To say that what was happening was scary was an understatement. Kayla had never been one to dodge situations and she had gone into too many buildings guns blazing over the past few years to be considered careful. She had never purposely courted danger before she had met Logan though, and she supposed that he had broken her record.

It had started with the door being broken. At the sound of splintering wood Kayla had immediately gone for her gun. Kayla had been fighting the MRD for years, and she knew how to defend herself. She'd been allowed to keep a gun in her house after moving to Genosha, although she'd been reassured that she was being protected by the best.

When the best had gone out for a while, she hadn't thought anything of it. She didn't begrudge Logan an hour off to go see his brother and talk about their engagement. Rahne wouldn't be back from Raven's care for several hours, so she thought it was okay. If she'd been with her then she would have never agreed.

She'd known that something was off about the man as soon as he came in. He was smirking at the fact that she had a gun, like it was amusing. He looked familiar though; familiar enough for a part of her brain to dismiss him as a threat, but strange enough for the rest of her mind to scream. It was obvious; he was Logan's brother, Victor Creed.

When he came for her all thoughts of familial relation went out her head. She fired several times, briefly reflecting that everything she'd heard said that he had the same healing factor as Logan. With the addition of that knowledge she knew that her powers and gun would be useless in the fight. The bullets would probably only irritate him, and they seemed to be functioning perfectly in that regard.

They didn't even slow him down. Immediately she felt the gun swiped out of her hands, his nails cutting into her fingers in the same movement. Another swipe sent her to the ground. Kayla's shoulder burned with pain but she managed to maneuver herself for a decent kick. He dropped to the floor and she hurried into the next room, slamming the door behind her.

She got outside before she heard him rip the door from its hinges. Kayla knew she didn't have much chance out in the open, but she didn't have much of a chance in an enclosed space either. Logan wouldn't leave her to this. He'd know what his brother was doing, would be coming for her. All she had to do was buy him some time.

For a few minutes her plan went well. She had nearly hit the road when it fell apart. Then his nails grasped her arm and pulled her to the ground. She hit her head hard and looked up into his eyes. He began smirking and she summoned up enough bravado to snarl at him. It wasn't much but she couldn't even move a limb to lash out at him.

"He picks you?" he demanded, "After a hundred an' fifty years he picks you?"

His words were harsh but there was an undercurrent of pain. In a way she could understand what Creed was feeling. He was losing family and wanted to prevent it. Kayla could appreciate that sentiment. She would have given anything to have stayed with her family.

However, this was different. Creed was making the choice to burn the bridge. He had decided it would be better to kill her and have his brother chase him until the end of time than for their lives to split.

"Get over yourself," Kayla spat.

She knew it had been a bad idea. She was baiting someone who was already furious. Creed wasted no time in reacting. His claws dug into her arms and she bit back her cries. Creed's eyes were fixed on her, delighted. One hand reached her side, digging his claws slowly in as she succumbed and let out cries of agony.

"Scream for me."

Behind her there was a small explosion, followed by a swirl of black smoke. Creed turned his head and a diamond bright hand smashed into his jaw, knocking him back. He got up again only to have another black cloud appear behind him. A flash of swords cut into his skin and he was fighting someone that Kayla could only catch glimpses of, being led away from her all the while.

Her eyes fixed on the figure in front of her. Kayla wondered if she was dead, if Creed had somehow killed her without her knowing. The girl in front of her had to be an angel, a welcoming committee to be with everyone else she had ever lost. It would be Emma, wouldn't it? She was even in white, the color of the birthday dress that they'd saved up to give her when she turned thirteen.

Emma knelt by Kayla, taking her into her arms and whispering frantically;

"Máóhkataatoyi? Máóhkataatoyi?"

Reality flooded around her and Kayla blinked, feeling shock invade her veins and demand her attention.

"Ksikksinaattsiwa?" she asked, her voice choked with a sob.

Emma nodded, tears dripping from her eyes onto Kayla's face. The sounds of battle raged in the background but she only had eyes for the girl in front of her.

"I heard you scream," said Kayla, reaching out and hugging her tightly, "I thought, oh God Emma, I'm so sorry, I should have stayed and-"

"No, no," Emma said, her tears falling thick, "I didn't…I thought you were dead! I saw you bleed and …and I thought…and…"

Her words dissolved into tears. Kayla didn't pressure her for more information. When Emma continued to hold her tighter the wound in her side flared up and Kayla let out a hiss of pain. Emma withdrew, her blue eyes looking over her. Her eyes saw the wound and something changed.

All of the desperate, pleading delight, was covered by something else. Mechanically she began ripping her white sleeves, making bandages.

"He hurt you," Emma said.

"I'm fine," managed Kayla, "I'm fine."

Emma bound up her wounds. When she was finished she slowly put her down on the ground, giving her a tender look.

"I know, it's shallow. No danger of bleeding to death either," she said, "But you're just going to have to take it easy. Moving right now would be a bad idea."

She gave her an angelic smile.

"But I won't let him hurt you again."

The tenderness disappeared and Emma got up, her body slowly turning to diamond. Kayla watched, her eyes wide. When she had left her young sister she had only been able to turn parts of herself into diamond, an arm or a leg. Times had changed.

Swords flashed around Creed, held by a red man with a tail. He was too fast to be caught, but he was obviously having difficulty with the feral. Emma walked up to them, her stance calm. It made it all the more shocking when she grabbed Creed's arm and threw him to the ground. The other mutant gave Emma a look but said nothing.

They worked in tandem, flanking him and moving. Emma's blows resounded with crunching sounds, breaking into Creed. Whenever he came near Kayla Emma would scream and launch herself at him. It was a side of her sister she had never seen. However, Kayla had changed a great deal to survive as well.

A flash of pink light brought her out of her vague musings. Magnus, Charles, Logan, and a girl with pink skin appeared. Logan immediately launched himself at Creed. She took a deep breath in, closing her eyes and saying a prayer under her breath. Too much had been taken for her sister and fiancé to be taken from her too.

Emma held Creed down as Logan charged at him. She saw their claws rip into each other, blood splattering around them. Despite her knowledge about his healing factor she had to dig her fingernails into her palms. Charles was by her side, saying things she couldn't quite make out. He began talking about her wounds, saying the same things that Emma had said.

Metal flew through the air, probably from the house. It snaked up and cut into Creed, but he let it cut into him. More blood splattered, thick enough for Kayla to make it out from where she was. She thought she saw his arm tear off but he kept coming. The sinew began to repair itself and Kayla swallowed hard. It was almost too much to know how determined he was to kill her.

He barreled forwards and she saw Emma hit him back. Logan pushed him into the ground, his claws digging into him and Creed howling. Charles had left her side and was running down there now, making a motion to Emma. She stepped away from the fight, her diamond form receding.

Both stood apart from the combat. She saw Creed start to tremble, clutching his head. His knees began to buckle, Logan twisting his arms behind his back to prevent his escape. Metal weaved out and secured him to the ground. She saw him go limp. Charles and Magnus came forward. She could only suppose that they were going to take him down to the cells now.

Kayla closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Relief coursed through her veins and tears poured from her cheeks. Everything was going to be fine. She wasn't going to lose anyone that day. Light footsteps filled the air and Kayla opened her eyes. Emma knelt beside her and grasped her hand. The tenderness had returned to her face, although she was splattered with blood.

"Kayla?"

She looked up at Logan, as did Emma. He looked puzzled. She didn't blame him.

"Máóhkataatoyi?" asked Emma, her voice suspicious.

Kayla managed to turn her tearstained face up to him.

"Emma," she said, "this is my fiancé, Logan."

Emma looked up, nodding and looking very young. Charles and Magnus looked surprised, although she didn't know why.

"Logan," Kayla said, "this is my sister, Emma."

Surprise rippled around the group, but Kayla just smiled. Not only had she not lost anyone that night, but Kayla had been given someone back.


Moira wasn't completely certain what she had expected when she came back to Genosha. She'd certainly been looking forward to seeing Rahne again. There would be the usual deliberations about the topic of choice, in this case the embassy. They would try to figure out a gentle way to break the news of mutants to the world. She would also see Charles, and leave far too much unsaid between them.

She hadn't expected to be privy to a wedding. Kayla had told her a few hours after she'd arrived as well as the impending trial of her future brother-in-law. She'd told her tentatively, trying to explain to her that Rahne would still be provided for. After all, there wouldn't be much change in their living arrangements. Logan had already been living with them. For their honeymoon Rahne would stay with Raven and Charles, who she was told that Rahne was close to. Moira was unsurprised.

There was the addition of Kayla's long-lost sister as well. Apparently she'd been on Genosha for years, imprisoned as one among the many. She had decided not to live with Kayla and Logan. She was somewhat unstable and had only consented to therapy if Kayla went with her. She would be close though. The tone Kayla used when she spoke of it left no room for argument.

The next day she and Rahne had been given Genoshan formal wear. The light yellow of Moira's dress was beautiful, although she felt awkward wearing it. The sleeves were strange and the cut wasn't what she was used to. Rahne wore her purple one with great poise though. Raven had made it for her especially, cooing over the design and ties. It was obvious that she'd gone native, a thought which made her smile sadly.

Levine had been invited too, but he decided to go skip the Genoshan wear. Kayla had gotten dressed in a simple white dress and they'd been rushed to a small courthouse. Everyone had looked happy, even though Emma seemed a touch suspicious of Logan. Moira had been surprised as well. She would never have even thought that the man who stood in the shadows protecting Charles would be the one who would marry her friend. More than ever she was learning to roll with the punches. The life she was in was incredibly changeable.

The ceremony had been brief and Moira didn't think that the reception would last long either. It was just a small affair outside a house that was being converted into a school. Moira and Levine were still there for work. She enjoyed sharing the occasion with her friend, and she also enjoyed hearing Rahne chatter on the way. She was all too aware of the small amount of time that they would have to be together before she left again.

She sipped her drink and watched Rahne point to Lorna, who had also been in attendance. Moira had been delighted to hear that Rahne had a friend her own age. The two girls were set apart in a way and it seemed right that they should at least have each other. Moira smiled to herself and finished her glass.

"Charles introduced us," Rahne said.

Moira put her glass down. Of course he had. She looked over to him and he came over, looking tired but smiling. There was a strange look in his eyes, knowing that it was one that she shared. Her throat clogged, remembering the last time she had been there and what had been said. Well, sooner or later they would have to talk.

It wasn't a talk that she was going to have Rahne be privy to though.

"Rahne," said Moira, "I shouldn't be hogging you. Lorna keeps making gestures at you. I'll catch up with you in a few minutes."

Rahne nodded, squeezing her hand before running off to join her friend. Moira smiled at Charles when he came to her side.

"You really have taken care of her," Moira said, "You even found her a friend."

"I introduced them," Charles said, "They did the rest."

She nodded and folded her hands.

"You look beautiful, you know," he said, "Yellow suits you, and you really belong in Genoshan fashions."

There was more than just a hint of wistfulness in his voice. Moira wanted to reach out and touch his face, but she knew she couldn't. It was a secret agreement but the ties that bound them to it were unbreakable. They could always see each other, just never touch, never say what needed to be said.

"Kayla's a good woman," said Charles, "And I would trust Logan with my life. But…"

He took a deep breath.

"It just reminds me of something."

"Me too," Moira whispered.

Charles looked at her and held her eyes for a minute. She felt the urge to say something, just so they would know. However, she saw Levine approach them. Moira looked away and waved cheerfully at Levine. Charles understood and turned. They could have been talking business for all anyone would know.

And it was all anyone ever could know.