Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no money from this. The X-Men Characters belong to whoever made them. I am merely borrowing them for a love story.

The Meeting:

This time when Alex picked up his son Hank wasn't watching all the kids. Which he would never admit aloud, but he was disappointed. He enjoyed the last month of making the bozo blush and squirm. When they reached the car Alex sat reading the paper Lucas handed him, "Parent teacher conferences?" Lucas happily nodded his head and smiled brightly. "Do you really need one? You have the top grades in the class." Lucas pouted, "So? You should still go!" Alex sighed, "Yeah, okay. I will fill this out tonight." Lucas smiled and cheered, "Yay!" Alex smiled as he drove off.

Later that night Alex stared at the school from his car. 'Why am I here? Lucas is the complete opposite of what I was like in school…' Alex sighed and slowly got out of the car. He had purposely gone to the later simply hoping that he would avoid most of the parents. Locating Hank's room he peaked in and cleared his throat. He was greeted by Hank's bright smile. "Mr. Summers, I was wondering when you would be showing up." Alex entered the room and gave him a smirk, "You can call me Alex." He sat in front of Hank's desk. They locked eyes for a moment before Hank began. "Well Alex you might already know this but Lucas is at the top of his class. He has many friends. The other students simply seem drawn to him." Hank looked though some papers and added, "His art skills are amazing. He doesn't seem to have any issues with any subjects." Alex smiled a little, "Well, that just proves that he is handling school way better than I did." Hank smiled once again and continued with his information. Alex however let his mind slowly wonder, everything that Hank was telling him he already knew.

As Hank continued to talk, he let his eyes wonder Alex's face. He blinked, narrowing his eyes a little his mind came to a startling conclusion. Is that a burse? He was about to inquire about it when Alex spoke up. "Hey, let's go out!" Hank blinked while he stumbled over his words, "W…what?" Alex smirked once again, "Well I am your last parent here tonight, and besides. Our friends know each other! Wouldn't be great for all of us getting together? Come on, come with me!" Hank stared at Alex, thinking he finally relaxed. "O…okay." Alex smiled and stood, reaching out his hand he added, "Oh, its karaoke night too. We are going to the bar that I work at." Using his outstretched hand he grabbed Hank's wrist and pulled him to the door. Hank let himself be dragged to Alex's car. "Get it!" Alex happily got in and waited for Hank to follow suit. Hank quietly and calmly got into the jeep. Taking off down the street Hank checked his phone. Reading his text from Raven, "hey buddy! Coming out tonight?" Hank glanced at Alex as he responded. "Yes, Alex, Lucas' dad basically kidnapped me." The response was almost immediate. "Ohh! The good looking one? ;) Be a good boy Hank he's taken." Hank could feel his face heat up. With shaking hands he put his phone away and coughed. Alex blinked and glanced over at him, "You okay there?" Receiving a nod from Hank they continued to drive his silence for a time. Glanced at Alex, Hank cleared his throat and asked in a small and uncertain voice, "So…Will Mark be there?" Surprised at the question Alex turned to look at him as they came to a stop at a red light. "…No, he left for his job. He works in the oil field and they sent him to another state. Mark should be gone for about two weeks." He looked ahead again the turned down the road to the bar. Parking the jeep Alex hopped out, "Come on Mr. McCoy." He smirked at Hank's blush. "J…Just call me Hank." Alex simply kept his smirk on his face as he entered the bar.

"Alex!" Hearing his name faintly above the music he grabbed Hank's writ and dragged him over to Darwin. "Alex! It took you long enough." Alex smiled, "Sorry, but I was told that you know Hank?" Taking his eyes off Alex Darwin smiled again. "Hey Hank, I never thought that I would see you here!" Hank fidgeted nervously and laughed, "Well I was dragged here really." Darwin and Alex laughed as the rest of the group came over.

Hank watched as Alex went off to get some drinks as Raven threw her arm around Hank's shoulder. "You know how to pick them." Hank kept his eyes locked onto Alex's back. "What does it matter Raven? You know he's taken, you said it yourself." She plopped next to him and hummed, "A mean, controlling boyfriend who isn't around much." Hank turned to her. "And when he is around, they fight. Almost constantly." Hank blinked in surprise, "How do you know that?" Raven took a sip from her beer and gave him a knowing look, "I'm friends with Angel. Darwin's girlfriend, Darwin is Alex's best friend…Next to Sean." Drinks were set down loudly on the table. "Drink up! I'm going on stage." Sean gratefully took the beer and leaned over to Hank, "Well you are in for a show. Alex hardly ever sings." Slowly taking his drink Hank looked to the stage just as Alex strode across. Taking the microphone with a cocky grin he picked his song and began singing. Hank let his eyes fall closed as he listened. As Sean had stated, he was amazing. Raven leaned in once again, "Why don't you just take him?" Hank turned to her, "W…what?! I…I'm not a home wrecker!" Raven laughed, "Home wrecker?" taking a drink she snorted, "According to Angel, there isn't a home to wreck. They fight all the time, I mean…Mark went off to work at another state for like a month without so much as asking Alex." Raven winked at him and stood up, "Well, that's just a thought." She smiled and happily went to the dance floor. Alex sat back next to Hank. "Enjoying yourself?" Hank looked at him, he hadn't seen Alex this relaxed in a while. Before he could answer Alex grabbed his arm. "Let's go dance!" He successfully kidnapped Hank for a second time that evening. Hank felt his face heat up, Alex got right into the music. Moving and flowing perfectly with the beat, Hank watched for a second until he swallowed. He slowly started to move with Alex, awkwardly. Alex let a real smile grow on his face as he watched Hank. How am I falling for this nerd? Taking a chance he inched closer to Hank, he couldn't help but smirk as Hank seemed to become even redder than before. This would be why…he was doing his favorite thing, making him squirm. Alex brushed up against him, which seemed to break Hank. Hank locked up, Alex blinked when he realized Hank had stopped moving. "Hank?" Hank's mind milted. As his mind kicked back into gear he began to move again. Alex smirked and followed Hank's lead. As the night dragged on Alex and Hank ended up outside by his car. Laughing Alex stuttered out, "I can't believe I got you to dance!" Hank pouted and mumbled, "I'm just not used to letting go, I suppose." Alex smiled, "Are you sure I can't give you a ride? I mean…I did kind of force you out tonight." Hank stuttered, "I…I'm okay, Raven is waiting for me." He laughed a little bit as he scratched the back of his head. Alex sighed, "Okay, okay. See you Monday Mr. McCoy." Alex winked at him as he slipped into his car, leaving Hank waving dumbly. Raven smirked as he walked over, "Yeah, you got it bad…"she handed her keys to him. "I can't drive." Hank sighed and followed his stumbling friend.

As Monday rolled around Hank found himself waiting with the kids outside, and as usual, Alex was late. Lucas smiled and called, "Daddy!" Hank watched the jeep pull up, he had the weekend to think. He needed to find out about that bruise. Alex had come in before with them, Hank wasn't stupid. That club was one of the safest in town, it also had the best bouncers that this place had to offer. This simply meant that something was amiss. Alex strode over and said, "Hey Mr. McCoy. It's always you waiting with Lucas. I'm sorry I'm always late." Lucas happily hugged his dad. Now or never Hank, he thought to himself. "Alex, hum…lets go out for coffee?" Alex stared at him, making Hank's nervousness grow. "As long as Lucas isn't a bother." Hank smiled, "Of course not!" Alex smiled, "There's one down town that has an area for kids. Is that cool?" Hank kept his smile, and nodded.

After ordering their coffee and a hot chocolate for Lucas. He ran off happily to play with the other kids. "Alex this isn't an easy subject." Alex eyed Hank as he took a sip of coffee. "You didn't get those bruises from the club did you?" Alex chocked a little. Hank simply stared at him, Alex sighed. "Fine, it was Mark." Hank's eyes narrowed slightly, "Alex…" Alex groaned, "Hank, before you start. Lucas' mother is trying to take him from me. With what I make it would be easy for her. She's gotten married to someone who had money. So far what's keeping her from being successful is the fact that she gave him up. She hadn't had anything to do with him until recently. Mark works in the oil field, he makes like 23.00 dollars an hour…" Alex couldn't keep Hank's gaze. He looked down to the table. "So you deal with him beating on you?" Alex gave him a look, "If it means keeping Lucas!" Locking eyes Hank sat back and crossed his arms. "You could do better than him Alex. Has he ever hurt him?" Alex sighed, "Not that he has told me…the only time I know of that makes me question that is when Lucas fell down the stairs at our apartment complex." Fidgeting with his cup he continued, "Ever since then I don't allow Mark to watch him. I didn't get to talk to Lucas when I got to the hospital. There were no witness and Lucas just went along with Mark when I did ask him. After that he changed." Alex shrugged. Hank sighed, "Look, I don't want to get into your business. But…be careful Alex." Alex nodded. It was quiet for a minute, "Hank…thank you for worrying about me. You know, I wish I had meet you sooner." Hank blushed and sputtered out, "r…really?" Alex smiled and Lucas ran over happily. "Maybe we can do this again yeah?" Hank nodded numbly and Lucas smiled brightly, "Bye Mr. McCoy!"

For the rest of the time Mark had been gone, Alex and Hank had been growing closer. To the point that Alex would even come back from picking up Lucas late. Mark sat on the couch glaring at the front door. Lucas was visiting Scott for the night and Alex should be getting back from work. Alex opened the door and froze. "You're late." Alex looked at him, "welcome home." Mark stood up, "So I hear that you have been with that teacher the whole time I have been gone." Alex closed the door and crossed his arms, "Look, I haven't done anything with him. If that's what you mean." Mark glared and got into his face, "What I heard is that your meetings are more like dates!" Alex took a step back, which caused him to have his back meet their door. "Are you drunk? Or just deaf? I told you that we didn't do anything! You aren't like this with Sean and Darwin. What's your deal?" Instead of answering him, Mark simply punched him. If it hadn't been for the door, Alex was sure he would have fallen back. Alex glared, and snarled at him, "Fuck you. Get out." Mark looked shocked, "What did you say to me?" Alex opened the door and said calmly, "Get out." Mark got in his face again and hissed, "You need me Alex. To keep that brat." Alex shoved him out the door and slammed it. Locking it quickly. Mark kicked the door and yelled something at him. Alex slowly slid down with his back against the door. He just knew that he would be letting Mark back in tomorrow. The very next day, just as Alex told himself, Mark was back.

Mark kept his eyes locked on Alex, he crossed his arms as he let his mind wonder. Every time Alex picked up Lucas over the past two weeks; he would do his best to accompany Alex to the school. The days that he couldn't go with him Alex would always be late coming home. And sometimes he would be late from work. Something else that bothered him was the little brat's obsession over this teacher named Mr. McCoy. That had to be the same one that had caused their little discussion. Mark had thought he made it clear that he didn't want Alex near that teacher. He inched closer, he desperately wanted to know who Alex was talking to.

"Well, thanks anyway Sean. I will just go get Lucas from school.

"Dude, how did you get beat up again?"

Alex spluttered a little bit, "Oh…I just had to help the bouncers break up a fight."

Sean sighed, "Just be careful. So why can't you pick up Lucas yourself?"

Alex rolled his eyes, "I'm not really wanting to face his teacher looking like I do…" He glanced at his watch and gasp, "Crap, I'm going to be late picking him up." He hung up and turned quickly and ran into Mark. Alex stared at him for a moment, "Sorry." He went to move past him just to be held in place by a hand on his wrist. "Alex, I'll go get Lucas, that way you won't have to explain your bruises." Alex blinked in surprise then glared at him, opening his mouth to comment when Mark cut him off. "I won't hurt the kid, taking your car. And you don't get a say in this." Alex stared after him as Mark slammed the door behind him.

Lucas pouted, his dad was never this late. The jeep pulled into the parking lot, Lucas' smile faded. Mark got out of the car instead of his dad. Hank blinked, not wanting to admit that he was disappointed. "Hey, where's my dad?" Mark walked over to them, "He isn't feeling well. Lucas let's go." Lucas flinched at the tone, and was about to head to the car but Hank stopped them. "You must be Mark, I'm assuming that you know who I am." Mark eyed him, maybe he isn't as scrawny as I think he is. "Yes, you're Mr. McCoy." Shaking hands Mark added, "I just never saw a need to leave the car." Both stared at each other, until Mark let go of Hank's hand. Mark crossed his arms, not a bad grip I guess…he glanced over his shoulder and noted that Lucas had wondered over to the jeep and was waiting for him. Deciding to take this chance Mark turned to hank. "Look egg head. I really don't see what Alex finds so fascinating about you and I don't really care. Alex is my boyfriend. I don't even like him talking to Sean and Darwin, and they are not a threat. I hardly doubt that you will be one, but whatever." Mark finished with a shrug. Hank balled his hands into tight fists. Since they were at the school, it really controlled what he could and couldn't do. Feeling the need to say something he shot him a glare. "For one thing, you really don't know anything. He is free to be friends with whomever he chooses. Last I knew, he wasn't your property. I know it's you who is giving him bruises, he constantly tells me it from his job. That is doubtful. So you wonder why he isn't spending his time with you." Mark glared back and hissed, "I was right, it is your fault that he's being to stand up for himself again." He was about to grab the front of Hank's shirt when Lucas shouted, "H…hey! Stop, I wanna see my dad!" Both men looked at Lucas, who looked frightened. "Stay away from him." Mark said harshly to Hank. Lucas weakly waved at Hank from the car's window as Mark got in. Hank gave him a small smiled and waved back.

Raven hurried over to Hank, "W...what was that about? I really thought that there was going to be a fight!" Hank's hands went back to his sides tightly locked together again, Mark had to be the most infuriating man he has ever met. This meeting only gave him one goal, to get them away from Mark. Glancing at Raven he simply stated, "I've met Mark."