Part Six and Epilogue
**denote thought
~~dreaming
// telepathy
THANKS MARCUS FOR HELPING WITH THE WRITERS BLOCK.:)
It had been almost two weeks since his encounter with Methos and Nathan still had a hard time believing what Scott Summers had told him. Even for a time traveling mutant like him it seemed a little far fetched, but he was proof himself that anything was possible. Even if what his father had told him was true that didn't mean he had to trust the young girl who had recently brought so much more chaos into the lives of the X-Men.
Domino was looking out the window of the black van as she and Cable came into the driveway of the institute. Glancing around the grounds she could tell that the X-Men's family had grown a bit since the last time she and Nathan had visited his father and mother. Glancing to the basketball court she could see Storm and Bobby playing basketball with a man who appeared to be in his mid thirties and a young woman with long black hair who was about 21 or 22 years of age. Domino guessed that that was the infamous Catherine Macleod she had heard so much about or rather Cable had heard so much about. Apparently she had managed to leave quite a good impression on Scott Summers who praised her on becoming a good team leader someday. On the other side of the lawn was a blonde and a red-head playing volleyball against Hank and smaller teenaged girl. While to their right was a young man with somewhat shaggy hair who appeared to be taking score. Off to the left was the professor talking to a man probably in his forties, with light brown hair and glasses. **Hmmm, quite a few new faces. I wonder if they're all mutants.** Domino wondered to herself.
"Well we might as well get the intros over with now." Cable said with a smirk. He wasn't one for formalities and the sooner it was over with the better. "Hn." Was all that Domino gave in return as they both headed over to the Professor.
"Good to see you again Nathan, Domino." The Professor said to his surrogate grandson. "Let me gather the others and I can introduce you to our guests." "Sure." Was his only reply from Nathan. The professor telepathically signaled all the X-Men and guests around him. Jean and Scott came out of the house with smiles for the pair. "Nathan, Domino first I'd like to introduce you to Catherine Macleod and her father Duncan. Catherine is our newest X-Man and as I am sure your father has told you she has a very colorful "history"." "Hi, pleasure to meet another Summers and its nice to meet you too Domino." Catherine said in a genuinely happy tone offering her hand to the pair. To her surprise neither one of them took it. **Hmmm apparently he didn't inherit his manners from Jean.** Catherine thought. "I heard that kid." Nathan said. "If I had wanted to hide it you wouldn't have." Catherine said. Nathan could tell that this kid was a smartass but there was something different about her, something that just screamed power and age. Jean grinned at the exchange she could see that Catherine was going to have to put this Summers man in line too. **Like father like son.** She thought.
"Aren't you kind of old for him to be your father?" Domino asked. "It's a long story, lets just say that if nature had anything to do with it I wouldn't be here." Catherine said in a sarcastic and dismissive tone. Domino did not like that tone. Senseing the tension in the air the Professor interjected. "Jean I'll let you do the rest of the introductions."
"The young man standing next to Hank is Xander Harris, not a mutant, but still very useful." "Thank you beautiful lady." Xander said. "To Xander's left is Rupert Giles, he a trainer and a father figure for Buffy and Dawn, and the young red-head is Willow Rosenburg." Jean said as each either nodded or smiled. "Last but not least I'd like to introduce you to your cousins Buffy and Dawn Summers." This kind of took Nathan by surprise he thought he was the last of the Summers line, but now he had two cousins. "Hi, pleased to meet ya." Both girls said at once. Nathan could sense their nervousness and something else that was weird coming from the both of them, he was quite sure that he'd never felt those kind of auras before.
Domino eyed the two new Summers girls and Catherine intently and she thought nonchalantly. Catherine caught Domino eyeballing her and being an ex-thief it was something that she hated with a passion. "You know if you want to know something about us you should just ask instead of eyeballing us." Catherine said with a hint of venom in her voice. Domino just walked off and mumbled something about "spoiled, and soft" under her breath. Being telepath and a thief with excellent hearing, Catherine caught every word and gave Domino a particularly nasty look to her back.
//Calm down Catherine, she's just testing her limits with you. Domino is the type that you'll have to prove yourself to.// Jean thought telepathically. //You'd think that with everything thats happened here in the past few days I wouldn't have to prove myself to anyone ever again.// Catherine thought back. // Be patient. She'll come around.// Jean thought. //Do I really want her too?// Catherine asked.
Nathan quietly listened to the silent conversation and smirked. There weren't many people who would speak to Domino in that tone. Either she had a lot of guts and no common sense or she could back up every action with the skill to force her point in. "Hey, when you two have a conversation how about next time you let all of hear the dirt." Xander chimed in trying to lighten the mood a bit. Catherine and Buffy smiled. "We would Xander but,you guys wouldn't understand the secret language." Catherine chirped. All the guys except for the Professor, Giles, and Nathan fained hurt. Buffy laughed. "So cuz, tell me your story and I'll tell you mine." Buffy said she poked him playfully in the chest. With that everyone decided to go get cleaned up for dinner which Catherine decided would be a barbeque since it was her week to cook. Duncan smirked. Who would have thought any child of his and Amanda's would know how to cook. Heck thinking of Amanda as being a mother all these years was still a stretch for him. Nathan, Jean, Scott,Buffy and Dawn went inside to try and relay all of the past few days happenings, as well as the past, to the now found relative.
By the time dinner was ready both Nathan and Domino's minds were spinning from the wirlwind of information. "Ok so let me get this straight. You, Buffy, are something called a slayer and you go around killing demons, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. Dawn is actually some kind of magical force given a flesh and blood body by some mystical monks and Buffy lives in a place called Sunnydale which is the center of all evil on earth." Nathan said disbelievingly. "Yep." Buffy said like she was answering a standard 'how are doing' question. "I don't believe you." Nathan said. "Nathan its the truth, Jean's been inside Dawn's mind and I've seen first hand what Buffy does." Scott said as he absent mindedly put his hand on the scar that Drucilla had given him. "As unbelievable as it may sound that is my life." Buffy said matter of factly. "Okay I'll except that, but that Catherine girl is a genetically engineered child from two immortals and now she is immortal. Plus she is a witch and a mutant. Thats a stretch don't you think?" Nathan asked. "She doesn't look that tough to me Domino said from a nearby corner.
"Believe me she's tough. We've all seen her skills first hand and even the professor would be wary about taking her on. But you'll never hear me say that in front of her, her ego's big enough as it is." Scott said with a teasing grin. Dawn giggled. "According to Joe Dawson her fight with Kell was an amazing sight." Buffy said. Domino just stuck her nose in the air and left. "What's her problem?" Buffy asked. "She's not really a people person and I think you three girls are a little intimidating." Jean said with a small smile. "Hey when she gets to know us, she'll love us." Buffy said. "I hope so. Domino is moody on her best days." Scott said. If anyone could have seen his eyes they would have noticed that he rolled them at his son's on again off again girlfriend.
Outside Catherine was setting the picnic tables by the pool while Bobby was pretending to help her. Logan had showed up a little after Cable and Domino and she had talked him into watching the burgers on the grill while she finished with dessert. Bribing him with an extra big piece of chocolate cake. To the amazement of the others, especially Bobby, he grinned and followed Catherine to the pit. Catherine was one of the few people who get Logan to do anything just by asking, sometimes even the professor had to threaten him. All she did was smile and bat her eyelashes. Duncan took it as a trait that she got from her mother. Both of them were as smooth as silk when it came to getting what they wanted. Duncan was watching her from the otherside of the pool. Today was a happy day and he wished for many just like it.
Catherine had just finished setting the table when the front doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Jubes said as she ran to the door. "Hey Lee! Room at the table for two more?" Joe Dawson asked while nodding toward Conner Macleod. "Always!" Jubilee said as she directed them to the outside patio. Catherine waved them over to the table so she could introduce them. "Okay everybody, this my "uncle" Joe Dawson, he owns the blues club in town and this my uncle Conner Macleod he and my dad own a antiques shop in New York." Catherine said in a much better mood than earlier. "This is Scott and Jean's son Nathan and his friend Domino." Catherine said. "Pleased to meet you both. I see our little family is getting bigger by the day." Conner said with a little tinge of pain in his voice. Catherine gleamed from his mind that he went to visit Rachel's grave. She smiled and squeezed his hand. Duncan saw this and smiled. For the most part dinner was quiet until Giles cleared his throat.
"I hate to mention this but we'll have to be leaving soon. The girls have to get back to school and there are certain arrangements that have to be made." Giles said sadly. He really didn't want to leave himself but things had to be done and Buffy had her responsibilities as the slayer to fulfill. This brought the Scooby-gang crashing back to reality, especially Dawn and Buffy. "So when do we leave Giles?" Buffy asked. "In two days, I would have told you sooner but I didn't want to spoil the rest of your stay." "Thats okay we have to go back." Buffy stated. Buffy seemed calm and resolute but Dawn was anything but. Dawn's eyes started to water and her breath was labored. "I don't wanna go back I wanna t-to stay h-here with Jean and Scott." Dawn sobbed. Buffy wrapped her arm around her sister. "Dawn we have to go home, but we can come and visit and they can visit us." Buffy said. "Buffy, Giles can I speak to you in private for a minute?" Jean asked. Scott quietly changed positions with Buffy and the trio went into Xavier's office.
Duncan and the others looked on curiously. "Poor kid. I wouldn't want to leave either." Joe said absently while looking over at the still sobbing Dawn. "Maybe she won't have to." Catherine said. This got Dawn's full attention. "W-What do you mean?" Dawn asked shakily. Catherine sighed. "Jean, the Professor, Scott, and I were having a conversation earlier. Jean was thinking that since you'll probably need a legal guardian a little more secure than your sister, that maybe you'd like Scott and her to your new parents." Catherine said hesitantly. Dawn's face lit up. "Is it true you want me, even though you know all about what I am?" Dawn asked Scott. "Why wouldn't we? We love you very much. Besides both of you girls need parents." Scott said. "You see Buffy has to go back to Sunnydale because of she's the Slayer, but you get to choose. Plus you might be a little safer here with us and while you're here maybe we could work on the use of those latent powers of yours after all I am the world's most power witch now. How many bad guys and demons do you think are will to contend with that and mutants?" Catherine said. "So what you're saying is that if Buffy and Giles agree I can move here with you guys." Dawn stated. "Yes, but in the end its what you want." Scott said.
Meanwhile in Xavier's office Buffy was having a hard time swallowing all the information that Jean was giving her. "Buffy, Scott and I want to become both your's and Dawn's legal guardians. Dawn is still too young to go without a mother and father plus Xander and I saw what her mind was and still is like. Its still chaos in there. She needs to heal and we think here with us is the best place." Said Jean. "I don't know about this. We'll be so far away from her most of the time how am I susposed to protect her. You know what she is." Buffy said. "Yes and you know what Catherine is, she loves Dawn like a sister and having Dawn stay here with her might actually be safer than having her in Sunnydale. I know that you can sense how strong Catherine really is mystically, she can eventually train Dawn so that she can defend herself. How much time would you and Giles have to do that?" Jean stated. "She's right Buffy. We simply wouldn't have the time or resources available to train Dawn properly, especially with you in college and being the slayer and my business so to speak." Giles chimed in. "Yes we'll miss her deeply, but I'm sure there is a way that you two won't grow apart." Giles said. Buffy sighed. "Okay, but the final word is Dawn's. I just want her to be happy." Buffy said. Jean smiled and hugged her cousin. "I'm sure she'll she be happy here all the X-Men love having her around, even the professor likes the distraction. I think she'll be good for all of us." Jean said.
Back outside everyone had went back to eating and talking. Dawn was now smiling and laughing at Bobby and Catherine's antics. They'd tried to start a food fight but the Professor stopped that before it even got started with a mental slap to the back of Bobby and Catherine's heads. Catherine mock glared at him and stuck out her tongue. Duncan laughed and kissed his daughter on top of the head ruffling her hair. Although Catherine looked like a grown woman everyone knew she was only sixteen and sometimes had a tendency to act even younger when it suited her. This is what eventually won over Jubilee as her best friend, she'd found someone who could get into trouble with the professor as much as she did.
Duncan and Conner looked over at Catherine smiling. "You are definately your mother's daughter." Duncan said. "I should be, I've spent most of my life learning her side of the family's business. And I must say that I'm pretty good." Catherine said as she held up Conner's Rolex watch from across the table. Logan let out a wild laugh as the others tried to figure out when and where she could have gotten a hold of Conner's watch. "What is it with you and Amanda's kids? First its Remmy and now Catherine, all of them have sticky fingers." Conner asked while smiling. "Hey Remmy isn't mine! And if he ever calls me Papa I'll take off his head." Duncan yelled. Everyone laughed again. "I'll be sure to tell Remy that when I head to Paris in a few days." Catherine said. Duncan and Conner abruptly stopped laughing. "Don't look at me like that guys and before you say another word I know a young immortal traveling alone is dangerous, but don't you think Mom hearing about my immortality would be better from me in person rather than over a vidphone." Catherine firmly stated. The two highlanders gave up, when it came to changing Catherine's mind she was more stubborn than both of them combined.
"Plus I miss my mom, Remy, and Rogue. I also miss Europe, the states are fine and all but I love Paris and I here Mom's new nightclub is the place to be." Catherine said. " And you want to start searching for Methos yourself." Conner chimed in. Catherine gave a small smile. Memories of Methos would be forever clouded by the death of Cassandra and the attempted murder of herself by the shadow King. "I have to find him. I have to tell him that it wasn't his fault. After I destroyed the Shadow King all I could sense was his pain and guilt. For some strange reason I think he needs me." Catherine said. "At least take one of the X-Men with you it would make us feel better." Conner said sensing that he and Duncan should stay at home this time. Afterall she needed to be independent if she was to survive the game. "Alright who wants to come?" Catherine asked as she looked around the table. Immediately Jube's and Bobby's hands shot up. Catherine raised and eyebrow and stared at Bobby for a few seconds. "On second thought, I think I'll sit this one out at home." Bobby said.
Unknow everyone else Catherine gave him a firm telepathic //NO WAY IN HELL AM I GOING TO BE STUCK ON A PLANE WITH YOU MESSAGE.// "How about Logan coming with us?" Jubilee asked. They both looked at Logan with big puppy dog eyes. He was putty. "Okay but if anything gets dangerous Jubilee in on the first plane back." Logan stated firmly. "Agreed." Catherine said while Jubilee shot her a look. //Don't look at me like that! You know perfectly well I wouldn't send you back anyway. Do you want go or not?// Catherine thought to Jubilee. "Agreed." Jubilee said huffily. "Good then. Its late and first thing in the morning we all have training. I suggest we throw away the plates and gets some rest. Its already ten o'clock." Catherine stated. Everyone agreed and got ready for bed.
The Next Day
"So going home tomorrow huh girls." Catherine said to Buffy, Willow, and Dawn. "Yeah but Dawn will be back with Scott and Jean in a few days." Buffy said with a sad note to her voice. "She'll be in good hands here, plus I'm pretty sure Jean and Storm plan on spoiling her rotten at least for the first few months here. They did it to me." Catherine said with a grin. "I on the other hand refuse to coddle you. You're going to have to keep up with your studies here at the mansion and your mystical studies with me." Catherine said. "Spoken like a true sister." Willow said. Catherine looked at her watch. "Come on you guys or you're going to make me late for the training sessions." In the control room Nathan and Scott were having a heated conversation about the highlander sym-program. "Its a useless sym-program and these immortals are going to just slow up the team." Nathan said. "They're not slowing up the team, Duncan and Conner aren't even official members. They simply train Catherine, who is an official member, in other techniques that we can't." Scott said. "Yeah murder." Nathan said holding the sym program disk.
"Yes, we're murders, but we kill only kill to survive and the ones that stay true to game don't kill mortals." Catherine spat. "And like it or not I am a member of this team and just as dedicated as you." Catherine stood there glaring at Cable. In the background Domino just made that 'Hn' sound and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. "And you if you have a problem with me or the others spit it out." Catherine seethed. "No problem, as long as you stay in your place and out of our way. I don't believe one word of what they say about you and if you want my respect you'll have to prove yourself." Domino spat back. "If you haven't noticed my place is here. I have nothing to prove to anyone my record speaks for itself but if you want a taste, pick the place and time wench." Catherine said with a growl. "Okay. Here and now. Me and Cable and you and whoever." Domino said. Catherine smiled like a cat. The others walked in the control center and didn't like the look of things.
"Alright, Buffy you feel up to a sym match?" Catherine asked. "Sure girlie over there has an attitude that needs fixing." Buffy said with a smirk. Domino glared and Cable was about to protest. "Can it. Cuz. I can handle myself, I'm not as frail as I look." Buffy said. The other X-Men just looked on with expressions that said this was not good. Four Type-A personalities in one room was not good.
"Scott do you think this wise? Letting them fight each other." Storm asked as the quartet entered the main floor of the sym chamber. Each pair picked a side and turned their attention to the booth. "No, but its the only way they're going to get all this bad blood out of their systems." Scott said to Storm. Storm just hoped that the four didn't do that literally. The immortals really didn't have any quams about that sort of thing and neither did Buffy. "Okay guys these are the rules: 1. No fighting to the death. 'Scott recieved glares for that joke from Jean.' 2. Its hand to hand combat no weapons. 3. If you must use a weapon you can only use what is available in the sym. 4. You fight until someone on your team give up."
Catherine looked up at Scott. "Now you develop a sense of humor. Whats next Jean starts wearing leather and chains." Catherine and Buffy giggled. Scott got this goofy grin on his face and Jean blushed. "That was really one picture I didn't need." Cable said with a groan. Domino was growing even more impatient. "What sym are we using Cyclops?" Domino asked. "The Jungle sym, then the forest, and dessert sym." Scott said loading the program in a few seconds the jungle formed around them complete with sounds and weather.
"Wow. Hey can I take one of these home with me Scott?" Buffy asked. Domimo huffed at the joke and lunged at Catherine. Catherine caught Domino in the gut with her right knee. "Come on Dom you can do better than that. Or did I overestimate you?" Catherine taunted. On the other side Buffy sent a roundhouse kick to Cable's gut catching him by surprise. "Sorry Cuz, but I hate to loose. Its a Summers' trait I guess." Buffy chirped as she dodged a blow from Cable and shimmied up a vine and into a rather large tree. "Yeah it is a Summers' trait." Cable said as he hit the side of the large tree sending Buffy tumbling down a few branches.
Meanwhile Domino and Catherine had already taken their fight to the trees. Intense would have been an understatement. Each young woman were delivering shattering blows to each other and at the moment it seemed that Catherine had the slight upper hand. "It would seem our young Catherine has the upperhand in the air my friends. She has the grace of an airial artist." Hank said as he watched the young woman's acrobatics. "I should hope so. Amanda's best work has been in the circus. The trapeze, the tight rope, not to mention the spider's web. Why do you think Amanda's never been caught? She passed on a lot of that skill to Catherine." Duncan said somewhat proudly. "I hope that's a good thing Duncan." Conner said with a grin. "I didn't know Amanda worked in the circus." Bobby said. "Yes in the 1920's and early 90's. She went on a 50 state robbery spree before she skipped the country." Duncan said with a hint of humor and the other X-Men had looks of surprise on their faces. Just then the scenery changed in the sym chamber and now the four combatants were in the middle of the Sahara.
"Ick. I hate sand." Buffy said as she abruptly fell on her but. Cable managed to grab Buffy's arms and twist them behind her back. Mistake! Buffy's legs were still free and she managed to use her right leg in a high kick that would have made a rockette jealous and land her foot in his face. "Ouch that had to hurt." Bobby quipped. Logan and the others and silent as they watched Domino throw a handfull of sand into Catherine's face. Conner 'hnfed' at the cheap shot. Domino found herself slightly impressed when Catherine blocked a blow to her stomach without seeing her coming. Catherine's eyes were stinging and she was seriously wishing for her sword so she pay dear Dom back for her discomfort.
In the control room Scott was having a little trouble with the sym systems. "Argh! Whats wrong with it? And whats that beeping?" Scott asked Hank. Just then the automated voice came on. "System safetys malfunction. All safeties off. sym program 'DEADLY SENTINALS' start up." "That was not good." Bobby stated. "My friend you have an amazing grasp of the obvious." Hank said dryly. Inside the sym room a lush forest faded in.
"Great the sand is gone." Buffy chirped. Then another voice was heard. "System safetys malfunction. All safeties off. sym program 'Deadly Sentinals' start up. "This is not good." Catherine said. All at once there came a rumble and the clanging of metal. "What the Hell! are those?" Buffy asked. "Those are what the government don't want you to know about." Cable said with a hint of venom. "We have to get out of hear now." Catherine stated. Even though she was immortal now, getting stomped by a giant wasn't on her list as a nice way to die. "Scott can you hear us? Where's the door?" Catherine yelled. "Its cloaked we're working on it. Just try and dodge them for a while." Scott said the stress evident in his voice.
Inside the control room the highlanders were far beyond agitated. Professor Xavier had to mentally tell Duncan to stop gripping the sword at his side and Conner was cursing in a hushed tone about modern machines and things being simpler before computers. Back in the sym room Cable, Catherine, Domino and Buffy were desperately trying to avoid the sentinals. The sym program was quickly catching up with them though. Catherine and Cable were throwing kenetic blasts at them while Buffy and Domino were trying not to get stepped on. "Vampires, Demons, the ocassional ghost that I can handle, but giant robots trying to stomp me? This is new." Buffy said sardonically. The four had decided to take refuge in the trees and brush for cover. Catherine hit her communicator. "Scott where's that door already? Trees don't work much when the robot is taller than them." "Hank and I are trying. Something fried the circuits just be ready to make a dash for it. I doubt the door will stay open and visible for long." Scott said stressed. "Gotcha." came Catherine.
Both Cable and Domino saw a change come over their opponents. A few minutes ago they were fighting a couple of kids and now the kids were now serious and soldier like. The Sentinals were gaining on them with everystep and it seemed to all that Catherine might be the only one to survive if they couldn't get out of there soon. Everyone's thoughts were brought to a head when Domino screamed. Above them she was being squeezed in the hand of a Sentinal. Cable lept into action throwing barrage after barrage of kenetic blasts trying to sever the robots hand from the rest of its arm. He only suceeded in being grabbed by a second sentinal from behind. "Buffy do you still have your energy belt?" Catherine screamed. "Yeah but I still don't know what it can do." Buffy yelled back. "Well there's only only way to find out! Concentrate and use it!" Catherine said as she did the same and materialized her energy sword. Catherine knew it would be draining using the soulpoint energy but they had to. Both girls leaped to air. Catherine used her sword to take off the hand of the robot and free a now unconcious Domino while Buffy found that her belt increased her strength and speed so she easily ripped through the middle of the sentinal's torso.
The Sentinals screamed malfunctions but kept chargiing. The next sound was a god send. "Girls three meters to your right! Now!" Scott screamed. The girls lept toward the doors. Catherine carrying Domino and Buffy having Cable leaning on her. Once outside the doors Catherine and Buffy blacked out.
ONE HOUR LATER
Catherine and Buffy woke up in the medlab with spliting headaches and a lot of company. Catherine felt some weight on the side of her bed and looked over at a grinning Bobby. "Was it good for you?" Bobby asked with a smartass grin on his face. Catherine put her hand on his face and pushed him off her cot. "No now let me go back to sleep." She said trying to keep a straight face. The others in the room laughed heartily at the spunky young immortal. Bobby fained hurt. "My friend as humorous as all this is I think that you should remove yourself from the floor." Hank stated. Only to gain more laughter. "How are the others?" Buffy asked. "They'll be fine. They are a little banged up but nothing that can't be fixed." Hanked said. Catherine started to sit up. "I'm going to see them." Hank wanted to object but the Highlanders nodded that it would be alright.
Catherine tiptoed into the ajoining room where Domino and Nathan were resting. "Hey you guys awake?" She whispered. "Yeah kid, and before you even ask we'll be fine. This kind of stuff happens all the time in our line of work." Cable said in a steady monotone. "Was that a warning?" Catherine asked. "No a fact." Domino said. "Hey if you're trying to give me a look into your lives, I hate to tell you this but before you guys got here my life was much more intense." Catherine said with a small grin. The pair looked at each other and Catherine and nodded. They now believed Scott and the others. "Glad to know that I won't get any arguement out of you two on that. What about Buffy? You know your cuz save your sorry butt in there." Catherine stated. "We both are still having a hard time with the slayer thing but the kid can handle herself even if she's not a mutant." Cable said. Domino nodded. "Hey maybe you guys should go to Sunnydale with her and the others when they return. I know right now she could use the support and you could get to see her on her own turf." Catherine sugested. "Its an idea." Domino said. Catherine was about to leave when Domino stopped her. "Thanks Catherine." she said. "Don't mention it. We're on the same team." Catherine said as she walked out of the medlab and to her room.
That night at dinner everyone was kind of quiet. Buffy and the others would be leaving in the morning and soon after Catherin, Logan, and Jubilee would be heading to Paris to see Amanda and the others. Upon hearing that fact Nathan cleared his throat. "I found Methos in Los Angeles and he said to look him up in Paris when you were ready to talk." Nathan said. "Yeah we need to talk but first I need to see my mom." Catherine said.
THE NEXT MORNING
Catherine decided to bid Buffy and the gang farewell at the gates of the institute. "Hey don't look so sad. You'll be back here in a few weeks and making friends at the local high school, plus we're going to have some major fun in the magic department when I get back from Europe. And you guys this is not goodbye, I'm sure we'll see each other again soon and while you're in Sunnydale my thoughts will be with you all." Catherine said to Dawn and the others. The Highlanders had decided to tag along with the Summers clan and friends since they noticed a special kind of feeling coming from one Xander Harris, that and the fact they had taken a liking to Buffy and Dawn. Catherine kissed her father and 'uncle' goodbye and waved to the vans as they disappeared. "Well guys I guess its back to our "boring" little lives now." Catherine said to the remaining X-Men. "Yeah 'Boring'. We stopped using that word the minute you waltzed into our school." Bobby quipped as the others drifted back into the house. "Thanks a lot Bobby. Come on Jubes we've got some packing to do. I warn you though don't take anything that you don't want burned. Amanda has a tendancy to burn clothes that she doesn't deem trendy or stylish." Catherine said with a grin. "I wonder if she's burned Rogue's clothes yet?" Jubilee asked.
EPILOGUE
THREE DAYS LATER IN SUNNYDALE
Catherine stood on the far edge of the Sunnydale cemetary in the shadows. The day was overcast and she couldn't help but think that it was perfect for the circustances. Joyce's funeral was short and heart felt as all the people who loved and cared about her were there. As Catherine scanned the minds of all those there and felt their sadness. She would never know Buffy's mother but if Buffy was anything like her she had a big and loving heart. Catherine was about to leave she felt a hostile mind and turned to watch and listen. She smiled as Jean and Scott faced off with Buffy's father and how everyone banded together to protect the girls. "Yes we are family, aren't we." She said to herself before turning and heading down the hill to the waiting car where Jubilee and Logan waited.
"Anything you want to share kid?" Logan asked as she got into the rental car. "I'll tell you about it on the plane." Catherine said. As they drove off to catch the next flight to Paris from L.A. Catherine couldn't help but think about what lay ahead for her in the future. **Hmmm. Family. They watch us while we sleep. They watch us until the waking hours. Hmmm. Maybe I should add poet to my resume.** Catherine giggled to herself and tried to enjoy the ride as Jubilee slept in the back seat.
THE END?
OKAY Thats it for this part of the series! Keep an eye out for Series Three entitled "PRELUDE TO THE FUTURE". This is for all you guys who want more Methos. So I'm giving you what you want and then some. Catherine is going to find Methos. Will she like what she finds and will he forgive himself? Plus an old enemy with a new agenda pops up in Paris. Will Catherine survive this new encounter? After "Prelude" there will be a series of Shorts under the title "DIMENSIONAL LESSONS". I'll let that be a surprise, Its a new idea that I don't think anyone has done before. Series four will be written by both me and my muse Marcus. If you haven't read "ENDGAME", "METHOS", "TIDES OF ADJUSTMENT", or "DAWN OF THE MIND" READ THEM!!!!!! MARCUS IS GOOOOOD!!!! He helps me with this stuff and they fit into this story and future ones. As always read and review. Reviews help me write faster! Hint. Hint. Tell me what you think!
**denote thought
~~dreaming
// telepathy
THANKS MARCUS FOR HELPING WITH THE WRITERS BLOCK.:)
It had been almost two weeks since his encounter with Methos and Nathan still had a hard time believing what Scott Summers had told him. Even for a time traveling mutant like him it seemed a little far fetched, but he was proof himself that anything was possible. Even if what his father had told him was true that didn't mean he had to trust the young girl who had recently brought so much more chaos into the lives of the X-Men.
Domino was looking out the window of the black van as she and Cable came into the driveway of the institute. Glancing around the grounds she could tell that the X-Men's family had grown a bit since the last time she and Nathan had visited his father and mother. Glancing to the basketball court she could see Storm and Bobby playing basketball with a man who appeared to be in his mid thirties and a young woman with long black hair who was about 21 or 22 years of age. Domino guessed that that was the infamous Catherine Macleod she had heard so much about or rather Cable had heard so much about. Apparently she had managed to leave quite a good impression on Scott Summers who praised her on becoming a good team leader someday. On the other side of the lawn was a blonde and a red-head playing volleyball against Hank and smaller teenaged girl. While to their right was a young man with somewhat shaggy hair who appeared to be taking score. Off to the left was the professor talking to a man probably in his forties, with light brown hair and glasses. **Hmmm, quite a few new faces. I wonder if they're all mutants.** Domino wondered to herself.
"Well we might as well get the intros over with now." Cable said with a smirk. He wasn't one for formalities and the sooner it was over with the better. "Hn." Was all that Domino gave in return as they both headed over to the Professor.
"Good to see you again Nathan, Domino." The Professor said to his surrogate grandson. "Let me gather the others and I can introduce you to our guests." "Sure." Was his only reply from Nathan. The professor telepathically signaled all the X-Men and guests around him. Jean and Scott came out of the house with smiles for the pair. "Nathan, Domino first I'd like to introduce you to Catherine Macleod and her father Duncan. Catherine is our newest X-Man and as I am sure your father has told you she has a very colorful "history"." "Hi, pleasure to meet another Summers and its nice to meet you too Domino." Catherine said in a genuinely happy tone offering her hand to the pair. To her surprise neither one of them took it. **Hmmm apparently he didn't inherit his manners from Jean.** Catherine thought. "I heard that kid." Nathan said. "If I had wanted to hide it you wouldn't have." Catherine said. Nathan could tell that this kid was a smartass but there was something different about her, something that just screamed power and age. Jean grinned at the exchange she could see that Catherine was going to have to put this Summers man in line too. **Like father like son.** She thought.
"Aren't you kind of old for him to be your father?" Domino asked. "It's a long story, lets just say that if nature had anything to do with it I wouldn't be here." Catherine said in a sarcastic and dismissive tone. Domino did not like that tone. Senseing the tension in the air the Professor interjected. "Jean I'll let you do the rest of the introductions."
"The young man standing next to Hank is Xander Harris, not a mutant, but still very useful." "Thank you beautiful lady." Xander said. "To Xander's left is Rupert Giles, he a trainer and a father figure for Buffy and Dawn, and the young red-head is Willow Rosenburg." Jean said as each either nodded or smiled. "Last but not least I'd like to introduce you to your cousins Buffy and Dawn Summers." This kind of took Nathan by surprise he thought he was the last of the Summers line, but now he had two cousins. "Hi, pleased to meet ya." Both girls said at once. Nathan could sense their nervousness and something else that was weird coming from the both of them, he was quite sure that he'd never felt those kind of auras before.
Domino eyed the two new Summers girls and Catherine intently and she thought nonchalantly. Catherine caught Domino eyeballing her and being an ex-thief it was something that she hated with a passion. "You know if you want to know something about us you should just ask instead of eyeballing us." Catherine said with a hint of venom in her voice. Domino just walked off and mumbled something about "spoiled, and soft" under her breath. Being telepath and a thief with excellent hearing, Catherine caught every word and gave Domino a particularly nasty look to her back.
//Calm down Catherine, she's just testing her limits with you. Domino is the type that you'll have to prove yourself to.// Jean thought telepathically. //You'd think that with everything thats happened here in the past few days I wouldn't have to prove myself to anyone ever again.// Catherine thought back. // Be patient. She'll come around.// Jean thought. //Do I really want her too?// Catherine asked.
Nathan quietly listened to the silent conversation and smirked. There weren't many people who would speak to Domino in that tone. Either she had a lot of guts and no common sense or she could back up every action with the skill to force her point in. "Hey, when you two have a conversation how about next time you let all of hear the dirt." Xander chimed in trying to lighten the mood a bit. Catherine and Buffy smiled. "We would Xander but,you guys wouldn't understand the secret language." Catherine chirped. All the guys except for the Professor, Giles, and Nathan fained hurt. Buffy laughed. "So cuz, tell me your story and I'll tell you mine." Buffy said she poked him playfully in the chest. With that everyone decided to go get cleaned up for dinner which Catherine decided would be a barbeque since it was her week to cook. Duncan smirked. Who would have thought any child of his and Amanda's would know how to cook. Heck thinking of Amanda as being a mother all these years was still a stretch for him. Nathan, Jean, Scott,Buffy and Dawn went inside to try and relay all of the past few days happenings, as well as the past, to the now found relative.
By the time dinner was ready both Nathan and Domino's minds were spinning from the wirlwind of information. "Ok so let me get this straight. You, Buffy, are something called a slayer and you go around killing demons, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. Dawn is actually some kind of magical force given a flesh and blood body by some mystical monks and Buffy lives in a place called Sunnydale which is the center of all evil on earth." Nathan said disbelievingly. "Yep." Buffy said like she was answering a standard 'how are doing' question. "I don't believe you." Nathan said. "Nathan its the truth, Jean's been inside Dawn's mind and I've seen first hand what Buffy does." Scott said as he absent mindedly put his hand on the scar that Drucilla had given him. "As unbelievable as it may sound that is my life." Buffy said matter of factly. "Okay I'll except that, but that Catherine girl is a genetically engineered child from two immortals and now she is immortal. Plus she is a witch and a mutant. Thats a stretch don't you think?" Nathan asked. "She doesn't look that tough to me Domino said from a nearby corner.
"Believe me she's tough. We've all seen her skills first hand and even the professor would be wary about taking her on. But you'll never hear me say that in front of her, her ego's big enough as it is." Scott said with a teasing grin. Dawn giggled. "According to Joe Dawson her fight with Kell was an amazing sight." Buffy said. Domino just stuck her nose in the air and left. "What's her problem?" Buffy asked. "She's not really a people person and I think you three girls are a little intimidating." Jean said with a small smile. "Hey when she gets to know us, she'll love us." Buffy said. "I hope so. Domino is moody on her best days." Scott said. If anyone could have seen his eyes they would have noticed that he rolled them at his son's on again off again girlfriend.
Outside Catherine was setting the picnic tables by the pool while Bobby was pretending to help her. Logan had showed up a little after Cable and Domino and she had talked him into watching the burgers on the grill while she finished with dessert. Bribing him with an extra big piece of chocolate cake. To the amazement of the others, especially Bobby, he grinned and followed Catherine to the pit. Catherine was one of the few people who get Logan to do anything just by asking, sometimes even the professor had to threaten him. All she did was smile and bat her eyelashes. Duncan took it as a trait that she got from her mother. Both of them were as smooth as silk when it came to getting what they wanted. Duncan was watching her from the otherside of the pool. Today was a happy day and he wished for many just like it.
Catherine had just finished setting the table when the front doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Jubes said as she ran to the door. "Hey Lee! Room at the table for two more?" Joe Dawson asked while nodding toward Conner Macleod. "Always!" Jubilee said as she directed them to the outside patio. Catherine waved them over to the table so she could introduce them. "Okay everybody, this my "uncle" Joe Dawson, he owns the blues club in town and this my uncle Conner Macleod he and my dad own a antiques shop in New York." Catherine said in a much better mood than earlier. "This is Scott and Jean's son Nathan and his friend Domino." Catherine said. "Pleased to meet you both. I see our little family is getting bigger by the day." Conner said with a little tinge of pain in his voice. Catherine gleamed from his mind that he went to visit Rachel's grave. She smiled and squeezed his hand. Duncan saw this and smiled. For the most part dinner was quiet until Giles cleared his throat.
"I hate to mention this but we'll have to be leaving soon. The girls have to get back to school and there are certain arrangements that have to be made." Giles said sadly. He really didn't want to leave himself but things had to be done and Buffy had her responsibilities as the slayer to fulfill. This brought the Scooby-gang crashing back to reality, especially Dawn and Buffy. "So when do we leave Giles?" Buffy asked. "In two days, I would have told you sooner but I didn't want to spoil the rest of your stay." "Thats okay we have to go back." Buffy stated. Buffy seemed calm and resolute but Dawn was anything but. Dawn's eyes started to water and her breath was labored. "I don't wanna go back I wanna t-to stay h-here with Jean and Scott." Dawn sobbed. Buffy wrapped her arm around her sister. "Dawn we have to go home, but we can come and visit and they can visit us." Buffy said. "Buffy, Giles can I speak to you in private for a minute?" Jean asked. Scott quietly changed positions with Buffy and the trio went into Xavier's office.
Duncan and the others looked on curiously. "Poor kid. I wouldn't want to leave either." Joe said absently while looking over at the still sobbing Dawn. "Maybe she won't have to." Catherine said. This got Dawn's full attention. "W-What do you mean?" Dawn asked shakily. Catherine sighed. "Jean, the Professor, Scott, and I were having a conversation earlier. Jean was thinking that since you'll probably need a legal guardian a little more secure than your sister, that maybe you'd like Scott and her to your new parents." Catherine said hesitantly. Dawn's face lit up. "Is it true you want me, even though you know all about what I am?" Dawn asked Scott. "Why wouldn't we? We love you very much. Besides both of you girls need parents." Scott said. "You see Buffy has to go back to Sunnydale because of she's the Slayer, but you get to choose. Plus you might be a little safer here with us and while you're here maybe we could work on the use of those latent powers of yours after all I am the world's most power witch now. How many bad guys and demons do you think are will to contend with that and mutants?" Catherine said. "So what you're saying is that if Buffy and Giles agree I can move here with you guys." Dawn stated. "Yes, but in the end its what you want." Scott said.
Meanwhile in Xavier's office Buffy was having a hard time swallowing all the information that Jean was giving her. "Buffy, Scott and I want to become both your's and Dawn's legal guardians. Dawn is still too young to go without a mother and father plus Xander and I saw what her mind was and still is like. Its still chaos in there. She needs to heal and we think here with us is the best place." Said Jean. "I don't know about this. We'll be so far away from her most of the time how am I susposed to protect her. You know what she is." Buffy said. "Yes and you know what Catherine is, she loves Dawn like a sister and having Dawn stay here with her might actually be safer than having her in Sunnydale. I know that you can sense how strong Catherine really is mystically, she can eventually train Dawn so that she can defend herself. How much time would you and Giles have to do that?" Jean stated. "She's right Buffy. We simply wouldn't have the time or resources available to train Dawn properly, especially with you in college and being the slayer and my business so to speak." Giles chimed in. "Yes we'll miss her deeply, but I'm sure there is a way that you two won't grow apart." Giles said. Buffy sighed. "Okay, but the final word is Dawn's. I just want her to be happy." Buffy said. Jean smiled and hugged her cousin. "I'm sure she'll she be happy here all the X-Men love having her around, even the professor likes the distraction. I think she'll be good for all of us." Jean said.
Back outside everyone had went back to eating and talking. Dawn was now smiling and laughing at Bobby and Catherine's antics. They'd tried to start a food fight but the Professor stopped that before it even got started with a mental slap to the back of Bobby and Catherine's heads. Catherine mock glared at him and stuck out her tongue. Duncan laughed and kissed his daughter on top of the head ruffling her hair. Although Catherine looked like a grown woman everyone knew she was only sixteen and sometimes had a tendency to act even younger when it suited her. This is what eventually won over Jubilee as her best friend, she'd found someone who could get into trouble with the professor as much as she did.
Duncan and Conner looked over at Catherine smiling. "You are definately your mother's daughter." Duncan said. "I should be, I've spent most of my life learning her side of the family's business. And I must say that I'm pretty good." Catherine said as she held up Conner's Rolex watch from across the table. Logan let out a wild laugh as the others tried to figure out when and where she could have gotten a hold of Conner's watch. "What is it with you and Amanda's kids? First its Remmy and now Catherine, all of them have sticky fingers." Conner asked while smiling. "Hey Remmy isn't mine! And if he ever calls me Papa I'll take off his head." Duncan yelled. Everyone laughed again. "I'll be sure to tell Remy that when I head to Paris in a few days." Catherine said. Duncan and Conner abruptly stopped laughing. "Don't look at me like that guys and before you say another word I know a young immortal traveling alone is dangerous, but don't you think Mom hearing about my immortality would be better from me in person rather than over a vidphone." Catherine firmly stated. The two highlanders gave up, when it came to changing Catherine's mind she was more stubborn than both of them combined.
"Plus I miss my mom, Remy, and Rogue. I also miss Europe, the states are fine and all but I love Paris and I here Mom's new nightclub is the place to be." Catherine said. " And you want to start searching for Methos yourself." Conner chimed in. Catherine gave a small smile. Memories of Methos would be forever clouded by the death of Cassandra and the attempted murder of herself by the shadow King. "I have to find him. I have to tell him that it wasn't his fault. After I destroyed the Shadow King all I could sense was his pain and guilt. For some strange reason I think he needs me." Catherine said. "At least take one of the X-Men with you it would make us feel better." Conner said sensing that he and Duncan should stay at home this time. Afterall she needed to be independent if she was to survive the game. "Alright who wants to come?" Catherine asked as she looked around the table. Immediately Jube's and Bobby's hands shot up. Catherine raised and eyebrow and stared at Bobby for a few seconds. "On second thought, I think I'll sit this one out at home." Bobby said.
Unknow everyone else Catherine gave him a firm telepathic //NO WAY IN HELL AM I GOING TO BE STUCK ON A PLANE WITH YOU MESSAGE.// "How about Logan coming with us?" Jubilee asked. They both looked at Logan with big puppy dog eyes. He was putty. "Okay but if anything gets dangerous Jubilee in on the first plane back." Logan stated firmly. "Agreed." Catherine said while Jubilee shot her a look. //Don't look at me like that! You know perfectly well I wouldn't send you back anyway. Do you want go or not?// Catherine thought to Jubilee. "Agreed." Jubilee said huffily. "Good then. Its late and first thing in the morning we all have training. I suggest we throw away the plates and gets some rest. Its already ten o'clock." Catherine stated. Everyone agreed and got ready for bed.
The Next Day
"So going home tomorrow huh girls." Catherine said to Buffy, Willow, and Dawn. "Yeah but Dawn will be back with Scott and Jean in a few days." Buffy said with a sad note to her voice. "She'll be in good hands here, plus I'm pretty sure Jean and Storm plan on spoiling her rotten at least for the first few months here. They did it to me." Catherine said with a grin. "I on the other hand refuse to coddle you. You're going to have to keep up with your studies here at the mansion and your mystical studies with me." Catherine said. "Spoken like a true sister." Willow said. Catherine looked at her watch. "Come on you guys or you're going to make me late for the training sessions." In the control room Nathan and Scott were having a heated conversation about the highlander sym-program. "Its a useless sym-program and these immortals are going to just slow up the team." Nathan said. "They're not slowing up the team, Duncan and Conner aren't even official members. They simply train Catherine, who is an official member, in other techniques that we can't." Scott said. "Yeah murder." Nathan said holding the sym program disk.
"Yes, we're murders, but we kill only kill to survive and the ones that stay true to game don't kill mortals." Catherine spat. "And like it or not I am a member of this team and just as dedicated as you." Catherine stood there glaring at Cable. In the background Domino just made that 'Hn' sound and that was the straw that broke the camel's back. "And you if you have a problem with me or the others spit it out." Catherine seethed. "No problem, as long as you stay in your place and out of our way. I don't believe one word of what they say about you and if you want my respect you'll have to prove yourself." Domino spat back. "If you haven't noticed my place is here. I have nothing to prove to anyone my record speaks for itself but if you want a taste, pick the place and time wench." Catherine said with a growl. "Okay. Here and now. Me and Cable and you and whoever." Domino said. Catherine smiled like a cat. The others walked in the control center and didn't like the look of things.
"Alright, Buffy you feel up to a sym match?" Catherine asked. "Sure girlie over there has an attitude that needs fixing." Buffy said with a smirk. Domino glared and Cable was about to protest. "Can it. Cuz. I can handle myself, I'm not as frail as I look." Buffy said. The other X-Men just looked on with expressions that said this was not good. Four Type-A personalities in one room was not good.
"Scott do you think this wise? Letting them fight each other." Storm asked as the quartet entered the main floor of the sym chamber. Each pair picked a side and turned their attention to the booth. "No, but its the only way they're going to get all this bad blood out of their systems." Scott said to Storm. Storm just hoped that the four didn't do that literally. The immortals really didn't have any quams about that sort of thing and neither did Buffy. "Okay guys these are the rules: 1. No fighting to the death. 'Scott recieved glares for that joke from Jean.' 2. Its hand to hand combat no weapons. 3. If you must use a weapon you can only use what is available in the sym. 4. You fight until someone on your team give up."
Catherine looked up at Scott. "Now you develop a sense of humor. Whats next Jean starts wearing leather and chains." Catherine and Buffy giggled. Scott got this goofy grin on his face and Jean blushed. "That was really one picture I didn't need." Cable said with a groan. Domino was growing even more impatient. "What sym are we using Cyclops?" Domino asked. "The Jungle sym, then the forest, and dessert sym." Scott said loading the program in a few seconds the jungle formed around them complete with sounds and weather.
"Wow. Hey can I take one of these home with me Scott?" Buffy asked. Domimo huffed at the joke and lunged at Catherine. Catherine caught Domino in the gut with her right knee. "Come on Dom you can do better than that. Or did I overestimate you?" Catherine taunted. On the other side Buffy sent a roundhouse kick to Cable's gut catching him by surprise. "Sorry Cuz, but I hate to loose. Its a Summers' trait I guess." Buffy chirped as she dodged a blow from Cable and shimmied up a vine and into a rather large tree. "Yeah it is a Summers' trait." Cable said as he hit the side of the large tree sending Buffy tumbling down a few branches.
Meanwhile Domino and Catherine had already taken their fight to the trees. Intense would have been an understatement. Each young woman were delivering shattering blows to each other and at the moment it seemed that Catherine had the slight upper hand. "It would seem our young Catherine has the upperhand in the air my friends. She has the grace of an airial artist." Hank said as he watched the young woman's acrobatics. "I should hope so. Amanda's best work has been in the circus. The trapeze, the tight rope, not to mention the spider's web. Why do you think Amanda's never been caught? She passed on a lot of that skill to Catherine." Duncan said somewhat proudly. "I hope that's a good thing Duncan." Conner said with a grin. "I didn't know Amanda worked in the circus." Bobby said. "Yes in the 1920's and early 90's. She went on a 50 state robbery spree before she skipped the country." Duncan said with a hint of humor and the other X-Men had looks of surprise on their faces. Just then the scenery changed in the sym chamber and now the four combatants were in the middle of the Sahara.
"Ick. I hate sand." Buffy said as she abruptly fell on her but. Cable managed to grab Buffy's arms and twist them behind her back. Mistake! Buffy's legs were still free and she managed to use her right leg in a high kick that would have made a rockette jealous and land her foot in his face. "Ouch that had to hurt." Bobby quipped. Logan and the others and silent as they watched Domino throw a handfull of sand into Catherine's face. Conner 'hnfed' at the cheap shot. Domino found herself slightly impressed when Catherine blocked a blow to her stomach without seeing her coming. Catherine's eyes were stinging and she was seriously wishing for her sword so she pay dear Dom back for her discomfort.
In the control room Scott was having a little trouble with the sym systems. "Argh! Whats wrong with it? And whats that beeping?" Scott asked Hank. Just then the automated voice came on. "System safetys malfunction. All safeties off. sym program 'DEADLY SENTINALS' start up." "That was not good." Bobby stated. "My friend you have an amazing grasp of the obvious." Hank said dryly. Inside the sym room a lush forest faded in.
"Great the sand is gone." Buffy chirped. Then another voice was heard. "System safetys malfunction. All safeties off. sym program 'Deadly Sentinals' start up. "This is not good." Catherine said. All at once there came a rumble and the clanging of metal. "What the Hell! are those?" Buffy asked. "Those are what the government don't want you to know about." Cable said with a hint of venom. "We have to get out of hear now." Catherine stated. Even though she was immortal now, getting stomped by a giant wasn't on her list as a nice way to die. "Scott can you hear us? Where's the door?" Catherine yelled. "Its cloaked we're working on it. Just try and dodge them for a while." Scott said the stress evident in his voice.
Inside the control room the highlanders were far beyond agitated. Professor Xavier had to mentally tell Duncan to stop gripping the sword at his side and Conner was cursing in a hushed tone about modern machines and things being simpler before computers. Back in the sym room Cable, Catherine, Domino and Buffy were desperately trying to avoid the sentinals. The sym program was quickly catching up with them though. Catherine and Cable were throwing kenetic blasts at them while Buffy and Domino were trying not to get stepped on. "Vampires, Demons, the ocassional ghost that I can handle, but giant robots trying to stomp me? This is new." Buffy said sardonically. The four had decided to take refuge in the trees and brush for cover. Catherine hit her communicator. "Scott where's that door already? Trees don't work much when the robot is taller than them." "Hank and I are trying. Something fried the circuits just be ready to make a dash for it. I doubt the door will stay open and visible for long." Scott said stressed. "Gotcha." came Catherine.
Both Cable and Domino saw a change come over their opponents. A few minutes ago they were fighting a couple of kids and now the kids were now serious and soldier like. The Sentinals were gaining on them with everystep and it seemed to all that Catherine might be the only one to survive if they couldn't get out of there soon. Everyone's thoughts were brought to a head when Domino screamed. Above them she was being squeezed in the hand of a Sentinal. Cable lept into action throwing barrage after barrage of kenetic blasts trying to sever the robots hand from the rest of its arm. He only suceeded in being grabbed by a second sentinal from behind. "Buffy do you still have your energy belt?" Catherine screamed. "Yeah but I still don't know what it can do." Buffy yelled back. "Well there's only only way to find out! Concentrate and use it!" Catherine said as she did the same and materialized her energy sword. Catherine knew it would be draining using the soulpoint energy but they had to. Both girls leaped to air. Catherine used her sword to take off the hand of the robot and free a now unconcious Domino while Buffy found that her belt increased her strength and speed so she easily ripped through the middle of the sentinal's torso.
The Sentinals screamed malfunctions but kept chargiing. The next sound was a god send. "Girls three meters to your right! Now!" Scott screamed. The girls lept toward the doors. Catherine carrying Domino and Buffy having Cable leaning on her. Once outside the doors Catherine and Buffy blacked out.
ONE HOUR LATER
Catherine and Buffy woke up in the medlab with spliting headaches and a lot of company. Catherine felt some weight on the side of her bed and looked over at a grinning Bobby. "Was it good for you?" Bobby asked with a smartass grin on his face. Catherine put her hand on his face and pushed him off her cot. "No now let me go back to sleep." She said trying to keep a straight face. The others in the room laughed heartily at the spunky young immortal. Bobby fained hurt. "My friend as humorous as all this is I think that you should remove yourself from the floor." Hank stated. Only to gain more laughter. "How are the others?" Buffy asked. "They'll be fine. They are a little banged up but nothing that can't be fixed." Hanked said. Catherine started to sit up. "I'm going to see them." Hank wanted to object but the Highlanders nodded that it would be alright.
Catherine tiptoed into the ajoining room where Domino and Nathan were resting. "Hey you guys awake?" She whispered. "Yeah kid, and before you even ask we'll be fine. This kind of stuff happens all the time in our line of work." Cable said in a steady monotone. "Was that a warning?" Catherine asked. "No a fact." Domino said. "Hey if you're trying to give me a look into your lives, I hate to tell you this but before you guys got here my life was much more intense." Catherine said with a small grin. The pair looked at each other and Catherine and nodded. They now believed Scott and the others. "Glad to know that I won't get any arguement out of you two on that. What about Buffy? You know your cuz save your sorry butt in there." Catherine stated. "We both are still having a hard time with the slayer thing but the kid can handle herself even if she's not a mutant." Cable said. Domino nodded. "Hey maybe you guys should go to Sunnydale with her and the others when they return. I know right now she could use the support and you could get to see her on her own turf." Catherine sugested. "Its an idea." Domino said. Catherine was about to leave when Domino stopped her. "Thanks Catherine." she said. "Don't mention it. We're on the same team." Catherine said as she walked out of the medlab and to her room.
That night at dinner everyone was kind of quiet. Buffy and the others would be leaving in the morning and soon after Catherin, Logan, and Jubilee would be heading to Paris to see Amanda and the others. Upon hearing that fact Nathan cleared his throat. "I found Methos in Los Angeles and he said to look him up in Paris when you were ready to talk." Nathan said. "Yeah we need to talk but first I need to see my mom." Catherine said.
THE NEXT MORNING
Catherine decided to bid Buffy and the gang farewell at the gates of the institute. "Hey don't look so sad. You'll be back here in a few weeks and making friends at the local high school, plus we're going to have some major fun in the magic department when I get back from Europe. And you guys this is not goodbye, I'm sure we'll see each other again soon and while you're in Sunnydale my thoughts will be with you all." Catherine said to Dawn and the others. The Highlanders had decided to tag along with the Summers clan and friends since they noticed a special kind of feeling coming from one Xander Harris, that and the fact they had taken a liking to Buffy and Dawn. Catherine kissed her father and 'uncle' goodbye and waved to the vans as they disappeared. "Well guys I guess its back to our "boring" little lives now." Catherine said to the remaining X-Men. "Yeah 'Boring'. We stopped using that word the minute you waltzed into our school." Bobby quipped as the others drifted back into the house. "Thanks a lot Bobby. Come on Jubes we've got some packing to do. I warn you though don't take anything that you don't want burned. Amanda has a tendancy to burn clothes that she doesn't deem trendy or stylish." Catherine said with a grin. "I wonder if she's burned Rogue's clothes yet?" Jubilee asked.
EPILOGUE
THREE DAYS LATER IN SUNNYDALE
Catherine stood on the far edge of the Sunnydale cemetary in the shadows. The day was overcast and she couldn't help but think that it was perfect for the circustances. Joyce's funeral was short and heart felt as all the people who loved and cared about her were there. As Catherine scanned the minds of all those there and felt their sadness. She would never know Buffy's mother but if Buffy was anything like her she had a big and loving heart. Catherine was about to leave she felt a hostile mind and turned to watch and listen. She smiled as Jean and Scott faced off with Buffy's father and how everyone banded together to protect the girls. "Yes we are family, aren't we." She said to herself before turning and heading down the hill to the waiting car where Jubilee and Logan waited.
"Anything you want to share kid?" Logan asked as she got into the rental car. "I'll tell you about it on the plane." Catherine said. As they drove off to catch the next flight to Paris from L.A. Catherine couldn't help but think about what lay ahead for her in the future. **Hmmm. Family. They watch us while we sleep. They watch us until the waking hours. Hmmm. Maybe I should add poet to my resume.** Catherine giggled to herself and tried to enjoy the ride as Jubilee slept in the back seat.
THE END?
OKAY Thats it for this part of the series! Keep an eye out for Series Three entitled "PRELUDE TO THE FUTURE". This is for all you guys who want more Methos. So I'm giving you what you want and then some. Catherine is going to find Methos. Will she like what she finds and will he forgive himself? Plus an old enemy with a new agenda pops up in Paris. Will Catherine survive this new encounter? After "Prelude" there will be a series of Shorts under the title "DIMENSIONAL LESSONS". I'll let that be a surprise, Its a new idea that I don't think anyone has done before. Series four will be written by both me and my muse Marcus. If you haven't read "ENDGAME", "METHOS", "TIDES OF ADJUSTMENT", or "DAWN OF THE MIND" READ THEM!!!!!! MARCUS IS GOOOOOD!!!! He helps me with this stuff and they fit into this story and future ones. As always read and review. Reviews help me write faster! Hint. Hint. Tell me what you think!