Stumbling Along the Path

"Does it ever wake you in the middle of the night?" Erik asked, "The feeling that one day, they'll come for you? And your children?"

Xavier wheeled around, "I feel a great swell of pity for the poor soul who comes to my school looking for trouble."

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or universe. They belong to Marvel and FOX Studio.

A/N: Sorry for a shorter chapter today, celebrating my birthday with my mom's family today, and had to celebrate with my dad's family yesterday so I haven't had a lot of time. 3 But didn't want to leave people hanging so I'm just doing a bit of a filler chapter today to progress of Peter's story a bit more!

Peter came back into the kitchen where his mother was picking up stuff after her meal. Peter grabbed the dishes from her with a smile and quickly washed, and dried all the dishes.

"Like father like son." She sighed, sitting down at the kitchen counter and pulling out a cigarette to light.

"Those will kill you, ya know?" He joked to his mom as he pulled up a stool across from her.

"So will your father if you're not careful, Pietro. I heard you were in Egypt. And now working with that professor friend of his. They're gonna get you hurt. Or killed. Your father is not the same man I knew in Europe. He's half the reason we had to flee, ya know?" She argued as she took a puff of her cigarette.

"I didn't tell him anyway. Plus, when were we ever in Europe?" He asked, before quickly putting out his mom's cigarette.

"It was when you were very young, before you were born. It's where Erik and I met after the war and everyone was set free." She rolled up her sleeve to reveal a set of numbers and letters etched into her skin.

"We're not Jewish?" Peter stated, confused.

"The German Nazis did not just imprison and kill those of Jewish heritage, Pietro. Jewish, Romani, disabled and homosexuals, etc. It was anyone who did not fit into their perfect human image. Before I met Erik, I lived in a Roma village later turned into a ghetto by the Gestapo. I was married to a nice man. He was killed in Birkenau. It was after that, I met Erik… or… Magneto." She rolled her eyes at her ex-lover's name.

Peter couldn't take his eyes of his mother's arm as she rolled back down her sleeve.

"But the past is the past and it's better to just let it die there. I was able to let go of it all. Obviously, Erik cannot. He's hated humanity since the day he left Auschwitz and I fear he will hate it til the day he dies. He will do anything to get his way and I fear for those who get in his way. Pietro… Peter… please just stay here. It's far too dangerous for you anymore. We could move back to Europe, my sister and her husband live in Poland, we can go there. It will be safer for you there." She started to ramble, her hands shaking.

"Mom, we can't just up and leave New York. Magneto isn't even here anymore. Who knows where he went. Or if he'll ever be back. Plus, Xavier is doing a decent job of keeping people safe at the School." He sighed, as he got up and pat his mom on the back.

"They are going to come in for a week, and then if you still wish to stay here I cannot fight you. But I fear for you here. Your aunt, uncle, and niece will be coming in tomorrow. They were coming in because when you went missing and I was here alone, I thought you were dead." She whispered.

"I'm here now, mom. And I promise I'll be stopping by more often. I'm taking some classes with the Professor at his school, so I'll be there some days, but other than that, I'll be here. It's not as bad as you think it is. Look at me, I look just like any other guy my age. It's not like I've got blue skin, or fish gills or something." He smiled.

She nodded at her son, "You are right. I just worry too much. Just please do not use your speed out in public. No place you could get into trouble."

"I promise." He put his hand up like a boy scout.

Jubilee came into the kitchen where Scott was still sitting. She had her thumb pressed against her cheek, nervously chewing on the inside of her mouth.

"Hey, Scotty!" She chimed, opening up the cabinets to find a small pack of gum she had hidden away.

"Oh hey! Sorry about the Danger Room today, it was just a mess." Scott apologized, as he got up and poured out his tea.

"Oh no biggie!" She said, popping a piece of gum into her mouth.

Scott got up and grabbed a glass of water, Jubilee grabbed a pot and rice.

"What are you making?" He asked.

"Just rice. I'm starving after all that running around. I was going to go out and get something, but my tailbone is so sore that sitting sounds awful! Hank says it's just bruised though so it should be fine at least and a quick recovery. No broken bones." She laughed as she brought the water to a boil with her mini fireworks.

"That's good. Jean left to go out to lunch with her parents, and not sure where Kurt and Ororo went off to, and I still haven't heard from Peter all day." Scott said, sipping on some water.

"Kurt and Ororo went to the airport to exchange their money for American money. They hadn't had a chance to do that yet. I think they were going to bring us back food too for dinner, hopefully they don't pick out anything too weird. I mean, I'm open minded, but I am so not eating German sausages." She said and then stuck her tongue out.

"All in doubt, we got rice." Scott joked.

"It was nice seeing you, Jean." Her father waved as she got out of the car that evening.

"We love you. We're sorry we couldn't stay longer. Be safe." Her mother gave her a kiss on the forehead and turned to get back into the car.

"You sure you don't want to see the place? Or meet my friends?" Jean asked, with a forced smile.

"Oh no. It's okay. We have a flight to catch. Maybe next time, dear." Her mother waved.

Jean forced a smile, and waved back, "I love you guys too." She said with a sigh as she turned and walked back into the mansion, everyone was eating pizza in the common room. Scott waved at her, she waved back, but headed upstairs to be alone for a moment. It had been a long day. At least she had her friends.