Disclaimer: see ch 1

"So… If we come, do we have to do drills?" Alex asked, arms crossed in the video call. Gabe rolled his eyes on the other screen.

"We're not technically X-Men anymore," he reminded his brother.

"Look, boys. I'm only here for a week to help your brother while he heals. I'd like to spend some time with you both as well because honestly? I don't know when I'll be back-"

"Um, August? For Grandma's birthday?"

"Did you forget about that already, Dad? Is your memory failing this young?" Gabe teased.

"I wasn't going to assume the three of you would be there. Alex, you're busy with your own team and with Lorna, and Gabe, you're-"

"In Alaska taking care of our family business. Why wouldn't I be there, Dad? I live with Grandma and Grandpa."

"You live in a house a few blocks away," Alex said, rolling his eyes. "That's not the same as physically living with them."

"I'm at their house almost all the time-"

"Boys."

"Sorry Dad," Alex and Gabe said at the same time.

"I'm here for a week. Alex, Lorna is welcomed, of course-"

"Whoa, like… in the suite welcomed?" Chris cringed.

"Yes."

"You were pretty clear last time that she'd never be allowed back in after sunset as long as you lived. I'm pretty sure the arm of the couch has a divet in it for how often and how long you had me bent over it from that event."

"You were seventeen."

"So was Scott when-"

"Not in the suite while his family was in there. While his niece and nephew were spending the night."

"We've gotten off topic," Gabe interrupted. "I'd love to be there, Dad, but I have Grandpa's business to run. He's already doubting me with how I took off for Scott… He doesn't think I'm serious about the job."

"I understand. Do you want me to talk to Grandpa and tell him to lay off?"

"I've got it Dad, but thanks. I'll see you in a month, alright?"

"Alright, Gabriel. I love you, and I'll miss you."

"Love you, too. Tell Scott to quit faking," Gabe grinned before signing off.

"I'll be there, Dad," Alex said. "I mean… if you're serious about Lorna being welcomed."

"Alex, she is always welcomed. She's part of our family now, isn't she?"

"I'm getting mixed signals." Chris sighed and rubbed his eyes.

"Look, Alex… Sex at seventeen isn't… I was just as hard on Scott. At eighteen, I wouldn't have cared as much, but the disrespect I felt at it happening at a younger age and in a location that I had determined as off limits…" Chris ran a hand through his hair. "But now you're both in your twenties and you're engaged. That changes a lot."

"Alright. I can respect that. But Scott has totally banged Emma-"

"I don't want to hear it."

"-in your room." Chris jerked his head up and his jaw went slack as Alex doubled over, laughing.

"I'm going to beat his ass." That only increased Alex's laughing fit.

"If you do it by Thursday, I'll win mine and Gabe's bet." Chris narrowed his eyes.

"What bet?"

"Sorry, Dad. Telling you the ins and outs of it is against the rules. And you spanked the rule following crap into me, so… Can't divulge that information," Alex grinned. Chris grinned back.

"I can always make sure your brother wins. Or I can inform Scott and let him take it out on you the next time he's back to full health." It was Alex's turn for his jaw to go slack at Chris' threat.

"That's low, Dad."

"Then fill me in."

"Just when you'd find out about it and inform Scotty you knew. We gave it a specific time frame for you to find out. Gabe said it'd happen by Grandma's birthday. I said by Thursday. That's basically it." Chris rolled his eyes.

"You set yourself up to win." Alex grinned.

"I like to win. I'm my mother's son, after all." Chris gave him a soft smile.

"Yeah. That you definitely are, kiddo. Alright. Who knows what your brother has gotten himself into by trying to prove he's healed enough, so I'm going to check on him. I'll see you soon?"

"Yes sir. Just a few hours. Oh! Lorna's on some vegetarian kick and she said she wants to cook for everyone one night. Just… agree that the tofu is good?"

"Is this her way of getting back at me?" Chris asked, disgusted.

"Probably. She's tested it out on me and when I said it tasted dirt, I got kicked to the couch. Just trying to keep everybody safe. She is the daughter of Magneto, after all."

"Alex!"

"Gotta go, Dad. See you in a bit." The screen went dark and Chris shuddered, already planning on that dinner being the last night of the week, and if he just so happens to have to return to space a little early… He knocked on the door that connected his and Scott's suites- they'd walked in on Scott and Emma one too many times- and opened the door.

"Hi Grandpa," Nate said, lying on the floor with a book in his hands.

"Hey kid. Where's your sister?"

"Mama took her shopping for softball stuff."

"The season doesn't start for several months. I told your dad this was going to happen if they put the team together this early."

"She wants to practice until the season starts," Nate shrugged, closing his book and sitting up. "Dad's taking a shower."

"Thank you. How are you doing? I thought you'd be taking advantage of a nice day."

"The tech is… I get headaches a lot lately but I can't take anything because then I get headaches from telepathy. So I'm up here trying to relax a bit before dinner prep."

"I wish your dad was smart enough to not push himself like that," Chris grinned.

"Dad is smart," Nate frowned. "He has a lot on his shoulders. I… I slipped and read his mind. I told him my head was hurting, so he pulled his shield up to block me to give me some peace. He's worried about Aunt Jean and about Big Nate and Hope and you leaving again and he and Mama aren't fighting but they're fighting and-"

"I've got it," Chris said gently. "I'm here for the next week, Nate. I'll help out where I can, ok? And Alex will be here in a few hours."

"Really? Cool!"

"Talking about me, hm?" Scott asked as he stepped out of the bathroom. Chris noticed he was shirtless- obviously relishing in his scar-free back.

"I said cool. Obviously I was talking about Uncle Alex."

"Let's see Uncle Alex give you an allowance, then. Uncool Dad's bank is closed."

"You're the coolest!" Scott laughed.

"That's better." Chris shook his head at the two. "Dad? What can I get you for lunch?"

"Shouldn't I be getting you lunch?" Scott grinned and took a step forward, quickly reaching out to catch himself on the table.

"Dad?!" Nate cried, hurrying to him. Chris was right beside his grandson, his arm wrapped around Scott's back as he helped him stand up straight.

"I've got you, son," Chris murmured in a gentle voice, helping Scott to the couch.

"I'm alright," Scott bit out. "Just got dizzy for a second." He pushed himself away from Chris and took a staggered step forward- this time falling to the floor. Chris was on the floor with him in an instant.

"Med Lab?" Chris asked.

"My bed," Scott requested. Chris nodded and picked Scott up.

"Damn, kid. What have you been eating?" He grunted. Scott gave him a pained smile as Nate opened the door to Scott and Emma's room.

"Want me to call Mama and tell her to come home, Dad?"

"No, Nate. Grandpa's here so she doesn't have to take care of me."

"She's gonna be mad if she-"

"Nathan."

"Yes sir." Chris carefully put Scott on the bed and stood back.

"I'm getting you a drink and your pills. You're going to take them and then get some rest."

"I'm not tired. And Hank said the pills were as needed-"

"Which you do," Chris said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm alright. Just dizzy. I'm not in any pain."

"Nate, out," Chris ordered. Nate darted out and Chris crossed his arms. "What's going on?"

"Just d-"

"Dizzy. Yes, I know. But why? Do you need to rest? Do you need to eat? Do you need a different medication?"

"Food."

"Alright," Chris said, nodding once. "You want a snack or a meal?"

"I'll be fine to wait for lun-"

"Snack or meal, Scott Christopher?" Scott rolled his eyes.

"I don't care."

"I can get you chips, a popsicle, a grilled cheese sandwich, a regular sandwich, pizza-"

"Grilled cheese?"

"One or two?"

"Two please. If it's not too much-" Chris gently put his finger under Scott's chin and lifted it up to look at him.

"I wouldn't offer it if it was. Do we need to work on your self esteem again, son?"

"No, Dad."

"Because it sounds like you're not seeing yourself as important again." Scott jerked his head out of Chris' gentle grasp and looked away. "Scott."

"What kind of leader am I?" Scott asked. "I got hurt. I got so hurt that my teammate did something she shouldn't have, and now I don't know when I'll see her again. I could have stopped her. Now I'm forced to be away from my team-"

"You were doing everything right," Chris frowned as he put his hand over Scott's hand. "No one expected that bastard to stab you in the back. That's not-"

"I should have known. D'ken said he was going to have me gutted-"

"He what?" Chris asked, his hand tightening. Scott looked at Chris.

"You called out that I was your son. He came over and… asked if I'd scream as loud as Mom when he had me gutted." Scott dropped his head, not wanting to see the look on Chris' face.

"You did sound like her," Chris said quietly. "She told me she loved me with her dying breath. There was no scream, no cry of pain." Chris closed his eyes and bowed his head. "She didn't want to give them the satisfaction. It pissed him off." Scott snorted.

"Our family seems to be really good at that."

"We certainly are," Chris agreed. "I for one am glad he's dead and your children won't have to have anything to do with him. And I'm… I'm sorrier than you'll ever know that I wasn't the one to bring justice for your mom, Scott." Scott shook his head.

"I was a kid, Dad. I shouldn't have…" Scott cleared his throat. "I'm hungry." Chris nodded and stood up straight.

"Two grilled cheese sandwiches. You want milk to drink?" Scott smirked.

"What am I, six? I'm an adult, Dad."

"Excuse me. Chocolate milk?"

"Obviously."

"You're insane, kid," Chris said as he headed towards the door.

"Says the guy who eats alien food."

"You wouldn't even give it a chance." Scott chuckled, unashamed, as Chris walked out. A few moments later, Nate slowly came in, his fist on the side of his head.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, Nate? Your head still hurting?" Nate nodded and got on Scott's bed, resting his head on Scott's lap. "You ready for medicine?"

"Can… It's quieter in here. Can I just rest with you, Daddy?" Scott tightened his mental shields and ran a gentle hand through Nate's hair.

"Absolutely." At Nate's small shiver, Scott frowned. He pulled the blanket over his son and touched his forehead.

"Not sick."

"I'm just making sure," Scott said as he resumed carding his hand through his son's hair. "I'm worried about you."

"I'll be ok," Nate promised. The two were in a comfortable silence as Scott waited for an early lunch. When Chris brought it in, Nate whimpered and curled into a tight ball.

"What did I do?" Chris frowned.

"His telepathy is acting up. I'm sorry, Dad, but he needs quiet." Chris nodded and put the glass of milk on Scott's nightstand and the sandwiches in Scott's hands.

"Let me know if you need anything else. I'll be waiting for your brother."

"Yes sir. Thanks, Dad." Chris left as quietly as he could. When he was out of the room, Nate sniffed and stretched back out.

"He's mad at me."

"No he's not."

"He's mad at something."

"You mean like his son being hurt by an alien who did it under the orders of the alien who killed his wife?"

"Yeah. Like that." Nate lifted his head and saw the sandwiches on Scott's plate. "Can I have one?"

"Sure." Scott handed Nate the plate with one of the sandwiches. "Don't get crumbs on Emma's side of the bed."

"Just yours," Nate grinned. The partial cyborg ate his sandwich quickly and then eyed the half of the sandwich Scott still had.

"Go ahead," Scott told him, rolling his eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Eat, Nate." Nate didn't need to be told a third time and quickly ate the remainder of his father's food.

"Thanks, Dad."

"Are you still hungry?"

"Um."

"Nate."

"Yes sir."

"Is that what's causing your headache?"

"I think so."

"Did you eat breakfast?"

"No sir."

"You know better, Nathan. I've told you more than once that you need to eat to help fuel the tech-"

"I was worried about you," Nate said, looking away. Scott put a comforting hand on the back of Nate's neck.

"I'm here, and I'm ok. Now what can I do to help you?" Nate peered around Scott and saw the drink on his nightstand.

"Can I have some of-?" Scott handed him the cup and Nate gave Scott a smile. "You're the best, Dad."

"I know," Scott smiled. "It's lunch time. If you're still hungry, I'm sure there's food being set out."

"Will you be ok if I go?"

"I'll be just fine knowing my son is eating."

"Ok. Want me to bring you up anything?"

"I'll be ok, kid." Nate slid off the bed and left the room. Scott sighed and looked at his empty plate as he tried to ignore his just as empty stomach. He stood up, hand on his now aching middle, and brushed the crumbs off of his bed.

Emma was going to kill him.

Scott sighed and hobbled out of his room to the small kitchen of his suite. He looked in the cabinets and fridge, finding no food. At least, nothing that would be quick and as painless as possible for him to make. A sudden flare of intense pain hit him and Scott fell to his knees, one hand on the floor and the other on his abdomen. The pain seemed to keep intensifying until Scott fell onto his side and passed out.

A/N: I start an into to screenwriting class on the 30th. All writing, other than what I'll be doing for that class, will be put on pause while I'm taking it for the next 2 months. Which sucks for "A Father's Authority" because Cable #11 (FINALLY) comes out on that day, too...

I have up through ch 12 written, so updates shouldn't completely stop.

Thanks for all the views. Nearly 400 views with only 6 chapters. Thank you :)