AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter may or may not be in character for Nate Grey aka, X-Man. I just needed him to create an interesting situation.

Today was a good day for the Summers family. Jean was in the kitchen whipping up some dinner while even Gabriel stayed away. The fire infatuated mutant instead played tabletop games with his older brother Alex, who was in one of his better moods. Nathan and Rachel lounged on the couch watching television. The man of the house himself, Scott Summers was in communication with his father as they solidified the next time they would be seeing each other.

All was very calm, and the only one missing from the picture was Nate Grey— and as Rachel had nicknamed him, the Prodigal son. Nate wanted to learn as much about Krakoa as he could so everyone assumed he was with Charles Xavier or even Magneto for that matter. They figured he'd be back in time for dinner is all.

But when the Krakoan gate to their home opened, it wasn't the familiar footsteps of Nate Grey the family heard. A black boot stepped onto their pure white floor, followed by another boot and a swish of a tapered black cape. With a joyous bellow, the man let himself known, as if his physical presence was enough.

"Hullo Summers family! It is I— your biggest fan! How are my most favorite people in the world?"

Instantly Scott and Alex sprung into action, raring their beams to go.

"What do you want Sinister?" asked Scott harshly. His fingers hovered right next to his visor.

Mr. Sinister, the man in question, gave a pout. "Scotty boy, where are your manners? You've changed quite a lot from the boy I met in the orphanage."

Alex took a step forward, his hands glowing in warning. "Hey paste-face, he asked you a question. What the hell are you doing in our house?"

Mr. Sinister softly clucked his tongue in response. "Oh Alex, you can't talk to me that way. I'm technically your boss."

"Yeah, well." Alex fidgeted a bit. "I'm off the clock. Now answer the question."

Mr. Sinister raised his brows inquisitively. "Weren't you told?"

This time, Scott spoke. "Told what? Where's Nate, what have you done with my son?"

Mr. Sinister gave a shrug and sidestepped so that the gate wasn't obscured. Out from behind him Nate entered the space with his brow set in determination.

Scott's expression briefly faltered at the sight of his eldest son. "Nate, move away from there, we'll handle this."

"No." Nate stated firmly.

Scott narrowed his eyes from behind his visor but not at Nate, but at Sinister. "Do you have him under some sort of control? I do care about the rules, I'll kill you, you bastard."

Much to anyone's surprise, Nate stood protectively in front of Mr. Sinister. "Scott." he said. "Dad."

Nate hardly ever called him dad, so it had to be important.

"Nate?" Scott queried. "What's going on, why is Sinister here?"

Nate swallowed hard. "He's here, because he belongs here, dad."

Scott waited for an explanation. Mr. Sinister was clearly enjoying this.

"Mr. Essex created me using your and Jean's DNA," Nate supplied. "Therefore, he's practically family."

The room went dead silent for a moment as the residents from the Summer Home all stared at Nate. Their gazes stung like heat vision, almost tearing him apart, judging him. Without having to know what expression Scott's eyes had, Nate already knew they were hurt. But worst of all, when he locked gazes with Jean, it pained him the most. And despite it all, her words also had to be the most startling.

"We have to honor Nate's decision."

"What?" Scott spun around to face his wife. "After all Sinister has done to me? To you? What about Alex?" he cried. "Nathan?!" and falling upon deaf ears, Scott entered their psychic rapport.

"Maddie?"

Jean sighed and softly shook her head. "Nate is right, and if Essex is allowed on this island, trusted by Charles, then he should be allowed in our home. Krakoa means new beginnings for everyone."

"We could also keep a closer eye on him and make sure he doesn't harm Alex because he's on the Hellions." Jean added to Scott psychically.

Jean then turned to Mr. Sinister with a smile that wasn't quite right. "Please have a seat, dinner is almost ready."

Satisfied, Mr. Sinister didn't need to be told twice. He took a seat between Nate and Nathan. Under any other circumstance, he would've sat next to Alex and Scott but they've been played out. Of course, he still cherished them dearly as his prized boys, but he wanted to get to know what Scott's kids were up to these days. Almost like the one uncle at Thanksgiving that nobody's sure he's even related to anyone. Sinister smiled a toothy grin at Nathan, prompting for the boy to turn away and rest his head in his palm.

"You know, I too had a hand in your birth kiddo." Mr. Sinister told him.

"Yeah…" Nathan snorts, having heard this about a million times since he got to this timeline. "I know. I made the family tree."

"Ooh!" The caped man clapped his hands joyously. "Am I on it?"

Nathan rolled his non flashing eye, "No Mr. Sinister… you are not on it."

"Please, call me Nathaniel, or is that weird because we're all Nathaniel?" Mr. Sinister asked, looking between the boys.

"Actually, I'm just Nathan." Nathan announced unceremoniously.

"Well… close enough, right?"

Nathan knit his brows together and slowly looked at Sinister. "I get why he's Nathaniel—" he glanced across the man to look at his brother. "But am I called Nathan… because of you?"

Before Mr. Sinister could answer that question, he watched as Rachel Summers stomp over and slump into a seat across from them.

"My my, my dear." Sinister cooed. "You deem to have your mother's attitude."

"Shut up." Rachel told him.

"You're very special Rachel." he said, leaning forward in his chair to look at her. "You're the only one Scott and Jean had without my help."

Rachel crossed her arms and gave him a blank look. If it weren't for the pressing conversation Scott was having with Jean in the kitchen, he'd be right there, protecting his children from having to talk to this man. So instead, Uncle Gabriel took up the responsibility. Alex would have too, but he was currently taking Scott's side.

Gabriel leaned hard against the table and gave Sinister a cold look. "Refrain for the ill willed comments, will you friend?"

Mr. Sinister returned the expression with one of coyness. "Well well, if it isn't Vulcan. You're a strange one."

Gabriel refrained from faltering and looking confused. "Pray tell, how would you know that?"

"Yes well," Sinister smiled. "Isn't that the question?"

"Listen Mister," Gabriel jabbed an accusing finger at him. "I know naught of your plights, but I do know the harm you've caused my family. The DNA you've harvested from them. I may have been a ruthless bastard in the past but you sir, are disgusting."

The words passed through Sinister like rain on a duck. "Bold words for someone whose DNA I have."

This time Gabriel faltered and his pointing hand fell. "What— when did this happen? I haven't met you formerly until just now!"

Mr. Sinister chuckled. "Oh my lad, don't worry about it. Yours is quite possibly one of the most important in this family. An Omega-Level mutant such as yourself is a valuable resource."

"Is that what we are to you?" Gabriel spat, "Resources?"

"Alright, that's enough." Nate stood abruptly and placed his palms on the table. "I don't expect you and Essex to get along, but we don't need to talk about this." His eyes glowed as some tabletop items began to float. "He's here, and that's final. You heard what Jean said."

"And… we're going to do exactly what she said."

The family and Sinister looked at where Scott had spoken, re-entering the dining room. Alex and Jean were in tow. "Nathaniel Essex will never be a part of this family," Scott assured them, "But he has every right to be here just like anyone else."

"Yeah," Alex rolled his eyes. His good mood earlier, long evaporated. "It's not like Apocalypse is coming over for brunch, right?"

Silence ensued as Nate quietly set the items back on the table with pursed lips.

"Oh my God…" Alex groaned.

"What?" Nate asks, defending himself. "I thought that this was what Krakoa was all about? Hell, how different am I Essex or En Sabbah Nur?" He looked from Scott to Jean and back again, using their parental titles once more. "Dad, mom?"

Jean sighed lightly. "Please Nate, just sit down. We'll talk about this later." She ducked back into the kitchen so she could prepare to set the table.

"Well." Sinister punctuated. "This ought to be fun."