A/N - PracticallyAnAvenger & XOverAvengers - thanks again for the reviews! Here's hoping you continue to enjoy this with us. The commentary is amazing and helps me to want to edit/patch in spots that need it so ... symbiotic relationship!

Chapter 81 - Major Minor Problem

"Kit-Kat, why are you pretending to ignore me?" Daniel asked from across the hall. It was crowded enough he couldn't simply push his way through. "You're not still mad at me for beating you, are you? Because I'm always open to a rematch if you want to make a little wager out of it."

Nate could feel Kate go totally stiff underneath his arm as they were walking to class together. Even though they'd all been practicing telepathic defense because of Emma Frost, Kate was projecting loudly everything that had happened when she and Daniel had their unofficial rematch. And that was enough to get him furious at the guy too, especially since Kate had mostly complained about the cheating, not the kissing.

Kate spun toward Daniel and away from Nate, her eyes flashing. "I'm ignoring you, Danathon, because the only way you could beat me is by cheating, and you think that entitles you to a victory celebration. And I'm better than you. I don't stoop that low." She stuck her nose in the air in an imitation of her mother going undercover somewhere fancy. "Go lick a boot."

"Oh, like you were doing traditional fencing," Daniel shot back.

"You gave up on the sword entirely when you couldn't keep up and thought we were in a wrestling match, you sorry sack of deflated footballs," Kate shot back.

"As if you didn't start it at our first match," Daniel said in a lower register. "Name the time and the place -"

Daniel had nearly caught up to Kate and Nate - and Nate cut off whatever Daniel was about to say as he simply turned around, nose up and nearly towering over the guy. "That's enough. Find a hobby before you get hurt," Nate said - in as close to a gentle threat as he could manage. Especially when he was ready to make this moron think he was a three year old girl. Permanently. And he was even kind enough to tell Kate as much, too.

But for the witnesses, she replied without missing a beat.

"Oh, I see," Daniel said. "You know you can't win a fair duel so you'll hide behind the quarterback instead."

"If it had been fair to start with," Nate said, barely reining in his temper, "you wouldn't have assaulted her when you thought no one would find out."

"I'm sorry, you did what now," a new voice broke into the conversation as Annie Hale practically strode through the tide of students, her gaze locked onto the three of them.

Kate groaned. She didn't want anyone to know what had happened, and now, Nate had broadcast it, and Miss Hale - no matter how sweet she was - wasn't going to let it drop either. "Ugh. I'm blaming you for this," she muttered to Nate. "I had him handled."

"This was my version of restraint, gorgeous," Nate whispered back. "And you know it."

"And you're hot when you're being protective; don't get me wrong," she said. But this isn't something I want getting spread around my senior year.

"It's just an exaggeration, Ms. Hale," Daniel said, trying for a smile. "Katie is just mad that I won our swordfight."

"He cheated," Kate insisted. "He tossed his sword and tackled me like a caveman." She glared daggers at Daniel. "He's delusional. Thinks if he pretends to be a quarterback I'll give him the time of day."

"Weird he was trying to be a tackle," Nate said over Kate's head.

"His tiny mind can't comprehend all the football positions, Nate. He just thinks you all tackle and wear cups."

"Well I can try it …"

Annie held up a hand between the three teenagers. "Just stop it," she said in a weary tone before she turned toward Daniel. "And you? Your behavior has been a step away from harassment from the start. Put one toe out of line on school property, and I'll make sure you're suspended so fast your Kindergarten teacher will write you a note home."

But Daniel didn't really reply to that, and instead, he glared at both Ms Hale and Kate before he pushed by Nate to get to class.

Nate looked ready to reach out and strangle him with his bare hands, but instead, he held his breath and turned to Ms Hale. "Sorry for disturbing you. We were just going to class. Really."

Ms. Hale glared after Daniel for a moment, sighed, and then turned back to Nate. "He's been trouble since he got here, Nate; I believe you." Then, she softened her expression and turned to Kate. "Are you alright? What Nate said-"

"I'm fine," Kate insisted. "Nate's being overprotective. If he tries to cross any lines beyond what he's already crossed, he'll be a lifelong soprano. I know how to look out for myself."

"It's true," Nate confirmed. "She's really good at self defense."

Annie looked between the two of them, narrowed her eyes, pursed her lips, and then tutted. "Well, even someone who knows what they're doing can use help sometimes. If you decide you need it-"

"I know where to look," Kate promised, smiling brightly. "Thanks, Ms. Hale."

Once more, Ms. Hale frowned, but since there was no conflict and Kate and Nate seemed to be backing each other up spectacularly, she couldn't argue. Instead, she simply nodded and turned to leave.

Kate waited until Ms. Hale was in her own classroom before she thwacked Nate in the back of the head. Your future mom is already trying to mom me by proxy. What's up with that?

Um … I'm not supposed to go poking around in her head? Nate answered. Unless that's slowly dying because Dad can't focus. I can't answer for her - but it must be because she likes you.

She likes you, Nate. It's written all over her face. Probably can't wait to mom you. How fast can your dad move?

If history's any indicator? Think molasses in January, outside with a north wind.

Poor, poor Annie Hale, Kate said in a sing-song mental tone.

I mean … he was a lot faster with Jan, but … well. That was then.

Kate clasped her hands together. They really were so cute together. I thought it was so romantic when I was a kid.

Us Summerses are always cute, no matter who we're with. Get that straight. Nate was smiling to himself, knowing that she'd get on a new track if he could just get her to play a little.

Um, lies. Your girlfriend before me made you look like-

Are you still mad about her? Nate teased.

Depends. Can I pretend to be jealous so you have to win me over?

I'd know if that was the case.

You're killing the mood, Summers.

Considering we're stuck in school? That might be for the best for now …

Spoilsport. Kate grinned at him over her shoulder as they headed into class - and then went ahead and got lost in a psychic makeout session with him anyway, because they weren't going to be able to pay attention either way.

It was a stroke of pure luck that Emma didn't reach out to James the next week - and just before Halloween, James was fortunate enough to end up with a Friday off before the Halloween weekend. Bobby was still keeping tabs on him, but he was at least reasonable enough to leave James alone when he was in his room - which meant Billy could still sneak in and the two of them could at least spend their nights curled up and cozy. And it was getting cold enough that both of them were really enjoying the bed sharing and wrapping up in each other.

But the big deal here was that Billy didn't have a day off and though James was curled around him and lightly dozing, Billy needed to get up and get to class. "I need to go now," Billy said quietly, trying not to talk too loudly and draw Bobby's attention. They'd been getting away with it as far as they knew, anyhow.

"No," James said, smirking to himself. He hadn't been doing much to practice boundaries like Craig had suggested, but this … this felt like a good time to give it a shot if nothing else than for the humor value.

Billy smiled and shifted in his arms so he could get a quick kiss. "What do you mean … you know I have to get to class."

"Yeah, but Doc Hale said I need to tell you no - and this seemed like the right time to try it out."

Billy bit his lip trying not to laugh. "Why do you need to tell me no?"

"I don't know," James said, nuzzling into his neck and doing an excellent job of making it very hard to want to get out of bed. "But I've officially tried, so …"

Billy laughed quietly then leaned in for a more drawn out kiss. "I don't think you're doing it the way he intended."

"I think I have the spirit of the exercise down," James argued, but let go of Billy all the same.

"Yeah, we'll have to talk about that later," Billy said as he quickly got ready for school - still dragging while James rearranged himself - stretched out on his stomach with his head on his crossed arms. He stopped and tipped his head to the side. "You're know you're not helping, don't you?"

"Not even a little bit."

Billy let out a noise from the back of his throat and took a moment to steal another kiss. "I'll see you at the tower later, right?"

"Yeah, I'll be there," James promised, smirking crookedly.

Billy finally disappeared, but it wasn't five minutes later, when James came downstairs, ready to head back to the city, that it was clear that Bobby knew something was up … and he was watching James with a frown. James paused then pulled his hoodie on over his head. "What?"

"Were you talking to someone just now?"

"Were you listening in?"

"Hard not to," Bobby said, looking more serious. "Was Billy here all night?"

But James didn't answer right away - and that was as good as a confession to Bobby when he knew the kid didn't like to lie.

"I am very sure that's not on the parent approved list of things you can do here," Bobby said.

"I'm picking the radio station this time," James said with a wave as he picked up his bookbag and slung it over his shoulder. "And I'm going to New York. You can go with me - like you say you have to, or you can drive yourself. Doesn't matter to me."

"Yeah, I'm going with you," Bobby said, behind him in a few steps to help close up the place for the long weekend. "I think we need to have a talk on the way."

For an instant, James considered telling Bobby 'no', but knew that would blow up in his face if his dad or Craig heard about it, so instead he opted to just … ignore the situation as much as humanly possible on the way back.

By the time James and Bobby got to the tower, Bobby was quietly trying to keep his concerns to himself. At least until he had a chance to talk to Scott and see if he was off base or not. It was hard to get a good grasp of what James was up to or not up to when the kid was so agreeable most of the time … so Bobby tried very hard to keep it to himself.

Scott had promised to meet them there once his last class was dismissed in Westchester, but that only meant Bobby had to hang out for an hour or two before he could chat with Scott. In that time, he watched James with Tony … and Steve … and Jan. And the whole time he kept thinking over all he knew, all he'd seen, and how the boys had acted on the weekend … and it wasn't anywhere close to the way he would have reacted if he'd been that age and away from his sweetheart for a week solid.

When Scott stepped out of the elevator with Billy, who had hitched a ride with him, Bobby was still leaning against a corner near the living room area, watching James and the Avengers with a studious frown. Billy grinned at Bobby, then zipped off, leaving the first two X-Men to discuss things.

"Bobby," Scott said, then stopped next to him to watch for himself to see what was going on. "Something wrong?"

Bobby looked between Scott and James, then nodded to himself. "Yeah. I think … we should probably have a talk. I have some concerns."

Immediately, Scott's mind went to Emma and what she or other Hellfire club members might try to pull - and knowing how wrapped around the occult that group could be, the timing of anything near Halloween was worrisome at best. "Yeah, okay," Scott said, then led the way down to one of the ready rooms that Stark had set aside. He was more concerned for James' safety than he was worried about saying hello when he knew that James was wrapped up in something Stark related anyhow. "Alright, what happened?"

"I'm not sure," Bobby said, then held up a hand when he saw Scott stiffen up. "I think … that Billy's been staying over nights."

Scott didn't look like he was really reacting to start with. He seemed to be holding his breath and was almost perfectly still until finally, "... alright. Wanda needs to know. Can you reach out?"

"Absolutely," Bobby said, and before he'd even gotten his phone out, Scott was headed for the living room where he thought James and Billy were. Of course, when he got there, the two of them had already moved on - likely to James' lab, which was perfectly fine as far as Scott was concerned. It just made his life a little easier if he didn't have to isolate them himself.

Scott keyed in the code to get into the lab, and he was pleased, at least, to see that the two of them hadn't taken the first opportunity to start off a makeout session once they were away from the rest of the Avengers. But before Scott could say a word, Wanda appeared in a swirl of red smoky light … which was about as subtle of a way to say 'you're busted' as the prince of Genosha would get from his mother.

Scott paused to lock the door behind him, and the boys looked between Scott and Wanda before they shared a glance. There was no way they didn't know they were busted.

"Hi, Mom," Billy said, smiling lightly as he waved at her.

"Do you have any idea what time it is on Genosha?" Wanda said, looking far too serious - which had Billy cringing. Especially when he realized she had to have thrown her robe on over her pajamas.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what the emergency is," Billy said, doing a fair job of feigning innocence - even if he was the only person in the room going that route. Even James was giving him a raised eyebrow look.

"William," Wanda said, her tone carrying a bit more power to it than a "mom voice" alone would do - and Billy quickly shied back. "Don't lie to me."

"Wasn't… wasn't really lying," Billy muttered under his breath. "It's not an emergency."

"You secretly moved in with your boyfriend and you expect me to treat it like anything less than the height of short-sightedness?" Wanda demanded. "Do you have any idea what the repercussions would be if anyone found out?"

"I've been super careful. No ones seen me there!" Billy looked between the two parents. "And James doesn't even go anywhere once he's at the house after class. We stay in and study."

"You're both seventeen," Scott said, his tone sharp without being angry - yet.

"And doing amazing in our studies," Billy said, though James wasn't arguing it on either side. "Neither of us has been late once."

"This isn't about whether you can steal time together," Wanda said. "And it's not about your grades or your school schedule. It's about rushing into a stage of your relationship you are too young to be in."

Billy tipped his chin up slightly and shifted his stance. "Well … I disagree." His tone was cordial without any of the tension that he'd started with. Almost reasonable if not for the fact that he was wrong.

While Wanda looked like she was getting more furious, Scott simply cleared his throat and looked pointedly at James. "You'll be eighteen in a few weeks. The second someone - including someone telepathic - finds out you've got a seventeen-year-old living with you, I guarantee there will be headlines."

At that, James finally frowned deeply and crossed his arms over his chest. It wasn't anywhere close to the discussion Billy was having - and it was the right thing for Scott to say because a few seconds later, James simply nodded.

Billy turned sharply to face him. "Seriously? Just like that?"

"If he's right? Yeah." James sighed heavily. "I don't like it, but I won't do anything that will have people dragging you through the mud either." He gave Billy a more serious look. "They already think I'm screwing around with my sister. That's going to be a mess when they realize how wrong they are. They'll do the same with you."

"And you're both public figures," Scott reminded them. "Billy is still considered to be next in line in Genosha." He looked toward Wanda, who nodded once to confirm what he was saying but otherwise kept her gaze on Billy, who was looking anywhere but at his mom. "Something like this has ramifications."

"What we're not saying is that you could do this if you weren't under the public eye, either," Wanda added - because it needed saying. "You're both young. And until you are actually both adults, you don't get to act like lovesick Romeos."

"Mom," Billy grumbled, "I barely get to see him! This whole stupid thing with the school-"

"It's a short term situation," Wanda shot back before she turned to James. "How close are you to finishing up?"

"To be determined," James said. "They keep adjusting things."

Scott pinched the bridge of his nose. "No one is saying you can't spend time together. But moving in… is entirely different. It's a level of commitment you aren't prepared for when you can't give each other your attention." He gestured between the two of them. "And it's a bad idea to take such a big step under stressful circumstances this severe."

"Voice of experience," Wanda muttered under her breath, finally breaking into a smirk.

Scott gave her a dry look. "Look," he said, gesturing with one hand. "You're young. You're allowed to want to spend time together. And I'm not going to get into whatever it is you're getting up to while you do." He gave James a pointed look. "But moving in together is a commitment, not a convenience."

"No one said anything about convenient," James pointed out, because to him, it was anything but convenient.

Wanda tipped her head toward Billy, who shrank in a little more on himself. "'Mom, I barely get to see him,'" she repeated to Billy, who barely kept from rolling his eyes because he knew he'd get in more trouble if he did. "Make time. You said you're studying together? Do that. Have dinner. But don't go behind our backs to move in." She tipped her chin up. "If it's such a great thing, why did you hide it from us?" she pointed out.

"Technically, we just didn't announce it," Billy said.

"Tread carefully, Billy. I actually like this boyfriend," Wanda said in a dangerous tone. "But if you keep acting like you don't understand the weight of your own actions, I will bring you back to Genosha. And you will not be able to reverse my spell and you know it."

"It won't happen again," James said.

Wanda narrowed her eyes at James and then spun to face Scott. "I don't understand," she said, gesturing sharply at James. "I don't understand."

Scott very nearly smirked. "I raised him right. He knows better than to argue with me if he knows I have good reason for the rules I'm setting down."

"I don't understand." Wanda was starting to smirk as well. "I could hear you arguing with his father from space, I swear."

Scott couldn't help but smile as well. "Well, one day maybe I'll be wrong and you'll get a rerun," he teased, and Wanda pushed his shoulder with a huff.

"Come here in my robe ready to fight and your upstanding kid doesn't even have the decency to be a pigheaded teenager so I can get mad at him for corrupting my baby," Wanda grumbled good-naturedly.

"Sorry about that," Scott said in a tone that said he was not. Still smiling, he turned back to James. "Look, if you two really are serious about each other, just wait. Please. At least until you're both adults." He held his hands out to his sides. "I'm the last person who can talk about getting serious young. Really. But I want you to do this right and not just because your temporary situation is short on sex."

"I already agreed with you," James pointed out.

"You said it wouldn't happen again, and I'm telling you it can - once you're old enough," Scott said.

"I don't remember arguing against that."

"Thought I'd make myself clear before I find out you've taken your own statement too literally," Scott said dryly.

Billy looked between the adults and James and made a face. "Okay, but, like, he's only four months older than me. You're seriously gonna make us wait five months?"

"Graduate high school, Billy," Wanda said, one eyebrow raised. "Then you can take up with a college boy."

"That means you need to start looking," James teased in a flat tone. "Since I'll have my degrees finished by then one way or another."

Billy finally smirked at that and shoved James. "Like I'm interested in anyone else," he said. "I'm still coming over to study. And eat. And stuff."

"You might find someone more distracting with all that free time..."

"Nah." Billy made an exaggerated motion with both hands. "That's impossible."

"Never know," James said.

Wanda shook her head and then turned toward Scott, smirked, and leaned in to whisper, "And if this keeps up, I get to keep them, seeing as Billy takes over for me."

"Over my dead body," Scott said without missing a beat.

"If you say so," Wanda replied, then wrapped her robe a little better around herself and simply vanished, leaving Scott shaking his head and wondering how he'd gone from hiding his kids away to arguing with the newest head of a country on who got to keep his kid.

The rest of the weekend had gone about as well as it could while being overshadowed with every adult in James and Billy's lives keeping a much closer eye on them - considering that they'd been living together secretly.

The Halloween celebrations were a bit muted, and Craig had a solid lecture for James, so by the time James went back to Cambridge, he was ready to just … get back to work and put it all behind him. And that first night alone was rough. Not just for him, either.

Billy hadn't slept at all those first few nights, and he did his best to hold back - but their parents did say they could study together … so as soon as he knew James should be back at the house, he magicked himself there, ready to study at least.

And there was certainly something to be said for a few days apart. They studied … and had dinner … and even got to spend a little time on the couch together. But … once it was clear that it was getting late, James took the initiative to say goodnight. The two of them said their good nights and shared a kiss, but when James turned to head upstairs, so did Billy.

James stopped halfway up the staircase and turned with a smile still caught on his features, only accented when Billy pressed forward for another kiss on the spot, but that couldn't last. "What are you doing?" James asked, though he wasn't trying to stop the makeout session right there that was threatening to start up freshly.

"I thought we were going to bed," Billy said, but at that, James pulled back.

"You can't stay tonight, sweetheart," James said.

"I think I can…"

"No, Billy," James said, taking a hold of both of his hands gently. "You can't. I'm sorry, but it's like I said before … I don't like to lie to the adults. And I told your mom this wouldn't happen again. It can't."

"She doesn't have to know-"

"No, but I will," James said. "And I can't do that."

The shock, disappointment, and honest hurt was rolling off of Billy in waves, and James hated every second of it. "Well if that's what you want."

"Not what I said," James replied, as he caught Billy's hand when he turned. "This is not about what I want. Nothing about this stupid situation is what I want, but I still have to do it. And hopefully, I don't inconvenience you so much that you get someone new while I'm dealing with obligations that have blown up in my face." He leaned in to very carefully kiss the corner of his mouth. "Good night, little prince."

"That is not a proper good night kiss," Billy said after a beat - because he could see that James really wasn't any happier about this arrangement than he was.

"I know," James agreed. "But if we start up with that, I'm gonna cave and you know it."

"Just a small one then," Billy teased, before he stepped closer to do just that, even enjoying the turnabout when the kiss ended and James wasn't trying to get the distance. "I guess it's my turn to be the responsible one, hmm?"

"You're not helping matters at all."

"No. Not at all. And that seems an awful lot like what I was saying to you Friday morning."

"I knew that was going to bite me in the ass," James said in a low, quiet growl that at least left Billy grinning. But it was much better grounds to end the night, and when Billy did finally go back to the school, he left knowing that James wasn't happy about their new arrangement either.

He was still riding high after his little realization when he got back to the institute - though Tommy didn't look like he wanted to hear anything to do with his brother's mood.

"I'm surprised you didn't just stay," Tommy said, shifting to get comfortable on his bed and attempting to ignore his brother entirely.

"Yeah, well …" Billy drifted off, but didn't know exactly how to respond when the fact of the matter was that he'd have preferred to stay.

"What's wrong?" Tommy asked, leaning toward his brother. "He get tired of having a househusband already?"

"At least we were doing stuff," Billy shot back. "Which is a lot more than you can say for you and your pretty little Elf."

"And once again, I'm doing a lot more than you realize."

"Does it even count if it only takes a blink of an eye?" Billy asked with a mock look of concentration.

"Does it even matter since you can't do anything with yours right now?" Tommy countered.

Billy opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted with the room filled with a deep red light as Wanda made her appearance, looking as if she was caught between irritation and … something the boys couldn't quite nail down. But the first thing out of her mouth was: "Tommy." In a sharp tone. "Don't get ahead of yourself for once in your life. You're doing so well with Mia. Keep up that momentum!"

"O… kay," Tommy said, frowning deeply even as Wanda rounded on Billy.

"And you," Wanda said, her eyes flashing as she pointed one finger at him. "I know everything, and you have no idea how close you were tonight to going back to Genosha before you could even say goodbye to anyone."

"Mom-"

"Be happy that I'm not taking your grandfather's hard line on things like this or your sweetheart would be dead right now," Wanda continued to Billy's shock. "And the only thing keeping me from chewing him out is the fact that I know that you were the one pushing." She narrowed her eyes as she leveled with Billy. "You are so lucky that James inherited his father's sense of honor, but don't push it."

"Mom- I didn't do-"

"Yes, you did," Wanda said. "You forget, I know all of your tricks, Billy. I know when you're lying to me and when you're trying to pull something, but this time, you can't play those games." She paused long enough to make sure she had Billy's full attention. "Not if you actually love him and aren't just playing around."

"You know I-"

"I know your brother has been trying to show Mia some respect and has gone slower with her than he has with anyone before her," Wanda said. "So I know he cares enough to do what she needs. You … are trying to do what you always do, but on a much grander scale. This isn't sneaking out after curfew to make out on the beach, Billy. You weren't trying to live with those boys."

As Wanda spoke, Tommy grinned crookedly and made himself comfortable, even kicking his feet up behind him. "Wow, so this is what it's like when you're not allowed to do something. Novel."

"Shut up, Tommy," Billy grumbled.

"Can't. Enjoying this too much," Tommy said, turning so he was grinning at his brother upside-down. "It's so wild seeing you get in trouble. I missed the fireworks last time because I didn't exist."

"You didn't get to see how much trouble he got into," Wanda said. "That doesn't mean he didn't get into trouble." She put her hand on her hip. "And it's not supposed to be a show." She took a moment to run her hand through Tommy's hair. "And if you get into trouble with Mia, I'll be after you just as hard. But so far, you're not trying to be the fast one." She tipped her head and turned back toward Billy. "Novel."

"Aww, love you too, Mom," Tommy said, putting his hair back the way he liked it.

Wanda smiled crookedly then kissed both of them. "Don't start anything, please. You've both been doing so well. I want to keep liking your sweethearts."

"I'm confused, Mom," Billy said, tipping his head back with a frustrated sound. "I thought you liked him because he's obeying your rules."

"I like him for a lot of reasons, but the pressing one right now is that he's trying to stick to his word. You do understand that, right?" She tapped the end of his nose. "Because I know who was pushing tonight and if it had been the other way around, this would be a very different conversation."

Billy groaned. "Mom, you can't just spy on me with magic! I'm almost eighteen; that's not fair."

"Obviously I can, and obviously I needed to."

"You gonna keep this up until I'm eighteen, huh?" Billy asked.

"Are you going to keep this up until you're twenty?"

"Ooh, please keep this spell on him until then. It's, like, karma for all the favoritism the first seventeen years," Tommy chimed in - until Billy sent a spell his way that knocked him off the bed and had him busting up laughing. "Can't take it!" he called out as he picked himself back up.

Billy glared at Tommy but then turned back to Wanda. "It's not an issue anyway, so just… stop snooping on me!"

"We'll see how much of an issue it is or isn't after I have a chat with James, too."

When Billy could only respond with a frustrated groan, Tommy positively fell apart laughing - and then zipped off to go find Mia, because he was convinced she needed to hear about the spectacular Scarlet-Momming that had just happened.