X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Ten

Author's Word: First and foremost, Happy Birthday to TrinitySeeker! I really, really need your day to rock. Everyone else, please enjoy and review!

Dull gold device with brown needle tilting side to side, the boy's blue eyes reflected against the protective glass casing. At the nurse's office door creaking open, Joey hopped up from the bench and crammed the compass into his pants pocket.

The girl in yellow polka dot skirt with white blouse instantly smiled at him. "You didn't have to wait."

"It's okay. I wanted to." They started for the nearest exit door together. "Is everything okay?"

"Oh sure," Laci replied casually. "My parents just like me to get these blood pressure readings a couple times a week." Her features became far more spirited at a recollection. "My costume is almost ready."

Joey asked with interest, "Are you still going as Maid Marian?"

"Of course. Mother is helping me with the stitching. I wanted to make sure it looked just right for your Robin Hood. How's that coming, anyway?"

When the bubbling glow within him settled enough for him to properly speak, he responded, "I just need the arrows and I'm all set."

Laci flashed pleased gray eyes his direction. "Great."

Joey held one of the double doors open, allowing Laci to leave out ahead of them. They quickly met up with an assortment of their friends.

Fred immediately brought up, "So, you're gonna talk to your old man tonight, right?"

"Right," Joey confirmed.

The larger boy proved skeptical. "For sure-sure?"

"Relax, Freddie," Cody chimed in. "He'll get it done. It's not like greasin' our pops ya know. Joey's folks get real serious sometimes."

Laci said sympathetically, "Like my parents."

"I know, but time's running out," Fred reminded. "You got to ask your old man so we can ask ours."

Mike formed a curious thoughtful expression. "It's weird to think of Joey's old man as an old man. Sure, ours is an old man, but Joey's is like a young man."

Fred placed disgruntled fists on his hips, glancing down at his brother. "You can't call your dad young man. That's what they call us when we're in for it."

Cody tacked on humorously, "And a whole lot of other stuff, too."

Joey spoke again with, "I'll talk to him after school today, Fred. Promise."

"Good. Come on," Fred waved them on, "let's play pirates. Laci can be the dame we kidnap."

Sharing a smile with Joey, the red haired girl followed after the boys.

IIIIIII

Entering the kitchen, Frank's brown eyes locked in on the Westchester University catalogue Sean and Alex browsed through together at the table.

"Don't mind me." Going to the counter, he pulled over the cookie jar. "Keep discussing your big man on campus stuff. Never mind that I'll be applying to college in a few years and could benefit from some experience." Frank removed a pair of oatmeal raisins. "No, don't pay me any attention at all."

"So business as usual," Alex surmised, flipping another page in the book. "Beautiful."

Sean tried to hide his growing smile. "I take it you're still a little sore at us, Frank-O."

Frank took a rough bite out of a cookie. "Maybe."

"Aw, too bad." Sean shrugged. "Guess we'll have to forget about that WU thing on Saturday."

Frank swallowed hard. "What WU thing?"

"Well, none of us bigger guys have dates for this weekend so we reserved the lounge at Jam's dorm," Sean explained. "We're going to watch horror pictures, eat loads of junk, burp to the moon. His kid brother's going to be there and since you guys are around the same age, Alex is taking Scott and I thought I'd bring you along."

Not turning gaze away from the catalogue, Alex piped up, "But if you're going to act all bratty and snippy…"

"Aw, come on. You know I was just fooling around." Frank went to hug Sean from behind. "And you wouldn't have any fun without me, right?"

Sean patted his wrist. "Never do."

"Then it's settled." Alex scooted his chair back from the table to stand. "And I have a minute until meeting." He left the kitchen and headed for the stairs. When he reached the top, he took in the cluster of X-Kids gathered together. "Okay, what are you guys into?" He noticed Joey's uncomfortable expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Joey answered promptly. "We're just goofing around."

"Okay." Alex aimed a finger their way as he continued down the hall. "But I'm watching you. All of you."

Watching him now go into the library, Becky turned to Joey. "Go on and ask. It's okay."

"Yeah, Joey," Trav bounced in place anxiously, "do it, do it."

"I'd ask for you," Cody said, "but your dad'd like it better comin' from you."

"I know," Joey sighed.

Becky took him by the hand. "Come on." She began leading the way into the meeting space and wordlessly poked her head in. "Excuse me, Uncle Charles. I'm sorry."

The male telepath stopped speaking to gaze over at her. "Oh, Princess. Think nothing of it." Seeing the others with her, he ushered them forward. "Come inside, little ones. No one's going to bite you."

Trav asked, "Not even Wolfy?"

When the boy came close enough, Logan scooped him up. "Nothin' doin'. You're hardly enough for a bedtime snack, let alone a decent meal." He nuzzled his nose against the child's neck and snarled lightly.

Trav broke into giggles and Hank smiled at the display.

Glad to have the adults in a good mood, Joey came to his parents' section of the table. "I wanted to ask you something. About Halloween."

Emma touched his upper arm. "What is it, Treasure?"

"Well," her son began, "we kind of wanted to a have a, sort of, trick-or-treat party. Like we'll go trick-or-treating with our friends and come back here for snacks and stuff. And me and Cody were hoping the guys could sleepover with us. Fred and Mike."

Trav piped up strongly, "And Max, too! I want him to sleepover with us."

While they were at it, Becky added, "And I want Anne Cortez to come trick-or-treating with us. She hasn't had a Halloween with other kids in a long time. Definitely not kids like us."

Cody finished things with, "So can we? Please? Our grades weren't crummy."

Taking it all in, Charles responded, "My. Well lambs, you have to understand that this is short notice."

"That's okay," Cody reassured. "Mike and Fred's folks are cool. Estevan will probably let Anne and Max go free, too."

"So it seems our fulfillment of cool rides entirely on what we say next," Erik put forth.

Kayla said, "I don't think it will be too much trouble. Besides, it sounds like fun."

"Raven and I were already going to take them trick-or-treating," Hank spoke. "I think we can manage a few more. Besides that, I think it would be," he considered how to word it, "good for Max to stay the night."

Trav folded his hands together with a big grin.

"I'll go, too," Victor offered. "Keep an extra pair of eyes out."

Alex said plainly, "Let 'em live a little."

After a look from Erik and a nod from Emma, Charles determined, "A trick-or-treat party it is."

Erik immediately tacked on, "If you behave like good boys and girls between now and then."

Even with that bit, the four still erupted into loud cheer.

"Oh boy, thank you!" Joey nearly shrieked.

"Thank you!" Becky turned to hurry out of the room. "I'm calling Anne!"

Cody shot after her. "I got to tell Mike. Fred'll never believe this."

With a particularly content expression, Joey came behind with, "Laci."

Letting Trav up, Logan cautioned, "Get ready, people. This Halloween's gonna be a whole lot scarier."

IIIIIII

Very precise erasing finished, he picked up the regular pencil to aide one section on the paper.

Knuckles drumming at the doorframe, Erik glanced in. "Am I disturbing you, Kangaroo?"

"No, Uncle Erik," Joey replied, blue eyes entirely wrapped in his picture.

Coming over to the bed, Erik got a good look at the sketch that preoccupied the young one's attention so. It consisted of a ginger headed lass in a medieval gown in the middle of a meadow of sorts.

"Anyone I know?"

"Oh, I," Joey sat up on his knees, "I saw it in a book."

"Which reminds me, I was looking through a few old things of mine and you'll never believe what I happened upon." From behind his back, Erik displayed the three pointed arrows.

"Whoa." Joey reached forward to run a finger down the stem of one. "They look so real."

"Because they are," the metal wielder told him, making the boy's eyes swell with intrigue. "I believe I acquired these in a little antique shop in Ireland. They were on display in the window and caught my eye immediately. I thought they would be very fitting for the leader of Sherwood Forest."

A combination of disbelief and utter joy made up Joey's expression. "You mean it?"

"I mean it." Erik handed over the arrows. "Though I'm afraid you'll still have to rely on a plastic bow. Can't have you striking terror in the neighbors. This Halloween, anyway."

Smile taking over his face, Joey got in close enough to wind arms around the man's waist. "Thank you, Uncle Erik. They're gonna make my costume perfect."

Erik ran a hand through his hair then squatted to be at eye reach of the boy. "I'm very pleased with the way you've befriended Laci and the Dukes children. Finding others to play with cannot be easy since they're all still new to Westchester. I understand such a feeling."

Joey nodded. "Me, too."

"With every day," Erik eyed him closely, "you remind me more and more of your father."

The child could only look back at him at first. "Really?"

Erik only patted him on the shoulder and returned to his feet. "See to it that you review that spelling tonight." He made his way towards the door.

Picking up one arrow for closer observation, Joey had to keep from crushing it as he held it with the tightest glee to his chest.

IIIIIII

Green and gray checkered backpack slung over one shoulder, the auburn haired boy deposited it on the table occupied by the brunette.

"Hey." Collin dropped into the chair next to him.

"Hey," Frank returned then wanted to know, "How'd the test go?"

Collin retrieved it from one of his folders. "Won't that look pretty on the fridge?"

"A C plus?" Frank reacted favorably. "I'd say that's a huge leap in a week."

Collin tilted his hand in an unconvinced gesture. "Barely registers on the radar in your little honors world. And you're not even supposed to be in high school."

A lack of amusement reflected in Frank's features. "Did I forget to tell you that they're finally installing that booster seat for me in the cafeteria?"

"You know what I mean, man." Collin took back the test, slapping a hand against the material written on it. "This stuff is a breeze for you. How do you do it?"

Frank shrugged. "Never had much trouble with reading and numbers. Which is bizarre because the guys in my family don't have the highest high school graduation rate."

Collin put forth, "We should make a club."

Shaking his head in humor, Frank said, "You shouldn't let grades and crap keep you down. None of it matters once we're out of here, right?"

"You're not lying," Collin concurred then noticed the American flag patch sewn onto the front of Frank's backpack. "Hello, apple pie guy."

Frank followed his gaze and rolled his eyes a little. "That's my dad's. It came in his army kit. It was a whole flag until one of the little guy's broke the stem. Erik clean it for me."

"Ah," Collin nodded. "So what's your old man got to say about our "special needs"?"

Frank scratched at the back of his head. "He doesn't know. My mom does, though. She's really cool about it. They're both out of the country."

"Bet that's where mine are, too. But hey," Collin began packing away his things, "bet yours occasionally wonder if you're breathing." He put his bag on and stood. "I'll see you in Italian."

"See you," Frank said after him.

Mondo acknowledged Collin with a head bob as they passed each other in the library. "What's up with him?" He sat across from Frank.

The slightly younger boy answered, "Life."

"Fun stuff," Mondo remarked dryly before changing to a more serious expression. "Listen Frank, I think it's good you want to help him out with homework, but hanging together… you might want to watch that."

Frank looked at him as if checking for a second head. "What are you talking about?"

Mondo stated, "He's not our kind."

After several blinks, Frank came back with, "Tell me I'm suffering complete brain damage right now because I know I didn't just hear you say that."

"Guys like him have no business at this school, Frank," Mondo insisted. "He shows laughable effort and still gets to strut around here because of his zip code. We're the ones setting the standards around here and they still see us as colors or trash out of Queens."

"Look, I know that, okay? And it's stupid. But Collin is nothing like the other guys that go here. I wish you'd give him a chance before making him out to be some undeserving nothing."

"All I'm saying is, watch it," Mondo cautioned. "Don't let a guy like that bring you down to his level. Now, can I see your history notes? I want to compare."

While going into his backpack for the correct notebook, the X-Man silently wondered how the other boy would react if he only knew that Collin was indeed Frank's kind.

IIIIIII

"My ma's baking us her pumpkin cookies," Cody informed eagerly.

Joey added, "We're having hotdogs and hamburgers. My aunt's getting us three different kinds of soda, too."

"Whoo!" Fred whistled. "Dad'll love that. He always says Mike needs some meat on him. I'm betting he hurls."

Joey's attention went straight to the door at who walked in next. "Laci. What'd your parents say?"

Taking her seat with grin in place, she said, "I can come to your house when we're done trick-or-treating, but I have to call as soon as we get there and we have to stay in the neighborhood."

Returning the smile, Joey said, "That's no problem. My aunt and uncle won't let us go too far, anyway."

"Plus we have to hurry up home to pig out," Cody said importantly.

"Good morning, children." Mrs. Andrews entered, putting her bag down.

"Good morning, Mrs. Andrews," the class recited.

"Now, as soon as I finish with attendance, I want you to clear your desks. We're having a surprise test based on last night's reading."

A multitude of groans resulted while Joey appeared completely flushed.

Noticing, Cody leaned in. "What's wrong?"

"I forgot to read," the blonde whispered. "I was thinking about the party."

"Don't worry," Cody attempted to soothe. "There wasn't much to it. The test'll probably be easy."

Tapping fingers along his desk, Joey's expression proved unconvinced.

IIIIIII

"Cordelia?"

Slowing down at the voice, Cordelia glanced back with a pleasant countenance. "Oh hi, Ben."

"Hi." Catching up with her, he asked, "Have you spoken to Angel?"

"Not since yesterday," the girl replied. "She's still out west striping it up."

Ben nodded. "How cool is her commitment to that? I wish we had more courage like that in the messianic movement. Too many still don't want to mix old with new."

"I get what you mean," Cordelia said sympathetically.

"But hey, next time you two talk, can you have Angel call me?" Ben requested. "My family is going out of town for the weekend and I have some notes from a couple of our classes she can use."

"Sure," Cordelia agreed. "I'll let her know."

"Great." With a smile, he waved on his way down the hall. "Thanks!"

As Cordelia continued on to her locker, Fabian approached next. "What did the temple tot want?"

"Angel." Getting the metal door open, she glanced at him with falsely suspicious narrowed eyes. "Now, what do you want?"

"To ask you out," Fabian answered straightaway.

She moved her head in a way that her hair fell to one side. "Really?"

"Yes, though I must confess, the girl I wanted to spend Halloween with cancelled on me."

Cordelia folded her arms with an equally cross expression. "Real-ly?"

"My sister." Fabian's face split into a sly grin. "We were originally going to stay home and feast on obscene amounts of candy, but apparently she finds trick-or-treating with certain X-Kids more appealing."

"I don't blame her. In fact, I was thinking about joining them." She stepped up closer upon him. "Unless a better offer is made."

"First, I need to know something." He gazed brown orbs into her blue. "Do you honestly want to go out with me or are we to continue this two-households-both-alike-in-dignity routine? Because I have to say, I'm finding it as old and tiresome as that play."

"So am I," Cordelia admitted. "And yes, absolutely. I want to go out with you."

"So I can pick you up without your security opening fire?"

"Yes, but I make no promises on that last part. Good thing I have a rock hard body that can shield you."

"That's not all it does for me." Fabian tweaked her chin as the bell sounded. "Call you tonight?"

She nodded and smiled after his departing form.

IIIIIII

At the new weight latching onto his back, Sean performed a brief spin before continuing through the hall with the shorter, thinner body.

"Had a good day, Frank-O?"

"Not a crappy one." Frank hopped down as they found their way out to the student parking lot. "So I need to ask you about this Halloween thing at WU."

Sean looked at him. "Yes, you can sit in my lap during the scary parts."

Frank bumped him lightly. "No, I mean I want to invite Collin Murphy. And look, I get that you probably don't want to deal with him or any Acolyte but Becky and Cordy are making an effort, right? We may not be on the same exact side, but we don't have to stay divided up, either, right?"

"You are right," Sean responded with no need for remotely intensive pondering. "Go ahead. Invite him. In fact, it'll be good to make us even with four of us big guys and you small fries."

"You're so funny."

"I so try." As they got into the car, Sean asked, "But I'm just wondering, why do you feel such a need to go to bat for this kid, anyway?"

Frank thought about it then said, "I feel like a lot of people love lining up to tell him how worthless he is. I just know how rotten that feels."

"Yeah," Sean started up the BMW, "me, too."

IIIIIII

Allowing the juvenile mutant to move ahead of him, the wizard of metal observed him with keen eyes from behind. Feet attached to silver disc, the small body flew at varying speeds, currently of the lethargic variety. Summoning aide from the elements around him, Magneto shot forward to fly alongside him.

"I take it the flights of fancy within your own head are of greater interest than the lesson at hand."

Eel shifted his head the man's direction. "Huh? Did I do something wrong?"

"You are here in body only," Magneto told him. "I understand you're terribly excited about this weekend, but you must apply your full attention here."

"I know." Eel made sure to add, "I'm sorry."

Getting a thorough look at his face, Magneto inquired, "Is something troubling you?" The boy shook his head. "Am I making you nervous?"

Another head shake. "No, sir. I'll do better. I promise."

Magneto determined, "I believe that's enough time in the sky for now." He ushered them to ground level. "Go on and see what Havok has in store for you."

"Yes, sir." Eel stepped off his disc and picked it up before going in search of the older blonde.

IIIIIII

Stretched out on the mattress with her back against Melissa's front, the mischievous antics of Yogi Bear kept Anne's focus on the flashing box. Fabian left his private bath in purple lounge pants and a goldenrod undershirt with a towel still soaking up the moisture in his freshly washed hair. He glanced at the television as he lowered into bed with the other two. Anne inched over to rest her head in his lap.

Only the arrival of the tall male in brown suit alerted her. "Papi!"

Estevan collected her in his hold and applied lips to her cheek. "Como estuvo tu dia, mijita?"

"Perfecto," Anne replied. "We got our costumes. I'm going as a Spanish princess and Becky's going as a Jewish princess."
"Muy hermoso. Missy," Estevan gingerly lowered Anne to the floor as he addressed the older female, "could you ladies give us gents a moment?"

"Of course." Melissa flipped her legs over and stood. "Come, chica."

When they were alone, Fabian gazed up with urgency present in his eyes. "Do you need me, Father?"

"At all times." On his way to grab the comb off the dresser, Estevan noticed the costume hanging from the closet door. "Very appropriate, mijo." The corners of Fabian's mouth turned up. Estevan sat next to him and removed the towel to begin smoothing out the damp strands underneath. "I want you to be careful spending time with Cordelia Frost."

"The X-Men won't try anything," Fabian reassured. "Such boldness is not part of their thumb-twiddling style."

"I certainly know that. What I mean is, be watchful," Estevan cautioned. "Her sister is Emma Frost after all. A child conceived in wedlock, a rushed wedding. And those are only the finer parts of her resume."

"Cordelia is no harlot."

"Still," Estevan further warned, "never lose your senses for a moment. All it takes is a fast girl to lead a good man astray."

Fabian grew thoughtful and gave off a nod.

IIIIIII

Heart turned jackhammer within his chest, Joey sucked in his breath when the paper finally landed on his desk face down. Reaching forward, he peeled it back to see the underlined mark at the top.

"Phew, C," Fred breathed relief. "How'd you guys do?"

"'Bout the same." Cody hurriedly put his test away. "Joey?"

The blonde's reply came in the form of connecting his face with his desk.

"Uh oh," Fred reacted on his behalf.

"Joey," Cody touched his friend's back, "it's gonna be okay, really."

"Anyone who made a D or lower must have their papers signed by their parents and handed back in at the start of class tomorrow," Mrs. Andrews announced.

At Joey's alarm, Cody insisted, "We will figure this out. Don't worry."

Fred said lowly, "We'll fudge it if we have to."

Joey finally spoke at this. "What?"

"Hey, you don't want to let her down do ya?" Cody indicated where Laci's attention went to working on a button bracelet inside her desk.

Facing her, a teeny smile could not help growing on Joey's face.

IIIIIII

Catching up to Frank in the cafeteria, Collin put forth, "So question for you."

"Shoot."

"This Saturday thing. Are all these guys like us?"

"No," Frank shook his head hard. "Alex's friends don't know about us."

"Ah, an evening with the regulars," Collin surmised. "Normal for a night. Guess we have our costumes, huh?"

Considering it, Frank concurred, "Guess we do."

"By the way, Fabian's not randomly showing up for this, is he?"

Frank made something of an amused scowl. "Since it's not a tea party, I'm thinking no."

Collin dipped his head in a deep snicker at that.

IIIIIII

After underlining the important parts of the sentence he wrote out, Sean picked up on his less than captivated tutee.

"Hey," he snapped fingers in front of the younger mutant's face, "I know it stinks here, but come back to Earth."

Joey blinked several times. "What happened?"

Sean shook his head humorously. "What's going on? Mr. Popularity can't fit schoolwork into his schedule anymore?"

"I was, um, just…" Joey touched a hand to the back of his head. "Thinking about Laci."

"I see." Sean tapped the sentence. "Look what I wrote."

Joey read, "The pretty carved face with the long brown hair flashed her radiant smile."

Sean said, "Definitely not the only one with girls on the brain. I'll be back." He stood from the coffee table. "We're in need of sugar refuel."

"Thanks." Left alone, Joey picked up and leafed to the far back of his reading folder.

Lost in his own mind, he hardly had time to hone in on the entering footsteps. Jumping, he nearly dropped the folder as he forced everything back into place and put it down again.

A slight eyebrow raised on Erik. "I didn't mean to startle you, Kangaroo. I was only looking for," he zeroed in on the novel on the end table near the sofa, "ah." He went to pick it up. Joey sent him a smile. On his way out, Erik stopped again. "Oh, just one more thing."

"Hm?"

The man looked back with a somber countenance. "I'd like a little peek at whatever it was that almost caused you to exit your skin upon sight of me."

Joey felt his facial features freezing up. "T-that was just my- I did a sketch for art class and—"

"Charles," the first name captured the boy's attention as Erik walked over to kneel on the other side of the coffee table, peering darker blue eyes into the child's brighter pair, "this is not playtime so no games. Now, give it to me."

Sighing softly, Joey retrieved the paper in question and slowly gave it over for the man's viewing. "I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to."

Erik took in the D at the top with no obvious physical reaction. "I certainly hope not." He looked to Joey again. "I take it your parents haven't seen this."

"No, sir," the ten-year-old whispered.

"I must say I am surprised. What brought this on?"

"I…" Joey rubbed his wrist apprehensively. "You wouldn't understand."

Erik moved around to join his side of the table. "Start at the top and we'll see if that's true or not."

Exhaling another bit of sharp air, Joey began the explanation.

IIIIIII

Passing the other half of the Eye Scream Team's room, Frank peered in at him packing a bag.

"What're you doing, man?"

"Hey," Scott glanced up, "I'm bringing Batman, Joker, and Riddler."

"Where?" a clueless Frank wondered.

"For Saturday," Scott clarified. "Are you bringing Superman and Flash?"

Frank folded his arms, looking at him with a concerned grimness. "Uh, Scott? High school guys don't play with action figures. College guys definitely don't."

"Since when?" Scott wanted to know. "We play them all the time. Sean's into the heroes. So is Leon."

"That's, you know," Frank searched for an explanation, "different. What we do around the house is different from when we're hanging with the other guys. You're not trying to get us laughed out of this thing, are you?"

Scott's shoulders drooped a little. "Well… guess not."

"Thank you," Frank said with relief and continued down the hall.

Staring into his sack, Scott, puzzled himself, pulled out and stared at his Riddler toy.

IIIIIII

Gazing up at the ceiling from his spot on the mattress, Cody concluded, "Well, we're dead meat."

Joey laid on his stomach beside him. "No, I am. They won't cancel the whole party. They just won't let me go."

"How stupid is that? They're your friends, too, and we both know Laci's not coming over here for me. And I can't just go without you. We're best friends."

"I know." Joey rolled over to face him. "I'm really sorry, Cody. I messed up everything."

"No, you didn't," Cody looked back at him, "It's Mrs. Andrews. Teachers love pulling rat stuff like this close to Halloween and fun days. They want us to get in trouble."

A knock came, bringing both their gazes to the door. "Joey?"

The boy in question sat up. "Yes, Dad?"

As the Professor entered, an oversized grin appeared on Cody's face. "Hello, Charles."

"Hello," the man returned shortly before placing full attention on his own son. "Your uncle told me about your test. Now while I understand you being excited so, you also know not to neglect your schoolwork, yes?"

"Yes," Joey answered. "I'm sorry. The reading's all I forgot. I did my written homework."

"Please say Joey can go trick-or-treating, Charles," Cody pleaded. "Please? We'll study our brains out, promise."

"Thank you for that, Codicat." Charles then told them both, "Erik saw no need for this to interfere with your Halloween plans and I must agree. The test did come as a big surprise."

Leaping up, Joey ran to hug his father. "Thanks, Dad!"

Charles knelt to better embrace him. "However, if you receive another poor mark because you lost track of your studies, you're going to be grounded- among other consequences- until you're properly caught up. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," Joey replied promptly. "I'll do better, really."

"You can start with reviewing tonight's homework. I'll be in to check on you in a bit." Charles looked to the bed. "I'm sure Cody would love to offer his assistance."

Cody beamed. "Yesss, sir."

"Books," Charles aimed two fingers at them, "now," and left out again.

Joey turned to Cody with a huge smile. "Isn't this great?"

"No, this is crazy," a somewhat flabbergasted Cody replied. "It's like your uncle switched brains with mine or somethin'. Erik must have some kinda torture planned for us later."

A less pleased look in place, Joey came back over to the bed. "Why do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"Talk bad about my uncle." Joey climbed onto his mattress. "I never say anything bad about yours."

"That's because there's nothin' bad to say. Everybody loves him," Cody said matter-of-factly. "Besides, remember when we first met? You used to go on about how Erik hardly let you have any fun and how he nitpicked so much."

Realizing, Joey slouched in place. "Yeah… I did.."

IIIIIII

Fatigue developing within his eyes but focus feigning not even marginally, the metal wielder continued mapping out the upcoming day's political agenda in addition to the mountain of privileged information spread out before him. The subtle creaking from one of his steel doors caused him to look away.

To the pajama clad boy who stood there, he asked, "Trouble sleeping, Kangaroo?"

"A little." Joey stepped forward, bringing himself before the desk. "I wanted to say thank you, Uncle Erik. For talking to Daddy for me."

Erik listened then said, "You're welcome. I saw no reason for your fun to be spoiled. However," his expression hardened, "do not expect me to rescue you for every error you make. Though you're still quite young, you're not the timid babe you once were. You're perfectly intelligent enough to know and do better."

"Yes, Uncle Erik." Joey went around and reached up to peck his cheek.

Erik rubbed his back in turn. "You should get back to bed, young Robin Hood."

"Can I lay down here?" Joey requested. "I promise to be quiet."

"You usually are." Erik nodded towards the couch. "Go on. I'll take you up later."

Going to the sofa, Joey stretched out and snuggled against the cushions. Getting up, Erik fetched the fleece throw to cover him with. He brushed Joey's hair with his fingers for a few seconds before resuming work at his desk.