Future Hopes: Part One

by Kerri

Xavier smiled at the sleeping babies, already three months old and so aware. He could feel the hum of untapped psychic power in Sara, the potential in the tiny body. He wouldn't be surprised if she showed her power before her tenth birthday.

Nicademis, on the other hand, gave off a different hum. It was unknown to Xavier, but he was certain that the son was also a mutant. If everything Bishop said was true, this boy child would be a strong mutant. If everything Bishop said came to pass this child would need to be strong.

Hank's preliminary genetic mapping showed the twins carried a full compliment of their mother's alien DNA, like their half brother Thomas. He took it to mean they also would have extended lives. It was something he'd given a lot of thought to ever since Charlotte discovered she was pregnant.

An idea had been forming, based on his observations of Charlotte's pregnancy and ease of delivery, especially her short gestation period. He'd come down here to the lab to discuss this idea with Hank and found him minding the twins while Charlotte got away for the afternoon with Logan.

"Babies are amazing, are they not?" he said to Hank, who was back behind his keyboard.

"They are, indeed." Beast replied, absentmindedly. The twins had chattered and cooed themselves to sleep after Charlotte and Logan carried them down. Charlotte assured him they'd sleep for several hours, by which time they would be back, and she was usually right. It seemed to him they did all the things babies were *not* supposed to do, at least this early. They slept through the night, had healthy appetites, and didn't seem to suffer the usual croup or colic. They rarely cried for no reason. He was recording his observations on them, hoping to understand the scope of Charlotte's altered genetic code. The addition of Logan's genes added an unusual twist to the mix. He hypothesized both babies would have his rapid healing ability, therefore extending their lives long past Thomas.

"Can you tell me if the babies will have the same extended lifespan Thomas has?" Xavier asked, unknowingly echoing Hank's thoughts.

"At this point I have no concrete data on that," Hank admitted. "They should, having all the same genetic markers Thomas does. The addition of Logan's genetic structure may increase their potential for longevity."

"I've been considering the future, Henry," Xavier told him. "We fight and fight, yet we seem to have nothing to fight for. The future is bleak enough without having a hold on it."

Xavier's pensive mood finally got Hank's attention. "In what way?"

"The hopes and dreams we have for the future are good, but a person fights for something to pass on to his descendants. We have no children here."

"I believe it has begun," Hank pointed out. "The twins and Jean's upcoming delivery is just the start."

"I've been thinking about...something rather sensitive. I want to discuss it with you before I take the idea to the others. With Charlotte's unique genetic structure, I would like her to consider having a child with each man on the team."

Beast's jaw dropped open. "Say that again?"

"It's quite simple. We must start building a firm foundation for the future. What better way than to have a team connected to the past and future?"

Xavier found Charlotte alone the next morning in the small room he'd allocated for her computer equipment. Recognizing her need for her own work space, he'd been more than happy to grant her request. He waited patiently until she noticed him.

"Charles, what brings you down here?" She opened the door wider to allow his hoverchair access into her small space.

"I wanted to speak with you. Would you close the door?"

The door behind her swung closed.

"Where are the twins?" he asked.

"Rogue. She came by after breakfast and wanted to take them to play, though I'm not quite sure what constitutes play to the three of them. She's grown very attached to them." A frown crossed her face. "I am beginning to sense a longing in her, a restlessness."

"I've felt it too," Xavier confirmed. "I have something to discuss with you. It's not an easy subject, but I believe it has merit."

She turned to face him, giving him her attention.

"Having your children here and Jean's pregnancy has brought me to the conclusion we need children here, X-men children. Something tangible for the team to fight for, a hope for the future, if you will."

"Well, if it's any consolation, Logan's talking about having an entire football team," she smiled. Logan was finding fatherhood a bit too easy.

"I was thinking of genetic diversity for the children, to give them the best possible foundation."

An awful suspicion crossed her mind, but it couldn't be right. She waited for him to continue.

"I would like you to consider having more children, by other men on the team."

Charlotte sat there in silence. Xavier waited for a response of some kind. The minutes lengthened.

"No," she said quietly and turned back to the keyboard.

"But-"

"No, Charles. Do you realize what you sound like? Do you hear yourself? 'Xavier's breeding program.'" Her voice remained steady, but her tone grew colder. The door behind her swung open. "Please leave. I can't deal calmly with you now."

"Will you at least think about it?"

"Leave."

He looked back at her from outside the little room. The door shut in his face.

Charlotte made her way down to the boathouse later that afternoon while the twins were napping. Jean didn't often come up to the mansion, she was in her seventh month and the walking back and forth made her back ache. All the X-men found their way to the boathouse at least once a day, if not more, to connect with her and keep her from getting lonely.

She knocked at the door and walked in, having announced herself. Storm was sitting with Jean, having brought a late afternoon snack for the expectant mother.

Pregnancy agreed with Jean. She was so obviously happy.

Charlotte flung herself in a chair.

Jean and Storm looked at each other. "Want to tell us about it?" Jean invited.

"Charles has shared his new idea with me," Charlotte told them. "He likes the idea of kids around the house, mutant children."

"And he wants you to have more?" Storm asked. "Logan would have something to say about that."

"Charles is talking about me having a half dozen or more," Charlotte told her. "One by every man on the team."

"What?" Jean asked, shocked. "He said that?"

"Yeah. He wants to take advantage of my lifespan. I am so angry." Her hands clenched, her eyes beginning to glow. "I can't believe he asked this."

"I can see where he would think it is a good idea," Storm said thoughtfully. "A team bonded together in childhood with the possibility of lives that span over several centuries, does have merit."

"Maybe you didn't hear what I said, 'Ro," Charlotte started again. "He wants ME to have a CHILD by every MAN on the team. To give birth to children that are not conceived in a loving relationship, children who are wanted only for what their genes contain."

"I don't like it either," Jean said. "I don't think I would like Scott to have a child by another woman, not even if she were my friend."

"And if the child is less than perfect? Less than the mutant miracle he's expecting? What then? What is done with the flawed creation?"

Rogue appeared in the doorway. "It happens every day. Women have children, then throw 'em away like garbage." Her face mirrored the deep pain in her soul. She'd once been considered garbage and tossed out.

"It happens, yes, but I refuse to take part in it," Charlotte said. "I find it immoral and I resent him for asking."

"It's not like he's askin' ya ta have sex wi' all the men, is he?" Rogue asked.

"That never came up, but I hope that wasn't on his mind. What he wants is more insidious. He is behaving like Essex, wanting to create the ultimate mutant, throw all the ingredients in the mix and see what works. He wants to breed himself the ultimate fighting team."

"Now, if he'd suggest we all take part in this little experiment, would you still feel like this?" Storm asked.

Charlotte thought a moment. "Yes, it's still genetic manipulation."

"Are you two trying to talk her into this?" Jean asked.

"Nah, sugah. Just want ta get it straight." Rogue told her.

"Let's get this really straight. Let's pretend I lost my mind and agreed to this. And Logan was okay with it, which will never happen in his lifetime, we know that. Who would be the first? Who would be the one Xavier would choose to pioneer his great experiment?"

"Scott," Jean admitted.

"Yes. The leader of the team. Most logical choice. Now, I'm insane and have allowed myself to be artificially inseminated, because we know sex isn't going to happen. The cold hand of technology impregnates me. I spend 4 months running Logan ragged. The baby is born. Who are the parents?"

"That would be you and Scott," Storm said.

"Are you sure? Can you imagine how hard that would be? I have a husband, he has a wife. Are they to be left out of the parenting? Or do I ask Logan to be father to a child that isn't his? Jean to mother a child that isn't hers?"

"Parents can love children that are not their own," Storm responded. "You have done so yourself." She referred to Charlotte's support of the orphanage.

"That's a matter of choice." Charlotte told her. "A surrogate parent has a role. Adoption is a wonderful thing. Technology that allows a woman to have a child is a miracle. Wanted children. I would fully support a decision that is based on a child born to parents who want that child."

"But could I have a baby and give it up? Could I give this baby to Scott and Jean to raise? I don't know. I suppose if I made the choice to bear a child for a couple who couldn't have their own, yes. That is a wanted child, given to parents who would cherish that life."

Rogue's face showed her pain. She wanted a child of her own so badly.

"This imaginary child would not be born into a loving, committed relationship. I love Scott, Jean, like I would my own brother, if I had one, but not enough to procreate. Children should be the result of love and commitment, not bred to save a world."

"I see your point," Storm said. "Although we have many here who would be good parents and role models."

"Then let them have their own. I am not the official brood mare for Xavier's dream."

[next part]

back to Kerri's stories | Cyke and Logan archive | comicfic.net