X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Sixty-One

Author's Word: Hi, fam. The great motivation to get this one posted comes from Hope, who's review was phenomenal! Thanks so much for the extra boost, lovely.

I also want to send out an extra special birthday wish for fam member, MissMarvelGirl! Happy 15th and I hope and pray that this Tuesday is true enchantment for you.

Please enjoy and review!

Not until the dry mouth registered did the girl realize her reason for waking up so suddenly. She felt the warm breath on her shoulder and knew Cody still remained next to her. Kayla had been in and out every so often, just checking in. Of course, the Headmasters had been in on rounds. Until his shift in Eye Spy, Logan's occasional shadow over them provided superior blanketing over any quilt.

Though quite thirsty, Maya remained in place in the comfort of the natural dark. The pondering only capable during the cloak of night activated in her mind. Maya remembered the extensive feelings brought about by the last day and a half. Not the internal sort but those of physical contact. She thought about the way the female instructors stroked her hair or held onto her. Kayla's grasp felt the strongest while being the most soothing. Emma's touch came with almost celestial delicacy and no pressure should one want the grip loosened. Raven's definitely felt impenetrable, somewhat possessive, and stubborn in the sense that the shapeshifter's cherished would not be snatched from her so easily. Lauren did not rush to affection the way many mothers often did, usually going for small hugs and short kisses. Oddly, the more Maya mused on it, the more Lauren seemed in tune to Erik's sometimes standoffish style.

Naturally from there, she considered the male mutant elders. Charles' hand over her forehead or temple somehow delivered bursts of relief, with or without telepathy. Maya guessed taking care of Raven for so many years made him gentle with girls yet did not believe them made of absolute porcelain. Victor dabbled more in the porcelain treatment and Maya could only wonder how a man his size managed to never crush those in his care. Though judging by his eyes alone, he remained prepared to crush any encroacher feeling so daring. Logan's grasp often sent Maya back to her father teaching her how to swim or ride a bike. Carter could react fast enough to grab her if something went wrong, but readily let her stroke and pedal on her own. Outside of Sean and Carter, Maya felt especially fused by Logan's arms. He who freed her body from the watery grave and Kayla who revitalized her insides.

Despite having shared the occasional hug with him, Maya had not realized until recently how at ease she was in Erik's arms. She really should not have been so surprised, considering the untold bond he shared with Becky. On the big ski trip to Canada, Maya, to her own chagrin, recalled the envy that plagued her at simply the sight of them together. Of course, those moments had nothing on her honestly fleeing when Winston Frost came in to talk with Cordelia in the girls' shared quarters on the cruise ship. Becky had gone through sheer horror at her birth father's murder and Cordelia made it obvious she desired mended fences in her family. Maya hardly saw such an attitude in the well-to-do kids at school. Most acted as if parents and siblings amounted to irritating chores hindering their precious social lives.

Unable to resist thirst any longer, Maya crept from the bed as covertly as she could. She did not want Cody Wody losing anymore sleep over her. Finding her slippers in the dark, she took her time easing out of her room. Still lethargic, she made sure to grip the railing of the staircase.

Returning to his study, the Englishman ceased movement at the sight of her. "Maya, darling," elated not to feel any turmoil coming off her, he still asked, "what are you doing up? Are you alright?"

Due to her weakened throat muscles from earlier, Maya had to slowly formulate words. "I need… something to drink."

"Here." Charles swept her up and started for the study. "Stay right here." He laid her on his sofa. "I'll get some of the tea Logan fixed for you. Is chilled fine or do you want it warmed?"

"Chilled, please," Maya responded, wanting the relief for her dry and heated throat.

Charles walked to and came back with the tall plastic cup. "Here we are, love."

"Thank you." Maya took such an extended sip from the straw he provided, seventy-five percent of the drink vanished. "Professor, I… I want to talk about…"

Hushing her, Charles put the cup on a nearby shelf and placed the soft blanket he kept handy over her. "We will have plenty of time to talk. All you need to do now is focus on your recovery."

Despite his words, she still said, "I'm sorry- I'm sorry I broke your chandelier. I'm sorry I—"

"Maya," tone strong but eyes kind, Charles looked at her closely, "you and I both know that was an accident. As for the rest, I told you that will come later. I only want you to be fully well again."

"Kay…"

"I have some work to finish. As soon as you nod off, I'll take you back upstairs."

Complying immediately, Maya made herself comfortable against the cushions.

IIIIIII

Warm air surrounded and carried with it a certain propitiousness energy. The delicate breeze batted at the leaves on the trees. Deep, wide water stayed still beyond the occasional ripple. The quarter moon shined beyond the partly cloudy sky. Crouched with hand on one knee, the blue eyes stared forward. Without his glasses, what little he could see consisted of odd blurs that took on unique shape for him. He saw his daughter toddling towards him, seeking to banish whatever night terrors troubled him with the unexplained magic only she wielded. He also received an impression of his precocious son and kindred spirit charging for him with arms spread, knowing his father would catch him with ease.

Everything from the scents in the air to the feel of the ocean triggered thoughts of his wife. From virtuous steady couple to insatiable union of flesh under the radiant Puerto Rican sky. While enjoying his time with his X-Men brethren- mutated clashes not necessarily excluded- Hank could not deny his aching for her. He craved his devoted shapeshifter. For reasons uncertain to him, part of him had wanted to bring back the mangled wings of Dragonfly as a trophy for his better half. To illustrate to her the worthlessness of conniving, manipulative lesser women unfit to share Raven's gender. He inhaled through the nostrils and attempted to mute his senses to everything so as to clear the vile ponderings from his mind.

"Hank? You okay?"

Returning his frames to his face, Hank stood at the presence of the redhead in pajamas. "Yes, fine, Seanie. I just want to absorb some more of this refreshing above zero air while we're still here." Walking his way, Hank put an arm around the teenager's shoulders. "Let's go back to bed."

When they made it to their room, he recovered Sean in the linens. Remaining on the side of the boy's mattress, Hank left a soothing hand on Sean's back. As he watched him sleep, he considered the way assailants all too often sought to take him, Becky, and the others away from him. His inner creature stirred and Hank had to resist a snarl, silently promising the beast his day.

IIIIIII

Slicing a small section of the potato cake, Maya lightly dabbed it in syrup. Not exactly famished, she forced it down with the aid of her orange juice.

Another set of brown eyes peered in from the hall. "Maya."

"Brenda," Maya acknowledged. "Hey, come in."

Doing so, she informed, "I stayed over with Angel and Sam. I really wanted to talk to you, but with everything going on last night…"

Maya said, "I'm glad you're here."

Forming a small smile and sitting on the bed with her, Brenda started to explain. "I swear I didn't want to rat you out, but Sam told Collin how sick you were and I got really scared. If anything happened to you, it would be all my fault—"

"No, it wouldn't," the older girl cut in instantly. "Brenda, I'm the one who was keeping things from them."

"Missy still doesn't know," Brenda told her. "I figured you'd want to talk to her about it, but if you want me to fill her in for you I will."

"No, um," Maya pushed some hair behind her ear, "could you let her know I'll call her later? Still no clue what to say exactly. She's going to be livid."

Brenda offered her sympathetic eyes. "I swear I just want to host a funeral procession for our action team. It was incredible while it lasted."

"It still is," Maya reaffirmed. "We're still on the same team, Bren, even if I am stuck on the bleachers."

Comforted by the words, Brenda looked down at the tray. "Aren't Erik's latkes spiked with love? As in divinity of deliciousness."

"Definitely," Maya concurred. "Though considering how much trouble I'm in, I was waiting on gruel and sewer water."

IIIIIII

Inside the Professor's study, the rather on-edge instructor assortment gathered. Charles sat behind his desk with Erik standing nearby. Raven and Kayla shared the sofa while Victor stayed by the door. Brian's fussing need for her kept Emma up in the nursery with him.

Logan paced the center of the space in a circle. "You think I don't know how big a deal this is? It's all I've been thinkin' about. I've barely slept."

Erik stated plainly, "Then you should see clearly why she needs to be punished."

Stopping in place, Logan said, "Look, I'm ticked off about this sneakin' around, but Maya's been through enough already. It took me twenty minutes to calm her down after that glass hit Cody and Fox."

"He's right," Raven seconded. "Nightmares, her body ready to cave in on her- Maya's more than learned from this. And you know her. You know how sorry she is."

Kayla mentioned, "And I'm afraid there's a certain degree of hypocrisy being glossed over on all of our parts. Haven't we all recklessly strayed away under the belief of achieving a greater good?"

"She's got us on that point, bosses," admitted Victor.

"Then we are hypocrites," declared an unmoved Erik. "A title I've held before and likely will again. We make difficult decisions, take many risks, endanger ourselves. While I know the importance of being a positive example for them, at the end of the day our children are to do as we say, not as we do."

Logan casually strolled over to get in proximity of his personal space. "From what I've heard, part of the reason this all came down on her so hard is on account of doin' as you say. Think I haven't heard about your sessions? Pushin' her buttons to get her stirred up? Worked like a charm. Eh, whack job?"

"Gentlemen," Charles chimed in firmly.

Erik only countered to the Veteran, "And was I also the one who encouraged her to lie, venture into strange cities, and willingly take part in dangerous activities? Are you honestly going to stand there and tell me that Maya deserves a slap to the wrist for this?"

"I know good and well you and Chuck run this place," Logan responded. "What I am tellin' you is if you think Smiley needs to be turned over, you're the ones carryin' it out."

Charles got to his feet. "That has not been decided."

Erik immediately turned disapproving eyes on his brother. "Charles."

The resolute Professor said, "This discussion is not yet closed, Erik. Our priority for now is Maya's well-being. Her conduct is a topic that can wait."

Knowing the truth there, the metal wielder gave off a nod.

At the commotion from the front of the house, Raven instinctively assumed her blonde guise.

"Hey, we're home," Alex announced.

"In here, boychick," Erik called to them, though surprised to hear his voice.

When Leon, Alex, and Hank entered the study with bags in tow, the blonde assured, "We didn't sell Sean, honest. He just went up to slobber over his girl."

Hank informed, "We have a great deal to discuss."

Smile on her face, Raven made a path for him. "Hey, we thought you guys weren't coming home until tom—" Hank's seizing and kissing her prevented further speaking.

Victor had to dart out of the way for the young scientist to press her up against the wall, their lips never parting in the process.

The others only gaped at the display and Logan remarked, "And they say we need our own fire hydrant."

Kayla sent him a coy smile.

Eyebrow lifting slightly, something rang inside of Victor, but he chose not to voice it for the time being.

II

Upon rolling over in her drowsy condition and making contact with a familiar chest, Maya believed herself still deep in the dream state.

A whisper breezed into her ear. "Hola, honey."

Eyes popping open, she took in the blue orbs right next to her. "… Sean?"

"Hey." With a big grin, he raised himself to linger right above her. "Guess whose home, sleepy head." He then noticed her still in pajamas with the empty food tray on her night stand. "Aw, what's wrong?" He stroked her forehead. "You sick?"

"Sean," she wound arms around his neck, "I can't even begin to tell you what happened this weekend."

Experiencing a smidge of deja vu, Sean said, "Uh… we're more in sync than I thought."

II

"Jam knows everything?" Raven's abundantly astonished yellow eyes locked in on her husband. "About all of us?"

Hugging his giddy daughter to him while his son rolled a toy car over his thigh, Hank told her, "We didn't go deep into your details. Jam is your friend, too. Alex and I figured if you wanted him to see it all, you would show him yourself. Or he never has to know. It's up to you."

Raven squeezed his knee appreciatively.

"Daddy, let's play auto shop," Trav requested.

"I'd love to, Cub," Hank kissed Kiki's forehead and laid her on the mattress, where he and Raven currently sat, "but Daddy has to report to Uncle Charles and Uncle Erik. You stay up here and watch your sister and we'll play later on." He picked Trav up at the hips to hold just above his head. "That sound like a plan?"

"Yes, Daddy," Trav smiled. "I missed you."

"I missed all of you, too, every moment." Hank placed him on the bed as well and took Raven's hand to start down the stairs.

In the lab below, Kayla sat between the brothers Howlett-Creed at a front table. Erik shared a table to the right of theirs with Leon and Alex on either side of him. Charles and Emma, now available due to Brian napping, stood not far from the chalkboard. When the McCoys returned, Raven sat on the edge of Hank's desk while he spelled out a word across the board.

"Nosferatu?" Charles recognized.

"Vampire," Kayla translated. "Possibly rooted in Romanian folklore developed late last century. Much more horrific than better known vampire interpretations found in Dracula and the like. Nosferatu have stronger demonic affiliations."

Alex gazed over at the woman with wide eyes. "Alright, Kay, I know you're running your own school and all, but I desperately need you in my literature classes."

Staying on point, Erik wanted to know, "Is he the one who abducted Sean?"

Leon answered that with, "As well as the one catapulted by Jam."

"He was leading a team consisting of the insectoid mutant Dragonfly," Hank picked up. "She may have been the most lethal, able to manipulate disease carrying insects."

Revulsion came over Raven's face. "Ugh, bug chick."

Alex put forth, "Get the feeling she won't be a threat any time soon…"

Hank moved on from there promptly. "Blood Hound is animalistic like us," he looked to the security men, "of the canine variety like Logan."

The male in question remarked, "Better be ready to pony up union dues."

"He's significantly more feral," Hank detailed. "Think along the lines of Edge Pack. I only got the upper hand because of lucky maneuvering. And the biggest surprise? Riptide is with them."

"Janos?" Emma raised an eyebrow. "Leave it to him to sink lower on the food chain."

"Maybe not so low, Em," Alex countered. "As brutal a dick as he was, let's face it. Shaw was a retarded windbag. Mutant babies from nuking the planet? Gimme a break. But from what Sean said about Count Creep-ula, he's some kind of serious scientist. Totally calculating. He could have taken Sean out on the spot, but played cat and mouse with him instead."

Hank brought up, "He claims to owe the Shadow King for helping make who he is. He even knows about Ignacio, which is what interested him in Sean in the first place. Tried to fill his head with godhood ideals."

Victor shook his own head to that. "For an egghead, he mucked up the homework on that one."

Charles wondered pensively, "How did he learn about Sean or Ignacio at all?"

"What if he's in the same field as Ignacio?" presented Leon, getting attention from all. "As in genetic researcher with ties to the occult. Nosferatu didn't know about Sean at all until we walked into his club- still mad that place is called a lair- and only recognized us when we came to confront him. I'm thinking he has some kind of limited telepathic ability, maybe brought about from his own experimentation."

"I believe Lee's on the right track," Hank concurred. "I brought home a sample of Nosferatu's tissue from what was left on the van after Jam's one-man cavalry. Like Vic and the Howletts, Sean suspects Nosferatu may have come from the 19th century. Possibly before for all we know. I'm interested to know more."

Erik said, "You should have contacted us about this yesterday."

Alex started, "Dad, we—"

"You will have to forgive me, Erik," Hank interjected, tone far from apologetic. "However, between an insect invasion, having one of my own taken and the other injured, trying to explain the situation to our civilian ally, engaging in combat with very formidable mutants, and seeing to everyone's welfare afterwards somehow took precedent over calling in a lengthy report. I knew we would be returning today, where I planned to debrief with all of you. Exactly what I'm doing right now, assuming you've been paying attention."

"Hank," spoke a taken aback Raven while Charles reproved, "Henry, that attitude is most uncalled for. Erik was only—"

"Being his standard condescending self," the young instructor filled in, turning challenging eyes on Erik. "And while we're on the subject, what kept you from telephoning us about Maya? Our friend, teammate, Sean's serious girlfriend?"

"Don't you dare throw that at me." The livid metal wielder got to his feet. "We tried to reach you."

"We were hardly in the house! It may surprise you that I in no way penciled in assault and harassment by other mutants on this vacation!" Hank shot back.

"Whoa, okay." Raven jumped up with hands spread, despite the distance between the two males. "You guys are way beyond the point of "enough already"."

"Here, here," Charles seconded his sister. "This weekend has taken a toll on all of us. Lashing out at one another will not help matters."

Releasing a breath, Hank said, "I'm sorry for snapping, Erik. It was a complete overreaction."

"No," Erik shook his head, "it isn't you, Hank. It would seem I'm on a quest to make opposition out of everyone close to me."

Not missing the meaning in that, Logan spoke with, "Hey, I've been there. Likely will be again by mornin'."

After the air proved breathable again, the group talked for a while longer, including extensively about Maya.

Lingering by the door until the rest filed out and Raven went up to the children, Victor headed for Hank. "How long has this flare-up been goin' on?"

Hank looked away from cleaning his board. "What are you talking about?"

Victor's eyes stayed neutral. "You know exactly what I'm talking about, kid. Tongue-tyin' with your wife like you just got back from a stint in Germany. Ready to see how far Magneto can really fly by flingin' him right out that window. Beast's pawin' at the door, ain't it?"

"More like clawing," Hank said, laying a hand over his stomach. "The peace of the tropic setting, going up against Blood Hound, and then there's… what happened with Dragonfly."

Giving him a look, Victor inquired, "What do ya mean by that?"

"After I won against Blood Hound, the fury inside me only stayed ablaze. I took down Dragonfly and ripped the wings straight out of her back, one by one."

Letting that sink in, Victor determined, "I think you and me got a couple things to work on."

II

"Charles, Erik," coming to a complete stop, the petitioned males looked back to see Alex gesturing towards his own quarters, "I need a word. Right now, please."

Exchanging a look with his brother, Charles immediately started walking in the requested direction. "Absolutely, sir."

"Straightaway," added Erik, going after the Professor.

The last in his room, Alex shut the door and faced the Headmaster pair. "Look, I know I just got back, I'm still drained from yesterday, I wasn't even here for yesterday's crisis, and I'm going through surfing withdrawals already. Be that as it may, if Maya's been as sick as Raven says, she's not getting spanked. I'll stand by mostly anything else you decide, but that's not happening. At least not while she's recuperating. I'm not speaking to you right now as your nephew or your son or her buddy. I'm speaking to you as an instructor. I may not be a physical therapist yet, but I cannot condone this. We can stand here and argue all day, but I'm not backing down."

Both elders left muted for an extended time, Charles responded first. "This is your professional and final position, yes?"

"Yes," Alex confirmed. "The X-Men have had too many close calls. I have to care about their wellness first. But don't think I'm not upset about what she did, especially overexerting herself. She has to face up for that."

Erik noted, "It sounds as if you have an idea in mind."

Alex nodded. "Ground her a couple weeks. One dinner a week at her mom's, where one of us drives her there and picks her up. No dates, no phone, no movies, no teen lounge period. Let me work with her to really get her back on her feet, including some light training when she's up for it. I'll take responsibility. And spending that much time with me? Forget punishment. For Maya, that's cruel and unusual territory."

"Charles," Erik's voice packed wonder as well as realization, "he's right. Absolutely so."

"You listen to me, Alexander." Stepping forward, Charles clamped firm hands on his shoulders. "I need you alive, well, and with me in my declining years. Promise me, lad, promise me."

Alex broke into a smile. "After how long you've put up with me? I'm anywhere you want me to be, Charles." He faced Erik. "And I'll try to squeeze you in here and there, too."

Erik patted his arm. "Ever the generous charmer, boychick."

"Anyway," Alex moved on, "I have clothes to dump in the hamper, a whole new regiment to plan, homework to review, and Joey and Scott should be barreling in here pretty soon. So," he bobbed his head towards the door, "beat it."

"And we still have your etiquette to work on." Taking his leave, Charles glanced accusatory eyes back at his fellow Headmaster. "Then again, behold his primary influence…"

Erik waited until they returned to the hall to briskly ruffle the younger man's hair. "He's coming into his own more and more, Lab Rat. And I have to agree this is the best solution regarding Maya."

"Brother, I can't help but wonder," Charles looked at him, "besides the obvious, why has this situation made you so adamant about her correction?"

With a sigh, Erik indicated for them to sit and Charles joined him on the top step. "You remember who I was- how I was- when we first met."

"Yes." Charles' benign eyes encouraged him to go on.

"After learning about the anger Maya struggles with, knowing she's been going about at night as if on a hunt, witnessing the damage that resulted from it all." Erik drew in one knee to drape his arm across, his countenance deeply cynical. "I've influenced her more than I realize and I see aspects of myself, the worst ones, in her. I want her to be strong, Charles, but I will not let that kind, sensible, faith filled girl be lost in the process. I don't want her to be the monster that I was and still feel inside at times, even if that means many a trip across my knee for her."

Hearing him out, Charles touched a consoling hand to the tense man's back. "Erik, I love you."

Facing him with inquiring features, Erik said, "Lab Rat, you know I l—"

"Silence," mandated the Professor, genuinely sending the Poland native into a quiet state. "That was meant for you to hear and heed, not return. Erik, I wish you would consider your own words at times. Think about it. When we first began, you sought to turn children into soldiers with extremely little regard for anything else. Now for you to be so troubled at the mere thought of Maya losing herself- can't you see? You may feel a monster inside, but the abhorrent thing is utterly outmatched by the man you truly are."

Eyes darting forward again, Erik resided in wordless amicability with him until the unmistakable cry sounded.

"And that would be Daddy's precious pear." Charles nudged Erik's knee with his own. "Mind tending to your nephew for me?"

"Never." Erik arose from the staircase.

"No chocolates to appease him," Charles called after him.

"What? Sorry, can't hear you over the baby." Smirking, Erik continued into Brian's nursery.

IIIIIII

In his gray boxers with white t-shirt, Leon applied fresh bandaging to the afflicted area on his thigh. His chin immediately lifted at the reemergence that took place before him. Soon the appearance of the female in jeans and light outdoor apparel formed in full.

"Hey, you rushed on the phone. Why are you back s—" Zeroing in on his wound, she climbed on the bed for closer observation. "What is this?" Peering up again, her brown eyes contained alarm geared for retaliation. "Were you shot?"

"With a stinger," Leon told her. "Ran into a new mutant gang while on holiday. One was an overly ambitious bug lady quite determined to molest me."

"Where?" Melissa practically spat.

"Easy, Hank acted as my personal fly swatter," he placated. "Though I do appreciate your murderous glower."

"Who needs makeup with a guy who appreciates what comes natural? Glad you guys are okay at least. What else happened?"

"Apparently, I learned of two new mutant organizations." Taut smile forming, he seemed to stare right through her. "One right here at home- a member actually within my home."

She released a sigh so deep she nearly sank into the mattress. "Lee, I know- I know, okay? This was never planned. The three of us just somehow meshed so well, but I knew it couldn't keep going. Maya swore she'd talk to you guys after our last job."

"Too bad she never got the chance," Leon stated. "What with her powers going berserk to the point of almost destroying her mentally and physically."

Shocked to her core, Melissa felt the rise in her heartbeat. "What? When—"

"While we were in San Juan," Leon responded before she could finish the question. "The Telepathic Triad had to send Cody into her mind to pull her back. Even with Kayla's healing, Maya still isn't one hundred percent."

"Oh my God…" Both hands went over her mouth. "Leon, I swear, I didn't know anything about this. When I dropped her off on Friday she was fine."

"Until she accidentally shattered a chandelier at dinner." Leon smiled ironically. "From what I heard, that was the least eventful part."

At a loss for words, Melissa offered up, "I really didn't know."

"I believe that much. I think I know you fairly well enough to be able to say there's no way you'd let Maya onto the field with a power malfunction." He crossed his arms. "Yet at the same time, I guess I don't know you as well as I'd hoped. You took Maya on these heists with you, exactly like back in Buffalo, and you somehow thought I'd be breezy about that?"

Her frame drooped all the more. "Lee…"

"What happened to talking to each other, Melissa?" Leon wanted to know. "We both have intense trust issues. Yet we somehow became comfortable enough to be raw and real with each other. I know truth bending and withholding things is unavoidable in any human relationship, so I know you can't necessarily disclose everything. But after this? I don't even know."

Arms folding over her chest, Melissa battled for her voice's composure. "You want to end it."

Leaning forward, Leon's brown eyes sparked with embers. "I am pissed, confused, and I have to admit it, a little heartsick. But since I'm not trying to add flat-lined to that list at the moment, no, Melissa. I do not want to end us. As if I'm fucking capable of conceiving that notion." He sat up straighter, exhaling from his nose. "What I want is to process this."

With a slow nod, Melissa returned to her feet. "It's weak, shitty, and pathetic… but I am sorry, Leon."

Reciprocating her gaze, he replied, "And I'm disappointed, Melissa." He watched her body disperse and vanish through his window.

IIIIIII

Spirit notebook in front of him, Sean wrote out his reflections by the shine of the desk lamp. He had to readjust his posture every so often due to the swivel chair purchased to accommodate someone of Maya's petite frame. It bothered him not near enough to break his contemplation on the passages. However, the delicate murmur highly alerted him.

"Maya?" He went around the bed. "Oh baby, you're bleeding."

She tapped at the crimson liquid above her lip. "Oh no." She groaned. "I thought the nosebleeds were over."

"It's only a little bit. Come on." Whisking the girl up into his long arms, he moved quickly to get her to the bathroom she shared with the other teenage lasses.

Situating her on the vanity, Sean wet the blue hand towel he knew she used. He gently dabbed the blood away.

"Thanks." Maya's tired voice carried a faintness he still easily deciphered. "I cannot wait for this to be over. I've never felt so disgusting."

As he added soap to rinse out the towel for her, Sean kept his gaze locked on her. Chin dipped, features weary, eyes barely open, tangled hair victimized by perspiration, she appeared almost ready to become one with the floor tiles. In lime green pajamas adorned with a plethora of pink bunnies, fuzzy jade socks kept her feet warm.

"I guess you still have sleep in your eyes." Wringing out the towel, Sean draped it over the nearest rack for it to dry. "Your disgusting is pretty crazy beautiful from where I'm standing."

Maya raised her head along with her eyebrow. "Where are you, the North Pole? Sean," she moved her head side to side to evade his lips, "what are you doing? My breath is a landfill."

"Really? Lemme try." Stealing a smooch, he rubbed his own lips together. "Hm, still tastes like Kayla's pound cake to me."

"Sean…" Her developing glow rapidly dimmed. "How are you even speaking to me right now?"

He thumped his throat. "Freaky mutated vocal cords."

"Sean, you know what I mean." Maya let off a sigh. "Sneaking around, getting into all this trouble…"

"Kay first," Sean placed his hands on either side of her, "I've done my own sneaking around and I caught plenty of trouble for it. And I can't claim noble intentions by a longshot. Second, we both went through completely insane stuff this weekend, but here we are." He inched in enough to tip their noses together. "Right where we should be."

Quivering from his slightest touch, Maya's arms found their usual place around his neck with her hands going into his red strands. "What is with disaster striking every time we're apart? Getting the teeniest inkling God's trying to tell us something."

"Seems that way…" Sean went after her neck with his mouth.

"Sean," Maya squealed, glad to have the door closed as she playfully batted at him. "Sean Cassidy!"

"That's my name." Withdrawing from her suddenly, Sean evened blue eyes to her brown. "Want to share?"

Almost diving into the sink at his abrupt decrease in height, Maya clutched her chest to keep the now lively muscle inside of it from ejecting. "Sean…"

With one knee to support him, Sean clasped her free hand. "Will you marry me, Ma- Maya!" He rushed to rise to prevent her fall.

Grasping his shirt front with both hands, the taken aback girl studied his features. "You… Sean, this isn't funny…"

The tall X-Man hoisted her into his arms again, never losing eye contact. "Who's joking around?"

"You… you're serious?"

He confirmed with, "Right hand to God, left on the Bible, standing on top of the church. And I'm the Banshee- I can make that visual happen."

"Sean, I…" Maya struggled through her words for reasons entirely unrelated to ailment. "I- I'm grounded."

Sean responded dismissively, "And Hank spanked my bare butt into smithereens the other day."

"Are you sure it wasn't your head?" Still incredulous, Maya gestured at their surroundings. "How can you be doing this here, in the bathroom with me looking… Sean, honestly, look at me."

"I am," he emphasized. "And I want to look at you. First thing every morning for the rest of my life."

Maya raised her hand to fondle his cheek now. "Sean…"

"Maya," he sent right back. "I know, okay? I know where your head is right now. I know we're only eighteen. I also know that to be so young we have shared so much, experienced so much, survived so much, and whatever mistakes we've made, we kept our purity."

Maya laced the fingers of the hands that sported their rings. "Like we promised."

Sean nodded, eyes glazing as he went on. "Do you remember our first trip to Canada? What we said in the snow that night?"

"It doesn't matter what anyone says; adults, our families. You always want to be with me." Her pupils glossed as well. "It's part of what I remembered to come back from my anger."

He next mentioned, "Do you remember what you said the second time we went up there? Your birthday?"

"I want you," Maya echoed herself.

Sean swept hair away from her face with his fingers. "And I want you. The most consistent thing in my life."

"Mine, too."

"Then I repeat." Kneeling, Sean gingerly situated her on his knee with his lock strengthening around her upper body. "Will you marry me, Maya?"

On the brink of erupting with tears, she nodded fiercely. "Yes, yes Sean, you're all I want." She wept ecstatically into his shoulder. "You are all I want."

Euphoria prepared to launch him through the ceiling, Sean sprang up triumphantly. Letting her cry all she wanted and needed, he trailed kisses beginning from the top of her head. He reached her shoulder and left his head bowed there, a few tears of his own ready to cascade.