X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Thirty Eight

Author's Word: Hi, fam! Want to know what I did today? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! First weekday of spring break, no work tonight, and I chilled to the highest degree. I didn't even make the bed (seriously, that's literally the first thing I do every day/night). Of course, the best part is, writing! Please read and review!

At the appearance of developing grass, the half-awake girl knew that the more southern region of the country would be upon them before long. Maya perked a bit more at the ever present energy ball clipped in beside her. The two of them shared a spot to better accommodate the twins' car seats. With their ultra-slim bodies, neither older child experienced discomfort from behind the same seatbelt. Cody pointed eagerly at practically everything they passed with Maya offering up contented gazes to display interest despite her fatigue.

When Cody grew a tad too jumpy, Logan made haste of pulling into the next rest stop. After a round of bathroom breaks, Logan dug out the football to toss back and forth with his eldest boy. Taking the opportunity while they had it, Kayla fished out the small folding table and took the time to both moist wipe it and laid the disposable cloth across the top. With Maya's help, she laid the pair of babies out. Mira only came with a little wetness, but Maya's nose scrunched up at Todd's much heavier diaper. An amused but sympathetic Kayla immediately equipped the teenager with a bounty of cleansing wipes.

After they finished and redressed both babies, Maya supplied Todd with a bottle while Kayla did the same for Mira. The two females peered over at the antics between father and son, who had abandoned their coats due to heavy sweat build-up from their game. Alerted by the baby in her grasp, Maya watched Todd extend both thin, tiny arms in the direction of the other males as if wanting to take part. Maya offered an Eskimo kiss to his soft cheek along with more milk.

"Here, Daddy!" Jumping in a sideways motion onto a bench, Cody waved his arms. "Toss it here."

"Keep your eyes open." Turning his back, Logan flung the ball blindly.

Leaping up and capturing it with ease, Cody let off a wild whoop.

"Go, Cody Wody," Maya cheered him.

With a smile, Kayla declared, "Time to pack it in, champ." Going to the back of the car to get the twins properly situated again, she asked of her husband, "Want me to drive for a while? I think Toddy wants to see you."

Maya offered, "I'll ride shotgun with Kay."

Cody charged forward to snatch Logan's wrist. "You can sit with me, Dad."

"First thing's first, Cat." Logan retrieved both their coats and handed Cody his before bothering with his own.

Properly attired again, Logan took over the backseat closest to the right and pulled Cody onto his lap. It took some wriggling, but the Veteran managed to latch the seatbelt over both of them.

"Gettin' restless, Pup?" Logan ran a hand over Todd's rapidly developing dark hair. "Hm?"

"Here, Toddy." Cody shook the giant plastic keys over Todd's face, making the baby's eyes gleam with fascination.

IIIIIII

Tall, broad form still not finished with scoping out the majority of the lavish unfamiliar estate, he arrived in one particular doorway on the second floor. One wall with short walk-out balcony situated right in the middle consisted of nothing but windows and burgundy drapery. Lilac coloring and various framed artworks from Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, and other parts of the world covered the other walls. A crystal light fixture overhead drew Victor's attention to the white built-in shelf closet to the door. He viewed the various photographs depicting the radiant teenager in different sashes and ball gowns. He lingered most with one of her sporting a tiara and dress Cinderella herself would envy.

"Prom queen." Taking notice of him, Adrienne walked away from her closet to stand beside him, facing the photo. "That dress is practically etched into my memory. Mother put the design team through absolute torture for eight weeks to ensure its perfection. I won the crown by a landslide."

Victor's eyes landed on her now. "I'd only be surprised if you hadn't."

Adrienne looked to him in turn. "You never got to attend high school, right?"

"Any school," Victor answered her. "Don't think I missed anything too big. Schoolin' was a whole lot different back then."

"It really is a marvel." Adrienne walked out to the center of her childhood bedroom in thought. "For you, Angel, and Samantha, school is an opportunity deprived for too long. For me? One big social gathering with the occasional book sprinkled in here and there."

Victor stared at her back for a lingering moment then strolled up to coil arms around her from behind. "Guess I would've had to get in line Day One to ask you to prom, huh?"

Adrienne closed her eyes in pleasure as she absorbed the kiss he planted near her neck. "Excuse me, but my father could easily return home early."

Victor sent into her ear, "Good thing ya got plenty of windows." He slid his arms off of her. "I'll be back."

"Enjoy your prowling," Adrienne said knowingly after him.

IIIIIII

Freshly showered and working comb through the damp strands of chestnut brown, the Professor returned to the parlor. From his usual chair, Erik cuddled the warm bundle. Eyelids drooping, Brian still managed to gnaw on his red teething ring.

Sight never leaving the baby, Erik said, "Little mouse has finally settled down."

"Oh certainly, twenty minutes left alone with you." Putting down his comb, Charles leaned over to address his son. "Honestly, Brian, was that fussing very necessary? After I boasted to your mother about how well you've acted today." Charles kissed his nose. "I should tell her all about this when we speak tomorrow."

"Empty words, Lab Mouse," Erik reassured the cherished youth. "Daddy will do anything to avoid worrying your mama."

"Yes, he will." Charles relaxed into his own chair. "Hard to believe, isn't it? With the whirlwind of changes in our lives, I never thought we would be back here. Us and the children."

Erik nodded in agreement. "A lifetime ago."

Charles gazed upward wistfully. "Things were simple then, weren't they?"

"Oh yes, completely," Erik replied wryly. "Joey fleeing the room whenever I dared to near him, Alex's escapades—"

"Bringing Seanie along for the ride," Charles inserted.

"The Doves too enthralled by each other to remember such insignificant matters as curfew."

"Frank going to bed practically buried underneath those action figures," Charles had to smile. "Now well on his way to becoming the little ladies' man."

Erik snorted. "He was that before he walked through the door."

"Agreed," Charles laughed lightly.

"Though I must say," Erik faced Brian again, rocking him gingerly, "I would not trade the here and now for anything."

The telepath concurred, "Neither would I, brother."

With Brian fully entering slumber, Erik moved one hand to catch the teething ring before it could drop.

IIIIIII

Unsure as to what coaxed her eyelids into separation, the mutated woman had to immediately recall her current location. It did not take long for the familiar sights illuminated by moonlight and the familiar linens to rekindle things in her mind. The only element to feel off yet acquainted at the same time came in the form of the long, muscular arm draped across her chest. She shifted her head enough to take in the lengthy blonde hair covering half of the masculine face.

When Adrienne attempted to detach herself from the bed, the arm immediately tried to reel her back and strength its hold on her. Bringing lips to bicep, she smooched the spot and delicately pried away from his side. Going to the arm chair closest to the windows, she picked up the silky crimson robe that compliments her red and black night dress. Cushioned slippers in place on her feet, she departed from her quarters and made a path for the downstairs. Reaching the kitchen, she picked up on the conversation taking place within.

The two blondes turned from each other to acknowledge her.

"Well, well," Chris smirked. "Boys in your bedroom. What would Daddy say?"

Adrienne went into the refrigerator for a bottled water as she replied, "He would only be grateful it isn't Em's room for a change."

Chris snickered into his shoulder while Emma placed a disgruntled hand on her hip. "Excuse me?" She turned sharp blue eyes on their brother. "And what is so funny to you?"

"Good question." Going to lean against one counter, Adrienne uncapped her water. "Especially considering that my sheets are infinitely cleaner than the back of the garage…"

Eyes rapidly enlarging, Chris jabbed a finger at each of them. "We do not speak of the garage, period. And I swear, if either of you breathes a word to your precious beaus…" He did not miss Emma's sudden heightened interest in her cocoa mug. "You told Charles!"

"I did not," Emma claimed, looking to him again. "However, on the occasions that our powers merge, he may have seen—"

Lower jaw ready to make very violent contact with the floor, Chris gaped at her. "You showed him? Traitor!"

"Hm," Adrienne hummed, tapping fingernails against her bottle, "likely for the best I wasn't the one given the telepathy."

After narrowing eyes on the redhead, Chris returned to the female blonde. "Did you at least mention the fact that she came onto me?"

A confused, "What?" sounded in the form of a yawn as the teenager in lemon yellow cupcake pajamas arrived in the eatery.

Chris responded to her with, "Not for baby brats."

Cordelia sneered at him as best she could in her foggy state. She moved by him to somewhat waddle towards a cupboard.

At what she retrieved, Adrienne wanted to know, "What do you need with cookies at this hour?"

"They need me," the girl said of the blue package. "They told me so."
Emma said, "Also Becky's favorite argument."

"Don't hyper up now," Chris cautioned the youngest Frost child. "Seven AM, you and I and the dogs for a sprint… hm, make it eight- eight thirty-ish."

Taking two cookies with her, Cordelia warned, "Any time beyond that gives me full right to dump frigid water over your head. So," she came to stand on the other side of the island, "what were you lot talking about?"

"Puppies," answered Adrienne and Emma supplied, "Kittens."

Chris said, "That nasty spider I saw crawl into your room a couple weeks back. Now, I can't be certain, but I'm fairly sure it morphed six foot tarantula inside your closet."

Cordelia tilted her head in faux curiosity. "So, that's who came onto you?

Adrienne and Emma both split into laughter and Chris reached over to bat at a portion of Cordelia's unruly hair.

IIIIIII

All senses reacting in acknowledgement of the rising sun, the bowed head and t-shirt adorned figure absorbed the air. The fifty or more degrees felt quite welcomed compared to Westchester's icy single digit readings. The lips brushing against his ear and long hair cascading over him took him away from his own head space to return to his better half.

"Kids still intact?"

Kayla nodded against his shoulder. "Just finished feeding Toddy and Mira. Cody's still sleeping and I heard Maya in the bathroom."

Rising to his feet, Logan departed the terrace with her. "What's say we find out how well those tub jets hold up…"

Kayla wound arms around his neck provocatively. "I'll be amazed if they can hold a candle to that plush bed."

"And you thought this place wouldn't be worth the money." Hoisting her up, Logan carried her into their attached bathroom.

II

Despite the hours she had spent vexing on every item that wound up in her suitcase, the teenager still found herself in a battle of wills against her wardrobe. Summoning up her powers, she arranged various outfits to hover in front of her as if filled out by invisible mannequins. Daisy top, open-toed shoes, and the new jeans perhaps? Would that be too chilly? Then again, they were indoors. However, blue jeans could not possibly be considered appropriate attire for a resort. Tan skirt and jade blouse? No, that would be too formal so early in the morning.

At last, she settled on khakis, violet V-neck top, and powder blue button-down sweater left open. Taking time to admire the glittering promise ring on her finger, she chose the open-toes to complete the ensemble. Standing before the wall mirror, Maya united hair with brush as the familiar pounding sounded.

"Just come in, Cody," she invited. "Are you trying to wake the babies?"

Charging in from their adjoined bathroom at the speed of Silver Cat, the boy in dark jeans and red Pinocchio leapt onto her freshly made bed. "They're back to snoozin' already. I'm bored."

Maya pointed out, "You've barely been up fifteen minutes."

"But I'm dyin' in here," Cody claimed, rolling over onto his back with disinterested stare aimed at the ceiling. "Come on. Let's go case the joint."

"Case the joint," Maya repeated with a smirk. "Alright, we can look around. I'll let them know we're going."

"Don't bother." Throwing his legs up, Cody somersaulted onto his feet. "They're in the bathroom. Together."

Upon hearing that, Maya immediately determined, "Definitely time for a walk."

Remembering to grab hold of the key, Maya allowed herself to be dragged to be dragged out of the spacious suite by Cody. Except for a housekeeper on duty, they proved to be the only ones occupying the fourth floor hallway. For the full experience, they chose to take the stairs down. Cody pointed out the various vending machines.

They discovered the grander sights when they reached the main level. One side came with a restaurant, salon, gift shop, and even a large game room. The biggest spot of all came in the form of the indoor pool, completely with looping water slides and a Jacuzzi in one corner.

"Aw man, I can't wait for it to open up," Cody practically panted.

"I know," Maya concurred. "Only a couple hours left, though."

They walked through for a few more minutes before taking the elevator back up.

When they returned through the living room way, they found the male adult seated on the sofa with Mira and Todd situated before him on the coffee table inside their car seats. Wearing dark pants, his black and gray camouflage shirt, and mud green leather jacket, Logan waved the soft toys over their faces. Todd poked at his while amusement proved lacking on Mira's part.

"You weren't worried about us, were you?" Maya asked. "We just went looking around."

"If you weren't back in an hour, I figured this guy," Logan wrapped an arm around Cody's waist when the boy neared him, "likely hotwired the car for Rio."

Cody laughed and playfully fought in his father's grasp.

Maya glanced around. "Where's Kay?"

"Getting the baby bag packed," Logan answered. "Thought we'd have breakfast in town today."

"Cool." Maya then brought up, "Do you think we could go by that gun store we saw on our way into town?"

"Smiley, we're in Tennessee," Logan reminded. "Which one?"

"That really big one," Maya described. "With the poster of the bulldog dressed as a general."

"Ah yeah. We'll check it out," Logan guaranteed. "Maybe bring home a new pistol."

Cody and Maya exchanged grins.

Bag loaded and having overhead, Kayla commented as she entered, "To think of all the mundane families out there that only bring back postcards."

IIIIIII

Bitty beagle in her possession, Cordelia dashed in through a side entrance, heart racing while the remainder of her body attempted to thaw.

"Okay," she shivered, hugging Beauty tightly, "did not expect the temperature to drop so ghastly."

"That makes two of us." Shutting the door, Chris knelt to where his dog laid on the floor.

Setting Beauty down, Cordelia crouched beside her brother. "Is Courage okay? He was straggling out there."

"It's the arthritis in his back paws." Chris gently massaged the appendages on the large canine. "I shouldn't have taken him out in this weather."

Cordelia smiled at Courage maneuvering enough to relax his head on Chris' thigh. "I don't think he's terribly angry with you. I think he enjoyed it for the most part."

Practically absorbing the soft, lush fur on the border collie, Chris stood straight again. "Let's get some treats and fresh water into you."

Cordelia lifted the now yapping Beauty again. "Yes, for you, too."

At ten, the present household gathered around the dining table for brunch.

Taking his seat by Adrienne, Victor put forth, "Now's a good time to go over a couple of ground rules."

"It's okay, Victor," Cordelia assured. "I'm fairly certain I was well-versed in table manners before the alphabet."

"He means," Adrienne took over, "that while we are traveling, you girls are not to go anywhere without one of us or a staff member to drive you."

"That's the same thing Mr. Frost told us the last time I was here," Angel mentioned.

Emma offered up, "It's only a precaution. It's much safer this way than for you to have to reveal your powers to defend yourselves."

"It's cool," Angel assured. "We know the business."

"Which reminds me," Chris piped up, "I have to make an appearance at the office to tie up a few things before I take my time off. You all enjoy your little photoshoot and try not to find yourselves in desperate need of me."

Adrienne unwrapped the paper from around her muffin as she spoke. "That would be the first time since your birth."

"My heart swells, Big Sis," Chris responded. "At last you accept the fact that I was born as opposed to your theory that I derive from crossbreeding of fleas and cockroaches."

Emma shook her head in humored dismay then watched Victor start to rise. "Where are you going?"

"Better call Lo'." The honey haired man added, "Make sure Kay and the pups are in one piece," and made his way in the direction of the nearest phone extension.

IIIIIII

Gripping her youngest son by his tiny arms, Kayla helped him splash in the small inflatable pool offered for the under two crowd. Presently, the Howlett twins enjoyed it all to themselves. In Maya's grasp, Mira squealed with glee while playing with her mermaid doll. Kayla reacted to one familiar holler as Cody performed what had to be his twelfth go at the slide in the last hour.

Arms outstretched, Logan took a backwards dunk upon seizing hold of him. Grinning, Cody escaped his clutch and swam off under the water. Darting behind him, Logan maintained somewhat of a distance in observance of how long the boy could hang onto his breath. When he observed the growing lethargy, Logan gripped him by the ankle. Glancing back, Cody saw his father tilt his head back in an upward motion. Following the wordless order, he arose and poked his head out of the water, guzzling in air. Logan came after him in a second, waving his head about wildly to fling the dribbling water in every direction.

Maneuvering to get in behind him, Cody grabbed onto the man's back. With the child's legs secure around his waist and the same for the arms coiling his neck, Logan lowered his head mouth deep into water. Taking off in speed that nearly rivalled a motorboat, he swam in rapid circular motions with his son. Laughing the entire time, Cody did not miss most of the other children present watching them in awe. Half of the fathers in the pool room, mostly middle aged men, needed to rest far more frequently. Logan proved an entirely different story.

The smile Kayla wore at their display faded at the change in mood from her younger boy. "Hey, hey, shhhh." She saw which way he aimed one bitty finger and she brought him up to cry against her bare shoulder. "I know, yes, Mama knows. That pool's too big for you, little fox. Shhhh." She kissed his tear-stained cheeks. "Yes, it's alright."

Reacting as well, Logan tapped Cody on the elbow to get his attention. "Break time, Cat."

"Aww, Daddy," Cody promptly protested. "Not yet."

Maya immediately offered, "I'll swim with you, Cody Wody."

This seemed to satisfy him at least partly. "'Kay, come on, Smiley!"

After the baby exchange of Kayla giving Todd to Logan and Maya leaving Mira with Kayla, the teenager hastened to join Cody in the water. At least, she moved in as steady a pace as she could without the very high probability of slipping and developing hideous bruises in multiple areas.

Kayla and Logan reclined side by side on their beach towels, gently rocking their bitty ones. At the teeny yanks to his wet chest hairs, Logan lightly nipped at Todd's fingers, instantly making him giggle.

IIIIIII

Not surprised to discover the light on, the man in brown robe and slippers made his way into the living room. He found his missing roommate positioned in the chair that directly faced the entryway. From the look on her face, Victor only hoped some poor sap had not made the unfortunate mistake of painting the roses red.

Hands in pockets, Victor spoke with, "You trying to give a man a complex? Vanishing on me two nights in a row. I gargled and everything."

Adrienne only counter questioned, "Where in God's name is my brother? It's nearly two."

"Baby, relax," Victor coaxed. "Probably went out with his buddies after work."

"He better not have," Adrienne said vehemently. "His "buddies'" preferred stomping grounds are off limits to one Christian Frost."

As if summoned by an incantation found within his name, keys rattled followed by the appearance of the blue eyed male.

Mildly startled by the presence of the pair, Chris glanced back and forth between them while removing his coat. "If I walked in on a lover's quarrel, please spare me the flashbacks as I disappear."

Adrienne shot up and over before he could near the staircase. "Where were you?"

"Working," Chris answered reminded with a slow stretch of the syllables. "I phoned earlier. Told Em not to wait up."

"We didn't think you would be this late. For some odd reason or another, Cordelia did want to spend time with you at some point."

Chris released a sigh. "I'll make it up to her in the morning. For now, I'm completely spent."

Adrienne offered him a hint of smile. "Go on and get some rest."

Giving her a pleasant expression in return, Chris bobbed his head Victor's way on route for the stairs.

"What are you doing?" Victor asked of Adrienne snatching Chris' hanging coat by one sleeve.

Remaining quiet until the images entered and left her mind, venom developed in the redhead's eyes at the last location visited by her brother.

IIIIIII

Immediately alerted to the sudden noise increase, Logan looked up from where he had nodded off in the chair. Standing, he went to check on his smallest two in their shared crib. Mira only kicked her foot a little, but Todd began to moan faintly.

"Shh, shhh." Logan rubbed the boy's stomach to settle him then walked out to the living area, where he spotted his oldest in front of the television. "Cat, turn that thing down. You know the babies are sleepin'."

Sighing, Cody leaned in to lower the volume. "I'm bored, Dad. I wanna go downstairs."

"The ladies'll be back from the salon in a couple hours. You can survive until then."

Cody put forth, "Can't I go myself?"

"No," Logan shot down. "We don't want you roamin' around a hotel by yourself."

Cody eyed him sardonically. "Uh, Dad? I'm eleven."

"Uh, Cat?" Logan bent over the arm of the couch to better face him. "No. Now either come nap with your brother and sister or watch this box- quietly."

"Fine." The far from enthusiastic boy turned back to the flashing set.

Logan gave the grumpy child's hair a toss then returned to look in on the twins.

After the episode of The Jetsons ended, Cody began to droop as his tedium only increased. Going to the nearest window, his arms absorbed the brilliant sunshine of the outdoors. With a developing whimper, he purposefully passed out onto his back and began pounding his feet against the floor.

In what appeared to be an instantaneous feat, his father materialized over his head. "Do I need to tan you while you're out here actin' like you're about four years old?"

"You'll wake the babies," Cody pointed out cheekily.

Logan brought him to sit up. "Don't get mouthy with me, Codicat. Now, look at me." Their eyes made contact. "What's eatin' you?"

"I dunno." Cody folded his arms, poking out his lips. "We usually have more fun than this when we go someplace. The babies keep grousin', especially Todd."

"You're not havin' fun?" Logan raised an eyebrow. "Didn't we spend most of yesterday doin' what you wanted to do?"

"Well…" Cody darted his eyes somewhat guiltily. "What I want to do is always fun."

"You think Toddy ain't caught on to that?" Logan pointed out. "He sees the stuff you get to do and he wants in, but he's too small. Kind of like those fits you used to have when you couldn't sit up front with me in the car."

Cody claimed, "I don't remember that."

"Oh yeah?" Logan reeled him in closer. "You used to holler from the super market all the way home at times. Unless you had a bag of candy to keep your trap shut."

"Then it's all your fault," Cody reasoned. "Buy me more candy and I wouldn't talk so much."

"Hardly," Logan snorted. "A muzzle couldn't even keep them lips locked. Now, what do ya say we get a round of cards goin'? Then when the women get back, I'll take you down to the game room for a while."

"Okay," Cody agreed eagerly, moving to pounce him.

Naturally, Logan caught him and toppled back with his boy secured to his front.

IIIIIII

"Finally." Whipping head away from the window, Adrienne informed, "Here he comes."

"How necessary is this?" Emma walked towards her sister. "You said he didn't even smell like alcohol last night."

"As if the little liar wouldn't already know how to mask the odor," Adrienne rationalized. "I would have boxed his ears last night if this brute," she indicated a mostly silent Victor, "had not convinced me to sleep on it. Then the little creep has the nerve to sneak away this morning."

"Sneak?" Emma repeated in exasperation. "He told me he was on his way out. You're the one who slept in."

"It figures." Adrienne rolled her eyes. "You two have always been thick as thieves."

Emma countered dryly, "Whereas you've always just been thick."
"Adrienne," Victor attempted to calm the raging redhead.

"What's going on here?" They all looked to see that Chris had just entered the house. "Besides a royal rush of déjà vu?" He turned to Victor. "Is this a female thing? Should we sneak out the back?"

Adrienne made a purposeful path for him. "What the hell were you doing at Hamilton Tavern last night?" At his confused expression, she brought up, "The next time you want to break your sobriety, do try to remember that your big sister is a tracker."

A flabbergasted Chris scoffed. "I have dated beyond my fair share of daff dames, but you are still the most unbelievable bitch I have ever known! I stop everything I'm doing to be of help to you and you have the audacity to treat me like some juvenile delinquent?"

An unmoved Adrienne asserted, "Help, is it? Or is this your latest attempt to return to Father's good graces? As if you were ever there in the first place."

Emma grabbed her by the arm. "Adrienne!"

"Forget it, Em," Chris said. "This is typical. Here I thought we had actually made something resembling progress, but alas, square one as always." He stared hard at Adrienne. "It's no secret you never wanted me to be born. I don't recall ever asking to be." He veered around to charge up the stairs.

Emma flapped her arms in sheer annoyance. "Brilliant as ever, Big Sis."

"Don't you start," Adrienne snapped.

"Then I will," Victor piped up, getting his girlfriend's attention. "I don't think I've ever seen you so pathetic. That's your kid brother you just crushed, you know."

"Oh, spare me," Adrienne rolled her eyes. "When will you learn that not every younger brother is your precious little Logan?" She watched as he went for the stairs. "Where are you going?"

Victor continued marching as he threw back, "Somebody's got to clean up after you."

Emma commented, "And I actually used to wonder why Daddy didn't make you his heiress," then followed after the blonde male.

Adrienne remained in silent place, except for leaning on the banister.

II

With Courage resting his head in his lap, Chris absent-mindedly ran fingers through the lush fur.

"Chris?" The girl in dark pigtails poked her head into the room. "Is everything okay?"

"Is it ever?" He extended one arm her way.

Cordelia went to sit by him on the edge of the bed, resting against his side. "What happened downstairs?"

"Chris," an apologetic Emma entered with Victor, "I'm sorry. I should have talked to you myself."

"It's not your fault, Little Sis," he responded.

"Look," Victor spoke, "I know it doesn't seem like it, but Adrienne's got a lot goin' on in her head, too; a lot of hurt."

"I know that," Chris said louder. "That's why I didn't want to add to her plate with this."

Slowly stepping in, Adrienne wanted to know, "With what?"

"Cor," Chris addressed next, getting the teen's full attention, "could you go find Angel? I thought the three of us could take in a matinee."

"… Okay." Cordelia retracted from him and left the room.

Adrienne closed the door after her then prompted, "Well?"

Chris let off a sigh. "I wasn't drinking last night. Whether you believe that or not is not my problem. I did go by work yesterday, but not very long. I went to the tavern to mingle with Lyle Larson's party members."

Emma sat by him now. "That depraved politician?"

Chris nodded. "I've been keeping tabs on his very… anti-mutant agenda. He doesn't use the term, but I know it's his goal. It goes deeper than what he reveals to the public."

"Why didn't you just tell us?" Adrienne asked.

Chris glanced up at her. "You're already dealing with your own set of bigots. Do you really want all of this weighing in on Angel?"

"… No," Adrienne admitted. "Well, it's nice to know that my previous suspicions were unfounded. Right now, we should get to work on—" Victor blocked her departing path. "What are you doing?"

"Don't you have something to say?" Victor nudged. "To your brother?" At her hesitance, he glowered. "You want to stand here all day?"

Now Courage peered up expectedly.

Sighing, Adrienne turned around again. "I apologize for accusing you so harshly. Having you here has been more of a relief than I've let on… this way, you're unable to get away with anything."

Emma patted Chris' knee and said, "There is no cure for Adrienne."

"Ha," Chris reacted. "I knew that before you did. Though I will say," he looked at their oldest sister, "you're not half as irritable as when you're single." The moment Adrienne's lips parted, Chris mimicked, "I hate you- jinx."

Adrienne mumbled, "I've been that for years," on her way out.

Courage sent a strong willed bark after her.