A/N - robbie, the more we play with C'ris, the more I like him, I have to admit. He's got a lot of idiot, but he's actually tryin when presented with his kids, and that has to mean something. I think.

Which actually leads in to JD pretty darn well. ;) (hey there buddy! So glad you're poking around still!) I can't take the credit for that quip … I'm preeeety sure that on was robbie. She does Summerses like NO OTHER, I tell you. And I adore how well you segue, you are a master, my friend. So. K. Okay, So …. Admittedly, I could have spent more time in editing on that and properly portraying where I was headed with K in that scene. I could feel her disposition and where she was coming from probably a little too well because I completely let slip the full picture there, and for that - Yeah. I can see where she came off as a little over the top.

That particular Ravagers crew wasn't … really top shelf. So she was flat out lucky in that regard. In my head, that captain had scanned the ship for numbers and wasn't overly concerned with what they were facing.

As far as her handling of Hep and Alex, it comes down partially to age on Alex - and also a bit of caution on his well being. She doesn't want him hurt, or poisoned or whatever else might happen in space when she's clearly *uncomfortably* out of her comfort zone. As for Hep, she … is surprisingly hard for me to get a fair handle on. I know in the earlier versions of her she was a real space-hellcat, but in the more modern versions, most of her prowess is centered on her weapons - and she is the one in charge of weapons on Corsair's ship, so I leaned more to that. Of course, being a skunk-cat-woman on it's face would be enough to irritate the sensitive nose of a feral in enclosed spaces, so it was more an assault on her senses that she's just … over than it was anything else. When K gets fed up with something, she does get bitchy. Happens to everyone sooner or later. Lol. Add to that the fact that with as young as Sam is, and the nerves K had going missing her sweetheart and her adopted boy, she was definitely not herself.

My thought that I failed to portray properly, was that out of the three of them, Hep is the one with the best chance of getting Alex and Sam out of there, so it was less a 'big badass' and more of a 'if this goes bad, this is the best avenue'. Having said that, they got lucky, and though it wasn't clear, Hep was fighting along with her, K was just taking the lead trying to strike the fear of God into them. So, I promise I'll be more mindful of how it looks from the outside in the future.

Clearly, K has some major limitations, height and mass being at the top of the list. And unlike Logan, I try (usually) to have her be the one to cut and run if she thinks she's going to lose, but in a mama bear 'protect the babies' situation, a lot of that goes out the window.

*wow that got long. oops.*

Chapter Eight: Family Vacation

When Scott's birthday came around, the little Howlett family headed north to take their fishing trip as planned. There was a slight delay when some of Magneto's Brotherhood caused some trouble, but that just meant that when they did get to leave to go fishing, everyone in the group was exhausted and ready to crash for a while.

The transmission of intel on where their retreat was set to be was cause for entertainment for K and Scott at the very least when Corsair kept telling them that there was nothing but forest according to his computers, and Scott was smiling widely as K kept telling him "Yes. That's the whole point."

Alex in particular was glad when Corsair showed up a week into their trip - because it seemed like Scott and Jean were spending all their time in each other's heads. He supposed it was alright when he didn't really want to hear their flirting anyway, but still. It was getting kind of ridiculous.

Not that Jean or Scott was going to apologize when they were honestly enjoying each other.

I was trying to decide what to do for your birthday, Jean said as they took a little swim, chest deep in the water together, smiling to themselves as Alex and Corsair were focused less on fishing and more on one-upping each other with stories of daring-do, even if Alex hadn't been in the X-Men for as long as Corsair had been a Starjammer. And on the shoreline, Logan was curled up with K and Sam, too.

I said I didn't want anything this year but the trip, Scott pointed out.

Well I still want to do something special just between you and I.

Alright, Scott said with a small smile.

Jean smiled and sidled a little closer, entwining their fingers together. So there's something I want to do, and to do it right, I need to have total concentration and we need to be alone. Do you want to take a little walk with me, Mr. Summers?

Always, he said, smiling a little wider at her as they swam for the shore, past his parents who were giving them knowing looks.

Jean and Scott walked until they were well out of sight, then Jean grinned, took Scott's hands in hers, stole a kiss, then flew both of them well away from the others, stopping at a little clearing that was on the side of the mountain. It took Scott a moment to gather his bearings, grinning and laughing to himself as he looked around the little clearing they were in. Alright, I want you to clear your mind … and trust me.

Scott leaned forward to kiss her cheek. You know I always trust you, Jean.

Jean smiled wider, though something was flashing just behind her eyes that had Scott blinking at her for a moment - but it was gone as quickly as he'd seen it as she took his hands in hers and then closed her eyes.

Scott smirked to himself when he felt her warm presence in his mind, but the longer the connection lasted with Jean concentrating so hard, the hotter it felt. It was almost to the point of painfulness when instead of the heat, he realized that he could hear what Jean was thinking … from 'oh … I hope I didn't screw this up' to 'he looks so wary … maybe … maybe I went too far'.

Hey, no, Scott projected, holding her hand tighter. You didn't go too far. I'm alright. Just… hot. That was kind of intense.

Yeah, that's … kind of a thing, Jean replied. But that's not all I wanted to do. That … I opened up a psychic link. So you can hear what I'm thinking whenever you want - no matter where we are, and I can do the same. She smiled wider and not only could Scott hear what she was thinking, he could feel where her mind was headed - all nerves and excitement. And again, she didn't ask permission before she put her hands at his temples and concentrated hard. Take off your glasses.

You know I haven't mastered turning it off.

You don't have to, Jean promised. It's off. Trust me.

Scott raised his eyebrows at that and then slowly put his hands up to his glasses to take them off, surprised when there was no resulting optic burst… though it was nothing like the few times he'd managed to turn it off since breaking Sinister's implant in his brain. What that happened, he felt like he was holding back a flood… but this was like watching someone else build a dam. "Woah," he said softly. "How are you doing that?"

It's just something I can do now, Jean replied, smiling wider before she leaned in to steal a kiss. I thought you might like it.

Yeah, I definitely like being able to see you, Scott said. But Jean… you've never been able to do this before.

I know, but I couldn't focus like this before either. I think I was just … holding it all back.

Scott smiled, running his thumb over her cheek where he could see the pattern of her freckles really for the first time. I do like seeing you, he said. Even prettier in color … and I'm glad we're connected. I just… the timing isn't great. You just had to deal with the Phoenix and the Shi'ar. Are you sure this isn't- He paused when she frowned. Jean, no, this is a great birthday present. I love you. And I love being closer to you. I'm not questioning it… not that part...

Just … relax, Jean replied, as she stole a longer kiss. I feel great. Better than I can remember in years, really.

I'm glad. I just - I'm trying to look out for you, that's all, Scott tried to clarify, though he was already getting wrapped up in another kiss with Jean with his hands in her hair. You know I love you, right? I'm just worried, that's all. But when the kiss kept going, he couldn't really argue. And he honestly didn't want to.

When they did, eventually, get back to the others, Jean gave him a smile and rushed off to steal Sam from Alex. Scott shook his head at her then came to sit beside K, blatantly ignoring the look K was giving him when he had a few things on his mind.

"Have fun playing in the bushes?" K asked quietly.

"Yeah, actually," he said.

"Great," K replied, settling into her chair a little deeper. "Nothing like a little fresh air."

"Mom, I wanted to ask you …" Scott let out a breath. "I need advice."

"Alright," K said, turning his way a little as Alex and Corsair made a quick beeline for the cabin, which of course had K snerking to herself. Logan was at the river and a rather large pack of wolves was starting to come out of the trees.

Scott paused and glanced toward Jean to make sure she really was distracted with Sam before he took a deep breath. "I'm going to ask dad to help me look for, you know, a ring," he admitted quietly. "When we get back to Salem Center."

"He's got good taste," K said. "And he'll know where to go. Good call."

Scott nodded. "You know I love her, Mom, right?"

"Sweetheart, it's plainly obvious," she agreed.

"Well, knowing that, I'm wondering if I'm missing something or not -" He paused. "Jean's acting… differently."

"I noticed she's more quiet," K said pointedly. "And … more confident, too."

"We have been doing a lot of telepathic flirting," Scott admitted.

"Not surprised," she said.

"I like being part of her like that," Scott said. "And we have this connection…" He looked toward Jean. "Mom, she turned off my powers so I could see her."

K raised an eyebrow at that and turned toward him more squarely. "That's … not something that's in her power set, I didn't think."

"Sinister's done it, and he has telepathy."

"Sinister also has a laundry list of other powers. Can Charles do it?" K asked, looking thoughtful. "Maybe it is a more … powerful telepathic thing, but none of the ones that screwed with me in the department could."

"I just don't know if I'm not taking this seriously enough, all things considered," Scott admitted. "I love her. Maybe I'm worried too much, too. I need an outside opinion."

K held her breath and thought about it for a long moment, watching Logan while she listened to his concerns and weighed it out. "Are you okay with her doing that to you now and again? Turning your powers off?"

"Yeah… I think I really like getting to see her without having to fight for every second while I'm still learning, you know?"

"You'll still work on it yourself, won't you?" K asked.

"Of course. I'd like to be able to see her all the time," he pointed out.

"Okay, well … as long as it's not a crutch," she said. "That's what I was worried about with all the telepathic stuff."

"I don't think it is," Scott said. "I'm more worried about her than me. I don't want this power to come back to bite her."

K nodded at that. "Well … I still think the basic considerations apply. Everyone has something … different." for a perfect example, she tipped her head toward Logan and the wolves, where they were - just as they'd been in Canada - warming up to him quickly. "As long as you love each other - and you don't get lost in her … all you can do is be there for her when she needs you, right?"

Scott nodded slowly. "Yeah." He let out a breath and brushed back his hair. "I guess I'm nervy. For a few reasons."

"You have plenty of reasons to be nervous - above and beyond what most 'normal' people would. But if it's not a deal breaker … then honestly, what are you afraid of?"

"Just… I don't know," Scott said. "I just want her safe."

"Of course you do," she said before she rested her hand on Scott's arm. "But you can't control that all the time."

"I know," Scott said, looking toward Jean. "Alright. I… thanks, Mom," he said, suddenly turning her way to kiss her cheek. "I needed that."

"Anything this serious that regards the heart will always be scary and unpredictable - and a leap of total faith. You two … you're doing just fine."

"Got good examples," Scott said. "You and Dad are amazing, you know that?"

"I don't know about all that," she said.

"C'mon, Mom. You know I'm right. I've been right about you two from the start," he teased.

"You … weren't exactly sure about me when you found out what I did."

"Hey, one moment of weakness doesn't make me any less right the other 99% of the time!"

"I'm just saying … you knew who I was, then things changed … did it really change who I was?" K shrugged. "Aside … from the coffee equipment, that is."

Scott shook his head and then reached over to pull her into a tight hug. "Love you, Mom. You know that."

"Love you too," she said. "Try not to forget that."

A few weeks had gone by and the whole group had gone back to the Institute - or more accurately, K and Logan had gone back with Sam and left Jean, Alex, and Scott with Corsair so they could have a little one on three time for Corsair to get to know his sons - and if things kept going well, his future daughter in law.

Logan and K had made a few little bets between them on how long it was going to take for Corsair to call it enough for the time being and bring them back. And while they waited for the inevitable, they took their time to get settled in with the rest of the team. Besides … Sam was growing fast … and she was starting to get some little quirks that were fun to watch.

Like the fact that out of everyone trying to sing to her and get her to settle out, the reigning champ was still Logan. Sam had gotten worn out after her little six month check up at the Avengers place and the ride back. Hank had gone along to see how the process went, too, which was great for the Howletts, who were more than happy to share a semi-cranky little girl with him, and Sam adored giving Hank kisses on his freshly shaven chin. The young man had chosen his field well and he was excelling in medicine as well as in the three other doctorate degrees he was chasing down at once.

But when Hank had finished helping Sam for her check up, and they had made the trek back to Westchester, he had to concede that he just wasn't Sam wanted.

K was in Charles' office making arrangements with him on how to move forward with some horses for the kids on the team and the few new students - a couple boys named Jamie and Sam - trickling in, which left Hank no option but to take Sam to Logan.

But once he'd handed her over, Hank ended up sticking around while Logan tried to get her settled. Sam was fussy, rubbing her eyes and more than a little bit tired with hitched yawns caught between sad little whining sounds … but that all petered out when Logan started to sing to her quietly. Hank didn't quite catch the words, but after a little while, it was clear that Sam knew the tune since she started cooing along - her little vocalizations matching the length of those in the song Logan was singing quietly to her.

And the more she tried to sing with him, the more tired she got, which was, of course, when Scott came in … as Sam was honestly drifting off to sleep and not trying to sing as much anymore.

Scott smiled - especially since Logan hadn't stopped singing, either. He sat down on the other side of the room to wait until their moment was over and Sam was well and truly asleep. When it was clear Sam was passed out, Logan took her into the next room to lay her down in her crib - and even Scott could hear her stuttered sigh once she was settled in.

Scott smiled, leaning against the wall until Logan closed the door behind him. "Can I borrow you?" he asked. "Just for advice. I need to know where in town I can find a ring."

"Sure," Logan said letting out a breath as he crossed the room. "Think Hank can handle a sleeping baby until K gets back?"

"I'm sure he'd be more than happy to," Scott said with a smirk Hank's way.

"Oh, I'm sure I can abide it," Hank chuckled.

Logan smirked at Hank and then clapped a hand on Scott's shoulder. "Welcome back, by the way. How'd it go with Corsair?"

"Alright," Scott said slowly. "I think he's still trying to figure out what to do with us, honestly. I was ten when he left."

"That's gotta be tough, no matter how you look at it," Logan said diplomatically.

Scott nodded. "But… it was nice," he said. "I think he knows I'm thinking of proposing. Wanted to ask a lot of questions about Jean. And he and Alex have this wicked way of teaming up on me sometimes. Still drives me nuts just as much as it used to."

"Some things never change," Logan agreed.

"Thanks for letting us take over your cabin for a while," Scott said.

"Wasn't about to make you go somewhere people might bug you."

"Thanks," Scott said again, with a quiet smile. "Gave me time to stop by Jean's parents on the way home, too. Just to get everything done right."

"How'd it go?" Logan asked.

"I think they knew it was coming but … we're both still young. She's not twenty for a few months. I more or less had to swear on my life this wasn't because she was pregnant or something."

Logan let out a hollow little laugh. "So what do you need me to do, kiddo?"

"I have some money saved… I just don't know what to look for."

Logan nodded. "So you want me to tell you where to go, or head down with you?"

"I'd like to do it myself. I just need advice," Scott said. "And…" He paused. "Considering our luck? Someone who knows where I am. Just in case. Jean and I have this connection, but since I don't want her to know where I am, I need someone else."

"Gotcha," Logan said, then surprising Scott, he took out his wallet and pulled out a business card. "This place is close and does custom work. That way if you don't find what you want, they can make it." He drew in a breath and held it for a moment. "As far as the other side of things? Don't know what kind of advice you need."

"Neither do I. Not like it's something I've ever done before," he pointed out.

"I've done it a few times, but it's different. You're looking for her, so … you'll know it when you see it."

Scott couldn't help but smile at that. "Thanks, Dad," he said, darting forward to hug him quickly before he rushed off, before he could lose his nerve.

"You'll do fine," Logan said.