Thanks to all who have reviewed or sent messages for the kind encouragement. This particular story arc will be ending with the next chapter, but the stories of this particular world will continue.

Part XXXXIX

Creed was busy with his newborn daughter, so he didn't notice that Emma was no longer outside when they emerged to move Ororo back to their den. Hank noticed and so did Logan, but they both kept quiet. They'd have Ororo settled fairly quickly and Emma was not exactly a novice likely to fall down into a well or something like that.

In truth, Erik had come across Emma. While the two were hardly close, they weren't mortal enemies. At least not recent ones. So she had no qualms about accepting his invitation for a walking tour. Though it certainly didn't escape her attention that Erik's helmet was firmly on his head. Especially since she didn't know of any that were gifted with more than rudimentary telepathy in either the Pack or Pride.

"Is the helmet for my 'benefit', Erik? You really needn't bother. I have learned the joys of physical expression in these past years. So, if you annoy me, you would be far better off with a protective cup instead of a protective hat."

He gave her a sideways look - well, as much of one as he was able to do with his headgear.

"A trifle more crude than I would have expected from you, Emma."

She pursed her lips slightly as her attention was drawn toward the sight of Dorrie and Reed playing with their energetic sons.

"The world is a cruder place. Those not adjusting to that fact are likely doomed to extinction. Speaking of cruder, how fares your ex-group? Have they accepted your change of venue?"

She could feel the grimace even though she wasn't looking at him.

"I am not entirely sure, but there is a better than average chance that they have not. The helmet is more for their 'benefit' than yours."

Emma processed without comment the contained warning that his former group was both possibly hostile and had at least one of the few active telepathic talents in it. For her own part, she had suppressed most of her own abilities for the sake of what remained of her sanity this past year. Obviously to continue that here would be a mistake. Holding her breath slightly, she unlocked the door in her mind and allowed herself to take in the area mentally as well as physically.

Erik sensed rather than heard something going on, so he turned his head just in time to see Emma stagger. Without hesitation, he reached to steady her even as his eyes searched the immediate area for any signs of an attack. He relaxed a bit when he saw Cherry looking down on them curiously. She had obviously noticed the activity below, but hadn't seen or scented cause for alarm.

Emma took a deep breath, then her eyes followed Erik's into the tree as she regained her bearings. Erik was conferring with…. a squirrel? Perhaps she was still more light-headed than she'd thought. Erik glanced back toward her, saw and correctly interpreted the meaning of her stare. To her surprise, he looked a bit sheepish.

"No, you aren't imagining things. The squirrel above us is Cherry…. one of Mrs. Richards' squirrels who has attached herself to me. You will likely find yourself claimed by one in the near future."

The entire thought process involved in processing Erik being stalked by a squirrel brought a faint smile to Emma's face. Yes indeed – life here was going to be … different. Not that Erik let her dwell on that long.

"Never mind Cherry for now - are you alright?"

"I think so, but is there a rather heated rivalry going on that you know of?"

The unexpected question puzzled him for a moment, but he shook his head.

"Not saying that everyone is everyone else's best friend, but no blood feuds that I am aware of. Why?"

A sudden rumble of thunder shifted his gaze upwards and he frowned. Emma's own gaze shifted to a direction that meant nothing to her. She didn't know the area layout well enough to know that Creed's den was in that direct line.

"It's just... I felt a brief flash of extreme hatred. Loathing. Just a spike. I can't find a trace of it now."

Erik looked back down from the suddenly darkened sky and saw the direction Emma was staring. With no preamble, he simply grabbed her hand and began to run. In the trees above, Cherry began to give out the danger signal call as she lept from branch to branch to keep up with them.

Not long before that, back at their den, Victor and Ororo were finally alone with their family. Kamau was particularly fascinated with watching his new baby sister suckling. Ororo reached over a hand to ruffle their son's hair, but felt distinctly uneasy. A glance over toward Victor told her that she wasn't the only one feeling that way. Victor's hair was flared like a mane - something had him on alert.

"What is it?"

Victor glanced over to her, then back toward their door. A low growl underscored his voice as he answered her.

"Dunno, babe. Senses are sayin' there's nothin' out there, but my gut an' th' hairs on th' back o' my neck say otherwise."

"As do mine."

Kamau's eyes were large, but he remained quiet as he picked up on his parents' mood. Glancing at Victor's back, Ororo broke Adimu's suction gently, then laid a hand on their son's shoulder. A rumble of thunder answered her mood.

Ninety seconds later, a shudder ran through the frame of their den.

Ninety seconds more and the walls blew apart.

Less than five minutes after the rumble of thunder alerted the Pack and Pride that there might be a problem, Logan and Beast were the first to arrive on the scene. There was little to be seen in the downpour but shattered wood. And while it was hard to see against the wet shards, they could still smell the blood that was being washed away by the rain.