Disclaimer: You know the drill. 'Mutant X' and it's amazing cast of characters belong to someone who isn't me. Lexi and Izzy Fox-Mulwray belong to me.

Author's Note: Deepest apologies for the update delay.

Author's Note II: To tigereyes320 - Don't worry, Lexi and Izzy will learn the error of their ways before long, plus once they start school, they'll have to learn to behave themselves. I don't know about Shalimar and Brennan having another baby. Emma and Jesse will be having one in the next story and I don't want Sanctuary to be completely overrun by children, although I suppose four wouldn't be that many when you consider that there are five adults there but I'd be afraid that the girls would be left out.

Words in / / = Thoughts.

Chapter 7.

Two days later.

"So, how're you feeling?"

Shalimar glared at her husband. "I have chicken pox. How do you think I feel?"

"At least you won the temperature race." Brennan offered brightly. "You were four degrees ahead of Lexi."

"Great." Shalimar muttered sarcastically. She sighed and gave him a small smile. "I think that Lexi's feeling better." She nodded towards her sleeping daughter. "She spent most of this morning jumping on the bed. What's Izzy up to?"

"Plotting my doom." He sighed. Izzy had been giving him the silent treatment for the past two days.

Shalimar laughed. "Come on, Brennan, you have to admit that turning Emma orange was impressive. I never came up with anything like that when I was four."

"That's not what your dad says." He teased. Shalimar whacked him over the head with her pillow. "Hey!"

"Is Emma back to normal yet?"

Brennan nodded. "Yeah, the dye wore off pretty quickly. We were lucky. If it hadn't, we'd be planning Izzy's funeral. Nothing is alllowed interfere with her wedding plans." He grinned at his wife. "And on that note, Emma told me to tell you that she expects both you and Lexi to be recovered and out of quarantine by the wedding day."

"Doesn't she know that I'd be out of here in a second if I could?" Shalimar demanded indignantly. "Does she think that I actually enjoy this?"

Brennan laughed. "Don't shoot the messenger."

"Do you mind?" A tired, decidedly grumpy Lexi glared up at her parents. "I'm trying to sleep."

Brennan kissed his daughter's cheek. "Sorry, sweetie." He bent down over Shalimar's bed and kissed her gently on the lips. "I'll see you guys later. Izzy's been alone far too long, I don't want to know what she's after doing."

* * *

For the first time in her short life, Izzy was suffering from pranksters block.

She had spent the last two days trying to come up with an appropriate plan to avenge herself for what she felt was a grievously unjust timeout.

So far, all of her plans had been too tame or else too extreme, even by her standards.

/I need Lexi. / The four year old thought unhappily. /Lexi will know what to do. /

* * *

Five minutes later.

"Grandpa?" Izzy assumed her most pathetic facial expression. "Can I talk to you?"

Adam smiled, pushing away his work and lifting the little girl into his lap. "What's the matter, sweetheart?"

Izzy looked up at him with beseeching brown eyes. "Can I see Lexi for a little while, if I'm really careful not to catch chicken pox?" She pleaded. "It's very important. I have to talk to her."

"What about?"

"Just stuff." Izzy answered vaguely. "Important stuff." She added earnestly.

"Like what kind of prank to play on your father?" Izzy wouldn't meet his eyes. Adam chuckled softly. "I might have known." His expression became very serious. "Why do you want to play a prank on your father?" He already knew the answer,but he wanted to hear her say it.

"He gave me a time out!" Izzy exclaimed indignantly.

"Why?"

Izzy lowered her eyes. "Because I made him itchy and I put toothpaste and shaving cream on Uncle Jesse and I turned Aunt Emma orange."

"And why did you do that?"

Izzy shrugged. "I was bored."

"I see." Adam's expression was grave. He put a gentle finger under Izzy's chin and tilted her face so that she was looking at him. "Did I ever tell you about how the first New Mutant was made?"

The four year old shook her head and, sensing a story coming, snuggled into Adam's lap expectantly.

"There was once a little boy called Gabriel Ashlocke." Adam began. "He was very sick so his mommy and daddy brought him to me to see if I could help him."

"Did you?"

Adam sighed. "Yes and no. You see, I tried fixing Gabriel's DNA to make him better but I ended up giving him special powers as well."

"He was a New Mutant?"

Adam nodded confirmation. "Gabriel had lots of powers." He continued, tailoring his language so that the four year old could understand him. "But he didn't know how to use them properly. He used them to hurt people. Even his mommy and daddy."

"What did he do to them?" Izzy squirmed uncomfortably, not liking where this story was going.

"He killed them." Izzy gasped in  horror, unable to understand how anyone could kill their parents. "When he was ten." Adam continued inexorably. "Gabriel was the most powerful new Mutant I've ever met but you and Lexi are close seconds and, unlike Gabriel, you've had your powers since you were born." Adam hugged her gently. "I know that you don't mean to be nasty when you play your jokes - at least," He amended. "You don't usually - but you still have to very careful about letting yourself get angry at people, like you are at your daddy right now, and try to get revenge, even if you don't use your powers. That's a bad path, Izzy, and once you're on it, it's very hard to get off. Do you understand what I'm trying to say to you?"

Izzy nodded slowly. "I think so, Grandpa."

Adam smiled, kissing the top of her head. "Good girl." He lifted her off his lap. "Lexi should be able to leave the lab in another couple of days." he told her cheerfully. "Until then, at least try to stay out of trouble, okay? And think about what I've said."

"I will." Izzy promised solemnly.

* * *

An hour later.

Brennan had been sitting in the rec room reading when Izzy came in.

His initial fear that she had finally come up with an appropriate revenge dissipated as his little girl put her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

"I love you, Daddy." She whispered, kissing his cheek before releasing him and heading back to her own room.

Brennan watched her leave, a relieved smile on his face.

/Wow! I guess that miracles are possible. /

TBC.

Sorry if the last scene was a little too sappy. I wanted Izzy to learn the error of her ways and to reform, at least a little.

Next Chapter: Emma and Jesse tie the knot.