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.

315. Chapter 315 Night Whispers

Chapter Three Hundred Fifteen

Author's Word: Hey, Fam, before we get going here, first thing's first. Fam member Ruthabellaaa's grandmother was in the hospital, is now out of the hospital, and I would appreciate everyone wishing and praying for her recovery to be smooth and speedy. For everyone else dealing with a host of issues (so, yeah, everyone), never forget that even when RL is at its bleakest, you're part of something that spans the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, New Zealand, Venezuela, Canada, Italy, the Philippines, Denmark, France, Croatia (really, Croatia? No one's from Croatia and we got Fam there, so cool!), the Netherlands, Czech Revar (which I've totally heard of before now…), Portugal, Australia, Mexico, Belgium, Finland, Iceland, United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Germany, Singapore, Uruguay, India, Spain, Romania, Russia, Austria, Armenia, Pakistan, Turkey, Lebanon, and Nigeria. As often as all of us can feel alone in the world, puh-lease, Rise or Fall Fam rules the flippin' world! Just, wow, Croatia? Seriously, though, regardless of long hauls between posts due to my own medical recovery, don't forget for a second that Rise or Fall is our home away from stupid.

Alright, Worldwide Wonders (squee Croatia!), please enjoy and review!

Tub-safe ship located in and retrieved from the space below the sink, the youngest instructor brought it to the small boy in the lukewarm water. Donned in a mock sailor cap, Trav played with his other plastic toys consisting of a Captain Hook action figure, whale, shark, dolphin, and oversized crab. While the grammar-schooler reacted to the ship like the discovery of Atlantis, Leon resumed washing him. He exercised greater delicacy than a standard fitness fanatical martial artist packed in his touch.

Trav giggled at the contact to his armpits. "That tickles!"

"Sorry," Leon replied automatically. "I know I'm nowhere near as good at this as your mom and Uncle Alex."

"No, I like your way, too," Trav assured, creating sound effects while he steered his boat.

Watching, Leon asked, "If you could set sail with anyone, who would it be?"

"Mommy, Uncle Erik, Steel," Trav named, "Uncle Charles to smuggle the good books, Frank, Becca, Max, Lily, and you can come if you want."

"What about your dad and sister?"

"They'd be at Grandma's house already," Trav explained. "That's where we'd sail to. Who would you take?"

"Dad and the Erik Kids." Leon started massaging a dime's worth of shampoo into the child's hair. "Your whole beast family, Aunt Emma, Jam—"

"Melissa," Trav interjected importantly.

"Right." Leon could feel the surprising blush along his cheeks, but the mild redness faded just as instantly. "We'd sail towards Puerto Rico."

"Why?"

"Because it's just better there… minus a few bugs and other pests." With that, Leon moved onto getting his hair and tiny body thoroughly rinsed. After making sure no soap would seep into his eyes, Leon observed his game some more. "What happened to that crocodile that was after Captain Hook?"

Holding up his action figure for emphasis, Trav explained, "He gutted him."

"Oh," Leon nodded, "the obvious option." He tilted his head somewhat at the other creatures ganging up on the dolphin. "You couldn't get into Flipper, either, huh?"

"Dolphins aren't really nice like that," Trav informed him. "They're the worst to lady dolphins and their babies."

"Huh. Then, you must know the truth about bears."

Trav looked at him with fanciful brown eyes. "What do you mean?"

"They don't eat half as much honey as Pooh." Leon let the boy continue his game after that.

When it came time to get out, Leon unplugged the tub and wound the dryer fresh blue towel all around the thin frame. He also dried Trav's feet and helped him into his slippers before sending him to get dressed. Leon clean out the tub and returned the toys to their proper position.

Now, in his Bambi and Thumper pajamas, Trav tipped back in and flung himself onto the older male's unsuspecting back.

Though he flinched slightly, Leon proved grateful that his natural instincts did not lead to him jerking the child right off of him.

He did strongly caution, "You must be careful, Trav. You easily could have slipped on a puddle and badly hurt yourself.'

More contrite than playful, Trav let go but held onto the instructor's arm. "Sorry, Uncle Lee." He grew worried at his absolute stillness. "Are you mad?"

"No," Leon reclaimed a fully conscious state, "not at all." He returned to his full height and picked up Trav to sit on top of the vanity. "Wait here."

Trav kicked his legs and watched him.

Leon made sure they left behind a dry floor before taking his leave with the seven-year-old. Once in the supremely boyish room, Leon released and let him drop onto his bed, producing adorable laughter. He joined him by plopping down to his side and using one hand to eye the little fledgling closely.

"Do you remember telling your Uncle Erik it made you feel good and bad to trip up Tommy?"

Trav looked at him solemnly. "Uh huh."

No scold present, Leon told him, "I know exactly what you're talking about there." At Trav's wide mouth and eyes, he went on with, "After Sean and I first met, I wanted more than anything to keep him and Alex apart."

"Seanie? How come?"

"Same reason as you with Tommy and your Uncle Erik," Leon replied knowingly. "I didn't want to share Alex with any more people than I had to. So, doing bad things here and there made me feel better. But they also landed me in trouble. Lots of it."

Trav rolled onto his back, regarding him upside down. "You, too?"

"Me, too," Leon confirmed. "More times than you I'm sure. Spankings hurt, but being reminded that the others love us enough to do it at all is the good part, right?"

"Right. Uncle Lee?" Trav wondered next. "Does your anxiety get your tummy right before you do something bad?"

"No, my anxiety comes from other things." Not wanting to derail their subject too much, Leon put forth, "I think I may have a way to help yours. Except you're really going to have to trust me."

Trav quite naturally responded, "Of course I trust you, Uncle Lee."

"When you feel your anxiety coming, even the smallest bit, I want you to come find me or wait for me to get home. Before you do something bad." Leon tacked on, "Afterwards as well."

With more curiosity in his tone than dread, Trav asked, "Would you spank me like Uncle Alex and my big uncles do when I act all rotten?"

Traces of humor appearing on his normally even features, Leon reminded, "I'm a professional stinker myself. I want to help you, Trav. Keep you from feeling sick or doing something wrong you'll only regret. I'll talk to your parents for you or with you. If I do have to spank you, I will. Does that make you uncomfortable?"

"You never make me uncomfortable," Trav stated indisputably. "When I talk to you, you help me stop feeling sick. Like Daddy does, except you never gimme shots. I'm glad you're in our family now."

Markedly caught off-guard, Leon could only come back with, "Really?"

"Honest," Trav vowed then became strangely grave. "Uncle Leon, will talking to me ever make you better? Even a little?"

"Better?" echoed Leon.

"After you came to live here, I asked Mommy about you," Trav recollected. "She said you get sad sometimes and you just can't help it. But you're terrific to me. You're so super smart and you go to WU like I want to."

With a hesitant hand, Leon cupped his cheek. "We trust each other then?"

Trav smiled and nodded into his palm.

II

Various cushions and receiving blankets coated the floor in the event of an X-Tot taking a stumble. Though he had to direct his brother and sister numerous times to cover their eyes, Cody finally got to scuttle out of sight when they caught on. He crawled and wormed his way into the narrow space behind the television stand. Chiding Brian not to peek, Joey chose to cloak himself behind the Ming vase that nearly doubled him in width. Keeping Kiki alongside her, Laci scampered to the other side of the loveseat.

Everyone secured, Cody got things underway by proclaiming, "Ready, set, seek!"

More aware of the words, Brian eagerly dropped hands from his eyes. Mira and Todd followed his lead.

"Joe!" bellowed Brian, peering all about.

Kiki and Laci gave each other the finger-shush signal.

"Mimi, come on," Cody coached under his breath. "Hear, sniff me out, anything- just find me." When Todd went to his hands and knees and appeared to track his way over to the stand, Cody tried with great difficulty to mask his disappointment. "Yeah, yeah, ya got me, Toad."

Zooming in on the unique piece of décor, Brian rushed around the vase to reveal, "Joe!"

Whacking himself upside the head, Joey said, "I've got to quit hiding so close to the artsy stuff."

Hope reignited when Mira gazed towards the sit-down furniture, Cody groaned immensely at the front door arrivals. "Aw, man!"

Laci and Kiki peered gray and brown eyes over the side of the loveseat.

"Hi, you guys," Becky greeted, airily entering the common space.

Between the floor and the pajama clad bunch, Alana wondered with interest, "What do we have here?" She practically spilled over with joy when Mira bustled her way. "Hi, doll!" Alana picked her up to tickle noses with her.

When Todd similarly made a path for him, Erik quipped, "Why do you get the urge to paw me whenever I dare don a suit?" That pointed out, he still squatted to catch the excited baby boy.

"Where's Angie?" inquired Cody.

"She was our Temple offering," Sean piped up with a wink. "She went to Ben's for coffee and dessert."

Of the reading material he carried with him, Frank determined, "I'm going to start going through this stuff." With nods from Erik and Alana, he headed for the Mag Cave.

Approaching rather indignantly, Brian yanked on Todd's dark hair as he insisted, "My uncree!"

At the aggressive blonde, Tommy remarked, "Somebody's been hanging around Trav too much."

Kiki giggled impishly.

"Brian, cut that out right now," ordered Joey.

Erik began to intercede, only for Todd to make a fist to bop Brian in the chest.

"Geez," reacted a half-impressed Cody.

"No, no, no." Erik equally firmly seized Todd's fist, which calmed him, then regarded the older tyke sharply. "No more of that, Brian Henry."

From where he stood, Tommy experienced a bit of the ricochet from the words.

When Brian's face and shoulders drooped with remorse, Erik opened his free arm to him. His nephew came to him and also offered an apologetic embrace to Todd, who proved content to accept it.

"Double handfuls these two drips," Cody waved off, going towards Tommy. "About time you got back. Or did you forget there's still brand new loot upstairs with our names on it?"

Tommy grinned, "Grandpa Games! Just let me put this book away."

Sean knocked on his brother's head as he tried to pass by him. "And get out of your good clothes before the moms annihilate you."

Tommy mimicked his speaking, but jogged for the steps to do exactly that.

IIIIIII

On departure from the theatre, the musical accompaniment appeared to follow the quintet of brown-eyed brunettes. Resolved to bring back the same number of girls she invited out, Kayla kept to the rear. Dark tresses fixed in an updo, a velvet high-collar evening dress in midnight blue reached her ankles. Right alongside her, Melissa maneuvered in a lace-sleeved, boat-neck garment. The dress with a swaying skirt had come about from a Kayla-insistent shopping jaunt following the news of Melissa's academic achievement. The pair took in the younger three made absolutely animated beneath the lights of Times Square.

Channeling Audrey Hepburn, Maya had wowed them all with her bold crimson, halter style number. Her bright lipstick matched the supreme redness of the cocktail dress. Kayla only experienced relief that the hem went on a good three inches below the bride-to-be's knees. Clinging to a lamp post as she twirled around it, Brenda wore a bright orchid A-line dress with cap sleeves. Large white flowers cascaded down the pleated skirt. Though totally not expecting them to all but abduct her from her home earlier, Anne proved more than willing to join in. From her plentiful majestic wardrobe, she had decided on her sleeveless scoop-neck swing dress. It consisted of a goldenrod skirt and black at the waistband and top.

"Someone get the Wild Kingdom back in their cages," remarked Melissa. "Knew I should have stashed tranquilizers in my purse."

"Let them have their fun," Kayla said benignly, giving her lower arm a tug. "Manage to have any yourself, by the way?"

"'Hello, Dolly'"," Melissa quoted the highlighted title on the marquee. "Weirdly enough, that wasn't the complete piece of crap I've ever had to sit through."

Kayla quipped, "And clearly My Fair Lady would have been far more appropriate."

"The show was phenomenal," Melissa at last conceded. "Thanks, Kayla."

"Thank the one and only Patrick Hughes," Kayla informed. "Without his connections, it would've taken weeks for these tickets."

Melissa told her, "You know you didn't have to?"

Kayla came back with, "Have you looked into university yet?"

Melissa's eyebrows took simultaneous leaps. "And yanked right out of the false sense of security. You're good, lady."

"Your diploma is a momentous accomplishment, but this is only the beginning. What do you plan to do next?" Kayla reiterated and also ardently tacked on, "Any smart-alecky responses referencing the selling of your body and/or illegal substances will not end on an amusing note for you."

"Telepathy; all the cool mutants are doing it." Melissa released a heavy sigh. "I have no clue. Kayla, seriously, I just kinda-sorta-by accident graduated and now, you're talking about Magnum Cum Lately."

Kayla reminded, "You were on track for that once."

Despite the warmth around them, Melissa's posture grew cold. "I was a lot of things once."

Kayla gripped her shoulder before she could turn away. "You mean someone's girlfriend? Someone capable of making a real difference in this world? Because that's exactly who and where you are right now. No matter how much your mind wants to stay in this rut."

Though her eyes flashed and lips parted, no words or further movements took place on Melissa's part.

With a concern filled expression, Maya gently played in Anne's light brown hair. "Are you doing alright still?"

"Si, muy bueno." As if witnessing the outside for the first time, Anne slowly veered in place again. "Like back in the show. All the people sort of knit together, unable to bombard my mind at once." At Brenda's abrupt outcry, Anne shrugged, "Her I'm used to."

"Angel!" Brenda spotted and pointed out the billboard filled with Frost Agency models. "Hearts and Stripes Forever, woo—"

"Brenda." Dashing over shortly, Kayla briefly clapped a hand over her mouth. "Honey, please, let's avoid starting a riot. At least until my husband gets here. If he misses out, I'll never hear the end of it." She and Maya shared similar smiles. "And he'll be here shortly, so come, come." Kayla shepherded them back in the direction of the theatre to wait out front. "Anne, Bren, we better phone your place while we're at it."

The two half-listening Acolytes linked arms and tried to emulate the Gabor Sisters.

Walking beside Melissa, Maya declared, "One of my last and greatest nights before I become a Mrs." She nudged the older female affectionately. "Thanks to you."

Melissa automatically insisted, "You mean Kayla."

Maya only let off a coy, "Uh huh," in reply.

"Still shocked you're not with your Ginger Mister," Melissa raised next. "Don't you have my immortal soul to pray for?"

"Every hour on the hour," Maya shot back puckishly. "But tonight, Erik brought Alana Tolbert to Temple "for Frank". No interest in missing your big night to play the meek little tongue-biter."

"Christians at their cattiest," Melissa commented immodestly. "Nice to know you're not into the fakery scene. Although, what's even the point or does literally everybody else forget the whole omnipresent thing?"

"Don't open the door to migraines," Maya advised.

Revealing the camera stashed in her shoulder bag, "Ladies," Brenda waved it about triumphantly.

"Here I thought we left Charles in Westchester," Kayla quipped lightheartedly.

IIIIIII

Upon returning to his grand estate, the Xavier elder naturally beckoned for his wife then siblings. Finding the first mind absent and the latter two distracted, Charles made a path for where he sensed a sizable portion of his household. Inside the recreation room, Erik, Hank, Raven, Alex, Cordelia, and Victor took in the children so involved in their play.

Cordelia noticed and went to Charles first. "There you are, Big Bro-in-Law."

"Baby Sister." Charles acknowledged Raven by adding, "One of two. Where are Emma and Scott?"

"They left not long after you did," Cordelia filled him in. "Sis wanted to cheer him up a bit."

A formerly listless Joey sprang up. "Daddy, you're home."

Charles let off a short chuckle. "As if I've survived enemy fire."

"You have," Alex pointed out.

"True, but not today." Charles then encouraged the child who petitioned him, "Go on. Uncle Erik and I didn't mean for those toys to go to dust. Tommy, make certain the ones we picked out for you stay right here at home."

A big smile coming over his face, the youngest Cassidy assured, "You got it, Prof."

Entering on Leon's hip, Trav's eyes lit up at the activity. "What's going on?"

"We're playing Grandpa Games," Joey told him.

To which, Cody rapidly mentioned, "As in no pipsqueaks. Mature kids only."

Trav pointed right to his sister. "How come Kikiko gets to play?"

Tommy fielded that one with, "Because she knows when to pipe down and keep her little mitts to herself."

"The way mature kids do," Cody attempted to speak with an air of sophistication.

"Becca, Sammie," Trav beseeched his female cousins.

"Sorry, Cubby," Becky said genuinely. "It's their game, not ours," to which Samantha had to concur.

"Now, lads," Charles addressed the boys in charge, "do you really believe it mature to exclude Trav this way?"

Erik put forth casually, "It's certainly unwise…"

At that, Tommy wanted to know, "What do you mean?"

"He means," Leon lowered the smallest boy as he spoke, "you never know what Trav may have to offer."

"You've seen him in training," Alex brought up.

"How's he supposed to help us?" Cody wondered skeptically. "This is Grandpa Games. As in freedom fighters like doctors, warriors, undercover rich stiffs." He faced Trav. "Your granddads were just science guys and Joey already called dibs on Winston."

Gaze going heavenly for a moment, Hank spoke slowly as he reminded, "Doctors are "science guys", Cody."

The leonine boy exhaled in irritation. "You know what I mean!"

"What do you mean?" A highly displeased Raven crossed her arms. "That our fathers and their dinky science don't make the cut?"

"No, no," Cody shook his head multiple times. "It's not like that, Aunt Raven." He looked at Charles urgently. "I didn't mean any disrespect."

The Professor made haste to reassure, "I know that, Cody. Only remember to be mindful in the future when you speak about any of them. Their memories mean a great deal to us all."

When an idea formulated, Trav became noticeably eager. "You know who I want to be? Grandpa Norton armed with a whole big batch of bombs he made from what he got out of the plant."

Echoing the intrigue of the other children, Cody accepted with, "Now, you're talkin'! You're in!"

Making her way into the commotion filled space, Adrienne identified her daughter among the children, "There's the little one," then inquired of Victor, "where is Angel? We have to prepare for tomorrow."

Focused on the other youths, Victor replied simply, "Bible boy."

"Ah," the scarlet haired woman comprehended.

"Believe me, she hasn't forgotten about your venture into the 1001 Arabian Nights," Erik guaranteed. "Sylvia Braunstein couldn't drag enough of the details out of her. Ben will return our Angel to our doorstep by ten. We'll discuss the need to rip away her individuality in a campus cult later."

"You've been holding that in," Adrienne surmised. "Color me marginally impressed."

"Shush," Cordelia sharply requested, eyes on the other youngsters, "tiresome grownup people."

After a huddle- including much telepathy courtesy of his protégé, Charles suspected- the players collected costumes from the chest. The boys readily seized their weaponry. Becky and Kiki slipped into aprons and stirred empty pots at the plastic stove.

"Who are they playing?" wondered Leon.

Cody looked away long enough to answer, "They're the light-skinned slaves that work in the house."

"In the kitchen." Raven laughed softly. "Becca's nightmares have become reality."

Adrienne gazed around in puzzlement. "Is this some sort of summer school exercise?"

Alex sent her a flat look. "X-Kid 101. Now, pay attention."

"Be sure you don't get these mixed," Becky cautioned, summoning up something of a southern persona. "If the master gets the wrong soup, all our goose is cooked."

Kiki nodded hard. "Sure hope it's enough."

Wearing a Victorian dress over her pajamas, Samantha came their way with a bowl in hand. "These are the correct herbs I want to be used for the "special"," slyness crossed her features, "dinner tonight."

"Yes-um," Becky accepted the container from her, "Miss Hazel."

"I know this isn't a sporting event," Adrienne put forth, "but a foul decree is more than in order."

Cordelia lightly jabbed her sister with her elbow and hushed her again.

At Joey throwing on a pair of goggles, Tommy asked in bewilderment, "What're you doing? Grandpa Winston's supposed to be waiting in the house."

Joey only took the time to inform, "I'm not Grandpa Winston right now," before clearing his throat to get into character. "Hello, ladies, Brian Xavier's the name."

Charles and Raven faced each other with matching grins.

Shielding Kiki, Becky bobbed her head deeply. "Master Xavier. May we help you?"

"My friend… Bounty," Joey's eyes twinkled through the goggles, "sent me." Both girls smiled. "I have something special for you." Looking for a quick prop, he took the fake vegetables to hand to them. "Here."

"Carrots?" Kiki frowned.

"Only on the outside," Joey explained. "Inside, they're filled with my formula. Put them in the soup and the entire house will be sicker than ever. While they're too green to move, we'll make haste."

"Oh boy!" cheered Kiki.

"Shhh! Til then, madams." Glancing in every direction, Joey slunk away.

On the red checkered picnic blanket, Samantha situated herself along with a slew of the large stuffed animals in a circle. After she provided plates, cups, and equally plastic cutlery, she imitated their booming voices.

"Where's our food, slaves?"
"Come on, move it!"

After tossing in the carrots, Kiki brought her pot in. "Coming…"

II

As they ascended the stairs, Emma maintained an arm around Scott's shoulders. More than once, she had to keep from gawking at how much he continued to fill out from mere lankiness. No longer could he simply stay tucked close to her side.

Not missing her less than cheerful countenance, Scott questioned, "What's wrong?"

Leaving yesteryear for the present, Emma naturally replied, "Nothing at all. What about you? Feeling any better?"

"Terrific!" Scott pumped a fist. "Thanks a ton, Em. I'm with Alex and the guys so much I forget how cool one on one sessions are with you. Can we do more this week?"

"Absolutely. I have an entire list for Hank to update…"

Their attention went to the recreation room and their feet soon followed the same path.

"Scott," Charles mouthed happily.

The returning boy went to accept a quick hug from the male telepath, receiving a ruffle to his hair as he moved by Victor. Alex wordlessly shared a fist bump with the youngest Summers.

At that point among the role-players, Cody succeeded in sneaking off with the formerly bondage bunch. The freed consisted of Becky, Kiki, and their armloads of tiny plush critters. Samantha stayed behind to feign illness along with the actually nauseated slave owners.

"Oh yeah!" rang from the cape adorned, faux broadsword wielding Cody. "Never fear when John Howlett is near!"

Becky strongly reminded, "If John Howlett doesn't pipe down, we'll be up to our ears in fear."

"You have more reason to fear for your necks." Laci lined and voiced a teddy bear, who wore a detective's coat and hat. "Or what's left of them after my friends here are through with you." A stuffed husky and golden retriever stood on either side of the bear.

"You yeller-belly sneak thieves." Cody extended his sword with accusatory menace. "It's bad enough you degrade and herd people like cattle to pad your pockets, you make innocent pups into monsters, too."

"Alright, I'm about to suffer multiple ruptured blood vessels from this sea of anachronisms," Hank felt the need to inform the room, "but I couldn't care less. I want front row tickets to these kids on Broadway within my lifetime."

Charles brought up, "You know the very front interferes with my flash cubes."

Glancing in the direction of her loquacious father and uncle, Kiki now produced the shush finger. She pressed her lips together to keep from giggling at their resulting 'admonished schoolboys' expressions.

"Turning pups into monsters?" Trav bounded over to standoff with the bear. The lab coat he sported had the sleeves rolled up due to its intention to fit up ages up to thirteen. "Not on my watch."

Laci directed the bear to demand, "And whoooo are yoooou?"

"I'm Norton McCoy." Trav puffed up what little chest he had. "Nuclear technician and canine specialist." With that, he dashed forward to snatch up both stuffed dogs, "Now, you're free, too," and added, "Nanananananana," before zipping away to join the group.

"Whaaaaaat? Hey, those mangy mutts are mine!"

Raven's yellow pupils ballooned when Laci produced the bear's plastic machine gun.

"Get down!" Like a speeding bullet himself, Tommy rushed from his cloaking spot and tackled the others. He tried to keep impact as gentle as possible with the girls in mind.

They all went down with Tommy on top of the mound, trying to keep their combined laughter to a minimum.

Cody twisted to better face him. "You skydive out of that wheely-bird of yours again, Walsh?"

Tommy frankly informed, "No Irish here, friend. Name's Jakob Lehnsherr- with a K."

Merriment drained from her face, Becky hastened to sit up. Tom!

Alex matched her look. Though Leon's countenance only casually absorbed it, both insouciantly darted irises their father's way. Erik watched on, but more intent focus evident.

"John Howlett." Cody shook with him as the rest of them arose. "He's Norton McCoy."

Joining and shaking palms with Tommy said with monumental impression, "Pleasure's all mine, war hero."

"Don't say that," Tommy requested modestly. "We're all heroes here. But I was thinking after this, we could invade a few POW camp—"

"Tommy, stop it!" The command from Becky invoked silence in participants and onlookers. She took him by the arm and emphasized urgently, "I told you we do not talk about that. My grandparents stay out of these games."

Tommy instantly countered, "I'm an Erik Kid, too, even if boychicks don't have their last name like you do."

"How come Joey can swap Grandpa Winston for Grandpa Brian," interjected Trav, "but Tommy can't swap? You said it's their game, not yours."

In frustration, Becky insisted, "That is not—"

A cleared throat from Erik captured their attention greater than a wildcat's roar. "Were Grandpa Jake here, he would not tolerate this bickering. Mainly because he would be all too interested in how this spectacle ends."

Becky sensed the wave of reassurance he sent her way and said to the boys, 'Sorry. Let's keep playing."

Tension concluded, the children resumed as if no interruption had occurred.

With a fake gun of his own, Tommy aimed it at the bear. "You're outnumbered, slave catcher. Surrender your weapon."

"Aw, dang-it," Laci replied as the bear. "Fine."

"Take his gun, McCoy," Tommy instructed. "I'll cover you."

Trav nodded and walked towards Laci.

"You win for now." Laci made the bear relinquish the machinegun. "But just you wait until…" She trailed and gaped as Trav produced a rubber knife and made a show of stabbing it into the bear repeatedly.

"Ooh." Kiki's eyes expanded with intrigue.

Flabbergasted, Joey reacted, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Are you out of your mind, McCoy?" demanded Cody. "They'll track us to the end of time now."

"What?" replied Trav nonchalantly, using his knife to point to the fallen bear. "This way it'll look like the dogs got him."

Looking between the others, Cody conceded, "He's got a point."

"Yeah," Tommy seconded, reaching for Trav. "Now, who's the hero?"

With his face aglow, Trav slapped palms with him.

"We have to go, men," Becky reminded them. "If there are more dogs around, they'll smell his blood."

"Oh, right." Joey stood to carry a few of the stuffed animals. "We're not going to kill everywhere we go, right?"

"Of course not. You worry too much, Xavier," Cody waved off. "Now, let's get the women and children to safety so we can go nuke open the camps."

Wishing she could view several more hours of their material, Raven piped up, "Okay, time to wrap it up, freedom fighters. Save your strength to nuke tomorrow."

With different degrees of willingness, the fledglings complied and began tidying their toys.

Becky took a moment to approach the shades adorned mutant. "Hey. You know you could've played with us."

"I didn't want to barge in," Scott said, remaining inward heaviness lightening at her presence. "Besides, you floored me as a slave. It sure was cool of you to play along with them."

Becky shrugged glibly. "It was just a game."

"Oh, there you are, Scott," Samantha acknowledged after returning her costume to the chest. "I was so worried about you. Are you feeling any better about getting a great big, expensive toy?"

Scott eyed her in mild annoyance. "Real cute, Lady Litterbox."

"Ah, give him a break, Sammie," Cody put forth. "Not like we don't know how he feels. Like when Grandpa Winston had the nerve to bring Blaze and the other horses all the way from Boston."

"Worst day of my life since getting adopted," stated Samantha with phony woe. "Weird. I'm not crazy about Trick, either. I guess my scooter is on backorder."

Cody pointed out, "Hey, I've always liked the guy and all I got was a GI Joe."

"Alright, you two," Emma chimed in. "You have plenty of toys to put away right now."

"Hurry along, my sweet," Adrienne addressed her daughter benignly. "We'll be in Eye Spy until your sister gets in. We have outfits to finalize then right to bed. Bloodshot eyes are not the ideal first impression."
Gazing back at her, Samantha replied, "Yes, Mama."

As the others started to leave the play space, Victor told Adrienne, "I'll meet you downstairs."

The head of ginger nodded and continued out of the room.

After Scott picked up and twirled with Kiki, he delivered her to an appreciative Raven's arms.

Applying one hand to the Eye Screamer's shoulder, Victor said, "Need to borrow you a sec."

Scott went with him, but did not speak until they reached the loft. "Was wondering when you were going to get around to yelling at me over Trick."

Stationed near the top of the stairs, Victor shook his head slowly. "Now, you sound like my Mighty Mite nephew. I scold you. If I actually yell at you, your life's on the line."

"Either way, you're ticked because I don't want Trick here."

"I ain't here to sell you on Trick," Victor informed, making the boy face him with traces of confusion present. "This is about that little attitude of yours after you saw those wheels."

"How was I supposed to react to somebody trying to drop hush money at my feet?" Scott reasoned in exacerbation. "He thinks he can float in here whenever he wants and throw something shiny at me like I'll get over him ditching us just like that. What kind of cheap lowlife crap is that?"

Victor appeared momentarily thoughtful before coming back with, "You mean like tryin' to play one father against the other just to get your own way?" Scott's puffed-up demeanor began to dissipate. "Before you got wise to Trick buyin' you that thing, you were ready to pitch a fit. You brushed Charles off without listenin' to a word he said and tried to use me to undermine him. You know better than that, Scott Summers; ten times over."

"….. I was so excited at first." Scott cast his red-tinted vision downward. "I would've harvested my own organs for that scooter. But you're right." He raised his head again. "That was a creep move. I'm really sorry, Coach. I apologized to Charles earlier."

"Good," the large leonine man approved. "Figured you two would settle it." Victor stepped forward to close the gap between them and gently grip the teen's shoulders. "For a guy who never wanted a son, I keep tryin' to figure out what half-baked good I've done to land an ace like you." Scott regarded him with a wide smile. "Still can't ignore the fact that you're not my boy alone. Emma found you and Charles brought you both home to this family before I came along. Don't take 'em for granted now."

When the elder finished speaking, Scott promised, "I won't," and leaned forward on him.

Victor released purrs as he rubbed the child's hair and back. "And Shades?"

"Yeah?"

"You're writin' out "I will not play the adults against each other" a hundred times. Due before I head out to WU with the ladies or it bumps up to two hundred."

Scott groaned intensely. "Aw, Coach, lines? My hands are all worn out from training."

To that, Victor counter-offered, "Want me to wear out your hide instead?"

Scott then obsequiously asked, "Do you want those in pen or pencil?"

IIIIIII

Stepping into the wide doorway of their suite, the irises of brown and blue beheld the pair of closed eyes in the center of their bed. With various stuffed creatures surrounding them, Kiki's arms wound around Mira, who wiggled her foot.

From behind the beaming couple, Alana softly said, "I hope you don't mind. Kiki wanted to help me read to her until you got in. Now, you pretty much need the jaws-of-life to pry them apart. Cody took Todd to escape our "prissy princess" literature."

Able to hear her older son's voice in that description, Kayla laughed airily. "Best sight of the night."

Logan told Alana, "Those girls have been tic-for-tac lately. We appreciate you helpin' out."

"My own pleasure," Alana assured. "I could rock and read to those babies for a lifetime."

Turning from the doorway, Kayla determined, "I'm going to look in on CoCo and Little Fox."

Right behind her, Logan put forth, "Y'know if the Pup is still awake, it'll take him all of two seconds to yack all over that dress."

Kayla performed one quick spin in the garment. "It served its purpose- making your baby blues bug out."

"You ain't lyin," Logan smirked, giving her chase along their floor.

Alana watched them go then came in to take in the slumbering two. Going to the changing table, she picked up where she left off folding the fresh laundry. Surprised to see an adult's powder blue shirt among the children's things, Alana moved swiftly to catch a piece of fabric that fell from it. Getting a better look at the matching short-sleeved articles, she saw that the big one had "Queen" printed in mauve letters to the smaller shirt's "Princess". Keeping a hold on the latter for another moment, she brought it in near to her chest.

II

Twin ceramic mugs in his possession, Sean made his way back into the heavily air-conditioned library. When he returned to the table they currently occupied, he placed one mug near to the one with nose burrowed into pages.

"Refill with double-shot of fudge, Frank-O."

"Double fudge in hot chocolate?" Frank lifted his gaze to eye him in mock disbelief. "Whoa, dude, when did you start downing the hard stuff?"

"The music industry has ruined me." Relishing a lengthy sip of his own cocoa, Sean dropped back into his chair. "Anything making sense yet or have you finally reached the hallucination phase?"

Frank then wanted to know, "What was with those sissy hippos in Fantasia? You got Mickey going Lizzie Borden on a broom and freaking crap-your-pants demons- how did hippo ballet play into anything?"

"That answers my question." Sean enjoyed another sip. "Couldn't tell you. I tended to work my pee and snack breaks around any part not The Sorcerer's Apprentice or Night on Bald Mountain."

Frank waved him off with, "Whatever, goth guy," and started on his liquid chocolate.

Tugging over the younger teenager's current text of interest, Sean asked in notable fascination, "Is this from Erik's school?"

Frank nodded. "I've been looking through his, the loaners from the Temple, and what Charles keeps in here."

Musingly, Sean threw out, "What do you think Erik was like in college? Other than absolutely nothing like Charles."

Considering the question, Frank guessed, "Probably like Leon. Can't you just see him tucked all the way in the back all quiet until the chance to mess with some prick prof?"

Sean snorted lightly. "Plan on continuing that legacy, I take it?"

"Don't be ridiculous," Frank refuted. "You know I can't stay quiet." Sean laughed and he smiled. "What about you at Syracuse?"

"Well, on the first day of high school, I introduced myself to my homeroom… by tripping over my own dang legs."

Frank swallowed his mouthful of cocoa to keep it from squirting out of his nose. "Oh, man! Only you could be that talented."

"I know," Sean concurred grudgingly. "If any of my college classes just have to force the whole awkward intro thing, I'm going with, "Hi, my name is Sean Cassidy from North Salem. I'm a rock star and you never will be. My hobbies include reading, writing, and doing it with my wife. That is all"."

"I dare you," Frank snickered.

"Please, you call that a dare?" Sean scoffed. "I'm the guy who told Erik to shut his mouth during class. And Alex is the guy he almost broke the yardstick off on for it."

"Ugh," Frank growled in enthusiasm, "would kill to have been here for that."

Expression shifting over to solemn, Sean honed in on the partial redness showing through Frank's t-shirt. "Have you been using that cream regularly?"

When Sean made a move to touch his now bare shoulder, Frank yanked on his short sleeve to better cover it. "Yeah, man, it's nothing. Flareups happen once in a while. If I'd taken better care of it in the first place…"

At Frank becoming all too absorbed in another book, Sean plucked it from his hands. "I should've taken better care of you. That parlor was my bright idea. Mommy Emma still won't let me drive to work gigs on my own."

Frank said mostly to himself, "For a total waste."

"Frank-O," Sean cupped his cheek, getting the sullen brown eyes up, "it's just ink. Some random trek into stupid doesn't change the fact that we're brothers. When we were kids, we connected over what's important in life. Baseball cards, comics, Hitchcock marathons, griping about Erik and Alex, and maybe one or two zillion biblical conversations. Here and there."

Frank's zeal boosted some. "You know, I can finish wracking what's left of my brain here if you need to rehearse or something for tomorrow."

"Later for that." Sean gave him back the book.

Selecting another from Erik's collection for himself, he mainly pawed through it to read the handwritten notes left inside it. Catching another glimpse of the younger mutant beside him, Sean squinted upon noticing stray strands of copper amongst the dark brown.

II

After half an hour of tranquil stillness within Eye Spy, both adults reacted to the blue-eyed boy who suddenly hurried in.

"Aunt Dri, Aunt Dri," Tommy addressed urgently.

Veering around in her chair, a puzzled Adrienne soothed, "Darling, I am right here. Are you alright?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm okay. I just wanted to get this to you before I forget." Tommy deposited an assortment of coins and wrinkled bills into her palms.

The taken aback woman estimated, "You have nearly seven dollars here."

Victor released a whistle of impression. "Yeesh, kiddo, how'd you come across that much bread?"

"When we started getting our pocket money, our folks got us these fireproof boxes. Mom said to put a little bit away from Christmas, birthday, Tooth Fairy, and all that jazz, even if it's just a penny," Tommy explained. "You know, in case there's a fire or flood and all our other stuff gets wrecked. But one of my cousins said it's really so we can grab fast cash to flee the country before somebody dumps missiles on us." Victor and Adrienne shared an indescribable look as Tommy went on with, "Anyway, that's all I got. Can you give it to St. Jude for me? Please?"

Astonished entirely now, Adrienne could only agree, "… Yes, of course. Every cent."

"Thanks, Aunt Dri." Tommy leaned forward to give her cheek a fast kiss before darting out of the security room again.

Raising a confused eyebrow, Victor shifted in his seat to ask his still flabbergasted girlfriend, "Any clue where that came from?"

Adrienne replied furtively, "The end result of schmoozing with one Mr. Danny Thomas no doubt."

II

Beneath the carved wooden cross and stars displayed on the wall to the left of the dresser, the reflective head of raven curls made a throne of her plush chair. With Sweetie Imp and Lana positioned on either side of her, she flipped through the black and white images frozen in time.

Tall frame coming to stand in the doorway, the Poland native only watched his daughter at first. "Where's your favorite roommate?"

Features ever gladdened by his voice alone, Becky told him, "Probably still with Raven. All that medicine can make her woozy sometimes."

"She only ingests a full arsenal." Entering the room in full, Erik next inquired, "What do you have there?"

"Nothing," she claimed, tone a distant whisper.

"Pardon me, ladies." Erik carefully transferred the white bear and doll onto the dresser. Gathering his slim girl, he said, "I want to experience the void of nothingness with you," took her seat and gave her his lap. At the photograph of the bitty body of plump jaws and petticoat layered white dress, Erik formed a massive grin. "Nothing, Anya?" He softly bopped heads with her as he gazed closer. "That's my little ladybug… who, apparently, used to be my little chipmunk."

Trying not to laugh, Becky poked at him. "Papa."

"Look at those cheeks. Winter storage, eh?"

"You're so mean."

"Yes, I am." He kissed her chin to rid her of the pout. "Let Papa enjoy this. You and Frank are my only baby pictures to boast and his stop at hardly two years old."

"Lucky him," Becky quipped. They went through a few other shots from various holidays. At the first to feature color, Becky scowled deeply at the three-year-old in yellow spring dress clutching her oldest toy at the time. "Stupid ugly doll!" Slamming the album shut, she pitched it across the room, where it collided with the wall before hitting the floor.

An entirely incredulous Erik could only utter a surprised, "Anya."

"I can't believe I ever touched that thing; Slept with it every night." Rising, Becky removed Lana and climbed on her bed over the covers.

Erik first went around to retrieve the discarded album. "You're not throwing my baby out with the bathwater." Becky placed swelled green eyes on him. "I'll gladly rip that doll from every shot, but these pictures matter, Anya. They did to Gavin and now, so much more to me." He joined her on the bed and tucked her under his arm as she inched closer to his side. "It feels like everything in our pasts have been violated or taken away. I didn't get the chance to pass around cigars in a hospital waiting room, anticipating your birth. Granted, when you were born, I would've only been…" Becky developed an intrigued countenance. "… younger than I am now."

"Oh, so ninety nine and a half."

"Look who's discovering her sassy teen side- stop it." Erik flicked her nose and tickled her cheek, making her develop a small smile. "Sweet Imp," he wound a few of her curls around his finger, "have I really made you feel that your grandparents are a forbidden subject?"

Unsure of that answer herself, Becky sincerely replied, "I don't know. When it's only us with the boys, you talk about them, tell us stories, show me all of Grandma's recipes, but I wouldn't know what to do if I had to do a family assignment like Alex's."

With tenderness and a trickle of curiosity, Erik wanted to know, "Why?"

"What am I supposed to say in front of my entire class?" Becky spoke in exasperation. "What am I allowed to say to strangers that won't upset you? Besides, do you know what happens the second the words "grandparents", "Jews", and "Europe" come out of my mouth? Those camps. It's always about the stupid camps! Hank's dad isn't just a gunshot on the sidewalk. The other kids' grandfathers aren't just some old or diseased bodies. No one cares that Grandpa Jake took you fishing as soon as school break came. That no matter how tired he was at the end of the day, he'd always pick you up high over his head until he couldn't lift you off the ground anymore. They don't care that Grandma Edie always left food for the stray cats or that she had to sell her vegetables, take care of the house, and you and Grandpa because you were too sick to move for two weeks. No, my grandparents are nothing but numbers and ashes scattered across Auschwitz."

Only able to keep her in a secure lock for nearly a full minute, Erik eventually asserted, "It seems I've done the SS' work for them." To no surprise, his daughter regarded him in bafflement. "If your grandparents have been reduced to ashes, it has nothing to do with ignorant strangers all too eager for horrific details. For so long, I couldn't entertain a passing thought about them without the blood boiling in my veins. I would be much the same today," he brought his palm to the side of her round face, "if I'd never met you. At a time I needed you more than anything in the world."

Becky gripped his strong wrist with both hands. "Me, too."

"When I first witnessed these "Grandpa Games", I thought it was the usual standard of silliness among the male imps," Erik confided. "However, after taking the time to really observe you all having such fun, I see that these games keeps them alive for you. Your merriment and creativity re-writing history. Tommy meant no more disrespect against Grandpa Jake than Alex did emphasizing him for his school project. You already have the younger children looking up to you. Don't waste your worries on me, Anya."

"I'll try, Papa, thanks." Becky tacked on, "Still, somebody needs you."

"As if you're the only impish but well-meaning telepath in my life." Getting up for a moment, Erik helped get her nestled under the thin linens. "Heaven only knows what's in store for when Brian's powers reach the surface." While his daughter let off a dreadful moan, a softly snickering Erik went to grab Sweetie Imp for her.

II

With the righthand French door already cracked, Joey proceeded into the master suite. To his surprise, he discovered it vacant.

Daddy?

Departing the bathroom the very next second, Charles wore his pajamas and robe. "Impatient this evening, are we? I didn't think you would be in such a hurry for your bedtime story. Not with your Aunt Raven's tendency to indulge you and Laci with an extra hour or two of television."

Joey told him somberly, "I don't feel like watching TV. Daddy… did you leave because you were mad about Trick and Scott… Or are you mad at me?"

"What?" Charles reacted in near incredulous amusement. "Son, I wasn't angry with Trick and certainly not with my little ones. Daddy only needed to go on a nice long drive to think." He regarded his boy more seriously now. "And with your mother seeing to the baby, what I think and know is that you and I have a conversation overdue."

"Yes, sir." Joey hardly had time to take a few steps as his father came to sweep him up.

Instead of the sitting area, Charles opted to lay back on the bed with Joey comfortably attached to his front. Taking a few lingering seconds to finger comb the lad's golden hair, the Professor stared into the youthful blue eyes that mirrored his own. Even after three years, Charles found it difficult not to want to wrap the formerly frail body that always seemed to catch a chill too easily. While still by no means chubby, Joey's overall frame reminded Charles of his ages 9-12 stage. Also like himself, Charles doubted Joey giving Scott, Sean, or especially Hank a run for their money in the height department.

Joey detected the thin accumulation of sheen in the man's eyes. "Daddy, what's wrong?"

"… Nothing- nothing, little one." Charles exited his personal headspace. "Joey, even if I need time to compose myself after a particularly nasty exchange of words, I will not set foot out of this house still angry with any of you children."

Joey brought up, "What about that one time when I was eight?"

"I was angry with your Uncle Erik that day," Charles reminded. "Therefore, it doesn't count." They exchanged momentary mischievous smirks. "Now, I mean it when I say I am not angry at you, Joey. However, I must be honest that I've been feeling a bit hurt. Not because you kept mum about the competition. I can understand that. What hurts me is that the day you received this tremendous news, you chose to misbehave so poorly at the table. Because of that, I had to spank my son on a night I should have been celebrating him."

Head promptly hanging, Joey uttered, "I'm so sor—"

Charles took him by the chin with a tap to his lips. "I know you are. I also know you didn't intend for this to happen. And unfortunately," Charles arose on the pillows a bit, better propping the fledgling, "as you get older," he also added, "and I get older for that matter, this won't be the last time we- how do Logan and Cody so eloquently phrase it?- "bash heads"?"

With a glint of humor, Joey said, "Yeah, that sounds right."

"And like our beloved Howletts, we've survived much more together than a few angry words," Charles reasoned. "When I was on bedrest, I told you I wanted to display greater trust in you; give you a bit more freedom. Yet I know there are times you'll face conflict and uncertainty, not knowing what to do, especially if you're trying to protect someone. When that happens, you absolutely must reach out to one of us and explain you need some time in your room, the treehouse, riding Xander, wherever separate from the rest of us. If you don't wish to discuss it quite yet, I'll understand. However, I won't stand for my sweet, sensitive boy being disrespectful out of anger and confusion. If you want more freedom and privilege, you must be honest with me."

Heartbeat gradually spiking, Joey slowly informed, "I have to tell you something, Dad."

Gently taking his hands, Charles vowed, "I'm all ears, son."

"You are gonna fry my bum…"

"Joey, if I managed to ignore my first thought of using a tawse on you after you leaped from a window, I'm sure you'll live to see day's light again."

Expression entirely lost, Joey wondered, "What's a tawse?"

The elder Xavier prompted, "Charles."

With another exhale, Joey rattled off, "I kissed Laci. Don't be mad at her! Don't say she can't come over anymore, Daddy, please!" At Charles' oddly still form, Joey grew all the more anxious. "Daddy?"

"One moment, please." Sliding his son off his person, Charles rolled off the bed and onto his feet. After hastening to shut the one open door, he sent a message to Emma in the nursery, requesting uninterrupted time with Joey for a spell. Making his way back to the bed, Charles attempted to get a grip on the newly discovered information. "You and Laci have kissed? Beyond your cheeks?"

Joey slowly nodded but rapidly assured, "None of that gross tongue stuff, though. We just touch lips, honest."

Sitting to keep their eye contact perfectly direct, Charles next wanted to know, "And when exactly did you begin this meeting of the lips?"

"At Laci's birthday party," Joey responded. "When we went out to the barn and I asked her to come to Sean's wedding with me and everything. I'd been, um, sorta thinking about it. I told her I wanted to try something."

Charles surmised importantly, "So, you're the one who initiated it."

"Only because she said it was okay. If she didn't want to, I wouldn't have tried it for a second."

"Eleven years old…" With each word, the illumination in Charles' face steadily brightened. "My little boy pecked his first bird at all of eleven years old…" With a laugh that resembled his uncanny bellow at the end of a rigorous chugging competition, he practically yanked Joey into his arms. "Way to best your old man by two years."

Almost ready to weep in relief, Joey looked into his face closely. "Wait, are you happy or so mad you're going totally gobsmacked?"

"My English gentleman," Charles chuckled, giving him a squeeze. "I'm not at all angry with you, little one. And you parish that other thought about Laci. I would never banish her from our home nor would your Aunt Raven allow me to even entertain the idea." Easing his enthusiasm some, Charles spoke delicately to him. "I understand why you believed I would hit the ceiling. Between those glittery-eyed looks I've seen past between you and how Laci experiences a level of happiness she likely thought she would never know when around you, I can't say I'm entirely floored you two have explored this stage."

"You don't think we're bad at all? We only do it once in a while."

"Absolutely not," Charles emphasized firmly. "You are not something wicked and filthy for requesting a lady's kiss like a gentleman instead of a brutish cad going where he isn't invited. And I think no less of Laci for granting your request. However, son, you have to remember that you're both still children and that Laci is someone's very protected daughter. I can guarantee you that the Carmichaels would never accept this with open arms."

"Please don't tell them, Dad, please," Joey pleaded. "They'll never let her go to the academy or come over here again. "They'd pull her out of schoo—"

With a kind hush, Charles rocked his son before his panic levels could skyrocket. "Calm down now, my Charles. Though, I'm afraid I agree with you. While you two have these special feelings for each other, you're still the best of friends. I never want to see anything come between you. Not even yourselves." He pulled back enough to peer directly into the young mutant's eyes again. "Meaning for now, you two need to rest your little lips." Charles then asked pointedly, "And I can trust you to heed me on that, yes? Or do I need to assign an instructor to follow you room to room? From what I've been told, your Uncle Hank has a rather zealous reaction to grammar school children attempting a kiss…"

Shaking his head nearly hard enough to disconnect it from his neck, Joey rushed to insist, "No, we'll do as you say, promise. You can trust me, Dad."

A contented Charles held him closer. "I suspected as much."

Resting on him, Joey considered something else. "What about Mum and Uncle Erik? Are you going to tell them?"

"Yes, but only when the timing is right."

"When's that?"

Charles hummed thoughtfully. "Right before we send out your wedding invitations."

II

At finding another passage of interest, the child lowered the book long enough to add it to his notes. So engrossed in jumping back and forth between the biblical as well as literary sources, he did not hear the elder's arrival.

Upon seeing the boy all but buried in pages and strewn papers, Erik remarked, "I see you've caught your brother's study bug."

Looking over his shoulder, Tommy made a sour face. "Uck, never. I got the nerd shot when I was a baby."

With his chest vibrating in a low chuckle, Erik sat on the side of the bed and noticed the hardback copy of King James. "Did you want me to come back when you're finished?"

"What?" Realizing his meaning, Tommy clarified, "No, this isn't communion or anything." Remembering something, he put forth, "Erik, you know what Josh was saying before? Would that church have really turned Ben and Rabbi Chad away for being Jewish?"

Erik answered, "It's a strong possibility and one they most likely knew from prior experience. Certain houses of worship want to keep charity strictly among their own congregation. Others simply have no time or tolerance for anyone outside their faith."

"I get that, but it still makes no sense," a perplexed Tommy said thoughtfully. "Jesus told the Good Samaritan parable because the disciples didn't know who counted as neighbors with the "love thy neighbor" thing. And look at these." Notebook in hand, Tommy scooted close enough for he and Erik to view it together. "A ton of people came to hear Jesus this one time. Since they were too dumb to pack lunch," Erik hardly held in a snort, "Jesus fed them all with the bread and fish. But there were a whole lot of people and they never ran out of food. They came to hear Jesus, but it doesn't say if they all believed Him. The disciples didn't ask anybody if they were on the team, either. And here," Tommy lowered the notebook for the novel, "the one I got from Rachel."

That title captured Erik's attention quickly. "Foxe's Martyrs? This is the one Rachel lent you?"

"Uh huh," Tommy nodded. "I'm not all the way through the first story, but what they were doing to those people—"

"Is not something I want you reading about before bedtime," Erik interjected. "We'll look at this together tomorrow, but for now, put your research away- neatly- and I'll tell you another story."

"Aw, Erik, not now," Tommy protested. "It's not scary and I don't want to go to bed yet."

Erik gave him a single raised eyebrow. "Thomas…"

Lower lip dangling, Tommy requested, "Can we read it together if I sleep in your room? Just a little. I like the way you read stuff better, anyway."

After a moment, Erik granted, "Just a little. Now, clean the bed for Sean. He has work tomorrow."

With that, Tommy set about stacking his things together. He brought them as well as his writing utensils towards the desk, but made a path for the closet.

At Erik's questioning look, the ten-year-old explained, "I don't want Sean mixing up my stuff with his. I only show it to people if I want to."

"And that is your right," Erik approved. "Nothing you write is less valid than Sean's work."

Thrilled smile in place, Tommy ran to jump into the man's wide arms. Rushing to his feet with gusto, Erik growled against his neck and tickled his side. Enjoying the infantile laughter, he spared one hand to carry the book as well. They made it to Erik's suite shortly, where the metal wielder deposited the child and reading material onto the bed.

Pleasant expression fading, Tommy propped up on his elbow. "Erik, you can feel all sorts of metal, right?"

From his bathroom, Erik replied, "There are days I believe I'm made of it, cell by cell, bone to bone."

"Can you stick a bomb in a motorcycle?"

"Yes. Just about anywhere in fact." Stepping out to peer at the boy, Erik wanted to know, "And why exactly did that cross your mind? For your game?"

Shaking his head, Tommy next asked, "So, if somebody put a bomb in Leon's motorcycle, you'd feel it, right? Feel something off before he even got on it?"

An entirely rigid countenance in place, Erik squatted to meet his eyes. "You think someone will try to do that to Leon? Like they did his father?" Tommy nodded. Moving to lay with him, Erik kissed and grasped the small hands with his own. "Leon's faced a few ignorant comments here and there, but it's been nothing like his school experiences in California. He's also extremely vigilant and aware of the evils around us. You needn't be afraid for your brother or any of you. That is why I'm here."

"… If anybody tried something, you'd kill them, wouldn't you?"

"With my bare hands," Erik vowed. At the return of the boy's smile, the Headmaster proposed, "Let's read a bit then I'll sing you to sleep."

When Erik sat up, Tommy reclined on him while the man held the book and narrated.

II

With the quietude that made up the McCoy common room, Raven's serene hum reached all those around her. Her focus remained on the ginger lass in her lap, covered in a light throw and clinging to the shapeshifter as she slept. Alex and Leon sat across from her in the two chairs, flexing their worked limbs. A dark wordless glower from his presently blue twin made Alex drop his feet from her coffee table.

"Evening, colleagues," the resident physician greeted on entry.

Alex commented, "Look at you all out of the lab today."

"As if you don't live out of your workspace these days." Hank used his clipboard to mostly gently bop the blonde head as he went to Raven and Laci on the sofa.

"How's she doing?" Hank asked, keeping his voice low.

"Those meds can really clobber her," Raven kept loose strands of reddish-orange out of the fair-skinned face, "but she had fun tonight."

Hank theorized, "I believe they're going through an awkward adjustment with her no longer living such a sedentary lifestyle."

Raven added to that with a vow of, "Not anymore." She glanced in Leon's direction. "Did you find out anything else about Travvy?"

Straightening up in his seat a little, Leon began, "From what I've gathered, there's more to this animosity with Tommy and, at times, Brian than meets the eye. Trav is honestly really… strange."

Raven rolled her eyes upward. "The pioneer in the field of psychology, folks."

"What I mean," Leon elaborated, "is this isn't just treating Dad like a football they're fighting over. Trav comes off genuinely afraid of being rejected or forgotten that he'll do anything to stay in the good graces. Since doing his best in school made him sick, he now wants to be the best X-Man. He's attacking because it feels like someone like Tommy is so much better than he is and he wants to keep the attention, however negative."

With a nod of comprehension, Hank concurred, "That does make a world of sense. Trav can get very mischievous and playful, but he's never been aggressive."

"Here's where the sense stops," Leon went on, "at least for me. Trav developed anxiety purely by accident. A side effect of his desire to overachieve, especially in a family with so many scholars. Instead of walking the fairly standard path of rebellion or developing depression, he channels the pain he doesn't even know he has into outstanding productivity. Every day he wakes up, he wants to be better than the person he was yesterday. When he can't strive for that, there's where the stomach problems come in."

"I think you're really onto something here," supported Alex. He looked at the McCoys. "Let's face it, guys. Ever since we got them out of that plant, Kiki and Trav have never exactly been like the rest of us troubled types."

Leon clarified, "You mean happy, well-adjusted, persevering, and eager to explore and learn about the world around them that the rest of us have written off as a valley of brimstone and death… or is that just me?"

Eying him directly, Hank answered, "No."

Rubbing Laci's back, Raven vexed, "There has to be something we can do to help him through this. I do not want Trav medicated, seriously."

Hank shook his head firmly. "It will not come to that."

"No, it won't," Leon agreed as resolutely, peering around at each of them. "But guys, with all the kids growing up, this is barely the start of all the crazy we're going to run into. We have to be here for them, seeing what the older instructors might miss while they're preoccupied with keeping mutants out of cages."

With a nod to his brother, Alex faced the McCoys again. "We've been training all this time for a reason, X-Men. Time to pick up the slack to get the next set ready."

"Great," Raven mildly griped. "We're going to wake up as old fogies come sunrise."

Alex smirked, "Hank's been ahead of us there for years."

Tossing a cushion at him, Hank countered, "Says the perpetual lanky brat."

"Don't disturb the cutie, boys." Raven then asked her husband, "Could you take her to Becca's room?"

Gathering the petite little girl into his stout arms with the greatest delicacy, Hank kept Laci hugged to his front as he started out with her.

The other three dispersed right after. After the WU twins visited Trav's room, Leon lingered a moment. Trav laid tranquil among his beloved blue bear and ape, Bruiser. Unsure at first, Leon eased into sitting beside the small harmonious vessel.

Bringing careful fingers into the boy's hair, Leon addressed him faintly. "The world already got me, Trav. There's nothing I can do about that. But no matter what level of hell I have to face next, Uncle Leon won't let it get you, too."