Scott found himself sitting beside a sleeping Jean, his chin balancing on his fist. It seemed like only yesterday he was doing this with her- before the Phoenix took several of them to the Starjammer. Scott shifted and swallowed, recalling that his daughter had been one of those taken.

*Emma?*

*Yes, Scott? Is Jean awake?*

*No, and… I'm worried about the Phoenix and Carrie. Do you think my dad-?*

*Because I can't keep them safe?*

*I know you could and would without a second thought,* Scott told her in an attempt to pacify her anger. *But I might need you here, too, and I can't have both.*

*So you want to send your children to space where the Phoenix can get to them?*

*I was actually going to see if you thought my dad might go with them to the cabin.*

*And Nate's grounding?*

*Dad will keep him busy and miserable. He's had plenty of experience with me and my brothers.*

*I don't want him striking Nate.*

*No… I'd have to change that. Sentences? Essays? I can figure something out. But do you think it's a good idea?*

*To keep them away from her? Yes. Cable has said things will work out soon, but until then…*

*Alright. I'll give him a call-*

"Scott?" Scott tensed.

"Jean?" Jean rubbed her head. "How are you feeling?"

"Everything feels… strange." She looked at him, frowning. "What happened? You look different."

"It's been two years since you and the Phoenix… merged."

"Two years?" Scott put a hand on her arm.

"I've been looking everywhere for you. You…"

"I-" Jean stopped Scott from talking as she lunged into his arms, placing his lips on his. Scott pulled away and pushed her shoulders from him.

"Jean."

"They said this wasn't real," Jean whispered, hands clutching her head. "They said-"

"They? Who is they?"

"But it isn't real, is it? I thought…" Jean groaned and her eyes closed.

"Jean?" Jean didn't answer and Scott ran a hand through his hair before standing. He knew he was going to have to explain what had happened to Emma before she heard of it elsewhere. He left Med Lab and went directly up to his suite, where he saw Emma watching over Nate, who was manually vacuuming the floor, and Carrie, who was washing dishes with a scowl.

"Is everything alright, darling? I wasn't expecting you to come up so soon."

"We need to talk." Emma frowned, but nodded. She followed Scott into their room and sat on their bed. Scott closed the door and sat beside her.

"You're worrying me," Emma said after several moments of silence.

"Emma, you know I love you, right?"

"I know. I love you as well."

"And that I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you?"

"What happened?"

"Jean woke up for a brief moment and kissed me. I pushed her away as soon as she made contact, but I still feel…"

"I see." Emma looked away. "Did you kiss her back?"

"No," Scott said, emphatically. "I would never do that to you, Em. I'd never… I don't want you to think that you aren't important to me. I don't know- you're welcome to read my mind and see it. You know I'm open to you." Emma looked at Scott in the eyes as best she could.

"I trust you," she finally said. "And I can feel your sincerity. I won't hold it against you, my love, but please don't expect me to be friendly towards Jean for the foreseeable future." Scott sighed in relief.

"I don't think anyone would exactly blame you." He lied back on the bed and raised his arm. Emma joined him, resting her head on his chest.

"Thank you for telling me."

"I couldn't imagine not telling you. We have no secrets, Emma. Even if the truth sucks, I… I'd never lie to you."

"Only because I'd find out," Emma smiled.

"Lies always come undone," Scott winced. "And I learned the hard way that you don't lie to the people you love."

"Your father?" Scott kissed the top of her head.

"I know you think he was too hard on us-"

"He was. After the past you had-"

"My dad didn't coddle me. He treated me like he should have- like he would have had Jack never happened. I think that meant more than him walking on eggshells around me. And he was there, Em. Every nightmare, every insecurity-"

"Stockholm Syndrome." Scott sighed.

"He was strict. And when I told him enough, he did stop-"

"Not threatening."

"No," Scott chuckled. "But he's always going to be my dad, and I love him. I've heard my grandpa threaten him, you know. He comes by it honestly. I'm sure Nathan has stories of me doing it to him and Carrie in the future." Emma adjusted herself and Scott wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"We'll just never agree on this."

"My dad was a good dad," Scott defended. "And I know he loves my brothers and me. He was just strict with obedience and respect."

"You are as well, but I don't see you striking the children for every infraction."

"Because I promised you I wouldn't." Scott ran his fingers up and down Emma's arm. "I don't hear the vacuum anymore."

"I will check on him," Emma said, sitting up. "Call Corsair." Scott nodded and Emma left the room. He grabbed the communication device to easily contact the Starjammer and typed in the combination for his father.

"Corsair," Chris answered, not looking at the screen.

"Dad." Chris looked up and gave Scott a brief smile before looking back at the papers on the table in front of him.

"Hey kid. How was Orlando?"

"Crowded and hot. You got a minute?"

"For my son? Of course," Chris said, stacking the papers up and putting them to his side. "What's up?"

"We've found Jean. Banshee- you know, Moira's husband?- found her in Ireland."

"I see. Is she alright?"

"She tried to kiss me. I mean, she succeeded, but I pushed her away. It's…"

"Emma alright?"

"She's annoyed with Jean and not me, thankfully."

"Good. What else is bothering you, Scotty?"

"Nathan used to tell me that she'd be fine once the Phoenix crap was over, but I can't tell if it's over or not. And I'm worried about Carrie."

"I would be, too. What can I do?"

"I can't send her to space- the Phoenix is too…"

"You want me there?"

"Would that be too much to ask?"

"What does Emma think? I don't want to upset anyone."

"Emma understands that I need her here," Scott told him.

"When do you need me?"

"The sooner the better, honestly."

"Alright. Where do you want me to take them?"

"They're in trouble, so nowhere fun. But I was just thinking home would be far enough away."

"Both of them?" Scott flicked his eyes towards the door and then returned his gaze to Chris.

"Nate punched me and then manipulated my mind to think I'd… hurt him. And Carrie manipulated my mind to try to get me to go easy on him."

"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine. He hasn't learned to punch properly, thankfully. My ribs ached for a bit yesterday, but no bruises on my chest or on my jaw."

"Are you alright emotionally?"

"Just made me think about… us. And I'm sorry, Dad. It… I'm sorry." Chris gave Scott a sad smile.

"I'm not happy you understand, but I'm happy you understand."

"Yeah," Scott said before clearing his throat. "So they're both grounded. Carrie's grounded another two days, and Nate's grounded until August."

"Poor kid," Chris winced. "You couldn't just spank him a few nights and be done with it?"

"That was my plan," Scott frowned. "But Emma wanted it over sooner, so I went to use my belt. That's when he manipulated my mind. I thought I'd hurt him. Emma figured it out and she was the one who grounded him for six weeks. And I know he's going to be embarrassed with you knowing, but I had to… No fun, Dad. "

"No time off for good behavior?"

"Absolutely not," Scott said firmly. "Would you have let Grandpa do fun things with me had I been in this much trouble?"

"Hell no. But I'd likely have spanked you long and hard enough that you wouldn't have been up for anything fun." Scott snorted.

"Yeah, that sounds about right."

"Scott? What if he tries to manipulate my mind? I don't have the defenses like you do." Scott frowned at the thought.

"I'll check in every day at random times. Would that help?"

"It would. I hate to say I don't trust him- or them, since they both tried it- but I…"

"No, Dad. I get it. He hasn't gotten any slack here. I'm… I'm still pretty damn pissed with him. Carrie wasn't as successful as he was, but… God, Dad. Can you imagine if I'd tried that?"

"I'd have strapped you every night for several nights in a row, damn the marks left. Possibly in front of your brothers as a warning- maybe in front of the X-Men. You would have been one very miserable boy."

"Exactly. It was bad enough that I… yeah. So they can go on walks or hikes to cure cabin fever, but no zoo, no whale watching, no TV, no video games, no fishing- just no fun. His days will be filled with chores, sentences, essays, and whatever other boring things you can think of for him. I don't care if that means he has to scrub the showers every day, Dad."

"And Carrie?"

"I'll send her with her computer. She'll be able to keep herself busy once her grounding is over."

"Got it. Don't worry, kiddo. I've got some experience with this."

"Trust me, I know. And Dad? Unless it's absolutely necessary-"

"I won't spank them, son."

"It's not that I don't trust you…"

"No, it's fine. I didn't want your grandpa spanking you three, so I can't quite fault you for asking the same of me."

"Thanks, Dad."

"I can be there in the morning. Is that alright?"

"Yes sir. Jean passed back out, so we should be fine for a little while." Scott watched as his father pressed the holographic controls to change the ship's course.

"Have them packed and ready to go by… Let's shoot for ten. You call and ask your grandparents?"

"Shit. I knew I'd forgotten something. Hang on. I'll call them with you on." Scott pulled out his cellphone and dialed his grandparents' number, putting the call on speakerphone for Chris to overhear.

"Hello, Scott! Is everything alright?"

"Hi Grandma. I've got Dad on with us. We've got some issues here that could be unsafe for the kids. Do you mind if Dad takes them to the cabin for a bit?"

"That's fine, dear. Chris? When will you be there?"

"Hi, Ma. I plan on getting the kids around ten tomorrow, and we'll be home sometime after that. Probably ten," he grinned. "Will that be ok?"

"I do have a family there for another two days, and then it's empty."

"If you and Dad are alright with some house crashers-"

"It's not a problem, Chris. Will Hepzibah be joining you?"

"She will, most likely. Will you let Gabe know? I'd call him, but I'm sure you'll see him before I can get through."

"I will. We'll see you tomorrow, son."

"Thanks, Ma."

"Thanks, Grandma."

"Of course! We'll have to plan what they'll want to do-"

"Sorry, Mom, but kids are grounded. It's not going to be a fun trip."

"Scott? Are they really?"

"Yes ma'am. It's a long story, but… They're not getting out of it. I'm sorry."

"No, I understand. Your father was a handful as well."

"Thanks, Ma."

"We'll see you tomorrow, Chris. Goodbye, Scott. I love you."

"Bye, Grandma. And thank you."

"See you tomorrow, Mom." Deborah hung up and Scott looked back at Chris.

"How is Mom?"

"She'll be alright, son. She's healed, just taking it easy. Captain's orders."

"How long did she kick you out of bed for those orders?"

"Nine nights and counting," Chris scowled.

"Ouch. That sucks. But you were right. She isn't still mad at you, is she?"

"She's not mad, she's just not happy. It's nothing I can't handle, kiddo. But I should go. I need to let my crew know and then I need to prep."

"Yes sir. Thanks, Dad. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd manage, son. But that's not anything you need to worry about for a long, long time. I'll be there in the morning, Scotty."

"Yes sir. Bye Dad. Love you."

"Love you too, son." Chris hung up and Scott put the communicator away before stepping out of the room. He saw Nate's door closed and he looked questioningly at Emma.

"He's in a time out," Emma explained as she brushed Carrie's hair into a ponytail. "Carrie has been asked to help Bobby clean the game room and I have given my permission."

"It's so gross in there," Carrie complained.

"Then let it be a reminder to you that you don't use your powers on your parents," Emma scolded. She tapped the side of Carrie's thigh. "You're done. Head down and let me know when you arrive."

"Yes ma'am," Carrie said as she got up from the couch.

"I'll see you at lunch, Care-bear."

"Yes Daddy." Carrie left the suite and Scott looked at Emma again.

"Why is he in his room?"

"I caught him using his powers to do his chores as he sat on the couch flipping through the channels." Scott rubbed his eyes and then fixed his glasses.

"Alright. I'll go-"

"Scott-"

"Emma. He's got to learn that that's not acceptable."

"But it's our last day with him-"

"And he wouldn't be having fun, anyways. He's grounded, remember?"

"Please," Emma pleaded. Scott bent down and kissed her cheek.

"It'll just be a reminder. I won't be too hard on him." Emma nodded and Scott went into Nate's room. Emma closed her eyes at the sound of Scott striking Nate and Nate's cries. She turned to diamond, not wanting Nate to mentally cry for her as he usually did. When Scott walked out of the room, Emma turned back and allowed Scott to comfort her.

"That sounded worse than you promised," she accused.

"It wasn't, Em. I cupped my hand so it sounded bad, but the sting will be gone before lunch. I guarantee it. And he has an apology to give to you when you're ready to hear it." Emma wiped her eyes and nodded. She stood and walked into Nate's room, where she saw him curled up in his bed, sniffing.

"Mama?"

"I'm here, Nate."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

"I forgive you, darling. Are you alright?"

"Yes ma'am. He didn't really… He made his point. I might have overreacted… Are we really going to Alaska tomorrow?"

"You and your sister are, yes."

"Will I still be grounded?"

"Until August," Emma confirmed.

"That's not fair-"

"Nathan."

"-to Carrie. I was the one who messed up, Mama. Don't let Dad punish her, too."

"I'll… talk to him. But Nate, even if we agree to allow Carrie to do certain things with your grandparents, you will not be allowed to join."

"Yes Mama. I understand," he sniffed. "I was bad-"

"Are you trying to manipulate me, young man?" Nate sighed and dropped his shoulders.

"No ma'am."

"I'd certainly hope not, or else that would completely ruin your entire summer."

"I'm sorry," Nate whispered. Emma sighed and leaned down, kissing his head.

"I will speak with your father about your sister. Are you well enough to continue your chores- without your powers?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. You may leave your room, then."

"Yes Mama. Thank you." Nate slid off of his bed and left his room. He felt his father watching him as he resumed vacuuming the floor by hand.

*Thank you, Nate.* Nate nodded to Scott and finished vacuuming.

"What's next, Mama?"

"Go pack for Alaska." Nate nodded and stepped towards his room before stopping and turning.

"Dad?"

"Yes Nate?"

"You didn't… You didn't tell Grandpa what happened, did you?"

"You know usually I don't tell anyone how or why you're being punished, but…"

"Oh," Nate said, his shoulders falling.

"I needed to explain why you were remaining grounded, son."

"Is he going to keep sp-spanking me?"

"Not unless you or your sister make it absolutely necessary," Scott told him, much to Nate's relief. "We'll be coming up with something else for you. This isn't going to be a vacation, son. You're going to be worked to the bone."

"No… I understand, Dad. And I'm sorry." Scott stood up and crossed the room to pull Nate into a hug.

"I love you. And even though your punishment isn't quite over, I do forgive you, Nate. It happened and it's over. I don't want you to feel guilty about it anymore, ok?"

"Yes Dad."

"Go on and pack now, son. Grandpa will be here at ten." Nate nodded and went into his room.

"Does he have to stay grounded?" Emma asked once Nate was out of eyesight.

"Emma-"

"I was the one who grounded him. Maybe-?"

"Emma. If you don't want my dad to spank him for the rest of the week, then he's grounded until August like we told him."

"He's just been through so much. I hate-"

"And I don't? My son is hurting and miserable because of me. I'd love nothing more than to let him off his grounding when Carrie's is done, but what would that teach him?" Emma looked away. "Emma, please. I need your support for this. I can't do it alone."

"What if we let him off and make him promise to never hit you again, or else his punishment will double?" Scott scowled.

"That won't work."

"Did Chris ever give you that chance?"

"I… No. But it's because it wouldn't have worked-"

"Please, Scott." Emma put a hand on Scott's cheek.

"Emma-"

"If you let him off early, I'll wear nothing to bed the entire time the children are gone." Scott groaned as he felt his pants tighten.

"That's not fair."

"All is fair in love and war, my dear." Scott crossed his arms and looked away.

"It means that much to you?"

"It does."

"Alright," he agreed. "Turn to diamond and tell me again." Emma rolled her eyes and shifted forms to her diamond skin.

"Let him have fun while he's away from here," she said, proving her mind wasn't being manipulated.

"Ok. But one toe out of line, Em, and I'm kicking his ass."

"I'll be sure to let him know. Thank you, Scott."

"And don't worry about your end of the deal. I'd never hold you to it-" Emma cupped her hand around the back of Scott's neck, bending his ear to her lips.

"I would be more than happy to be naked for you, Mr. Summers." She kissed his jaw and sauntered into Nate's room.

"Damn telepaths," he muttered, turning so if his son came out, he wouldn't see the tent in Scott's pants.