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.

336. Chapter 336 Preceding eXodus

Rise or Fall

Chapter 336: Preceding eXodus

Chapters to Check: 260, 265, 319, 327, 329, 334 and 335.

NOTE: Fam, thank you so much for that last round of feedback! I haven't decided on an official posting schedule yet so presently, we're just feeling out and seeing what works. For those of you who don't know, I am an American and my family has been much better off than many during this crisis. I'm physically healthy, but I still have mental fog to clear so I'm not 100%, but things have definitely improved. Thank you all for still supporting me and RoF. Please enjoy and review!

The pink and yellow tinted sky that marked early morning reflected against the recently washed Camaro below. The physician situated his overnight and briefcase bags into the trunk. Shutting it, he glanced over to see the auburn-haired woman headed his way with a chilled beverage presented.

"Thank you," he accepted the insulated iced tea.

Grasping her own cup of mild caffeine, Edna looked over the black vehicle. "Just about set?"

"Getting there," Jed responded then took a long sip through the attached straw. "Trying to give the kids a little more time with the Herd. What about you?" She faced him now. "All geared up to join us east coast showmen?"

"Had you asked me that two years ago, mortal terror would be clutching me," Edna wistfully replied. "Truth be told, this change is necessary for me and my children. The former life can never resume."

Jed eyed her sympathetically. "I only wish I wasn't so backed up at the clinic. I'd love to help you through this move."

Edna promptly reminded, "You've already helped me more than I can repay, Jed."

After a silent beat, he brought up, "As an added bonus, seems we'll be seeing more of each other after this rather than less… I'm hoping."

At her rising on her toes, Jed dipped his head to receive her peck to the corner of his mouth.

From his wordless, still position, Hank nearly dropped the hatch at his wife's voice. "What's the holdup, bunny-bear?"

Sparing one hand to none-too-casually adjust his glasses, the young scientist looked to see that his better half, their children, and self-appointed guard dogs had caught up with him. With Hank handling rabbits Hopper and Jumper, Raven took the cat carrier containing Candy and Cupcake while Trav transported Crumb and Chip. Bruiser and Sandy merely walked along with Kiki.

Hank saved face by commanding, "Come along. We've kept Dr. Sullivan waiting long enough," and resumed walking.

Raven smirked at the way he practically marched, but directed their little ones to follow suit.

"Here they are," Edna warmly acknowledged when her brood approached.

Jed stepped forward to address them with an apologetic air. "A beautiful day and I've managed to rack up nothing but gloomy faces."

Trav claimed, "We're okay. Right, Kikiko?"

His sister merely nodded into Bruiser's neck.

Raven attempted to relieve the atmosphere with, "Sorry we took a while. Midnight, Grace, and Bounty joined the Herd for an exclusive VIP breakfast."

"I tell you," Jed smiled, "even the crummiest motel wouldn't let us get so much as a paw through the door, but here, it's been five-stars all the way." He squatted to be in the children's line of sight. "I can't thank you all enough for how at home you've made us feel, especially you two. You took excellent care of all of them."

Kiki came forth to wrap her short arms around his neck. "Thank you for saving our daddy."

Trav put down the carrier to join the hug. "Thanks a million, Dr. Sullivan."

Raven used her free hand to touch her tense husband's arm.

After they got all eight critters comfortably arranged and fastened inside the Camaro, Hank showed the older physician his hand. "Thank you again, Dr. Sullivan."

Giving him a fond shake, the blonde man informed him, "It's Jed. I'm just happy to see you on your feet again, son."

Hank refrained from instantly retracting his hand, though the appendage grew limp.

"Oh, Raven, before I forget..." Jed removed a small brown package from his inner jacket pocket. "See to it that Emma gets this, would you?"

The blue woman looked over the tightly taped parcel curiously. "If it's leftover peanut butter pie, it's getting lost in-transit."

"No such luck." Jed then clarified, "That's the full footage from Leon's little misadventure. That security system turned out to be a more worthwhile investment than I ever could have imagined."

Raven smiled favorably while Hank observed the fond expression Edna cast their former houseguest's way.

IIIIIII

When the slender sales associate emerged from the rear office, she paused in place at the young man with braided hair. Palms pressed to either side of the glass, his line of sight fixated on the gleaming pieces beyond the display case.

With urgency in her otherwise poised step, she put forth, "May I help you?"

Raising his head, a beguiling grin spread across Jimmy's face. "Yes, actually," he read her name tag, "Joan." He tapped two fingers against the front of the glass. "Let me have a closer look at this."

She tracked his gaze. "The Zenith?"

"Yes, please."

"Sir, the Zeniths start at eighty dollars. That one in particular is one-hundred before sales tax."

Jimmy merely requested, "I'd like to have a look for myself before you make your pitch."

With a barely concealed sigh, Joan selected the tiny key from her wrist ring to unlatch the case and remove the specified watch. She gaped as he attached a loupe to his eye to scrutinize the face and band.

"Jim." Brenda's voice preceded her maneuvering through the shop to reach him. "Look, look, look." Holding Anne by the wrist, she spun the younger girl in place to make her recently highlighted waves bounce about.

Anne giddily informed, "We got our nails done, too."

They both wiggled their sparkling fingertips and open-toes.

Jimmy let off an admiring whistle over the salon-fresh duo. "Look at you two, about to turn out the whole mall. Hey, what do you think?" He showed them the watch. "Platinum or gold?"

"Gold," selected Anne while Brenda picked, "Platinum."

"That settles it." Returning his attention to Joan, Jimmy fished out his wallet to retrieve two hundreds and a fifty from it. "One of each, please."

After several blinks, Joan reacted with, "Yes, of course, sir."

Jimmy waved a dismissive hand when she attempted to give him his change, "No, no, that's for you." He took his receipt and looked over his shoulder at his young comrades. "We have to help the less fortunate wherever we can."

Irate countenance all over her painted face, Joan turned away to fulfill his order.

When Anne laughed at the expression, Brenda lightly jabbed at her with her elbow.

Once they exited the jewelry store, she wondered, "What was that about, rudeness?"

Jimmy responded with, "Never start what you can't finish, ladies." He then asked them, "Think you can take a break from buying out the place long enough to eat?"

"Definitely," Brenda seconded, though not as loaded down with purchases as the other Acolyte girl.

"Thanks again for driving us, Jim," Anne said as they made it to the food court. "Fab hovers like crazy whenever we go out. Way more since last year."

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "You mean since some crazy broad snatched you?"

"Por favor," Anne spoke in mild dismay as they settled at a three-seater table, "not even trying to think about that anymore." She then brought up, "Becky just had to enroll in that random acting school. I wanted her to come with us."

"Oh," Brenda folded her hands underneath her chin as she eyed her, "sorta like how she wanted you to come to Maya's wedding?"

"Fine," Anne grudgingly conceded, "know-it-all."

Brenda made a smooching gesture at her then put forth, "Who wants to watch the stuff first so we can order?"

"Hold up on that for a second," Jimmy directing, making them both face him, though he zeroed in on Anne. "We need to finish discussing this thing with you and baseball boy."

Anne sunk in her chair. "Knew that was coming."

Brenda offered, "Do you guys need a minute?"

"Uh uh," Jimmy immediately shook his head, "this is for you, too. Now, listen," he looked at Anne again, "I see you all giddy and glad over your new special friend and I'm glad for you, obviously." His tone grew distinctly more severe. "But do not give me any kind of bull. I went out on a limb for you; a short, brittle limb your daddy will snap in two along with my neck."

"I know," Anne insisted. "Jimmy, you have no idea how much—"

"Eh," he cut in briskly, finger pointed meaningfully, "do not interrupt me while I'm talking." His sharp eyes darted between theirs. "Understand me?" Brenda and Anne nodded vigorously. "Good. Now, I meant what I said to that kid. I'm the one responsible for you in all this. If it all works out- down the line- I'll try to make your case for Estevan. You know I can't make any promises there, but if you want a chance at all, you do as I say and stay upfront with me. No lying, no sneaking around," he aimed his gaze at Brenda, "no cover-ups. I know how much experience you've got there already." The Lebanese girl squirmed meekly in her chair and Jimmy went back to Anne. "There are many a time and place to do things on the down and low. This ain't it. You try to pull something and it's my wrath you'll have to worry about, not your brother or daddy's. And you, most especially, better not try to use any of your little tricks on me." He tapped his own head for emphasis. "It will not work. I will know. And you can run all the way to the plains in Spain- I'm still getting you. Do we understand each other, senioritas?" He twirled his wrist. "Speak now."

"Without a doubt," Brenda agreed.

Anne docilely responded, "Absolutamente. But," a different concern filled her face, "what about until Fabian goes to Boston?"

"You leave the hermano to me. Go ahead." Jimmy twirled his wrist. "Go get your food."

After the girls got up, Jimmy leaned back in his seat and took out one of his new watches to admire. Under the lights, the platinum band glinted against his pupils.

IIIIIII

At the end of their latest session, Scott stayed in the garage to give his bike a light scrub while Trick retreated upstairs to spend some time with Brian. While he worked, Scott remained only mild aware of his most frequent audience member, Tommy. Not that he minded the presence of the youngest Cassidy. Though Tommy possessed energy almost identical to Cody's along with Trav's curiosity, Scott usually found him far less of an irksome gnat.

The thirteen-year-old looked up at one point to see Tommy seemingly inspecting the black and silver motor machine. "You learned to hotwire motorcycles in Virginia, but Sean can barely man pliers?"

"I don't know how he fixes my toys better than I can." Tommy went from Leon's motorcycle to Alex's. "Are these the same kind?"

Scott finished dumping his bucket of soiled water in the utility sink then came over to see what he meant. "Nope, different models. They're both stellar, though. Have to be to pass the Magneto All-Points Inspection."

Tommy continued eying them ponderously. "They'd know if something was off with 'em, right?"

Scott developed his own wariness at the shorter boy's troubled wording. "Like what?"

"Bombs. I heard Wolverine say they can make some smaller than a grenade."

An unaffected Scott confirmed, "Yeah, they can. My ROTC instructor says the same thing. That kind of stuff's not really Westchester-y, though. There are uptight snobs and bigots some places, but they don't like messiness here. That sick tagging joke at the high school really threw everybody for a loop." He looked the darker-haired youth over thoughtfully. "I know you worry about Lee a lot. But you have to remember his powers. They've saved him before without him even trying."

Tommy stated, "And Erik said he'll kill anybody who tries anything like that again."

"Yeah, he will. Vic, too. That's what you wanted, right?" Tommy glanced from the bikes to Scott. "With the fire? All this heavy stuff gets to you that much?"

"Not just Lee," Tommy attempted to elucidate. "All you guys. I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know how I'm supposed to leave," Tommy expressed in exasperation. "Just go back like none of this happened. Like there aren't f- goons lurking around to grab mutants, even if they're just kids. All this crazy stuff and my dad flips out if I shove a jerk at recess."

Scott shook his head. "And adults say we play too much make-believe. I get what you're feeling, Tommy. I'd love to tell you what to do about it," he began their path out of the sizable garage, "but I can't make up my own mind these days."

"Sure gonna be dead quiet around here soon," Tommy raised. "Becky and the guys gone during the day, the older kids leaving, even you."

"Hey, mine's not etched in stone yet," Scott reminded with a pat to his shoulder.
"Yeah, I know. I might even miss Trav."

They shared a look as they chorused, "Maybe."

On the main level, they made their way into the Hovel and discovered its own with his head arched back, nodding off in the jacuzzi. Giving Tommy a puckish glance, Scott tipped into the relaxing hygiene space.

Maneuvering around to reach the older Summers' ear, he uttered in an airy voice, "Oh stuuud, it's Holly…"

"Mm, baby," Alex murmured, "why the heck do you sound like that twerpy kid brother of mine?"

Scott darted away before the blonde could cuff him with a wet hand. The teen fled with a cackling Tommy.

In the compact gym, Leon ceased doing leg lifts as the chortling duo rushed in. "Dare I make an inquiry?"

"Just keeping Alex from drowning in the tub," Scott alleged.

Leon dug no further and moved over to a bench to down some water. He inched over to the edge in order for most of Scott's growing body to lay down by him. When Tommy started up the climbing wall, Leon did not caution him but quietly observed his improved speed.

"Hey, Lee?" The petitioning young Cyclops got the instructor to lower his gaze. "Would it be too weird for you if I go to California?"

"Angel and the Frosts have yet to bring back any of the Ten Plagues with them," Leon came back with. "Also, San Francisco is also nearly seven hours from where I used to live. I don't scorn the entire state."

"So, it really wouldn't bug you if I went?"

"Tell him yes," Tommy directed from where he roosted at the top of the wall.

Leon parroted, "Yes," making Scott snort.

IIIIIII

Sensing the whereabouts of the one she sought, the green-eyed lass ventured through the partially open door. The aftermath of what appeared to be an indoor tornado greeted her with the open suitcases on the bed and books, papers, and other materials strewn about. From his makeshift seat comprised of a stack of hardbacks, the recently wed male managed to tear away from adding fervent reactions to the novel in his possession with nearly enough written to outnumber the pages' actual word counts.

"Curls, hey. You guys are home?" Sean briefly glanced at his watch. "Yeesh, it's that late already?"

Becky looked at the suitcases as she incredulously remarked, "You're still packing?"

"Hey, hey, in my defense, we were focused on getting the big wedding gifts moved out first. And half this mess falls on a certain little crumb-snatcher who sleeps in here."

"And you're still hoping to get your new books read before Uncle Charles finishes his?" she guessed.

With a humored exhale, he conceded, "Maybe that, too. Add to the fact that every time I pack up some of this stuff, I feel like I'm going to need it immediately."

Venturing in closer, Becky inquired hopefully, "Would that include your Genesis notes?"

Sean appeared only briefly thoughtful before recollection set in. Getting to his feet, he unzipped his guitar case on top of the desk and pawed through the pockets made into the lining.

"Eureka." Like a sword from a stone, he retrieved the worn olive journal and presented it victoriously.

Taking it from him, "You take these to work with you?" Becky began searching through the pages.

"I like carrying around some of my old notes with me." Sean plopped into his swivel chair. "In the likely event of a pre-show mental meltdown."

Becky replied, "I definitely know what you mean."

Sean then asked, "Is this about your play write-up Cody was telling me about?"

With a nod, Becky hopped up to sit on the edge of the desk. "I've never thought about Eve so much." She turned from the pages to the older "Remember how we used to spend an hour just talking about why the animals were created first?"

"Why we were created at all," Sean further recollected.

"Yeah," Becky said nostalgically. "In a certain way, I understand Eve. After all, the first time I got into trouble here was for snooping through Papa's stuff."

Sean scoffed. "At least you didn't tell him to shut up."

"I so wish I'd been in that class," Becky yearned.

"Why, to see me about ready to puke or pee myself?" Sean hooted a laugh despite.

Becky giggled before growing contemplative. "Maybe Eve wanted to understand God the way I wanted to Papa."

"Maybe. Though back then," Sean swayed in his seat, "I just wanted Erik to understand me. Or, at least, tolerate me being within fifteen feet of him."

Becky's green eyes exhibited somber tenderness. "What about now?"

"Now," Sean glanced around at the remainder of his belongings, "he can barely tolerate the idea that I'm about to be over two hundred miles away from him."

II

In the kitchen, Kiki zipped back and forth between Edna, Alana, and Raven to fulfill whatever task assigned to her. Despite the large amount of activity necessary to feed all X-Men and Allies, Frank read his study materials more at ease than in any library setting. Trying to distract himself from his own thoughts, Scott helped him review. Trav invited himself to do so as well, thought he mainly became preoccupied with trying to grasp the extensive high school vocabulary terms.

Out back, Cody made gymnast bars of various branches. He used one as a springboard to reach another tree at a greater distance. When he attempted to cling to it by extending his claws, he could not stab deep into the bark enough. Before his reflexes could grab hold of another piece of wood, he landed on a solid silver surface.

"Nice one, buddy." Cody crouched to knock against the circle of metal. "Hank rigged another one up for you?"

Joey explained, "He keeps a couple of spares around in case I accidentally blast mine off into the ether." He glanced about. "Where'd Tommy go?"

II

With a grunt, the Irish boy stretched until he had his fist attached to the next limb and pulled himself up. He neared the top when his chain got snagged under a thin branch that promptly broke up. Eyes enlarging, Tommy scrambled to retrieve it until the large cross abruptly stilled at the midway point. Knowing the force behind it prevented him from experiencing full relief.

Appearing from seemingly out of nowhere as he tended to do, the hovering Headmaster redressed the boy with the necklace before speaking. "That could've been your neck on the ground instead."

Tommy flashing his shiny eyes proved utterly futile against the icier blue adult pair, causing him to withdraw slightly. Taking hold of him by his middle, Erik lowered them both from the yellow birch as the child's comrades hurried over on the disk.

Instantly sizing up the situation, Cody remarked, "And everybody says I need a leash…"

"You two go wash up for dinner," Erik instructed.

Cody attempted, "Erik—"

The piercing look from his uncle gave Joey all the necessary motivation to start their flight back to the house.

Tommy on his own feet again, Erik remained at his full height as he crossed his arms. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't we have a discussion only a few weeks back about you needing to be careful if you're going to play in trees?"

"Yes, sir," Tommy softly responded.

The man's gaze further hardened. "We both know you can speak up much louder than that, Thomas."

"Yes, sir, we did," Tommy amended more audibly. "I really was trying to be careful. I took my time and you saw- I almost got to the top."

"Of a forty-foot tree," Erik said pointedly, "yes, I certainly did see you trying to pull off that foolhardy maneuver."

Tommy stood in quiet contrition after that and Erik considered him. Even if he might deserve it, he did not want the lad reduced to a fidgeting spectacle at the meal table. Awaiting correction until after dinner would only disturb his appetite. When he reached a decision, Erik bent to take him by the arm and give him a slight side turn. Tommy hissed as he felt the man's full strength against the seat of his pants. He pressed his feet against the dirt to stay still through all six strikes.

Making the boy face him again, Erik decreed, "Right after dinner, you're going to the den to copy the definition of 'caution' one hundred times. As soon as you're done, it's bedtime for you. Understood?"

"Yes, sir," Tommy replied penitently. "I'm sorry."

Erik maintained a grip on his shoulder as he guided them inside. He noticed the small decline of tension on the fledgling's part from the touch. The Professor crossing their path at the back of the house immediately caused the boy to shrink. Charles lost his jovial expression at the clear discomfort.

"Hurry out of your play clothes now." Erik patting his bottom made Tommy pick up as much speed as he could without actually running for the stairs. To the quizzical Englishman, the metal wielder informed, "He decided to admire the view. From the top of a yellow birch."

"… Naturally." Charles then noted, "He has been particularly frolicsome of late, hasn't he? Here we thought it was difficult to keep Frank and Cody indoors for long."

"I am familiar with a little boy's summer zeal," however long ago, "but I've warned him about trees; about safety in general. He'll be finishing his punishment in my den after dinner."

Charles nodded his agreed understanding.

Within the next twenty minutes, the dining room table steadily filled.

Edna looked to conduct a silent head count. "Angela, where's your sister?"

"Getting in her last Collin dates for a while," Angel responded.

At the warm sensation at her ankle, Emma gazed down and cooed, "Now, how did you wander all the way down here by yourself?"

"Gracie," Trav and Kiki realized when their aunt picked her up to cradle.

Logan clicked his tongue at the tiny feline. "You're liable to get stepped on moseyin' through this fortress, darlin'."

Hank turned to his children disapprovingly. "I told you two to make sure she can't get down through my lab. Especially now since she's probably searching for Dr. Sullivan's cats."

Trav explained, "She was in my room last, Daddy. I'm sorry. I thought I shut the door all the way."

"Cats are frighteningly resourceful escape artists," Leon stated seriously.

"You don't know the half of it," Logan remarked.

A smirk crossed Victor's features.

Hank's face softened. "Just be a little more mindful in the future, Cub."

"Yes, Daddy," the seven-year-old replied dutifully.

"Little Guy was probably rushing to make sure I got my homework going." Frank went to collect Grace from Emma. "I'll take her back up."

"Thanks, Frankie," Trav sent after him.

"Speaking of homework," Charles' stern stare locked in on his preoccupied niece, "not at the table. You're well aware of that, Rebecca Anya Lehnsherr."

Annunciation of her full name sending chills through her system, Becky scrambled to close and put her script away. "Sorry, everyone."

"I can review lines with you after this," Scott offered.

"Thanks, but it's not the lines," Becky told him. "We don't have to be off-script for the try-out."

"You're still in a headrush over that cheesy assignment?" Cody said apathetically.

Becky reminded importantly, "It's only our very first one, Cody."

"What show are you doing?" Alana inquired.

"It's called Corrupters' Court. It was written by an academy alumnus." Becky then explained, "Eve, Hera, and Lady Macbeth are plucked up from their individual worlds and called into question over their parts in causing their husbands' falls into darkness."

"Hold on," Cordelia piped up. "Is this production sponsored by La Familia Cortez?"

Becky gave off an amused shake of her head. "Not as far as we know." She continued her rundown with, "All the girls have to write a paragraph on and audition for each of the female leads and the boys are doing the same for the men."

"Yeah, except there're four dudes and three ladies," Cody groused.

"Three of those four 'dudes' are barely in the play," Becky pointed out.

"Regardless, that sounds like a stellar story," Charles commented with intrigue. "The meshing of different authors, time periods, whole universes…"

With equal favor, Erik said, "I look forward to Opening Night."

Emma glanced up from encouraging Brian to make use of his utensils to inform, "I'm having our tickets pre-registered."

"Still crowding out other families." Trick grinned sentimentally. "'Though," he glanced at Joey, "I figured you'd be the one trying to smuggle in homework between bites."

"The Art Department doesn't have homework, Trick," Joey said matter-of-factly. "We have craft-honing opportunities."

"Oh, begging your pardon," Trick put on an air of repentance, "Master Xavier."

"So, the Eel gets hone-work," Alex concluded. "Got it."

"Yeah, but Zeke's got us readin' and writin' stuff for our school credit," Cody carped.

"Are such injustices really taking place beyond those prominent academy walls?" Kayla's tongue practically desiccated with her every dry word. "Em, we'll have to rally together a parents' group immediately."

The blonde X-Woman came back with, "I'll get the coffee going after this." With a side of strawberry daiquiri.

Kayla aimed a conspiring grin her way.

"If you need some inspiration, Code Man, I have notes on Adam, Zeus, and Macbeth," Sean offered.

"Same here," Maya added.

"No thanks, you guys," Cody declined. "I already cranked mine out."

Becky's green eyes very nearly swelled out of their sockets. "No, you didn't. Already?"

"Nothin' to it," the leonine boy waved off. "Puck's the only interestin' guy in the script. Adam, Zeus, and Macbeth all had the exact same motivation."

"And what's that?" Becky questioned challengingly.

Cody then claimed, "I can't say it 'cause it's not proper for the table."

Amidst the clanking forks and barely concealed laughter that occurred next, Kayla applied a weary yet unsurprised hand to her forehead.

Beside her, Logan uttered, "Christ, help…"

Tommy cracked his first smile in a long while.

To the other non-mutated mother, Alana put forth, "Don't you just love this house?"

"A daily dose of paradise," Edna proclaimed.

"Such a bold stance and you're finished already?" Charles addressed Cody with a tone somewhere between dubious and fascinated. "I'd like to have a look at your assignment. As soon as we're finished eating."

"Charles," Cody moaned, "it's just for the play or whatever. It's not even for a real letter grade."

"As soon as we're finished eating," the Professor reitered. "Yes, Codicat Howlett?"

"Yes, Uncle Prof," came the instant docile response.

Ha, Becky sent across the table, you got full-named, too.

Cody promptly returned, you got full-named first. And you're ooooolder.

All reacted with varying degrees of shock and/or awe when Frank suddenly rematerialized in the room all at once.

The novice teleporter had to adjust his footing to stay upright. "Got it in three tries this time. How I ended up in the basement first," he headed back to his seat, "I have no clue."

IIIIIII

Tentative fingers reaching forth, the youngest instructor quietly slipped in through the half-open door. At the foot of the bed, the seven-year-old faced away while feeding Grace the remainder of her last milk bottle.

As if made aware of the change in his surroundings, Trav peered over his shoulder suspiciously then his expression dissolved into unreadable. "Oh, it's you."

"Not a fact I care to celebrate, either." Leon then asked, "Is it alright? After all, I'm still under supervision so if you boot me out, I need to find someone else immediately."

"Why do you want to be in here with me?"

Leon thought very briefly. "Because I want to be in here with you."

"Fine." Trav resumed focusing on the happily nestling kitten.

Coming over only a few paces closer, Leon inquired, "How are you doing? With the other animals being gone, I mean. Do you miss the dogs?"

"Yep," Trav replied. "But it's okay. We have Grace now. Grandma said she can come with us to pack up her stuff from the old house."

"Great deal. It's nice your grandma's coming to stay here. Even Melissa likes her. Definitely not something she says about a lot of people." Leon tacked on, "Not sure why she says it about me most of the time."

Line of sight still on his kitten, Trav expressed, "I don't know why my daddy does, either."

Leon merely concurred, "That makes two of us," then went to one knee by the bed. "I know perfectly well why you don't and no matter what anyone says, I do not think you're wrong for that. Hank still loving me doesn't mean I love myself. Trav, even if you give up on me, I am not giving up on you. I'll never stop being here for you, doing whatever I can to help you feel and stay well."

"… Now, you sound like my dad."

"Thanks," Leon reacted earnestly.

Trav altered his position to somewhat look at him. "I'd feel well if I got to take advanced classes when school starts. But Mommy and Daddy probably won't let me take the tests."

To that barely veiled proposition, Leon said, "We'll see what the rest of IQ can do."

II

Row after row of copying the noun as well as the verb definitions of caution, Tommy paused to shake off a hand cramp for the fourth time since he began. With no other youthful ears around to hear him- particularly of the brotherly sort- he sulked and whimpered as much as he liked. The only part of it he enjoyed came from being seated behind the grand desk of the Mag Cave.

Changed for his upcoming gym regiment, the metal wielder signaled his return by invisibly dividing the doors of his den. "I hope you've made more progress than daydreams."

"Yes, sir," Tommy nodded. "I just have half of them left now. It'd be more if my hands would quit cramping."

"A minor discomfort compared to a broken limb." Erik sat on the arm of the sofa. "Or a broken backside, which is what you'll have if you don't start committing that definition to memory."

Tommy affirmed, "I will. I really wasn't trying to forget what you told me, but…"

Erik crossed the short distance between them and leaned over the side of the desk for them to be better view each other. "What is it, boychick? I'm listening."

"Cody and Joey have these amazing powers. Trees are nothing for them," Tommy lamented. "I feel like such deadweight around here next to everybody else."

Erik regarded him with attentive tenderness. "It is a difficult position you're in, isn't it? Feeling right at home yet the oddball out at the same time?" Tommy nodded. "I can understand that. Believe it or not, even those of us here with powers know that outsider feeling."

"But I'd still rather feel that way here than in Virginia," Tommy asserted. "Everything felt so different after I came here for spring break. After all this, I don't know how I'm supposed to go back."

"Don't let those thoughts weigh you down." Erik placed an arm around the lad's shoulders, keeping their blue eyes locked. "We cannot pick and choose who receives the X-gene. But I did pick you, Tommy, exactly as you are. Near or afar, that will not change."

Tommy's melancholy countenance lightened. "I picked you, too." Erik ruffled his hair. "So… no more punishment?"

With a snort, Erik tossed the dark strands now. "Points for effort, my adorable imp." He retrieved his Torah as he stood straight again. "Now, finish up so you can take your bath."

As he returned to the couch, the mutant elder exhaled in amusement at the resulting exaggerated whine.

II

Within the packed teen lounge, Hank and Angel sat on one sofa with the Cassidys unashamedly taking over the other one. Frank knelt beside Raven at the coffee table with Cordelia across from them and Alex sprawled on a chair. Stacks of various academic information from their various campuses swarmed the mutated group. When Leon walked in, Angel scooted down so he could sit between her and Hank.

"Geez, what is with all these options for foreign languages alone?" Frank marveled. "How do they expect you to narrow it down to just four courses?"

Alex said, "Helps when you have to schedule your day around grade school pickups and extracurriculars. Or hinders." He shrugged a shoulder. "One or the other."

"It's a little easier once you declare your major." Raven gave a fond pat to Frank's wrist. "Here's hoping you figure out yours faster than I did."

"Well, I'm done," Sean declared.

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Must have been agonizing picking two whole classes."

"And only two days a week," Sean tacked on immodestly.

"That's a good strategy if you can handle the longer days," Hank commended. "What do you have there?" He looked over the Syracuse University selection sheet the redhead passed him and his expression turned immediately unenthusiastic. "Creative Fiction and Film Interpretation?"

Also unimpressed, Alex put forth, "What do you recommend for Joey's focus, Seanie? Finger-painting 101?"

"What?" Sean responded cutely. "I do have to work, people. I have to take it easy wherever I can the first semester."

"Boy, bye," Angel dismissed. "I'm going full-time and bouncing around with my agency gigs."

Hank asserted, "I worked all through grad school. I would have started sooner if not for insufferable child labor laws."

"That's true and X-Maning are full-time spots for Alex, Leon, and Raven." Sean smirked. "Guess the only freeloader this fall will be Cordy."

The Bostonian shot him an icy glower. "Good one. Why don't you tell that to your new neighbors around that beautiful townhouse the Howletts bestowed upon you?"

"Sean!" Clamping down on her husband's arm, Maya gave him a strong headshake.

To lighten the unfavorable air, Frank mused, "Full-time work over school? Hmm…" He then rapidly implored, "Don't hit me, Hank." He let off a snicker at the soft kick he received on his posterior from the blithe scientist. "My selections are all contingency based until I'm finally done with this program, anyway."

"That's every high-schooler ever," Maya pointed out. "An acceptance letter is as good as void if your grades don't stay on track through finals."

Hank asked her, "Have you narrowed down a program yet?"

"After thinking about it for so long," Maya started, "I want to go for a bachelor's of science."

Raven wondered, "Where was my go-getting at eighteen?"

"That's great, Maya," Hank praised. "That will really broaden your career prospects. Just keep in mind the amount of rigor that comes with any B.S."

"I know," Maya said admittedly, "but it's not like I won't have the time outside of safehouse tutoring, especially with Sean working."

"That's true." Hank then went on with, "But now that you guys are married, you have a certain other potential complication I never had to worry about."

Leon piped up, "I believe he's referring to Little Seana."

"Oh, yeah," Sean sardonically responded, "because not once did a potential kid ever cross our minds through this whole thing."

"You guys were newlyweds when Raven started school and she's never been—" Maya caught herself, ruefully bringing a hand over mouth. "I am so sorry, Raven. I didn't mean…"

The shapeshifter raised a placating palm. "Don't worry about it. I know."

"On this note, reminder, people," Hank addressed the gathered, "no snacking before bed. You need the fasting time for bloodwork tomorrow. I want to start physicals bright and early."

"Needles before breakfast." Alex flashed a tight mock grin. "I know I'm excited."

"With so many of us heading out, it's best to get them out of the way now," Hank reasoned then returned attention to Maya. "With the ambiguity surrounding your powers, I want to see you on a monthly basis. Just to be safe."

"That's probably a good idea," Sean agreed, "considering what happened right before we got engaged."

Maya nodded in acquiescence.

IIIIIII

… He is the only man who doesn't have a wife or anybody, really. He's the one who talks to everybody and basically, brings them together, even though he's not behind it all. He's the middle ground in the whole thing. Be it pulling a prank or sending a gift, Puck gives what he gets. He's as willing to help as he is to dish out the hurt.

"Lab Rat?"

Absorbed blue eyes detaching from the paper before him, the Professor looked to see the older Headmaster in the doorway. "Ah, brother, I didn't even detect you there."

"When you're in the midst of proofreading, an all-out effigy burning could elude you," Erik razzed, entering the study fully. "Is that Cody's drama assignment?"

Charles nodded, laying the paper on top of his desk. "Choppy here and there but he raises some interesting points. Most brazenly when he reduces Zeus, Adam, and Macbeth to raunchy, empty-headed deviants." Erik dipped his head with a throaty chuckle. "Too little a lad for the level of adult awareness he shows at times."

Erik instantly pointed out, "You're familiar with the birth father, yes?"

"Hairy, boorish beer-guzzler we eagerly invited into our home? Vaguely."

"Charles," voice now graver, the metal wielder received the telepath's absolute attention, "how do you handle sharing Sean with his parents?"

"From jovial child to jovial professor," Charles answered him naturally. "My own feelings taking a backseat has always been second-nature for me. You know that, Erik."

"It doesn't mean I know how you live with it," the older man came back with.

"You and Alana are doing the same thing right now with Frank in mind."

"Alana," Erik reverberated with a wry exhale. He moved to gaze out of the bay window behind his brother's desk. "Simeon."

"Erik?" Charles gently nudged him.

"Lab Rat…" Erik looked at him again. "I'm not sure I can surrender Tommy so easily."

IIIIIII

Arriving in time to witness the man don his illustrious brown leather coat, the pajama clad youth wanted to know, "Where're you going?"

The boy's scent in his nostrils before he even appeared, Victor veered around, "Me, Lo', and Trick are takin' turns scopin' out Jed Sullivan's place," and started across the loft towards him. "We just want to be sure those hood-clowns got our message."

"Can I come?" At the single raised eyebrow he received, Scott shrugged with a slight grin. "Eh, worth a shot. Well, guess I'll just have to settle for going to San Francisco with you."

As the last statement sunk in, Victor promptly searched his features for signs of insincerity. "You're serious?"

"Yeah, I am," Scott confirmed, nerves present but earnestness in place.

"And you sure?"

"If you still want me…"

"You better believe it, Shades." The Security Head reeled him over into his arms. "Just know you're free to change your mind. I meant it when I said it's whatever you want to do."

"Good." Scott peered up at him through his ruby quartz. "Can I stay up to start packing?"

"Not on your life, son," Victor swiftly negated, releasing him. "We'll iron this out tomorrow. Right now, I want to see you head-to-pillow in exactly five minutes."

With a salute, Scott jogged back down the stairs.

Once the fledgling descended, Victor allowed his full elation to unfurl across his face.