Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Nine

Author's Word: Mppprrrakkrra- *Pauses to remove gas mask* Hello, fam, reporting to you live from Quarantine Headquarters. This chapter was supposed to be up half past some time ago, but I have a sick sister, nephew, and niece on my hands. They're doing better now. Ah, to be the one with a functioning immune system… please enjoy and review! *Sprays Lysol*

The mint leaf scent from her husband's shower gel still very much apparent, the currently active-minded shapeshifter found distraction in absorbing the aroma. Her nose fondled his chest and the thick hairs there gave her an enjoyable tickle. Raven felt Hank's strong arm tuck her in even closer to his side.

"Still thinking about the little Cub?" Hank's lips went into her hair.

"Mmhmm. Trav's always been an avid learner and I'm proud of that," Raven coiled part of his chest hair around her finger, "but I'm worried if he really is becoming too obsessed with school like Carly warned us about last semester. He's seven years old. I don't want this to be his everything."

"It's these tests," Hank reasoned. "You remember how hard he went trying to move up in reading and writing. He's developed the college crunch, only much earlier. If nothing else, this will prepare him for the real thing. Except now, we're here to make sure he's alright and isn't forgoing food."

"Too busy to eat." Raven's voice carried breathy humor. "Not a single chromosome between you and that boy is yours in and out."

"Maybe in personality, which may or may not be a good thing, but in his heart, we both know," Hank felt for and kissed her lips, "he's all his mother's."

"Which may or may not be a good thing," Raven parroted despite her smile.

"After everything is over with exams and the wedding and we finally have something resembling peace, we'll take the kids somewhere. Maybe to my mom's. Have some fun."

"Yay, summer," Raven rejoiced quietly. "It's a plan, baby."

"I have a few other ideas." Hank began kissing her wherever his lips could reach, winding up between her breasts, "if you're interested…"

Laying back, Raven released a pleasured moan that grew into a vibration in her throat.

IIIIIII

Though it took multiple test trials, Joey eventually stirred together the right shade of silver. The large canvas depicted the four female forms from the neckline up with the women in front and the girls higher up, but behind them. Joey used his tiniest brush to apply silver to the empty orbs around the black dots in the middle. When he decided it complete, the two in the back glowed with green and silver eyes. Up front, the women radiated blue and yellow irises. All drawn with charcoal pencils, he used water paint to make their hair colors of black, blonde, and red orange appear of divinity.

After a couple minutes of ensuring the paint would not run, Joey propped the canvas up on its easel to further dry. Picking up his sketchbook, he sat at his desk, still attempting to narrow down passable entries. The book carried a wide assortment. One depicted a small girl from behind, feeding a carrot to a horse. Another showed a cat sleeping with his head up and arms crossed. A smile grew on his face when he flipped to the highly-detailed pair of hands with the larger reaching for the more delicate one.

Gasping at footstep detection, Joey raced to his bed and shut off his lamp. Burrowing under the covers, he hugged his sketchbook to his chest until the coast proved clear again.

IIIIIII

Once close enough to the right door, the thin body burst and reformed inside. Leon looked up from tying his last shoe to see her regenerate in a maroon pencil skirt and iron gray top.

"Thank God the Howletts leave at the crack of dawn. It takes Bond-Sherlock ingenuity to maneuver to a shower in this fortress undetected."

Going to the dresser, Leon held out one of the coffee cups there. "Worth it?"

"Hell yes." Melissa took it with an enthused sip.

With Leon having acquired raisin bread and bagels, they sat in the middle of the bed to eat. They faced one another with the food between them.

Leon put forth, "Has your brain ceased hibernation from being away from school yet?"

Bagel split in half, Melissa spread cream cheese. "I forgot "I before E except after C", but gained bonus points by remembering Y is the sometimes vowel."

"Lonely Y, sad Y, manic Y…"
"How's your uncle? Did you see him this morning?"

"No," Leon responded, "but he's likely stabilizing under the very real fact that as the very foundation of the X-Men, every single one of us will break and crumble without his steadfast presence."

"Ah," Melissa nodded along. "So, he's good. Great."

II

At the young girl refilling his tea with the proper cream to sugar ratio, the bedbound Professor said an utmost, "Thank you, Princess." He took her dainty hand, helping her do a spin in pleated floral skirt and raspberry shirt she wore with sparkling butterfly clips in her curls. "Look at my pretty bird. You start my morning off well."

With a big smile, Becky left her brand of enchanted kiss on his cheek and took the tray with bowls now empty.

Passing her on his way into the master suite, Joey also caught sight of her attire. "You look nice."

"Thanks," Becky sent back over her shoulder.

"Daddy." Joey made a path for him.

Charles immediately opened his right arm. "Good morning, little one."

Lying beside him, Joey wondered, "Where're Mum and Brian?"

"Your mother is trying to scrub him clean of half his breakfast." Charles smiled at his laughter until he noticed something about the child's eyes. "Did you have trouble sleeping last night?"

"Well…" Joey bit his lip.

Charles lightly tapped his nose. "Yes?"

"I got kind of busy working on my art projects." Joey gave him a contrite countenance. "Are you mad, Daddy?"

Charles' expression showed more amusement than reproach. "You lads will be the end of me. Hank in his lab. Sean in the music studio. You leading your own artistic renaissance. Not to mention Scott believing himself immortal during baseball season." He pecked Joey's head and said into his ear, "Don't make it a habit, young man."

"Yes, sir," Joey nodded.

"Did you get your other homework done?"

"Yeah, glad I only had reading questions."

Giving him a squeeze, Charles picked up the teacup. "Here, drink some of this down. It'll wake you up a bit."

Joey frowned at the close scent. "Aw, tea?"

"Yes, tea." Charles kept his arm around him while the boy took teeny drinks of it, unable to mask his delight at how infantile his little one appeared.

II

With far less a crowd than normally anticipated for their morning meal, arrivals into the dining room came bit by bit. Considering the hectic nature of their scheduling that week, the elders did not call for any of the children to wait before starting to eat.

"Trav," Raven addressed her son, getting his faraway eyes up, "just because Uncle Charles isn't down here with us, does not mean his rules don't apply. No homework, no books, no flash cards at the table."

Trav lowered his deck with a pout in place.

"Ladybug," Erik acknowledged at his daughter's entry.

Raven asked, "Becca, did Charles eat more today?"

Taking over her father's lap space, the man bounced her and Becky answered through giggles, "Yes, toast and almost his whole bowl of oatmeal."

"Good. Maybe…" Raven trailed at the way a certain seven-year-old's hands disappeared under the table. "Travis, I know you heard me. Give me the flashcards." She extended her hand.

Frank tried to assist with, "You heard your mom, little guy. You know she's boss."

Brow wrinkled angrily, Trav laid the white cards in her blue palm.

"Thank you." Raven put them next to her plate. "Now, finish your breakfast and no more reviewing at the table, period."

Erik gave him a look as well. "And fix your face, young man."

Trav stopped scowling and picked up his spoon again.

Raven rubbed his hair affectionately then spoke with Erik about the day ahead.

Rushing in at such a speed, Joey had to bring himself to a halt before colliding with the table.

Becky told her father, "He was with Uncle Charles."

Joey darted eyes to Erik, whose return look told him running in that instance counted as acceptable. He sat down at his regular place to add to his plate.

Eying her watch, Angel dabbed at her face with her napkin. "We better move, crew."

As she along with Samantha, Maya, Sean, and Frank hurried to their feet, Alex warned his set, "Fifteen minutes then grab your bags, guys." He stood as well. "I'm going to peep in on Todd and Mira right quick."

Eyes closing, Trav felt a burn in his throat and inhaled through his nostrils. He started to reach for his orange juice until his hand began to shake.

"Trav," Scott reacted, seeing him first.

Raven looked immediately, but Trav bolted out of their sights. She tore after him. Standing Becky up, Erik indicated for the other children to stay put. At Kiki's concerned eyes, Scott pulled her over to hold in his lap. Erik and Raven followed Trav's rapid path into the nearest bathroom, where the little boy barely made it to the toilet.

Raven cringed at the sight and sound of her son spewing into the bowl. "Oh, my… Travvy." She knelt to rub his back.

"Easy now," Erik said when Trav tried to stand. He helped him reach the sink to clear his mouth. "Rinse slowly, Valiant."

Raven flushed the toilet. "We need to get him upstairs."

Panic appearing in his eyes, Trav brought up, "But what about school, Mommy?"

"No school today," Erik informed straightforwardly.

"Pooh, you're sick, you're shaking," Raven attempted to reason. "The school would just send you home again." She took him to carry herself, walking with the daintiest steps she could while stroking her son's back.

Going quiet, Trav clung to her all the way back to his room. Raven removed his school clothes and redressed him in his softest pajamas. She tucked him in and gave him his toy ape to hold onto. She sat facing him and running fingers through his hair.

Glass of ginger ale acquired, Erik joined them in the room. "Drink it slowly, Valiant."

Trav raised his head enough to sip through the straw. When he had enough, Erik left the glass on his nightstand.

"Baby, what happened?" Raven cupped his cheek. "You didn't even eat much at the table. Did you just start feeling funny out of the blue?"

Trav played with his ape's feet. "Mmhmm…"

Instantly detecting something, Erik nudged, "Travis… are you being honest with us?"

"I really wasn't feeling funny at first, Uncle Erik," Trav tried to explained. "It just happens sometimes."

Raven did not care for that last word. "Sometimes? Honey, how long have you felt this way?"

"… Since Friday, maybe Thursday."

"What?" Raven reacted in aghast. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to miss school, Mommy," Trav told her. "And it doesn't happen all the time. I just throw up a little after lunch. I felt fine this weekend. Then I threw up again yesterday."

Trying to watch her displeased tone, Raven admonished, "You should have said something the first time it happened, Travis. You should've gone to Victor or Becca and Scott. I know how much you love school, but I love you more. You're supposed to tell Mommy when something is wrong."

"M'sorry, Mommy," the seven-year-old uttered faintly, lower lip wriggling. "I just wanted to do good on my tests so you'd be happy…"

Her own eyes glossing, Raven leaned in to take him into her arms. "Pooh Bear, you and your sister being here with me is what makes me happy. It's the same for your dad. I'd rather you flunked every subject than become sick like this." She felt his tear at her neck and Raven kissed him at the hairline. "Shh, sweetie, don't cry. It's okay. Mommy's here." She looked over at her brother. "I'm not going anywhere."

Erik said in turn, "That makes two of us."

IIIIIII

Seated next to each other at the kitchen island, the metal wielder and dematerializing mutant waited for the shapeshifter to get off the phone. When she did, Raven sat across from them and stared miserably into her coffee cup.

"What did Hank say?" Erik asked.

"He's going to see if he can get someone to cover his last two periods so he can get home," Raven reported. "I told him Trav didn't have a fever or chills, but he wants to make sure we're not dealing with anything serious."

Erik stated, "I expected as much."

Stirring his own caffeinated refill, Leon tried to make sense of the situation. "Trav said he was mainly throwing up at school?"

Raven nodded. "After lunch. Scott did tell us he couldn't get out of the cafeteria fast enough."

"And when he was alone, he essentially forgot about food. All too focused on studying." Leon appeared contemplative. "This is no flu bug. I think we're dealing with anxiety."

Erik raised an eyebrow. "In a seven-year-old boy?"

Raven, however, pointed out, "We saw self-harm in an eight-year-old boy, remember?" Her yellow eyes became briefly ablaze at the recollection.

"That we did," Erik knew. "What I don't understand is a child having stress levels of a grown man strong enough to lead to anxiety and nausea. Trav's been very happy and adjusted ever since he and Kiki came here. And he's already an excellent student."

"That may be the problem." Leon then elaborated with, "The plant's scientists placed him in an academic environment and likely used positive reinforcement to generate ideal results. We've all seen how eager Uncle Charles, Hank, and Kayla are to throw a parade for high marks. There's also Trav's overachieving nature. He made it to higher class levels in reading and writing. Now, it's as if he has this unquenchable desire to shoot straight to the top."

Raven deduced, "And all that pressure messed with his stomach."

"Yes, but only at certain times, which is why he seemed okay over the weekend," Leon explained. "With Scott watching him, Trav had to finish every bite of his lunch. So eager to get back to his studies, nausea resulted. The same at breakfast with the flashcards. His mind was on school, so he had to force himself to eat and we saw where that led. Anxiety takes a toll on the mind as well as the stomach."

Raven asked mostly to herself, "How could I not have noticed?"

Leon told her, "Unlike something as lingering as depression, anxiety comes and goes. While depression is this dense fog that seems to surround you at every turn, I would argue that anxiety is worse. It is so rough on the body to the point of painful in some cases, causing heavy breathing, paranoia, delusion, and definitely upset stomach."

Taking all of that in, Raven wanted to know, "What can be done to stop it?" Her eyes swelled as she grew alarmed. "Tell me we won't have to resort to medication."

"Absolutely not," Erik refused. "We are not shoving pills down that little boy's throat until he deems drugs the solution to his every problem."

"Dad's right," Leon agreed. "Influential areas like this do breed drug dependency and I won't let that happen to Trav." He next decided, "I'm staying home, too. Raven, if you let me, I want to talk to Trav. Help him any way I can."

"Of course," Raven granted. "Thanks, Lee."

Erik noticed the near anger in the young man's eyes. "Are you alright, boychick?"

Leon gave off a slow shake of his head. "Just the idea of a little kid dealing with the overwhelming pain of anxiety… just when I thought the world was out of ways to disgust me."

Erik glided a comforting hand through his long dark hair.

Getting off her stool, Raven left the eatery to see about her son.

IIIIIII

Engrossed in their own conversation, the males still peered up when the girls made their way into the library. Brenda captured theirs along with the attention of a few other readers with her chosen ensemble. It consisted of a black asymmetrical skirt that greatly highlighted the red, blue, yellow, and white that made up her tights, ankle boots, a near floor-length scarlet vest, sunrise orange sweater, and black beret. In a white skirt with matching boots, teal cardigan, and green-white striped shirt, Samantha walked alongside her.

Frank remarked, "Bren, if you're ever hit by a car at night it's automatically their fault."

Hearing a compliment in that, Brenda grinned, "Thanks," and sat across from them.

Samantha exchanged a quick kiss with Collin before taking the chair next to her.

Brenda eyed her housemate. "You feeling any better?"

"Not sure what I'm feeling," Collin said honestly. "I figured Fabian couldn't wait to lord over me, but yesterday... it's like he's seriously some other guy. Ever since he came back from spring break. It's almost as if he's not out to be a royal pain and is in our faces because we actually matter or something."

"I know it's weird," Frank sympathized. "When I was first recruited by the X-Men, me and Alex didn't start off on the right foot, either. In fact, we both had a habit of sticking our foot in our mouths. Sure, he's still a paste face and we give each other grief sometimes, but we figured out we work better together. You know, as brothers. Same thing happened with Leon."

"No way," Collin insisted. "We work good okay, too, but brothers? With Fabian?"

"Why not?" Samantha piped up, making him place eyes on her. "Fabian does care about you, Collin. We saw it before spring break. Double dating with him and Cordy, hanging out after The Sound of Music. We have fun together."

Collin played with one of his pencils. "Yeah, sure, but…"

"Okay, they're graduating in, like, five minutes," Brenda brought up. "Maybe adulthood is sneaking up on Fabian. Maybe he is sorry for how he's treated you in the past."

The redhead shrugged. "So, what if he is?"

Brenda rolled her eyes. "Coll, stop with the moody loner routine. Missy's already reigning master of that. I know it's hard for you to trust and I totally get why, I do. I just think if Fabian wants to make things right, maybe you could give him a chance. He's suffered, too, in a huge way."

Collin quieted a few seconds then put forth, "And if he goes right back to being a dick hole?"

Brenda promptly responded, "Then I'll personally send his actual dick through a meat grinder." She watched as the freshmen leaned back, all with enlarged eyes set on her. "Why do people always recoil when I say stuff like that?"

IIIIIII

With recess underway, the grammar school building became near deserted. Before their teacher could hurry off to the lounge, Joey and Laci received permission to use the art classroom. Though they did not find the independent study as worthwhile as Miss Kendall's art instruction, the two still appreciated the space for the ample room it offered. Joey looked through Laci's celestial creations with her. He loved the way she used a combination of colorings featuring Emerald attached to transparent sheets of lemon yellow and lime green to create a stain-glass effect.

"Imagine how they would look if the sun hit them just right," Joey suggested.

"That's what I did in the hospital," Laci told him. "My dad taped a dozen to the window. Every morning I woke up, Emerald's pictures almost flying, the colors all aglow like the most spectacular sunrise of all time. When I was finally ready to leave, a lady asked if I'd let them there for her little girl and I said yes."

"That sure was cool of you to share Emerald like that."

"I don't think it's good to try to hog angels, anyway. Besides," Laci carefully packed the pictures away in her bag, "as soon as I moved here, I found another one."

Blue eyes connecting with her gray at that, Joey quickly glanced in every direction before tilting his head for a kiss. Though their lips only brushed together briefly, Joey formed a big smile and Laci giggled airily

The redhead asked him, "Do you know why else this whole thing is so important?" Joey shook his head and waited for her to answer. "Because if we make it in, that means I did it." Standing, Laci walked to partially open window and gazed out at the other children scampering about. "My parents don't want me cheerleading or to do anything they think is too strenuous. I'm lucky to even have a bike. Whether we go to Jones-Broderick or not, they'll see that I did something this hard without them. And my heart never stopped beating."

Stepping up behind her, Joey took her hand. "We have to do everything to win, Laci. You'll finally show your folks what you can do and Alex will see that I'm closer to Julliard. Maybe even closer to making Aunt Raven famous."

Somehow even more eager, Laci guided the way back to their art materials.

IIIIIII

At the parting of the overhead clouds, the sun seeping through cast and provided additional radiance to the glorious estate below. As if a spotlight summoned in her honor, the magnificent rays glittered across the already lit face of the giggling child. Dressed in purple overalls with yellow t-shirt and an unbuttoned blue sweater, Kiki's pigtails batted against her back as she moved along with the animal. In his own rare lazy attire of jeans and his red "WU Dad" sweatshirt, Erik kept up with Franny's pace. Though he allowed his niece to grip the reins herself, Erik felt the burn of his reflexes, prepared to catch the delicate lass should she so much as sneeze with too much gusto.

They romped about the grounds until Erik detected the need to slow down for both child and steed. He let Kiki continue riding back into the barn and lifted her off to situate Franny in her stall. Erik used the nearby brush to soothingly caress her mane. When he stepped out of the stall, he stopped and stared at the way Kiki rolled herself, similar to how her cartoon characters did when their posteriors randomly caught fire.

"Are you playing fish?" Erik guessed.

Shaking her head, Kiki gestured at her lower limbs. "My legs are all stiff."

All too familiar with that feeling from his own riding days, Erik said, "Ah, of course. But get off the floor that way, bubala." He picked her up. "Before your Uncle Charles senses you and rakes me over the coals for it."

Kiki laughed and became comfortable in his strong arms as the man carried her inside.

When Erik stepped into the Hovel with her, they found its owner moving back and forth while trying to calm the whimpering infant.

"Yeah, man, it's okay. I know." Alex kissed near his ear.

"What has dared to make our Toddy unhappy?"

Noticing his father and niece, Alex patted Todd's back. "He's in his missing-daddy-mood." He zeroed in on Kiki. "What's wrong with my baby girl?"

She informed him, "My legs feel funny, Uncle Alex."

The blonde immediately deduced, "Franny. I told that pony to stop bending you out of shape. Lay her down, Dad." After Erik placed her on the couch, Alex transferred Todd into his arms. "Here we go. Tell Erik all your grievances for just a sec." He sat down to help massage away Kiki's soreness.

Bringing the baby to his shoulder, Erik stayed in place while running his hand up and down his back. The metal wielder started to hum, which quickly grew into quietly singing the Yiddish melody into Todd's ear.

Pumping her legs a few times after kneading them, Alex asked, "How's that feel?"

"They work again," Kiki reported happily. "Thank you, Uncle Alex."

"You're welcome, Kiki." Alex kissed the tip of her nose. "Ready for a snack yet?"

She thought and decided, "In a little while."

"Want to do Uncle Alex's research paper for him?" At her headshake, Alex said, "Don't blame you. Okay, what do you want to do?" When she pointed over to the activity table, Alex carried her to it, leaving her in his lap.

Kiki pulled over her special chalkboard and selected magnetic letters from the plastic bucket to stick to it. Alex watched her spell out car, bike, and boat, but proved taken aback at the fourth vehicle.

"Airplane?" he read with great impression. "Great job, sweets, but where'd you get that one? It wasn't on the new list I gave you."

Kiki explained, "It was in the book Scottie read me."

With an awed shake of the head, Alex said, "I swear these kids never cease to intimidate me."

Todd settled in his arms, Erik chuckled and sat near them. "Can you believe this little bubala?" Kiki sorted through her letters to spell train and taxi next. "Started off practically mute when we first found her."

Alex quipped, "And she's totally graduating ahead of me." He let Kiki up so she could move on to her animal coloring book. His features grew significantly less satisfied. "I still can't get over Trav. College has come close to snapping my sanity in two and I've never dealt with anything like this."

"Yes," Erik said thoughtfully, "this situation threw us all for a loop. Seven years old…"

Alex propped his chin up on folded hands pensively. "You think I'd have learned to pay attention after what Joey went through."

"No, boychick," Erik automatically refuted. "In no way, shape, or form do you get to claim responsibility for this. You're already more attentive to the needs of these children than any dutiful parent could ever hope to be. Even with Charles and I reducing our hours at the facility, it's clear we still aren't home enough." He looked to Kiki scribbling with her brown crayon. "We've been abundantly fortunate with these two, considering how we acquired them. We couldn't have seen this coming." He then reacted to a more audible gurgle from Todd.

Alex advised, "Better take him up to his sister. Mira's on a date with Charles."

Erik's lips quirked, "My boy, the baby whisperer," and he stood with his warm bundle to look in on the female half of the twin set.

II

While listening to the slumbering intakes of air from her little boy, Raven's yellow eyes stared at his Peter Pan wall until the vibrant characters blended together. She blinked back fatigue and rolled to the side to take in the precious face of her child. When a notion most unwanted crossed her mind, she gently took each of his arms to examine under his pajama sleeves. It pleased her to find nothing afflicting his delicate skin beyond vanishing bruises from his climbing and bumping into things.

Trav stirred. "Mommy?" He opened his eyes to her smile.

"Hey." Raven played in his hair and brushed his cheek with her thumb. "How you feeling, Pooh Bear?"

Trav wormed beneath his covers. "Still kinda yucky."

"Is your tummy still upset?"

"A little bit… Mommy, are you still mad at me?"

A surprised and alarmed countenance came over the shapeshifter's face. "No, Pooh Bear. Mommy isn't mad and I didn't mean to sound that way earlier. I was just so worried about you it made me crazy. You know you keep Mommy's heart and soul going, right?"

Trav managed a slightly happier expression. "I know, Mommy. I'm sorry for worrying you. I just didn't want to miss school."

"Your Daddy and I are so proud of how seriously you take school and all of the effort you put in. But, baby, you're more important than all the academic honors in the world. You and Kiki are our special gifts," Raven emphasized. "That's why you have to tell us when something is wrong. If not us, go to someone else in the family. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes, Mommy," he replied. "You're my special gift, too."

Bringing him closer, Raven sat up against the headboard. "Trav, I want you to be honest with me about something." He regarded her attentively. "Have you done anything besides throw up? Did you get some ideas that may sound kind of weird? Maybe to play with the kitchen knives, the stove, the burners in Daddy's lab?"

Trav shook his head hard. "No, Mommy. I'm not supposed to touch stuff like that without you, Daddy, or some other grownup. Remember?"

"Yes, I do remember," Raven smiled with relief, bringing him to hold close to her front. "Just glad that you do. Do you want to try to eat a little? I could put on one of Grandma's soup recipes with some saltines."

"Okay." Trav laid on his back while his mother blanketed him again.

Passing her in the hall, Leon acknowledged, "Raven. How is he?"

She replied, "Much better than the crazy ideas running through my head."

Leon stared expectantly. "Crazier than mine?"

Raven informed, "You don't monopolize crazy as much as you think you do, buddy."

"Lessons learned as an X-Man." He then asked, "Is he awake? I wanted to talk to him for a minute."

"Yeah, go ahead," Raven gestured towards the partly open door. "Going to see if I can get him to eat some soup.
They continued towards their separate destinations and Leon found Trav making his toy ape battle with his blue clad teddy bear.

"Nice to see you're using a sick day as God originally intended."

Trav looked up at his voice and waved with his ape. "Hi, Lee. You're home, too?"

"Yeah." Leon then mentioned, "I'm actually here for you. Your mom told me what happened and I wanted to make sure you're good."

The child's shoulders drooped a little as he replied "I'm okay."

Keeping eyes on him, Leon sat at the foot of the bed. "But you still wish you were in school, right?" Trav nodded. "Why is that? Your grades are already fantastic. Your brain could use a day off."

"I don't want to miss anything for the big tests. I want to read, write, and do math in the upper levels."

"And I'm sure you will," Leon said genuinely. "I'm also sure you study better and longer than most of my college classmates, myself included. You've even been staying in from recess to do more, haven't you?"

"Uh huh," Trav bobbed his head. "I like when there's nobody around to bother me."

"I know how that goes," Leon affirmatively concurred. "But you probably like the quiet even more, wanting to be a doctor and all. Just like your dad, right?"

"Right," Trav happily confirmed. "My daddy's the smartest man in the whole universe."

"Yes, he is," Leon said without an ounce of patronization in his voice. "I know what that's like, too." He laid on his side in the bed, closer to the tiny-framed boy. "Practically since the day we met, I've wanted to be like Alex. Or Jam. You know who I've wanted to be like a lot lately?"

Trav guessed, "Uncle Erik?"

"No," Leon gave off a little smile, "I'm already a chunk of whatever clay created him, just not as strong. Actually, there are times I wish I was more like Uncle Charles."

"Ooh, me too," Trav seconded brightly. "I might be a professor and a doctor mixed together. Uncle Charles says we will be colleagues."

"That's right, but I don't think I could be a professor. I want to be like Uncle Charles because he has this really big heart that sounds louder than a drum. Mine is too small and hardly beats anymore."

"What?" Putting down his ape, Trav crawled over to inspect the older male's chest. "Hey, nuh uh! I hear it. It's beating swell."

"You are the future doctor, though Uncle Charles did tell me it's healing," Leon recalled. "So maybe. I get scared sometimes, too. Especially of fire." He slid a ginger hand through Trav's hair. "Do you ever get scared?"

"Yeah, of shots." Trav cringed a little at the mere thought. "Sometimes I got tummy sick when Daddy gave 'em to me. But I only spit up a little."

"I don't blame you. Needles are no fun. When I first came here, my tummy was a mess when I had to go back to school. Does school ever make you feel funny like that?"

"Uh huh. Scottie says I have to eat all my lunch so I try to do it fast to go study. That's when I got tummy sick real bad."

To that, Leon presented his next question. "Trav, is there another reason you want to be in the advanced classes this badly? Is it for your daddy? Uncle Charles?"

"Yep." Trav perked again. "They get so happy when I show them my good marks. If I move up even more, they'll be really proud of me."

Leon then carefully asked, "What do you think would happen if you brought home a bad mark? Do you think they'll stop being proud of you?... That they won't love you?" The child shifted his gaze and sunk into absolute silence. "Is that what you think, Trav?" Drawing his knees in towards his chest, Trav kept his face down. "Trav?" Leon considering getting the boy's eyes up by lifting his chin, but decided against it. "Your parents won't stop loving you, Trav. And I am not saying that because it's what I'm supposed to say or to be nice. If your parents were bad, I would tell you. They won't stop loving you because I've seen parents that are like that. I've gone to school with their kids and still do. You know how your dad wants you at the table to make sure you eat?"

"Mmhmm."

"I know of parents who won't let their kids eat at all if their grades aren't high."

Now, Trav looked at him again, brown eyes rounder. "What? Really?"

"That's not the worst of it," Leon went on. "Some of the kids are beaten, thrown around, screamed at if they aren't perfect students or don't do well in whatever clubs and activities their parents pick for them. If Raven or Hank were anything like that, your mom wouldn't have made you stay home from school. She would have tried to hurt you for showing weakness, made you go, then punish you again if you got sent him sick."

Trav sat completely appalled. "My mommy would never do that. Daddy hates when I'm sick. He hardly lets me move. That's why I didn't tell them about the pukies."

"Your dad is always watching out for us. Once I fell asleep during a test," Leon remembered. "Your dad checked me over and wrote a note so I could make it up."

"Oh, good." Trav picked up his ape to hold again. "That was nice."

"Yeah, it was," Leon replied, mainly to himself. "But I was being really bad during that time. I didn't deserve your dad doing anything nice for me. I still don't."

Bewildered, Trav wondered, "Why, Leon?"

"Lots of reasons," Leon said vaguely. "But that won't stop Hank from doing right by me or any of us. For you and Kiki? He'd trade in those diplomas any day." He watched Trav smile and use Leon's body as some sort of platform for the ape to stomp across, though he minded it not.

Using one arm, Leon sent it around Trav's middle and reeled him in towards him. The boy did not fight it and only continued to play. Leon let him recline against his front. At the silky texture that brushed his hand, Trav fingered through Leon's black strands as if they were Midnight's fur.

Raven returned with a small spread of soup and apple juice, glad to find her son more upbeat. "How's your tummy doing?"

"It's all empty, Mommy," the child reported.

Delighted now, Raven said, "I think Grandma's soup can help with that."

Leon helped situate Trav in an upright position against the pillows for him to receive the tray.

II

When Erik arrived in the master suite with Todd, the two discovered Charles in bed dressing Mira in a cotton candy pink dress. The tiny girl looked the very image of a china doll on heavily shielded display. Charles waved the other pair over as he started on Mira's hair next, smoothing it with one of Emma's tinier combs. Left to wonder why females required combs of such various lengths, Erik felt Todd grow satisfied in his grasp by simply having the presence of his sister. After laying out a sheet so that the baby's body did not connect with the floor, Erik got down with Todd to work on crawling.

"Look at this pretty princess, brother," Charles cooed. "This gorgeous hair," he placed a bow in the near shoulder-length locks of brown, "so long for not even a year old."

Erik touched a hand to Todd's darker brunette strands. "They must all get it from their mother. Cody's certainly grows like a weed between haircuts."

Brian on her hip, Emma departed the bathroom in sharp white, complete with hat and sunglasses. "Off to meet Julie in town. Laci needs tights, as do our girls. Not to mention new socks for the boys. We shouldn't be long."

"Don't you rush," Charles insisted, playing with Mira's chubby arms. "My headaches haven't been nearly as troublesome today."

Emma raised her glasses a moment to peer directly at her husband. "If you start to take another turn…"

"I will holler from the belfries," Charles promised.

"Yes, you will," seconded Erik pointedly.

"Alright, darling," Emma addressed Brian now, "do you want to come with Mummy or stay and watch Daddy?"

Brian reached arms for Charles. "Da…"

With a smile, Emma placed him in bed with his father. She shared a fast kiss with Charles and took the time to peck each baby's plump cheek before taking her leave.

When Mira fussed at Brian tugging on her dress, Charles removed his son's hand with a reproachful gaze. Brian grew contrite at the wordless admonition. Charles made room in his lap to snuggle with both. He picked up the storybook borrowed from Joey's room to read to them. His voice combined with the pictures placated both babes.

Erik kept up with Todd's crawling pace. Every time Todd drooped, Erik nuzzled his side to encourage him up. Eventually the boy became content to rest on the man's chest.

"These eyes," Erik said of the brown-green orbs looking back at him, "they remind me so much of Becky's. I remember those little green jewels in my face any morning she had to have those smiley face pancakes."

Charles smiled fondly, letting Brian turn the next page. "She took such a liking to you."

"Strange little girl of mine," Erik quipped. "Do you miss it, brother?" He brought arms around to keep Todd close. "Being home with the children constantly? All of us so tucked away."

"Every day," Charles said honestly. "Though I am grateful for a filled household and how much the little ones have grown for the better, I can't say I never yearn for those simpler times." He reconsidered his word choice. "Simpler. Who would have thought I would consider Joey's former electrical outbursts such a thing?"

"It was," Erik stated, "compared to the difficulties we will face trying to keep this bunch safe." He sat up, cradling Todd again with eyes focused on him. "They're all but guaranteed to have powers on top of facing backlash over their family. You remember what that boy at the center called Cody when they first came here."

"Yes, I know." Some ire entered Charles' voice at the thought. "However, they have what Angel didn't growing up. Their parents to be stalwarts for them as well as us now."

"Angel has our strength and support as well," Erik stated.

Charles said happily, "And we have her again. Though, where it concerns her and Cody, I believe the opposition has more to fear from them."

Taking in the upside-down angle of his worn child entering, Erik acknowledged, "Boychick."

Charles developed immediate concern over his posture. "What's the matter, Leon?"

The young man lowered next to Erik. "Trav."

Erik grimaced. "Is he getting worse?"

Leon shook his head. "He's eating now. But the idea of anxiety… What's the matter with me? Nothing should surprise me."

Erik touched his arm. "What's wrong is that you know well what he's feeling."

"Your father is right, Leon," Charles concurred. "You know how wretched anxiety can leave a body. Seeing it happen to a member of your family, one so young at that, pains you as well."

"Caring… love…" Leon gazed up at Charles. "How do you feel this every single day? We're the reason your powers overwhelm you this way, aren't we?"

With a kiss to the tops of Mira and Brian's heads, Charles responded, "My most cherished burden. The pain, no matter how agonizing, leaves me more fulfilled than looking for answers at the bottom of a bottle ever did."

The last words from the Professor sent a spell of silence over Leon until commotion sounded from Todd.

Erik clutched him as he sat up to lean against the bed. "This young man is not the most agreeable when missing his father."

"Tell me about it, kid." Leon laid his head on Erik's legs.

IIIIIII

Cody in tow, Becky spotted Scott on route from the first-grade classroom.

She asked, "Did you talk to Trav's teacher?"

"Yeah," Scott smirked a little, "but she said his only assignment is to make it back to school in one piece."

"Lucky," grumbled Cody. "I don't even get sick days and this kid actually wants to waste his with homework. Makes no sense."

"Yeah, amazing health and senses, what a drag." Scott rolled his eyes as they started to walk. "Where's Joey, moody?"

Cody informed, "Went to pick up some stuff outta the art room with Laci."

When the three made it out front, Becky picked up speed at the shades-adorned man she saw waiting by the X-Van. "Papa!"

Hearty chuckle echoing from him, Erik hoisted her off her feet. "My Ladybug."

Becky left arms around his neck. "But why are you here? Is Leon okay?"

"And catching up on his schoolwork. It seems Trav isn't the only one who needed to stay in today."

"Hey, Erik," Scott greeted. "We're still waiting on Joey."

They all climbed inside the car to do so with Becky snagging the passenger seat to talk to her father.

Cody spotted the blonde and redhead exiting at last. "There they are."

With big smiles and waves, Joey and Laci hurried off for their separate vehicles. Joey ever so gingerly arranged his art materials in the back before buckling in beside Cody.

"Hi, Uncle Erik," he acknowledged briefly. "Hurry, we have to get home."

"Why the rush, Kangaroo? You don't have art class today."

"I have projects to work on." Joey then felt the need to add, "And, um, homework."

Giving his nephew a fond amused look in the rearview mirror, Erik started up the van.

IIIIIII

When the words in her textbook jumped to life and began rhythmically parading before her, Raven shut it and rubbed her eyelids tiredly. She perked at the presence of her daughter leaving the playroom to go straight to her.

Raven held her in her lap. "Did you pick up your toys?"

"Yes, Mommy." Kiki played with the bird necklace her mother often wore.

From the stairs, the males made their way up with Trav latched to Hank. It surprised Raven not, as her husband hardly cared for any of the children to so much as go to the bathroom without assistance when ill. He laid Trav at the center of their large bed and arranged the pillows under his head.

"Daddy," Trav spoke while his father got him situated, "can I go to school tomorrow? I haven't had any more pukies."

"You don't appear to have a bug, but I don't want to be hasty. I want you to stay home another day." Hank laid a hand over the small stomach. "I'll be here with you."

"'Kay, Daddy," Trav accepted, but not without a bit of disappointment in his tone. "Sorry I didn't tell you before."

Connecting their foreheads, Hank spoke firmly, "And that had better not happen again, young man. If you feel so much as a tickle off, Daddy needs to know. Mommy and I hate seeing you sick and if you're worried about something," Hank moved back, kissing his son's nose, "we are here to help you."

Bringing Kiki to the mattress, Raven let her go to paw at Hank while she laid beside Trav. "Miss Carly has been worried about you, too, honey. Over studying sounds like a good idea, but it really isn't. You could hurt yourself without meaning to and tire out your own brain."

"Like Uncle Charles did?" the boy mentioned.

"Precisely," Hank said, winding arms around Kiki. "And I admit it, Daddy's been known to exhaust his mind as well. Now and when I was your age. I should've listened to your grandmother when she tried to tell me to slow down."

"That's what we want you to do, Trav," Raven explained. "Slow down and enjoy yourself; be a kid. That's why Daddy and I don't want you to take the placement tests right now."

Trav instantly whined, "Mommy, no! I'll tell you when I don't feel good from now on. I promise."

"Hey," Raven gripped his chin, "this isn't to punish you. If that was what this was about, I would have popped your little bottom earlier for keeping this from us." He gave her a sheepish expression she had to keep from smiling at. "Daddy and I are proud of how far ahead you are in school, but we want you to take it easy for a while. Just be our little boy."

Inching closer to her, Trav said, "Okay, Mommy, I will." He looked to Hank with dread building in his face. "Daddy, do I have to get shots again?"

Kiki shuddered herself at the thought and peered up at their father.

"I don't think that will be necessary," Hank decided. "Because we caught it in time. If you'd gone on this way for another week or more, you would've needed another round of vitamin shots. Another reason you need to come to me. I don't like giving you shots, either, Cub."

Relieved, Trav still frowned. "I'll tell you I'm sick from now on for sure." He thought about something else. "Oh, did you know? Leon says he's gone to school with kids who don't get to eat at all if they get poor marks."

Sharing a look with his wife, Hank said, "Yes, son. I went to school with a few kids in such families. Success is all that mattered to their parents."

"How come their parents are so mean?" Kiki piped up.

Raven fielded that one. "A lot of people can have babies, but some people should never be parents. They don't care about their kids. They're not thankful for them. They just want to use them. When the kids aren't what they think they want, their parents turn against them. But it is not the kids' fault."

"Your mother is right," Hank supported. "Some adults can be extremely selfish. And I know I go on about how important school is." He gave Kiki a little squeeze. "But it's only because I want the best for all of you, not for me."

Kiki told him, "I want the best for you, Daddy."

The resident physician smiled warmly "I have the best." He laid back with her. "Right here in this room with me."

IIIIIII

Books stashed away in her messenger bag, the young woman walked down the community college steps. Her long wavy hair fluttered against the caressing evening breeze.

To the one beside the motorcycle, she spoke feebly, "Calorie depletion…"

"Whoa, no good on you," Leon determined. "You'll go from broomstick to toothpick in a matter of minutes."

"You're lucky I'm weary." Melissa then suggested, "Why don't we go to a family joint to eat? Pick out which devoted dads spend their lunch hours with their side tails. Which happy moms maintain those mountainous smiles with moonshine by the barrelful." She received a better view of his eyes. "You okay?"

"Weird day…" Leon blinked and rubbed the side of his neck. "Feeling."

"Poor thing," Melissa sympathized humorously.

"But we should have some fun. We're going to be busy the next day or so."

"Academic delights, I know. Still trying to catch up."

"Actually, I meant moving." At her confusion, Leon further clarified, "To a big suite- with a bathroom."

Something between surprise and pleasure made up Melissa's features. "Are you serious?"

Leon nodded. "Kayla was quite the advocate."

"At long last," Melissa raised her arms in a show of dramatic rejoicing, "we can retire the chamber pot."

Leon handed over her helmet. "Let's feed you before you float away." He mounted his bike.

Having already changed into blue jeans for the ride, Melissa got in behind him. "I think I'll stick to ground level." She brought arms securely around his middle while he clamped on his own helmet.

IIIIIII

Maneuvering through the second floor to ensure bedtime preparation had not morphed into an extension of playtime, Alex found Joey's light on. Other than Bounty settling in for the night, the room proved otherwise vacant. The young instructor made tracks for the master suite. Its doors still partly open, he saw Emma at the vanity while the large bed contained a tuckered Charles and Joey with Brian nestled between them.

Sensing the other blonde before she saw him in the mirror, Emma said, "None of them could keep their eyes open during story time."

Amused smile in place, Alex walked over to apply soothing rubs to Brian and Joey's stomachs.

Facing the tired yet ever content Professor, the young man whispered, "Night, Uncle." Standing, he waved at Emma on his way out, "Night, Auntie." He closed the doors after himself.

Evening grooming complete, Emma left her robe on the vanity. Clicking off the lamp, she joined her Xavier males in bed, giving her arms to her sons.