Rise or Fall

by Heiress Mellie

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

277. Chapter 277 Bands of Besties

X-Men-First Class: Rise or Fall

Chapter Two Hundred Seventy-Seven

Author's Word: Happy Anniversary, fam! So, here's the deal. A very nasty spell of fatigue messed up my posting schedule. This chapter was supposed to be up days ago, but alas. The good news is that this gives you guys a couple more days to get your flashback requests in. Thank you all so much for your support and inspiring me to write almost two million Rise or Fall words! Five years strong and more to come along! Please enjoy and review!

It took the force of four adult male arms to pry the hands from around the soon to be crushed throat. Pale, bruised, and gasping for oxygen, the woman fell into the hold of a few of the other gathered before she could plummet to the pavement. Despite the heated atmosphere of shouts, swears, and the ferocious grips placed on him, the teenager struggled and kicked to resume what he started, having never stopped in his own mind.

The next thing he experienced consisted of a short-lived flight into an electronics store. Colliding with the enormous window, glass poured down over him with longer pieces jabbing him in the back and legs. He only had time to remove the ones from his neck as he painfully crawled out and fell onto the sidewalk. The enraged group encroached on him and Fabian could not make it to his feet until he felt it. In the middle of the mob, he detected the man off to himself covered by scarf and hood. With a near roar leaving his lips, Fabian flung out a hand and seized the mutated energy for himself. The one he depleted groaned and tumbled, catching the attention of several others. Mildly rejuvenated for the time being, Fabian rushed up and ran with all sights and sounds blurring.

IIIIIII

Removing the lock from his bike, Joey's eyes drifted to the girl beside him. "I wish you could stay over again."

"So do I," Laci more than concurred, "but we're having dinner out tonight."

Joey asked, "Think we could do something tomorrow?"

"Sure," Laci smiled.

Returning to his front porch, Fred held out a clear container filled with cupcakes. "Hey, Virgenius, my mom fixed these for you."

"Oh boy," Tommy eagerly accepted. "Tell her thanks."

"Sure thing. Anyway, guess we better say goodbye," Fred brought up.

A frown replaced Tommy's dessert glee. "What? Why?"

"You're out of here first thing Sunday," Fred reminded. "I figure you're spending all day tomorrow with Sean."

"Oh yeah, right.'' Tommy held the container closer. "Well, it was great meeting you, Fred. Even better playing with you."

"Same here, Virgenius." Fred slapped palms with him then spoke to the others. "Catch you guys later. Got to wash up for dinner." He headed back inside.

"We better get moving." Joey wheeled his bike down the steps. "Laci has to get home and so do we."

"Yeah," Tommy started down with Cody's bike, "coming." He looked back at the hand on his shoulder.

Cody asked, "You okay?"

Tommy smiled a little. "Yeah, fine. But Joey's right. We got to move."

Cody nodded and turned, skating backwards straight down the steps.

IIIIIII

With a laugh and flick of his wrist, the young British lad sent the Frisbee soaring through the air. Beauty galloped after and jumped up to retrieve it in her teeth. Nate praised the efforts of the tiny dog until the much larger one stirred from his resting spot in a patch of grass. Courage barked in woeful urgency and the now confused Nate faced the direction that the animal did. At the figure limping towards them from across the yard, he stood shocked. When the body went straight down, Nate and the dogs raced to his aide.

II

Modeling the gold and black striped dress against herself before the full-length mirror, Rissy exhaled dreamily. "Your clothes are the living end."

Currently in a long skirt and top, Cordelia encouraged, "Borrow whatever you like. I won't be showing skin for quite some time."

"If I even tried to walk out of the house in anything like this," Rissy touched the dress fondly, "Byron would skin me. The men in your family are so cool."

"They have their moments." Cordelia also admitted, "Though there are certain pieces I avoid wearing around Daddy. Are you up for ordering in tonight? I'll ask Nate."

Knowing the older girl likely did not feel up to the kitchen, Rissy replied, "Sure."

They then reacted to Beauty barreling in at top speed.

"What's the matter, love?" Cordelia asked of her dog.

"Cor!" With the taller male's arm around his neck, Nate hastened in next.

Heart instantly meeting her stomach, Cordelia shot up from her bed. "Fabian!"

"Oh my God..." Rissy dropped the dress and wanted to know, "Where is your first-aid kit?"

With Cordelia in such shock, Nate answered, "Check the bathroom across the way."

Rissy darted out with that.

Cordelia helped ease Fabian onto her bed and her eyes glossed over at his present state. Marks and cuts on his face with the presence of blood and dirt under his sleeves. While she spoke to him, Nate worked as delicately as he could to remove Fabian's coat and shirt without inflicting more damage.

"What happened to you?" Cordelia got out in a hush.

Eyes focusing on her to distract from the stings and aching, Fabian said, "I… I killed her."

Nate stilled and Cordelia demanded, "Who?"

"That night… she started the fire. I'll never forget her face. She looked right at us. She knew and she did it, anyway."

Cordelia struggled to comprehend all of it. "Where… where was she?"

"Roxbury," Fabian panted. "The families were having a vigil. I saw her, standing right there with them."

Fury replaced the confused sorrow in Cordelia's eyes. "That little bitch."

Startled to hear the word upon her return, Rissy continued to Fabian's bedside with the kit accounted for. "Nate, use these," she handed him the scissors, "cut his shirt off."

With something of a steady hand, Nate clipped the sweater straight down the front. The three on-lookers frowned in disgust at the dark, heavy bruising around his abdomen.

Nate carefully pressed a hand around the injuries, only getting a bit of wincing from Fabian. "I don't think he cracked any ribs, thank God."

"We have to get these cuts clean," Rissy urged, preparing the antiseptic.

Cordelia then asked, "How did you even make it home?"

"There was a mutant in the crowd. He stabilized me. I didn't take your father's car out there and I saw no cab stands. I had to hitchhike, paid him cash." Fabian tried to reach for her. "Cordelia…"

She caressed his cheek with a gentle shush. "Don't worry. It's over and you're here." Cordelia gave a light kiss to his lips. "You're here with us."

Rissy removed four pills from the bottle of ibuprofen. "Hold these." She gave them to Cordelia. "I'll get him some water."

"Bring some hot water as well, please," Nate requested. "It will help the cuts."

Rissy nodded and departed.

Beauty hopped up onto the edge of the mattress and laid there while Courage stationed himself at the foot of the bed.

IIIIIII

After confiscating the living room, the brotherly pairs lined up on the sofa with the younger ones in the laps of the older three. All eyes stayed on the last movie of the evening. Towards the conclusion, Alex sensed the feeling he knew all too well of Joey growing tired but attempting to fight it. He tried rubbing two fingers around the smaller blonde's stomach to coax him. Tommy had already snuggled on his knees in Sean's lap with his forehead on the older Cassidy's shoulder. Sean stroked his back like soothing an infant. Naturally, Cody possessed the most remaining energy. Leon quietly kept both arms around him and gently swayed like a rocking chair.

The moment the black and white credits began to roll, Alex declared softly, "Sleepy time for shrimptoids."

"Aw, come on," protested Cody.

"Not yet," sounded faintly from Tommy, who could hardly lift his head.

Sean cuddled cheeks with him. "You know you're worn out, baby man."

"Uh uh…" Tommy clutched Sean even more.

The redhead smirked, knowing he had to be too tired to combat the nickname.

"Al…"

"Joe…" Alex tickled their noses together. "It's already after midnight." He carried him over to the reclining chair.

With Sean's height, he took the couch with Tommy on top of him. A comforter covered them both. Leon laid on the loveseat with Cody, letting the boy knead at him to better ease into sleep. Fixing the soft blanket around them, Alex still detected a somewhat fussy Joey. He figured his younger brother had yet to completely wind down from the fun filled day of driving into Syracuse, sword fighting, Laci's return, playing with his friends, and getting to watch so much television. Alex applied moderate taps to Joey's pajama covered bottom to settle him.

"Go to sleep, baby," Alex ordered delicately.

Placing his ear on Alex's chest to absorb the steady thumping, Joey at last entered slumber.

IIIIIII

Wounds cleaned and properly patched, the recovering teenager laid in his own guest bed. He stayed as still as possible while the medication flowed through to soothe his pain.

"Where are your father and Chris?" he asked of the girl tucked under his arm.

"Father is delayed in Brocton," Cordelia explained. "Chris and Felicia went out with a few of his work chaps."

Staring at the ceiling, Fabian next wanted to know, "What do you think of me now?"

"I wasn't thinking about you, actually," Cordelia told him. "I keep seeing Mr. Jeffries in my head, playing cards with his friends at the retirement home. This little tiny man, frightened and alone, almost left to be burned alive… with the others."

"… With you."

Cordelia nodded. "Every mark on my body is a reminder of that night. None of us would have received justice for what she did. But now… I hardly know what to do…"

Alarm swept over Fabian. "What do you mean?"

"I am so in love with you." By the limited lamp light, Cordelia propped up a bit and faced him. "I don't know what to do with myself."

Fabian brought his hand into her hair. "All I wanted was to return to you tonight."

Cordelia moved her head to the side to kiss his palm then bent to peck his chest over his t-shirt. Her eyes burrowed into his until both sets of pupils could remain awake no longer.

IIIIIII

Finished seeing to the drying and maintenance of his curly hair, Byron left his bathroom in a pair of track pants with a towel around his neck. He immediately noticed the lump that had somehow formed under his linens during his shower. With a casual hum on his lips, the man dropped onto the mattress and whipped back the comforter and blanket. The pajama clad boy underneath became a giggling mess.

"You little hyena." Byron attacked the tiny exposed stomach with a raspberry.

"Daddy!" Dex squealed and squirmed. "No fair!"

"Oh yeah?" Byron raised his head. "Why?"

"'Cause you don't have any weaknesses." Dex played in his curls.

"Don't I?" At the gentle tugs in his hair, Byron eyed him fondly for several quiet seconds. "Did you feed your dog?"

"Yes." Sitting up on his knees, Dex brought arms around his father's neck. "Daddy, can I eat my breakfast in front of the TV?"

"Hm, it is Saturday, isn't it?"

Dex nodded. "And I'll be a good boy."

Byron raised an eyebrow, winding an arm around his waist. "So, if I say no you're going to be a bad boy?"

"No, but I'll be a sad boy." Dex began pout formation.

"You are becoming one powerful persuader." Lifting him as he stood, Byron slipped into his house shoes as they walked out of the master bedroom. "With Aunt Rissy at her sleepover, looks like us guys must forage for ourselves."

"Yep," Dex concurred.

"So, what are we having for breakfast? Omelets with diced onions?" At his son's resulting expression, Byron chuckled. "I suppose you want to eat with Tony, the Tiger today?"

"Yes!" the boy now grinned. "Frosted Flakes for me and Prune Flakes for you, Daddy."

"Hilarious and considerate." Byron sat him on a counter while he reached up for their cereal cabinet. "I think I can indulge with Tony for one morning. Two bowls for you, drink all of your milk, and brush your teeth when you're done."

"Yes, Daddy."

"And…"

"Clean up after myself," Dex recited.

"Exactly. Alright, your cartoons are waiting. I'll be right in."

Dex hopped down and scampered out to the living room.

After returning the milk to the refrigerator, Byron carried the two bowls out to where Dex fidgeted while waiting on a new story to end.

"Hold on, son," Byron stopped him before he could change the channel, his own eyes now fixated on the screen.

"We're following up now on Lois Harper." A recent photograph of the beaming woman filled half the screen. "While attending a community gathering in Roxbury for neighbors lost in last weekend's tragic building fire, the twenty-two-year-old was viciously attacked while returning to her vehicle. She was nearly choked to death before witnesses managed to rip the assailant off her. Though he got away, the attacker in question has been described as a young Hispanic male- dark hair, dark eyes- between the ages of seventeen and twenty."

Kicking his feet in boredom, Dex stared up at his silent father. "Daddy?"

Byron said nothing as he absently handed him his cereal bowl.

IIIIIII

A combination of glass shards and rusty razors seemed to cut through his intestines at the bone shattering screams that shook the entire house. His sister writhed in agony, her twin's torment coursing through her entire system.

The outcry of, "Help me!" could hardly be distinguished from the throat gagging on water and blood.

"Hermanito!"

Upon sight of the shaking that looked ready to break the entire oak bed, the dressed for the day girl rushed to the side of the flailing one.

"Fabian!" She carefully pulled on his arm.

Jerking his head from side to side, Fabian's eyelids finally parted. "I… Cordelia…" He brought a hand over his forehead tiredly. "I hardly slept last night."

"Same here." Her lips kissed his.

"Everything okay?" Rissy ventured, standing in the doorway with Nate, both holding food trays. "As ridiculous as that question is right now."

"Come in, please," Fabian invited.

Rissy presented him with the fruit, toast, and orange juice. "You need to try to eat something. Do you need more pain killers?"

"Soon," Fabian responded, feeling his aches ready to rebuild. He gingerly touched a piece of toast. "I… I want to thank you both." He glanced Nate's way as well. "For helping me… I know what you must think after I—"

"She almost took my sister away." An unusually dark expression lingered on Nate's face.

Cordelia reeled him in closer to her.

Rissy said, "Look, I… Byron doesn't give me the play by play of everything with the Courtiers. It's "need to know" with him. What I do understand is you're not the enemy here, Fabian. I won't tell anyone. I promise you."

"So do I," seconded Nate.

"Morning, kids- or afternoon, I guess." Chris nearly laughed at their startled eyes on him. "Sorry to interrupt your youth with old guy stench, but I need to borrow your reigning princess for a moment."

Attempting to keep her face void of emotion or suspicion, Cordelia got to her feet and followed him into the hall. "What's going on, Big Bro?"

"I think we both know." Chris folded his arms, causing her heartrate to increase. "Last night? I got back after one and went around to check on you guys. Only to find you in Fabian's bed."

Cordelia experienced initial relief then a new panic. "Chris, we did not—"

"I saw your clothing accounted for," he interjected. "Nothing happened, but something easily could have. I know you think I have no room to talk about this subject, but if I gained nothing else from my past mistakes, it's that I don't want you repeating even one of them. I'll admit you two are nice together, but hormones are at serious play at your age. You can't let temptation in, Baby Sis. The costs to your reputation and self-respect are never worth it. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"

Staying quiet, the girl nodded. "Yes. And I appreciate it. I really do. You don't have to worry, Chris, honest."

"I'm going to worry." Chris bent to hug her closely. "As I should have been for a long time now." He let her go at the ringing from his room. "Alright, you kids get back to your Beach Boy chatter."

"We switch over to the Beatles sometimes," Cordelia said after him, managing the closest she had to a smile in hours.

"Everything square?" Nate asked when she came back in.

Cordelia gave them all a reassuring nod and sat back down to eat with them.

"Sorry to interrupt again," Chris poked in a minute later, "but Ron just called. Since this is Cordy and Fabian's last full day here, he'd like us all to have an early dinner together."

Rissy asked, "At our place?"

"Actually, he rented a private room at the Four Seasons."

"That's a hotel, isn't it?" Nate inquired.

"A luxury hotel," Cordelia informed. "That's a lot of trouble to go through." She looked at Fabian, trying to mask her apprehension. "What do you think?"

"Sounds like the proper bang for our departure," Fabian replied. "After all that's happened."

Cordelia gave him a nod in agreement.

IIIIIII

Making it outside the master bedroom, Sean peered in to see Charles rolling the lint brush over his tuxedo jacket.

Whistling his impression, Sean walked in fully. "You and Mommy Emma must be stepping out tonight."

With a big smile in place, Charles told him, "Hank and I surprised her and Raven with tickets to The Fantasticks- very difficult to obtain."

Sean laid in the center of the wide bed. "Couldn't you just mind-mandate like when you got us those sold-out tickets in LA that time?"

"Honestly, Seanie, the occasional spoil for you children does not permit me to force my will on others for my every whim."

Sean smiled impishly. "Mmmmhm."

Going to sit by him, Charles patted him on the back of the thigh. "And what can I do for you, young man?"

Growing solemn, Sean requested, "Stretch time… or maybe stop it."

Eyes saddening as well, Charles laid with him. "You're not ready for Tommy to get on that plane tomorrow, are you?"

"No," the teen whispered. "Things are finally feeling like they used to between us, but after tomorrow… Alex has Joey and Scott. Cody's closer to Leon now. Frank's doing this cheap civility thing with me. It's not fair…"

Charles instantly gave him his arms. "I know. I know it isn't." He kissed Sean's cheek. "But separated or not, it is up to you to keep improving things with your little brother; all of them. As difficult as it is and with all the changes taking place, you must be a proper older brother to them, Sean. Stay in continuous touch with Tommy, be there for Cody, and do not give up on Frank any more than you want him to give up on you."

"I won't," Sean promised. "Thanks, Charles."

Charles rubbed the rich red hair. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"Oh, no way," Sean turned down. "You have fun for a change. Besides, Maya and I are taking Tommy to the movies and bowling."

"Wonderful. We both have a full evening ahead. Now, run along," Charles ushered. "Go play with your brothers."

Smiling in sincerity, Sean moved and left to seek out the scamps in question.

IIIIIII

Felicia came by the Frost household early to pick up Chris in her Porsche. Once they finished dressing for the special dinner that awaited them, Cordelia loaded the teen set into her car. With Fabian trying to relax in the back with Nate, she drove them. As soon as they made it to the grand Four Seasons, a valet took the car for parking while they were guided into the designated and closed off dining room.

The smell of prime rib and other delicacies filled their nostrils. With Otto and Winston preoccupied elsewhere, they greeted Felicia, Chris, and Byron. The three spoke together over glasses of champagne and soda in Chris' case.

"Byron, this is so beautiful," Cordelia commended. "Thank you."

"Where's Dex?" Rissy asked.

"Deloris is sitting for him." Byron accepted a cheek kiss from Cordelia then his sister. "The room has nothing on you ladies."

Felicia commented, "The gentlemen clean up rather nicely as well." She spotted the dark mark on Fabian's jaw and healing cuts. "What in the world happened there? Were you in a fight?"

"Yes," Fabian put on a dashing smile, "with Beauty. She popped out of nowhere and the next thing I knew, I was rolling down the stairs."

Cordelia said, "Almost gave me a heart attack."

"Ooh," Byron winced in empathy. "Good thing you have that hard head built in." He indicated the table. "Shall we?"

They sat together on either side of the wooden piece. Chris, Felicia, and Bryon sat across from the line of Fabian, Cordelia, Nate, and Rissy.

At the presence of candelabras, Nate ordered, "Take those away," then grew sheepish at his impertinence. "Please. The overhead lights are much nicer."

Byron also specified for the candles to be taken. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's fine," Cordelia assured.

When they all had filled glasses, Chris stood to toast. "This isn't something I'm particularly fond of, but as a member of the corporate world, it's time I sucked it up. Besides, I want to close off well what has been a difficult week. But we survived, thanks to this formidable team we've put together."

Felicia added importantly, "That you've brought together."

They all concurred and clinked with that. Afterwards, the servers brought their plates and took their leave of the diners for the time being.

Towards the end of the meal, Byron asked, "When did it happen?" At the question aimed his way, Fabian raised his head. "Your fall."

"Last night," Fabian replied. "Around five. It was before we ate."

Byron looked at his sister. "I thought you and Cordelia wanted to absorb some "girl time" yesterday."

"Fabian got back early," Rissy said simply. "And we decided not to exile the boys."

"Quite nice of them," Nate smiled.

"It's too bad it happened," said Chris. "We could have used the backup tonight."

"For what?" Cordelia wanted to know.

"There seems to be no end of trouble in Roxbury," Felicia put forth. "Now, there's some sort of assailant on the loose. Would you believe he attacked one of the former residents of that same building?"

Chris went on with, "I thought we should do a sweep tonight, look for anything suspicious."

While the other kids searched for responses, Rissy said, "Don't bother yourselves. It's probably just one of the guys from the Latin Overlords. That gang is all over there. I bet they just went after somebody for their stupid initiation rituals."

Cordelia shook her head. "So ridiculous."

"Latin Overloads," Byron echoed. "What made you think of them, Ris?"

Rissy reasoned, "They're one of the biggest gangs out there."

"It's just funny." Byron then explained, "The guy they're looking for is Hispanic; young."

Nate turned to Rissy and praised, "Good guess, Ris."

They dropped the conversation as dessert in the form of strawberry shortcake arrived. Fabian excused himself to go to the men's room. He entered the bathroom, as elegantly immaculate as every other inch of the hotel, and went right to the sink. He bent to rinse his face at the sink, letting off a slight wince as he did.

"Sounds like those stairs did a number on you." Lifting his head, Fabian saw Byron's reflection in the mirror. "You really need to be more careful, amigo."

Byron strolled towards him. "Can you keep a secret, Fabian?"

Fabian looked to him. "That depends."

"I'm not too keen on investigating this whole thing," Byron revealed quietly. "That woman that was attacked, Lois Harper, I saw her picture on the news. I know her and so do you."

Fabian's eyebrow twitched. "What?"

"It's her," Byron whispered. "The one they hired to start the fire."

Chest pounding, Fabian tried to respond. "A-are you sure?"

"She's been in my head ever since that night. Best believe, I'm positive. And the way I see it," hands going into his pants pockets, Byron walked through, checking the stalls for feet, "she got what she deserved. Too bad whoever it was couldn't finish the job." He went back over to Fabian, standing about a yard from the boy. "Though I really don't buy my sister's theory about a random gang member. No, gang initiations involve stabbing, shootings, rapes- but this, trying to choke the life out of her, all too personal."

Fabian proposed, "Perhaps we're not the only ones who saw her that night."

"Impossible," Byron shot down. "No one around the area is the reason we went inside in the first place. Besides, she ran out in that hazard suit. Her whole head was covered. On top of that, you know when this whole thing went down yesterday?" Byron now stood directly before him. "About five." He then pressed a hard hand into his middle.

"Ah!" Fabian reacted, stepping away from his touch.

Byron only shook his head. "You kids trying to do a cover-up. It's almost cute."

"Don't," Fabian brought his head up with pleading eyes, "blame them. Byron, I—"

The man tapped his lips to silence him. "Due time. Go finish your food."

Unsure what propelled him to follow the direction, Fabian took his leave of the bathroom. Byron watched him go then stared into the mirror at his own pensive reflection.

IIIIIII

On his fortieth sit-up, the Veteran transferred gazes between his wife grading at the desk and their oldest child playing with the smaller two on the floor mat. In jeans and an oversized Yankees sweatshirt, Maya entered the suite.

"Cody Wody," she walked towards him, "have you seen Tommy? The movie's starting soon and Sean and I can't find him anywhere."

"No, I…" Cody changed his expression to that of realization. "Ohhhh, wait a sec. I told him he could use my bike to try out some new tricks. That big goof's probably lost in the woods. Don't worry, Smiley." Cody hopped to his feet. "I'll sniff him out and bring him to you."

"Thank you." Maya tickled his chin. "I'll let Sean know." She headed out again.

As soon as the girl left, Kayla looked back. "Alright, what's going on?"

"Nothin', Ma, don't worry about it," Cody smiled at her. "I know exactly where he is… sort of." He turned to his father. "Just leave it to me and Joey. No grownups, please?"

Exchanging a look with his better half, Logan granted, "You got ninety minutes before I come after ya. Get movin'."

"Thanks, Dad!" Cody hurried on his way.

IIIIIII

The lowering sun creating a red-orange effect on the water, another half-hearted pebble toss resulted in a short ripple. Leaning with his back against a stone, the black-haired boy reacted to the sound of approaching wheels.

"Tommy." Joey left his bike to run and hug him.

"Hey." Tommy leaned on him a little.

Slowing down on his skates, Cody fumed. "You're a real piece of work."

Tommy looked at him. "Sorry I took your bike without asking."

"Who's talkin' about the stupid bike?" Cody came closer, jabbing him in the shoulder. "I'm talkin' about you, takin' off without a word to anybody. Maya and Sean are all set to take you out, too. You mad at Smiley or somethin'?"

"No!" Tommy responded quickly. "It's got nothin' to do with her. You were right, okay? She's nice."

Joey touched his shoulder. "Then what's wrong, Tommy. Is it us?"

"No way," he countered again. "You guys are the best. It's just… it always happens. Me and Sean get together, everything's perfect, then bam out of nowhere, he's gone again. I guess I just… I wanted to do the "bamming" for a change."

Joey listened and nodded. "I know what you mean, Tommy and I wish you and Sean could be together all the time. But you can't just give up hope and, you know, "bam". You've made Sean really happy this week. You don't want to make him sad now, do you?"

"No," Tommy admitted.

"And you got to know," Joey continued, "you've made us really happy, too. This has been the best spring break ever. Because of you."

Tommy faced him directly. "Thanks, Joey. For being nothing like I thought you'd be."

Joey said in turn, "Thanks for being nothing like Sean."

"Yeah, yeah, all well and good," Cody dismissed. "I ought to "bam" your head for this stunt, Tommy. You can't just run off by yourself." Joey gave him a side look. "Okay, so yeah, I did it before, but that was different. I ran to Joey and Becky."

"I'm sorry," Tommy sighed, glancing around the clearing. "Guess I wanted to see this place one more time… and I sort of figured you'd find me."

"Well, we better book it," Cody advised. "Before the adults find us next."

Joey added, "And it'll be the last time any of us see this place."

Nodding, Tommy hastened to climb onto Cody's bike.

As the three left the trail, they slipped into more pleasant conversation. The laughter it produced promptly ended when the mansion came into view along with the man situated on the top step.

"Uh oh," uttered Joey. "Hi, Uncle Erik."

"My den," eyes honing in on the boy in the center, Erik moved to his feet and full height, "right now."

"I'll put the bike away," Cody said to Tommy. As he proceeded in with the very irate adult, Cody leaned towards Joey. "Maybe he would've been safer at the pond."

Joey nodded to that.

Both inside the Mag Cave, Erik shut the doors with his powers. Tommy flinched at the thud. As if in the office of his own school principal, the boy stayed by the front of the desk when Erik went around to sit behind it. Shaking his head, the Headmaster indicated for him to come closer. Tommy went to stand by his chair, attempting with great difficulty to keep his eyes up.

"I spoke with your brother," Erik began. "Where were you?"

"… On a bike ride."

"Did you ask permission before leaving the house?"

"No, sir," Tommy answered. "I-I didn't go too far."

"You do not know your way around here yet and besides that, you're not to go anywhere without our knowledge." Erik stared into his eyes sternly. "I want to hear one good reason why I shouldn't spank your backside for this."

Tommy's demeanor became sorrowful. "… I'm really going to miss you."

Not expecting that response in the slightest, Erik stilled a moment. "… Come here." He picked him up into a hug. "I'm going to miss you as well. I've really enjoyed getting to know you; training you." He quickly added, "But don't think you've wormed your way off the hook." He applied four heavy swats to his bottom. "Anymore mischief between now and tomorrow morning and I'll give you a going home present you'll never forget. Understand me, young man?"

Retracting one hand to rub the sting, Tommy left his head on his shoulder. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

"So," Erik hoisted him to meet their eyes again, "am I a demented scarecrow?"

Tommy appeared to consider it. "More like a demented tinman. I like it."

Erik chuckled and squeezed his nose between his fingers.

A knock drew their attention to the doors. "Is he alive."

"See for yourself, Seanie," Erik invited, letting Tommy up.

"Well, well, well." Coming in, Sean folded his arms. "There you are."

"Yeah…" Tommy went to him with heavy shoulders. "I'm real sorry, Seanie."

Softening, Sean knelt to him. "What's going on, baby man?"

Tommy told him, "I just wanted to disappear before you did."

"Before I did?" Sean repeated in confusion.

"Every time you visit, you leave out of nowhere… it's stupid."

"No, it's not. You're right." Sean gripped his chin. "And I'm sorry, too. But you worried me, baby man. I wish you would've just talked to me."

"Yeah, I know," Tommy sighed. "Guess I'm in for a BBS, huh?"

"Hmm, let's see. I could spank you, probably should," Sean held his hands, "but I'd rather take you bowling. So would Maya."

A grin spread across the little boy's face and he took his hands to throw around him. "Thanks, Seanie!"

"Save your cute for Maya." Sean patted his bottom. "Go say sorry. She's in the kitchen."

"On it!" Tommy fled the den. "Maaaaya!"

Shaking his head in amusement, Sean noticed Erik's eyes on him and stood again. "I know, I know. Total pushover, right?"

Standing himself, Erik stated, "Actually, I was thinking about your future little ones, if you can believe that. A fortunate bunch they're going to be."

Taken aback, Sean felt himself blush a little. He smiled at the man before going to join his brother and fiancé.

IIIIIII

Out of formals and into more casual attire, the blonde stretched on the couch in the leisure floor of the Fitness Castle. He stared at the lights above between sips of black coffee. Byron turned form his silent position at the narrow window and eyed him a moment.

He took a sit spot on the coffee table in front of the sofa. "You knew this was coming, Chris. The second we let kids on the team, we all knew there'd be complications like this."

"She was standing there among a group of grieving neighbors and family members, masquerading as one of them," Chris detailed. "As much as I wish he would have thought this through, Fabian can hardly be blamed for his actions."

"This isn't about justification," Byron countered. "This is about who would have blamed him for his actions. An angry mob and the police to start. The worst could have happened here, for all of us. You're our leader, Chris. This requires disciplinary action."

"What do you expect me to do to him?" Chris sat up. "Exercise my father's method of choice?"

"Do not start in on your dad, Chris," Byron dismissed straightaway. "The great tyrant. Please. My father worked in a factory, dawn to dusk. If he had to come home and deal with my BS, I almost prayed for a belt or switch over those steel hands of his. You're the only boy. Try being firstborn. You don't catch a damn break. As harsh as he could be, I thank God for him. I knew too many fatherless kids growing up. I could probably have a whole class reunion in the prison lockup. Don't you have any kind of gratitude towards Winston?"

"Of course I do," Chris came back with. "I'm an ass of a son, okay? I know that. Seeing just a dose of what he went through in Roxbury… I'm a disgrace."

"Don't say that," Byron urged. "Not after all you've done to turn things around, bring us together this way. Leadership is a learning experience. And if you want, I can handle the disciplinary end on my own. This is nothing new for me."

"Are you sure?"

Byron nodded. "Besides, Fabian- we have something of an understanding."

"I noticed." Chris looked up at the incoming four youths, also changed into comfortable clothing. "We haven't called for you yet."

"We're tired of waiting," Cordelia informed her brother, looking around. "Where's Felicia?"

"She had to leave," Chris said.

Byron's gaze landed squarely on Rissy. "You lied to me. Straight to my face."

"I had to," Rissy insisted. "Fabian and Cordy have been through enough. Nate, too."

Byron got to his feet. "That excuses nothing. You should have come to me. You all should have come to us."

"Don't condemn them." Fabian stepped forward a few paces. "They all acted on my behalf and I thank them for it. But to save any further stress and complications, the Earl strips his own title." Before he could turn, his lower arm became prisoner to Byron's iron grip. "Hey!"

Unmoved, Byron said, "You wish you were getting out of this so easily."

"And not to play Napoleon's protégé," Chris stood up next, "but stripping titles is my call."

Nate brightened. "So, we're still a team?"

"Of course we are." "Exactly." Chris turned to the Spanish teen. "I am not condemning you, Fabian. Don't even think that. I only want you to realize the ends were not worth the means by a longshot here."

Byron sent the boy a special gaze. "And if I recall correctly, it was only the other day you and I had a certain conversation while on flight. I trust you remember it."

Fabian gave off a slow nod. "The Courtiers are not gifted with the gratification of ending our enemies."

"Unless Chris has something else to say, I'd like to see you in private," Byron requested.

Chris answered, "Not as of yet, but it'll come."

Fabian shared a kiss with Cordelia before following Byron into the man's office space. Chris guided the others downward, having to tug on the wrist of his concerned sister as he did so.

Byron directed, "Have a seat." Fabian chose a soft chair and he leaned on the edge of his desk, facing the boy. "Something else that's been troubling me through all of this. It's how deeply disappointed I am in you." He did not miss the flash in the teenager's eyes. "Even though we haven't worked together that long, I guess I expected- expect better of you."

Moving his face a little, Fabian shrugged. "Why would you?"

"Because you trust few and question all. Because being part of this thing is more than just some cool adventure to you. But you have to let go of these reckless impulses."

Fabian claimed, "She deserved to die."

"Did you?" The question got the teenager's attention in full. "Those people were there mourning loved ones and you were stupid enough to go after one of their neighbors? They don't know what she did, Fabian. They threw you into a window for God's sake. You could have been killed. How would your father have taken that? Your girlfriend, your sister?"

Fabian lowered his head with minimal words to offer. "I didn't think…"

"Oh, I believe that much. If the law or whoever employs Lois Harper had gotten involved, your family would have been investigated by the wrong people. So would the Frosts' ties to you. You came close to ending things horribly for everyone you care about, Fabian," Byron emphasized. "Do you still feel justified?"

"No." Fabian heightened his voice a little. "No, I don't."

"What would your father do in a situation like this?" At the way his eyes threatened to lower, Byron reached to touch his knee and squeeze it firmly. "Fabian, answer me."

Fabian did with, "He'd use his strap."

Unbothered, Byron determined, "You're not well enough for that and I won't do anything to you that I wouldn't to my own son. Come this way." He stood to walk over to the loveseat he kept against one wall. Fabian got up and went after him. After Byron sat, he instructed, "Lay down. Slowly." At the hesitation, the man said, "I don't want to hurt you, Fabian, but I don't want you to hurt yourself either."

Fabian lowered with that. He felt Byron adjust the cushions under his chest and belly to make him as comfortable as possible. He also felt his soft pants tugged down and the air exposure of being bared. When he experienced the first strike, he gasped, but not from the blow alone. It had been sometime since he had been in the position for traditional chastisement.

Ever since his first and most unconventional introduction to the boy, Byron thought he could use such punishment from the start. However, as he himself delivered it, he found it difficult. With the trauma of the fire in addition to the previous night, he knew Fabian's head had to be in an endless spin. With the knowledge of how things could have turned out from that, Byron continued. When he saw the bottom turn beet red, he stopped and immediately redressed him. At Fabian's steadier breathing, Byron helped him up to sit on a cushion.

Going to his desk for handkerchiefs, he attempted to clean the youth's tear stained face.

Fabian snatched them from him. "I can do that myself."

"Sorry." Byron brushed some of his hair back with his hand. "Dad habit."

"My condolences to Dex." Fabian wiped his face. "I won't be able to sleep on my back or front tonight."

Byron resisted rolling his eyes. "You'll be fine after a cool shower. Did you learn anything beyond complaints?"

"… Thank you, Byron." Fabian crossed his arms. "Not that I care about "disappointing" you or anything. I'm simply not out to be the team heel."

"In that case, I don't care to tell you that I'm glad you're still breathing."

Fabian came back with, "Then I don't care to tell you I appreciate that sentiment."

"But I do care to tell you," Byron said next, "that if you do anything this reckless again, I'm kicking your ass to the middle of Madrid."

"Well, I…" Fabian sat in a huff. "I like Madrid."

"Go clean up before Cordelia sees you." Byron patted his head and helped him stand. "Are you good?"

"Don't know the meaning of the word." Fabian headed for the door.

Byron watched him with a remark of, "Sure."

IIIIIII

Plain wallpaper, odd machinery, and the sounds of the IV dripping and the heartrate monitor beeping made up the uneventful hospital room. The squeaking of the familiar shoes signaled the arrival of another nurse.

"Good evening, Hois. Oh, pardon me," the woman in white uniform caught herself, "I mean Lois." She closed the door as she walked towards the bed. "I just wanted to check your vitals." She stood over the woman with neck bound in thick brace. "You're very fortunate. Had I had your neck between my hands, I would have snapped it on the spot." With the frightened brown eyes taking her in, Felicia removed her black wig and face mask. "Do you see this?" From her pocket, she showed her the syringe of clear liquid. "Amazing substance. See, first it paralyzes you, then it fills your lungs, leaving you unable to move or even breathe while it causes the failure of every other vital organ. The most fascinating part? It goes completely undetected by your bloodwork." Felicia lowered towards your ear. "If by some miracle you're actually able to speak again, you will utter not a word about the one who attacked you to either police or to whatever vile son of a bitch put you on the payroll. If you so much as jot down a note, I will know about it. I found you here and I can find you again." Felicia hovered the syringe needle near her arm. "Do we understand each other?" Lois managed a nod and Felicia smiled. "Excellent." She put her wig and mask back into place, "Rest well now," and departed.

IIIIIII

With another toss, the orange ball swished through and down the net. When he ran to retrieve it, Tommy nearly dropped it again at the boy who had crept up behind him.

"Why don't you just hold up a sign to my uncle's cameras?" Cody suggested dryly. "It's nearly midnight! You out to get mangled today or what?"

"No, I just couldn't sleep." Tommy held the ball closer. "I was supposed to hate this place, Cody and everybody in it. Now…" He glanced down forlornly. "I can't believe I have to leave it all in just a few hours."

Cody brought a hand to his upper back. "You know, my old man talks a lot. There's something else I once heard him tell somebody." He got Tommy's eyes up again. "No matter what problems ya got or mistakes you've made, you don't have to carry the load by yourself. You've got friends when you need 'em." He placed his arm around the younger boy's shoulders. "We're always gonna be here, Tommy. Me probably for the longest. I might as well be good for something."

Tommy smiled at him. "Thanks, Cody."

Snagging the ball from him, Cody took and sunk a shot. "Come on. Let's get back to bed."

Only taking time to pick up the ball again, Tommy returned to the warmth of the mansion with him.