Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

First Class: Charles and Erik have accepted their roles as guardians and headmasters over the young mutants but there is still work to be done for the greater than typical family. This is a familial and discipline, including spanking, centered fiction.

244. Ch 244 Come with Me Now to See My World

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Forty-Four

Author's Word: Hello, fam and kindly take a moment to mourn with me as I enter what I like to call summer vacation interlude. Starting Wednesday, I'll be back in the confines of the classroom (just the one at least, yay!) until the end of July. Then it's vacation again. Please, please forward all prayers and happy thoughts my way. As well as enjoy and review!

"From single-celled organs... organisms to… wait." Flopping back against the chair, Joey attempted to think and reacted to the cheerful exhaling on the other end. "Aw, come on, Laci. I'm trying to say it the way my dad does." Going through the desk drawers again, he groaned at coming up short once more. "I can't find his thesis anywhere."

The girl remarked, "It's so cool the way your dad talks to all those geniuses at big, fancy colleges."

"I know," Joey could not resist boasting slightly. "He says it makes him nervous, but you should hear the way he talks." He twisted in the large chair to get to the filing cabinet. "My uncles are taller than trees and they don't sound near as big and strong as my dad." He snickered a little. "When Uncle Hank talks, I have to stare straight at him just to stay awake."

Laci laughed as well. "I can't believe how amazing your life is. I just don't understand how you can get away with anything if both your parents can read minds. I'm sure glad mine can't. They stay on top of me too much as it is."

"Everybody thinks they go around listening to other people's thoughts all day, but they don't. Unless somebody's in danger or something like that. They go in my head least of all. Usually only when I ask."

"You ask them to read your thoughts?" Laci sounded more dubious than in the moment he revealed his electrical powers to her. "Why?"

Joey explained, "Reading my mind is how my dad found me in the first place. Out of all the mutant kids anywhere, he went looking for me. And right before my mom came to live with us, she went in my head to clear out the bad stuff. When I have nightmares, they make them go away fast."

"Wow," Laci marveled. "Your parents are like magic."

"Yeah, but if you really want to see magic, Becky can…" Joey could elaborate no further as the blonde female made her way into the study.

Brow creasing in atypical fashion for her, Emma inquired, "Joey, what are you doing in your father's cabinet?"

Retracting his hand from the interior of the metallic drawer, Joey quickly responded, "I wasn't snooping for anything, Mum. I was just looking for something he wrote."

Making her way over, Emma slid the drawer back into place. "You can ask him for whatever it is when he gets home, which will be shortly so you better go wash up for dinner."

"Aw, Mum, now?" Joey protested. "But Laci can't take calls after dinner."

"Right now, please," Emma confirmed calmly. "You and Laci will be spending plenty of time together tomorrow."

Letting off a mild sigh, Joey returned to the telephone receiver. "I have to get ready for dinner, Laci."

"Yeah, I better go, too," she sympathized. Her voiced promptly brightened after that. "I can't wait for tomorrow."

"Me, either," Joey grinned. "Bye."

Waiting until son completely ended his conversation, Emma reminded him, "Treasure, you cannot keep tying up your father's business line. Especially now that there is so much going on."

"But the older kids are always hogging the other phones," Joey claimed. "And I don't want them around when I'm trying to talk to my friends. Trav always does that "kissy face" thing every time I'm talking to Laci."

"We'll work something out with the shared phones," Emma told him. "For now, go wash your hands and change your shirt for dinner."

"Yes, Mum." Sliding out of the chair, Joey left the study to prepare.

After the food arrived on the dining room table, the mutant filled household trickled in one by one. The Headmaster duo returned home within minutes of everyone sitting. They spoke a hello to all present. Charles greeted Emma with a kiss and offered another smooch to Brian's cheek. The baby seemed more interested in using his plastic spoon as a drumstick.

"Daddy," Joey addressed, standing.

With a content smile melting away the residual fatigue on his face, Charles accepted Joey into his lap. "And how was your day, little one? How was the spelling test?"

"Okay, I guess." Joey then requested, "Do you think you could read your thesis to Laci tomorrow?"

Charles' eyebrows elevated near to the top of his hairline. "Laci wants to hear my Oxford thesis on genetics?"

"Mmhmm," Joey nodded. "I tried saying it to her over the phone, but I couldn't remember everything the way you put it. Besides, it sounds better when you say it, anyway."

"Uh, I think we better take a poll on that one," Raven chimed in glibly.

Only sparing his sister the briefest unappreciated gaze, Charles answered his son. "I'd be delighted to read it to her."

"Oh yes, that's right," Erik recollected. "Young Miss Carmichael will be staying over with us tomorrow night."

"Her father's up for an award of some kind, isn't he?" Kayla brought up.

"Through his work," Emma explained. "They won't make it back from the city until late after the ceremony. I told them it would be no trouble for Laci to spend the night in Becky's room."

Logan remarked, "They're lettin' her out with a firin' squad at the ready?"

Charles asserted, "I believe our extensive surveillance equipment, security, and live-in physician aided in putting the Carmichaels at ease."

"I thought Laci's dad sold cars," Sean mentioned. "Dealerships put on award ceremonies?"

Emma replied, "Perhaps not at Discount Dan's Used Autos. Mercedes-Benz on the other hand…"

Angel's eyes twinkled at that. "Benz? Seriously?"

"Oh yeah," Alex spoke. "Haven't you ever seen their wheels? He and his wife both have one. Their house is nice, too. He has to be bringing in serious commissions."

"Laci's dad is top salesman," Joey informed the room importantly.

"And he's hardly older than Charles," Cordelia inserted. "I thought he was Laci's brother when I first saw him."

"Yeah." Joey laughed lightly as he recalled, "I tell the kids at school my dad's a professor then they're all shocked he doesn't have gray hair and glasses."

A now smiling Charles released Joey so the boy could return to his own seat. "Now," expression growing slightly staider with tone to compliment it, he looked around at the youths present, "with Laci joining us tomorrow, I must remind you all that it is imperative that we—"

"Act perfectly, painstakingly normal," Cordelia interjected. "You all have fun with that. I have plans with Fabian."

"Shocker," Alex commented dryly.

"Sean and I are having dinner with Mom," Maya told them.

Angel said, "I promised Ben I'd come hear him speak at the Temple."

"Date night is upon us once again," Erik noted.

Logan indicated Frank and Samantha with his fork. "Suppose you two'll be off paintin' the town red, too."

"Meh," Frank merely shrugged. "Not really."

Samantha stated, "I'm staying in my room to study."

Kayla took in the partial redness beneath the girl's eyes. "Have you been sleeping alright?"

Angel answered for her with, "When she doesn't have that lamp on maybe."

Charles' countenance displayed disapproval. "I realize they want you caught up as quickly as possible, but you shouldn't be losing your rest because of it."

Emma put forth, "I think I'll go down tomorrow to speak with your teachers."

"No, no," Samantha shook her head, sitting up better. "That's okay. I'm just trying to get used to it. The honors program is great."

"I expect you to say something if it becomes too much," Hank said firmly. "While I applaud your academic achievements, your health comes first."

Samantha gave the medical expert a smile. "Of course, Hank. I will."

"So," Logan looked to his oldest child, "how 'bout you? Hot date tomorrow?"

"I'm playin' it breezy," Cody determined. "I've got two dames in class sniffin' after me. I don't need 'em to claw each other's eyeballs out on account of me."

Kayla redirected her vision Heavenly. "Please grant me the serenity to survive his teen years."

Once the nightly meal ended, Charles herded Trav along with the Eye Scream Team into his study. Lined up on the sofa, Trav kicked his feet while humming and Frank stared at nothing of interest. Scott felt his pulse increase somewhat, wondering if the Professor wanted to grill him about situations at school. With Becky not about, however, he decided it had to be something else.

The three did not have to wait long as the telepath came to stand before them. "Alright, young men, I want to make something perfectly clear regarding tomorrow. Laci is a guest in our home and I want you to treat her respectfully. She's also shy and has had to deal with far too much for a child her age. I don't want any picking or teasing, understand?"

"We know," replied Frank. "No monkey business."

"Without a doubt, Charles," Scott assured.

"Yeah," said Trav, forming a cheeky grin. "We won't mess with kissy face."

The highly unamused Professor set the little boy with a heavily displeased countenance. "Travis Xavier, there will be absolutely none of that. If I hear you make a remark like that tomorrow, I'm going to spank you myself."

Lips puckering sadly, Trav responded, "Sorry, Uncle Charles. I'll be good."

"That's my lad. Alright then." Charles gestured towards the door.

The three took the dismissal cue with relief rapidly developing on Scott's face.

II

Draped across Joey's bed to snuggle with Bounty, Cody put forth, "This is gonna be way too weird. We have to act like we don't know, even though Laci's in the know, but nobody can know, so she's gotta act like she's outta the know."
Straightening up things at his desk, Joey concurred, "I know." He made a face, reevaluating that. "At least I think."

Laying on his back, Cody brought Bounty up to rest close to his chest. "I sure hope we can pull this off."

"Me, too," a far greater worried Joey seconded.

II

When bathing and diapering came to an end, Emma cradled Brian while gingerly swaying them both in his rocking chair. Her slowly drifting bundle kneaded teeny fingers through Emma's golden strands. With another kiss to the top of his fair head, she carried him over to the crib. She secured him on the mattress with his blanket and a circle of stuffed animals, led by Dickon of course, acting as his personal bodyguards.

Returning to her master suite, she discovered her husband elbow deep in paperwork at their small table. "Are you still reviewing those cases?" Emma sat across from him and picked up one file.

"One would think after the Shadow King, nothing could surprise me anymore." Charles flipped through some stapled pages. "But so many of these are young people, coming out of extremely bleak circumstances."

Emma remained unfazed as she said, "Reminds me of some of my former students." She peered across at him. "Is your head still foggy?"

"Yes," Charles admitted, "but not from the facility. Seems so much is piling on high."

"Are you going to that appointment at WU?"

Charles nodded. "Monday. They likely want to arrange another speaking arrangement. New semester and all."

Emma regarded him with a mix of concern and reverence. "Why must you be the world's champion?"

"Hardly," Charles dismissed. "You're the one left to see to our household on a day to day basis."

Emma came around to crouch near him. "Would you prefer I joined the extravagant housewives of this community, squandering thousands daily while leaving the children's little qualms to a governess?"

"Don't be absurd," he faced her, "you're already extravagant."

Putting on a faux face of firmness, Emma kissed his lips roughly. "I'm going to prepare the bath. I want you stripped and prepared to join me in five minutes."
"Straightaway, ma'am," Charles complied after the blonde beauty.

IIIIIII

Disinterested form all but sprawled across the round green table, the gray-eyed girl lifted her head to see her father still highly engaged at the pay telephone. Tugging the zipper on the flap of her messenger bag back and forth, she reached a hand in to count her supplies and play with her assortment of coins.

"Dad," getting up, she moved over to tug on the cream colored pants leg of his slacks, "Daddy, are you almost done? I don't want to be late for art."

"Hang on," Hand going over the receiver, Clint glanced down at her, "five more minutes, honey we have plenty of time." Returning to the mouth piece, he directed, "Yeah, send those numbers out to me. Sure, I'll be there for a few hours tomorrow."

Rolling her head back in pure tedium, Laci walked towards one of the windows and gazed out. A grin appeared spread throughout her face at the Dukes brothers and Xavier Institute pair gathered outside of the community center.

"Daddy, my friends are here. Can I...?" Looking back, she saw him depositing another dime into the device. "I'll be over there." She zipped for the transparent door of the convenience store. "Joey!"

Reacting immediately, Joey beamed at the one who rushed from across the way to him. "Hey, Laci!"

"Whoa," Alex spoke from where he sat on the hood of Erik's car watching the boys play, "take it easy, gorgeous. They're not going to vanish on you."

Though they had just seen each other less than an hour and a half ago at school, Joey and Laci immediately started chattering excitedly.

Cody spotted the fuming adult headed their way. "Uh oh. Laci, I think your dad wants you."

"Lacinda!" Taking his daughter's arm, the sandy haired man led her a short distance away as he seethed, "What have we told you about crossing the street by yourself? I told you to wait."

"I just wanted to play with Joey and our friends before class started," Laci insisted. "You always take too long on the phone. I get sick of it! That's why I like for Mom to drop me off."

Clint waved a reprimanding finger at her. "Who do you think you're taking that tone with?"

Joey's dropped jaw nearly touched the snow while Cody, Fred, and Mike stood stunned to the bone when he slapped the seat of her jeans twice.

Flinching himself, Alex nudged at them with his boot covered feet. "Quit staring."

Returning to reality at his daughter's crushed countenance, regret filled Clint's eyes. "Honey…"

Snatching away from him, Laci sped inside the center.

"Laci!" Joey darted right after her.

"You guys better get in, too," Alex directed the other boys.

As they moved, Mike whispered, "I didn't think that ever happened to girls outside."

"Especially not her," Fred replied. "Laci's too nice."

Cody did not resist sending a quick glare Mr. Carmichael's way.

"Ugh," getting to his feet, Clint bit back several swear words, "great. Just great. I guess next week I'll have that Dad of the Year award in the bag."

Rising, Alex approached him. "Yeah, I know how it goes. Don't beat yourself up. I'll pick them up right after class and it'll be all good."

Sighing heavily, Clint regarded the younger male with gratitude. "Thank you, Alex. She has all her medications, she knows the schedule, and all the phone numbers—"

"Are glued to our refrigerators and foreheads," Alex supplied helpfully. "We've got it under control, I swear."

Thanking him once more, Clint spared another glance at the exterior of the center before making his way back to his blue Mercedes.

IIIIIII

Standing from feeding Brian his combination of mashed bananas and carrots, Emma answered the ringing telephone. "Hi, Julie. I double-checked her meds as soon as they got in."

"That's not why I'm calling," heavy fatigue filled the other woman's voice, "How is she doing?"

"Fine. She's up in the treehouse with Joey." Emma held up a shushing finger when Brian began banging his spoon and the baby chose to nibble on it instead.

"Did you hear about earlier? With her father?"

Understanding tone in place, Emma replied, "Yes, I did."

With an exasperated groan, Julie nearly screeched, "I could kill my husband for humiliating her that way."

"I'm certain it was mostly due to the strain Clint's been under. Charles is experiencing much the same."

"I'm not letting him off with that excuse. While Laci knows better than to run off, Clint knows how deeply self-conscious she is. She's finally in a stable place and he punishes her in full view of her friends."

"My own father was known to do that a time or two," Emma sympathized, "with my brother. I'm sure it was only an error in judgement. Don't let it spoil your evening. You both deserve a night off."

"Thank you, Emma." A smile sounded in Julie's voice. "Laci has just gone through so much with the doctors and the treatments and horrible children teasing her about the way she looks. Staying in those hospitals left her so thin and pale. I try to tell her how pretty she is, but sometimes I get so worried I…"

Picking up on the tears the other woman tried to keep under control, Emma soothed, "Julie- Julie, it's alright. Come now. I know you don't want red eyes to clash at this black-tie event."

Julie managed a soft laugh at that. "You're right. I just didn't want you to get the impression that Clint is some kind of unstable deviant."

"No more than the men in my family," Emma reassured. "Who are all very firm believers in that form of child correction. That's why it's nice to be Mommy."

"Tell me about it," Julie wholeheartedly concurred. "Alright, I need to get these rollers out of my head at some point. We'll check in tonight."

"Have a great time." After hanging up, Emma faced Brian in his high chair.

When he held the spoon hostage against his chest, she simply extended out one hand. After a few seconds of deliberation, Brian extended it out to her palm. Emma looked at him with glowing approval and resumed scooping his food for him.

II

While keeping a tight grip on the bitty girl, the boy in dark ruby shades allowed the older one to guide them through the trees.

"I'm still not sure about this, Rebecca."

"Come on, Scott. She already knows what we can do and we're far enough away," Becky reasoned. "I think this will really cheer her up."

"Okay," Scott agreed but with a small sigh involved.

With the aid of her mind, Becky honed in on the three fifth graders. "Hey, Laci."

"Hi," the redhead smiled slightly at the presence of the bigger girl.

"Since you've already seen Joey's, we thought you should see our powers, too," Becky told her.

A light appeared in her gray eyes. "Really?"

"Yep, but me first," Cody declared.

Rolling his eyes under his glasses, Scott said, "Go on, showoff."

"Most of you know me as Cody." The short boy started up a tree. "But you can also call me," tipping out onto a branch, he flipped backwards and smoothly landed on his feet, "Silver Cat!"

Mouth widening in awe, Laci wanted to know, "So you're really like Catwoman?"

"Oh yeah," Scott smirked. "He even has her outfit."

Scowling at the older boy quickly, Cody answered, "Yep, I'm just like a cat, except bigger and stronger. I'm almost at my uncle's level. My dad's closer to a dog. His nose can sniff out anything."

"Wait, wait," Laci tried to grasp. "Are you all like animals?" She faced the blonde boy at her side. "Is that why you're the Eel?"

"Oh no." Joey then explained, "Alex gave me that name because I used to wriggle around splashing in the tub."

Laci nodded her comprehension. "Ah, okay."

Becky put forth, "We call Scott Cyclops."

Laci squinted his direction. "Because you can't see well?"

"Actually, I see just fine," Scott confessed. Removing his glasses, he kept his eyelids down. "During daylight, anyway. The real reason I have to keep these shades on is, well… you guys step back."

Joey took Laci's hand as they did so.

Peeling his eyes open just a slither, Scott released a small beam that managed to slice off a tree limb.

Though she jumped, Laci still reacted with, "That's unbelievable!"

"That was nothing." Scott repositioned his shades on his face. "Check out what Rebecca can do."

Cody bounced in place eagerly. "Ooh, wait 'til you get a load of this."

With a smile in place, Becky pointed upward with both gloved hands.

The second they arched their heads back, they witnessed a formulation of clouds only a few feet over them. From them, an abundance of multicolor drops rained down.

Ducking at first, Laci stared in wander at the way the technicolor moistures passed right through them. "Joey wasn't kidding." Laci flashed eyes at her. "You are magic!"

"They're really illusions," Becky told her. "I can read minds, too, like my aunt and uncle. I don't use a code name or anything, but when we get together we're the Telepathic Triad."

Joey asserted, "They can do all kinds of things together."

Kiki tugged on Scott's coat. "Me, too, Scottie?"

Scott picked her up. "It's too cold for your powers. Maybe later when we're inside. But remember," he tapped his lips as well as hers, "no telling, right?"

Kiki made a locking motion with her mouth.

"Kiki flies," Joey said to Laci, "with real wings."

Trying to get a grip on her glee, Laci squeezed his wrist with both hands. "This is so… I can't believe everything you've shown me. I feel like I'm in Narnia or something."

"Just remember, you can't tell anyone about any of this." Scott then reiterated, "Seriously, Laci, not ever."

"Are you kidding?" Laci came back with. "I wouldn't tell for a million dollars. If my parents find out, they won't let me be friends with Joey- with any of you anymore. My aunt and uncle were going to take us to Paris with them last Christmas, but they said no because they thought I'd catch a foreign disease." At the gaping looks she received, Laci remained straight-faced. "Yeah, really."

"Wow and I thought it was bad when I wasn't allowed on rollercoasters," Joey remarked.

"Let's get inside, guys." Scott started them back towards the house with Kiki in his grasp. "Before blabbermouth Trav finds us out here."

Holding tightly to Laci's hand, Joey asked, "You feeling any better?"

"Yeah and I don't mean to be a party pooper," Laci said guiltily. "But I can't get over my dad."

"Don't worry about it." Cody glanced over his shoulder at them. "Fred already agreed to wail on anybody who tries to give you grief about it. I'd do it, but my karate dans would ban me for life."

Bringing reason into the conversation, Scott stated, "Don't let it get you down, Laci. Trust me, I know what it's like to be embarrassed like that. One time I took off after this royal creep who tried to steal Rebecca's favorite bracelet. When Alex found out, he started smacking my hand so hard it's a wander I can pitch a ball now. Not only were we in the middle of the sidewalk, but Rebecca saw it."

"I still say it was totally brave," Becky affirmed, running a hand over the bracelet on her wrist.

"Really, Alex?" Disbelief crossed Laci's features. "But he's always so nice and patient."

"Until we risk our necks," Scott replied. "Then we're in for it."

"I remember when we were on vacation in California," Becky recollected. "We were in the car on our way to Disney Land. Joey and I were super excited," she shared a small smile with her cousin, "and we were playing around a lot. I made an illusion and Uncle Charles stopped the car before I even knew what was happening. I'd never seen him that mad at me before. He said if I made another illusion in the car he was going to pull over and spank me right there. That was awful. Felt like my heart smashed into a thousand pieces."

Laci seemed to perk a bit by the end of the story. "That's exactly how I felt today. I can't believe you've been in trouble like that, Becky."

The curly haired girl looked back at her. "I was ten when that happened. But trust me, it wasn't the last time."

A smile emerged on Laci's face.

IIIIIII

Upon conclusion of his final paragraph, the Professor took in his audience of six. "Well? Thoughts, opinions?" From Raven's lap, Brian blew a raspberry. At Raven moving her head to laugh into her shoulder, Charles sent a sharp stare her way. "This is your influence."

"I did not coach him," the mutated blonde contended.

"Sounds more remarkable every time, Charles," Hank commended his brother-in-law.

Relaxing against his father's strong front, Trav lifted his hands in strong applause, causing the other two school aged children to join in.

The beaming speaker dipped in a small bow. "Thank you very much, little ones."

Raven turned her attention on her son. "Pooh Bear, did you understand all of that?"

"Uh huh." Trav then conceded, "Well, a couple of the bigger words. But I'm going to read all the science books in Daddy's lab so I can write and talk like Uncle Charles."

Heart swollen close to the point of combustion, Charles approached to tickle the little boy's chin. "Laci," he addressed their guest next, "what did you think?"

The girl replied, "Joey's right, Professor. Everything sounds better when you say it."

"Told you," Joey piped up proudly. "I want to memorize it all someday. I just have to pick up Dad's accent some more."

Charles intertwined fingers with him for a moment. "My boy."

Eying the man again, Laci became curious. "But Professor, are there really special people like mutants?"

Joey immediately placed attention on Brian to keep his thoughts from projecting.

"Why of course," Charles answered the question. "You've probably seen mutation up close without even realizing it. People with two different eye colors, some born with an additional finger or toe," he reached out to stroke at her loose strands, "hair in the most uniquely beautiful shade of red I've ever seen." He received a big grin from the girl at that. At the ringing from his desk, Charles let loose a sigh, inwardly hoping for a night without outside interruptions. "Pardon me, please." Returning to his full height, he strolled over to answer. "Charles Xavier." His countenance eased at the friendly voice on the other end. "Yes, she's right here. No, it's no trouble to use this line. I know how much the older children take over the other one. Just a moment." He held out the mouthpiece. "Laci dear, your mother wants to wish you a quick good night."

Bouncing up from her spot on the sofa next to Joey, Laci accepted the speaking device. "Hi, Mommy. Is the ceremony over yet? I hope you took pictures of everything. I bet you're the prettiest dressed lady there. I love you, too." A sourness took over her pleasant features. "Fine." She waited a few seconds for the next voice. "Hi, Daddy- bye, Daddy!" She slammed the phone down onto its base with a self-satisfied countenance.

While all three adults present reacted incredulously to the act, the Professor chose to vocalize it. "Lacinda Carmichael, that was extremely rude and entirely uncalled for, young lady."

The little girl's shoulders sagged at the reprimand. "I'm sorry, Professor."

Joey rushed up to go to provide assistance for his friend. "It's not her fault, Dad. She's mad at him for what he did. Didn't Mum tell you?"

"No," Charles crossed his arms expectantly, "but I am quite interested to know what heinous act could possibly justify her speaking to her father that way."

"Come on, son," placing Trav on his shoulders, Hank stood with him, "let's go make a dent in those science books."

"Okay," the six-year-old smiled.

Following her husband out of the study, Raven held Brian close to her shoulder.

When Laci eyed him with a developing blush, Joey knew she wanted him to explain things. "Mr. Carmichael popped her on the bum twice. Right out in front of the community center."

"Really?" The English gentleman's expression did not change. "Why?"

"Why?" Joey echoed.

"Why did he feel the need to do that?" Charles clarified. "And I'd like Laci to answer this one."

Collecting a section of her hair, Laci absent-mindedly braided it. "I just got excited when I saw Joey and our friends…" The Professor remained silent, awaiting further elaboration. "Well, he was taking so long on the store phone. I didn't want to keep bugging him, so I ran over to the center. It was right there and there weren't any cars coming."

"I see." Charles laced his fingers together. "So, you left your father's side without permission, ran across the street by yourself, and because he punished you for it, you're now angry with him. Is that right?"

Gray eyes filling and promptly overflowing with moisture, Laci lowered her head with a sniff. "You don't understand…"

Joey quickly moved to hug her. "Don't cry, Laci."

Softening, Charles reached forward to gently grip her wrist. "Shh, love, it's alright." He guided her towards him and wound an arm around her tiny waist. "I know you must have felt terribly embarrassed. Are you spanked often at home?"

Laci shook her head, wiping at her stray tears. "Almost never. I think they'd keep me behind glass if they could."

Charles smiled in partial amusement. "So for your father to have done that, you must have given him a terrible scare. Laci, the truth is that even grownups can act without thinking. But that does not mean we don't love you. In fact, acting so hastily out of worry often means we love you all the more. And you in particular, my girl," Charles cupped her pale cheek, "are a kind, beautiful, caring young lady. It's no wonder your parents, not to mention my son here, value you to such a degree."

Joey nodded and sent her a big smile.

Laci almost started crying again, but far whole different reasons. "Thank you, Professor Xavier."

"Now," Charles held one of her small hands inside both his own, "what's say I phone the hotel so that you and your father can clear the air?"

"I'd like that," Laci agreed.

Retrieving one of the many copies of the numbers that Carmichaels had equipped them with, Charles dialed the correct one and waited a few minutes for the staff to track down the man in question.

"Yes, Clint," Charles greeted when he finally heard him, "so sorry about the poor connection a moment ago. But I have your little darling right here." Handing Laci the phone, Charles got to his feet and ushered Joey into the hall with him.

Taking the man's big chair, Laci petitioned timidly, "Daddy?"

"That's my name," the pleased man confirmed. "Better yet, that's my girl saying it. So, still ready to sell me off to the dragon lords?"

Laci hummed her consideration. "Not unless they give me my own candy cottage for you… Daddy, I'm really sorry. For running off and mouthing you- twice."

"I'm sorry for swatting you like that- twice," Clint returned. "Even though I've been under a lot of stress and pressure, that's still no excuse. Baby, you have to know that this award they're giving me is nothing but another dust magnet like all the others. You know you're my real prize, right?"

"Right," she smiled genuinely. "Thanks, Daddy."

Clint then brought up, "And did you remember to take your—"

"Every pill," Laci interjected automatically. "In every color. I know, I know."

"Just checking, just checking," he mimicked her tone.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, peaches. See you first thing in the morning."

Returning the receiver to its base in a far calmer fashion than previously, Laci reclined for a second before taking advantage of the chair's spin function.

II

"Hey," leaving from tucking Kiki in, Raven met up with Charles at the stairs, "everything good with the kids?"

"I believe so," the telepath replied positively. "Laci is a sweet girl, but she has a spirited side."

"She has to. Ten years old and she's had to deal with how many health issues?" Raven pointed out somewhat grimly. "And I thought Alex was too young for BP."

"Yes, I know," her brother concurred.

"And I know that as a mom, I'm supposed to swim in the parent pool with the grown-ups, but I totally sided with Laci down there."

Charles regarded her with a raised eyebrow. "You thought she was right to hang up phone on her father?"

Raven shot back pointedly, "I know what it's like when you're spanked in front of the guy you're crazy about."

At the memory, Charles smirked and shrugged lightly. "See how well that turned out for you." Hands folded behind his back, he started down the other end of the lengthy hall.

Raven intentionally projected after him, that's why your dumb thesis is only useful as a sleeping pill!

IIIIIII

While waiting on Becky to return to her quarters, the pair of pajama clad children knelt on the edge of her bed. Facing the barest section of wall the room had to offer, Joey unleashed his mutated sparks to power a bright flashlight. They used it to create various shadow puppet creatures.

Joey tilted his head at one of her designs. "What are those?"

Showing her fists, Laci explained, "It's supposed to be us flying. Instead, we just look like mashed potato lumps."

A lingering smile on her, Joey slowly grew somber. "Can I tell you something? Something that'll make you think I'm really weird?"

The redhead glanced at him in disbelief at those questions. "Are you kidding? What else could you possibly say that's weirder than all of this? Is Xander really a unicorn?"

"Hmm, he may pull out wings when nobody's looking." Joey rocked on the bed a little. "While we were at Disney Land, I pitched a fit because I couldn't get on this one ride because of my powers. I mean a big, huge, royal fit. I wouldn't even listen to Alex. Next thing I know, my Uncle Erik's over me… with his belt."

Gray eyes becoming wide saucers, Laci asked in a hush, "He whipped you in front of all those people?"

Joey shook his head. "I stopped as soon as I saw the belt. But my dad took me to the men's room and tanned me fierce."

"Oh no," Laci cringed on his behalf. "But that's not so weird. In fact, it sounds pretty normal next to everything else you've told me."

Biting his lip, Joey confessed, "That's not all. Before I was adopted, when I was still with… I used to hold my hands under super hot water. After my dad found me, I cut it out for the most part. Then when Scott came to live with us, I was so scared that Alex was going to forget about me that…"

"Joey?" Laci nudged encouragingly.

"I used a knife to cut my hand." Joey showed her the appendage in question. "I scared Aunt Raven so bad she screamed and cried. Uncle Erik had to use his powers to get the knife away from me. As soon as he did, Dad bent me over and spanked me right there in the kitchen. I must have worried him ten times more than you worried your dad today. Because he always warns or tells me why I'm in trouble first. I don't think I ever saw my dad afraid of anything before then."

"Oh my…" Laci trailed, attempting to grasp it all. "I feel so dumb for how I acted with my dad earlier. That was nothing compared to this. But why were you cutting and burning yourself like that?"

"Nobody liked to come near me before I was adopted," the boy explained. "The water felt so warm and I wanted to see if I could carve something on my hand and maybe…" Joey bowed his head despondently. "It's so dumb now."

Laci touched his upper arm. "You don't have to be embarrassed around me, Joey. You'd never make fun of me and I won't ever make fun of you."

"Thanks," Joey whispered. "But it's not embarrassing 'cause I got spanked and stuff. It's embarrassing that I acted so bad with my family. Come to think of it," he realized, "it's not really embarrassing when I get spanked. Not even when other people can see."

This left the girl marveled. "Really?"

Joey nodded. "I think it's because they're not scared to touch me. And I can almost feel how sad they get when they spank me. Even my Uncle Erik and he's real tough." He noticed her almost frozen expression. "Laci?"

"I think you're the coolest boy I've ever met in my whole life," she declared. "And the nicest and the smartest."

He had to tap his own ears at the last part. "… Smartest?"

"Mmhmm," Laci reaffirmed with a nod. "You don't talk like any of the stupid, creepy boys in school. I don't think you need your daddy's accent. I bet you can stand and talk in front of big, important people all on your own someday."

Unable to formulate an initial response, Joey searched desperately for words. "Laci, I—"

Arms loaded from kitchen haul, Becky made her way back into the room. After she piled the assortment onto the bed, the trio of youths enjoyed the sweet and salty spoils of childish conquest.