X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Eight

Author's Word: To relieve everyone's minds, I'm not dealing with any serious illness here. Basically, random things keep happening to me every week that are completely unrelated to each other. Surprisingly, the only thing I had to deal with this time around was the physical recovery from last week, which wasn't all that bad. Thank you all so much for your concern. You really do light up my life, fam. Please enjoy and review!

At the purposeful punch Erik threw his way, Alex performed a backflip that allowed him to gain some momentum off the trunk of a tree. He gripped Erik's shoulders while in the air and landed behind him.

"Don't go easy on me," Alex urged then let off a yelp when his legs got kicked out from under him.

"Don't let your guard down," Erik said plainly then extended one hand.

Alex accepted it with a dutiful, "Yes, sir."

Erik helped him rise. "How was your evening with Kerstin yesterday?"

"It was more afternoon. We have to dance around each other's schedules. And decent enough," Alex shrugged. "We went to the movies."

"What else did you do?" Erik gave him a sideways glance.

Alex looked back at him dryly. "With Kerstin Harris? Sitting next to each other is a privilege, but it's cool. I'm not looking to "do" anything right now. You know that."

"Yes," Erik nodded. "Though I have to say, I'm surprised to find you still pursuing her. I thought if you go after any girl, it would be—"

"In Florida," Alex filled in for what in his mind had to be the millionth time.

Taking the well placed hint, Erik switched to another topic. "Is Seanie still sitting in on your classes today?"
"Are you kidding?" Alex responded. "He couldn't be more jazzed. You should have seen him last night. Picking out clothes, double checking his little backpack over and over." Erik looked at him meaningfully. "What?"

Erik's communicator made him respond to the wrist device instead. "What's happening?"

Hank's voice came over the other end. "We have a situation. I need you back here. I'm in Becca's room."

Without further need for explanation, Erik took off toward the house at max speed. Alex hastened to follow.

IIIIIII

Removing the thermometer from the thin dainty lips, Hank held it up and narrowed his blue eyes at the reading.

"Did you feel funny last night at all?"

Becky shook her head. "Not really."

Erik rushed in, dropping straight to her bedside. "What's the matter, ladybug?"

The little girl took his hand to place over her stomach. "There's a porcupine living in here."

Hank clarified, "She woke up feeling nauseated and she has a small trace of a fever. There doesn't seem to be any other symptoms at the moment. We'll have to keep an eye on her and let her rest."

Erik reached over to brush some hair out of her face. "Sneaking bits from your leftover Halloween candy, hm?"

"No." Becky rethought that. "Well, not last night."

"Just to be safe," Erik said, tucking her in better, "I'll have to ask Victor not to slip you any treats for a while."

A long whimper echoed off the girl.

"Aww." Alex came over, enclosing her right hand between both his own. "Poor babes. I know how you feel. At least you don't have to go to school."

"Speaking of…" Erik brought up.

"I'm going, I'm going." Alex gave Becky one final look. "Feel better, baby." He started out.

"She'll be fine, Erik," Hank assured.

Erik settled Becky's white bear in closer to her as he muttered a faint reply and Hank knew very little would positively persuade the shark papa.

IIIIIII

Arms linked with the tall individual, Raven acted as tour guide as they moved through the student union.

"This is where the kids post for bake sales, odd job seeking, fundraising," Raven indicated the large bulletin board on one wall. "My friend Teresa uses this one a lot."

The number of different students contained in the area made Sean's eyes sparkle.

"So this is all kid space?" he asked. "No adults?"

"They pass through here once in a while, but yeah, mostly kid space," Raven answered.

"We should check out the dormitory lounges later," Alex came back up to them, "That's as anti-adult as it gets."

Sean took note of the plain black coffee in his hand. "It's so cool how you guys pick whatever you want to eat for meals."

"Wait until you see the actual cafeteria," said Raven. "It's buffet style."

"At these rates, I would hope so."

"Hey, Lee," Alex acknowledged the one who had just walked up. "Sean, this is my guy, Leon Osaka."

"This is our Seanie," Raven introduced. "We're renting him for the day."

"Hi," Sean smiled eagerly, wiping his hand off on his pants before shaking with the older student. "It's good to meet you."

Leon shook with him. "An abundance of brothers. How fortunate you all are."

"Not so much if we're late for class," Raven mentioned.

"Let's go." Alex started leading the way.

Grinning at just the thought of his first actual college class, Sean noticed Leon staring at him as they walked.

"What is it?" He checked to see if he had a stain on his shirt.

"You'll have to excuse me," Leon spoke. "The way Alex talks about you, I half-expected to meet a twelve-year-old."

That gave Sean temporary pause before continuing on with the others.

IIIIIII

While Erik stepped off to see to his first class, Hank got a breakfast tray ready for the ailing one. He brought it up and placed it on the night table to begin spreading a smidge of honey on the dry toast.

"Here we are." Bread ready, he sat down by her. "After we see how well you keep this down, we'll try a little castor oil."

Becky's already less than enthused face turned completely sour. "Ugh!"

Hank prompted, "Yes, Big Bear," and held the toast out to her.

"Yes, Big Bear," she complied, taking a bite out of the bread.

"Good girl," he approved. "And after the oil," he smiled secretively at her, "we'll see if we can conjure up something that tastes a little better."

"I hope Knight Victor doesn't listen to Papa for too long," Becky said a tad impishly.

Hank shared her look then put forth, "You're glad he's here, too, aren't you?" She nodded. "And the Howletts?"

"They're okay," Becky shrugged lightly. "So long as Cody's here. Maya likes Kayla, but big sisters and Auntie Ems are better than moms any day."

"I've never had a big sister, though I wouldn't have minded having an Auntie Em," Hank confided. "Personally, I prefer a little sister."

Becky smiled at him before eating more of her toast.

The adult in Hank told him he should perhaps correct her thinking, but he found it too hypocritical on his part. Growing up, he had barely anything close to resembling a real relationship with his mother, far from the many likenesses he shared with his father. Of course, none of that mattered now.

Putting those thoughts out of his mind, Hank's attention stayed on the child before him; the sole keepsake from his past.

IIIIIII

Situated before his class, Professor Hanson presented, "Who was it that said, without free speech, no search for truth is possible yet without free speech, no discovery of truth is useful." He called on the first hand to shoot up. "Sean, yes?"

The redhead nodded then answered, "Charles Bradlaugh. He was an author."

"Ah, very good," Hanson said approvingly. "And you haven't even done the reading."

"I've read up on him before," Sean then added on, "for school. Normally, non-fiction isn't my first choice, especially when it's written from a blatantly secular perspective."

Hanson clearly found that interesting and encouraged, "Please elaborate."

Sean tried to put his wording together as intelligently as possible. "I mean, sure. People are free to believe or not believe in anything. For a private citizen, it really doesn't matter, but for someone standing as an activist for the people it's another story. You're out to do good for the world around you, but where's your own motivation? How can you possibly define good when you don't believe in anything above the human authority you're actually acting against?"

Taking that in along with the rest of the room, Hanson eventually commended, "An excellent point. You also talk more than Alex yet less than Raven. I think we've found the perfect combination from your household."

"Hey," Raven reacted while Alex only sniggered.

Leon glanced over at the three self-proclaimed siblings with Sean tucked neatly in between the twins.

IIIIIII

Steam billowing up into his nostrils from the pot, Frank turned to the one right beside him at the stove and used his hip to nudge at him. Erik offered him a small smirk and a lighter bump in return.

Frank proposed, "I wonder if Kayla counts ancient recipes as extra credit."

"It matters not." Erik stirred the concoction and used the side of the pot to remove the excess residue from the wooden spoon. "From the direction your grades tend to go, you can afford a few minutes outside the classroom."

"Fine by me, so long as I make it back in time to carry Jazzy's books for her."

"Ah, yes," Erik flicked off the burner. "I suppose that is standard 'steady' protocol, isn't it?" At Frank's nod, Erik placed a pair of serious eyes on him. "Tell me, what does that term really mean to you? Going steady I mean."

Frank considered the question a moment. "Well, you know. You hold hands, you carry her books, you go out for sodas and junk. But you don't do that stuff with any other girl unless she's your sister or your Raven or something."

Taking a seat in one of the chairs, Erik brought the boy over to stand before him. "And you're respectful towards the girl, yes?"

"Of course," Frank answered. "Why else would you carry her stuff?"

"I mean beyond that," Erik emphasized. "While I have no objections to hand holding, you have to remember that to be truly respectful, you must go no further than that for some time. Do you understand my meaning, boychick?"

Frank nodded at him again. "Yes, sir. I'll be good."

"As if you could be anything else." Erik gave him a fond tap on the hip. "Go on to class now."

"'Kay." The thirteen-year-old left out of the kitchen.

Erik got a bowl of the soup along with a fresh cup of ginger ale together before heading upstairs. When he arrived at the intended room, he barely noticed the vacant bed as his eyes fell directly on the drooping figure on the floor trying to hold up Barbie and Ken.

"Anya Lehnsherr." Erik placed the food down on the desk then stooped down to gather her into his arms. "What are you doing out of bed, young lady?" He gently plucked the dolls from her hands.

Becky placed her own arms around his neck and defended, "Ken and Barbie wanted to go on a picnic, Papa."

"You have no business picnicking while you're sick." Erik got her tucked back into bed. "I should swat your backside." Enlarged green eyes gazed back at him. "Don't you give me that adorable little face."

"It's the only one I have," she claimed weakly.

Erik gave her a half-scolding look. "Keep at it and Sweetie Imp will be coming to visit me in my office." The threat made her clutch the bear tightly. "Do you think you can eat a bit?"

"Just a little," she replied.

Erik went to retrieve the soup and placed the drink on her nightstand. "Open." When she did so, he started to feed her spoonful by spoonful. His eyes dimmed a bit at the recollection the brew's smell produced. "Your grandparents' anniversary passed recently."

Becky's expression reflected his slightly. "I remembered. I didn't want you to be sad like you were last year so I didn't say anything."

"Were it not for you, I would still be sad." He held the ginger ale to her lips and she sipped at it. After she had enough, Erik put the cup to the side and laid next to her. "I'm sorry if I ever make you feel as if I don't want you to talk about them."

Becky hugged his arm then stared at her door in ponder. "Papa, is it possible to miss someone you've never even met?"

"I'm sure it is," he answered her. "When you're a part of someone, it doesn't matter whether you ever come face to face. I believe I missed you long before we met as well."

Becky snuggled against his chest. "I love you, Papa."

He returned, "I love you, my girl," then held her close as she eased into another nap.

IIIIIII

When lunch rolled around, Alex purchased a dining voucher for Sean. While the lanky teenager stopped off at nearly every food station to try what they had, Alex put together a loaded chef's salad for himself along with an equally piled on baked potato. Deciding his health requirements had been met well enough, he added on a slice of red velvet cake and a bottle of coke.

"It's so cool that kids can grab whatever they want here without anybody over their shoulders," Sean commented.

Leon piped up, "Yeah, it takes away having to hide our peas under the plates."

"Hey, Jam," Alex acknowledged when they spotted him at a table near a cafeteria window.

Jam let off a short whistle in greeting and took notice of the tall redhead. "Sean, right?"

"Yep." Sean took a seat with the others. "It's nice to finally meet you. I didn't get a real chance last time I was here."

"Likewise," Jam returned. "So are you the brother Lex gets to do his homework for him?"

Sean replied, "Me and Frank take shifts."

"But they annoy me at the same time," Alex added.

Leon looked over. "A full house today."

Raven approached with two other girls in tow. "Sean, these are my friends from Gender Studies." She pointed out the mousy brunette, "Amy Oliver," then the olive skinned one with thick coffee brown hair, "and Teresa Ricci."

Sean gave the new faces a grin. "Hi."

Teresa sat and studied him closely. "Second generation Irish?"

"Third, actually," he said.

"I'm second Italian. My parents crossed over after my first brother was born."

"How many do you have?" Sean then clarified, "Brothers I mean."

"Three and one sister. I'm the youngest."

Jam remarked in between bites of caramel cake, "She's trying to say she's the little bad butt who always gets her way."

Teresa smirked without denial and spoke to Sean again. "You're really cute."

Sean proved taken aback by the comment. "Thanks."

"Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked him.

Alex unleashed a scoff that could be heard practically clear across the entire campus. "Does he have a…" He turned to Sean. "What'd you guys just celebrate? Your silver anniversary?"

"I have a great girl," Sean stated. "We've been together a year."

"A great girl," Teresa echoed with an approving nod. "Nice to know there are men who actually say things like that out loud."

"Oh we forgot to tell you ladies we formed our own frat," Jam mentioned. "The SSC."

Raven tilted her head, making long blonde hair flop to one side of her face. "The what?"

Jam smirked. "Single and Sexy by Choice."

"Hell yeah." Alex exchanged a high-five with him.

Leon put forth, "Another typical day at Westchester University."

IIIIIII

Double checking to ensure he had his gray and yellow Batman wallet in his pants pocket, Scott quickly slipped into a button-up sweater to shield himself from the autumn chill. Mounting his bike, he had to be careful not to plow right into Jasmine and Frank, who had a game of one-on-one tag taking place.

"Whoa, Scott," Frank called after his friend. "Where're you going?"

"To the store," Scott answered over his shoulder. "I'll be back before recess is over."

Jasmine dashed after him for a few feet. "Logan'll raise cane if he sees you. He's on duty in Eye Spy."

"Crud," Scott muttered then shouted over to, "Frank! Distract him for me. Ask him to tell you his war stories. He'll never shut up."

"Cool with me," the New York native complied. "Come on, Jazz."

The girl smiled and ran back to grab hold of the departing one's hand.

Scott watched them go for a moment before he continued on with his own trek. Pedaling at the speed of the wind it felt like, he stopped outside the intended location and locked his bike to the metal rack.

As soon as he entered the shop, the strong and much missed fragrance of spring filled his nose. Despite the ruby lenses that covered his eyes, he managed to zero in on a magnificent bunch of multicolored wildflowers. Taking one of the plastic wrapped bouquets, he paid for it with the kind faced elderly woman behind the counter. He could barely collect his change as he zipped out again.

When he returned home, he scanned the house until he spotted a small peach vase in one distant corner on the main level that looked almost as if it did not have a friend in the world. Scott took the vase and filled it with water then started upstairs. As quietly as he could tip, he walked into the room and left the now filled vase on the night table then managed to make his exit without a sound.

The moment he left, Becky's eyes fluttered open. Her lips upturned at the sight of the wildflowers but even more so at the knowledge of how they had appeared there.

IIIIIII

At the overly pensive expression on the other freshman's face, Jam remarked, "Don't have a stroke on me."

"Ugh." Alex shook out his head, poking himself in the forehead with the capped end of his pen. "I can't believe all these tests and papers they want to pile on all at once. It's been me and these books every single night."

"You still seeing that new girl?" Jam searched for her name. "Kristy?"

"Kerstin," Alex corrected with the slightest trace of annoyance from where he sat in his usual dorm spot on the bed. "Yeah, we're still hanging out."

"Be careful," Jam cautioned with a playful air. "That's how people get kicked out of the SSC."

"Hey," Alex pointed the pen his way, "I was SSC before you were even born."

The door burst open then as the redhead and jet black haired individuals sped into the room.

Jam put out a hand to shut his door back. "Where'd you get those things?"

"One of the fraternities was tossing them out." Sean ducked when Leon attempted to playfully slice off his head with one of the long wooden paddles. He then threw some small colorful packages around the room. "We brought you guys back the gum."

Jam commented, "I see you didn't save us any of the crack they gave you. I could've used that to study."

Alex caught a few then requested, "Could you two settle down? Sean, don't you have homework?"

"Okay, okay." The youngest one calmed, dropped his own paddle, and squatted down on the floor to shuffle through his backpack.

Scanning the mattress for a particular notebook, Alex got up for a better look. "Where did I put—gah!" He reached for the now throbbing back of his head and turned around with a sharp glare for the one who had caused the sudden agony.

Leon sheepishly stuck the tool behind his back. "Sorry. Bad timing."

"Lee!" Alex practically growled. "Didn't I just say to knock it off?"

"And by that I take it you didn't mean your head," Leon quipped.

Alex folded his arms. "You think that's funny?"

Noticing how the blonde's stance had become very Lehnsherr-esque, Sean uttered, "Uh oh…"

Leon responded with, "Funny ironic or funny humorous?"

"Funny as in," Alex reached around and snatched Leon's paddle right out of his grasp, "my turn." He yanked hold of him by the wrist and dropped back into a sitting position on the bed.

Sean immediately chose to back away as far as he could against the wall.

Finding this turn of events far more fascinating than anything the business world had to offer, Jam closed his books and shifted around in his desk chair for a more comfortable view.

Alex pulled Leon over his legs in brought the paddle down over his sweat pants covered behind almost all in a single motion.

"Ow!" the Asian male reacted almost in a questioning tone.

"Yeah, now imagine that, except to your head." Alex gave him four more whacks before putting the paddle down on the mattress. "Quit goofing around already."

Situating himself, Leon stood from him. "I'm sorry." He looked directly at him as he spoke the words.

Feeling horrible within an instant, Alex got to his own feet again. "No, geez man, I'm sorry. I know you didn't mean it and I let this exam stress get to me. I shouldn't have—"

"Lex," Leon cut in, a slight smile making its way onto his face, "it's okay. Really. Some reactions are just… intuitive."

Alex only nodded at that then leaned over to offer him a small hug.

Not expecting the gesture, Leon froze for a few seconds before he managed to return it.

Sean smiled up at them.

The immense laughter that sounded next made them all turn toward Jam, who said, "This is my room. I'll act special if I want to."

IIIIIII

The metal wielder entering the parlor made Charles look away from his book.

"How is Becky feeling now?"

"Her appetite is returning to normal and the fever is gone," Erik reported, relaxing in his chess chair across from him. "Though part of me can't help but wonder if some of this has to do with Emma's pregnancy symptoms."

Charles said with a smile, "I don't believe it works quite that way."

Erik folded his hands together thoughtfully. "There's much I'm still trying to understand about your Triad training."

Charles considered how to explain it further. "It feels like a near perfect mesh. As if Emma and I were always meant to help mold her younger mind. We must admit, the chances of the three of us coming together this way were a near impossibility. But now it's incredible, astounding…"

"Divine," Erik added.

"Quite," Charles had to concur then looked to the older man with even more seriousness. "Between this, the children along with the new baby coming… there are days I wonder if I'm truly equipped to handle all of this."

"You may not always be." Erik then emphasized, "But we are. I will always be here for you, brother, in weakness and strength. You know that already."

"That's one nag from you of which I'll never tire," Charles told him with a glint to his blue eyes.

IIIIIII

"What's your favorite thing about college?" Sean lightly flung a wrapped gumball the blonde's way.

The two currently laid head to toe on the older one's bed.

Propped up against his headboard, Alex caught it then replied, "As of today? Spending it with you. Just don't tell Raven." Sean laughed softly at that. "Seriously Seanie, this whole day was great. I totally loved having you there and, no pressure, but I really hope you consider applying to WU."

Sean used his big toe to poke him. "Promise not to spank me?"

"Promise to be good?" Alex countered.

Sean set his lips in a straight line. "You promise first."

"Fine, I promise." Alex smirked. "I'll just call Charles and have him come down and do it. Actually- make it Erik."

"No, no, no, no," Sean immediately reneged. "Okay, good. I'll be good." His expression then changed to one of uncertainty. "So this may sound kinda weird, but a couple times today it felt sort of like…"

Alex looked back at him gently. "What, buddy?"

"Like maybe Leon didn't want me there. Maybe like he was even a little bit jealous."

Shaking his head, Alex assured, "No. Lee's just a little out there. He's hard to read and…" A different countenance his face all at once.

Now Sean questioned, "What?"

"When I gave it to him," Alex looked at Sean closely, "he didn't try to fight me. Not so much as a kick."

Having had a good view of the display, Sean realized, "You're right," then put forth, "How much do you really know about Leon?"

Bringing his knees up to his chest, Alex stared ahead in ponder.