X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Eighty Four
Author's Word: Yes, I'm posting at yet another record rate. What I love, though, is that it has nothing to do with silencing stress. In fact, there really is not much I can complain about presently, especially since all of my cats (and humans) are breathing normally. And if all of you are also breathing normally, I call that an awesome day. Please enjoy and review!
The brilliant cloudless sky above offered full view of the picturesque snow covered mountain land.
"Some piece of property ya got here, Prof," Logan commented, moving along with the other three mutants.
"A last minute purchase on my part," Charles said glibly.
"This entire area was once completely inhabited by Cree tribes." Kayla gazed about. "But no one has dwelled in your house for years. It was vacant even before Logan and Victor built our place."
"You built your home?" Charles marveled.
"I can see why you're not incredibly motivated to leave it," said Emma.
Logan shrugged. "Just a pile of brick and mortar. Nothin' that matters."
"I must agree," Charles supported. "Those within the house are the most significant. That is why I have chosen to keep the X-Men in anonymity. So that we may be free to live as we are without reservation."
"That why your son starts shakin' at the thought of usin' his own powers?"
Kayla glared at her husband. "Logan."
"It is alright, Kayla." Charles placed full attention on Logan. "When I first found Joey, he possessed an unbridled fear due to his birth mother's neglect and ultimate abandonment. That fear consumed him and caused his mutation to flare up to reckless proportions. I had to firmly discipline him to keep him from endangering himself and others. The boy you know? He did not exist this time last year."
"That's why he's so skittish," Kayla realized, looking to Logan. "Do you want to kick yourself or should I?"
The sheepish Wolverine glanced at Charles. "Sorry. Foot in mouth- it's what I do."
Charles smiled kindly. "Think nothing of it, my friend. Now, let us press on." He rolled his chair ahead, Emma at his side.
Logan slipped an arm around Kayla's waist as they followed. "For the record, I like for you to do the kickin'."
Kayla tapped his heel with the toe of her boot then accepted his kiss to her cheek.
IIIIIII
Cody held a carrot out for Bounty to nibble on.
"I can't believe this is your room." He looked around in awe of the different toys.
"It's mine, my mum, and Dad's room," Joey clarified from where he sat at the desk.
"When I was real little, I slept between my ma and dad," Cody recalled. "I used to try to yank out his chest hair." Joey laughed and Cody got up to glance over his shoulder. "Dang, you don't draw like most kids. Yours actually look like stuff."
Joey put down the crayon to show him one of the crafted paintbrushes. "My grandpa gave me these. I loved his house. He has dogs and horses with their own stable. I can't wait until Mum's little sister Cordy gets better." He danced a finger along the brush's handle. "I miss them."
Cody leaned against his chair. "You're so lucky, Joey. Your family's real nice and they get you all this groovy stuff. And you have all these kids around."
"Frank won't play any of our games ya know," Joey informed. "He picks everything."
"Oh yeah?" A gleam appeared in Cody's eyes. "Who's that guy I caught makin' eyes at your Cousin Becky? Psycho?"
"Cyclops. That's Scott."
"Yeah, him. He's flashlight face's buddy, right?"
"Yep," Joey nodded.
"Perfect," Cody grinned.
Out in the den, Erik sat on his sofa bed with Becky in his lap, listening to the girl read a few verses from her Torah. Scott and Frank played Yahtzee together at the coffee table.
"Uncle Erik," Joey approached with Cody in tow, "can we go play outside? Please?"
Becky looked at them. "What are you playing?"
"We're goin' sailin'," Cody told her. "On the boat sled my dad rigged up for me. It's in our truck. We're gonna go through wild water all the way to the jungle where the trolls and hags are." Cody snapped his fingers. "Hey, my uncle says you're a fairy. Wanna come? We'll need ya."
A grinning Becky turned to Erik. "Can we go?"
"Stay on the grounds." Erik allowed her up. "All of you."
"Let's go." Becky started off with the boys.
Scott stood up. "I want to go, too."
"Hey, wait." Frank got up and went over. "I'll come, too. You guys are gonna need my help out there."
"If ya want," Cody said apathetically.
Erik looked on as the group of adolescent mutants headed for the coat rack.
IIIIIII
"Alex, come on already!" Sean bellowed, dragging the equipment out front. "You're supposed to help."
The blonde strolled out casually. "Why should I? This was your idea. I wanted to shoot pool."
Sean frowned at him. "Why can we do something I'm good at?"
"Let me guess." Raven, in her mutated guise, stepped out of the house with Maya, both with skates tied and slung over their shoulders. "Alex being a lousy sport?"
"Suck it, Raven," the sour boy snapped.
"Somebody's grumpy," Maya noted.
"Who, dear?" Emma's voice signaled the return of the adults.
"No one," Alex answered shortly.
"Right. Let's go, Maya." Raven started off.
"Bye, everybody," Maya waved before following after her.
Charles noticed the equipment. "You lads are off to the slopes I take it."
Logan folded his arms with an amused countenance. "What do you little punks know about skiing?"
Sean told him, "Me and my brother took lessons when my family went to Aspen."
"Aspen, huh? Check you out. Mind if I tag along?"
"You really want to come with us?" Sean grinned.
Logan said, "Just let me run home and grab my gear."
"Okay," Sean agreed.
"Hold on." Logan attempted to move, but Kayla had a grip on the bottom of his jacket. "Caught on somethin' here." He looked at her. "Can I go?"
"No," she replied.
He dipped his head close to her face. "Please?"
"No."
"Fine."
Kayla released him when he attempted to kiss her. "Ugh, go away. You're suffocating me."
Logan took his keys out of his pocket, humorously muttering about hormones as he walked away.
"Alex," Emma petitioned, getting the teen's attention, "could you pick up those brand new skis I just got you?"
He sighed, going to collect them.
IIIIIII
When the quintet of children reached the base of the short slope, the four boys stopped dragging the converted rowboat by its attached rope.
Frank threw out, "Who gets to ride up front?"
"Eel steers," Cody decided. "Becky's in next then Cyclops then me. You can be in back 'cause you're taller and can look out for trouble."
Frank said smugly, "Guess I'm the only one around here qualified for that."
"Aren't we lucky?" Scott quipped.
After they got the boat to the top of the hill, they all sat in their assigned positions.
Scott whispered to Becky, "You don't have to be afraid. I'm right behind you."
"I know," she returned with a smile.
"Let's go already," urged Frank.
"Give us a jolt, Eel," Cody encouraged.
Joey shook his head. "I don't think so, Cody."
"Oh come on, Eel," Frank backed up. "It's just us out here. I won't tell. You know Becky won't tell."
They all looked to Scott.
"What?" he reacted. "I won't tell on him."
"Okay." Joey rubbed his hands together. "Here goes."
The electrified mutant charged at the snow beneath them. The substance dissolved and the boat rocketed down the slope rapidly, causing all riders to burst with loud glee.
Well done, Kangaroo. Erik observed from a small distance between two trees.
"Hey, Magneto."
The acknowledged one gazed up. "What are you doing there?"
"Same as you." Victor hopped down. "Keepin' an eye out for what they can't see." He faced ahead towards the children. "Those kids are tightknit. Good of 'em to let Cody in."
"They go infinitely beyond schoolmates." Erik watched Becky create a rollercoaster backdrop for their next go down the hill. "They rely on each other as brethren, just as my brother and our sister do."
"You ain't kiddin'," Victor had to concur. "And Fairy Girl. All yours, huh?"
Erik replied, "Even before the paperwork was drawn. I must thank you for what you did for the two of them that night."
"Speakin' of, I need to go find Hank," Victor remembered.
"Why do you do it?" Erik inquired before the other man could depart. "Go out of your way to protect these woods?"
"Maybe I have a few debts racked up," Victor responded offhandedly. "Don't expect you to get that."
They stared a moment, Erik keeping his countenance even. He placed his visual back on the young ones.
Victor walked off with a flap of his coat.
IIIIIII
To their dismay, the female duo made it all the way to the rink only to find it closed on Sundays. They hiked back toward the new Xavier property. Soon, they happened upon a clearing and the large body of frozen water reflected like crystal in their eyes.
"That is gorgeous," Maya said.
"This must be the pond Hank was telling me about. Jackpot." Raven went over to a boulder to begin putting on her skates. "We get to try it out first."
"Cool." Maya placed one foot on a stone to get her own pair on. "It's actually kind of nice that the guys aren't here. This way elegance isn't a requirement."
"Who says it is even when they're around?" Raven got to her feet.
"Says the happily married girl," Maya pointed out.
Raven waved that off entirely. "Maya, trust me. Sean is ahead of you with picking out china patterns."
"You think so?" she smiled, tucking a few strangers of hair behind her right ear.
"Of course." Raven stepped onto the ice. "In a you-guys-are-still-sixteen kind of way."
"Like we have Vegas on the mind. No way am I never getting back at you for that Maid of Honor speech requirement."
The older girl smirked and proceeded to perform a figure-eight.
IIIIIII
"Think I got your problem figured."
Hank regarded Victor from his presently upside down position. "By all means then. Enlighten me."
"Ya knew the man before ya knew the beast." Victor perched on the branch above him, one leg dangling. "See me, my brother, even Kay, we were driven to wind up this way. All about survival. Not to mention that me and Logan are a coup'la mooks. But you? For cryin' out loud, kid. Ya quote Tennyson."
Hank rubbed his chin in thought. "You present an interesting point. Most of my enhanced senses did not develop until I threw myself into more natural settings. Then there was that one time…"
Victor glanced down. "One time?"
"I battled with a mutant last year who took part in my sister's abduction. I carved him with the blade I received for Christmas." Hank's lips turned up a little. "I'm very certain he lived. There are actually several penetrable areas on the human body that can ensure severe pain while still keeping one conscious."
The blonde man regarded him with enlarged pupils. "Yeah… I'll be keepin' an eye on you."
"Also," Hank moved to an upright position on his branch, "how do you know I quote Tennyson?"
Victor's left eye twitched slightly. "Lucky guess."
"Yet most improbable," Hank went on. "How do you know of him?"
"Okay, time to spar." Victor lowered himself to the ground.
Hank came down as well. "How do you think his work relates to the contemporary audience?"
"You're cruisin' for a bruisin', kid." Victor swung his fist out.
Hank flipped and caught the blow between his two wide feet.
IIIIIII
Completely blown away by the Wolverine, Sean caught glimpses through his goggles of the man slicing through the snow on his skis like a flamed knife to butter.
Logan reached the base and waited for the teens to come down as well. "Not bad, red. Not bad at all."
Sean pulled up his eye protection. "Nothing like you. You're incredible."
"I could spend hours at a time on these slopes." Logan gazed upon the mound. "Clears a guy's head, let me tell ya."
"Playing in the snow's got nothing on surfing," Alex spoke. "Just you on the waves. And you don't get a butt load of gear to protect yourself out there, either."
"Thought ya looked like a Cali kid," said Logan. "Matter of fact, I brought along somethin' that might interest ya. Come on." He led the way back up.
Sean went after him and Alex decided to grudgingly go as well.
When they reached the top, Logan unwrapped a parchment he'd left over by a tree.
He raised a long wooden panel from it. "This mean anything to ya?"
"It's a board," Alex recognized.
Logan held it out to him. "Let's see whatcha got, Marlon Blondo."
"You're on." Alex took the board and ran out to the tip of the slope before latching his feet into the slots. "Catch me if you can." He then promptly veered down at a practically unstoppable pace.
"Don't just stand there, Irish." Logan nudged Sean. "After the pretty boy." He leapt down on his skis.
"Whoo!" Sean cried out as he went next then quickly remembered to keep his volume down.
They went on a few more runs, Alex getting more and more into boarding down the snow, before deciding to pack it in.
When they got close to the house, they met up with Erik. He had a very lethargic Becky in one arm and tugged the boat sled along with his other hand. The four boys followed him from behind.
"Hey, Daddy!" Cody hurried up.
Logan gave him a playful thump on the head as a greeting.
"What happened to Becky?" Sean asked in concern.
"Absolutely nothing," Erik replied, patting her back through the curls. "Except for her feet. They'll shatter if they make contact with the ground for so much as a moment."
Logan looked upon the girl, short arms wound around Erik's neck and head tucked under his chin. "Sure is a pretty little thing."
Erik gave Becky a tiny shake. "What do you say?"
"Thank you," she said promptly.
Inside, Kayla and Emma sat across from each other at the kitchen island eating fruit cups.
"Hi, Mummy." Joey came in and climbed up into her lap.
Emma smiled and placed her arms around him. "There you are, Treasure."
Kayla shook her shoulder when Logan attempted to get her attention. "Leave me alone. I'm eating."
"Can I drop this off with you?" He held up his leg, which came with Cody firmly latched onto it.
The brunette woman looked and said, "I have nothing to do with this. That's your son that you had all by yourself."
"He does look exactly like you, Logan," Emma remarked.
"Yep." Logan got on the hardwood floor to wrestle with the boy. "Just ugly, ain't he?"
"No!" Cody head-butted Logan's chest. "You're the ugly one."
Logan coiled his arms around the small frame in a locked grip. "Oh yeah?"
Cody squirmed and shot back, "Yeah!"
Kayla peered across at Emma and Joey. "I wish I could get a little of that more often. The second Logan is in sight, it's all, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy". You're lucky."
Emma rocked Joey gently in her arms. "Oh it's only because he saw me first. He sticks to his father and Alex like glue."
"Smile, Daddy." Cody, currently pinned under the older male, attempted to turn up his lips.
Logan let off light snarls and pretended to chomp on the tiny fingers.
IIIIIII
Done with yet another twirl around the pond, Raven called out, "Maya, come on already. Hanging poolside is only cool when there's a pool involved."
The younger female slowly inched out onto the pond. "Why did I agree to this again?"
"Don't worry." Raven linked gloved hands with her. "I gotcha." After Maya steadied herself a bit, they began to whirl around on the ice in a circle. "You got it." Raven released her. "Now go for it."
To her own surprise, Maya managed to go out several feet on her own. She glanced back at Raven's encouraging smile and continued. She moved over closer to the edge of the pond and started to try a simple jump she'd seen Raven do.
Maya lost her breath when she suddenly felt her right foot sink into a thin spot on the pond. When she tried to jerk free, she fell forward and cried out in agony at the pain that coursed through her ankle. Raven moved to assist her then gasped in horror as the ice beneath Maya gave out, sending the girl into the ice cold water below.
"Maya!" Raven screamed. She fell to her stomach to try to get her free. Her legs opened up another unsecured spot on the ice and she fell through, completely trapped in the enclosed space from her waist down. "Maya, hang on!" Raven tried to ignore the intense chill penetrating her entire lower body like knives, attempting to reach for the girl.
Gagging and flailing wildly, Maya tried hard to resurface herself. The slippery conditions and extreme cold overwhelmed her and she could only scream.
II
Charles smiled contentedly, watching Sean and Logan have a snowball fight with the children.
Alex stood off to the side with Erik, telling him all about his snowboarding.
"Be quiet," Logan ordered abruptly, ears picking up on something. He ran off without another word.
At Charles' subsequent display of mental anguish, Erik did not hesitate to go after him.
Raven spotted Logan hurrying up and cried out urgently, "Help her!"
Diving right into the water, Logan jumped back out again almost immediately. The half-conscious girl lay limp in his arms.
Hank felt his heart still as he and Victor approached. "Raven!" He dropped to his knees at the side of the pond and leaned forward, gripping his wife's hands.
The ice cracked and Raven started to lower. Hank, fully prepared to go down after her, received help from behind. Victor pulled him back by the younger man's middle until both halves of the couple securely resurfaced.
Arriving behind Erik, Charles stood up from his wheelchair. "Put them in."
Hank brought Raven over to the chair and Logan did the same with Maya.
"You'll be okay," he whispered to her. "You're safe now, darlin'."
After they had them in, the men started removing their coats. Once they had them covered practically from head to toe, Erik began wheeling the chair back towards the house.
IIIIIII
After the other adults received the mental message from Charles about what had happened, Alex went to work on lighting every fireplace they had available. Kayla and the children helped Emma collect bed linens.
Sean rushed to Maya, who lay under several blankets on the living room couch. "Hey, it's me. Are you okay?" He looked to the others. "What's wrong? Why isn't she saying anything?"
"She was in too deep for too long," Raven explained, propped up on the loveseat.
Hank instructed, "Sean, gather some hot towels."
The redhead hopped up and dashed for the kitchen.
Kayla stepped forward, gazing upon the fallen brunette girl, made pale by the horrible elements. "I can help her."
Logan looked at her. "You're sure?"
Kayla nodded, her eyes carrying nerves as well as certainty.
"How?" Erik wanted to know.
"I can stabilize her." Kayla sat beside Maya on the couch. "Help her healing along at a faster rate."
"You can share your healing ability?" Emma inquired.
Kayla nodded. "It's not always safe to speed up the body's processes, but this case calls for it."
"Do what you can for her," Charles urged. "Please."
Placing a delicate hand on the side of Maya's face, Kayla felt the energy leave her own body and enter into the girl's. Maya's cheeks returned to their naturally peached glow and a murmur sounded from her lips.
Sean re-entered in time to witness it.
Maya's eyes opened, able to make out the older woman once most of the blurring subsided.
Kayla retracted her hand and used it to smooth out Maya's drying hair. "You're going to be fine."
Sean gave the steaming towels over to Hank then crouched by Maya's side, taking hold of the one hand the poked out from under the covers.
IIIIIII
Charles brought the dry sweater and pants out to Logan at the kitchen island. "Here we are. These should fit you."
Logan removed the down comforter from around his body and accepted the clothing. "Thanks, Prof."
"I thank you, Logan." Charles wheeled off to go see about the girls again.
On his way to the washroom, Logan bumped into Joey coming the other way. "Watch out, kid. Guy your size is liable to get stepped on." He noticed the child staring. "What?" Logan then realized he only had his undershirt on. He indicated the tattoo of a small girl with angel wings. "You found my baby. Got your buddy over here." He shifted around to show his right shoulder, which revealed a newborn with dark hair.
Joey wondered, "But where's the baby?"
Logan replied plainly, "She was sick… she ain't here no more."
"Oh…" Taken aback, Joey quieted a moment. "My Uncle Erik has a tattoo, too. It's on his arm. A bunch of numbers."
Logan frowned. "Bunch of numbers?"
The little boy nodded. "Daddy says not to mention it."
"I bet…" He held up the clothes. "I better get changed into these." He walked into the bathroom.
IIIIIII
Entering the room with a platter, Frank went to the bed and propped it up on her covered legs.
"Here you go, Rae."
The shape-shifter took in the heavenly scent of the chicken noodle soup billowing up at her. "Thank you, love bug."
"Charles fixed the tea for you." Frank shrugged a shoulder. "Figured he'd be the expert there."
She smiled widely. "I just love you, Frankie Tolbert. You know that?"
Frank dipped to her hug. "Not half as much as I love you."
They held on another few seconds before Frank headed out.
Hank exited the bathroom and climbed into bed beside her. "I want you to rest as much as possible tomorrow. Don't worry about breakfast. Charles already said he'd have it ready."
Raven played with her soup spoon despondently. "This is all my fault, Hank."
He looked at her closely. "Raven, that's ludicrous. If this is anyone's fault, it's mine. I was supposed to verify the solidity of that pond."
"It was me acting like little Miss Olympics that weighed it down," Raven insisted. "She didn't even want to skate. It was my dumb idea. Then instead of helping her, I'm stupid enough to fall in myself."
Hank placed his arm around her shoulders. "Raven, it was an accident. The part we should be focusing on is that you and Maya are safe and sound."
Her yellow eyes glossed over. "It's just… this whole thing has me wondering if I have any business wanting to be a mom."
This caught him off-guard. "What?"
"I couldn't protect Maya, Hank. How am I supposed to keep a small child safe?"
"You did everything you could," Hank emphasized strongly. "All you cared about was her safety. If that's not a natural motherly instinct then I don't know what is." He caressed her cheek. "Whenever children enter our picture, I have no doubt that you will have no problem. Other than watching me fall into an inevitable frenzy."
Raven laughed shortly at that. "Oh the pictures we will take."
Hank's tone increased in firmness. "And also Mrs. McCoy, if you ever terrify me to such an extent, I'll be using a whole other method to warm you."
Her eyebrows twitched. "Promise?"
Smiling at her, Hank raised the spoon to her lips so that she could begin to eat.
IIIIIII
The moonlight from the window blanketing across her son like a protective shielding, Kayla closed his bedroom door. She went to rejoin the men in the living room. Logan knelt before the fireplace, poking at the logs with Victor lingering nearby.
"Sure you're alright?"
"Cut your mother hennin'." Logan propped the rod back up against the brick. "Ya know I survived worse." He stood as his wife approached. "Fox." Kayla placed her hands in his.
"Ya did good back there, Kay," Victor told her.
"At a risk." Kayla stared down at Logan's hands. "But I couldn't just stand back and watch that poor little girl suffer. Cold, frightened, all of her color gone…."
Logan squeezed her palms. "You're never gonna let that go, are ya? What happened."
Kayla cupped his cheek. "Let's go to bed."
Victor stood up straight. "I'm gonna head out for a while."
Logan nodded at him then guided Kayla upstairs to their quarters.
IIIIIII
Internal intuit going off, Becky's eyes opened widely. Even in the darkness, she could make out the struggling taking place on the other bed. Rubbing her eyes, Becky clicked on her reading lamp. She got up, bringing Sweetie Imp along as she did. Going over to where Maya moved in her sleep every so often, Becky stuck the white bear under one of the older girl's arms.
With a light moan, she waddled back over to her side of the room and switched the light off again. Then she tiredly tumbled back into her bed.
IIIIIII
Responding to the ringing bell, Erik opened the door to see the father and son pair on the other side.
Logan spoke first with, "These are for your sister," he held out the bouquet of orchids. "Kay, she- she picked 'em out."
Erik took them. "Thank you."
"Where's Joey?" Cody wanted to know.
"Living room," Erik pointed out.
The boy ran straight for that direction.
Logan then asked, "Maya around?"
"One moment." Erik turned his head and called out, "Maya! You have a visitor, dear."
The teenager left from playing cards with the others in the common room. She came towards the door in sky blue kitten themed flannel pajamas.
"Wolverine," she acknowledged pleasantly.
He stepped inside, removing his hat before extending the sunflowers out to her. "Wife picked 'em out."
Maya beamed as she accepted them. "Thank you both so much."
Erik gave Maya's shoulder a brief massaging rub then headed off for the back of the house.
Logan sat at the island while Maya situated the flowers in a water filled vase at the sink.
"So where is Kayla today?" Maya asked.
"Workin'. I still got a couple hours 'til I need to go in." He drummed fingers along the island counter. "How ya feelin'?"
Maya thought how to put it. "So many things people take for granted. The Professor's legs, functioning lungs, warmth, great boyfriends," she went to sit by him at the head of the island, "mutants."
Logan said, "Personally? I think you're a little Daffy Duck in the head, kid."
She giggled. "Why?"
"Ya call yourself a nobody 'cause ya think ya don't have razzle-dazzle. Seems to me, these hotshot X-Men'll must like havin' ya around for some reason."
Maya darted her eyes away in thought. "They're so wonderful." She looked to him again. "All of you are. Sean's right. It doesn't matter what anybody says."
Logan placed his hat on the counter. "You're outta this world, doll."
Lifting the vase up, Maya ventured, "Can you stay a while?"
He shrugged and stood. "Guess I got a little time before my next match."
"Great. And Wolverine?" She used her spare arm to give him a small hug. "Thank you… I wasn't ready to leave here."
The man touched a hand to the back of her head, slipping deeply into his own mind a moment.
Sean walked up. "Maya, you—" He stopped. "Wolverine, hey."
Logan glanced over at the boy. "How's it hangin', red?"
"We're playing a wild mess of board games in here and Cody's already trash talking. Want to come?" Sean asked as Maya went over to join hands with him.
"Right behind ya."
Following after the teenagers, Logan could not help quietly admitting that these X-Men had something to them, even if he couldn't quite put his finger on it yet.