Standard disclaimer: I don't own them; I'm just borrowing them for our entertainment.

A Tale of Two Brothers

Chapter IV -- Aloha means a lot of things

Scott didn't have much time to ponder what Professor Xavier told him. Alex was soon bounding into his room and before he knew it, they were headed for the North Shore with a picnic basket. It was a warm, beautiful day and because it was a weekday, the beach was practically deserted when they got there.

Scott pondered how to best approach Alex. He had gone to pick up mutants several times now. Sometimes the children were in total acceptance of their gifts; others were in total denial. But this was different. This was his brother. They had established a tenuous bond -- Scott didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it.

Still, the topic had to be brought up. He decided to begin with the mundane.

"Have you thought much about college?" Scott asked.

Alex shrugged. "Eh, not really," he replied. "Mom and Dad want me to go, but I don't know. I'd like to see if I could handle the pro-circuit."

"I agree with Ben and Linda," Scott said. "Sometimes unexpected things happen. Sometimes we have to change plans." Well, he was nearing an opening.

Alex smiled. "Have a back-up plan? That's what Mom says. Dad wants me to go to college on the mainland, but UH would be nice too. If I went to college, I think I'd study geology; I've always liked that."

Scott couldn't figure out a way to get from rocks to mutations. Silence reigned. He decided to start again, with their last shared experience before they were separated.

"Do you remember the plane crash?" he asked.

Alex looked up, startled. Scott had never mentioned it, other than to skip over that whole period as quickly as possible. "Not really," he replied. "I remember the hospital more."

"I don't remember anything, either," Scott said. "And my memory wasn't the only thing I lost in the crash. I had another -- injury -- as well."

"Your eyes?"

"Something like that." Scott knew there was no way to explain, he'd have to show. "I have to wear the glasses because I've lost a level of control. Over this."

There was a small outcropping of rocks by the surf. Scott lifted his glasses slightly and squinted. The rocks were blasted to smithereens.

Alex gazed at him for a moment and then held out his hands. A similar kind of force emanated from them and pulverized the remaining rocks. The two young men stared at each other.

"My hands have been hurting for a couple of years," Alex told him. "We thought it was pulled muscles in my arms, or the beginnings of rheumatism, or something. But last year, I wiped out around Makapuu Point. Under the water, I saw a big shadowy thing coming towards me; I wasn't interested in finding out what. I held out my hands -- and pushed it away before it got within 10 feet of me. That's when I knew what I could do. I haven't told anyone."

"I have to wear the glasses to control the blasts," Scott told him. "They're pretty powerful. It looks like you've got the same kind of power."

"What are we?" Alex asked. "Was this because of the plane crash?"

Scott shook his head. "No, the crash had nothing to do with it. Alex, there are people in this world who are a little different genetically," he said, adopting the same introduction he had heard the Professor use. "We have special gifts, abilities. Professor Xavier calls us Mutants. Our genes have mutated beyond the norm. The Professor started a school for us; to protect and shelter us, and teach us how to use our powers appropriately, how not to be a danger to ourselves or anyone else. That's where I wound up; it's where I still live. Maybe you should come there. The Professor can teach you how to use your powers -- and control them." Scott tried not to be bitter. Alex could control his powers -- he couldn't.

"Do I have to?" Alex asked as he gazed at the ocean. "This is my home; I don't know if I'm ready to leave yet."

"Come for the summer," Scott urged. "Even if you just came each summer, it would be good for you. And we'd get to spend more time together. We've got a lot to catch up on."

Alex nodded. "That would be good," he said. He smiled. "I guess there's no doubt we're brothers."

Scott smiled back. "No doubt at all."

* * *

They spent the rest of the day at the beach, talking more honestly and openly than they had since Scott arrived. Knowing that they shared the same mutant power, albeit in different forms, helped them to reach out to each other. For the first time, Scott felt a strong bond between them.

That evening at dinner, Scott made his pitch.

"I was thinking," he said. "Maybe this summer you could all come out to New York for a visit. You could meet the Professor and see where I live, and Alex and I can spend more time together. Maybe Alex could spend the whole summer with me at the Institute."

Alex smiled at his parents winningly. "I think it would be fun. Scott's been telling me about the place. I'd like to see it."

Ben and Linda glanced at each other. "I think that would be a good idea," Linda said. "We could all come out together for a few weeks in the beginning of the summer and see New York and then Alex could stay the rest of the summer. It would be fun and I think it would be good for Alex to see more of the country. Maybe you could check out some colleges in the area as well."

Alex just rolled his eyes at that remark.

Well, that went relatively easily, Scott thought. But he noticed the hint of a smile around Linda's mouth. Linda was very quick to notice things. Had she realized her adopted son was a little different? Or was she simply pleased that the two brothers were connecting? Scott decided to put the questions aside. The Masters would probably learn about Alex soon enough.

* * *

The two week visit passed far too quickly. The Masters took Scott all over the island, to museums, and cultural centers, as well as the beach and the surfing competitions that were Alex's life. He and Alex secretly practiced their powers with each other. Scott was astounded by the amount of control that Alex had already developed on his own. Alex was proving some of the Professor's theories correct about mutations and the abilities of those who had them to instinctively know how to operate and control them.

A few days before he was scheduled to leave, Scott and Linda went shopping. They typically avoided more touristy shops, but there was still a wide range of choices, from small local shops to large American and Japanese department stores. Scott managed to pick up small presents for everyone at the Institute and splurged on a gold bangle for Jean that had the Hawaiian version of her name enameled on it.

Before he knew it, Scott was back at the airport, saying goodbye. It was hard. There were tears in everyone's eyes. Linda especially clung to the young man she had fought for all those years ago.

"Take care of yourself," she said. "Call us as soon as you can. And we'll see you again this summer."

Alex hugged him just as tightly. "Here, Scott, this is for you," he said.

Scott felt him put something in his hand and looked down at a gaily colored gift bag.

"No," Alex said with a smile. "Don't look at it until you get on the plane."

"Okay," he said. And with another round of hugs from everyone, Scott headed towards his gate. He spent the time waiting for his flight by concentrating on *not* crying. While tears rarely made it down his cheeks (they were atomized by his optic blasts), the searing emotions were the same.

Finally, his flight was called. Scott settled himself on the plane and buckled the seat straps. Before putting the bag under the seat in front of him, Scott opened it. He pulled out a coffee mug, stuffed with a big packet of Kona coffee. The mug was decorated with the Hawaiian tapa cloth pattern and on the side was written Ke Kaikua`ana.

Older Brother.

The End

I hope you all liked the story. Thanks to everyone who wrote, and special thanks to Jen and Amy, who made the story readable :-).