Disclaimer: see ch 1

Warning: mention of spanking

"I heard your sentence has been served," Emma said as she put a tray of food on Scott's lap. "How's it feel?"

"Like I should have been released for good behavior a week or two ago," he smirked.

"That's not how your dad puts it." Scott paused with the fork halfway to his mouth, slowly lowering it.

"He's a lot of talk. He wouldn't do anything. And I'm not going to stand by and hear him being called a brute, too."

"I wasn't… I wasn't going to say that, Scott. I've had over a month to consider it, and I agree with Warren. It's not… Not what I would do, but you know your family better than me. I don't have to like it, but I should respect that you know your children. And obviously, if your son keeps returning to you, you can't have been that bad. But I do have questions about why I haven't met an adult Carrie-"

"She's pregnant."

"I see. Well. Enjoy your dinner. Hank says they're going to start you off slowly in the Danger Room."

"How kind. Thank you, Emma." Emma nodded and stood up, going to Scott's door.

"Scott?"

"Yes?"

"Nate said you wanted to… talk to me." Scott allowed the silverware to fall loudly on the tray.

"Meddling brat," he muttered. "Emma, I appreciate everything you've done for me and my children these last few weeks. I don't know if we could have managed as well without you. But the fact is, my wife-"

"I understand. I apologize. I was under the impression…"

"I'm sorry. You're a beautiful woman, but I just don't think being called a brute is attractive."

"I misspoke. I've never met someone who actually physically disciplines without…" Emma gave him a smile. "I'll pack my things in the morning. Thank you for being willing to let me help after our disagreement." She left the room and Scott roughly tossed the tray of food to the side.

*Get your ass up here!* Scott angrily thought to Nate. Nate teleported right in.

"Yes sir?"

"You told Emma I wanted to talk to her?"

"Oh. She told you that…"

"Yes she told me that," Scott snapped. "I was under the impression that you had dropped it after I told you to drop it."

"And she was under the impression that you hurt us. Funny how things aren't always how they seem."

"Nathan Christopher Charles-"

"Scott Christopher. I can do it, too, Dad."

"You-"

"She likes you. Everyone knows you like her- why else do you think Jean struck when she did?! So why won't you act on it?!"

"She called me-"

"And I have it on good authority that you and Mom had plenty of fights, too! And you and Grandpa, you and Uncle Alex, you and Uncle Gabe, and you and Uncle Warren. If you can forgive them and they you, then why can't you give Emma another chance?!"

"Why are you pushing this?!"

"Because she's the best thing this family has," Nate said, almost defeated. "And she's the first person to love me because she wants to, not because I was born into the family. But it's fine, Dad. I'll… it's not like I'll grow up with it this time around. I won't know what I'm missing." Nate cleared his throat. "I think I'm going to go home. See if I even have a nephew coming still, since it was Emma who encouraged Carrie to accept Franklin's request for their initial date." Nate disappeared in a bright light, and Scott brought up his knees, resting his head on them.

He wasn't going to be manipulated into another relationship by his time traveling son. He wasn't.

"It's been a month since Emma left," Chris noted as Scott attempted to push the two hundred pound weight away from his chest.

"And?"

"You're miserable, son." Scott lowered the weight and pushed it up again, accepting Chris' help to put it on the rack.

"We won't work out."

"How do you know?"

"Why does it matter, Dad? You were the one who went off on me for screwing her-"

"And then I watched her take care of your children, your suite, you… She even helped your brothers with their homework. She offered to stay the night elsewhere so Warren could move in after his breakup. She-"

"She's amazing. I get it. But she called us-"

"I remember your first spanking."

"Dad."

"You were two. Your mom had just picked me up from the airport after several months away and took me to your grandparents house where you were. I walked in and you were just… Remember that tantrum Carrie threw a couple days ago?"

"Yeah?"

"That was calmer than you were that day. You were in your highchair in my old room in time out, and I pulled you out to calm you down. You kept screaming and kicked my balls. I flipped you over and spanked you. Your mom was furious. You left the room with Grandma and she blew up at me, asking how could I dare to hurt you like that. So I demonstrated how hard I'd popped you. She realized I hadn't actually hurt you."

"Ok?"

"So it just sounds a lot like what Emma just experienced. And instead of you sitting down and alleviating her fears and concerns, you pushed her out. Had I been Emma, I would have thought you were hiding something. But what do I know? I'm just your dad." Chris slapped Scott's chest and grabbed his water, taking a sip.

"Mom was really against it?"

"She'd heard your grandpa taking care of me. She was afraid I'd hit you that hard because that's what I knew."

"Oh."

"And then you broke her vase when you were seven, about three weeks before our trip. I was helping your grandpa with his lawnmower and she called me, crying, because she'd spanked you and she was worried she'd been too hard on you."

"I don't remember that," Scott said as he took his own sip of water.

"She was just an absolute wreck. You'd told her you wished she wasn't your mom anymore."

"I never-"

"She knew you didn't mean it," Chris said with a sad smile. "Probably just like Emma didn't mean you were a brute." Scott stood up and wiped the machine down.

"It doesn't matter. She's gone and I'm-"

"Too proud to apologize." Scott shot Chris a look.

"I'm trying to focus on my kids. I wish everyone would just accept my decision-"

"It's a stupid decision. I could tell you were interested when I was in space with the kids. And when you held her hand-"

"No I didn't." Chris raised his eye. "Alright. Maybe I did."

"You like her-"

"My wife just died-"

"A death you knew was coming and accepted."

"How dare you?"

"Maddie talked to me about this, you know. She begged me to make sure you were happy. So what can I do to make you happy?"

"Accepting my decisions would be a start," Scott said as he walked out of the gym. He took the elevator to the main floor and stepped out, looking over his teammates who were gathered around.