X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Sixty-Seven

Author's Word: Hi, fam! Thanks yet again for the feedback. Remember that this chapter overlaps with the last one. Please enjoy and review!

The early afternoon of that Friday brought with it a cloudless sky and vivacious sunshine. Already the Xavier garden bloomed with landscaping the English royals themselves would envy. The security man and presently gardener knelt before his morning glories, the circular buds of vibrant blues and purples. Hardly a foot away from him sat the youngest winged mutant of the house in denim overalls like his own. While his "Army Dad" t-shirt suited him fine, she wore a violet turtleneck and unbuttoned sweater to guard against even a hint of chill in the air.

"Puppy," ragdoll in one arm, Kiki used her free hand to dig at a short dirt mound with her plastic shovel, "do you make wishes?"

Blue eyes on his flowers, Logan answered straightaway, "Darlin', I woke up this mornin' and so did all of you kids- wish granted. I know you're gettin' yours later." He gingerly poked her side with the tip of his own shovel, getting a little laugh out of her. "Frankie and Scottie takin' you to the fair. You excited?"

"Yeah," she nodded with equal enthusiasm.

Rolling up with Mira and Todd in their double stroller, Alex instructed, "Hey flower girl, come wash your hands while I get your snack ready."

"'Kay, Uncle Lexie."

Alex redirected the twins towards the house.

"Hey, Lassie," Logan petitioned before she could follow after them, "lose somethin'?" He pulled out the now soiled brunette doll left in a hole. "Remember what I said about takin' care of your toys? Too many little girls don't have even one doll."

Kiki explained, "She's there to die for my wish."

Logan frowned in weighty confusion. "Kiki, why would you wish your doll to die?"

"So Seanie can stay with me."

A whole new alarm spread throughout the man. "What? You…" Logan took another look at the soft doll with stained dress and brown straggly hair. "Kiki, is this supposed to be Maya? You want Maya to…" At the small girl's sudden whimpering recoil, he reached a gentle hand out for her. "Baby, Puppy's not mad at you, but you listen to me." He locked firm blue eyes with her brown. "Don't you ever make a wish like that. Not ever in your life. Don't you even think it. You understand me?"

She bobbed her head twice. "Mhm…"

"Go on to your uncle." Watching her skip off for the house, Logan tried to suppress the growing roil in his belly.

IIIIIII

With the classical music station filtering in from the small radio, Hank maneuvered stylishly around the kitchen. He moved about in striking attire of his indigo collared shirt and black business casual slacks coupled with floral apron and matching oven mitts. He watched Brian sway his head from side to side while tapping bitty fingers against his highchair.

"That's it, Little Hank," encouraged the significantly bigger Hank. "Absorb the music, enhance those mathematic and scientific skills."

Coming through in brown pencil skirt and tucked in auburn blouse, Raven folded her arms at the sight. "Ah, here I thought Beethoven himself stopped by for a waltz."

Hank spread his arms apart. "Do you believe the legendary Ludwig could fill this apron better?"

"No one can, baby." Raven walked up for an appropriate greeting kiss with him then detected the enticing aromas. "Did you do all this?"

"I had a touch of assistance," Hank admitted. "Frank mixed the meatloaf and put together the vegetable stew ingredients before they left for the fair. But he left me with the supreme honor of heating it all up."

"My domestic doctor. Ladies, continue eating your hearts out." Raven retrieved a water bottle from one of the refrigerators and took a seat at the table near Brian. "Frankie is such a lifesaver."

"Especially of late," Hank noted. "But you know how he is when it comes to you. With most of the older girls away, he wanted to take some work off your hands."

"Hey," making his way into the eatery, Logan regarded the McCoys grimly, "I need to talk to the two of you."

Raven right away presumed, "Is it about the kids?"

"Kiki," the Veteran confirmed. "Earlier today she… she wished Maya dead."

Raven used a hand to shield her sharp gasp and Hank insisted, "No, no, Kiki would never- you had to have misunderstood."

With no trace of his unique brand of humor anywhere to be seen, Logan stated, "Hank, she told me so herself. She even tried to bury a doll that looks like Maya."

Raven felt her skin spring to life and crawl. "Oh my God…"

"She's still upset about Sean," Hank reasoned. "That's all there is to it. This is no different than her volunteering to be Jaycee. She's too young to grasp the weight of her words, let alone the finality of death."

"We have to do something," determined Raven. "Hank, we have to talk to her."

"Tonight before bedtime." Hank came over to give massaging hands to his wife. "Don't worry, Raven."

However, worry seemed to be the extent of the blue woman's capabilities in that instance.

II

At their regular places around the dining room table, Erik, Charles, Emma, and Kayla managed to hold down three to four different conversations as they recalled their days to each other. Victor chimed in an anecdote every so often, but his attention more frequently floated towards the teenagers in the room. Maya attempted to arrange the centerpiece of Logan's fresh cut flowers, but Sean encroaching on her from behind distracted her. She gave into his arms at one point and clung to his shirt. Unable to block his building nostalgia at the sight of them, Victor cracked a tiny smile.

All chatter came to a halt as the parade of X-Kids made their return known. Due to the assortment of trinkets they brought in, they uncannily came back even more colorful than when they left. Treat bag and stuffed animal in his possession, Trav rode in on Frank's shoulders. Scott balanced Kiki along with her acquired items on his right hip. Becky carried two plush toys with her. Joey and Cody took their treats as well as Scott and Becky's to help the older two's already loaded arms.

Cody only took time enough to dump his things in a chair as he raced for Kayla. "Mommy's home!"

"CoCo!" The Blackfoot woman brought her oldest to her in an equally elated hold.

"My, my, my," Charles positively beamed over his little ones, "what have we here? Did you attend the Temple's fair or bring it home with you?"

Scott replied, "A little bit of each," and pecked a giddy Kiki's cheek.

"You'll see it soon, Dad," Joey told him. "Laci must have taken a thousand pictures."

"Frank, I looked for you after school," said Sean. "I would have taken you guys."

"We didn't have time to wait," responded Frank matter-of-factly, directing his eyes upward. "Did we, little guy?"

"Sure didn't," Trav concurred.

Becky quickly appeased, "We got rides from the Braunsteins and Mrs. Dukes. You didn't have to worry about us, Sean."

Logan and Hank came through with the food and beverages. Raven brought in Brian with his highchair. Emma began stirring the bowl of baby food Logan handed her.

Raven pouted as she got her youngest nephew positioned in his proper place at the table. "You guys just had to go and have all the fun without me."

"Join the club," mumbled Sean.

"I got you prizes, Mommy," Trav proudly announced, shaking his bag. "I got you a candy necklace and a bear and chocolates for Uncle Erik and—"

Hank cleared his through quite noisily. "I hope you didn't fill your tummies with such a sugar haul."

"Relax, Hank," reassured Frank. "We know a little better than that. We only snacked on cotton candy."

"And milkshakes," mentioned Trav.

Erik sent the group a certain look. "Milkshakes, hm?"

"Cody needs the calcium intake," Frank reasoned.

"Yep." Cody nestled against his mother's front. "And I still have tons of room."

"Big surprise," remarked Logan glibly.

When the children, particularly Trav, began detailing their mini adventures, Charles chimed in with, "Tut-tut, there will be plenty of time to hear about everything once we're all around the table together. Now, hurry along. Wash your hands and faces and get into your dinner clothes." Not remotely bothered by the resulting moans of protests from the youths, the Professor chided, "None of that. Yes, I realize it's Friday and you've had a full day, but you know well that we do not break bread together looking like common tramps. Now, go on; into your dresses and clean shirts."

Amidst the sighing, Frank said, "Come on, privates. Time to hose off."

"Be right back, Mama." Cody grudgingly slid off her lap after Kayla kissed his nose.

"What's wrong, Kiki?" Scott said to her tugging on his shirt.

The small girl told him, "I want to eat in my room."

Maya looked over with disconcerted eyes.

Raven reacted with, "Again, Baby Gorge?"

Charles addressed her as well. "Love, we've all missed you at dinner this week. Your Auntie Em would especially like to sit with you after such a long day."

At Kiki's continued discomfort, Emma got to her feet. "What's say we eat together in your room?" Giving Brian's food to Charles, Emma went to collect her from Scott. "We can have our own little party and you can tell me all about the fair."

Kiki promptly reanimated and Emma carried her out while ushering the older children along.

Sean dropped into his seat dejectedly and Maya offered calming hands to his shoulders.

"Kids are a mess when they're worn out," Victor placated.

"How do you explain the rest of the time?" Alex entered the room at that with Leon right behind. Going to his chair, Alex took the time to ruffle Brian's pale blonde strands. "You tell your folks you got in trouble today?" The teeny boy made a disgruntled blowing noise with his mouth, spraying bits of his food. "Still mad at me I see."

"And just what is this about trouble, Mr. Xavier?" Charles questioned his one-year-old, giving him another spoonful.

Settling in his chair, Alex explained, "He's still huffy I didn't take him outside with Kiki and the twins earlier."

Raven sulked on her nephew's behalf. "Why not, meanie?"

"He was bad," Alex answered straightforwardly. "Picking at everybody during naptime, bopping them with toys, throwing food when we were trying to give the twins their bottles, and screeching at the top of his lungs if I so much as rubbed Todd's stomach, let alone held him. So, I sent him to baby jail in his room."

Charles formed an aghast expression. "Brian Henry, were you really such a terror?" He caught where, more specifically who, his son placed eyes on. "Don't look at your Uncle Erik. You hear Daddy speaking to you."

Resisting a smile, the metal wielder said, "Come now, Charles. The little mouse is only a baby."

Logan released a resonating scoff. "Uh uh, don't even try that one. Don't let those big baby blues fool ya. These kids can be smarter than us when they want to be. He knew what he was doing. Like when he started up that cryin' orchestra two minutes after we brought the twins home."

"Stop picking on him," Raven ordered. "Hank made him listen to classical music. Isn't that punishment enough?"

Hank aimed narrowed eyes at his wife.

"What punishment?" inquired Joey, returning in fresh attire with the other boys.

Leon informed, "Your little brother was sent to timeout for spiking Alex's BP."

"Oh no." Joey rushed to the highchair. "Poor Brian."

"Poor Brian?" reacted the Eye Scream Team in unison.

Cody immediately took up Kayla's lap space again. "Those baby timeouts are a joke."

"Somethin' you figured out too early," Logan commented. "Didn't he, Fox?"

Kayla played in their son's hair. "He's never been very much trouble."

Cody beamed at her.

Features aglow, scent of fruit, and peach dress in place, Becky scuttled in with a serving tray. "I'm going to bring up Kiki and Auntie Em's plates."

"I can do that, sis." Frank left his seat to take her place filling the tray.

Watching him leave for the kitchen, likely to acquire something for the female mutants to drink, Sean exhaled through his nostrils. He pushed out his chair and moved to stand.

"Sean…" the Professor's very pointed tone summoned.
Feeling most juvenile and a little embarrassed for forgetting, Sean turned to the elders in contrition. "May I please be excused?"

"Yes, you may," Charles granted.

Sean bobbed his head gratefully as he departed.

Maya watched him leave and toyed with her fork. She began to droop in her seat.

"Maya," Logan's petition made her face him, "sit up and eat your dinner, please."

Nodding, Maya corrected her posture and gripped her utensils again.

II

After delivering food and drink to woman and child, the whistling boy started back for the main level. He paused at the top of the stairs due to the redhead of exceptional height blocking his passage.

Studying his face with impatience, Frank put forth, "You want to dance or what?"

"I want to talk," Sean informed. "Frank-O, seriously, is this how it's going to be? You're this mad because I'm moving a few hours away and you were talking about flying halfway across the world year before last."

Frank reminded fiercely, "My mom and girlfriend were leaving, my head was messed up, and I panicked. You're just ditching us to puff out your chest, feel like a big man, and be some kind of rock star."

Sean gripped his calm as he corrected, "We're leaving because Maya and I want to start our married lives together, we've been accepted into great schools, and this music gig is a huge opportunity for me. Things are going to be harder, but nothing can ever separate us, Frank. You know that."

"Actually, I don't know that," Frank disputed sincerely. "See, when we all came here we did this little kid to big kid thing. Even when it would have been easy for him to go home to his parents, Hank never walked out on Becky. And Alex and Joey…" Frank broke into a dry, disbelieving smile over the thought of them. "Alex died and Joey brought him right back, basically giving death the finger. They're the ones who can't be separated, Sean, not us."

"That isn't true." Sean grabbed onto his lower arms, firmly establishing their eye contact. "Why do you think Maya and I wanted to talk to you and Cody alone? We wanted you both to know that we still love you and will be there for you."

"Shut up!" Frank barked suddenly, jerking out of his hold. "Just shut up, Sean! I am so over hearing those words from everyone! All you want is for me to be happy about how great your life is becoming. You don't really care about me. You probably never did."

The wounds from those words caused transparent cracks in Sean's blur irises. "How can you say that? After everything we've been through? When you were blind, I was practically your cane the entire time. When you got off those drugs, all I cared about was you getting better. Any time you have ever felt down about your mom, Jasmine, anybody or anything, I've always listened. Even when I don't have the answers for you, I've still held you."

"My mom was there for me my entire life!" Frank threw back. "And she still left, like all of you do. I am so sick and tired of trying to hang on, of constantly hating myself for not being good enough, of being so far down that I was stupid enough to take drugs. I am done, Sean, okay? I'm not hanging on anymore. Get married, go wherever you want, it doesn't matter to me and neither do."

Leaving the redhead helplessly stunned, Frank tore down the stairs.

IIIIIII

Making her way into her husband's study, Emma told the room, "Scott and Kiki are up in her playroom."

Seated on the front edge of his desk, Charles spoke to his clearly frazzled sister. "Is Logan certain? It's possible Kiki was only playing a game."

"No." Raven ceased pacing and looked at him. "Logan told us flat out. She tried to bury one of her dolls, Charles."

"I've sensed something of an imbalance within her," Emma disclosed. "Her mood has been unusually down since the engagement announcement. That along with how terribly heated everyone became has had an effect on her."

"Raven, I keep telling you that we must be reasonable about this," Hank said, sitting on the sofa's right arm. "Kiki is the same little girl who volunteered to be Jaycee entirely to make the Howletts happy. She even talked about flying to Heaven to bring Jaycee home. Kiki is much too young to comprehend the concept of death."

Standing near to him, Erik pointed out, "Children are known to speak without thinking. Our bunch is proof of that. They scream hate and insults out of anger. Not too long ago, Charles had to punish Cody for that remark about Frank's former drug use."

"Yes," the Professor recalled, growing pensive. "Though they need to be reminded from time to time, our little ones know I do not tolerate hateful speech in or out of this house. Perhaps it's time I got that across to our little winged angel."

Emma approached him in mild alarm. "Charles, I know you do not intend to punish Kyra for this. She is only four years old and convinced she is losing someone she loves forever. She sees Maya as the cause of it."

Turning to her, the male telepath assured, "I understand that, love and of course I'm not going to punish her. But I need to talk to her; help her." Charles faced the McCoys. "If you'll allow me."

At her husband's encouraging nod, Raven further granted, "Definitely. Thanks, Charles."

Charles said in turn, "You never have to thank me for trying to do right by our family, my girl. Especially since I've fallen so short there recently."

The self-accusation sent the rest of the room into taken aback silence while Erik exchanged a gaze with his fellow Headmaster.

II

On his way to the mansion's library for much needed reference books, Alex made a stop right outside the nursery. He glanced in, instantly going aglow at the sight. On the rug, Joey made eager beseeching gestures. Eventually, Brian crossed the few feet to reach him with some wobbling as he did so.

"Yeah!" Joey threw triumphant arms around him. "Good job, Bri!"

"Great job if you ask me." Alex came in to squat on the rug. "And I don't mean just Brian. You're really helping him, Joe. With how early this little man was born, he should be behind in a lot of areas. But you spending so much one on one time with him has helped him stay on track. Better yet even."

"Really?" Joey squeezed the baby. "Did you hear that, Bri?"

Brian grinned and squealed, flapping one hand.

Reaching out a finger, it pleased Alex when the bittier digits gripped it. "Glad you like me again."

"Al, he doesn't really mean to be bad," Joey defended. "I think he gets scared everybody will forget about him because of Mira and Todd. I know how he feels with how busy you get with school and the others."

"I know that, Joe." Alex inched closer, sending fingers through the eleven-year-old's hair. "One good thing is that when we do get our Al and Joe time, it's even more special now."

"Yeah, it is," Joey concurred with a smile.

"But Joe," Alex's tone came with a touch more solemnity, "as Brian gets bigger, he's going to get himself into plenty of trouble. I can already see it. You know that as his big brother, you can't always be his friend or try to make excuses for him. I had to learn that with you. The first time I had to give you a real spanking, I'm pretty sure I started crying before you did."

Unable to conceal his initial good humor over the recollection, Joey said bleakly, "I don't think I can ever spank him." He kissed the back of Brian's head. "Even though he's better now, sometimes I still see him hooked up to that machine in the infirmary."

Alex caressed Joey's cheek in comfort. "So do I sometimes. Kind of like how even as cool as you are now, I get flashes of you skinny almost to the bone and so afraid. I know I've accomplished a lot since I've been here, but being your brother trumps all of it. Because of you, I finally had a reason to care. A reason to do and be better than I was. Now seeing you with Brian, I think maybe I actually did right by you."

Brian in his grasp, Joey crawled over into Alex's lap. Clutching them both, the oldest blonde decided his studies could hold off a little bit longer.

II

"Run, run, hurry! They're bombing us!" Armload of plush toys in his possession, Scott dashed dramatically across the colorful space.

With her own stuffed bunch, Kiki scampered right with him. "We're coming, Scottie!"

The pair dove underneath the arts and crafts table.

Scott peered out and declared, "We did it!" He spread the stuffed animals around. "And all orphans accounted for."

With a gasp, Kiki pointed to the fallen white Easter rabbit. "Scotti, look! We have to save Carrots."

"Don't worry. No one gets left behind. Cover me." Scott executed a double somersault to reach the rabbit. Seizing Carrots by his stiff ears, the boy rolled back with him. "Alright, we did it. Orphans secure, enemies down."

"Yay!" Kiki high-fived with him.

From their viewing point, Raven had to resist both laughing and cheering over the display. Erik smirked, having to admire the way the normally stone serious ROTC student entertained the idealized situation for the tiny girl. He himself personally wished combat came with such a positive outcome.

"Pardon us, General Summers, but may we have a word with your little lieutenant?" Charles requested.

Finally noticing the McCoys, Xaviers, and Erik made Scott suspicious. "What's the problem?"

Emma explained delicately, "We only want to talk to Kiki privately for a moment."

Scott moved from under the table straight up to his feet. "She didn't do anything."

Kiki crawled out as well, but stayed behind the boy's pants leg.

"Scott, Kiki isn't in any trouble," Hank promised. "But we do need to talk to her."

Seeing her daughter's eyes, Raven said, "It's fine. Scott, you can stay."

Lowering onto the play mat, Scott situated Kiki in his lap.

"Baby Bear," Hank approached first and knelt before her, "Mommy, Daddy, and everybody want to talk to you about earlier today. You remember when you were in the garden with Logan?" Kiki nodded. "You told him about a wish you made. Do you remember that?" Her head shook now. "Kiki," Hank made his pitch stern but gentle, "are you fibbing to Daddy?"

The girl pursed her lips.

Raven lowered to their daughter's level. "Baby Gorge, it's okay. Tell us the truth. Did you make a wish about Maya? That you wanted her to… go away?"

"… Yes, Mommy," Kiki whispered.

Raven next asked, "Because you think she's taking Seanie away from you?"

"Mmhmm."

Scott glared. "Why are we talking about this? Sean's upset her enough already. Besides, who needs him?" He squeezed Kiki at her middle. "I'm taking care of her."

"Scott." At Emma's mere mention of his name, the boy quieted down but his resolute expression remained.

"Darling," Charles dipped to one knee, "do you know what a wish like that means?"

Kiki slowly guessed, "Something bad?"

"Yes," Charles nodded. "Not that you're bad at all, but such a wish is bad. Wishes like that are hateful words, which are much naughtier than the swears you little ones know not to use. I have a very strict rule against using hateful words in this family." He frowned with concern at the way she buried her face in Scott's neck.

When she whispered into his ear, Scott told the Professor, "She thinks you're mad at her."

"Baby, Uncle Charles isn't mad at you," Raven promised.

"Nor could he be," Charles added. "Love, it's alright. Please look at me."

Going into the pocket of his evening lounge jacket, Erik retrieved a miniature Hershey. "Come now, little bubala." Walking to her, Erik bent to offer her the wrapped candy.

Kiki accepted it with, "Thank you, Uncle Erik."

"You're welcome. Now, please look at your Uncle Charles while he's speaking to you."

When she managed to do so, Charles said, "I'm not trying to scold you, little Princess. I only want you to understand. The reason our family has that rule about hateful words is because they're ultimately hurtful words. You know the way Kayla and Logan hurt for Jaycee?"

Kiki's eyes darkened. "Yes."

Charles explained, "If Maya were to go away the way Jaycee did, they would be hurt again. We all would if we lost any one of you that way. That is why we have the rule. You're much too good a girl to even think about bad words."

"And what's Mommy always saying?" Raven touched Kiki's knee. "I don't want my sweet girl being mean, right?"

"Right, Mommy," Kiki answered her.

Emma promptly assured, "And we know you would never be mean or hurtful on purpose, sweetheart."

"Baby Bear, Sean moving away has nothing to do with Maya," Hank told her. "I know it's hard to understand, but Sean wants to try new things that he feels he can't do here. We're all going to miss him and he will miss us. You most of all, I'm sure."

"And he won't stay away forever." Erik stroked the small child's brown hair. "Uncle Erik will gladly drag him by his Banshee wings just for you."

Kiki released a giggle and Scott formed a satisfied smile.

Charles took Kiki's hands and peered directly into her eyes. "So, do you understand why the rule is so important?" When she nodded, he asked, "Will you tell me why?"

"So we- we," Kiki worked to gather her words correctly, "so we don't say mean and bad things 'cause they hurt."

"Exactly," Charles confirmed cheerfully. "And if you ever have those thoughts, I want you to talk to your mummy, daddy, or one of us right away. If you want, you can even tell it to Scottie and he can come to us for you. Can you do that, little Princess?"

"Yes, Uncle Charles."

The Professor kissed her nose. "That's our good girl."

As the adults stood, Raven tapped Scott's shoulder. "Forty minutes more then it's time to get ready for bed."

"Gotcha," Scott nodded.

Hank requested, "Do you think Kiki could keep an eye on the orphans for a moment? I want to talk to you in the lab."

Somewhat warily, Scott still said, "Okay." He placed Kiki on her feet. "Stay here and tend to our wounded until I return."

Having to resist barreling over in laughter at the little girl's salute, Erik scooped her up. "I'll assist in your absence."

Raven smiled at Erik hoisting her high into the air, resulting in an enthused squeal.

Scott followed Hank downstairs and the telepaths did the same with Raven to the McCoy common room.

"Something is still troubling you, isn't it?" Charles deduced of his sister.

Raven sat on the couch with a sigh. "It's hard to get this out of my mind. When the kids still shared a bed with us, Kiki would be up in a flash if Hank started having night terrors. She strokes my hair and rubs my back when I'm not feeling well. Alex and Logan are always telling me she tries to help while we're gone during the day. But today, burying one of her dolls, pretending it's Maya…" She covered her face with both hands in distraught exasperation. "It's my fault. I'm so busy playing junior counselor at the facility that I couldn't see how upset my little girl really was."

"Raven, no," Emma shot down straightaway, going to knead at her shoulders. "You cannot blame yourself for something not even I or Charles could fathom her thinking."

"That's right." Joining his sister on the couch, Charles gave her both his arms. She instantly sunk into a familiar resting spot against his chest. He finger combed her bright red hair. "Baby Blue, there are dark natures within all of us. And many of us are able to keep it hidden, even one as young as Kiki. I can't say I'm as surprised as you are, due to her struggle with verbal skills. She's still learning ways to express herself."

"You're right about that," Raven realized.

"And you handled this situation much better than I did in your position."

Raven raised her head in confusion. "What are you talking about, Charles?"

"When I saw the gashes in Joey's palm, blood dripping, I didn't hold him, talk to him, or even see to the injury right away. I yelled and spanked him as hard as I could." Charles gave off a remorseful shake of his head. "You saw him and you cried out for our help. I saw him, my little boy, practicing self-harm and I let anger cloud every ounce of my judgement."

Raven gave her brother sympathetic eyes. "Charles, we were both frantic in that moment. As crazy as it is, Erik was the only one in the room with a cool head."

"But your every thought went to Joey's welfare. I was angry not only at his actions, but the fact that I never saw it coming. For all the times he welcomed me into his mind, I knew nothing of it. And I hated myself for it." He looked at her closely. "Is that how you're feeling?"

"Yes," Raven admitted softly. "I just want to be the best mom in the world to them. I know it's naïve, but I want to be there for them, taking care of everything they need, making sure they never once have to wonder if I really love them."

"Raven, that is an aspiration you fulfill on a daily basis." Emma's words got the younger female's eyes up. "Something I've had to learn in my time here is that being a wonderful mother is not about never having problems. It's about doing the very best you can to help your children through them, even if the answers are not clear for you. You willingly carry the burden for them."

Charles told them, "And you both do so marvelously."

Raven stayed resting on him and reached up to squeeze hands with Emma.

II

Though he almost sent his hands into his pants pockets, Scott redirected them to fold behind his back instead. He watched Hank take a seat on the edge of a table instead of going to his desk and the man crossed his arms.

Scott guessed, "I spoke out of turn, didn't I?"

"That is habit-forming with you," Hank noted. "However, it's not why I wanted to speak with you. Scott, I want you to know how much I deeply appreciate your devotion to Kiki. It's going to help her a great deal to get through Sean moving. You and Frank have been really good to the kids- to the X-Men. I always become so preoccupied by work that I don't take time enough to tell you that."

The boy before him could not respond at first. "I… thanks, Hank. But it's no problem. The X-Men are everything; the only reason I have anything. Since I came here, all I've wanted is to be able to lead like Alex."

Hank's tone became sharply firm. "We don't need you to lead like Alex. We have the genuine article for that. We need you to lead like Scott Summers, the Cyclops. You have a disciplined, persevering nature. Yes, you do speak out of turn at times, but I know it's because you can't stay silent in the face of injustice and immorality. Shades or none, you're not a blind follower. Men two and three times your age cannot say the same. As young as you are, I'm constantly relieved that you're only going to become more of an asset in the future."

A wealth of emotion flooding him at once, Scott managed to reply, "Thanks, I mean… it really means a lot to me that you don't see me as that dorky eleven-year-old anymore."

Hank got up to bring him into a hug. "You're talking to a former dorky eleven-year-old I'll have you know." He moved back to tap his shades. "And my glasses weren't nearly so cool."

Scott's face split into a grin.

IIIIIII

Many of us dwindled down to few

Five terrified and unsure what to do

By dawn's early light returned the two

Lost and ripped from everything we knew

They took us home and together we grew

Through pain and sorrow they saw us through

Guided by one so kind and one an angry Jew…

Groaning intensely, Sean placed a tight grip on his guitar to keep from slamming it to the floor. "That was beyond stupid."

"Says who?" Maya's voice made her presence known in the music studio. "Keep going. It was getting good."

Sean glanced up at her. "I would if I could actually stop getting stuck there." He removed his guitar and left it on Trick's desk. "Just add it to the list of things I can't seem to do right lately."

"That would fit better on my list." Maya walked up to him. "Kiki can't even sit at the same table with me. There's a hundred-foot wall between you and Frank. Sean…" She ran frustrated fingers through her hair. "Why do these roadblocks keep popping up? I mean," she headed somewhat absently towards the piano, "I knew there was no way we were going to get Hank and Raven's warm reception, but I thought things were finally coming around. But now our wedding is feeling more like a funeral."

"I know, Maya." Coming up from behind, Sean wrapped his arms around her thin frame. "Every time we get someone on our side, someone is more against us than ever. The way Frank yelled tonight… he just looked so betrayed." He felt her touch his wrist in consolation. "I want Syracuse, my music, for us to move on to the next stage of our lives, but I'm having too much trouble picturing a lovely ceremony where Frank isn't among my groomsmen."

Maya leaned her head back against him. "Sean, all of this has left me wondering if we're doing the right thing. Then I can't get what Melissa said out of my head. That I try to please people too much."

"Join that club."

"She also said it doesn't do any good. That people will turn when you step out of line. Who knows that better than she does?" Maya moved to gaze up at him. "I've waited so long to be your wife, Sean. If we let anything drive us apart, as selfish as might be, that will be a regret I don't think I can recover from."

"As happy as he tries to be, I can tell the effect losing Yvonne had on Trick after everything they'd gone through together." Sean took her face in both his hands. "I won't let that be us. Maya, I don't have all the answers- not even a tenth of 'em- but no matter what we're faced with, I will do everything I can to be a good husband. Not just for us, but for our future family, too."

Brown eyes glistening, Maya kissed his lips. "I know you will. So will I."

Sean went on to say, "But between now and our wedding, I have to prioritize being a real brother. I can't leave Kiki, Frank, or any part of this family without making things right. If I do, I'll be spitting in the face of everything Erik and Charles have taught and done for us."

"I will do anything to help you with that," Maya promised. "They're the ones who need to be reminded of your commitment. Never me."

Taking her into his arms again, Sean lifted Maya into a thankful kiss.

IIIIIII

Orange sphere speeding through the air, the ball missed the hoop by more than a yard. With an agitated grunt, the fourteen-year-old huffed over to retrieve and dribble with it.

"Someone's gotten a bit rusty." An initially startled Frank veered around to see the composed telepath standing a short distance away from him. "You used to be able to sink these shots with your eyes shut."

Frank shrugged a shoulder. "A lot of things about me fall under "used to be"."

Charles gave him kind eyes. "I know it feels that way. I also know how much you feel like your life amounts to nothing but losses. I wish you could see all that you have gained."

"All that I've gained?" Frank echoed with incredulous bitterness. "Are you kidding me with that? Charles, when you and Rae first met me, I was a pain-in-the-neck kid with a military dad, mom in a mental institution, and two brothers I bumped heads with. Now? My entire family is on opposite ends of the world from me. When I thought things were finally, finally going my way, Jasmine and Trick came back just to leave again. Not that it really matters because Trick is all about Sean, who's about to take off next."

"Frank, I know without a doubt how terribly lonely you feel, but you are from alo—"

"Yes, I am, Charles!" Frank countered ardently. "When Jaycee died, Cody's family pulled together. The day my baby sister died in that hospital was just the starting point of everyone else walking out on me. It's the same no matter what. I'm a jerk, everybody hates me. I get the highest grades, so what? I try to be good, who cares? No matter what I say or do, I'm not worth sticking around for. I actually had the nerve to think Sean would be different. I lit that candle every single day he was in Virginia to ask God to bring him back. When you got him out of that facility, I practically stayed up all night with him. I researched any possible cure to give him back his voice. Now, my head is messed up, I can hardly sleep at night, part of me wants to huff those drugs until I don't wake up again, and he pulls this on me? No, I'm done, Charles. I don't care about anything or anybody anymore!" He hurled the basketball with enough vigor for it to collide with a tree clear across the yard.

Chest ready to explode along with the boy's temperament, Charles went to him. "Frankie…"

The irate teen tried to snatch away from him. "Leave me alone, Charles!"

"No!" Seizing him by the wrists, Charles forced the eye contact between Frank's battered brown and his stalwart blue. "I am not going to leave you alone, Franklin Benjamin. You gave up that privilege the night you agreed to come here. I found you then and I will find you again and again. Because I will never stop looking for you. I will never walk out on you. You want to have a tantrum? You want to catch pneumonia out here? You'd best make room for company because, my Child of Light, I am not going anywhere."

Struggling for breath now, Frank collapsed against him and began to weep.

Keeping one arm around him, Charles managed to get out of his jacket with the other. He draped it around Frank for additional warmth against the night air. With some difficulty due to the boy's increasing height, Charles carried him over to the nearby stone bench. Cradling his mutant fledging, the Professor gingerly rocked him while humming a tranquil melody.

Eventually, Frank's voice returned but with a slow hitch to it. "… Why do you bother with me?"

"You're no bother, Frank. You're my baby. Part of my very First Class." Charles bowed his chin to kiss his temple. "You're Erik's son, but you're still my good lad. I knew it then and I believe it all the more now."

"How can you say that?"

Though saddened by the disparaging question, Charles smiled fondly. "Yes, most definitely Erik's son. Your eyes wield incredible power while his seem to watch over us all constantly yet you're both so blind to your own worth. Would you believe your dad's been where you are now? More than once?"

Frank lifted his gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Erik has frequently struggled with the false notion that he contributes nothing to our family; sometimes that he makes things worse. When he thought you were leaving with your mother, he was crushed. He also blamed himself for your blindness, insisting God was punishing him through you. Erik loves you to such an extent that he would gladly accept any agony inflicted on him than watch you go through the pain."

"He… He really blamed himself?"

"Yes, he did," Charles confirmed. "And Erik is far from the only one who feels so strongly about you. You and Raven have a very special connection with both of you made stronger by the other. Hank trusts and enjoys working with you the most on his experiments. Becky severed her friendship with Jasmine under the belief she wanted to take you from us forever. Alex puts a great deal of faith into you during training and on the field. Trav certainly looks up to you and is going to need you as he grows up. You're one of both Kayla's and Logan's prized pupils. We must never forget what you mean to Scott. I've heard him say that he cannot see without you. And no matter how angry you may be at each other, Sean will have a permanent hole in his heart if you never reconcile."

Frank took in every word and buried his face in Charles' shirt. "I don't think we can. I just can't keep doing this, Charles."

The man massaged his back. "And I will not force you. I only require you to remember that whatever happens, whoever comes in and out of your life, you have a family. Erik is your father, I am your uncle, Emma is your aunt, Becky is your sister, the boys are your brothers. The X-Men are a family." He clutched him closer. "My family."

Arms regaining some kind of strength, Frank threw them around the telepath. "I love you, Charles."

"I love you, too." Charles propped him up a little. "These moments are so few and far between these days. When you were twelve, it felt like you spent more time sitting on my lap than Erik's."

"That's because I usually wound up over Erik's lap," Frank said, making Charles chuckle. "Besides," he nestled in, "you're comfier."

"One of the few perks of additional padding in the stomach region." Strength not failing him yet, Charles stood with the boy. "Come now, my Child of Light. It's time to sleep."

As the Professor made a path for the warm interior of their home, he applied semi-gentle pats to Frank's bottom. He also made a mental note to admonish the lad come morning for leaving the house so late, his only outerwear a basic sweatshirt of all things.

IIIIIII

Blanketed and slumbering boy making a pillow out of his lap, Erik glided his hand back and forth between rubbing his back and caressing his hair. He had changed the mentally and physically worn youth into pajamas while Charles lit up the parlor's fireplace. Erik sat on a sofa directly across from his brother as he focused on Frank. The men belonged to their own thoughts under the amicable silence.

"Have we really fallen so far, Lab Rat?"

Charles promptly faced his older brother. "Erik?"

"You said it yourself earlier that we haven't properly been there for them," the metal wielder brought up. "I still remember Frank and Scott's remarks last month about how we're hardly home. When we first opened this institute, it was with the goal to protect, train, and educate them. Now, look where we are." Erik leaned forward, better viewing the younger man. "We've relinquished them to the public school system while we're out playing political wargames and devoting more time to the facility's mutants, leaving our own to fend for themselves. We pile enormous responsibility onto Alex, Hank, and Leon's shoulders, practically draining their youth from them. And what of our other children? Keeping secrets from us, sneaking about, involving themselves in dangerous activities, constantly hiding their emotional anguish from us. Charles, three years ago the very idea of all of this escaping our notice would have been laughable. What have we become, brother?"

The Professor released a sigh. "Hardly deserving of the title of headmaster, let alone father. So fixated on being mutant crusaders that we forget to cherish the ones right in front of us. Then I'm left conflicted. The unstable mutants need our counsel and if we don't stay involved in the political arena, we are setting ourselves up for unthinkable outcomes. Containment and sterilization will easily turn into…"

"Execution," Erik knew and well. "The price of freedom is indeed eternal vigilance. And our children are forced to pay with our negligence."

"No." Charles shook his head firmly. "I will not have that, Erik. I lived that childhood. They will not."

Erik repositioned Frank to rock his upper body lightly. "So, the question remains. What do we need to do?"

After a moment, Charles laced his fingers together and put forth, "Perhaps to remedy our present as well as ensure our future, we must first revisit our roots."