X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Eighty Three
Author's Word: Happy New Year, Rise or Fall Fam! Wow, it's unbelievable. I feel like I haven't posted since… last year. Okay, I had to get my token geeky joke in. Don't act like you guys haven't been using them for the last two days. Thanks so much for last year's final round of amazing feedback.
I decided to make things a little easier on you guys in regards to final moments throughout the year. So, that said, I ask you what are your favorite Charles, Erik, Hank, Raven, Emma, Alex, Sean, Frank, Scott, Becky, and Joey moments/scenes/ or centered chapters ever? And no, you don't have to give one for every one of them, but if I get to see more besides Alex, that'd be awesome. Feel free to show love for the supporting cast as well!
Please review and enjoy!
Once she finished filling his mug with hot water, Charles placed the bag in. "Thank you, Mrs. Howlett."
"Kayla, please." She went around to pour water for her husband next. "And it's no kind of trouble. I keep the tea around for him."
"Tea's disgusting," Cody remarked, seated at the table with flapjacks and orange juice.
Erik gave off a faint smile. "You sound like my daughter."
Cody looked at him. "Is Joey okay?"
"Just fine," Erik responded.
"He was still sleeping when we left," Charles added.
"Are you sure?" Cody pressed skeptically.
Kayla gave Cody's shoulders a firm squeeze. "He was worried about Joey all last night."
"Understandable," Charles said. "He'll appreciate it, as do I."
"Uncle Vic," Cody acknowledged happily when the man entered through the kitchen door.
"'Bout time you crawled in," commented Logan.
Victor took in the two strangers, mainly the one with the seat on wheels and turned to Kayla. "You let Jehovahs in here?"
Kayla stared at him in mild annoyance. "This is Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr." She indicated the men. "Meet my not-by-choice-brother-in-law, Victor Creed."
"Xavier," Victor recollected. "Knew that sounded familiar. Ya must be that professor Hank brought up."
"He's Joey's daddy," Joey mentioned.
Charles nodded. "Quite the small world your Canada."
"Tell me about it." Logan rubbed his right temple with a pointer finger. "About last year in the bar— ya caught me on a bad day."
"I've been there myself," said Erik.
Cody remembered something. "Hey Daddy, are these the two guys you said sounded like a coup'la f—"
Logan clamped a hand over his son's mouth. "This thing's for snackin', not for yakkin'. Pipe down and eat."
Cody picked his fork back up and Charles attempted to cloak his amusement.
Victor took a chair and sat in it backwards. "What's this all about?"
"My brother and I run a school for adolescent mutants back in Westchester, New York," Charles explained. "We know Logan was not terribly 'interested' in hearing us last year in regards to our original undertaking. However now, we want to invite Cody to join us as a student and for the three of you to take on instructor positions."
Kayla's eyes flashed in intrigue. "Really?"
"Ooh, ooh!" Cody bounced in his seat.
"Hold the phone." Logan raised a hand. "You're sayin' ya want us to pack it up, move to the states, and teach a bunch of bitty mutants their ABCs?"
"X-Men," Victor spoke. "That's what Hank called 'em."
"Look, you're barkin' up the wrong tree," said Logan. "This family keeps to itself. We don't get down with team spirit."
Erik stated, "The world is becoming more and more dangerous, Wolverine. Mutation cannot be kept in the dark much longer. That is why we have banded together. To be accountable to one another. But most of all," his eyes went to Cody, "to protect our young."
Kayla turned to Logan. "Honey, we have to consider what they're saying."
"We will." Logan moved Cody over into his lap. "But this ain't gonna be an overnight deal."
"We know this is unexpected and so sudden," Charles said delicately. "We'll be here for another week at least and I'll leave our New York contact information with you." He got out his wallet and removed a white card. "Don't hesitate to reach us."
"Thank you." Cody gladly accepted the card.
"Hey," Logan took it from him, "you don't call the shots around here."
Kayla snatched the card from Logan. "Thank you."
Logan half glowered at her and Victor sniggered.
IIIIIII
Fingers cautious of the piping heat, Maya removed the brown bread from the toaster. She went to the island to sprinkle cinnamon on the twin pieces and took in Becky performing twirls on the hardwood. Maya could only imagine what it felt like to move so skillfully without falling over face forward.
Becky slowed down as the front door rattled and opened. "Papa's back!"
Maya hung back, watching her fly his way.
Erik lifted the giddy figure in dance clothes with a kiss to her cheek. "Good morning, Miss Lehnsherr." He removed his hat to place on her head. "Keeping in practice I see."
"What a privilege to return home to such exquisite vixens." Charles wheeled over to Maya. "But I seem to be missing a pair. Where are Raven and Emma?"
"Still sleeping," Maya reported. "They're all still sleeping."
"We had quite a few restless minds last night," Charles recalled.
"Do you want some breakfast?" Maya offered.
"No thank you, sweetheart," the Professor turned down.
Erik said, "We were well fed at the Howlett-Creed home a moment ago."
Becky asked with interest, "You mean Victor Creed?"
"Your very knight," Erik confirmed.
"Oh cool," Maya responded. "So are they coming to New York? Are they going to be X-Men?"
"That's where we would like this all to head." Charles started for his room. "I'm going to have a quick lay down before Alex and I begin today's regiment."
"To be honest, I believe it's going to take a great deal of convincing to get this particular family to join us," Erik put forth.
Maya scoffed at that. "Are they crazy?"
"No, dear," Erik answered. "Merely unwilling to let go of their comfort zone."
Upon entering the bedroom, Charles found Joey near one window holding Bounty.
"Good morning, my little ones," he greeted, rolling up.
Joey smiled, "Hi, Daddy," and went to sit on him. "Mummy's still tired."
The man happily took the small body into his lap, having missed the feeling. "I see." Charles gazed over at the blonde beauty in their bed before turning back to his boy. "I went to see Cody's parents."
Joey's face sunk. "You don't want us to play together anymore. Do you?"
"Joey, of course I do," Charles reassured. "In fact, your uncle and I invited all of them to become part of the X-Men."
"You did?" he brightened.
Charles nodded in confirmation. "Now we need only to keep our fingers crossed." He noticed something else in the other pair of blue eyes. "What's troubling you, little one?"
"I'm really sorry for what I did, Daddy," Joey said sincerely. "But nobody has fun with me except Alex, Cordy, and Becky. But Alex was busy with Scott, Becky was with Uncle Erik, and Cordy's not here."
Charles caught the pained way he expressed the last part. "I know, lamb. I'm very glad you became friends with Cody and his family. I only would have liked for you to have shared that fact with me."
"I thought if he came over here, Frank and Scott would take him away."
"My dear little Joey," Charles outlined one of the boy's cheeks with his finger, "I wish you could comprehend your own value. You are my son and to carry such a low opinion of yourself simply will not do. I want you to walk with your head held high, carrying pride and dignity with you."
"Yes, Daddy," Joey nodded. "I'll try."
Charles gave him a squeeze and tickled Bounty's twitching nose.
IIIIIII
Unraveling the bandages, Hank instructed, "Make a fist for me." Scott folded his fingers the proper way. "Now give me a little jab."
The boy made a couple mock punches then touched his wrist. "It's not so bad today."
Hank looked over the injured area. "But still sore?" Scott nodded admittedly. "This storm may have had a hindering effect on it. The beauty of nature." The scientist shook his head. "We'll have to keep you on medication probably for the next day or two."
"Okay," Scott sighed.
"I'll go get your pill." Hank touched his cheek. "And maybe a little ice cream to go behind it."
The boy smiled now. "Thanks, Hank."
"In the words of Frank, re-mummify him, please." Hank tossed the roll of cloth bandages to Alex as he left out.
The blonde moved over to the living room couch and started wrapping Scott's wrist up again. "It's not so bad, twerp. Nothing like what Charles has to deal with."
"How's he doing?" Scott asked.
"With recovery, it's mostly mental." Alex attached a piece of tape when he finished with the bandages. "And he's one guy who has plenty of that. Want to come with us to work out?"
"Sure." Scott stood right up. "Let's go now."
"Aw, but then," Alex pulled him down into his lap, "you'd miss your pill." He lightly bonked heads with his younger brother. "And I just know how much you'd hate that."
"Gee," Scott leaned back against him, only mildly disgruntled, "what was I thinking?"
IIIIIII
"This won't take long," Emma promised as they entered the clothing store. "As soon as we're out of here, we can look inside the antique toy shop. You two hang onto each other and stay near my mind."
"Yes, Auntie." Becky linked up with Joey.
"Yes, Mummy." Joey then noticed one sale's lady near a shelf of blouses. He tugged on Becky. "Look, look."
"Look at what?" Becky wondered, glancing around.
"What are you talking about, Treasure?" an equally confused Emma asked.
"It's her," Joey pointed out. "She's Cody's mama."
Emma looked over. "Kayla? Really? Actually," she tapped her own cheek in recollection, "she did mention having a son. Hm. Let's go say hi."
They all started her way.
Kayla turned around with a smile. "Emma, back again. What did your beau have to say about that adorable snuggly ski outfit?"
Emma said quietly, "Let's just say there was more snuggly than skiing involved. I wanted you to meet my niece, Rebecca Lehnsherr. And I believe you already know my son."
When Kayla glanced down, she had to do a double take. "Joey?"
"Hi," Joey greeted her brightly.
"Forget small," Kayla stated. "This world just became miniscule."
"You're not kidding," Emma concurred. "I heard Charles came by you earlier today. If you have a break coming soon, I think we should talk."
"I'll be off in two hours if you have the time. We can go over to my place."
"I have my snow cruiser outside."
Joey exchanged a smile with Becky.
IIIIIII
The trio of males moved along the back of the grounds through the fresh blanket of snow the previous night's short storm had produced. Alex stopped pushing the wheelchair when they neared a tree stump.
"Okay, Charles." He put the man's left arm around his neck. "Easy does it."
"As has been our policy for days now." Charles worked not to put too much weight on his healthy right leg, not wanting it to become a habit.
"Can I help?" Scott offered.
"Grab an end," Alex granted.
Scott took hold of Charles' other arm. Not being at their height, he had to get in close to help support the Professor.
After a few stops, Alex ventured, "Want to go solo?"
"Like you couldn't imagine," Charles answered.
"Be careful, Charles," Scott cautioned, slowly letting go of him.
Charles patted the boy's cheek lovingly. "Those are supposed to be my words to you, dear one."
"Hurry it up, bowleg," Alex teased.
"You are very fortunate I need to reserve my energy, young man."
The telepath then began stepping forward, slowly and carefully.
Scott watched closely. Even slightly pained and slanted, he could still see a large level of refinement radiating off the man with every movement.
At the wince he heard, Alex urged, "Don't give in, Charles. That's what it wants." When Charles grew still, Scott started to go help him but Alex placed a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him in place. "Don't let it control you, Charles. You got this."
Taking a breath, Charles continued on the remaining feet over to the stump.
"Okay, coming for you." Alex started wheeling the chair his way.
Charles held up a hand. "No." Alex immediately stopped at the command. "I'm coming for you." He managed to turn away and, allowing the pain to numb itself, made his way back to the Summers pair.
"You did it," Scott grinned.
"You're already ahead of schedule," Alex said with satisfaction, going to prop him up.
"Not quickly enough," Charles disagreed.
"Soon," Alex vowed. "Do you want the chair now?"
Charles thought then decided, "No," and began to limp ahead again.
"Won't doing that hurt him?" Scott asked quietly of Alex.
"Why do you think we're here?" Alex reminded. "Men behind the X."
Scott nodded understandingly, following the Professor's movements.
IIIIIII
Lifting the sponge out of the sudsy water bucket, Victor went over the exterior of the kitchen windows with it. He picked up on the approaching scent but remained still as his nephew jumped down out of the short tree in their yard.
Cody let off a playful growl, clamping onto the tall one's back. "Gotcha."
"Smelled ya before I heard ya," Victor responded, not even glancing back from his job. "Ya still make too much noise, 'mite."
"So?" Cody squeezed the back of his neck affectionately. "It's just you, Uncle Vic."
"You're lucky my smeller's in good shape." He turned and moved the boy around to hold up front. "If I'd have ducked, you'd have gone sailin' right through that window."
"Meh," Cody waved off.
"Meow," Victor countered and growled against his neck.
Cody giggled, arching his head back. From upside down, he saw the unusual vehicle headed their way.
"Cool car."
Victor glanced up and immediately had to agree.
When the women and two children filed out of the car, Cody grinned from ear to ear. "Joey! You're alive."
"Cody!" Joey ran up.
Victor put him down so they could properly greet each other then looked at Kayla. "Ya brought people over? Ya can't pick up the phone? We could've been walkin' around in the buff over here."
Kayla flicked a hand at him. "Victor, you walking around in the buff is outlawed on every continent."
Becky smiled up. "Hello, Knight Victor."
"Fairy girl." Victor squatted to her level. "Had a feelin' I might see you again."
"Victor, this is Joey's mother," Kayla introduced.
The blonde woman extended a hand. "Emma Frost."
"Enchante." Victor took her dainty appendage with a low bow.
"Huh?" Joey frowned in confusion.
"That's just the fancy way of sayin' nice to meet ya," Cody explained.
"It's French," Becky said.
"You know French?" Joey looked at Cody in surprise.
"Only 'cause we get a lotta Frenchies around here," he replied indifferently.
They moved things inside and Kayla got drinks prepared in the kitchen while the children went into Cody's room.
"I wish I would have known you were Joey's mother." Kayla brought the mugs over to the table and sat across from Emma. "We could have worked something out. God forbid my husband double check anything."
"Charles is actually very good about that," Emma admitted. "I'm the one who usually forgets to dot the I's. Parenting is still a process for me."
"So Joey is adopted." Kayla studied the other woman a moment. "He looks exactly like you and…"
"We get that a lot," Emma assured. "My oldest sister even tried to make the implication that he was a dirty secret of mine all these years."
Kayla shook her head and sipped her coffee. "Ah, the warm bosom of family."
"Do you have many siblings?"
Kayla appeared thoughtful. "I was supposed to have three, all older. But my mother could never carry them to term. They prayed night and day for a healthy child. Boy did they ever get their wish."
Victor came in from the back, dumping the soiled water down the kitchen sink. "Kay, can you put on some sausage links?"
"Can't you see I'm trying to have a conversation with someone I'm not used to?" She sneered at him. "Another adult? Fix them yourself." She turned back to Emma while Victor went into the refrigerator. "But then, who needs siblings of my own when I have the privilege of sharing by husband's?" She groaned when pounding sounded at the counter and she looked back to see Victor attempting to defrost a package of sausage links. "Really?"
He ducked when Kayla threw the saltshaker at him.
Emma had to laugh. "It's alright. I have one of those at home in a model called Erik."
Cody hurriedly led the other kids out of his room. "We're goin' outside, Ma."
"Take your uncle with you," Kayla instructed.
The three left out through the door. When Victor lingered, Becky dashed back in. She took his hand and guided them out.
IIIIIII
When he looked up at the lingering young teenager in the den doorway, Erik placed down his book.
"Well," he held out a hand in invitation, "there's the other boychick I've barely seen today. I'm surprised to find you indoors at all."
Frank came in and sat by him on the sofa. "Didn't feel like playing today."
Erik immediately started feeling around his face. "No fever yet you speak in this nonsensical tongue."
Frank touched Erik's wrist and held the man's hand. "Erik, do you think I act like my dad?"
Surprised, Erik in turn asked, "In what way? Your vigor, your patriotic spirit?"
"Sometimes he says things to me… things that really bug me." Frank stared ahead and his shoulders slumped. "Like I never do as I'm told, I'm too loud, I don't act man enough. Then he'll say he's sorry, but he always does it again. It's not the same as when I goof around with Alex, either."
Erik, who had heard much the same from Alana regarding Phil, asked next, "Are you worried you do that as well?"
"I know I do," Frank sighed. "That's why I didn't feel like playing with Scott. Because he's the one who told me."
"Did you say something cruel to him?"
"Yeah, but not about him. More about Joey."
Erik raised Frank's chin. "Again?"
"Again," the boy replied.
"Do you remember that day you snapped at Scott and the others entirely out of anger?" Erik brought up.
"Yeah," Frank nodded. "Never thought Scott would speak to me again after that crack."
"Do you also remember what I said we would do when you said such things?"
Frank did and right away. "Yes, sir."
Erik stroked his hair. "Lay down."
After Frank stretched out across his legs, Erik pinned back his hands and trapped both his legs under one of his larger and longer own. Boy properly constrained, Erik dealt out ten fast swats, deciding the occasion did not call for more than that.
As soon as he was allowed to sit up on his knees, Frank rubbed at his bottom.
"I don't like doing that, boychick." Erik kissed his cheek and held him. "But you being unnecessarily harsh with the ones you love will end much worse for you."
"Thanks, Erik." Frank cuddled against his sweater covered chest.
"Would you like to go play now? I hear fun in the snow is good for spanked backsides."
"Yeah, and I'll bet you're the one who wrote the book on that kinda thing."
Erik tapped the child's lips. "Gathering fountain coins is not the only way I've made my fortune."
IIIIIII
Arms and legs outstretched, all appendages pairs went to work creating the snow angels. After a few more seconds, they all carefully stood.
"Yours is the best, Becky," Cody commended.
She smiled. "Wouldn't it be great if they could fly for real?"
Joey looked at her. "Do it, do it."
"Do what?" Cody wondered.
Becky simply twirled one finger.
Cody fell back in the snow as their angelic figures jumped straight up and took to the sky. "How're ya doin' that?"
"I told you Becky makes magic," said Joey.
Becky sent the illusion up into the air out of their sights.
Cody then responded to growling coming from the far right. Victor moved around on all fours in the snow, indicating for them to come over. Cody charged ahead and the others followed, all piling on top of the elder mutant.
Inside, the women watched from the window behind the sink.
"Don't you miss being that age?" Kayla put forth. "You could just make friends with another kid and it's like you've known each other for years."
"I saw such a phenomenon, but I don't think I was ever that kind of child," Emma recalled despondently. "That's why it makes me so happy to have them now."
"I would love to put my teaching certificate to a better use," Kayla said. "For them."
"It could be the best decision you ever make," Emma stated strongly. "Charles and Erik weren't wrong earlier. The world is changing. Mutants have to stick together now."
"Try explaining that to Logan," she countered.
Emma observed Becky giving Victor a pinecone. "I think you may just have one of your men on board."
"My kingdom for a camera," Kayla smirked.
"Blackmail?" Emma guessed.
"Of course."
IIIIIII
As they reached the front of the pizza parlor's line and the crowd began clearing, Sean caught a familiar face and tapped Maya's shoulder.
She glanced where he gestured to the individual shooting darts. "Isn't that Wolverine?"
"Man, those dudes are everywhere," Sean marveled.
Maya looked at him. "I'll be right back. You go ahead and order."
"Get an autograph for me, too," he called after her.
The teenage girl came up behind and gave the hairy figure an uncertain poke to the arm. He turned around and took her in with a raised eyebrow.
"Hi," she grinned widely, hands behind her back. "You probably don't remember me from last night since you saw me for exactly five seconds after you dropped Joey off and naturally that isn't enough time for the human brain to generate full and total recall of any person or event."
Logan gaped at her. "Look, if you're sellin' Girl Scout Cookies, I'll take whatever ya got if ya quit yammerin'."
"No, no," Maya shook her head. "I just came over to tell you that I believe you're missing out on a valuable opportunity."
"You're… sellin' timeshares?"
"I'm talking about Professor Xavier and Mr. Lehnsherr coming to talk to you before," she finally clarified. "See, I've studied genetics and mutations for years and I never expected in a million years to fall for a guy who is part of a horde of super powered people, who's only common goal is to always be there for each other. Because they are. Always there for each other I mean. No matter what. And I personally think you are very lucky."
Logan looked amused. "Yeah? How?"
Her face turned stone serious. "If I had the chance to be like you guys, to be an X-Man, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. That's coming from a dull only child who goes to prep school and spends non-date nights researching biological theories and waiting for Audrey Hepburn movies to come on. But anyway, that's all I wanted to say."
"Whoa, hold up there, doll." He got the quickly departing girl to turn back. "If you ain't a mutant, who are ya?"
She replied, "Absolutely no one," before returning to Sean.
IIIIIII
Charles sensed the active minds as Emma and the children returned home. Becky hurried into the living room to go into Erik's arms.
From the armchair, Alex grabbed hold of Joey before he could do the same with Charles. "Hold on just a sec, Eel."
Emma came to stand in the doorway and Joey waited curiously.
Holding Becky in his lap, Erik kept keen eyes on the younger man.
Gripping the side arms, Charles stood from the wheelchair. Joey's face glowed as he walked towards him on his own. Charles stopped just short of the little boy and Joey took his hands. As the little face gazed up, Charles saw clear pride in his son's eyes. Joey moved in, hugging him carefully around the middle.
Becky grinned and Emma nodded in satisfaction.
Erik glanced towards Alex. Joey was not the only one in that room overcome with pride.