X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Forty Three

Author's Word: So, someone requested that the new chapter come out soon. Is this fast enough or…? Ha, love you, fam! Love the fact that I feel good this week. Love writing. Love cats- but what else is new there? Please enjoy and review!

A few minutes before noon, the X-Men began filing into the dining room for lunch. Charles carried Emma in, placing her in her usual seat with a kiss.

Victor came through, lifting the newspaper off the table. "You done with this, Charles?"

"Oh yes, be my guest." Charles lowered into his chair, looking over at Frank, who sat surrounded by an assortment of papers. "Frank, I'm surprised. It's rare indeed to find you so frantic with your studies."

"Erik assigned a major report," the thirteen-year-old explained, eyes still on his research. "I'm really excited about my topic."

Cordelia commented, "I think he's using it as a means to torture us while my dear sister is on bed rest."

Emma looked across at the metal wielder. "What exactly are you doing to my students, sir?"

Erik replied cordially, "Seeing to it that you are well missed upon return, Mrs. Xavier."

"Mommy," Kiki acknowledged happily when the WU trio entered the room.

Trav sat up on his knees. "Hi, Mommy."

"Hi, loves one and two." Raven gave them each a kiss on the cheek.

Hank stood up. "What about me?"

Raven said to Kiki, "Don't ever get married, baby. Husbands require way too much attention." She then turned to meet in a kiss with the tall scientist.

"Hey," Logan tapped Kayla's shoulder, "why don't I get that kind of attention?"

She glanced at him with disbelieving eyes. "You mean more so than ten times a day?"

As though it should have been obvious, he replied, "Yeah."

"Hey, twerps." Alex messed Scott and Frank's hair then looked around. "Where's Joe?"

Ears picking up something, Logan said, "Sounds like the deer and the antelope are on the move now."

Cody charged in and stopped so shortly that Joey collided into him and toppled back.

"Joey," Charles reacted while Alex, who was closer, went to him. "Are you alright, son?"

Joey sat up, shaking out his blonde hair. "I'm okay."

"Oops, I'm sorry," said Cody. "It was my fault."

Emma assured, "There's no fault to be had for boyish energy. Only try to remember not to run in the house next time."

"Yes, ma'am," Cody responded.

Alex picked up Joey and lifted the giggler over his shoulder to take to his seat. "Going to knock your brains clear out one of these days, Eel."

At the head butt to his arm, Victor immediately knew it to be his nephew. With focus still fixated on the paper, he coiled one arm around the boy's waist and brought him up to sit on the edge of his thigh.

"How were classes today?" Charles asked of their college freshmen.

"I'm done with my lab." Alex then added with relief, "Finally."

Raven said, "Nothing new here. Reading assignments on overload."

Hank raised, "Fortunately you have the rest of the day to work on them."

Raven regarded him sardonically. "Thank you for always pointing out the positive."

Leon told them, "I got my first psych paper of the semester back."

"Let's see it," Erik requested. Leon reached over into his bag and handed the man the assignment. "An A, hm?"

"Well done," Charles commended. "That's quite difficult to pull off in an area as subjective as Psychology."

"Most certainly with this topic." Erik then read the subject line. "Valentine's Day: Another Well-Decorated Disregard for the Human Male."

Maya nearly dropped her fork. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I believe it means this." Erik started reciting a few lines from the paper. "Much in line with weddings, school dances, and anniversaries Valentine's Day is another overdone festivity meant to glorify the grossly materialistic desires found in women."

"Let me take a look at that." Erik passed the paper through several pairs of hands to get to Kayla and she scanned it. "It seems the average woman has the same sentiment towards her male companion that she does for her handbag or shoes. In other words, he is but another accessory she uses to highlight her own self-worth."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "You got an A on that?"

Leon admitted with a slight smirk, "It helps when your professor is a middle-aged man who frequently goes on tangents about his wife's tendencies to enter negative on her charge accounts."

Scott asked, "What would you have written if you had a lady professor?"

Leon answered, "That was my alternative topic. Valentine's Day: Society's Shaming of the Single Woman."

"Nice, bro." Alex exchanged a high-five with him.

"Boo," came from Maya and Raven while Cordelia only laughed.

"Excellent," Kayla determined, sending the paper back over to Leon. "I especially love your references to the real St. Valentine; a male beheaded for his beliefs."

"Yes," said Emma. "I've always found Valentine's Day to be a major cliché."

"It is not," Raven denied.

Maya said, "It's sweet."

Cordelia asked, "And how did you feel about it pre-boyfriends?"

"Absolute hatred," Raven admitted. "But that was different."

"Because," Maya justified glibly.

Becky said, "I like Valentine's Day. It's fun. Last year Uncle Charles took me, Frank, and Joey out for pizza and ice cream."

"That's good," Logan said. "That mush is for kids and newlyweds, anyway."

They continued to talk and Cody swiped from Victor's plate while his uncle stayed with one particular article.

IIIIIII

Entering in through the partly open door, it surprised the metal wielder to find the newly turned twelve-year-old already under the covers.

"Calling it a night so soon?" He came to kneel over the side of her bed. "Not plotting to sneak out of the nearest window, are you?"

"No, Papa," Becky laughed. "I have important work in the morning."

"Oh really? And what might that be?" He only received a mouth locking motion out of her. "My kingdom for your uncle's abilities. Now madam, would you like a song or a book?"

She thought briefly then decided, "A song."

Erik coiled one of her curls around his fingers. "Any one in particular?"

"Surprise me."

With a kiss to her forehead, he said, "Alright," then decided on one he had not done in a few months.

Shlof shoyn mayn tayer faygele
Makh shoyn tsu dayn kosher aygelekh
Shlof shoyn shlof
In ziser ruh
Aaaaai lu lu lu lu lu lu

Shlof doorkh di gantse nakht
Iber dayn kepele malekh'lach
Makh shoyn dayn aykelekh tsu
Ai li lu li lu…

IIIIIII

A short whistle preceded Logan's head poking inside the treehouse, causing the pair of baseball card traders to look over.

"Time, fellas," the man announced. "Inside, hop to it."

"Yes, sir," Frank said.

Scott started gathering his cards. "We'll be right there."

Satisfied, Logan dropped down from the tree and started towards the house again. He made it back to Eye Spy as his brother strapped concealable weapons to his ankle.

"Sure you don't want me in on this?" Logan offered again.

"I've got it." Victor stood up straight. "You keep watch. You'll hear from me if I need ya."

"I'd better," Logan called after him before settling into his chair in front of the monitors.

Making his way through the second floor for rounds, Erik honed in on one window and the roaring motorcycle.

And where are you off to, Creed?

Clothing himself in a dark jacket and placing small metals everywhere possible on his person, Erik took his own leave from the mansion.

Victor only stopped his motorcycle at the other mutant making a landing in front of him. "Never get enough of this new flyin' routine of yours, do ya?"

Erik stated, "I know a man on a mission when I see one." He folded his arms. "Why the hurry?"

Removing first his helmet then the folded parchment from his pocket, Victor handed it over for Erik's viewing. "Right on the outskirts of town. She's been missing since yesterday."

Erik raised an eyebrow. "This is hardly a mention."

"With a name like Sophia Guerrero, I ain't surprised. Let it be Kelly Smith then you're talkin' full page headline." Victor then went on with, "I looked into it. There's been a couple other grabs within a ten mile radius. I know it's New York but on the off-chance it's a pattern, I'm goin' in."

"You disappoint me, Creed. Going into an unknown, dangerous situation." Erik folded the paper again. "Without me."

"Force of habit," Victor offered out. "First stop, Sophia's folks."

"Sounds like our best lead." Erik started to hover upward again and sent into his communicator, "The things the sickest among us are willing to do to children."

Victor sent back as he floored along, "Nothin' the two of us ain't seen before."

XXXXX

Brown eyes focused on the words, the thin blonde very quickly slipped into his own reality. He imagined himself among those dessert travelers, nothing but open land and countless chances for adventure.

"Victor!"

At the bellow, the boy dropped the book and rushed to his feet. He pressed his back against the side wall as the tall, stout figure came around.

"Ain't ya hear me call for ya, boy?" Zebadiah noticed the item at his son's feet. "What's this?" He picked it up, leafing through the pages that only contained strange markings to him. "What've I told ya about wastin' time on these worthless books?" He swung the hard copy out, striking the young one's cheek soundly.

Victor near snarled and touched the blood that spilled out of the corner of his mouth. "I- I'm sorry, Papa. I was just—"

"Bein' the same lazy good for nothin'." Zebadiah grabbed hold of him by the arm. "I'll fix you."

Dragging him around to the front of the shed, he threw the boy in before stepping up behind him. Victor looked up to see his father reaching for the broken broom end and horror immediately developed on his face.

The first blow landed on his back and the numerous others struck everywhere from his thighs to between his shoulder blades. Howling when the new ones connected with his previous bruises, Victor attempted to curl up. It proved futile and he could only focus on the shed's one tiny window; the only light.

When he at last finished, Zebadiah threw down the stick and held up the book again. He tore apart as many pages as he could and flung the rest down and stumped on it.

"I better not catch you with this trash again." Zebadiah kicked the remains. "These ideas in your head are why you're dumb as a post. Now get up and get inside." He left out with that.

After the departure of his father's footsteps, Victor crawled out. He took hold of a stray page containing the exciting men he envied. He knew it was not their adventure he sought but one thing; their freedom.

X

Heart racing, the dark haired youth attempted to remain still as the ropes wound around his wrists to keep him bound to the chair. The pair of soldiers stepped back when finished, allowing the man in the deep gray suit to approach.

"Do you see this, Erik?" Schmidt presented him with a six inch nail. "Go on, take it from me. You can do it."

Concentrating as hard as he could, Erik squinted and attempted to snatch it out of the older male's open palm. He tried several times, never getting it to so much as move forward.

Schmidt clicked his tongue. "Oh Erik, why must you always make things harder than they have to be?" He looked to one of the soldiers present. "Do it."
When the SS man came to collect the nail, that was when Erik noticed he also now carried a hammer with him. Heavy blue eyes enlarging, the young boy fought vigorously to escape his bounds.

The SS man simply slammed his hand palm down against the arm of the chair. Then with the nail positioned at the center, he used the hammer to force it through the small appendage.

Erik screamed with agony and tears instantly appeared in his eyes. "No, please! Please, stop, please!..."

The unaffected Schmidt said simply, "You make it stop, Erik."

Struggling for air as tears ran down his cheeks, Erik narrowed focused on the nail. Before another strike with the hammer could take place, the nail flew out of his hand and met right with the soldier's eye.

While the member of the SS cried out, Schmidt only applauded with pleasure. "There now." He came around, laying his hand over Erik's injured one. "That wasn't terribly difficult, was it?"

Erik only remained in place, energy drained from the pain and the use of the strange power he possessed that only proved a curse upon him.

XXXXX

"My husband hasn't stopped searching." Mrs. Guerrero finished pouring the last cup of coffee and lowered down into an arm chair. "The other police say there's nothing they can do but scan the immediate area. They say she's thirteen, testing her boundaries. I say they don't give a pile of shit."

"I'll say your right, ma'am," Erik agreed. "My own little girl just turned twelve and I would not call any of this normal behavior."

"Mrs. Guerrero, have you and your daughter been having a lot of arguments lately?" Victor asked. "Or with her father?"

The woman shook her head. "No more than the usual and certainly nothing to make her do anything like this. And her father's normally at his late job but not since yesterday. I've talked to her friends, classmates, no one has seen her since five o'clock at McGee's Candy Shop."

Victor took all of that in then asked, "Do you have anything your daughter wore recently? A scarf or anything?"

The brown haired woman went into one room and returned with a button down sweater. "Here, it's one of her favorites." She handed it over to Victor.

"Thanks, this is all we need." Victor got to his feet. "We better get back out there."

Erik nodded at Mrs. Guerrero as he got up as well.

"Hold on," she called after them. "The others we talked to didn't take us seriously. Why are you?"

Victor told her, "We're not your ordinary law enforcement. You take care and keep all your windows and doors locked until your husband gets in."

Erik said, "We'll do everything in our power to return your daughter to you."

Mrs. Guerrero touched a hand to her chest as she showed them to her apartment door. "Thank you both so much."

As they left the two-flat, Erik commented, "A thirteen-year-old girl is testing her boundaries by staying out all night, by herself, in the dark?"

Victor shook his head. "Got to love ignorant pig logic."

Raising the sweater to his nostrils, he absorbed the scent of the one it belonged to.

IIIIIII

"What do you see?"

Glancing left and right, Erik determined, "A one way street with clear sight views."

"Know what I see over there?" Victor pointed across the way to the candy store. "A group of girls who come here all the time, probably after school most days. Mostly black, Latin if you go by the area; maybe a few immigrants."

"All considered disposable," Erik went on. "At least in the eyes of the law and news."

Victor nodded. "So a car or truck passin' through, lookin' for easy pickin's, can scope out this area pretty well."

"Remember that photo her mother showed us?" Erik brought up. "Sophia is light as a feather; possibly the smallest of the bunch."

"So, she takes this route home." Victor moved across the street with Erik alongside and they rounded one corner. "Now, what do you see?"

Erik observed the thick tree and wide alleyway. "They took her here. Probably gagged her before she could so much as shriek."

"Then threw her in the car."

"Question is, how do we find her now? Between yesterday and tonight, they could have taken her anywhere."

Victor said, "Not if they grabbed more than one girl. This tells me they're usin' them for somethin' and pacin' themselves. I don't think they quite crossed the border on this." He indicated the sweater in his grasp. "Get ready for a long night, Magneto."

The Poland native responded by making his way back into the air.

XXXXX

Cabinet crushed along with every other metal component the room offered, Schmidt looked on in pleasure.

"Fine work, Erik," he said. "You're finally making progress."

Erik turned to him, slowly coming towards him. "Please, sir. I did what you asked, all of it. Can I… can I please see him?"

"Your father? Of course," he granted. "I know how much you've been looking forward to it. We'll go to him right away."

The first sincere smile to come to his face in so long, Erik could only get out, "Thank you…"

Schmidt looked back at him evenly. "Let's be off."

When they arrived at the site, the heavy foul odor hit Erik hard and he had to work hard to resist a gag. He gazed around at the empty field, growing confused.

"Where is he?" He turned to Schmidt. "Where is my papa?"

"Why, right down there." The man pointed down into a pit.

Growing ghostly white, Erik walked out to the edge and went right to his knees. Down in the deep ditch lay dozens of corpses. Sobs echoed from him at one in particular with a face so mutilated he hardly recognized it at all.

"You wanted to see your father." Schmidt came up behind, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "And here he is. I saved you from ending up this way. Don't you see, Erik?" He lowered to get in near to his ear. "You should be thanking me."

Unable to contain it any longer, Erik fell over one side and released the contents of his stomach.

X

Each step he rolled down making an impact on his back, Victor smashed into an end table when he finally reached the bottom of the staircase. Walking down at a slow pace after him, Zebadiah gripped hold of him to turn him over then momentarily froze in place. Blackened eyes and growing fangs stared back at him.

"What are you, boy?"

Victor closed his eyes, brown returning when he re-opened them. "No Father, please. I can't help it. I swear."

"You got the devil- you got the devil in you! I knew it!" Taking him by the foot, Zebadiah dragged the young teenager by the foot. "You're the reason your mother left. You were her shame." Opening one door he declared, "Well, you'll be none upon me." He flung Victor down into the basement with that.

Barely able to see through blonde strands covering his face, Victor looked up in time to catch the door slam shut. Maneuvering over to one corner, he remained huddled inside the darkness that way.

More than an hour later, the door sprang open and Victor reacted by reaching as far into the corner as he could. His father soon appeared, face visible by the minor slit of light, carrying a gathering of chains.

After getting them nailed into a wall, he strapped Victor's wrists into the restraints. "Don't worry, boy. Papa knows how to get the devil out of you." He then revealed the short blade he had with him.

Victor uttered no and tried to lunge away but the chains proved too powerful. Forcing his mouth open, Zebadiah started work on extracting the fangs.

XXXXX

Erik paused mid-air the moment Victor's bike did and lifted his wrist to speak into the communicator. "What do you have?"
"She's here." Leaving the sweater on one handlebar, Victor got up from his motorcycle. "Nothin' for miles, now it's stronger than ever. What do ya see up there?"

Erik flew across a gathering of trees until he discovered a short well-lit building. "A house."

"Got 'em." Extending his claws and darkening his eyes, Victor raced ahead.

Lowering to look into one window, Erik found a petite body with lengthy brown curls, clothed only in a blue night dress. When she turned, Erik immediately recognized her as the face in the photograph. Using his power, he unlocked the window and got it open.

At the terrified expression that appeared on her face at his entry, Erik indicated for her to be quiet. "Sophia, it's alright. I've come to take you home. Your mother is sick with worry." He held a gentle hand out. "Come with me."

Clearly uncertain, the girl slowly got to her feet.

"What's going on in there?" Both of them looked over as the room's door burst open. A wide bearded man stood there. "Who the hell are—"

Before he could go on, Erik sent a knife out, leaving it in the air right at his throat. "Before I carve you like the swine you are, where are the rest of the girls?" At the silence, he used the knife to pierce him slightly. "Where?!"

Raising his arms in surrender, the offender said, "Whatever you want."

"Stay here, dear," Erik instructed of Sophia, closing the door as he left.

The knife now pointed at the back of his neck, the large man led Erik to a room that contained a pair of brown skinned girls. He went in and lifted up the initially startled pair and left them with Sophia before continuing with the search.

In the next room, a well-dressed man had to pause from removing the underwear from an older girl with chestnut hair.

"In there," Erik growled, prodding the large one into the space, "now."

"What's happening here?" the other man demanded, attempting to get back into his suit jacket.

His accomplice only said, "I don't know who or what he is. Just do what he says."

Finding a robe to clothe the girl in, Erik picked her up out of the bed. "The others are in that bedroom across the hall. Please wait with them. You'll all soon be free from here." Nodding her head vigorously, the older teen hurried out. Erik faced the other males. "There is no sentencing I can hand down that will be painful enough for the likes of you." A shark countenance developed on Erik's face. "That doesn't mean I can't give it my best try."

All color left the faces of the other two.

Downstairs, Victor had managed to finish off the other four "business men", leaving them in separate agonizing piles throughout the living space. He hung up from the phone as Erik entered, Sophia along with three other girls in tow.

"You got 'em."

Erik looked around. "As did you." He gestured towards the phone. "Who was that?"

"The cops. They'll be here soon." Victor walked over to the four slowly. "It's all over now. You're all going home."

With the younger ones unable to speak, the oldest stepped forward, tugging her robe closer around herself. "My name is Cynthia. They've had me for almost three weeks. I never thought I'd ever… oh my God," she gripped Victor's wrist, "thank you." She looked over at Erik. "Thank you."

Victor carefully embraced her. "You're gonna be okay now. We'll make sure of that."

XXXXX

Claws scratching a pattern into the dirt floor he could not see, the worn brown eyes reacted to creaking of the basement door. Long stick in hand, Zebadiah descended the stairs. Victor immediately dipped his head.

"This'll make you well." He raised the instrument. "You'll see once satan lets go of you."

As soon as he heard the swish in the air, Victor's hand lunged forward, gripping hold of the stick. Instant shock filled Zebadiah as his son stood straight up.

"The only demon I see around here," Victor faced him, a harsh expression on his face, "is you."

Shoving at the stick, Victor knocked him down. Firm hold on the piece of wood, he began raining it down over the man, igniting cries of pain only ever heard from himself. Then without missing a step, Victor took hold of his long abandoned chains and used those to continue with the lashing.

"My son!" Zebadiah attempted to shield his face with his arm. "Please!"

Victor lowered, taking his arm away. "You'll get the same mercy you showed my mother." He clawed him across the face with that.

After he proved satisfied with the battered, lifeless mess he once called Father, Victor charged up the stairs on all fours. Making his way to the outside, he used the snow to clean off his blood soaked hands and shirt front. When he re-entered the house, he loaded all of the money he could find along with every remotely valuable article into a sack. The last thing he grabbed was something found in his own room; a woman's scarf. All that he needed set, he left his house for the last time.

X

"Erik! Erik!" The frantic chin-length brunette girl searched the panic stricken area around her. "Where are you? Erik!" She ran onward to find him. When she met with a male chest she feared the worst until she made out the familiar blue eyes. "Erik!"

"Magda." He brought her into as strong an embrace as he dared.

"Where were you?" She caught a brief flash of gold from within the large sack he carried. "Erik?"

"Come on." Erik gripped her hand and hurried off the other direction. He stopped the moment she toppled over. "Magda. Please," He knelt down to her, "we have no time."

"I can't bear to move," the bone frail girl said with strain.

Erik started to pick her up with whatever strength his slightly better body offered but glanced up sharply when men's footsteps came upon them.

"Come with me," the tall well-built foreigner demanded, speaking to them in broken German. "Hurry!" At their hesitation, he introduced himself with, "My name is Steve Rogers. I want to help you. Please, come with me now."

Regardless of nothing remotely resembling good faith alive in him, Erik helped Magda up and together they went along with the American soldier.

XXXXX

With sunrise spraying bright orange-yellow vivacity across them, Sophia looked into the face of the one who offered her the magnificent view of the city.

"Are you an angel?" she asked him.

"No," he answered her, joining cheeks with her for a moment. "I only believe in helping them."

Mrs. Guerrero touched her husband's shoulder. "You should get some sleep. Just an hour or two."

He shook his head firmly, checking off areas on the map he had in front of him. "No, no! Not until she's home."

When the knock sounded at their front door, they shared a look before going together to answer it.

"Sophia!" Her mother enveloped her in her arms, kissing her head over and over.

"Mija!" Mr. Guerrero rushed over, throwing an arm around both of them.

Erik and Victor only looked on at the family for several seconds.

"She's alright but you'll probably want to get her to a doctor soon," Victor told them then turned to leave with Erik.

Managing to let go of his family for a moment, Mr. Guerrero went after the men. "Hey, hey, stop!" The mutated men looked back. "My name is Ernesto- Ernie." He held out a hand. "I… I don't know how to thank you."

Erik shook with him. "There is no need."

"Please." Ernie reached into his pocket for his wallet. "Let me give you something."

"Hey," Victor stepped up, "don't worry about it. Your daughter's home, safe and sound. That's all that matters."

Erik added, "If you truly want to thank us, cherish every moment you're together."

"I will. Thank you." He shook with both of them again. "God bless you, brothers."

"God bless," Erik returned.

While Victor mounted his motorcycle, the metal wielder walked down the block before flying off again.

IIIIIII

Despite the chilled February morning, the sun's radiance provided warmth in addition to the canvas of brilliant colors. The brilliance cascaded across the Xavier property, highlighting the pair that reclined on its roof.

"World really looks like somethin' worth livin' in from this angle," Victor stated, one knee up against his chest to prop up his chin. "I see why you like it so much."

"It certainly helps you forget the ugly found on ground level," Erik laid on his side, raised by his right arm, "At least for a moment."

Victor shrugged lightly. "You'll take one good look at your daughter and it'll all seem right."

Erik shifted his gaze to better look at him. "It's still difficult to believe a depraved lunatic had any part in your conception."

Victor said indifferently, "No different than you avoidin' the Tobias Evander path."

Erik sincerely scoffed. "I was merely re-routed by the interference of a persistent young telepath. More than one actually."

"You really believe they're all that accounts for the good in you?" Victor moved to rise.

Erik stood after him. "Why do you do it? Same as in Canada. Why do you feel called to protect others?"

"You already know, Erik," Victor stated straightforwardly. "I think you figured it out a long time ago."

"I would like to know more. If you're willing."

Victor responded, "First, how 'bout some food?"

Erik agreed and they began the trek down the building and back into the comforts of the inside.

IIIIIII

Thrilled reactions resulted when Becky and the other young girls rolled out the loaded serving carts.

"And what's all this?" Charles smiled.

"It's Valentine's Day," Becky said simply.

Maya told them, "We made all of the faculty favorites."

"This must have taken you hours," Emma marveled.

Cordelia supported Kiki on one hip. "Just our way of saying thanks for everything you do."

Erik proved most pleased when Becky presented his tray. "Blintzes."

Charles practically glowed. "Chocolate scones."

"Honey glazed rolls," Logan sniffed out before removing his lid, "now we're talkin' the breakfast of champions."

"I was lucky I got to make them for you," Maya told him.

"Yeah, Becky wanted all the guys," said Raven. "Though she didn't put up much of a fight for Logan or Alex."

Cordelia smiled at the youngest faculty member. "I made you chocolate chip oatmeal squares."

"Love you," Alex proclaimed.

"Oh girls, this is so extravagant," said Kayla. "But in honor of the day I feel the need to devour everything."

Raven smirked towards Leon. "I guess some women know how to go all out for Valentine's Day, huh?"

"That depends…" Leon then wanted to know, "What'd you make for the rest of us?"

Raven revealed the last oversized tray, which contained strawberry pancakes, causing much approved favor on the part of the younger males.

"Thanks again for your Mom's recipe," the shape-shifter sent into Frank's ear.

The thirteen-year-old merely raised his thumb in the up position.

"Knight Victor," Becky took note of his face, "what's wrong? I thought you liked Krispy Kremes."

Leaving his own mind space the man assured, "Can't get enough of 'em. Why're we wastin' time on chit-chat, anyway? Let's eat."

"Yes," said Hank, "and after this great sugar rush, I'm sure everyone will be alert for your quizzes today."

"Raven," an exasperated Cordelia addressed, "would you mind?"

"I've got it." Reaching over, the blonde guised woman shared a lingering kiss with him.

"Ugh!" Alex put up a hand to keep them out of his line of sight. "Breakfast nausea, breakfast nausea!"

"So," Logan spoke lowly with his brother, "how'd it go down?"

Victor reported, "All good. I'll fill you in later."

Charles did not miss Erik's heavy eyes. Did you have some trouble sleeping last night?

I'm afraid so, Erik admitted.

Charles looked on in understanding. Go on and get some more rest when you're finished eating. I'll fill in for you today.

Erik sent back to the persistent young telepath, what would I do without you?

Nothing short of dissolve into a stiff old fart, Charles smiled impishly.