Cousin Jethro

(An NCIS - X-Men Crossover)

None of the Characters used in the work are mine. The cast of NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles belong to Donald Balisario. The characters from the various X-Men titles belong to Marvels Comics and their - over the years - various editors, artists, and writers! I am just borrowing them to play with.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is what happens when you read too many fan-fictions! Other writers start giving you ideas! I'd like to thank DimensionalLover for helping to put this idea into my head! This will be the first of (what I hope) is a four-story crossover-series, featured around NCIS!

Cousin Jethro

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Leroy Jethro Gibbs goes up the stairs from his basement-workshop, followed by two faint shadows.

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Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, Bishop, Callen, and Hannah, Tobias Fornell, and Ziva David were standing outside the shooting-range when the girls and Hettie, Marty, Kenzie, and Owen came out from their pistol-session.

"Did Kat and her squad pass the test?" DiNozzo asked with a grin.

"You'll have to ask Owen!" Hettie answered. "He wanted to see the ladies as much I did!"

"Well, sir?" McGee asked. "Did they? Past the test?"

"Let's just say I'm glad we're not going up against them!" Owen said. "I'd hate to count the body-bags going back to L.A."

"They're that good, Granger?" Callen asked.

"Well?" Granger drawled, "I WOULD like to see them on 'Main Street', to see how they react to..."

"Pardon me, Sir?" Rahne asked, "'Main Street'?"

"Like the 'Danger-Room'. Rahne!" Kathryn said. "For shootists!"

"Och!" Rahne's eyes widened. "A real-time simulation?"

"As real as they can make it, here, Rahne!" Gibbs grinned.

"I think we can help you, there, Agent Granger!" Fornell said. "But, it may have to wait until tomorrow!"

"I got time!" Granger answered. "A friend said he needs to be here, tomorrow! Said he wants to talk to Miss Pryde, about any future-plans she might have!"

"'Any future-plans'?" Illyanna Rasputina spoke, a threatening edge to her voice. "Can you be any more vague, Agent Granger? Or? Is that typical-C.I.A.?"

"Now, Illyanna?" Kathryn spoke up.

"Do not worry, Miss Pryde." Granger smiled. "And? You do not have to worry, either, Miss Rasputina! And? No, What I said wasn't typical Agency operations, though it's close! My friend just doesn't want his name mentioned because of certain people hearing of him coming and alerting certain others!"

"Before he's had a chance to 'alert' them?" Deeks smirked.

"You've got it!" Granger said in a low chuckle.

"Pardon me, Illyanna Nikoealovna!" Hettie interrupted. "How do you know about Owen's association with the Agency?"

"I told her, Miss Lange!" Tim's hand went up in the air. "As soon as we found out, the girls knew who was coming to question them! She wanted to know any potential-dangers Kat was in!"

"And, you did this on your own, Agent McGee?" Hettie asked.

"No, Ma'am!" McGee answered. "I told Gibbs about the request, and he said 'Do it', and that he'd send it up the chain-of-command!"

"And, did you, Agent Gibbs?" Hattie turned to Jethro.

"Eventually, Hettie!" Leon Vance walked into the meeting. "Not only did I agree with what he'd done? I've learned to do the same thing, myself!"

"From?" Hettie asked.

"My.. father.. probably, Miss Lange!" Ziva answered, trying to hide a small smile.

"A wise man!" Hettie chirped.

"Rule Number 18" Gibbs and Kathryn said in unison. "It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission."

"Alright, then!" Rahne smiled. "Can I make it doon tae the gym, then? I am never quite sure about the others? But! I ned a work-out to relax from tensing-up to shoot!"

"She sounds like me, G!" Sam smiled.

"Like you and me, both, Sam!" Callen answered with a grin.

"You mind some sparring?" Owen asked. "I'd like to see how you fare in hand-to-hand!"

"Leon?" Gibbs asked. "What brings you downstairs?"

"I thought I'd let you know I'm getting a couple of vans ready to send the wayward-students back to Xavier's!"
Vance answered.

"Oh! Before you send the Vans off, Leon!" Hettie asked, "Could Miss Moonstar be detained, overnight?"

"Of course, Hettie! If you can see a reason to detain her?" Vance said.

"Because, Leon," Hettie answered, "of the answers she gave to Mr. Getz! After I reviewed the interview-notes, I decided I should interview her, myself, away from her cohorts!" She then looked at Kathryn and Rahne. "Even IF she gives me the same answers she gave to Ned."

"Want us to put her back in holding, Henrietta?" Gibbs asked.

"Oh, heavens, no, Jethro!" Miss Lange chuckled. "I wouldn't leave the poor child in Lock-Up! I want her to freely answer me! Not close-up like an oyster!"

"What are you going to do with her, Miss Lange?" Tony asked.

"Miss Moonstar will be staying with Hettie and I, Agent DiNozzo, at my residence here in D.C." Granger replied.

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Agent Granger? Agent Lange?" McGee asked.

Owen looked askance at Hettie.

"Oh, Owen!" Hettie chuckled, again. "This is Danielle Moonstar we're talking about! Not Roberto DeCosta!"

"If you say so, Hettie." Owen sighed.

"I was able to find a couple of marines to drive the students back to Salem Center, but, you can check them out if you wish!" Vance told Gibbs. "Here are their records."

"Who are they, Leon?" Gibbs asked calmly.

"Lance Corporals Isaac Zimmerman and Hiram Young!" Vance amswered.

"Met 'em, both, before, Leon!" Gibbs grinned. "I remember having to pull them out of fights with anti-Mutant groups, before! Arguments that turned ugly."

"I don't remember seeing any mention of any serious-incidents being in their records, Gibbs?" Vance raised an eyebrow.

"Nobody got hurt!" Gibbs chuckled. "And? No one stuck around to press any charges."

"Okay, then!" Vance chuckled. "I will leave Danielle Moonstar in your hands, and Hettie's, Owen! But? What should I do with her while the others go back?"

"Make sure she get's down here, Leon!" Hettie said. "I want her to be sure of our intentions to her fellow-students!"

"Okay, everyone!" Kathryn gave a quick sharp whistle. "Everyone in my company: SINGLE-FILE! You still don't know the entire lay-out,here! It's not the Pentagon, but? MCIS-Headquarters can be almost as confusing!"

"'Almost', Miss Pryde?" Leon chuckled, again.

"Only because we're not as big, Leon!" Jethro grinned. "C'mon! It's to the gym!"

Soon, everyone was in the gym and partnered-up. Then, Danielle Moonstar was let into the gym.

"Did you bring down here to kill me, Miss Lange?" Mirage asked. "Or, scare me to death?"

Owen snickered, in spite of himself.

"Heavens, no, child! Who do you think I think you look like? Roberto DeCosta?"

And, Owen grunted down a laugh.

"Are you ready, Ms. Rasputina?" Callen asked as he braced a punching-bag.

"I am ready, Mr. Callen!" Illyanna replied, just before attacking the bag as if it were an armed-opponent!

And, despite his prior-efforts to anchor himself, Callen wound up on the floor from the shocks of kicks and punches thrown to the bag!

"Your dossier says you are called a 'snowflake'?" Callen asked in Russian. "That felt like a blizzard!"

"I consider that a compliment!" Illyanna responded in her native tongue. "As well as the government thinking so much of me that they wrote a report on me! Shall we wrestle? You may wish to defend yourself, Mr. Callen?"

"Oh, my god," Callen softly exclaimed, "you're sounding like Hettie! I'm dead."

"Mr. Callen speaks Russian, Ms. Lange?" Danielle asked the small woman.

"He was fostered to Russian expatriots, Ms. Moonstar!" Hettie answered.

"Oh!"

Meanwhile, Rahne was sparring-off with Sam Hannah:

"This.. is how.. you cool off.. Ms.. Sinclaire?" Hannah found himself huffing as he tried to break into the Scotswoman's defences.

"Only.. when I feel m'self.. wound up tae tightly!" Wolfsbane sent a roundhouse punch and side kick from the opposite-direction to Sam, followed by two straight jabs to the chest. "T'day has me feeling like an overwound watch!"

Soon, Sam seemed to spot a gap in Rahne's rhythm, and stepped in to exploit it, only to receive two feints and a quick jab to the diaphragm, and a kick to the pelvis, which buckled his knees! As the Navy-SEAL concentrated on regaining his footing, Wolfsbane girroted him with the web of her hand, then sent the palm of her hand imto his jaw! As this move sent Sam to his hands and knees, Rahne sent her elbows into the big man's kidneys!

"Sorry I am about that, Mr. Hannah!" Rahme apologized, halping Sam up as he slowly regained his regular-breathing, "But? We both agreed the fight wasna over until one or t' other was not able t' get up after a minute!"

"I know, Ms. Sinclaire!" Sam shily smiled. "You surprised me! Where did all that come from that hit me?"

"Well?" Rahne blushed a bit. "As your own General Patton once said, 'Tis na the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog!' Too many people, except my sisters, here, have only seen the wee Scottie on the outside. They dinna see the Deerhound inside me!"

"Until too late?" Sam grinned.

"Ouch!" Dani winced. "Who the hell taught Rahne THOSE moves?!"

"We'er not sure, Ms. Moonstar!" Hetty responded. "We haven't asked ANYONE who they're teachers were. Yet."

"But, we will!" Owen grinned. "However? Ms. Moonstar? I'd like you to examine these, while you're here."

He then handed the shot targets from the gun-range, with each girl's name writtem on her target, to Dani for her to examine.

And Danielle's eyes went wide, and her face drained of some of its color.

Soon, Deeks and Kenzi were on the floor against Catseye and Jubilee.

Deeks soon found himself nervously circling a smiling, but ever-watchful, Catseye. Sharon would shift a quarter-step whenever Marty threatened to leave her line of sight. But, she always stood in a relaxed pose,
with the same smile.

Marty then feinted to Sharon's left, quickly switching direction for s take-down from Sharon's right!

At the same time, in what seemed a near-impossible fluid motion, Catseye kicked her right leg out, kicking Deeks' left thigh disrupting the rhythm of his stride, and planted her leg behind his right knee, pulling her heel in to unbalance the Detective! At the time, she secured Marty's head with the tip of her tail.

At the same time, Kenzie had decided her plan of attack, and circled around to attack Jubilee. At the same time, Jubilee circled Agent Blye, but - to Kenzie'sbewilderment - in the opposite direction! Then, as Kenzie was starting to react to the change of direction, Jubilee grabbed a lifted foot and shoved it tightly against Kenzie's butt, pinching off the blood-supply, numbing the lower leg, and causing the Agent to hit the mat! Then, taking a plastic tie, she cuffed Kenzie's left ankle and right wrist!

"Kenz?" Deeks yelped out. "I.. uh.. think I need some help, here! And, I.. ah.. THINK I may have met a sister of yours! Or, a first-cousin?"

"One, Deeks!" Agent Blye grunted. "I don't have any sisters. And, two? I was gonna ask you for help." Blye then slowly turned to face Marty. Then she slowly hissed. "You break his neck, girl, and I will personally hunt you down!"

"Coocoos were right!" Sharon chirped. "You DO feel something for Mophead! You are a lucky man, Martin Deeks!"

"Oh, God, I wanna die!" Kenzie growned. "First incapacitated. Then humiliated. What's next? What happened to you, Deeks?"

"Actually," Deeks sighed, "I thoght I was handling things well! Yeah, this one managed to knock my legs out from under me! But? I was about to get back when she wrapped her tail around my neck and started to squeeze it! Probably would use a tail if you had one, Kenz!"

"Actually, Marty?" Kenzie chuckled. "If I did have a tail? I think I'd be wrapped-up in it, right now. Is Jubilee a cousin of yours, Deeks? 'Cause, I swear I studied all of her moves! Then, she pulled something NEW on me!"

"Sounds like my cousins!" Marty chuckled. "Hey? Sharon? If you and Ms. Lee aren't too busy protecting Kathryn..
could I interest you two in checking-up on some cousins of mine? I'd hate for NCIS to have to be bothered by them! LAPD certainly was."

"Sure thing, Mr. Deeks!" Sharon chirped. "I'm pretty sure Kat won't mind keeping a few more 'adults' in line!"

"I'd be careful about who I was calling an 'adult', Ms. Smythe!" Marty groaned. "Those idiots make me look like a Rhodes Scholar!"

"It is our turn, Professor Callen!" Illyanna spoke in her native Russian. "Give me your best shots, and I shall give you mine!"

"It will be as you say, Ms. Rasputina!" Callen responded.

The next hour was filled with movement, as Callen tried to capture the young Siberian, and Illyanna kept evading his grasps and takes-downs.

"You are.. very hard.. to catch.. little Illyanna!" Callen managed to smile as he huffed out his compliment.

"It is hard.. to grab onto.. the wind.. Mister Callen!" Illyanna answered the N.C.I.S. Agent.

Then, Callen grabbed the Siberian teleporter and time-traveler in a bear-hug - only to find himself thrown in a very-fluid body-toss! Illyana quickly followed-up with a leg-lock that, with any further pressure, would have dislocated his left knee!

"I thought some of the moves the girls were using looked familiar!" Granger grinned. "Some of Ms. Rasputina's moves, especially! They look like Sambo!"

"Military, if I'm not mistaken, Owen!" Hettie nodded.

"Oh, you're not mistaken, Hettie!" Gibbs took a sip of coffee. "But? You and Owen are only half-right!"

"KBG?" Callen asked Illyanna a he tried to get some normal-circulation back in his left leg.

"Da." Illyanna answered the Agent. "Former-Major! Retired and settled in the Collective! Made sure we children knew how to defend ourselves, if the need arose!"

"Thank you for telling me, Illyanna!" Callen smiled, and tried to envelope Illyanna in a grappling hold!

"The say he's favoring that leg, Kenz?" Deeks said softly. "Rasputina must have some damage."

"And, was it just my hearing?" Kenzie asked Deeks, "Or, did Illyanna sound a bit .. apologetic .. to Callen?"

"You caught that, too?" Deeks responded

"You heard right!" Catseye grinned. "Illyanna doesn't really like hurting a friend!"

"What about someone who isn't a friend?" Kenzie asked.

Jubilee chuckled low. "Just let Piotr the Idiot show up, here! And? Make sure you're a safe-distance away from the action."

Callen started cirling Illyanna, much to the Siberian's amazement.

"You have not given that knee time to rest?" Magik asked.

"What can I say?" Callen smirked. "I'm a glutton for punishment!"

Sam Hannah gave a sad smile to Rahne. "He really is!"

"Dinna worry, Agent Hannah!" Wolfbane smiled in sympathy. "She knows he isn't her brother!"

Callen tried to throw Illyanna off-balance with an arm-bar and side-mare, but she twisted with the grace of a dancer, and flipped Callen over her hip! When Callen was able to steady himself and turn back around, he was met in the chest and stomache and pelvis by the sharp fists of a young girl!

"Kulachniy boy!" Callen exclaimed through his gasps of air as he hit the floor. "Where.. did you learn..?"

"Siberia is still far enough away to hide away and nourish many things, Professor Callen!" Magik grinned. "Especially,
the Trans-Baikal!"

"Well?" Callen said as he got up slowly. "Let us - see - what the Trans-Baikal has raised!"

"Are you sure of this?" Illyanna asked.

"Da." Callen answered.

The next hour-and-a-half were filled with the sounds of bunches being thrown - and punches being caught and stopped by the palms of expert hands!

"You.. do well at this.. Illyana Nikolaevna!" Callen huffed out as he tried to find a weakness in Illyana's style!

"Thank you, friend Callen!" Magik managed to answer between blows.

"We seem.. evenly-matched, Nikolaevna!" Callen smiled mischieviously.

"Da.. ", Illyana answered. "We seem to be?"

The young Siberian then, somehow, pushed Callen's fisted arm aside of it's intended path, and fired her own fist into the Agent's shoulder and forarm before drawing her own shoulder back!

Callen, stunned by the surprise-move, gaped at Illyana:

"Where the HELL did that come from?"

"Limbo." Illysana answered in a matter-of-fact voice. "Do you wish to yeild, Professor Callen?"

"I probably should!" Callen grimmed (or, rather, winced). "But? I want to see what else you have."

"You DO realize," Illysns snirked, "I am not TRYING to kil you?"

"And? I THANK you or the courtesy, Little Snowflake!" Callen answered. "Let's continue!"

As the sparring-match continued, Danielle Moonstar, took another, more-careful, study of the target Illyanna had shot at:

"Larger caiber.. and burn-marks at the edges?" She gasped. "Teflon?"

"I see you know your ammunition!" Owen said wrily. "That's good to know! Happen to know why Miss Rasputina was choosing armor-piercing rounds?"

"Only..one reason.. that I can think of.." Dani almost stuttered out. "But.. but why.. would she be going after her own brother? I mean.. yeah! He can be ..."

"Domineering and arrogent and crude?" Hettie said. "Yes.. I've talked with.. Agent Gibbs.. about the situation! And, yes, those were his EXACT words to describe Piotr Nikolaevich! And, those.. were the kindest of the words he used!"

"But.. but.. but..", Dani sputtered. "Peter's her BROTHER!"

"Yes. Piotr Nikolaevich IS her brother!" Hettie mused. "But? From what I have been told, and the intelligence gathered, for three years.."

"For three years?" Danielle asked aloud.

"Three years, Miss Moonstar!" Hettie nodded. "Anyhow! Piotr is Illyan's brother, but? He has been rather distant, many times!
Miss Pryde, on the other hand, has been Illyana's big-sister since before those three years! Since shortly after Illyana was first brought to this country, even! And? Not only has Kathrn been Illyana's big-sister? But? At times, and crucial ones, she has been Illyana's foster-mother! So? When there has been troubles between Kathryn and Piotr.."

"She'd take Kathryn's side." Dani acknowledged.

Atfer thirty more minutes - during which time he had switched boxing-hands, and Illyana have successfully countered the agent - Callen resigned:

"I yeild! I've learned what I've wanted to learn, Snowflake! Learning anymore would leave me sore for a week, at least! As it is?
I will . probably be in bed more most of the night, after a hot shower! I just jope I might be able to aleep in late! I must ask, Illyana? I believe you when you say much of what you've learned comes from Russia! But? Who has been your trainer and sparring-partner, here?"

"Besides Mr. Logan, friend Callen?" Illyana smiled and pointed to the center of the room. "You are about to meet her!"

At that moment, Shadowcat stepped into the middle of the room, in a mostly-relaxed, street-wise stance. Then, Ziva David stepped into the area, and - as silently and swiftly as possible - attacked Kathryn!

Kathryn responded to the attack in one fluid-motion, letting her shoulder give way to Ziva's downward-push, and pivoted around to Ziva's back! Then, without missing a second, she drove her elbows and forearms into Ziva's kidney-area, and forced the former-
Mossad and -NCIS Agent onto her bent knee, forcing the remaining-air out of her lungs!

However, Agent David had anticipated this possible-move and conpensated, being able to hold on to some of her breath, She then began to roll away from Kathryn.. or, tried to!.

Shadowcat answered by quickly using the web of her hand to threaten to girrot David, thumb ready to press aginst the carotid artery! At the same time, Kathryn planted her foot sgainst Ziva's pelvis, resdy to leverage her weight to keep Agent David from - somehow - using her legs to attack her!

"Shah, Ziva!" Kathryn said, looking down and grinning.

"Shah mat, Kathryn!" Zive smiled.. "You have been practicing!"

Meanwhile, Danielle Moonstar was trying to keep her eyes in her head as she switched from the sparring-match to the taget with Kathryn's signature attached to it - with its tight-grouping of shots in the center circle and just above it!

"How.. did THAT just happen?!" Callen exclained, after watching Kate and Ziva. "That took less than - what? 10 seconds?"

"That was eight seconds, Mr. Callen!" Hettie answered back.

"Five seconds," Owen commented, "If Miss David hadn't tried her escape-manuever!"

Danielle gulped.

"How would you fare against multiple-opponents, Kathryn?" Ziva asked Shadowcat.

"We got any takers to help Ziva?" Kathryn asked.

"I'd help you, Ziva, but I'm stil recovering from the blizzard I went through!" Callen answered.

"I'll help you out, Agent David!" Sam said.

"I'll help!" Gibbs said.

"So will I!" Leon said.

"Count me in!" Hettie grinned.

"Watch this." Owen whispered to Dani.

Very soon the ring of five Agents we surrounding a seemingly-calm Shadowcat. And, the melee was on!

Kathryn started throwing and blocking punches and weaving around her body in a tightening circle.

Soon, bodies of federal-agents were being pushed or tossed out of the melee. Once, they were tossed out two-at-a-time!
Two or three times, an agent would re-enter the fray, only to get tossed-out just as quickly.

"Are you alright, Boss?" Tony asked as Gibbs got tossed out a third time.

"I'm okay!" Gibbs smirked. Then, he groaned. "Or, not? Damn! Kat reminds me of Theresa! Well, hell, I'll wade back in.
Just watch out for Leon, DiNozzo!"

"Sure thing, Boss!" Tony said.

About that time, Sam Hannah, land painfully on his rear, after twisting to avoid landing on his face! He still hit his head on the floor, however,

"Who taught your cousin how to fight like that, Gunnery Saergant?" The SEAL asked Gibbs.

"Besides me, DiNozzo, David, and the Wolverine?" Gibbs chuckled. "I have no idea, Agent Hannah! Although? I do see some of her mom in her!"

Soon, a Wearied Director Vance was awkwardly sitting down with a heavy, ragged breath:

"Before..she goes.. anywhere else.." , Leon whizzed out, "I'd.. like for.. Miss Pryde to... teach my kids... to defend... themselves!"

"Feel free to ask her, Leon!" Gibbs grinned.

Meanwhile, Kathryn and Henrietta were circling each other, sizing-up the opponents for their next moves.

Hettie grinned and her eye widened wirg delight as she seemed to read Shadowdat's lips:

Bring it on, Goblin.

"Be.. careful.. what you wish for..Kittycat!" Hattie whispered low. Then she swooped in for quick kill!

Kathryn quickly pitouetted just out of Hettie's reach. Then, in a fast counter-move, she pirouetted in reverse to place herself directly in back of the older-woman's shoulderblades! She then grabbed Hettie in a quick Heimlich-maneuver, attempting to fotce every bit of air out of the Agent's lungs. Then, Kathryn attempted to force her swiftly to the floor!

Hettie, however, somehow twisted out of Shadowcat's grip and kicked her way to freedom! She then - with something between a feral growl and laugh - charged back into her opponent.

"Come, come! Kittycat!" Hettie seemed to cluck and cackle. "Show me what you've got?"

The next hour was spent getting in and out of tie-ups, as two laughing conbatants tried to gain superiority over each other!

"How the Hell is Hettie even keep up with Kat?" Deeks asked his partner and their opponants.

"I'm getting dizzy just trying to keep up with them!" Eric said to Nell. "How are they even able to keep up with each other?"

"This.. has been fun... Ms. Pryde!" Hettie huffed. "But.. it's.. getting late."

"I agree.." Kathhryn wheezed, as she pinched a nerve between Hettie's shoulder and neck, towards her spine.

And, the left side of Hebrietta Lange's body froze, momentarily, and she slumped to the floor.

"Ach!" Hettie screeched. "How did you know HOW to do that, Ms. Pryde? I'm STILL having trouble moving enough to get up! Mr. Cellen? Mr. Hannah? Mr. Deeks? Ms, Blye? Don't worry! I shall be fine in a couple of minutes. Ms. Pryde.. if you don't mind me asking, again, where did you learn that move? No one LIVING even PRACTICES it, that I know of!"

"A cousin in Britian showed me that move!" Kathryn grinned. "Well? Actually, he wrote more about in enough detail! I was able to practice it with the help of a medical text."

"Ah!" Hettie said as she slowly worked her muscles and got up. "A very-knowledggeable young msn! And, very trusted if he was shown that move!"

"That moved saved his life!" Kathryn said. "It was explained to him, afterwards."

"I see!" Hettie nodded. "You are a worthy opponent, Shadowcat! I shall request a rematch one day!"

"And, you shall have it, Mis Lange!" Kathryn replied.

"You used Harry's move on her?" Jethro whispered to Kathyn as she sat down.

"I just used the exact move she was going to use on me, Jethro," Kat replied, "just a second before she did!"

"She know about that Goblin-move?" Jethro asked. "Explains a little bit of what I felt about her! Think the government knows?"

Shadowcat chuckled low, "Not a chance!"

"You have fun, Henrietta?" Owen smiled wryly.

"Indubitably!" Hettie answered.

"That's why I'm here.." Danielle moped. "You're going to make me play 'Cat-and-Mouse' with Kathryn.. and have her kill me..."

"Come on, Moonstar!" Hettie cooed. "Shadowcat knows you're not Xi'an Coyh Manh!"

"Ugh! Did you HAVE to bring her up, Ms. Lange?" Danielle groused. "I hate the thought of dying with an upset stomache!"

"I thought you two were friends?" Owen spoke. "Or, at least, allies?"

"We were. At one time, long ago. When we first came to the school." Danielle developed a far away look. "Want to stay friends, now. But? Ever since she came back to the Insritute? I'm not sure.."

"What does the Dog-Soldier in you say, Ms. Moonstar?" Hettie asked.

"Keeps telling me to keep her away from the village." Danielle whispered. "Especially when Karma's not around me. It scares me."

"It sounds like we may have some common-ground to talk on!" Owen said. "Come on, Ladies! Let's go home! Bar's trying to close."

"Okay, everyome!" Leon announced, "time to close up shop for the night! Tomorrow's a Saturday, but Sec-Nav just informed me we're keeping regular business-hours! And, to tell you the truth? I was going to request that, since we still have Human League agents in the Yard, and maybe a cell! I want that rats' nest burned out of here, ASAP!"

"Yes, SIR, Agent Vance!" McGee, DiNozzo, and Bishop snapped to attention.

"You got it, Leon!" Giggs replied. "Kat! Get the girls together, we're heading home! Hettie? You and your crew have places to stay in DC?"

"Yes we do, Jethto! Thank you for worrying, though." Then, she called out. "Come on, people! Pack your gear!"

In an hour, Gibbs and crew were pulling into the drive-way of his house in Washington, alongside a familiar car.

"Hope you don't mind Emily and I using your porch, Jethro!" Tobias said. "I know you told me where the extra-key was, but, I figured it was best if we waited for you, here!"

"Glad to see you, Tobias!" Gibbs grinned. "Saves me from calling to check up on anything the Bureau might want!"

"Hello, Uncle Tobias! Hello, Emily!" Kathryn smiled and hugged Emily. "Let me guess.. The Bureau's going to make an example out of me?"

Emily giggled.

"Don't worry, Kathryn!" Tobias said. "The Bureau's not going the crucify you! In fact, they were pleasantly-surprised at how forthright you were in what you offered! They never really expected that amount of trust!"

"Right now, Uncle Tobias?" Kathryn sighed. "Navy and FBI is all the girls and I have TO trust! Can't full put our trust in the School, anymore.
Ya know?"

Emily and the girls gathered around Kathryn and Lockheed protectively.

"Yeah. I know." Tobiss Fornell said. "That's who the Bureau REALLY wants to crucify, espexially Charles Xavier and Scott Summers!
However, we have more fish in the kettle to worry about! First, the Human League agents who were planning to kill you, this morning. Then, your 'rescue party' from the School."

"'Unwanted ' rescue party, Agent Fornell!" Wolfsbane emphasized . "Damned Sunspot!"

"They realize that, Miss Sinclaire." Fornell reasured the young woman. "After quick-depositions from Hettie's team. And? Going over the MCRT-footage from the Yard."

"I bet that put the school on somebody's 'shit-list'!" Jubilee grumbled.

"Several 'shit-lists', actually, Ms. Lee!" Tobias responded. "The X-Men are going to have alot to answer for! Also? There's Magneto's showing up in Washington, even if temporarily! Bureau's afraid he'll be back."

"He'll be bacck, Uncle Tobias!" Kathryn sighed. "You can count on it. He's worried about me. Don't know how- though, I have my suspicions -
but? Max heard about what happened at the school! And? He's looking to set things right."

"You may not know 'how', Mama-Kitty," Sharon purred, " But? We're pretty sure how Magneto found out!"

"You mean, Magneto has a spy in the School?" Tobias asked.

"Da!" Illyana answered. "Did not know she actually CARED that much for Kathryn!"

"Mystique doesn't care about Mama-Kitty, Illyana!" Sharon replied. "But, Magneto cares!"

"And, why should the Master of Magnetism care?" Tobias asked. "Besides the fact that Kathryn's a mutant?"

"Can we continue this story inside, Uncle Tobias?" Kathryn asked, "the way this day has been. I need a drink."

"Sure thing, Kat!" Tobias answered.

"Beer's in the Fridge, Kat!" Gibbs called inside. "Or, you need something stronger?"

"No thank you, Jethro! Beer's fine." Kathryn answered back. "If I had anything stronger, I'd wanna punch someone out! And? Nobody here deserves that 'honor'!"

"Kathryn's wound-up tight, this evening!" Emily commented to Illyana. "Idots from the school effected that much, today?"

"Idiots from Institute effect us ALL, Me. Fornell!" Illyana replied. "However? Kathryn got it worst, da! Finding Human League embedded in Naval Yard did not help!"

"Navy Yard? Best place for them!" Emily quipped. "Have thir trial and execution in the same place! Happened almost that way with the followers of John Wilkes Boothe!"

Soon, everyone was seated in the front room:

"To answer your question, Uncle Tobias!" Kathryn began. "Max Eisenstadt and I first met.. shortly after the escapade at the Pentagon with 'Operation Wide-Awake'! Magneto and the X-Men were still on oppsite-sides of the line about a possible war with the rest of humanity, and we kinda walked into his refuge at the time! Well? Long story, short, we wound up Max' prisoners, and.. I.. tried to play 'Hero'! Now the best of ideas for a Freshmen, but? Par for the X-Men's course! Anyway! Magneto caught me, and I fainted! Everything after that I heard about , later! But, apparently, Max came out of his rage just long enough to see the Magen-David around My neck! Apparently, I reminded him of someone he knew and lost.." Ksthryn'd voice grew quiet, "in the camps."

"So!" Magneto WAS in the Holocaust!" Fornell commented.

"Reportedly still has his tatoo, Tobias!" Gibbs remarked.

"He still does, Jethro." Kathryn said. "Sobibor.. to Auswitz... to Mathausen."

"From bad... to worse... to Hell." Fornell responded.

"Yeah." Kathryn sniffed back a tear. "Well. anyway! As I told told, When Max saw me and held me, he went into a tailspin, and starting crying! He said that, in fighting his enemies for so lobf, he had finally become them! And? Since then ? He's been staying in-touch with me.. as much as possible! If I don't hear from him? I hear from his children, either Wanda or Pietro."

"Or his spy-in-the-school?" Tobias asked.

"Believe me, Uncle Tobias," Kathryn sheepishly grinned, "this is the first time I've heard of Mystique taking an interest in me!"

"You and Emily staying for supper, Tobias?" Jethro asked. "Grilling steaks, tonight!"

"Count us in, Jethro!" Tobias responded.

After supper, the girls headed-off the the bedroom, leaving Jethro and Tobias downstairs in the basement:

"So, it's official? " Fornell asked. "Xi'an Coyh Manh and Roberto DeCosta are on the NCIS 'Watch-List'?"

"Kat put 'em on the blackboard!" Gibbs answered as he sanded his latest boat. "And? She never took 'em off!"

"Ouch." Fornell remarked. "Think you'll see anyone else on that list?"

"Depends on who comes down to get Kathryn and the rest!" Gibbs chuckled.

"You think they'll come?" Tobias asked as he sipped his bourbon.

"Kat thinks they'll come!" Jethro said. "They'll come."

"Are they ALL that stupid, Jethro?" Tobias asked in an astonished tone.

"Not all of them, Tobias, "Jethro sighed, "just the teachers."

"I - HOPE - there are EXCEPTIONS to that observation, Gunnery-Sargeant?" A short-coiffed blonde spoke, coming down the stairs with a snifter of brandy and a bottle. "Otherwise, what I have to say next may get me in serious trouble with a certain Marine!"

"Who the hell..?" Fornell asked.

"As long as you're not in trouble with Kathryn, Frost?" Gibbs smiled. "You're not in trouble with me! Fornell? This is Emma Frost, member of the X-Men and former-member of the Inner Circle of New York's Hellfire Club!"

"She's a teacher at Xavier's?" At the nods of both Gibbs and Frost, Fornell's eyes grew wider. "And, she's not on your shit-list, Gibbs?!"

"Not yet." Gibbs continued sanding the boat..

"How'd you get in, Ms. Frost?" Fornell asked. "Didn't hear you knock."

"I let myself in. Director Fornell!" Emma smiled.

"Ms. Fost is a Telekinetic, Tobias!" Jethro said. "As well as a telepath."

"You've done your homework, Gunnery-Saegeant!" Emma grinned. "You're proving an interesting man!"

"Rule 35 , Always watch the watchers!" Gibbs poured some bourbon. "You put yourself in Kat's life? You get my interest! What involves her, involves me."

"I found that out the first time I entered Kathryn's mind, Sargeant Gibbs!" The White Queen sat on the baesment couch. "As I said at the school?
When Kathryn was at the Massachusetts Academy! As anew - acquisition - of the Academy,.. and, possible-puppet of the Inner Circle.. I tried to - pick - Ms. Ptyde's brain. Among.. other things."

"What 'other things'?" Tobias growled out.

"Careful, Tobias!" Gibbs warned. "Kat's not killed here, yet! And? She's had chances to! That says something to me."

"In my.. wilder days.. Director Fornell, I was alot like Ms. Monroe!" The White Queen opened up tho Fornell's question, seemingly oblivious to the fact she was making herself vulnerable to a very-protective Gibbs! "Msybe - too much like her. But? Once I entered Kathryn's mind, I quickly learned just how WRONG I was in doing so!"

"And, how did you learn that.. Ms. Frost?" Gibbs asked in a cool and distant voice.

"You showed me, Sargeant Gibbs!" Emms responded. "Or, rsther, a mental-image of you did! As I got farther into Kathryn's mind - into her 'safe-house' -
I started noticed someone around me. MANY someones. All carrying rifles. And all seemingly wearing Marines uniforms! Then, I turned around - and I found myself face-to-face with you! Your image didn't say a word! Not that it had to. The eyes said it all: I had crossed at line into a Kill-Zone!"

"His eyes have been known to do that, Ms. Frost!" Fornell chuckled.

"Yes!" Frost remarked. "After that? I swore I'd never enter Ms. Pryde's mind, unenvited, again! I also decided I had to learn who this Marine sniper was!
Shortly afterward, I was able to learn of you and Kathryn's familiar-ties. That's when I decided I'd try to help keep Kathryn safe. However I could."

"And, when did you first learn about Ororo, Ms. Frost?" Gibbs asked.

"About the same time that Itried to invade Kathryn's mind, Sargeant Gibbs!" Emma admitted. "At that time, the Inner Circle of the Hellfire had - invaded - Xavier's mansion in Salem Center! As part of the invasion, I used my mind - plus some Inner-Circle technology - to switcj bodies with Ororo Monroe!"

"Switch bodies?!" Tobias asked.

"Yes." Emma admitted. "And? That part of the plan worked like a charm! Unfortunately? In transferring into each others' bodies, our minds - our memories, our wants. our needs - had to touch! Close enough for a telepath such as I to read like an encyclopedia! And? Voyaeur though I may be, that is one book I would gladly burn!"

"Professor Xavier says there's a reason for that, Ororo's ways, in the Thieve's Quarter in Cairo!" Kathryn spoke as she came down into the basement. "A 'Shadow King' called Amahl Farouk. That he helped shape 'roro into what she is, today! If that's true? I'll gladly destroy the production line. I thought I heard a familiar voice down here. Hello, Emma!"

"There's only so many times a person can play the 'Victim'-Card, Kat!" Gibbs told his cousin. "It ends the day they start emmulating their bogiemen!"

"FBI's been called into too many casies where the victims had become the perpetrators!" Fornell said.

"So have I!" Emma responed. "Hello, Kitty! That's why, whenever the moment presenting itself .. I would find a way to break-in to Xavier's Castle! Either myself, or..."

"The Hellions?" Kathryn asked.

"It didn't take much, if any, persuasion on my part!" Emma chuckled. "After metting their counterparts at Xavier's, my Hellions were more than eager to start a little rivalry! Especially, since it meant keeping a watchful eye on 'Saint Catharine'! Roulette's name for you, by the way. 'Patroness of Lost Children and Lost Causes'!"

"That's Shadowcat!" Catseye grinned. "Empath was always wondering where 'Dona Quixote' kept her lance!"

"Och, Sharon, stop it! Yuir just being mean, now!" Wolfsbane giggled as the two shape-changers came into the middle of the room. "Besides, we've looked for that lance enough to know it's na in th' Mansion!"

"You think I'd keep my lance ehere anyone can just FIND IT, my girls?" Kathryn cackled.

"'Patroness of Lost Causes'?" Fornell grinned as Emily, Illyana, and Jubilee came down the stairs. "This should be good!"

"Roulette called her 'Saint Kathryn'!" Catseye said dramatically."Mother of 'Lost Children' - meaning the Hellions - and 'Lost Causes'!" She turned and smiled to Wolfsbane, "I dare you to guess who the 'Lost Causes' are."

Rahne glared at Sharon.

"Relax, Rshne." Kathryn smiled. "Sharon's just trying to make you lose you're cool."

"I have news for ye, 'Saint Kathryn'," Rahne growled low. "It's working! Sharon?"

"Hey! Rahnie!" Sharon mock-pleaded, "Don't shoot me! I'm just the messenger!"

"Well? If we get back to the school, again," Rahne continued to growl-out, "ye can tell our 'Lucky Girl' she has a price on her head!"

And all the girls, including Emily, burst forth in giggles!

"I'm glad, at least, that Dr. McTaggert's last wish was able to be fulfilled. Despite the X-Men." A feminine-voice said from a darkened corner of the basement."Rahne's with family that loves her."

All eyes turned to peer into the darkness.

"Alright, Mystique!" Tobias said. "Step on out! You just gave yourself away!"

Rahne slowly stepped foreward. "Hello.. Ms. Darkholme!"

"Hello.. Ms. Sinclaire." Mystique said a bit haltingly.

"Okay, Raven!" Kathryn said. "Out with it! Did you call Max after Jethro took the me and the girls away from Xavier's? And, Why? Why should you care what happened?"

"This should be good." Jubilee whispered to Emily.

"You are correct, Shadowcat! I was the one who called Magneto after you left! Max had asked me to keep an eye on you, and feport to himn on whatever happened! He's worried about you. He doesn't really trust many of the X-Men. And, he wonders about the mental-state of Professor Charles Xavier!"

"He's right on both counts." Jethro and Kate mattered at the same time.

"But, why involve yourself, Raven?" Kathryn asked. "I realize you and Max are friends, but, thst's never stopped you from being the wildest-card in the Brotherhood's deck! You don't automatically jump when Max says 'Frog!' So, why are you so concerned about me?"

"You are correct, again, Shadowcat!" Mystique smiled. "Max is my friend, and a good friend. And? You are Max' friend! But? That's not the only reason I am concerned about you! I am concerned because you are Kurt's friend.. and, Anna-Marie's friend!"

There was 30 seconds of silence.. broken, finally, by Kathryn half-whispered reply:

"I.. thought you gave up contect with Rogue after she joined the X-Men. And, when did you start caring about Nightcrawler?"

"I may have given up on molding her life, Ksthryn," Mystique smiled, "but, I never totally gave up on my duties as a 'mother'! As for Kurt? He started bothering me almost as soon as we met each other in Washington! That can happen - when you see someone who looks so much like you. Anyway! After we fought each other, I started looking into the Nightcrawler's personal gistory. Gis age. His reported place-of-birth. There were too many coincidences."

"Jethro's Rule # 39, Raven: There is no such thing as coincidence!" Kathryn said.

"He sounds like a true Investigator, Kathryn!" Mystique grinned.

"I'll take that as a compliment, Darkholme!" Jethro nodded. "Care for a drink?"

"Danke, but I brought my own. Schmapps." Mystique replied.

"Everybody to their own poison!" Jethro said.

"Wolfsbane? Rahne?" Mystique's voice suddenly faltered. "I've.. wanted to.. apologoze for.. for.."

Rahne suddenly stepped foreward to steady Mystique, who was shhhowing signs you quickly falling-apart.

"Ye dinna have t'apologize, Raven Darkholme! Moira's dead, an', I know the wherefor of it! Moira.. explained t' me her fear.. of the Legacy Viirus takin' over her body! An', what that could mean t' anyone carin' for her remains. What it could mean t' me, An', afterwards, in a taped message. She sounded so poor an' haggard! She explained t' me how she contacted ya, an', planned-out how t' kill herself an' dispose of the body in the cleanest way. I just need t' know one more thing, Raven Darkholme! If ye were asked of her, over again an' knowin' what ye know, would ye do it, again?"

Shaking visibly, Mystique whispered her reply to the young Scotswoman. although it was still heard in the whole room:

"Ja."

Crying herself, Rahne pulled the spy and assassin into a reassuring hug:

"Thank ye, Mystique!"

"Okay, Ladies! Out with it! Miss Frost?" Gibbs asked, " Why are you and Miss Darkholme in D.C.? Before scheduled, I mean?"

"I'm here for two reasons, Gunnery-Sargeant!" The White Queen smiled and snapped to attention. "The first reason is early-warning! After Max Eisenstadt came to talk to Charles Xavier, The X-Men got nervous and gathered a War-Council. They're planning to "'talk' Kathryn and the others in coming back home as if nothing happened, and let we telepaths deal with any messes left behind!"

"Figures," Kat muttered as Lockheed settled in her crossed-arms.

"Oh, it gets better, Kathryn!" The White Queen's smile grew dangerous. "The East Coast called in the West Coast! They should be at the school by now!."

"Jethro?" Kathryn deadpanned. "I'm gonna need that bourbon! Gimme the whole damned bottle!"

"Here you go, Kat!" Gibbs handed her the whiskey. "Be careful with that bottle! Don't want to call Duckie because of broken glass. How close was the final-vote, Emma?"

"Without rge reasonable coices of Logan, Nightcrwler, Kathryn, Raven, or I? Not even close! Chamberlaine didn't even TRY to moderate?"

"What the...?" Tobias sputtered. "Does Xavier have a death-wish?!"

"Who knows WHAT Xavier has, anymore!" Emma growled and took another sip - or chug - of brandy! "Every time I've tried to figure him out, lately, I get a migraine!"

"Why weren't you there to offer advice, Miss Frost?" Tobias Fornell asked.

"Honestly?" Emma responded. "To keep the Coocoos and Guthries from killing anyone!. My girls said not to pick the Guthrie's' minds - particularly, Josh' - for fear the memories might have caused him to go ballistic - but? Whatever happened, it was enough to cause even Paige to withdraw from anyone else at Xavier's! Particularly, DeCosta and Xi'an Coyh!"

"Oh, something happened, alright!" Gibbs responded. "Sunspot and Karma got their names added to Kathryn's hitlist!"

"Well, Bravo!" Emma slowly clapped her hands. "I always thought DeCosta was an idiot, too much like his father, but, I thought that Xi'an Coyh had a bit more sense than to do anything that stupid!"

"Everybody have that opinion of Emmamuel DeCosta?" Jethro asked the White Queen.

"From what I know from experience and what I've been able to learn, Gunnery-Sargeant Gibbs" Emma responded. "Only everyone who's ever dealt with him!"

"Ohay, Miss Frost! That clears you!" Gibbs turned his attention to Mystique.

"Alright, Miss Darkholme? What's your story? Why weren't you at the Council?"

"Because Max told me to come with him and bring Anna-Marie! To keep her out of the line of fire. I'm known as an associate of Magneto's! So? After Max's visit, they guessed that I was that one who alerted him! They wouldn't have listened to my words, anyway! Not after what Max told them. Anna-Marie was able to make Remy leave the Hornet's Nest, though!"

"Pardon me, Raven?" Kathryn asked timidly , as if she wasn't going to like the answer to her question. "What.. did Max say? To the X-Men?"

"After he tried to talk with Xavier?" Mystique replied. "He told them that, if anything happened to you, that he's hunt down each X-Man responsible! And execute them on the spot!"

"He'll have to get in line behind me!" Gibbs growled before remaining his composure. Somewhat.

"Okay, Miss Frost! You said that therewere two reasons you came here! What's the second one?"

The White Queen nodded toward the stairway. "Gunnery-Sargeant Leroy Jethro Gibbs? May I introduce Megyn Gwynn!"

Every eye in the basement, save for Mystique and the White Queen, turned to the wall.

"Hello?" A young girl with pink hair and insectoidal wings sprouting from her shoulders said. "Hello, girls! Hello, Kathryn! Special Agent Leron Jethro Gibbs, may I presume?"

"You may presume! I am he!" Gibbs answered. "And you are Mastermind's youngest daughter?"

"I am she!" Megyn bowed.

"Goddammit, Megyn! What are YOU doing here?" Kathryn exploded, almost dropping the bourbon!

"Kathryn...?" Rahne warned her friend,

"I know, Rahne, I know!" Kathryb apologized. "Soory about the outburst, Megyn! You're a friend, and - hell - you're family! It's just that.. when you show up, it's..."

"I know it, as well, Kathryn!" Megyb smiled sadly. "Whenever I show up? Martinique and Lady M tend to follow! And? That's a bit of why I'm here! My sisters wanted me well away from the X-Men! And? They also wish to speak to you. At a place of your choosing!"

"Okay!" Kat smiled reassuringly. "I imagine that means you're their homing-beacon to me!" Kat giggled a bit manaically. "I guess that also means you'll be staying here the night! It's time you met everyone, then! This is Jethro's friend and my adopted uncle, Tobias Fornell, and his daughter, Emily!"

As Kathryn was inroducing Magyn, Jethro turned - once again - to Emma and Raven:

"Everybody else with you have a place to stay?"

"We're staying in a hotel in Arlington, Gunnery-Sargeant!" Emma smiled. "We'll be alright! As I am sure, Megyn will be!"

"Kat'll see to that, I know!" Gibbs replied.

A couple of hours later, Jethro Gibbs was finishing the evening-patrol of his guests when he heard a feminine-whisper.

"Family's growing."

"Bound to. Kelly!" Gibbs smiled and whispered. "You like your cousin's sisters?"

"Yeah!" Kelly softly giggled.

"And I like the ladies!" Another voice whispered. "Very protective - and a bit hard-headed - just like my Marine!"

"You would say that, Shannon!" Gibbs smiled.

"You bet!"

With that, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, made his way up the stairs, followed by two faint, silent shadows.