X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter One Hundred Sixty One

Author's Word: Through ups and downs, trials and triumphs, still celebrating over a million Rise or Fall words. Thank you for your continued support, fam. Please enjoy and review!

"Aquaman is not useless." A mild fist bang followed the hefty statement from Sean. "He rules the ocean for crying out loud."

"But what if they're out in the middle of Arizona or something?" Frank reasoned. "He may be a fast swimmer but Superman can swim, fly, jump, shoot lasers- just name it."

"The problem with Aquaman is that his full potential has not been touched upon," Leon put forth. "Think about it; the earth is mostly water. Aquaman could very well take over if he wants."

"So?" Frank looked the long haired one's way. "Superman could topple the planet. That's what's so great about him. He's got real values. He wants to help because that's the kind of guy he is."

"Supey is a little too power loaded for me sometimes," said Sean.

"And that is what creates a lot of Batman's appeal," Leon raised.

"Here I am!" Scott nearly skidded, coming into the dining room. "Sorry, sorry. Between practice and training," he took his regular chair, "it was tough getting all my homework in." He grinned at Alex. "I can't wait to see the Yanks play."

"Me, either," his brother responded. "You didn't miss much besides the geek panel here."

Remembering, Scott asked, "What was that about Batman?"

Leon replied, "I was saying the reason behind his popularity has to do with his lack of super powers. He's the regular man's hero."

Maya piped up, "We could use a patron saint."

"Lack of super power?" Frank popped an eyebrow. "The guy's got money to burn, freeze, and wash. You call that a regular Joe?"

"Hey, Batman's the coolest there is," Scott asserted. "He's smart and resourceful with or without cash."

Leon shrugged and picked up his drinking glass. "I don't know. Crime-fighting is one thing but he may go into convulsions if he actually had to clean his own toilet."

"Oh I don't know," Charles spoke from the head of the table. "I didn't find it quite so detestable my first go-around. The only thing more exhilarating is diaper changing."

"Speaking of," Emma put her fork down, "I'd better..."

"He's already had his evening bottle, love," Charles reminded.

"Just a peek and I'll be back," Emma promised.

"Can I go, too, Mum?" Joey requested.

His mother held a hand out for him and he hurried up.

"See to it that these vegetables vanish upon your return," Erik called after him.

"Yes, Uncle Erik," the small blonde said back.

Kayla reclined and caressed her stomach. "Hard to believe how nice it'll be to change a diaper again."

Logan placed an arm around her shoulders and reached over for a kiss.

Maya formed a starry smile.

"Ma, Dad," Cody groaned, "the baby's tryin' to breathe."

Alex shook his head. "At least he can't see it."

Darkened brown eyes fell on him. "She." Cody's sharp correction quieted the table for a moment.

Hank cleared his throat then asked, "So Scott, how is baseball going?"

"I love it," the boy answered. "Coach Dan's really getting us ready for Saturday's game." He glanced towards their blonde security man. "Of course, Coach Vic's not too bad, either."

"Same could be said about our new pitcher's rocket arm." Victor sent him a wink.

Kayla then brought up, "I'm nearly done with the seam on your cheer skirt."

"Thanks, Kayla," said Becky.

Scott said, "I'm changing back into my Jaguar shirt for tonight."

Emma and Joey came back in at that and the woman commented, "I think it's nice that they gave you those t-shirts to wear outside of uniform."

Scott laughed a little. "That is the uniform, Em."

Sitting down again, Emma's hands froze in place. "T-shirts? That's the extent of your uniform?"

Scott joked, "Well, we wear pants sometimes, too."

Emma shook her head. "I will not have you seen in such-such… amateur attire. Oh no. I need to make a call."

Charles touched her wrist before she could rise again. "Please alter the world as we know it after you've finished eating. Consider it a favor to me."

She sighed, focusing on her food. "You owe me, sugar."

Charles regarded his wife happily. "Yes, I know."

"What's the big deal about baseball, anyway? Ice hockey and soccer are the best team sports," asserted Cody.

"Well here," Scott spoke matter-of-factly, "baseball is the favorite pastime."

Frank said, "I'm just glad Canadians call it soccer, too. That football thing kills me."

Trav frowned. "What's wrong with football?"

"Nothing, Pooh. But in some countries, like England, soccer is called football," Raven explained.

"What?" Trav's mouth formed an incredulous circle. "Uncle Charles," he looked to the man in urgency, "you have to tell them they have it wrong."

Charles vowed importantly, "I will send word to her majesty straightaway."

"Good, 'cause when I'm older I'm playing football just like my daddy." Trav's words carried resolution instead of hopefulness.

Hank smiled and ran fingers through his son's hair.

The moment he emptied his plate, Scott determined, "We'll pack up dessert." He jumped up from his seat. "Let's go, Alex."

Charles gave him a mildly disapproving look. "Scott…"

"Oh," the sheepish boy turned to the Professor, "may we be excused, please?"

"Yes, you may," Charles granted. "And Alex, see to it that you come straight home after the ball game. There's going to be traffic and I don't want you out late, especially on a school night. Make sure you wear your helmets and watch who you sit by."

"And look both ways before flooring at a hundred miles an hour." Alex gave off a salute. "Got it."

"Let's go!" Scott pulled him towards the door and they both left the dining room in a sprint.

After dessert, Cordelia and Maya took their turns in the kitchen. Maya loaded the dishwasher and got the stovetop clean while Cordelia lingered scrubbing the sink and countertops.

Charles came into the eatery and watched her a moment before approaching. "Cordy."

She flashed a smile his way. "Brother-in-law."

"Darling, I can't help but notice how quiet you've been at mealtimes." He touched her forearm. "Is something troubling you?"

"No," she shook her head, "just end of the year stuff I guess."

"Hm." Charles looked thoughtful. "Well, your appetite seems healthy enough so I take it everything's fine with gymnastics. Morrie?"

"Yes, except I think I'm still getting used to going steady like this. And gymnastics has been on my mind but not fasting. Not again, Charles, I swear."

Not sensing anything to the contrary, the man nodded. "Good. But if you're becoming too overwhelmed by classwork or anything else, please know my door is always open."

"Believe me," Cordelia hugged him around the neck, "I know."

Charles rubbed her back a moment. "Now let's see how much grading I can get in before tuck-ins and your baby nephew's usual nightly demands."

Cordelia smiled after him as he went. Picking up her sponge, she returned to her cleaning and thoughts.

IIIIIII

Thin twelve-year-old cargo strapped to his back, Alex proceeded up the stairs with full use of his stealth training to keep from waking the entire house. When he arrived inside Scott's bedroom, he laid the worn little boy in bed while he got him out of his jacket and shoes.

"Shh," he hushed at the leg squirming, "it's okay, Scottie. I gotcha."

At the child's calm, he finished changing him by swapping his jeans out for a pair of pajama bottoms. He allowed him to keep his yellow Jaguars t-shirt on. After situating him comfortably under the covers, Alex removed the ruby shades and could not help smiling at the ever rare glimpse of his full face.

"Night night, little brother." Alex kissed his forehead and crept out carefully.

IIIIIII

"You've got to be out of your mind."

Cordelia walked in step with the disbelieving one down the street. "I didn't think the news would devastate you so."

"You're quitting gymnastics?" Morrie made an attempt at comprehension. "You?"

"Just for a while," she reiterated. "Aren't I allowed a breather?"

"Yeah, but seriously. Is this all because you didn't come out highest at your last competition?"

"It has nothing to do with that," Cordelia insisted. "I want time to think. I'm needed at home, especially with the baby. Besides, it always feels like I'm holding back."

"Okay, now you're speaking Chinese to me again. First, you had to bolt out because your sister went into weird emergency labor," Morrie recounted, "and what do you mean holding back?"

"Forget about it for now. Please?" She went around, getting in front to place arms around his middle. "Cheese fries are calling me."

He sighed lightly. "Okay." He put a hand to her back to keep her from moving. "But first…" He dipped his head.

Cordelia returned his kiss then leaned on his arm, staring ahead as they continued on.

IIIIIII

Newborn suckling away happily on his bottle, Emma used her ear and shoulder to keep the receiver balanced.

"I fail to see the difficulty in expediting custom baseball uniforms for twelve little boys. You have their sizes." She listened a moment, taking the opportunity to coo at Brian. "Yes, before Saturday." Emma's expression turned cross. "You boast four decades of experience and this order baffles you? No, I'm talking."

Coming into the kitchen, Charles stopped to acknowledge woman and child. "How are my wonderful—"

"Don't give me that," Emma snapped into the mouth piece. "Saturday is my special little player's first game and I will not have his team running about like boorish tramps desperate for bathing. I want to speak to your supervisor." She spared a glance at her husband. "He put me on hold. It's like a two-man operation, but that may be giving them too much credit."

"Come, lamb." Charles collected bottle and baby from her. "Let's be off before Mummy uses questionable language to reason with the gentlemen." He kissed Brian's bald head as they headed out.

Charles kept feeding him the bottle until tiny lips pulled away from the nipple. Raising him to his shoulder, Charles applied gentle pats to the small back. When they reached the rear of the house, the Professor noticed the door partly open and glanced out at the two in the backyard.

"Come on, Grandma," Scott smirked. "Gimme a tough one."

"Alright, wise guy." Victor wounded up. "Let's see how you handle this." Tossing the ball into the air, he cracked it with the bat.

Taking off immediately, Scott kept his right hand held high. Absorbing the glare from the sun, he captured the white sphere out of the sky.

"Yes!" he came back down with a grin. "That had to be at least two yards further."

"Nice work, shades," Victor nodded approvingly. "Now, come on." He readied the bat again. "Let's see that pitch."

Getting into position, Scott flung the ball out as hard as he could. Victor snapped at it with the tip of the bat.

"It's mine!" Scott declared, racing after the flying ball. He took the highest leap he could. "Whoa!" Just managing to catch the ball he came down in an odd motion that resulted in a somersault. Opening his eyes, he promptly readjusted his glasses. "Phew."

Shaking his head in amusement, Victor walked up. "I tell ya, kid," he grabbed him by his left ankle, "these legs got a mind of their own." Scott laughed and attempted to reach out for the man in turn, only for Victor to deliver a tickle to his exposed stomach.

"Hey!" Scott snickered. "Coach!" He snatched up a fistful of dirt and tossed it at his pants leg.

Growling playfully, Victor let him go. "Let's see ya run to home through me."

Scott accepted that challenge by dashing right at him. Victor lifted him high and spun in place with him. Scott removed his cap and whooped enthusiastically.

Brian's little tug on his shirt front made Charles' eyes dart down. He gave his son a smile and moved to carry him upstairs.

IIIIIII

We're the best

The rest are less

Step up to bat

We'll put you to the test

Go Jaguars!

"Remember, it's left, right," cheer captain Sarah kept her back to the rest of the squad as she demonstrated the movements, "forward with arms high, spin, and back."

Glancing over as they went to the right again, Becky waved towards the one currently performing jumping jacks.

Scott managed to wiggle fingers back at her all while staying in motion.

"So these are your new guys, huh Gallagher?"

Reacting to his last name, Gary gazed over his shoulder. "As a matter of fact, they are."

The four boys in gray t-shirts with Dingoes spelled out across the front lined up outside the gate.

The original speaker, a copper head with freckles, said, "You Jokes must be getting pretty desperate."

"It's Jaguars," Gary glared at them, "Dinguses."

Another of the boys piped up, "Check out that blind kid."

One smirked and taunted, "What, were all the retards taken?"

Scott's pace slowed a little.

"Hey." Frank stood from where he observed on the bench. "You better watch it."

With Dan preoccupied by the bulletin board, Victor's hearing prompted him to head over. "We got a problem here, fellas?"

"No, sir." The other boys stepped away. "We were just looking."

"You look with your eyes," Victor regarded them pointedly, "not your mouths."

"Yes, sir," said the first boy. "We should get going, anyway. See ya Saturday."

Frank crossed his arms. "So those are the crosstown hotshots, huh?"

"Yeah," Gary said. "If crosstown is four miles north. That was Mason, their loud-mouth captain." He gazed down the line at Scott. "Don't even listen to him. They love starting stuff."

Scott only nodded.

Victor clapped his hands together. "Let's finish these warm-ups, Jags. Jog in place."

While the team moved on to their next exercise, Frank leaned against the gate. His anger subsided as another portion of his mind began calculating.

IIIIIII

The very instant the straight red beam established contact, the motionless figure burst apart into various sized and heavily singed chunks. Stepping up from his calm distance to get directly behind the assaulter, Havok laid hands over the tense shoulders.

"Feeling any better yet?"

Cyclops put his hands on his hips and determined, "I would if we'd start sticking pictures on these mannequins."

"Don't give in." Havok maneuvered around to stand facing his brother eye to visor. "This happens all the time in sports. They're trying to get to you; put you on edge. And for them to take the time to come talk trash to the opposition, they must know they have their work cut out for them. They're shaking in their boots."

Cyclops glanced to the side soberly. "At try-outs, Coach Dan said something about liability. What if he's right? What if Charles and Erik are right? What if I fall? What if I lose my shades? What if I mess up everything for the Jaguars, the X-Men, mutant kind as we know it—"

Forcing him to stare back by seizing both sides of the younger one's face, Havok stared at him closely. "You listen to me. There's no way you'd be on this team if you didn't have what it takes. You are not a liability. You're an asset. And I don't just mean for the Jaguars, even though they're pretty lucky there. So forget the Dingo dorks and focus on what you need to do. Got me?"

Cyclops formed a small smile. "Loud and clear, Havok. Can we blow up just a few more, though?"

Havok ruffled his hair. "Just say when."

IIIIIII

"Ra, ra, ra!" came from Raven.

"Sis boom bah!" Becky followed up.

Kiki chanted, "Boom-bah, boom-bah, boom-bah!" right after them.

Charles had to dash out of the way as the three pom-pom wielders charged through. "Careful, ladies, please."

Kiki paused at the bottom step and pumped a pom-pom. "Ra, ra, ra!"

"Oh- sis boom bah!" Charles raised a pep filled fist to accompany the mantra.

The little girl giggled then hurried up to where her mother and Becky waited on her.

The Professor continued on until he reached Erik's den. "Game day fever is certainly in the air." He took a seat on the sofa.

"Yes," Erik faced away from the essays stacked on his desk, "Becky can't speak well enough of cheerleading practice and Victor tells me that Scott is meshing with the rest of the team rather nicely." The Poland native did not miss the telepath's split-second change in countenance. "Everything alright, Lab Rat?"

"It's nothing," Charles attempted to assure then rethought that. "In fact, it's terribly silly." Erik's expression indicated that he wanted to hear regardless. "I was watching Victor and Scott playing ball in the yard yesterday and for the briefest moment the sight made me a little…"

Erik flashed knowing but sympathetic eyes. "Jealous?"

Charles nodded admittedly. "I know how inane it sounds but seeing the two of them together- Scott allowing himself to be so carefree- I couldn't help wishing I could join in. To be able to help him pursue this new passion. Emma can hardly tell bat from ball and she's more involved than I am."

Erik exhaled a chuckle. "If it helps at all, the most I can offer to Becky's activities is sporting my 'Dance Dad' t-shirt."

"And you wear it well, brother," Charles commented. "And I know how awful I must seem. I mean after all, Victor has no children of his own yet does so well with all of the little ones here. This is all very selfish of me."

"No, Charles," Erik replied to the contrary. "There's nothing selfish or awful about it. I understand what you're feeling completely. That territorial instinct often takes on a mind of its own. With the exception of Brian, these children did not come into our lives by typical means."

Charles stated, "So it feels as if we have to try that much harder to hang onto them."

Both men reacted to a door opening and closing, followed by laughter that failed to completely mute itself.

Leon, Sean, Frank come here this moment, please.

The three in question followed the telepathic direction into the Mag Cave. They all wore dark blue jeans in addition to black sweaters. Erik recognized the roomy one Frank had on from his own closet's collection but decided that irrelevant; not to mention precious.

"It's nearly dinnertime, you three," Charles brought up. "You completely missed training."

Sean wiggled one foot against the floor. "We lost track of time."

"Where exactly have you been?" Erik raised an eyebrow at the small duffle bag in Leon's possession. "And what do you have there?"

Frank answered with, "Gym clothes! We were going go see if Alex was up for a session with us."

Erik aimed fingers at Sean and Frank. "You two sit. Leon, bring that here to me."

Charles got up to inspect things with Erik. After Leon delivered the requested bag, he joined the others on the couch. Unzipping the duffle, Erik used his magnetism to withdraw the first object from it.

Now Charles' eyebrow popped. "Shaving cream?"

"We need to freshen up after training," Sean reminded.

"Understandable," Erik said, "and with all of your facial hair combined I would say you need about," he studied the tall can, "a fingerful of this." He grabbed it out of the air and shook it. "Yet it's nearly empty."

"What in the world?...?" Charles removed two rolls of toilet paper from the duffle.

Leon fielded that one with, "Public bathrooms always run out and no one ever notices until after their business is completed. It's almost intentional…"

"Sean," Charles addressed, making the redhead's eyes jump, "what mischief have you been into?"

"Well Daddy sir," Sean folded his hands together over his knees in a display of innocence, "a few rapscallions from the mean vicious Dingoes team came by the Jaguars practice today. Frank said they made very nasty remarks to Scott. So we felt obligated to go over to their sponsor site and… pelt them with creamy paper balls."

While something resembling incredulous horror crossed Charles' face, Erik had to make every muscle entirely tense to keep from dissolving into full-blown laughter.

"Leon, Franklin, Sean, what on earth possessed you to behave with such immaturity?" Charles reproached them.

Frank responded, "For Scott? I'd probably take a fork to a guy's Adam's apple."

"Yes," said Leon, "I was under the impression this was standard sibling protocol."

"And no one got hurt or anything," Sean offered out. "Just a little… gooey."

Charles sighed into a weary hand. "I should take a ruler to each of you."
Erik seconded, "Yes, especially for this blatantly obvious attire you went out in. All you need now are those tiny face masks."

Frank turned to Sean. "I told you we looked like burglars in this getup."

Erik shook his head then instructed, "Go wash up for dinner. You have two hours of training ahead of you as soon as you're finished eating."

"And we do not want you involved in any such tomfoolery again. Is that understood?" Charles looked to each of them. "Leon, Sean, Franklin?"

"Yes, sir," they recited together.

"Good." Charles nodded towards the metallic doors. "Now run along, lads."

"It's not fair," Sean moaned, getting up with the others.

"Are you crazy?" Frank reacted. "We didn't even get spanked."

"No, I mean how whenever we're in trouble everybody else has a trouble name to go with it. Leon, Franklin- but I'm just Sean unless you add my last name. Seriously, they couldn't give me two syllables?"

Frank only blinked at him. "Are you serious?"

"But it's so dull," the seventeen-year-old insisted. "Sean- that's it, case closed."

"Go wash up," Erik eyed the redhead, "Seanikus."

Frank snickered and Sean smiled adorably as the three of them proceeded out.

Leon mentioned, "Scott only has one syllable."

"Scott's hardly in trouble," Sean dismissed.

Frank agreed, "Yeah, even when he's bad he's still good."

Erik floated eyes over to Charles who felt the need to remind, "Two of them are yours."

IIIIIII

Making her way into the library, Emma approached the one seated at one table with books sprawled out.

"Don't tell me my sweet man has earned detention during recess."

Scott looked up with a small smile. "No, nothing like that. I just figured I need to get as much homework out of the way as I can. Besides, it's easier to focus on this stuff."

Emma stood by his chair and sent fingers through his hair. "Nervous about tomorrow's game?" He nodded under her touch. "Maybe this will make you feel better." She revealed the white box from behind her back. "Open it."

Doing as told, Scott took off the lid to discover the attire within. "Emma…"

"They arrived by courier," she told him. "All of your teammates will have theirs waiting on them when they get out of school."

"Oh wow," he placed the box on the table before tossing arms around her, "thank you so much!"

Emma hugged him back tightly. "Only remember that you're my valuable player."

Smiling from ear to ear, Scott rested on her shoulder.

IIIIIII

"Time, runt." Entering Eye Spy, Victor took his chair.

Logan tossed his empty beer bottle away then noticed his brother's assortment of papers. "New disappearances?"

"Nope." Victor leafed through the sheets. "Just tryin' to keep track of my guys. Most of 'em want donuts but I've got two with braces that are still sore so they'll need yogurts or somethin'. Then one has a strawberry allergy…"

"No wonder they snatched you up for this gig," Logan commented. "They need a short-order cook."

Victor flipped a page. "Just keepin' 'em fueled between grass stains."

Logan arched back in his seat. "It's good, though. How into this thing you are."

"They're good boys. Besides, age is catchin' up with Sealy. He needs a second set of eyes out there."

Logan nodded. "Want a hand?"

"I got it," Victor turned down. "Go check in on Kay."

Stretching his arms out wide, Logan released a yawn that bared all of his teeth. "Night, big brother." He launched himself out of his seat and took his leave of the security room.

IIIIIII

Positioned in front of the longest mirror his room had to offer, Scott moved around in an easy motion to ensure he had left no room for nitpick in his appearance. The royal blue uniform featured the name Jaguar spelled out in bold gold cursive along with a print of the spotted animal leaping out right below the words. His cap carried the same design.

"Come in," he said to the door knock without glancing away.

Alex stepped inside and absorbed his brother's clothing with admiration growing on his face. "So there is a Summers who can wear that uniform without looking like a stiff dork."

Scott turned to face him. "Are you sure it's okay?"

"Yeah, except you're missing something."

Scott looked from his shoes to his sleeves. "What?"

Alex held a hand out to him, showing him the X patch in his palm.

Bouncing on her toes into the living room, Becky twirled in place for several rounds. "Kayla finished it. Do you like it?"

The girl had on a harvest yellow skirt and sleeveless V-neck top with Jaguars spelled out in a slanted angle on the front. The outfits lettering and trim came in blue. Becky also wore gold and blue ribbons in her hair that matched her pom-poms well.

Emma peered over from wiping Brian's mouth. "Oh darling, you look wonderful."

"Just beautiful, Princess," said Charles.

"Yes absolutely," Erik took her hand to further exam the ensemble, "though I'm going to speak to Kayla about lengthening this skirt."

Becky asked, "How much longer?"

Erik replied, "The floor should suffice."

Raven brought up, "You know she needs to be able to move, right?"

Hank reasoned, "She'll be able to clap her hands just fine."

"Rebecca," she turned around as Scott came into the room ahead of Alex, "you look- you're far out!"

Becky smiled then countered, "Me? What about you? Auntie Em was right. That uniform is tons better."

"Okay, we're finally finished." Sean paraded in first carrying in what had to be at least a ten foot banner. Cordelia held onto the top of it at the middle while Leon supported Sean's opposite end. "What do you think, Scott?"

Scott took in the sign reading 'Jaguars Rule This Jungle' in rainforest inspired coloring and style. "Fantastic! Thanks, guys."

"Mommy, Daddy." Kiki ran in alongside her brother.

Trav pointed out their faces. "Look, Joey did it for us." A glittery blue J was painted on his right cheek and a yellow one on Kiki's.

Joey quickly explained as he rushed in as well, "It washes out, Aunt Raven."

"I figured," Raven said undoubtedly. "It looks great. Just be careful not to touch your faces too much or it'll smear."

"Alright, geeks of all kind," Alex addressed them all. "Let's move it before the twerp's late for his first game."

As they all proceeded down, Joey spotted something on Scott's right shoulder. He ran his thumb over the stitched on patch and shared a smile with the one in the uniform.

They reached the garage by the time Cody, Frank and Logan finished helping Victor load up the back of the X-Van with various snack items. Maya stood off to the side in a linked arm stance with Kayla.

"There he is." When Scott came close enough, Victor exchanged a double high-five with him. "Ready and willin'?"

Scott answered, "Like you wouldn't believe, Coach."

Frank clapped his shoulder. "You're going to kill out there."

"I don't know." Scott smirked at him knowingly. "The Dingoes might run the other way when they see you coming."

Frank formed a proud countenance.

"Thanks, baby." Logan took his tall blue and yellow hand-clapper toy from Kayla.

Charles remarked, "Must you?"

"Hey," Logan aimed the plastic contraption their way, "you all won't let me bring my megaphone to anymore sportin' events."

Erik reminded, "That's because you tried to take it into Becky's last recital."

Logan threw back, "I'm not the one who dang near blinded a guy with glasses on."

Charles clutched the camera around his neck. "My flash technique has improved greatly thank you."

"While we're on this subject," Victor faced all of them, "keep in mind that Hope Park's field has limited bleacher capacity and our group's known for takin' up a big chunk. So we need to hurry up so we have enough time to knock those chumps out of our way."

Cordelia threw an arm into the air. "Whoo!"

While everyone determined vehicle arrangements, Emma asked into Kayla's ear, "What exactly is a home run? Is it similar to a touchdown?"

The expecting woman could only shrug.

Content in his mother's arms, Brian gummed his small Jaguar plush.

IIIIIII

Hands in the pockets of his leisure pants, the Professor proceeded through the main level until he reached the very back. He came up just behind Alex, who stared out of one window.

"Still out there I see."

The blonde nodded without turning around. "He's taking this hard. I tried talking to him. Vic tried. He's not trying to hear it."

Pressing a hand against the teen's back a moment, Charles exited through the door. He strolled across the lawn, where the heavily forlorn boy sat inside the recently installed tire swing beneath the treehouse. One hand gripped the support chain while the other dangled limply. Through the limited light offered by the moon, Scott spotted the Professor but jerked his head away the moment their eyes met.

Charles went around, placing arms over him from behind. "Aren't you getting cold?"

After a headshake, Scott claimed, "I know what you're going to say. It was only two points, it's how you play the game, you can't win 'em all. Yeah, yeah."

"Yeah, yeah," Charles imitated. "Actually, I understand very well how you're feeling. No one enjoys losing, no matter how much of a stiff upper lip is put in place."

"It's not just that we lost," said Scott. "But my first game? The very first time you saw me play? I was hoping…" He grasped the chain harder. "I wanted you all to see me be great. Instead I just made you waste your time."

"Waste time?" Charles echoed in a contrary tone. "Scott, I enjoyed every second of that game. Your pitch, your runs- they were phenomenal. And I'll tell you what else. I plan to attend every single game I possibly can. Whether you come out on top or lose by a hundred points, I don't want to miss a moment of it."

Scott slowly glanced back. "So you don't just think I was running around like a headless chicken out there?"

"Certainly not." Charles pinched his chin then looked to recall something. "Though this does remind me of my first major tennis match back at Oxford."

"Did you lose, too?"

"Yes," Charles replied. "But we responded to it with the greatest maturity. My partner and I coated the other team's fresh clothes in itching powder."

Scott's face broke apart into a wide grin. "No you didn't."

"Oh yes, we did," Charles confirmed. "I'm afraid I took my game a bit too seriously."

Scott shook his head in astonishment. "I can't believe you could ever be so bad."

"Then there is much I haven't told you." With a twinkle in his eye, Charles then instructed, "Not a word of this to Sean. No need to give the other lads any further impish inspiration." The boy laughed. "That was part of many lessons I learned. Be it the victory of forming the X-Men," Charles cupped his cheek, "or the agony of defeat I felt at losing Darwin and Angel that day," Scott regarded him sympathetically, "all of these experiences have made me stronger and, better yet, wiser in some way. You have a right to be upset for a time but I never want you to stay so sullen. Even when that route seems easiest at first."

Quieting for several seconds, Scott twisted to share an embrace with the man. "Thanks, Charles. I don't know where I'd be without you."

"Combating pneumonia would be my guess." Charles kept arms tighter around him to pull him off the tire. "Let's get inside."

"Good idea," Scott smiled deviously, "I bet Erik will want to hear all about your tennis game."

"Ohh don't you get cheeky with me, young Cyclops," Charles hoisted him up, making him laugh, "or over my knee you go."

Scott dipped his head against Charles' shoulder. "But what about my runs?"

"They'll be fine." The telepath started them back towards the house. "Sitting on the bench on the other hand…"

When they returned to the indoors, Scott picked up on a bit of commotion. "What's that?"

Already about to sense it, Charles only said, "Let's find out."

Alex stepped into the Mag Cave in full to allow them entry. He continued watching the pajama clad Becky and Kiki wave pom-poms. Erik observed in jollity from the sofa.

"S-U-M-M-E-R-S!" Becky rang out while Kiki imitated her movements as best she could, "that's the way we spell success." She then tacked on, "But not Alex."

Alex feigned sorrow. "Thanks for the love, babes."

"Rebecca," a glowing Scott approached her, "how can you still be cheering for me after today?"

"Um," she used a pom-pom to sweep across his head, "is this thing on? You think I'm out there because I like watching baseball?" Becky rolled her eyes. "You're the one I've been cheering for this whole time."

"Me, too!" Kiki bobbed her head importantly.

Scott glanced down at her happily then returned his gaze to Becky. "I don't know what to say…"

"You're still tops around here, twerp," Alex ruffled his hair, "so get over it."

"Now out of the way," Erik reached out, pulling Scott to sit by him. "Sweet Imp, bubala, as you were."

Back on cue, Kiki hopped up and down with blazing enthusiasm while Becky started up another round of S-U-M-M-E-R-S.