X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall
Chapter One Hundred Fifty Six
Author's Word: Thank you all so much for that last round of feedback! Definitely not about to delay things here so please enjoy and review!
Despite the two vehicles very nearly colliding together upon reentry into the garage, it stopped the driver of the Lincoln not for a second. Hank made one short but specific gesture for the females to follow him. His wife hardly needed a hint for her haste. The teenage girl in white skirt and yellow top wore a frantic, questioning express but moved along rapidly on ankle length boot covered feet.
The limitations of his humanity did not daunt Hank as he seized hold of whatever overhead fixtures and tore through any and all things to acrobatically reach his destination. His blue eyes zeroed in on Maya outside of the infirmary, who guided the three mutants inside.
Both hands went to cover Cordelia's mouth at her formerly white clothed sister all but coated by crimson and her lovely features sickeningly pale. Charles kept a palm over her forehead while gripping Emma's hand fiercely. Erik used all strength to keep the firm press against Emma's wound to prevent her bleeding out entirely. Raven made a move to dash forward and assist but her husband's long arm shooting out kept her from launching.
"Maya, help Erik hook up the incubation equipment," Hank directed, gesturing with his shoulder towards the necessary parts in one corner. "Pain medication is far too dangerous at this point. Charles, you must focus all energy on keeping Emma stable. Cordelia," he whipped his head back at the youngest Frost, "your blood is the closest in type to your sister's. Lay down and prepare for donation. Raven, help her." Cordelia complied without delay as the others did not hesitate to carry out their own orders.
"They're still with us," Charles stated when Hank came near to Emma's bed, "but I feel him weakening quickly."
No room for uncertainty in his tone, Hank said, "The only way I can save them both is through cesarean section." Dropping his jacket, he went to the necessary station to sanitize his hands.
Only the mind that entered him managed to distract from his own thoughts.
Hank, whatever happens, my son must live. If I have to die, so be it.
The voice fell from him after that.
IIIIIII
Wailing filled the living room and practically the entire main level. Sean walked in a steady circle with the distraught overheated frame of the bitty girl in his possession. The screams pained his ears like his own mutation did to others but the very notion of putting her down eluded him.
Becky hugged up against Frank on the couch with her face against his shoulder. Positioned on the arm to the right of them, Leon slowly looked towards them. An unsure but solid hand massaged her back over the long curls. Becky reached around blindly to grip his wrist.
On the floor, Alex bobbed with Trav back and forth with Scott closely beside them. Leaving one arm around his nephew, Alex attempted to bring Joey over. Yet again the smaller blonde inched away and crawled over to an ottoman, keeping his back turned from all of them.
The silence did not break until Raven entered the room.
"Mommy!" Trav cried out.
"Mama!" Kiki likewise beseeched.
The shape-shifter accepted both her children over into her own clutch and lowered down next to Alex. She kissed them both repeatedly and swore a vow of safety into their ears.
Alex offered her his arm as he asked, "What's happening?"
"Hank is on auto-pilot right now," Raven responded. "No two patients have ever been in better hands. I'm just glad you got us on communicator as fast as you did."
Alex shook his head. "That's the least I could have done." His gaze went towards the standing redhead. "Seanie's the one who kicked that guy to Kingdom Come."
Frank grinned at that. "I knew his voice was still in there."
"If that last screech made me go mute forever," Sean spoke, "it would've been all worth it."
At the familiar surging noise, Alex glanced up then very nearly rolled across the floor to get to Joey.
He wrapped arms and legs around the electrified body. "Joe, listen to me. This is hard and it's unfair and it's stupid but you have to calm down." Alex felt him struggle a bit and got in closer to his ear. "You mad? You want to shock me? Go ahead. Heck, go nuts. Your volts haven't steered me wrong yet."
Joey went limp against him and wiggled around to shield his face against the teen's shirt. Alex bowed his chin to kiss his head.
"Maya," Sean reacted then frowned at her flushed appearance, "are you okay?" He went to her.
Maya took his hand while steadying against the doorway, a dry smile on her face. "Am I okay? All I did was participate in the strenuous activity of applying plug to outlet. Cordelia gave her blood and could barely walk because of the stress. I just finished helping her to her room."
Scott piped up, "What about Emma and the baby?"
"Hank is trying to save him now," Maya replied. "Erik is assisting."
Leon wanted to know, "What about Emma?"
Before she could say anything to that, the front door opening and closing made them all look towards the doorway. Loaded box from the bakery in his hold, Cody bounced inside but his pleasant features faded at their faces.
The boy honed in on, "Joey?" and made a path over to him. "What's wrong?"
Victor stepped up next, as unaware as his nephew. "What's going on?"
Despite the untold exhaustion weighing in on her, Raven filled the question with, "The leader of those mutants from the Plant came at us while Hank and I were out. This," she searched his name a moment, "Puma guy. He didn't want to take no for an answer so he decided to come here and…"
Scott said, "He tried to hurt Becky and Kiki. He cut Emma! She has to have the baby now."
"… … What?" Victor lunged forward and with Kiki in her mother's grasp, he went to check over Becky. "Did he touch you?" He then reiterated, "Did he touch you?"
"No," Becky shook her head hard, "Auntie Em didn't let him."
Frank added, "And Sean blew him clear out of the window."
Victor's sharp gaze went to the boy now. "Where is he?"
Alex looked towards the man. "He's gone. There was no sign of him by the time we got outside."
Sean and Maya had to dash out of the way as the irate blonde sincerely galloped out of the room with a roar on his lips that sent them all into brief silence.
Maya felt dizzier than previous. "What is he doing?"
"Don't worry, Smiley," Cody reassured with a comforting hand on Joey. "He's gonna go kill him."
Drenched to the bone in seconds, Victor raced around the enormous house until he at last located the fragments of glass and plaster. Nose going straight to the wet ground, he remained that way until an entirely unfamiliar scent filled his nostrils. Then brown eyes transforming to black, he continued on all fours at a purposeful, unmatched pace.
IIIIIII
Brow completely laced with sweat, the young doctor only blinked to keep the build-up from blinding his eyes. His gloved hands, once clear but now caked in a variety of internal fluids, worked with greater delicacy than he had ever known. He only breathed through the nose and his chest area seemed void of a beat, as if his entire body knew a single out of place movement would lead to tragedy. The intense crying that came next proved musical to his ears and created a gloss in his eyes.
"Erik," he summoned, "do it now."
Smoothly and swiftly, the metal wielder's scissors freed the fragile vessel from the umbilical cord.
Erik, is he?...
He's here, brother. Erik watched as Hank carried the tearful new arrival to the sink for cleaning. Charles, look. Look at your son.
I… I only wish I could.
Erik veered around, dropping to his knees in order to catch the telepath who fell from his wife's bedside. Charles? He lifted him, supporting the younger man in his arms and on his lap.
A feeble hand reached up for Erik, shaking in air. Take care of them, brother…
The moment the Professor's head rolled back and the body grew all too heavy, Erik bellowed, "Hank!"
"Take the baby." Hank exchanged the bundle in order to get Charles up and onto a bed.
Carefully moving out of the way, Erik managed to return to his feet. Eyes somehow tearing away from his brother, his deep blue orbs settled on who now resided in his arms. At the wrinkled form with closed eyes and skin so fair that greeted him, Erik's shoulders shook with untold joy… then he felt it.
"Hank."
Having had to move on from Charles to closing off Emma's incision, Hank responded with an impatient, "What?"
Erik told him, "He's cold."
Only then could the younger man spare a gaze back.
IIIIIII
Spoon pointed at the lips of the one he held in his lap, Alex coaxed, "Come on, Joe. Just a little. It's been hours since you've last eaten."
Though his stomach seemed completely weighed down, Joey took some of the broth.
While Raven focused on feeding her children, Sean, Leon, Maya, Frank, and Scott ate at their soup as a show of good faith. Cody nibbled on a jelly donut he and his uncle had acquired at the bakery.
Becky stopped swirling the spoon around in her bowl at the sight of her father coming into the dining room. "Papa."
Erik held his arms out for her to fly into.
Raven gave Kiki to Sean so that she could stand. "Is it over? Is he here?"
Erik looked around at them all before he said, "The baby arrived minutes ago." Elation seemed to overtake the table the moment the words left his mouth. It pained Erik to continue with, "However, he is premature and it's still touch and go. The same is true for Emma. Charles is… he underwent enormous strain."
Sean raised, "Well, can we go see them?"
Erik replied, "Now may not be the best time. Hank still—"
"Joey!" Alex reacted to the boy suddenly jumping straight out of his lap.
The ten-year-old became deaf to all those who called his name as he broke into a run.
An astonished Hank looked over at the arrival inside the infirmary. "Joey."
Finally growing still, Joey slowly approached the strange container. He stared in at the small wriggling one illuminated by the device's lights.
Hank came over, but instead of a scold, his tone carried gentleness. "This is your brother, Joey." He touched his shoulder. "All four pounds of him."
Erik, Raven, and Alex entered next.
"Oh wow," Alex reacted brightly upon mere glance of the baby.
Raven uttered, "He is beautiful."
"… Why is he in there?" Joey looked up at Hank.
Hank explained, "Since he came to us earlier than expected, he's having trouble maintaining his body temperature." He placed a hand over the case. "This incubator is only to keep him warm."
Raven's attention floated over to the telepaths in side by side beds. She walked over, taking in the breathing devices attached to both.
She gathered a few strands of blonde hair on the practically colorless Emma. "You did it, gorge."
Erik could say nothing. Looking between the child and parents, all fighting for their lives, he could only think about how wrong it all was. Charles and Emma had done everything to successfully bring him into the world and neither had been given the chance to so much as cast eyes on him.
IIIIIII
Under the thick of trees in the heavily wooded but now deserted park, he sought refuge within a hollowed out den formation. Various sized cuts made up his arms and parts of his back like battle scars, though they had already begun to heal.
Reacting to a blurred sight out of the corner of his eye, Puma attempted to glance after it but it proved far too swift. The next thing he knew it came to his left side but yet again his head could not turn fast enough. When the movement somehow gained elevation, he managed to catch the figure with near endlessly long hair clad in brown coat. A flash of lightning lit up the face of ebony eyes and almost foaming fangs. At a single blink, he vanished and the brown furred mutant below felt his chest animate.
"Puma."
He moved around in a ready stance. "Who are you?"
"Sabretooth- the guy who's territory you fucked with." He grabbed hold of a branch in order to use both legs to kick Puma across the way. "And the last guy you're ever gonna see. Right here, right now," making use of all four limbs, Sabretooth encroached on him, "no civilians, none of them pretty mutants your people hate so much. Just you and me."
Puma let off a growl and jumped for him. "You asked for this!"
A simple duck left Sabretooth untouched. "No, you did. The second you set your sights on Hank McCoy." He stood up straight and remained still for Puma to come at him again. Sabretooth took hold of both his fists. The vice grip he placed on him next created a clear reaction in Puma. "You ain't been at this game longer than a minute. Some plant made you this way?" He let go of one of his appendages in order to use his own to backhand him to the mud rich ground below. "I was born this way, boy."
Not letting up, Puma made another move. Sabretooth came down with him and they rolled through the unstable land, water cascading down on them by the multitudes.
Coming up over him, Sabretooth demanded lowly, "What did you do to her?"
"What?" came Puma's hiss.
"Tabby." Sabretooth eyes narrowed and he inched in closer towards him. "What did you do to that little girl?"
"Why?" An eerie smile came across Puma's face. "You want to make certain she's clean for you?" The remark cost him a clout to the jaw followed by a blood soaked mouth.
Seizing him by the throat, Sabretooth dragged him through the dirt. Releasing him after a long stride across the terrain, he started kicking him. Puma attempted to raise his legs in a kick but Sabretooth took hold of both the wild limbs and twisted them. At the sharp cracking sound audible even louder than the thunder itself, Puma howled out in unmistakable agony.
Claws extended now, Sabretooth first took a swipe across his face then aimed another for his chest. However, the deepest gash etched clean through Puma's stomach.
The pained cries did nothing for Sabretooth except for him to put forth, "Imagine how that feels to a lady carryin' a baby." With that, his boot came down on the open wound.
IIIIIII
Blinking several times, the heavy blue eyes made out her bedroom as her hand went straight to her head.
"Cordy, you okay?" Frank seemed to appear at her side. "Drink this."
She took such a swallow of the offered fruit juice that only half remained in the glass. "What happened?... My sister." Cordelia faced him in urgency. "The baby. Where are they?"
"He's here. Emma and Charles are… they're here, too. Hank is with them. All of them."
"Have you seen them?"
Frank slowly shook his head. "Erik says the baby's in an incubator. I- I can't look at that." Cordelia nodded understandingly and Frank reacted to her pained moan. "Here, you should eat." He presented her with the bowl of soup he'd also brought up. "Your blood really helped Emma, but you're still weak. I'll get you some aspirin."
Cordelia accepted the food with a swelled chest. "Thank you, love."
"I'll be right back." Frank dashed out in search of their nearest first-aid kit.
IIIIIII
"You don't think they'll go with anything too fancy, do you?"
Maya looked back from scrubbing the kitchen counters. "What?"
"The baby's name." Done putting away their numerous leftovers, Sean shut the refrigerator door. "I really hope they don't name him something like Maximillian Ichabod or anything like that. Let him get a few good years in before all the kids start mocking him." Maya went into his arms and Sean held her closely. "Yeah, mean kids are the pits."
"I have seen so many things with the X-Men. Good, bad, but today…" Brown eyes gazed upward at him. "I'm so glad you're home."
"This is home." He stroked her upper arms with his thumbs. "I just needed to be reminded of that." His tone grew in seriousness. "I love you. Geez, that's like the first thing I wanted to say when I could talk again and I'm just now doing it."
"You never needed to say it. You never needed to say anything. Mute, deaf, blind, I would've known," Maya told him. "And I never would have stopped loving you back."
Sean lowered a bit to better embrace her.
IIIIIII
With the toddler cradled in his arms and gnawing on the foot of his Batman action figure, Scott carefully worked the blanket up to better cover her. An equally lethargic Trav rolled over by the edge of the bed when Alex came into the younger Summers' room.
"Hey Bugsy, you want me?" Alex picked up the six-year-old who did not waste time latching onto him. He sat near his brother for a moment. "How's the cutie doing, lady killer?"
Scott smiled a little, eyes on Kiki. "She's finally calmer."
Alex asserted, "That's because she's with her Scottie." He nudged him playfully. "Believe me, I know." He stood with Trav. "I'll be back. Let's go see where Lee is." Though he had exactly one guess.
The blonde's suspicions proved flawlessly correct at the one in question studying Erik's sword collection in the Mag Cave.
"Hey, Asian sponsor child."
Leon turned around at his voice. "This room is like King Arthur gone sadist- how could it possibly feel this safe?"
Alex got down on the sofa, rubbing Trav's back to motivate him into sleep. "I call it an extension of Dad's arms." He settled his gaze squarely on the younger student. "How you doing, kid?"
A short exhale preceded the reply of, "I don't want her to die, Alex. I don't want any of them to, but Emma- hasn't she gone through enough?"
Offering him an open arm, Alex waited for Leon to sit and lean against him. "I know what you mean. Emma's had such a hard time with this since the beginning, but she keeps pushing; never giving in. I know what you're feeling, too. She's a one of a kind mom. The first one we ever had around here. But listen to me, Lee." Alex patted his wrist. "That lady always finds her way back."
Leon watched as Trav drifted away then wondered, "How do you do this? Constantly knowing what to say or do for them. Even kids you've only just met feel right at home with you."
"Selfishness," Alex replied simply. "I have to be good to them. Only kids have this much tolerance for me."
Knowing that to be far from the case, Leon only shook his head in mild amusement.
IIIIIII
Arms going around the one stationed beside the clear case, Erik gave him a backwards squeeze as he connected their cheeks.
"What are you Xavier boys plotting?"
Joey managed a small smile and a brief glance at the man before returning full attention to the baby. "Nothing, Uncle Erik."
"Don't you give me that. I see him talking to you." Erik observed the teeny infant waving a ginger fist their way. "He knows you're here with him."
"Do you think he's a telepath, too?"
"It isn't your thoughts he senses but the amount of love he's felt from you all these months."
Joey arched his head back against his uncle's shoulder. "I just want to hold him."
Hank piped up from reviewing everyone's vitals yet again, "You will."
Becky's fingers laced through Charles' soft hair, as if trying to straighten it for the handsome man. "They feel so far away…"
Raven touched the younger female's shoulders as she bent to leave a kiss on her brother's forehead. She then moved over to the chair beside Emma's bed.
Hey gorge, I understand the need for a power nap after all this but there is a supremely cute baby here who'd love to say hi to his mom. Just like there's a really annoying sister-in-law who has been sucking in breaths all day to keep from crying, going nuts, and turning into a crumpled up unmoving wad- again. I'm sorry I spent so much time thinking only about myself, Em. You're the first older woman to ever completely care about me. There are things I can tell you that I can't talk to Charles and Erik about. I love you, Em. Please, get back here.
Raven then breathed in alarm when all lights in the room flickered for one moment before leaving them in the dark entirely.
"Fuck," was all Hank uttered before dashing out of the room with Erik not far behind. When they reached the fuse box, the scientist threw open the lid to work with the knobs. "No, no, no!" He smacked the center of the lifeless box furiously.
"Keep trying!" Erik took over, using his magnetism to work the switches. "Damn this storm!"
"If it doesn't get restored that child will not make it through the night!"
A smaller body in the darkness moved to force its way in between the two men. Pressing palms over the middle of the fuse box, the pair of hands unleashed an electrical wave into it.
Hank's jaw dropped. "Joey?"
Erik's attention went straight to the ceiling as illumination filled the lower level hallway once again.
Raven darted right to the crying baby who sprang up with a cry on his lips.
Becky jumped as Charles sat up in bed with a heavy gasp. Her senses then went off like haywire when a stir sounded from the bed next to his.
"Emma?" Raven spoke.
"My baby," came the woman's strained murmur, "where is my baby?"
IIIIIII
Bundle gathered with expert delicacy, Hank carried him over to the eagerly awaiting group by the medical beds now pushed as closely together as possible. Becky and Cordelia sat on the edge of Charles' bed with Erik and Raven standing closely. Maya and Sean stood off together. With Joey situated beside Emma, Alex took the chair at the woman's bedside. Leon lingered nearest the doorway. Frank and Scott had decided to remain upstairs while Kiki and Trav slept.
"Here he is," Hank handed the baby over to his mother's secure clutch, "congratulations."
Charles had to catch his breath. "My God…"
Emma, weakened and a combination of emotions hitting her, could only speak slowly. "Did I do this?"
"Of course you did, sis," Cordelia piped up brightly. "He's mesmerizing."
Emma's eyes began to fill. "I couldn't have…"
"But you did." Charles kissed her at the temple. "You used all the strength you had to see to that. Now look at him."
Completely motionless except to keep her new son's head supported and lower body near, Emma said, "I don't think I can stop looking at him."
The Professor managed to turn his vision away to take in the rest of them. "I cannot thank all of you enough. When we needed you the most, you exceeded all expectations. Sean, if you hadn't moved so swiftly—"
The redhead chimed in with, "I want to take credit here, Charles, but I can't. Not after what everyone else has done. After what Joey just did."
To that Alex said, "Nothing he hasn't done before."
Joey faced him with a grin.
Emma asked of the blonde beside her, "Do you want to hold your brother, Treasure?"
"More than anything," Joey replied automatically.
"Watch his head, little one," Charles advised as Emma transferred the newborn over.
When the warm package at last made it into his arms, Joey remained silent until he said, "Hi. It's me. It's Joey. I can't believe you're here."
Becky then brought up, "What's his name?"
Sean and Maya exchanged a look and secretively crossed their fingers.
Raven seemed to voice their sentiments with, "After all this, it better be good."
Charles chuckled and looked to Emma. "Would you like to tell them?"
Emma responded, "You do it better, sugar."
Charles gave her a smile then placed eyes on his boys. "It is our pleasure to introduce you all to Brian Henry Xavier."
"What?" a flabbergasted Hank reacted.
Emma looked up. "He did not stand a chance making it into this world. Not without you. I know that any other doctor would have failed him."
"That's right, Henry," Charles seconded. "We owe you so much thanks. This seems the least we can do."
Raven came around to share an embrace with her still taken aback husband.
Alex glanced over his shoulder. "Lee, get over here. You're missing the good stuff."
Leon shook his head. "I believe this is a safe enough distance between me and microscopic people."
Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Get over here, you magnificent pansy."
Sean said, "Hey, if I haven't tripped over anything, you know it's safe."
Leon stepped closer but only by a few feet. "He's like a wrinkled peanut."
Raven aimed a finger at him. "No cracks on my nephew."
Leon then faced Emma. "But you never looked prettier."
She sent a smile his way before reaching a hand over to help Joey better cover little Brian.
IIIIIII
Peering in to where a slumbering Kiki and Trav lay side by side in the playpen, Raven turned around to see Hank busy with what appeared to be the beginnings of yet another experiment.
"You are not working right now." She walked over to join him behind the wide desk. "After everything you did today? Think year off."
"I don't think that will be necessary." Hank looked from his microscope to her. "I feel completely rejuvenated. I know how difficult that is to believe all things considered. But now I have this unbelievable sense of accomplishment. I have never been so reminded as to why I chose to pursue medicine."
"Thank God you did." Raven appeared quizzical. "But the incubator, all of that equipment, it's like you knew something like this would happen."
Hank explained, "With the difficulties Emma already faced with the pregnancy, I anticipated the worst case scenario and pre-ordered everything."
Raven regarded him in awe a moment. "I would say it's unbelievable, but I know who I married. And I know it's not nearly on the same level, but," she folded her arms, "it felt good for me, too. To not fall apart."
Hank bobbed his head to kiss her. "You and the children should lay down, though."
Raven shook her head. "No. Everything still feels spooky. I want us to stay together. Just in case."
Hank's ears picked up on the heavy breathing then reacted to the one that all but stumbled into the lab's double doorway. "Victor?"
"So," soaked and practically decorated in mud, he asked, "what'd I miss?"
"Uncle Vic!"
The man steadied himself to catch the energy ball that came at him. "Hey, Mighty Mite."
Unbothered by his filthy condition, Cody wrapped arms around his neck. "Joey's brother is here."
"Ah hey," Victor nodded positively, "that's what I like to hear. Can't wait to get a good look at the pipsqueak."
"So," Cody asked casually, "did ya kill that guy?"
"Yes." Victor hefted him up to hold closer. "Now come on. We could both use a dive in the tub."
The McCoys watched them go then Hank spoke with, "So ready for bed now?"
"Definitely," Raven answered and they moved to go collect their children.
IIIIIII
Returning to the infirmary, Erik stayed in place and took in the sight of Brian in Charles' locked grasp.
"Lab Rat," he chided lightly, making his way over to them, "you should be resting."
Charles sincerely scoffed at that. "Telepathic aches. Nothing I haven't dealt with before." He nodded towards his wife who had Joey at her side, both asleep. "She's the one who conquered the real adversity. And she still has a recovery ahead."
"You won't receive an argument from me there." Erik looked over his shoulder to better view the baby. "And what shall I call you, hm? My little Lab Mouse I suppose?"
"At last, someone to share in my suffering." He then spoke specifically to his newborn. "Yes, that is your Uncle Erik. You'll learn to tolerate him." Charles grudgingly returned him to the warmth of the incubator but remained steadfast over him.
Erik did likewise. "Brian Henry Xavier- so fitting."
"Though not my first choice." Charles responded to Erik's questioning expression. "From the moment I knew I was having a boy, I knew what I wanted to name him. However, I feared the wrath of your children should I dare take that honor away from them."
With nothing at the ready to say to that, Erik quietly placed an arm over his brother. They remained that way with diligent visual over the little Lab Mouse.