Sins of the Father

Chapter 4: Mr. Creed Goes to Xavier's

Tyler was knee-deep in a biology book, sitting in a corner of the living room with the book on one knee and a notebook on the other and a cup of hot chocolate beside the chair he'd pulled up by the fire — when he heard the telltale bamf that meant Kurt had just teleported into the room. He looked up for a second, shot Kurt a little smile, and then went back to his notes until he realized that Kurt had simply settled into the chair close by him.

"How was your first week?" Kurt asked, genuinely curious as Tyler marked his place in the textbook and set his things aside.

"Ups and downs," Tyler said. "Storm's class is really great, and I enjoy biology. The algebra is fine — but Bobby really really needs to not joke, because he is not that funny."

"He can be if he gets the timing right," Kurt chuckled. "But it's a rare thing." He leaned back and tipped his head at Tyler. "And what about history — and your riding classes?"

Tyler scratched his head and shrugged. "I am ... 99% sure that Logan hates me. No matter what I do. And although I really like the riding, it's like I'm part of the scenery. K doesn't say anything to me unless it's to correct me on what I'm doing wrong."

"If you talk to any of the students here, I'm sure they'll all say the exact same thing," Kurt assured him with a small smile. "They're all convinced Logan hates them — and the riding classes, well, that's how she teaches. But I promise, your experience isn't unique. Not entirely, anyway."

"Is it normal to have Logan trying to kill me in self-defense class?" Tyler asked. "Because I'm pretty sure he's trying to kill me."

Kurt laughed quietly. "That ... I'd have to see for myself. But I can tell you one of Kate's favorite students, Tammy, said almost those exact same words her first week here, and she's tiny and wouldn't hurt a fly." He shook his head for a moment. "And Scott told her: 'If he was trying to kill you, he'd kill you.' She was very annoyed with him."

"That's not exactly reassuring," Tyler pointed out.

"But still true." Kurt smiled a little brighter and leaned forward. "He's not trying to kill you, Tyler. It's only been a week. Sometimes it takes him more time to warm up to even students who don't come to school with an uphill climb like you're facing." He smirked a bit. "Have a little faith."

Tyler smiled at that and nodded his head. "I'm trying." He let out a breath and looked over at Kurt. "I signed up for the trail ride next weekend. Hopefully that goes well and I don't have to drop the class. Any pointers there?"

"I'd suggest you try not to fall off and don't get lost," Kurt said with a little grin. "And don't worry — if you're applying yourself as well in your other classes as you seem to be in biology," he said, pointing with his tail at the biology book, "you shouldn't need to drop anything."

Tyler grinned. "Thanks."

Susan Bishop was staring out of the window of the dark, stuffy boardroom, not truly paying any attention to what was going on around her, though when someone said her name, she simply turned their way with a pleasant smile and nodded at whatever was being said.

She didn't even bother asking any questions when they stuck a stack of papers under her nose with very well-marked neon flags in several places, even though her eyes didn't want to focus well enough to read the words on the page. She just signed where indicated as they told her that this was what her father would have done.

She had nothing to concern herself with when her dear friend Giuletta Nefaria was guiding her through it like she was, kindly encouraging her and assuring her that she was doing the right thing and that furthermore, she was ultimately saving Kate from herself.