X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Ninety

Author's Word: For a second there, I thought I wouldn't get this posted. I haven't been feeling so well, but my cat's medicine must have some Hulk effect to it because he's stronger, faster, and his fur radiates absolute shiny beauty. I need to get me some of whatever he's on. Maybe it'll help. Please enjoy and review!

"Think we'll be cool?"

Raven reminded, "You're already cool. Will we be smart?"

"You're already smart," Alex said in turn.

Under the blanket of stars, the two lay neck to neck.

"What if it's too hard?" Raven vexed.

Alex scoffed, "Yeah, that'll stop you."

Raven sat up in the grass. "We should do some stuff to prep ourselves. Let's get the dictionary out and look up weird words like serup-liciously or mega-phono-naganat."

Propping himself up with his elbow, Alex stated, "I want fudge."

"Me, too," the girl concurred.

They got to their feet and made their way inside the house.

IIIIIII

Chair thoroughly winded as much as it could go, Victor let it loose. Logan spun about vigorously, arms up in a victorious gesture. Charles and Hank gazed over at them, the latter shaking his head and the former just mildly amused. Erik merely toyed with the metallic objects in his reach.

When the women walked into the library, Kayla became enthused. "I want a turn."

Victor kicked the rolling chair, knocking his brother to the floor. "Seat check, runt."
"Why don't we ever have that much fun?" Emma sat in between Erik and Charles.

"Hm?" Charles hummed distantly, flipping through files.

Erik continued forcing paperclips to march.

Victor went to sit on the other side of the table with Hank. Logan rolled his wife up before sitting beside her.

"Has anyone seen—?"

Before Charles could finish the question, Trick materialized rapidly through a wall. He landed in a chair, catching the skateboard he had with him in the process.

"Evening, lords and ladies," he greeted.

"No skateboarding inside, Patrick," Charles reprimanded lightly. "I should confiscate that."

"You'd have to discuss that with my daughter," Trick informed. "'Tis hers."

Victor piped up, "Was hopin' ya had an explanation for them rhinestones."

Erik dropped the paperclips and banged a stapler as a gavel. "Time for business."

"Quite." Charles pressed on with, "Frist, I must say again how much of a privilege it is to have the four of you on staff. Secondly, we thought it wise to make it plain regarding roles, rules, and procedures. Now Victor, Logan," he put his attention on the Canadian pair, "with both your keen abilities and military experience in mind, we thought it best to assign you to security. In addition to field instruction."

Logan wanted to know, "Does that come with a license to kill?"

Kayla sighed, "Always your first question."

Charles said, "Safety is our first concern."

"So do what you must to accomplish that," Erik added.

The men nodded.

"Kayla," Charles turned to her, "I thought you would be interested in taking on history and social studies."

"Ever the mind reader," Kayla responded coyly.

"Trick," Charles addressed next.

"Logan did it," the ash blonde accused.

"Probably," Logan failed to deny.

Charles continued with, "Your presence here brings us a grand opportunity for the students to dive into art and music. I know Joey would certainly enjoy it."

Trick grew serious. "A chance to teach. Never thought it possible. Hell, if not for my in-laws, I wouldn't even have my high school diploma."

Erik said, "At this institution, experience precedes credentials."

"That brings us to the children," Emma put forth.

Hank brought up, "We've already debriefed about all of our unique abilities."

"However, something we all need to be aware of is discipline," Charles emphasized. "Something Erik and I agreed on from the very beginning is the use of corporal punishment."

Trick quipped, "It's like I never left Europe."

"We have other disciplinary methods," Erik told them, "but as far as direct defiance, endangerment, recklessness, and blatant power misuse there is no room for argument."

"Ah," Logan tried to understand. "So ya cane 'em."

Charles nearly scoffed. "These children have never been caned a day in their life. The worst we've administered thus far is a belt to the young men for serious offenses." He rubbed his chin curiously. "However, this does bring up an interesting point. How exactly do you handle little Cody?"

Kayla smirked. "Go in your room and wait on your dad."

Erik turned to Emma. "Seems you are not alone, Miss Frost."

Emma simply shrugged. "I keep telling you Mommy must be loved at all times."

"Look at my hands." Kayla held up the small appendages. "There is no super strength hidden here. I haven't been able to spank him since he was tiny, tiny."

"I'm old school," Logan stated. "He don't catch it too much, but when he does," he let off a sharp whistle, "the pants are comin' down and he's gettin' it bare. Any other way and he'll heal up too quick."

Charles nodded understandingly. "Would you be comfortable with any other instructor disciplining him in the same manner?"

"You and the rest are okay." Logan put his attention squarely on Erik. "You're a whole other story."

Erik's eyebrow went up but in intrigue instead of insult. "Oh?"

"Look, I ain't trying to start no stuff here," Logan raised first, "but since we're layin' it all out on the table, here it is. We've," he indicated himself and Victor, "seen where ya been, without goin' into details. Are ya or are ya not a complete whack job?"

Kayla patted his arm. "That was so close to tactful for a while there."

"It's alright," Erik told her before turning back to Logan. "If you're worried I'll exhibit some kind of violent episode during punishment, I can assure you that has never been the case."

"I can vouch for that," Charles supported. "Erik would lay down his life before he'd ever cause these children real pain."

Logan nodded. "All I needed to know."

Victor threw out, "I don't smack girls."

Logan rolled his eyes. "You don't smack nobody. He ain't ever given Cody a real lickin'."

"Hey, I pop him," Victor defended. "That's all I'd do to the little tidbits. If it's the real thing, gotta be teen and up. I'm too big. Might break somethin'."

Charles said, "If that's your position, we accept it." He looked down the table. "Trick?"

The previously silent Irishman responded with, "You won't get much in the way of trouble out of Jazzy. I haven't had to spank her in the longest. Taking privileges usually does the job with her. However, if I am ever away, I'd appreciate it greatly if you all look after her. Especially you, Erik since you already have a little lass of your own."

"Of course," Erik agreed.

Charles said, "This will be an adjustment for us all, especially the young ones. Do not take offense to it if Joey is uncomfortable at the idea of you punishing him at first. For now, it may be best to leave him to myself, Erik, or Alex. He's very regressed if you hadn't already noticed."

Kayla, Logan, and Victor all blinked.

Logan spoke first. "He's still in diapers?"

"No, no," Charles immediately responded. "He's gotten much better, but socially speaking his mind is similar to that of a six-year-old's."

Kayla asked, "Are you absolutely sure about that?"

"Sure he's not just babyish?" Victor suggested. "Cody acts the same way sometimes."

"Yeah," Logan said. "When he was up at our place, that kid ain't seem backwards. Just touched. But what can ya expect? He went through hell."

"It goes deeper than the surface," Charles explained.

"Yes," Hank went on. "While he has gotten better, he still cannot be left to do certain things, such as run his own bath water and he occasionally needs help dressing. He also tends to have the reactions of a more preschool aged child than one that's going on ten. Pardon me for going off-topic for a moment, but tomorrow I'm going to be giving out physicals as well as updated immunizations." He glanced at the Howletts. "Cody's a new arrival here in the US so he's the most behind."

Kayla replied, "I'm not so sure about having him heavily vaccinated. His body might go overboard fighting the part of the virus that's injected."

Hank pacified, "I understand your concerns with his healing factor. I'll try giving him the one for measles and we'll see how he responds. How does that sound?"

Kayla gazed at Logan then answered, "We'll try that."

The group talked for another forty minutes before a pounding sounded at one of the library doors.

Victor sniffed the air. "Who let the cat out?"

"Don't even look at me," Kayla said to Logan. "You know he's not after me."

"Crawled outta her, latched onto me." Logan got up and headed for the double doors. "Go figure that one." He opened one and peered down at the impatient mirrored image of Kayla and himself. "Why're you knockin' on this door like a bill collector?"

Charles noticed the clock. "Seems bedtime is upon us, isn't it?"

Cody reached up so Logan lifted him. "What's that ya got?" He took a bite of the offered and still warm fudge.

IIIIIII

Detangle spray carefully spritzed, Jasmine waved fingers through Becky's hair before smoothing it with the brush.

"I just love your hair."

Becky frowned in the mirror. "It's too frizzy."

"At least you have real curls." Jasmine sat opposite of her on the vanity bench. "Every morning I have to use a gallon of moose and gel and spray just to get it together. I can't wait to relax it for school."

"What's that?" Becky wondered.

"It's the opposite of perming," Jasmine explained. "Relaxers make your hair super straight."

Becky's green eyes enlarged greatly. "Your daddy lets you straighten your hair? With chemicals?"

A half smile came to Jasmine's face, as though the answer should have been quite obvious. "Uh yeah. It's my own hair. What's he care? Unless he wants to be the one to wake up and deal with it every day."

Thinking that made sense, Becky gazed off ahead.

IIIIIII

Cautiously removing the ruby eyeglasses, Alex put them on the night stand and continued to rock Scott until full sleep found him.

Emma entered a moment later. "Oh Alex, I can do that."

"It's fine," Alex told her. "He's been having trouble with his eyes acting so weird lately. I just want to make sure he's okay."

"We have mutual goals then." Emma walked over closer, placing a hand on one of Alex's shoulders. "You have school bright and early in the morning."

Alex sighed, laying Scott down as he stood. "Only because I'm the moron who signed up for an eight AM class. I'm out of my mind. If I'm gonna be up so early it should be to help around here."

"Alex," Emma stepped up to establish firmer eye contact with him, "I promise you. When you return tomorrow, your family will still be here; in one piece even." She wrapped arms around his neck in a hug. "We're all so proud of you and Raven."

The male blonde returned the embrace. "Yeah, we kinda like us, too." He pulled back and left out. "Night, old lady."

"Break my heart with your truthful lies," she called after him before lowering to see about Scott.

When he got back to his room, Alex changed into a pair of pajama bottoms and remained in his undershirt. He started to roll back his blankets until he saw his backpack placed all too nonchalantly on a chair. He grabbed it, propped it up on top of the mattress, and began to sort through its contents.

Erik came into the doorway and leaned there with folded arms watching him. "Why are you not in bed?"

Alex glanced up with a slight flinch, having not remotely detected the man's presence. "I was just making sure I had all the books I need for tomorrow."

"It's the very first day," Erik pointed out, coming in fully. "I'll be amazed if all of your professors actually show. Now, give me this," he took the backpack and returned it to the chair with a toss, "and lay down."

The young man sighed but followed instruction, staring up at the ceiling.

Erik covered him then kissed his head. "You'll be brilliant, boychick."

Alex closed his eyes. "Thanks, dadchick."

Erik smiled and draped a hand across his forehead, as if able to send the younger male some manner of good fortune with the gesture. He started out, using his power to click off the lights.

As soon as the door shut, Alex poked a hand out and attempted to reach for his backpack again.

"Alexander," came Erik's warning tone.

The petitioned one slipped his full body under the covers and did not make another sound.

IIIIIII

"What am I supposed to do without my feet tomorrow?" Raven nuzzled the oversized appendages as she spoke.

Hank sat up in their bed, sorting through medical files. "I could remove them and pack them on ice in your knapsack, but that would involve a great deal of excruciating agony on my part."

Raven glanced up at him with a pout. "Would you mind?"

"I signed up for better or worse, didn't I?" He extended an arm out and she went to snuggle against his side. "Truthfully, I will be doing the most longing tomorrow. I would love to have you with me as I round up the frightened youngsters for their dreaded physicals."

"Maybe your new big buddy will be here for you," Raven offered out. "How is it going with Victor?"

"In-between grunts, I have to admit it's nice having him here," Hank told her. "Charles and Erik try, but they don't really understand my mutation firsthand. You do from an appearance perspective. It's this savage side that needs taming."

"Not completely," she walked fingers up his chest provocatively, "right?"

Flinging the files to the floor, he concurred, "Right," before hovering over her to kiss.

IIIIIII

The pouncing on his chest made Alex immediately spring to life.

He grabbed Joey's arms and looked into his eyes. "What, what is it, Eel? Did you have a bad dream?"

"No, it's time for school," Joey informed, continuing to bounce. "Time for school, time for school, time for school!"

"Ugh!" Alex plopped back against his pillows. "Wake me up in ten more… years."

"Nuh uh." Joey gave him a head-butt. "You never let me sleep in."

Alex pinned Joey down by wrapping both arms around him in a locked hug. "You're a nicer brother than I am."

"Al!" Joey wiggled to get free. "Get up. You have to go to school." He let off a small charge, making Alex yelp and release him. Joey propped up to kiss Alex's cheek. "I love you."

Sitting up, Alex raised Joey over his head. "You are so lucky you're the baby. You know what the best part about school's gonna be?"

"What?" Joey gazed down curiously.

"Coming home to play with you." Alex lowered him to squeeze.

IIIIIII

Climbing up the steps to his loft, Victor found Hank up there, sorting through the number of literary classics contained inside one bookshelf.

"Do I just come in your lab and poke around your stuff?"

Hank turned around. "Everyone else does." He held up one of the books. "Many of these are original leather bound editions."

Victor walked up. "Might have somethin' to do with the fact that I was around before a good chunk of 'em were called classics."

"So the creature of the night is a façade," Hank concluded. "Here I thought one's need to mask intelligence ended after high school."

"It ain't a mask. Just what I'm used to." Victor snatched the book Hank had. "When I was a kid, readin' was something most folks had to sneak and do. Most of the time your own parents couldn't read so they figured ya were just bein' lazy, tryin' to show off. Your wife's startin' college today." Victor scoffed. "There was a time when chicks couldn't do jack but be schoolteachers. Ya got some of the best, like Kay, but that's how a lot of 'em ended up in lousy relationships, tryin' to marry rich. Now, these kids got libraries everywhere ya turn but they're so busy crowdin' these movie theatres and pilin' in front of TV's to know how good they got it."

Hank thought all of that over before he replied, "Things haven't changed as much as you may think. Intelligence is still sneered upon by those who feel inferior to it. Alex beginning university. I always knew he had it in him, but it took him a while to see the same."

"We're gonna get ya your own podium one of these days."

"New country, same wit," Hank observed. "That didn't work in Canada, Victor, and it won't push me away on my own land." He turned to go.

"Hold on just a sec there." Hank looked back and Victor folded his arms. "You mind tellin' me why it is when we get around the headmasters, the big wigs, you hardly say two words unless it's to explain somethin'. Then around me ya go into junior beast mode."

Hank wiggled his glasses. "Perhaps you are not as daunting as you believe yourself to be." He left out through the door. "That's another word for menacing, by the way."

Victor shook his head, fell back into a chair, and opened his copy of Checkmate to reread.

IIIIIII

Situated impatiently by the bottom of the staircase, Alex watched as Raven finally descended the steps.

"Took you long enough," he remarked.

"Sorry." A contented grin covered her face despite the apology. "I was all dressed then Hank stepped out of the shower all wet and drippy so we…"

"I didn't ask for details!" Alex emphasized loudly.

The now smirking Raven moved merrily after him.

Sean and Maya caught up with them in the main floor hall.

"You guys look… like each other," Sean realized.

The blonde pair wore matching red sweaters with white collared shirts underneath and the WU W stitched to the upper right part of the chest. Alex wore khaki pants and Raven a beige skirt.

"That's so cute," Maya smiled.

"Look, Emma bought all this stuff for us," Alex said. "Least we could do is wear it."

Raven noticed the whiff in the air. "What smells like Heaven with cinnamon?"

The quad made their way into the kitchen where Kayla and Frank went to work on creating nearly every breakfast item known to man.

"Rae," Frank hurried over to hug her. "You look great." He then noticed Alex. "And you look…"

Alex stuck a finger in his face. "One word about this outfit and you will receive a noogie you'll feel all the way up to your first day of school."

"Did you do all this?" Raven marveled.

"Well, I couldn't let you start college with only a box of bonbons to tide you over," Kayla reasoned. "Besides, if I'm not up early I'm pretty sure the world ceases to exist for several hours."

At an abrupt gasp, everyone present turned around. Emma stood in the doorway, both hands over her mouth.

She slowly approached the matching pair. "You both are so adorable." She put an arm over each of them in a close embrace.

When Frank snickered, Alex shot him yet another look.

After breakfast, the paparazzi did not slow as many of the household residents followed them right to the front door.

"Just let me get one more picture," Charles urged, camera more than ready.

Erik again offered, "I can still drive you."

"We're fine on my motorcycle," Alex told him, getting into his leather jacket.

"Remember it's only the first day," Kayla encouraged.

"Meaning it's alright to fall asleep," said Trick.

"Make new friends," came from Charles.

"Make few friends," Erik felt the need to correct.

"But none that are cooler than us," Maya tacked on.

"No fightin' unless they want to start somethin' then ya punch 'em in the neck." Logan pointed to Raven. "'Cept you. You kick 'em in the special spot."

Hank stepped up from the crowd. "I love you."

"Baby…" Raven proved unable to finish as Hank bent to give her a strong kiss.

Becky and Jasmine released contented sighs at the sight.

"Oh for God's…" Alex managed to pry Raven away and out the door. "We'll be fine!"

Erik stepped out after them, watching them make tracks for the garage.

Charles went to stand beside him.

Hank turned to the children present. "Nice to see you all so wide awake. Who's ready to come up to the lab with me?"

Frank came forward boldly. "I'll go. Nothin' to it but to do it."

Hank brought up, "Does this bravery have anything to do with the fact that all of your shots are currently up to date?"

Frank's eyes shifted slightly.

IIIIIII

After they found a spot in the student parking lot, Raven took a moment to get her "helmet hair" together before they moved on through the swarm of numerous young people.

"I keep waiting for a bell to go off," Alex said.

"Such things do not exist at college," Raven reminded. "Neither does detention or Saturday suspension."

"That'll be an adjustment. Pre X-Men that's where I spent all my time in school," Alex recalled.

With five minutes to spare, they found their way into the Politics and Government classroom. It had stadium seating large enough to fit no more than fifty students or so.

"Leon," Alex recognized in the third row from the bottom.

"Alex," the other boy looked up from his copy of their text, "didn't think I'd catch you in POGO."

"Her idea," he indicated the girl with him. "This is Raven McCoy. Raven, Leon Osaka."

"Hello." Leon stood to shake hands with her. "Alex never mentioned having a twin."

"Oh, we're not," Raven clarified.

"Ah. Just brother and sister?"

The blondes looked at each other and shrugged. "Yeah, sure," they concurred.

Alex took the seat on Leon's left and Raven sat beside him in turn.

At a minute after eight, the Professor still had not shown.

"Hey," a male student in the back spoke, "what's the time limit on prof no-show? Ten minutes?"

"I think it's five," the boy next to him said.

"Maybe two and a half," Raven tossed out.

"One minute behind and already anarchy is beginning." A man who appeared to be in his early thirties walked in, briefcase and a stack of files with him. "Please excuse my lateness. As irony would have it, I went to the wrong classroom." He unloaded everything onto his desk then faced the students before him. "My name is Professor Joel Hanson; this is only my second year at Westchester U. I'm a history teacher, but this semester I'm fortunate enough to be heading the ever interesting Politics and Government. Little did I know at the time that it would begin at eight o'clock in the morning. But since you all knew that from the beginning, I feel a little better." Some mild laughter sounded as he picked up his record book. "To ensure that we're all here, please respond when I call your name." He went through the lengthy list for a minute. "Alexander Summers."

"Here," the blonde piped up. "And it's Alex."

"If you insist," Hanson jotted it down, "but might I say your parents must have certainly been proud of you."

"Lucky," Leon whispered. "For the rest of us were surely hated."

Alex chuckled into his fist.

IIIIIII

Blood sample safely transferred to the small refrigerator, Cordelia began rolling down her sleeve.

"When did you notice you could become solid gold?" Hank asked her.

"After I turned thirteen," the girl remembered.

"Were you the last one living at home at that point?"

"Mmhmm," she nodded. "Why?"

"No reason. Well, so long as you continue doing as you should and staying away from unnecessary vices, I see no reason not to give you full medical clearance for gymnastics," Hank announced.

Cordelia smiled widely and leapt up to hug him. "Thank you so much, Hank. You're dazzling."

He rubbed her back. "Let's see if that opinion holds up when we're in the classroom together."

After she took her leave, Becky soon came in with Joey.

"Well," Hank smiled, "nice to see some people don't cower from me." He picked up Joey and placed him on the table first. "Lay back for me, okay?"

Joey complied and stretched himself out, stomach up.

Becky went over to quietly lean one hand against the table.

"Why the long faces?" Hank asked, giving her cheek a tickle.

"Nothing, just…" Becky glanced up at Hank. "Why do the bio kids get to do so much?"

"The bio kids?" Hank echoed, feeling along Joey's stomach for anything unusual.

"Cody and Jazzy aren't adopted like us," Joey explained. "And their parents let them do all sorts of things."

"Ah, I see," Hank fully comprehended.

"But our parents love of us more," Becky reasoned. "Because they wanted us. They didn't just get stuck with us. So why do we always hear no?"

"Now Becca, that's a little harsh, don't you think?" Hank corrected her. "First, I am quite positive that Trick and the Howletts love their children very much. I know for a fact that Trick could have left Jasmine at any time, but he fought to keep her with him. It's never a good idea to constantly compare your life to another's. Also, I feel the need to bring up that Cody not only insisted on joining us but ran off to make it happen."

"I'm really glad he's here," Joey said. "Jazzy, too."

"Me, too," Becky concurred.

"As for that constantly hearing no business, I believe we all know that isn't the case around here. Sometimes adults say or do things you don't like for a purpose. For example, do you like when I have to give you shots?" The children shook their heads in response to the question. "Neither do I, but it's my job to keep you healthy. Like those enormous lollipops I have saved for when we're done here."

The two young X-Men became elated with that particular news.

IIIIIII

Scanning through the two syllabi he had collected already, Alex glanced up as an older blonde male student in a WU jacket approached his table.

"You wouldn't happen to be part of the road rage pair I've been hearing about, would you?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "The what?"

"Apparently, a guy and girl made quite an entrance on the back of a motorcycle this morning."

"Oh yeah. That was me and my sis I guess."

"Quite the first impression, my man. Luke Berg," he shook hands with Alex, "big brother of Pi Kappa Alpha. We have a sister sorority if you and your twin are looking to pledge."

"Alex Summers- Pledging?" Alex had trouble speaking the word. "I'm not so sure about all that. This is just our first year."

"This is the prime time to get your foot in the door all across campus," Luke emphasized. "Join the right clubs, meet the right people, advance yourself overnight. If not, you get a hundred or so amazing parties out of it."

"What are we talking about? Disney Land?" Raven walked up, books in her arms. "We've so been there, done that."

Luke laughed. "Talking about pledging. You must be the sister."

"Raven," she introduced herself.

"Raven," he repeated pleasantly. "I'd love to have you guys come to our upcoming mixer. We haven't set a date in stone yet because we need a good location, but I'll keep you updated."

Alex and Raven exchanged and the former replied, "Sure."

"Good." He waved as he left them. "Welcome to WU."

"Clothes really do make the man." The blondes turned to see Leon approaching them.

"What do you mean?" Raven wondered.

"Here Alex is hidden in isolation land," Leon spread his arms to indicate how far away they were from the rest of the outdoor diners, "as usual, when he manages to get sniffed out by the king of Pi Alpha himself on the pretense that your motorcycle intro intrigued him. Wrong."

"What are you getting it, man?" Alex questioned.

"Those sweaters you're wearing?" Leon pointed out the garments in question. "They gross for over twenty dollars."

"Twenty dollars?" the incredulous pair repeated.

"US dollars?" Alex further clarified.

Leon nodded. "Basically, they're set aside for kids whose families have a little more bang. Not for us scholarship holders."

"So we're in snob-wear," Raven concluded.

"Yeah, I did a little research for today," Leon said. "I like to know when I'm stepping into a war zone."

Alex shrugged, "Let the games begin," then took a long swig of Coke.

IIIIIII

Hurrying into the weight room, Kayla requested, "Logan, come get your son."

"Ah, geez." Logan got up off his chosen machine to towel off. "What's the trouble now?"

"He's up in the lab and he refuses to let Hank come within a mile of him."

Logan rolled his eyes but followed her out.

When they made it to the lab, they saw Cody up on top of a tall file cabinet with Hank trying in vain to goad him down in a safe manner.

"Oh for cryin' out loud." Logan stepped up. "C'mere, boy."

Cody leapt down straight into his father's arms. "He's tryin' to stab me."

"You mean with this?" Hank held up the near minute inoculation pointer.

"You call that a needle?" Logan quickly dismissed. "That's sissy garbage." He carried Cody to the exam table and sat him up with their eyes facing. "When I was in the war, I got jabbed with pokers that would make a butcher knife run for cover. And forget all that arm business- no way. I got it in an end where the sun ain't shine."

"Ugh," Cody flinched. "Didn't it hurt?"

"Like hell," Logan confirmed. "But what's pain?"

Cody recited, "Weakness leavin' your body."

"That's right." Logan ruffled his hair. "Now ya pipe down, sit still, and let the doc do his thing."

"Okay," Cody sighed. "I'm ready."

"Wonderful. We're all done." Hank moved away from the exam table.

Only then did Cody notice the pair of bandages on his left arm. "Hey! How'd ya do that?"

"Some skills require no mutant ability," Hank told him. He put Cody's blood sample always then went back to his desk to open the clear container of lollipops. "Pick one."

Cody smiled brightly. "Ya mean I still get one?"

"Of course," Hank promised. "I know fear makes us do strange things."

Logan gave his son a light punch in the shoulder. "Ya better say thank you."

"Thank you!" Cody hopped up and ran to make his selection.

Logan added, "And sorry to your ma for givin' her a hard time."

Cody picked a candy then ran over to his mother. "I'm sorry, Mama." He held the lollipop out to her.

"Aw, thank you." Kayla hugged him and kissed his cheek.

Logan went to join them, starting up another war story.

Hank watched the trio leave out together, feeling the oddest ping for a moment. He shook his head and recapped the lollipop container.

IIIIIII

Raven leaned on Alex's arm as they walked towards the parking lot together.

"I feel learned-ed," she told him.

"I feel smarticle," he said back. Alex then noticed someone off a ways. "Hey, Leon."

The dark haired student jogged over to them. "You two headed out for the day?"

"I'll be back in the morning for Earth Science," Raven said.

"I don't come back until the evening," Alex responded. "I've got Economics on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

"With Professor Dugray?" Leon reacted.

"You, too?" Alex realized. "Want to hang out after?"

Leon thought then nodded. "Sounds like a plan. Bye, twins." He turned to go.

"You know, Alex," Raven spoke. "We might just not wash out here."

"We made it past Day One," Alex stated. "That's more than I thought I'd do."

When they returned to the mansion, they saw most of the others out back.

Joey spotted them first. "Alex! Aunt Raven!" He hurried over. "You're home, you're home!"

Alex caught him then had to reserve an arm for Scott. Frank clamped onto Raven while Sean and Maya inquired all about the academics and Cordelia wanted to know about the cuteness levels of WU males.

Alex, Charles' telepathic voice sounded over the ruckus, if you can get away, Erik and I would like to see you in his den please.

"I'll be right back," Alex promised his brothers. He placed Joey down and went inside and into the Mag Cave where Erik and Charles stood awaiting him. "Hey, Erik. Hey, Professor Xavier."

Charles gave him a surprised look. "So formal?"

Alex shook his head to clear it. "Sorry. Nearly everybody I've met today is Professor Somebody."

"How was the first day?" Erik asked him.

"Great," Alex happily reported. "I have a huge reading load ahead of me, but after everything the X-Men have been through, a bunch of dusty old books aren't gonna faze me."

"That's wonderful to hear." Charles nodded for Erik to continue.

The metal wielder did so. "At first, we were unsure as to whether you could handle a full academic load in addition to your responsibilities here. However, you've convinced us. How would you like to begin instructor duties?"

Alex felt himself nearly fall forward a moment with glee. "You think I'm ready?"

"If you believe you are," Charles answered.

"Believe it? I've wanted this more than anything else for the longest time. I'm in," Alex guaranteed. "Completely."

Charles smiled. "We have much to discuss, but for now, why don't you rest up? We'll go over everything after supper."

Alex started to go but looked back. "I won't let you down."

Erik nodded, gazing after the departing young man before leaning back against his desk. "From student to instructor. I suppose we should be proud of ourselves as well."

Charles went to press a hand against Erik's back. "His gain is not your loss, brother."

"No." It only feels that way.

IIIIIII

"Oh, and guess what I learned in Gender Studies," Raven went on.

"What might that be?" Hank placed her blood sample in the refrigerator with the others.

"All men are icky and seek to keep us in aprons with bare feet."

"I see." Hank walked back over to her. "Is your professor aware that you're the one who adamantly likes to cook for your family as well as run around wet grass without shoes on despite numerous warnings?"
"But don't you see? That's man's fault, too," Raven's arms went around his neck as she hopped up from the exam table, "You distract us from careers and wearing pants with your mean overbearing sexiness."

"Do we?" Raven nodded to answer him. "I'm so sorry. I'll stop wearing pants myself."

"Promise me?"

"Okay, I know you guys were separated for a whole six hours today," Alex came into the lab, "but please. This is a sterilized area."

"Bye, twin." Raven skipped out.

"Bye, twin." Alex sat down on the exam table.

Hank chose not to inquire about that one. "Sleeve up, please. So, I hear congratulations are in order. You and I are officially colleagues."

"That's kind of weird, right?" Alex mentioned, tugging up the red sleeve.

"It works out better for me. Now," Hank tightened the elastic band around him then began pumping the blood pressure machine, "if I have to hit you for any reason there's less guilt involved."

"Oh lucky you."

Hank's amusement shifted into a deep frown. "Huh."

"Huh?" Alex parroted him.

Hank stared closely at the meter. "That's odd."

Alex grew a little more serious. "What? Hank, come on. Talk to me."

"Your BP is reading at over 140," Hank informed him.

"Is that bad?"

"We're going to have to run more tests." Hank unattached Alex from the machine. "Because at the moment, you're showing signs of hypertension."

Alex put forth, "Dude, I'm nineteen."

"Which is why I'm concerned," Hank said matter-of-factly. "This could all be, hopefully, a fluke or it could mean you've overexerting yourself. Something I've noticed about you of late."

"Whoa, Hank, calm down," Alex urged. "Listen to me for a second, okay?" Hank looked at him closely. "Do whatever tests you want, just don't mention this to Erik and Charles."

"Alex—"

"I am serious," he told him. "Hank, please. For the first time in my life, I have everything I've ever wanted. Don't take it from me."

Hank sighed. "This remains between us," he pointed a finger at him, "for now."

"Thank you, Hank," Alex said sincerely. "It'll be okay, really."

Hank did not reply as he went to gather more equipment.