Disclaimer: see ch 1

Please read A/N at the bottom of the chapter.

"I don't understand why we had to come back with you," Nate grumbled as Scott helped Beast prep Med Lab for Jean's arrival.

"And I don't recall saying you had to join me in here to bitch about it," Scott returned, tucking the clean sheets under the bed.

"I'm here because it's not fair! This was our first real vacation, and you ruined it!" Scott rubbed his eyes before turning to look at Nate.

"I explained to the two of you what was going on. You agreed-"

"It was a fake agreement, like… like reverse psychology! You weren't supposed to actually pack up and come home!"

"So you weren't being extremely mature about your godmother needing me?"

"No!" Scott tossed the pillow on the bed and glared at Nate.

"Nate, my patience is quickly waning. Unless you want me to pop you or ground you, you need to stop talking about this or go to the suite. I'm done."

"But when I don't want to talk to you, you still force it," Nate grumbled as he crossed his arms.

"Excuse us, Hank. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Take your time, Cyclops. Their flight is still three hours out." Scott nodded and grabbed Nate's human arm and started dragging him out of Med Lab and into the elevator, Nate protesting the whole way.

"Lemme go! Dad!" Nate pulled out of Scott's grasp and rubbed his arm. "I hate you! I wish Sinister had taken you instead of my mom!" Scott froze, his mouth slightly opened.

"Nathan!" Nate looked around and saw multiple members of his father's team surrounding them. Storm had her hands on her hips and he could hear the thunder outside.

"He lied to us! He's always putting the X-Men ahead of us! I do hate him!" Nate used his metal arm and punched Scott in the stomach, causing Scott to double over. Nate used his human hand to punch Scott's jaw, just to be yanked back by Rogue.

"I call Emma down," Gambit announced.

"Let me go, Rogue!" Nate demanded.

"Yes, Rogue," Cable said angrily. "I'll take him to Emma." He grabbed his suddenly pale younger self and tossed him over his shoulder. "Kid, you hit me or kick me, and I'll beat the shit out of you." Nate whimpered and Cable walked away.

"You alrigh' mon ami?" Gambit asked, helping Scott up.

"Yeah. He hasn't learned how to put much power behind a punch," Scott said as he rubbed his jaw. Rogue snorted before laughing.

"Rogue?" Storm said, her eyes raised. "Care to share?"

"He- he's- he's Scotty's fo' sho!" She laughed.

"I do not understand," Colossus admitted. Rogue looked around and realized that of the original team of teenagers, only she and Scott were present.

"When Scott wa' seventeen, he punched Corsair." Scott blushed as his teammates turned to look at him.

"I remember that now," Storm said, trying not to smile. "Your father had a bruise for weeks."

"I'm fairly certain I couldn't sit for that long, too," Scott said, slightly embarrassed. "It's not all bad, though. That was the weekend the Twins were conceived." There was laughter and whistling, which Scott took in stride as he rubbed his ribs and jaw.

"Are ya gonna go easier on 'im, Scott?" Rogue asked teasingly, with a note of seriousness.

"I'll probably just ground him." Scott frowned and blinked before he looked towards the stairs. "Carolyn Ann! Did you just try to manipulate my mind?!"

"I'm sorry, Daddy!"

"Excuse me," Scott said, nearly seething. He darted up the stairs and grabbed her arm, popping her.

"Daddy!" She screeched.

"You want privacy, hm? Then don't misbehave in front of everyone!" He dragged her up the second flight of stairs and into their suite.

"What is going on?" Emma asked, jumping to her feet. "Remy said Nate attacked you!"

"Yep," Scott said. "And Carolyn tried to manipulate my mind on his behalf to lessen his punishment."

"Carrie!" Cable snorted.

"God am I glad I just have one."

"You're dismissed, Nathan. Thank you." Cable nodded to Scott and stepped through the connecting door for the suites, into what was formerly Corsair's suite, and closed the door behind him.

"Carrie, go to your room," Emma ordered.

"Yes ma'am," Carrie said quietly. Scott let her go and she hurried away.

"You're going to spank him, aren't you?" Emma asked Scott.

"I'm going to tan his hide now, and then I'm going to keep spanking him every night for the next week, Em."

"That's too much!" Scott glared at her.

"He used his metal arm and punched my ribs. He's lucky he didn't break them, Emma. As it is, I'm fairly certain they're bruised. And then he punched me. Do you know why? Because I ended the trip a few hours early. My oldest teammate, the godmother of my children, needs me, and he threw a fit. Yes, he's getting spanked every night for a week."

"Please, Scott. Not a week. Please-"

"If I don't spank him for the week, then I'm going to use my belt today," Scott told her. "He attacked me, Emma. That's big, and it's going to get a big punishment."

"Please don't hurt my baby," she pleaded. "I'm sure he's feeling guilty-"

"And I'm certain he'll be feeling guilty and remorseful once I'm done with him. And probably not like sitting."

"Scott!"

"Which will it be, Emma? The brush every night for a week, or my belt just today?" Emma teared up and looked away.

"Please don't prolong it," she requested quietly. Scott nodded.

"I'll be done with him in an hour," he said as he headed to Nate's room. He knocked on the door.

"Go away!" Scott opened the door and stepped in.

"I don't think so, Nathan. We're going to talk, and then we're going to talk. Now tell me what the hell was going through your mind where you thought it was smart to attack me." Nate sniffed and rolled over on his bed, facing away from Scott.

"Go away." Scott stalked towards him and popped Nate. "Ow!"

"You wanna try that again, young man?" Nate sniffed and rubbed his behind.

"You never have time for us," he told Scott tearfully. "You always put them ahead of us! I wanted one trip, Dad. But like always-"

"Nate, there are very few people who could have pulled me from that trip," Scott said, sitting beside his son. "Most of them were on the trip with me. The others are my dad, my brothers, Nathan, and Warren and Jean. Jean needed me-"

"She's not even conscious! I heard Uncle Warren-"

"But she's alive. Nathan, you don't understand the childhood I had. From the accident until Xavier rescued me, I had no one. Jean was my first friend in almost ten years. She has been my friend for the last fifteen years. I owe her so much… I'm sorry I ended the trip, son. I told you I'd make it up to you."

"But you hurt me now. Her being your friend doesn't help-"

"I'm sorry I hurt you. It wasn't my intention. Had you and your sister not agreed on ending it early, I wouldn't have left right after breakfast like we did. If you'd wanted to stay, you should have said so. Instead, I heard my eleven year olds say that their godmother was more important than a trip we could take again. And… well? I had had a telepathic conversation with Emma about doing an East Coast theme park trip next summer- the whole summer- to make up for this because of how mature you were being. But now? Now you'll be lucky to leave the suite before you're fifteen."

"Dad!"

"Don't, Nate." Scott stood up and scrubbed at his face. "So you were mad at me and decided to attack me. What made that seem like a good idea?"

"I was mad," he fumed.

"Mmhm. You know what happened when I let my anger dictate how I reacted to my father and punched him?" Nate's eyes went wide.

"You… You punched Grandpa?"

"I did. And once we were alone, he busted my butt and then sent me to my room, where he later came to strap me." Nate went white.

"Daddy? You're not gonna… are you?" Scott stared at Nate for a moment.

"No," he finally said. "I can't imagine doing that to you- at least not before you're sixteen. But Nate, you did attack me. No matter how angry you are with me, that is not acceptable, and your punishment will reflect that."

"But you-"

"Then you talk to me, Nate! You don't just haul off and punch me!" Scott rubbed the bridge of his nose, hating how he could finally understand the hurt he put his own father through when he attacked him.

"Ok. I'll remember that for next time," Nate said, standing and going towards his door. "Good talk, Dad. I certainly learned my lesson-"

"Sit your ass down, Nathan." Nate hesitated, but sat back on his bed.

"I promise I won't do it again," he said softly.

"And I appreciate that, son. But that doesn't excuse the fact that you already did it-"

"But you're fine! I couldn't have hurt you that bad-"

"Just because you didn't put the right power behind it doesn't mean you didn't want to," Scott frowned. "And I'm going to guarantee that it doesn't happen again, Nathan Christopher Charles." Scott reached for his belt buckle and unbuckled it.

"Daddy, no!"

"Yes," Scott said firmly as he pulled his belt through the loops and folded it. "Stand up, Nathan. Pants and underwear down and bend over your bed." Nate started crying.

"Daddy, please- please! I won't do it again! Daddy!" Scott closed his eyes and swallowed.

"If I have to tell you one more time, Nathan, I'll spank you again before bed." Nate sobbed as he stood up and unbuttoned his pants, pushing his clothing to his ankles. "Bend, son." Another sob left Nate's mouth as he turned and bent over his bed, hands clenching the blanket in front of him.

"D-D-Da-a-d-dy!" Scott wiped his own tear and adjusted his grip on the belt.

"You don't use your fists to make a point- especially not to your family," he said as he raised his belt.

"No! I won't!" Scott brought it down and winced at the immediate red mark on Nate's otherwise pale behind. "AHHHH! OWWWW! DADDY!" Scott raised the belt again, faltering. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the pain filled wails of his son.

"I love you," he said quietly, unsure if Nate could even hear him. He brought the belt down a second time, and then a third and fourth time.

"OW! OWWWWWWWWW!" Scott methodically brought the belt down, paying close attention to the creases between Nate's bottom and tops of his legs. He stopped after the tenth strike and tossed his belt onto the floor before sitting beside Nate and gathering him into a hug.

"I love you," he whispered into Nate's ear as he rocked him. "I love you, and I'm so sorry, Nate. Don't ever make me do that again, baby. Please. I can't…" Scott cried, holding Nate close to him.

"N-n-o mo-oooore!"

"No more," Scott agreed. "That's it. I'm done, son. I know I won't ever have to repeat this…" Scott sniffed and rested his chin on Nate's head. "I won't use my belt on you again until you're much, much older, Nate. I can't…" His breath hitched and he tightened his grip on Nate.

"C-can I," Nate sniffed, "h-have ice?" Scott hesitated, but nodded.

"Yes. Let's get your underwear up and I'll see if Emma will bring some in."

*I'm getting it now,* Emma mentally sent him. Scott helped Nate pull his boxers up, cringing at the cry.

"I'm so sorry," Scott groaned. "I should have- Nate, please forgive me, son." Nate buried his head into Scott's chest and cried. Emma walked in with a gallon sized bag filled with ice and glared at Scott, clearly furious.

"Mama!" She put the ice on the bed and gathered Nate into her arms.

"Oh my baby. I should have fought harder to stop him. I'm so sorry, Nate." She helped him on his bed, smacking Scott's hand away when he attempted to help.

"Em-"

"I think you've done enough," she fumed. Scott took a step back as Emma mothered Nate. He picked his belt up off the floor and stepped out, dropping to the couch. He knew Jean would be arriving soon, but he couldn't make himself get up and return to Med Lab. Suddenly, he heard yelling coming from Nate's room. He jumped up and threw the door open, where he saw Nate sitting up with zero signs of discomfort.

"What…?"

"You will not use your belt again," Emma said, walking to Scott with the bag of ice.

"No. I'd already told Nate I wouldn't-"

"The brush or a spoon will suffice tonight and every night for the rest of the week."

"Mama!"

"I don't understand," Scott frowned.

"He tapped into the link you two have and made you believe you were punishing him. Your belt never made contact, Scott." Scott turned his head and saw Nate sitting on the bed with his head in his hands.

"Go get the brush, Nathan."

"But Dad! You already spanked-!"

"Apparently I didn't! Now go get the brush!"

"No! You're not going to do this to me just because I-"

"Lied? Used your powers on me to manipulate me? Got out of a well deserved spanking?!" Emma squeezed Scott's hand and left Nate's room. She came back moments later with the hairbrush and held it out to Scott.

"Mama!" Nate cried, feeling betrayed.

"No, Nathan," she said sadly. "What you did was wrong- both punching your father and manipulating his mind. I'm extremely disappointed in you."

"I was right," Nate spat as he wiped his eyes. "I do hate you and I wish Mom was the one to save me and you were dead." Emma gasped and looked at Scott.

"I won't punish you for how you feel," Scott said in a voice that didn't match the hurt he felt at Nate's words. "Just your actions. But I am sorry you feel that way, Nate. I love you. And no matter what you do, I'll continue to love you because you're my son. You and your sister are my pride and joy, Nathan. You say I abandon you for the X-Men, but you forget how often I pass command to Storm or Warren or Betsy because you or Carrie need me- it's a lot, kid. I've heard more people question my dedication to my team than not. But it doesn't matter to me because my family comes first." Nate sniffed.

"I don't deserve to be punished for being angry."

"You don't," Scott agreed. "But like I said, I'm not punishing you for how you're feeling, but for the actions you took in your anger. You have to find a healthier way to deal with your anger other than with your fists."

"But you said you punched-!"

"And your grandpa strapped me. You really want to follow that example, Nathan? Because guess what- he passed that strap to me like my grandpa passed it to him. It's in my room right now. You want me to get it?"

"No!"

"Are you sure? It certainly taught me a lesson! With the almost week it took just to be able to sit- not comfortably, mind you, just actually sitting without jumping up- I most certainly never made contact between my fist and his face again. Is that what I need to do here?"

"No Daddy!"

*You wouldn't really… would you?* Emma asked, concerned.

*Not until he's sixteen at the earliest, and only for the worst offenses, Em. Even I was only ever strapped twice- once for punching my dad, and once for putting my life in danger after Wanda fucked with my powers.*

"I believe Carrie and I will see how we can assist Hank for Jean's return," Emma announced. "Nathan, the spanking was going to be your sole punishment, but after this display, I don't believe it's enough to be spanked every night for a week. You can consider yourself grounded- until August."

"MAMA!"

"I will come up with a list of chores I'll want you to complete during your grounding. If you fight your father at any point this week, I will simply increase the grounding and chores expected- and I won't give you Independence Day off." Nate's nose turned red with unshed tears at the harsh punishment from Emma.

"Yes ma'am," he said quietly. "I'll be good." Emma kissed his cheek and backed away.

"Let me know when you are finished," she requested while looking at Scott.

"I will," Scott promised as he gripped the handle of the brush a bit tighter. She kissed his cheek as well and left the room.

"Can't we say we did this and… you know. Not do it?"

"You want me to lie to Emma?"

"That's not what I meant…"

"But it's essentially what you said. No, Nate. Now my shields are up, so there's no way you're getting out of this one," Scott said as he sat on Nate's bed. "Underwear down and get over my knee."

"Aren't I supposed to tell you what I did wrong first?" Nate asked, trying to stall.

"We'll get there," Scott guaranteed. "Now are you going to listen, or does Emma need to worsen your grounding?" Nate groaned and pushed down his boxers before leaning across Scott's lap.

"I'm not sorry," Nate said petulantly. "I hate you." Scott wrapped his arm around Nate's waist and pulled him closer.

"Your feelings are your own, as hurtful as they might be to others. I'll never punish you for hating me, son. But I still love you, and I'm going to do what's best for you." Scott started spanking Nate, keeping his shields up and tight to ensure he wasn't manipulated again. When he saw the light red of Nate's behind, he picked up the brush.

"I hate you," Nate sobbed.

"I love you," Scott returned. He started peppering Nate's behind with the brush.

"Stop," Nate pleaded after a few minutes. "Dad, stop. It hurts! Dad, please!"

"Yep. It's a spanking, Nathan. That's what they do. Hopefully next time you think about punching someone in anger, you'll remember this." Scott shifted Nate on his lap and started swatting right under his butt and the tops of his thighs.

"OW! Ow, ow, ow! Stop! Daddy please stop!"

"No." Scott continued swatting until he felt Nate go limp on his lap. He finally stopped and rubbed Nate's back to help him calm down.

"N-not s-sor-ry!"

"Ok," Scott told him. "Thank you for being honest with me, son. My intention is to punish you for letting your anger dictate your actions, not to whip you into submission. As long as you don't do it again, I'll have done my job." He reached down and pulled Nate's boxers up and helped him stand.

"C-can y-you go a-away?" Scott stood and tried putting his hand on Nate's cheek, only to be shoved away.

"You're not going to let me comfort you?"

"Fuck you," Nate sniffed. Scott took a calming breath before storming out and into the bathroom. He grabbed a bar of soap and went back to his son.

"Open up."

"No!"

"Nathan, I have little to no patience. Open. Your. Mouth." Nate dropped his jaw and Scott shoved the soap in. "Bite," he ordered. Nate did so and gagged almost immediately.

"Iz g'oss!"

"Go stand in the corner." Nate shook his head no and Scott turned him, swatting him twice. "Right now, Nathan!" Nate hurried into the corner and Scott crossed his arms, counting the seconds in his head.

*Is everything alright, darling?*

*This boy has a mouth on him, Emma. He's currently got a bar of soap in his mouth and is in the corner.*

*Try to finish it soon. Angel said they're ten minutes away.*

*I thought they were going to be another two hours?*

*Apparently not.* Scott rolled his eyes.

"Nathan." Nate sniffed and turned. Scott held his hand out and Nate put the soap in it.

"Can I rinse?"

"Nope," Scott said. "Let that be a lesson to you, son. There are consequences for your language choices. Now let's go find the girls. I'm sure Emma has a few chores ready for you to do."

"No!"

"I'm getting really tired of hearing you tell me no, Nathan. You already have a week of spankings coming up. You really want to add to that?" Nate swallowed.

"Not really."

"Then let's go."

"But…"

"But what?"

"Everyone will laugh at me," Nate said quietly.

"Why would they?"

"Because I hurt you and they know how… you handle things," he said, looking at the floor.

"You really think someone will laugh at the son of Cyclops? Or will they ask how it felt to sock me?" Nate tried to keep the smile off of his face. "Look, Nate. What you did was wrong, but we're taking care of that. I won't let anyone tease you, ok?"

"Ok."

"And you'll tell me if they even try. As an instructor, I can handle punishments," Scott grinned.

"Thanks Dad." Scott kissed Nate's head, happy Nate didn't pull away.

"Let's go." He put a comforting hand on the back of Nate's neck and led him out of the suite and to the elevator to take them straight to the lower levels.

"I was wondering when you'd show up." Scott looked away from Nate and saw Warren walking towards him. He clasped his hand and pulled him into a hug.

"How is she?" Scott asked after pulling away.

"She's… aware, but not. It's hard to explain," Warren said, frowning. "She was asking for you before falling unconscious again." Scott nodded and looked at Nate.

"Have Warren take you to Emma. And remember Nathan: you're grounded."

"Yes sir," Nate said, sulking.

"What'd I miss?"

A/N:

Once again, I'm sorry for the lateness of this chapter. In the past month, all four of my family members have fallen on our staircase- I was holding the baby and fell up the steps, my husband fell and broke a toe and cracked his foot, and last week, my three year old fell from the very top of the steps and, thankfully, rolled to the bottom.

Long story short, we are currently packing up our house and getting ready to put it on the market. I have been extremely busy with securing a storage unit and packing and contacting a realtor and have had no time to write anything.

And, of course, I have recently learned that I am once again pregnant, which now limits what I am physically able to do in regards to preparing my home for buyers.

That being said, all of my stories are now on a hiatus until things have calmed down.

I won't abandon them, but I do not know when I'll be able to sit, write, edit, re-write, and post new chapters.

Thank you for reading my stories and for favoriting/following them/ me as an author. The excitement I feel when I get a follower/favorite alert is indescribable.

-Newbee