Disclaimer: see ch 1
Warning: mention of spanking
Scott couldn't help the feeling of relief when he saw his father walk through the doors. He was greeted by multiple X-Men, some out of respect for Scott, and others who were genuinely happy to see him.
"Dad," Scott called, walking over. Chris grinned and held his arms out. Scott rolled his eyes with a small smile and hugged him.
"I haven't seen you in over a year," Chris said, hugging him tightly. "I've missed you, kid."
"I've missed you, too," Scott said, pulling away. "Kids are upstairs. Last second packing." Chris nodded and followed him up to the suite.
"How are Nathan and Hope?"
"They're great," Scott told him. "Hope was able to join the Twins in classes. I don't think it has completely hit her how Nate and Nathan are the same…"
"Well, they are, but they're not. He's still Nathan Dayspring-"
"Not here, he isn't." Chris said nothing as they walked through the door to the suite.
"Grandpa!" Carrie cried excitedly. She rushed to him and hugged him.
"My God, you've gotten taller than the last time I saw you!" Carrie pulled back and grinned.
"Hi Grandpa." Chris turned and saw a more subdued Nate.
"Nathan," he frowned, still not pleased with him. Nate heard the displeasure and lowered his gaze to the floor.
"You two get your things together. I'll make sure Grandpa knows what to expect while you're with him." Nate and Carrie went into their respective rooms and Scott turned.
"No fun, lots of chores, and hikes for cabin fever. We went over this already-" Chris started.
"Actually," Scott interrupted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Emma… She thinks Nate deserves a bit of a reprieve-"
"The hell he does," Chris glared. "He punched you-"
"I know, Dad. But I've already agreed with her. Everyone is stressed here, and he-"
"Scott. He hurt you. What he did was almost unforgivable-"
"You forgave me," Scott said, meeting Chris' eyes.
"You were punished for what you did. Quite severely, if I remember correctly." Scott watched Nate move morosely around his room.
"So was he."
"A spanking and going back on your word is nothing-"
"Remember how upset you'd get when Grandpa did this to you?" Chris let out an angry breath through his flared nostrils.
"This is different-"
"No it's not. His mother and I have decided to give him a second chance-"
"You mean she decided and you're too damn whipped to argue-"
"Yeah, well, whose fault is that?!" Scott asked angrily. Chris took several breaths before looking away.
"I disagree with this, Scott. And you know your grandpa will as well-"
"Dad," Scott said impatiently. "If you can't agree with my parenting-"
"That isn't what you're doing. You're letting your son walk all over-" Chris stopped and blinked as Scott simply raised his eye. "Dear God, I am my father."
"Nate knows he can expect double the original punishment if he ever attacks me again. He's sworn he won't, and Nathan confirmed that outside of sparring, Nate will keep his word. Which is more than what you can say about me. I think having me put this trust in him is more effective than just spanking him."
"It worked just fine-"
"I'm not saying it didn't, Dad. You'll notice that I do spank them when it's warranted. But it's… I rely on other ways, too. And it would mean a lot to me if, even if you disagree, you'll support me." Chris crossed his arms.
"Nate!" Nate hurried out and looked at his grandfather.
"Yes sir?"
"I need to know if you've truly learned anything."
"Y-yes sir. I don't know what came over me when I… But I won't ever do it again. Dad spanked me, but knowing I'd actually hurt him… That was worse than anything he could do to me. Even Big Nate said I was out of line and said if I did it again, he'd…"
"He'd what?" Scott asked, annoyed with his time traveling son.
"He'd do it to me to show me how it feels," Nate finished, looking at the floor.
"I won't let him," Scott promised. "Are you satisfied, Dad?" Chris took in the subdued boy.
"I want an essay from you when we get there. Three pages on why this was unacceptable to begin with. If it's well written and done without complaint, then… I'll organize a few things we can do for fun." Nate looked between Scott and Chris.
"You- you're serious?"
"If you give him or your great grandparents any trouble while you're there, I will spank you when you get home," Scott warned.
"Yes sir," Nate said with a quick nod. "Thanks, Dad."
"Don't thank me. It was all Emma. Now go get your suitcase out here and then help your sister." Nate nodded and scurried away into his room.
"You swear you're alright?" Chris asked.
"Physically I'm fine, Dad. Promise. He didn't hit me hard enough to bruise…"
"Physically isn't all I'm concerned about," Chris frowned.
"He said he hated me. Not for punishing him, but for putting Jean first. I never meant… I don't want them to think they're less important than the X-Men. It's the complete opposite. And had it not been Jean, we wouldn't have cut the trip as early. But… Jean."
"I understand. She's been by your side for over a decade. As much as she and I can't stand each other, I do recognize your friendship with her. And I'm glad she's back. For your sake."
"Thanks, Dad," Scott said with a sad smile. Chris nodded and put a hand on Scott's shoulder, gently squeezing.
"I'm packed!" The two turned and saw Carrie struggling to carry her suitcase out of her room.
"Let me help you," Scott said, taking it from her. "Nate? You about ready?"
"Almost!" Nate called back, clearly in a better mood. He came out moments later with his suitcase in hand. "Ready."
"Leave your suitcases and go find Emma. Meet us in the hangar when you've said your goodbyes."
"Yes sir," the Twins said together before they took off.
"And you're sure about this?" Chris asked.
"Dad."
"Alright," Chris said, raising his hands in defeat. "You're the dad. But the essay stands-"
"And I'd like a copy of that, if you don't mind." Chris nodded. "You'll be ok with them, right?"
"I've handled a kid or two-"
"Not at this age," Scott frowned.
"Scott."
"Dad. They're eleven. You've never… I mean, yeah, Gabe was technically this age, but-"
"Scott."
"I'm just worried that you don't understand what you're getting yourself-" Chris grabbed the front of Scott's shirt, jerking Scott forward.
"Enough."
"Yes sir." Chris released Scott's shirt and stepped back.
"You know I would have been there if I knew. Stop using it against me."
"Yes sir. I'm sorry." Chris said nothing as he headed to the door. "Dad."
"I can't right now. I'm going to get the ship ready and then we're leaving."
"Please- You know I don't blame you. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry, Dad." Chris shook his head and left the suite. Scott sat on the couch and rubbed his forehead.
*The children are boarding the ship. Are you going to come say goodbye?* Emma telepathically sent him.
*I'll be there in a minute. Don't let them leave until I've said goodbye.* He jumped up, grabbing his children's suitcases, and hurried out of the suite and down the staircases until he was in the lower levels.
"Here he is," Emma said, sounding relieved. Scott put the suitcases down and hugged both of his children to him.
"Be good for Grandpa and Grandma Deb and Grandpa Phil. I'm only a phone call away if you need me. Hopefully you guys won't be gone for long."
"Tell Aunt Jean we love her," Carrie requested. "And that we've missed her."
"I will," Scott promised.
"And tell Big Nathan to stay out of my room," Nate frowned. "I don't care if he's me, it's my room." Scott chuckled.
"I'll let him know. Call me when you land," he requested before kissing their foreheads.
"Bye Dad."
"Bye Daddy." Scott stepped back and watched them board Chris' ship, using their powers to make lifting their suitcases easier.
"Dad?"
"With my life," Chris said, answering the unspoken question. Scott nodded and Chris gave him a small smile. "We'll call when we land, son. They're safe. Go take care of Jean and get her sorted so they can come home." The door closed and Scott pulled Emma back as they watched the ship lift up and then shoot out of the hangar.
"They'll be just fine," Emma soothed, running her hand up and down Scott's back.
"I know," Scott replied. "I just hate that this is necessary. When they get back… When they get back, I think I might start training them."
"Scott-"
"Not to battle," he said quickly. "But to protect themselves. They'll need to know how, Em. Even non-mutant children take karate and other martial arts." Emma frowned and then nodded her understanding.
"As the children of Cyclops, they have a larger target on their backs. It's for the best." Scott took Emma's hand and brought it to his lips, gently kissing her.
"I love you. And I'm completely lost without you, Emma Frost."
"As it should be, sugar. Now let's go see Jean so we can get our children home." Scott nodded and the two left the hangar, hand in hand, to walk down a ways to Med Lab. When they entered, there was a flurry of activity.
"What the hell is going on?" Scott demanded, seeing an empty bed where Jean was earlier.
"Cyclops," Bobby said, stopping his search. "Jean… She's gone."
"What do you mean gone?" he asked, panic seizing his heart.
"She said something about this not being real and she flew out of the window," Angel informed him.
"Not real? What did she mean by that?" Emma wondered.
"She said something similar yesterday," Scott frowned. "Before she kissed me. She said they said it wasn't real. Who is 'they?'" Emma walked to the bed and touched it, her eyes moving from the head to the foot.
"I need my sister," she finally admitted. "She can read the bed-"
"It's a bed," Betsy said, her nose curled. "It's not a sentient being-"
"My sister reads objects, just as a telepath reads minds. Scott?"
"I'll give Adrienne a call," he confirmed. "Do you think she'll help?"
"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?"
A/N: OMG it's been a while... But it was a much needed break. We've officially moved, but there are still a ton of boxes that need unpacking because that's the WORST.
I'm nearly 1/2 through my pregnancy (my FINAL one because my body is just struggling) and we've learned we're having a BOY! Two girls and a boy. We're excited.
Updates will still likely be slow, but I wanted to post what I had.
In my break, I did join AOC (archive of our own, for those of you like me who just nodded and accepted the letters that meant nothing to you for so long until someone spelled it out to you...) and posted a story called "A Father's Strength." Debating on publishing it here, and debating on publishing the Enter the Starjammers series on AOC.
Ok. Thanks for reading, and thanks for returning! It feels good to be back :D