A/N - Truth. Jeannie needs a better rap in the 616, and until they straighten that out all the way (they were doing so well, too) then we get to give her actual human emotion befitting a mature woman. (SHOCKER.) and she DESERVES to kick Sinister's trash all the way to the curb.

Chapter Three: Welcome Home (Again)

Eventually, Logan did go back to piloting so they could land - since Scott and Jean were both asleep by that point - and the five of them tried for a quiet return that they couldn't quite finagle when Kurt teleported to the hangar with a smile and an obvious desire for baby snuggles - completely oblivious to the fact that they were all in recovery mode and not coming back from a relaxing vacation like he'd thought.

Of course, he figured it out when K couldn't help but growl at him when he got close, even if she tried to temper it by shaking her head and belatedly telling him with a growl in her tone still to "ignore me."

"Was is das?" Kurt looked alarmed, his tail straight out behind him. "I thought this was supposed to be a vacation!"

"And it was, for the most part," Logan said before he turned to look at Jean and Scott. "You two should get checked out."

"I will take them," Kurt offered, clearly seeing that Logan wasn't ready to be around people yet and simply teleporting Jean and Scott to the medical bay without another word, though once it was just him and Jean and Scott… "What happened?"

"Sinister," Scott said simply - and really, that was all the explanation needed, all things considered.

Kurt's eyes got even wider somehow. "What… where is he? Can I run him through? What did he do?"

"Jean stopped him," Scott said, more focused on helping Jean to a seat than on answering Kurt's questions. "We don't really know how, though. We could use the professor, if he's available." He paused. "And if he's not, tell him to hurry."

"Yes, of course," Kurt said, still somewhere between alarmed and angry as he teleported once more.

You're supposed to be looked over too, Mr. Summers, Jean pointed out when it looked like Scott had no plans to do anything but hover close by while Hank got a few scans up and running for Jean.

Once I'm sure you're okay, Scott said, which got an affectionate sort of huff out of Jean. Then I promise I'll let you baby me.

I'll hold you to that.

Yeah, I know you will.

Scott was simply sitting with Jean and holding her hand when Kurt reappeared, this time with Charles, who looked obviously concerned, considering the state the family had returned in - when they were supposed to get away for a while for their physical, mental, and emotional safety.

"I thought you were having a little family time," Charles said as gently as he could. "What happened?"

"Sinister managed to find us," Scott said, looking angry even at the memory. "I'm sure he had someone watching any place where we had ties… even my-" He paused. "-even Alaska."

"Scott," Charles said, sounding supremely disappointed on his behalf, "I'm somehow not surprised that he'd have means to stalk you both."

"That's just it. It's not even a surprising move for him," Scott said. "It was careless. We should have just come here."

Charles frowned at that, especially when Jean looked alarmed at Scott's conclusion. "Why don't you tell me what happened before you decide it was your fault."

"He ambushed us after we stopped in Alaska," Scott said, his eyes narrowed as he shook his head. "That's where they buried my parents. Of course he'd have someone there."

"And does your father have any connections that are in similar areas?" Charles asked.

Scott paused and shook his head. "He's Canadian. But until then, we were far from anyone."

"As wild as I'm sure most of your father's hideouts are, Canada isn't entirely a forest," Charles said with a smirk. "You should ask him if he has any places to hide that are closer to things like electricity."

Despite herself, Jean chuckled at that. "Yeah, Sinister doesn't exactly rough it."

"The point is," Scott said, shaking his head at both of them, "he was waiting for us to show up at one of the places he was watching. If Jean hadn't gotten us out like she did, we'd all still be there."

"Perhaps you could tell me more specifically what happened," Charles said. "Since I'm very sure your parents aren't going to."

"That's the thing," Jean said slowly. "We're not… entirely sure what happened. I don't know what happened." She was unconsciously curling against Scott, trying to look smaller. "It just… did."

"Did you tell the Avengers about this?" Charles asked. "I'm sure Dr. Pym or Mr. Stark would have ideas or concerns. Frankly, I'm surprised that Captain Rogers hasn't come to tell me how we're not paying enough attention yet."

Scott couldn't help but smirk at that. "We came here," he said. "And honestly, professor, you're the expert when it comes to powers, and we were hoping…" He glanced at Jean.

Jean nodded. "I'm the one that got us out, but I don't understand how I was able to do it, especially when there was a dampener up. I shouldn't have been able to do… anything that I did." And then, because she truly couldn't explain it, she simply projected to Charles what had happened, starting with when she'd melted the door of her cell.

Charles frowned as he took in Jean's retelling of events, though he couldn't help but smile a bit to himself when he saw what the triggers were that had her losing her control. She really was fitting in nicely to the little family, and he knew that was what they both wanted. "Jean, I don't know what to tell you," Charles said finally. "I don't understand where this new power is from, but I am very sure it's not tied to your telepathy or telekinesis."

"I don't know," Jean said softly. "It felt easier to get into his mind…"

"It sounds like more than a power surge," Charles said.

It feels like a part of me that's not a part of me, Jean projected, trying to share with Charles that same sort of sleeping power that she could feel at the edge of her reach.

But when he tried to look closer at whatever it was she was trying to express, Charles very quickly found himself evicted from the projection. "Jean," Charles barely breathed out, completely off kilter from the abrupt end of their shared projection. "Did you mean to do that?"

"No," Jean said, her eyes wide. "I was trying to show you…"

"It's like a separate entity," Charles said, frowning at her. "Is this … did Essex have something to do with this, I wonder …"

Jean shook her head. "He didn't knock me out, and I was awake the whole time - and aware," she said. "And… he seemed surprised, to tell you the truth."

Charles looked thoughtful, and more than once over the following several minutes, he'd open his mouth, only to close it again a moment later before, finally, haltingly …. "Then perhaps this is related to your power surges."

Jean looked surprised, then almost relieved. "You know, that's the first thing about this that's made sense…"

"And you did say it helped you get into Essex's mind," Scott said, looking between the two of them with his eyebrows obviously high, even with the glasses.

Jean bit her lip and nodded, still wrapping her arms around herself as she thought it over. "How do we… it's almost like having a whole new power to learn," she said, sounding a little overwhelmed.

"And not something that I'm used to seeing in a mutant your age, Jean," Charles said. "Secondary mutations are rare, but they only ever manifest well into adulthood. Not … you're simply too young for that to be the case."

"Well, didn't you say sometimes trauma causes powers to manifest?" Scott offered. "I mean, we're both adults. Maybe it's just… early? Not like Sinister doesn't qualify as trauma…"

"Not for a secondary," Charles said, shaking his head lightly.

"Maybe… we can look into it in the morning," Jean offered quietly.

"Yes, of course," Charles said before he turned to Scott. "How is the rest of your family?"

"Sam's alright," Scott said. "She got mad when he pricked her, but she'll be okay." He let out a breath. "Mom… is furious. Dad's still simmering."

"But you expect that they're more or less alright, I'm guessing."

"Physically, yeah."

"But you don't believe they're alright otherwise," Charles finished.

"Would you be?" Scott asked, one eyebrow raised.

"No, I'd suspect not," Charles admitted, then took a moment to weigh his words. "Do they plan to return to Dr. Pym to be checked over?"

Scott paused, then frowned. "I'll… talk to them," he said, knowing full well neither of them were thinking about anything like that at the moment.

"It just concerns me that the three of them were alone with Essex for some time. And considering the history …"

"Yeah, I get it," Scott promised. "I do. I should have thought of that too. I'll… I'll call the tower and let them know what happened."

"Thank you, Scott. I know that both Logan and K will be more responsive to the suggestion if it comes from someone other than myself."

"Don't take it personally, professor," Scott said with a small smile.

"No, of course not," Charles said. "They're solitary people on a good day. They've just been horribly violated; of course they'd want privacy."

Scott nodded. "Thanks, professor," he said, helping Jean to her feet. "Sorry to come back with a five-alarm fire…."

"I'm beginning to think that's the only way your family returns from any excursion," Charles said dryly.

"Believe me, I'd be happy to break that streak too," Scott said, just as dryly.

"I'm sure you all would," Charles agreed. "Thank you, Scott. Jean … you should both try to rest."

Jean nodded, holding Scott's hand a little tighter before he simply picked her up and headed up with her.

Naturally, the Avengers were more than a little concerned about the news of Essex - and on hearing how it had gone down, Jan insisted that they stay with them in the tower until after the wedding was over.

"You guys need some happiness, okay?" Jan insisted. "And, K, you need to be a bridesmaid."

"I already said I would. No guarantees that the dress will look good, though …"

"Please. I designed it." Jan waved her hand as if there was no other possible explanation.

"Well yeah, but … I mean .. no telling what happened with Essex …"

Jan made a face. "If you could hold off on doing anything like that until it's not Sinister-created…"

"I'd much rather any more be ones that we get rolling on our own," K said.

"Good. Wait until me and Hank get started," Jan teased, bumping shoulders with her.

"So what … ten minutes from now? Twenty? I don't recall agreeing to a race."

Jan laughed. "Oh, let me actually get to the honeymoon first!"

"That's a long time to wait to dive in," K said.

"I know, right?" Jan giggled and bounced in place.

"You know … if you did start now, it's not like anyone would know, since the wedding is so close."

"Shhh." Jan laughed. "He'll totally freak. He's so not ready to do anything but this."

"Um … have you seen him with Sam?" K said.

"I have," Jan said. "But he's going to die of stress."

"He'd cope."

"Oh, I'm sure. But don't kill him before we get there." Jan kissed K's cheek. "Give me two more days, mkay?"

"Okay, okay," K agreed. "I'm just saying.… I could help you figure out timing if you get tired of chance."

"If it doesn't happen by the time we hit our anniversary, I'm not even kidding: I will take you up on that. He needs a little anklebiter chasing him around his lab, don't you think?"

"I really think he does. And I hope you get a girl."

"Me too!" She paused and giggled. "And I hope Tony gets his act together with Pepper fast. He needs a tiny redhead, okay? Like, yesterday. I know it's early when they've only been on a few dates, but still!"

"I know … he'd melt," K laughed. "He melts with Sam, too."

"It's so sweet." Jan leaned forward. "And Natasha has been sulking about it, you know. It's kind of glorious."

"She'll get over it," K said.

"She better," Jan sniffed, then grabbed K by the hands. "Now, come on. I need a manicure, and I need someone to get it with me."

"You got it," K agreed, looping arms with her.

On the day of the actual wedding, of course, Jan was bouncing in place, positively brimming with happiness.

"Okay, are you sure you want to marry him?" K asked, checking Jan's hair and arranging the little flowers at the top of her head.

"Oh, definitely," Jan giggled. "I love him."

"Alright … but I think it's mandatory that someone give you the option anyhow …"

"Well, thanks for offering, but I'm set," Jan said with a wide smile.

"Good. I'd hate to think we got all dressed up for nothing."

Jan laughed again, then checked her reflection in the mirror. "I'm totally going to knock him dead, aren't I?"

"Without a doubt," K agreed.

Jan smiled and then gave K a quick hug. "Okay. I'll meet you in a few. I just need to take a moment before we do the official walk. I'm going to make a spectacular entrance."

"You sure are," K agreed then gave her a little hug. "Congratulations - good luck! I'll hold your flowers for the rings."

Jan smiled, holding her breath until the music started to play - and then everyone could see that she was floating on air all the way down to a stunned-looking Hank. By the time they (barely) made it through the vows, the whole assembly was trying to hide their laughter as Jan restrained herself until the last second for the kissing portion of the evening.

And then, of course, there was plenty of partying. Tony had put together a ton of food and all the best drinks for everyone old enough (though he wasn't going to stop anyone younger from having some either) and was clearly enjoying hosting the party.

Scott was enjoying himself too, though when he sat down and Natasha sat close by, it was obvious she wasn't. "You alright?"

"Of course I am," Natasha said, never too far from her standard neutral responses.

"Hey, I might not be able to smell lies like my dad, but I'm pretty good at spotting them," Scott said. "Lifetime of dealing with liars. So let's try that again. Anything I can do to help?"

Natasha smirked for just a moment as she weighed it out. "How about a dance - and you can tell me what's really going on with the four of you."

"Alright, on one condition," Scott said. "You tell me what's got you down, and I'll tell you about Alaska."

She tipped her head for an instant. "I suppose. But your trade-off of information is wildly off. You need to learn to negotiate better."

"Well, you're part of the family. I guess that falls under your duties to teach me," Scott teased as he took her hand to lead her onto the dance floor.

"I suppose it does," Natasha said, smirking a little more before she took a moment to tell him how she expected him to dance with her.

Scott was smirking hard as they twirled on the dance floor together before he finally broached the subject again. "Alright, so, I grew up in Alaska - that's why we stayed longer than we meant to. At least at first."

Natasha smiled at that. "It sounds like Logan knew what you needed - a little time where you're from."

Scott nodded, letting his expression drop into something more open. "We went to see my mom. Her gravestone, at least," he said quietly.

"I'm sorry," Natasha said.

"Not your fault," Scott said - clearly a rote response he'd picked up from his parents. "So, what has you down?"

"Nothing so world-changing," Natasha said. "Just a little … bump in what I'd wanted to do here."

"You're not leaving, are you?" Scott asked with a frown. "Dad's been enjoying having you."

"No, I'm not," she decided. "It's been good to see Logan and Steve … and your mother said she was working on something. She has been making progress, too."

"So, what's the bump?" he asked. "Things weird with Clint? I know he's a dork sometimes, but he's finally growing on my team…"

"Clint?" she said, frowning, then quickly shook her head. "No. I was trying to get Stark."

Scott made a face. "Why."

"What do you mean 'why'?" she said, frowning.

"He's a self-absorbed prick," Scott said bluntly. "Come on."

"He's ... " she closed her eyes and shook her head. "It doesn't matter. That's not an issue."

"Because he's with Pepper Potts," Scott surmised. "Yeah, I can see that being a 'bump' if that was your plan." He shook his head. "Seriously, I thought you were smart."

Natasha blinked at him a few times. "Honestly, Scott, how do you really feel about him?"

"Hey, I've had to deal with him a few times. Once, he threw out all the clothes I owned and tried to dress me like a walking mid-life crisis."

At that, Natasha couldn't help but laugh. "And I'm sure you didn't like when he was seeing K either."

"Not at all," he agreed fervently. "Not a fan."

"I wasn't a fan of that either," she agreed.

Scott smiled at her and then pulled her into a spin. "Hey, I'm sorry you didn't get together with the guy that would be terrible for you. Here's to new beginnings and smarter life choices?"

"Luckier life choices, perhaps."

"We'll see, right? Maybe you'll find your Jean." Scott grinned toward where Jean was dancing with Logan while K had Sam. "I wasn't expecting to meet her, and ever since, it's just been… right."

"That might be interesting," she said. "I don't know how that opportunity would present itself for me."

"I got locked out by Bobby and left in the cold. Never know," Scott said, still grinning. He glanced toward Clint, who had sat down by Sam and was making ridiculous faces at her, and then back to Natasha. "I'll keep an eye out."

"As appreciated as that would be … I think I'll take my chances on my own."

"If you say so," Scott said, smiling as he made his way over to Jean and Logan with Natasha as the song ended. "Trade you dance partners?" he offered.

"I think you've been with the wrong redhead long enough," Jean said with a grin.

"Jealous?" he teased as he took her hand.

"She's too old for you," Jean said without missing a beat.

"And she's not you," Scott said, smiling and stealing a kiss before the two of them swept off together.

Natasha shook her head as she took Logan's hand to dance with him. "He's so much like you. You raised him well."

"He did it all on his own," Logan said.

"Of course," Natasha said, smiling at him - and then smiling wider when he shook his head at her and pulled her into a fancier dance.

And of course, Jan and Hank were doing plenty of celebrating as well, both of them looking almost shocked at themselves by the time they got around to the usual traditions - cutting the cake and throwing the bouquet and all that, though K didn't miss the obvious wink Jan gave her when she made sure Jean caught the flowers.

"Oh, look! I'll start designing!" Jan giggled.

"You've got plenty of time to do it right!" Jean shot right back - getting Scott to blush a deep red, especially when Clint leaned over and whispered something in his ear that somehow shifted him from red to purple.

"At least the Avengers know it's as ridiculous as we know it is," Bobby muttered to Hank

"Them getting married? Or …"

"Yep."

"I don't believe it's that far off."

"The way they're taking over our living room half the time? Yeah, I can see that," Bobby snickered.

"Robert, we don't have to be around them," Hank chuckled.

"I just come down the stairs to get a midnight snack and boom they're snuggled on the couch like it's their bedroom!" Bobby threw his hands up. "All the time, Hank. I have to live with this."

"Perhaps you need a new hobby," Hank teased.

"I'll take up knitting." Bobby tipped his head toward Ororo and Kurt. "And maybe marble collecting. Seeing as those two are just as bad in a sort of 40's movie star couple kind of way."

Hank clapped his hand on Bobby's shoulder. "Come on, Robert; let's find something to do away from the horrible '40's movie couple."