X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Seventy Six
Author's Word: Thank you guys for the great feedback and I look forward to being able to fill most of your requests. I went a little too far in the Fitness Center yesterday so I'm attempting to take it easy, but that in and of itself is not always easy. Please enjoy and review!
Alert and charged up in more ways than his standard usual, Joey climbed down from bed. He tipped across the hall to the bathroom. He performed his business, including his teeth and face washing. Leaving out, he saw a black Batman robe adorned Scott coming up from the other end of the hall.
"Hey," Scott acknowledged the smaller boy. "Guess you can't sleep anymore either, huh?"
"Nope," Joey leaned back against one wall, "I'm too hungry."
"So am I," Scott touched his own stomach, "but we can't use the stove. And I'll betcha Alex went out to train with Erik already."
"Aunt Raven won't be awake for years and years." Something Joey had noticed ever since she returned from her honeymoon with Hank. "Maybe Daddy'll wake up."
Scott shrugged. It was worth a try.
The boys crept into the master bedroom, finding it's occupant still in a sound slumber. Scott raised a finger to his lips in a shush signal. Crawling under the bed, they stayed quiet for a few seconds before Joey emerged on the other side.
Igniting a small spark, the little blonde zapped Charles lightly. The action made the man pop right up in bed. Joey immediately ducked.
Charles Joseph, are you in here?
At the petition from the elder Xavier, Joey stood straight up. "Hi, Daddy."
"You naughty thing." Hiding a smile, Charles pulled him over his legs and gave him five mild pats over his pajama bottoms. "You gave me an awful fright."
"I'm sorry, Daddy." Joey got under the blanket with him.
Scott, you come here as well, Charles directed.
The other boy obeyed and slid out then got up into the bed.
"Sorry, Charles," he apologized. "We're just hungry."
"Oh? You startle the dickens out of me then expect me to promptly feed you?" Charles teased.
Joey hugged him. "I love you."
Scott moved to nestle against him as well. "I love you, too."
Smiling sincerely, Charles gave them each an arm. "And I love you both. So, so much." He stayed holding them a while longer before asking, "Who wants waffles?"
"Me!" they responded in zealous unison.
"Off we go then." Charles waited for the boys to get up before standing himself.
After his father had his robe on, Joey reached for him.
Charles picked him up into a hug. "Will you still want me to carry you when you're thirty?"
"Uh huh," the little boy answered without consideration.
Joey held against him securely, Charles took Scott by the hand and guided them all out and down to the kitchen. He really could not bring himself to be angry over the early wake-up call. Both boys had fallen to sleep during the ride back from the family's trip to the drive-in the previous night. Of course they had no plans to sleep in.
"Scott, will you get the orange juice out, please?" Charles requested.
"Sure." Scott walked toward the refrigerator but Joey dashed over.
"I can do it, Daddy."
"Joey, you know that jug is much too large and heavy for you," Charles looked away from the stove, "and I asked Scott to do it."
"Yes, Daddy." A meek Joey stepped back from the refrigerator door.
Feeling for his little boy, Charles offered out, "Why don't you set a place for each of us?"
"Okay," Joey perked up.
After he removed the final strawberry waffle from the maker, Charles brought the stack to the table on a platter. He ate one with tea, mostly watching his all too thin boys stuff themselves.
IIIIIII
Cooler and picnic basket secured, Raven shut the trunk of Sean's car.
"That should be enough to satisfy Hank and the boys." Raven turned to Maya, both wearing blue jean shorts over their swimsuits. "And if we're lucky, they'll save us whatever falls out of their mouths."
Maya giggled. "I can't imagine having to feed a testosterone army on a daily basis."
"You learn to," Raven cringed slightly when the loud whooping signaled the arrival of the males, "love it."
"We are beach bound!" Sean ran up to hug Maya from behind. "With babes."
"Got my babe right here." Alex carried his surfboard under one arm. "Moves better than any chick."
Raven sneered, "Hope the two of you will be very happy together."
"Let's hurry this outing along," Hank motioned curtly.
Raven walked over to her husband. "What's wrong?"
Hank placed his arms around her. "This is not the private beaches of California and Puerto Rico. My feet are going to be wedged in these confounded shoes all day."
Raven got in close to his ear. "I'll be sure to make it up to them."
Eyes locked on her, Hank said urgently, "Let's go, everyone."
Sean gave Hank his keys. "Here, you drive." He looked from Raven to Maya. "Can I sit in the back with you ladies like a stud?"
The girls shrugged and said, "Sure."
"Alright!"
With Hank, Alex, and the board up front, Sean situated himself in-between Raven and Maya. He put on his circular sunglasses before putting arms around the brunette and mutated blonde.
IIIIIII
Erik passed through the foyer in time to see Charles descend the stairs in a short-sleeved blue collared shirt and tan pants.
"Don't we look summer fresh?" the metal wielder commented.
"Percy insists this luncheon is purely casual, just to catch up," Charles said, "which is only code for softening us all into investing in his latest project before his father figures out he's squandering his inheritance bit by bit."
Erik unsympathetically responded, "The problems plaguing old money cut a deep wound in my heart."
Charles leaned a hand against the banister. "Are you sure you don't want to come along with us? He invited you as well."
"Sorry, little brother," Erik declined. "Your friend, your tedium." He started towards the back of the house.
"Harsh fiend," Charles accused after him.
Erik tossed back, "Flattery will do nothing to convince me."
IIIIIII
"Cannonball!" Frank hollered before launching himself into the water.
The resulting splash connected with the other two boys, but Becky managed to safely duck behind Scott.
"Mummy's pretty!" Joey exclaimed when Emma stepped outside.
The telepathic woman currently wore a white skirt, blouse, and blazer with heels. "Only from time to time." She squatted by the pool. "Charles and I are leaving now. You all be sure to drive Erik into insanity."
"Gotcha covered," Frank guaranteed.
"Have fun, my lovelies." Emma kissed each of their moist cheeks. "We'll see you for dinner."
"Bye, Auntie Em," Becky returned.
"Bye, Mummy!" Joey flapped his arms.
"See you later, Emma," came from Scott.
Frank said, "If they serve anything good, swipe some for us."
Emma waved at her young mutants then re-entered the mansion.
Erik walked out by her. In his trunks already, he deposited his towel on a patio chair and joined them in the water. Frank wasted no time getting on top of his shoulders. Erik had to adjust the ever growing city native as the inevitable splash war started.
"Don't worry, Rebecca," Scott assured. "I'll protect you."
The girl currently shielded herself with him, gripping his shoulders.
Joey soon slowed down, hugging himself.
Erik's keen eyes did not miss the shudders from the small body.
He lowered Frank down and swam towards Joey. "I think it's time for a little break." He wrapped one arm around Joey and used the other to bring them back to surface. "Come take a rest with your old uncle, Kangaroo."
Joey sighed but complied with, "Okay, Uncle Erik."
Becky got out next. "I want a break, too."
Erik nodded approvingly at her before wrapping Joey up in a towel. He reclined in a chair with the warming bundle against his chest. Becky covered herself with her own Grumpy Dwarf towel and got into Erik's lap, putting an arm across Joey's back.
"Meh." Frank started out of the pool. "It's no fun without the shark king."
Scott agreed and the two of them shared the outdoor sofa next to Erik's chair, their towels in their laps.
IIIIIII
Waves higher than ever, Alex gained momentum until he reached the peak. He rode over them, each carrying him over to the next. Getting tossed at one point, the blonde came back down in a handstand.
An eager Sean waited for him to come back to shore. "Oh dude, let me try!"
Alex yanked back his board when the redhead tried to touch it. "Hey, do not make me spank you in front of your girl."
Sean quipped, "Oh you mean like Hank?"
The scientist vigorously ruffled Sean's hair. "I'm surprised at you, Sean. I thought you approved of BBS." He laughed at the teen's pout. "If you like, I'll rent some surfboards for us."
"Thanks," Sean grinned.
"Righteous," Alex propped himself up with his own board. "We'll all go out."
Hank headed to the rental shack.
"Where're you going?" Raven inquired when he passed by hers and Maya's big sandcastle.
"Surfboards." Hank pointed to the shack.
"Ooh." Maya hopped up and hurried over to the other males. "Sean, can I surf with you?"
Sean turned to her, rubbing the back of his neck squeamishly. "You know inevitable face planting tends to occur when I do things like this, right?"
Maya shrugged with a smile. "As long as you plant near my face."
Despite Alex's eye roll, he did like seeing Sean so over the moon at the girl's words.
Hank returned with the rented surfboards shortly.
"Freeze, big guy," Alex said to Hank. "No shoes. You know you'll wipeout."
"I'll just have to make adequate use of my hands," Hank attempted to pacify.
"Come on, baby," Raven encouraged. "Just kick 'em off. No one will notice in the water."
With a whistle of a sigh, Hank freed his feet from the confines of his outdoor shoes.
Raven and Maya sat on the tips of their beaus' boards. Alex, Hank, and Sean dog paddled out to the salty water.
"Get ready," Alex advised as the waves grew. He stood up straight, beginning his next round of shredding.
Hank got up, using his long toes to hang ten.
Sean chose to crouch on one knee.
"Oh gosh!" Maya exclaimed when the first wave swept them up.
Raven yelled out wildly, the water coming down over them in a fantastic splash.
Completely at home, Alex practically merged with his board, tearing through every swell that came his way.
At a shriek from Maya, Sean grabbed a hold of her. A particularly rough gush flipped their board over and Sean latched onto it, holding onto Maya around the waist with his spare arm.
"Are you two alright?" Hank called over to them.
"Swell," Sean panted, looking to Maya next. "Are you okay?"
"Thanks to you." She leaned back against his chest.
Sean placed his cheek against her drenched hair, allowing the waves to motion them back to shore.
IIIIIII
Stirred from the rest session, Becky rubbed at her eyes then glanced over to where the older boys played by the pool. She detached herself from Erik and Joey before heading toward them.
"Watch this." Frank bounced off the diving board, performed an aerial flip, before dunking into the water.
"That was great, Frank," Becky commended.
Scott looked her way. "Rebecca. Hey, hang on a minute." He stepped back a good fifteen feet. "Now watch."
That said, Scott charged forward. He started off well until he slipped up on the stray water surrounding the pool and fell hard, losing his shades in the process.
"Whoa!"
The boy's shout instantly alerted Erik. Careful of Joey in his clutch, the metal wielder put him down before rushing over to check on things.
"What's going on?" a jolted awake Joey asked, rubbing his eye.
The man lowered before Scott. "What happened?" He saw him covering his right knee. "Let me see."
Scott slowly removed his hands, showing the red cut. "Is it bad?"
"I've seen worse, but this will need cleaning. Come inside with me." Erik glanced around. "Where are your glasses?"
Becky retrieved the fallen ruby quartz and slipped them back onto Scott's face. "There you go."
He opened his eyes. "Thanks, Rebecca."
"Come now." Erik gathered Scott and carried him into the house.
Placing him on a counter in the kitchen, Erik got one of their many first-aid kits out from under the sink. He first wet a towel with warm water and cleared any stray dirt from the cut before applying peroxide.
"You won't be able to do more than stick your feet in the water for the rest of the day. I don't want this reopening and getting infected."
"I don't even want to stick my head outside again," Scott told him sullenly.
Erik looked up into his face. "How exactly did this happen?"
Scott rehashed, "I was trying to pull off a pool trick, but of course, I fell over my own feet like an idiot."
"That's enough of that," Erik chided him. "While you should have been more careful, it was a simple fall that could have happened to anyone. Joey didn't even see it nor would he make fun of you had he, Frank is your best friend and knows what I'll do to him, and Becky? I can assure you that you needn't worry there."
Scott nodded and sat still as Erik covered his mild injury with a bandage. "Are you sore at me?"
"Not at all." Erik picked him up again. "But I want you to play more carefully out there. Anymore silly stunts and I'm going to have to spank you and send you to your room until dinner. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," he replied.
Erik formed a smile, wondering if Alex had been at all like this as a small boy. "Ready to rejoin the others now?"
"Let's go," Scott agreed.
When they got to the back door, Erik gently lowered Scott down so he could go out himself.
"Scott!" Becky hurried to hug him as soon as she saw him. "You okay?"
He smiled giddily over her shoulder. "Yeah, better than ever."
Erik came out and lifted Joey when the little boy reached for him. "Now that the excitement is over, let's continue on with our day." He carried Joey towards the pool.
Scott sat by the edge, kicking his feet in the water. He looked up as Becky came down right next to him.
She told him, I'm glad you didn't hurt yourself so bad. I was worried you'd hit your head.
Yeah, Scott returned, I bet it looked pretty dumb, huh?
You should see me fall over in dance class sometimes. Talk about dumb.
Scott shook his head. I could never see you as dumb, Rebecca.
The girl looked at him. You, either.
IIIIIII
With the beach crowd steadily thinning, it gave the McCoys the opportunity to escape to their own shelter. They lay on the golden sand, surrounded by concealing boulders.
"Do you ever miss Puerto Rico?" Raven inquired, her head on his chest.
Hank kneaded fingers through her hair. "What aspect?"
"Being free." Raven glided her hand down his bare taut stomach. "Being us. Doing as we please."
"I see no chains on us now."
At the familiar gleam in his eyes, Raven gaped a little. "Right here? Hank, you're crazy."
"For you." Hank moved her on top of him then began kissing her.
Raven shifted back to blue, her hands pressed against his shoulders.
A big ball of wet sand came hurdling their way, making them both jump and look up.
From on top of a stone, Alex smirked at them. "Get a room before you scar somebody's kid."
"Hey, Alex." Raven sat up and started undoing her bikini top.
"Ah!" He fell off the rock before she could sufficiently flash him. "No, no, no!" Alex scrambled away, hands firmly over his eyes. "Do not need to see that!"
Raven and Hank shared a laugh and she lowered to snuggle in his arms.
IIIIIII
Turning back from forming more patties out of the ground beef, Erik witnessed Frank adding more seasoning.
"I told you that's enough tenderizer," Erik reminded him.
"Like you know anything about flavoring," Frank scoffed. "This is American food, none of your bland kosher stuff."
"Is that so, young man?" Erik raised an eyebrow. "Need I mention that I have been grilling before your very existence."
"And when was that?" Frank put on a smirk. "Before the south lost the war or the Brits did?"
Erik summoned a spatula into his hand. "Perhaps I need to find a different use for this."
Frank quickly went to hug him around the waist. "I love you, Erik."
The man gave him one pop with the cooking instrument. "Keep your eyes on this grill before I really whip you." He patted the child's back fondly.
Scott seized hold of the Frisbee when Joey sent it out to him. "Here you go, Rebecca." He flicked it her direction.
Becky caught it and almost immediately let off a shriek. She dropped the red disc to clutch her head with both hands.
Erik appeared at her side at once, picking her up and cursing silently. "Another of these aches."
"It hurts!" Near tears, her voice cracked.
"Shh, Ladybug. Papa's here." He carried her toward the house. "Frank, watch the food."
Scott hurried after them.
Erik placed Becky on the sofa in his den and covered her with the fleece throw. "I'll be back with your medicine." He kissed her forehead.
"I'll stand with her, Erik," Scott volunteered.
Erik nodded and patted the boy's shoulder before going off in search of the necessary remedy.
Scott sat on the couch next to Becky's legs. When the girl extended an imploring hand, he took it and held on comfortingly.
IIIIIII
Hank walked out to the edge of the shore. "Time to head in, Alex."
The jubilant surfer made his way back to surface. "It's never enough time."
"I know," Hank empathized. "But there are many more days of summer ahead of us."
Alex nodded. "Let's go home."
They headed back to the parking lot.
"Maya, Raven," Sean called, "we're outta here!"
The girls finished their sand drawing, each using their toe to carve out two halves of a heart around the word X-MEN. Putting their sandals back on, they made tracks for the BMW.
Sean slipped an arm around Maya when the ladies rejoined him in the back. "Did you have fun?"
"You know I did." She looked at him blissfully. "I'm glad things have calmed down. This is really shaping up to be the summer of my life. Now that I'm with you."
Sean kissed the edge of her lips and she rested against his shoulder, closing her eyes.
IIIIIII
Digging through another cabinet, Erik groaned in frustration when he came up empty again.
"Hank," he spoke into his wrist communicator. "Hank! Alex? Damn- why don't you answer? Where is this tonic?"
Unable to find anything in the lab, Erik decided he would have to give Becky one of the Tylenol he kept in his desk. As soon as he returned to the main level, pounding on the front door sounded.
Erik released an annoyed breath, wondering how all four of them could have gone out without keys. The moment he opened the door, his stern expression faded into stun at the uniformed individual on the other side.
The somber office stated, "I have some bad news for you, sir."