant garbage."
"Oh I believe you felt much the same way when I brought Joey home last year," Charles recollected. "To this day, you're so dutiful. You respond to his every laugh, cry, or outburst. It's the same with Scott now. You see, Alex, I never needed to watch you carry around a child's doll to know how you would treat the child."
He lowered to rest on the telepath's shoulder. "Last year. I don't even recognize that guy I used to be."
Charles patted his hand. "Believe me when I say I know exactly how you feel."
IIIIIII
Letting off a faint murmur, Frank awoke and yawned. He rubbed his eyes and saw that the sun had not fully risen yet. What he noticed more than anything else was Erik asleep in a chair right by his bed.
Frank had no time to nudge him as the man's eyes popped right open. "How do you feel?"
"I, uh," Frank touched the sore area of his head, "I barely feel it now."
Erik nodded. "Go use the bathroom.
"'Kay."
After Frank used the toilet and brushed his teeth, he came back to an empty room. Unsure of what to do, he got back in bed. Erik returned promptly and Frank figured that he'd, too, needed bathroom time.
Erik sat back in the chair and eyed the boy closely. "You should be grateful to have a friend like Scott. So if you're harboring any resentment, I strongly suggest you let it go."
"Yes, sir. You're right," he admitted. "How much trouble am I in?"
"How deep is the Grand Canyon?" Erik returned, making the boy's eyes enlarge. "To start, you're grounded to your room for the entirety of today. You're to finish last night's homework as well as the assignments you'll miss today. Also, I am confiscating your skateboard for two weeks. If I catch you riding it or your bike without a helmet again, I will ground you for the summer. Do you understand me, Franklin Benjamin?"
Flinching at his middle name, the city native instantly responded with, "Yes, sir."
"Now come here." Erik patted his lap.
"But," Frank slowly got back up, "I could have brain damage."
"Don't worry. Your northern region is not where I'm aiming." Erik brought the young boy over his knees. "But you very well could have suffered brain damage, young man." Pushing the pajama pants and underwear down to his ankles, Erik swatted at the now exposed backside.
Right away, Frank yelped and felt a fire steadily building. He wanted to squirm away but did not dare and also knew it would be futile, anyway.
When Erik began on the under curve, he heard a reaction from the pre-teen in the form of high-pitched crying. Knowing he'd had quite enough, Erik readjusted his clothes and brought the boy up to hold against his chest.
Frank cried openly, his head nestled under Erik's chin. He stayed that way for several minutes until no more tears would come.
"Breathe," Erik coached gently. "It's alright now. Just breathe."
Frank listened and soon calmed. "I'm sorry, Erik. Please don't be mad at me anymore."
"That wasn't anger, boychick." Erik pressed a hand to his back. "That was worry that something much more serious could have happened to you."
"Oh." Frank reached back to rub his behind. "Your worry hurts something fierce."
"Eye for an eye," Erik smirked, kissing the pained region on his head. "Even more so if I had to call your mother to tell her you'd split your head open."
Thinking a moment, Frank looked up. "I'm glad you guys are friends. So, ya know, she has somebody to talk to about boring adult junk. Maybe we could have another day like we did at the park."
"Perhaps," Erik granted. "As for today, you are still grounded. Now, back to bed for a while. We'll see Hank when you awaken."
Frank sighed dramatically and transferred over to the bed. "Are you ever this mean to Alex?"
"Oh the stories he can tell you." Erik covered him up with a bedspread. "I just don't know what I'm to do between two such wayward boychicks except have my hair turn white before its time."
Frank made a face. "You'd look weird with white hair. I like yours dark, like mine."
"So do I." Erik rubbed his arm. "Now sleep. I'll be right here."
Shutting his eyes, the young boy entered back into a dream state under Erik's visual.
IIIIIII
"Maya, guess who," the girl's mother announced, coming into the kitchen with Sean.
The girl beamed from where she sat holding the pink baby doll. "Look, Seana. It's Daddy."
"There's my girl." Sean very carefully brought Seana into his arms. "Were you good for Mommy?"
"She was perfect," Maya said. "She didn't cry all night."
"That's good." Sean bounced the doll lightly. "Okay, we have to get Mommy to school. Come on now."
"I'll be right out," Maya called after him. She went to get her book bag off the counter and noticed her mother's stare. "What, Mom?"
"Be sure to grab a parachute for when you fall out of that castle in the sky."
Maya shrugged and hurried out to Sean's car.
IIIIIII
Erik walked into the lab, seeing its keeper rubbing weary eyes. "Working hard, young man?"
"Hi, Erik." Hank put his glasses back on. "I don't believe one can classify it as work when the task is most enjoyable."
"Your very breath is made up of brilliance," Erik stated, taking a seat on top of the desk.
Hank told him, "I took another look at Frank a while ago to make sure no further bruising had appeared. Other than a supreme case of cabin fever, he's fine."
"He'll make a full recovery with lesson learned."
Both men looked over at the lab doors opening again.
"We gave the dolls back to Becky." Alex came to stand near the blackboard. "Sean almost had a nervous breakdown over Girl Seanie, but Becky promised priority tea party privileges."
"Well, I believe you both handled this exercise fairly well," Hank said. "In your own unique ways."
Alex stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Level with me. What was with this guide-to-parenting deal of yours? Sean I get, but I help with the kids around here just as much as you do."
"I know," Hank agreed. "For Sean, he's a sixteen-year-old boy with an amazing girlfriend, but they seem to live in a fantasy half the time about commitment and life outside of high school. I've seen you with Joey and Scott and I know you could handle being a father. However, I would hate to see your college career cut short over fleeting passion."
The blonde male could not help the smirk that came to his face. "You think I'm gonna knock some chick up? Please. If that hasn't happened yet, it ain't happenin'."
"Has the opportunity been presented?" Erik threw out, getting both the younger two to turn to him.
A frazzled, "Huh?" came out of Alex's mouth.
"Have you ever had sex?" the man asked pointblank. "You can be honest."
Alex let off a breath. "No. Had to feel up a girl when you're terrified of melting her."
"There's no shame in leading an honorable life," Hank told him.
"Easy for you to talk," Alex countered. "You and Raven have probably…" Hank gave him a sharp look under his glasses. "Oh." He cleared his throat. "So, anyway, no babies coming this way."
"What of the future?" Erik posed next. "Do either of you want children one of these days?"
Alex had to really consider that one. "I always figured I didn't have a chance. Now after everything… maybe."
Hank said, "I know Raven wants children, but I'm hoping we can wait a few years after the wedding. I'm so involved with teaching and my mutant research. But I'm very open to the possibility."
"Personally, I believe the two of you would make stellar candidates as fathers," Erik put forth. "If the devotion you have towards your siblings is any indication."
The young men turned quiet, each thinking that over.
Leaving Hank to his work, Alex and Erik headed out together.
When they got out into the hall, Alex asked, "Do you really think I'd be a good dad?"
Erik placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think I'd be very disappointed if I never received a little one of yours to dote on." He patted the shoulder. "See you in the morning, boychick."
Alex watched him go downstairs before moving on to check on his brothers.
IIIIIII
Later that night, hunger set inside Hank deeply enough to pry him away from the microscope. When he made it down to the kitchen, he completely stopped. There Raven bent over the dishwasher, unloading it.
"I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks: Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
having some business, do entreat her eyes. To twinkle in their spheres till they return."
Raven glanced back at the recitation and smiled. "Hank."
"It seemed only appropriate." He walked in, standing right up on her. "The Bard brought us together."
"Shakespeare in the park," Raven remembered.
"To think I almost lost my opportunity to even ask you out, all over nerves." Hank shook his head. "Foolish boy I was."
"Hey." Raven touched his cheek. "I fell in love with that boy."
Hank lowered and kissed her. "What is it?" he asked after she pulled away.
"I just realized." She gazed up at him. "The next time I do that, I'll be kissing my husband."
The scientist grinned. "I'll finish up here."
"Good night, baby." Raven ran her hand down his long arm.
Passing the refrigerator, she stopped to readjust the leftover card supported under a magnet and read the heading for what had to be the millionth time: You're Invited to the Wedding Ceremony of Dr. Henry McCoy and Raven Xavier.