psinex@yahoo.com Strange Attractors 1 by Phil Hartman DISCLAIMER: They're all Marvel's. Please don't sue. -------------------------------------------------------- X-Mansion: 8/17/2003: 09:00 hrs EDT: -------------------------------------------------------- "Sir ?" Charles Xavier looked down at his newest pupil with an acknowledging nod and said, "I'm ready to begin when you are, Franklin." "OK," Frank nodded. He was stretched out on a couch in Xavier's office, clad in a tank top, shorts and sandals in concession to the weather. The lanky boy's hair was the merest blond fuzz atop his scalp, but his blue eyes were bright and alive. #Reminds me of me at his age ... of course, my hair was disappearing by genetic misfortune,# Xavier mused. He motioned his hoverchair closer to the couch and said, "Have you had any further episodes of telepathy ?" ~It's gotten a lot stronger,~ Frank sent nervously. Xavier nodded, fighting down shock as the room's Cerebro access went temporarily berserk. #Omega-class,# Xavier noted, deactivating the unit. "Nothing to worry about - Cerebro's sensitive," he smiled at Frank, seeing tbe boy begin to rise. "Oh," Frank said. #He's lying. But maybe ... it's just easier to ignore it,# he thought, laying back and swallowing hard. "Franklin, you don't need to be afraid of your powers," Xavier said gently. "We need to get to the root of -" "I KNOW what the problem is !" Frank yelled, sitting up with glowing, tearful eyes. "My dad thinks I'm a freak, and my mom and uncles're afraid of me ! Heck, even Cerebro knows I'm more powerful than anybody else !" Xavier sighed, steepling his fingers, and slowly nodded. "Franklin ... you're not a monster," he said finally. "As much as you desire your family's love, you will eventually have to find your own strength. That's a slow process, but you are the only one who can support yourself in the end." "Whatever happened to 'no man is an island' ?" Frank frowned, pulling his powers back into himself. "That's true. We all need others for support - but we have to love ourselves without being egocentric before we can love others," Xavier said. "Care about yourself, Franklin - others do." "... I'll try, sir," Frank nodded. "It just hurts, though - I just want to ... to be loved, and to love others." He smirked and added, "Pretty mushy for a teenager ..." "Actually, you're far more psychologically healthy than you give yourself credit for," Xavier smiled. "You just need to find your inner strength, Franklin. You CAN be whoever you want to be." He offered Frank a cup of water, and the boy accepted with a grateful nod. "Question is," Frank replied after drinking half the cup, "who am I gonna be ?" -------------------------------------------------------- #Who AM I ?# Frank asked himself hours later, loping down to the boathouse. He looked out over the cove, smiling and waving as his friends and future classmates horsed around on the water. "Get in here, Richards !" Erik Lehnsherr demanded with hands on his hips. He yelled when a giant, glowing TK-fist shoved him off the raft he was on, and a firebird loomed over with a giggling redheaded girl amidst it. "Well, Scrap ?" Rachel Summers teased, powering down. Her green bikini highlighted her fire-red hair, and Frank's eyebrows raised in appreciation. #God, what I wouldn't do to ... but I CAN'T,# he thought sadly. #I might hurt Ray ... that's the last thing I wanna do ...# "Coming," he called, removing his sandals and tank top. He cast aside his shorts, revealing the blue speedo he wore for any kind of swimming, and edged his way into the water before breaking into a freestyle swim. #Mmmm ...# Ray thought, watching with a grin. #Darnit, Frank, what'm I doing wrong here ...? I like you, but you're so ... quiet ...# ~Ray ?~ a slightly fearful voice called in Ray's mind. She turned, concerned, until she saw her brother floating by in blue boxer trunks and an innertube. "Ray, it's hard t'steer - YAIKES !?" Nate cried as something burst up from beneath him. Ray caught the boy in a TK-talon, glaring as a giggling Sarah surfaced. "SillyNate," the ex-Morlock girl cackled, taking the innertube. "You know you're s'posed to share." "Be CAREFUL, Sarah," Ray demanded, depositing Nate on the raft. "Nate's not that great a swimmer ..." "'M OK," Nate pouted. "But thanks." Ray winked at him and sent, ~Sorry. I just wanted to -~ ~I scan,~ Nate psmiled. ~I just gotta be tougher, that's all ...~ ~Not TOO tough, OK ? We like you the way you are,~ Ray sent, dropping to one knee beside him. Nate smiled, and waved as Frank climbed onto the raft. "Hey, Frank ! You swam great out there," the younger boy said. "Thanks, Nate," Frank said, sitting near the center of the raft. He smiled as Ray handed him a root beer, and said, "Hey, Red." "Hey, Scrap," Ray winked. #Comeon NOTICE me here...# "Nice swimsuit," Frank continued. #It's not so hard just don't use your powers ...# #HE LIKES MY SUIT !# Ray cheered mentally. "I like yours, too," the girl replied, sitting cross-legged near Frank. "Say, where's -" "The NEXT time you decide to dunk me, Miss Summers, I'll scramble your favorite dance CD !" Erik yelled, surfacing in a pair of black boxer trunks. His shaggy white hair was covered in algae, and he glared at Sarah as she swam by. "What's the matter - didn't like my underwater ballet ?" she grinned. "Play grabass on your own time, bonehead," Erik growled. "You know who I like ..." A PAMPH and a grin heralded the arrival of Erik's paramour atop the cooler. "Yikes - gotta adjust that better," Alexa Wagner giggled, a gold tanksuit her garb. She sat beside Erik and kissed his cheek, winking, "Miss me ?" "Transatlantic relationships are so hard to maintain," Erik grinned. "Yo, Richards - when're you and the firebird gonna get hitched ?" "ERIK !" Ray blushed. Frank gaped at her, but reached out with a gentle telepathic probe and sent, ~Red ... ?~ ~I ... I DO like you,~ Ray blushed, gentler this time. She took Frank's hand and smiled, sending, ~I hope I didn't -~ ~I like you too,~ Frank sent, breaking into a full grin. Ray gave a joyful squeak and let him deeper into her mind, smiling again as Frank opened to her. "Wow," Nate smiled, pointing to a coruscating psi-display leaping between his sister and Frank. The others watched, amazed, as the Phoenix danced about both of the young psions, finally fading to a more natural radiance. "I never - oh, Frank - I'm so sorry - I thought you were just - but you've been so sad -" Ray gasped, hugging him. "It's not your fault," Frank said, hugging her back. "I was afraid - I never thought I'd - but you - you're like -" "Oh Lord," Sarah smirked, boarding the raft in a grey one-piece. "Sappiness alert." She flopped down beside Nate and smirked, "Seriously, it's about time. We all knew you two were gonna get together." "Yadda yadda yadda," Ray teased, letting go of Frank physically. "Loose lips, bonebutt ?" "Whatever," Sarah frowned. Ray looked apologetic and said, "I'm sorry ..." "Nah - it's OK," Sarah shrugged. "I bitch and moan, I get what I deserve. Anyone seen Leech and Artie ?" "HALP !" The kids turned, hiding smiles, as Artie and Leech shot by on a deflating innertube. Ray managed to TK-grab Artie by the back of his trunks, dragging him to safety, but Leech landed amidst a pile of pool toys near the boathouse. "Leech is NOT amused," the green-skinned power damper grumbled. He swam to the raft, ignoring Artie's giggles and continued projections of Leech trying to ride the innertube. "You don't have to rub it in," Leech muttered. Artie just rolled his eyes and laid out on a corner of the raft, while Ray slapped her forehead. "That reminds me," she grinned naughtily at Frank. "Sunscreen. Now that we finally know how we feel, I don't want you keeling over dead at age 18 from skin cancer." "You - Ray, I can put it on -" Frank stammered. He looked up, seeing Alexa and Sarah grin wickedly, and looked at Erik for help. "Dude, shut up, lay down and ENJOY IT," Erik cackled. "You know how lucky you are ?" "Enjoy what ?" Nate asked, looking around. Leech shook his head and slapped Nate's left shoulder gently, smirking, "Wait until you're olde - OW ! That arm of yours is HOT !" "Sorry," Nate gulped, looking at his TO-mesh-arm. "It picks up heat real bad ..." "It's OK, Nate," Sarah said. "Leech's too much of a hothead as he is ..." The others groaned, but the older boys watched jealously as Ray motioned for Frank to stretch out on a towel. "Now, stay still," she demanded, lathering up with sunscreen and applying it to Frank's back. "God, you're tense ... but I guess I can understand why now ..." "Ray ... ? You're - " Frank blushed, feeling Ray's fingers knead his back. ~Shhh ... Aunt Stevie taught me the basics of massage in dance class,~ Ray sent, smiling invitingly. ~I won't embarass you ... but I do want to commune with you on a physical level, like we're doin' psionically ...~ "Oh - mah - GOD," Alexa gasped, doing her best Valley Girl impression, as Ray worked Frank's taut muscles into relaxation. "How TOTALLY Kama Sutra ..." "'LEXA !" Ray giggled, blushing. "This is a totally acceptable therapeutic method. Frank needs to physically relieve his stress, and that swim didn't get rid of all of it ..." "She's rationalizing," Erik grinned wickedly. "Naughty, naughty Ray ... don't roll over, Frank, or she might try to knead some -" "ERIK !" the others yelled. "OK, OK ... I'm a 14-year-old guy, what do you expect ?" the magnakinetic shrugged. He was silenced when Alexa began to kiss him, and the two of them dangled their legs in the water. "Wow," Nate said, looking around. "Is it this easy to get a date ?" "Worry about it when you get a little meat on those bones, cutie," a voice called from midair. The kids turned, nodding or waving, as Claudette and Nicole St. Croix appeared from a transportal in white bikinis. "WOW," Leech said, gaping. Artie projected an image of the St. Croixes as supermodels, provoking a frown from Nicole and a smile from Claudette. "I'm flattered, Artie, even if sister dearest is uptight," Claud grinned. "Well, they're PLEBIANS," Nicky demanded. "THBBHHPT," Claud pouted. "Just have some fun - Frank and Ray sure are." Frank blushed again, but slowly smiled when Ray lay down next to him. "Could you spread some on my back and legs ... ?" she asked coyly. "Just tell me if I'm hurting you," Frank said, getting up and rubbing sunscreen on his hands. #Oh my GOD,# he thought, gently rubbing it into Ray's back. ~Thank you, Ray - you are ...~ ~Well, you're the guy of MY dreams,~ Ray psmiled. ~I know we just opened to each other, but -~ ~Yeah,~ Frank psmiled, sharing the swell of emotions, memories and thoughts which surged between them. ~You're ... it's just RIGHT, somehow ...~ ~Then don't think. Rub,~ Ray mock-ordered. ~Yes ma'am,~ Frank grinned. -------------------------------------------------------- Baxter Building: 16:00 hrs EDT: -------------------------------------------------------- "Enjoy your day at the Institute ?" Sue smiled as a dressed Frank took his place at the dinner table. "Yeah," Frank smiled. His face went serious, and he looked at the adults with a sigh. "Guys ... can we talk about my powers ?" Frank began. Johnny looked utterly afraid, while Ben and Sue glared at Reed. Reed set his fork down and took a deep, shuddering sigh. "Son ... you're right," Reed began. "We've - I've - grossly mishandled your powers ... starting with their first real emergence." "Reed - " Sue began. Reed cut her off with a sad look, then said thickly, "Computer, File FBR-Omega. Audiovisual playback, this room." Frank's jaw slowly dropped as the file replayed before him - his birth, his first encounter with Annihilus, and his subsequent psionic damping. Finally, the file came to the present day, concluding with the scene at the dinner table before fading out. The boy was silent for a long moment, finally whispering, "You had to shut off my MIND ... ?" "I was wrong," Reed pleaded. "Son, I know I've been distant - but it's not because I don't love you. I do. I ... I've been a poor father, at best." "Dad - I - oh God ..." Frank moaned. "I understand ... it wasn't you guys at all ..." "NO !" Sue shouted, slamming a fist on the table. "Listen to me, honey. You are NOT to blame for anything that went wrong with your powers. You were a little boy - you couldn't've hoped to control them. But you've grown up into a wonderful young man, and we've failed to tell you that." She looked around and sobbed, "We never talk enough around here ..." "And whose fault is that ?" Reed asked darkly. He took Frank's hand and said, "Son, I can't expect forgiveness. All I can ask is -" He gaped when Frank leapt up and hugged him. "You tried," Frank whispered. "You do care, Dad - you and Mom and Uncle Johnny and Uncle Ben. Who taught me how to swim ? Who showed me how to make the best sandwiches in town ? Who took me to ball games and showed me how to strip down a mainframe ?" "But - your powers - ?" Sue asked. Frank hugged her and said, "You guys TRIED. You've let me learn about them, haven't you ?" The boy laughed, releasing his mother, and smiled. "You tried," Frank said, sitting back down and wiping his eyes. "I thought you were afraid of me, but I forgot how much you care, too. I love all of you ..." "Aw, shucks," Ben chuckled. "GACK - who taught you all this mush ?" "I think sensitivity is the sign of a budding ladies' man," Johnny grinned. "Now, is there a certain young someone ... ?" Frank blushed and said, "Now there's SOME things a guy's gotta keep to himself ..." Johnny wolf-whistled, while Ben's jaw dropped and Reed and Sue looked uncomfortable. "Yeesh, I'm not doin' THAT," Frank blushed. "But ... I think I might've found a Miss Right ..." -------------------------------------------------------- INTERLUDE: -------------------------------------------------------- "And this biosignature matches the others ... ?" the young, red-haired man asked from behind the desk. "Yessir," his companion - a teenaged blonde girl - gulped, kneeling at the foot of the desk. Both were clad in purple and red, with golden body armor and headgear. Finally, the man nodded and looked out the bay window. "You may go," he said. "And Scanner, keep up the good work." "Yessir," Scanner said. She rose, leaving and bowing as a pair of similarly-clad women - one with brown hair, another with red - entered the chamber. "What a view," the man smiled, looking down on Earth. "It's a true miracle that He left us this." "Youre presumptiousness never ceases to amaze me, Fabian," the red-haired woman frowned, a Germanic accent to her tone. "It's familial, Amelia," the other woman said, rolling her eyes. "But if he thinks he can find Lord Magnus ..." "Ah, but Annmarie, my dear sister," Fabian Cortez smiled, "WE HAVE ..." -------------------------------------------------------- NEXT: School's in - plus: the return of an old friend ... ! -------------------------------------------------------- end _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com