Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

First Class: Charles and Erik have accepted their roles as guardians and headmasters over the young mutants but there is still work to be done for the greater than typical family. This is a familial and discipline, including spanking, centered fiction.

117. Chapter 117 Salted Wounds

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Seventeen

Author's Word: Hello out there, fam. Thanks so much for the last round of reviews. I got this cranked out, despite the fact that I should be reorganizing and cleaning my room for the new furniture that's coming later this weekend. I know what you're thinking. Mellie, didn't you have like a month to get your room together? My response, didn't wanna! Please enjoy and review!

For certainly not the first time, Maya became overwhelmed with appreciation and gratitude for the wonderfully advanced human beings known not worldwide as the X-Men. Though hardly a day passed where she did not discover a new reason to be thankful for her band of mutants, that morning in particular proved absolutely frosty by the windows. However, with heated quarters, halls, and bathrooms that mattered not for the mansion residents.

With a song in her heart, Maya dried and combed her long hair and stepped back into her room in the silk robe she had purchased just before she joined Sean and the others on the ski trip. She dressed in a lengthy denim skirt and a white shirt with a long green sweater that came to her thighs. Not until she had her shoes on and she began putting on her birthday necklace from Raven did she take notice of the object that had somehow been left on her dresser.

Getting in for closer observation, Maya wondered what anvil had been painlessly dropped on her head to cause her to miss such an eccentric item. There sat a short foam potted cactus wearing a sombrero, a pair of sunglasses, and holding a guitar. Pressing the little red button on the plastic instrument, the cactus sprang to life and began playing a Spanish tune that sounded like an Elvis song. She reacted giddily until another invisible anvil hit her with realization and she sped from the room in a blur.

Pouring herself a second cup of coffee, the Indian woman hardly had time to place it right back down on the nearest counter before finding herself with an armful of enthusiastic teenager on her hands.

"Kayla!" Maya nuzzled her cheek against the deep black hair. "Oh my God, you're back! You're back, you're back, you're back!" Each declaration preceded a series of happy toe bounce.

Kayla glowed as she held the girl. "Just last night." She kissed her head. "And it is so good to see you, sweetheart." She pulled back just enough to look into her face. "How has everything been around here?"

"You'll never believe everything that's—" Maya then remembered something and her eyes sparkled. "Is he…?"

Knowing precisely who she meant, Kayla used her head to gesture. "Right out back." Not needing further coordinates, Maya zoomed out and for that direction. "Maya!" Kayla hurried to keep up with her. "It is arctic out there."

The moment she flung the back door open, Maya's cheeks met with wind so cold it seemed daggers filled the air but none of it mattered when she spotted the one a few yards over chopping wood. Zipping right out and across the lawn, she made a beeline for him.

Nose and ears reacting at the same time, Logan gazed up as the slowly rising sun washed an array of color over the brunette girl. Corners of his mouth turning up, he dropped his ax and took a couple steps forward to grab her in time.

"Wolverine!" she breathed, one thin hand clutching his hair and the other embracing him as strongly as her small frame could.

"Let me see it." Still holding onto her by the shoulders, he placed her on her feet. "You know what I'm talkin' about." She smiled up and he pulled her in again. "That's my girl."

"Now get her back inside!" Kayla called out from where she stood in the back doorway. "She'll be frostbitten in thirty seconds."

Lifting the feather light miss up to carry, Logan started for the house with her. "You see your present?"

She nodded. "I love it. It's so cute."

"Once guess who picked it out."

Glancing around as if he would spring right up, Maya wanted to know, "Where is Cody?"

IIIIIII

At the first little creak, he assumed to be, yet again, dreaming and paid it no attention. However, when another and another followed it, he slowly peeled his eyelids back and sat up. Through his blurred vision, Cody made out the image of a girl with dark hair motioning back and forth on the rocking horse he kept at the foot of his bed.

Giving his eyes a firm swipe with his arm, he received a clearer picture; a true picture this time.

He felt his own heartbeat increase and his eyes glossed over. "Sissy…" Then to his astonishment, the bare back sprouted beautiful wings and began to flutter away from him. "No!" He nearly fell removing himself from the bed to hasten out of the room after her. "Don't go! Come back!"

In the hall, Sean met up with her and grabbed hold of the half-naked toddler. "Gotcha." He raised her up to blow on her stomach. "Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha."

She squealed, "Seanie!"

"Sean!" The redhead looked up to see Cody racing at them. "Sean, you got her. You got my—" He stopped, at last getting a real look at the child's face. "You're not…" As if frightened, he took a step back. "That's not…"

"Cody." Seeing the terror in the young boy's eyes, Sean explained, "This is Kiki. She's Raven and Hank's new little girl."

"But she…" Cody tried to get his words together but could not remotely focus. "I thought…"

Understanding now, Sean grew immediately heartsick. "Cody." Holding onto Kiki, he squatted to one knee. "Buddy, did you think…?"

Before he could finish, Cody made a hasty retreat and slammed the door shut the moment he returned to his room. Throwing himself over the white rocking horse, he gripped it for dear life.

IIIIIII

Like a venomous spider crawling up his neck, Leon felt a certain pair of eyes on him. He glanced back suddenly and attempted to scan through the throng of students on route to their early classes. He found nothing in particular.

"Hey."

Jumping, Leon faced forward again and released a long breath. "Alex."

"Uh yeah." Studying his friend's unusually flustered features, the blonde inquired, "Man, are you alright?"

"Fine." Leon shook out his dark hair restrained in a ponytail. "The last minute crunch is getting to me and I need to stop with the all-nighters."

"You do look pretty out of it," Alex noted. "Leftover jetlag probably isn't helping, either. What time did you make it in on Sunday?"

"Late." Leon rubbed the back of his neck then stretched it out. "I'm still a little thrown off."

"Huh." Alex readjusted the strap on his book bag, blue eyes never leaving the other freshman. "Weird because I talked to a couple people who saw you walking around on Saturday. Even weirder, they saw you on Friday, too."

Appearing initially stunned, Leon's face split into a grin. "I'm busted. You got me."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Leon nonchalantly confessed, "I spent the weekend going back and forth into New York. Hitting up a few clubs. My dad's been on me a lot lately, constantly calling to check in. So I told him I had a massive test to study for this past Monday and he actually bought it."

"You spent the weekend goofing off?" Alex concluded. "You?"

"Wow, I think you just called me a nerd. I do have a life beyond scholastic achievement, Lex."

"I believe it, but why didn't you let me in on it? Maybe I wanted to blow off a little steam."

Leon shrugged and smiled glibly. "Didn't want to risk another spanking… wish you had been along, though."

Alex moved onto, "You know something? I think I'll stick around campus today. How about we grab Jam and hang out a while?"

"Great," Leon reacted favorably. "Now let's get to class before Hanson grows hopeful that I'm a no-show."

The moment he turned to go, Alex took hold of his upper arm and got his eyes back over. "And Lee," the blonde's eyes missed several blinks, "don't lie to me again."

At the slow nod, Alex released him and they continued on to Politics and Government with their standard brand of affable conversation.

IIIIIII

Son standing directly in front of her, Raven held onto his bitty hands from behind while Hank stood beside them with their daughter in his hold.

The shape-shifter took the liberty of introducing, "Say hello to Travis Xavier McCoy and Kyra Elizabeth McCoy."

"Elizabeth?" a surprised Logan echoed.

"Victor suggested that one," Raven explained.

Hank looked the older man's direction, something in his eyes beyond the glasses. "We thought it sounded beautiful."

Logan gave off a nod. "Geez. Take time off around here and ya miss the world."

Noticing the little girl's curious brown eyes planted on her, Kayla approached Kiki with a wide smile. "Hello there, angel."

When Kiki reached out to touch the woman's hair, Hank explained, "She does that. It seems to be her way of familiarizing."

"I don't mind," Kayla assured then requested, "May I?"

"Of course." Hank carefully handed the girl over.

An entirely at ease Kayla rocked the sweet creature gently.

Letting go of his mother, Trav walked up to Logan and gazed straight up at him. "Who are you?"

Logan told him, "They pay me to keep the boogey man away."

"He's Victor's brother, Trav," Hank informed his son.

As if in disbelief, Trav gaped at Logan. "Then how come your hair's not all…" He shook out his own head for emphasis.

Logan snorted then replied, "Because I don't go around posin' for the covers of no romance novels," he gave the boy a light nudge with his foot, "Travis."

He touched the shoe that came his way. "You can call me Trav."

"And you can call me Wolverine," the man returned. "Gorgeous over there is my wife, Fox."

Kayla flashed contented eyes her husband's way.

"Wolfy…" Trav looked over. "And Miss Foxy."

The names triggered laughter in the adults present.

From outside the kitchen doorway, brown eyes peeked in with as much stealth as possible. Glaring, Cody started off through the main level.

Coming the other way, Maya grinned at the sight of him. "Cody Wody!"

Instantly brightening, Cody ran at her. "Smiley!"

Picking him up as best she could, Maya gave him a tight hug. "Oh I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Cody said in earnest. "Do you like your present?"

"So much. Hey," she looked at him excitedly, "I finally used the taser."

"You did?" Cody gasped. "On who? Please tell me it was Frank."

Laughing, Maya started in on the details.

IIIIIII

Each with a photograph in hand, Becky and Jasmine lay side by side on their stomachs on the latter's bed. Jasmine wore a wide spread gray and white checkered skirt with knitted white tights and a long sleeved red shirt. Becky had on a pink sweater with white kittens all over it and a longer black skirt.

"Victor looks just like a movie star, doesn't he?" Becky put forth.

"Yeah, and in all that white he looks like he could be some kin to Emma," Jasmine remarked humorously then focused on the lady in the picture. "Isn't her sister just glamorous in that gown? I love red hair. Half my dad's family has it."

"Hmph," Becky uttered deep in her throat. "My Auntie Em is ten times prettier than her. And nicer. And better."

Jasmine shrugged and mumbled offhandedly, "Heard Emma used to not always be so nice."

Becky sat up with a scowl. "Don't talk bad about my aunt."

"I'm not," Jasmine hastened to reassure. "I love Emma. I'm just saying you don't really know Adrienne Frost."

"And you don't know her at all," Becky countered.

Bringing the bedroom door opened, Erik announced, "A new school day is upon us, ladies."

Jasmine got up and started out while Becky took a moment to leave her photo on the nightstand before linking hands with her father.

IIIIIII

"All I'm saying—"

Sean interjected, "Famous last words from this guy…"

"All I'm saying," Frank shot the redhead a look before facing their teacher again, "is that diplomacy can only go so far. Heart-to-hearts work beforehand, but if somebody shoves you into the dirt, saying "Hey, you hurt my feelings" won't do anything but get you laughed at and stomped on."

"Why do we always end up at war, though?" Maya reasoned.

Frank also fielded that one with, "Because of everybody else. If we don't get involved then what?"

Kayla looked thoughtful of that. "So you see America as the rest of the world's champion?"

"Hey," Frank responded, "when's the last time anybody's stopped to help us out?"

Nodding once, Kayla took a moment to observe the time. "We'll return to all of this and more tomorrow. Reread tonight. We'll spend the first half of the session reviewing for your exam." Her small class started out by her. "Well-spoken today, Frank. But of course, that doesn't surprise me."

"Great to have you back, Kay." Frank saluted her on his way out.

Kayla turned away to erase the board.

History book in hold, Sean approached the desk. "Kayla?"

She glanced back. "What is it, honey?"

"Cody looked a little weird when he saw Kiki this morning… and I think I know why."

Folding her arms curiously, Kayla remained still while the boy continued to speak.

IIIIIII

A hand gliding tiredly down his neck, Hank stepped inside his wing's recently converted playroom and saw Raven on the puzzle piece themed rug. She worked with their two children on a shape matching game.

Trav noticed the tall man first. "Daddy."

"Daddy," Kiki chirped happily, reaching bitty hands up for him.

Trav on the other hand got up and ran to him. "Will you play with me, Daddy?"

Hank picked him up with a small toss. "I'm afraid I can't right now, sport." He sat cross-legged on the rug and tugged Kiki over to sit with them. "Daddy only has time for a quick break."

Raven eyed her husband while the children's attentions went back to their game. "How is she?"

"In hysterics," Hank replied without thought. "I can hear it in her voice. Mom is not handling this well… they would've been married twenty-five years."

"I know," Raven spoke softly, a supportive hand going over his knee.

"She understands why we can't be there, though. It's going to be a very simple memorial. However, it's difficult to contact so many channels entirely by telephone in addition to my classes." He pinched the bridge of his nose just under his glasses.

"Honey, let me help," Raven offered.

"You are," Hank said strongly, indicating the tot pair in the room. "They need you."

That made Raven remember something. "Time to get lunch going." She got up and lifted Kiki then took Trav by his hand. "Let's go team."

"Go team go!" Trav chanted, bouncing merrily at her side.

Hank watched them go then gazed around at the widespread toys. Stretching out a moment, he tried to remember a time when he only cared about footballs and teeny cars- preferably, the kind easiest to melt down during one of his many youthful experiments.

IIIIIII

With her hand on the knob, the dark haired woman poked her head in through the partially open door.

"Intruder alert," she signaled as though she really needed to announce herself to the radiant telepath surrounded by ivory bedding.

"Kayla," Emma smiled. "I knew I sensed good fortune earlier, but wishful thinking led me to believing my older sister had taken a rather wretched fall. So, done dazzling the Mexicans with your flawless forever beauty?"

"Says the thinnest pregnant woman on the planet." Kayla sat beside her on the bed on top of the plentiful covers.

"Don't remind me," Emma waved a hand flat, "I can't so much as go check the mail without the neighbors lining up to witness the lopsided marvel."

"When you get to the point where you can no longer see your feet, we should strongly consider selling tickets. At any rate, though, I'm glad he's," Kayla's hand went to Emma's partly pudgy stomach, "still in there. With the changes that have taken place in less than a week's time I thought Logan had taken a wrong turn and led us into the Cat Skills. He always hated asking for directions." She then told her, "Missed you at breakfast."

"I woke up with a mild headache, but Charles insisted I eat in here away from the many minds sure to mentally drown me." Despite her attempt at sounding irritated, Emma's smile remained. "Saw the McCoys' new little additions?"

"Travis is so bright and inquisitive and little Kyra," Kayla sighed contentedly, "you can see it in their eyes; how in love they are with those kids already. Even Hank under his usual constantly calculating expression."

"The transition has been amazingly smooth," Emma said. "It's as if they brought them home from the hospital as opposed to the hidden research facility inside of a power plant."

"It's insane the way people regard children as nothing," Kayla's eyes darkened at the thought, "So unlike my parents. I still remember when I was a little girl how my mother would slip into these crying bouts, usually late at night. I'd go to her, ask her what's wrong, and she'd say just the idea that I could be taken away from them frightened her more than anything in the world. Back then, I found it so silly. As if I could possibly just disappear one day."

Leaning against her, Emma said, "I can't say I fully comprehend her feelings, but I am one of many happy to have you back."

Kayla raised, "Want me to help sneak you past the beau back to civilization?"

"Please," Emma pleaded into her shoulder.

IIIIIII

After lunch, Cody pulled Joey over towards one entryway to talk covertly.

"Let's play Merlin and Arthur out in the barn."

"But we can't go outside," Joey reminded him. "My dad says it's too cold today."

"So what do they make us put on long underwear for?" Cody argued. "Please, Joey? Xander's probably forgotten what I look like."

"Hm… okay," the blonde finally conceded. "But we have to be quiet."

Cody brightened the two went to load up on proper winter attire. Once they had everything on, they crept towards the back of the house.

Dashing out of the kitchen, Trav went after them. "Joey, can I play with you?"

"Would you shush?" Cody hissed at him. "Go away."

Joey frowned at his friend. "He doesn't have to go away. He can come with us."

"Come with you where?" The nine and ten-year-olds present froze in place at the Professor's voice while Trav only looked up. Charles walked towards them from his study. "Joey, why are you dressed that way?"

Joey explained, "We were just going to say hi to Xander."

Charles folded his arms, displeasure quickly covering his normally warm and inviting features. "Didn't I tell you recess was to remain indoors today?"

"Yes, sir," Joey nodded, shoulders drooping.

"Yes, sir," Cody piped up, growing equally contrite.

Charles then surmised, "So you were going to disobey me and allow Travis to do the same, yes?" At their twin nods, he went on. "Right then. Joseph, Codicat, for the remainder of recess I want you to go to your rooms and write out 'I will not be disobedient towards my elders' one hundred times each."

Joey moaned and Cody reacted with, "A hundred?"

"You are correct," Charles confirmed. "And if this happens again, you'll both receive a spanking in my office."

A downcast faced Cody started upstarts. Though his grumblings were low, the distinct projection of all their fault projected straight into Charles' mind along with the brief glare Cody sent Trav's way.

"Joseph," the man's voice stilled his own son's movements, "I want a word with you, please." The short blonde turned back around with a pair of blue eyes that would have made Charles' heart ring out at any other time. He brought him over to another area of the space for privacy then knelt before him, placing a hand on the young shoulder. "Didn't you and I have a conversation about a certain film you wish to see in a few weeks?"

The blue eyes filled with panic now. "You mean we're not going? But Daddy—"

Charles held up a hand to pause him. "I said you had to behave in order to go, yes? Do you think needlessly disobeying me is good behavior for a little boy who wants a treat like that?"

"No," Joey responded softly. "I'm sorry..." Tears glossed in his eyes and spilled straight over. "I'm really sorry, Daddy…"

"Shh," Charles brought him in to kiss his forehead twice. "We're still going, but with Kiki and Trav here with us now, it is important you be a good example for them. They're still adjusting to being part of our family- part of any family for that matter. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," Joey answered honestly.

"My good little one." Charles applied a few prodding taps to his right hip. "Go on now, up to your room." As Joey headed up, the Professor walked back over to lift up Trav and quickly noticed the sad countenance on the little face. "What's the matter, lad?"

"I didn't mean to get them in trouble, Uncle Charles."

"Oh, don't you fret about that. Our X-Boys have always found some way or another to land themselves in trouble long before you came here. Now, let's see what the others are up to, shall we?"

"'Kay." Trav rested on his shoulder as the man began to walk. "Uncle Charles, will you make me write if I do something I'm not 'sposed to?"

"That all depends on exactly what you did," Charles answered, "but yes, I just might."

Trav darted his eyes about. "Uh oh…"

Charles looked into his face. "What?"

"…I don't know how to write," came the confession.

Laughing wholeheartedly, Charles gave him a squeeze and carried him upstairs.

IIIIIII

Detecting faint grumbling from beyond one particular door, Victor stopped inside and saw the child furiously scribbling at his desk.

"My eyes finally startin' to go or is this my nephew studyin' instead of playin'?"

"Don't feel like playin'," Cody tossed out shortly.

Victor walked in closer to peer over his shoulder and Cody immediately slid the dictionary over his notebook. "Save it, mite." He pressed a hand down on top of the boy's head. "I know line etchin' when I see it. I used to have to wait extra time for your old man to finish fillin' the blackboard every time he got in trouble at school. Now let me take a wild guess." He squatted down beside his chair. "You and Joey gabbin' too much in class?"

"No." Cody threw his pencil down onto the desk and crossed his arms huffily. "Joey's dad caught us goin' out to see Xander after he said stay in 'cause of the cold. We wouldn't have been caught if that stupid new kids hadn't slowed us down. Jarvis or whatever."

"It's Travis and you know it. And in case that Mexican sun made ya forget," Victor poked him in the nose, "you were a new kid yourself not long ago."

"I never got anybody in trouble," Cody insisted. "He made Charles get mad at me and he's always nice to me. And I just got back- and… Kyra Elizabeth ain't beautiful. It's stupid. Even dumber than my retarded name."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "So now we jumped from Trav to Kiki, huh?"

Cody pushed the dictionary away and raised his pencil again. "Gotta finish my lines."

At his wince followed by shaking out his hand, Victor wordlessly reached out to offer the small appendage a massage.

IIIIIII

"I couldn't believe it. You dream about something over and over again, but then when you're actually face with it it's so scary. Not because of the situation you're in, but because it's like the real thing won't match up to the fantasy." Maya, seated on top the range table, quieted a moment to regroup her own thoughts. "Sabretooth and Sean did most of the work and I spent my time hoping I wouldn't screw things up in some way. But when Hank gave me Kiki and expected me to keep her safe, it's all I could think about. I wanted to get her away- far away- from that place. Then when that guy got in our way. It was the most natural thing in the world to pull out my taser. It wasn't about hurting him, though I didn't exactly feel about that at all. It was about protecting her."

Arms folded in front of his chest, Wolverine remained in absolute silence until the recollection ended. "It's exactly what I've been tellin' ya, Smiley." He took her gloved hand and she hopped down from the table. "You got exactly the right head to handle a weapon. I wouldn't trust just anybody with this training. I only wish I'd been there to watch you fry the sucker."

She brightened even more. "You don't know how good it is to have you back."

"What?" He gave her a flat expression. "Thought we'd hopped the border permanently?"

Maya shook her head. "I knew as long as Victor was here…"

"Even if he'd went along with us," Wolverine said stalwartly, "Look, it's true. They practically had to drag me down from that mountain. I'm not much of a team player. Even in the military— I don't always mesh so well. But this whole thing with the X-Men, you were right, okay?" He rethought that. "Except one thing."

"What?" she wondered.

"That bull about you bein' absolutely no one." He flicked her ponytail with his backhand, resulting in yet another smile on her part.

IIIIIII

Filing out individually from the diner across the street from campus, the WU freshmen practically loaded the entire block with laughter and conversation. Jam walked ahead, yowling some sort of melody and did not miss a beat as Alex leapt onto his back. Leon jumped onto an empty bench and began performing slow motion karate of some kind.

"Is it even possible to get drunk on grape soda?" he put forth, hair flapping in the wind.

Jam's response consisted of an extended solo performance.

Alex pretended to choke him from behind.

Going along with it, Jam made a show of retching all the way down to his knees, causing them both to tumble.

Leon came down on top of them and they let off exaggerated groans.

Getting up a bit, Alex pulled him over to punch in the chest lightly then felt the quivering. "What's wrong?"

Leon stood, hugging himself. "Los Angeles winters are not remotely like this."

"Look at that little bitty coat you got on," Jam pointed out as he and Alex got up as well. "That thing couldn't keep my sister warm."

"I didn't know it'd be this cold," Leon said.

Alex put an arm around him. "We should head back." He then turned his head and smiled at the sight of a small toddler boy running their way. "Hey, little man. Where do you think you're going?"

Looking over, absolutely terror overcame every inch of Leon's face, making him forget all about the weather. "We have to go."

"Hold on a second." Alex picked the boy up for the woman who struggled to catch up. "Here you go, ma'am."

"Thank you," she breathed.

When they got under the light, Alex realized both mother and child to be oriental.

"Hey!" Jam reacted when Leon took off in a sudden sprint.

The desperate retreater did not get far before he very nearly slammed into a broad chest belonging to a male body standing several inches over his own.

"I knew you'd run," was all he said before taking the young man by the front of his coat.

Jam snatched Leon back from behind. "Get your damn hands off my friend."

Alex came up as well.

"So," the man glanced them up and down, "this is the filth you run around with now?"

Jam glared intensely and pointed a finger. "Mister, you better not start something you're not prepared to fin—"

"I was not," he cut in sharply, "speaking of you." His enraged brown eyes shifted to just beside Jam. "I meant that cracker next to you."

A shocked Alex could only initially utter, "What?"

Leon glanced back as the woman with the little boy approached. "Cassie, how could you?" His tone carried the pitch of someone so betrayed.

"I tried to call you," she said.

"Did you really think I wouldn't find you eventually?" the man inched upon Leon, who only stepped back. "Thought if you didn't write, call, or show your face over the holiday that you could leave us behind just like that?"

"Who the hell are you?" Alex wanted to know then looked at Leon. "Is this your father?"

"His father?" When the man looked up a whole new venom practically dripped from his teeth. "His father is dead! You're the ones that killed him right before his own son's eyes!" He flung an accusatory finger Alex's way.

Leon felt his breath leaving him as he repeated "no" over and over again lowly.

Cassie went around the boys to the one who seemed to tower over them. "Jared."

"No!" He shook off his arm from her touch. He did not miss the looks he received at the sight of his raised left hand, made entirely out of wood. "Does this interest you…" He thrust the makeshift appendage out at them, making the boys move back. "Does it? I got this fighting for my country- my country! I gave and lost everything and how did they repay me? By murdering my uncle! They left him in ashes. Not even enough for us to bury him."

"Cousin, please," Leon implored, voice hitched. "You're having a spell. You have to take your medication."

"Don't pretend you care," Jared barked at him. "You couldn't turn your back on us fast enough to become one of them. Leave us behind. Was across the country far enough? I should have left the system to take care of you; let the crackers figure it out. Since you're so desperate to be one of them. If not for my uncle—"

Leon did not give him a chance to go on any further as he ran again, right into the street. An encroaching car hardly had time to brake in time.

"Leon!" Alex yelled, going right after him.

"Lee!" Jam joined.

Leon dashed passed a gathering of girls and hurried his way across the side lawn of their school. Alex ran behind with all the force he had in him. When he made it to the clearing, he saw no remote sign of his friend but a multiple of different paths he could have taken across the campus.

IIIIIII

Before he even made it back to his room, he heard it again. The creaking. Cody slowly entered, finding the one from earlier merrily bobbing back and forth on the handmade horse.

Folding his hands into fists, he started to shake all over until he lunged forward with a cry of, "Get off!" He shoved her forcefully before she could, making her head bump against the edge of his bed. "Don't you ever touch my sister's stuff again!"

A burst of tears from Kiki had the nearby Howletts inside the room in seconds.

"Oh my God." Kayla hurried to gather the sobbing child into her arms.

"What happened?" Logan asked of his son.

"She was on Jaycee's horse," Cody pointed.

Logan raised one finger. "Did you push her?"

Cody only repeated, "She was on Jaycee's horse."

"Come on, honey." Kayla carried Kiki out and towards Hank's lab.

Logan kicked the door shut after them hard, eyes on the one carrying several of his genes. "You knocked that little baby down? Dammit Cody, she could've split her head open!"

"I don't care!" he shouted back.

"You don't care?" Logan echoed incredulously. "Ah okay. Let's see if ya care about this." Currently in a t-shirt and sweatpants, he gestured with his head to the direction of his own room. "Go get my belt."

Cody's eyes immediately doubled in size. "But Dad—"

"Now!" Logan ordered unsympathetically. "And don't make me have to come after you, boy."

In a zombie motion, Cody left out of the room.

Logan allowed him to drag his feet a little, using the time to calm himself down some.

When the seemingly doomed child returned, stretch of thick leather in hand, Logan took it along with the boy's wrist.

He dropped down to a seat on the side of the bed. "You are bigger and ten times stronger than that baby, even without your powers. You had no excuse to do that- no excuse, Codicat. And let me tell you somethin' else, however pissy you were, ain't shit compared to what I'm feelin' right now. Get them pants down."

An already tearful and shamefaced Cody followed the command and lowered himself over his father's lap without further direction.

With one swift yank, Logan got his long-johns and underwear down to his ankles as well. Folding the belt in half and raising it, he brought it down with a resolute whack across the bare behind.

"Ahh!" the ten-year-old yelled out, writhing from the first blow. "Daddy!"

"Uh uh," Logan immediately dismissed as he continued, "save it."

Cody jumped on the third and howled in pain. "Owwww!"

"Hurts, don't it?"

"Yeah!" Cody ground out.

"Imagine how a kid half your size'd feel." On the sixth strike Logan moved the belt over to the bed and began spanking the thighs with his own hand.

Cody hardly registered the change, as the belt had reduced him to earnest sobbing with continuous tears.

When Logan brought him up to stand at last, he clothed him in underpants only then transferred him over to the mattress to lay in the stomach.

"You better not ever in your life try to knock somebody around that ain't do shit to you," was the last thing the man's last scold before taking his belt and leaving out.

Bringing his nearest pillow to his face, Cody cried into it then reached back to try in vain to rub out the fire blazing from his behind.

IIIIIII

Second bottle of beer done, Logan found himself feeling much… exactly the same. Thinking better of smashing the expensive equipment before him, he instead slammed the bottle into the nearby waste basket. Mild satisfaction filled him at the sound of the glass shattering.

With a growl, he raised quickly from his seat, successfully knocking over his chair as he fumed out of Eye Spy and back up to the main level.

"Baby." Kayla met him outside the living room and they embraced. "It's okay."

Not speaking, Logan held her tightly then realized the living room came with an audience consisting of his brother, the Headmasters, and the singing Irishman.

"Ah great," Letting go of his wife, Logan walked right in, "let's hear it."

"Logan." Kayla came up next to him.

"No, no," he kept on. "Ya think I beat the puss out of my son, right? Well, go ahead." He gestured grandly. "Call the law. See if I give a flyin' piss about the damn law. I'll have ten cops shredded before they even get upstairs. So if any of you little Euro invaders think—"

"Logan," Charles tore into the seemingly endless ranting. "I can assure you that I in no way, shape, or form consider you an abuser of any kind. I myself have administered the belt more than once."

Erik brought up, "The boy will heal soon enough, but I doubt this lesson will at all quickly."

Trick said, "I hail from Ireland and New York City. It's not time to involve the law until visible blood is spilled and that's New York standards."

Victor, as usual, chose silence but knew his brother required few words from him.

"Logan," Kayla spoke to him again, "there's something wrong here. You know Cody. He does not lose his temper unless he feels a wrong is being done. There's no way the mere act of Kiki touching that wooden horse set him off that way. Sean saw Cody running after Kiki this morning. He isn't sure, but Sean thinks Cody may have thought Kiki was Jaycee."

Logan gaped at her. "So you're sayin' our son is crazy now?"

"No," Kayla gave him a look to accompany that response. "But he didn't know Kiki and Trav were here and he may have only seen a glimpse of her. So wishful thinking got the better of him only to disappoint. He's gotten into trouble today, been so on edge."

Charles stood from his chair. "I believe something needs to be addressed here regarding your daughter."

Logan looked at him and informed sharply, "My daughter is gone." He turned to his wife. "She's gone, Kayla. We know that, Cody knows that. And I just finished wailin' the edge right out of him so I don't see what we've got to talk about here. That's life, people. You're born, bunch of BS happens, ya die," he started for the doorway but looked back, "At least that's what I've heard." He walked off with that.

Shaking her head, Kayla went after him.

Trick commented, "And you all found me difficult to get through to," then turned transparent and floated away via the ceiling.

Stepping forward, Victor said reassuringly to Charles, "He's alright," before leaving out.

Erik and Charles exchanged a long look with a sigh on the Professor's part.

The front door sounded then, followed by Alex coming in as if in a rush.

At the look on his face, Erik wasted no time going over to him. "Boychick?"

The winded teenager glanced back and forth between them. "I need your help."

IIIIIII

Paddling hands listlessly out across the water that seemed to stretch on forever, he ignored all bodily reaction from the atmosphere and laid stomach down lazily on the board beneath him.

Wondering if he'd slipped into hallucination he heard his name at the top of someone's lungs.

Looking over, he saw the three making their way across the dark deserted beach.

"Leon!" Alex called again.

With a wry smile, Leon sat up on the board, dressed only in trunks and a t-shirt. "I do surf!" he yelled out. "Remember I told you? That much is true."

"Get out of the water!" Alex stopped at the very edge of the shore. "You'll freeze to death."

"It's fine!" returned Leon.

Receiving a reading, Charles told them, "He's already weak. We have to get him out now."

Alex started to rush in but Erik extending a blocking hand stopped him.

Throwing off his coat and shoes, the Poland native plunged right into the freezing moisture. He swam steadfastly until he reached the boy's position. He then none too gently yanked him by his t-shirt and carried them both back to the safety of the shore.

"Leon." Alex dropped to check his friend over.

Erik put his coat over the near frozen youth. "Let's get him to Hank."

Charles nodded. "There's a blanket in the car."
With one hand going under his knees and the other to his back, Erik managed to lift Leon up and walk with him. Alex followed steadfastly alongside.

IIIIIII

Kayla finished the tale of the precocious hair just as Logan entered their son's bedroom.

Giving Cody's temple a peck, Kayla uttered, "I love you," into his ear.

"I love you, Mama," he returned.

Getting up, Kayla and Logan shared a kiss before she continued out.

"Guess you're feelin' better." Logan took note of the boy lying flat on his back as he approached.

Cody nodded and told him, "I apologized to Kiki. And Raven and Hank. Hank said I better not ever do it again, but they're not mad."

"Good." Logan pulled back his covers. "Roll over so I can check you out."

Maneuvering to his stomach, Cody stayed still for his father to tug his pajama bottoms down. "Daddy?"

"Hm?" came the distracted gruff response, pleased to see that the small mutant's healing factor had worked wonders for him yet again and raised the pants back up.

"…Do you still love me?"

"What the he—" Logan's head shot straight up. "Where do you get off askin' me that? What'd I do, beat the brain cells out of you or what? God," he got down on the bed and leaned forward, stroking the dark hair that resembled his own, "you're my baby boy. Of course I love you. Wouldn't bother tannin' ya if I didn't."

"I love you, too and I'm real sorry for what I did. And I'm glad you got me good. I deserved it. Not just for Kiki but for sissy, too."

Logan frowned. "What's your sister got to do with it?"

Cody explained, "I didn't take care of her horse. Nobody was supposed to touch it."

Turning to the wooden horse he himself made, Logan looked back to his son. "Don't you worry about that." He dipped to kiss his head. "Don't you worry about a thing, ya hear me?" Cody nodded. "Good boy. Now shut your eyes."

When Cody obeyed, Logan clicked off the reading lamp. He got up and started to leave but instead chose to take a seat on the edge of the desk. By the minimal light the windows offered, he looked on while his boy slipped into slumber.

IIIIIII

"Are you sure you're warm enough?" a blonde guised Raven double checked, adding another blanket to the bedbound one.

"Yeah, I'm great," Leon assured, freshly changed into a pair of Alex's pajamas.

Alex himself remarked, "Geez, you out to suffocate him?" He looked at Leon. "Have you met my sister, the mom version?"

Giving Leon a small hug, Raven promised, "It'll be okay," then took her leave.

Mug in hand, Becky trotted in next. "I thought you might like this."

"Thank you." Leon accepted and took a sniff followed by a sip. "Mmm, hot chocolate. Haven't had this in a long time." He looked into her face. "You have the most exquisite eyes I have ever seen. Like green stars."

Giggling into her hand, the little girl dashed back out.

Alex warned his friend, "Watch the sweet talk with her. I know a little guy with shades who'll pound you for it."

Charles chuckled from where he and Erik stood off to the side of the guest room. "I'm thrilled to see you're feeling better, Leon. Is there anything else you need?"

"There's something I need," Erik stated matter-of-factly, eyes landing square on the one in the bed. "An explanation. What were you doing out there?"

"I already told you about his cousins," Alex reminded.

"That's no excuse," the metal wielder dismissed briskly. "Anger is not reason enough to go surfing at night by yourself on the coldest day of the year thus far. If you're so upset, react like a proper teenager. Run to your room, slam the door, play excessively loud music."

"You're right, sir," Leon admitted softly, placing his mug down.

Crossing his arms, Erik then said, "Explain yourself. If I detect so much as a trace of a fabrication, you young man, will receive thorough warming across my knee."

Darting his eyes over to Alex, who's expression only confirmed the words to be absolute fact, Leon quieted long enough to collect it all.

"I was conceived and born in an internment camp back in California," he began.

Alex nearly fell back from the shock. "Internment camp?"

Charles clarified grimly, "Japanese internment camp. President Roosevelt's response to Pearl Harbor. More than one hundred thousand men and women were sent there, most of them natural born citizens."

Leon nodded to that. "Like my parents. When it was time for my mother to give birth, she received poor medical treatment. She died shortly after having me." Alex's grimace deepened. "Before it happened, my cousin, Jared, he'd been looking forward to attending university. When it felt like there was no end in sight with the internment, he and his two older brothers enlisted in the army. Jared was the only one who made it back. With only one usable hand on top of being a Jap, he couldn't land a job anywhere. His parents died when he was small so my father always looked after him and his brothers. He brought him to live with us." Leon smiled slightly. "It was great. Despite everything he'd seen in combat and everything he'd gone though, he was always so good to me. Then um…"

"It's alright," Charles urged gently. "Take your time."

"My father had been a principal at the high school. He lost his job after going into the internment, but it didn't slow him down. He obtained a position as a third grade teacher and devoted himself to it with absolute pride. After school one day, I stayed late with him. But I had to go to the bathroom or- or grab something- I don't really remember. He went out to start the car and as soon as I ran out to the parking lot, all I saw was this enormous ball of flames and smoke."

"Dear God," Charles reacted.

Alex had to fight the heave he felt bubbling up from his stomach. "How old were you?"

"Seven," Leon replied. "After that, Jared just wasn't the same. He eventually married Cassie and they had Seth, but… he's less than a shadow of his former self. When I was a kid, I couldn't turn to him for anything. So I ended up being sent to therapists, stayed at a few facilities."

Charles asked him, "Did your cousin ever become physically hostile towards you?"

Leon shook his head. "He could hardly bring himself to hug me. It's just… the anger." Facing Alex again, "He has high blood pressure, too, but far more severe. Between the war and my father, he's growing completely unstable. I wanted out more than anything. To leave it all behind just like he said. That's why I didn't tell you the truth. If I'm the only one who knows then it's almost like the stories I tell are true."

Alex could only nod to that, trying to absorb it all.

Having heard quite enough, Erik walked over, placing a hand on Leon's shoulder. "When I was a boy my family was forced into one of the Polish concentration camps."

Leon looked up at him, clearly taken aback. "California was a resort by comparison, sir."

"Yes," Erik agreed then said, "but their damage set in after the fact. I was also once," he glanced back at Charles knowingly, "pulled from frigid waters." He looked to Leon again. "If you would like, we can speak more on this together."

"Thank you, sir," Leon responded.

Charles walked up next. "We are here if you need us, Leon. Get some rest."

The Headmasters left out but Leon called out, "Alex," before the blonde could go with them.

Alex returned to his bedside. "You need to sleep."

"I'm sorry," Leon said regardless. "I'm sorry I lied to you."

"I know why you did," Alex assured. "And it's okay. I don't like putting my past up on a billboard, either. Like you said, you just want to leave all that behind. No one else has to know. I won't even tell Jam."

"I think I kind of owe it to him after tonight," Leon admitted.

"Yeah, you kinda do," Alex concurred. "But on the bright side, my dad didn't lay into you. I'm a lightweight compared to him."

"If his other strength is any indication. I still can't believe how fast he swims."

Alex smirked and said, "Shark power."