X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Forty Seven

Author's Word: I'm sorry for not reviewing until now, Fam, but family activities were all over the place with Mother's Day weekend. Speaking of, I'd like to wish a late but very Happy Mother's Day to not only all of you who are mothers but to the grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and other devoted, influential females out there. Also, I'm feeling an updated poll. So, for the second time, who is your favorite Rise or Fall Mom these days? What about sisterly or female friends? While you're thinking that over, please enjoy and review!

Absolute yet somehow deafening silence blared throughout the muted greys, beiges, browns and blacks that made up the decorative scheme of the second floor. Having only ever beheld the breath-taking estate from several stories in the air, she found the interior even more daunting. It did not make her feel like a bird in a cage exactly; more like a buzzing insect waiting to be swatted.

"Boo!" Head whipping back, brown eyes scanned the immediate area. "Who's there?" Slowly turning around, she started towards the direction of the sound. "This isn't funny."

When she got close enough, the tiny figure popped out from around the corridor with another utterance of, "Boo!"

It made the older girl jump before she eased off. "Oh hey, little mama."

Wings sprouting out from the opening at the back of her shirt, Kiki hovered into the air before taking off suddenly. Dropping her jacket to allow her own flight extensions to come out, Angel flapped after her. The smaller one took a dip here and there, fluttering without a care. For a moment, Angel tried to remember a time when she treated her own mutation so lightheartedly.

"Be careful!" Angel latched hands with her when she made a move towards the high up ceiling. "Don't hurt yourself."

Kiki regarded her with a wide smile and made a motion to go down. Still holding onto her, Angel gingerly eased back onto the carpeted floor. When her feet connected with the firm surface, she brought the toddler down into her grasp.

Kiki wrapped arms around her neck. "That was fun."

"Yeah," Angel had to agree, a content countenance growing on her face, "I know, right?"

Kiki grew happier at the sight of someone beyond the teenager's shoulder. "Daddy!"

Angel spun around briskly. "Hank."

Clearing his throat into his fist, the tall scientist said, "Someone tried to escape naptime."

Transferring the sweet bundle over to the man, Angel told him, "She's just perfect, Hank. You and Raven are so lucky."

"Yes, we are." Hank kept his eyes focused on the one he spoke to as he accepted his daughter. "So, what are you up to?"

Sensing a double meaning in the question, Angel only answered, "Waiting for Cordy to get freed up. Adrienne has some business upstate."

"Ah. I suppose we'll be seeing you later then."

"Hank," Angel called before he could turn away, "if you massage her wings a little bit every so often, it'll help them not tire out as fast."

Hank bobbed his head, "I'll keep that in mind," before keeping on towards his lab.

Angel, the petitioned female practically ducked for cover at the unseen voice, sorry, love. I didn't mean to frighten you. Could you come to my office for a moment?

"Be," shaking her head, Angel replied, Be right there.

As she made her way down to the specified space, she lingered outside the door for a moment, trying to remember good excuses from her previous school days. Then it occurred to her that she hadn't done anything… lately.

Standing beside his fellow Headmaster's chair behind the wide desk, Erik watched as the lass in long sky blue skirt and white blouse entered.

"If it isn't our little Angel," Erik remarked pleasantly.

Charles smiled, "Please sit down, dear."

Angel chose one of the padded chairs in front of his desk. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, as the three of us have not had a chance to talk in detail." Charles folded his hands. "We wanted to know how things have been for you of late."

"Fine," Angel then quietly cursed herself for the weak response. "I mean, okay. Better. Modeling's great. Hectic and stressful, but better than pretty much anything else I've ever tried."

Erik asked, "And school? How is that going?"

"Weird," Angel answered honestly. "I'm behind on everything. It feels crazy being there, but Adrienne has her whole "beauty is no reason for stupidity" thing going."
"I certainly agree with that," said Charles. "What about here? I know it must be terribly odd to be among us again, even if only temporary."

"It was temporary the last time…" Angel then realized how loud that mumbling plus her own thoughts must have been and raised her head urgently. "I mean—!"

"Angel," Erik spoke, "it's no secret that we all have several reservations from the past to work though."

"However," Charles added, "for whatever it's worth, our desire is to keep the bulk of the past firmly in the past. Is that understood?"

Angel nodded. "I think so. Me, too."

Giddy knocking followed by the bright face poking her head into the room occurred next. "There you are." Cordy bounced inside on short heeled white boots that matched her yellow striped dress. "Come on." She grabbed hold of Angel's hand. "You have to sit through my sister's Mutant Psyche class."

Angel looked towards the men who had called her in. "Is that okay?"

"Yes, of course," Charles granted. "We'll talk more later."

Erik's gaze followed the girls out then went to his brother. "She's a nervous wreck."

"To say the least," the Professor sighed.

"Whatever the case, this is still a second chance," Erik emphasized. "In my experience, such things do not come along every day. We cannot lose her again, Charles."

The younger man said to that, "We won't. One way or another."

IIIIIII

As soon as the blonde made his appearance in the student union, Jam commented, "Well, it's about time."

"Sorry I'm late." Alex sat on the couch across from him and Leon. "Had to practically wait in line to talk to my professor."

"Long as we didn't have to come looking for you." Jam then asked, "Speaking of, you haven't heard from that Puerto Rican chump from the parking lot, have you?"

"No," Alex answered, "and he's a Mexican chump. Well, Mexican and Chinese."

Leon piped up, "He's yellow."

Jam looked to him. "You mean a coward?"

"No, I mean Chinese."

Alex gave his housemate a certain look. "Yellow, Lee?"

Leon said, "You'll find that very similar but different sub-groups tend to not care for each other. A good example is Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, actually. In LA at least, it's not a good idea to get them confused for each other."

"Uh huh," Alex followed along. "And the grief between Japanese and Chinese?"

Leon thought, shrugged, and offered out, "Keeping age old and senseless rivalries alive is fun?"

"Anyway," Alex blew out a breath, "let's just forget him. I have bigger worries. I made a C plus on my first big lab and I have to snag some extra credit to boost my grade."

"Don't talk to me about feeling slow," said Jam. "I have two papers due this week and my butt goes and leaves my portable typewriter when I went home last weekend. I'm waiting on my dad to run it by here today."

"You two are bringing me down. Who's for nachos covered in an obscene amount of melted cheese?" Leon suggested.

"Throw some French fries in there," Jam seconded as they headed for the counter.

"Oh yes." At the mere thought of salt and cheese, Alex said a silent thank you to the above for his presently steadier blood pressure.

IIIIIII

After making it to the final bulletin point on the blackboard, Emma moved to face her small class again.

"Many look upon mutation as a startling new phenomenon." Emma paused a moment. "But the truth is that it has always existed in some form or another within every generation. Such as?"

Cordelia's hand went up. "The Black Plague."

"Yes," Emma said. "One of the greatest sufferings in human history. It is believed that no one could have survived it without having a certain genetic advantage of which they themselves were not aware."

Noticing the one to his right who glanced about with uncertainty, Frank slid his open notebook out in front of her. Giving him a grateful smile, Angel scanned through the extensive material written there.

Maya raised her hand to ask, "Is the X gene pre-determined or created?"

"That's a good question," Emma told her. "It's my belief that it is both, depending on the individual."

"So," Angel brought her gaze up, "it's not all some accident from radiation?"

Emma looked to her as she said, "When it comes to mutation, I think it can be described as anything except accidental." She noticed the overhead clock. "We'll pick this up tomorrow. I want you all to revisit chapter eight of your gene theory texts."

As they started to rise, Cordelia commented, "I'm so glad she's back to teaching."

The blonde in question approached. "What did you think, Angel?"

"This is unbelievable," the girl reacted. "I never thought I could take an actual class on this. With questions I've had for years. I'll take this over Political Science any day."

"I'm sure." Emma handed her a textbook. "This should help answer a few more things for you."

Angel beamed at the literature. "Thank you."

Emma said, "I hope to see you in class tomorrow as well." She headed back to the board to start writing down the lesson for the incoming class of youngsters.

Frank asked Angel, "Are you coming with us to Erik's next? We're having a Spanish to English translation spelling bee. Me vs. Maya. It'll be fun."

"Okay, sure," she agreed. All reading material accounted for, Maya paused when Angel attempted to catch up with her at the door. "Um, Maya?"

Not sure what else to say, she came back with, "That's me."

"Great because I hear you're tops in biology." Angel turned slightly squeamish. "Something I'm insanely behind on. Do you think… would you mind helping me out? You don't have to."

"No," Maya reassured. "It's no problem. Come by my room at five."

"Okay, thanks a lot, seriously." Angel headed out to catch up with Cordelia but spotted the cluster of younger X-Men walking together. "Becky."

"Hi," as soon as the head of curls stopped the boys did as well. She said to Scott, "I'll be there in a second."

Scott nodded then herded Joey, Cody, and Trav along.

"I get a ton of free samples from Adrienne's clients." Angel removed a pink and blue package from her purse. "I thought you'd like this."

Becky grinned over the cupcake shaped candles and candy scented perfumes beyond the clear covering. "Thanks, Angel."

"You're welcome." She then took note of Cordelia signaling for her to come along. "See you later."

"See you," Becky called after her.

Scott met her at the door. "What'd she give you?" Becky showed him the box. "Hm, what a pretty bribe."

Becky said nothing as she followed him inside.

IIIIIII

Another thinner arm latched onto his followed by the familiar greeting of, "Hi, Twin."

"Hi, Twin," Alex returned, completely able to sense the maternal sisterly eerily dangerous don't-mess-with-us-vibe she had been emitting since news of the parking lot attack reached her.

Teresa snuck in-between Leon and Jam. "What are you boys doing?"

"Combating the demons of procrastination that come with academia," Leon answered. "While waiting for cheerleading practice to begin."

Raven commented, "So nice to see your priorities in order," which resulted in Jam and Teresa climbing onto the nearest banner to practice their own impromptu cheers. "We're waiting on Amy to get out of class. We should get home soon, though. Deal with things there."

"Things as in Angel?" Alex surmised.

Raven then defended, "Giving someone a chance doesn't mean I like them skulking around my house."

Leon remained quiet as his own thoughts went to the intriguing new-to-him-comer.

They all looked on in amusement when the shouts from the bench turned into very loud, "WUhoos!"

"Jamal Porter."

Too distracted to notice that his father had just approached, Jam formed a smile, "Dad," until he saw the far from satisfied expression the man wore the closer he came.

"Get down from there, now," Eli ordered, glancing around them. "What is wrong with you?"

Jam silently lowered from the bench.

Teresa follow suit and tried to intervene, "Sir, we were just—"

"Carrying on like a fool." Eli kept complete focus on his son. "Quit acting a sideshow." He handed him the cloth bag he had with him. "And learn to keep better track of your things."

"Yes, sir," Jam replied quietly.

"I need to get going before this traffic gets bad. I'll call you tonight." He started back, acknowledging the other young people with a plain, "Hi, kids."

"Bye, Mr. Porter," Alex and Raven recited while Leon waved after him.

Teresa looked to Jam apologetically. "I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "It's not your fault. I… I'll talk to you guys later." He headed off across the lawn towards his dormitory.

The others cast sympathetic gazes after the departing figure.

IIIIIII

"Maaaaaaaaa! Daaaaaaaaaddy!" The enthused little boy came to a screeching halt inside the pair's bedroom. "There ya are."

"I told you this kid was bright, Fox," Logan quipped, seated at the edge of the bed using a dumbbell. His wife exhaled with amusement and continued grading. "What do ya need, Cat?"

"Can I take karate?" Cody requested. "It's at the center where Joey has art lessons."

Logan shrugged. "Fox?"

"Schoolwork comes first," Kayla said automatically.

"I know, I know." He gave her the permission slip to sign. "Thanks, Mama." He then carried a pen and the paper over to Logan.

"And don't go too rough out there," Kayla tacked on.

"That's right." Logan then added as he signed as well, "Unless they want to fight dirty then all bets are off."

Kayla stated, "You'll both be the death of me."

Cody turned to rush out, nearly colliding with Maya on the way. "Smiley! I'm takin' karate."

"Great, sign me up, too," she responded. "You guys need a towel girl, right?"

Cody laughed and sprinted out.

Logan resumed exercising. "How's it hangin', Smiley?"

"Meh." She stepped inside, looking around the suite. "Did I leave a book in here?"

"Check my vanity," Kayla indicated.

Maya spotted the three individual texts stacked there. "Ah." She went to collect them. "I'm studying with Angel Salvadore later."

Kayla glanced back. "Really?"

"Yeah, she asked for my help, but I keep feeling pulled into different directions about it." Maya organized the books into her backpack. "I don't know her and all the bad things I've heard are strictly word-of-mouth, but they happen to be true. But since I don't in fact know her, I'm trying to treat her as I see her. Especially if what Leon thinks is true."

Logan looked up. "And what does Leon think?"

"Nothing important." Maya stooped down to sit on the vanity bench, facing the two adults. "My real problem is that I don't know how to… how do I relate to or even talk to a girl like that?"

Getting up, Kayla approached the younger female. "Something tells me you're not referring to her history with the X-Men."

"Okay, so…" Maya attempted to get her words together. "I know there are girls who convince themselves that their boyfriends love them and will be with them forever and ever. So they, you know, do it with them. But girls, people in general, who'll do it with any little thing that moves." Maya looked visibly nauseated by the thought. "How? Just how? Is that self-esteem, stupidity, what?"

Logan let loose a long breath and rubbed the back of his neck. "That's a good question."

"There are multiple reasons why people behave that way," Kayla stroked at Maya's hair, "Among men, several conquests are considered worthy of praise and respect. Many of them are taught from day one that such a thing is real masculine behavior."

"You ain't lyin'," Logan concurred.

"But for women, God only knows. Especially in one so young… I'm certain Angel has been through far more than anyone should have to handle, let alone a child." Kayla then went on with, "Not that it excuses her every poor decision. But when it comes down to it, the two of you aren't very different from each other."

Maya mentioned in a half humorous tone, "Except for the fact that one of us is a beautiful mutant model."

"And one's a genius everyone here is wild about with a guy who loves her as is," Logan brought up. "He ain't the only one, either."

Maya smiled. "See you at dinner." She got up to go.

"What?" Logan said in regards to the all too fond look Kayla sent him next.

The dark haired woman walked upon him, settling into his lap. All but dropping the weight he held, Logan left hands at each side her waist to bring her into a kiss.

IIIIIII

Delicate cargo in his possession, Hank laid her down in the middle of the bed and handed her the pink dressed bear to clutch. He propped an additional pillow up behind her head and remained still while tiny fists grasped his fingers.

"Daddy!" Trav rushed up the stairs to their wing. "Guess what, guess what." Not giving him a real chance to do so, he told him eagerly, "I got a one hundred on all my homework today."

"That's great, son," Hank commended. "But let's keep it down. Kiki isn't feeling very well."

Trav dropped off his book bag before climbing up onto the mattress to see for himself. "What's wrong with Kikiko?"

"It's just a small cold. Stay with her while I try to locate some medicine. Okay, Cub?"

"Yes, Daddy." Trav retrieved the picture book from off their mother's nightstand. "Look, Kikiko."

The little girl grinned over the cover. "Puppy doggy."

Smiling after his small pair, Hank headed downstairs into the lab.

"Hey," he spoke to Victor, who entered simultaneously with him.

"Hey, egghead." Victor watched as he began fishing through the desk drawers. "What're you lookin' for?"

"Cough syrup." Hank groaned and mumbled, "Why can't I keep anything in order?"

"Who's got the sniffles?"

"Kiki." Hank spared a glance his way. "Did you just get back?"

Victor nodded. "From upstate. You seen Angel around?"

"All around the house actually," Hank replied matter-of-factly, going over to another cabinet. "And I can't say I particularly care for the sight."

Victor reminded, "She's tryin' to change her ways, Hank. The kid's made some mistakes, but she's had it rough. Not everybody's born so lucky."

Hank slapped a palm down on the nearest solid surface. "Do not try that with me. I have plenty of former schoolmates born into opportunity but chose to give into fleeting wanton pleasure. Now, if you want me to conveniently forget that this girl not only walked out on the people offering her a real chance but also snatched away my little sister, who had already been suffering a great deal of nightmares, and handed her over to a madman, you're going to have to try a little harder." Hank looked to him squarely. "Or is this for your own benefit due to thoughts of mounting Angel's benefactor dancing throughout your mind?"

"Damn," Victor reacted, looking towards the other side of the lab for a moment, "you just clocked me clear across the room with that one." He faced the younger man again. "Nice work."

Hank responded dryly, "Your praise swells me," and continued searching.

"You're right about one thing." Victor walked towards him. "You really have no reason to trust Angel." He gestured with his head towards the upstairs. "Do you love your daughter?"

Hank paused to gape at him incredulously. "Are you insane? Of course I love my daughter. I would move this world for her."

"I know," Victor said. "Kiki's got it made more than she'll ever know. But what do ya think would've happened to her if she didn't have parents like you and Raven? Because the ones she was born to didn't give so much as one damn about her. I get the feeling Angel knows what that's like."

Hank quieted a moment then stumbled across the intended bottle of medicine. "I have to see about Kiki." He stepped away to return up the stairs.

IIIIIII

Even at the knock on his door, typing fingers continued on while he responded with a disinterested, "What?"

"I believe the standard brooding contemplation time has passed," Leon's voice sounded. "Or should we raid the vending machines another half an hour?"

"Jam, come on," Alex said next. "Let us in. It's just us."

"It's open," Jam listlessly invited. His friends walked in, dropping a variety of sweet and salty snacks onto his desk. "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it," Alex dismissed, sitting with Leon on the bed. "And forget about outside. We all know what it's like."

Unwrapping a Hershey bar, Leon reminded, "I'm the one with the cousin who sprouts out unwarranted hate speech at my friends on a whim."

Alex said, "And if you think your dad's embarrassing, I still get belted. Granted, it's because I still deserve it."

"Hm, get in line for that one." Jam popped a few cashews into his mouth. "It's not really what happened. It's why he got pissed at me."

Alex wondered, "What was that about, anyway? You guys were goofing around, sure, but I don't think anyone was ready to file a noise complaint."

"It was how it looked," Jam explained. "At least in front of certain people." He shifted around in his chair. "If I'd acted like that at home, it would've been whatever. But ever since I was a little kid, whether it's the grocery store, school, anywhere public, my parents have drilled it into us to never even think about acting up where whites can see."

Alex lowered a chip from his mouth at the realization. "Oh."
"Yeah," Jam nodded. "I mean, I know he has a point. We're at school. We have to watch the ignorance. But this is still college. Goofing off, acting crazy with your friends comes with the territory. But according to my parents, one slip and I'm a one-man monkey show."

"Jam, we don't see you that way," Alex emphasized.

"Yeah, and that's why you're my guy," Jam said. "You, Raven, and the others are exceptions, not the rules. And with my dad out there…" he sighed, "I just get sick and tired. No matter how well I do in school, I always have to get reminded that I'm a little colored boy. Got to keep the guard up."

Leon concurred with, "Yep."

Alex felt the words ready on his lips, but shook his head hard before he could reveal himself and instead stuffed another chip into his mouth.

IIIIIII

Leafing through several stuffed folders stacked on top of her desk, Maya found what she needed in the red one. She pulled out the stapled pieces of paper and placed them in front of the girl beside her.

"Whenever I get lost on a new unit, I follow this diagram. These are pretty old, but you can use them for however long you need." She raised her blue folder. "I think I have some more in here." Maya did not miss the disoriented look coming off Angel. "What is it?"

"Just trying to make sense of this." Angel squinted her eyes, propping her cheek up with her hand. "It's true what they say. If you don't use it, you lose it. I practically had to re-learn reading comprehension, spelling…"

"Spelling is hard even for the biggest scholar," Maya told her. "The best spellers are people who write often and make use of various words when they do. Even keeping a diary will help with it."

"How are you so great at science, anyway?" Angel faced her. "Most girls bomb at it."

"I know how much of an oddball I am there," Maya admitted. "But I've always been interested in how the world works and medicine and healing; the human body. No matter how much I learn, I always want to seek out more."

Noticing something else, Angel got up and went over towards the bookcase. "Are these all yours?" She indicated the second shelf packed with a certain collection.

"Yep, all me," Maya confirmed. "But I have all the ones from when I was a kid plus three teen study Bibles, a women's Bible, different versions of King James. I love to compare them to each other."

"Cool." Angel ran a hand across one in the middle before looking to Maya again. "So, why do you stay here? Not to be funny or anything, but I mean- is it just to be close to Sean?"

"I'm here because I love the X-Men," Maya stated. "And I'm proud to finally be one. Yeah, being able to bring super powers to the table would be great, but these people are my best friends; practically my family. I'd do anything for them."

Angel listened to all of that and said, "Girl, you have some kind of undercover power because you are nothing like most normals."

Maya responded, "That's actually a life's ambition of mine. So," she gestured at the study aides, "want to decipher this a little more?"

Angel nodded and re-took her seat.

IIIIIII

Work growing tiresome, Erik tapped his pen against the edge of one form. His attention soon floated over towards the one sprawled out on the sofa with fat history text propped up on his chest.

"You've been awfully quiet since you three came home," Erik noted. "How was school today?"

Alex lazily flipped pages. "Okay."

Getting to his feet, Erik walked over. "Why am I less than reassured?" He tapped the blonde's legs, making them rise a moment. Erik sat down, situating Alex's legs on his lap comfortably. "What's troubling you, boychick?"

"Stuff with Jam." Alex put his book to the side and folded his arms. "Crap he has to deal with. Crap Lee has to deal with. How much I can't relate. Oh but hey, I can. But Jam doesn't know that. No, I'm just the white, blonde, perfect guy."

Erik massaged at one of Alex's ankles. "And one of his best friends."

"I know," Alex sighed deeply. "But it's just… not right. Some guys go nuke happy and that's somehow Lee's fault. And Jam's guilty of what? Excess tanning? Who makes up these rules?"

"I wish I knew." Erik looked at him closely. "It would be the first step in stopping the horrible fallouts that typically result."

"I've had to remain low key and keep to myself ever since my mutation showed up," Alex said. "So I do know what it feels like to keep my guard up. But not as much as Raven so that no one ever sees her blue. And Leon and Jam can't hide at all. Why should I get to?"

"Because if we are revealed, especially with the chaos going on in the world today, the end result would be catastrophic," Erik reminded him straightforwardly. "Far worse would happen to you than any riot the news depicts. We cannot draw attention to ourselves. Perhaps someday the tide will turn, but that day is a ways away."

Alex sat up with a bit of sulk, though he knew the words to be true. "Can I at least pound anyone who hurts my friends?"

"You have my blessing." Erik gave him a pat on the side of his thigh. "Not a word to your Uncle Charles. Speaking of whom," he stood, "I'm off to see the terrific telepath. Are you sure you're alright?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded. "I'm good. Thanks, Dad."

Erik bent, leaving a kiss at the top of his head before taking his leave of the Mag Cave.

IIIIIII

Small box in her clutch, Becky pushed open Cordelia's ajar door, finding only the room's main inhabitant within.

The gymnast looked up from her magazine. "What's the matter, gorge?"

"Where's Angel?" Becky asked. "I have something for her."

"I don't know." Cordelia got up from her bed. "She hasn't come back in a while."

Becky went silent to obtain a reading. "She's outside."

Moonlight blocked by the veil of trees overhead, the contemplative eyes stared out into the still lake water. Situated on a large stone, she brought her knees up to hug against her chest.

"Angel!" The missing girl looked over as Cordelia hurried her way, followed closely by Becky. "What are you doing out here?"

Angel asked in turn, "What's wrong with me?"

Cordelia frowned deeply. "There is nothing wrong with you."

"I'm an idiot," Angel insisted. "I see the way all of you are. How Charles and Erik are towards you." Her eyes carried heavy moisture. "If I hadn't been so stupid, I could have had all of this, too."

Becky stepped forward. "You still can. Auntie Em came back. Why can't you?"

"I don't belong here, Becky," Angel claimed. "The way Alex, Raven, and Hank still look at me… I hurt all of you so bad."

"That was before." Cordelia placed a hand on her shoulder. "Angel, Emma hurt me when she just walked away. So much so that I headed the destructive route. But we're both finally back on track; so are our older brother and sister. It can happen for you, too. But not if you just give in to these thoughts that are only going to make you crazy."

"I wanted you to have this." Becky showed Angel the sandy smooth wooden container with timepiece made onto the top. "I got it in California.

Entirely taken aback, Angel could only stare at first as she accepted the little treasure chest over into her own hands. "Thank you, Becky."

The figure that leapt down next startled them all. "Everything alright out here?"

"Everything's fine, Victor." Cordelia linked arms with Angel, helping her stand. "We were just heading back in."

The man suspected more but let it go. "I don't want to catch you girls out in these woods this time of night by yourselves again. It's too dangerous out here."
"Yes, Knight Victor." Becky joined hands with him as the four of them started back for the mansion.

Passing through the rear of the house while conversing, the Headmasters paused as the back door opened. Victor and Becky entered at the head of the quad.

Charles did not care for the expression on Angel's face. "Is everything alright?"

Cordelia looked to Angel who said quietly, "I don't think so."

Erik looked to his daughter. "Ladybug, go on and get ready for bed. I'll be there soon."

"Okay, Papa."

Victor released his hold on her. "I'll be downstairs if ya need me." He turned to bat at Angel's hair playfully before heading for Eye Spy.

"Come here, Princess." Charles squatted to exchange a cheek peck with her. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Uncle Charles." The little girl made her way towards the stairs.

Erik faced Angel now. "I believe another conversation is in order."

"Can Cordy come?" she requested.

"Yes," Charles approved. "Let's go to the parlor." He led the way there with the girls in the middle and Erik right behind them.

Cordelia and Angel shared one sofa while Erik and Charles took the one directly across from them.

"I'm afraid that throughout these talks we have not properly touched upon the most troubling matter still heavy in all of our hearts," Charles began. "Angel, I have felt your emotional state in droves, far more now than earlier. You're heavily tortured by what you've done, aren't you?"

"And what I missed," Angel admitted. "I don't what made me leave you guys."

Charles in turn said, "I don't believe my initial firmness with all of you made you feel very at home."

"And I was much worse," Erik stated bluntly. "I was a different man then; an unfeeling man. In the beginning, I saw you all as young soldiers headed for an inevitable battle. When really you were all children in need of guidance."

Angel said, "That doesn't make up for it."

"Love," Charles reached forward, grabbing the tip of Angel's thin hand, "do you think you need to face punishment for what you've done?"

Angel exchanged a look with Cordelia then nodded. "Yes, sir."

Now, the Headmasters faced each other and Charles turned to the gold enabled girl. "Cordy, let's see about getting some popcorn on the stove." He got up with that.

Not saying a word, Cordelia offered Angel a little hug before rising to leave with her brother-in-law.

Erik's gaze settled on the remaining girl. "I'm certain you've heard how children are disciplined here."

She could not meet his eyes any longer. "Mmhmm."

Erik held out a hand. "Come to me."

Angel linked up with him before standing. It surprised her when Erik stood as well.

"When this is over," he said, "it is exactly that; over. While I know it won't be immediate, I don't want you to condemn yourself any longer. I want you to learn and move on from this. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," she piped up.

Sitting again, Erik carefully brought her across his lap. Not used to a teenage girl over his knee, Erik found her not much taller than Becky. Wrapping a hand around her back after he saw to her comfort in the position, he brought his hand down firmly on the seat of her lounge pants.

As he continued, Angel felt a dizzy spell coming on. Everything swirled together in surreal shock; being in the house, back among the two who first recruited her, facing punishment from a man who had seemed so frighteningly intimidating before. Tears appeared in her eyes before the fifth swat and she took the opportunity to unleash the sorrowful drops that had been waiting to spill over for some time.

Erik administered ten to her behind and left seven on each of her thighs. He allowed her a minute to lay there and cry before helping her to her feet. Not forcing anything, he still held onto her hand. Then when she only remained in place, he pulled her into a fierce hug. Angel found his nearest shoulder and wept into it.

His hold never lessening, Erik picked up the small object left on the coffee table. "What's this then?"

Angel managed to move her gaze to the treasure box and took it from him. "Becky gave me that." She tried to wipe at her eyes.

"What a lovely gesture and very appropriate I might say." Erik pulled away just enough to see into her face. "If she is able to leave all of this behind, don't you think you can as well?" He brushed her wet cheek with his hand. "Hm, Little Angel?"

A small watery smile developed on her. "I want to."

Erik laid a hand over both of hers. "It will take time, that's no lie. But Charles, Emma, all of us are willing to work with you." He tickled her chin. "Or put you over our knee if need be."

Dipping her head against his neck, Angel let off a slight whimper. "You know that hurt."

"Then I did right by you." He rubbed her back. "At last."

Angel hugged him again. "Thank you, Erik."

Erik stayed that way with her another moment, his chin settling in on top of her head.

IIIIIII

Tray fully loaded, Raven carried it in to where the five waited. She passed out the individual porcelain mugs to all gathered. Cordelia and Angel sat together on a couch with a fleece throw over them. Alex and Leon took opposite sides of the coffee that contained the massive bowl of popcorn. Raven lowered beside Maya on a loveseat.

Hank walked in, looking to Raven as he spoke. "The kids are sleeping. Still no sign of a fever on Kiki."

Angel watched as Hank took a seat on the other side of the shape-shifter. "I still can't believe you two are married and raising little kids. It feels like five minutes ago you couldn't even make eyes at each other without going all red face."

Hank's arm went around Raven after he accepted his mug of hot chocolate from her. "Yes, a number of things have changed. Erik punished you?" She nodded and Hank's expression reflected obvious approval. "Good."

Light laughter vibrated off the others and it proved Angel's turn to redden in the face.

"It's amazing what this house is capable of," Maya put forth. "I tried so hard to keep things going for my mom after my dad. But now it feels like I can slow down a little and maybe even enjoy life."

"I concur," Leon raised simply.

Cordelia took note of the silent blonde male. "You okay, Alex?"

He glanced up. "I was thinking about Jam and his dad today. Reminded me of when Erik and Charles first found us and brought us to the facility." He looked around at Hank, Raven, and Angel. "Now I see why they were ready to throttle us for horsing around. We were supposed to be representing mutants, not shattering windows and statues."

"Very true," Hank seconded. "But now we all know a little better, don't we?"

Raven turned her head to better view Maya, who toyed with the rim of her mug. Knowing the younger girl's thoughts went to a certain redhead not present among them, the mutated blonde placed a consoling arm across her shoulders.