Chapter 1: family time

I don't own the x-men, only my own characters.

The woods were quiet as the sun slowly sank away, ending another day, another day that he hadn't returned to her, another day that she would wait, alone with only her two babies for company. The tall woman was thin, with long silver hair hanging limply to her shoulders, her silver eyes shining with the moisture of disappointment. Her ivory skin was smooth save for her hands which were course. Her left hand had a strange number tattooed to it, a blue, six digit mystery she could barely remember.

Sighing, she went back into her small cabin, the familiar musty smell greeting her as she prepared to make dinner, eat, and get ready to wait again tomorrow. As she entered, the sound of a child's laughter found her, causing her to smile.

Following the sound to the other room, Anya laughed out loud at the sight that awaited her. Her three year old daughter had placed barrettes randomly in her twin brother's hair as he slept on the bed.

"Aliana Howlett! What have you done to James?"

The three year old smiled up at her mother, "I made James pretty mommy!"

"I see that. I'm just glad I caught you before you got to the lipstick."

Aliana continued to smile and put barrettes into her brother's hair.

Anya shook her head and sat in the rocking chair in the corner of the room, watching her children. Her daughter looked like her, with the same silver hair and complexion, but with her father's hazel eyes. James however, was an identical replica of his father. With the same strong chin, brown hair and gruff nature, Anya wondered at how the two had never met, when they were already so much alike.

"So how was school today sweetheart?"

"Good mommy. I played on the monkey bars and I…" the small child continued to tell of her day for half an hour, as Anya listened patiently, smiling to herself as her daughter mispronounced words and names.

"And then Tony's dad brought in cupcakes for his birthday."

Anya smiled sadly and nodded. "Sounds like a full day."

"Mommy?"

"Yes Ali?"

"Do James and I have a daddy, you know, like the other kids at preschool do?"

Anya felt a sharp sting in her heart. "Yes sweetie, he's…he's just away for awhile. He'll come back, real soon."

"He's been gone a long long time mommy. Did he forget us?"

"No!" Ali jumped as her mother's tone rose, her eyes brimming with tears and her lip trembling. "He would never do that Ali. Do you understand? He wouldn't!"

"Ok…sorry mommy."

Anya sighed. "It's ok Ali. I'm…I'm going to go make dinner. Please wake up your brother for me ok?"

"Okay!"

Anya stood up and turned to leave, but suddenly stopped with an after thought, "Ali wake him up…"

"OW! Ali, why'd you jump on me like that? I'm going to pound you fer that!"

"Nicely." Anya laughed and went into the kitchen to start preparing dinner as James, widely tearing out the barrettes in his hair, chased his sister.

……...………………………………………………………………………………………

An hour later, as the trio sat down for dinner, a knock sounded at the door.

"What in the world?" Anya stood and walked over to the door, opening it cautiously.

"Visitors are a strange thing way out here, especially after dark." Anya thought to herself.

"Hello?" Anya looked out the door into darkness, the unnatural silence deafening as fear slowly crept into her. As she began to shut the door, a large metal arm stopped her.

"Ahh!" Anya screamed, alarming James and Alia.

"Mommy!" Their unison shout made Anya push harder on the door, with no success.

"I'm sorry to intrude. But is this the Howlett home?"

The voice sent chills down Anya's spine, the Russian accent spoken in a clear and cold manner frightening, familiar to her, but lost in a sea of forgotten memories.

"Maybe…Who wants to know?"

The arm violently thrust the door open sending Anya flying into the wall, slamming her head and knocking her unconscious.

"Mommy!" Alia ran for her mother, but found herself caught in a metallic tentacle.

"Ali!" James shouted as he ran for his sister.

Omega Red looked at the child in his tentacle, and the one punching his leg. Why were these children so important to H.Y.D.R.A.? As far as he could tell there was nothing special about them, to him the trio seemed pathetic and hardly worth his time. But he had his orders. Knocking the two children unconscious he left the cabin, burned it down, and returned to base, a successful mission.

Once he had returned to base, he gave the children to the scientists. He was briefed on who the children and the woman were and a cruel smile came upon his lips. He was glad he had gotten this mission. Omega only wished he had known who the woman was earlier; he would have taken his time killing her.

Here is chapter two. Thanks for the review, please keep them coming!!