Learning to Breathe
Disclaimer: I own a wonderful package of Reese's miniatures. Does that count for anything?
Chapter Thrity-five: Chew-Outs All Around!
Upon his return, Kurt attempted to finish his abandoned homework. However, Scott heard his port and stormed into the younger boy's room.
"Where have you been?" Scott asked. "You missed the team training session!"
"Sorry, Scott." Kurt shrugged. "A sick friend called and asked me to give him my notes from fourth period. I took them to his house. No harm done."
"You missed the session!" Scott exclaimed.
"Ja, I got that. Thanks."
"But…"
"If Paul asked you for your notes, would you turn him down?"
"This isn't about me, it's about you and your smarting off! What's gotten into you, Kurt?"
"Nothing! I was just helping a friend! Sheesh! Why are you so upset about this?"
"We have responsibilities here, Kurt! You can't just port off whenever you feel like it!"
"I don't! You don't get onto the others like this. What's so special about me?"
"Kurt, we work as a team, and a team needs to be able to trust its members not to leak out any harmful secrets!"
"That's it, isn't it? Because I found out less than a month ago that Mystique is my birthmother, I'm suddenly a threat!"
"That's not it!"
"Isn't it? I know you, Scott. You never pick up fights like this unless something scares you. What is it? Are you scared I'll run away and join the brotherhood?"
"I never said that!"
"But you were thinking it! I can't believe you're so stressed about all of this! Nothing is wrong. All I have done today was help a sick friend, and if that's worth a courtmarshall, then so be it!" Kurt shouted. Scott looked stunned. However, Scooter was saved from further humiliation by Kitty.
"Like, there you are!" She smiled. "Don't worry, I brought your note to Logan, and he said you're off the hook this time. Just don't disappear like that again."
"I won't." Kurt said, though already knowing it was a promise he could not keep. "Don't worry."
"Oh, and Scott, the Professor wants to speak to you like now!" Kitty chirped. Scott sighed.
"I'm going." He said, glaring at the younger boy with distain. What was the elf hiding?
Charles Xavier glanced at the young man now entering his office. Scott "Cyclops" Summers, born leader though he was, still had much to learn about tact. Not to mention consideration.
"Ah, Scott, there you are. Have a seat." The bald man gestured. Scott obeyed.
"Why am I here?" The man asked.
"You are here because of the incident with Kurt a few moments ago." Xavier replied.
"He skipped out on a training session! He didn't leave…" Scott began. The older man cut him off.
"No, Scott, he did leave a note. Kitty just happened to find it first. I believe your belligerence towards your teammate is a serious problem. While I admit that he shouldn't have left on such short notice, he was truly helping an ill friend. Training sessions are not all there is in life, Scott. I thought that, as team leader, you would know that by now."
Scott hung his head in shame. How could he have been so careless? He'd let his perfectionistic attitude affect his performance as team captain, and now he was paying for it. "I know, Professor. And I'm sorry, but who is Kurt really covering for?"
"A sick friend, Scott, as he already informed you." The Prof answered. "This person is a low-level interest to us, so please do not pursue this interrogation any further."
"I understand, Professor." Scott sighed.
"Good." Xavier replied. "You are dismissed." As Cyclops exited the office, Professor Xavier paged another student to come in. Kurt. Could you come see me in my office, please?
While drama unfolded at the Xavier Institute, the Brotherhood boys were loitering in a city park.
"Man, I wonder what kinda secret Boss-lady's keepin' from the real boss?" Toad asked.
"Must be something big." Pietro said. "Why else would anyone lie to Magneto?"
"Technically, she didn't lie." Lance corrected. "She didn't tell the whole truth, but she didn't make anything up either."
"It's still lying by omission." The silver-haired boy countered.
"Wonder why she wanted us out of the house so quickly?" Fred asked.
"Don't know, don't care." Lance glared at his teammate. "Look, the only way we're gonna learn anything is if she suddenly cracks, which I don't see happening in the near future. And anyway, I agree with her to some extent."
"Say What?" Todd yelped.
"Hear me out." Lance held up a hand. "How would you guys like Magneto telling you who you can and cannot hang with? Even for dates?"
"Eww." Pietro said. "Ugly mutant slimey chick!"
"Yo, I have enough trouble getting a date as it is!" Todd whined.
"Exactly." Lance said. "It's a bad idea, and I think Mystique feels the same way."
"Then why all the cover-up?" Pietro asked. "And what does Sabertooth have to do with this?"
"You ask too many questions." Lance swatted at the younger boy. "Anybody wanna play catch?"
Kurt sidled into the office, apprehension rolling off of him in waves. Xavier didn't look mad, but he knew very well that looks were often decieving.
"It's all right, Kurt. No one can overhear you here." The Prof said, easing his nerves somewhat. Kurt sighed, then took the seat in front of Xavier's desk. "Kurt, while I commend your taking the initiative to visit an ill comrade, that does not excuse you from punishment."
"I understand, Professor." Kurt mumbled.
"Your chore is to clean out the boys' restrooms on the first and second floors." Xavier said.
"That's it?" Kurt asked. He didn't even bother to hide his shock.
"Yes." Xavier said. "Since you left a note this time, I feel no need to add on anything excessive."
"Thank you." Kurt grinned. That was easier than he'd thought.
"However, I would like to see you once a week for counseling." Xavier continued. "You've taken the news about Mystique rather hard and I feel it would be good for you to vent some of your emotions."
He just stared. It was the only reaction he could muster at the time. Therapy? He felt he was adjusting quite well to the whole birthmother thing. But if the Prof felt he needed it, he might as well go through with it for a while. "If you say so, Professor."
"Very well." Xavier said. "Now, I suggest you go get started."
He nodded. The sooner he got to work on the bathrooms, the sooner he could finish his homework and call Andi back.
Xavier watched the boy exit and sighed. The entire mansion seemed to have taken a side in Kurt's affaris, be it for or against the mutant. Scott and Jean felt pity, but either overexhibited their emotions or held him at arms length. Rogue—the only one who understood all of the emtions felt in the affair—took up a sisterly role in dealing with the elf-boy's needs. Kitty and Evan simply walked on eggshells as they were unsure of what to say. Even the instructors had a hard time finding a common stance on the issue.
And news of a half sister would only complicate matters.
Though the boy didn't realize it, he had been projecting his thoughts quite loudly. The girl had indeed returned to Bayville, if only for a short time, but was ill and not to be disturbed at the time. The more Kurt flet he was the only one who knew, the better. Magneto was watching, and bringing up the girl's origin placed her and Mystique in grave danger. Magnus had grown more rutheless over the years, and Charles felt certain that if he learned Raven hid her child from him, the outcome would certainly not be favorable. And as a sort of protectorate for mutantkind, he knew it was his duty to do what he could to help Raven keep her daughter a secret.
Pulling his thoughts away from the subject, Professor Xavier returned to the present reality. His students need be prepared. No matter what Magneto's plan, it was bound to be a threat to all they knew.
Okay, really short, I know, but I had to get some of the boring stuff down before I can move on to the rest of this arc. Be patient, por favor.