X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Seventy Five

Author's Word: Thanks for the feedback, guys. Wow, we're at three-fourths (or is it thirds? I hate math) away from a hundred! You know what that means, right? We can't even begin to stop now! Also, with my very favorite time of year coming, outside my birthday that is, I'm giving a present to you guys. Scene request. Pick two or three characters you'd like to see a little scene between and I'll try to fit it in between now and New Year's. Also, I want to take the opportunity to give a big fat welcome to the family to GVL, who inspired me to post as quickly as possible. So glad to have you in this community, sweets. Please enjoy and review!

After an extensive post-dinner training session, Alex felt in need of a high calorie refill. He came into the kitchen, seeing Raven enjoying a fruit salad with whipped cream at the island.

"Hey, foxy."

Watching him go straight to the refrigerator, she commented, "Every male in this house is his own football team."

"This from one of the chocolate hoarding chicks."

Raven jabbed a spoon his way. "Go through what we do every single month and you'll understand why."

"Okay, repulsion." Alex sat at the table with his sandwich components. "So, you taking Hank or Charles to this thing on Saturday?"

"Nah," Raven responded. "It doesn't sound altogether interesting. Hank and I have other things to get ready for. But you and Erik have a good time."

Alex paused, placing the top slice of bread on. "Erik doesn't really know about it."

Arms folded, Raven got up and walked over to ask the obvious question. "Why?"

Alex gave the obvious answer in turn. "Because I haven't mentioned it."

"No, really?" Raven came back with sardonically. "Why not, dingus?"

"He's been a little preoccupied," Alex reminded. "Between Frank's eyes and Becky's head."

"And your bull," Raven interjected meaningfully. "Okay, as soon as you're done stuffing yourself, you're going to go tell him all about it. Come on, Alex. Don't break his feeble little heart."

"I get the message, okay?" Of course, it was not Erik's heart Alex felt would end up shattered in that scenario.

IIIIIII

Charles pushed his knight up on the board. "Sean is picking up the cake tomorrow."

Erik glanced up skeptically. "Are you sure that's wise? This is the same boy known for falling out of bed on a regular basis."

"He wants to do something to contribute," Charles reasoned. "And also, Maya is accompanying him."

This appeased Erik and he sent out his bishop.

Alex walked into the parlor, making the headmasters look away from their game. "Hey Charles, can I talk to Erik for a sec?"

"Of course." Charles got to his feet. "Mind that he don't let him touch this board."

"Promise." Alex took Charles seat as the man walked by him. "Wow." The thin teenager settled against the upholstery. "Charles' chair gets warmer than yours."

"His back door is a smidge wider than mine." Hands folded, Erik leaned forward. "What's on your mind, boychick?"

Alex began with, "You don't have anything going on this Saturday do you?"

"Before or after the university's parent orientation?" Erik smirked at Alex's enlarged eyes. "I received the enthusiastic leaflet in the mail. Though I am a little surprised that you're only bringing this up two days prior."

Alex sank down sheepishly. "I thought it wouldn't be your thing. Too square, a bunch of stiff shirts everywhere."

Erik eyed him closely. "Anything involving you is my thing, young man. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Alex nodded.

"Now," Erik sat back, "send Charles back in for his glorious defeat."

Alex smirked and left out, sending a mental beacon out to the other headmaster. Charles, Erik's ready to get creamed!

IIIIIII

Dropping his glue stick, Joey rushed to spread the white cloth across his crafts table.

Scott entered and wondered, "What're you doing?"

"Oh, it's just you, Scottie," Joey acknowledged with relief. "I thought you were Alex."

"He's busy getting ready to go to his school." Scott walked up on the table. "What're you so jumpy about, Joe?"

"Look-it." Joey removed the covering again. "It's for his birthday."

Scott moved in closer to view the collage. "Wow, Joe. That's pretty neat."

"The pictures are from some of the stuff we did on vacation. He and Uncle Erik taught me how to swim. We built a sandcastle almost the size of Dad's car," Joey pointed at the different photos as he spoke, "He let me ride on his board with him and I was with him when he won the big surf contest. He said I'm good luck for him, but I think he's just the best at everything."

Scott wiggled his glasses. "How long were you guys out in California?"

Joey thought a moment then replied, "Three weeks."

That's it? "Well, this looks great. When you get through, we'll be up in the tree house."

"Okay," Joey smiled.

Scott gave him a smaller smile back then stepped back out into the hall. He stuck his hands in his pockets and stared ahead solemnly.

IIIIIII

Heavy knuckles rapped against the wooden door. "Are you almost done in there?"

Alex stepped out in light blue jeans, a t-shirt, and the leather jacket Charles gave him on Christmas. "Let's hit it."

Pressing a hand to the youth's chest, Erik stopped him from taking a step. "Where do you think you're going dressed like that?"

Alex took in Erik's navy blue suit and crimson necktie. "No, no… please tell me you're kidding."

"Why do you think I'm dressed this way?"

"You're old," Alex put forth.

"Yes, an impatient old man who's going to blister your backside if you don't change right now." Erik fixed him with a certain chastising glower as well.

With a light eye roll, Alex returned to his room. "Fine, be Ralph Sutherland's dad."

"And who may I ask," Erik sat on the foot of his bed, "is Ralph Sutherland?"

"On the first day of kindergarten," Alex went inside his walk-in closet, "this kid, Ralph, was giving his mom a rough time- didn't want to be at school or something- next thing I see is his dad going at his butt right there in the hall. Half our class saw."

"Americans," remarked Erik with a shake of his head. "Do you've any idea how common such a thing is in Poland? Did you join in on mocking the boy?"

"Nope, because I couldn't stop thinking how bad it'd be if it had been me. I sat with him at lunch. Eventually, some kid wet himself and everybody forgot about Ralph." Alex stepped out in his own dark suit. "Happy now?"

"Just about." Erik got up and went over to properly adjust his tie for him. "There we are. Very handsome."

"Very uppity."

"Now stop that. You're a young man of dignity," Erik stated. "Make it known to all around you."

"Yes, sir," Alex responded in obedience.

Erik picked his caramel briefcase back up. "Off we go."

"Can I drive?" the youth requested.

Reaching into his jacket pocket, Erik retrieved his keys and tossed them over to Alex.

IIIIIII

Proud expression covering his face, Sean entered the living room with Maya.

"Okay, Havok's cake is tucked away in the lab fridge with all whipped cream accounted for," the redhead happily reported.

"Very good, Sean," Charles commended.

Sean smiled down at Maya. "Let's go make sure the kids haven't broken into the ice cream… before us."

Maya, Charles petitioned as they turned to go.

She looked back. Yes, Professor?

I take it you carried the cake upstairs?

Oh definitely, Maya returned before going after Sean.

"What did you decide to get Alex?" Hank asked Charles.

"It's a bit difficult with a boy his age, but I decided on a silver wristwatch from my jeweler's."

"Then he'll have no reason to be late for classes," Hank raised. "I didn't have time to hit the store, but I gave him enough cash to keep his motorcycle full for at least a month."

"Cash?" Emma got up from her seat. "Why did no one tell me cash was an option?"

Charles told her, "Considering how outlandish you tend to be, you're fortunate we let you in on his birthday at all."

Emma gave him a bemused look. "Well, you'll be happy to know I got him a regular simple tracksuit… with his initials on the jacket… and matching sneakers. Anyway, I'm going to call home." She made a face. "It's so strange to utter that phrase without contempt." She walked out.

Hank turned to Charles. "I still can't believe you spent time with the Frosts."

The Professor put down his teacup. "Not your typical meet-the-family scenario, no."

"How's the younger sister doing now?"

"We've been sure to keep in contact with her and she's been attending the teen rehabilitation program." Although, in the back of Charles' mind, he still believed she most needed a firmer influence.

IIIIIII

Enormous welcome banners and balloons of red, white, and gold boldly greeted everyone coming into the Westchester University parking lot. Alex and Erik somewhat cautiously got out of the sedan, completely taken aback by the giddy spectacle.

An older female student wearing a WU sweater and carrying a clipboard approached them. "Hi, I'm Mallory. Are you a first-year or transfer?"

"Fresh out the box," Alex answered.

"Well, welcome," Mallory said warmly. "Here's our activity list for the day." She gave Erik a blue one and Alex a white paper. "The parents and children have different itineraries." She pointed towards the gate. "Sign in right over there."

"Thank you," Erik said courteously before they moved on.

"What is it like to be robo-perky smiley all day?" Alex wondered out loud.

Erik observed the numerous ecstatic others with clipboards. "It's a contagion."

When they got to the front of the sign-in table, Alex immediately recognized, "Dean Stavros."

"Mr. Summers," the tweed suit adorned man returned positively, "very good to see you. And this must be your guardian, Mr.," he gazed down to where Erik had jotted their names on the log sheet, "Lehnsherr."

A surprised Erik shook with him. "Correct on the first try. An impressive feat."

The older man chuckled lightly. "Growing up with my own unique last name, I've made it a point never to butcher another's."

"It's wild around here." Alex looked around.

"And this is only for the newcomers." The Dean gestured towards the main building. "We're meeting in the auditorium. We should be ready to begin in another half hour."

After they said their goodbyes, Alex and Erik decided to walk around for a little while.

"I'm pretty sure the cafeteria is in Hastings Hall," Alex pointed.

Erik corrected, "Ellington Hall. Hastings Hall has the gymnasium."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that?"

"I took a day for my own guided tour," Erik replied nonchalantly.

"Seriously, Erik," Alex gaped at him, "you jeepers creeper-ed around my school?"

Erik shot him a look back. "You mean the school you decided upon without my consultation?"

IIIIIII

The teenager turned a little squeamish. "You still ticked about that?"

"I applaud you for wanting and achieving this," Erik told him, "but I need to know you are safe; anywhere you go."

"Erik, I'm not Sean," Alex reminded. "I know the world is scary. Don't feel like you need to skulk around here like you did when Becky first started dancing."

"Don't get flip with me, Alex."

"I'm not," Alex formed a half smile, "but Erik Kids know how to handle themselves."

Erik softened then cleared his throat of it. "Come. We need to find seats."

Alex simply followed after him, figuring Erik already had the shortcut to the main building completely mapped out.

In the auditorium, they decided to sit in the fifth floor. They listened to the various deans and administrative staff go over their different departments.

Finally, the last man said, "At this time, we'd like to dismiss the students for their planned activities."

As the young people started to rise, Alex shifted to face Erik. "Don't beat up any of the nerdy dads. I don't want to go to any conferences for you."

"And if they hit me first?"

"Then they're stupid and deserve whatever you give them." Alex stood. "See ya."

Erik watched him file out then turned back to listen to more about the school's hastily approaching semester.

Outside again, Alex gazed about at the numerous crowds. Some lined up for a site-seeing trip of Westchester, others divided based on clubs or sports interest. Walking over to a far off tree, Alex got down under its shade and began to loosen his tie.

"You're breaking the rules."

Alex gazed up, finding an Asian boy with a lengthy ponytail of black hair in front of him. "Who are you?"

"Leon," he squatted, "and you?"

"I'm Alex," the blonde returned. "So, school hasn't even started and I'm already breaking rules? What'd I do?"

Leon gestured widely to the plethora of other people. "We are supposed to be out there. Forming posses, making contacts, forging friendships that will carry on for the rest of our lives."

Alex stared at him dryly. "Got that off the flier?"

"Word for word," Leon said promptly, leaning forward with his hands against his knees. "So, want to ditch 'em?"

Alex got right up. "So much."

The two headed off and away with absolutely no destination in mind.

IIIIIII

Frank recapped the marker. "Okay Becky, I wrote something."

"Let me see." Becky came over from practicing spins in the middle of her bedroom floor. She read Frank's message and nodded approvingly. "Okay."

"What, you're surprised? I can be nice to Alex ya know." Frank shrugged. "At least for his birthday."

Becky examined the large card again, finding one signature in particular missing.

Engrossed in a book, Scott did not look up at the knocking. "Who is it?"

"It's me, Scott."

"Rebecca…" He quickly got up from the bed and went to open the door for her. "Hi."

"Hi," she smiled and stepped inside. "You haven't signed Alex's birthday card yet."

"Oh yeah. Sorry, guess I forgot."

Becky watched him go sit at his desk. "Is something wrong?"

Scott pulled his baseball mitt onto his right hand. "Nothin'… Just… I had a present planned for Alex that I worked really hard on. Then I saw this collage poster Joey put together for him. It's really cool and it shows all this great stuff they did together. For three weeks. If he made one for all the time they've known each other, Charles would have to hang it from a hundred foot flagpole."

Becky assured, "Scott, you know Alex loves you, too."

"Yeah, I do. But I don't get how he and Joey can be so close when they're not… well, you know," Scott stammered in his reasoning.

"When they're not "really" related?" Becky supplied knowingly. She came over to his chair. "Being "really" related isn't what makes you close you know. I love Hank because he was always nice to me and he never had to be, just like Uncle Charles and Auntie Em. And I wouldn't trade Papa for anyone."

Scott looked at her. "Not anyone?"

"Not anyone," she confirmed. "If you want to be close the way Alex and Joey are you have to keep trying. Blood's just a bunch of dopey science, not magic." Scott glanced down thoughtfully. "Now would you come sign your brother's card already?" She reached a hand out.

Bringing his head up, the girl evoked the slightest smile in him as he joined up with her. Becky looked at him a moment before guiding them out of the room.

IIIIIII

A safe distance from their fellow first-years, Alex and Leon wound up in the student union where even more festivities were taking place. They headed for the counter, where yet another older student, male this time, distributed root beer floats.

"Hi," he greeted them. "This mixer is for international students. Are you guys—"

Leon cut in, speaking in a heavy far Eastern dialect.

The older student said nothing more as he went to work on their floats.

Once they received them, they moved on to a spare table.

"Dude, that was genius," Alex praised.

"No, the best part is that was Chinese," Leon formed a wide cheeky grin, "and I'm a Jap. But hey, we all look the same, right?"

Alex burst out into a snicker. "Hey, I steal phrases from my headmaster and go around hitting on chicks in British speak."

Leon gave off a laugh then started in on his ice cream. "So you went to boarding school?"

"Something like that," Alex answered. "For kids with unique gifts."

"Ah, so you must be here on a scholarship, too," Leon surmised.

"I won a partial, but my old man had me turn it down. Said he wanted to fork over the loot."

Leon nodded understandingly. "Sounds like something my dad would say, but I got full coverage."

Alex stared at him a moment. "What kind of brain are you?"

"The kind that's going to spend the next four years under a microscope. They start making cuts when I go under a B average."

"That's how they get you," Alex determined, taking in another spoonful of the combination of vanilla and soda. "So your parents are trapped in that little seminar thing they're having, huh?"

"I never got to meet my mother," Leon told him, "but my father is here with me."
"I know how that goes," Alex confided.

Leon asked, "What's your dorm assignment like?"

"Off campus," the blonde replied.

"Ah," Leon responded, "a townie."

"Whoa, hey, hey." Alex held his spoon out like a weapon. "I am not a townie. Townies around here wear their sweaters around their necks, put too much goop in their hair, and think poverty is having only one TV set in the house."

"Then this won't be totally different from LA," Leon said.

"You're a west coaster?" Alex realized. "Dude, I was out there in January. Do you shred?"

"Once in a while when I have spare time to surf," the other boy leaned back in his seat, "I play a little football and pump a lot of iron mostly."

Alex looked at him in disbelief. "I live in the weight room."

"Really?" Leon put the spoon down in his now empty bowl. "Want to go check out the gym?"

"Let's do it." Alex pushed back from his chair and stood.

Leaving the union, they made tracks for Hastings Hall.

IIIIIII

"Zeta Psi is one of the most influential fraternities available," Mr. Vell raised.

"Pi Kappa Alta is rooted in much stronger traditions," said Mr. Perkins. "I remember my own membership as if it were yesterday."

"What about a proper sorority?" Mrs. Burk brought up. "I want my Cindy to fall in with the best possible crowd. You know how impressionable young women can be."

Mr. Vell glanced over. "What say you, Mr. Lehnsherr? Is your boy looking to pledge?"

Erik and the other adults had been hurdled into the cafeteria for refreshment and he currently stood with a glass of punch in hand. "Alex is one for keeping to himself."

Mrs. Burk looked sympathetic. "Very sheltered is he? I'm sure Cindy would be interested in meeting him. Does he resemble you at all?"

"No, no," Erik shook his head, "I'm afraid he's terribly good looking." This received a round of laughter from those surrounding him. "Speaking of Alex, I should go see what he's up to. Please excuse me." Erik headed away.

"Charming man," Mrs. Burk said.

"Yes." Mr. Perkins narrowed his eyes a bit. "Seems a bit young to have a boy in college already."

"Well, you heard his accent," Mrs. Burk reminded. "You know how early Europeans marry."

IIIIIII

Leon stood back with his arms crossed, observing Alex continuously going at the leg presser with weight set at over a hundred pounds.

"Seriously, what are you made of?" the Japanese boy wanted to know.

"I do this kind of thing at home all the time." Alex stopped at last. "It takes the edge off."

"Of what?" Leon came over closer. "I mean, I know what keeps me charged. But you come off as if you're fighting something. I could tell that much when I saw you outside."

Alex picked his jacket up off the machine and started putting it back on. "Tomorrow is… my birthday." He made the admittance with a sour taste in his mouth.

Leon laughed lightly. "Summers. And you're born in July."

Raising an eyebrow, Alex stated, "Yeah, that one never gets old. It's not exactly my favorite time of year. Fortunately for me, everyone around my house seems to be none the wise, just like last year."

Leon looked confused. "Why don't you want them to know?"

"Birthdays bring back a lot of crappy memories for me," Alex explained. "And people at home take them pretty seriously."
"What's so wrong with that?"

"Look, man." Alex flapped his arms out in mild frustration. "My school, the one I "graduated" from, is this pseudo-adopted unit I belong to. Yeah, I'll go the nine yards for the kids' birthdays, but me? I'm not having it. But I can tell you about it because you don't care."

Leon clicked his tongue. "I think you just made an ass out of you and me." Alex glanced at him for clarification. "You assumed I wouldn't care. Not too wise an assumption to make, either, considering the fact that I'd be standing here talking to myself if not for your birth."

Alex regarded him questioningly. "What's the deal with you, anyway, man?"

"Don't knock people for caring," Leon stated simply.

Parting his lips to say something, Alex looked back at the familiar footsteps walking across the hardwood of the school weight room.

"How'd you find me?"

"I ventured a guess of where you might turn up." Erik nodded towards the other boy. "Who's this?"

"Leon Osaka, Mr. Summers." He held a hand out.

The metal wielder accepted the appendage in a shake. "It's Lehnsherr, actually. Erik Lehnsherr."

"Right," Leon said apologetically. "That's my fault. Alex just told me he was adopted." He patted Alex's shoulder. "I'll see you around school, okay?"

"I'll see you," Alex called after the departing figure.

Erik glanced after him before placing his attention back on Alex. "Ready to grab a bite?"

"So long as it's not a shark bite." Alex leaned on him tiredly.

Erik placed a secure arm around him as they walked out together.

IIIIIII

At the very short blanket covered body entering his bedroom, Alex smirked and put down his auto magazine.

"What are you doing out of bed, Eel?" He held his arms out for him.

Joey managed to get onto the bed using only his behind and legs. "I want to stay with you."

"You do, do you? Well, that's gonna cost you." Alex tugged him over to lay down then propped up on one elbow, looking down into the little face. "Say 'I love you, big brother'."

"I love you, big brother," Joey recited. "Say 'I love you, baby brother'."

"I love you, baby brother." Alex kissed his nose. "Now, sleepy time so do your thing, but be careful."

"I will." Joey used a finger to electronically turn off the lights. "Good night."

"Good night." Alex lowered down, coiling arms around him.

With Erik having no planned morning regiment for them, Alex did not awake again until a quarter to ten. He grew slightly alarmed at the spot next to him being empty. Normally when Joey stayed over in his room, the little boy did not move an inch until Alex did.

Rising up, Alex traded his pajama bottoms in for a pair of jeans and slipped a long sleeved blue checkered shirt on over his t-shirt. He got into his shoes and opened the door to find a trail of gold sheets beginning at his door and leading all the way down the hall.

Confused and still not properly awake, Alex followed the pieces of construction paper down the stairs, and through the main level of the mansion. They eventually brought him outside what he had named the Mag Cave.

The moment he entered through the double doors, the teenager became hoisted straight off his feet. Completely disoriented, he soon received a very up close view of the pattern in the den's carpeting.

"Hey!" Alex panicked. He glanced over his shoulder at Erik swatting at him. "Geez! What is going on? What'd I do?"

"You're much too smart," Erik informed him, continuing. "Not to mention strong, resourceful, handsome, kind- but we'll keep that one between us."

Alex squirmed over the man's lap. "You're senile!"

"And you're nineteen," Erik tossed back.

The thin blonde's lips and eyes poked out, feeling both hands inside the cookie jar. "You're spanking me on my birthday?"

"For your birthday," Erik corrected.

Alex kicked one leg. "You do realize it's not supposed to actually hurt, right?"

"Well, you've been a very deceitful boy," Erik raised. "Keeping us so in the dark about your birthday before and trying to do the same this year." He clicked his tongue. "Boychick, haven't I taught you better?"

The helplessly horizontal one groaned and folded his arms in a near pout. "Why do you have to know everything?"

"Papa's duty." Erik gave him the nineteenth strike. "Now, one to grow on," Alex wiggled his feet, "one to be safe one," he bit his lip, that one having the most force behind it, "and of course, for being the son capable of filling pride within any man." Erik gave him one last small smack and lifted him to sit on his lap.

Alex had tears in his eyes that had nothing to do with the wretched birthday ritual. "That hurt."

Erik smiled when the boy nestled against him. "Good. Then it will cover any misconduct of yours I happened to miss this past year."

Alex snorted. "You miss something? Yeah right. So," he sighed softly, "everybody knows, huh?"

Erik wrapped both arms around him. "Is that so terrible?"

"No," the younger male decided. "Well, let's get this show on the road I guess."

"In a minute." Erik held onto him, not up for sharing quite yet.

IIIIIII

In the living room, Alex became the beloved victim of confetti, noise makers, and a big blue and sparkly party hat. Becky, Scott, and Joey bomb rushed him, sending him right to the floor.

Alex kissed Becky's cheek. "You're lucky you're pretty." He turned to the boys. "You two are in big trouble later." He glanced up at Frank. "Can't believe they got you to go along with this."

"I know," the young teen concurred. "I don't even like you."

"Oh come on, Lexie." Sean helped him stand. "This is your last year as a teenager we're talking about."

"Don't call me Lexie." He gave the redhead a good-natured thump on the stomach before pointing out Raven. "You. I swear, if you miss so much as three minutes of a class, I'm telling."

Raven stuck her tongue out and taunted, "Ha ha. You have to be happy."

"This celebration comes but once a year." Hank slapped Alex on the shoulder lightly. "Enjoy it."

"Bozo, I'm getting back at you first. When you're sleeping," Alex quickly added. "I'm not stupid."

Hank laughed. "Sit."

Alex winced faintly as Hank nudged him down into the big arm chair and by the glint in the scientist's eyes, Alex suspected he had full knowledge of Erik's little surprise from a few minutes ago.

Charles took him by the hand. "I suppose you hate me the most."

"Yes," he replied, knowing well that Charles' knew the contrary. "But not Emma, mostly because I already know her gift's gonna be good."

"Guilty," the woman smiled coyly.

The children presented Alex with his oversized card, which he carefully put to the side before going through the other presents.

"Well?" Sean prompted when Alex unwrapped the jean jacket the Irish boy had gotten for him. "Forgive me yet?"

"You've… pleased me," Alex said casually. He then discovered the red book bag with gold zippers and griffin design across the front and gazed up at Raven in pure appreciation.

The blue girl beamed. "The one piece of WU merchandise Emma let me get. Alex, you really helped me realize my own potential this year. It's going to be so great going to college together."

Alex stood, bringing her into a hug. "I'm only bringing you so you can protect me from the townies."

When he lowered back into the chair, Erik sat on one arm. "My father Jakob wore these to Temple and practically every celebration we ever attended." He showed off the pair of gold cufflinks in his palm. "They were his favorites. Something our enemies never got the chance to melt down." He then dropped them right into Alex's hand.

The young man shook his head, completely overwhelmed. "Erik, these are… I can't. They're too important to you."

Erik touched a hand to the back of the blonde head. "You're too important to me."

Alex looked at him then formed a fist with the hand containing the cuff links, determined to continue with keeping them safe.

IIIIIII

Shoving in the final pushpin, Alex got his new collage positioned on the wall above his desk. He ran fingers over the different photographs in fond recollection.

"Alex?"

He looked back, seeing that his little brother had just walked in. "Hey, Scottie. You and Joe taking turns sneaking out of bed this week?"

"I," Scott stepped forward, "I've got something for you. I wanted to wait to give it to you." He brought his hands from behind his back, holding up the model aircraft. "I made it myself."

"Dad's plane," a stunned Alex recognized, carefully accepting it.

The younger Summers nodded. "Yeah. I've seen it when I'm asleep at night. I wanted to show you that I could remember, but I didn't want you to get sore."

Alex looked at him. "Why would I get sore at you? Scott, this is great."

"Because when I bring up stuff from back then, you get mad," Scott said timidly. "Then I see how happy you are with Charles, Erik, Joey and everybody and it makes me think it was a mistake that I came here and just interrupted your life."

Placing the plane on his desk, Alex squatted to his brother's level. "Don't you ever talk like that. Do you hear me, Scott Summers? Not after what we went through. It's true that Charles and Erik have done a ton for me. And I help take care of Joey. I can't just ignore him to make the Summers Only Club. But that night Charles brought you back, it was a dream. I keep waiting for you to disappear sometimes."

Scott hugged him around the neck. "I know what you mean."

Alex squeezed him securely. "It's okay to miss Mom and Dad and even try to hang onto them. But we can still love Charles, Erik, and Emma."

"I do love them, but sometimes I wonder if maybe you love them more than our parents," Scott confessed.

Pulling back, Alex looked through the boy's shades. "You're not the little kid I knew, Scottie. And that guy you're trying so hard to remember? I'm not him. Not completely. I couldn't control what happened to us and it's messed me up big. But I feel like we're with the X-Men for a reason."

Scott asked, "Do you think Mom and Dad would be mad that we're mutants?"

"Only if we were to blow up something," Alex said lightheartedly. "Then of course, I'd have to take the fall for you- like always."

"Really?" Scott snickered.

"Yeah, really. You know how many times Dad lit into me 'cause of you?"

"Are you sure you're remembering that right?" Scott said skeptically.

"Oh I'm sure. You can have Charles probe me on that one. Now get your butt in the bed."

Scott crawled in and under the covers. "I can't believe we celebrated your birthday together."

"Tell me about it." Alex got in next to him. "And hey, yours is coming up soon, isn't it? Wait until you see the big ritual Erik and Charles do for boys around here."

"What is it?" Scott asked in intrigue.

"Don't worry." Alex clicked off the reading lamp and settled in beside him. "You'll see."