X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter Ninety One
Author's Word: Thank you to all of you for that wonderful display of feedback from the last chapter! It was so wonderful to read all of your reviews and PMs! This week was a lot simpler. Cats are great, I went to work, ate, and the big one, slept. Ah to be thankful for sweet slumber. So to welcome into the family I have SebastianJR- welcome aboard and I hope you didn't hurt yourself reading at the speed of wind there. There's also Incoming Grapefruit- loved your feedback and love you! Not sure if I mentioned Supreme Queen or not but what the heck? Let's mention her again. Welcome to the family, your royal awesomeness. Thank you all and it is a pleasure to have you as part of us and I truly mean that. Please enjoy and review!
With a frustrated grumble, he slapped the center of the textbook. "Dugray's doing too much. A quiz already? I don't even know why I'm in Econ. At no point in my life will I ever refer back to this class."
Alex took another swig of espresso before bringing up, "Jam, you're a business major."
The other freshman half-glared at him. "Summers, I don't care about you or your little logic games right now."
At the glomp he received from behind, Alex reached up to pat the forearm. "Hi, Rae."
"I missed-ed you." Raven ran both hands through his hair as she stood up straight. "This is Amy. We're in Gender Studies together. This is my brother, Alex."
"Hi, Alex," the mousy brunette greeted.
"How's it going?" he returned.
"This is Jam," Raven further introduced as the girls sat then pointed over. "And there beyond the classifieds might be Leon."
Alex looked to him. "Geez dude, just say we're boring beyond reason."
"Sorry." Leon folded the newspaper in half and placed it in the center of the table away from the food trays. "I got into reading the latest developments in Washington. There's so much going on."
"I don't want to hear about it," Jam said bitterly.
Amy turned to him in puzzlement. "You're against the demonstrations?"
He responded, "I'm against the fact that I'm here while half the men in my family are participating in this thing. But forget that. I'm still not over Dugray. Quizzes are thirty percent of our grade."
"We have an essay due about notable women during the Suffrage Movement," Raven put forth. "I picked Susan B. Anthony."
"I like Alice Paul," Amy stated. "She's a PhD holder and that was practically impossible back then."
"Is it true what they say about Professor Thead?" Jam asked.
Alex clarified, "Hydra lady?"
Raven replied, "More like unhappy lady. We can't get through a class without hearing excerpts from her great struggle."
"Honestly? All of these professors are completely into themselves," Amy raised.
"Speaking of ego trips." Leon glanced up and the others followed his gaze.
Numerous students cleared a path as rows of young men led by Luke Berg emerged in matching shirts of crimson and gold.
Luke addressed the outdoor diners with, "The time to pledge has arrived. I, Lucas Berg, head of the Phi Kappa Alphas welcome any worthy man willing to endure the trials of Rush Week to enter into the number one fraternity in Westchester University history."
"That's exactly what you are, Berg." All turned silent as another crowd, dressed in purple and gold, emerged from the opposite direction. "History."
"Who are they?" Raven wondered.
"The Zeta Omegas," Jam explained. "The top cat right there is Ramerez Walters. Those two frats have been going at it for years."
"You're a spec, Walters. The Alphas are true WU. Purely original," Luke proclaimed.
Ramerez shot back, "Alpha may have been the start, but Omega will cross the finish line first. And we do it by our own hands, not piggybacking on the hard work of real men."
"We'll see who's real and fake around here," Luke countered.
Once the fraternities ceased verbal fire to go off for mingling, a brown skinned girl with waist length braids linked arms with Ramerez. The two made a direct line for Jam.
"Jamal. Good to see you, kid."
"Rez." Jam pounded fists with him. "Hey, Natalie."
"I haven't seen you around the frat house," Ramerez mentioned. "Don't let Rush Week trip you up. Between us, it's just a formality."
"I'll come check you out," Jam said without certainty.
"We're looking to get Brother Malcolm as a guest speaker," Ramerez brought up grandly.
Natalie picked up the newspaper, frowning at the headline. "So sick of hearing about this little idealistic preacher."
"Right," Raven spoke. "Because shared sandboxes is complete backwards thinking."
Natalie flashed hot brown eyes at her then looked at Ramerez. "I need to get to class."
"I'll see you, Jamal." Ramerez walked off with her in tow.
"Hm," Amy hummed. "Did anybody else expect her to jump across this table and claw Raven's eyes out?"
Leon admitted, "I felt a tingle there."
"What's her problem, anyway?" Alex questioned.
"That was Natalie Carver," Jam stated. "Supreme Queen of the Omegas, head of their sister sorority and Rez's fiancée."
Raven feigned shock. "You mean she's not for display only?"
"Don't get into it with them," Jam advised. "The Omegas come from the first black students allowed into WU after Dean Stavros showed up to set this place straight. They're determined to stomp out the Alphas. And since my cousin was a member, I'm just expected to sign on the dotted line."
Leon noted, "I don't think they were quite fond of you sitting here with us."
Jam scoffed. "I left that clique crap back in high school."
Alex stated, "I feel like I'm learning more outside the classroom around here."
"Hey, pretty lady!"
Raven turned her head in time to catch a near blinding flash. "Hey." She made out the face of the one holding the camera. "A little warning maybe?"
"Sorry, beautiful," he apologized. "I'm Ethan Vander, official Pi Kappa Alpha photographer."
Raven pointed to the camera. "What was that for?"
"Oh you'll see." His eyebrows wiggled flirtatiously. "But I might be willing to divulge a few details if you let me take you out tonight." She wordlessly held up her ring finger. "Ohhhh…" Ethan made a show of clutching his chest in agony before falling over and crawling away.
The women laughed while the guys returned to their individual studies, complaining, and ponderings.
IIIIIII
The pair of thin white ropes twirled together, one girl holding onto their own end.
Cordelia braced herself. "Ready?"
"Go for it," Becky encouraged.
"Jump in," Jasmine backed up.
Hands gripping Jasmine's shoulders, Cordelia flipped over her and into the ropes. She started with regular paced jumps then moved on to try it only on one foot.
"Check out Glim," Jasmine beamed.
After another minute, Cordelia slipped out. "Your turn."
Giving her ropes over to the older girl, Jasmine got inside the ropes and began with bouncing back and forth from foot to foot. She soon lowered into a sitting position on the ground and moved between the ropes by bopping on her behind.
"Go Spirit, go Spirit," her turners chanted.
Jasmine got back to her feet and asked Becky, "You want to go?"
Becky shook her head at that. "I'm not really good at the jumping part. It's too fast."
Cordelia suggested to Jasmine, "Let's try it together."
"Okay." The caramel blonde glanced over. "Maya, can you turn for a while?"
"I stink at any aspect of double-dutch," she immediately turned down.
Looking to where Maya sat conversing in-between Kayla and Emma, Cordelia had to resist an eye roll.
Kayla stood and walked over. "I'll turn. But I warn you," she accepted the ropes from Cordelia, "it's been a while."
"Thanks, Kay." Jasmine waited for Cordelia jump in.
When she did, they joined hands and managed to skip over the twirling ropes in unison.
"Come on, city boy," Logan egged from where they played two-on-two with Victor and Scott. "Get your mind off them girls and go for the hoop."
"My mind is on girls all day, every day," Frank said matter-of-factly. "And they're a thousand times better to look at than you."
"Don't let your mouth write a check your scrawny butt can't cash," Logan snarled in jest.
Frank made as if he wanted to bypass Logan, but instead tossed the ball in his partner's direction. "You can do it, Cyc!"
Scott caught the basketball and sent it with a swish through the hoop. "Alright!"
Logan grabbed the ball, spinning it on one finger. "Not too shabby, Slim."
Scott laughed as Victor hoisted him to ride around on his shoulders.
Trick stepped out of the house and went over to where Charles stood observing them all.
He watched a moment himself before commenting, "This is a Godsend. You and Erik have truly created something worthwhile here."
Charles kept his gaze on the children's activities. "They're all that make it worthwhile."
Trick tapped his shoulder then walked to where the girls skipped rope and got in the middle of Jasmine and Cordelia.
At all three jumping, Becky slowed her pace, clearly fatigued. "I need a break."
"Me, too." Jasmine tumbled forward into Trick's arms.
He held her tightly. "I'm off to the club for a while, but I should be back around nine."
Jasmine nodded against him. "Okay."
Trick kissed her cheek and forehead. "You be good. I love you."
"I love you, too," Jasmine called after him.
"Hey, Trickster," Alex greeted as he approached with Raven.
Trick slapped hands with him, continuing on for the garage.
"Alex." Scott waited for Victor to put him down then rushed to his brother to hug him around the waist.
"Hi, twerp." Alex rubbed his hair. "You miss me?"
Scott nodded. "Want to play with us?"
"In a little bit." Alex pulled away from him. "I need to go see Hank, but I'll be back." He headed inside.
"People who love me." Raven placed an arm around Frank then attempted to circle the spare one over Cordelia, Jasmine, and Becky. "People who love me!"
"Gorge." Maya ran up to her. "Are we still doubling up tonight?"
"Just for a little while," Raven replied. "I have an essay to work on."
"I'll go find Sean." Maya turned and hurried for the house.
Raven went to talk to Kayla, Emma, and Charles before heading in herself.
IIIIIII
Dashing into the lab, Alex hopped onto the nearest exam table.
"Let's make this quick. I have a stack of homework ahead of me on top of brother time."
"Hello, Hank. How was your day?" the young doctor strapped him into the blood pressure reader as he versed sarcastically. "A little chaotic with the new horde of children we have here, but otherwise fine."
"Sorry." Alex's tone carried heavy dismissal. "I'm just stressed."
Hank began to pump. "That's more than apparent. You've been drinking coffee. It's still on your breath."
"Just espresso, bloodhound."
"Just espresso?" Hank echoed incredulously. "Alex, the caffeine content in those shots is far more than what you can currently withstand."
"Hank, I'm in college," Alex reminded him strongly. "Newsflash, books don't give you energy."
"Hypertension will give you a heart attack," Hank countered firmly. He took a look at the gage. "You're four points up from the last reading. No more intense caffeinated beverages. If you must, drink regular black coffee but no more than a cup a day. I also want you to cut out salt wherever possible."
"Fine." Alex removed the arm wrap. "I have to go." He ran out, nearly crashing into Raven in the process.
"Huh. You know, that blur vaguely resembled my twin." Raven came up, going over to Hank who had moved to sit behind his desk. "Someone's been working too hard." She lowered into his lap.
Hank wrapped an arm around her waist. "Seems to be a contagion among many of us."
Raven offered him a long kiss. "Okay, so," she touched noses with him briefly, "I know I should have talked to you about this first, but more spots opened up in Professor Thornton's American Poetry class. It's pretty coveted so I had to jump before all the seats were snatched up. It's only ninety minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please tell me this is okay with you."
Hank considered it then said, "If that's what you really want. To be an honest, I'm a little relieved you'll have more reason to linger around WU."
She snuggled down against him. "Trying to get rid of me, baby?"
"Trying to hold onto Alex," he stated. "Raven, he's showing growing signs of hypertension."
The blue woman glanced up in genuine surprise. "He's nineteen."
"And dealing with far more stress and responsibility than your average freshman," Hank emphasized. "However, I don't think he's taking my words of warning very seriously. I told him I would refrain from mentioning this to Erik or Charles, but could you please act as an extra set of eyes while you two are in school?"
"Absolutely," she guaranteed.
IIIIIII
Rapping lightly on the open door before she stepped in, Cordelia watched Alex unload books from his backpack.
She asked him, "So what is the big diff between high school and college?"
The blonde glanced her way with a pleasant expression. "A load of free time left up to you on how to squander it." He sat on the edge of his bed. "What's up, Glim?"
"Well, I really haven't seen all that much of Westchester," she began. "Raven and Hank are going out with Maya and Sean tonight. I thought we could jaunt out with them."
A hum of fatigue came from the back of his throat. "I would, but I have too much going on around here. Besides, I've seen those four together and I'd rather watch a marathon of The Honeymooners. Trust me," he picked up a novelette and flipped through it, "you don't want to be around that lovey gush."
Cordelia stayed quiet for a few seconds before responding with, "You're probably right." She left out and headed for her own room.
IIIIIII
The sounds of chipper cartoon antics echoing throughout the main floor hall, Kayla stepped off in the living room. Sprawled out on the couch were Joey and Cody, as aglow as the television screen before them.
"You know," she started casually, "a few of the men are right outside and it's a really nice day to play."
"Not right now, Mama," Cody replied with turning his attention away.
Kayla shook her head and headed out, bumping into her husband on the way as he went straight towards the kitchen.
"Does it bother you that our son spends hours on end in front of a flashing box?"
Logan asked in turn, "He bein' good and quiet?"
"Well, yeah," Kayla admitted.
Logan removed a bottle of Coke from the refrigerator. "Then what's the problem?" He gave her a quick kiss and strolled out.
Kayla started to call after him but instead chose to wait for a stronger rebuttal to formulate.
IIIIIII
In the designated and florally festive girls-only bathroom, Becky stood beside Jasmine in front of the lengthy double vanity while the latter waited for steam to build up from the iron.
"I thought you straightened your hair with chemicals," Becky mentioned.
"I do, but I'm trying to hold that off until the first day of school so it'll last longer," Jasmine reasoned. "But after all that sweat from jump rope I need to do something with this angry hedgehog on my head."
"You're lucky you know how to do this," Becky said. "I tried it before and burnt myself."
"Everybody does that," Jasmine dismissed. "My mama used to do it for me. Now I'm trying to get better at it. I could do yours, too, if you want."
Becky honestly thought about that for a moment before a familiar voice announced, "I'm home," and footsteps approached.
"Papa!" she grinned.
Erik entered through the already open door and lifted her straight up into his arms to kiss her cheek. "Now, do my eyes deceive me or do I spy the two of you actually doing your own ironing?"
"Just hair," Jasmine told him.
The Poland native frowned. "Excruciating heat barely an inch away from your face. No, I don't think so."
"It's okay, Erik," Jasmine assured him. "My dad lets me."
"Is he here to confirm this?" Erik asked next.
The light faded in Jasmine's eyes. "No, he had to go to the club."
Erik placed Becky down then unplugged the iron. "Then we'll wait for his return. In the meantime," he wrapped the cord around the device, "hot metals and little girls do not mix." He pointed a finger at Becky. "You know that."
His daughter gave off a nod.
A flabbergasted Jasmine managed to form words after he walked out. "I know he did not just take my iron."
Becky looked at her with sympathy and gave off a shrug.
IIIIIII
Once done with her drawn out shower, Cordelia got into pajamas. She toyed with the buttons on her stereo before finding a station playing Elvis. Stretching out on her bed, her gaze became locked absently on one of her posters until a knock came at the door.
Emma did not wait for further response as she entered.
Lowering to lay beside her sister, she wrapped arms around the teenager's middle. "You were so quiet at dinner." You noticed? "Yes, I did actually." At Cordelia's astonished glance, Emma smiled softly. "It's not intrusion when you send me a florescent signal. Now, tell me. What's the matter?"
"Nothing," the girl replied shortly.
"I would have guessed gymnastics," Emma touched cheeks with her, "but considering we're currently listening to Stuck On You, I'm going to lean more towards Alex."
Cordelia sat up against her headboard. "He thinks I'm three."
"Aren't you?" Emma quipped.
With a less than amused gaze, Cordelia mildly retorted, "Kiss crickets, Emmie."
"In absolute seriousness," Emma cupped her hands and looked into her eyes, "I think Alex is much too old for you, sweetheart. And beyond age, you two are at completely different points in life. Where you are, he's already been and is eager to move on to the next thing. Something you might benefit from as well."
Cordelia looked unconvinced. "So you're telling me that somewhere out there in the world is a sixteen-year-old boy who is smart, good looking, athletic, ambitious, and basically five stars in every event?"
"Of course." Emma then added, "They simply fail to realize these qualities for another ten years or so." She pulled her into a hug. "Life was much easier before you could articulate free thought."
Cordelia smiled, "You sound like Daddy."
"Thank you for the nightmares." Though Emma herself felt much the same sentiment.
IIIIIII
On his way back to his den, Erik caught a delightful hum and spotted Jasmine merrily skipping down the stairs. What really caught his attention about the sight proved to be her once thick mane had transformed into near bone straight lochs of caramel blonde, bouncing as she did.
"Miss Hughes." Erik stilled her pacing at the petition and approached her. "I would very much like to know how your hair got into this condition. I want to know because otherwise I'll be forced to believe you went behind my back to reclaim the iron I confiscated from you barely an hour ago."
"Oh no. I didn't do that," the young girl answered honestly. "I used the one in the laundry room. And see?" She performed a brief twirl. "Doesn't it look great?"
Erik's firm countenance did not wilt. "That is not the point. The point is that I told you not to iron your hair, even took said iron away, and you decided to go through with it, anyway. That is direct defiance. You can go to your room until I've had time to discuss this with your father."
"No," she replied plainly before going to turn.
"Excuse me?" Erik took her by the arm.
Jasmine used her power to remove herself from his clutch. "Let me tell you something. This," she pointed towards her head, "is my hair and I'll do whatever I want with it. You can keep Becky in a cage all you want to, but you are not my father."
"Jasmine Isabel Hughes." They squared off pair looked up to see Trick coming their way, having not taken notice of his arrival home. He pocketed his sunglasses and went right to his daughter. "Who the devil do you think you're talking to like that, young lady?"
"Daddy, he tried to tell me I couldn't straighten my hair," Jasmine attempted to defend. "He even took my iron away."
Erik explained, "Becky was burnt in a hair ironing incident last year. I wanted to wait for you to come home to approve it."
Trick nodded understandingly to that. "I told you what time I'd be home, Jasmine. Why didn't you just wait?"
"I don't have to listen to him," she insisted.
"You have to listen to anyone I ask to watch over you in my absence," Trick informed her. "And unless you are truly being mistreated, you don't talk back to any adult that way. Standing up here as if this man slapped you silly or something equally ridiculous." Trick scoffed. "You are not grown, love, not by a longshot. And as a matter of fact, you can not only go to your room but you're to stay there until I come for you."
Utter dismay covered Jasmine's face. "Daddy."
"Go," Trick pointed. "Shoot off at the mouth again and you can forget about your clothes shopping for school this weekend and I mean that."
Absolutely livid now, Jasmine stormed back upstairs with no further sound other than her pounding feet.
Trick sighed deeply, looking ready to kick something. "Damn."
Erik offered, "Can I make you a drink?"
"Thank you," the younger man accepted. "And after that, do me a real favor and hit me over the head with the bottle."
Erik gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder before leading them into the parlor.
IIIIIII
At the knocking on her door, Jasmine only continued writing at her desk.
"Not now, Daddy!" she shouted when the sound only persisted.
Frank poked his head in. "It's me, Jas."
"You know you're not supposed to be in here," Jasmine reminded him.
"Please, like being grounded ever stopped us before," Frank immediately waved off. He entered fully and closed the door. "Missed you at breakfast."
She put her pen down and closed her diary. "Glad somebody did."
"Specter is cool. You know he'll let you out soon."
"He supposed to be," Jasmine urged. "It's that guy that's the problem."
Frank frowned slightly. "Who, Erik?"
She nodded. "He made my daddy yell at me. He never yells at me."
Frank came over to her chair. "All dads blow their top once in a while. It'll be okay. I promise."
"Frank," Jasmine looked at him with darkened eyes, "I don't even think I want to go to school here anymore."
The other city native looked as if he'd just been pierced in the chest. "You don't mean that. Jazzy, come on. We just got back together."
"I know, Frank. And I'm sorry, but my dad means everything to me."
Frank enveloped her in a hug and she rested on his shoulder.
IIIIIII
Erik looked up when the three youngest members of the house filed into his den.
"Papa," Becky went around to sit in his lap, "guess what was on TV."
"Hm." Erik pretended to think on it as he wrapped an arm around her. "Something about the antics of a smug rabbit and a neurotic duck?"
"No, Uncle Erik. It was a cartoon about Jonah," Joey told him. "And the whale ate him because he ran away."
"Attempting to run from God," Erik stated. "Many have tried, all have failed."
Joey said, "But I don't understand why he didn't want to go help those people who were gonna die."
"The Ninevites did Jonah's people wrong for many years, Kangaroo," Erik explained. "When it comes to near lifelong enemies, the idea of one group rescuing the other, regardless of the level of peril, is rarely carried out."
Cody reclined on Erik's sofa. "I would've gone and told 'em."
Erik looked at him. "Is that so?"
"Yep," Cody nodded. "Then if they didn't wanna listen, I would've stood back and laughed when God sent big huge fireballs down to crush 'em. Least I wouldn't get in trouble."
Erik said, "I realize I should probably caution you against such thinking, but I can't deny the logic." He watched Frank pass through. "Hello, boychick."
Frank only glowered at him before continuing to walk.
Joey looked confused as the older boy went.
Becky tucked her head under Erik's chin. "He's just mad about Jasmine."
Erik felt no need to chide her for her telepathy, having gathered that much himself. However, he found the knowledge lacked any means of comfort.
IIIIIII
After he received his change, Alex took his drink and started out of the student union.
"Is that for me?" Raven came up from behind and yanked the foam cup right out of his hand. "Thanks, twin."
"You're cute." Alex rolled his eyes. "Now, give me that. I barely slept last night and I need to study for my quiz."
Raven held it out of his reach. "Yeah, I don't think so. Not so long as you're in ticking time bomb territory."
Alex surmised angrily, "Hank. Look, Raven, you know how much of a doctor he is. Go in for a checkup with them, walk out with both kidneys gone."
"Convincing argument, but I think I'll stick with the husband on this one. Call me bias."
"Don't know about that," Alex formed a tight grin, "but there are a couple things I want to call you right about now."
"Brat up all you want, Alex. I've seen worse. In you actually," Raven recalled. "But like it or not, I'm not letting you hurt yourself." She started to walk away then looked back. "And remember. Hank may have promised not to tell Erik and Charles, but I didn't." She continued on with that.
Jaw dropping a moment, Alex turned to go the opposite direction of her.
IIIIIII
Making use of the widespread greenery around the Xavier property, Victor leapt from tree to tree, performing multiple spins with certain branches. A sudden salty smell caused him to pause for a moment. Another familiar scent penetrated his nose as well. He glanced down, finding Becky sobbing beneath one oak.
He jumped down, landing at her side. "Hey, hey. What's this all about?" He lifted her chin and used the sleeve of his coat to wipe away the running tears. "This ain't the magic fairy lady I know. Who did ya wrong, Tink?"
"It's not me," she sniffed. "It's my papa."
"Somebody do him wrong?"
Becky nodded. "It always happens. Kids act like he's bad or scary or mean, but they're always the ones being mean to him. I don't understand why they treat him so bad."
Victor brought her into his arms. "Aw Tink, don't listen to what none of them gotta say. Ya know how good a guy your dad is. Yeah, he's got a hard edge to him. Big deal. Way I see it, only thing Magneto's guilty of is loving you kids too much."
Becky calmed a little. "Frank's doing it, too. He's supposed to be an Erik Kid like me, but he's acting like he cares more about Jasmine."
Victor blew out some sarcastic air at that. "You'd be surprised how much power you dames got goin' for you. Makes us screwy in the head most of the time. Trust me. Frank'll be alright. Might need a swift kick in the can, but he'll be alright." The little girl laughed at that and Victor proved pleased. "There we go. Too pretty a girl to be gushin' a waterfall."
From a short distance away, Erik observed them from behind another tree. Slowly but surely, satisfaction came to his features.
IIIIIII
News from the nation's capital capturing the bulk of his attention as he strolled outside, Trick only glanced up when he heard the thumping. He saw Frank tossing a ball at a side wall and catching it.
Trick walked up to him. "What's he done now?"
Frank looked up. "Who?"
"Phil," Trick clarified. "You get this same funky attitude every time one of them puts you down. I assume Lincoln's too busy spreading the good news to be menacing you. Did your dad call?"
Frank rolled his eyes. "Got nothing to do with him. It's Erik."
Trick folded his arms curiously. "What grand wrong has he committed?"
"Jasmine wants to go back to Ireland, Trick."
His eyebrow went up. "Over last night? That girl… but I'll worry with her later. Let's talk about you."
Frank bounced the ball again. "Nothing to talk about."
"Oh no? What about the fact that every time another male does something to make you the slightest bit perturbed, you act like it's Phillip in the flesh. With this loner bit and funky little attitude."
The boy turned a glare on him. "You haven't been around in the longest, Trick. Don't act like you know me anymore."
Trick held a hand out in gesture. "You see? That's exactly what I'm talking about. You'd fill your own mouth with soap before you'd ever part your lips to speak to your mother that way."
"My mother is the best," Frank stated.
"You'll get no argument out of me there, boyo," Trick assured. "But Erik? He cares for you exactly as his own with love and respect. Stop picturing your father every time you get angry with another. Because from over six thousand miles away, you're still letting him bring you down."
Catching the ball for the last time, Frank remained still.
Trick used his newspaper to give him a hard whack to the behind, resulting in a flinch from the boy, before going back inside.
He went into Jasmine's room and announced, "Alright Precious, consider your sentence up."
The girl jumped up from her bed with glee and went to hug him. "Thank you, Daddy."
Trick led her over to the desk chair and sat down with her in his lap. "So I hear we're going to be doing some traveling again soon. All the way back to Ireland."
Jasmine put an arm around her neck. "I don't think I can handle going to school here. Adults here are too much."
"Yes, and certainly Erik is the worst of the lot. Standing there talking to you rationally without raising his tone even once."
"He got me in trouble."
"No, Precious." Trick tapped her lips with mild firmness. "This got you into trouble. You need to accept responsibility and stop trying to shift blame on a person or situation. Then this idea of returning to Ireland over this little thing? My girl, it's absolutely nonsensical." His tone softened significantly. "Jasmine, think of what this family has had to endure over the outside world's foolish beliefs."
She snuggled against his neck. "I know."
"But here- we're part of a real true melting pot," Trick emphasized. "And yet, at our cores, we are all one and the same here. These people have not turned their backs away nor put their noses up to us. How can we not treat them in the same manner of love and understanding?"
"I'm sorry, Daddy." Jasmine put both arms around him. "But I hate it when you're mad at me."
Trick rocked her a little. "I hate anything other than holding you this way. So in the future, I want you to keep your dignity about you. If you really feel you're in the right about something, wait for me to come home. It'll show the classy miss I raised."
"Okay." She pulled back with a smile. "I'll apologize to Erik, too."
Trick took both her hands to kiss then sent her on her way. As she left, he took notice of the book she'd left open on the desk. Before he had a chance to so much as skim it, she walked back in and snatched it away.
"Give me my diary."
Her father's hands went up in a show of guiltlessness.
IIIIIII
End of the pool reached from her backstroke, Cordelia remained afloat, taking in the rays of the sun overhead. Closing her eyes, her hard mutated casing soon came over her. She then gasped as she found herself hoisted then hovering over the water.
"Gold is a precious metal," she turned to see Erik walking out towards her, "that will surely rust in water. Give or take a hundred years or so."
Cordelia smiled, easing up as he brought her into a standing position. "I suppose you'd be the expert."
"Relatively. Strange, though. Your body was immersed in water yet your head was most certainly in the clouds."
"Boys," Cordelia stated simply.
"The cure will be discovered someday," Erik promised.
"Erik?" He turned around at Jasmine approaching from the back way. "Can I please talk to you?"
"Of course," the man answered.
Wrapping her yellow towel around her waist, Cordelia slipped back into her sandals and went in.
Jasmine went to stand before him. "I wanted to tell you that I am really, really sorry for how I talked to you. But it's been so crazy since my parents got divorced. It's hard to listen to other men who aren't my daddy because they all make me think about my mom's boyfriend."
"I understand perfectly. Though I admit I tend come off as strong almost immediately. Because you see," he took one of her hands, lifting it between his own two, "in the back of my mind, all of you are mine. The "cages" are only there to keep anyone else from getting at you."
A light laugh and smile echoed from the girl at that.
IIIIIII
At the near elephant charge that accompanied Alex's presence in the lab, Hank quipped, "Bad day at school?"
Alex got as close upon Hank as he could, arms folded. "Why the hell are you sending your wife to spy on me?"
Hank tried to explain, "I only thought that—"
"I don't care what you thought," Alex interrupted sharply. "Stop meddling into my life like I'm one of these kids running around here and start treating me like a damn equal. Or is that just beyond you?" In a swift motion, Hank had Alex's upper body pinned down against an exam table. "Hank!"
"Quiet," Hank snarled. "My turn to talk." He felt Alex's squirming come to an abrupt stop. "I am so sick and tired," He gave Alex two firm swats across the seat of his pants, "of this arrogant, immature attitude of yours," another pair of swats. "You want to be treated like a man?" Hank swatted him for more times. "Act like one instead of this pathetic little child constantly ready to throw a temper tantrum." He gave him one final smack before allowing him up. "Scott lost you once. I don't want to be the one to tell him it's now a reality."
Alex slowly stood, wobbly from the punishment as well as the older male's words. "I'm sorry…"
Hank pulled him over into a hug. "I know how difficult this is for you. That's why you must let us help you." Alex nodded against his shoulder. "Now, why don't you calm down a bit? I'll check your pressure in another hour. But I want you to come home for lunch tomorrow for an additional reading."
"Yeah." Alex nodded somewhat absently, heading out. Coming around the corridor, he nearly bumped into Cordelia. "Oh. Sorry, Glim."
"It's okay," she assured then noticed his expression. "Are you okay?"
"Fine." He ran a hand through his hair. "I just need to clear my head."
She stepped out of his way. "Alright."
Alex's gaze stayed with her. "Will you come on a run with me?"
A wide smile came to her face. "Just let me change."
While she headed off to her room, Alex went to his quarters to get into workout gear. He let off a moan, using both hands to rub at the sting in his behind.
IIIIIII
Going towards the kitchen, Frank decided to make a stop off at the Mag Cave.
"Any requests for dinner?" he asked his owner.
Erik looked up from where he read at his desk. "I've never been one to complain about your culinary skills."
Frank put forth, "What about my bullheaded skills?"
At that, Erik extended a hand. "Come here, boychick."
Frank went right to him and into his lap. "I'm sorry. Can you pound me or something? Get the idiot out of me?"
"I won't spank you for being angry with me." Erik poked his cheek. "However, I will if I hear you refer to yourself as such a thing again."
"It's what I feel like," Frank said honestly. "I don't know what's wrong with me. It's just with Jazzy and Trick here, it feels like I have a little of New York back, too. I didn't want it to go away. And Jas, especially. It was hard when she left."
Erik deduced, "Do I detect a little more than friendship in that sentiment?"
"Maybe," Frank admitted softly, cheeks reddening. "I know it's stupid."
Erik shook his head. "Believe it or not, I too have taken notice of the fairer sex in my time."
Frank twiddled his fingers with an innocent air about him. "Anyone I know?"
Giving his bottom a few pats, Erik prompted, "Don't you have a meal to get on the table? Go on, boychick."
Frank smiled as he got up. "I like when you call me that."
"Good. Because I had no plans to cease," Erik said.
IIIIIII
The next day after lunch, most of the adult mutants made tracks for the parlor. Erik and Charles sat in their chess chairs with Emma on the arm of Charles'. Logan, Kayla, and Victor lined up on one sofa with Trick sprawled out on the other across from them.
"I'll admit I share a load of blame from Jasmine's hesitance towards outside authority," Trick said. "I made it clear from the beginning that I'm her only father and any man entering her mother's life is basically just a piece of furniture."
Logan shrugged. "What's wrong with that? Your kid, ain't she?"
"Personally," Charles spoke, "I wouldn't have minded my mother teaching us the same in regards to our stepfather."
Emma said, "I barely listened to my actual parents."
Hank walked in. "Pardon me. I'm still helping Alex with this new project."
"Large load of homework for only their second week," Erik remarked.
"Oh this is nothing," said Charles. "The worst is yet to come."
Kayla shook her head. "Things have changed since my day." She groaned as the noise level from the living room made its way in. "They're watching that TV again."
Victor waved a hand. "Give 'em a break, Kay."
"Hold on a moment." Charles raised a hand to silence the group, taking in the words coming in. "Oh Dear Lord," he hurried up from his seat. "I nearly forgot."
Getting the idea himself, Trick got up and followed him.
Thoroughly confused, Logan wondered, "What's goin' on?"
When they made it into the living room, they found the young ones already present in front of the television. Trick sat with Jasmine, Becky, Frank, and Scott on one couch. Hank went to stand beside Raven, who watched with Alex and Cordelia. Logan and Kayla went over to Sean and Maya. Victor, Erik, Charles, and Emma stood about as well. Cody and Joey lay stomach down with Bounty between them, eyes completely glued to the screen and the speaker pictured before the Lincoln Memorial.
All remained perfectly quiet for the duration.
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
Jasmine leaned against Trick and he held her at his side. Logan's arm went around Kayla. Erik looked over at Charles, whose gaze went back and forth between the screen and the faces of their young ones.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"