I don't own anything X-Men. Just borrowing the characters! I can't even remember how long I have been having Alex and Hank flirting and getting close. So I'm just going to say that it's about the middle of the school year.

Breaking point

Alex stared out of his window, fidgeting on the couch he checked his phone. Frowning he mumbled, "Mark should be back with Lucas by now…" Footsteps thundered up the steps. The apartment door swung open with a loud bang.

"So that's Lucas' teacher huh? A tall skinny thing like that?" Mark stopped in front of Alex, glaring down at him.

Alex locked eyes with him. "Yes. Where is my son?"

Crossing his arms Mark answered harshly, "The boy is with your brother."

At Mark's intensifying glare Alex rolled his eyes dramatically. "We haven't done anything. We go out sometimes. His friends are mine. Besides, I don't think he would know what to do with all this anyways." Gesturing toward himself.

Mark growled, "Alex…"

Standing up Alex moved passed him, "Look, I'm going to be late for work." Looking back at Mark when he got to the door he stated. "I really didn't do anything with Ha-Mr. McCoy." Alex walked out the door quickly, he hurried to his jeep. Taking a quick glance at his apartment, he took off. Alex pulled out his phone and called Scott. Before Scott could even say hello, Alex asked quickly. "Lucas is with you?"

"Of course, Mark just dropped him off. Why?"

Alex gave a sigh of relief. "Can I talk to him?" The phone was handed off to his son, "Hey buddy! Was Mark nice to you?'

"Hi daddy!" He gave Alex a slight pause, "hum, I guess so. I don't think that Mr. McCoy and Mark like each other very much. They glared a lot."

Alex hummed quietly," Well, just let adult do their own thing. Be good for Uncle Scott and Aunt Gene Okay?"

"I always am!"

"Homework?"

"Already done!"

"Okay," Alex couldn't keep the smile off his face, "Be good, I love you and I will see you in the morning."

"Love you too daddy! Bye!" Alex parked just as they hung up. Feeling himself relax after talking to Lucas, he headed inside the bar.

Raven sighed as she watched Hank work. "Come on! Hurry up, I wanna go out!" As if sensing what Hank would say, she hurried over to his desk and grabbed his hand. "After dealing with that ass hole, you need a drink! Alex is working, we can find out why he didn't come get Lucas."

Hank simply looked at her, thinking it over he sighed, "Okay. Let's go."

Raven smiled brightly, "yay!" She happily hopped into Hank's car. "We are meeting Darwin, Sean and Angel there. It will be fun!"

Hank smiled and gave her a nod. He couldn't stop the butterflies that had settled in his stomach at the thought of seeing Alex. Reaching the bar the parking lot was full. Finding a spot they were greeted by their friends. Hank looked around the busy room, his eyes scanning the space for Alex. Finding him in his usual spot behind the bar, he made his way over to him.

Alex smiled at him, "Hey bozo! You have been coming her a lot lately. What can I make you?"

Hank blushed, he whispered his drink just loud enough to be heard over the music. Looking up at Alex righted as he handed him his drink. Blushing again Hank asked, "I ah, missed you at the school."

Alex smiled again. "Really? Sorry about that…Mark insisted on picking him up."

Hank kept his eyes locked on Alex, "ah…hum...When?"

Alex grinned slightly, "I'm going on break in about an hour, if you want to wait that long."

Hank nodded and said, "Okay!"

Alex hid the smile that grew on his face as he turned to help another person.

Raven joined Hank at the bar and nudged his shoulder as she took a sip of her beer. "You were flirting. Planning on whisking him away from Mark?"

Hank coughed on his drink and gave her a look. "He can do better!" he downed his drink and set the glass on the table. "I mean, he thinks that I didn't notice the bruise on his face."

Raven smirked, "is that really just your first drink? I never see this side of you…well I did earlier today. With Mark."

Hank gave her another look, as he ordered his second drink. His eyes quietly following Alex along the bar.

"Let's dance Hank or this hour will take forever to pass." Raven smiled as he pulled him away from the bar. While he was being taken away, Hank did a double take. Thinking he saw a familiar figure handing around watching Alex. Before Hank could think on it more, Raven dragged him further into the crowd.

Mark downed what was left of his sixth beer. He angrily whipped his mouth with his sleeve. Cold eyes following Hank out to the dance floor. His eyes whipped back over to Alex, who just finished giving out some drinks. Mark shoved people out of his way. Grabbing Alex's wrist once he reached the counter he ground out, "You are coming outside now." He dragged Alex out behind the building.

Alex barely got out," A…Amber taking a ten!" Before Mark threw him out the back door, he stumbled and hit the ground gracelessly.

Mark heaved Alex off the ground and shoved Alex against the door. "YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING WITH HIM!" Mark spat the words with anger.

Alex stared at him, not even flinching as Mark moved closer to his face. "You are drunk. Your alcohol fueled mind is imagining things."

Mark grabbed his collar, shaking him he growled. "I know chemistry when I see it! We are going home!" Mark attempted to pull Alex toward the parking lot.

Deciding to stand his ground, Alex yanked himself out of Mark's grip. "I'm staying here. You can leave."

Mark's face scrunched up in frustration and anger. "Are we really going to do this here?"

Alex glared and backed up to the door, "You need to leave." He knew what was going to happen when Mark started to advance on him.

*(*()*)(

The bar was growing more packed by the minute. Amber looked around slightly panicked. It was past the ten minute mark since Alex was forcibly dragged out the back door. She franticly flagged down a bouncer. Amber told them that Alex had been missing for close to 20 minutes now, and that he was forced out the back door. The two bouncers quietly made their back to alley way. The bouncers stormed out the back door, giving Alex the chance he needed to kick Mark off.

"Alex!" One of the bouncers helped Alex up as the other escorted Mark off the premises. As the cops were called.

Alex gently pulled away from the bouncer and mumbled, "Please keep him out of here. "T…thanks for your help." Alex briefly met with the cops.

"Sir did you want to press charges?" The cop stood in front of him.

Alex peaked around the cop at Mark. Looking back at the cop Alex nodded. "Yes I do." The cop asked a few more questions before Alex made his way inside. His boss was waiting for him and told Alex to head home. Hurrying to the doors, Alex stopped long enough to hand his Jeep keys to Darwin. Alex then hurried to the doors, he didn't hear Hank calling to him. Alex rubbed his arms once he got outside, his body ached, and his mind was reeling. As the obvious was thrown into his face once again. He knew he needed to get away from Mark, but why was he so afraid of doing it? Realizing that he had a long walk ahead of him, he started to make his way to the road.

"Alex!" A car pulled up next to him.

Blinking numbly Alex mumbled, "Hank?"

Hank reached over and opened the passenger door from the inside. "Get in the car. I'm taking you to the hospital."

Alex glared, "No hospital." He started walking again.

Hank sighed and called out to him, "Fine, no hospital! Just….come home with me? I don't think you should go home…"

Alex looked back at Hank, eyes roaming over Hank's face. Sensing no mockery or anything, Alex gave in. Falling into Hank's car, Alex kept his gaze out the window. Feeling too ashamed to look him in the eye. Hank gave Alex a glance before he started to his house. "So Alex…What was this about?"

Alex gave Hank a long look before staring back out the window. "He was drunk."

"That's it? He was drunk?" Disbelief sunk into Hank's words.

Alex snorted, and snapped. "Like you would get it."

Hank sighed and thought as he pulled into garage. Defense mechanism. The rest of the ride was slightly tense. Each stealing a glance at each other off and on. Parking in his drive way Hank looked at Alex. "Let's get inside." Hank slipped out of his car, closing the door behind him. Alex watched him for a second before rolling his eyes and following him.

"I will be right back." Hank looked at him before disappearing down the hall.

Alex blinked after him before looking around the room. The living room was simple and clean. There where books everywhere, and much to Alex's surprise, no TV. Alex moved to the closest bookshelf and ran his fingers along the bindings. He blinked as he read the titles of the books. Hearing footsteps coming from the hall he chose to sit on the couch Alex quietly waited, eyes locking onto Hank when he joined him on the couch. "Don't watch TV much?"

Hank set a first aid kit between them. "I ah…well…" he opened the kit and looked back at Alex. "He did a real number on your face." Hank carefully began whipping at the bruises and cuts.

"You know…I don't get you Hank." He gently caught Hank's wrist. "Why is someone with such a big brain working as a school teacher? By looking at all these books, shouldn't you be in a lab somewhere?"

Hank laughed a little, "I was, but I'm just trying something new. However, I can say the same to you. Lucas has told me that you know some kickboxing and yet you let this guy do this to you?"

Alex shifted slightly and looked at him, "I have been in jail, and I have put him in the hospital before. If I were to do that again they will take Lucas. Before you ask, I don't know why I stay with him Hank. I suppose it's the same reason why anyone stays with an abuser."

"You could do better." Hank stated.

Alex laughed, sounding almost bitter. "Oh really? Like I could get someone like you? This isn't a movie it's real life, people don't want damaged goods."

Hank kept his eyes locked onto Alex's, his hand slipped to stay flat on his cheek. Leaning forward Hank kissed him. Alex hesitated, then responded cautiously. Slowly wrapping his arms around Hank's neck. Feeling braver, Hank slowly pushed Alex back against the couch. Settling on top of Alex, Hank asked with a blush spreading over his face. "Be with me Alex. Leave him."

Alex gasp, looking startled. "Hank…What would we do? Move in here and be a big happy family?" Alex looked up at him. "Do you really think that would work?"

Hank bit his lip and looked back at him. "Can't we at least try?"

Alex stared at him. Fidgeting, he nibbled on his bottom lip. "Well...Why not?" He yanked Hank down to him. Smashing their lips together in an aggressive kiss. Pulling away just enough to keep their lips touching slightly as he asked. "Are you ready for what you just signed up for?" Without fiving Hank a chance to answer, Alex yanked him down for another kiss. Hank milted into him, relishing in the fact that this was happening. And with the way Alex was clinging to him, Hank had no intention of letting him go.