Chapter 54

Private Jet, Somewhere Over the Atlantic

"I really do nyet like flying," Azazel complained as he crossed his arms and slumped back in his seat.

"Well it's not possible for you to teleport back, so deal with it," Raven playfully razzed. She glanced over from her book. "At least Caliban got us a nice plane this time; we could be trapped in the cargo hold of a postal carrier."

At the words 'postal carrier,' Kurt groaned quietly. Azazel looked across the way and again counted his blessings that he didn't feel a fraction as ill as his son. The poor boy's cheeks were positively veridian, and sweat beaded across his forehead. Wanda sat next to him, rubbing his back and whispering soothingly as she encouraged him to drink some ginger ale. The red mutant hoped for Kurt's sake that his second dose of medication would kick in soon. Azazel did find it rather ironic that the two mutants whose abilities theoretically allowed them to travel anywhere in the world both experienced terrible motion sickness when forced to use normal modes of transportation.

Azazel leaned back and listened to the soft hum of the engines. True, their current mode of transportation was more in line with something Emma Frost would have liked rather than the military plane they'd hijacked a few days earlier, but no matter how luxurious, the turbulence still made him feel queasy. He adjusted the bandages under his shirt, careful to avoid directly touching his broken bones. He was healing well thanks to Margali's apt care, but he was still in for a few more uncomfortable weeks and limited teleportation. He sighed and glanced around at his fellow passengers. For someone who rarely flew, it didn't escape his amusement that it was the second time in less than one week he found himself strapped into an airplane seat. Kurt and Wanda sat across the way while Charles and Mag... - Erik, just Erik now, Azazel reminded himself - sat at the front of the plane, wholly engrossed in a game of chess (Azazel had no idea where or how they'd gotten a chess board before take off). The younger mutants - Scott, Jean, Ororo, and Warren - were spread throughout the cabin chatting quietly, occasionally coming together to play cards or some imagination game to stave off the boredom of the long flight. Raven was sprawled out across a few seats with her nose buried in a book while Hank and Moira were in the cockpit, steering the plane towards Westchester, and home.

Home, he mused with a small curl of his lip. He'd approached Charles earlier to discuss the feasibility of he and Clarice staying at the school once it as rebuilt, and the telepath had surprised him by immediately offering Azazel a permanent teaching position. Charles explained that after the attack in Cerebro and the ensuing battle in Cairo, he realized his school needed a serious program to train students how to fight using their mutations. He couldn't think of two more perfect instructors for a fighting class than the now ex-KGB operatives. And of course, Charles had added with a smile, teaching positions at the school include full room and board. Azazel accepted Charles's offer with gratitude; he was sure Clarice would find it just as appealing, even if it was going to feel strange to remain in one place when they'd moved so frequently their entire lives.

I'm going to be a real teacher, Azazel thought proudly. He briefly wondered if he'd get his own office and desk at the school. He'd never had or needed had such things; they seemed so normal that they had a novelty appeal. Part of him secretly hoped he did get an office.

His thoughts then drifted back to his recent conversation with Margali. Azazel still wasn't sure what he and Clarice would do yet to sever their Eastern ties so they could live safely in West. Working for the KGB wasn't exactly something either of them could retire or walk away from; if they left, they'd be tracked down as deserters, and the repercussions would be... well, best not to imagine the scenarios, Azazel frowned. The only positive aspect from the aftermath of En Sabah Nur's worldwide destruction was that in the chaos and confusion, he and Clarice could disappear for a while without raising their bosses' suspicion, but this meant weeks or a few months at most. Azazel still felt cheated that he couldn't exact revenge on the people who'd wronged him, but he knew in his heart that killing the men and women who took away Raven would only cause serious problems. He couldn't risk putting his family or the school in danger. He'd think of something; he just needed a little more time.

Azazel glanced down at his watch before looking towards the rear of the plane. Raven caught his eye and gave him an 'I know what you're thinking' look. He nodded as he unbuckled his seatbelt and stood. They still had some time left in their journey home, but before they reached Westchester, there was something Azazel had to do.


Why did she have to bring up the postal plane? Kurt moaned internally. He squeezed his eyes shut as memories of his very bumpy escape from Amsterdam to Boston came rushing back, and he fought hard to not throw-up his breakfast. He really didn't know why the medication Dr. McCoy administered wasn't working this time, and he sure hoped the second dose did the trick. He couldn't wait to start the teleportation lessons Azazel promised when they got back. Kurt really hoped that one day he'd just be able to just teleport where he needed to be and avoid this whole flying business in the future.

They'd stayed with the Munich Circus for four days. It was just long enough for Ms. MacTaggert and Raven to arrange transportation home via Mr. Caliban's courier services. Kurt hadn't gone to Mr. Caliban's this time (he'd asked to go - Kurt liked Mr. Caliban - but Raven said the journey there was too dangerous), but he did overhear Ms. MacTaggert tell Uncle Professor that Mr. Caliban was so pleased with their heroics in Egypt that he arranged for a luxury jet free of charge. Kurt knew his uncle could have afforded whatever mode of transport the man found, but it seemed like a big deal to all the adults that Mr. Caliban refused payment for his services. Kurt just thought it was really nice of him.

On their last full day at camp, Mama Margali took Kurt, Jimaine, Stefan, Raven and Azazel away on a picnic for a few hours. It was really great to spend time together, and Kurt was really happy his adopted siblings got along with his parents. Jimaine was a bit starstruck by Mystique the Hero, and Azazel taught Stefan a few knife throwing tricks he could use in his own circus act. Kurt was beyond thrilled that all three of his parents not only seemed to get along, but actually liked one another. He went from having one small adopted family to one great big mixed family, and he finally felt like he had a place in this world. It was a good feeling.

Telling his friends about Raven and Azazel being his parents went surprisingly smoother than he anticipated. Jean smiled shyly and told him she'd secretly known for a while, since she couldn't always control reading strongly projected thoughts and emotions. Scott thought it was pretty cool and of course, Wanda said she'd suspected something was up by the strange way both mutants acted around Kurt. Of everyone he told, Peter was the only one pretty much blown away by the news; for some odd reason, the speedster seemed to think that Azazel and Uncle Professor were brothers. It took Peter a few minutes to figure out all the relationships, but in the end, he was thrilled for Kurt and happy that - if he and Clarice ever got married - then Kurt would be the coolest nephew-in-law ever.

The plane lurched slightly to the left, interrupting Kurt's reminiscing. He hiccuped put his hands over his stomach as it flip-flopped again. Wanda put her hands on his shoulders and gently guided Kurt until he was laying down with his head on a pillow in her lap. He did feel much better laying down that sitting up, and Wanda's kindness was really helpful.

"Hey Wanda?" He mumbled.

"Yes Kurt?" She stroked his hair gently.

"I don't think we're going to have prom this year, with the school being blown up and all," he sighed. Just a day before the school exploded, he'd officially asked Wanda to be his prom date. He'd really been looking forward to dressing up and dancing with her.

"No, I don't think that's going to happen," she laughed quietly.

"I'd still like to take you out when we get home, on a fancy date," he blinked and looked up at her. "Just you and me, all dressed up, dinner and dancing."

"I'd really like that," she smiled warmly, her dark red hair falling in a halo around her face as she looked down at him. The necklace he'd given her sparkled and hung from like a teardrop from her neck. Kurt smiled just before the plane lurched again.

For many, many reasons, he really couldn't wait to land.


"What's shakin' eggs'n'bacon?" Peter cheerfully greeted. He pulled off his headphones and waved as Azazel and Raven entered the rear of the plane.

"Hi Peter," Raven returned his greeting. She took a took a seat nearby, and Azazel sat next to her. The silver-haired youth grinned, obviously happy for any company. After falling several times while trying to move around the cabin with his crutches, both Erik and Wanda decided to strap Peter into the rear of the plane for his own good. This way he could rest his cast on a footstool and avoid hurting himself (or someone else) accidentally. Raven could tell instantly that in spite of his smile, Peter's fidgeting hands and bouncing foot showed it was driving him crazy to be stuck in one spot. She also knew the minute Azazel stood and started walking towards the back of the plane that he was going to see Peter. She dropped her book and tagged along to ensure that whatever happened, it remained civil. "How are you feeling?"

"Not too bad; this cast itches like crazy though," Peter brushed back is hair. His fingers trailed down to a small bump under the front of his shirt. Raven noticed a thin silver chain around his neck, twisting in the light as he started to play with whatever was at its end. "Hey, do either of you know how much longer's this flight? I'm going bonkers trapped in this tube."

"You were fine on flight to Egypt," she observed with a friendly smirk.

"Yeah but that was different," he laughed, "because we were on our way to save the world! Plus, there was wicked danger on the ground, so I wasn't exactly in a rush to land. Now, we're just going home, so yeah, I can't wait to get off this ride."

"Clarice will be there, when we land," Azazel noted, watching Peter's reaction carefully.

"I know man," a dreamy look came over his face, "that's pretty much the only thing getting me through this long haul flight. I can't wait to see her!"

"The feeling is mutual," Azazel nodded.

"What is that?" Raven interrupted and motioned with her chin to whatever it was Peter was fingering beneath his shirt.

"What, this?" The speedster tugged on the chain and a cylindrical violet stone popped out. "It's a..."

"... Teleportation crystal?" Azazel finished his sentence, sounding slightly surprised. "She gave you a crystal?"

"Who gave you a crystal?" Raven frowned, completely lost. She didn't remember Peter having a necklace at the military base.

"Clarice gave it to me, and I put it on one of Wanda's old chains," Peter shrugged, answering Raven's question. "I had it in my pocket until we put on our flight suits, so you probably never saw it. Anyways, she gave it to me the night before the school blew up. We were alone in my bedroom, and..." Raven felt Azazel tense next to her and Peter stopped, seeming to suddenly rethink his statement. He held up his hands as if caught stealing and blushed deeply. "Whoa! We were just talking, I swear! She doesn't... I wouldn't... We don't even hold hands if she's not feeling it, and we haven't yet... and I wouldn't without expressed consent..." Peter burned a deeper red and Azazel shook his head and held up a hand to silence him from divulging anything Raven was sure Azazel rather not hear about his sister. She smiled anyways; something about Peter's unexpected bashfulness was surprisingly sweet.

"She really likes you, if she gave you that." Azazel then pulled out a small purple crystal from his own pocket and held it up for Peter to see. He smiled proudly. "I have carried this since she was little, when she first learned she could pull crystals to teleport."

"Mine's bigger," Peter observed innocently, holding his crystal up to compare.

"That's what she said!" Scott's voice echoed, causing Azazel to scowl sharply towards the plane's main cabin. Several giggling teenage faces peered back at them from over the seats. Little evesdroppers, Raven thought shaking her head. Privacy on a small plane was apparently not a guarantee.

"It is nyet about size, it is about you use it," Azazel frowned before muttering idiots under his breath. He slipped his crystal back in his pocket.

"It's a little about the size too," Raven added quietly. Both Peter and Azazel looked at her with raised eyebrows, but she merely shrugged. "What? it's true."

"That's what... ouch!" Scott was muffled this time by Jean punching his arm, eliciting several laughs from the others. Raven sighed loudly as she stood, quickly pulling closed the curtains to block off their end of the plane.

Charles? She closed her eyes and concentrated hard to grab her brother's attention.

No worries Raven; I'm on it, her brother's voice echoed in her mind. She opened her eyes and nodded for Azazel to continue. Charles would make sure there was a telepathic barrier giving the three actual privacy in the small space.

"Ok, pause: what's really going on?" Peter crossed his arms and directed his question at Azazel. "Because, you never talk to me, but suddenly here you are talking to me about Clarice, which up until this point, you've only ever glared at me about. I'm not dumb, dude. I know you don't like me, and I know you don't like that I'm dating your sister, but honestly I not a bad guy, and I..."

"You are correct; I have nyet been fair to you," Azazel interrupted, tapping his fingers together pensively. "Perhaps I owe you apology, for my poor behavior?"

Raven cocked her head as she turned to looked at her husband. He never offered apologies that quickly, not even to her. Even Peter pursed his lips, appearing taken aback by Azazel's sudden shift in tone.

"Um... Ok, now this feels like a trap." Azazel chuckled at the speedster's assessment.

"Is nyet trap. Peter, I... apologize for not giving you chance. You have shown you are a good person, and you make Clarice very happy, and I want her to be happy." Azazel gave him a lopsided smile. "I am going to tell you a story now, and I need you to listen very carefully, da?"

"Alright, sure!" Peter still looked a bit dumbfounded as he readily agreed.

With that, Azazel leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and proceeded to tell Peter the same story he'd told Raven the night of their wedding. Raven smiled, and she could almost picture that night so long ago: the dusky cityscape fading into night, the haze of the Spanish wine, the promise of so many good things to come. She knew it meant a lot for Azazel to share such a private moment with Peter. For his part, the speedster listened patiently while Azazel spoke, and he didn't once interrupt. There's hope for Peter and Azazel to be friends yet, Raven thought.

When the red mutant finished, he sat back. Peter remained quiet for a few minutes longer, seeming to think about Azazel's words. Finally, he broke his silence.

"Ok," the speedster held up his hands, "I'm not sure if you're hitting on me, but I feel like I should tell you that while I'm totally flattered and maybe even a little curious, I'm not into dudes, so...?"

Azazel stared at Peter for a few moments without making a sound. He then dropped his head into his hands, and rubbed his face vigorously. Raven could see a vein throbbing in his neck.

"I'm going to fucking kill him," he whispered in Russian, reaching for one of his short swords.

"Wait!" She quickly seized Azazel's arm when he started to stand and pulled him back down. Turning towards Peter, Raven fought hard to stifle her laughter.

"Peter, I think what Azazel wants to know is: what are you intentions towards Clarice?"

"Oh my God, are you kidding? I love her!" Peter gushed, and his entire face lit up. "I love her, and I want to marry her, and I want to have a ton of kids with her, and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy!"

Azazel him over for a few seconds before nodding, almost in resignation.

"You have my permission to court her," He said, and then extended his hand for Peter to shake.

"No offense," Peter furrowed his brow as he took Azazel's hand, "but I'm pretty sure only only Clarice can give permiss..." Behind Azazel, Raven quickly made an axe motion across her neck. Thankfully for once, Peter noticed and took the hint. He smiled warmly as he looked at Azazel, shaking his hand firmly.

"Thanks Azazel. I really appreciate it."

"Westchester on the radar!" Hank's voice crackled over the cabin's intercom.

"'Ladies and gentlemen, at this time the captain asks for all passengers to please return to their seats and make sure all trays are in their full upright, locked positions.'" Moira's voiced echoed with a giggle. Clearly, she and Hank were having fun with the intercom system. Both Raven and Azazel belted into their seats across Peter. Raven leaned over and pulled back the privacy curtain, watching the teens buckle in as well. For a brief second, she caught Charles's eye. He smiled warmly and she returned the gesture.

For ten years she had stayed away from Westchester; now for the second time that year she was coming home. Only this time, Raven was glad for it.


A/N: Westchester or bust! Also, only three more chapters left my dears (!). Let me know what you think!