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.

301. Chapter 301 Vows of Honor

Chapter Three Hundred One

Author's Word: Fam, contrary to worried belief and several attempts by RL, abandoning Rise or Fall was never an option. I don't even want to go into details, except for the all-important one that I'm done going countless weeks without you guys. Quite soon, the sixth anniversary chapter is coming and RL is taking a big heaping backseat this Halloween. Thank you all for keeping in contact and communicating with me through PM. Now, please enjoy, punch RL dead in its selfish all-consuming face, and review!

For the first time in more than a week, the Xavier Mansion teen lounge contained several of the adolescent mutants. The newly returned Angel, Samantha, and Cordelia knelt around the coffee table with Maya and Becky. Sean sprawled across the sofa in observance while downing a cola. The girls shuffled through the numerous headshots of Angel, but their primary interest went to the latest issue of Vogue Magazine. Becky and Maya currently pawed through the section that featured the Frost Agency's recent high school graduates. Maya mainly enjoyed the article on not sacrificing books for beauty. Becky took in the three pages of Angel and Samantha in matching dresses, rollerblading together with Cordelia in San Francisco, Angel in her cap and gown, a Prom photo of her dance with Ben after their crowning, and another of them sporting their crowns while in casual attire.

"You guys look amazing," Becky raved.

Samantha vexed, "My face is too washed out."

"Don't even start." Angel playfully jabbed her with her elbow then put forth, "I'm glad Ben was such a sport about this. Adrienne really wanted this models-as-everyday-people angle."

"Not to mention the bragging rights from four of you winning Prom Court," Cordelia mentioned.
"That, too," Angel admitted with a dose of her own pride.

"I can't get over what's been going on around here," Cordelia brought up next, eyes landing on the male in the room. "You and the Beach Boys is ludicrous enough but a tattoo? I'm waiting for it to conveniently wash away in the shower."

"You're in for a long wait," Sean said matter-of-factly. "This ink is pure legit."

"Didn't it hurt?" Samantha wondered.

"Total torture," Sean confirmed.

Cordelia smirked, "You mean when Charles and Erik found out."

"So?" Sean countered plainly. "Like you'd ever have the guts to get one."

"That's because if I even thought about it, guts would be all that's left after my father is finished," Cordelia informed. "Chris came home with a tattoo when he was still in high school and… let's just say the needle was the lesser of two agonies."

Maya cringed and the other girls giggled.

"But that little tattoo?" Angel pointed to Sean's shoulder. "That's nothing. I can't even look at a backless dress in modeling because of these." She gestured behind herself to her presently dormant wings that appeared to be intricate ink designs to those unaware of her mutation.

"I don't know how anybody can sit for a tattoo that big." Becky tapped her earlobes. "These still hurt a little."

Angel stroked the younger girl's curly high ponytail. "You'll get used to them soon."

"I had to keep my studs in forever," Samantha recalled. "My healing powers would've closed them and I didn't want to have them done all over again."

"I don't even remember. My ears were pierced before I was a year old," Angel told them.

"Same here," Cordelia said with a raise of her hand.

Maya recollected, "My dad said I could get mine pierced before I started school so I could dazzle the whole room." She shook her head fondly at the memory. "I didn't even want to consider it. I only agreed when my mom promised I could wear my grammy's pearlies."

"You guys are lucky," asserted Becky. "I still can't believe Papa let me. Thank you, thank you, Auntie Em. Next shopping trip? My own makeup."

The older teens reacted with varying astonished gazes. Sean made the biggest mouth-wide-open spectacle in imitation of his favorite wailing spirit.

IIIIIII

Scarlett arrow shaped hair clips acting as the final touch, the brunette peered into the wall mirror for a lingering final look. A long-sleeve mod dress adorned her waist. The red skirt stopped right below her knees and the top portion came in an atypical pattern of squares made up of yellows, reds, greens, oranges, black, and white. Dark go-go boots dressed her feet and ankles. She peeked out of the closet at the one sprawled on the bed in khaki shorts and green polo with arms folded behind his head.

"Everything's going to be okay now, Lee. You can be happy. And if anybody ever tries to make you miserable again, I'll get rid of them, too."

"Beach bum. Back in the real shark-infested waters."

Leon opened his eyes to the female standing mere feet away from him. "Music to my ears." He moved to sit on the side of the bed. "You look delicious… like a walking fruit bowl."

With a slight shake of her head, Melissa said, "From the walking fruit bat, I guess that's a compliment."

Rising, he walked to her. "I love fruit with a side of cheesehead."

Melissa reached fingers into his silky hair. "Got something for you."

Leon absorbed her fragrance through his nostrils. "Already figured that out."

"This way, brain man." Taking him by the wrist, Melissa brought them over to the small refrigerator. She received the caffeinated liquid from inside and mixed it together in two glasses with squirts of caramel, whipped cream, and drizzled fudge on top. "Enjoy or choke on it."

"Here's hoping it's as sweet as you are." Leon took an extended sip through the straw she offered and determined, "Infinitely better."

"Were you talking about anything but coffee, I'd be a little agitated. Even more than usual." Melissa then noted, "I see you survived Cody's birthday bash thing. Thoroughly nauseating?"

"I didn't survive it," Leon informed. "I loved it."

Melissa eyed him as if checking for signs of jest. "You did?"

"All of it," he affirmed. "The beach, the ceremony, what Kayla had to say about him- she was right about how important he is. Bridging Wolverine and Kayla's worlds."

Considering it, Melissa put forth, "Sort of bridging ours, too, I guess. In a way."

With a nod, Leon said, "I wish you could have been there."

Melissa touched his hair again. "Here I am. Or is this too little too late?"

"Never." Leon dipped his chin to leave hardly an inch between their foreheads. "But plenty of time to make up for it."

IIIIIII

Doll with hair as jet black as her own attached to her front, the small girl tipped down to where the other youths of her wing gathered on the staircase. Clarence and Keith occupied the base step with Keiko three spots up from them.

Cradling her doll, Mia sat near the older girl. "What did they say?"

"Nothing yet," Keiko replied.

"No cursing, no hollering." Clarence shook his head. "What kind of grown folk are they?"

As usual, Keith remained quiet with his chin on folded hands and a contemplative countenance that exceeded his years.

Beyond the shut double doors of one of the main level sitting rooms, another quad currently dwelled. Out of her wheelchair for the time being, Gina shared the loveseat with Ray. She had kept their hands locked while he pitched and well-articulated their case better than she felt she herself could. Across from them, an inexplicably silent Logan stood to the right of Kayla's chair.

The primary speaker on her end, Kayla finally managed to do so with, "… You wish to wed?"

"Yesterday if we could," Ray confirmed with exultation emitting from his entire form. "We told Shane already, but he wanted us to talk to you. We did- we do want to talk to you, too. We really need your help with all this legal stuff. No judge will grant us a license without parental consent. But with medical proof that we're having a baby…"

"We?" echoed Kayla. "Are you saying you want to stand before a judge and declare this child as your own?"

With a peck to Gina's hand, Ray stated, "I want to declare it to the world. This'll due for now."

Smiling, Gina said, "He already thinks Ray is his father." She stroked her stomach. "He always moves around the most when he talks to him at night."

"He kicked me just the other day," Ray recalled. "Pretty sure he meant it as a high-five."

Glancing between them, Kayla closed her eyes for a moment with an exhale through her nostrils. "You're fifteen years old."

"I'm sixteen now," Ray reminded. "That's how I got hired at the grocery store Shane turned me onto. It's a big place and my manager says I'm guaranteed thirty hours a week with the job I've been doing so far."

"You promised me as well as Shane that working wouldn't interfere with your schoolwork," Kayla brought up. "Ray, you're doing so well, but I want you ready to test by the first week of July."

"And I'll be ready, Mrs. Howlett," Ray assured undoubtedly. "I'm not exactly playing stickball in my spare time. When I'm not with Gina, I'm either at the store or locked in the library. Maya can tell you that."

"I know how hard you've been working." Kayla regarded him kindly. "But Ray, sweetheart, you've gone through so much change in such a short amount of time. Neither of you could have thought this through all the way. You've only known each other a month."

"Five weeks," Ray corrected. "Seriously, how long was it before Wolverine figured out he wanted to marry you?"

The man in question piped up, "About five minutes." Logan then tacked on, "But by that time, we'd both already lived full lives on our own. You two still need a pediatrician."

Kayla emphasized, "You have your whole lives ahead of you."

Looking directly at the female elder, Gina informed, "I don't care about my life. My life is my baby and what's best for him. And Ray is best for both of us." She faced her apparent fiancé. "Someone I never thought I'd have."

Ray leaned over to apply a kiss to her lips.

"I understand that. More than you think I do." Kayla then wanted to know, "But if you're as serious as you claim to be, why in the world are you rushing? Time is more than on your side."

"No, it's not," Ray disputed. "Not even close. The baby will be here soon and there's no way I'm letting him pay for what some creeper did to him and Gina. No one's calling him a bastard. Not my kid."

"Do you know the finality in those words?" Logan asked him somberly. "Once you tie that knot, that child is legally yours, period. If you decide you don't want to play house anymore, the law won't care. They'll go after your wages hard for those support payments."

Features seething suddenly, Ray leapt to his feet. "We are not playing house like some retarded kids buying into that happily ever after BS! My folks played that game. I won't let that happen to our family." He peered back at Gina before looking to the adults in contrition. "Please… we need you."

Gina brought Ray's closest hand to her cheek to soothe the tremors echoing through it. She flashed imploring hazel eyes as well.

The elder couple faced each other without a word.

IIIIIII

Making his way through the second floor, the copper haired youth stopped outside his brother's door to observe the goings-on within. Situated right in the middle of the extensive tracks, Max propped his back up against Estevan's front. The mutant elder held the controller with the child, both playing conductor. An excited and bouncing Jack kept up with the fascinating toy's every move.

"Oh, I know that look," Fabian piped up from where he lounged on Max's bed. His attention left the train to hone in on Collin. "Someone is still counting down his lady love."

Collin crossed his arms with something of a bashful smile. "So are you."

"Never denied that," Fabian smirked.

Estevan surmised, "I suppose it's Date Night for your little quartet."

"No, the girls want to be with their family for a couple days," Collin told him. "Just glad they're home."

"You're glad Sammie's home," Max corrected, sending smooching sound effects the older redhead's way.

Estevan applied a gentle pinch to the little boy's nose. "Mustn't tease your brother, mijo."

"Sorry, Papi." Max guided his train through the upcoming plastic tunnel.

At Collin's departure, Fabian followed him into the hall. "Problemo, rojo?"

Collin looked back with a headshake. "Nah, it's all good. It just sounds a little weird still when Max calls him that."

"You can call him that, too," Fabian informed. "if that is what you want. Father wouldn't mind it. If anything, he'd appreciate it."

"Not sure," Collin replied honestly.

"Right. Just don't forget the option is there," Fabian said empathetically, "hermano."

Collin said nothing as the older teenager returned to Max's room. Through no control of his own, a smile stretched across his face stealthily.

IIIIIII

To keep motherly screeching to a minimum, the small group of children removed their sacred shoes and socks in order to properly frolic in the pond. In the cases of Fred and Joey, they also had to roll up the legs of their blue jeans. Cody and Tommy both wore shorts while Laci had on old cropped pants, formerly white before she painted swirls of near-hypnotic colors on them. It amazed Fred the way even Joey's play clothes seemed like something out of the Bloomingdales Catalogue. Still, Joey showed no regards for the garments as he darted about with the rest of them.

When they grew tired of the water, they spread around the secluded spot. Joey started drawing a pair of swimming tadpoles while Laci captured them on camera. Tommy relaxed at the base of a tree that Cody climbed. On a thick enough branch for his knees to clasp, the brown-eyed boy hung upside down with lengthy dark hair dangling.

Nibbling on a chocolate chip granola bar from the snack packs provided by his mother, Fred observed the bi-racial boy turned chimpanzee. "Whoa, check you out, Howlett." Cody cast his gaze on him. "You got more hair on you than my dad."

While Joey, Laci, and Tommy peered over in alarm, Cody merely jumped down and stated, "It's a Howlett thing. All the guys in my family sprout fuzz early."

Fred responded, "Cool. My dad says me and Mike'll probably start shaving at fourteen like him." He then noticed what Tommy held. "Ain't ya heard school's out, virgenius?"

"Forget school," Tommy scoffed, holding up the book he currently perused. "I'm reading up on the bombs we dropped on Japan."

"You mean the Second World War," Fred surmised. "A couple of my uncles served in that. We sure showed those suckers for blowing our boats."

"Hey, it wasn't all of them," Cody protested. "My dad had some of the best times of his life when he and my uncle lived in Japan. It's not the citizens' fault what happened to the harbor. If Johnson wants to blast Timbuktu tomorrow, think he's gonna get the OK from any of you first?"

"Fat chance." Fred then wondered, "What about you?"

Cody replied offhandedly, "Canada is Brit territory."

Fred reasoned, "So, you only have to listen to Joey's dad?"

"Basically," Cody shrugged.

"Timbuktu?" Laci approached them with Joey beside her. "Grownups hardly bother to ask what we want for dinner."

With a glib smile, Fred remarked, "You two are lucky if your folks let you pick out your own leash colors."

Joey smirked back at him. "Green and black."

Laci answered, "Orange and silver," with the haughtiest expression her freckled face could form.

"Well, lala, Mr. and Mrs. Michelangelo." Fred then addressed their entire group. "Let's get going, guys. My mom'll be back with the kids soon and me and Mike got to help our old man around the garage."

Disbursing to gather their things and ready the bicycles, Laci and Joey returned to the pond to store away camera equipment and art supplies. When he noticed Laci peering into the water so closely, Joey moved to put his arms around her.

Pressing their cheeks together, he admired their joint reflection. "Don't you wish we could stay this way?"

"I sure do." Laci spoke to their likenesses. "What if we could? Not above the water, under it."

"Like swimming?"

"Right. Swimming close together like this. Then still; perfectly still and beautiful like painted clay frozen in time. No more poking or pills or people thinking we're weird. Just us forever. Do you ever think about things like that?"

"… Yeah," Joey admitted, "I have. It almost happened, too. Except there wasn't anything beautiful about me. You could almost see my bones sticking out. I was covered in so much mud, my hair looked brown instead of yellow. I stank so bad and it was everywhere." He felt her grip on his wrist tighten. "Then my dad found me. Under all that water pouring down. I… I can't ever leave my dad to go back to the water, Laci."

Promptly turning, Laci spoke to his full face. "I'm sorry, Joey."

"No, it's okay. So long as… you stay up here with me."

"For sure." Touching both sides of his face, Laci smooched his lips.

Though the move proved too brief to count, Joey wore an airy smile from it. "What was that?"

Somewhat blushing, Laci giggled. "My mom does that to my dad when he goes on about work for too long… did I do it right?"

"For sure," Joey parroted her.

"Hightail it already," Fred hollered over his shoulder to the pair. "You two can whisper poems to each other later."

Everything accounted for, Joey and Laci made their way back to them with hands joined.

IIIIIII

Comfortable against her father's shoulder, Becky read the lyrics on the sheet music and inwardly tried translating them without referencing the English version. Erik emitted the Hebrew folksong throughout the living room on the black and white keys. Seated in an armchair, Charles held Kiki and Mira in his lap while peering through a fantasy pop-up book with them. Kiki occasionally pointed out certain words she recognized and whispered them to Charles, earning her uncle's praise. Reacting to Mira's wriggling, Charles saw her present fixation. He carefully lowered her to a standing position and kept an eye on her as she moved. It took a snail's pace, but she made it to the corner piano.

At her fanciful eyes on him, Erik stopped playing to speak to her. "Do you like it?" The baby bobbed her head and the metal wielder hoisted her to sit on his thigh, facing the piano. "Would you like to try?" He guided her fingers to the correct keys.

Mira pressed down on wherever he indicated, becoming aglow at the seemingly enchanted sounds she created.

Unison worn sighs marked the return of the Howletts.

"Ma, Da," Mira acknowledged her parents when they came to the wide doorway.

"Beloved." Kayla's features brightened at her voice.

"Hey, Faithie." When they neared her, Logan extended her arms, only for the tot to cling to Erik. "Fine, stay with the handsome one." Logan shrugged. "You ain't the first dame to do me like that."

Smirking, Erik slipped his arm around Becky. "I'll never understand the affections green-eyed girls have for me."

Kayla laughed and bent to touch hands with her daughter and kiss both her cheeks.

Lightly bouncing Kiki in his lap, Charles asked, "How go things at the house?"

"Same as ever; tedium non-optional." Kayla stood again. "We'll give the highlights later. Believe me, they're plentiful."

Charles appeared intrigued until Kiki tapping his shoulder brought his attention back to their book.

When they made it to the second level and their suite, they met with the sight of Brenda crafting on the playmat and Melissa in the rocking chair with Todd. Kayla looked on fondly at her holding his juice filled bottle for him. Zipping out of the closet upon sensing them, Cody made a beeline for his parents. Kayla knelt to catch him in a hug. Cody exchanged a headbutt and jovial growl with Logan.

"Oh, hi," Brenda greeted them. "Just plotting for the wedding reception." She showed them the assortment of paper dolls she had created using magazine clippings of white dresses and tuxedos. "Wouldn't these be cute for the place settings?"

"Kid, don't ever change," Logan stated. "Seriously, don't."

"Kay," the teenager shrugged and resumed gluing.

"So," Melissa piped up, "reception for Gina and Ray, too, or is this your basic broom-jumper?"

"You knew," Kayla deduced.

"Guilty," Melissa confirmed. "They wanted to practice their pitch."

Engrossed in her creations, Brenda put forth, "Ray is the most amazing guy."

"Guy maybe," Logan concurred. "Husband and father? Whole other ballgame." He then asked, "Where's Maya?"

Melissa lifted Todd to help him burp. "Being a nerd."

"She's using Frank's telescope." Brenda used her scissors to point to the balcony.

Logan started that way.

Carrying Todd to his mother, Melissa looked at Kayla. "Got a sec?"

Adjusting her son in her arms, the mutant elder replied, "Of course."

They stepped into the hall and Cody went to continue rummaging through his father's vast closet collection to show to his friends.

Observing the girl currently focused on the twinkling diamonds in the sky, Logan gave away his presence with, "Wrong looking glass, Alice."

Detaching from the telescope, Maya's illuminated face shined his way. "Thought I'd take the scenic route through Never Land to reach Narnia."

Going to her, Logan sent both arms around her. "Smiley," he kissed the top of her head, "no clue how one in a mill' you are."

Nestling against his shirt, she wondered, "Is this about Gina and Ray?"

Logan's eyes redirected heavenly. "What kind of grapevine are you kids runnin'?"

Maya beamed up at him. "Missy filled us in. Guess they heard a vicious rumor about you supporting teenage marriage."

"Smiley," Logan stroked her cheek, eyes somber, "you know we're not talkin' about you and Sean here. You're eighteen, been together since you were sixteen, been through the ringer only to come out on top. Gina and Ray? Not even two months of this puppy love."

"I know and normally, I'd think they were insane, too. But Ray really changed things around when he came to the safe house," Maya pointed out. "I've had him for tutoring and we've talked. He loses sleep helping Gina at night and he's only been tardy a couple times."

"And he's had to play adult for too long," Logan countered. "We were hopin' he'd get to slow down after what he's been through." He dropped himself into the closest patio chair. "Kids movin' at hyper speed, don't have a clue they have the rest of their lives to be grown."

Maya said solemnly, "It's hard not to play adult when actual adults decide they don't feel like it. I don't think you know how rare people like you and Kay are."

Logan gazed up at her and came back with, "Guess we flock together, Smiley."

Settling in his lap, Maya reclined against him. "I do have one objection to this whole thing. I don't appreciate you giving away brides who aren't me."

"Pretty sure Gina's givin' Shane that honor. And what about Faithie?"

Maya feigned puzzlement in her voice. "Who?" Her sides received the man's tickling fingers for that.

II

"Odd to see you so out and about the mansion," Kayla commented of the younger woman as they maneuvered through the hall together.

"Dodging your X-Babies gets old," Melissa said dismissively. She gently tapped Todd's chin. "Not you. You're cool." Kayla smiled over her cooing boy. "Besides, I still have bridesmaid duty. Speaking of…"

"Excellent segway, my dear," Kayla commended knowingly, bringing them into the currently vacant library.

Melissa hopped to sit on the edge of a table, facing woman and child. "You know this is it for her, Kay."

"What do you mean?"

"Gina," Melissa specified. "Fifteen-year-old mother. Barely old enough to date and she's already damaged goods there. Chances of her finding a husband in the future are slim to none. If she'd actually gone along with her parents- even if she were to give the kid up and try to go back- it's still over. She ruined their perfect suburban image; veered off course from the plans they had for her. She's trash to them now and they're going to make sure she knows it every day. I've seen it all before. Not just in my own life."

Kayla took in her words and responded, "Do you honestly want me to consent to this on the basis that Gina is doomed to be a spinster?"

"No," Melissa shook her head. "She's going to have help, but facing parenthood and all those restless nights solo? She could easily wind up resentful towards her own kid. I don't want Gina to turn into yet another parent I have to take down."

Kayla questioned pointedly, "And if this marriage falls apart? We both know that's essentially inevitable."

With a shrug, Melissa replied sincerely, "Can't cross a bridge you haven't made it to yet. Weirdly, I'm pretty confident about the whole thing."

"Why?"

Melissa told her plainly, "Because it's not my life."

IIIIIII

With small ones nestled in their beds and husband off updating the surveillance circuitry with Victor, the academic free shapeshifter managed to tidy their wing in peace. When she went to pick up in the living room, she switched the television on for the evening movie to provide background noise. She received tangible company a minute later when the boy in dragon themed pajamas joined her in the common space.

"Hey, cuddle bug," Raven acknowledged, removing stray jacks from between the couch cushions. "You want something?" At his indecisive expression, she guessed, "Need something?"

Joey nodded now. "You, Aunt Raven."

Leaving the tiny toys on right end table, the blue woman sat on the sofa and stretched her arms welcomingly. Joey gladly went into her offered embrace. He laid his head on her upper arm, running fingers across the bumpy scales there. Yellow eyes growing recollective, Raven inwardly travelled to a time when only her two Charles Xaviers and Frank could touch her natural skin without her recoiling and hastening to transform.

"All yours." Raven eased back on the couch with her nephew propped. "Now, spill it, blondie."

"Me and Laci were talking earlier…"

By his abnormally grim voice, Raven followed his every word intently.

IIIIIII

With the mutated and much larger feline taking over most of the bed, Midnight opted to sleep near Angel's feet. Victor sat up against the pillows, keeping his left arm around Samantha. Eyes shut and relaxed against his chest, the blonde kitten soon echoed faint slumber noises. With full delicacy, Victor laid her down and situated the nearby tan teddy bear in her arms. Rising and maneuvering around the bed, he abruptly had to keep a firm hold on his balance at what he nearly tripped on. Peering down, he picked up the feminine figure of cocoa skin and darker brown hair dressed in a tribal dress. He recognized it from Samantha's dolls around-the-world set that Adrienne had acquired for their first Christmas together. With a small smile, he returned the stray doll to her rightful spot on the shelf among the others.

When they met at the top of the stairs, Logan inquired, "Headin' to happy hour?"

Victor bobbed his head. "Any escapees?"

"Nope. Must've worn themselves out catchin' up. Girls good?"

"Only way they know to be," Victor stated.

In the parlor, Erik acted as bartender for the attending instructors. Though they had originally planned on joining them after Hank saw to the cameras, the McCoys found themselves with other matters to discuss. Under Hank's no-nonsense advisement plus summer at last upon him, Alex had gone to bed early to catch up on the rest the academic year too often denied him. Retrieving both their slightly watered glasses of brandy from Erik, Emma made herself comfortable in Charles lap as she handed him his. His lips went after hers first then the beverage. When the brothers Howlett-Creed arrived, Erik straightaway provided a clearly vexed Logan with a chilled Pilsner. He readied colas for Victor and himself.

Using one bone claw to pop the cap off, Logan chugged a sizable portion of the lager before depositing himself on the loveseat Kayla occupied. He sprawled, placing his head in his wife's lap while she sipped her margarita.

Contentment making up his mental state due to the amount of youths upstairs, Charles put forth, "Having them all under one roof. So easy to take for granted until some of them go away for a spell."

Emma smiled in clear agreement. "I think it's the same for them more than they realize. With all that chatter at dinner, I don't know how they're going to handle separate colleges soon."

Lowering his glass, Erik said, "They won't be alone in that."

"We got lucky with this lot, X-Men," Victor asserted. "They got brains in their heads beyond school."

"You ain't lyin', brother," Logan concurred.

Charles regarded the Howletts with empathic eyes. "I take it you're no closer to a decision with this… matrimonial matter."

"A hell of a ball to leave in our court," remarked Logan.

Kayla said, "More like live ammunition. Gina- wife and mother before she can even drive."
"A little girl impregnated by a twenty-year-old." Erik exhaled with exasperated disbelief. "Mother and father both in the home. How does something of this magnitude with their only child escape their notice?"
"The same way Lauren Patterson remains in the dark that she's supporting the union of her mutant daughter and son-in-law," Kayla pointed out.

Emma turned her head Erik's direction. "Parents physically present but emotionally absent. You would be amazed what a child is willing to do to get rid of that loneliness. To feel some kind of self-worth."

"Trick's parents were his harshest accusers." Ire pooled in Charles' eyes at the details of that fallout. "With our own surprise of Brian—"

"Chuck," Logan interjected with candid dismissal, "get off that track before I whip you. Callin' that boy a surprise. For Christ's sake, you're a professor of genetics. You knew more than the rest of us what would happen when you ain't pull that thing out."

Emma could not cloak her amusement as Charles dipped his head from a combination of reddening and laughter ready to boil over. Kayla used two finger nails to poke her husband in the chest while giving him a look of mild disapproval. Shaking his head with a smirk, Erik noticed Victor sporting his trademark, "yeah, that's my brother," expression.

Mama Emma? Where is everybody?

Reacting to the unexpected petition, Emma returned, we're in the parlor, darling.

At the entry of the short child in red pajamas, Erik left his glass on the mini bar, "Tommy," he started for him, "what are you doing up?" Tommy raised his arms. Erik lifted him to clutch. "This is becoming a habit with you, young man."

"You weren't in the Cave." Tommy nestled his cheek against the man's shoulder. "Sean's still in the studio."

"Ah, I see." Providing a soothing hand to his back, Erik carried the child out and towards the stairs.
With something of a put-upon growling groan, Logan moved to stand. "Let me get this shift started."

Kayla stood after him. "I'm going to look in on the kids and meet you down there."

Logan nodded, highly aware that sleep would not be on their priorities list that night.

"Kayla, Logan," Charles addressed and received the attention of the couple, "I have full faith in your judgement. Should you need help cutting through bothersome red tape, I am at your disposal."

"We both are," Emma seconded.

With thanks on their lips, the Howletts took their leave.

II

Despite the gentle warm air of the night, Tommy laid under the summer linens on his brother's bed. On top of the blanket, Erik relaxed beside him, keeping both arms around the boy. He did not want to want to rile him too much with a full song, so instead whispered the nursery rhyme.

Head on his chest, Tommy whispered, "My heart cries as my love dies."

Erik developed a surprised but impressed countenance. "You understand Yiddish?"

"Some words from this translation book they used to have us go over in Sunday School. I think I remember hearing some of this," Tommy recollected. "It sounds nice coming from you, but I don't get into that romance junk."

"Romance junk?" Erik echoed with a humored air about him. "Didn't they tell you what the song was really about?" Turning curious, Tommy shook his head. "Jacob's daughter, Dinah."

"Wait." Closing his eyes thoughtfully, Tommy recited, "Abraham, Isaac, Jacob- ohh, Joseph's dad. I always forget he had a daughter."

With a certain glint in his eyes, Erik replied, "It's alright. So did he." He then informed, "The song is from her brothers' points of view after Dinah is violated. Their hearts cry because their sister and greatest love is dying inside. Especially after Jacob gives her to her attacker as a wife. The brothers pretended to go along with it… under very specific conditions."

A smirk slid across Tommy's face. "Didn't they con them into cutting off pieces of their packages?"

"Crude but I've heard worse out of this mouth." Erik tapped Tommy's lips, getting guiltless blue eyes flashed in turn. "And that was the merciful part, considering what they did to them later. But that isn't a topic for bedtime."

Tommy's impish gaze showed no need for specifics. "The brothers didn't get in trouble, did they?"

"Jacob wasn't terribly happy with them for "inconveniencing" him."

"What a load of s—" Tommy used both hands to cover his mouth.

Resisting a smirk, Erik patted his bottom through the covers. "We'll chalk that up to tiredness. But you'd best be especially mindful in avoiding that word unless you want an unpleasant trip to the Professor's office."

Tommy shook his head with vigor. "Uh uh. Already heard that's no place to visit. Sorry, but Jacob is real monkey poo."
Erik snorted. "Agreed. I find it hard to believe he's my father's namesake."

Tommy regarded him with interest. "Your dad's a Jacob, too?"

"With a K," Erik clarified. "And a far cry from Joseph's father. He was kind and intelligent, but a force all his own when necessary. He needed only a sharp look to get even the worst urchin schoolboys to straighten up."

"That sounds like you," Tommy determined.

Erik kept from scoffing at the very suggestion. "Hardly. But… perhaps someday."

Tommy moved to better face the man. "And someday I'm gonna be like you."

Erik looked at the child wordlessly.

"Whoa, what'd I miss?" Already dressed for the night, Sean made it back to his quarters. He eyed his brother. "Did the boogeyman break in, get a good look at you, and jump back out the window?"

"No," Tommy slightly scowled. "Just showed him your seventh-grade photo, pizza face."

Sean aimed a vehement finger his brother's way. "That photo does not now nor has it ever existed. In fact, I didn't even go to seventh-grade. I spent that year as an interpretive dancer."

Expression flat, Tommy stated slowly, "You. Are. A. Dork."

Sean waved his hands greedily. "Gimme baby man."

Chuckling in his throat, Erik granted, "He's all yours… for now." He gave Tommy's shoulder a tiny shark bite as he got up, getting a giggle out of the little boy.

Joining the smaller Cassidy under the covers, Sean clicked off the reading lamp. "Did you remember your prayers?"

Tommy made himself comfortable against his brother, "Sure did," and settled contentedly.

IIIIIII

After checking in on the girls' growing vegetable garden, Logan went back into the safe house. He made his way into his wife's currently vacant classroom, where she filled the chair behind her desk. While Kayla reclined, absently eying the chalkboard's lesson plans she had jotted for the older students taking part in summer catch-up. Logan went to the window nearest her desk, observing several of the formerly frightened and filthy youths dash about in play.

"Wolverine, Kayla." In walked the young man wearing gray slacks and beige button-down shirt. He looked between the couple faced very apart from each other. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Our attempts to remember a less complicated period of life," Kayla responded drolly.

Turning from the window, Logan determined, "Yeah, I'm comin' up peanuts."

A small smile came to Shane's face. "The potential Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher no doubt. Sorry you were ambushed with that yesterday. I wanted to be here, but since work ethic is becoming an archaic concept, I had to pick up an extra half-shift."

"Make that money, man," Logan encouraged.

Expression a little more serene, Kayla asked, "What did you have to say about this?"

"I was mostly…" Shane searched for the proper phrasing. "A combination of shocked yet not really. Ray has had eyes on Gina practically since he walked through the door. Finding out about the baby didn't cause him to reach for the panic button. Even on days he works, he thinks I don't know he's up taking care of her."

Following his words, Kayla next questioned, "Are you saying you approve?"

Shane answered, "A high school sophomore couple? Never." Going near Logan at the window, Shane peered through the glass. "But Gina and Ray aren't regular high-schoolers. They lost out on that. Ray because of his parents. Gina's entire world turning on her for one indiscretion. Many of the kids here will get the education they need, go to college, move on, and reduce their pasts to bad dreams. That will never be the case for Gina and her baby." He looked back at them. "The kids in my wing are society's discards. All things considered, I like to think I haven't ruined any of them and they do try hard to support each other like siblings. Gina and Ray have just found this… deeper connection."

Logan raised an eyebrow. "Deep enough for a lifelong commitment? Wedding rings are a whole other ballgame from swappin' class rings."

Shane stated, "No marriage could be what you two have." The Howletts exchanged a look as he went on. "However, age cannot be the only determining factor. My mother remarried in her thirties and you see where my sister and I are. If I'm being honest, were I Ray's age, I'd probably do the same for Gina's honor and the baby's. However, I respect you and all you've done for us too much. I'll back up your final verdict."

"Thank you, Shane," Kayla nodded.

When they were alone in the room again, Logan wanted to know, "Why can't we go anywhere? Does crazy stalk us or do we go after it?"

Kayla appeared contemplative. "… I have to get back to you on that."

Logan rolled his eyes back. "And you're supposed to be the teacher in this outfit."

Kayla shot him a moderately cross gaze.

IIIIIII

Mid-morning at the vast Van Cortlandt Park offered bounteous sunrays with only slivers of clouds across the overhead blanket of blue. The temperature maintained a steady eighty degrees. Re-enacting the Yellow Brick Road scene from The Wizard of Oz with footwork that made any on-lookers believe them psychiatric ward escapees, the female duo maneuvered their way cross the bridge. Hair styled in two braids, Laci wore a tangerine top, violet pants, multi-color sneakers, and her mother's mandated sweater tied around her waist. Alongside her, the currently blonde Raven had in cropped maroon pants, brown hiking boots, glittery silver shirt, and Hank's unzipped red and gray Harvard jacket.
Before they could fully step onto the other side of the bridge, Raven clamped a sudden hand down on Laci's shoulder. At the girl's puzzled face, the shapeshifter pointed out the reason behind the abrupt halt. Peering forward, Laci spotted the creature some yards away from them. Taking care of personal grooming, the fox's lush, radiant coat practically glowed red. Squatting a little, Laci readied the camera around her neck and took a shot. Gazing up, the fox eyed the humans for a moment's time before scampering off into the woods. Initially so distracted by the beautiful animal, Laci did not notice the rest of their surroundings. Her features lit with gladness at the enormous open space of well-maintained grass, flowers, and innumerable trees. The sun giving the water a sparkling effect caught her attention. Hand in hand, they started for the lake.

"It's gorgeous," Laci uttered.

"Charles used to bring me here in the summer when we were younger." Raven formed a smile at the recollection. "Kiki and Trav love it, too. But good luck getting Scott and Frank off the bike trails."

With the exception of a few joggers, Laci put forth, "I can't believe there's barely anybody here."

"I know. Isn't it great?" Raven responded with impish cheerfulness. "It's all ours, gorge." When Laci began snapping additional photos, the older female saw her having trouble capturing a group of geese some distance away in the lake. "What do you say we get you a better angle?"

Laci developed wide eyes. "You want to go out there with no swimsuits?"

"Wish we could, but my Walk-on-Water class isn't until next semester." Raven then winked. "Let's go steal a boat."

With an elfin spark in her gray irises, Laci stuck closely to the lady mutant as Raven led the way.

II

A grunt heavy in his chest, the lean child tried fitting his boot covered right foot into a nook that could fit it on the rock wall.

When nearly a full minute of struggling went by, Hank directed from beneath, "Pull yourself up. Extend your arms as far as they'll go."

Groaning, Joey inched on until he released an aggravated breath. "I can't make it, Uncle Hank."

Hank shot that claim down with, "You're already making it. We're at the halfway point."

"Let's fly the rest of the way," Joey suggested. "I can use the metal in our packs."

"That would be very interesting improvisation." Hank then dashed the boy's hopes with, "We'll save it for training this weekend. For now, it's man against nature."

"No fair," Joey protested. "You're a big man and a beast. You could swing up if not for me."

"Hey," Hank gingerly tugged on the double-rope that linked them, "we are in this together. We can't always depend on our powers." His own boots in place kept his mutated feet contained. "However, if you really want to stop here, we can."

Joey beamed. "You mean it?"

"Yes and when we get home, I'm sure Alex will be interested to know you let laziness get the better of you sooner than on his climbing wall at home."

First surprised, Joey scowled. "You're mean, Uncle Hank."

"And you're wasting energy, nephew," Hank countered simply. "You wanted to do this. Now, do it."

Letting off an exaggerated moan, Joey raised his left hand high enough to reach a better grip. He breathed through his nostrils at the effort it took to get his lower body up. Spotting a root sticking out of the rock, Joey used his right hand to seize it, only for it to feebly fall apart. Both males startled, Hank eased when Joey managed to cling tightly to the wall. Daring to peer down, Joey found encouragement in Hank's eyes and head bob.

After a few more minutes of minor struggle, Joey discovered and stretched his arms across the flat surface of the top. With a big smile and hearty chuckle, Hank took hold of him and helped them both roll over up and onto their backs.

"That…" Joey sat up. "That was cool! I really did it, Uncle Hank. I thought I'd make us go splat for sure."

Hank laughed, unlinking their rope to make movement easier. "From this distance, we're more likely to get a few broken bones for our trouble. At least I would. I could never let any…" He trailed at the visible redness.

Joey took in his features with confusion. "What's the matter?"

"Let me see that." Hank took his right hand for closer inspection, seeing the long cut on his palm. Removing his knapsack, he retrieved the small first-aid kit as he spoke. "Does it hurt?"

Seeing the mild injury, Joey tilted his head with a, "Huh. I didn't even feel it."

Looking at him for a second, Hank refocused on seeing to the wound. "Let me get this clean before your aunt sees." When Joey raised his head at that, Hank absorbed his own words and gave him a smile. "She'll have my head if one of you kids gets hurt on my watch." He splashed clean water over the cut, wiped away the excess blood, and got out the antiseptic. "Ugh, I should have packed climbing gloves."

"It's not your fault, Uncle Hank. I wanted to climb, remember?"

"Then it's no one's fault," Hank decided. "It was only an accident." A pleasant expression came to his face when the boy only blinked twice from the antiseptic. "You always were a good little patient for me. Little Hank has me wanting to cry when he needs new bloodwork."

Thoughts going to his baby brother, Joey seconded, "Me, too."

"He'll grow out of it." Hank wound bandages around the hand to keep it secure from outside elements. "As much as he loves to mimic you, he'll have bravery down soon enough." As Joey's face brightened further, Hank retrieved an extra water bottle. "Drink up." He watched Joey chug before seeing to his own hydration. "Come on." Hank adjusted his glasses and readied his pack. "We're missing the best part."

Rising, they continued on foot along the upward slope of the rock formation. Momentum coursing through him, Joey took off in a sprint. Taken aback at first, Hank only smirked and rushed after the little X-Boy.

"Hey, I taught you better than that!" Hank caught up with him easily. "Get those legs pumping, however toothpick they are."

Appearing to slow down at first, Joey reached out one finger to give the large man a jolt. Though he hardly felt it above a tickle, Hank formed a foreboding countenance and chased the child now. Joey tried darting to the side, but Hank snatched him up. With a pair of pure blue eyes shining, Joey hugged him around the neck to soothe the savage. Hank quickly readjusted him to dangle from his back instead and dropped to the ground. Joey grinned and shouted with glee at Hank going into a gallop on all-fours. The captivated blonde proved too distracted to notice when they reached the peak.

Hank tapped his wrist. "Here we are, kiddo."

Releasing his tight lock on his uncle, Joey walked forward. At the edge, Hank kept arms around him from behind. The two sets of blue eyes took in the vibrant living canvas of below. Joey then found himself elevated to a comfortable position on Hank's shoulders. The tall man kept a hold on the child by intertwining their fingers. From his new angle, Joey spied a pair of fawns playing near some berry bushes, a raccoon zig-zagging through the greenery, likely foraging for food. Joey gasped at the creature that launched from a tree. Wide wings extended, it flew right over them, briefly painting them with its shadow.

"A red-tailed hawk," Hank recognized.
Though unaware of the actual gender, Joey still said, "She is so pretty."

"So long as we remain on her good side," Hank half-joked. "They're quite vicious when fighting over territory. Or food, their young- just stay on their good side."

"That's like Aunt Raven when she's mad. Got to be a bird thing," Joey quipped.

"Yeah," Hank pulled lightly on the fledgling's ankle, "as if your Aunt Raven knows the first thing about being truly mad at you."

Pleased look in place, Joey shifted gaze to his right. He eagerly tapped the top of Hank's head and gestured towards the lake.

II

Seated hip to hip with each powering an oar, the fanciful females slowly eased the red and yellow vessel around a slight bend. Now in an even more open stretch of the water, the sun continued to make the moisture glisten. Sweetgums, oaks, sugar maples, and multiple other trees surrounded them on both sides, creating a secure barrier effect.

Zeroing in on her target, Laci whispered enthusiastically, "There they are, Aunt Raven."

Mutated hazel eyes forward, she caught sight of the birds in question. "Way to give us the runaround. You'd think their kids were running late for soccer practice or something."

With a giggle, Laci at last obtained three different shots of the goose family of five. "Yes! I can hardly see all these animals at the zoo and definitely not this close."

"I swear the zoo is false advertising half the time." Watching the geese, Raven's expression became reflective. "I remember when I was learning how to swim. Charles made sure our mom didn't sign me up for regular lessons in case I got the "blues" in front of the other kids." Laci looked at her in comprehension. "I was so scared, he could barely get me into the shallow end of our pool."

Laci's forehead wrinkled with disbelief. "You were scared?"

"Not for the first or last time," Raven replied clandestinely. "But thanks to Charles resisting the reasonable urge to strangle me, I eventually learned. Like riding a bike, a horse, skating… long division." Laci chortled at the shapeshifter's expression from that one. "It's so funny how in a split second everything can change. For the worst, definitely. But sometimes for better than anything we can hope for."

Laci confided, "That's what I thought it would be like after I finally had my surgery. And it was when we left and I changed schools. I got to go to art classes again. And Joey."

Not needing any blanks filled in, Raven affirmed, "I know."

Her gray eyes lost some luster. "He told you what I said yesterday. I'm so sorry, Aunt Raven. You have to believe me. I didn't want Joey to do anything bad, I swear."

"Laci." The X-Woman's sharp tone quieted the girl and Raven brought her to sit in her lap. "I've thought about the same thing. Too many times to count."

Immensely astonished now, Laci peered up at her. "You, Aunt Raven?"

"Even after I was adopted." Traces of shame could not be masked on Raven's face. "Charles doesn't know. He promised to never read my mind and I couldn't share that with him after everything he's done for me. He did everything he could to make our house a home, but I couldn't stand our stepfather. I wanted so bad to make our mom happy. Thinking about whenever someone saw my real form; their screaming, what they called me."

"Ugly," Laci named, a distance in her voice. "Pasty Laci, skeleton, disease…"

"They called you a disease?" Raven glared with abhorrence. At her head bob, Raven seethed, "I swear, the more I hear about these kids… one day I'm going to borrow Charles' yardstick and pick him up a new one on the way home because it'll be in splinters when I'm through."

A smile curled on Laci's lips, but feebly. "What I wouldn't give to look like Becky, especially her eyes. She's one of the prettiest girls in the entire school."

"I know how that feels. Back when we were the only girls in the house," Raven grudgingly admitted. "But Becca went through a lot at her old school, too. It makes me sick what some of those girls used to call her. Hank said they could get really hateful."

"I don't understand how anybody could ever call Becky ugly."

"They called her that for the same reason those little a- airheads said it to you," Raven asserted. "You and Becca are both so uniquely pretty. You stand out from these generic girls so much that they can't handle it. So they say awful things as if bringing you down will lift them up."

Considering that, Laci's voice carried anguish. "Don't you ever get sick of it, Aunt Raven? People being so mean, bad things always happening?"

Raven answered without hesitation, "For almost my entire life. But if I'd given in, I would have missed out on too much."

"Like your wedding? Kiki and Trav?"

Raven added, "Bird watching in this boat with you." Cupping the girl's cheek, she made their eye contact firm. "Joey isn't the only one who can't imagine going without you, Laci." Raven left a kiss on top of the head of red-orange as Laci further burrowed in her grasp. "I know how hard it is for you. Your parents exceed their worry limit as it is. But that doesn't mean you get to let bad thoughts pileup before you finally lose it. When you start feeling anything like this, you have to call me- three o'clock in the afternoon or morning- just pick up the phone. Can you do that for me, gorge?"

Laci nodded against her upper arm. "Yes, Aunt Raven."

"Hold it. I want full-on honor system for this one." Hoisting Laci a few inches at the waist, Raven locked their gazes and let her eyes return to their natural yellow state. "Let's hear it, freckle fabulous."

Smiling in earnest, Laci reiterated, "I promise I'll call you when I'm going crazy."

"Good. Because if anything happens to you, I'll go crazy… er." Raven brought her in for a strong squeeze.

They took a few more pictures, including a shot of Raven holding Laci from behind with twin grins in place. When they rowed back to the rental shop, they waved back at the short and tall blue jean clad males who awaited them there.

Raven looked to recall, "We brought dates, didn't we?"

Laci donned a puzzled expression. "Oh, right."

IIIIIII

Upon reaching the backyard, Kayla honed in on the student she sought despite the shouts and giggles of the outdoor location. Shaded by the thick branches of the tree she currently resided under, she sat with a pink picnic blanket beneath her. An oversized green pillow provided cushioning between her back and the wooden trunk. Gina watched Keiko and several others take part in a mini soccer tournament.

Kayla made her presence aware with, "I know I should take offense to how elated Keiko is to be on summer vacation," She made a seat of the presently unoccupied wheelchair, "but I'll take the insult to keep that look on her face."

Her own countenance showing traces of illumination as her wing-mate delivered another lethal kick, Gina put forth, "She'd probably move her bedroom out here if she could. When she was trapped in that house, they'd let her go weeks at a time without even a glimpse of sun."

Able to feel her brown eyes morph into daggers, Kayla ex-haled silently. "Yes, she's shared quite a few details with me." Most of which left her with blood boiling so intensely enough to cause a crescendo of ruptured veins on any ordinary person. She reached to comb fingers through the teen's loose light brown hair. "How are you, honey?"

"Still as stupid, naïve, and worthless as I was this morning." Gina looked ready to reconsider that. "And you know, every single day of my life in general."

"Don't you dare write yourself off that way," Kayla instantly reproached. "I won't hear of it, young lady."

"Like it's just me," Gina scoffed, moving her head to stare up at the woman. "I know how people really see me. Dumb little dirty slut."

Kayla eyed her unwaveringly. "And this is a poll you conducted in this reality or your own delusional one? This community is not a mob of stone throwers. You are far from the only one who has faced supreme difficulty."

Gina shook her head insistently. "I love Shane and the others, but people messed up their lives. I wrecked mine on my own." She touched her stomach with both hands. "And his."

"The only reason he has a chance at life is because of you." Kayla clamped a firm hand on the girl's shoulder, gaining her attention again. "You went through all of this for him. If you think you're alone in making serious errors in judgement, you really are delusional. Do you know what sets you apart?" Gina looked back at her curiously. "You took charge and in doing so, you took responsibility for your choices and your child."

Quieting briefly, Gina told her, "Ray's always saying how much he loves my strength." Her lips curved into a feeble smile. "I know I don't deserve him, not by a longshot, but I want and need him so much." She indicated her large midsection again. "So does he."

With a soft delicacy, Kayla played in her hair some more. "Gina, would you like to know the secret to being the perfect wife and mother?" She nodded eagerly and Kayla informed, "The moment you start to feel you are… you're nowhere near it."

IIIIIII

From the depths of her smaller suitcase, Angel laid out the individual garments for water recreation across her bed. The gathering of girls let off a chorus of awed "oooh" at the California creations yet to reach the east coast. Naturally, such details mattered not when Adrienne Frost gave the word. Cordelia's two-piece consisted of navy blue shorts and a lemon-yellow top with thick straps. Black shorts and a zebra print wraparound topper made up Angel's. Samantha and Becky had similar skirted styles with high-neck tops that covered their chests completely. Samantha's came in a popping metallic silver with lavender lining and Becky's crisp white with coral accents.

As soon as she saw Maya in her cerulean suit, Becky proclaimed, "That's ten times better than that little bitty one."

Sitting at the foot of Angel's bed, Cordelia wanted to know, "What little bitty one?"

Maya replied with a bashful but humored tone, "I went shopping a couple weeks ago and a string bikini caught my eye."

Samantha's eyes bulged and she nearly gasped. "A string bikini?"

"More like thread and a couple of handkerchiefs," Becky remarked.

"They let you leave the house that way?" Cordelia gaped. "Talk about engaged girl perks…"

"Ha!" Maya scoffed. "Wolverine wouldn't even let me outside of my room in it."

"You should've seen that coming," Angel asserted. "As cool as the Howlett-Creeds are, they're still old. Loud makeup is a security breech under Daddy Cat Decree."

Samantha bobbed her head in knowing agreement.

II

When the heads of ginger and ebony entered the open study, they had to conduct a brief visual search. They spotted the space's owner, at least his lower half, under the wide desk. At the questioning gaze from Tommy, Sean could only shrug in reply.

"Oh… bother." At the boyish snickering, Charles backed out and used the top of the desk to help him return to his feet. Seeing the Cassidy pair, he gave the younger one a faux disapproving look. "Might I ask what is so funny, little Tom?"

"Bother," Tommy quoted. "You sound like Pooh Bear."

"I was Pooh Bear," the man claimed. "Then, at about your age I wished to be a real boy and- well, I'll tell you another time."

Shaking his highly amused head, Sean approached with papers presented. "My daily torture."

"Ah, yes." Charles briefly looked over the repeated sentence and glanced at Tommy. "Your brother didn't twist your arm into helping him, did he?"
"No way," Tommy promptly denied. "I hate doing lines and he's the big writer, anyway."
"I'm also the trying-to-be-big musician," Sean reminded. He showed the Professor his reddened right hand. "Forcing lines on a guitarist is cruel and unusual punishment."

"In this country perhaps." Charles formed a small smirk and took Sean's hand to apply a gentle message. "You will heal. With the number of spankings I've had to give out, hand cramps are unavoidable. I get the feeling I'll need double amputations with Brian alone."

Letting off a snort, Sean gave the telepath an appreciative smile for the comfort.

Peering around the normally immaculate room gone clutter chaotic, Tommy wondered, "What're you looking for, Professor?"

"What I should have brought to Delaware with us," Charles replied with a frustrated sigh for himself. "Information on three patients Raven and I- well, we all agreed to leave work at home, but…" His irises sparked at an idea. "I could have left them in the lab with Hank… dear God," his shoulders slumped, "it would be easier to sort through the city dump." Still, he started out of his study to head for the upstairs location.

Sean snickered then addressed his brother when they returned to the hall. "Okay, baby man, give me ten minutes in the studio, okay?"

Tommy crossed his arms skeptically. "You sound like Dad. Ten minutes always winds up an hour once he's in front of that dumb paperwork."

"Yeesh, just gonna knife me in the heart, huh? I'm a rock star ya know." Sean made a fist and pounded the top of Tommy's head softly. "We're not allowed to be square."

Tommy mock whacked his wrist away. "Just hurry it up, fart face."

"Pipsqueak poopy," Sean sent over his shoulder on route to Trick's studio.

When he lost sight of his brother, Tommy walked backwards and kept eyes peeled. He stepped inside the study again and went to the one cabinet drawer that had caught his attention. From it, he tucked one file "A, Summers" in back amongst the other S's and inched the drawer out further to visually scan for O.

II

Long legs seemingly taking on a mind all their own, the young Cyclops took the mightiest leap he could. The ivory ball made contact with the center of his glove and he dropped to his feet again.

"Let's go for a tough one, Coach." Scott pitched the ball back. "Give it some real distance."

"Hate to break it to ya, Shades," Victor smirked, "but not even your lethal legs could make it to Jersey."

"Jersey?" Scott repeated with short, cheeky laugh. "With that geriatric arm of yours, I'll be impressed if your pitch reaches the treehouse."

"Oh, yeah? Put your money where your mouth is, wise guy." Victor flung the ball again, sending it over the youth's head.

Getting right back to baseball business, Scott charged after the white sphere.

Airy chatter signaled the arrival of the older X-Girls.
"Maya in a bitty bikini." Angel shook her head. "Gorge, you know there's a line somewhere between cute and crazy, right?"

Maya flashed an urchin grin. "Sean had no objections during his private viewing…"

The five females went into barely containable laughter and, aware of Victor's presence, Samantha emitted hush sounds.

Undoing the lower hooks of her swimsuit top, Angel unleashed her wings and flapped several feet into the air. Looking up from watching Scott play, Kiki waved her arms to indicate she wanted to join her. Angel made an aerial path for the younger winged mutant and with locked hands, they ascended together.

With a vacant countenance, Tommy came through the backdoor. His features perked some when he witnessed the activity taking place. Cordelia encased herself in her golden form. Getting on the diving board, she performed two backflips to land in the water with full grandiosity. An enthuse yell preceded Cody zipping through. The pool deterred him not in the least as he took a mighty leap across to the other side of it. An inspired Samantha decided to try next. She jumped, executed a midair somersault, and regained her footing right beside Cody.

Currently going in circles in the water with Trav attached to his front, Frank instantly noticed the younger boy's enthralled expression. "Don't get any ideas, little guy or I'll lock you in a playpen and throw away the key until you're fifty."

"I know, I know," Trav replied, but added, "And nuh uh, you'd miss me too much."

"Ya think?" Gripping the teeny body at the waist, Frank hoisted him above his head. "That's why I need you in one piece."

Trav grinned down at him, attempting to playfully claw at Frank's face.

Samantha glided her hand across the extensive black strands of Cody's bare chest. "You weren't on the public beach like this, were you?"

"All day long, even naked a few times." Cody rolled his eyes. "I'm not slow, Sam, geez." With that, he dove into the water sideways.

Tommy, what's the matter?

Reacting to the feminine voice in his head, Tommy faced the telepathic child. Nothin', Becky. Just be glad when Sean gets his big butt outta the studio.

Tommy then accepted Maya's hand to get in the pool with her.

Becky sat on the side, content to soak her feet for the time being. Scott determined a baseball break period to be in order. Victor smirked when the boy strolled over to join the green-eyed girl. Settling into a cushioned lounge chair, the leonine elder observed the antics of his fledgling charges with pleased yet eternally keen eyes.

When the younger feline neared him, Victor opened an arm in invitation and she reclined beside him. "What's happenin' in that pretty head, baby?"

"Cody's fur." Samantha nuzzled the front of his t-shirt. "How did that happen to him?"

"A power not one of us can control," Victor answered. "Puberty. For mutants like us, it's even trickier."

"Well, nothing like that will happen to me again, right?" Samantha faced him imploringly. "My fur can't grow back?"

"Not without your mother rainin' Christ's fury on those quack doctors." Expression going somber, Victor placed a gentle grip on her chin. "That's all over with, Sammie; every part of that life. Don't you worry."

The appeased girl rested her head on his chest and experienced ease from his growing purrs.

IIIIIII

The conclusion of his shift came with a surprise in the form of the Cadillac awaiting him right outside the store. He promptly recognized the car and most certainly the driver who leaned against it with arms crossed.

"Wolverine?" Ray acknowledged.

Logan used his head to point out the car. "Get in."

"Cool, but I can't," the boy declined. "Me and Shane do the carpool thing together on—"

"Already cleared it with him." Logan reiterated, "Get in," before doing likewise on the driver's side.

Depositing his backpack on the vehicle's rear floor, Ray filled the passenger's seat. "You taking me home or sending me up a river somewhere?"

"Home? Eventually. The river?" Logan twisted the key to animate his engine, giving the younger male a sideways look. "We'll see how you act." He started them out of the parking space.

With parts unknown in mind, Ray took the opportunity to relax and close his eyes for clarity. "I'm surprised I got out on time. Never thought I'd be done stacking that new inventory. Even with two other guys, it felt like forever."

"Take a load off," encouraged Logan.

With that advisement, Ray let himself doze off. He roused nearly fifteen minutes later when the car pulled into their apparent destination. Ray blinked twice at the Infinite Ice Cream Shop. The color scheme of hot pink, orange, and yellow succeeded in awakening him fully.

Once inside the establishment that boasted equally vibrant paint, Logan instructed Ray to pick what he wanted as well as a place for them to sit. Ray did on both, taking a plastic chair at a two-seater table towards the back. He gazed out the window until Logan approached with their orders.

Ray gaped over his mountainous dessert. "Oookay, so "Sundae Supreme" actually means something in this place."

With a chortle, Logan sat across from him with his slice of fudge cake topped with a scoop of vanilla. "Belly up, kiddo. At the rate you're goin' lately, you need the fuel."

"Thanks, Wolverine." After devouring a considerable portion, Ray managed to come up for air and a napkin. "So," he wiped his mouth, "is this some kind of bribe to get me to forget about this whole thing? Because that's pretty pitiful- you didn't even add sprinkles."

With a snort, Logan assured, "No bribes, no cons. This is a man to man chat and it was either here or over a bucket of spareribs. Since the temperature's pushin' ninety out…"

"Good call," Ray supported, cherishing another spoonful. "And I really do appreciate you and Mrs. Howlett taking me and Gina seriously. We have a hard enough time talking to adults outside of Shane as it is."

"I get that," Logan replied. "And I get where you're comin' from. Truth be told, none of what you're sayin' is foreign territory for me. When I was your age, a quickie arranged marriage to a family friend to keep a girl out of disgrace was the standard course of action. Unmarried girls with child went through shame the ones of today can't even try to imagine."

"So, you don't think we're just two dumb kids with daydreams?"

"I think that you're still a kid," Logan responded. "That's why I want to make sure you understand exactly what you're gettin' into here."

"I can work and keep up with school," Ray responded automatically. "I keep telling you that's all I do anymore."

"And how long before it starts to grate on you?" Logan put forth, gaining the young man's focus in full. "Sixteen years old, got your whole life ahead of you, and while other guys your age are all about sports, road trippin' in their first rust bucket, goin' out with a different pretty face every week, and preppin' for college, you're flingin' diapers, itemizin' expenses, listenin' to your wife nag and your kid screech when all you want is five minutes of silence- can you honestly sit there and tell me you won't be bitter, convinced you made a mistake?"

It somewhat surprised Logan at the teenager's resulting dry laugh. "Who do you think I am? Seriously, who? Wolverine, even before the safe house, do you think I was going to football tryouts and looking for a date for the big sock hop? Going to school at all became this luxury I had to give up. Never thought I'd be able to go back or even want to because I figured I'd never catch up. Then I came to the Underground Academy. Your wife is the greatest teacher I've ever had."

Logan stated, "I'll see to it she hears that before the day's done."

Ray then went on with, "And you think being left out of goofy high school clubs makes me jealous? Not even close. Probably the one good thing about dropping out was not having to listen to the other kids' whining. Acting like their parents are Stalin because, dear God, they can't use the phone for a week. Try not running the bill up every month." He scoffed bitterly. "Retards."

Logan snickered at the boy's words and facial expressions that went with them. "You're preachin' a solid truth there, kid."

"And I never gave a lot of thought to college; to the future period," Ray admitted. "But Mrs. Howlett thinks I can make it. She knows how wild I am about architecture. And Gina will have the chance to go to college if she wants. There are already people at the safe house who watch after the small kids when their parents have to work."

Logan put forth, "And what about this kid? You mean to tell me you want to attach your money, your time, and your name to another man's baby? A kid without a speck of your DNA?"

Ray simply countered, "That's the best part. I wish I didn't have a speck of my DNA. Me and Gina don't care about that stuff. All we want is to be a family."

"Is that what this is really about?" Logan wondered skeptically. "You two desperate to make the picture-perfect family a reality?"

Fiddling with his spoon, Ray's tone became softer. "I love Gina, Wolverine. I know we're a whole lot of nothing next to you and Mrs. Howlett. I'm fine waiting on that. It sounds crazy, but love's not the most important part for me. I don't think there's any girl I'll ever trust the way I do Gina." At Logan's curious eyes, he elaborated. "If she'd have gone along with her parents, nobody would've known and she could've gone right back to normal. Instead, she bailed. She gave up her house, her family, and their money to keep her kid safe. Now, she's trapped in that wheelchair most of the time, gets all these random cramps and body aches, she can barely sleep because of night sweats, but you know? She doesn't care. She gets scared and she cries, sure, but she's not yelling about how much she hates her kid. She's always telling me how worried she is about him and if she'll be a good mom. Even after how the baby's so-called father couldn't ditch them fast enough. As soon as my old man split, my mom picked up a bottle and hasn't put it down since. So yeah, I want the picture-perfect family package; with Gina. And I want this baby more than I've ever wanted anything in my whole stupid life. If you don't want to help us then fuck you." Ray shrugged. "It wouldn't be the first time I had to devise a Plan B. Dig?"

Logan gave off a single bob of his head.

When the elder went into silence, the younger male did the same under the notion that the man needed to digest it all. Once they both finished their sweets, Ray slipped into the men's room to remove the excess toppings napkins alone could not cure. He gathered a few sheets of paper towels and wet them at the sink.

Ray caught Logan's approaching figure in the mirror. "Hey, about—" The adolescent experienced mild vertigo as he abruptly found himself bent with an up-close view of the left-hand drain. He received no time for questions and instead winced at the intense blows applied to his unsuspecting bottom. "Wol- ah, ah!"

Stopping after the fifth smack, Logan next used the hand to grip his shoulder and turn the teen around. "Try to play slip-a-swear with me again and the only holy union you'll be part of is my belt, your hide. You dig?"

Ray went into a dazed, vigorous nod. "I d- yes, sir. I'm sorry."

"Good." Taking the damp wad the boy still somehow held onto, Logan clean the remaining stains off the taken aback one's chin and cheeks. "Let's go." He started them out, depositing the used towels in the trash bin on their way.

Ray took only time enough to reach back and caress his bottom before hurrying along after the iron-palm wielding man.

IIIIIII

Once in comfortable evening clothes, the resident physician and his short blonde assistant setup the table in the McCoy common room with bowls of popcorn, cookies, and cola. Hank also engaged in silent but difficult willpower training by resisting the overwhelming urge to comment on the effects of such excessive salt and sugar on delicate pre-teen teeth. The uncomfortable murmur from the boy in blue pajamas caused his abrupt re-route from that train of thought.

"Did your cut open?" Hank lowered beside him on the couch.

Putting his paper and charcoal pencil to the side, Joey rubbed his afflicted palm. "It hurts when I press it."

"Let me check." Taking the boy by his wrist, Hank unwound the bandages enough to inspect his palm. "Good, it's healing quickly."

"Not that quickly," Joey disputed. "It bugged me the whole car ride."

"Because you were ignoring it in order to draw," Hank said knowingly. "You need to keep from irritating it."

Joey sighed. "I can't help it."

"That's the Alex in you," Hank quipped, making the young one smile. "Ignoring injury for your favorite activities."

"I don't do that," Joey claimed.

"Oh, really?" Hank raised an eyebrow. "Then who was that little kid ready to blow every circuit in the house because he was too sick to go to art class?"

"I don't know," Joey said, flashing his eyes in a guiltless manner. "Is he related to that big mean science guy who made him stay home from art class?"

"Yes, he is." Lifting Joey at the waist, Hank raised the slim upper body high enough to stare up into the child's face. "The same big mean science guy who would keep his nephew inside for a year if necessary for his health." Hank then brushed a kiss across his forehead. "I never want to see anything bad happen to you." Not again.

Joey reached down to touch the man's hair. "I know, Uncle Hank."

Hank brought him to sit on his right thigh. "If I haven't said so, I'm very proud of you for going to your aunt about Laci. You may not believe it, but I really do understand what it's like to be up against a wall; unsure what to do."

"Thanks." On the second part, Joey eyed him curiously. "You're not sure what to do sometimes? It seems like you always know how to handle everything."

"Yes," Hank gave him a light pat on the back, "it does seem that way, doesn't it?" He moved Joey to sit on a cushion. "I'm going to get some more antiseptic for your cut. And let's both remember to be careful in the future." He kept their blue-eyed gazes on each other. "We don't need anything interfering with your artwork."

Joey nodded quietly as his uncle stood to go.

Passing by the bathroom on his way, Hank announced, "Six minutes until cinema, ladies."

"Give us five minutes and fifty-nine seconds," Raven requested, standing before the wide mirror with Laci. "Plus tip."

Her husband sent back, "I have quite a few tips for you, actually…"

"Walked into that one," Raven admitted.

Laci's laugh turned into a disgusted frown as she chugged down the thick pill with bottled water. "Ugh, I swear they steal chalk from schools to make these things. I wish I could have soda with them."

"Not on Dr. Hank's "acid erosion" watch. But here." Raven indicated for her to follow and Laci stayed at her heels. Going into the drawer of her nightstand, the shapeshifter retrieved two peanut butter cups. "Movie night hors devours."

"Yes!" Laci grinned, hastily unwrapping hers though she easily could have bitten straight through the paper.

IIIIIII

Despite the presences of the six youths, silence filled the bedroom. Having finished washing up some time ago, Gina laid in bed staring at nothingness while Keiko combed tangles out of her hair. At the end of the bed, Mia's tiny fingers massaged Gina's feet with great delicacy. Seated at the desk, Keith's pencil against his notebook provided the only significant sound in the space. Ray stood from his wordless checkers game with Clarence. Keiko slid down the mattress towards Mia in order for Ray to lay beside Gina. With her positioned on her side, he placed an arm around her midsection, where their fingers met and intertwined. The knock followed immediately by a shriek from a startled Mia resulted in flinching from all of them.

Putting on a composed countenance, Clarence said, "Quit acting jumpy, people."

Propping up slightly on her elbow, an all the jumpier Gina granted, "Come in."

Shane entered ahead of the Howletts and reminded his sister, "Quiet time, Mia."

The little girl placed both hands over her mouth.

"So, what's it going to be?" Ray wanted to know, sitting up on his knees. "Come on, we want some answers." He then hastened to tack on, "Please."
Shane took a seat on the bed, facing both teens in question directly. "It's ridiculous to beat around the bush with this, but you have to let us explain without a word of interruption." He looked around at his other charges. "From any of you. Am I clear?" They gave off nods and soft affirmations. "Alright," returning attention to the original pair, "the three of us have talked it out and though we wish we had more time on our side, we've decided to help you move forward with your marriage. Immediately."

Gina released an elated gasp and her face looked undecided between tearful bawling or joyful outcry. Ray took her wrist and part of the blanket as he tried to steady himself from the unanticipated euphoria coursing through his veins. Clarence gripped his knees and rocked back and forth on the floor. Keith's sole reaction came in the form of his upturned lips aimed at the engaged pair.

"Girls," Kayla hushed when they nearly lost control of their squeal desire, though she sympathized.

Mia and Keiko held hands tightly to contain themselves.

"However," the straight-faced Shane continued, "we did not just become romantics overnight. We are backing this marriage for Gina and the baby's best interests. So, the rest of you aren't to think for a moment that I will support any of you trying to get married at fifteen/sixteen due to tingling emotions." At the way Keith raised his hands guiltlessly, Shane bit back laughter. "These will be Vows of Honor, meaning you'll be legally married," he faced Ray specifically, "and legally the child's father, but you are not full-fledged adults. You'll be under the same rules you were before. You're to sign another agreement, keeping yourselves under my care until you are both eighteen years old. Ray can work normal part-time hours during the school year and you both can focus on your studies. Do you understand all of this?"

"Wait, wait," Ray tried to grasp. "You're saying you want to help us- basically be responsible for us- until we're eighteen?"

"Yes, I do," Shane responded. "With the baby in mind, I'm pitching in, vows or none."

"Me, too," seconded Keiko.

"And me," said Mia.

Keith nodded his head twice.

"Shoot, I'd have married her," Clarence asserted. "But after a while, nobody would buy the baby is just "light-skinned"." Amidst the laughter he said, "But I'm good for the uncle thing."

"Thank you all." Gina tried to peer around at everyone at once. "Oh, my God… Ray…"

Ray gave her both his arms and kissed near her neck. "Thank you! Seriously, you have no idea what this means to us- all three of us."

Logan put forth, "Looks like you have the best reason there is to celebrate Father's Day this year." Grin somehow widening and eyes glossing, Ray bowed his head. "Alright, tykes, clear out," the Veteran herded, "lights out around here."

"Already?" Keiko reacted, seeing Gina's alarm clock. "Mia doesn't even have to be asleep yet."

"No way can I sleep," Ray insisted.

"Then we better get the warm milk on the stove," Kayla determined. "Considering we're starting this process at five in the morning."

While the visitors to her quarters developed shocked faces, Gina promptly ordered, "Out, out, out, all of you, bye- love you- bye."

The unbothered bunch started out, each taking the time to offer her and Ray hugs. The male teenagers exchanged fist pounds and claps to the shoulder. Shane, Logan, and Kayla left the remaining couple with a five-minute warning. Hardly able to do more than stare until the other became a mystical blur before them, they shared a kiss with lips that lingered several seconds after. With a kiss to her stomach, Ray pried himself away, never losing eye contact on his way.

Somehow returning to his own quarters without walking into a wall, Ray shut the door and stayed still with his back pressed to it. After more than a minute of complete immobility on his part, he felt the moisture leave his eyes and stream down his cheeks. Folding his shaking hands, he dropped to his knees as the restorative pulsing began in his chest and only spread.

IIIIIII

Warmth of the night making for a short, cool shower, Leon toweled off just as quickly. Standing before the mirror, he spritzed tropical scented detangler around his plentiful ebony strands.

At the desk, the current prisoner of Early American History flinched when the roar of the blow-dryer sounded. She knew she had to have been miles into her own world, considering that piece of hair equipment proved no stranger in that particular suite. Taking that moment to give her eyes a break from the text, she redirected her brown irises to the bulletin board and noticed the latest addition to it. A beaming boy and girl dressed in ancient Middle Eastern garbs wrapping arms around each other while facing the camera. With a delicate finger, Melissa touched the male child's right cheek. Even with the muted coloring of the photograph, she made out the distinct luminosity he emanated.

Dressed in gray sleep pants with black locks flowing down his back, Leon departed the bathroom. He grabbed his white undershirt off the edge of the bed and slipped it on. Coming up behind the female in red shorts and gray WU sweatshirt, Leon honed in on what took her attention away from scholastic pursuits.

"Sweet Sue."
"From when you were kids?"

Leon bobbed his head. "Stumbled across it putting stuff away. Kindergarten Christmas play."

"Mary and Joseph." Melissa peered over her shoulder at him. "Here I thought I was your first cootie bag."

"She was Mary. I was one of the wise men," Leon informed. "And don't sicken me. Sue was like a sister to me." He lowered to sit on the side of the bed. "We used to imagine our parents getting together… and dumping her older sister off on a pig farm- we greatly disliked her."

Amusement at her lips, Melissa maneuvered the swivel chair to better face him. "Which wise man?"

"The one who brought the incense. Though, the one with the myrrh would have made way more sense."

Melissa remarked, "More like the angel with that cheesy grin you have."

"Creepy, huh?" Leon inched along the mattress to press his back to the headboard. "Though, apparently, I've been assigned a private angel out of complete nowhere."

"I'm good with the Sue thing. You don't have to gush."

"Not you, cheesehead," Leon waved off. "I'm talking about Tommy Cassidy."

"Sean's kid brother?" Melissa then quipped, "As if I'm surprised. They must have their own sainthood triathlon in that family."

Leon put forth, "Sean may be the mutated son, but Tommy's the real oddball. His family just doesn't know it yet. He told me to go ahead and be happy because everything's going to be okay."

"Hm, nice kid, but he sounds standard saintly to me."

Leon looked into her face. "Everything is going to be okay because he plans to find the ones who used my family as playthings. So he can kill them." Melissa's expression froze with stun. "And apparently, that goes for anyone else who tries to go after me. He's just waiting on God to sign the permission slip."

Somewhat able to piece together syllables again, Melissa responded, "He must have thrown a royal fit when he found out what happened to you."

"It wasn't an emotional outburst or anything like that," Leon refuted. "Want to know the weirdest part?"

Melissa half-joked, "Because the other parts have been so rife with normalcy."

Leon's countenance stayed humorless. "Pretty sure I believe him."