A/N - first of all, many thanks for the reviews, PracticallyAnAvenger and X-MenoverAvengers. If you've read our 714 Universe, you likely know Annie Hale, and yes, she's the same Annie with a few familial tweaks. But her family is still here. Please Enjoy!

Chapter 72: Young Mutant In Trouble

Summer was shifting into fall and still, James hated the attention that Tony's press conference had brought him, even if Tony had been amazing in supporting not only James, but the young group of X-Men that hadn't been unmasked as a whole as well. From one hour to the next, it was as if the whole world not only knew who he was with absolute certainty that was entirely off base, but the public and the press all thought they had permission to approach him, talk to him, and touch him.

It was a steep learning curve after a lifetime of avoiding exactly that. And while it hadn't been doing his anxiety any favors, his studying had been more focused since he and Billy couldn't exactly step out for dates without consequences so they'd kept their dates inside, home, and away from people all together. Especially after Magneto died, they didn't want to leave speculation open as to Billy and Tommy's possible infiltration to Stark through James. Which meant that he was actually ahead of where Tony and Reed had projected he'd be on his masters theses. He'd even taken it a step further to start up on a dissertation after he'd sent in the files and applications to finish up the three degrees since Tony and Banner were bubbling with enthusiasm over the idea that James could nail down a doctorate. And at the rate he was going, he'd have one easily before he was old enough to actually take a spot on the board.

The fact that he two of them were so excited … that was the kind of enthusiasm James hated to tamper with, so he was seriously considering moving forward so as not to let them down. But first … he wanted to get the masters out of the way, so he'd pushed to finish that and make sure that his submissions were ready by the first week of September ahead of Nate going back to school. Just because he could.

But now, the fall semester had already started and was well under way. His brother was back in school and busier than ever. It had been almost a week since MIT had unofficially gotten everything from James according to his department heads, and he was starting to wonder when he'd hear back from them. He should have gotten an official confirmation that they'd received them by now and word on if they'd accepted them to move forward, or if he'd missed something. Even considering that there were three theses in play … he thought for sure he'd have heard back on one.

He was taking the morning to go with his dad to the therapist, so he had some time. He waited until he was alone while Scott took Nate to school to log in to his student email, only to find that he couldn't access his account. Which was odd. He'd never had any trouble in the past. So, he closed out the browser, waited a little while and tried again only to end up with the same results.

He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he honestly didn't know what to do about it. But rather than bring it to his dad or Tony, James decided to do the first step himself - and he took a moment to sit down with a pad of paper and a pen next to his laptop as he called up his department heads at MIT to see what he was missing or if he was just being antsy.

He frowned deeper as he was transferred from one department to the next, and he left messages with every single voicemail box that his phone calls ended at. By the time he was done getting the run around, he had a sinking feeling that there was a big problem. James didn't want to bother Tony with anything. Yet. If it was something minor, he didn't want to let Tony get all fired up. But he wouldn't be able to determine that until he found out more - and he wanted to give the faculty a chance to talk to him before anyone got bent out of shape.

So instead of saying anything, James closed the notebook and closed out the webpage he was on that had been showing him an error message every time he tried to log in to the student's system for the college.

There was work to be done, after all, and he needed to give the department heads time to respond to his messages. He was just trying to ease his mind - to find something else to focus on when Scott came in from dropping off Nate.

"Done surfing already?" Scott asked with a smile as he hung his keys up. James quickly got control of his expression before Scott came into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before his therapy session. "You find what you were looking for on there?"

"Not yet."

Scott nodded and the two of them settled in. "You sure you're okay?"

"Working on it," James replied. They had only gotten through half of their coffee before there was a knock at the door and James frowned and got to his feet. "You expecting someone?"

Scott frowned, scanning ahead of James and ready to call him back until he saw who it was on the other side of the door. "Oh, no. I forgot Toby was going to take me in today."

"Wasn't like you knew I'd have the morning off," James pointed out before he opened the door, then turned his attention to Toby. "Hi, Rabbi Cohen."

Toby smiled broadly at him. "I didn't realize you'd be here this morning!" He stepped in and wrapped James up in a quick, tight hug. "Are you going with us today?"

"Actually, I thought I was taking him," James said, following Toby into the kitchen where Scott was smiling at the two of them.

"Good. Then you're going along," Toby decided. "We can chat while your dad's in his session."

"Oh … kay then," James said, giving Scott a look, but Scott just shrugged.

"You're driving, then?" Toby asked, smiling crookedly.

"Wouldn't you rather I took the back?" James asked.

"Nonsense," Toby said. "Both of you are taller than I am. And it's your car. You should enjoy it."

"Right," James said, then took care of his coffee cup since it was clear that the rabbi was waiting for them to get moving.

"I really did forget to tell him not to swing by," Scott said quietly.

"It's fine, Dad," James replied. "It'll save me a trip later. I was supposed to see him this afternoon, so maybe this is how he gets the time freed up."

"Somehow I doubt it's just that."

The three of them headed out and Toby cheerfully took both of them through small talk, then surprised them when he suggested they go inside when they got to Craig's office. "You're too recognizable," Toby said in his defense. "If we go inside, it won't look like a drug deal in the parking lot."

"Oh my God, Rabbi Cohen, no," James laughed.

"What? Like I don't know what drug deals look like in our neighborhood?"

"Apparently you do," Scott said with a laugh before he led the way for all three of them. When they got into the office's waiting room, Craig was there - like always, doing his last minute prep and checking his schedule. But when he saw the entourage, he did a full double take.

"Is there a new problem I'm not aware of that we need to discuss?" Craig asked, looking between the three of them.

"No, I just double booked my ride," Scott explained, though Craig glanced over to James and Toby.

"And we have a standing appointment for today, so since we're double booked, I decided now is a good time for us to have our chat - while you're chatting with Scott," Toby explained brightly. "You don't mind me using your waiting room while you're in session with his father, do you?"

"No, that's ... " Craig looked between James and Toby. "You're James' therapist?"

"And Rabbi," he said brightly.

James thumbed at Toby. "He wants me to convert. Standard with a hello from him." But that only had Toby chuckling good-naturedly.

"Alright then," Craig said, gesturing for Scott to join him. "I may have a few questions for you before the session is over, James."

"I'll be here," James said, gesturing openly, though that only had Toby smiling wider.

Scott followed Craig into his office, and as soon as the door was closed, Craig had to ask: "Are you going to be able to concentrate on your session while your son is doing his session just through the door?"

"He initiated talking to Toby after spring break," Scott said. "And Toby tried to talk with him well before then. I know he's in good hands."

Craig nodded, took a moment to reorganize his thoughts, then cleared his throat as they started their session - mostly working on how things were going with his attempts to find a life for himself outside of his kids.

In the waiting room, things were a bit more serious. James had been dealing with a lot of building pressure from many angles … and with every new thing that came up, Toby was becoming more concerned that the old heroes around the boy were treating him more like his biological father than they were treating him like his own person.

The murder in self defense had been a real turning point for James - one that came too soon after finding out everything about his parent's deaths. He hadn't even gotten his feet under him when Stark thrust him into the spotlight, and James had admitted that though he knew he was in love with Billy - Billy had been showing a few familial quirks when his temper was up that took James' breath away in all the wrong ways. He wasn't afraid of Billy, but he was afraid that Billy might slip if things went too far south.

To Toby, it was almost like everything that Scott was shedding - James was picking up. And that didn't even approach James' concern that weapons programs were actively searching for a way to … well. Toby wasn't even sure what he thought James believed in that aspect. But to his ears, it sounded a lot like paranoia.

They hadn't made progress, either, when Craig opened the door to his office and invited both of them in. "If you don't mind," Craig said. "We've covered all we need to and I wanted to check in on how things are going with all the press."

And while James looked like he was ready to pass, Toby spoke up for both of them. "Is Scott concerned with that aspect of things?" Toby asked, and Craig nodded quietly. "Good. Maybe the boy just needs to hear another perspective on things."

"I guess that's a yes," James said, getting to his feet. He glanced over at Toby, who looked perfectly pleased as they stepped into the now-crowded office. James took a seat next to Scott, who tried to look encouraging.

"First of all," Craig said, "are you alright discussing things with all of us, James?"

"Sure," he agreed easily. "I don't keep secrets from my dad, and the rabbi knows pretty much everything."

"Just pretty much?" Toby teased.

"Don't push it," James said, though that had Toby smiling to himself.

In short order, Craig dove in - hitting matters that Scott was clearly concerned with, but was unsure on how to approach the conversation. It had always been easy for Scott to talk to James, but … things had gotten complicated in the past few years with all the normal changes that came with growing up. And everything that had happened since spring break had only complicated everything.

So just about every time that Scott thought he had a good angle to open a conversation and check in on his son … something else had come up to throw a monkey wrench in things. And though he was glad that James had started therapy with Toby … he couldn't help but take it as a hit anyhow. His son didn't want to burden him - or maybe he didn't want to confide in him. It was hard to know for sure when he didn't know the depth of what was discussed or where James stood on some of it. So this … this was just as much about getting Scott some peace of mind as it was for Craig to make sure that Scott's family really was stable enough to help support him without imploding.

But James answered everything Craig asked - and all that Toby asked - more or less the way they wanted to hear it. None of them had a solid way to advise him on the press - and as both he and Scott pointed out, Tony and Jan were the finest coaches that one could hope for when it came to that subject anyhow. As far as the stuff from Genosha - he didn't want to discuss it - both because he didn't know how to approach it and he didn't want to make his dad uncomfortable considering that Scott had set out to murder Magneto himself.

Yet, Scott saw the mild improvement in that realm when James explained it not as 'I didn't mean to kill him', but 'it was in self defense'. The tone at which James said it was cold and almost detached - and something that was like a blast from the past for most of the times Scott had ever questioned Logan about something like that. But it was the truth, nonetheless and at least he was telling the truth. There was power after all in saying it out loud, even if he didn't fully believe it yet. And that was enough to ease Scott's mind on that front for the time being.

"Would you be open to allowing the rabbi and I to discuss your case considering that I doubt neither of us are quite able to advise anyone properly?" Craig asked James, and for a long moment, it was clear that James had to think it over.

But, he couldn't help but keep in mind that it could be helpful to his dad's progress. And he didn't have any problems with Scott knowing things if he was on the mend. He was pretty sure he had things more or less going the right way. "Yeah," James said after a few moments to think it over. "Anything you need."

"It's not just for him," Craig pointed out.

"Okay, sure, but I'm saying okay for his sake. I'll be alright."

"Of course you'd say that," Craig said half under his breath, then turned to Scott, who looked almost amused at Craig's reaction. "We can keep to the same days, if that works for you."

"It works for now," Scott agreed. "I'll let you know if my schedule changes or if I need to change to a different time."

Scott and James got to their feet, and Toby and Craig took just a minute to decide when they'd get together before Scott's next appointment, but that gave James and Scott a moment. Nothing was said, but the very male, bracing arm across James' shoulders was enough for both of them to relax a little.

There wasn't anyone that knew Nate who didn't know the moment he got his driver's license. He was jubilant, excited, and before he'd gotten the chance to properly celebrate, he was already looking for a car to call his own. He and Kate were curled up - Kate halfway in his lap for how close they were - and looking at the sales flyers to find something fitting when James came in from the tower and flipped his image inducer off as soon as the door closed.

"Hey- you've been playing with cars, right?" Nate called out. "I mean … not as much with the Mustang I'm sure, but still … you're still playing mechanic aren't you?"

"When the mood strikes," James agreed, then took off his shoes and jacket before he headed to the living room where they were. "What's up?"

"Well … I found a few prospects."

"This for the classic restore you want to do?" James asked, looking more interested with the promise of a challenging project.

"Ah, well I do have a few thoughts about that, but I'm looking for something that might be a little less … you know … big of a project."

"Not sure we have time to just restore cars for kicks, little bro."

"Probably not, but I do need my own wheels. Janice isn't always as reliable as Kate likes her to be."

"Hey," Kate said, playfully thwacking his chest. "She does her job."

"Mostly," Nate said. "But she did decide to die just after school started, too."

"Fluke thing," Kate said with a wave as Nate turned his sales book to show James what he was thinking.

James took the book o look at what Nate had circled, reading the ads as Nate explained. "I don't have enough saved up to get anything like your car, but I can get something if it doesn't need too much work."

But James shook his head. "What about the Mustang?"

"James." Nate gave him a dry look. "I'm not going to just drive my brother's car."

"Why not?" James asked before he tossed the fob to Nate, who caught it without thinking about it. "I have been."

Nate frowned as Kate looked between the two of them quickly. "What are you talking about?" Nate asked.

"Wasn't ever going to be my car," James said. "I'd never pick blue for a car for myself."

"Shut. Up," Nate said, frowning deeper somehow, though there was a smile fighting the corner of his mouth.

"Fine," James said, holding up both hands as he stood up again. "But it's still yours. Mine's getting worked on."

"What are you doing to the Jeep?" Nate asked as Kate slid into her own cushion and Nate got to his feet to follow James.

"Nothing. Not right now, anyhow. It's running, nothing's busted."

"Then what do you have getting worked on?" Nate asked. "What did you do?"

James smirked. "Tricked you into picking out your dream car so I could buy it for you?"

"No. Really."

"Really."

"Oooh, if you're playing Santa, I'd like a pony," Kate teased, laughing her way over to drape her arms around Nate's neck and kiss him out of his shock. How are you surprised by this?

I just … didn't expect him to do this for no reason?

Pretty sure it counts as your birthday and Christmas for a while, Kate pointed out.

James had poured himself a mug of coffee, tactfully ignoring the fact that he knew his brother was in the throes of a telepathic conversation and make out session when Nate finally blinked back from his chat with Kate and rushed him. He barely set the mug down without spilling it on either of them as Nate wrapped him up in a hug. "You're just …"

"Yeah, love you too," James said. "Just don't get any tickets, okay? Dad would have fits if you did."

"Does he know?"

"I think he suspected," James said. "But I didn't tell him outright."

Nate couldn't stop the broad grin as Kate stole James' coffee. "I'm not getting you a pony," James told her, then leaned on the kitchen island with a troublemaking expression on his face. "But I would like to borrow Janice for a little bit."

Kate grinned, recognizing the troublemaking gleam for what it was. "Why's that? Just because you gave your brother your ride? Can't go back to the rusty jalopy of a Jeep?"

"No," James said, smiling crookedly. "I want to give her something new. Considering that you've got Hydra breathing down your neck I thought you might want to make sure Janice could be your secret weapon."

"Oh? What have you got in mind?" Kate asked, mirroring his posture and grinning widely.

"Classified," James said, which had Nate snickering. "Just know that if I can reintroduce myself to Janice for a few weeks, she'll come out less like she was and more like Herbie crossed with .007."

"Can it neuter a creep in three seconds and go from zero to sixty in that time?" Kate asked, her eyes gleaming.

"And take away what you could do?"

"Dad says I'm getting rusty on my swordwork and might take four seconds," Kate said straight faced - totally lying but still grinning.

"Uh-huh. I'll put it on the list of tricks I want to put into it."

Kate laughed delightedly and then kissed his cheek. "Almost as good as a pony," she teased.

"I can change the horn to a whinny if it makes you feel better."

"Lone Ranger theme."

"Does that make Nate Tonto?" James teased.

Kate turned toward Nate, bit her lip, tipped her head to the side, and then giggled. "I've seen him shirtless? And no."

"Oh, come on," Nate deadpanned.

"Give him a few years," James said.

"Ab workouts, Nate," Kate said, her grin getting more troublemaking.

"Yeah, Nate. You clearly need to work out. Your girl thinks you're slacking."

And she also knows some good workouts, Kate said, her grin getting more obnoxious. To break in a new car.

This is a fine point, Nate replied. "With that, I think it's high time we had a date, coach."

"Just remember the title's in Dad's name until you're old enough to take it yourself," James said as he headed out of the kitchen. "It's yours but you still have to answer to him about it." He turned and held up one hand. "Keys, Kate."

Kate fished in her pocket and tossed James the keys. "I expect a Bat-ladder and Bat-shark repellant."

"Naturally," James agreed. "Just give me a few days before you come see me in the shop. It'll be at Tony's until we finish playing."

"Oh, I guess I'll go bug my godfather on my way to you."

James grinned. "I came up with a few things he didn't think of. He's excited. It'll be done fast."

It's a good thing you're hot, Nate, because your brother is so dang good to me, Kate teased - purely to push his buttons.

Too bad he probably wouldn't notice you fawning, Nate shot back with a grin. You're not carrying enough evil DNA.

Kate snorted out loud. I mean, my bio dad was into something bad enough the Phoenix killed him. That counts, right? I don't know how bad it was, but...

But was he into supervillain level things? I doubt it … there's a bar, Katie.

I was three? I have no idea. Never looked into it. Kinda want to now just for the sake of the argument.

Anything less than Viper at this point is just a bump.

Kate burst into a laugh, hanging onto Nate for support. "Bye, James. Your brother is into goodie-two-shoes and I gotta see if I measure up."

James shook his head, but didn't slow them down any more than the hand off had so far, though he had to hit on a parting shot. "Don't go off and get pregnant now."

"Ugh. You're so much like your dad," Kate said, sticking her tongue out.

"So I'm right," James laughed. "I'll let the betting pool know."

Kate rolled her eyes and grabbed Nate's hand. "C'mon, gorgeous. Let's leave the joykill behind."

He's just trying to get in your head, Nate told her. He's just like this lately.

He needs to get laid more often.

I really, really don't want to know anything about that, Nate replied dryly. Ever. I'm just watching what he's doing for spending. He's been doing something for just about everyone and I doubt that has anything to do with how much action he's getting or not.

Kate bit her lip. At the risk of standing up for your brother? When I age into my biological family's inheritance, I'm absolutely going on a spending spree. When you have money, you use it on the people you love, right? That's why Dad bought his building.

I hope that's all it is, Nate said, more than a little wary considering how everyone in their family was hitting therapy. But … I think we need ice cream to celebrate … as a start.

Banana split. For sure.

Scott had chosen the location for his mid-week date with Annie, so Annie hadn't known what to expect when he picked her up after work in the Jeep. So to say she was happily surprised when they went to a cafe attached to a bookshop was an understatement. This was exactly the kind of place she would have picked out for herself.

"You have good taste, Mr. Mueller; I'll give you that," Annie said, smiling as she looked around. There weren't many people there; most were browsing the bookshelves, and the only other person at the cafe was a teenager bent over her laptop with a few textbooks stacked beside her coffee and sandwich.

Scott smiled as they sat down together. "A history teacher who loves mystery novels… I took a guess."

"Good guess."

Again, Scott smiled, glad that this date was getting off to a better start than their last one as they settled into comfortable small talk until they had their food. Annie's classes were going well, and yes, Scott was guest lecturing weekly.

Annie was watching the ice in her sweet tea after Scott told her he was thinking of adding more to his schedule of lectures, and she seemed to be weighing something out. He didn't know her well enough to place her expression before, slowly, she said, "I don't suppose you remember the first X-Men, do you? It was a while ago…"

"Yes, I do," Scott said carefully. "Very well."

"I thought so," Annie said, smiling warmly. "I just can't figure out which one…" She glanced around. "Oh, which one was your favorite," she said, though that obviously wasn't the real question by the way her eyes were sparkling.

"There weren't many people picking out favorites," Scott teased, before he smiled to himself. "Which one do you think I liked?"

"I've been thinking about it since Friday night," she admitted, watching him with a smile still stuck on her lips. "There aren't many that fit your… style."

"Im going to have to agree with you on that." He didn't bother trying to hide the smile at his own little joke.

"I'll admit it's hard to hazard a guess," she said. "The only mutant I know personally, you wouldn't know he's gifted by looking at him. He's stronger than your average elephant, but he keeps it to himself. So you never know by looks alone. And I thought I had you pegged, but…" She blew out a breath that moved the bangs in front of her face. "Now I'm not sure. Maybe your style is more telepathic…"

"Definitely not a telepath."

"Alright then," Annie said, nodding slowly. "Then maybe you're like my niece. Her favorite is Iceman. I think he was on the news after all that hubbub with Genosha, and Leslie Ann took an instant liking to anyone who can make snow days."

Scott smiled wider. "So close, and yes, he's gotten off Genosha. But he's not my favorite. Sorry."

Annie looked like she was enjoying herself as she tried to puzzle him out. "You see," she said slowly, "I had a hunch before Friday night, but my hunch had nothing to do with green."

Scott looked openly surprised. "Do you mind if I ask why green would throw you off?"

"Well, I thought your favorite might be Cyclops." She gestured vaguely toward her face in the same place his scars were. "But after our last night out…"

"As a friend of mine once said, you really should follow your gut."

Annie looked surprised, though she also looked pleased. "Oh!" Her food was long forgotten as she smiled at him. "Well then. That would make the most sense, yes. I just don't understand your penchant for green, then."

"It's a long story."

"I hope you'll tell me someday," she said, still smiling.

"It's not really the kind of story that is easily retold," Scott said. "But … maybe one day."

"I won't push," she promised gently. "I grew up an Army brat. I know how some of those stories can be."

"I appreciate that," Scott said. "Maybe you can compare stories with me anyhow. My Dad was an Air Force pilot. Spent a lot of time on bases as a kid."

Annie's face lit up. "Oh, really?" she asked. "Mine was in the Army. We traveled a lot when I was younger, but he retired before I got into high school, since I was the youngest. I actually got to go to the same school from freshman to senior year; drove my sisters absolutely wild with jealousy."

Scott smiled. "Sounds like a good way to grow up to me," he said. "It was a little more complicated than that for us. Long story short, I ended up spending a few years in an orphanage. Before I went to school at a gifted institution."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Annie said, reaching out to put her hand on his arm. "I can't imagine being without my brother and sister - and my mom and dad visit at least three times a year from Memphis."

"I get to see my brother fairly often," Scott said. "It's been close to three times this year, honestly. He managed to get adopted right away, so it took us a while to even catch up again."

"Then I'm glad you reconnected," Annie said, with her hand still on his arm. "I can't even imagine. My brother and sister both live in New York; I'd be lost without them."

"Well, I've got my kids."

"You do," Annie agreed. "And they're amazing - from what Nate's told me of his brother and sister, I mean. I hope my nieces stay as close when they're grown as your kids have."

Scott tipped his head, trying to find a way to continue the conversation without causing any irreparable damage to their date. It was way too early to tip her off to even a fraction of the trouble that he was used to dealing with - or why the kids had been as close as they were for good reason. "I'm sure they'll stay close if you give them the kind of attention you pay your students."

Annie flushed with pleasure. "I sure try," she said, tucking her hair behind her ears. "They're both sweet girls. Craig and I spoil them rotten. That's my brother," she added, not at all realizing he already knew that. "He looks out for me since I've got a place on my own."

"Sounds like your nieces already have a good example to work from, then," Scott said.

She blushed again. "I hope so. I try to be," she mumbled and then suddenly took an interest in eating her food until her blush was back under control.

The two of them spent a little time, trying to share their experiences and enjoyed the time they were spending. They were both getting caught up in each other and losing track of time in all the best ways when Annie's phone started to go off. First it was just one text … then three … then the phone calls started as the texts blew up her notifications.

"Is … everything alright?" Scott asked with a frown. Clearly whoever was trying to get in touch was desperate for Annie to answer. Now.

Annie frowned and held up a finger. "It's my sister - hold on. I told her I was going out tonight, and she usually just leaves a voice message if I don't pick up, so if she calls twice…"

"...then it's probably important," Scott finished for her, nodding.

Annie bit her lip as she called her sister back. "Evie, what's wrong?" she asked as soon as her sister picked up.

"It's Leslie Ann," Evelyn said on the other end, and Annie's eyes went wide as she held the phone a little tighter.

"Is she alright?"

"Not … really. I mean, she's not hurt, she's just…" Evie was uncharacteristically stumbling over her words. "I already called Craig. Leslie Ann has some kind of… we're not sure what happened, but all the plantlife for a block around us … you'd really have to see it for yourself, Annie, but she's freaking out, and the neighborhood is up in arms trying to figure out who broke up half the sidewalk and the roads with the plant roots breaking through concrete and ...!"

Annie glanced over at Scott, who was leaning forward himself, unable not to hear Evie when Annie's sister was panicking so loudly. "I'll be right there," Annie told Evie and then quickly hung up. "I'm sorry. I need to go."

"I can drive you," Scott offered.

"Are you sure you don't mind?"

"Easier than catching a cab," Scott pointed out. "And I don't mind."

Annie nodded, gathering her things. "I can give you directions… I'm so sorry. Anton's been worried about something like this as she gets older… I know you get it… I just… the timing…"

"Don't worry about it. You can't plan around these things ... she'll be fine," Scott said as he helped her gather herself up, then gestured to where he'd parked the Jeep. "Just tell me where we're headed."

Annie gave him directions once they headed out, apologizing again for having to break up the date they were enjoying, no matter how many times Scott promised it was okay - though she really didn't have to direct him much when he saw the trail of destruction Annie's niece had left behind with the start of her abilities kicking in: sidewalks were broken up and vines had overgrown the buildings in the area. It was a wonder no one else was there yet.

"Do you have a plan in mind?" Scott asked quietly to try and get Annie to engage in something other than worrying and apologizing.

"Anton and Evie talked about it when they first had kids," Annie admitted. "Anton's been able to hide his mutation; to be honest, they were hoping for something similarly easy to learn and hide… this is much harder to brush over than super-strength, though."

"It's rare to be able to reliably guess a direction on mutations," Scott told her quietly. "And though it doesn't seem like it right now, this could be a whole lot worse. She'll be alright."

"Scott, I know the X-Men are back, but you know as well as I do that drawing attention like this…"

"The school never quit," Scott said. "And the purpose of it was to help kids control their mutations while keeping them safe. Your sister might have to move, but they can all be safe."

Annie nodded. "I know. I just… I only have those two nieces and I worry about them, you know?" She seemed all at once to realize what she'd said. "Oh, of course you do."

"I do, I understand the concern. The kneejerk reaction isn't one you can stop. And if you want, I can help."

"Please do," Annie breathed out. "That would be wonderful, thank you."

"I'll make a call," Scott promised. "Maybe we can do this without a production. You should probably go calm your family down if you can. That'll help your niece more than anything else right now." He tipped his head toward the damage. "This … what you see, is a panicked reaction. That's all. For most mutants, emotion builds into what they can do and this … is just panic showing its face."

While Annie headed in to try and help calm her niece down, Scott took out his phone to make a few vital calls - first and foremost, to Storm since she'd be the one to know if there was a bigger problem headed their way. He knew there was some stress in Queens, he just wasn't sure how close it was to this particular neighborhood.

"You're ahead of us," Storm told him. "Rachel just alerted us to what's going on."

"Then we can probably get ahead of the problem," Scott said. "I'll get her out quietly if I can."

"Good luck," Storm said warmly. "It's like riding a bicycle, isn't it?"

"We'll see, I guess. I'll call when I'm on the way," Scott replied, then hung up and started to head to the front door. The plants around the house and halfway down the street were still moving slightly, growing much slower than they had to have to disturb so much so quickly, but it wasn't going to be an issue for them as long as they could get ahead of the authorities. With a bracing breath, Scott knocked on the door and waited for them to answer. "I'm with Annie," he said through the closed door. "I'd like to help, if you'll let me, but we really should move on this sooner than later."

He could hear the murmur of voices inside before Annie must have convinced her sister and brother-in-law, because the door opened to reveal a tall Black man… who instantly recognized Scott.

"You've gotta be kiddin' me with this," said the man Scott quickly recognized as Officer Wright from James' run-in after he'd stood up for Cassie and the many encounters America still had with him. "Annie, what the hell - you know this guy has a kid who beat the hell outta a sex offender? Your date's a half-sussed-up hero-in-training's worrywart father!"

"He's mostly grown now, actually, with some good back up," Scott said. "But thanks, for watching out for America, too."

"That girl doesn't have a lick of sense - you know that, right?"

"Oh yeah. But her heart's in the right place."

"Yeah, yeah. Tell that to my overtime check," Anton grumbled good-naturedly before he stepped back to let Scott in, only waiting until the door was closed to ask, "How's our Wolverine, by the way?"

"Trying to lay low, and not on duty right now," Scott said, then gestured openly. "How about your daughter? The chlorokinetic. What scared her?"

"Better question is what riled her," Anton replied. "She didn't panic until after she'd been reamin' out a couple of boys who didn't seem to know what the word 'no' means - then got scared when the plants got mad too."

"So you're sorry it's not my son and America today," Scott had to tease.

"Oh, sure," Anton said, nodding along with a crooked smile. "They coulda batted cleanup after my baby girl did exactly what I taught her to."

"They would, too." Scott matched Anton's stance. "But, you know we need to do something before the authorities show up. Can you talk to me about this? We need to get her somewhere more secure."

Anton nodded, losing his smile. "Honestly, Evie and I had talked about that school upstate if we couldn't figure things out on our own. Hate to send her away, but I know how hard it can be for us."

"Xavier's is the safest place for her," Scott said. "And I can get her there quickly if we move before the MRD comes in. Even if she doesn't stay there, it's a good first step while you decide on a plan."

Anton nodded. "Yeah, I've worked with the MRD a few times. Makes your blood boil."

"I'll bet," Scott said. "This should keep your cover in place, too. I can give you my number - and the number for the headmistress there. She knows I'm here, by the way, so you don't have to concern yourself with a jet coming in to land."

"Might as well, for all the fuss," Anton said dryly. "But I appreciate it. I know you're boy's doing good work, and we're all watchin' that new team, but keepin' cover works best for most of us still. So yes. I'd very much appreciate the help."

"They're doing their best. But … if we're going to go, then as quick as she can get moving … you can bring her more of her things later on. Storm encourages family that wants to be involved." Scott took his wallet out and removed the business card for the Institute he kept on him, then flipped it over and carefully wrote his cell number on the back with no name. "Give us half an hour after we leave before you call me. We'll need that much of a headstart to get out of the city."

Anton nodded and straightened his shoulders. "On it," he said, already going into motion with a clear-cut task ahead.

He made his way into the next room over to introduce himself to Leslie Ann. He relaxed his shoulders and took a moment to give her as much of a smile as he could. "Hi. I'm Scott. You must be Annie's niece. Nice to meet you. Before we do anything, you need to try and breathe, take a moment and let go of all that tension. I can get you to safety, but you need to relax first. Alright? I know it's not easy, especially with everything going on around you - but you can do it."

The little girl with tightly-curled hair in poofs on either side of her head gave Scott a dry look from behind her knees. "Oh, sure. When the earth stops moving."

Scott smiled a little wider. "It'll stop moving when you can relax a little. It's got to be a lot harder when you can move the environment. I could never do that, but I was stressed enough without moving the ground, too."

Leslie Ann frowned, then glanced up at Scott a little better. "Well, what can you do?" she asked.

"Nowadays? Drive. I can drive and get you out of trouble."

This time, Leslie Ann glanced toward Annie, who nodded encouragingly. "I can come too, if you want," she promised. "But I promise, he's one of the good guys."

"Leslie Ann, baby, this is Wolverine's dad," Anton explained with a quiet smile. "Best of the best, just for my girl."

As Scott looked stunned, unable to quite come up with a response, Leslie Ann looked like she was finally warming up to him as, with a crooked smile, she said, "Oh, you mean that punk who beat down a pervert?" she said in what was obviously a line from a well-rehearsed tale as Annie sort of blinked at Scott from across the room while the pieces all fell into place and Scott looked almost apologetic.

"Yep. That's the one, baby girl," Anton said as Annie started to smile in pure disbelief.

"Think you can take a drive with me, Leslie Ann?" Scott asked. "I want to get you to safety and make sure your parents don't get in any trouble, too."

"I don't want them to get in trouble," Leslie Ann said, her eyes wide.

"The Avengers will be here by the time the MRD is," Scott said.

"Oh. Okay. Wow."

"Your parents can come visit in a few days - and maybe by then, you'll all have a good plan in place - one that isn't rushed."

Leslie Ann nodded, though she was still holding on tight around her knees. "Can my Aunt Annie come too? Please?"

"Absolutely," Scott said. "I'll answer any questions you both might have on the way."

"Then…" She took a deep breath and settled her shoulders. "Okay. I definitely have questions, too."

Scott nodded and turned toward Anton to offer him his hand. "No one will touch her. My next call is the Avengers so they know. They'll send someone on the team here to keep the MRD from going too far. They've been doing that for years, too."

"Thank you," Evie said, poking her head in from where she had been packing things for Leslie Ann. She looked like Annie, but with more gray in her hair.

"Least I can do," Scott said.

In short order, Leslie Ann's parents got her packed up and ready to go, and she seemed to be much calmer now that she wasn't focused on how afraid she was of her powers. Even though the plants outside climbed the walls a little more when she tearfully hugged her parents and told them to please be safe - still a little too panicked to not think that she'd gotten them in trouble somehow, despite what anyone said - nothing big happened as she followed Scott and Annie out to the Jeep.

Scott helped her in, and waited for both Leslie Ann and Annie to get settled before he put it into gear and took the most direct - and most damaged route out of the neighborhood while he made a phone call that sounded like it was in code. He kept his calm in place as he navigated out over the busted up roads and overgrowth, thankful that James hadn't gotten rid of the Jeep, even if this wasn't what he'd intended it for. Scott stayed quiet and focused while he scanned the roads around them. They made it halfway out of the city before they saw the first MRD unit moving to where they'd headed out - but, since Leslie Ann had hunkered down low in the back - and Annie was afraid to say or do much, Leslie Ann had no idea until they were well out of the city and on the way to Westchester. And it wasn't until they'd hit open road that Scott started to put on the speed - having kept it legal and unremarkable in the city itself.

"You can breathe a little easier now," Scott said once he'd put it into high gear. "The worst is going in the wrong direction from you." He looked up into the rear view mirror for a second, then shifted his gaze for an instant toward Annie. "You have questions …"

"Yeah," Leslie Ann said, though she had turned around as if she could see the trouble going in the wrong direction. "Are my parents going to be okay?" she asked first and foremost.

"Yes," Scott said. "The first call I made when we left was to the Avengers. They aren't allowing anyone to harass people like your parents. And since it was me making the call, I'd bet that it was probably Black Widow and Wasp that went out to stop anything bad from happening."

"Wow," Leslie Ann said quietly. Then, after a beat of silence. "I was gonna ask about that too… the whole… you know the Avengers? Is it because of Wolverine?"

Scott nodded with a quiet 'mmhmm', though it didn't quite encompass which Wolverine she meant.

"So how come you know who they're gonna send?"

"I don't … really get involved anymore if I can avoid it," Scott said. "I've been taking care of my kids. Wasp and Widow have helped me keep out of trouble because of it."

"My dad doesn't have Avengers helping him with us." She paused. "I mean. Not until today, anyway."

Scott smiled at her in the mirror. "He'll be alright."

"Yeah, Dad always knows what to do," Leslie Ann said, nodding to herself. Then, after she had lapsed into silence for a long while, she asked, "So, are you a mutant too?"

Scott let out a sigh and nodded. "I am."

"So's my dad. He has super strength," Leslie Ann said.

Scott nodded, and then, because it wasn't another adult asking, he answered what she was skirting around by gesturing to his face. "I can't do what I used to."

"Oh." Leslie Ann bit her lip and didn't bother trying to hide the fact that she was watching him closely and trying to figure it out. "I wondered."

"Everyone does," Scott said, then went the extra mile to try and smile a little, though he knew it came across as more grim than he'd have liked. "I used to be on the team."

"You did?" All at once, Leslie Ann wasn't shy anymore. "You were, really? I mean, really? That's so cool."

"I was the first," Scott said, though after he'd said it, he had to take a moment to let the weight of it rest on his shoulders. "I went by Cyclops."

The stunned moment, of course, was broken up by, "Did you know Iceman?"

Scott broke into a surprised laugh. "I sure do. He was the second on the team, and he's one of my best friends, still."

"That's so cool! He's my favorite, you know. I saw him on the news, and I think it's so cool to just ice skate everywhere."

"He might be able to help you learn some control," Scott said.

"No way, really?" Leslie Ann looked like she couldn't possibly have been any happier.

"Really," Scott said, smiling to himself. It wasn't common for people to pick Bobby - but when they did, it was always a treat.

"That's it," Leslie Ann said, almost bouncing in place. "I'm gonna love this place."

"If I'd known you liked him that much, I'd have led with that," Scott said with a laugh. "He just got out of Genosha not long ago."

"I saw that on the news, too. Daddy said it was good Magneto wasn't scaring people anymore. I think Dad was stressed about it."

"He was pushing his luck, that's for sure," Scott agreed. "But his daughters are fixing things on the island now."

"Well that's good. Maybe one day I can see it."

"I'd wait until they say it's done," Scott said hesitantly. "There are a lot of changes that will take some time."

"That's okay," Leslie Ann promised. "I'll hang out with Iceman."

Scott shook his head, still smiling, though he finally looked toward Annie. "He's going to spoil her rotten."

"Good," Annie said, having significantly relaxed now that the immediate crisis was past. "She deserves it."

Scott settled in, and continued to answer small questions from Leslie Ann, though most of those were related to Bobby, not the school. But when they got close enough that they could actually see the school, Leslie Ann got quieter, staring out the window in awe.