X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty

Author's Word: Hello, fam. With this update, I bring news almost too devastating to announce. Before you do anything else, please sit. Though considering the fact that most of us are at our computers right now, there's a strong possibility that you're already sitting, so let's get to it. You see, fam, beginning a week from Monday I am—I'm re— I will be returning to the toxic pit with the books, mindless follower drones, and blatantly biased educators. That's right. I am going back to… college. With this startling news, comes the fact that updates are more likely going to be every ten to twelve days as opposed to weekly. As with every challenge we have faced, fam, as long as you continue to read, you better believe I will continue to write. However, if you really think this will interfere with Rise or Fall, please feel free to stop me. After all, you are my fam and your thoughts matter to me deeply.

On a brighter note, I want everyone to take a guess at the X-Men's favorite colors. No, really. It's fun. You don't even have to give a reason.

On an even brighter note, please enjoy and review!

Completely entranced by the rhythm echoing from his record player, the thin teenager had no time to brace himself as the much younger face rematerialized beside him.

"Max!" Collin jumped. "Geez, what do you think you're doing?"

"Big trouble- let's go!" The child took off at top speed with that.

"What?" A completely lost Collin moved to go after him.

Both boys froze in place in the hall as the Cortez trio paraded towards the stairs in order of age.

"It should not take longer than two or three weeks to obtain what I need on Ignacio," Estevan spoke, fully dressed for the day. When they arrived downstairs in the foyer, he started to get into his overcoat. "His new government patsies have him hidden well, but I have my own leads."

"Father, let me go with you," Fabian urged.

"Marco is the only backup I will need for this one." Estevan reached out to stroke at his son's cheek. "Stay with your sister."

Arms crossed near the front door, Jimmy concluded, "Suppose you won't need me, either."

Estevan planted him with a look. "You can start earning your worth by helping see to things here."

Anne tugged on her father's coat. "Papi…"

Max went to stand beside her. "Don't go, Tio."

Crouching, Estevan gave them each an arm. "Take strength, mi amors. I'll return as soon as I can."

"So," Collin piped up, "do we still have to go to school?"

Fabian shot him a glare. "As if there is a cure for your awakening stupidity."

Collin did not retort as he shifted vision towards he window and the one who stood there. "Missy?"

"Melissa?" Estevan stood again, going to her. "Will you be alright?"

She quickly moved to face him. "Of course. Do what you have to. We'll be here."

Estevan nodded once. "I have no doubts."

While he went to finish his goodbyes, Melissa's gaze lingered once again beyond the glass.

IIIIIII

Long ponytail pounding against his back, Leon picked up speed despite his feet growing numb. It seemed as if his he left all unwanted thoughts in his dust with every rapid step. He soon ran fast enough to be at Alex's side, who quickly caught up to where Erik and Frank had paused for a minute.

Frank smirked at them as he boasted, "Come on, you guys. That's the best you got? We left you a mile back there."

"Do not exaggerate a few yards," Erik warned.

Alex said simply, "I better see this much hustle at training, kid."

"Don't worry about that," Frank guaranteed.

"Let's be off, boychicks," Erik directed.

Frank followed after the man's sprint.

Going slightly slower to speak to the one beside him, Alex inquired, "You okay?"

"I don't know." Leon glanced back. "You see that guilt demon I thought I left behind?"

"He comes anywhere near here and I pound his ass," Alex promised. "And anybody else that tries to get in your face." He then asked, "What are you feeling guilty about?"

"Tricie," taking a breath, Leon added, "and Caitlyn."

"Oh Lee, don't do that to yourself. You know there's nothing you could have done there."

"Nothing I could have done," Leon echoed. "If you had been there, they'd be right here now."

Alex gaped at him incredulously. "Lee, come on."

"You were literally on your last leg because of Tobias Evander," Leon brought up. "I make a pathetic attempt to rescue you, end up unconscious, and you still have enough strength to blast rats."

"Look, Dad already gave it to you good a couple days ago. You really want to ask for more by putting yourself down like this?" Alex gripped his shoulder. "You didn't even know what was happening or even that I was a mutant, but you still went in after me. And you know you did everything you could to keep Maya and Tricie safe, but she was sick, man. And those guys already messed up Caitlyn before you even met her. There's nothing either one of us could have done."

"Odd how basic facts like that do little to numb this feeling."

"I think you've been numb long enough." Alex squeezed both his shoulders now. "Lee, I'm telling you… you're lucky you're breathing right now or you'd have caught it big time."

An amused echo of air came through Leon's nostrils. "Fairly certain that was my primary motivator."

"Come on," Alex started off their run again, "you know Frank's waiting to brag."

When they reached the front of the house, Frank hopped up from the stairs. "Let me guess. You guys got lost, right?"

"Nope." Alex grabbed him into a headlock. "But we can still make you disappear."

"Hey, quit—" Frank tried to keep from cracking up when Leon started tickling his sides. "No fair! Dad!"

Erik rubbed the child's hair briskly. "Do not start what you cannot finish, little boychick."

When Becky brought over water bottles for them, Alex said, "Thanks, babes," then observed her in her warm-up clothes for cheerleading, "here I thought you were going running with us."

"Your hair's all sweaty and I hate for my hair to get sweaty," she stated matter-of-factly.

Leon commented, "Sound reasoning to me. I have to wash mine again."

Frank rolled his eyes. "You're both girls."

Erik picked up Becky to kiss her cheek then proposed, "I think you could all stand a good shower."

"Race you inside!" Frank darted off.

Alex called after him, "Run in the house and we'll see how fast you move after Charles paddles your butt!"

"Oh, blah blah." Still, Frank slowed his pace considerably.

IIIIIII

Entering their suite, Hank stopped off to kiss Raven and peer over her shoulder at the spread on the desk.

"What are you up to?"

Tapping her pencil nervously against her notebook, the blue woman replied, "Simply trying to be a mom, wife, mutant, and amazing student on top of it all. Y'know, another fun weekend."

"I wish I could make it better for you," going to the closet, Hank began stripping out of his lab clothes, "but I too am jam packed today."

Standing, Raven went around to him. "You're off to a very generous start, naked man."

Hank had to pull back from her pecks to his chest. "Do not tempt my very weary flesh." He slipped on an orchid dress shirt. "I'm going with Charles for an emergency meeting with his lawyers. We want a petition drawn to investigate every facility in the state participating in mutant containment. I know it isn't much, but a start is a start."

With a sigh, Raven lowered to sit on their bed. "I hate even thinking about this stuff. What they did to Leon… what it's done to Maya. I can't stand feeling this disconnected from her. Life was so much simpler when it was our cool group around a campfire."

Hank paused thoughtfully. "I know what you mean. But her mother is coming home." He pulled up and buttoned his slacks. "They'll be in need of our help around the house and so forth. It isn't easy, but we can at least remind Maya that we're still here for her. That much hasn't changed."

Raven nodded her agreement.

IIIIIII

Laid out in a portion of the grass, the near hyper-focused brown eyes remained with the colorful canvas and assortment of ribbons and other decorations. She did glance away until she felt the heavy hand on her shoulder that caused her to look up.

"We may have to move it inside," Erik put forth, "when the rains resume. Though I doubt if Joey will make such a fuss about painting another."

"No," Maya smiled a bit, "he's really great about that sort of thing. All the kids are."

Erik told her, "We're all thrilled to hear about your mother's recovery."

"It's not completely over yet, but she's made enough rapid progress that they're fine having her resume regular medical appointments here. They believe being in her own home again will do her good, too."

"I think seeing her daughter will do the greatest good. At least it has in my experience." Maya's eyes seemed to shine happily and she returned her gaze to the memorial until Erik spoke again. "Get into uniform."

Maya got to her feet at that. "Why?"

Starting towards the house, Erik looked back at her to reply, "Training, my dear."

II

"Lee? Leon?"

Eyelids struggling to stay parted, he managed to hone in on the redhead lying next to him. "I'm here… I think."

Sean sat up on his elbow. "You okay?"

"Pain killers are fun," Leon moved around on the mattress to alert himself, "until they drain the strength out of you."

"Huh," Sean responded flatly. "They always make me feel like I'm floating on a couch made up of fuzzy clouds."

Leon regarded him out of one eye. "And this is why drinking is a bad idea for you."

Sean laughed a little then sobered. "Guess you really are tougher than me. I could hardly function after I got back from containment. I couldn't even talk."

"Kayla also wasn't here to help speed your healing," Leon reminded. "And something tells me the facility you were in was a nursery compared to the one Ignacio was overseeing. He's probably got more out there. Doing God only knows…"

Sean's countenance became visibly uncomfortable. "I probably would have died if they'd made me… tried to get me to do that with a girl. Not just 'cause it's wrong, but because I'm with Maya. Even if they tried to make me," Sean stroked the ring he wore on the finger of his right hand, "I couldn't do that to her."

Leon searched for a response to that as his bedroom door burst open, revealing the short boy there.

Leon looked over at him. "So, do I owe you money?"

"Mama said for me not to get too close when you first came home 'cause I might break you." Cody climbed up onto the bed and crawled out onto Leon. "Are you still breakable?"

"I don't know," Leon shrugged, "do your worse."

Cody lowered to give him a big bear hug. "You don't sound like you're cracking up to me."

"There you go." Leon wound arms around him.

"No fair," Sean mock protested. "I need a super Code Man hug, too."

Cody squeezed in between them to nestle against Sean. "This is the best I got. Leon zapped all my strength."

Leon patted the boy's stomach. "I'm greedy."

Cody smiled, relaxing in the middle of them. "I'm so glad you guys have fun with me. Sometimes I think I should've been a girl."

Exchanging a look with Sean, Leon said, "Okay first, don't ever use those words in front of your dad."

"Second," Sean picked up, "what are you talking about, Code Man?"

"Well, if I was a girl Mama wouldn't have missed Jaycee so much," Cody reasoned. "And Maya wouldn't miss Tricie. I could do all that gross nail paintin', fashion garbage with 'em."

"Aw Cody, that's got nothing to do with you," Sean said, cupping his chin. "Maya misses Tricie because they spent so much time together while she was away. And even if your mom had a hundred daughters, she'd still miss Jaycee. That's the way parents work."

Leon tacked on, "Ideally."

"Besides, we need you to be a boy," Sean claimed, nuzzling his nose against Cody's neck. "Not like we can wrestle with Kiki."

A giggle escaped Cody's lips as Leon pressed one of his arms down.

IIIIIII

Now adorned in her blue and yellow X-Men attire, Maya stood just ahead of the man in purple and red.

Eyeing the rake laid out in front of her, she remarked, "I thought this was training, not yard work."

"One and the same. Look." Taking hold of the rake with his magnetism, Magneto sorted a few of the stray leaves into a short pile. "As wondrous as my tricks are, you get to take it that much further. You can pile these leaves all on your own."

Maya shook her head. "I couldn't even make snowballs up in Canada. All I could do was make the snow in the trees… plop."

"One step at a time." Magneto held her shoulders from behind. "Go on, try."

Sighing lightly, Maya raised her hands. Slowly the leaves around them jumped up but flew in swirls in different directions.

Shaking his head, Magneto said, "I never thought I would see the day when you of all people could not handle basic directions."

"What?" She whipped her head back at him. "I can't simply pile them just like—"

"I told you to try," he emphasized. "This pitiful display showed no kind of effort."

"I am trying," Maya insisted. "Magneto, I'm new to this."

"Wrong on both accounts," he shot down. "You're far from trying and you may be new to wielding power, but you are certainly not a novice with training. If you can learn to fire a gun or a crossbow after years of not being exposed to either, one would think you could summon up minimal effort with your own powers."

A fire igniting in her eyes, she retorted, "They are not my powers!"

Watching several leaves rise up only to flutter down again, Magneto took her by the wrists and spoke closer to her face. "Yes. They. Are. They may not be an inborn gift like the rest of us have, but they are a gift given to you. You are not some thief in the night, Maya. Tricie gave you her powers. Use them; well and wisely."

Calming, Maya then asked, "Housework is wise power use?"

Magneto came back with, "You've seen me mow these extensions of Central Park Charles calls yards."

IIIIIII

On route towards the stairs, the slightest sparkle beyond one window captured Leon's full attention. Narrowing his eyes to make certain he had seen correctly, he neared the glass for another glimpse. Continuing his way to the main level, he came close to colliding with a thinner body in the process.

"Leon." Emma pressed hands against his front to slow his pace. "Why the hurry?"

"Can I go for a ride?" Leon requested. "It feels like I haven't been on my bike in ages."

Emma folded her arms with an uncertain expression building. "Are you sure you're up for it?"

"Definitely," Leon guaranteed. "I promise to go no further than campus."

Emma granted with, "Be home for dinner. And that's with time to wash up."

"Yes, ma'am. Thanks." Leon moved by her to make his way to the ground level.

Once inside the garage, he zeroed in on and mounted his motorcycle. He slipped on his helmet before flooring outward. He made his way to the side of his house and waited, though not completely sure as to the reason that compelled him to do so.

Soon enough, the female mutant materialized at his side. "So you did see me. It's hard to evade cameras around here. Your security team should be proud."

Leon looked her up and down. "How are you?"

"Trust me." She patted the front of her jacket and sides of her blue jeans. "There are worst things. Like falling asleep." She laid the backs of her fingertips against his right cheek. "What about you?"

"Yet again, I survived," he stated. "And yet again I have no idea why." Removing his helmet, he handed it to her. "Hop on."

Melissa raised an eyebrow. "Where's yours?"

"Back order." He watched as her expression only hardened. "I'm awaiting the day that excuse actually works."

"What is this? Survive a gunshot, decide you're invincible?"

"Believe me, I was like this way before the bullet," Leon told her. "So how about this? What if you just trust me?"

Raising the helmet, Melissa wordlessly attached it to her own head and settled in behind him.

After he felt her arms wind about his waist, Leon revved up and charged off.

IIIIIII

Eye and ear protection in place, the petite girl paced back and forth with eyes on her boots. At someone else at last entering the range, she peered back to see the man with a very specific metal object in his possession.

"What's that?" Maya inquired.

Magneto held the handgun up for full viewing. "An old friend of mine." He laid it in the appropriate position on the table.

Maya's eyebrows knitted with confusion. "But I'm on rifles and army weaponry with Wolverine and Sabretooth."

"I'm well aware," Magneto responded. "However, for this particular exercise you will need to revisit the basics. I want you to pick up, aim, and fire this gun solely with your powers."

Maya's eyes widened. "What? But I've never—"

"Which is why we're here." Magneto gestured towards the small weapon. "Go on. It's no different than picking up any other item you've used time and time again."

Able to feel the sweat build-up inside her gloves, Maya started to lift her hands.

Before the gun could so much as wiggle, Magneto ordered, "Stop." Maya looked to him in bewilderment. "Keep your hands down. You've been using them as far too much of a security blanket. If your wrists are ever restrained, you need to be able to summon your powers regardless."

"O- Okay," she nodded somewhat shakily.

Magneto watched as she struggled to bring the gun upward. "Go on. All you need was inside you long before the power. Wolverine saw it in you and so do I."

Eyebrows quivering, Maya managed a firm resolve as the gun at last hovered upright in the air. Directed at the plastic target several feet away, she pulled back the trigger and delivered a two rounds right below the neck.

With a satisfied nod, Magneto said, "And that is what effort looks like. Let's try for a greater challenge now."

Maya turned to him. "I don't think I can lift and control a rifle this way yet."

"Not what I'm referring to." Taking off his helmet, Magneto placed it on the table. "I want you to aim it again. Only this time, fire it right at me."

Completely thrown, Maya had to take a step back. "What?"

"Do it," Magneto urged. "I'll be able to deflect it in time."

Maya claimed strongly, "I cannot shoot at you or anyone. This isn't combat."

"But someday it will be," Magneto countered. "Now, do as I say."

Running a hand down one arm, Maya slowly returned attention to the gun. Calling it over, the barrel now pointed at Magneto's forehead. Telekinetic grip on the trigger, several seconds passed before she finally shook her head.

"No!" She forced the gun back onto the table. "I am not going to fire a gun at you. I don't care if you can deflect it and I don't care if that makes me weak in your eyes." Hugging herself, she started by him in a huff. "As if I could actually impress you."

Seizing her by the arm with a ginger grip, Magneto forced her to stop and look back. "And what does that mean exactly?"

"Come on, Magneto," Maya eyed him tiredly, "like I don't know what you really think. That I'm just a weak little girl."

Glowering intensely, Magneto gripped her tighter and landed a sharp whack to her rear. Even through the thick material in her uniform she cried out at the impact.

Raising a reprimanding finger, Magneto warned, "Do not put words in my mouth, young lady. Were you weak, you would have turned tail and fled the second Sean disclosed his mutation to you. Not to mention the countless other reasons you've had to desert the X-Men. It took a medical crisis on your mother's part to put any real distance between us. Beyond mutation, you are strong and committed to your own beliefs. A far too difficult thing in this world. While you still have some growing up to do, don't you dare believe yourself weak in my eyes. Do you understand me, Miss Patterson?"

Maya gave off a nod. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

Magneto pressed a kiss to her forehead before letting go of her. "I think now would be a good time for a break. Come with me." He summoned the gun back into his possession. "I'll put on some soup."

Situating herself, Maya followed after the fluttering cape.

IIIIIII

With one tall blonde holding open one of the double doors, the other members of the pep squad trotted out. All accounted for, they formed a circle and spoke with excited chatter about that evening's upcoming game. When one of them proposed working on their stretches, they started towards another building with the volume of their giddy conversation never decreasing.

At the Styrofoam cup arriving her way, Melissa took it with a short, "Thanks."

Leon got into the grass beside her and sipped at his own coffee. "So what do you think of the grand olde Westchester University?"

"So this is college." Taking a lingering sip of coffee, she arched back to take it all in. "Rooting for the home team, going nuts over the apocalypse that is finals, whining about how they're going to explain their maxed out credit bills to Mommy and Daddy."

Leon added, "Figuring out how they can go to tonight's party if they spend tomorrow studying. But the big question is, to hangover or not to hangover?"

"Sparkly, beautiful, hopeful," Melissa shook her head, "and utterly clueless."

"Every single one of them," Leon concurred.

"Disgusting." Melissa brought her coffee to her lips again.

Leon looked at her. "Give anything to be one of them, right?"

"I was." A dry smile came to her face. "That's the worst part. I still remember."

"Even when I was supposed to be one of them," Leon outlined the top of his coffee cup with his finger, "I never really was."

Melissa grew quiet then asked, "What made you Bellevue bait?"

Leon appeared contemplative. "Started off slow I guess. Barely ate, didn't talk to anyone, grades dropped like crazy. My cousin didn't want to deal with me, not that he knew how even if he wanted, so he took the first piece of advice from my guidance counselor and had me committed. Still remember when I first got there. These doctors over me, observing me, picking me apart molecule by molecule."

Melissa surmised, "A fresh specimen. The dog's bone for their kind."

"I eventually made it fun, though." A spark lit up Leon's features. "Getting out of school with fancies about hurting myself. Reversing it all with make-belief about my parents watching over me and being able to see their beautiful angel wings. Telling me everything would be okay."

"I should have tried your approach," Melissa put forth. "Attempting to rip my parents' throats out with my own hands whenever they visited may have looked a little irrational."

"No, they overreacted," Leon reasoned. "Now, if you'd tried to claw their eyes out that would have been a bit too personal."

Melissa stroked her chin. "I see your point."

"Come on." Leon stood. "We still have much to mock." He extended his free hand towards her.

Melissa eyed it before latching on for him to help her rise.

IIIIIII

Taking their leave of the law firm, the male pair returned to where they had left the Rolls-Royce parked right out front. The Professor got behind the wheel while the young scientist buckled into the passenger's side.

Hank spoke first with, "Even if this investigation petition goes through, we still have mounds of red tape to go through before we can end this containment practice."

"Yes," Charles adjusted the mirror and started up the car, "we're left merely to twiddle our thumbs. Should we depend on legalities."

Hank eyed him questioningly. "It sounds as if you have something else in mind."

"Possibly," was all Charles said as he started for home.

IIIIIII

Another series of rapid punches delivered, he stepped back a few paces to unleash a roundhouse kick of equal or possibly lesser mercy to the dangling bag. Situated from an observant position on one bench, Melissa saw his fire powered limbs continue their onslaught. Getting to her feet, she slipped out of her jacket. Left in her red V-neck top, she charged for him.

Spotting her out of the corner of his eye, Leon remained in place until she neared enough. He ducked, making her come into contact with the bag. When she turned a karate chop on him, he seized her at the wrist before holding both her arms to the small of her back.

Spilling her long brown hair entirely to one side of her body, Melissa noted, "No excess, no dirty maneuvers. You fight with honor."

When she broke free, Leon had to move fast to shield his face from her kick. "And you," unprepared for one move, he found himself tackled against the floor mat while she hovered directly above him, "fight with a whole heart. Must be nice to have a fully functioning one."

"If torn the shred passes for function." She stared into his even brown eyes. "Give me the ability to mask my every emotion any day."

Hearing a voice out in the hall, Leon faced that direction. "Jam."

Melissa jumped up from him.

"I'll see you at the game." Strolling into the gym, the grinning young man stopped at the familiar face before him. "Lee?"

"Jam. I was," glancing around, Leon saw the space completely empty, "actually I'm not sure what I was doing."

"You're worrying me, kid." Giving him a hand, Jam helped him resume a vertical position. "What are you even doing here? Alex told me you've been sick. How're you feeling?"

"Better finally," Leon reported honestly. "I wanted to get a workout in without people thinking I'm going to come apart at the seams. I'm sorry- I should've come by your dorm."

"Hey," Jam spoke somewhat covertly now, "I need to talk to you." Leading him away from the doorway, Jam looked at him closely. "Now you know you are one of my main guys. I may talk to a lot of people, but you and Alex are my real circle. You know that right?"

"Definitely," Leon nodded. "Jam, what's this all about?"

"Be honest with me. It feels like you, Lex, and Rae are constantly pulling out of school for randomness. Is there something else going on here? Because you can tell me. Always."

Leon stayed quiet then said, "I thought you would have figured it out by now… We're around kids who never miss a day to bring germs home with them. It's really bad on me after years of living the only child life."

"I bet," Jam nodded slowly. "You're sure there's nothing else?"

"Yeah, man," Leon reassured. "I have to get back early, but listen. The three of us should do something in the afternoon tomorrow."

"That I can get behind," Jam agreed. "And listen, Lee, I'm not trying to force my way into your business. I just want you to know I'm here. Wherever, whatever, with the shovel, no questions asked."

Leon snickered a little at that. "The creepiest part is I believe it. Call you tonight."

"You better," Jam said after him.

Going out into the hall, it did not completely surprise Leon at who he found a lengthy distance away. "Nice one."

Melissa shrugged. "Thought I'd spare you the awkwardness of introducing me as Shelly from Chem class. After all, it's not like I want my friends privy to everything, either."

"Same page," Leon stated. "And without telepathy. I like it."

Folding her arms, Melissa inquired, "So, anywhere to get a decent milkshake and knock on townies around here?"

"Ask and you shall receive." Leon led them towards the building's closest exit.

IIIIIII

Walking through the natural autumn touches that adorned their backyard, the elder moved at a slow stride while the youth seemed to find a rejuvenated pace in her every step.

"So?" Maya piped up. "What's the final verdict?"

"All things considered, if today's sessions are any indication, your powers," Magneto glanced down at her, "are in desperate need of fine-tuning."

Wilting only slightly, Maya replied, "Should I be flattered at not receiving a bop on the head like I see you do to some of the kids in training?"

"Only the older boys," Magneto corrected. "For you young ladies and the smaller children, I aim for another area."

Maya moved with her hands folded behind her back. "I guess that means I really messed up earlier."

"It meant you needed discipline," Magneto informed her. "There is no shame in it, Maya." He stopped them both, leaving a hand on her shoulder. "I know you've been burdened with a great deal of adult responsibility, but you still need to be corrected like any child."

Quiet at first, Maya said, "Today is probably the best I've felt about these powers. Because of you."

Magneto stirred up the metal in the atmosphere. "I only hope you remember that in future sessions."

Maya watched with a mesmerized spark about her eyes as he took to the sky.

IIIIIII

The whip of air caused by the passing motorcycle caused the coffee cup in the uniformed man's hand to fly right out. The warm brown liquid spilled out into the street. Forming a deep glower, he and his partner rushed into their squad car to hasten after them.

"Hey, kid!" the other office shouted through his megaphone.

Arms at Leon's middle, Melissa wondered, "Am I being hyper sensitive or are they referring to us?"

"Who, them?" Leon regarded them out of his side mirror. "The guys who are somehow never around when various attempts are made on my life? I doubt it."

When the flashing lights and siren blared, Melissa said, "Call me crazy- wouldn't be the first time- but I'm pretty sure they're after us."

"Too bad. I can't be late for dinner." Rounding one sharp corner, Leon cautioned, "Hang on tight now."

Melissa remained still as their bodies in addition to the bike broke apart in a strong burst.

Making it around the corner, the driver of the squad car promptly stopped upon finding the road ahead completely vacant. Both their jaws practically touching their laps, the two officers exchanged an incredulous glance.

IIIIIII

Locating a sizable enough space, Leon parked and looked back at his passenger. "This far enough away from your house?"

"Yeah," she took off the helmet, bringing one leg over to stand on the sidewalk. "Thanks. It's been… memorable. Only in a good way this time."

Leon stated, "Such a rarity."

Melissa handed him the helmet, "Better not forget that," and started up the street. After a few seconds, she turned back. "You don't have to sit there you know. It's only a couple blocks."

Leon shrugged. "It's a relatively free country, isn't it?"

"Sure, whatever." Before she could go on, Melissa faced him again. "Why didn't you just take it?"

Leon blinked at her. "Pardon begging?"

"You know what I'm talking about," she insisted. "I was laid out, strapped down, and defenseless. Yours to play with any way you could have imagined. With the law all on your side. Tyson didn't even give it a second thought. What held you back?"

Leon leaned against the front of his bike. "Sorry if I offended you. You really do register on a high level of pretty."

Melissa demanded, "Would you be serious? Why not take it? Why?"

Growing entirely solemn, Leon asked of her, "Is that what you think? That all men are these insatiable dogs in heat just waiting for opportunity to present itself? You really are on the wrong team if that's your mindset."

"Estevan has issues with women." Melissa further emphasized, "Major issues. Marco is all about his work. Jimmy is your basic day to day pervert who values his life a little too much to go that far. But you… even when the chance was handed to you, you didn't want anything to do with it. I could see it. I just don't get it."

"And I don't get why Erik didn't leave me to freeze to death during my little night surf adventure," Leon came back with. "Guess we're both plagued with mysteries. Among other things." He lingered in silence with her. "What are you waiting for now?"

Melissa answered, "For you to put on that helmet."

Leon obliged, strapped his head into it.

Facing forward again, Melissa headed in the direction of the manor.

Watching until she completely neared her house, Leon started up his bike to return to his own dwelling.

IIIIIII

Sensitive ears picking up on the dainty approaching footsteps, Hank looked up from the lab journal in time to see the newly turned eighteen-year-old enter the lab.

"Maya," he smiled.

"Hi." Now dressed in a light blue skirt and yellow top, she walked to him. "Raven said you wanted to see me."

"Yes, I do," Hank confirmed, tugging over a chart. "I've been reviewing your second set of bloodwork."

Maya wanted to know, "Is everything okay?"

"Oh you're fine," he reassured. "However, from what I've gathered, you need to be aware of something." He faced her fully. "There's a very strong possibility that this transference is only temporary."

Maya's face completely fell. "What? But my powers felt stronger than ever today."

"Yes, I spoke with Erik. However, that doesn't end my concerns. Now it could be anywhere from several weeks to a couple of years with the small possibility that this is a permanent change. Only continued monitoring will tell."

Crossing her arms, Maya's gaze went straight to the floor.

IIIIIII

At the one who seemed to glide into the lounge, Alex asked, "Where've you been?"

"Went by school, talked to Jam." Leon dropped into the nearest soft chair. "Think the three of us could hang out tomorrow?"

Alex nodded, "After training sounds good to me," and lowered to make his next maneuver on the pool table while Scott observed closely.

Collecting stray darts for the board, Angel noted, "You're looking a whole lotter better, handsome."

"Thanks. Actually starting to feel that way, too. So," Leon relaxed in his seat, "what's for dinner?"