Title: From This Moment On

Author: Megan

E-mail: jayafel@hotmail.com 

Series: Part Three of the What If Series

Rating: PG13 - slight R

Universe: Mostly Movieverse

Summary: NOT MEANT TO BE CANON!  It's been a few months... How is Scott 

adjusting?

Disclaimer: I do not own Scott or Mr. Marsden.  Although either would look 

great in my room!  ;-)

Dedication: To my parents as I'm writing this on the eve of their 21st 

anniversary.  Hence the title...

From This Moment On

  "Just tell me if the occular assistant rests correctly on your nose."

  He turned to where he heard the wheels of Xavier's chair.  "Is this guy 

serious?"

  Xavier smiled.  "Henry is a little odd.  I will concede that.  He is 

however a lot of fun."

  The man Xavier called Henry placed cold glasses on his face.  He adjusted 

them slightly and stepped back to allow Scott time to adjust to their 

weight.  "What are your impressions?"

  He grimaced, "Do they have to be so heavy?"

  *There's no choice, Scott.  Henry tried to make them lighter.*  Xavier 

placated the boy.

  "Here's another question will they work?"

  Henry's deep voice came from Scott's left.  "I am positive of the outcome 

in this experiment."  He paused and watched the look on Scott's face.  He 

chuckled, "In other words... Hell, yes, they'll work."

  He turned in disbelief to face Henry's voice and forgot to keep his eyes 

closed.  When he saw a purple thing standing in front of him, he yelled in 

shock and covered his eyes.  Xavier's voice entered his mind.

  *It will be okay.  The glasses work, I think.*

  Scott slowly opened his eyes and looked up at the large purple beast.  

"Are you Henry?"

  The thing smiled and nodded.  "Doctor Henry McCoy.  I am pleased to make 

your acquaintance, Scott."

  He smiled warily.  "It's mutual, Beast."

  "That was uncalled for, Scott."  Xavier shook his head.  Henry was still 

very sensitive about his appearance and now Scott was calling him on it.

  "Actually, Charles, I think that young Scott may be onto something.  I 

have been looking for a call-sign.  'Beast' would be appopriate."

  Scott joined in, "I didn't mean to upset anyone.  I'm sorry."

  Henry shined light into Scott's new glasses and answered him.  "I was not 

upset.  I truly like the name.  It certainly would imply that I am of 

limited intelligence.  Which is obviously a false belief.  Your eyes appear 

fine, Scott.  What about the headaches?"

  "I don't think they're worse.  But it still hurts."

  Xavier wheeled closer and looked at his youngest charge.  "It will for the 

rest of your life, Scott.  We couldn't stop that.  The stress of your gifts 

is almost too much for your body to handle.  It may also fade with time as 

you become used to the pain.  I do have one question for you however..."  

Xavier motioned Henry to stand near the door.  Scott watched the move with a 

level of fear.

  "What happened to the vase in the entrance lobby?"

  Scott took a deep breath and began the story he had planned.  "I knocked 

it off the table and was going to have it fixed in town.  I..."

  "You seem to forget that I'm psychic, Scott.  Try again."

  Scott looked up and noticed the Beast... Henry shooing the two other 

students away from the door of the lab.  The older women, a beautiful 

redhead, smiled quickly at him.  The other merely shook her head in 

disappointment.  Henry turned back to the conversation and interrupted.

  "Scott, are you liberating the objects in the objective of getting 

medication?"

  Xavier whispered, "Is that it?  Are you taking heroin still?"

  Scott jumped up and screamed.  "GET OUT OF MY MIND!"

  "I didn't need to search your mind.  Ororo found you in Salem Place.  

Henry has been checking out the man you met with.  He is wanted for 

narcotics possession."  He steeled himself and continued.  "If this is what 

you want, Scott, we will not stop you.  We will however ask you to leave.  

Jean and Ororo do not need this.  And Henry and I cannot and will not follow 

you around to make sure you don't die in a gutter somewhere.  Make your 

choice now at this moment.  YOU GO THIS FAR AND NO FARTHER!  Do you 

understand?"

  Scott simply stared at Xavier in shock.  The man had a red tint to his 

skin and clothes and waited for Scott to answer.  "I don't want to leave."  

He whispered.

  Henry stepped away from the door and placed his right paw on Scott's 

shoulder.  "Then the drugs must stop.  Are you prepared for that?"

  Scott was about to answer the question when the answer came from the lab 

doorway.  Jean and Ororo both smiled.  Ororo's clear voice caught Scott's 

attention.  "We will help him, Professor."