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.

339. Chapter 339 Call of the Wild

Rise or Fall

Chapter 339: Call of the Wild

Chapters to Check: 299, 316, 327, 328, 329, 336, 337 and 338.

NOTE: I would like to dedicate this one to Norm Spencer, who passed away recently. He was the voice actor for Scott in the 1990's X-Men: The Animated Series. For those of you who don't know, that show was not only my introduction to Cyclops but to X-Men in general. It's also the most definitive source material for Rise or Fall above the comics and definitely over the film franchise.

Please enjoy, review, and stay safe out here, Fam!

Bless and Rest
Norman Spencer
February 23rd 1958-August 31st, 2020

After Alana got up from their nightly chatter, Erik came forth to sit at their shared son's bedside. He adjusted the summer blanket around him and coursed fingers through the strands of red.

Catching the way the teenager's gaze lingered on his phone, Erik touched his cheek. "We'll be sure to call Scott before we leave later today. Fatigue just got the better of him earlier."

"Not so sure about shutting my own eyes." Raising his head, Frank developed an insincere smile. "Feels like every time I open them, one of my bros is walking out the door."

Alana's brow knitted sympathetically but knew it best to leave the verbalizing to the older male present.

"I know what you're feeling." Erik then reiterated, "Exactly what you're feeling. It's valid, however nonsensical it seems. But as I've told Tommy before, I don't want you weighed down by these thoughts. Trust me to find a way out from under."

"You have a pretty good track record there," Frank spoke with more jollity present.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay in my room with the others tonight?"

Frank shook his head. "Just in case Scott wants to hit up my line at random." Erik nodded supportively and when he leaned forward to kiss Frank's temple, the new ginger uttered ardently, "I love you, Dad."

Erik instantly returned, "I love you, little boychick."

With that, he magnetically switched off the reading lamp. Going over to Alana, they both watched until Frank turned to his side with a decrease of tension in his form evident in the shadows.

They made it through the hall and to the base of the stairs before Alana attempted to jest, "So, is it safe to assume I'm the favorite of your children's mothers?"

Erik made a path for his den as he responded, "Actually, Hana Osaka sounds like a delightful lady."

"Ever the reigning champ of offensive charm." She followed him in, regardless.

Turning, Erik gave her a certain look. "Now, now, when has delightful ever been my type?"

"Or your MO," Alana tacked on pointedly. Going into his second desk drawer, Erik retrieved and hovered a candy wrapped in foil her way. "Shut up." She plucked it out of the air to relish her tongue with its chocolate contents. "When are you going to tell Tommy?" She took in his side glance. "Are you going to tell Tommy?" She blinked at his abrupt fearsome change in expression. "Erik?"

"It's Becky." Erik touched his head as he proceeded out purposefully. "Leon."

Alana peered after him in concern but knew not to take so much as a step to tail him.

When he made it up to his quarters, Erik discovered Emma already there attempting to placate the youngest instructor's troubled dream state. By Leon's right side, Becky stroked his hair. As Erik approached, Tommy zipped in with a moistened cloth in his possession.

"Dad," Leon acknowledged, distressed eyes opening wider. "I-I'm sorry…"

Erik hushed at him in both reproach and reassurance.

Emma moved to the opposite side of the wide bed for the metal wielder to take over. Erik situated himself close to the edge so Leon could stretch out enough to leave his head on the older man's lap. At Erik's indication, Tommy then dressed Leon's sweaty forehead with the cool cloth.

"Sis?" Emma glanced over at a worried Cordelia donned in her daffodil bathrobe. "Everything okay?"

Emma went to apply a heartening squeeze to her sister's wrists. A minor terror caught Leon off-guard, but he'll be fine. Go on back to bed. It's been a long day and Charles and I really appreciated your help.

Of course. They shared a small hug before Cordelia started back for her own quarters.

IIIIIII

Second sneaker in place, the primed X-Boy gripped his rucksack, which contained some leftover candy from the previous day. He then mustered his stealth training to slip out of the room and through the hall. Once downstairs without disturbance, he headed for the kitchen. Glad to see that Victor had acquired fruit from the store, he ate a banana and most of an apple. After grabbing a water bottle from the refrigerator and double-checking for the spare key found on his nightstand, he made his departure through the side door. Eyeing the garage, he yearned to go in to retrieve his motor scooter but thought better of that desire. At least, for now.

Instead, Scott climbed up and over the back gate. He grinned at the lush green hill that awaited him only a few yards away. Two minutes into his downward trek, a bizarrely swift shadow passed by him. Stilling momentarily, Scott spun around readily, scanning his surroundings with the aid of the ample morning sun. The second he felt a hand make contact with his shoulder, he turned sharply. Irritation immediately replaced his surge of pugilistic vigor.

"What's the matter?" The cheeky girl dressed in similar X-themed athletic apparel, except pink and gray to his blue and yellow. "Lose your way already?"

"No," Scott responded crossly, "but you can get lost. Who invited you along?"

"Funny," Samantha came back with, "I've been wondering that about you during this whole trip."

"Take that up with Vic." Scott started by her. "Right now, preferably." When she stayed in step with him, he stopped again. "Would you take a hint? Go find a Girl Scouts Troop to tag along with. Then again," he reconsidered, "Brownie Scouts are probably more your speed."

Samantha simply countered, "That's not what my training marks say."

"So? You're still a rookie."

Hands going to her hips, Samantha glowered, "Excuse me?"

"Oh, you're excused," Scott said with false cordiality. "Now, go away."

"Fine." With that, the blonde charged downward.

"Hey!" Scott wasted no time in pursuing her.

As they descended further from any potential onlookers, Samantha lowered to all fours to gain speed. Not about to be undone, Scott sprinted with his full might, even going for a long jump at one point. When he came down again, he promptly crouched and propelled himself forward. Samantha imitated the maneuver and they both rolled the rest of the way to the base of the hill. Determined to be first, Scott jerked himself in such a way that it caused a stone to rattle him and send his frames flying.

"Whoa!" Samantha leapt to seize them out of the air before they could roughly connect with a tree. "Are you okay?"

Getting to his feet somewhat shakily, Scott took a moment to steady himself. "Yeah, fine, just… need a sec." When she approached, he accepted his glasses from her, "Thanks," and redressed his face, "really. I'm not trying to hear it from Hank over these things getting smashed from showboating."

"Oh, why? It isn't like you're not already far out without them."

Scott regarded her in soft appreciation.

After they dusted off, they continued the seven-block jaunt with the magnificent rock formations acting as their guideposts. They took a water break at the midway point then reached Scott's intended destination.

Upon being met with the chain-link fence, Samantha pointed out, "This is a national park, you know. We don't have to sneak in."

"True," Scott smirked, "but easy's not exactly the Eye Scream way."

At that, Samantha glanced side to side before bounding up and over the lofty fence. "I brought my grappling, if you need it."

"No thanks, Bat-babe," getting fingers and feet into position, Scott determined, "I got it," and began scaling.

Though she said nothing, Samantha could not help her brewing apprehension when he managed to scale to the top. Fortunately, he did not attempt to jump down until he got to the middle portion of the fence.

"Oh, wow…" Stepping forward, Scott beheld the way the sun's rays created a sparkling effect against a pool of water between two cliffs.

Samantha moved to stand alongside him and grinned at the sight then reacted to him rushing forward. "Where are you going?"

A spirited Scott glanced back. "We made it down here. Just wait 'til we reach the top."

Equally excited by the possibility, Samantha hurried after him.

IIIIIII

At the knock to his left French door, Charles recognized, Frank? With his wife still in bed, the male telepath stepped into the hall.

"You're up already? You couldn't have gotten more than five hours of sleep."

"Barely that," the city native admitted, already dressed for the day.

Charles brought a soothing hand to his head. "In all honesty, neither did we."

Frank relaxed into the touch. "Did Scott call you guys?"

"I'm afraid not," Charles sighed. "I'll give them a few more hours to wake up then I'm phoning over there. Is that what's troubling you?"

"It's pretty high on the list," the teen replied vaguely. "Listen, Charles, I don't think I can concentrate too well over here right now. Do you think we could go somewhere to help me get some major studying in? Sean said he'll drive and we can be back before family time today."

"Yes, that's a fine idea," Charles happily agreed. "How does breakfast in town sound?"

"Terrific," Frank smiled.

"I'll meet you downstairs. I just need to check on Brian first."

Frank nodded and went back to his room for his wealth of textbooks.

IIIIIII

Adorned in dark jeans, a striped yellow and black sleeveless top, and sandals strapped to her feet, Cordelia went towards her window as she worked her comb through her hair. She peered out and enjoyed the sight of Erik taking off for a jog with Leon and Alex in tow. After finalizing her look with an amber headband, she headed for the lower level with a slight skip in her step.

When the chirpy girl made her way into Eye Spy, Trick glanced back. "And top of the morning to you as well, Miss Frost. Where on God's green do you find the energy?"

"That's a trade secret," Cordelia winked then brought a tender palm to his upper arm. "Why don't you try to get some rest? I know that hasn't been so easy between here and trying to safeguard Dr. Sullivan's place."

"From the angels you hail, sweet lass." Trick stood and stretched. "Thank you."

Giving him a smile as he departed, Cordelia settled into the previously occupied chair and focused on the multiple monitors.

IIIIIII

Groggy with a layer of fog coating her normally luminous green eyes, the teenage telepath steadied herself at the sink in her father's bathroom. The nether regions of Leon's mind encroaching on him late into the night had, of course, rattled Becky's own dream state. The peculiar traces of negativity emitted by the adults at various points throughout the previous day also befuddled her. Though that she chalked up to the nerves they all fought to suppress concerning Scott, Maya, and Sean.

Absently watching the water go down the drain after she washed her hands, an abrupt and peculiar rush jarred the girl. Unlocking and yanking open the bathroom door, she discovered the same sight she had awoken to minutes ago. Tommy sleeping with his legs tangled in the linens. Mental energy barely existent and uncertainty not subsiding, she made a path for the bedroom door.

Before she could peer out, Becky reacted to the rising younger child behind her. "Tommy?"

"Hey." Dragging a hand through his mess of dark hair, he quickly picked up on the suite's scarcity. "Where'd everybody go?"

"Running," supplied Joey, bursting in with Cody. "Al, Lee, and Uncle Erik, anyway."

"Maya said Sean and Charles are helpin' Frank with nerd stuff. Now, get crackin', snoozers." Cody jumped onto the mattress and bounced on his knees. "We've got the all-you-can-eat cereal buffet to ourselves."

Tommy took the time to thwack him with a pillow before scrambling to the floor. "We'll see who's the snoozer when I get there first."

"Ha!" Cody flipped off the bed. "Sounds like you're still dreamin'."

"Guys, don't break anything," Joey cautioned, going along. "This is not the day to get grounded to our rooms."

"Yes, Mini Master Xavier," Tommy jested.

"Hey," Cody glanced back at the sole straggler, "you comin' or what? You heard the Uncle Prof last night. I need all the milk I can get."

With a light shake of her head to help clear it, Becky determined, "Right behind you."

IIIIIII

On their route through the canyon, the audacious duo found their way onto a trail that provided the ascension they desired. The further they went, the more they both yearned to possess Charles' camera. A greater amount of foliage and flowers surrounded them, causing the land to appear extra captivating the higher they walked.

"Hey, check it out." An excited Scott pointed out the assortment of towering trees in the distance. "It's the redwoods Lee talks about. You know the old ones can grow over three hundred feet tall? Imagine tricking out a treehouse between two of them. We could probably make it bigger than the mansion."

"I'd have my wedding in it." Samantha eyed him skeptically. "You probably think that's gross and gushy."

Scott shrugged. "I think it'd be pretty cool to get married outside." On a low humidity day to prevent damage to the bride's hair, preferably.

"Try surviving puberty first." Both looked on as the winged mutant made a polished landing seemingly from nowhere.

"What the…" Scott glanced about. "You flew all the way over here?"

Hand going to her hip, Angel replied, "And remind me to give Hank mad credit for these stealth threads." She currently donned a sleeveless one-piece bodysuit in pale blue with silver lining that reflected brilliantly against the sun's rays.

"Looking gorge," Samantha approved.

Scott crossed his arms with moderate annoyance. "Is there a reason you skirts have nothing better to do than skulk behind me?"

"Look, I don't know who body-snatched you, but you better get that funky attitude out of my face," Angel came back with candidly. "I can think of about a hundred things I'd rather be doing- this morning alone- instead of keeping you two from getting your behinds obliterated. You know you're not supposed to take off without saying something."

Samantha mentioned, "I left a note."

Angel gave her sister a look of dry disbelief. "And you're lucky I saw it before the grown people did. 'Hiking in Glen Canyon'- seriously, that's the best you could do?"

Scott said, "Look, sorry for snapping, but I can navigate just fine on my own. So can Sam."

"Even better," the blonde girl tacked on, receiving a half-heated sneer from Scott.

Angel reminded, "And I'm not the one you need to use the 'big kid' speech on. I don't make the rules. Though, I would like to know when you became so peachy keen on breaking them."

Dipping his head a moment, Scott sighed.

"Scott," Angel spoke gentler, "what is going on with you?"

"Just go, okay? Both of you." Scott started to walk again. "Get your break from the fifth wheel."

In a short sprint, Samantha caught up to his side. When Angel came to his left to sandwich him in, Scott rolled his eyes blithely.

IIIIIII

With boxes of Frosted Flakes, Sugar Smacks, Cocoa Puffs, Cap'n Crunch, and Trix lined along the coffee table, the blissfully entranced quartet sprawled on the sofa. Seated in a row of Cody, Joey, Tommy, and Becky, they ate from oversized bowls while taking in the plentiful animated shenanigans offered on a Saturday morning.

"Ugh," Cody sniffed with a frown, "I think my milk's curdlin'." He glanced back at the three older males making their way into the TV room. "Oh, it's just you guys."

"Real funny, Cat Brat." Alex leaned over the back of the couch. "Speaking of- send Tony the Tiger my way, Joe."

The shorter blonde retrieved and handed over the Frosted Flakes, receiving a hair ruffle from his older brother.

Of their breakfast selection, Erik remarked, "Hm, no Lucky Charms?"

"We're all out." Cody narrowed his eyes accusingly. "Certain grownups forgot to pick 'em up this week."

"How deprived you are." Erik applied a tickle to his belly, resulting in laughter Cody could not bite back.

At a beseeching gesture from Becky, Leon went around to maneuver her onto his lap.

With a smile, Tommy requested, "Come watch Jetsons with us, Dad." At the way Erik seemed to still, the ten-year-old grew confused. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Erik gave his chin an affectionate pinch. "I'll be back as soon as I get the tea brewed."

"Can you bring us some more milk, Papa?" Becky then added importantly, "Cody needs it."

"Yeah, my bones are wastin' away here," Cody claimed, shoveling another spoonful of crunchy sweetness into his mouth.

Leon piped up, "And extra bowls and spoons, Dad, please."

"Yeah," Alex dug another handful of flakes out of the box to toss into his mouth, "we're civilized around here."

"Mmhmm," Erik hummed skeptically. "Is there anything else your loyal attendant can fetch for you?"

Eyes on the TV, Joey raised his hand. "Orange juice, please."

Erik asserted, "Hank will be overjoyed to hear you're making such marginally healthy choices," before going to fill the order.

While the kettle warmed, he retrieved the additional milk bottles, juice carton, and all necessary dishes and utensils. After the children proved sufficiently satisfied, he prepared tea from Logan's specialty brew for himself and his two older boychicks. The mixture offered a soothing affect for blood flow as well as subsiding mental fog.

Once he finished his third bowl, Tommy left the sofa for Erik's armchair and climbed into the man's lap. Feeling a superior comfort than what the tea provided, Erik kept an arm around the boy's middle.

After everyone else got through eating, Tommy asked, "Can we go outside?"

"Yes," Erik granted but pointedly added, "as soon as we're done cleaning in here and you lot brush your teeth and get dressed."

Clear-cut orders given, the invigorated youngsters got to work returning the TV room to its organized state. Twenty minutes later, they herded upstairs for basic hygiene.

Erik looked in on a blissfully sleeping Brian before he continued to his own bathroom. Serving as something of a positive example, he washed his face, brushed, and swapped out his running X-shirt for another one he would soon drown in sweat.

Papa?

In close proximity to his bedroom door, Erik manually opened it for his green-eyed girl. He pleasantly regarded her play ensemble of a yellow Jaguars t-shirt and denim overall shorts- an item he seldomly saw her in for the last year or so. Her curly ponytail also gave him the reason why she took so much less time getting ready than normally. Of course, the metal wielder secretly believed the lack of one half of the Eye Scream Team factored into her relaxed morning appearance as well.

Erik cupped her chin a moment. "Lady Macbeth's never been more adorable. I know- I saw two versions of the stage show over in Europe."

Becky gave him a small smile before surreptitiously closing the door and developing a more somber expression. "Papa, is everything okay?"

"Leon is going to be fine," her father assured. "It's no surprise that recent events are still affecting hm during the night, even if matters are settled between him and Hank."

"Is there anything else bothering him?" Becky wanted to know. "Or you? Something felt really off about almost everybody last night, even when we were having fun. I sensed something weird this morning, too, but it was so hazy."

Erik studied her quietly then reached out for both her shoulders. "You and your powers are growing every day, Sweet Imp. However, there are still matters that need not trouble you."

Becky immediately brought up, "But you trust me to look after everybody at the academy."

"It isn't a question of trust, Anya," Erik told her. "There are burdens I don't want you and the younger children carrying. I need you to trust me and your uncle to see us all through, alright?"

With a solemn nod, Becky raised her arms and Erik bowed to meet her embrace. He maintained a grasp on her by linking their hands as they departed his suite together.

It did not take long for the rest to meet up with them in the backyard. Erik pleasantly noticed how much more wakefulness Leon's features carried under the partially sunny sky. As Becky did with her long black locks, he and Cody had opted to keep theirs confined to ponytails as well. Though Leon's, unsurprisingly, proveded far neater than Cody's. At Leon indulging him, Tommy latched onto his back and used the boost to gaze about through his telescope. Alex and Joey relaxed together in the grass. A fluffy white cloud of their own design swirled above them from the dandelion seeds they blew at.

IIIIIII

As the trio continued their trek, they discovered a magnificent rock formation that very much resembled a hammer with a fat handle. It towered over them by thirty feet or so.

With a sly smile, Scott informed, "Be right back, ladies."

"Me, too," seconded Samantha.

"Uh uh." Angel shot her arms out horizontally to block both their paths. "Hold up. We need to make sure this thing is sound before I have to explain how you two busted your heads open. And no," she eyed her sister knowingly, "I don't care that yours will just grow back."

"Probably way better," Scott quipped pointedly, only greater amused by Samantha's sour face.

"Sam," Angel got the blonde's attention again, "you hear anybody?"

The other two silenced while the leonine mutant let her ears scan the area. "We're good unless the squirrels are on to us."

At that, Angel unleashed her wings and fluttered to the cliff's peak. She stepped hard against the rocky hammerhead to investigate unforeseen soft spots and other potential stability threats.

Once satisfied with the surface, she crouched to yell down, "Okay, come on, but don't be racing up here like there's money on the line!"

Samantha watched Scott ease into his first foot and hand grips against the enormous handle. She then extended her claws and stabbed them into the rock to scale alongside him. Angel kept her brown eyes fixed on the duo and her wings protracted in case they needed to act in a blink.

Reacting to a grunt from Samantha, Scott glanced over and immediately detected the predicament of her right ringers. "Easy, Sam. They probably went too deep. Take 'em back slow so they don't break."

Samantha stilled for a moment and slowly retracted her claws. She reached up for a better spot within the rock to embed them. An equally satisfied Scott resumed with her. When Samantha neared her first, Angel's ready hand went for her and they locked fingers around their matching bracelets. With Samantha all the way up, the girls dropped their arms to link with both of Scott's. After the boy let himself be pulled the remainder of the way, all carefully got to their feet. Catching their breaths, they absorbed the stunning picture of Glen Canyon offered by the new height.

After a minute, Samantha put forth, "Where to now?"

Scott stated, "Well, what goes up…"

Angel followed his line of sight and drooped in place. "Y'all are determined to wear me out today. Look," she faced them, "if we're doing this, it's the safe way- partly because I'm not trying to wreck my nails out here."

"Don't worry." Slipping off her rucksack, Samantha removed her rope gun.

Once they returned to their original starting point at the base, Samantha shot her thick green cord forward. It wrapped around the rock handle securely.

"We better go one at a time," she advised. "It's not strong enough to hold all of us."

"Fine, you two go first." Scott glanced at the oldest among them. "Unless you just plan on working out your wings all day, Miss Manicure."

"Still won't burn as many calories as you with them lips, Mr. Mouth." With a flip of her hair, Angel turned to the mutant kitten. "Go ahead, Sammie."

After throwing the gun end down so that it dangled, Samantha established a firm grip on her manmade vine. Kneeling at the edge of the cliff, Scott and Angel looked on keenly as she steadily scaled down. The rope stopped roughly ten feet from the bottom. Samantha let go of it to step onto a somewhat stable dirt mound. With two dexterous jumps, she dropped to her feet.

"That girl can work my nerves with her stylin' self," Angel remarked, getting a snicker out of Scott. "Just remember," she took hold of the rope next, "I'm not so used to this wilderness training like certain other nature-made mutants."

"Just hold tight," Scott coached as she slowly eased over the edge.

Samantha cupped her mouth to cheer, "You got it, Ang!"

Not exactly sharing their confidence, Angel found the biggest difficulty to be not succumbing to the temptation of flight. Her palms perspired heavily against the rope as she walked down the wall at a significantly more subdued pace than her sister. She stilled at the rope's end and tried to search out a decent footing.

"Angie!"

Following Samantha's pointer finger, Angel gingerly stepped onto the indicated knoll of dirt. When she moved down to a jagged stone, she latched onto Samantha's extended hand to wobbly leap the rest of the way. Angel leaned on her as Samantha offered a supportive squeeze.

To no surprise, the second they peered up, they saw Scott making his descent. Though he did not display the same momentum as Samantha, he maneuvered with far less difficulty than Angel. He set his foot on the same spot the girls had used then indicated he wanted no assistance as he sought out other foot holds. At seven feet, he let himself drop. Angel and Samantha experienced next to no cause for alarm until they witnessed the awkward placing of his left foot upon landing.

"Be still." Angel dashed his way to drape his arm around her shoulders. "Don't put any weight on it."

"Relax. I didn't even sprain anything," Scott claimed but did not protest otherwise.

Samantha crouched and removed his left sneaker and sock to inspect it. "He's right. It's just a little bruised."

Angel determined, "Let's rest for a while."

After Samantha climbed up once more to retract her rope gun, the three soon found their way to a stream. Scott soaked both his feet for a bit before using a nearby stone to elevate them.

Stretching out in the grass, Scott folded his arms behind his head comfortably. "Can't believe you guys practically have this whole huge canyon in your backyard."

Lightly slapping at the water with Samantha, Angel sent him a look. "Yeah, the backyard of the fifty-cent motel you're staying in, right?"

Scott promptly rolled to his side. "When did I say that?"

"It's how you act," Angel said plainly. "Look, Dri is not Mother Goose, but don't pretend she's made you feel even close to unwelcomed."

"As a favor to Victor," Scott countered. "Just because you two are easily bought, it doesn't mean I'm falling for all this."

Samantha wondered in partial exasperation, "What are you talking about?"

"Don't act like you don't know," Scott espoused. "Victor bought that house with Adrienne because he plans on moving here for good, doesn't he? And he thinks I'll just forget the others and join this cutesy-wutesy family you guys have going."

More confused than previously, Samantha uttered, "Huh?"

Angel let off a laugh. "Boy, are you for real? You must be well removed from your mind if you honestly think Victor Creed's about to walk out on his brother," she started ticking off fingers, "his nephews, his niece- and that's before you get to the rest of the kids."

"And why would he move here when we're all in New York?" Samantha reasoned. "I'm not even moving back here."

"And the only place I'm moving to is WU," Angel added.

Scott started to speak again until activity from their communicators brought their attention to their wrists.

"You three work up an appetite yet or what?"

"Vic?" Scott recognized.

With the help from the coordinates sent by the man along with Samantha's senses, the teenagers eventually reached a field. There, Victor and Adrienne lounged on a blanket with a massive picnic basket.

IIIIIII

Since they could not press on with the day's proposed activities until Charles returned with the two ginger lads, Erik devised a constructive distraction for his eager fledglings. It comprised some light field training in addition to aiding Becky and Cody in getting in touch with their Shakespearean characters. With Becky and the younger boys spread out amongst the trees, they sought to keep 'Lady Macbeth' away from the shady scoundrels- as portrayed by Erik, Alex, and Leon- out to lure her for the side of darkness.

In an attempt to exude Puck, Cody observed the area while suspended upside down from a high branch with Joey stationed at the bottom of the trunk. Two yards away from them, Becky and Tommy crouched between shrubbery and another tree. Telescope all but embedded in his eyeball, Tommy searched through it in every direction.

When he looked to become fixated on a particular spot up ahead, Becky whispered, "Do you see them?" She then watched as Tommy emerged from their cloaked position and peered forward quietly. Receiving a trickle of the bizarre sensation she experienced earlier, Becky stood next. "Tommy?"

Without altering his line of sight, the blue-eyed boy used his free hand to reach for her. At the wordless entreating gesture, Becky joined their palms. She immediately felt the younger child's tightened grip before he lowered the telescope to his side. When he started to walk, Becky kept up pace with him from behind.

"Hey," Cody scrambled down from his viewing point in confusion, "where're they goin'?"

Joey petitioned, "Becky?" only for his cousin to glance back in equal puzzlement.

Cody went after them with Joey immediately following. They maintained the same silence as the other two, mainly not to give away their position with whatever idea Tommy had in mind. Still attached to Becky, Tommy stilled beneath a clearing. Joey and Becky smiled at the scenic spot due to how the parting clouds intensified the flowers' vibrancy. However, any pleasure Cody gleamed from it morphed into panic at the youngest raising his telescope towards the searing sun.

"Tommy, quit it!" Cody shouted, all regard for stealth flung to the wayside. "You're gonna burn your eye out!"

Before Cody could snatch the viewing instrument from his unresponsive friend, the hand Tommy held it with started to quaver. All four children then stood in awed trepidation when a crimson beam discharged from the telescope. Tommy dropped it and recoiled as the viewing lens shattered. The silence the youths previously practiced deepened with utter shock and bewilderment shared between them now.

Reeling him in towards her, Becky grabbed Tommy's shoulders. "Are you okay?" Her apprehensive green eyes searched him for any sign of injury.

"… I don't know," Tommy timorously replied, the shaking in his hand now flowing through his entire body. He looked towards his blonde friend. "J-Joey, did you…?"

Enchantment steadily forming on his face, Joey strongly stated, "That was not me, Tommy."

"Papa." Becky raised her head as the named man came in for a landing with Alex and Leon contained inside his electromagnetic sphere.

Making a path for the children, Erik automatically wanted to know, "Is everyone alright?"

"We're fine," Becky assured.

Erik then fervently questioned, "Why are you generating illusions? I told you no powers for this exercise."

Mirroring Joey's previous words, Becky informed, "That wasn't me."

"So, what, babes?" Alex crossed his arms skeptically. "Scott hitchhiked all the way back here in the last ten minutes?"

"Not. Even. Close." An enthusiastic Cody gestured towards Tommy.

Jaw plummeting, Alex exchanged a look with a genuinely wide-eyed Leon.

Erik stared as if he believed his ears to be callous deceivers. "… You, Tommy?"

Still tremendously taken aback, the boy in question nodded to the affirmative as a gradual smile developed.

"Show them, Tommy," Joey urged.

Cody let off a gleeful whoop. "Wait til you get a load of this."

With every ounce of available attention directed at him, Tommy raised his hands out of range of anyone. Waving his palms and wiggling his fingers for several seconds, not so much as a flicker expelled.

"What?" Tommy stared at his hands with the intensity of betrayal. "Why isn't it working? I did it just a minute ago, I swear!"

Erik quickly lowered to get a grip on the excited child. "Tommy, I believe you, but you must calm down. I don't want you to hurt yourself."

Leon piped up, "How did it go off in the first place? What were you guys doing?"

"Here, Tommy." Joey dashed over to retrieve the discarded telescope and held it out to him. "Try it with this again."

Almost the same second Tommy accepted it, Joey had to plop to the ground as another red ray shot from it.

Erik briskly pulled his nephew towards him.

"Oh, man!" An apologetic Tommy dropped it again as he moved to get in close to the blonde. "I'm sorry, Joey. I didn't mean to, honest."

"I know. It's okay." Joey looked back at him with earnest contentment. "Usually I'm the one zapping people by accident."

"And it was an accident, Tommy," Erik emphasized. "Your new gift is anything but, however."

Tommy beamed ecstatically. "So, I'm… I'm a mutant? For real?"

Erik drew him into a hug and patted his back in triumph. "Indeed you are, boychick."

Clutching the man, a dazed Tommy uttered lowly but ecstatically, "I'm a mutant…"

"Dude," Joey grinned, "you're an X-Man."

"Yes!" Cody pumped his fists gloriously before going into a full backflip.

Becky brought both hands over her mouth in overwhelming gladness.

Alex put forth, "Wait until Seanie hears about this."

"Wait until the entire Cassidy Clan hears about this," Leon added waggishly.

Feeling the boy's trembles despite- or possibly due to- his enthusiasm, "Let's get you inside," Erik picked up Tommy with one arm while using the other to grab the remains of the telescope.

IIIIIII

As soon as Emma's mental petition briefed them on the happenings during their absence, Sean moved through the lower level of the mansion with accelerated purpose. Frank stayed back to park the BMW in the garage while Charles attempted to keep up with the adamant Banshee. Gathered in the infirmary, Emma, Logan, and Trick looked over as Sean practically flung himself inside. Erik and Alana's concentration stayed with the boy stretched out on the exam table. Kayla remained upstairs with the babies while similarly Alex and Leon attempted to distract the curious older children. Maya went to attach herself to her anxious husband's side.

Keeping one arm around her, Sean made a path for the exam table. "Tommy."

"Seanie," the younger, far giddier Cassidy returned. "Did Mama Emma tell you? I can't believe it. I'm a mutant, too!"

"Yeah, word travels fast around here." Sean put on a smile for his shirtless brother and stroked his forehead. "Just couldn't wait a few hours for me to get back, could you, you big showoff?"

Tommy stuck his tongue out playfully. "Ya snooze, ya lose."

Charles then looked between Erik and Alana. "How is he?"

"I still have to run his bloodwork, but from what I can tell, all is well physically," Alana reported. "Considering the fact that an, apparently, dormant gene finally decided to rise and shine, the trembling and maybe even some nausea doesn't surprise me."

Logan piped up, "That gene sure loves gettin' a two-for-one special on brothers."

"I'll say," Trick smirked. "If this keeps up, Holly's going to start feeling slighted."

Tommy said, "I told you I feel great."

"And I told you I wanted to be sure of that," Erik countered then glanced at Charles. "Do you think we should get Hank to fly back?"

Charles appeared thoughtful then responded, "He and Raven already have enough to deal with in Illinois and I don't want Hank bogged down more than he already is. If Alana sees no cause for alarm, it's up to us to help Tommy adjust to his new gift."

"Alright!" Tommy sat up eagerly and reached for his shirt and silver cross. "Let's start right now. Let's train."

"Whoa, baby man," Sean cautioned, "you need to take it easy. This isn't the same as taking the training wheels off your bike."

"You needed training wheels," Tommy replied matter-of-factly. "Not me." He eyed Erik beseechingly. "Please, please, please. I want everybody to see."

After a shared look with Charles, Erik pronounced, "I'll have Alex setup the bunker. You and the other children change your clothes."

"Alright!" Only taking time to put his necklace back on, Tommy hopped down from the table.

Watching her gleeful brother-in-law sprint out, Maya said to Sean, "Mutant puberty has way better timing than your parents."

"That's the subjective statement of the year, honey," the male redhead told her. "This is…" Sean exhaled, attempting to grasp the staggering situation. "I can't believe this just sprang up overnight."

"Don't be so sure." The others looked to Logan as the Veteran elaborated. "That tea he helped me cook up while Hank was laid up? At the time, I figured he got the idea for chrysanthemums from his grandma or somebody, but now I'm startin' to wonder. It's like he just knew."

"He does spend a lot of time outside," Maya brought up.

"But how does that tie into this?" Emma picked up the telescope from the table behind her.

Charles raised an eyebrow at the condition of the toy. "I take it that got caught up in Tommy's crossfire?"

"No, it channeled it," Erik informed his brother.

"How?" a continuously confused Sean wondered.

"Sis?" Cordelia's voice preceded her presence in the wide doorway with her beau at her side.

"Fabian," Emma acknowledged.

"I came as soon as I could," the Spaniard addressed the room. "I also heard congratulations are in order."

II

Still only half dressed but donning his black running pants, Tommy went from searching the closet to digging underneath Sean's bed.

"Hey." The Irish boy poked out his head at the two who now stood in the room, both clad in appropriate session attire. Cody showed him the red X-themed t-shirt, "This got mixed in with my laundry," before tossing it his way.

"Thanks." Catching it with ease, Tommy pulled it on before he even stood.

Joey beamed, "Ready now?"

"Like you wouldn't be—" The moment Tommy gripped the oak bedrail to rise, a red streak fired from it.

The trio of boys watched as it blasted the bottom of the dresser.

On route for the room herself, Becky sped in at the sound. "What happened?"

A startled but rather self-satisfied Tommy answered, "Me."

For better clarification, Cody and Joey wordlessly pointed out the drawer with its front broken in two on the floor.

Green eyes swelling, Becky urgently called, Papa!

IIIIIII

At the summons from their father, Frank met up with Alex and Leon to prepare the bunker for the youngest boychick. They arranged multiple mannequins from the stock Charles kept in high supply for a teenage Alex and later Scott. They also brought several random but expendable objects the Headmasters also requested. Soon, Erik, Charles, Emma, Sean, Maya, Logan, Cordelia along with Fabian and the spirited children filed in. Trick made his way in by intangibly cascading from the ceiling.

"Frank." Tommy ran for the returned older boy. "Can you believe all this? Man, I wish you could've seen it."

"Me, too, but it's whatever." Frank tousled his hair. "Somehow, I knew you had it in you."

"As immensely pleased as we all are," Erik proclaimed, "remember that this is a tentative session for a newly emerged mutation."

"So, decorum all around, please," Charles summarized.

Becky sent mollifying arms around Joey and Cody and all three nodded their understanding.

While everyone else maintained a reasonable viewing distance, Charles, Erik, Fabian, Sean, Alex, and Leon gathered around Tommy. At their direction, the fledging touched his palms against a plastic baby spoon, a glass paperweight, a tin can, and a few other materials. Only when he wrapped his hand around a twig did a small burst result.

"So, wood is the trigger," an unsurprised Charles concluded.

Sean said, "Figured that after he nearly reduced my dresser to splinters."

"Like you with the neighbors' picture window?" Tommy impishly came back with. "Not to mention Mom's—"

A pointed, "Tom," from Erik made the boy detour off Memory Lane.

"It's as I suspected." Tommy remained immobile as Fabian brought a hand into his hair for a full reading. "He's connected to the Earth like my father." Fabian looked over at Erik. "And you. Tommy's manifests by channeling concussive blasts through wood."

"Concussive?" Tommy echoed. "You mean like Havok and Cyclops?"

Fabian answered, "More or less, yes."

Tommy's excitement somehow increased. "Far out!"

"Not exactly our first reaction," Alex remarked.

"Now, the key is in controlling it," stated Charles. "We can't risk detonation every time your fingers graze against the antique furniture, dear boy."

"Why not?" Tommy grinned, receiving a light knock on the head from Sean.

"If you'll allow," Fabian put forth, "I believe I can help iron out a few of these explosive wrinkles."

Charles glanced at Erik, who bobbed his head.

"What're you gonna do?" Tommy asked fretfully. "It won't hurt my powers, right?"

"On my own head, I would never let that happen," Fabian fervidly vowed. "Please, trust me."

"Okay," the younger male calmed.

Cordelia took in the sight with growing content as Fabian exercised his own mutation to stabilize Tommy's.

Once Fabian lowered his hands, Erik extended the telescope.

First touching tentative fingers to it, Tommy took hold of it entirely. "But how do I do it now? It was all automatic before."

"But still you." Taking him by the shoulders, Charles shifted his position in the direction of the mannequins. "Now, show us."

"Go on, Tom," Erik further supported.

Raising the telescope as if he wielded a wand, Tommy handled the wooden instrument like a natural appendage. Eventually, a red beam hit the front mannequin in the belly.

Sean and Maya could only stare at first.

"Wish Scott could see this," Frank said to Becky, who easily concurred.

When more shots released, he grazed one mannequin on its arm. He knocked over another, but only because he hit it in the ankle.

"I don't get it." Tommy studied the telescope. "It came out bigger before."

"You're probably just getting tired," Sean reasoned.

"Ha!" Tommy waved off. "I'm just getting warmed up."

Fabian looked around the bunker. "It's too dim and confining in here. He'll thrive better under the sun."

"It's confined for a reason," Alex said matter-of-factly. "This is the safest place to practice powers like ours."

"Let the boyo soak in the fresh air, mates," seconded Trick. "We can keep him out of harm's way."

Once the Headmasters agreed, Logan clapped his hands together soundly. "Alright, Black Irish, you want to train? We'll just see about that. Let's move!"

The youngsters immediately charged after the canine mutant.

When they reached the fresh air and illumination provided by the outdoors, Tommy suddenly ceased movement. Leaving his telescope in the grass, he made an almost hypnotic path towards a row of impeccably maintained flower beds.

"What is he doing?" Maya wondered.

"We'll soon see," Emma said simply.

Lowering to his knees, Tommy leaned forward and caressed his cheeks against the blossoming bubs and shrubbery. He deeply inhaled their fragrances and enjoyed the feel of the textures against his skin. Laying on his back, he stared up at the mostly clear sky and absorbed the radiant sunrays. With a massive smile, Tommy began to roll about in the grass. His onlookers merely observed until he swiftly leapt to his feet again and raced off towards the woods. Alex, Leon, Frank, Becky, Cody, and Joey instantly darted after him. Gathering Maya into his arms, Sean took to the sky alongside Trick. The remaining mutant elders followed at a more subdued pace to observe. Though atypical of her not to participate in hyperactivity, Cordelia also moved nonchalantly with Fabian.

Sending his hands forward, Tommy performed a series of aerial somersaults. Once in the woods, he grabbed onto the first branch he could reach. He flipped with it several times before hurling himself to another branch and repeating the action. Cody did the same to follow him while the others continued to run and fly. At the last branch he grabbed, he launched himself as high as he could. Alarmed by the distance between his brother and the ground, Sean attempted to spare one arm to catch him while clutching Maya with the other. However, Trick blocking his path and giving him a special look kept him in place. Tommy snagged another branch on his way down. He released it landed on his feet with hardly a tremble. Completely marveled, Alex, Leon, and the children gathered around him with various enthused reactions.

After he shared fist bumps with the males, Becky hugged him around his neck. "That was amazing, Tommy."

"You're overloaded on surprises today, monkey boy," Alex commented.

A zealous Cody questioned, "How'd you do that, man?"

Tommy looked to consider before replying, "I don't have a freakin' clue."

"I've got a few." They all glanced the arriving Logan's way. "You've got an all-natural titanium battery right in our own backyard."

"Wolverine is right," Fabian confirmed, approaching with Cordelia. "Wood channels your powers, but all of this- from treetop to soil- fuels it. Your endurance and agility have increased tremendously."

"A little detail you didn't know five seconds ago." Sean landed and placed Maya down as he went on. "Tommy, you've only been at this for a couple of hours. You've got to be careful."

"Your brother is correct." With the telepaths not far behind, Erik neared them. "As impressive as you are, we don't know to what extent yet."

"I know, but I just couldn't help it." Surrealness setting in again, Tommy ran his hands through his hair as he attempted to articulate. "It's like I'm burning inside. Like I can shoot for the moon at any second." He faced Sean again. "Why didn't you tell me mutation felt this incredible?"

"Because up until a few years ago, the idea of you having this gene, too was a nightmare for the entire family," the older Cassidy reminded.

"I never would have guessed," Fabian expressed dryly.

"We will help you to control this, Tommy," Charles avowed.

"One of the few promises you can take to the bank," Alex affirmed.

"So, this is all for real?" Tommy spoke uncertainly. "I get to stay, without a doubt?"

Going over to place a hand in his hair, Erik asserted, "As if the alternative was ever an option."

Amidst the euphoric reactions, Joey piped up, "This is fantastic! Now, you can have Sean's room."

The already mentally bombarded redhead gaped at that. "Wait, what?

"Hm, I guess," Tommy looked to plot. "Once I add some actual cool to it."

"It will be," Cody guaranteed, "once we're through with it."

"And we can all paint it together," Joey suggested gleefully.

"What?" Sean waved his arms in protest. "Yeah, no way, munchkins. That's still my room." He looked around at the others. "Can you believe these guys?"

"Hank and Raven gave up their rooms after they got married," Alex pointed out with a shrug. "And they didn't even move out."

Sean narrowed his eyes at him. "Thanks a load, traitor."

Coming down, Trick brought an arm around him. "You still have your third-floor upgrade. I can only be grateful they have yet to sublease my room."

IIIIIII

For the duration of the jaunt back to the house, Scott travelled on Victor's back to keep his minor foot pain from becoming major. Even though he acted as the boy's transport, the Veteran carried the picnic basket with ease. Walking between Adrienne and Angel, Samantha periodically eyed the males with mild covetousness. Once they returned, Angel made a direct path to shower and deposit herself into the comfort of her unmade bed. Victor laid Scott down as well. Though nowhere near as drained as the other two teens, Samantha still showered then relaxed in the master suite bed with her mother and Midnight.

Victor worked around the house on the first floor and yards for a few hours. When he came in from outside for a drink, a somewhat up and about Angel entered the kitchen.

Easing into the closest bar stool at the counter, she voiced, "Please tell me Hansel and Gretel did not break into the mint chocolate chip last night."

Victor reached inside the chest freezer and recovered the pail she sought. "Gotcha covered, baby."

The grateful girl annunciated, "Bless. You."

The man moved to retrieve a bowl next. "Two scoops?"

"Three," Angel selected. "I don't go back to being a model til Monday."

"That's what I like to hear." Victor then set about filling her bowl.

Angel fished out a spoon from the drawer next to her as she casually inquired, "So, when exactly are you doing your walk of shame from the X-Men?"

Victor raised his head along with an eyebrow. "You want to run that by me again, Miss Lady?"

"Well, that's what this is all about, right?" Angel shrugged. "Buying this house with Dri. You've got the X-Men in your rearview mirror and Scott along for the ride."

Going into the refrigerator for whipped cream, Victor wondered, "What were you kids doin' in that canyon? You ain't get a hold of some special mushrooms, did you?"

"No such luck," Angel replied with false ire. "But let Scott tell it, that's your master plan."

"… I bet." Victor created a whipped mound on top of the ice cream then reached into an overhead cabinet for sprinkles. "Chocolate or rainbow?"

"Chocolate is part of the rainbow."

"Good call." With that, Victor proceeded to shake out both options. "Then again, you make a lot of those." He looked up at her again. "Me and Dri really appreciate you watchin' out for those two. After last night, we know good and well that Scott didn't just invite you girls out on a merry ol' stroll this mornin'."

"Thanks," she attempted to mask her satisfaction, "but it's no kind of big deal. Nothing they get into can top how I used to be. I'm lucky not to be the stepchild chained in the cellar."

"Hey." The ferocity in his voice made her brown eyes firmly square with his. "Don't you start that draggin' yourself through the mud bit. Then ain't now. And let me tell you, baby, your 'used to be' can't top mine. You hear me?" She nodded affirmatively. "Good. And one more thing," he slid the filled bowl down the counter to her, "don't spoil your dinner."

Watching him take his leave with that, Angel giddily dug into the sundae.

IIIIIII

Eyes cast downward as she added text to the papers in her possession, the redhead very nearly collided with the male's solid physique. When she lost her grip on the items she carried, Erik magnetically caught the pen and clipboard before they could hit the infirmary floor.

Gripping the objects again, Alana's lips curved into a coquettish smile. "Just the guy I was looking for."

"Trying to make me blush?" Erik drawled.

"Please, no amount of nursing school could help me conjure that medical phenomenon. Speaking of…" She positioned the clipboard for both of them to view and pointed at different sections with her pen. "I've been reviewing Tommy's blood results."

Erik promptly pressed, "What are we looking at?"

"Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd be concerned he's a borderline diabetic." Alana offered a reassuring gaze. "I know it couldn't have been planned, but it's difficult to obtain a clear reading not long after a kid downs his weight in cereal. But his testosterone is a bit higher than normal for his age. Nothing compared to his dopamine and serotonin levels- oh so coveted happy hormones."

"I know of them. And none of them surprise me." Erik then wanted to know, "What about his reactions from earlier? Anything remotely disconcerting?"

"Nothing yet, but I want to draw his blood again in the morning. Before he has any breakfast." Glancing away from the clipboard, Alana studied the metal wielder's dubious countenance. "But I take it there's a reason you're not screaming 'hallelujah' from the hilltops."

"My father used to tell me God's ways are not our ways," Erik recollected. "For my own part, I've never known His ways to align this conveniently with mine."

IIIIIII

A soft murmur leaving his lips, the thirteen-year-old propped himself up on his elbow. After instinctively donning his shades, his line of sight lingered on the telephone.

"Emma and Charles tried to reach you last night." Scott redirected his gaze to the elder in his partially open doorway. "The whole house has been lined up to speak to you."

Initially quietly affected, Scott verbalized, "Waiting on me to cry to come back like a baby at summer camp."

"More like hopin'." Entering fully, Victor started for him. "I know I would be if I were in their place."

"Shocked you haven't shipped me back yet," Scott asserted.

"Not how this works, Shades." Expression remaining even, Victor sat on the bed. "It was up to you to come here and the only way you're scootin' back to New York early is if you make that call." He then asked, "Is that what this mood of yours has been all about? Tryin' to get under my skin enough for me to cram you into a mailbox?"

"No." Scott went on with, "But I'm not here to make you look good to your girlfriend, either. Maybe you picked me out because you figured I'd be the perfect final piece in whatever this family thing is you're building, but I'm not interested. Maybe the girls don't see it, but I do. If you plan on staying here with Adrienne, I hope you have the decency to talk to Cody first. At least the twins are too little care either way."

Absorbing the youth's word with total silent attentiveness, Victor eventually responded, "That almost sounded legit. To pull that off, you must have spent a lot of time convincin' yourself of that load of bull." Clearly not anticipating the man's rebuttal, the boy could not immediately formulate one himself. "Ever since we fessed up to each other back in Delaware, you've been pushin' my buttons. Every time you start to get too cozy, you get scared. Don't bother tryin' to deny it. I have that fear in spades. But can you honestly look at me and tell me, you believe a word about me takin' off and tossin' you in with my luggage?"

Though Scott maintained eye contact, he could not speak his irrationalities further. "… Fine. Sorry, okay?" He glanced away towards the widest window.

Victor reached around to touch a consoling hand to his thin back. "Don't clam up on me now, son."

"I was the kid that no amount of money could keep in a foster home for long." Scott released a breath of bitterly humored irony. "Now, Charles wants to adopt me like Erik's doing with Leon, Frank… and Alex. And I have Erik, too. All of them before you came along."

"You're not betrayin' the Summers, Scott," Victor stated slowly but unfalteringly. "Neither is Alex. Every day you two live and breathe, you're doin' right by your folks. I know it's still gonna take you some time to really believe that. And I don't care how many people I have to share you with or what you do. I'm not backin' away." He brought his hand to the pensive child's shoulder to squeeze firmly. "But you'll be wishin' I do if you don't get a grip on your inner Cyclops."

With a sigh, Scott faced him again. "I really am sorry about all that, Vic. I'd start this trip over if I could."

"Oh, you're goin' to," Victor guaranteed. "You're on kitchen clean-up for the next three nights."

Scott bobbed his head astutely. "Yes, sir. Anything else?"

"Yeah." Rising again, Victor tilted his head towards the nightstand, "how 'bout you make sure the homestead's still in one piece?"

Darting shaded eyes from the departing elder to the idle telephone, Scott reached for the receiver.

IIIIIII

With his daughter tucked under his right arm and his brother positioned at his left, Erik looked on with them at the antics across the yard. Tommy and Cody engaged in a tremendously enthused game of leapfrog. Each one seemingly tried to capture the sun in his fist the higher he leapt over the other.

After a moment, Charles put forth, "Takes your breath away, doesn't it?"

"They do have that effect," Erik gave Becky a demonstrative squeeze, "from time to time."

"We get so caught up in the political battles of being a mutant," Charles went on. "But it's days like this that remind me of why we started this in the first place. Tommy's safe and surrounded by support."

Erik asserted resolutely, "Now, to keep it that way."

Becky glanced between the men with reverence.

Jogging out from the backdoor, Frank announced, "Hey, guess who's on the phone in Alex's office."

"Scott." Becky immediately started for the house.

An equally delighted Charles went with her.

"I'll be there in a minute," Erik sent after the telepaths.

"Yeah, I'm waiting on the crowd to disperse, too." Frank came to stand before him. "Mom says your gut's not so one hundred percent about Super Tommy."

"While I have no desire to damper the celebration—"

"Uh huh," Frank interjected impishly.

Erik lightly cuff his ear. "We still have to maintain vigilance, boychick. I have to."

"Believe me, Dad, I get it," Frank spoke earnestly. "My mom's here, I'm going out with a fantastic girl who's not playing dumb games with me, I'm getting high school out of the way- I can't stop inspecting the gift horse for false teeth. But I think this is more the nature of adaptation than anything. You know how Charles talks about the pattern of all of us keeping our powers secret until they, literally, blow up in our faces?"

"I'm quite familiar," Erik responded austerely.

Frank then suggested, "Maybe Sean's mutation was the fluke. You know, that it wasn't supposed to go off because the Cassidys were so not the helpful environment. Scott and Alex might never have gotten theirs if not for the crash. Because even with Linny's leukemia, neither of my brothers have shown any signs. Tommy's had the chance to spend time here and get to know all of us. Maybe his mutation felt safe to, you know, finally wake up."

Appearing thoughtful, Erik brought his hand to his son's shoulder. "How do you manage to make more sense than the agonizing pathways that make up my head?"

Frank smiled softly. "Let's just say this is about the best place for boychicks to grow up. The only one nuts enough to keep us around."

Erik tugged at a section of his copper hair as he proclaimed, "A proud madhouse, we are."

II

At the furthest end of the expansive garage, the BMW housed the pair of machinating brunette heads.

"I hate myself for saying it, but Leon's nightmare was probably our best stroke of luck in this whole thing," Cordelia admitted.

"Minor discomfort in the grand scheme of things, bonita," Fabian emphasized. "It diverted all necessary attention magnificently. Particularly, tiring out your sister and Becky- I barely got in and out of Erik's quarters this morn—"

Both teens released sharp gasps at a sudden flare of intense brightness. It faded shortly, revealing the smirking visage on the other side of the driver's window.

Frank knocked on the glass. "It's just me." When Fabian unlocked the BMW, he slid into the backseat and shut the door. "You guys can relax, by the way. Scott's on the phone. Nobody's coming down here any time soon."

Cordelia rolled her head back in mild dismay. "That would have been convenient earlier."

"Unnecessary." Fabian glanced back at the younger teenager. "You were muy fantastico in getting the Professor out of the house this morning."

"Not to mention Sean," Cordelia brought up. "Seriously didn't need that headache."

"I still can't believe you guys pulled it off." Simultaneous airs of relief and astonishment surrounded Frank. "But this was it, right? Tommy's okay now?"

"No," Fabian scoffed. "Now, he's perfecto."