Three days later Erik arrived in the general area of the Fury's Californian Lake House. It had taken him longer than expected to reach the residence. The necessity of staying off the main highways had slowed him down considerably. As he arrived, the thought that he should contact the mansion briefly crossed his mind, but he didn't really want to risk exposing himself more than he had to by searching for a pay phone…. and besides Pietro would be well taken care of in his absence… and walking through the door with Wanda would be enough to make up to his for his delayed absence.

The lakehouse was located in a remote but breathtaking area of redwood forest. After driving for several miles up a dirt track, Erik left his current vehicle concealed in a thicket of shrubbery and hiked the remainder of the journey.

It took Erik a further hour of hiking to reach the property. Nick had set a few traps and tripwires around the property that Erik easily avoided. Whether they were meant for humans or animals, it wasn't clear. The Fury's Lakehouse was a modest but comfortable looking home, blending old and modern architecture into one building. Erik skulked closer, careful to keep himself out of view. He managed to find himself a prime observation spot a few yards from the main house behind a large wooden toolshed, surrounded by bushes. The Furys' kitchen had large glass patio doors, which made it perfect for spying on the occupants.

After around an hour of observation, Erik had seen Mayra trot in and out of the kitchen a few times but no sign of Wanda or Nick. Then he heard the sound of voices walking up from the Lake.

"This was best fishing trip ever Daddy! The fish I caught were so huge! Can we go again tomorrow?!"

"Sure pumpkin…Daddy's got some vacation coming so you ladies get to give him orders for awhile instead of Uncle Sam"

Erik immediately recognised Wanda's voice, the other had to be Nick's. He silently ducked into the unlocked tool shed to avoid been seen and peered out at the duo through a crack in the shed boards. Nick was carrying some fishing rods and Wanda was carrying three fish and a tackle box. She was wearing red, just like the first time they'd met, it dawned on Erik that it must be her favorite color. Instead of a dress, this time she was wearing practical red dungaree shorts and a pink checked shirt.

"I can't wait to show Mommy!" Wanda said starting to sprint off

"Darling be careful, those rocks are slippery-!"

Nick's warning came too late, there was a clatter of metal and a thud, then a muffled cry of pain as Wanda slipped and grazed her knee on the rock and the tackle box and fish clattered to the floor. Erik had to stop himself instinctively rushing out of the shed to help her, but Nick was by her side instantly, pulling her up and dusting her off.

"You Ok princess?"

Erik couldn't help but notice that Wanda looked more bothered about her wounded pride that her knee. She sniffled but didn't cry, quickly wiping her face and fixing the bow in her hair.

"Yes Daddy I'm fine, there's no need to fuss"

Erik felt a small swell of pride at the independent little lady his daughter was.

Nick chuckled and pulled Wanda into a hug. "You know sometimes you and your Momma act so tough you make me feel like the princess" Nick said making Wanda giggle.

"You'll have to wear one of my tiaras for dinner then!" Wanda said still giggling

"We'll see if we can find one to fit my big old head"

Nick picked her up and put her effortlessly on his shoulders, before picking up the fish and the rest of there equipment. He carried her up the path that led back to the house, stopping just outside the toolshed. Erik shrank back away from the door and melted into the shadows.

"Hey sweetheart, you take those fish into the kitchen and ask your Momma to take a look at that knee. I'll be in a minute… just gotta put our rods in the shed" He said placing her down gently.

"Ok Daddy" Wanda said before scampering the rest of the way up to the house. Nick smiled and opened the door, as usual it swung shut behind him. On entering he placed the fishing rods on the shelf and then went still as he felt an uncomfortable prickle up his spine and hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. His hand instinctively drifted the to handgun concealed in his jacket.

"Hello Captain Fury"

Nick whirled towards the sound of the voice, pulling his gun from it's holster and aiming it at the shadowy figure that in the corner of his shed, only to feel it ripped from his hand by an invisible force. The figure tutted condescendingly as Nick's own gun cocked itself in mid-air and pointed it's barrel at it's owner.

"You homo sapiens and your guns…." Erik chided stepping out of the gloomy corner and into the light.

A wry smile flickered across Nick's face he recognised the intruder.

"Well fuck me …. you're alive…Guess Creed wasn't as good as he thought- " Nick's words were cut off as Erik's fist collided with his jaw knocking him to the ground. Erik bent down over him.

"That's for my son…" he said in a quiet menacing voice "…and I hope you don't use that kind of language around my daughter"

Nick wiped some blood from his now busted lip and spat on the ground at Erik's feet. The Captain met the other man's gaze with equally steely eyes. "You giving me advice on fatherhood Mr Absentee?" Nick barked with a mocking laugh "That's rich! If you're here to kill me get over with…grim reaper's been trying to collect me for a while now…but if you've got anything decent left in you…. you'll let the ladies live"

Erik's head snapped back in disgust and fury at the accusation that he was here to hurt either Wanda or Mayra. How dare this lesser man say something like that about him?! Especially after what he had orchestrated

"You're lecturing to me about decency?! You sent a maniac to kill a child?!"

"Child? You look grown up enough to me- wait you - you said you had a son… you were telling the truth? Wanda's brother is ALIVE…..? Is the kid alright?"

Incensed Erik grabbed the gun that was hovering in mid-air and pressed it against Nick's head. He'd had enough of this man's ridiculous feigned nobility. Wasn't he even going to admit what he'd done?!

"DON'T play head games with me…. or I'll play one with you that involves pushing excruciating slow bullets through various parts of your body" Erik spat wild-eyed.

Nick didn't break his gaze.

"Playing games ain't my style." He said matter of factly "But you're right I did send Creed to catch you, and if he couldn't catch you then I wanted you DOA… But you're a dangerous son of a bitch…read your file.. never read anything like it… looks like you got half the world's secret forces after you….As a contingency I told him to get creative with the house… so even if he didn't succeed you wouldn't come looking for me or my family. Mayra told me all about your visit that day… I didn't believe what you said about her brother… being alive…. Man when Mayra talked about that little boy….you could tell how much loved him… I thought you were a dick for using the memory of your own dead kid like that so… so I convinced her we had to move… far away from where we were as possible… other side of the country… she didn't know anything about Sabretooth … it was all classified…I wouldn't have sent that loose cannon there if I'd known you were bringing a kid into it…especially not Wendy's brother"

Erik studied the man coldly. He felt an intense hatred of him for what he had put Pietro and himself through… but yet… Nick's eyes held no lie… he had the honesty of dying man at his last confession and Erik had seen a lot of dying men…

Erik's grip on the gun tightened his fingers were itching to pull the trigger….he should end this here… then grab Mayra and Wanda and take them back to the Xavier Institute… He could ask Xavier to wipe Mayra's mind make her forget all about Nick… that could be her punishment…so all she'd remember was living at the mansion since she came to America…Hell, maybe she'd even be happier… Charles wouldn't necessarily LIKE that of course…but he might agree if he thought what she remembered was dangerous… and if not, he could try and find some other telepath maybe…Some other voice inside him protested that was monstrous… and that it was poor repayment to the woman for looking after his children so diligently for all these years…To hell with it... he could decide what to do with Mayra later, after he dispensed with Nick… this man was his enemy … he deserved to die… so why was he hesitating so much…?

"Lilly!"

Erik's fevered thoughts were broken by his daughter's voice and the sound of a spaniel yapping frantically at the door. Erik flinched almost pulled the trigger by accident.

"Lilly come away from the door," Wanda said picking up her puppy… "Good doggy, why are so upset… it's just daddy in there….look i'll show you"

Wanda pressed on the shed door and was surprised to find it locked.

"Daddy are you there?"

Erik held the door shut with power. Concentrating on keeping the metal brackets in the door from moving…Nick looked up at the man thinking it strange that Erik looked more terrified than himself even though he had the gun and Nick was still on the floor…

"Daddy?"

"Answer her!" Erik hissed. As soon as he said it, he realised that he was a complete emotional wreck….he was usually ruthlessly logical… he should have told Nick to be quiet and his daughter would have left… he didn't want her hanging around…before he could rescend his command though Nick spoke up.

"I'll be out in a second pumpkin… I'm just putting some rat poison down…we got some big ones in here.." he cast a sly look towards Erik whose upper lip curled silently in response " don't want Lilly to eat it by mistake and get sick.."

"Oh.. ok…"

"You go inside and join your Mom… I won't be long"

Wanda turned to leave, but then thought of something and came back to the door

"Daddy?"

"Yes pumpkin?"

"I don't think giving the rats poison is very nice… couldn't we let them stay here if they've nowhere else to go"

Nick almost chuckled despite himself… Erik shifted uncomfortably she sounded so much like Anya… Anya was always very kind….

"Sweetie if we let rats stay there'll be no room for us... they'll take over…make us sick..Go on back up to the house now"

"Oh… well, what about if we built a trap that didn't hurt them..we could but catch them all and then take them to a new home.. and then they'd all be happy? Or-or I could train them to do tricks…"

Nick laughed despite himself.. Wanda was always his ray of sunshine…

"Tell you what pumpkin, if you go up to the house and help your Mom out right this minute we can build a rat-friendly trap tomorrow together…we'll catch and release them away from the house somewhere and then you me and rats will all live happily ever after ok?"

Wanda thought about it for a moment then nodded happily. This was indeed the best solution

"Ok!" She chirped happily.

"Daddy?"

"Pumpkin you promised to go to the house"

"I love you"

"I love you too Pumpkin…"

Nick listened to Wanda's foot steps retreat…. "Well let's get this over with " he said gravely turning back towards Erik he was surprised to see the other man had lowered his gun and was staring at the door frowning deeply

"She's… very much like her sister…." Erik said almost to himself, conflict rippling all over his face. Nick turned looked at him curiously…he knew a man with shadows on his soul when he saw one… he had never heard about a sister, only a twin brother…there was likely only one reason for that… "What happened to her? " Erik said nothing…he looked far away in his thoughts.. Nick briefly considered making a grab for his gun.. but decided against it…Erik could just call it back…he wouldn't win this fight with force…and the man in front of him was beginning to intrigue him… There was obviously much more to this Magneto than what he'd read in the limited file that had been cobbled together by the CIA. Nick squinted at him… perhaps trying to see this man clearly you the first time "What happened to you…? Why weren't there for those kids while they were growing up?"

Erik looked at him. Nick's voice had a flat curiosity to it, and an interesting lack of judgment considering the position that he was in. Something about it called to his own inquisitive nature…

"Men like you came to my house one day and burned it down, they killed Wanda's sister…so I killed them… My wife…. became afraid of me and ran away to join a convent….she never told me she was pregnant….I spent many years looking for her….When I discovered her location I found out she was dead….I didn't know I had other children…Now I know and I'll protect them" Erik answered matter of factly.

Nick nodded in understanding… " Well, I can't fault for you that…" Erik looked at him sharply analysing the soldier trying to figure out if he was being mocked.

"…But why'd you kill my men in Arizona?" Nick asked with a hard edge to his voice… for a moment Erik looked confused. Then understanding spread across his features.

"I didn't. Someone who looked like me did." Erik cut off Nick's protest with a wave of his hand. "I'll wager you've read a few files on mutants lately Captain ….have you come across any on shapeshifters?" Nick looked at him suspiciously for a while, then seemed to decide he was telling the truth.

"Hey you mind if I get up off the floor? Pretty uncomfortable down here, and if you don't feel like shooting me anymore-"

"Who the hell says I'm not going to shoot you anymore?!" Erik hissed pointing the gun back at Nick "Stay where you are."

"I didn't say you weren't gonna shoot me… I said it doesn't look like you FEEL like shooting me anymore…"

Erik's eye twitched slightly. Nick was right, but it didn't change much. Killing Nick would only bring more pain and hurt into his daughter's life… but he couldn't just walk away now..

"I'm sorry, about your boy… is he …ok?"

"He has a broken leg …." and he's confused and sad about being in the middle of his father's mess Erik thought but instead said "..but he's a survivor. He'll heal."

Nick nodded and was silent for a while.

"Mayra's pregnant with a boy….due in a few months " Erik almost said congratulations but then stopped himself, the conversation felt too bizarre.

Nick piped up again. "I just had an idea I think you might like….you mind if have a smoke while I explain it?" Nick fiddled in his pockets for his ever-present stash of cigars.

"You're pretty cocky for a man with a gun pointed at his head"

"And you're pretty cocky for a man with the guns of several nations pointed at his head…what if I could remove some of them for you?"

"What do you mean?" Erik asked narrowing his eyes as Nick placed a cigar in his mouth and lit it.

"What if I could….make your file disappear….In exchange for some national service…."

"I don't follow"

"The United States has a lot of enemies. Some and they're getting more unconventional of late. Other nation states are weaponizing people in possession of ….special abilities… having our own special task force to handle such matters discretely would be … beneficial…beneficial enough to bury certain information…"

"You want me to fight against my own mutant brethren for you… be your attack dog? No."

"I'm asking you to fight the good fight." Nick's eyes flickered to the digits on Erik's wrist " Some of those brethren that you mentioned don't consider you a brother…. some of them consider you subhuman" A dark look crossed Erik's face and Nick hurried to continue "Look we've uncovered some evidence that the Nazi's were running an experiment for making super soldiers…and the Soviets are pretty close to duplicating their research...I don't think either of us wants to see the Axis rise again"

Erik considered Nick's words. Unfortunately the other man did have a point. As much Erik may want mutants to unite, Shaw and Sabretooth were obvious proof that not all mutants could be trusted, and they were not all beyond evil.

"Also… having you off the radar will help keep the ladies safe….your boy too ….On the other hand you could shoot me and drive away, but then you'd have a real manhunt on your hands…You guys… people with special abilities… Uncle Sam needs you… I've been trying to convince my superiors we should be trying to recruit you, form division to help protect America and her Allies…. We need to unite against what's coming - A house divided against itself cannot stand"

"Mathew 12:25"

"You read the bible?"

"I read a lot of things."

Erik lowered the gun again and stepped back from Nick.

"What about my daughter? I assume this deal doesn't let me walk away with her? "

Nick stared at Erik a long moment and then spoke

"Look you know what? I actually think you might be a half decent son of a bitch… and believe me, I don't say that about many people who point a gun at my head… I think you'd even try your best to look after her… But bottom line the kid doesn't know you….You still want to take her away from her home? The people she knows as her family? Is that fair to her? How about… you can visit… maybe don't tell her who really are yet- hey don't look at me that way- Yeah maybe I don't like the idea of her calling someone else Dad- but this isn't about us. You have more people on your tail right now than I've had hot meals - even if I get rid of homeland security for you…seems like you're real popular with the KGB and while we do our best to keep the Soviets out Uncle Sam's back yard… occasionally one of their assassins slip through….I've been on their hit list before.. they don't play games….that's not safe for a kid…."

"Doesn't seem like your lifestyle is too safe either…. Blackops agents make their own set of enemies… and your home security leaves a lot to be desired…it hardly kept me out"

"You're not an ordinary intruder… but noted ….it'll get a tune up. But this comes back to what's best for Wanda... How about you can even bring her brother up to visit… "

Erik released a very frustrated sign. As much as he would have liked to bring Wanda back with him… Nick was right… it wasn't what was best for her…He was nothing but a stranger to her and as much as she might enjoy being reunited with her brother, he'd still be taking her away from the people she now considered her mother and father. Pietro's words also rang in his ears, that she'd be safer here.. away from them… especially if she wasn't like them…He was ashamed to say that Pietro in this regard was less selfish than he was…If he brought Wanda back to the mansion, Pietro would be very protective of her… which someone like Charles might think sweet… but Erik knew it that was a large and stressful responsibility for a child to put on themselves… and if something bad happened to Wanda… well that might fracture Pietro's heart beyond repair... that didn't bear thinking about. The last thing that little boy needed was more stress in his life… It was clear Wanda wasn't like Pietro… she had none of his raw survival instinct… and still a sense of wonder and naivety ….Whatever dangers Fury encountered while doing his job, Erik grudgingly had to admit he'd evidently done a better job of keeping that side of life away from his family than Erik had. With a heavy heart Erik made up his mind.

"I don't think visits are a good idea… nor is bringing Pietro here. You're right. I have a lot of dangerous people after me, maybe sapien and mutant ….and I don't know who's watching where I go and what I do. The children are safer apart too.… When the Nazis did their experiments on my people… they took a particularly twisted interest in twins… I don't dare imagine what might happen if some of the organisations I've encountered lately found both my children. Wanda is…. very innocent about the world still… Her brother I know would want her to remain that way….Uniting them exposes us all…Children…normal children… that don't live with fear every day… they talk…. even if they don't mean to…Wanda let's slip she has a white-haired brother that can do things other children can't when she's in earshot of the wrong adult… well… in my experience that ends badly…for all of us… "

Nick nodded slowly, and decided to risk getting up off the floor slowly.

"Alright Captain Fury you win…but I need to take some other names off your list too. You do that, and we have a deal."

"That can be arranged." Nick tossed his cigar on the floor and offered Erik his hand "Welcome to the good fight" Erik looked at it but didn't take it. He believed the man would honor the deal, but that didn't make them friends. Nick shrugged and seemed to take no offense.

"You got any pictures of your boy? Mayra… I know she'd love to see them if you do. Why don't you come show them to her"

—-

"I was starting to think that you got lost in your shed" Mayra called to her husband as she heard the kitchen door open behind her, she was busy cleaning the fish they had caught and didn't look up. Wanda was sitting at the table drawing pictures.

"Who's your friend Daddy?" Wanda chirped as her father walked in with another man "..Oh hello Mr Erik!" She said recognising him.

Mayra whirled around placing her hand over her mouth to avoid a scream.

"Hello ladies" Erik answered politely "Happy belated birthday Wan-Wendy"

"Thankyou Mr Erik." Wanda smiled then frowned when she looked at Nick "Daddy what happened to your face?" Wanda asked quizzically noticing the swelling on Nick's lip.

"It's alright sweetheart, just uh… got some rat poison on there.." Nick said wondering how much further he could stretch that story. "Mr Erik's here for a visit, he's an art curator."

Erik raised an eyebrow at Nick, slightly bewildered by the cover story Nick had chosen for him.

"Why don't you show him some of your drawings? I just need to talk to your Mom about something real quick" Nick finished pulling Mayra out of the room. Erik cottoned on quickly and sat down at the table next to Wanda. He smiled and picked up a drawing

"These are very good."

"That's my Mom and Dad and Lilly, Mommy's holding my baby brother… he won't be here for another 6 months…"

Erik picked up another drawing showing two figures holding hands together. A girl with dark hair in a red dress and boy with white hair with a green top. Pietro.

"Who's this?" Erik asked innocently.

"Me and my other brother, we're the same age…WERE the same age…he was really funny and brave… and could run really really fast…" Wanda smiled sadly.

Erik smiled sadly too in sympathy, and wondered for the umpteenth time that day if it would hurt so much to tell his daughter the truth about him and her brother….?

"We were on a ship…" Wanda continued by way of explanation "H-he couldn't swim…We couldn't swim… he's with the angels now…and with my other mother… Mommy says they'll be both be looking after each other…and I can still talk to him in my prayers whenever I want…but it's not the same ya know?"

Erik nodded his eyes full of sympathy "Yes I know..Wanda I-" Erik was stopped a sudden look of distress that came over his daughter's face "What's wrong my dear?"

"-Um I'm not supposed to talk about- I mean when I said my other mother…I meant my aunt…I…" Wanda looked muddled, and was becoming more upset and red faced with each word. Erik groaned inwardly…Wanda was open and honest and a wonderful child…but…unlike her brother (who was able to look him straight in the eye and make up all manner of nonsense) Wanda was a horrible liar…Not only that, but she loved talking about herself and her life…which was lovely… but it obviously made her extremely bad at keeping any kind of secret. He could understand perfectly why Nick and Mayra had cautioned her not to talk about her previous life in the Soviet Union, apart from causing complications with immigration papers - which Nick had likely manifested for Wanda and Mayra by through his connections - and paternity rights, it might also attract attention from foreign agents. His previous instinct about Wanda was correct…painful as it was to keep Pietro's status from her, it was best for both of them. She already had difficulty enough remembering what things she was and wasn't supposed to say … it was unfair to complicate her life further, ask her to tell yet more lies on everyone else's behalf.

Erik reached out and patted her hand reassuring "Oh aunt is what I thought you meant to say dear…of course nobody has two mother's." He said dismissively.

"No, they don't" Wanda smiled looking massively relieved, and Erik quickly moved the conversation by picking up a drawing of her dog.

"You've captured Lilly's likeness well here"

"Thank you" Wanda beamed and proceeded to tell Erik absolutely EVERYTHING about Lilly, and few other embarrassing but innocent stories about Nick and Mayra. By the time the Furys remerged from the other room, Erik knew that Mayra hated mice, and Nick loved pineapple upside down cake, and that he'd taught her to fish and ride and ride a bike the previous summer. Perhaps most importantly he knew his daughter was happy with her adoptive family…and couldn't take that away from her..

Upon returning Mayra looked nervous but not as terrified of him. She stepped forward steeling herself

"My husband just explained why you came to visit us Mr Lensherr. I will set another place for dinner"

"He explained EVERYTHING did he?" Erik's eyes flickered between Mayra and Nick, she shuffled slightly.

"Some things are best kept between men…" Mayra glanced back at her husband " Sometimes a wife knows not to ask too many questions…" She gave him a small smile her eyes held something between an apology and empathy. " Do enjoy fish Mr Lensherr?"

"I do, but regrettably I can't stay for dinner. I need to get home to my son, I've been away to long already." Erik said standing up

Mayra took another step forward with a look of longing, like she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

"Good day Wendy, it was good to see you again" He said holding out his hand to shake and giving the little girl a warm smile.

"Wait I will take a picture.. of you and Vendy…for you..and perhaps… you can show your son"

Erik looked at her and nodded after a while, she quickly disappeared to fetch her camera. Nick scribbled a phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to Erik.

"Call me in a week, all details should be sorted out by then."

Mayra returned soon after with a polaroid camera

"Dahling stand next to Mr Lensherr and smile"

Wanda eagerly complied and Erik managed a small tight lipped smile. The picture was produced seconds later. Mayra fanned in the air and handed it to Erik.

"Thankyou"

"Pajulsta".

"Perhaps I could have one of the both of you?"

Mayra crouched down next to Wanda took one of the both of them too. She handed that to Erik as well.

Erik fished in his wallet for one of the photo's that he and Pietro had taken in the booth before the twins' birthday. He handed it to Mayra careful not to let Wanda see. Mayra's eyes glistened.

"You and your son look very happy and well" She smiled trying to hold back her tears. She tried to give the photo back to Erik but he waved her away.

"Keep it. As thank you for taking care of him all these years" he added under his breath. Mayra walked out on to the porch, out of Wanda's earshot and motioned for Erik to follow. Once outside she turned to him.

"I am sorry I did not believe you. Wanda and Pietro … I love them like my own children…I know I did not give birth to them.. but sometimes blood makes no difference…I told my husband after you came to our house. He said you were a very dangerous man, though now he seems to have changed his mind. I do not ask many questions about what my husband does…I trust him to tell me what I need to know…American women think that is old fashioned perhaps..but sometimes it was the same in the old country. Sometimes men have to do things to protect their families….things they'd rather not talk about.

I can see you care about your children very much. You are not the horrible man I pictured when Magda used to talk about you. But I think you too have done things you would rather not talk about, so I will not ask"

Erik nodded. "I think that wise.."

"I will say one thing though… Pietro has special gifts I think. From God and the angels, and you are the same"

I don't know if they're from God, but yes I have…abilities…that others don't

Then it will be good for Pietro to be with someone like him.

Erik gazed down the path that led away from the lake house

"Take care of my daughter"

"..and you my son" Mayra answered

Erik gave a short curt nod and left the Lakehouse.

Cecile Icon - Thanks for the review :) There is Erik-Pietro drama coming shortly. It's just that in the last chapter Pietro is still kinda traumatized from everything, and he's sort of withdrawn inside himself