X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Fifty-Five

Author's Word: "Heir-ess, toooooo shoooooort!" So is summer, therefore enjoy and review while you can!

Backpack suspended by one shoulder, the city native's sneakers squeaked at his sudden halt in the doorway. The two sisters departed their room in highly enthused conversation. Though it took many seconds, Frank dared approach the one in light pink turtleneck tucked into powder blue pleated skirt with ankle-length platform boots.

"S-Sam?" Long blonde hair styled into a braid going down the front left side of her body, the addressed one turned at his voice. At her even countenance, he went on. "Can we please talk?"

"Okay," she shrugged.

"See you in a few." Angel continued downstairs.

Frank began with slow uncertainty. "I really wanted to talk to you this weekend, but it's been hard with you on lock-up. I just want to say I'm really sorry for hurting your feelings. I do care about you, Sam, seriously I do."

"I care about you, too, Frank," she returned.

An immediate smile came to his face and he reached forward. "Maybe after school we can—"

Samantha recoiled before he could so much as brush a finger across her hand. "No." At his pained confusion, she informed, "I care about you, but not in that way. Not anymore. I know I shouldn't have snuck out, but being with Collin was the best. I think I've liked him for a while, but I tried to ignore it. Now, I don't have to."

When she started to walk again, a stammering Frank attempted to go after her. "You can't be serious!" He grabbed her wrist. "Sam, hold on a minute."

The girl snatched away. "Stop it, Frank. I mean it." She gazed earnest eyes at him. "And don't be mad at Collin. Even without him, I still don't like you like that. I'm sorry, but that's just the way I feel."

As she finally took her leave of him, Frank had to press both hands against the banister to remain vertical.

II

After a long drink from his teacup, Charles put down the beverage to resume flipping through files.

The Professor put forth, "Another strenuous day ahead."

"Quite," Erik quietly concurred from his own chess chair. "You seem to be taking it all in stride of late."

"Because of the Triad's involvement and the swell of additional power I received from Fabian, my work no longer takes the same toll." Charles then suggested, "Perhaps you and Emma could join Raven and I later today. We're beginning group session for a few of the patients today."

"Emma would be of greater help to you there," Erik claimed. "I'm afraid I will be otherwise occupied."

Charles raised his head to eye him directly. "With Simeon."

"Among others," Erik responded just as pointedly. "I take it you think I'm too attached to the boy."

"We all knew the risk for that," Charles brought up. "These are our people. Mutants in need of our support and counsel. However, this is nothing like our recruitment missions. A certain degree of separation is necessary." He raised an eyebrow at the way his brother chuckled. "What?"

Erik said, "Who would have ever thought you would be warning me about caring too much?"

At the zealous doorbell, Charles transferred his things onto the table. "Just a moment, please!"

Erik followed the Professor to the door, initially surprised by the youth in coat and mittens who zipped inside. "Brenda?"

"Brenda," Charles smiled, bringing her into a small hug, "it's so good to see you, darling. How is everything?"

"Good." She rethought that right away. "Well, okay, technically not, which is why I'm back. I'm staying with the Acolytes- it's okay because Anne brain wiped my family- so I can train with Melissa. I just really, really wanted to make it clear that this isn't anything against the X-Men because you're all wonderful and you did so much for me- do you hate me?"

"First thing," Erik replied, "breathe, child."

"Secondly," Charles spoke next, "most certainly we do not hate you and we are still here if you need us. Especially with those run-on sentences."

Bouncing on her toes with glee, the girl then asked, "Is Maya around?"

"I saw her go upstairs," answered Erik. "Likely still getting ready for school."

"Okay, great." Brenda charged straight up. Glad to find the sought after door ajar, she poked her head in. "Maya!"

Jumping at the most enthusiastic use of her name, the older girl looked away from packing her bag. "Brenda- oh, wow, I…" She went over to share a hug with her. "Leon told me you were back."

"And starting school, which is why I'm here." Her face became pleading. "I am so behind and I'm in desperate need of study help and since you have brain power enough for like twelve kids…"

Smiling at the flattery, Maya granted, "I'd love to help you catch up."

"Thank you, thank you!" Brenda next wondered, "Can I catch a ride with you guys? And you know, walk in with you so I don't look completely pathetic?"

"As former reigning chair of the pathetic society, I'll have to insist on it."

IIIIIII

At the horde of ninth grade girls who seemed to swarm the center blonde, Carmen broke through to discover the source of the commotion.

"What's everybody talking about?" she inquired.

With a bright smile in place, Samantha answered, "Friday."

"Ohhh, right." Carmen put on a sympathetic countenance. "The gang missed you at the party. It's okay, though. I made sure Frank had a good time."

A girl with brown ponytail said, "Who's talking about the party? We're talking about Collin Murphy kidnapping Sam."

"Huh?" resulted from a now puzzled Carmen.

"He didn't really kidnap me," Samantha clarified. "But he did climb up my window to rescue me."

"Where did you guys go?" another wanted to know.

"The movies, pizza, and sledding," Samantha recalled. "Then we just sat in the snow talking. And then…"

"What, what?"

One girl held her breath. "Did you guys kiss?"

Grin widening, Samantha nodded the affirmation. "It. Was. Amazing!"

As everyone around them seemed to swoon, Carmen remained lost. "Wait- you- you and Collin? He kissed you?"

"Mmhmm." Samantha regarded her cheerfully. "I don't know why I ever thought I liked Frank. But he's all yours now." She then zeroed in on the one stationed by her locker. "Collin."

A flabbergasted Carmen remained in place.

"Hey," Collin greeted. "So I know it's a day after Valentine's, but…" He moved away to show the oversized red and pink hearts attached to her locker door. When she failed to speak, Collin told her, "I hope it's okay. They peel right off in case the school tries to make a big d—"

She flung one arm around his neck and nuzzled against his jaw. "Thank you! They're perfect."

Taken aback glow developing, Collin returned the gesture. "Okay, this next question just became a lot easier." He pulled back to properly view her. "Samantha… will you go steady with me?"

Ready to burst on the spot, she answered, "Of course I will."

Embracing her again, Collin gave her a euphoria laced kiss.

Once they opened their eyes again, Collin did not miss the one surveying from the opposite end of the hall. With a fervent glower in place, Frank took off around the corner.

IIIIIII

Under the partly cloudy sky, the older mutant darted in circles after the tot bundled snugly in pink and purple outerwear. Alex chased her from around the stone benches to the fountain. At her attempt to climb onto the currently off water fixture, Alex acted quickly to keep her away from the slick surface. Grabbing her up, he repositioned Kiki on his shoulders and spun with her. Her screams of joy completely filled the yard.

Lowering her into his arms, Alex dropped into the snow on his back but kept her on his chest. "I tell ya, pretty lady, you're something else. You got my heart pumped."

Kiki dipped to smooch the spot and cuddled into his coat. "I love your thump-thump, Uncle Lexie."

"And I love all your stuff." Alex reached up, brushing some hair away from her brown eyes. "But the thumper needs to relax a while. Ready for a nap?"

Immediately pouting, she hid her face. "Nooooo, not yet."

"Come on now." Alex patted the back of her coat. "If we don't get some rest, your daddy's gonna get both of us."

Lips still poked forward, Kiki conceded with, "O-kay."

Alex held her with one arm as he stood. "I'll make you some cocoa milk first- just like what Uncle Erik gives you."

This succeeded in returning the smile to her face.

Once in the house and out of their winter gear, Alex brought her straight to the kitchen for the promised drink. He gave it to her in an insulated sippy cup. Kiki nearly dropped it, growing lethargic as they headed up. Alex helped her keep a grip on it, knowing she liked to carry her own cup. With Logan seeing to his twins, Alex dressed Kiki in a softer outfit and laid her in his bed with Brian. When Midnight tipped in, Alex allowed him to safeguard the children from where he curled up at the foot of the bed.

IIIIIII

So preoccupied with getting his sneakers laced for gym class, Collin failed to notice the pair of feet belonging to the fuming individual.

"Scan the dictionary lately? Your picture's listed right next to pathetic."

Slowly raising his head, Collin countered, "And I see yours isn't too far away over by petty."

"I'm petty?" Frank glared. "You pretend to be my friend just to steal my chick and I'm petty?"

"I didn't steal anybody, Frank," Collin informed. "You seriously think this was some kind of diabolical scheme? You ditched her, I wanted to cheer her up, we had a good time. Yeah, I've had a crush on her for a long time, but I wasn't about to do anything about it with how you felt about her. Which is nothing, apparently, because you just strung her along."

Frank shook his head. "That is not true. We had one lousy fight and you decided to move in while she was upset. That's pathetic and low."

Collin threw his hands up. "Fine, Frank, think what you want."

"What I think," Frank spoke matter-of-factly, "is you have to be an even bigger moron than I thought to think a girl like Sam would be interested in a freckled-freak like you. Estevan and even your own parents know you're not worth shit."

Entire facing morphing into the color of his hair, Collin shoved him. "You need to get the hell out of my face!"

"You need to stay the hell away from my girl!" Frank lunged, slamming him into the row of lockers.

Checking on the gym room stragglers, Hank bounded to get between them. "Hey, hey- stop it!" His voice came out in a snarl. "Collin," he released the redhead, "go to class."

Frank stood in complete disbelief. "Hank!"

"Save it, Frank." Hank gripped him by a portion of his shirt. "I saw you push him. Report to Detention Hall immediately. Get comfortable because you'll be spending your lunch period and after school in there as well."

"Fine!" The disgruntled teenager proceeded to storm out through the exit doors.

Removing his glasses and pinching the bridge of his nose, Hank took the time to gather his patience and calm his building beast.

IIIIIII

Bow and arrow crafted out of durable sticks and wood glue raised high in the air, Cody, acting Indian Chief, jumped onto the jungle gym and climbed into the plastic tower. Joey, one of his warriors along with tribe Princess Laci joined him by the tower wall. Joey kept her shielded from the encroachers. Plastic swords waving, Fred and Mike rushed in battle-ready to take the jungle gym.

"Game's over, Chief," taunted Fred. "Now fork over the princess!"

"Nothin' doin', pale man!" Cody called down.

"Yeah, you'll have to take us all on," Joey challenged.

"Ha!" scoffed Fred. "What all?"

"It's just two on two," observed Mike.

"Oh yeah!" Cody pointed with his arrow. "Never Land's hero approaches!"

Racing up, Trav jumped past the Dukes brothers. "You're done for now, Cap'n!"

"Pan!" Fred attempted to growl.

Lily mounted the gym after Trav. "Here's some extra pixie dust."

Trav downed the package of powdered candy she gave him. "Mmm, thanks, Tinkerbell!"

With that, the boys began to clash arrows with swords. Poked in the stomach, Cody had to resist laughing as he grabbed onto Mike. The two tumbled together, snickering into the snow.

Sitting up, Mike lost all traces of humor. "Cody, your hand!"

"Huh?" Glancing down, Cody released a sharp gasp at the bones protruding straight through his right glove.

"Is it bad?" Fred went to see.

Snatching off her scarf, Laci hastened to cover the apparent wound. "There you go."

Cody gave her grateful eyes. "Thanks a load, Laci."

"Victor, Victor!" Joey beseeched.

The security man all but teleported as soon as he heard his name. "What's happenin', kids?"

Trav tugged on him and informed somewhat covertly, "Cody hurt his knuckles."

Understanding completely, Victor went and placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder. "Let's go in and have a look."

"Aw man, hurt during recess," Fred grumbled on the departing one's behalf. "Why can't this stuff happened when it's supposed to? Like during social studies?"

Mike proposed, "Let's play something else and pick this one up tomorrow."

"Okay be me," Fred shrugged.

"That was close," Trav whispered to Joey.

The older mutant boy in turn shared a smile with Laci.

IIIIIII

Huddled up along three chairs in the security office, Cody paid attention to nothing in particular. A few children came in for the lost and found and one girl to report a boy who had yanked on her hair. Cody eyed his hand every other minute or so, his uncle having swapped out Laci's scarf for bandage wrapping. He sensed Victor's return from patrolling the halls and enjoyed the man's fingers stroking his cheek as he came through. Shortly after, the child picked up on a certain other member of their family.

Logan entered the office with, "Hear we got a cat down."

Perking, Cody reached for him. "Dad."

Sitting by him, Logan gave him a quick hug before checking over the bound hand. "Who'd you slug?"

"Nobody, Daddy," Cody assured. "I wasn't sore or anything. We were playin' and they just popped out. I didn't even feel 'em."

"I know. Your uncle filled me in." Logan tossed a section of his boy's dark hair. "Happened to me more than once in school."

"Better get him home, Lo'," Victor advised. "Just in case."

"Right," Logan nodded, facing his son again. "What's say I fix us a batch of tea and we get the rest of this thing out in the gym?"

"Okay, Dad." Cody began getting into his coat.

Victor mentioned, "We need to put those bandages back on him in the mornin'."

"Right," his brother concurred.

Once Cody was dressed for the outdoors with backpack secure, Logan crouched for him to latch on tightly. Cody nestled against his father's hood as they left.

IIIIIII

Even though his notes and textbooks accounted for his full attention, the city native still felt the multiple pairs of eyes on him. He knew nothing proved a greater circus attraction in Detention Hall than seeing an actual honor student serve 'jail time'. When the hour ended, Frank did not move in anything resembling a rapid motion to pack his things away. Leaving the room, he made the dreaded walk for the gym.

Glancing up the moment he heard him, Hank instructed, "Close the door."

As soon he entered the office fully, Frank shoved it shut with his hip. "You wanted to see me, Dr. McCoy?" Depositing his bag onto the floor, he did the same with his body into the chair facing the desk.

Losing any cordiality in his features, Hank cautioned, "Do not get flip with me, Frank. By all rights, you should be on a three-day suspension. I honestly don't believe you. Fighting your friend over a girl?"

"Not a girl," Frank corrected through clenched teeth. "My girl. Sam is mine."

Hank's expression went from angry to deeply troubled. "Frank, do you hear yourself? Making possessions out of women? That isn't you- this is too beneath you to measure. Do you have any idea what Raven would say if she heard you?"

At the last sentence, Frank drooped in his seat. "I didn't mean… but he knew I liked her and he just…"

"Frank," voice becoming kind but still stern, Hank said, "Sam is not some toy for you boys to fight over. And regardless of anything, that is not excuse enough for what happened in the locker room. Besides how wrong it was, either one of your powers could have flared up in the process. You know how unpredictable yours are. Did you even think about that?"

Frank looked to the floor tiles. "Pretty sure thinking is the one thing I didn't do."

"I'm inclined to agree. Something else that's beneath you and one more thing for me to fix." Hank pushed back from his desk. Come here and bend over."

Though expecting this moment all day, Frank still experienced a stiffness in his legs as he stood. Making it around the desk, he laid over the exposed lap.

Winding a long arm over the boy's upper body, Hank began to pepper the seat of his pants with the full force of his hand. Fearing that a faculty member or, far worse, another student might hear, Frank managed to keep from crying out. However, he could not hold back tears at the intensity.

With a pause at the thirteenth strike, Hank asked, "Are we going to behave with more decorum in school, Frank?"

The teen nodded and sniffed. "Y- yeah, I will. I'm sorry…"

Believing him, Hank gave him two more right above his thighs. He started to allow him to stand, but at the weeping face, he received a flash of the energetic twelve-year-old so eager to assist him in the lab. Hank hoisted him into a strong hug, allowing him to cry into his shirt.

"I hated doing that, Frank," Hank ran comforting fingers through his hair, "but part of the reason I'm here is to look after all of you. That extends to this unfortunate task."

"…I know." Frank attempted to clear his eyes. "I'm sorry about everything, Hank."

"Good. I won't dictate your friendships, but I don't want any more fighting out of you. If this happens again, you're going to have a sore seat during detention as well as on the ride home."

"Gotcha," Frank responded dutifully. "Can we go home now? Please?"

"Just a moment." Retrieving a couple tissues from the box on his desk, Hank cleared away the residual moisture on his cheeks and under his eyes. "That's an improvement. And one more thing." Hank gave him another squeeze. "Don't be in such a hurry. I know you will find the right girl one day. Don't become so preoccupied with the search that you stop being a kid too early."

Frank relaxed against him, letting the words echo in his ears.

IIIIIII

Upon arrival to the designated coordinates, the long haired pair stayed in place while taking it in. The three story brick and stone structure came with three divided rows of concrete steps that led up to the sets of twin doors. Members of maintenance as well as multiple young adults came in and out, many in talking clusters.

"So," Leon at last spoke, "you going in or are we going to keep trying to wish it into the cornfield for another five minutes?"

Still facing ahead, Melissa replied, "I love how you say "the" like you actually know of its existence."

"Melissa," he nudged in a sing-song tone.

"Fine, whatever." She readjusted her messenger bag. "I'm going in."

"I'll be back here right after dinner to spring you. And hey," taking her by the shoulder, he got her brown eyes focused on his, "whatever they say, whatever buttons they push, do not succumb. You are not "fortunate" to have this opportunity. They're lucky to have you among them. You're stronger, smarter, better and badder in every way that counts. Don't bother telling them." He clasped her hand briefly. "Show them. Every chance you get." At the flicker of light that materialized in her irises, he headed the few yards away back to his motorcycle.

Opening her palm, Melissa discovered the bright red Wonder Woman button.

IIIIIII

With the bedroom door already partially open, Victor peered inside. He saw the young girl on top of her still-made bed, working the special comb to relieve Midnight's fur of irritating fuzz clumps. When he spotted the tall male human, the cat rolled over to his back. Victor picked up the suggestion and ran a hand down the ultra-soft belly.

"Hi, Daddy Cat," Samantha smiled at his arrival.

"Hey, baby." Taking a seat that allowed him to face, he asked, "How was school?"

"It was okay. I'm going to do extra credit for English."

"Good stuff… and the new boyfriend?"

With a blushing glee, she divulged, "He decorated my locker. It was so sweet."

"Huh. So," Victor pressed on, "you really do like this Collin kid?"

"Yes, of course." Samantha frowned a little. "What's going on? You said I could go out with him."

"And you can," Victor reaffirmed. "So long as it's for the right reasons. I want to make sure this isn't about Frank or the thrill of having boys fight over you."

"Hey, Frank started that," Samantha stated strongly. "Collin was just minding his own business."

Victor raised a calming hand. "So I heard, so I heard. I just want you to remember that at the end of the day, you and Frank are both X-Men. You can't just throw down the people who matter most for anyone. Now, I want the two of you to get your heads straight and be civil. Got me?" The girl nodded. "Good. See you at supper." He kissed her at the hairline and left another affectionate pat on Midnight's stomach.

IIIIIII

Completely involved in one of his father's former mission stories, the needle prick failed to disturb Cody. Hank covered the injected spot with a band-aid then went about a thorough inspection of the child's individual hands.

"And you say you didn't feel even the slightest bit of anger?"

"Nope, nothin'," Cody confirmed, stretched out on the lab's exam table. "We were havin' fun."

Logan explained from where he stood by his son's head, "Sometimes the wires can get crossed at this age. Fun and pleasure get mixed up with the same excitement as rage."

"That's understandable," Hank said, tapping fingers against Cody's knuckles. "Especially since he'll be twelve before long. Come to think of it, we will soon be knee-deep in puberty with our grade-schoolers."

Cody reacted to this. "Hey, does that mean I'm gonna start sproutin' chest hair like Dad and Uncle Vic?"

Logan messed the dark strands on the boy's head. "Won't be long now."

"Just don't rush it," Hank advised. "If you take after Vic, you'll have hair to spare."

"Cool." Cody popped up, moving about on his hands and feet. "I'm gonna be furry and ferocious. Just wait."

"Again," Hank snatched him up with a tickle, "no rush."

The young mutant chortled and attempted to fight off his fingers.

IIIIIII

With a gentle hum on her lips, the blue woman sent a massage down the back of the melancholy teenager. Eying the opposite side of his bedroom blankly, Frank found some form of contentment keeping his head in her lap.

"Feeling better, love bug?" Raven asked after another minute.

"Hmm…." Thinking it over, Frank stayed in place. "Nope."

"Stop beating yourself up about this." She played in his hair now. "I know what you're feeling. I'm slightly better now, but my temper's been known to outrun my brain yet stay perfectly in tune with my mouth."

Sitting up on his bed, Frank used her shoulder for support now. "I just wish this crumminess in my gut would go away…" With a sigh, he got to his feet. "I'll see you later, Rae."

The somewhat confused shapeshifter watched him go.

II

Attempting to differentiate his own literary collection from the numerous texts Leon and Alex used for school, the metal wielder turned from sorting at the shelf. The fourteen-year-old with especially long face stood in the Mag Cave quietly.

Going over, Erik cared not a bit about the youth's increasing height as he carried him right to the sofa to hold in his lap. "Why do I see unhappiness on my boy?"

Frank informed dejectedly, "Your boy's a brat."

"Is that so? May I ask the reasoning behind this monumental conclusion?"

"Dad, I was the biggest jerk today," Frank declared.

"Hank told me everything," Erik said. "You've already been punished for that, boychick. It's time to put it behind you."

"Not really." Frank sighed heavily. "I don't mean the fighting. I mean how I talked to Collin. I called him a freckled-faced freak who wasn't worth anything to Estevan or his parents."

Erik had to sit quietly for several seconds at that. "Left the jugular in shreds, did you? Franklin, I know it's been sometime," he raised the boy's chin to ensure their eye contact, "but we've discussed letting your words hurt others to such a degree, haven't we?"

"Yes, sir," Frank whispered.

Erik then instructed, "Lay down and do not move."

Frank did so wordlessly.

Capturing both his arms with one hand, Erik pinned them to the small of Frank's back by the wrists. Lifting one leg, he contained both the boy's. After lowering his pants and underwear, Erik began to spank the defenseless rear. Forced to do nothing but think about his actions in their entirety, Frank's cries grew into sobs in no time at all. Not daring to wiggle so much as a pinky or toe, he only buried his face into a cushion to let the tear streams flow freely.

Erik did not make him stay in the position for any longer than the twenty strikes. Releasing him, he kept him over his lap to calm his quivering back. When the child appeared less shaky, Erik collected him into his arms with an affectionate shush and kiss to his temple.

"It's over, boychick. Done." Erik rocked him a little. "Time to forgive yourself as well."

Attempting to get control over his cries, Frank looked at the man with watery eyes. "I'm sorry I keep messing up, Dad. I'm sorry I…"

"No, no, stop it." Erik drew him into an impenetrable hug. "I won't hear of any of that. You're so bright, Frank, but you're still only a boy. I do have certain standards for you, but perfection is not among them. And I hold you so highly not for my sake, but for your own. You have great kindness as well as the ability to care for others in you. I won't let your anger destroy that about yourself."

"Dad," Frank sniffed twice, clinging to him, "thanks. I- I couldn't do this without you. I can't."

"And you don't have to." Erik pecked both sides of his face. "I'm right here, boychick. And I love you with more than I have to offer."

"I love you, Daddy," he returned in the man's ear.

Getting settled on the couch, Erik let Frank finish crying into his chest. Not wanting to disturb the youth in the least, Erik pulled on the fleece throw. Getting it over them, he bundled his boy and used both arms to secure him until he tapered off into much needed sleep.