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[x-havok.livejournal.com]

The first thing Alex does upon returning to the mansion is go see his older brother. Scott drags him down to the med lab as Alex tells him about his change of attitude. Needless to say Scott is relieved. This is the Summers brothers at their best.



After dropping his suitcase off in Shiro's room (as if he would stay anywhere else in the mansion) Alex headed off to Scott and Jean's suite. He had to stop himself from running, as he was quite anxious to see his brother after everything that had happened. He'd heard from Shiro how the X-men had been told to stay away and knew that must have been hard for Scott, but in a way, Alex was glad. If Scott had been there to rescue him again...Alex knew he wouldn't have changed how he felt. He would still be bitter and upset...not oddly cheerful as he was now. Finally getting to the door, he knocked quickly, hoping he was there and not downstairs in the basement.

Scott swore under his breath as, startled by the knock, he managed to hit his head on the underside of the coffee table. From beneath the couch, he heard something that he would have sounded like a snicker if it hadn't come form a feline throat.

"So dead, Des."

"Mew?"

"You just wait." Emerging from under the table, Scott got up, rubbing at the back of his head. "Come in," he called.

Thankful that Scott was there, Alex opened the door and poked his head in before fully opening the door. "Lose something bro?" He asked as he saw his brother standing up.

Scott snorted, mostly to cover the rush of relief. He'd known Alex was coming home today, but knowing it and seeing him were two different things. "Yeah, but he turned up again. Funny, huh?" He crossed the room and hugged Alex, very firmly, before his brother could respond.

Alex couldn't help chuckling, Returning the hug just as forcefully. "Funny thing about those wayward little brothers. They usually turn up again." His tone was light, just as glad to see Scott as Scott was to see him.

"Have you seen Amelia yet?" Scott said finally, drawing back.

"Nah, literally just walked in the door. I dropped my stuff and Crush and Lili off in Shiro's room and came over." Alex didn't let go completely as he grinned up at his brother. "Figured I'd better come see you first. Stop your worrying and all."

"Hah. You can see me on the way down to the infirmary," Scott said, tugging Alex towards the door. He paused, looking back over his shoulder at the small black-and-white head peeking out from under the couch. "And you - leave Jean's shoes alone."

"Meow?"

Alex blinked and pulled his arm out of Scott's to peek under the couch. "Geez Scott, another one?" He lifted his head to grin wolfishly at his brother. "Your turning into a softie, you know that right?"

"This is why I didn't tell you about the cat - I knew you were going to say that." Des vanished back under the couch, and Scott inclined his head towards the door. "Infirmary? If I don't have to drag you, I may be nice and ask Jean to meet us down there so that she can check you over instead of the Czarina."

With a heavy sigh, Alex stood back up and pretended to be reluctant. "Oh fine, if you insist." He headed to the door and opened it, going out before Scott. "I have to talk to you anyway, we can talk as we go."

"I read Shiro's report," Scott said after a moment. Letting Alex guide the conversation was probably best.

"yeah, that was what happened in a nutshell. But that's not what I meant when I wanted to talk to you." Alex paused for just a moment to word what he wanted to say. "I'm ready now...to do something about all this. I want to learn to use my powers, not just control them. I will not let something like this happen again."

To Scott's credit, he didn't bat an eye, and the Oh, thank God didn't even make it down the link to Jean. He looked sideways at Alex for a moment, then just nodded as they paused in front of the elevator.

"You realize," he said quietly, "that probably means staying here. If you're going to do that properly, it's going to take a while, and really... there's nowhere better than here to do it."

Alex was completely serious and had thought this through, which his expression and tone conveyed. "I know. There's nothing for me in Hawaii anymore. Jared's family is sending the rest of my stuff from the apartment back here after Christmas. This is more important anyway." He sighed, before he continued. "Vida took away that last bit of innocence that was standing in my way. If I ever want to be who I truly am, this is something I have to do. I'm not living in fear anymore."

"Well, then, I have a suggestion," Scott said as the elevator doors opened. He gestured for Alex to precede him, then stepped in after him. "After Christmas, you sit down with me and we decide precisely how we get you where you want to be. I don't think powers training is all of it, Alex, to be honest."

Alex cocked his head curiously, but nodded. "Yes, let's do that. Whatever you think will help. I'm not going to shrug it off anymore, I want to do this." It was almost odd hearing himself saying this and actually mean it, which had never really happened before.

"What you need is a change in mindset, more than anything else. And really, you've got half that battle won already, just by wanting to take a different approach. Now you just have to learn how to do it." Scott smiled a bit oddly as the elevator started to descend. "Sort of like X-Man training but not. You need to work on situational awareness. On seeing the threat before it drugs you and hauls you off for nefarious purposes."

Alex couldn't help laughing at that. "Not that I have experience in that situation, no sir-ee!"

Scott gave him a tolerant look. "Yes. One kidnapping is bad luck, two is a distressing trend. Three means that you need to do something about the 'please abduct me' sign you seem to be wearing." He sighed a bit, looking away. "Although technically the second time was my fault, I know."

While he had stuck his tongue out in response to the the first, Alex reached out and hugged Scott around the waist. "Don't you fucking dare bro. Never once have I blamed you for that. If anything, I want this so I won't be used against you or anyone else again."

Without the slightest trace of self-consciousness, Scott hugged him right back, even as the elevator doors opened. "I know. And I know you need this as much for that as for yourself... it's all helplessness, when you break it down to the basics. Believe me, I know what it's like to have your fill of that."

Alex nodded firmly. "Exactly." He hugged Scott once more before letting go. "I love you bro." He said simple before moving out of the elevator.

"Are you still going to love me when Amelia's done with you?" Scott said, listening to the link. "Jean can't get away from what she's doing just now, and I hate to say it, but I'm not keen on the whole waiting to make sure you're all right concept." He gave Alex a mock-stern look. "You made me wait three days already."

He couldn't hold back a cringe. "Aww man! Her hands are always so cold." Alex rolled his eyes but gave Scott a wide grin. "Hey man! I had to do the stuff to be able to bring the pups home! So not my fault!"

He was okay, Scott thought, and smiled back. Not that he was getting out of the physical. "Excuses, excuses. And be nice - Amelia's been making a real effort to improve her bedside manner lately. Sometimes she even gives you a lollipop before she tells you to stop whining and get on the examination table."

Alex just grinned brightly. "I'll be on my best behavior, promise. I'll even attempt to sit still, though there I'm not so sure I can promise..."

"Not to worry. If need be, I can sit on you." Scott slipped an arm around his brother's shoulders. He couldn't help himself. He can't spontaneously disappear again if I've got him in a headlock or something, now, can he?

Sensing Scott's thoughts, Alex leaned slightly into his brother, content to let the other reassure himself that yes, Alex was safe and sound yet again. And this time, he planned on staying that way.