Some Days You Just Can't Get Rid of a Bomb

by Starsinger

Some of you may recognize this as a quote from "Batman: the Movie". Yes, I'm talking about one of several movies made by the TV series Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward. I'm making this distinction because of one simple fact, Ilyana and Moira are nine years old. So, the stories they're going to tell the fellow campers are largely what actually happened, unfortunately, they will also be highly embellished with characters and events from their favorite shows, that have nothing to do with what actually happened. Characters from the X-Men and associated comics as well as Stargate will be true stories. Anything else, ie Smallville, Jericho, Star Trek, Hannah Montana, That's So Raven and anything else they really like, are just embellishments, unless I say otherwise. They think it just makes the story better, they are nine. No, still don't own them.

"Are you ready for the summer?

Are you ready for the hot night?

Are you ready for the fireflies,

The moonlit skies

And a whole lotta foolin' around?"

Second verse from the opening song to "Meatballs"

Ilyana and Moira found a convenient tree near the lake and sat. It was almost as big as the one near where their parents said they had been born, Breakstone Lake. They had been a year old when the X-Men had been forced to move west, and had been forced to spend most of their second year without either of their parents, and spent most of it being sheltered by their grandmother.

"Are you going to tell the story again?" Moira asked.

"You know they're going to ask. Our parents are X-Men," Ilyana replied.

"Yana, how many other stories are you going to weave into it this time? Let's face it, Miley Cyrus showing up to save the day was a bit much."

"Hey, she was Emily Osment's sidekick!" Moira sadly shook her head. "Trust me, I can throw just about anybody into the story and they'll still believe it." Yana smiled, "Like you said, Mom and Dad are X-Men."

Moira sighed as she threw rocks into the lake, this was going to be a looooong three weeks.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Heeeeellllooooooo campers!" an overly cheerful voice greeted the assembly. "My name is Mike Richards and I'm Head Counselor here at Camp Zouth Moon!" He paused for the desultory cheer that the other counselors lead. "Now, I know you're wondering what will happen in the next three weeks, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah…"

Ilyana turned to her sister who had all ready tuned the speaker out and was currently immersed in the new Todd McCaffrey book. "I hadn't thought of that! We can throw in dragons!" Moira raised an eyebrow. "Well, Lockheed is real."

"Well, throwing in the 'Dragonriders of Pern' might stretch their credulity just a little bit," Moira retorted. "Just stick with the purple one."

"About mid-way through we'll have a basketball game with Camp Green across the lake. We have this every year and this coupled with a martial arts tourney at the end of the month will determine the placement of the Blue Water Lake Cup. We've never actually won this, so, if you're good at either martial arts or basketball, please let me know."

"I think that's the most interesting thing he's said since he got up there," Moira murmured.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ilyana and Moira laced up their sneakers the next morning. They wore matching outfits, tank tops and shorts, Ilyana's was blue and Moira's was green. They tied their hair back in ponytails and placed sweatbands on their wrists and foreheads. Every morning since they were coordinated enough to keep up, they went for a run. When they were at Xavier's they went out with Logan and habits were hard to break.

So, they hit the jogging trails and others who were up that early watched with envy as their long legs matched each other stride for stride. They weren't racing each other, they were out for a run. They passed several counselors on their way around the winding trails. Most of those out for a jog had stopped for a breather while the two girls looked like they had barely broken a sweat.

Michael caught up with them huffing and puffing, "Morning ladies." They both nodded as they decreased their pace due to the slight incline of the trail. "Do this often?" Another nod as the trees started to thin toward the upper tip of the lake. "Not big talkers are you?" Moira raised her hand as they hit the top of the trail. They finally came to a halt. They shook out their legs and drank water preparing for the run back.

"We run every morning," Ilyana responded. Moira leaned forward putting her hands on her knees and stretching out muscles. "So, why are you here?"

"What?! I can't talk to my campers?" Michael feigned indignity.

"Our parents are mutants, our mom's so rich she could've gotten us into Camp Moneybags," Moira replied bluntly, jerking her thumb toward the other side of the lake. "You want Yana to participate at the end of the month?"

"Sure, I'll do it," the blonde replied. "Come on, Moira, we have to take a shower before breakfast." They both took off down the trail headed back to their cabin. After a quick shower they joined the rest of their cabin for breakfast: Raisin Bran, toast, milk, juice, eggs, and bacon.

They headed for the lake in their swim suits as the life guard blew their whistle, "All right, campers, listen up! Swimming without one of us or a counselor present is a no-no," nervous laughter greeted this statement. The next few hours consisted of swimming, acting, martial arts, poetry, and a brisk jog through the jogging trails around the lake. Their fellow campers complained at lunch and dinner.

Ilyana snorted, "They wouldn't last a week if Uncle Logan were running this." Moira smirked back at her sister. The two all ready had their cadres around them. The nerds were attracted to Moira, one of their own done good. All the popular girls and guys were attracted to Ilyana's sunny personality. Although few of them would join the sisters on their morning jogs.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The flashlight lit up Ilyana's face, "Where were we? Oh, yeah, my parents reconnected on Breakworld:"

The sound of a voice clearing woke them both. Kitty sat up noting her uniform was still in place. "We have made contact with your friend, Logan. He's coming to pick you up, Colossus. He wants you to stay here with Emma and Scott, Kitty. You have an hour if you wish to continue fornicating." Before they could comment the woman disappeared.

"That one is Dafi?" Peter asked.

"Like the duck," Kitty said. "I don't like this, not at all. Why am I stuck back here watching…" Peter watched as exhaustion and grief finally overcame her and she folded her arms on her knees and started to cry. He put his arms around her and cradled her against his chest. "I love you Peter."

He reached down and started to unzip her uniform, "We still have an hour to kill," he murmured into her ear.

Kitty watched him go and stalked down to check on Scott. He was still unconscious. Emma was still dead. He awoke briefly to find Kitty standing there and went back to sleep. She haunted the halls and helped where she could. This all ended as Peter suddenly showed back up. "It's time," he told them. He loaded Emma and Scott onto Aghanne's ship and they took off for the throne room building. The rendezvous was simple, Logan and Peter would head for the core, the rest would head for the retaliator. Kitty didn't like it one bit.

Peter smiled before he kissed her, "I'll see you in twelve hours."

"As the battle commenced Brand took a blast meant for Hank, and apparently 'died' to save him, and my mother headed for the Retaliator to try and stop it," Ilyana continued.

Kitty looked up, something just didn't sit right. "Guys, I'm going to see if running through the computer will stop this thing." Before Hank could object she plunged in and hear the fritzing of wires as she completed the turn. Exhausted she barely managed to pull herself out.

"You did it, Kitty! The countdown has stopped!" Hank announced excitedly. "Are you all right?"

"The metal of this world… I'm going to have to climb out, Hank. Give me a minute." She took her time before finally reaching the top when it finally occurred to her what was wrong. "Hank, this isn't a missile. It looks like a bullet."

"Would you like a hand up?" a voice asked her.

Kitty looked up, "Huh, why am I not surprised you're not dead." She grasped Brand's outstretched hand and pulled herself up and swayed as a wave of dizziness hit her. "Where are we going?" Brand indicated the ship ahead of them.

Kitty sat down as Hank and Brand finally had it out, "Bout time." Hank turned credulous eyes on his younger colleague. "Hank, you two have been fighting like you're married. Maybe you can tame her." Hank snorted, "Hey, she accepts you for you. Isn't that what you've been looking for?" she asked on her way out the same door Brand left through. She sighed as Lockheed hovered in front of her. He projected the need to talk to her and they headed off to another room.

Kitty settled on the couch as Lockheed sat next to her, "Kitty, I have a confession to make." Kitty's eyes widened as his words reached her. "Yes, I can speak English. I may need to apologize to Wisdom, well, never mind. This is mostly telepathic, as you probably tell." Kitty nodded, not trusting herself to speak. "I've been working for Brand. I'm having trouble with my homeworld, and Brand blackmailed me into keeping an eye on the X-Men for them."

Kitty looked away, "What kind of issues?" she bit out.

Lockheed reached a clawed hand to scratch the back of his head. "Hormonal, I'm heading into puberty and my homeworld wants me home. SWORD won't let me stay without a Visa. I'm basically, pardon the pun, an illegal alien."

Kitty sighed, another wave of exhaustion passed over her. "Brand, come on in. I know you've been listening." Brand came in. "We'll deal with his homeworld issues after we return home. Meanwhile, give him his Visa. He deserves it. Besides, I don't need a Visa and if he has to leave so do I."

"Your bond is remarkable, all right, I think I'll be hanging around a lot more anyway."

"We're making a pick-up, guys. I don't know about you but I'm ready to go home," Hank's voice sounded over the intercom.

"So, they picked up Logan and Peter after a long and exhausting mission. Little did they know that things were just beginning to heat up."

"Okay ladies," Sandy's voice sounded through the cabin. "Time for bed!" Ilyana guiltily switched off the flashlight as everyone scrambled for their bunks.

Okay, so I'm clearing up events from "Damned" so we can leap frog onto the next segment of the story. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Please R&R.