X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter One Hundred Fifteen
Author's Word: I want to dedicate this chapter to every member of the Fam dealing with a rough time (which let's be real, is all of us at some point). No matter what sharp turns this life may take, Rise or Fall is a second home for us all. Please enjoy and review!
In the time it took her to shut off the cold valve and check the water's overall temperature, Raven looked back in time to see that Trav had formulated a sudsy beard around his face.
The amused shape-shifter reacted with, "Alrighty Poseidon, just do me a favor and don't swallow," as she started removing the residue from near his mouth.
Trav giggled and waved his arms about. "This stuff smells good, Raven."
"You can thank Joey for letting us borrow his Bugs Bunny Bubble Bath," Raven informed, using her own lather builder to go over his stomach. "If you like it, I'll get you your own tomorrow, 'kay?"
"'Kay!" Trav then wondered something. "Who is… Po-see-dan?"
Hank chimed in from one of the dual vanity sinks where he worked on getting the little girl clean and simultaneously checked over, "Poseidon is the mythical ruler of the sea."
"Ohhh," the small boy grasped. "Like Hercules?"
"Yes, honey," Raven leaned in to nudge noses with him. "Like Hercules."
"And just where did you hear about Hercules?" Hank asked.
"In a book they showed me," Trav explained. "He was real big and strong," he pointed towards the scientist, "like you."
Raven smiled at her husband then began to gather Trav up and out in a white towel.
Strong. The word repeated ironically throughout Hank's mind.
A mild tightness around his pinky made him refocus and he looked to see that Trav's sister had taken to playing with his hands. With great delicacy, Hank dried and bundled her inside a wide purple towel of Raven's.
Each with a child in tow, Raven whispered, "Did you see anything?"
"Only injection marks," Hank said back, equally covert, "No deviant penetrations or bruising on her."
Raven appeared comforted as they continued on into the bedroom.
They laid the siblings down in the middle of the large bed just as a knock came to their doorway.
"Charles, come in," Hank requested.
The Professor stepped inside, neatly folded clothing in his possession. "Emma had these leftover from what did not go into the quilt. We'll see how well they fit them."
"Oh great!" Raven used a pair of blue footed pajamas her brother would have worn at the max age of four only to see that they entirely covered Trav with a bit of room to spare.
Hank got Kiki dressed in a green shirt and put together a cloth diaper to sustain her throughout the night.
Trav rolled about in the new-to-him attire. "Is this Joey's, too?"
"No, actually," Charles knelt down to bed level, "these clothes are mine from when I was a little boy."
The boy with hair of rich brown sat up. "You're Raven's big brother."
"Yes, one of them," Charles said with a smile. "Erik is the eldest." As he often enjoyed reminding them both.
Getting forehead to forehead with Charles, Trav asked in a near accusatory tone, "How come you're not blue?"
A chuckle in his throat, Charles pulled back while holding onto the tyke's hands. "Simply unlucky I suppose. I'd have much preferred being blue to standing out so ghostly pale."
"You are not." Raven then touched Trav on the shoulder. "Erik, Charles, and I didn't become brother and sister the way you and Kiki did. Instead, we joined together as a different family. Like the way you two are joining us now."
Trav smiled at that.
From Hank's arms, Kiki began gurgling and making grand hand gestures.
"What's wrong?" Hank brow creased in concern.
Trav looked to Charles. "She wants to know why your house is so big."
Charles replied without a beat, "To contain my big family of course. Now, I'd like to ask you something. Is it true you're able to climb walls?"
Trav brightened immensely. "Uh huh, uh huh! Look-it!" He dashed off towards the headboard and used it to reach the wall above it, his foot knocking over the nightstand lamp in the process.
Raven leapt up. "Trav, be careful!"
Hearing then seeing the lamp, Trav wilted a little. "Oopies, sorry."
"No harm done." Hank reached and got him down with one arm. "But I believe we've all had enough excitement for one night. Now, it's time to sleep."
"Where do we sleep?" Trav asked.
"Right here," Hank said. His armloads made it necessary for Raven to pull back the numerous covers, "at least for the time being." He settled the children on the top mattress.
Charles stood up, hands going into his pockets. "When you two are ready, we need to reconvene downstairs. We have some things to discuss."
"Raven…" Trav's hand beckoned her.
The blue woman got into the bed with them. "I better stay here."
Hank nodded, "I'll go." He looked down into Kiki's bright eyes and promised, "I'll be back," before following Charles out.
Once they descended down into the lab and out to the hall, Charles took Hank by the arm to slow them both.
"Henry," he began, "the last twenty-four hours… all at once you've been through more than any human being should have to witness. Now, you and Raven have even more on your hands. I would understand if you needed to take some time."
Hank pulled away from him. "My life did not end with my father's, Charles." He then started to walk again. "As always, I have a job to do."
Charles watched him for a second before going after him.
IIIIIII
At the sight of the tall figure coming through loaded down with various wooden pieces and contraptions, Cordelia's eyes jumped a bit.
"Victor, what are you doing with that assortment?" the teenager wondered.
Lowering his materials, the man answered, "This death trap ain't gonna baby proof itself."
Emma touched her stomach. "So much for having plenty of time."
When the others arrived inside the parlor, the Headmasters took their usual chairs with Emma seated on one arm of Charles'. Cordelia and Alex stood on either side of Erik's. The pair with keen ears stood off nearest the doorway; Victor with eyes on his materials and Hank standing tall with arms folded.
"Travis Edward Holt and Kyra Holt," Emma began reading off from the files she had acquired preceding the explosion, "He's nearly six to her three years. They were purchased from former radiation exposed employees prior to little Kyra's birth."
"Purchased?" Alex frowned. "You telling me that somebody just up and sold their kids?"
"The concept is not new," Erik informed.
"Yes," Charles concurred grimly. "Baby brokers target the poorest parts of Europe."
"Got that right," Victor threw out. "Any healthy white kid's gonna come attached with a five figure price tag."
"And most likely the Holts were given not only a fortune but the opportunity to start over clean," Emma put forth.
Thinking this sounded all too much like the Moores, Hank's blue eyes turned stony. "What did they do to them?"
"It looks like that plant got involved with gene merging." Cordelia passed her own information around to the other adults. "Using animals and insects."
"They used the results from the previous generation to try and replicate the X gene," Charles realized. "These children could be far more mutated than we ourselves are."
Alex argued, "But there's nothing wrong with them. They're fine."
Hank said, "Because my father discovered the plant's activities. If he hadn't, they could have ended up with more monstrous side effects than my generation produced."
"Well, all that's gone up in smokes," Alex carried a smirk about him, "their research, everything. They won't be able to do this to anyone again."
Hopefully.
Charles gazed across at a still faced Erik when the metal wielder's thought sliced right through him.
Only curiosity covered Cordelia's face. "I'm going to look further into these so-called genetic enhancements."
"In the morning." Emma stood and went to place an arm around her. "We've done enough this night."
"We should all get some rest," Charles proposed.
Hank left out first to return upstairs.
"Havok," Victor addressed, "mind watching the cams? I've got some work to do around the house."
"Sure," Alex agreed. "I just need to check in on Scott."
They all began to file out, leaving only Charles and Erik.
"You can stop projecting," the telepath informed him. "It's quite plain where your mind is going."
Erik laced his fingers together. "Identification."
"Erik—"
"Experimentation," the older man only went on. "Progressive bastards, aren't they? They've already started on elimination."
"Brother," Charles leaned forward to set their blue eyes in a lock, "there will always be those who put no value in life itself; only on profit to be made from it. They are not all the same. Hank's father did all that he could. Wicked men try to exploit anything that they can. If not mutation, they'll surely find another outlook."
Erik arched back tiredly. "Why does it seem as if so many powers are against us?"
Charles eyes gave off a twinkle as he stated, "Because we wield the power."
IIIIIII
Strolling into the bedroom, Alex greeted its resident with, "Hey, Super Twerp."
Finished buttoning his pajama shirt, Scott glanced over with a small smirk. "Hey yourself, beanpole."
"Oh look at you." Alex wrapped arms around the boy's middle and lifted him up in a short spin. "First time on the field and you already think you're a tough guy."
Scott placed his own arms around the blonde's neck. "Just tougher than you."
"Think so, huh?" Alex promptly tossed him onto the bed.
Landing softly against the linens, Scott laughed and rolled over before Alex could elbow him. When his brother came down on his back on the mattress, Scott moved to climb on top of him in an attempt to pin.
"Gotcha now," the youngster declared.
"Ha, joke's on you." Alex lowered him down to hold against his chest. "Now you're stuck with me."
Scott said sincerely, "Wouldn't have it any other way."
"One more thing." Alex patted his cheek to get his ruby quartz covered eyes up. "I'm really proud of you, Scottie. It was a crazy situation, but you were quick on your feet and never lost your head, not even when it looked bad."
Scott's expression turned more serious. "It was really scary and I wasn't completely sure at times. But not nearly as scary as losing you guys… as losing you again."
"I know." Alex gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "What do you say to a one on one training session in the morning? If you're not too busy snoozing."
"No way, I'm there," Scott guaranteed.
"Good. Now," Alex sat up with him, "get your butt in bed. I'm on security duty."
Scott crawled underneath the covers.
"Eyes shut?" Alex put forth.
"Eyes shut," the younger Summers confirmed.
Removing the red shades, Alex placed them on the night table. "See you in the morning, bro."
"See you then," Scott returned, rolling over to one side with a smile.
IIIIIII
Not having any luck with her specially made birthday chest, Becky closed it then dropped down to the floor to get underneath the bed.
Two little feet caught his eye the moment he entered the female dwelling and the corners of Erik's mouth turned up. Going the way of the Romans, he lowered and slid his slender frame right next to hers.
"Peek-a-boo," he spoke straight facedly.
"Papa," so preoccupied in her own mind she had not even registered his presence, "what are you doing under here?"
"I was going to ask you the same." Getting out, Erik pulled her onto his lap. "Care to tell me why you're not getting ready for bed, young lady?"
Still in her X-Men uniform, Becky replied in a frustrated grumble, "I can't find anything."
"What exactly are you after?"
"Something for Kiki and Trav," the girl clarified. "None of these toys are right."
Erik brought up, "You don't normally have trouble with this sort of thing. You always come up with the nicest presents for the new arrivals."
"This has to be special," Becky emphasized. "It's for Hank's kids."
Fully comprehending, Erik pecked her cheek. "What you choose does not matter. It's the gift giver they will cherish more." She nodded and leaned against his shoulder. "Would you do something for me, Sweet Imp?"
Looking up, she responded, "What is it, Papa?"
"I need to help Victor downstairs for a while. Will you stay in my room with Frank? His powers have flourished and I need someone beside him should anything further happen."
"Okay," Becky agreed, getting up.
Rising himself, Erik gave an affection tug to her cape.
IIIIIII
Curious orbs of blue watched as a slightly lethargic Emma tucked the covers in around him.
"Mum?"
"Yes, Treasure?"
"When can we play with the other kids?" Joey wanted to know.
"Hopefully soon, darling." Emma caressed his cheek adoringly. "Hank just has to see to it that they're alright first."
"Okay," the boy accepted, bringing Dickon over closer to him. "Good night."
"Good night, my love." Emma kissed his forehead then stood. She had to catch herself before a boot covered foot came down on the rabbit slowly maneuvering across the floor. "Oh Bounty…" She picked him up to place in his crate then left out.
Returning to her own quarters, she followed the glow straight into the bathroom. There she discovered her deep soaking tub filled along with bubbles added to it. Short white candles lined up around the porcelain oval and window ledge. In the middle of the space stood the best sight of all for her in the form of her beau.
"Charles," she breathed. "You didn't have to—"
"Hush," the word whispered with both strength and delicacy from his lips as he walked up to enfold her in an embrace. "You're not to fret over me, my queen." He gave her a kiss then nuzzled her nose with his own. "All I want is for you," a hand went to her stomach, "two to be at ease."
Eyes glittering, Emma hugged him gratefully. "I love you, Sugar."
"And I love you. Enjoy." Then as he started to leave, he tacked on, also you won't be on the field again until he is born.
She whipped her head back after him, putting hands on her hips. Charles!
He looked back as well. I'll gladly return to "discuss" it further after I read Joey his bedtime story.
Her slightly perturbed expression turned coy. Good thing this tub is built for two…
IIIIIII
Highly engrossed in the text she presently scanned through, Cordelia let off a startled utterance at the rolled up magazine that lightly bonked her on top of the head.
"Hey, nerd." Alex dropped down into the other chair in Eye Spy. "Didn't your sister tell you to go to sleep?"
"What sis doesn't know won't hurt her." The dark haired girl returned to her book. "I couldn't help myself. I wanted to learn more about what these miserable prats were doing to those sweet little fawns. Besides," she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, "can you really call it a night after today?"
"No chance," Alex replied, eyes squarely set on the monitors.
IIIIIII
With nearly everyone sleeping upstairs, the two baby-proofers focused their attention on applying child resistant attachments to the lower cabinet knobs. They also enjoyed a pair of hero sandwiches for their efforts.
"It's going to take a few days to make this compound small child safe," Erik said.
"Even longer to make it small mutant safe," Victor inserted a plastic cover into one electrical outlet.
"Though it probably would have paid to begin this the day we opened the school," Erik latched another cabinet, "Last year Becky, Joey, and Frank decided to bake a cake for me. A nice thought aside from the minor fire they caused from falling asleep on it."
Victor shook his head. "Kills me the things kids get into. Constantly yankin' things down, puttin' their fingers in anything that'll fit…"
Erik added, "Latching onto you as if they've suddenly lost the ability to walk."
"That's one of the better parts." Victor smiled distantly. "Tell ya, Charles and Em are real lucky. There's nothin' like the birth of a baby. Everybody's tellin' ya to hold 'em. The mother can't go gaga fast enough; meanwhile you're tryin' to figure out how not to break 'em. Then, with that bitty baby strength of theirs, they grab onto your fingers and it somehow tells ya… things are gonna be okay." Victor looked up to see Erik with eyes concentrated on him. "What?" The older mutant's eyebrow went up.
Erik responded simply, "You're certainly experienced- helping your brother and sister-in-law all these years."
Clearing his throat slightly, Victor felt around the toolbox. "What'd I do with my wrench?"
Spotting the exact instrument on the floor, Erik seized it magnetically and hovered it out towards him. "Here."
"Thanks." Victor grabbed it out of the air and placed his attention on the next task. "Hopin' those two kids'll be okay. Not just the physical, either."
"Hm." Erik used his power to tighten one tricky screw. "Past experience has taught me that the best thing I can do to help such damaged children is stay out of sight." Victor looked to him for explanation on that. "I'm not known for inspiring feelings of warmth and wellbeing in the very young."
"Little Becky doesn't seem to think so," Victor argued. "It ain't hard to get in good with these kids, Erik. Just gotta meet 'em on their level."
And not wield enchanted knives in their presence, Erik tacked on to himself.
IIIIIII
Shifting in his sleep, the day's events reentered Hank's mind all at once. He became momentarily still, frozen out of fear of crushing one of the small ones. He reached around for his glasses slipped them back on. Directly beside him lay Kiki with half her fist wedged inside her mouth. Trav nestled against her, eyes shut.
Hank started to sigh with relief until he looked again and discovered his wife out of bed. Only having a second or two to panic, his eyes eventually honed in on the blue mutant. From their sitting area, she sat in one of the plush chairs. She wrote vigorously in a notepad, lighted by the floor lamp.
Getting to his wide feet, Hank padded towards her. "Raven."
She glanced up quickly. "Oh sorry, baby. I just wanted to get this list ready for later. There's so much they're going to need. Clothes, shoes, Kiki's probably going to need diapers, but what kind?" Raven tapped the pen against the paper in frustration. "Cloth, disposable," she lowered the pen and put a weary hand to her forehead, "I don't even know their sizes." She looked towards Hank frantically. "Did you see how small Trav is?"
Hank knelt down to her chair, a gentle expression on his face. "Darling." He cupped her cheek. "It's alright."
"He's too small," she sulked, placing her hand over his.
"I know," Hank concurred quietly. "And we're going to sort it all out. For now all that matters is that we're all safe and sound."
Raven's glance went to the bed. "I could hardly shut my eyes. I kept thinking about what they did to them and I just wanted to watch them sleep."
Standing against, Hank picked her up so that he now sat in the chair with her in his lap. "I know," he repeated.
"If your dad hadn't gotten Trav out then they'd still be there, locked in that place… And they killed him. They shot him and they could've gotten you, too." Raven buried her face against his shoulder, tears falling. "When will innocent men stop dying in front of us?"
Hank ran a hand down her back. "I don't know…"
Sniffling, Raven pulled back suddenly. "What is the matter with me? He was your father and I'm the one with the nerve to be miserable? That's it. I'm a horrible wife."
"You are not," Hank shot down.
"Yes, I am," she insisted, her voice reflecting her extreme fatigue. "I'm a horrible wife and… I'm going to be a horrible mother."
Hank brought her down against his t-shirt covered chest. "Horrible mothers abandon their frightened children during downpours. Exceptional mothers break doors along with a few ribs to free children they hardly know."
Raven traced an invisible circle with her finger over the right shoulder of his t-shirt. "They're ours, aren't they? No one will ever take them from us?"
Giving her a strong squeeze, Hank whispered to her, "My beautiful wife, we've waited so long for this. I will not let anyone harm our new family."
Liking the sound of the last bit, Raven echoed happily, "Our family."
Between the one in his clutch and the two blissfully asleep, Hank fully realized those words.
IIIIIII
Letting off a deep yawn, Sean somewhat blindly left his room. Feeling his way over into the closest bathroom, he closed the door after himself. Lowering his sleep pants and underwear to his ankles, he raised the toilet seat to conduct his business.
At the unusual gusts of air, he thought a window had been left open. Then his head slowly arched back to the tiny figure fluttering above him and studying him with an expression most fascinated.
The Irish boy blinked several times before making an attempt at contact. "…Hello."
IIIIIII
Maneuvering through the main level of the enormous house, he at last happened upon the kitchen. Attaching himself to the nearest wall, the little boy climbed up onto the counter. There he opened the twin cabinet doors and grinned at the assortment of colorful and different shaped boxes. Recognizing a brown one in particular, he used both hands to tug it out.
"Hold it right there, buddy." The child's hand froze at the blue one who appeared in the doorway next. She approached him with a mock suspicious look on her face. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
He indicated the box. "Can I have some, Raven, please?"
"Of course," she granted with a smile. "But why don't we try these funny doodads called a spoon and a bowl. Maybe even a little milk. Sound good?"
"Yeah!" Trav agreed eagerly. He sat kicking his padded feet while she readied the Cocoa Puffs for him. "How come it's so quiet?" He glanced around the kitchen. "Where's everybody else?"
"They're probably still sleeping, sweetie. Don't worry. It never stays quiet around here for long. Come on." Cereal bowl full, Raven carried it in one hand while using the other to attach the child to her hip. She sat him on a stool at the kitchen island and placed the bowl in front of him. "Eat up."
While Trav made the spoon into a shovel for his mouth, Raven sat across from him. Again, she enjoyed watching him eat, but now, she knew they would both be safe inside the only real home she'd ever known. Then she realized that they had that much in common.
IIIIIII
Glancing up from tying his last shoe, Hank watched as Sean entered the room with Kiki in his arms. Both seemed aglow with cheerfulness.
"I believe this belongs to you." Sean handed her over. "She got down into one of the bathrooms."
"Through the lab?" Hank paled slightly at the number of things the small girl could have gotten into, holding her near to himself. "I thought Raven had taken them down for breakfast. Ugh," he groaned, "I should've made sure."
"Easy, Hank." Sean sat beside them on the bed. "It's your first day on the job, not to mention you're dead tired." He smiled when Kiki reached for his hands and he remained still, allowing her to inspect them. "So are you and Raven really doing this? Keeping them I mean."
"Indeed." Hank positioned the toddler in-between them to give her better access to the teenager. "For whatever rhyme or reason, this responsibility has been placed in front of us. It may not be as we planned, but they're exactly what we wanted."
Sean's smile grew at that. "This is so far out." He tensed a bit. "Hank, about your dad…"
"Please," Hank cut in, letting off a sigh. "I really just want to put the entire ordeal behind me."
"'Kay," Sean nodded. "Oh, that reminds me. Kiki," he faced her, "show Hank your flap-flap."
Initially, Hank feared the worst when two teeny pores opened up under the girl's slightly exposed shoulder blades. Then they quickly flourished into a pair of brightly colored wings. Hank grabbed onto her at the middle as she floated upward. The astonishment and intrigue that initially hit him at the sight turned into fear and panic at what the early mutation would bring with it.
IIIIIII
Soon enough, Trav finished the first bowl of cereal and immediately asked for another. Raven did not hesitate to fill the request.
When Hank walked in with his sister in tow, Trav reacted with, "Kikiko!"
"Twav!" she acknowledged him in turn.
Raven looked over with a smile, "Good morning," and returned with Trav's bowl. "There you go, hon." She turned to Kiki next. "You hungry, sweetie?"
"We really need to talk," Hank said to his wife.
Before Raven could inquire on that, Trav's grunt brought their attention to the island where a spoon tug of war had erupted.
"Cut it out, Kiki!" he demanded. "My puffs, mine!"
"Trav," Hank said dismissively of the petty matter, "she doesn't know any better."
Raven decided to placate the situation. "It's okay, Kiki. I'll get you your very own bowl." Going back to the counter, Raven found a smaller ceramic dish and filled it partway before adding a little milk. "There we go. All for Kiki."
The moment the woman came back with spoon and bowl, Kiki dived face first after the food, completely drenching the front of her head.
"Hey!" Raven reacted to the display.
Trav only continued munching. "She's always doing weird stuff like that."
"Honey, no, no." Raven sat next to Trav and took the toddler into her arms to feed. "We use spoons to eat. See," she gently inserted some cereal into her mouth, "spoon."
"Her table manners are the least of our concerns," Hank informed.
Raven became alarmed. "What do you mean?"
Knowing no other way to put it, Hank stated flatly, "She flies."
"Flies?" Raven's eyebrow went.
"Uh huh," Trav nodded, making the adults look at him now. "She's got wings," he rubbed along his sister's back, "right here."
"Trav," Hank went around to the little boy and lowered to be at eye level with him, "if you knew this about your sister, why didn't you tell us?"
He shrugged. "You didn't ask me, Hank."
At the exasperated glance her husband shot her, Raven smirked. "Well, you didn't ask him, Hank."
Sighing through his nose, Hank eased into a chair on the other side of the island. "Right."
"I'm done." Trav pushed the bowl away and peered about again. "If this is a castle," he turned to Hank, "are you king? You should be king, you're real big. And Raven should be queen."
Raven sent him an appreciative smile. "You're sweet, but this isn't really a castle. It's our home and a school."
"School?" Trav looked absolutely intrigued. "Will we get to go to school?"
Hank shared the child's expression. "Would you like to?"
The boy nodded towards him enthusiastically.
Raven brought up, "Hank is a teacher you know."
"Really?" Trav faced her. "Are you a teacher, too, Raven?"
"No, I'm actually still a student," she answered, still feeding Kiki. "But not here. At a university. That's a really big school."
"Oh," Trav seemed to comprehend. "That means you're really smart."
"That's what I keep telling her," Hank said, wiggling his eyebrows towards his wife.
"Hank?" Trav continued when he had the man's attention. "Your daddy was right. I'm glad you and Raven are taking care of us now."
Raven held Kiki up to her shoulder to delicately pat her back. "So are we, honey."
The young medical expert reached across the countertop, brushing the numerous traces of crumbs away from the child's mouth with his thumb.
IIIIIII
Feet dashing over the floor of the metallic bunker, the blue and yellow adorned X-Man unleashed blast after blast at the numerous mock enemies. Panting heavily toward the end, he fired on the last mannequin.
Dipping down to one knee to catch his breath, his visor covered gaze moved upward. "How was that?"
"Ten seconds shaved off," Havok reported after getting a good look at the stop watch he held.
Standing fully, Cyclops had to resist the urge to stomp his foot. "You're kidding me. Four run-throughs already and I only shredded ten lousy seconds?"
"Hey, every second counts when you're on the field," Havok reminded him. "And you didn't stumble once out there."
Cyclops pressed a gloved fist into his palm. "I've got to pick it up out there, though. There are still bad guys like the one who killed President Kennedy running around. I want to be ready."
Feeling a wave of familiarly radiate from his brother right onto himself, Havok put firm hands to his shoulders and looked into his visor. "It's impossible to be ready for everything out there, believe me on that. But you are giving it your all."
"It's just," the preteen glanced down at his boots, "we're getting more and more X-Men. Younger X-Men. When it gets bad, I don't want to be off shaking in the corner somewhere. I want to help keep them safe."
Havok studied the boy for a moment. "Tell you what. When we start up full training sessions again, I want you to lead the next few scenarios."
Cyclops' head shot up along with the corners of his lips. "Me? But what about Frank? He's the powerhouse."
"Hey," Havok gave a light knock to the top of Cyclops' head of brown, "you're not exactly running on a dead battery yourself. But if you don't think you're up to the challenge…"
"No," Cyclops waved his hands vigorously, "I'm definitely up for this, Havok."
"Thought so. Now," Havok gestured with his head towards the flaming mannequins. "Let's get out the fire extinguishers and go again."
A perked up Cyclops hastened to help his brother put out the mini fires.
IIIIIII
At the sharp exhale from the one next to her, Erik jumped to his feet, knocking down his desk chair in the process.
He got down by where Frank laid down on the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Frank rubbed his mess of hair and shook his head out. "Am I still shiny?"
Erik smiled and took the younger male's face in his hands. "Not for a great many hours." He grimaced slightly. "Do you remember what happened?"
"Raven," the boy recalled first. "I wanted the find her, but me and the guys were in a hole and then… the light." Frank stood up, going towards where the sun poured in through Erik's blinds. "It freed us. It helped me find her."
Rising to his own feet, Erik proposed, "Let's go see Charles," then sent a telepathic message out to the other man.
They met with the Professor down in the parlor. Frank sat across from him in Erik's chess chair while the metal wielder stood at the boy's side.
"Alright, Frank," Charles began, "as we all know, this is not the first time you've exhibited such a burst of light energy. However, this is the first we've seen of the extraordinary capabilities that go along with it."
"I've felt different ever since I regained my sight," Frank told them. "Since then, I want to be out in the sun so much, the colors are brighter, and so are the stars. At first I thought it was all from being blind, but it's like something's brewing from my eyes," he touched his temples, "to every single part of me."
Charles nodded his understanding. "How did you feel when it ignited? Was it frightening, painful, exhausting?"
Frank stated undoubtedly, "It was fantastic. It was like…" He slowly got up, maneuvering towards the fireplace. "Like it wasn't just coming from me but coming for me. To help us. I wasn't scared of it. I…" A smile spread across his face. "I never wanted it to end."
Erik came up from behind, gripping his shoulders. "Boychick, go along to the kitchen. I'll put some latkes on in a moment."
"Mmhmm." Still considering everything he'd just said, Frank walked out to follow direction.
"This is unbelievable, Erik," stated Charles. "And there's still so much we don't know about this." He took notice of his brother's odd countenance. "Erik?" Charles got up and went to him. "What is it?"
"I felt that light, too, Charles. Frank may not have feared it, but for a moment," a pair of uncertain eyes flashed the telepath's way, "I did."
A stunned Charles could only blink.
IIIIIII
"Oh, look, look, look…" Raven seemed to glide over on winged heeled feet to the display of various dresses. "They're all so pink. Everything's so pink," she caressed one garment against her cheek, "and they smell of strawberry."
An amused Maya said from across the way, "I'd ask you to come back to earth, but right now I want to visit whatever planet you're on."
"I just can't believe it." Raven stepped back, fully taking in the infantile merchandise. "This is me. This is my life. From someone's annoying little sister, to someone's wife, to—"
"To someone's mother." Emma walked up from another section. She placing an arm around Raven's waist. "Readymade family. How are you handling it?"
"How did you?" Raven switched around.
"You and Hank are in an entirely different place from where Charles and I started," the older woman stated. "To this day, I don't believe completely believe I deserve all that I have. But you," she linked their blonde heads together from the side, "never question it for a moment. You've earned this, sweetheart."
The shape-shifter beamed, snuggling alongside her.
"Ooh!" Maya reacted to one area. She pointed a finger. "Itty bitty jackets."
"Jackets!" Raven practically leaped. "Coats, sweaters, winter," she hurried forward, "they need ten of everything!"
Turning her head, Emma petitioned, "Cordy?"
"Whaaat?" the teenager responded from where she'd planted herself on the tile floor outside the doll aisle.
"Have you seen Becky?"
"Don't you have some sort of internal honing device?" The younger Frost girl continued reading Gymnast Barbie's box.
Taking a second to register a reading and detected the child nearby but on an important mission.
In the vast lane of near endless stuffed creatures, Becky's entire face lit up at the wrapped baskets she happened upon.
IIIIIII
Carefully holding down teeny feet with one hand, Hank cooed down at the squirming female stretched out across his exam table.
"Shhh, what's wrong?" he asked with genuine concern.
Seated on the edge of the desk, Trav filled the question with, "She doesn't like doctors, 'specially when a whole bunch of 'em come around her."
Understanding, Hank focused his attention on the little girl. "It's alright. I just have to make sure you're not hurting anywhere. Will you let me do that? Please?"
Kiki settled her movements and kept curious eyes on the tall man as he continued her examination.
Jumping at the abrupt clatter that sounded next, Hank quickly glanced back. He first saw the mess of office supplies on the floor then his eyes fell on the guilt faced little boy with hands behind his back.
"Oopsies," Trav squeaked.
"Trav," Hank's voice carried a mild level of stern with it, "do not fiddle with anything in this lab. I mean it. Do not touch anything without my permission. Do you understand?"
Nodding hard, Trav replied, "Yes, sir."
Looking over at her brother and back to the one over her, Kiki took the liberty of clamping down lightly on one of Hank's fingers.
Shuddering from the back of his throat, Hank quickly faced her again. "Kiki," he spoke with absolute calm, "I know I sounded mean just now, but I only said it because I want to keep your brother safe. Just like I want to keep you safe. Now, let go please."
Immediately effected by his words, Kiki opened her mouth wide to release him.
Not taking the time to check the near nonexistent wound the child had left on him, Hank gently took her by the arm. Once he had her positioned on her side, he used the four main fingers of his right hand to give her cloth covered bottom a couple of semi-firm pats.
"You do not bite me or anyone else," he raised her up, holding onto her small hands to peer directly into her face, "okay?"
"…'Kay," her voice mustered and she shook her head. "I won't."
Hopping down from the desk, Trav approached the table.
"You got spanked," he teased, tickling her bare stomach to make her laugh.
"And so will you," Hank joined the singsong with a smirk. "If you misbehave."
Trav looked at him in wonder. "Like touchin' things in the lab?"
"That's right," Hank said, "along with a few other things that we're going to talk about later. For now, sit still while I finishing looking over your sister."
Going back to the desk, Trav lowered down onto the floor in front of it now. He leaned back, watching the man work.
IIIIIII
When yet another commercial came on to interrupt one of the few Sunday cartoons, Joey started to wilt. Then he almost instantly sprang back to life at the trailer that played in front of him. Stunned for nearly a full minute, he eventually zipped up and off the couch and charged out of the living room.
"Finally," an exasperated Charles responded to someone picking up on the other end, "I've been trying to reach you all morning. Yes, I'm aware it's Sunday and I'm quite sorry, but this is a matter of extreme importance. You see, my sister—"
"Dad, Dad, Dad!" a breathless Joey barreled into the study and began yanking at his father's shirt sleeves. "Daddy, guess what I just saw. You'll never believe it!"
"Pardon, my son just walked in." Charles squeezed the boy's shoulder firmly. "Give Daddy a moment, please."
"But Daddy," Joey's excitement continuously burned. "You'll never, ever believe who's gonna be at the movies."
Thoroughly frustrated, Charles looked at him and raised his tone significantly. "Charles Joseph, you see that I am on the telephone, yes? You're being very rude. Now go on and play until I am done here. Please."
Feeling his stature decrease to minute proportions, the glossy eyed child quietly turned around and left out.
Ending the call as quickly as he could, the harsh reality set in on Charles and he sighed deeply.
"Joey," he stood, calling after him. "Son, where are you?"
Allowing his powers to lead the way, it came as no surprise for the Professor when he detected the young mind out in the barn. Joey had taken to brushing Xander.
Noticing his father, Joey moved around to the other side of the horse as if to cloak himself.
Leaning over the wooden stall, Charles' voice returned to its normal kindly manner. "I'm sorry, little one."
Placing the brush down on the short stool, Joey walked up. "Why do you still call me that?"
Finding the question so ludicrous, a sincere amused expression came to Charles' face. "I've called you that since the very day we met. You're my little one; my baby."
"But I'm not the little one anymore," the short blonde brought up. "Kiki is and my brother's gonna be even teeny tinier than her."
Charles pinned him with a special look. "Now see here, Mr. Xavier." He picked Joey up and out of the stall. "While you are becoming a big boy in the family, that does not mean you simply stop being my little one. Mummy and I could have a hundred more children together and you still would be."
Joey hugged him around the neck. "I love you, Daddy."
"And I love you, little one." Charles gave him a close squeeze. "However, now that you are getting older, you understand that you can't simply race into my office and continuously interrupt me when you see me on the phone," he pulled back so that they were eye to eye, "right?"
"Right," Joey nodded. "I'm sorry for being rude. I was just so excited about what I saw."
Charles then wondered, "What exactly did you see that was so thrilling?"
"Merlin and Arthur," Joey announced, his enthusiasm stirring again. "I saw it on TV. They're gonna be in their very own movie, the Sword in the Stone. On Christmas! Daddy, can we go see them? Please, please, please, please?"
"They're very own movie?" Charles felt some excitement of his own brewing but attempted to mask it. "I believe that can be arranged, so long as you behave yourself between now and then."
"Oh I will, I will," Joey promised then reacted to Xander's sudden neighing and looked over. "What's wrong?"
Charles took notice of the pieces of straw that began to swirl around the barn and he smiled. "I believe I know."
Straight through the barn entrance on the air itself swept in the ghostly mutant.
"Trick!" Joey acknowledged happily.
"Back for an ongoing tour." Trick placed an arm behind his back and took a deep bow. "So, what's new around these parts?"
Father and son exchanged a look at that particular question.
IIIIIII
Practically inhaling the sunlight from one of the tree house windows, Frank whipped his head back when he heard someone ascending the rope ladder.
"Scott?"
The head with hazel eyes, hair somehow blonder, and lightly sun kissed skin poked up. "Hope you're not disappointed."
"Jasmine…" Frank scrambled over to help her. The moment they were both fully inside he hugged her as tightly as he could. "You're back!"
She grinned and rested her head on his shoulder. "Thank goodness. No one came for us at the airport and it is dead silent around here. For a second me and Dad thought we got disowned."
"Jazzy, it's been wild around here," Frank told her, collapsing to his back on the floor, staring up at the ceiling.
"Geez, what did I miss?" Moving closer towards his side, Jasmine peered down at him.
"The power." Frank then reiterated stronger, "The power. God Jas!" He stuck his hands out as though he could touch it. "I wish you could've seen it."
"Seen what?" the confused girl tried to compute.
"My powers lit up all the way. I could move entire people and rematerialize in completely different rooms." As he spoke, he felt partly unable to believe it all himself. "I dissolved chains and got everybody to safety."
"Frank, slow down," Jasmine urged. "What are you talking about?"
"The light!" he exclaimed, sitting up. "My powers have changes, Jazzy- no," he shook his head, "they've gotten better. They feel incredible but different." He crawled towards the window, gazing out again. "Like they're somehow bigger, more important now."
Though she grasped his meaning, at least somewhat, Jasmine only looked at him. Remaining quiet, she retreated into her own ponderings.
IIIIIII
Glasses of scotch in hand, both men settled down on the living room sofa while Joey remained content to return to the television.
"Let me see if I have this straight." Trick attempted to organize his thoughts. "In the time span of one day, Hank both lost his father and became one?"
"Take your time," Charles encouraged. "Those of us who were present for most of this are still having difficulty with comprehension."
"Unbelievable. There I am tanning while voluptuous grad students treat me to my water weight in martinis, all the while you all are dealing with major catastrophe."
Charles narrowed his eyes at him a bit. "Thanks ever so much for that subtle rub."
Trick grew slightly more serious. "How is Hank now?"
"Forever stoic," Charles took a long sip of his drink, "and in refusal to come to me about any of it."
"Ah he's a young'n," Trick reasoned. "Catapulted into manhood by his father's death. Now with two wee ones placed in front of him," he clicked his tongue, "Still, all things considered, I only wish I'd had the X-Men in my corner when life looked blackest."
Charles let off a breath. "And I only wish…"
"Give him time, Charles." Trick gave his thigh a pat. "Give him time."
Forming a smile, the Professor told him, "I'm so glad to have you home, mate."
"Now allow me to regale you with a few tales of adventure. This one hot number in a little striped bikini," Trick made numerous hand gestures as he spoke, "flawless golden tan with the biggest pair of…" He trailed, realizing Joey's intrigued eyes on him. "Watermelons. Yes, she was a local fruit vendor."
IIIIIII
Shopping bags galore in her possession, Raven burst through the bedroom door with a cheerful announcement of, "We're back!"
"We're back," Becky echoed, coming up behind the older female.
On the floor of the big bedroom, Hank sat cross-legged while the children took keen interest in his oversized feet. He had clothed Trav in his old football jersey while Kiki swam in one of his Harvard t-shirts.
"Raven!" Trav beamed and Kiki acknowledged them with giddy pointing. "Becca!"
"Hi!" Becky lowered to them, tucking her long skirt under her knees. "Want to see what I got you?"
"Yeah," Trav responded wholeheartedly.
"Ya!" Kiki seconded.
From her bag, Becky removed the individual blue and pink baskets. Each contained a small teddy bear in the two colors.
"Hank and I have special names for each other," she explained. "He's Big Bear and I'm Becca Bear. I got you these to remind you that you're bears now, too, just like us."
Smiling, Hank directed, "Say thank you."
"Thank you," the siblings recited in unison then both rushed to hug the gift giver.
Raven looked on contentedly at the display.
Hank got up, going to his wife. "I wanted to go over the examination results with you."
"Sure," Raven nodded. "I need to get lunch going, anyway." She glanced down again. "Becca, could you keep an eye on the newbie bears here?"
"Okay." Becky then went about helping them remove the plastic wrapping from the baskets.
"Is everything okay?" Raven asked once they made it down to the kitchen, her voice carrying immense worry. "What did those people do to them? I swear, if they really hurt them—"
Taking her hands, Hank interjected with, "They are both fine, healthy children. Trav is slightly underweight but it's nothing a series of vitamin injections won't fix."
"They're fine?" He nodded and she exhaled with relief, getting up on her toes to throw arms around him. "Oh thank God."
"We're very fortunate," Hank told her. "From what I could gather, they tried to replicate Trav's natural-born X-gene in Kiki. That sort of experimentation in children so small and young… as I said, we're fortunate. For the most part, it seemed as if the plant's scientists tried to keep them in moderately good nutrition in a pseudo-positive environment."
"A healthy guinea pig is a good guinea pig." Raven's yellow eyes flashed with rage. "God," she formed a fist, "I just wish I could…"
Hank took her in his arms again. "I know." And he did.
IIIIIII
Getting the second strap on the purple jumper snapped, Becky said, "There we go," then sat down to brush out Kiki's hair a bit.
"Becca, can you help me?" Seated on the edge of the bed, Trav held one of his new sneakers out to her.
"I will in one second, Trav," she promised.
A pair of blue eyes peered inside from the door. "Hi."
"Joey," Becky smiled. "Will you help Trav with his shoe?"
"Uh," Joey walked in fully and shrugged. "Sure."
"I can't tie 'em right," Trav explained, clearly bothered by that fact.
"Ah, that's okay." Joey took the shoe then get down on one knee. "Daddy and Alex used to have to do this for me all the time," he got the little foot into the sneaker, "Now I just pretend they're like my bunny's ears." He folded and tied the laces together. "Ya see?"
Trav smiled and wiggled his feet. "Ooh, thanks." Fully dressed in his blue pants and red Mickey Mouse sweater, he hopped up from the bed. "You have a bunny?"
"Yep," Joey nodded. "His name's Bounty. He's in the rec room if you wanna see."
"Yeah, Joey." Done smoothing out Kiki's hair, Becky stood up. "Let's go show them."
"Okay." Joey took Trav by the hand. "It's this way." They started out hurriedly.
"Hey," Becky picked Kiki up and held her close, "wait for us."
Taking a moment for the girls to catch up, the four children continued down the stairs, across the laboratory, out and through the second floor hall until they reached the intended space.
Scott looked up from his checkers game with Frank when the quad zoomed in. "Hey, take it easy."
Jasmine shot up. "Becky!"
"Jasmine!" Becky ran over to her. "Oh it's so good to see you."
"You, too." Jasmine moved back a little bit when she felt another pair of arms embracing her. "Hi, cutie," she lowered closer to Kiki, "I'm Jazzy. What's your name?"
"Kiki." The toddler tugged on the caramel blonde waves of hair. "Pwetty."
"Oh thank you," Jasmine swooned, honestly flattered.
Trav let go Joey long enough to shoot over. "And I'm Trav."
"Whoa, back off." Frank looked back with a little smirk. "That's my girlfriend, itty bitty."
"It's sleepy boy," Trav recognized.
"What, sleepy boy?" Frank got to his feet, fists at his hips. "Name's Lighthouse and I was just resting my eyes on the jet."
"Don't mind Frank," Scott headed over, "you'll get used to him. I'm Scott."
Dazzled by the ruby quartz, Kiki attempted to reach for them. "I wanna see…"
"No!" Scott jerked his head back to stop her. "Don't do that. I can't take them off."
"How come?" Trav wondered.
Frank filled that one with, "'Cause a pair of big huge lasers'll come shooting out of his eyeballs and send this place up in smithereens in three seconds flat."
Somehow finding that feasible enough, Trav responded with, "Oh- can we see?"
"Eh, some other time," Scott said.
"Anyway, what do you guys think of the house?" Frank put forth. "Ginormous, isn't it?"
"It's huge!" Trav looked at Frank. "Is Charles your daddy?"
"Nope." Frank pointed out Joey. "His. My mom's out of town visiting one of my brothers and my dad is in—"
Becky chimed up, "Erik's our daddy. You know, Raven's other brother."
Trav thought then recalled, "The big purple man with the cape."
"My mom doesn't live here, but my dad's around here somewhere. Trust me," Jasmine fluffed out a portion of her hair, "once you meet him, you don't forget him."
"You'll love Trick," Frank added.
Glancing around at all the older children, Trav's attention fell on Scott. "Where's your mommy and daddy?"
Jasmine and Frank grew immediately quiet while Becky placed her hands over Scott's arm and Joey stared down at his feet.
Scott himself replied somewhat uncertainly, "I don't exactly have a mom and dad," he then formed a wide smile, "I have a whole bunch of them. Emma, Charles, they all help take care of me."
Kiki pointed over towards a crate in a corner. "Bounty!"
"Let's go see him," said Joey.
They all moved over to gather around the rabbit.
"Meow."
All seven young heads went up at that.
Trav asked, "You have a cat, too?"
Jasmine smiled towards the doorway. "Yeah, a real big cat."
Becky spotted his as well. "Knight Victor."
Crouched low on the floor, the security man crawled inside. When he got near enough to them, he flopped over onto his back.
Kiki stepped away from the group to run her fingers through the hair of honey wheat. "Kitty."
To offer her the full effect, Victor started purring from his chest.
Kiki climbed right onto the large man and nestled in to better hear the gentle sound.
Trav came over for further inspection. "Do you bite?"
"What do ya taste like?" When Trav extended his arm, Victor gave it a nimble nip. "Ah," he made a show of moving his lips back in disgust, "forget it, you're safe. Ya taste too lousy." He ruffled the boy's hair.
Trav laughed. "You're funny."
"Nope, just funny lookin'." Victor sat up carefully, adjusting Kiki so that she reclined against one of his arms. "Don't know if you tykes are interested, but I'm pretty sure I smelled Raven fixin' a darn good lunch downstairs…"
"Geez, what am I doing here?" Frank jumped to his feet and started out. "I better go help."
"And we better go wash up," Scott said to Joey. "Trav, you too."
Joey reached for him. "Our bathroom's this way."
"'Kay." Trav linked up with him and they followed Scott out.
Becky suggested, "We can show Kiki how we set the table."
"Okay. Come on, little mama." Jasmine took one of the toddler's hands while Becky held the other. "This is great. Now we just need to get Cody, Kayla, and Logan's goofy butt back here."
Glancing back at the remaining one, Becky asked, "Aren't you coming, Knight Victor?"
The man blinked. "Yeah sure, Tink. Just gimme a minute."
Watching the three of them continue out, he decided to stretch out on the floor for another brief moment.
IIIIIII
"Can you believe it, Seanie boyo?" Trick entered the kitchen, loaded down with used plates. "First day back and they're already putting me to work. First, they leave me high and dry at the airport. No flowers, no chocolates, not even a breath mint."
The redheaded teenager came in behind him, helping him carry things. "Harsh."
Scraping any residual food particles into the trash, Trick looked into his face. "Something eating at you, lad?"
"Sort of." Sean placed his load on the counter nearest the sink before coming at the man with a hug. "Aw Trick, I'm so happy you're home."
"Whoa now." Trick put arms around the young one. "While it's good to receive a heartfelt welcome around here, it's not as if I just returned from the trenches of war." He stepped back to fully face him. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
Sean started with, "You're able to go see your sister and come back like it's nothing. I used to be able to do that with my family, but now… Now it feels like I'm betraying someone. Charles, Erik, Frank, Maya… Jas. God Cody," he sighed, "and he's not even here."
Getting the gist of things, Trick said, "If you want to go and pay the folks a visit then do so, Sean. There's no shame in it. It won't make you any less of an X-Man."
Sean folded his arms. "Most of the time, I don't even know what I want. What should I do, Trick?"
"Easy now." Trick brought him in close and squeezed his forearm. "We'll try to make sense of it all. Don't worry."
IIIIIII
Shuffling through his near endless stack of comic books, Frank sighed and pushed them all toward the back of the desk. He looked to the drawer under his leg area and pulled it out. From it, he retrieved the thick navy blue book. Leafing through it a moment, he got up and started towards his bed.
Placing the book at the center of the mattress, Frank knelt to his knees and began to read through it. He continued that way for several minutes before laying his head cheek down. Contemplation quickly took over his features.
From the hall, Erik looked in on him. After another moment, he turned to go and nearly collided with a smaller body on his way.
"Easy, Kangaroo," the Poland Native cautioned.
Joey looked up at him. "Uncle Erik? If I act bad at training, are you gonna start slapping me on the head now?"
Erik surprised him by sincerely scoffing at that. "I have some news most startling for you, child." He squatted to reach the boy's eyes. "You are still one of the babies; simply Head Baby it would seem. Besides that, I don't think I need to resort to such methods with you."
"I don't think so, either," Joey seconded.
"No, this end," Erik delivered a smack to the small bottom, sending the youngster onto his toes, "works much better."
Covering the spot with both hands, Joey stated, "I'll be good," then dashed off for the other end of the hall.
Shaking his head in humor, Erik watched him scamper away.
IIIIIII
Done moving the bookshelf over to one spot inside the spare room of his and Raven's wing, Hank stepped back to observe the progress thus far
"I think this will do to make sure Kiki and Trav's new things don't take over the rec room." He glanced towards his assistant. "What should we put up next?"
Becky picked up the painting that depicted a scene from Goldilocks. "What about this?"
"Perfect," Hank concurred then walked over, lifting her into his arms. "Thank you, Becca."
"That's okay, Big Bear. I wanted to help," she assured.
"Not just for this." Hank looked at her closely. "Having you here with me. After what happened, you make me feel like I'm not lost at all."
The little girl stroked his cheek. "That's how you make me feel."
Hank kissed her temple then took the painting to scout a proper place to hang it.
IIIIIII
Tuckered out little boy next to her and drowsy girl in her hold, the soft lullaby echoing from Raven's lips proved the only sound in the entire room.
Knuckles rapped lightly at the doorway and Raven invited quietly, "Come in."
In walked the metal wielder who greeted her with, "Hello, new mama."
"Hi, big brother," she returned contentedly.
Erik observed, "You're quite the natural."
Raven lifted Kiki up a bit. "You want to hold her?"
"No, no," Erik immediately turned down. "I shouldn't. I'd only frighten her."
"You'll frighten her?" Raven gave him a look. "Did you happen to notice the weird blue chick currently holding her?" When hefurther hesitated, she shrugged a shoulder. "Fine, but this may be your last shot for a while. Once Hank walks back through that door, all bets are off with this one."
Still unsure, Erik walked over and accepted the child, cradling her like a figurine made of thin glass.
Easing down into the closest chair, he looked into the barely open eyes. "Nice to see you again, little girl."
"Hey, buddy," Raven protested in a whisper. "You can't go around giving away my former specialty names."
"Tell me, young Kyra," Erik kept attention on the tot, "can you spell spoiled?"
"You're lucky you have her," Raven moved to lay down with Trav, "otherwise I'd kick you."
Chuckling lightly, an old Yiddish melody started from the man. Soon enough, the tune cast the remainder of the room into full peaceful slumber.
IIIIIII
Finding the study's door wide open, Hank decided to walk right in.
"I hope I'm not interrupting you."
"Henry," Charles looked up from his syllabus with a pleased countenance, "of course not."
Hank closed the door after himself. "You're one of the few people who can call me that without it feeling strange. Even when," light redness appeared on his face, "you're using it because I'm not in your favor."
Charles informed him, "You're always in my favor. Remember that."
Nodding, Hank sat in a chair facing the desk. "I'm sorry for how I've been. I've been disrespectful when, as per the normal, you only wanted to be there for me."
"Hank," Charles spoke, "were I to experience what you have—"
Hank cut in, "You would handle it with maturity, dignity, and class. The same as you do everything else." He began rubbing at his own arms nervously. "If only I could…"
Sensing something else radiating off the young man, Charles nudged, "Henry?"
Through a hitched sob, he got out, "I let him die, Charles." Hank removed his glasses and used his other hand to catch the spilling moisture he had not even realized was building. "He was laying in the street and I just drove off. My own father… God, how could I…?"
Reacting quickly, Charles got up and ran around in time to catch the stout individual as he tumbled right out of the chair and to his knees.
"Shhhh, shh," the Professor soothed, pressing Hank's head to his welcoming shoulder. "You did exactly what you had to."
"How can I call myself a doctor or a son?" Hank demanded. "How can I possibly take two innocent children and pretend I can be a good father to them?"
"Had you stayed to help Norton, you and Raven would have been killed right along with him," Charles emphasized. "Then what? Was Travis to starve down in that basement? Kyra to die and be discarded like common lab waste?" He moved back, setting him with deadly serious blue eyes. "Your behavior this weekend displayed nothing short of complete heroism." He cupped his left cheek. "And I am so proud of you."
Unable to speak further, Hank resigned himself to cry in the older male's hold for the next few minutes. Charles held onto him until he could sense the calm returning then helped him stand.
"Thank you," Hank sniffed, using the sleeve of his sweater to wipe at his face. He put his glasses back on. "I'm sorry…"
"That will be enough of that," Charles reached up to pat him on the shoulder. "If you think I won't put you across my knee at your age…"
Hank dipped his head with a smile, not doubting him for a moment. "I better check on Raven and the kids." He made a move for the door.
Charles called after him, "So you've decided," Hank looked back, "you and Raven are going to take on the responsibility of parenting the Holt children?"
"Yes, we are," Hank confirmed with a resolute nod. "And we're going to do everything to give them the security, stability, and absolute love they deserve."
Charles nodded back. "Though it's going to take quite a deal of finagling, mostly due to Travis and Kyra's lack of official records, add in to the fact that I'm fairly certain my lawyer has disowned me, we can have adoption papers ready by noon tomorrow."
To that the scientist replied, "We'll see you at eleven."
Taking his leave of the man, Hank began his trek back upstairs to see about his new family.