Shipwreck to the Rescue

"So they don't know about Evan?" Bazooka asked.

"No! And you're not gonna tell 'em!" Shipwreck snapped as they went outside. There was a commotion by the gates. "What's going on here? What sounded the alarm?"

"It's Tabitha's father!" Amara told him. "He tried to sneak in!"

"Why of all the…" Shipwreck grumbled. He rolled up his sleeves and stormed up to him. A very irate Hank was currently holding Mr. Smith in place.

"Get your paws off me you blue ape!" Mr. Smith snapped. "I have a right to see my daughter and wife!"

"After how you treated her the last time?" Hank glared at him. "I doubt it. Tabitha is not here. Nor is your former spouse!"

"I have rights!" He shouted. "Tabitha belongs to me!"

"In the first place Tabitha is not a piece of property," Hank growled. "Secondly custody was given to Tabitha's mother and as we are speaking it is being transferred to Mr. Xavier. And his explicit instructions were for you to take a hike!" He pounded the wall next to him, making a dent. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Hey Beast!" Shipwreck said. "Let me have a word with him."

"Who are you?" Mr. Smith glared.

"I'm a human father like you," Shipwreck said as he walked up and took Mr. Smith away from Hank. "Excuse me please. Can we talk? As one father of a mutant child to another?" He brought him around some bushes so they could be hidden from sight.

"Oh dear," Hank blinked.

"I hope Shipwreck doesn't kill him," Scott remarked.

"If he does, don't worry," Bazooka grinned. "We know plenty of places to hide the body."

A loud scream could be heard. "Ooh that does not sound good," Scott winced.

A few minutes later Shipwreck walked out. He had a knife in one hand. "Shipwreck did you stab him?" Hank gasped.

"Of course not. I just had a nice friendly talk with Mr. Smith," Shipwreck grinned. "Reasonable guy. Well as reasonable as expected under the circumstances." He put away his knife.

"Where is he?" Scott asked.

"He kinda went over the wall," Shipwreck grinned. "Quite a good listener when he puts his mind to it. I merely informed him of how a father should be nice to his children and not use them for his own selfish purposes."

"Ironic coming from you," Remy scoffed.

"Very funny," Shipwreck told him.

"So what did you do?" Bobby asked.

"Let's just say it's going to be a long time before Mr. Smith even thinks about going after his daughter and trying to get her to steal stuff again," Shipwreck grinned. "He'll also never look at a mulberry bush the same way again. At least not without needing to change his drawers."

"Shipwreck that was amazing," Hank shook his head.

"Yeah well you gotta admit this way at least he can't run to the cops and complain about mutants harassing him," Shipwreck said. "I'm gonna go check on Ororo now."

He went back into the mansion. "So where exactly is Evan?" He heard Vi's testy voice.

"Look the truth is Evan's…" Ororo started.

"He's working with some underprivileged mutants," Shipwreck told them. "Kind of an underground deal. If you know what I mean."

"What are you talking about?" Mr. Daniels asked.

"Well let's just say that there's a lot of mutants out there who don't exactly have access to the help they need," Shipwreck said. "Evan's trying to work with them and give them a hand. But they don't exactly have phones or e-mail so…"

"Oh," Vi nodded. "That makes sense. I mean if it's out in the woods or something."

"Or something," Shipwreck said under his breath. "I know they should have told you earlier but Evan really wanted to do this and he was afraid you'd say no, so he…"

"I think I understand," Mr. Daniels said. "Never thought that boy had it in him to do volunteer work."

"What can I say?" Ororo shrugged. "Evan's full of surprises."

"I know this isn't an excuse but you know with all the lawsuits against them…" Shipwreck began.

"Lawsuits?" Vi looked at him.

"School board at Bayville," Ororo said. "I told you about that."

"Oh right," Vi nodded.

"Plus we've been working with some children with real problems," Shipwreck continued. "One girl's mother is in rehab now. Another girl that was here was a bit out of control. Stole credit cards. Powers went haywire. Swam naked in the pool."

"WHAT?" Mr. Daniels gasped. Ororo glared at him.

"Oh she's much better now," Shipwreck grinned at Ororo. "Right honey?"

"Yes…dear," Ororo gritted her teeth and fought the urge to strangle him.

"Ororo do you have anything to drink?" Vi asked.

"Oh sure," She saw Bobby. "Bobby could you show my sister the kitchen?"

"I need to use the facilities as well," Mr. Daniels nodded.

"Well that was close," Ororo breathed a sigh of relief as they left the room. "I just wish I didn't have to lie to my sister and brother in law like that!"

"Well technically it's not a lie," Shipwreck said. "It's just not the entire truth."

"Shipwreck…" Ororo sighed. "Thanks. I owe you."

"I love the sound of that," Shipwreck grinned.

"Oh god maybe I should have just told her!" Ororo rolled her eyes. "At least my death would have been quick and painless!"