Author's note: see ch 1 for disclaimer

Warnings: mention of spanking, discussion of character death

"Was that really necessary?" Jean asked, standing up. Chris turned and looked at her.

"I wasn't aware I needed to run my parenting techniques by you. I apologize."

"When you do things like that publically, it's hard to not have an opinion."

"All I did was send him to his room. I've heard Wolverine say worse. You can be honest, Jean. I know you don't like me."

"I don't," Jean said. "I don't think you're good for Scott. I don't think you truly care for him. I think you're as bad as his foster father with how you beat him." Chris put his hands in his pockets and looked at her.

"Jean, do you know what my son is being punished for?"

"For giving information to his brothers that he told his team."

"Sinister is supposed to kidnap my baby boy during this school year. My son, the same one who was ripped from his mother's womb, placed in an incubator to force his growth, and sold into slavery by an alien race that couldn't care less about anything. I mean, these were the people who raped my wife and were attempting to rape Hepzibah before Ch'od, Raza, and I killed them, so why would they care about a child's well-being?

"So my child, my ten year old, was just told that the man who will take him from me- for a second time, mind you- was at his school. And while I agree that he needed to know, shouldn't that information have come from me, someone who can understand and work with him to get through the panic that I'm sure he's feeling right now? Please, tell me again how punishing my son for telling his brother about this in a way that works for my boys is the same as using his powers to rob banks and beating him within an inch of his life when he refused?" Jean blinked a few times to clear the tears out of her eyes.

"I didn't… I didn't know."

"I don't care if you hate me. I don't care if you don't agree with how I raise my children. But don't say I don't care about my boys. Don't tell me I'm wrong for what I do when you don't know the full story. And for the record, Ms. Grey, I don't beat my children. They might be uncomfortable sitting for a day or two, but that's as far as I go. I can almost guarantee that Scott won't be able to feel what happened by tomorrow morning." Chris started walking towards the door and stopped, turning to look at her again. "And if you're as against corporal punishment as you claim you are, you might want to stop pining after my son because I have heard from my grandchildren that he most certainly takes after me when they get into trouble." Chris left the office and Jean looked at the floor in shame.

"Jean,"

"It's fine, Professor. He was right."

"I was actually going to warn you about speaking to Chris like that again. He has the right to handle his three boys the way he feels is right. The adults in the mansion know he doesn't go too far. Most of us agree with that particular method-"

"Who?!"

"Me," Logan said.

"Within reason, I do as well," Storm told her.

"And that was how I was raised, and I have no problems with it," Charles said.

"I would never personally do it, but I believe it has a time and place," Beast admitted.

"This isn't a conversation I want to have with you again, Jean. Chris is an instructor and will be given the same respect as you give us."

"Yes Professor." Jean left the office and flew down to her room. Shortly after closing her door, there was a knock. Jean opened her door and saw Madelyne.

"Hey," she said. "Can we talk?" Jean nodded and opened the door wider. Madelyne walked in and sat at Jean's desk.

"How do you handle it?"

"Handle what?"

"Handle how Corsair does that to them."

"Oh. Well, my first meeting with Scott was when he ran off and took a plane from Alaska to New York. I heard most of what Chris threatened, and honestly, what Scott received was nowhere near as bad as what he'd threatened. And after hearing Captain Summers' rants, Chris handled it better than how his father would have as well. But I got to see things… first hand. I love him. I'm marrying him. I'm… I'm carrying his child, Jean, but Scott… So much of his childhood was taken from him by that monster- Sinister. Jack. Take your pick, it'll be right. So now he has a chance to have his childhood back- with his father and two brothers. Can you say you'd behave differently?"

"Of course-"

"If you were orphaned at seven years old, experimented on, beaten, killed a person on accident, and then suddenly thrust into a position of leadership, can you honestly say you wouldn't revert back to childish behaviors when your father is revealed to be alive? The one person left who will love you no matter what, leader or no?" Jean sighed and looked away.

"I can't say for certain I'd be any different."

"Chris loves those three. He does what he thinks is right. And according to Nathan, Scott has no problem spanking Nate and Carrie, so I know you'll think differently eventually."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I know, Jean. And I know you know. Nathan… no matter how many times he's tried now, I don't make it to see him turn one. And I don't know how long after, but eventually, Scott will marry you. This most recent future Scott visited, his future self was wracked with guilt because he had to-"

"Pick who to save. He told me. He told the X-Men."

"He has to kill me to stop my suffering."

"Madelyne-"

"I've made peace with that, Jean. My husband will love me literally until my dying breath. But his future with you is painful. You manipulated his mind and sent him to Alaska, away from his father and brothers. Away from the people who could help him grieve. And when Scott returned, you manipulated his mind again to force his family out of his life, out of my children's lives. I'm here to ask you to not do this. Chris is a wonderful man. He's funny, and kind, and he's always willing to sit and listen to your problems, biological child or not. It's part of why the New Recruits love him so much. Scott will need him more in the future than he does now, and he needs him now. I mean, if anyone can get him over the loss of his wife, it would be Chris, wouldn't it?" Madelyne said, wiping the tears from her face.

"I give you my word, I won't let that happen."

"You're his best friend, you know. And he misses being able to talk to you, but he knows how much you dislike Chris, so he just… doesn't talk to you to keep him from having to pick between the two of you."

"I didn't… I didn't know that was the reason. I just thought he was too busy for me." Madelyne shook her head.

"No, he just doesn't want to ruin your friendship. And because of that friendship, I would like to ask you to be one of my bridesmaids."

"Me? Are you- are you sure? I haven't exactly been the warmest person to you-"

"It would mean a lot to Scott."

"Then I would love to be in your wedding, Maddie."

"And…"

"There's more?" Madelyne smiled.

"Jean, I'd like to ask for you to be the godmother of my daughter. I want you to promise that whatever happens to me, she will not lack the love of a mother."

"This is a huge decision. Are you sure? Does Scott know about this?"

"He will," Maddie winked. "But I'm sure. Carrie will need all the help she can get with how protective I know Scott will be."

"You're essentially asking me to step in. You- you know how I feel about-"

"I know you're in love with him. He's very easy to love. But I also see that you're not Taryn, and even though you've tried to have him see you differently," Jean blushed, "you're willing to stand aside to let him be happy. And that says more to me than anything. I hope you will love these two the way they deserve."

"You're acting like you're going to die after you have Carrie. You have plenty of time, Madelyne."

"No, I think… I think something will be different in this timeline. I just want to make sure my family is taken care of." Jean took a breath.

"I will happily be Carrie's godmother. I won't let her, or Nathan, forget you. I won't let Scott run away from his family." Madelyne took Jean's hand and smiled.

"Thank you, Jean. Now if you don't mind, I need to go check on Scott. He's mentally beating himself up worse than Chris spanked him." Jean winced with how easily Madelyne discussed it and watched her leave her room. Madelyne carefully walked up to the third floor and let herself into the Summers' suite.

"-again. Do you understand me, Scott Christopher?"

"Yes sir."

"Apologize to your brother."

"I'm sorry, Gabe. I shouldn't have said anything to you about this. I should have let Dad talk to you."

"It's fine, Scott. I know you get too excited about things and don't think."

"Thanks. Geeze, Carrie really is just like me, isn't she?" The three laughed and Madelyne cleared her throat.

"Madelyne, are you ok?" Chris asked, walking to her.

"Hormones," she told him. "But we can say it's Scott's fault. I think he should be made to rub my feet." Chris chuckled.

"Well, kid? You heard her." Scott gave Madelyne a small smile and looked expectantly at Chris, who pulled him into a hug. "I love you, son," he whispered.

"Love you, too, Dad." Scott pulled away and wiped under his glasses before looking at Madelyne. "So. Foot rub. Carrie giving you issues already?"