(A/N): Welcome to the final installment of this series! We're going to try to pick up all the loose threads and tie them up neatly here, so strap in!

Chapter 1: The Uneasy Peace

May 5

Howlett Manor

Most of the kids who had been part of the Tahiti program, as well as the victors, had left the mansion after Logan and Skye's wedding, though a few of them were sticking around. In the case of Kate and Kurt, it was a matter of trying to find their own place for after their own wedding, and in the case of a few of the others, it was just a matter of not wanting to leave their little found family there in Seven.

America and Billy had gone back to Twelve with their little group of troublemakers to try and rebuild there, though not everyone went back to their home districts. Jessica Jones had gone to Eleven with Luke, and Reed Richards had gone to the Capitol to work with the scientists there. And Quill had stayed in Seven with Kitty — though they had moved out of the mansion into a smaller house down the road, close to Groot. Coulson had even left to reestablish SHIELD's command center in the Capitol, leaving those that had stayed in Seven to their own devices.

"It's almost not the same without all the chaos," Kate told Kurt as the two of them were walking through the rose gardens — something they were doing more often the closer they got to the wedding.

"I suppose this was more what it was like years ago," Kurt replied, pulling her a little closer.

"Just wait until the little one gets here. Then it really will be like it was years ago, complete with tiny Howlett," Kate laughed.

"And a doting staff too," Kurt chuckled.

"I suppose we can let them help us play with the tiny, tiny director," Kate laughed.

"Yes, well. Wade now has his pool going," Kurt said, smiling.

"Deadpool's pool," she giggled. "Where did you put your money, anyway? I said it would be a little girl."

"I'm hoping for a girl too," Kurt said. "It would be a perfect fit. Tiny general to the army."

"Exactly," she agreed with a smile, tapping the side of her nose with her index finger.

The two of them walked through the rose gardens for a little while longer before they found the hanging swing where they were supposed to meet up with Scott and Clara, though it looked like those two had beaten them to it by a long shot, leaned back and relaxing in the spring air.

"Are we interrupting?" Kurt asked softly. "We'd be happy to leave you two alone if it's an imposition."

"Not at all," Scott promised as he shifted to stand. "We keep putting this off, anyway, and at the rate we're going, you two'll never find a place before the wedding," he said with a little smile.

"Then lead the way, fearless," Kurt teased.

Scott smirked but took the cue, and the four of them headed into the district proper. "There's a little cabin in the woods on the other side of the district that I've put some money down on," he said.

"That's going to be a long walk to come back to play with the tiny one," Clara said under her breath. "And you know you'll do it."

"I don't mind the walk," Scott said with a shrug. "And it's a really nice place."

"I'm sure it's perfect," she said.

"I just thought we'd start there and work our way back to the mansion," Scott explained. "Quill and Groot are about halfway. We'll find a sweet spot for you two sooner or later."

"I did like the village," Kate said with a little teasing sparkle in her eyes. "The neighbors would be lovely."

"You like all of it," Kurt countered. "As long as there are trees nearby."

"Yes, trees to climb, my Elf to kiss… these are the necessities of life."

As it turned out Scott had found a pretty wide assortment as homes for them to look at. There were a few that had survived the war — but without their occupants. And others that had been vacated as people left one district for another and actually chose where they'd live. Everything from a little chalet in the woods — with a roof that would be very easy to climb up — to a little house at the very edge of town on the far side of the district that sat with a little bit bigger yard and plenty of shade and protection from the north wind.

"There are a few places further out in the woods too, but … in the winter, that would definitely suck," Scott said frankly. "You'd probably be pinned down until springtime — which might sound nice, but it's pretty horrible if you have a medical emergency or run out of food."

"And besides that, we wouldn't be able to see our friends," Kurt said with a little smile.

"That too," Scott agreed. "But I wasn't sure how far up the priority list that was, to be honest."

"With the little one on the way?" Kurt laughed. "You aren't the only one who plans to be walking to the manor regularly."

"Then … let's look at the ones with an easier path to it," Clara suggested. "I know of one a little deeper in the woods, but there is a path that goes right past the garden wall."

"Lead on, lady fearless," Kate said with a teasing sparkle in her eyes.

Clara just gave her a little smirk before she whipped around in almost the opposite direction to lead them through the woods. It really did feel far from town by the time they got to the little clearing. "When the leaves are gone in the fall, you can see the big house," she explained. "So you'd be far from town but close to your friends — but it is still a pretty good hike to get there."

"And there is plenty of privacy," Kurt said with a little smile.

"So … you have plenty of choices," Scott concluded.

"Yes, thank you," Kurt said, nodding Scott's way. "We appreciate the guide. I don't think we would have been able to get everywhere without getting lost just yet; we really haven't spent much time around the district outside of the manor and the Victor's Village."

"I think we might want something between the village and the manor," Kate said with a little nod. "That way, we can be close to Kitty and Logan." She shot Scott a teasing smirk. "Though it won't be central to everyone, Mr. Other Side of the District."

They were joking around, picking at Scott just a bit, when Ella suddenly stopped on the path ahead of them, her hackles raised and a low growl reverberating around them. "Take it easy, girl," Clara almost sang to her low.

Still, it had them a bit on edge when Ella's hackles were still up as they headed back — all the way up until they could hear raised voices.

All at once, Ella broke into a run, and with a curse, Clara followed, running hard to catch up to the long-legged wolf. When she turned the corner near the Victor's Village, it was clear what was going on, and Clara all but snarled at her brother. "Leave her alone, you giant jackass!"

Kitty was nearly toe to toe with Victor Creed, hands on her hips and looking livid as the two of them stood in the backyard of the house she and Quill had moved into in the village. Peter Quill was just behind her looking like he couldn't decide if the better idea was to get in between them or let Kitty shout right back at the big guy.

"You do not own everything you see," Clara shouted with a tone of obvious irritation as she stepped between Kitty and Victor. She put her hands on Victor's chest and began to push him backward. "Just stop it."

"They don't belong here," Victor snarled, though he let Clara push him backward. "They need to go back to wherever the hell they came from."

"Who died and made you king of the hill?" Kitty snapped his way.

Victor glared hard and pushed past Clara, more than ready to backhand Kitty. "You got an awful smart mouth, ya little punk," he grumbled before Clara rushed after him and grabbed him by the ponytail.

"Stop it!" she scolded, though when Victor turned to get after her, she hauled off and punched him hard in the nose. "Go to your house and just … quit being in everyone else's business." She looked deadly serious as she glared at him. "Or shouldn't I be here either?"

"That's not …" Victor finally let it fall before he turned to Kitty. "Don't get in my way, girl. If I see you, I'll make you wish you'd stayed home."

"Aww, shove it, Victor," Quill said, jutting out his chin. "This ain't the Capitol. No one's gonna let you pick on girls half your size anymore."

"Yeah? Ain't you supposed to be sittin' in the Capitol, Mr. Gamora?"

"If I was, wouldn't that make this my district anyway?" Quill shot back.

"Watch your back, Quill," Victor grumbled. "This ain't never been the Capitol's business. Seven is mine." He glared at Quill for another long moment and then shot his sister a look. "I'll come find you later. It seems like we need to talk. Alone."

It took a moment for Clara to figure out how to answer him, but when she did, her expression and body language shifted so quickly that he actually stopped and turned her way as she laid out the rules.

"I see Ma on Sundays," Clara said. "You can talk to me then."

As he looked her up and down for a moment, Ella came to stand at Clara's side, obviously wary of her older brother — her hackles still raised as she watched him leave — and kept staring long after he was gone.

"Sorry," Clara said. "He needs a bell."

"He needs more than that," Kitty grumbled with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Well, it would be easier to be prepared to give it to him if he was wearing the bell," Clara pointed out. She turned toward Quill. "Don't travel alone. Please."

"Yeah, no danger of that anytime soon," Quill promised. "Haven't traveled alone since I left the Capitol if I could help it anyway."

"Well, with a little luck, he'll get irritated and go back to work doing … whatever he was doing and just … go away."

"And if not, you can always just tell him off again," Kate said with a smirk.

Clara let out a sigh and let her shoulders drop. "My brothers … don't seem to listen unless you hit them real hard first." She held up one hand. "But Saul worships the ground I walk on. He's a lot easier to handle. I promise."

"Your family's nuts. I hope you know that. And that's coming from me," Quill said with a little laugh.

"They really are," Clara said with a nod. "I think it's part of the 'y' chromosome to be honest."

"At least in your family," Quill chuckled.

Clara was stroking Ella's ears. "Again, I'm sorry he's such an …. Insufferable pain in the ass."

"He's not your problem, Clara," Scott said with a shrug. "Besides, we've all still got those emergency comms Coulson left us with, right? He comes around, he'll figure out fast he's biting off more than he can chew." He looked around the group. "If that does happen, call us up. He can't take on all of us at once."

"Ye of little faith," Clara muttered under her breath. "He likes to play dirty and have a plan worked out ahead of time."

"Then we'll just have to plan better," Scott told her low. "I've got faith in our friends, not your brother."

"And you, handsome," Clara said leaning closer, "don't know how he fights. Yet."

"Then tell me," Scott said, his arm around her waist as he grinned at her. "I'm a fast study."

"I will," she agreed. "When I know for sure he's not lurking around — or trying to. Ella's still on edge."

Scott almost laughed as he pulled her into a kiss that was longer and more involved than she'd likely thought it would be. "Forget your brother, huh?"

"Well. If that's your solution, alright then," she replied with a smile.

May 10

The Capitol

"Well, if it isn't the Xaviers," Hunter said with a grin as he opened the door to let in the little group. "What, do you have mind reading powers? The tea literally just finished."

"Just excellent timing," Charles replied with a friendly smile. "And it's been a while. I felt I had to check in and see how things are going for the two of you."

"Well, Bob's turned me into a right little homemaker," Hunter said, chuckling as David giggled and waved at his favorite playmate. "She can't cook to save her life — which I don't understand. She can measure out beakers but she can't measure out flour." He waved the group of them into the small apartment and closed and locked the door behind them as always. It was one of the little things he'd picked up that made Bobbi feel safer, and the fact that he'd gone with her to the Capitol to give her more or less undivided attention while she healed had her trusting him faster, too — enough to tell him what else he could do to help. Like learning to cook but letting her do the dishes. That kind of thing. "I think there's some kind of disconnect; I really do. No way she can't put two and two together."

"Just a matter of priorities," Charles said with a laugh.

"If you say so," Hunter said, grinning as Bobbi poked her head out from the back room and smiled when she saw that Charles had brought Moira and David to visit as well.

"When did he start doing that?" she asked with a little laugh as the little guy scooted along the edge of the coffee table, holding on to keep himself upright.

"Not too long ago," Moira said with a proud smile."We got tired of waitin' for ye tae show, lass."

"I meant to," she said. "Honestly."

"It's fine," Moira replied. "It's good for th' wee lad to get out."

"Plus, he had to see Hunter again and get spoiled," Bobbi teased lightly as, in fact, her newly-minted boyfriend was already making silly faces with the little guy, getting big belly laughs for his efforts as David tried to copy him. She paused in the doorway to the living room and glanced toward the kitchen. "Cream and sugar, right?"

"If it's not too much trouble," Charles replied.

"None at all since the trains between districts got back up and running," Bobbi said. "Coulson's been sure to give us a good stipend… so we have the creature comforts back, anyway."

"Yes, he and Hill have been sure to take good care of everyone," Charles agreed. He paused and tipped his head Bobbi's way. "Bobbi, I think it's time. I don't think anyone expects you to return to Two, but it's time to try to do more than stay here — as nice as I'm sure it is to have nothing to do but spend time with Hunter."

"I just don't know what I'd do, to be honest," she told Charles with a small shrug as she brought in a tray for them.

"You could continue your scientific research in the Triskellion," Charles pointed out. "Fitz and Simmons are back, as I understand it. They would be safe to start with. And you would be doing real work, not the kind of thing you did with Viper."

"Yes, I think I could work with them," Bobbi said with a small smile.

"Wonderful," Charles said warmly as David positively fell apart belly laughing at Hunter's silly faces so hard it was clear the boy needed to catch his breath. "Then soon enough, we'll be able to start reaching out to others. There are other wounds that need healing, too."

"I've been talking with Sam," Bobbi said. "I know he moved to Eight — there were open spaces for some flight testing he wanted to do."

"That's a good start too," Charles agreed. "I'm slowly asking all of them to contact you, so be prepared for more calls."

"If you could start with Groot and Black Bolt, I'd be much obliged," she smirked.

Moira laughed out loud at that, though she did cover her mouth with one hand quickly as she apologized.

"I'm afraid they'll be seeing you in person once you feel ready for it," Charles replied.

"Sneaky," Bobbi said over to top of her tea cup, though with a smirk.

"Actually," Hunter chimed in, still grinning from playing with David, "we were thinking of popping by Five — just a quick trip to say a hearty hello to the engaged couple before the wedding. We won't stay long, obviously."

"I understand," Charles said. "And I'm sure that Mr. Rogers and Ms. Carter would enjoy the visit, but if you're looking for Quill …"

"How is he, by the way?" Bobbi asked, honestly curious.

"As I understand it, quite happy living close to Groot," Charles said. "I have yet to stop in and see for myself, but he sounds more chipper than I've ever heard."

"Probably on account of the pretty bird he's got," Hunter said with a crooked smile.

"That certainly seems to be a contributing factor," Charles had to agree. "Though he said he wouldn't be leaving any time soon — except of course for the wedding."

"Which one?" Hunter asked with a smirk. "There's two of 'em, as I hear it."

"One of which will be in Seven," Charles replied.

"I want to be there for that one," Bobbi said. "Kate was one of my students."

"She'd love to see you, I'm sure," Charles said. "I'll pass the word on to make sure you have a place to stay."

"Thanks," Bobbi said with a genuinely warm smile. "And what about the two of you? Are you going to stay in the Capitol or…?"

"For now," Moira answered. "We'll have to wait and see where we're to be."

"You know, for all your talking about choosing a place to stay, you'd think you two'd do the same," Hunter pointed out.

"We have a lot of invitations," Charles said. "But we need to go where we can do the most good."

"I guess the work really starts for you after the rest of us are done, doesn't it?" Bobbi asked softly.

"My dear, my work started before the revolution, and I believe that I won't be lacking any patients any time soon."

May 14

District Seven

After almost a month of sun and sand, Skye and Logan were finally on their way back. Quartermain had dropped them off at the hangar by the Justice Department, so they were taking their time walking back to the manor. Skye had gotten a good tan at the beach and was in an excellent mood, her arm through Logan's and her head on his shoulder, and he was the most relaxed he'd been in a while.

The walk to the house on the hill was fairly quick, even as he took her through the little side paths off the main road, and when they got into the house unseen, he just had to smirk. "You wanna let 'em know we're back or sneak up to the room?"

"I think … we should just stroll in and sit down to dinner like nothing's changed," she said, matching his smirk.

"Sounds about right to me," he agreed before he gestured for her to go ahead. "After you, director. Lets see if your game face has improved."

"Someone went and relaxed me too much," she teased. "I have the full on zen thing going for me." With that, she strolled ahead of him, looking as pleased as it was possible to be.

They didn't quite make it to the dining room before Mrs. O'Malley saw them, but she at least could keep it quiet as she came over to say hello. Still, it was clear to Logan that there was no way Skye could keep a straight face. "So much for your full zen," he teased. "No game."

"Sue me," she said with a shrug. "I'm having fun."

"Mmmhmm," he said with a little smirk, very quietly. "I'll go first. Try to keep neutral for five seconds."

"You're on."

Just like that, the smirk he was wearing disappeared, and he turned to simply walk in and drop into the open seat next to Kurt as if he was just running five minutes late. He didn't say a word, and Skye very nearly made it past the five second mark before she started smiling. It was hard not to when Kurt was so… taken aback.

Kurt simply wrapped his arms around Logan in a hug once he'd recovered, though, positively beaming. "Welcome back. I trust you enjoyed yourself?" he teased.

"I think it was the kind of place you'd get used to fast, pirate," Logan replied, though he did return Kurt's hug. "The jungle on the volcano was fun."

"Yes, it sounds like it," Kurt laughed. "I would be jealous, but we're going to the beach in Four for ours."

"Ooooh, the beach," Skye said with a grin. "Black sand beaches. It was excellent."

"The only thing missing was the pirates and the high seas," Kurt laughed.

"Oh no, there were high seas," she said.

"Did you sail them?" Kurt asked, his interests piqued.

"Katamaran," Skye replied. "Which … is pretty cool... until you start spotting sharks."

"No, that would make it exciting," he teased.

"How did it all break up after all?" Logan asked. "Is this everyone that's left here?"

Kurt gestured around the table, where the members of Team Awesome, as well as Wade and Cassie and Clint and Natasha, were all enjoying dinner. "This is everyone at the manor," he said. "Kitty and Peter moved into the house next to Groot's — not Creed's," he added quickly. "And then Scott and Clara found a lovely cabin in the center of the district."

"Ought to be a little quieter then," he said with a nod. "Noh set the ballroom right, or is that on the to do list?"

"Of course he did," Kurt said with a wave.

"Anybody usin' it?" Logan asked doubtfully.

"No… well. Natasha occasionally," Kurt admitted.

"Then I'll have it to myself. Most of the time," Logan said with a nod. "Been too lazy lately."

"Not that I'm complaining about that," Skye said with a pointedly wide grin.

Logan smirked her way for a moment before he turned to Kate. "So what'd we miss? Anything fun?"

"Nothing much," Kate said. "Kurt and I have been shopping around for a place to live… Clint and Natasha can't decide if they want to work for Coulson in SHIELD or go into business in the local police forces… the usual."

"Your timing is very nearly perfect," Kurt said. "Steve and Peggy are set to get married next."

"We're all going down to Five together," Kate agreed. "Quill said we could stay at his old place, since it's not like he used it."

"He really didn't," Peter said with a nod. "Poor guy."

"The new place, on the other hand..." Gwen chipped in. "Neighbors with Groot, living with Kitty… that man's in heaven."

"When's the wedding?" Skye asked. "Just … hoping I get to show off my tan." She was grinning wider at that.

"We're leaving in a couple days," Kate said. "And Seven's almost warmed up enough to keep your tan for a little while," she added with a little laugh.

"Well, I'd hate to have to go right back to fix it," Skye said with a dramatically fake put-upon look.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure it would be a real imposition," Kate laughed.

"I mean. Middle of the ocean. No Hydra for … ever."

"Nothing but beaches … which I'm sure you eventually got around to seeing…"

"Well, I didn't get the tan by staying inside," she pointed out.

"I said eventually," Kate replied with a shameless grin.

"Just too bad Fury doesn't have any supplies headed that way anywhere near your wedding," Skye said.

"Yeah, well, maybe he'll need something come Kurt's birthday," Kate said.

Logan laughed at that. "He's not gonna need anything anytime soon."

"And neither will we," Kurt said. "Except for frequent visits to see our friends here."

"I'll make sure you get a key," Logan said.

"You'll have to make several," Peter laughed. "The entire Hudson clan is gonna need, like, twenty."

"I'm sure Heather's taken care of that already," Logan replied, shaking his head. "She had a copy of the key for the log house before I did."

"Sounds like her," Kate chuckled.

"So you'll be coming with, right?" Peter asked.

Logan just looked up at him for a moment. "Probably. Not sure how that might blow over, but ... "

"What, you planning on causing a scene at a wedding?" Kate teased. "Just to break up the monotony of peacetime?"

"Nope," he replied shaking his head. "But just because Steve's alright doesn't mean the rest of 'em in the district are gonna forgive what happened."

"How about: if anyoe gives you flack, I'll deck 'em," Kate said. "Seeing as they can't get mad at me, considering."

"You don't need a reputation, Trickshot," Logan pointed out.

"I don't really care," Kate countered. "Not like I'm gonna be living in Marvel anyway."

"No idea where we are living, unless we're going to keep calling it Seven," Kurt added.

"Well, it used to be Canada," Peter pointed out.

"Leave all that nonsense up to Jean-Paul," Logan replied.

"I'm just wondering what address to put on the invites," Kate laughed.

"Better ask someone that knows then," Peter said. "Clearly, we are woefully uninformed."

"Betcha Scott knows," Kate said. "But he's disappeared with his lady." She sat up a little straighter. "And I'm not interrupting that."

"We'll find out later," Kurt said, waving his hand.

"What's the date on yours again?" Skye asked. "Not that .. you know... I'll be busy or anything. Just … to get it straight in my head."

"June 10. You know, before the swarm of birthdays," Kate said, tipping her head Wade and Cassie's way.

"Can't you just order a decree oh, director to be?" Wade called out. "Publicly call out all those that shall attend the upcoming Kart-nuptials?"

"No," Skye replied a little harshly. "That is not a real thing. It's a joke."

"I dunno; I think it's a real thing," Clint said, tipping his head to the side to study her. "The way Coulson's been training you…"

"Oh, it's absolutely in the works," Logan agreed. "Fury liked it too. Hill..." he tipped his head a little. "Not so much."

"She doesn't get a say in it," Clint pointed out. "Can't influence SHIELD if you're bucking to run the country from the presidential whatever-it's-not-a-palace-now."

"No, no … this was a joke," Skye insisted. "It started as a joke, and you're all taking this entirely too seriously."

"No," Clint said, half chuckling. "It started as a tease, right? And a nickname that Logan gave you? You know why those stick, right? Because they fit."

"No one can get rid of them," Peter agreed. "Ask Trickshot and the Elf."

"It's pretty much a rule at this point," Kate agreed.

"And you don't hear the rest of us complaining," Kurt teased.

"And even if they do complain, it doesn't stop everyone else from following the Wolvie-approved nickname," Wade added, and when Skye turned to look at Logan, he just raised an eyebrow in response.

"So not the same as a job appointment," Skye laughed.

"It is when Fury and Coulson approve of it," Wade insisted.

"And when Fury calls you 'director'," Logan added.

"Don't worry; no one's pushing you to replace Coulson," Natasha added in a conciliatory tone. "We do like the one we have. And you still have some training to do, particularly on your poker face."

Logan leaned Skye's way slightly to whisper 'Interim', and she elbowed him in the chest for his efforts.

"That's a good color on you," Logan said quietly before he stole a quick kiss and got up. "But … I'm goin' a little stir crazy already. You know where to find me." He gave them a little smirk on his way out of the room, leaving Skye to deal with the well-established picking alone.